la x> V > ^ *° . X " * G X * •I o o °^- *• ■*5* a\ rt\\ SaR y/U N- . n C. •1 o ^ >, ^ V- ^ - V » * * '. o. .-.T.- .&** ^o -^^' A* TV*. °.. <"? /? Ijucn.-iYisi.i-.Sl.'l' V SutgTSMUle.., ._^ f" /NVvviH.i* ill" ..n T^.rfi, ■ M> ;1J v ISfa'l.llMre.s>la ^iitci xvilu' eVernuu l'< ' Ol : L1XK MAP of llli^UOT© (01 NIT (i\ti?e ivt ;l<-!«. for excuses. We believe the body of the work to bo essentially froe from stakes in regard to dates and positive averments. Where dates appear that confuse nr rp\tf. ubt, they are found to be verified or corrected in other portions of the history, and that eithc; corroborar'iDr statements or manifest implication. In giving opies of old documents and of records they are given literally as they exist, and ve not been -. n- phraseology only where it was proper to do so. G. D. A. June 17, li CONTENTS. ILLXJSTBATIOITS. ..facing b nF.. PAOK 364 B78 601 MS 568 28 806 nt 333 708 687 604 S3] 528 401 (38 126 ;.7'. 436 OS 566 h M , A ■ v a. others, Jitmcd P „ Chambers, William Croushore, George W Croushore, Geolge W. Residence of. - Conemaugh Yisduct County Home Coart'House Covode, George II Covode, John Cowan, Edgar M Daly, Thomas L Diilinger, S.imu. I " 686 Fulton, James A _ " 365 Gaffnejr, D between BIS, 533 Calloway, J«»uu facing 649 George, Isaac " 643 Gibsonton Mills between 664,565 Given, Robert facing 628 Greenawalt, Caleb '* 708 Guffey, Willian " 707 Johnston, A " 438 Johnston, Johi. W " 639 Hill i Kenney Works of " 684 Hitchman, W. I., Residence of. " 544 Hun, George I' " 624 Hunter, James A " 334 Interior St. Clair's House „ - 222 Keener House _ facing 706 Kline, N. L. K " 692 Kline, W. J. K " 368 Kreps, Jacob K " 664 Krepps, Jamei T " 369 ,aird, H. F " 341 .ippincott, J.> tl " 650 •>■ u ~ " 363 isius " 569 nlius, Residence of. '* 562 .... .me. of County _ between 12,13 Map, Geological, of County _ „ « 12, 13 Map of Westmoreland as Organized facing 61 Map, Battle of Great Meadows, 1754 " 19 Map of Coke Region „ between 404, 405 M I, Fort I.igonier » 102,103 Marcband, H. C facing 328 •PAOK Markle, C. C facing Markle, C. P., Residence and Paper-Mill of. " 705 Murkle, C. P., & Sons, Paper-Mill of. „ " 648 Markle, Cyrus P " 656 Markle, Joseph " St-ft Markle, Shepard B.,Jr " 667 Markleton Wood-Pulp Mills •' McAfee, James R " i McCall, Franklin " McCall, Franklin, Residence of. " McClanahan, M. P " V McCormick, EH " McFarlane, Andrew L *' McGonigal, John R " Miller, Samuel ** Milligan, John D " Moore, J. W " Overbolt, Abraham between 688 Overholt, H. S facing Overholt, J. S between 688, Painter, Israel H facing Paul, S.J " Pershing, Samuel " Plumer, George ■ Plumer, George, Residence of. " Plumer, J. C " Pollock, John " Robertson, 0. B *' Robinson, John Q « ** Robinson, Roberts " Robinson Coat of Arms— ■■ Scottdale Rolling-Mlll and Furnace facing Shepler, Joseph " Shields, Robert " Shryock, David W „ " Shupe, Daniel " Sloan, ,T»we« .... " St. _i« 1 1 Mifiiiij St. Xuvier's Academy ( dast Vtev Sutton. Dr. Le*is Thompson, Lewis Tintsman, A. O Townaend, John H Turaey, Jacob Walter, John Weimer, 8. C, Buildings of _, Wlralug, James A Toung, John , Zimmerman, Z ..I rfng b59 60 640 370 526 699 690 699 662 031 727 66'' G*T BM 711 6^> 1 366 660 367 682 661 630 62« .151 «/> 6H f i 211 224 693 276 278 371 719 64T 077 342 682 971 626 303 CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Introductory- -Early Provincial History. Prefatory— Necessity of P'eserving the Facts of Local History— Chief Sources of Local History — Written Accounts and Traditions — Venn's Grant— His Policy — Suc-'es* of His Colony — Alexander Spottswood, Governor of Virginia, w' rs and their Disposition — King Shingass and Queen Alliquippi— Gits Settlement— George Washington sent by the Governor of Virginia & the Indian Tribes — Hie First Journey, and the Information he AoquJftd — The Ohio Company cuts Roads, makes Set- tlements, erects a St ffe-House and Fort at Redstone, and takes pos- session of the Forks of the Ohio River — Its Soldiers and Men are driven away by the Jnucli, who erect Fort Duquesne — The Governor of Virginia reinforce) Washington, who retires to the Great Meadows, and Fights his First JUtttlo at Fort Necessity — Braddock's Campaign projected • 17 CHAPTER III. 1 katjjdogk's Expedition. Braddock's Forces at £\ rt Cumberland — He comes up the Ohio Com- pany's Road, piloted bj Washington — Opens the Road to the Youghio- ! gheny, and through o it part of Westmoreland to the SConongabela ; after crossing whiel River the Army, in a Defile on the South Bank above Turth Cn . "' is Surprised by the French Canadians and Indians j from the Fort — Tb I lumber of the Enemy and their Leaders — The j Virgiuians cover tie Retreat of the British — Washington carries off i the Army — The Route, Courses, and Distances of the March — How ; the Trail maybe found at this Day — Effect of Braddock's Defeat on I the Pennsylvania folonjsts — The Battle-Ground visited by Soldiers under ITorl I ! ■ Feara after the Battle— The Appearance of the t Field ? 20 i CHAPTER IV. - ! , . l'i;)'ITI«)>, 1766— BODQDET \1 LiGONIER, 1?58. The Country ovemiti ly Indians and French after Braddock's Defeat — j Settlers rlee to the last of the Mountains — Forts and Block-Houses i on the Peunsvl' ania Frontier — Cul.-luhu Armstrong's Expedition in i I75G against tli- I* "anniug Town — The Town taken and destroyed, ported UUsd— The Trampiug-Ground of these I h and Indian War carried on under William Pitt Hands the New Expedition from Philadelphia l if — llif- command— Col. Bouquet brings the Van- kcroBfi Laurel IJill to the Loyulhanna, where he I awaitson the rest of the Army under Washing- Mere to unite at Rnyetowu, or Bedford 25 and Capt. Jato Wanton — The — John Forbes against Fort Di guard of the A b Stockai ton iiii'/ CHAPTER V. F »' ■*:>' Expedition, 1758. r 1 1 oi win Fort Ligonier to reconnoitre about Fort lien under (.runt, and their Route — Their Ba- the > 2-Mile Run— Vheir Trail the first Road of the iug ]' pie I rough Westmoreland from Laurel Hill to the Ohio — Grant arrives at the Hill overlooking Fort Duquesne — Is Surrounded and Defeated — Capt. Bullet carries the Remains of the Command >ack to the Stockade of Ligonier — The French and Indians fill the Woods about Ligonier, and with their united forces attack Bouquet — The Battle lasts nearly all Day, when the Enemy flee off through the Woods — The whole Army under Forbes at Ligonier — He proposes to advance towards Fort Duquesne — Washington leads the way, and cuts the Old Military or Forbes' Road — Duquesne de- serted by the French, and first occupied by the British and Ameri- cans— Fort Pitt erected 28 CHAPTER VI. First Settlements in Westmoreland- — Battle of Bushy Run, 1763. Settlers come into Ligonier Valle,. , about Fort Pitt, and along the Old Military Road— Their Isolated S. uations, their Squalid Huts, Potato Patches, and First Clearings — Condition of Indian Affairs at the Peace between England and France, 1761 and 1763 — Pontiac — Fort Ligonier made a General Depot — Officers Commandant at Fort Ligonier — The Great Uprising of the Northwestern Tribes— Fort Pitt and Fort Li- gonier surrounded and cut off from connection with the East — Capt. Ourry and his Men from Bedford come to the relief of Ligonier and hold the Fort — Bouquet marches from the East to t he relief of Fort Ligonier and Fort Pitt — The Force with hhn— Bouquet 0ods tlu Frontier overrun and the Inhabitants utterly lirstnun — I Fort Ligonier (1763)— He strengthens the Post, and with Army and a Convoy of Pack-Horses proceeds towards Fort 1 attacked by the Indians uuder Kyashnta, the Chief of th and fights the Battle, of Bushy Run— II • Defeats and Scatt. Enemy in the most successful Engagement fought with the B and carries his Force? and Provisions into Fort Pitt 3_ CHAPTER VII. Settlement from 1759 to 1769. Misunderstood Boundaries of the Treaty of 1754 ( Albany)— Pun hase of 1758 and Boundaries thereunder — British Officers give Permits to Su- tlers after Forbes' Campaign — Pennsylvania wil] not give Title to Set- tlers, but passes Laws to keep Settlersoff this Torritory — Virginia ir duces Settlers to migrate hither and locate — The Boundm/ 1 between Pennsylvania and Virginia not definitely known— Sett come into the Country after Pontiac's war (H64)— They locate at R stone, on the Youghiogheny, at the Forks of that River, am) ab Pittsburgh, Ligonier, and along the Great Roads — Mason and Dixo Line run — Proclamation of the Governor of Pennsylvania wain, these Settlers oft — Rev. John Steele sent to them to explain the La and request them to remove— They refuse to remove— The " Ne Purchase," under Treaty of Fort Stanwix,..f 176k— List of the Barliei Settlements made in Western Pennsylvania to this date (1768)— Clan oring of Emigrants and New Settlers tu have Lands grant- -' them b the Province — Special Land Titles — Penn's Manorial Besarvatfr The Divesting Act— Preliminaries to the opening of the Land — Public Notice of the opening given — Laud Office opened for cations in the New Purchase, April :j, 1760 CHAPTER VIII. Predominant Nationalities of the S "Now Purchase" in Cumberland County Territory- Justices of tlie Peace for that part of Cumhei Laurel Hill — No evidence of any Authority be ; Magistrates — Bedford Couuty created — Towt part of Bedford County which later became 1 for Bedford County — Number of Landhobb CONTENTS. The Southwestern Boundary of Bedford County— No Actual Juris- diction of Bedford County Government tolerated by the Settler?— First CourtH of Bud ford— Those in the first Com mission— Number of Applications at the opening of the Land Office in 1769— Prominent Men who took up Land at that date— Different Nationalities of the Set- tlers : Scotch-Irish, Germans, French Huguenots, English-Americans —Localities of their Settlements— Predominant Nationality of Penn- sylvania Settlers before the Revolution— Immigration of the Scotch- Irish, particularly that of 1771-73— Their Nativity, and account of their Denization in the North of Ireland— Their Distinct Character- istics— How they were held by Friends and by Defamers— They and the Dutch, bad neighbors— Their Influence in Public Affairs in Western Pennsylvania, and reference therein to the Whiskey Insurrection. 42 Customs, Morals, CHAPTER IX. and Manners the Erection PRIOR OF TUB COUNTT. The German Settlers— Whence they Emigrated— In what they Differed from the Scotch-Irish— Their Maimers, Habits, etc.— Their Belief in the Supernatural— The Mennonists— Peculiarities of their Religious Be- li e f_Kelation of these First Settlers to the Civil Law and Procedure in Courts— The Customs and Laws which they Formulated— Effect of their Religion* Belief Oil their Civil Society— Peculiarity of their Morals blended with their Mann ere— Southern Portion of the County being rapidly filled up compared with the Northern Portion— Terms i _ inia Titles and terms of Penn's Titles — First Settlements north of the Conemaugh— Early Pittsburgh— Fort Pitt abandoned— Early Efforts of the Settlers to erect a *iw County after opening of the Pennsylvania Land Office— Bedfon County erected 47 CHAPTER X. Westmoreland Cot ntv Org .nixed — Counts Established, BTC. isticeafor Bedford County exercise jurisdiction over the Westmoreland part of the County— Great Distance to the County-Seat— St. Clair as Penn's Agent— Petitions for a New County— Westmoreland County en"-* ' •; Aft ,i Assembly and organized— Courts authorized and j tamed — List of the County Justices In the first Commission | ( Con Connty divided Into Townships — The first Grand ; constables and Supervisors appointed ami Inn-keepers li- I— The County Offices ami Officers— St. Clair the first Prothono- , and Juries Briaon his Clerk — Huffnagle, St. Clair's Suoces- a the Records of the Couuty— John Proctor the first Sher ft*— Officers returned — Election DiBtriCtS ■"' CHAPTER XI. First Jail — Early Punishments — Slavery in 1781. i Ion of the Jail at Hanna's— The Pillory— The Whipping-Post— The Stocks— The First Indictment in the Quarter Sessions — Tames Brig- lam) and Luke Picket whipped at the Poet— Vefltigee of Bng tleial Elizabeth Smith whipped at the Post and sentenced to iars at Hard Labor with an Inhuman Master for Larceny— axible i i Slaveryand Servitude in the Old Westmoreland Bill of Sale for a Negro Woman Slave-Extent of Slavery iu the unty Hi 1781 Reference to the List of Slaves made out in Pursu- it ait of Assembly 57 CHAPTER XII. Old Hannastown, te Seat. in ted to locate a Oonnty-Seat— Robert Ban da's Settlement -They :•■'. on Banna's Town — Difference of Opinion as to the expe- I iting the County-Seat tin 'ie— Description of the Old l— Opposition to its Location flj the People of Pittsburgh— Cor- Eteporti of the Trustees — Various -Troubles at the Place in 1774-75.... 61 CHAPTER XIll. I] h Trot bles OF 277 1 Bl iftb I r PenuBvlvama -I'n ; .. ,,i Virginia and Pennsylvania summarized to fl jht for the Demands of Virginia— r >f Virginia — England's ColorifaJ Policy— Vir* Ministry— Charges against Dnnmore Drnmore's or Creese p'a Warof 1774 — How the Indians regarded Western Virginia — John Connolly— He takes possession of Fort Pitt — Issues a Proclamation — Apprehended by St. Clair, and coaimitted to Jail at Hannas f own--He returns to Pittsburgh — Is opposed by Penn's Magistrates— lie re urns with Authority from Dunmore, and appears with Simon Girty aui a Babble at Hannastown — Refuses to allow the Justices to bold 0*art — The Justices persist, and hold Court to preserve order till the Li ~s are adjusted G3 CHAPTER XIV. Connolly's Usurpations, Indian Alarms, Etc. The Pennsylvania Justices further resist C unolly's Usurpation — He sends Three of them iu Irons into Virgil a — The} are released by Dunmore — Commissioners appointed by the' Jouncil to viBit the Houbc of Burgesses of Virginia— Evil Summer of 1 74 — Petitions from Early Inhabitants of Westmoreland to Governoi penn — Meeting held at Pittsburgh— The Association first formed— Devereux Smith's Letter . to Dr. William Smith— Some acts of Co-nully incited— Dunmore opens Offices for the Sale of Land in Per isylvania Territory — He issues a Proclamation to the People — St. Cla r superintends the Mili- tary Arrangements — Forts repaired, and list of now ones erected — Bangers organized atid posted at various I tints — Alarm of the In- habitants—Many Settlers cross back over tie Motn tains— They are urged to remain by St. Clair and Others — TVjple of '-igonier Valley gather near the Fort in fear of the Indians grossing the Ohio — Num- ber and Lists of the Signers of the Petitions to governor Peun — Hempfield Dutch and Pittsburgh Irish 66 CHAPTER XV. Dtnmore's War. Dunmore** War begun by the Murder of some F-iendlv Indians, espec- ially Logan's Family— Virginian Army QnaniseaV-Dunmore at Pittsburgh with Connolly— Great Gathering ai 1 Organization of the Indian Tribes — The Campaign of 1774 — The H pes of our People in Col. Lewis — Dunmore and Connolly want to s e the Army defeated and the Indians on the Frontiers— Lewis galnj the Battle of Point Pleasant— Dunmore's Treaty — Indictment : The People vs. Duninore — Dunniotv tliiMii-h Connolly still tyrannizes .>.«m* the Pennsylv Bottlers, many of whom talk of leaving their CI aringd— Condition of the People iu 177. r >— Leaders in Westmoreland Ui 1775— The Military Spirit 70 CHAPTER XVI. We>tmh:;;:i, ami's DECLARATION 0V IkDE] | 1775. Congress and Tlconderoga— Westmoreland listening to the Lexington Common— Meeting held at Pittsburgh and 1 t Fiaunastown, May 16, 1775— What they said at Pitteborgh— What they did at Han- nastown — Westmoreland's Declaration of Indepeidi Spirit of the Resolutions Adopted— who wrote them — Sim Larity between the Declaration and the Resolutions in Ej p ■ ssion n 1 I —The Military idea of Resistance- Observations and If imarka 011 the Paper —Westmoreland's Great Glory— Tho Regiment oj| A•' L |! ■ subject to HiUtary Sendee, and required h of Allegi- ance— Frame of Government foi I I. >pted ,,tor elected fii t Councilor — A.chilald Lochry, rlrst tenant, succeeded i..\ 1 oofc andl Col J ampbt Lieutenant — The Wee< to i; Itself- rftish the Indians— Hatred bet liana an. ieW< Settlers CONTENTS. 'HAPTER XVIII. Westmoreland in the Revolution. First Battalion directed :o ho raised in Pennsylvania for the United Colo- nies— Capt. John Ke].-,.i:'i Company from Westmoreland — Ordered to Canada — Services of i his Company — Second Pennsylvania Batialion under St. Clair — Capt. William Butler's Company, and Capt. Stephen Bayard's Company — History of the Services of this Battalion in the Expedition intoCana la,aud in the Retreat to Ticonderoga — The Third Pe- isylvania Regiment formed out of Saint Clair's Battalion — Memo- rial of the Officers of the Third and Ninth Pennsylvania Regiments — Sketch of Capt. Jame* Chrystie, and of Thomas Butler — Pennsylvania Rille Regiment — Its History — Capt. Joseph Erwiu's Company — Their Gallant Services at Long Island — The Company Incorporated into other Commands — State Regiment of Foot — Capt. Carnahau — Capt. Scott's Company — The Second Pennsylvania Regiment — Condition of the Western Frontiers at the Beginning of the Revolution — George Mor- gan, Indian Agent at Fort Pitt — Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment raised by Authority of Congress — Directed to be raised in Westmore- land and Bedford C< unties — Seven Companies raised in Westmoreland \ — Its Officers — Mus.ered into Service for the Defense of the Frontiers — They receive Orders from the Board of War to join Washington — Letter from Col. Mackay to President of the Board — Letter from Lieut.-Col. George Wilson to Col. James Wilson — They set out for New- Jersey — Their Terrible March — Their Condition 00 their Arrival at Headquarters — Hon. T. Pickering's Mention of their Distressful Con- dition — Change in the Officers • of the Regiment — Return of -Turn-, 1777 — Different Reform of 1777 — Engagements of the Regiment— Their Losses and Oaanalties — Valley Forge — Regiment ordered to Pittsburgh in 1778 — Col. Brodhead, with the Regiment, makes a de- tour up the Weal Branch— Remains of the Regiment stationed at Pittsbin g tfl from the Older-Book of the Regiment — Mor- gan's Rifle Regim 'nt— Character and Object of the Organization — Its Officers— Their & irfoefl he Saratoga — Col. Richard Butler second iu command — Capt. Pan Swearingen — First Lieut. Basil Prather — Second Lieut. John Han in — Anecdote of Van Swearingen — His Subsequent -Stonj Point— Its Position and Importance — Washington de- termines to Capture it if possible — Confers with Gen. Wayne — Col. Richard Butler commands one of the Detachments who are detailed for this Service — They carry the Fori at the Point of the Bayonet — Arthur St. Clair a Brat Services ho the Revolution — Biographical Sketches of Col, S&neas Mackay — Of Col. Stephen Bayard — Of Lieut.- Col. George W Up id- Of Col. Daniel Brodhead— The Fighting Butlers: Thomas, Sr., Ri hard, William, Thomas, Jr., Perciral— Other Mem- bers of the Butl'-r Family— \t\>-. dotes- Col. James Smith — Ool loan Gibson SI CHAPTER XIX. BoiM" ,CE AN)> ClVll. DlSBEHSIONB, Indians in lTTt: . mi 1777 — Effect of Savage Warfare on the Whi White Senega MYKee, Elliott — Depravity of some WIih Frontier — Murder of Cornstalk — List of Com- mandants at ii-t Pitt— Mcintosh's .Expedition from Fort Pitt to Beaver— Brodbt- id's Expedition to Conewago— Other Expeditions from Wester rania and the Weal — dark's Western Expedi- tion ami hie v eetmorelanders— Dates of these Noted Expeditious — Nature of the Indian Warfare in the- West— Border Settlement of Westmoreland most Exposed— The County daring the Troublous Times divided one part North and one part South of the S gheny — Peopli along the Youghiogheny acknowledge no Law — Vir- ginia establish-, three Oonnl il bweetorn Pennsj Iranla — Bounil:'i <■ , U ia Ohio, and X I 4s from Yohogania < rds— Their first Elec- i'rimitiv Court-Hou le and Jail— Carious Pines and Sentences— When their Jiirtediction ended— Boundaries run and Difficulties set- tied — Mason » u ,\ Dixon's Line — Limits of the Actual Westmoreland County through the Revolutionary Wa erection of ott . r Counties which have bean stricken off from West- moreland 97 CHAPTER XX. Fours 11 OCK-HOUSES, AND F.NCIDENTS OP WARFARE. Reliance o Weffcmoreland in her Militia— Her means oi defense— De- scription >f l t . Early Stockades, Forts, Block-Houaee— Blocfc-CabiDfl andSiati iu -fort Ligoniar and Capt. Shannon and Ool. McDowell— ! Bannastown Stockade— Fort Hand— Fort Beed- JTort On d Y< it I Shippen, at Capt. Proctor's — Fort Allen — Rugb's Block-House — Kep- ple's Block-House — Miller'B Block-House and Station — Palmer's Block- House — Williams' Fort — Fort Waltour — Fort Wallace — Canadian's Block-House — Barr's Block-House — Shields' Block-House — Miller's Fort on the Sewickley — McDowell's Block-House — Teague Island Fort — Incidents — The Francis Family killed near Wal tour's — Attack on Waltour's Fort and death of the Old Man Waltour — The wounded Indian who killed Waltour comes to Fort Pitt — Has his wound dressed — Confesses that he shot Waltour — A Company from about Brush Creek go to the Garrison and demand him, that they may punish him themselves — He is given up to them — He is taken back to Waltour's Fort to he burned at the stake — While thoy are hu it- ing up a Sheriff and a Jury to hold a mock trial the Indian escapes — He is followed Ninety Miles, and when last heard of had taken to the Allegheny River — Finley'a adventure at Fort Wallace 102 CHAPTER XXI. Forays and Adventures. During the Early Part of the Revolutionary War— The Volunteers — Col. James Smith takes a Detachment up the Allegheny to French Creek or Venango — His Arrangement of the Men while on the March and in their Encampments — His Plan of Fighting the Indians — Brodhead's Expedition to Conewago and Brokeustraw — He cuts off a Party of Forty IndianB on their way to the Westmoreland Set- tlements — Notice of Fort Armstrong, Kittanning — Brodhead sends Capt. Brady into the Seneca Country — Trouble between the Continen- tal Officers and the Militia Olticens — Ranging Companies formed during the War by Direction of the State Officials— They are Sta- tioned along the Rivera — Their Officers — Their Manner of Fighting — The Heroic Women of Early Westmoreland : Experience Bosarth, Massy Harbison, Mrs. Margaret Oliver, Mrs. Matthew Jack 107 CHAPTER XXII. Lower Ligonikk Valley during ihi: Revolution. Ligouier Valley a Favorite Ground (or the Indians, and the First Stop- ping-Place of the Whites— Privations of the rfl along the Four-Mile Run, Mill Creek, the Old Road, and Indian Crm k— Murder of the Campbell Family, and Captivity of Robert Campbell (with curious anecdote?) — He is sold to a British Officer— He is exchanged — Killing of the Old Man Barman and three of bin 'tines Flack taken Prisoner— Escapes from ffonrj I, ■ trough the 'Wilderness bj means of a Compass— Cha I taken uy In- dians in Ambush — His Account of the Manners, Habits, and Ways of Living of the Northern Julians — His Master cures him of a Foot — Peter Haharg token bj the name Party — Is made to Rui Gauntlet — Cliflbrd token I— Is Exchanged after having been with the Indians nearlj Three years— Comes to the Valley Dies at Home— James Cliflbrd and his two Dogs, " Whig" and — lli& adventure w [| b the Indian whom tie shoots Indians lying in wait attack a Party of Five wh They kill Miss Means, Young Means, and Young Reed— Cot Mc- Dow< 11 escapes with Hiss Reed on bis Horse into the Fort- ,] be Bodies of the Others buried by the People of the Fort i]\ CHAPTBB XXIII. Utter Ligonier Valley ddrino the Revolution, The Upper Part of Ligonier Valley — Remains of the Old Indian Fort— The Early Settlers here: the Harmana, Gays, and others— Willi Block-House the PI Early Settlers — Different Murders and Captures ia this Region — tudians capture Andrew and John Harman along the Fonr-MUe Ran— They kill i be ol ■ .v i bor'fl Horses and t;ike Another— Thej i i id hearths Mother calling th ry the Boys ti ■ rth John Dies— After trying to freeze Andy to 3 m in other ways to kill Him, in- si but is trained op with ■■■ □ -Ho is adopted by that Tribe, the Senecas— Lives with them some Years —Is parted with for a Bottle of Bum to en I Taken to Ljqi 'i '' si b Serrant— After the rear.- in 1763 comes Home, i they had long thonghl him Dead—Hie Account of their Ways of Banning, of Hnuting, and of Fighting, witl if Ms ttlng — OBpture of Jacob Nicely by and adopted by toem— Mi taw end Dies Hfs Father viajpi him before h*s Death . .. no CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIV. Captain Brady and His Exploits. Capt. Samuel Brady, the Hero of Western Pennsylvania, is stationed at Pittsburgh in Col. Brodhead's Regiment — When his Family is muruered he Bwears to wage a War against the Indians long as he lives— He is sent to Sandusky to get Information for the Commander-in-Chief— He gets within Bight of the Town and watches the Indians all Day —On his way back he kills a Warrior, and saves Jenny Stupes and her Child —His Companion, the Dutchman Phouts, and his pet Delaware— He and the Dutchman go up the Allegheny to get some News— They follow an Indian Trail— They capture an old Indian who tries to 1 ill I'hoiits, but who is killed by him— Brady as Captain of the Rangers— Battle of Brady's Bend— Brady kills the Bald Eagle, who had killed his Relatives— Brady watches in the French Creek - ran try — He and his Men pursue a Returning Party of Indians— Brady's Leap— He follows up a Party which had entered the Sewickley Set- tlement — nis Men attack a Party of Warriors and rout them — His Adventures with Wetzel and the Spies after the General War, as well as all others which have been substantiated or corroborated by Con- current Accounts * 118 CHAPTER XXV. LoCH&y's Expedition. The Settlements In 1779 and 1780— Ferocity of the Savages, and De- pravity of a Class of Whites — Some Whites from about Hannastown kill Friendly Indians — Kirkpatrick'a Cabin attacked by Indians, and there- in of the CoBtOffl of claiming Scalps— Brodhead ordered to send a De- tachment under Maj. Craig from Fort Pitt to reinforce Gen. Clark — Clark's Plan of a Western Campaign — Westmoreland requested to co- operate with Him — Bickerings and Jealousies among the Leaders ol the County — Col. Lochry, as County Lieutenant, under Instructions from the Council, raises a force of Volunteers to join with Clark — The Difliculties under which Lochry labored— Clark's Letter to the Officers of Westmoreland, disclosing his Plan of Campaign — Luchry's (Friends volunteer— The} rendezvous at Carnalian's Block-House — They pro- ceed down the River after Clark to unite with him at Wheeling — Lochry's last Letter— Arriving at Wheeling (Fort Henry), Lochry fiuds that Clark had gone on down the River — He prepares Boats to follow — Goes to the Mouth of the Kanawha — Capt. Shannon sent for- ward with a Letter to Clark — He and his Men are captured — The In- dians place them on an Island as a Decoy for the other Whites — Lochry's Men land some distance above the Island— Upon landing they Kre attacked by a large Force of Indians and entirely cut off— Me- morial of Two of the Prisoners who were exchanged — Capt. Orr, and his Account of this Expedition — Lieut. Samuel Craig's Narrative of his Captivity- STew Volunteers called out towards the end of the Year 17S1 124 CHAPTEK XXVI. Cuawform's Expedition to Sandusky. The Moravian Indians — Their Christian Character and their Former History — Their Efforts at Peace-Making between the Whites ami Whir- ring [ndUluS -Description of their Villages — Their Unfavorable Loca- tion — They are Mumed with harboring Hostile Indians — The Whites of the Southwestern Part of Pennsylvania are instigated to Disperse them — They raise a Force of Volunteers for that Purpose — Col. David Williamson in command— Their Route of March — They come upon the Indian) bj nrprise — Represent themselves as Friends — Get pos- n ol" their Villages, and begin the destruction of the Houses, : ml the murder of the Men, Women, and Children — They are taken out, one after another, and with Clubs, Mallets, and Hatchets mill'- dared whtts Ebej supplicate fur mercy — Their Bodies are then burned — Col. Crawford's Expedition later in 1782 to the Sandusky Towns — He if ' his Force scattered — He is taken Prisoner and I at the Btaki — Escape of Dr. Knight 131 CHAPTER XXVII. Condition of the People in 1780-81. Westmoreland County in the Latter Part of the Revolution — Evidences from the Court Records and from Acts of Assembly— The Militia I to Place in expectation of Indian Attacks — The Ontpoi ' west of Fort Pitt abandoned— Extracts from the Correspond- cnce of Brodhead, Irvine, and Others bearing on the Affair; Ql be Com ty, :J5 CHAPTER XXVIII. Destruction of Hannastown. Spring of 1782— The Outposts deserted— Condition of the Hannastown Settlement — The People gather near to the Stations and work at Har- vest together — A Party go out to take off the Harvest of Michael Huffnagle, north of Hannastown— One of the Reapers, seeing Indians watching from behind Trees, gives the Alarm, .and they flee towards the Fort— The Court at Haunastown adjourn* without a Crier — Records taken to the Fort — General Jail Delivery — They all gather into the Stockade — Scouts sent out — Brison and Shaw pursued by the Indians — Capt. Matthew Jack comes upon the Indians and escapes from them?— He rides round the Country - and alarms the People — He saves the Love Family — Indians come to the Town — They hold a Con- sultation, and are seen to have White Men for Commanders, who are dressed like Indians — They plunder the Houses, fire on the Stockade, and mock at the Inmates — They send out a Party towards Miller's Station— The People gather at Allen's, at Hugh's, at Unity— Settlers gather into the Houses and get down their Rifles — Indians come on to the Mowers in the Meadow at Miller's — The Number and Class of Per- sons collected there— Women and Children gather into the Miller House — John Brownlee called back from attacking the Indians by his Wife — Gives himself up to the Indians — A Young Man takes Brownlee's Child and runs towards George's— Is pursued by a Pack of Indians and bides in a Rye-Field — Singular Escape of a Babe left on the Ground at the Mercy of the Savages— She is found Sleeping in her own Cot the next Morning— She lives to be Married, and dies in Old Age— The Houses at Hannastown burnt down— Captain Jack is too late to alarm the People at Miller's— The Renegades secure the In- mates of the House— They burn the Houses and shoot down the Cattle — Tie the Hands of the Prisoners and load them with Stolen Goods — Drive the Weeping Women into Captivity— Brownlee carries a Load on bis back and has his Little Child on his neck— The Indians recog- nize Brownlee — One crashes a Tomahawk into his Head and kills his Little Boy, and also a Woman who faints— Affairs about the Fort — Peggy Shaw saves a Little Child— A Ball strike? her in the Breast— The barbarous Medical Treatment she receives while she lingers out her Life — The Two Bodies of Indians unite and go into Camp in the Crab tree Bottom— People collect at the George Farm— At Nightfall a Crowd with Smuts go Armed to assist those in the Fort -They come to the Smouldering Town— Are let into the Sin, kale :m«i Sound an Alarm— The Indians, listening, are scared, thinking Reinforcements have arrived, ami after Midnight they leave for the North— Their Route— They are pursued as far as the Kisklminetas— The People look out on Deserted Homes— They bury the Dead where they were found —To keep them from starving the siate allows them to draw Rations —What became of the Prisoners— Who the Invaders were and where they came from — Gen. Irvine's Letter to Washfrtgl Sloguhw Ac- count from an Indian after the War of the Party which burnt Han- nastown— -The Heroes of the " Hannastown War"— The Town after its Destruction ■ 138 CHAPTER XXIX. Last Days op Hannastown — Execution op M IHA.CR1 End of the Revolution— Formation of new Counties, Washington and Fayette — New State Project— Who were at the head of it— Causes of its Inception— Its Prospective Limits— It fail ■ i I n - SB rela- tive thereto— 17 83-8+— The Last Days of Hannastown— TrW of Hamachtaga, an Indian, for Murder— And also of - p s other ft I era at the same Court— He is defended by Brackenridge — The Indian's Deportment— His Opinion of tile Court— His Trial— Ie found Guilty of Murder, and wishes to be Shot instead of Banged— The Prisoners in the Jail want him to kill another Prisoner and oi Death — He refuses to do flu— The Jailer's Child takes Siek, Whe n Mauiaehtaga, goes out and gets Herbs to cure it — He returns to the Jail, and goes into Voluntary Confinement— The Day of the IV —A great Crowd of People assemble — The White Man h«»ng, and then Mamachtaga hung— He dies like a Warrior, after hav: S first painted himself for the Occasion.. l-*8 CHAPTER XXX. The Pionebbs — Their Hoi .. etc. The Honeers— How the Early Settlers came in— Their tfbjest ir Kfflf- grating and in Removing — First Settlers near the Fo'in— How oej Built their Houses — House-Raisings— Appearance of tbj**' ' '"'■■■"■" side — How they were Furnished— Home-Made Furnuur 3 — Description CONTENTS. of Ancient Han naa town.— The First Frame and Stone Houses in differ- ent parts of the County*— Dr. Schoepf *e visit to Western Pennsylvania after the War 153 CHAPTER XXXI. Primitive Housekeeping and Farming. How to commence Housekeeping — Split-Brooms and Gourds — The Spinning-Wheel and Cradle — The Cock-Loft and Stable — Clearing the Forest — Getting to Farming — Resorts and Devices of the Farmer — Wheat Lands — Common Crops — Gardening — Rye Coffee — Mrs. St. Clair's Tea-Parties — The Raising of Flax, and a Description of the Process of its Manufacture — Spinning — Tow in Poetry and in Law — Wool-Carding— The First Cardiug-Machines — The old case of Mc- Ginnis vtrnu* Giger, in the matter of wrongly Dyeing the Linsey- Woolsey — Dress of the Common People — Going to Church — Nineteen Grooms married in one Blue Coat at different times — Dress of the Fashionable People— Calico 157 CHAPTER XXXII. Bears, Deer, Wolves, etc. Fruits and Denies — Game — Maple-Sugarand Molasses — Depredations of the Bears — How they were trapped and killed— Mitchell shoots a Bear on a Sunday — Wrffes, and Adventures with them— Moorhead and Kelly- -Christian Shockey attacked at Night by Wolves, climbs a Tree and awLtits till Morning — Premium for Wolf-Scalps — Deer-Hunting — Venison used instead of Beef — Squirrels — Birds and Wild Fowl — Pests of the Farmer — Game Laws, and Premiums offered by Law at Different Times for destroying Auima s and Birds — Farming the Chief Depend- ence and Occupation of th< People — How Farming in General was carried on 162 CHAPTER XXXIII. Salt, Whiskey, Ea rlv Mills, axd Furnaces. Some of their Chief Wants — Si.lt — First brought from the East, then from Big Beaver, Kentucky, nondaga — Prices — Methods of bringing it over the fountains— Its D scovery on the Sewickley and on the Conemaugh — Process of its First Manufacture — Reduction in Price — Scarceness of Money — The Rat I us fixed by some of the Earl; Courts — Prices of other Commodities —Cheapness of Land — Paying their Preachers aud Taxes — Rates alU wed per Bushel for Wheat, Rye, and Oats — Whiskey-Stills — Manufacture of Whiskey — What they kept in their Stores or Shops — Manner of doing Business — Whiskey the Me- dium of Exchange — Its Universal Use — Exported and Imported — Tub aud Grlst-Mllls — List of First Mills In \ — Iron— Turnbull & Marmie's Foundry and t unmce — The Westmoreland Furnace — **«l. St. Clair buil ds Hermitage Furnace — Mount Hope and Ross Punacces— Joou'ieiiiy Hopkins— The Baldwin Furnace— Other Fur- naces— Axe and Jail Manufacture, etc 166 CHAPTER XXXIV. Primitive toAns and Methods op Transportation. Something on Roads in Great Britain, and of Indian Trails in America— Kn " I by the Indians in their Selection of Routes— Th " ir M inoei o Traveling— Of their Trails East and West, North an,t s '■ I ' Routes of the First Whites westward of the Moun- tains — I/Hail R< mains along those Routes in Westmoreland, and Me- morials n. Bull, Governor of Micblgi oads -Surrender of De- troit—The whole West in Arms— Army of the North* ,.,.,, ii n aou— John B. Alexander and the Rifle Company of Westmoreland— < Correspond Alexander and the Military Authorities— The Ri the Government of the ■ i States— They are accepted and ordered to March— Liwi ol Offi- cers ' repb Markl-'N Company of Horse — Muster- apt. Marl ■ ay — These Volnnteei to the DcAtchment Hent to the Missies! neural of the E peditien — It? entire t«c« morelandoro Cant. Alexander detailed on Special Duty — Promoted to rank of Major — Win- ter Campaign of 1813 — Fort Meigs — Gallant Cotoduct of Maj. Alexander and the Pennsylvania Volunteers at Fort Meigu — Opposed to Tecumseh — Termination of the Siege — Conduct of the Westmorelanders men- tioned by Gen. Harrison in General Orders to the wholo Army — Maj. Crogan at Uppor Sandusky— Orders discharging the Rifles, and Com- mendatory thanks of the General 226 CHAPTER LXI. Ecclesiastical Historv. The Presbyterian Church — Reformed Church — Greensburg Seminary — Evangelical Lutheran Church — Ministers of the Early Lutheran Church — United Presbyterian Church — Methodists — Early Methodism in Greensburg and Vicinity — United Brethren — The Mennonites and their Early Settlement — Baptist Church— Mouut Pleasant Institute — Roman Catholic Church— Catholicity in Western Pennsylvania... 233 CHAPTER XLII. The Press and. Literati i.k. The "Pittsburgh Gazette" — "Farmer's Register, 1 ' the First Paper printed in Greensburg—" The Greensburg and Indiana Register" — The" West- moreland and Indiana Register" — " The West *ioreland Republican and Farmer's Chronicle" — " Greensburg Democrat 1 " Republican and Democrat" — " Westmoreland Democrat" — The " Greensbuig Ga- zette" — "Greensburg Gazette and Farmer's and Mechnnick's Regis- ter" — (And again) "The Greensburgh C;- eette" — * The Westmoreland Intelligencer"—" The Sentinel"— The 'American Herald" — " The Tribune" — "Tribune and Herald" — "''he Pennsylvania Argus" — "Frank Cowan's Paper"— "The Democratic Times 11 — "The National Issue" — "The News" — "The GreenBbi;rg Press" — "The Evening Press" — German Newspapers: "The Star of the West" — "The West- moreland News" — " The Ligonier Free 1 ress" aim* " The Valley Dem- ocrat" — Mount Pleasant "Lit Mary Gazette" — "Latrobe Inquirer" — '• Latrobe Advance" — "The Reveille"- -The "Irwin Spray" — "The Irwin Chronicle"— The West Newton ' Weekly Cycle" — "The West Newton Press" — " The Scottdale Tribmie"— The " Miner's Record" — oddities— Observations — Extracts — L terature — Dr. Frank Cowan's Publications 27 l J CHAPTER XLIII. The Legal Profession. Provincial Courts— The County Justices — Distinction of President Judge — William Crawford, the First Presiding Judge— Judge John Moore — Increase in Legal Business — Difference in Practice— Kiret Regular At- torneys— Characteristics of the Early Practice-i-Judge H. H. lhe'- enridge — James Ross — John Woods— Steel Scmpli ■ " orj —William Wilkius— Legal Ability of the Early practitioners— The Bench— Judge Addison— Judicial Forms, etc— Juigs John ^ Judge Thomas White— Jodge J. M.BurreU^Jndgef.C Knoi Judg Joseph Bufflngton— Judge James A. Logan — Judge Jam a 1. Hunter John Byers Alexander— Alexander William Foster— The H of Evans— James FTndlay— Biohard Coulter— John ?• leaver— Albert <;. Marchand— Henry I>. Foster— A. A. Stewart— It. ■'■ Man Joseph H. Kubns— James C. Clarke— John Latto— Boll of Attor- neys CHAPTER XLIV. Thh Mi.iu. ai, Profession. The Profession in the Early Pays of the Provlm Westmoreland— Quackery — Dr. James Postlethwaite— John I M.D.- Dr. Alfred T. King— Dr. David Alter— The Wwti .::.( i and Society— List of Enrolled Practftiom Henry G, Lomlson— Dr t David Alter — Dr. James A. Fulton — Dr. J. Q. Bohinson— Dr. W.J.Kline— Dr. J. T.Krepps— i>r. J. D.Hilligan... 344 CHAPTER XLV. ■ D of Early Instntotion in the Early Proi Hate — Mr. Somerville's School at Greensburg— Country Bchools — First Insti- tutes — The Superlnl id Ii d I tbs opinion of the tion touching it — Fiist Country Bchools in the North of the < List of County Superintendents: J. s. Waltbour, II. >1. Jones, J. Sfl- liman, J. R. Spiegel— Present Status of the Common Schools— Tfat, County Ii titute of ISO CONTENTS. n CHAPTER XLVI. Mexico. Public Excitement on Declaratid of War, May 13, 1846— Military Spirit — Companies in Greensb'-rg — Promptness of the Young Men of Westmoreland in responding to the Call for Volunteers — "Westmore- land Guards"— Roll — AdV»"S about Greensburg before their Departure — The Company's Plac? i" the Army — Account of the War in Mexico, and Particulars of V Je Campaign of Gen. Scott's Army — Services of the Second Regiment and the " Guards" from Vera Cruz to Mexico — Honors paid the Company on its Return — Sketches of Capt. Simon H. Drum, Lieut. Richard Johnston, Andrew Itoss, and other Members of the Company — Casualties and Deaths — Roll of the Company when discharged 382 CJ'APTER XLVII. Westmoreland in tue Civil War. The Call to Arms — The Response from Westmoreland— The Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers — History of its Colors — Biographi- cal 'ketch of Capi. E. H. Gay— The Fourteenth Regiment— The Twenty-eighth Regiment— The Fortieth Regiment (" Eleventh Re- serve") — Forty-first Regiment (" Twelfth Reserve") — The Fifty-third Regiment — Six-ty-fourth Regiment (Fourth Cavalry) — Seventy-fourth Regiment — Eighty-fourth Regiment — One Hundredth Regiment ("The Round- nut")— The One Hundred and Fifth Regi- ment — One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment (Nine Months' Ser- vice)— One Hi. mired aud Sixty-eighth Regiment (Drafted Militia) — Two Hundred and Sixth Regiment (One Year's Service) — Two Hun- dred and Eleve nth Regiment (One Year's Service) — Two Hundred and Twelfth (Sixth Artillery) Regiment— The Militia of 1862— Militia of 1863— Colored Troops, etc _ 388 CHAPTER XLVIII. Canals and Railroads. iks on thj subject of Transportation — How it was regarded in j Pennsylvania-_Canals in Pennsylvania- -Public Works of the State— Fiist Canal-Boat west of the Mountains — Advantages of the Canal | e — Dickens account of Canal-Boating along the Conemaugh— i Railways — The First Railroads in Pennsylvania — A Continuous through the State projected— It is finally Constructed— Stations Dis'int g — Western Pennsylvania Railroad — Pittsburgh and lb . -lie Railroad — Southwest Pennsylvania Railway 400 f'HA'TEl; XI, iv Coke. Fei s of tha C*.ke Region — Connellsville Coke Region — Pioneers in 1 ?oke B' fiiness — Description uf the Coal Business — The Properties okedCo-il — Questions of Goat — Other Veins of Coal within the Con- i .lsville Region— Growth of the Coke Industry— Statistics— Mount asant Re^j ul i — Moore wood Mines — Coke Crushing — Standard .Mines •the* ' i unit Mount Pleasant— East Huntingdon Town- * Regie i _ Scottdalo Iron-Works— Scottdule Coke Region— At -rsville—Latrobe Region— The Monastery Coke-Works — Latrobi .8 — S' man's Works — Loyalhanna Works — Ridgeview Works — ' :lair 'oiks — Millwood Works — Irwin Region — Westmoreland Compa„y — Penn Gas-Coal Company— Sewickley Region — Coko- v Region 405 CHAPTER L. Civil History, Statistics, and Miscellaneous. Changes in the Territorial Limits of Westmoreland prior to the erection of Washington and Fayette Counties— Purchase of 1784, and changes in Township and County Lines subsequent thereto — Mississinuwa Township— Election Districts, 1881— Tables of Population— List of Judges, Associates, Justices, and County OfiBcers— County Expetses —Big Frost of 1859— Centennial of 1873 and 1875— Resolutions of 1876 « 4 CHAPTER LI. County Buildings. Acts relating to County Buildings— The Old Court-House— Present Court-House— Sheriff's House and County Jail— Poor-House, now County Home— Tables of Expenditures, etc., for County Homo— The Cattle Show — Wool-Growers' Association — Westmoreland County Agricultural Society 425 CHAPTER LIT. Nomenclature.. IS CHAPTER LIE At Biographies. John Covode — Alexander Johnston— William Freame Johns! White Geary— Hon. James Keonan— Richard Coulter Drum- dore John Bonnett Marchand— Dr. Joseph Meredith Toner 436 Appendices BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. Greensburg 10 - Hempfiei.d 528 Mount Pleasant 634 North Huntingdon Rostraver 66 i __ FAIRI'IELD 569 DOKSGAL .... 579 'Derby.... 5g- WAaniirotfOfl,.. 60x KLIN nllj DHWl ,33 1011 Allegheny East Hi 67 ^ r; go,, Loyalhanna ; 702 Lower 710 Bki.i OOOK TIT Perk 721 St. Clair 726 12 CONTENTS. BIOGRAPHICAL. Addison, Judge 302 Alexander, J. B 311 Alter, David 364 Ashbaugh, D. B 678 Baker, Reuben 604 Barclay, Thomas J 524 Baughman, Jacob 668 Beaver, John K 322 Beazell, Benjamin F 567 Bouquet, Henry 28 Brady, Hugh T 524 Brinker, George 605 Brinkrr, Joaiah 726 Buffington, Joseph 308 Burrell, Jeremiah M 333 Burrell aud Knox, Judges 307 Carline, A. M 709 Carotbers, James P 667 chambers, William 605 Covode, G'orge H 677 Covode, John 436 Cov.no, Edgar 334 Cowan Family , 567 Orousnore. George W 532 l limn,. us Family 652 Daly, Thomas L 566 Pick F.imily _ 161 Dilll nger, Samuel 688 DilUnger Family 686 Donnelly) William : Hum, Richard 442 Ekin Family Find lay, James 817 W Foster, A W 816 Foster, I enrj l> 324 i Fox F;i ily i,-i, Fulton funic: A 366 Oaffnej Daniel lohn. 549 | 440 I George, Isaac I, llobert 628 Green. ivier 862 G-eenawalt, Calob TiiS in ..., 707 Hecht Family 652 Uough Family 661 large F 2 , nugus Family 628 Hunter, Jamce A ::::', Irwin Family 558 amity 522 Johnston, Alexander 437 .',.!,i,i ton, John VV 639 Johnston, W. F 439 Jordan Family 547 ,,, in, James 441 King, Alfred T 363 Kline, Nicholas I.. K 692 Kline, W.J. K ,,, Kline Family 026 Krepp, Jacob F 664 Krepps, Ja s T ,169 Kuhi.8, Joseph II 129 PAGE Loucks Family ,. 687 Lowry, Hortensius 568 Marchand, A. G 323 Marchand, Henry C 328 Marchand, John B 144 Marchand Family 828 Markle, Cyrus P , 656 Markle, C. C 668 Markle, Joseph 653 Markle, Shepard B., Jr 657 Markle Family 703 McAfee, James It '43 MoCuJJ, Franklin .,.13 McClanahan, M. P 603 McCormick, Eli MeCrmiek Family 558 McFarlaue, Andrew L McGonigal, John B 604 McQuilktn Family 627 Miller, Samuel 640 Milligan, John D 370 Milligau Family 706 Moore, J. W 528 Morrison, John 24 Ormsliy, John 361 Overholt, Abraham 688 Overholt, Henry S Overholt, Jacob S 689 Overholt Family Fainter, Israel .. . Pail, James 1 .,_ 631 Panl, - mnel J Penning, Samuel 126 Plumer, Alexander 661 Plumer, George 658 Plumer, George, Jr Plumer, John 61 - rohn - 701 Posllethwaite, Juims 346 Beid, K. II 603 l; ,l„ i '<,, n, Oliver B 690 Bobinson.John Q 366 Hoblnson, Robert S 660 Kobrer, Frederick, Br • 523 Shepler, Joseph 666 shields, Robert 630 Shryock, David W 526 Shupe, Daniel Sloan, James hi, — Smith, William T Ml Smith Family -■■• 651 , .John St. Clair, irtbur Bterrett, John Laird, H. P Leigbtty Family.... Lippfneott, .1 Lobingter family.. i. James A ' oucks, P S Ml 651 546 310 8 693 Stewart, v. \ Stoner Family • Sutton, Lewie '-> Tarr Family 61 I i, Lewis . • '1'' Tiiitsman, A. O I i] a soph M 446 Towneend, John II 677 1 Wall, r, John 632 William 8. B , 671 W'lsiu^, Jamea J Young, John 303 /jmniermali, Z 629 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTMORELAND, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY— EARLY PROVINCIAL HISTORY. -Necessity of Preserving the Pacta of Local Historj . i iii-[ iry— Wrttn ! ' ' Qmnl — Hia Policj "-» ' la, wants the British Government to miike a Line rta along tbe Western Rivers—The French in Canada— Their Policy toward us— Alienation of the Iudinns from I li„b.— 1. i tl to their Rese on the Ohio— The Ohio mpany— Rivulrj between the Govei i uenl ,1 i Vii rluia respei tlug the Indian Trade. We propose in the following pages to colled thing of the early history of the county of Westmore- land, a county which has aptl) I mother of counties. What, above all other things, has induced as to this attempt is the fact that nothing of the kind has heretofore been attempted. A local history cannot be compared with a general hit narrative, nor has it been the intention of the writer to show his effort in thai direction. He has, however, made a reasonable effort to collect all matter relating o. out- early bistorj from the written and p documents accessible, but which are so around, like the mystic leaves which, blown by the blast from the hollow earth, were scattered to all the winds in the cave of the Sibyl. To collect and to illustrate what has been written has been our labor, and we have tried from the first to represent to our mporaries a truthful picture of our am and their times. In the lapse of well-nigh a bll nearly all things change,— laws, customs, habits, manners, society, as well as the physical aspect of the very earth. The Westmorelander of 1773 would no and of to-day than we . e the Westmoreland of 1973. By the word "history," which we choose in ence to adopt, we mean not only an account civil and military affairs of the people who first came into these woods, but a narrative of -uch individual a saved from the all-devouring tooth Of Ti ne. a description of their cabins and furniture, meet in( is< and graveyards, of tl uel personal appearance, of their house-warm- ings and militia-musters, and a notice of such things ii ing of local interest, an- not usually printed in general collections. We shall, as best we arrange our i his- torical matter may I ed in some chronological . to tin- end that a our local affairs as they follow each other. W. ■ions that tin undertaking of this kind, even in the rudest outline, will bed, and we do not 1 fal- realized. The history of our county, or indeed that of an. f, of any commonwealth or of any municipality, will, how. ably produced, be far short of anything like perfection. Tlii- m m circumstances peculiar to our country in its colonization an I pi student of our 1.' .lent, labors under many and great disadvantages. In writing up neral narrative many most inter,, ting particulars must necessarily be omitted, either as irrelevant to the nil text, or as r I ly a local intee while, on the Ot ! ithe an isolated district with somethin torica) in- terest finds extraneous and matter contin- ually obtruded on his attention. In oilier words, the early history of Western Pennsylvania embri largely tin history of our county, while tbe hist of our county itself has a living interest only to ourselves. It is true that tb i nv Oounty, of Washington, and of Fayette is in part the history id' Westmoreland County, but the public mind has so long separated these boundaries and has so localized such places as Fort 1 i ones as the Whiskey Insurrection, as to make all matter worthy of note centre in the county \\ here such matter rightly belongs. It would be as unreasonable that the history ol ' as bounded in the gnu.. the great Elizabeth to her sailor embraci the histoi the pi of Penn ■•, colony of Calvert. We he i that we do better ii history of Westmoreland a, we know it, and to touch neral history of the Stat.' and the We-: 13 14 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. in so fat as if is at eded t i throw light on the former, levelop thi ii This fact, however, is ap- that all the local history of that part of West- land which, alter tli on oi thi i ounty of Washington in 1781, belongs to that county was, by the singular troubles which occurred from about the time of the establishment of our county to that date, no more identified with the history of our county, red, than the local history of Augusta ii v in Virgiuia is identified with it. We may make the remarks of a very sagacious and .or own in observing that indeed the very difficulty at this time encountered in procuring iiir information upon the subject proposed to ted in this work is strong evidence in itself of ■ans that exist of redeeming without delay the earlier events of our history from the grasp of I Every passing day increases the labor of h, and a few years will obliterate and c to utter obli . ion all that we should desire to re in- ner and preserve of our past annals. We, work, like the lapidary, to replace the scatti of a mosaic. No one can, as we have intimated, be aware of the unseemliness of such a task unless he wanders in the same field. The absolute facts which belong ol to our history arc scattered here and there in frag- ments in books, many of them unworthy i leed oi else they lie in not yet arranged. A. great and most profitable account of our early affair: mark applies to the unwritten history of any other part of our country — might have been found in the memories of the aged; but this source is now, : . very unclear and deceptive. It would be use- : us to inquire into the causes of this however much we lament the fact, for by far the most interest attaches what the older people carry in trad I'he \ i many of the peasants of Lancashire, I from lather to son, is that part of Macalllay's account of the b Sedgemoor ami the Bloody Assizes which most cxcilcs the attention of i he reader. With us such memorials have ' .1 to go in decay. We may remark tl vents havi been little regarded by the people who were witnesses to them, and for reasons such as control these, what to us might be a subject of wonder, oi admiration, and o even till past tin trite ami trivial a nature as to be below the dignity of a subject for narration. When a on ob rved that accounts of Indian war- fare, descriptions of bonier life, the romantic details ' ventures were I ired bj lie readers of their time, i null anil to misstate facts. .\ ml il is too true that often what purports to he an account of manners ami customs, either of the indi- ■ tilers, is far from the truth. White oil' with gold-bedecked chieftains i rum " was as absurd as to represent Ligonier Fort as a Nor- man castle with drawbridge, turrets, and donjon. Such arc the incongruities of circumstances; while still another disadvantage arises from the bias which our Blinds are likely to assume in treating of a suh- SO nearly contemporaneous. We usually run into one oi' two extremes, and consider that all if of the generations and the times immediately pre- ceding us and ours were either all great heroes or half-civilized old clowns. All we can do is to rule tribute our mite to the literary store-house of'our noble old county. We shall of necessity have to begin at a time long prior to the formation of our county, as the soil of Westmoreland was dedicated with tears and blood to imperishable renown in the annals of English and American history before her children sat down ti- I enjoyment o :e within its borders. All the vast region of this continent on its discovery was, according to the polity of the English govern- ment derived from feudal time-, the property of the king. With it, as with all the demesne lauds of the realm, he might do as he pleased. Accordingly all the lands not colonized by the state were appropriated to favorites or to dependants. To satisfy a debt owing from the crown to Admiral William IVun. a donation of the tract now common!] known as Pennsylvania was granted to William I'cnn, son and heir to the creditor, a Quaker in religious persuasion, and a favorite and courtier at the court of Charles the Sec- ond. The nature of the grant was that it was given after the fashion of feudal grants, with the feudal elures somewhat restricted, in con fortuity with I new usage established at the restoration of the Stu- arts to the throne- Charles Sin art, the king, claimed a title in these hinds, inhabited by savages, from dis- covery and from conquest, as in 1664 all the settle- ments and possessions of the Dutch along the Dela- ware River were taken from them by the English. 'I'he charter ol I'enu was signed by the king on March 4, 1681. It was not till a long time after the establish!! boundaries as we now have them were definitely fixed. There were conflicting disputes with He- colonial authorities of New York, of Con- necticut, of New Jersey, of Maryland, and of Vir- ginia. The dispute between Pennsylvania and Mary- land was satisfactorily adjusted in 17i>n by com- promising on the famous Mason and Dixon's Hie division line which long divided tie ites i the iri'f Stales. The dispute with Virginia is the only which interests us. Virginia, from the time that Washington walked over the land under instruction of Dinwiddie, claimed all Western Pennsylvania. At the peace of 17114 the limits of the Province v. not marked, and in 177-4— 7o a county formed by the burgesses of Virginia, and inhabited mostly by Vir- * ir tli<- reader has any curiosity in this line lie "ill be further fieu by referriug to Hull. mi's Constltutloi ' lund. INTRODUCTORY— EARLY PROVINCIAL HISTORY. 15 ginians, was established within the territorial limits of what is now Pennsylvania. Governor Perm, before he made a settlement, pro- posed to purchase of the Indians their title to the occupancy of the land. He early treated with them and gave them valuable consideration for their hunt- ing-grounds. We will briefly repeat the order of these purchases and concessions, so that we may have an idea of how the bounds were increased. By treaty with the Pive Nations in 173G all land within the boundaries of Perm's territories was claimed to have been purchased from the Indians. But owing to some misunderstanding afterwards the Indians did not acquiesce, and separate treaties were made. It is said with some degree of positive assertion that the misun- derstanding of these treaties did much to drive the Indians subsequently to take part with the French. By a treaty at Albany in 177>4 the Indian leaders of the Five (later the Six) Nations again conveyed to the Penns all the lands westward to the setting of the sun. The dissatisfaction produced by this treaty on the great body of the natives fully justified them in joining with the French in that long and bloody war known as the French and Indian war. The Indians claimed that they did not understand the limits of this purchase, and that lands were conveyed which did not belong to the tribes making the conveyance. By the treaty of Easton I17">*), to put a stop to in- creasing warfare, these lands were surrendered to the Indians on the ground that they had not understood the terms, and the right of the whites to occupancy was confined to the east of the Allegheny Mountains. But by the last great purchase, that of Fort Stanwix in New York, of 17i>\ all title of the Indians, with a small exception in the northwestern part of the State, was relinquished and passed to the whites. West- moreland belongs to this purchase, and it will be noted farther on how this treaty operated on the land titles and on the colonization of our county. By the treaty of 1784, at Fort .Stanwix again, all the remain- der of the land was finally secured. Thus in 1785 all the right of soil belonged to the Province. Before this right was vested, by an act of 17(59, it was made highly penal for any one to settle on lands owned by the Indians, or rather not purchased by the authori- ties from them. The reason was to prevent the In- dian? from becoming open enemies. The success of the colony was rapid and great. In one year after the arrival of Penu the number of col- onists was estimated as high as four thousand. The Welsh settled along the Schuylkill, and the Germans founded Germantown. The government of Penn had been instituted with one great object. This object was to secure a place where the religious opinions of his sect, the Quakers, might be exemplified ; where no enforcement acts of conformity would be in force ; and where religious toleration, civil liberty, and unbi- ased justice to all men were the worthy, philosophical, and Christian doctrines of a practical government. Hence not only the colonists knew this, but the red men also understood it; and here lor more than two generations, the most precarious time in an infai.t colony, the whites and the Indians lived in undis- turbed harmony. The settlers along the Schuylkill and Delaware when they went to lied did not go in dreaded expectation of the night. Here the children were not in deadly fear at the sight of a painted bar- barian. Here the outposts of civilization were not marked with piles of ashes, the only remains of a cabin reared in difficulty and with hope. That feel- ing of security which comes from habit was a fruit of the treaty under the great elm at Kensington. Hence settlers came flocking in numbers, not only from the British Isles and the Low Countries, but from other colonial settlements, — from Connecticut, from Maryland, from Virginia, from North Carolina, — and with those who came in with the laudable desire of making a permanent home came others who were bent on the making of money. These were the traders that followed a business scarcely less honorable than the business of Capt. Kidd, — land-sharks and water- sharks. 1 They treated with the Indians and they clicafed them ; they dealt in contraband goods, and they pursued their calling in contravention of the instructions of Penn and his plan of dealing with the natives. But it must be acknowledged that they were an important element in the grand scheme of coloni- zation, which with us, after all, is more a matter of fact than of theory. Under the wise policy instituted by Penn, and car- ried out by his successors, the colony grew and flour- ished unprecedentedly for more than sixty years. But as yet all settlements were •onlined to the east of the Susquehanna. 9 In the early part of the eighteenth century, Alex- ander Spottswood, Governor of Virginia, headed an expedition which went out to explore the limits of their own colony. Frjm the summit of the Allegheny Mountains he first looked out upon that vast expanse of territory theretofore unknown to the whites. He proposed a plan to the British government by which they might anticipate the settlement of this portion of country before any other of the European nations. But, owing to the domestic relations of the govern- ment and to the ceaseless war on the continent, the colonies were left to see to their own advancement, and to protect the interests of the mother-country in its most remote boundaries. This politic and far- seeing Governor also, in view of the attitude and in view of the intention of the French government in relation to these colonies, advocated the policy of es- tablishing a chain of forts from the lakes to the Mis- sissippi, for the attitude of France and of England was plainly to be observed. The English saw with jealousy the progress of the French on the St. Law- rence and the lakes. The French were active in re- 1 " There be laud rats, and there be water-rats."' — Shi/lock. - 1745. 16 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. claiming this unoccupied ground which each claimed, the French by occupancy and discovery, the Eng- lish by original and earlier charters from their own monarehs, which charters were, it is true, boundless, and took in all the land from the Atlantic to the Great South Sea. It is therefore to be noticed that the country west of the Allegheny chain was not absolutely within the prescribed boundaries of either nation. There was, however, a kind of tacit under- standing among the individual traders coming into these regions under protection of the colonial authori- ties directly to the eastward of them. These traders occasionally, as early as 1720, ventured as far west as Carlisle, and a prominent and fearless one, John Frazer, opened a trading-house at Venango, and afterward, about 1752, on the Monongahela at where Turtle Creek empties. Had these early traders been protected by the proprietary government of Pennsyl- vania, there is no doubt that the colony would have been greatly benefited by it, and that following dis- sension, which lasted for many years between the government of Pennsylvania and the government of Virginia, would not have arisen. But the pacific measures which at first were to the advantage of the colony were now working a disadvantage to her own citizens and an advantage to the French, for the colonial system of the French differed greatly from that of the English. The French proceeded on a fixed policy and on instructions sent out from the ministry at Versailles. This policy was enforced by Governors of high rank and executed by willing sub- ordinates. Instead of many colonial establishments, eacl) conflicting with the other on matters arising from misunderstood boundaries and from other mat- ters growing out of deep-seated prejudices, they had ntralized colony, in which all interests were the same, and in which their very missionaries took an active and an effective part in shaping and control- ling. The policy of Penn towards the red men was good so long as the red men were left to themselves, for his treatment towards them was eminently just; but tlie same policy when they were left to the wily influence of the French was certainly not to he ad- mired. The Indians when moved back step by Step con 1.1 not at last understand such justness. And they surely had reason, for in several instances they were unjustly defrauded of their territory or their hunting-grounds ; not, indeed, by the agents of Penn, but by their own race, the Indian Yankees of the Six Nations, who, representing themselves to be the owners of territory which belonged to other tribes, drove a thrifty bargain in disposing of it to good ad- vantage to the peaceable representatives of the pro- prietary. A sufficient instance is that in which this confederacy — who would have sold their own land as well as the land of their neighbors a dozen times a day — ousted the Delaware's from their possessions on the head-waters of the Susquehanna. But thus it was that through many causes the In- dians who claimed these parts were, before the middle of the century (1750), confined to their reservation on the Ohio River, a name which embraced the river we now call Allegheny. Here they were more than ever open to the influence of the French, whose base of operations was at Montreal. These, with a diplomatic policy peculiar to themselves, won the good graces of the Indians by representing that they were their only friends, and effected an alliance at the expense of rum and tobacco, arms for their use and trinkets for their amusement. They also succeeded in forming the various tribes, each with a local enmity towards the other, into one confederacy as against the whites of English birth and against their own natural enemies. Xo sooner did an English trader open a cabin to deal with the natives than he was peremptorily commanded by the authority of the King of France to leave. Some were treated in a hostile and barbarous manner, although there was no open war. The French, de- scending the head-waters of the Ohio, at various places put up marks to indicate that the country was of the dominion of the Christian king. In the mean time the English settlements in Pennsylvania were extend- ing westward. The traders, who to an extent were the pioneers of civilization, preceded them, and wherever they could opened a paying trade. The proprietary government made no effort to effect settle- ments west of the Susquehanna ; and even the method of traffic pursued by these traders was not, as we have said, countenanced. But in spite of the strongest prohibitory enactments and the immediate exertions of the Governors themselves there were always many ready to risk life and property in pursuit of this lucrative calling. In time the succeeding proprieta- ries and executives winked at this breach id' faith with the Indians. And thus, between the English under shadow of the colonial government of this province and the French, all the Indian trade was monopolized, and at this juncture (1748) the Ohio Company was organized. Thomas Lee, one of the Council of Virginia, with twelve others of Virginia and Maryland and a few merchants of London, finned a company with the design of effecting settlements in the wild Lands west of the Alleghenies, ami under t J i i —. ostensible project "l securing part of the Indian trade. Their grant embraced a portion of live hundred thousand acres lying on the south side of the Ohio between the Mo- nongahela and Kanawha Rivers. The privilege was reserved to the company of embracing a portion of the lands on the north side of the river if deemed ex- pedient. The company had several further benefi- ciary exemptions, in the nature of freedom from tax- ation, on condition of their seating settlers on the land within a limited time, and of their building a fort and sustaining a garrison to protect the settlement. As nothing could he done without the assent of the Indians, the government of Virginia was petitioned to invite them to a treaty. The company further THE FRENCH OCCUPANCY OF FORT DUQUESNE. 17 resolved to make roads from the head-waters of the Potomac to seme point on the Monongahela, to erect houses, and to locate settlements. And now commenced a rivalry between the govern- ment of Pennsylvania and the government of Vir- ginia. Andrew Palmer, president of the Council of the proprietary government, on June 23, 1748, gave instructions under his hand and seal to Conrad Weiser, in which he was to use his utmost diligence to acquire a perfect knowledge of the number, situation, dispo- sition, and strength of all the Indians about the Ohio, whether friends, neutrals, or enemies. Weiser, from his knowledge of the language and dispositions of the Indians, was eminently fit to treat with them on the most favorable terms. CHAPTER II. THE FRENCH OCCUPANCY OF FORT DUQUESNE. Conrad Weiser and George Crogan — Weiser's Report on the Tribes about the Oh iu — Their Numbers and their Disposition — King Shingass and Queen Alliquippi— Gist's Settlement— George Washington sent by the Governor of Virginia to the Indian Tribes— II is First Journey, and the Information he Acquired — The Ohio Company cuts Roads, makes Set- tlements, elects a Store-House and Foil at Redstone, and takes pus- session of the Forks of the Ohio River — Its Soldiers and Men are driven away by (tie French, who erect Fort Duquesne — The Governor of Virginia reinforces Washington, who retires to the Great Meadows, and Fights his First Battle at Foit Necessity— Braddock's Campaign projected. Weiser, setting out from Berks County, crossed the Kiskiminetas and came to the Ohio Aug. 25, 1748. He was rendered valuable assistance by George Crogan, a trader and agent in the interest of the Coun- cil, 1 who was settled on Beaver Creek, a few miles from where it empties into the Ohio. The number of their men and the various tribes of which they were composed were learned from themselves, who gave Weiser the count in little bundles of twigs or sticks tied to represent the several tribes. They had in all seven hundred and twenty-nine warriors. The Senecas, Wyandots, Delawares, and Shawnees had the most. These were chiefly ruled by the Five Nations. This celebrated confederation, which had brought under their domination all the other Indian tribes in the middle part of the continent, when they were first known to the whites had their council-fires about the lakes in New York. Having conceded their lands to the whites, they now still held north- western Pennsylvania. These five nations were the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Cayugas, the Onondagas, and the Senecas. They were sometimes called the 1 The executive department uf Pennsylvania was composed of the Governor and his Council. These were simply advisory. The ontire legislative body consisted of a single body uf delegates chosen by the people. The Council is not to be understood as an Upper Mouse of the Legislature. Six Nations after they had admitted into their family the Tuscaroras, a tribe which was expelled from Carolina in 1712. They were called by the French the Iroquois; they called themselves the Mingoes. They had been engaged in war from times long be- fore they were known to the whites, and such was the force of their combination and their love for war that all native opposition gave way before them. They had, since the Province was in possession of the whites, brought under their control the strongest tribe known to the early settlers. This was the tribe of the Lenni Lenapes, as they called themselves, but who are known in history as the Delawares, a name they received in honor of Lord de la Warr, for whom also the colony of Delaware and the river on which they lived when first known were named. The king of the Delawaies, Shingass, lived, at Washington's first visit, 17"':'., not far from the Allegheny River. The- tribe was divided, and some of them always remained friendly to the English. The confederation com- manded the Shawanese also, a tribe powerful in war, and which produced many able warriors, of whom Tecumseh and Cornstalk are ranked among the highest. Part of the Shawanese and part of the Delawares early came to the Ohio for the conven- ience of game. Of all single tribes the Shawanese was the strongest, and when on the war-path the most savage. There were other tribes which had dwindled down to insignificant numbers. They all lived within neighboring distance of each other, but each tribe claimed a distinct hunting ground. One tribe which lived between the Turtle Creek and the Youghiogheny was under the sway of a woman. She was known to the English by the name of Queen Alliquippi, and is the same mentioned by Washington in his journal of 1753. She appears to have been the friend of the English. She had a son who claimed the distinguished title of Prophet, and who professed to see in the future the realization of the most ro- mantic dreams of the red men. Weiser found that although a t'uw were favorable to the English, and especially to the colonists of Penn- sylvania, yet the majority were completely under the influence of the French. But neither the now active attempts of the govern- ment of Pennsylvania nor the attempts of the Ohio Company under the patronage of the government of Virginia effected anything either in conciliating the disaffected Indians or in thwarting the encroachment of the French. The latter still persisted in their scheme of erecting fortifications in a proposed line from their settlements in Canada to their settlements at New Orleans. They had erected forts at Presqne Isle, 2 in Lake Erie, at Le Boeuf, at Venango. These active determinations so quickened the latent spirit of the English that Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia - Presque Isle is near Erie; Le Boeuf, now Wuterfurd, iu Crawford County; Venango, near Franklin ; Venango River, now French Creek ; i Duquesne, now Pittsburgh. IS HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. s nt a young man of the name of George Washing- ton to ask an explanation of their designs. Wash- ington came out on this expedition, and on the 22d of November, 1753, stopped at Frazer's, at the mouth „of Turtle Creek. We should note this incident, that Washington was one of the first to tread the wilder- ness where now is Westmoreland. He came on his route by way of Wills Creek to where (list was settled as agent of the Ohio Company. 1 ami thence north- west to Shannopin's, the name of an old Indian town on the Allegheny, about two miles above the Ohio. From here he examined the location at the junction of the river, and reported its situation as favorable for a fortification. He proceeded to Logstown, 2 where he had called a conference of Indians. In all his efforts and in his object he was thwarted by the influ- ence of the French ; but he acquired a great deal of information, learned the number of forts erected and projected, with the number of their garrisons ami their equipments. On proceeding to Venango he there, under the French flag, had an interview with the French commander. They there openly disclosed to him their design of holding by force against all intruders the land which they claimed from the dis- covery of La Salle. The council was peremptorily brought to a close. On his return he narrowly es- caped with his life; once an Indian shot at him from t Cii!USToriTF.B GtST— The name of Christopher Gist a model Amer- ican pioneer, is inseparably connected with tin- early settlement of Western Pennsylvania. We shall frequently allude to him and to his servi He was a native of Maryland, and, like his father, Kichard, wasa surveyor, tie »;t.".i man of excellent character, ener- getic, fearluss, and a thorough woodsman." lid was intimate with the fi.it' .1 men oi Maryland and Virginia, and when tin? Ohio Company was i '■ employed Gist as their surveyor and agent. In 1750 In- was sent out h\ i loan to explore and examine the country bordering on the Ohio ami its branches. At the time he received the appointment he was residing at Vadkin, X. C. tie immediately set out on his object. With a i.ii iiud t\\ o horses he arrived at Shunnopin's Town, one of the principnl Indian towns in this region, t< which traders resorted or at which they had store-honses It was situated on the bank of the Allegheny River, now in the Twelfth Ward in the eiiy of Pittsburgh, between Penn Avenue, Thirtieth street and Two-Mile Run. About twenty Delaware families occupied tin' place, under their chief, shan- nopin. Although it wnsasnmll place, it was one of much importance. From there !n- went down the Ohio to Beaver Creek, and thence to the eastern part* of Ohio Territory. After exploring the Miami Valley, he returned to North Carolina by way of Kentucky and Southwestern Vir- ginia. In the winter of 1751-5*2 In- was employed by the company in exploring the con ntry borderingou Ho- Kbughinghenyand Mo igahela and the south Bide <>l the < lliio. Iii the latter part of the summer or fall of 17j:i ho commenced a settlement for the company at the place since known as Mount Brnddork, in Fayette County. Eleven other families settled with him here. This settlement, before Braddock's campaign, was the first settlement of the English-American colonists in Western Penns*, [vania. From Wills Creek (Cumberland, Md.) Gist accompanied Washington as his guide to Venango. s Logstown wasa cluster of log houses built by the French for the In- dians. They had a trading-house here, and here many conferences were held. There has great dispute arisen lately as to the exact location of th'/ place, some contending that it was situated on the north side anil son. be Bouth s ii'.ii tie' oiiio. Both sides produce good authorities for their position. The fact ap| - to he that there were two Log-towns dire llv opposite each other, one on either side of the river, mid one older than the other. The older le>g-tow n appears from good authority to have heen situated on the north side ol the river.and whether there was 01 was not another Logstown is not material. the distance of fifteen paces ; and again in attempting to cross the Allegheny, then floating witlt ice. He relates in his journal an amusing incident of his return. He stopped to see Queen Alliquippi. She hail expressed concern at their passing her by and not calling. To ease her lacerated feelings he presented her with a watchcoat and a bottle of rum, and he states that the latter was the more acceptable present, and that it entirely mollified her indignation. But nevertheless the Ohio Company still contin- ued their movements in the West. They had built a block-house at Redstone, now Brownsville, and in the spring of 1754 made arrangements to take perma- nent possession of the country about the forks of the Ohio. About the middle of February, Trent, Gist, and several others arrived at this point, and there waited on more, to the number of seventy or eighty, to come down the river, the Monongahela, on which Redstone Old Fort was built. They began the forma- tion of a redoubt. Before their work was finished a French officer, Contrecoeur, with a thousand French and Indians and eighteen pieces of cannon, arrived from Venango. They compelled Ensign Ward, com- mandant in the absence of Trent, to surrender. This was the first open act of a war which desolated the colonies for nine years, and which agitated both con- tinents, but which in the end resulted in favor of the English, and so shaped the destinies of these colonies that they in time equaled in dominion and in power either the empire of King George or the empire of King Louis. The French, taking possession of this disputed point, built a fort, which they called Fort Duquesne, after the Governor of Canada. They expended much labor upon it and made it a strong fortification ; but it was never submitted to the ordeal of a siege. They made to themselves a stronger defense by the alliance of the natives, whom they drew to their interest by favorable treaties. They summoned all the neigh- boring tribes together and loaded them with presents, guns and ammunition, blankets and heads. And now occurring the treaty of 1754, the alienation of the In- dians was made complete./ This treaty was held at Albany by order of the king. This had been recom- mended by the Lords of Trade and Plantations, that all the provinces might be comprised in one treaty. Thus we see how that the interests of all the prov- inces were affected, and how the subsequent war be- came one common to all. The action of the Ohio Company in attempting to build a fort tit the Forks of the Ohio River was under authority and assistance of the Virginia government. Governor Dinwiddie, representing the necessity of this procedure, issued a proclamation for recruits. To such as entered the service he gave a bounty of land, appropriating for this purpose two hundred thousand acres on the east side of the Ohio. Under these claims lands were held in the southwestern part of the State; but not all, for some were held by mili- " ■ • 1'OT «■ ® ^ - V \ ■ . V'- iSB! . <2n :.-JJn* ' p ! .i ' «■ M .l/.l/' OF TAB liAT'l'I.K of GRRAT MEADOWS ■ THE FRENCH OCCUPANCY OF FORT DUQUESNE. 10 tarv permit, and some under the land titles of the colony of Virginia, but all under the belief that the jurisdiction of that colony covered this debatable ground. — "IJn t it was not in the nature of those English-Amer- ican colonists to so easily give in to the demands of an enemy, howsoever well or ill those demands might be founded. And the Governor of Virginia, determin- ing on securing the site so advantageously pointed out by Washington, had in the mean time sent out two companies subject to Washington's orders./ Capt. Trent, with one company, had preceded Washington, wdio was at Wills Creek when he got information of the surrender of Ensign Ward. Washington knew that it was impossible that he could take the position lost, but he resolved to proceed to Redstone, and there fortify himself till the arrival of reinforcements. He hewed a road through the wilderness and over the mountains on an old Indian trail which crossed to the Potomac, and which was pointed out by a friendly Indian in his service called Nemacolin. At the Youghiogheny he was stopped for want of a bridge. This was about half the distance to the Redstone. He here found that the French were advancing to meet him. He therefore hastened on with the pur- pose of intercepting them at a place called the Great. Meadows, which location he knew to be a favorable one for his security. 1 At the dawning of the day on the 28th of May, 1754, they saw the French erecting their tents in a retired valley. A detachment was ordered to surround them; both then fired upon the enemy at the same instant. Their leader was killed, and all, with the exception of one that escaped, were captured. A stockade was here erected, the reinforce- ments came in in due time, and Washington, by the death of Col. Fry, the commander of the expedition, was left in sole command. Washington was at this time but twenty-two years of age,/ but his nature was of a calm, calculating, and heroic kind. \,He learned from his Indian spies that reinforcements had arrived at Fort Duquesne. It was therefore impossible for him to take it. He retired to his stockade now called Fort Necessity, and there awaited the approach of the enemy. They had scarcely secured themselves when they were attacked by fifteen hundred French and Indians. Nearly all day in the heart of the wilderness the battle raged. So well did Washington defend his handful of men that they were accorded unwonted terms by a capitulation, and allowed to return to their homes, marching off in military order with their baggage, j England and France were now enemies, and the British government resolved on opposing the French in America by aggressive movements. Reinforce- ments of royal regulars were sent to the colonies. A plan of campaign was adopted, and in this cain- 1 See Note 2, page 21. paign three expeditions were organized. The first, under command of Gen. Edward Braddock, com- mander-in-chief, was to operate against, Fort Du- quesne ; the second, under Gen. Shirley, against Fori Niagara and Frontenac; the third, under Gen. Johnson, against Crown Point. The campaign of Gen. Braddock, and the particu- lars connected with it, are perhaps better known to us than any other incident in our historical annals. This local interest has been heightened by the national interest attached to it. In this campaign Washington first served with something more than ordinary distinction. The magnificent inception of this expedition, the first extensive campaign of reg- ular troops with modern artillery for a battle with tin- aborigines and their allies; the great expectations formed upon its success; the bloody conflict; the lamentable death of the veteran general flushed with military enthusiasm; the mild, gentlemanly, and heroic behavior of the young Virginia colonel; the rout and retreat; the burying of the body of their commander at midnight, when, as some will roman- tically have it, the slender Washington, by the un- certain light of torches, read the office of the dead ; the care taken by the army to hide his resting-place from the savages by making his grave in the mad, that the army wagons driven over it would make it imperceptible, with many more incidents, have hen often dwelt upon, and have become to us quite familiar. We will not, therefore, impose upon good nature by being tediously prolix, for we are unable at this day to develop any new facts worthy of notice. The Province of Pennsylvania was blamed for not taking a more active part in Braddock's campaign. 2 As the contingent of forces from the Province was not authorized to assist in this expedition, the blame seemed more reprehensible or more apparent. The troops from Pennsylvania were sent to Gen. Shirley, and nearly one whole regiment was recruited, mostly from the western counties. The colony raised a num- ber of horses and wagons, and opened a road from Fort Louden through Bedford to Fort Cumberland. This was the most westerly road in the Province. Three hundred men were ordered to be employed >>n this road. The Assembly also gave a full share of funds. The lack of more active measures was not so much due to the spirit of the colonists as to the un- willingness of the hereditary Governors. "- Much undesi rved opprobrium hue beer cast upon Pennsylvania f'T her backwardness in offering assistance to Brnddnck. The Governor*, under instruction of ilie proprietories, would not sanction <>i nppt ' any 1 iw to raise revenue which would tax the estates or the prop] letaries. Hence the Assembly refused to appropriate funds or raise ami equip troops so long as these unjust exceptions were insisted npou. Common danger and the wild cries of the people after the defeat of Braddock, under the administration of a new Governor, harmonized tl interests. Although this Is a matter not of local interest, it is well to In- known and not forgotten. 20 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER III. BRADDOCK'S EXPEDITION. Braddock's Forces at Fort Cumberland— He cornea np the Ohio Com- pany's Road, piloted by Washington— Opens the Road to the Youghio- gheny, and through our part of Westmoreland to the MouongahelH ; after crowing which River the Army, in ;i 1>> file on the South Bank above Turtle Creek, is Surprised by Hie French Canadians and Indians from the Fort— Tho Number of the Enemy and their Leaders— The Virginians cover the Retreat of the British — Washington carries off the Army— The Route, Courses, and Distances of the March — Huw the Trail may he found at this Day— Effect of Braddock'a Defeat on the Pennsylvania Col mists— The Bat tie-Ground visited by Soldieis under Forbes Three Years after the Battle— The Appearance of the Field. This campaign may be briefly summed up. 1 Brad- dock, on the 20th of April, 1755, left his camp at Alexandria, on the Potomac, in Virginia, and took up his march towards Fort Duquesne. After stopping some days at Fredericktown, Md., he marched by way of Winchester, Va., to Fort Cumberland, on Wills Creek, where he arrived on the 10th or* May. He was hen' delayed by reason of the neglect of the Pennsylvania authorities in furnishing him the ne- cessary wagons and horses needful for the transporta- tion of his stores and munitions of war. 2 On the day of their arrival, in general orders the appoint- ment of Washington as aide-de-camp to the general was proclaimed to the army. 3 He here reviewed his army, and expressed confidence and pride in the scarlet coats, the bright buttons, the brilliant musket-barrels. 1 Orders were is*ued from the Britinh ministry in 1754, to the Gov- ernors of the provinces, directing them to resort to force to drive the French intruders from their station on the Ohio. On the Mih of Jnuuiiry, 175o r Maj.-Geu. Sir Edward Braddock, who bad won great distinction a- ;m able and brave officer and a strict dlsu- nlinarfftii, and who had been appointed commander-in-chief of all tbe kind's forces in America, tailed from Cork, Ireland, with two regiment a of royal troops. Each regiment mi inhered five hundred men. One, the Forty- fourth, was under Col, D tar; the other, the Forty-eighth, was undei Sir Peter Halket. They arrived ;it Alexandria, Va. t on the BULll of February, 1735. \ I i council held at the camp at Alexandria, which was attended by rontons of the middle and northern colonies, three expeditions ion, the first against Fort DuqiiPBiie, under com maud 1 duck in [lerson; tho second agaiust Niagara and Frontenae, under Gen. Sliirlej (Governor of Massachusetts); the third against Crown Point, under Gen. William Johnson. - The whole camp ligu was planned with want of foresight, not to say in ignorance. Of -ill places fin* a base of supplies for an aggressive cam- paign, Alexandria was the U-t to be considered. Tho country through which the army passed could furnish neither provisions nor carriage. In Pennsylvania the conflii i between the Executive and the Assembly was of such a natui e and had reached such a height that the confidence of the inhabitants was so shaken as to overlook any inducements held out by tho Governors for them '" contribute in the absence of leg sla- tivs enactment; for, as we have said, the Governors were instructed by ih" proprietaries not to sanction any bill for raising revenue or supplies unless their estates were exonerated. It is will known that Benjamin Franklin, on ins imiiviiln.il responsibility , secured a supply of wagons and horses from fork and Lancaster Counties, and the necessary to move the army and the supplies. There were no Pennsylvania troops with Braddock ; most of those from this. Province in that war were with Gen, Shirley. 3 Braddock had orders from the king, dated at st. James, Nov.12, 17-54, respecting the rank of the colonial officers, by which he was to suffer no American field-officer to take command of even a battalion of <: •louj.ti troops. Washington hud resigned in i onscquence of this order, ■Sparks, vol, ii. p. G8. the red cross of St. George, and the blare of the trum- pets that echoed through the woods. He had with him about a thousand regulars, — royal troops, whose perfect movements had helped to make the reputation of that wonderful machine which had marched across the Peninsula,— thirty sailors from the fleet of Admiral Kepple, whose squadron had transported the royalists, and about twelve hundred provincials, mostly from Virginia and New York. In addition to these he was joined by about a hundred and fifty Indians and fron- tiersmen from the back regions of Pennsylvania, who were dressed like Indians, and who fought after the Indian fashion. These had been encouraged by the colonists to come, and had they been accepted would have been of good service as scouts. Of these forty to fifty were friendly Del aw ares from under the fa- mous Sca-roo-ya-da, a steadfast friend of Washington and the Americans. Crogan, the interpreter, and " Captain Jack," 4 with his bordermen, were also of them ; but the offer of their services was rejected with indignation, and they were rather despised than appreciated. Some of these, for the mere love of war or bound by promise, and full of hatred towards the French and their allies, remained in the skirts of t lie army, and later on that day of disaster did service never to be forgotten, while the rest, with a mutual disgust at the regular gentry, retired to their moun- tain fastnesses, and remained inactive during the campaign. 5 4 This "Captain Jack" was one of tin- most peculiar outgrowths of bor- der tunes. There is a romantic interest attached to his name, ospe [ally in the Cumberland district of this State, where his name is lo ulizod, What follows here is on the authority of that eminent antiquary and in ist reliable local liistoiian, Mr. I. I>. liupp, whoso reputation For ac- curacy is of the highest [History t\f Cumberland County ] ,L Between 1750 and 17-% there figured a character of some note in Cum- berland County. Captain Jack, Hie 'Black Hunter,' the 'Black Rifle,' the ' Wild Hunter of the Juniata,' the ' Black Hunter of the Forest,' was a white man. He entered the woods with a few enterprising compan- ions, built his cabin, cleared a little land, ami amused himself with the pleasures of fishing and hunting. He felt happy, for lie had not a rare. IJut uiie evening, when lie returned from a day of pport, he found his cabin burnt, and his « ife and children murdered. From that moi it he forsook civilized man, lived in enves, protected the frontier hi habit- ants from the Indians, and Be zed every opportunity For revenge that He was a terror to the Indians, a protector to the white*. On one ocension, near Juniata, in the middle of a dark night, a family was suddenly awakened by the report of a gun. They jumped from their huts, and by the glimmering light from their chimney *aw an Indian full to ris»- no mure. Tin- open door exposed to view the ' Wild Hunter. 1 ' I saved your lives,' he cried, then turned and was buried in the gloom. He never shot without good cause. II j* look wiiBas unerring as bis aim. lie formed an association to defend thesettlers against savage aggression. On a given signal they would unite. Then' exploits were heard of in 175G on the Con cheague and Juniata. Ue was sometimes called the 'Half-Indian;' mid Col Armstrong, in a letter to the Governor, says, ' The company under the command of the Half-Indian having left the Great Cove, the Indians took advantage and murdered ninny.' He also, through Col. Crogan, proffered his aid to Braddock. ' lie will march wiili his hunters,' says the c lonel; 'they are dressed in hunting-shirts, mnccasjns, etc., are well armed, and Are equally regardless of beat and cold. They require no shelter for the night ; they ask no pay.' What was tin- real name of this mysterious personage lias never been ascer- tained. It is supposed that be gave the name to 'Jack's Mountain,' — an ennui ing and appropriate mohuinont." & There appears to be a slight variation in the statements of various writers respecting the number of Indians engaged on Bruddock's Mile BRADDOCK'S EXPEDITION. 21 From here on the 27th of May were sent out five hundred men under Sir John St. Clair 1 and Maj. Chapman to open the road to the Little Meadows, which road had previously been marked out by Wash- ington and his friendly Indian, Nemacolin, and after- wards used by the Ohio Company. The army was divided into two brigades; Halket commanded one, Dunbar the other. On the 8th of June the first bri- gade under Halket took up its march, and two days after the main body under Braddock followed. On the seventh day after he had started thence he reached the Little Meadows, at the foot of the Allegheny Mountains, on the western side, whither St. Clair had arrived. A small fort erected here was to be a new base of operations and a new station for supplies. 3 Here was held a council ; and here for the first time was the advice of the "Young Buckskin," as Braddock called Washington, listened to. He had advised that the army dispense with the cumbrous wagons, which undoubtedly would retard their march, and proceed from Cumberland with pack-horses, as the route was mountainous and the way difficult. The march hither had shown the correctness of his obser- vations. They had found it difficult to get the wagons along at all, and the train being from three to four miles long took too many men to guard them, who in so doing were so separated that an attack at any one point would be dangerous to the entire army. He here renewed the advice that the heavy artillery and baggage remain with a portion of the army and fol- low with easy marches, but that the portion of the army effective for fighting, lightly equipped, with a few pieces of light cannon and such stores as were necessary, should press forward to the enemy's fort. The advice was agreed with, and the army was again divided for safety and efficiency. Twelve hundred men with twelve pieces of artillery, selected from the different corps, under Braddock himself, with Halket and his veterans, preceded Dunbar and Chapman, who were to follow by slower and more easy marches with the residue of the two regiments, some independent companies, the heavy artillery and baggage. Braddock then set forward from the Little Meadows on the 19th of June, taking with him their thirty car- riages, including those which were used for the am- munition, and a train of pack-horses, upon whose during the war. There w< re without donht some w ho 'ii attested by Washington [see Sparks], and by the records of a council lulil at Philadelphia, Aug. 15, 1755, whereat Governor Morris said, ■' Brethren of tin- six Nations, you that an- now here, viz. : Scnrrooyndy [ami five other chiefs named], fought under Gen. Braddoi k, anil behaved with spirit ami valor during the engagement.' 1 1 Sir John St. Clair was quartermaster-general of the army. - The Little Meadows were at the foot of Meadow Mountain. The Great Meadow s were about thirty-one miles farther west, ami near the eastern foot of Laurel Hill. The Great Meadows mark the site of Foil Necessity, the early scene of Washington's youthful glory. This is the Fayette County legion. By "Little Crossings" is meant the ford at Casselmnn's River, one of the three streams which form the Turkey Foot, now Con- fluence. Somerset Co. The "Great Crossings" was the pas age of the Youghiogheny itself. The Little Crossings were two miles west of the Little meadows, ami the Great Crossings seventeen miles further west. backs were borne the baggage and provisions. But they proceeded slowly. On the 23d. their fourth day out, they reached the Youghiogheny at the I treat Crossings, only nineteen miles' distance. The route from here to the Great Meadows, or Fort Necessity, was not difficult. On the .'.nth of June they crossed the Youghiogheny the second time at about a mile or so below where Counellsville now stands. Now in the wilderness, and no road to go by, they appear to have lost their bearings. 3 On the 3d of July a council was » The tortuous course of Braddock through Westmoreland cannot he accounted fur. He seems to have wandered around like a lost man. For the cause of this we venture an explanation. Washington, more than any other man, was the ( ilot of that expedition. lie knew the topography of this section of country better than any man of bis 'lay. For his pre-eminent fitness ami special knowledge Braddock was in- duced to give him tin- appointment he did. Now tit the Little Meadows Washington was taken down w ith a lever, and was left at Col. Dutlbnl 's camp unable to proceed farther. He, led by the destiny that leadssuch men through the world, lejoined Braddock the day before the battle, in time only to stive the army from total destruction, lie says in a letter (Sparks, vol. ii. r- 85), "On the Sth of July I rejoined in n covered wagon the advance division of the army, under tho immediate cot and or the General. On the'Jth I attended him on horseback, though very low and weak." As the unite of Bradilock's army is a matter of such local interest, we tire able at this day to follow him over the wheat-fields and among the orchards of Westmoreland. The army first kept on the dividing ridge between the Tough and Cheat Rivers. About a mile west of tho Great Meadows, and near the spot of Braddoek's grave, the road diverged to the northeast to strike the pass through the Laurel Hill, and to cross the Yonghiogheuy at a crossing known afterward as Stewart's Crossing, about a mile below Connellsville. They were now off their direct route, which evidently lay along the river, and were in a wilderness. The road next crossed Jacobs Creek at the place known as Welshhanse's Mill (later Tinstmnu's Hill), about a mile and a half below Mount Pleasant, iii Fast Hunting- don township ; crossed over the Mount Pleasant ami West New ton turn- pike below Mount Pleasant, leaving it on the right; thence in a direc- tion a littlo more westerly it crossed tin- Big Sewickley near Painter's Salt- Weeks, now marked hy tin- line of the Southwest Bail way, ulld the point probably between Pniuterville and Ruffsdale stations; thence nearly due north, crossing and recrossing the Pittsburgh and Greens- burg turnpike between Greensburg and Irwin, leAving Madi&On arid Jacksonville on the north and east till it reaches the Brush Crei k fork of Turtle Creek. It appears by tracing the route on the map that the ooni-o ft om Con- nellsville to a di-tance beyond Mount Pleasant is entirely out of the direction of Fort Dminesiie from there. This became apparent to Brad- dock on the 7th of July, when be bad doubts, and when, as before stated, after reflection and examination, he turned into the Long Bun Valley near Stewartsville, passing by a mill-seat on that run known since that time as Sampson's Mill. From the manuscript journal of a soldier who accompanied Bad-lock", which lias been exhumed from the King's Library, London, where it was deposited, we quote the following, recorded while the army was within the limits of our county. The diary for a few days before ami after the battle may he found at length in Craig's " Pittsburgh :" "On July 4th they marched six miles to Thicket ly Bull, on the Gth they marched six miles to 'Monakatuca Camp, 1 called thus from the death of Monnkatnca's son, who was shot and killed by a party of In- dians. The line of carryitig-bors.-s extended a great length, ami it was almost impossible to keep them from 'insults,' so that the teamsters car- lied fire-locks. The disposition or arrangement of these horses roried a] st every day, bur the most common practice was to let them remain on the ground an hour after the march began under a guard of one hun- dred men. By thus doing there was no confusion. When the roads per- mitted they were allowed to march on the flanks, bet ween the pickets and a line of soldiers ; but when it was rocky, and they were close together, they were made to fall in the rear. There were parties on the thinks at all times and a guard behind. On the 7th they tried to pass Turtle Creek about twelve miles from its mouth to avoid 4 The Narrows ;' but 22 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. held at Jacobs Creek to consider the propriety of bringing forward Col. Dunbar with the reserves. Sir John St. Clair urged this, but it was rejected on what was regarded sufficient grounds. On the 7th of July Braddock was in doubt as to the proper way of pro- ceeding. The crossing of Brush Creek, which he had now reached, appeared to be attended with so much hazard that reconnoitring-parties were sent forward.' After an examination of the ground he diverged to the left, passed down the valley of Long Pain, and after one of the best marches of the campaign camped for the night in a favorable depression between that stream and Crooked Run, about two miles from the Monongahela. This was about four miles from the battle-ground. Their camp-fires were here watched all night by their enemies hid in the bushes. In the morning they approached the Monongahela down the valley of the Crooked Run, and forded the river below the junction of the Youghiogheny, where now is Mc- Keesport. The advance, under Lieut.-Col. Gage, passed over the ford about eight o'clock on the morn- ing of the 9th of July, and continued along by the foot of the hills bordering the broad river-bottom to the second fording of the Monongahela, which when crossed again to the north side left a direct route to the fort. Cage passed over this second ford at about the same time the rear of the main division had come oul safely from the first. Many had given up all ex- pectation of meeting the enemy until they came to the fort, and they had some reason to feel elated in spirit. The most exact discipline was rigidly main- tained. Washington said afterward that the army marching along this bottom was one of the finest sights be ever saw. The soldiers were neatly dressed, they marched in columns, the musket-barrels reflected the summer morning's sun, the broad tranquil river on their right hand, the high hills, with green foliage to their tops, on their left hand. line liny came to n precipice which it was impossible to descend. Sir John St. Clair, with a captain and one hnndred men, some Indian unities, and Borne light-horse, reconnoltered." The Narrows were de- scribed by tin- guides to be a narrow pass of about two miles in length, with the river on the left anil high mountains on the right. With hard labor it could have been made lint barely possible for carriages Si. Giair, upon returning, informed the general that he had found a ridge which led the whole way to Duquesne, and which avoided the Narrows and Frasser'a, but that some work to he done vet made it impossible to more that day. Tiny then encamped there, and the next morning marched about eight miles to tin- camp at the Monongahela. The following orders nre preserved in this diary: "ORDERS AT MoSAKATVCA CaMP, "If it should be ordered to advance the van or send hack the rear- guard, the advanced parties detai bed from them are to remain at their posts facing outwards. "Whenever there is a general halt, half of each of the subaltern's advanced parties are to remain under arms with fixed bayonets facing outwards, and tile other half may sit down by their arms." "Orders AT Tin; Camp ni:\u !M inoxoaiiei.a. " All the men are. to draw and clean their pieces, anil tiie whole are to load to-morrow on the heating of 'the general' with fresh cartridges. " No tents or baggage are to be taken with Lieut.-Col. (.'age's party." 1 Some of these advanced solar as to kill a French officer within half a mile of Fort Unijuesne. It was about noon when the second or main division began to cross after Gage. They were now about only ten miles from the fort, and the spirit of the men was at the highest. The trail which they followed coming out of the river led through a gradually rising plain to the hills beyond. This plain, or bottom, some four to six feet above the water of the river, ex- tended from the river about half a mile. Where the route crossing this entered the hills a deep ravine ran along each side, which ravines, running from either side of the rising ground, came nearly together near the top of the hill like the two sides of a letter " A." The surface beyond the plain was rocky, and upon till sides except that next the river was covered with high grass, bushes, and large forest-trees. In these ravines and along the banks rising irregularly from them the enemy were lying in wait and quietly watching them. At that crossing on the north side was Frazer's trading-house, near the mouth of Turtle Creek, where Washington had stopped on his first journey. Here the troops under Gage who were not employed in making the banks en their side of the river passable for the artillery and beasts, drawn up in order, were waiting for Braddock to come up. As the main body arrived they drew up the artillery ami baggage and huddled the cattle and park-horses along the beach until the opposite bank was cut down. The advance- guard in this way covered the passages of all the streams. About one o'clock the first detachment of the Forty-fourth Regiment, with their pickets, passed over; the artillery-wagons and carrying-horses fol- lowed, then the detachment of the Forty-eighth, with their pickets, who had guarded the heights Lack of the beach. At one o'clock all had crossed and the line of march had been arranged again. The advance-guard of some three hundred under Gage took up their march, then followed a column of workmen, two hundred and fifty, under Sir John St. Clair. They were to march on till three o'clock, the general following with the main body, the artillery, and the light baggage. The line began to thread out. Pickets were ordered on either side. While the rearguard were yet shaking the water from their clothes, the advance-guard under Gage had entered the rising hills beyond the plain. Both the advance-guard, under Gage, and the next division, under Halket, were within the inclosure represented by the two sides of the letter " A," — that is to say, the two ravines rising with the ground and approaching together at the top. On a sudden, a rattling volley id' musketry, seemingly out of the earth, as no enemy was to be seen, was poured into the laces of those who were in the lead. The next instant into their right flank came another volley. The firing in the front continued excessive, quick, and heavy. The line was ordered to halt, and Lieut.- Col. Burton was ordered forward with the vanguard of the. main division. Thus eight hundred men were detached from the line, and four hundred were left TBRADDOCK'S EXPEDITION. 23 for defense of the artillery and baggage. The firing continuing, Braddock moved forward, leaving Halket in cure of the reserves. The fire was returned by those in front, but with no effect, yet the enemy sus- tained a continuous and murderous discharge. The British could see nothing to shoot at, while their men were falling all round. The advance in great confusion fell back. Braddock and his officers has- tened forward, but they were met by the broken ranks fleeing bleeding towards them. The attack was so sudden and so destructive, and the panic that seized upon these was so terrible, that before they knew it all — artillery, infantry, pioneers, baggage — were in an inextricable mass. As the advance column were driven back the force guarding the baggage in the clearing was attacked. These seeing the rest of the army driven back in terror scattered. Many of the wagon-dnvers and teamsters were killed, many others cutting loose their horses fled on their backs across the river. The cannon did little execution, for the enemy availed themselves of the cover of the heavy woods, in which they were screened and protected. As the British and Americans were on the open place, and the French and Indians in the woods, every good position was speedily taken up by these, not only in the front, but on the sides of the army, and from these positions they fired upon every part, for every part of the army was exposed. But as yet the enemy were not to be seen, nor did they show themselves until the retreat began. The general was a soldier who did not know fear, and his officers, although not so rash as he, were equally as brave. Once Burton headed, by command of his general, about one hundred royalists of the Forty-eighth, whom he prevailed with to follow him towards a rising ground on the right; but after they had readied the place, he, disabled by wounds, and his men seeing nothing but the prospect of death, turned about and fled. No words, no' promises, no threats could now avail along the line. The noise of the army in that slaughter-pen was so horrific that those who escaped never had the recollection of it driven away. The cries of anguish of the men mingled with the shouts and entreaties of the officers. The shouts and ravings of terror, pain, despair, fear, chagrin, madness, ascended within the circle of red fire, with the howls of the Indians, the clashing of arms, the ir- regular rattling and thudding of musketry and cannon. Thus they stood, the survivors said, for three hours, — but long enough, — huddled together like sheep, sometimes in a mass, sometimes in separate bodies, all the time receiving the fire from the rocks and the trees. In such confusion many were killed by their own men, more indeed than by the enemy. Thus it happened to the provincials whom Washington ordered to fight after the manner of the border war- fare. A brave Virginian, Capt. Waggoner, seeing that if he could secure a certain spot on a rising ground where lay a fallen tree of great thickness, his command might possibly turn the fortune of the day, with eighty provincials he clambered up to it with the loss of only three, and when by a well-directed fire from such a secure position he was dislodging a body of Indians in the bottom beyond, the British, taking the smoke of his guns for the sign of an enemy, fired upon his company by platoons, and they were compelled to fall back, leaving him and fifty of his eighty men on the ground. When it was seen to be impossible to make his men advance, Braddock endeavored to get them to retreat in good order, for they now, wild, bewildered, and dazed, were firing their ammunition in the air and turning upon their officers. Two-thirds of the killed and wounded in this fatal action received their shots from the cowardly and panic-stricken royalists. 1 It was no longer a battle, it was a butchery. By this time half the army that had crossed the river were killed or wounded, many of the best officers had been cut down, and the general, after having live horses shot under him, received, whether at the bauds of friend or foe never to be known, a mortal wound. 2 No panic was more complete. The desolate cries of the wounded, exposed to the fire of their own brethren, were, as terrible as the unearthly yells of the unleashed savages. The royal regulars, when they had shot away their ammunition, were the first to run. All orders henceforth were either not minded or were disobeyed. All by one consent left the field; many threw away their guns, and disencumbered themselves of their habiliments. Some of the soldiers followed the example of the wagoners, and loosing the horses galloped off on their backs. They, intent mi saving their own lives, deserted their comrades, and left all their artillery, stores, and the ammunition in their carriages. With difficulty Washington, his coat full of bullet-holes, covered the retreating army with his provincials. With the utmost difficulty, too, it was that the wounded general and bis wounded officers were carried off the field by the few who had not for- saken them. Braddock was carried in his scarf. The road to Col. Dunbar's camp on the top of Laurel Hill, 1 Washington's letter to Governor Dinwiddle. — Sparfo, vol. ii. p. SS. * Tho stories of particular persons having sliot Braddock are not of late origin. We do not credit the Fayette County " Faucet" story. The same Kind of a story was related by a Mr. Daniel Adam-, of Kewbiiry, who was regarded as a good authority, and who in tiro Keirburypart HisroM of 1643 told what he had heard from a Capt. fllslmry, who was witli Sir William Johnson. This captain had become acquainted with a man who had served under Braddock, who had told him that a captain in that expedition, after many others had done the same thing, appealed to Braddock advising him to retreat, and that Braddock immediately shot him down. This captain had a brother who was a lieutenant, ami who was near at the time, and who saw his brother fall ; that this lieutenant raised Ins carbine and shot Braddock ; this occurrence several saw, hut lame told ; that Braddock wore a coat of mail in front, and only a hall from behind could have killed him. This narrative was believed and credited as authentic for a long time, and even inserted into creditable histories; this too, in the face of the inharmonious narrative, egre- giously lame, to wit, that the same French officer (D eskau> who com- manded against Johnson had the year previous defeated Braddock. We place the Stewart-Faucet story in the same category. This narrative I have taken from an old paper into which the original was copied. 24 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. thirty-six miles away, was strewn with accoutrements. The dead and the dying, all baggage, the money chest, the cattle, and the small-arms were left to the enemy, who, emerging from their hiding-places, took posses- sion of the field. A small body of Indians dogged the rear of the retreating army down to the river- bank, and killed and wounded some as they were in the water, but further they did not pursue or harass the terrified fugitives on the road. Nevertheless their victory was complete. An attempt was made on the south side of the river to stop the disordered men and form some of the sol- diers into a force to cover the retreat. Braddock and some other wounded officers remained there a con- siderable time, indeed until the rest had all gone by. He still gave his orders from his litter, and directed Washington to speed to Dunbar with orders to send aid for the wounded, and with a small force to meet him on the way. At this side of the first crossing of the Monongahola he was joined by Gage, who had rallied a company. This was all of the army left; the rest were lying on the battle-field, or were along the road. These marched all night and the next day, and on the following night at about ten o'clock came to Gist's, where they halted to dress the wounded and refresh the men. When the army was collected at the station of Col. Dunbar it was in numbers still formidable; but its spirit was broken, and no attempt was again made to march into the enemy's country or to retrieve their lost fortunes. The panic was infectious, and all discipline was forgotten among even those wdio had not been engaged in the battle. They hid their heavy cannon in holes in the ground, and made no effort to maintain that post. They did not rest easily till they got back to Fort Cumberland. The ball that met Braddock penetrated through his arm and lung. He lived four days after he was wounded. During this time when he was talked to In gave orders, but he rapidly sank into a stupor, and his thoughts and expressions were mostly wan- dering. In the night-time, after a long silence, he said, audible to those around, although in a medi- tating manner and as speaking with himself, " Who would have thought it! Who would have thought it!" He remained silent again, or at most talked incoherently. On the fourth day, immediately before he died, he said, " We shall better know how to deal with them another time." On the next day, the 14th of July, the second day after the army had left Dunbar's, he was buried in the middle of the road, and they marched and drove their wagons over his grave to make it indistinguishable. Some say that he was buried in the darkness of the early morning. 1 1 In 1SU2 the remains were reinterred at ttio foot of a white oak-tree, and the place suitably marked. This is at Mount Braddock, Fayette Co., Borne of Braddoek's bones, however, passed into the possession of Peale, tile {.'rent showman, in whose museum in Philadelphia they were ex- hibited as relics until the destiuttiou of the building by fire. The enemy that emerged from Fort Duquesne were French, Canadians, and Indians, under command of Capt. Beaujeu.- It appears that the commander of the French was kept well informed by his Indian spies of all the movements of the British, and that it was his intention to await them at the fort. But this Capt. Beaujeu, the commandant of Duquesne, begged permission to march out and surprise his en- emy when they were not expecting it. He was sec- onded by the entreaties of Capt. Dumas and Capt. Lignery and about a dozen subalterns. His force was about six hundred Indians and several detached com- panies of French and Canadians, in numbers above two hundred. They had great trouble to get the In- dians to accompany them, and to do so had to give them much strong drink and offer many promises. They marched out of the fort in the early morning of the 9th of July, and intended to resist Braddock while he was crossing the river. They did not arrive in time for this, for the army was preparing to cross when they came to the hills. They there lay in am- bush. At the first regular fire of the British the commander, Beaujeu, was killed. His followers showed signs of fear and confusion. This occasioned the first and only lull in the firing of the French which was uoticed by the British. This was the moment, the Americans say, that Braddock or Gage should have taken to push onward to the enemy. But the opportune moment was hist; hence some said Brad- dock acted as one wdio had lost his reason. Dumas, however, took the command in place of Beaujeu, and showed the coolness and the skill of a veteran officer. His orders were obeyed, anil while he remained with his regular French in the front, his officers deployed the Indians on either flank of the British. Dunbar conducted the army to Philadelphia, but Washington was the good genius of the retreat. It may be doubted that Washington ever, in defeat or victory, was more impassably himself than in this campaign. What might not be expected from so young a man, wdio, not expecting anything but vic- tory, should appear to greater advantage when he marched from defeat? In such a school was the man taught wdio bore the weight of a country for seven restless years. The completeness of this victory and defeat, al- though felt, was not fully seen till the detachment - "The name in full of Beaujeu was Daniel llyacinthe Marie Lienunl de Beaujeu. He was the second son of Louis Ltenard Sieur de Beaujeu and Therese Mijeau de Braussac, his wite, born in Montreal, Aug. 17, 1711. The family was originally from Dauphine, France. Beairjeu had commanded at Detroit and Niagara." (William M. Darlington, K«q., in " Centenary Memorial, 11 p. 2G3.) See record of ins death and burial in the chapter on the religious history in this book. Mr. Darlington says that '* Beaujeu seems to have succeeded Contre- co'iir lit Fort Duquesne," and in this statement he follows various other authors. But Sparks, citing the last autboiilles (the French ''An hives"), savs that Contrecoenr was commander of Fort Duquesne, and Bancroft (" History of the United State*") follow* him. Contrecoeur was "com- mander" of all the French in those palts, and all orders came from him. Beaujeu was " commandant" at the fort. ARMSTRONG'S EXPEDITION, 1T5C— BOUQUET AT LIGONIER, 1758. 25 sent nut by Forbes, when be took possession of tbe fort, three years after tins, came upon the battle-field to pay the last rites to tbe mangled bodies of their former companions in arms. They gave a pathetic account of their sorrowful duties, and many have since rewritten it. No words, however, can tell the deso- lation which they felt, and the devastation which they saw. Nothing before or since in the warful an- nals of America can be compared with this. The dead had been left to lie as they fell. They saw where the wounded had died un cared for, and found among brush and rocks the skeletons of those who had per- ished by tbe tomahawk or through hunger and thirst. The birds and wild beasts had plucked off the naked flesh of the desecrated victims. Blackened ashes told where heathen vengeance had been gratified. Some were lying in heaps; others had dragged themselves in their torments to a distance. Some were found sit- ting on the trunks of fallen trees and on rocks ; others were lying side by side in t he embrace of death. A few were identified, and these were interred sepa- rately ; the bones of many were collected together and buried in one common grave. The loss of the French and their allies, according to their own report, which may be taken with allow- ance, was only about thirty, and the most of these met death by accident from the falling timbers in the woods cut by the cannon-balls. Of the British, sixty- four out of eighty-five officers, and about one-half the privates, or about seven hundred, were killed or wounded. Every field or horseback officer except Washington was carried off the field, and he had two horses killed under him. The Indians may claim the glory of this victor}-. Those engaged were confederates who were not con- fined to the tribes about the Ohio, for all under the control of the French throughout the West were brought to the fort. The Wyandots and Southern Ohio tribes were represented, and Pontiac, then a young warrior, headed some of his Ottawas from the Western lakes. Cornplauter was there, too, with the Senecas, and many others since known to fame. As to the exact number of those with the French who fought on that dreadful day we have no authentic ac- count. The number currently reported are as we give them, but it is almost certain there were many more. Before dismissing this subject we cannot but call attention to, first, the remarkable proportion of offi- cers killed to the number engaged ; and, second, to the noticeable distinction to which many of the sur- vivors arrived, from which an idea of the composition of this army may be obtained. Gage became the commander of the British armies at Boston in the be- ginning of the Revolution ; Washington, commander- in-chief of the American army; Horatio Gates, after- wards a major-general in the American army, com- manded a company of independent troops from New York ; Col. Daniel Morgan, the hero of the Cowpens, drove a wagon of his own, for he was originally a teamster. Among the many others were the Lewises of Virginia, afterwards distinguished and gallant offi- cers, and Col. Hugh Mercer, who died with glory at Princeton. CHAPTER IV. ARMSTRONG'S EXPEDITION, 1756— BOUQUET AT LIGONIER, 1T5S. The Country overrun by Indiana ami French after Brnddock's Defeat — Settlers flee to the East of the Mountains — Forts ami Block-Hcmsps on the Pennsylvania Frontier — Col. John Armstrong's Expedition in 175G against the Kittanning Town — The Town taken ami destroyed, ami Cant. Jacobs reported killed — The Tramping-Ground of these Warriors — The French ami Indian War carried on under William Pitt — John Fmlies commands the New Expedition from Philadelphia againBt Fort Duqnesne — His command — Col. Bouquet bringB the Van- guard of the Army across Laurel Hill to the Loyalhanna, where he erects a Stockado, ami awaits on the rest of the Army under Washing- ton and Forbes, who were to unite at Raystown, or Bedford, The disastrous effect of Braddock's defeat was more sensibly felt in our colony than even in Virginia. An undisturbed peace had existed between the Indians and the Pennsylvania colonists till the war broke out between the two European mother-countries in 17o4. One reason which augmented the distress was that, as a general thing, the colonists were averse to war, and had always favored a pacific policy. Some of the citizens, from their religious perceptions, were opposed to warfare on any pretense whatever. Now tin- whole frontier of the colony was left open to the free ingress of the savages. The frontier county was Cumber- land, which extended no farther than the Juniata. Numerous acts of hostility were committed on these settlements. Detached bands of exasperated and bloodthirsty barbarians attacked the stations, and marauding-parties preyed upon the isolated settlers. The Indian nature after being long restrained was let loose. Like the beasts which had got used to living on the flesh of the dead that Braddock left, they thought they had a right to kill all they met. They murdered the men and women, and burnt their pitiful cabins to the ground, so that the harvests were un- gathered, and such as had timely warning had to flee for life through a wide stretch of hostile country. During the fall and winter of 1755 the settlements of Great Cove and Conococheague in Cumberland County were overrun and the inhabitants slaughtered. All the settlements surrounding were in great com- motion. Many were scattered with their families to all the neighboring places of safety ; many were taken in eaptivity to the depots of the French in Canada. In short, all the horrors of an Indian war were expe- rienced. The authorities were clamored to for relief. It became evident that a long line of block-houses with garrisons would have to be established at the public expense for the protection of the inhabitants who were unable to protect themselves, ami thus keep the war from the hearths of all. And, indeed, if 26 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. timely efforts had not been made to put a stop to this warfare the whole of the frontier to the west of the Susquehanna would have been deserted. It has been estimated that in 1755 this section possessed three thousand fighting-men, and that in the next year, 1756, outside the provincial forces, there were not one hundred. These terrible times continued, with some intermission, till the Indians were partly conciliated by a treaty at Easton in 1758. But now it was evi- dent that what had been reclaimed from nature would have to be protected by the force of arms. Theclaims of our own colony were not to be despised, for al- though she had been profuse and liberal both in men and money in the assistance of her sister colonies, her own borders were left open to fire and murder. The authorities, encouraged by the settlers, had given their assistance in the erection of a number of these block-houses and forts. In July of 1755 prep- arations were made to erect a fort at Shippensburg, called thus after Edward Shippen, one of the Council. This was completed in the fall. Previous to this time a line of forts had been erected along the Kittatinny hills from the Delaware to Maryland, guarding the principal passes, and each garrisoned by from ten to thirty men. West of the Susquehanna were Fort Louther, at Carlisle; Fort Franklin, at Shippensburg; Fort Shirley, on the creek which empties into the Juniata; Fort Littleton; Fort Loudon, on the Cono- cocheague, now Franklin County. Fort Shirley was on the Indian path from the West to Fort August i, on the Susquehanna. There were many block-houses, some without garrisons, to which the inhabitants might flee mi timely notice. At a time when, no account of the massacres which were horrible beyond description, the despair of the frontier colonists was at the highest and their fear the greatest, a successful expedition was planned and executed. There were on the west side of the Sus- quehanna eight companies of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, called the Second Battalion, under com- mand of Col. John Armstrong. Two chiefs, Shingass 1 and Jacobs, were considered the instigators of these incursions. Jacobs, with his warriors, had his home at the Delaware Indian town of Kittanning, and here sometimes Shingass abided. Here they had great quantities of ammunition, received from the French, and from here they sallied out on their war-trips. Hither the English prisoners captured about that time (1755) on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and 1 Shingass (sometimes written Shingaat) is described as a small man in stature, but of the utmost activity, prowess, and physical endurance, He, with bis mutual friend and neighbor, Captain Jacobs, helped, mure than any other of the Western Indians, to devastate the settlements of Ovnococheague, Great Cove, Sherman's Valley, and the other settle- ments then along the frontier. Jacobs, an Indian chief, known by tint name applied 1" him by the English-Americans, had hiswigwam be- times along the Yongb and Jacobs Creek, after whom this stieam was called. A large tract of land in East Huntingdon township, not far from Ruffs Station on the Southwest Railway, is designated in old warrants as "Jacobs' Swamp," the best part of that land, now very valuable, having been reclaimed from marsh. Virginia were taken. Speaking in the forms of their own language, they with the Shawanese had taken the hatchet against Braddock which was ottered them by the French, and went directly to war with whom they called the Virginians, which also of course included the Pennsylvanians. They, however, were influenced to this probably more by the Six Nations, some of ■ whom'lived among them.' While the general-jn-chief of the British forces in America, Gen. Shirley the successor of Braddock, and the Governors of the northern provinces were preparing an aggressive campaign with new levies to reduce the posts held by the French immediately after the unsuccessful campaigns of the year previous, by the sudden invasion of New York by Montcalm, the leader of the French in Canada, at the head of a for- midable force, the whole attention of Gen. Shirley was directed to resist their farther advance in that direction. Hence during the fall of 1755 and the year 1756 the whole frontier of Pennsylvania was overrun by scalping-parties of Indians assisted by the French. The unexpected change in affairs affected no colony so much as ours. 3 King Shingass with his warriors and sub-confederates fell upon the settlers of the Tuscarora Valley, and those of Northampton County, as well as those of Franklin, killed and car- ried off many persons and destroyed much property, so that whole settlements were deserted, and with the general results as before stated. About the middle of August, 1756, Col. John Arm- strong, who was a militia officer of the Province, and who with the Second Battalion of the provincial militia was about that time stationed on the west side of the Susquehanna, conceiving the idea of suddenly surprising and defeating them on their own ground, made preparations for an expedition against Kittan- ning. He proposed passing up the Juniata and down the Kiskiminetas, along the path upon which these depredators came out on their excursions On the 30th of August, 1756, with a force of three hun- f dred and seven men, lie left Fort Shirley. 4 After a laborious march, and by the exercise of the utmost precaution and vigilance, Armstrong reached the town without having been discovered. His last march was thirty miles, and made at night, so that he might attack the place before bis men or his movements were discovered. The attack began as the light of day made objects distinguishable in the cornfield lying outside the town, in which many of the warriors slept beside fires built to keep off the gnats, which along the river bottoms were extremely annoying. Captain Jacobs was in the town, and when he discovered the presence of the whites, which was 2 Statement of George CrogAU at the council at Carlisle, Jan. 13-10, 17 50. 3 Governor Morris 1 message, July 24, 1755. 4 The best account of this expedition, which account is very interest- ing in details, is tho " Report" of Col. Armstrong himself, which for de- tails is referred to. ARMSTRONG'S EXPEDITION, 175G— ROUQUET AT LTGONIER, 1758. made known from the noise of their attack, he gave the war-whoop, and at the same time ordered the sqUaws and children into the woods. In this singular battle the Indians for the greater part kept t< » their houses, and fired upon the whites to good advantage from the port-holes and crevices in the walls. From these advantages some of the whites were killed and many were wounded. Seeing that firing upon the houses was ineffectual, Armstrong ordered the houses nearest of access to be set on fire. In doing so many more were wounded, and among them was Armstrong, who received a ball in his shoulder. However, the fire once started burnt with effect, and speedily reached the principal house, in which were Jacobs and the more desperate of his followers. As those in it attempted to escape they were shot down, and Jacobs himself, as Armstrong reported, was killed. He says he was identified by some of the soldiers by his boots, which he had gotten from a French officer, and by his scalp, which they secured, as he dressed his hair in a peculiar manner. 1 The destruction of this town and the death and scatterment of those who inhabited there was a severe blow to the savages. Henceforth they were afraid to leave their villages in any great number together, because they might expect an attack from their ene- mies as sudden, as unexpected, and as disastrous as this one had been. They had hitherto regarded themselves as safe in their camps and wigwams from any attack by the English on the western side of the mountains. The victory was indeed singularly event- ful, because it was a single victory during a time of defeat, disaster, and gloom. Such of the Indians as belonged to Kittanning and bad escaped the dis- aster that had befallen their brethren refused to settle again to the east of Fort Duquesne, and wisely resolved to place that tort and the French garrisons between them and the colonists. 1 But the relief expected after this victory was a temporary relief only. The disasters of 1755, 17">!>, and 1757 were not confined to Pennsylvania. The French and Indian power was everywhere in the ascendant. By the British ministry affairs at home and abroad were conducted illy. The people in Eng- land demanded a new ministry, and in June of 1757 William Pitt was created premier. By this change new life was restored to the body politic. His appeals 1 They said they knew his squaw's scalp also by a particular " boh" in tlie hair, ami l>y the same token identified a young Indian by the name of " King's Son." It haa been questioned whether Jacobs was killed here or not. There is mention of a " Captain Jacobs" (as he sL'iis his mime) in "Col. Henry Bouquet's Journal, etc., 11 in 17(>4, a chief of the Delawares, but others say this was a sou of the former. It at best, at this day, is not worth while to contradict the report or get up argument, for .i- the report was generally believed at that day it served ail purposes for good, ami whether the "old original Jacobs" was lolled there ami then or elsewhere ami afterwards, he is now dead enough. - Gordon's " History of Peunsj Irania." — Before the town was destroyed there were about thirty houses in it . . . Col. Armstrong's loss was seventeen killed, thirteen wounded, ami nineteen missing. . . . Arm- strong County was named iu his honor, very deservingly. in the interest of the colonies and against their old enemy, the French, were listened to as they had never been listened to before. To the colonies he promised his assistance, and they responded to his requests. Pennsylvania came up promptly. She voted £100,000, put the roads in repair, raised troops, and prepared quarters for others. In the spring of 1758 came Admiral Boscawan with twelve thousand British soldiers. These, with the other British, the Royal Americans and provincials, made a force of fifty thousand, all employed in the service of the colonies. The campaign of 1758, as that of 1755, embraced three expeditions: — the first against Louisburg, an island in the St. Lawrence; the second against Ticonderoga, a si rong fortress be- tween Lake George and Lake Chnmplain, Northern New York ; and the third against Fort Duquesne. The new expedition against Duquesne was under command of Brigadier John Forbes, a young man and ti good soldier, by birth a Scot." Philadelphia was made his headquarters. Which was the more available route from here to the West was a matter of ] debate. Washington advised that the army proceed on the old Braddock road, and Forbes for a long time ; had not made up his mind. The route through Pennsylvania westward was urged by the provincial authorities with good reasons, but the Virginians objected to it. The authorities of Virginia wanted to cover their frontier by active operations in that portion, and perhaps wanted to make more perfect their claim to the disputed territory. But Bouquet, the chief officer upon whom Forbes depended, who was a soldier of fortune in the service of England, advocated a new route, and prevailed upon Forbes to choose it; and on the 1st of August. 1758, seventeen hundred men were at work west of Bedford in open- sJohs Forbes.* — Forbes was a native of Scotland, born in Peutrief, Fifeshire. Like Arthur St Clair, lie was bred to the profession of medi- cine. While young he entered into the military service, ami rose to the rank of lieutenant-cob 1 iu Scott's Gray Di agoons. lie won by faithful services the approval of his military superiors, — the Earl of Stair, Lord Ligunier, ami other great soldiers with whom he was connected. He was a -i. iff- . dicer to some of these generals, and was quartermaster-general of the army under the Hake of Bedford. He was abut forty-seven or fotty-.-ijbt when he was appointed to the command ill which he distin- guished himself. From his indomitable will ant] tenacious purpose he \mis called the Bead of Iron, or by his followers in .re Commonly "Old Iron-head." As a gallant soldier " so,. king the bubble reputation even at the cannon's mouth," he was given to cursing, a vie considered a virtue aiming the European soldiery of his age, — "a vice which they brought with them from Flanders."' During the whole campaign be suffered from accumulated infirmities and a general debility, ami on hi- return from Fort Duquesne to Philadelphia was carried the whole way by horses ami by men in a litter. More than once, it is reported, he got out of his litter ami made things lively. On his return to the city, weakened and broken down with disorders, he died, March 13, 1759, aged foitv-niiio years. He is buried in the chancel of Christ Church, Philadelphia. Ilia character has been thus d esc i ibed: A- a man, be was just ami with- out prejudices, brave without ostentation, uncommonly warm ill his friendship, and incapable of flattery; acquainted with the world and mankind, he was well bred, but absolutely impatient of formality and affectation. * The Scotch pronounce his name iu too syllables, the English in one syllable. 23 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER V. FORBES' EXPEDITION, 175S. Maj Grant is sent out from Fort Ligouier i<> recoi itre about Fort Duquesne - N'umber of Men under Grant, and their Routt — Their K. t- runipuient on the Nine-Mile Run -Their Trail the first Road of 1 1 if English-speaking People through Westmoreland from Laurel Hill to ill-- ( H li-- — Or. mi iii 1 1 vr? iii i In- Hill overlooking Fort Duquesne — I? Surrounded and Defeated— Capt. Bullot carries tin- Remains of the Command hack in (In- Stoi kade --1 Ligouier— The French ami Indians fill tin- W Is about Ligouier, and >\ i 1 1 • their united forces attack I h-- Batik- lasl? iii-aily all Day, when ihi- Enemy flee off through tin- Woods — Tin- whole Army under Forbes at Ligouier — Hi- proposes to advance towards Fort Duquesne— Washington leads the way, ami cut? the Old Military or Forbes 1 Road — Duques I — 1. 1 the French, and first occupied by the Briiish aud Ameri- cans- -Fort Pitt elected. Tins expedition which Bouquet sent out was under Mnj. Grant. His command consisted of thirty-seven officers and fight hundred and five privates. Grant 'The return on the 25tb September, 1758, two months before tin- taking of the furl, was, nil count, live thousand nine liundreil ami eighty in all, wiili detachments mi die road and stationed on tin- frontiers of elcveu huudved ami eighty-seven in addition. ing out a road across the mountains of Western Penn- sylvania. Forbes' forces in all amounted to about seven thousand men. 1 There were twelve hundred High- landers, three hundred and fifty Royal Americans, twenty-seven hundred Pennsylvania Provincials, six- teen hundred from Virginia, about one thousand wagoners and laborers, and the rest were from Debt- ] ware, Maryland, and North Carolina. The Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland contingent was to assemble at Winchester under Washington, and the Pennsylvania forces at Raystown, that is Bedford, under Bouquet. Bouquet, the gallant Swiss, brought the regular vanguard of the command to this point in advance of Forbes, who was detained at Philadel- phia by sickness. Bedford, as we shall call Raystown, was the most westerly point to which supplies could lie sent. A road had been opened from Fort Louden past here to Fort Cumberland in 1755, on which the Pennsylvania supplies were forwarded to Braddock. By slow moves Forbes in September, 1758, reached Bedford. By this time the brave Bouquet with twenty- rive hundred troops and pioneers had crossed on over Laurel Hill and made his camp on the bank of the Loyalhanna. Making it secure, he here waited until the main body should come up. He made his communication with the post at Bedford and the headquarters of the army secure. He was fifty miles from Duquesne, and he did not choose to advance till the general with the other part of the forces ar- rived. He remembered Braddock. He, however, was vigilant in all things pertaining to the safely of the in. mi and the success of the expedition. To gel in- formation and as a matter of precaution he from here sent out a portion of his command to recon- noitre in the enemy's country. himself was major and the senior officer in the High- land regiment, wdiich was divided into four com- panies, two of wdiich he now took with him, and he was supported by Maj. Lewis, of the famous Lewis family of Virginia, with above two hundred Royal Americans, and a body of about fifty Virginia pro- vincials under Capt. Bullet. His instructions were to approach as near the fort as practicable, to avoid a surprise, and chiefly to collect such information as would be of consequence. He left the camp at the Loyalhanna on the 11th of September, the command not being encumbered with baggage or provisions, and having no cannon. Marching from the Loyalhanna camp he the first day passed through a gap of the Chestnut Ridge, and traversing most probably the southeastern part of now Derry township came to the Loyalhanna, which he crossed about half a mile below the Shelving Rocks. He made his camp on the oppo- site side of Nine-Mile Run, so called from being nine miles from the fort at Ligonier. The site was well chosen, it having on the east the run at the base of a steep bank of twenty feet, on the south a dee]) ravine. The plateau above was covered with heavy timber. On this plateau where he rested he threw up an earthen wall facing the west and north, running in an angle from one side to the other. The wall was of the height of a man. The ditch from which the earth was cast was on the outside of the wall, and the camp proper was within this triangle so formed by nature and art. We have an exact description of this en- campment and the road upon which Grant, follow- ing 1 lie old Indian path, went. This is in the journal of Christian Post. Post, a childlike missionary, full of the ancient faith, and a man fully competent to conciliate the native-, was sent from his home in Berks County by Governor Denny on two important missions. On his second journey he came in the route of the army of Forbes, and in November of 1758, two months after Grant's march, came to the Loyalhanna, where, leaving Forbes, he traversed the path which Grant, had taken thus far. He give an exact description of the camping-places of the main army afterwards, having on his return from his mission followed their road. But Post, leaving the camp described, proceeded down along the trading path, as he calls it, live mile- below this site. Here llie trail divided; Grant followed the western branch, near to which was afterwards the old I fauna-town road, while Post passed on down the path which led alongside the Loyalhanna and on to the old Kittan- ning towns. This particular place was known to the last generation as the Breastwork Hills, and till within a few years musket-balls, Hints, old bayonets, and occasionally buckles and rusty sabres were unearthed. Thirty years ago the breastwork might have been traced, but now it is all leveled and the place culti- vated. 2 - When the writer was a mere liny he heard famous stories t.- sleep -". about cannons filled with bright gold pieces having been buried along ^Mi ^ itiBert part of the diary line. From the second journal of Christian Frederick Post, 1758, on n mes- Bftgafroui the Governor of Pennsylvania to the Indian* on the Ohio, in the latter part of the same year: Nov. 7, 1758.— " We rose early ami made all haste we could on our journey; we crossed i lie huge creek, Hukempuliu, near Lawrel hill. Upon this hill we overtook the artillery ; ami came, before sunset, to Loyal Uanniug, U"a were gladly received in the camp by the geueral, ami most oi the people. We made our fire near the other Indian camps, which pleased our people. . . . 8th. — " At eleven '/cluck the general called the Indians together, the Cheiitkecs and Catawbas being present ; he spake to them in a kiud and loving maimer, and hid them heartily welcome to his camp . . . After that he drank the king's health, and all that wished well to the English nation; then he drank King Beaver's, Shiugus', aud all the warriors' healths, mid recommended us (the messengers; to their wire, aud desired thom to give credit to what wo should say. . . . Our Indians parted in love and well satisfied. And we made all necessary preparations for our journey. 9th. — "Some of the colonels and chief commanders wondered how I came through so many difficulties, and how I could rule and bring these people t^ reason, making no use ot gun or sword. I told them it is done hy do other menus than faith. Then they asked me il I had faith to venture myself tocomesafe through with my companions? I t»ld them it was in my heart to pray for them; 'you know that the Lord has given many promises to his servants, and w hat he promised, you ma} depend Upon, lie Will perform.' Tlien he wished us good success. We waited till almost noon for the writing of the general. We were escorted by an hundred im-u, rank and file, commanded by Capt, Haslet " We passed through a tract of good land, aUOUt BIX miles 0D the old trading path, and came to the creek again, where there is a large tine buti'iin, well timbered ; from thence we came upon a hill, to an advanced breastwork, aboul ten miles from the camp, well situated for strength, lacing a small branch of the aforesaid creek; the hill is steep down, perpendicular about twenty feet, ou the smith side, which is a great de- fense; and ou the w est side the breastwork, about seven feet high, where we encamped that night." Our Indian companions heard that we were to part in the morning, ami that twelve nieu were to be sent With us, and the others, part of the company, t" go towards Fort Dnquesae. Our Indians desired that the captain would send twenty men instead of twelve, that if any accident should happen thoy could be more able to defend themselves in return- in- bat k. . . . It began to rain. Within five miles from the breastwork we departed from ' apt Haslet; he kept the old trading path to the Ohio. Lieut. Hays was ordered to accompany us to the Allegheny River with fourteen men. We went along the path which leads along the Loyal Uanniug Creek, where there is a rich fiue bottom laud, well timbered, good springs, and small creeks. At four o'clock we were alarmed l.y three men in Indian dress, and preparation was made on both sides for defense. Isaac Still showed a white token, aud Pisquetomen gave an Indian halloo, after which they threw down their bundles and lau away as last as they could. We afterwards took up their bundles, and found that it was a small party of our men that had been long out. We were sorry that we had scared them, for they lost their bundles with ail their food." These men, no doubt, wore soldiers scattered from Grant's command. stantly Informed of Forbes and Bouquet from the time Bouquet left Bedford, yet Grant succeeded in coming within sight of the fort without being detected. It was nearing dark when he was only a few miles from that spot for which two mighty nations were in contest. Two miles back lie had left his bag- gage and horses under Capt. Bullett with fifty men. In the dusk he approached the fort. In the early part of the night two officers with iilh men were ordered to approach the fort, and if the outposts were not too strong to capture them. They were met by no enemy. They set fire to a store-house, but the fire was seen and put out. In the morning Grant, desirous of securing the victory for himself, sent Maj. Lewis with most of the ammunition and two hundred men half a mile back to secure, he said, the baggage. Believing that the garrison was small he posted his main body, about four hundred men, in a line on the j face of the hill, and then sent out a company of fifty, with drums and bagpipes playing, to draw, or rather to drum, the enemy out, And it had the desired effect, for they came out in a hurry. By the noise of martial music the French were aroused from sleep. They knew the ground better than Grant did. Sepa- rating their forces into three divisions, two of these skulked out, one along the inner bank of each of the rivers, to surround the British, while the third posted itself in front till the others took up their positions. Securing their vantage-ground, they came in over- whelming numbers and surrounded the Highlanders and provincials on all sides. Hearing the noise of arms, Major Lewis hastened with his force to the res- cue. The Indians fought with the tomahawk and scalping-knife, and hastened to closely embrace their old enemies. As they darted out from their coverts they filled the air with their terrific war screams, a sound to which the foreign Scots were unused. The two chief officers, Grantaad Lewis, fell into the hands of the French. When many had fallen a retreat com- menced. Then it was that the fifty men under the brave Bullet saved from utter annihilation the re- mains of the detachment. This officer, discovering the rout of the troops in front, dispatched with greal prudence the most necessary part of the baggage on strong horses, and with the remainder of his men se- cured an advantageous position along the road. He had his men well screened, and by a well-directed fire they stopped the violence of the pursuit and thus somewhat checked the tumult of the men. With great coolness he blinded them by a successful strat- agem. Seeing that his number was few compared with that of the enemy, he ordered his men, from a previous agreement, to march up to the Indians with arms reversed as if they sued for quarter. The In- dians with a treacherous design themselves fell into the snare. Wheu near enough Bullet gave the word ; a dreadful volley was discharged into the midst of the wretches, and a charge with the bayonet following, the assailants were effectually discomfited. The re- 30 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. mains were thus saved from being cut to pieces. The enemy were baffled, and Bullet covering the retreat, the command was successfully carried back to the Loyalhanna camp. The loss of the British and col- onists was about three hundred. 1 The slowness of acting which at first had marked the French and their Indian allies is partially ac- counted for by Capt. James Smith, at that time a cap- tive among the Indians. He states that reinforce- ments from the camp-fires at Detroit, expecting the approach of the English in the summer of 1758, left for Fort Duquesne ; that they expected to serve Follies as they had served Braddock ; that during all tin' fall they had full accounts of the army from Indian runners ; but that withal Grant had stolen a march on them, they not looking for a thing so im- probable. However, after this engagement they had a council, and resolved to march out and meet the army, for the Indians were becoming dissatisfied, and as it was late in the year they were, compelled from ity to go into their own country and get food for their squaws and children that these in the severity of the winter might not starve. Having been so long- on the war-path and from their wigwams, many of the helpless ones it is believed had perished during the previous seasons. And in truth the influence of the French over their allies was somewhat waning. So it was proposed to attack the army under Bouquet in their own camp, and if fortunate close the campaign by one battle. Instead of being disheartened at this unforeseen oc- currence, Bouquet resorted to more active measures in seeming his camp and holding it till reinforcements came; for, flushed with this victory, it was not tin- looked for that the enemy should be emboldened to attack him. This they accordingly did. The repulse of Grant was suffered on the 14th of September, and four weeks from that time all the force of the garri- son, which now was composed of more French than Indians, from their desire of holding the position, came out in ba le array and filled the woods around the camp at Loyalhanna. The number of the French was estimated at twelve hundred ; that of the Indians at above two hundred. They were under command 1 "The French had the day before received a reinforcement of four hundred men from Illinois, under ('apt. Aubrey, commander in the at- tack on Giant, who met with a bloody defeat on the hill whore our a t-house now stands, and along through the woods to where the bag- kept with a guard on the slope above the Two-Mile lttin. o t was captured but Boon exchanged. In 17i;n lie was Governor of Kust Florida. lie afterwards rose to high rank in the British army, ami Berved in it .lining part of the war of the Revolution. He was in the battle of Gel inantown nud of blonznonth Court-House ; at the latter he coninriuileil, and defeated tin- American Gen. Lee. He died at his seat at Ballendulluch, near Elgin, Scotland, May 13, 1800, in the eighty-sixth year i.f his age. At the lime of his death he was Governor of Stirling Castle. Capt. Aubrey, the Fronch commander, was taken prisoner the uext year at Niagara, tie was afterwards Governor of the French colony at New Orleans. Returning to Frame iii Febr uary . 17To, he lost hi- life by the Broking "I I lie \ essel off the French coast, near the month i the Garonne." — Win. M. Darlington, Ety,, •' Pittsburgh in the Last Century." of De Vitri. On Thursday, the 12th of October, 1758, their combined forces attacked Bouquet. The engagement commenced in the forenoon about eleven o'clock, and lasted till three o'clock in the afternoon. The enemy were repulsed on all sides. They again renewed the attack at night, but Bouquet throwing shells from his mortars into the woods among them they were forced to desist. They retreated under cover of the darkness. The loss of the British was G7 rank and file, of which twelve were killed. The Indians now, for the first time in this long and bloody war, showed signs of disaffection. They could not be prevailed upon to carry on the war, but left the war-trail for their hunting-grounds. It bad been only by artful promises that they were held so long, and when the first signs began to appear of their warfare being unrewarded with booty they treacher- ously withdrew. The French were not able of them- selves to fight successfully against the English and their auxiliaries. All the meagre accounts of this engagement at Ligonier that we have yet met with are stated above. Few have paid a more than passing notice to the fact that here in Westmoreland County, in Ligonier Val- ley, in the heart of a great wilderness, part of the renowned organization which had been perfected by Turenne and Luxemburg, which had sustained glory on the fields of Belgium, had ravaged the Palatinate, and had been marshalled against the Stadtholder king and Marlborough, were brought face to face with their immemorial foemen. But it is true that here, under the lilies of France, the soldiery of Louis again closed in conflict with the soldiery of George under the royal cross of England. Here in miniature was fought over the conflict of Namur and of Landen. By the 1st of November, 1758, the whole army under Forbes and Washington was around Ligonier stockade. Forbes, of delicate health, was now so feeble that he had to be carried on a litter by the men. It was getting late in the tail, and a council of officers was called to determine on future action. Winter in reality had already set in, and the tops of the Laurel Hill and Chestnut Ridge were covered with snow. It was considered hazardous to attempt an offensive campaign with the winter before them and without a knowledge of the country or the enemy. So it was about concluded that the tinny go int. i cantonments about the stockade till the breaking up of tin 1 season. But several French and Indians and a lew captives falling into the hands of the English, the actual number of their enemy and the disaffection of the Indians were learnt. When this was known it was resolved to hasten forward speedily as possible towards the fort. Washington, as colonel, was sent forward in ad- vance of the main portion of the army to take com- mand of the division whose employment it was to open the road. On the 12th of November, about three miles from the camp, he fell in with a number FORBES' EXPEDITION, 1753. 31 of the enemy, and in the attack which followed they killed one man and took three prisoners. One of these was an Englishman named Johnson, who had been captured by the Indians in Lancaster County, and from him was derived full and authentic infor- mation of the state of affairs at Duquesne. Upon this occasion a most unfortunate accident happened the provincial troops. The noise of the firing from the detachment under Washington being heard at the camp, Col. Hugh Mercer, with a number of Virginians, was sent forward to his assistance. The two parties, approaching each other in the dusk of the evening, mistook each other for the enemy. A number of shots were exchanged, by which a lieutenant and thirteen or fourteen Virginians were killed. Washing- ton was in the greatest danger during this melke, for soon as he comprehended the situation he ran in anmng his men and beat down their guns. 1 On the loth, Col. Armstrong, with a thousand men, pushed forward to assist Washington in opening the road for the artillery and baggage. On the 17th, Forbes, with four thousand three hundred effective men, pushed forward after leaving strong garrisons at Bedford (Raystown) and the Loyalhanna. The advance under Washington cut its way through the morasses and over the hills in a more direct course than the course Grant had taken. They crossed the Loyalhanna at where it was afterwards called Coch- ran's Ford, about two and a half miles from Latrobe. Here they came out on the old Indian path, or Ohio trail, first used by the traders, which, as we have stated, ran direct to Duquesne. They followed the course westward, going past the settlement after- wards of Hannastown, and passing out of the limits of the county near Murrysville; thence, crossing the Turtle Creek, they went straight for the fort, keeping to the foot of the hills. The old Forbes road, or Hannastown road, as it was variously known, may be traced on some old maps of the county. In some 1 This affair has been greatly misrepresented, and in tin* traditions of tin- people- of that part of the valley greatly distorted. II is hard to tunke some understand that Washington did nut command there in an engagement against the enemy. The substance of this occurrence is derived from Sparks* " Washing- ton," ami the account there made np from Washington's writings. I was told by a very old gentleman of this comity, now deceased, what was related to him as the substance of a conversation between Wash* lugtun and William Findley, the first representative in Congi thisdisttict. Findley said that Washington, speaking with him about this Bkirniish, said he hail always considered that he was in more danger then and there than on any other occasion in his military career. At that time, which was long after the occurrence, lie remembered the particu- lars well and described accurately the situation of affairs, lie also called Findley 's attention to the physical outlines of the entire region between Ligonier and Pittsburgh, and recalled certain observations made at the time he engineered the road,aud which he yet attentively retained. places it may be followed by natural marks. In few places is it used any more as a public road. It was. however, for many years after the only highway through our county, or, indeed, except the Braddock road, from the East to the West. Hut now, as it was opened first to the passage of the army, it may readily be imagined that it wag pa sable only with the greatest ofdabor and care. The army, even that portion im- mediately under Forbes, moved slowly. The pioneers were nine days in going from the Loyalhanna to tin Turtle Creek. The weather was chilly and damp, with falling snow and rain intervening. The soldier- were constantly on the alert, and a number of friendly Indians, who by the influence of Post were induced to take arms in the assistance of the English, were out as scouts on all sides. On Friday, the 24th of November, the Indian scouts in the advance saw the smoke arising from the barracks of Fort Duquesne. It had been fired by the French by order of their commander, De Lignery, and then abandoned. The army was about twelve or thirteen miles away. The French, taking boat, fled, some down the Ohio and some to Canada by way of the Allegheny. The gar- rison was only about four hundred. Forbes sent for- ward a company of cavalry under ('apt. Hazlet to secure, if possible, some of the munition and to ex- tinguish the fire. The works were mostly destroyed, but a large quantity of war stores was saved. The main body with the general arrived the next day. ^ Sunday, the 26th, was observed by general orders as "A Day of Public Thanksgiving to Al- mighty God" for their success, and the Rev. Charles Beatty, a Presbyterian minister, and chaplain to Col. Clapham's Pennsylvania regiment, preached a thanks- giving sermon, which was probably the first Protest- ant sermon preached west of the mountains. On Tuesday, the 28th, a large detachment marched to [dock's battle field to bury the bones of those still lying there, as the same duties had been done to the stark corpses which lay on Grant's Hill. And now at last from the smoking walls of Du- quesne floated the English standard. A new fort was laid out, which when built was called Fort Pitt, in honor of the distinguished premier, William Pitt. Hugh Mercer, with a garrison of two hundred, was left in command. The army returned to Philadel- phia, and in the early part of the next year, 1759, Forbes died. Brigadier John Stanwix succeed Forbes as commander-in-chief of the middle division of colonies. He arrived at Pittsburgh in August 1759, and on the 3d of September the work of build- ing this "formidable fortification" was commenced by order of the British Secretary of State. HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER V.I. FIRST SETTLEMENTS IX WESTMORELAND— BATTLE OF BUSHY RUN, 1763. Settlers come into Ligonier Valley, about Fort Pitt, and along the Old Military Eoad— Their Isolated Situations, their Squalid HlltB, Pututu Patches, and First Clearings— Conditit f Indian Affaire at the Peace between England and France, 1TR2 and 1703— Pontine— Fort Ligonier made a General Depot— Officers C mamlnut at Fort Ligonier— The Great Uprising "I the Northwestern Tribes— Fort Tilt and Fort Li- guniei surrounded and cut oil from connection wi li tlu- East — dipt. Onriytiud ills Men from Bedford come to the relief of Ligonier aud liold the Fort— Bouquet marches l"> . ■ t, > the East to the r-H«f of Fort Ligonier and Fori Pitt— The Force with him— Bouquet finds lite Frontier overrun and the Inhabitants utterly destitute — II** readies Fort Ligonier (17G3)— He strengthens the Post, and with his Small Army Mid n Convoy of Pack-Horses proceeds towards Fmt Pitt— He is attacked by the Indians under Kynshuta, the Chief uf the Senecas, ami fights the Battle of Bushy Kun-Ile Defeats and Scatters his ]■:,,. m\ in the most surci-ssl'til Engagement fmtght witii the Uustiles, and cunics his Forces anil l'iu\ isions into Fort l'itt. With the army of Forbes and immediately in its train came in the first settlers of Westmoreland. Sonic clustered about the tort at the Forks of the (thin, ami smut' remained at Ligonier. The most of them were soldiers who had served in the campaign, ami who, with their families, remained. Some chose to settle by location ; in other words, they settled on land which they thought they had a right to merely by occupying it; but most were allotted land by the military commandants empowered to do so, ami these settled by military permit. One of the earliest of these settlements, after those at the two forts, was the settlement of Andrew Byerly. Byerly's settlement dates from 1759. It was situated on Brush Creek, contiguous to which was the manorial reservation id' the l'enns. The order for Andrew Byerly's warrant was the thirty-sixth in number, ami called for two hundred ami thirty acres. On this spot Byerlyseated himself by permit from the commandant tit Fort Pitt, and before any other settlers had located between Bedford ami l'itt. He accommodated express-riders and military agents on this road. Within the next two years there were three or four neighbors to By- erly. < If these one was Christopher Uutlabaugh. Although Western Pennsylvania was then virtually within Cumberland County, yet the colonial authori- ties did not allow tiny one to take up html, either by Rquatting upon it or by purchasing from the Indians. It wtis not till 17(>!> that tiny title was given to those who had located by military permit and to those who received donations of land for service in the Indian war. But settlers at this date came in cautiously. In rude and squalid huts, crouched close to the stockade al Ligonier and scattered far apart from Frazer's, at Hie mouth of Turtle Creek, the settlers were always watchful and on the alert. The land, a complete wilderness, was all before them where to ofcoose, and, paradoxically, the "flaming sword" was before them also. The only strip of light through the gloom of the primeval woods was the narrow roadway from the mountains to the rivers. Far southward to the still unpeopled highway of Braddoek, and far northward into perpetual winter, was a boundless, rocky, deso- late, ami gloomy wild. To the left and right beasts of prey crouched in their burrows, birds of ill omen nestled among the cliffs, and barbarians skulked amid the trees or made war-clubs and sharpened their flints in their tepees by the streams and in the vales where the sunshine scarce touched. As stated, a stockade had been built and a garrison was left at Ligonier Fort. An attempt was made by the soldiers posted here to raise corn and garden veg- etables, and with the coming year a few others came in to share the hardships with them. Their huts were built under the shadow of the stockade, and at night they rested in quarters guarded by the soldiers. The old Fort Ligonier stood somewhat back of the site of the present village, on a rise of ground which was the lowermost range of Laurel Hill. The loca- tion was well adapted for defense and well calculated to sustain tt settlement, for although the mountains surrounding are comparatively unfruitful and unpro- ductive, yet the valleys between are fertile and well watered. Although the general war was not terminated, yet when the Indians were brought into contact with the English they, from the results of a wise policy, were conciliated. In 175S a treaty was effected at Easton between the Delawaresand Shawanese and the whites. The fury of the Indians, in the eastern part of the State especially, had somewhat abated, but on the western frontiers the Indians, under the French, still committed depredations. From the treaty of Easton the minds of the people had been somewhat at rest. But none, knew so well the treachery of that uncon- querable race as the settlers themselves. They, taking advantage of the lull in the war, pushed on farther into the West, — the first eddy of the great wave of empire. Point by point was reached and secured. Settlements were re-established along the Mononga- hcla, several on the old Braddoek road and tit the Turkey Foot. 'While these were the forerunners of the English civilization in Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, others were worming their way far "If in Northwestern Ohio. But all were watchful and on their guard. And good reasons had they to be on their guard. The old enmity between the races was not extinct. The defeat of the Indians had not been complete, they had been only baffled. On the edges of the border warfare had not at any time entirely ceased. The outposts were at any time open to sur- prise and attack. Far from the West, wdiere the In- dians had gathered closer together, came mutterings of war. In restless expectancy did the few settlers of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia pass over a couple of years, from 1750 to 17112 and 17G3. As the war between France and England was about termi- nating in 17G2, the storm at length broke out. Nor FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN WESTMORELAND— BATTLE OF BUSHY RUN, 1703. 33 did the subsequent treaty of peace stop the aggression of these. There was a daring and noble — if the word noble can be applied to a savage — a noble chieftain, who commanded a confederation of Indians which he him- self had organized. This was Pontiac. He was chief of the Ottawas, and his camp-fires were about the lakes at Detroit. Under instigation of the French, and from a love of great actions, he waged an unre- lenting and a deathless war on the English whites. He was possessed of an inherent genius both for com- mand and to execute. Besides this he was gifted to a wonderful degree with the power of persuasive ora- tory. The strength of his organization and the force of his arms were felt all over the colonies. While the fires of one war were covering over, the fires of another war burst out. The natives, under arrange- ments concerted with this great chieftain, attacked in squads ami simultaneously nearly every one of the outer circle of forts ami settlements which circled westward from the lakes to the head-waters of the Kentucky. The tribes of Ohio, headed by the main body of the Shawanese, the most powerful of the Mingo confederation, carried the war into the heart of our own State. So unexpected and so fierce was this incursion that the Indians were all through the country before the whites knew. 1 Fort Pitt was com- pletely surrounded. It was feared that the fort would fall, a fear made more intense from a corresponding interest and by the great expectation of the English, who had after so much difficulty wrested it from their enemies, and who, when they had it in possession, boastingly asserted that it should remain in their pos- session, forever. Environing this fort, they penetrated as far eastward as Bedford. At this time Ligonier was the only post between Bedford and Fort Pitt held by the English. In the forts, stockades, and block- houses the settlers sought safety. The alarm spread like wildfire, and the roads in the East were filled with frightened women and children. Ligonier was in a state of siege. From now till the end of the French and Indian war, properly speaking, and even after, all the inhabitants were either driven east of the mountains or else they were cooped up in forts. Fort Ligonier had now become a general station, at which provisions and munitions of war were collected for the supply of the West. From here, on pack- horses, these were sent forward protected. There was no stated number of the garrison, for it differed at dif- ferent times. After Forbes left, Lieut Lloyd was in 1 All the tribes from the Hudson to the Mississippi were in the confed- eration. So systematic was lie- 1 1' :itt.iek planned, and so siniultftneoHBly v. as it executed, t hitt out of the eleven or twelve of the principal British forts lying west of the Ohio River hy their preconcerted arrangement And their quickness of operation only three were uutaken. Le Bosuf, Venango, Presque Isle on Lake Erie, Lea Hay on Lake Michigan, Miami, St. Joseph, Ouachtanon, Sandusky, and Michillimackinac hail been surprised and the garrisons massacred. Niagara, Detroit, and Fort Pin alone remained nncaptnred, but each was besieged by a large num- ber of savages, who had with them some Fiench Canadians. command for most pari of theyear L758. Lieut. Samuel Miles commanded in the latter part of the year 17")!', and had twenty men under him picked out ot two bat- talions. At the time of this incursion the depot at Ligonier was in charge of Lieut. Blaine. Capt. Ourry commanded at Bedford. The garrison at both places was small. But to preserve this post was of the ut- most importance ; for had Fort Pitt and Fort Ligonier fallen the whole of the middle part of Pennsylvania would have been open to another invasion. To here within the walls of the stockade till those around fid. Byerly, in the night, brought in his family, for the Indians were between his station and Fort Pitt. Fort Pitt, with a small garrison under Captain E( uyer, was isolated. The Indians, under the vigilant control of a bloodthirsty chieftain, Kyashuta, of the Senecas, — the confederate of Pontiac in the East, — had hopes to starve out the garrison before assistance reached them. Amid the commotion and tumult in the Fast, it was feared that with all their activity in this emergency no relief could be brought to either point. A cam- paign would have to be first organized, and a long Stretch of mountainous country separated them. But the authorities and people appeared willing and able to help. If the besieged place- could hold out it would not be long till Bouquet would again be among them. Some thought that all would be massacred before assistance came; others dreaded to hear any news, for their ears were open to that which would be the most sorrowful. In the mean time affairs were critical about Fort Ligonier. There was the greatest danger and the most widely spread fear of the post falling into the hands of the enemy. A party detached from the main body of the Indians had already attacked it, but by the good managemenl of Lieut. Blaine and the bravery of his men, notwithstanding the fewness of their number and the badness of the stockade, those who attacked it were driven hack. As a matter of fact, the possession of this post was almost if not altogether of as much importance at this conjuncture as the post of Fort Pitt. Its situa- tion was such that it immediately covered the iron- tiers. But besides this at that particular time there were large quantities of military stores here. Should these fall into the hands of the enemy, they would be able to continue their attack on Fort Pitt, and prob- ably reduce the place before any help could come. But at the same time in which the greatest appre- hension was felt that this post would fall, came rein- forcements. Captain Ourry, of Bedford, with a feeling and fearless heart, weakened his own garrison for the relief of this little band. He picked out twenty rifle- men, all good woodsmen, and directed them to exert themselves to reach the garrison in all haste. They started across the mountains, and evading the Indians on all sides by coming in on another route, appeared on the hill back of the fort. It was dangerous for the brave men to delay, for fear of being discovered, and 34 HISTORY OF WEST.M0RP:LAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. it was dangerous for them to run towards the fort, for in doing so they might be mistaken for an enemy and fired upon. But they soon resolved on doing. Under cover of the bushes they crept near to the stockade. They were seen by the Indians and fired at, btlt under cover of the lire they ran for the entrance of the fort. The garrison recognized them and fired upon their pursuers, and Hinging open the gates of the stockade heartily welcomed their arrival. The garrison was strengthened at a most critical and opportune time. No one dared now venture out- side the limits of the stockade. All such domestic animals as were suffered to wander were destroyed by the besieging parly. There were many skirmishes about tin fort; indeed, one continuous skirmish, if we trust the reports on good authority handed down to us. Many of the redskins were killed. Among them and urging them on were some renegade French Canadians, although at that time there was no war n the two countries. The goid conduct of Lieut. Blaine is greatly to be extolled. He had his hands full. All the distressed families for a distance of twelve and fifteen miles around had on the first alarm fled to the fort for pro- tection, they having left most of their effects a prey to the savages. 1 Blaine, however, took every precaution to prevent a surprise and to repel another attack. The [ndians by this time had become expert in one of the arts of war peculiar to their mode, and this they had practiced during this invasion with gratify- ing success. They prepared inflammable substances which they bound to their arrows, and these they shot into the roofs of the cabins inside the stockade and wherever else there was combustible material. But Blaine had guards watching incessantly, and otherwise took every known means to render these missiles ineffectual. He had arms enough at hand for the men who had gathered thither, and they he armed and made perform military duty. He formed them into two companies of volunteers, and they did duty with the garrison till the two companies of light infantry which were detached from Bouquet's force arrived. In the mean time was Col. Bouquet hastening from the Fast to the distressed posts. All effective troops al command were turned for the support of the more important positions along the northern frontiers, where Britain was maintaining her foothold on the very threshold of her empire. Bouquet was ordered to relieve Fort Pitt with stores and provisions, anil to reinforce it and the intermediate posts with his com- mand. His available forces were the shattered re- mains of two regiments which had just landed at Philadelphia from the campaign in the West Indies, - where they had been fighting Spaniards, the yellow fever, and malaria. Such was the main part of the 1 Uupp's " History Western Pennsylvania," p. 158. - Tuesu were the Furty^ecuuil and the Si'YOuty-scvenUi Regiments. army on which he had to rely in reaching a po3t three hundred miles away, cut off and surrounded by enemies of whose disposition the men bad no knowledge only from rumor. These in number did not exceed five hundred, of whom many were so weak they were not able to walk, and sixty were carried in wagons to be left at the- smaller posts. The govern- ment of Pennsylvania had given orders to prepare a convoy of provisions for the forces along the route, and especially at Carlisle; but such was the utter helplessness of the country through which they passed — its crops burnt, its plantations destroyed — that when Bouquet came up nothing had been done. Nay, even the greater portion of Cumberland County was deserted, and the roads were filled with flying refugees. But by delaying at Carlisle for some eigh- teen days, towards the latter end of July, 17(5:?, and by the unwearied diligence of the colonel, provisions from the neighboring counties were accumulated in sufficiency to allow him to proceed. His small num- ber of sickly troops, wdio were to fight an enemy not unknown to Braddock, instead of encouraging the in- habitants rather made them dejected the more. Now, after their proffers of assistance and their activity on the first outbreak of the war, they did not in any number volunteer to assist the brave Swiss colonel and his English redcoats. Bouquet, thoughtful as he always was, and not knowing of the action of Captain Ourryin forwarding the twenty volunteers from Bedford, sent forward, lie- fore be left Carlisle, thirty men to join the garrison at Ligonier. This was before July, 1763. They came in a hurried march, and, hazardous as was the under- taking, were not discovered till they came to the fort. Receiving some shot as they ran, they securely en- tered into the little stockade. Bouquet toilsomely dragged his little army along. Everywdicre be came he heard and saw the signs of Indian atrocities, for their war was not carried on by them in a body, but in many places and at different times. One day a horse laden with merchandise would be captured between Carlisle and Bedford and the driver killed ; the next day a settler wdio had ventured from the stockade at Ligonier would be taken captive and hurried to the Indian country in the West. Even in the rear of the army, as it pro- ceeded, were many waylaid and killed. He could get no idea of their numbers, their positions, their intentions. He could find no enemy to fight ; he could hear of no place to attack them. He had ex- pected to venture battle with them at Bedford, for about there they had murdered many, although they did not attack the fort. But when he came there they were all scattered. On the other hand, the In- dians, by their fleet runners through the woods, knew of every movement of his. On the 25th of July it was that Bouquet arrived at Bedford; on the 1st of August he reached Ligonier. His presence here relieved those whom he found in FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN WESTMORELAND— BATTLE OF BUSHY RUN, 1763. 35 the greatest fear. On reaching Ligonier he deter- mined, according to the narrative, to leave here his wagons and baggage, and proceeding forward with pack-horses, carry such a convoy of provisions as was necessary for his own troops and necessary for the immediate wants of the garrison at Pittsburgh and the needy collected within the fort; for there were a few log houses then built between the fort and the river occupied by traders, and these all fled for pro- tection into the fort, and were under the care of the garrison. To all alike were the scanty supplies doled out. Bouquet's gallant little band, dignified in history with the fame-sounding appellation of army, halted only for a day at Ligonier fort, and leaving there a strong guard, then struck otlton the old Forbes road. It was the road Bouquet himself had helped to make. He knew the country with the knowledge of a thor- ough military man. The first night they encamped on the west side of the Loyalhanna. It was Bou- quet's intention to hasten past Turtle Creek by a forced march of thirty miles the next day, for to the east of Turtle Creek there was, between high banks and hills, a long defile extending some two miles, and this location was considered a dangerous one. In the early morning of August 5, 1703, the men were on the march. The weather was warm, and in the uncleared woods uncomfortably sultry and close, but yet by a little past noon they had marched seventeen miles, and come to within half a mile of Bushy Run, a tributary of Brush Creek, which itself flows into Turtle Creek. He had purposed to halt here to re- fresh his men till the heat of the day was exhausted, and possibly to evade the Indians by passing the defile before nightfall. The Indians had left enough of their crew around the beleaguered fort, and without sensibly, or at least apparently, diminishing their number or their ef- fectiveness there, were laying a plan to surprise Bouquet, for on hearing of his march from Ligonier they broke up their camp at the river, and at the most favorable time, under the chieftainship of Kya- shuta, came out through the woods to annihilate the army of relief. The Mingoes knew the country well, and it was not unfavorable for ambush and their mode of warfare. The land is either hilly or rolling, and at that time was covered with rocks, thick bushes, and forest-trees. A number of the early inhabitants willingly offered their services to Bouquet at Bedford and at Ligonier. Among the advance as pioneers were Andrew Byerly and some of his neighbors, who volunteered to lead the army. The battle which fol- lowed, called the battle of Bushy Run, was fought near Byerly's Station. 1 At about one o'clock in the afternoon, when the small army was nearing Bushy Run, where they pur- 1 See note to Peun township, in which the battle of Bushy Run was fought. posed to slake their thirst and refresh themselves after their tiresome march, the advance, among whom were Byerly and the volunteer scouts, were suddenly fired upon. They were speedily supported by fresh troops, and the Indians scattered. Such, however, was the preconcerted plan of battle, for as soon as the pursuit was ended they returned, and suddenly all along the line they rose up like the grass from their ambush along the sides of the hills. The regular soldiery, unused and all as they were to this kind of warfare, under their skillful commander bravely stood their ground. They resisted every attack of the enemy. Finding their convoy in danger, it being in the rear, they withdrew in order until they had it surrounded. Seeing that firing did not have the desired effect upon the Indians, they were ordered to charge with the bayonet. They did, and the savages fled, for they were never known to withstand this onset from regu- lar troops. But the dispersing them was not victory, for they returned to the fight with persistence. Nor could they by any known method be dislodged or scat- tered. In this manner the little army withstood the repeated attacks of the emboldened and insolent enemy till night. Night fell upon the brave band of foreign soldiers in the wilderness, wdio that long summer afternoon, without rest or refreshment, had been fighting. Worse than all did they suffer from thirst, as there was no stream near and they could not leave their convoy; besides, they were surrounded completely, and entirely cut off from the stream ahead. The night was longer than the day; when the day at last dawned it was only to renew, for them, the battle. Seeing that it must soon terminate some way, Bouquet planned and executed a stratagem. The army still kept the .position they had occu- pied during the night, close to their convoy. A tow companies lay along the road. The convoy, being upon a rise of ground, was protected by the grenadiers and infantry, the horses, teamsters, and baggage being in the midst. In the advance along the road were two companies of grenadiers. Bouquet wanted to leave the impression with the Indians that he was about to begin a retreat. In pursuance of this ap- parent intention, he ordered the two companies to fall within the circle along the road, and also in reality to pass through between them and take up a position on the road in his rear, where they were hidden from view. They accordingly did so, and the lines opened to receive and then closed upon them. The Indians poured out upon the convoy and prowled through the wood to intercept those on the retreat. At the same time Bouquet ordered out two companies, one of grenadiers and one of light infantry, to lie in wait on the ground which the grenadiers had left. These, un- observed, took up their position. Then the circle around the convoy began to contract, as if indeed the retreat had actually begun. On the road of the re- treating companies were also two companies of light 36 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. infantry to resist the expected attack there. These rising suddenly from their ambush poured volley after volley among the Indians, from which they suf- fered exceedingly. Panic-stricken themselves, they fled tnrough the woods before the infantry, who fol- lowed them with the bayonet, driving them right round towards the other grenadiers and infantry, who met them with their fresh fire, these being posted here to receive them when so driven round. Thus hemmed in between two concentrated and converging tin-, the Indians suffered great loss, and being panic- struck beyond measure they fled separately through the woods in all directions. Nor did they once re- cover. They left upon the field sixty dead, among whom were many reputed their bravest warriors. Many more were wounded so that they died. The leader of the Indians in this engagement was said to be Kyashuta. He was chief sachem of the Senecas, and by the power of his command carried the Mingoes and all the Ohio tribes into the war. He made his name as famous almost as the name of his grcatcompeer, Pontiac. He was a savage in every sense of tin- word. Turbulent and treacherous as he was, lie was one of the last to make peace with the whites, and did so only when he was at their mercy. But fierce as be was when on the war-path and as he has been universally considered, yet there are some wdio have given high praise to his character. Washington, in 1770. when on a tour to the Ohio, stopped to pay his compliments to Kyashuta, and he states that he was tr-ated by him witli great, kindness. He was one of the Indians who went with Washington to the French at Venango in 175.'?, before the French and Indian war. At the time of this defeat the Mingoes had their headquarters at the old town of Logstown, on the Ohio, built for them by the French. After this battle they deserted this place. Bouquet, collecting Ids worn-out soldiers, proceeded to Bushy Bun, where he encamped. When the dan- ger hail seemed the most imminent a number of teamsters hid themselves among the bushes and al- lowed some of the horses |,, escape. On this account part of the convoy had to be destroyed. With the rest Bou [uet advanced to Fort Pitt, which he reached on the 9th of August, ]7<;:V 1 Henry Bouquet, who made In'.s uame famous in American colonial history, and who has had a post-office in West eland County called for him, thus deserving at onr hands b e notice, was born at Rolle, in tlie Cii i of Berne, Switzerland, about 1710. At the ago of Beventeen li" wti i tved a cadet In the regiment of Constance, and thence patsed into the service ol the King of Sardinia, in whose wars In- distinguished himself as a lieutenant, ami afterwards as adjutant. In 17-is he entered tie- Swiss Guards as llentenant-colonel. When tin- war broke nut in 1754 between England and France Ik- was soli.itol by tin- English to serve in Ann-lira, His ability Boon got In'ni iii giL-at confidence ill Vir- ginia and Pennsylvania, and In- was employed in various services. Tin tiist distinguished himself nndei Forbes, and was .mo of bis chief ad- 11" readily fell into tin- provincial mode of fighting the Indians, which says re for In- military genius than bis former services would At tin- time of Pontinc's ivar, as wo have seen at length, ho Gen. Ainlirrst to relieve the western garrlsono, which be CHAPTER VII. SETTLEMENT FROM 17o9 TO 1769. Misnnderat 1 Boundaries of the Treaty of 1754 (Albany)— Pun hase of 17..S and Boundaries thereunder— Brit Hi Officers give Permits to Set- U.ms after Forbes' Campaign— Pennsylvania will nut give Title !>■ Set- tlors, inii p:is*<*s Laws to keep Settlersoff this Territory— Virginia in- duces Settlers to migrate hither and locate — The Boundary Line hetween Pennsylvania and Virginia not definitely known— Settlers come in i" the Country after Pontiac'a war 1 1764)— They locate at Red- stone, ou the Youghiogheny, at the Forks of that River, and ;ii t Pittsburgh, Ligonier, ami along the Great Roads — Mason and Dixon's Line run — Proclamation s— List of the Earliest Settlements made in Western Pennsj Ivania to tliN date (1768)— Clam- oring of Emigrants ami New Settlers to have Lands granted them hy the- Provinoi — Special Land Titles— Penn's Manorial Reservations — The Divesting Art — Preliminaries to the opening of the Land Office — Public Notice of the opi-niri*' given— Land Office opened for Appli- cations in the New Purchase, Apt il 3, 17G9, We shall here give some account of the settlements of this region from the time of the occupancy of Fort Duquesne by Forbes in 1759 to the opening of the land office in lTii!*, a date to be always remembered in the history of the Westmoreland settlements. We shall also give a summary of the rules and regula- tions by which the land office was guided, and try to get an understanding of the relation betwt and the people. It is a subject frequently to be re- curred toj for within this period there is such a con- flict of law and disobedience, of justice and injustice, of singular friendships and of singular enmities among the settlers and the natives, of misunderstood boundaries and of violated treaties. The intervening period between these two dates is the date of Pontiac's war (1703). The settlements of this region may be aptly compared to the encroach- ment of the now tide upon the beach. Wa\ people were borne outward, and then from causes to be explained were driven back, only to be again driven outward with increased and accelerated force and body. From the close of this memorable war, of short duration it is true, but filled with barbarities untold, there was a cessation, and the country was left to comparative peace until the breaking out of Dunmore's war before the Revolution ( 1774). During this time immigration to the west of the Allegheny uccessfully with such inefficient means. Nil soldier of foreign birtli was so distinguished or so successful in Indian wai fare as he was. The next .year after this battle, that was iu 1764, he was placed at the head <>f a force of Pennsylvania and Virginia volunteers, which lie had organized at Fort Loudon, Pa , with which lie penetrated in a " line of battle" from Port Pitt into tie' Indian country along the Muskingum. Tin- savages, baffled and unsuccessful in at! their attempts at surprise and ambush, sued for pence, and tin- li Treotyof Bouquet," made then ami there, is as notorious in Ohio ;t> the " Rattle of Bouquet" is in Penn- sylvania. The Assembly of Peuusj Ivania ami the Burgesses of Virginia adopted nddresses of gratitude, tendered him their thanks, and recom- mended him for promotion in II is Maje t.i a sen ice. Immediately ifter the peace with the Indians was concluded, the king made him brijwdier- general and com mat t da til In the Southern colonies of British a km riea. He lived not long to enjoy his honors, for he died al Pensacoln, 17CT, "lamented hy his friends, and regretted universally.' 1 SETTLEMENT FROM 1759 TO 17G9. 37 Mountains commenced and continued. Settlements were then started in places and localities which were permanently held. By Bouquet's treaty of 17(14 the Indians granted the whites the privilege of erecting forts and trading-houses wherever they pleased, and of traveling the road from sunrising till sunsetting.' Had there been no opposition but that offered by the natives, Western Pennsylvania would have been soon settled ; but from circumstances peculiar to this colony the settlements here were delayed and retarded. We have stated that the authorities of our Province did not allow any one to settle on lands not purchased from the Indians. But it will be remembered that by the treaty of Albany in 1751 all lands lying west of the Susquehanna, and as far in extent as the limits of the Province, were said to have been so purchased. This treaty driving the Indians to take part with the French, as was terribly witnessed by Braddock's de- feat and the aggressive war following, compelled Gov- ernor Morris in the next year, 1755, to issue his proc- lamation in which he distinctly asserted that this fraud was apparent to the whole world, and the de- mand so exorbitant that by it the natives had not a country left to subsist in. 8 Perhaps the authorities were, as was subsequently given out, as poorly in- funned as to where the limits extended as the Indians were in comprehending the points of the compass ; for it was afterwards found that the boundaries did not by any means extend so far as the actual limits of the Province. Put the Indians the more loudly complained of this injustice. Many conferences were held about the region of the Ohio, among which may be noted those of Weiser's, Post's, and Crogan's, a familiarity with the details of which may be acquired from any narrative covering this era and bearing on thi« section. These all were preliminary, arid finally led to the treaty of Easton, October, 1758, which was consummated utter the successful expedition of Forbes in capturing Fort Duquesne. In this treaty of 1758 the authorities of the Province surrendered to the Indian Six Nations and their allies all to the north- ward and westward of the Allegheny Mountains, and finally and indubitably secured all the remainder eastward to the proprietaries. In the southern part of the State, east of West- moreland, the purchase of 1758 would have had for its western boundary the line between Somerset and Bedford, Cambria and Blair Counties. 1 After Banquet's victory the Indian warriors retreated into tin 1 wil- derness of Ohio, and diit not regard themselves as safe, til! they stopped at the Muskingum. lint Bouquet v, itli now forces pursued them thither, ami at the iii'-iui ii ai ■'■■ treaty of 1764, on the Muskingum, exacted Riicli terms ami rest! icted those iucliued to war to such limits that it has been regnrded as the most efficacious of all treaties forced from them at the point of the bayonet. — Chip's " Old^n Time" - At the treaty of Albany, in 1754, the delegates from Pennsylvania secured, as was alleged, irregularly, a great portion of the laud to which tin- title of the Indians was not extinguished, by which many tribes found the ground which had heen seemed to them by treaties with the Siv. Nations sold from under their feet. This had been guaranteed to them on their removal thither. Pennsylvania could thus not claim any of the terri- tory west of that line 3 for the purpose of giving lands to her inhabitants, because to have done so would have been in violation, of her good faith and of her prior treaties with the natives. Beyond the franchise of the proprietaries, however, were the reserved privileges of the crown. The king of England, as lord paramount, sent his soldiers through both Virginia and Pennsylvania, as he had a right to do, opened up his military roads and his highways, established bis military posts, ami kept up his garrisons. From the time of Forbes till after the treaty of 1768 there were British officers and a garrison at Fort Pitt. At Ligonier there was sometimes a regular British officer and sometimes a subaltern in the service of the Province, but who was specially empowered by delegated authority from the officer in his military department over him to grant under cer- tain restrictions permits to occupy parcels of land, as the commandant at Fort Pitt could. The successful termination of the French and Indian war in 175!) and 1760 gave to England the possession of Canada, as well as the great West. Hence were the fortifications and military posts which had been erected by the French turned over to and occupied by the British. To have ready access to and communi- cation with these posts and from one to the other was a necessity. In encouraging all efforts of the royal deputies in that direction, no one of the old colonies was more ready and active than was Virginia. 4 Many of her grants hail been made before the time of Braddock, and she was now as sedulous as ever in protecting them. Among those which were regarded as the necessary and special privileges of these royal commandants was that one to which we have alluded, of granting to set- tle S permission to occupy, settle upon, and cultivate lands, which might be retained afterwards by a com- pliance with the regulations of the Penns, whose ulti- mate right in the land was never questioned. The object manifestly was to encourage settlers near the garrisons, whose labor was necessary for the produc- tion of necessaries for the use and preservation of the garrison. Soldiers who were married and stationed at these posts kept their families with them. Permits were granted also to certain settlers along the old roads, and at stations on the rivers, where they were of advantage to the military authorities or subserved a useful and needed purpose. As a very wide margin circumscribed the discretion of these officers, it will be readily inferred that these permits were granted for many reasons. 5 3 See line marking western limits of the pnrchaee of 1749, and pur- chase of 17-50 and prior, on maps of various purchases. 4 In 1755, by the hooks of the Secretary of Virginia, three millions had been granted westof the mountains to her settlers. In 17os that colony endeavored to encourage by law settlements in the Indian country. 5 In 1765 the Becnnd town of Pittsburgh was laid out by permission of the commanding officer at Fort Pitt. The following is a copy of a permit granted by Arthur St. Clair to 38 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Many with stout hearts, level heads, and ready hands availed themselves of these privileges, and some hy speeial permit, others by official influence, took up lands in various pasts, but especially near the forts. There were others who availed themselves of the power delegated to these commandants, and got their permits to reoccupy lands which they had previously occupied before the time of Braddock, am] which they had first possessed under the cover of Virginia, or more directly of the Ohio Company. The same technicality about titles did not exist in Virginia. And now we touch upon a subject which in the annals of Southwestern Pennsylvania assumes great proportions. The early civil history of this region is the history of conflicting boundary claim-. Virginia by her charter from James the First, 1609, claimed all the territory from the Atlantic Ocean which, bounded by a straight line on the northern limits, extended "up into the land throughout from sea to sea, west and northwest," which line, if now al- lowed as then claimed, would take in Maryland, most of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Ohio, and all West and Northwest up to 54° 40'. This patent was, in 1624, at the instance of the company, revoked, and although never afterwards restored, was made the pretext by Virginia of great and most arrogant pretensions. 1 The line of Penu's province was, as is well known, from the fortieth degree of north latitude "in a straight line westward" to the limits of five degrees of longi- tude from the Delaware. 2 Now a degree of longitude is between sixty-eight and sixty-nine geographical miles, and the five degrees, had they been marked and measured, would have reached, as we see, beyond the Monongahela. But it came to be believed by the authorities of Virginia that these five degrees would not reach over the mountains. 3 Frederick Rhorer, the original of which is in the possession of Caleb Cope, Esq. : " Bv Arthur St. Clair, late Lieut, in his Majesty's Sixtieth Itegt. of foot, having the care of his Majesty's fort at Ligonier. "I have given Permission to Frederick Rorerto cultivate a certain Piece of Lund in the neighborhood of Fort Ligonier, over a certain creek, which empties itself into the Loyal Hanning, known hy the name of the Coal Pitt Creek ; beginning at a White Oik Btauding on a Bpring and marked with the letters FXRaud running from thence to another Tree marked with the same letters and standing on another Spring called the Falling Spring, and from these two marked Trees towards the sd [said ! Coal Pitt deck supposed to contain two hund. acres he the said Frederick Borer being willing to submit to all orders of the Com- niander in Chief the commanding officer of the District, and of the Garrison. " Given under my hand at Ligonier this 11th day of April. 17c,7. " A a. St. Clair." 1 By reason of the alleged point from which to start the ideal line, taken from the misprint of John Smith's map, the only one at the date of the charters, which point was placed nineteen ni los too far to the south, arose the controversy between the proprietaries of Maryland ami Pennsylvania, which alter long litigation was finally decided hy the Lord Chancellor of England. 2 But the Pennsylvania authorities, when they were asked to help ex- pel the French, expressed with some equivocation a doubt, among other stronger objections, whether the intrusion was on their territory. ; Veech, "Secular History'' in "Cent. Mem.," p. 300, and numerous other authorities. It would, however, had this question never risen, have been a futile and useless thing to attempt to keep out this class of settlers who wanted to come into these parts from coming in. In the history of Pennsylvania it is noticeable that the settlements mostly preceded the treaties. Immigrants, therefore, in spite of all remonstrance and in the face of all dangers, came into this region. Virginia offered inducements; Pennsylvania imposed objections. Those, then, who did come in found argu- ments ready at hand in favor of sustaining the claims of Virginia. They alleged that Virginia hail fought for the land, had organized expeditions against the hostile Indians, had sent Washington with Braddock against the French, and had succeeded most effectu- ally in reclaiming a region to which she had mani- fest right, and had always watched over her settlers, giving them lands cheap and not burdening them heavily with taxes, and that therefore their allegiance, on all grounds natural as well as civil, was due to her in preference to Pennsylvania. The region, too, was readier of access through her undisputed territory than through that of Penn- sylvania. The Braddock road, used before the time of I'ontiac's war (1764) in preference to tiie Forbes road, was after that time the great highway for emi- grants to and through those parts, and many, indeed, from the interior of Pennsylvania preferred it to the other, which was regarded as more difficult and inse- cure. V- In 1765 many emigrants from Maryland and Vir- ginia removed over the mountains for the purpose of settling there. 4 These settled mostly in the Fayette part of what was then of Cumberland County, be- tween the mountains ami the Monongahela River, some about the Turkey Foot (Confluence >, some in the river bottoms of Greene and Washington Coun- ties, with a nucleus at Redsto ne (Brownsville), but most in the southern part of what is now Westmore- land, and by this time the old plantations which had been before deserted were mostly reoccupied. We then, in short, observe that although the Penn- sylvania authorities did not allow to private individ- uals the privilege of settlement, yet by a resistless impulse they forced themselves Upon the forbidden ground. This the Indians complained of, for it was alleged, perhaps with reason, that there were many killed by the whites without provocation, and the Indians being always at war among themselves, it was not improbable that some of them in passing ami re- passing from one place to another were thus killed. When we are further acquainted with the character of these settlers it will not seem at all improbable. The authorities, both of Pennsylvania and of Vir- ginia, were active in their professions, in their local treaties, and in their supervising legislation to mollify * This statement takes in its purview those settlers under the Ohio Company's grant and at Gist's. SETTLEMENT FROM 1759 TO 1TG9. 3D those disaffected; but they with a grum and stoical persistence always put forward their grievances, and played on the same string. As early as 1766, Crogan complained of the persons settling at Redstone , and insisted that the government pursue vigorous meas- ures to deter the frontier inhabitants from murdering the Indians and from encroaching on their grounds, at least till the boundaries were definitely fixed be- tween the two colonies. Of George Crogan, the Indian agent, it may be said that he was one of the most suc- cessful Indian diplomatists that was ever in the ser- vice of any State. By his tireless efforts many years of war were averted, aud thousands of lives were saved. The running of Mason and Dixon's line in 1767 as far as to its second crossing at Dunkard Creek, in now Greene County, indicated that all these intruders were within Pennsylvania. The Governor of Vir- ginia (Fauquier) did not gainsay it, and left the proprietaries to fight it out with the intruders as best they could. Governor Penn, in 1768, called the spe- cial attention of the Assembly to this, and said their removal was indispensable to avert war. In these proceedings it is seen that there was a de- sire on the part of those representing the interests of the government and people to conciliate the Indians and to secure their perpetual friendship. They were thus under obligation to proceed according to the white man's ideas of justice. Surveys made over those lands not alienated by treaty deed were de- clared to be void and illegal. They professed not to sell any lands beyond those not purchased. Many acts were passed prohibiting any me from thus set- tling, and by an act of Feb. 3, 1768, any one neglect- ing to remove from such settlements after legal notice was, after being duly convicted, to be punished with death without benefit of clergy. But this act was not intended to extend to those then settled, or to those who thereafter settled, on the main roads leading through the Province to Fort Duquesne, and so set- tled with the approbation of the commander-in-chief of His Majesty's forces or their lawfully authorized officers, or in the neighborhood of Fort Pitt under such permission. And any person presuming to en- ter on such unpurchased lands for the purpose of marking trees or making surveys was to be punished, on conviction, by a fine of fifty pounds and three months' imprisonment. This act was violated by those who settled about Redstone and the Turkey Foot, and perhaps by others farther northward and back of the Forbes road. 1 The reasons for enacting laws so highly penal are recounted at large. From the advices furnished by the officers in charge of the garrisons, and from those who were brought in close contact with the natives, there was at this time immediate danger of another Indian outbreak. Most of these penal laws were 1 Steele's Letter to Guv. John Peun, Prov. Records, p. 31G. temporary only in their effect, — that is, they were made for particular emergencies, and were intended to lie in force only for a short time. And as these laws died out many of those who had left when warned oil' returned, and others intruded themselves on the lands. Some, however, did not leave, either from entreaty or force ; such were those at Riidjitaae and at Turkey Foot.- Proclamations were of little effect, and before it was too late it was of necessity that the Indian complaints should be redressed, or at least pa- tiently listened to. So far did the desire of the gov- ernment extend to keep the Indians at rest, that there was a severe penalty in money and in imprisonment for those who even hunted and pursued wild beasts without the lawful limits. When those settlers al • and the Turkey Foot remained in open defiance of the act of Febru- ary, 1768, and of the proclamation commanding them to quit, an effort was made to peaceably induce them to do so. As these settlers were for the greater part Scotch-Irish from their settlements in Pennsylvania. the Rev. John Steele, of Carlisle, and three others, early in March, 176S, were sent to warn them off, and to represent to them the desire ami the will of the government of the Province. Shortly after this he was at their settlement. The people hearing of his coming appointed a meeting among themselves. At this meeting he read to them the act of Assembly and the proclamation of the Governor, explaining to them the law anil giving the reasons for it, and endeavored to persuade them to comply therewith. He repre- sented that their compliance was the most probable method of getting the favor of the proprietaries. On the 30th of March (1768) thirty to forty of the settlers met the deputies at Gist's, that being the point designated as the most convenient for those from the Cheat River and Stewart's Crossing (Con- nellsville), whither messengers had been sent with this request. On the 31st they were at the Great Crossings, from wdiere they sent copies of the proc- lamation to those at Turkey Foot. 3 While at Red he was met by a number of Mingoes, who sent by him a speech to the Governor. They said firmly that the whites must go away, but they would wait on the issue of a talk to be held by George Crogan and their great men. The treaty in prospect came off at Fort Pitt in April and May, 1768. Between 1000 and 2000 Indians were there, of the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawanese, and other tribes. Hereat many presents were distributed, and, strange and inconsistent as it may appear, the only - Col. Crawford, in a letter to James Tilghrann, Aug. 9, 1771 (Archives, iv. 4'J4). sajs that he had information that (here was a bond or article of agreement entered into between a number of the inhabitants of Mononga- liila ami Redstone that each would join and keep off all officers of the law, under a penalty of £50, to ho forfeited by the party refusing to join against all officers whatsoever. See also Col. G. Wilson's letter to A. St. Clair, wherein be mentions the resolves of the inhabitants to oppose Peon's laws, Aug. 14, 1771 [Archives, iv. 437). » Ibid. 40 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. complaints made were by the Pennsylvania commis- sioners against the Indians for selling tlieir lands to the settlers, and for the interference of the Mingoes at the Redstone Conference. 1 But the settlers did not remove, nor did any of them "suffer death without benefit of clergy" for re- maining, for by this and from other things they felt assured that among them there was no immediate danger of war, for they were a willful-minded, stub- born set of men, inured to roughness all their lives. But all signs indicated that another Indian war was brewing, a war which promised to be a general one. The hostiles had been quiet as long as was usual, and their mutterings all round the settlements of the whiles from Western New York to Western Virginia were audible To none was it more instinctively per- ceptible than to Sir William Johnson, the one man to whom more than to any other the Board of Trade and Plantations intrusted the management of the royal and colonial interest arising from trouble with the tribes. This war was thereupon averted by the intervention of Johnson, whose influence over the Six Nations was unbounded. At his suggestion a great council was held at Fort Stanwix, in New York. Here all grievances were redressed, chains brightened, tomahawks buried, etc. By the terms of this treaty made with the Six Nations, November 5, 1768, all the territory extending in a boundary from the Xew York line on the Susquehanna, past Towanda ami Tyadaghton Creek, up the West Branch, over to Kittanning on the Allegheny, and thence down the Ohio and along the Monongahela to the Province line was conveyed to the proprietaries. This was called the New Purchase. Of the most of this re- gion was afterwards erected Bedford and then West- moreland Counties. The New Purchase, or that of 1768, on our map be- gins at the Susquehanna in Bradford County ; thence, following tin- courses of those local streams which then were designated by their Indian names, the line meanders in a south ami west direction through the counties of Tioga, Lycoming., Clinton, to the north- east comer of Clearfield; passing through Clearfield from the northeast to the southwest corner, it reaches a point at Cherry Tree where Indiana, Clearfield, and Cambria meet; thence in a straight line across In- diana County to Kittanning, on the Allegheny River; the down the Allegheny to the Ohio, and along the Monongahela till it strikes the boundary line of the State on its southern side. Let us now glance at the settlements of this "most- west-land" at the date of this treaty, 1768. First then there was Christopher Gist, agent and surveyor of the Ohio Company, who enjoys the distinction of being i the first white settler west of Laurel Hill, in Pennsyl- vania, who came to stay. In 1752-53 he located at 1 Ye ■■ li. "Sec. Hist.," p.303. "Minnies of Conference," etc., Trov. H,-t-. llupp, ' Uiat. Western I\i.," App'x, p. 181, el seq. Mount Braddock, now Fayette County, and induced eleven other families to settle near him, some of whom were his relations. This settlement was not far from Connellsville, and on the Ohio Company's road. In 1754, when the French expelled the English Virginians from the Ohio and its tributaries, William Trent, George Cogan, Robert Callender, and Michael Teaff were partners in the trailing business, and having suffered by their ejectment, they applied to the government of Pennsylvania with a carefully prepared statement of their losses. From their ac- count and statement, which was supported by affidavit, tiny had at that time ten acres of corn, with large fields cleared, near Sharpsburg (at Etna borough), which they were obliged to leave; also one house at the Sewickley bottom, about twenty-five miles from Fort Duquesne, up the Youghiogheny, with fields fenced and grain in the ground, these last being val- ued at three hundred pounds. Previous to 1754 the more southern part, presumed to be in Virginia, we have said, was visited by settlers from Maryland, some of whom remained. Among these was Frederick Waltzer, who lived four miles west of Uniontown. These, with the exception of a few agents among the Indians who for the time being were compelled to abide at some certain place, and of those who settled in Tygart's Valley, are said to have been the fust prior to liraddock's expedition (1755). But whatever settlers there then were, alter the battle at the Monongahela they had to leave their clearings. Some of them returned soon alter, ami others not till 176T or later. Under Col. Bouquet ami the commandants at Fort Pitt, many settlements were made near Pittsburgh in 17(10 and 1761, which in L769 were located. William Jacob settled at the mouth of Redstone Creek in 1761, and by removal in 1763. James < roudin in 1762 raised a house at Eleven-Mile Run, which flows into tlie Monongahela. The Byerly settlement, near Har- rison City, dates from 1758. John Irwin settled at the mouth of Bushy Run, not far from Byerlv's, in 1768. John Frazer, John Ormsby, Sr. and Jr., and Oliver Ormsby had made improvements on Turtle Creek prior to 1762. There is much evidence to make one believe that before the time of l'ontiac's war, about 17(12, there were more settlers occupying lands at no great dis- tance from the great roads and the militan posts than we have any specific or absolute knowledge of. Whet tlieir numbers or their names were we have no pos- sible account. The Byerly settlement, for instance, had an accession of several families, as is discovered among the decisions of the Supreme. Court of the St:. . Some lands about Fort Ligonier, and even at a distance from the fort on the summit of Chestnut Ridge, were cleared by inhabitants of Cumberland County, who at that date had not yet removed tlieir families hither. On these clearings were raised po- tatoes and corn, and the product in some instances, SETTLE? and these certainly before 1708, was mountains for those there. These Ian mere occupancy, taken by "tomans called it, after a manner of title p conditions, allowed by the lav this purchase, under the law? in itself no title. Some lar and in the Ligonier Val' and subsequently the ■ Kittanning, and some hanna, were thus o< were afterwards ' ments, and the settling upon tracts were r or, in oth Hence or tions c legal r unles and I m tl TY, PENNSYLVANIA. partment. The choice was thus to be ^y a public advertisement froln James ■y of the office, on Feb. 23, 1769, it >at the land office would be open ■en next, at ten o'clock in the lieations from all persons in- 'n the New Purchase. The ■ j rling per hundred acres, 'it-rent, id office we derive the n the opening of the would be ready to istant, it was the s that the most ese locations people, to >ng them, drawn. ■ad set- were e in had its PREDOMINANT NATIONALITIES OF THE SETTLERS. 43 of any exercise of official functions until after their reappointment for Bedford County, in March, 1771, and again (except Pentecost) for Westmoreland, in 1773. Up until 1771 the settlers here were left to the free- dom of their own will, uninfluenced except by the Indians and traders and the agents and feeble garri- sons whom the king kept here to control them. No taxes, no courts, no ministers of the law, except those mentioned, nor of the gospel, outside of Fort Pitt, except when sent here on some special mission, as were the K<\ . Messrs. Beatty and Duffield in 1766, and Mr. .Steele in 1768. 1 The county of Bedford was created March 0, 1771. The reason assigned for the erection of the new county was " the great hardships the inhabitants of the western parts of the county of Cumberland lie under from being so remote from the present seat of judicature and the public offices." The eastern boundary ran along the summit of the Tuscarora Mountains, and the western and southern boundary was the line of the Province, embracing, as will be perceived, the entire southwestern portion of the State from the West Branch of the Susquehanna and the Cove, or Tuscarora Mountains, westward to the Ohio and the Virginia line. From the old Bedford County tax-rolls it is seen that all that part of Western Pennsylvania which afterwards became Westmoreland County was at that date included in eight townships, and they embraced the territorial areas, as near as need be ascertained for our purpose, as follows: "Armstrong," most of what is now the county of that name and some if not the greater part of Indiana County. " Fairfield" stretched between the Laurel Hill and Chestnut Ridge Mountains. "Hempfield" took in a wide scope around Greensburg. "Mount Pleasant," a large dis- trict around the town of that uame. "Pitt" embraced all of Allegheny County between the rivers Allegheny, Monongahela, and Youghiogheny. It makes a poor show. "Eosstrevor" covered all of the Forks of Youghiogheny and reached up into Fayette County. "Springhill" extended over all the south- western part of Fayette and all that part of Greene and Washington then believed to be in Pennsylvania. "Tyrone" covered all the residue of what is now Fayette on both sides of the Youghiogheny. 2 The number of landholders in all was nine hundred and eleven, and the number of tenants one hundred and seventy-four. "Springhill" had the highest number, 3 it being assessed with three hundred and eight landholders and eighty-nine tenants. This assessment has been considered too low, for the obvious reason that no perfect assessment could be made, and if ever was made it would be in restriction. i Veech, Sec. .'list., p. Sin. -' Ibid., Appendix No. III. 8 Tliia embraced now Faj i t'e County, ami included what was returm I fruni Greene County. Many of those assessed as landholders were non- residents, as Rev. James Finley, in Eosstrevor, and George Washington, in Tyrone, in which he owned about sixteen hundred acres at and around Perry- opolis, in now Fayette, over the river from Layton's Station. The act erecting Bedford County recognized Mason and Dixon's line as its southern boundary, and this purviewed the extension of this line beyond .Mary- land; but the act, except in indefinite terms, did not make provision for a western boundary, nor, except on the north and east borders of Greene County as it is now, and in the region touching upon and beyond Pittsburgh, did it ever attempt to reach beyond the Monongahela. The reasons for this we shall else- where see. Although it was subdivided into townships, and had justices appointed, yet its authority was feebly asserted and scarcely obeyed. Most of the settlers shunned it, and those about the Turkey Foot and Redstone and all the disorderly settlers of the Fayette region laughed it to scorn and derided it. Even official surveys slackened, and settlers coming in along the Braddock road squatted without right, and occupied where they pleased, only keeping off the location of prior settlers. Based upon the uncertainty whether they were in Pennsylvania or in Virginia, and fos- tered by demagogues, by "bloody law," and by the wishes and desires, antipathies and prejudices of these, they had pretexts enough not to conform to the laws of the Province. " When the back line comes to be run," said they, "if we are in Pennsylvania we will sub- mit." There could be no other government but that of Pennsylvania, and these people were very desirous, therefore, that the running of the line be deferred to an indefinite period. The first Court of Quarter Sessions for Bedford County was held April 16, 1771, " before 'William Proctor, Jr., Robert Cluggage, Robert Hanna, George Wilson, William Lochrey, and William McConncll, Esqs., Justices of our Lord the King."* When the land office was opened, subsequent to the purchase of 1768, and the flood-gates, so to speak, were up, the flood rushed in in torrents. From the third day of April, 1769, dates the invasion of the \^. white race into the wilderness and woods of Western Pennsylvania. On that day hundreds of locations were 4 The otliei justices appointed mid commissioned with the above w John Frazer, Bernard Dougherty, Arthur St. Clair, William Crawford, James blilligiiu, Thomas Gist, Dorsey Pentecost, Alexander alcKee, Riid Geoi ge Woods. The first commissioners were Robert Hanna. Dorsey Pentecost, and John Stevenson; William Proctor was the lust >hn [fl ; Arthur St. Clair was appointed fiist prothonntary, recorder, and clerk of cants by Gov- ernor John 1'elin, March 12, 1771 ; and deputy register f"l the pi,, hate of wills, 18th of the same month, by Benjamin Chew, register-getieral. One word hen- am lit the Penns. John Pentl (son of Kalian!, and grandson of William Penn, born Philadelphia, 17'2S, died 17!',".) was Governor of the Province from 17C:i to 1771, ami also from 1773 to the end of the proprietary government in 177G. Richard Penn was brother of John Perm, and was Lieutenant-Governor Irom 1771 to 1773, during the absence of John Tenii in England. 44 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. taken up in Westmoreland County. In the first month after the opening of the office there were three thou- sand two hundred applications. Although a large percentage of these applications was made by specu- lators, yet the most were made by those who intended to locate here and reside permanently on the land. It is not possible for us to specify by name and at length those of the earliest settlers under this arrange- ment, but from the lists which we shall further on give, aud from opportune references hereafter in the body of this work and in the notes, the reader shall have to get his information. It is noticeable that nearly all the men who became prominent in this region, either as representatives of the proprietary government or in public affairs under the Commonwealth, took up tracts of land at this time. St. Clair took up large bodies, both in his own name and in the different names of members of his family and of his wife's re- lations; so also did Hanna, the Proctors, the Loch- rys, Wist, Hamilton, Thompson, James Smith, Craw- ford, and, indeed, nearly all of those with whose names we are familiar as the representative men of the early times, and that whether they had money to pay for them or no. Of those people who took up land to live upon it\ 'by far the largest proportion were emigrants, or the \ children of emigrants, of Scotch-Irish descent, them- selves called Scotch-Irish. They claimed that they had been only denizens of Ireland, from where they, emigrated, and whither they had been transplanted from Scotland, the native country of their ancestors. These were scattered all over the country, but they wei'e to be found more noticeably in clusters where it was to be presumed that the land would grow more, rapidly in value, and where there were more facilitiei for making money and living by thrift rather than by labor, but not at the expense of labor. There was quite a settlement of them about Pittsburgh, at the Forks of the Ohio, along the Monongahela and the other rivers, and along the main roads. But where were they not ? -~^ The next largest class — speaking in reference to their nationality — was of German origin, the offspring of the early settlers of the Berks, Lancaster, and Cum- berland region, although some were emigrants from the Palatinate or Rhine provinces, and from Wiir- temberg. Of these many chose the most dreary slopes of the Chestnut Ridge, and they were the farthest back from the main (Forbes') road, although there was quite a settlement in Hempfield township, ami around the Harrold and Byerly locations, between Greensburg and Irwin. These people were not so aggressive as the former, and, as a rule, they laid out a life-work devoted to labor. There were, too, among these some who were de- scendants of those Ffench Huguenots who, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, were scattered over Europe, and who having lived for the sp several generations among the neighboring nations wdio received them, had, from intermarriage and cus- toms, lost not only their language but the most prom- inent distinctions of their nationality. They hail, in fact, ceased to be French, and they had forgotten their sunny vales, and their cottages embowered with vines, wdiere on trestles the purple grapes glistened. But at this day, in Ligonier Valley especially, shall you find French names and people of French lineage as com- pletely Americanized as the descendants of those voyagers who came over in the "Mayflower." The rest were American-English. Before we begin the narrative of such events as are connected together in the history of our county, prop- erly so speaking, this may be a more proper place to acquire a knowledge of those people who made up the greatest number of its inhabitants, and who have left upon it, both in its organizing state and in its more progressive state, such plain and enduring marks of their presence. By looking at the intervening space between the time when the country was left to peace after the termination of the Indian wars and the opening of the land by the subsequent treaties, and the epoch of 1773, we see, in the aggregate, what is a difficult matter to discern by even the process of tracing up the settlements and the transitions of the settlers from place to place. It is seen that the termi- nation of the French and Indian war (1763) was fol- lowed by an extension of settlements in all directions. Where the land was secured to the English, as was all the northern territory of Canada, the only barrier was the occupancy of the Indians. This the English- Americans, as a separate nation or people, which they evidently from many reasons were, did not count on ; and in this spontaneous transition nowhere did so great a movement take place as in the parallels which mark Southern Pennsylvania and Virginia, and the northern line of North Carolina. The advance rapidly seated themselves on what was then the other side of the Alleghenies; and notwithstanding that a royal proclamation forbade settlers seating themselves beyond this barrier, yet the hanks of the Monongahela were occupied by emigrants from Vir- ginia, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Maryland ; and soon after away off in Tennessee ami Kentucky were the Long Hunters seeking sites for future opulent towns and cities. In summing up the nationalities of the inhabitants of the American colonies before the Revolution, as late as the year 1775, Mr. Bancroft states that fully four-fifths of the inhabitants of those thirteen original States had for their mother-tongue the English lan- guage. In the other fifth the German element pre- dominated, and predominated to a greater degree in Pennsylvania than in any other of the colonics. Pennsylvania, indeed, from the policy of its founders, became a general receptacle of foreigners of every shade of political opinion. The position which the city of Philadelphia relatively then tilled as the me- tropolis of America was also an allurement for many. PREDOMINANT NATIONALITIES OF THE SETTLERS. /Of the two races of foreigners which largely co'n-\l portion of Pennsylvania was opened to the world, a ie A ojli< ptituted the growing population of Pennsylvania, the tiorthern Irish, or Scotch-Irish, were more aggressive In their nature than were the plodding Germans. And while the Germans were confined mostly to the eastern part of the State, the Irish spread out towards the western part, and through Maryland and North- western Virginia. Of this Scotch-Irish element — a people who, •wherever they were settled to any extent, had a con- trolling influence in public affairs — it is stated that the immigration, though not at all regular in either its! extent or duration, had reached a considerable cur' rent before the Revolution. As early as47A5 i -' ony of five hundred had settled in North Carolina, and in 171"- a colony from Ulster founded London- derry, in New Hampshire, and between these two remote points the Irish, in little clusters, were to he found in many places. Between 1750 and 1754, when in strictness there was no Western Pennsylvania or Western Virginia to the English, Virginia had a large accession of these foreigners, who, it is asserted, went there in preference to Pennsylvania, because at that early day they could not succeed so well in that Province as the industrious, frugal, and plodding Dutch, as they were called, while many that were here sold their lands to others and took up locations more remote in either Virginia or Carolina. But still couuting on these unaccountable spurts, Penn- sylvania was the centre of the Irish immigration up to 1776. In 17211 there was a large migration in this State, and those, forced by domestic troubles in their own country along the early part of the century, coming out preferred the domestic quiet offered by the mild government of the Broadrims. But none of these movements from the northern counties of Ire- land was in extent comparable witli the movement of 1771 to 1773. ' And as at this juncture the southern 1 In the emigration of 1771-78 twenty-five thousand are said t.> have Mi risier. They left Erelaud from the high rents and from a Bpirit ,°) resentment towards the landed proprietors, who at that particular time to ik occasion to oppress the tenantry. The first great emigration to Pennsylvania, about 1 7 ">o. ami tin.' subsequent one was not on <■( religious persecution there. The long Leases which had ' hi more remote times to induce the Scotch-Irish to enter nd oci ipy their lands ami to colonize there haviug expired, the landlords took ad- vantage ul" their situation as denizeus and of the a icnmulution < » r prop- erty which had ful lowed the labors of the colonists auduf their descend* outs in order bj advance the rents to such high figures as to be i uiuoua to aiaii* of the tenants and burdensome to all. They thence came to where land was plentiful aiel 1 Hxes were light. A powerful body of these came into Western Pennsylvania and first settled along the rivers and -i ■at roads, and with them came others, as we said, from Chester, Lancaster, and York Counties, and 9nme from i Veil County, aid. Find- ley says (" History of the insurrection," etc.) — and I think he means the particular region embraced within the limits of the insurrection — '* that the great. part of the early immigrants in this section were the sons of farmers in the eastern pari of the Province." Fiudley says also that the settlers in certain localities of this region were " generally ac- quainted with each other, having emigrated togethor." There was a class of felons sent from England into Virginia and Mary- land, ami these found their way to the outskirts uf ciwli/ iti >u, gathered around the stations (such as Pittsburgh), and hung on the \ erge uf lie' ludian trade. The Indian traders used to buy the transported Irish and great majority of these found their way hither, and in no place within America have they left such last- ing impressions "of their peculiar nationality as here. They became the -main body of the people. Then manners, their habits, and their morals were largely the inheritance of the people of the four western counties, and they became the centre from which new colonies were started and from which other col- es were recruited. The Scotch-Irish took their name from being the descendants of those colonists who had, several gen erations before, been transplanted from Scotland int. the north of Ireland. The same king who founder English colonies and the seat of English empire in America planted these Scotch in Ireland. Tims i:i time the race became a race neither Irish nor S nur yet a cross between the two. There is not a drop of pure Celtic blood in their veins. With a taint of English blood taken from the soldiers of Cromwell, who after the overthrow of the Commonwealth took refuge in Coleraine, they maintained their lineage unalloyed, and were Scotchmen who for five genera- tions had not been in Scotland. But all that now affined them to Scotland was their common religion and a common tradition. Their land leases and mossi mounds in their graveyards bound them to Ireland. They were in a certain sense analogous to those Vir- ginians who, being the descendants of English-born, retaining the speech, religion, ami laws of their ances- tors, became, in spite of all contrary assertions, a distinct people. They thus in their national character evidenced the more marked characteristics of both national- ities. While they possessed the love of liberty, the hatred of tyranny, the ready wit and versatile lan- guage of the Irish people, properly speaking, they inherited as well the shrewd cunning, the careful fore- sight, and the strict Calvinistic morality of the Scotch Covenanters. While they differed from either they reflected the prominent traits of both. So pecu- liar litis been their position in this respect, both at home and abroad, that they have rarely 1 n acknowl- edged as the representative of either race, nor have they been regarded as the true exponent of the na- tional aim of either. While the page of history shows to the world the great bravery, the undyin;' patriotism, the unflinching courage, and the scrup' Ions morality of the race, yet it is a singular fact t' the battle whose brilliant ami decisive victor" Irish soil over foreign and mercenary invad other colonists as servants, to he employed in cs among the Indians. Slany of these ran away from then joined the Indians. The ill behavior of tin-" - im itimef actei of the English among the Indians. It was calculated that about the year 1750 ii"l less ' four hundred felons were annually sent into alnryli ili- i ' '" , part oi .' Ue- 4(5 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. considered by most Irishmen as the most signal de- feat Irishmen ever sustained. Neither has the patri- otism of the descendants of those warriors heen re- garded as of any national honor. Not all the glamour and the love which attached to the name of Stuart could draw them when on a foreign soil to take sides with their hereditary king. The son of that heredi- tary king, remembering Deny and the Boyne, fixed lii~ last hopes on the Highlanders of Scotland, and these with their wild battle-cries followed the Pre- tender down from Ilolyrooil to Preston Pans. And this strange antipathy has extended and has followed them everywhere. The Scotch-Irish were not beloved in a broad national sense by either the thoroughbred S :o( or the pure Irishman. There was as wide a barrier between an Arthur St. Clair and a William Findley as between a Duncan Ferguson and a Teague t >' began. 1 The Scotch-Irish before leaving Ireland stood in the peculiar relation of a people who had lost all national obligation. They had no national history and no national poetry. For them Burns did not sing, nor did any wild Irish ballad, learned from the lips of an Irish mother, and full of the incense of patriotism and glory, linger in their hearts and in (in n ears in foreign lands. They brought with them no baby songs redolent of the shamrock and of the dewy meadows, of the banshees and the fairy lore of Erin. They lived in Ireland as the Hebrews lived in Egypt, and as the English Puritans lived in Holland. To the pure Irish the traditions of their hearthstones and tin- stories of their childhood are never forgotten to their dying day, and a sympathy ever yearns towards the people of their ancestral isle. The Scotch, whether on the banks of the Susquehanna or at Lucknow, are moved to tears at the pibroch and the half-barbaric chant of "Bonnie Doon." But the Scotch Irish lost all sense and idea of nationality, ami remembered Ireland only as their abiding-place, and in the stead of a national reverence and love sucked in with their mothers' milk, they with stoical firmness made an ideal of English literature and the English ideas of civil and personal free. lorn. Hence lias arisen to a prominence what is most noticeable, and is indeed admirable in their character, — inde- pendence in pergonal action and a predominance of Tactical notions of life. These principles and actions rvaded their whole being, and were the motives to hear arts. ,'ould I" no difficult matter to prepare a pane- or a lampoon on the characteristics of the 'rish. Both have been skillfully done. hemselves they have always had those who and adroitly and with much show of been apt and ready to laud their an ces- fghest heaven; among their enemies (and of these they have had full sliare) there have always been some to pointedly show forth their fail- ings and to hold them up to ridicule. They have been attacked from all sides, but in these attacks they have not suffered. They were, in one word, detested by the Puritans of New England, by the Quakers, and by the Virginians. They could not fraternize with the Quakers any better than they could with the Pennsylvania "Dutch/' whom they regarded with abhorrence. 2 There was always, in the early settlement of th Province, a bitter feeling existing between the more peaceable of the people of Pennsylvania and the Scotch-Irish settlers. The policy of the Quakers and the Germans was a peaceable one ; that of the others was aggressive. It was said with some evi- dence of truth that these new-comers were the means, from their treatment of the Indians, of much hostil- ity on their part, and of the shedding of much inno- cjent blood. The murderers of the Moravian Christian Indians at the Tuscararus, in 178:!, were of the same rationality as the murderers of the Conestoga Indians at Conestoga (by the Paxtang boys) in 1763. Both of these slaughters were wantonly committed in cold blood upon defenseless and inoffensive natives, and this without regard to age or sex, and in notorious violation of all the usages of Christian and civilized people. So, too, did those do who murdered Logan's family, which led to the rising of the tribes and the border war of 1774. The wickedness and the dis honor of these things will never be forgotten, nor, shall they ever cease to shame the pages of Penn- sylvania's history as long as annals are written and the acts of men remembered. 3 Then, on the other hand, one writer says that " tlia descendants of these first Irish and Scotch, in what- 1 ever district they may have cast their lot and fixed their stakes, are amongst the most prominent, virtu- ous, religious, active, useful, industrious, and enter- prising of the country." t The popular prejudice developed against these im- migrants, of which we have spoken, found popular expression. Even the deputies of the proprietaries became alarmed at the prospect of affairs touching this matter. To those in authority who had closely watched the changes making in the civil and domestic relations of certain portions of the Commonwealth it was the cause of remark and of comment. The provincial secretary, writing to the proprietaries, said s Rupp,"Hist Cumberland County.' 1 3 Amen» those who along with the Quakers virulently Attacked these "lawless people" fur tin- terrible act of the murder of the Conestoga Indians was Benjamin Franklin. In a pamphlet which 1m- wrote ami had published, a dialogue therein between "Andrew Trncman" and "Thomas Zealot" speaks of "Saunders Kent, aji elder theso thirty vcats, that gaed to duty" (family worship) "just before the massacre, and while be " was saying graca to a pint of whisky a wild iad ran his gully [knife] through the waine of a heathen man." . . . This pamphlet caused Franklin's defeat fur the Assembly, in « hich he had held a neat for fourteen >ears. CUSTOMS, MORALS, AND MANNERS PRIOR TO THE ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 47 it "looked as if all Ireland is to send all her inhabit- ants, for last week no less than six ships arrived, and every day two or three arrive also. The common fear is that they thus crowd where they are not wanted." In some parts of the older-settled portion of the Province, particularly in the Cumberland Valley, then in York County, the Germans and the Irish came in contact with each other, and difficulties and dis- turbances rose among them. These feuds had as- sumed such a serious aspect in 1749 that the proprie- taries instructed their agents not to sell any more lands in York County to the Irish, but to offer induce- ments for them to settle in the north, or Kittatinny Valley. Many of these Irish left these settlement? for others farther west before the Revolution, andi after the Revolution many others followed. ^s What they wanted was land. They did not ask, asN the sequel shows, who owned or claimed to own the land, whether Penn, or Dunmore, or Shingass. They never paid any regard to the claim of the Indians in the soil. If they did not at first actually keep the border in turmoil, which is hard to prove, they had the best motives and incentives for keeping it in an unsettled condition. A characteristic of these Irish is demonstrated in their public political acts. These people cherished the teachings of civil and religious liberty more in these woods than did their brethren in Ireland, in Scotland, or in England. They were the first to take active measures in resisting the acts of the kingly viceroy of Virginia, and among the first to protest against the forced military tyranny of the British ministry. And as they were quick to speak and act against their mother-government, so when they had transferred their allegiance to the republic they did not venerate it above what they erroneously thought to be their inherent rights. For evidence, in short, to prove their overruling influence in the affairs of our part of the State up to the close of the last cen- tury one single instance is sufficient; for the Whiskey Insurrection of 1794 was attributed almost wholly to the " Irish" of Pittsburgh and the surrounding region in which that sedition arose. The Federalists of New England said they did not in the least envy such a community ; and the outspoken Oliver Walcott pointed to this civil commotion to further his oppo- sition to foreign immigration. 1 1 The observations shaped In the text have been gathered from many sources. Of ttie many authorities which we have gone over, and which is not tainted with prejudice, is "The First Century of the Kepublic," by Hon. F. A. Walker. CHAPTER IX. CUSTOMS, MORALS, AND MANNERS PRIOB TO THE ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. The German Settlers — Whence they Emigrated — In what they Differed from the Scotch-Irish — Their Manners, Habits, etc. — Theil Belief in the Supernatural — The Mennonists — Peculiarities of their Religious Be- lief— delation of these First Settlers to the Civil Law and Procedure in Courts — The Customs and Laws which thi-v Formulated — Effei t of their Religious Belief on their Civil Society — Peculiarity of their Morals bleuded with their ofanuers— Southern t'oitiwn of the County being rapidly filled up compared with tip- Northern Portion — Terms of Virginia Titles and terms of Perm's Titles — First Settlements north of the Conemaugh — Early Pittsburgh — Fort l'itt abandoned — Early Efforts of the Settlers to erect a New County after opening of the Pennsylvania Land Office — Bedford County elected. In point of numbers, next to the Scotch-Irish were the Germans; but in no place, with the exception of their settlement in Hempfield and in Huntingdon townships, had these collected so thickly as the former. This particular settlement, however, has retained the distinctive traits of its German origin even to our own day. The Germans lived more iso- lated than the Scotch-Irish, and they were found scattered all over the county, where effective traces of their presence are still to be discerned. ' If we compare the names of those of an undoubted German origin who signed the petitions to Governor Jchn Penn in 1774, we find that the German element in some districts, especially in the one to which we have alluded, predominated over the Irish element. And although these were always a strong body in out- county, yet, owing to their detached locations and their characteristics in not meddling in public affairs to the detriment or disparagement of their private interests, the whole controlling of affairs in the first years of our history was monopolized by the Scotch- Irish and the Americans of English descent. By ami by these two elements began to coalesce, and towards the end of the Revolution there were at the head of county affairs, along with Cook and Jack, Hutlhagle and Truby. The German settlers of Westmoreland were not all of them emigrants from Germany. The major part of them were descendants of settlers in the eastern portion of the Province. These were the Pennsylva- nia Dutch, a people formed by the admixture of the Germans and the Dutch of the Netherlands with Americans and with other foreigners. These spoke a language which differed as much from pure German as the German language differs from the English. Their characteristics were sobriety, economy, plainness, and honesty. They hastened to progress slowly. They devoted themselves chiefly to agriculture, while the Irish was the first to open taverns, erect mills, manu- facture whiskey, and speculate in land. It is notice- able how passive the German settlers were during the times of the troubles arising out of the claims of the two States, of which we shall hereafter speak. This passivity may, however, be reconciled when we re- call the friendly terms on which the Virginians and 48 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the Germans were from the time the Ohio Company extended the benefits of their privileges to them. We have spoken of some of the characteristics of the Irish, but to the presence of these Germans do we owe most of those pleasing delusions which make childhood to many so regrettable. The stories of ghosts and goblins, of haunted spots, and of Kriss- Kingles are now all but dispelled,— the shrill whistle of the locomotive has scared them off; " the interest- ing race has emigrated," 1 — but their descendants in some remote parts yet, from generation to generation, treasure them, and the father transmits to the son the legends that held his boyhood. The opposition to innovation which was noticed by Tacitus in their ancestors in the woods of old Ger- many may yet be seen in their offspring. In that ag< — we mean the early Westmoreland age — many houses had horseshoes nailed to the lintels of the doors to protect the inmates from the power of witches. Brimstone was burnt to keep them from the hen-coop, and the breastbone of a chicken put in a little bag and hung round the necks of the chil- dren to ward off the whooping-cough. Horse-nails were carried for good luck, and beaux hunted for four-leaved clovers to get their sweethearts to look upon them favorably. A broth made, from dried fox- lungs was given ti» patients suffering with a consump- tion, and carrying the rattles of a rattlesnake which had been killed without biting itself would cure the headache and protect from sunstroke. Old women were even blamed for riding the unbroken colts at night, and more than one person incurred displeasure because his neighbor's rye was worse blasted than his own. Many years after the Indians were beyond the Ohio the belated countryman heard faintly the dis- tant war-whoop, the sound of drums and fifes came through the stormy nights from the old block-houses, and many believed that treasure of English coin and battle implements were hidden along the scarcely discernible track made before the Revolution. These Germans were among the first in our county to establish schools for the instruction and catechisa- tion of the young. Some of their first teachers were from Germany, and it was owing to the instruction which these children received in their schools that the use of the German language has been so long re- t -lined as a vehicle of religious instruction, and until a time when the intrinsic utility of it in our county was questionable. There was a sect of people who settled early in Westmoreland County, but not in such numbers as to be of influence till rather later than the time of which we are writing. This sect has ever stood pecu- liar to itself. It cannot be said that those who be- longed to it were distinct from the Dutch as regards nationality and language, but they were distinct from the rest in the matter of their religious views. They were, strictly speaking, a religious society, amen- able to the civil statutes, but governed by laws of ' their own. These were the Mennonists. Although the Mennonists are not identical with the Ornish or the Dunkards, they are usually regarded as the same. Touching their religious views, the Mennonists are a Baptist sect, taking their name from Menno Simonis (born 1496). They reject infant baptism, refuse to take oaths, decline military service, and practice feet- washing. Their polity being congregational, they settle in communities. They originated in Holland, and some of them came into Pennsylvania in the year that Penn made his first settlement. They kept pro- gressing towards the West, and in 1735 there were some five hundred families in Lancaster County. The Ornish take their name by corruption from Jacob Amen. They describe themselves rigid Mennonists, but adhere to the decrees of the Council of Dort, which did not sit till fifty-seven years after the death of Menno. Dunkards take their name from the I ter- man name tunken, " to dip." These hold Saturday as their Sabbath. They are all Baptist sects. They are opposed to war upon any pretext. The strongest community of the Mennonists was on Jacobs Creek, and in the southern part of the county, 2 while the Dunkards were in number the strongest between the Chestnut Ridge and Laurel Hill, in the southern part of Ligonier Valley. Dunkard Creek takes its name from these people. Some of the earliest of these who ventured into Western Virginia and Fayette County fell victims to the savages. Among the traditional annals preserved by descendants of the earliest set- tlers was one where, at a Dunkard meeting, the In- dians made an onslaught. The men received the blows of the tomahawk upon their heads without re- sistance, praying upon their knees, — a figure, if not of such historical authenticity, yet as grand as that of the Roman senators, who, with their white beards and ivory staves, sitting in their curule chairs in the Forum, accepted death from the barbarian Gauls iu the time of Camillus. Although some Mennonists came out quite early, especially in Fayette, next the line of Westmoreland, there was no community till some time alter. But as they were early settlers, and as their descendants have left most prominent marks of their thrift, their energy, their economy, and their citizenship within our county, we cannot well pass over without alluding to them here. The remark would now be apt that these settlers at first were, in their nationalities, a mixture of mongrels. In the same sense the ancestors of the English, of the Romans, of the Greeks were mongrels. 1 "Die nlten Fiibelwpsseni Bind niclit mchr, Das reizoudc Geschlocht ist ausgowandert." ■-- East Huntingdon township is ;! Mc mists in I ho county which lias a church an. I a pastor. The spct is on tlic decline. See h stun- of East Uuntingilou tuwu- ship , i , a. CUSTOMS, MORALS, AND MANNERS PRIOR TO THE ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. -10 As regards their relation to the civil authority and with each other, the situation of these all was rather peculiar. As it was impossible for them to go so far east as Cumberland, where the courts were held until the establishing of Bedford, in 1771, and as they were cut oft' to a great extent from the effective control of j the laws, they, in consequence, shaped a law to them- selves, which answered, to all ordinary intents, if notso well, yet quite as effective as the civil statutes. These customs extended to embrace the very title to land, for it was not possible that the land of any settler could be laid out in such metes and bounds or pro- tected by such fences as would not allow of infringe- ment or trespass on the part of his neighbor. Rules were thus established unknown to the rules by which lands are holden in any other part. But chiefly did these customs embrace the system by which society is held together. They were, in truth, at this time with- out any law in this premises, only the law of which they were the makers. And of these customs which ob- tained there is nothing more apparent than that they were founded upon a strict moral and conscientious code, and were but the preservation and the perpetu- ation, under unfavorable circumstances, of the laws of civil society which had grown up under a long series of legal enactments and in immemorial usage. It is true that in ordinary instances of trespass the aggrieved party took the law into his own hands, and, without any refining casuistry, we incidentally allude to the fact that it was part of the lex unsbripta tor every man to take care of himself. In taking the law for a redress of grievances into their own hands, we are apt to look for a vivid demonstration of the law of retaliation, — " an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." But the world well knows that the inhabitants of these northern, sterile, and chilly climates are not, in their fierce passions, to be compared with the inhabitants of the South. Their temperament did not partake of assassination, tortuie, and murder. Now and then a vindictive and savage nature was found, but if an act was perpetrated by such a retribution was sure. A robber, a slanderer, a villifier was condignly and per- emptorily punished; not, indeed, in the way he might reasonably expect, by a hidden shot, by waylaying, by a dagger-thrust in the dark, but he always found it expedient to leave the country or to hide himself from the face of other men as one attainted and shunned. There are well-attested instances where men who, in the heat of passion, having done wdiat they should have been sorry for, left, in utter abhorrence, the very fields their labor had cleared, and never after returned. This metho 1 of ostracism was commoner than we at this day are apt to suppose. And it was natural that a course of common law and usage should obtain where there was no regular method of pro- cedure from the want of courts. The standing of these early settlers was in this respect peculiar, as was the status of all modern colonies, and is of those colonies who leave a highly enlightened state. They nearly all had been brought up under the English law, either in the old country or under the colonial system. They therefore had not to grope their way from a state of rude civilization to a state in which law is established by the force of precedent. These men knew their inherent rights as well as any men living. Having been bred under law and order, they brought with them enough of their system to meet the wants of such a rude state. And the very want of courts, which was at first experienced, helped as much as other causes to give a high moral tone to all actions arising in their personal relation. The obliga- tion of law, in truth, rested upon all, and this when, to a great extent, there was no law. This is a strongly marked peculiarity of the civilization brought into these wilds. In this respect the woods of America were sacred to republican institutions; there were no lordlings and no serfs. The consideration of this sub- ject may be far carried, but it may safely be asserted that the authority of the people, as a people, was transcended and firmly grounded into custom long before the fathers of the republic ventured to pro- claim to the world the establishment of a democratic form of government. This manner of life had, in time, an effect upon the morals of the people, as the morals of the people had an effect upon their manner of life. Shutout, as many of them were for years, from connection with any visible church, they did not become less godly. A singular combination of Christian (or religious) and philosophical (or worldly) morality was the result. Touching this subject these facts are observable, that although they, as a general thing, in their religious observances conformed specially to a veneration of the Sabbath day, they did not pay much attention to the rites and ceremonies of established religion as these are usually regarded by those people w ho pro- fess a strict Christianity. Their graveyards were little lots hedged in in one corner of a field or nook of the woods. Many died without the consolations of religion. Many were suffered to grow to manhood and to die in their beds without baptism. This, of course, has reference to the earliest settlers, and those •who, in the more troublous time after, lived detached from the rest. For it is a matter of interest, in con- templating the advance of those people, to notice how sedulous they were to have a Christian teacher among them, and how, under many difficulties, they labored for the instruction of their children. Without en- tering at all on any polemical observations, and re- garding them from an independent stand-point, we may say that there was never so philosophical a Christianity taught or enforced, and followed, as by these men. Locke's theory was here made practical. With their Calvinistic ideas of predestination, election, and free will, these faced death with less dismay than many whose lives had been devoted to the practice of all the Christian duties. The Cromwellian spirit was predominant; and it was not an uncommon thing to 50 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. see a red-faced, sandy-haired hunter, under the influ- ence of spirits, quote Scripture, and be ready the next minute to defend his argument with his fists, or, as we would conventionally say, "put a head upon'' his neighbor. Such a one would, when later the mis- sionary supplies came round, once or twice in the year, take up his position under a tree in the woods, and sit for three hours without moving a muscle, lis- tening to lorn;' prayers, prosy psalms, and endless ser- mons. In these remarks we do not, we are sure, paint highly, but rather with a sparing hand show faintly what we believe the truth, with due regard to them, to our neighbor, and to ourselves. Such were the great majority of tire early settlers of our county, such their characteristics, and such is a shadowy out- line of the moral and social standing in the time im- mediately preceding and embracing the formation of our county. But in 1769 and 1770 not only were the settlements of Gist, Crawford, and Stewart, south of the Youg- hiogheny, augmented in numbers, but the settlements along the Cheat River and about Wheeling, which had been begun before Braddock's campaign, were a jain renewed. A fort was erected at the present site of Wheeling, which through the subsequent trou- bles became a centre for that portion of the country. The early tide of emigration, before the opening of the Pennsylvania office, was directed, as we have said, to what is now Washington, Fayette, and Greene, and to the adjacent regions southward. These emigrants all came out on the Braddock and Burd roads, and carried their goods and movables on the backs of pack- horses. One great inducement was the nearness of Fort Red- stone and Pittsburgh, but a more accountable and still stronger reason that this region was settled before our county proper was the ease and the facility witli which the title to land could lie acquired from Virginia. The desire for land was all-prevailing, and that colony passed no further restriction to the settlement of her new territory than was necessary to avoid the confu- sion of claims. The fee in land could be gotten for a mere trifle ; indeed, it came to be that the mere occu- pancy, with insignificant improvements, was recog- [ nized as a right. And a right sanctioned by usage and recognized by that colony was the tomahawk right, which right, it is true, conferred or passed no legal title in the first instance, but was acknowledged, for the benefit of squatters, as a kind of right de facto, and came to be — so strong is custom — recognized as valid, and so decided by the Supreme Court of Penn- sylvania. The Penns sold for five pounds per hundred acres ; Virginia at ten shillings per hundred acres, and that without the present payment of the money. Each colony allowed a pre-emption right by improvement and cultivation ami actual residence where and when there was no interference with a prior claim, official grant, or survey, and the settler could postpone the payment until he had perfected his claim. But these privileges were confined to Southwestern Pennsylva- nia, and while the majority of those settlers in the Forks of the Yough held under Virginia, yet on the opening of the land office in 1769 rights were granted in this triangle and along Chartiers Creek by the Penns. Thus, under the impression that they were settling in Virginia territory, this region began to be filling up before there were many settlers north of the Forbes road or the Conemaugh. It is true that there early were some squatters in Berry township, anil even, somewhat later, a few along the Indian path from Ligonier to Kittanning, as far up as Black Lick, in Indiana County. In 1769 the first settlement had been made at the forks of the Conemaugh ami Black Lick, and probably near the same time Moorhead and Kelly commenced improvements near the present town of Indiana, and these are considered among the first settlements in that county. 1 The tide coming out on the Forbes road and the Braddock road still kept along the rivers. From Pitts- burgh it crept along the Allegheny northward, and in no long time nearly all the lands in what is now the southern part of Armstrong County were owned. Pittsburgh was slowly improving. Some houses had been built outside the fort after the peace of 17G3. At that time it comprised about a score of log cabins down next the river. In 1765 it was laid out in streets. In 1770 it is described by Washington as a town of about twenty houses. As late as 1784, Arthur Lee, giving an account of the small town at the Finks of the Ohio, states that the inhabitants were mostly Seoteh and Irish ; that they lived in paltry log houses ; that they were as dirty as those in the north of Ire- land, or even Scotland; but that there was a great deal of trade carried on, the)' taking in their shops money, wheat, flour, and skins. Within a lew years alter this part of the State was opened the English authori- ties concluded that the people must take care of them- selves. The old Fort Pitt, which had been erected in 1759 by Gen. Stanwix, had been, up to this time, garrisoned by Royal Americans, and held under the military regulations of the British army. In October, 1 7 7 L' , orders were received by the commandant at Fort 1'itt, Maj. Edmondson, from Gen. Gage, commander- in-chief, to abandon the fort and dispose of the ma- terial. This was done accordingly, and the post was not held by a military force thereafter until taken possession of by Connolly in 1774. Gage will be re- membered as the officer who led the advance against the old Fort Duquesne under Braddock. But no sooner were those settlers fixed securely, no sooner were they brought in contact with each other, than they felt those wants which are called the bless- ings of civilization, and which civilization only brings in its train. The series of counties ending with Bed- 1 Seo history vi Derry township, ittfra. 1792 from TiEADlNG HOWELL S MAT of PENNSYLVANIA C«?fi£,' pla WESTMORELAND COUNTY ORGANIZED— COURTS ESTABLISHED, ETC. 51 ford had been of slow growth, many years having elapsed between the selection of each one. It is al- leged that the secret of this slowness was the wish to retain political power in the three old Quaker coun- ties of Philadelphia, Bucks, and Chester, which aggre- gately had a preponderating influence in the Assembly. But; on the other hand, it would appear to have been of the policy of the proprietaries to establish a county government west of the Laurel Hill over their new purchase as soon as convenient, for the advantage of both the Province and the settlers. As early, there- fore, as 1770 efforts were made to organize a new county out of the western part of Cumberland. Peti- tions being presented to this effect, the county of Bed- ford, with Bedford Town as the county-seat, was or- ganized in 1771. CHAPTER X. WESTMORELAND COUNTY ORGANIZED— COURTS ESTABLISHED, ETC. Jnstii ea f>>i- Bedford' County exercise jurisdiction overthe Westmoreland part of the County— Great Distance to the County-Seat— St. Clair as lVim's Agent—Petitions for a New County — Westmoreland County erected by Act of Assembly and organized — Courts authorized and oiti s i ed— Tiistof the County Justices in the first Commission — The first Court— County divided into Townships — The fiist Grand Jury — Constables ami Supervisors appointed ami Inn-keepers li- censed—The County Offices and Officers— St. Clair the first Prothono- tary, etc., and James Brison his Clerk — Hufthagle, St Clair*s Succes- sor, secretes tlie Records of the County — John Proctor the first Shei iff — Officers returned — Election Districts. In May, 1770, Arthur St. Clair, William Crawford, Thomas Gist, and Dorsey Pentecost were among the justices of the peace appointed for that portion of Cumberland County west of Laurel Hill; but it would appear that these justices left no trace of I the exercise of their official functions. When, on the 9th of March, 1771, Bedford was erected over Southwestern Pennsylvania, Mason and Dixon's line was recognized as the southern boundary, but no at- tempt was made to reach beyond the Monongahela. There were some resident justices appointed, the re- gion west of the Laurel Hill was subdivided into townships, taxes were assessed, and roads were laid out. But all accounts go to show that among the disorderly and turbulent regular combinations were entered into to resist the laws, that the justices of the peace were openly contemned, and that deputy sheriffs were beaten oft'. Although some roads were made and some indictments preferred against offenders, the authority of the justices was too feeble, and it was too far from the seat of power to make the county jurisdiction efficacious. Bedford Town was a hundred miles from Pittsburgh. The stream of emigration still continued unabated. At this time there was a growing desire to settle along the Ohio southward, and under the patronage of Vir- ginia Boone and Harrod were threading the wilder- ness of Kentucky. Pittsburgh became a point from which supplies from the East were sent by river to tie' Southwest. Many emigrants stopped here, mi that it now bore tin' aspect of a town, and was indeed the first place west of the Alleghenies where civilization and the arts sat enthroned. And besides the fact that all the inhabitants, both those about Pittsburgh and of our own county proper from beyond the Youghio- gheny, were compelled to go to Bedford to transact business of law, and to have such affairs settled as fall within the purlieus of legal arbitration, there »a- a question in dispute which was not settled till long after, and which now impelled the Penns to have a watchful eye on the boundaries of their Province. The influx of emigrants from the Virginia side and the attitude of her Governor no doubt hastened what otherwise might have been delayed. We mean the erection of our county, for we have reached the date when, circumstances concurring, its construction was deemed a necessity. Preparatory to this many of the special friends of the Governors were especially fa- vored, and, judging as directly as we can from pre- sumptive evidences, we tire assured they were sent out to manipulate in the interest of the proprietaries. Arthur St. Clair, who had served in the French and Indian war under Gen. Wolfe in Canada, marrying in Boston, and leaving the British service, on coming to Philadelphia got in the good favor of John Penn. He was a magistrate of Cumberland County, and when Bedford County was organized was appointed the first prothonotarv to their courts. He acted like- wise as mediator between the authorities and the restless tribes, and had much influence over these, they not imputing anything dishonorable to him. He was indefatigable in his services to the Governors, and kept them informed in the affairs of the western portion of the Province. So in 1772, only three years after the opening of the land office, when one would suppose the first settlers scarce had their houses warmed, petitions were in circulation all over the country west of the Laurel Hill praying for the erec- tion of a new county, telling the wants and disadvan- tages they labored under, and clamoring that justice be brought to their own doors. In the beginning of 177". the Assembly took th.- matter into consideration, and in due time, all arrangements having been per- fected, it passed the organizing act, and the Governor proceeded to name its officers, which was his right, ex officio. The time, therefore, had now arrived, and the act by which the county of Westmoreland was legisla- tively established was passed the 26th of February, 1773. The first section of the act set forth that as it was represented to be necessary by the petition of the signers, inhabitants of that part of Bedford County lying west of the Laurel Hill, a new county he estab lished, the county was thereby created and named Westmoreland, the hounds of which began at where the most westerly boundary line of the Youghioghenj HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. liiver crossed the boundary line of the Province; thence down the eastern bank of the river till it crossed Laurel Hill, which it followed northeastward till it runs into the Allegheny Mountains; and these it followed along the ridge dividing the Susquehanna from the Allegheny River to the purchase line at. the head of the Susquehanna River; from the same due west to the limits of the Province; and by the same to the place of beginning. The second section of the act enjoined on the in- habitants all the rights and privileges whatsoever enjoyed by the inhabitants of any other county, pro- vided for the election of a representative in the As- sembly, and defined the place for holding the el eel ion, which was to be at the house of Robert Hanna till a court-house should be built. The next section declared the authority of the jus- tices of the Supreme Court to be the same in this county as in other counties, and authorized them to deliver the jails of capital and other offenders from time lo time as in other counties. By the last section it was enacted that there should be a competent number of justices authorized by the Governor to 1ml. 1 courts of general Quarter Sessions of the Peace and of .'ail Delivery, and courts for holding • ' do 4d Toddy $ do Is A howl of West India Rum Toddy in \ which there shall he half a pint with loaf > Is 6d Is V bottle 7s lid >> do (is 'r* do 6s ZU4 Is Gd Is Sd sugar a howl of Continent do Maderia Wine l.islmu Wine Western Toland Wines Grain Y Q'lai t Hay & Stabeling r 1 Night Pa-turnge ~f Night or 24 liours Cyder $ Quart Stroti.tr Beer "j- 1 t]n "The Tavern keepers to be Furnished by the Clerk of Sessions with a copy of the above regulation for which they are to pay on- shilling & Bix pence, which Copy tiny lire to fix up in some public part ol their respective Houses open to the inspection of all persons." The first township formed after these original ones was Deny, erected at the April sessions, 1775. It was to begin " at the Loyalhauna ; (hence along Fairfield till it strikes Blacklick ; thence along down TwoHck Creek till it strikes Connemaugh; thence down Cannemnngh till it Btrikes Kiskiminetas; thence up Loyalhanua to the place ol begin- ning." At April sessions, 1776: "The court orders that Mie line between Fairfield and Donegal is to be the Laurel Run, the run next Ligonier, this side Laughliu's plantation, and adjoining the same. "The court orders that that part of Fairfield township beginning al Gall »rai th's Run, near his house, being the same 1 se that John Qiuks- 't'li formerly occupied to the west of Squirrel Hill, be erected into a township to he called 1I7». .,( unknown. In the same yard lie the remains of William Findley and many of Proctor's neighbors. If he had left enough to erect a tombstone over his grave, saved out of the profusion of his liberality, the people would have been glad to raise his virtue to the skies. When the citizen-soldiery on a late Decoration Day went in procession to publicly decorate the graves of the departed heroes who died for their country in till her glorious wars, they were afraid to scatter lilies over the hollow place which tradition pointed out as the resting-place of Col. Proctor lest it should turn out, which was as probable, that they were hanging garlands on the grave of a suspicious character whose neck . was broken by a fall from his horse when running a race for a gallon of whiskey, and who was buried in forma pauperis. In pursuance of previous arrangements, an election was held for county officers on the 1st of October fol- lowing. We may observe that most officers were elective, the appointment of some, however, being of the franchise of the Governor, and by him or his de- puties thus filled. Joseph Peeler, James Smith, and James Cavett were elected the first commissioner^; and John Proctor sheriff, who was succeeded by James Carnahan; James Kinkaid and William Harrison were elected coroners; and Benjamin Davis, Charles Hichman (Hitchman), Christopher Hays, Alexander Barr, James MeCleane, ami Philip Rogers, assessors. The commissioners were sworn in office by St. Clair. They were to adjust the county debts, and assess and levy the county rates and levies. Among the most prominent who sat on this board was Capt. James Smith, the celebrated Indian captive, who was also returned to a seat in the Assembly, and was a repre- sentative for Westmoreland in the Convention in 177l>. He lived on Jacobs Creek. William Thompson was chosen the member of Assembly at this election. At all the first elections the whole county voted at the house of Robert Hanna ; and at many of these elec- tions the poll fell short of a hundred votes. In 1784 there were three election districts, for on the erection of Fayette County it was found that the third district of Westmoreland fell within the limits FIRST JAIL— EARLY PUNISHMENTS— SLAVERY IN 17S1. 57 of the new county, and it was so altered that the electors remaining in Westmoreland should meet at the house of William Moore, in Rostraver township. By the act regulating the general elections of the Commonwealth, passed the 13th of September, 1785, the county was divided into five districts. Those who resided on the north side of the Kiskiminetas and Coneinaugh were to vote at the house of Daniel Dick- sun : those bounded by the Laurel Hill, Cunemaugh, the Chestnut Ridge, and the Fayette County line should hold their elections at the house of Samuel Jameson ; those of Huntingdon and Rostraver town- ships at the house of William Moore, in Rostraver; the people of the Fort Pitt district were to vote at the house of Devereaux Smith, in the town of Fort Pitt ; and all the freemen of the county who were not included in the above boundaries were to vote at Hannastown. But by the act of 19th of September, 1786, the inhabitants of this fifth district were to vote at Greensburg, otherwise Newton, at the court-house, Greensburg having been selected in the mean time by the committee and designated as the proper place for holding the courts. By the act of the 29th of September, 1789, Deny township was erected into a separate election district, and the freemen were to vote at the house of Moses Donald. By an act of the 11th of January, 1803, all that part of Franklin township north of the Franks town road was annexed to the fifth or Greensburg district, and to vote at the court-house. By act of the 4th of April, 1805, Fairfield township was made a separate district, the voting-place to be at William Ramsay's, best known as "Palmer's Fort;" and by the same act Donegal township was made a district, witli the voting-place at the house of Maj. John Ambrose. CHAPTER XI. FIRST JAIL— EARLY PUNISHMENTS— SLAVERY IN | 1781. Emtion of the Jail at Hanna's— The Pillory— The Whipping-Post— The SI icks — Tlie Frist Indictment in the Quarter Sessions — lames ISriy- land iiinl Luke Picket whipped ;it the Post- -Vestiges of English Ju- I dii inl re. cess — Elizabeth Smith whipped at the Post and sentenced to Two Years at Haul Labor with an Inhuman Master fur Larceny — Flexible Consciences Slavery and Servitude in the Old Westmoreland — BUI of Sale fur a Megro W an Slave— Extent of Slavery in the Cuunty in 17S1 — Reference to the List of Slaves made out in Pursu- ance uf an Act of Assembly. As soon as the place of justice had been fixed at Hanna's a jail was begun. It was built at first of round unhewn logs, of one story in height, and of one apartment, anil in near proximity were soon erected a whipping-post and a pillory. The whipping-post was a large sapling placed in the ground firmly, with a cross-piece fixed at such a height that when the convict to be punished was brought out and his wrists tied together they might be fastened at the length of his arms, above bis head, to it. The pillory, an in- strument known in the law as an instrument of pun- ishment, but in reality an instrument of torture, is described as a frame-work raised from the ground and made with holes and folding-doors, through which the bands and head of the criminal were passed. By common law anybody passing a prisoner in the pil- lory for a felony might throw one stone at him. The pillory, therefore, as a place of punishment was a success, but as a place of amusement it is not to lie commended. The stocks is an instrument to confine the legs. As there were no stocks available at all times, the lowermost rails of the nearest stake-and- riilcr fence were used to answer. We may conclude, rationally, that the stocks were, from time to time, demolished, and this not at the ordinary instance of ecutives id' the law. The miserable condition of the building and its insufficiency called for its condemnation frequently by the grand jury of the county. In the October sessions of 1773 we have the first record of the whipping-post. James Brigland, ar- raigned for a felony, pleading guilty and submitting to the court, was ordered to receive ten lashes at the whipping-post the next morning between eight and ten o'clock, and, besides, to pay twenty shillings to the Governor, and make restitution of the stolen property, paying the costs of the prosecution. For another larceny he was to receive twenty lashes the next morning following. On the same day Luke Picket received twenty-one lashes on the bare back, while Patrick John Masterson came off' with rive fewer. 1 1 This is the record: " The King V Luke Picket Felony, (true bill) Defendant being arraigned pleads non Cul de hoc Att'y Genl. Siinile- ter a issue " Anil now a Jury being called came to wit. .Tames Kincade, William Lyon, John Armstrong, Henry Martin, William Lion, Robert \leeks. James Carnaughan, Joseph McDowell, Lewis Davison, Will 'am Davison, John Wright >v Alexander Duglass who being duly impaiinclled, re- turned, elected tried chosen Bworn and upon their respective Oaths do say that Luke Picket is Guilty uf the Pel. my whereof he stands Indited. "Judg ut that the said Luke Picket be taken to Morrow Homing (being tin- slh Instant) between the hunts uf eight & ten to the I'nhlic Whipping Post ami there in r 'ive 21 Lasheson his Baio Back well laid mi. that In- pay a tine uf £32..1..0 to hi- Honour the Governor that he niake RestitUti ai uf tie: G lode Stolen to the Owner, pay the Ousts of P liun ami stand committed til! complied with." This is the way they went ah an niding the temperance cau e: "It appearing to the Court that John Barr one uf the Tavern keepers ■ I i In- County keeping a disorderly House It is ordered by the Court that the said .luliii Barr is nut to sell any Spirituous Liquors for the fu- ture in the Township of Mount Pleasant A that be pay a fine of forty Shillings. 1 ' — Tan. Ness., 1774. Return of Grand Inquest, April Sess., 1775: " \\ estinoreld County ss. "We the Grand Inquest for the Body of this County Being Called upon by tin- Sherifl uf the Comity To view the Gaol of this County and "i Examination we find the said Gaul is nut fit inn- sufficient to con- fine any Person in without Endangering the lire uf any Person a tine,l. "Joseph Beelor, foreman." 58 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. The first mention of the pillory is in the January- sessions of 1774. William Howard, the earliest re- corded one who suffered this indignity, was, on an indictment for a felony, sentenced to receive thirty lashes on the hare back, well laid on, and afterwards to stand one hour in the common pillory. This in January weather was no doubt as great an inconven- ience as prisoners now suffer at that season in the damp cells of our county jail. During these sessions of 1774 and 1775 there are many instances of con- victs suffering like Oates suffered in England almost a hundred years earlier, under Jeffreys, for a species of treason. In the October sessions of 1775 one Elizabeth Smith was ordered out to receive fifteen lashes on the bare back. She had, no doubt, com- mitted a trifling offense, for her fine was only eigh- teen shillings five pence and costs, which, as she pleaded guilty and submitted to the court, could not have been great. And in this case we see some of the worst features of the administration of the law in its comparatively crude state, in a rather primi- tive age. Elizabeth Smith was servant to James Kinkaid, and the master losing the services of this servant during the time she was awaiting trial in the jail, made application to the court at a private ses- sion held at the house of Charles Foreman four days after her legal whipping for compensation, setting forth that he had been put to great charge and ex- pense, and that he had lost the services and labor of his servant for the time. The court, consisting of Hanna, William Lochry, Cavett, and Samuel Sloan, considering his application, ordered that the said Elizabeth Smith should serve the said Kinkaid and his assigns tor the space of two years after the ex- piration 'if her indenture. A man might wonder if it were possible that the nun who drew up the Resolutions of May, 1775, at Hannastown, alone, with nature and the world, with the God nl' Christians and the spirit of Pantheism looking down from the sky and out from the rocks at them, were of the same men that lashed helpless women on the back, and then rubbed salt into the cuts to make them smart; that bought negroes and their unborn offspring, and that treated their galley-slaves worse than the average Southern planter treated his blacks! What is conscionable in one man is uncon- scionable in another. Adam Poe showed a spirit of liberal Christianity when he subscribed one pound sterling to the Rev. Smith's salary when he was first called by his congregation, but the encounter with Big Foot perhaps made him forgetful, for he never paid it. The subscription is yet open. 1 But when killing Indians was a virtue, Adam Poe, like many another whose head was anointed, and whom the arrows of the Amorites could not harm, lived vir- tuously, died happy, and went with the saints of all the ages to glory everlasting. 1 " Old Redstone." Anticipating any loss that might arise from the de- struction of the official records, we have turned into print a part of them belonging to the criminal side of the administration of public justice. It will be noticed that the "king" is the public prosecutor, and all indictments on pleas of the crown ran in his name. After the Declaration of Independence indictments were drawn in the name of the "Commonwealth," " Republica," or" Respublica." They now are drawn in the name of the "Commonwealth." . . . An old gentleman from the country districts being once shown these records as curiosities, and not being familiar with the obsolete forms of the English processes, re- marked that this man " king" must have been a very quarrelsome man, for he had a case in every court. We observe that from the reputation of the two individuals, both of them being celebrated "char- acters" in the history of Westmoreland, the following entry has some curiosity attached : "(October Seas., 177:).) "The King ~\ Misdemeanor. t-». I (True Bill.) Simon Gtrty. J Process awarded. Issued." But prosecutions were not confined to such infamous characters as Girty, for "the names of some of the an- cestors of very highly respectable persons of Western Pennsylvania are to be found in the Quarter Sessions dockets of this date. The following will show how punishment was meted out, and may help to illustrate a phase of social life with which we are practically unfamiliar: "Jei.v Sessions, 1773. "TheKing i Assault and battery. (TrneBill.) rs. ■ Defendant being arraigned, pleads guilty and submits John Fi»her. J to the Court. "Judgment that he pay a fine of one pound and ten shillings to his Honor the Gove , pay the costs of prosecution, I stand committed till complied with, and likewise give good security for Ins g 1 behavior to nil Ins majesty's leige subjects for one vi-. ii' iiinl day 10 clou." ".Iwy, Suss., 1774. "The King i Felony. (True Hill.) vs > Deft, being arraigned, pleads gniltv and'snbmits to the Hill-OS West I (Joint. "Judgment that he betaken tomorrow morning between tin- hums of s and in to the Public Whipping Post, ami there to receive l "- lashes on bis bare bark, well laid on, that be pay a hue of 20 slnlliiigs to bis Honor the Governor, pay the costs of prosecntion, make restitution of tin- goodB stolen, ami stand committed till complied with." This defendant, found guilty of having stolen goods, was, r the fioss and Damages which be sustained by reason of her bearing Bitch Bastard Child. The Court having examined the said Samuel Sample upon oath respecting the premises and being satisfied of the truth tin reof, Order that One Year be ad. led to the time mentioned in the said Indenture as a compensation for the Damages uud loss so sustained by the said Sam- uel Sample." In 1780 slavery was abolished in Pennsylvania. Thus it is seen that in a relative degree only did the evil exist with us, but nevertheless its presence is as well authenticated, and even better, than the proceed- ings at Hanriastown at her immortal declaration of independence. By the act which abolished slavery every one who held negroes or mulattoes as slaves was obliged to deliver to the clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of the county in which he resided his or her own name, and the names, number, sex, and age of all slaves holden by him. The conflicting boundary claims of the two colonies not yet settled occasioned a special act in 1782, by which the time of taking the registry in Westmore- land and Washington Counties was extended. 2 The list made in pursuance of this act is yet to be ^ren in the office of the clerk of the courts. It contains the names of three hundred and forty-two inaies and three hun- dred and forty-nine females, and four whose sex is nm stated, as slaves. Eleven are called mulattoes. The names of the slave-owners are of those who were most prominent in social standing, and of course of those reputed as the more wealthy. Among them are the names of two clergymen, and the greater portion were members of the rigid Scotch Presbyterian Church. It was confined especially to the southern portion of the county, along the rivers and about Pittsburgh. Rev. Joseph Smith, of Washington County, states that at least six of the early ministers, and almost all slderSj were slaveholders. 3 After the pass the law some removed to Maryland and Virginia, choosing to carry their slaves thither rather than manumit them at the command of the law. This act, both in its phraseology and in its sentiments of be- nevolence and civil liberty, no leas than in its reme- dial benefits, stands out prominently as one of the noblest, one of the grandest statutes on the rolls.* - By the ac,1 passed 13 April, 1782, to redress certaii tvancei in Westmoreland and Washing Counties, on account of the trouble be- tween the lines, and In nn the complaint that they could not get u true account of the number of slaves, owing to the fact that they had no opportunity of enteriug or registering their slaves, and that a number of the record and papers containing the i feedings ol the county i ourts of Youghiogheny, 01onongahela,and Ohio wore yet in th< baud of the lato clerks, who were not authorized to give exemplified i them, it was provided that all negroes and mulattoes who bad been held as Blaves in that ten itory were freed ; and the regisl of West- moreland and Washington were empowered to call on the clerks of the other counties for all Buch papers a* related to the oath of all< ■ i wills granting letters of administration, and the registry of deeds or other indentures. We have not found any records or papers- bearing upon this Bubjccl matter among the archives of Westmoreland County. " l ientenary Me ial." See uleo "Old Bedstone" and " Life of Rev. Macurdy." ' See Appendix "A." OLD HANNASTOWN, THE COUNTY-SEAT. G1 i CHAPTER XII. OLD HANNASTOWN, THE COUNTY-SEAT. Trusters appointed to locate a County-Seat — Robert ITanna's Settlement — They ti\ on [fauna's Town — Difference of Opinion as to tl icpe- iliency of locating the County -Seat there — Description of the Old Town — Opposition to its Location by the People of Pittsburgh — Cor- respondence on the .Subject — Reports; of the Trustees— Various -Vets Of Assembly relative thereto— Troubles at the Place in 1774-75. The trustees appointed to locate and erect the pub- lic buildings were Robert Hanna, Joseph Erwin, John Cavet, Samuel Sloan, and George Wilson. Of these Robert Hanna appears, in this instance, to have been the most influential. He was a north-county Irishman who had located on the great Forbes road at the place afterwards called Hannastown. Here he had erected a log house, used by him as a residence. The place being favorable, he converted it into a public- house. He entertained travelers ; and near him other emigrants settled a year or so before the organization of the county. In 1773 Hanna's was the chief place | between Ligonier and Pittsburgh. In anticipation of the county-seat being fixed here, he, after his appoint- ment as one of the trustees, rented his house to Erwin to carry on the tavern business, and these two, with Sloan, who was a neighbor, being a majority of the committee, made their report favorably to this place for the permanent location of the county build- ings and the seat of justice. They represented that it was the most central, the most convenient, and the most desirable to the people. Nor did it seem unrea- sonable or unapparent. The minority, with St. Clair as their spokesman, reported in favor of Pittsburgh for the county-seat, and put forth the apparent prob- ability that in no long time Pittsburgh would be a place of consequence ; and, in addition, represented the fact that it was a matter of policy in the govern- ment to fix upon this place, owing to the claims of Virginia and the notoriety of the pretensions of her Governor. St. Clair states in a communication to Governor Penn that Hanna and Erwin were moved to fix upon Hannastown for the reasons we have men- tioned. St. Clair himself, with the true fidelity of a public servant, — a fidelity which he never transcended for mercenary interests, — was favorable to Pittsburgh, although at that time the bulk of his property was nearer Hanna's. The report of the trustees was never fully accepted by the executives; and it is doubtful whether, even had affairs gone on smoothly, it would ever have been fixed upon as the place at which to erect the county offices after the true bounds of the Prov- ince had been satisfactorily ascertained. But, as it was, the court continued to meet regularly at Robert Hanna's house until, towards the end of the Revo- lution, the place was destroyed. After the burning of Hannastown other trustees were appointed, who selected Greensburg, then unnamed, and just laid 5 out for buildings on the old Pennsylvania State road. The reasons why the report of the first trustees was not acted upon immediately are apparent, not count- ing upon the superior influence of St. Clair. The proprietary government existed under its regular Governors for only three years after the erection of the county in 1773, after which, the troublous times of the Revolution intervening, those in authority did not have occasion for interference in such local affairs. Along in 1773 and 1774 Hannastown was a collec- tion of about a dozen cabins, built of hewed logs and roofed with clapboards, most of them of one story in height, but a i'ew of two, claiming the name of house-. During the troubles of 1774, under the advice and supervision of St. Clair, a stockade for the pro- tection of the people was here erected ; for from such divergent points the settlements extended out, and as early as this year Hempfield township, sur- rounding Hanna's, was well covered with people, as appears from the petitions of this dale, addressed at Hanna's. From the best accessible authority we now have, it would appear that Hannastown never at any time consisted of more than twenty to thirty such cabins. Its most prosperous era must have been from the time of the first court in 1773 to 177(i. During this time the emigration to the West was comparatively large, and that through Middle Pennsylvania restricted to this one route. Here, besides the courts, were held the militia musters, the greatest inducement, next to the courts themselves, in drawing the widely scattered people together. But when the war for independence commenced, not only was emigration less regular, but many of the military characters were in arms either in the Continental armies or in the service of < longress in the Western department. Some, indeed, quitted their settlements altogether. The early settlers did not congregate in towns or cities, but the population since the close of the Revolutionary war has gone on ever since increasing in favor of the cities. There was no inducement for them to gather in towns, and every inducement for them to go into the country. Money was scarce indeed; it was hardly in circulation tit till among a certain class, and was only absolutely need- ful to those engaged in a mercantile calling. The Province of Pennsylvania was famous for its paper currency, aud too often for its consequent deprecia- tion. In the old Hannastown there were only one or two shops, where, besides whiskey and gin sold under license by measure, there were kept such commoditi as gunpowder and lead, camphor and spire, jack- knives and dye-stuffs, but no fabrics or wares such as we see in country stores at road-crossings now ; stilt, flour, bacon, and linen were about till traded lor. A weaver, a shoemaker, a blacksmith, or a joiner could make perhaps, on the whole, a better living than the great majority of such shop-keepers in the early time-. 62 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Tavern-keeping was the only business that brought a corresponding return in money. But as we may reasonably infer that its most prosperous time was just before the civil troubles of 1776, yet it is pre- sumable that towards the end of the war, and immedi- ately before the burning in 1782, it contained more buildings and probably more inhabitants than at any other time. Through fear and necessity consequent on long border commotions, they flocked together in stations, in forts, and in block-houses. These two statements will harmonize, although they appear to conflict. In a letter dated Pittsburgh, March 3, 1773, from iEneas Mackay to Arthur St. Clair, there are some very disparaging remarks upon the selection of Hanna's as the place for holding the courts of the new county then lately erected. Mackay was a resi- dent of Pittsburgh, ami of course was personally interested in having that place the seat of justice. Si, also, as we said, was St. Clair. In this letter he says,— "Everybody np this way are tfell satisfied there is a county granted (his side of the hills, altho' I find everi body else, as well as myself, ob- serves with infinite concern that the pi. nit in qnestiou iB not attended \\ iih m> favorable cin uinstunces as we at this place bad i eason to expect In, in the nature of things. I ua t but express my surprise at the point determined in favor of the courts ,,f law first sitting at Raima's. Pray, may t ask you tin- question, where is the couveuiency fur traus- nctiug business ,,n these occasions, as there is neither houses, tables, nor irs? Certainly the people must sit.it the roots of trees and stumps, and in en I' rain the lawyers 1 booltB and papers must be exposed to the weather; yet to uo purpose, as they cannot presume to write. Conse- quently, nothing can he doue bnt that of resising [receiving?] fees, by which moans everybody (the lawyers only excepted) going to ot attend- ing conn in nst be sufferers. No doubt hut Mr Irwin [he ans Joseph Krwin, a resident of the Han na settlement, and inn -Keeper there] and a few more ol his party may find their interest in this glaring stretch of partiality ; yet we, at this place iii particular, are too much Interested to looU over such i teeding in silence. The whole inhabitants exclaim against [ho steps already taken t,, the injury ,,!' the county yet in its infancy, and that too before it got its eyes or tongne t<> speak for itself. . . . My ih-ar friend, if 1 bad as much to say anion- tin- ureal as y^<\t. I would declare it -<~ u,\ opinion that it would la- absolutely necessary tlllt the C Uli>si •> [lie llieai.S tll6 tlll-teeS s I o I ,.■ J pp i ,1 |C, 1 1 should he lioinina eil ill I'hila.la., by which means I think we Could not fail to have the point iii question carried iii our favor; whereas Bl 1.1 I he i l,e appoint. ,1 up tins way It is ten to one it .loo Ki wine all, I Ills associates will not prevail." Under date of Oct. 8, 1773, George Wilson, one of the trustees, in a letter to Governor Penil, says that the trustees had met twice to consult on some things relative to their trust, and that lie, apprehending that ii was ihe sense of the Governor and Assembly at the time that the courts should he held at Hanna's house until the unsettled state of the boundary would be perfectly settled, could not join with the other trustees in making their former report. 1 The following is such a characteristic letter from Saint Clair to Joseph Shippen, President of the Council, that we give it. entire. It is dated Ligonier, Jan. 15, L774 : "Silt,— This will he delivered by Mr. Manna, one of the trustees of Westmoreland County. To some mauouvres of his, I believe, the op- l Archives, iv. 466. position to fixing the County Town at Pittsburgh is chiefly owing, as it is his interest that it should rniitiiiiie where the law h is fixed the courts pro tempore ; he Ives there, used to keep u put, lie house there, and has now on that Expectation rented his house at an extravagant price, and Erivin, another Trustee, adjoins, and is also public-house keeper. A third trustee [Sloan] lives in the neighborhood, which always makes a majority for continuing the courts at the present place. A passage in tlo- law t.r erecting the county is that Courts shall be held at the fore- going Place [the house of Ilailiia] till a Court House and Gaol are built ; this puts it in their power to continue them as long as they please, for a little Management might prevent a Court House and Gaol being built these twenty years. 1 beg you will excuse inaccuracies, as I write in the greatest hurry, Mr. II anna holding the Horse while I write. I w ill see you early ill the Spring." 2 The next report is of the 3d of October, 1774, and is as follows : "We being appoint,-,] Trustees for the County of Westmoreland to make report for a proper place, etc., etc., having accurately examined anil considered the same, do report that 'tis our opinion that Ilannas Towns s to I,,, the most centrical A tit to answer the purposee in- tended We are further of opinion that should your Honor and the Honorable Council think the Brush Run Manor a more proper place, It cannot he of much disadvantage to the County. We pray your 11, s Sentiments on this Head, which will he thankfully acknowledged by us," etc. Signed by Robert Hanna, Joseph Erwin, John Cavet, and Samuel Sloan. 3 On the 7th of February, 1775. in the morning, be- fore the people of the town were out of bed, a [tarty headed by Benjamin Harrison, son-in-law of William Crawford, and one Samuel Wilson, by order of ( 'raw- ford, broke open the doors of the jail with a sledge, which they got out of the blacksmith-shop near by, and let out the prisoners therein confined, three in number, telling them to clear the way. On that oc- casion Mr. Hanna poked his head out of the cock- loft window of his mansion-house, which, never to he forgotten, was also the temple of justice, ami made the remark, " Boys, you are up early to-day to buy a rope to hang yourselves." Hanna appeared on the ground, and Sheriff John Carnahan, also there, had the lint act read to the crowd, who jeered at him and made mouths, grimaces, and very disparaging remarks, in- tended for the Governor's province in general, and the magistrates there present in particular. Hanna had a musket pointed at his head. On the 25th of the month Hanna and Cavet were taken into custody and confined in the guard-room at Fort Pitt, and were there detained in confinement above three months. 4 In 1775, Pittsburgh, according to the most authen- tic authorities, did not contain more than twenty-five or thirty houses, so that Hannastown was about as large. The courts continued to be held at Hannastown, or rather at the house of Robert Hanna after the town was burnt in 1782, until the January term of 1787, when the first court was held at Grecnsburg. By act of 10th of April, 1781, the care and custody of the lots appurtenant to Hannastown was vested in s Ibid., 471. 'Ibid., 579. 4 Depositions of Carnahan, Hanna, el al., in Archives, vol. iv., 604, el seg. THE BORDER TROUBLES OF 1774 BEGIN. G3 the justices of the peace residing in and within two miles of the town, to the end that the lots should be preserved from encroachment and private use, and for the benefit of common to the inhabitants of the town or place, until the same should be appropriated, under the authority of the Legislature, for building, improvement, or other use. CHAPTER XIII. THE BORDER TROUBLES OF 1774 BEGIN*. Virginia claims part of the Territory of Pennsylvania — Dunmore occu- pies Fort Pitt— The Claimsof Virginia ami Pennsylvania summarized —Virginia Colonists willing to fight for the Demands of Virginia- Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia — England's Colonial Policy — Vir- ginia's relation to the Ministry— Charges against Dunmun — His Character— Real Causes of Dnnmore'a or Cressap's War of 1774 — How the Indians regarded Western Virginia— John Connolly— He takes possession of Fort Pitt — Issues a Proclamation — Apprehended by St. Claii, ami committed to Jail at Hounostowu— He returns to Pittsburgh — Is opposed by Penn's Magistrates— He returns with Authority from Dunmore, ami appears with Simon Girty ami a Rabble at [lanuastow n —Refuses to allow the Justices to hold Court— The Justices persist, and hold Court to preserve order till the Lines are adjusted. Such is an outline of the character of the people and the institutions of our county at the date when it came into existence. The stream of emigration was kept unabated, and while many passed on to seat themselves farther west, many others were stopping here. So it was not long till nearly all the land hail a determinate owner, but of course it was sparsely settled even in those spots which could be called the centres of population. The settlers got along tolerably well through 1773, and were to all outward prospects in a fair way of becoming a thriving colony ; but just as the vigor of this new emigration was being felt unforeseen causes intervened which made trouble and commotion all over Western Pennsylvania, which delayed that natural advancement which it was rea- sonable to look for, and which, after very nearly involving the people in civil war, did in truth leave them in a state of anxiety and dread and constant alarms. We have now reached the time when one who chronicles the events of our local history must enter upon a subject not at all attractive, but which fills up a large space in our history. Those who have com- piled accounts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have dwelt at large upon this subject, but we do not know of any Westmorelander having done the same for his own county. To have a clear conception of the actual state of Westmoreland during the Revo- lution we must enter more into details than we should wish to, and study it in connection with subsequent events. 1 1 See Graham's " History of Virginia/' anu " Campbell's "History of Virginia." Aa we have had no thread to follow for the narrative as it is in the In the beginning of 1774 the question of disputed territory, and conflicting claims which had agitated the two colonies for nearly twenty years in regard to the boundary lines of the respective colonies, was now brought forward, and culminated in open dissension. Virginia, it is recollected, claimed that the fort at the Forks of the Ohio was within their charter limits, and in some of her demands she judged, indeed, that Penn's charter government did not extend farther west than Laurel Hill. The actual possession of this point was now by occupancy, and by the bounds drawn by Penn's agent within the claim and under the jurisdiction and control of the proprietaries. Virginia was compelled, therefore, to take the aggres- sive. It must jse admitted that, with the imperfect knowl- edge of the Western territory which was then pos- sessed, Virginia's claim to this western territory was consistently founded. Under her early Governor, Spottswood, she had been the first to surmount the Blue Ridge and lay claim to the valley of the Missis- sippi. Under Dinwiddie, in the person of Washing- ton, she first asserted her claim to that unoccupied region which gave rise to the war which terminated so advantageously for the British in the acquisition of Canada; for this she battled long and courageously. She had held and maintained actual possession of the greater portion of this region south of the Ohio, and was the first to colonize the wild lands of Kentucky, — a region to which no Indian tribe asserted its right. The claim of Pennsylvania was in her original charter, and in her subsequent purchases from the Indians. There was no question, as was afterwards admitted, that Penn's colony in its integrity embraced all the original charter limits granted to the original proprietary. The dispute was to how far the actual bounds extended. Each claimed, and each made ex- ertion to maintain its point. The boundary of West- moreland, the latest and most westerly of the counties, did not extend farther southwest than the most west- erly branch of the Youghiogheny, nor farther west than the Ohio at Fort Pitt; and summarizing, it is seen that Governor Thomas Penn, as early as 1752, in his instructions to his deputies, advised them to assist the Governor of Virginia in erecting a fort at the point of the Ohio, but to take especial pains that nothing be done to the disparagement of his claims. The notes of the first survey, by Gist, the first settle- ments on the tributaries of the Ohio, and the attempt at the erection of a fort by the Ohio Company were under the assumption that this point was within the territory of Virginia; and accordingly in 1754 (Feb. 19th) Governor Dinwiddie, to encourage soldiers and three following chapters, we have compared, among othei'6, Withers' "Chronicles," Doddridge's "Notes," Craig's "History of Pittsburgh," " History of the Backwoods," " Border Warfare," Campbell's" History of Virginia," ltupp's " History of Western Pennsylvania," besides tin- gen- eral histories and all excerpts that have come before us. But the old series of Pennsylvania Archives and Colonial Records is the one great source of information for those inquiring further. C4 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. settlers, granted, by proclamation, large bodies of land about tbe forks of the river. In March following, Governor Hamilton, on the part of the proprietaries, wrote to Governor Dinwiddie that, as he had given it his attention, he believed the point to be within Pennsylvania. In Dinwiddie's reply he stated that he was much misled by his surveyors if the point was not within the limits of Virginia. This doubt was not settled till the occupancy of tbe disputed point by the French and the erection of Fort Duquesne. The French and Indian war and the Indian war in West- ern Virginia obliged both parties to be united in a common interest. After this for a time there was a lull in the war of words, and from the time when the turbulent Kyashuta laid down the hatchet to Bouquet, in 17G4, on the Muskingum, till the treaty of Stanwix, 1768, the southwestern part of Pennsylvania, below the Youghiogheny, was populated under the laws of Virginia, and mostly by settlers from Virginia and Maryland along with the Irish. The establishing of the territorial government of Westmoreland then led the Virginians at this juncture to occupy Fort Pitt and the lands on the northern banks of the Mouon- gahela; and it must be borne in mind that these set- tlers were ready to fly to arms if need be rather than suffer a doubt to rest upon their title. For men are ready and willing, so strong is the feeling which at- taches to one's fields and firesides, to fight for their homes, even in preference, when there is a preference, to their government. The agents of Dunmore bad, therefore, willing tools to work with. Although all unprejudiced minds will not deny that Virginia had asserted this claim and screened her own firesides and the frontier of Pennsylvania in fighting for it, yet to understand the motives which actuated Dunmore, her< rovernor, at this time, and to appreciate that intense hatred felt even now against him by all Americans, there are other circumstances which force themselves to our attention. The con- siderate and patriotic men of Virginia have dis- claimed any participation by the Old Dominion in these overt and high-handed acts anil pretensions, and have in their histories loaded his character with shame and infamy. And this character is justly drawn, as it was justly deserved. Some writers, in I he exuberance of patriotic fervor, go so far as to say that his actions hastened to bring to a crisis the troubles between the colonies and the crown, and call them the prelude to the Revolution. Connected S i intimately as they are with this great epoch, we shall, in order to understand the part Westmoreland took in that great event, have to refer back to the colonial history of Virginia. There had been no country so successful in found- ing foreign colonies as England, and no country that so nurtured and protected them in their infancy. The freedom which they possessed from the time they came into being sprang from the protection of the common law; fur the protecting of these, while they were in a state of nurture, was but the protecting of the mother-country herself. Under different dynasties for several generations the colonial policy of Eng- land with her American colonies was founded and exercised in eminent justice. She regarded them as her offspring, and in truth as her dependencies ; and they were dutiful in their allegiance. At length this policy was changed. Instead of treating them as her near offspring, she chose to deal with them as if they were conquered provinces. In 1765, nine years before the time of which we are now treating, it was that tbe British ministry, wanting to increase the revenues of the crown, ex- acted a tax of the colonists in the shape of a stamp duty on paper and writings, which act is known as the Stamp Act. Discontent was manifested strongly in Massachusetts and Virginia. Hitherto the Vir- ginians had beeu considered the most loyal of the colonists. Now the people resisted most strongly this unconstitutional act; but the conciliating dispositions of the Governors fortunately appointed, however, kept the people pacified. Lord Botetourt, from 1768 to 1771, did all in his power to advance the colony and to protect the firesides of the people. He died in 1771, and his successor was John Murray, the kingly Governor of New York, known in history as Earl of Dunmore. And this man was a bitter Tory, preferring the interest of the king to the interest of the people. He proceeded by means the most unjust to bind the colony in an impossible allegiance. If we believe history as it describes him in his public ca- pacity, we must conclude that he was one of the most heartless of men. It does not, in view of (he subsequent acts of Dun- more, appear to be at all improbable when it is as- serted that he was appointed to the governship of Virginia to rule them with severity, thus to make them feel their dependence, and to quiet the growing dissension then arising among the colonists in a com- mon interest. It cannot be said exactly whether the troubles which he helped agitate in the western part of Pennsylvania were in pursuance of a fixed policy, or whether they were instigated by his cruel disposi- tion. All, however, agree that he secretly, through bis agents, gave a left-handed instigation to the In- dians in the course of their warfare. It is true that when he became Governor the frontier settlers were fighting for life with famine, with the severity of long and dismal winters, and with their treacherous enemies; not in a long, open, and general war, but in a war no less destructive. And it is asserted that Dunmore found means to supply the Indians with arms to destroy his own blood, and, scarcely to be believed, furnished money to pay for the scalps of mothers and babes. He, by the means of waging such an inhuman war, wanted, so they declare, to draw the attention of the colonists from the rights of civil liberty to the protection of their very homes, their very lives. Such Virginians as take this view THE BORDER TROUBLES OF 1774 BEGIN. 65 regard the blood shed at the battle of Point Pleasant, the great battle of Dunmore's war of 1774, as the first offering on the altar of liberty. Duumore was such a man who, clothed with au- thority, could not but use it to his own interest, and therefore use it badly. He was a supercilious aristo- crat, without a redeeming patrician trait. He was hot-headed, stubborn and tyrannical, and was, on the whole, as unfit a man as could have been gotten to govern Virginia at this juncture. These assertions when sifted closely will not, per- haps, be literally sustained. But our ancestors, those who suffered and had cause to complain, did not dis- criminate so closely as we do. It is, in truth, not correct to say that Dunmore instigated this war, but one thing is certain, he played it and its consequences into his own hands, and for what he thought was to the interest of the king. The Indians, both before and after, opposed the advance of the whites in every direction. There was a war of the races everywhere. Every foot of ground from the James River to the Mississippi was fought tor. With all this, the loss of so many is laid at his door. We shall not enter at large into the details of the war which opened and continued through 1771, and which is commonly known as Cressap's war, or Dun- more's war, as it does not, only in a general way, con- cern our local history. Happily for our infant colony, it did not do much actual harm. But we must con- sider it in connection with the wide-spread dismay it occasioned among the defenseless inhabitants of the border, the imminent dangers which looked them in the face, and its consequent effect in alternating the relations of the people of Western Pennsylvania with the royalists. The encroachment of the whites into Kentucky and upon the lands of the Indians along the Ohio, and the influence of the Canadian traders were the general causes of the war. The Indians, from these facts, naturally regarded Western Virginia and West- ern Pennsylvania as the hive from which swarmed forth these emigrants. Redstone and Fort Pitt were the chief points at which these embarked. The first cabin in Kentucky was built by Harrod, who led out a party from the Monongahela. Both of these places had fortifications erected and garrisons kept up from the time of Pontiac's war, in 1764, to nearly this time. The Indians then watched the route which led into Kentucky, and on the little bands led out to reinforce Boone and his confederates they kept up a harassing war. And while these were the general causes, the immediate causes of this war were the instances of single murder committed, sometimes through appre- hension, sometimes in cold blood ; and this on both sides. There are instances in which the savages killed the whites, and instances in which the whites in- humanly murdered the Indians. These murders con- tinuing, both parties claimed that they were in retal- iation for murders committed by the opposite party. So far of the troubles of the border in 17":! and 1 774. Dunmore early made effort to hold the country round Fort Pitt as part of Virginia. To this end lie sent an agent into these parts to proclaim his will. This man was John Connolly, known to the early settlers and to the Indians as Doctor John Connolly. 1 He was a relation of the Governor; was a Pennsylvania!] by birth; was a notorious Tory, looking for advance- ment commensurate with his energy ; and was a will- ing tool of Dunmore, as Dunmore himself was of the ministry. In January, 1774, Connolly took possession of Pittsburgh by an armed force of militia, gotten from the south of the Youghiogheny and Mononga- hela. He came as the accredited agent of the Gov- ernor to hold this point, and to counteract the author- ity of Penn's magistrates. To the colonists of Penn- sylvania he represented that the militia musters which he was holding were for an advance against the In- dians, then becoming troublesome ; to the Indians he l This John Connolly, the Benedict Arnold of Western Pennsylvania, wns respectably connected. He was halt-brother of Gen. James Ewing, of York County, a distinguished officer in the Revolution; lie was a nephew of Col. Crogun, the Indian agent; and his wife was a daughter of Samuel Semple, Washington's host at Pittsburgh in 1770. He enjoyed, before his defection, the utmost confidence of Washington, ami of all the foremost men of Western Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. He had, after his defection, the secrets of Gage, Dunmore, Sir William Johnson, Sir Guy Carleton (later Lord Dorchester). He was on such familiar terms with all those who moved affairs in the West that he undertook to cor- rupt, at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, Col. John Gibson (uncle of Chief Justice Gibson). He had corrupted McKee, Elliott, and Girty. Of his sagacity, energy, and foresight there is abundance of testimony. He entertained great projects; one of these was to found a colony on t lie Cumberland River. He, with Col. John Campbell, owned the land upon which the city of Louisville, Ky., is built. When arrested in Maryland, with two accomplices, he had most of his papers very artfully concealed in the " mailpillion" of hi* portmanteau horse. Enough were found to condemn him, and to reveal bis purposes. While he was a prisoner, in 1777, Gen. Ewing became bondsman for Ins good behavior, and took him to his farm to regain his health; but he soon betrayed this confidence, and was recommitted to prison. In 1781, after his release from prison, he plotted an attack on Pitts- burgh and other Western posts, lie was to operate from Canada with Sir John Johnson. He had a number of blank commissions to fill iu for the Tories whom he should gather round him. He renewed his efforts against Pittsburgh in 1782, and had gone so far as to have his forces collected at Lake Chatauqua, ready for deBcent, when a spy reported that Gen. Irvine, who then commanded at Pitts- burgh, was ready. We shall see how some of his forces descended thence, and destroyed Hannastown in July of that .Mar. His last appearance was in Kentucky, in 178S, iu an effort to procure discontented spirits there to join with the Governor of Canada (Lord Dor- chester) iu the seizure of New Orleans, and the opening of the Missis- sippi to Western commerce. But be was driven ignoiuiuiously away. At last be forfeited the esteem of all Americans, and his relatives and friends deserted him. But it dors not appear that be ever repented of the treason to bis native country, but, as has been reported, held Girty In high esteem till he died. It is probable that not another example like his is to bo found in our history, wherein so much that was promising in the career of a man failed of fruition. He had ability, sagacity, influence, opportunity ; he availed himself of neither. He lived after his expatriation, and died, on the bounty of the king. His last dayB were made miserable by dis- ease and intemperance. His career may be traced through all the documentary annals of his day. For details, Sparks' " Washington," " Penn. Archives and Colonial Records." For his attempt iu the Southwest, Albach's " Western An- nals," 4'.r>, et se,-.h>hn Bedeck, Adam George, Nicholas Alliumug, Adam Uhrig, Stufei I'lidi, John Golden, Peter l" i.h, Maitiu IllintZ, Michael Konel, Ileum, I, Klcyn, Conrad Hister, Hans Guuckee, Peter Knsner, Peter Uber, John Krai. slier, Heiulich Sclimit, Jacob kuemcl, John Moffey, Adam Bricken, Peter Nanuemacher, Philip Klingelschinit, Peter Klingelschmit, Peter Allman, Amloni Altman, Jose/ph Pankkek, Brent Reis, Ilalt/er Move, Jacob llanscr, Peter Altman, Christian Banm, George Crier, Peter Rosli, Joseph Knt/., Adam Meire, Daniel Wiler, Thomas Williams, Michael Ilai/, George Mendarf, William Hanson, William Altman, Marx Bretnig, Johannes Breiuig, Samuel Lewisch, Andotly Walter, Jacob Welcker, George Bender, Nicholas Jnnt, Michael Hams, David Marshall, Heinricb Sil, Richard Archhold, Cdiifad Lincfc, Frcidcrick Marschal, Hannes Breynig, Hasper Mickendoif, Jacob Schraber, Daniel Malic., Ilciaiich Schrara, Peter Schelhammer, Jacob Mayiiu, Dewalt Mackiin, Hannes Kostwitz, Jacob Shram, Lutwig Alterjnan, Llans Sill, Jacob Stroll, Christopher Herolt, Gerhart Tarn.-. en' these names only twenty-five were written in English, the rest in German ; and, perhaps with the exception of Lafferty ami Archbold, they were all of German lineage. The names are still preserved in Hemp- field, North Huntingdon, ami Penn townships, lint the spelling has un- dergone a change, and " KleynV is now " Kline," and " Mackiin" is " Mechling." A similar petition from the county, evidently signed at llannastown, had the following signatures : Robert Hanna, Alexander Thompson, William Jack, Joseph Kinkead, Manuel Gallnher, William Shaw, William Jenkins, William Dawson, J. Donne, Joshua Archer, Johu Gothery, Joseph McGarraugh, William It is to be noticed that some of the names are re- peated in at least two of the petitions, and it has been suspected that a few of the names are not genuine : that is, there was no one in proper person to stand for the signature. What is likewise observable is that the names repeated are those of a German original. Maybe more of them might write their names than their brethren the Irish; and it might be that the signatures were signed in good faith at different times by the petitioners, with the hope of moving the au- thorities by the unanimous array of names. But feel- ing a sympathy with them at this late day in their trying times, we cannot help professing astonishment at the peculiar ubiquity of our sturdy Hutch ancestors, which allowed them to be, in time of danger, at differ- ent places at the same time. We might be led to infer that they indulged in the pleasing delusion that, being "now here, now there, now everywhere" (like the ghost in Hamlet), they might, like Paddy at Trenton, surround the Indians. McCutchin, James MeCutchin, Jeremiah Lochrey, Joseph Brownlce, Robert Taylor, John Ould, William Riddle, Hugh Brownlee, James Leech, David Ciiib blow, James Crutdilu^£etei- Cast mi, David Clutch- low, Jr., John Cristy, Joseph Shaw, David Shaw, William Nelson, John Giithrry, James Dunlap, Robert RiddTe.TTnYn Kiddle, William Gnthrey, Charles Wilson, Joseph Studybaker, William Darraugh, James Darraugh, William Thompson, David Dickie, John Thompson, John Glass, John Holmes, Charles Foreman, Samuel Miller, John Shields, Thomas Pattou, John Taylor, Samuel Parr, James Case, Adam Maxwell, William Max- well, William Bill lies, James Moore, John Moore, Thomas Bui laid ge, Mat - tin Cavanagh, Arthur Denworthy, David Larrimore, Thomas Freeman, William Freeman, James Blain, Alexander McClean, John Moore, John Nobler, William Moore, William Hamilton, Thomas Ellis, Mark Ellis, John Ellis, John Adam, Andrew McClain, Robert Bell, William Bell, William Bell, Samuel Craig, John Craig, Alexander Craig, John Cochran, James Wills, Henry McBride, Isaac McBride, James Bently, Jacob Round, Barnabas Brant, William Brant, Edward Brant, Samuel Whiteside, Sam He] Leetch, Matthew Miller, Alexander Mere, George Kian, Charles Mc- Ginnis, William Killdsey, Thomas Jack, John McAllister, Alexander Thomas, Samuel Conper, John Goiirla, Samuel Gotlrla, James Beatty, Samuel Henderson , John Br.vson, Robert Crawford, Alexander sinu-rall, . I. urns Mc'l'lrlland,. lames \\ bite, Thomas Dennis, John Shrimplcy. Rich- . Wini mi Moore, Adam Oury, John Cunningham, John Muck- mnlon, Peter Slot, William McCord, Andrew Gordin, John Muppin, John Christy, Patrick t'olgan, P. Russell, James Neilson, Abraham P.vatr, 11. Mode-ban, Joseph Thorn. Robert Frier, William Powel, William Carr, Joseph Erwill, John Brownlee, Thomas Lyon. ,A petiiioii from John Shields, on the Loyalhanna, about six mile from Greeusburg, of the same date, 1774, has the following n s: John Shields, John Nobler, John Mclnlire, David Henin, Henry Heathly, Manual Gallahan, Isaac Parr, James Parr, Samuel Pari, Arthur Denniston, Archibald Trimble, John Denniston, Lorance Irwin. John Moore, Isaac Yutingsee, Daniel McManame, Patrick Butler, Daniel Mc- Ilnde, James Blain, John Thompson, James Wills, Andrew Wills, Rob, it Bell, William Bell, Alexander McClain, Charles McClain, Thomas Bur- brldge, Andrew McClain, William Brant, Samuel Craig, John Craig, Alex- ander Craig, James Rums, John Cochran, David Shields, Thomas I 'rei man, Barnabas Brant, Edward Brant, James Bently, Jacob Round, John Moore, William Barns, William Cooper, William Hamilton, James Hull, David Loramer, John I.oraincr, Alexander Barr. Another, dated Hanna-town, but evidently signed by residents south of that place, contains, among others, Joseph McGanaugh, William Brown, William McGlaughen, Samuel McK.ee, John McDowell, David McKee, Robert McEee, James Paul, William Sampson, John Brown, Adam Morrow, John Giffen, Isaac Keeth, Dennis McConnel. George Nelson, James King, John Canan, William Shaw, Archibald beach, James Boveard, Robert Haslet, Joseph Shaw, James Westley, John ( ',,1- hoon, John Lent, Stephen Groves, John Adams, John Hays, Charles Sterret, Robeft Hays, and John Gothery, Jr. 70 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XV. DUN-MORE'S WAR. Dunmnre's War hegun by the Murder of some Friendly Indians, espec- ially Lupin's Family — Virginian Army organized — Dimmore at Pittsburgh with Connolly — Great Gathering and Organization of the Indian Tribes — The Campaign of 1774 — The Hopes of our People in Ctd. Lewis — Dunniore and Connolly want to see the Army defeated and the Indians on the Frontiers — Lewis gains the Battle of Point Pleasant — Dunmore's Treaty — Indictment: The People r.s. Dunniore — i Dnninore through Connolly Ftill tyrannizes over the Pennsylvania Settlers, many of whom talk of leaving their I Tarings— Condition of the People in 1775 — Leaders in Westmoreland in 1775 — The Military .Spirit. It is now time to return to the war itself, which, we have seen, was gathering upon the frontiers in the early part of 1774. Although, as we have said, Dun- more's war was not carried into our county, yet so intimately are our affairs connected with it that to have an understanding of them at all clear a re- hearsal of it cannot be omitted. We shall, in as few- words as consistent, briefly relate the whole cam- paign. We know, first, the apprehensions of the settlers in the Southwest. In the latter end of April a party of land adventurers, fleeing from the dangers which threatened them, came in contact with some Indians at the mouth of Captina Creek, sixteen miles below Wheeling. At about the same time happened the affair at Yellow Creek, midway between Pitts- burgh and Wheeling. At this time there was a large ] >:iity of friendly Indians encamped at Yellow Creek. The surrounding inhabitants prepared to flee. A party of these meeting together at the house of one Joshua Baker fired upon some Indians collected there. Among those who were killed were the brother and'daughter of Logan. This it was that drove this great warrior to take the war to himself. Hearing the coming storm, such settlers as could go fled to places of safety, and all the block-houses between the Ohio and the Laurel Hill were filled. When this news reached the East the colonial government of Virginia speedily organized a command for the de- fense of the frontier. An advance force penetrated into Ohio, but as they could not be supplied with necessary provisions they had to retire. The Indians followed, and the time following was a miserable one to the helpless. Logan's actions were imitated by the rest. This renowned Indian did not go with the larger bodies of Indians, but he headed a party of eight Cayuga warriors, and these had mercy on no- thing before them. He himself said afterwards that he had fully glutted his vengeance. What the fron- tiers of Virginia suffered never was and never will be told. Those even in the forts were in a confinement compared to which the confinement of a prison would be liberty. But during this time preparations were going on for the organization and forwarding of the expedition intended for their relief by the House of Burgesses. The Virginia army raised for the war of 1774 was divided into two divisions. In September the first division, under Col. Lewis, consisting of eleven hun- dred, marched from the mouth of the Little Kanawha. After a inarch of nineteen days through the wilds they erected their camp on the Ohio where the Big Kanawha empties. This place was called Point Pleasant. Here the other division of the army under the immediate command of Dunmore himself was to form a junction with the former. For reasons best known to Dunniore and his advisers it failed to do so. While Col. Lewis was awaiting word from the East, he received different news than he had expected. Lewis had reached this point about the 1st of October, and on the -9th he got word that Dunmore. instead of advancing to unite their armies, intended to proceed across the country directly to the Shawanese town, for Dunniore had on organizing his forces proceeded to Fort Pitt. He here consulted with Connolly, and had in his service such men as Simon Girty and Al- exander McKee, recognized afterwards as notorious Tories, and while here at this time it was that he further attended to the organization of his civil affairs in these parts, as has been noticed before. The Indians in the mean time had not been idle. They had organized a large and terrible army, com- prised of many nations gathered under one chieftain. These were the flower of the Indian tribes along the Ohio, — the Shawanese, Mingoes, Delawares, Wyan- dotts, and Cayugas. In number they perhaps ex- ceeded the Virginians. They were all under the command of Cornstalk, a chief of the Shawanese, and king of the Northern Confederacy. He had hesitated long in taking arms against the wdiites. He was an eloquent man, of great foresight and judgment, and as a warrior is acknowledge 1 on all sides to have been the most consummate Indian commander ever in arms against the whites. The plan of this battle was such as to reflect the highest credit on any general who had made an assiduous study of the science of war. And his arrangements were executed under his eyes with the utmost vigilance and bravery. He had brought his warriors with such secrecy and dispatch as to occupy a large half-circle across the opening where the two rivers flowed to meet each other. He then, under cover of the darkness, stretched his line of red-skinned warriors across the base of this triangle, in which triangle was the army of Virginians. Thus far without the knowledge of the whites, the savages did not count on anything but decisive victory, for their leader did not give his enemy a chance to escape, only by winning the battle. He intended to drive them into the decreasing point, and either to anni- hilate them before they could cross the rivers, or to cut them to pieces in the retreat. As for his own men, so much did he count on their bravery that he threatened to kill with his own hand any who should attempt to run back, unless lie ordered them to do so, feigning themselves defeated. This was his plan, but be had not, in truth, fully secured his position, — not DUNMORE'S WAR. 71 enough to begin the battle,— till the Virginians were warned; for when intelligence had been received by Lewis that Dunmore did not intend to advance to his support, he hastened to break up his camp, and, in pursuance of Dunmore's orders, to march to meet him in the Indians' own country. The next morning, the 10th of October, 1774, he commenced preparations to transfer his army to the opposite side of the Ohio. Scouts were early sent out along the bank of the river. Two of these, at the distance of a few miles, were surprised by a great body of Indians. One was shot dead, and the other returning reported that the savages covered acres of ground. The army was immediately ordered out, and no sooner were they formed into line of battle than they received the shock of the onpouring savages. Some of the most prominent of the subordinate officers falling early in the battle, the main body fell back towards the camp. The line of the enemy now extended almost from river to river, a gap of a small space remaining on the side next the Kanawha. But when it appeared that the Indians were the victors, a bold movement fortunately executed by the whites saved them and changed the fortune of the day. While the Indians were advancing they protected themselves by piles of logs and brush, in some places rolled before them. They held the ground thus secured all day till evening. But Col. Lewis had latterly sent out three companies under cover of the high banks of the Kanawha to fall upon the rear of the enemy. These succeeded in so doing. The Indians, intently engaged on the front, received with tremendous effect the fire behind. Thinking that the reinforcements from the settle- ments, which they knew to be coming, had now ar- rived, the Indian lines gave away. As the sun went down they retreated across the Ohio to their huts on the Scioto. The Virginians suffered a loss in dead and wounded amounting to almost one-fifth of their whole number, and it was believed the loss of Indians was in number not much less. The battle was the turning of the war, and in its results effective, for no other battle was fought till Dunmore treated with the chiefs at that memorable council where Logan, by his Patroclus (Jefferson), so eloquently spoke in his own defense. Dearly bought as was the victory, yet the complaints were loud that Dunmore made it of no avail ; for all that he gained by the conquest, which he claimed falsely as his own, were the closing of the war, an exchange of prisoners, and many liberal promises worth no more than the promises of an Indian. There was the usual amount of talk about burying hatchets, brightening chains, smoking pipes, setting suns, dear brethren, " sweet voices ;" but the frontier people, who knew whereof they spoke, said that he ought to have destroyed the Indian towns on the rivers, and pushed the tribes back into the far West, which he had in his power. Those who say that Dunmore was at this early day bidding for the assistance of the Indians as against the colonists, and instigating war for mercenary and unjust purposes, produce these facts, from which they adduce their reasons : While at Fort Pitt he associated with himself such men as Connolly the Tory, Girty the renegade, McKee the deserter; he failed to make the junction with Lewis, which was part of the plan agreed upon ; he had knowledge of the intended at- tack upon Lewis, but neither sent him word nor made an effort to assist him ; he drew all the honor of the subsequent treaty of peace between him and the con- federate chiefs to himself, although it was apparent that it was owing to the victory of Col. Lewis that they were compelled to accept terms, and not to any act of Dunmore ; that the war being but half finished, it did not gain anything, whereas the desire of the fighting men was to destroy the Indian villages, and to leave them not a harboring-place in Eastern Ohio ; from the subsequent defection of his chief and most intimate associates, as well as of himself, and the al- liance of the Indian tribes with Britain in the war which he helped to effect with the colonies; from the action of Connolly in the year following, 177") ; from the known attitude of the colonies and of England, one towards the other; for many instances cited in which Connolly tried to make the Indians believe that the Pennsylvania colonists were their enemies, and in which he appositely encouraged the whites and the Indians, regardless of consequences, to be in covert war against each other. It was late in the fall before those settlers who re- mained in Westmoreland knew they were saved from an Indian war. But their situation was truly pitiable. No sooner had Connolly returned than he continued his tyrannical acts with the magistrates and the people. So unbearable had he become that some of the ad- herents of Penn about Pittsburgh thought of leaving that place and settling at Kittanning. In November a number of armed men, under Connolly's orders, seized a Mr. Scott, acting under authority of Penn, and carried him to Brownsville, where he was required to enter bail for his appearance at the next court to be holden at Pittsburgh for Augusta County. In November another party of armed men, under Con- nolly, went to Hannastown, and breaking open the jail, released two prisoners confined under sentence of execution ; and in February of 1775 a third party went to Hannastown, again broke open the jail, and released three prisoners. Connolly was not in com- mand of this last, party, for a few days before he had started for Williamsburg, the capital of Virginia ; but it was under command of Benjamin Harrison, a son- in-law of William Crawford. There was by this time a distinctive line drawn be- tween the jurisdiction and the claims of the two col- onies, and each of these had its adherents. Many of the most prominent had not given up the hope tli:it the disturbances would be settled without difficulty, attributing that the most of the present troubles came HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. from some hot-headed and rash men. But in the state of affairs getting still more complicated, and which had called demands from the Council of the king, and advices from the ContinentaHCongress, it was not unreasonable that men of high character in every respect should be held by the ties which bound them under every consideration to their own colony. We are, therefore, not surprised to know that as stren- uously as Perm's settlers and his agents advocated their rights and his claims, so as strenuously on the other side and as naturally did such men asCrawford and Gibson_jtake the side of Virginia. In~Tannary of 1775 the Executive Council of Pennsylvania having had information that William Crawford, the president judge of Westmoreland, sided with the Virginians in opposing the justices of Pennsylvania, the Council advised the Governor to supersede him in the office of judge, which was done forthwith. But of the troubles of the settlers during the fall and winter of 1774 and 1775 these were of the least. During the preceding summer the crops had been neglected, and winter found them unprepared. At the termination of Dunmore's war a goodly number, as was always the case on the frontier, had returned to their former homes, and this accession of inhabit- ants, who were consumers and not producers, had a distressful effect. They could not have come in a worse time, for the amount of provisions gathered was barely sufficient for those that had remained. The harvest of 1774 at best had been scanty ; along the southern border it had not been gathered at all. This season came very near to what the preceding year had been to Western Virginia, a year which in their annals was long remembered as the "starving year." But with that generosity which was a noble and a prominent trait among the early settlers, each assisted the other. During this winter many must have per- ished had they not resorted to hunting, and got from the woods enough game to keep them from want. Their small supply of corn, rye, and potatoes they divided among each other. And this was but the prelude to a long era of want and privation, necessity, and constant alarm, which was terminated only with the war which secured the independence of the colo- nies. Readers of general history are well conversant with the affairs which were taking place in Massachusetts and at Philadelphia in the early part of 1775. We will pass them over with observing that they were sympathetically responded to and closely watched by our colonists. Already were some, by more ways than one, controlling the actions of all. From notice of foregoing statements it will be ob- served that the whole people, as a body, at these early times may readily be separated into two classes, be- tween which was a prominent line of demarkation. Although we alluded incidentally to this distinction before, at no other time is it more suitable to recall it than now. And this distinction is noticeable all through our early affairs, and indeed is noticeable at all times and among all people. We may call them respectively, aristocrats and plebeians, gentry and commonalty ; they are, in reality, the leaders and the followers. The class of which the county justices were the most prominent representatives, together with others who, in a military station, were equally promi- nent, deserves more than a passing notice. These were the ones who shaped the measures which received the approval of the people. As to these justices, we can at almost all times bear testimony to their integrity, and to their good, sound common sense. They reflect honor upon their lineage in the capacity of judges, the arbiters of right and wrong. But besides this knowl- edge, which it is certain they possessed, an accompa- nying and an indispensable qualification for a promi- nent man was that he have some knowledge of arms. Nearly every man of that day distinguished as a leader in civil affairs was also a military man. Indeed, from the incessant wars, to be a man dis- tinguished above the others was to be one who com- manded the respect of his followers by having dis- played more than ordinary bravery or knowledge of warfare. Of this class of men St. Clair, Capt. James Smith, ('apt. Proctor, Col. Lochry were fitting ex- amples with us; while of those at Pittsburgh, Cols. Crawford, John Neville, John Gibson may be no- ticed. To have acquired a seat in the Assembly, or a nomination as a justice of the peace, 'or of the quorum, was about as much as to say that the one so specially favored was, or had been, a leader in the militia. The military organization of the Province had been early attended to, and no less from necessity was it than from a desire of glory that every citizen had a tincture of the manual of arms and of camp disci- pline. The justices of the peace were usually officers in the militia. St. Clair, Smith, Crawford, Neville had won a sort of pre-eminence in service before they were recognized as leaders in the civil affairs. The ideas of these men at the head of our county at this conjuncture had been enlarged by connection with the more prominent men of the colonies, had been improved by observation, by travel, by reading, and by experience. So they were in manners, in informa- tion, in the possession of peculiar privileges and fran- chises bestowed by the colonial authorities, far above the great body of the people who came hither to earn their bread by drudgery, and clear a patch and rear a thatched cabin to shelter the heads of their ragged offspring ; for these people, as a class, were poor to impoverishment. They had made little advancement in refinement, they were of different and distinct nationalities. Of all the early settlers they had no special claim above the others to the boasted liberty of those born under the common law of England. But it is with a peculiar satisfaction that the West- morelander of to-day contemplates the proceedings of his ancestors in 1775. WESTMORELAND'S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, 1775. 73 CHAPTER XVI. WESTMORELAND'S DECLARATION OF INDE- PENDENCE, 1775. Congress and Ticonderoga — Westmoreland listening to tlie Guns at Lexington Common — Meeting held at Pittsburgh and ;it Hannastown, Ha] [0, 1775— What they said at Pittsburgh— What they did at Han- na-towu — Westmoreland's Declaration of Independence— Spirit of the Resolutions Adopted — who wrote tlieni — Similarity between the Declaration and the Resolutions in Expression and in Sentiment— The military idea of Resistance — Observations and Remarks ou t lie Paper — Westmoreland's Great Glory — The Regiment of Associatois. What occurred in Massachusetts after the passage of the bill by Parliament which closed Boston Har- bor, when Gen. Gage was reinforced by British sol- diers, and when minute-men were enlisting in every village, are matters of general notoriety. On the 19th of April, 1775, the men at Lexington Common laid bare their breasts to the bayonets of the soldiers of Great Britain, the representatives of an empire upon which the sun never went down. The cracking of the rifles of those yeomen " was heard the world around.'' When it echoed through these woods it reached the ears of a people who had been suffering under an indirect British oppression, and who were ready to fly to arms for a principle which they recog- nized as dear to them as their very existence, and for which they were as ready to battle as for their hearths. A thrill of sympathy went indeed through all the English-speaking people when this act was witnessed ; for there were many who, to the last moment, could not believe that actual war was imminent, and trusted that the differences between the mother and her off- spring would be satisfactorily adjusted without the intervention of anus. Now it was too late for either to retract or recede from their position without sacri- ficing on the one side their pretensions, on the other side their demands. Then the people spoke. On the same day on which Congress met from adjournment, May the 10th, 1775, Col. Ethan Allen demanded the surrender of Ticon- deroga. The organized committee had by this time extended from the North to the South. Virginia, as well as Massachusetts, was a unit in the cause of the colonies. The spirit of freedom extended to here and to the most remote colonies in the West. From the exertions of those men, who lost for a while all local prejudices and forgot all personal interests, the Wot, almost unanimously, was carried for the cause of liberty. We have not, at this day, the means of knowing who were the leaders of the others in Western Penn- sylvania, and especially in Westmoreland, in shaping the course which the others with so much honor fol- lowed ; but the facts as they are preserved in history it is our pleasure to rehearse. Of the local move- ments in the early part of 1775 we can give no par- ticulars in detail; their whisperings were lost in the great storm which suddenly broke over the land. To us it would be a great satisfaction to know how the news was carried down the slim cartway of the old Forbes trail ; how the rider, forwarded, maybe, by the committee at Philadelphia, dashed up the hill at the stockade at Ligonier, and stopped at the door of Capt. St. Clair to deliver his packet ; how the word was received by the settlers at Hanna's; how neigh- bor ran to tell neighbor the greatest news of his life. Of this we know nothing, but we know that so speed- ily flew the news, and so spontaneous was the emo- tions of surprise and of fear which it awoke in the hearts of the Westmorelanders, that on the 10th of May, four weeks after the skirmish at Lexington, a meeting was held at Hannastown, and on the same day one at Pittsburgh, in which our inhabitants par- ticipated. In these they gave expressions to their views, and in many respects the meeting held at Hannastown was the noblest ever, to our time, held in Westmoreland or in the West. The resolutions adopted at Hannastown on the 16th of May, 1775, are perhaps better displayed, as all superior excellencies are displayed, by compari- son. The meeting at Pittsburgh may be thus summar- ized. The inhabitants of the western part of Augusta County 1 meeting together, chose a committee, which committee met and resolved that seven so chosen, or any four of them, should be a standing committee, vested with all the powers of the corresponding com- mittees which had been appointed in nearly all the counties, and after resolving, — First, That the thanks of the committee were due to their represen- tatives in the Col I Council, which sat at Richmond. Second, That the committee, having a high sense nt honor in the be- havior of their brethren of New England, they therefore cordially approved of their opposing the invaders of American liberty, and urged upon each one to encourage his neighbor to follow their example. And then taking into consideration the dangers which threatened America by the attack on Massachusetts, and the dangers which threatened themselves by the action of the loyalists in stirring up the Iudians against them, they resolved, — Third, That the recommendation of the Richmond Convention rela- tive tn embodying the militia he complied with, and that the recom- mendation to raise enough money to purchase ammunition be carried into effect. Then following in a noble appeal to the inhabit- ants, in the name of God and of everything sacred, to use their utmost to assist in levying the sum, and looking to their personal security, they resolved, — Fourth, An Approval of a resolution of the committee in the other part of the county relative to cultivating friendship with the Iudians, Then it was ordered that the committee secure such arms and ammunition as they could, and deliver them to the militia officers; aud resolved, — Fifth. That a sum definite be raised by subscription for the use of the deputies sent from the colonies to the General Congress. l Representing themselves to be within the jurisdiction of Virginia. 74 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. The meeting concluded by a report of the select committee, which was embodied in the form of a cir- cular letter to the other delegates in the Colonial Congress, which statement sets forth only local griev- ances and local desires, and by an order to have the proceedings certified and published in the Virginia Gazette. On the same day, in the shade of the old forest- trees at Hannastown, met the backswoodsmen of Westmoreland. There, without any pretensions, but in modesty and with firmness, they subscribed unani- mously to a series of resolutions, the substance of which had been written in King John's great charter, and which was subsequently embodied in Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. The record of this meeting, preserved in the second volume of the fourth series of American Archives, sets forth in substance what follows: At a general meeting of the inhabitants of Westmoreland, held at Hannastown on the lfith of May, 1775, for taking into oonsideral the very alarming state of the country occasioned by the dispute with Great Britain, it « as unanimously resolved that the Parliament by several nets had declared the inhabitants of Massachusetts to be in rebellion, ami l\ endeavoring to enforce those acts the ministry had attempted to re- duce the inhabitants to a more wretched state of slavery than existed, or had ever existed, in any State or country. That not content with Violating their constitutional ami chartered privileges, they would strip them of the rights of humanity by exposing their lives to the wanton sport of a licentious soldiery, ami by depriving them of the very means of subsistence. That as there was no reason to doubt but the s me 53 B- tern of tyranny ami oppression would bo extended to all parts of Amer- ica (provided it met with success in Massachusetts), it bad therefore become the indispensable duty of every American, of any man who had any public virtue or love for his country, or any com pa-si on for posterity, i,, resist and oppose by every means which God hail put in his power the execution of this system ; and that as for them they would he ready to oppose it with their lives and fortunes. And the Letter to enable them toacc plish this they agreed to immediately form themselves into a military body, to consist oi companies to be made up out of the several townships, uiidoi an association declared to be the Association of West- moreland l ouuty. In words s.i noble was the preamble set forth, and no less happily conceived were the articles of associa- tion. They asserted that, as dutiful subjects, possessed with the most unshaken loyalty and fidelity to his kingly Majesty George the Third, whom tiny ac- knowledged as their lawful and rightful king, and whom they wished to be the beloved sovereign of a free and happy people throughout the whole British empire, they did not by this association mean to de- viate front that loyalty which it was their duty to observe ; but, animated with a love of liberty, it was no less their duty to maintain and defend their just rights, which of late had been violated by the min- istry ami Parliament, and to transmit those rights to their posterity. And for this they agreed and asso- ciated to form themselves into a regiment, or regi- ments, and to choose officers to command them ; and they promised with alacrity to make themselves mas- ters of the manual exercise, and such evolutions as were necessary to enable them to act in a body with concert: for which end they were to meet at such times and places as might be appointed by the com- manding officers; and also agreed that, should the country be invaded by a foreign enemy, or should troops be sent from Great Britain to enforce the acts of Parliament, that they would cheerfully submit to military discipline, and would, to the utmost of their power, resist and oppose them, and would coincide with any plan which might be formed for the defense of America in general or Pennsylvania in particular. They then declared, by way of extenuation, that they did not desire any innovation, but only wished to see things go on in the same way as before the era of the Stamp Act, when Boston grew great and America was happy. In proof of which they would willingly sub- mit to the laws of which they had been accustomed to be governed before that period, and even pledged themselves to be ready, in either their associate or several capacity, to assist the civil magistrates to en- force the same. Finally, when the British Parliament would repeal the obnoxious statutes, and would recede from their unjust claim of taxing them and of making laws for them iu any instance, or when some general plan of union and reconciliation had been formed and accepted by America, that then their association should be dissolved; but until then it should remain in full force; and to the observance of it they bound themselves by everything dear and sacred among men. For them there was to be no licensed murder, no famine introduced by law. The meeting ended by the passing of a resolution for the townships to meet on Wednesday, the twenty- fourth instant, to accede to the said association and choose their officers. The resolutions stand recorded without the names of the signers attached ; neither is there any positive knowledge in so many words who drew then) up. The signers without question were all l'cniisylvanians. As to the authorship, the strongest presumption — a pre- sumption almost capable of proof — is that St. Clair had the lion's share in it. The only contemporaneous documents to this time made public are two letters, both from St. Clair, written within a few days of this meeting. In the fust letter, dated Ligonier, May IS, 1775, to Joseph Shippen, Jr., the fact of the meeting is mentioned : \ " Yesterday we had a County Meeting, I have come to resolution to nun and discipline, and have formed an Association, which I suppose, you will soon see in the papers. God grant an end in.iv be speedily put to any necessity for such proceedings. 1 doubt their utility, and am almost a- much afraid of success in this contest us of being van- quished." 1 In a letter dated at the same place on the 25th of the month, when it was time some explanation should be given, Governor Penn read the following: We have nothing but musters and committees all over the country, and everything seems to be running into the greatest confusion. If some conciliating plan is not adopted by the Congress, America has seen 1 The date, or rather the word "yesterday," which is used, was evi- dently a slip of the pen. See the chapter on the life and services of St. Clair, iu which further evidence is given on this matter. WESTMORELAND'S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, 1775. 7a hergolden days; they may return, but will be preceded by scenes of horror. An aBsociation is formed in ttiis county for defense of American liberty. I got ;i clause added it by which they bind themselves to assist the . ■ i v i 1 mugistrate in the execution of tlie laws they have been accus- toincd t" lie governed by." The idioms of the old English charters; the for- mulas used by the writers on the constitution and Statutes of England; the stereotyped expressions which crop out in the declaration itself; the common law forms; in short, the strong English in which the resolutions are written, as well as the fact which he confesses to his lord paramount, the Governor himself, and the fact of his presence at the meeting, all would indicate that St. Clair had the chiefest part in direct- ing the meeting and presenting the paper. In con- sidering St. Clair as an historical character, we arc too apt to regard him in his military capacity alone, while in truth St. Clair was one of that class of men conspicuous in the Revolutionary annals, who blended a knowledge of letters with a desire for martial fame and ill' active military service. Considered in its right place, the vigor of his mind is better-displayed in his political career; for he was a man of fine literary acquirements and of strong parts, having enjoyed the benefits of a collegiate education and moving in good and polished society from early life. The meeting at Hannastown is remarkable for pro- ducing, or at least recording, such ideas as are gener- ally produced only by deliberative assemblies, in which much argument is exhausted, and in which extensive experience and research are brought to bear. The resolutions adopted by masses of people collected to gether through excitement have, usually, nothing of stability in them. Such meetings have universally been held up to ridicule, and utterances emanating from them arc seldom taken as the expressions of the people at large. Rut these resolutions are singular in this respect; and the meeting is one of the few re- corded in which cool, deliberate determination and wise counsel are expressed by a hastily collected crowd, and by men unused to legislative or parlia- mentary experience. The instrument has been called Westmoreland's 1 declaration of Independence. But it is not a decla- ration in the same sense we are to regard the great paper adopted on the 4th of July, 1776. During 1775 meetings were held all over the colonies, in Massa- chusetts and in North and South Carolina. In their expressions of sympathy many of these are identical, and they all contain expressions which could only come from a people determined to resist oppression. But in few had the idea of resistance and the theory of an American Union been so prominent. There are sentences in these resolutions and sentences in the Declaration which correspond, word for word, so that had the resolutions been written and promulgated after the Declaration the world would not have detected the sham without critically scrutinizing. But it was as earnest a State paper, and it as clearly defined their causes of complaint and showed the remedy for min- isterial mismanagement as any paper ever penned on either side of the Atlantic. Therefore we may surely say that of all the meetings and of all the expres- sions which were anywhere adopted at them none excelled the meeting at Hannastown, either in a plain statement of grievances, in the assertion of well-de- fined rights, or in intimating a plan by which these difficulties might be adjusted. The noblest idea, perhaps, in the whole paper is the idea presented in one of the resolves, which we may well believe was heartily as well as unanimously adop- ted, in which the men in their hunting-shirts, standing there together beyond the barrier of the mountains, agreed to meet death for principle. They might be subjugated, the country might be overrun by hireling soldiers, nay, the king of England might hang them, but while to the world they acknowledged his right- ful claim as their sovereign, yet they pledged their lives not to submit to a corrupt ministry or a venal Parliament that passed laws for them which the priv- ileges of the English constitution did not admit of. In the prompt manner in which the military idea was brought out we see the secret hand of men who regarded the exercise of arms as part of their legiti- mate business. Another fact discernible is the parity and the identity of interests which the colonists had with each other. On this patriotic ground slood the colonists of Pennsylvania and of Virginia. Between St. Clair and Crawford, Smith and Gibson, Proctor and Neville there were on this question no conflicting sentiments. The curiosity of the reader would be drawn to the association that day effected. The association of Westmoreland County was but an identical organ- ization which, under different local arrangements, ex- tended all over the provinces, and which was acknowl- edged as a loyal and patriotic representation at the first meeting at Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia. The regiment organized first in our own county about Hannastown was under command of Col. Proctor, and its standard, unrolled before the Declaration of Independence and before the colonics had a flag, has been preserved, and was, when the descendants of those men celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of that glorious day at Greensburg, again unfurled to their applause. The standard was of crimson silk, and had in its upper left corner the union-jack of Britain, and on its folds the rattlesnake with thirteen rattles, with the legend below, " Don't tread on me." In a half-circle above were the letters " J. P. F. B. W.C.P.," standing for "John Proctor, First Battalion, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania." 1 By Col. Proc- tor it was presented to Gen. Craig, and in his family it has been treasured, along with the sword which the general carried through the Revolution, as a sacred heirloom. 1 Tliis reminds one of the "S. P. Q. It." on the standards of the Prtc- toiian Guards, 76 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. The regiment did not serve in the Continental ar- mies under that organization, but most of those who had been active in forming it served in various ca- pacities, and the associators becoming a regular mili- tia organization by act of the General Assembly, many of the officers were retained, and promotion within its ranks was regular. Some of the men, how- ever, enrolled that day lived through that long war to tell their battles o'er again, and some died heroically on the fields, on the retreat through Jersey, at Brandy- wine, and with Greene in the South. As for those men who signed the Great Paper, at the last they were scat- tered all over America. Most of them were free- holders, some were not; but as for all, they had no nationality but the brotherhood of man, no inherit- ance but the love of liberty, and nothing in common but the traditions of freedom. So in death they had mi burial-place in common, unless it was the common earth, and on Decoration Day the little children with garlands and miniature flags do not know where they lie in the old graveyards. Their grassy mounds are scattered over the hills and valleys of Westmoreland, along the Ohio and the Delaware. Some have tried to throw a doubt upon the original- ity of these resolutions, asserting, without proof, they were plagiarized. Could these make out a claim as to the insignificance of the characters who wrote and signed them, such position might be met with the ob- servation of a writer of great authority, and one of the closest observers of the characteristics of men. For the great Plutarch, entering upon the life of Demos- thenes, pays a noble tribute to virtue and to the nat- ural ability of man. He ridicules the notion that only great men have been born and bred in large cities and in famous places, mid. declares that virtue, like a strong and hardy plant, will take root in any place where it can find an ingenuous nature and a mind that lias no aversion to virtue and discipline. Therefore, if our sentiments or conduct fall short of the point they ought to reach, we must not impute it to the ob- scurity of the place where we were born, but to our little selves. Thus common sense, no less than phi- losophy, tells us that the woods of America, us Locke puts it,' produce men who, in parts and in natural abil- ities, an- the equals of men born in the capitals of Europe. 2 1 " Essay on the Unman Understanding." - For the text ut these resolutions, see Appendix B. CHAPTER XVII. CIVIL AFFAIRS IN WESTMORELAND ON THE EVE OF THE REVOLUTION. Public Affairs — Connolly and Dunmore etill Scheming: — Connolly tries to carry the Pennsylvania ami Virginia Officers for the King — His Plan to effect this, and to hold the West for Dnnmore — "Exeunt Omnaa — Boston Harbor closed — Call for a Sleeting at the State-House, July 1."., 1774— Ilanna and Cavett as Deputies— William Thompson on the Committee of Safety — The Associators— Edward Cook andjames Perry Delegates to the Convention of 1776— Spei ial Law allowing West- moreland Electors to vote for Members "1" the Convention — The County divided into Two Districts for this Election — One District North and one South of the Youghiogheny— Their Election Officers — Members returned to the Convention of 1776 — All Male Inhabitants subject lo Military Service, and required to take the Oath of Allegi mice — Frame of Government for the State adopted — John Proctor elected first Councilor — Archibald Lochry, the first County Lieu- tenant, succeeded hy Cook and liy Col. Campbell — Duties of the County Lieutenant — The West to take care of Itself— British Influence over the Indians— Hatred between the Indiana and the Western Virginia Settlers. During 1775 events followed each other with rapidity. In June the battle of Bunker Hill was fought, which separated forever the colonies from the government of England. Tut the loyalists were everywhere and in every manner actively engaged in stirring up dissension amongst the colonists to carry with them the interests of the king. From Withers' "Chronicles" we have the statement that in July of 1775, Connolly presented himself to Dnnmore with proposals of a character to be heartily indorsed by the Governor. Dunmore acquiesced in Connolly's plan, and, as it, was in his power, offered solid bribes to such officers in the Virginia militia as were loyally inclined, and upon whom he thought lie could depend. These were to co-operate with Con- nolly. Connolly's influence further among the Indians was known to be powerful. The agent went to I len. Gage at Boston, and disclosed to him the plans fixed upon between himself and the Governor, lie was then made colonel of a proposed regiment to be raised on the borders of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Those belonging to it were to be mustered in in the interest of the crown. The plan itself was that these were to proceed to Detroit, then held as a British military post, where they would be supplied and equipped. Then with the co-operation of the Indians, all under command of Connolly, they were to rendezvous at Fort Pitt. From Fort Pitt he was to march through Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, and form a junc- tion with Dunmore in the April following, 1776. Such was the scheme, but it was frustrated by the taking of Connolly and by the subsequent withdrawal of Dunmore. Connolly was arrested in the latter part of November, 1775, at Fredericktown, Md. He was kept in confinement, and by an order of Congress sent to Philadelphia for security. When nothing more could be apprehended front his mischievous actions he was released. He retired to Canada, where he lived on the bounty of the English government, and there it is said he died. But it must not be CIVIL AFFAIRS IN WESTMORELAND ON THE EVE OF THE REVOLUTION. omitted that towards the end of the Revolution he made another effort to get the Virginia officers in the West to resign from the colonial and Continental service and raise the standard of a second revolt. Among others, he tried, with many offers, to prevail upon Col. John Gibson. A doubt was at one time thrown upon the patriotism of Gibson, but this doubt has long since been entirely dispelled. Among those who did remain loyal to the British, and became traitors not only to their country but to their race, were Girty, McKee, and Matthew Elliot. These were mixed up in Connolly's plan, and some time subsequent to this, being apprehended as ene- mies, were kept in confinement at Fort Pitt, from which they made their escape, and ever after re- mained in open hostility against the colonists. Connolly and Dunmore were carried away in that wind which blew over the country in 1775. Glad are we to get rid of them with but one more observation. As to Connolly — a man in a secondary position to Dunmore, as Dunmore was in a secondary position to the ministry — to him, it may be said, the people of Westmoreland and of the West owe in a great meas- ure their political independence. He was to the people west of the Alleghenies in general, and to the people of Westmoreland in particular, what Gage was to the people of Boston. There is no question- ing the influence which he left in these parts derog- atoiy to the interest of his master. For years the names of both were detested. Perhaps had it not been for such men as Connolly and Dunmore, West- moreland would not have been so patriotic and so outspoken in her subsequent resolves and measures. While these notices refer to general history, we must not forget that the domestic troubles were not yet adjusted. The calm and patriotic men who then passed to the head of affairs in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and whom to name without eulogy is honor enough, regarded these frequent collisions as un- worthy the citizens of two great commonwealths. The noise had reached the Continental Congress, and had attracted its notice. On July 25th the delegates, among whom were Jefferson, Henry, and Franklin, united in a circular urging the people in this region to a mutual forbearance. They recommended that all armed men kept by either party should be dis- missed, and that all in confinement or on bail should be discharged. Although, as Craig says, the only armed force kept up was by the Virginian authori- ties, it was so worded to avoid invidiousness. But on the 7th of August, perhaps before the circular had reached the Provincial Convention of Virginia, it passed a resolve which directed Capt. John Neville, with his company of one hundred men, to take possession of Fort Pitt under pay of the colony. Neville did so, and St. Clair, in a letter to John Penn, expressed his apprehension. With a forbear- ance under this infraction which is worthy of honor- able mention, the Penns acquiesced. Neville occu- 6 pied this post not so much as a Virginian as an American, and under direction of the Congress kept it secure to the interests and the cause of the colonics in general. Neville commanded at Fort Pitt till 1777, and settling there became identified with the future prosperity of the city of Pittsburgh, and with (he history of the union by his connection with the Whiskey Insurrection. The spark that kindled the flame was the Boston Port Bill. On the loth of May, 1774, the town of Boston resolved "that if the Other colonies would unite with them to stop all importation from (.treat Britain and the West Indies until that act should be repealed, it would prove the salvation of the colonies." The act was to go into effect on the 1st of June, and when that day came it was observed throughout the colonies as a fast day. While the excitement consequent on this measure was growing, the Com- mittee of Correspondence for the city of Philadelphia sent out a circular to the principal citizens of the dif- ferent counties, saying that "the Governor, declining to call a meeting of the Assembly, renders it necessary to take the sentiments of the inhabitants ; and for that purpose it is agreed to call a meeting of the inhabit- ants of the city and the counties at the State-House on the 15th inst., Wednesday, July, 1774." This call was signed by Charles Thompson, clerk of the first Continental Congress. On these suggestions meetings were held in most of the counties, and especially where the Scotch-Irish took the lead. Deputies were chosen from every district in the Province, and these as- sembled at Philadelphia on the day fixed. To the com- pany of such illustrious men as sat in that convention Westmoreland sent Robert Hanna and James Cavett. These men talked with Thomas Mifflin and Joseph Reed, and joined in the resolutions of that body, and in the instructions which were gratuitously proffered to their representatives in Assembly. They further sub- scribed to an essay which came from the scholarly pen of Dickinson on the abstract nature of liberty and privi- leges, and on the king's prerogatives, and which was illuminated with copious extracts from Burlamaqui, Montesquieu, and Blackstone. Hanna had been an innkeeper, and Cavett stood so high that he had been elected one of the first county commissioners. They received their latter honor by the suffrages of the people at a special election. They were then, without dispute, fully capacitated to consider of the learning of Queen Elizabeth's chief justice, and advise the deputies to the next Congress to abate from Great Britain a renunciation of all powers under the statute of the Thirty-fifth, Henry VIII., Chapter II., of in- ternal legislation and of the imposition of taxes. Congress, at its session in May, 1775, resolved to raise a Continental army. Washington was appointed to command the forces of the colonies. The quota of Pennsylvania was fixed at 4300 men, and the Assembly recommended to the commissioners of the several counties to provide arms and accoutrements for this HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. force. They also directed the officers of the military association to select a number of minute-men equal to the number of arms they had, to be ready to march in case of emergency on the shortest notice. To assist in carrying these measures into effect a Com- mittee of Safety was appointed. William Thompson, who had been the first person returned to the As- sembly at the election in 1773, was of this committee from Westmoreland. This Committee of Safety prepared articles for the government of the associators. Thus the associators, at first merely a voluntary association on the part of those who entered it, was by a resolution of the As- sembly which required all able-bodied men to belong to the military organization, made a compulsory militia. The assessors of the several townships were required to furnish the names of all persons of mili- tary age capable of bearing arms. On those who had not joined the associators a sum of two pounds ten shillings, besides the regular tax, was levied. By one of the articles for the government of this military body passed by the Assembly, if one of the associators called into actual service should leave a family not able to maintain themselves in his absence, the jus- tices of the peace, with the overseers of the poor, should make provision for their maintenance. Towards the close of 1775 a further demand was made mi the State for four battalions; and of these, ; served as justice of the peace sub- sequent thereto, and from 17S7 to 1790 whs a member of tlw General Assembly, in which he opposed the calling of the Constitutional Conven- tion of 1790. He was, however, an associate judge of Westmoreland County iimler that constitution, and in Lb02 signed a remonstrance against the impeachment of Judge Addison, then president judge of the district. On the organization of Armstrong County, Judge Ban* was in the new county, ami was appointed one of the commissioners fur laying; out the town of Kittanutng, (he county-sent. He was appointed one >>f the first associate judges nf Armstrong County, an office which lie filled until his death, which occurred May 11, 1824. Edward Cook, of Westmoreland County, was born in 1738, <»f English parentage, in the Cumberland Valley, on tiie Conococheague, then in Lancaster, now Franklin County, Pa. In 1772 he removed to tlie '"Forks of Yough," between the Monnnguhela and Tough iogheDy Rivers, now Fayette County, and betweeu that date and 177n built a stone house, yet standing, wliere he lived ami died. When lie first settled in the western part of the State he kept a store, farmed, had a still-house, and owned Blaves. He was a member of the Committee of Conference which met at Carpenter's Hall, June is, 177<;, and of the Convention of July 1-"., 177d. In 1777 he was appointed by the General Assembly one of tin' ■■ mis- sioners from this State to meet those from the oilier States, which as- sembled at New Haven, Conn., Nov. 22, 1777, to regulate the prices of commodities. In 1781 he was in command of a battalion of rangers for frontier defense. He was suh-lieiiteuant of Westmoreland County, 1780 -81, ami lieutenant .Ian. 5, 1782, which latter office he held at the time of the erection of Fayette County in 17S3. On Nov, 21, 17S(i, Col. Cook was appointed a justice, with jurisdiction including the county of Wash- ington, and Aug. 7, 1791, associate judge of Fayette County. II <■ w ,is ; t man of influence, and during the Excise troubles in 1794 was chosen chairman of the Mingo Creek meeting, and was largely instrumental in allaying the excitement, and thus virtually ending the so-called Whiwkey Insurrection. Col. Cook died on the 28th of November, 1803. His wife was Martha Crawford, of Cumberland, now Franklin County, sister of Col. Joeiah Crawford. She died in ls<7, Hged uiuetj -lour years, in the old stone house into which they moved, as she always said, in "inde- pendence year." Col. Cook had but oue child, James Crawford Cook, Who whs horn in 1772, and died in 1848, Janus Smith, of Westmoreland County, was horn in Cumberland, now Franklin County, Pa,, iu the year 17 ;7. At the age of eighteen (17"'.">j he was taken captive by the Indians during their marauds on tin 1 frontiers subsequent to the defeat of Bnulilock, was adopted into one of their families, and accompanied them in all their wanderings until Ins escape in L759. He returned to the Conococheague early in 17t;o, wliere lie set I led at his old home. He was leader of the famous " Black BoyB" of 1703 ami 1769; served as a lieutenant in Bouquet's expedition against the Ohio Indians in 17(14. ami in 170fi went on an exploring excursion into Southern Kentucky. After the peace of 1708 he removed to West- moreland County. In 1774, during Dunniore's war, be was appointed captain of a ranging company, ami in 1775 major in the associated bat- talion of the county, He was a member of the Convention nf July 10, 1776, and chosen to the Assembly in 1770 and again in 1777. During thi> latter year lie was in command of :i scouting-paity in the Jerseys, and in 1778 commissi 1 colonel in command on the frontiers, doing excellent service in frustrating the marauds of the Indians. At the close of the Revolution, Cul. Smith removed to Kentucky, Bottling in Bourbon County. In 17ss he was elected a member of the Convention which assembled at Danville t<> confer about a separation from the state of Virginia, and from that year until 1799 he represented the county either in Convention or Assembly. In 1810 he published two pamph- lets against the Shakers, — " Shakerism Developed 11 and "Shakerism De- tected,' 1 — and in 1812, " A Treatise on the Mode and Manner of Indian War," with extracts from his journal of his captivity. He died in Wash- ington County, Kw, in the summer Of 1*12. For sketch of life of John Moore, see notes to Chapter XI. John Curmichael, of Westmoreland County, was a native of Cumber- laud County, Pa., ttorn about 1751. Previous to 177") he had settled in what is now Franklin township, Fayette County, on the waters of Red- stone i 'reek, about eight miles from Col. Couk's, where he erected a oath, ;i copy of which is given in Note 1, \>. 78, ami be- sides discussing the plans ami perfecting the measures necessary to the adoption of tin- constitution, assumed the supreme authority in the State. 1 That the dele- gates went beyond the scope of business intrusted to them by the people, ami for which they had been couvened, was not at the time questioned, but it after- wards was, without avail, for the people themselves ratified and sanctioned what was done. The old As- sembly, in interest with the proprietaries, made a feeble remonstrance against the actions of the Conven- tion, but it was too late, tor the old was rung out with the bells swinging in the steeples on the Fourth of July. This body, therefore, among other matters, appointed a Committee of Safety to discharge the executive duties of the new government, approved of the Declaration of Independence, and appointed justices of the peace, who before assuming official functions were each required to take an oath of renunciation of the king's authority and of allegi- ance to the State, resolved that Pennsylvania was thenceforth a free and independent State, put forth a bill of rights, formed a constitution, and declared a plan or frame of government for the Commonwealth. The constitution went into effect on its adoption. Sept, 28, 177(5. The Legislature had previously, about the middle of June, made provisions for the enrollment mill ami still-house. He was elected a member of the Convention of .Inly 15, 1770, and of the Assembly in 1777. He died in L7UU, leaving a w blow and two smis,— James ami Thomas. James Perry, of Westmoreland County, located at an early period on Monongahela River, at the mouth of Turtle Creek, ju-d above what is known as Fra/.er's cabin, where he took up a large tract of land. He was a member of the Provincial Conference held at Carpenter's Hall June 28, 1770, and nf the Convention of .Inly loth following. From March 21, 1777, to the close of the Revolution In- served ns one of the sub-Hcuteuauts of Westmoreland County. Of his subsequent history all inquiries have failed to elicit nnj information, 3ave that he removed either to Kentucky or Missouri :it a very early day. John McClelland, of WfBtmoreland County, was born in Lancastei County, Pa., in 17:i4. He emigrated to what is now Fayette County prior to 177C, aud took up a tract of land in Franklin township. Hi- was a member of- the Convention of July 15, 1776, ami of the General Aesem- i \ of L77S. He was in active service on the frontiers during the Kcv- olntion, ami was captain in the First Battalion of Westmoreland militia ai tie- close of the war. IF- figured with some prominence in the Whiskey Insurrection, during its closing scenes, as chairman of the committee appointed by the meeting at ttedstone to confer with the commissioners of the United stales and State of Pennsylvania. He died un his farm in February, 18 in. Gen. Alexander McClelland was bis am. Christopher Lobeugier, of Westmoreland County, the son ol Christopher L ibengier, a uativeof Wittenburg, Germany, was born in Lancaster, now Dauphin County, Pa., in the year 17 in. He removed in the spring of 1772 to Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland County. He served on the Committee of Correspondence for the county, 1775-7G; and was chosen » member of the Convention of July 1ft, 1776; and under the constituti f 1790 was a membei of the House of Representatives from 17;i ! to 179.J. He died on the 4th of July, 1798. Mr. Lobengier married, in 17G6, Eliza- beth, daughter of Rudolph Miiller, by wliom he had four song and rive daughters. She died at Stoystow n, Somerset Co., Pa., Sept. 5, 1815, aged seventy-one years. John, the eldes} son, was I the assoi iate judges of Westmoreland County, and served in the General Asscml '■ Israel Painter and Gen. C. P. Markle, of "Webtmoreland, are descendants of Christopher Lobengier. — Article* in "Pennsylvania Magazine,*' by Dr. Wm. 11. Egle. ' M nutes of Provincial Conference, &c., and Pennsylvania \i bives, sci "i.d series, vol. iii., historical note. 83 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. of all persons fit Cor military duty. The test oath, which was a general one, was a measure considered necessary to restrain the insolence of the Tories, a name applied in general t<> those who were loyally inclined to the old proprietaries or to the crown. By this enactment all wdiite male inhabitants of the State above the age of eighteen years, except of the counties of Bedford and Westmoreland, should, be- fore the first day of the ensuing July, 1777, and in the excepted counties before the first day of August, take and subscribe to, before some justice of the peace, the prescribed form of oath. On all wdio ne- glected or refused to take the oath severe penalties were imposed by law. Nearly all wdio took a promi- nent patt in the Revolution subscribed to this oath. These subscriptions are not at present accessible. We have inserted all the nanus we have yet found 1 in the Appendix (which see). The religious test was dispensed with at the adoption of the constitution of 17'.io. By the plan or frame of government adopted for the Commonwealth by the Convention of 1776, 2 the su- preme executive power was vested in a President and ( Jouncil, and the Council was to consist of twelve men, distributed over the State, of which Westmoreland was allowed one, to be chosen by election. John Proctor, wdio had been appointed by the proprietary the first sheriff in 177M, was elected the first councilor, and as such continued from March 10, 1777, to Nov. 18, 1777 ; he was succeeded by Thomas Scott, who was settled in the region afterward incorporated into Washington, and whose name frequently appears in the history of that county, he being their first mem- ber of Congress under the Federal Constitution. Scott was councilor from the time when Proctor ceased to be one to Nov. 13, 1780, a period of three years, and the time limited for any one to remain in office continuously." Under the new state the military affairs were care- fully attended to and made more efficient. To facili- tate the system, and to give even to civil affairs a martial aspect, several offices were created, the hold- ers of which | ossessed extensive powers delegated to them. The chief of these was that of county lieuten- ant. This officer was the chief military officer in the county, and he had both civil and military duties. He distributed arms and clothing among the assoeia- tors, the Council drew upon him for the amount of the assessments for the army, he could order the militia to any point in time of danger, he could hold courts- martial ; his authority, indeed, in these matters was bounded only by the Council itself, or was in abey- ance whilst a regular officer in the Slate or Continen- tal service was in command over his district. Archi- 1 Forformof oath see Notel,page78; for list of subscribers see ap- pendix to Chapter XVII,, " A." -• Conveutli.nsat from July 15, 1776, t.i Sept. 28, ITTr.. iii let of councilors and other early officers, including officers of rii court, etc., see Appendix "D." bald Lochry, one of the Scotch-Irish settlers, and a neighbor when at home of John Proctor, was the first county lieutenant, coming to office March 21, 1777. His time of office was most critical and trying to the fullest, and although he necessarily got into some altercations with officers wdio wanted to divide their authority, yet he showed great energy in watch- ing and holding the frontiers during those perilous years from 1777 to 1781. That he was a responsible man, and that the officers of the government and the people had confidence in him, is apparent from this, that he remained in office till his death. He not only directed many small expeditions into the coun- try of the Indians towards the north, but himself headed many others, and in the outskirts beyond the settlements they guarded the cabins of the settlers behind. He left his bones, with other of his comrades, at the Miami River in Indiana, where he, leading his Westmorelanders to join Clark, was surrounded by innumerable warriors and killed. Edward Cook was Loehry's successor, and he was in office Jan. 5, 17S2; he held part of the time under a special commission, and did not remain in office long, for he was identified with Fayette and Wash- ington, the latter by this time erected. Cook, how- ever, enjoyed the favor of holding commissions in both, and ex officio a justice of the peace in all at the same time. Cook's successor was Col. Charles Camp- bell, an active military man, and wdio was a repre- sentative man and a mouth-piece somewhat later. He was often heard from during the troublous times of 1791 and 1702. He was an early settler in Indiana County when it was of Armstrong township, West- moreland. He lived at Black Lick. He in his day did well, serving his country and generation with watchfulness. Some local information can be gath- ered from his correspondence, and if a person should see a few of his letters in print he could readily find their fellows, for he spelled as an old Indian-fighter would spell, began every second word with a big letter, and after telling the true state of the " froon- tiers," signed, with the conventional urbanity of the old time, " With The Greatest Hon'r. Your Most Obt. Hbl. Svt, &c." At the same time the office of sub-lieutenant was created, hut the office being deemed not necessary was soon after abolished. Pennsylvania was thus fully committed to the cause of the colonies. With them all it now was to do or die; it was either the crown or the halter. Hence- forth during all this eventful era all history of a local character is more or less connected with the history of the confederated government. Nor can our nar- rative dining this time be given with any degree of pre- cision or connection. Natural barriers separated the East from the West. The Atlantic seaboard furnished the armies then in actual service, although recruits from the west of the mountains were in the early ['art, of the war forwarded to protect the larger cities from WESTMORELAND IN THE REVOLUTION. ,-1 the invaders, but thenceforward to a great extent the West was left to take care of itself. Early in the war the British had made a department, with headquarters at Detroit. They had still retained their ascendency over the Indians, an ascendency which had been secured by the most influential man ever employed to effect alliances with them, Sir William Johnson. This influence was yet kept up by the profuse use of money, the distribution of arms and necessaries to the tribes, by the standing reward for scalps, and the influence of renegade whites who remained loyal to the kingly government, and who did not take part with the cause of the colonies. But even had the same influence been exercised by the Continental Congress it would not have had the same results. The American settler had been brought up from his childhood, or at least from early manhood, to regard the Indian as his greatest foe. Nor would an alliance with these have been acceptable to many, even had such an alliance been effected, such were the feel- ings of hatred indulged by most of the Western set- tlers, although it was not wise, nor politic, nor con- sistent with the pretensions and the motives of the general government in them to harbor such feelings. CHAPTER XVIII. WESTMORELAND IN THE REVOLUTION. Fii-st Battalion directed to be raised in Pennsylvania for the United Colo- nies — Capt. John Nelson's Company from Westmoreland — Ordered to Canada — Services of this Company — Second Pennsylvania Battalion under St. Clair — dipt. Willinin Butler's Company, and Capt. Stephen Bayard's Company — History of (he Services of this Battalion in t!ie Expedition into Canada, and in the Retreat to Ticonderoga — The Third Pennsylvania Regiment formed out of Saint (lair's Battalion— Memo- rial of the Officers of the Third and Ninth Pennsylvania Regiments- Sketch of Capt. James Chrystie, and of Thomas Butler— Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment — Its History — Capt. Joseph Erwin's Company — Their Gallant Services at Long Island — The Company Incorporated into other Commands — State Regiment of Foot — (apt. Carnalian — ('apt. Soitt's Company — The Second Pennsylvania Regiment— Condition of the Westetn Frontiers at the Beginning of the Revolution — George Mor- gan. Indian Agent at Fort Pitt— Eighth Pennsylvania Regi nt raised by Authority of Congress— Directed to he raised in Westmore- land and Bedford Counties — Seven Companies raised in Westmoreland — Its Officers— Mustered into Service for the Defense of the Frontiers —They receive Orders from the Board of War to join Washington- Letter from Col. Mackay to President of the Board — Letter from Lieut. -Col. George Wilson to Col. .lames Wihon — They set out for New- Jersey— Their Terrible March— Their Condition on their Arrival at Headquarters — Hon. T. Pickering's Mention of their Distressful Con- dition—Change in the Officers of the Regiment — Return of June, 1777— Different Returns of 1777— Engagements of the Regiment— Their Losses and Casualties — Valley Forge — Regiment ordered to Pittsburgh in 1778 — Col. Brodhead, With the Regiment, makes a de- tour up the West Branch — Remains of the Regiment Btatiuned at Pittsburgh — Extracts from the Order-Book of the Regiment — Mor- gan's Rifle Regiment — Character ami Object of the Organization — Its Officers — Their Services at Saratoga— Col. Richard Butler second in command — Capt. Van Swearingen— First Lieut. Basil Prattler- — Second Lieut. John Hanlin — Anecdote of Van Swearingen — His Subsequent Career — Stony Point — Its Position and Importance— Washington de- termines to Capture it if possible — Confers with Gen. Wayne — Col- Richard Butler commands one of the Detachments who are detailed for this Service — They carry the Fort at the Point of the Bayonet — Arthur St. ('lair's first Services in the Revolution — Biographical . Sketches ill ('"I. .F.noas Mackay— Of Col. Stephen Bayard— Of Lienl - ('..I. G.-orge Wilson— Of Col. Daniel Brodhead— The Fighting Bullets : Thomas, Si*., Richard, William, Thomas, Jr., Percival— Othei Mem- bers of the Butler Family— Anec"" l --s—( 'ol. James Smith— Col. .film Gibson. On tlie 12th day of October, 177-J, the Continental Congress passed a resolution requesting the Assembly or Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania to raise one battalion for the services of the United Colonies, mi the same terms as those which had been ordered to be raised in New Jersey, and to be officered in like manner. The captains were recommended by the Pennsyl- vania Assembly on the 25th of October, and com- missioned by Congress on the 27tb. Capt. John Nelson, of Westmoreland County, having in the mean time enlisted a company of inde- pendent riflemen, composed for the most part of Westmorelanders, had offered his services to Congress. Congress thereupon, by a resolution dated Jan. 30, 177n the 6th of May, Lieut.-Col. Allen, with the S icond, had passed Deschambault, in Canada, and was within three miles of Quebec, where he met Gen. Thomas with the army retreating from Quebec. The expedition into Canada was a failure. After one of the most daring and energetic marches through the wilderness and into the very heart of the civil- ized portion of that province, and after the capture of their city and citadel, the inhabitants proved recre- ant, failed to rise up, as had been anticipated, and declare their independence of the British crown, and instead of turning upon the British troops they turned upon the Americans, whom they treated as invaders. Under this state of affairs the Americans could not hold what they had captured. The army of the col- 1 See Appendix " F" and "G." onies, then in Canada, had begun their retreat towards the River Sorel. On the 15th of May, 1776, Thomas, the commander of the expedition now after the death of the young Montgomery, arrived at Three Rivers I Trois Rivieres). Here he bad about eight hundred men. He left the command here to Col. Maxwell, and con- tinued on to the Sorel. The River Sorel flows from Lake Champlain, in New York, to the St. Lawrence, in Canada. From his position here he issued an order to Maxwell to abandon Three Rivers. This Maxwell did, and with the rear of his army reached the line of the Sorel on the 24th of May, 1776. Col. Thompson and Col. St. Clair crossed over from Chambly to Montreal, and left the latter place for the Sorel on the 16th. On the 24th, Gen. Thompson was in command there. The British were in pursuit with a largely superior force. On the 2d of June, Gen. Thompson sent Col. St. Clair from Sorel with over six hundred men to attack the camp of Col. McLean, who had advanced as far as Three Rivers with eight hundred British reg- ulars and Canadians. Gen. Sullivan was at Chambly on the 3d (Jane), and reached Sorel on the 4th. Gen. Thomas, the commander-in-chief, having died on the 2d, Sullivan assumed command on the fourth day after his arrival. On the 6th, Gen. Sullivan ordered Gen. William Thompson to march, with Col. Irvine's and Col. Wayne's battalions, with the companies of Col. St. Clair's battalion which were then remaining at Sorel, and with them to join St. Clair at Nicolctte, where he was to take command of the whole party, and, unless he found the number of the enemy at Three Rivers to be such as would render an attack upon them haz- ardous, he should cross the river at the most conven- ient place he could find and attack them. He ad- vised not to attack if the prospect of success was not much in his favor, as a defeat of his party at the time might prove the total loss of that country! Something further wdll be said in another place of the brilliant and entirely successful attack on Three Rivers, in which St. Clair distinguished himself. The imminent danger, the toil, the incessant labor, and the glory of that affair were partaken of and shared by those Westmorelanders wdio followed St. Clair and Butler; and this night foray anil attack has been regarded and treated by all the historians who have written of the expedition to Canada as one of the most brilliant episodes of it. The British army, however, were gradually pressing back the invader-s. They, with an army much supe- rior in numbers to the Americans, composed of regu- lars, Canadians, and Indians, were under the command of Burgoyne; ours was now under Sullivan. When the great historical story of the Revolution shall have been written it will be seen that no cam- paign of the Seven Years' war was fuller of glory, of military heroism, of bravery, of instances of fortitude, or of hardships encountered and surpassed, and of WESTMORELAND IN THE REVOLUTION. S3 obstacles overcome, than that expedition which, after having taken the capital of the British provinces in the north, walked backwards, their faces and their bay- onets towards their enemies, through the winter snows, through the deep, dark wilderness, and through the marshes of Southern Canada and Northern New- York. The rear of the army, with baggage and stores, reached St. John'son the 18th of June (1770). They were embarked, and moved up the Sorel the same after- noon. The head of Burgoyne's column entered St. Johns on the evening of the 18th, and Gen. Philips' advance-guard on the morning of the 19th. On the 19th, general orders at Isle Aux Noix directed the commands of De Haas, Wayne, St. Clair, and Irvine to encamp on the east side of the island. Isle Aux Noix proved very unhealthy. Many of the soldiers while there were down sick, and many died. On June 13th one woman from each company of the Pennsylvania battalions who had been left at Ticonderoga were drafted and immediately sent to the general hospital at Fort George to nurse the sick. On the 27th of June, at Isle La Motte, all the army took vessels for Crown Point, which they reached on the 1st of July (1776). Gen. Horatio Gates arrived here on the evening of the 5th, superseding Gen. Sullivan in command. On the 7th, at a council of war, it was determined to remove the army to Ticon- deroga. The battalions of Cols. De Haas, St. Clair, and Wayne arrived there on the 10th. The army was brigaded by Gen. Gates on the 20th, and the four Pennsylvania battalions were made the Fourth Brigade, Col. Arthur St. Clair commanding. On August 24th, St. Clair's battalion numbered 429 rank and file, 161 sick, total officers and men 485. On the 6th of September (1776), Lieut.-Col. Hart- ley, who was in command at Crown Point, desired Gen. Gates to send him eitherGen. Wayne's battalion or the Second — St. Clair's — and he would defend it with them against any attack whatever from the enemy. But Gates gave him positive orders to re- treat if the British reached that point. But the season was too far advanced for the British to make any further progress. After threatening Ti- conderoga they retired into winter-quarters. On the 18th of November, Gen. Gates, putting Gen. Wayne in command of Ticonderoga, proceeded with the larger part of his army to join Washington. The three Pennsylvania battalions whose time would expire on the 5th day of January, 1777, agreed to remain until they were relieved by other troops. On the 29th of November the Second, commanded now by Col. Wood, numbered four hundred and twenty- six officers and men. On the 4th of December, Col. Wayne writes to the Committee of Safety : " The wretclied condition the battalions are now in for want of almost every necessary, except flour ami bad beef, is shocking to humanity, and beggars all description. We have neither beds or bedding for our sick in lay on or under other than their own clothing, no tnedii ine in i'-ui- iiirn suitable for them; the dead and dying lying mingled together in our hospital, or rather house of canmge, is no uncommon sight. They are objects truly worthy of your notice, us well as ol your most obedient, humble servant, Ant'y Wayne." On the 24th of January, 1777, the Second Bat- talion left Ticonderoga, with Gen. Wayne, for their homes. Many of the privates of the Second re enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment. While these companies were at Ticonderoga, the Declaration of Independence, which had been passed on the Fourth of July, was read to the men drawn up in line on the morning of the 17th. By them it- was received with loud cheers. Lieut.-Col. Allen, of the Second Battalion, left the service on account of the Declaration. He, however, afterwards again en- tered it. THIRD PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT. The Third Pennsylvania Regiment in the Conti- nental line was formed on the basis of Col. St. Clair's Second Battalion, in which were the two original companies of Capt. Butler and Capt. Bayard. It was recruited in December, 1776, and January and February, 1777, and arranged in the Continental service March 12, 1777. The compilers of the New Series of Pennsylvania Archives state that no returns of this regiment have been found, and, with the ex- ception of a few letters that incidentally relate to the regiment, nothing exists upon which to base an ac- count at length. The health of Col. Joseph Wood, who was in com- mand of the battalion, was impaired by wound.-, re- ceived in the Canada campaign, and this induced his resignation. After Capt. Butler accepted the position of lieuten- ant-colonel in Morgan's rifle regiment, the command of his company devolved on Capt. James Chrystie, who succeeded him. Col. Thomas Craig succeeded to the command of the regiment, retiring only in January, 1783. By the various arrangements in the Continental establishment, the different companies were from time to time transferred to other regiments, and the officers were given different commands. Most of Capt. Butler's men re-enlisted under Capt. James Christie into the Third Pennsylvania. We gather these facts from a "Memorial of the Third and Ninth Pennsylvania Regiments," 1 dated Lan- caster, 3d February, 1778, and addressed to the presi- dent and members of the Executive Council, and their services may be traced up in the context. The paper set forth that they, the captains in their re- spective regiments, reported agreeably to instructions, and that they laid before that body the distressed situation of their corps for want of every article of clothing ; the men were barefooted, naked, and mis- erable beyond expression, several brave soldiers 1 In Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, vol. iii. p. 1C9. 84 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. having nothing else than a piece of old tent to shield them from the inclemency of the season, and not more than one blanket to six or perhaps eight men. Very few, indeed, were in anywise fit for duty, the clothing of both officers and men having been lost in the course of the campaign, particularly twice, in consequence of general orders for storing them at Concord and at Wilmington, and their blankets lost in the several actions they had had with the enemy. These regiments, with the Sixth and Twelfth Penn- sylvania Regiments, were attached to a division com- posed chiefly of Jersey troops, under the command of general officers not belonging to the State, and these general officers were allowed to have a prefer- ence to soldiers from their own State. • We have also noticed that Capt. Samuel Miller and Adjt. Crawford, from the Eighth Regiment, and Col. Brodhead were ordered on recruiting service from camp at Valley Forge, Feb. 10, 1778. The stations for the recruiting-officers in Westmoreland were at Capt. Francis Moor's, Capt. James Carnahan's, and Lieut. Joseph Brownlee's. The recruits were ordered twenty dollars bounty by Congress, and one hundred dollars by the State, and the county furnishing the recruits had to furnish the money to pay them. The most of these men who went out at the first call and survived either remained in the Continental service till the war was over, or, coming back here after they were discharged from the command of Col. Brodhead, took part in the defense of the frontier. This they did by enlisting in the militia for short campaigns, or by joining independent companies of rangers for the protection of the posts. On the 17th of January, 1781, the Third was re- organized under Col. Craig, and after recruiting at Easton, accompanied Gen. Wayne upon the Southern campaign. Of the officers of the regiment wdiose names we are familiar with as Westmorelanders are Capt. James Chrystie, Capt. Thomas Butler, Lieut. Daniel St. Clair, Capt. Samuel Brady, Lieut. Ebenezer Denny, besides Col. Richard Butler and Lieut.-Col. Stephen Bayard. Capt. James Chrystie (sometimes the name appears as "Christy") was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1750; came to Pennsylvania in 1755, and settled in Westmoreland before the Revolution, and there he died. On the discovery of Arnold's plot at West Point, he was detailed specially by Gen. Washington to visit all the posts. He served until the end of the war. and was said to be the oldest captain in service except one. He was the father of Lieut.-Col. James Chrystie, of the Fifteenth United States Infantry, who distinguished himself at Queenstown in the war of 1812. They were both dead in 1824. Capt. Thomas Butler, at the battle of Brandywine, received the thanks of Gen. Washington on the field for rallying a detachment of retreating troops. He was major at St. Clair's defeat, and had his leg broken by a ball, and it was with difficulty that his surviving brother, Capt. Edward Butler, got him off the field. In 1794 he was promoted lieutenant-colonel commandant to sub-legion, and in 1802, on reduction of the army, he was continued as colonel. He died Sept. 7, 1805, aged fifty-one. Daniel St. Clair, son of Arthur St. Clair, died in Mifflin County, Feb. 13, 1833. Of those others we shall recall them again. PENNSYLVANIA RIFLE REGIMENT. The Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment and the Penn- sylvania Regiment of Musketry were embodied strictly for the defense of the Province of Pennsylvania by the House of Representatives, at the suggestion of the Committee of Safety. The House acted promptly in considering the matter, and on the 4th of March, 1771!, appointed a committee to prepare an estimate of the expense of levying a body of one thousand five hundred men, victualing and paying them for one year. On the 5th of March, on the report of the com- mittee, the House resolved to levy and to take into pay fifteen hundred men, officers included, and that the men be enlisted to serve until the first day of January, 1778, subject to be discharged at any time upon the advance of a month's pjiy to each man. On the 6th of March they determined that one thousand of the levies should be riflemen, divided into two battalions of five hundred men each,. the remainder to be a battalion of musketmen. The two rifle battalions were to have one colonel, each bat- talion to consist of six companies, to be officered with one lieutenant-colonel, one major, six captains, eigh- teen lieutenants, etc., and the battalion of musket- men to consist of eight companies, officered by a colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, eight captains, etc. Samuel Miles was commissioned colonel of the rifle companies, and Samuel Atlee colonel of the battalion of musketmen. Nearly the whole of the rifle regi- ment was raised in about six weeks, and rendez- voused at Marcus Hook for service under Washing- ton, who then had possession of New York and Long Island. To this rifle regiment belonged the company of ('apt. Joseph Erwin, which was raised in Westmore- land, and contained some of the best fighting blood there. This company joined the regiment at Marcus Hook. They were two years' men. Erwin was ap- pointed captain on the 9th of March, 177(1, and his commission, as were those of all the other officers, was dated on the 6th of April, 1776. 1 The company served in this regiment until it was transferred to the Thirteenth Pennsylvania, from which it was transferred to the Second Pennsylvania, and was finally discharged at Valley Forge, Jan. 1, 1 See Appendix " II." WESTMORELAND IN THE REVOLUTION. 85 177S, by reason of the expiration of its term of en- listment. On the 2d of July, 177(3, the rifle regiment to which they belonged was ordered up to Philadelphia, and on the 4th one battalion, under Lieut.-Col. Brodhead, ordered to Bordentown, N. J., and on the 5th the whole regiment marched for Trenton, and from thence to Amboy, on the eastern shore of Jersey, under orders to join Gen. Mercer. This it accom- plished on the 16th. Col. Atlee's battalion arrived on the beach at Amboy on the 21st. Col. Miles was ordered over to New York on the 10th of August, and Col. Atlee on the 11th. On the 12th they were brigaded with Grover's and Small wood's regiment, under the command of Brigadier Lord Stirling. On the landing of the British army on Long Is- land, which they did in great force and in brilliant martial array, Col. Miles was ordered with his rifle regiment to watch their motions. He took up a position near the village of Flatbush, where the Highlanders then lay, but these moving away the next morning after to Lord Howe's camp their place was supplied with the Hessians. On the 27th of August, 177G, was fought the battle of Long Island, so disastrous to the Americans. There Howe, Clinton, Cornwallis, Von Heister, with the most perfectly equipped and appointed army then in the world, the largest British army that ever appeared in the field against the Americans, com- posed of regulars, marines, Hessians, ami sailors, ten to one, sometimes twenty to one, circled round, attacked and drove in the ragged, ill-fed Continentals and militia under Washington, Stirling, Putnam, Sullivan, and Miles. At one time in this engagement Col. Miles' two battalions of riflemen (to which belonged the West- morelanders under Erwin), Col. Willis' Conuuecticut, and a part of Col. Lutz's battalion of the Pennsyl- vania Flying Camp were opposed to the whole body of the British army, it being round them in a con- tracting circle, from which they fought their way back with loss but with untarnished glory. 1 The bravery of the men under Brodhead is spoken of with pride in Col. Miles' report of that engage- ment, and particularly when they succeeded in push- ing their way across a mill-dam under a heavy fire, in which some were shot and others drowned, but which did not deter the rest from rushing on and driving the Hessians before them at the point of the bayonet. That whole battle, as it raged round the Pennsyl- vania militia at that point, is graphically told by Col. Miles in his report. He says, — "The main body of the enemy, muter ttie immediate command of Gen. Howe, lay about two miles to my left, and Gen. Grant, with another body of British troop*, lay about four mi lee on my right. There were several small bodied of Americans dispersed to my right, hot not a man 1 Journal of Col. Samuel Miles; Penn. Arch.. 2d series, vol. i. p. 517, etc. to my left, although the main hody of the enemy lay t y left. This was our situation on the 2i',th of August. About one o'clock at night, Gen. Grant on the right and Gen. Howe on my left began their march, and by daylight Grant had got within a mile of our intrenchments, and Gen. Howe had got into the Jamaica road, about two miles ft ur lines. The Hessians kept their position until seven in the morning. As soon rs they moved the firing began at our redoubt." He thus closes his report : "Finding that the enemy had possession of the ground between us and our lines, an.] that it was impossible to cut our way through as a body, I directed t lie men to make the best of their way as vv ell as they could ; some few got in safe, but there were 159 taken prisonetS. I "as myself ent rely cut oft' from our lines, and therefore endeavored to con- ceal myself with a few men who would not leave me. I hoped to remain until night, when I intended to try to get to Hell Gate and cross the Sound; but about 3 o'clock in the afternoon was discovered by a party of Hessians and obliged to surrender. Thus ended the career of that day." 2 In the action of the 27th of August the rifle regi- ment and musketry battalion were so broken up that Gen. Washington ordered the three battalions to be considered as a regiment under the command of Lieut. -Col. Brodhead, — the lieutenant-colonel of the rifles, — until further orders. On Thursday, September 19th, the three battalions mutinied and appeared on the parade under arms. After this many of them deserted in parties with their arms. " Their complaints were want of pay, want of clothes, the want of blankets, and the not receiving the particular species of rations; . . . a very great cause of desertion was owing to the loss of their field-officers." But of these deserters, many of whom subsequently returned and did good service, few if any were Westmorelanders. 3 By a return dated Sept. 27, 1776, the three bat- talions were then in Gen. Mifflin's brigade and sta- tioned at Mount Washington. On the 5th of October the Council of Safety deter- mined that the three battalions should be arranged as follows : two were to be on the Continental establish- ment, and to serve during the war, the other to be retained in the service of the State until the 1st of January, 1778, unless sooner discharged. This last was to consist of ten companies of one hundred men each, officers included. This they intended ordering home as soon as the condition of the Continental army would admit of it, as they were by arrangement to keep twelve complete battalions in the Continental 2 Idem. From Coi.. Atlke'8 Journal, Penn. Archives, N. S., vol. i., p. 51.3 : "I fully expected, as did my officers, that the strength of the British army was advancing in this quarter with intention to have taken this Kout to our Lines, but how L'reatly were we deceived when intelligence was received that the Centre, composed of the Hessians and the Right wing, were rapidly advancing by our Rear, and that we were nearly surrounded. " This we were soon convinced of by an exceeding heavy Fire about a mile in our Rear, no Troops being in that Quarter to oppose the march of this Grand Body of the British Armj hut Col. Miles' 2 Battalions of Rifle men. Col. Willis' Regt. of Connecticut, and a part of Lutz's Bat- talion of Peima. Flying Camp." See also Col Miles' Journal, Penn. Arch., N.S., pp. l-5'22. 3 Many marked in some of the old lists as deserters were long after drawing pensions.— See Penn. Arch., New Series, iii. p. 197, et seq. 86 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. service. This regiment was thereafter known as "The Pennsylvania State Regiment of Foot." On the 25th of October, Capt. Erwin's company, which remained in the State establishment, was con- solidated under an arrangement then made with other companies, and some of the officers of that company were promoted and transferred to other regiments. Those promoted mostly went into the Continental establishment. But the remains of these battalions thus consolidated followed the fortunes of the Conti- nental army. They served in nearly all the battles of the campaign of 1777. STATE REGIMENT OF FOOT. In April, 1777, the Pennsylvania State Regiment of Foot, founded upon the remains of Miles' and Atlee's battalions as a nucleus, was supplied with field- and staff-officers. The remains of Capt. Erwin's company, under James Carnahan, who had been promoted captain from first lieutenant, was connected with this regi- ment until the campaign of 1777 was over and the army entered Valley Forge. Erwin had been pro- moted to a captaincy in the Ninth Pennsylvania in the regular line. We give the roll of Capt. Carnahau's company as it was mustered at Red Bank, May 9, 1777. ' Of this regiment John Bull was appointed colonel, Lewis Farmer lieutenant-colonel, and John Murray first major, on May 2, 1777. On the 2d of June, 1777, the regiment was stationed at Fort Mercer. On the 6th the Supreme Executive Council pre- sented a memorial to the Assembly stating that — '■ Aj Congress had allotted twelve regiments to be raised in Pennsyl- vania, ml lias called for a return of the regiments, it was their opinion tliat it would l»e Imprudent to put into tlie Contineutal service ami |iay the battalion now called 'Tlie State Battalion, 1 which lias been raised chiefly mil nf the remains of tlie battalions lately under the command of Col. Proctor, ami tlie company under tlie command of Capt. Pugh, raised for guarding tlie Powder Mill." In compliance with this memorial the Assembly, on the 10th of June, 1777, transferred this regiment, with the artillery company and regiment and company mentioned, to the Continental Congress. When Col. Bull was appointed adjutant-general of the State, June 17, 1777, Col. Stewart succeeded him in command of the regiment. ('apt. Carnahan's company was the tenth in a re- turn of the regiment on the 20th of June. Col. Walter Stewart took command on the 6th of July, 1777, and commanded the regiment at Brandy- wine and at Germantown, where its loss was 16 killed and 22 wounded. By resolution of Congress, Nov. 12, 1777, Col. Stewart's regiment was to be annexed to the Penn- sylvania line and form the Thirteenth Regiment, The Thirteenth in the Continental line was under Col. Stewart from Nov. 12, 1777, to July 1, 1778 ; but 1 See Appendix "I." it was known as early as July 6, 1777, as the Thir- teenth Pennsylvania Regiment. Although the regi- ment was incorporated into the Second Pennsylvania on the 3d of April, 1778, the arrangement did not go into effect until July 1, 1778. Capt. James Carnahan was then transferred to the Eighth Pennsylvania. 2 As there were some Westmorelanders in ( 'apt. Scott's company in this regiment, we give the com- pany roll. 3 THE SECOND PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT. The Second Pennsylvania Regiment was in the Continental service from October, 1776, to Nov. 3, 1783. The names of those Westmorelanders who were of this regiment appear on its returns during the latter part of the war, they being transferred on enlisting for the war to that regiment. Most of the Westmorelanders who fought and fell as privates in the latter and closing campaigns of the war were with this regiment, and the list, imperfect as it is, contains many names familiar to the last generation, wdio passed their last days here. They were under Wayne and Greene in the South, and took part in the en- gagements in North and South Carolina, at Guilford Court-House, at Ninety-Six, and at Yorktown, There are no complete lists of this regiment; those which were in existence were destroyed by the fire at the city of Washington, and by the burning of the public buildings, when the city was captured by the British in 1814. CONGRESS AND THE WESTERN INDIANS. When the Revolution commenced the most appar- ent danger menacing our people was from the Indi- ans, although a perpetual menace was maintained by the intrigues of the British in Canada, they waiting for the most favorable opportunity to invade that part of the colony west of Laurel Hill. It was the daring ambition of Connolly to wrest from the colonies the western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia. In an effort to do so the objective-point must be Pittsburgh, When it was seen that the inhabitants of these parts were not disloyally inclined, and that the plan itself was impracticable, the British resorted to control the Indians to their advantage, at the same time calling to mind the deep-seated enmity between them and the border settlers of Virginia. The most warful tribes at this time occupied the river borders of Ohio, and the hunting-grounds and fishing-places of the North western Territory, having been driven thither by lung wars, by specious treaties, and by their natural instincts. Congress early perceived the necessity of securing the alliance of the tribes, or at least of effecting their neutrality. In April, 1776, Col. George Mor- 2 Capt. James Carnahan was drowned in the Allegheny River, 17S6-87 ; bo was father of the late Dr. Carnahan, president of Princeton College. a See Appendix " K." WESTMORELAND IN THE REVOLUTION. 87 gaii was appointed Indian agent for the Middle De- partment, of the United States, with headquarters fixed at Pittsburgh. Trouble was apprehended, and in the fall of 17711 a committee appointed by < 'ongress, and stopping there for that purpose, came to the con- clusion that an Indian war with the colonists was in- evitable, tracing the immediate causes of it to the un- bounded influence of the British Governor Hamilton over the Shawanese and Delawares. This committee recommended that all the militia that could bespared go into garrison at Fort Pitt, and that the line of forts long before erected by the French, and after them held by the English, be manned and armed. EIGHTH PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT. The Eighth Pennsylvania was thereupon raised under authority of a resolution of Congress, dated July 15, 177(1, for the defense of the western frontier, to garrison the ports of Presque Isle, Le Bceuf, and Kit- tanning. It was to consist of sev en co mpanies from Westmoreland and one from Bedford. XTn July 3D, 17767 the Convention of Pennsylvania, then sitting, having recommended for field-officers Col. vEneas Mackay (written McCoy), Lieut.-Col. George Wilson, and Maj. Richard Butler, they were elected by Con- gress. Congress having resolved that the committees of the counties in which the companies were to be raised should name the company officers, and they having named them, Congress, Sept. 14, 177*5, ac- cepted them, and ordered commissions. On the 23d of September, Congress elected David McClure chap- lain, and Ephraim Douglas quartermaster. Nov. 23, 1776, Congress directed the Board of War to order the regiment to march with all possible expedition, by the nearest route, to Brunswick, N. J., or to join Gen. Washington wherever he might be. The regiment on being raised was mustered in at Pittsburgh, and remained on duty along the frontier of Pennsylvania during that summer and the early part of the fall. But when the American army under Washington, greatly diminished in numbers, prepared to face the large levies landed at New York from England, there was a wild cry to forward all troops that could be spared to the front. When the orders from the Board of War were re- ceived by Col. Mackay, the larger portion of the regi- ment was stationed at Kittanning. Under date "Kit- tanning, the 5th December, 1776," Col. Mackay writes to the President of the Board of "War: "Sir, — I hist night received your order from the Honorable "the Board of War, in consequence of which 1 have this day issued tin- necessary orders, ami shall march with all possible dispatch to the place directed. ... I have ordered a general rendezvous on the 15th instant, at a proper place, and from thence bIi-iII proceed as ordered. As I would not choose that the battalion should labor under every disadvantage when at Brunswick, being now in need of everything, I shall be obliged to make Philadelphia my route in order to be supplied." In the day-book of the company, which subse- quently fell into the hands of Judge Veech, under date of Dec. 5, 177('>, is this entry : "This day received intelligence for the battalion to inarch to Amboj ." The crotchety Scotch-Irishman, George Wilson, lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, of the same date, writes the following to Col. James Wilson. 1 We preserve all the characteristics of the letter : "KBTANXAN, Deer. 5th, 1770. " Dr. Colonai.l: Last Evening we Reed Marching orders, Which I must say is not Disagreeable to me under y Sircumstances of y times, lor when I enterd into y Service I .lugded that if a neeesity appeared to call us Below.it would be Don, therefore it Dont comeoii me By Surprise; But as Both y officers and men understood they Were liaised for y« Defence of y e Weste.au frontiers, and their faniellys and Biibstance to be left in so Defenceless a situation in their abstence, seems to Give Seusable trouble, altho I Hope We Will Get over it, By leaving sum of ower trifeling Officers Behind who Pirtend to Have more Witt than seven men that can Itendera Reason. We ale ill Provided for a March at tins -easoii. But there is nothing hard under sum Sireum-lanecs. We Hope Provision Will be made for us Below, Blankets, Campe Klltbs, tents, arms, Regementals, etc., that we may not Cut a Dispisable figure, But may be Enabled to answer y e expectation of ower Couiitre. " I Have Warmley Recomended to y otlieeis to lay aside all Personnll Resentments at this time, for that it Would be coustmed By y« Worald that they made use of that Sircumstaiiec to Hide themselves under from y cause A y 4 conutrie, and I hope it Will have a Good Kneel at this time. We have ishued y Neceserey orders, and appointed y° owt Parties to Randezvous at Hunows Town, y loth instant, and to March Enieditly from there. We have Recomended it to y B Militia to Station One Hundred Men at this post untill further orders. "I Hope to have ye Plesure of Seeing y Soon, as we mean to take Philadelphia in ower Bout. In y e mean time, I am, With Esteem, your Harty Wellwisher and Hide Sort. G. Wilson." Up until the 5th of December, 1779, the regiment is styled in the receipts ''the Battalion commanded by Col. Eneas Mackay." In those of Dec. 5, 1776, it is first styled "The Eighth Battalion of Penna. troops in the Continental service." The regiment marched from Kittanning on the 6th of January, 1777, and entered upon that wonderful march across the mountains of Pennsylvania, over the Delaware, into New Jersey in the depth of the win- ter. From this they suffered more terribly than from any battle. Some died on their march. When they came to Trenton Col. Mackay died, and at Quibble- town, N. J., their lieutenant-colonel, Wilson, died. Here the men were down with fevers and putrid sore throat, contracted from the exposure of their terrible march. 2 In the "Life of Timothy Pickering," vol. i. p. 122, is the following reference to the Eighth Pennsyl- vania : "March 1, 1777, Saturdat. " Dr. Putnam brought me a billet, of which the following is a copy : '"Dear Sir, — Our Cat ta lion is so unfortunate as not to have a Doctor, and, in my opinion, dying for want of medicine. I beg you will come down to-luorrow morning and visit the sick of my company, for that favor you shall hare sufficient satisfaction from your humble servant, James l'igott, Capt. of S Batt. of Pa, Ouibleb.wn, feb. 28, 1777.' " I desired the Dr. by all means to visit them. They were raised about the Ohio, and had travelled near five hundred miles, as one of the sol- diers who came for the Dr. informed me, for 150 miles over mountains, never entering a house, but building fires and encamping in the Snow, Considerable numbers unused to such hardships have since died. The Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel among the dead. The Dr. informed me he found them quartered in cold shattered houses," etc. 1 Archives, Second Series, x. p. 041. 2 See sketch of Col. iEueas Mackay, iufra. 88 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Col. Mackay and Lieut.-Col. Wilson having died, under the arrangement of March 12, 1777, Daniel Brodhead became colonel, Richard Butler lieutenant- colonel, and Stephen Bayard major. 1 When Morgan's rifle command was organized, Lieut.-Col. Butler was made lieutenant-colonel of it, and Maj. James Ross, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, became lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth in place of Butler. According to a return signed by the latter June 9, 1777, the number of men enlisted between the 9th of August and the 16th of December, 1776, was six hun- dred and thirty; enlisted since the 16th of December, 1776, thirty-four; making a total of six hundred and eighty-four. The strength of the respective compa- nies then were: Rank and Sergts. Kile. Capt. David Kdgore 3 55 I apl Samuel M Her 4 82 ('apt. Van Sweariugeu ;; 71 Capt. .lumps Pigntt. 4 56 Ciipt. Wendel Ourry. 4 "»4 Capt. Andrew Maun 4 58 Cap! Jane's Montgomery 2 hi Capt Michael rlnffhnele 4 70 Onpt. Lieut. John Kuih-v 2 77 Capt, Lieut. Basil "rather. :j 09 From the total thirty-six were deducted as prisoners of war, fourteen missing, fifty-one dead, fifteen dis- charged, otie hundred and twenty-six deserted. Lieut. Matthew Jack, absent from April 13th, wounded; Ensign Gabriel Peterson, absent from April 17th, wounded; Capt. Moses .Carson, deserted April 21st; First Lieut. Richard Carson, deserted ; Aquilla White, ensign, deserted February 23d; Joseph McDolo, first 1 Sec Appendix "L." B0AKD OF WATt TO COL. DANIEL BRODHEAD. " rr.WA. Board of War, Phii.a.. March 31, 1777. "Sin, — By a letter from his excellency General Washington we are informed (hut, viz.: 'By the promotion of Major Butler, and death of the Colonel anil Lieutenant-Colonel, tin- Eighth Regi nl of your State is ler sidered the elite of the army, and Wash i til: ton rhose them for Lis design against stony Point and Verplank's Point. To Anthony Wayne Washington gave the command of this corps, July 1, 1779." Wayne on the clay after be took command recon- noitred the post, accompanied by Col. Butler and Maj. Stewart, of the Pennsylvania line, in whose command there were, as we have seen, some West- morelanders. Stewart, was a brother-in-law of Wayne, an Irishman by birth, and was considered the hand- somest man in the Continental army. Wayne's ardor and confidence were somewhat diminished by his observation, and he reported to Washington that the British works on the western side of the Point, which only they had seen, were too formidable to storm with any hope of success. He suggested that a surprise might be effected, and at his solicitation Washington rode down to his camp, and carefully reconnoitred the works on the 6th of July. There were many Tories in the neighborhood, and the garrison were on the alert. The works at StODy Point embraced a series of redoubts on the summit of the rocky peninsula. A line of felled trees, their tops outward (called in military parlance an abatis), had been laid across the Point from north to south, and this was defended by four companies of regular in- fantry, one of Loyal Americans, and a detachment of Royal Artillery. A second row of abatis was formed across the peninsula where it slopes towards the cause- way on the western side, and was defended by three re- doubts manned by two companies of infantry and two ofgrenadiers. At five different points pickets were sta- tioned, and the batteries commanded every approach. They might enfilade any advancing column. The whole force was under command of a trusted soldier, Lieut.-Col. H. Johnston. They were ready for an at- tack from the whole Continental army. Alter his reconnoissance, Washington prepared to surprise the fort, and from his headquarters sent in- structions on the 12th of July, which were more in the form of suggestions, but which Wayne entirely carried out. After determining to surprise the garri- son, he moved from his encampment, about fourteen miles from the fort, about noon, July 15, 1779. Three of the four regiments, those of Butler, Meigs, ami Febiger, were with him, and an additional force of light infantry and artillerymen to man the guns when captured. Their route was rugged and in some places almost impassable. They passed the south side of the Donderberg while a heavy thunder-shower was raging on its summit and beyond. They delayed until night- fall before they came out of the mountain region. Every dog found in their way as they approached the river was killed to prevent an alarm. At 8 o'clock in the evening the whole party rendezvoused about a mile and a half below Stony Point. In the gloom Wayne arranged his forces for the attack. They were in two columns. At the head of the right column, and twenty paces from it, 150 men, led by Lieut.-Col. De Fleury, were posted, and just in advance of these were a " forlorn hope" of 20 men to " remove obstruc- tions and secure sentinels," commanded by Lieut. Knox, of the Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment. At the head of the left, in like manner, was posted an ad- vance-guard of 150 picked men, under Maj. Stewart, and a forlorn hope of 20 men, led by Lieut. Gibbons, of the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment. Meanwhile Wayne had made a final reconnoissance, retired to a house to get supper, made his will, wrote a letter to his brother-in-law, and intrusted his papers to a mes- senger. At half-past eleven o'clock the silent march began. The sky was dark with clouds. Wayne was at the head of the right column. A friendly negro, " Pom- pey," guided Knox at the head of the forlorn hope. Two stout men were with the negro. This " Pompey" brought fruit and eatables to the garrison, and they all knew him, and had given him the countersign. He approached the sentinel and gave the counter- sign. While " Pompey" was talking with him his two stout companions sprang from the gloom, seized and gagged the soldier. The sentinel at the causeway was served in the same way. When the tide ebbed so as to allow a passage of the causeway the columns divided. Col. Butler's regiment passed the causeway in water two feet deep. So the tide was not yet down, for Wayne's column had to pass through the water of the marsh to gel on the beach. It was past midnight. They were dis- covered and fired upon by a picket-guard. The gar- rison flew to arms. The assailing column was now under the walls of the fort. They pressed on in solid order in the face of a tempest from muskets and ar- tillery. Every ledge of rocks above the ascending column was surrounded by British infantry, who poured clown an incessant storm of bullets, taunts, and imprecations. But the column under Wayne's directions advanced slowly but surely, step by step. They did not fire a gun. They turned the abatis, pushed on towards the breastworks, cut and tore away the palisades, and cleared the chevaux unmure's expedition to the Shawanese towns. At the outset of the Revolution he was appointed to the command of a Continental regiment, where he served with the army in New York and in the retreat through the Jerseys. During the latter part of the war he was in command along the western frontier. A controversy arising between him and Brodhead, growing from the claims of each to precedence, was finally settled by the government interposing and superseding both by Gen. Irvine, 17!~d. Gibson was then known as colonel of the Ninth Virginia. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1790, and subsequently a judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of Allegheny County. He commanded a regiment in St. Clair's expedition in the West, and was major-general of the militia during the Whiskey Insurrection. In 1800 he was appointed by Jefferson Secretary of Indiana, which office he held until it became a Stale, and ill 1811, 181:2, and 1813 was its acting Governor. He was the uncle of Chief Justice John B. Gibson. These lists and rolls which we give in the text and in the appendices do not contain the names of all those who saw service from our county, either whose homes were here during the time of the war, or who stihse- quently came into the county. Those wdio fell in the battle-fields all over the country are not there. Those who dragged their torn limbs home to die in their native valleys are not there. The heaths of New Jersey from Paramus to Freehold, by a line encircling Morristown and Bound Brook, were in the summer of 1777 dotted with graves of the Eighth and Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiments. An historical note touch- ing on this subject says, — " These regiments from the frontiers of the State, Westmoreland ami Northumberland, was the first of the linn in the field, though they had come from the Monongiihela and the hend-waters of the Sil6qtiehiu At ltrandyw ine the Penn-j lvunians lost heavily in officers and men, so at Gerntantov, n." L So there were frontier settlers of Westmoreland who could to their children recount the disastrous march from Long Island, the glories of Princeton and Germantown, and the sufferings of Valley Forge ; and there were Westmorelanders as well who had a life-long recollection of the sufferings of the Jersey prison-ships. Such were the men and their services that West- moreland furnished to the cause of American inde- pendence. But unfortunately the student of our local history will have less data to work from when he in- quires into the history of the services of those men, ami tries to arrange in order their achievements, wdio took upon themselves the defense of the cabins and posts, the women and children of those others wdio from necessity were compelled to remain upon the frontier in their homes and abiding-places. No books or writings contain a continuous narrative of services, or even to any great extent record their names. Their services are only to be gathered from the incidents which are preserved in our local reminiscences, per- sonal recollections, and State archives; and their memories have been held sacred and inviolate for the most part by traditions and episodic narratives. In the treatment of this subject we shall, in another place, so far as we tire able, do justice to their patri- otism and devotion. In the Appendix- will be found some rolls of some of the militia who served on the frontier in the early days of the war. 1 For an example: George Frederick Sheibler,of Hempfield township, wiio died Fel.. 28, 1S4S, aged seventy-nine years seven months and one day, and who had been a resident of the county for fifty years, had en- listed in the Continental army when on'v fifteen years old. He was lakfn prisoner by the British at Clint lestown, Mass., and shipped on board a British frigate to the We-t indies, lie escaped from tin- vessel w hile it was lying at Kingston, Jamaica, but was recaptured; but after again escaping, with many adventures be regained the United States. S See Appendl*. " M." BORDER WARFARE AND CIVIL DISSENSIONS. 97 CHAPTER XIX. BORDER WARFARE AND CIVIL DISSENSIONS. Indians in 1770 and 1777 — Effect of Savage Warfare on the Whites — White Renegades ami Deserters : Qirty, Mi Kee, Elliott — Depravity of some Whites on the Frontier — Murder < ftariwk.v /*' Officer.? /tor/.tr.T (i I. i/it ft ft ' (jn/f/f/ffiicfrtio/i tri/ft ///i in/ 'i in/ ft 1/ fast at' ft ffittr) : FORTS, BLOCKHOUSES, AND INCIDENTS OF WARFARE. 103 The only way of entrance to the fort was through a large and very heavy gate hung on iron hinges, which in time of danger was keptelosed and guarded. A narrow ditch, left when the earth was thrown against the wall on the outside, was not intended merely to hold water, although it is said to have been frequently tilled with water from a race leading from the creek. Il is not to be presumed that this was of much utility for either defense or ward. 'When the regular garri- son was withdrawn the inhabitants of the valley kept the structure from falling into ruin, and occupied it during the Revolutionary war. It appears that < 'apt. Samuel Shannon, a father-in-law of Col. William McDowell, both of them Revolution era, was intrusted with the supervision of military affairs at the most critical times along from 1777 to 1780. The following extracts from authentic documents are not only interesting memorials of the early Fort Ligonier, but give some account of affairs happening in its vicinity which have not found their way into any general history of which we have knowledge. From Col. Miles' Journal we quote: "In the year 1758 the expedition against Fort rtuquesne, now Pitts- burgh, was undertaken, and our Battalion joined the British army at Carlisle. At this time Ca pt Lloyd h ad I n pro ted to the rallk.of Id. Col., hut retai ] 1 1 is . ipany iif which t had t Ik- a mi tin ml as Capt. Lieutenant, A was left some time in command ol' the garrison at Ship- pensburg. On my marching from thence with a brigade of wagons un- uVm- my charge, at Chamber's al t eleven miles from Shippeusburg, the men mutinied, & were preparing to march, lint by my reasoning with them at the same time threatening them, tho most <>f them consented to re- sume their march to Fort Louden, where Lieut. Scott was with eight or ti-u i on ti t liV pay. While the at my lay at Ligonier, we were attacked by a body of French & Indians, .V I was wounded in the foot by a Bpent ball. ... Ill the year 1759, I was stati -d at Ligonier, A hull 25 men picked out of two battalions under my command, Ac" ' The following account of an engagement here during the French and Indian war is from a communication from Adam Stephen to Brig. -Gen. Stanwix, July 7, 1759: 2 " Yesterday (.Inly 6, 1759) nhmit one o'clock the s.-mits ami Hunters returned to camp .V icpoited that they had not seen the least sign of the enemy about; upon which, in compliance with Majr. Tnllikin'e request, Isent Lieut. Blaine with (he Royal Americans to Bedford, and as the party was hut small, ordered a sergeant A eighteen chosen woodsmen to conduct him through the woods, to the foot of Laurel Mill on the W-st Bide, with directions to return to camp without touching the road. "About three quart ers of an hour after the detach men t had marched the enemy made an attempt to sin prise the post. I cannot as eitain their numbers, but am certain they were considerably Bnperior to ours. At &HSt 1 imagined the enemy only intended to amuse the garrison whilst they were engaged with Lieut. Blaine's party, hot finding the place in- vested in an instant, & the enemy rush pretty briskly, I began to enter- tain hopes of their safety, A was only anxious for the sergeant & eighteen men. "The enemy made an efTort from every quarter, but the fire on the first redoubt was hottest, and in it Capt. .Tones was killed. " We are extremely obliged to T.t. Mitehelson of the Artillery, for his vigilance and application. After a few well placed shells & a brisk fire from the works, the enemy retired into the skirts of the woods, a con- tinued their fire at a distance till night. "The Sergeant (Packet, of the Virginians) returned about sunset without seeing an enemy until he came within sight of the fort. Tho 1 Arch., 2d sei ies, 55'i. - Archives, vol ri. OSS. party behaved well, fought until they had orders to retreat A got in without the loss of a man. " P. S. — We have only Captn. Jones killed ,fc three men wounded, & flatter ourselves that their Ins* i- considerable." The fort at Hannastown was built by those neigh- bora of Robert Ilanna who lived around him at the time of Dunmore's war, 1774, the next year after the erection of the county. It was a hastily constructed affair, but was strong and durable. A building was first raised fashioned after a great double cabin-house of two stories, the upper stories almost entirely closed, only small holes being left between the logs through which the muzzles of the gnus could be pointed. There were no windows in it, and the roof was til most tint, so that it could not be fired from the outside. This upper story was higher than the palisades, wdiicb were of the height of about ten feet, and which in- closed the cabins within a square. Both the forts of Hannastown and of Ligonier were made distributing points for the arms and ammuni- ' tion furnished to the associators, so that there were usually at least a few spare arms at either place till : towards the end of the war, when Hannastown was at- tacked, and at that time the means of defense were poorer than at any other time. St. Clair, in his memorial to the Pennsylvania As- sembly, says that during the time of Dunmore's war, before the Revolution, the forts which he supplied with arms ami means of defense at bis own expense were " Taylor's, Wallace's, Ligonier's, Lochry's, Han- nastown, Perry's, Walthour's, Carnahan's, and a num- ber of others not now recollected." As the word fort is applied indiscriminately, so is the word block-house. We therefore make a distinc- tion between a regular block-house and a block-house cabin. Block-houses were erected mostly in some lo- cality easy of approach by those settlers who were too far away from forts, and whose cabins of themselves were insecure. A block-house was a building made of large rough logs, and built after the fashion of a square house, but in size much larger than a house. The logs were notched into each other at the angles of the building, and the height of this square struc- ture was from ten to fourteen feet. At this height was begun another log story, the logs in which ex- tended from four to six feet beyond the square of the structure below it. This story was built up to the height of about six feet. The upper part had in its sides small apertures through which to fire; nor could an attack with advantage be made underneath, for the space underneath the projection was left open. A clapboard roof which terminated in an apex covered all. These block-houses were intended for temporary places of defense. No more provisions could be taken in them than was sufficient for immediate and press- ing want. Those wdio Hed thither expected to re- main only till the storm had blown over, or until help came. There was another class of structures built for de- 104 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. fense on special emergencies, but which structures were not used continuously as forts, neither were most of them used as cabin-houses, and these we choose to consider by themselves. Of this class was Fort Crawford, built about 1777, on the Allegheny, about seventeen miles up from Pittsburgh, on the south- eastern side of the river, a short distance below the mouth of Puckety 1 Creek, where there was a shallow place used by the Indians fur a fording. This is now the site of Logan's Ferry. This fort was built on the earnest representations of Col. Crawford, and it was called after him. It was erected by militia sent out from Pittsburgh, assisted by the neighboring in- habitants, who were north of the main road at that time, and now in the limits of Burrell township. It guarded the crossing-place against the squads that came in from the parts west of the river, where the thick primeval woods for half a generation after the war still harbored small tribes and parts of tribes. These defensive posts were, as near as we can obtain, merely large structures, built of heavy logs, with stout doors, roofs almost fiat, and inside of which was a double cabin. At Fort Crawford a com- pany of militia was stationed off and on for several years, and there were sometimes a few extra arms there. Of this class was Fort Hand, near the confluence of Pine Run witli the Kiskiminetas, nearly twenty miles north of Greensburg. It was a block-house, and no residence. It was built by the people about 1778, while Col. Hand commanded at Pittsburgh, and was called in his honor. So also was Heed's block- house or station, on the Allegheny, four miles below the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, and which was a place of refuge so late as the troubles of 1792. There was at times a company of militia on detailed duty here. Block-houses and block-house stations obtained more among the settlers along the southern border, and notably among those of Greene County, then Springhill township, and throughout Western Vir- ginia, Such also were Fort Shippen, at Col. John Proc- tor's, near the Loyalhanna in Unity, then Derry town- ship, and Tort Allen in Hempfield township, north of Greerjsburg, both built in 1774, and Rugh's block- house at Michael Rugh's on Jack's Run, about a mile and a half below Greensburg, built somewhat later. But the most common defensive structure of all were those strongly barricaded cabins sometimes called stations, but which are more properly known as block-house cabins. Such was the principal house at Miller's farm, about three miles southeast of Han- nastown, and not far from George Station, on the Pennsylvania Railroad, east of Greensburg. This was a long, double log house, with heavy doors and windows which could be closed. There were many such, and they were in all parts of the county; and 1 Indian, Pucketo. from the fact that they were so frequently the places of refuge they have received the name of fort, which wrongly designates them. These in the catalogue do go for forts, "as hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, shoughs, water-rugs, and denii-wolves are called all by the name of dogs." 2 These stations would hold perhaps twenty persons when they huddled together on the fear of danger. Ride-holes or port-holes were on every side, and the light was admitted through narrow cracks in the gables, as they were chary of window-openings. One of these block-house cabins was Williams' block-house, near Donegal, on the Four-Mile Run. It stood near the site of that wall of prehistoric times which the oldest settlers say was old when they first came in. This was the centre of the Donegal settle- ment. Hither tied betimes the Gays, the Harmans, the Hayses, the Campbells, the Pipers. From the neighborhood of this block-house many captives were taken, and near it many others were killed. Another sheltering-plaee, called Palmer's Fort, opened its arms to those who lived down the valley on the Laurel Hill side. It was five or six miles from Li- gonier in that direction, and near the road from Li- gonier to Fairfield. Fort Waltour stood between one and two miles west of Adamsburg, ami about the same distance south of Harrison City village, near the old Pennsylvania road. This was one of those block-houses to which the people betimes collected, wdiere they stayed at night, and whence they went in the day to work in the fields. It was erected in very early times, and many stories which partake of the marvelous are treasured among the descendants of the people of that settlement. This was part of the Harrold settlement, a settlement as distinctively German as the Hannastovvu settlement was distinctively Scotch-Irish. In the history of the old block-house, the old church, the old Dutch school- house, and the burying-ground of the Harrold congre- gation lie hidden mines of wealth of great value to the industrious student of local and indigenous his- tory. Among the recollections of the Revolutionary times still preserved about here is the destruction of the cabin home of the Francis family, and the death or captivity of the inmates, which occurred some time previous to the Hannastown affair. This family lived about two miles west of Brush Creek. A squad of Indians coming suddenly upon them gained admis- sion to their cabin. Two of the family were killed, and the rest taken prisoners. One of the prisoners was a girl, who was afterwards married and lived in Hempfield township, where she died. Her brothers and sisters were scattered before they reached Canada. The Indians at the time of the attack set the cabin on fire, and did not remove the bodies of the two dead from where they had been scalped, but the bodies - Macbeth, Act III., Scene 1. FORTS, BLOCK HOUSES, AND INCIDENTS OF WARFARE. 105 were found near the burnt cabin the next day, one of the bodies lying so near the fire as to be roasted on its one side. They were buried by the neighbors at the garden fence.' There is a peculiar story related of a lame Indian which brings Waltonr's Fort into prominence, and which preserves the particulars of the death of the old man Waltour. We give the substance of it here, having taken it in part from a very rare book called "Border Life," now out of print. The authenticity of the narratives in that work is its claim for a matter of fact, and it is believed that the original story came from the pen of Judge Brackenridge, who bedecked even the rough fields of the law with the posies of literature, ami in whose hand the crude ore of fact was turned into the refined gold of romance. About the year 1786 one of those predatory squads coming into Westmoreland made their first demon- stration at Waltonr's.- The old man Waltour, his daughter, and two sons were at work in the field. They had their guns with them, and on the appear- ance of the Indians made towards the fort. The daughter was taken, but the old man and his two sons kept up a fire as they retreated, and had got nearly to the fort when the old man, beingshot, fell. An Indian ran up and had placed his foot upon him and was about taking his scalp when some one in the fort fired. The Indian gave a frightful yell, and made off limp- ing on one foot. After he had run off a party from the fort pursued him, as well as the others of the squad. He, however, hid himself in the bushes a tew yards from the path upon which his pursuers came along. The Indian lay quiet in this place among the bushes where he had thrown himself, waiting till pursuit was over, fearing that he might be tracked and taken. For three days he remained here. Then venturing out, he crawled along on his hands and one limb till he got a pole in the marsh, which he used to hobble along with. In the mean time he had lived on ber- ries and roots. He thus worked his way around till lie came within sight of the post at Turtle Creek, where a detachment of soldiers was stationed. Here he thought of giving himself up, but lay all day on a hill above the place, thinking whether he would or not; but seeing that the soldiers were militia and not regulars, he did not venture to do so ; for the Indians knew the distinction between these, and from the militia they expected no quarter. This Indian at first, so he said, had attempted to cross the Allegheny River at some distance above Pittsburgh, but his strength failing him he wished to gain the garrison wdiere the regular troops were. He had been there before the war, and was known to some. For thirty-seven clays from the affair at Waltour's 1 Jacob Detar, father of Simon Detar, Esq., lielpc.l to bury them. - Usually written after the German way Walttionr. Fort this wretched creature had subsisted on plants ami routs, and had made his way on one loot by the help of the pole, and then, not knowing what to do with himself, came down into the edge of the town, ami -at in a porch of one of the houses, where he was seen in the twilight. To a girl of the house, who first came out, he spoke in broken English, and asked for milk. The girl ran in and returned with others of the family to see such a strange-looking object. If is said that he resembled a walking skeleton, with only the semblance of flesh upon his bones. When he was questioned he appeared too weak to give an account of himself, but still asked for milk. The milk was given him, and word was scut to Gen. Irvine, the commanding officer of the post, who sent a guard, by whom he was taken to the garrison. After having had food, and being able to talk, he was ques- tioned by the interpreter. At first he said that he had .been on the Beaver River trapping, and that he there had a difference with a Mingo Indian, who hail shot him in the leg, because he had said he wished to come to the white people. He was told that this Story was not credible, but that he must tell the truth, and that in so doing he would fare better. He then said that he was one of a party which had struck the settlement in the last moon, had attacked a fort, killed some, and taken some prisoners; there he had re- ceived his wound, and in the end related to the in- terpreter what we have already told. Alter the raid on the settlement a party from the fort had pursued the Indians to the Allegheny River, and hail found the body of the Waltour girl who had been taken in the field, and who had been toma- hawked and left. When this party had come back and heard that the Indian was still at the garrison they joined with others in a crowd, and with Mrs. Waltour, the widow of the man killed and the mother of the murdered girl, went to the garrison, and ad- dressing themselves to the commanding officer de- manded that the Indian should be delivered up, that it might be done with him as the widow and mother and relations of the deceased should think proper. After some deliberation it was thought advisable to let the people take him, for it was considered from the mode of war carried on by the Indians that they were not entitled to protection, and the country people were greatly dissatisfied that he was allowed to live after his confession, and as there was a loud clamor all through the settlement consequent on the death of a man so prominent as Waltour, he was delivered to the militia of the party who had come to demand him. He was put upon a horse and carried off with a view of being taken to the fort where the trouble had at first occurred. But as they were carrying him along his leg, the fracture of which had almost healed up by the care of the surgeon, was broken again by a fall from the horse, which awkwardly happened some way in carrying him. The abridged continuation of the story then is that 10G HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the intention of the people was to summon a jury of the country and try him, not only for the sake of form, but, as they further alleged, in order to ascertain whether he was the identical Indian that had been of the party at Waltour's Fort, though it is not very probable that he would have had an impartial trial, there having been considerable prejudice against him. The circumstance of his being an Indian was sufficient to have condemned him. The idea was, in case of a verdict against him, which seemed morally certain, to execute him according to the Indian man- ner, by torture and burning. For the fate of Craw- ford and others was at that time in the minds of the people, and they thought retaliation a principle of natural justice. But while the jury were collecting some time must elapse— that night at least — for he was brought to the block-house in the evening. Accordingly a strong guard was appointed to take care of him, while in the. mean time one who had been deputed sherilf went to summon a jury, and others to collect wood and ma- terials for the burning, and to fix upon the place, which was to be the identical spot where he had re- ceived his wound while about to seal]) Waltour, whom he had shot in the field, just as he was raising the scalp halloo, twisting his hand in the hair of the head, and brandishing his scalping-knife. It is to be presumed that the guard was " off their guard" some- what on account of the lameness of the prisoner and the seeming impossibility that he could escape ; for it SO turned out that while engaged in conversation on the burning that was to take place, or by some other cause of inattention, he had been permitted to climb up at a remote corner of the block-house, get to the joists, from thence upon the wall-plate of the block- house, and from thence, as was supposed, to get down on the outside between the roof and the wall-plate. The block-house was so constructed that the roof over' jutted the wall of the house, resting on the ends of the joists, which protruded a foot or two beyond the wall, so that those within could fire down upon the Indians who should approach the house to set fire to it or at- tempt the door. But towards morning the Indian was missed, and when the jury met there was no In- dian to be brought before them. Search was made by the guard everywhere; the jury joined in the search, and the militia went out in all directions in order to follow his track and regain him. No discovery could be made, and as a conse- quence the guard were blamed for want of vigilance, although there were some who thought he was let go that they might not be under the necessity of burn- ing him. The search at length was abandoned ; but three days after this, a lad looking for his horses, saw an Indian, with a pole or long stick, just getting on one of them by help of a log or fallen tree. He had made a bridle of bark for the horse's head, and mak- ing use of this and a stick in guiding the horse, he set off on a smart trot in a direction towards the frontier of the settlement. The boy was afraid to discover himself or reclaim his horse, but ran home and gave the alarm, on which a party, in the course of the day, were collected and started in pursuit of the Indian again. They tracked the horse until it was dark. In the morning they followed the track as before, but found the course varied, taking into branches of streams to prevent pursuit. By this they were greatly delayed, as they lost time in tracing the stream to find where the horse had come out; ami sometimes the tracks of the horse could not be seen when he had taken the hard, dry ridges, and gone in a contrary direction so as to deceive them. In this manner the Indian had gotten to the Allegheny, where they found the horse with the bark bridle, ami where it appeared he had been left but a short time before. The sweat was scarcely dry upon his sides, and the distance he had come was about ninety miles. It was presumed the Indian had swam the river into uninhabited country, or those parts called the Indian country, where it was not safe to pursue him. For this reason the pursuit was given up. Others, how- ever, came to the conclusion that he never reached any of the Indian towns, for they had taken pains to inquire, but believed that he was cither drowned in the river or had famished in the woods, or that his broken limbs in the hot weather had caused his death. Fort Wallace, on the farm of Peter Wallace, on Mc- Gee's Run, near the Iviskiminctas, about two miles above Blairsville, was in border times a famous station. On the same farm was afterwards a mill known as Wallace's mill; the Wallaces being prominent, men in that neighborhood, one of them having been re- turned to the Assembly. Many stories are told of the. men who from time to time defended it ; their strength, their agility, and their bravery have been praised to the golden stars. One adventure from a good source appears to be credible ; we give it as related. 1 It appears that when the Rev. James Finley, who was frequently intrusted by the Supreme Council of the Province and the Slate to till special commissions for it, was on a visit to Western Pennsylvania in 1772, he left his son, Ebenezer Finley, here. This young man, about 177o or 1777, had gone from Dunlap's Creek on a tour of militia duty along the Kiskimine- tas, in the place of another man. While the parly were at Fort Wallace, a man on horseback came up in ureal speed ami reported that the Indians hail been seen a short distance off; that he had left two men and a woman on foot trying to reach the fort, and that unless they were immediately assisted they would be lost. Young Finley, among eighteen or twenty others, started right out. About a mile and a half from the fort they came upon a considerable body of Indians. After a fire occurred a zigzag running fight began. 1 The adventure is in "Old Redstone," page "JN4. FORAYS AND ADVENTURES. 107 Some of the party in making their way back to the fort were shot or tomahawked. Finley's gun would notgooft'. He stopped to pick his Hint and fell behind. An Indian was seen leveling his gun at him, but was fortunately shot before he could fire. Finley being fleet of foot was soon abreast with one of his com- panions, and in passing round the root of a tree, by a quick motion of his elbow against bis comrade's shoulder [Hissed him, and the next moment the com- rade fell under the tomahawk. The Indians were again gaining on him, when a man named Moor, see- ing his danger from having to cross a bridge exposed, Stopped, and by a well-directed aim of bis rifle enabled him to cross the bridge safely. After many doublings and turnings, in which the Indians were sometimes in the rear and sometimes in the front of Finley, he reached the fort in safety. 1 Fort Barr was on the farm best known as the Gib- son farm, in Derry township, a good mile northwest of New Derry. Further mention is made of these two forts in the chapter on Derry township. / The Carnahan block-house was the cabin house of one of the Carnabans, possibly John, and its location was a short distance northeast of Perrysville, in Bell township. Shields' block-bouse was on the Loyal- lianna, about six miles from Greensburg. It was in being as early as 1774. A Miller's Fort, or block-house, was on the Big Bewiekley, on the Stokely farm, and Markle's Station was at the mouth of the Sewickley. An old block- house that went by the name of McDowell's Fort was near the site of Madison, and Teague Island Fort about five miles northwest of Greensburg. This series of forts was in connecting distance, and was used as a line of defense for the Sewickley settlement, the people about one warning those about the next. In McDowell's Fort James B. Oliver, Esq., 2 late of West Newton, was born, June 2, 17S1, while his parents had sought the slicker of that covering during that tem- pestuous year. Joseph McDowell, the owner of the farm upon which the fort was built, had bought the original tract, embracing four hundred acres, for a rifle gun and a little horse. 1 Tliis is the narrative. At tiie time of this adventure the father was three hundred miles away. On that Jay, he says, lie had a Bti-ange and i ccountable impression that his sou was in danger, but mm distinct Conception of its nature. He prayed, and at length felt relieved, as though tin- danger wua past. lie tad never expel ieuced su< h an extra- ordinary sensation before, and so he made a note of it. A tew weeks afterward he received from his sun, who had returned to him, an ace t of liis nai iuu escape. The time col responded exactly with Mr. fin ley's strange experience. - rather ot the Hon. Mrs. Cowan. CHAPTER XXI. FORAYS AND ADVENTURES. During- the Early Part of the Revolutionary War— The Volunteers- Col. James Smith takes a Detachment up the Allegheny to Wench I'nad. or Venango— His Arrangement of the Men while on the March and in their Encampments — His Clan of Fighting the Indians — Brodhead's Expedition to Cnnewago and Brokenstraw— He cuts off a Party of Forty Indians on their way to the Westmoreland Set- tlements — Notice of Fort Armstrong, Kittanning— Brodhend soiids ('apt. Brady into the Seneca Country— Trouble between the Continen- tal Officer* and the Militia Officers— Ranging U panics for I duijng the War by Direction of the State Officials— They are sta- tioned along the Rivers— Their Officers— Their Manner of Fighting— 'the lleroie Women of Early Westmoreland: Experience Bozarth, Massy Harbison, Mrs. Margaret Oliver, Mrs. Matthew Jack. Ix this chapter we shall hastily run over the events transpiring within and upon the frontiers of the county from the commencement of the war to a period a few years later. In 1775, and the early part of 1776, the inhabitants were not molested to any grievous extent, neither did seed-time or harvest tail. Hut by the removal of Col. Mackay and his command from Kittanning and the adjacent posts the frontiers of the county were first laid open and exposed to the mercy of the faithless and uncertain savages. The militia were called out for short terms, and were placed by Col. Lochry at the disposal of Col. Hand, the Continental officer in command of the depart- ment; for during nearly all the time that officer was in command a company of Westmorelaiulers was stationed along the Allegheny. It was soon apparent that these were insufficient for the object in view. They were poorly cared for, and whenever they were called upon to leave their posts the savages, taking advantage of their weakness, broke over the lines and made such a war as they pleased. During 1777 there are numerous complaints of their depredations, and the President of the Council at recurring intervals sympathizes with the people, bids them be of good cheer, and promises them that the Council will soon furnish supplies. The manner of their warfare and of their mutual co-operation about this time may be seen in an ac- count of one of their expeditions. In the year 1778, Col. James Smith, who had just returned to the county, raised a body of men to pur- sue some Indians who had made an attack upon the Sewickley settlement. On the second day they over- took and defeated them, taking lour scalps/' and re- capturing the horses and plunder stolen. At the time of the attack Capt. John Hinkston pursued an In- dian, in the excitement not noticing that both their guns were empty. After the fray was over Hinkston was missing, and while the whites were inquiring about him he came walking back carrying the bloody scalp of the dead savage with him. He had pursued him about a quarter of a mile until he came up with hint, when he killed him with his tomahawk. 3 Smith's narrrative, "Border Warfare." 10S HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Shortly after this, in 1778, a body was raised from the county to go with some of Gen. Mcintosh's com- mand up the French or Venango Creek. This force was four hundred strong; they were called rifle- men, and Col. Smith was placed in command. In November they got orders from the general to march. From Smith's account, 1 they were poorly equipped, and scarce of provisions. They marched, after an arrangement of Smith's own, in three columns, forty rods from each other; there were flankers on the outside of each column ; the men in the columns marched in scattered order, and were each one rod apart; the volunteers marched abreast in the same manner as the flankers, scouring the woods. In case of an attack the men were to face out, and take to trees. This was to keep the Indians from surrounding them, or to have more than one chance at shooting at a man without exposing themselves. Their encamp- ment was formed in a hollow square, inclosing thirty or forty acres. Guards were placed on the outside of the square to watch the enemy and keep the cattle from going out. Smith's tactics in all cases was to keep the Indians from surrounding his party, and he argued that every great defeat suffered at their hands was effected by them in this way. On proceeding to French Creek they found the town deserted. Smith went farther than his orders called for, hut their provisions being about exhausted, they were obliged to return. The only result, there- fore, was the keeping the country quiet for some little time after the expedition was organized. Out of it, however, grew a good deal of recriminating talk be- tween Col. Smith and Col. Lochry, the county lieu- tenant, and their adherents. On charges against Smith, preferred by Lochry in his deposition, he was arraigned before a court-martial ; and in a memorial to the Executive Council he recites at large the causes of the complaint, and professes that he was not derelict in his duty. 2 The campaign of the Continental army of 1779 did not open favorably. Money was so depreciated thai the hope of the Congress was in the liberality of private subscriptions. The credit of the country was so low that men could not be induced on that accountto enter the service. Notwithstanding this the commander- in-chief, to break up the Indian aggressions of the Six Nations and their confederates, sent two divisions, one from the Susquehanna under Sullivan, and one from the north under Clinton, which, after forming a junction, were to proceed by the Chemung River to the country of the Senecas and Cayugas. They fell in with the enemy on the Chemung and routed them, and marching farther into their country, committed much destruction of property and corn and took many prisoners. About the same time Brod- 1 Smith had been BO long with the Indiana that he was thoroughly infatuated with their mode of warfare. See his famous letter to Wash- ington, advising him how to conduct his campaigns against them. - Pennsylvania Archives, X. S., vol. iii. 328. head, leading out a number of Westmoreland volun- teers, along with some Continental soldiers under his command from about Pittsburgh, went into the Mun- sie settlement on the north branch of the Allegheny, and destroyed their crops and burnt their villages about the mouth of the Brokenstraw and above the Conewago. He cut oft" a party of forty hostiles on their way to the Westmoreland settlements. Smith and Lochry accompanied this expedition. Its result was so effective that for a considerable time afterward no very extensive body of savages ventured to come upon the frontier, but carried on their depredations henceforth in a predatory manner. Some trouble which originated in this expedition between the com- manders of the volunteers and the Continental offi- cer- gave occasion for the former to withdraw their forces from the latter. This difficulty was the source of much complaint and of much subsequent suffering which the inhabitants had to sustain. From his headquarters at Pittsburgh, on the 24th of June, 1779, Col. Brodhead writes to President Reed as follows : 3 "Lieut. -Col Bayard, with otie hundred and twenty, rank and file, is- now employed in erecting a stockade fort at K manning, which will mure effectually serine the frontiers ol Westmoreland and Bedford Counties, provided scoots are employed according to my directions^ The Mulligans and Shawiiees have sent me a slung of white Wampum and a speech, re- questing me to take pity on them and suffer litem to enjoy the blessings of peace. 1 believe I have frightened them by bringing over to our in- terest their chief ai lies, the [Itit'ous, [uw-as, Cli ppewas, and Puttawattu- mies. By the inclosed letters and speeches your excellency will discover the change, ami if 1 had hut a small quantity of Indian g Is, I would make them humble the Mingoes and capture many of the fchiglish; hut unfortunately I am nut in posse-si m of a single urtii le to pay them with. I have now a considerable quantity ol provisions, and * Id make a sue- ccsslul campaign up the Allegheny, hut I am not at liberty to do it. It would give me pleasure to know what reward might he safely offered for I udiiui scalps." From the same letter we get, in a short space, a rather satisfactory idea of how the Indians committed their depredations about this time, and how the whites repelled them. In it he relate- these particu- lars : " Ai" ut a fortnight ago three men whom I had Rent to reconnoitre the Seneca country returned from Venango, being chased by a number of warriors who were coming down the river in canoes. They oontiuu. d their pursuit until tliey came to this side of Kiltimiiiiig, and the white men narrowly escaped. A tew days after they returned, Captain Brady, with twenty white men and a young Delaware chief (his pet ), all well painted, set out towards the Seneca country, and the Indian warriors proceeded towards the settlements. They lolled a sohliur between Foit Crawford and Fort Hand, and proceeded to the Sewickley settlement, where they killed a woman and her four children, aud tuok two child ren prisoners. Captain Brady fell in with -even Indians of this party about fifteen miles above Kittanning, where the Indians had chosen an advan- tageous situation for their camp. He, however, surrounded them, and attacked them at the hreak of day. The Indian captain, a notorious warrior of the Munsie nation, was killed mi the spot, and several i mortally wounded, hut the woods were remarkably thick, and the party Could not pursue the tracks after they had stopped their wounds, which they always do as soon as possible after receiving them. Captain Brady, however, retook six horses, the two prisoners,* the scalps, and all their 3 Archives, vii. 505. 4 In a note to the Archives by Hazard, these two children were said to be living then, 185:*, one in Westmoreland, and the other in liullei ; L. C. Draper having statements from them. FORAYS AND ADVENTURES. 109 plunder, and took all the Indians' gun*, tomahawks, match coars, moc- casins, in fine, everything tliey had except their lneeeh-clouls. Captain Brady has great merit, but none has move distinguished merit in this enterprise than the young Delaware chief, whose name is Kanowland. Before Captain Brady returned, Lieutenant rJardin set out with a party "I eleven choice men, ami I am certain he will nut return without sealps or prisoners from the Seneca country." As Capt. Brady now comes upon the stage, we shall relate in a separate chapter some of his adventures as they occurred on the frontier border of the county during the most trying and darkest period of her border war. By so doing we can convey a better knowledge of the true state of affairs than by follow- ing up an unbroken line of quotations and inferences. The militia called out on occasions to serve when there was danger of an attack, or to garrison for the time some post, were under the direction and control of the county lieutenants, unless when in actual ser- vice, when they were under the command of the officers of the department. This arrangement was a cause of much embarrassment, for often when the lieutenants needed the men for special duty they were, if in service, not allowed to go from the regular command. There are several instances in which Lochry and Brodhead were brought in contact with each other, from which contact the public good was not subserved. The most noticeable of these oc- curred in 1779, at a time of great apprehension, and when the expectation of assistance from the State was meagre. There were at that time two companies of short-term militia from Westmoreland, stationed the one at Fort Armstong, Kittanning, the other at Fort Crawford, Puckety. Capt. Thomas Campbell commanded one of these, and Capt. Joseph Erwin, the father-in-law of Lochry, commanded the other. They were then under the control of Brodhead, but Lochry, obtaining the permission of the Council, ordered them back to the line of the Kiskiminetas. When these, therefore, applied to Brodhead for horses and provisions they were refused, which was the oc- casion of many bitter words and of much complaint on both sides to the president and Council. Home time in 17S0, Col. Lochry was under the necessity of removing the j^ublic records of the county from Hannastown to his own house on the Twelve-Mile Run, 1 after consulting with the judge of the court in whose custody they were, who was of the opinion it would be of no prejudice to the inhabitants. This was thought necessary, as Hannastown was then regarded as very weak and on the frontier. in June of 1780 the president of the Council sent an additional installment of depreciated currency for the use of the people, and also ordered some compa- nies from the eastern counties, but it does not appear that these came. The Council ordered at one time four companies to be raised for the frontiers within the county itself. There was not much difficulty in raising the men, but the money was so valueless that ' The Twelve-Mile Run, as we observed, flows into the Fourteen-Mile Bun near St. Vincent's monastery. they thought best not to scud any commissions, as the State was unable to raise good money. President Reed in a letter to Col. Proctor, says that the Coun- cil thought best to issue a proclamation encouraging the young men to turn out in small parties as the enemy did, they being convinced that such parties as these would do more for the real protection of the garrisons and forts than the regular militia. It was thus that during this time the salvation of the people was in those ranging-parties which the young men chose to join in preference to the militia or to entering the regular service. Of those who, from 1778 to 1780, were prominent in the ranging service we mention James Guthrie, Thomas Stokely, Matthew Jack, Michael Hutfnagle, James Smith, Joseph Erwin, William Cooper, Samuel Shannon, Brady, Van Swearingen, the Wallaces, the Barrs, Col. Wilson, the Brownlees, the Shaws. These ranging companies were formed for the most part of the fighting-men who lived nearest to each. They were dressed in the homespun of their own manufacture, and carried their own rides, knives, and hatchets. When word came that they were needed they hastened together and put themselves under the orders of their officers. It was their duty to alarm the settlers when an attack had been made or ws apprehended, and they were to help off the women and children into some place of safety. These men in time became so expert, in this manner of warfare, and all their natural senses became so developed by usage, that they could travel as well by night as by day, could see like a night animal, could distinguish sounds of danger which were unheard by others, could stand endurance and want of food beyond all belief, became agile and swift of foot, dexterous with the rifle, and by usage so accustomed to danger and adventure that their feats and escapes were net only marvelous, but sometimes appeared to be, as they were really regarded, miraculous. In perpetuating the memory and the acts of the men who ought to flourish in the grateful recollection of their descendants, we must not lightly pass over a notice of the women, who in every sense were hero- ines. The knowledge of some of these has conic down to us from their having been the subject of some noted episode; but it has been the custom to pass them over without notice. The innocent suffer- ings of Peggy Shaw are, in truth, inseparably con- nected with the history of Hannastown, but the un- doubted acts of bravery of many others have been less fortunately preserved. It has been established upon the testimony of accurate observers - that the women of the early period were, iu certain respects, a stronger minded (or stronger willed, if you please class than their daughters. The graces of womanhood, it is true, could not flourish in their surroundings; and there are well-attested instances where some who 2 Both physiological and psychological. Ill) HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. had been reared in the refined society of Europe, or of the cities of the East, coming out to share the hard- ships of pioneer life, either drooped away in disease or fell into imbecile childhood. 1 But this does not detract, but is an illustration of the doctrine of the survival of the fittest. And we advert here to that class who were raised up in the families of the border settlers, and who possessed strong bodies and equally strong minds. These were the women who were fit companions — the wives, I lie sisters, the, mothers — of those men to whom we are indebted for a share of the liberty which we now enjoy. To illustrate our point we adduce the instances of a few, and their example will answer for many others, and will serve to reflect the heroism and the hardi- hood of all. Possibly the most noted instance of hardihood pre- served in our annals is that which is related of Mrs. Experience Bozarth. She lived on Dunkard Creek, now within the limits of Washington County. In the spring of 177'.' two or three neighboring families, through tear of danger, took up their abode with her while the men were in the woods. At this time there were two men at the house besides the women and children. On a certain day the children out playing came running towards the house saying they had seen ugly red men. One of the men went to the door. He was shot in the breast and fell backward. The Indian jumped over the prostrate man and grappled with the other. The white man with great strength threw the Indian upon a bed and held him while lie called for a knife. All the rest of the women were screaming and in an anguish of fright. Mrs. Bozarth, not finding a knife, seized an axe, and with a dash of it sank it into the Indian's brain. At that instant another savage who had entered the door shot the white man dead who was tussling with and >till holding the Indian on the bed. The brave woman turned upon this Indian and attacked him with the axe. She gave him several ugly gashes, one of which let his bowels out. His yells ol pain brought Others of the savages from the murder of the children to his rescue. When the first one of these thrust his head inside the door it was cleft in two by the axe, when the body was pulled out by his comrades. Mrs. Bozarth then, with the help of the white man who hail been first shot, and who had now somewhat re- covered, shut the door upon them and fastened it. The living thus kept the house garrisoned for several da\ s, with the bodies of the dead white and Indian in it. During this time the Indians besieged it. They were finally relieved by a party sent out for that purpose. The remarkable sufferings and final escape of Massy Harbison are perhaps so well known that they will not beat repetition. We shall not recount the story in her words, but that devotion which is so apparent in all her trials may, we think, with propriety be re- 1 See Harriot's Travels in Kortb America. ferred to. At the time she was taken by the Indians I she lived within sight of a block-house in Westmore- land, between Pittsburgh and Puckety. This was in May, 1702, after the defeat of St. Clair. A party of savages breaking into her house while she was there with her children, took her from her bed with an in- fant in her arms and made her follow them. Besides the babe she had two little boys. One of these cried and held back from going along. They killed him by taking him by the heels and dashing his head against the door-post. They set the mother on a stolen horse. When they crossed the Allegheny they murdered her other boy, who was still crying for his brother, and scalped him. She kept the babe still to her breast. They proceeded past the place wdiere Butler now stands. She had made up her mind to be killed, and to give the Indian who bad her a pretext she refused to carry what he put upon her. They, however, only beat her along with the bandies of their tomahawks. On the third morning, while the Indian who guarded her dozed, she got up and started into the woods. When she was from their sight she wandered around through fear, resting by day and groping in the dark- ness, in constant apprehension of being found, for three days more before she came to the Allegheny where she was taken up by some whites. During this time her sufferings were such as are hardly to be credited. She lived on berries and roots and soft bark; she was exposed to the inclemency of the weather; she was followed, and came near being taken when her child cried, which brought a warrior, wdio stood listening within a few steps of where she lay hid ; she was afraid to sleep lest her babe should cry ; she traveled at night and rested by day, and that she might use one hand to grope her way through the thick bushes she carried her babe in her shawl ami held the corners of it between her teeth. One stormy night, when she thought she would die, she rested her forehead against the bark of a tree, and as she shielded her little one, received upon her half-covered head the peltings of the pitiless storm. Neverthe- less she rose again and began her wanderings anew. She at last came to a deserted house close by the river, and going down to the bank she saw two men on the opposite side, who crossed over to her and took her to their block-house. When she was taken in to the fire she became delirious. Her clothing had been torn well-nigh off her back, and her limbs were lacerated by briers and filled with thorns ; there were thorns, indeed, which reached clear through her bare feet. From the good care of the whites and through the attention of the physician at Pittsburgh, to where she was removed, she in time recovered. The bar- barity of the Indians towards her offspring and her own sufferings were such that her deposition of the facts, as they are substantially contained in her nar- rative, was taken before John Wilkins, Esq., father of the Hon. William Wilkins, and published, as much no doubt to arouse the people of the border to act f LOWER LIGONIER VALLEY DURING THE REVOLUTION. Ill against the savages as for any other purpose. For at that time, after a long peace, the inhabitants had grown backward in providing men for the defense of the frontier settlements, and the hope of the safety of these was in the spies and rangers who volunteered. AVe doubt whether a more forcible example of a mother's love and devotion can be unearthed from the mines of ancient or modern history ; and yet she was but one of many. Of women equally as brave and devoted every locality had some. Among these, perhaps, one might be more distinguished than the rest, and the example of such a one was alone worth many men. For many years the recollection of Mrs. Peggy Oliver, the mother of the late J. 15. Oliver, Esq., was fresh among the old inhabitants of the Sewiekley settle- ment. They talked with pride of her whom they had seen when she was a young and beautiful woman, mounted upon a favorite horse day after day during the most distressful time in the middle of the war, riding on a gallop between the block-houses and cabins which reached from up in Hempfield to Mar- kle's, at the mouth of the Sewiekley. She appeared to lead a charmed life, for it is said that she ventured to convey news and carry instruction on occasions when no other could be found to do so. At Hannas- town such another woman was Mrs. Matthew Jack, whose maiden name was Nancy Wilson. On the day of the attack she is said to have helped to carry and to have superintended the work of removing the records and papers from the court-house to the stock- ade. Her husband, at that time sheriff, was, as is well known, out giving the alarm among the settlers. From these instances sufficient may be gathered to form an idea of the spirit of these women. They had become so used to war and horrors that it was their special province to dress the wounds of those who had been hurt ; they knew all the simples which cured pains and aches, and in the absence of doctors they did all that doctors are usually presumed to do. They helped to sustain the defense of their cabins by running bullets, cutting patches, and priming the pieces. Many a time has the mother, upon a sudden attack, started up with her babe, while her husband took another child, and each fly to the wood in a differ- ent direction. Often they never saw each other again. Yea, sometimes has the mother been found dead, whilst the babe upon her breast was still alive. All could never be told ; but certain it is that the wives, mothers, and sisters of these first settlers of West- moreland were such women as bring forth strong- minded sons and gentle daughters; that they them- selves were as boundless in their love and charity as the sea that knows no lessening, and that they pos- sessed all the matronly virtues which, happily to be acknowledged, are everywhere the glory and the honor of their sex. 1 CHAPTER XXII. 1 Sec Appendix "0.' | LOWER LIGOXIER VALLEY DURING THE REVO- LUTION. I Ligonier Valley a Favorite Ground for the Indians, ami the First Stop- ping-Place of the Whiten— Privations ..f the Early Settlers along the Fonr-Mile Bun, Mill Creek, the Old Road, and Indian Creek— Murdei of tiie Campbell Family, and Captintj of Robert Campbell (with curious anecdotes)— He is sold to a British Officer— He is exchanged —Killing of tiie old Man Hannan and three of hie Neighbors— James Flack taken Prisoner— Escapes from Montreal, 1 comes through the Wilderness l.y means of a Compass— Charles Clifford taken i,y In- dians in Ambush— His Account of the Manners, II;. I, its, and Ways of Living of the Northern Indians— His Muster cures him of a Unit Foot— Peter Maliarg taken by the Same Party— Is made to Itun the Gauntlet— Clifford taken to Montreal— Is Exchanged alter having been with the Indians nearly Three Years— Collies I" the Valley, ami Dies at Home — lames Clifford aud his two Dogs, " Whig" and "Tory" —His adventure With the Indian, whom he shoots— Indians lying in wait attack a Party or Five who go to the Fields back of the Ful I — They kill .Miss Means, Young Mean-, ami Young Reed— Col. Mr- Dowel I escapes with Miss Reed on his Horse into the Fort— The Bodies of the Others buried by the People of the Fort. Ligonier Valley takes its name from the old Fort Ligonier. The valley itself lies between Laurel Hill and Chestnut Ridge, the two westernmost ranges of the great Appalachian mountain chain. Xo less from its physical distinction than from its historical association has it always been a prominent portion of the county. In extent it reaches from the dividing- ridge between the Conemaugh and Black Lick, in In- diana County, to the Youghiogheny River, in Fayette. It thus pass s through the whole breadth of West- moreland ; in length about sixty miles, and in width varying from eight to fourteen miles. Xo other region near it has liner springs of living water or more nu- merous streams, nor has any locality produced such quantities of timber as have been taken from its mountain-sides. When it was first peopled by the whites it was almost totally overgrown with monster trees, the latest remains of that mighty forest which scientific men say once hid the light of day from the western slopes of the Alleghenies. The site of Fort Ligonier was the first stopping. place of English-born in Westmoreland, and the sol- diers of the garrison and their families and the set- tlers that followed in the train of the army were the first settlers. This primitive colony and the settle- ment succeeding suffered much at all times through privation and from Indian aggression, but they man- fully battled against all adversities with the ancient spirit of Anglo-Saxonism. 11 Thy spirit, Independence, did they share, Lord of the Lion lnart and Eagle eye ; Thy steps they followed with their bosoms bare, Nor feared the storm that scowled along the skv." The slope of the country along the streams and in the valley admitted of easy access between those who had first squatted at the three forks of the Youghio- gheny and the later ones 'about the stockade on the Loyalhanna, which answered to the citadel of the western province. These two i:i-ii:ie:it settlements 112 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. approached towards each other, and under the beet- ling rocks of the high hills and over devious paths coincident with the trails of the old lake warriors the white civilization established a line of com- munication from sympathy and from wants. For a long time the depot of Ligonier supplied all artificial needs which it was possible to supply. It was the sta- tion where all commodities were bartered for, a desig- nated point by the military authorities for the distri- bution of supplies; to here the settlers came from the Kiskiminetas and from the Monongahela for their seed-corn and powder, and for many years after, when the word had no meaning, to go to Ligonier was to go to the " fort." From the northern or Fairfield side they went up the valley, and from the Donegal side it was down the valley. This region had been always, so far as our knowl- edge goes, a favorite ground for the Indians, and their trails and foot-paths marked it in every direc- tion. But especially was it convenient for those later outlaws that harassed the whole northwestern border of our State, of which our county was at that time the frontier. The lower or northern part of the val- ley suffered comparatively the most. The savages on their excursions, after taking a prisoner or a scalp, burning a cabin or stealing off a horse, could evade all pursuit by flying into the unapproachable forests of the north. The sufferings and trials of the people of the valley from the time when Isaac Stimble, "an industrious inhabitant of Ligonier," was shot and scalped on the road to Bedford (of which Bouquet, in 17H4, com- plains i, down to 17! 12, when Mad Anthony had broken them up at the Maumee, and stopped their depreda- tions forever in these parts, — their sufferings during this period, for reasons very apparent, have not been given to the world. They did not tell their griefs, but knew how noble it was to suffer and grow strong. Their fortunes and misfortunes are now but known through an indistinct jumble of exaggerated and mis- stated local traditions. Out of the crucible of historic truth isolated instances are preserved, and from the public correspondence and the contemporaneous his- tory of adjacent counties we have searched labori- ously and compared facts with the stories of the old people that we may say a word in this behalf. Of the general suffering, the fear, the uncertainty, the toil. the poverty, ami the patriotism of these people, along with those, in truth, of the whole county, our splendid collection of printed archives will always bear testi- mony. This, however, is hardly all we want or wish for in a local narrative. When we pick out a particular time when this gen- eral suffering was at the height, we will conclude that from 1777 to 1781 the people of this region were wor- ried mil'- sorely than at any other; one reason of which was that their means of defense were then at the weakest and worst. During 177S and 1779 they were constantly compelled to seek the shelter of the fort or the adjacent block-houses along either end of the valley. Most of the people anyways near took up their quarters in temporary cabins near the fort, and remained there all through the winter. In the sum- mer, when they had to go forth, it was only to gather their scanty harvests ami again prepare for the winter. At those times for weeks together the men only ven- tured out, carrying their dinner of cold potatoes and hard biscuits with them. In the little meadow patches along the Four-Mile Run and Mill Creek, and in the deadenings on the hills north of the old road, they worked together. At the fort a kind of volunteer military discipline was kept up. The guns were kept primed, bullets cast picked flints handy, the hinges and bolts of the gate in working order, and the store- house always with some provisions in it, however scarce the last crop. Of the captivity of Robert Campbell we have the account as given by himself; and the fact of its being preserved is no doubt owing to the celebrity of the peculiar and fervent man, who, far and wide, was known as Elder Robert Campbell, a pious man, and in his day amain prop of the Fairfield Church. On a day in July, 177(3, while the father of this Robert Campbell was from home, a party of Indians came suddenly on this son and his brother William in the field; and while these were taken some others of the Indians ran to the house. The mother, with an infant in her arms, trying to escape, received the blow on her head, when she, falling down, killed the babe in her own arms. They were afterward found and huried in one grave. The rest of the children at the house, three girls and one boy, were made pris- oners with the two boys taken in the field. The two youngest of the girls were placed upon horses which the Indians had stolen from the farm, each of the girls behind an Indian. The younger of these, unable to steady herself on the horse, was killed and left on the ground about a mile from their home. The In- dians carried them off down out of the valley, cross- ing somewhere below Saltsburg, and passed on to New York State. The children were separated in Canada. Thomas, the youngest brother, was sold to an English officer and sent to England ; the two sisters, after pass- ing four years in captivity, were released, and came back to the valley. William also returned about the close of the war. After sustaining a captivity of about six years, Robert, with another prisoner, suc- ceeded in making his escape. He came back again to the old homestead, lived to a good old age on the farm his father had cleared, and where his mother was killed and buried. 1 Some time later than this was killed the elder Har- man, an old inhabitant, who had been of a family set- tled on Indian Creek with the Turkey Foot settlers as early as 1759, and who lived not far from now Done- gal. Harm an and three of his neighbors had been 1 Further as to Robert Campbell, see township history. LOWER LIGOXIER VALLEY DURING THE REVOLUTION. 113 down the valley at a sale, and when they were re- turning they were all shot and killed, sitting in their saddles, by Indians lying in ambush along the road. After they were scalped they were left dying. Their bodies, found the next day, were decently buried. Among the prisoners taken from time to time was James Flaek, whose daughter was married to John Woodend, Esq. Flaek was carrried to Montreal, from whence he made his escape. He found his way through the endless wilderness to the fort by the assistance of a pocket compass which Charles Clif- ford procured for him when they were prisoners to- gether. Of the captivity of Charles Clifford we have a con- tinuous account, preserved by his descendants, and which, arranged by them, has been of assistance to the writer. In addition to the narrative to which we have had access, we have secured some illustrations from old manuscript. Charles Clifford, one of the original stock of the Clif- fords of Ligonier Valley, resided on Mill Creek, about two miles northwest of the fort. During the winter they stayed near the fort, and in the spring and sum- mer he and his men, like the rest, all went to work at the crops. On the 27th of April. 1779, Clifford, with two of his sons, went out to his clearing to prepare for spring work. When they came to the deadening they could not find their horses. The boys were set to work, and the father himself went in search of the lost animals. He passed up to some waste fields, to the place afterward known as McDowell's Mill, where he expected to find them, as he had done before. But not finding them there, he continued his search over the deserted clearings till he came out on the old mil- itary road running between Hannastown and the fort. From here he concluded to return by the road to the fort. After he came on to the road, he had not pro- ceeded far till he was fired upou by five Indians lying behind a log by the side of the road. One ball passed through his coat, another through his hat, and a third struck the rifle on his shoulder. The savages with fierce yells bounding out, seized him before he could offer resistance. They caught him, and wiping away the bloou which flowed from his face, caused either by a fragment of gun-stock cutting him, or by a bul- let itself grazing him, were evidently well pleased that he was not injured. One of them, clapping him upon the shoulder, muttered, "You good man; you now go Xiagra." They then stripped him of his hat, coat, vest, and shirt, but left his pants and shoes. One of them, in a ticklish mood, taking his hat and cutting off the rim threw that part away, and put the crown part upon his head. Another tore the skirts from his shirt and put on what remained; a third put on his vest. The coat, however, they gave back to him, and signified that he should put it on. He said that he could not wear the coat next his skin, and wanted his shirt ; but he had to submit, for they shook their heads iu an unfriendly way and told him lie must put it on, as I liey must go. The Indians appear to have treated Clifford with all the kindness which their nature would allow. They evidently considered him, from the narrow es- cape he had made, as a person specially favored. Such seeming miraculous escapes as he had just passed through invariably moved the superstitious instinct in them. So they did not tie his arms as it was their custom to do with prisoners ; but at night when they lay down they stretched a leather belt across his breast, and an Indian on either side lay upon the end to draw the belt tightly. As soon as they had lain down they were insensible in sleep. When Clif- ford was tired lying he gently drew one end of the strap from under the Indian by his side and sat up. The moon was full. He thought he could easily have made his escape had it not been for the Indian sitting upon the stump on watch. There he sat, silent it is true, and motionless as a statue, but he was wide awake; and there the Indian sat all night, not deign- ing to move till once the prisoner should offer to es- cape. This party of Indians joined the main body near where now is Fairfield. There were about fifty-seven of them in all. The chief, according to Clifford's account, had his head and arms covered with silver trinkets. Here they tore down the fences to cook their meat, it being near the close of the day. After so doing they, under the direction of the chief, marched about a mile into the woods, there halted, ate their meal, and lay down for the night. When they had first come together, Clifford had a curiosity to see how many prisoners there were, and if his sons were among them. They, however, had only one other white man, Peter Maharg. Maharg was then sitting upon a log much dejected. Clifford went to him and said, "Peter, they've got you here too." Maharg did not reply, did not even raise up his head. He had been taken that morning while he was likewise hunting his horses. He might have made his escape had it not been for a little dog that accom- panied him. He bad seen the Indians before they saw him, but bis dog running farther ahead was seen by them. The dog ran back to its master, and they following it came upon Maharg before he got away. The third morning they left the valley for their homes about the head-waters of the Allegheny. In this incursion they had come more than two hundred miles, had spent several weeks in time, and besides killing only one or two persons, had secured but two prisoners. We have the particulars of their home- ward march as preserved by Clifford. They traveled during the day, and camped au hour or two before sunset. All then but eight or ten of them who stayed with the prisoners went hunting. About dusk they brought in their game, — venison, turkeys, birds, or whatever they could get. After feasting they lay down. This method lasted till they had crossed the 114 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Allegheny River, when it appears that after that they could not get so much as even a squirrel. Thence they began to suffer much from hunger; at one time for three days and three nights they had nothing to eat except the rind or under bark of the young chest- nut, which they took off the saplings with their toma- hawks, and which they themselves ate of, and of which they offered their prisoners. Clifford said he could not eat it, when the consolatory reply he got was, "Ah, you fool ; you die." When they had got to this state they sent two runners ahead of the main body, when, ou the third day, they were met by a number of Indians, both men and squaws, wdio fetched plenty of beans, hominy, and dried venison. They gave the prisoners as much as they themselves took. The Indians then divided into two parties, and Clifford was taken to one town and Maharg to an- other. Those who took Maharg treated him with the greatest cruelty, but this cruelty was no doubt the expression of their disgust or contempt for one wdio grieved at his captivity, on the same principle that wdiite men are always more unkind to the unfortu- nate. They made him run the gauntlet, when they all but killed him after he had fallen before reaching the end of the line. He was so badly beaten that he never perfectly recovered from the effects of their treatment, and bore their marks on his body when he was laid in the grave. Clifford fared better. He had been from the first under the guardianship of a particular Indian, who was called his master. After he had traveled a few days without a shirt, his master, opening his heart and his sack, gave Clifford a shirt and an old hat. The shirt was covered with blood and had two bullet- holes in it. The master also showed him a marked kindness; for Clifford, before he was taken, had been clearing among the bushes and had scratched his in- step, and the wound with his traveling had swollen and was much inflamed. One evening after camping he showed the foot to his master and explained how he got it. The Indian listening looked attentively at it, and without saying anything took his tomahawk, and going to a wild cherry-tree took off some bark, which he put into a kettle and of which he made a syrup. With the liquid he bathed the foot, and after laying the boiled bark upon the wound bound it up. It speedily allayed the swelling, and relieved him of the pain. The Indians kept Clifford about six weeks, when they delivered him to the British at Montreal. During the time he was with them he had an opportunity of seeing how they lived, and of observing closely their curious manners ; and being happily gifted with the faculty of telling understanding^ of what he had perceived, his narrative was of some information. One of the most striking sights he witnessed among them was that of three or four prisoners running the gauntlet, one of whom was killed. At another time, when a horse which had kicked a lad was shot by the father of the boy, each of the bystanders took a piece of the raw meat, which, eating, they called very good. When at length Clifford was taken to Montreal he shared better than most of the prisoners by getting in favor with an ofHcer of the garrison. While he was there he met Flack, whom, as related, he fur- nished with the pocket compass, by which he traced his way back home. Clifford remained at Montreal till he was ex- changed, about two years and a half after he was taken there, the whole time of his captivity being very near three years. After he was exchanged he returned to his farm in the valley, where he resided until his death. He lived to a good old age, and died respected by all who knew him. He is buried in the Fairfield or Old White Church graveyard, one among the oldest burying-grounds in the valley. The next incident preserved from the mass of fab- ulous and exaggerated stories which we credit suffi- ciently to insert as authentic and verified is that of James Clifford shooting the Indian. James Clifford, a son of Charles Clifford, one morn- ing, most likely in 1778, went out from the fort, as was his custom, to shoot game. The young man had trained up two young dogs, one of whom he called Whig, the other Tory. Whig proved good for no- thing, but Tory developed wonderful sagacity. It is said he had Tory so well trained that he would follow at his heels for a whole day and not go off till bidden. On this morning Clifford was walking along on a cow- path, when his dog Tory, contrary to habit, ran in front of his master and began to snarl and whine. Clifford knew that something was wrong, but he con- tinued to advance in as cool a manner as possible, but sharply on the lookout. In front of him in his way was a large tree with thick bushes about its stem, be- hind which he espied an Indian, who, crouching down, was waiting for him to come nearer. ] fe instinctively knew that if he ran back he would be shot at. So he went forward in an unconcerned kind of way, and as he was doing so fetched his rifle down by his side, cocking it. When he had got the first glimpse of the Indian's body he quickly fired. Then he turned and ran, escaping into the fort, while his father and Capt. Shannon were talking about the noise of the gun. The captain lost no time in starting out with a party of fifteen or twenty men to get the body of the Indian if he was killed, or to follow his tracks if he had made off. They did not find him, but they tracked the course he had taken by the blood dropping on the ground, and found on the path corks of twisted leaves, which had been forced into the wound to stop the flow of blood. It was supposed he died within a short time, and that his body was carried off by others wdio were with him and not far distant at the time. This would be confirmed by a reputed conversation some time after between some renegade white man ' wdio 1 This nutii was snid to be Girty. If the man really toll] Knox ho was Girty, lie iu nil probability was some one who fcigued that distinguished UPPER LIGONIER VALLEY DURING THE REVOLUTION. 115 bad come to the valley and Robert Knox,.Sr., in which the stranger asked who it was that killed the Indian, when Knox said it was one of the neighbor boys. The following also is of reliable authenticity : On a spring morning in May or June, 1778 or 1779, a party of five left the fort for the hill across the Loyalhanna. The glorious weather and the time of year made the confinement of the fort and the neigh- boring cabins tiresome, and they forgot their danger in the eagerness with which they climbed t: e hill which rises up from the stream, and which was then covered with fields of growing flax. The party were a brother and sister Means, a brother and sister Reed, and Col. William McDowell. The colonel was on horseback, and all the men had their rifles with them. They were all going together, and had ascended the hill, when they were fired upon by some Indians lying behind a log. Young Means fell dead, Reed was shot, but ran say twenty rods, and then fell dead. McDowell and Miss Reed made for the fort with the Indians following them. The colonel slackened his horse for the girl, wdio as she ran along by the side of the horse reached up her hand, which he took, and he lifted her up behind him. The Indians overtook Miss Means, who was stricken with terror, and her they tomahawked and scalped. A rifle-bullet struck the stock of McDowell's gun, and from the glancing ball he carried a hand-wound all his life. Miss Reed alone escaped unhurt. When the whites went from the fort to get the bodies they found those who were killed lying not far apart, the brother and sister Means near together, both of them scalped, but, strange to say, Reed was not scalped. These instances will, we think, answer our purpose. There are innumerable other captivities and murders, the account of which, as happening round the fort, have been preserved by common report, but we have considered them to be of such a character as would by the repetition be neither interesting nor illustra- tive. The general situation about these times we have alluded to before, and will have occasion to al- lude to again. Around the old fort and all through the valley instances like these were common till the end of the Revolution, and in the northern part the people were visited by warlike bands even alter the defeat of Harmar and of St. Clair. personage. After that war Simou set too high a value on his head to risk it among the people of Ligonier Valley or of any other part of West- rnorelaud. CHAPTER XXIII. UPPER LIGOXIER VALLEY DURING Til): REVOLU- TION. Tin- Upper Part of T.igonier Valley— Remains of Hie old Indian Fort— The Early Settlers here : the Harmnne, Gays, and others — Williams' Block-House the Place of aefiiKO for these Early Settlers— Different Murders and Captures in this Region— Indians capture Andrew and John Harman along the Four-Mile Run— They kill one of a Neigh- bor's Horses and take Another — They watch Hie C.ibinaml hear the Mother calling the Boys— Carry the Boys towards the North^Jobn Hies— After trying to freeze Andy to Death, and Falling in other ways to kill lliin, he at last i8 trained ii|i with a chiefs Son — lie is adopted by that Tribe, the Senecas — Lives with them some Years —Is paiied with for a Bottle of Rum to an English/ Officer— Taken to London ns a Servant— After the Peace in 17-:'. enmes Home, after they had long thought him Dead— His Account of their Ways of Fanning, of Hunting, and of Fighting, with several Anecdotes of his relating — Capture of Jacob Nicely by the Complanters — lie is I aisi and adopted by theio — Marries a Squaw and Dies among them — His Father visits him before his Death. In the upper part of the valley the inhabitants, from along Indian Creek, about where now is Done- gal, and from down the Four-Mile Run, had erected, as we have observed, a block-house on the place of a man named Williams, which they called Fort Wil- liams. This was along the bottom of the Four-Mile, and the place is nearly midway between Stahlstown and Donegal. During the Revolution this block- house was a point to which the settlers gathered, and when there appeared to be no more danger they went forth again, took down the bars from the low-swung doors, gathered their strayed cattle, ami furrowed out a little patch for corn or potatoes. Among the earliest settlers in that part of the val- ley were the Hayses, the Williamses, and the Har- mans. Some of the settlers in this part had come in in 1707 and 1768, and were of those few who first looked upon the remains of that singular structure which dates back to a prehistoric age. The remains of the Indian fort, as it was called, were still visible forty years ago; it was, no doubt, but a burial-place of some of that race which, antiquarians say, followed or were coetaneous or identical with the. historic mound-builders of the Mississippi Valley. The chief evidence of the existence of those people here is drawn from their mural remains; and the plow- share has turned up the bones and buried arms ami trinkets from their stone crypts. The Harmans were perhaps among those who had settled in violation of the laws of the Province, occa- sioned by the technical quibble as to the rights of property in the ancient lords of the soil. Here among rmks and beasts, and half hidden from the savages and from the light, the elder Harman, ail emigrant from Germany, with his grubbing-hoe and rifle, built a hut against a rock, covered it with bark, and began a clearing. Some of those who came at that time saw- no other white face than belonged to their own family for more than a year at a time, and often lived for a season on the greens growing in their "stony" gar- den, and on berries from the woods. When more 116 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. settlers came in, the settlements from each end of the valley began to meet ; but the times were, if anything, growing worse. Then came a time when they were continuously watching and fighting. For the greater part of several years in the middle of the war the helpless children and some of the women were left in the lib ck-houses or at stronger cabins away. In the winter the homes were deserted, and when a family was murdered and a cabin burnt, all flocked into the forts, till the hunters, like the dove of the ark, return- ing, brought word that the waters were subsiding. The old man Harman, with three or four of his neighbors, as we have seen, was about 1777 killed when coming from the lower part of the valley. These were all buried where they fell but one, who, after he was shot, threw his arms about his horse's neck that the horse might carry him off out of the reach of the savages. They did not get thescalp of this settler, but he was found dead with his horse standing near him. The Indians took the horses of the others. The families can point out the graves ot these buried men at this day. The widow of Harman was left on the clearing of her husband, now a beautifully lying bottom-land along the creek, where the Laurel Run flows into it, on the main road from Greensburg to Somerset by way of Stahlstown. Then deadened trees stood through the little spots cleared, and stumps and piles of rocks were over more than half the ground. She bad three boys, — Andrew, the eldest, fourteen years, and John and Philip. The widow and her children bad been at the block-house, and when the spring opened she came back to the cabin with them. One morning the widow heard or saw some neighbor's horses in the lot down next the curve of the stream, and she sent the two oldest boys out to drive them off. From behind the upturned roots of a large tree which the water had washed and the storm had blown out there were three Indians watching. These were but a little way off the great Catawba trail running through the valley, and they were on their way north- ward. They lay in wait watching, and the boys came down directly towards them. When these were near enough the Indians jumped out and readily captured John, but Andy ran back towards the house as fast as be could. He was followed by one of the red men, and hearing him coming up close, he turned and saw the tomahawk as it glistened in the Indian's hand over his head. Andy threw his hands across his eyes to shut out the sight, expecting on a sudden the tom- ahawk in bis head. The Indian secured him without hurting, took him back to John, and as they could talk a little English, told them not to call or make a noise or they would be killed. The Indians took the boys, and climbing up the steep hill back of the creek, got to a place from which they could see the cabin and the mother near it, and from where they heard her calling the boys. They dared not answer; and the Indians asked them if there were any men at the cabin. Andy said there were, hut there was not. They would have attacked the cabin, pillaged it, and scalped the mother if they had known that she was unguarded. At length they left, and in a lot upon the hill near came upon a horse and mare belonging to a man named Johnson, a neighboring settler. They secured the young horse, but the mare being heavy with foal, and of no use to them, they cut her throat. They loaded the horse with some pelfry which they had along, noticeably a camp-kettle which they used for boiling their meat in when they had any. They began their journey, and on the same day killed a doe. Of the entrails of the doe they made a soup. Andy said he was afraid they would offer some of the broth to him and his brother, but, on the contrary, they reserved this for themselves, eating every morsel with avidity and relish. They cooked over the coals some of the flesh of the deer, which they gave the boys. The first night they lay out on the Ridge not far from Fort Ligonier; they were near enough to hear a noise there, to which the Indians cautiously listened. They gave the boys a deer-skin to lie down on, and made moccasins for their feet out of the same material, for they were in their bare feet, and had left their tracks with those of the Indians in the sand along the creek when they were taken. These Indians had with them some things which had belonged to the whites, and among these was seen a leather wallet. The boys thought they recog- nized it. and asked them some questions, or at least showed their curiosity. The Indian who had it then asked Andy if he knew it, and Andy said be did not. The Indian said he got it from a little old Dutchman they had killed the last year in the valley. It was the pocket-wallet of their father, and one of these, at least, was of the party which had waited for the whites and killed them. When they came to the upper waters of the Sus- quehanna, which lay in their way, they had some diffi- culty in crossing. They had a canoe, but only one of them could work it, and in swimming their horse and in the care of the canoe it happened that the boys were left on the one side together with the guns. Andrew said that they might have shot the Indians from where they were then, and perhaps have made their escape, if they had had the presence of mind to do so, but they did not think of it at the time, and of course made no effort. They at length got to the town of the Senecas, or Cornplanters, as they were called, from the name of a prominent chieftain best known to the whites. This tribe at an early day had many among them who could talk in broken English. They were now under the influence of the British, but remaining on lands reserved by the Commonwealth to their use, their descendants became partly civilized, and Cornplanter, then a young chief, lived among them, and died at an exceeding great age, a friend of the whites. At that UPPER LIGONIER VALLEY DURING THE REVOLUTION. 117 time there were many white captives among them. The following summer John, the younger of the two, died of a summer complaint which took off many others, both red men and whites. Andrew appears to have heen one of the fortunate ones. lie was taken by a chieftain or prominent man of the nation — some saying by Cornplanter him- self — and kept in his family, in which there was a young Indian of about his own age, and these be- came companions. The Indians, trying to call Andy by his English name, called him "Andus," the name he went by among them altogether. Being young and pliable, and having been brought up hardily, he easily fell into the habits and ways of the Indians, and was treated by them as of their own. His family by adoption and some who liked him would not allow him to be ill treated or abused by the selfish ones. It was during the second year of his captivity that the attack was made upon the villages and cornfields of the tribes along the Allegheny by Brodhead and others who led out the expeditions of that year from Westmoreland. This occurring in the early part of a severe season caused that improvident people much suffering. At one time, possibly late in the long winter of 1780, they were totally without provisions; and as the snow was deep and the weather severe, they had poor opportunity to get game. " Andus" was kept with them, and he was one more mouth to feed. They could not well dispose of him at the time, and they did not want openly to kill him. But his master wanted to get him out of the way in a manner unknown and unsuspected. One day, there- fore, with this object uppermost, he sent his boy, the comrade of Andy, and Andy himself down the river on the frozen ice to another Indian town for corn. The chief was talking with his boy before they started, and Andy heard him say that when they should come to a thin place in the ice, or an air-hole, to thrust Andus in. Andy asked him what he had said, and the chief replied he was telling the boy to put down an old dog which they had and which followed them about. Andy was on his watch, but the young war- rior did not make any attempt to do as he was bidden. At another time not far from this he was with his master bin. -elf hunting. They were very successful, for the man killed three deer and carried them to a place together before he quit. He then, towards the. night, and at a distance away, gathered up one which be had skinned, and took it upon his back to carry it to camp, leaving Andus with the others, and telling him that he would be back soon. It was bitter cold. And)' .wrapped himself in the deer-skins, the deer having been placed out of the reach of wolves, and fell asleep. He slejit soundly, and in the morning was awakened by the master kicking against him, expect- ing to find him frozen dead. But under the snow Andus was safe. After that, Harman said, he thought they bad made up their mind to treat him as them- selves, and not to kill him. He said likewise that there was one of the Indians of that tribe who was something of a gardener, and that he always had the earliest squashes and cucum- bers "in the market." Squashes, it would appear, was this epicure's favorite dish. Andus, too, was fond of them, and the early ones would be a change of diet. So in the dusk of the evening, when the gar- dener was in bed, Andus went to the patch, and pulling up a mess brought them to the fire and cov- ered them up in the coals. He expected to get up in the morning before any of the others and make his breakfast on them. But man proposes, and so forth ; and while Andus slept a dog scratched out the squashes, and being a vegetarian feasted. When Andy got awake he saw the rinds lying about among the ashes and trampled upon. He picked out wdiat he well could to keep them from the sight of the Indian. Nothing was said of it. The gardener soon, however, called Andus to him, having before the fire a nice heap of the forbidden fruit. He asked Andus if he liked squashes, who said he did. He told him to help him cook them. They were all prepared, the fire ready, and they were put on to cook. Andy did not suspect anything, but when he was engaged stoop- ing about the fire, the squashes nearly done, the Ar- cadian jumped upon his back, cudgeled him, grabbed him by the throat, and throwing him upon the ground choked and beat him so unmercifully that other ones interfered. With difficulty Andus got away, but he lay for a time almost dead. He said that the resent- ment of his master and some of the others was so great that if he had died under the beating he be- lieves they would have killed the gardener. And Andus did not wait for the squashes. Andrew being young when he was captured, and being surrounded all the time by the red men, the knowledge of his home and relatives gradually be- came dimmer. He became in speech, in manner, and in habit an Indian. With them he feasted, hun- gered, fished, hunted. He remained with them for somewhat above two years, when he was traded to a British officer. The market perhaps being dull, and the Indian impecunious, his price was a bottle of " lum," the name by which they pronounced rum. By this officer he was carried to England, and re- mained in London for about two years. Then the peace occurring he was exchanged with other pris- oners and allowed to go at large. He left the vessel at New York and found his way back to Ligo- nier Valley. His mother was still living. He en- tered her cabin, and a woman wdio happened to be at the house of Widow Harman on that day related long after the scene which she then witnessed. The old mother, after recognizing her long-lost child, her eldest born, for whom she had for years given up the hope that he was walking among mortals, and who now stepped out, as it were, from the dead, seeing, she uttered a long shriek and fell into the arms of her boy. Her joy, mingled with grief, could not be cou- 118 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. trolled. In the words of the aged narrator, "she might have heen washed iu her tears." The news flew fast that little Andy Harman, who had been carried off years ago, was now in his mother's house. On the next Sunday the lowly cabin was crowded the livelong day. From up and down the valley, from the cabins built like aeries on the rocks of the hills, men and boys and women came. The mother and her son, who now took his father's place, lived long together. Andrew Harman, following his early habit of life, was content to pass most of his time in the woods. He was known as one of the best hunters in the whole region. He attended the numerous parties at wood-choppings and clearings, and it was his de- light, and the delight of the boys to have him do so, to imitate the wild red men in their war-dances. He would tie a blanket about his head, and taking a tomahawk in one hand and a butcher-knife in the other, would dance and ye.ll and sing to the music of the violin, and at every distortion of his body strike the hatchet and knife till the sparks flew. He could not bear to have the Indians talked badly of. He always took their part, and it is said that he even longed to escape from civilization and rove a half- savage, living as they lived. It is not at all unrea- sonable, for all experience teaches that it is easier to make an Indian of a white man than a white man of an Indian. In his gait, his style in the woods, in his idioms and gestures one might discern the effect of the habit which makes second nature. These habits themselves remained with him till he died. He was, off and on, always in the woods till infirmity conse- quent on old age compelled him to take his last bed. We may also notice that Jacob Nicely, a little child, son of Adam Nicely, a resident on the Four-Mile Bun not far from the Loyalhanna, was taken by a squad of those Seneca Indians, but at a time somewhat later, perhaps not earlier than 1791. He was watched by them when he was going from the house, where he had got a light-cake from his mother, to the other children, who were picking berries in the meadow. The chil- dren reported of his capture, and the party was fol- lowed beyond the Kiskiminctas, but without avail. He had been gone so long that his parents and their friends never expected even to hear of him. Jakey, as the people always spoke of him, was about five years old when taken. He was raised by them and adopted into the tribe. He forgot almost everything about the wdiites, and could not pronounce his own name when he hail heard it. Many years after, when all was peace, a person from the valley, recognizing a similarity between the features and build of this man and a brother, made inquiry, and found that he was an adopted white, and had been carried from Ligonier Valley. This was reported to the father, Adam Nicely, who after weeks of preparation started, about 1828, to see Jakey before lie died, for he was now in old age. The mother, too, was still alive. The old gentleman made the journey in safety, and met and lodged with his boy, now to all intents an Indian. He had grown to manhood, had a squaw for a wife, was raising a family, and had abundance of horses, some land, and plenty of hunting and fishing " tools." The old man returned, and "Jakey" promised him to come in the following year to see his mother. He gave his father a rifle for a keepsake, and accompa- nied him for some distance on his way back. Jakey did not come in as lie promised, and tiny never heard more of him. When, the father spoke of him, "his Jakey," tears always filled his eyes. But the motherly yearning of the mother ceased for her idol of a boy only when they laid her whitened head on its earthly pillow to its last and sweetest sleep. CHAPTER NXIV. CAPTAIN BRADY AND HIS EXPLOITS. Capt. Samuel 15r.-i.ly . the Hem of Western Pennsylvania, is stationed at Pittsburg]] in Col. Brodhead's Regiment— When his Family is murdered lif swears to wage a War against the Indians long as In- lives— lie is sent to Sandusky to -,.| Infoi minion for the Commander-in-Chief -He gets within sight of tin' Town a ml WHtches the Indiana all Day — On his way hark lie kills a Warrior, ami saves Jenny Stupes ami her Child — His Companion, the Dutchman Phouts, ami his pet Delaware — lie and the Dutchman go up the Allegheny to get some News — They follow an Indian Ti ail — They capture an old Indian who tries to kill Phouts, but who is killed by him — Brady as Captain of the Bangers— Buttle of Brady's Bend— Brady kills the Bald Eagle, who hail killed his Relative — Bmdj wait lies in the French Creek Coun- try — Me ami hi* Men pursue a Returning Patty of Indians— Brady's Leap — lie follows up a Party which hml entered the Sewickley Set" tlement — Hi* Men attack a Party ol Warriors ami rout them— His Adventures with Wetzel anil the Spies alter the General War, as well as all others which have heen substantiated or corroborated by Con- current Accounts. We come now to take notice of the services of a man who attained great reputation for his acts of bravery ami heroism, and who during many years was regarded as, the guardian of the border of Westmore- land on the northwest. When, as the savages seemed to increase the more that were killed, when defeat followed defeat, when they had been emboldened, with the nature of the wolf, by success, then, when the men were out on some expedition or serving a term in the army, many a woman quieted the fears of the little ones by telling them that Capt. Brady and his rangers watched the Allegheny River between them and the country of the Indians, over which the red men could not cross while he was there. Brady was to our fron- tier what Boone was to the frontier of Kentucky, and what Kit Carson was to the California emigrants in the days of the Argonauts. He was the hero of West- ern Pennsylvania. Samuel Brady was born at Shippensburg in 1758. In 1775, during the Revolution, he went from the West Fork of the Susquehanna with a company to Boston, where he at his young age displayed on sev- eral occasions that coolness and decision which carried him safely through many adventures, and which CAPTAIN BRADY AND HIS EXPLOITS. 119 helped him to win a fame as enduring as the annals of our Commonwealth, or as the history of the Indian race. In 1776 he was appointed lieutenant in a com- pany raised in Lancaster County ; and after the battle of Monmouth he was promoted to a captaincy, and ordered with Gen. Brodhead to the headquarters of the West, then Pittsburgh. Brady in the mean time was stopping with his father, who himself was a cap- tain in the Continental army, and who having been wounded at Brandywine was at home. AVhile here he heard of the death of one of his brothers at the hands of the Indians. He stayed with his father till the beginning of 1779, when he joined his regiment at Pittsburgh. While here, not long after he came, he heard of the death of his father, who had been murdered in a horrible massacre by the Indians in April, 1779. When the sufferings of his relatives, especially the delirium and intense agony of his younger brother in dying, came to his knowledge, he was so filled with anguish and a longing for revenge that, it is said, he raised his hand towards heaven, and swore "he would revenge the death of these, and never while he lived be at peace with the Indians of any tribe." And he never altered his mind. In 1780, while Col. Brodhead was in command at Fort Pitt, the country north and west of the Ohio and Allegheny was in the possession of the Indians, and when information came to Gen. Washington concern- ing the plans of the British agents and the intentions of the Indians, he wrote to Brodhead to select a suit- able officer and dispatch him to Sandusky to examine the place and ascertain the force of the British and Indians assembled there, in order that preparations could be made against attacks expected from that point. Brodhead sent for Brady, whom he knew, and showed him the letter and a draught of the country. The appointment was accepted, and in May, 1780, Brady, with four Chickasaw Indians as guides and a few soldiers, began his march. He was dressed as an Indian warrior, and with the utmost secrecy he led his band in safety to near the Sandusky towns without seeing a hostile savage. The night before they came to the towns he saw a fire, and approaching found two squaws reposing be- side it. He passed them by without harming. Get- ting now into intimate connection with the enemy, his Chickasaws deserted him, but he proceeded with the rest, and went on till he came to the river upon which the principal town stood. Here he concealed his men, and when this was done he selected one man as his companion, and this one remained with him in nearly all his future adventures. The two waded the river to an island partially concealed, where they re- mained till the night. The next morning a heavy fog lay over the land till the sun, towards the middle of the day, dissipated it, when the first sight observed was a vast body of Indians — they say several thou- sand — intensely interested in running or racing horses which they had captured from the Kentuckians, upon I whom they had just made a reprisal. Brady noticed particularly a fine gray horse which beat everything against him. They kept the diversion up till towards evening, the gray still the victor of the turf, till when tw unted him at once he was first vanquished in the race. Brady made all the observations he could during the day; at night he crossed from the island, collected his men, went to the' Indian camp he had passed on his way out, and taking the squaws prisoners began bis march back. The distance being longer than he had expected, the provisions and ammunition were exhausted. Brady shot an otter, but they could not cat it. They stopped at an old Indian encampment, where they found plenty of strawberries, which they ate and satisfied their hunger. They here saw a deer- track, and Brady, telling his men that he might get a shot at it, followed it. He had gone but a kw yards when he saw the deer standing with its side towards him. The last load was in his rifle. When he pulled the trigger the powder flashed in the pan, and he had no more powder. He sat down, picked at the touch- hole, and started on. He was on a path which, at a short distance, made a bend ; here he saw an Indian approaching on horseback, with a child before him and its mother behind, and some warriors marching- in the rear. He thought of shooting the Indian, but as he raised the gun he observed that the child's head lolled with the motion of the horse. He saw also that it was sleeping and tied to the Indian. He stepped behind the roots of a tree, awaiting a chance to shoot the Indian without danger to the child or its mother. When he had a chance he fired. The In- dian fell to the ground, and the child and woman with him. Brady at the instant yelled to his men to surround the Indians; he himself jumped fur the dead Indian's powder-horn, but he could in it pull it off'. The woman, from his dress and from his Indian yell, taking him for an Indian, said, " Why did you ^1 1 your brother?" He disentangled the child and caught it up as he said, " I am Capt. Brady, Jenny Stupes ; follow me." He caught her by the hand, and, with the child under his other arm, pulled her along into the woods. They were fired at but not harmed, and the Indians, fearing the approach of the whites, scattered and took to cover. They were, however, in no danger from these, for the men, having no ammu- nition, on the cry of the captain, themselves fearing massacre, ran away, and the squaws whom he had brought thus far from their camp near the towns, availing themselves of the hubbub, escaped. The men came into Fort Mcintosh (Beaver) before the captain, who got in with the woman and child the next day. Brady being desirous to see the savage he had shot, the officer in command sent out some men with him, and they went to search for the body. They were about quitting the place without finding it, when he heard the yell of his pet Indian, and following it up 120 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. they came to the grave of the warrior, which the pet had discovered by the withered bushes. For when Brady had left, the companions of the shot Indian picking the body up, carried it to some distance, and laying it in a shallow grave, had neatly replaced sods and grasses upon it, and in the fresh earth stuck green boughs. They did this to hide the grave, but it led to its discovery; for the branches and leaves had withered, and it was this which, showing in the little glade, caught the sight of the tame Indian. Remov- ing the shallow earth, they found the dead brave lying with his arms and trinkets ready, to as limited an ex- tent as their commissary department would admit, to lift the hair lock and slap the bloody scalp of the dar- ling babe over the face of the weeping pale-faced mother in the eternal dreams of the ghostly spirit land. But his arms and ammunition and the foolish trinkets were taken from him, the twenty-four hours' buried skull was scalped for the trophy, as the boy nails the tails of muskrats to a post to keep count, and the body was again covered with its kindred earth. Another incident connected with this expedition appears to be worthy of remembrance, being recorded as it was by one who had it, as well as the account of most of the other sallies of this Indian knight errant, from those who had the best opportunities of know- ing. This came from the mouth of Capt. Brady him- self. After taking the squaws and commencing their homeward march, he took advantage of every pre- caution to elude pursuit, keeping, for instance, upon the dryest ridges, ami walking over logs and rocks ■wherever he could. However, he discovered that he was followed, for at several times he saw in the dis- tance an Indian hopping from one tree to another, and then disappearing. He concluded that he could nut lie followed thus by the sagacity of the Indians alone, but that they were led by a dog which tracked him and bis party. He told his men then to go on while he secreted himself among the roots of a chest- nut-tree which had fallen down, after walking on the bole of the tree towards the east. He was not long there when a little slut came up to the log at the farther end; she mounted the log, and came toward him, snuffing the track. Not far behind came an In- dian. There was a choice now to shoot either the dog or the warrior. Brady chose to shoot the first. He shot the slut and she rolled over dead, and the warrior with a loud whoop sprang into the woods. The party was molested no further by these. Col. Rrodhead had given up the expectation of seeing Capt. Brady again ; for, in the first place, the distance was much farther to the towns than it was marked on the chart and currently reported, and of course more time was required in accomplishing the result; and, in the next place, the Chickasaws, who hail on going out deserted him, coming back to Pittsburgh, reported that the party had been cut off by Indians before they got to Sandusky. Brady, however, in time came in, and going up the river he was received with military honors Minute-guns were fired from the time he came in sight till lie landed. Not long after Brady had returned from his San- dusky expedition and made his report, he was observed one evening sitting alone near the barracks in a kind of reverie. He was given to such spells, and would sit brooding for hours together. His temperament cither partook of a melancholy turn, or else the great sufferings of unknown and unexpressed passions or griefs slumbered within him. There was at this time about the garrison a Dutchman by the name of Phouts, who was a great Indian-fighter, very brave, something of a backwoodsman, and who looked upon a redskin much as an inhabitant of the Chestnut Ridge would look upon a copperhead. His disposition otherwise partook of kindness, and being credulous he was also sympathetic. Phouts had a great regard for the cap- tain, and noticing him in his dejection, his good heart was grieved at the signs of thought and care plainly visible in his countenance. Approaching him, in the best English of which he was master, he soothingly asked the "gabtan" what ailed him. Brady looked at Phouts for a short time without speaking; he then appeared to be at himself, and said he had been thinking about the redskins, and in his opinion there were some of them above on the river ; that he had a mind to visit them, and in the end asked Phouts whether, if he should get the permission of the com- mandant, he would go along. This was what Phouts above everything else desired, and when Brady was done speaking, he raised himself upon his tip-toes, and bringing his heels down to the ground together, said, "by dunder and lightnin'," he would rather go with the captain than to the finest wedding in the country. Brady told him to keep quiet about it, not to tell anybody, that mine must know of it but the colonel, and that he should call at his tent in an hour. The captain then went to the colonel's head- quarters, and disclosed to him his project. It met with the approbation of the commandant, and as any information from the troublesome part of the country about the Allegheny was always acceptable, the cap- tain had his permission to control the actions of the man or men whom he should take along. When Brady came back to his tent he found his friend there talking with a pet Indian. He told him of his suc- cess, and said that as it was early in the moon, and they must take advantage of the nights before they should grow brighter, they would start betimes early the next morning. They immediately went to work to clean their guns, and having prepared ammunition and secured a little salt in a bag, they lay down tosleep. Brady awoke first, and stirring Phouts they started from the town. This was about two hours before daybreak. They were soou in a wood never traveled by either of them before. They kept along the river till near night, when they came to a creek which flowed in on the Pittsburgh side. CAPTAIX BRADY AND HIS EXPLOITS. 121 They had no provisions along, and concluded first to get something and to remain for the night. Phouts built a fire; and alter covering it with leaves, they started up the creek for game. Xot far up they came to a lick. Two deer came in soon after, and Phouts shooting one of them, they skinned part of it, and took it hack to camp, and during the night jerked some of the rest of it for future use. What remained with the skin on they hung in the branches of a tree, intending to take it on their way home should thej get safely hack. The next morning they started early and traveled all day. In the evening they espied a flock of crows hovering above the tree-tops along the river-bunk at a distance. Brady said there were either Indians about, or else there was a camp near of some com- panies which were expected at Pittsburgh from about the Susquehanna. Phouts wanted to go and see for themselves, hut Brady sail that they would wait till night set in, when fires would he made by the party, whoever they were. They then hid among fallen timber and remained till about ten o'clock at night. Seeing no fire, Brady concluded that a hill or thick wood intervened between them. They decided to- go and ascertain the facts. They went cautiously toward the river-bank, ami bad gone not more than two hundred yards when they ob- served, on their right, a twinkling fire. At first they thought that the river there made a short bend, but on proceeding they found another stream, which flowed into the river, no doubt the Kiskiminetas. Brady now wanted to go himself, but Phouts wished to go along. With great care they approached the fire together. They judged from appearance that it was an Indian camp, and much too large for them to attack ; but, determined to find out all, they ap- proached very near to the fire, and in the low glim- mer of the light saw an old Indian sitting beside a tree, either mending or making a pair of moccasins. Phouts, who never thought of danger or of conse- quences, was for shooting the Indian, but Brady pre- vented him. After a careful examination the captain concluded that although the camr> had been made by a large body, yet that most of them were away. In the morning they would know more, and taking the Dutchman he retired into the woods to await the day. When dayligi.t appeared they returned to the camp, bn( saw nothing but the old Indian, a dog, and a horse. Brady was not satisfied yet, and so he kept at a distance from the camp, circled round, and got on the bank of the river above it. Here he found the trail of a large body of Indians, who had gone up the Al- legheny, to his judgment, about two days before. He then concluded on going back and capturing the Indian there. He determined to seize the old man alive, fearing that either he might shoot if disturbed, or that if he should himself fire, the report of the gun would alarm any Indians in the neighborhood and bring them down upon them. This he told to his companion, and they again cautiously approached the place. When they came near enough to perceive, the Indian was lying on his back with his bead to- wards them. Phouts was ordered to remain where he was, and not to fire unless the dog made an effort to assist his master; the rest was left to Brady. The plan arranged, Brady dropped his rifle, and taking his tomahawk in his hand crept along the ground to- wards the Indian. He wormed himself along snake- like till he was within a step or two, when lie raised himself up ; with a yell he made a spring, ami bail the old man fast by the throat. The struggling of the Indian did not avail ; Brady had his tomahawk over his head; the dog behaved civilly towards the strangers ; Phouts came up and they tied the prisoner. They found nothing of value in the camp hut some powder and lead, which they threw into the river. When the Indian was told that they intended to take him with them to Pittsburgh he showed them where there was a canoe. They got it, and taking the dog and captive along, floated down the river. They stopped at their camping-place coming up, for Brady had left his wiping-rod there. They made a fire and went to sleep. At daylight the captain started for where they had left their jerk to have some to eat, leaving Phouts in charge of the prisoner and canoe. These were not long together till the Indian complained to the Dutchman that the cords on his wrist hurt him. The Dutchman with kindness took off the cords, and the Indian appeared to be grateful. Phouts had left his gun standing against a tree, and soon after was busy doing something about the camp. The Indian, seeing his chance when Phouts was not looking, sprang for the gun and had it clicked in an instant. When the Dutchman looked around he saw the muzzle of the gun at bis breast. He, in turn, sprang for the Indian with a Dutch whoop. The Indian fired, and the bullet took along with it part of the belt of his loving comrade's shot- pouch. The Dutchman, with one stroke of his toma- hawk, almost severed the head from the body. Brady, hearing the report of the rifle and the yell of Phouts, ran back to the camp, and found the Dutch- man sitting upon the body of the dead Indian exam- ining the mutilated shot-pouch. Brady, with surprise, asked him what he had been doing, when the Dutch- man held up his belt with the hole in it and said, "Yust look, gabtan, vat dat dam black dog vas apout." He related to Brady what had occurred, and they then taking the scalp of the Indian and his dog, and getting into the canoe, pointed the beak of it clown the stream, and arrived at Pittsburgh the fourth day after they had left. Brodhead had been no long time in command till he saw that the only effective way of fighting the Indians was in organizing large bodies, which either penetrated the wilderness for them, pursued them into their haunts, or directed the force of their attacks at places off from the settlements. In the expedition 122 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. under the immediate command of Brodhead him- self which about this time went up the river, Capt. Brady had command of the advance-guard, which was left entirely to his management. This force pro- ceeded up the Allegheny, and first arrived at the flat land near the mouth of Redbank Creek without see- ing an enemy. This place is now known as Brady's Bend. Brady kept his men at all times some distance in front of the main body of soldiers, acting, as they professed, as pioneers or scouts ; and he had under his immediate control the men identified with him, all Indian hunters and scouts, called rangers, and from being their leader, Brady has been called the captain of the rangers. These being in front, at some dis- tance discovered a war party of Indiaus approaching. Brady here displayed some knowledge of tactics. Having reliance in the power of the main body of the army to beat the Indians back when they should come together, and also anticipating that the Indians would return on the same route upon which they came up, he therefore hastened to secure a narrow pass higher up the river, where the perpendicular rocks nearly approached the water, and where a few determined men, such as his, might hold their place against a large force. The Indians in a short time encountered the main body under Brodhead, and were driven back. They in swift retreat ran pell-mell to gain the pass between the rocks and the river, through which they had come. The pass was occupied by Brady, and when the flying warriors came up they were received with a destruc- tive fire. They were again broken, and were now Forced to take to the river. Many were killed on the bank, and many more in the stream. Some got out of the reach of the bullets by swimming, among whom w as < lomplanter,' then but a young man. A ludicrous incident occurred. After the Indians were across the river, Brady was standing on the bank wiping out his rifle. An Indian on the opposite side began a conversation with him, in the course of which he called him and his men, in bad English, cowards, squaws, and pappooses, and put his body in such postures and attitudes and made such grimaces as to his notion conveyed the most contempt. When the main body of soldiers came up a canoe was manned, and Brady with a few others crossed to where the Indian had been seen. Finding blood on the ground, they followed it up but a short distance, when the Indian, lying in their way, jumped up. As he did so he struck his breast, saying, " I am a man." He was a wounded warrior, and, to be supposed, wanted to die game. Brady wanted to take him pris- oner without harming him. But the Indian continu- ing to repeat, "I am a man," an Irishman who was along in the party, saying, "Yes, by the howley poker, you're a purthy boy," sunk his tomahawk into the Indian's head before Brady could interpose. l We believe the correct name of this cliief was Cornplaut, but we follow the usnge. In this campaign Brady partially avenged the death of his relatives, for along the West Branch of the Susquehanna, the home of the Bradys, James, the younger brother of Samuel, had gone with others to the help of a neighbor. They were here attacked by Indians, and the young captain, his brother, having been scalped was left for dead. As he was thus lying, a young boy-warrior in training, at the command of the older ones, struck him four times in the head with a hatchet, each stroke leaving a deep gash. With all this the young scout was taken by a party to the fort. Four days he lay delirious; on the fifth his reason re- turned, and before he died he described minutely the whole affair. From his description of the chiefs it was concluded that the leaders of the party were the Bald Eagle surely, and likely Cornplanter. The Bald Eagle's Nest, as his camp was called, was for a part of the year at the mouth of Bald Eagle Creek,'- which empties into the Susquehanna near Great Island. Vengeance was sworn by the sorrowing settlement against this chief. But the gratification of destroying this curse of the whites was left to Brady himself. On that day, at Brady's Bend, the party of Indians which Brady allowed to go into the trap was :t body, perhaps a hundred, of Senecas on their way to join others at the Bald Eagle's Nest. Cornplanter was in command, and the Eagle himself was along. Brady thought he recognized him that day in the pass, and so he fired at him, but with what effect he did not know. He had a singular curiosity to see the face of every Indian he killed, and what he looked for no one could tell. When the battle was over he searched un- file body and found it. The ball had done its work surely; the Bald Eagle was dead, killed by the man whose province it appeared tobetodoso. The place of the battle bids fair to be known for many coining years by the name of the avenger. Brodhead was one of the best Indian-fighters stationed at the post at Pittsburgh, and his vigilance kept the Indians for a time in a state of forced submis- sion or quietness. The effectiveness of the measures was owing to the employment of the good frontiersmen whom he had constantly about him. Good spies and scouts were kept watching ami making report, and be- tween regular campaigns this kind of fighting and harassing was of as great benefit to the frontiers as regularly won battles. Capt. Brady with some of his men had at one time the French Creek country as his field of operations. It was while on duty here that in a foray he came into the region about the Slippery Rock Creek, a branch of the Beaver. To here he had come without seeing an Indian or any sign of one. On the evening, however, he came upon a trail, and tliis he followed till it was too dark to go farther without coming upon the Indians. But early the next morn- ing he pursued and overtook them while they were - The lidge in Centre ami Huntingdon Counties is tailed by tliis name also. CAPTAIN BRADY AND HIS EXPLOITS. 123 about their morning meal. While he was following lip with so much energy the party before him, there was a party of hostile Indians following him with a desire as eager. He had, in the first dawn, made his arrangements, fixed his men, and just as they fired upon the party of Indians eating around their fires, he at the same moment was fired upon by the party in the rear. The alarm brought them all to their feet. He and his men were now between two fires, and were far outnumbered. Two of his party fell, his tomahawk was shot from his side, and the battle yell given by the party in the rear was loudly re- sponded to by those in front. There was, therefore, no time to contemplate, there could be no hesitation, and in their present predicament there was no chance for a successful defense. The rangers had to run for their lives; each ran for himself, and the Indians came in elose pursuit. The captain in person was perhaps well known to some of the Indians. He made for the creek. See- ing him going in that direction they felt sure of tak- ing him captive, for they knew the country and he did not. They thought and believed he was going into a trap from which there was no escape. The creek for a considerable distance above and below the point to which he was approaching was washed in its channel to a great depth. In the expectation of catching him there no attention was paid to the other scouts, who escaped safely. Throwing away their guns that they might keep near the swift runner, and drawing their hatchets and knives as they ran, the pack pressed forward with eagerness, ready to over- power and seize him. Brady comprehended their object, and saw at a glance his only chance of escape. The Indians were not to take him alive, that was his mind; and for coolness and determination he was well-nigh stoical. He kept his rifle in his hand. He saw the deep waters and the wide gap between the banks. He measured it with his eye, and concentra- ting his energy and strength in one effort he sprang into the air, cleared the creek, and stood on the op- posite bank. Then he quickly primed and loaded his rifle, and was not done when a large Indian, the fore- most in pursuit, came to the bluff opposite, who, when he saw Brady, was astonished beyond expression, else he would not have said admiringly, as Brady averred he did in tolerably good English, " Blady made good jump." He did not, however, stay to oiler congratulation, or to contemplate the feat of agility, and recovering from the sensation of admira- tion by seeing the rifle almost loaded, he took to his heels, and ran as crooked as a worm fence, sometimes leaping high, at others suddenly squatting down. He expected every instant a rifle-ball in his back. Brady and his men had a place designated at which they were to meet in ease they got separated. When Brady got there he found the other three. They marched back to Pittsburgh, as they said, half de- feated. Of the Indians, they had seen three fall at their first fire. Brady was at the place afterward, and ascertained that his leap was about twenty-three feet, and that the water was about twenty feet deep. This is the place which in geographies and in adventures is still called Brady's Lea]). 1 It would appear that there were some jealous bickerings among the emulous officers about Pitts- burgh on account of the notoriety which Capt. Brady, from numerous acts, was getting. These complained that they were excluded from such honorable service, and an effort was made with Brodhead to allow them to follow up the Indians after one of their next in- cursions after a plan more consonant with the regu- lar line of service. The commandant made this known to Brady, with whom he was ever on intimate terms. Brady, knowing his own efficiency and the efficiency of his mode of warfare, acquiesced in the proposed change, we may imagine with something of complacency. The opportunity for testing both plans was soon offered. The Indians soon after made one of their accus- tomed incursions into the Sewickley settlement, com- mitting the most barbarous murders of men, women, and children, and destroying such property wherever they went as they could not carry away. The alarm was brought to Pittsburgh, and a party of soldiers under the officers emulous for a chance was sent out to follow the invaders. Brady was left out. But he must fight somehow, and the day after the detach- ment had marched he got permission of the colonel to take a small party "on their own hook." At first the solicitation was refused, and it was only after much persevering that the final consent was obtained. He was allowed the command of five men, and to this party he added his pet Indian. He did not move towards Sewickley, as the detach- ment had done, but crossing the Allegheny at Pitts- burgh, he proceeded up the river. He conjectured that the Indians making the incursion had descended the stream in canoes till they were within a conven- ient distance to strike tiie settlement, and with this view he carefully examined the mouths of the creeks coming into the river, and particularly from the south- east. At the mouth of Big Mahoning, about six miles above Kittanning, the canoes were seen drawn up on the western bank. This was enough, and he returned down the river and awaited for the night. When it was dark he made a raft, and crossed to the Kittan- ning side. He proceeded up the creek, and found that the Indians in the mean time had crossed the creek, as their canoes were seen drawn up on the op- posite or upper bank. The country about the mouth of the Mahoning on all sides is rough and mountain- ous. The stream was then high and rapid. Several attempts were made to wade it, and this was at length done three or four miles above the canoes. They made a fire to dry their clothing, and inspected their 1 Slippery Eock is iu Cutler Couuly. 124 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. anus. They then moved for the camp of the Indians, which was made on the second bank of the stream. Brady placed his men on the lower bank. The In- dians having brought a fine horse from Sewickley, he wa- fettered and turned to pasture on this Lower bank ; and an Indian coming frequently down to him oc- casioned the party there much annoying trouble. It seemed that the horse, too, wanted to keep their com- pany, and they had to be circumspect in avoiding each. Brady was so provoked that be bad a mind to tomahawk the Indian, but reflecting on the possible consequence, his judgment prevailed oxer his temper. At length the Indians seemed to be quiet, and Brady determined to pay them a closer visit. He and his pit Indian by his side wormed themselves along the ground till they got quite close to their fires. They were lying asleep. The pet here gave his hair a pluck, which was a sign to retire, for they did not dare to speak to each other. The. captain was regard- less of danger in his curiosity, but the Indian retired. Having closely inspected the situation, Brady re- turned, and after posting his men, awaited in silence the approach of day. When the day broke the Indians arose and stood round their fires. At a signal given seven rifles cracked and five Indians fell dead. Brady's war-cry next broke on the air, and his party were among the wounded and dying. The guns of the In- dians being empty, some were secured without re- sistance. The rest id' the Indians tied and disappeared in I In' wood. One was followed by the track of blood, the flow of which, at some distance, be seemed to have stanched. The pet Indian imitating the cry of a young wolf was answered by the w : ounded man, and the pur- suit was renewed. The wolf cry was given a second time and answered, and the pursuit continued into a windfall. Here he must have espied bis pursuers, for he was answered no more. Brady found bis remains three weeks after, being led to the place by ravens preying on the carcass. The horse was unlettered, the plunder gathered, and the party commenced their return to Pittsburgh, some of the. u descending in the canoes of the Indians. Three days alter their return the first detachment came in. They reported that they had followed the Indians closely, but that the latter bad got into their canoes and made their escape. Other adventures he had, but as they were of a later date than the Revolution they need not be in- serted here. He devoted himself, in accordance with bis desire and in fulfillment of his oath, to war with the Indians, and the fame of his successful encounters no doubt highly exaggerated his reputation as a scout, and the fascination in the wild life of the hunter had drawn to his command some of the most noted char- acters of the frontier, among them the Wetzels ami, it is said, Kenton. When the general war was over, and when there was no longer a commandant at the Pittsburgh post, Brady still kept up his warfare, and as he lived on the frontier, always in advance of the settlers, some of his later deeds happened in the new territory west of the Ohio, where these resolute spies guarded the Southwestern Virginia settlements, a general name for the settlements which extended to the Tennessee River. Thus have we recounted what has come under our observation touching the life and services of this man, accounts which appear to be worthy of remem- brance, and which have the stamp of truth and au- thenticity. People never, it appears, get tired read- ing or hearing of the acts of this brave man, and although many of his deeds have been preserved in other books, yet we feel justified in recording them among the annals of our early history. Brady continued to battle for the wdiite settlers long after the treaties with them at the close of the great war, up to 1793. The Indians, used to war all their lives, still continued to harass the settlers in disregard of treaties of any kind, and only for Brady and such men the West would have borne merely the semblance of peace. But after all, Brady, for an attack upon a camp of Delawares, in return for numerous murders committed by them among the settlers along the Ohio, was tried in a court in Allegheny County before the chief justice for murder, and, strange to say, was as- sisted by the testimony of Kyashuta. For an account of this trial we refer to the note marked with this chapter. 1 CHAPTER XXV. LOCHRY'S EXPEDITION. The Settlements in 177'. I 1780— Ferocity of the Savages, and De- pravity of a Class of Whites Some Whites from nbout Hannustuwn Kill Friendly Indians— Kirkpatrick's Cabin attacked by Indians, ami there- in ol tin- Custom ui' claiming Scales — Brodhead ordered to .semi a De- tachment tinder Maj. Craig from Fort Pitt to reinforce Gen. Clark — el. nk': Plan of a Western CampaUn -Westmoreland requestud to co- operate with Him — Bickeriugs and Jealousies among the Leaders of tin' i :iiiii\ ii Lochry,as County Lieutenant, under Instructions from tin- Council, raises a force ol Volunteers to join with Clark — The Difficulties under which Lochry lai 'd— Clark's LoltertotheOfficeta .-I Westmoreland, disclosing liis Plan of Campaign — Lochry T 8 Friends volunteer — They rendezvous at Canadian's Block-House — They pro- ceed down Hi'' R Ma aftei Clark in unite witlikimal Wheeling— ■ Lochry's last Letter— Arriving at Wl ling (Fort Henry), Lochrj finds that Clark had g n dowu tin' River -He prepares Boats i " folluw — Goes to the Mouth of the Kanawha — Capt. Shannon sent for- ward with a Letter to Clark — He ami his Men are captured — The In- dians place tlnni mi aii Island as a Decoy for tin 1 other Whites — Lochry's Men hunt some distance above On- Island — Upon landing they are attacked by a large Force of Indians ami entirely cut off — Me- moriul of Two of the Prisoners who were exchanged — Capt Orr, ami his Account of this Expedition — Unit. Samuel Craig's Narrative of > ti s Captivity— Now Volunteers called out tuwards the end of tin- Vear 1781. What the state of our country west of Laurel Hill about the end of 177'J and the beginning of 1780 was may well be imagined. It would fill a volume to re- peat all the testimony bearing on this one subject at 1 See notes Xos. 1 ami 2 in Appendix "P." LOCnRY'S EXPEDITION. 125 this particular time. Some of the inhabitants, where it was possible for them to do so, had left, others were in real poverty. When the collector of taxes came round, lie saw in some districts nothing but deserted homes, with rabbits running among the ruins of the cabins, and with weeds growing about the fields. At many places the graves of those who had formerly lived there could be seen near the garden fence, now lying down. Those who remained were collected near the forts and block-houses, or in clusters of two and three families, they barricaded one of their cabins for the use of all. Some farther remote dared the Fates, and trusted that they were too far off to be in the way of danger. At the outer edge of the settlements, — that is, along the Kiskiminetas, the Al- legheny, and the frontier of Washington, — companies of rangers were formed to protect the rest, who at the hazard of their lives ventured out to gather their scanty crops or to prepare the ground. These were continually being driven in, so that many sowed who did not reap, and famine often stared them in the face. From 1778 to 1782 there was scarcely a com- munity that had bread sufficient to do it from the harvest to the spring. Every few days word came of some depredation. Sometimes it would be a settler wdio ventured out. to dig his potatoes, sometimes it would be a cabin full of children, sometimes a set- tler would be missed, and nothing heard of him for months, and even years, and frequently never. The never-ending war, and the many causes con- curring, led the whites to act worse towards their enemies than at any other time previous, and an in- centive further was the standing reward for the scalps of Indians at war, which, offered early by the State authorities to encourage the inhabitants to assist the soldiers, was from time to time increased. As a gen- eral thing the settlers did not claim these rewards, but there were some very influential persons who did, and who, to their shame, made it too much of a business. Some light is thrown on this traffic in the notes to this chapter. 1 Col. Brodhead, writing to Pres- 1 Scalp BOUNTY. — Rewards and bounties were ottered at different times I ij the authorities to stimulate the soldiery and the people. How good tliis was to effect is questionable. In 1700, Governor Morris offered fur every male Indian enemy above twelve years taken prisoner and delivered 150 Spanish dollars or pieces-of-eight; for the scalpof every male Indian above twelve years, 130 pieces-of-eight; for every female prisoner and male prisoner under twelve years, 130 pieces-of-eight ; for the sealp of every Indian woman produced as evidence of being killed, 60 pieces-of* cight. Tiu-se bounties were payable on delivery at any of the forts gar- risoned by troopa in the pay of the Province, or at any of the county towns to keepers of the jails there. In 1704, Governor John Penn pro- posed as a reward for the capture of every male Indian above ten years of age Sljll, or (or his scalp when killed 8134; lor every female or every male under ten years of age when capturedSl:}u, or for the scalp of si" I] female when killed Soil. [Craig.) About 1782 the standing reward was $100 for a dead Indian's scalp, and Slob for an Indian captured alive and brought in at the time the reward was claimed. This sum was also al- lowed for the capture of every white man like Girty taken prisoner act- ing with the Indians. The law is said to have been repealed regarding the prisoners, but allowed in force as to the scalps. Col. Samuel Hun- ter, of Westmoreland, was authorized by President Reed to offer the rewards, as were also Col. Jacob Stroud and others. Col. Hunter about 9 ident Reed in 1781, says that forty Delawares had come in to join the whites in their frontier war, but a party of about forty men from the vicinity of Han- nastown attempted to destroy them, and were only prevented from doing so by the regular soldiers. He says that he could have gotten a hundred if it had not been for such open enmity as this towards all the Indians alike ; that he was not a little surprised to find the late Capts. Irwin and Jack, Lieut. Brownlee and Ensign Guthrie concerned in this base attempt ; and he supposes that the women and children were to suffer an equal carnage with the men. And although Col. Brodhead made several campaigns against the Indians and succeeded in inflicting punishment upon them, and although he used every exertion in his power, sometimes creditable and sometimes discreditable, yet he has borne testimony that the feelings and acts of the whites themselves were in part provocative of that fearful ferocity which was developed on the part of their red enemies. We can, perhaps, from one instance see how this connection with the savages changed all the finer in- stincts of men wdio, had these same men not been ac- customed to such ways as they were, would have shuddered at acts which they themselves did without any compunction : A pious family named Kirkpatrick lived in a cabin this time announces to President Reed that be has organized a party to go out after scalps, for although they did not make as much out of a dead Indian as out of a living one, yet it was less trouble and more agreeable to all concerned to shoot him at once. Col. Archibald Lochry, the county lieutenant, writes from Twelve-Mile Run, his place of residence, that there is no doubt the reward offered will answer a good end. In this correspondence he applies for more ammunition, ami adds that for the reason mentioned they were to be applied, and at that time was the most needed. Col. Hunter had to report the unsuccessful return of a party after scalps; and in reply the president told hill] to be of good cheer,aLd that perseverance would iu time produce better effects. Many scalps were sent in, one after another, ami atone time as high as thirteeu with accompanying certificates were invoiced to claim the premium. This was in 1781 and 1782 (See CM Becordt.) "An incident occurred which led to the repeal of this law before the termination uf the war. A party of Indian spies having entered a v. ig- wam on French Creek, supposed to be untenanted, discovered, while breakfasting, an Indian extended on a piece of bark overhead. They took biin prisoner, but reflecting that there was no bounty on prisoners they shot him under circumstances which brought the parly into dis- grace and the scalp bounty law into disrepute." (Judge Wilkesou, in " American Pioneer.") The inducement of the bounty led some of the whites to kill friendly Indians. Col. A. Loclinj to Pretnhut Ilee.l, 1780. " Twelve-Mile Rrx (West of Liooxiee). "June 1, 1780. " Jlfoi/ it pleate your Excellency : "In duty to my country I find it absolutely necessary to hire a gen- tleman in this county at a very high expense to lay the distressed situa- tion of this county before your Excellency and the Council. Since Mi. Sloan, our representative, left this county we have had three parties of savages amongst us. They have killed and taken five persons two miles from Ligonier; burnt a niill belonging to one Laiighlin. They killed two men and wounded one near Bushy Run. They likewise killed two men on Braddock's road, near Brush Creek. Their striking us again iu so many different parts of the county has again drove the greatest part of the county on the north of Youghiogheny River into garrison." 126 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. near the fort at Crooked Creek, now in Armstrong County. At that time there were some soldiers sta- tioned at the fort. Two of these were at Kirkpatrick's house of a night along with a neighbor lad. In the morning they had had family worship, as was the custom of the house, and they had arisen from their knees. When Kirkpatrick opened the door an Indian sprang to the opening. The white man pushed him oil with his hand against his breast, but as he did so the gun of the Indian in falling was discharged and the ball .-truck a little girl about eight years old, the daughter of Kirkpatrick. While the men were en- I in securing the doors two of them were mor- tally wounded by the Indians. Kirkpatrick himself shot one. of the savages, when the three others of the party fled. After a time the lad, being let out, goton a horse which was in the stable and galloped to the fort, and on giving the alarm some other soldiers came out. In the mean time the wounded men had no water to drink but that which was left from wash- ing the dishes. There was no surgeon at the post, and both men died that day. When one who had come from the fort was requested to scalp the dead Indian, he said that Kirkpatrick was the more proper person, as the scalp belonged to him who had killed him. Accordingly Kirkpatrick lifted it. Afterwards a piece of bark was procured, upon which the poor suffering child was carried to Shields' Fort, a distance of twenty miles, that it might there get attention ; but mortification set in and the child died. In February, 1781, Brodhead received instruction from the commander-in-chief to detach his field- piece-, howitzers and train, and also a part of his small force then about Pittsburgh, to join Gen. Clark. Hi- own force at that post did not then exceed two hundred men after other troops from Maryland had withdrawn from along the Allegheny. 1 At this time all the Pennsylvania troops which could be gotten together were sent to join the Southern army under Gen. Greene, and at their departure new fears arose that the unprotected state of the country might tempt tlir British troops at the north to descend, whence all the militia of the State were ordered to hold them- selves in readiness. 2 In March, 1781, Gen. Clark disclosed to Governor Peed his plan of operations to lay waste the country of the Indians and thus protect the frontiers of Penn- sylvania and Virginia. This plan had been previously submitted to Washington and to Jefferson, and met with their approbation. Clark desired tin' assent of the President of the Council for the volunteers which he -aid 1m could get west of Laurel Hill. 3 The Pres- ident in reply said they heartily concurred in his proposed campaign, but that they could offer him no assistance. They had, however, sent word with the member from Westmoreland to encourage the people ' Craig's History "f Pittahnrgh, 1G0. ! Bale's History "f I''' ylniiiin, 201. i i Vll I, ers < 111] Sl-LUU, Vul. IN , 23. here to co-operate with him in all respects touching his plan. Christopher Hays was the member of the Council, but he, unfortunately, was opposed to the expedition, and, with Marshall, Cannon, and Pente- cost, was blamed* for taking every step to disappoint the good intentions of Col. Lochry, wdio from the first encouraged Clark, and who took upon himself to pro- mise volunteers. The fear of invasion had not yet put a stop to the wrangling among the leaders of our people, and these jealousies and bickerings were worse at the time when the people were suffering most. This cause of shame was often made apparent to them, and in many letters from the President to their cries of weakness and calls for help their open dissensions were called up against them. The letters of Duncan, Perry, Cook, Lochry, Marshall, and Hays all give evidence of this family quarrel. Every man in a public place had his traducer and villifier. It was no difficult thing for an unscrupulous man to get a dozen of his neighbors to sign a petition in which many vile things were said behind a prominent man's hack. Brodhead and Duncan were informed on for specu- lating with the public money in buying manors and mill-seats; Lochry and Perry for speculating in am- munition ami whiskey. It was like a dance where no two are partners at the same time : Brodhead, Gibson ; Lochry, Brodhead; Cook and Gibson, and so on. They wrangled as badly as school-boys; yea, if pos- sible, as childishly as a pair of toothless barristers, i . rail ntis ad legem. Somewhat alarmed from the repeated representa- tions of the state of our frontier county, and appre- hensive that the aid of the militia would be too slow and tedious, the Council, in the early part of the year 1781, directed Col. Lochry to raise a corps of fifty volunteers to serve for four months, besides voting that a permanent company should be raised for the war. These troops were to be disposed of as Lochry might direct, and were to he supplied through David Duncan, the newly appointed commissioner of sup- plies in the stead of James Perry. Perry, it would appear, was no better an officer than he might have been, and it was alleged that much of the insufficiency of the militia called out from time to time was blame- able to his negligence. President Peed, in a letter to Lochry, 5 after complaining of the trouble they had in getting the commissioner- to rep >rl regularly, says, " ft is with much concern we hear that when troops are raised for your protection they are per- mitted to loiter away their time at taverns, or strag- gling about the country," and he fears there had been some negligence in the officers to wdiose command they had been intrusted. At another time he com- plains,^ that it does not seem necessary to have the * (Ink to President (or Governor) Heed, Aug. 4, 1782, Penn. Arch. ■"■ Archive*, vul. ix , 18, March IT, 1781, 6 III , March 26, 1781. The following notes from the Archives, confiroilug the text, are pre- sentcd : L0CH11YS EXPEDITION. 127 troops Btaying about Hannastown, and advises the colonel to place them where they would be of more benefit. Col. Lochry, in sending in his report, in April, 1781, says that the savages had begun their hostilities, having that early struck the western settlements at four different places, taking and killing thirteen per- sons, two of whom were killed within one mile of Hannastown. Besides this they took away a number of horses and effects. He avers that the county at that time was more depopulated than it had ever March 27, 17S1. — Brodhead Informs President Reed that it was impos- Bible tor liini to garrison Furt Armstrong and Fort Crawford (Kittanning and Puckety, or Logan's Ferry) until tlie commauder-in-chief should order him tu evacuate Furt Mcintosh. Col. Lochry to President Heed. " TwE'.VE-MlLK Rl'N, April '2d, 1781. " I am just returned from burying a man killed am! scalped by the Indians at Col. 1' y'a house; one Other man is missing, and all Pom- roy's effects carried off." Gen. William Smith, of Carlisle, to President Heed. "April is, 1781. " Mr. Smith will doubtless inform your Excellency bow the People uf Westmoreland are drove and distressed by the Indians." James Perrt/ to President Reed. " w i. imoi:ei.am) County, Sewickley, July 2d, 17S1. "About three weeks ago one .tames Chambers was taken prisoner about two miles from my house; last Friday two young women were killed in Ligonier Valley, and this morning a small garrison at Philip Clingeusniiih's, ai t eight miles from this and four or live mi lis from Ilaniiastown, consisting of between twenty and thirty women and i bii- dren, were destroyed, only three making their escape. The particulars I cannot well inform you, as the party that was sen l to bury the dead are not yet returned, and I wait every moment to bear of or perhaps see them st i ike at some other place. That party was suppos si to be about seven- i a nil I am apt to think there are Btill more of them in the settle- ments. Our frontiers are in a very deplorable situation. . . ." Mvautet of a nleelintj in Westmoreland County. " Agreeable to Publick notice given by Coll. Hays to the Principal In- habitants of the County of Westmoreland to meet at Capt'n John Blc- Clelleu's on the 18th Day of June, 1781. "And Whereas there was a number of the Principal people met on tile 2d hay, I unaini sly chose John Proctor. John I'oinroy, Charles t'aniln-11, s.iiul. Moorheail, James Barr, Charles Foreman', Isaac Mason, James Smith, and Hugh Mai tain a Committee to Enter into resolv.-s for the defence of our frontiers, as they were informed by Christ, llavs, Esq , that their] linga would i>e approved of by Council. " 1st Resolo'd, that a Campaign ho can ied on with Geul. Clark. " Ui/ Besolo'd, that lh- o I Clarke hi' turnislieil with lion nii'ti out of Pom- roy's, Beard's, and Davises Battalion. "Iillv, Itesolv'd, that Cull. Archd. Lochry gives orders to sd Colls, to raise their quota by Volunteers or Draught. 'Mthly, Uesoie'd, that tie, be advanced to every voluntier that marches under the comma in I of Geul. Clai k on the propOB'd Campaign. " .'-tit. And for the further Incoui agemeut ol Winn tiers, that grain be raised by subscription by tin- Different Companies. " in lily, that Cull. Lucbry council with the Officers of Virginia respect- ing the manner uf Draughting those that assosiate in that State and utliers. "7th, Besolced, that Coll. Lochry meet Geul. Clark and other officers, and Cull. Crawford, uu the '.idd Inst., tu coufei with them the day of | Keudezvouse. "Signed by order of Committee, "John Proctor, President. — Pemi. Archives, vol. ix. p. 559. Duncan, as commissary, went through every settlement west of Laurel Hill forforage for the expedition, but could not get enough to supply even the tioops at Fort l'itt and at the posts, neither would llroilheail let any provisions pass duwu the river. — Venn. Archives, vol. ix , UK). been, and that if the savages knew the weakness of the settlement they could easily drive the people over the Youghiogheny. He was doubtful, too, whether they could keep the militia long I'm- want of provisions. There was no ammunition in the county but what was public property, but of which lie had given som OUl to the people with which to defend themselves. lie had by this time built a magazine protected by a block-house for the stores near his own house, bill this the president did not favor, and directed the stores to be distributed at various posts. The plan of Clark met with the approval of the commander-in-chief as well as of the president and Council, for it was supposed that offensive operations would keep the Indians at home, and prove a relief more effective to the frontier than that offered by any defensive force whatever. Clark disclosed his plan of campaign in a letter to the officers of Westmore- land, dated the 3d of June, 1781. After stating with what pleasure lie heard of the attempt being made by the officers of the county to fall on sonic mode of distressing the Indians in the coming campaign, either by a separate expedition, as talked of, or by giving as- sistance to the one he was ordered to execute, he got - on to say that his present object was the Shawanese, Delaware, and Sandusky towns. The Delawares of the Muskingum had removed to the west of the Scioto, and those formerly living up the Allegheny to the San- dusky. If the expedition from Westmoreland at- tacked the Sandusky towns, he might at the same time make a diversion on the country of the Shawa- nese and Delawares. Both of these armies by forming a junction might then make- some effectual movement which should put an end to the Indian war. Each party might thus facilitate the operations of the other, and so divert the attention of the tribes that they would fall an easy prey. And he advised them that if it was out of their power to get supplies in time fur an expedition of such length, it would be advis- able to take such measures as would enable the one army to execute the project laid out for the two. If prejudice were laid aside, and all their strength ex- erted, (here was a certainty of peace in the fall. So spoke Clark, a brave, cool, resolute man of genius, and who had been encouraged by the men wdio had the good of the country at heart. The people of Westmoreland were, on account of the known ability of Clark, expected to assist him, but when the decisive time came there were but two men of the prominent leaders in all the county who actually offered their services to lead the volunteers. There had been three hundred promised from the two counties of Washing- ion and Westmoreland, and from the encouragement there were hopes that nearly this number would be raised. By July the four-month militia ordered to be raised had been mustered in, within three weeks after receiv- ing instructions, and the company of volunteers for the war under Capt. Thomas Stokely bad above thirty 128 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. men. At that time the enemy wore almost constantly in the country, killing and captivating the inhabitants. The subject of the proposed expedition had been much talked of, and a meeting of the foremost men of the county, presided over by Christopher Hays, gave the expression of the people. 1 But all they gave was their expression, and the most of these men in private talk (which really had more weight) expressed their fears at leaving their homes exposed by going off. Brodhead also, from motives of jealousy, retarded the campaign, not only by pro- hibiting supplies from leaving Pittsburgh, but by giving out that he himself was about organizing an expedition for the Sandusky towns, and calling on the people to assist him. But Lochry had made up his mind, and no doubt harassed almost to death, wanted to convince the people that he was not what some said he was. Clark determined to wait no longer on volunteers from here, and taking with him what he had and relying on others from Kentucky, he left Fort Pitt down the river. The whole force of Lochry rendezvoused July 24, 1781, at Carnahan's block-house, about eleven miles northwest of Hannastown. Among them were Capt. Robert Orr, one of the most steadfast of Lochry's friends, who at that time was a captain in the militia, and who, although he had no power to order his men out of the county, not only volunteered to be one of the party to accompany Lochry, who was so warmly entreated by Clark to come, but exerted his influence in inducing others to volunteer. Capt. Thomas Stokely, who was Lochry's right-hand man, and Capt. Samuel Shearer each was at the head of a company of rangers, ami Capt. Charles Campbell had a company of horse. On the next day (July 25, 1781), Lochry in com- mand, they set out for Fort Henry, now Wheeling, by way of Pittsburgh. On the -1th of August, Clark was at Wheeling, and at that time Lochry, with Capt. Stokely 's company of rangers, thirty-eight men, and about fifty other volunteers, some of them under Capt. Shearer, was at Mericle's (Casper Markle) mill on his way out. In his letter to the president of the Council of this date he says that others who were ex- pected to join him had been hindered from going. He savs he proposed to join Clark at Fort Henry, on the Ohio. This is the last letter of his correspondence. 2 i Supra. See note. - " Tin' .Sioirea/e i:.nr,ilirt' CYuui. i/ ('/ Pixi/si/lruuKi : "To nil to whom these presents shall come, know, That whereas we have heretofore appointed Archibald Lochry, of Oil- County of West- moreland, Ksqnire, t" be Prothonotary oi the said County of Westmore- land, and commissioned him accordingly j and, whereas, the said Anlii- bald Lochry is suid i" be deceased or made captive by the Indians, we have therefore thought proper to supersede the said appointment am] commission, aud do hereby supersede and revoke and make null and void tin- same, anything in the -aid commission coutuiucd to the con- trary here or anywhere notwithstanding. "Giveu by order of the Council under the hand of bis Excellency The men Lochry took with him were allowed, on all sides, to have been of the very best for Indian fighting. But they were in a deplorable condition to leave home. The company of Capt. Stokely is de- scribed as being literally half-naked. An outfit suffi- cient for these was sent after them by the president through Ensign William Cooper, but it is doubtful whether it reached them. The whole number that left with Lochry was one hundred and seven. The troops sent from Fort Pitt under the direction of the general of the army were under Capt. Isaac Craig, of the artillery. These proceeded to the Falls of the Ohio, whence, from a disappointment arising from the failure of the Kentucky troops to unite with Clark there, they returned home. Clark was not, therefore, able to prosecute his intended plan of operations, as all the forces he could collect amounted to but seven hundred and fifty men. Lochry was to follow Craig down the river, and under instructions from Clark, they together were to proceed to the month of the Miami River. Clark changing his plans did not go that way, but left a small party at the place intended for meeting, with instructions for Lochry to follow him. When Lochry's force arrived at Fort Henry they found that Clark hail gone down the river, leaving for them some provisions and a traveling boat, with direc- tions for them to follow and join his army at a point twelve miles below. They were, however, detained here some ten days in preparing temporary boats for the transportation of their horses and men. In time, however, they launched their frail boats and passed down the river; but when they arrived at this second designated point they found that Clark had gone down the river but the day before, leaving a few men with one boat under Maj. Craycroft, but no provisions or ammunition, both of which they were greatly in need of. Clark had promised and left word that at the mouth of the Kanawha he would await their arrival. When they at length came there they found that he, on account of the frequent desertions of his men, in order to prevent more had been obliged to proceed down the river without them. Here they found affixed to a pole a letter from him which di- rected them to follow. Their situation now was such as to create alarm. Their provisions and forage were nearly exhausted, there was no source of supply in that country but the military stores of themselves in the care of Clark, the river was low and uncertain, and as they were inex- perienced in piloting and unacquainted with the channels they could not hope to overtake him. Lochry then dispatched Capt. Shannon in a boat William Moore, Esq., President, and the seal of the State, at Philadel- phia, 22d of December, 1781. " Attest, " Wm. Mookf, ZYeff. "J. M \ii.\ok. Sec." This revocation id' the commission of Lochry is of record in the re- corder's office, vlreeiisburg. LOCHRY'S EXPEDITION. 120 ■with four men, with the hope of overtaking Clark and securing the much-needed supplies. Before they had proceeded very far they were taken prisoners by the Indians. Shannon had been intrusted with a let- ter from Lnchry to Clark, in which was detailed the situation of Lochry's men. About this time, it is also narrated, Lochry waylaid a party of nineteen de- serters from Clark's command, and these on being re- leased by him joined with the Indians, probably in order 1 to avail themselves of an opportunity to escape home. Capt. Shearer's company was left in command of Lieut. Isaac Anderson. The Indians had had knowledge of the expedition, but had been in the belief that the forces of Clark and of Lochry were acting together. Being under this impression they were afraid to attack the main force, as Clark had a piece of field artillery with him. But now being apprised of the actual state of affairs by the capture of Shannon, and learning from the report of the deserters the weakness of Lochry's party, they speedily sent their runners out in all directions, and collected in great numbers at a point designated some distance below the mouth of the Miami River where it empties into the Ohio, and there awaited for the arrival of the whites to destroy them. They thereupon placed the prisoners whom they had taken in a position on the north side of the river, near the upper end of an island, which at this day is called " Lochry's Island," ' where they could he readily observed by those coming down the river. They prom- ised to spare the lives of these prisoners upon the con- dition that they should hail their companions as they passed and induce them to come to their succor. They were to stand like Demas (''gentleman-like") at the Hill Lucre, beckoning the pilgrims. Lochry's men, however, wearied with their slow progress, in evil heart at their disappointments and continuous misfortunes, and in despair of reaching Clark's army, lauded on the shore of the Ohio at a point about three miles on this side of the island where their companions were placed as a decoy. The split appears to have attracted them by its inviting beauty. It was at the inlet of a creek, which since that day has been called Lochry's Creek, where it empties into the Ohio, between nine and ten miles below the mouth of the Miami. They drew their boats to the shallow shore, and at about ten o'clock in the forenoon of the 24th of August, 1781, here landed. After landing they removed their horses ashore, and turned them loose to graze that they might obtain sufficient to keep them alive until they should reach the falls of the river (now Louisville), one hundred and twenty miles distant. Before long one of the men had killed a buffalo, and all the party, except a few who were keeping watch over the horses, were engaged about the fires which they had kindled pre- paring a meal. 1 Written " Lauglirey's Creek," and " Lauglirey'8 Island." The Indians, however, during that time had their runners out all along the river-banks, SO that it was highly dangerous for a landing to be made at any place, fur parties could be collected at any point at | the shortest warning. So Lochry's men were scarcely well landed on shore when they were attacked. Quick, sharp, effective, as was the wont of the savages in their attacks, — lightning and thunder together, — into the midst of the men from an overhanging bluff came a volley of rifle-balls. On this bluff, above the party of whites, were large trees. On these trees and be- hind them, having the whites down below them and at their mercy, like bats and vampires clung the savages. The men seized their arms and defended themselves as long as their ammunition lasted, and as they did so attempted to escape to their boats. But the boats were unwieldy, the water was low and shoaly, and their force much weakened and too unavailable. The Indians, seeing their opportunity, closed in from their side upon the whole party, who being no longer able or iu a condition to resist were compelled to lie taken prisoners, some of them, with a hope of mercy, sur- rendering. The i'ew words with which this disastrous expedition in all general histories of the border is dismissed agree in this, that the lesser number of the whole party escaped death or captivity. All the best au- thorities say that none at all escaped except those that escaped after they had been taken. Lochry him- self was among the first who were killed, falling in defending his countrymen, as he was sworn to, even in the wilderness of a strange and foreign territory. Orr relates that Lochry, with some other of the prisoners, immediately after being taken was killed. It is probable that an indiscriminate slaughter would have taken place had not the chief who commanded them, or whom they at least obeyed, came up in time. This chief said to the whites that these murders were committed by them in retaliation for those Indians who were killed after they had been taken, as they alleged, by Brodhead on the Muskingum some time before. Of the one hundred and six or seven of Lochry's party at the time of the surrender forty-two were killed and sixty-four were taken prisoners. The attacking party of Indians was much the larger. These were a mixture of various tribes, and among these various tribes were the prisoners and booty divided in proportion to the number of warriors en- gaged. The next day the Indians with their prisoners set out for the Delaware towns. Before they separated they were met by a party of British and Indians under a Maj. Caldwell, with (as is reported) the Girtys and Alexander McKee in their train, they pro- fessing to be on their way to the falls to attack Clark. With these the greater number of the Indians who had helped to capture Lochry's men returned to the 130 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Ohio. A few only remained with the prisoners and spoils, and these when they separated were taken to the various towns to which they had been assigned. The prisoners were held in captivity until the next year, which brought the Revolutionary war to a close. After the preliminary articles of peace were signed, late in the fall of 1782, these prisoners were ransomed by the British officers in command of the northern posts, to be by them exchanged for British prisoners in the hands of the Americans. These were sent to the St. Lawrence. A few of them taken had pre- viously effected their escape, a few deserted from Montreal, and the rest of those who were left sailed in the spring of 1783 from Quebec to New York, and returned home to Westmoreland by way of Phila- delphia, these having been absent twenty-two months. But more than one-half of those who left Pennsyl- vania with Col. Lochry never returned. Alter the men left Pittsburgh they were not heard of for many weeks. When Capt. Craig returned he could not be persuaded but that Lochry himself, with his men, had returned home. But the people of Westmoreland waited till at last all hope died. We see from some of the correspondence how the word was at length received, ami how hope almost changed Into despair. Brigadier William Irvine had been ordered to the command of Fort Pitt on the 24th of September, 1781, and in a letter from him of Decem- ber 3d to President Moore the result is announced in the following words : " I tun .sony to inform your Excellency that this country li:*s got a severe stroke by the death uf Colonel Lochry and ahout one hundred — it is said— of the best men of Westmoreland, including Captain Stokely and ins Hangers. Many accounts agree that they were till killed or taken at the mouth of t tit- Miami River,— I believe chiefly killed. This inisfiirtitut', added to the failure of General Clark's expedition, has tilled the people with great dismay. Many talk of returning to the rust stile of the mountain in the spring. Indeed there is great reason to uppreheud that the savages, and perhaps the British from Detroit, will pn si i iis hard in the spring, and I believe there never were posts of a country in a worse state of defence." ' In reply to this letter, President Moore said that the loss of Col. Lochry, with his men, and the dis- tressed state of the post and the country round it gave them great pain. Of those who were carried to Canada were Isaac Anderson, of Capt. Shearer's company, and Richard Wallace, the quartermaster to Lochry's command. In a memorial to the president of the Council they represented that they were inhabitants of Westmore- land County, who had had the misfortune to be made prisoners by the Indians on the 24th of August, the day on whidri Lochry was surrounded and defeated ; that they had been carried to Montreal, and kept in close confinement there till the 22d of May, 1782; and that after a long and fatiguing march they had got into the city on the day before 2 at three o'clock. As they were destitute of money and clothes, and could not get home without them, they prayed the 1 Archives, vol. i.\. p. 458. - That was Philadelphia, July 2, 1782. president and Council to take their ease into consid- eration, and allow them pay from the time they had been taken. They said they were under Lochry when they were taken, and that they had a list of all, officers and privates, of the party who were then pris- oners, which information they were ready to give the Council. If the list or any other information was furnished, we do not know where it can be found. It has certainly never been in print. The particulars of this campaign were subsequently put in print as the narration of Capt. Orr (before re- ferred to), who accompanied Lochry. From the manner it corroborates official documents, it must be allowed a special degree of credence. It is also cor- roborated by a manuscript account by Ensign Hun- ter, which Mr. Albach, in his "Annals of the West," refers to, and who has therein published Orr's ac- count. 3 Capt. Orr was wounded by having his arm broken in the engagement. He was carried prisoner to San- dusky, where he remained several months. The Indians finding that his wound was stubborn, and that they could not cure it, at length carried him to the military hospital at Detroit. From here in the winter he was transferred to Montreal, and at the end of the war exchanged with other prisoners. 4 But the only account of individual suffering and of the distress attending the participants in this unfor- tunate expedition is the one still retained in the family of the Craigs of Derry township. For of those of our frontier men who were distinguished either for personal bravery or on account of their suffering in some way in the interest of the people, we may here with propriety recall Samuel Craig the younger. Craig was a lieutenant in Capt. Orr's com- pany, and was taken prisoner with many others. After they hail taken him, and while they were cross- ing the river with him, or likely taking him to shore from the stream itself, some of the Indians in the boat threw him out intending to drown him. They kept pushing his head under as it emerged out of the water, and as he grasped the sides of the canoe with the tenacity and despair of a drowning man they beat his hands with their paddles to make him let go. Being an expert swimmer he was hard to drown, anil seeing this finally, when he was well-nigh ex- hausted, one of the Indians claimed him for his prisoner and as his property took him into the canoe, ami kept him for the time under his own protection. With these Indians and some few prisoners with them whom they had retained, Craig suffered all the punishment which came in a natural way from hun- ger and cold upon them all alike. So too he suffered from threats and fears of horrible torture. At times they were all nearly starved. Once when they were 3 " Annals of the West," hy Janus R. Albach, Pittsburgh, W.S. Haven, 1850. 4 In lS(l. r t he was appointed an associate judge in Armstrong County, and he held this othee until his ile.it h in 1 s.i ;, in hi- eighty ninth \ ear. CRAWFORD'S EXPEDITION TO SANDUSKY. 131 in a famishing condition they by fortune cmne across a small patch of potatoes. These they dug up and gathered together for a feast. In the night, when the others bad fallen asleep, Craig, who was lying between two Indians, ami who not yet had the Jiangs of hun- ger assuaged, rose up from between them at the risk of his life, and getting at the raw potatoes made what he declared was the greatest feast of his life. He took his place between the Indians without having been detected. At another time they were forced of necessity to make a meal of a wolf's head which was almost carrion when they found it. They boiled it into a soup and ate it with avidity. This Samuel Craig was possessed of a cheerful nature, and could submit to dangers and hardships with good grace. He was especially fond of music, and was something of a singer. In his captivity he frequently sang his homely songs " to strangers in a strange land." This singing not only pleased the Indians, hut actually was the means of sparing his life, for he had not been among them long when all the prisoners were taken out and set upon a log side by side. Their faces were blackened, which was done to indicate the doom of the captives, and the Indians grouped themselves in a circle not far round. At that terrible moment Craig, it is said, retained his self-command; he raised his voice and sang loud and clear the most melodious air perhaps he ever sang. He alone was saved of his companions. He was sold to the British for the usual consider- ation, a gallon of whiskey. He was then exchanged and returned home. He subsequently married a daughter of John Shields, Esq., by whom he left a family of five sons and two daughters. He was a fuller, and built a fulling-mill on the bank of the Loyal hanna near New Alexandria. 1 During the remaining part of the year 1781 the Indians in squads approached from many directions, and the county lieutenants received circular letters to hold the militia in constant readiness. By an act of Assembly calling out some companies for the West- moreland and northern frontiers, those who enlisted were allowed to be exempt from taxes. The country was indeed so impoverished that the troops about Fort Pitt (the name by which the post at Pittsburgh still went) were sent out to shoot game to keep them from hunger. The public good at the same time was sacri- ficed, as we have seen, by the bickerings and jealousies between Brodhead while he commanded there, and Gibson and his Virginia followers, for the reason of which Gen. Irvine was sent to that point. That fight was theold fight between Virginia and Pennsylvania.-' 1 Now ttic- property of Mrs. Craig, one of Ms descendants. He died of hemorrhage caused by the extraction of a tooth. James Kane, Sr., court-crier under Judge Young, and whom the bar yet traditionally remembers as "Jimmy Kane,' 1 was one of tlie prisoners taken to the Pottowattomies, and who came home from a captivity among them. I'e died in Derry townBhip in 1845. 2 Archihald Locum. — Very little information has been obtained re- garding the life of Archibald Lochry, further than is found in the public CHAPTER XXVI. CRAWFORD'S EXPEDITION TO SANDUSKY, The Moravian Indians— Their Christian Character and their Former History— Theii Efforts at Peace-Making between the "Whites and War- ring Indians— Description of their Villages— Their Unfavorable Loca- tion—They arc blamed with harboring Hostile Indians — The Whites of the Southwestern Putt of Pennsylvania are instigated to Disperse them— They raise a Force of Volunteers tor that Purpose— Col. David Williamson in comma ml— Their Route of March— They come upon tin? Indians hy surprise — Represent themselves as Friends— GH pos- session of their Villages, and begin tin- destruction of the Houses, ami the murder of the Mm, Women, ami Children— They are taken out, one after another, and with Clubs, Mallets, and Hatchets mnr- dered while they supplicate for mercy— Their Bodies are then burned —Col. Crawford"s Expedition later in 1782 to the Sandusky Towns- He is defeated and his Force scattered— He is taken Prisoner and burned at the Stakes — Escape of Dr. Knight. About this time the whites became involved in troubles with the Moravian Indians. Of these we shall give some account, sufficient to bring them within the range of our narrative and to illustrate subsequent details. The Moravian society, which in contemporaneous papers which so far have been made public and the record Of his official services. 11 ■ was of North Irish extraction, but was probably horn in the Octo- raro settlement, for in 1763 lie was an ensign in the Second Battalion in the provincial service (Arch., N. S , vol. ii . 614), ami he was well kno\ n to the public when he was appointed one of the justices at the organiza- tion of the county, for he had held office along with his brothei in Bed- ford, lie took up huge bodies of land, one particularly of great extent, whereon lie located himself with some of his neighbors from Bedford, This tract lies in Unity township, on the south side of the turnpike going from Greensburg to Ligonier, and near St. Xavier's Convent. The land is now quite valuable, being underlaid with the thick vein of Con n el I s- ville coal, lie dated his official coirespomlvuce at the "Twelve-Mile Run," which was the name of the small stream which Hows- into the Fourteen-Mile Run before it empties into the Loyalhanna. This name Is known only in old records, ami is not known as such now. The name is spelled differently in various localities. The creek and island along the Ohio River in Indiana are written " LaughreyV Creek, etc., and some people of the same name so write their name. Neither is there uniformity in the spelling of his name in the, public records. We have adopted the spelling used by himself. The issue of Archibald Loehiy were two daughters. The first. Eliza- beth, married to Nathaniel McBryar, who left issue, three sons and one daughter, to wit : David, Watson, John, and Elizabeth, man led to John Hull, Esq., of Washington township. The second daughter, Jane, was married to Samuel Thompson, and left issue, five sons and six daughters, to wit: Alexander, William (father of S. G. Thompson, Esq., of Greeus- burg, Pa.}, David, Watson, Samuel, Mary, married to Andrew Gartley ; Elizabeth, married to Joseph McQuickeu, Esq., of New Salem; Jane, married to Thomas Adair; Nancy, Lucy, and Lydia. Archibald Lochry's brother, William Lochry, was one of the county justices, and he presided at the October session, 1771. He had auother brother, Jeremiah. Thefdlowingl" the will of Archibald Lochry and proceedings thereon, as found In the office of the register of wills at Greensburg (Will-Book, i.p.:Jl): " In the name of God, Amen. I Archibald Lochry, of Hannas Town in Westmoreland County, Ac. being through the goodness of God in sound judgment and memory, therefore Calling to mind the Mortality of my Body and that it is appointed for all men once to die, Do make this my last will and testament that is to say Principally and first of all I give & bequeath my soul to God who gave it Beseeching his most Gracious acceptance of it in and through the merits and mediation of my most Compassionate Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ, and my Body I give to the earth nothing Doubting but I shall receive the same again at the General resurrection, And as touching such worldly estate as I am Blessed with in this world it is my will and order that all my Just Debts be fully Paid, and that my public accompta may he settled with all convenient speed. Also it is my will that all and singular my 132 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. 1769 had established missions among the Indians, had not forsaken them, but, under many discourage- ments and through many vicissitudes, had kept them together, and after several removals had at length established them along the Tuscarawas River in Ohio. Here these simple-minded Indians, converted from savages, lived at peace with all men, and by that time had developed into a thriving and thrifty com- munity. There were three villages of them, Shoen- brun, Gnadenhiitten, and Salem. Gnadenhiitten was on the east side of the river, the other two were on the west side. Salem and Shoenbrun were about Estate Real and Personal shall be equally Divided between my well be- luved wile and my only Daughter EL My Land Joining Col. John Proc- tor to he rented nnlill uiy said Daughter anive to the age of twenty-one yi ;n>, ami the half the rents thereof applied fur her Boarding and School- ing, Ihe other half for the use of my Wife, and in ease any or either of them should Die before my Daughter conies to age or is married the w hole estate is to devolve to Ihe survivor, and all my claims or rights to any Lands only the Lands above mentioned I desiie may he sold. And 1 do hereby constitute and appoint John Proctor whole and sole Execu- tor of this my last will and testament to see it duly executed according to my true intent and meaning, revoking and disanu ling all former Wills Ratifying and confirming this and no other to Lie my last will aud tes- t iiiio ut. Witness my hand aud seal the 2iilh Novr. 177*. " A. Lot'HRY, " Signed sealed Pronounced Declared and Confirmed In the Presence oi Jeremiah Lochry, David Philson, James Kinkaid. " 'I'h an I, s to (lod I am now in my Pioper senses and Do allow this to he my last will and testament except that my Daughter Betsey to receive her cqueul lots of my estate. " A. Lochry. " Attest, Jeremiah Locury, George Henry. " " 1 John Proctor the Executor within named Do by these Presence absolutely freely and voluntarily resign my right of executorship to the within Will. But will for the sake of the Deceased and his relick Join in Administration with the Widow. Witness my hand the Eleventh day of July, 17s2. " John Proctor. 11 Witness present " Wii Jack, '•John PuHROY." " Proven by Jeremiah Lochry and George Henry the 11th, July 17S2 before Jas. Kinkaid. " II is daughter Jane was born after this will was written. L'poii the same page of the record is the will of Theodorus Browers, founder of St. Vincent's, ami out of which arose the litigation hereafter noted. i.ipt Jeremiah Lochry, brother of Archibald, died on the 21st of January, 1824, at the house of Samuel Moorhead, in Salem township, in the niuety-third year of his age. Having settled in this country at a very early period, ho shared largely in the toils and hardships and perils to which the pioneers of civilization in the Western country were subjected. He was one of the lew who escuped the disastrous scenes of Braddock's detent. In the year 1777 be acted as adjutant to a detachment of militia who were or- dered to New- Jersey from this county, under the command of Col. Lochry, his brother. In this situation his merit as an officer soon at- tracted the attention of his superiors, and in the fall of the same year he was presented with a captain's commission in the regular sen ice. In tins capacity he acted dining the whole Revolutionary war, being fre- quently engaged with the enemy, and always acquitting himself with I' ' ami advantage to the cause of his country. Shortly after the close of the war, while engaged with a scouting party oil the Allegl y River, a ball was fired at him by an Indian, which glanced from the barrel of his gun and lodged in his neck, and was the cause of an enor- mous tumor that afterwards grew from the wound.* * From the Guzelte, Feb. C, 1824. thirteen miles apart, the other was midway be- tween, and all three within the present limits of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. But unfortunately their situation for friendly tribes was most unfavorable, for they were just about half-way between the border settlements of Pennsylvania on the east and tribes of ever-warring Delawares and Wyandots of the San- dusky Plains to the west. The whites and Indians at war with each other not infrequently took the route by the mission stations of the friendly Indians, and made this place a half-way stopping-house. The enforced hospitality of these Indians, who wanted to be at peace with all, brought upon them the suspic- ions of both the warring whites and warring Indians, and in vain were their kindness and hospitality be- stowed upon all alike. The Indians of the Sandusky in their incursions against the whites charged them with sympathy when they failed to assist them, and the frontier people knowing of the acts of hospitality extended to their deadly enemies by the Moravian Indians, their dishonorable passions were aroused, and they were urged to an ill-timed and unhonorable revenge. In the year previous, that is to say in the summer of 1780, Col. Brodhead had made a campaign from Wheeling to Coshocton. At that time he marched to the Muskingum a little below Salem, the Moravian town. On coming there, Brodhead sent a messenger to Rev. Heckewelder, informing him of his arrival. The Indians sent the men provisions of their own free will, and their pastor, Heckewelder, visited the colonel in his camp. At that time an attempt was made by some unprincipled men with the army to fall upon the other towns, but the knowledge of this reaching the colonel he took measures to prevent it, and told the pastor that nothing would give him greater pain than to hear that any of the Moravians had been molested by his troops. In the latter part of 17S1 the militia of the south- western part of the State, which formerly was, in name, a portion of Westmoreland, but \yhich was now of Washington County, being of the region about the rivers, where the people had suffered so much, came to the conclusion to break up the Indian Moravian villages. Col. David Williamson was the leader of this party, who, as they asserted, was to induce them to remove, or else to suffer themselves to be brought into Fort Pitt. There were some thus brought safely in, and afterwards sent back to their homes, but most of the people thought at that time the Indians ought to have been killed. These Indians were, in truth, the most unfortunate of creatures. For they- had on many occasions warned the whites by their rumors of projected attacks from hostile Indians to the West. The hostile Indians carrying this to the ears of the British, who under the white renegade Tories had control of them, they had their settlement at Sandusky broken up in the fall of 1781. Their villages were almost totally de- CRAWFORD'S EXPEDITION TO SANDUSKY. 133 stroyed, and their fields were desolated. Some were sent into the wilderness, some robbed, and some taken prisoners and sent to Detroit. MeKee, the British agent, and Girty, it is said, as all horrible thing's were charged to them, instigated this as the only way of drawing the Christian Indians into war with the Americans. But in the early part of the-next year. — that is, in February, 1782, — about a hundred and fifty famished and worn-out and heart-sick creatures, longing with the unseen passion for the light, returned from the Sandusky to their homes on the Muskingum. 1 During this month some murders had been com- mitted by hostile Indians farther to the south, and the returning of the Moravians was made the pretext for charging them with being the guilty party. Ac- cordingly it was no trouble to get a crowd to invade their country, and besides it is said that the whites coveted the horses belonging to these men. For this purpose eighty or ninety men were hastily collected. These were under command of Col. David William- son, of Washington County, and the men were all from that section and from below Pittsburgh. They encamped the first night on the Mingo Bottom, on the west side of the Ohio River, sixty miles below Pittsburgh, and the second night within one mile of the nearest Moravian town. Then by representing to the Indians, whom they suddenly came upon, that they were their friends and that they had come to take them to the fort from the power of their enemies, and by many other de- ceptive promises and representations, the Christian Indians not doubting them, they got possession of the two towns, and secured the men, women, and children as prisoners. Nor were the suspicions of these aroused until they came upon one who had been mur- dered lying in their way. The captives were con- fined in two houses. As a squad were hunting the fields towards the farthest town a council was held by the chief men. Many proposed their death, but the officers not being willing to take the odium of such an inhuman revenge had the men drawn up in line. The question was put to them " whether to take the prisoners to Pittsburgh or put them to death." All in favor of saving their lives were to stand out in front of the line. In answer to this question eighteen men came out. The captives were told to prepare for death. Those in the guard-houses on hearing this began singing hymns and praying. To make their offense criminal they were charged with many crimes. They were accused of harboring hostile Indians, and in reply they reminded these of the benefits they had extended to the whites; they were charged with having taken the property of the whites, when they offered to produce everything they had to show that they had taken nothing. They were again told that they had not long to live, when they asked for delay 1 The Mu6kingutu and Tuscarawas are called so indiscriminately. that they might prepare for death as became men who, in their last moments, talked with their God. This was granted them. The time thus allotted them they spent in prayer and in asking forgiveness of one another, and pardon as became creatures wdio called on God to pardon them. Kneeling they prayed with each other, and for each other, and kissed in tears their friends, hoping in their simple faith for future peace. While these were so doing the murderers outside were consulting as to the manner of their death. Some wanted to set fire to the houses, and as they were burning to shoot all wdio attempted to get away ; others wanted to kill them in such a way as to get their scalps. Those of the wdiites who were opposed to these things wrung their hands, and called on God to witness that they were guiltless of shedding this innocent blood. Those withdrew to a distance. The others coming up while the Indians were still praying asked them if they were ready. They were then led out for execution. One of the murderers took up a mallet, and wondered how that would do the business. He began by hitting one on the head, and continued striking those upon their knees till he had killed fourteen. Then, as his arm was tired, he handed the mallet to another, saying that his arm failed, and told him to go on, for he had done pretty well. 2 Of all those who were put in the other house only two escaped. These were boys, one of whom was hid in the cellar, where he saw the blood flow down the walls in streams. The other had' been scalped and 2 Smacker, " Military Expeditions to the Northwest,' 1 and other au- thorities '' too numerous to mention." The count; lieutenant. John C ion, was along with the expedition, and tradition as>erts with the persuasion of truth that tho man who brained fourteen Christians with a cooper's mallet held at the very mo- ment he was doing so three commissions in Washington County, viz.: our as commissioner of Washington County, one as sub-lieutenant of tin- county, and one at justice of the peace for Stral.ane township, same county. lie had held an important commission from Perms lvanifl m 177(i, and he was alter the massacre rewarded as sheriff of the county. The rapine robbers of the middle ages, dying like cormorants or vul- tures, with the blood of victims dripping out of their gorged cheeks, made their peace with the world and with their conscience by donating a large portion of their robberies to pious use9. It is not remarkable in this view of humanity that so many churches and places of learning should be founded with such persons about in great number. Certainly no section and no people bad more need of the gospel and of the "hu- manities." Therefore it was in good taste that the academy of Cam s- burg took its name from Col. John Cannon. But if ever the father of his country blushed it was in 1781, when he found to what base uses a nam.- may come at last by the attaching of his name, the first in all time, to that new-formed county. But to their honor and a fairer fame, and to the honor of all Western Pennsylvania, the descendants of these men long ago redeemed and relustered a name once tarnished. The gang having killed and scalped all within reach, and plundered a friendly camp, of Delaware allies of the United States on their way back, crossed the river to Pittsburgh, where, boasting of their deeds, they sold their ill-gotten plunder at public vendue, and then, before returning home, sent Col. Gibson a message that they would "scalp him." lie had incurred their displeasure by showing some evidence that he was a man. We have recounted this affair at length, actuated more by a sense of justice to the savages than of reflection upon those who were the actors therein. 131 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. left for dead among the pile of bodies above, but re- covering he escaped in the night. Both of them lived to be of the witnesses to bear testimony of this un- precedented murder. " By the mouth of two witnesses shall all things be established." Those in the upper and farther town being apprised of danger made their escape. But the house out of which one lot of the prisoners were taken was filled with the dead bodies of old men, women, and chil- dren and set on fire and burnt. When the party (if murderers came back to Pittsburgh, even on their way they fell upon a body of friendly Delawares under protection of the government, who were all killed with the exception of a few who escaped to the woods. It is said that this man Williamson held an office of profit and trust afterwards in Washington County, but that he died in jail as a debtor without a consoling friend. It is also noteworthy that the men wdio com- posed this expedition came from that part of the county whose earliest and latest boast has been of their religious and educational advantages, and the in- tellectual superiority of whose early settlers has been held up at the expense of their neighbors. 1 An effort was afterwards made by the authorities to ferret out and bring to punishment the leaders in this massacre. The best citizens of Washington County, as Pentecost and Cannon were called, conferred with Gen. Irvine, who writing to William Moore, chief magistrate of the State, said that it was impossible to get any information as to the ringleaders, as they would neither confess nor tell on each other. A lier this expedition had returned another one under Col. Crawford started out. But the termina- tion of this one was different. In May, 1782, four hundred and eighty men, finding their own horses, equipments, and clothing, mustered at the old Mingo town on the west side of the Ohio. All of them were from the immediate neighborhood of the country and from the Ten-Mile Creek in Washington. They were volunteers, and first proceeded to select their own officers. Col. William Crawford was declared the leader of the expedition by a majority of five votes over Williamson, who accompanied the party. They marched along the river, passing the destroyed towns. A few houses and some of the corn were still standing. Two Indians were taken out of camp. This was no surprise to the Indian tribes, for they had spies out who reported from the time the party left the river, and knew their number and destination. On the 6th of June they came to the site of the old Moravian towns on the Upper Sandusky. But the dwellers had been driven to the Scioto. The place presented the appearance of desolation; it was over- grown with weeds, and high grass was all around the deserted huts. They continued their march for the towns of the living Indians. The next morning they 1 Our account of the Moravian massacre has been collected from many, but in the narrative w<- have closely followed lioddridge, who himself followed Heckewelder. entered the Sandusky Plains. In the afternoon they weie attacked by Indians and driven together. The Indians gained possession of small clusters of woods, and the fighting continued till night. Both parties kindled large fires, and retired back of these. The Indians were seen all around them on the Plains the next day, and their numbers seemed to increase. A council was held and the men ordered to return. All the rest of the day preparations were made for a re- treat, and the dried grass was burnt over the slight graves of the buried dead. The retreat was to begin at nightfall, but the Indians becoming apprised of the design, they made an attack about sundown, and directed their attacks from all sides, excepting the side next to Sandusky. When the retreat commenced the guides were therefore compelled to take that direction to get out of the Plains. They passed through an opening in the Indians' line, and circling about gained the trail upon which they had come. The main body, consisting of about three hundred, was not molested in their retreat during the day. They encamped at night in safety, and successfully accomplished their march back. But when the retreat had at first been decided upon there was a difference of opinion as to the method of conducting it, some thinking it better to go in a body, others thinking it better to go in de- tached parties. The latter opinion prevailed. In this they were in mistake, for the Indians finding this out, instead of pursuing the stronger body, scattered out over the country to intercept the small parties aud cut oft' the straggled and lost. In this they were suc- cessful, for the only one of these detached bodies that came safely out was one under Col. Williamson, wdio late in the night after the battle, broke through the Indians' line, and with about forty men joined the main body. Col. Crawford remained at the head of this larger party, which was merely what was left of the army itself. After they had gone some distance, he, missing his son, his son-in-law, and his two nephews, imprudently halted till the line had passed, ami still not seeing them, called for them without finding them. When the army had gone by, he was unable to overtake it on account of the weariness of his horse. Falling in with Dr. Knight, a surgeon at- tached to the command, and two others, they traveled together all night, first towards the north and then towards the east, directing their courses by the stars. The next day they fell in with two other officers. The following night they encamped, and about noon the next day they struck the trail by which the army had advanced. At this they differed in opinion as to the best course, some of the party thinking it better to go through the woods by unfrequented paths, and Cravf- forcl and a few others (for the party was six or seven), conjecturing that the pursuit of the main body had been discontinued, were following in the track of the army. They agreed to do this, but had not proceeded CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE IN 1780-81. 135 above a mile when several Indians sprang out of the bushes, and presenting their guns at Col. Crawford and Knight, who were in front, ordered them in Eng- lish to stop. These could do nothing but surrender. Capt. Biggs and Lieut. Ashley, and a wounded man on horseback, by this time coming up were also called on, but Biggs tired, and he and his comrades struck for the woods. They were killed the next day, and the only ones of the party who escaped at this time were those in the rear who fled on the first alarm. Col. Crawford and Dr. Knight, with nine other prisoners, were, on the morning of the 10th of June, conducted by seventeen Indians to the old Sandusky town, about thirty-three miles from where they had first collected. All the prisoners with the exception of the two had been painted black to indicate their doom. Four of these nine were tomahawked and Scalped on the way, and the other five, when they ar- rived at the town, were fell upon by boys and squaws who tomahawked them, foregoing the pleasure of their holiday. For the torture these two, however, were reserved. We shall not narrate the scene of Crawford roasting alive at the stake. You will see it in all the books. Those who have occasion to know by report of the humanity, the tender nature, and the open hospitality of our first presiding justice must ever be moved by pity at his death. For three hours he endured the most excruciating agonies with the utmost fortitude; then, becoming faint and being almost exhausted, he com- mended his soul to God, and lay down on his face. He was then scalped, and burning coals being laid on his head and back by one of the squaws, he again rose and attempted to walk, but strength failed him, and he sank into the welcome arms of death. His body was then thrown into the fire and consumed to ashes. 1 1 In the miilst of these Bufferings lie begged of the infamous Girty to shoot liiin, Girty replied, ' l How can 1? You see I have no gun," unit laughed heartily. Dining most of the time Girty sat on a log smoking a pipe. Simon Girty. — This wretch was so notorious in bis diy, and did so much harm to this portion, that his " life and services" demand further notice. Girty — "The outlawed white man by Ohio's flood, Whose vengeance shamed the Indian's thirst for blood, Whose hellish art surpassed the red man's far, Whose bate enkindled many a bloody war, Of which each aged grandame hath a tale At which man's bosom burns, and childhood's cheeks grow pale — " was a native of one of the middle com ties of Pennsylvania. He was an Indian trader in 1T44, and was first brought into prominence in Dun- more's war as a spy and hunter. Prior to that time be had been draw- in- pay as an Indian agent. From bis connection and residence fur so long a time among the Indians he got familiar with them, delighted to harangue them, and took peculiar pleaBUre in their scenes of bloodshed, as it is related. He is said to have embraced the cause or the Revolution on the part of the colonists, but he was soon brought over by Dunmore and i' oily. He went in 177S boldly and bodily over to the Indians, and was adopted by the Wyandnts. His Indian name was Ka-te-pa-fco- nien (Bouquet's Journal, 1764, mentions this ns Girty's adopted name then). He soon attained great influence over them, and at one time Saved Kenton, and at another burnt Crawford. To the frontier whites and the British he went by the assumed name of Simon Butler. He talked tlie Indian dialect with tlueucy. He attended the great council held by most or the tribes of the Northwest at Old Chlllicothe, celebrated It is not likely that the description will ever pass away, but for years to come will bear rehearsal to show the customs and barbaric rites of that savage race in the treatment of their enemies taken in war. Crawford's son and son-in-law were also murdered at the towns. It was no wonder that the widow and mother sat for years lonely in the woods by tlie hank of the Youg- hiogheny in speechless sorrow, for his melancholy sufferings and death spread a gloom over the counte- nances of all who knew him. Dr. Knight was doomed to the same torture for the pleasure of those at the Shawnee town, which lay many miles distant from Sandusky. He was com- mitted to the care of only a single Indian. In the morning of the first night they were out, the gnats being troublesome, Knight asked the Indian to untie his hands that he might help make a fire to keep the ins.vts off. Tlie Indian did so and got down on his hands and knees, and was blowing the fire, when Knight struck him on the back of the head with a short half-burnt stick. The Indian rolled over, but springing to his feet, ran off roaring into the woods. Knight snatched the Indian's rifle to shoot at him, but pulling the hammer back too violently he broke the mainspring of the lock. Knight reached Fort Mcintosh (Beaver), on the twenty-second day, in the mean time living on berries, roots, and young birds. Such are instances of the wanton murders, the suf- ferings, and the barbarity on both sides during this inhuman war. The murder of Cornstalk at Point Pleasant was paralleled by the torture of Crawford, and we have of necessity recounted the story of the Mora- vian massacre and the destruction of Gnadenhiitten, that we may comprehend its parallel in the death of Peggy Shaw and Brownlee and the burning of Han- nastown. CHAPTER XXVII. CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE IN 1780-S1. Westmoreland County in the Latter Part of the Revolution — Evidences from the Court Records and from Acts of Assembly — The Militia shitted from Place to Place in expectation of Indian Attacks — The Outposts west of Fort Pitt abandoned — Extracts from the Correspond- ence of Brodhead, Irvine, and Others hearing on the Affairs of the County. The condition of affairs within the county during the latter part of the Revolution and immediately and often mentioned in the annals of the West. He here in a speech eloquently set forth the advantages of the campaign against the whites, which was soon set on foot against the western frontiers. He beaded a portion of the Indian forces ttiat proceeded against Kentucky. His next opou battle was at the Pequa towns, where at the bead of three hundred warriors he held Clark in check for a time. He led or sent many savage parties against the frontiers of Pennsylvania about this time. His name became dreaded, and at one time horror followed the mention of it. We shall see elsewhere that he bad something to do with the destruction of Hannastown. He wnfl with the victora at St. Clair's field, 1791, and at the battle of the Fallen Timbers, 1794. After Wayne's treaty be went to Canada, where he became a trader, and towards the close of his life be gave himself up to intoxicating drinks, and by excesses brought on diseases by which lie suffered much before be died. 136 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. prior to the raid on Hannastown is also evidenced in the meagre records of the courts. In 1778 and 1779 it appears there were no constables for many of the townships. Vacancies were frequently noted, and these were at times filled by appointment by the county justices. At the January sessions, 1780, the constables being called, and none attending, the fines, on account of the severity of the weather, were remitted. At this term there was no grand jury in attendance and no business done. At the October sessions of 1781 there was only one constable present, and he was from Pittsburgh. At the January sessions of 1781 here is a jury of the vicinage: William Love, John Guthrey, Joseph Brownlee, William Jack, William Guthrey, Adam Hatfield, Matthew Miller, Samuel Beatty, Lawrence Irwin, William Shaw, Conrad Hawk, and William Maxwell. One is led to exclaim " Injuns !" That persons who were so unfortunate then as to be in debt should be harassed would be natural to sup- pose, and this is evidenced by the number of execu- tions issued. In the July term of 1782, being held when the town was raided, there were ninety-two, an excessive number. In the January sessions of 1784 is the following : "The court Iltiving considered the application of David Rankin, lie living on the frontiers, excuse him from paying license in the year 1781, and at the same time rule tint the several people having sold or continue to sell spirituous liquors living on the frontiers, and may lie entitled to thefavuurof Ihe Court, are discharged from paying license until July Sessions last, agreeable to the directions of the Honorable the Supreme Executive Council." On the 10th of March, 1780, the Legislature passed an act of a temporary nature, empowering the county commissioners and assessors to obtain the best estimate that they could of the property of such of the inhabit- ants as had been driven from their habitations, and to exonerate those from taxes who had bona fide suf- fered by the incursions of the enemy. In the call for troops in 1780 there was none asked for from Westmoreland. Neither was there an account kept of the supplies from the county, as there was no commissioner; David Duncan, the late commissioner, not having rendered any account, he being unable to purchase anything worth returning. This is not much to wonder at, for Col. John Boyn- ton, deputy paymaster-general, in a letter to Presi- dent Reed the year previous, says that he " has served for nearly three years in that remote country [the border of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia], and it has been wholly impracticable to procure such neces- saries as decency requires." 1 By the act of 3d April, 1781, directing the mode of adjusting and settling the payment of debts and con- tracts previously entered into, etc., and which fixed a scale of depreciation as a rule to determine the value of the several debts, contracts, etc., it was en- 1 Archives, X. S., iii. 300. acted that the act entitled an act for limitation of ac- tions, which had been passed the 27th day of March, 1713, " should not run or operate during the time the courts of justice were shut in this State, nor during the time of any suspension act of this State, in any action or distress prohibited to be made or brought by such act, under the penalty of taking depreciated money in full payment." 2 These acts of the Assembly indicate the poverty and inability of the western country, arising from and due to their border sufferings and consequent distress. During 1770 the frontier posts west of Fort Pitt, which were garrisoned by the forces under the control of the commandant of the Western Department, had been abandoned by reason of inability to hold them by inadequate forces against a much stronger force of British and Indians. Of these forts the most im- portant were Fort Laurens, in the Ohio country, and Fort Mcintosh (Beaver). The withdrawal of all forces from the Indian coun- try caused great alarm and indignation in the settle- ments on the border. Early in 1780 a meeting of citizens was held in Westmoreland County, and resolu- tions passed requesting the reoccupation of the aban- doned forts. 3 Hence the co-operation of Lochry with Clark in his expedition before narrated. When ('lark was compelled to abandon the expedition the whole western frontier was menaced with a British ami In- dian invasion front Canada. Fully conversant with and appreciating the terrible situation of affairs, both military and civil, about this region, the commander- in-chief, with great care and concern, and after due deliberation, chose Brig.-Gen. William Irvine to take command at Fort Pitt, Sept. 24, 1780. Congress re- quested the executives of Pennsylvania and Virginia to co-operate with him by supplying militia upon his requisition. Of the complications which arose out of the divided authority between the commandant at Fort Pitt and the county lieutenant of Westmoreland we have had occasion to refer to, and one inquiring further is re- ferred to the correspondence relating to Westmore- land County, which will be found in the Appendix and in various notes in the preceding part of this book. The correspondence of Col. Lochry, and his actions as lieutenant of the county, evidence the great danger constantly threatening the frontier of Westmoreland, and also the inability of the people to protect them- selves. Capt. Thomas Campbell's ranging company, under pay of Congress, and subject to Lochry's orders, was stationed in December of 1779 about Hannastown. - The Courts of Justices were "shut" in Westmoreland during a por- tion of the Revolutionary war. s Col. Brodhead, in a letter to Maj. Slaughter, May 11, 1780, says, "The county of Westmoreland is again infested with the cursed Mill- goes. The inhabitants are flying from every quarter, and it will be ne- cessary for you to keep a lookout where you are [Slaughter was then at a post dowu the Ohio]." — BvodUeinV* Lelter-Booki Archives, xii. p. 232. CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE IN 1780-81. 137 This had been allowed by the concurrence of Brod- head. This company, shortly after this, was ordered by Col. Loehry to Wallace's Fort (near the Cone- maugh), but on Campbell's making application to Col. Brodhead for horses and provisions needful fur the transportation of his men to that post he was refused both ; whereupon he wrote a very caustic letter to Brodhead, who had him arrested for insubordination.' It was during this time, as we have seen, that Loehry insisted that the companies of Erwin and Campbell should be kept in Westmoreland for the protection of the posts here, being more needed here than farther on the frontier. 2 Upon Erwin, who was father-in-law of Loehry, refusing to let his company go under Brodhead's or- der to join the Eighth Regiment, Brodhead ordered him as well as Campbell under arrest, and to be tried by a court-martial/' Brodhead said that when these two companies had been ordered by Loehry to Han- nastown and Wallace's Fort, he had to withdraw the garrisons from Fort Armstrong (Kittanning) and Fort Crawford. Brodhead was certainly not much prepossessed in favor of the officers of the militia of the county. The duplex system of management was unfortunate and led to mischief, which of itself was aggravated when a suspicion was enkindled in the breasts of both par- ties that the acts of opposition were the result of pre- meditated and studied malignity.' The correspondence of Col. Brodhead during the time he was in command at Pittsburgh, in 17S0 and part of 1781, is of much interest to Westmorelanders inquiring into the history of that time. In May, 1780, he writes to President Reed, " For heaven's sake hurry up the companies voted by the Honorable Assembly, or Westmoreland County will soon lie a wilderness.""' The ranging companies to which we have referred were raised by the Assembly at the instance of Con- gress, and were enlisted into the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, whose colonel was Brodhead; but while so enlisted and drawing pay in the Continental service, they were allowed to be under the direction and com- mand of the county lieutenant, as they were pri- marily intended for the protection of the county. This, we have seen, was the source of much trouble. 1 Archives, vii , p. 311, O. S. '- Ibid., viii., p. 42, 0. S. 3 Ibid, p. 79. 4 Col Daniel Brad/trad to resident Reed, April 27, 17S0. " I nm nuicli at a loss to guess the cause of prepossession iu the As- sembly to favor former appointments. They must conceive a mean opinion of my judgment in regard tu officers if they know my opinion of these, and they must be sensible that many excellent officers of the State are supernumerary. I will only take the liberty to mention Capt. Btofcely,Capt. Hoffhagle, Capt. Swearingen,and Capt. .tack, either Erwin or Campbell. But were I at liberty to recommend officers, I should pre- fer such who are altogether unconnected with the leading people of the counties, anil have neither families nor farms to support or cultivate at an expense they do not choose to pay. The late Capt Hoorhead and others considered their men as their servants, and employed them to labor upon their fai ms instead of the service for which they were intended by the public."— Arthurs, viii., p. 210. ' Archives, Viii. 240. Reports from both the Continental and the county officers were continually reaching the earaofthe presi- dent of the State. In a letter in 1781 from President Reed to Col. Loehry he says that the former quarter- ing of these rangers about Hannastown did not ex- actly meet the concurrence of the Board, but that he, Loehry, should use his own discretion in bestowing them in the coining campaign. The plan agreed upon by the representatives of the western counties and Gen. Irvine, held at the conven- tion called at his instance, April the 5th, 1781, was to keep flying bodies of men constantly on the fron- tiers, marching to and from the different places. The regular troops were to remain in Fort Pitt and Fort Mcintosh, since reoccupied. Westmoreland agreed to keep sixty-five men, formed into two companies, constantly ranging along the frontier from the Alle- gheny to the Laurel Hill. The militia of Washing- ton County was formed into four companies; two of these were placed so as to patrol the Ohio from Pitts- burgh to near Wheeling. Every precaution was taken to guard against surprises of the enemy. Neverthe- less, it was well understood that a defensive policy, with whatever care plans might be laid, would prove ineffectual against occasional inroads of the wily, prowling savages, who in spite of every precaution frequently crossed the Ohio, fell suddenly upon their helpless victims, and then quickly recrossed that river into the wilderness beyond." It was the wide-spread and unarguable opinion of the people west of the Laurel Hill that the only way of destroying the Indians was to carry the war against them. Hence the expedition to the Sandusky towns which brought so much additional suffering in its unfortunate termination. A. Loehry to President Reed, April 17, 1781, writes : "The savages have begun their hostilities. Since I came from Phila- delphia ihey have Btruck us in four different places, have taken and killed thirteen persons with a number of horses and other effects of the inhabitants; two of the unhappy \ pie were killed one mile from Hannastown. Our country is worse depopulated than ever it has been." 7 James Perry to President Reed, 1781 : "Skwiikikv, .Tuly 2, 1781. "Understanding that an express is going to Philadelphia from Col, Loehry, I shall just infot m yi n country is in the utmost con fusion at present. About three weeks ago one .lames Chambers was taken pris- oner about two miles from mv house, last Friday two young women were killed in Ligouier Valley, and this morning a small garrison at Peter Clingensniith's, about eight miles from this and four or five miles from Ilautias Town, ■ »t:>i-t ng of between twenty and thirty women ami children, was destroyed ; only three made their escape. The par- ticulars 1 cannot well inform you, as the party that was sent to Ion v the dead are not yet returned, and I wait every moment to hear of ,.i perhaps see them strike at some other place. That party was supposed to he about seventeen. "* Col. Loehry to President Reed, July 4, 1781 : " We have very distressing times here this summer. The enemy are almost constantly in our country, killing and captivating the inhabit- ants."" 6"Crawford*a Campaign against Sandusky," Butterfield, p. 8 For much information on the subject in hand the special reader is referred to the valuable publication nuoted. ' Arch., vol. ix., 79. B Ibid., 240. » Ibid., 247. 138 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. In August, 17S1, the detachment of the Seventh Maryland Regiment, which had been serving under Brodhead, left Fort Pitt, and returned over the moun- tains home. This season Lochry, the county lieutenant, appre- hending an attack ou Hannastown or some untoward event, had erected a block-house on his farm on the Twelve-Mile Run, now near the convent in Unity township, whither he had the records removed for safety, and a magazine built for the powder and arms supply for the county of which he had charge. .To this, however, the Council objected, and upon their objection he desisted. Their chief ground of ob- jection was that by the collection of war munitions at one place the attention of the enemy would be drawn to that point, and the interests of a large por- tion of the people lie greatly imperiled. In his letter to Washington of Dec. 3, 1781, Irvine said, — "At present the people talk of flying, early in the spring, to the eastern side of tin' mountain, and are daily flocking to ma to inquire what support they may expect." It was very generally believed, and the commander himself shared in the opinion, that the failure of Clark and Gibson would greatly encourage the sav- ages to fall on the frontiers with double fury in the coming spring. The month of February, 17S2, was one of unusual mildness. War-parties of savages front Sandusky visited the settlements and committed depredations earlier than usual on that account. From the failure of the expeditions against the Western Indians iu the previous autumn, there had been a continued fear, a feverish state of feeling, during the winter all along the border; and now that the early melting of the snow had brought the savages tit an unwonted season to the settlements, a inure than usual excitement upon such an occasion prevailed. CHAPTER XXVIII. DESTRUCTION OF HANNASTOWN. of i ts*2 — The Outposts deserted — Condition of the Hannastown Settlement*— The People gather neat tothe Stations and work at Har- vest together — A Party go "ut to take off the Harvest of Michael Huffnagle, north of Hannastown — One of the Reapers, seeing Indians watching from behind Trees, gives the Alarm, ami they flee towards the Fort— The Court at Uauna6to\ru adjourns without a Crier — Records taken to the Fort—General Jail Delivery— They all gather into the Stockade — Scents sent out — Brison ami Sliau* pursued by the Indians — Capt. Matthew Jack comes upon the Indians ami escapes 1 1 ( ,ui them — lie rides round theCc try and alarms the People — lie saves tho Love Family— Indians come to the Town— They hold a Con- sultation, and •" e Been t" have White Men for Commanders, who are dressed like Indians — They plunder the Houses, fire on theStockade, ami mock at the Inmate- — They semi out a Party towards Miller's Station— The People gather at Allen'.-, at Hugh's, at Unity — Settlers gather into the Houses and gel down their Rifles— Indians come on to the Mowers in the Meadow at Miller's— The Number and Class of Per- sons collected there — Women ami Children gather into the Miller House— John Brownlee called back from attacking the Indians by his Wife — Hives himself up to the Indians — A Young Man takes Browuloe's Child and runs towards George's — Is pursued by a Pack of Indians and hides in a Rye-Field — Singular Escape of a Babe left ou the Ground at the Mercy of the Savages— She is found Sleeping in her own Cot the next Horning — She lives to be Married, and dies in Old Age — The Houses at Hannastown burnt down — Captain Jack is too late to alarm the People at Millet's — The Renegades secure the Ill- ma t,*s of tie* ilniisf — They bnru the Houses and shoot down the Cattle — Tie the Hands of the Prisoners and load them with Stolen Goods — Drive the Weeping Women into Captivity — Brownlee cat-ties a Load On ins hack and has his Little Child on his neck— The Indians recog- nize Brownlee — One crashes a Tomahawk into his Head and kills his Little B"y, and also a Woman who faints — Affairs about the Fort — Peggy Shaw saves a Little Child— A Ball strikes her in tlie B east Tile barbarous Medical Treatment she receives while she lingers out iter L fe — The Two Bodies of Indians unite and go into Camp In the Crabtree Bottom — People collect at the George Farm— At Nightfall a Crowd with Scouts go Armed to assist those in the Fort— They come to the Smouldering Town — Are let into the Stockade ami Sound an Alarm — The Indians, listening, are scaled, thinking Reinforcements have utri vi d, and after Midnight they leave for the North — Their Route— They are pursued as farosthe Kiskiiniuetas — The People look out on Deserted Homes— They bury the Dead where they were found — To keep them from Starving the State allows them to draw Rations — What became of the Prisoners — Who the Invaders were and where thej came from— Gen. Irvine's Letter to Washington — Singular Ac- countfrom an Indian after the War of the Party which burnt Han- nastown — The Heroes of the " Hannastown War' — The Town after its Destruction. The darkest and most gloomy period in the history of Westmoreland County was from the spring of 1781 to the spring of 1783. This was the night of dark- ness, the tenebrce noeturnum. After the unchristian murder of the Moravian Indians disaster followed disaster. Crawford walking around the stake in his bare feet on the hot cinders, praying to God to have mercy, and beseeching Grirty only to kill him ; the loss ni' so many brave men who had gone out with Lochry from about Hannastown and who never re- turned; the frontier in war; the settlers fleeing back to the mountains; the desertion of the soldiers who were guarding the posts along the Allegheny; the unfilled fields, — the memory and knowledge of these things haunted them day and night, and tlie shadows of death and want were across well-nigh every do >r in the land. Through the greater part of the year 17S2 some of the settlers did not pretend to do anything but watch for the others, ready at an instant's warning to go wherever needed. Those who slaved about the fields anil houses gladly worked fir the rest, and depended on the fighters guarding the limits of the settlement. Of those in the Hannastown settlement who were looked up to as their foremost men were Capt. Matthew Jack, Col. Campbell, Capt. Love, Lieut. Guthrie, the Brownlees, the Brisons, the Shaws, the Wilsons. As the times grew darker their sympathies grew closer. At no other time did they live as one family, in a sort of communism, for the fear of apparent death makes all men forget their enmity. Those, in such settlements as this, who worked worked in common. When a patch of rye or wheat was to be cut and gathered in it was a kind of serious frolic. This was so in the region bounded by the old military DESTRUCTION OF HANNASTOWN. 139 road and the block-houses around the Sewickley set- tlement. We will remember that besides the regular forts and those block-house cabins, such as Fort Waltour ami Miller's Station, there were in every locality other designated points to flee to which, being the most convenient, a crowd would most likely be col- lected at soonest. Such were George's cabin, to the northeast of Miller's about a mile, and Rugh's block- house, near the Beaver Dam on Jack's Run, about a mile to the south of now Greensburg. These were early settlements, the Miller farm having been in the possession of that family from the time it was war- ranted. At this time this settlement was rather thickly peopled. Large fields had been cleared about the house, and stake-and-rider fences kept the cattle from trespassing. The militia in the service of the State had de from the posts, because they were not paid and were in rag-, and the safety of the inhabitants was in their own exertions. "While the gloom from repeated disasters still rested upon the people they gathered into the cabins about Hannastown and nearer the block- houses and stations. The whole country north of the Great Road almost to the rivers northwestward of the Dcrry line was, so to speak, deserted. Fears were apprehended that the Hannastown settlement would he made an objective point, but there was no apparent danger mire than a general fear. (in Saturday, the 18th of July, 1782, the settlers next to Hannastown on the north, and those about the fort and the town itself who i ould be spared, went out to cut the harvest of Michael Hufinagle. Hu fi- nagle was the prothonotary and one of the judges of the Common Fleas. He was one of the most active ami best known of the inhabitants. He had been an officer in tin- Westmoreland regiment, the Eighth in the Continental line, had seen service in the cam- paign in the Jerseys, and in one of the battles of the Revolution had been wounded in the leg. The wound allowed him to be exempt from military duty, hut on his return he had entered actively into the civil ser- vice, and had gained much influence. He had a farm about a mile and a half north of the town, and while he was engaged in the duties of his office his neigh- bors took their turn at his fields. At this time court was being held at the old house, first built by Robert Hanna and used by him. By the records of the Com- mon Fleas and Quarter Sessions it appears that the July term commenced on the second Tuesday of July, 1782, before Edward Cook and his associates, Cook holding these courts in Westmoreland under a special commission. From an imperfect narrative and from many con- flicting accounts we have collated the facts which can be taken as authentic, and which we believe arc sub- stantially correct. The reaping-partyhad cut down one field and were about finishing it, after they had eaten their din- ner in the shade, when one of the reapers crossed over to the farther side next the wood. As he neared the opposite edge of the field where the wood leath- ered in he espied some Indians watching the party from behind trees as the party were coming out to take their [daces. The man ran back and gave the alarm that the Indians were coining. The party hur- ried from the field with all speed, some going towards the place where they had at first collected, others through the woods to alarm the settlers and to reach their homes, hut most ran direct for the fort and town. When they came running into the town all was confusion. One, using a familiar form of ex- pression, says that the sudden inroad of the savages that afternoon was like a clap of thunder from a clear sky. The records were taken from the court-house to the stockade; the door of the round-logged jail was opened, and the prisoners confined were allowed to go at large ; and while some were running about helping the women and children and decrepit old people, others themselves were hurrying into the fort and making ready to close the big gate cut in the pali- sades. The suddenness of the onslaught can be imag- ined when that none made an effort to secure their household treasures, their clothing, or movable stuff. Before the Indians had yet made their appearance about the town itself, and soon after the news reached there, a kind of a consultation was informally held by some of the men to decide on a plan of action. The people who had remained at the town were now within the shelter of the stockade. There chanced to be about the town then some who would rather have fought Indians than eat dinner, and who would not have slept knowing that any of the settlers were in danger and the woods full of such vermin. Some of these, it is said, volunteered to go out in the direction of the fields, that they might see where the Indians were collected, to get their strength and to report their objective movements. James Brison and David Shaw were of this party. But before these left, and among the first to go out, was ('apt. Matthew Jack, who on his good horse, took a circling route to recon- noitre to find something of the intention of the sav- ages, and to alarm the settlements nearest the town. Capt. Jack, although going in a way not directly to- wards the fields from the fort, was the first to come upon the place where they were collected, not far from where the reapers had left. They were then apparently consulting and agreeing upon a plan of attack. His quick perception took in the whole situation at once. The instant he reined his horse in he was seen. He turned his horse and fled, and they followed. < !om- ing hack he met the young men wdio had started out after he had. He yelled to them to run for their lives, that he would circle round before going to the fort, expecting by the speed of his horse and his knowl- edge of the land to get back before they should ar- rive there, or in case of pursuit to evade them, for there was no one ever thought that fear of the In- 140 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. dians ever once possessed him, being by nature fear- less and excitable, and having had much experience in the troubles of the frontier. The captain from here kept in a southerly course to the right of the fort, and in the direction of Miller's, although not to Miller's. On his way lie came to where the Love family lived, somewhat above a mile from the fort. These he as- sisted off, taking Mrs. Love and her small babe on the horse behind him, and carrying them, if not to the fort, to some place of safety. Of the day's work of this gallant chevalier this incident is proven in the accounts and we'll preserved in the traditions of the Hannastown descendants. The young men whom we have mentioned of, on meeting Capt. Jack, took his word and hurried back towards the town. The Indians caught sight of Shaw and his companions, and no doubt hoping to reach the town before they were expected, came running at full speed after the scouts ; for they were surely under the impression that news had not yet reached the vil- lage, that they would capture the scouts by running them down, or at least that they would make their attack before the people could have time to get away. Then began the old-fashioned race for life. The scouts were good woodsmen and swift runners, and they knew the ground well ; every path, every hollow, every jutting rock was familiar. If they could reach the Crabtree Run, which marked its way through the rough ravine, they might then i'eel safe, for the Indians would hardly pursue them under cover of the houses. By the time they reached the Creek they could hear the footfalls of their pursuers, and glancing back over their shoulders see through the foliage the sun glistening on the naked backs, and the tufts of hair swinging in the brushing wind. The Indians, not sure of their prey, and evidently not to alarm the town, did not fire. Shaw, on reaching the brow of the hill upon which the town was built, ran to his father's house again to see if the family were out. From here he turned towards the stockade. By this time the foremost of the savages had emerged from the wood, and were showing themselves in the open space between the crown of the hill and the houses. Shaw here stopped, and drawing up his long-barreled, six foot rifle, with unerring aim dropped one of the wretches in his tracks. He entered through the door- gate of the fort, which was closed behind him. Thus, luckily, by the time the Indians and rene- gades came up the inhabitants of Hannastown were safely within the palisades of their stockade. Then, on the testimony of Huffnagle, at about two o'clock in the afternoon, the town, consisting of about thirty cabins and houses, was attacked by above a hundred Indians and white renegades called Tories acting with them. When the crew saw how that they had been cheated out of a rare butchery they gave utterance to one of those indescribable yells which so closely resembled the cry of a brute iu torture, the recollection of which long after chilled the blood of those who escaped. Then dispersing they fell to pillaging the cabins, throwing the goods out and scattering them about. Some of them in view of the fort danced about in derision, brandishing their tomahawks and knives. They were exasperated that the whites should escape, for their very expedition had been specially directed against this place. When it appeared to the Indians that they had been baffled, they were called together by their leaders, about whom they grouped together to the side of the town and not far from the stockade. Here they pow- wowed in some sort of consultation, evidently con- sidering about attacking the fort. Their language was loud, and their gestures were wild and impulsive; but they seemed to be well under the control of their leaders, who could be recognized as white men dressed in Indian fashion. It is stated with the utmost show- ing of authority that during this time they might have been fired upon with effect from the fort. The whites, however, although by insult and injury driven almost to desperation, did not choose to begin the fight, being evidently advised in this, for by so doing the wdiole force would have been brought down upon them. The Indians, as was afterwards ascertained, had concluded not to make an attack till the follow- ing morning; and the hope of salvation in this matter for the whites was in waiting till assistance should come. When the consultation was ended, a body of In- dians and renegades started off in the direction of Miller's. The number of this pack is variously estimated, some placing it at forty or fifty, and it is not probable that it was less than the first number. But for those that remained at the town there was still some occasion for gratification left, and running up and down with a concerted action at the same time, they set fire to the town at a number of places. No obstacle was in the way of the fire, and the favor- ing wind made by the fire itself was so propitious that the cluster of houses was soon ablaze, and in a short time the town was reduced to ashes, with the exception of the fort and two houses nearest to it and covered by it. One of these houses was Hanna's. As the flames burst up through the dry clapboard roofs and the logs crackled in the heat, the savages now drunken with whiskey and mail with rage, danced around in the open space between the houses and the fort, not mindless, however, of keeping at a respectful distance out of the range of the guns. But from where they were they mocked in an insulting way those who were pent up, and held up in their view the articles which they had stolen from the houses. One noble warrior had appropriated to his particular self a brilliant military coat which he had found in ransacking a house. He had put it on, and so pea- cocked out strutted back and forth in rather too close range of the fort, for some one within, drawing \ DESTRUCTION OF HANNASTOWN. 141 a true bead upon him, fired, when the warrior leaped in the air, and thus sacrificed his life to his vanity. Communication with the outside of the fort was now entirely cut off. The scouts who had not re- turned could not now get in, and when they heard the noise about the town did not make an effort to do so, hut kept alarming the country. The stockade, although a good place of defense, was at this time so poorly manned with all the needful men and muni- tions that the ultimate safety of these rested more with their friends on the outside than upon their own exertions. That no attack had been previously made upon the settlement was owing to the existence of the fort. Its inmates now for the most part were decrepit old people and women and children. The incursion had been so sudden that no unusual means had been brought into use for perfecting its capability to withstand a two-days' siege. No muni- tions were kept here, as what could be spared were sent farther to the front, and the young men who had gone out on the frontiers with the expeditions of the season previous had taken their best rifles with them. A few old, half-worn-out muskets, which had passed through the hands of the county lieutenants, and which were unfit to arm the regulars or the militia with, had found their way hither, and these, with the arms carried in by the people from the town, were all they had. The number of those imprisoned during that day and night has been differently given. Most of the accounts give it by mere conjecture. Perhaps the number of all — men, women, and chil- dren — was between forty and fifty, of whom about twenty were fighting-men. Huflhagle says they had only nine guns ; of these it is certain they did not have enough to arm all who could have used them. At Miller's, about two and a half miles southeast of the village through the woods, were collected per- haps twoscore souls.' The cabin block-house here was the mansion-house of Capt. Samuel Miller, of the old Eighth Regiment in the service of the Conti- nent, but who had now been dead some four years. The rest of the Miller family, with his widow, now married to one Andrew Cruickshanks, and her family, still lived on the farm. The Mi ler house was an old landmark; and while the captain was alive he was one of the leaders to whom the neighbors looked as to a father. As it was, the cabin-house was still open to all who came. Here before these times the neighbors had come for years to cut down the har- vest, as they were doing now, and here on the smooth puncheon floor of the lower story of the double cabin, 1 Tlie uld Miller house was Dear tin' site of the barn on the farm now owneil by William Russell, Esq., of Greensburg, on the right side of the railroad going westward. The same spring that supplies the present house then supplied the old house and the cabins about it. The attack was in all probability from the northeast side, along that part of the hill and sloping valley (or rather depression of ground) which lies in that direction. Alter leaving the station the Indians passed up along the hillside and uear where the barn on the hill back of the present farm- ! house now stands. on many an evening the young lads and girls danced corn-rows and cut the pigeon-wing to the music of the scratching fiddle. There had been at this time of great distress some three or four other cabins temporarily erected near the main one for shelter of those who had come to the station. At the beginning of this harvest t here were, perhaps, above a dozen families represented at the farm. It has long been credited that a marriage festival was being celebrated at Miller's on that par- ticular day of the incursion, and that some of the party collected there were brought together by this occasion. There seems, indeed, to be good authority for this, but yet with very attentive research and after some exertion in this particular we must conclude that there still remains a doubt on this narration. Some of the best informed had never heard anything about it only from the printed account; others, who late iu life read only the printed version, totally denied it, and those who in green old age still preserve the hearsay, and are conversant with no other source of information, can throw no light upon this side of the question. Such a version might readily have arisen and circulated from the fact of the number of people collected together there at that time. There were some there on that occasion from the town itself, among them the two daughters of Robert Hanna, both of whom were taken, and one of whom (Jennet Hanna) married a British officer when they were in Canada. But these represented the families of the neighbor- ing settlers and farmers, and they had been drawn together from various causes. Some of them were the wives and children of soldiers who, being in ser- vice for the rest, had left the protection of their help- less ones to their neighbors ; some, indeed, were widows and orphans ; some from a distance beyond the main road had gathered hither and taken up their abode, waiting for better times ; some to help during the harvest the Millers, the Georges, the Rughs, the Jacks, and any who needed it. Among them were two or three of those hardy backwoodsmen who had seen service of the roughest sort, who were as brave as the bravest, noble as the noblest, brusque in manner and rough in address. Of these we identify John Brown- lee, who was known as Capt. Brownlee, a soldier in Capt. Joseph Erwin's company of the Eighth Reg- iment, under whom lie had seen some service in the Jerseys. From the time he was out of the regular service he was a prominent fighter on the frontier, and went out with many parties from that region of country. He was a muscular, stoutish man, and the hero of a chosen circle. To the Indians he was as they, savage, inexorable, and bloodthirsty, sharing to the fullest that peculiar loathsome feeling towards them which appears to be common in those who are brought in contact with them on the outskirts of the West at this day. He regarded an Indian as a " var- mint," the lowest thing of God's creation, and on more than one occasion had led parties to intercept 142 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. and destroy those who, to say all that could belaid, were only suspicious. These thought, like Shaw, that a man was in duty bound to shoot an Indian whenever he saw one. 1 Yet in his contact during so many try- ing and weary months with those objects of his ab- horrence he had not lost that exquisite sensitiveness for his own race and kin which so strongly marks the highest civilization. To the women he was a true man, courteous and respectful ; to his wife the beau ideal of a husband ; and towards the children whom he loved he had that happy faculty of expression which wins and allures by the spontaneous disclosure of the passions and feelings of the heart. During the dark times of 1781 and 1782 we hear of the Brownlees often, the name being well known in fron- tier times, and it stands yet in old records and peti- tions, and in the list of that band of immortals who suffered at Valley Forge. Our Brownlee lived when at home on a farm to the northeast of Miller's, better known latterly as the Cope farm. With all the excitement incident to the sudden appearance of the savages, and with the active exer- tions of the scouts, the crew were, as we have seen, about the town, and must have been on their way to the station at Miller's before word reached there. In all probability the noise about the fort gave the men in the field the first intimation of danger, for some- how the air was full of forebodings. Away down near Unity Church, where was being held prepara- tory service to communion, the word was carried that afternoon, and the congregation dispersed homeward, while their pastor, the Rev. Power, who lived long to relate it, hastened towards his home near Mount Pleasant; and the solitary men working in the fields heard on the sultry afternoon the echoes of the guns, and leaving their sickles, suspicious of coming evil, hastened to their cabins, got down their pouches, ran bullets, called their little ones in, and barred the doors. Those near Allen's block-house gathered there. Across the country, at a little block-house, the re- mains of which are still to be seen about a mile and a half north of Greensburg on the Salem road, lived Kepple, a brother-in-law of Michael Rugh. Kepple was in the field with his team, his dog running towards him, frisking and barking with all signs of fear, and the sound of the far-off crack of the guns made him on the instant strip the gears from his horses and hasten back to the house, built for war and peace, and barricade the openings. A couple of families were sheltered here till the danger was over. At Miller's the first that were alarmed were the men mowing in a meadow, and to these the noise of the guns brought the first intimation. The men, list- ening, knew the sounds came from the direction of the fort. They threw down their scythes and ran towards the houses; but before they reached there they heard the war-whoop, and some shots were fired by the fore- 1 Taking tho Irishman's motto at Dounybrook Fair, — "Whenever you see a head, hit it." most Indians, who emerged from the wood and came into the fields and along the fences as the men were going out. No correct portraiture of the scene at the cabins can be given. The people ran about in the utmost distraction. Some, intent only on their own escape, got off, and among these were a few women and children. A little girl, who died an old woman, much beloved and respected, hid herself among the blackberry bushes till the favoring night came down with its kind darkness. At the Miller house itself were most of the women and children collected. These were irresolute through fear, which the poets say is contagious ; and indeed the cries of the helpless increased the panic which had been created by the sudden appearance of danger, the desertion of the men, and the horrid whooping of the red brood yelling their cries of doom. But al- though it is too true that some men, cowardly at heart, left at the first alarm, yet that instinct of human nature, happily for our kind not to be crushed out or wholly smothered under adversity and in trouble, was forcibly awakened and displayed, to the lasting honor of that hardy race. Could a man, at such a time, leave his wife, his child, his mother, or sister? Nay, we have instances of some not joined by ties of blood or affinity losing their life in the effort to save those who could only be called their friends. Those who started in time made their way over the hills to the Peter George farm. Some escaped to Rugh's block- <■ house, and some by hiding in the fields until night. But there were timid ones who could not be prevailed to put themselves under the protection of the men, and by leaving the roofs for the woods and fields risk the chances of escaping by flight rather than put themselves on the mercy of the savages. When the alarm was first given, or soon after, Brownlee, as is reported, was in the house. He snatched his rifle and ran to the door, and there see- ing a couple of Indians entering the gate, he made at them on a run. It was believed that he could have made his escape, and in all probability would have done so, and not with a selfish motive, well knowing that a chief object of the Indians was booty and prisoners, and resting assured that he and the other whites could recapture their friends. Such a termination would not have been a remarkable event in the frontier annals. But this intent was on the instant changed, for above the confusion and excite- ment the voice of his wife pierced his ear crying for help, — " Jack, are you going to leave me ?" The cry unnerved the man, who, facing half a dozen wild barbarians, by their sudden war-cry would not have been so unnerved. He returned backward with his face towards the Indians, and beside the door gave himself up to their pleasure. The Indians by this time, coming up in different directions, had surrounded the house, so that its in- mates were secured as prisoners, while the scattered fugitives were chased My others close in pursuit. One DESTRUCTION OF HANNASTOWN. 143 young man, who on the first alarm ran to the house to warn them and give assistance, snatched up a child which is said chanced to be one of Brownlee's. He had not gone far with it when he saw himself followed by three or four of the Indians. The young man was a swift runner, and his strength, had he not been en- cumbered with the child, would have enabled him to gain upon them. But as it was now it was a question with him whether he could even keep up the distance between them. Such suspicions ran through his mind, and still he ran on for a distance desperately, looking not in any particular direction, but by his strength gaining on the upland which rises towards the old George place, till suddenly before him rose a thick copse of low growth ; beyond that was a rye-field not yet cut down. He reached the thicket, passed through, and for a few moments was lost to their view by the intervening foliage. On the side of the field next the thicket was a worm stake-and-rider fence. Coming to this he climbed it, and jumped out far into the rye. Where he alighted upon his feet he lay down with the child. Then the savages came running up. They looked over the field, leaped over the fence, and ran along the edge of the field on past him where he lay. They had lost sight of their game, and the thicket for an instant had deluded them. The young man heard them coming back. The child lay quiet. With slow steps they repassed within a few steps of the two, muttering expressions of disappointment. One of the most singularly remarkable incidents of that day is one which has in it more of romance than of the common occurrences of real life. This is the seemingly miraculous escape, or rather preservation, of a small child, almost a babe. The common story which has long obtained, partly from the honorable judge's account, 1 and partly from exaggerated state- ments bordering upon the marvelous — a clothing in which many common people, are but too apt to vest everything out of the ordinary way — deserves correc- tion. It is that of a man who, carrying off his child and assisting his mother, saw the Indians gaining upon him and certain death to all if he did not run the risk of sacrificing one by leaving it and escaping with the other, — that is, either his child or his mother. Then, as the story goes, on the instant he dropped the child, and by helping his mother they both made their escape, and, strange to say, the child the next morning was found safe iu its former home. This has been the commonly accepted version. We have taken more than usual pains to trace the story up to its source, and fortunately have been more successful in so doing than in many other instances. The sin- gular deliverance of the child, in which centres the chief interest, was in all narratives the same. The truthfulness of the occurrence is assured. We have traced the version through the family iu which the incident occurred ; it has been repeated on the testi- 1 Judge Cuulton's account, published iu Penn. Argw, 1836. mony of several distinct persons, who are fully en- titled to be heard. It has been related by one, a gentleman of good judgment and veracity, himself a descendant of one of the principal actors in that scene, whose assertions are entitled to credence, in that it robs the part which tends to the romantic of its tinsel fringe, and clothes it with the reality of every-day life and passions and fears, and chiefly is it the version that came from the child thus saved in her ripe old age, as she had learned it from voices long since silent. Among those, then, who made an effort to escape was Mrs. Cruickshanks, who had been Mrs. Miller. She had with her her young child, and she was par- tially assisted by her brother. The woman seeing they were pursued by a single Indian, and being un- able from fright to proceed farther without help, ex- claimed to her brother that unless he shot the Indian she would be killed. Cruickshanks then turned and fired, but as he did so the Indian "clamped" a tree, as they called it, that is, threw his arms around it and stuck to it like bark itself. He did not stop to see whether he had killed the Indian, nor did his sister know ; but while they escaped the babe was left on the ground. Mrs. Cruickshanks escaped into one of the neighboring block-houses, to where that night her son, and the only surviving son of Capt. Miller, then a lad, also came. 2 Whether the Indian was shot, or whether he was afraid to pursue, being somewhat detached from the rest, cannot be told. He certainly did not pursue them farther. The greatest subject of wonder then is what the child did during this time and subsequently ; for the next morning, when the whites ventured to inspect the cabins, the child was found in the only cabin left standing, in its own cot, sleeping the sleep of innocent childhood, and all around desolation and death. The simple folk regarded it as a miracle, and loved to dwell upon it to their children, pointing out with simple devotion the providence of God to their fathers in the olden time. The infant grew to woman- hood, married a man of the name of Campbell, and died at an advanced age almost a generation after those hardy men who experienced the excitement of that memorable day were food for worms. As to what the Indians had to do with the saving of the child it is, of course, all conjecture. It is reasonable to infer that the Indian when fired at gave up the' pursuit, if, indeed, he was not killed. It is more than probable that the child lay undisturbed and un- noticed till the savages had passed away, and that then, finding its way back in the dusk to its own cabin, wearied out, it lay down in its bed and fell asleep. It is nut at all probable that it at any time fell to the mercies of those unrelenting savages, who, goaded on by reuegades worse than savages them- selves, and filled with the memories of wrongs, were "- See biographical sketch of Mr. Samuel Miller, in this book. 144 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. seldom known to have compassion on human woes, and who did not distinguish between the scalp-lock of a tender girl and that of a* bronzed and grizzled fighter. With the utmost haste, and at nearly the same time, were these things transpiring. While some of the Indians had scattered about, and were pursuing the fugitive whites, the most of them had surrounded the house. No defense whatever was offered. Capt. Jack, true to his promise, and in his devotedness to the unwarned inhabitants, was too late to give the word of alarm to the people here. He had started for Miller's, and just as Brownlee rested by the door the captain dashed up the lane towards the house. He had been too late, and seeing the Indians about the yard he turned his horse. As he did so their bullets cut his bridle and whistled about his head. He es- caped unhurt, and turning his horse about he rode over fences and logs and through the woods and fields on his rare good beast, and fetched up at George's, where were collecting those who escaped that way and the men from the farms. The Indians, after securing the prisoners, tied the hands of the men behind their backs, huddled them out before the cabin-fort together, and after getting out of the cabins whatever they wanted, set the houses on fire. The chief house, Miller's, was con- sumed, but it would appear that not all the other sheds or cabins were. The horses and cattle, hogs, sheep, and dogs were shot down where they stood or as they. ran about. This is attested by Huffnagle and Duncan, who places the number of cattle so de- stroyed at about one hundred. Of their prisoners the greater number were women and children. Of the men, Brownlee was the most conspicuous. The captives were laden with the plunder and goods which themselves had been robbed of. The sobbing women and crying children were driven in a flock before the marauders into a captivity worse than exile. The burdens upon their backs were light to the load upon their hearts. All ties of kindred, of home, of fields familiar indeed in sorrow, but now doubly dear, all were torn asunder. They thought they had seen these for the last time. Some there were who kept up, or seemed to keep up, courage, evidently looking for help from their neighbors. The calm, heroic, and changeless appearance of such as Brownlee among them was a relief to such as these. There was one woman especially who could not help expressing her feelings. Looking through her tears to Brownlee, she said, " I am glad, Capt. Brownlee, thai we have got you along with us." These were unfortunate words. Some say that the renegades had recognized Brownlee and knew him all the time. This does not appear reasonable. They knew him by name and by report, but it is not likely they recog- nized him in person. Brownlee's plan to deceive was perfect. He gave himself up without offering resist- ance where resistance would have availed nothing, and which show of resistance would, in all probabil- ity, have been the certain destruction of the helpless ones. He kept silent during all the time they were about him, while they tied his hands, and while they piled their trumpery upon his back. There is no doubt that during this time he wished to keep off suspicion, and to disguise his identity by acting with the implicit submission of a coward. Nothing could make the settlers believe but that he contemplated making his escape at the first opportu- nity, perhaps that night; that he would have found out their strength, and thus told the whites how to attack to the best advantage ; that he would have re- turned upon them, and liberating the rest of the captives, have had more than retributive justice. It is almost certain, then, that they did not know him till about the time the remark was made by the woman, and when it was apparent he was the centre of the band of unfortunates. But so it was that from that instant his fate was sealed. On the mention of his name hasty glances were cast from one to the other of the savages and back upon the prisoner. A couple of them in guttural growlings were seen to consult together, and then evidently they determined upon what was afterwards done. Brownlee trudged on, the centre of a weeping group. He was heavily laden with luggage, and in addition carried upon his back one of his smallest children. At a descending ground he stooped to adjust his child upon his shoul- ders, drawing its tiny arms more closely about his neck. As he was so doing one of the Indians that had eyed him so closely sneaked up behind him and dashed the hatchet into his head. Brownlee fell headlong, and the child rolled over him. The next instant the child was killed by the same savage with the same hatchet which had laid open the skull of the gentle and tender-hearted father. The wife of Brownlee, full of horror, witnessed the death of her husband and child. Another woman shrieked out as she fell swooning to the ground. And she met the same fate, the Indians, as was supposed, taking her to be the real wife of the dead man. The band of Indians that had these prisoners in charge moved round and rejoined the company whom they tad left about the fort. In the closing twilight the body together left the destroyed place, and re- moved towards the northeastward of the town, and fixed their camp in the hollow through which flows the Crabtree. They here regaled themselves on what they had stolen, and while some in the darksome shadows were left to watch, the rest were concerting on future action. The Indians during the afternoon had not made a concerted attack upon the fort ; they were evidently afraid to do so. The suspense which those cooped up there during that time sustained may with effort be imagined. Hope, the only medicine for the miser- able, was about all left them. If their neighbors should not come to their help during the night, they DESTRUCTION OF HANNASTOWN. 145 could expect nothing but captivity if the next morn- ing thej' should surrender, and if they resisted and fought, possibly a frightful death. The terror of the women part was heightened by the fate of young Peggy Shaw, who lay in agony on a cot in the cabin of the stockade. The death of this maiden was long the centre of interest in the incursion, and whenever and wherever Hannastown has been talked about among the de- scendants of these people this episode has been talked of with it. It is not then to be wondered at that more than ordinary interest attaches to the narrative, nor that strange and exaggerated stories should have been coined and passed for current. The story has been told in many ways, but the most simple and truthful way is enough to make her character beautiful, her ac- tions heroic, her life romantic, and her death full of glory. Margaret Shaw was the sister of David Shaw and Alexander Shaw. Alexander Shaw was the last man to go into the fort on that day, and David was a hunter I and scout widely known, one of those rough back- woodsmen who, raised in the wilderness and on the verge of war, knew only the duty of defending the outposts and killing Indians, who could not to his dying day brook the conventionalisms of civilization, and who, in short, belonged to that class who had made a law unto themselves. He had gone, when of age, into the army as a substitute for his father. His term of service being over he was now at home, and almost as much in war as he could have been any- where, and as much in his element as a wolf in the forest. All knew and remembered how quick he had been to apprehend the danger, and all admired his sonly devotion in seeing that his old father was in the fort before he himself went in. His sister was of the same blood. She was young at that time, only twelve or thirteen years, but for her age was large and mus- cular. After they had gone into the fort, and while yet all was confusion, and each one appearing to be inter- ested in his own personal safety, a little child had crept unnoticed towards the picketing of the stockade. Peggy Shaw seeing it ran to fetch it back. This was under the random fire kept up by the savages. As she stooped to gather it into her arms a bullet struck her in the right breast and penetrated her lung. She did not die suddenly, as is supposed, but lingered for some two weeks. This fortnight must have been one of intense suffering. Instead of having good clinical treatment, she was submitted to the barbarous manip- ulations of unskilled backwoods surgery. A silk handkerchief was drawn through the incision, and allowed to be continually drawn back and forth as long as any greenish discharge followed. A bullet- wound, from a half-superstitious belief, was thought to be poisonous, and the presence of the poison was taken to be denoted by the pus which exuded from the suppurating sore. In her lingering her body wasted to a mere frame. Her remains were laid to rest in the burying-ground of the old Middle Presby- terian Church, two miles northeast of Mount Pleasant. It was then not to be wondered at that the act was talked of with admiration, and she in her death re- membered with pity. Truly she died, as one long ago expressed it, a victim to her kindness of heart. It is said that the child she saved by her own death lived and grew to womanhood, but the identity is lost in the number who have been so designated. While these things were going on the country all around was being alarmed. There seems to have been a great noise from the shouting of the Indians and the cracking of guns kept up all the afternoon about the fort. Some say that when the men came together at George's many guns were fired in a volley to arouse the neighborhood. The greatest crowd which col- lected together at any one place was here. By the evening there were gathered well-nigh forty men, al- though some by exaggeration say more. Perhaps the force here was stronger than that at the fort. It was decided to make an effort to assist those. Scouts re- ported that the renegades were remaining together after the two parties had joined. The long July twilight had gone out, and darkness, with favoring rain-clouds, was gathering over the sombre woods when a party of about thirty, as it is said, left George's for Hannastown. Some of them were on horseback, and all were well armed with rifles. In after-years the suspicion of cowardice was imputed to some who lived thereabout, but the in- stances were few and hard to be authenticated. For one to skulk off then when the neighbors were crying for help and almost in the clutches of the savages was to incur an odium which would remain and attach to him as long as he lived, and which would taint his memory to his children's children. Their resolution was, therefore, fixed. The scouts reported to the main body as they advanced ; those, who had volunteered for that purpose, and who were accustomed to tread the woods like a cat, had given word where the Indians and renegades were encamped. Cautiously advancing the party came within sight of the town, and saw at a distance the dim outline of the stockade. As they ap- proached closer they could see by the fitful gleams of the burning logs, which yet occasionally crackled up in flickering sparks and cast sombre shadows against the dark line of trees, the white-washed walls of the palisades. No Indians were about the piles of ashes or upon the open place next the fort. As they came from the farther side they made themselves known to the inmates, when the gate was thrown open, and at length all were safely within. The Rev. Richard Lee, a Presbyterian minister, stopping about the vicinity of Hannastown a number of years ago, while some of the persons who had been eye-witnesses to the destruction of the place were still living, and while the memory of those who were the immediate descendants of others who had participated 146 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. was still green, gathered a number of reminiscences and published them in a Pittsburgh paper. While there are many things in his article which are ultra authentic, there are some statements which, sup- ported by corroborative testimony, are worthy to be remembered. The part which we thus retain was mainly derived through Mrs. Elizabeth Craig from Miss Freeman, one of the persons mentioned, and from Mrs. Alexander Craig, a daughter of James Clark, one of the defenders' of the fort. When the Indians retired at night into the woods to divide their plunder and prisoners they lighted fires and began a distribution. The warriors in their new costumes presented a ludicrous appearance: some of them had shawls tied around their waists, and others had on bonnets and petticoats. One of these, like his cousin, the dark-visaged Othello, " perplex'd in the extreme," was puzzled in trying to encase him- self in a silk dress, for the sleeve being very tight, after the fashion, and he trying to force his big foot into it, after the manner of drawing on a stocking or breech-clout, could get his heel no further than the elbow of it. He was thereupon so amazingly pleased, and he made such a laughable appearance as he frisked about on one foot, that, gathering a crowd of companions around him, he got them into right good humor, which jjossibly inured to the benefit of the captives. About midnight, upon hearing the noise at thestock- ade, they held a council, and at the conclusion they seized upon one of their captives, and painting his body with black stripes, tied him to a tree. He had been assigned to torture. The savages, armed with sticks and tomahawks, ranged themselves into two lines, between which some of the other prisoners were to run the gauntlet. The men were put through first, and of these some were badly beaten. Then came the women. Among these were the two daughters of Hanna. From the first Jane, the younger of these, had got the good favor of the warriors. She had, with great tact, extended her hand to the Indian who took her, and greeted him as " brother." She had laughed out at the antic caperings of the warrior trying on the dress, which she recognized, and he no doubt, in a sudden fit of good humor, tried to be worthy. These two young women, on the relation of Miss Freeman, escaped unhurt; the Indian who had taken them and the other who created the sport showing them mate- rial aid, but Miss Freeman herself, having red hair, which was a color much disliked by those fastidious gentlemen (of the " boir" monde), was nearly killed. She, however, escaped with her life, and many years after she returned, Dr. Posthlewaite attended her when suffering from the blows she had then received upon her skull with the butt end of a tomahawk. They did not have the satisfaction which they had anticipated in torturing the prisoner, for the noise of drums and the clamor in the fort increasing, they tomahawked him at once, and soon after began their retreat. It was on the part of the whites believed on all sides that an attack would be made in the morning, and so a plan was agreed upon by those in the fort to make the presence of those who had come in dur- ing the early night-time known. A couple of old drums found in the fort were braced up, and while the gate was left open the horsemen galloped back and forth over the corduroy bridge across the run at the foot of the hill to the beating of the drums. This was to make believe that reinforcements from Fort Ligonier and from the country had come in in great numbers. The stratagem had the desired effect. The renegades listened with something of apprehension, and they could not but observe the marked change in the acclamations of the inmates. On the ghostly night-air, laden with desolation and fears, these were sounds of doom. They called in all their gang with the sounds of the whippoorwill and the screech-owl. In the after-part of the night they fled, carrying with them whatever booty they could well take on their own backs and on the backs of their prisoners. The number of these captives which they took along was about twenty, and the most of them were women and children. Under the shadows of the morning they trotted along on the dividing path between Congruity Church and Harvey's Five Points, and crossed the Kiskiminetas about the site of Apollo. The gray morning came in before it was known that the band had left the purlieus of the settlement. A party of well-armed men then took up their trail and followed them to the crossing of the river. The river was swollen at the crossings, it is said, and further pursuit was discontinued. This may be a sufficient reason, but not a plausible one. The force of the whites must have been comparatively weak with that of the retreating party. The invaders went out unmolested, and reaching Canada traded their scalps and prisoners with the British for trinkets, beads, powder, and rum. The remaining settlers now looked out over their fields desolated, their cabins burned, and the few household goods collected through necessity de- stroyed or stolen ; some houses deserted for good ; their little town in ashes ; the carcasses of their cattle eaten by crows, and those not killed strayed off; their friends or their kin either dead or in uncertain cap- tivity as much to be dreaded as death. Worried in heart and in body they first paid their duties to the dead. The bodies of Brownlee, his child, and the murdered woman were found. They were buried, as was an old custom, where they fell, and their graves were till lately by tradition pointed out in a field known best as Mechling's field. All then gathered in closer to the little fort and to the stations ; and the crops were allowed to rot in the fields. As the fall approached the greatest danger of starvation was apprehended, and as the means of get- ting food became more limited their fears heightened. The State, from a knowledge of their pitiable condi- DESTRUCTION OF HANNASTOWN. 147 tion, gave orders that supplies in limited allowance might be distributed to this handful of shelterless, distressed and weary creatures, with the understand- ing that the men were to enroll themselves under com- mand of Capt. Brice, and draw rations for two months upon their making every exertion in their power to keep the line of the frontier. 1 The prisoners were exchanged by the terms of the treaty between Great Britain and the colonies, and most of them returned to their homes in Westmore- land. A few never came back, and it is said that one of the captives, Robert Hanna's daughter, married a British officer at Niagara. We have not been able to find who was the leader of the Indians and renegades in this invasion, and the true story will perhaps never be found out. Nearly every general historian, who barely notices this incident, says that Simon Girty commanded ; a few say that they were under direction of Kyashuta, the war-chief of the Seneeas, and the old enemy of the whites. Most agree that they were under the control of white leaders, but we have not facts enough to warrant us that Girty was along ; for shortly after this time Girty is found counseling with the Indians in their attacks on the border settlements of Kentucky, and we believe that during the latter part of the month of July Girty was among those. There is more reason to think that Connolly, as the British agent, instigated the attack, he well knowing the state of the settlement, and harboring a rancorous hate for the round-logged jail where St. Clair had him confined, and also that Kyashuta was with his war- riors there. The Indians were for the most part of the Munsies, a tribe which about that time inhabited that part of Pennsylvania now within the limits of Forest County. This tribe was famous for its system of warfare, and had in it some of the most depraved characters of the race at the time of its utmost de- pravity. The short-lived improvement made upon them by the Moravian missionaries before the Revo- lution had not changed their brutal instincts. Those of them who had been Christian'zed left their tribe, ami the rest of them, to whom the outlaws of various other tribes and devilish whites resorted, lived as ban- ditti in the almost impenetrable forests of that region in close connection with the British outposts. In- deed, it is said that the fusion of so many ill charac- ters into one tribe was a thing peculiar to that one. Gen. William Irvine, still in command at Fort Pitt, 2 writing to Washington in 1788, some six years after the destruction of the town, gives an account of some curious information he had received from a chief of the Seneca tribe, as well as from a Virginian named Matthews who had been taken prisoner at Kanawha in 1777, and who had resided since that time with the Indians. This man was employed as an interpreter, 1 Col. Edward Cook's correspondence, Col. Rec. " Craig 1 !* History of Pittsburgh. and appeared to be well informed of the country and of the movements of the Indians. The Indian related, through the interpreter, to the general that when the French first established their post at Fort Pitt he was about fourteen years old; that he was with his uncle at that time, who was under the French ; that they embarked at Lake Chatauqua, and that they went to Fort Pitt without any obstruction, and that they made the French Creek the medium of their communica- tion'from the headquarters of the French in Canada. He further said he was employed under the British in the late war; that in 1782 a detachment of three hun- dred British and five hundred Indians left on Lake Chatauqua with twelve pieces of artillery to attack Fort Pitt ; that the expedition was laid aside from reports having been received of the strength of the garrison ; and that they then contented themselves with the usual mode of warfare, namely, by sending out small parties on the frontiers, one of which burnt Hannastown. And this the general corroborates by other evidence, the testimony of which fell under his own observation. Capt. Matthew Jack and David Shaw long re- mained the heroes of the " Hannastown war," as they called it. In the phrase of the zealous women, they were of the anointed and led charmed lives. Capt. Jack was one of that class of rough backwoodsmen of which Western Pennsylvania was at that time pro- lific, and although he could swag oft' daily his joram and in vehement expression could go beyond. the rules prescribed by the Committee of Safety in their regulations for the associators, yet his breast contained the heart of a noble man. In 1782 he was high sheriff of the county, and perhaps was busier that day in " serving executions" than on any term- day he ever saw. Long as he lived he was the centre of a crowd at the militia musters, on court week, or at barn-raisings. He was called familiarly Capt. Jack, for the rule is " once a captain always a captain." But sometimes the records style him " honorable," he having been a county judge, and afterwards "gen- eral," in deference to his being one of the superior military officers in the county about the time of the Whiskey Insurrection. Many curious anecdotes are related of him, and at reviews held about the country he would show his dexterity and suppleness by placing his hat upon the ground, and lifting it up as he rode by on a gallop ; and to show how he rode on the Hannastown day, he would leap his horse over fences and gullies, which, to his admiring applauders, seemed the very height of recklessness. The burning of Hannastown divides the history of the county into two eras, and closes the account of the place where were held the first courts. Many cities have risen and fallen to decay without leaving so glorious a record as this collection of mud-plastered huts scattered along the old military road among the trees of the primeval forest. Its name only lives in the history of Western Pennsylvania, and the site 148 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. of those scenes of war and peace is covered with clover blossoms and waving wheat. Over the spot which was their graveyard the weeds and briers crawl among wild flowers. " There sleep the brave who Bank to rest With all their country's wishes hlest. When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallow'd mould, She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. By fairy hands their knell is rung, • By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; And Freedom shall a while repair, To dwell, a weeping hermit, there." Its claim for remembrance is in this, that it was the first place in all the United States west of the Appalachian mountain chain where justice in the legal forms, sacred in the traditions of the English- speaking people, was first dispensed ; this was the cap- ital of Western Pennsylvania, with its rude temple, in which betimes sat the living oracles of English colonial law ; in this, that here the backwoodsmen, descendants of a patriotic British ancestry, first raised their voice against ministerial tyranny ; in this, that here dwelt the race which, standing a bar- rier, as a wall of fire, between civilization and bar- barism, defended their homes through years of an in- cessant war with the fiercest enemy ever opposed to the whites. To one given to speculation, the destruction of this place is a subject for reflection. In a certain sense, here was the first place where a public pro- test was made against the action of Parliament in binding closer the unbreakable chains which they sought to rivet upon their own flesh and blood, and here was the last place in the colonies where the Indians and refugee Tories, under pay of the mother- country, executed their purposes in concert. Nor would it be scrutinizing too finely in observing that the destruction of Haunastown was the price paid for the protest of May, 1775. The penalty of the destruction of the Moravian towns, and the penalty for her disloyalty, were fully exacted and amply paid. For these alike it was well in the sequel of historic narration that Hannastown should lie in ashes. Yea, for us and for all men. 1 1 The following extracts and observations will illustrate the subject- matter given in the body of this chapter: Michael Iluf,t,:,jlt to Praidmt Moore, 1782. "Fort Keep, July, 17S2. "Sir, — I am sorry to inform your Excellency, that last Saturday at two o'clock in tin' afternoon, Ilanna's Town was attack'd by about one I hundred Whites and Blacks. We found several Jackets, the buttons marked with the King's eighth Regiment. At the same time this Town was attack'd, another party attack'd Fort Miller, about four Miles from this Place. Hanna's Town and Fort Miller in a short time were reduced to Ashes, about twenty of the Inhabitants kill'd and taken, about one hundred head of Cattle, a number of horses and hogs killed. Such wanton destruction I never beheld, burning and destroying as they went. The People of this Place behaved brave, retired to the Fort, left their all a prey to the Enemy, and with twenty men only, and nine guns in good order, we Bi I the attack till dark. At first some of the Enemy CHAPTER XXIX. LAST DAYS OF HANNASTOWN— EXECUTION OF MAMACHTAGA. End of the Revolution— Formation of new Counties, Washington and Fayette — New State Project — Who were at the head of it — Causes of its Inception — Its Prospective Limits — It fails — Act of Congress rela- tive thereto— 1783-84— The Last Days of Hannastown— Trial of Mamachtaga, an Indian, for Murder — And also of some other Prison- ers at the same Court — He is defended by Brackenridge — The Indian's Deportment — His Opinion of the Court — His Trial — Is found Guilty of Murder, and wishes to be Shot instead of Hanged — The Prisoners in the Jail want him to kill another Prisoner under Sentence of Death — He refuses to do so — The Jailer's Child takes Sick, when Mamachtaga goes out and gets Herbs to cure it — He returns to the Jail, and goes into Voluntary Confinement — The Day of the Execution arrives — A great Crowd of People assemble — The White Man hung, and then Mamachtaga hung — He dies like a Warrior, after having first painted himself for the Occasion. At length the war was over. The definite treaty of peace with England was ratified by Congress on the 14th of January, 1784, and on the 22d of that month a proclamation to that effect was published. came close to the Pickets, but were soon obliged to retire farther off. I cannot iuform you what Number of the Enemy may be killed, as we see them from the fort carrying off severals. " The situation of the Inhabitants is deplorable, a number of them not having a Blanket to lye on, nor a Second suit to put on their Backs. Affairs are strangely managed here; where the fault lies I will not pre- sume to say. This Place being of the greatest consequence to the Fron- tiers, to he left destitute of Men, Arms, and ammunition is surprising to me, although frequent applications have been made. Your Excellency, I hope, will not be offended my mentioning that I think it would not be amiss that proper inquiry should be made about the management of the Public affairs in this County, and also to recommend to the Legisla- tive Body to have some provision made for the Poor distressed People here. Tour known humanity convinces me that you will do everything in your power to assist us in our distress'd situation. " I have the Honor to be your Excellency's "Most obt. Hble. Servt., " Mich. Huffnagle." Indorsed, July 30, 1782. — Ptmna, Arch., vol. IX. This event was narrated in a letter* writteu by Ephraim Douglass to Gen. James Irvine, dated July 2ti, 1782, as follows: " My last contained some account of the destruction of Hanna's Town, but it was an imperfect one; the damage was greater than we then knew, and attended with circumstances different from my representation of them. There were nine killed and twelve carried off prisoners, and instead of some of the houses without the fort being defended by our people, they all retired within the miserable stockade, and the runny possea&ed themselves of the forsaken houses, from whence they kept up a continual fire upon the fort from about twelve o'clock till night with- out doing any other damage than wounding one little girl within the walls. They carried away a great number of horses and everything of value in the deserted houses, destroyed all the cattle, hogs, and poultry within their reach, and burned all the houses in the village except two; these they also set fire to, but fortunately it did not extend itself so far as to consume them ; several houses round the country were destroyed in the same manner, and a number of unhappy families either murdered or carried off captives; some have since suffered a similar fate in differ- ent parts; hardly a day but they have been discovered in some quarter of the country, and the poor inhabitants struck witli terror through the whole extent of our frontier. Where this part; set out from is not cer- tainly known ; several circumstances induce the belief of their coming from the head of the Allegheny, or towards Niagara, rather than from Sandusky or the neighborhood of Lake Erie. The great number of whites, known by their language to have been in tin 1 party, the direc- tion of their retreat when they left the country, which was towards the * Now in existence, with the "Irvine Papers," in possession of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. LAST DAYS OF HANNASTOWN— EXECUTION OF MAMACHTAGA. 149 The people of our parts and all west of the moun- tains were then left to rebuild their homes and start out from a new position, somewhat, it is true, in ad- vance of the early colonists. By this time, when the smoke of battle had rolled away, Westmoreland was Kittamiing, and no appearance of their tracks either coming or going having been discovered by the officer and party which the general* ordered on that service beyond the river, all conspire to support this be- lief, and I think it is sincerely to be wished, on account of the unfortu- nate captives who have fallen into their hands, that it may be true, for the enraged Delawares renounce the idea of taking any prisoners but for cruel purposes of torture." "The express," wrote Irvine to Moore on the 16th of July, 1782, "sent by Mr. Hoofnagle, through timidity and other misconduct, did not arrive here until this moment (Tuesday, lu o'clock), though he left Han- nastown Sunday evening, which I fear will put it out of my power to come up with the enemy, they "ill have got so far away. However, I have sent several reconnoitering parties to try to discover whether they have left the settlements, and what route they have taken. I fear," he continues, " this stroke will intimidate the inhabitants so much that it will not be possible to rally them or persuade them to make a stand." Gen. Win. Irvine to President Moore. " Fort Pitt, July 25, 1782. "The destruction of Hannastown put the people generally into great confusion for some days. The alarm is partly over, and some who fled are returning again to their places; others went entirely off. I have got the lieutenant of the county and others prevailed on to encourage Borne of the inhabitants to reoccupy Hannas Town, by keeping a post or small guard there." — Penn. Arch., vol. x. David Duncan to Mr. Cumnngham, Member of Council from Lancaster, 1782. " Pittsburgh, July 30, 1782. " Dear Sir: "I have taken the Liberty of Writing you the Situation of our Un- happy Country at present. In the first place I make no doubt But yon have heard of the Bad success of our Campaign against the Indian Towns, and the Late Stroke the savages have gave to Hannastown, which was all Reduced to ashes except two Houses, exclusive of a small fort, which happily saved all that were so fortunate to get to it. There were upwards of twenty killed and taken, the most of whom were Women & Children. At the same time a small fort four miles from thence was taken, supposed to be by a detachment of the same Party. I assure you that the situation of the frontiers of our County is truly alarming at present, and worthy our most serious Consideration. . . ." — Penn. Arch., vol. ix., 606. The following letter from Gen. Washington to President Reed is of some significance in this connection : 'Sir: " Headquarters, New Windsor, April 25, 1781. " Since my letter of the 14th to your Excellency on the subject of an immediate supply of provision for Fort Pitt, I have received the follow- ing intelligence through a good channel which makes the measure more indispensably necessary. 'Col. Connolly with his corps to proceed to Quebec as soon as possible, to be joined in Canada by Sir John Johnson, with a number of Tories and Indians said to amount to three thousand. This route to be by Buck Island, Lake Ontario, and Venango. And his object is Fort Pitt and all the adjacent posts. Connolly takes with him a number of Commissions for persons now residing at Pittsburgh, and several hundred men at that place have agreed to join to make pris- oners of Col. Brodhead and all friends of America. His great influence in that country will, it is said, enable him to prevail upon the Indians and inhabitants to assist the British in any measure.' The latter part of this intelligence agrees exactly with a discovery which Col. Brodhead has lately made of a correspondence between prisoners at Fort Pitt and the Commandant at Detroit, some of whom have been seized by him. . . ." Chatauqua Lake, in New York, had been long before the harboring- place for hostile Indians. As early as 1752 the French Governor of Can- ada had begun the erection of a fort there, which Mas to be the rendez- vous fur the French and the Indians in their excursions against the en- * Gen. Irvine. circumscribed in its limits and impoverished in purse. From March 28, 1781, the county of Washington had been in successful operation, and from the 17th of February, 1784, the county of Fayette took care of the people as far up as her limits at Jacobs Creek. croachment of the British along the Allegheny River, then claimed by the French. They then changed their location to one farther to the southwest, viz., Presque Isle, and here they built a permanent fort of large dimensions and great strength, but in 17. r >:t they finished the fort at Chatauqua. The portage road which the French cut from Chatau- qua to Presque Isle (Erie) was one of the earliest works of civilization in the West, made more than twenty years before the battle of Lex- ington. He who would write a full history of (he destruction of Hannastown and incorporate therein all the traditions and memorabilia of that war would fill a book much larger than this, for the destruction of Hannas- town was to the inhabitants of that section what Noah's flood was to the inhabitants of the ancient world. If all reports were to be credited touching the individual claims of those whose ancestors were reported to have been in the fort when the town was burnt, the number would reach such a magnitude that it would cease to be credible. Of the Shaw family, some members of which bore such a conspicuous part there, much has been preserved and much related. Moses Shaw and Margaret, his wife, had there three sons — David, a young man perhaps twenty years old, Alexander, about eight years, and John, quite young, notabove one year — and two daughters, Sarah, about sixteen, and Marga- ret, or Peggy, about fourteen, who was wounded in the fort and who died about two weeks thereafter. John Shaw was the father of David Shaw Atkinson, Esq., of the Greensburg bar. The family have preserved among themselves the incidents which we now relate. On the day in which Hannastown was burnt, Sarah Shaw, whose descendants now reside be- low Trees' Mill, on Beaver Run, was washing, and when the attack was made she fled with her parents and the other children into the fort, leav- ing the pot full of clothes on the fire and the smoothing-iron before the fire. Although the house was burnt, the pot and the iron withstood the fire and are yet in the possession of the Shaw family. They say also that it was Mrs. Moore's child that Margaret Shaw was carrying when she was shot. Mr. Moore's presence as a child at the Fort has been noticed before, of which fact there can be no doubt. Charles Sterret was killed on the Shaw farm, in Salem township, now owned by a Mr. Longsdorf. David Shaw and William Hays buried him. His grave is pointed out at this day. The graves of two men of the Curry family, who were buried on their own farm, now owned by Mr. John Kepple, in Salem township, may also be seen, and they are reported to have been killed on that day by the Indians. It would be very natural for the descendants of the old settlers about the Hannastown region, and even farther away, to connect their ances- tors of that date in some particular with the Hannastown era, the sub- ject of;conversation about the fireside of two generations in the days oi profound peace. To make mention of all the reputed facts touching this subject which have come to our ears would be too much of a work ; to profess to believe all would be exhibiting too much credulity. Of those who took part in the pursuit of the Indians on the next day or the day subsequent to that were doubtless the Craigs, the Sloans, and others from the neighborhood of the fort, and Capt. David Kilgore, with two of his sons, and some of their neighbors from the Upper Sewiekley settlement (near Pleasant Unity). These, of course, by name are in ad- dition to tliose whom we have before mentioned as taking a more early and active part. Of those within the fort at the time of the incursion and not mentioned was Capt. Ourry. So also was James Moore, of Salem township, who died in 1846, aged seventy-three years. He was a mere child, and was at Hannastown with his widowed mother, who lived there, Their bouse with all its contents was burnt. His father had died a short time before by disease brought on by hardship and exposure on the frontiers. At the time the attack was made on " Miller's Station," one of the children of Capt. Samuel Miller, then deceased, was taken captive and detained by the Indians some time. This was the daughter, Dorcas, She at that time was about eight years old, and was at the time of the fray on the hills back of the station gathering berries with her younger brother, Isaac. She heard the noise ami saw the Indians depart from the station up over the hill for Hanuastown, but did not suspect them to be warful Indians, for instead of hiding herself and her brother she went back towards the station, and the Indians seeing her at a distance 150 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. The Commonwealth did not claim for the purposes of settlement any territory north and west of the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers, nor from her line of the pur- chase of 1768, which ran from above Kittanning to the southwest corner of Clearfield County, as we have the map, thence through the middle of Clearfield in a meandering line nearly at right angles to the limit of the State at Bradford County. This remaining part 1 was secured by the last treaty at Fort Stanwix with the Indians on October the 23d, 1784. This is what is called distinctly, and being the latest is now officially thus designated, the New Purchase, out of which have been formed the northwestern counties, ranging from Beaver to Tioga. No material opposition being offered by the people, now under control of the civil power, the line mark- ing the western divisions of the two States of Penn- sylvania and Virginia was finally fixed. Another question which had been a source of commotion for some time previous was also summarily disposed of. During the latter days of the war there was a project on foot which created no little apprehension. Of this we may say something, so intimately connected is it with some subsequent matters in the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania. About 1780 and 1781 among the people of these parts arose what was called the New State project. This was a plan gotten up by a few ambitious and ill-contented men of some in- fluence, taking advantage of the time and imposing upon the credulity of the distressed inhabitants, to form a more perfect State government for themselves out of the territory for which Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia had been so long contending, as well as more undefined territory presumed to belong to neither. It is doubtful whether such a project could have been realized or accomplished, but being stimulated by se- ditious men in the heat of the war, it became a mat- ter of great consequence. Many causes have been given for the dissatisfaction of these people as evi- denced, and for the movement itself, but none of motioned for her to come, and going toward tier took her and her brother captive. The boy was killed that night, but Dorcas was carried to the vicinity of Niagara, where nearly three years afterward she was recognized and ransomed by Col Butler, a British officer, who had been acquainted with her father. After her restoration to her family she resided, until a few years before her death, upon the farm from which she had been dragged to the horrors of a captivity among savages. She was married to Joseph Russell, and became the mother of a large family, some of which have been of our UlOSt highly- esteemed citizens. She died in Greensburg on the 15th of March, 1851, in the seventy-seventh year of her age. She was one of the few who could reconut to persons yet living the recollections of one who had witnessed and felt the anguish of that fearful day and night. She was spared to exchange the priva- tions and toils of the early settler's life for the ease and comfort of a rapidly advancing civilization, and surrounded by her children's chil- dren, after the vicissitudes of a checkered existence, to sink peacefully in the arms of death.* 1 Except the Erie Purchase. them of themselves entirely satisfactory. It came perhaps from many causes, and those who favored it were led by different interests. There were two obvious reasons patent to all : first, I the uncertainty and inequality of land purchases not j yet determined ; and next, the abolition of slavery. Of the matter of the first we are conversant ; as to the other there were some, indeed a good number of persons of means in the southwestern part of the State, whose chief investment was in human chattels. In 1780 Pennsylvania abolished slavery within her territory. This was one cause of the emigration at that time into Kentucky. Col. Brodhead wrote on Sept. 23, 1780, from Pittsburgh, that at that time emigration to the new country of Kentucky was in- credible. This he lays to the disaffection of the people towards the country here at large, and considers it the remaining dregs of the loyalty to the king. We are not inclined to take this assertion in so broad a sense when we recall the fact that this was the time when Col. Brodhead and Col. Gibson were at variance. For it was to the interest of Col. Brodhead that the cause of this trouble should be credited to the loyalty of the people for the king while Col. Gibson rested under the imputation of disloyalty himself. There were, it is true, many who were proven traitors, and some within our coilnty whose property was confiscated after they themselves had sought safety in flight. The people who entertained the notion of a new com- monwealth were identical with the rabble of Con- nolly, with the murders of the Moravian Indians, and with the boys of the Whiskey war, and cared as little for the king of England as for the Jack of Clubs, and acknowledged at times no government but their own lawlessness.'- It is said by some that the project was much older than of the time we notice it, and that it was in the plan of Dunmore and Connolly to first make the new territorial government, with Pittsburgh as the metrop- olis and seat of empire. Be this as it may, it has nothing to do with the civil affair, which was bol- stered up by another class of men. Another occurrence favored the plan after it had * I have got much corroborative information as well as some original facts incorporate. 1 into the subject from the descend/nils of Mrs. Russell, who obtained the facts from her. I am indebted to Win. Russell, Esq., especially for original and collected papers. -James Marshall to President Reed, " Washington County, June 5, 1781. "Sir, — Since my arrival in this county I have been making what progress 1 can in organizing the militia, although as yetdeprivedof the assistance "t the Bub-lieutenants by the indefatigable opposition of a certain Mr. Pentecost and a few of his adherents, the old enemies of this government, who immediately on my arrival got together at their court- house in what they call Ybughagana County, whii h is wholly involved in tlii* mill Westmoreland Counties, and to which the government of Virginia has sent no orders for some considerable time past. Notwith- standing they have resolved to go on with the jurisdiction of Virginia, both civil and military, until the line is actually run. Whereupon the said Pent. 'cost swore into an old commission of county lieutenant that In. pretended to have by him for a long lime, and thereupon assumed the command of the militia. Mr. Cannon (a civil officer under the gov- ernment of Virginia), on.- of cur sub-lieutenants, publicly declares that government have infringed upon the rights of the people in appointing officers for them before they were represented, ami instead of assisting me in organizing the militia, is using all bis influence to prevent it. . . ." LAST DAYS OF HANNASTOWN— EXECUTION OF MAMACMTAGA. 151 been agitated. New York State proposed (1780) to surrender to the general government some of her western territory, and requested the other States that had any to do so also, and out of this new territory to make, or cause to be made, new States in the con- federation. Col. Thomas Scott, a former councilman for West- moreland, and after the Constitution a member of Congress for Washington, in a letter to President Reed, a little later, talking of this subject, says that the movement met with great countenance ; and, alluding to a memorial sent to the Assembly, says "that should that memorial be unsuccessful, he does not think there would be ten men on this side of the mountains that would not lift arms against the State." Gen. Irvine, writing from Pittsburgh in April, 1782, to Governor Harrison, of Virginia, says that an expedition was much talked of to emigrate and set up a new State. A day had been appointed for those so inclined to meet for that purpose. He says that a man by the name of Johnston, who had been to England since the commencement of the war, was at the head of this emigrating party. He says that everything in the way of forming a new government was in readiness ; and, so far as he could find out, the seat of government was to be in the Muskingum. Some time during this year he had occasion to be ab- sent from the post, and when he went he directed Maj. Craig to keep an eye on the safety of the place, as there were men inclined to this scheme who were not too good to get possession of it. In 1782 the most active in the scheme were Col. Pentecost and Col. Cannon. When first broached in 1780, the limits of the new State were to take in as much east of the Monongahela as it could get, and all northwest of it to the Ohio River; to reach southward into Virginia as far as the Kanawha, and westward to the Scioto and Muskingum Rivers. The bounds of the new State were, in truth, never disclosed. One thing is certain, however, the people of Pittsburgh and east of it above the Youg- hiogheny did not ever take much stock in it ; it is said they even shunned its embraces. In December of 17.82, Congress passed an act de- claring that every attempt to set up a new State, in whole or in part, upon the territory of Pennsylvania should be treason. The Rev. James Finley, who had frequently been intrusted with missions from the State, was sent out by the authorities in 1783 among these people. He was armed with one hundred copies of the act, and of the proclamation, embodying the decision of the tribunal which adjusted the Connec- ticut claims, which led to the act. In his report he says that, finding the inhabitants east of the Youg- hiogheny mostly opposed to the new State, he passed them by. He found a considerable number between that river and the Monongahela in favor of it, but they were led by a few aspiring and ill-designing men. The project thenceforth, under the advice of the clergy, by the silencing of the partisans, and by the determination of the government to preserve order, gradually passed off from the tongues of the people, and was a thing of the past, and the uprising of the turbulent people of that region was delayed for some years. It was remarked that the new people who came in and purchased the land which the emigrants left were of a better sort. 1 Notwithstanding the village of Hannastown was de- stroyed, yet the courts still continued to sit at the house of Robert Hanna, and the writs were tested as at the shire-town. One of the most remarkable criminal cases that ever was tried in Western Pennsylvania came off here. As it illustrates the ancient method of procedure under the old penal code, as well as be- cause it is a notable case in itself, we may recount it. To Judge Brackenridge, who was of counsel for the defense, we owe the preservation of the incidents of the trial and execution of the first person who suffered capital punishment in the county under the forms of law. The date of the execution is not accurately fixed, althougb it took place some time in the latter part of 1785. 2 Vln our collection we choose to preserve this account for the sake of the many curious cir- cumstances connected with it. This Mamachtaga, 3 the first person hungat Hannas- town, was an Indian of the Delawares. While his tribe under Killbuck had for the most part remained friendly to the Americans, this Indian and a few more were known to have been engaged in war against the 1 Brodbead's letter of Sept. 23, 1780. = The Indian Mamaughtaquie killed John Smith, 11th May, 1785. (Hnffnagle to Gen. Armstrong.) — Arch., x., 464. The following has been unearthed among the records : " Accompt of the Gaol Keeper of Westmoreland County. "Dr. The County of Westmoreland to John Hanen, gaoler. " To my sustaining the Prisoner Joseph Ross 306 days at 6 before John Moore." J The following letter would indicate a disposition to hang " Hurricane" first and try him afterwards: Robert Galbraith to Prest. Dickinson, from Pittsburgh, May 25, 1785, Bays, "The Indian who is now confined in the garrison at this place is anxious to be tried as Speedily as may be, and receive the doom he so justly deserves. The Militia of Washington County Have made two attempts to break the Dungeon where he is confined and Tomniihawk him." [He then relates of two different attempts as having been made to get at the prisoner, which were frustrated by the coming of officers and some of the people, and then finishes as follows :] " In this situation I earnestly request your Excellency to Commis- sionate two more Gentlemen of this place to try the Indian without delay, anil if your Excellency and the Honorable Council would think proper to send his Death warrant at the same time by way of Dispatch, it would sooner ease the minds of the people. There can be no doubt of his conviction. I was one of the Inquest held upon the Body of John Smith, and heard all the evidence. The Indian's name is Ma- nuichtagwin, in English the Hurricane, the most violent and Bloody Catiff of the Delaware Tribe." — Archives, vol. x., 467. 3 This name is also sometimes called and spelled " Mamaghtaguin." 152 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA settlements. At the termination of the war and after the peace these Indians came back, and were stopping at Killbuck's Island, under the guns of the fort. While they were here some men, one of them named Smith, went over to the Indians one night, and while three of the men were in the cabin where the murder occurred, Mamachtaga, in liquor, ran in without warning, stabbed Smith so that he died, and fell upon another man named Evans, whom he also stabbed, but who catching him and struggling made a kind of mel'ee, in which he also was killed, and the third wounded before the drunken man could be secured. The Indian, Mamachtaga, made no attempt to es- cape, but being sober, gave himself up to the guard, affecting not to know what had occurred. Killbuck himself sat upon a log silent, and appeared cast down on the next morning at the time of the visit. The prisoner, on account of the insecurity of the jail or lock-up at Pittsburgh, was taken to the guard-house till the next Court of Oyer and Terminer should be holden at Hannastown for the county. Brackenridge, then a young attorney, moved by the novelty of having an Indian for a client, was re- tained as his counsel, under the promise of receiving some beaver-skin for his fee. The account he has left of the whole business transaction is the one we follow. When the Indian gave him an order on another, who held some furs of his, which order he signed with his mark in the shape of a turkey-foot, he was under the notion that it was a kind of satis- faction for his crime, and could not understand how that he should say he was not guilty of the killing of the white man. When Brackenridge had seen the squalid appearance of the wretched man, as he was confined in the black hole, he exchanged the beaver- skin for blankets and food, which he gave the man. But being of a curious and inquiring turn of mind, and always fond of novelties, he got an Indian woman to interpret for him while he questioned the Indian, trying to observe the analogy between the sentiment of a savage and that of a civilized person, or, as he chose to express it, the force of opinion over pain. The woman was loth to broach the subject of death ; she was, however, prevailed on, and when at last he was asked what death he preferred, he said he would rather be shot than tomahawked. The habit of taking the law in their own hands to punish those who had offended had so completely per- vaded and possessed the minds of the people that a party, fearing that he possibly might escape, either from bonds or through the finesse of the young attorney and the crooks and quirks of the law, came with their : guns into the garrison, and demanded that the pris- oner should be given up to them to be shot, and that the attorney should take an oath not to defend him. The officer would not allow this, but prevailed on them to go back, and leave the Indian to the civil | authorities. This Indian was, indeed, when in liquor a bad ' man, and had forfeited the good will of his tribe by having killed several of them. He had the appear- ance of great ferocity, but, like all men in the state of nature, his passions were in the extreme ; for in and by civilization only are the passions harmonized. He was tall, rough in feature, and of fierce aspect. His name in their language signified "Trees-blown- across," a name given him from the nature of his ungovernable passion. At the court holden at Hannastown for the county of Westmoreland, McKean, C. J., and Bryan, J., Ma- machtaga was brought to trial. The usual formali- ties were observed, and an interpreter stood by to translate into the Delaware tongue the words of the indictment, the meaning of it, and to explain to him the privilege he had of denying the charge by plead- ing " not guilty." He could not comprehend the idea in saying he was not guilty, because by this he was telling a lie, a thing unbecoming a warrior. He did not like to say that he had not killed the men, but only that he was drunk, and did not know what he had done ; but he " supposed he would know when he was under the ground." The court directed the plea to be entered for him, and he was put upon his trial. He was then called upon to make his challenge, which was explained to him by the interpreter. This right he exercised by comparing the counte- nances of the jurymen, and challenging according to the sourness or cheerfulness of their countenances. The jury called to the book, being told in the usual form, " Prisoner, look upon the juror ; juror, look upon the prisoner at the bar: are you related to the prisoner?" one of them, a German, the first called, did not take the question aright, and thinking it was a reflection, said, " How in ter teivel might he pe re- lated to ter Hingin?" thinking it a very uncivil way of treating decent people, as if he, being a Dutchman, could be a brother or cousin of an Indian. But the matter was explained to him by another German, and he, being satisfied, was sworn. The only defense of the attorney was that the prisoner, at the time of committing the offense, was in liquor, but this was overruled by the court, as the fact of drunkenness would not excuse murder. The Indian said that he hoped the Good Man above would excuse it. The jury gave their verdict of guilty without leaving the box, and the prisoner was remanded to jail. Near the ending of the court the prisoners were brought up to receive sentence. When the Indian was asked by the interpreter what he had to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him he said that he would rather "run awhile," meaning by this that he ought to be allowed to go free to get some compensation for the man he had killed by way of satisfaction to the relatives of the dead man, as was a custom in his tribe. On the sentence of death being passed upon him he said he would rather be shot. THE PIONEERS— THEIR HOUSES, FURNITURE, ETC. 153 A man of the name of John Bradly, at the same court, was tried for homicide, and found guilty of manslaughter. He was allowed, as under the old law, his benefit of clergy, but being a simple man did not understand the technical nicety resulting from the pleading of it, and when the first part of the sentence was read, and the hanging part mentioned, he expressed the most abject terror in his looks and voice as he begged for mercy. But when it was ex- plained to him, and the benefit by the common law allowed him, he seemed more composed. Sentence of burning in the hand was then pronounced against him, and the sheriff was sent out for the tools. It so happened that the sentence of this prisoner occurred before that of the Indian, and the Indian was saying to the court that if it didn't make any difference to them he would rather be shot, when the sheriff came in with the branding-iron and a bed- cord to tie up the hand of the convict for man- slaughter, the better to put on the hateful letter. The Indian getting a side glance of the sheriff com- ing in imagined that he was coming at that instant to enforce the law on his behalf. The idea of horror aud the dread of instant death which the savage ex- pressed must have been frightful, and the narrator likens the distortion of his features, black with un- speakable fear and anguish, to the effect of cold water suddenly poured on the human back. When he saw what the sheriff was about to do he became somewhat calm again. Before he was taken from the bar he wished to say that his trial had been fair, and that he did not desire his tribe to revenge his death or go to war on his account. As the sheriff was taking him back to jail some of those about him asked him whom he thought the judges to be. These sate, as was then the official custom in the trial of capital crimes, in scarlet robes. The Indian said that he thought one was God and the other the Saviour of men, which notion or idea he no doubt got from the Moravians who had had missionary services among the Delawares. During the time he lay in jail under sentence a child of the jailer had taken sick with a fever. The Indian said he could cure it if he could get some roots from the woods. The jailer made him promise that he would not attempt to make his escape, saying that if he got off, himself would be taken and suffer in his stead. The Indian promised him, and the jailer, taking the irons from his feet, went with him to the woods, where he got the roots whicli were used in the curing of the child. All the prisoners were confined in the one room of the jail. Besides these there was a young man who was convicted of larceny, but who being respectably connected was recommended to pardon by the jury who convicted him and by many others. Yet he appears to have been a bad boy. There was also another convicted of an unspeakable crime. This was an extremely simple-minded creature. The young fellow insisted on this creature to allow the Indian to kill him, as he had only to die once, and to die this way would be better than to die on the scaffold. The poor creature, being at last prevailed upon, agreed to do this. The young one had prepared a knife, but when he offered it to the Indian the Indian would not take it, although he was offered whiskey and insisted on still more. He said he had killed white men enough. The warrant for the execution of the Indian and this white man came together. On the morning of the day set for the hanging the Indian wished to go to the woods to gather roots to paint himself and die as a warrior. The jailer allowed him and went with him. When they returned he painted his face red. The gallows was made of two stout logs and a cross- piece at the top. The rope hung in the middle, and a ladder rested against the top piece. The prisoner to be hung was taken up the ladder, the rope was adjusted, and he was swung off. The hands were tied that they could not grasp at the ladder. The white man was hanged first. This was done success- fully, but when they came to hang the Indian the rope broke when they shook him off and he fell to the ground. He swooned somewhat from the violent change in the circulation of his blood, but rose with a kind of smile. Another rope was procured, and this one with the other was put about his neck, making two, when he went up again. The strength of the ropes supported his body, and, being strangled, he was literally hanged to death. On the day of the execution a great crowd of set- tlers had congregated at Hannastown. It was a big day, but the remembrance of it has long ago been dispelled. Men seldom boast of having seen an exe- cution. These men were the first and the last hung at Hannastown. The unhappy, misshapen creature who suffered with the Indian under the inspiration of mediaeval superstition, preserved in black letter as part of the common law, ought to have been sent to an asylum for the insane. And for an Indian who got his notion of white men from such as Wetzel it turns tragedy into farce to strangle him like a tooth- less dog to vindicate the majesty of outraged law. CHAPTER XXX. THE PIONEERS— THEIR HOUSES, FURNITURE, ETC. The Pioneers — How the Early Settlers came in — Their Object in Emi- grating and in Removing — First Settlers near the Forts — How they Built their Mouses — House-Raisings — Appearance of their Cabins out- side — How they were Furnished — Home-Made Furniture — Description of Ancient Hannastown— The First Frame and Stone Houses in differ- ent parts of the County — Dr. Schoepf 's visit to Western Pennsylvania after the War. It is now time that we should notice the manner of life of the early settlers as it is seen in their customs, their manners, their amusements; give a description of their furniture and apparel, and make such other 154 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. observations as distinguish them in their habits and in their intercourse, for they sometimes differ so much from us that they appear a different people altogether. There is, however, one great difficulty in the way, and this, with us, is in our trouble to discriminate times and places. We cannot get at any particular time more than by a passing glimpse, so fast in our country have changes followed each other. But sometimes even such a glimpse may give us a correct idea. We shall, therefore, not attempt to restrict our wandering remarks to any particular era, nor confine them to a set order. And as nearly all the early set- tlers throughout this region of country lived com- monly alike, we have, in pursuance of our plan, col- lected some of our description from the hasty notes of those men who noticed it from their own observation and experiences, but we have relied chiefly on the testimony of the oldest inhabitants and on the testi- mony of their descendants. Our early settlers were, in the true sense, pioneers. And when a pioneer, invited by the boundless ex- panse of a rich territory in prospect, took a notion to migrate, he was generally young or in middle age. The early settler came into a new country not encum- bered by his aged parents or by a numerous family of young and dependent children. If he was unmarried, he first came to inspect the country and to locate some spot to which he removed after going back to the set- tlement to marry. Then when all things were ready he set out. He mostly had a horse of a poor and un- developed breed, upon which he set his wife and such household goods as he wished to carry with him into the wilderness. Along each side of the pack-saddle, curiously hung on frames of wicker-work, were a few pots and pans, a rasher of bacon, a small quantity of garden tea, and a few simples which answered for a dispensary, in which were curatives for all ailments, for a griping colic and a cut leg. Every man had a rifle and the accompanying ammunition. In the bul- let-pouch a few hard-baked biscuit of wheat or rye- flour, or a johnny-cake 1 of corn-meal, were for his fare till he reached the outposts at some block-house, or till he came in contiguity with some foremost settler; for nearly all the settlements were commenced either in colonies of a few families, or near some post where the government watched over its territory with a small detachment of soldiers. These block-houses or forts, such as Bedford and Ligonier, were made to answer the purposes of the government at first, but were also the places of resort and the citadel of de- fense for the people in time of danger. Few of these pioneers in such troublous times were hardy enough to venture far away to places almost inaccessible, and far from contact with kindred men. The really iso- lated ones were those who were isolated in every re- spect, and those were impelled by far different motives than were those men who loved an embryo civiliza- 1 " Johnny-cake" is a corruption from "journey-cake." tion. Our colonists did not come to trade and higgle with the Indians, or to follow the wild and daring ambition of roving undisturbed through dangers in- numerable, in slaying beasts of the forest and skulk- ing through the woods for red men. They were not impelled by the strange instinct which moved Daniel Boone, Byron's "great backwoodsman, hero of Ken- tucky," and Samuel Brady, and Simon Kenton, and such to fly, as it were, from the company of other men to pass a life of continual excitement and adven- ture merely for its own pleasure. They had other ties which bound them to the place they had fixed upon, and to change the rifle for the axe ; for when a settler came in he came with the intention of staying. He had left, figuratively, servitude for liberty ; he had come from where he could not get along with becom- ing case to where he might, in time, have abundance. Here, henceforth, was to be his home. Naturally from this fact he made a virtue of necessity, and grew to love his spot of land with a love not less sincere and intense than the Mantuan loved his hut of hur- dles, or the Rhinelander loves his cottage by the river. He was sensitive to one of the finest feelings which ennoble human nature, the feeling when, looking out on a tract of land, however barren and unfruitful, of knowing that it was his own, that it was secured, for the greatest part, by the earliest and most simple of titles, that of occupancy, and that all he possessed or might acquire was owing to his energy and his strong arm. Hence were all his feelings and his pred- ilections of a local nature. The longer he stayed, the older he became, the more intensely local did those feelings become. So near to the forts were the very earliest settle- ments made, that when a settler began to rear a house he rested at night under the shadow of their walls. In the day he worked with his gun near him, leaning against a tree; at noon, sitting down beside it, he ate his cold dinner. If he was far off, and alone, he made his bed of leaves under rocks or against fallen logs. Then his shelter was the labor of his own hands, but if he had neighbors within three or four hiiles he could count on them. When his trees were down the neighbors helped to raise it. Often, if circumstances were favorable, the neighbors, meeting together, felled the trees, and raised and finished the skeleton of the house from sunrise to sunset. Such was no uncom- mon occurrence, and after the settlements were well advanced the building a house was no such difficult affair as to those earlier, for to work hard by day, and sleep hard indeed by night, with no covering over him and only a log on either side, was such an undertaking as but few can now appreciate, and which not many even then but cared to forego. Their houses being such as were demanded by ne- cessity were surely rude. But few tools were used in their construction. With the axe the trees were felled, when the side intended for the inside of the house was hewed smooth. Thev were then notched at THE PIONEERS— THEIR HOUSES, FURNITURE, ETC. 155 each end to let the cross-log lie firmly. When enough logs had lieen so prepared a day was given out for the raising. Then all the neighbors collected together, expecting a holiday, and such days were enjoyed as much and perhaps better than such conventional holidays as leave but few pleasurable recollections. Such occasions as house-raisings had njore than a few attractions. Here the old men generally got their whiskey, an article from the earliest records indispen- sable in every community, and something better than common to eat. Here the young men might show their strength, and ogle and romp with the young women. The very boisterousuess of the rough men, half hunters, half farmers, had, to those of a milder nature, something of allurement. 1 And such up- roariousness continued from when the first log was laid upon the ground till the whole structure was raised. Soon as the crowd gathered they were divided into two parties, each one of which chose its captain. Thence began an emulation as to which side might excel, an emulation in which strength and determi- nation were as forcibly displayed as emulation has been displayed on the field of battle. These were little Balaklavas and little Waterloos. Every log was pushed up the two long slides and landed home to its place with a cheer ; and no sooner was it there than another one was rolling off the hand-spikes of the stal- wart young men below, who, directed by the voice and gestures of the captain on the outer wall, were made to work in system and in regular order. No sooner was the house raised to its square, which was from eight to ten feet from the ground, than a shout re-echoed through the woods. Soon the saplings, an- swering for the rafters, were being laid up. Instead of following the invariable fashion of the houses of the peasantry of Europe in the making of a high and steep roof, the roofs were, on the contrary, made with a low water-shed. One curious to discern the tendency of habit in a people might observe in this a connec- tion with the low huts, covered with bark, built thus in haste and from necessity and without architectural design, which, in the wilds of New England and along the Chesapeake, sheltered the heads of their ancestors a hundred years earlier. It is, indeed, difficult for us to form an intelligible idea of the appearance of the habitations of our an- cestors. There are, perhaps, not a dozen of these ancient cabins now standing within the limits of our county, and these few are inaccessible to the great majority of the people. Along the rugged hillsides 1 All public amusements, celebrations, militia musters, or elections were occasions of much noise. Hallow-eve was celebrated everywhere with Bacchanalian revelry and pandemnnian deviltry, ami the noise arising from the racket that old and young made when they "shot oil" the old year 1 ' resounded from one farm-house to another all over the land. One old custom long kept up was that of Bring guns and all manner of explosive instruments at weddings, which being the lesser image of war has given tise to the observation that this no doubt was originally instituted to remind the nuptial party that the battle of life had then begun. of the most unfrequented of our mountain ranges they are most likely to be met with. They bear, at a dis- tance, the uninviting appearance of a mud-plastered hovel, with a clap-board roof and a huge clay, turret- shaped chimney at one end. Sometimes the chimney is in the middle of the building, in which instances the houses, being larger, were sometimes occupied by two families. They are dimly lighted by apertures between the logs, which are not infrequently covered with greased paper. In midwinter or on a rainy day objects in them are scarcely discernible. They are such as but few of the common laborers would occupy, and yet they were the castles of our forefathers, a race not wanting in moral, in physical, or in me.ntal quali- fications. The most of the early houses were intended for only one room, and an apartment atop of it called a cock- loft. Sometimes there was no loft, and the whole in- terior was in one room. On the smoky rafters were hung gammons of meat and small, greasy bags of seeds. The one end, for the height of several feet, was left unclosed till a chimney was built. This was built so that a vacant space large enough to hold a tolerably good-sized saw-log could be dragged up to it and so pried through for a back-log for the fire. The outside wall of the chimney was thus a full step from the end of the house. The openings between the back wall of the chimney and the house were then closed by large flat stones, which could be removed at pleasure. The chimney itself was built of mud and nigger-head stones, and from the point of the roof carried up by mud and fagots. The interstices were filled up with mud, cobble-stones, chips, or straw. The whole of the building on the outside was daubed with mud. In these buildings there was sometimes'no wooden floor, but from the abundance of good timber, and the handi- ness of the axemen, to put a floor down was the work of little time. The floor so made was of split logs, which, smoothed on .their broadest side, were called puncheons. These, fitted closely together and so laid upon the ground, made a firm and durable floor, which from dint of scrubbing and sanding, and from the incessant wear of the feet, became in time toler- ably even and smooth, and glistened with a polish like varnished oak. The roof and the upper floor were of clap-boards, — broad pieces of timber split with a frow, and sometimes smoothed with a draw-knife. Some- times the roofs were thatched. The one room served for all family purposes. The door was hung on wooden hinges, and no improvement had been made in latches since the days of Little Red Riding-hood, who, it will be remembered, on the occasion of the visit to her grandmother was instructed by the wolf to pull the bobbin and the door would open. The doors were nearly always made double, one above and one below, like our stable-doors. The single long window was cov- ered with some translucent material, usually greased paper. Glass was used only by the best off, and was brought in from the East. The bedstead, and nearly all 156 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the furniture, was home-made. A few poles laid upon cross rails, resting in auger-holes in the walls and in the notches of an upright post in one end of the room, was the frame upon which were laid the straw and the scanty bedclothes. Their stools were square or round blocks of wood resting on pins for legs. A couple of clap-boards resting on pins driven in the wall was the table. The rifle and pouches and powder-horn were hung over the fireplace or on a rafter, either on wooden pins or on the wide antlers of a mountain deer. To such a memento of the chase was usually attached a long story, which served to beguile the time of the long winter evenings, when a neighbor, perchance, rested beneath the roof. The one side of the room, that next the bed, was reserved for the ward- robe. Here hung the dress to be worn when the preacher came once in a year to preach to the settlement, or when a young neighbor was married. Whatever else was bright in color, or curious for being scarce, whatever might convey the idea of the possessor being in good circumstances in respect to worldly goods, or whatever could feed the vanity of the women part was here displayed. A faded ribbon, a silk hand- kerchief, a spare patchwork quilt, a miserable daub of a soldier or bunch of unnatural dahlias were ar- ticles of vertu. Next the fireplace, on shelves, were the pans, pots, skillets, pails, tin cups, tin and wooden plates, cooking-ware, rustically carved dippers of gourd, grubbing-hoes, harness, pieces of log-chains, indeed, nearly all the appurtenances and heredita- ments. If the house was so fortunate as to possess a small looking-glass, it hung beside the door or opposite it. Environed in rings and wreaths made of colored bird's-eggs and bright red peppers strung on woolen strings, and overtopped by sprigs of green from the garden or the woods, the looking-glass was, to the children of less fortunate neighbors, what the pocket compass of Capt. Smith was to the painted warriors of Powhatan. We may form a more correct idea of the appearance of the early Hannastown by grouping a couple dozen of such cabins along the narrow cartway of the old military road, their huge chimney-tops reaching up among the trees which overarched the highway, leaving the sunlight in in patches. A house of square logs, larger than the others, by itself, and back of it another somewhat stronger, might be recognized as the court-house and jail. The stockade on a gentle rise within a stone's throw of the jail and in the edge of the village. One cabin with a clap-board porch, where, after the old fashion, the idlers drank their toddy or gin under a swinging wooden sign, would be known as the tavern. Among the stumps, with trees for hitching-posts, you would observe the blacksmith- shops, from one of which Connolly's crew, after forc- ing open, took the smith's hammer to break down the doors of the jail. And this was the ancient capital of Western Pennsylvania, and here was the temple where, betimes, was the visibly enthroned oracle of the English law. Pittsburgh at that date was but little better, only there was more activity there and possibly more sunshine. But in 1774 there was only one shingled house in the town, and that house was long pointed out as an evidence that the arts of en- lightenment had at that early day taken up their abode in the far West. The description given by Dr. McMillen of his early experience in this regard will here bear to be re- called : " When I came to this country (in 17S8) the cabin in which I was to live was raised, but there was no roof to it, nor any chimney or floor. We had neither bedstead, nor table, nor stool, nor chair, nor bucket. We plfl ' ,d. 64, had to leave his wagons and heavy baggage at Ligonier on account of the state of the road, and in 1774 Dun- more's army for the same reason had to transport their war materials to the frontier of Western Virginia on horses and mules. One of the first petitions presented to the court in April, 1773, was from the inhabitants along the Great road, who represented that, from the fallen timber and the deep morasses, the road was almost impassable, and they prayed the court to ap- point viewers to report ; and at several successive ses- sions viewers were appointed and rates laid. Among other petitions in the matter of roads was one by the inhabitants of Springhill township, west of the Mo- nongahela, for a road from opposite the mouth of Fish-Pot Run (half-way between Ten-Mile and Red- stone) to the forks of Dunlap's path and Gen. Brad- dock's road on the top of Laurel Hill. In the next year the inhabitants of Tyrone, Menallen, and Spring- hill asked for a road from near Redstone Old Fort to Henry Beeson's mill (Uniontown), and thence to intersect Braddock's road near the forks of Dunlap's road and said road On the top of Laurel Hill ; giving as a reason that " We, who at present live on the west side of the Monongahela, are obliged frequently to carry our corn twenty miles to the mill of Henry Beeson, near Laurel Hill, and in all probability at some seasons of the year will ever have to do so." From the difficulty of making roads in a new country, aud one whose surface was so unfavorable, and from the few people there were to make them, it was not possible that good roads could be made and kept in repair. The rates and the labor were not adequate to make them anything like passable from early in the fall to late in the spring. There was no ballast in the bottom of the roads, and movable tim- ber washed in the widening ruts. In the winter they were deep with mire. There were no culverts, and nothing like a respectable bridge. A corduroy affair was thrown over marshy and open places, but all the large streams were forded. There were no fences along the road, but the deep forest came up to the very verge, and the traveler not unfrequently saw crossing his path before him a wild cat with her kit- tens or a bear with her cubs. In the warmth of spring rank vegetation covered the road-bed in the lower bottoms. Before wagoning, and even after wagons were in use on it, the old road was worse than the worst roads in the mountains now which have been temporarily made to get out bark and ties. In this stage of the public roads travel by vehicle was to a great extent, of course, unknown. Vehicles did not come into general use till after the State road was made in 1785, although as early as 1782 there was complaint that the old road was not fit for wagon travel. But you may say that wagons were not used till villages had sprung up all along it, and till the country justified the necessity. All travel for both busi- ness and pleasure was on horseback, and this method, for its conveniency and speed, remained a favorite method long after it had ceased to be the only one. As the chief part of the carrying trade was accomplished by the same means, the superintending of such trans- portation became a business. And making allowance for the limited amount of merchandise which could be so transported, it was, withal, we may judge, a profitable business. We are told that about 1784 the rates for carrying from Philadelphia and Baltimore to Pittsburgh was forty-five shillings per hundred-, weight. In 178(5 the price of carriage to Philadelphia! was sixpence per pound. In 1796 it is marked at the same. In the relative value of money we may then say that in round numbers it would cost now at such rates from twelve to fifteen dollars to carry a barrel of flour the length of the Pennsylvania Kail- road. 1 These packers went and came in trains. A train consisted of from five to ten, and even more, horses tethered by a hitching-rope one behind the other. Sometimes the horses were so well trained that they followed the leader alone. The master of the train rode before or behind the horses, and directed their movements by his voice. A train could travel fifteen or twenty miles day by day, and each horse could probably carry two hundred-weight.- The furniture I 1 The charge for hauling when wagons first went over the southern route from Hagerstown to Brownsville was three dollars a hundred weight, or sixty dollars a ton. " The operations on the lakes during the war of 1812 called attention again to the cost of transportation, and in 1818 the House directed the Secretaries of War and of the Treasury to report at the next session a list of the internal improvements in progress, and plans for aiding them by appropriations. In the discussion upon thia motion it was stated thai the expense for the transportation of each barrel of Hour to Detroit was not less than sixty dollars, while for every pound of ammunition and other material it Mas not less than fifty ceuts." — Hazard's Register. - Hear what Pistol shoots off: " Shall pa< k-1 seB, And hollow pampered jades of Asia, Which cannot go but thirty miles a day, Compare with Caesars, and with Cannibals, And Trojan Greeks?" King Henry /!'., Second Part, Act II., Scene i. (The thirty miles wen the roads of England.) At .Tii iie sessions, 1785, appears the following record: " May 30, 17S3, Received of George Hixon A Philip Bradly six pounds for Breaking Sunday by following their ordinary employ men t of 'hiving TURNPIKES— CONKSTOG A WAGONS— PIONEER INNS. 181 of the horse was a pack-saddle and a halter ; and the lead horse had in addition a circling band of iron over his withers from the sides of the saddle, to which were hung the jingling bells, whose interminable tink- ling relieved in a kind of way the monotony of the long journeys and kept the other horses from going astray, and called the young tow-heads with their mother to the door of the cabin when they came within hearing. The pack-saddle then in use was such a piece of workmanship as any man used to handling ordi- nary tools could with a little ingenuity and applica- tion make. To describe it minutely in the interest of those who have never seen one of those caparisons of a past age : it was made of four pieces of wood, two of these being notched limbs; the crotches fit along the horse's back, the front part resting upon the horse's withers; the other two were flat pieces, about the length and breadth of a lap-shingle, say eighteen inches by five, and were to extend along the sides fastened to the ends of the notched pieces. It thus bore some resemblance to a cavalry saddle. The making of pack-saddles was a regular business, and very early there was a saddle-tree maker in Pittsburgh and one at Greensburg. A veritable pack-saddle is now almost as great a curiosity as Mambrino's helmet would be. When these saddles were used for riding, stirrups were fastened to the sides, and the saddle was held to the horse by a rope, or girth, extending clean around. Pieces of cloth and worn-out blankets were habitu- ally put under the saddle to keep it from chafing the skin. Upon these saddles were packed in divers shapes by curious arrangement all kinds of general mer- chandise. Bars of iron bent in the middle were hung across, large creels of wicker-work contained babies, bed-clothes, and farming tools ; and kegs of powder, caddies of domestic spice, bags of salt, rolls of calico, sacks of charcoal, and boxes of glass were thus fetched across the mountains for the use of the settlers, and pelts and roots and whiskey, when whiskey was manu- factured, were sent in return. Shop-keepers from the West went down to Philadelphia and Baltimore in pack-horses through HannasTown on Sunday loaded, for the use of the poor. " £6. 0. 0. " Mic'h Huffnagle." (N. B. The presumption is violent, that it was fhefine that was for the " use of the poor," not the load upon the pack-horses.) We cannot reetat the opportunity to recall the quaint words of Smollett, who has better preserved the customs of Great Britain in his novels than in his history : " There is no such convenience as a waggon in this couutrey, and my finances were too weak to support the expense of hireing a horse; I de- termined, therefore, to set out with the carriers, who transport goods from one place to another on horseback, and this scheme I accordingly put in execution on the first day of September, 1739, sitting upon a pack- saddle between two baskets, one of which contained niy goods in a knap- sack. But by the time we arrived at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, I was so fatigued with the tediousness of the carriage, and benumbed with the coldness of the weather, that I resolved to travel the rest of the journey on foot rather than proceed in such a disagreeable manner." — Tl« . M<> n- lures of Roderick fiandont, chap. viii. squads of six, ten, or a dozen to lay in their yearly stock of goods. Members of the Assembly and mem- bers of Congress, agents, and militia officers thus traveled to the seat of government. Young men went a-courting on expeditions as dangerous as young Lochinvar's, and on such a saddle as graced the back of Petruchio's steed when he went to wed with the Shrew, or with accoutrements similar to those of Sancho Panza's placid and meek Dapple. Ordin- arily riding-saddles were but pack-saddles covered with a leather covering. William Findley, our member of Congress from 1791, with some intermission, down to 1817, per- formed his journey to the seat of government on a horse which he used for the greater part of his long term. For a couple of weeks before his departure his family were busy preparing his wardrobe and ar- ranging his outfit. Lawyers and judges passed from one county-seat to another on such saddles covered with a tow or worn-out blanket decoration, which answered for housing, cushion, and flap. The change of apparel and the money in silver specie were stowed in the ends of the saddle-bags, or rolled into a wallet and tied behind the furniture of the horse. This mode of travel continued until the State, taking the management of public roads in hand, com- pletely revolutionized travel and traffic. For it was only when the roads, then bad in comparison with what they are now, but good as to what they had been before, it was only in their improved condition that wagon and stage conveyance completely altered the facilities for transportation, and made intercourse be- tween the East and West safer and easier, and better adapted to the growing necls. CHAPTER XXXV. TURNPIKES- ■CONESTOGA WAGONS— PIONEER INNS. The State assists in making Roads — The Old Pennsylvania State Road — Its Course through the County — The Villages built along it — (.'ones- toga Wagons and Hacks — First Load of Merchandise hauled across the Mountains — How long they were in bringingit — Cost of carrying — First Mails from Pittsburgh East and West — How Papers and the Mails were delivered — First Carriages and Carioles — The Pleasure of Traveling in these Contrivances — The Felgar Road — The Jones' Mill Road — The Harrisburg and Pittsburgh Turnpike Company incor- porated — The Northern Turnpike— The State appropriates Money to the Southern Route — Progress of the Undertaking — Its completion — Public-Houses — Their Great Number along the Turnpikes and in the Villages — They become Famous in their way — The Old Class of Inn- keepers — The Good Cheer and the Solid Comforts they offered Trav- elers — Homer gives some Hints as to their Signs — The Sceptre de- parted from Israel — Regrets of a Certain Class that Railroads have ever been built. Up to the time of the burning of Hannastown, 17S2, many roads had been made through Westmore- land. At almost every Quarter Sessions petitions for new roads were presented and others passed on. A 182 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA list of these is inserted in the notes. 1 These roads were, of course, for the convenience of different neighborhoods, and one or two influential men could have a road from their plantation or ferry to run to some mill, to the county town, or to one of the rivers. Some two prominent points were made the termini, and one of these points was usually Col. So-and-so's house. Perhaps of all the most needful requirements in this line was the necessity of getting a shorter route to a mill when those were few, and when to go and return was the journey of a day. But outside of these local roads there were some roads supported by the county rates which were used for general traffic. We think that the road which in part became the old State road was in some places used previous to its authorization by the act of Assembly, and is the road mentioned in old papers as the road " south of the Main Road." The Forbes road was, however, still the chief road, and remained so for some years later. There were some houses in what was afterwards Greensburg before the State road was located. 1 Petitions for roads and returns, etc., commencing at January term, 1789, and ending at September sessions, 1795, taken from the Minute Book, Common Pleas, from 1775 to 1804 : Index for Return of fioads. Return of a road from Patrick Cowan's pa6t Hughes' old place,* March 7, 1789. Return from Greensburg to the north of Puckety. " Kelly's Fording to Greensburg. " J. Miller's to Sloan's Mill, thence to Greensburg. " A. Sharp's to tile Frankstown Road. " Owens' Mill to James Stewart's. " Peterson's to Castner's Ferry. " Greensburg to Simerel's Ferry (West Newton). " Gallagher's Ford to Greensburg. " Laurel Hill to Lovinguire's Mill. . " Elder's to Crooked Creek " Saw-Mill Run to John Wright's (private). " C. Hank's to J. Silvace'a. " Iron-Works f to Pittsburgh road. " J. Macklin's to intercept Archibald road. " Roaring Run to Denniston's Mill. " Greensburg to Jacobs Creek, opposite J. Masou's. " Hays' Ferry to Budd's road. " Bliddle Gap to George Arnfredt's. " Campbell's Mill to intersect Elder's road at Thomas Ander- son's. Craig's Mill to Greensburg. " Denniston's road to Shoemaker's Mill. " From Greensburg to the Broad Fording. " William Todd's to Denniston's Mill. " Lochrey's to Asa Cook's. " Newport to Philip Freeman's. " Miracle's Mill to intersect the road to Washington. " Old Place to Old Pennsylvania Road. " Congruity Meeting-House to Poke Run Meeting-House. " Light's Lane to Hays' Ferry. " Greensburg to Old Town on the Kiskiminetas River. The return of a road from Crooked Creek to Col. Charles Campbell's mill on Blacklick was headed " To the Worshipful Bench at Greens- burg." June 20, 1789. Another Petition is for a road " beginning at a 'May-pole,' in the centre of Greensburg." April Session, 1789. In another petition Greensburg is styled the " Metropolis." Tin- road began at Cowan's house, on Budd road, and passed Ne- hemiah Stokely's. Width of all these roads to be twenty-five feet, t Turnbull & Marmie's works on Jacobs Creek. On the 25th of September, 1785, the Assembly passed the act which made the old State road, the road which so long monopolized the through travel, and which in its turn gave way to the chartered turnpike. This act appropriated two thousand dollars of the public money to lay out and make a highway from the western part of Cumberland County to Pittsburgh, and authorized the president in Council to appoint commissioners to lay it out. The road was to be made in as straight and direct a manner as the circum- stances would admit, to be of the breadth of sixty feet, and was to remain, for all intents and purposes, the State highway between these designated points.'- The Council had the power to direct reviews and to finally determine the course and direction of the road. This road being surveyed and partly laid out, was confirmed in Council on the 24th of November, 1787. The part so confirmed was from the Widow Miller's spring, in Cumberland County, through Shippensburg to Bedford, but a review was ordered of that part from Bedford to Pittsburgh. By a resolution of the General Assembly of the 21st November, 1788, the executive was authorized to draw the amount of the expenses to be incurred in making the review, and by an order of the Council of the 14th March, 1789, the surveyors were appointed, who, on the 26th of May, 1790, presented their report. The wants of the West demanded the road, and where it came along the current of the new emigration from the Eastern and Middle States to the new terri- tories drifted along its sides. Most of the villages which became business towns of the turnpike were started at a tavern stand along the old road. The most noticeable change, however, as the effect of new emigration, was that after the settlement of the troubles arising from the Whiskey Insurrection. As cities are usually built on large rivers, so towns and villages naturally spring up along highways, whether turnpike roads, canals, or railroads. The courses of this road being very nearly identical with the turnpike, it is known with tolerable precision to most. It entered the county on the east over Laurel Hill beyond the village of Laughlinstown, and pass- ing through the villages, as we have them now, of Ligonier, Youngstown, Greensburg, Adamsburg, and south of Irwin, passed out of the county at Turtle Creek. None of these places of the old road age bad any pretension to the name of town except Greens- burg. The rest were collections of from half a dozen to a score of log-cabin houses. It was cm this road that pack-horses, strong wagons, and mail-hacks first ran with anything like regularity. We cannot note the change as we would desire, but, thanks to some one who anticipated the curiosity of the coming race, there has been preserved some in- formation which, although not expressly throwing - The old Forbes road was sometimes called the King's highway. TURNPIKES— CONESTOGA WAGONS— PIONEER INNS. 183 light upon our road, will partly explain the state of travel. Such an innovation was considered worthy to be remembered. For although there were in 1785 five stores in Pittsburgh, and a couple in Brownsville, yet the merchandise was still brought from the East I in the usual way by packers. The first load of mer- chandise unloaded at Brownsville from a wagon which had been loaded beyond the mountains was the event which, with good judgment, has been thought worthy of historical notice ; an event, by the way, more worthy to be commemorated than hun- dreds of other events which go to make up the early histories. John Hayden, the wagoner, brought out a load of about two thousand pounds' weight, with four horses from Hagerstown, for Jacob Bowman, merchant. The distance was one hundred and forty miles, and the teamster was nearly a month on the way. The route was the Braddock road. This was in 1789. At this time the Northern or Forbes road was described as being in some places so steep that great boughs of trees had to be tied as drags to the wagons, which acted on the principle of the rudder to a ship. Until some time after the Revolution all correspond- ence was carried on by express-riders or by casual travelers. About 178G, Mr. James Brison was ordered by the authorities at New York to establish a post from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and from Winchester to Bedford. In July, 1784, a project had been started by private subscription for a post-rider, but the pro- ject fell through. The next mail spoken of from Pittsburgh was from there to Fort Limestone and Fort Washington, Cin- cinnati. This was in July, 1794, when a line of steamboats was established to run from Limestone to Wheeling and back once every three weeks. From Wheeling to Pittsburgh it was to be carried on horse- back. The men on the boats were armed with mus- kets. In the Greensburg and Indiana Register of Nov. 12, 1812, the information is given that a post-route had lately been established from Bedford to Greensburg. The post left Greensburg every Saturday morning, passed through Youngstown, Laughlinstown, and Stoystown, and arrived at Bedford on Sunday evening. Subscribers on that route then were first served with their papers by mail. To that time and much later the paper oft' the authorized mail-route was carried to designated points at the expense of the subscribers, and from these points distributed around. It is said that the first of the old-fashioned carriages used on our side of the mountains was one belonging to Col. Morgan, the agent appointed by Congress for Indian affairs. This must have been in the early part of the Revolution. He brought his family out in it, and for years the remembrance of it was vivid among the members of the Chartiers congregation. The honor of having first crossed the mountains in a carriage is, however, contested by Dr. Schoepf in the memorandum he has left of a visit to Pittsburgh. This Dr. Schoepf was a physician and naturalist, and having been employed as surgeon to the German troops in America, he remained in the country some two years after the war was over. He has left an in- teresting account of this visit in his travels, published at Erlangen in 1788, and since translated into Eng- lish. He came to Pittsburgh in 1783, and on arriving in the town his vehicle was the chief object of interest to the "many well-dressed gentlemen and highly- adorned ladies" whom he encountered at the tavern. 1 He says that as his " karriol" drove past lonely houses in the wilderness, its appearance created intense ex- citement, mothers showing their children something they had never seen before. And ask any of your oldest citizens who is native to the county, and he will tell that he recollects when there were only two or three carriages to be seen at the largest congrega- tions at church, and when a dead body was carried to the burying-ground in a four-horse wagon, not for ceremony, but of necessity, which became formal. The wagons and hacks, called mail-wagons, used on these roads were clumsy structures to those used on the later turnpike. Every part of it had to be built on the principle of the wonderful " one-hoss shay," each part the strongest. The tires on the wheels were at first put on in pieces of about the length of a felloe, and the bed rested on huge square bolsters. Indeed, nothing else could have stood the roughness and the jolting. The old road in the valleys ran over swamps and marshes ; in the mountains over logs, stumps, and rocks, along the sides of the hills, and up and down the walls of precipitous ravines. Sometimes the wheels would fall perpendicularly two to three feet over a rock ; again they would swing sideways over the washed-out shale more than fifty yards down a precipitous hill. From the fall to the spring the roads did not have any bottom. In some of the cuts there was not room enough for two wagons to pass each other, then sometimes there was a fight. At other places the driver or the wagoner had to walk on the bank above his team, so narrow was the passage-way. Sticking in the mud was a common amusement. A wagoner had often to spend three nights, one after the other, at the same house, being no nearer it after a day's drive than he was to the next house towards which he journeyed. So bad were the roads frequently that old persons recollect of teams having to be stabled while making the ascent of the "hogback," upon which Greensburg is built, then a miry, narrow way, now known as West Otto- man Street, but which in the first days of the town was far worse than most of the township roads now. On this road from Philadelphia and the East came those trains of emigrants who proceeded westward to the newly-opened Territories in their own convey- 1 Suppose it was Ormsby'ft taveri). 184 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. ances, and with their arrangements previously made to establish little colonies. Land speculators and business men also made an important element in the travel at this time. About 1804 a through line of coaches from Phila- delphia to Pittsburgh, by way of Lancaster, Harris- burg, Carlisle, Shippensburg, Bedford, Somerset, and Greensburg was established, and the time occupied in going the entire distance, when it was in successful operation, was about seven days not counting the nights. In the beginning of May, 1805, the first stage-coach started from Pittsburgh for Chambersburg. Quite a crowd of curiously-inclined idlers had collected to see it roll out from the front of the tavern stand, and under the crack of the whip swing, like a miniature ship, for the East. After the turnpike was made, and in good condi- tion, the time was wonderfully shortened. Within one generation as much progress was made in the ex- peditiousness of travel as was made in the next gen- eration which saw the railroad. For some time before 1830 the time occupied by the coach lines in going from one of those cities to the other at either end of the road \v;is from three and a half to four days and nights. The times had brought the necessity for the innovation, and enterprise had made travel by night safe and feasible. There were relays of horses and drivers at convenient distances, mostly not farther apart than about ten miles. About this time the price of passage in one of these coaches from one end of the road to the other was from eighteen and twenty dollars to twenty-two and twenty-three dollars. The freight charges in Conestoga wagons for the full length of the line were from three to five cents per pound. Then came a new want. The increasing numbers engaged in the carrying business and the augmenting squads of travelers must have frequent places to stop. Hence the wayside inns which were so prominent, not only in the villages, which were usually started by a public-house, but in the favoring points between. .On the old State road did St. Clair, an old man, broken with the storms of state, and suffering from the un- kindness of his fellow-men, to supply the few wants of age for a few more short years, open a tavern on the most desolate part of Chestnut Ridge, between Youngstown and Ligonier, where he lodged teamsters and travelers. These public-houses did not, as a rule, however, bear any similarity to the spacious and well- attended taverns which a generation later were the boast of Western Pennsylvania. From the accelerated progress of settlement, es- pecially after the domestic troubles of 1794, when the people, in consequence of the new invasion, were spreading out on all sides, the State was called upon to further assist by appropriating money and locating other roads. In 1805, on the representation that a road was needed from Somerset to Greensburg, and that, owing to the mountainous route, and to the sparsity of people in the region through which the road must pass, the road could not be opened by the usual way, an act was passed appropriating eight hundred dollars, and authorizing the Governor to ap- point three persons to locate the road in the most practicable route between these points. 1 This road when finished was largely traveled. From the top of Laurel Hill to Greensburg it was known as the Fel- I gar road, taking this name from a family who kept ; public-house on the summit of the Hill. Another well-traveled road from 1809 was the Jones' Mill road, j which led from Somerset to Mount Pleasant and Con- nellsville. About 1811 fifteen hundred dollars was l appropriated for the road from the White House tavern, Somerset County, to the " Federal or National road" by way of Connellsville. But the great road of modern times in Westmore- land was the turnpike which runs through it along the line of the old villages, nearly through the mid- dle of the county east and west. This is the road known latterly as the Greensburg and Stoystown turnpike from Greensburg eastward, and the Pitts- burgh and Greensburg turnpike from Greensburg westward. Much as we would now depreciate such works of internal improvement or talk slightingly of them when placed in comparison with the magnificent rail- ways, suspension bridges, and viaducts, we underrate them as works of utility. The turnpike, in a mechan- ical view, was as far from the old military road as the Pennsylvania Railroad is from the turnpike. The construction of the turnpike was, in its day, as great and as successful an undertaking as was the railroad in the middle of this century. For we must bring into account the notions then existing in reference to works of public advantage, the knowledge of engineer- ing skill to devise, the mechanical force to execute, and the capital necessary to carry it on. Through the mountains it had deep cuts and sideings, exten- sive fills across ravines, arched culverts over the wild 1 A committee appointed Hy the Legislature at their session of 1790 made a long and valuahle report on 19th of February, 1791, and addi- tional reports later ic the session, in which the resolutions of prior ex- aminations and reports were embodied. The members were of opinion, among other tilings, that a great and general system of internal improve- ment should be begun and carried on by the State, and, among other*, that a turnpike should be made from Philadelphia through Lancaster to the Susquehanna, as well as other roads and canals throughout the State then and there mentioned. This Bysteni of internal improvement began under the administration of Governor Miftlin. the hist Governor elected by the people, and it held the State in debt Jul a long time. From a petition at the April sessions, 1782, for viewers to locate a road from the summit of Laurel Hill (which road had been partly open and in use at that time), " Beginning at Lant's Road, thence extending down the west side of the Laurel Hill to Captain Richard Williams 1 [near Don- egal], thence over the Chestnut Ridge to intersect the Great Road lead- in- from Ilaimastowii to BrOHtlford on the Youghiogheny, at or uear Machliii's Mill, 11 that the load was '• t lien already opened to the west side ol the CheBtnut Ridge, nod had been found by experience to be of great utility not only to the Petitioners, but to those persons who had occasion to travel on the Communication from Philadelphia to Fort Pitt, either with wagons or single horses, and was calonlated to be of great advan- tage to the inhabitants id" Bedford and Wot relaud Counties. 1 ' TURNPIKES— CONESTOGA WAGONS— PIONEER INNS. 185 streams, and wooden bridges over all the creeks and runs. The body of the road was macadamized with hard stone, and there were water tables along the sides. The history of the road begins on the 24th of February, 1806, when the Assembly authorized the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the bank of the river Susque- hanna, opposite Harrisburg, to Pittsburgh. The style of the company was to be " The President and Managers of the Harrisburg and Pittsburgh Turn- pike Company." By a supplement to this act passed the 31st of March, 1807, a number of separate com- panies were to be incorporated in the several counties through which the road was to pass, and the route was fixed through Carlisle, Shippensburg, Chambers- burg, McConnellstown, Bedford, Somerset, Greens- burg, to Pittsburgh. When the road should be com- pleted the separate charters were to be surrendered and the companies to be consolidated into one, agree- able to the first act. Another road of much importance was the old Frankstown road, which extended from Frankstown, on the North Branch of the Juniata, to Pittsburgh. By act of Assembly 20th of March, 1787, " to es- tablish a road between the navigable waters of the Frankstown branch of the river Juniata and the river Conemaugh," commissioners were appointed to lay out a State highway between those two points, and the route was surveyed. It ran from Armagh to New Port, west of Blairsville, on the Indiana County side, and then it crossed the river into the Westmore- land side. The road was entered and confirmed by Council 18th December, 1787. 1 Early in 1800 the road was somewhat changed in its courses, after a turnpike company had been char- tered, called the Harrisburg, Lewistown, Huntingdon, and Pittsburgh Turnpike Company. This was more familiarly known as the "Northern Turnpike," in distinction from the Greensburg turnpike. Its course was nearly over the old Frankstown road. In West- moreland it ran from the Conemaugh through New Alexandria, New Salem, Newlansburg, and Murrays- ville. But the successful completion of both of these roads was impossible by an act of the Assembly which brought them in contact with each other. This act, 2 " for the construction of certain great and leading roads," authorized the Governor, as soon as one hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars should be subscribed to the route which should be determined on, to sub- scribe three hundred thousand dollars in the stock of the company. Four commissioners appointed by the Governor, of whom Wilson McCandless and Adam- son Tannehill, of Pittsburgh, were two, were to go over the route and make their report in favor of either the northern or southern route. The commis- 1 Fur all these authorities see acts of Assembly and minutes of Council. - Act of April 2, 1S11. sioners reported in favor of the southern route, and the time for commencing the construction of the road was extended to three years from the 2d of April, 1811. An advertisement appeared in the Greensburg Register May 20, 1812, signed by commissioners ap- pointed for that purpose, giving notice that the books for subscription to the stock would be opened at the house of Simon Drum, Sr., on Monday, June 3d, at ten o'clock. In March, 1816, an additional adver- tisement appeared, signed by the manager of the Greensburg and Pittsburgh Turnpike Company, offer- ing contracts of some of the sections. The install- ments subscribed were then being paid in. This great work, which promised so much to those who subscribed to the capital stock, never paid them any dividend. It was ultimately put in sequestration, and since that time has been managed and controlled by a few who in each division hold the balance of power by having a majority of shares gathered to- gether at a nominal valuation. The road never filled its original corporate destiny. Having said so much on the subject of roads, we shall touch upon one in every respect more agreeable, namely (as the scholastic would say), inns or taverns. The public-houses on the old Pennsylvania road, as adverted to, could lay no claim to superior comfort, nor could they offer extra inducements beyond what might be offered in many private houses. But as the roads became more and more traveled, and as the population along them increased, the public-houses became continually better. In all the bigger towns large hostelries were opened, and wherever it might be profitable commodious houses were built. The reason of this is apparent. There was a class of men who lived the better part of their time at public- houses, and this class was mostly made up of those engaged in the carrying business. The number of these was, in the winter season, augmented by the sons of the farmers, who, rigging out a team of horses, themselves took to the road. These usually at home loaded with flour or whiskey, and returned from Philadelphia or Baltimore with merchandise. They, as a set, were jovial fellows, and being free born de- manded good victual for their money. But it was of necessity that the tavern should be the home for at least six days in the week of that class which was made up of professional wagoners and coach-drivers. And it was from this that they enjoyed here as much con- venience and every comfort that any house could at that day afford. Nor was there much distinction then as to the parties served. The distinction often spoken of originated between the teamsters and the coach- drivers. The coaches got to stopping at houses which were furnished in better style and which charged higher prices. The wagon-houses adhered to the old homely style, in which abundance made up for deli- racy, and common manners for conventional urbanity. This greatest distinction was observed, perhaps, from 1825 to 1845, and during this time everything per- 186 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. taining to roads and houses had undergone great changes for the better. The low two-storied cabin- house with its four rooms and thatched sheds had given place to the large, rough stone, brick, or frame tavern, each with its suite of eight or a dozen rooms, its bar-room, sitting-room, dining-room, and large stables, barns, and wagon-yards attached. The scene then of a summer evening was like a picture, and truly American. The big Conestoga wagons on com- ing in took their places along the village street and in the yards. The long troughs w+iich through the ( day hung at the end of the bed were then placed on the pole of the wagon for the horses to eat their feed from. The wagoners themselves were busied ungear- ing, currying the horses, carrying bundles of hay or armfuls of straw, while the dogs chased the cattle from the purlieus of the wagons. The scene was not unusually enlivened by a rough-and-tumble, heels- over-head fight at fisticuffs, in which the whole com- munity would abet. In the noise of the feeding horses, and in the long summer twilight, on benches outside sat the resting teamsters, while the scratching fiddle in the dining-room or bar-room was the prelude to the evening's fun. There were places which had become famous as stopping-places, and where one could have plenty to eat and lots of amusement and enjoyment all night if wanted Such a place, and one of the most con- spicuous, was Youngstown in its pristine days, where the situation of the village made it a natural stopping- place, and the hospitality of its inhabitants an agree- able one. Its good cheer has been made famous by pens that glided more smoothly than our own blunt quill. Our marginal reference is to Bishop Hop- .kins, D.C.L., Oxon., and to the historiographer of Prof. Donaldson. 1 But it is a fact that wagoners would drive after-night to reach their old stand, and if a wheel was lost it was not considered inconvenient to trudge a mile or so to one of its first-rate inns. The improvements which have been noticed were, as all improvements are, gradual, 2 but at all times, dating back to the beginning of the century, the reputation of the public-houses was good. The far- mers found a ready sale for their fruits, vegetables, and fowls to the tavern-keeper, who usually paid for them in ready cash. In some districts the bulk of the money in circulation went through the hands of 1 We refer to the " Biography of Right Rev. John Hopkins," and to the newspaper accounts of the "balloon excursion" from Pittsburgh by Prof. Donaldson in the interest of Barnaul's Hippodrome exhibition. 2 The remarkB of Hon. Alexander Ogle are so applicable here as re- flecting popular sentiment at that day in the matter of public improve- ment that we give them in part. They are from Alexander Ogle's 4th of July speech. 1834, at Somerset. Pa., as reported by Dr. Elder in a little work named " Periscopics," published in Philadelphia in L854 : "Your grandmothers can tell you what a rumpus the same ninnies raised around the first wagon-road made over the mountains to Pitts- burgh. It would break up the pack-horse men forsooth, and the tavern- keepers and horse-breeders would be ruined when one wagon could carry as much salt, bar iron, and brandy from Baltimore as a whole caravan of half-starved mountain ponies. But I told them then that of all people in the world fools have the least sense." the landlord. As the product was abundant the table depended on the enterprise of the host. A good table was, therefore, the best thing to advertise by. Here roasted the ham and smoked the biscuit, and waffles in the morning swam in maple syrup. Here the way- farer got a big glass of old Monongahela or apple- jack for three cents ; or if he took a meal for a levy, he got a dram to wash it down and a toby cigar. Here were fiddlers always ready to play for a corn- row, and servant-girls ready to dance in a French four ; here were large bar-rooms with big grate-fires, such as Johnson and Dryden loved ; long low kitchens, with its ten-plated stoves, smoky rafters, as one sees in old German pictures, and small parlors, with the black-framed pictures decorated with ferns, and the fireplace in summer filled with evergreens and furze, in the fashion of the England of the early Georges, celebrated in the verse of Oliver Goldsmith and in the prose of Joseph Addison. These taverns were known by some peculiar sign which designated them, sometimes by the name of the landlord himself, who gave reputation to the house. These signs which once graced the waysides of the public roads were peculiarities truly in them- selves. You may count on your fingers all the old- fashioned signs now in the county. These were of wood, and in size about four feet by six, and hung in a stout frame, and swung in every wind. On a weather-beaten one you might make out a daub once intended for a bear, a bull, a white horse, or a black ox. Like the signs of London made classic in the Spectator, there were green cows and blue stars, red lions couchant and yellow lions rampant, all the signs of the zodiac, — "The he-goat, And the man with the watering-pot." There were animals not classified by Buffon, and owls and fowls whose species would have puzzled Audubon. There was the black duck, the golden swan, the spread eagle, the cross-keys. There the painter had painted all the constellations which the sooty Vulcan had moulded in the forges of the im- mortals for the shield of Thetis' son, godlike Achilles, — " There he wrought Earth, Sea, and Heaven, There he set the unwearying Sun, And the waxing Moon, and stars that Crown the blue vault every one, — Pleiads, Hyades, strong Orion, Arctos, high to hoot the Wain; He upon OrJou waiting, Only he of all the train, Shunning still the baths of Ocean, Wheels and wheels his round again. There were Washington and Lafayette, Greene and Putnam, Indian chiefs and shaggy buffaloes. Some taverns were known by the name of the town, some by the name of the county, and many by the name of the host. If the host was a professional landlord and had a good reputation, he found this a capital adver- tisement and a good way of drawing custom. It was THE LAST OF THE BORDER COMMOTIONS. 187 money in a man's pocket to have a name that sounded well on a sign-board. Frederick Rhorer, Sr., inn- keeper from Hagerstowu, was the first of a reputable family whose praises have been told by many, and the Drums, the Markers, and the Lamars had names which were as well adapted to designate a house as that of YVillard or Leland, being, as it were, like Gov- ernor Panza to the island, born to it. 1 Around these wayside taverns of the old turupike centred the interest and the excitement of the com- munity. Here daily either some of the coaches or some of the teams stopped for a meal or to change horses, and about the yards at night were the high white-canvassed wagons filled with merchandise. The wagoners were a class by themselves distinct, and had several marked characteristics. In winter the rooms of the inns were warmed by coal-fire in large open grates, and the kitchen by either open fireplaces or those huge stoves which burnt wood by the cord. Sometimes the kitchen and dining-room were in one. If this was so the room was spacious, and was the room of the most attraction. For the tired traveler, the coachman, or the teamster, exposed from four o'clock in the morning to ten o'clock at night to the biting cold, the mud and snow of our wintry hills, nothing could equal the comfort of this room. The fires leaped gayly and cheerily up the broad chimney ; the stout cooks, the landlord's daughters, and the hearty daughters of the small farmers round were busied in every preparation that could increase the inclination or satisfy the taste of the hungry. A poor tavern it was in which food was not furnished in abundance, and where the landlord and the land- lady did not show an obliging disposition. The house soon fell in repute and was deserted, and the more enterprising landlord carried business away. While the domestic arrangements were directly uuder the management of the women, the landlord himself was either enthroned in glory in the tap-room or carrying his portly body about the wagon-yard. From night to morn, from morn to dewy eve, was the door of the tap-room open. The common custom of drinking and the habit of association always drew a share of people to this part of the house with ever- increasing desires. Here collected songsters, and even 1 The following opinion of this worthy class of citizens was passed by a contemporary. It is from H. M. Brackenridge's " Recollections of the West:" "I should he guilty of a glaring omission, even in this unshaded out- line of by-gone days, if I were to pass in silence that portion of my townsmen who possess so much influence in a land of equality and free- dom. I allude to that class who furnish us with militia colonels and generals, and members of Congress, or who contribute most to make them, who do the honors of the town and keep up its reputation for hospitality, although not quite disinterested. I allude to the publicans and sinners. The landlords or tavern-keepers are, in reality, the only lords we have in Pennsylvania; they possess a degree of intelligence and respectability of character which justly gives them an influence dan* In chose pvblique, which very little corresponds with that of mine host in the country of John Bull, which may account for the good jokes of British travelers on our keepers of public-houses, in respect to their political and military importance." poetasters, braggarts, bullies, and loafers. How po- tent the effect of these places and their influence we have abundance of testimony. The epigrams, the flashes of wit and merriment that were wont to set the table in a roar, the jests, the songs of the hard cider and coon campaigns, the tales of the wayside inn are all now things of the past, and are a part and parcel of Vanity Fair. Before the advent of railroads and speedy travel, which knelled out the old inn system, taverns were recognized as being the most desirable place to while away idle time and enjoy comfort. " Can I not take mine ease in my inn ?" was the indignant question not admitting of answer of the ingenuous old boy Fal- staff, and no less were the ponderous Samuel and the dainty Pope frequenters of the London coffee-rooms. And to those old persons who constantly take advan- tage of the present by comparing it with the past, and who will never be happy till the old-fashioned stage- coach be again on the road and the cars are entirely done away with, to those it is a source of the utmost satisfaction to recall the times when these villages of the old turnpike were in their early glory; when, as they declare, labor and pleasure went hand in hand ; when every town had one place of amusement for both the stranger and the countryman ; when fiddling was an accomplishment; when everybody danced; where the story-teller had the best seat nearest the fire ; where even the scullions and stable-boys came in for a share of the fun, and were bountifully fed and well clothed ; when, in short, in the language of a great historian, the rich did not grind the faces of the poor, and when the poor did not envy the splen- dor of the rich. CHAPTER XXXVI. THE LAST OF THE BORDER COMMOTIONS. New Boundaries of the Purchase of 1784— Emigration of Westmore- landers— Harlnur's Campaign— His Defeat — St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory — His Campaign and Defeat — Indians attack Fron- tier Settlers of Pennsylvania — Condition and Extent of the Frontier of Westmoreland and Allegheny — Unprepared state of the Inhabit- ants — Westmoreland Militia — The Prominent Men of that Period The State organizes Rifle Ranges — Appropriations for the Western Counties by Act of Assembly — Government of the United States called on for help — It responds and enlists Men — Correspondence from and between Officers and Military Men relative to the state of Affairs, and giving Statements at length of Indian Depredations— Particular Inci- dents — Capture of Charles Mitchell, murder of his Mother, and an account of his Captivity with tin- Cornplanters— The Episode of Capt. Sloan, Wallace. Hunt, and Knott, in their Tour of Observation irt the Western County — Sloan in command of Fort Hamilton— His able and successful Defense of that Post — Presque Isle — The laying out of the Town and of the Road along the Allegheny River resisted by the Indians at the instance of the British in Canada — The State takes Active Measures to enforce the Laws — Militia called out from West- moreland and the other Counties for this Service — Last of the Indian Troubles in Westmoreland. Since the treaty of 1768 the boundary line of the Indian purchases in the western part of Pennsyl- 188 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. vania ran from the West Branch of the Susquehanna River to its source, thence in a straight line to Kit- tanning, thence down the Ohio to the limits of the State. The last treaty held with the Indians at Fort Stan- wix took place in October, 1784. The commissioners at this treaty purchased the residue of the Indian lands within the limits of the State, and the deed i signed by the chiefs of the Sis Nations is dated Oct. 23. 1784. Thus was the whole right of the Indians to the soil of Pennsylvania extinguished. This last accession of land, as we reminded you, was called by the whites the " New Purchase." When the land office was opened in 1785 settlers rapidly flocked up the West Branch. On the 8th of April, 1785, the previous boundary line between Westmoreland and Northumberland j was definitely ascertained, which until that time had been uncertain, owing to a misconstruction of the Indian names mentioned as points in the description of the ceded lands in the former purchase. The emigration, which had begun towards the close of the Revolutionary war, was now onward acceler- ated. One cause of the great migration which took place during the closing years of the war, and for some years succeeding, was, first, the obvious inten- tion of those who were tired of war to escape from military service, and, second, to be exempt from the payment of taxes, which were now becoming a bur- den, and for the payment of which money was uncer- tain and dear. In these times many families left Western Penn- sylvania for the new territory opening up along the Ohio. Others, who had borne the brunt of the frontier times here, headed the colonies or belonged to them which went up the rivers in the region of the " New Purchase" and there settled. Thus in that section are sometimes to be found descendants of men whose names are frequently met with in our early history, but whose connection with our history entirely ceased with that era. In Eastern Ohio especially are the descendants and the connections of many Westmore- landers. From the very nature of the early American settle- ments and colonies, the foremost of these settlers were in continual contact with the savages. The line of the frontier likewise from time to time became thus changed, for as these settlers were now collecting along the rivers of the new territory in the contiguous west, that part of Pennsylvania which lies north and west of the Allegheny and the Ohio had very few occupants prior to 1792 or 1793. It was somewhat different on the eastern side of the Allegheny, but at the date designated the settlements even there did not extend far back into the wilderness, and not far north of the Kiskiminetas. The cracking of the rifle of the pioneer was therefore heard in the far West, but our own frontier north and west of the Kiskiminetas was in 1791 and 1792 (the time of Harmar and St. Clair), almost as much of a hostile frontier as it was at any time during the border wars of the Revolution. We would not be justified in taking notice of these border wars (as they are seemingly local) but for the fact that our own people were at that time forming colonies and making settlements to the northwest of our county limits like bees building to the hive. In- deed, our county did directly feel the misery of that time as well, as we shall see. To have a conception of the sufferings of these people, not only during the Revolutionary war but later, and to understand how these affairs culminated in their final deliverance, one must study local events and the general history together. To preserve anything like a consistent narrative we must con- stantly follow up the course of public affairs, and in doing so advert to the share Westmoreland had in them, reading as we would a text-book, with con- stant reference to marginal notes. For instance, the troubles of 1774 would be uninteresting to us if we were in ignorance of the battle of Point Pleasant; Connolly would not be a noteworthy personage had it not been for his connection with Dunmore ; Clarke's expedition would have no relation to our history only in this, that Lochryand his men died in the far West trying to join him to protect the lonesome women and their crying children along the Sewickley and the Loyalhanna; nor would we be justified in dwelling upon the horrid murder of the Moravian Indians but that the sequel of that slaughter is to be seen in the burnt houses, the waste fields, and the weeping captives that went out at the burning of Hannas- town. Soon after the close of the Revolution a number of circumstances combined to largely augment the set- tlement of the western parts of Virginia and Ken- tucky, as well as those adjoining the Ohio River. But notwithstanding this the depredations of the In- dians continued. They failed to obey treaties made with them, particularly the treaties of 1786 and 1787, and they made incessant attacks upon the emigrants into those regions. In 1787 the Secretary of War ordered detachments of troops to be stationed at different points for the protection of the people within that region, which was now governed directly as a Territory of the United States. In 1789 a block-house called Fort Washing- ton was erected and garrisoned by United States troops on the site of Cincinnati, where a few settlers had erected cabins in the year previous. It seemed to be an important point, and towards the close of the year Gen. Harmar, of the regular army, arrived with 300 more regulars, and with them occupied the post. This was the point at which the Indians from the Northwest crossed the Ohio to ascend the Licking River, whence they made their attacks upon the out- skirts of Kentucky. " The old war path" from the British garrison at Detroit along the Maumee and the Miamis to the Indians in the south passed here, THE LAST OF THE BORDER COMMOTIONS. 189 and into this Indian highway other paths entered from all directions. Harmar established forts in various directions through the territory of Ohio, and with his small force, frequently reinforced by the militia of the frontier, carried on an ineffectual war. But the dep- redations of these continuing, the government deter- mined to triHe no longer, but to put such a force under Harmar and give him such authority in the premises, that by one effective campaign the power of the Indians should be broken and the tribes scat- tered. In 1790 a call from Harmar brought to his standard 1133 militia with competent officers from Kentucky, — that is, from the western territory below the Ohio River. His force in all amounted to 1443 men. His campaign was directed towards the Indian villages about the head-waters of the Little Miami. From the towns there he struck across the woods for the Great Miami, where Piqua now stands, and marching forward came to where Fort Laramie was afterwards erected, a location about seventy miles southeast of Fort Wayne. At this point many Indians were discovered early in the morning viewing his camp. They did not attack, but it was evident they were on the watch for a favorable opportunity of doing so. Among his effective forces there was a battalion of militia from Kentucky, Western Pennsylvania, and Virginia, under command of Col. Hardin and Maj. James Paul. From here Hardin and Paul with six hundred volunteers preceded Harmar and the rest of the army to some Indian villages a distance ahead. They arrived here on the second day out, and found the town deserted, and the traders' houses and the wigwams in ashes. Four days afterwards Harmar came up. As it was apparent that the Indians had but recently left, Hardin with two hundred and ten men was sent out to overtake them. At a distance of six miles the Indians lay in ambush along a defile. When the whites had well entered this defile, the In- dians rose up and so successfully made their attack that the troops who remained to fight were completely surrounded, effectually cut off, and either killed or captured. That night the savages held a war-dance of exultation over the glory and success of the day, and rejoiced greatly in the misery and sufferings of their prisoners. Harmar had concluded to return to Fort Washing- ton, and had actually begun his march, but on re- ceiving word that the Indians had again taken pos- session of the town, he ordered a halt, and directed Hardin and Maj. Wylls with three hundred and sixty men to find out the enemy and fight them. They re- turned to the site of the principal town, and expect- ing to fight them openly, regarded their forces as suffi- cient. Soon a small body of Indians appeared, and the volunteers by alert motions fired upon them, when they broke into smaller parties and scattered in differ- 13 ent directions. They were pursued by the volunteers, who also broke into small parties. By this stratagem, a large part of the volunteers were delayed in a vain pursuit, and the regulars were left alone. At this point the Indians, the main body of whom were concealed in a favorable position, rose from their hiding-place and with their hand- weapons fell upon the regulars. These fought well and met death bravely, but in the end the Indians were masters of the field. Nor could they be attacked after with any advantage, which Harmar knowing, marched the army back to Fort Washington. He had left the fort on the 30th of September, and arrived there on the 3d of November, 1790. He had lost nearly two hundred men and half his horses. The army was disconcerted, and the people were dis- satisfied, and although as a matter of history there has been no reprehensible blame attached to the com- mander, who deserved a more fortunate fame, yet his disastrous expedition has since that time to this day been known as " Harmar's Defeat." Among those who were with Harmar in 1790 with the Pennsylvania Volunteers, and who is favorably mentioned by Harmar iu his official report, was Col. Christopher Truby, who was in command of the Pennsylvania militia. He owned a portion of the land upon which Greensburg was laid out. He lived long after this campaign to take an active part in civil concerns. His body lies in the old German burying-ground at Greensburg. But the unfortunate defeat of Harmar was followed by the more unfortunate one of St. Clair, on a tribu- tary of the Wabash, whither he had led a large force with the expectation of utterly destroying the savages. This defeat was suffered on the 4th of November, 1791. For a more extended account of the history of the Northwestern Territory during the time it was gov- erned by Arthur St. Clair, which time embraces the history of his expedition against the Miami Indians, we shall, for the present, refer to our sketch of the life and services of that personage, wherein, as more proper, we shall recall some mention of those West- morelanders who there fell. From the time of Harmar's defeat till the hostiles were finally silenced by Gen. Anthony Wayne in 1794, our northern frontier was exposed to frequent incursions, and was the scene of repeated raids and of some bloody massacres. Wayne's victory led to the Greenville treaty of 1795, when the Indians re- moved farther to the West. As to our own county proper, there did, prior to this, not appear to be anything in the public state of the frontier to create alarm or apprehension. Six or seven years of peace, such as the people of the inte- rior portion of our county experienced from 1783 to 1789, had dispelled all thought of extra precaution for defense, as it had taken away all the visible neces- sity for it. So when the outbreak of the savages oc- 190 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. curred as the natural result of their successful battles over greatly superior forces, and the result as well of an active combination and a new confederation of tribes, our settlers north of the Kiskiminetas and northwest of the Allegheny were left without a reg- ular body of organized militia, and without any places of refuge or defense worth mentioning. When the result of Harmar's campaign became known, some of the most observant of our leaders gave warning; but the people had got used to alarms and rested in apathy. The State government was even appealed to, but the men like Campbell and Guthrie, who continually spoke out, were called bawlers, such as yell loudly at fires and do not help to put them out. Campbell was our county lieuten- ant at that time, and in 1791 he had called out a com- pany of militia for the defense, which company was taken along with St. Clair. Findley complains that the people were convinced they had nothing to ex- pect from him, either by way of his industry or at- tention, but Findley and Campbell were not on the best of terms. John Irwin, acting for the county lieutenant of Allegheny, who at that time was in the East, says 1 that the gentlemen of Westmoreland were unneces- sarily alarmed, as that up to the middle of 1791 only three murders had been committed within our bor- ders, although fourteen persons had certainly been killed in Allegheny. But it was not long till Findley himself was alarmed as well as the gentlemen from about Pittsburgh. The truth is that those from that post made application to the Secretary of War for extra arms and ammunition, and they had less thought about the unprotected settlers up in the Armstrong region than about themselves. But it was considered unsafe to attempt an imme- diate settlement beyond the Allegheny, in a country exposed to the inroads of a subtle and vindictive enemy, whose mode of warfare was peculiar, and whose approach was often in secret and could not be guarded against by common precautions. In the year 1792 only two persons, Charles Phillips and Neal Mc- Glaughlin, are known to have resided on the north- east side of the Ohio with the intention of making settlements. 2 In 1794 no settlements were made across the Ohio and Allegheny. Early in March, 1795, a few individuals removed with their families to the vicinity of Fort Franklin, Cussewago, and Craig's Station, but none settled at a distance or de- ] tached from the garrison. It was totally unsafe to remove families into the interior of the country till 1796, when settlements in general took place. 3 By an act of the Assembly of March 17, 1791, the sum of four thousand pounds was appropriated for the defense of the western frontiers of the common- wealth. In 1792 the government was empowered to 1 Penn. Archives, Second Series, vol. iv., 668. - Reports Supreme Court, Fourth Dallas, 221. 3 Ibid., 209. engage three companies of riflemen for the protection of the posts, and a further appropriation was made for that purpose. Some time later three more infantry companies were authorized to be raised and stationed for the protection of Westmoreland, Washington, and Allegheny. In 1796 it was unsafe for families to cross the rivers iuto the lands purchased by the State in 1784. 4 * FROM "PAPERS RELATING TO THE DEFENSE OF THE FRONTIERS" FROM 1790 TO 1791 (PENN. ARCHIVES). From Col. John Wilkins to Governor Mifflin. "Pittsburgh, 31 March, 1791. "... The Indians have committed considerable depredations on the people living on the west side of the Allegheney River, which has caused our frontier people, for an extent of fifty miles, to fly. They have aban- doned their farms, their stock, ami their furniture, and fled with the utmost precipitation. The Indians have killed one man and carried off three people prisoners within five miles of this town, and they have killed nine persons within twelve miles. . . ." — Penn. Arch., Seed. Series, vi. 655. Lient. Ern'st, of the Federal Artillery, to the Secretary of War. " Font Pitt, loth April, 1791. "... Mr. Jeffries informed me . . . the contractor's boat having been stopped on its passage to Fort Franklin by the militia of Westmoreland County, on account of there being friendly Indians on board who as- sisted in navigating her up the Allegheny. These Indians were part of Cornplanter's party who had with them the presents they received from Congress and State of Pennsylvania, which was taken from them and exposed at public sale. The party that did this mischief was under the command of Maj. Guthrie, of Westmoreland." — Penn. Arch., Seed. Series, vi. 659. [All of which gives rise to the observation that the militia of West- moreland might have been better employed at that particular time.] From William Findley to Secretary Dallas. " April 29, 1791. "Dear Sir, — I have just time to inform you by post that yesterday morning the Indians attacked the house of James Kilpatrick, on Crooked Creek, and killed two men and broke a child's leg, etc. ; the people, how. ever, supported the house. There were six militiamen stationed at the house, and nine, I understand, at a house in the neighborhood." — Idem, 660. [See elsewhere this matter recounted at length, and prominence given it for the zeal of Mr. Kilpatrick in scalping the dead Indian for the bounty, the same that was at the killing of the child (for it died). Crooked Creek is near Kittanuing]. John Scull to Governor Mifflin. " Pittsburgh, May 12, 1791. ... I take the liberty of inclosing you a Pittsburgh Gazette, which contains some account of the depredations of the Indians, and since publishing which I have received an authentic account that two men were taken on Sunday last about six miles from the Allegheny, in Westmoreland County, and about twenty miles from this place." — Idem, 663. From Maj. John Iririn to Col. Clement Biddle. "PITTSBURGH, May 12, 1791. . . . Your letter of the 8th April, by Mr. Dnnwoodie, with an inclosed Invoice of Military Stores. A certain Mr. William Todd, of Westmoreland County, ten miles from Greens- burg, has taken the liberty in the name of the County Lieutenant to take possession of the whole ; how he is to account to Government Cor his conduct the Governor may judge. . . . [This William Todd was col- league of Findley in the Constitutional Contention of 1790-91, and u:as his neighbor. . . .] We have got perfectly easy on the subject of Tomahawk- ing and Scalping, as it happens every two or three days." — Idem, 663. Estimate for Defente of Frontiers. "Aug. 0,1791. "Estimate of expenditures for defense under act of Assembly, .fee., 1791, April. Sent to Westmoreland, Allegheny, and Washington, 40 quarter-casks powder, bags, etc. ; 88 muskets and accoutrements, flints, &c. ; 42 rifles; 5 cwt. lead." THE LAST OF THE BORDER COMMOTIONS. 191 The active forces of Westmoreland during this frontier trouble were embodied in militia companies ' at first, and subsequently in rifle rangers, which were stationed most of the time at the forts and block- houses along the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas. The officers mentioned are John Guthrie, William Cooper, Samuel Murphy, John Sloan, William Jack, George ' Smith, Alexander Craig, and AVilliam McDowell. The assaults of the Indians were, however, not carried I on in bodies, but they made innumerable incursions from many directions. Many were murdered and many taken captive. The inhabitants finally were compelled to resort to the old method of Indian fight- ing, and these, forming themselves in companies under the command of their most noted scouts, made tnemselves feared by their enemies. Hence it is that we cannot convey much of an idea of the state of the county at this conjuncture, only by taking it in detail. We preserve a few of the most noteworthy instances of captivity and of bravery, upon which the opinion of the reader can be formed, after having seen the ex- tracts which we give from the correspondence of the day. But, as we said, we should not be misled in antici- pating the settlements which were afterwards of West- moreland to the north. With the exception of the few families that were within sight of the block- houses along the Armstrong side of the Allegheny, there were very few north of the Kiskiminetas. The best authority for this is the opinion of the justices of the Supreme Court in their adjudication of complex land claims. Capt. Torrence to Governor Miflin. " Fatette County, Aug. 10, 1791. . . . Since my last General Rich- aril Butler called the County Lieutenants of Ohio, Washington, Alle- gheny, Westmoreland, aud Fayette to a consultation for the protection of the frontiers in the absence of the Federal troops, which was to be drawn off the 5th instant. We agreed that 300 militia should he kept up. . . ." Col. Campbell to Governor Mifflin. " Greensburg, August 13, 1791. In Consequence of your Letter to me directed, of the Nineteenth of May, 1791, I Ordered, by Draught, a full Company of Militia of this County to guard the froonteers untill such Time as the General Government would Grant them Protection, and as soon as a part of Coll. Gibson's New Levies was sent on our Froonteers, I went to Major John Clark of the New Levies, who Had the command of the Troops in our County, and Wished to have the whole of the Militia of the County discharged. But as the men under His Command was not sufficient to guard sutch an Extensive Froonteer, He Wished Me to Continue fifty of the men. ... I then Agreed with the Lieutenants of Washington, Fayette, and Alegany Couuties to fur- nish for my Quota to guard the Froonteers seventy-five men to give Protection To the froonteers of Westmoreland county, whitch I ex- pected would have been Sufficient, But upon finding the Enemy to be so Mutch On Our froonteers, and so Constantly a stealing of Horses, But Hath not yet Done Other Damage, But often seen ; and as I found one Company of Men was not Sufficient to give Protection to so Extensive a froonteer, I Ordered to their Assislance one L't and twenty-five men, and with The Whole of them it is as mutch as I cau Get the froonteers Inhabitants Not to Break up. I will do Everything in My Power to give Sattisfaction to the froonteers and Not to let them Move from their Stattions. I Have appointed John Denislon Contractor for the West- moreland County Millitia, and is to see him Paid Eight Pence Pr Ration on the account of the Stations being so small. I expect you will order the Expenses to be Paid to William Findley, Esq'r, as my Character Is At Stake for the Punctual Payment of the men and provisions. . . ." But not only was the government of Pennsylvania appealed to for assistance by the foremost men of the western counties of the State, but the government of the United States as well. On the 10th of March 1791, the Secretary of War, Gen. Knox, inclosed a letter from his department to the lieutenants of Wash- ington, Allegheny, and Westmoreland Counties, in which he informed them that the President of the United States authorized them to embody, at the ex- pense of the United States, as many of the militia as was necessary for the defensive protection of the re- spective counties. The rangers to be called into ser- vice in pursuance of that authority were to be upon the same establishment of pay and rations as the troops of the United States. In December of 1791 the inhabitants of Westmore- land, Washington, Fayette, and Allegheny Counties, through their regularly appointed committees, pre- sented a memorial to the Governor of the State, Col. Charles Campbell, and John Young, Esq., signing on behalf of the county of Westmoreland. In this paper they laid before the Governor an extended statement of the condition of these frontiers, and stated what occurred to them to be the most speedy and effectual mode of preparation for any emergency. They con- ceived that eight hundred efficient men, under experi- enced officers, good partisans, and armed with rifles, were not too many when the extent of the frontier was considered. They also asked for a quantity of arms and ammunition to be distributed among the county lieutenants. 1 As it was not possible to get enough men to volun- teer, either in the service of the State or of the United States, to go beyond the confines of their own immediate settlement, the draft was enforced under the act of Assembly, and those drafted during the summer and fall of 1791 were put to garrison duty in the block-houses and stations along the Alle- gheny River. The rangers, or the militia of the State in service and under pay, were changed from time to time, but these for the most part were inside the lines of the more remote frontier, which was guarded, as we said, by the drafted militia. The outpost duty forced upon the Westmorelanders was not at all attractive, and their officers found many reasons to offer the authorities of the State on the side of the county as against those who thought the frontier of the State able to take care of itself. Col. Charles Campbell, in his uncouth manner of expression, spoke out in language which, although not classically elegant, or even strictly grammatical, was filled with good common sense. In a letter to Governor Mifflin, in January, 1792, he says, — "So I have still to Keep out some men to Guard, Whitch is Very Dis- tressing to Our County to Guard It self aud Stand As a Barrier for the Interior Parts of the State, when we Were Always Willing to give Our Assistance when required. In the time of the Late War With England our Militia Marched into the State of the Jersey to Assist Our fellow 1 Pa. Arch., Second Serie6, IT. 67^. 192 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Citizens when In distress, And I would be Of the Opinion We have the Same Undoubted Right from those of Our Own State At least/ 1 1 Under the act to provide for the immediate defense of the frontier, the general militia law in some re- spects was suspended, and instead of drafting in classes from the militia, experienced and active rifle- men, wherever they could be obtained, were enlisted, and the officers to command them were appointed immediately by the Governor. They were enlisted for six months instead of two, and the pay was liber- ally estimated by the price of labor, and not by the military allowance established for the troops of the Federal government as theretofore. The tiraeof this service began on the 1st of March, 1772. Three companies of these ranging riflemen were engaged, each company consisting of seventy- six men. Of these the third company was stationed at Kittanning, and was under the inspection and man- agement of Col. Clement Biddle. John Guthrie was captain, William Cooper, lieutenant, Samuel Murphy, ensign, all of Westmoreland. Maj. George McCully, in a letter to Col. Biddle, dated at Greensburg, 31st of March, 1792, says, — " Capt. Paul, with a beautiful company, marched from Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the 28th, to cover the Bouthwest frontier of Washington County. " Capt. Smith with his company (wanting six privates) are over the Alleganey, scouting with as many as are armed. I cannot send them to their stations until the camp equipage arrives. Ensign Murphy marched on Thursday, 29th, with twenty-eight men of Capt. Guthrie's company, completely armed, to join some who had been sent out before to cover the frontiers of Westmoreland County. " I am now at Greensburg, on my way to the frontiers of Westmore- land, and shall hurry Capt. Guthrie out with the remainder of his com- pany, with all possible haste." In the summer of 1792 these troops, regularly offi- cered and under the appointment of the State, were divided into eight parties or stations, and placed at proper distances on the frontier. A garrison was kept up at Fort Crawford, at the mouth of Fuckety Creek, and part of Capt. Guthrie's men were there. In May a party of Indians, about forty in number, attacked Reed's Station, on the Allegheny River, about four miles below the Kiskimiuetas. They killed one man and a child, wounded a soldier of McCully's corps, and took a woman ami some chil- dren prisoners. Ensign Murphy was stationed near that spot. 2 On the 22d of May a party came upon William Cooper's station, near the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, and attacked it. They killed one man and wounded one. They did not stay any longer than to take or murder a family within about three hundred yards of the block-house. They then penetrated into the set- tlement about fifteen miles and killed, wounded, and took prisoners about eleven persons, took about thirty horses, and burned a number of houses. They stayed in the settlement five or six days. 11 1 Penn. Arch,, Second Series, iv. 689. 2 Presley Neville to Governor Mifflin. — Archives, iv. 720. 3 Col. Campbell to Governor Mifflin. It was in this raid that the Harbison family were taken. These Indians kept the course of the Kis- kiminetas, separating into small squads of five and seven. Many narrow escapes were made from them. At one plantation as far up as above the mouth of the Loyalhanna, they went boldly to the stable and fields and took out horses, killing one which proved unruly, and took off the rest without disturbing the family, who were trembling within.* William Findley, in a letter to Secretary Dallas at that time, says, — " Hannastown is now the frontier, and they have erected block-houses at Greensburg. Denison's (New Alexandria) is the frontier. You will perceive by the map that Westmoreland is now desolate to near the centre, and the rest much disturbed." In a letter of a few days later date, he says that "Col. Pomeroy, one of the best and trustiest officers on this side of the mountain, is now out with six companies of militia. The Indians have improved in the art of eluding pursuit; they always separate after doing mischief, and go two-and-two in every direction, keeping gener- ally to the dry ridges, and at this Beason the woods are very close, and the country is very broken. A few mornings since the beds of two were found in a meadow near Loyalhanna, the dew not being off; they were trailed to a dry ridge. I am just now informed that a child is found scalped and a number of horses missing six or eight miles within the settlement, north of Conemaugh." Enough has been produced from the records and from responsible individuals to make a presentation of the times to the reader. These things occurred be- tween the time of St. Clair's defeat and the successful expedition of Gen. Wayne. The government of the United States, with the co-operation and assistance of the militia forces of Kentucky and the Northwest- ern Territory, were busily arranging for this campaign, and when Wayne began his operations the Indians, partly through necessity and partly by the concen- trated and well-organized force which danger had succeeded in establishing and made effectual, were compelled to desert the borders of Pennsylvania, and gather to the villages of the confederate tribes in Northern Ohio. After Wayne's victory they were heard of no more in Westmoreland. Here belongs a few narratives, the last of the " ad- venturous age" of American history, with which we close the individual incidents of Indian warfare with our settlers of Westmoreland. About the year 1792 a party of Cornplanters which had penetrated into the settlement past the outposts while most of the frontiersmen were out and had left their homes unguarded, came down as far as the lower part of Derry township next to the Loyalhanna. It was long currently reported in that neighborhood among the descendants of the old settlers that this party first came to a man by the name of Cleckhorn ; that Cleckhorn, in order to save his own life, told them of the defenseless family of Mitchell ; that he saved his life by so doing ; and that afterwards, when this thing came to be known to the others, he lived a miserable life amongst them, and finally was com- * William Findley to Secretary Dallas, June 1, 1792. THE LAST OF THE BORDER COMMOTIONS. 19?. pelled to sell his place and remove from there to the West, where he died. We pass over this charge and will relate what is known as a matter of fact concern- ing the escape of Susan Mitchell, the captivity of Charles, and the death of their mother. The Mitchell family lived on the bank of the Loy- alhanna, neighbors to Capt. John Sloan and the Al- lisons. Their clearing was about two miles east of now Latrobe, and on the Ligonier Valley Railroad. The family were among the first settlers, having taken up their laud before 1773. The father of the house was dead, and the mother with her two children still lived on the farm. On the morning the party of In- dians came in the boy and girl were in the stable- loft together. The 'Indians were attracted to them, but the young ones somehow had knowledge of their coming soon after they were in sight, for the boy at- tempted to escape. He ran from the stable towards the creek in order to cross it. The lad was about sev- enteen years of age. The Indians, of whom there were possibly three or four, all ran after him and caught him. While they were in pursuit of him Susan, the sister, who remained in the stable, came down out of the loft, got into the horse-stall, and hid herself by crawling under a large trough used for feeding the horses in. She lay very still, and although the Indians searched for her they did not find her. They went to the house where Mrs. Mitchell was and took her along. They began their journey back, such being their way when a party like this one had secured a couple of prisoners or scalps at a dash. They had not trav- eled any great distance and before night set in until they found that Mrs. Mitchell was unable to keep up with them, and scarcely fit to travel in their way at all over the rough ground. They could not leave her alive, that was plain ; so a couple of them fell back with her, and the rest went on with Charles. The party ahead soon after this stopped for the evening and kindled a fire. While they were here the others who had loitered behind came up, and one of them had with him the scalp of the murdered woman. He proceeded to stretch it out on a bow made for the pur- pose, and to dry it over the fire in the presence of the boy, but without discovering any sign of concern. The party together proceeded northward, and nothing worthy of notice occurred till they came to the Ma- honing Creek in Armstrong County, where they struck the tracks of two white men at where their course led across a low, wet swampy piece of ground. The tracks of the men before them led off to one side on a ridge. Charles Mitchell and the Indian who was with him saw the two men at a distance, and the boy recognized them. The one was Capt. John Sloan, and the other was Harry Hill, both of them from the same neigh- borhood he was from. There was at the time light, sticky snow on the ground, and Capt. Sloan, who was a large man, left a big track with his moccasins. It was, indeed, so big that it was a matter of astonish- ment for the natives. One of them pulled out his ramrod and measured it in length and in width, and when he had done so he exclaimed, with a broad grin on his heroic countenance, "Great sawarick ! great sa- warick !" by which we suppose he meant something like " great warrior." " Yes," said Mitchell, " that is the big Capt. Sloan, the great Indian-fighter." The crafty and cowardly wretches were by this prevented from making an attempt to capture these or to fight with them, for they avoided the tracks and did not follow them along the hillside. When Sloan and Hill themselves came down off the ridge to the river, they in their turn came upon the tracks of the party which preceded them, and saw among them the tracks of the white boy, their prisoner. They talked over the prospect of success if they should get to the front of the gang and waylay them, as they were unsus- pected. They would have attempted this had it been only a matter of safety to themselves, but they were apprehensive of the fate of the captive should their attack be unsuccessful. Mitchell was taken to the town of the Cornplanters, and was adopted among them by a squaw, who took him in place of her son lost in the war. This woman he called mother, and following their customs from necessity, he obeyed her. He remained with them and subject to her order for some three years. He helped the squaws to do their work, which specially was to hoe the corn and gather it in. He afterwards com- plained that they sometimes worked too late, fre- quently after nightfall ; and although they all did so, his adopted mother always made him hoe one more row before he quit. At the end of his three years' ap- prenticeship he was either exchanged or liberated, when he returned to his home, settled on the old farm, married, and raised a respectable family. Although he endured great hardships and saw many horrid things among them, and especially the dreadful death of his mother, which never possibly could have passed from his mind, yet he, like Harman, could never be pre- vailed upon to speak ill-favoredly of them, nor could he tolerate any one else in so doing. 1 The captivity and the incidental sufferings of Massy Harbison, who was taken prisoner after St. Clair's defeat, and who resided at that time within the county, was so popular with those who danced our infancy upon their knees that almost every one versed in the Indian lore of the West recollects some- thing of it. Some information regarding the condi- tion of the outer settlers, the location and the instincts of the Indians who infested our northern woods at that time, may be gotten from her account, which we have elsewhere given. l Mitchell used to relate, among other things, of the novel manner the Indians had of crossing the Susquehanna when they came to it and found it uncomfortably or dangerously high. They got a long pole or sapling, and this they vested upon their shoulders and held to it with their hands. Two of their strongest, and presumably their surest-footed, were at the two cuds; and it is readily seen that the common safety would thus be reasonably assured. 194 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. To this time, too, are referable some instances of murders and captivities in Ligonier Valley, and in the region of the Black Lick, in Indiana County, pre- served among their lares and penates. As applicable at this place we may bring in the adventures of some Westmorelanders in the far West. Both instances show of what mettle the men were of, and both instances are as fully authentic as the best attested ones of their class. In the fall of 1795, Capt. John Sloan, his nephew, John Wallace, and two others, named Hunt and Knott, all hardy young men and fond of adventure, formed themselves into a company to explore part of the western country, and to make a tour of observa- tion. They were neighbors, as it went then, and lived near the Loyalhanna, in Derry township. They set out after some preparation, taking with them t.wo horses and some provisions ; and when their store of provisions became lighter, they walked and rode time about. They had a strong desire to see the Miami country, of which there was so much talk, and went direct for Fort Washington, the site of Cincinnati. That region from this point was a journey of some days farther to the northwest. They proceeded, however, and encamped at night on the banks of the Big Mau- mee. The next morning they continued on. As they took their turn at riding, it was now Knott and Sloan's time to ride. These were upon the horses when they were fired upon by a large party of Indians who were hid in the path. Knott fell from his horse dead. Sloan was shot through the left side, a ball also going through his shot-pouch. Hunt and Wallace ran for their lives, but Hunt was taken by them without get- ting off. Wallace was pursued by the pack, but he kept ahead of them till, running at full speed, he tripped on a root and fell headlong, when his gun slipped from his grasp. Sloan had secured the horse from which Knott fell, and notwithstanding his severe wound, still kept upon his own. When Wal- lace regained his feet he called to his uncle not to leave him. Sloan waited on him. When he came up he tried to get up on the horse's back, but was so exhausted that he fell back. His uncle, Sloan, then took his gun, and holding it and the horse's head, waited till Wallace climbed up. By this the Indians were close upon them. The horses under the excitement galloped off on the trail, and soon left the Indians behind. Then, after they were on their way, Sloan, " like another Lancelot," noticed the blood trickling from his wound down his horse's side. They headed for Fort Washington, which they wished by all means to reach, but they knew of Fort Hamil- ton, which was somewhat off their way, but between them and the former. Besides this, Sloan said they felt in duty bound to stop there and warn the garri- son. They directed their way thither, and in no long time entered this fort. There they stayed that night and related their adventure. But they were especially anxious to get to Fort Washington, where medical assistance could be ob- tained for Sloan. The next morning they were to start, but on opening the gates they saw that the fort was surrounded by Indians. There were said to be many hundreds of them there. At that time there was but a very small and inefficient garrison at this post, there being in all only twenty men, women, and children, while their commandant was a young and inexperienced officer. The Indians, knowing the feeble state of the garrison, and presuming that no defense could be successfully made, demanded their surrender. The officer in command said to Sloan that he could not hold the fort, and told Sloan that if he thought he could make a defense to take command and do what he thought best. Sloan then, having thus been empowered to talk on the subject, went up to the top of the fort ami engaged in a conversation with their leader. He talked by the medium of an interpreter. Close beside the interpre- ter stood Hunt, the companion of Sloan, who had been taken the day before, and he, too, pleaded with Sloan to give up the fort, for the reason understood that if the Indians did not accomplish their object their prisoner would be tortured. But Sloan told them a nice story of how they had plenty of provisions and ammunition, and how they would soon have a rein- forcement to join them, assuring them at the end that they did not propose to surrender at all, but to fight. Then he stepped down. The next moment they all fired, and the Indians set up their war-whoop, a sign of no quarter. The firing continued all day, but without any effect, for the Indians kept at a good distance, and the whites were well protected. At night an attempt was made to fire the fort, but it was not successful. There was a stable at some distance, where the horses were kept and near which the cattle were fed. During the siege an Indian took Sloan's horse from here, and putting on his head the cocked hat which Sloan had lost the day before he rode in a circle around the fort far enough away to be out of danger, and when the Indians went of!' they took all the horses with them, and what cattle they had not killed and eaten they shot and left lying. During the fight an Indian got pretty close to the fort by keeping under the shelter of a corn-crib, where, remaining under cover, he kept up a vigorous fire when- ever he saw anything to shoot at. Sloan watched this one attentively. He himself had taken a posi- tion near a port-hole, and as his side was troublesome he had a man to load the gun and pass it to him as he needed it. It was at length apparent that the In- dian wanted to retire. To accomplish this he pushed betimes the muzzle of his gun beyond the covering, that some one expecting him to show himself would fire at him. Sloan fired ; the Indian, as it was ex- pected he would, jumped out, but by this time Sloan had his other gun ready which he also fired, when the Indian fell over dead. This one was too close to the fort to be taken away by the rest, and he was left THE LAST OF THE BORDER COMMOTIONS. 195 lying there. All the hostiles finally withdrew, either fearful of reinforcements coming up from the other posts or led away with some other object in view. When they had gone Capt. Sloan went to the Indian whom he had shot, and finding in his belt a scalping- knife he lifted the Indian's scalp. His hair was strung full of beads. Hunt, their companion, was never heard of. Sloan and Wallace, after remaining at Fort Washington, whither they went, for a time, returned home. 1 PRESQUE ISLE. On the 28th of February, 1794, the Legislature passed an act for raising soldiers for the defense of the river Delaware and of the western frontiers. At the same time efforts were made towards the laying out of a town at Presque Isle, in order to facilitate and promote the settlement with the commonwealth, and to afford additional security to the frontiers. Prior to this Governor Mifflin had sent to Capt. Ebenezer Denny a commission, giving him the com- mand of the Allegheny company ordered to protect William Irvine, Andrew Ellicott, and Albert Galla- tin, who had been appointed commissioners to lay out the town ; for the same object a post had been es- tablished at Le Bceuf. But the English were fixed in their opposition to the opening of the road to Presque Isle, and instigated the Indians to resist the attempt. On the 24th of May, Governor Mifflin applied to the President to order out one thousand militia from the western brigades, raised for the frontier defense, to support the commissioners who were authorized to lay out the towns. The brigade inspectors of AVest- morelaud, Washington, Allegheny, and Fayette ac- cordingly made a draft for that number to co-operate with Capt. Denny's detachment under command of Gen. Wilkins. Although active preparations were made for carry- ing out the intentions of the Legislature, an act was subsequently passed to suspend the laying out of a town at Presque Isle, and it was not until the 18th of April, 1795, that all difficulties removed, the same body authorized the laying out of the towns at Le Bceuf, at the mouth of the Conewago Creek, at the mouth of the French Creek, and at Presque Isle. The Indians having taken up the hatchet again, made some dashes upon the exposed settlers along the rivers. We have in the notes attached given sufficient data for this matter, and need not further advert to the subject here. 2 1 This is from the account given by Capt. Sloan's son, John Sloan, Jr., to Rev. Sharrad, of Steuhenville, Ohio, in 1871. Capt. Sloan did not re- main in tho WeBt, but came back, and was subsequently elected sheriff of this county. He suffered from his wound till he died. He produced this scalp on many public occasions, and I have seen persons who saw it on such occasions. (See local history of Derry township.) 2 Charles Campbell to Governor Mifflin. " Geeensburg, June 5, 1794. " Sir, — I Received your Letter of the 24th of May, in Regards of stop- ping of the draught for the Support of Prcsqu'Isle Station, whitch These Indian troubles were the last in which the frontier settlers of our county were engaged; and these were borne mostly by those along our northern I line, or of that part which is of Armstrong and North- ern Indiana. Along the Ohio below Pittsburgh, and along the Allegheny County line, the people in this secnieth mulch to alarm the fruouteors of our county, as it discovers to the Indians that we are not able to Maintain that Post. 'Die thirtieth of May the Indians tired on A Cannoe in the Allegany River between the Mouth of Kiscumenitus River and the Cattanian: Killed one man and wounded Two. The evening of the same day, they fired on A Boat that Left my Place to go to Keaintuckey, about Two Miles Below the falls of the Kiscumenitus, Killed three Persons and wounded one, whitch was all the men that was in the Boat. Tin* Boat then Drifted Down the River till About Twelve Miles above Pittsburgh with the wounded man ami the women and Children, when they were seen By some Persons who went to their assistance, and Took the Boat to Pittsburgh. The froon- teers seemed to be Mutch Allarmed at Sutch unexpected News and the Signs of Indians seen on the froonteers. I Consulted with General Jack, and we Agreed to Order Captain Elliot, of the Rifle Company, on the froonteers, until Sutch Times as I could get Au Account from you, to Enow if would meet with your aprebation, as it will Be Impossible to keep the froonteers from Breaking unless Being well suported; and if once the one that now makes the Stand BreakeB, I Believe it will be Hard to get Any other to stand as well, as it will give so much En- couragement to the enemy, ast it Caunot Bo Expected that the friend- ship of the Six Nations will now be Confided in. I Could wish to do Everything in my power for the Benefit of the Publick and the safety of the froonteers. I Remain your Obedient Humble SeiVt, "Chas. Campbell." Gen, William Jack to Governor Mifflin. " Green^burg, June 6, 1794. " s IR) — i beg leave to lay before you a statement of the information I have received of the hostile disposition manifested by the Indians on our Frontiers. "On Friday last, in the morning of the same day, a canoe was fired on above the mouth of Kiskiminetas, in the Allegheny River, by which one man was killed and two wounded. On the same day, in the even- ing, Capt. Sharp's Boat was attacked iu the Kiskeminetas River, near to Chamber's Station (having just set off for Kentucky), by a party of Iudians, supposed to be twelve iu number. There was but three men and one boy with the boat when Attacked, and the savages kept up a constant fire on the boat while she kept drifting down the river. It appears that one man and a boy was killed, one made his escape, and Capt. Sharp supposed to be mortally wounded. The boat, with some women and a number of children, miraculously got to Pittsburgh. By a letter just received from Colonel Charles Campbell, he informs me that the Spies had made a discovery of a large trail of Indians on Pine Creek, above the Kittanning, who appear'd by the track to he making for the settlement. By another discovery of the Spies, it appears that three Canoes, with six or seven Indians in each, has crossed the Allegheny River at the mouth of Puckety, in consequence of which the settlement of Pine Run is broken up, And a very general alarm excited on -the frontiers. "Several parties have turned out voluntarily to intercept the enemy if possible, and for the security of the frontiers, but as these are not regular Drafts, it is not to be expected they will remain out more than a few days. There is great reason to believe the Indians are ot the Six Nations, and that the frontiers will of course continue to be constantly harrassed. By the best information, it appears that many, even of the frontier Inhabitants are destitute both of Arms and Ammunition, and that a supply at this place would prove extremely useful for the use of such as turn out on occasional Scouts. "Waiting your pleasure and Direction in the premises, I remain your Excellency's "Very Humble Servt. " Wm. Jack. " His Excellency Thomas Mifflin, Esquire." For the Westmoreland Company to operate with Capt. Denny, John Sloan was captain, John Craig lieutenant, and James McComb ensign, by commission from the Governor. James McComb resigned, and Ste- phen Mehaffy was commissioned in his stead, on the recommendation of Charles Campbell, then brigade inspector of Westmoreland. 196 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. latter disturbance as in the former war were in great affliction and dread. There were some reprisals made, prisoners were taken, and children kidnapped even in the extreme lower end of Ligonier Valley, but such things were only possible at a time when they were not looked for. The inhabitants of Central and South- ern Westmoreland were comparatively safe, and were at peace sufficiently to countenance those who in Wash- ington and Fayette about this time were evading the payment of the excise on whiskey, and banding to- gether to tar and feather the collectors of the revenue. This civil commotion will be the subject of some suc- ceeding remarks. CHAPTER XXXVII. THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. Excise — Hatred of the Scotch and Irish for the Law — Inequality of the Tax— Effort made hy the State to Collect the State Excise in 1785— "The Devil" conies for Collector Graham at Greensburg — Act of Congress levying a Tax on Distilled Spirits — Regulations made for its Collection — First Meeting in Opposition to the Law — Johnson, the Collector for Allegheny and Washington, tarred and feathered — No Place for Officers to he had in Westmoreland and Washington in 1792 — Office opened at Greensburg and abandoned — Meeting held at Pitts- burgh in 1792 — President Washington issues a Proclamation — Wells, Collector for Fayette and Westmoreland, attacked in his House — He opens an Office in Philip Reagan's House in 1794 — His Son and Reagan fortify the Premises — They are besieged by a Large Party — They capit- ulate — Capt. Webster, Excise Officer for Somerset, taken and com- pelled to give up his Commission — Government Officers serve Process upon Delinquent Distillers — Neville and the Marshal driven away after serving the Writ on one Miller, near Peters Creek — A Party de- mand the surrender of Neville's Papers — Neville's House defended by j a Party of United States Soldiers, who Fire upon the Mob — Their Commander, Macfarlane, is killed — The Excitement increases — Gather- ing of the Rabble and Militia at Braddock's Field — They want to attack and burn out tbe Government Officers and the Friends of Law — Brack- enridge prevails upon them to cross the River — The next Day they disperse — Volunteers and Regulars called out by the President — Com- missioners appointed to go to the Scene of the Trouble — The Army at Carlisle— Commissioners appointed by the Delegates at Parkinson's Ferry confer with the President — Commissioners on both sides hold a Conference — Committees meet at Redstone — The Committee pass a re- solve to take the sense of the People on the question of submission to the Laws upon the Terms proposed by the United States Commis- sioners — The Returns Unsatisfactory — The President orders the Army ' over the Mountains — Change in the Sentiments of the People — Meet- ings held all over the Country— Report of the Meeting held at Greens- burg — Resolutions — The People subscribe anew to the Tests — The Army withdrawn — Trial of the Offenders— Effects of the Insurrection on Westmoreland — Biographical Sketches of Participants and Docu- ments hearing on the Insurrection. The sedition known in history as the Whiskey In- surrection, in the four western counties is of such a universal character as to be precluded, in itself, from a local history, and the only business we have in con- sidering it is to localize it, touching upon the con- nection the people of Westmoreland had therewith. In attempting, however, to do so we must outline it, and notice its origin, its character, and its termina- tion. Of the four counties in which this sedition held its sway, the one which was the last in it, and was perhaps ultimately benefited the most, was ours. I Excise, so odious to the English people both on the islands and in America, differs from any other species of raising tax-money or revenue in this, that while direct tax is upon land and landed property, and tariff' is an import duty exacted on foreign importa- tions, the excise is a specific form of taxation levied upon the products of domestic manufacture, and col- lected either at the place where the product is pro- duced or where it is first exposed on sale. Thus from necessity its collection demands a system of surveil- lance and of espionage on the labor and industries of the people, and it was considered among the peasantry of Scotland, long before the time of Burns, that to kill an exciseman was such a noble deed as would cover a multitude of sins. 1 If the Scotch and Irish brought anything with them to this country, it was a hatred of the excise system of England. Brackenridge, under the guise of satire, has pointedly presented the cause of some of the political troubles which, towards the close of the last century, agitated Western Pennsylvania. He has summarized many instances where the antipathy against institutions of the mother-country are to be traced to their source in Britain herself. Thus the prejudice against the excise tax was a prejudice which had been engendered in Ireland and in Scotland, and which, through many causes, not only from oppres- sion, but from bigotry, ignorance, and obstinacy, drew the people along openly to resist the collection of the revenue. This region, as we have noted, was specially adapted to the production of grain, and there was at that time nothing produced which was marketable but ginseng, beeswax, snake-root, and whiskey. It is true that some trappers on the Laurel Hill could, by living on mush and milk and bear-meat, get some- thing of a revenue from wolf-scalps, but what was marketable had to be taken over the mountains or two thousand miles down the rivers. The inequality of this excise tax was apparent. Judge Veech puts it thus : that while improved land in Westmoreland could be assessed at five dollars per acre, and in Lan- caster at fifty dollars per acre, a percentage of taxa- tion might be fair, but a tax of seven cents per gallon on whiskey made on Chartiers was one-fourth its value, while if made on the banks of the Brandywine it was perhaps less than one-eighth its value. Wil- liam Findley, a man of eminent sagacity, in a letter to Governor Mifflin in November, 1792, says plainly that the injustice of being obliged to pay as much excise out of two shillings, with difficulty procured, as other citizens better situated have to pay out of perhaps three times that sum, much easier obtained, comes home to the understanding of those who can- not comprehend theories. Under the confederation the appropriation of Penn- sylvania for the allowance to the army, under an act 1 See Burns' poem, "The deil danced away wi' the Exciseman." THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 197 of Congress of 1780, remaining unpaid, an effort was made about 1785 to collect some of the fund still re- maining unpaid out of her excise law of 1772. The execution of such laws had met with violent combi- nations among the inhabitants of neighboring States, and the Pennsylvania law met with great opposition, especially west of the Alleghenies, and there is no evidence that the excise law was ever paid in that section. The excise tax not being collected, gave occasion to the eastern part to grumble, for in June, 1785, a collector by the name of Graham was sent out. With much trouble he collected some in Fayette County, and a little in Westmoreland. But when he was in his hotel at Greensburg, in the darkness of the night, he was called to the door by a man in disguise, who stated to him that he was " Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils," and that he had called for him to hand him over to a legion of lesser devils who were outside awaiting. With some assistance he managed to es- cape their clutches. He tried to prosecute a man of the town, in whom he thought he recognized the " devil," but the man proved an alibi. Thence he passed over into Washington County, where he fared worse. His pistols were taken and broken in pieces before his face, his commission and papers were thrown in the mud and trampled upon, and he him- self forced to tread upon them. They clipped off the hair from the one side of his head, cut off the cockade of his hat, reversed it, shaved his horse's tail, and thus, in the midst of an increasing crowd, started him towards the county line. As they proceeded they called on all the still-houses by the way and treated him gratis. On the border of Westmoreland he was allowed to go free, with many threats if he returned. This State law was repealed, and the people scarcely looked for it again, but in 1791, Congress passed a law levying a tax of four pence per gallon on all dis- tilled spirits. The members from Western Pennsyl- vania — Smiley, from Fayette, and Findley, from Westmoreland — stoutly opposed it. They knew the feelings of their constituents in this matter. With them they had consulted, and they but expressed the unanimous sentiments of their people, and upon their return were heartily indorsed. Albert Gallatin, who was evidently impressed with the grievance, also op- posed it with all his influence. After the law was passed it was with some difficulty that any one could be found willing to accept the office of inspector in the western district, the measure was so unpopular. 1 But suitable regulations were made to secure the collection of the revenue. The districts were appor- tioned, and inspectors appointed for each. The dis- tiller was to furnish at the nearest office a description of his buildings, which were always subject to exami- nation for the purpose of official visitation. The first public meeting in opposition to the en- 1 Act 3d March, 1791. The tax was reduced, and the terms consider- ably modified by the law to take effect with the fiscal year of 1794. forceinent of the excise law was held at Redstone, July 27, 1791. Then and there it was agreed that county committees should meet at the county-seats of the four counties of Fayette, Allegheny, Westmore- land, and Washington. On the 23d of August the committee of Washington County passed some reso- lutions and published them in the Pittsburgh Gazette to the effect that " Any person who had accepted or might accept an office under Con- gress, in order to carry the law into effect, should be considered inimical to the interests of the country." It also recommended to the citizens of Washington County to treat every person accepting such office with contempt, and absolutely to refuse all kind of communication or intercourse with him, and to with- hold from him all aid, support, or comfort. Delegates from the four counties met at Pittsburgh on the 7th of September, 1791, and passed severe reso- lutions against the law. The character of the men who countenanced these measures and who were at. the head encouraged the rest, and from this mu- tual co-operation the uprising was spontaneous and general. Benjamin Wells, of Fayette County, was the col- lector for the counties of Westmoreland and Fayette, and Robert Johnson, of Allegheny, for Washington and Allegheny. There was no inspector for either Westmoreland or Washington. Wells, according to the character given him by Addison, was a contempti- ble and unworthy man, whom the people of the county would not wish to see in any office of trust. Johnson was said to be an honest man, of inoffensive manner and good nature. Johnson's office was about nine miles southwest of Pittsburgh. Wells' office was at his residence, nearly opposite Connellsville, on the southern bank of the Youghiogheny. These were the only two offices prior to June, 1792. On the 6th of September, 1791, a party armed and disguised waylaid Johnson near Pigeon Creek, in Washington County, tarred and feathered him, cut off his hair, and took away his horse, leaving him to travel on foot in that condition. The man sent by the marshal with process against the presumed offenders was seized, whipped, tarred, and feathered, his money and horse were taken from him, and he was blind- folded and tied in the woods, where he remained five hours. In May, 1792, some material modification was made in the law. The rates were lowered a little, and dis- tillers were allowed to take and pay for monthly in- stead of yearly licenses, but the penalty for non-entry was raised from one hundred to two hundred and fifty dollars. All efforts to get places for offices during the year 1792 in Westmoreland and Washington were unsuc- cessful. Wells undertook, in June, 1792, to have an office at Greensburg, and another at Uniontown. The one at Greensburg was soon abandoned, without much business having been done at it. Neither did 198 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. he attend at Uniontown, so the distillers, presuming that he did not mean business, after waiting for him, went home. For a while all was quiet in the " sur- vey," the name by which the district was known to the internal revenue department. Some distillers near the designated places for entering had of their own free will entered their stills, and some quit the business. But there being no offices in two of the largest counties of the survey, perhaps two-thirds of the distilleries were exempt from taxation. The people of the Washington County region who chose not to return their stills shipped their product off by way of the Ohio, but the Youghiogheny and Monon- gahela borders were under surveillance. 1 On the 21st of August, 1792, a meeting composed of some of the most influential men of that day in all Western Pennsylvania was held at Pittsburgh, in which were passed resolutions in which they ex- pressed it to be their duty to persist in their remon- • strance to Congress, and in any other legal measure to obstruct the operation of the law, and a committee of correspondence was appointed to correspond with otber committees all through the different counties. On Sept. 15, 1792, President Washington issued his proclamation exhorting and admonishing all to de- sist and refrain from all unlawful combinations and proceedings tending to obstruct the laws. The time for entering the stills was fixed for the mouth of June of each year. The month of entry for 1793 was approaching, and the question was to get offices and officers. The inspector gave notice on the 1st of June in the Gazette that offices for entries were opened at his own house; at the house of John- son, in Allegheny ; at Benjamin Wells' house, in Fayette; and at Philip Reagan's house, in West- moreland. Secretary Hamilton, in his report, which has been the text for many historians, says that he was unable up to 1794 to establish any office in West- moreland and Washington, and it is to be inferred that Philip Reagan's house was not used till the time the officer sat there to enter the stills in the following year, 1794. This man Wells stuck to his collectorship with as much pertinacity as the gentleman of the same name stuck to the destiny of the returning board down in Louisiana. He was publicly insulted and abused whenever he made his appearance, and even at times, while he was away from home, his family were an- noyed and exposed to bodily fear. In April, 1792, a party in disguise attacked his house in the night, he being away, and threatened, terrified, and abused his family. On the 22d of November they again at- tacked his house in the night, compelled him to sur- render his commission and books, and required him to publish a resignation of his office in the papers within two weeks, under penalty of having his house burned. 1 Veech, Sec. History. In June, 1794, John Wells, a son of Benjamin Wells, and deputy collector for Westmoreland, opened an office at a private house which he had secured pre- viously. This office was in the half-part of a double log house owned by Philip Reagan near the Big Sewickley. Wells put this branch office under the care of this son, John Wells, and Philip Reagan himself. These men appear to have been of some courage, and they knew full well the feeling of the community, and what might be expected. They there- fore converted the house into an old-time block-house, with port-holes and door and windows which could be closed. They also secured a number of men and a supply of arms. During the month of June they withstood several night attacks, one from a very numerous body of armed people. The party outside fired upon the house for some time, and the firing was vigorously returned from those inside. It is not known that any injury was done on either side. The besieging party then set fire to Reagan's barn, which they burned, and then they withdrew. In the course of a day or two one hundred and fifty men returned to renew the attack. The two parties parleyed for a while, when Reagan proposed to capitulate provided they gave him honorable terms and assurances that they would not molest his person or destroy his prop- erty. He promised to give up his commission and never again to act as exciseman. These stipulations were agreed to and put in writing. Reagan then came out and treated them with a keg of whiskey. After some of them had got drunk they said that he had got off too easily, and that he should be set up as a target and shot at. Others were for giving him a coat of tar and feathers; but others saying that he should be allowed to go unmolested because he had behaved as a man, gave occasion for a fight which took place among themselves. After this it was proposed and carried that Reagan should be court- martialed, and that they should go right away to Benjamin Wells' office, in Fayette County, and catch him and try him and Reagan together. They then set out to accomplish what had been proposed, but when they arrived at Wells' house he was not there. They set fire to it and burned it to the ground with all its contents. They left a party to watch in am- bush till Wells returned, and then to capture him. During the night Reagan escaped, and Wells being very submissive and the potent effects of their de- bauch having passed away, they let him off. The next attack was made on Capt. Webster, the excise officer for Somerset County, by a company of about one hundred and fifty men from Westmoreland. They took his commission from him, and made him promise never to act again as collector of excise. Taking him with them for a few miles, during which time he was submissive in the extreme, they made him, before releasing him, mount a stump and hur- rah three times for " Tom the Tinker." This term, Tom the Tinker, had come into popular use to desig- THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 199 nate opposition to the excise, and it was assumed by the insurgents themselves. Braekenridge traces its origin to a certain John Holcroft, who made the first application of it at the attack on William Cough ran, whose still was cut to pieces. This was called mend- ing the still ; the menders were tinkers, and the name in a collective sense became Tom the Tinker. Ad- vertisements threatening prominent individuals, ad- monishing or commanding them, and signed by Tom the Tinker, were put upon trees and in conspicuous places, and menacing letters were sent over the same signature to the Gazette, with threats against the per- son of the editors if they dared refuse to publish them. At Braddock's Field the exclamations were, "Are you a Tom the Tinker's man?" and " Hurrah for Tom the Tinker." The flame of this uprising spread with an infatua- tion almost incredible. For a time the voice of rea- son could not be heard, nor dared scarce be uttered. 1 The minister was only orthodox who took the side of the people, the lawyer was only popular who de- fended the rabble when accused, and no man of prop- erty felt himself safe if he knew of the least suspicion against him. The populace at first were instigated by such men as Gallatin, Findley, Smiley, Bracken- ridge, Cook, Young, Cannon, and Ross, and then led by such as Bradford and Holcroft. In June, 1794, the excise law was amended by Con- gress. The people, however, desired its absolute re- peal, and indeed demanded nothing short of it. It was therefore high time that the government should meet the sedition with some opposition. Indictments were found against a few as rioters, but they had the ablest lawyers at the bar of the Western circuit to defend them, and a jury who could not agree. At the same time process issued against a number of non- complying distillers in Fayette and Allegheny. The processes requiring the delinquent distillers to appear in court arrived in the West in mid-harvest. The Dis- trict Court was held at Philadelphia. The marshal executed his process in Fayette, and in Allegheny he had served all but the last. In the company of Gen. Neville he went, on the 15th of July, 1794, to serve this writ on a distiller named Miller, near Peters Creek. This gave occasion for the first general out- break. The appearance of Neville, whose official position had made him particularly obnoxious, in- censed the men about the fields to such a degree that they, with arms in their hands, pursued the two men for a distance. One gun was fired, but with what intent is not known. On the day when this occurred there was a military meeting at Mingo Creek for the purpose of drafting men to go against the Indians. This place was seven miles from the inspector's house. The report of the attack on the marshal and the inspector was carried to this meeting, and on the following day about thirty 1 Findley's letter to Secretary Dallns. men appeared before the marshal's house and de- manded the surrender of his papers. This was re- fused, and firing commenced. On a general discharge of guns from the negro quarters about the house, for they were all armed, some five or six of the in- surgents were wounded, one of them mortally. Upon this the news spread that the blood of a citizen had been shed in the cause of the people, and a call was made on all who valued their lives or their liberty to assemble at the Mingo Creek meeting-house. There- upon a large number assembled there. Three men among them were appointed to direct the expedition, and Maj. Macfarlane, an old Revolutionary officer, was chosen to command the armed force. A squad of United States soldiers had been sent out to protect Neville's house. The insurgents surrounded the house. Then a parley took place. They again de- manded the surrender of Neville and his commis- sions. But Neville was not there. The women and children were allowed to withdraw from the house, and when this was done the firing began on both sides. When they had fired promiscuously for some time, Macfarlane, the commander of the insurgents, stepped out from behind a tree to confer with Maj. Kirkpatrick, who was in command of the regulars. He had no sooner done so than a ball struck him. He died immediately. The barn and the outhouses were set on fire, and Kirkpatrick and his men were allowed to retire. The death of Macfarlane increased the excitement. The rabble could not go backward. The post-boy, carrying the United States mail, was waylaid by two men within a mile of Greensburg. The mail-bag was broken open and rifled of its contents. From the headquarters of the insurgents Bradford and others issued circular letters to the colonels of the several reg- iments, requesting them to assemble their commands at their place of rendezvous, fully equipped with arms, accoutrements, and provisions for four days. From here they were to march to Braddock's Field, so as to arrive there on Friday, the 1st of August. In many instances the order was promptly obeyed. Within three days a vast and excited crowd, numbering not far, as it is well reported, from sixteen thousand, was brought together. Many of the companies had arms. Some were there through inclination, some through fear and from necessity, some from curiosity. Brad- ford was chosen commander-in-chief, Edward Cook was one of the generals, and Col. Blakenay officer of the day. Bradford proposed to march for Pittsburgh, to take possession of the town, and wreak their ven- geance upon such of their enemies as Neville, Gibson, Brison. and Kirkpatrick. When it was seen that it would be useless to oppose such leadership, Cook and Braekenridge (who was along) assented, and urged them to go there by all means. The rabble could not well resist the directions of Braekenridge; he was possessed of wonderful tact and volubility, was one of the first lawvers in the State, and had defended 200 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the ringleaders when they were arrested, without money and without charge. "Yes," said he, " let us go there by all means, if for nothing else just to show them that the strictest order can be observed by us ; that we are not the rabble they take us for, but the people ; that we are asserting our rights. We will do them no danger nor put them in fear. We will march through the town, take a turn, come out again upon the fields by the bank of the river, and after drinking a little whiskey with the inhabitants, who will gladly receive us, the troops will cross over to the other side of the river." A number of people met them before they came to the town, who treated them to drink, and soon after, by good management, the best part of the rabble were gotten across the river without going through the streets. But those that remained were still excited, and wanted to burn the houses of at least Neville and Gibson and a few others. Had this been done, there can be no doubt but that the whole of the town would have lain in ashes, and that blood would have flown as freely as whiskey. Cook, Marshall, and others in command exerted themselves in urging the men to retire, using persuasion and promises big in the eyes of men drunk and capricious. In the day no harm was done, but at night the barn of Maj. Kirk- patrick was burnt. The people of the town passed a night of uneasiness, but the next day the men were scattering off, and the danger was over. Thus the sedition ripened into insurrection. We shall now follow up the course of the general govern- ment in its effort to maintain the law. When an ac- count of these tumultuous proceedings reached the authorities of the nation and of the State, they were promptly considered by a mutual conference. Gov- ernor Mifflin on the 6th of August, 1794, appointed Chief Justice McKean and Gen. William Irvine to proceed to the West and ascertain the facts, and to present the will of the authorities as to those in oppo- sition. On the 7th President Washington issued a proclamation commanding all persons being insur- gents, on or before the first day of September, to dis- perse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes. He at the same time directed troops to be raised to be ready to march into the disaffected part at a moment's warning. The number of volunteers thus called out was fixed at twelve thousand nine hundred and fifty, apportioned among the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. On the same day Governor Mifflin issued two proclamations, one di- recting the Slate quota to be speedily equipped and armed, and another calling the Assembly together in a special session. On the Sth of August the President appointed James Ross, Jasper Yates, and William Bradford to go forthwith into the Western District with full instructions and ample power to confer with such individuals or bodies as were approved or desig- nated to represent those in revolt. Of the army of volunteer militia and regulars raised under the proclamation of the President, Governor Henry Lee, of Virginia, was put in command, while the Governors of the other States commanded the volunteers from their respective States. 1 The Presi- dent, accompanied by the Secretary of War, 2 the Sec- retary of the Treasury, and Judge Peters, of the United States District Court for Pennsylvania, set out for Western Pennsylvania on the 1st of October. He joined the main body of the army at Carlisle. While here he held the conference with Redick and Findley, who reported to the meeting which they called together upon their return, and who, with the addition of Ephraim Douglass and Thomas Morton, were reap- i pointed to confer with the President at Bedford. The President left Carlisle on the 11th of October ; reached Chambersburg on the same day, and Williamsport on the 13th. From here he went to Fort Cumberland to review the left division of the army, consisting of the Maryland and Virginia volunteers. On the 19th of October he reached Bedford, where he remained two or three days. He came not farther west than Bedford, as has been erroneously reported, but from here re- turned to the capital, which he reached on the 28th. A knowledge of the proceedings in the East had not yet reached the West when the meeting of the 14th of August, 1794, was called for at Parkinson's Ferry. This assemblage was composed of two hun- dred and sixty delegates from the western counties. Edward Cook was chairman, and Albert Gallatin, secretary. The meeting, after, as usual, protesting against the excise law and the enormity of taking inhabitants from their vicinage for trial, appointed committees with instructions as from the people. It was alleged soon after — and subsequent events appear to confirm the assertion — that many of these delegates had been sent with a view to counteract the seditious intentions of the tumultuous mob, and to gain by covert management what could not be accomplished by open opposition. Gallatin, Brackenridge, and James Edgar, an influential elder of the Presbyterian Church in Fayette County, took a prominent part in the discussions. The organic force of the insurrec- tion was condensed into a committee of one from each township, sixty in all ; and this committee was again represented by a standing committee of twelve. 3 The committee of sixty was to meet at Redstone on 1 From Judge Lobiugier's Lecture before the Temperance Society at Mount Pleasant, 1842: "The Pennsylvania and Jersey troops came up through Somerset and halted in three divisions on ibis Bide of the Chestnut Ridge. The ad- vance came on to where this town [Mount Pleasant | now stands; the second division encamped on Col. Bennett's farm, and the rear division remained at Lobiugier's Mills. They remained in their encampments for the space of about eight days, during -which tune the cavalry, con- ducted by the excise officers, were out scouring the country in search of Whiskey Boys. But chiefly all those who had taken an active part in the late insurrectionary movements had either lied or secreted them- Belves, so thai few could be found; I believe not more than one or two. '['bat part of the ai my which lay in this neighborhood then struck their tints and marched to the Forks of Yough. Whilst there a few more of the insurgents were taken." - Henry Knox and Alexander Hamilton. J See note, infra. THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 201 the 2d of September, and the standing committee was to meet any committee that had been or might be appointed by the government, and to report the result of their conference. During the sitting of this meet- ing the United States commissioners had arrived at Pittsburgh. The commissioners for the State of Pennsylvania had also arrived at Pittsburgh on the 17th of August. On the 20th these, with the commissioners on the part of the general government, met the committee ap- pointed at Parkinson's. At this conference it was concurrently advanced by both bodies of the legally authorized commissioners that the exercise of the powers vested in them to suspend prosecutions, to engage for a general pardon and oblivion of crimes, must be preceded by a full and satisfactory assurance of a sincere determination in the people to obey the laws of the United States. The committee, on the part of the people, presented their grievances, dwell- ing at this time principally upon the disadvantages of being sued in a remote court, before judges and jurors who were strangers, beyond the mountains, three hundred miles away from their homes and countrymen. But besides this every argument was advanced against the excise law. The conference adjourned on the 28th of August to meet the committee at Redstone. There, after a two days' session, the propositions of the commissioners were finally recommended for acceptance by the people. Gallatin and Brackenridge spoke long and eloquently for law and order. Bradford spoke against both, but the votes were against him. Such was the fear of the popular frenzy, however, that it was diffi- cult to get a vote at this meeting. No one would vote by standing up. They would not write yea or nay for fear the handwriting might be discovered. At last an expedient was devised. The words " yea" and " nay" were written by the secretary on the same piece of paper, and the pieces of paper were distributed among the members. Each of the members could thus chew up or destroy the part he had torn otf, while he put the other in the box. This resulted in the appoint- ment of another committee to confer with the com- missioners, and who were also empowered throughout the several counties to make known the day upon which the sense of the people was expected to be taken upon the question, " Whether the people would submit to the laws of the United States upon the terms proposed by the commissioners of the United States ?" This test of submission was to be signed individ- ually by the citizens throughout the western counties on or before the 11th of September. Till that time it was only ten days. Four of the days passed before the terms were printed, and but six days were left to circulate the information over a region larger than the State of New Jersey. All the commissioners had returned to Philadelphia before the day appointed for the signing except James Ross. He remained to carry the report. In many places the people did not meet to sign. At a few places the polls were broken up. At other places they had not heard of it in time to give their assent. Bradford and Marshall both signed on the day ap- pointed. Bradford even harangued the people to submit. The report of the commissioners, as a con- sequence, was so unfavorable that the President de- termined to send over the mountains the forces he had collected at Carlisle and in the East. The delegates from the townships which had been appointed by the meeting of the 14th of August as- sembled at Parkinson's Ferry on the 2d of October. From the resolutions they made public it appeared to be the unanimous opinion of the meeting that if the signatures to the submission were not universal, it was not owing so much to any disposition to oppose the laws as to a want of time and information to get the correct sentiment. They also resolved to submit to the authorities, and to no further oppose and resist the revenue laws. They appointed William Findley, of Westmoreland, and David Redick, of Washington, commissioners to wait on the President and the < rov- ernor of Pennsylvania with a copy of the resolutions, and empowered them to explain to the government the present state of the country, and to detail such circumstances as might enable the President to judge whether an armed force would be necessary to sup- port the civil authorities. These commissioners met the President at Carlisle on the 10th of October, where they had several inter- views. They represented that the great body of the people remained quietly at home attending to their business ; that they had assurances from all parts of the disaffected region ; that the people were everywhere organizing for the suppression of disorder and for the preservation of order ; and that, in their opinion, if violence were used it would ruin the country. The President listened to their complaints with attention, but decided that, inasmuch as the army was under marching orders, and had actually started on its way to the disaffected part, the orders would not be coun- termanded. He assured the. delegates that no violence would be used, and that all that was desired was to have the people come back to their allegiance. It was said that the people of Westmoreland made choice of the most violent men to represent them at the meeting of delegates. These men were John Kirkpatrick, George Smith, and John Powers. It is certain that the common people were easily worked upon. To such an extent was the indignation aroused that it was in this county the United States mail was broken open and robbed, and persons who were known to be with the party of law openly attacked in broad daylight, Col. Gibson, who remained on the side of the government, was, on his arrival at Greensburg from Pittsburgh, at the time when the people were meeting to instruct their delegates to the second meeting at Parkinson's, on alighting at the 202 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. tavern surrounded by a number of persons, who or- dered bim to quit the town within half an hour. He took refuge in the house of Gen. William Jack. 1 And by the return of the judges of the general elec- tion held in the several townships for the purpose of ascertaining certain assurances required of the citi- zens by the commissioners on the part of the govern- ment, as late as the 11th of September, 1794, it was certified that, in their opinion, it would not be safe to immediately establish an office of inspection therein, as ill-disposed persons could suddenly as- semble and offer violence. 2 But a change in the sentiments of the people was taking place. They had had enough of mob law. Men who had anything at stake were now moved by all means to have peace, and were for the assertion of the supremacy of the laws. With these it was a matter to reconcile themselves with both sides. The rabble were yet in the ascendant, and had the power in their hands, but there was no doubt that the gov- ernment would soon assert its authority. Of the re- sult of a conflict between the militia and the regulars there could be but one opinion. When the two commissioners, Findley and Redick, returned from their visit to the President, they called another meeting of the Committee of Safety at the Ferry for the 24th of October to make report. In the mean time numerous meetings were held to give the delegates assurances of the submission of the inhabit- ants, and to express their desire for the restoration of order before the commander-in-chief and the soldiers would be among them. We have the record of one of these meetings, held at Greensburg two days before the committee was to sit. This record we give here: 3 "At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Greensburgh and township of Hempfield, in the county of Westmoreland, on Wednesday, the 22d day of October, 1794, convened for the purpose of giving to the deputies who are to meet at Parkinson's Ferry on the 24th inst. such unequivocal assurances of their disposition for submission to the laws as would enable them to propose and adopt such meas- ures on their behalf as would be decisive in manifest- ing their sincere regret for and abhorrence of the late violent measures, and of their firm determination to support and yield obedience to the constitutional laws of their country, the following resolutions were pro- posed and adopted : " 1. Ii'jsnlvecl, As the sense of this meeting, that it is the duty of every good citizen to yield ohedience to the existing laws of his country. "2. That we discountenance all illegal acts of violence, from what* ever motive, and that for redress of grievances the privilege and right of the citizen is to petition and remonstrate if necessary. "3. That we will support the civil authority and all officers in the lawful exercise of their respective duties, and assist in securing for legal trial all offenders against the laws when called upon. 1 Penna. Arch., vol. iv. p. 157. = Ibid., 298. 3 See also GeD. Gibson's letter, Penna. Arch., New Series, vol. iv., 157. "4. That the citizens of this town and township will give no opposition to the opening an office of inspection therein, should the same be con- templated by the government, and that we will use our endeavors to remove improper prejudices, and recommend a peaceable and general submission. "5. That a copy of the preceding resolutions be given to one or more of the deputies for the town or township who are to meet at Parkinson'B Ferry on Friday, the 24th inst., together with a copy of the assurance paper, signed by the citizens of this meeting, in order that the same may be laid before the members of the said committee, and that another copy be made out for publication in the Pittsburgh Gazette, and that the same be attested by the chairman and clerk of this meeting." This preamble and the resolutions were signed by David Marchand as chairman, and attested by Thomas Hamilton, the clerk of the meeting. The certificate or paper of assurance which was submitted at the same time to the people was signed in the course of the evening by four hundred and twenty citizens. In a note to this assurance it was said that the same or something similar would be entered into and sub- scribed in the other townships of the county ; in some parts a similar assurance had been given, and in all parts it was expected a compliance would take place immediately. The two commissioners appointed by the Parkin- son committee, on their return, as we have said, called another meeting to which to make report. These were reappointed, and two others with them, to con- vey to the President the much more favorable outlook of affairs. They expected to find the President at Bedford, but learning that he had left that place and returned to the capital, they proceeded at once to Uniontown to confer with Gen. Lee, who by this time had established his headquarters there, and who had all power to treat with those who were authoritatively delegated. He received them with courtesy, and as- sured them that no exertion would be wanting on his part to prevent injury to persons or property. He told them to quiet the minds of the people upon that score, and to urge upon them to be as active in re- storing order as they had been in bringing about dis- order. The report of this conference was printed and widely circulated. Besides this the general pub- lished an address to the people of the four western counties recommending them to subscribe to an oath to support the Constitution and obey the laws, and to enter an assurance to aid the officers of the govern- ment in their duties. Books were opened at the offices of all the justices of the peace, and notices given that they would receive the tests or oaths of allegiance of all good citizens. Notices were given at the same' time for the entering of all stills. The people at once attended to all their obligations. On the 17th of November general orders were issued for the re- turn of all troops, except a detachment under Gen. Morgan, which was directed to remain for the winter about Pittsburgh. A squad of these was stationed at Uniontown and another quartered at Greensburg. Information was made against many for overt acts of treason, and a formal investigation was held by Judge Peters. Most of these had been guilty, as it THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 203 was ruled, of no offense against the government. A number were arrested and carried to Pittsburgh. Some of these were released by influential friends, while those who were not were sent to Philadelphia for trial. These were kept in confinement for nearly a year. In the end several were finally tried, and two were convicted, one for arson and the other for robbing the United States mail. Not one was con- victed of treason, though the insurgents were in open armed resistance to the laws for nearly two months. Passing over the charges which would increase their criminality and the claims which might extenuate their ill-advised and hasty procedure, we notice that that part of the county which had been in open re- sistance was ultimately profited by the accession of a large body of new inhabitants, the enhanced value of all real property, and by new facilities and new mar- kets by which they more readily got rid of their sur- plus manufacture. Possibly our own county was benefited more than any of the others. Many volun- teers who had come in the army seeing a better pros- pect here than in the East removed within a year or two. Young men just entering in the professions of law and medicine chose to cast their lot in a section which bade fair to rapidly advance in population and in wealth. They became identified with all the in- terests of the county-town and the county, and with few exceptions they became the substantial citizens of a later period. So rapidly did the number of the inhabitants increase and the business interests of the county improve within ten years from this date, that more than a dozen of the old villages and towns once the centre of their respective localities first received their names and began a quasi corporate existence. P>rief notices are herewith given of some of the per- sonages who took an active part in the affair of the Whiskey Insurrection: John Neville was born on the head-waters of the Occoquan, Virginia, in the year 1731. He was an officer in the Virginia troops under the ill-fated Braddock. In 1774 he was a delegate to the Provincial Con- vention of Virginia He was colonel of the Fourth Virginia Regiment in the Revolution, serving with distinction at Trenton, Princeton, Ger- mantowu, and Monmouth. After the war he settled in Pennsylvania, and was elected a member of the Supreme Executive Council. He was subsequently appointed by the President of the United States inspector of revenue for the western counties. It was his residence which was destroyed by the opponents of the excise. He was a gallant soldier and a dutiful citizen. He died at Montour's Island, near Pittsburgh, July 29, 1803. Presley Neville, son of Gen. John Neville, was born about the year 1756. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1775. He served in the Revolution as aide to Gen. Lafayette, and at the capture of Charleston was made prisoner. He was afterwards brigade inspector of the militia for Allegheny County. He was a mem- ber of the Assembly. Col. Neville married a daughter of Gen. Daniel Morgan, who, according to Brackenridge, "blessed him with an off- spring as numerous and as beautiful as the children of Niobe;" was a prominent merchant of Pittsburgh for twenty-five years. He died at Fairview, Ohio, on the 1st of December, 1818. Capt. James McFarlane. — The following epitaph was lately copied from the tombstone in the Mingo Creek graveyard: " Here lies the body of Capt. James McFarlaud, of Washington County, Pa., who departed this life the 17th of July, 1794, aged 43 years. "He served during the war with undaunted courage in defense of American independence against the lawless and despotic encroachments of Great Britain. He fell at last by the hands of an unprincipled villain in the support of what he supposed tu he the rights uf his country, much lamented by a numerous and respectable circle of acquaintance." Col. John Marshall " had been an early settler in the western coun- ties and a useful citizen during the late war with Britain and the terri- torial controversy with Virginia. He was successively register, high sheriff, member of the Ratifying Convention (of the Federal Constitu- tion), of the Legislature, county lieutenant, and again register in Wash- ington Comity, and was respectable for the discretion he displayed in the discharge of the duties of the respective offices he filled. In the Ratifying Convention he voted in favor of amendments previous to rati- fication, but refused to sign the reasons of the minority. Moderation was thought to have been a leading trait in his character. He was an industrious man, and had amassed considerable property. From these circumstances the part he took in the insurrection was surprising. He had come from the north of Ireland in his youth." — (Findley's History, etc., p. 94.) Benjamin Parkinpon, a Pennsylvanian by birth, had always resided in that State. He also was a Federalist, and had supported Gen. Neville's interest formerly; was reputed a good citizen, a man of influence in his neighborhood ; had been a justice of the peace before the revisiun of the constitution of the State, was president of the Mingo Creek Association, and one of the committee who superintended the operations in the attack on Neville's house. — (Findley's History, etc.) John Canon (or Cannon)" was from Chester County, Pa., and had long been a respectable [we pardon you, Hon. William Findk-y, for the 1 respec- table,' for you did not know to what estent Mr. Cannon was concerned in the murder of the Mono-inn Indians] citizen south of the Moilongahela, lived in the town called by his name, had attached himself to the government of Virginia, and favored the idea of a new State. He was afterwards a member of the Legislature, and was an early advocate of the Federal Constitution, and a supporter of Gen. Neville's interest in the country." — (Findley's History.) David Bradford, a native of Maryland, was a prominent lawyer in after-years in Washington County. He became extensively known, and wielded an immeuse influence. He was admitted, as we have seen, in 1782, and the year after was appointed district attorney. He was one of the commissioners for the laying out and sale of lots at Fort Mcintosh, now Beaver, in 1792-93. At the time of the adoption of the Constitu- tion he was a zealous Federalist. When the convention of the four western counties met at Pittsburgh, Sept. 7, 1791, Bradford was one of the three representatives from Washington County. He was one of the committee calling the people to rendezvous at Braddock's Field, Aug. 1, 1794. There he was unanimously elected the major-general to command the forces of the insurrectionists. When government issued the amnesty proclamation, all the citizens were included except Bradford. He fled to Bayou Sara, in Louisiana territory, then in possession of Spain, and died there about 1809. He erected the first 6tone house of the county. He was respectably connected, being a brother-in-law of Judge James Allisou, the grandfather of John Allison, late Register of the Treasury of the United States. In Louisiana he became a successful planter, and won his way to wealth and a fair social position (Veech). A grand- daughter became the wife of Richard Brodhead, United States senator from Pennsylvania, 1851-57, and a son is said to have married a sister of Jefferson Davis. Edward Cook, whose name we will often meet with somewhat later in the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania, was a native of the State, and one of the early inhabitants of Westmoreland. He was a member of the Committee of Conference which sat at Carpenter's Hall, June, 1776, and of the Constitutional Convention of that year. He took an active part in the defense of the frontier from 1779 to 1782, being a sub-lieutenant in 1781, and lieutenant of the county in 1782. being appointed successor to Lochry. He was in actual command of some of the rangers. He, however took more interest and was more distinguished in civil than in military affairs. He was a leading county justice under the old system, and al- though he resided outside the boundary of our county after Washington and Fayette were erected, yet he held Bpecial commissions covering our county's jurisdiction for some time after, and presided at the court sitting at Hanuastown when it was attacked and burnt by the Indians and Tories. These commissions were from time to time renewed. In 1791 he was associate judge of Fayette under the constitutional regulations of 1790. From 1796 to 1798 he was treasurer of Westmoreland. He took a for- ward part in the troubles of the Whiskey Insurrection, beiug recognized then as a man of much influence with the people, so much so indeed that he was chosen chairman of the Mingo Creek meeting. "Fulton was from Maryland; he was not only a Federalist, but an 204 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. open advocate of the excise law ; indeed, the most openly so of any I have met with in the western counties, and was an avowed friend of the inspector (Neville). He kept a large distillery, and expected hy the operations of the excise to have considerable advantage over the small distillers. He had also erected a brewery. I have never been able to account for the inconsistency of his conduct."— (Findley's History.) Albert Gallatin was a native of Geneva, in Switzerland. He was of a good family, had received an excellent education, and came in early youth to the United States; that is, during the Revolutionary war, in which he took a part. He was not bred to any particular profession. His talent for public speaking was developed by circumstances. He at first opposed the Federal Constitution, and it is believed that his mind was cramped by the narrow confederacy in which he was born. In con- sequence of this, and the reasons it germinated, he was rather opposed to the extension or our territory. His brilliant political career belongs to our national history. David Redick was a native of Ireland and a lawyer by profession; admitted to practice in Washington County in 1782, one year after its organization. In 1786 he was elected a member of the Supreme Execu- tive Council, and in 1788 chosen vice-president of Pennsylvania, the duties "I which office he continued to exercise until January the 19th, 1789. In October, 1787, he was appointed the agent of the State for communicating to the Governor of New York intelligence respecting Connecticut claims. In 1791, Mr. Itedick was appointed prothonotary of Washington County, and the following year clerk of the courts. As a business man be was active and energetic, and we find him exercising the duties of a surveyor, having been appointed to survey the ten,islands in the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers, and divide the several tracts of land opposite Pittsburgh into building or towu and outlots. At the time of the Whiskey Insurrection he took a prominent part in defense of law, order, and the constitution, and, with Mr. Findley, was appointed, Oct. 2, 1794, to wait upon President Washington and Governor Mifflin to explain the state of affairs in the Western counties. The result of their commission is narrated in the text and the accompanying papers. Mr. Redick died at Washington, Sept. 28, 1805, and was buried with Masonic honors. William Irvine, who commanded at Fort Pitt duriDg the latter days of the Revolution, and who took such an active part in the civil affairs later,and who has relatives yet residing in Westmoreland County, being uncle to the late Alexander Johnston, of Kingston House, deserves Borne special notice from Westmorelanders. We meet with his name so fre- quently in the early history of Western Pennsylvania and of Westinore- Inud i lounty that we or the reader of our annals must long before this period have of necessity become familiar with his name, to say tin' least. He was born at Fermanagh, Ireland, Nov. 3, 1741. Educated at the University of Dublin, be studied medicine, and was s > time Burgeon in the English navy. After the peace of 1763 he removed to Pennsylvania, and settled at Carlisle. He was a member from Cumber- land County of the convention which met at Philadelphia on the 15th of July, 1774, and recommended a General Congress. He was a repre- sentative in the succeeding conferences of the Province. In 1776 he raised and commanded the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, and was cap- tured at TroiB Rivieres, Canada. On the 3d of August was released on parole; exchanged May 6, 1778. The same year he was appointed col- onel of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment, and the 12th of May, 1779, a brigadier-general. He served under Wayue during that and the fol- lowing year. In the autumn of 1781 he was stationed at Fort Pitt, in- trusted with the defense of the Northwestern frontier. In 1784 he served as a member of the Couucil of Censors. In 1785 he was ap- pointed by the President of Pennsylvania an agent to examine the pub- lic lands uf the State, and suggested the purchase of the " Triangle," thus giving t.i Pennsylvania au outlet on Lake Erie. He was a member of the old Congress of 178G-88, and of the Constitutional Convention of 1790. In 1794, Governor Mifflin appointed him, with Chief Justice Mc- Kean, a commissioner to go to the western counties. He served as mem- ber of Congress from 1793 to 1795. He was president of the Pennsylva- nia Society of the Cincinnati. He died at Philadelphia on the 29lh of July, 1804. The following extracts are from correspondence, contemporaneous histories, official reports, and from " The Papers Relating to the Whiskey Insurrection," Penn. Archives, with observations thereon, etc., as the same especially refers to Westmoreland County : From William Findley 's letter to Governor Mifflin : "Nov. 21st, 1792. " When I returned among my constituents I discovered that not only those who had been wavering in their opinion, hut those also who had first thought that they could avail themselves of the law to advantage, by running down the occupiers of small stills in disadvantageous situa- tions, and even those who had originally advocated the law, were be- come unanimous against it; for the more accurately they examine the law, with application to their own local cin umstances, they are the more determined and unanimous in their wishes for its repeal." At a meeting held at Pittsburgh, Sept. 7, 1791, the following gentlemen appeared from the counties of Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, and Allegheny to take into consideration, etc., namely : For Westmoreland County, Nehemiah Stokely and John Young, Esquires. For Washington County, Col. James Marshall, Rev. David Phillips, and David Bradford, Esquires. For Fayette County, Edward Cook, Nathaniel Bradly, and John Oliphant, Esquires. For Allegheny County, Col. Thomas Morton, John Woods, Esquire, and William Plummer, Esquire. Edward Cook, Esquire, was voted in the chair, and John Young appointed secretary. The following persons were present at the meeting held at Pittsburgh on the 21st of August, 1792 : Pres- ent, John Cannon, William Wallace, Shesbazer Bent- ley, Bazel Bowel, Benjamin Parkinson, John Huey, John Badollet, John Hamilton, John McClellan, Nral Gillespie, David Bradford, Thomas Gaddes, Rev. David Phillips, Albert Gallatin, .Matthew Jami- son, James Marshall, James Robinson, James Stew- art, John Smilie, Robert McClure, Peter Lisle, Alex- ander Long, Samuel Wilson, and Edward Cook. Col. John Cannon was placed in the chair, and Albert Gallatin appointed clerk. Among their resolutions were these : " Resolved, That David Bradford, James Marshall, Albert Gallatin, Peter Lisle, and David Philips be appointed for the purpose of drawing a remonstrance to Congress, stating our objections against the law that i in puses a duty upon spirituous liquors distilled within the United States, and praying tor a repeal of the same, etc. " .1 >nl iikereas, Some men may be found amongst us so far lost to every sense of virtue and feeling for the distresses of this country as to accept offices for the collection of the duty, " Resolved therefore, That in future we will consider such persons as unworthy of our friendship, have no intercourse or dealings with them, withdraw from them every assistance, and withhold all the comforts of life which depend upon those duties that as men and fellow-citizens we owe to each other,and upon all occasions treat them with that contempt they deserve, and that it be, and it is, hereby most earnestly recom- mended to the people at large to follow the same line of conduct to- wards them." Extract from letter of Judge Addison to Governor Mifflin: " Wasiiin., 12th May, 1794. "There are, so far as I have understood, hut two Collectors of Excise in the four Counties of Pennsyl. on this side of the mountains. Benja- min Wells, of Fayette County, is collector for the Counties of Westmore- land and Fayette. Robert Johnston, of Allegheny County, is collector tor the counties of Washington and Allegheny. " Robert Johnston, so far as I have learnt of him, is an honest man of good character, but more remarkable for simplicity, good nature, and inoffensive manners than for those qualities of spirit, understanding, skill, and address which are necessary for carrying into execution a law odious and opposed where he is charged with its execution. " Benjamin Wells, so far as I have heard him spoken of, is a contempt!- THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 205 ble and unworthy man, whom, I believe, the people of this country would never wish to ace in any office or trust with an object of any import- ance.* 1 The inhabitants of Westmoreland to Gen. William Jack : *' Sin, — As attempts have been made to raise an armed force to disturb the peace of this County and prevent the due Execution of the Laws, and an attack has been premeditated to be made on the Town of Greens- burg, we have thought proper to address you as the Commanding Of- ficer of the Militia on a subject so distressing to the minds of all well . disposed Citizens. If such proceedings are not checked in their first Ca- reer, it is more easy to image than to point out the Calamities which may be the Consequence. We would be happy to have it in our power to say that the disposition to submit to the Laws was so prevalent that any ex- traordinary exertion of Government for that purpose and protecting well-disposed Citizens in the Enjoyment of their Rights and Liberties was unnecessary. Recent examples convince us to the Contrary. Until that protection can be afforded, we are of opinion that besides Voluntary Associations among such as are well inclined, a small Corps of Militia Volunteers, embodied by your direction, to be kept in service so long as you shall judge the exigency of the case may require, will Essentially contribute to maintain the peace, and under the Civil authority to assist in Suppressing Riots and traitorous designs. From the tenor and senti- ments manifested by the Executive, we make no doubt that your conduct in calling such a body of men into service for a short time will meet with the most unequivocal approbation, and the Expense be Defrayed out of the public Treasury. We add this our personal assurance of your being reimbursed any expense which may be incurred by you as to the pay and Rations of the officers and men whom you may think proper to call out for the Salutary purposes above mentioned. " We are, Sir, your Humble Serv'ts, "William Findley. Samuel Porter. William Todd. Thomas Hamilton. James Guthre. James McKellip. John Hutcheaon. Peter Tittle. John Denniston. George Smith. Robert Bole. John Brandon, David Beans. Conrad Colmer. James Hill. - Timothy Buell. John Parker. Peter Classon. John Contz. John Kirkpatrick. Christopher Truby. Robert Williams. Robert Taylor. / Simeon Hovey. James Perry. William Magher. Frederick Roher. Terrence Campbell. Joseph Cook. Nathan Williams.'' (A majority of these were the personal friends and some of them neighbors of Findley. It was no doubt presented at his instance.) " Tom the Tinker's" notice to John Reed : " Mr. Scull" [Editor and one of the Proprietors of the Pittsburgh Gazette] : "I am under the necessity of requesting you to put the following in your next paper. It was found pasted on a tree near my distillery. "John Reed. "July 23, 1794. "'ADVERTISEMENT. "'In taking a survey of the troops under my direction in the late ex- pedition against that insolent exciseman, John Nevill, I find there were a great many delinquents, even among those who carry on distilling' It will therefore be observed that I, Tom the Tinker, will not suffer aay certain class or set of men to be excluded the service of this my dis- trict when notified to attend on any expedition carried on in order to obstruct the execution of the excise law and obtain a repeal thereof. '"And I do declare on my solemn word, that if such delinquents do not come forth on the next alarm, with equipments, and give their assist- ance as much as in them lies, in opposing the execution and obtaining a repeal of the excise law, he or they will be deemed as enemies, and stand opposed to virtuous principles uf republican liberty, and shall re- ceive punishment according to the nature of the offense. "'And whereas a certain John Reed, now resident in Washington, and being at his place near Pittsburgh, called Reedsbvirg, and having a set of stills employed at said Reedsburg, entered on the excise docket, con- 14 trafj to the will and good pleasure of his fellow-citizens, and came not forth to assist in the suppression of the execution of said law, by aiding and assisting in the late expedition, have, by delinquency, manifested his approbation to the execution of the aforesaid law, is hereby charged forthwith to cause the contents of this paper, without adding or dimin- ishing, to be published in the Pittsburgh Gazette the ensuing week, un- der the do less penalty than the consumption of his distillery. "'Given under my hand, this 19th day of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four. "'Tom the Tinker.'" Extract from letter of the Secretary of the Treasury to President Washington: "Treasury Department, Philadelphia, August 5, 1794. " Nor were the outrages perpetrated confined to the officers; they ex- tended to private citizens who only dared to show their respect for the laws of their country. "Some time in October, 1791, an unhappy man of the name of WilBOn, a stranger in the county, and manifestly disordered in his intellect, im- agining himself to be a collector of the revenue, or invested with some trust in relation to it, was so unlucky as to make inquiries concerning distillers win. had entered their stills, giving out that he was to travel through the United States to ascertain and report to Congress the num- ber of stills, etc. This man was pursued by a party in disguise, taken out of his bed, carried about five miles back to a smith's shop, stripped of his clothes, which were afterwards burnt, and having been himself in- humanly burnt in several places with a heated iron, was tarred and feathered, and about daylight dismissed, naked, wounded, and otherwise in a very suffering condition. , . . The unhappy sufferer displayed the heroic fortitude of a man who conceived himself to be a martyr to the discharge of some important duty." Gen. Gibson to Governor Mifflin: "Carlisle, Aug. 14, 1794. " I arrived here last uight, having met on my way down to this place Judge Yeate* and Mr. Bradford, ten miles east of Bedford, on Tuesday last in the morning, and Judge McKean and Gen. Irwin near to Little- ton the same day, in the evening. On my arrival at Greensburg I found a number of people assembled to choose delegates to attend the general meeting to be held this day. On my alighting at a tavern they sur- rounded the house, and ordered me to quit the town in half an hour or I must abide the consequences. I then came to Gen. Jack's, and re- mained the remainder of the day with him. I am much afraid from the present disposition of the people nothing good will result from the present meeting. Gen. Jack assures me in the county of Westmoreland the people have made choice of the most violent men to represent them at the general meeting, and that nothing less than the repeal of the excise law will satisfy them. I wish they may even treat the commis- sioners with common decency. I shall remain here until the return of the next post from Pittsburgh, as I have left Mrs. Gibson and the family there. Should any violent measures be adopted by the general meeting she will leave that place, and I shall return to meet her. Inclosed is the resolves of the committee and their passport to me. " Should anything offer in which lean serve my country at the risque of my life and my fortune, I hope your Excellency will command me. " I have honor to be your Excellency's most obedient humble ser- vant. " Jos. Gibson." Representatives present at the first conference at Parkinson's ferry on the 14th of August, 1794, to confer on the subject of the late opposition to the laws, etc. : " On the part of the Executive Union : William Bradford, attorney-gen- eral of the United States ; Jasper Yeates, associate judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; James Ross, senator in the Congress of the United States. " On the part of the Executive of Pennsylvania.— -Thomas McKean, Chief Justice of the State of Pennsylvania; William Irvine, Representative in the Congress of the United State*. " Committee of Conference. — Westmoreland County, John Kirkpatrick George Smith, John Powers ; Fayette County, Edward Cook, Albert Gal- latin, James Lang; Washington County, David Bradford, John Mar- shall, James Edgar; Allegheny County, Thomas Morton, John Lucas, H. H. Brackenridge; Ohio County (Virginia), William M. Kinley, Wil- liam Sutherland, John Stevenson." 206 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. " We, the subscribers, judges of a general election held in the several townships of the county of Westmoreland for the purpose of ascertain- ing certain assurances required of the citizens by the commissioners on the part of the government, and agreed to on the part of the delegates, having met this day and taken into consideration the returns from said townships (true copies of which have been returned to one of the com- missioners), and finding that some gave only general assurances of their submission and disposition for peace, without individually signing the same, and others, in numbers according to the returns by them respec- tively made, do certify that in our opinion as ill-disposed, lawless persons could suddenly assemble and offer violence, it would not be safe in im- mediately establishing an office of inspection therein. "Given under our hands at the court-house in Greensburg this 13th day of September, 1794. "James McLean.. ' John Denniston. Ebenezer Brady. Christopher Finley. Clements Burleigh. John Kirkpathck. _ Hugh Martin. John Young. James Caldwell. John Findley. James Irwin. Jeremiah Murray. James Brady. George Anient.'' John Anderson. Letter from Gen. William Jack to Governor Mtffitn. '• Greenshurg, Sept. '22, 1794. "Sir,— I think it my duty to transmit your Excellency an account of the situation of this county at the present crisis, and the motives which induced me to call into service a small corps of militia to assist in pre- serving peace and warding off any attack on the county town, where the public records are kept, and in which the adjoining counties are in- terested as well as this. "Until the disturbances took place, soon after the arrival of the federal marshal, the people of this county, altho' generally averse to the duty on spirits, thought very little about it, and I have reason to presume many of the principal distillers would have entered rather than sub- jected themselves to a prosecution. The flame was soon communicated, and many from different views rather encouraged opposition than other- Wise, whilst those who failed of other reasons made use of threats to ac- complish their views. The inclosed paper, sent to a distiller in this county, shows the mode of invitation from Washington; but there is reason to suppose that open as well as disguised menaces of burning, &c, had the greatest effect in collecting the small number that went from Westmoreland to Braddock's field. " The vigorous measures proposed by Government, as well as the just fears of all good citizens, and the danger to persons and property, all had their effect in allaying the ferment. The people, however, revolted at the idea of submitting to the law complained of, as settled with the commissioners met at Pittsburgh. Considerable pains were used at this place to procure the signing required, and, I firmly believe, bnt for the steady countenance and determination of a few among us no signing at all would have taken phuc The Germans, who are thick settled in this neighborhood, being from ignorance of our language more easily imposed upon, were extremely unwilling, and even showed a disposition which I did not expect from those habits of industry to which they are used. " On the 11th instant, the day fixed, only about eighty came forward to sign out of several hundred met; frequent attempts were made by some to intimidate and create mischief; at length some of the ringlead- ers attempted to snatch the papers, in order to destroy them, but were prevented. Those who were known to have signed have been more or less threatened ever since by a set of worthless fellows. " An association was set on foot in the town, the 13th instant, for pro- tection and mutual safety, and was generally agreed to, even by some of those who did not like the declaration to submit to the laws. On the 16th, being assured of an attempt set on foot by Lient. Straw to raise a part} i" come to town with the pretense of getting the papers, I thought it must ;nl\ isable to issue a warrant and committed him to gaol. " Being joined by a number of friends to peace from the country, I went with a party of about fifty men to a house where the said Straw's party was to collect, about a mile from town, where we found about thirty persons who declared in favor of peace, and not finding some of those among them who had been the must active, we thought it best to be satisfied with their assurances. "To put a check to further combinations of this kind, it was deter- mined expedient (on a consultation among the citizens of the town, and some who had come from the country, particularly Mr. Findley and Mr. Porter [Revd]), to have a party raised to be ready on any emergency. In consequence I have given instructions for calling out a lieutenant and thirty volunteers, militia, to rendezvous here this week, the num- ber to he augmented if occasion requires; hut I hope this will not be necessary, the more especially as the troops ordered by the Executive are now supposed to be on their march. " For your Excellency's satisfaction I transmit you a copy of the Let- ter from the Citizens to me, and at the same time request your sanction to the measure I have undertaken. " I am, sir, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, " William Jack." From notes of the march of the army from Sept. 30th to Oct. 29, 1794: "Jones' Mill, Oct 29, 1794. "lam distressed at the ridiculous accounts sometimes published in our papers. I aBsure you that there has not been a single shot fired at our troops to my knowledge. The whole country trembles. The most turbulent characters as we advance turn out to assist us, supply forage, cattle, &c. From Washington we hear of little but fear and flight. . . . Our march to Berlin (Somerset County) was one of the severest kind. The ascent of a mountain in fine weather to a single traveler must be laborious, judge then what it must prove in a heavy rain to an army, with all their train of artillery and wagons, each private soldier carry- ing his arms and knapsack, yet no discontent appeared, and a double allowance of whiskey made them us happy as could be, the only diffi- culty we have found with them, in relation to the main object, was to re- strain them from eagerly apprehending those who were pointed out as Whiskey Boys." Route of tub Army on thecr Return. "The army will make a short movement from Pittsburgh on Tuesday, the 18th. The line of march to be taken up the next day. The follow- ing are the stations allntted for each day's march : Miles. 1st "lay's march to Hellman's, from Pittsburgh 15 2d, to Dutchman's, two miles west of Greensburg 14 3d, to Nine-Mile Run (Youngstown) 11 4th, two miles east of Ligonier 11 5th, Wells' r., foot Laurel ri 9 6th, Stony Creek, two miles E 11 7th, R van's... 15 8th, Bedford 24 9th. Crossings of the Ravstowu Branch of the Juniata... 14 10th, E. side 1 ' of Sideling* Hill 20 11th, Burd's, Fort Lyttleton. 12 12th, Stradsburg 17 13th, Shippensburg 11 14th, Carlisle 21 List of persons excepted from pardon by terms of Governor Lee's proclamation, 29th November, 1794: Benjamin Parkinson. John Holcroft. Thomas Lapsley. Edward Cook. Richard Holcroft. John Mitchell. Thomas Spiers. George Parker. Edward Magner, Jr. David -Lock. Peter Lyle. William Hay. Thomas Patton . Arthur Gardner. Daniel Hamilton. William Millar. Edward Wright. David Bradford. Alexander Fulton. William Bradford. William Uanna. Thomas Hughes. Ebenezer Gallagher. John Shi. bis. William McElhenny. Stephenson Jack. Patrick Jack. a ndrew Highlands. Of the State of Pennsylvania. William Sutherland, Robert Stephenson. William McKinley. John Moore. John McCormiek. Of Ohio County, in the State of Virginia. " As the army returned through Westmoreland two arrests were made in the southern extremity of that country and one in the neighboring parts of Fayette ; they were taken to Philadelphia. . . . One of the two prisoners from Westmoreland was found guilty of setting fire to the house of Wells, the collector, and condemued to be hanged, but w:is afterwards reprieved and then pardoned by the President. He was a very ignorant man, said to be of an outrageous temper, and subject to occasional fits of insanity." — Brackenrid-jt:''* History of the Insurrection. WILLIAM FINDLEY. 201 John Mitchell was the man who robbed the Pitts- burgh mail, and who was convicted and sentenced to be hanged. He was also reprieved and pardoned by the Presideut. It is a curious circumstance that the two persons who were regularly tried and sentenced to death, the one for arson and the other for robbing the mail and murder, should have both committed the crimes with- in the county of Westmoreland. It was right that they should be pardoned from their punishment when we consider the enormity of the offenses, their mag- nitude, and their number, which for a full season were perpetrated without punishment in the other portions of the official survey, growing out of the same occasion. CHAPTER XXXVIII. WILLIAM FINDLEY. William Findley, the First Member of Congress from Westmoreland — His Colleague in the Commission to the President of the United States at the Time of the Whiskey Insurrection, David Redick — His Account of his Early Life and his Motives in settling in Pennsylvania — His Set- tlement in the Octorara Settlement and bis Efforts to remove the Obli- gations of the Scotch Covenanters in Matters Civil — His Early Advan- tages — His Opinions on Slavery — Elected Member of the Assembly, of the Council of Censors, Member of the Constitutional Convention of 1790, and Member of Congress — "Modern Chivalry" and Findley Caricatured — His Views on the Federal Constitution — His Answer to Rev. Samuel B. Wylie's Strictures on the American Constitutions — His Account of the Publication and Statements of his " History of the Insurrection" — Antagonism of Brackenridge and Findley— Their Po- litical Opposition and Personal Dislikes uf each other — Findley's Con- tributions to the Register — His Shrewdness and Sagacity as a Poli- tician — Debasement of the Politics of that Day — Instances of Personal and Party Abuse — Other work of Findley — His Industry — His Resi- dence — Its Location — His Death and Grave — His Appearance and Dress — His Neighbors — His Family — His identification with the Whis- key Insurrection, and the important part be acted in it. Of the Westmorelanders who were identified with the insurrection, William Findley is the most con- spicuous. He was at that time the member of Con- gress from this district, and his influence and stand- ing are evident from the fact that he with Redick was sent after the meeting at Parkinson's to explain to the President the state of affairs in the western counties, and to arrange a plan by which, if possible, there could be a mutual understanding without the intervention of the army. David Redick, the col- league of Findley, was a native of Ireland, and was by profession a lawyer. He was admitted to the Washington County bar in 1782. In 1786 he was elected a member of the Supreme Executive Council, and in 1788 was chosen vice-president of Pennsyl- vania. He held other offices of trust, and at the time of the insurrection took an active and prominent part in defense of law, order, and the constitution. William Findley was born in the north of Ireland in 1741 or 1742, and came to Pennsylvania in 1763. He was a descendant of one of the old signers of the Solemn League and Covenant in Scotland, and another of his ancestors bore a prominent part in the memor- able siege of Derry in Ireland. The family was thus Scotch-Irish, and sprang from among those whom the persecutions in Scotland under James the Second impelled to seek shelter elsewhere. It was his first intention to go to Carolina, whither many of his father's countrymen had gone, but he changed his mind, and coming to Pennsylvania a mere lad, made one of that famous Octorara settlement, whose his- tory appears to be the pride of all those who in any way are connected with it. He here early brought himself to notice among these "new American cove- nanters." He says that the motives which impelled him to come to Pennsylvania in preference to going to Carolina were those which arose out of the ques- tion of slavery. He had some scruples of the con- science about this matter, and even at that young age considered both the moral and political effects of slavery on the country. He therefore chose to hold his own plow and reap his own grain here rather than raise a family where slavery prevailed. He deter- mined to have no slaves, and never had any ; but he protests that he ever once thought of consigning to perdition, on moral or political grounds, those patri- archs and patriots who held slaves. He defended the course the government of the United Slates took with regard to the evil, and was apprehensive, as late as 1812, that total abolition in this country would lead to the same results which manumission had led to in Santo Domingo. 1 In this religious community he 1 Findley's views on slavery appear to be paradoxical, but they may be reconciled. In his remarkable essay, " Observations, etc.," ho says, " Before I had a house of my own, I resided in some families, and very pious families too, who held a number of slaves, and was very intimate in others; and I was myself then opposed to slavery, as I have been ever since; but I did not, like the author [L)r. Wylie\ oppose it with slander and declamation, but with such views as I had of expediency, and of the moral law and the gospel. I was, however, powerfully combatted with the judicial law, the examples of the patriarchs, and of the ancient civil- ized nations ; nor was the curse on Cain forgotten" (p. 236). This whole chapter from which we have taken the above extract is an apology for the institution of slavery as it existed in Pennsylvania. One other ex- tract is pertinent: "But the author [Br. Wylie] mentions a certain 'portion of them [sAocs] being doomed to hopeless bondage.' I deny the charge; at least, as far ;us it relates to Pennsylvania, it is an infamous Blander. No low of the State has doomed any man or class of men to hopeless bondage. There were, indeed, slaves in Pennsylvania under the English government. Those being already by law the property of their owners, the Legislature could not interfere more than they could do with real estates. Such interference would have been an ex post/ado law,— a law made after the act was done. The principle is abhorrent both to the laws of God and man." Mr. Findley's notions, however, would seem to have undergone a change if the record is any evidence thereof: " August Sessions, 1817. " Ann Findley.— On the petition of Matthew Jack, of the County of Westmoreland, stating that by Indenture duly executed and bearing date the 9th day of March, a.d. 1799, Ann Findley, a female negro, was indue form bound as a servant to William Findley, Esquire, to serve the said William Findley, his oxecutors, or assigns from the date of the said Indenture for and during the term of nineteen years then next en- suing. And the Baid William Findley by assignment executed the 2nd day of April, A.D. 181G, did assign and transfer all his right, title, and claim to the said Ann Findley unto the petitioner agreeably to the said Indenture. That the said Ann Findley being a single woman during the time of her servitude did commit fornication, and was pregnant 208 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. advanced more liberal ideas than had been advanced or even entertained before, and he refused to answer in public, questions of a secular and temporal nature which were interspersed with questions of a religious or spiritual nature, and which he, as a lay officer of the church, was necessitated to answer and to propound. He helped by this and other reasonable innovations to break the traditional obligations which some wanted to make as binding in America as in Scotland. While he was under his father's roof, he had the advantage of a larger library of books on church his- tory and divinity than was possessed by most of his neighbors. He says that he had also been taught to read the Bible, and that he had inclined to some books on ancient history. 1 The evidence of his application and taste is seen in his subsequent productions, be- cause it was not possible for him, for a length of time after he came to America, to devote himself studiously to literary pursuits. When the Revolution commenced he took sides with his adopted country and served in the army. He rose to the rank of captain, and he is so desig- nated in some of the old records. About the close of the war, 1782, he came into Westmoreland, and bought the farm upon which he resided until his death. He could not pay for his farm at once, but he was strong-armed, young, and willing to work. His farm, now a beautiful and valuable tract between Latrobe and St. Vincent's, through which the Penn- sylvania Railroad passes, had then been just opened out, and more than four-fifths of it was covered with bushes, briers, and swamp-growth. He was a weaver by trade, and he set up his loom in one of the low rooms of his first log cabin, and it remained there till the house was demolished. The community around him was, in religious preference, Presbyterian, and in no long time he was one of the chief members of the church body, a prominent layman, and for many years an elder. Nor was he less prominent in politi- cal affairs. He was a born leader, and had from the first not only the confidence of the most substantial citizens of his district, but obtained and held an as- cendency over the common people which was relaxed only with his death. He was, before he had been here any length of time, elected to the Assembly, and ■was a colleague of Brackeuridge there. He was one of the Council of Censors during all the sittings of the board. In this body he voted invariably against with and delivered of three baBtard children within the time of hor said servitude, one of whom within the period of her servitude with the said petitioner. By reason whereof lie has sustained great loss and damage, and praying the Court to order and direct that tlie said Ann Findley Berve the said petitioner such further time beyond the term in the afore- said Indenture mentioned as the Court might think lit and sufficient to compensate the petitioner for the loss and damage which he sustained as aforesaid. The Court upon due proof and consideration of the premises do adjudge and order that the said Ann Findley do serve the said peti- tioner, Matthew Jack, for the term of eighteen months from and after the expiration of the term of nineteen years in the said petitin u- ti'ilO'd." 1 " Observations, etc.," p. 234. the party which professed Federalism, and his vote at all times is found upon the opposite list from St. Clair's, who sat as a censor from Philadelphia. This board sat from November the 10th, 1783, until the Constitution of 1790 was adopted. Findley, with William Todd as his colleague, represented West- moreland in the Constitutional Convention of 1789-90. In the Convention he introduced a resolution, which, he hoped to become a law under the Constitution, to educate the poor gratis. In 1791 he was elected to Congress from the West- moreland district, and he sat in the House until 1799, and then, after an interval of two terms, from 1803 to 1817. Some of his old friends say that he would have been returned to this time had he lived. In Congress his political enemies said he was inconsistent, but such was his tact that his constituents never forsook him. He always managed to come out on the side of the people, not only in the matter of his opposition to the adoption of the Federal Constitution, but in the far more serious matter to hiin and to them of the Whiskey Insurrection, and in the handling of the causes which brought about the war of 1812. He was something of a fluent talker, but not much of a public speaker ; his strength lay in the power with which he controlled the people, by going to them while they were at work in the field, treating them to a glass of grog, and giving a push at a house-raising. He sel- dom, indeed, spoke at public meetings, but none could plan a public meeting or control the ends of one better than he, whence Brackenridge fails not to call him a demagogue, one wdio temporized with the pop- ulace, and who would descend to anything for the sake of the " sweet voices of the people." Party lines were not drawn so finely then as they were somewhat later, and although after the adoption of the Consti- tution he and Brackenridge were of the same political cast in all essentials, yet neither of them was of the material to follow the other; each of them must be a leader. We can coolly appreciate the feeling with which a man of the temperament, the learning, and the aspiration of Brackenridge, who lately adorned the Supreme Bench with his legal acumen and his phi- losophy, could look upon a man like Findley, who was self-educated, and used all his life to associate with the commonest kind of common people. In the volu- bility of li is language and the keenness of his wit Brackenridge had the advantage. He has told us in " Modern Chivalry" the kind of popularity Findley longed for and sought after. The character of " Mr. Traddle" at the cross-roads, where the people were collected to fill an occasional vacancy, is intended for Findley. He has a sling at him all through the book. Among the reasons which Capt. Farrago gives for not voting for Traddle, the popular candidate, is this, that he does not object to him " because he is a weaver, but because he is nothing else but a weaver." ' - As a curiosity in literature, and lest no other opportunity should offer to give an extract from this rare hook," Modern Chivalry," to con- WILLIAM FINDLEY. 209 The use of the word demagogue is in our day used interchangeably with the word politician. It is thus that it is sometimes hard to discriminate, and admit- ting the distinction we cannot sometimes see the dif- ference. Findley was a consummate politician, and something more than a mere puller of threads and a disentangler of skeins. He helped to shape political opinion here as much possibly as any other man in Western Pennsylvania in his day, and as a politician was more effective out of Congress than in it. He had a large personal acquaintance, and his manners were such as to make him a favorite in a democracy. Besides this, he had the sympathy and the influence of the strongest church organization in the country at that day. The Scotch-Irish swore by Findley. The parties of Federal and anti-Federal, strictly speaking, ended with the adoption of the Federal Constitution, although the name itself which distin- guished them was used long after there was any necessity for the distinction which brought it into use, and when in truth the distinction was on account of different causes altogether from those which gave rise to that party appellation. The original elements vey an idea of the satire therein to those to whom it is not accessible, we give the following, which is near the close of the book, the char- acter of " Traddle" itself being introduced very early therein : "On the third day, renewing their journey, the conversation between the captain and his servant turned on the character and history of the present revenue officer, the late Teague O'Reagan. The captain gave Duncan a relation of what had happened in the case of the attempt to draw him oft" to the Philosophical Society, to induce him to preach, and even to take a seat in the Legislature of the United States; that had it not been fora certain Traddle, a weaver, whom they had been fortunate enough to substitute for him, the people would most undoubtedly have elected Teague and sent him to Congress. '"Guid deliver us!" said Duncan; 'do they make Parliament men o' weavers P this kintra? In Scotland it maun be a duke or a laird that can hae a seat there." '"This is a republic, Duncan,' said the captain, 'and the rights of man are understood and exercised by the people. 1 "'And if he could be i' the Congress, why did you let him be a ganger?' said Duncan. '"This is all the prejudice of education, Duncan,' said the captain. 'An appointment in the revenue, or any other under the executive of the United States, ought not to have disgrace attached to it in the pop- ular opinion, not even in the case of the hangman, for it is a necessary, and might to be held a sacred, duty.' " ' I dinna ken bow it is,' said Duncan, 'but I see they hae everything tail foremost in this kintra to what they hae in Scotland, — a gaugcr a gentleman, weavers in the Legislature, and even the hangman re- spectit.' "Just at this instant was heard by the wayside the gingling of a loom in a small cabin with a window towards the road. It entered the head of Duncan rather indiscreetly to expostulate with the weaver, and to know why it was that he also did not attain a seat in some public body. Advancing to the orifice, as it might be called, he applied bis mouth and bespoke him as he sat upon the loom thus: 'Traddle,' said he, giving him the same name that tin- captain had given the other, ' why is it that ye sit here, treading these twa stecks, and playing wp your elbows as you throw the thread, when there is one o' your occupation not far off that is now a member of the bouse o' lords, or conin s. in America, and is gane to the Congress o' the United States? Ol a you get yoursel elected? or is it because ye dinna offer that ye are left behind in this maimer'' Ye should be striving, man, while guid posts are gaeing, and no be sitting there wp your hurdies on a beam. Dinna your neighbours ^ie ye a vote? Ye should get a cbapill o' whiskey, man, and drink till them, and gar them vote, or, ye should gae out and talk politics arid mak speeches.'" of these parties became commingled after having been disturbed, and some of the most violent opponents of the Constitution before it was adopted took their stand in support of it when it was adopted, while such as Madison and Brackenridge united with Gal- latin and Findley in condemning some of the most prominent measures of the first administration. The feelings which actuated this opposition (which ap- pears to have been the strongest from those who were born outside of America), was the fear that that in- strument was too republican in its nature ; that the people would have so much liberty that in a little time through anarchy they would have none, and that a constitution less democratic, and modeled closer after that of England, would be more durable . and less liable to be broken. Findley even published a work in which he vindicated the American consti- tutions. This work, called "Observations on the Two Sons of Oil," was an answer to the illiberal strictures of the Rev. Samuel B. Wylie, who, in his holy zeal in a work under that title, took occasion to propagate the false doctrine that the written consti- tutions of these States did not prohibit the viola- tion of the laws of God, and who asserted that be- cause the Church and the State were not united the people were' not answerable to the moral law, and that the nation was a nation of infidels, in which, in short, he grossly misrepresented the government of the State and of the United States, while professing his " slippery titled" book to be a commentary on the symbolical vision of the prophecy of Zechariah. Findley, being a prominent churchman, was picked upon as the person to answer the charges of the rev- erend gentleman. He applied himself laboriously to the task, and brought to bear all his polemical as well as his political knowledge. He took the position that the Church and the State were separate institutions ; the one divine and the other human. His answer swelled out to a volume of nearly four hundred pages. He is somewhat prolix, and at times a little stupid, but he goes through a wide range, and supports his assertions and statements by numerous quotations from, and references to, the writers of church history, both modern and patristic, and by texts from the Scriptures. Findley's " History of the Insurrection" has been quoted by nearly every general and local historian who has written upon that subject. But his treatise, on the whole, was written but to give a partial view of the matter, and as an apology for his own share in it, as was Brackenridge's account, who thought it worth while to recount the affair at large to illustrate and explain his own peculiar course. Findley's ac- count was not in all particulars correct, so his con- temporaries said, and he himself afterwards acknowl- edged that in some matters he had been misinformed, and in others he had relied on vague reports. In writing^that history he delayed the work for a year after he had commenced it, in order, as he says, to 210 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. obtain correct information, and having in the mean time consulted Addison, Hamilton, Redick, Irvine, and others, yet after it was published he found that it was in detail not correct as he intended it should be. A new editor was proposed for a new and corrected edition. Hamilton Rowan, a respectable Irish refu- gee, while in this country proposed to have it printed in Ireland, where it could be done cheaper at that time than in this country.' The author, in revising it, found that his informers had been mistaken or misinformed in some things, and that he must make considerable alteration respecting the conduct of par- ticular persons, such as Addison and Ross. The cor- rections were sent with the copy, but the ship was taken at sea and both lost, and he himself lost the notes of revision. There was only one edition of the " History" printed, and copies are now scarce, the few extant being in the possession of various historical societies, of bibliopolists, or in the State library. This work is undoubtedly the most substautial and important one he wrote, and treating as it did of a political subject, and giving the views of one of the most active participants in that great civil disturb- ance, it could not but be a work to which the atten- tion of many should be directed. It has been quoted and drawn upon by eminent legal and historical writers, such as Wharton and Hildreth ; while, on the other hand, it has been assailed with virulence by the political opponents of the author, and ridiculed by the New England Federalists. " Shall we match Joel Barlow," exclaimed Fisher Ames, indignantly, "against Homer and Hesiod? Can Thomas Paine contend against Plato? or could Findley's history of his own (Whiskey) insurrection vie with Sallust's narrative of Catiline 1" Touching the criticisms and the attacks his book received, all of his adversaries are free to admit that in the statement of facts he would not knowingly deviate from truth, but they assert that his prejudices were strong, and that his personal enmity biased his judgment.' Findley and Brackenridge were very bitterly op- posed to each other. In the matter of substantial gain and advantage, Findley probably had the best of Brackenridge ; but now that they and their gen- 1 The authority for tliie is Findley himself, in a letter in the Register. Archibald Hamilton Rowan was a noted Irish patriot who had heen imprisoned in his own country on account of his efforts as an agitator. In 17'.J7 he established himself as a calico-printer and dyer on the banks of the Brandywine. Subsequent to this he went to Ireland. (See Harper's Monthly Magazine, January, 1881, article on "Calico-Printing." Rowan is mentioned in " The Irish Bar," chap. ix. He there figures as a friend of Simon Butler, a barrister, who, for publishing a libel against the House of Lords (Ireland), was Bentenced and fined by the Lord Chancellor. In the course of the sentence word, were used which were construed as a personal insult, and Rowan for his friend waited on the Lord Chancellor, John Fitssgibbon, Earl of Clare, who had been some- thing of a duelist. Mr. Rowan is here called " a well-known Irish gen- tleman." 2 Even the editor of Bracken ridge's "Whiskey Insurrection" allows the above admission. eration have passed, Brackenridge still gets the ear of the people in his inimitable satire in which Findley is caricatured. These two politicians first came into contact in the Assembly. Brackenridge was elected at the instance of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh and that region about, for the avowed object of securing the erection of a new county. Findley then was a member for Westmoreland. Here they came into collision fre- quently, and especially on the subject of a loan-office, a measure for which the people of the West were clamorous. Findley supported the bill ; Bracken- ridge opposed it. Brackenridge cared little for the opinion of the people on questions upon which he regarded them unable to judge intelligently, and he frequently gave expression to his contempt for them. " What do they know about such things," said he, indignantly. These expressions and the speech on this occasion were reported against him, and much use was made, of them. A long paper war then followed between him and Findley, and from the recrimination which passed between them, aggravated by their per- sonal dislikes, was laid the foundation of their per- sonal and political enmity. In a five-column letter in the Farmer's Register for Nov. 18, 1808, Findley acknowledges himself to be the author of many articles which had been pub- lished in that paper for more than three years past under the nom deplume of "Sidney." He had indeed, from the establishing of the ll^jia- ter in 1798, furnished circular letters from time to time during the whole term of his official career. The paper was pledged to the support of the Demo- cratic-Republican ticket, and it was a powerful in- strument in his hands and in the hands of his friends. I( was the only paper within the county, and the source of all public news and information. The mild- ness of its editorial articles did not make it offensive to the general reader, and its political course and preferences were to be gathered from the department of news, from the resolutions of the local meetings, and from the leaders which were disguised under the signature of professedly disinterested correspond- ents. Of Findley's articles many appeared between 1805 and 1808. Some of these articles were lengthy and prolix, extending to two numbers of the paper, and filling as many as ten closely printed columns of mat- ter. While there undoubtedly was a censorship ex- ercised over the paper by the editors, there appeared to be a show of fairness in the offer that its columns were open to any one who felt disposed to take excep- tions at anything that appeared in it. Probably there was nothing Findley so much counted on as on an outspoken adversary.- This offer, it is true, was some- times taken advantage of, but never without the con- troversial article being answered, and repaid with full interest in kind. The result in every event was that Findley always carried the election, ami this notwith- WILLIAM FINDLEY. 21 standing open charges of time-serving and of appa- rent changes of principles and measures. 1 | The most noted of these changes was from his opposition to his support of James Ross, one of the foremost leaders of the Republican-Democratic party in the West, in his candidacy for Governor. Through- out this region Ross was very popular, and was early acknowledged as a representative man. Findley was charged for supporting McKean for the Governorship as against Ross in 1799, and then for supporting Ross in 1808. In 1799, Findley had been one of a com- mittee which was made up of politicians over all the State to select one who would be the most acceptable candidate for that office. He says that, finding Mc- Kean to be without doubt the one, he gave him his support. This change in 1808 opened out many bat- teries. If the speeches, the resolutions, the publica- tions which passed in that campaign in Western Pennsylvania were before us we should be amused, and then astonished. There has probably been none other like it since that day. Politics had then one element in it which is now, so far as an element that makes results is concerned, totally absent. It was the day when the infidelity of the French encyclopae- dists and politicians had taken possession of those Americans who professed deism, or downright athe- ism. We have seen attacks and replies as glibly ar- ranged and far more scurrilous than those of the pop- ular haranguers and writers of the " Free Thought School" of our own day. To repeat these would be to shock the moral sensibilities of any free-thinker or rationalist with whom we are acquainted, and who carries the memory of a Christian father or mother. But in such a controversy, and in such a conflict, it could not be otherwise than that Findley should be the gainer. In the Begister, one writer who styles himself the " Friend of Truth," attacked Findley for opposing Ross on religious grounds, ostensibly be- cause Ross had not subscribed to the religious test, and because he, on a current report, had somewhere in Westmoreland County given the sacrament to his dog, in contempt and derision of the most sacred or- dinance of Christians. Then Findley gathering his arrows, shot them in showers at Tom Paine and the infidels who attempted to overthrow the Christian re- ligion and to change the Constitution. What argu- ment could resist the political defense that covered itself behind texts from the Scriptures? In 1812, Findley was opposed in the election for congressman by Thomas Pollock. The announce- ment of Pollock was in the form of an advertisement, which said that Pollock " was descended from a family well known on the frontiers in times of danger." He had been county commissioner, a justice of the peace, 1 A writer in the Gazette so late as 1823 (August 15th) has this to say : " In 1817 we were required to vote, but were denied the right of choice ; we had freedom of thought, speech, and action, but were forbidden to ' favour opposition to William Findley.' " and a member of the Assembly three successive times. Pollock made a strong run, but as the result in the thirteen election districts which made up the con- gressional district of Westmoreland, Indiana, Jeffer- son, and Armstrong, Findley had 1260 votes, and Pollock, 1116. Jt was indeed a time of vituperation and abuse in politics, and this vituperation and abuse was not con- fined to the hustings. The evidence of most of this being made public in political speeches and in the common newspapers, is not at present accessible to us. That which found its way into more permanent literature has been in part preserved. The individual and political character of no public man of his day was more bitterly and acrimoniously attacked than that of Findley. In addition to his ''History of the Insurrection of Western Pennsylvania," published in 1796, and " Ob- servations," vindicating religious liberty, published in 1812, he had published previously (1794) " A'Re- view of the Funding System." Upon the question of the Federal Constitution, Findley took sides with Gallatin, and Gallatin was to Jefferson what Hamil- ton was to Washington. He attacked Hamilton se- verely in his " History of the Insurrection," and their respective statements sometimes do not coincide. He did not agree with some of the acts of the first Federal administration, but this disagreement was more on the construction of powers than in opposition to their ends. When the vote on Jay's treaty was taken in the House, to avoid giving his vote he left the House, and was brought up by the sergeant-at-arms. But from the records it is very apparent that Find- ley was no idler. Besides these productions which we have mentioned there were other contributions of his which appeared in the papers printed in the East. These would indicate that he was a very assiduous and a laborious worker. He was present at every session of Congress. When at home he superintended his farm and overlooked the interests of his children, who were married and who lived near him. He took a very active interest in the affairs of his church, Unity, of which he was for many years an active elder. In the councils of the congregation his voice was all potent. Findley's residence was in Unity township, and the site of his first house is very nearly indicated by the lo- cation of the ovens of the "Monastery Coke- Works" along the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. That house was lately burnt down. It was built of hewed logs, was two stories in height, and for its day must have been a very credible building. In this house he lived till he became old and infirm, when he took up his abode in the house of his daughter, Mrs. Car- others, which was on a farm taken off the original tract, and was located on the left side of the road going from the monastery to Latrobe, and nearly op- posite the residence of John George, Esq. In this house he died. His body was buried in the grave- 212 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. yard of Unity Church, and over it is a plain gray tombstone with the following inscription : The Venerable William Findley DEPARTED THIS LIFE April 5,1821 In the 80th year Of His Age In size Mr. Findley was a large man ; his com- plexion was florid ; he wore no beard, and was very tidy and tasteful in his dress. When at home he dressed in homespun, but on going out in fair weather wore a complete suit of white, with white hat having a broad rim, silk stockings, and cue. In the cold season his dress was the conventional shad-belly coat, long waistcoat, dark knee-breeches, long boots, but always the broad-rimmed white beaver hat. His manners, as one would infer, were agreeable and plain, although when he was busied at work writing upon a subject that kept his attention for days at a time he did not like it when he was disturbed, and when one came even on business he soon dismissed him. He had many visitors. Of his neighbors those who were near and who had taken a more or less active part in public concerns were William Todd, his colleague in the Constitutional Convention of 1789-90 ; Gen. St. Clair, who usually met Findley at the village of Youngstown, which was intermediate between the two; George Smith, Esq., a noticeable man in the Whiskey Insurrection on the side of law, ami afterwards an officer in the War of Eighteen- Twelve ; the Sloans and the Craigs, who lived farther down the Loyalhanna ; and the Proctors and Lochrys, who lived towards St. Xavier's Convent from his place. An old lady who passed her childhood in the family of Findley, and to whom we acknowledge indebted- ness for items of a personal nature, has said that the periodical occasion of his going to Congress was one of the greatest magnitude not only in the family but in the neighborhood. He went of course on horse- back, and on a horse which he used for that purpose only. For weeks before he started arrangements were making, his horse was well housed and well cared for, and none was allowed to use him, and an abundance of the finest white linen was prepared for the use of the congressman until he should get home. On the day which had been fixed for his departure all the neighbors round came to see him off", to lift their hats and say good-by. The women part of the household would always be in commotion, for the journey at that day was great, the distance long, and the goodman would be away so long. Findley was twice married. His second wife was a widow Carothers, a very beautiful woman, and much younger than he. By his first wife he had three chil- dren, — David, an officer in the regular army ; Nellie, who married a Carothers, a -mi of FinTrrey's second wife by her former husband; and Mary, who was married to John Black. If he has any descendants within our own county it is not generally known. Findley's identification with the Whiskey Insur- rection is such that he must ever be regarded oue of the principal characters figuring in it. That he ac- credited himself with honor and as a patriot none at this day would deny. That he was indiscreet, and at first inactive, something of a time-server, and gave the seditious some occasion to think he was for open rebellion and resistance, will likewise not be denied. But in this he went not so far as either Brackenridge, Gallatin, or Cook. From his local habitation and from the situation of his district he was at the outer edge of that whirlpool. He came to his senses quicker than most of the rest, and when he did he, with the greatest tact and with a display of knowledge of hu- man nature rarely exceeded, used all his influence for the establishing of "law, order, and the constitu- tion." In this he was eminently successful, for he had the confidence of Washington probably to almost as great an extent as any man of his day in Western Pennsylvania, and certainly more of the confidence of his constituents than any other man in it. In his plan of settlement he displayed what Macaulav says is the highest statesmanship, the statesmanship that uses every available means for a successful compromise. 1 One extract from his correspondence extending throughout this period will probably give his views on the subject quite as well as the whole of his corre- spondence together. In a letter written to Governor Mifflin as early as Nov. 21, 1792, 2 he says, — "Though Congress is fully vested with the Power of levying Excises, yet the necessity, the time, the subjects of excise, and the People's prejudices respecting it are questions of serious importance to gov- ernment. For my part, from a consideration of those things, I thought that power was about to be exercised prematurely, and with an honest zeal for the success of the government, exerted myself in my station to prevent it ; but being once made and its effects not experienced I did not move last session for a repeal, but endeavoured to procure such altera- tions as I conceived would have had a tendency to give it effect. The industry and zeal with which, in all my correB] lence, I have endeav- oured to promote a regular line of conduct among the people has been such as will never occasion me to blush ; but that t should, in the present Bituation of 1 bines, undertake to advise the people to go on with distill- ing and pay the excise would be lest labour. Thus far, however, I freely declare that I shall certainly continue to use what influence I have to direct the opposition into a regular and orderly channel. And this, I pi eBume, is all that is contemplated by the mass of the People." 1 Since this sketch of William Findley was written, an autobiograph- ical sketch has appeared in the "Pennsylvania Magaziue of History." From this article we give these additional details: Purposing to go to the frontier of Pennsylvania as early as Bouquet's time, ho was prevented by the Indian wars, and taught school in the Octorara settlement for several years, until the office was opened for the sale of western lands. In 1760 he married, and purchased laud in now Franklin County. Was elected County Commissioner for two terms of 11 years each. Came to Westmoreland County about 1781. Shortly alter his arrival here : cfused to he sent to the Assembly, tint was sent as one of the Council of Censors. From that time until 1812 (so be writes), he had never been but one whole winter with his family, aiel that wars when he declined serving in Congress. He was then successively elected a member of the Convention that ratified the Federal Constitution; a member of the Supreme Executive Council; a member of the first State Legislature under the Constitution of 1790; a member of the Second Congress; and a niemher of the Stab- Senate. '- Papers relating to 'ho Whiskey Insurrection, " Penn. Arch.," New Series, vol. iv , 49. ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. 213 CHAPTER XXXIX. ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. Nativity and Birth — History of his Family in Scotland — Is Bent to Col- lege, nnd thenco to London to study Medicine— Enters the British Army as an Ensign — Comes to America in the French and Indian War — Serves under Wolfe in Canada — Marries in Boston — Appears in WeBtern Pennsylvania— Commands at Fort Ligonier — Appointed to Office in Bedford County under the Proprietary Government and in Westmoreland County — Takes an active part in the Border Troubles with Virginia, and in Dunmore's War — Agent of the Penns — Accom- panies the Congressional Committee to Fort Pitt, 1775 — Resolutions of May 16, 1775, at Hannastown — The Associators — Plan to go against Detroit — Takes part with the Colbuies in the Revolutionary War — Ap- pointed and Commissioned Colonel in Pennsylvania Service — Sent to Canada — At Three Rivers — Services in Canada — Joins Washington — His Services in the Jersey Campaign of 1776 — Is sent to Command at Ticonderoga— Campaign of 1777 — Burgoyne's Advance — Surrender of Ticonderoga — Court of Inquiry — St. Clair at Yorktown — And with Greene — Enters Civil Life — Member of the Council of Censors- Member of Continental Congress — Elected its President — Erection and Organization of the North we-, tern Territory — Appointed its Gov- j ernor — Euters upon his Duties as Governor — Indian War — Made Ma- : jor-Geueral and Commander-in-Chief of the American Army — Expe- dition against the Miami Indians — Account of the Battle and Defeat — His Politics — His Duties as Governor — Is Removed from Office — Re- ' turns to Ligonier Valley — His Residence — His Financial Embarrass- | ment — Its Causes — Treatment of the Government in regard to these Claims — Is sold out by the Sheriff — Removes from his Home — His Last Days — His Death, Funeral, and Monument — Chattering over his Grave — Observations on bis Character and Misfortunes. Arthur. St. Clair is a historic character, and as such a great part of his public career belongs*to the history of the republic. But as he was so intimately connected with the formation of our county, it is nat- j ural that any one who inquires into our early history should be interested in the particulars of the life of this man, whose name is met with so often, and who is so inseparably connected with it. St. Clair was by birth a Scot, and was of a family of i early note in their native country, they taking their name itself back in the middle centuries. Arthur was born in 1734, 1 at Thurso Castle, in the county of Caithness, and was the son of William St. Clair, of the same stock as the then Earl of Caithness, from a common ancestry, 2 The deeds of the ancient family 1 The day or month is not known. 2 A gentleman with a taste for research has thus traced the family of St. Clair down from very early times: "The St. Clairs of Scotland are descended from a Norman family. Walderne de St. Clair, a Norman knight, married Margaret, daughter of Richard, Duke of Normandy. William de St. Clair, their second son, a brave and adventurous knight, settled in Scotland in Che reign of Mal- coni Can more, and obtained from that monarch large giants of land. In the wars about the crown of Scotland between Baliol and Bruce the St. Clairs adhered to the side i>f Bruce, and on his final success participated in his good fortune by an increase of their domains John de St. Clair was a member of the first Parliament summoned by Bruce. The chief of the St. Clairs married a Douglass, whose mother was daughter of Robert Bruce. William St. Clair married Elizabeth, daughter of Malice Spar, Earl of Orkney and Stratherne, in whose right their son was cre- ated Earl of Orkney by Haco, King of Norway, to which country the Orkney Islands then belonged. Tin- title remained with the family of St. Clair until 1471, when it was annexed to the crown of Scotland by BCt of Parliament. In exchange for the Orkney Islands and title of their earl, the domains of Ravenscraig were bestowed upon William St. Clair, who was entitled Karl of Caithness. The St. Clairs built the castle of Kirkwall, in the Orkneys, and also the castles of Ravenscraig and Boslin, on the mainland. were sung to the harp by many of the border minstrels, and the last and sweetest of them all, the " Wizard of the North," in u The Song of Harold," tells of the "storm-swept Orcades, where once St. Clairs held princely away." 3 But through the vicissitudes of fortune the family had lost their once high position, and their ancestral estates, situate mostly in the cold and barren Orkneys, no longer yielded a revenue after the abolition of the feudal tenures, and, like other of the most ancient families of that part of the island, they were of no influence in their native land. The St. Clairs, with "About 1450 the St. Clairs were at the height of their power an 1 opu- lence. At that tinie William St. Clair, the head of the family, was Prince of the Orkneys, Earl of Caithness and Stratherne, Baron of Roslin and Pentland, Lord Chief Justice, Lord Warden of the Marches, and High Chancellor of Scotland. When the chief St. Clair visited the royal court he traveled in great state, with more than a thousand gentlemen in his train, all of w bom were his vassals and retainers. " At length things changed, and Oliver St. Clair, the unworthy favor- ite of James V., lost by bad conduct the battle of Solway Moss, and so broke the heart of that monarch. From the civil war of 1642, between king and Parliament, in the Scottish lebellion in 1715, the St. Clairs adhered loyally to the house of Stuart, and hence suffered by defeat banishment and confiscation," Mr. William H. Smith (see "Life and Public Services of Arthur St. Clair") says that the generally accepted opiuiou that St. Clair was a grandson of the then Earl of Roslin is erroneous, but they were descend- ants of a common ancestor. The brief memoir which we contribute was written before the publi- cation of "The St. Clair Papers," published 1882 (Cincinnati B. Clarke & Co.). We are of opinion that it would not have detracted from the in- trinsic worth of that excellent memoir — the most complete yet pub- lished, and which we anxiously looked for — if the compiler had expressed his indebtedness to some gentlemen of our own cou nty whose woi k and labor he has appropriated to such good advantage; who dug out, so to speak, the ore which he cast into the crucible of history. The title of Karl of Caithness, we may further remark, in the Scottish peerage extends back to 1455, when the family were raised to the nobility by James II. of Scotland, Henry VI. being the king of England. This did not entitle those bearing the name to sit in Parliament, but in June, 1SGG, the late earl was created Baron Barrowgill, and thus became a member of the House of Lords. This late earl, who died on the 10th of March, 1881, in the city of New Y"ik, where he had but just landed in- tending to make a tour of the United States for pleasure and health, was James Sinclair (the family having long since Anglicized their name), F.R.S.,Earl of Caithness and Lord Berriedale in the peerage of Scotland, Baron Barrowgill, of Barrowgill Castle, in that of the United Kingdom, and Baronet of Nova Scotia. He was born Dec. 16, 1S21 ; succeeded his Vat her as fourteenth earl Dec. 24, 1855, and was created Baron Barrowgill June 12, 18G6. Like his father, he became Lord Lieutenant of Caithneas- shire. Caithness is a maritime county in the extreme north of Scot- land , on the west side is a spot of green turf known to all school-boys as John 0*6roat's Bouse, one of the extreme ends of Great Britain. Barrowgill Castle, the present home of the family, is in Caithness, and is over six hundred years old, and the possessions include six continuous miles of sea-coast. The other country seats are Tister House, Caithness- shire, and Stagenhoe Park, in Welwyn, and there is a London residence besides. Jam Satis. 8" Then from his seal, with lofty air, Rose Harold, hard of brave St. Clair; St. Clair, who, feasting with Lord Home, Had with that lord to battle come. Harold was born where restless seas How] round the storm-Bwept Orcades ; Where once St. Clai r held princely sway O'er isle and islet, strait and bay : Still nods their palace to its fall, Thy pride and sorrow, fair Kirkwall." See also note in "Lay of the Last Minstrel," Canto VI.; and also Capt. Weddei hum's courtship, "English and Scottish Ballad-," vol. viii. 214 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. their numerous retainers, remained loyal to the Stu- arts during the rebellion, and they were recompensed with banishment and the confiscation of their estates. At length an effort was made to restore in the learned professions some of that honor which had passed to other hands, which distinction was partly theirs when the sword was mightier than the pen, and the dignity of the gown was confined to the yew-tree shade of the cloister. As Arthur could not inherit any of the landed property entailed in the direct line of primogeniture, being the son of a younger son, he made choice of the medical profession, and to secure his education en- tered the University of Edinburgh, famous at that day for its prominent, schools in that department. After the death of his father he removed to London for the benefits afforded by the clinical practice at the great hospitals of the metropolis, and was there indentured to the celebrated Dr. William Hunter. But the noise of arms then shaking the world, he chose to relinquish his scientific calling and to follow the vocation of the soldier. When he came into the great heart of the world it was throbbing with the anticipation of future glorious actions. The rattling of drums, the blare of bugles, and the measured tramp of the files of soldiers echoed round the street corners of the capital day and night. War had been declared between Great Britain and France, 1 and under the new life infused into the na- tion by Pitt the young men were everywhere forsaking the pursuits of peace and enlisting. Arthur, with the help of his family, purchased an ensign's commission in the army, 2 and soon after, in 1758, came to America with the corps of Gen. Amherst, in the fleet under Admiral Boscawen. This was at the commencement of the French and Indian war, which, after enduring for seven years, resulted in the acquisition of the Cana- dian Provinces, then under the French, by the Brit- ish to the American appendages of the crown. While in this army he learned the military science under such leaders as Murray, Monckton, and Wolfe, the com- mander of this expedition. Under Wolfe he served in the campaign against Quebec, and was with that hero when he fell in the moment of victory, after the esca- lading of Mount Abraham. After remaining some time at the garrisoned fort- ress of Quebec, St. Clair went with a part of his regi- ment to Boston, then the capital town of the North- east. In May, 1760, he was married to Miss Phoebe Bayard, in Trinity Church, Boston, by the rector, the i 1756. 2 His mother, upou whom had rested the care of his training, died in the winter of 1756-57. HiB regiment was the Sixtieth, or Royal Amer- ican Regiment of Foot. Date of his eusignry, 3d May, 1757. His regi- ment was projected hy the Duke of Cumberland. It consisted of four battalious of one thousand men each. The first battalion was com- manded by Monckton, the secondby Lawrence. St. Clair belonged to the second battalion. It was organized under act of Parliament, 29 George II., c v. Col. Bouquet belonged to this regiment. — Penn. Magazine, etc., No. "J, vol. iii. Rev. William Hooper. Mrs. St. Clair was born in 1743, and survived her husband some six or seven years. She was the daughter of Balthazer Bayard and Mary Bowdoin, a half-sister of Governor James Bow- doin, of Massachusetts Bay. 3 With his wife he got much money. In 1759 he had been commissioned a lieutenant; this he resigned in April, 1762. 4 It is very likely that for a few years after his marriage he remained at Boston or Philadelphia, and that he took no further part in the French and Indian war, which terminated in 1764. But shortly after this time he manifestly was in Western Pennsylvania, as he had a parcel of the ground about Fort Pitt, which was granted him by Gen. Gage, 3 and we believe that from 1765 until 1771 all his attention and time were centred in this region, either in watching his own pecuniary interests or in a supervisory capacity, under the commander- in-chief of the British army in America, with whom he was related, or latterly, and especially after the treaty of 1768, as an agent of the proprietors of the Province. The documentary evidence which we refer to shows that he had charge of Fort Ligonier, then one of His Majesty's forts, and that he was authorized to and did grant permits the same as a regular officer, before the Penns passed titles. 6 Immediately after the opening of the land office, in 1769, he is identi- 3 She married Balthazer Bayard (or Byard, as they wrote it) in 1727. Died 17SO. 4 For dates see chronological table at end of this chapter. From the date of his resignation in the British army, that is 1762, to 1767 there is a hiatus which has not been satisfactorily filled. The copy of the permit to Frederick Bhorer, which we give in the note to Chapter VII., and which has not before this time been made public, but which fixes a part of the disputed facts, shows that in April, 1767, Arthur St. Clair, "late lieutenant in his Majesty's Sixtieth Begimentof Foot, having the care of his Majesty's fort of Legonier," was employed in these parts. But the dates of his commissions and his resignation correspond with the official records of the British army, from which they were taken. A copy of the " British Army Lists' "is in the library of the New York Historical Society, and these exactly agree with those furnished from the British War Office. Many writers say that afterthe close of the French and In- dian war (1764) Gen. Gage (who was a relative, and who afterwards com- manded the British at Boston) appointed him to take command of the forts in Western Pennsylvania, and have the military stores contained in those forts removed to the headquarters of the&rmy at New York. (See sketch in National Intelligencer, quoted in Life and Public Sercices, etc. ; also report of Committee of Claims, etc , Senate of the United States, Mr. Brodbead, Chairman, Thirty-fourth Congress, first session; also Day's " Historical Collections, 1 ' pp. 686 and 6S7, and Rupp's " History of West- ern Pennsylvania," p. 281). We cannot be led to believe, from tie' evi- dence within reach, that he served with Bouquet in 1763-64. There was a Capt. St. Clair with Bouquet, hut not Arthur. 5 Pennsylvania Archives, vol. x.p.483. St. Clairto president of Penn- sylvania, 1785. 6 Fort Ligonier was garrisoned part of the time after Pontiac's war, 1764, by provincial troops, commissioned by the Province. (See Col. Miles' Journal, elsewhere referred to, and in Penn. Arch., Second Series, vol. ii. (i. 560.) " In the year 1759 I was stationed at Ligonier, and had twenty-five men, picked out of the two battalions, under my command." At present we are not prepared to say that the Province garrisoned these forts in Western Pennsylvania prior to the purchase of 1768, but think it did not; but that they were garrisoned or at least under command of regular officers. " His Majesty, the kingof Great Britain, having conquered the I'n-nch in this country, all the forts and settlements the French had is now be- come the property of the king of England." — Orogan't Journal, 176"». ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. 215 fied with some transactions as their agent. He then, with his brother-in-law, Capt. Bayard, took up large bodies of land in Ligonier Valley. In the descrip- tion of boundary lands in old title papers he is some- times designated as captain and sometimes as lieuten- ant, but always by a military title. In May, 1770, he, with Crawford, Thomas Gist, and Pentecost, was among the justices of the peace ap- pointed by the proprietary government for Cumber- land County. In March, 1771, he was reappointed for Bedford County, and made prothonotary and chief clerk of the courts when that county was erected at that time. He earnestly advocated the erection of a new county to the west of Laurel Hill, and when Westmoreland was formed in 1773 he was appointed by Richard Penn to the same offices he had held in Bedford. From this time till the beginning of the Revolutionary war he was the outspoken agent of the proprietaries. During 1774 his efficiency is made apparent by the records of the Province. He was in constant communication with those in authority, he advised with them, and the entire management of local affairs was left to him. In the exercise of his trust he became especially obnoxious to Dunmore, the Governor of Virginia, who demanded of the Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania that St. Clair be delivered over to him, but the demand was refused, and met with the intimation that the proprietaries were responsible for the official acts of their magistrates. During the excitement of 1774 he was the foremost one in the sight of the people ; he rode day and night, and pic- vailed on the inhabitants not to leave, as they were about to do. But he made them take up arms in their defense; the government could not assist them, so they must assist themselves. He organized a per- manent militia, and promised the rangers pay, which was guaranteed by his own obligation. Under his direction and supervision the chain of block-houses along the rivers and the old military road was estab- lished. He advised the Penns to open a road for military purposes from Kittanning to Ligonier, and to erect a fort at that point, to be garrisoned by the soldiers of the Province. This point had been pointed out by Forbes as early as 1758 as important in a mili- tary view, and was the site of Fort Armstrong. 1 The preservation of the Westmoreland settlements in 1774 is as much to be attributed to St. Clair's in- fluence over the Indian tribes as to any other cause. He spoke to them in manly and plain words, and they had the utmost confidence in him. In one of their conferences when he was not present they called him their friend and the Pennsylvanians their brothers. Afterwards when the agents appointed by Congress came out to visit the tribes about Fort Pitt and to secure their alliance they stopped with St. Clair on their way, and prevailed with him to accompany them. 1 For a full account of these affairs see Penn. Archives, vol. iv. There is no doubt that St. Clair watched atten- tively the struggle between the colonies and the crown, and there is likewise no doubt that from the first his mind was made up. With all the traditions of the Scotch uppermost it was not in his strong' nature to give in to the latest of the tyrannical rulers of his native country, which the Scotch allowed was at that day held by the tenure of usurpation. And although the war of the Revolution found him busied in do- mestic relations, yet he was recognized from the first as the friend of the colonies, and was in correspond- ence with the patriots in the East. That he was in- strumental in calling the meeting at Hannastown of May 16, 1775, and that he secured the passage of the remarkable resolutions that day adopted there can be no reasonable doubt. 5 DURING TIIK REVOLUTION. In that pathetic and heart-moving letter which he wrote in his old age to the Congressional Committee he says that his first connection with the United States began in the year 1775. Congress had appointed com- missioners to repair to Fort Pitt to treat with the In- dians. On their way they called upon St. Clair, and requested him to accompany them and act as their secretary. He did so, and in the course of the nego- tiations formed the project of a volunteer expedition to surprise Detroit, which he thought practicable. The commissioners entered into the project warmly, and in a very short time he engaged between four and five hundred young men, who were to furnish their own horses, forage, and provisions. The measure being referred to Congress by the commissioners, was disapproved, for the reason that Gen. Arnold was at that time before Quebec, and its fall was considered certain. But Arnold failed. St. Clair was called to Philadelphia, and, resigning his office, he went t<> that city for instructions. We can, in the absence of any memoir, partially trace his career through the war. He first assisted to perfect the Associators in 1775, and on Jan. 1, 1776, in the "Account of the Rules and Regulations" for the Associators sent to the committees of the different counties, there is a memorandum that those for West- moreland were sent by Col. St. Clair. In the early 2 With the extreme modesty and DnObtrusiveQess which always were characteristic in him, he says in tiis letter to Governor Penn, May 25, 1775, "I got a clause added, by which they hind themselves to assist the civil magistrates in the execution of the laws they have been accus- tomed to he governed by." This clause was the fourth, and began, " That we do not wish or advise any innovations," etc. But that he drafted this paper I have little doubt. In his letter to Lieut.-Col. Allen, nearly a year and a half alter this (Ticonderoga, Sept. 1, 1776), he says. " If I remember rightly, there were two points on which we were perfectly agreed: First, that independence was not the interest of America if the liberties of America could be otherwise secured ; Secondly, if foreign troops were employed to reduce America to absolute submission, that independence or any other mode was justifiable." This letter is a most noble one. Here is the substance of the third aDd fifth clauses, and part of the conditions for which the colonies went to war. Who else here was likely to talk of a " licentious soldiery" in the same seti^" t- he* from a personal knowledge? 21 G HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. part of 1776 he was commissioned colonel by Congress in the Continental service, and was stationed in the eastern part of the State, where he was engaged in different capacities in organizing, recruiting, supply- ing, and provisioning the volunteers. 1 He advanced money to his own detriment in this service, some of which he did not get reimbursed for till many years after the war was over. As fast as the troops could be furnished for campaigning he forwarded them, and being himself ordered with other contingents to cover the retreat of the American army from Canada under Arnold, he recruited and equipped for his own command six full companies without expense to the State, and marched them by the 1st of May to the vicinity of Quebec. 2 This campaign had been planned by Gen. Mont- gomery, but it came to an unfortunate termination. Montgomery was killed before Quebec, and Arnold, the next in command, who himself was wounded, conducted the retreat. St. Clair served with Wayne under Gen. Thompson, the successor of Arnold, but who dying soon after he came to the command was succeeded by Gen. Sullivan. Here his former mili- tary knowledge was of much advantage, for he it was who suggested to Gen. Thompson, who was then in command, the practicability of taking post at the village of Three Rivers to prevent the British trans- ports from passing up the river. The plan was ap- proved, and St. Clair was sent to take up a position. Sullivan now having arrived and taken command of the army, detached Thompson with reinforcements to support St. Clair and to take the command. But being overpowered and pushed back, and Thompson having been killed, the command fell to St. Clair, who carried the broken detachment back through the midst of a constantly increasing enemy to the headquarters at Sorel. The American army now withdrew from Canada in as masterful a manner as it had marched thither. The army went into quarters at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and there St. Clair remained during the summer in camp duty. On Sunday, the 28th of July, to the soldiers drawn up in long lines, he read the Declaration of Independence which had been adopted by the Congress, when they threw their caps in air and cheered for the cause of the United Colonies. In August of this year, 1776, he was made a briga- dier, and joined Washington, who was then retreat- ing across the Jerseys before the elated British army under Howe. He fought under the eves of the com- 1 The Council of Safety mi the IStli of July, 1775, recommended the enrollment of all able-bodied men into regiments or battalions. The militia of Westmoreland were enrolled, and St. Clair wa8 elected colonel. See Memorandum Book of the Committee and Council of Safety for 1776 and 1777, Pa. Arch., Second Series, vol. i., for services in the colony and State. He was commissioned colonel of the Second Ratlalion Jan. 3, 1776. He with Cols, Sine, Wayne, and Magaw were in command of the four battalions of Pennsylvania troops to be raised for the Continental Service. For history of the Second Battalion, see CtlAp^ \V11I. 2 For bis services and the campaign iu Canada, see Chapter Will. mander-in-chief in the closing battles of this cam- paign, at White Plains, at Trenton, and at Princeton, 3 and all informed writers agree that he suggested to Washington that ruse of war by which the Hessians were surprised at Princeton. The campaign of 1777 opened with favor to the British. The fearful retreat from Long Island, and the miserable condition of the Continental army, encouraged the British to push this campaign with energy, and thus speedily crush out this rising sedi- tion. The plan of the British generals was to divide the colonies by the line of Hudson River, Lake George, and Lake Champlain. Clinton was to go up the river, and above Albany to unite with Burgoyne, who was to come down from Canada. The success of this plan would have been well-nigh fatal to the prospect of American independence. Between Lake Cham- plain and Lake George was situated the strong for- tress of Ticonderoga, the same which Col. Ethan Allen had taken by the authority of the great Jeho- vah and the Continental Congress. This fortress commanded the lakes and the passage of the isthmus. While it was held it debarred Burgoyne from effect- ing the junction. To hold this point was, therefore, of the utmost importance. St. Clair, who enjoyed the confidence of the commander-in-chief, was raised to the rank of major-general, and superseding Gen. Schuyler, was sent with three thousand men to take command of the post, and at all hazards to hold it. Burgoyne, passing Lake Champlain, took Crown Point and advanced against Ticonderoga. Gen. Schuyler, before he was transferred, had put the for- tress in good order. On the 19th of June, 1777, operations were commenced against the post. On the 20th of July the soldiers of Burgoyne took possession of Mount Defiance, a point on the right of the Amer- icans. This position adjoined and overlooked the fortress, but being deemed inaccessible, it had re- mained unoccupied by the Continentals. By the use of tackle, cannon were hoisted up its side by the enemy until the arms and the force there were suffi- cient to dislodge the garrison. St. Clair called a council of officers, and among them it was unanimously agreed that the hills which = Respectively, Oct. 28, 177C, Dec. 25, 177i;. and January, 1777. Ban- croft goes to extra pains to prove that St. Clair did not advise Washing- toll in this successful engagement, and be labors hard to support a contrary position, but in this be is at issue with numerous authorities. Sic Wilkinson's "Memoirs," G. w. Greene's "'Life of Gen. Nathaniel Greene," and St. Clair's ■'Narrative." It is not, however, questioned that be directed the details of the march and the incidental prepara- tion i lb yant's " Popular History of the United States," chap, xxi., 532). "Soon after midnight the troops quietly withdrew by detachments, and marching by the right moved upon Princeton. St. Clair's brigade of New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts troops, with two six- pounders, marched at the head of the column, with which Gen. Wash- ington rode." — " Life and Public Services," etc., vol. i. p. 37, as quoting Wilkinson. This campaign made him ii major-general. In March, 1777, on the resignation of Col. Keed, St. I 'lair was detailed by Washington as adju- tant-general. ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. 217 commanded the fort ought to have been previously fortified ; that it was too late for them now to be for- tified ; that if fortified it would require fully ten thou- sand men to man and hold them ; and that the force at the disposal of the general was not in any way adequate to meet the enemy. It was determined, therefore, to abandon the post. But the withdrawing the army now was a retreat. The American force retired under cover to Hubbards- town and thence to Castleton, about thirty miles from Ticonderoga, where a stand was made. The British and German light troops had been sent in pursuit, and on the 7th of August overtook the rear- guard under Col. Warner at Castleton. The attack was sharp and bloody, and the British at first were routed, but the Americans not being supported by their comrades, the British and mercenaries renewed their attack, and with the bayonet dispersed the whole force of the rear-guard, with the loss to us of three hundred men. Col. Warner came in with the rest of his troops at Fort Ann. Altogether the loss of the Americans in this, one of the most disastrous retreats of the war, was about one thousand men, killed, wounded, and prisoners. Of course a clamor was raised. Reasons plenty as blackberries were given why St. Clair should not be shot, hung and quartered, banished. Some said he was incompetent, some cowardly, some treacherous. He said little, but demanded of right an inquiry iu due form into his conduct and the circumstances of the surrender. After waiting for a long time a court of inquiry at last was formed, which was composed of some of the best officers in the army, which after sitting and considering the whole affair critically and with deliberation exculpated him from guilt; and some then said that although he lost a fortress he saved a State. Burgoyne was forced to give his sword to Gates at Saratoga, and the two British armies were not, after all, joined together, notwithstanding their sanguine anticipations. 1 1 From the surrender of Ticonderoga and the retreat a prejudice was raised against St. Clair which he never could get rid of, and which his enemies uever ceased to make capital of. Good military men say that no better generalship was displayed throughout the war than that dis- played by him in withdrawing his army and saving it from capture. The Unit, 't Stiih s Gu-etle, a high authority in the army, has said on this sub- ject in a sketch of St. Clair, iu speaking of his defense before the court of inquiry, "His defense on that occasion is still extant, and exhibits a sample of profound generalship. Whilst the English language shall be admired, it will continue to he an example of martial eloquence." Facts dispel illusions. Gen. Burgoyne's army numbered 7*6:3 men, including 200 Canadians and 400 Indians ; St. Clair bad 2200 men. Bur- goyne's artillery numbered 142 guns, and his was the best equipped army for an offensive campaign in the field. The American works were equipped with 100 cannon of indifferent calibre and a small force of in- experienced artillerymen to serve them. — Life and Public Services, etc., p. 60. St. Clair left the Northern Department on the 20th of August (1777), in obedience to the orders of Congress, to report at headquarters and I await an inquiry into his management at the North. Washington still remained faithful to him and never lost confidence in him. He, after St. Clair demanded it, urged the court of inquiry to he held. In Sep- tember, 1778. a court-martial, of which Maj.-Gen. Lincoln was presi- During the time which intervened from the sur- render till the board of inquiry had finished their sittings he was suspended from any command. He was, however, with the army, and at Brandywine fought as a volunteer, and had a horse shot from under him during the engagement. He was with the army at headquarters at Valley Forge. The court of inquiry not censuring him he was reinstated in public confidence, and was intrusted with the very arduous duties of organizing the levies of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and sending them out to the armies in the field when needed. After the treason of Arnold, St. Clair was detailed by Washington to hold West Point, and he succeeded Gates in command at Philadelphia. On September the 29th, 1780, he sat with Lafayette, Parsons, Clinton, Knox, Huntingdon, and others, all well known for their uprightness, on the trial of Maj. Andre, adjutant-general of the British army, who made their unanimous report that Andre ought to be considered as a spy from the enemy and sutler death. When the last campaign was closing in the South, St. Clair with Wayne, who together were using all their ingenuity in converting three old long-tailed coats into two short ones, and two old hats into one infantry cap, so that the men would bear some simi- larity with each other, was assigued with reinforce- ments to the Southern department, where the war was then raging. When the combined American and French armies circled around the British at York- town, St. Clair was there. Having arrived some time before the surrender, he was with that galaxy of il- lustrious men who stood in the trenches when the cause of the colonies was decided. He was then sent to reinforce Greene with the Pennsylvania troops, and they formed a junction in the beginning of 1782. 2 IN CIVIL LIFE. St. Clair came out of the Revolutionary conflict, not with the glory of some, but with the confidence of his great commander, and with the undiminished respect and esteem of his fellow-officers. He imme- diately entered into civil affairs. In 1783 he was elected a member of the Executive Council of Penn- sylvania, this department of the State government dent, was organized, and after a thorough hearing concluded their find- ing in the following words: " The Court having duly considered the charges against Major-General St. Clair and the evidence, are unanimously of opinion that he is not guilty of either the charges preferred against him, and do unanimously acquit him of all and every of them with the highest honor." 2 In 178:1, at the solicitation of Congress, then in Philadelphia, he went to the new levies (who had marched from Lancaster to the Con- gress to demand their pay, having refused to accept their discharge until they were paid), and succeeded by his personal influence, together with Lafayette as bis colleague, in quieting their mutiuous spirit and sending them back to Lancaster. Feb. 24, 1784, he was made auctioneer of the city of Philadelphia by a resolution of the General Assembly. He got into much trouble from this, as will be seen further on, he having appropriated some of the money he collected to pay individual debts, — bail money. The office was lucrative. On the 13th of April, 1787, he was relieved of the office. 218 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. reposing in a Council of Censors. He was returned for the county of Philadelphia, with Frederick A. Muhlenberg as his colleague. He made Philadelphia his home, and his family had resided there while he was in the army. He attended all the sittings of the Council. In its proceedings, and in the proceedings incident to the calling of the Constitutional Conven- tion of 1791, we have the first visible line between the old political parties whose hostility to each other be- came so great. St. Clair invariably took sides with that party which afterwards was known as the Fed- eral party, and which, under the leadership of Ham- ilton, antagonized the administration of Jefferson. In 1785, St. Clair was elected to Congress, the members of that body being returned by the vote of the Assembly. In 1787 he was chosen president of that body. In 1790 he was the Federalist candidate for Governor of the State, but was defeated by Gen. Mifflin. This was at the first election for a chief magistrate under the constitutional form. Mifflin was not only a popular man, but he belonged to the party which was the popular party of the State. But although St. Clair was unfortunate for his own ad- vantage in falling in with the destinies of that party, no one that knows his character would be bold enough to say that he belonged to it without principle. No man could separate principle from consequences better than he. Under the act of Congress of July 13, 1787, St. Clair was appointed by President Washington and confirmed by Congress Governor of the Northwestern Territory, the Territory embracing all the region of country lying north and west of the Ohio River. 1 On July the 9th, 1788, he arrived at Fort Harmar, now Marietta. At this place, as the seat of the territorial government, he resided with his family. 2 On the 15th of July he published the order of Congress for the government, and soon after appointed judges and other officers. On January the 2d, 1791, when he arrived at Fort Washington, the site of Cincinnati, previous to his military expedition, he organized Hamilton County, which name he gave it after Alex- ander Hamilton, the Secretary of the United States Treasury, and the beau ideal of the Federalists. Cin- cinnati was called in compliment to the Society of the Cincinnati, organized by officers who had seen actual service in the armies of the continent, and of which society St. Clair was an active member. The Indians being still hostile to the settlers in the western country where these were unable to resist 1 The Congress of which he was president passed the ordinance. - The citizens of Marietta gave special attention to the preparation of a residence for Governor St. Clair, and in the winter of 1790 his son Arthur, twenty-one years of age, and three daughters, Louisa, Jane, and Margaret, with a middle-aged, sensible colored woman, who acted as cook and housekeeper, took possession. Mrs. St. Clair still remained 1 in the East. — (Life and Public Services, etc., p. 160.) For a description of Louisa St. Clair, the eldest of these daughters, and of the brilliance of her intellectual accomplishments, etc, see Hildreth's " Pioneer History," quoted in " Life and Public Services," etc., p. 160. them under their strange confederation and the new leaders who had risen among them, Gen. Harmar was sent out with a body of regulars and militia to sub- due them and to destroy their towns. But Harmar was defeated with terrible slaughter among his ranks, and his army was so crippled that a new one had to be organized for further operations. In the following year, 1791, St. Clair, on the recommendation of Presi- dent Washington, was appointed commander-in-chief of the army, and vested with powers almost dicta- torial within his territory. He had a force of two thousand regulars placed at his disposal, and was em- powered to call out such reinforcements of militia as might be necessary. In September, 1791, an army the largest and most efficient in officers, in numbers, and in equipage of any yet seen in the West was as- sembled at Fort Washington, the site of Cincinnati. This was under command of St. Clair. There were three complete regiments of United States infantry, two companies of artillery, and one company of cav- alry. There were six hundred militia to join him there, but most of these came up after he had left. They commenced their march on the 17th of Septem- ber. They cut a road through the wilderness and erected Fort Hamilton, on the Great Miami, some distance above Fort Washington. On the 4th of October they marched twenty miles farther, and built Fort Jefferson. A garrison was left at both posts. On the 24th of October they marched from the latter post. Shortly after they had left one of the militia regiments deserted, as these not infrequently did when about to meet the enemy, not being under regular discipline, called out only for a short time in an emer- gency, and commanded by officers who disliked supe- rior authority. The First Regiment of regulars was detached in pursuit of these, so that the army was now weakened and did not number above fourteen hundred men. The main body, however, moved for- ward to where Fort Recovery was afterwards erected by Gen. Wayne, now within the limits of Mercer County, Ohio. The villages of the Miami Indians were supposed to be only about twelve miles in distance from here. At this place, it being the head-waters of the Wabash River, where a number of small creeks flowed in from various directions, the army encamped. The general had it in view to throw up some earthworks in order to hold a secure position, and to protect his baggage and artillery till the other regiment should come up, before advancing farther in the hostile country. This was on the 3d of November. Late that afternoon, and in the evening, the general was engaged with the engineers in planning the proposed works. At night the sentries were posted, and everything appeared quiet. The army was encamped in two lines. The front of the first line was covered by a creek, the one side by the river, while a creek protected the flank of the second line. During the night there was no alarm whatever, and consequently no suspicion of danger. ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. 219 Some few hours before daybreak, under the expecta- tion of an attack, or at least to have the men in a state of readiness, the general had the reveille beaten and the troops paraded under arms. They thus stood watchful till daybreak, when they were dismissed to their tents to get some further rest. But the men had scarcely lain down when a rifle fired from some of the militiamen in front was followed by a sharp irregular volley in the same direction. The drums beat, the officers formed the men, the militia came pouring in from the front, and in a few minutes all was stir and confusion. The militia coming in, pursued by swarms of Indians, broke over the ranks of the regulars, and bore down all before them. The Indians themselves penetrated beyond the first ranks, and tomahawked some of the wounded officers who had been carried back to have their wounds dressed. In no long time the whole body of the army was encompassed by a livid stream of fire on all sides round. St. Clair was suffering from a fever, and was unable to mount a horse, but part of the time during the battle was carried from place to place on a litter. False allega- tions of cowardice were imputed to him ; but there is nothing to warrant this. He was not in respect to his person a coward, but the reverse is the truth. During this engagement he had eight bullet-shots through his clothes, and he was among the last to leave the field of battle. He directed the men to carry him to the place where the firing was the heaviest, and where the men were falling on all sides. Here the brave Col. Darke, an officer of Revolutionary distinction, was trying his utmost to allay the consternation of the men and to hold the lines steady. When St. Clair came up he directed the colonel and his men to make a sudden and rapid charge with the bayonet. The charge was made and with some effect, for swarms of the red-backed creatures rose up before the lines of infantry out of the high grass and fled before them. But as the soldiers could not overtake them, they re- covered their courage, and soon after from behind every kind of shelter poured such a fire upon the sol- diers that they in turn were driven back. A second time was the charge with the bayonet made and fol- lowed with the same result. When the artillery was brought up the horses and the men were destroyed before they could do any service. But we cannot recount the battle at length. It is enough to say that the whites resisted bravely, but were borne back through the wild lands. Discipline availed little. The panic spread to all the troops. Behind every tree was an Indian, and with the bul- lets came flights of arrows, whose murderous wounds made the men shriek out. It is said the savages never showed more bravery. They ran in screaming, and tomahawked the men in the ranks or among their comrades. The men were sometimes huddled together like sheep, whence the slaughter, in respect of the number engaged, was prodigious. The ranks could not be formed in military order, and the field- pieces of the regulars were of no use. These were finally captured by the Indians, with the exception of two which were thrown into one of the streams. Many died heroically. Acts of daring and of hero- ism which have delighted two generations of readers are recorded in the various tales of the border. It was long reported, and it is yet historically asserted, that the water of the creek to the front was reddened with blood. The men at last gave way, and the re- treat became a panic. A part of the army reached Fort Washington. Few of the munitions were saved, for the men threw away even their arms. When the second army of Kentucky volunteers which after- wards came out took possession of the battle-field, the found within a little space three hundred skull- bones, and for miles the road was strewn with the remains of the army. From the official lists of the adjutant-general, five hundred and ninety-three were reported 1 dead and two hundred and fourteen wounded. The chief of the hostiles in this battle was Mishi- kinakwa, or Little Turtle, a son of a Miami chief by a Mohican woman. He was the chief leader of the warriors of all the tribes in that country. He died in 1812, and his grave is shown to the whites near Fort Wayne. His portrait may be seen in the War Office at Washington. He has been described by one who saw him at Montreal soon after the defeat. He was at that time a little over forty-five years of age, was six feet high, of a very sour and morose countenance, and appar- l Echoes of the Battle.— "On the day of battle Gen. St. Clair was not in bis uniform, but wore a coarse catfo coat and a three-cornered hat. He had a long cue and large locks flowing beneath his heaver. Early in the action, when near the artillery, a hall grazed the side of his face and cut off a* portion of one of his locks. During the action eight balls passed through his clothes and hat. After his horses were killed he exerted himself on foot for a considerable time during the action with a degree of alertness that surprised everybody who saw him. After being on foot for some time, and when nearly exhausted, a pack-horse was brought to him. This he rode during the remainder of the day, although lie could scarcely prick him out of a walk." lie had two horses killed, one after the other, iu the act of mounting them. Narrative of the Campaign, The great Mohawk chief, Tha-yen-da-ne-ge-a (Joseph Brant, alias Capt. Brant), was, so well-informed historians say, in this battle, al- though not Buspected on account of the professions of friendship for the Americans. This calls to mind the "legend of Louisa St. Clair," in which tlie story is that young Brant, the son of the great chief, and who was in love with Louisa St. Clair, was there, and that he ordered his warriors to shoot St. Clair's horses but not him. To this was ac- connted the noteworthy reason of his having so many horses killed about him and himself escaping unhurt. This " legend," being nothing but a romantic love story, was once very popular in the Northwest ami is yet to be not with in republications. — See " Life and Public Services," etc., quoted above. from ilf Congressional Committers Report Appointed to Inquire into the Defeat. "The committee conceive it but justice to the commander-in-chief to say that in their opinion the failure of the late expedition can in no respect be imputed to his conduct, either at any time before or during the action, but that as his conduct in all the preparatory arrangements was marked with peculiar ability and zeal, so his conduct during tlie action furnishes strong testimonies of his coolness and intrepidity." 220 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. ently very crafty and subtile. His dress was Indian moccasins, a blue petticoat that came half-way down his thighs, a European surtout and waistcoat. His head was bound by an Indian cap, which hung half- way down his back, and almost entirely covered with plain silver brooches, to the number of more than two hundred. He had two ear-rings to each ear. The upper part of each of these was formed by three medals about the size of a dollar; the lower part was formed of quarter-dollars, and fell more than twelve inches from his ears, one from each ear over his breast, the other over his back. He had three very large nose jewels of silver, which were curiously plaited. St. Clair held the commission of Governor of the Northwestern Territory from 1787 to 1802, a period of fifteen years, when he was removed by President Jefferson. Fault has been found with Jefferson for this act, and those who take exception assert that it was done with a spiteful political spirit. St. Clair was a strong Federalist, an adorer of the political doctrines of Hamilton. He had been indiscreet in his expressions of favor for the unpopular adminis- tration of John Adams, who brought contempt and opprobrium upon his party by the countenance he gave the notorious and justly obnoxious alien and sedition laws. But, taken on the whole, we are of opinion it would necessitate a misconstruction of mo- tives and facts and require yet undiscovered testi- mony to establish authoritatively the assertion that St. Clair's removal was instigated by the malevolence of Jefferson. 1 As Governor of that Territory which now exists as five independent States and includes millions of the foremost citizens of the Republic, his duties were ar- duous, his toil unceasing, and the results marvelous. 1 The truth is great opposition had grown up against St. Clair as Gov- ernor on account of antagonism to the formation of a State out of a portion of the Territory, which was the nearly unanimous wish and desire of the inhabitants of Ohio, and also on accouDt of his avowed op- position to the new State's constitution, and of his disagreement with a majority of the Legislature of the Territory. His biographer, the Hon. W. H. Smith, who certainly has not countenanced the action of Jeffer- son in removing St. Clair, says, "It is known that Mr. Jefferson's friend- ship for St Clair influenced him, and that it was only after it was re- ported to him some months later, upon what seemed to be reliable authority, that Governor St. Clair had spoken against Democratic gov- ernment that he issued the order of removal." — Life and Public Services, etc., vol. i., 240. "He even entered the lists in a public discussion, and printed a pamphlet in defense of the administration after the blunder of the alien and sedition law, and Bent it to Mr. Adams with his compli- ments." — Ibid., 234. Announcement of Bemoval, " Department of State, Washington, Nov. 22, 1802. " Arthur St. Clair, Es';. : "Sir,— Tlie President observing in an address lately delivered by you to the Convention held at Cuillicothe an intemperance and indecorum of language towards the Legislature of the United States, and a disor. ganiziug spirit and tendency of very evil example, and grossly violating the rules of conduct enjoined by your public station, determines that your commission as Governor of the Northwestern Territory shall cease on receipt of this notification. " I am, etc., "James Madison." For an idea of the duties incumbent on him and the large discretionary power vested in him, one should examine the. ordinances and the laws of Congress relative to the subject. By these he was made not only the executive but the law-giver of that vast extent of country, as he and his judges in council had the power not only to enforce but to make the laws for its government. But he devoted himself here, as he did elsewhere, wdiolly to the duties of his trust. The early records of the State of Ohio attest his labors. Although his salary was not adequate to cover even his traveling expenses, he never once relaxed his ex- ertions. He seems to have been well aware of the importance and the magnitude of the trust reposed in him. He established laws, erected counties, selected officers, fixed titles, held treaties with the Indians, and saw that justice was administered in due form of law. He refers to this subject in the answer to the ladies of New York, who in his latter days had pre- sented him with a small sum of money : " I had fondly hoped," says he, " that my military services had been of benefit to my country ; but let that pass. Besides these services, which you have so kindly eulogized, I, at my own expense in a great measure, raised up a colony to the United Slates from thirty men to sixty thou- sand ; amalgamated the most heterogeneous mass of population; carried law, religion, and manners to the extreme bounds of the Territory; made the people happy, and laid the foundation for the continuance of that happiness to millionsyet unborn, in the accomplishment of which every faculty of mind and body were unceasingly employed." And in this he evidences the prescient wisdom of prophecy. HIS LAST DAYS. Upon his removal from the governorship St. Clair came back to Ligonier Valley. Here, in the midst of a large tract of land, he had in the latter part of his official career erected a house in anticipation of the time when he should be relieved of public duties ; here part of his family resided before he came back, and here he fondly hoped to pass the remainder of his life in the agreeable ease and rest which the sol- dier in the camp and the statesman in the council- room always anticipates. The building was regarded as a sumptuous aud well-apportioned mansion-house for the time. It was handsomely painted and papered, and besides ordinary apartments had a suite of bed- rooms. It was situated about two miles northwest of Ligonier, near Mill Creek. Nothing now remains of the original structure intact except the room which he left with its quaintly-carved mantel-piece and wainscoting. The painting over the fireplace has been destroyed. Here he settled down with his fam- ily, and began to build up in his old clays his broken fortune. He erected a furnace, and for a time carried on the manufacture of castings, but after a few years leased the works to James Hamilton & Co', at a rental of three thousand dollars per annum. He also got his mill in running order, and continued actively engaged in business until he was crippled by the executions of his creditors. The history of his financial embarrassment is not ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. 221 devoid of interest. The blind goddess in this as in all things treated him rudely. He got with his wife fourteen thousand pounds (equivalent to seventy thousand dollars). Besides this he had large dona- tions of land from the king, from the Penns, from the State, and from Congress. His investments in real estate, so far as the investments went, were judi- cious, but these all in bis sinister fortune melted away like snow in the sunshine. He drew salaries and was in the possession of emoluments and perquisites during all his public life, but these scarcely reached from one accounting day to the next. He was always in a position to invest and speculate in remunerative and safe enterprises, but he never tainted his hands with bribes or touched what bore the semblance of peculation. In a letter to his friend, the Hon. Wil- liam B. Giles, he says that the office of Governor of the Northwestern Territory was forced on him by his friends, who thought it would be an opportunity of replenishing his finances ; but it proved otherwise, for he " had neither the taste nor the genius for spec- ulation in land, nor did he consider it consistent with his office " So when he retired here, after his removal from office, he was hopelessly in debt, and some years later was sold out by the sheriff. It is perhaps true that some of his losses were caused by negligence, and might not have happened had he been more provident, but nearly all his finan- cial embarrassment is chargeable to the zeal with which be served his country, and were debts due and owing by the people of the republic, in whose ser- vice he was employed all his life. When he went to the Revolutionary army he left his mill — the first one erected in the West — to his neighbors for their use while he was gone. When he took possession of it on his return he found it a pile of rubbish. In one \ of his memorials he states that when he went to the army he could not leave his young wife, born and bred in the city of Boston, of the first connections there, and accustomed to the most fashionable circles, on a frontier so hostile, and was thus compelled to dispose of his principal farm, on which he had ex- pended a large amount of money, at great sacrifice. He sold it for £2000, payable in installments, but so rapid was the depreciation of the Continental cur- rency that of this amount be lost £1900. He then had to jmrchase a house in the East for his family while he was in the service. This he sold at the end of the war ; one-half of the price he lost by the bank- ruptcy and suicide of the purchaser. He indorsed for his friends and fellow-officers, and by this lost large sums, which be paid upon demand so far as he was able. From 1803 to 1813, at various times, St. Clair pre- sented memorials to Congress and to the Assembly of Pennsylvania for relief. In these memorials he him- self gives the cause or occasion which induced him to present them. To the Assembly he says that as early as 1774 he supplied nearly all the forts and block- 15 houses in Westmoreland County with arms and the means of defense at his own expense. When, in the darkest days of the Revolution, Washington, seeing bis army melting away like snow, appealed to him to save to him the Pennsylvania line, the flower of the army, St. Clair immediately responded by advancing the money for recruiting and for bounty, and by St. Clair's and Col. William Butler's individual exer- tions and influence their object was accomplished. To part of this claim the government afterwards pleaded the statute of limitations. He was shut out on this statute by substantially the following argu- ment : " True it is, we, the government of the United States, do justly owe you so and so much, but because you have never asked to be repaid until now the pre- sumption of the law is that you have been repaid." But the indebtedness which was the direct cause of his losing his real property had been contracted during his governorship. During his incumbency of this office he acted as superintendent of Indian affairs in the Territory, and in that capacity negotiated sev- eral treaties of importance, in the transaction of which to a successful termination it was apparent that the appropriation by Congress was inadequate, whence he was compelled to advance funds out of his own pocket to consummate bis ends. In negotiating one of these treaties he expended about $16,000, and for which only $8000 bad been appropriated. When the army for the campaign of 1791 had collected together, and it was found that the sum authorized by Congress for the purpose was too small for the exi- gencies of the project, he personally guaranteed to the quartermaster-general, James O'Harra, the re- payment of a large sum in order that the army might lie victualed and supplied. When he presented his account in 1799 for payment, he was informed by the Secretary of the Treasury that there " were no moneys appropriated by the Legislature to pay such further disbursements." On this subject St. Clair says that he became personally liable to the contractor, O'Harra, to whom he gave his bond for .$7042, on the express promise of the Secretary of the Treasury that it should be repaid with interest. This bond remain- ing unpaid, suit was brought, and judgment obtained against St. Clair by bis own confession for $10,632.17, debt and interest. Upon this judgment execution was from time to time issued, and upon it the entire remaining part unsold, which included all bis real estate, was sold. The time of sale could not have happened at a more inopportune time. The embargo had driven money out of the country. The valua- tion of that part of his real estate levied upon under these executions has been fixed at $50,000 ; but it did not fetch more than paid the debt and accrued inter- est upon this one judgment. James O'Harra, by his lawyer, bought all the property. Judgment was confessed upon the O'Harra bond in August, 1803, and the sheriff, Alexander Johnston, Esq., soon after, by the orders of O'Harra through 222 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Mr. Ross, his attorney, levied upon all the property, but no sales were made until June, 1808. The tract of land, upon which were the mansion-house, grixt- mill, and furnace, was sold for four thousand dollars, although at the time it was rented out at three thou- sand dollars per annum. The last tract was sold Oct. 15, 1810. Previous to this a nameless, heartless wretch — a Shylock of a neighbor — had bought up all his due- bills, brought suit upon each one separately, and on them sold all his goods and chattels. They took everything from him they could get, and left him only one bed and bedding, a few books of his English and classical library (among which was his favorite Horace), and a bust of John Paul Jones, which had been sent to him by Jones himself from Paris, and which he prized highly. - In his days of adversity the Assembly of Pennsyl- vania pensioned him with a small amount, which in 1817, the year before his death, was increased to fifty dollars a month. Congress, the year of his death, passed an act allowing him sixty dollars a month, and dated it back one year. Of this he got not one cent, for greedy creditors were watching, and it was attached before it left the fingers of the treasurer. Had it not been for the little he got from the State of ' Pennsylvania, and what he received through charity, he would not have had enough to relieve the pangs of hunger. INTERIOR OF ST. CLAIR S HOUSE. The last period of his life is a period not pleasing to contemplate. After he was turned out of house and home he removed to the summit of Chestnut Ridge, and there lived in a log house alongside the old State road. The cabin stood on a barren and rocky piece of land which his son Daniel, who had saved some little money, bought as an asylum for his old father and family. Here, to nurse life a little longer, to keep his family together, to care for his wife, now hurt in intellect, and to' get coarse bread for his dependent flock of children and grandchildren, he kept tavern for the entertainment of the traveling public. 1 His hereditary disease (the gout) afflicted him greatly, so that his declining days were as full of misery as of grief. But the lack of bread was of all his ills the least. 2 Poverty of itself is no disgrace, and to>men like him who had given all for others, and who found no one to give him anything, it is a crown of glory though of thorns, around which rests an aureola of never- ending radiance. There is a text in the Holy Scrip- tures which reads, " At two things my heart is grieved : a man of war fainting through poverty; and a man of sense despised." 3 There were those who mocked and jeered at the Samson now shorn of his locks, — these were the asses who came and kicked their heels into the face of the dying lion, — mean, brainless, in- sulting men, who in their cups sang ditties within his hearing which charged him with the death of those who had fallen in battle, and still more worthless curs who charged him to his face with cowardice. 4 But no one who was capable of appreciating nobleness, and who could instinctively recognize true manhood, ever stepped beneath his lowly roof without recog- nizing himself to be in the presence of a gentleman, a scholar, a soldier, a statesman, a patriot. 5 Nowhere 1 Arthur St. Clair was recommended for tavern licenses, Jan. 24, 1814. We may say here, in passing, the Westmoreland court records Bhow among other things that in 1793 (June 11th), St. Clair gave his recogni- zance for the appearance of some defendants in court. Aug. 30, 1793, his name is at the head of a petition for a road, which being granted the order was lifted in September, 1794, by " Gen. St. Clair." These show that he was in Westmoreland at th06e dates. "In his justly admired letter of thanks to the ladies of New York, who had sent him four hundred dollars, which letter is dated "Chestnut Ridge, 4th March, 1813," is this paragraph : " To soothe affliction ifl certainly a happy privilege, and it is the appropriate privilege of the fair sex, and nobly have the ladies uf New York exercised it; and though I feel all I can feel for the relief brought to myself, their at- tention to my daughters touches me the most. Had I not met with distress I should not have, perhaps, known their worth. Though all their prospects in life (and they were once very flattering) have been blasted, not a sigh, not a murmur has been allowed to escape them in my presence, and all their pains have been directed to rendering my re- verses less affecting to me, and yet I can truly testify that it is entirely on their account that my situation e\er gave me one moment's pain." 3 Ecclesiastical, xxvi., 25, 26. — Doiuuj Edition. 4 The ballad of St. Clair's defeat was in the early part of this century very popular in Western Pennsylvania. I have heard from old persons that there were some drunken, abandoned creatures who took especial delight in singing at it when St. Clair was in Youngstown or in Ligo- nier. One verse was this : "'Twason the fourth day of November in the year of ninety-one, We had a sore engagement near to Fort Jefferson ; St. Clair was our commander, which may well remembered be, For we lost nine hundred men in the Western Ter-ri-to-ree." Several versions of this ballad si ill exist, and there are two preserved in Dr. Frank Cowan's " Poems and Ballads," etc. ■"• The biographer of Gen. Lewis Cass, quoted in " Life and Public Ser- vices," etc., p. 252, refers to Cass' acquaintance with St. Clair, and thus describes him : " Gen. St. Clair was a most interesting relic of the Revo- lutionary period; tall, erect, though advanced in years, well educated, gentlemanly, thoroughly acquainted with the world, and abounding iu anecdotes descriptive of the men and scenes he had encountered in his eventful career. Lewis Cass saw him for the last time some years before his death in a rude cabin, supporting himself by selling supplies to the ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. 223 and at no time and under no circumstance did the superior manhood of the man appear to better ad- vantage. Here he forgot that the country had taken from him the best years of his life, and after having taken and appropriated his services and his money when it was needy and helpless, refused to recom- pense him now that it was able and strong. He even forgot himself, and of all those whose names were subscribed to the institution of the Orderof the Cincinnati, of which lie was president for the State of Pennsylvania, none could so appropriate the motto which encircled the medallion on the breast of the eagle of their decoration, " Omnia relinquit servare rempublicam," At length this life, of which want, neglect, con- tumely, ingratitude and injustice, domestic inquietude and disease so largely made a part, drew to a close. On the 30th of August, ISIS, as he was coming down the road from his home to Youngstown, at the foot of the ridge, driving his pony in a rough, jolting wagon, by some means he fell or was thrown out on the ground. The road was rough and very abrupt, and as the turn- pike had lately been opened this road was suffered to fall into neglect. When he was found he was insen- sible. His pony had moved no great distance. He was taken home and cared for; but he never gained consciousness, and on the next day the great soul, overladen with unutterable woe and misery, was at rest for evermore. 1 From a copy of the Register which contains the wagoners who traveled the road, one of the most striking instances of the mutations which chequer life." The following reminiscence is taken from the celehrated letter of Hou. Elisha Whittlesey to Hon. Richard Brodhead, chairman of the Committee of Claims United States Senate. Mr. Whittlesey, by the way, was the first representative of the Ashtabula District in Ohio in Cou- gress, the Garfield district. Until Mr. Garfield ceased to represent that district it had but three representatives, Mr. Whittlesey, Mr. Joshua Gid- dings, and Mr. Garfield. He says, "In 1815 three persons and myself performed a journey from Ohio to Connecticut on horseback in the month of May. Having under- deratood that Gen. St. Clair kept a small tavern on Chestnut Ridge, eight miles east of Greensburg, or the distance may have been greater, I proposed that we stop at his house and spend the night. He had no grain for our horses, and after spending an hour with him in the most agreeable and interesting conversation respecting his early knowledge of the Northwestern Territory, we took our leave of him with deep regret. "I never was in the presence of a man that caused me to feel the same degree of veneratiou and esteem. He wore a citizen's dress of black of the Revolution; his hair clubbed and powdered. When we entered he arose with dignity and received us most courteously. His dwelling was a common double log house of the western country, that a neighborhood would roll up in an afternoon. Chestnut Ridge was bleak and barren. There lived the friend and confidant of Washington, the ex-Governor of the fairest portion of creation. It was in the neigh- borhood, if not in the view, of a large estate at Ligonier that ho owned at the commencement of the Revolution, and which, as I have at times understood, was sacrificed to promote the success of the Revolution. Poverty did not cause him to lose self-respect ; and were he now living his personal appearance would command universal admiration." This reminiscence was written May 16, 185G. 1 When I was quite a boy I often spuke with the old lady who found him on the roadside. She, with another woman, were going out fur berries when they came upon him. Her name was Susan Steinbarger. proceedings of the meetings at Greensburg we obtain the following: 2 "When, therefore, the news of the death of the general reached Greensburg, the inhabitants of the town, who held his services and his character in high regard, met in a public meeting at the court-house; James Brady, Esq., was called to preside, and Richard Coulter, Esq., was selected as secretary. At the meeting the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : " Resolved, That the wishes of the corporation and citizens of Greens- burg that the remains of the late Maj.-Geu. Arthur Saint (Hair may be interred in the burying-ground in said place be respectfully communi- cated to the family of the deceased. " Resolved, That the following gentlemen be a committee of arrange- ment to superintend the funeral, if the family of the deceased consent to the removal of the remains. Dr. James Postlewaithe, A. W. Foster, John Reed, Simon Drum, Jr., John H fc Wise, George Armstrong, Daniel Maclean, and Richard Coulter. "James Brady, Chairnwn. " Richard Coulter, Sec." The following letter was sent to Mrs. Louisa Robb, the eldest daughter of the general : " Greensburg, August 31st, 1818. " Madam : "In obedience to the resolution of the corporation and citizens of Greensburg, we beg leave respectfully to present to the family of Geu. St. Clair their condolence at the melancholy event of his death. Desi- rous to express some small token of respect for the memory of a man whose name is conspicuous on the page of our history as one of the heroes who achieved our independence, we are directed to obtain per- mission from the family that the body of our lamented friend may be deposited near us. '* Mr. Drum will have all necessary arrangements made at Youngstown, in unison with those which are preparing here, to do honor for the occa- sion. "We are, Madam, respectfully (signed by the Committee of Arrangement). " Mrs. Louisa Robb." In addition to the prompt action taken by the citi- zens of the borough, arrangements had also been made both at Ligonier and at Unity burying-ground, with the expectation that the remains would be laid at one or the other of these places, 3 but the consent of the family was finally obtained to have them rest in the graveyard of the Presbyterian congregation at Greensburg. The committee went to the home of the deceased and accompanied the remains. The funeral was re- ceived about a mile from town by the Greensburg Volunteers, commanded by Col. Ely Coulter, and the Masonic lodge joined the procession on the road about half a mile out. The procession halted in the - The article, iu addition to this, gives a biographical sketch of St. Clair, which, we may remark, has furnished the substantial material for every sketch which we have yet met with. That part of it was copied entire and submitted as an original contribution to Morris & Willis' New York Mirror, under the heading of "American Biography," and from thence copied extensively into other periodicals. Although the article is scholarly and elegant, yet in some essentials it is defective, and in some statements, as later research has shown, not exact. 3 Hamlet. " It is not very strange, for my uncle is King of Denmark, and those that would make mouths at him while my father lived give twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred ducats apiece for his picture in little. 'Sblood, there is something in this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out."— HamUL Act III. S. 2. 224 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. square in the middle of the town, where the family were assisted out of their conveyances, and from here all on foot walked to the grave in the following order: military, by the left, with arms and its colors reversed and drums muffled ; citizens generally; committee of arrangement; judges; clergy; coffin containing the remains, with six pall-bearers on each side; relations; officers of the Revolutionary army ; corporation of the borough. The body was interred with the rites of the Masonic brotherhood. The monument over MONUMENT OF ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. his grave was erected some years later by the same fraternity, and the inscription upon it is perhaps the most appropriate one ever yet carved upon granite over any servant of the republic. 1 1 The inscription on the north side: "This Stone is erected over the hones of their DEPARTED BROTHER, by memhers of the MASONIC SOCIETY, resilient in this vicinity." Thus much of the public life and services of this distinguished citizen. It has been truly said that the afflicting spectacle of his last days melts the heart with sorrow. Perhaps there was not a prominent character of the Revolutionary period, with the ex- ception of Morris, that gave so much of his life and service and means to the cause of America as did St. Clair, and there was none, with that exception, who was so«poorly and so meanly recompensed. It is true that he died poor, but in such poverty there was no shame. " It is true, it is a pity, and pity 'tis 'tis true." A man with a superior education and the in- stincts of a gentleman, a companion and associate of Lafayette, of Steuben, of Hamilton, and of Washing- ton, and a sharer of their glory, a general-in-chief of the army and a president of Congress, closing his life in neglected solitude ! The commencement of the Revolution found him in affluent circumstances, in the vigor of manhood, rising with the destiny of the young Commonwealth, and when his race was run, his course finished, he found himself old and poor, an outcast, at the mercy of men more heartless than wolves, on the summit of the ridge as cold and as desolating as the gratitude of his country, within sight of his former home, — his home? — his home no more, for it too was sold over his head to pay the debt incurred for the liberty of the States. He spoke know- ingly who, seeing him as he passed by, was reminded of the Roman exile's reply, " Tell the citizens of Rome that you saw Caius Marius sitting among the ruins of Carthage." In his social life, before it was saddened, he is said to have felt the tender sympathies of our nature to the fullest extent. His conversation was instructive and interesting, enlivened by wit and embellished with science. His manners never underwent a change, and although age had its power over his body, it could not disturb the high breeding or change the habit of his manners. On meeting a person, as old ones remember, he would bow low in his saddle, and always raise his hat on passing a woman. In his lat- ter days he was given to reflection, to which his exile and loneliness were in a measure conducive. He was often seen walking with his hands behind his back, a. posture natural to the great Napoleon when at St. Helena, and to Themistocles when at Argos. He The inscription on the south side: "THE Earthly Remains of Major-General ARTHUR St. CLAIR are deposited heneath this humble monument, which is Erected to supply the place of a nobler one due from his country. He died August 31st, 1818, in the S4th year of his age." ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. 225 would sit for hours together at the table of the back room of the village tavern, absent in thought, appar- ently lost to the present, and seeing only the past or into the future. He came down almost daily to the village, which was but a few miles from his house. Here he frequently met Findley, the member of Congress from our district, and the most popular pol- itician of his day, and these would talk together, having a time over their glass of punch in the low bar-room of Skyle's tavern. He usually rode upon a small gray horse, but sometimes in a heavy, low- wheeled, wooden-axled carriage. He is described by persons who recollect him as being a tall man, square shouldered, cleanly shaved, his cheek-bones very prominent, and with a certain dignity of carriage and address. He was no longer erect, but there was no mistaking the military bearing of the man. As an officer he must have been fine-looking and commanding. As ensign he is described as tall, graceful, dignified, with chesnut hair, handsome blue eyes, and blond complexion, master of all the accom- plishments of the drawing-room, including the art of entertaining conversation. His portrait in oil, taken at a late date, in the Continental uniform, may now be seen in Independence Hall, Philadelphia. In considering the character of St. Clair there are two incidents which recur to us and illustrate a phase of his character better perhaps than an array of words. When Robert Hanna was using his influ- ence to have his settlement made the abiding-place of justice for the new county, he stopped on his way to the East at St. Clair's house. St. Clair, then the agent of the Penns, taking the opportunity offered to send a communication to the Council, wrote a letter to President Shippen, wherein he stated that it was owing to Hanna's influence and personal interests that he controlled the other trustees to fix on his set- tlement as the county-seat. " I beg you will excuse inaccuracies," so he writes, " as I write, in the greatest hurry, Mr. Hanna holding his horse while I write." The next incident occurred long after. St. Clair and Findley met together once when the former was well-nigh shelterless and the latter one of the most prominent men of his day. Findley inadvertently, and perhaps through sympathy, said, " I pity your case, general, and heartily sympathize with you;" whereupon the old warrior straightening himself up, with his eyes flashing the fire they were wont to when the bugles blared and the men fell into line, replied, " I am sorry, sir, that I cannot appreciate your sym- pathy." The death of St. Clair, surrounded as it was by so many circumstances of neglect, was a fit occasion for writers of the old school to dwell on the romanticism of solitude and exile, and to write essays on the pro- verbial aphorism respecting the ingratitude of repub- lics. He has been described as the recluse of the Al- leghenies, as a hermit, as a philosopher in exile, as a sage in rags. One romancist, who wrote to satisfy the taste of the metropolis, describes his death as oc- curring in a miserable hut on the mountain top, in the midnight of winter, during such a storm as howls through the Alps, or as that which swept over Eng- land and carried off the soul of the great Oliver Crom- well. But there was no romance in his latter end. It is true that the tourist can at this day, standing near his old home, look out upon as fair and romantic a scene as he will see anywhere in America. Perhaps nowhere else could the shade of the dead see a land- scape so nearly resembling those which he himself saw when a boy in his own Scotland. On the one side you may take in view the broad Ligonier Valley, with the long-lapping hills losing themselves in the horizon in the far distance. On the other side you shall see the valley which lies between the western slope of the Ridge and the Whortleberry Hills. To the right, within a half-amphitheatre, "green-walled by the hills," is the brisk town of Latrobe, the Ligo- nier Valley Railroad winding along the basin of the Loyalhanna, which, breaking through the Ridge after devious windings through marshes and around shelv- ing banks, loses itself behind the knolls to the north. You can trace the Pennsylvania Railroad by its bur- nished rails where it crosses the valley. Down be- neath you, you will see the roofs and the long, single street of the old-time village of Youngstown, and trace the gray turnpike as it crawls over the hills eight miles beyond. On an upland, against a background of woods, are the college and cloisters of the Benedic- tine Monastery of St. Vincent's ; to the left the slated roofs, the bay-windows, and red chapel of the Con- vent of St. Xavier's ; innumerable tasty farm-houses and orchards, white barns, square school-houses, and broad expanses of meadow all along alternate as far as you can see, while the abruptness of the broken hills ceases, and their blue tops vanish in an unde- finable line into the south, as do the sloping lands which extend far on into the rich heart of the west. It was all different when he stood there. He might have seen when he came there a few poorly-built houses, forming a hamlet on one side, and the same on the other. Here and there the smoke rising above the trees from the cabins of the first settlers, and an almost unbroken forest on all sides, and known a people struggling for a living, — a people who to him were neither kind, nor with sympathy such as he needed, and even without respect. A little cleared patch with its stony soil and deadened trees that stood like giants to sentinel enchanted land, was about his door. The wild animals might yet be heard at night, and the lonesome birds of evil croaked in broad day around the edge of the clearing. Even the mossy rocks covered with ferns and rhododen- drons as they sheltered venomous snakes, could not appear to him as they appear to those drawn thither through pleasure or by curiosity. To a place of such surroundings as these it was that the old man, broken with the storms of state, had come to lay his weary 226 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. bones among us. With him it is all over: he sleeps his last sleep, he lias fought his last battle; no sound can awake him to glory again, — " He now is in his grave ; After life's fitful fever he sleeps well; Trenson lias done his worst : nor steel, nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing Can touch him further." 1 1 Memorandum of lands taken by St. Clair in Western Pennsylvania: The within is taken from the records of the land-office, and can be relied on as correct. The lands are divided into three kinds, application, warrant, and dona- tion lands, according to the designation of the original title. By application dated 23d Nov., 1767, St. Clair got 317 acres, situate one- half mile below the Fraukstown road, Bedford County. They were pat- ented Sept. 0, 1785, to Bartholomew Boucher, on the Frankstown road, inclusive of Yellow Springs. By application dated 3d April, 1769, he got 412 acres, 57 perches, situ- ate four miles above Ligonier, at the great bend of the Loyalbauna. This is now Donegal township, Westmoreland. By application in right of John Grant, dated 7th April, 1769, he got 270 acres, 80 perches, also in Donegal township. They were patented Oct. 17, 1788. Three hundred and seventy-two perches along Loyalbanna were patented to Daniel St. Clair. By application dated 23d June, 1769, he got 339 acres. They were pat- ented Oct. 17, 1788. Ninety-two perches along the Loyalhanna Creek were patented to Daniel St. Clair. By warrant dated 23d Nov., 1773, he obtained 592 acres, situate in Ligonier township, Westmoreland County, being an octagon Burvey of different dates. It says that he was commandant at the post of Fort Ligonier in April, 1769. By warrant dated 24th Sept., 1783, lie obtained 6219 acres and 35 perches, situated on Chestnut Bidge and Loyalhanna Creek. The tract was patented 22d July, 1794, and got by resolution of the General As- sembly. By warrant dated 16th Nov., 1787, he got 81 acres, situated in the forks of Mill and Loyalhanna Creeks and adjoining the octagon tract. By warrant dated 19th July, 179J, he got 394'^ acres, situated in Southampton township, Somerset County. They were patented June 22, 1870, to John, Henry, and. Matthias Bailsman. By warrant dated Apiil 30, 1791, he got 256 acres, situated in Fairfield township, Westmoreland Countv, adjoining his other land6. They were patented 7th May, 1870, to Eliza Denny. By donation dated Februaay, 1786, Maj. -Gen. Arthur St. Clair obtained from the State of Pennsylvania 2000 acres. There were 1000 acres of thid in Crawford County, divided into two tracts ; there were 500 in Erie and 500 acres in Lawrence. St. Clair owned 10,881 acres in all, and of these 8270 acres were situated in Westmoreland County. Chronological Table of Events, etc , in the Career of Gen, St, < lair. Born, 1734. Ensign 60th Regt. (Royal Americans) of Foot, May 13, 1757. With Amherst at Louisburg, Canada, May 28, 1758. Lieutenant, April 17, 1759. Capture of Quebec, Sept. 13, 1759. Married at Boston, May 14, 1760. Resigned his commission, April 16, 1762. On special service in a civil capacity in Western Pennsylvania, having charge of Fort Ligonier. 1767-69. Appointed surveyor for the District of Cumberland by Penn, April 5, 1770. Appointed county justice and member of the Proprietary Council for Cumberland County, 23d May, 1770. Appointed justice of the Court (Ded. Pot.), prothonotary, register, and recorder for Bedford County, 11th— 12th March, 1771. Appointed to same offices for Westmoreland County, Feb. 27, 1773. Resolutions at Hannastown, 16th May, 1775. Colonel under Council of Safety, 1775. Colonel in the Continental service, 3d Jan., 1776. Before Quebec, 11th May, 1776. Brigadier-general, 9th August, 1776. Major-general, 19th Feb , 1777. Detailed as adjutant-general, March, 1777. Member of Council of Censors, 1783. CHAPTER XL. WAR OF EIGHTEEN TWELVE. Causes of the War— Congress declares War with Great Britain— Gov- ernor Snyder issues a Proclamation, and directs the Organization of the Pennsylvania Militia — Officers and Arrangement of the West- moreland Militia under this Plan — British and Indians appear in force on opposite side of Lake Erie — Fears of an Invasion of Northwestern Pennsylvania from Canada— Militia from Western parts of the State ordered to Assemble at Erie— Oliver Hazard Perry — Capt. Bird and his Ballad — Condition of Affairs on the Northwestern Frontiers at the Breaking out of the War — Troubles with the Indians — Gen. Hull, Governor of Michigan Territory, invades Canada — Surrender of De- troit — The whole West in Arms — Army of the Northwest organized under Gen. Harrison— John B. Alexander and the Rifle Company of Westmoreland — Correspondence between Alexander and the Military Authorities — The Rifles offer their Services to the Government of the United States — They are accepted and Ordered to March — List of Offi- cers and Men — Capt. Joseph Markle's Company of Horse — Muster- Roll of Capt. Markle's Company — These Volunteers attached to the Detachment sent to the MiBsissinewa Towns — Object of the Expedition — Its entire Success, and the Gallantry of the Westmorelanders — Capt. Alexander detailed on Special Duty — Promoted to rank of Major — Win- ter Campaign of 1813 — Fort Meigs— Gallant Conduct of Maj. Alexander and the Pennsylvania Volunteers at Fort Meigs — Opposed to Tecumseh — Termination of the Siege — Conduct of the Westmorelanders men- tioned by Gen. Harrison in General Orders to the whole Army — Maj. Crogan at Upper Sandusky — Orders discharging the Rifles, and Com- mendatory thanks of the General. Along with the assumption of many peculiar privileges not known to other nations, and to their exercise by the government of Great Britain towards the government of the United States, was particularly the unwarranted power which England assumed in the right to search American vessels for suspected deserters from the British navy. Under cover of the exercise of this privilege the grossest outrages were committed upon American commerce from British privateers and cruisers. These depredations contin- uing produced among the people the most intense excitement. In the beginning of this unwarranted demand and its exercise the government of the United States had earnestly protested against the right of search, and as early as 1807 preparations were made by the gov- ernment for defense in the expectation of a rupture by reason of the illegal restrictions exacted on our commerce by Great Britain, as well as on this issue, and appropriations were made for war purposes. In 1811 Congress was convened a month earlier. That body seconded the measures which had been adopted by President Madison in declaring offensive measures and calling for troops. Auctioneer of Philadelphia, 24th Feb., 1784. Member of Congress (elected), 11th Nov., 1785. Took his seat, 20th Feb., 1786. President of Congress, 2d Feb., 1787. Governor qf the Northwestern Territory, chosen by Congress, 5th Oct., 1787. Candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania, 1790. Commander-in-chief of the army, 1791. Battle of the Wabash, Nov. 4, 1791. Resigns his generalship, 1792. Removed from government of Northwestern Territory by Jefferson, Nov. 22, 1802. Died Aug. 31, 1818. WAR OF EIGHTEEN-TWELVE. 227 On the 5th of June, 1812, President Madison laid before Congress the- correspondence between Mr. Monroe, Secretary of State, and the British minister near our government. The correspondence seemed to preclude all hopes of adjusting the two principal points at issue, the orders of Council against our commerce and the impressment of our seamen. Pres- ident Madison sent a message to Congress, in which our complaints against Great Britain were enumerated with great vigor and force. The Committee on For- eign Relations concurred with the President in recom- mending war. On the 18th of June (1812), Congress, sitting with closed doors, declared war against Great Britain. On the same day the resolution received the sanction of the President, and on the next day war was publicly proclaimed. Congress authorized the increase of the regular army to thirty-five thou- sand men, and authorized the raising of a large vol- unteer force for one year. Simon Snyder, the Governor of Pennsylvania, a patriotic man of the Revolutionary period, was fully in accord with the executive of the Union and the people. On the 12th of May, 1812, he issued a gen- eral order as commander-in-chief of the militia of Pennsylvania, directing their organization on a war basis. The quota of the State was fixed at 14,000 militia, officers and privates, to be formed into two divisions, four brigades, and twenty-two regiments. The militia was purely the State military force, and they of course are not to be mistaken for the vol- unteers, who were sworn into the service of the gov- ernment of the United States, and who did service out- side the limits of the State under regular officers. In this arrangement the militia of Westmoreland was included in the Thirteenth Division of the six- teen in all the State. Of this division David Mer- chant (Marchand), of Westmoreland, was major-gen- eral from 1812 to 1814; Thomas Mason, of Fayette, was brigadier-general ; George Armstrong, of West- moreland, and Uriah Springer, of Fayette, were bri- gade inspectors in 1812 ; John Kirkpatrick, of West- moreland, and George Death, of Fayette, were brigade inspectors in 1814. The quotas of these divisions were formed into two divisions for service. The quotas of the divisions up to the Eighth Division formed the First Division for active service ; those from the Eighth inclusive to the Sixteenth formed the Second Division for service, under command of Gen. Adamson Tannehill, with a brigadier from the Second Division, and a brigadier- general from the Fourth Division of the State. In July, 1813, the British with an Indian force ap- pearing on the opposite side of Lake Erie, created the greatest alarm in the town and vicinity of Erie Town, and the apprehension was general that there would be an invasion of Pennsylvania by the enemy from Canada. A military division was immediately organ- ized under Gen. John Kelso, and the militia of the western parts were ordered to speedily assemble there. Hither many of the organized Westmorelanders were speedily sent; but the services there were confined to the brilliant naval exploits and the victory which has made famous the name of Oliver Hazard Perry. When Perry came to Lake Erie he had first to build and launch a navy, but he and his gallant officers were prepared to make some resistance even before the vessels were built. But his main protec- i tion was from the militia of Northwestern Pennsyl- vania, which was constantly held in readiness to repel ! any attack that might be made. Even when his ships were ready for sailing, his crew was made up in great part of drafts and volunteers from the militia. While this is a fact of history it appears to be sanctified in romance and in poetry, for one of the purest ballads per se in all American border minstrelsy is that of " James Bird," which, sung to the tune of " The Tempest." was a generation ago one of the most popular ballads in Western Pennsylvania. It has in it all the elements of those master-pieces of lyrical | poetry which are yet the flower of the early English romance ; it echoes love, paternal respect, maternal affection, devotion to country, and a noble type of manhood which confesses his wrong and his way- wardness, and who admits that the sentence that con- victs him is right and deserved : " Hull, you know, Iris troops surrendered. And defenseless left the West; Tlieu our forces quick assembled, The invader to resist. "Amongst the troops that marched to Erie Were the Kington volunteers ; Captain Thomas then commanded, To protect our West frontiers. 11 And so on for twenty-two stanzas in language and meter which Macaulay would not have attempted to criticise, and which any man who never saw a horn- book can understand without explanation. 1 1 In recalling the circumstance of the execution of Bird and the popu- lar ballad which grew out of his execution we do not claim sympathy for the unfortunate man. Bird was a sergeant in Gapt. Thomas 1 com- pany, raised in the valleys of the North Branch of the Susquehanna, called the Kingston Volunteers, and although he had command of a guard whose duty it was to protect and watch over a government ware- house, he and the guard deserted their post after having done duty, it is true, in the service under Perry. Bird and a private, the guard named Rankin, and also aseaman named Davis were arrested on the charge of desertion, handed over to the military authorities, kept on hoard the " Niagara,' 1 tried by a court-martial while at Detroit, found guilty of the charges, and recommended fur mercy. But it was deemed necessary by the government authorities that the sentence should be carried out. The execution of the three men took place on board the " Niagara, 11 in Erie Harbor, October, 1814. Bird and Rankin were shot, and at the same niouieut Davis was hung at the yard-arm. Their bodies were buried in the sand on the beach, and all traces of their graves have long since been washed away from the receding shore. These men were undoubtedly punished to be made examples of. Many others were guilty of excesses in drunkenness, neglect of duty, aud grave military offenses. It probably would not be just to say that they did not deserve the fate they met, but it is the general opinion that many more deserved a similar fate. They were regarded as martyrs because they had to hear the punishment deserved by many others. They have always been the objects of pity, rather because they were the only ones who were punished than because they did not deserve their punishment- It seldom happens, however, that a person who has met such an igno- minious death h:is been the subject of such posthumous honors. 228 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. From time to time the regiments which had been raised in Western Pennsylvania were kept filled by drafts. Some of these drafts were made to reinforce the army about Baltimore and in Maryland, which was counted upon to resist the advance of that British army which under Gen. Ross sacked the capital of the United States, and at one time seriously threatened to invade Pennsylvania. These did not see much ser- vice. Most of the drafts, however, were for the army stationed at Erie, and some were for the army of the Northwest under Harrison. Of these we give the lists, so far as we have been able to gather them, in the subjoined notes to this chapter, which, with the correspondence and other contemporaneous papers annexed, may be of use to those who are inclined to scrutinize more closely the progress of the war viewed from a local stand-point. In some instances, indeed, with fuller details the par- ticulars might not be so agreeable to contemplate, for it has been remarked that of all the wars in which the Americans have been engaged the War of Eigh- teen-Twelve has a lengthier list of deserters in re- spect to the number of soldiers enrolled than any other, and it must be owned that of these Westmore- land fell not very far behind in her quota. But the organized soldiery from Westmoreland who garnered the glory of that war, and probably because they had more and better opportunities of doing so, were the detachments which were connected with Gen. Harrison's army of the Northwest. At the breaking out of the war, and for some time previous thereto, there were several regularly organ- ized companies in Westmoreland. One of these com- panies was the Rifles of Greensburg, of which John B. Alexander was captain. This company was among the first to offer its services to the government of the United States. We can probably do no greater ser- vice to their memory than to literally transcribe the orders and the correspondence, taken from the origi- nals, which particularly refer to the active service of this company. It may, however, be proper to first recall the fact that at the very time of the breaking out of this war the western portion of the United States was at war with the Indians, who were assisted and instigated not only by the money and the weapons of the British, but in many instances were under the direction and command of their regular officers. The battle of Tippecanoe had raised William Henry Harrison, Gov- ernor of the Northwestern Territory, to the highest point in the estimation of the people of that section as an active and efficient man of military ability and genius. The disgraceful surrender of Gen. Hull, Governor of Michigan Territory, who, at the head of a large force of volunteers raised for service against the In- dians, upon hearing of the declaration of war, impru- dently, and with a zeal beyond his ability to perform, led them across the river into Canada, thus invading the country of the enemy. But the British, very adroitly and with sagacity, sent out detachments of effective men, and surprised and captured the very important fort of Michilimackinac, called the Gib- raltar of the Lakes, and Fort Chicago, which, by order of Hull directing the forces there to retreat to Fort Detroit, then in great danger, was abandoned. After some successful skirmishes between the de- tached bodies of the volunteers and the British and Indians of Canada, the Americans were compelled to withdraw from that line, and to fall back to the near vicinity of Detroit. The British soon took up a posi- tion opposite that fortification, and began to erect works for its investment. In the mean time a large proportion of the American forces were under orders to convey the provisions and material hither. Gen. Brock commanded the British ; Hull commanded the fort. On the 15th of August (1812) a demand was made for the surrender of the post, but the demand was refused. The British opened fire, and throughout the next night threw shells from their batteries. In the morning the British, under cover of their ships, landed on the American shore, and as soon as they were in position advanced towards the fort. But while the Americans were waiting with eagerness for orders to begin firing, and thus to open an offensive battle, a white flag was displayed from the advance posts of the Americans, and a British officer with an escort were seen to advance towards it. It was a flag of truce, under which the commandant and general of the forces, Hull, proposed to surrender. This he did without firing a shot. Seventeen hundred Amer- icans were handed over under the terms of the sur- render to a weak force of about seven hundred British and Canadian militia and six hundred Indians. The detachments yet out were also surrendered by these terms, and the enemy came into possession of great quantities of material and provisions which had been gathered there. Nothing, however, could have so aroused the people of the West to a sense of honor and devotion as this dishonorable and un-American surrender did. All throughout our whole western region rang the cry of war. In many places civil pursuits were for the time abandoned. Western Pennsylvania, with Western Virginia and Ohio, were filled with the greatest enthusiasm. Many of the volunteers could not be accepted, as they appeared too late to be received after the quotas had been made up. Gen. Crooks commanded the troops from Pennsylvania, who. were sent out to reinforce the army of Gen. Harrison. The following documents will give some informa- tion respecting the organization of the " Rifles" and their progress in joining the army under Harrison : On the 3d of August, 1807, a commission was issued to John B. Alexander by Thomas McKean, Governor of Pennsylvania, as captain of the " Rifle Company attached to the First Battalion of the Nineteenth Regiment of the Militia" for the term of four years. WAR OF EIGHTEEN-TWELVE. 229 On the 3d of August, 1811, a similar commission issued to the same person as captain of the Rifle Company, by Simon Snyder, Governor of Pennsyl- vania. When the war broke out the services of the com- pany were tendered and accepted, as appears by the following correspondence: "To Honorahle William Eustis, Secretary of War, Washington City. "Greensrurg, 6th June, 1812. " Sir, — In conformity with a resolution of the Company of Riflemen under my command, I have the honor to make the tender of their ser- vices to the President of the United States as volunteers, and to ask the acceptance of this offer under the late Act of Congress. "By an Inspection Keturn of the company, made on the third of this month, it appears we muster 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, i Sargents, 2 Cor- porals, 2 Musicians, and 4o Rank and file, all uniformed and equipped for service. "I would heg leave to observe to you, Sir, that altho' the Company under my command is well armed with dries, such a 4 ) are ordinarily used by the inhabitants of the Western country, yet those rifles do not appear to be calculated for actual warfare; they are various in appearance, length, weight, and calibre. "If the President of the United States would arm such Volunteer Corps of Riflemen as may be called into service with the arms of the United States, it would no doubt obviate the inconveniences necessarily to arise from the objections made to the arms now in use. " I am, Sir, with respect, " Tour obedient Servant, "J. B. Alexander. " Capt. Rifle Company, attached to 19th Regiment Penna. Militia." Indorsed — "Sent copy to Secy., enclosed to Wm. Fiudley, Esq," "Inspector-General's Office, "July 14, 1812. "Sir, — The pleasing duty devolves on me of informing you that the patriotic tender of your services is accepted. "Be pleased to organize your company, arm and fully equipyourselves for duty, and expect orders to march ; od receipt of which your pay and emoluments will commence. " With perfect respect, "Your most Obedient, "Alexander Smythe, " Brigadier- and Inspector-General. "To Captain J. B. Alexander, Greensburg." " Pittsburgh, Sept. 5, 1812. "Sir, — The situation of the frontier of the State of Ohio and the Ter- ritories adjoining since the capture of General Hull's army will make it necessary that your company should join Capt. Collins and Capt. Phil- ips, also Capt. Markle and Capt. McClelland, two troops of horse, and be in readiness to march at the shortest notice in order to move toward those frontiers, if you should be so ordered by the Secretary at War, and which is expected by the next mail from Washington. "I am, Sir, Vour Ob't Servant, "Joseph Wheaton, Capt., A. D. Q, M, "Capt. Alexander." " Pittsburgh, 11th Sept., 1812. " To Capt. John B. Alexander : "You will please to assemble and march your company of volunteers, with all convenient dispatch, to Cleveland, in the State of Ohio, or wherever else the North Western Army shall have rendezvoused, and on your arrival to report yourself to the commanding officer. " Amos Stoddard, Maj. 1st Begt, U. 8, Artillery."' 1 "MUSTER-ROLL OF COMPANY MUSTERED ON THE 16TH SEPTEMBER, 1812: No. Names. 1. John B. Alexander, captain. 2. Christian Drum, lieutenant. 3. Peter Pram, eusign. 4. Richard Hardin, 1st sergeant 5. John Jameson, 2d sergeant. No. Names. 6. Peter Fleeger, 3d sergeant. 7. Henry Hawkin. 4th sergeant. 8. Adam Kettering, corporal. 9. William Richards, corporal. 10. Jacob Gusneit, drummer. 1 For route of the Rifle Company and the Pittsburgh Blues see " Pent- land 1 :* Journal," Appendix "Q." Privates. 11. Samuel Singer. 28. William Cassiday. 12. Leonard Miller. 29. James Thompson. 13. Henry Miller. 30. John Rice. 14. Daniel Miller. 31. Edward Shelletto, 15. Jacob Sickafoos. 32. John Collins. 16. George Sickafoos. 33. Jonas Kueemier. 17. George Myers. 34. James Taylor. 18. Adam Williams. 35. Jacob Wingart. 19. Henry Barton. 36. Solomon Behaven. 2U. Robert Thompson^ 37. George Sheftler. 21. Isaac Keck. 38. Benj. Jameson. 22. John Wingart. 39. William Kernes. 23. Jacob Rupert. 40. William Singer. 24. Frederick Stewart. 41. John Mitchel. 25. Jonas Keel. , 42. Daniel Rugh. 26. Abraham Weaver. 43. John Shuey. 27. Samuel McLean. 44. Peter Walter. 45. William Vandyke." 2 The first steps taken by Harrison were to relieve the frontier posts. Several expeditions organized under competent officers were sent out with this ob- ject, and their actions have given the greatest interest to the military movements of that campaign. In these they were uniformly successful, although their success was at the expense of brave men and much suffering. Just prior to one of the most noted of these expe- ditions the following order was issued to Capt. Alex- ander : "Camp at Franklint<>n, "24 November, 1812. "Sib, — You will please to be prepared to march to-morrow morning with your Company at nine o'clock, at which time the whole detach- ment under my command will move. " Respectfully, "John B. Campbell, " Lt.-Col. 19(A U. S. Regt. "Capt. Alexander." This was the official order which directed Capt. Alexander to accompany the detachment of six hun- dred men which Harrison, on the 25th of November, 1812, ordered from his headquarters at Franklinton to march into the Indian country and destroy their towns on the Mississinewa River. This river is one of the tributaries of the Wabash. • See Appendix "Q" for official roll of the " Rifles" from War Depart- ment. The Greensburgh and Indiana Register for Thursday, September 17, 1812, has the following; "MILITARY MOVEMENTS. "The Greensburg Riflemen, commanded by Capt. John B.Alexander, marched from this place on Wednesday last to join the Northwestern Army under the command of Governor Harrison. They were as fine a set of men as ever handled a rifle, and we are satisfied will do their duty. The best wishes of their fellow-townsmen and country accompany them." " Heaoquarters, Franklinton, " Oct. 22, 1812, " Gentlemen,— You will proceed with your companies to this place immediately, and remain here until you receive further orders. "Very respectfully, " Yr. H'bl Servant, "Wm. Henry Harrison. " p.S. — Your proper route will be through Lebanon, Zenia, and Springfield. "W.H. H. ' Capts. Alexander and Butler, Pittsburgh.' 230 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. The company of cavalry which served in the same army under Capt. Joseph Markle, and which was raised for the most part in the southwestern part of the county, and particularly about the Sewickley and the Youghiogheny, was early in the field. We have not the original orders as they were issued to this company, nor can we enter into details regarding its history such as we can in the company of the Rifles. The following list, obtained from the War Depart- ment, is the earliest roll of Capt, Markle's company which we have been able to get. 1 Muster-roll of a Troop of United States Volunteer Cavalry, under the Com- wind of Capt. Joseph Marlle, in the Squadron Commanded by UfaJ. James V. Ball, and now in the Service of the United States, from the Com- mencement of their Service to the Thirty-first Day of October, 1812, inclusive : No. Dates of Ap- To what 1 pointment Time En- or Enlist- gaged orEn- nient. listed. Joseph Markle Captain. Humphrey Fullerton 1st Lieut. Daniel Waltz 2d Lieut. Jacob Markle Cornet. John C. Pliimer 1st Sergt. Samuel Miller 2d Sergt. Samuel II. Dailey 3d Sergt. John Marshall 4th Sergt. William Skelly 1st Corp. Robert Skelly ] 2d Corp. James Sloan 3d Corp. Henry Breneman 4th Corp. William Craig Trumpeter. James Smith Saddler. George Fregs Farrier. John Bennett ' Private. Peter Broadsword " John Beckett " Isaiab Bnrgan " Robert Campbell I " James Conner I " Findley Carnahan Robert Cooper j " Joseph Chambers , " Samuel Davis " Daniel Fleming " Samuel Hamilton " Stephen Lowry " James McGuffy , " John Milligan " William Miller " Findley McGrew A " John McCammont > " Robert McGuftin " John McClain " Nathiin McGrew.^ I " John Morrison | " Jonathan McClintock , " William McClurg " William Logne j " William Robison | " John Robison " Jonathan Robison " CharlesSholl Samuel Stoflett. " James Selby " John Stone " Samuel Simpler " William Thompson " Matthew Thompson.. " Jacob Weaver., ... " , James Alexander ; " James Guffy ' " Thompson Carnahan I " Thomas McGrew ' " 1 Stephen Rowan " Samuel Montgomery " Sept. 12, 1812 Sept. 12,1813 In the Greensburg and Indiana Register for Oct. 1, 1812, is the following: "On Tuesday evening hist the drafted militia for the First Brigade, Thirteenth Division, marched from this place to Pittsburgh." 1 See additional lists in Appendix "Q." Elsewhere is the following extract from a letter dated at Pittsburgh, Sept. 24, 1812, in which we have notice of the company ; "Yesterday the 'Pittsburgh Blues,' commanded by Captain Butler, and the ' Greensburg Rifle Company,* Captain J. B. Alexander, left this on their way tu join General Harrison. They embarked on board boats, anil will proceed by water nearly to Cincinnati. On Tuesday the West- moreland troop of cavalry, Captain Markle, also left this on the march to Urbanna."2 This company of cavalry was regarded by Gen. Harrison, an account of their orderly behavior and military appearance, as the first troop of United States volunteer cavalry in the Northwestern Army. They were connected with the squadron of Maj. James V. Ball, and throughout the entire campaign are fre- quently mentioned, and never without approbation and honor. The detachment sent to the Mississinewa towns consisted of Col. Simeral's regiment of Kentucky Volunteers; Maj. James Ball's squadron of United States Dragoons; Capt. John B. Alexander's com- pany of riflemen from Westmoreland ; Capt. Joseph Markle's troop of horse, also from Westmoreland ; Capt. James Butler's light infantry company of Pittsburgh Blues, and of several other companies and squadrons from Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. These troops were commanded by Lieut.-Col. John B. Campbell, of the Nineteenth United States Regi- ment. The season of the year was an inclement one, and the route of march was through a wilderness. They, however, about the middle of December reached the Mississinewa. They followed this stream towards its mouth, and when they were within about twenty miles of the first Indian town, Col. Campbell, in a council, asked the advice of his officers. They advised to march all night and take the enemy by surprise. This was agreed to ; but when they reached the town one of the Kentucky volunteers giving a war-whoop precluded the intended and expected surprise con- templated by giving warning to the Indians. But notwithstanding this eight of their warriors were killed, and forty-two men, women, and children were taken prisoners. The detachment then pressed on, and destroyed three other Indian towns farther down. They then returned to the site of the first one. At this place on the 18th of December they were attacked by several hundred Indians. These were - In the Greeuslninj and Indiuna liei/isler for Sept. 12, 1812, is the fol- lowing: "COMMUNICATION. " Robbstown, Sept. 3, 1812. "In con sequence of the expected march of Capt. Markle and his troop, the citizens of this place and vicinity met, and agreed to treat the troop to a dinner. Against 3 o'clock they had an Ox of 4 or 500 weight roiisted whole, when the troop marched up in order, attended by about 400 citizens, and partook of the good cheer provided. After dinner the following toa-sts were drank, with many others, amidst the acclamations of the largest concourse of citizens ever seen in this place." In the issue of the same paper for Oct. 1, 1812, it appears that eleven had deserted from Capt. Markle's company, as he offers a reward therein for their apprehension. WAR OF EIGHTEEN-TWELVE. 231 concealed in the edge of the forest, behind fallen trees, and opened lire upon the whites before they were discovered. But a charge was made upon them, and from the advantage the whites had in their squad- ron of horse, the Indians were dislodged and driven out from their hiding-places and before the troops. Forty dead warriors were left on the field, and the rest were driven off. Twelve of the Americans were killed and about thirty wounded. Among the killed was Lieut. Waltz, of Capt, Markle's troop. The action of this troop, and particularly of Lieut. Waltz, was described as gallant. The chief object of this expedition was to prevent the Indians from having a harboring-place of safety from which they could issue and intercept the inter- course between the settlements and Fort Wayne, then occupied by our troops, and to drive them towards the St. Joseph's, in Michigan, so that they could not waylay the parties passing and repassing, and that they might not concentrate, as they had been in the habit of doing, on the Maumee. The object in a great measure was accomplished. The detachment then returned back to the main army, and in their march they suffered intensely from cold, hunger, and fatigue. No less than one hundred and eighty men had their limbs frozen. But the loss of the Indians was terrible, and the success of the campaign prevented them from attempting attacks on the settlements. It has been pronounced on all hands to have been one of the best conducted cam- paigns of 1812. The following general order, issued Jan. 9, 1813, especially refers to Capt. Alexander: " Headquarters N. W. Army, ) Fkankmnton, 9th Jan., 1813.1 "General Orders. " As Capt. Bradford's Company is much reduced, the Detachment under the command of Lieut. Percival will continue to do duty with it. " Capt. Alexander, of the U. S. 12 Months Volunteers, as senior Cap- tain, will take command of the Battalion composed of his own and Capt. Butler and McRais' companies. Lt.-Col. Campbell will march the Detachment of Regular Troops from his place to Upper Sandusky as soon as that part of it which served on the late expedition to Missis- sinaway are able to perform that duty. "Capt Alexander will receive further orders from the General with regard to the marching of the volunteers. " L. HA8KILL, 'Ms. Dy. Adjl. General" On the 1st of February, 1813, Capt. Alexander was promoted to major of infantry volunteers, and a com- mission issued to him signed by James Madison, President. Harrison, in 1813, having determined upon a winter campaign for the recovery of Detroit and the Michi- gan Territory, determined to occupy a line of forts from Fort Wayne to the foot of the Rapids. Gen. Winchester was to move towards the latter point, erect block-houses, and make arrangements to hold that region. After an advance and a contemplated engagement with Gen. Proctor of the British forces by a force preceding the army, reinforced by other troops, the plan laid out by Winchester was to a cer- tain extent frustrated, so that he was compelled to erect a strong fortification at the Rapids, and there to organize an army to make that a base for supplies for the campaign in the spring. A fortress was here built called Fort Meigs. It was situated on the south- east side of the River Maumee, and near to the battle- ground where Gen. Wayne defeated the Indians in 1794. The fort was situated on a rising ground, sur- rounded by a prairie for the distance of a hundred and fifty yards, then by a piece of woods, beyond which was another prairie. Fori Meigs was left in command of Gen. Leftwitch, with his Virginia troops, and about two hundred and fifty Pennsylvanians. Col. Wood, of the regular army, had charge of the engineering. Gen. Harrison went to Cincinnati to urge forward reinforcements. Towards the beginning of April, 1813, the enemy were collecting in considerable numbers for the pur- pose of laying siege to Fort Meigs. Gen. Leftwitch, with his Virginians, left the fort, for what cause is not definitely known ; but the Pennsylvania troops, although their term of service had expired, volun- teered for its defense. Harrison, on the knowledge of these affairs, and knowing that the post was in danger from a siege on the side of the greatly superior forces of the British and Indians, hastened forward, and on the 11th of April, 1813, arrived at the fort with reinforcements for the relief of the Pennsylva- nians, who now composed the garrison. Preparations were made for the approaching siege. The force there now amounted to twelve hundred, and under the directions of the engineers they labored day and night in constructing defenses. On the 28th of April, 1813, the British army appeared in Maumee Bay. Orders were sent out to hasten the arrival of Gen. Greene Clay, who was advancing with twelve hun- dred Kentucky volunteers. The British landed and, bestowing their Indian allies, began to invest the place. The garrison was ordered on active duty, and while the British were erecting their batteries the Americans were raising their defenses. Skirmishes frequently took place. On the morning of the 1st of May the British were ready to open their batteries. The Americans, removing their tents from the plain outside of the fort, exposed to view a long breast- work which had been erected behind them. On the 3d of May an additional battery from another point was opened upon the fort, and on the 4th another battery was discovered in a position to do much injury. About the middle of that night an officer arrived at the post, and reported that Gen. Clay waB at the Rapids, and moving down in open boats with twelve or fifteen hundred men, and that he would be at the fort between three and four o'clock in the morning. Gen. Harrison saw his opportunity, and determined to raise the siege by defeating the enemy. He .sent a message to Clay, ordering him to land a sufficient 232 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. force on the bank of the river as became down, which was to attack the. enemy's batteries, spike their cannon, and after destroying their carriages and disabling them, to take to boat, cross the Maumee, and enter the fort. The rest of the reinforcements were to land on the side next the river on which was the fort, and to enter it. He at the same time determined to attack the enemy's batteries on that side of the river, while Clay would attack them on the other side. About eight o'clock the next morning (May 5, 1813), Clay having been delayed, the boats with Clay and that portion of the forces ordered to enter the fort were on landing assailed by a host of savages. Maj. John B. Alexander, with the Pennsylvania and Petersburg Volunteers, were ordered to protect them at the landing. The Indians increased in number, and Maj. Alexander and Col. Boswell charged them ■with effect, and under cover of their fire Clay and his troops fought their way into the fort, driving the In- dians before them for half a mile at the point of the bayonet. In the mean time, Col. Dudley, who had been or- dered to land and attack the British encampment on the other side of the river, marched fearlessly and furiously up to the enemy's cannon. The four bat- teries were all carried in an instant, and the enemy put to flight. The guns were spiked, the carriages cut in pieces, and the poles bearing the red flag of St. George pulled down, when the victorious soldiery gave way to a real frolic. Dudley ordered a retreat, according to orders, for he had done what he was sent to do. But his men would not retreat, but pushed forward with great impetuosity and recklessness, with loud cries to avenge the slaughtered men at the River Raisin. The enemy had concentrated themselves beyond the sight and hearing of the American officer. Then, while a few Indians drew the attention of the Americans towards them, a much larger force of Brit- ish and Indians approached the batteries, and after a desperate battle killed about fifty of the Kentuckians, wounded more than seventy, and took five hundred and fifty prisoners. About one hundred and fifty escaped to the boats and reached Fort Meigs. Col. Dudley attempted to cut his way through to the river, but was killed, having himself slain an Indian after he was mortally wounded. The savages then com- menced a massacre of the prisoners, unopposed by the British general, Proctor ; and this horrid work was continued until the arrival of that magnificent Indian warrior, Tecumpseh, from the batteries on the other side of the river, who stayed his wild men in their work of carnage, declaring it to be a shame to kill defenseless prisoners. At the moment Col. Dudley began his attack on the enemy's batteries, Gen. Harrison ordered a sortie against them on the southeast side of the river. The force detailed for this sortie was under command of Col. John Miller of the regulars. The whole force numbered three hundred and fifty men, and was com- posed of regulars and the battalion of Maj. Alexander, who had just before distinguished itself in assisting the debarkation of Gen. Clay's forces. These were the Pittsburgh Blues, the Petersburg Rifles, and Lieut. Drum's detachment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. There were five companies of regular British troops here, and the Indians were under direct command of the Prophet, the brother of Tecumpseh, and Tecumpseh, who, like a great general, as he was, was everywhere on the battle-field where his presence was needed. They charged the motley foe, three times their su- perior in numbers, and drove them in confusion into the woods. The Indians fought desperately, insti- gated by their great leaders. The Americans lost several of their men, but the object of the sortie was accomplished, and the victors returned to the fort with forty-three prisoners. After this sortie Gen. Proctor sent a British officer with a flag of truce, demanding a surrender. He was indignantly sent back to the other side of the river. The British general now found himself in a crippled condition and unfit to carry on the siege. His artil- lery was rendered useless, and he had lost in killed, wounded, and prisoners more than the besieged. He therefore agreed to exchange prisoners, and to ac- count for the difference. On the 9th of May, under an incessant discharge of artillery from the fort and the American batteries, the British and their allies moved off with their whole force. On the same day, May 9, 1813, Gen. Harrison issued a general order from "Headquarters Fort Meigs," and in this order, which was read to the whole army and thence publicly given to the world, the gallant con- duct of these three hundred and fifty men is men- tioned. 1 Thus terminated the siege of Fort Meigs, one of the most brilliant and memorable actions in Ameri- can history. To its successful termination how far the volunteer soldiery from Westmoreland contributed let the world judge. AT FORT SANDUSKY. On the site of Lower Sandusky there was a stockade fort, then under command of Maj. George Crogan, and hither were transferred some of the Pittsburgh Blues, the Petersburg Volunteers, and some from the different Westmoreland detachments. In all there were one hundred and sixty privates there and some half-dozen officers. Crogan himself was a mere boy just of age. On the 1st of August (1813) the fort was surrounded by five hundred British soldiers under l The siege of Fort Meigs continued thirteen days. Had the attach- ment under Col. Dudley obeyed orders, the eventB of the 5th of May would have been among the brightest in the annals of our country. As it was, it resulted gloriously to the American arms. The loss of the Americans during the siege was eighty-oue killed and one hundred aud eighty-nine wounded. Sixty-four were killed in the sorties, and one hundred aud twenty-four wounded; the rest were killed or wounded in the fort. This does not include the killed and wounded under Col. Dudley. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 233 Proctor and eight hundred Indians, and besides these Teeumta was placed in an ambuscade with a large Indian force to intercept reinforcements directed thither from Seneca Old Town and Fort Meigs. After a disposition had been made of the forces, Proctor sent a flag of truce, demanding the surrender of the fort, and this was accompanied with threats of butchery and massacre if the garrison should hold out. But Maj. Crogiui finding out that his com- panions, mostly young men like himself, would sup- port him to the last, returned the answer that " when the fort should be taken there would be none left to massacre, as it would not be given up while a man was able to fight." During the night a brisk fire was opened on the fort from the artillery in the boats. Crogan discovered that the enemy aimed his guns at one angle of the fort. He ordered Capt. Hunter to place their only cannon in such a position that it would rake the ditch should they attempt to scale the walls. Sergt. Weaver and six privates of the "Pitts- burgh Blues" had charge of this gun. The enemy kept up their fire all the next clay, but the garrison placed bags of flour and sand on the walls of the angle at which the fire was directed, and thus protected the walls itself. About four o'clock in the evening the enemy concentrated all their guns upon this angle, and under cover of the fire and the smoke they pro- ceeded to make the assault. Two feints were made on the lines at that angle, and three hundred and fifty British soldiers advanced to within sixty feet of the walls. A severe fire of musketry from the fort put them in confusion for a moment, but the enemy under a brave officer were urged forward, and he call- ing upon them to follow leaped into the ditch. The masked port-hole was now opened, and the six- pounder within thirty feet of the assailants was fired. Lieut.-Col. Short, their commander, and fifty others were instantly killed or wounded. At the same mo- ment Capt. Hunter's troops opened a terrible and effec- tive discharge of rifles upon the other portions of the assailants. They were compelled to retire. It was now dark. The wounded in the ditch were in a des- perate condition. They begged for water and their friends could not assist them, but Maj. Crogan and his men handed them water over the pickets, and opened a hole underneath, and encouraged as many as were able po come into the fort. At three o'clock in the night Proctor and his men made a shameful retreat down the bay, and in their hurry and confusion they left a boat full of valuable materials. They left around the fort seventy stand of arms and several braces of pistols. The Americans lost one killed and seven very slightly wounded. That of the enemy could not have been less than one hundred and fifty ; upwards of fifty were found in and about the ditch. The rifle company was discharged at Seneca upon the expiration of their term of service, as appears by the following : " Headquarters, Seneca Town, Aug. 28, 1813. (" After General Orders.) "The Pittsburgh Volunteers, commanded by Capt. Butler I those of Greenshurg, by Lieut. Drum, or Maj. Alexander's battalion, having per- formed their services, the general hereby presents them an honorable discharge. " The general has ever considered this corps as the first in the North Western Army. Equal in point of bravery and subordination, it ex- celled in every other of those attainments which form complete and efficient soldiers. In battle, in catup, and on the march their conduct has done honor to themselves and their country. "A. II. Holmes, " Ass/. Adj. General." For additional information touching the part sus- tained by Westmoreland in this war, see the contem- poraneous documents cited and copied in Appendix. 1 CHAPTER XLI. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. The Presbyterian Church— Reformed Church— Greenshurg Seminary — Evangelical Lutheran Church— Ministers of the Early Lutheran Church — United Presbyterian Church — Methodists — Early Methodism in Greensbnrg and Vicinity — United Brethren — The Mennonites and their Early Settlement — Baptist Church — Moitnt Pleasant Institute — 1 1 .iii Catholic Church — Catholicity in Western Pennsylvania. As preparatory to the ecclesiastical history of our county, which we propose to consider in this chapter, the following extract we apprehend to be pertinent, throwing light as it does upon the polity of the pro- prietors of the Province in this regard. The religious system of Pennsylvania, says .Air. Lodge in " The History of the English Colonies in America," was peculiar to that Province, and was the most remarkable feature of her public policy, for it was the system of Pennsylvania which received the sanction of the Revolutionary Congress and of the Convention of 1789, and which now prevails through- out the United States. There was, with one trifling exception due to secular causes, genuine religious freedom from the beginning. The oppression of New England and Virginia, of Congregationalist and Episcopalian, was unknown, and toleration did not rest on the narrow foundation of expediency, to 1 We deem it but proper to say that we have consulted many works for the subject matter of this chapter, and that we have followed no par- ticular one, but have lopped oft with an unsparing hand the superfluity of each from which we have made extracts, ltupp's account is un- doubtedly a very correct one, considering the materials he then had ac- cess to. Where our figures dift'er from his is where his differs from the official reports, for we have followed the figures as they are recorded in the records of the War Department at Washington, for which our thanks are due to Gen. R. C. Drum, adjutant-general United States army. We may here make the observation that there were and yet are among us many survivors of the War of Eighteen-Twelve whose names do not appear in the lists we submit. But the reason is obvious. Many who had served from other parts of the State afterwards removed into West- moreland and became identified and recognized as citizens of the county. On the other hand, there were many native Westmorelanders who en- listed in companies from neighboring counties and saw effective service. It is apparent that both these classes must of necessity be omitted in the consideration of the services performed by those who were truly the representatives of Westmoreland. For further lists see Penn. Archives, Second Series, vol. xii. 234 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. which it owed its early adoption in Maryland. The Quakers in power were true to the tenets which they had preached when persecuted. Penn's followers were, however, a religious people, and although they promised to all Christians perfect toleration, a strong tone of religion pervades the " nervous proclamation against vice" 1 and the early laws of the same char- acter. Yet there was little Sabbatarian legislation, such as we find upon the statute-books of both Vir- ginia and Massachusetts, although an unfortunate barber was presented by the grand jury of an early period for " trimming on the first day." There is, however, no indication that Sunday was less observed, or that the morals of the people were worse on this account, and the same may be said in regard to the recognition of marriages solemnized in any religious society whatever. The generous toleration thus af- forded attracted all forms and creeds to Pennsylvania, and at the time of the Revolution the facts especially noticed by all observers are the universal toleration and the number and mixture of sects. One writer asserts that religious indifference was a characteristic of the people, owing to this mingling of sects, and his opinion would seem to be borne out by the religious laxity indicated by the prevalence of church lotteries. The forms were certainly less rigid than elsewhere, but the piety was as genuine and religion as whole- some and wide-spread as in any colony. In the early days of the colony the Quakers were of course much stronger than any other single sect, although they speedily sank from controlling num- bers to a minority of the whole population. They had much more religious energy than any other de- nomination, more fondness for their forms, and main- tained with greater solicitude their connection with the parent societies. The oldest church in the Province was that founded by the first settlers, who were Swedish Lutherans, and this sect maintained itself for more than a century, forming the only connecting link between the wor- shipers and their mother-country. The ministers were sent from Sweden until the year 1786, when a petition for their discontinuance was sent, because their speech was no longer intelligible. But though the distinctions of race were effaced, the creed sur- vived, was adopted by the Dutch, and extended by the German emigrants of like faith. The most important sects next to the Quakers were the Lutherans and Presbyterians, the latter supported by the Irish and Scotch settlers, and with an active, able, and energetic ministry, who spread their doc- trines through the Province. There were also respect- able bodies of Dutch Calvinists, Baptists, Anabaptists, and Moravians. There were also among them many of the strange sects and mystical societies whose members had come from Germany to find peace and 1 Hist. Coll., ix. 12. Peuu to Logan, " Prepare a nervous proclamation against vice." quiet here. Of these there were the Dunkards and Mennouists. The Roman Catholics were the latest to come, and in the early days were a small body, principally composed of Irish and Germans. The only instance of religious persecution, the record of which stains the pages of our colonial his- tory, happened in 1755. It is briefly told. The few Roman Catholics at that time in the Province would have remained contented and unmolested but for the coming of the hapless Acadians, the destruction of whose homes and whose dispersion and exile is told in the beautiful poem of " Evangeline." Many of these came to Philadelphia, where the good Quakers received them kindly. They were French Canadians, and closely following their settlement here came on the French and Indian war. Then the danger of In- dian inroads conducted by Frenchmen was enough to rouse the strongest hatred of which a man of Eng- lish race was at that time capable. In the year 1755 three Frenchmen were arrested for poisoning wells, and the excitement was at its height. The Acadians, by the interposition of certain Huguenot Quakers, were provided for by the Assembly ; but they were dispersed among the counties, and. broken by mis- fortune, sank into poverty and rapidly disappeared. From wild and injurious reports, and because it was said that the Irish were instigated to join the French, the professed adherents of this church were disarmed and their houses searched ; they were exempt from the militia and compelled to pay fines. Their num- ber in Philadelphia was not at this time over two thousand, and they were the poorest of the popula- tion. Their persecution was, however, only passing, and was due, not to religious bigotry, but to the wave of fear which swept over the English colonies when France let loose the savages upon their borders. With this single exception, the religious system of Penn- sylvania was one of perfect toleration, and the con- dition of religious affairs differed in no essential respect, either social or political, from that which is common to all the United States to-day. With this simple policy of toleration to all, religion in Pennsyl- vania plays no conspicuous part in her history. There was in the early times, as it has been remarked, little ostentation connected with the varied worships. The churches or meeting-houses were, as a rule, small and plain but neat buildings, and the clergy a re- spected and respectable class, honored in their calling, but neither a picturesque body, as in Virginia, nor one of great social and political influence, as in Mas- sachusetts. The first religious services of the English-speaking people west of the mountains were held when Chris- ! topher Gist, surveyor and agent for the Ohio Com- pany, on Christmas-day, 1750, read prayers from the prayer-book of the Established Church to the Indians of the Wyandot town of Coshocton, which were in- terpreted to the natives by Andrew Montour. During the occupancy of Fort Duquesne by the ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 235 French, religious services were held at the post in ac- cordance with the Roman Catholic ritual. Here were chanted the same rogations which the faithful heard at Notre Dame, and here was observed the time-hon- ored devotion at the sacrament of the mass. Here was kept the chrism for sacramental purposes, and here the priest performed the last office for the dead, which at this day are denoted in the breviary. A registry was kept of the births, baptisms, and deaths of the in- mates of the fort for the years 1753, 1754, and 1755. These are still preserved, and are now among the archives in Canada. What strikes us the most inter- esting of these records is the account of the death and burial of Beaujeu, the commander of the forces that went out to meet Braddock, and who himself was killed as well as his rival. It reads as follows: "Mr. Leonard (Daniel), Esq., Sieur de Beaujeu, captain of infantry, commander of Fort Duquesne, and of the army, on the 9th day of July, in the year 1755, and in the forty-fifth year of his age. The same day, after having confessed and said his devotions, he was killed in battle with the English. His body was interred on the twelfth of the same month, in the cemetery of the Fort Duquesne, at the beautiful river, under the title of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin, and also with all the usual ceremonies by us, Priest Francis- can, Chaplain of the King, and of the above men- tioned fort. In testimony of which we have signed. Fr. Denys Baeon, P. F. Chaplain." In the heart of the wilderness, on the upper Alle- gheny, near the present Tionesta in Forest County, at Goschoschunk, a village of the Munsies though in the Seneca country, David Zeizberger preached to the Indians in the fall of 1767. In the summer of the next year a log mission-house of considerable dimen- sions was erected, and on June 30, 1768, dedicated. The meetings were attended by great numbers of the Indians, arrayed in their best garments, with their faces painted black and vermilion, and heads deco- rated with fox-tails. The missionaries removed three miles above, on the north side of the river, and with their converts established a little village of log huts in 1769, named Lamunhanneck. There, on Septem- ber 1st, they began to build a chapel and dwelling- house, which they occupied before the winter, and by this time they had consecrated the chapel in which was hung a bell sent from Bethlehem, 1 and for the first time the valley of the Allegheny echoed the sound of the church-going bell. 2 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The first settlers, however, of Western Pennsylvania were, as is well known, of the Presbyterian faith. These belonged to a church which had an effective missionary arrangement, and which bred among her own people a class of men who were adapted beyond 1 One of the Moravian settlement in the eastern part of the State. 2 See the article hy William M. Darlington, Esq., in the "Centenary Memorial." all others to be the pastors of this people. It was such men as the Rev. John Steele, of Carlisle, who, in the spring of 1768, was sent by Governor John Penn to expostulate with the settlers at Redstone, and induce them to remove, as they had violated the law which regulated the settling on lands not purchased of the Indians. As there were some members of that church settled in the West previous to that, Revs. Beatty and Duffield were appointed by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia to visit Fort Pitt, and to pursue missionary enterprises still farther West. The Rev. Charles Beatty had accompanied the Pennsyl- vania contingent of soldiers as chaplain in 1755, and again under Forbes in 1758, and on the Sunday suc- ceeding the capture of the fort preached a thanks- giving sermon to the soldiers. In religious persuasion some of the earliest settlers along the rivers, and especially about those settle- ments which had been formed by the Ohio Company, were Episcopalians, adhering to the establishment as it existed in the Old Dominion; and a majority of those in that part known as Greene County, and noticeably along Dunkard Creek and Muddy Creek, Washington County, were Baptists. 3 These latter had fled from odious laws of Virginia, which remained on the statute-book of that State long enough, when Patrick Henry made it the subject of one of his greatest efforts in favor of religious freedom, and which from the day he derided the law which threw ■a. man in prison for preaching only Christ and him crucified became a nullity. 4 But of the interior set- tlements of the southwestern part, at the earlier date of colonization, it is estimated that seven-eighths were \l of the one lineage, and adhered to the Westminster Confession of Faith, sang the songs of Israel, and piously venerated the memory of those men who had brought about the solemn league and covenant. As we intend to refer to the religious history of our early people as it necessarily forces itself upon us in one view, we do not wish to be misunderstood in say- ing that we write a religious history in the sense com- monly taken. This is not of our province, but it is our duty to notice it so far as it is inseparably con- nected with our secular history. What we shall say is matter of fact, and our inferences will be drawn only from authenticated data. Of these records there is abundance, and from them, it is claimed, as we have before said, that the first Protestant sermon preached west of the Allegheny Mountains was by Rev. Charles Beatty, who came to Fort Duquesne Nov. 24, 1758, with the army of Forbes, who that day took possession of the fort, after its evacuation by the French, and who the next day or the following preached a thanksgiving sermon to the army. In 1760, Revs. Messrs. Alexander and Hector Alli- son were directed by the Synod of Philadelphia to go 8 A good name for a creek in a Baptist settlement. * See Parton'a " Life of Jefferson." 236 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. with the Pennsylvania forces. In 1766, Revs. Messrs. Charles Beatty and George Duffield were sent by the Synod to explore the frontier settlements and ascer- tain the condition of the Indians. They arrived at Pittsburgh on the 5th of September, finding Chaplain McLagan in spiritual charge of the fort. On the fol- lowing Sabbath Mr. Beatty preached in the fort, and both the missionaries preached to the people who lived outside the fort. Then they proceeded to the Muskingum, whence they returned to Pittsburgh, and then to their homes in the East. 1 Soon after Mr. Beatty's visit, Mr. Anderson was appointed to visit this region, with the promise of twenty shillings for every Sabbath he should preach " on the other side of the Kittatining Mountains." In 1769 the Synod ordered the Presbytery of Don- egal to supply the western frontier with ten Sabbaths of ministerial labor. In 1771, Rev. Finley spent two months in mission- ary labors west of the Alleghenies. He came on horse- back with a single companion, to make a preliminary exploration. He is said to have been the first pioneer missionary who visited the Washington County re- gion. He purchased some land there, and in the assessment of tenants for Bedford County his name appears on the rolls. 2 Rev. James Power was the first regularly ordained minister who settled in Western Pennsylvania. He passed through Westmoreland County in 1774, when he spent three months in missionary labor in the set- tlements. In 1776 he came with his family. He preached to the people at various places, where they afterwards had congregations, and supplied their wants till they organized and got other pastors. In 1779, after five years of missionary work, he became pastor of Mount Pleasant and Sewickley congregations, and of Mount Pleasant he continued pastor till he was incapacitated from age (1817). The other places of his earlier labors were at Dunlap's Creek, Laurel Hill, Tyrone, Unity, and Congruity. Mount Pleasant Church was about two miles north- west of the present town. The town was called after the name of the meeting-house of the congregation, which name of itself is a familiar Scotch-Irish one, and is applied to various townships and meeting- houses in the earlier settlements of Pennsylvania and Maryland. On the Sabbath 3 preceding the burning of Hannastown, Dr. Power was in the neighboring settlement somewhere. It has always been currently reported that he was officiating at Proctor's Tent, the 1 Some of these ministers came out on a different errand than that of spreading the gospel, as Rev. John Steele, of Carlisle, who commanded a company under Armstrong in flip Kittanning Expedition, 1756. - Without citing authorities for all our statements, we would say we are indented in general for data for the part which refers to Presby- t. danism to "Old Redstone," "Life of Macurdy," "Centenary Me- morial," and contemporaneous authoritative documents published by authority of that church. 3 Sunday waB always called the " Sabbath," after the custom of the Scotch. old name for Unity Church, on the fast-day preceding communion services ; that the men, as was their usual custom, had come to preaching with their guns, and that on hearing the commotion about the stockade the people dispersed, some of the men going towards the town. 4 John McMillan, a Princeton man, and a name high- sounding among men, preached in 1775 among the people of our (now Washington) county, and in 1776 he received a call from the Chartiers settlement, the name of the settlement along the Chartiers Creek. He was ordained fifteen days before the signing of the Declaration. In 1778 he removed with his young wife, and from that time devoted the able energies of a long life to active parochial duties and to educa- 4 These following five ministers were here before the Redstone Pres- bytery was organized : John Finlf.y was the first of the pioneer ministers who visited this re- gion. He came on horseback, with a single companion, to explore the country and prepare the way for a permanent settlement. He was at this time in the prime of life, about forty years of age ; born in tire province of Ulster, Ireland ; educated at the Fagg's Manor School. He was ordained by the Presbytery of New Castle in 1752. In person he was a fat, nervous, florid little man, able to endure hard- ships, and prepared as soon as circumstances would admit to cast in his lot with the new settlements. He moved thither with his family in 1783, and about two years afterwards became pastor of the churches of Reho- 1 h ■ 1 1 1 and Round Hill, first called " Upper and Lower Meeting-Houses." Of these churches he continued pastor until his death, Jan. 6, 1795. James Power, D.D., first visited the new settlements iu 1774. He was born in Chester County, Pa., in 1746, graduated at Princeton in 1766, licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle June 24, 1772. In 1776 he was ordained by the same Presbytery sine tilulo, the reason being assigned that "he was about to remove to the western parts of this Province." Mr. Power moved across the mountains with all bis family and house- hold effects packed on horseback. The minister carried the eldest daughter on a pillion behind him, and the youngest in his arms. The two other daughters were seated in baskets hung on either side of an- other horse, the mother on a third, and the household effects on other horses. After performing missionary work for some five years he be- came pastor of the churches of Sewickley and Mount Pleasant. In 17S7 he was released from the charge of the Sewickley Church, but continued with Mount Pleasant until 1S17. He died Aug. 5, 1830, aged eighty-five years. Mr. Power/ was of medium height, erect, slender, graceful in manner, and extremely neat in dress; as a preacher he was clear, methodical, and evangelical. John McMillan, D.D., was the next man on the ground, of Irish de- scent, horn at Fagg's Manor iu 1752, graduated at Princeton, licensed in 1744. lie first visited the West in 1775. He returned the next year, but owing to Indian difficulties did not remove his family to now Washington County until 1778, when he took charge of the ,, • tions of Chartiers and Pigeon Creek. From the latter he was dismissed about the year 1800 ; of the former he continued pastor until about 1830. He died at Caiinonsbnrg, Pa., Nov. 16, 1833, in the eighty-first year of bis age. Dr. McMillan was rough and brusijne in his persona] appear- ance and address, even slovenly. He wassix feet in height, roHgh-hewn in features, and with a voice that was like the rumbling of thunder. Thadueus Dodd was born in New Jersey, March, 1740. His parents were from Connecticut. He graduated at Princeton in 177:'., licensed in 1775, came to the West iu 1777. He became pastor of (he churches of ' Upper and Lower Ten-Mile," in Washington County. Died May 20, 1793, iu the fifty-fourth year of his age. Joseph Smith was a Marylander, born at Nottingham iu 1736, gradu- ated at Princeton iu 1764, licensed Aug. 5, 1767, came to the West iu 1769. Iu the following spring he moved out, and became pastor of Buf- falo ami Cross Creek congregations, Washington County. He preached there until his death, April, 1792, at the age of fifty-six. Although tall and slender, fair in complexion, fine countenance, and brilliant eyes, he spoke so largely "f the terrors of the law that he was called " Hellrire Smith." ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 237 tional interests. In 1779, Rev. Joseph Smith, a Princeton graduate, preached also in that part of the county now of Washington. This was on a prospect- ing visit, and the next year he received a call. These men supplied the congregations through our part of the county for several years, Dr. McMillan preaching perhaps as early as 1775 to the men in the woods at Proctor's and Lochry's. Of McMillan much has been written and said, and it appears deservingly. Had he lived in the patristic era of Christianity, and been surrounded by such men as Tertullian and Origen, he would have been canonized. As it was, he appears to have gone part of the way, for he received the so- briquet of "Cardinal" at the time he helped to form political opinion in favor of Jefferson. To these three ministers must be added Rev. Thad- deus Dodd and Rev. Joseph Smith, whose services were more identified with the region beyond the rivers and within the Washington County district. These five had established congregations all through the southwestern portion of Pennsylvania ; they came here to stay, and they were the first ministers here at the organization of the famous " Old Redstone Pres- bytery," the mother of the Presbyteries of the West. The Presbytery of Redstone was erected by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia on the 16th of May, 1781. It was directed to meet at Laurel Hill, in what is now Fayette County, on the third Monday of September following, at eleven o'clock a.m. The time approached, but the incursions of the Indians in the neighborhood of some of the members of the Presbytery rendered the meeting at Laurel Hill im- practicable. The meeting was held at Pigeon Creek, Washington County. There were present the. Revs. Messrs. John McMillan, James Power, and Thaddeus Dodd; Elders John Neil, Demas Lindley, and Pat- rick Scott ; absent, Rev. Joseph Smith. This was the first meeting of Presbytery west of the Allegheny Mountains. The second meeting was a failure, no quorum appearing. The third meeting was also a failure, "owing to the incursions of the savages." Its last meeting as the sole undivided Presbytery of the West was held on the 18th of Oc- tober, 1793. It held forty-one meetings. Of these in the churches of the Presbytery which were and still are in Westmoreland it met five times at Rehoboth, twice at Mount Pleasant, once at Fairfield, and once at Long Run. As all these churches, with some others within this Presbytery, were organized so much earlier, and as they have each of them a history, we may be pardoned for calling attention to them here, as we have else- where given their history at length. Rehoboth, or Upper Meeting-House (as Round- hill was called Lower Meeting-House), is believed to be among the oldest congregations of the Presbyterian denomination in the county. It is in Rostraver town- ship, and about nine miles from Roundhill, which is in Allegheny County. The Rev. James Finley visited 16 this part of the county in 1772, and preached to a few scattered whites living among the Indians. About 1778 he gathered the people here into regularly or- ganized congregations, and in 1784 he took the pas- toral charge of them. He died Jan. 6, 1795. After remaining vacant for two years, the Rev. David Smith was installed over them, and he dying Aug. 24, 1803, was succeeded by Rev. William Wylie in 1805. Dr. Wylie continued their pastor till the spring of 1817, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Johnston. These congregations, being on the border, suffered much from the depredations of the savages. Mount Pleasant Church was organized probably in 1776, when Dr. Power removed to the West. It was supplied by him from that period till the spring of 1779, when he became the pastor of the united congregations of Mount Pleasant and Sewickley. On the 22d of August, 1787, he was dismissed from Sewickley, and continued the pastor of Mount Pleas- ant till April 15, 1817, when, from age and infirmity, he resigned his charge. It continued vacant till April 18, 1821, when the Rev. A. O. Patterson, D.D., was ordained and installed pastor of the united con- gregations of Sewickley and Mount Pleasant. Sewickley Church is supposed to have been organ- ized by Dr. Power in 1776. He continued the pastor, in connection with Mount Pleasant, till August, 1787, when he resigned the pastoral care of Sewickley. The charge continued vacant until, in union with Long Run, it became the pastoral charge of the Rev. Wil- liam Swan, Oct. 16, 1793. It again became vacant Oct. 18, 1818. In 1821 the congregation united with Mount Pleasant, and called Rev. Patterson to the pastorate. Long Run, it is said, dates as early as the Red- stone Presbytery, 1781. It was supplied by the Pres- bytery till 1793, when it united with Sewickley, and called Rev. William Swan to become their pastor. He continued their pastor till Oct. 18, 1818, when he resigned this united charge, but in the following sum- mer was again installed pastor of Long Run alone, and continued in this relation till, at his request, it was dissolved April 17, 1822. Fairfield was early organized, and after being supplied by the Presbytery for a number of years, it at length, in connection with Donegal and Wheat- field, obtained as its pastor the Rev. George Hill, who was ordained and installed among them Nov. 13, 1792. He continued the pastor of this church until his death, June 17, 1822. On the 17th of June, 1824, the Rev. Samuel Swan was ordained pastor of Fair- field, in connection with Ligonier and Donegal. Unity was organized about 1776. There was preaching here for a number of years before there ■was a church. The place was known as Proctor's Tent. The present church is the third building of the congregation. Among its first members were the Proctors, the Lochrys, the Sloans, Craigs, and Wil- liam Findley. They were at first served by supplies. 238 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Their first regular pastor was Rev. John McPerrin, who served for them from 1791 to 1800, who had the congregation of Salem also in his charge. Neither the Salem nor the Congraity Churches had congrega- tions as early as the Unity Church, but they were all organized at about the same time. They were all within the Redstone Presbytery. Rev. Samuel Porter was the first pastor of Congruity and Poke Run con- gregations. He was ordained in company with the Rev. McPerrin, Sept. 22, 1790, and installed pastor. To be a missionary then in a region like this, which was in partibus infidelium, was perhaps as much in labors and in fastings as it was in the days when the old missionaries lived, around whose lives centres the halo of unearthly glory. Paul was not iu more bodily danger when he preached on Mars' Hill than was Zeisberger among the Indians of Tionesta. These were dependent on charity for their food ; they were daily and nightly in danger from wild men and wild beasts. In the depth of the forest they often lay down on the bare earth with stones for pillows, and under the watchful stars gave their souls to God. They suffered from cold, and often from inhospitality, and for a good share of life lived among a rough people in a cheerless climate, and fearful of helpless old age. They preached to half-dressed men in the woods, who stood leaning on their rifles, and the first meeting of their Presbytery, in 1781, was put off on account of the Indian incursions of that year. The men of the Redstone Presbytery have been praised by some who knew their worth. From Brack- enridge to Doddridge is a wide gap, but the doubting philosopher touched his hat with the Doctor of Divinity in the exclusive establishment to the energy, the simplicity, and the sound doctrine of these simple fathers, and admitted that the preachers contributed much to that happy change in the civil state of the border. These men had, indeed, a most wonderful hold on the people, and did shape their civil as well as their moral ends. A great part of this effective- ness was no doubt owing to their way of assimilating with the people. The distinction between minister and layman was never once forgotten. There was a stereotyped difference, and yet the distinction could not casually be observed. No Franciscan that ever begged alms and shrived souls had more influence in a spiritual sense than had these early missionaries and the subsequent pastors. They were respected by that race which owned no allegiance to any prince or potentate — of that race which, in its rags, was as proud as the Castilian Dons. At the same time they coa- lesced with and became part of the people. They struggled with the first settlers in the fields, in dan- gers from the Indians, and in all the privations of set- tling a new country. They had often to work with their hands for their food, and to keep their little ones from crying for bread. But most of them attained to a good old age, and they had the happy satisfaction of seeing the evidence of their work with their own eyes. Soon after the Redstone Presbytery was organized there were various and successful attempts made to educate young men for the ministry especially, and in general for secular professions ; ' and among the pots and skillets of the early pastors' houses the poetry and eloquence of Greece and Rome were taught, and lectures given on dogmatic theology, where half a generation before the cross-legged Delawares sat jab- bering. During the few succeeding years John Mc- Perrin, Samuel Porter, Robert Marshall, George Hill, William Swan, and Thomas Marquis were li- censed. 2 1 The Two Colleges. — Jefferson College began with the Academy and Library Company of Cannonsburg, 1791, with David Johnston its first teacher, Dr. McMillan transferring his Latin school to the chartered company. Col. Cannon built a stone building in 179G ; the Pittsburgh Gazette mentions it as a "successful grammar school" in 1792; the trus- tees petitioned the Legislature for an appropriation, and in 1800 got one thousand dollars, and in 1802 it was granted a charter as Jefferson Col- lege, Rev. John Watson, its first president, followed by Dunlap, 1803; Wylie, 1812; William McMillan, 1817; Brown, 1822; Breckinridge, 1845 ; Crown, 1847 ; Alden, 1857 ; Riddle, 1862. The two colleges united under act of March 4. 1865, when Rev. Jonathan Edwards was chosen president, and inaugurated April 4, 1S66. Washington College grew out of the academy ; was incorporated in 1806 ; the Legislature granted five thousand dollars in 1820, and in 1830 gave five hundred dollars yearly, for five years, as a gratuity to young men who desired to qualify for teachers. Its presidents have beeu Brown, 1800 ; Wylie, 1817 (closed two years) ; Elliott, 1830; McConaghey, 1831 ; Clark, 1850; Brownson, 1852; Scott, 1853; Wilson, 1865; Edwards, 1866, — consolidated. These two institutions and the united college have been of inestimable benefit not only to Washington County, but to the whole country, and to all parts of the world ; for ministers of the gospel and lawyers and physicians ami business men educated in them are found in all parts of the United States, while missionaries gone out from them have labored or are doing so on every continent. 2 Samuel Porter was born in Ireland in 1760. His studies were pur- sued under direction of Mr. Smith and Rev. McMillan, the latter making no charge for board or tuition, while a friend provided for his family in the mean time. He was licensed Nov. 12, 1789. In the following year he became pastor of the congregations of Poke Run and Congruity. of the former he was pastor until 179S, of the latter until his death, Sept. 23, 1825, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. George Hill was born in York County, March 13, 1764. He was li- censed to preach Dec. 22, 1791. He was firstsettled in the congregations of Fail held, Donegal, and Wheatfield (northern part of Ligonier Val- ley), Nov. 13, 1792. Six years afterwards he resigned the charge of Wheatfield, and accepted a call for Ligonier. In these charge* he la- bored until his death, June 9, 1822, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. He was aman of remarkable vigor of constitution, with a mind to work. John McPerrin was born iu York County, now Adams County, Nov. 15, 1757. He learned the languages preparatory to his going to college, under the Rev. Robert Smith, of Pequea, and was graduated Maj 7. 1788, at Dickinson College, Carlisle ; licensed to preach Aug. 20, 1789, by the Presbytery of Redstone, and ordained and installed pastor of the united congregations of Salem and Unity on the 22d of September, 1791 ; resigned the charge of Unity on the 25th of June, 1800, and on the 20th of April, 1803, that of Salem, and having accepted a call from the united congregations of Concord and Muddy Creek, in the Erie Presbytery, he was dismissed to that Presbytery. He died Feb. 10, 1822. William Swan was a native of Cumberland County, Pa., and was educated at Cannonsburg; licensed to preach Dec. 22, 1791. He had many calls, but finally accepted the one from Long Run and Sewickley, April 7, 1793, and on the 16th of October following was ordained ami in- stalled their pastor. Here he labored for a period of twenty-five years. In October, 1718, he obtained leave to resign the pastoral care of the congregations, hut in the following spring, April 20, 1819, he was re- called to Long Run. Here he labored for three years longer, but by reason of declining health the pastoral relation was dissolved finally April 17, 1822. Under a slow pulmonary consumption his health con- tinued to decline, and on the 27th of November, 1827, he died, in the sixty-third year of his age. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 239 From the necessity of the thing our remarks are more directed to the polity of the Presbyterian Church as it existed in the early Westmoreland than to any other. Its relation to the people now cannot be com- pared with its relation to them then, but it forms such an element in the secular history, that we, to under- stand something at any rate of the customs and man- ners of our founders, are led into an extended article. The Calvinistic tendencies of all the early churches of Western Pennsylvania being in one direction, and their polity somewhat identical, their customs may be called the same. Besides this, much of our early history is illustrated by their records. The meetings then of the early pastors with the people, before there were regularly-organized congre- gations, were in the open air. " The groves Were God's first temples, ere man learned to hew The shaft, or lay the architrave." A pulpit of logs was temporarily erected, and log seats resting on the ground upon stones answered for those who wished to sit, but it was commonly the custom of the men and boys to remain standing, leaning against trees. The pulpit when covered with boards was called a tent. In warm weather, clothing being very scarce, the men frequently came to meeting without coats, and the preacher, before reading the psalm, usually took off his coat and spoke in his shirt-sleeves. In cold or inclement weather the people brought with them blankets and coverlets, and greatcoats, and they sometimes built huge fires. When the catechumens had assembled at the Old Brush Creek Church before one Easter, it being raw and cold, the pastor, Rev. Weber, directed the young men to build a brush-heap near the church and fire it during the intermission between the fore- noon and afternoon sessions, that they might gather around it and warm themselves till they were called back to the cold building. Preaching in cabins was perhaps cotemporaneous with preaching in the woods, but where they expected to have frequent services, and where they had these, were the placfes which they called tents. In a com- munity the most accessible, and which marks the site or location of many of the early churches, these per- manent arrangements were made. Here a platform- pulpit like a shed was made to protect the preacher from rain and the sun. This was erected on a declivity among tall trees. A board in front of the preacher was the reading-desk ; the back and sides were closely boarded. Logs and puncheon-seats arranged against the incline of the ground served for the congregation. To such occasions of public worship are to be traced those peculiar, revivals which are recorded in the ecclesiastical history of Western Pennsylvania and Western Virginia. None of the earlier churches tell the date of their construction nor of their organization. But the first churches were the round log cabins made double, with the logs joined to each other along the sides. There are instances of churches being built in a single day. The recess left in the middle of such buildings was occupied on one side by the pulpit. In the earliest buildings no fire was used, and when fire was first utilized it was sometimes made in an earthen vessel in the centre of the building. On Sept. 13, 1775, Dr. McMillan preached at a meeting-house at Long Run, and Judge Veech, after giving the subject some reflection, states that there were doubtless meeting-houses at Mount Pleasant, Sewickley, Laurel Hill, 1 Dunlap's Creek (the scene of Dr. Power's early labors), not later than 1777. The first house in which Mr. Power preached for the Sewickley congregation stood on the road leading from Markle's paper-mill towards Pittsburgh, about half-way between the Big Sewickley and the Little Sewickley. It was a clapboard-roofed cabin, with openings in the logs covered with glazed linen for the windows. The clapboards were kept to their place by saplings or split logs. The seats were cleft logs raised on blocks ; the door and windows had been cut out after the house was built, and the door was hung on wooden hinges. The old translation of the psalms, called Rouse's, was the only one tolerated, and Watts' version was slow in superseding it. The clerk lined out (pre- cented) the lines of the psalm or hymn from his place under the pulpit. He also published the banns of marriage. He managed to sing and talk through his nose in a monotonous monotone. At first all the congregation sang the air only, but gradually the other parts were introduced, — the treble, the counter, and the bass. The number of times were few, and were known to all evangelical sects from Virginia to Massachusetts: These were called the twelve tunes of David. Parson, in his "Life of Jefferson," says that the psalmody of early Virginia for almost two hundred years was restricted to a fewer number of airs than this. When the notes to them were used they were such as afterwards were called by an irrev- erent generation " buckwheat" characters ; in size these were about the circumference of a grain of buckwheat, which, in truth, they somewhat resem- bled. The first innovation in psalmody is blamed to those Yankees of New England who passed the winter of 1788 along the Yough awaiting to embark in the spring for the new lands along the Ohio, and whom Dr. Hildreth has made famous. These had among them the proverbial Yankee singer and fiddler, who followed in the wake of their great prototype, Ichabod Crane, to smash hearts, and, Orpheus-like, " to wake the woods of Rodope, when rocks and trees had ears to rapture." These, it is said, first introduced the bass viol to chord with the human voice in the choir; whence we have an idea of the effect of this innovation in the 1 Now Connellsville, Fayette County. 240 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. direction of the old minister to "let us feedle and sing" such and such a psalm. Those people of pas- sage introduced here a wonderful variety of tunes, and first, from among the hidden mysteries, disclosed the beauty of the " fugue" tunes in which our old people when they were young took so much enjoy- ment. The peculiarity of the fugue tunes will be re- membered by those who have heard them, but it is hard to explain. After the four parts into which the music was divided had been passed over together for the first two lines of the verse, they were separated, each portion of the congregation then singing for itself, and each following the other and taking up the line as the preceding portion ended on it. The nicety of it was that they all managed to come out together, and in this was the art. We have heard some very respect- able old persons say this manner of singing could not give a reverently- and spiritually-inclined creature a very forcible notion of the celestial harmony of the beatific spheres, for each part had to sing the highest, the loudest, and the strongest. The Presbytery of Redstone, increasing in popula- tion and in the number of pastors and churches, was from time to time changed in bounds and extent. In 1830 the Presbytery of Blairsville was erected from the territory of Redstone, embracing the ministers and congregations north of the Pittsburgh and Stoys- town turnpikes, viz. : Rev. Messrs. J. W. Henderson, Francis Laird, David Barclay, James Graham, John Eeed, Samuel Swan, Jesse Smith, Thomas Davis, John H. Kirkpatrick, Samuel McFarren, Elisha D. Barrett, James Campbell, and Watson Hughes, with their respective charges. The new Presbytery held its first meeting at Ebenezer, Rev. Francis Laird, pre- siding. The old churches in the county which originally belonged to the Redstone Presbytery, but which now belong to the Blairsville Presbytery, are Fairfield, Donegal, Salem, Unity, and Poke Run. Those in ex- istence in 1830, when the Presbytery was organized, were Greensburg, Plum Creek (first called Ebenezer), Congruity, and Ligonier. Those which have since been added are Murraysville, New Alexandria, La- trobe, Penn, Parnassus, Irwin, and Derry. The Presbyterian Churches in Westmoreland County are as follows : Name of Church. Name of Minister. No. of Members. W. SI. DoualJson, P.. Lajrd Rev. John Kerr, S.S.. Fairfield Union New Alexandria Pine Kun Harrison City Manor Unity Greensburg, Poke Buu Latrobe Livermore New Salem Ligonier " F. L. Lenour, P " John M. Jones, P Vacant Rev. James Kirk, P " D. W. Townsend, P " W. W. Moorhead.P " Henry Bain, P " Thomas B. Anderson, P.... " James S. Woodburn, P " J. L. Thompson. P...<. " E. G. McKinley, I' Name of Church. Name of Slinister. No. of Members. Salem Rev. D. R. McCaslin, P Derry | " " Congruity ' " E. S. Robinson, P Irwin " A. Z. SIcGogney, P Murraysville " John I. Blackburn, P.. Parnassus .. Vacant Pleasant Grove | Sir. E. H. Dickinson, S.S Centreville Sit. Pleasant Reunion- Long Ruu West Newton Scottdale Mt. Pleasant Sewickley Pleasant Unity Rehoboth Vacant .. Rev. Spencer L. Finney. P.. " W. P. Sloore, P " John C. Meloy, P " J. H. Stevenson, P " Wm. F. Ewing, P Vacant Rev. A. A. Hough. P " A. F.Boyd, P 95 125 221 143 251 157 115 29 13ti 175 170 111 191 100 93 134 REFORMED CHURCH. The German settlers on coming out did not bring ministers with them, nor did they have any for many years ; but they had in nearly every settlement, after the German custom, a schoolmaster who instructed the children in the catechism, and taught them read- ing and writing, who baptized the babes and read the prayers at the grave, who married young couples and who visited the sick. The school-house, later, was erected alongside of the church ; or if the school-house had been first the church was erected near it. so that services were often held in those buildings before they had church buildings. And so it was the custom long after this to make the house or outbuilding of some prominent Lutheran or German Reformed the centre of a congregation for a place of worship. Hither the pastor came and preached, held communion services, and catechised. These periodical services sometimes lasted for a week. The German branch of Protestantism which rose from the Reformation in the sixteenth century re- solved itself into two distinct communions, the "Re- formed" and the " Lutheran." The Reformed Church in the United States, up until the General Synod held in Philadelphia in 18(39, was officially known and is sometimes yet popularly called the German Reformed Church, but at that meeting of the Classis the word " German" was officially dropped from the title of the church. The Reformed is sometimes confounded with the Presbyterian Church, by being considered the German branch of that church, but they differ chiefly in this, that the latter is less liturgical and more rigidly Calvinistic than the former. The original members of both the Reformed and Lutheran Churches came from the German nations of Europe, and they were bound together by many ties, of which the strongest were lineage, language, inter- marriage, a commonality of liturgies, of pastoral au- thority, of profession of faith, and of symbolical ob- servances and formulas. It would appear to a dis- interested observer that the theology of the Heidel- berg Catechism was not so strictly taught then as later, and that in its views of the sacraments of the Lord's Supper and of baptism the church differed not so much from the Lutheran, for it now professes to be in ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 241 these two questions more with Geneva than with Augsburg. But we make these remarks merely as an observer and without authority, and advance them to explain the commonality of these two communions as it is observed of their respective histories in our county in the primordial days. In the government of their churches they are both Presbyterial, in distinction to Episcopal, Papal, or Congregational, and so called because it is a govern- ment of elders; that is, as they say, by the " minis- ters and the congregational officers elected by the respective congregations for certain temporal and spiritual needs." These form the first body for church organization and business, while larger bodies formed together in a representative capacity, which larger bodies are called by some Presbyteries, but by these, " Classis," and so on. In the early clays of the colony, and particularly in the region outside of the more thickly populated parts, the rising generation of the German Protest- ants first found little in these two different churches to disagree in. They therefore frequently intercom- muned together, the common or nearest pastor per- formed the first and last rites of their ministerial functions to those in need without regard to church connection, and they both mutually assisted each other. There was originally in both these churches a great disparity between the population holding these religious preferences and the number of pastors to supply their spiritual wants. 1 At an early date the members of the two German churches, the Reformed and the Lutheran, were ac- customed to meet in respective localities at the houses of some of their members, and here they held re- ligious services. These services were at first con- ducted without a minister, and consisted in singing from their German hymn-books, reading the Bible, and offering prayers from their German prayer-books. Among the Lutherans especially, and also, as we have seen, among the Reformed, when they had a school- master, who they usually brought with them, it was part of his duty to catechise and to administer the sacramental rite of baptism. By this means they got along for some years, and when each denomination at first got its pastor he was sufficient to supply the spiritual wants of a large district. Thus, when the pastor at the old Brush Creek congregation gathered his class of catechumens, the settlers brought or sent their children a distance of above twenty miles. Hither they came for catechisation from the Ale- mann settlement in Butler County, from Puckety, and beyond the Kiskiininetas. 1 Rev. Schlatter, who arrived in America in 1746, hrought the congre- gations together and formed a Synod. At the first meeting of that hotly, Sept. 29, 1747, it consisted of five ministers and .twenty-six elders, and yet tile Reformed population was estimated to he ahout 30,000. " History of Reformed Church within the Bounds of the Westmore- land Classic. 1 ' We have consulted this publication, and it is our ail- thoiity for local data and statistics. The two churches likewise bought nearly all their church property in common. They worshiped to- gether in one house, and not infrequently performed and administered the sacraments of the church each for the other. The members of their congregations intermarried, and were buried side by side. The distinctive congregational polity of the ortho- dox German churches is nowhere more apparent than it is among those older congregations. They at first secured land at moderate rates sufficient for church purposes, and frequently glebe-land for the pastor's support ; they built a house for their schoolmaster ; they erected their churches with their own hands, and nearly every congregation had a stone-cutter who raised head- and foot-stones over the graves of the dead. The old graveyard of the Harrold congregation, with its mural remains of memorial tablets, rudely carved tombstones and modern monumental pillars, tells the whole story. For many years, and until very lately, it supported its own stone-cutters, who on the dressed flag-stones of the neighboring quarries carved the most grotesque figures, and made for weeping friends most melancholy epitaphs which soothed the widow's anguish, and even at this day bid the by- passer stop and ponder. These graven images did not conduce to idolatry, for they were not the like- ness of anything in heaven above, in the earth be- neath, or in the waters under the earth. Touching the designs on the pyramids and obelisks, on the mausoleums and sarcophagi of all people who hold the dead in memory, these are all in a sense symboli- cal. The moderns follow in the footsteps of the an- cients, and the latest is but a refinement on the earliest. Thus on these you have stars for the Chaldeans, trian- gles for the Hebrews, corbels for the Parsees, the sacred lotus for the Egyptians, urns for the Greeks, and for the Latins, lilies such as Father Anchises in Elysium, speaking to the pious ..Eneas, wanted to scatter over the shade of the youthful Marcellus. The commonest ornamentation of these tombstones is a curling vine around the upper disk terminating in broad leaves. In the centre where these begin is a flower which we incline to think was intended for an imitation of the tulip ; a flower that carried the memory back to the straight walks, the trim gardens, the cozy cottages, and the bridal wreaths of the bride along the Rhine. These flowers and vines have been painted, and some are green, some blue, some yellow, and others red. 2 Dear friends have scattered the seed of summer-savory and coriander, which springing up in thick beds scarce allows room for the periwinkle and golden-rod, and which when trod upon emits a strong odor. - For fear some antiquary should in future time attribute some em- blematic significance to these characters, we would hint that they were merely put upon the stones for ornamentation. These old ones, covering many years 1 time, were blocked out and chiseled upon by a man named Hiues, as appears by tile token. 1 242 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. " Yet even these bones from insult to protect Some frail memorial still erected uigli, With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture deck'd, Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. "Their names, their years, spelt by the unletter'd muse, The place of fame and elegy supply ; And many a holy text around she strews, To teach the rustic moralist to die." 1 The first German Reformed congregation in the county was the Harrold congregation. Balthazer Meyer, their schoolmaster, has left some of the records of the names of the children baptized by him before they had a minister. Among the first in the list was "Peter the son of Antony and Elizabeth Walter born 11th September, 1771— Baptised, August 2d, 1772." The last child baptized was " Susanna, daughter of John and Christina Rudabaugh, born 30th May, 1782, baptized 4th June, 1782." In 1782 or 1783 requests were sent from the county to the Coetus (or Synod) for a Reformed minister to be sent them. Answering them, the Rev. John Wil- liam Weber came as a missionary, and remained their first pastor. In June, 1783, when he entered on his work he had four congregations to serve, — Harrold's, or Saint John's, and the Brush Creek, both in Hemp- field township ; Kiutig's, in Mount Pleasant town- ship ; and the Ridge Church, about one mile south of Pleasant Unity, in Unity township. He also preached at Pittsburgh. Besides these regular places of ser- vice, he held services and gave instructions in Ligonier Valley, and to the scattered Germans of both his own church and the Lutheran Church all over the south- ern part of the county in nearly every locality where later has been a congregation. In respect to its church organization, all those of the Reformed Church in Western Pennsylvania be- longed to the Old Synod of the United States. The first missionaries hither were the Revs. John William Weber, Henry Habbiston, and William Winel, who were sent to Westmoreland County and the con- tiguous regions by this Synod, and reported to it from year to year. The first Chassis was formed by the ministers and charges located west of the eastern line of Bedford County, and was named the Western Pennsylvania Classis, and was part of the Synod of the United States. In 1836 this Classis was allowed to unite with the Synod of Ohio and adjacent States. In 1839 the name of this Classis was changed to the Eastern District Synod of Ohio. In 1842 this Synod 1 On a tombstone in the Brush Creek graveyard is the following line {inter alia). fair " She was young, she was poor " "Poor" has. been engraved for fair, and then crossed out and "fair" engraved above. In another graveyard, a widow, after telling of the virtues of her de- ceased husband, reminds the world that, " This stone << en cted Out of the Gralitudr. Of hie Consort." Truly. " the force of satire could no further go." was changed or divided into two Classes, to be thence- forth known as the Westmoreland and the Erie Classes. 2 In 1850, by the Ohio Synod, the pastors and charges north of the Kiskiminetas River, and belonging to the Westmoreland Classis, were permitted to organize a new Classis. Westmoreland remained with the Ohio Synod up to the formation of the Pittsburgh Synod, Feb. 12, 1870. In October, 1871, the Pittsburgh Synod granted a request to the Westmoreland Classis to divide again into three parts, to be known by the names of West- moreland, Somerset, and Allegheny Classes. This division went into effect in June, 1872. The first meeting of the Classis was held at New Salem (Delmont P. O.) in June, 1872. Rev. John I. Swander (now of Ohio) was elected president; Rev. J. F. Snyder, stated clerk; and Rev. John W. Love, treasurer. We give the statistical report for the Westmoreland Classis for 1881 : Jacob F. Snyder Johu W. Love David B. Lady John McConnell Samuel Z. Beam Cyrus R. DietTenbacher. George D.Gurley Benjamin B. Ferer John Dotterer Albert E. Tnixal Charles W. Good Prof. Lucian Cort James Grant Supplied by Rev. Good Win. II Bates 2 Emmanuel 3 Second, Greensburg 2 Brush Creek 2 Salina 4 Mount Pleasant 2 First, Greensburg 1 Latrobe :'. Pleasant Unity liPine Rim 1 Irwin 2 Salem | Principal Greensburg Female Sem. Without charge 1 St. James Congregation 1 Johnstown 2 § 339! 293 289 _'i7 650 432 103 78 228! 132 4*n 400 65 60 315 23fi 129; 80 200 105 24:1 178 45 20 50i Total, 15 2, r . In the mutation of things, the history of the Re- formed Church in Westmoreland County has a chap- ter full of matter for melancholy reflection. This is the one devoted to the sketches of those congregations which are now extinct. Of these there were five, — namely, the Miihleisen (now called by its English name, the Milliron), Donegal, Indian Creek, Barren Run, and the Forks congregations. These were all located in .the southeastern part of Westmoreland and the northeastern part of Fayette County. The dates of their organization are not known, and very little 2 "Accordingly, the first meeting of Westmoreland Classis proper con- vened by appointment of Synod at Kindigh's, or St. John's Church, near Mount Pleasant, Pa., May 26th, 1813. There were present at this meet- ing six ministers and seven elders, namely : Revs. N. P. Hacke, William Conrad, II. A. Ibeken, William Winel, H. E. P. Voigt, II. Knepper ; and Elders John Wentzel, Henry Smith, Michael Ruby, Benjamin Countty- man, M. Zimmerman, Peter Whitehead, and David Stemble. There were absent: Revs. H. Koch, G. Lidy, P. Zeiser, and J, Althuuse. Rev. William Conrad was elected President; Rev. H. A. Ibeken, Secretary, and Elder Peter Whitehead, Treasurer." ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 243 of their history, as no documentary history has been preserved. These were, no doubt, the result of Rev. Weber's missionary labors in that region during his ministra- tions. Probably some of them are of a later date, as the first record of these congregations, as referred to in the " History of the Reformed Church," is found in the minutes of the Eastern District Synod of Ohio for the year 1841. With the exception of the Milliron con- gregation, there is no written record of any of them prior to this date. Tradition, however, reports that they were served by the Rev. Weber and his succes- sors, Revs. Weinel and Voight. The record for that year shows that these congregations, except that of Barren Run, were a part of the Mount Pleasant charge, of which Rev. Voight was pastor. In 1845 the name of the Forks is dropped, and that of Barren Run ap- pears for the first time. But from the following year it does not appear again upon the record. The number only, and not the names of the other congregations, appear after 1849, but some of them still are con- tinued till 1859. From this time there is no further notice taken in the records of the Classes of any of them. Of these it may be said that there is no evidence they were ever in a prosperous condition, that they seem to have been weak and unpromising interests from the start, and that organized in remote localities, they could not receive the necessary pastoral services to make them prosperous, even under more favorable circumstances. For many years the organizations were kept up, and served with difficulty by the pastors, until they died from neglect. The membership was scattered, and some being absorbed in other denomi- nations. The Rev. C. C. Russell is reported as the last Re- formed minister who preached at Indian Creek and Barren Run. He visited the congregations for the purpose of reorganizing them, but found the material entirely lost to the Reformed Church. The Rev. J. A. Heller stopped preaching at Donegal, while he was pastor at the Mount Pleasant charge, about 1870-72. This is the last account of any services held in any of these congregations. The Muhleisen, or Milliron, congregation shall have something more said of it in the local history of the township to which it belongs. In their " Gottes- Acker" they hold the bones of their first missionary, John William Weber. And strange, while the con- gregation itself has passed into the " unseen forever," the old church, with its old octagonal pulpit, now covered with spider-webs, and the old " pastor's house," still remain deserted but not desecrated, while the little graveyard, with many unmarked graves, is yet kept cleanly and neatly, and over all is the granite monument erected by the Westmoreland Classis to the memory of their pioneer missionary. Rev. John William Weber.— Rev. John Wil- liam Weber was born in the province of Wittzenstein, Germany, on the 4th of March, 1735. He was a school-teacher in the fatherland. He emigrated to > America probably in 1764, and in the " Coetal" (syn- odical) minutes of 1771 he is mentioned as a "school- master, who appeared with the request that he might be examined as to his knowledge of Divine things." The examination proving satisfactory, he was author- ized to preach. His first charge must have been in Northampton County, or rather in that part of it ; which constitutes Monroe County in this State. The German traveler Schoepf, who passed through there in 1782, says in the account of his journey, "After we left Eckhardt's we missed the way which we were to take to Brinker's Mill, turning to the left; in this way, however, we came past several farms, for which we would not have looked in this region. They lay scattered in the woods, and are settled for the most part by Germans; for these are inclined mostly to lo- cate in remote places, where they can obtain land at a low price. We passed a small log church, which has been built by the Lutheran and German Reformed, whom it served alternately as a place of worship. Rev. Pastor Weber last served this congregation. We went to Pittsburgh." In a document drawn up by Mr. Weber himself, he says that he came to Westmoreland County in September, 1782, and that he preached in Pittsburgh before the 18th of October in the same year, when he was officially called to the charge at a salary of £116 in money, one hundred bushels of wheat, a free house, and firewood annually. The traveler, Schoepf, refers again to Mr. Weber, when he was at Pittsburgh, in October, 1782. Speaking of this city he says, " Public buildings, as houses for worship, there are as yet none here. There is, nevertheless, a German preacher here who ministers for believing persons of different confessions." These "believing persons" Mr. Weber no doubt organized into a congregation very soon afterwards, as the records of 1783 and his own constant language clearly imply. His labors ex- tended over a large territory, and continued for many years. He preached much. He catechised the young regularly in all the congregations. He laid the foun- dation of his church in these parts broad and deep, and upon them a structure has been raised worthy of the man. He is described by Dr. Harbaugh : " In personal appearance Mr. Weber was a good-looking, portly, well-formed man, blessed with a strong and vigorous constitution, and to undergo a great deal of labor and fatigue. He was of an ardent, quick tem- perament, free spoken, rapid, but clear and distinct, in his enunciation while preaching, and in the habit of what is generally termed 'calling things by their right names.' " His labors in Pittsburgh appear to have extended to the year 1812. He continued his labors in the country congregations until almost the day of his death, in July, 1816. He reached the ripe old age of nearly eighty-two. His name is mentioned in the still remaining frag- 244 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. mental congregational records. More particular refer- ence to his labors here we have in his journal and in the papers referred to in his biography. A pretty full account of his life and services is contained in the second volume of Harbaugh's " Fathers of the Reformed Church," from page 208 to 221. Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D. — This eminent divine departed this life on Monday, Aug. 26, 1878. His remains were interred in the German burying- ground, in Greensburg, on Thursday, August 29th, in the presence of a very large assemblage of citizens, ministers, and professional men. The Rev. Thomas G. Apple, D.D., president and professor in the theolog- ical seminary in Lancaster, Pa., was present, and preached the funeral sermon in the old German Church in Greensburg, where the remains of the de- ceased were placed during the funeral ceremonies, in which several distinguished clergymen participated. The closing of the business houses and the un- usually large number of people who assembled to pay the last sad homage of respect to the memory of Dr. Hacke, evinced the profound respect that was felt for the deceased. Dr. Hacke was born in Baltimore, but educated in Germany. When he was about sixteen years of age he returned to America and studied di- vinity in Baltimore under the care of a Reformed min- ister. At the age of about nineteen years he came to Greensburg, in Westmoreland County, and soon after took charge of the German Reformed congregations in Greensburg, at Harrold's and at Brush Creek. The old German meeting-house in Greensburg, erected at the joint expense of the Lutheran and Reformed con- gregations, was a log building, erected in 1796 or shortly before that time, on the parsonage lot where Dr. Hacke lived previous to his death. Prior to his coming to Greensburg, the old brick Lutheran and Reformed German meeting-house, on the west side of Main Street, was commenced, but not finished when Dr. Hacke came out here, and it is said he preached his first sermon in Greensburg in the old court-house. He was the cotemporary of six of the president judges of Westmoreland County, namely, Judges Young, White, Knox, Burrell, Buffington, and Logan, and has survived all of them but two, and of all the members of the bar who were practicing law in 1819, when Dr. Hacke first came to Greensburg, but one is now surviving. At different periods of his life he had charge of at least nine congregations, namely, Greensburg, Harrold's, Brush Creek, Ridge, Ligonier, Youngstown, Hill's, Seauor's, and Manor. No man in the county had intimate social relations with so large a number of respectable and influential citizens, and hence when Dr. Hacke was in the vigor of life he was himself a power in the county, and young men entering upon a professional career sought his friendship as a passport to success. His learning was accurate, solid, and comprehensive, and his con- versation varied, chaste, mirthful, and entertaining. His judgment of capacity and character was excellent. A superficial? pretentious outside appearance never deceived him. In fact, all such characters soon dis- covered that it was useless and damaging to subject their shallow assumptions and pretended knowledge to the clear sunlight of his great discernment. By I some law of our rational natures, men of great abil- ity, although of very dissimilar talents, naturally gravitate towards each other. With such there is an inherent law of friendship and cordial feeling when this tendency is not overcome by some stronger mo- tive of competition or ambitious aims. Not to speak of the living, we may refer to two of the eminent men of Greensburg, now deceased, as a striking il- lustration of what has just been remarked upon. The Hon. J. M. Burrell, formed by nature for politics rather than for the law, and Dr. Alfred T. King, the naturalist, both of whom were pre-eminent in their respective positions, were strongly attached to Dr. Hacke, and entertained for him the most profound respect ; and he, on his part, seems to have recipro- cated this sentiment of devotion. There was nothing in their professional or religious tendencies that led to this. It existed in spite of these causes of diverg- ence. Dr. Hacke was not only a Christian theologian, but also a religious philosopher, who in any age and in any country — on the banks of the Ganges, the Nile, or the Obi — would have " understood by the things that are made" the eternal power and divinity of the Creator, and his right to the homage, respect, and veneration of all intelligent creatures. It is said of Spinoza that he was a mystic, drunk with God. Dr. Hacke was the reverse of all this. His mind was practical rather than speculative. In the sphere of the things of the world he demanded proof or clear, logical demonstration based upon known facts. While this was the tendency of his mental structure, it is evident that he was not wholly satisfied with this piecemeal and rodent process of attaining a knowl- edge of the facts in nature, because he read inces- i santly and with eagerness, but with great discrimina- tion, the advanced thought and profound speculations I of educated writers in every department of learning. There is one trait of character without which no man can be great, whatever may be his ability. It is that inflexible firmness of purpose that moves along the whole stage of life without vacillation. The soul s.> habilitated is founded on a rock, and when the popular humor of the hour is spent is spared the mortification of having floated on a bubble, a retro- spect of which is hardly consistent with enduring self-respect. Dr. Hacke possessed in a remarkable degree this trait of character. New measures, tran- sient outbursts of popular fervor in advocacy of one virtue to the oversight of others equally important, did not enlist his sympathies or disturb the even tranquillity of his steadfast and immovable disposi- tion, and then when the ephemeral excitement had passed away, even those who had fallen in with the current of the abnormal movement could see and ap- ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 245 preciate " how much happier is he who remains im- movable, and smiles at the madness of the dance about him." For fifty-eight years of active minis- terial life Dr. Hacke sustained this solid character of temperateness, even in doing good, and when the community was surprised by radical and passionate popular movements in politics, morals, religion, and temperance, many learned to wait and hear what Dr. Hacke would say. This steadfastness indicated no indisposition to legitimate progress. Dr. Hacke was a great reader, and kept himself well informed on all scientific questions, and doubtless this had the effect of modifying his earlier convictions in regard to sci- entific truth. Perhaps the most difficult trial that he had to undergo in his ministerial capacity was the transition from German to English. The old mem- bers of his congregations of course insisted on ad- hering to German preaching and services in the churches, while the younger members, some of whom understood but little German, insisted on English preaching. Here was a dilemma hard to reconcile. Dr. Hacke was a man of large foresight, and doubt- less was convinced that sooner or later the transition must come ; but while he lived he was anxious to pre- serve the unity and harmony of all his church-mem- bers, and could not, with propriety, take a very de- cided stand on either side, and some were unchari- table enough, perhaps, to say, " Yaw, der Hacke will auch Irish werden." But this was a great mistake. Dr. Hacke was a thorough German, proud of his Saxon ancestry. He had spent his youth at Bremen, on the Weser, which takes its rise near Detmold, where Arminius, his countryman, in the ninth cen- tury had annihilated the legions of Varus, the Roman consul, and where, at a later period, Wittekind, a man of illustrious descent and immense estates, in the eighth century resisted for several years the armies of Charlemagne. Their character was that of wild, ob- stinate freedom, and they were the last of the Ger- man tribes to accept the Christian religion ; but within a generation after they had accepted it they became the most devoted followers of the Saviour. And now, concludes his biographer to whom we are indebted, after fifty-eight years of active minis- terial service, the old patriarch, descended from this noble stock, has bid adieu to all the active pursuits of this world. In a good old age, crowned with honor and respect, he has been gathered unto his fathers, and will not rise "till the heavens be no more." THE GEEENSBUKG SEMINARY. Greensburg Seminary is located at Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Pa., thirty-one miles east of Pitts- burgh, on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. At a meeting of the "Board of Trustees of Literary In- stitutions" of the Pittsburgh Synod of the Reformed Church, held March 3, 1874, this institution was estab- lished by the action of that body. In accordance with this action the preliminary steps were immediately taken to put the institution on foot, and the idea of a permanent female seminary, which had been at- tempted at different times before, was now about to be realized. The Rev. Lucian Cort, of Marti nsburg, Pa., was called to take charge of the enterprise. Although engaged in an important work in the insti- tution over which he presided at the time, he was in- duced by the earnest appeals and solicitations of the friends of the new enterprise to accept the call. After due consideration of the risks and the financial responsibilities of commencing and carrying forward such an undertaking, he entered upon the work in good faith, and the erection of the necessary buildings was accordingly commenced without delay. On the 18th of April a suitable location was purchased on elevated grounds overlooking the town and surround- ing country. On this beautiful site a large, elegant, and commodious building of the most substantial structure was erected for the accommodation of board- ing pupils and school purposes. The formal opening of the institution took place with appropriate services on the 7th of April, 1875. Thus in less than one year from the time of commencing the erection of the buildings they were entirely completed, and the in- stitution went into full operation. It took its origin, as may be seen on the one hand, from a deep-felt want in the minds of many of the citizens of Greensburg and surrounding community of a school of a high grade in their midst for the education of their daugh- ters, and on the other hand from the positive enact- ment of the Synod of the Reformed Church, in order to meet the educational wants of her own member- ship. The institution is thus brought into close rela- tion to the church, which gives it a broader basis and a more permanent character than a merely private project. It secures not only the support but the sanction of the church, without which no institution of learning can expect permanently to prosper. Whilst it is thus under the fostering care of the Re- formed Church, it is not sectarian, but only denomi- national and distinctively Christian. Its advantages are not exclusive, but free and open to all. With such a wide scope in view, it hopes to subserve the general interests of Christian education, as well as the special wants of the particular denomination under whose care and direction it was more especially established. The general object and character of the institution is set forth in a circular letter published before the opening, and is as follows : "The object of this institution is to afford to young ladies the advan- tages of a Christian education as distinguished from a mere secular training. It aims to accomplish this important end not by cultivating their mental powers only, but their moral, social, and ff-sthetic nature as well, thus developing the female character in broad, beautiful, and har- monious proportions. Her education should be such as to fit her for the duties of her appropriate sphere. She may have an important mission to accomplish in the more public or literary arena, but she wields a far greater power and influence in the social and domestic relations of life, which is undoubtedly her appropriate sphere of action. "It will be the constant aim of the principal to develop all those 246 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. powers of mind and character which will fit her to move with dignity, grace, and effect in the various relations of life. While the solid blanches of an education will always be made a principal object, those of a more ornamental character, such as music, painting, drawing, etc., will also receive special attention. The cultivation of correct taste and good manners will always be insisted upon as an important element in female education. These attainments, with the grace of Christian piety, form the crowning virtues of the female character. The course of studies is broad and liberal, such as to meet all the demands of a good education. " The instructions will be thorough, scientific, and practical. The very best facilities and advantages for gaining a first-class education will thus be afforded those availing themselves of its provisions." Ill accordance with this design and purpose the in- stitution was opened, and the work of education com- menced and carried forward under most favorable auspices. All the departments of instruction were filled with able and competent teachers, which at once gave character to the institution, and was a means of attracting pupils. From the beginning the school enjoyed a respectable patronage, and the pupils have always come from the more substantial class of our citizens. _ It has grown in favor and in confidence with the pupils and people gradually until it has at- tained to the character and reputation of a first-class school. While many of the older schools in the country were compelled, on account of the pressure of hard times, to suspend their exercises temporarily, or to close entirely, Greensburg Seminary maintained itself successfully beyond the expectation of its most sanguine friends. It is no more a doubtful experi- ment but an accomplished fact, — a successful enter- prise, and ranks among the best schools of the land. The annual examinations of the various classes, the elegant entertainments by the young ladies in the de- partment of music, the splendid exhibitions of the art department, and especially the creditable exercises of the annual commencement, are the best evidence of the character and efficiency of the work accomplished , for the cause of higher education by this young but vigorous institution. It assuredly is a matter of great gratification to the principal and friends of the insti- tution to see so much evidence of the good work ac- complished, and to know that their efforts in behalf of the cause of female education have been, at least to some extent, appreciated by the public. It is, there- fore, hoped that the seminary will continue to receive the patronage aud support its merits so justly deserve, and that its future will be as successful as its past his- tory. Young ladies completing the prescribed course of study and passing the final examinations will be awarded diplomas by the authorities of the institu- tion. It will be perceived from the foregoing sketch that Greensburg Seminary is not merely an ordinary select or high school, but an institution of a high grade, in which young ladies may acquire all the branches of a polite and liberal education. The school was originally established as a female seminary exclusively, and as such was carried for- ward successfully for four years. To meet the want I of a good school for young men, it was then thought : best to open a male department in connection with the seminary by so changing its original design as also to extend its privileges and advantages to young men. This opened the institution to a wider sphere of usefulness and more extended operations. Accord- ingly, suitable departments of instruction were pro- vided for both sexes. It was t however, not intended by this change to interfere with the seminary course proper for young ladies, but so to enlarge and arrange the curriculum of study as to allow also of a course for young men. While the primary object of the institution, the edu- cation of young ladies, will thus be reached, the advantages of a higher collegiate education will also be afforded to young men. These departments con- stitute two distinct but co-ordinate courses of instruc- tion. The one was not merged into the other by promiscuously mixing the sexes together in the same course of study. While some branches might be pursued with advantage to both in the same recita- tions, the interests of the higher education of both sexes demand that other branches should be pursued separately, according to the respective wants and re- quirements of each. Hence distinct courses are maintained for the several departments so as not to interfere with each other. The object of the male department, as given in the first circular, is to afford young men the advantages of a liberal education. The course of study is broad and comprehensive, including all the branches of a good English education, as well as those of a higher or collegiate course. It corresponds substantially with that of our best colleges, and may be pursued with advantage by those desiring it to the junior year. The attendance in this department has been good from the beginning. The number of students en- rolled for the present term is forty-six. The outlook for the future is encouraging. A great proportion of the students are in the regular course. The study of the languages is a prominent feature of this depart- ment, while mathematics and the sciences receive their full measure of attention. Thus the work of education has been carried forward for the last four years in the interest of both sexes. The general cause of higher education has thus been subserved, and the usefulness of the institution greatly enlarged. The seminary proper has lost nothing by the change, but the institution has gained much by ex- tending its operations in offering its advantages to young men. The institution is doing a good work not only for Westmoreland County, but for Western Pennsylvania. The number of pupils in attendance in both departments is about one hundred. While the majority are from Westmoreland, there are some from five or six adjacent counties. The institution is now in the eighth year of its history. It has had its trials to contend with, such as are incident to all en- ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 241 terprises of the kind, especially during the hard times we have lately passed through. These have all been overcome, and the future of the institution is looming up with brightest visions of prosperity. The ex- penses of the institution have necessarily been great, but by economy and proper management these have been met, and the institution saved from financial embarrassment. The institution to-day stands on good footing, and enjoys the confidence and patronage of the public, and promises to be a blessing to future generations. It speaks well for the institution that three mem- bers of the faculty as it was originally constituted are still of membership, and are the most active of its professors. EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is that body of Christian believers who hold the doctrines of the gospel as restored to the church and taught by the great reformer, Martin Luther, and as contained in the Augsburg Confession, which was written by Philip Melancthon, and read and published before Charles V., at the Diet of Augsburg, on the 25th of June, 1530. This Confession has passed into the literature of the Christian world, has been translated into almost every modern language, and now is confessed by more than forty millions of believers. The Lutheran Church in the United States dates back to the colonial times. Confessors of this faith came to this country from Holland in 1626, one hundred and fifty years before the Declaration of Independence, and Lutheran emigrants came from Sweden in 1636, and German emigrants came to this country early in the eighteenth century. At this present time the Lutheran Church in the United States numbers one million communi- cants, with a population of at least three millions. The history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in our county reaches back over one hundred years, but its early beginnings are difficult to trace, as only very imperfect records of those early times have been pre- served. Ite origin here is like the course of a mountain stream, that winds its way unseen amid woods and forests till it comes into the open country. Lutheran families came from eastern counties and from their fatherland to this. part of our State before Westmore- land County was erected. The Detars, the Rughs, the Millers, the Gangawares, the Harrolds, the Alt- mans, and Longs settled in Hempfield township be- tween 1762 and 1770. There were also settlements of Lutheran families in several other localities soon after the county was formed, namely, Brush Creek, Manor, Kintigs, Ridge, Brandts ; and the history of the Lu- theran Church runs parallel with the history of the count}' itself. The meagre and imperfect records of those early times render it very difficult to give a satisfactory ac- count of the Lutheran Church, and make it impossible to trace the origin and progress of those old congre- gations with minuteness and accuracy. We know that congregations existed ; we know, too, that they were early founded, and we conclude from the best information that we can gain that where members of the Lutheran Church (and other churches) settled in sufficient numbers in the same vicinity they soon associated themselves together into a religious assembly and engaged in Christian worship, and by common consent constituted themselves into a Chris- tian Church, without a formal organization by passing resolutions or the adoption of a written constitution ; for in many of these congregations we can find neither written constitutions, nor records of the organization and official acts of the congregation for the early years of their history. At first they met at private houses, and in the ab- sence of regularly ordained ministers the services were not unfrequently conducted by laymen, especially by schoolmasters who acted as evangelists. These ser- vices consisted of reading the Scriptures, singing and prayer, reading a sermon, or making some suitable remarks. Baptisms were often performed by these evangelists. In the congregations at Harrold's and Brush Creek, in Hempfield township, which were commenced quite early, baptisms were performed and religious services conducted by these schoolmasters for a nuniber of years. At Harrold's (Zion's Church) a congregation was gathered as early as 1771, and there is a record of baptisms by such an evangelist as we have spoken of above. Balthazer Meyer, a schoolmaster, conducted services and baptized children from 1772 till 1782, during which time this congregation was without a regular setted pastor. In the Brush Creek congregation, which com- menced, perhaps, a few years later than Harrold's, similar services were conducted by these evangelists until a permanent pastor was secured. The first Lutheran minister who was settled in this county was Rev. A. Ulrich Liitje. 1 He was a Ger- man by birth and education, who came to the Har- rold's Church about the year 1782, just one hundred years ago. He served the Zion's Church at Harrold's about ten years, which he more fully organized, and finished the first church, which was built of logs with floor of puncheon, rough benches instead of pews, and very primitive in all its arrangements. He secured for Harrold's Church a tract of land by patent as a glebe, which the Lutheran and Reformed congregations now hold in common, on which there is a cemetery, or " God's acre," and a church which was built in 1829. The farm of seventy acres of land is under the control of the trustees of the two con- gregations. Rev. Liitje also ministered to the people at Brush Creek and several other points, but as only 1 Prunouuced " Loot-ye." 248 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. few records of his work have been preserved we can- not speak of it with minuteness. In 1791, Rev. John M. Steck, a native of Germany, came to Westmoreland County from the eastern part of our State, and settled in or near Greensburg. He carried on the work that had been commenced by his predecessor witli energy and success, for he was then in the prime of life. He was thirty-five years of age when he came to Westmoreland County, and labored here for thirty-eight years. He died the 14th of July, 1830, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, and after a long and successful ministry. His mantle fell upon his son, Rev. Michael J. Steck, who was so well and favorably known in this county, and was successor to his father in the Greensburg charge. Rev. John M. Steck was really the patriarch of the Lutheran Church in this county, for he organized most of the old congregations and laid the founda- tions for others organized later, and was the only settled Lutheran minister here for twenty-five years. When he located at Greensburg he found two congre- gations that had been organized by his predecessors, namely, Harrold's and Brush Creek. A few years after his arrival he organized the first German con- gregation of Greensburg. Early in the present cen- tury (1809) Manor Church was organized; also St. James' and Hankey's a little later, in the north of the county ; also St. John's (Kintig), Swope's, Ridge, and Youngstovvn, south and east of Greensburg. These congregations and a number of stations constituted Father Steck's charge during the many years of his ministry. He served all these congregations and ministered to the spiritual wants of these people as far as possible for many long and weary years. Oc- casionally he received a little aid from other ministers and theological students. His son, Michael J., ren- dered some assistance for a short time before he ac- cepted a call to Lancaster in 1817. Rev. Jonas Mechling also rendered him some assist- ance whilst yet a theological student, and after his licensing, in 1820, became his co-worker in this large field. He took charge of the St. James and Hankey's Churches in the north of the county, and of the Forks and West Newton and Barren Run in the western part, and Douegal and Brandt's in the south- ern, and the rest of the county constituted the Greens- burg charge during the remaining part of Father Steck's ministry ; but the principal congregations of this important charge were the First German Church at Greensburg, Harrold's, Brush Creek, and Manor. A brief notice of these will not be out of place here, inasmuch as they exerted an important influence on other churches, and their history gives us the history of the church in general. The first German Lutheran congregation of Greens- burg was commenced soon after Rev. J. M. Steck settled in this county. Baptisms are recorded in 1792, but there is no record of communion till several years later. No precise date can be fixed when this congregation was formally organized, and we believe that it grew gradually into the stature of a Christian congregation without a formal organization, like Harrold's and Brush Creek. In the latter end of the last century a log church was erected, which was built after the style of the log church at Harrold's, and corresponded with it in all its appointments. This church stood until the present one was built, commenced in 1815 and completed in 1819. This congregation has now a history of ninety years, has had a wide field of usefulness, and has no doubt exerted an important influence on other con- gregations. It now numbers over four hundred members, and Zion's (English) congregation, that went out from it in 1848 on the ground of language, numbers three hundred (for at that time the services in the parent church were all conducted in the Ger- man language). Brush Creek congregation, which was founded before the one at Greensburg, also had a log church built after the same plan, and had the same kind of furniture as the Harrold's Church, which was replaced by a new brick church in 1820, and which is still in good condition. The Manor congregation, which was founded in 1809, completed the present church in 1815. These four congregations were associated during the long pastorates of Revs. J. M. Steck, Michael J., his son, and Jonas Mechling, covering a period of seventy-five years. Father J. M. Steck served them from the time of their organization into a charge till his death, in 1830, and Rev. M. J. Steck became his father's suc- cessor, and continued to be pastor of this charge till his death, in 1848, and then Rev. Jonas Mechling became pastor in 1848, and continued to work in this field till the Master called him to his rest, in 1868. In Father Steck's time the Greensburg charge had control of the whole county, and he was bishop of Westmoreland County and adjacent parts, and during the ministry of Rev. M. J. Steck, St. James, Hankey's, Seanor's, and other points were connected with this charge, but during the ministry of Rev. Jonas Mech- ling the charge consisted of these four congregations. Since his death the charge has again been divided. Now Greensburg and Harrold's Churches are under one pastor ; Brush Creek and Manor are joined to Adamsburg and Salem respectively. The pastors who have served this charge under its present arrangement are Revs. G. A. Brenger and Enoch Smith, and the present pastor is Rev. J. C. Kuntzman. Brush Creek has been served by Rev. J. S. Fink, and Manor by Revs. Brenger, Bauman, Smith, Ulery, and Roth. The history of the Greensburg charge gives us a comprehensive view of the history of the Lutheran Church in the county, and its growth and develop- ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 249 ment is an index of the general development of the church. At the beginning of this century there was only one charge in the whole county. In 1820 the first division was made, when Rev. Jonas Mechling took charge of the remote congregations that had been hitherto served by Father Steck, and thus became his co-worker. In 1841, when Rev. Jacob Zimmerman took charge of several churches in the northern part of the county, a still further division was made of the field. He served the following congregations in Westmoreland, namely, Kliugensmith's Church (near Leechburg), Hill's, and Hankey's, in Franklin township. The last two he served from 1843 till 1849, and he served the first till he was compelled to quit the active duties of the ministry on account of his failing health. In 1847, Rev. W. S. Emery was called to West Newton and Seanor's charge, formed out of part of Rev. J. Mechling's and Rev. M. J. Steck's charge. He labored in this field with acceptance and success till 1859, when he was called to Indiana, Pa. In the autumn of 1847, Rev. J. Rugan came to Greensburg with a view of forming an English con- gregation, and in January, 1848, a small English or- ganization was founded of members belonging prin- cipally to the German Church, and soon after a similar organization was founded at Adamsburg of members from the Brush Creek congregation, and these two congregations constituted the Greensburg and Adams- burg charge, to which Rev. Michael Eyster was called in the autumn of 1848, and in which he continued to labor with remarkable success till death summoned him from his toils on earth to his reward in heaven. Thus we see that the history of the Lutheran Church in Westmoreland County records consider- able growth since its beginning. Instead of a few feeble congregations they have a goodly number of large ones, and instead of one or two lonely pastors they have a whole conference. Then also it must be borne in mind that many members have removed to adjoining counties and neighboring States, where they have been instrumental in forming and strength- ening new and other congregations. But gratifying as the growth and development of this church is, it would have been much greater but for two things, the lack of efficient English ministers and the re- luctance on the part of the fathers of the Lutheran Church to give up the German language. The present condition of the church may be briefly stated as follows : There are now twelve pastoral charges in this county, and there ought, in the opinion of their clergy, to be three or four more, but it is not considered wise to form new charges when pastors cannot be found for some that have been formed. 1. The Greensburg charge, consisting now of the First German congregation of Greensburg and Har- rold's Church, Hempfield township. Rev. J. C. Kuntzman, pastor. 2. Zion's Lutheran Church, Greensburg. Rev. W. T. Ulery, pastor. 3. Mount Pleasant charge, consisting of Mount Pleasant congregation, St. John's, Swope's, and Ridge's. Rev. S. L. Harkey, pastor. 4. Donegal charge, consisting of Donegal congre- gation, Franklin, Donegal township, and Bethel, in Cook township. Rev. D. Earhart, pastor. 5. Ligonier, consisting of Ligonier congregation, Latrobe, Youngstown, and Derry. Rev. H. L. Mc- Murry, pastor. 6. Saltsburg charge, consisting of St. James', Fen- neltown, and Saltsburg. Rev. R. M. Zimmerman, pastor. 7. Delmont charge, consisting of Salem and Manor Churches. Rev. J. D. Roth, pastor. 8. Brush Creek and Adamsburg charge, consisting of Brush Creek, Adamsburg, and Irwin congregations. Rev. G. E. Lund, pastor. 9. West Newton charge, consisting of West New- ton, Barren Run or Hoffman's charge. Vacant. Rev. A. G. Wenzel, stated supply. 10. Seanor's and Stanton. Vacant. 11. Hankey's and Brinton. Vacant. 12. Swedish pastorate, Irwin and Braddock's. Vacant. 13. Hill's Church. Rev. A. D. Potts, pastor. There are twenty-six Lutheran congregations and three thousand eight hundred communicants in this county, with a Lutheran population of about eight thousand. MINISTERS OF THE EARLY LUTHERAN CHDRCH. Rev. Michael J. Steck, one of the founders of the Pittsburgh Synod and its first president, was the son of Rev. John M. Steck, for many years pastor of the Lutheran Churches of Greensburg and vicinity. He was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Pa., on the 1st of May, 1793. He early desired to be a preacher in the church of his baptism, and his father availed himself of every suitable advantage to give him a liberal education. After finishing his prelimi- nary education at the old academy at Greensburg he commenced the study of theology under his father's supervision ; but inasmuch as the pastoral duties of his father left him but little time for instructing his pupil, he sent him to the Rev. Jacob Scharle, pastor of the German Lutheran Church at Pittsburgh, under whose care he pursued his theological studies with great diligence and success. In June, 1816, he was licensed by the Synod of Pennsylvania, which held its sessions at Philadelphia. After the meeting of Synod he returned to Greensburg and became an assistant to bis father. In this capacity he labored for a short time, preaching mainly to the remote con- gregations of his father's large field. In December, 1816, he received and accepted a call to Lancaster, Ohio, then in the backwoods. He served congregations in the town of Lancaster and 250 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. vicinity for twelve years with a degree of acceptance and success that is seldom equaled. At his father's earnest request he returned to Greensburg in 182S, to assist him in his declining years in the onerous duties of his large and promising charge. In 1830, when his father, the Rev. John M. Steck, died, his son became his successor. In that field he labored till his death in 1848. It is difficult for one at this day to conceive how great were the toils connected with his ministry. His vast field, and his mode of travel over it to points thirty miles distant from his home, and the number of his congregations and preaching-stations would sufficiently indicate the nature of some of those toils. He served regularly eleven congregations, besides preaching at a number of stations. His journal for nineteen years shows a succession of pastoral duties in his numerous congregations scarcely credible to one unacquainted with his active ministry. He often preached four times in one day, traveling in the mean time many miles. He not unfrequently in- curred no little danger in filling some of his distant appointments. It has been estimated that during his ministry of thirty-two years he preached eight thou- sand sermons, baptized five thousand children, and received two thousand persons into the communion of the church by the solemn rite of confirmation. From his social and pastoral intercourse with so many people, and from his agreeable and gentle man- ner, his name and character were perhaps more widely and more favorably known than those of any other minister of his day in this county. To many of his parishioners he was the ideal of a Christian minister. His ministerial work is even yet, by the older members of his communion, spoken of with marked affection and approbation. It has been observed that in some of the congrega- tions in which he labored he lived his ministry over again in the eyes of some of his devoted followers. Thus when one of his successors therein would say or do something that pleased such well, they would give it their most hearty sanction by saying : " So hat es der Fader Steck gemacht." He was eminently practical, and saw clearly what were the true interests of his church. He labored with untiring zeal for the introduction of the English language into the services of the church, and did much towards the organization of the English congre- gations in Greensburg and vicinity. The qualifica- tions of a good preacher and successful pastor he united in a more than ordinary or common degree. His appearance in the pulpit was prepossessing, his enunciation was distinct, his voice melodious, his manner natural, earnest, and impressive, his style simple and practical, his matter evangelical, and his appeals to the sinner affectionate and earnest. Pride and self-esteem were far removed from him. As a lesson to young men who might be disposed to be elated with apparent success, he often related an incident which, he said, cured him of all vanity as to the effect or results of his preaching. On a cer- tain occasion , before his licensure, he was sent out by his instructor to attend a funeral. The services were to be held at the house of the deceased. The young novitiate was very timid, and during most of the service kept his eyes fixed on the floor. Finally, however, venturing to raise them, he observed an old man with whom he was well acquainted, who, sitting in one corner of the room, was moved to tears. Think- ing that his remarks had made such an impression he took courage afresh, and finished his discourse with increasing energy. After the services were closed the old man came to him and said, " O Mike, ich bin doch so froh dass du gliicklich fertig worde bist, ich war doch so lang du thiitst stecke bleibe, ich hat mviste heule." ' He held the office of president of the Pittsburgh Synod for five successive years. One of his biographers, speaking of his ministerial duties, says, " Though almost constantly overwhelmed with labor, yet he never neglected a single call. He was always ready to go to his distant congregations, or convey the peace of the gospel to the abodes of disease and poverty. By day and by night, even when oppressed by the infirmities of age, or weighed down by sickness, or worn out by constant mental and physical exertion, he would forsake the comforts of home and fly to the post of duty, preaching the gos- pel, instructing the young, and administering the consolations of religion to the sick and dying, bury- ing the dead, and comforting the widow and father- less in their afflictions. Venerable man ! No wonder that the widow's heart leaped for joy, and the sorrow- ful felt a sweet relief, and the dying saint revived again as thy feet entered the abode of suffering. Thy tender sympathy was too real not to shed its balm on the wounded heart, and the consolations of thy lips were as life to the departing soul." His last sermon was a funeral sermon. His own death was commemorated by a discourse delivered by Rev. W. A. Passavant, from the text, " And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him." In the cemetery of the German Lutheran Church at Greensburg, on a plain simple stone, is the follow- ing inscription : " Here sleeps in Jesus the body of the Rev. Michael J. Steck, for nineteen years the faithful Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Greensburg and vicinity. Born May 1, 1793, died Sept. 1, 1848, aged 55 years and 4 months. He was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, and much people were added unto the Lord." Rev. M. J. Steck was the father of eleven children. l Literally— "0 Mike, I am so very glad that you were lucky in get- J ting through, for for a long time I thought you would stick, and I I couldn't help but cry." ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 251 Some of his descendants reside in Westmoreland County, and are worthy progeny of so noble a father. Rev. Jonas Mechlini; was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland County, on the 14th of Au- gust, 1798, and died on the 2d of April, 1868, in the seventieth year of his age, and in the forty-eighth year of his ministry, dating from the time of his licensure. At a very early age he was inclined to the office of the ministry, and began his preparatory studies as soon as opportunity was afforded him. After his pre- liminary studies were completed he pursued the study of theology, under the care of Rev. Pastor Schnee, of Pittsburgh, and finished his theological course under the care of Rev. Father Steck, of Greensburg. After having passed a creditable and successful examination, he was licensed on the 19th of Septem- ber, 1820, by the District Synod of Ohio. After his licensure he immediately became a co-worker with Father Steck, whose field had now become very large and imperatively demanded additional laborers. He was a missionary rather than a settled pastor, for he served congregations and preached at points which were quite remote from each other. He took charge of St. James' and Hankey's, in the northern part of the county, Barren Run and Forks Church in the western part, Kindig's and Swope's in the central part, and Donegal's and Brandt's in the southern part of the county. At these different points so distant from each other he labored for several years with fidelity and success. In 1827 he was relieved of the congregations in Bell and Franklin townships, and took charge of the churches at the Ridge and Youngstown. He served these congregations till the autumn of 1848, when he became pastor of the Greensburg charge. He now resigned the churches in Ligonier Valley, and as soon as a suitable pastor could be found he gave up the churches west of the Ridge. His whole ministerial life was spent in Westmore- land County, serving a large number of congregations in different sections of the county and remote from each other, but the last twenty years of his life were devoted to the Greensburg charge, including the First German Church, Greensburg, Harrold's, Brush Creek, and Manor. Rev. Jonas Mechling was well and favorably known in this county, and as a minister has exerted an im- portant influence on the Lutheran Church. Many of those to whom he ministered in holy things kindly remember him and bless his memory for his self- denial and earnest fidelity on their behalf. His sim- plicity of manners, his amiable disposition, and his even temper, together with his social culture and Christian character, won him many friends, and has embalmed his name in the hearts of those who knew him well. His fidelity to his Master, and his zeal and earnest- ness in the performance of his official duties, may be I gleaned in some measure from a brief abstract of his ministerial acts. His official record, kept with the greatest care, furnishes sufficient evidence of his zeal for God and his success in the work of the church. During the forty-eight years of his ministry he preached six thousand three hundred and twenty- seven sermons, not including many hundreds of funeral sermons. He baptized six thousand two hun- dred and eighty-six persons, confirmed two thousand and thirty-nine, and performed eight hundred and ninety marriages. Devoted to his work in the church, he was also faith- ful to his family and society. He was an affectionate husband, a kind father, a worthy and good citizen. Joined to a woman of true Christian virtue and grace of spirit, and devoted to her by the tenderest affec- tions, he was happy in his family relations. His wife, a woman of most amiable disposition and Chris- tian character, and five children, four sons and one daughter, survive him, and now that he has been gathered to his fathers his name and memory is held in high esteem by his family and friends, and by all who knew him when he was among them. The Pittsburgh Synod.— The Rev. Mr. Ulery, pastor of the English Lutheran congregation at Greensburg, collected some very pleasing memoirs of the early founders and ministers in the Pittsburgh Synod, and in a discourse to his congregation gave his labors. This discourse dwells at length on the life and services of fourteen ministers who had been members of the Synod, but who were then dead. From the labors of Mr. Ulery we give the following sketches : Rev. Michael Eystek was born in York County, Pa., 16th May, 1814, and died 11th August, 1853, in the fortieth year of his age. At the age of thirteen he was sent from his father's farm to the town of York to stand as a clerk in a store. While engaged in this occupation he resolved to devote himself to the gospel ministry. He entered Marshall College, then located at York, and pursued his studies there until the col- lege was removed to Gettysburg, whence he also fol- lowed it, and where he finished his literary and theo- logical course. In the fall of 1838 he was licensed to preach by the Western Pennsylvania Synod. He soon after accepted a call from the Williamsburg pastorate, in Huntingdon County, Pa. Here he la- bored for eight years. In 1846 he removed to Green- castle, Franklin Co., Pa., where he discharged the duties of his calling with the same fidelity which had characterized his former pastorate. Here his wife died, and this led to his removal. In 1849 he re- ceived a call from the churches at Greensburg, Adams- burg, and Salem Cross-Roads, this county. In the fall of 1849 he removed to Greensburg, and con- tinued his labors in the Greensburg pastorate, as the successor of Rev. M. J. Steck, until his death in 1853. The bodies of these two pastors lie side by side in the German burying-ground. 252 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. His character has been portrayed in the words as we quote them : " He was a man of decided views and deep Christian experience. His faith was as simple as that of a child, and his piety as sincere as his faith was simple. He was a man of uncommon purity of character and uprightness of purpose. He possessed a kihd, genial, catholic spirit, but he was not afraid to avow his opinions because they might conflict with those of his fellow-men. It mattered not to him who were with him or who were against him ; it was enough to know he was right, and with this conviction he was prepared to stand up against the world. As a preacher he was solid, clear, fluent, logical, and convincing. Both his manner and matter were original.. He spoke often with much pathos and affection, and had great power over his audience. The effect he left was generally abiding. Few men could speak so fluently, and yet so profoundly, on any subject that might be presented." Rev. Herman Mantz was born in Magdeburg, Prussia, Aug. 11, 1821. In his twenty-sixth year he was sent by Father Gosner, of Berlin, as a candidate for the ministry. Soon after his arrival he spent several years at Zelienople, where he spent some time in studying English and theology under the direction of Rev. Gottlieb Bassler. In May, 1848, he was li- censed by the Pittsburgh Synod, and accepted a call from the German churches at Prospect, St. John's, and Petersburg. Died Dec. 15, 1853. Rev. Samuel B. Lawson was born on the 27th of August, 1808, and died on the 7th of February, 1864, in his fifty-seventh year. After finishing his theo- logical course he was licensed in 1844 by the Alle- gheny Synod, and was regularly ordained by the same body in 1846. He labored for some time in Somerset County in connection with that Synod. In 1853 he removed to Fryburg, Clarion Co., and took charge of congregations in the Pittsburgh Synod. In 1859 he removed to West Newton, Westmoreland Co., and continued to labor there until his death. Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff, son of Rev. John Ruthraufl', of Greencastle, Pa., was born on the 25th of October, 1796. In 1820 he commenced the study of theology under the care of Dr. J. G. Lochman. In 1822 he was licensed by the Maryland and Vir- ginia Synod to preach. His first charge was at Wil- liamsport, Pa. He then preached successively at Elizabeth, Lancaster Co., Pa., at Manchester, Md., and at Loysville, Centreville, Milton, and Worthing- ton. To the last place he removed in 1858, and thus became a member of the Pittsburgh Synod. He died Sept. 18, 1859, in his sixty-third year. Rev. John A. Delo was born in Clarion County, Pa., April 16, 1826, and died Nov. 1, 1864, in his thirty-ninth year. He studied for the ministry under the oversight of Rev. S. D. Wilt, of that county, and in 1849 was licensed by the Allegheny Synod. He, however, accepted a call in 1860 from the Apollo charge, Armstrong County. He filled a chaplaincy in the Federal army during the war, and afterwards re- moved to North Washington, where he died. Rev. Daniel Garver was born in Washington County, Md., Jan. 9, 1830 ; was educated at the Penn- sylvania College; licensed June, 1852, by the Synod of Pennsylvania. From his graduation until 1858 he had occupied a professor's chair, had been en- gaged in missionary labor in the West, and had passed one year in Europe. In 1859 was pastor of the congregation at Canton, Ohio. In 1863 was called by the congregation at Greensburg, for whom he la- bored until his death, Sept. 30, 1865, in the thirty- fifth year of his age and the fourteenth of his min- istry. Rev. Samuel D. Witt became a member of the Synod in 1S35, and remained in it until his death at Circleville, Ohio, Aug. 27, 1851, in his thirty-eighth year. Rev. Gottlieb Bassler was born in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, Dec. 10, 1813, but came to America with his parents when quite young. They settled in Butler County, Pa. When fourteen years of age he walked in his bare feet to Greensburg to learn the printing trade with Jacob Steck. He afterwards entered Pennsylvania College, was graduated in 1840 with honor, and the same year commenced his studies at the seminary ; licensed in 1842. In the spring of 1845 he took a prominent part in the organization of the Pittsburgh Synod, became principal of the acad- emy then established by the Synod. He also labored in the churches in Butler County, and established new congregations. In 1852 he became associated with Rev. Passavant in the orphans' work, and con- tinued in that department until his death in 1868, October 3d, in his fifty-fifth year. Rev. John Rugan was born in Philadelphia, on the 27th day of January, 1817. He spent a portion of his youth in that city, and after having received a preparatory education he entered Pennsylvania Col- lege, situated at Gettysburg, in this State, where he graduated in the fall of 1843. After his graduation he spent two years in the theological seminary at Hartwick, N. Y., in the study of theology, and in the year 1845 he was licensed by the ministerium of the State of New York, which met at Albany. After his licensure he received a call to the pastorate at Sandy Lake, near Troy, where he remained, performing all the duties pertaining to the pastoral office, for about two years, until the autumn of 1847, at which time he was called to become co-pastor with Rev. Mi- chael J. Steck, at Greensburg. He also took charge of St. James' Church, situated in the northern part of the county. In this field he labored with great suc- cess. In January, 1848, he organized Zion's Evan- gelical Lutheran congregation at Greensburg with forty members, and the following spring he organized Trinity Evangelical Lutheral congregation at Ad- amsburg, which he served as pastor till the following autumn. After resigning Greensburg and Adams- ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 253 burg congregations he devoted his time to St. James' and Salem for several years. Then he removed to Somerset, Ohio. He labored a number of years in ' Ohio with good success. His last field of labor was Vandalia, 111., where he built up a flourishing con- | gregation, and in this field he labored until his death. Besides these, continued the manuscript from which we have derived these brief memorials, there were four other clergymen who had been numbered with the I Pittsburgh Synod at that time whose names and | memories are even yet dear to the members of their church. These were Revs. John Esensee, Charles H. Hersh, Adam Long, and Christian D. Ulery. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.i We regret that we have not been able to give a more detailed history of the United Presbyterian Church of Western Pennsylvania and of Westmore- land than it is possible for us to give here. We are, however, not in blame, for the documentary records which we have looked over contain little of interest or information to us. The reader must, for further information, turn to the history of the different con- gregations in the local department of this work. But a church which has produced such an able pioneer ministry, and shaped the morals of such a large num- ber of our people, should lose no time in collecting and arranging their early congregational and ecclesiasti- cal history, that it may be preserved. The only Presbytery of this church in Pennsylva- nia down to 1776 was the "Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania," and the earliest preserved record of its proceedings which we can find is dated "'Oxford, June 27, 1762." But at a meeting on May 20, 1770, the Presbytery resolved to divide into two, the one to be called the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania, consisting of the following ministers : Revs. James Proudfoot, Matthew Henderson, William Marshall, John Rodgers, John Smith, James Clarkson, James Martin, and John Murray ; the other to be called the Associate Presbytery of New York, consisting of Revs. John Mason, Robert Anan, Thomas Clark, William Logan, and Andrew Patton. From the original manuscript minutes of the Pres- bytery to which this region of Pennsylvania belonged, it is seen that Mr. Proudfoot supplied Westmoreland in the fall of 1775. There is also this entry : " At Oxford, Nov. 4, 1775. . . . Petition received and read from Fairfield, in Westmoreland County, craving supply and ordination of elders, together with the dis- pensation of Baptism and the Lord's Supper." There were many other petitions of a similar nature, and upon their consideration the Presbytery " agreed that Mr. Murray and Potter supply New York Province, Mr. Logan at Fort Pitt, and the vacancies in Cumber- 1 The denominational name, " United Presbyterian," for this church in North America dates from 1858, when the Associate Presbyterian (from 1754) and the Associate Reformed (from 1782J were united under that name. 17 land and Northumberland Counties be supplied with an actual minister. Appointed Messrs. Henderson, Rodgers, and Smith as a committee to draw up a scheme of appointments to be laid before next side- runt." Mr. Logan was announced for Fairfield in De- cember, and for the Yough on January 6th following. The following also appears : " At Mr. Miller's house, May 8, 1777, 9 o'clock a.m., at which time and place the Presbytery being met and constituted, etc., a mo- tion was made and supported that the Presbytery now reconsider the clauses in the petitions from West- moreland and Northumberland respecting a minister's settlement among them ; accordingly the commis- sioner from Northumberland presented a petition for a moderation, which was read. A committee was ap- pointed to converse with Mr. Patton, which having done this reported that his present inclinations rather lay towards the people in Tobit and Buffalo town- ships, for which reason the Presbytery did and hereby do grant to these people in said places the moderation of a Call, and also to the people in Westmoreland, the moderation in Northumberland to be held on the 9th of September (by Mr. Logan), and at Chartiers on the 15th of said month by Mr. Proudfoot." This extract from the " Minutes of Proceedings of the Second Associate Reformed Presbytery of Penn- sylvania" gives the account of the formal division of the Presbytery : " Tough Meeting-Hovse, June 24, 1793. "After a sermon preached by Mr. Adam Rankin from Eph. ii. 19, 'Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,' etc., the Second Associate Reformed Presbytery of Pennsylvania met and con- stituted with prayer by the moderator, by virtue of a resolution of the Associate Reformed Synod, which is as follows: June 8, 1793, Resolved, That the Pres- bytery of Pennsylvania be divided into two by the names of the First and Second Associate Reformed Presbytery of Pennsylvania, the Second to consist of Mr. Jamison, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Warwick, and Mr. Rankin, with their elders, and that they meet and constitute, the senior minister preaching and presid- ing, at such time and place as they will find most convenient. "Robert Amxan, " Moderator of Synod. "Present, Messrs. Rankin, Henderson, and War- wick, ministers ; Messrs. Richard Steel, James Wil- son, and Jeremiah Pearce, ruling elders. Appointed Mr. Henderson clerk pro tempore. . . ." The next meeting was held at Laurel Hill Meeting- House 12th August, 1793, Jamison, Henderson, and Warwick, ministers, and James Wilson and James Findley, elders, present. " Received and read a call, including a petition, for the Rev. John Jamison from the united congregations of Brush Creek, Hannah's Town, and Connemaugh. Heard a verbal petition from Short Creek, Three Ridges, and Buffalo, by Messrs. Stuart and Sharp, praying for a supply of 254 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. preaching. . . . Presented the call to Mr. Jamison, which he accepted. Appointed the sacrament of the Supper at Loyal-Hanning the last Sabbath of this month, Mr. Jamison to preside and Mr. Henderson to assist. "Resolved, That Mr. Jamison's edict be served at Loyal-Hanning the Monday after by Mr. Henderson. " Appointed the sacrament of the Supper at Brush Creek the second Sabbath of October. Mr. Jamison's j installment the Friday preceding; Mr. Warwick to preside and Mr. Henderson to assist. "Appointed Mr. Henderson to Three Ridges the third Sabbath of September. Adjourned to meet at Loyal-Hanning the 26th Last." At next session " heard a verbal petition from Li- gonier Valley by Robert Hemwell (?) for a supply of preaching," but no action was taken upon it at that sitting. The next session of Presbytery was held at Brush Creek Meeting-House, Oct. 11 and 14, 1793. Brush Creek Church, afterwards Bethel, was the third in the county, organized 1796-97. Its first pas- tor was Rev. Matthew Henderson. Additional in- formation on this church and its early history within the county will be found in the local department of this work, and especially in the history of the Fair- field Church, Fairfield township Statistics from f/ie Minutes of the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Churches, 1881. METHODIST. The first Methodist society in the United States was formed in New York in 1766, by some Irish emi- grants. The history of the church from that day to this in the United States is one of the marvels of modern times. From the peculiar organization of its clerical body it was pre-eminently the proselyting church of the latter day. Its itinerant preachers fol- lowed the people in all directions, and even to the very utmost bounds of civilization. The doctrine which they preached was calculated to arouse the slumbering passions of a people who had gotten at their mother's knee the first ideas of the Christian doctrines of future punishment and future felicity. Of Methodism we see more and know less than of any other religious denomination. The growth of this church organization has been regarded by all contemplative philosophers as one of the marvels of later times. The most philosophical of modern his- torians — himself a statesman of enlarged and just views, and a man not affined to the founders or the the cause of Methodism — has said that no man since the time of Cardinal Richelieu has been the equal of John Wesley as an organizer of latent forces. But when one familiar with the status of the Methodist Church to-day observes that it is not much from a century since John Whitefield preached in the shade T/tcse churches are all within the Westmoreland Presbytery. Ministers and Correspondents for Vacancies. Post-Office and State. Presbytery. Oliver Katz Saltslrarg. A. I. Young Wm. R. Stevenson.. E. Z. Thomas Wm. H. Vincent, S. C. M. M. Patterson J. N.Dick, D.D.. R. B. Taggart.... Josias Stevenson.. S. B. MeBride. A. R. Raukin.. D. M. Thorn.. C. B. Hatch.... Correspondents. Joseph Ross D. Alter, M.D B. L. Calhoun, M.D John Shaw George W. Kelley Without Charge. A. Young, D.D., LL.D., Professor.. S. B. Stewart J. A. Scroggs— 22 Turtle Creek. WestNew tun. Negley. Llgonier. ParnaBSUB. Irwin's Station. Muiuit PltMsuiit. Greensburg. Laurel Hill. Murraysville. Bnena Vista. Irwin's Station. Youngs town. Parnassus. Stewart's Station. Watt's Mills. Licentiates, 1. Parnassus. Paulton. Latrobe. H- Saltsburg, N. Alexandria, Turtle Creek.. West Newton, ,- : , Sewickley, J^ Unity Fairfield (2) Pockety, % Allegheny, % Bethel (Westmoreland).. Mount Pleasant,^ Scottdale, ]/ 3 Greensburg, }/, Latrobe, 34 Laurel Hifi Murraysville, % Beulah, 1 .; Buena Vista Irwin Vacancies, Donegal Logan's Ferry Parnassus Stewart's Station.. Madison :. 58 55 192 126 60 150 162 138 76 115 80 38 51 85 9:i 77 41 100 135 57 63 22 131 45 Baptism. Sabbath-Schools. 40 45 125 si I 60 21S 160 60 45 45 40 23 4(1 40 65 40 30 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 255 of the forest-trees to the straggling hearers around him in the eastern portions of the United States, the conclusion is reached without argument. But from the very nature of the Methodist system is one precluded from writing its local history, espec- ially if that extends over any length of time, for they in early days kept no records in their churches, nor minutes such as were to be preserved and treas- ured. Their itinerant preachers were, generally speaking, uneducated, if not illiterate, and in this they much prided, for they openly discouraged classical education and the higher grade of colleges, and under the plan of changing their pastors it was seldom that any one pastor remained more than a very few years at one charge. But from the same and other causes may we partially come at the causes of its wonderful numerical advancement. The early church started out with the motto of John Wesley, " My parish is the world," and entered into the world filled with missionary zeal and the hope of success. Laying hold of the common people by adapting itself to their capacity and circumstances, and gathering them together and setting them at work in class-meetings, camp-meetings, revivals, and in all sorts of ways, it has reached out and gathered in a large number of all classes of people. It then preached only Christ, and it cared not when or where or how. So, too, did it give its meeting-houses for any preacher of any Christian Church in which to preach, and it is nar- rated that the first missionary priests on frequent occasions said mass in their meeting-houses. But nothing could abate the zeal of their early ministers, both clerical and lay. Whatever may be said of the illiteracy of its itinerants it is evident that they were peculiarly adapted to their calling, and that they labored with success. Of wages and hire they got little or nothing. They passed and repassed up and down the whole land and had no abiding-place, for they knew, with the early apostles, that if the earthly house of their tabernacle were dissolved, they had a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. From the days of the earliest settlements west of Laurel Hill the country was not without law, neither was it without the gospel. The Methodist preachers were here the very first year of their church organi- zation ; but not so early as the Presbyterians or the Baptists. This whole region into which the Meth- odist itinerants came was named in their ecclesiastical divisions the Redstone field. In 1784, John Cooper and Solomon Breeze stand in the minutes for Red- stone ; in 1785, Peter Moriarty, J. Fidler, Wilson Lee ; for 1786, John Smith, Robert Ay res, Enoch Mat- son, elder. They made their entrance at Uniontown, in the immediate neighborhood of which were many Church of England people and a few Methodists. But they had been preceded by Robert Worster, a local preacher of piety and considerable talent. The growth of this communion here is a subject of wonderment. Many of the earliest settlers of Western Pennsylvania were churchmen, zealously attached to the forms and beliefs of the Episcopal or mother- church of England. But this conservative church did not provide means for the protection and perpet- uation of congregational worship. The flocks were left without a shepherd. The Presbyterians would not give them the sacrament, or baptize their chil- dren, unless they would subscribe to the Westminster Confession, and promise to bring up their children in that faith ; the Baptists would not permit them to commune, except they would renounce their baptism and become immersed. No wonder that clear-sighted old John Wesley, seeing what was to be done, and how it was to be done, made haste "to provide," to use his own words, " for those poor sheep in the wil- derness." And so the itinerant heralds, running up and down in every direction, gathered the flocks into new folds, and working with their whole heart and souls gathered bread where others would have gath- ered stones. They went to and fro watching, and wherever they found an open door there they entered. The footsteps of these early preachers — Worster, Cooper, and Breeze — were traced a score of years afterwards by an observant man, himself, later on, a missionary farther west, 1 from Uniontown, where the first society was raised. Their labors were followed to the Youghiogheny, near the Broad Ford, from thence down that stream to the Forks, in Westmoreland County, where a large society was early raised of men eminent for worth and piety, most of whom had been churchmen. They were thence traced along the Monongahela into Washington County, through some of the northwestern regions of Virginia, and so on back to Uniontown, whence they started. In 1787 an annual conference was held at Union- town in the month of July. Bishop Asbury officiated as a plain Presbyter, in gown and band, assisted by Richard Whatcoat, elder, in the same habit. Michael Lord was ordained, of whom it was said he could re- peat the whole of the New Testament off the book and large portions of the Old Testament. The morn- ing service was read as abridged by Wesley. That was the last time that priestly robes and prayer-book were seen on like occasions in those parts. In 1788 the Redstone field seems to have been divided into four circuits, — Clarksbury, Ohio, Pitts- burgh, and Redstone. To this field of labor seven preachers were appointed. Under them and their assistants societies were formed farther north in Westmoreland, and particularly in Ligonier Valley. The Rev. James Quinn, 2 in his own words, speak- ing of his life and labors, says of these societies as they existed in the latter part of the last century,— 1 "Sketches of the Life and Lahors of James Quinn, who was nearly Half a Century a Minister of the Gospel in the M. E. Church." Cin- cinnati, 1851. 2 Quoted ntpra. 256 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. "I now must cross over Laurel Hill and make my way into the head of Ligonier Valley. There was a small society at A. McLean's, from Shippensburg or Carlisle, and another at Enos King's, son of the old local preacher. These, however, at that time were of recent date, and the prospect not flattering. But near old Fort Ligonier was raised a large and flourishing society. Here the father of the venerable Bishop Roberts and his extensive family, although church people, fell into the ranks of Methodism. Ah, old mother missed it in not having a missionary bishop here, and some one to take care of the poor sheep in the wilderness. . . . Here, too, were the Shaws and Fishers, the latter of Quaker origin. Here, also, was the devout Cornelius Riley and his excellent wife, Abigail, father and mother of James and Tobias Riley, of the Baltimore Conference. Little did I think at the time I received them into the church and wrote their names on the class-paper at old Brother John Roberts', brother of the bishop, that I should live and be effective till the lads should be- come senior ministers in the mother-conference. " This society suffered much by emigration to the West, as most of the societies in the mountains did ; for when the rich lands of the West came into market, the mountaineers made a general rush, as if the bears, panthers, wolves, Indians, rattlesnakes, and fire had all broke loose upon them, and, poor things, many of them lost their religion and their lives in the scuffle. "There was another good society still farther down the valley, which met at the house of Brother Howell. Here James Talbot was a prominent and useful local preacher, and the father and mother of Brother Stewart, of Cincinnati, with their numerous family, were prominent in the membership. Here we leave the valley, and crossing a mountain or very high hill and passing over Conemaugh River, we arrive at a pretty extensive settlement at Black Lick. Here a handful of corn had been placed in the earth by the pioneers, and a good society sprang up, which met at the house of James Wakefield. This man was a local preacher. I am told he still lives (1843). He taught me some good things, and I loved him. " We now leave the Black Lick settlement and di- rect our course west, and on the tup of Chestnut Ridge the handful of corn had produced a good society, which met at the house of Father Wakefield, father of James. To his class belonged the venerable Martin Fate, his deeply-pious wife, three or four sons, and as many daughters. A son and grandson of this family became preachers, one local and the other itinerant." Passing on down southward through Westmoreland, he says, " There was a door opened for preaching on Jacobs Creek, among the Masons and Ragans, and a small society raised, which, however, passed off west- ward by emigration, leaving scarcely a vestige behind. "A few miles distant from Ragan's [Reagan's], on the Youghiogheny River, and near the foot of the mountains, they obtained a preaching-place at one Flaugherty's and Hain's, on a farm belonging to Zachariah Connell. Here a society was raised by Jacob Lurtan, and his numerous family attended and became members ; and the farm itself became the site of the town of Connellsville, and Connellsville is now the emporium of Methodism in an extensive tract of country." Such is one view, circumscribed it is true, of early Methodism in Westmoreland. We shall get another view from a different source, chiefly traditional, and still another in the extracts which we make use of, taken from the minute-book of the Greensburg Church records. Wherever these accounts differ, it will be seen they do not differ materially ; and, taken together, they well enough agree to present an intel- ligible view of the early history of the church here. The first Methodist preaching in the county was in 1785, at " Fell's Settlement," in Rostraver township, some two miles east of the Monongahela River. Here preaching was had by itinerants sent out by the Balti- more Conference. The surrounding region was settled by Scotch-Irish, who worshiped at " Rehoboth" Pres- byterian Church, built nine years previous. But the Fell and several other Maryland Methodist families had settled on the rich lands between the Youghio- gheny and Monongahela Rivers, and soon the zeal of the pioneer itinerants found them and began their ministerial labors. "Fell's Meeting-House," a log structure, was built in 1785-86, and was the first Methodist Church erected west of the Alleghenies. In it the great Bishop Asbury often preached, and in the second one, afterwards built, the eloquent Bishop Bascom and other distinguished divines of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church expounded the word of God. The second Methodist preaching in Westmoreland County was in 1798, not far from Ligonier, at the residence of the Riley family, where was the second preaching appointment for the earliest traveling cir- cuit riders, of whom Rev. Isaac Conway was the first here. The third place of preaching was at Mr. Stuart's, in Fairfield (some of whose descendants reside in Irwin). These two families were perhaps the earli- est of the Methodists in all this region. The fourth preaching appointment was near Greensburg, about 1812, in the families of Squire Ross, the Mellons, and McCutchens. The next was at Jacobs Creek and Mount Pleasant, both in 1817. The first three circuit riders at the latter point were Revs. Jacob Dowell, Or- ville Wilson, and William Barnes. Shortly after- wards preaching was had at Greensburg and on the Big Sewickley, — at the former at the house of Samuel Bushfield, and at the latter at Mr. Slatterbach's dwell- ing. The appointments were made at Mr. Miller's, on the "Manor." All these were up to 1825, and were included in one charge, and generally by two pastors, who traveled on horseback, preaching every day in the week, and seldom reaching an appointment oftener than once in two weeks. The whole county was then ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 257 part of one circuit (Connellsville), and was under the Baltimore Conference. Among the first preachers was Rev. Valentine Cook, presiding elder, whose district extended from the " Virginia line" to Erie, Pa. He was born in 1765, in Monroe County, Va., and in 1788 received into the itinerancy, having his first appoint- ment on the Calvert Circuit in Maryland. During 1792 he became engaged in a newspaper controversy, touching the leading principles of Methodism, with Rev. Samuel Porter, D.D., and with Rev. Jamison, a Scotchman, a minister of the Seceders' Church. He became presiding elder, and in 1798 was transferred to Kentucky, where he died in 1820. He was among the first Methodist preachers in the county. Among the most prominent to follow him were Revs. James Riley, Thornton Fleming, James Wilson, Henry Baker, Samuel V. Gillespie, and the venerable Samuel Wakefield. Another of the pioneer and famous local preachers was Mr. Wirsing, grandfather of Capt. Wirsing, late county treasurer. He was born in Germany, and had been a commissioned officer in the army of his father- land, being in the dragoons. He was an educated gentleman of fine address and great powers of lan- guage. He was the ablest and most eloquent exhorter of his day, and people came in vast numbers to hear him speak at camp-meetings, quarterly meetings, re- vivals, etc. Under his preaching the venerable Rev. Samuel Wakefield was converted and embraced reli- gion, and there are yet living many old people of Israel who in their youth sought the altar of mercy under this famous exhorter's preaching. He was in the zenith of his fame in 1820, and five years later removed to near Petersburg, Somerset Co., where he died about 1835. Daniel and Conrad Pershing, brothers, were local preachers of note, and Isaac Per- shing, a son of the former, still lives at Derry, at a very advanced age. Rev. James Wakefield, uncle of Rev. Samuel Wakefield, was a minister of much celeb- rity, and preached all over this and the adjoining counties from 1800 to about 1845. He was a man of fine attainments and a successful revivalist, and pos- sessed a power of influencing his hearers hardly ex- celled in his day. The oldest Methodist preacher in the county, and with only two exceptions in the Pittsburgh Confer- ence, is Rev. Samuel Wakefield, D.D., of Mount Pleas- ant. This patriarch and pioneer of his church was born in Huntingdon County in 1799. His father, Thomas Wakefield, was a native of Ireland, and mar- ried Elizabeth Morton, who was born in Chester County. They removed in 1800 to Indiana County, where their son Samuel resided until twenty-one years of age, when he entered on the ministry. His first preaching appointment was in Fayette County (Fayjatte Circuit), embracing half of that county and a part of West Virginia ; his next, Somerset Cir- cuit; his third, Connellsville Circuit, which then em- braced all of this (Westmoreland) county. He was then made for four years presiding elder of the Union- town district, which also included this county. He has been fifty-nine years in the ministry, twelve as a local preacher and forty-seven as an itinerant. He retired some two years ago from regular preaching, although he yet preaches on special occasions, such as dedications, and at funerals. There is probably no minister in America who has traveled so far on horseback, preached so many sermons, married so many couples, administered so many sacraments and baptisms, and attended so many funerals as Rev. Samuel Wakefield. About 1854, Allegheny Col- lege, in recognition of his great learning, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Di- vinity. He has written largely for the religious press, and is the author of a work on " Theology," which has been introduced into the course of study for young ministers and been extensively circulated. He also served four years as presiding elder of the Allegheny District. He was married Aug. 23, 1821, to Miss Elizabeth Hough, through which union have been born ten children, — five sons and five daughters, — all living. One of them, Rev. John F. Wakefield, is the Methodist Episcopal pastor of Latrobe station. Dr. James B. Wakefield is a physician in Mount Pleasant, and Dr. Alfred N. Wakefield a physician at Johns- town. Mr. Wakefield and his wife have lived to- gether sixty-one years, in which time the church, to which he has in all that period been a faithful minister, has increased its numbers and strength in this county to wonderful proportions, which is largely attributable to his zeal and ability and to his ever- watchful care for its growth and promotion. APPOINTMENTS IN THE CONNELLSVILLE CIRCUIT UNTIL THE FORMATION OF THE LIOONIER CIRCUIT, 1820-34.1 Feb. 16, 1820, Connellsville* (Fayette County), Greensburg,* Mount Pleasant,* McNutt's, McCue's, Mellon's (afterward Ross'), Slatterbeck'sf (sometimes written Sloderbeck), King's,*t Fisher's (near Ligo- nier), Hopewell, Stuart'sf (Jacob, Ligonier Valley), Wakefield's (James). June 20, 1820, Adams', Armel's, Wilson's, Shep- pard's*t Sherrick's* (Jacobs Creek, not far from Seottdale), Shumard's, McAnelly's. Sept. 16. 1820, Wakefield's. Dec. 2, 1820, Harrold's. June 2, 1821, Wade's, Doty's, Bracken's (Indiana County?). Sept. 29, 1821, Trout's, Ross'* (nearCrabtree, Unity township). Dec. 8, 1821, Williams'. June 29, 1822, Miller's.* Sept. 13, 1823, Vanausdoll's, Harvey's (or Harry's)- Feb. 28, 1824, Sterrett's Salt-works. 1 At the formation of the Ligonier Circuit, in the summer of 1834, the I preachers on the Connellsville Circuit had served the appointments dur- ing tiie previous year in those congregations or stations marked with an asterisk (*). The appointments marked with a dagger (t and per- haps others were thereafter included in the Ligonier Circuit. 258 HISTORY OP WESTxMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. May 21, 1825, Funk's. November, 1825, Blairsville, McKissen's, Enfield's. April 29, 1826, Ross' Furnace* (Ligonier Valley), Galbreath's (Ligonier Valley), Palmer's (Ligonier Valley). Oct. 28, 1826, Black Lick (Indiana County). April 14, 1827, Stiffy's, Riggs'* (near Markle's Paper-Mill). Oct. 27, ■ , Mardice's, or Mardus'. Dec. 27. 1828, Morrison's, Allander's. Oct. 9, 1830, Pershing's*! (John), northeast of Pleasant Unity, Unity School-house, near Pleasant Unity, Pershing's*! (Daniel). Jan. 9, 1831, McLane's,*t Boner's, Livermore, Mc- Cutcheon's* (or McCue's?). April 2, 1831, Ligonier*! (instead of Fisher's). June 11, 1831, Fairfield.*! Sept. 10, 1831, Asbury Chapel*! (perhaps instead of Hopewell). March 17, 1832, Randolph* (three and a half miles east of Greensburg). June 9, 1832, Armaugh (Indiana County). Nov. 10, 1832, Bethel*! (Pleasant Unity), Youngs- town.*! Feb. 2, 1833, Tarr's* Frick's,* Longenecker's,* Laugh] instown.*! April 20, 1833, Donegal,*! Hatfield's, Hartzel's*! (near Pleasant Unity). Oct. 12, 1833, Salem.* Jan. 18, 1834, Denniston Town* (New Alexandria). PHESENT PASTORAL CHARGES. After 1825 several new pastoral charges sprang up, and in that year all Western Pennsylvania was de- tached from the Baltimore and made into the Pitts- burgh Conference, which embraced West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania, and part of Ohio. In 1840 the Erie Conference was made out of it, and in 1844 that of West Virginia. The following are the present preaching appointments (stations and circuits) in the county : Circleville, Jacobs Creek, Lebanon, Ligo- nier, Cokeville, Latrobe, Irvine, Sardis, West Newton, Rostraver, Mount Pleasant, Pleasant Unity, Donegal, New Derry, Greensburg, Manor, and Madison. Each of these is a separate pastoral charge, embracing from one to four preaching-places. To this imperfect sketch of the Methodist Church of the county may be added a few words touching the Loyalhanna camp-meeting grounds. In the summer of 1874 the East Pittsburgh District of the Methodist Episcopal Church appointed a committee to select ground on which to hold a camp-meeting. The com- mittee selected, out of quite a number proposed, the present site now occupied,' one and a half miles east of Latrobe, and this they have improved by erecting suitable buildings and accommodations. The ground was leased for twenty years, and has been laid off in lots fronting sixteen feet, and back forty feet. There are two tiers of lots around the entire camp ; on these are the cottages, and in summer temporary tents, facing towards the square devoted to religious services, or upon the avenues that pass parallel to the sides and ends of this square. The seats in front of the preacher's stand will accommodate five thousand peo- ple. When camp-meeting is in progress — it lasting usually two weeks in August of each year — the grounds and the whole town of Latrobe are crowded with peo- ple. An admission-fee is charged, and these aggre- gate a considerable amount. Many owners of cottages with their families reside on the grounds during the heated season. EARLY METHODISM IN GREENSBURG AND VICINITY. The following minutiae cannot but be of interest to the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church throughout the county, although it relates particu- larly to the establishment of the church at Greens- burg, and to the history of the congregation there. For the most part of this material we are indebted to William Robinson, Esq., one of the oldest citizens of the town and members of the congregation there, who has with a due regard to the desires of posterity, and in anticipation of the interest they will take in the matter, committed his personal knowledge and his acquired information in this regard to paper. To his valuable manuscript we have had access, and the sub- stance of it is here reproduced. Greensburg, from the time when first at all regu- larly supplied with Methodist preaching, received this through the Pittsburgh Circuit until Pittsburgh be- came a station and the Connellsville Circuit was formed, about 1811, then in connection with the latter until 1816, when Pittsburgh was thrown into a circuit again (Pittsburgh and Connellsville), until about 1819, since which there has been no such circuit as the " Pittsburgh and Connellsville." Greensburg was then in the Connellsville Circuit until 1851, when it became detached by the formation of a new circuit embracing Greensburg, New Alexandria, Ross', Mount Pleasant, and Pleasant Unity. The great local " public discussion of the leading points of difference between the Calvinistic and Ar- menian systems," by Rev. John Jamison, of the Seceder, and Rev. Valentine Cook, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, came off on Wednesday, June 12, 1793, a few miles distant from Greensburg, in some outdoor woodland, where a great number of seats had been prepared and a pulpit erected, and where when the time arrived "a vast concourse of people were in attendance," some of whom came as far as fifty miles. Tradition fixes the place at Congruity. Rev. Samuel Porter, who then had charge of the Presbyterian Church at Congruity, and who had a hand in bringing on the debate, saying "truth was suffering, and I must defend it or own it defenseless," hastened on the succeeding Sabbath, June 16, 1793, to give his " opin- ion" in two discourses "On the Decrees of God, the Perseverance of the Saints, and Sinless Perfection." ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 259 In 1792, Samuel Bushfield and wife (formerly Miss Catharine Taylor) came from Ireland, and after stop- ping a while in Lancaster and Huntingdon Coun- ties, settled at Greensburg in 1799. They were Methodists before they came hither, and soon after they came by their efforts Methodist preaching was secured. In 1799-1800 the first class at Greensburg was formed, embracing Samuel Bushfield and wife Catharine, Jacob Kern and wife Susanna, and John Kern and wife. The early Methodist meetings at Greensburg up to 1830 were usually held at Bushfield's house. In it, too, was the " Prophet's Chamber." These places were, first, a wooden house, in part still standing on the north side of Pittsburgh Street, on the second lot west of the northwest corner of Pittsburgh and Joseph Streets, and a few yards eastward of the spring which rises about midway up Bunker Hill. The western end of the building was then a one-story kitchen. This was the birthplace, so to speak, of Methodism in Greensburg and parts adjacent. After living a year or two in the house designated, Bushfield removed to a red, weather-boarded house which stood on West Pittsburgh Street, at the foot of the street, somewhere below the present residence of Hon. E. Cowan. About 1800-8 he removed to a log house on the north side of the road, and on the west bank of the spring run which passes from Ludwick to the Williams' (or old fair-ground) farm. Nearly opposite this house, on the south side of the road, is the old log barn, which was used for preaching instead of the house " in fine summer weather." This prop- erty he owned. In 1829 he removed to a house a short distance eastward from the spring, and as he moved he carried the visible church with him. To this house the venerable writer to whom we are in- debted says that at the age of eleven he accom- panied his father one Sunday when preaching was ex- pected, but no preacher was there. Aaron Hill then led a class. From there Bushfield in 1830 removed to the town of Greensburg, and there in 1832 he died. His wife, married at eighteen to Bushfield, died Dec. 28, 1856, in the eighty-fourth or eighty-fifth year of her age, and having been for above seventy years a member of the church. Meetings were also held at the house of Jacob Kern before he moved West in 1817. He lived on Main Street, on a lot just north of the present church building. Sometimes, especially for night preaching, the court-house was used. This was before 1830, and more generally from 1830 to 1833. In 1832, Rev. Charles Cook came over from Uniontown, and held a protracted meeting here, at which a number joined the church, and after which the project of building a meeting-house was agitated. From 1830 until their first meeting-house was built class-meetings were still held in Bushfield's house and at the house of Joseph Kern. On Feb. 2, 1833, the Quarterly Conference ap- pointed Rev. Wesley Kinney, Samuel B. Bushfield (son of Samuel Bushfield, deceased), and George T. Ramsay a committee to make an estimate of the amount necessary to build a house of worship in the borough of Greensburg, and, if deemed expedient, to secure a suitable lot of ground for the purpose. To secure the first " Methodist Episcopal Meetiug-House" in Greensburg, which was built in 1833, two members of the society subscribed each fifty dollars, other members smaller sums, some citizens gave liberally (or what might be called so at the time), and Rev. John White, preacher in charge, collected around the circuit seventy dollars. The lot was bought of John Y. Barclay, Esq., for one hundred dollars. The first trustees were George T. Ramsay, Samuel B. Bush- field, Aaron Hill, Daniel H. Barnes, and Joseph Kern. The agreement between these and John Hart- zell, house carpenter, for the erection of the meeting- house was dated Feb. 16, 1833, and stipulated for a brick building, forty-two feet long and thirty feet wide, one story fourteen feet in height, three windows on each side and two in each end, each of twenty- four lights of eight-by-ten glass; one double door in centre of front end four feet wide in the clear. The building was to be completed by the 1st of the next July. It is thought the pulpit, altar, and pews were put in some time afterwards, and therefore were not covered by Hartzell's claim for the building, which was $638.85. The first seating was benches made of slabs and boards, and the first lighting was by can- dles in candlesticks and in sconces hung against the walls. Afterwards lard lamps were used for lighting. A debt for its erection was left on the hands of the trustees, which gave them some trouble until it was paid in 1839. The building was situated on Main Street, and ad- joined the present Presbyterian Church property. It was sold by the trustees to the school directors of the Greensburg public schools in 1849. In rebuilding, pilasters and a second story were added. This build- ing is still standing in good preservation, and is now occupied as a dwelling. Previous to the erection of the new church building and after the sale of the first one, a small brick church, formerly used by the Presbyterians, and standing in a corner of now St. Clair Cemetery, together with the court-house, were used for preaching in. The first class met in this little church, and the second and other classes, when formed in 1834 and 1835 and thereafter, met principally at private houses until their own church was built. These private houses were those of William Gorgas, Jane McKinney, Da- vid Cook, John McGeary, William Robinson, and Hugh Arters, and besides these places, prayer-meet- ings and revival meetings were also held at the houses of Jacob Myers, Samuel B. Bushfield, Samuel S. Tur ney, Robert W. Turney, William S. Brown, and others. Meetings were held at some of these even when the first church was in use. 260 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Dec. 14 and 15, 1850, the Second Quarterly Meet- ing Conference for Connellsville Circuit was held in the church on the cemetery grounds. In 1849 the pastor in charge, Rev. J. G. Sansom, suggested that the meeting-house be enlarged or a new one built to accommodate the increasing con- gregation. The suggestion was acted upon, and in September the trustees appointed a committee of three — C. J. Kenley, William Robinson, and William A. Cook — to open a subscription and ascertain how much money could be raised for a new church build- ing. The money raised therewith, together with that realized from the sale of their old edifice, was used in purchasing a lot and building a new church. Early in 1850 the lot on the northeast corner of Main and Second Streets was purchased from Jehu Taylor. The building was begun on this lot in 1851. The basement was completed so as to be used for worship in 1852, and the audience-room was finished the fol- lowing fall, and on Nov. 25, 1852, the building was dedicated by Bishop Simpson. At a meeting of the members of the church and a few friends, held Oct. 14, 1835, the first " Methodist Sabbath-School Society of Greensburg" was organ- ized, with Rev. David Sharp as president; Rev. Jeremiah Knox as vice-president; John W. Barr, superintendent; George T. Ramsey, assistant super- intendent and treasurer; William McKinney, secre- tary ; and Charles F. Kenley, librarian. In 1871 it acquired an organ for the use of the school. UNITED BRETHREN. The church of the " United Brethren in Christ" began its existence among the Germans of America soon after the middle of the eighteenth century. 1 The ecclesiastical literature of this denomination ardently proclaims that divine Providence greatly favored this people at that time by raising up min- isters of the gospel filled with grace and zeal and the disposition and ability to go out among their widely-scattered population and preach in such a manner as to gather many to their standard. Prominent among those evangelists were William Otterbein, Martin Boehn, George A. Geeting, and Christian Newcomer. Those men obeying what they took to be a call from the Lord, their labors were blest of the Lord. Ex- cellent societies were formed in many places, and congregations, after the manner of the Methodists, were established wherever they went. As the spirit of revival and reformation prevailed, their sphere of action spread more and more, so that they soon found it necessary to seek fellow-laborers to work in the fields, where the harvest was plenteous and the labor- ers were few. So the number of consecrated work- men was rapidly increased. ] My thanks for assistance in this sketch are due to Rev. F. Fisher and Rev. J. C. Shearer. The number of believers multiplied, and the refor- mation spread through the States of Maryland, Vir- ginia, and Pennsylvania. From the year 1766 to 1789, a period of twenty- three years, the preachers, who felt that they were " united brethren," and who were co-operating in the revival movement, met together as often as once a year, and generally at a great meeting, where in mu- tual and brotherly counsel they attended to such busi- ness as properly belonged to a Presbytery, a Classis, or a Conference. As the number of laborers increased, and as applications for authority to preach from those whom, as it was regarded, God had manifestly called and qualified for the work multiplied, these informal Conferences became more necessary and important. Mr. Otterbein, being eminently qualified, usually pre- sided, and his counsels and instructions, especially to the rising ministry, were in a high degree useful. At length, however, a formal Conference was deemed necessary ; the work had become so far extended that it became impracticable to attend to the necessary business of the church at the great meetings. Ac- cordingly the first Conference, regularly convened, was held in Baltimore in 1789. Fourteen preachers were recognized as members. The second regular Conference was convened in 1791, in York County, Pa. Nine additional laborers were recognized, making in all twenty-three. After this period it was found necessary to hold Conferences annually, in order to more closely unite the preachers and to establish a better plan for their labors. At these Conferences the preachers who could give their whole time in traveling were assigned particular fields of labor, wherein they worked as itinerants. Others were appointed to hold revival meetings des- ignated at the Conferences, in different sections of the country, and to devote as much of their time to the work of evangelization as circumstances would permit. At a Conference held in Maryland in the year 1800, the name " United Brethren in Christ" was adopted. Up until this period the church had passed under the name of " United Brethren," an appellation very ap- propriate considering that converted Mennonists, Re- formed Lutherans, Tunkers, and Amish were drawn together and compressed into this one harmonious ecclesiastical organization. The additional words " in Christ" were appended to the former name in order to give distinctness as a denomination, and to avoid any legal difficulty which might arise in making deeds, wills, and other legal instruments. In the year 1815, at a General Conference, composed of rep- resentatives of the entire church organization East and West, a discipline was adopted setting forth the doctrines and rules of the church according as they were taken to be, as based on the word of God, so that harmony and peace might be preserved both in doc- trine and practice as the church increased. The polity of the church is a very modified episco- ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 201 pacy, in which the hishops are elected quatlriennially and are not ordained to a superior order, but chosen as superintendents of the church. All ecclesiastical authority is vested in a General Conference, consisting of elders elected by vote of the members of the church congregations from every Conference district. The bishops are elected by this body, and are its presiding officers. They superintend the Annual Conferences in the respective districts over which they are appointed. They officiate in ordinations, and assist in stationing the preachers, according to the itinerant plan. The conditions of membership in this church body are profession of faith in Christ and an experience of pardon of sin and peace with God. The denomination now numbers one hundred and sixty thousand members, mostly English-speaking people. In our county they comprise a generally intelligent and respectable portion of the people. The first United Brethren preachers who came to this county were Christian Newcomer, George A. Geeting, Abraham Draksel, Charles Berger, and An- drew Zeller. These ministers came on extensive missionary tours from Eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland, visiting the county at intervals of three or four months, preach- ing in the houses, barns, and groves of those members of their communion who had moved from the East. Christian Newcomer, afterwards third bishop of the church, was the first to come to this county on those long preaching tours. His journal is still preserved, and shows that he Visited this county and preached in it as early as 1800. He says. — " Oct. 22, 1800. From thence I came to Mr. George Mumma's, a relation of mine in Westmoreland County, and stayed for the night. 23d. This morning set off on my way very early ; fed at a public-house in Lin- ganore [Ligonier] Valley," [this was at the old May's tavern stand, on the turnpike between Donegal and Laurel- ville]. Another extract will show the route by which these preachers traveled to this country from the East : " Nov. 8, 1803. We. traveled about thirty miles over a very mountainous section of country ; preached at Mr. Guth's, near Berlin. . . . 9th. To-day we pur- sued our journey across Laurel Hill, where we lodged with Henry Filger, in Ligonier Valley. 10th. We held a meeting at Mr. Weible's. The word made great impression. At night we preached at Mr. Bon- nett's [one mile cast of Mount Pleasant] , an intelligent German [but of French extraction]. Here I spoke from Heb. ii. 3. I had not spoken long before some of my hearers fell to the floor, others stood trembling and crying so loud that my voice could scarcely be heard." Six years later he writes, — "June 20, 1809. This forenoon we had meeting at Walter's ; in the afternoon I spoke at Swartz's ; lodged here for the night." [ This was near Pleasant Unity, at. the house of John Sioartz, grandfather of Mrs. John Gibbs and Mr. Paul Smarts, of Mount Pleasant.] " 21st. This day we preached in Greensburg, in the court-house ; Geeting preached in the German, myself in the English language." Six years later he writes of being at the General Conference at Mount Pleasant : "June 5th [1815]. Came to Worman's. 6th. This day the General Conference commenced at old Brother Draksel's. . . . Lodged with John Shupe". [ancestor of Mr. Oliver Shupe, of Mount Pleasant]. His visits are recorded as late as 1827, having been kept up with more or less frequency for a period of twenty-seven years. At page 313 of his printed "Journal" is the following entry: "June 22, 1827. Came to Daniel Worman's. 23d. Lodged at Bon- nett's. 24th. This forenoon I preached here from Luke xxiv. 45-47." At the first General Conference held in this region, above alluded to, were present the following ministers : Revs. Abraham Mayer, Henry Kumler, John Snyder, Abraham Draksel, and Christian Berger, of the State of Pennsylvania ; Revs. Newcomer and Jacob Baulus, of Maryland ; Revs. Christian Crura, Isaac Niswander, and H. G. Spayth, of Virginia ; and Revs. Andrew Zeller, A. Hiestand, Daniel Tryer, and George Benedum, of Ohio. Thus it will be seen that the church in this county has considerable historic interest, and the old house wherein was held this early church meeting is now a Mecca for the pilgrims of this faith. Every reason- able effort has been made to preserve it from demoli- tion, and it has been photographed and produced in all kinds of engravings, and in print hangs on maDy walls. It is certainly a commendable trait of respect and veneration now that the denomination has grown rich and influential that its members should set such store by old landmarks so full of interest. The first resident United Brethren minister in the county was Rev. Abraham Draksel, or Draksell (now Truxell). He owned and lived upon the farm now occupied by David Miller, near Mount Pleasant. His grandson, Rev. J. H. Pershing, has charge of Ligonier Circuit, and resides at New Florence. Notable among the names of the pioneer ministers of the church in this county is that of Henry Spayth, who moved to Mount Pleasant and became resident pastor there about the year 1815. Besides performing the labori- ous pastoral work of more than half a century, he wrote a history of the church, and assisted largely in the preparation of a denominational hymn-book. Few men did more than he to shape the polity of the church during a period of thirty years, from 1815 to 1845. The first preaching-places in the county were the one designated above, near Mount Pleasant, and others at Donegal, West Newton, Madison, Greens- burg, and Pleasant Unity. The first regular organizations were at Mount Pleasant, Madison, and near West Newton. Among the oldest of living preachers who labored 262 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. for the church in this county during the last half-cen- tury are Rev. J. L. Baker, now seventy-two, still traveling a circuit afoot, and preaching with youthful clearness and force, and Rev. William Beighel, still in charge of a circuit and resident at Pleasant Unity. Peter Walter, of Lycippus, is the oldest member of the church in the county. He was converted, in a religious sense, and joined the church, then in a barn near Pleasant Unity, at the age of eighteen, and has now belonged to the church as a member for seventy years. He attended the first General Conference at Mount Pleasant in 1815, and knew all the early preachers that came to this section. David Keister, an early member of Mount Pleasant, now above seventy, retains a large store of the tradi- tional history of his church, and remembers distinctly many of the fathers. He has a complete file of the Religious Telescope, the denominational organ of the church. The early growth of the United Brethren Church was slow, owing to the fact that its early ministers were evangelists rather than organizers; hence it is a matter of complaint that, although their labors were abundant and their converts numerous, yet these fruits were often garnered by more skillful organizers of other denominations. These early preachers spoke German, and seldom preached English ; hence, as the children of the families learned English at school and began to lose the use of the German, they preferred English preaching, and consequently joined other churches. There are now six pastoral charges in this county, — Mount Pleasant station, in charge of Rev. J. C. Sharer ; Westmoreland Circuit, with the venerable Rev. Isaac Potter as pastor ; Madison Circuit, Rev. J. S. Buell, pastor; Greensburg, under pastoral care of Rev. J. L. Jones ; Ligonier Circuit, Rev. J. H. Pershing pastor ; the west half of Ligonier Circuit is served by Rev. A. Davidson. These pastoral charges consist of seventeen organ- ized churches, worshiping in fourteen meeting-houses, and having a total membership of twelve hundred and ninety-five members. THE MENNONISTS— THEIR SETTLEMENT IN THE COUNTY. The Mennonist Church is one of the fragments into which the mother-church of Rome was shivered by reforming hands in the Middle Ages, and is ac- cordingly one of the many Protestant sects. The founder of the Meunonite — more preferably " Men- nonist" — sect was Menno Simon, who was in Fries- land in 1495 or '96, three years after the discovery of America by Columbus. He was contemporary with Luther, Zwinglius, Bucer, Calvin, Bullinger, and Me- lancthon. His doctrines were accepted by great num- bers, who became persecuted, and largely dispersed ] into Prussia, Poland, Denmark, Holland, and Russia. ' In 1683 a number of Mennonist families came to < America and settled in and about Gertnantown (now Philadelphia), and at subsequent times other bodies of them came and located near the original settle- ment. In 1736 five hundred settled in Lancaster County, and from this region they gradually dispersed into various States. In the last part of the eighteenth century the first Mennonist families settled in West- moreland County, and as years rolled by its settle- ment received several additions from the Eastern hives. With an eye to plenty and prosperity, the Mennonist pioneers settled in East Huntingdon town- ship, one of the most beautiful and fertile sections of the county, at the same time one rich in minerals. In the same valley, but across Jacobs Creek and in Fayette County, another settlement of Mennonists came. To this settlement came principally Lancaster County families, while to West Overton came gener- ally families from Bucks County. Among the subscribers to " The Christian Confes- sion of Faith," published at Philadelphia in 1727, occur the surnames Kolb, Ziegler, Gorgas, Conerads, Hirchi, Bear, Bowman, Langenecker, Beghtly. These surnames are to be found in Westmoreland, with such phonetic changes as point unmistakably to their deri- vation from the former. Thus Kolb has become Culp and Gulp ; Ziegler, Zigler ; Conerad, Coonrad ; Hir- chi, Harshey and Hershey ; Langenecker, Long- necker. In other documents occur the surnames Oberholtzer, now Oberholt; Kendigs, now Kintig; Miller, Funk, Bowman still the same in this county. In the original list of subscribers to this Confession of Faith, "done and finished in our united churches in the city of Dortrecht, 21st April, A.r>. 1632," occur the surnames Jacobs, Willisemsen, now Williamson ; Winkelmans, now Winkleman ; Zimmerman, now the same, or translated into Carpenter ; Shoomaker, now Shoe-, Shu- and Shoonmaker ; Movers, now the same, or Meyer, Meyers ; Koenig, now King; Bom, now Baum ; Claeson, now Clawson ; Petersen, now Peterson ; Segerts, now about the same ; Haus, now pronounced Houtz; op de Graff, now Updegraff. Thus the connection is shown between the Westmore- land Mennonists of the latter half of the nineteenth century and the Dortrecht, Utrecht, Leyden, Rotter- dam, and Amsterdam Mennonists of more than two hundred years ago. In this county the sect is on the decline. At one time their communicants were here numbered by hundreds, while now there are less than forty, and not one of these under the age of forty. The Men- nonist Church is in East Huntingdon township (which chapter see for its history), about midway in a line running north and south between West Overton and Bethany, and about midway in a line running east and west between Mount Pleasant and Reagantown. Its last minister was John Overholt, who resided on the eastern flank of the hilly range that farther north in the county is the well-defined Randolph or Dry Ridge. Since their settlement here the Mennonists ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 263 have been distinguished for their moral worth, thrift, industry, and intelligence, and no portion of the county excels the part originally settled by them and still almost entirely owned and occupied by their numerous and forehanded descendants. BAPTIST CHURCH. The Salem Baptist Church, located near West New- ton, is the oldest of this faith in Westmoreland County. 1 There are not more than three in the western part of the State that antedate it, and it may be there is but one. It was constituted nineteen years before the First Baptist Church in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately the records of its constitution, if there were ever any kept, have been lost. Yet the history that antedates its constitution, and for some years after, was kept in the attentive memory of Brother J. P. Weddell. Richard Pritehard, his grandfather, was a member of the Presbyterian Church, but from his study of the Scriptures was convinced that his baptism was not apostolic. The only Baptist Church that he could attend was in Washington County. Henry Speers was their pastor, and baptized him into the fellowship of that church. His wife soon after obeyed in the same ordinance. Soon after this Elder Speers began to preach in their house occasionally, on the farm now owned by Thomas Ray, where Elders Beatty and Corbley also preached. These meetings were held in memory by Father J. P. Weddell, who a short time since died. The first persons baptized in that place were Jo- seph Budd and wife, and Nathaniel Hayden and wife, with some others whose names are forgotten. The old meeting-house was built on the same spot where the present one now stands. It was built in the year 1792, and continued to be their place of worship until their present house was erected in the year 1842. Among the early ministers were Lucy, Fry, and Phillips, and Elder Stone, pioneer preachers of West-' em Pennsylvania. Dr. James Estep preached to this church in his youth, in his prime, and even in his old age. He was their first regular pastor. He served them as a supply and pastor for almost half a century. William Shadrach, D.D., when but a boy, with his youthful eloquence led many to connect them- selves with this church, some of whom are still mem- bers of the church. Revs. Rockefeller, George I. Miles, and Dr. Wil- liam Penny, earnest ministers of the church, have gone to their rest, and their labors do follow them. The latter of these was baptized and received into the fellowship of this church. For thirty years pre- vious to the great revival under the preaching of Rev. Isaac Wynn, in 1841, was a dark page in the history of this church. They had no pastor and no preaching, 1 From " Minutes of the Pittsburgh Baptist Association for 1871.' except when some traveling minister came among them. James Estep, generally once or twice a year, came and administered the sacrament. The members were few, but they were firm and true. They never ceased holding their prayer-meetings, and, like those of old, " They feared the Lord, and spake often one to an- other." At the latter part of this period there was a revival, which resulted in the conversion of over fifty persons, who were added to the church. After Rev. Isaac Wynn closed his labors with the church, Rev. E. T. Brown took charge; then suc- ceeded Revs. Milton Sutton, R. R. Sutton, and J. K. Cramer, the latter of whom preached for them over twelve years. After he left the church was without a pastor for several years. Revs. A. N. Dye and S. Washington each supplied them about six months. Rev. Daniel Webster was their pastor from June, 1869, till January, 1871. Rev. Aaron Wilson, their present pastor, entered upon his labors about April 1st. The Elizabeth, McKeesport, Mars Hill, and Olive Branch were organized chiefly from the Salem Church. The parsonage was built by Rev. A. Wilson. Rev. A. Wilson closed his pastorate in April, 1873. Rev. W. T. Hughes entered upon pastorate in May, 1873. During his pastorate a branch was organized in West Newton, and a house built. Rev. W. T. Hughes closed his pastorate, May, 1875. Rev. J. J. Leightburn became pastor November, 1875. He resigned in 1880. Now without a pastor, have a good church property and parsonage, worth $8000. 1882, Pastor, ; Deacons, Nelson Weddell, Nathan M. Grew, J. M. Montgomery ; Clerk, J. M. Montgomery. Sunday-school of thirty. MOUNT PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH. Organized November, 1828. Rev. William Shad- rach the first pastor, and only surviving constituent member. W. Shadrach ordained same year, and Abram Shallenberger ordained first deacon in Febru- ary, 1829. The next deacon was Jonathan Neumeyer. Both of these deacons have had sons ordained dea- cons of the same church. Rev. Leroy Stephens resigned in 1879, having served the church about seven years, being the longest pastorate in the history of the church. Rev. N. L. Reynolds began his pastorate in 1880, and is still in charge of the church. Few churches have had a more peaceful and pros- perous career for the last eighteen or twenty years. It was through the members of this church and their efforts that the institute was located at Mount Pleasant, and they have given a liberal portion of the funds which have made it what it is. MOUNT PLEASANT INSTITUTE. The Baptists purchased the old Mount Pleasant College in 1870, and opened what is now known as the " Western Pennsylvania Classical and Scientific 264 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Institute" in September, 1873, under A. K. Bell, D.D., as president, and J. Jones, A.M., principal. The growth has been gradual but constant. Beginning with forty-six the first year, it has now reached one hundred and fifty, nearly all regular students. The institute is equaled by very few intermediate schools in its full courses of study. There is a three-years' course to prepare for college, besides a three-years' sci- entific and a four-years' literary course. There are now eight teachers besides the various lecturers. The property consists of a fine three-acre campus on one of the highest spots in the commu- nity, and covered with a beautiful grove of forest- trees, in full view of Chestnut Ridge. There are two large brick buildings, the one used as a ladies' dormi- tory building having cost twenty thousand dollars. The graduates of the school are beginning to occupy positions of influence, and are giving evidence of the thorough work the school has done. DONEGAL BAPTIST CHURCH. The Baptist Church at Donegal was constituted June 14, 1834. The following are the names of the members: John R. Lohr, John Robison, Sr., John Robison, Jr., Samuel White (afterward removed to Iowa), Catharine Robison, Agnes Lohr, Margaret White, Julian Robison, Mary Lohr, Eleanor Shad- rach, Catharine Lohr, Mary Lohr (the younger) Lydia Weimer, Mary Berg, Eleanor Keslar. All these, with the exception of John R. Lohr, Samuel White, and Eleanor Keslar, are now dead. The church was organized by the Revs. John P. Rocke- feller and Levi Griffith, on the date above given, at which time the Rev. Roekeigller was chosen pastor, John R. Lohr, deacon, and John Robison, church clerk. It remained under the care of this pastor until April 1, 1835, when he resigned. On the 18th of that month Rev. Levi Griffith was chosen pastor, and he remained in charge until the 1st of March, 1837, when he was succeeded by Rev. Rockefeller, who was again pastor till March 31, 1838. He was then followed by these in their order : Rev. Milton Sutton, till Feb. 20, 1S41 ; Rev. Garret R. Patton, from July 10, 1841, till 19th December, 1843 ; Rev. Caleb Russell, till March 7, 1846; Rev. Albert G. Eberhart, till March 20, 1847 ; Rev. W. W. Hickman, till April 20, 1850; Rev. John Parker, from Aug. 17, 1850, till March 13, 1852; Rev. J. K. Cramer, till Dec. 19, 1857; Rev. John Scott, till June 18, 1859; Rev. John Williams, from April 1, 1860, till April 1, 1861 ; Rev. O. P. Hargrave, from June 18, 1862, till December, 1863; Rev. James R. Brown, from May 5, 1866, till May 5, 1867; Rev. N. B. Crichficld, from July 12, 1867, till Aug. 19, 1871 ; Rev. Z. C. Rush, from Sept. 10, 1871, till June 19, 1875; Rev. David Williams, for six months thereafter; Rev. W. T. Galloway, preached for six months in 1877 as supply ; Rev. W. S. Wood, for six months in 1878 as supply, and six months in 1869 as pastor; Rev. John C. Skinuer, for three months from November, 1829, as supply; Rev. G. D. Knox, for six months in 1880 as supply ; Rev. W. T. Galloway, pastor in 1881, from April 1st -till September 1st; and Rev. W. W. Robison, from Sep- tember, 1881, as supply, who is now their pastor for one year. The deacons of the Donegal Baptist Church, with the dates of their ordination, are as follows: John R. Lohr, June 14, 1834; Samuel White, March 14, 1835; John Robinson, Sr., March 2, 1838; William Fligor, June 17, 1854; Rice Boyd, June 30, 1870. MARS HILL CHURCH. Organized in 1839. Resulted from special services held by Rev. Milton Sutton, then pastor at McKees- port, but residing in Connellsville. Passing by the place now known as Mars Hill, he was requested to hold services in the school-house by an aged lady of the Baptist faith by the name of Mrs. Tilbrook, the mother of John and Thomas Til- brook, both now deceased, but well known in this county. Rev. Mr. Sutton assented, and continued to stop and preach on Friday p.m., at two o'clock, and in the evenings. As a result a number of persons were baptized, and on Oct. 31, 1840, the church was recognized by Council. The following names appear as connected with this early history : Mrs. Tilbrook, John Tilbrook and wife Anna, Thomas Copeland and wife (father and mother of B. and J. Copeland, mer- chants of Irwin), John Dinsmore and wife (parents of J. McCoy Dinsmore, of Irwin), John Kearns and wife, Jacob Grennewalt and wife, Henry Grennewalt and wife (Col. Jacob Grennewalt's father and mother), Abram Leatherman and wife (sister of David Tins- man), Mrs. Col. Bigham Copeland, Mrs. Emily Gren- newalt (mother of Capt. Grennewalt, Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers), Matthew Linn and wife (parents of James Linn, McKeesport). A number of others might be named. The first •candidates for baptism were Mrs. Diana Kearns, Miss Polly McQuade; the first pastor, Rev. Milton Sutton; deacons, Jacob Grennewalt, John Tilbrook. The first house (a Union Church building) was erected in 1841 at a cost of some fifteen hundred dollars. The ground for building and cemetery purposes was do- nated by John Tilbrook. The pastors of the church since its organization have been Revs. Milton Sutton, R. R. Sutton, J. P. Rockefeller, Gabriel Lanham, O. P. Hargrave (eight years), Daniel Webster (three years), R. C. Morgan (one year), O. P. Hargrave (nine years). The last, O. P. Hargrave, has been pastor for seventeen years iu June, 1882, an interval of five years intervening between 1868 and 1ST::. The present church building was erected in 1875, and dedicated May 28, 1876. Sermon by Rev. J. K. Cramer, assisted by Rev. J. J. Lightburn. The official members in 1882 are as follows : Pastor, Rev. O. P. Hargrave; Deacons, John Fretz, Daniel ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 265 Grennewalt ; Church Clerk, John Ogg ; Trustees, Na- than Fullerton, Christian Fretz, Capt. Caleb Grenne- walt, Dr. James Penny, Samuel Grennewalt ; Sunday- school Superintendent, Alexander Wiley. Value of church property, $4000 ; membership, 1881, 85 ; average yearly expenditures, $500 ; Sabbath- school members, 60. The history of the church has been similar to most organizations. In 1868 it numbered 153 members ; to-day 85. While weaker numerically, it is stronger financially. The Irwin, Greensburg, and Coulterville Baptist Churches were in part formed from this church. The early association of this church was with the Monongahela Association. IKWIN BAPTIST CHURCH. Organized in 1872. Recognized by Council Dec. 10, 1872. Received into the Association (Pittsburgh) June, 1873, reporting sixty members. Rev. R. C. Morgan, pastor; I. D. Evans, clerk; J. M. Dinsmore, J. G. Steiuer, deacons. Dedicated house of worship October, 1874. Rev. R. C. Morgan resigned May, 1876. Rev. J. W. Evans became pastor Dec. 1, 1876; resigned November, 1878. Rev. G. D. Knox became pastor May, 1878, and resigned Jan. 26, 1879. Finan- cial embarrassment, and house sold for debt in 1879. Rev. J. Gemple served as supply for a few months, closing his labors January, 1880. During his minis- try the church changed its name to the Shafton Bap- tist Church. Rev. H. Jeffreys became pastor in March, 1881, and still remains in charge. J. J. Jones, deacon; J. Mountain, clerk. Membership last report, 68. The Second Baptist Church of Irwin was organ- ized in 1879, and recognized by Council Aug. 14, 1879, with 30 members. Rev. G. W. Baker preached as a supply for a few months, closing his labors April, 1880. The church now is without a pastor. First Baptist Church membership : 1873, 60 ; 1874, 114; 1875, 169; 1876, 198; 1877, 163; 1878, 107; 1879, 53. Value of church property when sold, 1879, $5000. A Sunday-school with an average attendance of 150 pupils was kept up for several years. Benevolent contributions and home-work : 1872 I 1877 S2.089.00 1873 83,298.50 ' 1S7M • 859.37 1874 2,809.00 1879 375.62 1875 1,806.98 1876 1,689.50 813,647.97 This is an average of $1949.71 in the seven years. The outlook for the future is not encouraging for either the Irwin or Shafton Baptist Churches. There is some good material in both, and they may again arise in strength. GREENSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH. Organized April 5, 1873. Recognized by Council May 13, 1S73, with 33 members. Received into the Pittsburgh Association June, 1873. Rev. R. C. Mor- gan, pastor; Philip Clingerman, A. P. Smith, dea- cons ; John Mensch, clerk. Rev. R. C. Morgan re- signed pastorate April 1, 1874. Rev. O. P. Hargrave became pastor July 1, 1874, and is still in charge, 1882. Dedicated their first meeting-house Oct. 13, 1875. Dedication sermon by Rev. B. F. Woodburn, assisted by Rev. Leroy Stephens, Rev. J. K. Cramer, and Rev. J. S. Hutson. Sunday-school organized January, 1873. Has been a successful school under the superintendencies of A. P. Smith, John Mensch, and H. W. Walkinshaw, who is now in charge. Mem- bership in 1874, 57; 1881, 55. Near a hundred scholars have been in attendance some years. As in 1878 there was 93 pupils, other schools have reduced this one. Officers in 1882 : O. P. Hargrave, pastor ; P. Clin- german, J. Mensch, D. B. Weaver, deacons ; H. W. Walkinshaw, clerk. Church membership, 94 ; value of church property, $3000. There has been baptized into this church 115 per- sons, 86 during the present pastorate. Benevolence and home-work : 1874 8442.2, r , 1875 627.13 1876 1206.05 1877 442.25 1878 448.05 1879 8609.43 1880 542.10 1881 2154.90 S6472.16 This is an average of $809.02 for the eight years. There has been connected with this church since its organization by baptism, 115; letter, 18 ; experience, 30 ; total, 163. Only 12 by letter and 17 by experi- ence in eight years. Not much help from abroad. NEW STANTON BAPTIST CHURCH. In 1840 the Rev. Siegfried, of Mount Pleasant, com- menced to preach in New Stanton, and a Union Church edifice was built at that place the same year. In April, 1842, there was a church organized at that place numbering about 37 members. The Rev. Sieg- fried continued to preach here for about two years. In 1844 the church undertook and erected a stone edifice of its own, costing two thousand dollars. The Rev. Siegfried resigned his charge about this time and Rev. A. Eberhart was called to the pastorate, and served the church two years. The Rev. Morris then took charge of the church and served it for some time. He was followed by Rev. Richard Sutton, who served for two years. Rev. George White was pastor for some length of time. Rev. Lanham served the church for three or four years. Rev. John Williams, of Turkey Foot was pastor for some time. The Rev. John E. Thomas preached for a period of about six years. He preached his last sermon at this place from the text, "Man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets." Since that time the Rev. George Ames has officiated. The Rev. (Forger) Jones served as pastor for two years. The Rev. Wood preached for some time, but had no discipline. He was followed by the Rev. Z. 266 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. C. Rush. The last regularly engaged pastor of the church was the Rev. John Knox, who resigned about five months ago (Dec. 1881). Since that time the church has had no preaching at all. The present mem- bership is 26. Those who assisted the church in pro- tracted efforts were such men as Dr. Estep, W. Wood, Sr., George I. and Ed. Miles, Job and Kaleb Rossel, ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. There was no Roman Catholic congregation in Western Pennsylvania for many years after its settle- ment. In the early days of our local history some few emigrants from Germany and Ireland, who still clung to the faith of their fathers, had settled in the East, but it was remarked that even the priests were foreign-born, and that few could speak in English. The rise and growth of the church in that part of the State west of the mountains is especially noticeable from the time of the construction of the great public works, such as the canals, the portage, and the rail- roads, when the labor was mostly done by those who had lately crossed the ocean hither. Up until this century was well advanced the little Catholic Church known as the " Hill Church" — that one which preceded the present St. Vincent's — was the Mecca of the faithful for a region of country of which the eastern portion of this county was a large but not the entire part. There are persons still living who remember when this congregation was made up of worshipers who had been gathered together from beyond Blairsville, in Indiana County, to beyond the head-waters of Indian Creek, in Fayette County. But even when so gathered together from such widely-sep- arated distances the congregation was small. In some districts Roman Catholics were so few that each one was known in person. It is with feelings of shame that the majority of intelligent people of the present generation are apt to contemplate the prejudices of their ancestors, most of whom from the force of circum- stances knew nothing of the ceremonial of the church, and little of its evangelical doctrines and history but what they got from Fox's " Book of Martyrs." Among the more liberal, however, such as had little or no bigotry, there is ample evidence to satisfy the inquirer that perhaps there was never a time in our local history when those of a kindred sentiment and who were not held in the bonds of ignorance did not meet on equal ground. The first priests were hospit- ably entertained at the houses of their German or their Irish Protestant friends. They ate at their tables and lodged under their roofs. 1 Two foreigners meeting had a bond of sympathy outside their religious pref- erences not known to native-born. Times change, and it is perhaps not worth the saying that now the ceremonies of the many Catholic Churches all over the land are sometimes as well comprehended by Prot- I The inquirer will perhaps be agreeably disappointed to discover how numerous are the family traditions among our early and most influential class of people bearing upon this subject. estant youth as by Catholic youth, although they may in general be more familiar to the one than to the other. To such the Miserere in its matchless elo- quence increases the faith of the penitent; in the Office of the Dead the sweet memory of departed friends comes back ; to most of them it is known that in the darkness and gloom of Passion Week, through the watches of the nights which ends with that of Good Friday, the deacons chant the office of the ten- ebrce : and the edifices are crowded on Easter Sun- days by a promiscuous crowd, who know that then is celebrated with "mass and rolling music" the mem- ory of the risen Lord. But there was a time when the gown of a Benedictine was thought to hold the incarnate spirit of evil, when the singing of the as- perges was in a language never spoken by Christian men, and when a simple countryman would as leave be bitten by a mad dog as get a dip of holy-water. The history of the Roman Catholic Church in West- moreland County is so peculiarly connected with the history of Catholicity in Western Pennsylvania, and, indeed, in one respect, with Catholicity in the United States, that it is deserving of a more than ordinary notice at our hands. One observation alone, to a con- templative person, indicates that its annals possess much interest, for the Right Rev. Abbot Wimmer, of St. Vincent's, as known in the hierarchy of the church, was with those prelates who entered the Coun- cil Hall of the Basilica, in which met the Ecumeni- cal Council of the Vatican. This prelate, to whom in 1869 was accorded the enviable honor and distinction of joining the procession of cardinals, patriarchs, clerical princes, and notables of the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church throughout the whole world, was the abbot of a monastery erected on a spot which in 1769 was in the midst of a great wilderness. And this monastery is certainly a place of much interest to our people, and its institution something in which they may well feel an honorable pride. CATHOLICITY IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. Before giving a detailed history of Catholicity in Western Pennsylvania we find it expedient to revert to its cradle in the East, namely, to Philadelphia and its vicinity. The first traces of Catholic worship in Pennsylvania are found in the .public celebration of holy mass in Philadelphia in the year 1708, based upon the follow- ing quotation from a letter of Sir William Penn, then in England, to his Colonial Governor in America, James Logan: "There is a complaint against your government that you suffer public mass in a scandal- ous manner. Pray send the matter of fact, for ill use of it is made against me here." 2 In a subsequent letter he adverts to the same subject, saying, " It has become a reproach to me here with the officers of the - Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, vol. x.; Penn and Logan Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 294. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 267 crown that you have suffered the scandal of the mass to be publicly celebrated." 1 The priests celebrating the holy masses in Phila- delphia, according to historical documents, could have been no other than the Franciscan Friars Minor, Poly- carp Wicksted, or James Haddock. 2 The former came to America in the year 1674, and died before April, 1725, and the latter arrived in the year 1700, and died in Maryland in or before 1720. The first Catholic Church that history records in Pennsylvania was St. Joseph's, erected by the Jesuits. Eight of the zealous missionaries with their superior, Rev. F. Segura, came to America in 1570. Betrayed into the hands of hostile Indians by an Indian con- vert, the treacherous Don Luis, all were murdered without mercy ; but forty-six years later two other heroic fathers of the same society, Revs. Andrew White and John Althain, landed in Maryland with Lord Baltimore on March 25, 1634, and were soon followed by other self-sacrificing confreres, one of whom was Rev. Josiah Greaton, whose glorious mem- ory is honored in history for having brought in 1730 from Maryland to the Catholics in Philadelphia the consolation of their religion. 3 The number of Catholics in Philadelphia and vicin- ity at this time cannot be ascertained ; but in April, 1757, they amounted to thirteen hundred and sixty- five, scattered over Chester, Philadelphia, Berks, Northampton, Bucks, Lancaster, Cumberland, and York Counties. 4 Five German Catholic families, for reasons not known, but presumably to better their worldly condi- tion, left these Eastern settlements in the years 1787 and 1788 for Westmoreland County, having pre- viously arranged for the reception of occasional visits and the consolations of religion with priests from the German settlements at Goschenhoppen, Berks Co., Conewago, 3 and Philadelphia. After leaving their Eastern homes they journeyed through Huntingdon County to Hollidaysburg, crossing the main ridge of 1 Watson's Annals of Philadelphia. 2 Rev. A. Lambing. The Catholic Church in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, p. 525. 3 The first Catholic settlement within the bounds of what is now the Northern United States was made in Maryland, March 25, 1634. In 1774 Baltimore was a station, visited once a month by a priest from White- marsh, who brought with him his vestments and altar service. In 178 1, Rev. Jobu Carroll, of Maryland, was made superior of the clergy in the United States, and afterwards bishop. 4 Rev. A. Lambing, as above. In a map of " Philadelphia and Parts Adjacent" as it was in 1749, and which is bung in Independence Hall, in the list of public buildings is " One Mass House." 6 The station at Conewago, northeast of Gettysburg, in York County, was among the first in Pennsylvania. It was established in 1741. and served from that time on. This was the centre of a large region, from which the priests at intervals went out to visit the pioneer families of the faithful, when they slept in the woods, made meals of cold potatoes, and said mass over the rough clapboard tables of their parishioners. Many years after, when they had no churches of their own, it was no uncommon thing for mass to be said, when the priest came, in fartthns, in the Methodist meeting-houses. (See "Life of A. D. Gallitzin," by Sarah BrownBon, for material used in part of this sketch.) the Allegheny Mountains and settled in Unity town- ship, Westmoreland Co. The following are the names of the heads of these families : John Propst, John Jung, Patrick Archbold, Simon Rufi'ner, Christian Ruffner, and George Rufi'ner. They were joined in the year 17S9 by Mr. Henry Kuhn, from Goschen- hoppen, Berks Co., Pa. Having settled here and there in Unity township, they went to Greensburg in March, 1789, to buy a lot on which to erect a tempo- rary church and lay out a graveyard. The land, how- ever, was presented to them, as they had only five shillings in cash. According to agreement, Rev. John Bpt. Causey, a missionary from Conewago, came to Greensburg in the following June to confer upon the few settlers the consolation of their religion. Finding no more suitable locality, he celebrated the mysteries of the Catholic faith in the humble residence of Mr. John Propst, lying on the Pittsburgh turnpike, ten miles east of Greensburg. This was perhaps the first cele- bration of holy mass west of the Alleghenies, save that at Fort Duquesne, at the confluence of the Alle- gheny and Monongahela Rivers, in which a French chaplain celebrated the mysteries of the Catholic re- ligion for the soldiers of this belief in 1754. Father J. Causey's missionary territory was too extensive to allow him much rest, hence he departed on the fol- lowing day. These pioneers were also visited by Rev. Peter Heilbron (or Hellbron) in 1787, pastor of Goschen- hoppen and vicinity, and in 1789 pastor of St. Mary's parish in Philadelphia. While pastor at Goschen- hoppen he laid, in the fall of the aforesaid year, at a place called " Sportsman's Hall," 6 in Unity township, Westmoreland Co., the foundation of the first perma- nent Catholic settlement, on the spot where St. Vin- cent's Abbey and College now stands. More Catho- lics soon flocked to this point on account of a Catho- lic priest residing there by the name of Theodore Brouwers. This reverend gentleman, a native of Holland, and a Franciscan Friar Minor, came to Philadelphia before August, 1789, and for a time enjoyed the hospitality of Rev. P. Heilbron. The parishioners, hearing that their pastor, Rev. F. Th. Brouwers, had a goodly sum of money to dispose of, tried their best to keep him among them, that the heavy debts on their church might be the sooner removed. Rev. F. Th. Brou- wers, however, did not yield to their solicitations, but positively declared his intention of going and erect- ing a church for Catholics destitute both of means and pastor. Having heard of the poor settlers in Westmoreland County, he resolved to go. thither, and before leaving Philadelphia purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres and forty-three perches in Derry township, on the eastern bank of the Loyal- hanna River, designated in the patent as "O'Neal's « "Sportsman's Hall" was the name of the tract of land in the patent. 268 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Victory." Arriving in Greensburg and not finding a suitable residence, he boarded during winter with Mr. Christian Rufther, who resided about three miles east of the town. Early in the following spring he in- tended to build on his farm a residence for himself, and a chapel for the Catholics, but finding the land not very fertile and the place too distant from the settlement, he followed the advice of Mr. H. Kuhn, and bought the farm of three hundred and thirteen acres and eight perches, on April 16, 1790, known as " Sportsman's Hall." By the aid of an industrious carpenter he soon reared an humble frame building of seventeen by seventeen feet, one and one-half stories high, which he henceforth inhabited. A few years after a little low log house was put up as an ad- dition to the priest's house. Previous to this the confessional and the chapel were in the oratory of the priest who was incumbent. The new building had at first no seats but a few stools for the aged. The young and the middle-aged were required to stand, and expected to kneel upon the floor and bow their heads at the elevation. For a long time there was no stove in the building, so that in winter it .is said to have been intolerably cold. 1 The hardships of a trying missionary career, how- ever, soon wore out the zealous priest, and he died prematurely on the 29th of October, 1790, having be- queathed to his successor in the capacity of a duly au- thorized pastor of this Catholic settlement the prop- erties of " O'Neal's Victory" and " Sportsman's Hall" for his maintenance. Many serious troubles and liti- gations have in the course of time arisen on account of the two properties, but the settlement became the parent of numerous other congregations, and was long considered a station for colonists going farther West. 2 i Life of Rev. Gallitziu. - The desire of Father Brouwers — his Dame is variously written, Browere, Brauers, and Brouwers, the first is the English form— in mak- ing this purchase was to have it become a residence for devoted priests and the headquarters of the religious, who from it would attend the sur- rounding missionary stations. With this object he wished to bequeath the land to hie spiritual successors, with the injunction that they should Bay every year one mass for the repose of bis soul and three for his in- tention, but his will was so worded by the person who drew it up that a doubt was left, whence the will fell into litigation, and after running a number of years through the courts of the State, during which time the laud was held and used by the regular clergy, it was finally adjudged and determined with due regard to the intention of the testator. By act of Assembly of March 7, 1827, legalizing this will, the congre- gation of St. Vincent's Church were made the owners in trust for the use of the pastor of this real estate and appurtenances. The will is here given verbatim: WILL OF THEADORAS BROWERS. In the name of God Amen. I, the Reverend Theodoras Browers, being weak in Body, but of sound mind, memory, and understanding, and calling to mind the mortality of my Body Do make ordain & con- stitute this to be my last will and testament, viz., first I recommend my soul to God who gave it, my body to the Earth to be Buried in a decent Christian manner on the Place I now live on ('ailed "Sportsman Hall," and a small neat stone wall to be Built around my Grave. All my Just Debts and funeral Expences is next to be Paid. Item, I give and Be- queath to my Beloved Sister Gartrudas Browers fifty dollars, all the Many immigrants coming from the East and wish- ing to settle in Western Pennsylvania followed the above-mentioned route through Huntingdon County to Hollidaysburg, but crossing the main ridge of the Allegheny Mountains, settled in the north of it, in the vicinity of Bellefonte and Huntingdon ; others found homes farther south in the vicinity of Newry, whilst a few settled on the route or near it in Sinking Valley and the contiguous region. The Catholics here were attended by Rev. F. O'Reilly, who also erected churches in Newry, Huntingdon, and Bellefonte. The settlement in Unity township increased in the number of its inhabitants every year, despite the con- tentions caused by some avaricious men on account of the two properties. These litigations induced Rev. F. Lanigan, a recent arrival in the colony in 1797, to lead a body of men of the same mind as he him- self to West Alexander, Washington Co., and there to establish a branch colony ; but finding the land unsuitable for agriculture they disposed of it, and moved southeast to Waynesburg, Greene Co. In spite aforesaid Expenses and Legacies is to be paid by my Executor herein after named out of the money I have in the Bank of Philadelphia. Item, all my Horses, Cows and all other Farming Utensils to be left on the Place I now live on for the use thereof uutill Christian Andris year shall expire, then to be sold and the money arising therefrom to be ap- propriated to the payment of said Chrs. and Wife. And if the aforesaid articles should amount to more than will pay the aforesaid sums the re- maining to be applyed by my executors to the Payment of the Place. Item, I give and Bequeath all my books Clothing and furniture and all the residue of my Personal estate that shall not otherwise be disposed of to James Pennanc in trust and for the use of the Poor Roman Catho- lick Priest that does or shall live at the Chapel on Counewagge. Item I Give & Bequeath all my Ileal Estate, viz., my Place on which I now live Called Sportsman Hall, and one other Tract of Laud on Loyalhauua Creek t ailed " Neal's Victory" with their appurtenances to a Roman Catholick Priest that shall succeed me in this said place to be intailed to him and to his successors in trust, and so left by him who shall succeed me to his successor and so in trust for the uses herein mentioned in succes- sion forever. And the said Priest for the time being shall strictly and faithfully say four Masses each and every year forever, viz, one for the Soul of the Reverend Theodoras Browers on the day of his death iu each and every year forever, and three others the Mlowiugdays in each year as aforesaid at the request of the Reverend Theodore Browers, & further- more it is my Will that the Priest for the time being shall transmit the laud so left him in trust as aforesaid Jo his successor clear of all incum- brance as aforesaid. And I Do Nominate Constitute & appoint Christian Ruffner J: Henry Coons Executors to this my last Will and testament. R Mr. Theodore Brouwers M [seal], li. Mr. John Baptist Cause Signed Sealed Published Pronounced and Declared by the said Theo- dore Browers to be his last Will and testament this .twenty-fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety. In presence of us Christian Andris, William McGee. Westmoreland County, ss. Be it remembered that on the fifth day of November came Personally before me Win. MagheeD. R. for said County of Westmoreland, the R. Mr. John Baptist Cause and Christian AndriB and being solemnly sworn agreeably tu Law saith they were present and saw the Revd. Mr. Theodoras Browers, the Testator within named sign seal Pronounce & declare the within Instrument of Writing as his last Will aud testament, that at the timeof his so doing he was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their judgments. I agree to the above being personally Present. Win. Maghee. James Hamilton, Esq., Reg. The case is at December term, 1798, Common Pleas, and is captioned thus : The Lessee of the Executors, &c> of Theodoras Browers, Dec'd, us. Franciscus Fromm, Tenant. ECCLESIASTICAL II [STORY. 269 of this separation the Uuity township colony still remained the largest of all the settlements, and Rev. Peter Heilbron having been appointed pastor Of Sports- man's Hall, in the fall of 1799, had under his charge in November of the same year seventy-five commu- nicants.' Besides the route mentioned as taken by the first settlers of Westmoreland there was another, followed by some immigrants leaving Conewago, tending south- east to Shade Gap, and turning again into the first route near Hollidaysburg, and thence leading to Unity township, in Westmoreland, or branching oft' to Lo- retto, in Cambria County, where they knew there were Catholic Churches. Some immigrants naturally inclined to mountainous habitations directed their steps to the eastern Alle- gheny range. The most of these immigrants came from Maryland by way of Bedford, along the eastern slope crossed by the first route. Almost all the col- onists of Bedford, Harman Bottom, Loretto, and vicinity came by that way. Loretto especially at- tracted the attention of immigrants on account of her renowned and illustrious apostle, Dr. Demetrius Au- gustine Gallitzin. The fourth route of immigrants into Western Penn- sylvania was that offered by the Braddock road. This route, crossing the mountains, extended from Cumber- land by way of Uniontown and Youghiogheny River to Pittsburgh. Nearly all the colonists of Armstrong and Butler Counties, the largest settlements of West- ern Pennsylvania in the beginning of this century, came that way. 2 Brownsville, the upper Monongahela Valley, and Jacobs Creek were also peopled by the same route, but they attained no great importance for a considerable time, Pittsburgh itself being for a long time very insignificant, and its Catholic popula- tion small. The first priest to make his appearance in that town was, in all probability, the Rev. Father Whalen, who had been sent in 1787 by Bishop Car- roll, of Baltimore, to the Catholics in Kentucky. The usual road to the West in those early days was by flat-boats down the Monongahela to Pittsburgh and thence down the Ohio. The following fact, however, proves more conclu- sively the statistics of the Catholics in Pittsburgh in those early days. Bishop Carroll in May, 1792, ordered a young French priest, Benedict Joseph Flaget, the future Bishop of Bardstowu and Louis- ville, to take charge of the Catholics in Vincennes and its surroundings. Having come to Pittsburgh, he was on account of the high waters of the Ohio detained there six months, during which time he resided with a descendant of the French Huguenots, who had married an American Protestant lady, and was treated most respectfully by both. He said mass 1 Rev. A. A. Lambing, " History of the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Allegheny," p. 25. = Ibid., pp. 25-27. 18 daily in his benefactor's residence, instructed the few Catholics of the French tongue, and also the soldiers in Fort Pitt, the headquarters of Gen. Wayne. His charity in tending to the wants of the sick and those of the troops stricken with the pestilential malady of smallpox regardless of creed, and the apostolic zeal which he displayed when four deserters had been condemned to death, one of whom he converted to the Catholic faith, endeared him to the general, as the following evidence proves. Among those four deser- ters was a French infidel, who refused every religious admonition and service. When their last hour ar- rived the good priest accompanied his convicts to the place of execution. The condition of his unfortu- nate countryman so much moved him that he fell into a swoon, which induced the general to grant him the pardon of the impenitent. This noble missionary left Pittsburgh in November in a flat-boat for Louis- ville. 3 Rev. F. Peter Heilbron paid occasional visits to Pittsburgh's few Catholics. 4 Rev. Dr. Demetrius Aug. Gallitzin found there in 1804 only fifteen Catholics. In October, 1808, how- ever, we find in Pittsburgh a resident priest, Rev. F. X. O'Brian, who laid the foundation of St. Patrick's Church, which appears to have been finished before the close of 1811. This is evidently concluded from the fact that Rt. Rev. Bishop Egan, of Philadelphia, visited the city in the latter part of the year 1811, when it was not entirely finished, for he gave confir- mation in a private house. This was the first visit of a bishop to Western Pennsylvania. Father F. X. O'Brian worked zealously in his mission until 1820, when he retired, as it is said, to Maryland. Before coming to Pittsburgh he resided in Brownsville, and was succeeded in Pittsburgh by Rev. Charles B. Mc- Guire. • This reverend gentleman, a native of Ireland, was born Dec. 16, 1770, at Dungannon, Tyrone County. He was a Franciscan Friar by vow, had studied at St. 3 Sketches of the Life of Eight Rev. B. J. Flaget, by Rev. M. J. Spald- ing, D.D., p. 31. i For a number of years after the death of Father Brouwers, Oct. 29, 1790, his flock was without a shepherd. During the troubles attending the settlement of the will many families intending to join the first set- tlement about Greensburg discouraged at the religious situation there, or induced by motives of worldly advantage, scattered themselves in the woods from Conewago along to Greensburg. Then Rev. Brosius and Father Pellentz, from the missions in the East, made a few pilgrimages j to the settlers on the top of the mountains, and as far as to the families in Westmoreland. Mr. Fromm had in the mean time intruded on the estate left by Father Brouwers, while the Rev. Whalen attended to the spiritual necessities of the little flocks here, living during his short pas- torate in the greatest destitution and poverty. In 1799 the bishop of the church had the remote McGuire settlement on the top of the moun- tains, now Loretto, and Sportsman's Hall, now St. Vincent, provided for, the first by the prince-priest, Demetrius Gallitzin, aud the last by Mr. Heilbron. At McGuire's the young priest had, indeed, with the assistance of his parishioners, built "a little lonely church in days of yore," and on the Christmas-eve, when the snow lay waist-deep over alt the hills, the heir of a noble house as a priest sang the Gloria in Excelsis in the first mass in the first church of the congregation at Loretto. — See in detail Life of Rev. Gallitzin, quoted supra. 270 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Isidore's Monaster}' in Rome, and had after the com- pletion of his studies occupied a professor's chair. After his arrival in America in 1812, he resided as pastor from 1817-20 at Sportman's Hall, and then moved to Pittsburgh, where the population was in- creasing, and Father Terrence McGirr became pastor at Sportsman's Hall. While Father McGuire had been charged with pastoral functions in Pittsburgh, he laid the foundation of St. Paul's Church, the present cathedral. In the year 1828 or 1829 a colony of Poor Clare nuns opened a house of their order in Allegheny. With this colony of nuns came Rev. Vincent Ray- macher, O.S.D., as their chaplain. He was succeeded in the fall of 1830 by Rev. A. F. Van de Wejer, of the same order, and assisted Father McGuire, who was in the course of years also assisted by Rev. An- thony Kenny. Father Patrick Rafferty was Father McGuire's assistant in 1830, in which year, about June 26th, Bishop Kenrick and Bishop Conwell passed through the town, according to the " United States Catholic Miscellany." About this time twelve hundred and fourteen persons are recorded as having received the sacrament of baptism during the previous ten years in that mission ; forty-three converts had been received into the Catholic Church in 1828, and twenty-seven in the year 1829. Bishop Conwell gave confirmation in St. Patrick's on Sunday, June 27, 1829. Rev. John Grady and Rev. Thomas Gegon were also among Father McGuire's assistants. His active missionary life consumed his bodily strength, and he died in 1833, without having finished his noble undertaking. Rev. John O'Reilly having been his assistant since 1831, succeeded him as pastor and finished the church. As in Pittsburgh so in many other towns and set- tlements had churches to be built on account of the increase of the Catholic pojjulation and clergy. This increase necessarily demanded suitable government with full jurisdiction. The fifth Provincial Council of Baltimore, convoked May 14, 1843, therefore recom- mended to the Pope a division of the diocese of Phila- delphia, which had been suggested to the Pope in Jan- uary, 1836, and which now received his approval. 1 The division was confirmed, and Pittsburgh was chosen to be the See of the new diocese, under the title of " Western Pennsylvania," having for its eastern boundary Bedford County. Rev. Dr. M. O'Connor, vicar-general of Pittsburgh and pastor of St. Paul's, was appointed first Bishop, and consecrated in Rome Aug. 15, 1843. He sailed for America November 12th, and arrived in Pittsburgh December 3d.' 2 Soon after his arrival he, taking a census of his whole dio- cese, found fourteen priests, thirty-three churches, and a Catholic population of about twenty-five thousand. 1 Lives of the Deceased American Bishops, vol. i. p. 500. - lav. A. A. Lambing, " The Catholic Church in the Diocese of Pitts- burgh and Allegheny," pp. 57-60. The Catholic increase was proportionate in the Northwest. The first permanent settlements were made in 1795, under the patronage of the " Pennsyl- vania Population Company," which was organized in March, 1793. The pioneer settlers repaired the old military roads cut by the French along the shore of Lake Erie, and from Erie to Fort Le Bceuf, while new roads were opened by the agents of the Population Company. In 1805 the Erie and Watcrford Turnpike Company was organized, and four years later the road leading from Lake Erie to the Allegheny River at Waterford, a distance of fifteen miles, was com- pleted. These roads connected the lakes on the north with the Ohio River at Pittsburgh, and favored im- migration in no small degree. After the departure of the French troops from Fort Le Bceuf in 1759, the country remained in the exclusive possession of the Indians until 1767, when a Moravian missionary, Rev. David Zeisberger, from Wyalusing, penetrated the dense forests of the Northwest, and preached the gospel to the natives. In the following year other missionaries from Bethlehem joining Father Zeis- berger, formed a settlement on the banks of the Al- legheny. But a war breaking out in April, 1770, among the Indians so endangered their lives that, abandoning their village and huts, they passed down the river in boats, and entering Beaver Creek founded upon its banks a new settlement, which they called Friedenstadt (signifying a town of peace). 3 The Northwest becoming by degrees accessible was soon the scene of an almost boundless speculative furor on account of its petroleum springs, which, attracting also the Catholic population, caused settlements to be founded, churches erected, and the number of Cath- olics increased, and their clergy to be greatly in- creased. The missionary territory having become too large, Right Rev. Dr. M. O'Connor handed in a pe- tition to Rome for the division of the diocese of " Western Pennsylvania," and for the erection of a new diocese, having Erie City as its Episcopal See. The petition was granted in 1853. The counties of Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, Forest, Clarion, Jefferson, Clearfield, Cameron, Elk, McKean, Potter, and Warren composed its diocesan district, and Right Rev. O'Connor was transferred by his own request to that See in the year 1853, but was returned to his former See by Rome, at the request of the clergy of the Pittsburgh diocese, in the following year, 1854. Rev. J. M. Young, pastor of Lancaster, Ohio, who had been appointed for the See of Pittsburgh, became his successor in the Erie diocese, and was consecrated April 23, 1854. Right Rev. J. M. Young was a native of Shapleigh, Me., born Oct. 29, 1808, of old New England stock. He became a convert to the Catholic religion while pursuing the avocation of a printer. His zeal, sin- cere piety, and consistency as a Catholic when ein- ' Svpher's School History of Pennsylvania, pp. 228 to 234. , ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 271 ployed iu the Catholic Telegraph office in Cincinnati induced Bishop J. B. Purcell to exhort him to study for the church, and upon the completion of his studies to confer upon him holy orders. He worked zealously for many years in and about Lancaster, Ohio, until he was called to the See of Erie, where he died sud- denly, Sept. 28, 1866, in his episcopal residence. 1 He was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Tobias Mullen, for- merly vicar-general of the diocese of Pittsburgh, who was consecrated Aug. 2, 1868. The Erie diocese counts at present 84 parishes, 11 chapels, and 31 sta- tions where mass is occasionally said. The total amount of the Catholic population numbers 45,000.' 2 Having viewed the rapid progress of Catholicity in Northwestern Pennsylvania, we return to that part of Western Pennsylvania constituting the diocese of Pittsburgh. The progress of Catholicity here is even greater. That the Rt. Rev. M. O'Connor was ever active in the administration of his diocese is attested by his many labors, and his indomitable will and lofty spirit are particularly evinced by that superb structure. known as St. Paul's Cathedral in Pittsburgh, whose grandeur shall mirror to the future the nobility of the man. Cares and anxieties having brought on a soften- ing of the brain, Pope Pius IX. was induced to ac- cept his resignation in May, 1860. After his recovery he entered the Society of Jesus, and died Oct. 18, 1872, at Woodstock, Md., a model of humility and piety. He was horn Sept. 27, 1810, near the city of Cork, Ireland. His classical education he received at Queenstown, and his sacred studies he completed at the Propaganda in Rome, where he was appointed after his ordination to the priesthood, June 1, 1833, Professor of Sacred Scriptures and Vice-Rector of the Irish College. Having spent some years in Ireland, he came to America in 1839 to assist Bishop Kenrick, of Philadelphia, in educating young men for the holy ministry at St. Charles Borromeo College, of which he was president until he was appointed vicar-general, and soon after Bishop, of Western Pennsylvania. He was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Michael Domenec, D.D., a native of Spain, and of the Lazarist Order, who was consecrated Dec. 9, 1860. Known for his energy, zeal, charity, and politeness, he was esteemed by all. Finding the yoke of the diocese of Pittsburgh too heavy, he requested the Holy See to divide the di- ocese and create the new See of Allegheny, comprising that part of Allegheny County north of the Allegheny River, together with the counties of Butler, Armstrong, Indiana, Westmoreland, Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon, and Bedford. This request was granted, and the new diocese confirmed Jan. 11, 1876. He was appointed by Pope Pius IX. first Bishop of that See, whilst Rt. Rev. J. Tuigg, D.D., for many years a zealous missionary in Altoona, succeeded him to the See of Pittsburgh, comprising that part of Allegheny County 1 N'-w History of the Catholic Church, etc., by John Gilmary Shea. = Sudlier's Directory, 1882. north of the Ohio and south of the Ohio and Alle- gheny Rivers, together with Lawrence, Beaver, Wash- ington, Greene, Fayette, and Somerset Counties. Rt. Rev. J. Tuigg was consecrated March 19, 1876. A lawsuit between the two dioceses on account of the financial administration of Rt. Rev. Bishop M. Dom- enec broke the hitter's heart. He died at Tarragona, Spain, Jan. 5, 1878. That Rt. Rev. Monseigneur was born of wealthy parents in the city of Ruez, near Tarragona, in the northeast of Spain, in 1816. He received his classical education at Madrid, and at a college in the southern part of France, whither he retired on account of the Carlist war. His sacred studies he pursued partly in Paris, where he formed the acquaintance of the Lazarists, whom he afterwards joined, and partly at Barrens Seminary, Missouri. He came to America Oct. 15, 1837, with Rev. J. Timon, Visitor-General of the Congregation, and arrived at Barrens, in Missouri, Feb. 10, 1838. Here he finished his studies, and was raised to the dignity of the priesthood June 29, 1839. Two years later he was sent to Cape Girardeau, where he built a college in 1842. Having returned to the seminary at Barrens, and having been employed in missionary life till 1845, he was with some other Lazarists sent to take charge of the diocesan semi- nary of Philadelphia. After this he became an active missionary in Nicetown and Germantown, in which latter place he erected a handsome church, wdien he was called to the See of Pittsburgh, where he worked zealously for eighteen years. The unfortunate law- suit, which ended in his favor at Rome in January, 1882, -under the plea of his Vicar-General, Father J. Hickey, perfected the reunion of the Allegheny and Pittsburgh dioceses, which took place Aug. 3, 1877. The two now form a Catholic population of 125,000, 130 churches, and 44 chapels. Pittsburgh alone, with 22 churches, has a Catholic population of 49,015. Westmoreland County, the seat of Catholicity in former times, has now become almost the least. The parishes, with the number of Catholics in it, are the following: Chestnut Ridge, 65; Florence, 60; Greens- burg, 350 ; Irwintown, 950 ; Latrobe, 700 ; Ligonier, 15 ; New Derry, 350 ; Penn Station, 150; Suter's Station, 412; and Sportsman's Hall, now St. Vincent, 750. St. Vincent, the parent of all the churches in West- moreland County, Suter's Station alone excepted, is, compared with many others, in the minority as to numbers, but in regard to predominant prerogatives superior to all, as the meaning of its very name (" one being victorious") sufficiently indicates. It adopted that name from the Patron Saint of the church, which Rev. A. Stillinger, from the beginning of November, 1829, the successor to Rev. F. McGirr, erected. Its dimensions were 87 by 51 J, and though begun in 1833, was not completed until July 19, 1835, on which day it was blessed by Rt. Rev. Bishop Kenrick. Old- age prevented the zealous Father Stillinger from per- forming his pastoral functions in so extensive a dis- 272 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. trict, and he was therefore transferred at his own re- quest to Blairsviile by Rt. Rev. M. O'Connor, Bishop of Pittsburgh, in 1845. His successor at St. Vincent was Rev. F. Gallagher, who transferred the parish in the fall of 1846 to Rev. D. Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., now mitred Abbot and President of the Americo-Casi- nensian Benedictine Congregation. This Rt. Rev. and Most Illustrious Prelate made St. Vincent the field of his energetic labors, the success of which the follow- ing pages will show. The Benedictine Order was founded by St. Benedict, of Nursia, an Italian, who was born in the year 480. To this order, as is well known to the students of his- tory, the Christianization and consequently the civili- zation of the largest part of Europe, and especially of England, is due. This fact of itself is sufficient to give us an idea of the debt of gratitude which the world owes to the Benedictine Order. But for it the treasures of science and literature of classic Greece and Latium were lost to us, and it is not easy to see how even the Bible itself could well have been pre- served had not the monks of St. Benedict taken care to multiply it by manuscripts. Facts as these must necessarily correct many mistaken views about monk- ish ignorance and superstition. Many of the flourish- ing towns and cities of Europe have grown simply from the foundation of a Benedictine monastery, around which people would settle and form a civic commu- nity. The spread of Benedictine monasticism thus became a most vital element, as said, in civilizing the nations of Europe. We may add that these monas- teries, in times of darkness, superinduced by the flood of heathen nations pouring into Europe from Asia during centuries, were the rallying-points of Chris- tianity, the bulwarks of civilization, the refuge of piety and learning. But especially is it worthy of remark that the influence of Benedictine monasticism was the most potent factor in bringing about a gradual release of the populace from the bonds of slavery. RT. REV. ABBOT BONIFACE WIMMER, O.S.B. st. Vincent's abbey and college. This Rt. Rev. Prelate was born Jan. 14, 1809, in Thalmassing, a town near Ratisbon, in Bavaria, and received in baptism the name of Sebastian, being the Benjamin of a large family by two different mothers. Displaying bright talents in early boyhood his parents sent him to a high school in Ratisbon to receive a clas- sical education. After having finished his course of eight academical years with great success, he went to the university in Munich in the fall of 1827 to study jurisprudence. During his philosophical course, how- ever, he changed his mind, and at the close of the year abandoned the law for theology, and was raised to the priesthood on the 1st of August, 1831. Having been employed for a year after his ordina- tion at Altoetting, in the diocese of Passau, perform- ing pastoral duties, he entered the Benedictine mon- astery " Metten," in Bavaria, and there received the habit of the order and the name, in religion, of Boni- face. Four young priests followed his example, ! among whom were Gregory de Scherr, the lately deceased Archbishop of Munich, and Rupert Leiss, i Abbot of Scheyern, in Bavaria, who has also passed away. After having taken his religious vows, Dec. j 29, 1833, he was appointed assistant priest in a town called Edeustetten, near the Abbey Metten, till Octo- ber, 1835. From October, 1835, till June, 1836, he was employed as professor of St. Stephen's Gymna- sium, in Augsburg, when one of the Benedictiue fathers of the Abbey Metten dying suddenly, and as their number was still small, he was recalled from the Gymnasium in Augsburg and once more instated the assistant in the town of Edenstetten. But his stay was brief. He was next appointed pastor of Ste- phansposching, in Bavaria, where he remained two years. Scheyern was reopened about this time, and he was sent there as procurator, and in September, 1S40, was promoted to a professorship in the Louis Gymnasium, Munich, to which the aristocratic in- stitute of Mr. Holland was attached. To this was added the office of prefect of discipline, and in the absence of the rector he became his representative. The number of inhabitants of North America, amounting at that time to about 20,000,000 in the dif- ferent States, was continually increasing. The German immigrants clamored loudly for Catholic priests, and churches were not to be found sometimes at a less distance than thirty or forty miles. In order to cover the want of the forsaken Catho- lics, Rev. D. Boniface Wimmer resolved to establish a Benedictine Abbey in America for educating young men for the priesthood. In general his plan was not well received in Germany, but there were not wanting stanch and influential friends to encourage him in this noble enterprise, and to tender him material aid. The first in rank who gave his approval to this plan was King Louis I., of Bavaria, next the Papal Nuncio Morichini, Bishop Count de Reisach, and the illus- trious mystic theologian Joseph Goerres. The " Louis Mission Union," organized for the propagation of faith, also promised its assistance upon the realization of the project. The matter long mooted in private circles finally reached the press, whereupon four stu- dents of theology and fifteen young men of different pn 1 1 essions offered themselves as willing associates with the reverend gentleman in his noble undertaking. King Louis I. did not deem such self-sacrificing men unworthy of his royal favors. Example, when set by royalty, is quickly followed, and this was no exception ; so the Rev. D. Boniface Wimmer was soon furnished with all the necessaries, and left Munich for America on July 25, 1846, after having assisted at the holy sacrifice of mass, offered up for their success by Bishop Count de Reisach. From Rotterdam they embarked on the steamer "Iowa," and landed in New York Sept. 16, 1846. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 273 A few days were consumed in rest and visits to friends before proceeding farther, during which time they met Rev. Henry Lemke, then pastor of Carroll- town, Cambria Co., Pa., who, having heard from Germany of the intention of Rev. D. Boniface Wim- mer and his associates, had come to New York to extend them welcome. In the course of a brief con- versation this reverend gentleman offered the colony his property in Carrolltown for a moderate compen- sation, and persuaded them to his settlement. But before entering into a bargain Rev. D. Boniface Wimmer consulted Bishop O'Connor, of Pittsburgh, and upon his advice he took charge of St. Vincent, forty miles east of the city. His first visit thither disclosed the above-mentioned church, built of brick, a pastor's residence of the same material, a little school-house, and a frail log barn. On Oct. 18, 1846, he and his companions took possession of the place. The foundation of the future monastery was laid Oct. 24th of the same year by the conferring of the re- ligious habit on his subjects. Nineteen were to be invested, and there were only six habits. The diffi- culty, however, was overcome by the first invested returning to the sacristy and transferring their habits to the next in rank. The same poverty was witnessed at table, some having to wait for the dishes until their companions had taken their repast. Unshaken courage and fervent zeal for the good cause, however, animating all elevated them above the circumstances, and none was found to regret the step he had taken. Their first care was to sow some wheat in the hur- riedly cultivated soil for the next year's consumption. In this kind of manual labor the Rev. D. Boniface Wimmer set a most heroic example ; he felled many a proud tree, and shrank not from any hardship. Thus his stern steadfastness contributed not a little to animate and encourage the sinking spirits of some when in the next summer all means were exhausted and scarcely a spark of hope remained. But when in the direst extremity a letter came from Munich to St. Vincent, in the beginning of August, 1847, an- nouncing the arrival of Rev. Dr. Peter Lechner, O.S.B., from Scheyern, with a purse of five thousand gul- den, a donation from the " Louis Mission Union," with the further promise of a yearly contribution of two thousand gulden in case of success, fear and anxiety gave place to joy and gladness when the reverend gentleman and twenty aspirants to the Benedictine Order arrived on 17th of August at St. Vincent. The brothers, young and old alike, of that infant monastic body now set to work with redoubled energy, despite of their half-starved condition, and an un- shaken trust in the providence of God was ever after their guide and stay. Their immediate wants being now supplied, the Rev. Superior's attention was next directed to other difficulties almost as trying to his heart. One of these was the lack of priests. He himself was obliged to administer to the wants of Catholics in Greensburg, Saltsburg, and Indiana, Pa., but the labor was too great, the time allotted too short, and the neglect of his monastic family on their account far too serious to be long endured. He therefore raised to the priesthood on the 18th of March, 1847, Martin Geyerstanger, who took the name of Charles in re- ligion, and who had finished his ecclesiastical studies in Germany. This was the first ordination of a Bene- dictine in America. Rev. Dr. Peter Lechner and the young priest were now his colaborers. The latter having passed away April 22, 1881, a short sketch of his life will, we hope, not be taken amiss. Rev. F. Charles Martin Geyerstanger, born Nov. 20, 1820, at Salzburg, Austria, was of medium height and broad-shouldered, with a choleric, sanguine tem- perament. In his active sacerdotal career his ser- vices were truly heroic. His childlike simplicity, meekness, and affability won many friends, and zeal- ous as he was, all looked upon him as an angel of peace. Uniform in bearing towards all, even to the unjust, selfish, and proud, he possessed a keen sense of humor and an eccentricity that brought on incon- veniences which greater prudence might have avoided. A good theologian and an excellent historian, he was without an equal in sacred liturgy. The arrival of Rev. Dr. Peter Lechner with the twenty aspirants to the Benedictine Order, although encouraging, incommoded in no slight degree the young monastic family, the buildings being too small for such a number. The Rev. D. Superior therefore commenced the erection of a new one, one hundred by forty feet. The foundation was laid on the 28th of September, 1848. But as the winter had set in early and was unusually severe, the new edifice, barely under way, was provided with a temporary roof, which was so defective that some were com- pelled, while taking their scanty meals, to protect themselves with the umbrella against rain and snow. They often awoke in the morning covered with snow or drenched with rain. These trials, however, far from discouraging, served but to strengthen their resolution, and their self-sacrificing Rev. D. Superior as ever animated their zeal in the noble enterprise by his glorious example. Hope at length began to dawn, and its resplendent rays, penetrating the mists of a cloudy horizon, became more substantial when the Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Connor, of Pittsburgh, offered to the Rev. D. Superior the administration of Carroll- town, in Cambria County, which was gladly accepted, and the purchase of the property of Rev. H. Lemke was soon consummated. In the same year, 1848, the foundation of the present Priory, of which Rev. Dr. Peter Lechner and P. Charles Geyerstanger took charge, together with the neighboring missions, was laid. Being now the only priest at home, and the adjacent Catholic settlements again falling under his charge, the Rev. D. Boniface Wimmer had those ecclesiastical 274 HISTOEY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. students, who had in the mean time finished their studies under his direction, and who, having made their religious vows on April 15, 1849, raised to the priesthood, which was done on the 20th of the same month. They were, however, unequal to the demand, in consequence of which the Rev. D. Superior wrote to the Abbey of Metten, in Bavaria, for assistance, but obtained only one priest. Seeing then the ne- cessity of a seminary on a larger scale for the educa- tion of young men aspiring to the priesthood, he, on the arrival of several German students far advanced in their studies, was the sooner enabled to obtain his object. Good prospects led him to found, in the fol- lowing year (1850), the Priory in St. Mary's, Elk Co., Pa." The news of this zealous and indefatigable laborer in the Lord's vineyard had in the mean while reached Rome, and Pope Pius IX. raised the young Benedic- tine colony to the rank of a monastery. This flatter- ing recognition aroused the zeal of the Rev. D. Su- perior still more, and the demand for priests being now supplied, his paternal heart found another chan- nel in which to direct his energies, namely, to supply the lack of competent Catholic teachers in the differ- ent parishes, who would instill into the tender hearts of the young good and sound moral principles. With this view he wrote to the venerable Mother Superior of the Benedictine nuns in Dryopolis (Eichstaett), Bavaria, but only three sisters responded, arriving in St. Mary's, Elk Co., Pa., July 22, 1852. They opened an academy in the same year, and taught the paro- chial school, and having in the course of time re- ceived many novices, now count five hundred mem- bers in fifteen convents and thirteen mission-houses located in eleven different States. 1 Prosperity now flourishing throughout the missions, the Rev. D. Boniface Wimmer undertook a journey to Rome in 1854, partly to return his humble thanks to the Sovereign Pontiff for the favors bestowed upon the young colony, and partly to explain matters more fully, in order, if possible, to have the new monastery raised to the dignity of an Abbey, and his journey was not made in vain. His Holiness received him kindly and cheerfully granted his request; and with- out any voucher, previous election, or petition from his subjects conferred on him the dignity of abbot for three years, a favor in such cases seldom granted. The Pope, moreover, allowed him to propagate, with the consent of the respective Bishops, the Benedictine Order in any diocese of the Union. Thus favored and empowered he returned to America, and received from his subjects and friends a cordial reception. Such an opportunity for the propagation of his order in other dioceses was soon acted upon on the reception of a kind invitation 1 J ii the year 18i:i the Legislature oi the State iiieurpurated the monks at St. Vincent under the title " The Benedictine Society of Westmore- land County." from the Right Rev. Dr. J. Cretin, Bishop of St. Paul, Minn. On the strength of this invitation he founded a Priory in Stearns County the same year, 1856, and named it St. Louis, in token of gratitude towards his royal benefactor, Louis I., King of Bavaria. This Priory has since through the favor of the Sovereign Pontiff been raised to the dignity of an Abbey, July 17, 1806, with the Rev. D. Rupert Seiden- bush, at that time Prior in St. Vincent's Abbey, as its first Abbot, and since June 30, 1875, Bishop of Halia I. P. I., and Vicar-Apostolic of Northern Minnesota. He was succeeded by Rev. D. Alexius Edelbrock, president of St. John's College, which was attached to the Abbey. When the generous King Louis I. of Bavaria had been informed by Rt. Rev. D. Boniface Wimmer that this Abbey was named after his Majesty, he wrote, having been his regular correspondent, as several let- ters which are preserved in the archives of St. Vin- cent show, the following letter, which we shall sub- scribe in full : "Leopoldskron, Salzburg, Aug. 29, 1867. " Lord Adbot P. Boniface Wimmer. " For the good wishes tendered me on the anniversary of my birthday, and that of the Saint whose name I hear, contained in your letter dated the 10th, I kindly thank you. I know well how to appreciate the grate- ful seutiments of the Benedictines in America. It pleased me very much to hear that the new Ahhey in Minnesota hears my name. I wish ttie hest prosperity to it, to you, aud to tile whole BenedictiDe Order in America. " With profound esteem, aud devoted to you as ever, " Yours most sincerely, Louis I." Under such good auspices and wishes the Rt. Rev. Prelate steered forward on the ocean of life with ex- panded sails for other conquests. Another Priory was erected in Atchison, Kan., under the directorship of Rev. Augustine Wirth, in the same year, 1856, and in time raised to the same dignity. Unforeseen diffi- culties, however, somewhat retarded his plans. The Rev. D. Augustine Wirth resigned his office, and was succeeded by Rev. D. Louis Fink, who was shortly after promoted to the Episcopal See of Leavenworth, Kan. His successor was Rev. D. Giles Christoph, who was in turn succeeded three years later by Rev. D. Oswald Moosmiller, under whose directorship the Priory prospered until March 23, 1876, when the Rev. Dr. Innocent Wolf, then Prior at St. Vincent, was elected its first Abbot.September 29th, and consecrated October 20th of the same year. After having accomplished so much, Rev. Boniface Wimmer next turned his attention to the South, and in the years 1876 and 1877 he purchased and estab- lished colonies in the States of Louisiana, North Caro- lina, Alabama, Georgia, and later, in the year 1881, at Wetaug, Pulaski, in Southern Illinois, twenty miles north of Cairo. In Georgia he erected on Skidaway Island, near Savannah, an agricultural school for col- ored boys under the directorship of the able Rev. D. Oswald Moosmiller, wdio has since built in Savannah for the negroes the Sacred Heart Church, with a Cath- olic school in the basement frequented by sixty col ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 275 ored children. As their number is daily increasing, he is contemplating the erection of a larger building exclusively for school purposes. But the path of the kind Abbot Boniface Wimmer was not always strewed with roses. Thorns and thistles often sprouted up to wound his tender heart and dis- turb the tranquillity $£ hjis mind. His term of office, prolonged by Rome, having in the mean time expired, and being accused in Rome, on account of a certain individual of his flock, by name Paul Keck, a religious fraud, of favoring and promoting Spiritualism, he was compelled to take a second journey to Rome in 1865 to free himself of the charge. Having proved to the satisfaction of all the falsity of the accusation, he estab- lished in the Eternal City the College of St. Elizabeth, to afford the most talented of his young ecclesiastical students an opportunity for acquiring greater perfec- tion in the sciences, and for attaining honorable aca- demic degrees. About this time, in accordance with a previous election by his subjects, he was confirmed in Rome, July 27, 1866, Abbot of St. Vincent and Praeses of the Benedictines under his charge, forming the Americo-Casinensian Congregation, for life. On his arrival home he received an invitation to the second Plenary Council in Baltimore, which was to begin on the first Sunday in October, 1866; but as the Vatican Council in Rome was announced soon after, he, as Praeses, having an assessment-right and suffrage-vote, was invited to attend, and accordingly set out for Rome a third time, arriving there Oct. 20, 1869. But as the council could not be continued on account of the war between Germany and France, and as the political at- mosphere of Rome itself was rather gloomy , he dissolved his College of St. Elizabeth, sending two young priests to the University of Innsbruck, in the Tyrol, to finish their course, and returned with the three others, who had received the diplomas of Doctors, to St. Vincent. Previous toils and the effects of old age now began to tell upon his constitution, though he was still unceas- ingly active in the interests of his order, of his Mon- asteries and Abbeys, and for the welfare of the Cath- olic Church in America. To him is 'due the first im- pulse of the now past-celebration of the fourteenth centenary of the Benedictine Order. The principal celebration of the feast-giving epoch in the history of the Benedictines was announced to take place on Pentecost, in 1880, at Monte Casino, in Italy, the shrine of St. Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order. On that occasion the Rt. Rev. Prelate went to Rome for the fourth time, and reopened the Col- lege of St. Elizabeth in the Eternal City. Shortly after his return to St. Vincent, he sent to Rome, on Sept. 30, 1880, four young men, two priests and two clerics, who were joined by two more in the fall of 1881, and placed them all under the directorship of Rev. D. Adalbert Mueller, Phil., Dr. L., who was pro- vided with an introductory letter to His Eminence Cardinal Simeoni, Prefect of the Propaganda. His Eminence replied in the following terms : " Rt. Rev. Sib : "Your letter of September ^'Jth has been received, and perused witu exceeding joy upon the intelligence of your having sent to Rome two priests and two clerics to study philosophy and theology. It affords me great pleasure to offer you my congratulations and to confer upon you the well-merited praise, for I think that you have done a very good work for the Church in America by opening for your mouks a house where they are enabled to attain a greater perfection in their sacred studies. Rightly and meritoriously you acted, for from here are drawn purer Apostolic traditions of the Church, and as Rome is the head of Catholicity and the See of the Romau Pontiff, doctors of the highest note from every quarter of the globe make it their abode. I hope, therefore, you will reap richer fruit, and, if possible, that more young clerics from the United States shall come to Rome to finish their philo. sophical course, and become more proficient in sacred discipline. The Catholic Church would then surely shine with greater lustre in America. But as far as you are concerned, you have done a good work, and I will pray to God that he may preserve you long. "Rome, at the PuopAGANnA, Jan. 2, 1881. "Your devoted brother, "John Card. Simeoni, Prefect, "J. Masotti, Secretary" " Rt. Rev. Boniface Wimmer, Abbot, O.S.B., " Westmoreland. Having viewed the venerable prelate's tireless life in many States and climes, let us now turn our atten- tion to the home of his labors, St. Vincent. If the progress of the order was rapid and material abroad, it was no less so at home. The old frame barn has been replaced by a new one built of brick, two hun- dred and twenty-two by sixty-seven feet, and the ar- rangement of this huge structure, under the immedi- ate supervision of Ven. Brother Andrew Binder, is complete in every detail. The brewery and a flour- mill, with three stones, are well known. The old parochial residence, forty by forty feet, has given place to an Abbey of four hundred by two hundred and ten feet, which, though not in the latest or best style, is withal commodious and well adapted to its purpose. The Seminary, small and deficient in many respects when founded in 1848, was advancing slowly but surely under Rev. D. Alphonse Heimler, until it attained perfection under the directorship of the Rev. Dr. Hilary Pfraengle, which the qualifications of the board of professors and great crowd of students, to the number of three hundred and fifty, yearly testify. On the 24th of August, 1855, Pope Pius IX., by Apostolic Brief, erected the religious community at St. Vincent into an Abbey, the effect of which action was to give to the community a well-defined status in the ecclesiastical organization of the Catho- lic religion, and to raise its Superior to the dignity of a Prelate, which is a dignity somewhat akin to that of a Bishop. By an act of the Assembly of Pennsyl- vania of April 28, 1870, the institution was incorpor- ated with the power of conferring academical degrees. The course of studies is the theological, classical, and commercial. The college possesses a large library ot sixteen thousand volumes, a chemical and philo- sophical cabinet, a herbarium of fourteen thousand species, a collection of shells, fossils, and a coin col- lection of five thousand rare specimens. Art, too, has found a fostering influence in the 276 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. young Abbey, and has been cultivated by prominent professors, as the many paintings in the art gallery and at the different Priories attest. A photographic atelier is numbered among the latest additions to St. Vincent. Art-joinery there in the different styles of altars, by Ven. Brother Cosmas Wolf, has attained a high state of perfection, as those in St. Vincent, in the convent of the Franciscan Sisters in Covington, Ky., and in St. Francis' Church in Cincinnati, and in many other cities and towns plainly certify. The musical acquirements of many of the profes- sors are known far and wide, and some have even re- ceived the flattering appellation of virtuosos. Ranking next to art aud science, and closely con- nected w T ith the latter, is the printing department. This was from its very beginning the favorite idea of the Venerable Prelate, though not realized till the year 1865, when a printing-machine was procured, which has ever since been of the greatest service. For some years back it has kept three type-setters continually busy, and is presided over by the Very Reverend D. Sebastian Arnold. With this is con- nected a book-binding establishment, in which two men are constantly engaged. Tradesmen of all kinds are found among the Bene- dictines. The tailoring department is run by four very diligent men, under the direction of a worthy Brother. In the shoe-shop three brothers ply the awl and last from morn till night, and are sometimes, as is often the case with the tailors, unable to satisfy the demands of the inmates of the Abbey and College. A harness-maker is kept busy doing justice to himself and trade. Carpenters and masons, black-, tin-, and locksmiths always have their hands full of work. Bakery and butchery are carried on by the Abbey's own inmates, and cannot be less active, considering the great number of students, its own members, and the never-diminishing number of wayfarers. All these achievements owe their origin to the Ven- erable Prelate, and their culmination and mystical sanctification to the open and disinterested religious tendency which he has sown in the hearts of his sub- jects from the day he invested the first nineteen in the habit of the order. This tendency, or, more strictly, spirit, based upon the evangelical counsels, is identi- cal with that of their founder, the great St. Bene- dict. In virtue of these counsels the Venerable Pre- late, Boniface Wimmer, is by ecclesiastical authority the spiritual father and physician, the teacher and high priest of his flock with plenary jurisdiction. This he kindly exercises over those subjects under his immediate care, resident in thirteen -States of the Union, numbering 106 priests, 1 deacon, 35 clerics in minor orders, 11 novices, 116 lay-brothers, and 85 scholastics, together with 8 Priories, 17 parishes, and 14 missions. Adding to these the Abbey of St. Louis (having lately changed its name to St. John B.), in Minnesota, St. Benedict, in Atchison, Kan., ami St. Malachy, in Iowa, with their Priories and parishes, whose founder and Praeses is the Venerable Prelate, we have his whole work spread over sixteen States, counting 3 abbeys, 1 independent Priory, 11 depending Priories, 45 parishes, and 43 missions, all of which contain 151 active priests, 60 clerics, 19 novices, 177 lay-brothers, and 150 scholastics. The number of the parishioners fitter the care of the Ben- edictines in the United States is about 42,000. Their colleges, in which are taught the different arts and sciences, are 6, aud the number of pupils frequenting them every year average 500. The number of priests having completed their studies at St. Vincent alone, comprising regulars and seculars, is about 400. The catalogues of the different years contain many names of students who are now prominent lawyers and phy- sicians, esteemed clerks and respectable citizens. They all proudly acknowledge St. Vincent as their " alma mater," and profoundly reverence, duly re- spect, and sincerely love her founder and their bene- factor, the Rt. Rev. and Most Illustrious Prelate, Lord Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B. 1 ST. XAVIER'S CONVENT AND SEMINARY. The Convent and Young Ladies' Academy of St. Francis Xavier, being the religious house and semi- nary of the Sisters of Mercy, is situate about three miles from Latrobe, in Unity township, Beatty being its post-office and railroad station, and St. Vincent its telegraph-office. The Order of Mercy was founded by Catherine Mc- Auley, in the city of Dublin, Ireland, in the year 1831. This generous and philanthropic lady was endowed by nature with qualities of rare value of both mind and heart, which fitted her for the important mission she was called upon to fill. As soon as she came into the possession of her ample fortune she hastened to relieve the suffering and distress of her own neighbor- hood. A few years' experience showed her how much she might be able to do in preserving the innocent, reclaiming the erring, and instructing the ignorant j by assembling around her a few pious and educated ladies who could aid her in the good work, her own means being sufficient for the building of a school, an orphan asylum, and a home for destitute servant- girls when out of situations. These buildings were erected in Baggot Street, Dublin. Soon Miss Mc- Auley was joined by several young ladies, who were attracted by the good works they saw carried on in their midst. These pious ladies now began to visit the sick in their houses as well as in the hospitals. The Archbishop of Dublin being greatly pleased with the good accomplished by the little congregation, and wishing to make it permanent, advised Miss McAuley and two of her companions to retire to a convent and make a novitiate, after which they made the three vows of poverty, charity, and obedience, assumed a 1 We are under obligation for courtesies anil favors to Rev. Father PaulinuB, O.S.B., and Rev. Father Aug. Schneider, O.S.B., of St. Vincent, for much assistance herein. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 277 religious dress, and returned to their duties in Bag- got Street. Miss McAuley, now Sister Mary Cath- erine, drew up rules and constitutions for their gov- ernment, which were confirmed by the Holy See in July, 1841. This last act placed the Order of Mercy among the religious orders of the Catholic Church. In a few years so rapid was the spread of the order that it had houses in almost every part of the world. In June, 1841, Rev. M. O'Connor, D.D., was ap- pointed pastor of St. Paul's Church, on Grant Street, Pittsburgh. He labored zealously for two years in his new mission, when he obtained permission to visit Rome, where he hoped to enter the Society of Jesus, and thus realize the desire of his earlier years. In this he was disappointed, as Pennsylvania had in the mean time been divided into two dioceses, and Pitts- burgh named as the new See, for which Dr. O'Connor was appointed first Bishop. Disappointed in his hopes, and grieved at his elevation, he humbly submitted to ' the appointment of the Holy See, and was consecrated Bishop on the loth of August, 1843. The new diocese was well known to its Bishop ; he had seen during his pastorate at St. Paul's the great need of instruction and education for the growing population ; therefore he resolved to bring with him on his return a founda- tion of a religious order devoted to the training of youth. For this purpose he visited Ireland, and see- ing the new Order of Mercy suited to the wants of his people, he obtained a foundation of seven Sisters. These generous ladies bade farewell to the land of their birth, and immediately set sail for the New World, encouraged by the hope of leading to God or aiding in their journey heavenward the children of the far West. On the morning of December the 21st, 1843, the sun arose for the first time on the Sis- ters of Mercy in Pittsburgh. They received a cordial welcome from the leading members of St. Paul's con- gregation, and a suitable house was arranged for their temporary use. In the course of a few months the daughters of some of the first families in the twin cities became acquainted with the Sisters, and, being pleased with their mode of life, sought permission to join them in their good works. The first candidate that entered the Order of Mercy in the United States was Miss Eliza J. Tiernan, of Allegheny City. This young lady brought to the little community rare vir- tue, bright accomplishments, and a liberal fortune, all of which were most acceptable, and enabled the Sisters to extend their usefulness. Several other young ladies following the example of Miss Tiernan, a school was opened on Penn Street, and later on the Sisters rented the then well-known " Concert Hall," which they fitted up for an hospital. The next year they took charge of an orphan asylum. Although all these benevolent works had been un- dertaken within the short space of eighteen months, yet there were some Sisters waiting an opportunity to establish another school. In the spring of 184~>, Henry Kuhn, an old gentleman from the central part of West- moreland County, Pa., called on the Sisters and offered them a farm on very liberal terms for the purpose of establishing an academy for young ladies. Encour- aged and directed by the bishop, their true friend, the Sisters accepted the conditions, as the academy would supply a want which was much felt in Western Pennsylvania. The farm lay forty miles east of Pitts- burgh, on the line of the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia turnpike, a favorable circumstance before the con- struction of railroads. A more beautiful location could not be desired, as the surface was unbroken, and sloping gradually towards the morning sun. There were, however, no buildings on the farm, so the pastor of St. Vincent's Church, which was about a mile distant, generously offered his residence for the temporary accommodation of the Sisters and their first pupils, whilst he located himself in the sacristy of the church. Thus was formed the nucleus of the academy since known as St. Xavier's. The first pu- pils were Misses N. Shoemaker, of Ebensburg; S. Myers, A. and A. McCaffrey, of Pittsburgh; A. and P. Ihmsen, M. and E. Mulvaney, of Birmingham. The infant academy began to attract attention, and several new pupils applied for admission, which made it necessary to procure more ample accommodations. In the autumn of 1S45 preparations were commenced for building on the farm. As their means were limited the Sisters could not attempt to build on a grand scale. They therefore contracted for a plain three-story building, which in after-years would stand as the right wing of a more imposing edifice. The site of the new building was most favorably chosen, as it com- manded an extensive view of the Chestnut Ridge, with its irregular outlines, causing an enchanting va- riety of light and shade to cling around its forest-clad summit, with the fertile valley of the Loyalhanna as a foreground. All things being prepared, the building was com- menced early in 1846, and to the great joy of both Sisters and pupils its progress was so rapid that the ' closing year found it near completion. When the bright spring days of 1847 brought forth the buds and blossoms, the Sisters took their youthful charge out for a ramble in the fields and a visit to the new build- ing. What was their delight to find that in a few days it would be ready for their accommodation. The transfer was now the all-absorbing topic at recreation. May the 14th, the anxiously looked for day, dawned bright and beautiful, and after an early breakfast the work of transportation began. Some of the kind neighbors lent their wagons to aid in the moving ; towards noon a procession might have been seen wend- ing its way towards the new academy, and before the sun went down the Sisters and the pupils were settled in their new home, which, in honor of the apostle of the Indies, received the name of "St. Francis Xavier." The increased accommodation was appreciated by the patrons of the institution, and the opening of the 278 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. next session found many new pupils added to the little band of the previous year. About this time a permanent standing was given to the new institution by the incorporation of the Sisters under the title of " The Sisters of Mercy" by the Legislature of the State. More care had been taken to procure a good view than pleasant recreation-grounds, for the academy was located in a field without a tree to shelter it from the summer sun, while on the adjoining farm only a few rods distant stood a charming grove of original forest-trees. This luxury, so near at hand and yet im- possible of attainment, caused the young ladies to feel their own privation all the more keenly. Shade- trees had, it is true, been planted, but what were these diminutive saplings compared with the lordly oaks and giant maples of the grove, many of which had seen two hundred summers, and no doubt had formed a shelter for the red man ages before ? This trial was not of long duration ; the farm with the tempting grove was offered for sale in the year 18">2, and although the funds of the corporation at the time were inadequate to the undertaking, yet as the advan- tage was so important and the time of payment ex- tended, the farm was purchased. Soon the boundary fence was removed, and the grove with all its attrac- tions added to the recreation-grounds. Where nature had been so lavish, it was an easy matter to render the surroundings of the academy what they have often been termed by visitors, " a little Paradise." About this time the Pennsylvania Railroad was completed, uniting the eastern with the western part of the State, and passing within two miles of St. Xavier's, rendering it easy of access from the princi- pal cities of the State. Two or three additions were made to the buildings, which were needed for the in- creasing number of pupils. In 1861 a chapel was contracted for at a cost of about $40,000, the base- ment of which was to serve as a hall for the academic commencements. Owing to the scarcity of laborers during the Rebellion the chapel was not completed until 1866. In the mean time a neat two-story building, known as the Guest House, was erected, about three hundred yards distant from the academy, for the accommodation of the pupils' friends when visiting them during the year. The academy grounds were artistically laid out, and many improvements made in the appearance of the institution, when, in the space of one short afternoon, there was nothing left of the vast pile of buildings, including the beautiful chapel, but smouldering ruins. At 2 p.m., Feb. 1, 1868, the terror-stricken cry of fire rang through the academy, and large volumes of flame were already rolling out from the roof of the middle building. The directress immediately collected the pupils and left the building in safety. Every effort was made to save a part of the building, but in vain, no water but that furnished by ordinary pumps being on the premises. The neighbors, on seeing the fire, ran to the rescue, and through their kindness a great amount of bedding and household furniture was saved, as well as sixteen pianos. The young ladies' trunks and wardrobes were all preserved through the untiring exertions of the Sister under whose charge they had been placed. Nothing was saved in the Sisters' part of the house, as every effort was directed to the well-being of the pupils and the pres- ervation of their effects. The weather being in- tensely cold, and the snow unusually deep, the scene of desolation was most distressing. Night was com- ing on, so nothing remained to be done but to procure as many sleds as possible and take the Pittsburgh chil- dren to the station to meet the night train. The Penn- sylvania Railroad Company kindly gave free trans- portation to Sisters and pupils, and placed their carriages at the disposal of the frightened wayfarers to convey them to the convent in Webster Street, where they remained until the following morning. As many as the Guest House could accommodate remained there and had a miniature academy on a very home- like plan. The Sisters saw the labor and gathering of years swept away in a few hours, and, what was more to be regretted, their insurance was very light, only $20,000, while the chapel alone cost $36,000. Great sympathy was manifested by all classes for the Sisters' loss, and substantial encouragement given to rebuild the academy, as liberal donations were made to a building fund by the friends of the ill-fated institution. The Sisters sold some property, which brought a good price, and also made arrangements for a loan of money when needed, so that no delay might arise in the progress of the building. By the 1st of March all things were in readiness for the commence- ment of a new building, to take the place of the one just swept away. The plans were drawn by J. W. Kerr, the architect of Pittsburgh City Hall. The new structure was to be erected on the site of its prede- cessor, to be semi-Gothic and of irregular outline, with a front to the east of seventy-four feet by forty feet deep. Left wing, running northwest, one hundred and seventy feet by forty-four; right wing, running south, one hundred feet by fifty. The chapel to connect with the front building and run parallel with the left wing. This portion of the building was to be Gothic, seventy-four feet by thirty-four, the foundation to be prepared with those of the other building, and the edifice erected in the future. The estimate for its completion was $20,000, and that of the academy $100,000. Work commenced early in April, and was vigorously carried on during the following summer, when from sixty to eighty workmen were engaged in its erec- tion. September, 1869, saw the new academy ready to accommodate the pupils at the usual time for re- suming studies. Each part of the institution having been arranged to suit its intended purpose, and the whole building erected at once, gave it a perfection of which the old one could not boast, and added much THE PRESS AND LITERATURE. 279 to the convenience and comfort of the pupils. The chapel was erected in 1870, which completed the re- placement of the buildings swept away by the fire of Feb. 1, 1868. The new academy received the same liberal patron- age that favored its predecessor. Although the num- ber of boarding-schools had been increased in Western Pennsylvania, yet the spacious study hall and ample class-rooms of the academy are graced by a goodly number of the daughters of influential families, not only of this State but of various other States. The academy continues to impart a solid English educa- tion, together with a knowledge of the languages and fine arts, and to prepare its pupils to go forth accom- plished members of society. Many of the pupils of St. Xavier's may be found in different parts of the country filling with credit the various positions which only an educated Christian lady can advantageously fill. A few return to their alma mater and join their teachers in the various works of mercy peculiar to their mode of life. Of their efficient services to suffering humanity the sick and wounded soldiers of the civil war have had sufficient proof, as many of the Sisters who ministered to their wants in the Stan- ton and Douglas Hospitals of Washington and the West Penn Hospital of Pittsburgh were graduates of St. Xavier's. The museum of the academy contains a well- arranged collection of minerals, embracing different- ores and rock-forms, some handsome cameos and mosaics, a fine selection of quartz crystals, Amazon stones, spars, etc., besides fossils of different ages, and a valuable set of coins and medallions. For these the institution is indebted to its friends. It also possesses a fine library, comprising many of the stand- ard works of English literature, besides several book- cases filled with encyclopaedias, books of reference, etc., so placed as to be accessible to the various classes at suitable hours. The most of these works have been the gifts of the reverend clergy of this and other dioceses. The course of studies, according to the last prospec- tus of the academy, embraces the various branches of elementary training, together with those which constitute the higher departments of a finished educa- tion. Heading, writing, astronomy, algebra, chem- istry, history, geology, geometry, belles-lettres, book- keeping, practical and rational arithmetic, geography, grammar, rhetoric, botany, natural and moral philos- ophy, vocal and instrumental music, logic, French, German, Italian, Latin, drawing, painting, plain sewing, etc. Music, singing, drawing, French, Ger- man, Italian, Latin, wax-work, and ornamental needle-work are extra branches, and will be taught at the option of the parents. Letters written or received by the young ladies are examined by the directress previous to their delivery. The scholastic year com- mences September 1st, and terminates on the 1st of July. It is divided into two sessions. If a pupil be removed before the close of the session for which she has entered full payment will be required for the whole, except in case of sickness. CHAPTER XLII. THE PRESS AND LITERATURE. The " Pittsburgh Gazette" — "Farmer's Register," the First Paper printed in Greensburg — " The Greensburg ami Indiana Register" — The "West- moreland ami Indiana Register" — " The Westmoreland Republican and Farmer's Chronicle" — "Greensburg Democrat" — "Republican and Democrat" — " Westmoreland Democrat" — The " Greensburg Ga- zette" — "GreenBburg Gazette and Faimer'sand Mechanick's Regis- ter— (And again} "The Greensburgh Gazette"— " The Westmoreland Intelligencer" — "The Sentinel" — The "American Herald" — "The Tribune" — "Tribune and Herald" — "The Pennsylvania Argus" — "Frank Cowan's Paper" — "The Democratic Times" — "The National Issue" — "The News" — "The Greensburg Press" — "The Evening Press" — German Newspapers: " The Star of the West" — "The West- moreland News" — " The Ligonier Free Press alius " The Valley Dem- ocrat" — Mount Pleasant "Literary Gazette" — " Latrohe Inquirer" — " Latrobe Advance" — " The Reveille" — The " Irwin Spray" — " The Irwin Chronicle"— The West Newton " Weekly Cycle"—" The West Newton Press" — " The Scottdale Tribune" — The " Miner's Record" — Oddities — Observations — Extracts — Literature — Dr. Frank Cowau's Publications. About the time the old court-house was completed, and before the town of Greensburg was made a bor- ough by incorporation, the printing-press — the light and the life of modern civilization — made its appear- ance. The occasion was favorable, for up to that time the only printing-office in Western Pennsylvania was the office of Scull & Hall, the proprietors of the Gazette, at Pittsburgh. John Scull and Joseph Hall established the Pittsburgh Gazette and issued their first number on the 26th of July, 1786. At their office all the printing which was done in the West was executed. The writs used in court, the sum- mons and executions used by the justices, sale bills were printed at their office until one was established at Greensburg. The Farmer's Register was the first venture in news- paper literature west of the mountains after the estab- lishment of the Pittsburgh Gazette. The first number made its appearance about the beginning of the year 1798, and it was published and edited by John M. Snowden. A man by the name of McCorkle was said to have had some connection with the paper, and to have been associated with Snowden, but most prob- ably he was the printer only, and had nothing to do with the paper either as proprietor or manager. Mr. Snowden was a native of Philadelphia, and his ven- ture here was not unprofitable. He disposed of the paper to William S. Graham about 1808. He re- mained in the county till some time after that, and was elected to serve several offices of trust. He re- moved hence to Pittsburgh, where in 1812 he suc- ceeded J. C. Gilleland in the management of the Sunday Mercury, the ancestor, as one might say, of the Pittsburgh Post. He was a professional printer. He was uncle of John M. Laird, Esq., the Nestor of 280 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the Westmoreland press of our clay, and under him Mr. Laird served his apprenticeship in the printing business. The paper continued to be called the Farmer's Register till 1808, when the name was changed to The Greensburg and Indiana Register, and again later to The Westmoreland and Indiana Register. The occa- sion of this was the increasing circulation of the paper in Indiana County, and the fact that it was the medium for the public advertisements of that county. As the headings were of movable types, and as these types were sometimes used in job-work, the arbitrary title of the paper was not infrequently so of necessity, which occasion was usually explained by an apology. In the issue of July the 9th, 1812, it was explained that, from having been disappointed in receiving the proper kind of type, they had to change the name to Greensburg instead of Westmoreland. For extra jobs they had to use the head-line of the paper. The mechanical part of the paper was good; the type was large and distinct, and the earlier volumes had the old-fashioned ff. The paper material was heavy and durable, and the few old copies extant, notwithstanding the sear and yellow withered leaves of age turning, as they are, into irrecoverable dust, are well preserved. In 1811 the paper was printed on paper manufactured at the paper-mill of Markle & Doura, on the Sewickley, twelve miles west of Greens- burg, which had then but recently been built. The paper in size was nine and one-half inches by thirteen inches. There were four pages of four columns each in clear type and closely set. The price of subscription was two dollars and a quarter per year. The news was mostly made up of foreign intelli- gence, or of reports of Congress, and of new treaties with the Indians. Each number contained about five columns of advertisements, and, on an average, one column of short extracts from exchanges. Under the head of news were given Jefferson's addresses, reportof the trial of Aaron Burr for treason, sickness of Bernadotte, and a new battle gained by Bonaparte. There were no professional cards among the adver- tisements, but there was a standing notice that rags would be taken at the highest market price in pay- ment for the subscription to the paper. What might be called editorials were scarce. The political and social course of the paper was shaped by articles in the form of correspondence, so that an editor might make an attack on a political opponent or cry down an evil under some nam de plume. But besides these collections there were papers and contributions on political subjects of from five to seven columns. Findley wrote incessantly for the paper from the time of its establishment, and it was suspected that lie helped to carry it on, not only with his influence but with his money. The paper politically was Jeffer- sonian-Republican, and the articles which Findley furnished for electioneering purposes were in vindi- cation of his political career. These were sometimes addressed to his constituents, explanatory of his course in Congress in reference to the embargo and on the prospect of war with Great Britain. William S. Graham, purchasing the establishment from Snow- den in the beginning of 1808, continued its publica- tion after changing its name to the Westmoreland and Indiana Register. Graham was something of an en- terprising man, and besides publishing from time to time cheap works, as " The Constitution of the United States" and " Watts' Hymns" in sheep, he kept a collection of books, pamphlets, and stationery on sale. Here could be purchased " Valentine and Orson," and "The Englishman's Right, or a Dia- logue between a Barrister-at-Law and a Juryman." J But the young student who wanted " Robertson's History," and the young miss who wanted the poems of Ossian, had to send with Randall McLaughlin or some of the store-keepers when they went East. From 1812 a change may be noticed in the style of the paper. Interspersed with editorial notes of from twelve to twenty lines are seen an account of the red- haired fat boy, of the hog that told fortunes and cast accounts, the latest antidote for the bite of a mad dog, and a description of the execution of eight negroes at one time somewhere in the South. About this time appeared the first advertisements of patent medicines : The Elixir of Perpetual Adolescence, and Doctor Blank's Anti-Bilious Compound. Invalids were cured by the big words. By such slow degrees have we ar- rived at our present civilization. The style of such articles as wereoriginal was usually more dignified and conventional than one would look for in a newspaper now. But there are many defects in them compared with our papers, and more than one hiatus. We look in vain for mention of matters of in- terest to us ; such, for instance, as a biographical notice on the death of Truby or Hanna, a description of the early town, who were building the latest houses, and when the old court-house was completed ; such notices, in short, as make the very being of a country paper. The expenditures of the county were, it is true, pub- lished in the current numbers, whence we get the in- formation that the expenses for the year 1808 were $7165.12, and that John B. Alexander received one hundred dollars for his year's salary as clerk to the commissioners. As there were no regular mails for many years after the paper began to be published, and then at first only along the old State road and turnpike, the subscrib- ers had to make such arrangements as they could agree upon to have their papers forwarded to them. The bundle for a community was usually left at some store, where the subscribers called for them. In 1812, on the establishment of a post-route from Bedford to Greensburg, it was stated that the subscrib- ers on that route could now be served by mail. The Westmoreland and Indiana Register continued 1 This valuable ami instructive little work niiiv be foil ml us an appen- dix to Blnu's "Justice." THE PRESS AND LITERATURE. 281 to be published by Graham till his death in 1815, when it was carried on by his widow, Mrs. James Graham, 1 with the assistance of Mr. Peterson and Mr. Under- wood respectively as foremen, till September, 1818, when it was transferred to other owners and the name changed. The identity of the -Register ended at that time, but as it was the paper upon which the subse- quent series of Democratic papers was founded, its existence was perpetuated in them. The Register did not purport to be a political paper, although it is apparent now that its leaning was in one direction. In 1811 the first political paper os- tensibly such was established by the Federalists, and called the Greensburg Gazette. In 1818 the Demo- crats resolved on having a paper for party purposes, and some of the leaders forming a company, with Frederick A. Wise as manager, purchased the Regis- ter, which, in a new dress, made its appearance in the first week of April, 1819, as The Westmoreland Repub- lican mill Farmer's Chronicle. Frederick A. Wise had been born and brought up in Greensburg, but at that time was working in Bal- timore at the printing trade, which he had learned. He took charge of the paper with the understand- ing that he was to be the sole manager, and also the owner and manager, on the repayment of the purchase money to the joint-stock company which had bought the Register. Of the paper Mr. Wise continued editor till 1830, when it was sold to Jo- seph Russell, Esq. In 1841, Mr. Russell took in partnership David K. Marchand, Esq., a practical printer ; in April, 1844, Mr. Marchand became sole editor and proprietor, and continued as such until July, 185G, when he sold an interest to Andrew Gra- ham, a farmer of Ligonier Valley, and something of a local politician and office-holder. In 1861, Mr. Gra- ham became sole editor and proprietor. Mr. Graham continued in the management only till Jan. 1, 1862, when James F. Campbell & Co. succeeded Mr. Gra- ham as proprietors of the Republican. Under this management it remained but a short time. In Jan- uary, 1863, James F. Campbell retiring, it became the property of William A. Stokes, Esq., a prominent member of the bar, and an officer for a time in the regular army, but whose tastes followed the profes- sion of the pen rather than that of the sword. Mr. Stokes had contributed very extensively to the paper previously to the time when it passed to Campbell & Co., and had been responsibly connected with it dur- ing the time it was carried on under that manage- ment, he being the "company." He then published the Republican until August, 1864, when he sold it to Mr. W. W. Keenan, then proprietor of the Greensburg Democrat, who combined the two establishments into one. As the Republican exists in the Westmoreland Demo- crat of to-day, we shall here give the history of the 1 Mrs. Graham was sister of the late Dr. John Morrison, of Greenshurg. Democrat prior to the consolidation of those two papers, and then from that time the history of that one which was formed out of both. The first number of THE liUEENSBTJRG DEMOCRAT made its appearance November the 18th, 1853. 2 E. J. Keenan and John Klingensmith, Jr., were editors and proprietors. The paper had been established to rep- resentand give expression to that wing of the Democ- racy which advocated the renomination of William Bigler to the governorship, and which indorsed his administration. This was the second time in the political history of the county that a newspaper had in heated occasions been established as a party organ. As the other two papers which were devoted to the cause of that party— the Argus and the Republican— were at that time opposed to the re-election of Mr. Bigler and were committed to his defeat, and as the paper was established with the object stated, its ad- vent was heralded with many marks of displeasure by the press whose policy it opposed, by great grati- fication by its friends in the faction whose interests it represented, and by the approbation and encourage- ment of the opposition, whose best policy was to give it notoriety. Besides this the gentlemen at the head and back of the paper were well known throughout the county, and had become personally identified with the Democratic party in all local issues and interests. The salutatory was novel in its way. Under the caption "Liberty of the Press" the editors in this leader struck out in an entirely new vein. The writer after proclaiming their devotion to the principles of the Democratic party, declared that their course should be independent of all cliques and factions. The editorial and business management of the paper was conducted by E. J. Keenan, Esq. The paper from the first evidenced labor and talent. Mr. Klingensmith died in 1854, and the paper then passed into the hands, as it had really till that time been under the control, of Mr. Keenan. By him it was published and edited till the commencement of 1857, when William W. Keenan, Esq., brother of E. J. Keenan, became the local editor and manao-er. In 1857 the style of the management was E. J. Keenan & Bro. In June, 1858, it was purchased by James Keenan & Co., James Keenan then being the osten- sible head of the paper, and his brother representing the company. James Keenan, Esq., was at that time United. States consul at the port of Hong Kong China ; and the paper, so far as its practical manage- ment was concerned, was still conducted by his brothers here, and was the same as it had been before that. James Keenan died in 1862 ; his brother, E. J. Kee- nan, had entered into the active service of the United - In the prospectus for this paper it was originally called the Westmore- land Democrat, hut on account of the smaller size and neater appearance of the words, and to give more room for the vignette, it was changed to tho Greensburg Democrat. 282 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. States in the army ; and William W. Keenau became entire and sole manager and editor of the paper. Probably no local paper in this section of the State rose with the same rapidity or attracted so much at- tention, both from friends and from opponents, as did the Democrat under the practical management of E. J. Keenan. It had many characteristics which are inci- dent to a successful newspaper. It was zealous in its friendship and bitter in its enmity. The editor was assailed in every place of attack by his political oppo- nents, — in the courts, in the press, even in the church. But opposition is one of the very essentials of a suc- cessful party newspaper. The reputation of a politi- cal organ is established, and the paper is fixed on a permanent basis only when it is denounced by the opposition and attacked from all sides. Some of the articles which appeared in the Demo- crat at that time have in the virulence of their attack perhaps been never paralleled in the history of our provincial press. The article denouncing William A. Cook for his alleged renegading from the Democratic to the opposition party (at that time the Know-Noth- ing organization), and for his acceptance of the candi- dacy of an office on the ticket, was one of the most caustic and bitter personal and political attacks prob- ably ever printed on the page of any newspaper in the whole State. It, however, resulted in a libel suit, which of course gave the more prominence to the paper. The editor was mulcted in six and a fourth cents damages and the costs of the suit. But the most unique issue was that of July 13, 1859. The second page of this number was almost entirely filled with wood-cuts and double-leaded matter, resembling very much the "broadsides" of an earlier day. This matter was arranged in the ordi- nary columns, and was headed " Cameron & Co.'s Combined Circus, Menagerie, and Diorama." It was a political utterance, and in it all the prominent poli- ticians of the party in opposition, either national, State, or county, were caricatured, travestied, or bur- lesqued. It was a highly sensational article, but there were many who questioned the opportuneness of the brochure, and it is more than probable that the editor, both in person and in estate, suffered from the bitter- ness engendered by this effusion, and which ceased not to be effectively felt until long after. Edward .1. Keenan had barely reached his majority when he assumed the entire control of the Democrat. He had a peculiarity of expression on paper, so that his articles were, to one conversant with his style, readily distinguishable. He used good English, went right to the point, and although he sometimes pro- fessed the pathetic, yet a vein of humor is readily discerned running through all his productions. He was a master of the art of ridicule. In his manner he was companionable, and spared no effort to be agreeable. He therefore had many friends. He was open-hearted, forgiving, and generous beyond all belief, pitied all phases of suffering and misery, and no one ever appealed to him for charity in vain. Within certain limits it may be truly said that he fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and ministered to those who were sick and in prison. Physically he was weakly, and he bore in his body the seeds of disease. After his return from the army he devoted himself to the practice of the law. For a short period it is true he gave some of his attention to a new paper called the Democratic Times, but this attention was only su- pervisory. Uuder an accumulation of diseases he died, Friday, June 1, 1877. 1 It was announced in the Democrat of July the 12th, 18(52, that the interest of James Keenan in the estab- lishment had been purchased by Alexander Allison, a practical printer, who had been connected with the office, and that the publication of the Democrat would thenceforward be conducted under the style of William W. Keenan & Alexander Allison. It was also announced that the editorial department would remain as before. So that the publishers or editors of the paper were of those who had been connected in one capacity or another with it from shortly after its establishment. Alexander Allison retired March 6, 1863, having disposed of his interest to William W. Keenan. THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT. In August, 1864, W. W. Keenan, the proprietor of the Democrat, purchased the Bepub/ican from W. H. Stokes, and the two papers were consolidated under the name of the Republican and Democrat, in which E. J. Keenau became again interested. The first number of this consolidation was issued on the 31st of August in that year. The paper continued under the proprietorship of the Messrs. Keenan and uuder the management of W. W. Keenan, with a 1 Edward J. Keenan died Friday June 1, 1*77. When about sixteen years of age lie accompanied bis brother, Thomas .1. Keenan, then European law agent, on a trip to Europe, and spent some eight months in the British Isles. Of his experience and observa- tions there be furnished some very interesting sketches. At about eigh- teen he established the Democrat. He served a term as register and re- corder, having previously conducted the affairs of the office as deputy under his brother, Gen. James Keenan. In the civil war he served as first lieutenant of infantry, in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve Veteran Corps, from which be was transferred to the Signal Corps, and advanced to higher position because of his superior ability. During his services in that department be made some suggestions of important improvements which were afterwards adopted. After the war he resumed the practice of the law in Greensburg, and had a large business. He stood among the foremost in his profession, and was remarkable for his acumen, culture, and humor. He also engaged in oil operations in the oil regions of IVmi- sylvania, and amassed considerable wealth. But his generous nature and i arelese forethought involved him in, so that when the panic came, his relentless creditors having no mercy, be was compelled to sacrifice his real estate to their mercy. On several occasions before bis death he acted as chairman of the Democratic County Committee, and for a time was editor of the Times. When Hon. "William Wallace was chairman of the Democratic State Committee, he, with the advice and consent of the committee, made Mr. Keenan deputy chairman for the western portion of the State, embracing some twenty or more counties, and gave to him complete control of the campaign therein. Some of his fiercest political contests were with the Hon. John Covode, and while politically at dagger's points, they were, it seems, personal friends. He \\;is married to a daughter of Hon. Joseph H. Kuhns, and at bis death I left a widow and three children. THE PRESS AND LITERATURE. 283 short exception, when he associated with himself James H. Clarke, who had been the local editor of the Republican in 18(53. Near the close of 1871, Kline & Co. purchased the Republican and Democrat, and assumed the proprietorship and editorial control of the same on the first day of January, 1872. The firm consisted of Dr. W. J. K. Kline and S. A. Kline, Esq., who at once enlarged the paper from a twenty-eight to a thirty-two-column sheet, and issued the first num- ber on the tenth day of January in a new dress. S. A. Kline disposed of his interest to A. B. Kline, who succeeded him on the 1st of October, 1873, when the style of the firm was changed to Kline & Bro., who are still at this time the editors and proprietors of the establishment. On the 1st of January, 1876, they dropped the word " Republican" as a part of the name, and adopted the title Westmoreland Democrat, which is identical with one of the original names when the word Republican was synonymous with Democrat. Under its present management it has kept pace in general and local news with the improvements in journalism, enlarged its circulation, and has taken a leading part in the political controversies of the day, with such a distinctive apprehension of the varied issues that it has preserved and increased the respect and good will of the Democracy of the county, as well as that of many who are not in sympathy with its political creed. In Collins & McLeester's Proof-Sheet for 1873, a publication for practical printers, in an account of the various newspapers of the State, Greensburg was re- marked for the journalistic distinction of having odd or contradictory titles for at least three of its then ex- isting newspapers, as witness the Tribune and Herald, the Republican and Democrat, and Frank Cowan's Paper. THE GREENSBURr r GAZETTE. The Tribune ami Hern Id of to-day traces the history of its press to the Gazette. The Greensburg Gazette, which was established by David McLean as the organ of the Federal party, was the first political paper in the county ostensibly and professionally so. It began its existence in 1811. Mr. McLean was succeeded by Frederick J. Cope, Esq., in 182-!. The first number of the Gazette edited by Mr. Cope was dated Friday, October the 11th, 1822. In closing his editorial duties with that number of the paper, Mr. McLean stated that " notwithstanding he had commenced business under very unfavorable circum- stances, the generosity of his friends had given him all the prosperity he could wish." He had then made arrangements to continue in business at Pittsburgh, and had already moved his family there. The Gazette of the early day was a four-column sheet, and as such continued till 1823. April 25th of that year (at No. 29, Vol. I., New Series, and Vol. XII., Whole Number 612, regularly) another column was added to the page, making it a five-column paper. The advertising matter was slowly but certainly in- creasing in extent and in proportion to the contents of the paper. In size the page, as it Was set up in type, was eighteen by eleven and a half inches, with a very small margin, not half an inch, around. The contents and make-up of the Gazette differed not much (mutatis mutandis) from the Register, or from other papers of the day. In the Gazette some story partaking largely of the romantic style of liter- ature then in vogue, under such a heading as "The Pirate's Treasure," " The Count's Secret," " The Mys- tery of Norwood Castle," was usually printed on the last page to the exclusion of other matter. Under the heading " Domestick" was given the local and provincial news. The politics of the paper was, as we said, opposite to that of the Republican. The Gazette first advocated the election of Jackson to the Presidency. But it must be also remembered that Jackson for a long time was claimed by the Federalists. When Jackson was taken up and supported by the Democratic-Re- publicans it then opposed him. After the fashion and the usage of the newspaper and other publishing concerns — a fashion traceable to England — the country editors sold books and sta- tionery of ordinary kind at their establishments, and even printed books and pamphlets, and carried on the bookbinding business in connection therewith. At the office of the country paper, indeed, was the only place to get the current literature of the day. Among the publications which the Gazette in 1824 proposed to put in press was " Divine Breathings; or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ, in one hundred Pathetick Meditations, &c, to contain 128 pages of 16's. Price, 37'> cents, full bound and gilded." On February the 1st, 182S, the Gazette establish- ment passed out of the hands of Mr. Cope 1 into those of John Black & Son (Mr. Morrow not being known to the public as connected with the paper), with the 1 Frederick J. Cope, who is still living, was born in Greensburg, Oct. 14, 1801, and is the oldest person living: here born in this place. He was the son of William and Elizabeth f Rohrer) Cope, who came from Hagers- town, Md. His grandfather was Caleb Cope, who early settled in Western Maryland, and bis great-grandfather was Oliver Cope, who came over with William PeDn in 1681 , in which year be erected in Chester County his log bouse, still standing in 1863. The subject of lbi> sketch was born in a house that Btood where Bftughman's Block now is on Main Street. He learned the printer's trade with David Mc- Lean, then proprietor of the Greensburg Gazette. The latter went to Pittsburgh and purchased the Pittsburgh Gazette {now Commercial Gazette) of John Scull, its founder. Mr. Cope then purchased the Greensburg Gazette, Aug. 23, 1822, and published it until Sept. 29, 1826. It was a small sheet (demi-paper) of four pages, each of four columns. He en- larged it one column before he sold it to Paul Horrow, then cashier of the bank here. His paper was distributed by the mails and often by carriers. The cost of the raw paper was then much higher than now and in those times the printers employed were such as could be picked up, and oftentimes of but little experience. He traded his printing- office to Paul Morrow for the farm he has since owned, which was patented and owned by John Brownlee before the burning of Hanuas- town in 1782. Mr. Cope is one of the oldest printers in the State, but has not worked at the trade for fifty-six years. For the last quarter of a century he has contributed largely to the agricultural and educational press, and the articles thus contributed have given him great celebrity. 284 HISTORY OF WESTiMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. number which commenced the second half of the seventeenth volume. The junior member of this firm was then engaged in learning the printing business in the office, and the management of the office was left to him. The latter end of the name of the paper was dropped, and it was called again merely The Greensburg Gazette. In 1829, there being then no longer any use for the Federal party, it lost its identity in the anti-Masonic which sprang up like a mushroom. The Gazette then became anti-Masonic. Mr. Black, Sr., conducted the editorial management, and directed the course of the Gazette in politics until 1832, when he retiring on account of ill health the editorial management was transferred to his son, William F. Black. The name of the paper was then changed to The Westmoreland Intelligencer. After the death of Mr. Black, Jr., the control of the paper passed into the hands of Reece 0. Fleeson, subse- quently and for many years one of the proprietors of the Pittsburgh Dispatch. 1 From Fleeson it passed to John Ramsey, upon whose death in 1839 the paper was purchased by John Armstrong, Esq., the father of John Armstrong, Esq., of the Westmoreland bar, and of Col. James Armstrong, both present citizens of Greensburg. For more than ten years Mr. Arm- strong, with the more active and personal superin- tendence of his son, a practical printer, edited and controlled the paper. 1 The Tnlelligencer was yet owned by the widow of William F. Black, but under the management of Mr. Fleeson. It professed to be " Demo- cratic anti-Masonic," and in 1834-35 supported, or rather advocated, William II. Hal lison for President, and Francis Granger for Vice-Presi- dent. It was printed every Friday on Market Street. The Intelligencer was in size larger than the Gazette, and the types were bigger. From the Gazette, Friday, April 2a, 1824 : "The Gazette Office and Book-Bindery have been removed to the house lately occupied by Mr. Gallagher as a hatter's shop, between Mr. Brown's and Mr. Mowry's stores, and opposite the Post-Office, where sub- scribers aud others are respectfully requested to call." From the Gazette, July 10, 1824: "PRINTING. The Editor Having Procured From New York and Philadelphia, An addition to his former assortment, A Variety of Elegant Plain and Ornamented TYPES, He is enabled to execute Hand-Bills, Pamphlets, Cards, Blanks, etc., In a superior style at a sli'irt notice. "Book-Binding is neatly and expeditiously executed at the Bindery attached to the Printing-office. "Old Books will be substantially rebound at moderate charges. " fl®~ A number of Books, long since bound, remain on hand. The Owners are requested to call for them, or they will be Bold to pay for the binding." THE SENTINEL. It is here necessary to make a digression from the regular line of succession and take up one of the col- lateral branches, so to speak. In 1840 a new political paper was started in Greens- burg called The Sentinel. John F. Beaver, Esq., a lawyer in practice, was at the head and back of this concern, while Jonathan Row, a practical printer, a man of ability, and a native of Indiana County, was the editor and manager. It was partly a matter of private enterprise, and partly a political speculation. It was not till the campaign of that year that all the discordant elements in opposition to what was called the Democratic-Republican party effectually coalesced and united. Hence there was a struggle for all in opposition to become " organs." In either aspect the Sentinel was not a success, and after a short but vig- orous existence the concern was purchased by Mr. Armstrong, the proprietor of the Westmoreland In- telligencer, and being merged into that paper lost all identity. In November, 1850, Mr. Armstrong sold the Intel- ligencer to D. W. Shryock, Esq., who had been brought up to the printing business. When the next phase of opposition in politics took shape, and one of the parties was known as the Dem- ocratic, the other as the Know-Nothing or True American party, the name of the Intelligencer was changed to the American Herald. After the dissolu- tion of the Know-Nothing organization the name of the paper was changed to The Greensburg Herald, and thenceforth became the organ of the Republican party. As such it continued for some years. Its editor aud proprietor, Mr. Shryock, in the ascendency of his party was remembered by the administration in power. He was appointed revenue collector for the Twenty-first District at a time when the office was very profitable. THE TRIBUNE. The political course of the Herald had, however, in time raised opposition within the party in the county on local questions. The leader in this oppo- sition was James R. McAfee, Esq., at the present time deputy secretary of the Commonwealth. Mr. McAfee was a lawyer at the bar, was a well-known Republican politician, had been superintendent of the common schools, and a member of the Assembly. In 1870 he established The Tribune in opposition to the Herald, and as the organ and the political exponent of the party in the county. The first number made its appearance on the 23d of July of that year. These two papers were published in opposition to each other for about eighteen months. The prosperity of the Herald was visibly affected by The Tribune, and the editor, in all probability wearied with the cares and activity of a lengthy and laborious profes- sional service, sold his establishment to Messrs. At- kinson and Weddell. These gentlemen were the law partners of Mr. McAfee, and in reality they repre- THE PRESS AND LITERATURE. 285 sented that gentleman as well as themselves. A month after the sale and purchase, or in February, 1872, the two papers were consolidated, and under the style of the TRIBUNE AND HERALD were published by McAfee, Atkinson, & Weddell. Upon the retiring of Mr. Weddell, the paper, then the undisputed organ of the Republican party in Westmoreland, was, and has been till this time, con- ducted by Messrs. McAfee & Atkinson. Mr. Shryock, the gentleman who established the business prosperity of the Herald, was, as we said, a professional printer, a native of Greensburg, and re- sided in the town continuously until he accepted the position of cashier of the National Bank at Mount. Pleasant, Pa., when he moved to the business-place of the bank. There he resided until the beginning of the current year (1881), when, upon the establish- ing of the Merchants' and Farmers' National Bank of Greensburg, Pa., he was elected cashier of that bank, which position he at present occupies. All the papers represented in the Tribune and Herald were founded and have been in opposition to the Democratic party. They have been successively Federal, anti-Masonic, Whig, Know-Nothing, Amer- ican, and Republican. THE PENNSYLVANIA ARGUS. Tlie Pennsylvania Argus, although in a certain aspect more modern than the other papers just mentioned (which are in a certain sense the representatives of the first two newspapers of Westmoreland), yet in another aspect it is the oldest paper in the county. It still retains the name it was first called, and it has now been edited and managed by the same proprietor (with the co-operation latterly of his sons) from a period dating farther back than the actual existence of any other of the papers named. The Pennsylvania Argus was established in 1831 by Jacob S. Steck and George Rippy. It was Demo- cratic in politics, and represented as the disaffected of their day " the outs." These had thought that the Westmoreland Republican exhibited a disposition to domineer over the opinions, and to monopolize the patronage of the Democratic party, and thus the establishment of the Argus was regarded as a neces- sity. The Democratic party at that conjuncture was di- vided on the question of State politics. George Wolf, Democrat, had been elected Governor in 1S29 by a very large majority over Joseph Ritner, the Whig and anti-Masonic candidate. In 1832, on an increased vote, the same candidates running, Wolf was elected it is true, but by a very small majority. The friends of Wolf determined to prove that he was still popular as ever, and that he could be, as Simon Snyder had been, elected a third time. But the friends of other candidates protesting they were afraid to take so many chances against Wolf as the nominee of their party, 19 and being in reality opposed to his candidacy, when the nominating convention was held the friends of one of them, Henry A. Muhlenberg, appeared in such numbers and took such a determined stand that a bitter quarrel ensued, the Democracy divided, and both Muhlenberg and Wolf were nominated, one by each wing of the party. The Whigs and anti-Masons again nominated Joseph Ritner, whom Wolf had twice defeated. The divided Democracy carried on the campaign as if there were no other candidates to elect or defeat but those of the two factions. They denounced the candidates of the opposing faction without stint or mercy, and the opposition they waged against Ritner was mild compared with the opposition they waged against each other. The result was as expected. Ritner was elected, not by a majority but by a plurality vote. One of the most memorable in- cidents of Ritner's administration was the Buckshot war. In this division of the Democratic party in 1835 the Argus became the friend, advocate, and supporter of Henry A. Muhlenberg. For this reason, long after that campaign, and when its asperities were somewhat forgotten, the Argus was considered by a majority of the party in the county rather heterodox. After the death of Mr. Rippy, the Argus was con- tinued by Mr. Steck. The establishment becoming involved in pecuniary matters owing to a want of ac- tive support, it was sold at sheriff's sale about 1839, and J. M. Burrell, Esq., afterwards president judge of this district, became the purchaser. About the middle of the year 1841 the Argus came into the hands of Messrs. Joseph Cort and James Johnston as editors and proprietors, and Samuel S. Torney as printer and publisher. With the number for May 26, 1843, Mr. Johnston retired from the edi- torial management of the Argus, and the editorial du- ties thenceforth devolved on Mr. Cort until July, 1844. Mr. Cort then sold his interest to Messrs. S. S. Torney (or Turney) and William H. Hacke. The former of these gentlemen was lately the postmaster at Greens- burg, and the latter is foreman of the Tribune and 7/rraMoffice. The paper was'earried on by these gentlemen as editors and proprietors. The old files of the Argus previously to and up to this time evidence that the paper was heartily com- mitted to the cause of the Democratic party. Some of the political articles of the paper which came from the pen of Mr. Burrell while he was in control were widely circulated, and were met in reply by Horace Greeley in the Log Cabin, one of his first news- paper ventures in New York. Under the control of Messrs. Cort and Johnston the Argus strenuously ad- vocated the nomination to the Presidency of Col. Richard M.Johnston, — he of Kentucky who had killed Tecumseh. The selections for the paper were made with taste and singular discretion, and were not re- stricted to matter of an exclusive partisan character, i for the oration of Daniel Webster at the unveiling of 28C. HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the Bunker Hill monument, and the remarks of Mr. Clay at the close of his career in the Senate, were given a place as conspicuous as was any other subject matter of general information or instruction. In 1849, John M. Laird, Esq., purchased the Argus, and since that time it has been under his manage- ment. Regarding the ancestry or descent, etc., prior to his parentage of the venerable John Moore Laird, of Greensburg, the oldest printer, publisher, and editor (in consecutive years in the craft), reference may be had to the biographical sketch elsewhere in this work of his brother, the Hon. Harrison Perry Laird. 1 John M. Laird found in his father a private tutor of rare qualifications, and under him and in the com- mon schools when open he passed the early years of his youth, acquiring a knowledge of geometry and surveying, etc., and finally spent some time in a classi- cal school at Pittsburgh, and in his seventeenth year was taken into the printing-office of his uncle by marriage, John M. Snowden, of that place, and who established the first paper in Westmoreland County, the Register, toward the close of the last century. There he learned the printer's trade, and after journey- working a while was called to Somerset, Terry Co., Ohio, where he conducted a newspaper lor three years. He then removed to Steubenville, Jefferson Co., Ohio, and became part owner of a paper which he soon bought out, and conducted it alone till his own sick- ness under fever and ague and the death of his wife induced him to return to Pennsylvania in 1831. While at Steubenville, Edwin M. Stanton, a " bright, active boy, a profitable adjunct of the office," and who became the most famous of War Ministers as secretary under Lincoln and Johnson, entered Mr. Laird's office and learned the printer's trade. Mr.' Laird preserves memories of Edwin, which ought to be put in permanent form. Soon after returning to Pennsylvania, Mr. Laird took part in there-establish- ment of the Pennsylvania Argus, with which he has since continued, and of which he has long been the sole owner; a paper from the beginning Democratic in politics, ever maintaining loyalty to the Constitu- tion, so markedly, indeed, in the times of the late war as to provoke the bitter anathemas of its foes, who in their hot zeal at times threatened to demolish 1 John M. Laird is the latter's oldest brother. Their father and mot tier, Rev. Francis Laird, D.D., and Mary Moore, were married in April, 1800, and became the parents of eight children, who were born in the order of their names following: John Moore Laird (editor ol the Pennsylvania Argus, and connected with that paper for fifty-one years), born Sept. S, 1802 ; William, horn in December, 1803, died in the fall of 18S1 from an injury received from a vicious horse; Jam', bom in 1806,and who in- termarried with Zachariah Gammell Stewart. M.fb, and died in lsTi); Eliza Moore, born 1807, became the wife of James R.Johnson, both dying some years ago, leaving two sons, both of whom have since died ; Francis, born 1809, and now residing at Saltsburg, Indiana County; Harrison Perry Laird, born 1811, a leading lawyer of the Greensburg bar, and present State senator; Robert, born 1813, died in Tennessee in 1845; Mary Moore, born in 1S15, intermarried with the Rev. Thomas S. Leasson, of BrooUville, Jefferson Co , Pa, the office in which it was published and kill the editor himself. But while papers or presses less pronounced in their devotion to the Constitution were suppressed, Mr. Laird's paper remained active, fulminating when and what it would ; and here the chronicler discovers an instance of that peculiar concatenation of things which are not always visible to first sight. The printer's apprentice at Steubenville was then but the " makings of the man," who in the times of which we were just speaking wielded the military forces of the land, and stretched out the arms of the govern- ment's protection over whom he would, and he had not forgotten his dear old printer-master, the man who did much to encourage Edwin into a practical career in his young days, and who was his and his father's warm friend. A peculiar characteristic of Mr. Laird's business sense of propriety, his love of independence in politi- cal action, as well as moral discrimination between his duties to creditors and the public, demands notice here, and is evinced in the tact that whenever, espec- ially in early days, he needed to borrow money to carry on his paper, he always sought persons of the oppos- ing political party as leaders, in order that he might the better preserve the independence of the leaders of the party which he favored, and which might come to think, if its members supplied the " munitions" of his arsenal, that it owned its ordnance, his press, and so had a right to dictate the character of his paper. For forty years of his life Mr. Laird held the office of justice of the peace, and in the exercise of his magisterial functions was noted for his good offices towards the peaceful adjustment of the contentions which he was called upon to consider. He has also held the offices of coroner and of register and recorder. Jan. 1'2, 1830, Mr. Laird married Ellen Marton, of Cadiz, Ohio, who died Aug. 19, 1831, leaving a daughter, Ellen M. Laird, still living, and the wife of G. W. Hanney, of Franklin township, Westmore- land Co. Sept. 8, 1835, he married Rebecca Moore. She died July 5, 1874, leaving three sons and one daughter] His son William died Nov. 29, 1876, aged thirty-one years. His surviving sons, James Moore Laird and Francis Van Buren Laird, have the chief manage- ment of the Argus newspaper and job-office, the politi- cal character of the Argus being under the exclusive control of the proprietor. FRANK COWAN'S PAPER. This journal was founded by Dr. Frank Cowan, who issued his first number May 22, 1872, in folio form] size of sheet being twenty-eight by forty-two inches. It was devoted to the material interests of South- western Pennsylvania, — coal, coke, iron, oil, railroads] manufactories, etc. With the completion of the first year of the paper's existence the form was changed from a four-page to an eight-page paper, the size of sheet remaining the THE PRESS AND LITERATURE. 287 same. In October, 1873, during the Westmoreland County Fair, Frank Cowan's Daily was published for four days in connection with the weekly. The daily was the same size as the weekly, and netted the pub- lisher, in the brief period of its being, four hundred dollars. In the spring of 1874 the publication of the paper was transferred to Pittsburgh, the printing-office re- maining in Greensburg. At the same time an agency was opened in Loudon, England, at the office of The Monetary and Mining Gazette. The scope of the paper was further increased by the publication. by the editor and proprietor of a Christmas story called " Zomara, a Romance of Spain," and a " Map of Southwestern Pennsylvania," size twenty-eight by thirty-three inches, printed in three colors, illustrating the coal, iron, coke, railroads, rivers, and towns of an arc about one hundred and twenty miles in diameter, with Greensburg in the centre. In the spring of 1875 the form of the paper was changed from an eight- to a sixteen-page, the size of sheet remaining the same, and in August of the same year its publication was concluded on account of the broken health of Mr. Cowan. The paper was a marvel for the time for neatness of appearance, typographical distinction, and fine selec- tions. Much more original matter appeared in its columns than was customary to be seen in county papers, and the selections were all made with great care, judgment, and labor. Even the advertisements gave evidence of scrutiny and a regard for harmony. The first number opened with an original article, contributed by the Hon. Edgar Cowan, on " Woman : her rights, her wrongs, and her remedies." It was a learned and an exhaustive exposition of the legal status of married women under the laws of Pennsyl- vania, as well as a treatise on the social and domestic relations of women in general in the economy of the day. In size Fran!; Cowan's Paper was as large as any of the other papers of Greensburg. There was no end to the devices and the ingenuity of the editor. The second form of this paper, whicli was an eight-page, was so arranged that each of the sides of the press- work showed for an outside page and opened on edi- torial matter. The title-head of his daily was noted for its singu- larity, being an enlarged fac-simile of his own hand- writing, having the' appearance " as if it had been put on with a split brush and tar." The motto of his paper was " To come home to men's business and bosoms," a quotation from Bacon. In the fall of 1875 the printing-office was sold by Mr. Cowan to a company styled " The Democratic Times Company," composed of Edward J. Keenan, Frank Vogel, William P. Fisher, and Ulam Rohrer, for three thousand dollars, who began the publication in the office of the Paper of The Democratic Times. This paper was continued for a little more than a year, when, the company failing to make their second and third payments, the office passed back into the hands of Mr. Cowan, and the Tiuu :i was discontinued. In the winter of 1878, the Argus office being de- stroyed by fire, the Argus was printed for several weeks in the office of the Paper, with the material of the same. In the summer of 1878, Dr. Cowan opened a job- office and published a duodecimo volume of four hundred and twenty-four pages entitled "Southwest- ern Pennsylvania in Song and Story." In September, 1878, Mr. Cowan sold the office to Messrs. John T. Fulton, John Rugh, George W. Rum- baugh, William Armbrust, and F. L. Armbrust for two thousand dollars, who soon after established The National Issue as the organ of the Greenback party, under the management of F. L. Armbrust, Esq. Under that arrangement Mr. Armbrust continued the publication of The National Issue under its various sizes until July 1, 1880, when C. A. Light, Esq., and Mr. L. F. Armbrust published it during the Presi- dential campaign. On the 17th of November it was sold to a co-operative company, and the Rev. Uriel Graves was appointed editor, and C. A. Light, Esq., local editor. By these gentlemen the Issue was con- ducted until April 1, 1881. It then fell into the hands of John T. Fulton and Rev. Graves, who continued the same employes, and who commenced the publica- tion of The Daiiy Evening News in connection with The Weekly National Issue. The News was an inde- pendent paper, while the National Issue was the organ of the Greenback party. The Issue was an eight-page paper, and the News a four-page five-column paper. In May, 1881, the owners of the National Issue sold it with all rights and privileges and a subscription- list of about eight hundred to Messrs. J. H. Ryck- man and J. B. Laux, who at once changed its name and political character. It is now known as The Greensburg Press, a weekly Republican paper, and The Evening Press, a daily independent journal. The first number of The Evening Press was issued May 18th, and the first number of the weekly June 6, 1881. Under the able editorship of James B. Laux, Esq., the Press soon became known as a brilliant exponent of Republican doctrines as well as a journal of a high standard of excellence in its literary and scientific departments. It took high rank at once, and has grown in favor and influence ever since. The partnership existing between the publishers, covering a period of a little more than three months, was ended September 1st, when Hilary J. Brunot, Esq., purchased the interest of Mr. Ryckman. Since that time he has become sole owner, and under the management of Mr. Laux, as editor and manager, the circulation of the paper has wonderfully increased. The Evening Press he has also made a success, de- monstrating to those who prophesied its failure that his faith was well founded. It is the only daily pub- 288 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. lished in the county, and the only one published in the congressional district composed of Greene, Fay- ette, and Westmoreland Counties. On Sunday, July 3, 1881, the day following the tragic shooting of President Garfield, a Sunday edi- tion was issued, the first Sunday paper ever issued in Westmoreland County. By this enterprise the people of surrounding towns received full particulars of that sad event without being compelled to wait for the Monday papers. The papers sold readily at twenty- five cents apiece in some places, in one instance a dollar being offered for a copy. Both the daily and weekly have had surprising suc- cess, enjoying the confidence of a large and influential class of citizens by reason of their judicious treatment of public questions. Mr. Laux is a staunch disciple of Alexander Ham- ilton, believing with his whole soul in the principle of nationality as opposed to State sovereignty. The motto he has given the Press shows the tenor of his political belief, "The Nation: first, foremost, and always." The following extract from his "greeting" in the first number of the Press will show more strongly his political ideas: " It will do its utmost to develop the growth of a strong feeling for nationality among the people, be- lieving it to be the only true way of finally uniting all sections of the country as one people. It will ad- vocate uniform laws for the whole nation, making crime as disreputable and punishable in one State as it is in another. It will advocate a code of laws whereby the ends of justice cannot be evaded or de- layed by the technicalities of different State laws." GERMAN NEWSPAPERS. At one time there were two newspapers published in the German language in Greensburg. One was published by Frederick A. Cope, along about 1828, in connection with the Gazettr. This was subse- quently published by John Armbrust. It was called in German The Star of I In- West. It was subsequently removed to Adamsburg, whereat its publication was continued for some time. The other one was pub- lished by Jacob S. Steck, in connection with the Argus, but it existed but for a short time, and during that time its circulation was limited. In 18ti2 a paper called the Westmoreland News was started in Greensburg by John B. Crooks. In politics it was Republican, and although it was edited with considerable ability, was handsomely printed, and bore a neat typographical appearance, yet the next year, 1863, its publication was discontinued for want of support. The subscription-list was sold to the Herald, and the materials to James F. Campbell, who removed them to Johnstown, and with them there established the Johnstown Democrat. So much of the papers of the county town, and now let us go into the " provinces." THE LIGONIER FREE PRESS, edited and published by Mr. S. A. Armour, was estab- lished about the 1st of June, 1845, at Ligonier. It was neutral in politics, and " devoted to literature, morality, agriculture, news, finances, miscellany," and several other things. The Press, however, had not been long diffusing light and knowledge until it began to show a preference for the Democratic party. In the beginning of the year 1854 it openly forsook its so-called independent course, and henceforward sailed under Democratic colors. The editor in announcing to the public the future course of the paper on politi- cal subjects says that the increased number of his subscribers and their political preferences had mostly urged him to this course. But he gave additional reasons why he should make his paper a party paper. It then supported William Bigler forthegovernorship. This was the beginning of the ninth year of the Press. With the number for the 10th of January, 1854, the Free Press on that day took the name of The Valley Democrat, and was issued every two weeks. The paper varied in size, capability, and evidences of judicious supervision with the varying career and fanciful tastes of its eccentric editor. Complete files of the paper must be rare. We do not know if any exists. At one time the project promised much, but time at last told upon it; and owing to the irregularity of its appearance, and the lack of sufficient support at the hands of a generation whose attention was diverted by the deeeitfulness of riches and the cares of the world, the Valley Democrat for a long time lan- guished, and languishing did die. Mr. Armour was compelled more than once, that the paper of his choice — the child of his invention — should live, to walk to Pittsburgh and carry his paper on his back to Ligonier. He was a great walker, and could walk with ease the distance, which was fifty miles, in one day, and return the next. Of those numbers of the Press and Valley Democrat which we have seen, the first number of the Democrat will serve as a sample of the rest. This is Vol. I X., No. 1, dated Ligonier, Penna., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 1854, S. A. Armour, editor and proprietor. Terms, one dollar per year. The paper has six columns to a page, and each page is about eighteen by fourteen inches. The matter throughout is widely spaced, but the letter-press is legible and the paper not bad. The caption of the first column is " Fearful End of a Rum Drinker." The next column has at its head the wood- cut of a sailing steamship, as formerly the other papers had one of a newsboy riding at a gallop, and under- neath the ship, in heavy broad letters, "Highly Im- portant from Russia & Turkey," which two nations were at that time at war. In this column the glad news was brought to the housed-up inhabitants of the Chestnut Ridge and Laurel Hill that " an insurrec- tion had broken out in Nickchivan; that Prince Wo- ronzotf, the Russian commander, had been surrounded at Tirlis; that Schanyl, the Circassian leader, and THE PRESS AND LITERATURE. 2S9 Selim Pasha were gradually approaching each other; and that Admiral Machinoff had (literally) 'got the bulge' on Vice-Admiral Osman Bey." A great deal of such stuff was scattered throughout the whole paper. Probably one-third was taken up with adver- tisements; of local items there were few, of editorial comments scarcely any. Under the column for "Poetry" was that fine ballad, so illustrative of the Western border annals, called " The Arkansas Gen- tleman, Close to the Choctaw Line," which filled a column and a quarter ; while in another number ap- peared that other equally fine and pathetic ballad of " Joe Bowers." From these selections you may get an appropriate idea of the facetiousness and of the humorous charac- teristics of the editor. But the papers were no doubt at one time treasured among the penates of many a household. For if the paper had, as all such papers have, an interest, this interest was for the locality in which it circulated. Although its local news was meagre, it was always of a "startling" character, and worthy to be remembered. It contained the records of the births and deaths as they occurred in the Valley, touching observations on deceased friends, and much other local information, which if collected and ar- ranged might at this day be of a very satisfactory kind. The most valuable of the contributions to Mr. Armour's publications which we can recall are some relating to the early times about Fort Ligonier, and personal recollections and narrations of some of the old inhabitants bearing upon the Indian wars, which in early times reached the Valley. So too might items relative to the industrial and productive interests be gathered which might possibly be useful. In a num- ber printed during the winter of 1854 it is said that the furnaces of the Valley were doing an "immense business that season." MOUNT PLEASANT PAPERS. There has always been an interest manifested in Mount Pleasant in newspaper literature. Some of the ventures, it is true, have not been successful. In the early part of 1843, Norval Wilson Truxal was editor and proprietor of the Literary Gazette. He had been a former publisher of the Freeport Columbian. In April, 1843, The Democratic Courier began its ex- istence, with Mr. Truxal as editor, and D. H. H. Wakefield as assistant editor. The paper advocated Democratic principles, and had for its motto, " Mean- «fs, it<>t nun." Mr. Truxal got knocked off his feet somehow, but afterwards got up again, and in 1846- 47 established The Ranchero, at Third and Market Streets, Pittsburgh; but the Courier had ceased to gladden the hearts of its former patrons. 1 LATROBE PAPERS. The Latrobe Inquirer, W. R. Boyers and J. G. W. Yeater publishers, was first issued in March, 1861. 1 Srf history of Mount Pleasant borough in this work. It was a six-column, four-page paper, and contained considerable local news. It was abaci time, however, to start a newspaper, — just at the beginning of the war. It did not long continue in existence. The Lnt robe Advance was established by C. B. Fink and F. A. Benford, and its first issue appeared Aug. 6, 1873. Mr. Benford retired from the copartnership September 30th same year, since when Mr. Fink has continued the publication alone. The Advance is in- dependent in all things and neutral in nothing. It is devoted largely to the interests of Latrobe and vi- cinity, and to general and local news. It is an eight- column sheet, makes a neat appearance, and is ably edited. The Reveille is the name of a paper established Feb. 1, 1882, by C. T. Athearn. It is published semi- monthly, and is a four-page sheet of three columns each. It is largely devoted to the interests of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is fast winning its way into popular favor. IRWIN PAPERS. The Tririn Spray was the first journal ever started in Irwin, and was founded by B. M. Mc Williams, who issued its first number Aug. 20, 1875. It was a four- page sheet of twenty-four columns, devoted to the interests of the borough. Its office was on Third, south of Main Street. Its publication was continued nearly three weeks, when the office was burned, and the paper was never revived. It was a neat paper in typographical appearance and well edited. It was published every Friday, and had attained a respect- able circulation and patronage. The Irwin Chronicle is the second newspaper ever established in the town, and was founded by W. H. Johnston, who issued its first number April 15, 1881. Its motto is, " A chiel's amang ye takin' notes, an' faith he'll prent it." It is a four-page sheet of twenty- four columns, and is independent in sentiment and tone. It is largely devoted to local news, and espec- ially to home interests. It is well edited, and re- ceives a large advertising patronage from the business men of the place. It is printed every Saturday at one dollar per year. Mr. Johnston is sole editor, pub- lisher, and proprietor. •WEST NEWTON PAPERS. The first newspaper published in West Newton Town was The Weekly Cycle, established by O. H. Har- rison, who issued its first number June 20, 1855. Its publication was continued about a year. It was a four-page sheet of twenty-eight columns, and was de- voted to agriculture, home interests, news of the day, and general miscellany, and was independent, but not neutral. It was published every Thursday morning, and had its printing-office on Main Street, opposite A. Lowry's hotel. Its terms were $1.50 per annum in advance, or $2 at the end of the year. It had a fair share of home advertising, with considerable from the 290 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Pittsburgh merchants, still its support was not ade- quate to the outlay of its publisher, who discontinued it. The West Newton Press was established Nov. 28, 1878, by E. C. Hough and W. L. Rankin. At the end of three months Mr. Hough bought out his part- ner, and from that time to the present has been its sole proprietor, publisher, and editor. At first it was ten by fourteen inches in size, but six months after its establishment Mr. Hough enlarged it to its present dimensions, twentj'-six by forty. It is a four-page sheet of thirty-two columns. Its motto is, "The Press, the people's paper, independent in all things, neutral in nothing." It is published every Thurs- day morning at its well-equipped office on First Street, near the railroad station. It is an ably-edited journal, and especially devoted to home and local news and interests. It has a large circulation, and its columns are well patronized by the best business advertisers of the town and valley. Mr. Hough, its editor, was born and raised here, and is largely iden- tified with the best interests of the community, to the moral, social, intellectual, and business tone of which his journal has greatly contributed. SCOTTDALE PAPERS. The Scottdale Tribune is a neat four-page paper of twenty-four columns, established Dec. 22, 1880, by its present editors and publishers, I. M. Newcomer & Co. It is published every Thursday, is devoted to local news and interests of the town, and has a circulation of some eight hundred. It is an independent sheet, and is edited with ability. The ^fi/ier's Record is a twenty-four-column news- paper, published on Wednesdays, with A. O. Wel- shan and J. R. Byrne as editors. It is a consolida- tion of the Brownsville Labor Advocate and the Miner's Semi- Weekly Record. Its office is in Campbell Block. It is the official organ of the miners and coke-drawers of the " Connellsville coke region," and is published exclusively in their interests. It was established June 1, 1881, as a one-page sheet of eight columns, has been five times enlarged, and is now on the point of still greater enlargement. It has twelve hundred subscribers, and is devoted to the in- terests of the " Knights of Labor." One of its editors, J. R. Byrne, is secretary for this region, under D. R. Jones, head secretary, of Pittsburgh. ODDITIES. In the number of the Gazette for March 25, 1825, there was a wood-cut representing a locomotive and three truck-cars laden with coal. There is a lengthy article taken from the Baltimore American, which filled three columns of the papers, which was a de- scription of the new motive-power, then but recently utilized in this method in England. But, oh! such a locomotive, and such cars ! Above the wood-cut was the following: "A Section of a Rail Road, with a view of a Locomotive Steam Ehgine, having in tow three transportation wagons. Upon the railroad, fifty tons may be conveyed by a ten-horse power at the rate of 12 or 14 miles per hour." The following appeared in the editorial column, referring to the subject : " We have prepared and placed on the first page of our paper an engraving representing a loco-motive steam engine, having in tow three transportation wagons, accompanied by an explanation from another paper. We are indebted to the United States Gazette for a copy of the plate. It would be impossible, we think, considering the kind of country through which our road passes, to bring the steam wagon into successful operation between the east and west. It requires too many stationary engines to propel the wagons over our numerous hills. It would be necessary to have half a dozen in sight of this town, for we are situated on a hill, and surrounded by them on all sides." In the latter part of 1861 and 1862 the county papers generally issued a half-sheet. They were led to this from the scarcity of printers and of printing paper of the proper size. For the time it was also noticeable that the advertising patronage fell off. In instances where these half-sheets were issued the type was generally reduced ,in size, so that very nearly as much news was furnished then as befere. Then it became common for the paper to be issued in half- sheets and sent twice a week. The demand for news was at the highest possible point, and as the county newspapers then printed letters from the volunteers in camp, and were particular in giving the casualties of the Westmoreland soldiers, all the papers, when the flurry of the first excitement was over, saw them- selves with larger lists of paying subscribers, and a growing trade in advertising which far exceeded anything in the past experience of newspaper men here. OBSERVATIONS. Near every change in the management of these papers was, in regard to the mechanical or composi- tion part, to the advantage of the public. The papers grew in size as they grew older. With such editors as Wise and Cope, Burrell and Fleeson, Stokes and Armstrong, men of known ability and ardent poli- ticians, and with such contributors as Judges Coulter and Young, Drs. Posthlethwaite and King, Revs. James I. Brownson and J. A. Stillinger, lawyers as A. G. Marchand and A. W. Foster, litterateurs as James Johnston and William A. Stokes, the old files of these papers cannot but be interesting and instruc- tive. As a class, the professional men of the old school cultivated the art of expression beyond those of a later day. The reason is obvious : their profes- sional duties were not so laborious, there was a method of reaching the ears and attracting the notice of the people not practiced now, and, lastly, journal- THE PRESS AND LITERATURE. 291 ism has since their day become a profession of itself. Within the time we have marked, several noted dis- cussions on political, on religious, and on scientific subjects were carried on in elegant and forcible lan- guage, in which the knowledge of the moderns was embellished and adorned by quotations and illustra- tions from the poetry and philosophy of the ancients. Besides those articles, which were valuable contribu- tions to the current literature, and which, to an ex- tent, invited scientific research, the papers of that date contained the effusion of those sentimental crea- tures, who, " sighing o'er Delphi's long-deserted shrine," prowl and howl around the outskirts of Hel- icon and Parnassus. These enriched the lyrical de- partment of belles-lettres with acrostics spelt out on their fingers, with political songs set to the air of the " Camptown Races," with monodies after the style of Macpherson's "Ossian," and with odes (in the Huckle- berry Hills after the favorite metres in Tom Moore's melodies. A close reader who compares the original produc- tions, particularly the essays on scientific and politi- cal subjects, and the finer productions in biography, history, and poetry, will conclude that in relative merit the common newspapers of to-day will suffer by the comparison. The present generation has read nothing like the political controversy between Coul- ter and Postlethwaite, in which the measures of Quincy Adams' administration were discussed ; the sci- entific and historical debates between Dr. King and Rev. Stillinger ; or the various brochures of Coulter, or the poetry of Edward Johnston. Some of the poems which appeared in the olden papers, whose authors are unknown, are indeed gems, and deserve a better fate than they met. Violets they were that wasted their sweetness on the desert air. One poem which we recall, but cannot give, in which the verses ran as freely as in any of Shelley's, was headed, "Lines written on the presentation of Wash- ington's sword and Franklin's staff." Another one, called " My Father's House," had an ease and grace of diction not unworthy of Addison. The following little waif appeared in the Pennsylvania Argus of Feb. 26, 1846 : " For the Pennsylvania Argils. " FRIENDSHIP. " BY S. B. M. " Friendship, thou dost not seek splendor, Princely domes allure not thee ; Mitred heads would oft surrender Every gem to purchase thee. Kindly thou dost seek the lowly, And around the cottage fire, Zest all pure and love all holy In each heart thou dost inspire. Lest thy presence ever cheer me, Even now I woo thy form, Surely thou wilt deign to hear me, Surely thou wilt ever charm. Insolence must bow before thee, Blighty in Ihy magic spell ; 01 be mine, I now implore thee, Till I bid the world farewell." LITERATURE. Closely affined to the newspaper history is the liter- ature which in a strict sense belongs to the county. In 1878 there was published at Greensburg a book from the pen of Dr. Frank Cowan, in which an at- tempt was made to embody in verse the salient fea- tures and prominent characters of the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania, in a setting of similes, figures, and formulas in keeping with the mountains and rivers, the plants and animals, and the climatic peculiarities of the country. Its title, " Southwestern Pennsylvania in Song and Story," inadequately gives an idea of its scope. Suffice it here that it involves in an ideal form a great part of the history of West- moreland County, and as such has entered into the general history of the county in a way that, in part at least, it must be incorporated in this book, and as a whole commended to the reader who has an appre- ciation for the poetic and romantic of history. The contents of the volume are arranged under six heads, — " Prehistoric," " Under the Crown of France, 1679-1758," "Under the Crown of Great Britain, 1758-1776," " Under the Flag of the United States, 1776-1878," "Miscellaneous," and "Evolution." In the first group is found one of the most graphic of the narrative ballads of Mr. Cowan's, a philosophic poem, entitled "The Last of the Mammoths," in which the victory of man over the greatest of his four-footed rivals, and of mind over matter, is de- picted in a very ingenious and artistic manner. The scene is laid along the route followed by Gen. Forbes and Col. Bouquet from Hannastown westward, and the termination of the conflict occurs on the ice at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, where, in 1S75, two teeth and several large bones of the skeleton of a mammoth were discovered by a dredger. In the concluding stanzas the former river is made to typify man, and the latter woman, and the Ohio (which according to Mr. Cowan signi- fies the bloody, or the river of blood) the stream of life, while the mammoth is metamorphosed into the aggregate of the organic life of the past ages of the world, as follows : " A Mammoth's tooth, off the Pittsburgh Point, In the eddying, swirling flood, Where the two waters meet and embracing greet, As one in the River of Blood — " Like Mau, the river that rolls from the North, From a head with an icy mouth; Like Woman, the flood with the warmth of her blood That comes from a heart in the South — " Where the two rivers meet, and like man and wife greet, In the flood from the East to the West, That flows on forever to the Gulf of the Giver, And the Sea of Eternal Best. " While in their bed are laid the dead, Of the first and of the last, Who have swelled the flood of the River of Blood, In the Mammoth of the Past!" In the second group we have " The Myth of Brad- dock's Gold," a ballad in which a ghastly scene is 292 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. presented to the imagination, impressing on the reader an idea of the retribution for greed and crime with a shudder. The foundation for the story is the fact that Braddock on the day of his disastrous defeat had twenty-five thousand pounds in specie in his military chest, and from that day to this nothing authentic has come to light with respect to the large sum of money, although there is scarcely a mile of Brad- dock's road that has not been broken with the mat- tock at midnight to discover it. In the ballad, how- ever, the possible but most improbable treasure is supposed to have been found by two brothers, the only survivors of a family who for three generations had been engaged in the impoverishing and debasing search. The second needs no introduction, being entitled " St. Clair," but it is worthy of note that, in admira- tion of the character of the brave old soldier, and in commemoration' of his deeds, Mr. Cowan dedicated his book in the following striking summary, " To the memory of Arthur St. Clair, by whose life South- western Pennsylvania has been associated with Scot- land, England, and France, the savages of America, the filibusters of Virginia, the formation of local, State, and national governments, and the great men of America for half a century, and by whose death Southwestern Pennsylvania will be associated with the ingratitude of republics forever." From the fifth group, or "Miscellaneous," we select the stirring song which has become a part of the popular literature of the county, and given a familiar epithet to the river far and wide. "THE DARE-DEVIL TOUGH. " Where the bluff Aileghenies rise rugged and rough, And fetters and bars tor a continent forge, There dashes defiant the dare-devil Yough, Through rocky ravine, deep dell, and grim gorge. Xo this river I drink ; for akin to my blood Is its torrent so bold, and so buoyant ami free ; Braving bowlder and crag with impetuous flood, As onward resistless it rolls to the sea! "And here's to the man with a will like the Yough, — A will that would wield as a weapon the world, Daring all, and defying even Death with a scoff, When over the brink of decision he's hurled ! "l'is tlic man that I love, the bold and the brave, Converging his might to the channel of aim ; From tin- mountain of life to the gulf of the grave, Rolling on like the Yough to the ocean of Fame ! " And here's to the woman atlood with the tide That bursts from the mountain-height's fountain of love, On wdiose billow the barks of futurity glide Until anchored in bliss in Eternity's cove! "l'is the woman 1 love; alel the flee bounding wave That breaks in the course ,,f mv not) throbbing blood Is the might of the love in return that she gave, — A might that's akin to t lie Yough's rushing flood !" Supplemental to this book, entitled "Southwestern Pennsylvania in Song and Story," Mr. Cowan, in 1881, published another work called "An American Story-Bonk," short stories from studies of life in Southwestern Pennsylvania, pathetic, tragic, humor- ous, and grotesque. As stated in the preface, how- ever, the book was written before the publication of the volume of- poems. It contains twenty-four stories, the scenes of most of which are laid in Westmore- land. In "The Old Man of Beulah" the phenomena oi mid-winter on the summit of the Allegheny Moun- tains are personified, the moaning of the wind becom- ing his voice, the drifting snow his long white beard, and the shadows of the hemlocks his great gray cloak ; the widow of Llewellyn Lloyd standing in the same relation to the sights and sounds around her as Peggy in the " Tale of Tom the Tinker's Time" to the dis- tressing incidents of the Whiskey Insurrection. In " The Coal King" the mining of coal on the Monon- gahela River is wrought into a romance of the mock- eries of life. In "The Railroad" a feud of Ireland is laid in the grave of America as the result of the battle between the Fardownians and Corkonians at Hillside during the construction of the road-bed of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In "The Grist-Mill" the old mill at the falls of Jacobs Creek is recon- structed and peopled anew with the bashful, burly miller, Ebeuezer Mix, and the rosy, rollicking, royal Widow Garvey, in a most provoking plight to them- selves, but quite the reverse to all others. In " The Pack-saddle Gap" the profile of the human face that appears in the outlines of the rocks on the mountain- side is invested with the stern significance of the features of Fate cut in the living rock. In " The Fiddle-faced Hog" the humors of the early settlers are depicted in a facetious trial about a monstrous hog before a trio of arbitrators of the most extraordinary proportions. In " The White Deer" the effect of su- perstition is illustrated in the fate of twin brothers, one of whom by chance kills an albino fawn while hunt- ing on the mountain. In " The Steamboat" a pecu- liarity of the river service is personified in Capt. Godfrey Gildenfenny, who gets his just deserts in falling into the clutches of a fully-developed and ac- complished old maid, Miss Arabella Guilk. In " The Devil in a Coal-Bank" a number of curious incidents and episodes are dove-tailed into a story, the moral of which is that there is a just punishment for every crime committed against the laws of man and God. In " The Oil Derrick" the ups and downs of the operator in oil are described in two laconic worthies who are alternately princes and paupers. In "The Ridger" the peculiarities of the inhabitants of the several ridges of Westmoreland and adjacent counties are set forth in a humorous manner in the dialect pe- culiar to the region of rocks and rattlesnakes in which the people referred to live, and among whom the au- thor declares himself to be the chief, by birth and habitation at least, in addition to his being their ex- pression in the art of the story-teller. In "The Erd- spiegel" the story of two lost children on one of the ridges of the Laurel Hill is graphically and very pa- thetically told. In "The Towscape" the old super- stition of the caul is made the foundation of a curious THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 293 tale, in which the credulity and timidity of the Ridger is made the background to reveal the mysterious ter- rors of the life and death of the unknown murderer. In "The Log Cahin" the innocence and purity, the health and happiness of the humble cabin on the Ridge are put in contrast with the vice and crime, disease and death of the gilded saloons of sin in the towns and cities. In "Yony Waffle" a humorous personification is made of the idea of art evolving from accident, our hero becoming in his adventures and achievements the embodiment and expression of a thousand oddities. In " The Road Wagon" the trials of the German immigrants in the olden time are re- lated, the sad fate of Gretchen and the sympathetic Hans being touching in the extreme. In " The Printer Tramp" a worthy with whom the author in his ca- pacity as an editor doubtless became personally ac- quainted is introduced in a dual state to the reader, at the same time on earth and in heaven. In "The Coke-Oven" the dark side of the negro's character in superstition and crime is revealed to the reader in a very curious story. In " The Red Squirrels" a parable is told in illustration of the effect of greed and selfishness when time at last sets all things even. In "The Cow Doctor" the relationships between man and the ox in Southwestern Pennsylvania are sum- marized in a humorous account of the adventures of Jackson Rummell. In "The Blaze and the Block" a very curious story is told, involving the craft of the old-time surveyor in the backwoods and the use made of it in a court of justice. In " The Bully Boy with the Glass Eye" the mother-in-law of popular face- tiousness deservedly comes to a tragical end. In " Old Helgimite," one of the most highly wrought and ar- tistic of the characteristic creations of our author, the writer is revealed in a measure himself in the im- aginative and voluble Dr. Ott, who, as he is described to be, "if he was exceptional in one thing and extra- ordinary in another, it was in his ability to idealize luxuriantly and express his thoughts exuberantly," while in " The Proof-Reader," the last of the series, the shortcomings of him who should be infallible in the eyes of an author are recounted in a humor- ously malignant manner, the description of the "Proof-Reader," "in feature, form, and function," being remarkable as a specimen of the grotesque in the literature of American humorists. Dr. Cowan has published also a collection of ballads, poems, and songs pertaining to the "Little World," which he has made in a measure his own in literature as an appendix to his " Southwestern Pennsylvania in Song and Story," entitled " The Battle Ballads and Other Poems of Southwestern Pennsylvania." This collection includes the curious " Description of Penn- sylvania" in 1692, by Richard Frame, the rare bal- lad of Crawford's defeat, several poems on the de- feat of St. Clair, and poems by David Bruce, H. H. Brackenridge, Sally Hastings, Samuel Little, A. F. Hill, John Greiner, and William O. Butler. CHAPTER XLIII. THE LEGAL PROFESSION. Provincial Courts— The County Justices — Distinction of President Judge — William Crawford, First Presiding Judge— Judge John Moore— In- crease in Legal Business — Difference in Practice — First Regular At- torneys— Characteristics of the Early Practice— Jndge H. H. Brack- enridge— James Ross— John Woods — Steel Sempll — Henry Baldwin and William Wilkins— Legal Ability of the Early Bar— The Bench— Judge Addison— Old Judicial Forms, etc.— Judge John Young — Judge Thomas White— Judge J. M. Burrell— Judge J. C. Knox — Judge Joseph Burlington— Judge James A. Logan — Judge James A. Hunter— John Dyers Alexander— Alexander William Foster— The Hanging of Evans —James Findlay— Richard Coulter— John F. Beaver— Albert G. Mat- chiind — Henry D. Foster— A. A. Stewart— H. C. Marchand— Joseph H. Euhns— James C. Clarke— John Latta— ltoll of Attorneys. PROVINCIAL COURTS. The judicial system of Pennsylvania, to quote the language of a forcible and accurate writer, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, 1 was above the colonial standard, both as regards bench and bar. The early Quaker scheme of peace-makers to act as arbitrators and prevent law- suits seems to have met with little success, and at the time of the Revolution there was an adequate and efficient organization for the administration of the common law, which prevailed in Pennsylvania as elsewhere, except when modified by statutes, imperial or provincial. All judges were appointed by the Gov- ernor. The lowest court was that of the local magis- trate or justice of the peace, competent to try cases involving less than forty shillings. The next was the county court, or Court of Quarter Sessions, composed of three justices, who sat by special commission as a Court of Common Pleas, while the highest tribunal was the Supreme Court, consisting of a chief justice and three puisne judges, with general appellate juris- diction, and combining the functions of the English Courts of Common Pleas, King's Bench, and Ex- chequer. They held two terms, and were also em- powered to sit as a Court of Oyer and Terminer and hold a general jail delivery, a power rarely exercised. Causes involving more than fifty pounds could be carried up from the Supreme Court to the king in council. There was no Court of Chancery. Keith had succeeded in establishing one, with himself as chancellor, under the charter, but after his rule it was suppressed, and such equity jurisdiction as was re- quired was exercised by the common law courts. There was a register-general of probate and adminis- tration at Philadelphia, and recorders of deeds appointed at an early period in each county. 2 The bar in Pennsylvania was exceptionally good, ! and had always received full recognition. Practice was simple, and attorneys were admitted by the jus- 1 History of the English Colonies in America, p. 232. - There was an old English Court of Vice-Admiralty, from which there was an appeal to England, but this court was so unpopular that the judge at one time complained that he could not pel form the duties of his : office. The judiciary of Delaware was similar in arrangement, but formed an independent organization. — Ibid, 294 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. • tices after slight examination ; but the law, as a pro- fession, had many excellent representatives in the colony, and drew to its ranks many men of learning and ability. Andrew Hamilton, who defended Zen- ger, was the first American lawyer who gained more than a local reputation, whose ability was recognized in England, and the only one whose reputation and ability in colonial times was so recognized. Touching the subject of crimes and offenses in the colony in the eighteenth century, Lodge, in the " His- tory of the English Colonies in America," writes: "At last tin new theory of criminal legislation was abandoned in the year 1718. Work-houses and jails were established, the number of capi- tal offenses was increased from one to fourteen ; every felony, except larceny, was made capital on a second offeuse, and matters went on in Pennsylvania in the ordinary fashion of the time. At the time .if the Revolution, while, as compared with England, the amouut of crime was trifling, it was, as compared with the other colonies, very considerable, ami although Infrequent there was much variety. About the middle of the century there waB a great deal of hanging for house-breaking, horse-stealing.aud counterfeiting. Highway robbery wasnot unknown, and informers were tarred and feathered in the back counties by a popu- lation loyal to the cause of untaxed liquors. . . . The habit of rioting spread to the other towns [i.e., from Philadelphia], and the brutal mas- sacre by the Scotch-Irish "Paxton Boys" of the Indians at Conestoga was the most notorious result of this turbulent disposition. The rioters and the criminals were almost wholly Irish. Not one native or Eng- lishman was found in any ten of the inmates of jails, and the unfortu- nate prominence of Pennsylvania in this respect wasattributable to the character of a large portion of her immigrants." THE COUNTY JUSTICES. The act under which the judiciary was regulated was of old date (May 22, 1722). Under it a Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace and Jail Delivery was to be holden in every county of the Province four times in a year. The Governor or his lieutenant commissioned the justices who held the courts. Any three of the justices could hold private or special courts, and in or out of session they were empowered to take recognizances. The authority of these county justices was modeled after the authority of the justices of the sessions in England, as the justices of the Su- preme Court, under this law, had full authority to exercise the judicial powers of the justices of the courts at Westminster. The jurisdiction of the judges of these county courts was extensive. Thus they were empowered to lay out cartways to the public roads, to appoint viewers of partition fences, to superintend the erection of bridges and the laying out of highways. No member of a court of justice was allowed to sit while his own cause was on trial. They were empowered to appoint persons to receive the claims for the reward offered for the killing of such birds and animals as upon which a bounty was laid by law. They could also grant writs of replevin, could issue writs of attach- ment, and award process for taking lands in execution, and to recover on mortgage. They had authority to recommend for tavern licenses. They had the ac- knowledging of deeds, the probating of wills, and jurisdiction to recover small debts. In their magis- terial capacity they were hedged in by laws protect- ing them, as well as the constables, if they exceeded their commission. In such casi is as fall within the penal code they had likewise an extensive judicial power. Although they could not take cognizance of such offenses as were capital, yet they could sentence a felon to imprisonment, to the pillory and stocks, and amerce him in correspondingly large pecuniary fines and forfeitures. Besides the county justices there were other legally appointed justices of the peace with powers not so extensive. They had, and exercised ordinarily, such powers as are exercised by our justices of the peace. These were sometimes armed with a special commis- sion, called a dedimus /lotestatem. With all these privi- leges, therefore, these justices were an influential class, a class, in fact, in many respects apart from the rest. We cannot, indeed, appreciate or rightly comprehend their position in the social scale by comparing them with our present justices of the peace. The standard was relatively much higher. From the judicial sys- tem of the colonies, they stood for lawyer and for judge. The county justice vvas not only the highest judicial officer in the county, and as such sat at the sessions to decide causes, but to him was referred all such controversies as arose among his neighbors. This in his civil capacity ; while in the military ar- rangement he was usually an officer. His education, such as it was, his tastes, his distinction, and the cus- tom of the early colonists all forced him to be a military man. The magistrates were looked upon as of a separate class, although not distinguished from the others by landed wealth or by any superiority in dress or equipage. They lived among the people and as the people. Their houses were ordinarily log houses, with perhaps few supplementary articles of furniture. But there was among these undoubtedly a higher standard of sociability and a finer polish than among the common classes ; and this standard is either traceable to usage and contact with the society of the older settlements of the East, or it was a vestige of old-world manners. As a class they were high-toned, punctilious in honor, of integrity; and in such a i sense they held their heads high over those who were beneath them. The magistrates of the early colony were to the common people what the justices of the peace in England were to the common people two hundred years ago. Those penal laws, of which we first spoke, modeled after those of England, were, beyond our imagining, severe. The most trifling offense was punished by imprisonment under wretched diet and in unhealthful pens. Many of the crimes or misdemeanors for which a convict would now be sent to the penitentiary, the county jail, or the work-house were then capital. Under this head were arson (that is, the burning of dwellings or public buildings), robbery, manslaughter by stabbing, counterfeiting, witchcraft. Although this is a true statement, we perceive, as Judge Wil- liam Bradford says, that the severity of our criminal THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 295 laws is a foreign plant, and not the native growth of Pennsylvania. 1 It was endured, but was never a favorite. Under them the county justice could, if he chose to, punish a person found judicially guilty as severely as our military laws now punish unruly sol- diers when in actual service, and in such a manner as is now utterly unknown to our civil laws. Such a recital may give us an idea of the plenary power vested in these magistrates. But although "their pro- ceedings may, when we read the reports preserved to us, excite in us astonishment, yet we may observe that they seldom exercised their full authority. We may likewise reasonably conclude that they were, as compared with the same class vested with the same power in other parts of the colonies, humane men. Touching the manner of conducting suits at law and the results of the system under the county justices, j we have the observation of a distinguished person, and this in a place where one would scarcely go to hunt it if he, were on that errand. St. Clair, when Governor of the Northwestern Territory, made some lengthy observations on extending the jurisdiction of a single magistrate in the trial of small causes in the Legislature of the Territory on the motion of Judge Symmes. The Governor was opposed to the motion, and probably had his preconceived notions of opposi- tion from his notice of the practical workings of the county courts under the colonial and ante-revolu- tionary period. That he was describing the system as he had seen it in vogue at Haunastown there can be no reasonable doubt. 2 He says, " A worse mis- chief is still behind, — this kind of jurisdiction fosters a content ions, revengeful spirit among the people. I have seen some of the meetings before magistrates in the United States on their law days, as they call them, when the business was transacted with little or no solemnity, and where a looseness was allowed for abuse and recrimination that had a bad effect, nut only on the manners of the parties litigating, but on those of all the auditors, and the very considerable numbers attending them, especially on the afternoons of Saturdays, the time generally chosen by those who had no manner of business, and they seldom failed of returning worse citizens, worse neighbors, and worse men, and in settling one dispute the seed of a great many were sown, besides much extortion is practiced, to be convinced of which it is only necessary to look into the statute-book of any of the States, where nu- merous laws are to be found for preventing and cor- recting it." In the array of the names of those nominated as conservators of the peace we have a list of men who, as a general thing, were upright in character, of the strictest integrity, fearless in facing danger and op- posing tyranny, of simple but dignified manner, of good general information, and of special knowledge 1 See Smith's or Bioreu's " Laws." title Criminal Procedure. 2 See St. Clair Papers, vol. ii. p. 3B1. in the cardinal principles of English liberty. There were of course among them some who did not rela- tively stand so high as others. These were, however, kept in a secondary position, and of them we have no knowledge for either good or evil. DISTINCTION OF PRESIDENT JUDGE. By the records of the Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas Courts, from the correspondence in the Colonial Records, and from the Minutes of the Council, it would appear that it was the custom to distinguish one of the justices on the bench as the president or presiding justice, and the others as his associates. This nominal distinction appears to have misled many. The status of the president judge was not indeed clearly presented till the lapse of a hundred years, and was first discussed when Westmoreland celebrated her centenary, in 1773. It is thence con- cluded that when any particular one is mentioned as president judge it was as a matter of mere formality, that it was following the organization of the Su- preme Court, that the justice who sat thus distin- guished had no actual precedence over the others, and that the nominal precedence was mostly con- ferred upon William Crawford when he was present, although in some instances Lochry, Foreman, Gist, Hanna, and Moore are named as presiding justices. 3 WILLIAM CRAWFORD, FIRST PRESIDING JUDGE. William Crawford appears to have been a man who, even in his younger years and at that day, stood high among the people of the frontier and with those in authority, both in our own Province and in Virginia. He was one of the early settlers on the old Braddoek road, having taken up lands in 1767. He chose the spot where Braddoek had crossed the Youghiogheny in 1755. The place of his residence was called Stewart's Crossing. His house stood nearly opposite Connellsville. 4 He was identified with the 3 It would appear that the justices elected or selected one of their number from time to time to preside. It is generally conceded that the presiding officer did not thus sit hy virtue of any legislative provision prior to the act of 28th January, 1777. The only instance I have met with evidencing hy record their official compliance with this act of 1777, which enacted that " The President and Council shall appoint one of the Justices in each County to preside in the respective courts, and in his absenco the justices who shall attend the court shall choose one of them- selves President for the time being," is an order of record at the October sessions, 1781, Quarter Sessions docket, to wit: " Rule that no Cause whatever be Removed from this Court into the Supreme Court after this Term until the Respective writs necessary for the Removal thereof be produced at Bar. "By the Court, "Chaiii.es Foreman, PrcsV Elect." That court, however, was held "before Edward Conk, Esquire, ami his associates, Justices of the same Court," and it would seem that in the absence of any appointment made by the president or Council the judges " elected" one of themselves to preside. At the January Sessions, 177u, Edward Cook was, for the first time, styled " Precedent Judge. . . ." The Court of Quarter Sessions held Gth January, 1778, was held "before Edward Cook, Es^ s7??ot/yt £<»~t<^ THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 329 "The committee appointed to express the sentiments of the members of the bar touching the death of Henry C. Marchand, Esq., respectfully report: "The bar of "\Ve6tmoreland County were touched with profound sor- ! row on learning of the death of Henry C. Marchand, Esq., and as a token of their high regard for him, not only as a melnberof the bar, but as a citizen, they desire to record here thiB memento of the impressiou he has left upon their minds. The marked simplicity of his character, the solidity of his judgment, his sincerity, earnestness, and uncomplaining toil all indicated a man easy of approach, wise in counsel, faithful and zealous in action. He made no claim to mere forensic display, and it would not be in place to mar his unique character as a practitioner at the bar by asserting it here. His chief power lay in a special ability to prepare and arrange to the beBt advantage all the details nseful in a | legal contention, and to select with skill and sound legal discrimination the authorities bearing on the litigated point. In this sphere of profes- sional excellence he had, perhaps, no superior at the bar in Westmore- land County. As a citizen and member of society, he was punctual and faithful in the discharge of the duties of life. lie was sincere in his friendships, and in his intercourse with the bar and his fellow-citizens he was courteous, cheerful, and decorous. His loss will be felt by all clashes of Si.rH'ty. and f>|n'rial]\ M Ihose with v\ limn he had daily busi- ness relations. He was the strength and pillar of the family circle in which he moved, the sunshine there of warm and loving hearts. "In view of this great bereavement, we extend to his family and friends the profound and sincere condolence of the memberBof the bar." HON. JOSEPH H. KUHNS. Bernard Kuhns, of German descent, was one of the early settlers in Northampton County. Before 1780 two of his sons, John and Philip Kuhns, settled on a six-hundred-aere tract of laud some two miles from Greensburg, which their father had years before patented. The latter was elected sheriff of the county in 1798, and died March 28, 1823, in his sixty-second year. His wife was Eliza, the youngest daughter of Dr. David Marchand. Their children were Jacob, David, Daniel, John, Samuel, Joseph Henry, Reuben, and Eliza (married William H. King). They all lived in this county except John, who removed to Putnam County, Ohio, where he became a judge of the courts. Daniel and Joseph Henry Kuhns are the only two now living. The latter was born in September, 1800, in a log house (now weather-boarded), the property of j Judge James A. Hunter, and located on West Pitts- j burgh Street. He first attended school in the old log ! school-house by the spring on the commons (now part of St. Clair Cemetery, where the superintendent's house is). It was then taught by " Master" Williams. He subsequently attended the academy, and then went to Washington College, where he graduated in 1820. He read law with Maj. John B. Alexander (whose sister he afterwards married), and was admitted to the bar about 1823. He first practiced, but for a short period, with Maj. Alexander, and subsequently by himself. He soon acquired a very extensive and lu- crative practice both in the Westmoreland and Su- preme Courts. He is now the eldest ranking member of the bar, but retired some five years ago from the practice. In 1850 he was elected by the Whig party to Congress from the district then composed of West- moreland, Indiana, Somerset, and Fulton Counties. He served one term in the national House of Repre- sentatives, but declined a re-election, preferring to resume his profession in which he stood so high. He was first married, in 1825, to Margaret Alexander, of Carlisle, by whom he had four sons and four daugh- ters, of whom one is H. Byers Kuhns, a leading at- torney of the bar. After her death, in 1850, he mar- ried Harriet, widow of Hon. William Jack, by whom he had two sous, — Joseph H., Jr., superintendent of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, and Lewis, a con- tractor on the same. When Greensburg was laid out his father and uncle, John and Philip Kuhns, bought lots in it, then covered with fine oak timber, which they cleared off and built upon. Mr. Kuhns is one of the oldest citizens of the town, and a man whose life has been a useful and success- ful one, reflecting honor on his ancestors, who were among the earliest pioneers in this region. James Cunningham Clarke was born in Laugh- linstown, Westmoreland Co., Pa., on Feb. 2, 1823 ; removed with his father's family to Blairsville, Pa., in 1831 ; entered as a pupil in the private classical school of Rev. David Kirkpatrick in 1837 ; finished his education at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa., where he graduated in 1843 ; same year commenced reading law with the late Judge Coulter in Greens- burg ; was admitted to the bar in 1816, and entered on the practice of his profession in Westmoreland County, where he has since continued to reside. He has identified himself with the various public improvements of his adopted residence, such as the establishment of the St. Clair Cemetery, the erection of the gas-works, serving many years in the Board of Burgesses and in the School Board, in the latter of which he served (with the exception of a single year) from 1859 till 1881, at which time he resigned. In religion a United Presbyterian. In politics a Democrat, always taking a deep interest in the suc- cess of the party to which he was attached. In 1874 he was honored by the party with election to the State Senate, where he served the sessions of 1875-76, and was re-elected in the fall of the latter year for the term of four years, and served in such capacity duriug the term for which he was elected. In 1852 was prominently mentioned as a competent and suitable person to fill the vacancy in the Board of Canal Commissioners caused by the resignation of William Searight. John Latta was born in Unity township, West- moreland Co., Pa., on March 2, 1836. In early life he had the benefit of an English academical education at Eldersridge and Sewickiey Academies. In 1857 he entered the law-office of D. H. Hagen, Esq., at Pitts- burgh, pursuing and completing the study of law at Yale University, and was admitted to the Westmore- land bar in November, 1859. He took an active part in the Presidential campaign of 1860, and in every political campaign since. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1864 and 1872. In the latter convention he voted with the minority of the Pennsylvania delegation against the nomina- tion of Greeley. 330 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. In 1862 he was defeated for the nomination of dis- ! trict attorney by the late A. A. Stewart, Esq., but was nominated the next year for the State Senate, and was elected by the counties of Fayette and Westmoreland. In 1871 he was elected to the Legislature, and re- elected in 1872. He was defeated for the nomination for Congress in the spring of 1874 by the Hon. Jacob Turney, but was nominated by the Democratic State Convention which met in Pittsburgh later in the sum- mer for Lieutenant-Governor, and was elected in the fall of same year. He is now engaged in the practice of his profession in Greensburg, Pa. He has served as a school director for the past fourteen years, and as vestryman in the Protestant Episcopal Church. He is a descendant of Scotch-Irish ancestry. .ffiSOP'S FABLE. iEsop relates this fable : Once upon a time a man and a lion were journeying together, and came at length to high words which was the braver and stronger of the two. As the dispute waxed warmer they happened to pass by on the roadside a statue of a man strangling a lion. "See there!" said the man, " what more undeniable proof can you have of our superiority than that?" "That," said the lion, "is your version of the story ; let us be the sculptors, and for one lion under the feet of a man you shall have twenty men under the paw of a lion." The moral is obvious. And as it has not been our habit to pass panegyrics upon the living, we mean by this that the bar of Westmoreland to-day stands as high as it has ever done in the annals of the past in this Commonwealth, and that the reputation given it by those distinguished men who adorned it with their legal wisdom and erudition has not suffered diminu- tion by our seniors now in practice, and will not be abated when the rising juniors shall have taken their places. ROLL OF ATTORNEYS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE AT THE WESTMORELAND BAR. This list having been made up from the minutes in the Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions Courts, although as near perfect as it is possible to be under the circumstances, may not in the first portion be entire. In some of the minutes no admission is noted for the space of several years. The names of some prominent attorneys do not appear at all. No other list has been ever made that we know of other than this. As a rule, the term only at which the attorney was admitted is given. Under the head of " remarks" is noted whether the admitted attorney was a regular student at this court, if he was a practicing attorney at some other bar and thus admitted for the occasion, or if on being admitted at another bar he came here to practice. In the first instance he is marked " reg- ular," in the next the county bar at which he appears to have been a member is given, or simply the word "motion," and in the third instance the word "cer- tificate" is used, which also indicates in some in- stances that the student, being a graduate of some college competent to give a degree which would admit him to practice the law, was entitled to admission by virtue of such degree. The attorney making the mo- tion for admission is also given, unless where the record omits the name, when the word " motion" is used. Attorneys. Day or Term when Admitted. Remarks. Attorney making Motion. Michael Huffnagle. Jan. 6, 1779 Sample. Samuel Br will. " " M Andrew Scott. Oct. T., " Hu finagle. H.H. Uiackeuridge. April T. 17S1 Smith. .lames Berwick. " " David Bradford. " 1782 Brackenridge. Thomas Duncan. Jan. T., 178a Washington Co. Smith. George Thompson." ** " " " " John Woods. - " 1784 " .lohn Young. " 17*9 Ross. Daniel St. Clair. " " Regular. Woods. David He.ldiek. July 6, 1790 Washington Co. Smith. Jacob Nagle. Oct. 4, " " Steel Sample. Oct. 6, 1791 Allegheny Co. Woods. Henry Woods. June T. 1792 Woods, John. David McKeehan. Dec. T., " Robs. Hugh Koss. " " Ross, James. George Armstrong. Mar. 11 1793 Woods. Joseph Pentecost. Mar. 12 *' Washington Co. Ross, James. Henry Purviance. Mar. S., 1794 Regular. Young. Arthur St. Clair, Jr. June S., " " Woods, John. Paul Morrow. Mar. S., 1795 Allegheny Co. Young. Thomas Collins. June S. " ■t ii " Thomas Headon. Dec, " it James Morrison. " " ii Thomas Creigh. Mar. S , 1796 Certificate. ii Abraham Morrison. June S., "■ l( Woods, John. Samuel Mehon. " " it (I u J.ih. Montgomery. Dec. T., " it Young. John Lyon. June T. 1797 Motion. Woods. Thomas >'esbit. Sept., " Certificate. Ross, James. John Simiiison. Mar. S., 1798 William Kauuells. JuneT. " Motion. Armstrong. Parker Campbell. " " 11 Young. Thomas Measoo. Sept. S., " " " David Hays. " " " Morrow. John Kennedy. " " " Sample. C. S. Semple. Dec. S., " " McKeehan. Samuel Deemer. Mar. S., 1799 " Sample, S. William Ayres. ** " " " Robert Callender. " " " Kepple. Robert Allison. Sept. S. 1800 " Callender. Ralph Martin. Mar. S. 1801 " Armstrong, Geo. Samuel Harrison. June T. " Fayette Co. Ross, John. Joseph Park. Sept. T. " Motion. Morrison. Joseph Weigley. Dec. T., " 11 Young. Alex. Foster. *' " Sample. William N. Irwine. June T. 1802 " Collins. Jonath. R. Reddick. Mar. T. 1*04 " Armstrong, Geo. Othro Srader. " " " Addison. Henry Hanlet. " f * " Woods, Jno. Meshack Sexton. June T. " " Young. Henry Baldwin. Sept. T. '* " Armstrong. William Ward, Jr. " " Somerset Co. Wi.-inlrv. J. B. Alexander. Dec. T. " Motion. Wilkins. Samuel Guthrie. " " " Morrow. Samuel Selby. Mar. T. 1806 " Weigley. James M. Biddle. Dec. T. " " " Walter Forward. " " Allegheny Co. Armstrong, Geo. Charles Wilkins. Mar. T. 1808 It 41 Ross, James. Samuel Massey. " " Motion. Armstrong. John Reed. Nov. T. " " Forward. H. M.Brackenridge. May T. 1809 ii Reed. James Wells. Sept. T. John L. Fair. " " Magnus M. Murray. Dec. T. " Motion. Wilkins, W. Daniel Stannard. Feb. T. lsin Indiana Co. Reed. James M. Kelly. " " " " Armstrong. Richard Win. Lain. May T. " Motion. Koss, Jas. Robert Fimlley. " " Cert. Crawford Co. Weigley. Neville B. Craig. Aug. T. " Allegheny Co. Wilkins. Guy Hicox. 11 11 Armstrong Co. Weigley. John 11. Chaplain. " " Allegheny Co. Forward. John M. Austin. " " ii ii Ross, .lames. Rh hard Coulter. Mar. T. 1811 Motion. Alexander. James Carson. Aug. T. " " Samuel Douglass. Feb. T. 1812 Motion. Wilkins, C. John McDonald. May T. « Allegheny Co. Wilkins, W. John Dawson. Feb. T. 1814 Fayette Co. Coulter. Joseph Beckett. May T. " Motion. " Samuel Kingston. " " " Foster, A. W. Charles Shaler. Dec. T. ■ " Allegheny Co. " " THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 331 Attorneys. Day or Term when Admitted. Remarks. Attorney making Motion. Attorneys. Day or Term when Admitted. Remarks. Attorney making Motion. John A. T. Kilgore. Feb. T., 1815 Regular. Armstrong, Geo. P. C. Shannon. Aug. T., 1845 Regular. Report. John Carpenter. ii it Motion. Reed. George W. Bonnin. Feb. T., 1846 Motion. Marchand, A. G. Obadiah Jennings. Aug. T., « Forward. Jno. Alex. Coulter. tt .i Regular. Report. Calvin Mason. Oct. T., " Regular. Report. James C. Clarke. it n " " Samuel Alexander. May T., 1816 u " S. B. McCormick. Aug. T., " " *' Edward J. Roberts. Nov. T., " Allegheny Co. Alexander. Wm. A. Campbell. tt tt " " Jacob M. Wise. Feb. T., 1S17 Regular. Report. Wm. H. Markle. " 1847 " '* S. V. R. Forward. it it Allegheny Co. Armstrong, Geo. Wm. A. Cook. it it " " H. M. Campbell. May T., 1818 Cumberland Co. Alexander. L. T. Cantwell. Nov. T., « Motion. Clarke. James Hall. Allegheny Co. Forward, W, Francis Egan. May T., 1848 Certificate. Foster. Andrew Stewart. tt ii Fayette Co. Reed. John Campbell. Aug. T., " Regular. Report. Josiah E. Barclay. Aug.T., || Kelly. John C. I'. Smith. it . Gill. Ang.T. 1871; Wentling. Irwin \V. Tarr. ii u Armstrong. M.H.Todd. Feb. T. 1872 Motion. Marchand, H. C, Samuel Lyon. " ; Indiana Co. Moorhead. James G. Francis. " " Regular. Fulton. Welty McCullough. May T. ii « Armstrong. Hathaway. " " 'Armstrong Co. Turney. D. Porter. Aug. T. " J Motion. Latta. Joseph J. Johnston. Feb. T. 1873 Regular. Turuey. John II. McCullogh. May T. ti » Clarke. George Shiras. Feb. T. 1874 Pittsburgh. Motion. II. W. Walkinshaw. " 1877 Motion. Marchand, H. C. A. I). McConnell. May T. " Regular. Cowan. W. H. Young. A "-;, T ' ii « Laird. V. E. Williams. 1878' Report. John M. Peoples. " ii i< " Alex. M. Sloan. Nov. I. 1879, " Alex. Etcher. May T. 1880 " J. T. Marchand. Aug. T. " " John B. Iliad. " " Lucien W. I>oty. May T. 1881 Report. Motion. Attorneys in active James A II. P. Laird. John Armstrong. Edgar Cowan. W. H. Markle. II. B. Kuhns. Jacob Turney. John Latta. M. A. Cundet'8. W. M. Given. J. J. Hazlett. John A. Marchand. Frank Cowan. J. R. McAfee. John Y. Woods. John F. Wentling. D. S. Atkinson. Silas McCormick. Silas A. Kline. James S. Moorhead. practice Jan. 1, 1882. judges' list : From the Hl'NTF.e, President Judge. W. H. Klingensmitb. John D. Gill. Welty McCullough. J. J. Johnston. G. D. Albert. A. D. McConnell. W. H. Young. V. E. Williams. John M. Peoples. H. Walkinshaw. J. \V. Taylor. A. M. Sloan. Alexander Eicher. John N. Boucher. J. B. Head. J. Thornton Marchand. Lucien W. Doty. P. H. Gaither. Hon. John Young, otherwise Hon. John Young Forrester. — Elsewhere in this chapter may be found an extended biographical sketch of the Hon. John Young, in which his birth and early life in Scotland and his career in America, especially upon the bench, are narrated. His scholarly accomplish- ments and other matters of interest concerning him are there also dwelt upon. This gentleman became the hereditary Laird of Forrester, entitling him to the entailed estate of Easter Culmore, in the county of Stirling, Scotland, and, according to laws and customs of that land, used thereafter, in his correspondence and dealings with his relatives and citizens of his native country, the adnomen "Forrester," as re- quired. Judge Young was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, July 12, 1762, and came to America in 1779, and on arrival in Philadelphia entered as a student the law-office of Mr. Duponceau, and afterwards that of Judge Wilson, a man of eminence in his day. Being admitted to practice in that city, Judge Young eventually settled as a lawyer in Westmoreland County in 1789. In 1794 he married Miss Maria Barclay. By her he had eight children : First. Hetty Barclay, intermarried with Edward N. Clopper, Esq., and who became the mother of six children : 1, Mary Young, wife of R. W. Burgess, of Washington, D. C. ; 2. Elizabeth Forrester, married to William M.Stewart, Esq., now of Philadelphia; 3. Edward D. (deceased) ; 4. Margaret Jane ; 5. Col. John Young Clopper, now of Colorado ; 6. Frank Young Clopper, Esq., of Greensburg. Second. Frank B. Young, who, after being liberally educated in this country, was sent to Scotland to com- plete his studies, became a physician and a man of much eminence in literature, and was an intimate friend of Sir Walter Scott. He died in Scotland, un- married. Third. Ellen M. Young, who married Ephraim Douglass, of Uniontown, Fayette Co. Fourth. John Young, who was educated at Annap- olis, Md., became a midshipman, and was sent abroad to various naval stations. After his father's death, he, being the oldest living son, inherited the titles and estates of his father in Scotland, and became Laird of Forrester. He died in Greensburg in 1846, un- married. Fifth-. Statira Young, who lived and died in Greens- burg, unmarried. Sixth. Joseph Jameson Young, a lawyer, who set- tled in Indiana. After the death of his brother John, he went to Scotland and took possession of the estate above referred to, returned, and died in Indiana. Seventh. Elizabeth Forrester, who married James F. Woods, ,Esq., of Greensburg, Pa. Eighth. A daughter, died in infancy. About 1811 Mrs. Judge Young died, and the judge, remaining a widower for a year or so, took to wife the cousin of his deceased lady, Miss Statira Barclay, by whom he had two children, — Mary Jane, who be- came the wife of the late Hon. Henry Donnell Foster, at one time the foremost lawyer in the State; and Stephen Barclay Young, still living in Deer Creek, Allegheny Co. Judge Young was appointed president judge of the district over which he had judicial charge for thirty- one years in 1806, resigned his judgeship in 1837, and died Oct. 6, 1840, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. He was a gentleman of remarkable intellectual acquirements and moral characteristics. He was well versed in many languages, speaking rome seven dif- ferent tongues readily, one of which he acquired after he retired from the bench, he having been a man of very studious habits all his life. Of him are existing many pleasing legends, going to demonstrate his pos- session of the attributes of an unusually lofty and tender character. It is authentically stated of him that he was one of the most merciful of landlords. In seasons of short crops or of distress among his THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 333 numerous tenantry he was in the habit of sending to them, and frequently himself took to them, supplies of provisions, which he freely gave them. His benev- olences were a part of his current every-day life, and too much could not easily be said in his praise as a private citizen. JUDGE JEREMIAH MURKY BURRELL. In the preceding part of this chapter devoted to " The Bench and the Bar" is told at considerable length the story of the life of the late Jeremiah Murry Burrell, his career at the bar, as a politician, as an editor, in the Legislature, and upon the bench. Somewhat of his characteristics as a private gentleman are there also noted. This sketch is therefore brief, and made as little repetitious of the biographical notes referred to as it could well be, and is designed mainly to sup- plement them, especially in its latter paragraphs. Jeremiah M. Burrell was born in Murrysville, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Sept. 1, 1815. He was the son of Dr. Benjamin Burrell, who came from an east- ern county and settled in Murrysville in the practice of his profession, and in 1814 married Sarah Murry, daughter of Jeremiah Murry, Esq., a merchant and large landholder. Jeremiah was the only child of this marriage, and after receiving such elementary education as the village school afforded, entered a classical school taught by a Rev. Mr. Gill about three miles from his native village, and in which he studied Latin and the mathematics and prepared for enter- ing college. After a full course of collegiate traiuing at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Washington Co., Pa., he graduated with honor. His father having died, and young Burrell having decided to enter into the legal profession, his mother removed to Greens- burg, where he entered the office of Richard Coulter, afterwards a judge of the Supreme Court of the State, and after the due course of reading was admitted to the bar, and rapidly made progress into a good prac- tice, which became a large one. He possessed splen- did powers of oratory, which impressed his audiences in the very beginning of his career. While studying law he had stumped the county as a Democratic poli- tician, commanding great admiration, and making countless profitable acquaintanceships, which served him when he entered upon professional practice. He conducted the practice of the law with assiduity, faithfulness, and constantly increasing success for some years, meanwhile paying attention to politics, and at about thirty years of age was elected to the State Leg- islature, and continued therein, serving three succes- sive terms, the last the sessions of 1847^18. In 1847 he was appointed judge of the Tenth Judi- cial District of Pennsylvania, and in February, 1852, took his seat as judge of the same court under elec- tion (as elsewhere stated in detail), and held the post till 1855, when he was appointed by President Pierce judge of the Territorial District of Kansas. Leaving his family in Greensburg, he went to Kansas and en- 22 tered upon his professional duties in a time of great excitement over the slavery question. Judge Burrell entertained what was known as Douglas' "Squatter Sovereignty" policy in regard to that Territory, and which involved the proposition of the right of citi- zens of any State to take with them into the Territo- ries south of the Missouri Compromise line, without interference or opposition by others, whatever was regarded as property in their own State. If this policy was a mistaken one, it must be remembered that it was entertained by many able statesmen of the times, which were those of great political distress in the land, when no man was found wise and prophetic enough to foresee what one of the several conflicting propositions or policies of that day would prove the best or most expedient for the country, or be, all things considered, actually the most just. Judge Burrell's instincts and education inclined him to refined con- sideration for the rights of all men, and nothing but a supreme reverence for the Constitution of his coun- try could have allured him to lose sight for the mo- ment of the great question of positive and equal justice to and among all races of men. Suffering from malarial fever in Kansas, Judge Burrell returned to Greensburg in 1856, and after a sickness of some months' duration, died at his home, surrounded by his family, on the 21st day of October of that year. He married Miss Ann Elizabeth Richardson, daugh- ter of William H. and Henrietta D. Hubley Rich- ardson, of Greensburg. Of this union were six chil- dren, — Sarah Murry, intermarried with O. J. Greer, now residing in Bradford, Pa. ; William Richardson, deceasevl ; Henrietta Hubley, wife of George F. Huff; Benjamin, residing in Bradford ; Mary Richardson, married to J. M. West, Esq., of Bradford, Pa. ; and Jeremiah Murry, now a banker in Sanborn, Dakota Territory. Judge James Alexander Hunter, president judge of the Tenth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, is the son of Scotch-Irish parents, and was born in Lancaster County, Pa., April 18, 1835. Judge Hunter comes of a long-lived race, some of his ancestors in both his paternal and maternal lines having lived to be over one hundred years old. His father, James K. Hunter, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, died in Greensburg in 1879, aged ninety years, and his mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Stewart, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, is still living at the age of eighty - J three. His parents were married in Lancaster County in 1832, and removed from Eastern Pennsylvania to Westmoreland County in 1841. Judge Hunter received thorough common-school instruction, and by his own personal efforts provided himself with the means of obtaining an academic education. He taught common and select schools, and when he gave up teaching held a " professional certificate" from the county superintendent. He read law with Judge James Todd, of the Greens- 334 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. burg bar, formerly of Philadelphia, and who was attorney-general under Governor Ritner, and was ad- mitted to tbe bar in 1858, and opened an office for the practice of his profession in Greensburg. He soon after took into partnership Col. J. W. Greenawalt, who was mortally wounded at the battle of the Wilderness while in command of the One Hundred and Fifth Regi- ment Pennsylvania Volunteers. After the death of Col. Greenawalt lie entered into partnership with Hon. J. R. McAfee, the present Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth, who eventually retired from the firm to enter upon the publication of the Greensburg Tribune. Whereafter Judge Hunter formed a co- partnership with Jacob Beaumont, Esq., and that gentleman dying in 1870, he took into partnership W. H. Klingensmith, Esq., who is still in active practice, and with him Judge Hunter continued in partnership till he was appointed to fill the vacancy on the bench occasioned by the resignation of Judge Logan, of the Tenth Judicial District, in 1879. Judge Hunter was appointed the first register in bankruptcy under the United States bankrupt law of 1867 for the Twenty-first District of Pennsylvania, composed of the counties of Westmoreland, Indiana, and Fayette. Being elected to the State Legislature for the session of 1869, he resigned his office as regis- ter, and thereafter declined re-election to the Legis- lature on account of his professional practice, which he conducted till July, 1879, when he was appointed by Governor Hoyt president judge of the district, the judicial chair of which he now occupies under popu- lar election to the place in the fall of the same year. Ee was the candidate of the Republican 1 party for the office he now fills, and was elected by over a thousand majority over his opponent, the late Archibald A. Stewart, Esq., the Democratic nominee, in a largely Democratic district, and was commissioned president judge Dec. 4, 1879. Judge Hunter has never been other than Republican in politics, and since he came to the bar has taken an active part in all the important campaigns, and being a considerate gentleman, has ever borne himself fairly, without giving offense to opponents, he holding that abuse never gained friends tor any cause. The sense of justice and fairness exhibited by the citizen, lawyer, and politician could not but manifest itself, still more distinctly perhaps, in the judge, command- ing for Judge Hunter in his present official capacity the confidence and esteem of the bar and the public. Though not of robust physique, Judge Hunter bears certain indices of ability to endure extreme mental labor, and safely undergo close application to what- ever pursuit he might engage in. At this period of his judicial career it might be indelicate to himself, as well as of questionable taste as regards the public, to indulge here in speculative forecasts of the years that still remain of his first term in the judicial office, or the years that may be appended to them ; but it is always safe to say of a man of Judge Hunter's cast of mind and moral nature that he cannot well go back- ward in his career ; that steady and certain progress is the path which his essential character compels him to pursue; that not less but even more honors, duly won, lie along his course in life. Em.AK Cowax, LL.D., ex-United States Senator. -Senator Cowan is on the maternal side of Scotch- Irish extraction, and was born in Sewickley township, Westmoreland County, Sept. 19, 1815. The immigrant, Hugh Cowan, came to America at an early day and settled in Chester County, Pa., where William Cowan, the grandfather of the senator, was born on Christmas-day, 1749. He was a man of large stature and vigorous intellectual powers, and was a captain in the Revolutionary army. In the family of his grandfather Senator Cowan passed the early years of his childhood. Senator Cowan owed nothing to birth or fortune to tit him for his career in after-life, but he had an un- quenchable thirst for knowledge, and from earliest infancy read everything that came in his way. His first book was the Bible, the historical and legendary parts of which he has never neglected or forgotten. Along with this he had the " Vicar of Wakefield," "Robinson Crusoe," "Life of Franklin," "Pilgrim's Progress," "Afflicted Man's Companion," "Baxter's Call," etc. These were all read over and over again till literally worn out. He also went a few months in the year to the country school, learning a little arithmetic, the horizon of the schoolmaster at that day being bounded by the " rule of three." Grammar and geography were unknown. At the age of twelve he was able to borrow books in a circle of four or five miles, and he exhausted all within this area in a short time. " Rollin's Ancient History," with all its marvels, is still held by him in reverence for the de- lights it afforded him. "Good's Book of Nature" was his next Same, ami it heated him to such a de- gree that he determined to read medicine. "Wistar," "Homer," "Meiggs," " Richerand," " Eberle," " Chapman," and others occupied all his spare time as serious studies for some years, but his appetite for all general reading — novels, poetry, his- tory, etc. — greedily devoured the contents of every- thing readable whenever found. At the age of sixteen he commenced to keep a school in Elizabeth township, Allegheny County, but after six months it being irksome he quit it and re- turned back to Westmoreland County. For some time he was engaged in rough carpenter-work, after which he took to the river, building boats and mining coal down the Ohio. About the same time he ran a keel-boat from various places along the Youghio- gheny River which were accessible down to Pitts- burgh, carrying country produce and bringing back returns in money or merchandise. Having earned a little money in this way he entered the Greensburg Academy, and there learned the rudiments of Latin. Shortly after this he went back to school-teaching, ^p^^^^/.^ J C^tj^tyv^- THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 335 first in Rostra ver township, and then in West New- ton. Early in the fall of 1838 he went to Franklin College, Ohio, and graduated in the fall of 1839, de- livering the valedictory. In 1S71 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. In De- oember of that year, having concluded to study law, he entered himself in the office of Hon. Henry D. Foster as :i candidate for admission to the bar. The law not requiring him to read the first year in the office, he spent that year in West Newton and taught school most of the time. The year 1840 was cele- brated for the political campaign in which William Henry Harrison was elected President. Mr. Cowan conceiving that President Van Buren's administration was corrupt, joined the Whigs, and was somewhat conspicuous, along with the Hon. Joseph Lawrence, of Washington County, Hon. James Veeeh, of Fayette County, and the Hons. Thomas Williams ami Moses Hampton and Dr. William Flder, of Allegheny County, as a speaker in that campaign. The second year, 1841, he read closely in the office of Mr. Foster, and at February term, 1842, was admitted to the bar. He-was soon successful, and obtained a full and lucra- tive practice, the profits of which in great part he expended in books or anything else he wanted with- out purchasing real estate or in any way attempting to accumulate a fortune. In 1850 he purchased the home where he now resides, on West Pittsburgh Street, and which he has improved and made com- fortable. In 1856 he took an active part in the campaign for Fremont in preference to Fillmore and Buchanan, the former of whom represented Know-Nothingisin, the latter Indifferentism to the extension of slavery into the Territories of the United States. Mr. Cowan, on the contrary, was of the opinion that Congress was the proper authority to determine the character of new States admitted to the Union, as to whether they should or not allow African slavery. He dis- claimed any interference on the part of the free States with slavery as it existed in the slave States, but he contended that those States had themselves decided that negroes were dangerous property ; that in order to protect it the slave must be kept in ignorance, the tongues of free men must be tied, and the press muz- zled. And when the Northern people took into the Territories with themselves only innocent property, the South ought to enter on the same footing. Fremont was defeated, and the troubles in Kansas grew worse and worse, until its situation was little better than that of civil war. In 1860 all the ele- ments of the opposition in Pennsylvania united to form a " People's Party," sending delegates to the Chicago Convention which nominated Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Cowan was an elector, and was active in that memorable campaign. In January, 1861, he was elected to the United States Senate, taking his seat on the 4th of March, 1861. Secession was now rife in the cotton-growing States, and the situation was one of extreme difficulty. The South relied on the "Declaration of Independence" to justify their seces- sion ; the North, on the other hand, contended that the Constitution was paramount, and established a "Perpetual Union" of the States, in which the mi- nority of the people of any State had an equal right to maintain it with the majority, that the latter had no more right to secede than the former. Here per- haps it is safe to say that upon a fair count of the Southern people there was a majority for the Union, and upon a poll of the free States a. majority would have voted against " war" to compel the seceders to come back. The minds of men everywhere were unsettled, the administration was embarrassed, and hesitated as to the proper course to take. After five or six weeks of this painful uncertainty South Carolina settled it, 12th April, 1861, by an at- tack on Fort Sumter, then in the possession of the Federals. The North was ablaze in an instant, the insulted flag was on every housetop, and war was inevitable. It is curious to look back and observe how ignorant even the wisest men were as to the nature of the terrible conflict which was to follow. Jefferson Davis calculated that thirty thousand men could de- fend the Confederacy, and Mr. Seward predicted that in ninety days the Rebellion would be suppressed. Davis failed with half a million of as brave men as ever lived, and Seward had to wait four years before his prophecy could be verified. Mr. Cowan, in view of the war, laid down for his own guidance at least certain rules, from which he never swerved, and which in all his speeches he en- deavored to enforce: 1. The Union having been created by the Constitu- tion, to violate it was to justify disunion. The North can only justify herself in coercing the South by standing strictly on the Constitution. 2. There are two elements to be concilated, — First, the Democratic party in the free States; second, the Union men of the border States and the Confed- eracy. This can only be done by avoiding all legis- lation offensive to them, and all partisan crimination of which the secessionists could take advantage. 3. Congress should confine itself to providing suf- ficient revenue and raising armies, ignoring all party politics. 4. The war should be waged according to the rules of civilized warfare and the laws of nations, as be- came the dignity of the republic. 5. That the war being made to suppress a rebellion and not to make a conquest of the Confederate States, as soon as the rebels submitted the States should re- sume their functions in the Union according to the pledges of Congress on that subject. In pursuance of these rules he voted steadily against all unconstitutional projects, — "legal tender," "confis- cation," "national banks," "tenure of office," "recon- struction," " Freedman's Bureau," "civil rights," etc. He also opposed " test oaths," expulsion of senators 336 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. on party grounds, and the giving negroes the right of suffrage, etc. Mr. Cowan was chairman of the Committee on Pat- ents, a member of the Judiciary Committee, and after- wards of the Finance Committee. He was the author of the three hundred dollar clause in the conscription law, and he was mainly instrumental in preventing the bridge at Steubenville from being built with one- hundred-feet spans only ten feet above high-water mark with a draw. He had it raised to ninety feet, with spans three hundred feet. The original bill had passed the House, and had been favorably reported upon in the Senate before it attracted any attention. Had it passed it would have inevitably destroyed the lumber and coal trade of Western Pennsylvania on the Ohio River. Mr. Cowan was an "old-line Whig," and was largely instrumental in fusing that element with the 11 American and Republican" elements in Pennsylva- nia, on the sole ground of opposition to the intro- duction of slavery in the Territories of the United States. The canvass in Pennsylvania in 1860 was made on that issue, abolition being repudiated. When elected to the Senate he was almost entirely unknown, except in Southwestern Pennsylvania, hav- ing never held any office higher than that of school director; but he was known then as a leading lawyer, a classical scholar in ancient and modern literature, besides being fully abreast in science and philosophy with the best thought of the time. As a lawyer, in the Senate he took rank with Collamer, Browning, the elder Bogart, Reverdy Johnson, and Trumbull. Governor Hendricks, of Indiana, of Mr. Cowan says, " He was always listened to with interest. He was a dashing debater, and came into any controversy when it was at the highest, and was able to maintain him- self against much odds." A very graphic description of Mr. Cowan is given by the poet, N. P. Willis, in the Home Journal, as follows : "The drive to Hull's Hill was exceedingly beautiful, like an excursion in early October, made mainly interesting to me, however, by the com- pany 'if the eloquent senator who shared our carriage, the finest speci- men I have yet seen of brilliancy and learning, sprouting like luxuriant tendrils upou the rough type of a Kentucky Anak. Of his powerfully proportioned frame and finely-chiseled features the senator seemed as nat- urally unconscious as of his singular readiness and universal erudition. He comes from the western part of Pennsylvania, and has passed his life as half-huntsman, half-schoolmaster and lawyer, being a distinguished man only because other people were not so, evidently quite unable to help it. His speech for the Hags, very flowing and fine, has been reported at length in the papers. 1 It was stirring to watch the faces of the men as 1 One or two passages from Senator Cowan's speech at the presentation of the flags will show the importance of flag-influence in war: "... I am also further instructed to say to you that by the terms of j the law directing the Governor to procure colors for each regiment now i in the field for the defense of the Union, it was also provided that when the war was over, and you bad returned victorious (as it is the earnest i wish and prayer of all the people of our good old Commonwealth that you may), your gallant feat* in anus trill be inscribed on these flags, in order that they may be laid away among the archives of the State, there to re- | main for all coming ages, a fit memorial of your valor. It may be, too, i that when the republic is again in danger, these standards u-ill be brought out, j they looked on and listened to him. I realized what eloquence might do in the inspiring of pluck for the battle!'* The Washington correspondent of the Boston Post thus describes Senator Cowan : "As Trumbull and Johnson occupied the leading position in the ex- citing debate on the' Civil Rights Bill, I find I have left myself too little space in which to strive to convey some fair idea of Cowan, of Pennsyl- vania, measuring some 6ix feet three inches, possessed of avoice like the diapason of a small church organ, and a habit of using it in two distinct octaves. Senator Cowan is certainly a most peculiar and impressive speaker, and possesses one great merit, that of never speaking unless he has something to say. When he rises in the central aisle, and with his tall figure dwarfing everything about him, sends his rolling voice sailing on the waves of fetid air that forms the atmosphere of the ill-ventilated chamber, he reminds one of the description Carlyle gives of Mirabeau in the French Convention of 1789. He is to the Conservative Republi- cans what Johnson is to the Democrats and Trumbull to the Radicals, the oratorical exponent of policy. If he is less philosophic than Johnson, and if he be not as casuistic as Trumbull, he possesses more of that peculiar quality, clear common sense, and a practical way of stating it than either." A correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial gives the following sketch of Senator Cowan, the accuracy of which will be appreciated by all acquainted with the gentleman. Alluding to the late debate on the Post-office Bill, the writer says, — " And now a gaunt, angular man at the right of Mr. Doolittle takes the floor. You are struck first with his height, Bharpnessnf visage, and extraordinary powers of voice. In the management of the latter, it seems as if those guttural tones were lowered to the utmost for the ex- press accommodation of men of less altitude and smaller grasp of the perceptive faculties. There is a musical rumble, and a most pleasing diction, however, about every period, and such an assumption of power and held up before the eyes of your children, so that the glorious record em- blazoned upon them may incite them to imitate your exampleand emu- late your courage in the defense of their country and its constitution. . . . What a magical influence that symbol of our country's national honor exerts over us all ! In the month of April last the loyal people were plowing and sowing in the fields, hammering in the workshops, and trading at the counters and upon the wharves, incredulous of dan- ^T a in I careless of the coming storm. Suddenly the news came, like an electric shock, that the rebels round Furt Sumter had fired on our flag. Startled and indignant, as if the shot had been directed against himself, every true man was on his feet in an instant, and the banner thus in- sulted was immediately consecrated the idol of the people. It was every- where, it waved on every house-top, it fluttered in every breeze, and it was conclusive proof of disloyalty not to bow before it in the day of its first humiliation. The great heart of the nation was stirred to its very depths, and its beating might be heard in the heavy tramp of thousands of armed men hurrying to the field of battle to wipe out the national disgrace and visit dire retribution upon the heads of those who had caused it. . . . These are the flags of that 'destiny.* To your bauds I commit them. I know that then they will never be dishonored. Yuu have both of you (Col. Samuel Black and Col. J. W. McLean) long years ago given a soldier's earnest of your fidelity to the Republic. Yuu have already followed its flag in the conquest of an empire. One of you assisted in carrying it in a continued succession of triumphs from the Rio Grande to Buena Vista, through Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey,— all now names in history, and monuments of a renown in which your share was honorable. The other accompanied it from Veia Cruz to Mexico, and saw the glories of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Molina del Rey, Chapultepec, and Tacubaya by the way, till it waved finally in undisputed mastery over the halls of the Montezumas. Never can they be confided to more deserving hands. Take them, they are still auspicious of victory, and the righteous cause which has hallowed them ever — the cause of the people — will hallow them still, and assure it. The spirits of your fathers, mighty dead, will hover over your battle-fields, silent witnesses of your heroism in showing yourselves worthy of such sires. The God of battles, too, watches over the brave and true. His blessing is upon you, and the sheltering wing of his mercy is about you and us, to save us all by you, in this the darkest hour of the nation's peril." THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 337 and right, figuring in every gesture mid mannerism, that it would not be hard to convince the auditors above the floor that this is the Hercules of senatorial debate. Yet there is one other marked and singular char- acteristic of the speaker that astonishes and overshadows the whole effect. It is the abandon of declamation, the continual sway of that towering bulk, and a Imp-hazard style of putting those stentorian truths, which, in connection with the magnificent mil and volume of voice, cannot fail to completely engross and surprise the hearer. At this time he is taking the majority of bis senatorial coadjutors to task for a want of toleration and a lack of respect for the opinions of the minority. The strictures are put forth with such a sweep and power of utterance— just a shade of ironical pomposity in the tone— that one can hardly look upon the subjects of such lordly censure without giving way to a sym- pathetic influence to belittle and district from them too." Hon. George Sanderson, mayor of the city of Lan- caster, in his paper, as below quoted from, describes the speech made by Mr. Cowan in that city Sept. 20, 1368, as the ablest and most telling speech of the campaign : "The Democratic meeting at the court-house on Monday was one of the largest assemblages of the kind ever witnessed in this city. Every seat was filled, all standing space was occupied, and very many were forced to leave without being a'de to get inside the large court-room. It was not a mere partisan demonstration. It was an assemblage of the earnest, thinking men of Lancaster, drawn together by patriotic motives and a desire to bear the great political questionsof the day discussed by a man of the most marked ability, one who faithfully represented the people of Pennsylvania in the highest council of the nation, a man who could not be lured into the indorsement of unconstitutional measures and pernicious legislation by any allurements of place, power, or pecu- niary profit. Hon. Edgar Cowan, the chief orator of the occasion, is respected by honest men of all parties, and esteemed us a truthful, high- minded gentleman, possessing the judgment to discern what the best interests of bis country demand, aud the resolute will to carry out his conscientious convictions regardless of consequences to himself. " During Mr. Cowan's speech he was constantly interrupted by spon- taneous outbursts of applause, at one point the audience rising en masse to their feet and cheering with full and united voices. We never saw an audience listen so attentively. " During two hours scarcely a man in the vast throng moved, though many of them were uncomfortably crowded and numbers compelled to staud." The Greensburg Herald of Dec. o, 1860, concerning Mr. Cowan's expected election, has the following: " It is sad that the ' hour brings the man,' so now we have the man for the hour. In Edgar Cowan, Esq., of Greensburg, all the requisites for the position harmoniously combine. Already is he looked upon by those who know him intimately &h one, if not the most prominent among the candidates. This being the fact, it is proper that we should now, in brief, give the public at large not so well posted some of the outlines of Mr. Cowan's fitness. " He is a native of Westmoreland County, now in bis forty-sixth year. From infancy almost he was, like many of the great men of our nation, thrown upon his own resources. At the close of bis collegiate course, early in lS4 ioyal man ever did or would have complained of it kindly done in the proper spirit. " ' I have only to say in conclusion, sir, that I hope that the joint reso- lution will not be repealed, and that this and all kindred projects will fail in the future, for the simple reason that they strengthen the rebels by uniting their people with them, and they weaken the Union cause by dividing its friends and distracting them with unnecessary issues. Let us unite upon the single idea of suppressing the armed opposition to the government. Let the energies of the nation be devoted solely to that purpose, and success may yet come, if success is possible.'" The following is from the Pittsburgh Leader, inde- pendent, but generally favoring the Republican party: "THE COMING CONFLICT. "The Next U.S. Sknator. "It is not from among those who are willing only that a great Com- monwealth like ours should make its selection for such an honorable place, now, indeed, sadly dishonored by the character, or rather want of character, of some who now represent many of the States in that body, but it should search until it finds, as fit to be its representatives, men of high and commanding intellect, of earnestness and force, and of sound practical judgment. " Of all the men named for that position there are none the superior and but tew the equal, in point of ability, of Hon. Edgar Cowan, of West- moreland County. " Taking his seat iu ISfil as a senator of the United States, elected by what was then known as the ' People's party,' this gentleman, while properly enough upholding in so far as was just and right the political interests of his particular party, did not feel bound to follow it in all its windings. Regarding the preservation of the Union aso»eof the first es- sentials to the peace and prosperity of the people of lioth sections, and ut- [fi l\ opposed ii» every proposition looking to a dissolution of the Union, peaceful or otherwise, Mr. Cowan was ready and earnest at all times iu his support of the government in putting down the Rebellion. But believ- ing that legal power enough existed, under the Constitution, iu the Fed- eral government to enable it to maintain itself, he opposed every infrac- tion of that instrument. The Constitution, he believed, was intended to be maintained inviolate, just as he believed the Union must be preserved ; but he could not see, as did the party iu power, the necessity of violating the one to preserve the other. A preserved Union with a violated Con- stitution would be such an Union as heaven and hell, held togetheronly by the power of the strong, the unquestioned masters, the weaker un- questioning serfs. The oaths Mr. Cowan had taken to support and main- tain the Constitution were not esteemed by him as idle pledges, to be taken to-day and cast off to-morrow, but obligations binding here and hereafter. All this time, and iu all the long years that ran through a fierce and bloody war, Mr. Cowan looked not behind him, and as bill after bill was presented, and law after law was enacted violating the plainest letter and the clearest spirit of the Constitution, he vainly implored his Radical col- leagues to stay their mad hands in the work of destroying all that was good and grand in our government, that they might supply its place with an Union broken and a Constitution destroyed forever. "Against the unjust expulsion of Senator Bright, of Indiana; against the insane schemes of men crazed with the fury of fanaticism, who sought by unconstitutional and wicked confiscation laws to impoverish the whole South and to make private property lawful prize of war; against legal-tender acts, which debased our currency and made the dol- lar of to-day the half-dollar of to-morrow, changing daily and hourly, with victory or defeat, the standards and measures of value ; against the JJ. JP J^a . Mrs. Margaret Singer Tur- ney was born May 11, 17H2, and is still living, in the clear possession of unimpaired mental faculties, an intelligent, sprightly, and witty lady, a woman of re- markable accuracy of memory, which seems to be as unclouded now as ever. Jacob and Margaret Turney became the parents of five sons and two daughters, — Daniel ; Nancy Wil- liams, who married Robert Story, of Hempfield, West- moreland Co., and died Feb. 5, 1881, in the sixtjj seventh year of her age; Samuel Singer Tunny, a printer by trade, formerly editor of the Pennsylvania & a, (2/£^ ' yrufd/:- THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 343 'Argus, and from about 1870 to 1882, postmaster of Greensburg; Lucien B. ; Lucinda-, intermarried with Richard B. Kenley, of Ludwick; Robert Williams, now, and for over twenty-five years past, connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad ; and Jacob, Jr. Jacob Turney was born in Greensburg, Feb. 18, 1825, and received his literary education in the com- mon schools, and in Greensburg Academy, and re- verts with special affection to Peter R. Pearsol, a famous instructor in the common schools. During the years of his minority, Mr. Turney, while attend- ing school a portion of the year, devoted other por- tions to some business occupation, and among other things learned the printer's trade. After learning that trade he was appointed and served as deputy sheriff, and thereafter attended the academy, leaving which he engaged as clerk in the register's and re- corder's office of the county, and while so engaged commenced reading law under the direction of Hon. A. G. Marchand, at that time a man of great emi- nence in his profession. Mr. Marchand dying before Mr. Turney had completed his studies, he continued reading under Henry C. Marchand, and was admitted to the bar at May term, 1849, and entered upon the practice of his profession, at once securing to himself, through a large acquaintanceship made while in the recorder's office, and by his personal manners, -which were popular, and in no measure calculated to antag- onize others, a lucrative practice. In 1850 he was elected district attorney of Westmoreland County by a large majority over his competitor, being the first district attorney elected under the then new law. He was re-elected in 1853, and served till 1856., During his term of office the Pennsylvania Railroad was in process of construction, giving rise to an unusual ammint of criminal business. Trials for murder were frequent, and Mr. Turney obtained prominence as a practitioner, especially by the long-contested trial of George Ward and Malcom Gibson, charged with the murder of Lunciuda Sechrist, a case enumerated among the remarkable criminal trials of the land, and which resulted in their conviction of murder in the first degree. But on a new trial granted, the pris- oners, after a protracted trial, were, to the astonish- ment of the community, who generally condemned the jury for their verdict, acquitted, when they imme- diately left the region. The noted case of Hugh Cor- rigan, indicted for the murder of his wife, known as "Big Mary," convicted of murder in the first degree, and condemned to be hung, but who cheated justice by taking a dose of poison a few days before the ap- pointed time of execution, will be long remembered as one of the remarkable trials conducted by Mr. Turney. In 1855-56, Mr. Turney, being an earnest Demo- crat, took a prominent part against the Know-Nothing or American party, and stumped the county in oppo- sition to that organization. In 1856 he was one of the Presidential electors who cast the vote of the State for James Buchanan for President, and in 1857 was nominated, without solicitation on his part, for the State Senate, and was elected senator for the district composed of Westmoreland and Fayette Counties for the term of three years, served during the term, and at the close of the session of 1859 was elected president of the Senate. During the late war Mr. Turney was known as a pronounced War-Democrat, and in 1871 he was pre- vailed upon to permit the use of his name in the hopelessly Republican district of Westmoreland and Indiana Counties as a candidate for the State Senate in opposition to Gen. Harry White, and was defeated by a reduced Republican majority. In 1874 he became the Democratic candidate of the Twenty-first District, composed of the counties of Westmoreland, Fayette, and Greene, for Congress, and was elected representative to the Forty-fourth Congress, and in 1876 was elected to the Forty-fifth Congress. During his congressional career he served upon the Committees on Elections and Privileges, Mines, Mining, and Territories, and other committees with great credit to his constituents. Leaving Congress, Mr. Turney returned to the practice of his profession, which he is now actively ami profitably pursuing. Though eminently success- ful in his official career and gratified by the confidence reposed in him by his constituents, Mr. Turney re- gards it as a mistake in a professional man to even temporarily abandon his practice for public life. Feb. 2, 1854, Mr. Turney married Miss Mary Stew- art Richardson, daughter of William H. and Hen- rietta D. Richardson, of Indiana County, by whom he has had eight children, seven of whom are living, — Barton R., deceased ; Catharine M., married to A. L. Kinkead, Esq., of Pittsburgh ; Mary Stewart, William R,, Thomas C, Elizabeth F., Jacob M., and Hen- rietta M. Jambs Russ McAfee. — The grandparents of James R. McAfee on his paternal side migrated to America from the north of Ireland and settled in Franklin County, on the Conococheague. They were the par- ents of two children, a daughter and a son, May and John. May married Thomas McCurdy about 1800, and subsequently removed to Indiana County, Pa., there raising a family of ten children, only two of whom are now living. The son, John, the father of J. R. McAfee, removed from Franklin County to Westmoreland County about. 1801, and in 1806 was married to Mary Thompson, a daughter of John Thompson, a native of County Derry, Ireland, who about 1775 settled on a farm on the Big Sewickley, in South Huntington township. Mr. John McAfee and his wife immediately after marriage settled near Smithton, on the Youghio- gheny River, on a farm whereon they resided a few years, and thence removed to Indiana township, Alle- gheny Co., and there settled on a farm which Mr. McAfee bought from the late James Ross, Esq., of 344 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Pittsburgh, who was the Federal candidate for Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania in 1798, and after whom the subject of this sketch was named. To these parents were born four sous and six daugh- ters,— Joseph, William, John, James Boss, Matilda, Catharine Eaton, Margaret, Mary, Nancy, and Jane. The last-named daughter died in infancy. The rest of the children lived to maturity. John McAfee died on the 28th of March, 1834, in the fifty-eighth year of his age, Mrs. McAfee on the 24th of March, 1870, in the ninety-first year of her age. James Ross McAfee was born in Indiana township. Allegheny Co., Pa., March 10, 1822. He was raised upon the farm, and received his education in the com- mon and select schools and the Greensburg Academy, but when eighteen years of age engaged in teaching school, and occupied himself more or less with teach- ing for a period of ten years. In 1850 he entered upon merchandising, and continued at that business till 1857, when he was elected superintendent of com- mon schools of Westmoreland County (May, 1857), and served from the 1st of June of that year till June 1, 1860. In 1859, during his term as superintendent, he was entered as a law student in the office of Gen. Richard Coulter, and read law with him until the lat- ter went into the army in the war of the Rebellion, when Mr. McAfee entered the office of James A. Hun- ter, Esq., now Judge Hunter, and with him completed his studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. From 1862 to 1864, Mr. McAfee served as assistant United States assessor for the Twenty- first District of Pennsylvania. In 1864 he resigned the position of assistant assessor, and was elected to the House of Rep- resentatives of Pennsylvania from the Westmoreland and Indiana District, and was re-elected in 1865. He served as assistant clerk of the State Senate for seven years, and one year as assistant clerk of the House. In 1879 he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth under the administration of Governor Hoyt, in which he is now serving. In 1868, Mr. McAfee was one of the Republican delegates of his district to the Chicago National Con- vention which nominated Gen. Grant for President and Schuyler Colfax Vice-President. In the same year he was one of the two secretaries of the Re- publican State Central Committee of Pennsylvania, Galusha A. Grow being chairman. Mr. McAfee was originally a Whig, and cast his first vote for President for Henry Clay in 1844, and has been identified with the Republican party from its birth to the present. In July, 1870, McAfee established The Greensburg Tribune, and in January, 1872, bought out and con- solidated with his paper the Greensburg Herald, and associated with himself as proprietors and editors D. S. Atkinson and T. J. Weddell, Esqs. In 1874, Mr. Weddell retired from the paper, selling his interest to his co-proprietors, and the business of the establish- ment has since been conducted under the firm-name of McAfee & Atkinson. Jan. 23, 1844, Mr. McAfee was united in marriage to Miss Maria E. Reed, daughter of the late Joseph and Sarah Gilchrist Reed, of New Alexandria, West- moreland Co. Mr. and Mrs. Reed subsequently re- moved to Ashland, Ohio, in which place both of them died. Mrs. McAfee died March 18, 1852. She was the mother of four children,— two sons and two daughters. One of the sons died in infancy, the other in his twentieth year. The daughters are still living. Feb. 15, 1853, Mr. McAfee married Miss Louisa A. Craig, eldest daughter of the late Samuel and Sally A. Hogg Craig, of Saltsburg, Indiana Co. CHAPTER XLIV. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. The Profession in the Early Days of the Province and State, and in Westmoreland— Quackery— Dr. James Postlethwaite— John Ormsby, M.D.— Dr. Alfred T. King— Dr. David Alter— The Westmoreland Med- ical Association and Society— List of Enrolled Practitioners— Dr. Henry G. Lomison— Dr. David Alter— Dr. James A. Fulton— Dr. J. Q. Robinson— Dr. W. J. Kline— Dr. J. T. Krepps— Dr. J. D. Milligan. The position which the medical profession has always occupied in the history of the Province and the State is a matter of just pride to all Pennsyl- vanians. In commenting upon this subject in the time of the colony, a knowing author has collected certain facts which we shall make use of substantially as he has. 1 In the colonies of the South medical men, as a class, were in themselves of little merit, and socially and politically had no importance, whence in Penn- sylvania the case was exactly reversed. Although Gabriel Thomas asserts, in mentioning the attractions of the colony, that it had neither lawyers nor doctors, and was therefore both peaceable and healthy, yet there is no doubt that two physicians of good reputa- tion came out with Penn, and that from that time on the profession was respected, and was always extend- ing its influence and its services. The country phy- sicians, except in the back districts, where the prac- tice was of the rudest sort, were apparently men of good repute, eking out a slender professional income by fanning or shop-keeping, but the most eminent of the profession were gathered, of course, in Philadel- phia. The best doctors were expected to be apotheca- ries as well, a"nd dispense medicines to their patients. They almost invariably walked in making their round of visits in the towns, and in the country rode on horseback. Midwifery was given up exclusively to the women. The profession, as a whole, was of a re- markably good quality, and it is said that in all Phil- adelphia there were not more than two or three 1 H. C. Lodge, Hi6t. of (he Bug. Col. in America, chap. xiii. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 345 quacks. The services rendered to the progress of medical science by the profession in Pennsylvania were as great if not greater than in any other colony, and were in themselves very considerable. Inocula- tion was successfully introduced in 1731, although not without the usual hard contest with existing preju- dices. Three years later, Dr. Thomas Cadwalader, a graduate of the London schools, published an essay upon the " Iliac Passion," the first medical essay pro- duced in Pennsylvania, and one of the earliest which appeared in the colonies. About the middle of the century he began to lecture upon anatomy, and was the pioneer in this branch of medical instruction. He was also one of the first physicians appointed to the hospital founded in Philadelphia in the year 1750. Ten years later, Dr. William Shippen began a course of anatomical lectures in a private house, and by these small beginnings he and his friend, Dr. Morgan, suc- ceeded in starting the medical college which in the year 1765 was ingrafted upon the University of Penn- sylvania. Dr. Shippen subsequently did much to raise the practice of midwifery from the rule of thumb methods of the old women, who had a monopoly of this department. These energetic and able men, among whom Dr. Rush, famous also by his contro- versy with Cobbett, held a leading place, were fair examples of their profession. They were men of family, position, and wealth, were educated abroad, and were adherents of the English school. They not only did much to advance medical science in America, but they helped to break the old tradition of barbers and apothecaries, which even now weighs upon med- icine in England, and to put the profession in its true position, and to render it attractive, honorable, and desirable to men of all ranks and of the highest at- tainments. The people of Westmoreland were fortunately fa- vored in early having good medical practitioners among them, but these were few, and complaint was made that even then the status of the profession, taken generally, was not high. In an article prepared for and published in Tlie Greensbnrg Gazette in June, 1824, entitled "The Medi- cal Character of Westmoreland County," the writer took special occasion to refer to the necessity of legisla- tive action for the protection of the medical profession, and to show at length the evil effects of quackery in the profession at that day. It is probable that the article might have been instigated by personal motives ; but even if it was, the characterof the contributor, who was evidently a practitioner in good standing and a com- petent authority, entitles it to our observation. We give the latter part of the article entire as a contribu- tion to the medical literature of the county: " But let us," he says, " proceed to the more imme- diate object of this communication, viz., a review of the medical character of this county, from which it will appear whether a few salutary restrictions on the practice of physic would not procure more whole- some effects than some of the alterations in our tariff that have called forth so much eloquence and argu- ment from some of the first men of the nation. " There are about forty persons in this county who follow the practice of medicine for a living. But how few of this number are entitled to the honorable epithet of physician? Not more, I will venture to say, than one-fourth. There are a few gentlemen of that profession who hold a distinguished rank, who have been gifted by nature with comprehensive, vigorous, and penetrating minds, and who have pre- pared themselves for the important duties of their station by a regular and systematic education — men to whose skill and honesty I would cheerfully in- trust myself if in need of their assistance ; but the fact is notorious and unanswerable that it is but a small minority that merit this character. Much the greatest number come under a very different descrip- tion, a description easily drawn by reversing that which has just been given. " Encouraged by the total want of anything in the laws of Pennsylvania regulating the practice of physic, as is customary in all well-regulated govern- ments, and in most of our sister-States, an establish- ment was formed in this county many years since by a notable junto of quacks. Perhaps their history should be more distinctly traced to one individual, whose name is familiar to almost every person in the county, a man who but a short time previous to his settlement here is said to have laid aside the more creditable employment of a blacksmith, — a business certainly not well calculated to fit him for his new profession. With scarely as much knowledge of his mother-tongue as would enable him to read a common English author, and not as much as would enable him to write legibly, without any knowledge of dis- ease or the nature and power of remedies, or of the structure of the human system, he began his career, depending wholly and solely on his cunning, his effrontery, and his ignorance. "As there are materials in human nature of every grade and description, this man soon found subjects on whom to commence his operation. To those who were of the most ignorant class, and who are always disposed to lend their belief to what is marvelous and incredible, he told the most wondrous tales of cures and opera- tions that he had performed elsewhere. When ap- plied to, even in trifling cases, his first object was to put some terrific name upon the disease, and alarm the patient as much as possible by pointing out the danger of his situation. For instance, a common cold would be called ' catarreous fever,' or ' consumption ■' a disordered stomach would be called ' scurvey of the stomach,' and an innocent wart a ' cancer.' In this way not only the patient himself, but whole neighborhoods were led to believe that cures which were in fact no cures were performed by him, and were to be consid- ered as most astonishing evidences of his skill in the healing art. 346 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. " Another method pursued by this 'mighty mock de- frauder of the tomb' was to follow business wherever he could find it when business did not follow him, — to take patronage, as it were, by storm. For instance, did he hear of a neighbor being sick, under the sem- blance of benevolence and disinterested love, he would take his horse, visit him, and tender his services. If ho had children to vaccinate, he would expatiate on the dangers of smallpox and the efficacy of vaccination, and humbly request the privilege of performing the service, waiving altogether for that time the idea of compensation. This, however, would serve for book entry and after-consideration. " In short, no species of villany, hypocrisy, or de- ception was left unresorted to, and it is truly aston- ishing with what success he employed them, for it is to be confessed, to the disgrace of the good sense of the country, that his business extended far and wide. " I have been thus particular in describing the char- acter of this individual because, as he was the origin of a regular system of quackery in this settlement, he has ever stood the envied sample of imitation for that batch of young adventurers who have passed under his talismanic touch, and issue forth under the im- posing name of ' Yankee Doctors.' "These creatures he was in the habit of gathering up in dozens from the rejected filth of society, drill- ing them a few weeks in the art and mystery of quackery, ami then sending them forth to prey upon the vitals of the community. And of this same fra- ternity are many professors of the healing art at pres- ent in this and the adjoining counties. Their progress can be traced in whatever direction they have gone by the numerous victims to their rashness, ignorance, villany, and seduction. Many a father mourns a promising member of bis family nipped by their rude hands in the blossom of life; and many an innocent but senseless girl points to them as the authors of her crime and the murderers of her peace." Not many fields more congenial to the quack and the empiric could be found than the back country of Western Pennsylvania some three generations ago. It was not until the warm sun o-f enlightenment had well-nigh reached the noouday height of this cen- tury that the phantoms of a traditionary superstition one by one fled before his penetrating rays from then- latest lurking-places in the dusky abodes of credulity and ignorance. At this day, it cannot be gainsaid, traces of the same credulity still exist, but they now exist as the nature of the wolf exists in the habits of the house-dog. This credulity is now covert; it was then open and palpable. And even in districts not accessible to the doctor of the nearest village, or among those who were too poor or too mean to ask the services of a doctor, there was always some one in the neighborhood who stood ready to cure and heal by virtue of occult mysteries. The flow of blood was stopped by reading a passage from the Scripture ; spells of acute forms were traceable to the manifesta- tion of evil spirits ; and even chronic and constitu- tional disease in their worst forms, and for which medical therapeutics to this day has failed to pre- scribe a cure, were brought within the list of curable afflictions which such miserable knaves professed to heal. Empiricism and quackery have existed in the hon- orable profession of medicine from time immemorial. It is the peculiarity of quacks that they are as out- spoken against regularly educated physicians as they are forward in professing their own systems and ob- truding their knavery upon a helpless following. So it is related of Paracleus, the prince of empirics, that he treated his contemporary physicians with the most sottish insolence and illiberal vanity, and told them that "the very down on his bald pate had more knowledge than all their writers, the buckles of his shoes more learning than Galen and Avicenna, and his beard more experience than all their universities." This man flourished in the fifteenth century, near Zurich, in Switzerland, and under the shadow of a famous seat of learning. But he scarcely professed to greater and more numerous cures than Dr. Ormsby, and had no panacea more efficacious in his dispensary than was to be found in the saddle-bags of the ma- jority of country doctors two generations ago. Blue- mass was to these what the holy ointment of Fierabras was to Don Quixote. But the land was then cursed not only with quacks but also with knaves. Of the presence of these med- ical impostors — used for want of a better addition — there is abundant evidence. Of one, the most con- spicuous of these, we shall have something to say after, however, dwelling at some length upon one wdio has been regarded with the greatest veneration in his pro- fession, and who was an ornament to it and a blessing to his race. JAMES POSTLETHWAITE. James Postlethwaite, the subject of this memoir, was the seventh son of Samuel and Matilda Postle- thwaite, citizens of Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa. He was born in that town on the 12th of January, 1776. His father, Col. Samuel Postlethwaite, was a plain, sensible citizen, who was respected for inflex- ible integrity, and very much liked on account of his mild, friendly, and amiable disposition. He died at an advanced age, in his garden, of an attack of apoplexy. He was born in this country, but was of English descent. Goldthwaite, Cowperthwaite, Thistlethwaite, and Postlethwaite are all names of Teutonic origin, and not uncommon in Yorkshire and the north of England. The maiden name of the mother of Dr. Postle- thwaite was Matilda Rose. Her father was a lawyer, distinguished in his profession for unusual ability. Pre-eminent among the early physicians of West- moreland was Dr. James Postlethwaite. It is a loss to the little world of Western Pennsyl- THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 347 vania, says bis biographer, 1 that Dr. Postlethwaite had ao fidus Achates to preserve and transmit his col- loquial remarks, for they are certainly more worthy of a place in libraries than a large part of the " Con- versations" and " Recollections," "Ana," "Table- Talk" that have been recorded and preserved for future generations. But all this is somewhat digres- sive, and so revenonsanosmoutons. James Postlethwaite was placed at a very early age at a grammar school, which was under the superin- tendence of the celebrated Ross, a most accurate and learned linguist, whose grammar of the Latin lan- guage was so long the one used in American acade- mies and colleges, and where the accidence of Latin is so simplified and its acquisition so facilitated that it has all the information coutained in the Scottish and English classical grammars, without any of their laborious and painful pedantry. With such a pre- ceptor, Teucro auspice el Teucro duce, how could Pos- tlethwaite fail to attain an extensive and critical knowledge of Latinity ? Dickinson College, at Carlisle, was then regarded as one of the best institutions of learning in the United States. It was then under the control of the Presbyterian denomination, at that time the most wealthy and numerous body of Christians in Penn- sylvania. For more than a score of years it has been in the hands of the Methodists, and, without meaning any disrespect to that religious sect, it may be stated that Dickinson has degenerated from its former high character. It may be that hitherto Methodism has depended too much upon divine assistance, and neg- lected t lie carnal means for the acquisition of knowl- edge. This neglect or contempt of mere human or secular knowledge is not sustained by the authority or examples of Holy Scripture, for worldly wisdom and useful knowledge are subjects of fine and frequent praise in the sacred writings. Moses was imbued with the profound erudition of the priesthood of Egypt, and the Apostle Paul knew so well the histrionic lit- erature of Greece that he could embellish his dis- courses with extracts from their dramatice writers as readily as an English divine can adorn his sermons with quotations from Shakspeare: for example the following line from Euripides, which, quoted by the apostle, and thus made well known, has passed into a proverb in nearly all Christendom, "Evil communi- cations corrupt good manners." When Dr. Postlethwaite was a youth a liberal edu- cation was then far more limited than it is at jjresent. For instance, Dr. Postlethwaite was considered to be well educated in his day, and yet, although a first- class Latinist, he knew nothing of Greek beyond the alphabet. For enlarged and liberal education at that time the American people had not the opulence, the books, or the speedy and constant communication 1 James Jolmstun, Esq., to whom we are much indebted in this sketch, and for other personal reminiscences. with the old seats of learning in Europe. Often, too, the pressing necessities of existence, limited means, and large families forced men upon the stage of life before they had acquired a complete preparation. At an early age James Postlethwaite left college, and in June, 1792, commenced the study of medicine in the office of Samuel A. MeCoskey, a successful and popular practitioner in Carlisle. The extent of his acquirements at his time of life was a matter of gen- eral astonishment. He was indebted for them in part to himself, and in part to nature. His ardor in pur- suit of knowledge was indefatigable, and the ease with which he unfolded the intricacies and evolved the complications of any subject, no matter how recondite, appeared not like the effect of study, but like acts of intuitive apprehension. Sir Walter Scott had not yet shown mankind what wonders could be worked in the field of romantic fiction, and the sun of Lord Byron had not arisen to attract and awe the learned world by its lurid splen- dors. The genius, learning, and taste of Robertson, Hume, Goldsmith, Smollett, Gibbon, and Rollin had illuminated and popularized historical researches, and this renascency of this kind of learning in the latter half of the last century, along with a natural inclina- tion of mind on the part of James Postlethwaite, had caused the careful perusal of history to be a daily duty with him, and by the change itself constituted an amusement in the intervals of severe professional study that ultimately tended to the invigoration of his mental powers, while at the same time it fur- nished him with a fund of accurate and extensive historical information, which armed him cap-a-pie in religious and political controversy. Of all the muses he liked Clio best, the heroic muse of history, and his heart kept time to the grand strain wherewith the poet salutes her, and which bursts upon the ear like a full band of martial music, — " Quern Deum, or Heroa l.vra, vel acri Tibia siimus celebrare, Clio?" In 1795 and 1796, James Postlethwaite went to Philadelphia to obtain medical instruction in the University, and its rolls bear evidence of his matricu- lation. He had the rare felicity of listening to the wisdom of those Esculapian sages who first gave the medical school of Philadelphia the high reputation it has since enjoyed. These eminent physicians and lecturers were Drs. Shippen, Wistar, and Benjamin Rush, who were seldom equaled and never surpassed by those who succeeded them. In 1794 there had been an insurrection in Western Pennsylvania to resist the payment of a small tax laid upon whiskey by the Federal government. Al- though a youth in years, yet a man in knowledge, ; James Postlethwaite had accompanied the military expedition west to quell the rebellious rising in the capacity of an assistant surgeon. He so well liked the country west of the mountains that when he had 348 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. finished his medical education he resolved to locate himself in Westmoreland County. In 1797, mounted on horseback, he directed his course towards the new home of his destination. He did not depart joyously, like a young man full of animal spirits and the love of adventure. It was with a heavy heart, and eyes moistened with tears that he halted on a hill westward of his native place and took a long, mournful, lingering look over it and its beautiful scenery. Nearly all love their native places, but Carlisle had reasons peculiar to herself for the at- tachment of her children. Carlisle was the centre of an intelligent, handsome, and well-mannered popula- tion, in a rich and highly-cultivated agricultural dis- trict. It possessed one of the best institutions of learning in the United States. It had been a British military station before the Revolution ; there were re- mains of old-fashioned, old-world manners, and when Dr. Postlethwaite migrated there were still reminis- cences of rufile-shirted, silk-stockinged, periwigged, red-coated officers, who had jigged and jilted, floun- dered, flounced, and fluttered before the deluge of the Revolution among the fair dames and damsels of the valley of the Cumberland. But though Carlisle be a bonny town, Dr. Postlethwaite was forced to leave it, and at length found himself located in the quiet and sequestered village of Greensburg, in the backwoods county of Westmoreland. However, his body only was in Greensburg, for his heart was in the environs of Carlisle, in the safe custody of Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Margaret Smith, old and highly-respected citizens of Cumberland County, who resided near Carlisle. To recover joint possession of this important corporeal appurtenance, Dr. Postle- thwaite returned to Cumberland, and was married on the 11th of April, 1799, to the aforesaid Miss Smith. There are very few couples that ever suited one an- other better than his lady and Dr. Postlethwaite, and they lived in a state of uninterrupted connubial hap- piness until their separation by his death. This mar- riage had been one of affection, not of convenience or interest. They possessed health, quiet, and compe- tence, and were blessed with a family of healthy, handsome children. When Postlethwaite first established himself as a medical practitioner in Greensburg, being a consci- entious man, he felt the full responsibility of his duties, and so he arduously studied the best authors of the old school of medicine, — Cullen, Sydenham, For- dyce, Rush, Darwin, and Abernethy. In addition to the mental exertion necessary for this professional study, he, in common with other country physicians, was forced to undergo an amount of bodily labor equal to that of a coach-horse. It will be remembered that when Dr. Postlethwaite began to practice medicine in Westmoreland, and for a score of years afterwards, there were not even turnpike roads. Travel by steam, both on water and land, was unknown, and convey- ance was slow, laborious, and expensive. Population was sparse, the country wild and covered with forest, and the roads rough, crooked, hilly, and dangerous. The shops of apothecaries and medical prescriptions were rare or unknown, and every village physician was obliged to carry his drug-shop in his saddle-bags. In addition to his ordinary duties, a country physician was expected to pull teeth, bleed, extract wild hairs, and usher children into this world of woe, or, in other words, act as physician, surgeon, optician, dentist, nurse, and man-midwife. In Scott's story of " The Surgeon's Daughter" there is a description of the rough life of a village doctor in a rural district of Scotland, which is not altogether unsuited for that of a medical practitioner in West- moreland in the beginning of the present century. The Scottish country doctor, like the ghostly lover in Burger's German ballad of Leonore, mounts his horse at midnight, and traverses in the darkness paths which to those unaccustomed to them seem formid- able even in daylight. " Let the wind howl through hush ami tree, This uight he must away ; The steed is wight, the spur is bright, He cannot stay till day. "And hurry! hurry! off he rides As fast as fast might be ; Spurn'd from the courser's thund'ring heels The flashing pebbles flee." For these nocturnal rides through a wild and rough country, at the risk of life and limb, the compensation was very inadequate to the toil and danger. Besides attending to all the cases in his own vicinity, the country physician was at the command of every one within a circuit of forty miles. The celebrated traveler, Mungo Park, who had ex- perienced both courses of life, gave the preference to traveling as a discoverer in the deserts of Africa to wandering by night and day as a medical practitioner in the wilds of a country district in Scotland. All this is bad enough, and perhaps the description is too highly colored to suit our country ; but still it was no amusement for ladies to ride in a dark and stormy night, in a matter of life and death, over shocking roads, through the long and dark woods of Westmoreland. Dr. Postlethwaite soon obtained a good practice, and throughout his life stood at the head of his pro- fession in Westmoreland. But his education, his obscure location in a backwoods village, in absence of suitable incitements to ambitious exertions, and the diversion of his mind to studies outside of his pro- fession prevented Dr. Postlethwaite from attaining the highest medical position, such a status, for ex- ample, as that held by Addison, of Pittsburgh. In addition to what knowledge could be gained in this country, the eminent physician, Addison, had studied surgery in Edinburgh, chemistry in Leyden, and walked the hospitals in London. Moreover, in a city there are more opportunities of information than in the country. The rewards and honors of persons THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 349 eminent in the profession are much greater, and as there is more competition the faculties must be con- centrated on professional studies, and not applied to extraneous subjects, or allowed to stand in a state of stagnation. But according to good and sound opinion, the professional standing of Dr. Postlethwaite was highly respectable. He was well versed in the doc- trines of the old and established school of medicine. He had clear perceptions of the nature and seat of morbid action, and great readiness in the application of suitable therapeutical means to relieve pain and remove disease. In discharging the duties of his profession his de- portment was always extremely kind. He appeared to feel deep sympathy with suffering humanity, and this attracted to him the hearts of his patients. To his professional brethren his conduct was always urbane, and he towered as far above the low back- biting and petty jealousies of his profession as the summit of a snow-clad mountain above the unwhole- some vapors that settle at the foot. In dealing with patients he presented an example of high-toned integrity and charitable feeling now almost unknown in the profession. He was not an avaricious man, yet he asked a fair compensation for his services, and at one time of his life was willing and anxious to accumu- late a competence " for the glorious privilege of being independent." But though willing enough to take the advice of honest Iago, and " put money in his purse," he has been known to lose a wealthy and liberal patient by insisting upon total abstinence from strong drink as a necessary condition before he would agree to continue his professional attendance, and by endeavoring to convince the gentleman that health and the use of ardent spirits are incompatible. He was known to attend, with all the kindness of a woman, and without hope of any pecuniary return, upon an unfortunate and wretched man who was raving with delirium tremens. Having emigrated to this county when land was " cheap as dirt," and having had a good practice for thirty years, had Postlethwaite been as avaricious as he was talented, or had he flayed patients alive, as is now the practice of a portion of the profession, instead of a few thousand, he might have died worth several hundred thousand dollars. There is much standard or conventional joking about the fleecing of clients by lawyers ; but the doctors now often improve on the practice of the other learned profession, and, in addition to the robbing of patients, they act on the sentiment of some sanguinary gentlemen of the high- way that " dead men tell ?io tales." Dr. Postlethwaite was an honorable, truthful, and courageous gentleman, who discharged the duties of his profession with care and sincerity, to the best of his knowledge and ability ; but yet he never held what nature designated as his proper place, the highest position in his profession. With the whole 23 force of his strong and acute intellect directed upon medicine, he ought to have been a doctor whose ipse dixit would have passed without contradiction. But he had no professional enthusiasm, and, instead of medicine, the main inclination of his mind was towards politics and religion. When Postlethwaite was just emerging from youth into manhood two great political parties, known as Federalists and Democrats, came into existence. Dr. James Postlethwaite, both from education and con- viction, became a decided Federalist. He gave his first vote to the Federal party, and adhered to it until it passed out of existence. After he had married and taken a position in society he became a copious and careful reader of political books and newspapers, and kept full and accurate notes of the results. So con- versant was he with American political history that he had few equals and no superior in that kind of in- formation. He knew well the history and reason of every article in the Federal Constitution, and he was as well or better acquainted with Hamilton, Adams, and other leading Federalist writers than with Wistar, Rush, and the eminent expounders of the medical profession. His fugitive contributions on political subjects would fill a volume, and are worthy of col- lection and republication. They were first published in the Greensburg anti-Democratic papers, and in the old Pittsburgh Gazette. The newspaper contributions by which he acquired the greatest local notoriety are to be found in a con- troversy which he maintained with the Hon. Richard Coulter upon the subject of the administration of John Quincy Adams, in connection with the election of Jackson to the Presidency. It occurred during the Presidency of Adams, and excited so deep and general an interest that the newspapers in which the dispute was published were in anxious and extensive requisition. Judge Coulter's articles were published in the Westmoreland Republican and Farmer's Chroni- cle, edited by Frederick A. Wise ; those of Postle- thwaite appeared in the Greensburg Gazette, then under the editorial management of John Black. Judge Coulter and Postlethwaite were the two ablest men in their professions and the first citizens in the social circle in which they lived, and so the controversy excited as much interest as an encounter between two choice lances, two champion knights, in the days of chivalry. As is usual in such cases, the respective friends of the two gentlemen clajmed for either of them the honor of victory, but the com- batants themselves were willing to have it considered as a drawn battle. Each confessed that he had put forth his whole strength, and had found an antagonist worthy of his steel. At this distance of time, and with the changes produced by it, one would be better able to form a just judgment of the merits of the dis- tinguished adversaries in the controversy. While Dr. Postlethwaite detested Gen. Jackson, he admired Daniel Webster. When a young man, and 350 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. before he became religious, Dr. Postlethwaite some- times deviated into a common custom of " gentlemen of the old school" and interpolated a few oaths into his conversation. His profession of religion and moral convictions led him to abandon this habit, and yet an instance is drawn where his irascible tempera- ment and his hatred of Gen. Jackson led him to re- lapse into a slight paroxysm of profanity. "About the years 1838 and 1839" — so a gentleman relates from his personal remembrance — " I sometimes consulted him as a physician. One day in conversation Webster became the subject, and the doctor lauded him as the greatest of living statesmen. I repeated a sarcastic remark, attributed to John Randolph, ' Daniel Web- ster is highly talented, but utterly corrupt ; like a rot- ten mackerel in moonlight, or putrid meat in the dark, he shines and stinks, and stinks and shines.' The sarcasm excited the indignation of the doctor. He pronounced Randolph 'an accursed caitiff, incapable of any great and good action.' He defended Web- ster from the charge of being corrupt ; and asserted that ' Andrew Jackson was the author of that d d infamous falsehood.' Jackson feared and hated Web- ster, and wished to counteract the influence of his talents by falsehoods about his moral character. He then denounced Jackson as the worst man of the age, — a compound of cunning and ferocity. ' His flat- terers call him "the old Roman," — the noblest Roman of them all.' Of all the Romans, remarked the doc- tor, 'he most closely resembles Caius Marius after he had imbued bis hands in the blood of bis fellow- citizens and trampled upon the liberties of his coun- try.' " Of the force and severity of Dr. Postlethwaite's satirical talents some idea may be conveyed by the following piece of information, obtained from a gen- tleman of unimpeachable veracity. An attempt was made to establish in Washington County, Pa., a news- paper with the name of The Democratic Eagle and Banner of the Cross. It was intended to promulgate and defend the principles of the most intense Democ- racy and the most liberal Christianity. Of both these Dr. Postlethwaite was the uncompromising enemy, and so he assailed the scheme in the Pittsburgh Gazette with such sarcasm aud humor that at one blow he entirely annihilated it. In one of his figures he made the eagle go flying away with the cross in his beak. One day, while discussing politics in a group of men, an impudent Democratic lawyer remarked to Postlethwaite in a sneering manner, " Obscurity is said to be an element in sublimity. Your arguments, doctor, should be sublime, for they are above my com- prehension." " Sir," said Postlethwaite, " I have given you my arguments, but I cannot furnish you with intellect enough to understand them." After the Federal party ceased to exist as a political organization, Postlethwaite became an anti-Mason, and used his pen against secret societies. The Demo- crats had identified their party with Masonry, and so anti-Masonry was opposition to Democracy. For a time the Masonic brotherhood dwindled into insig- nificance, and the anti-Masons abandoned their party association. Dr. Postlethwaite became a Whig, and as he had given his first, so he gave his last vote against the Democratic party. Had the Federals continued to exist as a party, he never would have voted with any other political organization. Dr. Postlethwaite was never an open and avowed skeptic, but, on the other hand, he was not a merely traditional Christian. His mind was too inquisitive and his disposition too bold to accept religion by pre- scription. The full vigor of his remarkable intellect was put forth to examine the internal and external evidences of Christianity, and the conclusions were faith in the Christian system, and reliance upon it for salvation. In the conviction of such a mind virtue gained a brilliant advantage, for on the side of reli- gion there were henceforth arrayed good character, industrious habits, an acute and active intellect, and extensive information. His parents were Episcopalians, and Postlethwaite by education and baptism had been a nominal mem- ber of the Church of England, but after his marriage and location in Westmoreland County he left the Episcopalian denomination and connected himself with the Presbyterians. He was admitted to mem- bership during the pastorship of the Rev. William Speer, who for twenty years had charge of the churches of Unity and Greensburg. The conversion of Dr. Postlethwaite was produced by the study of the Bible, the Westminster Catechism, and ecclesiastical history. With minds of the liberal kind change in politics and religion is not astonish- ing. They are accustomed to reason and open to conviction. There is a common habit with the mass of the people to denounce those who change their opinions under the names of "apostate" and "turn- coat." In good truth mankind are indebted for many benefits aud blessings to turn-coats. But for a change of opinion Paul would have died a Pharisee, Martin Luther a Roman Catholic, aud John Wesley a zeal- ous member of the Church of England. But for change of opinion Adams and Jefferson, Franklin and Washington would have died loyal subjects to the king of England. Dr. Postlethwaite was so well acquainted with eccle- siastical history and polemical literature that there were few clergymen equal and none superior to him in this kind of information. It appears that from his arrival at his majority his mind had been much occu- pied with theological metaphysics. Two old letters, written to him by a brother, one in 1S13, and the other in 1821, in both of which religion is the main subject, are still extant. The letters give evidence of thought, reading, and correct scholarship. It appears that Dr. Postlethwaite had a brother Samuel, who had gone to THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 351 the South and located himself at Natchez, Miss., where he was engaged, with other persons, in the manufacture of salt and the raising and shipping of cotton. He held slaves, and says that he will en- deavor to increase his stock. "You seem," he writes to James, "to entertain terrible ideas of our situation here. I think that it is the finest country in the world, and that there is nothing to apprehend from the kind of property we hold. I am endeavoring to increase my force from eighty to one hundred." Samuel was a decided Federalist in politics, and op- posed the war of 1812 and the administration of Madison. In his letter of 1821 he excuses himself to his brother for not openly connecting himself with a Christian Church and making a profession of religion. In his letter of 1813 he discusses, in answer to James, the profound metaphysical doctrine of the mode in which God rules the universe. James Postlethwaite (as appears in a quotation in Samuel's letter) maintained the opinion that " nothing happens, nationally or individually, without the ex- press knowledge, permission, and direction of the Su- preme Governor of the universe." His brother Samuel, on the contrary, was " inclined to believe that the universe is governed by not partial and particular but general laws ; that man is endowed with reason and free will, and that this belief is per- fectly consistent with the dignity and wisdom of an omnipotent and omniscient Deity." J In this metaphysical dispute, carried on between two brothers in 1813, flagrante bello, during the last war with England, James Postlethwaite occupied the orthodox Christian position, while Samuel leaned towards the philosophers. Alas for the vanity of this world, its wealth and wisdom, both Postlethwaites, like Harry Percy, are long ago food for worms. James Postlethwaite was tall in stature, straight, and well formed. He was about six feet in height, and in his prime of life weighed over two hundred pounds. His address was polished and dignified, and his countenance was noble and commanding. His nose was as Roman as that of Cato, the Censor. His eye was hazel in color. It was small, but keen and penetrating, and when excited in conversation it often kindled until it shot a fiery radiance. The Yankees or New England men compared Webster to a Deity. He was called "the God-like Daniel." When he was in England the ladies pronounced him to be a " very handsome man." One who saw Dr. Postlethwaite and Daniel Webster walking and talk- ing together on the Main Street of Greensburg, felt 1 The ideas of Samuel Postlethwaite are beautifully versified in Pope's ' Essay ou Man :" " Remember, Wan, the universal cause Acts not by partial but by general laws : He 6ees with equal eye, as God of all, A hero perish or a sparrow fall, Atoms or systems into ruin hurled, And now a bubble bursts and uow a world." confident that Postlethwaite was superior to him in all the qualities that constitute manly beauty or per- sonal perfection. If a painter had been solicited to depict upon canvas a beau ideal of the grave, pious, most respectable, and eloquent citizen whom Virgil has so beautifully described, he might have painted the likeness of James Postlethwaite.' Dr. Postlethwaite had a number of brothers, sev- eral of whom emigrated to and lived in the South. He had four daughters and three sons. The oldest daughter married the distinguished lawyer and poli- tician, Charles Ogle, of Somerset. The second, Emily, died unmarried. The third, Matilda, married the Rev. W. W. Woodend, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Saltsburg, Indiana Co., and the fourth, Sydney, married Dr. Alfred T. King, of Greensburg. His oldest son, William, settled in Somerset; his second, Alexander, went to Natchez, and died there ; and Samuel, the youngest, died a bachelor in the State of Illinois. The Postlethwaites are all gone from Westmoreland. James Postlethwaite died in Greensburg, West- moreland Co., on the 17th of November, 1842, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. In his last years he re- ceived consolation from his religion, for, notwith- standing his high-toned temper and pride of charac- ter, he became a Christian of the most simple, humble, and child-like faith. He always listened to his spir- itual instructor with the deepest deference, both from the pulpit and his own fireside. He was buried in the Presbyterian graveyard, now the St. Clair Cemetery. They who know personally or otherwise his quali- ties and his virtues may well wonder why there is no memorial over the grave of James Postlethwaite. Johx Ormsisy, M.D. — As we have just finished a sketch of the life of a learned, virtuous, and useful physician, an ornament of society, and an honor to his profession, it seems in accordance with the laws of nature and the rules of custom to give an account of a mountebank, who in every quality and attribute presented a contrast. Our object is not to make a great man appear to be greater by forcing him into juxtaposition with an obscure ignoramus, but to show how shamefully the people of Pennsylvania have been imposed upon by the pretensions of medical charlatans and the impudence of empiricism. Some time about 1839 or 1840 there came to Greens- burg a man who called himself John Ormsby, and who represented himself to be a physician by pro- fession. His age was about thirty years. He was of medium size. His countenance was not handsome, but open and pleasant, and his deportment was grave - " Ac, veluti magno in populo stepe coorta est, Seditio, saevitque animis ignobile vulgus — Jamque faces et saxa volant; furor arma ministrat; Turn, pietate gravem ac mentis si forte virum quern Couspexere, silent, arrectsque aribus adstaut, Ille regit dictia auimos, et pectore mulcet." 352 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. and dignified. His head was very large, and as he was inclined to baldness he possessed quite an in- tellectual appearance. He always wore clean linen, dressed well in dark-colored clothes, and carried a handsome silver-mounted cane. His habits were ap- parently good, and he had all the exterior decencies of a respectable man. He was a native of the United States, but of what part it is not known. He had resided for some years in Michigan, but came to Westmoreland directly from Butler County, where he had practiced medicine, and where he had married. Ormsby did not pretend to have received any regu- lar medical education, or to have graduated at any regular medical institution. He alleged that he studied his profession with a celebrated German doc- tor, Dellenbach, who resided in Ohio, and practiced entirely on the uroscopic system of medicine, wherein the symptoms of disease are ascertained by an ex- amination of the urine of the patient. He exhibited a certificate from Dellenbach, stating that John Ormsby had studied medicine under his instruction, and that he was fully qualified to practice in that particular mode of the medical profession. By the way, it may be stated for the information of those who were not cotemporaneous with Ormsby's epoch in Greensburg, that before and after 1840 there lived and practiced medicine in Ohio a certain Dr. Dejjen- bach, who had a great reputation for curing disease, and who was considered infallible in diagnosis. Every quack has his nostrum, and as Sangrado cured all diseases by warm water, so Dellenbach knew all dis- eases by the same element in a condition at second- hand. Dellenbach had as great a reputation for the discovery of disease as Dr. Braddee, of Uniontown, had for its cure until he grew tired of the petty larceny plunder of patients and entered upon the wholesale robbery of the United States. Like all empirics, Ormsby made a great use of ad- vertising. His bills, with " UROSCOPIA" at the top in flaming letters, were found in nearly all bar-rooms and public places. They represented him to be a favorite pupil of the great Dellenbach, and stated that he had performed a number of wonderful cures, which were certified to by reputable people, including ladies afflicted with sterility, and clergymen troubled with dyspepsia and derangement of the kidneys. Ormsby opened an office in Main Street, in the centre of the town, for he was resolved not to hide his light uuder a bushel, and, besides, he was troubled with none of that mauvaise honte, that unlucky modesty or bashfulness which is often a stumbling- block in the road to fame and fortune. He had as much "modest assurance" as if he bad been born in Dublin, lived in London, and served for seven years as a runner for a New York house. It is well known that every quack has his nostrum, specific, panacea, or peculiar mode of treatment. The hobby of Ormsby was the discovery of disease by the urine. This has been a diagnostic since the days of Hippocrates, and is used by all regular practitioners. But while the orthodox doctors use the urine only in certain cases, such as liver complaint, Ormsby and his school regarded it as the infallible symptom in all cases, — in itch, scrofula, sore eyes, corns, and rheu- matism, as well as affections of the liver and kidneys. The diagnosis of disease by the urine has always been favorably regarded by the Germans and persons of German descent. Ormsby had located himself where there was a large number of substantial citizens of German origin. In addition, it may be said that when people are sick their judgment is unsettled ; they run for relief to any quarter, and thus become the prey of bold charlatans and impudent impostors. In despite, therefore, of the denunciations of the regular doctors, and the sneers and jeers of wags and blackguards, Ormsby gained notoriety, and began to get business and make money. He had some knowledge of the world, but very little book-learning. He could write a legible scrawl, and could read and spell about as well as many a member of the Legislature. Of the learned lan- guages he knew nothing. Of ancient and modern history he knew so little that he would have been puzzled to determine whether Alexander the Great was the ruler of Macedon or Muscovy. All that he knew of American history aud politics was through the newspapers, aud of these he knew just enough to have made a Fourth of July oration that would have passed current at a country cross-roads. Yet still to sustain his professional dignity he pre- tended to all kinds of knowledge. A singular celes- tial body made its appearance, and invited the curi- osity of the gazing multitude. The learned world unmuzzled its wisdom, aud tried to explain the nature of the appearance in the heavens. Some said that it was a comet, others pronounced it to be a comated meteor, while a few of the philosophers held it to be nothing but an "irradiated nimbus." Ormsby was resolved not to be outdone in this display of learning, and so he wrote a learned article for the newspapers, in which he described the heavenly apparition and said that it was well known to the scientific world by the designation of "The Gray Mare's Tail." The learned laughed, but Ormsby was undaunted, and persisted so strongly in his asservations that many believed that in this case the gray mare was the better horse, and that Ormsby had the right end of the tale. A physician of this county, as eminent for his ability as well known for his eccentricity and un- timely death, went to Philadelphia, and brought back with him a beautiful wooden instrument, named a stethoscope, used for the purpose of testing diseased lungs. Ormsby saw it and conceived a queer notion in his noddle. He went to a tinsmith and got a horn made about as long as that to be sounded by Gabriel. He rode into the country nearly every day with this engine strapped to the cantle of his saddle. On being THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 353 asked the use, he replied that it was intended to test diseased lungs, that it was called a stethoscope, and was usually made of wood; but Dr. Dellenbach held the opinion that tin was the better material, because metal conveys sound more strongly and clearly. He said that he had it made about four times the usual length, because the longer an instrument the greater is its potency, as may be understood by the working of the lever ! One may well ask, Would one so ignorant of the profession pretend to administer medicine, and how did he manage without danger to life ? The follow- ing was his mode of procedure. He had procured several blank-books, and in them he, or others for him, had written down the general symptoms of, and remedies for, nearly all ordinary diseases. Many of the recipes he had obtained from the books of other empirics, others by inquiries from nurses and old wo- men, and some by the examination of some old dis- pensatories. It is certain that he had never read a medical book. In fact, he did not know even the names of the best medical authors. Of anatomy he knew nothing. He had never dis- sected a corpse nor seen one dissected. If asked upon which side the heart is situated, it is probable that he would have replied, with "The Mock Doctor" of Moliere, " On the right side, of course." If the ques- tioner had doubted this assertion, and urged that the left side was the proper location of the heart, Ormsby had enough of readiness and impudence to have re- plied, "Ah! that was the location of the heart at one time, but it is now transferred to the right side. Nature must keep pace with the progress of medical science !" The physicians of Westmoreland formed an asso- ciation for the advancement of medical science. From the association were excluded all who did not practice on the old regular system, or who could not show a diploma from a medical college. As Ormsby was excluded from the association he assailed it with great vigor. He tried to make the public believe that the association was formed to injure his reputation and destroy his practice. He was the Napoleon of medicine, against whom the Legitimists had formed a combination. One of the regular doctors replied to him in several sarcastic articles in the newspapers, but that did Ormsby some benefit, for it gave him no- toriety, and that was what he most eagerly desired. Some members of the medical association ascertained by inquiry in Ohio that Ormsby never had been a student of Dr. Dellenbach. Dellenbach gave them a letter to that effect, in which he stated that if Ormsby pretended to hold a certificate from him it must be a forgery. It was thought that this would silence and annihilate him, but instead of that it did him no harm. If Ormsby was nothing but a vile impostor and ignorant quack, why did these learned doctors take so much trouble to expose him ? If he cured his patients under a forged certificate, it was better than to kill them with a regular diploma. And so aided by the notoriety this affair gave him, and sheltered be- hind an Ajax-shield of sevenfold impudence, Ormsby pushed on to fame and fortune. He actually got a respectable practice, and made some money. He bought property, and built himself a Swiss cottage upon Bunker Hill. Had he lived and practiced for ten years more in Westmoreland he might have retired upon a competence, and deserved his good luck about as well as other medical impos- ters, such as the Browns, Hooflands, Wolfes, and Hoofnaugles. lie was industrious, and rather economical. Having been very poor, he had learned to appreciate money, and was anxious to get rich. When the news of the discovery of gold in California arrived in the old States, the desire of wealth led Ormsby to rush to the El Dorado. While eagerly searching for the precious metal a bank of earth fell upon him, and Ormsby descended to Hades. " Extremes meet," and there is only " one step from the sublime to the ridiculous." Led by the associa- tion of ideas, and under shelter of these well-known sayings, we have passed per saltum from Dr. Postle- thwaite to Dr. Ormsby. DR. ALFRED T. KING. Dr. Alfred Thomas King, born Oct. 22, 1813, in the town of Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., and died Saturday, Jan. 2, 1858. His people were Cov- enanters of a poor but respectable class. He got a substantial common schooling, and was put by his father with a doctor of the place as a boy of all-work. He attended about the office, keeping it in shape, and the doctor being the physician for some public works in the city, the boy was regularly employed in carry- ing out the medicine as mixed to the patients at the works. His attention was thus drawn to medicine. He got all the information he could from observation and close attention about the office. He remained in the employ of this doctor until he had a quarrel with the doctor's wife, the mistress of the house. She, in addition to the work imposed on him as office-boy, wanted him to act as scullion about the house and kitchen, which he indignantly refused. This led to acrimonious language, in consequence of which he either left or was discharged. From the office he went back to his father. At that time a Rev. Andrew Wiley, D.D., an Irish Cov- enanter, taught a school and had a congregation in Philadelphia. King's father got the boy placed as a boarder and scholar in Andrew Wiley's school. All the acquirements he had in the higher branches of a liberal education he received here. Dr. Wiley was a good scholar, but eccentric in his habits. He some- times got so overcome with liquor that he could not sit at table. Still he was a good scholar and preacher. After receiving what education he did at Dr. Wiley's, he attended the medical lectures at that city 354 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. and walked the hospitals. He supported himself, and made some money afterwards by himself lecturing on medicine, and by doing duty in the Philadelphia hos- pitals. He then commenced practice as a physician, and opened an office in that city. He got but little business, and having got in arrears with his rent, he was ejected for the non-payment of the same by the woman who owned the building. Much dejected in spirit, as he afterwards related, he then endeavored to secure a position as assistant surgeon on board of a ship, and while engaged in the negotiation for this position he happened to meet at the house of Mr. Wiley, with whom he still stayed, a Westmoreland man, a citizen of Greensburg, of the name of Wil- liam Brown. Mr. Brown was a shop-keeper of the town, and when he went to Philadelphia to buy goods, himself being a Covenanter, was visiting Dr. Wiley, with whom he was on familiar terms. Brown showed the doctor a Westmoreland paper which contained the notice that a good physician was badly wanted at Pleasant Unity, in that county. He told him the location was a good one, and that if he would go there he would in a short time get into business. This was about 1838. Upon this he made arrangements to come out. He sold what effects he had, and after paying his passage had seventy-five cents left. He located in Pleasant Unity, and when he first came when he visited a patient he either walked or borrowed a horse. As horseflesh, however, was then cheap, he soon got one. In the course of his practice he was brought into con- tact with Dr. Postlethwaite, of Greensburg. He vis- ited him, was taken to his home, and introduced into his family, which eventually led to the marriage between Dr. King and Miss Sidney Postlethwaite, daughter of the doctor. Drs. Postlethwaite and King shortly after entered into partnership in Greensburg. He had now more leisure and opportunity to turn his attention to the study of literature and the natural sciences, and especially geology. In 1840, Dr. King contributed a series of nine arti- cles to the Republican newspaper on the subject of geology. These articles, however, were preceded by a short one in the form of a communication, and which was a serious criticism on an essay from the pen of Alexander Campbell, D.D., on the Mosaic geology. The appearance of a comet and an unusual display of meteors in the heavens in the fall of that year gave rise to much scientific discussion in the public prints throughout the Union. Dr. King's observations on meteorology were not the least inter- esting and instructive of these. He also gave his views on animal magnetism, and in sundry articles advocated the cherished project of a County Medical Association. Dr. King made a collection of these articles given by him to the press, and they make quite a large book. To this scrap-album we have had access, and although it is quite voluminous, yet it does not contain all the contributions which he made, nor all of his public addresses or lectures. 1 In his own hand, under date 1840, is the following memorandum, as a kind of preface : " These essays were written as much for the amuse- ment and improvement of the writer as for the in- struction of the readers, but when both can be united considerable benefit may result, therefore the object must be considered laudable. " Being fond of literary pursuits, and residing in a town in which there is little appreciation of litera- ture, the writer chose this mode of amusing himself during the few leisure moments which he could snatch from the performance of the arduous practice and study of an onerous profession." These articles, on scientific and medical topics, were on "Bronchitis," "Scrofula," "Cancer," " A Meteor- ological Phenomenon," " Tornadoes," " On the Im- portance of a Well-Directed Education," " History and Habits of the Hessian Fly," " Natural Sciences," " A Brief Exposition of Mr. Espy's Philosophy of Storms," " Asiatic Cholera," being a communication on the nature and character of the disease, furnished in answer to a special request of many of the first citizens of Greensburg, and which ran through a series of ten articles printed in the Argus. There are also other miscellaneous articles on various sub- jects, of which some were written in an amusing vein, but all were directed to worthy and commendable objects. Of all the literary productions which gave Dr. King notoriety, the most notable was an address delivered before the Westmoreland County Lyceum on the evening of the 24th of March, 1843, on " The Study (if Natural Science." In this address he made severe strictures on the Roman Church for what he called its intolerant spirit, manifested against the leaders of science in the Middle Ages, and particularly the efforts made to have Galileo to recant. In it was also used this language: "The baneful consequences of the be- lief in supernatural agency in the direction and ac- complishment of earthly events have been dissipated to the four winds of heaven." This lecture gave occa- sion for a lengthy and learned reply by the defenders of Mother Church. Immediately following its publi- cation came a reply signed " Amicus Veritatis." In these articles it was evident he had met a more for- midable antagonist. The author was said to be Peter C. Shannon, Esq., a well-known attorney, now on a Territorial bench. It is true that the articles were given to the printer in the handwriting of Mr. Shan- non, and it is probable that he furnished some of the language and quotations used, which were taken from the body of the English poetry ; but the substance of the reply, the arguments, the citations from the po- 1 Our thanks are due Dr. William H. King, son of Dr. A. T. King, of West Fairfield, tor the use "f the BCrap-album of his faiher and for other favors. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 355 lemical writers and from the ecclesiastical and secu- lar history of the Middle Ages were the work of Rev. Stillinger. This reply appeared in the Argus, and it was an article of such force and ability that Dr. King replied in the Intelligencer over his own name. A re- joinder was made, and this was so forcible and so full of statements which appeared to be well authenticated in history that, finding that he was contending with a theologian on his own ground, a disciple of Saint Thomas Aquinas, who was well versed in the subtle- ties of scholastic disputation, and in the logic of his master on a subject that was old and threadbare, Dr. King went to Pittsburgh, and consulted with Dr. Greene, of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and there got facts and authorities upon which he based a reply, and which ware incorporated therein. Since that day no similar controversy has been presented to the people of this county. Of course nothing was es- tablished. The friends of science maintained that the doctor had the advantage ; the friends of religion maintained that the priest had the advantage. To a large class, who would not seem to be moved by any sinister motive in expressing their opinion, it ap- peared that Dr. King had the merits of the case, but that as a historian and a theologian he was not the equal of Dr. Stillinger, and that in the argument and in the management of the controversy the latter had the advantage. The results of this controversy were injurious to the moral reputation of Dr. King. Henceforth an illit- erate rabble garred at his heels till his death. Brain- less men took up the cry, for the want of a better, of " quack," and were patted on the backs by the veriest of quacks. Others, who themselves had no more re- ligion than a house-dog, openly proclaimed that on a strict interpretation of the Scripture he was an infi- del, and that he was a corrupter of youth and a teacher of false doctrine. Even jealous members of his profession, who were actuated by no honorable motives, violently charged him with being the advo- cate of mercurial treatment. He was attacked for his scientific views by the clergymen of almost every de- nomination, and by those laymen whose zeal, like honest Bardolph's, " burnt in the nose." A singular phase to be considered in this famous controversy was this : The Intelligencer, the paper in which Dr. King's articles were published, had the reputation of being the mouth-piece of that body of citizens who profess a stricter morality than their neighbors, without regard, of course, to persuasion. The Argus was more worldly. Where the first quoted Scripture in its editorials, the last quoted Hudibras and Don Juan. Hence scoffers said that there was much of the motives which actuated the Puritans in their endeavors to extirpate the profane amusement of bear-baiting evidenced in this, and that the doc- tor was countenanced in his heterodox views not be- cause he attacked Christianity generally, but because he abused the Roman Church particularly. Prior to the year 1844 it was the prevailing opinion among geologists that in the carboniferous age no air-breathing animal could possibly have existed, on account of the supposed excess of carbonic acid gas in the atmosphere necessary to produce the wondrous vegetable growths of the coal strata. Sir Charles Lyell, one of the most eminent of geologists, says that no vertebrated animals more highly organized than fish were known in rocks of higher antiquity than the Permian (that is, the period following the carboniferous age, and which closes the paleozoic era, or the older division of geological time) until the year 1844, when a fossil reptile was discovered in the coal-measures of Mu'nster-Appel, in Rhenish Bavaria. In the same year, and before the news of this im- portant scientific discovery reached America, Dr. King made public a discovery of fossil remains which had been unearthed by him several years pre- vious. Up until that time he had discovered in sev- eral localities fossil footmarks of seven distinct but nondescript animals on micaceous sandstone belong- ing to the coal-measures. This was the first unequiv- ocal indication, at least in America, and among the first in the world, of the existence of birds or other animals high in the scale of organization lower than the new red sandstone, and hence geologists regarded the discovery with great interest. Before this discovery was made by Dr. King, it was, we have said, the unanimous opinion of geologists, from the absence of the remains of highly organized animals among the coal-rocks, that they did not exist at that early epoch. This discovery also conflicted with an hypothesis long maintained by distinguished geologists, that the atmosphere during the carbon- iferous period contained a much larger amount of carboniferous acid gas than at present, which by ab- sorption caused the rapid growth of tree-ferns, lepido- dendrons, and other stupendous coal plants now found so abundantly in a fossil state. This discovery proved that such could not have been the case, since birds and other highly organized lung-breathing ani- mals existed at the same period. Professor Silliman, in the American Journal of Sci- ence for January, 1845, makes the following remarks in reference to these footmarks : " Dr. King's discovery is of great interest for the novel forms which he represents in the drawings ac- companying his papers. Only two of them can prob- ably be referred to a biped animal. . . . The other five figures are referable to quadrupeds, of which there are at least four different species, if not genera. His figure ' 6' is distinctly referable to an animal having the same inequality of step as the cheirothe- rium and other batrachians. The figures 3, 4, 5, and 7 are probably quadrupeds, but differ entirely from anything else of the sort we have seen; there is a cir- cular imprint, surrounded by five toes, in one case circular, in another long and ovate, in a third they are of an intermediate character." 356 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Dr. King framed a new nomenclature, and ar- ranged all these tracks under classes and orders, genera and species, and his paper was published in and among the proceedings of the Academy of Natu- ral Sciences of Philadelphia for November and De- cember, 1844, and in the American Journal <>f Science for January, February, and March, 1845, edited by Prof. Silliman, where full descriptions and accurate engravings of these remarkable footmarks may be seen. This discovery, as might be expected, created the greatest excitement in the scientific world. Sir Charles Lyell, president of the Royal Geological Society of London, came to North America in the interests of his science, and while here made it a special object of his journey to visit Dr. King, and make a personal inspection of the geological formation of this region, and especially to examine the strata of the coal-meas- ures in which had been found these fossil remains. The public expression of Mr. Lyell was looked for with great expectation, and many quidnuncs predicted that he. upon a personal examination of the remains, would come to an unfavorable conclusion. Upon his return he wrote the following letter for publication : ! "To the Editoks of the Pennsylvania Aegis, i LBMBH, — As many persons have inquired at Greensbnrg since my return from a visit to the quarries in Unity township what opinion I have come to respecting the curious markings discovered in 1S44 by Dr. King, I shall be obliged to you if you will state in your journal that I entirely agree in the views which ho has expressed respecting these fossil footmarks. They are observed to stand out in relief from the lower surface of a slab of sandstone, which lay some feet below the soil. They closely resemble the tracks of an animal to which, from the hand-like form of the foot, the name of Cheirotberiumhas been given in Europe, where they occur both in Germany and in England. It is now univer- sally admitted that such tracks must have been made by a large reptilian quadruped. "Their position in the middle of the carboniferous formatiou has been correctly pointed out by Dr. King, for this layer of sandstone in West- moreland County is decidedly lower than the main or Pittsburgh Beam of coal, but there are other smaller seams of coal which occur still lower in the series. These are the fiist and as yet the only indications which have been brought to tight in any part of the world of the existence of reptiles in rocks of such high antiquity. We cannot, therefore, estimate too highly the scientific interest and importance of this discovery. ■'I am gentlemen, ■■ Four obedient servant, "Greensburg, 18th April, 1846. "Charles Lyei.l. " The importance of this discovery, and the recog- nized place of Dr. King as a geologist, has long been settled; and in the far advanced degree of that science to-day he is regarded as one of those who helped to lead the way to the mountain-tops, whence his fol- lowers may get a glimpse of the promised land. Reference to this discovery in the standard works on geology, is thus made: "Cheirotherian Footprints in Coal-Measures. United States. — In 1*44, the very year when the Apateon or Salamander of the coal was first met with in the country between the Moselle and the Rhine, Dr. King published an account of the footprints of a large reptile discovered by him in North America. Theseoccurin the coal strata of Greensburg, in Westmoreland County, Pa., and I had an opportunity of examining them in 1846. I was at once convinced of their genuineness, and declared 1 The original letter is in possession of the editor. my convictions on that point, ou which doubts had been entertained both in Europe and the United States. The footmarks were first ob- served standing out in relief from the lower surface of slabs of sand- stone, resting on thin layers of fine unctuous clay. I brought away one of these masses, which is represented in the accompanying drawing (Fig. 3SG). It displays, together with footprints, the casts of cracks of various sizes. The origin of such cracks in clay, and casts of the same, has before been explained, and referred to the drying and shrinking of mud, and the subsequent pouring of sand into open crevices. It will be seen that some of the cracks traverse the footprints, and produce distor- tion in them, as might have been expected, for the mud must have been soft when the animal walked over it and left the impressions, whereas when it afterwards dried up and shrank it would be too hard to receive such indentations. u No less than twenty-three footsteps were observed by Dr. King in the same quarry before it was abandoned, the greater part of them so arranged (see Fig. 387) on the surface of one stratum as to imply that they were made successively by the same animal. Everywhere there was a double row of tracks, and in each row they occur in pairs, each pair consisting of a hind- and fore-foot, and each being at nearly equal distances from the next pair. In each *pa rail f-1 row the toes turn, the one set to the right, the other to the left. In the European Chmruthe- rium, before mentioned (p. 290), both the hind- and fore-feet have each five toes, and the size of the hind-foot is about five times as large as the fore-foot. In the American fossil the posterior footprint is not even twice as \&rg? as the anterior, and the number of toes is unequal, being five in the hinder and four in the anterior foot. In this, as in the Eu- ropean Chiirotheriuni, one toe stands out like a thumb, and these thumb- like toes turn, the one set to the right, and the other to the left. The American trowas evidently a broader animal, and belonged to a distinct genus from that of the triassic age in Europe. "We may assume that the reptile which left these prints on the ancient sands of the coal-measures teas an air-breather, becaim Ut weight would not have '■■ i ater to have made impressions so deep and distinct. The fame conclusion is also borne out by the cu=t:- ol the cracks above described, for they show that the clay had been exposed to the air and sun, so as to have dried and shrunk. "The geological position of the sandstone of GreenBburg is perfectly clear, being situated in the midst of the Appalachian coal-field, having the main bed of coal, called the Pittsburgh seam, three yards thick, one hundred feel above it, and worked in the neighborhood, with several other seams of •■..i\ at lower levels. The impressions of Leptdodendron, Sigillaria, Stigmaria, and other characteristic carboniferous plants are found both above and below the level of the reptilian footsteps. " Analogous footprints of a large reptile of still older date have since been found [1849), by Mr. Isaac Lea, in the lowest beds of the coal forma- I tion at Pottsville, near Philadelphia, so that we may now be said to have the loot mark- of two reptilians of the coal period, and the skeletons of four.*' 3 "Amphibian footprints have been observed in the coal-measures both of Pennsylvania and Nova Scotia. Near Greensburg, Pa , iu a layer sit- uated about one hundred feet below the horizon of the Pittsburgh coal, Dr. A. T. King counted twenty-three consecutive steps of one individual. ■ the hind-feet are five-toed, and of the fore-feet four-toed, — the former five and a half inches long, and the tattei four and a half inches. The distance between the successive tracks is six to eight inches, and between the two lines about the same, which shows that the animal was tit as long as broad, aud probably a batracbian of the Laby- rinthodont tribe. The species is called Thenaropn* he'erodxcttflm." 3 His address, delivered Nov. 22, 1842, before the Westmoreland County Medical Association, on the rise ami modern history of medicine, is without doubt one of bis most interest ini: productions. In regard to bis style of expression, he had the rare, happy faculty of conveying information on scientific subjects in popular language. He was a profi ssional who was not content with the restricted dictum of the materia medica, but to express his acquirements and his thought laid contribution to the polite liter- - Sir Charles Lyell: Manual of Geology, New Turk, Harper's, 1871, p. 4(i7. 3 James I>. Dana : Manual of Geology, Philadelphia, 1863, p. 361. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 357 ature of ancient and modern times. In his inquiries and researches he penetrated into the very depths of the natural sciences, identified the medicinal proper- ties of plants with the plants themselves, and was not satisfied with any of the phenomena of nature with- out comprehending the whole of the scientific bear- ing and all the reasons connected with them. He took pains to show, and did show in popular language embodying learned research, that the knowledge of organic chemistry was essential in the acquirements of a thorough and scientific physician. The ostenta- tious and obtrusive ignorance in the profession at his day in thesje sciences was doubtless the cause of the supreme contempt in which he held the average backwoods or country physician. Dr. King had also turned his attention largely to the existing flora and fauna of Western Pennsyl- vania, and with them he was probably more intimate than any man of his day. He dissected all the ani- mals, had a collection of almost all the birds, and his herbariums furnished specimens of all the plants of the region between the crest of the Alleghenies and the Western boundaries of the State. His experi- ments as a chemist and his collections as a mineral- ogist attest his zeal and industry in these depart- ments of human knowledge. He was also a thorough microscopist, and his testimony in several great crim- inal trials upon the blood-corpuscles found on the clothing of the prisoners aided largely in administer- ing the laws correctly in such cases. In the death of Dr. King — and now we use the words of one of his warm friends — not only his friends but his profession and the community in which he lived sustained a heavy loss, because, although not appreciated perhaps by all classes, there was, never- theless, a large number of families who looked to him in the distress and alarm consequent upon disease in their midst with unbounded confidence, and they, no doubt, sincerely lamented the dispensation which deprived them of his professional aid. Certainly one of the most skillful among his brethren, he had besides such rare faculties for the diagnosis of dis- ease that some of them almost believed him inher- ently and especially gifted in that behalf, rather than that his abilities had been acquired by close observa- tion in a large practice. Cool and careful at the bedside, collecting all the evidence, investigating all the symptoms, he came to no conclusion until the whole was taken into the account, and then he was rarely ever mistaken. In his mode of treatment too he was equally judicious, and if his remedies some- times failed in their operation they never proved in- jurious, or left the patient worse than before. To him the "vis medicatrix naturae" was all in all, and the office of the pill and plaster was but to clear the way for its full and free operation. Hence his won- derful success in many of the most dangerous cases to which he was called. Although not celebrated as a surgeon, yet he per- formed all needful operations with a correct eye and steady hand, except those, perhaps, which require the very highest professional skill, and the largest amount of practice; and these his modest sense of responsibility prevented him from undertaking rashly merely for the sake "I' iclai. His reputation was such that some two years before his death he was appointed Professor of theTheory and Practice of Medicine in the Medical College of Phil- adelphia, and filled it for one or two sessions with profit to his class and marked distinction for himself; but his ill health at length compelled him to abandon his vocation as a teacher in his profession. Dr. King in personal appearance was rather tall and well formed, yet he was by no means of a robust constitution, and his sedentary habits as a hard stu- dent were not calculated to improve it, so that he suffered more or less at all times from disordered digestive functions, and he wdio could remedy all the ills of others was unable to relieve his own. His dis- ease was inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which had committed such ravages upon his naturally feeble frame that before his professional brethren were aware of his danger or could come to his aid it was impossible to save him. Drs. Brown (Sr. and Jr.), Jackson, and Eeiter watched him with intense anxiety, using all the means of modern science, but in vain. On the 2d of January. 1852, death removed him of all care and suffering, as gently as a mother puts her child to sleep. His body lies somewhere in the St. Clair Cemetery, but the stranger would not be able to identify the grave. A plain tombstone which had been erected over them has been misplaced and broken. In his life and death he is an example of a character unap- preciated at home but honored abroad, — ''a prophet not without honor save in his own country." The words which Milton wrote to Cromwell were applica- ble to him, — "He who conquers another's liberty in the very act loses his own." He who has made the name of Westmoreland to be connected with his own and embalmed them both in the libraries of the leading philosophical societies and universities of the civilized world from London to Tokio — words familiar to paleontologists everywhere — lies in a nameless grave within twoscore steps of him whose name has been conferred on their burying- ground, whose life and services, too. brought untold distinction and honor to the county, and whose dust is covered by the humble monument erected by the hand of charity. Dr. David Alter. — Among those members of the medical profession of Westmoreland County who have earned high reputation in the walks of science, Dr. David Alter, who died in September, 1881, de- serves to be mentioned. In our mention of him we avail ourselve of the graphic and affectionate memoir from the pen of Dr. Frank Cowan, a gentleman who 35S HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. in the field of literature has done for his profession what Dr. Alter did in the field of practical science. " In the year 1878," says Dr. Cowan, " I called j upon him at his residence in Freeport, Armstrong ! Co., Pa., and found him, in appearance, an old man, with a calm and kindly countenance, in stature above the ordinary, albeit stooped and shrunken with age, still pursuing his profession, that of a physician, for a livelihood, while in effect he was the puzzle or sphinx that every philosopher must be to those around him who cannot appreciate the work of his hands in an objective form in the open day, much less encompass, in the depth, the distance, and the, darkness of his windowless mind, the complexity of cerebration and entanglement of thought from which his work has been evolved. "Dr. Alter was born on the 3d of December, in the year 1807, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in what is now Allegheny township, and within a few miles of the town of Freeport, in which he lived a great part of his life, and died, on the 18th of Septem- ber last, in his seventy-fourth year. "Dr. Alter was a boy of only eight or nine when his mind was directed to the study of electricity. This was the result of reading the life of Benjamin Franklin. At ten, an uncle, a student of medicine, brought home from Washington a Leyden jar and other apparatus, and the boy became acquainted with frictional electricity and the accumulation of the mysterious mode of force in the jar. And before the lail attained the age of fifteen he had set up in his father's orchard a pole surmounted by a wire, in order that he might charge his Leyden jars with electricity from the clouds, the subtile force with which he already had begun to make experiments. "About this time, suffering from an affectum of the eyes, he went to an Irish doctor in Freeport, who, after prescribing for him and learning the curious bent of his mind, lent him a book on electricity. This the young student read and re-read with such avidity that it almost cost him his eyes. "Soon after, from another physician, he procured a work on chemistry, and devoted himself assiduously to make himself master of its contents. And thus he went on, borrowing books and accumulating knowl- edge slowly and laboriously, until, at the age of twenty-four, in the year 1831, he was graduated as a physician at the Reformed Medical College of the United States, New York, belonging to the botanic or eclectic school of to-day. "After this short account of his boyhood and edu- cation in his specialties, Dr. Alter proceeded to give me an account of his labors and achievements. " In 1836, while living at Elderton, Armstrong Co., he invented and perfected an electric telegraph, which consisted of seven wires, the electricity deflecting a needle on a disk at the extremity of each wire. Each needle being deflected to the right or left, the seven gave in all fourteen movements or characters, which in turn by combination gave a greater number than was absolutely necessary to transmit messages resolved into letters and figures. Each wire had a separate helix. And so perfected was the system that the doc- tor had it in operation between his house and his workshop in the barn, himself and members of his family transmitting messages to and fro. " I related to Dr. Alter what I had heard of his connection with the invention of the electric tele- graph, which was in brief that he was the first to accomplish the results comprehended in the term an electric telegraph, and that Professor Morse had stolen the idea that has made him immortal from him, Dr. Alter. To this he replied that, as far as he knew, he was the first to perfect and put into use an electric tele- graph, and that he did it apart from and independent of everybody. ' But,' he continued, ' others about the same time attained the same results. In 1837, in England, Professor Wheatstone invented a telegraph on a similar plan to mine, using one wire, a single disk, and a deflecting needle ; and with respect to Professor Morse and the electric telegraph now in general use, I have seen in the newspapers time and again the statement which you make, and am free to say that it is without the slightest foundation ; indeed, I may say that there is no connection at all between the telegraph of Morse and others and that of myself, and that my system would be inadequate to do the work that is done to-day by the Morse; oh, no, no! Professor Morse most probably never heard of me or my Elderton telegraph.' " I was surprised at hearing this refutation of what I had heard asseverated so often ; but at the same time I was pleased, for the doctor exhibited more anxiety to disabuse my mind of an erroneous impression of an- other than to create a favorable impression for himself. Indeed, with respect to his own electric telegraph, he spoke of it as if it had been a toy of his youth, or an ingenious plaything for the amusement of himself and family, rather than as the forerunner of the marvelous machine that is now in use. in every civilized country of the globe. And although, as he himself states, his invention was not in the line of the ancestry of the great telegraph, yet it is worthy of honorable mention among men for all time as an original and prior achievement of a less. " And here, in parenthesis, in justice further to Professor Morse, I may say that a claim for priority is made even for his invention, substantially and es- sentially as it now exists, over the crude and cum- bersome inventions of Dr. Alter and Professor Wheat- stone. In ' Appleton's Encyclopedia' it is stated authoritatively that Morse completed and put into successful operation his telegraph in 1835, or two years before the date generally assigned, and one year be- fore Dr, Alter, while Dr. C. T. Jackson, Morse's most formidable rival, declares that his telegraph was an accomplished fact in a perfect instrument in opera- tion in 1834, or one year before Morse. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 359 " Now to pass to another invention, which, in other forms, in time may rival the telegraph and electric motor. " In_1837, Dr. Alter invented a little machine which was run by electricity, and on the 29th of June, 1837, he published in the Kittanning Gazette an elaborate article on the use of electricity as a motive-power, under the heading of ' Facts Relating to Electro- Magnetism.' This paper attracted attention among scientists and inventors, and was commented on gen- erally. See Silliman's ' Principles of Physics,' page €16. " In 1845, Dr. Alter, in association with Dr. Ed- ward Gillespie and James Gillespie, went into the manufacture of bromine from the bittern, or mother- liquor of the salt-works, by a process which he and his partners had invented and elaborated to such an extent that they secured two patents for it. A large jar of the precious substance was exhibited at the World's Fair in New York" in 1853, and attracted great attention, the wonder being that the rare form of matter could be produced in such quantites. " I beg leave here to correct another error that pre- vails with respect to the achievements of Dr. Alter, namely, that he was the discoverer of the elementary substance bromine. He was not, and never pretended to be. Bromine was discovered by a chemist named Balard in 1826, and Dr. Alter, in his modest way, only assisted others in inventing and patenting two processes for its manufacture, in which he engaged in business with his associates. "I now come to the ultimatum attained by Dr. Alter in science and invention, namely, the discovery and application of the principles of the prism in that marvelous mode of investigation universally known to-day as spectrum analysis. And here, in setting forth his claim to this achievement, which in effect has added almost a new sense to mankind, beyond the statement which the doctor made to me that he made his discovery in 1853, I desire to give iu evi- dence only that which is unimpeachable and indis- putable, namely, the documents setting forth the dis- covery in detail, which were published in a leading scientific journal and spread before the eyes of inves- tigators and inventors throughout the world. And in doing so I doubt not that I shall do all that my la- mented friend, were he here, would ask or allow to preserve his name among his fellow-men, without con- demning either the encyclopedists for ignoring him, or the distinguished scientist who, perhaps uncon- scious of the prior claim of another, wears the crown of glory to which he, Dr. Alter, is entitled. " The first paper of Dr. Alter appeared in Novem- ber in the year 1854, or no less than five years before the announcement of the discovery of spectrum analysis as his own achievement by Gustav Robert Kirchoft", of Konigsberg, Germany, for a sketch of whose life and works the reader is referred to the leading encyclopedias of the day. " It appears in Silliman's American Journal of Sci- ence and Art, 2d Series, vol. xviii., for November, 1854, pp. 55-57, under the following head : ' Article VI. — On certain Physical Properties of Light, pro- duced by the Combustion of different Metals in the Electric Spark refracted by a Prism. By David Alter, M.D., Freeport, Pa.' " A second article appeared in the same scientific journal for May, 1855, vol. xix., pp. 213-14, underthe captiou, 'Article XXI. — On certain Physical Pro- perties of the Light of the Electric Spark within certain Gases, as seen through a Prism. By Dr. Alter, M.D., Freeport, Pa.' In this explicit article a para- graph is found indicating the application of his dis- covery to the detection of the elements in combustion in shooting stars or luminous meteors, in other words, to the application of spectrum analysis to the study of celestial phenomena ml infinitum. " While, in curious confirmation of the discoverer's comprehension of the scope of spectrum analysis still in his hands, Dr. Alter already had daguerreo- typed the dark lines of the solar spectrums, two of which he sent along with his communication to Pro- fessor Silliman. " It remains now but to show that the substance of these articles of Dr. Alter was reproduced in Europe, and came within the ken of Professor Kirchhoff', pos- sibly beneath his very eyes, to make out a presump- tive case that, in addition to the indisputable prior discovery of spectrum analysis by Dr. Alter, his was the source, afar in the backwoods of Western Penn- sylvania, from which has flowed the stream of science on the surface of which the gilded galley of Kirch- hoff has floated in glittering splendor around the world. A half-page abstract of Dr. Alter's first paper appeared in the Chemico-Jahrsberichte of Liebig and Kopp for 1854, while the second paper of Dr. Alter was reproduced in its entirety iu the Parisian journal L'lnstitut for the year 1856, page 156, and in the journal of Geneva, Archives of the Physical and Natu- ral Sciences, vol. xxix. page 151. In addition to this a full-page extract from the second paper was published in Kopp and Will's (formerly Liebig and Kopp's) ' Annual Report of Chemistry,' 1859, page 107, and in the extract the statement of Dr. Alter appears that gases would be characterized just as distinctly by the light of the ordinary electric spark as metals by the galvanic light, also that all the elements could be distinguished in this way by means of the fusion. In connection with which it is to be noted that in this year the announcement of the discovery of Kirch- hoff was made, namely, the cause of Fraunhofer's lines in the solar spectrum. See ' Reports of the Academy of Berlin' for 1859, page 652 ; ' Poggen- dorfs Annals' ; ' Dingler's Polytechnic Journal' ; and Kopp and Will's ' Annual Report of Chemistry,' 1859, page 646. " And here I cannot refrain from expressing my surprise at the omission of the name of Dr. Alter by 360 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Professor Kirchhoff in his summary of the progressive steps of spectrum analysis to the ultimate attained at the time of his writing, seeing that the * Annual Report of Chemistry,' which contained the procla- mation of his discovery on page 643, contained on page 107 an extract exhibiting the results of Dr. Alter's investigations four and five years before, re- sults, too, which clearly comprehended his own, and I can account for it only on the ground of dishonesty and the basest of all incentives to action or inaction, ingratitude, exhibited in kicking the ladder after the house-top is gained. But Kirchhoff, in the interest of self-glorification, happily is not the only recorder of the achievements of science and the history of man- kind, and I doubt not that the 'time will soon come when the name of David Alter will be pronounced with the same breath of praise and pride that keeps alive and revered the names of Franklin and Morse. " It is a little matter in comparison with the above, but it is curious, and perhaps not without its use, to know that the prism with which Dr. Alter made his remarkable experiments, was made by him from a fragment of a great mass of very brilliant glass found in the pot of a glass-house which had been destroyed in the great fire of Pittsburgh on the 10th of April, 1845. Thus remotely was the burning of Pittsburgh the solution of the combustion of the sun of the solar system, and of the otherwise incomprehensible con- flagrations of more distant furnace spheres in illimit- able space. "Besides the achievements of Dr. Alter referred to above, he accomplished much more that is deserving of note. Of other inventions, I may mention here a rotating retort for the extraction of coal oil from can- nel coal and the oleiferous shales. With this appa- ratus in operation by a company with ample capital, the philosopher was on the high road to making a fortune, when, presto ! E. L. Drake, at the depth of only seventy feet, in Venango County, struck oil or petroleum, and the days of coal oil and Dr. Alter's affluence were at an end. "Indeed, from his birth to his death, the life of Dr. Alter was a struggle with poverty; but in the greater mankind in which he was merged and with which he is now immortal, he is rich in the reward which his race inherits." THE WESTMORELAND MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. At the solicitation of Dr. A. T. King, a number of the medical profession met at Greensburg in the sum- mer of 1842 to hold a conference on the subject of organizing a County Medical Society. In the county papers for the month of August appeared the follow- ing announcement: "To the Medical Profession. " Whereas, having deeply lamented the desolate and disconnected state in which the medical profession of Western Pennsylvania exists, alike disreputable to ourselves and the profession io other parts of the United States, where friendship, and science, and literature are cultivated by its members; and whereas, being fully convinced that the multitudinous evils, not expedient to mention in this place, resulting from this discon- nected state maybe easily remedied and the cause readily removed ; therefore a meeting of the members of the profession in Westmoreland and the adjoining counties is respectfully and earnestly solicited on Tuesday of the second week of the court, in Greensburg, for the purpose of taking into consideration the practicability of organizing ourselves into a society." The meeting held in pursuance of this conference and announcement was attended by some of the fore- most physicians of the county. Of its proceedings we have nothing except what we have gathered from the fragmentary notices in the county papers. Of this meeting, however, Dr. Hasson, 1 of West Newton, was elected president; a committee was appointed to draft a constitution, and a subsequent meeting was fixed for Tuesday, the 13th of October, 1842. This meeting was reported as follows: "Westmoreland Medical Association. "Agreeably to adjournment, a large number of physicians of the county convened at the court-bouse on Tuesday, the 13th instant. "Dr. Hasson, president of the previous meeting, being absent, Dr. Porter was called to the chair, Dr. Brown, secretary, " When, on motion, it was Resolved, That the secretary form a list of the members present, now and at the former meeting, and that they be considered the society. "The committee to draft a constitution submitted one, which, after interchange of sentiments, was, with ils preamble, adopted with amend- ments, after which the following officers were elected: Dr, D. Porter, president; Dr. J. Postlethwaite, \ \- ■•-president; Dr. A. T. King, record- ing secretary; Dr. J. Hasson, corresponding secretary; Dr. S. P. Brown, treasurer; Dr. F. Vogely, librarian. "On motion, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to draft by-laws and report at next meeting. Drs. Richardson, B. R. Marchand, aud William Speer were appointed. "On motion, Resolved, That a committee on a minimum fee-bill be appointed, and that they report at next meeting. Drs. King, Cummins, and Brown were appointed. " On mot ion, Drs. Porter and King were appointed to deliver addresses at the next meeting. "On motion, Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the officers and published iu the Republican and Intelligencer. " Resolved, That the society now adjourn to meet in this place <>u Tuesday, 22d ol November next, at one o'clock p.m. "David Porter, President. " S. P. Brown, Secretary, "Preamble to the Constitution of Que Westmoreland Medical Association as adopted on the report of (he Committee : "The objects contemplated by the Westmoreland Medical Association are, first, The cultivation of friendship and good feeling among its mem- bars. Second, The collection, diffusion, interchange, preservation, and general advancement of knowledge pertaining to medicine and surgery, together with the various branches of physical science which are sub- servient to them. Thirdly, The promotion of tho empire of general 1 Dr. John Hasson died at his residence in West Newton, Pa., May 1", 1872, aged sixty-six years. Dr. Hasson was born in Cecil County, Md., received bis academic education at West Nottingham Academy, in his native county, pursued his medical Btudies in the office of Dr. Joseph Pancoast, of Philadelphia, and after having attended two summer courses in the Philadelphia School of Medicine and three full winter courses of medical lectures in the University of Philadelphia, received from that institution the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the spring of 1835. After a practice of three years in the State of Maryland, he set- tled i 1 1 West Newton, Pa., March, 18-J8, having Letters from several eminent physicians of Eastern Pennsylvania, among which Mere tes- timonials of ability and integrity from Drs. Pancoast, Randolph, and William Rush, ot Philadelphia. These testimonials foreshadowed the confidence Dr. Hasson afterwards enjoyed throughout a career of thirty- four years of active professional life. During this long period he served a numerous community of patrons, and was always prompt iu the dis- charge of professional duty and faithful in his attentions to the sick. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 361 knowledge, bj which we mean to include all the branches of the exact ; sciences and general literature. Fourthly, The diffusion of professional knowledge as far as practicable among the community." On the occasion of the meeting of the society in November, Dr. King delivered his address, one of the most beautiful and entertaining of all his produc- tions. The subject was " A brief historical abstract of the origin, progress, and present condition of medical science." At a meeting of the association in February, 1843, Dr. Porter, the president, delivered an eulogy on Dr. Postlethwaithe, who had died Nov. 17, 1842. Dr. Hasson delivered a lecture upon anatomy. At a meeting in May, Dr. Cummins was the presi- dent pro fern., and Dr. King recording secretary. This association in time passed out of existence, and the next effort to form an organization was in 1852. The following is from th^ Argus oJ March 19, 1852 : "MEETING OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. " Agreeably to a notice circulated among them, a number of the mem- bers of the medical profession of Westmoreland County met at the office of Dr. A. T. King, in Greensburg, on Tuesday, the 9th inst., for the purpose of forming a County Medical Society. "The meeting was organized by calling Dr. A. T. King to the chair, and the appointment of Wni. C. Lane as secretary. " After the organization the following resolutions were offered by Dr. Reiter, of Mount Pleasant, and unanimously adopted : " 1st. Resolved, That our object In forming a County Medical Society is to co-operate with the onward movement now making in the United States, as well as in the world at large, for the advancement of medical science. "2d. Resolved, That Drs. King and Lane be appointed a committee, whose duty shall be to prepare a constitution and by-laws for the govern- ment of this society, and that they present the same at the next meet- ing of the society, so that the members may have an opportunity of ap- proving them and attaching their names to them. " On motion of the chairman, it was resolved that each member who may attend the next meeting of this society be requested to bring with him a written statement of the nature and predominant characteristics of the various diseases which have prevailed in his respective locality during the past year. " It was furthermore unanimously agreed that Dr. Win. C. Reiter be requested to deliver an address before the members of this society at its next meeting. "On motion of Dr. 0. J. Robison, the society adjourned to reassemble at the office of Dr. King, in Greensburg, on Monday, the 12th day of April, at 'I o'clock p.m. " It was also 11 Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the several newspapers of Greensburg. "A. T. King, PresH. " Wm. C. Lane, Sec'i/." The Westmoreland County Medical Society was organized at Greensburg, Nov. 15, 1859. The first minutes of the society are as follows : " Moorhead's Exchange, Greensboro, Etc. " Pursuant to an advertisement a large number of the physicians of the county met for the purpose of organizing a County Medical Society. Dr. S. P. Bruwn was elected president ; Dr. Nelson, vice-president ; and Dr. Ana- wait, secretary. After some consideration of the object and advantages of a County Medical Society, on motion, Drs. Kemble, Richardson, Rugh, Blackburn, and McConoughy were appointed a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws fur the government of the society. "The committee on constitution and by-laws reported a draft, which, after some modification, was adopted. " A committee was appointed to make nominations to fill the various offices. The following were reported and elected, viz. : S. P. Brown, president; R. Nelson and J. McConoughy, vice-presidents; J. W. Ana- wait, recording secretary; T. Richardson, corresponding secretary; James Taylor, treasurer; George S. Kemble, J. L. Cook, and J. W, Blackburn, censors. "On motion, the treasurer was instructed to provide the books neces- sary for recording the minutes, etc. " On motion, Dr. Kemble was appointed to deliver a public lecture on the evening of the next quarterly meeting. "On motion, the secretary was instructed to prepare a resolution ex- pressive of the sense of the society concerning the early death of J. E. King. "On motion, it was resolved that the minutes of this meeting be pub- lished in the county papers. On motion, the secretary was instructed to advertise each regular meeting three weeks in advance. On motion, the society adjourned to meet at I o'clock p.m. of Tuesday, Feb. 14, 1860. "J. W. Anawalt, R. S." The next meeting of the society was held at the court-house, Feb. 14, 1860. At this meeting the fol- lowing resolution was adopted : " Resolved, That all members of the profession of the county present to-day whose qualifications entitle them to membership in this society, and those whose names were appended to the advertisement for a meet- ing of the members of the profession to organize this society, shall be regarded as members from the beginning after they shall have signed the constitution and paid the initiation fee." At the night session of this meeting Dr. George S. Kemble delivered an interesting and appropriate lec- ture to a public audience on "The Medical Profession and the Public, their Mutual Relations and Respon- sibilities." Thus did the Society begin its existence, which has continued uninterruptedly from that time to this. It has held since that time eighty-two meetings, the minutes of which have been kept in due and proper order. The proceedings therein are full of interest to the profession, and that it has been greatly advantaged by the interchange of ideas passed at these periodical assemblings there can be no manner of doubt. A very large proportion of the members of the profession in the county belong to it, and have uniformly given it their active support. At the meeting of Nov. 15, 1881, the following offi- cers were elected : President, Dr. F. L. Marsh ; Vice- Presidents, Drs. Strickler and Van Kirk ; Secretary, Dr. D. E. Welsh ; Treasurer, Dr. D. W. McConoughy ; Censor, Dr. C. D. B. Eisaman ; Examining Board, Drs. Anawalt, Cowan, and Cook. The Westmoreland Medical Society has ever ad- vocated legislative action in the behalf of the profes- sion and for the protection of the regular school. There are many evidences of this, but we shall only advert to its action in one instance. In the session of the Assembly for 1854-55 a bill was reported providing for the establishment of a Board of Medical Censors, to consist of three regular physi- cians to be appointed by the Governor, before whom ! all practitioners of medicine, irrespective of age or , standing in the profession, should be annually sum- moned, in order to undergo an examination, not only as to their qualifications, but as to the progress they had made in the developments and improvements in the | science of medicine, subjecting them, upon the first examination, to a tax of twenty-five dollars, and five 362 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. dollars for every subsequent yearly examination. In the event of non-compliance with this act the penalty was to be " no recourse in law for the collection of their bills for medical services." Two of the censors were to constitute a quorum, to whose decision in all cases the third should submit. The committee which had been appointed by the Westmoreland County Medical Society on the quali- fications of physicians and surgeons made their re- port in the form of two resolutions (1866). The first resolution was to the effect that the State should be divided into Eastern and Western Districts; that the Governor should appoint five competent medical men in each district to examine persons who should de- sire to practice medicine, surgery, or obstetrics in the several counties therein, and who had not graduated in lawfully-chartered medical institutions, and to grant certificates to those found competent, for which the person examined should pay fifty dollars, the standard of qualifications not to be lower than that required by medical colleges in this State. " Further, that it shall be unlawful for any person to practice medicine, surgery, or obstetrics in any part of the State who is not a graduate of medicine, or who does not hold such certificate; and it shall be unlawful for any such person to collect any bills, or receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, for such service." The committee was then instructed to prepare a bill in accordance with the above resolution, and lay the same before the Legislature for adoption. The following list of regular practitioners in the county is made up from the docket in the prothouo- tary's office, in which are recorded the names of all who are entitled to practice under the terms of the act of Assembly contemplating it : Logan M. Kifer, Irwin Station; Jefferson Medical College, March 5, 1878. James L. Crawford, Greensburg; Jefferson Medical College, March 7, 1KGS; Bellevne Hospital Medical College of New York City, March 1, 1875. John S. Crawford, Greensburg; Hahnemann Medical College of Phila- delphia, March 10, 1875, I.Putnam Klingensmith, Derry Station; Jefferson Medical College, March 11, 1875. David Gildner, Bolivar borough. I, David Gildner, have been en- gaged in the practice of medicine, surgery, and obstetrics since the year ls71 in the following places, to wit : Philadelphia, one year; Somerset County, one year; Cambria County, one year; Washington County, six years; and in Westmoreland County, one year. Wilson J. Hugh, Franklin township; Columbus Medical College, Co- lumbus, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1877. Alexander Hunter Peebles, Youngstown ; Cincinnati College of Medi- cine and Surgery, Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1870. Robert Robinson Bowman, Youngstown ; Jefferson Medical College, tiarch 12, 1878. james C. Cline, Derry Station; Jefferson Medical College, March 13, 1880. James Henderson Lafferty, New Florence borough ; College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., March 1, 1881. Frederick Henry Patton, West Newton borough; Jefferson Medical College, March 10, 1866. Bennet Hutchinson Van Kirk, West Newton borough ; Jefferson Med- ical College, March 12, 1869. Joseph Henderson Richie, West Newton borough ; Western Reserve Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 10, 1867. James Taylor, West Fairfield, Jefferson Medical College, March 8, 1851. Jacob Swan Taylor, West Fairfield ; Electric Medical Institute of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, June 7, 1881. John Davidson Milligan, Madison borough ; Bellevne Hospital Medi- cal College of New York City, March 1, 1876. James Ayres Fulton, Delmout. I, James A. Fulton, have been en- gaged in the practice of medicine, surgery, and obstetrics since the year 1864 continuously in the borough of New Salem. Henry George Lomison, Greensburg; Jefferson Medical College, March 6, 1852. William Dana McGowan, Ligonier borough; University of Pennsyl- vania, Philadelphia, April 5, 1851. George Washington Kern, West Newton borough ; Hahnemann Medi- cal College, Philadelphia, March 11, 1878. Matthew Watson Miller, Ligonier; Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1872. Mars tun Monroe McColly, Ligonier; Jefferson Medical College, March 12, 1870. Alexander Johnston Rogers, Scottdale. I, A. J. Rogers, have been engaged in the practice of medicine, surgery, and obstetrics in the State of Pennsylvania for more than twenty years, and I have been in con- tinuous practice since the year 1871 in the counties of Fayette and Westmoreland. John Q. Robinson, West Newton borough; University of the City of New York, upon pridie Id. Mart., 1849. Albert William Strickler, Scottdale borough; Jefferson Medical Col- lege, March 9, 1871. David William McConaughy, Latrobe borough ; Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Marcli 3, 1858. George Bon bright Anderson, Latrobe borough ; Jefferson Medical Col- lege, March 10, 1877. Daniel Abraham Arter, Greensburg. I, Daniel A. Arter, have been engaged in the practice of medicine, surgery, and obstetrics for more tlian thirty years, and I have been in continuous practice in the horough of Greensburg since the year 1871. Bernard Cole Leaton, Bolivar borough ; Jefferson Medical College, March 12,1873. David William Miller, Adamsburg; Western Reserve Medical College of the city of Cleveland, Ohio, upon the die ante diem quintum nomas mar- tias, 1881. Ralph Erskin Fulton, Mount Pleasant borough; Jefferson Medical College, March 12, 1860. William John K. Kline, Greensburg. Doctor of Medicine conferred by Long Island College Hospital, New York, July 2, 1863. William Jackson Clarke, New Florence; Jefferson Medical College, March 28, 1849. Robert McConaughy, Mount Pleasant borough; Jefferson Medical Col- lege, March 11, 1875. Benjamin Ilupple Mitchell, Scottdale; Jefferson Medical College, March 10, 1877. James Henderson McLaughlin, New Salem borough ; Cincinnati Col- lege of Medicine and Surgery, Feb. 17, 1873. George Singer Foster, Greensburg; Ilonmeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania, March 3, 1859. James Sullivan Miller, Derry Station ; Jefferson Medical College, March 10, 1855. James Logan Brown, Pleasant Unity; filed written statement. James Ross Ewing, Oakland X Roads; Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, July 30, 1870. George Barkley Porch, New Florence; Jefferson Medical College, March 13,1871. John Rowland Moore, Burrell; Jefferson Medical College, March 11, 1854. Amos Ogden Taylor, New Salem; Eclectic Medical College of Penn- sylvania, Dec. 29, 1879. Jacob T. Ambrose, Ligonier borough; Long Island College Hospital* June 29, 1870. William McWilliams, Merwin; filed written statement. Alpheus Arlington Bush, Merwin; Bellevne Hospital Medical College, March 1, 1875. Hamilton Keeley Beatty, Parnassus; Jefferson Medical College, March 13, 1871. James Irwin Marchand, Irwin; Jefferson Medical College, March 8, 1862. James Mortimer Bennett, Donegal township ; filed written statement, found elsewhere in these columns. 4. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 3G3 David Emniett Welsh, Latrobe: Jefferson Medical College, March 12, 1878. Alexander Bennett Mitchell, Harrison City ; Jefferson Medical College, March 4, 1872. Hugh Wallace Love, Harrison City ; Eclectic Medical College of Penn- sylvania, March 25, 1880. George Parks, Murrysville; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Bal- timore, March 4, 1879. Millard Sowash, Irwin; Jefferson Medical College, March 11, 1874. Joseph Sturgeon Long, Circleville; Westeru Reserve College of Ohio, March 4, 1868. James Patterson Orr, West Bethany ; University of Michigan, March 26, 1879. Florence L. Marsh. Mount Pleasant ; Jefferson Medical College, March 7, 1868. Joseph L. Cook, New Alexandria ; Jefferson Medical College, March 9, 1858. Robert Brown Hammer, Greensburg; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, March 15, 1881. John Edwin Rigg, Stonerville; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., March 4, 1879. Oliver Wycoff Howell, Mount Pleasant township; Western Reserve College of Hudson, Ohio, March 6, 1880. Bruce L. Calhoun, Parnassus; Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, June 19, 1876. Lewis Trauger Smith, Pleasant Unity; Jefferson Medical College, March 4, 1876. George Louis Humphreys, Irwin ; Jefferson Medical College, March 11, 1874. Joseph Hiester Clark, Mount Pleasant ; filed written statement. Wiufield Scott Madden, Latrobe; Jefferson Medical College, March 15, 1876. Enoch Wright Townsend, Greensburg; Homoeopathic Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 19, 1853. Jacob Welty Rugh, New Alexandria; Jefferson Medical College, March 8, 1851. John Duncan Evans, Latrobe; Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Feb. 7, 1871. John Nelson McCune, Suterville; Western Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio, upon the die pridie Xoiias Mdrtisu, 1878. Robert Francis Gaut, Mount Pleasant township; Detroit Medical Col- lege, Feb. 29, 1876. Darwin Darius Taylor, Irwin ; filed written statement. John Charles Taylor, Irwin; filed written statement. James McCouaughy, Mount Pleasant ; Jefferson Medical College, March 20, 1845. Lewis Shupe Goodman, Mount Pleasant, Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, May 7, 1878. Henry Leander Donnelly, Latrobe; Jefferson Medical College, March 9, 1853. Frank Johnston Wethington, Livermore; Long Island College Hos- pital, New York, June 6, 1876. Norman G. Berkey, Hempfield township ; Jefferson Medical Collage, March 12, 1878. Morgan Rhees Banks, Livermore; filed written statement. Martin Dallas Heath, Mount Pleasant; Pulte College of Cincinnati, March 4, 1880. Isaac Newkirk Leyda, Manor Station ; Doctor of Medicine conferred by University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa., March 12, 1875. Samuel Cummins Campbell, Stahlstown; Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. C, 1879. James Taylor Krepps, Webster; Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia, March 11, 1875. William Armstrong Jamison, Cowansburg ; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, March 12, 1879. Lemuel Offutt, Penn Station; University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md., Feb. 29, 1876. Charles David Fortney, Scottdale. Have been engaged in the practice of medicine, surgery, and obstetrics for twenty-seven years, and in con- tinuous practice in Westmoreland County since the year 1871. Written statement filed. David Alters, Parnassus; Jefferson Medical College, March 9, 1861. Lewis Sutton, Mendon ; Jefferson Medical College, March 29, 1848. Uriah M.Snyder, New Salem (Delniont P. O) ; Bellevue Hospital Medi- cal College, New York City, March 1, 1872. Alvin St. Clair Daggette, Shatter station (Youghiogheuy P. 0.) ; Cleve- land Medical College, Ohio, March 2, 1881. James White Anawalt, Greensburg ; Jeffersou Medical College, March 10, 1855. Francis McConnell McConaughy, Ligonier ; Jefferson Medical College, March 24, 1846. James H. Kelly, Pleasant Unity. Has been engaged in the practice of medicine for twenty-three years in the counties of Indiana and West- moreland, and in continuous practice in Westmoreland County since 1871. Written statement filed. James Buchanan Wakefield, Mount Pleasant. Has been engaged in the practice of medicine, etc., for eleven years, and in continuous prac- tice in Westmoreland County since 1871. Statement filed. Joseph Robertson, Rostraver township; Columbus Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, March 3, 1881. Joseph William B. Kamerer, Greensburg; Jefferson Medical College, March 13, 1871. Samuel Edgar Burchfield, Latrobe; University of Michigan Homce- pathic Medical College, June 30, 1881. James Priue Frye, Webster; College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, March 4, 1880. William Brown Cosgrove, New Derry; College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, March 3, 1880. Samuel H. Decker, New Derry ; Medium's Medical Association, Michi- gan, Aug. 19th, 1880. Joseph Spratt Dodd, Parnassus ; Jefferson Medical College, March 11, 1875. Samuel Shaw Stewart, Stewart's Station ; Jefferson Medical College, March 9, 1861. Daniel Elwood Beltz, Ligonier; University of Medicine and Surgery, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1865. John Wesley Morrison, Dougal borough ; written statement. Perry Green Anderson, Scottdale ; Physio-Medical College of Ohio- Feb. 4, 1869. Dr. Henry- G. Lomison- , who enjoys the popular dis- tinction of being one of the leading physicians of West- moreland County, is of English stock on his paternal side, and of Dutch lineage on the maternal side. His immigrant ancestor, Lawrence Lomison, was a native of Bristol, England, from which place he took ship in 1682, and landed in Chester, then called Upland, Pa., December 11th of that year. Some time after his arri- val he married an immigrant lady, a native of Holland, by the name of Von Kindel, and with her settled on lands near Germantown, Pa., where they became the parents of a large family, some of whom removed to Northampton County, Pa., others settling near Tren- ton, N. J., and Belvidere, in that State. Dr. Lomison is descended from the Belvidere branch, and is the son of William Lomison, who was born near Belvidere in 1788, and died in 1862, at the age of seventy-five years. Dr. Lomison's mother, whose maiden name was Anna Fulkerson, was the daughter of Col. John Fulkerson, of Northumber- land County, Pa., a native of Holland, and was born in 1787. She intermarried with William Lomison in 1811, and died Dec. 11, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. William Lomison were the parents of eight children, of whom Dr. H. G. Lomison was the youngest. He was born July 17, 1831, near Dan- ville, Columbia (now Montour) Co., Pa., was reared upon the homestead farm, receiving a common-school education and instruction in Danville Academy, and at the age of nineteen, after having for a year or two taught school, entered upon the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. James M. Stewart, of In- diana County, Pa., to which county the family of Dr. Lomison had removed a little before that time, and 364 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. eventually matriculating at Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphia, graduated from that institution in March, 1852. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Saltsburg, Indiana Co., his capi- tal stock at that time consisting of his general educa- tion, professional acquirements and books, a robust and powerful constitution, determination to excel, tire- less energy, and " a horse, saddle, and bridle." Thus equipped he soon made his way into a good and, not long after, alarge and lucrative practice, which he pur- sued, with Saltsburg as his centre of operations, unin- terruptedly till the winter of 1858-59, which he spent in New York in attendance upon the course of lec- tures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. In the winter of 1859-60 he attended a course of medi- cal lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1860 took up his residence in Greens- burg, and followed his profession until 1869, in which year he took a tour of eight months in Europe, with the principal object of acquainting himself with the practice of medicine as administered in the chief hos- pitals of England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, which he visited. Returning he resumed practice, which he still follows with the old love for his profession, his popularity as a physician constantly increasing. Dr. Lomison is a gentleman of business abilities and spirit, and of public enterprise, and has made valuable improvements in real estate in the county and at the county-seat by the erection of edifices of various kinds. Among those at Greensburg should be mentioned the Dixon House, on Depot Street, and on West Otterman Street, a structure heretofore greatly needed in the borough, the Lomison Opera- House, with conveniences for over a thousand sitters, and supplied with full sets of scenery, together with unusually commodious dressing-rooms. In addition to sedulous attention to his large professional busi- ness, Dr. Lomison has found time to engage exten- sively in matters of real estate, with results which popular opinion declares extremely profitable. He is the possessor of over a thousand acres of land in Westmoreland County, all underlaid with the cele- brated Connellsville coking-coal. In politics Dr. Lomison is a Democrat, and was in 1878 a candidate for nomination to Congress from the Twenty-first District "of Pennsylvania, composed of the counties of Westmoreland, Fayette, and Greene, and received the unanimous vote of his party in West- moreland County. He has since been urged by the party to go again before the people, but while appre- ciating the confidence reposed in him by his multi- tudinous friends, declined on account of professional and other engagements. Obviously possessed of that good sense of " the fitness of things" which some other able physicians have manifested in the doctrine, vitally illustrated, that no man who loves his profession and is truly married to it has need of or right to any (other) wife, Dr. Lomison remains a bachelor; at any rate, what- ever may be his doctrine concerning the matter in question, his practice leaves him single. The priest and the doctor, both "father-confessors," and bound by the sanctities of their professions to guard well, in utter silence, the countless delicate secrets necessarily confided to them, should not be subjected to the temp- tation of a special, inquisitive family "bosom," into which to be beguiled to pour the privacies of their subjects and patrons. A " doctor's wife" is often the most " knowing," treacherous, and scandalous nui- sance in a community. Dr. David Alter. — The Alter family of Pennsyl- vania was of Swiss extraction, and first settled in Cumberland County, where David Alter was born in 1775. He married Elizabeth Mull, of German origin, and removed with his wife and two children, in 1803, to Puckety Creek, where he had purchased the old Miller tract. He erected the noted " Alter's Mills," famous in early times as the resort for the milling of a large scope of country. He was a captain in the war of 1812, and his sister married Governor Ritner. He and his wife were buried in the old Brady grave- yard. Their children were Nancy, married to Maj. George Dugan; Joseph, Jacob, Samuel, John, Henry, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Elias, Samson, and Eliza- beth, the latter dying unmarried and young. The first eleven all raised large families. Of these, all are living but Joseph, Elizabeth, Henry, and David. Jacob celebrated his fifty-eighth wedding anniver- sary before the death of his wife. Joseph was born in 1800, and, like his father, was a miller and farmer. He w T as a famous athlete in his younger days, and in wrestling was unequaled in this region. He married Margaret C. Dinsmore, daughter of Robert and Mar- garet (Curry) Dinsmore. They had eleven children, three boys and eight girls, of whom the former, Dr. David Alter, Robert D. Alter, and Rev. Joseph Alter, and one of the latter, Maria M. (married to Martin Van Buren, of Ohio), are living. The eldest child, Dr. David Alter, was born Dec. 28, 1829. He first attended the old subscription schools, then those of the new system, adopted in 1834—35, and subse- quently the Freeport Academy. He completed his education at Madison College, in Guernsey County, Ohio. While attending the latter and pursuing his medical studies he taught school for some eight years. He read medicine with Dr. Thomas Galbraith, of Tareutum, and graduated at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1861. The same year he located at Puckety Church to practice his profession. In 1862, during the war, he was sent to the Fifth New York Regiment (Col. G. K. Warren), then at Harrison Landing, as a contract surgeon, and in the winter of 1863, after the battle of Fredericksburg, he visited and attended the hospitals in and near Wash- ington City. In the summer of 1863 he was with the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment of militia, and went to Gettysburg as a volunteer sur- &/?Z?jZ^ THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 365 geon, and in the fall assisted in the capture of Gen. John Morgan on the Ohio River. Later in the same year he went with Rev. W. F. Kean, and at his re- quest, as a delegate of the Christian Commission to Southern Tennessee and Northern Alabama. On Sept. 10, 1864, he was mustered in as a surgeon of the Two Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was among the first troops that entered Rich- mond, Va., on its capture in 1865. After his muster out, June 26, 1865, he came to Parnassus, where he had located in the fall of 1865. Here he has remained to the present time in the successful practice of a pro- fession in which he is one of the acknowledged lead- ing practitioners of the county. He has been for years the surgeon of the Allegheny Valley Railroad, and was once president of the Allegheny Valley Medical Association. Among his medical students three have achieved distinction, — Dr. J. L. Crawford, of Greensburg (a learned contributor to the medical press) ; Dr. John Porter, of McKeesport ; and Dr. George C. Parks, of Murrysville. Dr. Alter was the first president of the Parnassus Bank, which position he held several years, and has served as president of the School Board, and under his administration the Parnassus schools were put into a high state of effi- ciency and attained a first-class rank. He has been elected by his townsmen as chief burgess of the borough, and was largely instrumental in the organ- ization of the literary and philosophical societies of the town. He is a member of the United Presby- terian Church. In politics he is an unswerving Re- publican, and comes of an old stock originally anti- slavery in ante bellum days. He was married Dec. 31, 1863, to Miss Mary, daughter of John H. and Jane (Irvine) Anderson, by whom he has three chil- dren, — Alonzo Anderson, William Irvine, and Joseph Galbraith. Dr. Alter has one of the largest private collections in the State of natural history, Indian relics, and historical objects old and rare, and his studies in these directions have greatly stimulated others to investigation and research in the same channel. His collections embrace almost every variety of animals, fishes, insects, reptiles, coins, and of curiosities collected from far and near at great ex- pense and with unceasing labor. He has the "rebel flag" captured at Richmond, Va., from over the Speaker's stand in the House of Representatives of the Southern Confederacy, and the " slave-roll" of the oldest and largest slave-holding family in the "Old Dominion" in 1854. Among his valued heirlooms is an old family clock, made in 1775, of brass, beaten and worked by hand, which has been kept in the Alter family, descending to the oldest male branch of each generation. His large collection embraces many ancient and historic maps and documents seldom found outside of public institutions, all of which attest the patient researches of their owner into anti- quarian objects and studies. Dr. James A. Fulton. — The Fulton family, of 24 —~ Scotch-Irish extraction, of which Abraham Fulton was the ancestor, resided near Londonderry, Ireland. His children were James, Abraham, Robert, Joseph, Margaret (married to a Mr. Irvine), and Polly (mar- ried to a Mr. Boyd), who all came to America about 1780, and all settled iu Westmoreland County except Joseph, who located in Ohio after remaining a few years in this State. James, who settled in Derry township, married a Miss Laughrey, by whien union were born the following children : James, Abraham, Robert, Cochran, Benjamin, and Sarah (never mar- ried). Of these, Benjamin was born in 1791, and married in 1834 Jane Ayres, also of Scotch-Irish birth. He was a reputable farmer, and died in 1859, and his wife in 1S72. Their children were Dr. James Ayres Fulton ; Nancy E., married to Maj. A. P. Davis, of Pittsburgh; and Violet E., unmarried. Dr. James A. Fulton was born in Derry township, Jan. 8, 1835. He attended the common schools in his neighborhood, and afterwards Allegheny College, at Meadville. He then taught school seven years in his native township, during which time he read medi- cine with Dr. J. W. Blackburn, of Derry. He at- tended his first course of lectures at Cleveland (Ohio) Medical College, and his second at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He then located in New Salem, in 1858, in the practice of his profession, in which he has been eminently successful, securing the confidence of the people and the respect of the medi- cal profession. On July 30, 1861, he was mustered into the United States service as first lieutenant of Company H, Fortieth Regiment (Eleventh Pennsyl- vania Reserve Volunteer Corps), and was discharged Oct. 3, 1863, on account of severe wounds received July 2, 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg. He was wounded by a Minie-ball, which went into and through his right leg and lodged in the left, where it was cut out the February following by Dr. Pancoast, of Philadelphia. When wounded the doctor was commanding his company at Round Top. Pre- vious to this, in 1862, during the McClellau campaign and "Seven Days' fighting" before Richmond, he, with all his regiment save Company B, was captured at Gaines' Mill and taken prisoner to Libby Prison, where at the expiration of forty days they were re- leased on parole. After returning from the army he again resumed his practice, now one of the largest in the county, and in which as a successful practitioner he hardly has a superior in Westmoreland. He was married by Rev. James C. Carson, Dec. 26, 1865, to Nancy Sterritt, daughter of Robert and Mary (Bor- land) Shields, by which union were born the follow- ing children : Robert Henry, Wilbur Wilson, Mary Elizabeth, Anna Louise, Jane Helen, and James Guth- rie. Together with his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which for many years he has been a leading trustee, and is assistant super- intendent of the Union Sunday-school. The doctor has ever been greatly interested in all moral and 366 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. educational measure!? for the advancement of society, and which find in him a zealous supporter. In poli- tics he is a stanch Republican, devoted to the prin- ciples of his party, but is not a politician in a partisan or machine sense. As a souvenir of his services to his country when imperiled by a rebellion, he keeps and cherishes the rebel Minie-ball extracted from his person and received at the great battle that decided the destinies of the late civil war. He is a member of the County Medical Society, organized in 1859. His residence is on Pittsburgh Street, where, sur- rounded with a neat home and pleasant family, he assiduously devotes his time and well-known ability to the practice of his honored profession. Dr. J. Q. Robinson was born in Rostraver town- ship, Westmoreland Co., Pa., July 22, 1817, the third in a family of nine children of Thomas and Achsah (Bailey) Robinson. On the father's side the family are of Irish descent. His grandfather, Alexander Robinson, moved with his family from Chestnut Level, Lancaster Co., Pa., at the close of the war of the Revolution, and settled in Rostraver, on land whictt he patented, and a por- tion of which is still owned by his descendants. His wife was Martha McCormick. Their children were Mary, Nancy, Elizabeth, John, Alexander, Martha, and Thomas. Mary was wife of James Cunningham, farmer in Rostraver, seven children ; Elizabeth, wife of William Bingham, farmer in Rostraver, eight children ; Nancy, ■wife of Thomas Patterson, farmer in Fayette County ; Martha, wife of Patterson ; John, married Hannah, daughter of Rev. James Finley, ten chil- dren ; Alexander studied medicine, and died soon after entering upon the practice of his profession. Thomas Robinson, his father, was born in Lancaster County, July 22, 1777, was about three years of age when the family moved to Rostraver, and spent the rest of his life on the homestead place, a portion of which came into his possession by purchase from other heirs. He added other lands, and at the time of his death was the owner of upwards of four hundred acres. He built the brick residence now owned by Jesse Fries, a son-in-law. He married Achsah L., daughter of Daniel and Lucinda (Perry) Bailey. On her father's side she was the lineal descendant in the sixth gen- eration from Thomas Bailey, who emigrated from Eng- land) and was known to be a resident of Boston, Mass., in 1643, and with his wife, Ruth, in Weymouth in 1661. The line is as follows : 1st, Thomas; 2d, John, of Scituate; 3d, Joseph; 4th, Adams; 5th, Daniel; 6th, Achsah. John Bailey moved from Weymouth to Scituate, and was " among the list of allowed and approved inhabitants in Scituate to whom portions of the common lands were assigned by the joint com- mittee of the court and town in 1673." Married Sarah White, Jan. 25, 1672 ; children by this union : John, b. Nov. 5, 1763, d. 1752 ; Sarah, b. October, 1675, died young ; Mary, b. December, 1677 ; Joseph, b. 1679;. Benjamin, b. 1682; William, b. 1685; Hannah, b. 1687 ; and Samuel, b. 1690. No record of his first wife's death. He married Dec. 9, 1699, Ruth Clothier. No children by this union. He died in 1718. Joseph, fourth child above, married Miss Adams ; children : Joseph, b. 1704; Martha, b. 1707; Ruth, b. 1709; Benjamin, b. 1712; Ebenezer, b. 1714; Beth, b. 1717; Caleb, b. 1720; and Adams, b. 1722. The latter, Adams Bailey, married in 1746, Sarah, fourth child of Jonathan and Sarah (Fields) Howard, of Bridge- water, who was born in 1726. Their children were Seth, b. 1747; Adams, b. 1749; Joseph, b. 1750; Charlotte and Sarah, twins, b. 1752 ; Charity and Jonathan, twins, b. 1756 ; Caleb, b. 1759 ; Ebenezer, b. 1760 ; Daniel, b. 1765 ; Caleb, b. 1768 ; and Paul, b. 1770. The three first born in Scituate, all the rest in Bridgewater. Daniel Bailey, tenth child above, mar- ried Lucinda Perry, daughter of Capt. James Perry, of Easton, Bristol Co., Mass., who raised a company of soldiers as early as 1776, was elected their captain, and departed for the seat of war. He served under Washington three years, and was engaged in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. His father before him had been a captain in the colonial service, "a stalwart man of commanding presence." Mrs. Bailey was born in 1774. The children of Daniel and Lu- cinda Bailey were Achsah L., b. Nov. 10, 1789 ; Har- riet, b. 1791; Alfreda H., b. 1793; George B., b. 1796; Leonard P., b. 1798; Lucinda P., b. 1800; Charlotte Adams, b. 1802 ; and James P., 1808. After marriage and birth of three children, the family moved from Bridgewater and settled in the township of Rostraver, at Budd's Ferry, on the Youg- hiogheny. Daniel Bailey died in 1849. His wife July 15, 1811. The children of Thomas and Achsah L. Robinson were Alexander, Lucinda, John Q., Thomas P., Mar- tha, Oliver H , Mary, James P., and Harriet. Lu- cinda is widow of Andrew Jackson Null, living in East Huntingdon township, four children; Thomas P., a widower, two children ; Martha, wife of H. L. Baer, of Scottdale, no children ; Oliver H., a farmer living in Rostraver. Thomas Robinson died Oct. 8, 1S60, at the homestead in Rostraver. His wife died March 24, 1864. Both are buried at Rehoboth Church. Dr. John Q. Robinson spent his boyhood and to near his majority at home on the farm. He was educated at the common school, Greensburg Academy, and at Washington College, studied Latin under ex-United States Senator Edgar Cowan, then a teacher at West Newton. In the spring of 1840 taught the district school at Pleasant Hill, Elizabeth township, and con- tinued teaching off and on for about four years. Dur- ing this period, however, he continued his studies with special reference to his chosen profession. Sept. 4, 1844, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Biddle at Monongahela City, and remained with him about one year. He then entered the office of Dr. Hasson, at West Newton, and studied with him until THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 367 the spring of 1848. He then went to Philadelphia, where he took a spring course of lectures, and con- tinued a course of reading and clinical instruction at the Pennsylvania Hospital, remaining altogether eight months. His second course of lectures was taken at the University of New York, from which institution he received his medical diploma in 1849. The same year he commenced the practice of his pro- fession at West Newton, the first two years occupying an office with his old preceptor, Dr. John Hasson, and sharing his large and widely extended practice. Since 1851 he has not been associated with any other physician. He has been in the continuous practice of his profession at West Newton for over thirty-three committee in the construction of their fine edifice for worship. He married, Nov. 12, 1850, Catharine, daughter of Hon. Jacob F. and Eliza Kreps. Mrs. Robinson was born Oct. 28, 1831, in Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Pa. Their children are Ada V., Georgianna (deceased), Achsah, Eliza, Martha L., Clara B., and John Q., Jr. Herewith will be found representations of the coat-armor of the Bailey and Perry families. William J. K. Kline, M.D.— The father of Dr. Kline's great-grandfather was Peter Kline, who lived in Lancaster County, Pa., in that part subsequently organized as Lebanon County, but whether there na- tive born or an immigrant from Germany is not ^ip^nte^ years, only one year less than Dr. Hasson's term of practice in the same place. He is a member of the Westmoreland County Medical Society. Though the doctor has been almost exclusively devoted to his pro- fession, he has always taken interest in the local af- fairs of the borough. He has been a member of the School Board of West Newton for eighteen years, was on its building committee in the erection of its fine school building, and its secretary for a number of years. He was president of the Farmers' Bank of West Newton from its organization to the winding up of its business. He has been a member of the Town Council three years and also its secretary. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church at West Newton since 1872, and was on the buildiug known. He was the father of three sons, the eldest of whom was named John. The other two died young, and their names were forgotten. John grew to manhood, and took part in the Revolutionary war, immediately under the command of Washington, at Valley Forge, and after a season of service in active duty was taken seriously ill, and upon recovery was transferred to the commissary department, and placed in charge of foraging parties, or troops the duty of which was to collect supplies for the army. In the pursuance of this duty Kline and his men scoured the country seeking provisions, for which they prof- fered to pay, and which the rebels or patriots willingly sold or gave to the army. But there were numerous Tories in those days in the district of Kline's opera- 368 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. tions, who believed tliat the war would terminate un- favorably to the rebel cause, and would not sell their goods or willingly contribute their quotas under levies made, saying to Kline, " Take : the king will repay us I" and he therefore did take. But the war termi- nating unfavorably to the patriotic Tories, they had no king to appeal to for reimbursement, and after the war they became the bitter foes of Kline and his comrades, and poured out their vengeance upon them by deeds of darkness, burning their houses and crops in the night season, etc. Kline, soon after the war, married a Miss Mace, and settled upon a farm near Millersburg, Lebanon Co., which farm he inherited from his father. There he remained for some time, becoming the father of several children, the oldest of whom was called John. The Tories nursing revenge bided their time, but finally visited upon him persecu- tions in the shape of the malicious destruction of bis crops, the burning of his outbuildings, etc., and made life there so uncomfortable that his wife became ter- rorized and entreated him to migrate westward and leave the farm in the possession of a tenant. He resolved to go to Kentucky, and started thitherward on horseback, carrying his boy John before him, his wife and family also riding horseback, and thus they traversed the Allegheny Mountains. Reaching a point four miles west of Greensburg, near what is now called Grapeville, on their way to Fort Pitt, they found the road there forked, and pursued the branch which seemed the more travel-worn, but which, however, led not to Fort Pitt, but to the Manor settlement, as they found on inquiring of " a woman and another person," as the chronicler states, who were making hay in a meadow. One of them asked, " What course, my friends?" Kline informed her that he wished to go to Fort Pitt en route to Kentucky. She replied, " Why, my dear friends, have you not heard of the recent murders committed on the frontiers'?" an Indian outbreak having then recently taken place. Kline said "No," and listened to the quick story of the slaughter of men, women, and children, and Mrs. Kline exclaimed, " If that's the case I shall go no farther !" The next thing was what to do, and Kline learned that he could live on " the Painter improvement," and settle there in his trade as a weaver for the time being, and concluded to do so. He sold his horses for want of feed, but not without regret interposed by " little John," who "owned" one of the animals, a beautiful mare. At that time Mr. Kline held a draft on a Mr. Boggs for £75, which was, however, lost by the failure of Boggs, a fact which, however, did not leave him en- tirely penniless. He loaned money to one John Mc- Kee, a frequent guest of his on his way to and from Philadelphia; ami McKee becoming much in debt, conveyed to Kline in part payment seventy-five acres of land in the centre of what is now McKeesport. But McKee getting on his feet again, desired to pur- chase back the land, and Kline agreeing, McKee soon laid out the tract into dwelling-house lots, of which he profitably disposed, founding the city now bearing his name. In addition to little John, whom we have noticed, the family of the elder John consisted of William, George, Samuel, Polly, and Catharine. William set- tled and raised a family in Adamsburg, where he died, George died single, and Samuel went to the Southwest, and was never heard from by his Pennsyl- vania friends. The daughters married,— one Peter Kemerer, the other Daniel Kemerer, — one of whom eventually settled in Illinois, and the other in Iowa. Mr. Kline was a conveyancer as well as farmer, etc., and made frequent journeys to Philadelphia to ex- amine titles. At last he made a trip to this city, as is supposed, and never returned, and was never after- wards heard of by his family. His absence left his family embarrassed, and they finally lost the farm he bad acquired in Manor District, and were thrown upon their own resources. Little John, now well grown, provided for the family as well as he could, and they moved to and settled in the vicinity of Adamsburg, Westmoreland Co., where John cleared away the forest. He eventu- ally married Miss Nancy Buchman, a native of Ha- gerstown, Md., by whom he had a large family, one of whom, John by name, was the father of Dr. Kline. He enjoyed the customary opportunities for education in those times, and grew up a farmer, subsequently settling in Manor District, Penn township. He was a man of great energy and industry, and was noted for his unswerving honesty in all the business affairs of life. In addition to his farm he became the owner of a mill property at Bouquet, and conducted the busi- ness of the mill for a time. He died when forty-six years of age, leaving a wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Knappenberger, a daughter of John Knap- penberger, a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of the Manor District. The death of her husband devolved upon Mrs. Kline the care of the family. She was at that time a woman of great energy, as well as mental strength, and now, when almost an octogenarian,, her mind is not only unimpaired but bright as in youth. With rare tact, good judgment, and the exercise of the Christian virtues, she reared her family well, always commanding their love. The family comprised ten children. The first was Hezekiah Joseph, who married, settled in Illinois, and died, leaving one son, now a resident of California, he completing the Western journey of the Klines, which was arrested in the person of his great-grand- father, compelled to settle in Westmoreland County, as related above. The second child was Hannah, deceased ; the third, William J. K. ; the next, Nicho- las, a surgeon dentist by profession, now residing in Scottdale ; the next, Mary Ann, married to David Snyder, and residing on the old homestead; the next, Henry, who entered the army during the Rebellion, and while faithfully serving his country died at New- Ls .JAMES T. K REPPS. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 369 bern, N. O, in 1864, at about twenty-one years of age. Being drafted for the war, and some of his friends volunteering to take his place, he said, " No ; I recog- nize this as a proper call of my country, and I will let no other perform the duty which belongs to me to fulfill." The next in order of the family is Lydia, wife of Cyrus J. Snyder, residing in Penn township, on her grandfather Knappenberger's old farm ; the next, Amos, who after a thorough education in the select schools and academy in Westmoreland County took a course in and graduated from the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and is now associate editor of the Westmoreland Democrat. The j next is Alpheus, who graduated from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., studied divinity in the theological seminary of that place, and is now a minister of the Reformed Church. Jacob, the last, died in infancy. Dr. William J. K. Kline was brought up on the homestead farm, attended the common and select schools, Glade Run Academy, and subsequently graduated from Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, in the class of 1860. During his senior years in col- lege Dr. Kline pursued the elective study of law. His health being at that time quite broken, he spent some time in the oil regions, at the outbreak of the oil excitement, hoping thus to recover his health, but without much avail. Leaving the oil regions he entered the office of Dr. H. G. Lomison, of Greens- burg, and with him read medicine, matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, took a course of lectures, and then entered Turner Lane Military Hospital, in that city, as a cadet, and subsequently completed his medical course at Long Island College Hospital, and graduated therefrom in 1864. The battle of Gettysburg being then in progress he pro- ceeded to Harrisburg with the intention of entering a surgical corps, passed examination by the State Medical Board, and was assigned to duty, and a large number of the wounded having been shipped to Har- risburg, he and Dr. J. S. King organized in that city the Walnut Street Hospital, of which they continued in joint charge for the period of nine months, at the end of which the emergency under which the hospital was organized was over. Near the close of his en- gagement there Dr. Kline contracted typhoid fever, which unfitted him for military duty, and on recovery went into private practice at Irwin Station, West- moreland Co., where he followed his profession for some years, being a portion of the time assistant surgeon, and during the absence of Dr. Lomison, the surgeon, in Europe, the acting surgeon for the West- moreland Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1868 Dr. Kline married Miss Emma Tinstman, daughter of the late John Tinstman, of Fayette County, Pa. In 1868-69 he took an extra course of medical lectures at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York. In 1871 he removed to Greensburg, where he practiced his profession. He is one of the proprietors of the Westmoreland Demo- crat, and for the first few years of his residence in Greensburg shared with his copartners the editorship of that paper, in addition to his professional practice. In 1876, Dr. Kline was elected a member of the State Legislature, and served in the sessions of 1877 -78. James Taylor Krepps, M.D., was born in Upper Middleton, Fayette Co., Pa., Aug. 4, 1847, the third in a family of seven children of Lewis and Sarah Ann (Lewis) Krepps. Jacob Krepps, his grandfather, emigrated with two brothers from Germany, and set- tled in Westmoreland County, Pa., and all who spell the name with a double " p" in this country are the descendants of these brothers. His grandfather Krepps raised a family of seven boys and three girls, eight of whom are living. All were married and settled in Western Pennsylvania. Lewis Krepps, his father, learned and followed the trade of a machinist, is retired from active business, a resident of Belle Vernon, Fayette Co., Pa. His mother was a native of the same county, and is still living. Their children were Hannah Elizabeth, Jacob William, James Taylor, Mary Allene, Ann Louisa, Eliza Jane, and Lewis Wilson, all married except Mary Allene and Lewis Wilson. When the doctor was a child his father moved from Upper Mid- dleton and settled in Fayette City, Fayette Co. Here the doctor lived until he was eleven years of age. He then left home, and hired out at three dollars per month to Joseph Krepps, at Allenport, Washington Co., Pa., where he remained five years, attending school during the winter seasons. At the age of six- teen he went for four seasons as cook on the steamer "Gen. George Washington," plying between Belle "Vernon and Pittsburgh, continuing his attention at school winters. AVhen twenty years of age he went to work in the ship-yard (Speer's) at Belle Vernon, where he remained two years. He then bought a livery stable in Belle Vernon, and ran it five years. During this period he commenced the study of med- icine with Dr. S. A. Conklin, then of Belle Vernon, now of Canton, Ohio. In the fall of 1872 he attended his first course of medical lectures at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his second course in the session of 1874-75 at the Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphia, receiving his medical diploma from that institution in the spring of the latter year. On April 6, 1875, he located at Webster, and has practiced his profession at that place ever since. He carries on a drug-store iu connection with his practice. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Webster, also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He married March 14, 1871, Laura J., daughter of Thomas H. and Elma E. (Eberhart) Niccolls. Mrs. Krepps was born Oct. 26, 1848. Her grandfather Eberhart was among the first to manufacture glass in 370 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Western Pennsylvania, and at one time was a large property-owner in Westmoreland County. He died in Redstone township, Fayette Co., March 2, 1882. Her uncle, Dr. Robert Niccolls, was surgeon-general in the army, now a retired physician, living in Bloom- ingtou, 111. Her grandfather, John Niccolls, was at one time sheriff of Westmoreland County. Dr. and Mrs. Krepps have children as follows : Allen Lewis, Laura May, Sarah Elma (deceased), and James Taylor, Jr. The doctor has been emphatically the " architect of his own fortune," has " made his own living" since he was eleven years of age, and by his own unaided efforts acquired his literary and medical education. Though among the younger members of the profession, he has attained a standing as a suc- cessful practitioner among the foremost in the county. Dr. John Davidson Milligan. — The great- grandfather of Dr. Milligan, John Milligan, emi- grated from the Highlands of Scotland to America in the early part of the last century, and settled in Chester County, Pa. He here married a Miss Mary Adams, a lady of the New England Adams family. He was a miller by occupation, and owned a mill and carried on his business at his place of location in the early part of the Revolutionary war. Being in sym- pathy with the cause of the colonies, he secretly and in a clandestine manner from time to time arranged that the Continental army should get rations of his flour. Being suspected in this he was in danger from the British at the time they occupied Philadelphia and the southeastern portion of the State. A de- tachment of the army sent for that purpose finally did destroy his mill, when he joined the army under Washington, and remained there till the close of the war. After the war he came to Westmoreland County, and took up the farm afterwards owned and occupied by Col. Israel Painter, known as " the Willow Tree Farm." He afterwards removed to and occupied the farm still in the possession of some of his descendants, situated west of Bell's Mills, Sewickley township, Westmoreland Co. On this farm he died. Before his death he held for a number of years the com- mission of justice of the peace. He left issue, — John, Alexander, and James C, of whom the latter was the grandfather of Dr. Milligan, and who was born in 1790. He married Deborah Eckels, a native of the county, of Scotch extraction. He was a farmer and carpenter, and occupied a por- tion of the Bell's Mills tract, upon which he still, witli his wife, resides in vigorous old age. His family are David, Mary, James M., Margaret, George, and Ellen. James M., the father of Dr. Milligan, was born on the 1st of January, 1819, and was married to Elizabeth Davidson, daughter of Samuel Davidson, in the fall of 1849. The issue of this marriage were John Davidson, Rosetta, Sarah, and Harry. John Davidson Milligan was born July 31, 1851, within a short distance of where he is at present located as a physician. He spent his boyhood on the farm of his father until he was seventeen. During this time he enjoyed no further benefits of schooling than were common to the boys of his locality at that time. But having advanced as far in his education as the facilities of the common schools allowed, he prosecuted his higher studies, including the classics, under competent private tutors. In his eighteenth year he creditably sustained an examination by the county superintendent, and received a certificate to teach. He taught two terms in succession, and still pursuing his studies became a student and graduate, July 17, 1872, of Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Pa. Afterwards he again taught school in the same build- ing in which he had first gone to school. About this time he took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Lewis Sutton, a practicing physician at Mendon, this county, and in 1874 attended a course of medical lectures at the Western Reserve Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio. From this institution he went to New York City, where he remained until he completed his course, and where, on March 1, 1876, he graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College. Returning home, he remained with his preceptor during the summer of 1876, and in October of that year again went East. On this trip, October 2d, he was married to Mrs. Martha J. Pinkerton, daughter of the late Col. Joseph Guffey, of Sewickley town- ship, Westmoreland. The marriage ceremony was performed in the Pennsylvania Room at Mount Ver- non, amid a throng of travelers, by the Rev. Mr. In- gersoll, of Washington City. Returning to New York, Mr. Milligan remained there during the closing session of that academic year, occupying his time in the study of clinical medicine and surgery in special, together with all available subjects incidental to the curriculum of the profes- sion. After properly qualifying he returned to Mad- ison, this county, in March, 1877, where he located to pursue the practice of the profession of his choice. Here his attention to business, clear conception, and honesty of purpose soon opened out to him a field of practice second to none in this county. Soon after locating at Madison he became a member of the Westmoreland County Medical Society, and in 1878 was delegated to Pittsburgh to the meeting of the State Medical Society, of which he became a perma- nent member. It might be expected that it would be said that Dr. Milligan is still a devoted student, and so he is. He has devoted much time and study to the treatment of infantile and puerperal convulsions, and is at present preparing a work on that subject, together with clin- ical reports on all kinds of eclampsy. The Centennial year was one long to be remem bered by Dr. Milligan, for in that year he graduated from college, and in that same year was he married. The marriage ceremony was performed under pecu- liarly patriotic circumstances. On the 2d of October, 1876, he was united in the bonds of wedlock to Mrs. ~Mt&*'uc%tb) ^Crz- <^L. fJt-t--^/^>-t-«> COMMON SCHOOLS. 371 Martha J. Pinkerton, daughter of the late Col. Joseph Guffey, of Sewickley township, this county, at Mount Vernon, in the Pennsylvania room, in the midst of a throng of travellers, by the Rev. Mr. Ingersoll, of Washington City. This wedding ceremony was an impromptu one, and was hastened on under circum- stances which, the doctor says, were patriotic as well as romantic. Dr. Milligan is regarded as one of the foremost citizens of his community. He has filled all the offices of the borough corporation, and been selected school director; offices it is true of no distinction to a man, but capable of being made of some distinction by a man. The Milligan family has always been consistent Whig or Republican ; and in politico-clerical fields it has had one exponent well known in Western Pennsylvania. Rev. Dr. McLeod Milligan, pastor of the First Covenanter Congregation of Pittsburgh, is one of this family, and his eloquence and uncommon zeal are well known to Westmorelanders. Dr. Milli- gan has some reputation as a politician, having taken an active part in politics, and helping much to con- trol his party in local measures in this county. The biographical sketch of Dr. Lewis Sutton, whose portrait accompanies this chapter, appears in the bio- graphical department of South Huntingdon town- ship. CHAPTER XLV. COMMON SCHOOLS. Condition of Early Instruction in the Early Province and State — Mr. Sonierville's School at Greensburg — Country Schools — First Insti- tutes — The Superintendency and the Opinion of the last Genera- tion touching it — First Country Schools in the North of the County — List of County Superintendents : J. S. Walthour, H. M. Jones, J. Sil- liman, J. R. Spiegel — Present Status of the Common Schools — The County Institute of 1881. It is not possible for us to trace up a satisfactory history of the school system in this portion of the State from its settlement, as we have no data to work from. This want will doubtless be supplied by the publica- tion of the " History of the Common School System of Pennsylvania," now in preparation by Mr. Wicker- sham, late Superintendent of Public Instruction. Some interesting observations on the early school system of the State may, however, be obtained in Lodge's " History of the English Colonies in Amer- ica," chap. xiii. We make room for a passage : "The Germans, as a rule, were far behind the English in point of in- formation, although they produced some distinguished men, like Ritteu- house and Muhlenberg ; and the same held true of the Swedes and Dutch, and in a less degree of the Irish. The German and Swedish pastors made great efforts to remedy this state of affairs by establishing schools in connection with the churches, but they met with little suc- cess. The Scotch and Irish Presbyterian clergy, more active and more zealous, fared better, and did good work with their country schools, known at this time as 'log colleges.' But the general condition of education in the rural districts was wretched in the extreme. School- houses were few and small, and rudely built of logs, and even these did not begin to appear much before the middle of the eighteenth century. The barest rudiments only were taught, and those badly and for small fees. There was little learning, loose order, and much whipping every- where. There was no public system of schools, and education was almost wholly in the hands of itinerant masters, who were frequently convicts and foreigners ; and even they generally abandoned a profession where the fee of a scholar was only five shillings a quarter. The case was a little better in the towns, such as Wilmington ; but the educational efforts of the English, who were the governing race, seem, except in the case of private schools kept by individual clergyman, to have been con- fined to the capital." We do not propose to give a biographical sketch of the life and public services of the race of defunct pedagogues in treating of this subject, any more than do we propose to make of the civil history of our county a gazetteer or directory. But the reader will readily perceive that we can illustrate any given sub- ject to better advantage by treating in detail a par- ticular branch or component part of it, and on this topic we recall a description of the " opening exer- cises" of the public school in Greensburg when Mr. Somerville was schoolmaster there, about 1830. When the school opened Mr. Somerville passed around among the scholars taking down their names and ages, and examining the books which they bad brought with them in which to pursue their studies. And here it may be premised that a series of very good readers had been compiled for the use of schools by the grammarian, Lindley Murray. They were named "The Introduction," "English Reader," and "Sequel." These readers were in common use, but after reading through them once or twice, boys were then allowed to read histories or the Holy Scriptures. On making inquiry about the books, one boy had brought Goldsmith's " History of Rome." Somer- ville said, " Let me hear you read." The boy read a few sentences, when the schoolmaster said, " Stop ! take that home and bring an 'English Reader.'" The boy replied, " Why, sir, I have read the ' Eng- lish Reader' and ' Sequel.' " Somerville sternly ex- claimed, " Do as I bid you ! Take that book home and bring the ' English Reader.' " Another boy had brought Grimshaw's " History of the United States." He was ordered to take it home and bring an " Eng- lish Reader." A third boy had brought the Bible. "Read a few verses," said the schoolmaster. The pupil read them. " Take that book home," cried the stern pedagogue, " and bring an ' Introduction.' " In short, he packed off Goldsmith, Grimshaw, Tytler, Plutarch, and the lives of Francis Marion and George Washington, and did not in his indignation spare even "King James' Translation of the Holy Scrip- tures." After repeated trials in reading he arranged all his scholars into three reading classes, known by the books they used, " Introduction," " English Reader," and " Sequel." Somerville being an Englishman, and probably an usher in England, had gotten his ideas of order and • system at home, and these he brought with him. He 372 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. was generally regarded as ahead of his time, but this opinion we are bound to say was formed and promul- gated after he had left. In his teaching he appears to have laid much stress on reading, and evidently made an effort to teach the rudimentary branches well rather than hurry his pupils forward. In teach- ing reading he made his pupils read oftentimes the same sentence, that it might in the end be read cor- rectly in emphasis, articulation, and intonation. He would read aloud himself to teach them properly, and thus call their attention to their own defects. To the shame of ridicule, he added the dread of chastisement. The public schools then, and long after, closed on Saturday at twelve o'clock. Every Saturday afternoon Mr. Somerville strolled into the woods, and returned with a number of long, two- handed rods, which he wore out on the backs of the pupils during the following week. The parents had too much good sense to object, and indeed those mostly who wished their children to succeed at school imagined they made more rapid progress. With Solomon they were orthodox, and held that " to spare the rod was to spoil the child." All the boys who were advanced beyond a spelling- book used the dictionary of John Walker, which they were required or expected to study every day. Be- sides the ordinary method of teaching arithmetic, Mr. Somerville was among the first to arrange his pupils in classes and give instruction in mental and oral calculation. For a small compensation he, as all worthy teachers of his day, performed a great amount of labor. Blank paper and goose-quills were used in learning to write, and the schoolmaster had to set all the copies and make and mend all the pens. Thirty or forty copy-books had to be written in every day, and thirty or forty pens put in order. The school- master had often to remain after hours or go before school-time in order to get through with his irksome daily labor. And such, we take it, does not inaptly answer for a description of the manner in which the schools of the towns were in those days conducted. In the country schools, where the people were poorer, the roads bad, and the settlements scattered, the facilities for com- mon schools were greatly inferior to those we have in- dicated. To the public spirit and the influence of good citizens and men in nearly every locality the common people of the remote districts were indebted for all the advantages they possessed, such as they were. The qualifications of the " masters" who taught these schools were not high. Besides teaching spell- ing, reading, the Ten Commandments, and ciphering as far as the double rule of three, they were to show the youngsters how to sharpen quill-pens, and be able to cudgel the biggest and worst boy in the district. A successful pedagogue for a term of years might hope to be made a justice of the peace after many years' ' service. If he could survey or clerk between times he could make a living. The following personal reminiscence of Col. John Bonnett, who lived between Laurelville and Mount Pleasant, preserves some information which we cannot afford to lose. Col. Bonnett was of French descent, of Huguenot extraction, and his only daughter was the wife of Dr. David Marchand, father of the Greens- burg family of Marchands. He was a man of ster- ling integrity, noble and generous-hearted, esteemed and respected by all who knew him, plain and unosten- tatious in his manners, but when roused had all the fire and flash of a Frenchman. His wife was a strong- minded woman of rare good common sense. They were known and generally called by the kindly name of " Uncle and Aunt Bonnett." One of his kind and generous acts probably eighty years ago or more (1800), was to set apart a plot of ground on one corner of his large plantation on which to erect a school-house, which was built by the neighbors throwing together, contributing largely towards it himself. This school-house, which was built about a mile east of Mount Pleasant, along the turnpike, served the community for many long years within a radius of five or six miles, and from a recollection extending over fifty years, was the only institution of learning there known. Quite a number from Mount Pleasant attended school there, of whom but few are now living. So celebrated was that old log school- house for the schools held in it, church and other meetings, that the late Daniel Shupe had it pho- tographed by A. N. Stauffer, of Mount Pleasant, be- fore it was torn down, and had a walking-cane made from one of the timbers. In those days the schools were supported by subscription, — no pay schools at that time, — and it was common to have a winter school for the larger ones, and a summer school for the smaller pupils. For the benefit of the smaller pupils, Col. Bonnett planted along the road opposite the school-house two rows of cherry-trees of different varieties, two or three of which are yet standing as monuments of his noble generosity. He lived to see them grow up and bear abundance of fruit to gladden the hearts of many a child. He seemed to live to impart good to others. The Bonnett farm is now known as the William Barnhart, Sr., farm. In the Gazette for March 25, 1825, is the following communication, which is of interest, as it reflects the public sentiment at that time on the matter of popular education. A correspondent writes us, so the editor says, from Rostraver township, in this county, as follows: "Mr. Editor,— It is requested that you would publish in your paper that the citizens of Rostraver township at their township election-ground agreed unanimously, by a publick vote, not to elect schoolmen for said township." The editorial comments upon this bit of informa- tion were in the following order : " At an election in this borough fifteen votes were given for school- men. No previous notice, agreeably to the school law, was given by the inhabitants. We know of no law or act of any legislative body so un- COMMON SCHOOLS. 373 popular as this law has proven to be in this county. At the election in Hempfield township a scene of confusion and tumult occurred which iB represented as having been frightful. A person who witnessed part of it states that if any advocate of the school law had openly avowed himself as such he would have been literally torn to pieces. Expressions to this effect wore uttered by several person*. " Disorder on occasions of this kind is generally confined to a few in- dividuals who drink too freely, but in this instance it is not a little sur- prising to find a great majority of the people present openly opposed to the adoption of any measure having The least relation to the law in question. A greater number of persons were present than ever congre- gated at the same place before. "In Unity township, and, indeed, in every other township from which we have heard, a very decided disapprobation of the provisions of this law was manifested by the people. What could have produced such an unanimity of opinion upon the subject it is difficult for us to conjec- ture." FIRST INSTITUTES. At the June meeting, 1853, of the Westmoreland County Teachers' Association, John H. Hoopes, S. P. Shryock, and S. W. Greer were appointed a com- mittee to prepare an address lo the teachers and parents of the county on behalf of the association. The committee thereupon prepared and published in the county papers in July, 1853, the address, the opening portion of which is here given : "During the session of the 'Conemaugh Teachers' Institute 1 at Blairsville, Indiana Co., last October, a number of teachers from this county believing it high time to form a County Teachers' Association, held a meeting preliminary to such an organization. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution, and another to publish a ' call' for a meeting at New Alexandria on the 21st of November. Unfortunately this committee called the meeting for the 24th of December, and when the time (as fixed upon by the preliminary meeting) arrived only about twenty-five teachers were in attendance. These believing it proper to proceed to business, organized by adopting a constitution and electing officers, styling their organization as the 'Westmoreland County Teach- ers' Association.' After a spirited meeting of two days the association adjourned to meet at Madison on the 24th of June following. Those present believed that the most serious obstacles in the way of forming a union had now been removed, and that the meeting in June would be a joyous gathering of all the teachers in the county. u The 24th of June came ; timely notice in the public papers had been given of the meeting to be held on that day, and only eight teachers were in attendance. We confess it is with regret we publish this fact, but it is even so, that of more than two hundred professing teachers in this county only eight were interested enough to meet and consult together concerning the interests of their profession and for the welfare of those under their care. We are aware that the lime was not the most favor- able, being just at the commencement of harvest; but, making all due allowances, we think at least one hundred teachers might have been in attendance. Even that number would have been a poor representation of the county, but would have added permanency to the association." This statement of facts gave opportunity and occa- sion for the committee to describe at length the pecu- liar relations existing between the teacher and the people, and to deprecate the apathy of the profes- sional instructors and their lack of enterprise and aggression. A very eloquent and hearty appeal was made to the regular teachers to induce them to organ- ize, first in township associations, and again more especially in a county association, and it was asserted, with great truth, that whenever they should do so the body of the people, and especially the friends of pop- ular education, would come out and boldly and not timidly co-operate with them and assist them in their labors and in their efforts to elevate the standard of their honorable profession. The parents were specially requested to urge upon the teachers to effect local organizations, and to visit the schools. " There is," said the address, " too little visiting on the part of the parents ; it is a duty you owe your children and their teachers ; every good teacher will always welcome the parents of his pupils." The announcement was then made that a special meeting of the County Association would be held at Adamsburg on the first Friday of September, and a stated meeting at New Salem on the last Friday of November, and that the "Conemaugh Teachers' In- stitute" for the instruction of teachers would meet at New Alexandria on the 24th of October, and con- tinue in session one week. The common-school system, so far as regards its status in Westmoreland County, had in John H. Hoopes one of its most outspoken, ardent, zealous, and able friends and propagandists. Every move- ment in the interest of popular education was ably and warmly espoused and advocated by him, and he had a very happy faculty of presenting all the argu- ments in a practical as well as in an interesting manner. We think we do a favor to those who take an in- terest in this subject in recalling now some of his public expressions on the subject, which to the read- ers of that day were new. The following is taken from one of his contribu- tions to the Greensburg Democrat, in the issue of Sept. 6, 1855. As it is a teacher's opinion and a teacher's reflex of public opinion, and so ably delin- eates the situation of his profession at that day, we cannot think that our time and space are lost in giving it : "TEACHERS' INSTITUTE. " At last we are to have a Teachers' Institute in Westmoreland, even in the town of Greensburg, and we do hope that our teachers — a ma- jority of whom, for the first time, will have an opportunity of partici- pating in an institution established for their own benefit, and located in a central part of the county easy of access— will come up, enroll themselves as members, and take an active part in the proceedings. " Teachers' Institutes in Pennsylvania are of recent origin, but were established as long since a6 1840 in New England and Ohio. The object is to afford teachers an opportunity of assembling together and receiving instruction in the branches of education taught in public schools, and also in the theory and practice of teaching, the latter being an essential qualification to success, and one in which too many are sadly deficient. "Another advantage is also derived from these meetings: teachers are thus afforded an opportunity of meeting together and exchanging views on a Bubject which should interest them more than any other. This alone iB well worth the cost, and is of incalculable value. The teacher who has never yet met in association with bis fellow-laborers and con- versed on the duties of his profession has but little idea of the informa- tion derived from such intercourse. 11 During the summer of 1853, Messrs. J. M. McElroy and J. M. Bar- nett, assistant principals of Elder's Ridge Academy, and a few other enterprising teachers made arrangements for holding an Institute at Blairsville, at which place in October of that year a large number of the teachers of Westmoreland and Indiana Counties met and organized the 'Conemaugh Teachers' Institute.' Several distinguished educationalists from abroad were present as instructors, and after a spirited session of one webk the Institute adjourned to meet at New Alexandria in October of the next year. " We regard thai meeting as the great awaker of the teachers of Penn- sylvania ; there a spirit was aroused which will never r^st until the 374 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. character of our public schools is elevated to the highest that can be attained. The Hon. Thomas H. Burrowes, the untiring friend of educa- tion, and who has done more than any other man in the State for public schools, was present and took an active part in the meeting. After his return home he published in the Pennsylvania School Journal a glowing account of what had been done, which so aroused the teachers of several counties to a sense of duty that before the new year was ushered in a number of Institutes had been held in various sections of the State.and arrangements made for their coutinuance in future. Since that time nearly every county has held one or more Institutes. The ' Conemaugh Institute 1 convened at New Alexandria in October, 1853, and continued in session one week, and again at Siiltsburg in October, ISM, for one week. At this last meeting the connection between the teachers of In- diana and Westmoreland, so far as related to the 'Conemaugh, 1 was dis- solved by mutual consent, it being thought that the time had arrived for establishing two separate Institutes, one in each county, and that it was the duty of county superintendents to establish schools for the instruc- tion of teachers. In accordance with this view, our superintendent, Mr. McCormick, is now making arrangements for holding an Institute at Greensburg, tu commence on the 8th of October next, and continue one week. He has secured the services of Professor J. H. Stoddard, a true friend of education, and professor in the Normal School at Lancaster. Mr. J. P. Wickersham, superintendent of Laucaster County, has prom- ised to he present, if possible. Mr. BurroweB and other distinguished gentlemen are also expected to be with us. "Very mauy of the teachers of this county have been engaged in teaching for several years, remaining isolated beings, never meeting with their fellow-laborers, never exchanging views with other teachers on the duties of their profession. This is all wrong. No teacher is so well qualified that he cannot improve, and he who desires to teach in- telligently and succeed in the school-room must associate frequently with his brother teachers. Ideas will be advanced, modes of teaching pursued by others will be suggested, and, unless he he resolutely de- termined to learn nothing more, he will return to his school-room with a lighter heart, a better knowledge of his duties, and with a renewed zeal fur his profession. This is an age of improvement; there is a uni- versal demand for reform, — in religion, in politics, in education, in every- thing pertaining to our moral and social condition. The truly good teacher is beginning to be appreciated, and teaching is being elevated to its proper place. A majority of those who taught, or, rather, kept, school, say fifteen years ago, are no longer accounted worthy to oc- cupy the position of teacher; they remained isolated, were well enough qualified to teach school, and so they awoke one morning and found themselves ' behind the age.' And the ' drones," the machine-men, who are now intrusted with forming the character of the rising generation, unless they be up and doing, will soon meet the fate of their predeces- sors. We do not hesitate to say that the teacher who is unwilling to come out and meet his brother teachers face to face, who never expends a part of his salary in qualifying himself for his office, is unworthy the name of teacher, and had we the power to do so, we would strike the name of every such person from the roll. Much better would it be for the young minds of the present day if all such teachers, if they must be recipients of public funds, were paid to keep out of school-houses, as in that case our children, if not educated, would not be worse than un- educated. But we believe that a majority of the teachers of this county ore interested in this matter, and really do wish to Bee our schools ob- tain a more elevated character, and although they have stood aloof from the good work which has been going on, we cannot believe they have done so from choice, but ratlier have been actuated by feelings of modesty and a dislike of becoming known. Throw these feelings aside, and let us meet together to talk over our trials and difficulties, and have the dark places made bright. Let us meet and do each other good." THE SUPERIXTENDENCY. The act establishing the county superintendency was passed in 1854, and has consequently been in operation, at. this writing, twenty-eight years. The office was at first very unpopular, but its usefulness is now universally acknowledged, except where men fill it who are incompetent for the place. 1 Those ac- quainted with the history of the common schools in Pennsylvania for the last quarter of a century must 1 Report of superintendent of public instruction for 1878. accord to it the high honor of being the principal agency in the movement that has revolutionized our system of public instruction, making it one of the most efficient in the Union. The Legislature of 1866 greatly strengthened the office by passing a law requiring all superintendents to be practical teachers, and to possess certain pre- scribed literary and professional qualifications. The school bill of 1854, in which was established the office of county superintendent, was received with marked feelings of disapprobation in some parts of the county. Like all advancements in any depart- ment of thought or action, it was opposed by that large portion of people who are constitutionally op- posed to innovation. But among the supporters of that bill was Mr. Hoopes, the ardent supporter of every movement and every law contemplated or passed in the interest of the common-school system. He published a lengthy article on "The Office of County Superintendent" in the current issues of the Greensburg papers, in which he answers the objections advanced by those opposed to the office. In this article he evinced a thorough knowledge, not only of the State legislation on the subject, but of the whole history of the school move- ment in the State in every phase and in every sec- tion. Touching upon that function of the county super- intendent, to pass upon the qualifications of teachers in both theory and practice, he uses the following language : " We have about two hundred and fifty schools; and of the teachers employed in these, I would like to know how many can publicly give their modus operandi of teaching? How many have any method at allT How many are mere machines, schoolmasters who teach altogether from the book, and do not know anything out of some particular text- books they have committed to memory? How many teachers have we who have ever thought for one moment that something more than a mere knowledge of some school reader, arithmetic, or grammar is ac- tually necessary in order to constitute a teacher capable of unfolding the infant mind and conducting it step by step up the rugged 'bill of science' ? These are grave and important questions, questions to which gloomy answers can only be returned, questious that deserve to be pondered seriously before we assert that our teachers and our schools are in need of no further improvement. "Can the superintendent in any way improve the condition of our schools? Most assuredly he can; and the more certainly to eradicate the great and prevailing evil the Law itself points out hie first duty, the examination of teachers." During 1858 and 1859 the great question which still agitated the peace of mind of the respectably inclined portion of country gentlemen, particularly those of that large class who are always looking about for a subject and an occasion which offers them a chance to be heard, was the question of the county superin- tendency, whether the office should be retained or vacated, whether it was of advantage or of disadvan- tage, whether, in choice terms, it was a good invest- ment or an unprofitable investment. Meetings were held in nearly every school district in the county. The foremost gentlemen in every community at- tended. Their names appear in the reports of these COMMON SCHOOLS. 375 meetings as they were published in the county papers of the time. The great majority of these meetings indorsed resolutions which substantially pronounced the office of county superintendent a miserable fail- ure, inadequate to meet the ends sought, expensive and burdensome. The Legislature was requested to repeal the law and vacate the office. The men whose names figured most conspicuously would now be ashamed if they were made public. And well might they be, for they belong to that category which have from time immemorial been conspicuous for their opposition to innovations and to all advancement in the arts which have benefited the human race. They belong to that class which opposed the introduction of the press, of toll-paying turnpikes, of prepaid postage, of locomotives, of telegraphy, of the aboli- tion of the insolvent laws, and of vaccination. As a general remark, they were of narrow minds and of still narrower experience, selfish, ignorant, self- righteous, and covetous. And we know not of any who opposed the common-school system more de- serving reprehension or more the objects of well- merited contempt than those who tried to crush out the system in the infancy of its existence. That there were some plausible reasons upon which to found an expression of opinion in opposition to the office of county superintendent, and which at that time were apparent, will not be denied. The super- visory duties of that officer were not then thoroughly understood even by that officer himself. To have a public officer perform the functions of his office more things are necessary than the mere creation of the office and the induction of the officer. All jar- ring in the working part of the machinery must be stopped ; there must be an harmonious movement of all its parts. Such a condition of affairs did not then exist, nor was it possible for it to exist. But how few even at that day, friends of education and of the common-school system, as they called themselves, who, viewing the whole field carefully and critically, made up their minds unbiased by prejudice or un- controlled by ignorance. The report of Superintendent McAfee for the year previous contained the following : " I visited two hundred and two schools during the year, and although I had confidently expected to be able to visit all in the county during the winter, I was compelled, in consequence of the shortness of the school term, to leave over sixty unvisited. I made every effort to redeem my promise to the teach- ers at the public examinations to visit all, but 1 soon found that no person can visit so many schools in so short a time." For the latter part of the school year of 1859 (Feb- ruary), Mr. McAfee availed himself of the privilege allowed him by the law, and appointed Mr. R. S. Dinsmore, of Burrell township, and Mr. Austin Tay- lor, of East Huntingdon township, his assistants, to visit schools in the respective districts assigned them. Among the " Proceedings" of the citizens of Derry township, who met at School-House No. 8 on the evening of 10th February, 1859, is the following: " Resolved, That we consider our schools in a retrograde, in place of a progressive, condition. . . . We view the present law arbitrary, the power being all placed in the hands of school board and superintendent, the tax-payers having nothing to say. "That we view with indignation that feature of the law which em- powers the teachers and directors, absolutely combined, to force on any locality a series of books which they do not prefer, and to debar a series of hooks which it is the desire of the people to use. " That we will support no man for the office of school director that will not pledge himself, if called upon, to cut down the salary of the county superintendent, and use all honorable meanB to abolish the office." Previous to that meeting a similar meeting had been held at Hickory Spring School-House, Unity township, at which the following resolution, which had been made public, copied and indorsed by many other meetings in the neighborhood, was passed : "That we view with indignation and abhorrence that feature of the law which empowers the superintendent and directors, combined, to arbitrarily force on any locality a series of books when that locality is already supplied with a series they prefer. We believe that by an easy transition of such laws in their hands many would strike a d^atb-blow at the rights of conscience and triumph in our prostrate liberties " But this resolution was seriously condemned by other meetings in Unity township, particularly at a meeting held at No. 5 (Boyd's) about the same time of the meeting in Derry, above referred to. Petitions were in circulation in various portions of the county praying the Legislature to repeal that part of the school law of 1854 which relates to the county superintendency. But the system survived all this, and we have only to suggest a few observations before we note more minutely the progress and come to consider the present status of the system. There should not be any invidious distinctions drawn between the system of education common in the early period and that which was common in a later period, or which now prevails, to an utter contempt for the former system, as is sometimes done. In some respects our schools of to-day, in the subject matter taught and in the method of teaching, are not much, if at all, in advance of the schools of the generation preceding ours. For example, the discipline which is necessary for a mas- tery of the mathematics, of which elementary arith- metic is a branch, is said to be now wanting. So, too, has it been averred that object teaching does not in its method lay the solid foundation which the old system did. But leaving these things to right them- selves, it is apparent that the common-school system in its present degree of perfection is not the work of a day. The labor of those hauds who worked in the cause of popular and free schooling may be seen in the superstructure of the system itself. The present system of common-school education could only have been produced by a people who were trained up in it, and who towards a common end actively co-operated together. Such a system could not have been built up by any man or by any one set of men out of the 376 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. incongruous elements at hand. A county institute of 1881, with its trained instructors in all the practical and experimental sciences, in practice of teaching and in belles-lettres, in elocution and in vocal music, would have been in its ends and objects utterly in- comprehensible to our people of 1834. But there is one difference in the method of instruc- tion which will universally be admitted an improve- ment. This is in the manner of correcting the pupil by means of corporeal punishment. The rattan, the ferules, the long hickory switches, the dunce-caps, the high stools, the retaining the bad scholars in after school hours, these things have now about all passed out. There is consequently no further use for the charm that lies in the eyelash curled up in the youngster's hands, which was to shatter the accursed wood of the ferule the instant it came in contact, nor can the wicked truant show that Spartan firm- ness his prototype was wont to show when he took a whipping in his shirt-sleeves, and to the infinite grati- fication of the other wicked boys the master could not make him cry. FIRST COUNTRY SCHOOLS IX THE NORTH. For the following personal recollections and obser- vations we are indebted to H. M. Jones, Esq., lately county superintendent : " In regard to the schools of the county, my memory only carries me back to 1833. I remember very well, however, the appearance of the building and its sur- roundings. It was a log building, which stood in the woods near to a stream of water. The only windows, if such they may be called, were one on each side, consisting of a space between two logs with upright sticks some eighteen to twenty inches apart, and covered with greased paper so that the light might more easily penetrate within. The fireplace was of huge dimensions, into which logs of a very large size were rolled and fired, it being in the end of the build- ing. I remember of seeing small paddles on which the letters of the alphabet were pasted, and from which the little learner was expected to learn his A, B, C's. Cobb's Spelling-Book, the Old and the New Tes- tament, and the ' Western Calculator' were the books used. The master, as he was called, was stern, and seemed very much to prefer birch suasion to moral. A better class of buildings took the place of those log structures very soon after the adoption of the com- mon-school system of Pennsylvania. Just here I might say that among those who took an active part in favor of the system in this section of the county were Rev. Samuel McFarren, Samuel Kelley, Thomas W. McConnell, John Jones, William Moore, John S. Adair, William Marshall, John S.Sloan, and John Shields. I remember very well hearing Derry and Salem townships spoken of, when the system was in its infancy, as being fully up to the time, both in regard to houses and teachers. " Institutes.— The first teachers' institute held in the county of which I have any knowledge was held in the borough of New Alexander in October, 1853. It was looked upon with suspicion by many of the old fogies of the county. Some thought it a scheme of teachers to have their salaries increased. " Others thought new studies were about to be in- troduced which would be ruinous to pupils. Phonetic spelling was one of the new things discussed at that meeting. Township or district institutes were recom- mended. I do not remember the exact number of teachers in attendance at the meeting, but think it did not exceed fifty. The following are the names of some of those who were in attendance and took an active part, viz. : Samuel Shryock, D. L. Dickin, Lewis Seanor, H. M. Jamison, Joseph Jamison, George Kingsley, J. R. Beatty, and H. M. Jones. In the fall of 1854, district institutes were organized in a few of the townships, and reasonably well attended by teachers and a few friends of the cause. The next meeting of the teachers of the county convened in Latrobe in March, 1858. This meeting was called by Hon. J. R. McAfee, then superintendent of schools of the county. The number in attendance was not large, but the interest manifested was encouraging, and I am safe in saying that great good to the cause of education resulted from that convention. From this time up to the present county institutes have been held each year." Names of County Superintendents and Term of Office. — In 1854, Rev. Matthew McKins- try, of West Newton, was elected. He served one year and then resigned. James I. McCormick, of North Huntingdon township, was appointed to fill the vacancy and served two years. In 1857, J. R. Mc- Afee, of Latrobe, was elected and served three years. S. S. Jack, of Pleasant Unity, was elected in 1860, and re-elected in 1863 ; served six years. In 1866, Joseph S. Walthour, of Greensburg. was elected and served three years. H. M. Jones, of Salem township, was elected in 1869, and re-elected in 1872 ; served six years. In 1875, James Silliman, of East Hunt- ingdon, was elected, and he served three years. J. R. Spiegel, of Greensburg, was elected in 1878, and re- elected 1881. Matthew McKinstry, of West Newton, one year. James I. McCormick, North Huntingdon, two years. J. R. McAfee, Latrobe, three years. S. S. Jack, Pleasant Unity, six years. J. S. Walthour, Greensburg, three years. H. M. Jones, Salem, six years. James Silliman, East Huntingdon, three years. J. R. Spiegel, Greensburg, now in office. Sketches of the persons, their families, and the pub- lic services of these first superintendents will be found under appropriate heads in other portions of this book. Sketches of the later ones shall here be given as in proper place. Joseph S. Walthour was born in North Hunt- COMMON SCHOOLS. 377 ingdon township, Westmoreland County, Feb. 5, 1829. His grandfather owned the old Walthour Fort, fa- mous in the local history of that region. During his boyhood he worked on the farm of his father in sum- mer, and in winter attended the school known as KunkePs. In the fall of 1846, at the age of seventeen, he commenced teaching school at the Barnes school- house, in the same township. His salary was eigh- teen dollars per month. Iu the fall of 1847 he came to Greensburg, and attended a high school there called the Muhlenburg Collegiate Institute, which was held in an old. frame building, still standing, on Bunker Hill. He remained at this school till 1849, at which time the school there under that manage- ment was abandoned, and removed to Zelienople, Butler Co., Pa. In the summer of 1850 he resumed the work of teaching, and taught his home school until the fall of 1852. After a short venture in the mercantile business he again began teaching, and taught the Byerly School in the winter of 1854, at a salary of twenty-two dol- | lars per month. In the spring of 1855 he was en- gaged as teacher in the boys' department of the Greensburg public schools, in the building still standing, and occupied by the sexton of the St. Clair Cemetery. From 1856 to 1859 he had charge of the New Salem schools. He then conducted various schools in different parts of the county, at the special solicitation of the citizens, and was one of the four teachers who opened the public schools in the present school building of Greensburg, and was engaged in this school when he was elected superintendent of the county in 1866. As superintendent he served three years, at a salary of eight hundred dollars per year. During the fall and winter of 1869, the year in which his term of office expired, he traveled throughout the State as an instructor at the various county institutes, and was regarded as a successful popular instructor. He attended seventeen different institutes in different parts. In the fall of 1870 he took charge of a graded school at Albion, Erie Co., Pa., at a salary of one hundred and twenty-five dol- lars per month. He remained here, however, only i eight months, on account of ill health and unfavor- able climate, and then went to Saegertown, Crawford Co., where he acted as principal of a graded school for nearly two years. Preferring Westmoreland above any other part of the State, he returned hither, and taught successively at Latrobe, New Derry, and Saltsburg, where he remained three years. He then again taught at Greensburg and in Hempfield town- ship. In 1880 .he visited the schools for County Superintendent Spiegel. Mr. Walthour began teaching thirty-six years ago, and, with the exception of some two years in which he was engaged in the mercantile business (counting the time of his superintendency), has been engaged in teaching continuously. The profession of teach- ing was the one of his choice, and he has had a nat- ural aptitude for imparting instruction to the youth, and his greatest ambition has been to use his influence and talents to the elevation of the system of common schools. The period which Mr. Joseph Walthour presided over the county school as their superintendent is one perhaps deserving of a more lengthy notice than usual, because it began shortly after the close of the civil war. We give these details from memoranda furnished by Mr. Walthour. When Mr. Walthour took charge of the public schools in 1866 we had two hundred and eighty-six schools in the county. It was his observation that the directors and citizens generally appreciated the system of education, and an honest and straight- forward manner of talk and demonstration in this regard were beginning to develop itself. There were six graded schools, and these, all but one, were in boroughs. Building was much retarded in conse- quence of the high price of labor and building ma- terial incident to the high rate of taxation existing immediately after the close of the war. But with all this quite a number of townships and boroughs en- gaged in building, and erected buildings which were far in advance of the majority of those then in ex- istence. In the erection of these houses grounds and locations were made a special object. In many other of the houses the old furniture was removed and new and more improved furniture put in its place, while the blackboards were everywhere enlarged. From 1867 to 1868 globes were bought out of the public money, and better blackboards were put in the rooms. This year the superintendent had 27 public examinations and 4 private ones. There were 365 applicants for schools, 210 males and 105 females. Of these there were 19 males rejected and 27 females, in all 46. There were this year 32 professional cer- tificates and 9 permanent. Of the visits by the superintendent, there were 302 schools visited once, 63 twice, 37 thrice, and 17 four times, an average of 3 per day, and he traveled 1440 miles in this duty. The county institute met Oct. 1, 1867, and was in session five days. The greater part of the exercises was carried on and work done by our own teachers, with the assistance of Prof. B. Kidd, of Kentucky, Prof. Cooper, of Edenboro', Pa., and Gen. Frazer, of Bellefonte, Pa. There were 245 teachers present, out of 302 in the county. District institutes were held in each township once every two weeks, according to law. The text-books were confined to township uni- formity. Public sentiment was decidedly pronounced in favor of the common schools. The wages were: for males, from $28 to $55 per month, and for females, from $27 to $45. From June, 1868, to June, 1869, there were 16 new school-houses built, at an aggregate cost of $40,000. Graded schools were beginning to be formed all over the county. The comfort of the scholars was attended 378 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. to in a more marked degree, and neatness was taken account of as well as durability. Modern desks and seats generally took the place of the old style of side- desks and benches. The walls were uniformly deco- rated with outline maps and charts, and a globe was put in each school-house built. There was an in- crease of 13 new schools, making in all 312 schools this year. More advanced pupils were in attendance, and the average attendance was 85 per cent. The public examinations were held in the districts. At most of these the attendance was large, and a gen- eral interest was manifested in the teachers' welfare. This school year the superintendent visited 315 schools once, 87 twice, 28 thrice, and rode 2121 miles. In these visits, at nearly every school-house, lie was favored with the company of one or two of the direc- tors. The district institutes were held very generally and with tolerable success, but it was noticed that they were becoming unpopular among citizens and directors, on account, as was alleged, of the teachers neglecting their other duties and losing sight of the object they were instituted for. A hindrance was noticed and complaint made on account of the dis- tance many teachers had to travel to reach the place of meetings. This year 45 teachers held professional and 12 permanent certificates, the rest held provis- ional ones. On account of the low wages quite a number of the older teachers left their profession. Some dissatisfaction was caused by the employment of female teachers, so that in some districts they were entirely excluded from teaching winter terms. The average salaries were only thirty-five dollars per month. There were this year, for summer session, six normal training-schools, which continued in ses- sion 12 to 13 weeks. The county institute was held at Greeusburg, Dec. 26, 1868. The principal lecturers and instructors were Professor Byerly, Rev. A. B. Fields, and Hon. J. P. Wickersham. While it was noticed and remarked by the super- intendent that the press was the best friend of the school system and the teachers, the pulpit did but little for their encouragement or advancement, and showed but little sympathy, and there were few visi- tations noted on the part of the clergy. Mr. Walthour, in furnishing this desirable informa- tion, thus concludes in a candid and earnest manner his observations : " Whilst we did not make all the improvement and advancement that our condition demanded, yet, all things considered, we did reasonably well, it having been my ambition in assuming the duties of the office of county superintendent to see the greatest possible improvement in those things pertaining to common- school work. But when I consider the enormous bur- dens imposed upon us at that time by the war, I can- not complain of the directors for not doing more. Taking the disadvantages into account, I can say that we all did well." Henry M. Jones was born in the eastern part of Salem township, Oct. 28, 1828. In the fall of 1832 his father, Hon. John Jones, afterward an associate judge, bought a farm on Porter Run, in that township, and moved upon it April 1, 1833. He lived on this farm until May 21, 1872, when he died. In the fall of 1833, Mr. H. M. Jones commenced his common- school course in a school-house about half a mile north of his father's house, and continued going to school there during the winter season up to the spring of 1847. In the fall of 1847 he commenced teaching at the Elwood school, in the northern part of Frank- lin township. He taught this school two successive winter terms of six months e"ach. In the fall of 1849 he took charge of the Concord school, in Loyalhanna township, and taught a term of six months. In 1850 he taught a five months' term at Harmony Indepen- dent school. During this time, in the summer sea- sons, Mr. Jones prosecuted his studies in the higher branches of the mathematics and in the dead lan- guages, under the immediate tutorship of his elder brother, Rev. John M. Jones, a theological graduate, and at present a pastor of a Presbyterian congrega- tion in this county. In 1851 and 1852, Mr. Jones taught the Concord school again, and in 1853 a term of six months at Union Independent school. In 1854 he took charge of the Porter Run school, where he had received his pri- mary education, and this school he taught eleven terms, nine of which were public and two select. During the time he had charge of the Porter Run school, it Salem township, he also taught four summer terms at Concord, and from the fall of 1863 till the spring of 1869 he had charge of this school. In 1869 he was elected superintendent of the common schools of the county for three years, at a salary of $800 per annum In 1872 he was re-elected without opposition, and his salary increased to $1500. His term of office as superintendent was eminently satisfactory. He worked with untiring zeal towards the development of the system which he had so much at heart, and during his terms the system advanced far in perfection. From time to time in his annual report he made suggestions which evince his practi- cal knowledge and his foresight. Some of the defects which he pointed out have been corrected, others in time will be. One of these defects which was patent he seasonably corrected. He insisted with the teach- ers that English grammar should take up some of the exclusive attention then given to mental arithmetic, and within a few years he was gratified to see the fruits of his zealous efforts all over the county. He also early advocated a uniformity in text-books throughout the county, the want of which is to this day regarded by educators as a defect. At the close of his official term, in 1875, he turned over the books and papers of his office to his succes- sor. He then retired from active school work for one year, which he spent in the mountains of Colorado. COMMON SCHOOLS. 379 In the fall of 1876 he again engaged in his favorite vocation at what he calls " our home school" (No. 1, Salem township), which he has taught every year to the present time. He has thus been engaged in > public instruction since 1847, with the exception of the one year spent in travel and recreation. H. M. Jones entered upon the duties of the office of superintendent of schools of the county June, 1869. There were then 312 schools in the county. During the first year the number increased to 315 ; 200 male teachers were employed, and 115 females. The sala- ries of male teachers averaged $44.12, that of females $34.47 ; average cost of instruction per month, 92 cents per scholar ; 382 applicants were examined, 28 of whom were rejected. During his second year (ending June, 1871) 16 new houses were erected ; number of schools increased to 321 ; 213 male and 108 female teachers were employed ; average salaries of male teachers, $43.85 ; that of females, $34.34; average cost of instruction, 92 cents per month ; 422 applicants were examined, 80 of whom failed to come up to the grade. Third year (ending June, 1872) : six new houses built ; schools, 322 ; males employed, 218 ; females, 104 ; average salaries of males, $44.08 ; average salaries of females, $35.61 ; average cost of tuition per month, 90 cents ; 450 applicants were examined, 99 of whom were rejected. Fourth year (ending June, 1873) : 12 new houses built; schools, 329; male teachers employed, 197; females employed, 132 ; average salaries of males, $44.88 ; females, $34.60 ; cost of tuition per month, 81 cents; 431 applicants examined, 90 of whom were re- jected. Fifth year (ending June, 1874) : new houses built, 12; schools, 335; male teachers employed, 205; females, 133 ; average salaries of males, $45.55 ; females, $37.83 ; cost of tuition, 83 cents per month ; 400 applicants examined, of whom 92 failed. Sixth year (ending June, 1875) : 15 new houses built ; schools in the county, 342; male teachers em- ployed, 212 ; females, 133 ; average salaries males, 48.50 ; females, $38.95 ; cost of tuition per month, 83 cents ; applicants examined, 475, of whom 102 were rejected. James Silliman was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Jan. 24, 1827. His father came from Ireland when a young man. His mother was of Quaker de- scent, born in America. He moved with his parents from Lancaster to East Huntingdon township, West- moreland County, in 1833, and he has since been a resident of that township. His mother having died when he was about seven years of age, he commenced work among strangers when he was about ten. His schooling until he was about nineteen was received at the common schools, he working nights and morn- ings in the winter for his lodging. From common schools he went several terms to high or graded schools, and subsequently to Mount Pleasant College. He commenced teaching when he was twenty-one, and continued in this profession until 1875, when he was elected county superintendent to succeed H. M. Jones, Esq. Mr. Silliman, while being a professional teacher, is also a practical surveyor, and he has con- tinued to teach and survey since the expiration of his official term. J. Rau Spiegel, the present superintendent of pub- lic instruction of Westmoreland County, was reared in East Huntingdon township, but born near Stuttgart, Aug. 27, 1847. His parents emigrated to this country in June, 1852, and settled in East Huntingdon town- ship, in which township they have been living ever since. William Spiegel, the father, is a descendant of Frederick Spiegel, German orientalist and professor of oriental languages for many years at Erlagen ; he served six years in the German army, and he has a brother who is holding at the present time a high position under the German government. Christina Rau, the mother, is a descendant of Karl Heinrich Rau, German political economist and pro- fessor of political economy and financial science for almost forty years at Heidelberg College. Mrs. Spie- gel is from one of the best German families. Superintendent Spiegel's parents were very poor when they came to this country ; the father kept a family of five persons on forty cents per day. This their children are not ashamed to acknowledge. When seven years of age he first attended the public schools, known as the Mennonite School, now Stonerville, ex-County Superintendent Silliman being his first teacher. In 1856 his parents moved to Bethany, into what is known as Pool's School District ; in this dis- trict he received his common-school education. Among his teachers are J. D. Cope, J. A. Stevenson, M. O. Lane, Rev. Peter Loucks. At the age of thirteen he was elected assistant teacher in Pool's School, James Silliman, principal. At fourteen taught one term as assistant in the same school, J. D. Cope, principal. Taught the first public term at the age of fifteen, in South Huntingdon township, Gaut's School. Taught next in New Stanton; then at Hillside, Mount Pleas- ant township, three years in succession ; then at Louck's, now Scottdale. The following prominent positions he has filled as teacher : Principal of Mount Pleasant Public Schools, principal teacher Titusville Soldiers' Orphans', principal of Wilcox Public Schools, Elk County; principal of Wiconisco Public Schools, near Harrisburg; principal of Greensburg Public Schools. He received calls from the Boards of Direc- tors and Trustees of Williamsport High School and of several of our Normal Schools. He was married to Miss E. Jennie Thomas, Dec. 19; 1876. Mrs. Spiegel is a native of Wilkesbarre, Luzerne Co., Pa., a teacher for several years. Mr. Spiegel educated himself entirely; teaching in the winter, and attending school in the spring and summer. He almost completed a course at West- MHO HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. moreland College, now Mount Pleasant Institute, and finished his course at Mount Union College, Ohio, at which college he graduated in 1871. PRESENT STATUS OF THE COMMON SCHOOLS. At the present time, 1882, there are 398 common schools in the county and 352 houses, of which two- thirds are seated with what is kuown as the " im- proved furniture," and one-half are supplied with the ordinary school appliances. There are 54 school dis- tricts and 324 school directors. The average length of the school term is five and three-quarters months. The average salary is $34 per month. The average number of annual examinations, based on the current term of the present superintendent, is 22. The super- intendent announces these examinations by publica- tion in the newspapers about three weeks before they are held. The examinations are conducted in both the written and oral method. To these examinations there come annually about 600 applicants. In 1881 the superintendent granted only 382 provisional cer- tificates, being about 16 fewer than therewere schools in the county. This most certainly is an excellent indication of the high standard of qualification es- tablished by the superintendent. The educational progress of Westmoreland County within the last three years is largely due to the an- nual county institute and joint teachers' educational meetings held throughout the county. Superintend- ent Spiegel, in four years of his official life just passed, has expended almost $3600 towards the pro- motion of the teachers' work in having the leading lecturers and instructors of the land at the annual institute. The teachers and the large number of citi- zens who have attended have had the pleasure of hearing such lecturers as Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, Hon. Edgar Cowan, Theo- dore Tilton, Robert Burdette, and many other lec- turers and instructors of national reputation. The proceedings of the institute for 1881, which we give at length, will give an idea of the manner in which these have been conducted. During the four years of Mr. Spiegel's superintend- ency he has made 1623 visits to schools, averaging one hour and a quarter in each school ; traveled on an average twelve miles per day, which in these four years, including the annual examination tour, amounts to 7500 miles. The teachers evidently manifest a profound interest in educational meetings. During the sessions of the county institute in 1881 there were in attendance 385 teachers out of 398. The citizens also manifested what might aptly be called an absorbing interest in these meetings. In many of the townships the direc tors allowed their teachers the time while attending the county meetings, — this before the late act of As- sembly allowing them the time so spent as part of their term. As an example of the hearty manner in which Mr. Spiegel conducts his work, and as a thing to be re- membered hereafter, the following " Remarks," as part of the programme of the twenty-fifth annual meeting of the institute, are retained : " I need say nothing in behalf of our programme; it is the strongest in the State. Directors, patrons, anil citizens, yon are cordially invited to attend. Teachers, yon are paid for the week; let all be present; let every teacher feel that it is his or her duty to participate in the exer- ciseB. How many of our teachers can awaken the energy that will bring out classes of the school-room to the institute, and the teachers of the respective classeB exhibit their method of instruction aud progress in a branch or branches prosecuted by the pupils? Specimens of pupils' work — free-hand, dictation, map, elementary projection drawing, ele- mentary design of primary schoolB, and specimens of penmanship — are solicited. Prizes will be awarded for the above work, passed upon by the committee. Course tickets rate as follows: Orchestra, S1.50 ; Dress Circle, $1.25; Gallery, $1.00. Single admission tickets; Orchestra, 50 cents; Dress Circle, 35 cents; Gallery, 25 cents; except Thursday even- ing, when they will sell: Orchestra, 75 cents; Dress Circle, 50 cents; Gallery, 35 cents. Due notice of the Bale of tickets will be given. Secure your tickets aud boarding early. " J. R. Spiegel, County Superintendent." The day sessions of the institute were held in the court-house ; evening lectures in the Opera-House. COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE. Proceedings of Twenty-fifth Annual Session. Institute convened in Greensburg, December 26th, at two o'clock p.m., and was called to order by Su- perintendent J. R. Spiegel. Devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. W. W. Moorhead. The proceedings were interspersed at proper intervals with music and prayer. Professor George H. Hugus, of Latrobe, was chosen secretary, and E. B. Sweeney, of Irvin, assistant secretary. C. C. Griffith, of Li- gonier, E. B. McCormick, of Irvin, and J. P. Algire, of Greensburg, were chosen as reporters for the sev- eral papers of the town. Institute then fixed the time of holding sessions. Morning session, 9 a.m. to 12 m. ; afternoon session, 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. ; evening session (lectures), 7.30 p.m. Professor John J. Ladd, of Waynesboro', Va., was then introduced, who addressed the teachers with some very interesting remarks on schools aud insti- tute work, founded on an experience of thirty-eight years. Secretary Hugus then proceeded to the call- ing of the roll. A number was given to each teacher, to which they were afterwards to respond. The music of the institute was conducted by Professor John R. Francis, of Greensburg. Evening Session. — Superintendent Spiegel intro- duced to a very large and appreciative audience the Hon. John Latta, of Greensburg, who greeted the teachers in a lengthy address, referring in feeling terms to the importance of the teachers' work and the accountability of the teacher. Terse responses were then made by Messrs. Sharp, Deemer, Chamber- lain, Jones, and Silliman. The lecturer of the evening, Professor J. J. Ladd, was then introduced, and held the audience almost an hour on the subject of" parent, teacher, and pupil," COMMON SCHOOLS. 381 in which he illustrated his firm belief in the opinion that men are born for their callings, not made. Tuesday Morning Session. — Institute convened at 9 a.m., Superintendent Spiegel in the chair, who appointed committees on journals of education, draw- ing, and spelling. Discussion — Is it good for a school to be frequently visited by strangers? Participated in by Professors Henry Hohenchell, Stevenson, Chamberlain, Dewalt, Bryan, Jones, and others. Professor J. J. Ladd then instructed the institute on communication in school, cause and prevention. Remarks by superintendent. Discussion — Does arith- metic consume more than its proper time in school- room work? Opened by Professor James Silliman, followed by Monroe, Hohenchell, and Graham. Afternoon Session. — Roll called and minutes read. Question— What are the duties of the directors of the common schools ? Discussed by J. G. Scorer. Methods of teaching primary reading were then il- lustrated by Mrs. Highberger, the Misses Hill, Law- son, and Reed, also by Messrs. Gardiner and McCon- nell. Professor J. H. Ryckman addressed the institute on the subject of literature. Instruction by Professor J. J. Ladd. Discussion. Question — What relation has the teacher to the pupils out of the school? Re- marks by the Messrs. Chamberlain, Morrow, and Sharp. Evening Session. — Institute convened in Opera- House, and at eight o'clock Eli Perkins was introduced, who lectured on "The Philosophy of Fun." Wednesday Morning Session, December 28. — Roll called, minutes read, music, etc. Devotional exercises by J. Chamberlain. Remarks by Superin- tendent Spiegel. The following-named teachers were previously appointed as committee on resolutions : The Misses Hill and Naly, Messrs. Sharp, Bingham, and Davidson. Discussion — Topic No. 2 was called for: Is there Room for the Elements of the Natural Science in the Common School Curriculum ? Remarks on topic by Miss Elma Ruff, Messrs. Bryan, Cope, Hutchinson, Chamberlain, Sharp, Vandyke, Sweeney, King, and Jones. How to teach local geography was then illustrated by J. L. Davidson and Riggle, Miss Brown, and Miss Bell Martin. Professor Ladd gave a talk on tardiness in school, cause and prevention. Secretary reports three hundred and seventy-two teachers present. Afternoon Session. — Roll called, minutes read, etc. Committee on spelling, Miss Lide Churns, Professors Mull and Graham. Said committee pro- nounced one hundred words. Superintendent Spiegel then appointed a committee to collect and examine manuscripts. Professor J. J. Ladd instructed institute. 25 Discussion — Is the Study of Grammar, as Taught in our Schools, a Proper Study? Discussed by Pro- fessor Wakefield. Recitation — The Schoolmaster's Guests, by Professor King. Professor J. H. Ryckman addressed institute on English Literature, and how it may be taught in our common schools to make it a pleasing and profitable study. Rev. E. D. Holtz was called, and addressed the very large audience then assembled. How to teach primary reading was discussed by Miss Elma Ruff, J. H. Ryckman, J. J. Ladd, J. D. Cope, and J. Silliman. Wednesday Evening Session. — Theodore Tilton was introduced to a very large audience assembled in the Opera-House, where he lectured on " The Problem of Life." Thursday Morning Session. — Institute con- vened in court-house at 9 A.M. ; three hundred and ninety teachers reported present. Primary reading illustrated by Miss Thomas, of Greensburg public schools, with class. Dr. E. E. Higbee, State Superintendent, was in- troduced, and addressed the institute in reference to good school directors, and the care which the teacher should exercise over the pupils' physical and intel- lectual powers. Instruction by Professor Young, of Indiana, Pa., on pronunciation of words. Drill on gymnastics, by Miss Sadie Morrow, of Manor. Address by Professor L. H. Durling, of Indiana, Pa. Greetings received from the Somerset County Teachers' Institute, three hundred and seven teachers present. Greetings re- turned by Westmoreland County Teachers' Institute, three hundred and ninety present. Report of com- mittee on spelling : James B. Wallace, of Painter- ville, missed sixteen words, first prize ; E. G. Hays, of Ligonier, missed twenty-one words, second prize. Afternoon Session. — Roll-call, etc. Recitation by Professor King. Reports made by committees on penmanship and drawing. W. P. Dewalt, followed by others, discussed the question, When shall perma- nent certificates be annulled? Election of committee on permanent certificates. Professor S. K. Henrie presented his class in English Grammar before the institute. The exercise was highly interesting. Professor J. H. Young gave in- struction on the subject of marking progress in school, and derivation of words. Instruction by Professor Ladd. Superintendent Spiegel then with regret read a tel- egram which announced that John B. Gough would not be present. Evening Session. — Institute met in Opera-House at 7.30 p.m. Professor King recited " Over the Hills to the Poor-House." Address by Professor Young. Professor King recited " Winter Winds" and " Lit- tle Lover." Address by Professor J. J. Ladd. 382 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Friday Morning Session. — Institute convened in court-house at 9 a.m. Boll-call. Superintendent Spiegel read an article on school discipline, after which remarks were made on the care and general appearance of school property. Recitation by Professor Shields. Professor Young gave a talk on school organization. Professor J. H. Byckman gave a talk on English Literature. Instruction by Professor Ladd. Com- mittee elected on permanent certificates : J. Chamber- lain, H. M. Jones, W. H. Morrow (Manor, Pa.), J. J. Sharp, G. H. Hugus. Afternoon Session. — Boll-call, etc. Professor Young gave instruction on derivation of words. In- struction by Professor Ladd. Professor Young recited "Schneider's Jug." Professor James Silliman was then called to the chair, when the committee on resolutions made its re- port. The report was received and the committee discharged. Besolutions were adopted. A vote of thanks was tendered to Professors Ladd, Young, Byckman, King, and Francis for their valuable in- structions. Addresses were made by Bevs. Stevenson, Sheerer, Smith, Jones, Moorhead, and Houtz, and by Professors Young, Hugus, Byckman, King, Henry, and Ladd. Superintendent J. B. Spiegel then ad- dressed the institute with brief remarks, in which he thanked his secretaries, the citizens of the town, and all who assisted in the management of institute af- fairs. A vote of thanks was tendered to Superinten- dent Spiegel for his untiring zeal in the interests of our common schools. Music, " Sweet By and By." Benediction by Bev. Stevenson. Friday Evening Session. — Dr. Willits, of Phila- delphia, held a very large and appreciative audience in the Opera-House for one hour and forty-one min- utes while he delivered his celebrated lecture, " Sun- shine, or the Secrets of a Happy Life." CHAPTEB XLVI. MEXICO. Public Excitement on Declaration of War, May 13, 184G— Military Spirit — Companies in Greensburg — Promptness of the Young Men of Westmoreland in responding to the Call for Volunteers — "Westmore- land Guards" — Roll — Affairs about Greensburg before their Departure — The Company's Place in the Army — Account of the War in Mexico, and Particulars of the Campaign of Gen. Scott's Army — Services of the Second Regiment and the "Guards" from Vera Cruz to Mexico — ■ Honors paid the Company on its Return — Sketches of Capt. Simon H. Drum, Lieut. Richard Johnston, Andrew Ross, and other Members of the Company — Casualties and Deaths — Roll of the Company when discharged. When war was declared with Mexico, the genera- tion of that day knew of war only from the fame of it. The glories of the battles that were fought by the Texans for their liberation from Mexico were carried on the winds all over the republic, like as the fame of the Trojans had reached Carthage. Many years of peace had laid over the land, and of the terrors and anguish of war the young of that day knew nothing. Besides this there was something attractive in the thought and the expectation of waging a war in a foreign country, with a people who were not of the same blood, nor bound to us by any ties of affinity. Nay, the first popular knowledge of them was born in enmity. The highly-colored episodes of border his- tory, the romantic although inhuman destruction of those Americans who fought to the death at Goliad and the Alamo, the glories of San Jacinto, all con- spired to make popular the talk of war with Mexico. Besides that it was a country which lay remote, a journey of many days, either overbroad uninhabited plains or across the waters of theGulf. It was an em- pire in history, and its capital and larger cities were said to contain great stores and accumulations of costly materials. There still existed the marble baths, the lofty porticos, and the well-preserved palaces of the ancient Montezumas ; there were the remains of the temple dedicated to the sun, whom the old Tol- tecs worshiped, still magnificent in its decaying splen- dor, the stone basin used to catch the blood of the human sacrifices, the grand cathedrals of the modern Spaniards. This was the land which produced the luscious fruits of the tropics, where the clime was genial, and the fields were always ripening under the bright rays of an unchanging summer sun. The military spirit at that time was in the ascend- ant. There were militia companies, under the mili- tary-volunteer system of the State then in existence, in nearly every village, and almost everyplace of im- portance had two and three companies. There were two or three companies at that time in Greensburg. In these the best class of the community paraded regularly without distinction of social standing. At- torneys, clergymen, doctors, merchants, clerks, me- chanics, apprentices, and laborers were members of these companies. Westmoreland was prompt in responding to the call of the country, and sent more than one hundred of heryoung men to the battle-fields of Mexico. They were not of the class that generally compose the rank and file of an army, but were her choicest spirits, her favorite sons, the flower of the county. Hardship and toil and death terribly thinned their ranks, for nearly one-third of their number who followed the flag of their country to the war did not return to their friends. Some struggled home, it is true, but to die; some expired by the way ; the bodies of some were flung to the sharks of the Gulf; the bodies of others were buried in the sands of Vera Cruz, at Ja- lapa, Perote, Puebla, in the Valley of Mexico. It was the fortune of a few, and comparatively but a few, to fall on the field of battle ; the greater number sunk under the fatal diseases of a hostile country. The names of the dead, who had, in the words of a gallant comrade, the "privilege of dying in the fight," have thus attained the celebrity and insured the remem- brance which no public memorial can aid. MEXICO. 383 The roll of the company recruited at Greensburg follows: ROLL OF THE WESTMORELAND GUARDS. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 7 Captain, John W. Johnston ; first lieutenant, James Armstrong; second lieutenant, Washington Murry; second junior lieutenant, James Coulter. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. First sergeant, Henry 0. Marchand ; second sergeant, Thomas J. Barclay; third sergeant, H. Byers Kuhns; fourth sergeant, James M. Mc- Laughlin; first corporal, James M. Carpenter; second corporal, Andrew Ross; third corporal, William Bigelow; fourth corporal, Daniel C. Byerly. MUSICIANS. Drummer, Andrew J. Forney ;_fifer, Michael J. Kettering. John Aikens. Andrew Bates. Hugh ¥. Brady. George W. Bounin. William A. Campbell. Humphrey Carsou. Richard Coulter. Archibald Dougherty. Henry Fishel. Samuel Gorgas. John R. Grow. Frederick Haines. James M. Hartford. James Hays. Andrew R. Huston. James Johnston.- Jacob Kagarize. John Kerr. Jacob Kuhn. Philip Kuhns. Jacob Linsebigler. • Macready. George (Buck) May. William H. Melville. Samuel Milner. Samuel C. Morehead. Peter McCabe. Samuel McClanen. James H. McDermott. Robert C. McGinley. Anion McLane. William McWilliams. Frederick Rexwood. Joseph Shaw. Thomas Spears. Henry Scickle. Nathaniel Thomas. James Underwood. William R. Vance. Lebbeus Allshouse. McClure Bills. Samuel Byerly. Henry Bloom. Hagen Carney. Milton Cloud. George Decker. James L. Elliott. Henry Geesyn. Andrew D. Gordon. George Haggerty. Edward Hansberry. George W. Hartman. Michael Heasely. Jacob Horfer. Richard H. L. Johnston. William Kelly. Henry Keslar. Daniel S. Kuhns. Edmund B. Laudon. Benjamin Martz. Jacob Marchand. David Mechling. Jacob P. Miller. Samuel H. Montgomery. Lewis Myers. Richard McClelland. John McCollam. Charles McGarvey. William Mclntire. James McWilliams. David R. M'Cutcheon. James Rager. Chauncey F. Sergeant. William R. Shields. Frederick D. Steck. John Taylor. - Israel Uncapher. Samuel Waters. At a public meeting held at Greensburg on the 23d of December, 1846, a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the purpose of procuring con- veyances to carry the volunteers from the county to the rendezvous at Pittsburgh. They passed the holidays of 1846 at Greensburg. They were most hospitably and generously enter- tained by the citizens of the place. On Monday evening, Dec. 28, 1846, they were entertained by the ladies of the town, at which entertainment a superb supper was given them. On Tuesday afternoon the Rev. Mr. Brownson presented each member of the company with a handsome copy of the Bible, which were received by Andrew Ross, Esq., on behalf of his comrades. On Wednesday morning, at an early hour, the company started for Pittsburgh in carriages and coaches, expecting and intending to reach the city the same day. Liberal contributions were made by the citizens of Greensburg and of various places, and that nothing should be wanting for the comfort and welfare of the men, the county commissioners, at the request of va- rious citizens of the county, gave an additional dona- tion. At Pittsburgh, on the steps of the St. Charles Hotel, Capt. Johnston was presented with a beautiful sword. Mr. McCandlass made the presentation in a neat and patriotic speech, to which Capt. Johnston feelingly replied. The Westmoreland Guards were designated as Com- pany E, Second Regiment of Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and were attached to Gen. Pillow's brigade, Gen. Patterson's division, in Gen. Scott's army. When they were mustered in they numbered ninety- four men all told. Mustered into service Jan. 1, 1847, left Pittsburgh Jan. 8, 1847, landed at Vera Cruz March 9th, were engaged in all the principal battles from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, and were mustered out, forty-four men all told, July 14, 1848. William B. Roberts was colonel of the Second Penn- sylvania when the regiment took the field, but Col. John W. Geary subsequently succeeded to the com- mand on the sickness and disability of Col. Roberts. In this war our armies operated upon three lines, and were known as " the Army of the West," com- manded by Stephen W. Kearney ; " the Army of Oc- cupation," under the command of Gen. Zachary Tay- lor; and " the Army," commanded by Gen. Winfield Scott. It is not of our province to relate the history of this war, nor to give in detail the campaigns of the several armies. But as any succinct history of this war is not to our knowledge within the reach of the ordinary reader, we shall give a short relation of the campaign of Gen. Scott's army, the one in which were the Pennsylvanians. VERA CRUZ. The forces designated to operate on the line from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico had their rendezvous at the Island of Lobos, and proceeded thence to the shore west of the Island of Sacrificios. Early in March, the weather being propitious and the arrange- ments of the naval squadrons being perfect, the troops debarked on the Mexican shore in fine order. On the 22d of March, the surrender of the city of Vera Cruz having first been demanded, the batteries opened fire. The fleet assisted. The fortress of San Juan, the gateway to the city and the West, held out; but ou the morning of the 26th, when arrangements had been made to carry the works by assault, the Mexi- can commander made overtures of surrender. On 384 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the 29th the troops took possession of the city and castle. CERRO GORDO. On the 14th of April our army was in presence of the Mexican army, and for the purpose of a flank march and to close their line of retreat, Scott ordered a road to be cut to the right of the American army, but to the left of Cerro Gordo, which wound round the base of the mountain in rear of the Mexican forts, then rejoining the Jalapa road behind their entire position. It took three days to do the work, but on the 17th, while approaching the Mexican lines, our working party was discovered and fired upon. A part of one of the divisions of our army, under Harney, advanced up the hill and charged the enemy with such impetuosity that they drove them down the steep and up and over the neighboring heights. While our bat- teries from the heights which they now occupied in front of Cerro Gordo, and while Harney with his command rushed on to storm its heights, Shields pressed forward in the direction of the enemy's left to seize the Jalapa road and prevent the escape of the fugitives. The heights were captured, and the enemy, atDacked by Shields, were completely routed. They here lost twelve hundred in killed and wounded, and three thousand as prisoners. Jalapa was taken on the 19th, Perote on the 22d, and Puebla on the 5th of May. These all lay in the line of march. But of the fourteen thousand who assembled at Lobos, now on the 15th of May not more than five thousand effectives were on hand to march to the city of Mexico. Hence the delay in the forward movement until August. Successive reinforcements under Cadwalader, Pillow, and Pierce increased the army at Puebla to eleven thousand. On the 7th of August, 1847, Gen. Scott marched from Puebla with this force, divided into a cavalry brigade and four divisions. After a few days' inarch the army passed over the crest of the mountains, and when the weary soldiers were almost worn out a sudden turn in the road brought them in view of the splendid panorama of the rich Valley of Mexico. Far off they beheld the lofty steeples, the checkered domes, the silver lakes of the historic city, and behind it the volcanoes which threw up fire over the broad belt of snow that covers them even in summer. But the road thither was fortified at every height, at every bridge, and in every ravine. The attempt to advance by the National road was abandoned, and a passage that existed around the south end of Lake Chalo was sought to be made practicable for the army. This was successfully done. The divisions of the army lay within supporting distance of each other. This route was thought by the Mexicans to be im- practicable. On the 18th all the army was in posi- tion near San Augustine, on the farther side, and on the Acapulco road, nine miles from the capital. In their way, however, lay the pass of San Antonia. It being strong, and on a narrow causeway, the plan of attack was to turn San Antonio by taking CONTRERAS. On the 19th a portion of the army (four brigades), advanced and fought vigorously with the enemy until night. The superiority of the enemy's numbers and the nature of the ground enabled them to hold our army in check and prevent our advance upon their front. On the slope west of the village was the im- mense reserve of Santa Anna, about 10,000 men. But when the final arrangements were made, and when a route had been found for the infantry to gain the rear of the enemy's position, the combat began. At 3 o'clock in the morning the march began by the forces detailed to gain the rear ; at the same time the positions were taken by the rest of the di- visions in the flanks and in front. About sunrise the assault was made on the Mexicans' rear and both flanks. The whole army as here bestowed was com- manded by Gen. Smith, who had arranged the plan, although he was not the senior officer. The intrench- ments were stormed and the works carried. All this in seventeen minutes. In the whole war no more brilliant or decisive victory is recorded. It was here that the Fourth Artillery recaptured, with great joy and exultation, two of its guns which had been lost at Buena Vista. CHERUBUSCO lies about four miles east of Contreras, but is six miles distant by the road. Contreras being won, Gen. Worth's division was ordered to attack San Antonio, to open a shorter and better road to the capital for our siege and other trains, and, after carrying that, to move on and join the other divisions in attacking Cherubusco. The garrison of San Antonio retreated. The Mexican army under Santa Anna were concen- trated in and around Cherubusco. In the attack two battles raged at two different points of attack. The parapets were from all directions, ditches were crossed all fortified places were captured one after another, and at length the citadel itself, which crowned the heights, was entered sword in hand. Victory fol- lowed victory, and at length the American dragoons on the rear of the Mexicans, with the sword at their loins, drove the fugitive enemy to the very gates of the city of Mexico. In these engagements 9000 Amer- icans were engaged, whose loss was 1000 in killed and wounded, while the loss of the Mexicans, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, exceeded 7000 out of 32,000. The five battles fought on this 20th of August were Contreras, San Antonio, the fete du pont, the Convent of Cherubusco, and the action with the right wing of Santa Anna's army. But the city was not yet to fall. An armistice was signed, negotiations for peace were begun, and our army was halted two miles and a half from the city to ' await the result. ■ On the 6th of September these ne- gotiations ended fruitlessly. MEXICO. 385 MOLINO DEL REY. A stone building of thick and high walls, with towers at the end, was at the foot of the hill slope, to the west of Tacubaya, where Scott had established his headquarters. This itself was nearly a mile south of the hill of Chapultepec. West of Molino del Rev lies the Casa de Mata, another thick and massive building. Between these points were Santa Anna's forces, 14,000, in line of battle. On the 8th of Sep- tember, 3154 made the attack in three columns. The centre was pierced, then the small attacking force was driven back, but, supported, again rushed for- ward, penetrated through the lines of the enemy and isolated the two wings. Here on the left, at Molino del Rey, Drum's Battery did such excellent service, and here fell the gallant Dick Johnston. While this attack was being made here, a heavy column of Mexican cavalry and infantry defiled around Casa Mata upon our extreme left. These were met and routed. Casa Mata was abandoned. The field was ours, but the battle was the bloodiest battle of the whole war. Our loss was 787 killed and wounded, of whom 58 were officers. That of the enemy, killed, wounded, and prisoners, was 3000. On the morning of the 12th of September our bat- teries opened fire upon OHAPTJLTEPEC, and continued it until night. The hill of Chapulte- pec is a steep, bluff, rocky height, rising one hundred and fifty feet above the surrounding grounds, and defended by a strong castle of thick stone walls. The fortress is about nine hundred feet long. The base of the hill was defended by a thick and high stone wall, and inside of it lay a considerable body of troops. The lower slope of the hill was mined. Be- yond the mines and about midway of the ascent was a strong redoubt clasping the entire front. This was also filled with troops. Above this redoubt was an inner wall, inclosing the crest of the hill with a wide and deep ditch. Inside of this wall was the main fortress or citadel, filled with troops under Gen. Bravo, and defended by eleven pieces of artillery. At 8 a.m. on the 13th the signal was given for assault on the cessation of fire of the heavy batteries. It was stormed on all sides, under a terrible shower of balls. They reach the ditch, bridge it with fascines ; the scaling-ladders are placed against the massive walls ; they mount and rush into the citadel. The South Carolina and New York Volunteers and the Second Pennsylvania, in which are the Westmore- landers, all on the left of Quitman's line, together with portions of the storming parties, crossed the meadows in front under a heavy fire, and entered the outer inclosure of Chapultepec just in time to join in the final assault from the west. A brief but fierce struggle occurred, the fortress was carried, its artil- lery was captured, and a large number of prisoners were taken. THE CITY OF MEXICO at, length lay open to attack. The army attacked in two columns under Worth and Quitman. The enemy fought in the suburbs, and gallantly defended their gates, but when the morning of the 14th of Septem- ber, 1847, dawned both columns marched into the city without resistance, and this wondrous battle- march from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico was history. The following sketch, being the epitome of an ex- tended diary kept by one of the members of the com- pany, Mr. Thomas J. Barclay, now deceased, gives in detail the part taken by the " Guards" in the cam- paign from their landing at Vera Cruz : " From that time things proceeded rapidly. Vera Cruz was invested; in three days after the trenches were opened the city surrendered, hav- ing only sustained a bombardment of twenty-four hours. The army at once proceeds to Cerro Gordo. On the 18th of April, 1S47, they make the attack. The position is taken by storm. Santa Anna sustains a crushing defeat. Three thousand prisoners, four thousand muskets, many battle-flags, abandoned artillery, and what remained of the Mexi- can army in flight, these are the trophies of this almost unparalleled act of Bkill and heroism. On the 2lst of April, 1847, three days after the battle of Cerro Gordo, Mr. Barclay was appointed first sergeant of Company E, commanded by Capt. John W. Johnston. Gen. Scott, towards the close of Api-il, sent back four thousand of his men whose term of enlistment had expired. The remaining troops advance, and on the 8th of July, 1847, the large city of Puebla surrenders without a bat- tle. The army of invasion now numbers only four thousand five hun- dred. In four short months the army had lost five thousand five hun- dred men by casualties out of a total of fourteen thousand, and four thousand by reason of expiration of term of enlistment had returned home. Company E, which left Pittsburgh with an aggregation of ninety-four men, now only numbers seventy. More than one-fourth of the entire number are gone. They will suffer other losses before the capital of Mexico is taken. The government of the United States for- warded other troops to make up for the losses, and the army is again raised to fourteen thousand five hundred. Six hundred able-bodied men and six hundred convalescents are placed in tire garrison at Puebla to guard that point and to take care of the twenty-five hundred sick confided to their care, and among the list of the sick is the captain of Company E. Gen. Scott leaving Puebla advanced with the balance of the army, numbering ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight men. He has now reached a point of great danger ; nearly a month of march- ing must elapse before the small invading army can reach the capital. A blazing sun in a tropical climate is pouring down his hottest rays. The army is cut off from its base, and is surrounded on all 6ides by hos- tile populations. Hungry and desperate guerrillas hang on the flanks of the army, as it advances. Santa Anna is organizing another army to make a last and desperate defense before tiie capital of the nation. It may be twenty or one hundred and fifty thousand men. He has had over four months to accomplish this. The little army is advancing into the jaws of certain death, or to a victory that will cover them with im- perishable glory. The national honor is in the keeping of that little band of brave men. Westmoreland County had a deep stake in that apparently forlorn march. Company E was mainly constituted of the Mite of the county. Having crossed the table-lands and mountains which separated Puebla from the capital, the army approached the capi- tal. From the ISth to 20th August the battles of Contreras, San An- tonio, and Cherubusco were fought. The Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers came up on the 12th September, and formed part of the guard of Batteries Nos. 1 and 2. On the 13th September the rock of Chapul- tepec, crowned witli strong Spauish fortifications of the seventeenth century, which commanded all its approaches, was stormed and taken after a bloody resistance. The Second Pennsylvania Regiment Volun- teers, including Company E, formed part of the storming party, and on the same day this company assisted in the attack which carried the Mexican Batteries Nos. 1 and 2 on the causeway leading from the castle. The city fell into the hands of the invading army, and on the 14th Sep- tember, 1847, Company E formed part of the garrison of the city. Santa Anna retreated with the remnant of his army, soon after to fall upon the garrison at Puebla, where the sick and wounded had been left. In 386 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the battles fought around the capital the invading army took thirty- seven hundred prisoners, thirteen of whom were generals and three ex- Presidents, and seventy-five cannon and many small-arms, and the in- vading army after leaving Puebla lost in the conflict twenty-seven huu- dred and three men, more than one-fourth of the invading force that left Puebla." The honors which Westmoreland paid to her chil- dren when they returned were heartfelt and substan- tial. They were feted and feasted wherever they went. A meeting had been held at Greensburg, which was attended by delegates from all sections of the county, at which arrangements were made to welcome home the returning members of the Guards. Accordingly, when Capt. Johnston's company arrived at the wharf at Pittsburgh, on the morning of the 11th of July, 1848, they were there met when they put their feet on shore by the chairman of the committee of ar- rangements and cordially welcomed back. " A host of warm hearts from old Westmoreland," so says a Pittsburgh paper of the time, " were soon on the steamer ; fathers and sons, wives and sweethearts were found in happy communion." And again : " They were escorted to their quarters by a number of our citizens and some friends from Westmoreland. We got a fair look at them as they passed our office. We think them the best-looking fellows that have yet returned; this is the opinion of all. Capt. Johnston, j as well as his men, deserve great credit for the really good appearance they made." They were escorted from Pittsburgh by the com- mittee and citizens, and their entire progress was one constant ovation. The volunteers turned out, ad- dresses were made, dinners given, toasts drank, ball- rooms festooned, fiddlers pensioned, and the fair were ready, everywhere ready, to honor the returning brave. Nor did these demonstrations cease at the county town. Wherever a squad of these veterans came they met the same hearty welcome. A large meeting was held at Youngstown, near to which was the home of Capt. Johnston and of many who had accompanied him to the war. Arrangements had been made, a procession was formed with a chief marshal and as- sistant marshals, the military were in line, and the citizens in carriages. They were met a mile out of the town. As they approached they were honored with a national salute from the brass field-pieces. The town was hung with garlands, flags, streamers, and arches of evergreens. They were welcomed home in a neat speech, and conducted to a tavern at which had been provided abundance of refreshments. When the cloth was removed a meeting was organized : toasts were read in which the valor and bravery of the Guards were the principal theme. At night " bright eyes looked love to eyes again, and all went merry as a marriage-bell." Early in 1848 it was proposed to raise a plain but durable monument inscribed with the names of all the Westmorelanders that served in the war. For a time it looked probable that the project would be accomplished. But after the first expressions of re- gard the matter ceased to be agitated, and the fortu- nate moment passing, the memorial was abandoned by that generation and left to another. Simon H. Drum, who fell gloriously before the gates of the city of Mexico, Sept. 13, 1847, was a na- tive of Greensburg, son of Simon Drum, Esq., and a brother of Richard C. Drum, the present adjutant- general of the army. He was a captain in the Fourth United States Artillery in Mexico. By a desperate charge at Gontreras he recovered the cannon taken from his own regiment at Buena Vista. When he got a glimpse of the guns, he turned to his men and said, " See those guns, men : they belong to the Fourth Artillery, and we must take them." A prominent historian of the war thus mentions his services at Chapultepec : " Captain Drum's battery kept up a constant and destructive fire the whole day at Chapultepec. Quitman's division, consisting of the Second Pennsylvania and South Carolina and New York Volunteers, a battalion of United States marines, occupied a position in supporting distance of the battery." In every account of this battle the services and the gallant conduct of this artillery are highly and commendably spoken of. Amid the tempest of fire that preceded his death, being unable to move his guns on account of the loss of his men, he turned to the Westmoreland Guards, who lay in the arches of the aqueduct beside him. Many of them had been his schoolmates; and these were those who would carry back to Westmoreland the story of the glorious bravery of one of her sons. He turned to them and said, " Will not some of my Westmoreland friends lend a hand?" The response, so another one said who was not a Westmorelander, " did honor to old Westmoreland." His last words to his comrades were, " Forward the battery !" Some of his comrades or friends composed a beau- tiful poem upon the subject of his death, which was published in the Pittsburgh Morning Post late in 1847, and in it appeared these lines : " And Westmoreland, whose fearless sons Saw thee in death expire, Thou, and her brave, heroic ones, Whose fall she mourns, to her bequeath Glory's unfading laurel wreath, — And sacred patriot fire, — Which she will cherish while remains Each green hill of their native home, While living verdure crowns the plains, By honor hallow'd, where their names Have mouldered in the tomb." He was born June 8, 1807; entered the Military Academy at West Point, and graduated with distin- guished honor, July, 1829. He was on active duty in the Black Hawk war, and served for three years in the Florida war as an officer of artillery. In 1846 he joined Gen. Wool in his long and arduous march through Mexico to Saltillo, performing duty as assist- ant-inspector-general. From there he marched, in command of his company, with Worth's division to MEXICO. 387 join Gen. Scott in the attack upon Vera Cruz. In the whole campaign he conducted himself with that cool and accomplished bravery for which he was so re- markably distinguished, and at Cerro Gordo and Con- treras his gallantry displayed itself in a conspicuous manner. The following observations were made upon the news of the death of Capt. Drum and Richard H. J. Johnston at Moliuo del Rev, and they show what a deep feeling of sorrow pervaded the community upon the occasion : " But what shall we say of the gallant but unfortunate Dick Johnston '.' He volunteered, as all know, as the private soldier of his country less than a year ago; was shortly afterwards appointed a lieutenant by the President, distinguished himself for his daring and courage, and fell, fighting gallantly, in view of the city of Mexico. How much he is re- gretted by all who knew him hero is more than we can express. Under a rough and blunt exterior he had a heart as kind and as fearless as ever beat in human breast. He was the youngest brother of three who went to Mexico together. One was stricken down by the disease of the climate and was barely able to reach home, where, thank Providence ! his health has been restored. The other, Capt. Johnston, is still in Mex- ico, suffering much from impaired health. And the gallant Richard, who followed the steps of his elder brothers to battle, escaped almost en- tirely the sickuess of the climate to fall in the sanguinary conflict of King's Mill, like a true soldier, ' with his back to the field and his feet to the foe.' "Capt. Drum and Lieut. Johnston were both natives of this county, and the sons of two of our oldest and most respectable families. Their friends have the deep sympathy of the entire community in their be- reavement. They have, besides, the consolation of knowing that these gallant meu fell nobly in discharge of their duty; that they fell where the brave and chivalrous soldier wishes to fall, if fall he must, in the thickest of the fight, and that their memories will be respected wher- ever patriotism is honored and the true soldier of his country has a friend." Andrew Ross died on board the steamer " New Or- leans," April the 30th. He was born in Allegheny township, graduated at Union College, New York, studied law at Greensburg, and had been admitted but a short time when the war broke out. He was among the first to volunteer. He died on shipboard from exposure and sickness contracted in the open campaign field. His body was thrown into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. James Kerr, a native of Sewickley township, had just been prepared to enter upon his professional career, that of the law, when he enlisted into the Guards. His disease developed itself at New Orleans, yet he pressed forward to Lobos, and thence to Anton Lizardo, near Vera Cruz. Here he was unable to go on shore, but died on shipboard on the 11th of March. At a meeting of the bar, held at the sheriff's office on the 5th of June, 1847, suitable and appropriate resolutions of respect and condolence were passed in memory of these young men who died in Mexico. George May, of Youngstown, James M. Hartford, of Stewartsville, and Lewis Myers, of Carlisle, died at Vera Cruz before the march began. Lieut. Washington Murry died on the 16th of June (1847), on his homeward passage, between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. He took part in the capture of Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and in the battle of Cerro Gordo. He left Jalapa on the 28th of May, on a furlough to recruit his health in the United States. His remains were interred in the graveyard of the Long Run Church, near Stewartsville. Andrew Jackson Forney, drummer to the " Guards," died iu the Marine Hospital at Louisville on the 18th of June. He had been discharged at Vera Cruz some time before, and was on his way home, wheu he became so ill he had to stop over at Louisville, where he died. Andrew R. Huston died in the hospital at Vera Cruz, of yellow fever, on the 18th of June. When the army moved forward from Jalapa he was left in charge of the sick, and thus himself fell a victim to disease. William A. Campbell, on account of ill health, re- ceived a certificate of discharge at Jalapa on the 8th of June. He arrived with much difficulty at his father's house near Blairsville, where he died on the 12th of July. Henry C. Marchand was honorably discharged on account of ill health. Arriving home in May, 1847, he was compelled for a long time to keep his room and bed. James Johnston, assistant quartermaster's sergeant, and Corporal James M. Carpenter were honorably discharged on account of sickness, and they both ar- rived home towards the middle of June. William Wentz took sick beyond the city of Jalapa> while the company were encamped there, and died in the garrison. Robert McGinley, from Salem township, died in the city of Mexico. Sergt. James M. McLaughlin, of Greensburg, son of Randall McLaughlin, died at home on the 30th of March, 1848, in the twenty-second year of his age. He took part in all the battles in which the " Guards" were engaged, from Vera Cruz to Mexico. After the battles of the city of Mexico he was disabled for duty by sickness, was discharged, and arrived home De- cember the 25th, 1847, and was compelled to keep his room almost constantly till the day of his death. Jacob Miller, a private, who was wounded in the leg at Cerro Gordo, left Jalapa on the 8th of June (1847) for home, where he arrived about the middle of July. George Decker, a private, was wounded at Chapul- tepec, 13th September, 1847, returned home, near Salem, and died 19th August, 1871, in Penn town- ship. The following list includes the volunteers who went from Westmoreland County with the Duquesne Grays, First Pennsylvania Regiment, as also a full list of the Westmoreland Guards, arranged under appropriate heads : DUQUESNE GRAYS (FIRST REGIMENT). John C. Gilchrist, Esq., killed in battle, 12th October, 1847. James Keenan, Jr., promoted second lieuteuant, 11th Infantry. Richard C. Drum, promoted second lieutenaut, 11th Infantry. Joseph Spencer, died at Perote, Mexico. Henry Bates, died at Perote, Mexico. William Burns, no return. m 388 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. WESTMORELAND GUARDS (SECOND REGIMENT). Kilted in Battle— a.t Molino del Rey.— R. H. L. Johnston, promoted first lieutenant, 11th Infantry. Died in Mexico. — Samuel Gorgas, George Hagerty, James M. Hartford, Andrew R. Huston, John Kerr, Daniel S. Kuhns (in consequence of a wound), Jacob Linsenbigler, John McCollam, Robert 0. McGinley, Ed- ward McCredin, George May, William H. Melville, Lewis Myers, Joseph Shaw, Thomas Spears, Nathaniel Thomas, William R. Wentz. Discharged and Died coming Home. — Lieut. Washington Murry, Lieut. Andrew Ross (11th Infantry, promoted), Drummer A. Jackson Forney. Discharged and Died at Home. — William A. Campbell, Esq., Sergt. James M. McLaughlin, Michael Heasly. Discharged. — II. C. Marchand, Esq., J. M. Carpenter, John R. Grow, Edward Hansberry, James Johnston, William Kelly, Edmund B. Lan- don, Philip Kuhns, William Mclntire, Jacob P. Miller (wounded), Jona- than Pease, Frederick Rexroad, John Taylor, Henry Fishel. Jacob T. Wise, Archibald Dougherty. Promoted. — S II. Montgomery, assistant quartermaster. Promoted and Resigned. — H. Byers Kuhne, Thomas J. Barclay, second lieutenants, 11th Infantry. To Return. — Capt. J. W. Johnston, Lieut. James Armstrong, Lieut. James Coulter, David Mechling, Corp. William Bigelow, Fifer M. J. Ket- tering, John Aikens, Lebbius Allshouse, Andrew Bates, Hugh J. Brady, McClure Bills, Samuel A. Byerly, George W. Bonnin, Hagan Carney, Humphrey Carson, Milton Cloud, R. Coulter, Jr., George Decker, Samuel Elliot, James Underwood, Henry Geesyn, Andrew D. Gordon, Frederick Haines, George W. Hartman, James Hays, Jacob Hoffer, J. Kagarize, Henry Keslar, Jacob Kuhn, Benjamin Martz, Peter McCabe, Samuel McClaran, Anion McLain, Richard McClellaud, D. R. McCutcben, Charles McGarvey, James McWilliams, William McWilliams, Jacob Marchand, Samuel Miluer, Samuel C. Moorhead, James Rager, C. For- ward Sargent, William R. Shields, Frederick D. Steck, Henry Stickle, Joseph Smith, Israel Uncapher, Samuel Walters. CHAPTER XLVII. WESTMORELAND IN THE CIVIL WAR. The Gall to Arms — The Response from Westmoreland — The Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers — History of its Colors — Biographi- cal Sketch of Capt. K. H. Gay— The Fourteenth Regiment— The Twenty-eighth Regiment — The Fortieth Regiment (" Eleventh Re- serve")— Forty-first Regiment ("Twelfth Reserve")— The Fifty-third Regiment — Sixty-fourth Regiment (Fourth Cavalry! — Seventy-fourth Regiment — Eighty-fourth Regiment — One Hundredth Regiment ("The Round-Head Regiment")— The One Hundred and Fifth Regi- ment — One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment (Nine Months' Ser- vice) — One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment (Drafted Militia) — Two Hundred and Sixth Regiment (One Year's Service) — Two Hun- dred and Eleventh Regiment lOne Year's Service) — Two Hundred and Twelfth (Sixth Artillery) Regiment— The Militia of 1862— Militia of 1863— Colored Troops, etc. The roar of Sumter's guns as it rolled northward along the Atlantic coast, and westward across the prairies, awakened the nation from its peaceful dream of half a century to the startling reality of armed rebellion and civil war. Following close upon the sur- render of Fort Sumter came the call from Washing- ton, not less startling than the report of the first cannon-shot, for volunteers to defend the rightful authority of the government. Every Northern State sent back the same enthusiastic response. Party lines were obliterated and political differences forgotten in the common danger. Cities, towns, and villages rivaled each other in their patriotic offers of men and means. Such an uprising had perhaps never before been witnessed. The State capital became the mili- tary rendezvous of Pennsylvania, and to Harrisburg her sons flocked from their shops and farms, from their stores, offices, and counting-rooms. Rapidly as the troops arrived they were organized into regiments and sent to the front, each regiment distinguished by the number that marked the order of its organization. THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOL- UNTEERS. One week later than President Lincoln's call for troops, ten companies, representing six different counties and containing in all a thousand men, were united and formed into the Eleventh Regiment. Com- panies A, D, and G represented Lycoming County; B and C, Clinton County ; E, Luzerne County ; F, Northumberland County ; H, Montour County ; and I, Capt. Richard Coulter, and K, Capt. W. B. Coulter, Westmoreland County. The election for field-officers that followed this union of companies resulted in the choice of Capt." Phaen Jarrett for colonel ; Capt. Richard Coulter, lieutenant-colonel ; and William D. Earnest, major. To complete the regimental organi- zation, Lieut. A. F. Aul was appointed adjutant; W. H. Hay, quartermaster ; Dr. W. F. Babb, surgeon ; and Dr. H. B. Buehler, assistant surgeon. It was mustered into the United States service April 26, 1861, and mustered out August 1st, having been re- cruited for three months' service. During this time it was actively engaged along the front lines on the Upper Potomac, repelling the advance of the then audacious enemy, and, in conuection with the First Wisconsin Regiment, finally met and defeated them in their first fair, open field fight, at the battle of Falling Waters, where the afterwards famous name of "Stonewall" Jackson was first heard. While stationed at Martinsburg the conduct of the regiment so won the esteem of the citizens that the ladies of that place presented it a neat, substantial flag. Before the close of the " three mouths' service," on the application of a number of the officers, and through the personal solicitation and exertions of Col. Coulter, the Secre- tary of War continued the organization of the regi ment, and permitted it to return to Harrisburg to recruit for the three years' service. It was finally recruited and mustered into service for three years* chiefly through the personal influence of Col. Richard Coulter. There was some dispute among the State officials as to the number to be given the regiment, most of them desiring to designate it the Fifty-first, which the officers refused to accept. The dispute was finally settled by an order from Governor Curtin, dated Harrisburg, Oct. 26, 1861 : "The regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers commanded by Col. Coul- ter will continue to be known as the Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. It is just to the officers and men that the regiment should have future opportunities of displaying the courage and gallantry of Falling Waters, which is now a part of the military history of the State, under their original designation." On November 20th, Governor Curtin presented to the regiment its stand of colors provided by the State, and side by side with the flag presented by the Mar- WESTMORELAND IN THE CIVIL WAR. 389 tinsburg ladies it was carried until after the close of the war. On November 27th it left for Baltimore, and reported to Gen. John A. Dix. The regimental roster of field- and staff-officers was as follows : Colonel, Richard Coulter, rack from July 19, 1861; appointed brevet brig.-geu. Aug. 1,1804; wounded at Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, and Spottsylvania; must, out with regt. July 1, 1865. Lieutenant-colonel, Thomas S. Martin, rank from Sept. 21,1861 ; killed at Bull Run, Va., Aug. 30, 1862. Lieutenant-colouel, Henry A. Frink, rank from Aug. 30,1862; ap- pointed to col. 186th Penna. Vols., March 21,1864 ; wounded at Second Bull Run. Lieutenant-colonel, Benjamin F. Haines, rank from Dec. 13, 1864 ; ap- pointed brevet col. Marcli 13, 1865; must, out July 1, 1865; wounded at Second Bull Run, Gettysburg, and Hatcher's Run. Major, Heury A. Frink, rank from Aug. 1, 1S61 ; pro. to lieut.-col. Major, John B. Keenan, rank from Aug. 30, 1862; wouuded at Thor- oughfare Gap; killed at Spottsylvania, May 8, 1864. Major, Benj. F. Haines, rank from Sept. 5, 1864; pro. to lieut.-col. Major, John B. Overmyer, rank from Dec. 13, 1864; appointed brevet lieut.-col. March 13, I860, and brevet col. April 1,1865; wounded April 1, 1865 ; must, out July 1, 1865. Adjutant, Israel Uucopher, rank from Jan. 17, 1862 ; resigned Nov. 28, 1862. Adjutant, Arthur F. Small, rank from January, 1863 ; disch. Sept. 27, 1S63. Adjutant, John A. Stevensou, rank from Sept. 28, 1864; wounded April 1, 1865; must, out July 1, 1865. Quartermaster, George W. Thorn, rank from Sept. 30,1861; hou. disch. May 30, 1863. Quartermaster, Alleu S. Jacobs, rank from June 3, 1863 ; died Oct. 18, 1863. Quartermaster, Samuel P. Lightcap, rank from June 30,1865; not mustered. , fS Quartermaster, Robert Anderson, rank from Nov. 22, 1864; pro. to] ' capt. Co. G. ' Surgeon, R. S. M. Jackson, rank from Sept. 9, 1861; resigned April 7, 1863 ; pro. to surg. U. S. A. ; died in service at Chattanooga, Jan. 18, 1865. Surgeon, James W. Anawalt, rank from May 26, 1863 ; must, out July 1, 1865. Assistant surgeon, James W. Anawalt, rank from Oct. 15, 1861 ; pro. to surg. 132d Regt. Sept. 15, 1862. Assistant surgeon, Thomas G. Morris, rank from Sept. 17, 1862; re- signed Nov. 26, 1862. Assistant surgeon, W. C. Phelps, rank from Aug. 4, 1862 ; pro. to surg. 22d Cav. April 4, 1864. AsBi>tant surgeon, W. F. Osborn, rank from Nov. 24, 1863 ; pro. to surg. 117th Vols. Jan. 21, I860. Assistant surgeon, John M. Rankin, rank from Jan. 24, 1865 ; must, out July 1, 1865. Assistant surgeon, Charles D. Fortuey, rank from Feb. 25, 1865 ; must, out July 1, 1865. Chaplaiu, William H. Locke, rank from Nov. 5,1861 ; resigned Dec. 19, 1863. Sergeant-major. Edward H. Gay, must, in Nov. 27, 1861 ; pro. from pri- vate Co. K to sergt.-maj. Jan. 15, 1862 ; to 2d lieut. Co. F, March 10, 1862. Sergeant-major, John Ingram, must, in July 3, 1862; disch. March 30, 1865. Sergeant-major, William J. Willyard, must, in Oct. 1, 1861 ; pro. from sergt. Co. K May 30, 1865; must, out with regt.; veteran. Quartermaster-sergeant, William R. Huber, must, in Oct. 4, 1861 ; pro. from 1st sergt. Co. E Oct. 18, 1861 ; disch. on surgeon's certificate March 15, 1863. Quartermaster-sergeant, Samuel W. Phelps, must, in Nov. 27, 1861 ; pro. from private Co. D to com.-sergt. March 1, 1863; to q.m.-sergt. April 1, 1863 ; to 2d lieut. April, 1864 ; veteran. Quartermaster-sergeant, Samuel P. Lightcap, must, in Nov. 8, 1861 ; pro. from private Co. H Oct. 1, 1864; com. regt. q.m. June 30, 1865; not mustered; must, out with regt. July 1, 1865; veteran. Commissary-sergeant, Charles H. Clifford, must, in Oct. 4, 1861 ; pro. from private Co. E Dec. 1, 1863 ; disch. Oct. 3, 1864. Commissary -sergeant, N. B. Dilhorn, must, in Nov. 26, 1861 ; pro. from sergt. Co. A to com.-sergt. Dec. 24, 1864, to 2d lieut, Co. H May 20, 1865 ; veteran. Commissary-sergeant. Lewis P. Hays, must, in Oct. 1, 1861 ; pro. from Corp. Co. K May30,]s65; must, out July 1, 1865 ; veteran. Hospital steward, P. F. Hyatt, must, in Nov. 27, 1861 ; pro. to hosp. steward U.S.A. Jan. 23, 1863. Hospital steward, J. J. Briggs, must, in Oct. 4, 1861; pro. to hosp. steward March 1, 1S63; to 2d lieut Co. E March 28, 1664; veteran. Hospital steward, E. S. Stephenson, must, in March 1, 1865; must. out with regt. July 1, 1865. The regiment was engaged in provost guard duty, guarding railroads, etc., at Annapolis, Md., until April 18, 1862, when it was sent to the front, and sta- tioned for some time along the Manassas Gap Rail- road. During the summer of 1862 it was actively engaged in the campaign under Gen. Pope, and was in the battles at Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, where it bore the brunt of the battle, Thor- oughfare Gap, where, supported by part of Gen. Rick- etts' division, it held the Gap against Hill's whole corps, and prevented the annihilation of Pope's army, Second Bull Run and Chantilly, after which it took part in the battles at South Mountain and Antietam. To write the history of the regiment from this time on would be to write a history of the Army of the Potomac, as it continued actively engaged in that army until it was finally dissolved, and space will only permit a brief mention of the principal engage- ments and actions it participated in, which are as fol- lows: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church, Norfolk Railroad, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, raid to Hick- ford, Dabney 's Mills, Hatcher's Run, Boydtown Plank- Road, Gravelly Run, Five Forks, and finally at Ap- pomattox, where Gen. Lee's army surrendered. On Jan. 1, 1S64, it re-enlisted as a veteran regiment for three years more, and came home in February, 1864, on furlough to recruit. Its thinned ranks were ra- pidly filled, and it again returned to the front. It left Harrisburg in November, 1861, with nine com- panies, numbering in the aggregate about seven hun- dred men. The tenth company joined it Aug. 27, 1862. The whole number belonging to the regiment and taken upon its rolls was nineteen hundred and eighty, showing that about eleven hundred and fifty joined as recruits or were transferred to its ranks after its organization. When it was finally discharged, July 6, 1865, it only numbered three hundred and thirty-two, showing that about sixteen hundred and fifty were lost by deaths, losses in battles, discharges, etc. This was the oldest regiment in the service from Pennsylvania, being the only one whose old organi- zation and number was continued, and there being the Eleventh Reserves and Eleventh Cavalry in the field from this State, this regiment was generally known and distinguished from the others as the " Old Eleventh." Of the gallantry and general good sol- dierly conduct of the officers and men of this veteran regiment, the long list of battles and the great num- ber killed and wounded therein speak more forcibly than language. Of Col. Coulter we shall not speak in 390 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. too high terms of praise ; but his reputation is safe with the men he commanded, and they and the offi- cers under whom he served will always commend him for his personal disregard of danger, his kindness of heart, and his excellent management of the regiment under all the trying circumstances to which it was exposed. His vigorous constitution was seriously shattered by three severe wounds, received respec- tively at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Spottsylva- nia, and for his gallant course in action he received the sobriquet of " Fighting Dick Coulter," by which he was almost universally known both in the Con- federate and Union armies. For the rosters of the Westmoreland companies of this regiment, see Appendix "R." The Regimental Colors. — The State flag was presented to the regiment by Governor Curtin, Nov. 20, 1861, and placed in the hands of Sergt. Charles H. Foulke, of Company A, who carried it until Aug. 11, 1862, at Cedar Mountain, where he was acci- dentally wounded in the foot, when it was placed in the hands of Sergt. Robert H. Knox, of Company C, who carried it August 21st to 24th, at Rappahannock Station, August 28th, at Thoroughfare Gap, and Au- gust 30th, at Second Bull Run, where he was severely wounded, losing his right leg, the flag passing on the field into the hands of 1st Sergt. Samuel S. Bierer, of Company C, who was immediately wounded. It was then taken by 2d Lieut. Absalom Schall, of Company C, who was severely wounded, when it was again taken by Sergt. Samuel S. Bierer, of Company C, who carried it to Centreville. Daniel Matthews carried it September 1st, at Chantilly, September 14th, at South Mountain, September 16th and 17th, at An- tietam, where he was severely wounded, and it was taken by Private William Welty, of Company C, who was almost immediately killed. It was then delivered to Corp. Frederick Welty, of Company C, who was soon severely wounded and obliged to leave it on the field, where it remained some time, all of the men near it having been killed or wounded. It was next carried by 2d Lieut. Edward H. Gay, of Company F, 1 1 Capt. Edwahd H. Gay, born in Donegal townBhip, Westmoreland Co., Pa., 29th October, 1842, was the son of John and Elizabeth Gay. In the year 1858 he entered the Republican printing-office at Greensburg, and on the next day after his apprenticeship had expired enlisted for the three months' service in Capt. Richard Coulter's company. At the end of this service he re-enlisted at Yonngstown on the 27th November, 1801, nnder Capt. John B. Keenan, and was mustered into the United States service at Harrisburg. In January was appointed sergeant- major, in March he received the appointment of second lieuteuant in Company F, and on the 15th of October (1861) he was commissioned as captain, all within eleven months, and when he was not twenty years of age. During the last three years in which he was in the service he was in thirteen engagements and was wounded three times. The engage- ments and dates are as follows: Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862; Rappa- hannock Station, Aug. 21, 1862; Thoroughfare Gap, August 28; Bull Run, August 30; Chantilly, September 1 ; South Mountain Gap, Septem- ber 14; Antietam, September 17; Fredericksburg, December 13; with Burusiile's advance, Jan. 20, 1863; Rappahannock, April 30 to May 2 ; Chancellorsville, May 2-6; Gettysburg, July 1,2; Morton's Ford, Octo- ber 10; Mine Run, November 28 to December 1. At Antietam he was twice wounded, iu the arm and in the side, but who received two gunshot-wounds, and most bravely passed the flag to Sergt. Henry Bitner, of Company E, who retained it until the close of the action. Dec. 12 and 13, 1862, at the battle of Fredericksburg, it was carried by Corp. John V. Kuhns, of Com- pany C, until he was three times severely woundedi losing his left leg. It was then borne by Cyrus W. Chambers, of Company C, who was killed, when it was taken by Corp. John W. Thomas, of Company C, who was also severely wounded. It was brought off the field by Capt. Benjamin F. Haines, of Company B. Corp. John H. McKalip, of Company C, was next made color-bearer, who carried it April 30th to May 5, 1863, at Chancellorsville, and July 1st at Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded in a charge upon Iverson's North Carolina brigade, the flag falling among some bushes, where it was after- wards discovered by Private Michael Kepler, of Com- pany D, who carried it during the remainder of the engagements, July 1st, 2d, and 3d, and also at Mine Run, Dec. 1, 1863. In April, 1864, he being sick and absent, it was delivered to Corp. J. J. Lehman, of Company D, who carried it May 5th and 6th, in the Wilderness, and May 8th at Spottsylvania, where he was killed, and the flag was brought off the field by 2d Lieut. McCuthen, of Company F. The next color- bearer, whose name has not been ascertained, was severely wounded in the foot May 12th, at Spottsyl- vania. Corp. William Matthews, of Company C, car- ried it during the remainder of the engagement at Spottsylvania, and at North Anna, Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church, in front of Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and bore it in the Hickford raid until December, 1864; Feb. 6 and 7, 1865, at Hatcher's Run and Dabuey's Mills; March 28th, Quaker Road; March 30th, White Oak Ridge; April 1st, Five Forks; April 9th, Appomattox Court-House, and until May 28, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. John C. Scheurman, of Company A, then carried it until the regiment was mustered out of service, July 7, 1865. It was delivered to the State authorities at Harrisburg, and July 4, 1866, it was formally returned to the Governor at Philadelphia upon the occasion of the public return of all the State flags. such was his interest in his men and in the engagement that his superior officer had to order him peremptorily from the field before he would go, though his wounds were severe. At Gettysburg he was badly wounded in the hand, and in the fight his sword was shot from bis grasp and his hand very much shattered. He was only absent on leave twice, a period of ten days each time. ' He bad come home on a short furlough, but detailed on the recruiting service, he went at once to work without giving himself the necessary amount of rest from his arduous labors. In the midst of his duties he was taken sick with smallpox, two weeks before his death. He gradu- ally suqk under the disease, and on Saturday, the 12th of March, 1864, he died at Greensburg, aged twenty-one years, four months, and twelve days. His remains, accompanied by relatives, many members of his company and other companions in arms, and a vast concourse of citizens, were conveyed to the St. Clair Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, where, with other becoming services, they were interred with the honors of war. A fine marble shaft covered with appropriate emblems and in- scriptions rises over his remains. WESTMORELAND IN THE CIVIL WAR. 391 FOURTEENTH REGIMENT {Three Months' Serrice). This regiment was formed at Camp Curtin, of companies raised in various sections of the State. The men had been recruited, or rather accepted, for the outpouring everywhere was at the flood tide, at j periods varying from the 15th to the 30th of April. John W. Johnston, of Youngstown, former captain of Company C, and who had been a captain of volun- teers in the Mexican war, was colonel. The regiment organized at Harrisburg, April 30, 1861, and was mus- tered out of service August 7th following. It served under Gen. Patterson in the region of Martinsburg, Charleston, and Bunker Hill, in which region it was when news was received of the battle of Bull Run. After its term of service, nearly all of its officers and men re-entered the service in various Pennsylvania organizations. 1 Captain Johnston's company from Youngstown, for the most part, entered the Eleventh Regiment upon its organization, and are identified with its history. TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT ( Th, ee Yean' Service). Early in June, 1861, Col. John W.Geary (who had served in the Mexican war, was a native of this county, and afterward Governor of the State) ob- tained permission from President Lincoln to raise in Pennsylvania a regiment of volunteers to serve three years. He accordingly established a camp at Oxford Park, in Philadelphia, and on the 28th of that month the Twenty-eighth Regiment, which was uniformed and equipped at his own expense, was mustered into the service of the United States. It re-enlisted as a veteran organization, and was mustered out Jul\ T 18, 1865, near Alexandria, Va. This regiment partici- pated in the battles of Bolivar, Front Royal, Second Bull Run, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Lookout Mountain, Peach -Tree Creek, and in Sherman's march to the sea, and achieved a name for its gallantry and services hardly surpassed by that of any other organization in the Union army. At Lookout Mountain, Capt. E. R. Geary (son of the old colonel of this regiment), of Knapp's Battery, attached to the Twenty-eighth, was killed while sighting his gun, pierced by a rifle-ball through his forehead. The officers and men from this county were : Colonel, John W. Geary, rank from June 28, 1861 ; pro. to brig.-gen., U. S. V., April 25, 1862; wounded at Bolivar, Cedar Mountain, and Chancellorsville; pro. to niaj.-gen. Jan. 12, 1865. Major, Robert WardeD, muBt. in June 29th as capt. of Co. B; pro. to major April 25, 1862; died in Winchester, Va., June 30, 1862. Assistant surgeon, William Logan, with rank from June 28, 1861 ; re- signed Sept. 26, 1862. FORTIETH REGIMENT — "ELEVENTH RESERVE" — ( Three Years Service), The companies comprising this regiment were re- cruited, A in Cambria, B and E in Indiana, C and D 1 For roster of the Westmoreland soldiers in this regiment, see Ap- pendix " E." in Butler, F in Fayette, G in Armstrong, H and I in Westmoreland, and K in Jefferson County. Most of them were raised for the three months' service, but failing of acceptance still preserved their organiza- tions, and when the call for the Reserve Corps was issued marched to the rendezvous at Camp Wright, near Pittsburgh. It was mustered in July 1, 1861, at the park, Washington City, where it had arrived June 26th. It was mustered out June 14, 1864, at Pitts- burgh, and its veterans and recruits transferred to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment. It bravely participated in the following battles : Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross-Roads, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, New Hope Church, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvauia, North Anna, Beth- esda Church, and other smaller engagements. It was assigned to the Second Brigade, Brig.-Gen. George G. Meade, of the Reserve Corps, Maj.-Gen. George A. McCall, and was thus associated with the Third, Fourth, Seventh, and Thirteenth ("Bucktail") Re- serve Regiments, which with it composed this cele- brated brigade. The field-officers from Westmoreland County were: 2 Colonel, Thomas F. Gallagher, rank from July 2, 1861; disch. Dec. 12, 1862, for wounds received at South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1861 ; pro. brevet brig.-gen. March 13, 1865. Quartermaster, Hugh A. Torrence, rank from June 21, 1861 ; pro. from 2d lieut. Co. E to q.m. July 2, 1861 ; to 1st lieut. March 1, 1863 ; to brevet capt. March 13. 1865. Chaplain, Adam Torrence, from Sept. 8, 1862, to Nov. 10, 1863 ; re- signed. FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT—" TWELFTH RESERVE"— ( Three Years' Service). The companies raised for this regiment, raised primarily for the three months' service, but not ac- cepted, rendezvoused at Camp Curtin. It was organ- ized July 25, 1861, mustered into service Aug. 10, 1861, and mustered out June 11, 1864, and its veterans and recruits transferred to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Regiment. Its first colonel was John H. Taggart, of Philadelphia, who was succeeded July 8, 1862, by Martin D. Hardin, of the State of Illinois. Its chaplain was Rev. Obadiah H. Miller, of this county, appointed June 18, 1862, and who resigned June 9, 1863. It was first attached to Col. John S. McCalmont's Third Brigade of Gen. McCall's di- vision, in connection with the Tenth, Sixth, and Ninth Pennsylvania Reserve Regiments. Its gal- lantry was exhibited on many battle-fields, and particularly at Drainesville, Mechanicsville, Chicka- hominy, Charles City Cross-Roads, South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, and in the campaign under Gen. Grant at Wilderness, etc., that led to the sur- render of Lee and the Confederate forces. For roster see Appendix "R." 2 For list of men from this county serving in the Fortieth, see Ap- pendix "R." 392 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT ( Three Year,' Service). On Aug. 21, 1861, John R. Brooke, of Montgomery County, was commissioned colonel of this regiment. On November 7th it moved to Washington, and en- camped north of the Capitol. On the 27th it crossed the Potomac, went into camp near Alexandria, and was assigned to a brigade commanded by Gen. Wil- liam H. French, in the First Division of Maj.-Gen. Israel B. Richardson, Second Corps, Maj.-Gen. E. V. Sumner. It remained here during the winter of 1861-62, and was with the army of the Potomac in its advance in March, 1862, arriving at Manassas Junc- tion, which had been evacuated by the rebels, the 12th. It participated in the battles of Fair Oaks, York- town, Gaines' Mill, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Autietam, Bristoe Station, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Strawberry Plains, Ream's Station, and Deep Bottom. It was organized Nov. 7, 1861, re-enlisted as a veteran organization, and was mustered out June 30, 1865, near Alexandria, Va. Lieut. -Col. George C. Anderson, promoted from second to first lieutenant, Sept. 17, 1862 ; to major, Sept. 20, 1864 ; to lieutenant-colonel, Nov. 10, 1864 ; mustered out with regiment. 1 SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT— FOURTH CAVALRY— ( Three Yearn' Service). This regiment was recruited under the direction of David Campbell, of Pittsburgh, in compliance with authority granted by Governor Curtin, Sept. 4, 1861. Company A was recruited in Northampton County; B, E, and G in Allegheny; C and D in Westmore- land and Indiana ; H, I, K, and L in Venango ; and M in Luzerne. The State colors were presented 1>\ Governor Curtin, in person, at Camp Campbell, Sept. 20, 1 861. It was organized at Harrisburg from August to October, 1861, re-enlisted as a veteran organiza- j tion, and was mustered out of service July 1, 1865, i at Lynchburg, Va. It took part in the Peninsula campaign, and participated in the following engage- ments: Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross -Roads. Hedgesville, Antietam, Markham Station, Kelly's Ford, Middleburg, Gettysburg, Upperville, Shep- herdstown, Trevilian Station, Todd's Tavern, Sulphur Springs, Deep Bottom, St. Mary's Church, Ream's .•station, Stony Creek Station, Boydton Roads, Wvatt's Farm, and Bellefield. At St. Mary's Church, June 24, 1864, the gallant Col. Covode, while issuing his orders and directing the fight, was shot down by a party of the enemy, whom, in their partial conceal- ment, he had mistaken for his own. He was carried from the field, and much against his own will, nearly three miles to the rear, but in a desperate final rally of the enemy he fell into their hands. His wounds were mortal, and he expired on the following day. 1 See roster in Appendix " R." Darkness put an end to the contest, and enabled the division to retire in safety. This regiment here lost eighty-seven in killed, wounded, and missing. After crossing the James River, a scouting party, headed by Lieut. John C. Paul, penetrated the enemy's lines to ascertain the place of burial of the remains of Col. Covode. This having been discovered and reported to Gen. Gregg, he ordered a party of thirty with am- bulances to proceed under cover of darkness and bring in his body and any of our wounded who could still be found. Capt. Frank H. Parke volunteered to accompany the party, which successfully accomp- lished the object assigned it without molestation. Colonel, George H. Covode, pro. from captain of Company D to major March 12, 1862; to lieutenant-colonel Dec. 8. 1863; to colonel May 28, 1864 ; killed at St. Mary's Church, Va., June 24, 1864. Major, James H. Trimble, resigned Aug. 6, 1862. Major, James Y. Peale,pro. from captain of Company D to major Sept. 9, 1864 ; to brevet lieutenant-colonel March 13, 1865. Major, N. J. Horiell, pro. from captain of Company C June 8, 1865. Adjutant, William B. McElroy, pro. to sergeant-major June 14, 1865 ; veteran. Chaplain, Henry Q. Graham, from Nov. 22, 1863, to Sept. 22, 1864. SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT (Three Tears' Service). Early in the summer of 1861, when the government was in pressing need of troops, the design was formed of recruiting in Pittsburgh and vicinity a regiment to be composed of German citizens. A spirited appeal for pecuniary aid to prosecute the enterprise in an edi- torial in the Evening Chronicle so aroused the people's feelings that in a single day the requisite funds were secured, the Economy Society contributing, unasked, the sum of five hundred dollars. Having received the proper authority from the War Department, the committee in charge, headed by I. I.Siebuck, Joseph Abel, Joseph G. Siebuck, and Charles McKnight, citizens of Pittsburgh, commenced recruiting, and in three weeks' time had a regiment of nearly the requi- site number ready for acceptance by the government. A portion of the regiment re-enlisted, seven new com- panies were assigned to it in March, 1865, and it was mustered out of service Aug. 29, 1865, at Clarksburg, West Va. It participated in the battles of Chancel- lorsville and Gettysburg, in the latter of which its loss was one hundred and thirty-six. It afterwards saw service in South Carolina, and was subsequently stationed at Forts Ethan Allen and Marcy, where it performed duty as heavy artillery. EIGHTY-FOURTH REGIMENT [Three Tears' Service). This regiment was organized at Harrisburg from Nov. 22, 1861, to Oct. 1, 1862. Its re-enlisted men, recruits, etc., were transferred to the Fifty-seventh Regiment Jan. 13, 1865, and mustered out of service witli that organization June 29, 1865, near Washing- ton, D. C. It participated in the battles of Win- chester, Front Royal, Fort Republic, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Kelly's Ford, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, WESTMORELAND IN THE CIVIL WAR. 393 Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, and Poplar Spring Church. 1 COMPANY c. The following sketch of Company C of the Eighty- fourth Regiment, the only company of Westmoreland troops in that command, has been specially prepared for this volume from materials in possession of some of its surviving members: When the call came for volunteers and every com- munity manifested that restlessness incident to war, no place was more moved than the western portion of Ligonier Valley, comprising Ligonier, Cook, and Donegal townships. J. J. Wirsing and W. Logan concluded to raise a company, and rode through the country and solicited enlistments. This canvass re- sulted in the enlistment of forty men. James J. Wirsing was offered the captaincy in consideration of services in securing the enrollment, but on account of his youth he would not accept, and W. Logan was chosen captain, A. Douglass first, and J. J. Wirsing second lieutenant. Before the company, however, had seen active service J. J. Wirsing became its com- manding officer. The following is a full list of the members of Com- pany C at its organization : Captain, William Logan, resigned. Lieutenant, A. Douglass, resigned. Lieutenant, J. J. Wirsing, promoted to captain, and mustered out a pris- oner of war. Sergeants. William Hays, promoted to second lieutenant; wounded; discharged. Joseph HcMasters, promoted to second lieutenant ; wounded ; returned with company. John Stone, promoted to second sergeant: wounded; discharged. Robert R. Roberts, discharged. Charles McCleeve, discharged. Matthew Campbell, transferred to Invalid Corps; returned. Barman Hines, discharged. CoBPOBALS. John Felgar, returned. Moses Clark, returned. Jacob B. Barrone, wounded; discharged. George Hoffer, returned with company. Peter J. Kesler, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. Eli Johnston, returned with company. Jeremiah Wirsing, disabled and discharged. Joseph S. Hood, discharged. Deummer. Austin Ringler, returned with company. Michael Fry, discharged. Wagoner. Privates. Norman Ankeny, returned with company. William Akei-s, transferred from Company A ; killed. Aaron Brougher, wounded and returned. Jacob Binkey, wounded and discharged. Josiah Baldwiu, returned. Adam Bales, returned. Isaiah Campbell, discharged. John E. Campbell, returned. John Cramer, returned. Reed A. Douglass, returned. John Douglass, returned. George S. Freeui:m, killed at Chancellorsville. Michael Fry, Jr., discharged. 1 See roster in Appendix " R.' John Geisey, returned. Jesse Hoffer, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. EH Harmau, returned. George Hays, killed at Chancellorsville. Clement H. Hays, discharged. Jeremiah Hoffer, killed at Spottsylvania. John Heins, wounded; returned. Samuel Hoffer, returned. John Johnston, returned. Jacob JohnstoD, killed before Richmond. Uriah Johnston, discharged. James Kesler, died. Samuel Kunkle, returned. Daniel Kubns, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. Henry Knox, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. Jacob M. Knox, discharged. George Kissell, discharged. Daniel Kern, discharged. Isaac A. Moore, returned. Robert McLevaiu, died. George A. Miller, died. Robert C. Moore, discharged. Edward Montecue, returned. William Miller, returned. Martin Miller, killed at Fredericksburg. Josiah Moore, returned. Adam Moul, died. Noah Miller, returned. Daniel M. Miller, died. James Martheny, discharged. Marshall Moody, died. John Mickey, died. John Matthews, died. Henry Nedrow, returned. Edward Nickols, died. William C. Payne, returned. William Paden, discharged. William Queer, wounded and returned. Perry H. Roadman, discharged. Thomas Richards, wounded and discharged. George D. Reece, died. Henry H. Smith, returned. Henry Stone, wounded and died at Chancellorsville. Paul Shawley, discharged. Jonathan Shawley, wounded at Chancellorsville; returned. John Shultz, wounded ; discharged. Joseph Showman, discharged. Jno. W. White, discharged. William G. Wissiuger, discharged. Harrison Wissinger, returned. Edward Walters, returned. The company was ordered to Harrisburg, but re- ported too late to be accepted in the call. Lieut. Wirsing called on Hon. H. D. Foster, of Greensburg, and secured his aid in getting the company passed into service. Mr. Foster telegraphed A. G. Cur- tin, then Governor of Pennsylvania, who answered that the company could not be received. He then sent to the Secretary of State with the same result, then telegraphing to the Secretary of War the com- pany was accepted and allowed to recruit its number to the maximum, eighty men. Mr. Foster, for this kind service, not only gratuitously but cordially ren- dered, was kindly remembered, for by a unanimous vote Company C was named the " Foster Guards." Company C then pitched its first tents near the grounds of a religious camp-meeting at Stahlstown, Westmoreland Co. Here the company received en- listsments rapidly, and soon numbered seventy men. There it was that the first march was taken, viz., from 394 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Stahlstown to Ligonier. After an additional increase of twenty men the company was taken to Latrobe in wagons furnished by the kind citizens of Ligonier. At Latrobe the company took the cars for Harris- burg, the rendezvous of Pennsylvania troops. Here the company was drilled and became soldiers of the camp. The duties of camp life, the drill, and, most of all, a soldier's diet, worked a change ; home-sick- ness, after the excitement wore away, made the boys long for the front, and it was the universal wish of the members of this company to join an old regiment which had seen active service, and they concluded to join the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, which had fought under Pope and Shields. The regiment was originally commanded by Col. Murry, of Hollidaysburg, Pa., who was killed at Win- chester in an engagement with the rebels under Gen. " Stonewall" Jackson. At this time the regiment was lying at Arlington Heights, opposite Washing- ton City, and at the former home of the illustrious rebel chieftain, Gen. Robert E. Lee. The regiment as well as the entire army presented a dilapidated ap- pearance as it lay scattered over the Heights. It had just returned from Pope's retreat from Winchester without half of the necessary clothing for comfort, and if any one entertained an opinion that a soldier's life was a round of pleasure, he modified that opinion without notifying his comrades. In September, 1862, the regiment inarched into Washington and took the cars for Point of Rocks, where they crossed the Potomac, and inarched to Fredericksburg, Va. On the 13th day of December they crossed the Rappahannock and engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg. In this terrific battle quite a large number of the men were killed, wounded, and missing. The historian has already written the his- tory of this terrible engagement, the crossing of the army, the encounter, the stealthy retreat. Company C, notwithstanding the defeat, entered the dwellings vacated by the rebels and played on the pianos, cooked their meals on their stoves, and, although un- welcome tenants, made themselves at home. They were among the last to recross the river and go into camp, which proved to become their winter-quarters. It was from here they could view the sign-boards erected and painted with inscriptions to further hu- miliate and deject the Union army. The company also took part in Burnside's fruitless attempt to march a second time. At the battle of Chancellorsville the company fought on the enemy's right. The Eleventh Corps breaking left Jackson on the rear, changed front to rear, Saturday night, May 2, 1863. On Sun- day morning New York troops broke, and the Eighty- fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, with two other small regiments, retook the position and drove the enemy back, and for the first time fought from behind breastworks. At about noon the enemy moved around to the left and surrounded the command spoken of on three sides, and firing into the rear within fifty yards. Finding it impossible to hold the position, in attempting to move the enemy captured at least half of the Eighty-fourth, but with the aid of some troops the enemy was taken prisoners, and when being marched off the rebels were reinforced, and in a hand-to-hand conflict the rebels captured their own men which had been captured by the Union troops, besides taking many prisoners. This was a disas- trous conflict for the Eighty-fourth, going into the battle with four hundred men, and coming out with less than one hundred and fifty. Company C had several killed, two officers and five men wounded, and nine 1 taken prisoners. After this battle, which lasted sev- eral days, the army found itself on the north side of the Rappahannock, and in a short time set out for Pennsylvania, marching through Virginia, crossing j the Potomac River at Edmunds' Ferry, marching at night up the tow-path. During all this time it was raining incessantly, and when the regiment arrived at Menohessy Creek, at about 2 o'clock p.m., the men j nearly all had "given out," and only twenty were | there to stack arms when the regiment stopped. : After resting at this place for some time, they marched with the army through Frederick, Md., and then to ; Taneytown, and at Gettysburg, Pa., the regiment was selected to guard the wagon-trains of the great army, the regiment being one of the smallest, having lost so heavily at Chancellorsville. A month prior to this the commanding officer had ordered the regi- ment to guard the train, and this was almost disastrous to the men. A spy came into the camp near Man- chester, Md., and, after surveying the ground, was just in the act of leaving to bring the rebel cavalry, who were posted at South Mountain, to destroy the train, when he was discovered, and on being arrested passes from General Lee were found under a secret bottom of his tin cup. A court-martial was hastily convened, he was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death. He was hung on an apple-tree west of Frederick City, where he was still hanging when the army marched back into Virginia. He confessed his guilt, and said that all the time he wanted was five hours, and he would have had the entire train of the Army of the Potomac destroyed. The army was now on the march back after Lee, and brought up at United States Fording on the Rap- pahannock River. Here the company lay in camp until October, 1863, when the army fell back towards Washington ; the enemy followed and destroying the railroad again fell back. The Union army rebuilt the road up to Culpeper, and the Eighty-fourth Regiment went into camp near Brandy Station, and after building winter-quarters in the month of No- vember, they broke camp and marched across the Rap- pahannock and had a skirmish with the enemy. The regiment moved to left, and the division and two divisions of Warren's corps were selected to charge the enemy's works under the command of Warren. This was what was called Mine Run battle. The WESTMORELAND IN THE CIVIL WAR. 395 enemy had built fortifications and felled trees in front, forming an abatis. Tbis was to be made at daybreak, but fortunately it was postponed. All day long tbe boys would go out in front of tbe line and look at the enemy's works, which were not far distant, and speculate on the hazard of the undertaking. The command was agreeably surprised to be ordered back, when they recrossed the river and marched back to camp, and remained during the winter of 1863 and 1864. It was in this camp the brigade's field and line officers built a large hall and had several balls ; the wives and sisters of the members of the command participated. After tbis the hall was turned over to the boys, who converted it into a theatre, and the minstrel troupes were largely attended. The army again broke camp May 1, 1864, burnt the hall that had seen so many pleasant events, laid aside festivity, and prepared for the march and battle. At this time Gen. Grant had taken charge of the army. The march was over the Rappahannock, and was soon again at Germania Fording and the old battle-ground of Fredericksburg. The company then examined the field to see traces of the former conflict, but found few places they could recognize. After resting for the night the command was again in motion, with loaded knapsacks, sixty rounds of cartridges, and five days' rations. This amount of rations was by no means a load ; it consisted of a few crackers, a little coffee, and piece of salt pork. They were not long in find- ing the enemy. The advance engaged them about noon, and the company came on them in the field or rather wood. This was the beginning of the Battle of the Wilderness. This battle-field was a hedge of small trees and underbrush. The boys threw up a breastwork of logs, stumps, and anything that would stop a bullet ; the sound of musketry was heard, but the line of battle was not visible. On the oth of May the company weut into the fight about four o'clock P.M. ; had several men killed and wounded. On the morning of the 6th the battle opened furiously, and the Eighty-fourth Regiment advanced at daybreak, drove the enemy back, and held the position until about noon. During this fight the lines were formed so near the enemy that a member of Company C, George Hoffer, captured a rebel flag. The regiment was flanked about noon, and this caused the whole line to fall back pell-mell until it reached the log breast- works that they left in the morning. After reaching the works the boys collected together and had a lunch. A few shots from a thicket sent back the pickets with the cry that the enemy was advancing with their line of battle. The enemy had advanced so close on the Union pickets that the latter had scarcely crossed the works until the main line opened fire. Little artil- lery could be used owing to the trees, and the battle was waged by the use of small-arms. On the afternoon the regiment lost its commander, Col. Milton Upp, a grand soldier and a good officer, who was shot down while driving the enemy back. This fight lasted to nightfall, and the enemy fell back ; the boys engaged in burying their dead. They then threw up works near the plank-road and lay behind them all night. On the 9th moved to Todd's Tavern, and fought but little until May 12th. A detail of about one hundred men from different regiments was sent out to skirmish. They came up with the enemy's line and were shelled all afternoon. Next morning, May 12th, the Second Corps, commanded by the gal- lant Hancock, with the Sixth Corps, charged the ene- my's works at daybreak. The morning was wet, and a heavy fog rising; the pickets were driven in with but few shots and raised the yell. The company charged on with the command until they reached the enemy's works. The enemy, taken by surprise, were routed and lost seven thousand prisoners and eigh- teen pieces of artillery. Among the prisoners was Gen. Johnston. Fighting continued all day long with a loss to the Eighty-fourth of fourteen killed and twenty-four wounded. Company C had two killed and several wounded. Marching and fighting then became the order or events of the day. This continued until the army arrived at Cold Harbor. Capt. J. J. Wirsing with a detail from a half-dozen regiments, nearly ail strangers, was sent to establish a line, there being a break between our infantry and cavalry. Scarcely had the line been formed, prior to advancing, when the enemy sent their shells and opened battle, but the Union army crossed the James on transports and marched in front of Petersburg. Here it would be too tedious to recite the conflicts. One continuous conflict tells the history of the army before Petersburg. On the 15th of August, when the Eighty-fourth was crossing, the troops marched to the north side of the James, to wdiat was known as " Deep Bottom," and engaged the enemy and suffered severely in killed -and wounded. This movement was made to lead the enemy to move his force from in front of Petersburg and leave Burnside to blow up the famous mines, which proved a failure. The regiment at the time the mine was sprung was in the front line, on the right of which the troops were slaughtered. Com- pany C did a great deal of hard marching during this time. Their right was with the Second Corps (Hancock's) in the Weldon Railroad battle. They were nearly surrounded by the rebels ; and on October the 2d, when within fifty yards of the works, Capt. Wirsing was severely wounded and left the field and taken prisoner, having been shot through the shoulder and thigh, and his comrades left him for dead. The regiment was repulsed. Col. Zinn was wounded with several of the command. Capt. Wirsing was taken to Richmond as a pris- oner, and never got back to his company. Company C, with its regiment, the same fall went on the " Apple Jack" raid, when they tore up miles of the Weldon Railroad. The regiment was afterwards consolidated with the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania 396 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Volunteers. Both regiments were nearly annihi- lated. They took an active part in the battle and marches that resulted in the surrender of Gen. Lee. In the spring of 1865 they were marched to Wash- ington, when transportation was furnished them to Harrisburg, and at that place were mustered out of service. Those who were left returned to their West- moreland homes, and were again honored citizens of our staid old county. ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT ( Three Yean' Service). The One Hundredth, or, as it was more commonly known, the " Round-Head Regiment," was recruited in the northwestern counties of the State, originally settled by the Round-Heads of the English Revolu- tion, and by Scotch-Irish covenanters. Daniel Leas- ure, of New Castle, who had since 1832 been con- nected with the militia as a private or an officer, had served as captain and adjutant of the Twelfth Regi- ment, received authority from the Secretary of War Aug. 6, 1861, to recruit a regiment of infantry from among the descendants of the Covenanters and of the men who had followed Cromwell, whose leading characteristics had been a devotion to the principles of liberty of person and conscience. It was organ- ized at Pittsburgh, Aug. 31, 1861, for three years, re- enlisted as a veteran organization, and was mustered out of service July 24, 1865, at Harrisburg. It nobly maintained the reputation of its time-honored name l3y gallant fighting at James Island, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Blue Springs, Campbell Station, siege of Knoxville, Wil- derness, Spottsylvauia, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church, and Hatcher's Run. Lieut.-Col. David A. Leckey, pro- moted from captain Company M to major, Oct. 9, 1861; to lieutenant-colonel, July 12, 1862; resigned Dec. 30, 1862. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH REGIMENT [Three Years' Service). Early in August, 1861, Amor A. McKnight, of Brookville, who had for some time previous com- manded a militia company, and who during the three months' service had led a company in the Eighth Regiment, received the requisite authority to raise a regiment for three years. Recruiting was immediately commenced, many re-enlisting from the returning regiments, and by the close of the month its ranks were full. It served three years, re-enlisted as a veteran organization, and was mustered out July 11, 1865, at Washington, D. C. Its men were prin- cipally from the Congressional district then popularly known as the " Wild-Cat District," embracing the counties of Jefferson, which was most largely repre- sented, Clarion, and Clearfield, with one company from Westmoreland, were well formed and stalwart, and in- ured to hardships and privations in their struggles to subdue the forests. It was at once assigned to Jami- son's brigade of Heintzelman's division (afterwards Kearney's). In March following it marched with the Army of the Potomac, under McClellan, and crossed the Chickahominy, where, on May 31st, it took part in the battle of Fair Oaks. Headley, in his War His- tory, says, " Napoleon's veterans never stood firmer under a devastating fire" than the officers and men of this regiment in this action. It lost forty- one killed, one hundred and fifty wounded, and seventeen miss- ing. It went into the battle of Gettysburg reduced in numbers to two hundred and forty-seven, out of whom one officer and fourteen men were killed, thirteen officers and one hundred and eleven men wounded, and nine missing, — a loss of more than half its entire strength. It participated in the following other battles: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Bristow Station, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Kelly's Ford, Mine Run, Po River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Poplar Spring. Church, and Boydton Road. Lieutenant-colonel, J. Yv*. Greenawalt, pro. from capt. of Co. E to maj., Nov. 29, 1862, to lieut.-col., May 4, 1863; died May 17, of wounds received at Wilderness, May .5, 1864. Major, Mungo M. Dick, pro. from capt. of Co. E, Sept. 20, 1861 ; res. Aug. 9, 1862. Assistant surgeon, George W. Ewiog, rank from Aug. 4, 1862 ; pro. to surg., 115th Eegt., April 7, 1863. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT (Nine Month*' Service). Its regimental organization was effected Aug. 19, 1862, at Camp Curtin, and on the same evening went to Washington, and reported to Gen. Wadsworth. He assigned it to provost-guard duty by detachments in that city and Georgetown, where it remained until Feb. 16, 1863. It was then assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, First Corps, and until the opening of the Chancellorsville campaign was en- gaged in guard and picket duty. At the battle of Chancellorsville, although not actively engaged, it performed valuable services. It was mustered out May 24, 1863. The only field-officer from this county was Lieut.-Col. David L. McCulloch, promoted from captain Company F, Aug. 19, 1862. (See Appendix "R" for roster.) ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT ( Three Years' Service). This regiment was organized at Harrisburg in Au- gust and September, 1862, for three years, and mus- tered out May 29, 1865, near Washington, D. C It participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Fredericks- burg, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Wilderness, Peters- burg, and several other engagements. Chaplain William D. Moore, from Oct. 1, 1862, to Jan. 25, 1863. (See Appendix " R" for rosters.) WESTMORELAND IN THE CIVIL WAR. 397 ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT {Drafted Militia, Nine Month*' Service). This regiment was raised in the counties of West- moreland, Fayette, Greene, Beaver, Allegheny, and Erie. The men rendezvoused at Camp Howe, near Pittsburgh, during the latter part of October, 1862, where the companies were organized. On December 2d it left for Fortress Monroe, from whence it was or- dered to Newport News, where it remained two weeks, with the command of Gen. Corcoran. It was then ordered to Suffolk, Va., and was there assigned to Spinola's brigade, subsequently known as the " Keystone Brigade." From there the brigade went to Newberne, N. C. It was out upon several ex- peditions against the enemy, but did not come to battle. It afterwards relieved the garrison of Little Washington, where it remained until June 28th, when it was sent to Fortress Monroe, and thence to White House, to co-operate with forces under Gen. Dix in a demonstration towards Richmond. For nearly a week the troops were out upon this duty, and here the in- telligence was first received of the invasion of Penn- sylvania. It was then turned homeward towards the State, and occupied Maryland Heights, at Harper's Ferry, and joined Meade's army at Boonsboro' after the battle of Gettysburg. It was mustered out July 2."., 1863. 1 Colonel, Joseph Jack, rank from Nov. 28, 1862. Adjutant, Isaac R. Beazell, rank from Nov. 23, 1862. TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT {One Year's Service). This regiment was organized at Pittsburgh, Sept. 8, 1864. Most all the field and line officers had seen service in other regiments, aud the greater part of the men who served in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment, nine months' service of 1862-63, now re- turned to service again in this regiment. Proceeding to the front, it was attached to the Eighteenth Corps, near Bermuda Hundred, but soon after moved to the north side of James River, and was assigned to duty with the Engineer Corps, and built Fort Brady, north of Dutch Gap. In the latter part of October it was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, Tenth Corps, and went into winter-quarters. Upon the re- organization of the army corps it was attached to the Twenty-fourth Corps, and continued on duty with the Army of the James under Gen. Orth. Upon the evacuation of Richmond it was the first regiment to enter the city, and for a time did provost-guard duty there, aud afterwards at Lynchburg. Lieutenant-Colonel, John T. Fulton, pro. from captain of Co. E, Sept. 9, 1864; must, out June 26, 1865. Assistant surgeon, David Alter, must, out June 26, 1865. Chaplain, John C. High, must, out June 26, 1865. TWO HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH REGIMENT ( One Year's Service). This regiment was organized at Camp Reynolds, in September, 1864, aud soon after its organization 1 See roster in Appendix " R." moved to the front, and on the 20th was placed in the intrenchrnents at Bermuda Hundred, where it was incorporated with a provisional brigade in the Army of the James. On November 27th it joined the Army of the Potomac, on the south side of the Appo- mattox, and was assigned to the Second Brigade (Col. Matthews'), the Third Division (Gen. Hartranft's), Ninth Corps. It gallantly participated in the fight- ing around Petersburg, where, April 2, 1865, it lost four officers and seventeen men killed, four officers and eighty-nine men wounded, and twenty-one miss- ing, an aggregate loss of one hundred and thirty-five. It was mustered out June 2, 1865, at Alexandria, Va. Colonel, James H. Trimble, hon. dish'd March 18, 1865. Major, Augustus A. Mechling, com. 2d lieut. March 19, 1865; not mus- tered; disch. May 3, 1865. Chaplain, John \V. Plannett, rank from Oct. 5, 1864 ; must, out with regt.2 TWO HUNDRED AND TWELFTH REGIMENT— " SIXTH ARTILLERY"— ( One Year's. Service). This regiment was organized at Camp Reynolds, near Pittsburgh, Sept. 15, 1864, and two days later moved to Washington, where it was assigned to the Second Brigade of De Russy's division, which was garrisoning the defenses of the capital. On the 29th it was detached from the division and ordered to duty in guarding the portion of the Orange and Alex- andria Railroad lying between Alexandria and Man- assas, the several companies being stationed at inter- vals along the line, with headquarters at Fairfax Court-House. About the middle of November, Sheri- dan having cleared the Shenandoah Valley of the foes, this line was abandoned, and the regiment was ordered back to the defenses of Washington, being posted at Forts Marcy, Ward, Craig, Reno, Albany, Lyons, and others. It was mustered out June 13, 1865. Chaplain, William D. Moore, from Sept. 17, 1864, to June 13, 1865. xMILlTIA OF 1862. The militia organizations of the county in 1861 were but few, but, such as they were, they formed the basis of organization of some of the companies of men recruited that year for the national service. The rebel army had no sooner achieved its triumph in the second battle of Bull Run than it hastened forward to the north and commenced crossing the Potomac. The southern border of Pennsylvania lay in close proximity, all unprotected, and by its rich harvests invited invasion. The Reserve Corps, which was originally organized for the State defense, had been called away to the succor of the hard-pressed army of McClellan upon the Peninsula, and was now upon the weary march, with ranks sadly thinned in the hard-fought battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross-Roads, and the second Bull Run, to again meet the foe, but powerless to avert the threatened danger. The result of the struggle on - See also roster in Appendix " R." 26 398 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the plains of Manassas was no sooner known than the helpless condition of the State, which had been apparent from the first, became a subject of alarm. September 4th, Governor Curtin issued a proclama- tion calling on the people to arm and prepare for de- fense. He recommended the immediate formation of companies throughout the State, and, for the purpose of drill and instruction, that after three p.m. of each day all business houses should be closed. On the 10th, the danger having become imminent, the enemy- being already in Maryland, he issued a general order, calling on all able-bodied men to enroll immediately for the defense of the State, and to hold themselves in readiness to march at an hour's notice, to select offi- cers, to provide themselves with such arms as could be obtained, with sixty rounds of ammunition to the man, tendering arms to such as had none, and prom- ising that they should be held for service for such time only as the pressing exigency for State defense should continue. On the following day, acting under the authority of the President of the United States, the Governor called for fifty thousand men, directing them to report by telegraph for orders to move, and adding that further calls would be made as the exigencies should require. The people everywhere flew to arms, and moved promptly to the State capital. On the 14th the head of the Army of the Potomac met the enemy at South Mountain, and hurled him back through its passes, and on the evening of the 16th and day of the 17th a fierce battle was fought at An- tietam. In the mean time the militia had rapidly concentrated at Hagerstown and Chambersburg, and Gen. John F. Reynolds, who was at the time com- manding a corps in the Army of the Potomac, had assumed command. Fifteen thousand men were pushed forward to Hagerstown and Boonsboro', and a portion of them stood in line of battle in close proximity to the field, in readiness to advance, while the fierce fighting was in progress. Ten thousand more posted in the vicinity of Greencastle and Cham- bersburg, and " about twenty-five thousand," says Governor Curtin, in his annual message, " were at Harrisburg, on their way to Harrisburg, or in readi- ness and waiting for transportation to proceed thither." The Twenty-fifth Regiment, under com- mand of Col. Dechert, at the request of Gen. Hal- leck, was sent to the State of Delaware to guard the Dupont powder-mills, whence the national armies were principally supplied. But the enemy was de- feated at Antietam, and retreated in confusion across the Potomac. The emergency having passed, the militia regiments were ordered to return to Harris- burg, and, in accordance with the conditions on which they had been called into service, they were on the 24th mustered out and disbanded. Gen. Mc- Clellan, in a letter to Governor Curtin, thanking him for his energetic action in calling out the militia, said, — "Fortunately, circumstances rendered it impossible for tlie enemy to- set foot upon the soil of Pennsylvania, but the moral support rendered to my army by your actiou was none the less mighty. The manner in which the people of Pennsylvania responded to your call and hastened to the defense of their frontier no doubt exercised a great influence upon the enemy." Four companies of militia were raised in West- moreland, gathered together between September 4th and 12th, eight- days. There were men in some if not all of them who had already seen service in the early campaigns of the war, and while they were not called upon to contend with the foe in deadly strife, the uprising of an army in the space of a week in the State of Pennsylvania had an equally encouraging effect upon the weary troops of the Army of the Po- tomac, and an equally disheartening effect upon the rank and file of the Confederate forces, beaten and driven back from the bloody field of Antietam. 1 MILITIA OF 1863. In the spring of 1863, Gen. Lee, after repulsing the Federal attacks upon his stronghold at Fredericks- burg, planned a second invasion of Maryland and Pennsylania, the blow being mostly struck at the latter. Lee was several days in advance of the Union army, finding no considerable force in his way, cap- turing a portion of Gen. Milroy's force at Winchester, and compelling the balance to seek safety in the works on Maryland Heights, opposite Harper's Ferry, he triumphantly marched into Pennsylvania. The small force in the way at all was that under Gen. Couch, with headquarters at Harrisburg, and Gen. Brooks' small force on the border of Western Penn- sylvania and extending to the Ohio. The general government seeing the danger called for troops from the nearest States, asking of Pennsylvania 50,000 men. The people having become disheartened by rebel successes South responded slowly, no consider- able force of militia being organized until Lee's army was on Pennsylvania soil, levying contributions of money and material upon its defenseless towns, asking the town of York alone for $100,000 cash, of which it actually paid 828,000, besides food and clothing furnished. Very few regiments were raised until the decisive battle of Gettysburg was fought, from July 1st to 3d. There was some dissatisfaction on the part of some of the troops on account of being mustered into United States service, and Governor Curtin, be- ing called upon, assured the troops that they would be discharged as soon as the danger to the State was averted, and, more than this, gave them the choice to elect to serve six months or during the emergency. There was not much demurring among the Westmore- land County men, whose companies, among the very first raised in the State, were sworn into the United States service on the plighted faith of the Governor that they would not be detained beyond the exigency calling them to arms. It furnished two cavalry and 1 See roster of Twenty-second Regiment in Appendix " K." WESTiMORELAND IN THE CIVIL WAR. 399 seven infantry companies, the latter being in the Fifty-fourth, Fifty-seventh, and Fifty-eighth Regi- ments. The Fifty-fourth and Fifty-seventh were both assigned to the command of Gen. T. H. Brooks, and rendezvoused near Pittsburgh. The rebel cavalry leader, Gen. John H. Morgan, then on a raid through Indiana and Ohio, had by this time gone so far north as to make his escape somewhat doubtful, and the more so after Lee had been driven back defeated into Virginia. The Fifty-fourth and Fifty-seventh were both moved down the Ohio and posted at fords of the Ohio River, by some of which Morgan had hoped to make good his escape, the gunboats having effectually stopped him from crossing the river lower down, and he was also closely pursued by a land force under Gens. Shackleford and Hobson. Attempts to cross were made at several points, and some five hundred of his men had effected a crossing at different points on the river. These, with the loss of six hundred men as prisoners in the engagement at the ford above Pomeroy, had reduced his force very much, and made his chances of escape still less, and with the loss in prisoners at Belleville left him with scarcely a thou- sand men. In the race for life his scouts were con- stantly trying the passes to the fords if possible to find a way of escape, but found the militia regiments so posted at each as to make it very hazardous to attempt even crossing. These regiments were rapidly moved from one ford to another by railroads, making quicker time than the rebels on horses, and consequently were well posted at each ford in good time. At one point the Fifty-seventh Regiment captured the scouts sent to examine the fords. At Warrenton it was feared Mor- gan would cross, but the Fifty-seventh Regiment by a quick movement of some three miles reached the place, and being the first on the ground, Col. Porter so disposed his men that any force attempting a pass- age of the river must have done so under a concen- trated fire of the regiment in a space where not over six abreast could have formed to charge the obstructed path. Morgan then tried the position of the Fifty- fourth Regiment, but found it impracticable. The Ohio militia in the mean time were pressing the rebel chieftain closely, as also Gens. Shackleford and Hob- son in his rear. Being thus closely pursued and en- vironed, he surrendered to Gen. Shackleford, and the work and duties of the Pennsylvania regiments over, they were soon disbanded, save Col. Lininger's inde- pendent battalion, which was retained in service seven months, doing duty on railroad guard and at cross- ings on the Upper Potomac River, with headquarters at Green Spring Run, W. Va. It is to the credit of these hastily-summoned troops for State defense that there was a willingness to move out of the State when necessary for the welfare of the country, and there is no doubt but the militia force mustered at this time had a wholesome effect upon the general result, and had it been in the field promptly at the call of the President, might have added very materi- ally to the amount of material captured from Lee on his retreat, for there was but a small force in the Army of the Potomac in fit condition to follow and harass Gen. Lee in his retreat. Couch's militia, as well as Brooks', may have been laughed at as worthless, but we must not forget "what Washington, Gates, and Jackson severally did with militia; but though they had only been held in reserve or set to guarding trains, their presence would have had a wholesome moral effect," and we do know they did good service in the campaign, those in the West rendering effectual help in the capture of Morgan and his troopers, and those in the East disputing every foot of advance of Lee's detached forces there, and we believe they would have prevented the crossing of the Susquehanna, even if Lee had not ordered his detached force under Gen. Early to return to the main body for the struggle with the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg. Many of the men in these Westmoreland County companies of 1863 had seen service before, having been discharged from regiments in the Army of the Potomac for wounds received in action, and had now so far recov- ered as to be able for duty on a short term ; others, to whom this service was the beginning, enlisted in regi- ments that went to the front, and proved by their future service that they had soldierly qualifications. FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT STATE MILITIA. This regiment was organized at Pittsburgh, July 4, and mustered out Aug. 17, 1863.' Colonel, Thomas F. Gallagher; Major, John McClintock. COLORED TROOPS. No colored companies were recruited in Westmore- land County, but a large number of its colored resi- dents enlisted in the United States service and served in the war. They went into several different organi- zations, but the largest part were assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh United States Colored Regiment. It was formed from men enlisted and drafted in the State of Pennsylvania to serve one, two, and three years. It was organized at Camp Wil- liam Penn during the period extending from Aug. 23 to Sept. 10, 1864. On arriving at the front it was incorporated with the Army of the James. It par- ticipated in the battle at Deep Bottom, and after the war was sent with other troops to Texas and posted on the Mexican frontier. On Sept. 11, 1865, it was consolidated into a battalion of three companies, which was mustered out October 20th following. For rosters of troops of the regiments mentioned in this chapter, and others from Westmoreland County, see Appendix "R." 1 See roster of this regiment in Appendix "R." 400 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XLVIII. CANALS AND RAILROADS. Remarks on the subject of Transportation— How it was regarded in Pennsylvania— Canals in Pennsylvania— Public Works of the State- First Canal-Boat west of the Mountains— Advantages of the Canal here— Dickens' account of Canal-Boating along the Conemaugh— Steam Railways— The First Railroads in Pennsylvania— A Continuous Line through the State projected— It is finally Constructed— Stations and Distances— Western Pennsylvania Railroad— Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad— Southwest Pennsylvania Railway. MODERN IMPROVEMENTS. Under the head of modern improvements we shall in this chapter dwell at length upon those interests which have contributed to the prosperity of our peo- ple, and have been so instrumental in the develop- ment of our county. Of each of these interests we shall speak in detail. The problem of transportation and traffic has always exercised the inventive talent of men, and called into requisition the treasures and the labor of nations. At this day it is one of the greatest of the divisions of civil occupations. The number of men- who are in the employ of the railways of the world, from the office of president to the occupation of road laborer, added to those who are in the employments of navigation, and of the many expediencies in the great cities devised for the moving of men and goods, the number of these exceeds the number of men who are enlisted in all the armies of the world, while the talent, the skill, the capital, and the resources which are within the reach and under the control of this great estate are far in excess of those of any other. Immediately after the close of the Revolutionary war the people very generally turned their attention to the subject of internal improvements, and chiefly to the matter of facilitating internal transportation. The steady tide of emigration from the seaboard to the Ohio Valley gave promise of an immense popu- lation in those regions. The channel of the Missis- sippi was then closed to Americans, because it was in the hands of a foreign nation, and this nation was one not on friendly terms with Americans. It was there- fore a subject which interested not only individuals and localities alone, but our State and the Union of States as well. As early as 1791 a " Society for Promoting the Im- provement of Roads and Inland Navigation" was in existence in Pennsylvania, and it devoted much at- tention to the exploration of the various routes con- sidered most feasible for connecting the Delaware with the waters of the Ohio and the lakes. The discovery of new worlds, and the impetus given to the commerce of the ocean, stimulated the inventive faculties of modern Europe to introduce internal canals, after the manner of the Egyptians and Chinese, in whose countries this kind of high- way had been in successful use from the remotest times. Many of the plans which in the last century were introduced into Western Europe, although in- genious in their conception, were not practicable or successful. Of all these none were so valuable as those of our own Robert Fulton, whose name is in- separably connected with the introduction of steam navigation. Towards the latter part of the last century, in our own State, from time to time examinations were made of the courses of the principal rivers under the au- thority of the Assembly, and reports made thereon and submitted. Similar reports were made by neigh- boring States. All these investigations had in view the construction of a continuous work from one end of the State to the other by slack- water and canal, the waters of the East and West to be connected by means of roads over the Alleghenies. These roads were to be common turnpikes, and much ingenuity was exhausted to select the shortest route for a portage. The Union Canal, connecting the Schuylkill with the Susquehanna, was incorporated in 1791 and com- pleted in 1827. It was intended as part of a system to run to the lakes, but the design was never carried out. In 1824 the Assembly authorized the appointment of three commissioners to explore a route from Phila- delphia to Pittsburgh for a canal. On the 11th of April following a board of canal commissioners was established. In 1826 the Legislature provided for the construction of the " Pennsylvania Canal" at the ex- pense of the State. It was to be commenced at the river Swatara, near Middletown, where the Union Canal ended, and built to the mouth of the Juniata, and from Pittsburgh to the mouth of the Kiskimin- etas. The design appears to have been to make both the Kiskiminetas and the Juniata navigable by slack- water. Three hundred thousand dollars was appro- priated in order to allow the canal commissioners to commence work. The committee which had been appointed by the Governor in pursuance of this act of Assembly to explore a route for a canal from Harrisburg to Pitts- burgh had reported the Juniata and the Conemaugh to be the most practicable route. The report was adopted and the work let. In the fall of 1827 water was let into the levels at Leechburg from the Seven- Mile or Leechburg Dam. But on account of in- numerable difficulties, arising from the incomplete- ness of the work, it took the balance of the fall and winter to remedy the defects. In 1825 the Schuylkill Navigation Canal, which had been projected about thirty years previous, but not commenced till 1815, was completed. The main line of the public works from Philadel- phia to Pittsburgh was completed in 1831. It was composed of one hundred and twenty-six miles of railroad and two hundred and ninety-two miles of canal. The entire expenditure for the improvements authorized amounted to over thirty-five millions of @@53E5!a,&y®KI WOA®iy©T ©K) [PIMS^a^.ftKiaA KaQB»K©AB u CANALS AND RAILROADS. 401 dollars. These internal improvements were managed entirely by the board of canal commissioners, three in number. The first canal-boat ever built or run west of the mountains was the " General Abner Lacock." She was built at Apollo, Armstrong Co., by Philip Dally, under the auspices of Patrick Leonard. She was in- tended as a freight and passenger packet, but had berths and curtains, after the style of the steamboats of those days. In the fall of 1834 the Philadelphia and Columbia and the Allegheny Portage Railroad was completed, and the same month an emigrant's boat from the North Branch of the Susquehanna, with the family in it, passed over the inclined planes and trucks, landed at Johnstown, reached Pittsburgh, was run into the Ohio, and was finally towed up the Missis- sippi to St. Louis. At the time this event was much talked of, and it is, indeed, even in this day of wonders, a matter for notice. From the time Noah's ark rested on Ararat, probably no other boat of the same tonnage had ever reached such an altitude. The opening of this through route tended largely to open up the mineral resources of Western Pennsyl- vania, and of course was the natural cause which brought into existence a number of the villages along its banks, and which increased the population and enhanced the value of the real estate of the section through which it passed. The salt of the Kiskimin- etas became marketable and merchantable in the East, and the manufacturing of it gave employment to a large number of hands. Blast-furnaces, bloomeries, and ore-pits sprang into existence along its line in the regions next the mountains, where iron ore is known to exist. Capital became more plentiful, and all busi- ness was stimulated. The business man of the day l who had not stock in some of the lines of canals, steamboats, or stages was not regarded as wealthy or enterprising. The canal running with' and crossing the Cone- maugh and the Kiskiminetas, followed the northern boundary of the county from the village of Cone- maugh Furnace Station, at the western base of Laurel Hill, and passing through and near to Nineveh, Flor- ence, Lockport, Bolivar, Blairsville, Bairdstown, Liv- ermore, Saltsburg, Leechburg, touched the north- western limits of the county at Freeport. Some of these places, it is true, owe their present existence to the Pennsylvania or the West Pennsylvania Rail- roads, but most of them owed their existence to the Pennsylvania Canal. On our side of this line its di- rect benefits were extended in a perceptible manner to the whole of the lower part of Ligonier Valley, and as far south as New Derry, New Alexandria, and New Salem. Some of the structures erected by the Board of Pub- lic Works for the use of the canal are still in existence, although they now subserve a different purpose. The Pennsylvania Railroad came into the possession and the enjoyment of most of them. But the bed of the old canal itself is to-day as dry and barren as the turn- pike, and it contains for navigation puposes not so much water in its stagnant pools as would be suf- cient to drown a litter of blind puppies. CHARLES DICKENS' EXPERIENCE IN CANAL-GOATS. The most interesting reminiscence connected with the old canal travel in Western Pennsylvania is that which remains of record in " American Notes for General Circulation," by Charles Dickens, made dur- ing his first visit to America in 1842. Speaking for himself, in the tenth chapter thereof, he says, — " The canal extends to the foot of the mountain, and there of course it stops, the passengers being conveyed across it by land-carriage, and taken on afterwards by another canal-boat, the counterpart of the first, which awaits them on the other side. There are two canal lines of pasBage-boats ; one is called the Express, and one (a cheaper one) the Pioneer. The Pioneer gets first to the mountain, and waits for the Express people to come up, both sets of passengers being conveyed across it at the same time. We were the Express company, but when we had crossed the mountain and had come to the second boat, the pro- prietors took it into their heads to draft all the Pioneer's into it like- wise, so that we were five and forty at least, and the accession of passen- gers was not at all of that kind which improved the prospect of sleeping at night. . . . One of two remarkable circumstances is indisputably a fact with reference to that class of society who travel in these bo»ts, —either they carry their restlessness to such a pitch that they never sleep at all, or they expectorate in dreams, which would be a remarkable niing- lingof the real and the ideal. All night long and every night on this canal there was a perfect storm and tempest of spitting. . . . Between five and six o'clock in the morning we got up, and some of us went on deck to give them an opportunity of taking the shelves down, while others, the morning being very cold, crowded round the rusty stove, cherishing the newly-kindled fire, and filling the grate with those volunteer contri- butions of which they had been so liberal at night. The washing ac- commodations were primitive. There was a tin ladle chained to the deck with which every gentleman who thought it necessary to cleanse himself (many were superior to this weakness) fished the dirty water out of the canal, and poured it into a tiu basin secured in like manner. There was also a jack-towel. Hauging up before a little looking-glass in the bar, in the immediate vicinity of the bread and cheese and bis- cuits, were a public comb and a hair-brush. . . . Aud yet, despite these oddities,— and even they had, forme at least.a humor of their own,— there was much in this mode of traveling which I heartily enjoyed at the time and look back upon with great pleasure. Even the running up bare-necked at five o'clock in the morning from the tainted cabin to the dirty deck, scooping up the icy water, plunging one's head into it and drawing it out all fresh and glowing with the cold, was a good thing. The fast, brisk walk upon the towing-path between that time and break- fast, when every vein and artery seemed to tingle with health, the ex- quisite beauty of the opening day, when light came gleaming off from everything; the lazy motion of the boat when one lay idly on the deck, looking through rather than at the deep blue sky ; the gliding ou at night so noiselessly, past frowning hills, sullen with dark trees, and sometimes angry in one red, burning spot high up where unseen men lay crouching round a fire; the shining out of the bright stars, undis- turbed by noise of wheels or steam or any other sound than the liquid rippling of the water as the boat went on, all these were pure delights " RAILROADS. At the time when the large appropriations were made for the completion of the canals, there was little faith put in the practicability of steam railways. The faith and hope of those who desired anything better than turnpikes was in water communication. But while yet canal navigation was in its incipiency in the United States the practical application of steam had been pronounced favorable, and a successful be- 402 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. ginning had been made of steam as a motive-power on the tramways of the mines of Cornwall. 1 In 1813, George Stevenson, the English engineer, began the construction of a modern locomotive. The Liverpool and Manchester Railroad, in operation in 1825 and completed in 1829, was the first railroad in the world built for the transportation of passengers and for gen- eral traffic. During 1828 several railroads were commenced in the United States. The most important of these was the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Satisfied that railroads were a success, but doubting the power of private capital to accomplish the result, and satisfied of the impracticability of a successful water communication over the mountains, the Legis- lature, in 1827, authorized the canal commissioners to make examinations for such a road through the coun- ties of Chester and Lancaster to connect with the canal. The following year (1828) they were directed to examine a route for a road from Huntingdon to Johnstown over the Allegheny Mountains. This was the actual commencement of the Colum- bia and the Portage Railroads, one of which, the Portage, is yet regarded as one of the most successful of engineering feats, and one of the greatest marvels of practical science in the world. The main line of canals from Columbia to Holli- daysburg, on the eastern side of the mountain, and from Pittsburgh to Johnstown, on the western side, was rapidly pushed forward to completion. In 1834, by the completion of the Columbia Road, with a double track, the Portage, with a single track, and the main line of the canal, the entire line from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia was opened to traffic and travel. 2 The line being thus broken, and consequently re- quiring the reshipmeut of freight consigned through, it was both difficult and expensive to operate. Like nearly all the public works of the State, it never proved remunerative to the State. It was, however, of great benefit to the country through which it passed, and contributed vastly towards the develop- ment of the State's resources. On March 6, 1838, a general convention assembled at Harrisburg to urge the construction of a continu- ous railroad from there to Pittsburgh. Delegates were present from twenty-nine counties. Memorials to the Legislature were drawn, and addresses pre- pared. The same year a survey, under authority of the State, was made of a route through the counties of Franklin, Bedford, Somerset, Westmoreland, and Allegheny. The next year, under authority of the canal commissioners, a similar survey was made from 1 The " Pennsylvania Railroad," by W. B. Sipes, 1875, p. 2. 2 This road as finished consisted of the Columbia Railroad, 82 miles, from Philadelphia to Columbia, on the Susquehanna River; the Eastern Division of the canal, 172 miles in length, from Columbia to Hollidays- burg; tho Portage, from Holliday6burg to Johnstown, 36 miles; the Western Division of the canal, from Johnstown to Pittsburgh, 104 miles in length. Harrisburg to Pittsburgh. In 1840 a report of this survey was made. Three, routes were projected. The "Third" route, by way of the Juniata and Cone- maugh, was pronounced the most feasible, and in all respects the best. On the 13th of April, 1846, the act incorporating the Pennsylvania Railroad, now one of the most gigantic corporations in the world, was passed. 3 On the 25th of February, 1847, the Governor granted it a charter. On the 22d of July, 1847, fifteen miles east of Pitts- burgh was put under contract. Work was pushed on the Eastern Division, and in August, 1851, twenty-one miles of the road west of Johnstown was finished, which with the portion built east of Pittsburgh left but a gap of twenty-eight miles to complete the line. This was closed up during the following year, and on the 10th of December, 1852, the jcars were run through from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. 4 When the line of the railroad through the State was finished it became the course of the telegraph lines. In time the lines which had been put up along the turnpikes were abandoned for the railroad routes. The telegraph along the Stoystown and Greensburg turnpike was in operation in 1842. By act of 16th May, 1857, the main line of the public works of the State were directed to be sold. They were sold on the 25th of June, and on the 31st of July the whole line of public works between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh was transferred to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for seven million five hundred dollars. DISTANCES. The following are the distances between stations on the Pennsylvania Railroad: Three hundred and fifty-three and one-tenth miles between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Two hundred and eighty-four and three-tenths miles between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. One hundred arid sixteen and seven-tenths miles between Pittsburgh and Altoona. Eighty-five and six-tenths miles between Greens- burg and Altoona. Forty-six and nine-tenths miles between Greens- burg and Johnstown. Thirty-seven and five-tenths miles between Greens- burg and Nineveh. Thirty-three and four-tenths miles between Greens- burg and New Florence. Twenty-two and two-tenths miles between Greens- burg and Blairsville Intersection. Fourteen and eight-tenths miles between Greens- burg and Derry Station. Nine and seven-tenths miles between Greensburg and Latrobe. 3 On the 6th of July, 1846, as the county papers show, books were opened for subscription to the capital stock of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company at " Hugu^' Hotel" (late Col. Rohrer'a). * It was not till Feb. 1">, 1854, that the first trains passed through Pennsylvania without using the inclined planes. COKE. 403 Seven and three-fourths miles from Greensburg to Manor. Nine and five-tenths miles from Greensburg to Irwin. Fourteen and three-tenths miles from Greensburg to Stewart's. The Pennsylvania Railroad runs fifty-five and three- tenths miles through Westmoreland County, extend- ing forty and nine-tenths miles east of Greensburg, and fourteen and four-tenths miles west of Greens- burg. NORTHWESTERN, NOW WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD. The Northwestern Railroad Company was char- tered by act of Assembly approved Feb. 9, 1853. It extended from Blairsville, Indiana Co., down the valley of the Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas Rivers, through Indiana aud Westmoreland Counties, to Free- port, in Armstrong County. At this point it left the Allegheny and ascended the Big Buffalo to Rough Run ; thence up Rough Run to head- waters of Coal Run ; thence down Coal Run, through Butler and Lawrence Counties, to New Castle, where it connected with the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad, the in- tention being to form a continuous railroad route, without break of gauge, to Chicago, St. Louis, and the West. At that time there was a break of gauge of one and a half inches on all roads in Ohio. The Northwestern Railroad Company, after grading that part of the road from Blairsville to Allegheny Junction and completing the masonry, failed, and was sold out at Philadelphia in May, 1859, and purchased by a committee of the bondholders. These bondhold- ers reorganized as the Western Pennsylvania Railroad Company, under a charter approved March 22, 1860. The work of completing the road was begun in the spring of 1863. The track was laid each way from Blairsville west, and Allegheny Junction east. Passen- ger trains were put on in the fall of 1864, and run from each end. The high bridge over Wolford's Run was finished in 1865, and through trains immediately put on, running between Blairsville and the Allegheny Valley Railroad at the mouth of the Kiskiminetas River. The bridge over the Allegheny was completed in 1865. In 1866 the road was completed from Free- port to Allegheny City. PITTSBURGH AND CONNELLSVILLE RAILROAD. About the middle of June, 1847, subscription books were opened in West Newtou for the capital stock of the " Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad." The formal opening of the road between West Newton, in Westmoreland County, and Layton Station, in Fay- ette County, a distance of thirteen miles, was made on Thursday, May 7, 1855. This was a big day at the latter place, and the residents there most hospit- ably entertained their visitors. The road-bed lies close to the Youghiogheny River the whole distance, I but the grades are easy, and the road is smooth and well ballasted. Layton is eight miles from Mount | Pleasant, and twelve miles from Connellsville. Other information touching these roads may be found in the local departments of this work. THE SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA BRANCH from Greensburg, the point of intersection with the main line, extends to Uniontown, Fayette Co., through the very heart of the Connellsville coke region. It extends through the county to where it crosses Jacobs Creek on the north side of Everson. Books were opened out for subscription to the capital stock of the company on Tuesday, 11th April, 1871, and kept open till the 21st. A. E. Wilson, C. S. Sherrick, James A. Logan, Israel Painter, and Samuel Dilliuger were named in the act as corporators. The places desig- nated to receive subscriptions were Greensburg, Bethany, Painter's Mills, Connellsville, Stauffer's, and Uniontown, in Fayette County. The road was speedily finished, and in 1873 was leased by the Pennsylvania Company. The stations on the road, with their distances from Greensburg, are these: Huff's, three miles; Foster- ville, four miles ; Youngwood, six miles ; Painters- ville, eight miles; Hunker's, nine miles; Bethany, twelve miles; Tarr's, thirteen miles; Stonersville, fifteen miles ; Hawkeye, sixteen miles ; Scottdale, seventeen miles ; Everson, eighteen miles. CHAPTER XLIX. COKE. Features of the Coke Region — Connellsville Coke Begion — Pioneers in the Coke Business — Description of the Coal Business — The Properties of Coked Coal — Questions of Cost — Other Veins of Coal within the Con- nellsville Region — Growth of the Coke Industry — Statistics — Mount Pleasant Region — Moorewood Mines — Coke Crushing — Standard Mines — Other Companies about Mount Pleasant — East Huntingdon Town- ship Region — Scottdale Iron-Works — Scottdale Coke Region — At Stonersville — Latrobe Region — The Monastery Coke-Works — Latrobe Works — Soxmau's Works — Loyalhanua Works — Ridgeview Works — St. Clair Works — Millwood Works — Irwin Region — Westmoreland Coal Company — Penn Gas-Coal Company — Sewickley Region — Coke- ville Region. The geographical features of the "Connellsville coke region" afford useful suggestions to the statis- tician and economist. Like a mole near the left- hand corner of the lower jaw sits the coke-producing section on the brunette cheek of Pennsylvania, an elliptical mole about forty miles long, measuring northeast aud southwest. Fairchance Furnace, at the southwest end, looks out across Mason and Dixon's line over the lumpy expanse of West Virginia, point- ing to the portly hills that hold buried under rocks and earth from the creating hand, aud under the in- dolent conservatism of the laziest created people, more worth and energy than all the glowing acres to the north of it. From Fairchance Furnace F. H. 404 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Oliphant, in 1835, took specimens of iron smelted from blue lump ore with the use of coke, and ex- hibited them at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. He was not the primitive coke-user in this section, that honor belonging traditionally to old Col. Isaac Meason, who had a furnace near the Plum Rock Mill, in Fayette County ; but Mr. Oliphant was among the first to hold up to outside capital the prospect of profitable investment. It was a decade and a half later before the influx of money from the East and North began to waken the blaze which is now roaring in thousands of ovens. The coke-burning section proper was towards the northeast, in a broken semi- circle of ovens about Latrobe, on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, about forty miles east of Pittsburgh ; southwest of Latrobe the black belt of country includes the flourishing towns of Connells- ville and Uniontovvn at the farther end, in Fayette County, Mount Pleasant near the centre, and Scott- dale not far from it. CONNELLSVILLE COKE REGION. In the summer of 1841, Messrs. William Turner, Sr., P. McCormick, and James Campbell employed Mr. John Taylor (father of Mr. Jesse Taylor, a mer- chant of Connellsville) to erect two ovens for the burning of coke on his farm, lying on the Youghio- gheny, a few miles below Connellsville, the lands now owned by the Fayette Coke-Works at Sedgwick Sta- tion. These ovens were built after the bee-hive pat- tern, with a fourteen-inch rise and flat crown, and held but sixty-five bushels of raw coal. During the summer a number of experiments .were made with these ovens, but with unsatisfactory results. Nobody in the neighborhood knew anything about the manu- facture of coke, or had any but the crudest idea or theory about it. The construction of the ovens pre- sented the most serious difficulties; they had not suf- ficient draught, nor held they a sufficient body of coal to make good coke. However, after repeated failures and reverses, one by one the faults were remedied and a tolerably fair quality of coke was produced with a show of certainty and regularity. This first good coke manufactured of Youghiogheny coal was made conjointly by the above-mentioned persons, having in their employ to operate the ovens four persons: William Kenear, J. R. Smith, George B. Norris, and David McFarland. So much for the employers and the employed, the time being the early part of the winter of 1841-42. During the winter of 1841-42 these parties kept up the manufacture of coke until the spring of 1842, when they had enough to load a coal-boat ninety feet in length. At the first suitable rise in the river this boat was run down the Yough, down the Mononga- hela, and down the Ohio as far as Cincinnati in search of a purchaser for the new applicant for favor as a fuel. The search, moreover, seemed likely to be in vain, and disappointment and dejection added weight to the samples hawked about the foundries of Cin- cinnati in coffee-sacks. At length, however, Mr. Turner found a purchaser in Mr. Greenwood, the wealthy foundryman and wine merchant, at six and one-fourth cents per bushel, half cash and half in old mill irons. Such was the introduction of Connells- ville coke into the commerce of the world. The success of this first enterprise was a stimulus not only to repetition but competition. In the fall of 1842, Mr. Mordecai Cochran and his brother's sons began the manufacture of coke in the ovens operated the winter before by the parties above mentioned. They too were successful, not only in the manufacture but also in the sale of their ware, and Cochran is one of the kings of coke to-day. In the fall of 1842, moreover, Mr. Richard Brookins began mining on the western side of the river, opposite the original ovens, and built five ovens on the same plan as the original. He likewise was successful. Brookins also manufac- tured coke on the ground, but gave up this mode for the preferable ovens. The next step forward in the coke business was in 1844. In the summer of this year, Col. A. M. Hill, one of the most famous coal operators of the Yough, bought the Dickerson farm, and erected thereon seven ovens after an improved plan, the diameter enlarged, and the crown raised, so that the charge was increased to about ninety bushels. Hill's energy and success gave great impetus and character to the business, which is felt to this day. The lay of the country follows the lay of the coal basins. An old mining engineer whom we asked to define the extent of the coking coal field in this sec- tion said, " It's simple enough. Just imagine a fleet of canoes strung out ahead and astern along the valley west of the Chestnut Ridge and you have it. The basin is not a basin, it is a succession of canoes laden to the gunwales with earth and rocks and a little coal." The figure is not inapt. The coal vein which is tapped for coking purposes lies from sixty to one hundred and fifty feet underground along its longi- tudinal axis. As it approaches the Chestnut Ridge to the east it bends rapidly and then abruptly toward the surface, and crops out along the western slope of the ridge. The eastern gunwale of the imaginary canoe is in view of the geologist for miles as he stands on some peak of the ridge and lets his scientific eye ramble along the rocky slope. The other side of the canoe turns up against Dry Ridge, to the west. The bows of the subterranean craft are separated by the valley of the little streams tributary to the Monon- gahela and the " Dare-Devil Yough," which cut across the sides of the larger valleys. The cargo which weighs down this supposititious fleet is valueless of it- self, but the vessels themselves are worth more than all the galleons that ever sailed through the Spanish Main. The vein which supplies the coke-ovens of Fayette, Westmoreland, and Allegheny Counties with the soft coal necessary to the manufacture of coke is COKE. 405 the same which supplies hard fuel to the stoves and ranges and engines of Pittsburgh, although the people of this section are backward to believe the geologists' assurance of this fact. Knowing that they had a rich inheritance in their ten-foot vein of soft coal, they were like a family with a rich bachelor uncle, anxious that he should remain single. What has caused the difference in constitution between the two sections of the vein, divided only by a narrow, barren stretch, is yet a problem for scientists. The coking coal is soft and porous, and yields easily to the miner's pick. It is comparatively free from sulphur, and can - be shoveled into the ovens as it conies from the mine, without any preliminary pro- cess. Gas-coal is hard and unyielding ; little of it is made into coke, as it must be crushed and the sul- phur washed out of it before roasting. It costs from twenty-five to thirty cents a ton to mine coking coal, and about three times as much to get out gas-coal. Before coking, the coal mined in this section is value- j less for smelting purposes. Thrown into the furnaces, with the enormous weight of ore and limestone upon it, it crumbles, and soon becomes a compact mass, through which there can be no draught and no distri- bution of heat. Besides it contains a percentage of sul- phur large enough to lower materially the quality of the iron produced. But put into the ovens and roasted, the sulphur disappears, and the soft, friable, black coal comes out a tough, spongy, gray coke, which bears heavy pressure without crumbling, burns with a hot fire, and by its open composition furnishes a nat- ural draught through it. This coke, manufactured by the simple roasting for a few hours of soft black coal in a bee-hive oven, is without a rival in the furnaces of Western Pennsylvania, and, except the anthracite coal in the eastern part of the State, almost without a com- petitor on this continent. It heats the iron furnaces of the near West, and has regular purchasers among those who smelt gold and silver from the Pacific hills. It has driven charcoal out of the market as a fuel for the manufacture of pig iron, and is every year crowding the anthracite into a narrow field of usefulness. It is used along with the natural hard coal in the furnaces of Eastern Pennsylvania, and with the aid of the new crushing-machines to reduce it to a convenient size, bids fair, in time, to supplant it for domestic use. It is simply a question of cost. The known anthracite region is eomparativelysmall. The yearly discoveries of prospectors are just begin- ning to open the eyes of geologists to the vast extent of the bituminous beds. As consumption creates a natural corner in the anthracite, prices will go up until the manufactured product of the soft-coal fields will go to the doors of the anthracite furnace at a price so much below the hard coal that no iron-manufacturer can use the anthracite and sell his pig at a profit. With coke the only fuel for the furnaces of America, it is a question of only a few years until, at the rates ovens are multiplying, the coke-producing territory now developed is exhausted. It is a prospect which the coke operators are loth to took at, and they one and all contend that the day is far distant when the last oven shall be lighted in the Youghiogheny Val- ley ; so distant that no one now living need be fright- ened at a spectre which will not materialize until their grandsons are grandsires. How nearly their comfortable position is justified by the logic of supply and consumption, or how much self-interest there is in the brave front which they bear, is beyond our knowledge. Let him who would study the country as it deserves climb to the top of Chestnut Ridge and turn back with the finger of science the earthen leaves of the book which nature has buried at his feet. Like the in- scription of the tower of Pharos, the maker's name stands out in deep engraving when the crust of clay is worn off, and the jealous hands of nature herself have rubbed off the dirt, and left the specimens of her better handiwork visible upon the western slope of the ridge, making the highest hill the best point from which to see the under side of the valley. According to the more or less certaiu traditions of geology, not only the Pittsburgh coal vein, but the upper coal meas- ures above it once spread in unbroken sheets from Middle Pennsylvania to Middle Ohio and far into Virginia. Little patches of these veins, and frag- ments of the less destructible rocks which are their geological neighbors, are still found scattered through all this stretch of country, where now the lower coal measures are near the present surface. Whether the general height of the continent was at that time so much above sea level is questionable. The ocean then flowed over the now rich farming counties of Bucks, Adams, York, and Lancaster, and the wide- mouthed marine monsters of that age grazed over the flat acres where the frugal Pennsylvania Dutch now pasture their mild-eyed milkers. That section of the State was afterwards lifted up many hundred feet, but the lift seems, by the geological structure of the State, to have been confined to the southeastern counties. Western Pennsylvania may have been higher above sea level, but could scarcely have been lower than it is now, considering the formations. But considered with relation to the surrounding surface, Western Pennsylvania must have been several thousand feet higher than its present elevation, from which height ] it has been degraded by the ceaseless wearing of its i countless streams. No reason has been given to doubt, ! according to geologists, that the upper barren meas- ures lying high above the upper coal measures and the Pittsburgh vein once spread over the top of what is now Chestnut Ridge. If so, when that far-back convulsion of the growing earth heaved up the ridge that now borders the eastern side of the Connellsville coke region, it lifted not the present puny range of hills, less than fifteen hundred feet above the level of the river at Connellsville, and only two thousand two 406 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. hundred feet above ocean level, but a sharp, ragged mountain chain almost five thousand feet above tide level. The western side of the ridge must have then had a fall of four hundred and twenty feet per mile, and it was down this tremendous slope that the moun- tain torrents began to tear away the hillsides and wash down the weather-worn debris from the summit. Standing on Elk Rock, a weather-worn fragment of conglomerate lying on the top of the ridge, about three miles from there, 1 the observer is geologically between one thousand and two thousand feet be- low the valley which stretches away westward from the foot-hills. The layers of coal, limestone, sand- stone, and shale, in various stages of decomposition, which compose the valley at his feet turn up at a sharp angle as they approach the ridge, and their more or less regular outcrop marks the periods of the earth's growth as plainly to his geological eye as a genealogical table. The surgery of nature has here cut down to the bones of the earth, and standing upon the vertebral column of Western Pennsylvania he can trace the layers of flesh and veins and skin that, although now covering only the valleys, was formerly continuous over the spot upon which he is standing. His feet are among the early conglomerates that form the solid foundation upon which the vegetation- bearing superstructure was built. About two miles below him — beyond the outcrops of the Freeport coal veins, the lower coal measures and the lower barren measures — he can see, with the aid of a scientific imagination and a strong field-glass, the outcrop of the rich Pittsburgh vein, the coking coal, a long, bleached black line, rising and falling with the undu- lations of the strata, but keeping about the same dis- tance from the top of the ridge. The smoke from hundreds of coke-ovens will mark the outcrop in places where the coal is gotten out by drifting. His geological memory will carry his eyes back to the time, so far back that it seems almost eternity, when the trees which have been digested into coal in the cannibal stomach of their mother were bred upon the earth under the amorous kisses of the sun. He can trace with his mind's eye this black vein of con- served heat and energy as it dips down as if its back were broken under the weight of rock and earth, the upper barren measures upon it, and see it showing at the surface again along the rolling sides of Dry Ridge, towards the Monongahela River. About five hundred feet below the Pittsburgh vein, and cropping i out correspondingly nearer the ridge, lie the Freeport j veins, upper and lower, which in Tioga County are found in the tops of the high hills, and are now being drifted and the coal made into coke. The vein im- proves as it goes north, and the rocks overlying it are much harder than here. Still below the Freeport lies the Kittanning coal. Between the upper Freeport and the Pittsburgh veins stretch the lower barren meas- 1 Conuellsville. ures, five hundred and six hundred feet thick, con- taining shales, limestone, and sandstone, with a little fire-clay and a few thin seams of coal. From fifty to seventy feet above the Pittsburgh vein, Prof. J. J. Stevenson, of the University of New York, to whom we are indebted for much valuable and accurate infor- mation, found the Redstone or "Four-Foot vein," con- taining considerable sulphur. Seventy-five to one hundred feet higher, geologically, is the Sewickley vein, three feet thick, lying just beneath the lower division of the Great Limestone, which is eighty feet thick, in layers with clay between. From forty to fifty feet above the top of the Great Limestone is the Uniontown coal vein, about three feet thick, never being good in quality and thinning out to nothing as it goes north. Still above that a hundred feet or more lie the Little Waynesburg and the Big Waynes- burg veins, mined in Washington and Greene Coun- ties. The most accurate conception of the wonderful growth of the coke industry in Western Pennsylvania is to be obtained from a comparison of the number of ovens and the production of coke in the past few years. A short column of cold figures is more con- vincing than a page of general description. In 1870 one train a day, of the ordinary size of coke trains, would have been amply sufficient to carry the coke manufactured in the entire Connellsville region. Now there is one works which turns out on an aver- age 60 cars daily, and about 1700 private cars owned by the operators are employed exclusively in the transportation of coke. While the industry increased rapidly from 1870 to 1879, its growth in the past three years has been almost phenomenal. In 1876 there were 3260 ovens in the Connellsville region. On the 1st of May three years later the number had in- creased to 4114, and to-day there are 8091 ovens in active operation. The following table gives an accu- rate and careful count of the number of ovens at each works in the recognized Connellsville region, with the names of the operators and the railroads by which the products of each are shipped : MAIN LINE, BALTIMORE AND OHIO. Ovens. J. N. Schoonmaker, Sterling 159 Jackson Mines Co., Jackson u4 James G'ocliran, Fayette 100 Laughlin & Co., Tyrone 130 Sample Coctiran. Sons & Co., Washington 32 485 MOUNT PLEASANT BRANCH. BALTIMORE AND OHIO. Ovens. II. O. Frick Coke Co., Henrv Clay 100 H. O. Friok Coke Co., Frick 106 H. C. Frick Coke Co., Morean 164 H. C. Frick Coke Co., White 148 H. C. Frick Coke Co., Foundry 74 H. C. Frick Coke Co., Eagle 80 H. C. Frick Coke Co., Summit 142 H. C. Erick Coke Co., Tip Top 56 H. C. Frick Coke Co., Valley 152 Mullon/Strickler & Co., Mullen 82 Boyle & Rafferty, Boyle's 252 J. M. Cochran's estate, Buckeye L16 J. M. Cochran's estate, Star. 20 Jos. R. Stauffer & Co., Dexter 40 J. D. Boyle, Fountain 50 McClure & Co., Diamond 66 COKE. 407 McClure & Co., Painter'B 228 Cbarlotte Furnace Co 60 W. A. Keiler 40 B. F. Keister Jt Co., Frankliu 50 A. A. Hutchinson & Bio., Standard 360 James Cochran & Co., Clinton 44 2430 OTHER BALTIMORE AND OHIO BRANCHES. Ovens. J. M. Schoonmaker, Jinitown 303 Cochran & Keester, Spurggon 100 John Newmyer, Cora 42 W. J. Ranuey * Co., Fort Hill 88 Dunbar Furnace Co., Hill Farm 89 A. 0. Tintsnian, Mount Braddock 127 Percy Mining 69 Stuart Iron Co 120 931 Total ovens shipping by Baltimore and Ohio 3846 SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD. Ovens. Dillinger, Rafterty & Co., Enterprise 50 Hurst, Stunet & Co., Union 70 S. W. Coal and Coke Co 138 Dillinger, Tarr & Co 66 Joseph R. Stauffer, Home 20 A. O. Tintsnian A Co.. Penusville 70 W. J. Rainey & Co., Eldorado 225 Pittsburgh and Connellsville G. C. & C. Co 295 Cambria Iron Co., Morrell 400 Cambria Iron Co., Wheeler 100 Dunbar Furnace Co., Furgeson * TO Mahoning Cuke Co. (limited), Mahoning 100 Morgan, Layug & Co., Anchor 100 Reed & Bro., Uniondale 76 Colviu Si C 80 Youngstowu Coke Co. (limited) 240 Leniont Furnace Co., Lemont 150 Chicago and Connellsville Coke Co 170 J W. Moore Si Co 170 Fairchance Iron Co 36 Fayette Coke and Furnace Co 130 2756 BRANCHES FROM THE SOUTHWEST. Ovens. Markle & Co., Rising Sun 103 J. W. Overholt, Agent.Emnia 36 C. P. Markle & Sons, Bessemer 170 Morewood Coke Co. (limited), Morewood 470 J. M. Schoonmaker, Alice 200 A. C. Overholt* Co, West Overton 110 Connellsville Coke and Iron Co., C. C. & I. Co 200 Connellsville Gas-Coal Co., Trotter's 200 1489 Ovens shipping by Pennsylvania Railroad 4245 Total oveus in the region 8091 In this table is included only the territory which the strict constructionists call " the Connellsville region." Besides these there are on the outskirts of the region, as bounded by the exclusive Connells- ville people, the works at Smithton, Scott Haven, Shanor, Alpsville, and Saltsburg, aggregating 194 ovens, and the group of works at the northern end of the basin towards Latrobe. At the majority of these works the coal is crushed and washed, and the slack only is coked. Add these 1000 ovens, whose coal comes from the same Connellsville vein, to those tabulated above and you have a grand total of 10,000 ovens. Each oven will produce eight and a half tons of coke per week. Quite a number of operators say nine, but this is probably too high. The 10,000 ovens, then, now burning in the region yield 85,000 tons of coke per week, or 4,420,000 tons a year, of fifty bushels to the ton, making a produc- tion for 1882 of 221,000,000 bushels. If this quantity of coke were to be loaded on one train of cars, it would require 250,000 cars of the ordinary railway size, and make a train almost two thousand miles long, enough to make six trains reaching from Pitts- burgh to Philadelphia. And this upon the present basis, allowing nothing for the ovens which will be built before the first of January next. Contracts are now let for over eight hundred ovens to be built be- fore the first of June, and it is a safe estimate that before the close of the current year there will be ten thousand ovens in the Connellsville coke regions proper, taking no account of the nine hundred scat- tered about the outskirts. The completion of the Youngwood Branch of the Southwest Railroad, which is now building, will develop a large part of the coal area which is still un worked. Coke-making is a young industry, and notably a work of young men. Beardless boys have responsi- ble positions as book-keepers and managers in the company stores, that feed, clothe, and furnish, some of them 1000 persons. Young men who, according to Holy Writ, should still be tarrying at Jericho, in this country superintend the operations of works whose employes are numbered by the hundred, and whose market includes all the manufacturing belt of the United States. The owners of many of these ex- tensive coke-yards are still in the early prime of life, and have earned fortunes almost before they have won wives. They are approachable people, and have not the hard-shell conservatism and secretiveness of older men in an industry of older growth. But the infor- mation they will furnish will only give him a super- ficial acquaintance of the country of to-day. MOUNT PLEASANT REGION. MOREWOOD MINES. One can well spend a day in a tour of the More- wood Coke- Works alone, from the farthest under- ground room, where scores of little lamps twinkling on the foreheads of the swarthy miners look like an undersized torchlight procession that has been buried to await the resurrecting trumpet of the next cam- paign, from the dark passages where the smothered clink of the picks tells how the little atoms of hu- manity are scratching under the skin of the big round earth, up the shaft to where the fresh-dug coal is dumped into the ■" larry," the one-hundred-bushel car that a little locomotive hauls back and forth along the railroad upon the top of the row of ovens, from which the coal is dumped directly into the ovens, one hundred bushels to each oven, to be raked out silvery gray glistening coke twenty-four hours later and packed, still steaming, into the cars for shipment. Or a part of the time may be employed in a visit to the great company's store that supplies food, clothing, and furniture for one thousand people, the inhabitants of a town that has five hundred full-grown men, of whom scarcely half are American citizens, a conden- sation of Europe, with a strong extract from Asia and a faint flavor of Africa. 408 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. These works make and ship daily about one thou- sand tons of coke, averaging about sixty cars of about sixteen and a quarter tons each. Turning over less than half a dozen pages of their shipping book shows the initials of forty-seven different railroads, giving an index to the scope of their trade. The bare state- ment that one thousand tons of coke are manufac- tured at one place daily gives but an unsatisfactory notion of the output, but when that amount of in- animate energy is ciphered into human muscle the look of it is different and better understood. To make one ton of coke requires one and six-tenths tons of coal. The one thousand tons manufactured here daily mean, therefore, sixteen hundred tons of coal mined in the same time. Rogers estimates that one pound of coal applied to the production of mechanical power through the agency of steam will exert a power equal to that obtained from ten hours' continuous labor of a strong man on a tread-mill. A later writer, and one who has evidently given the subject much thought, holds that a ton and a half of coal, used to make steam, will produce a power equal to one man's work for a whole year. Taking this, the smaller estimate, then the sixteen hundred tons of coal dug daily at Morewood are equal to a year's labor of almost eleven hundred men. A thousand strong men dug out of their bed, where they went to sleep when the twilight was strangled in the swamp vapors of the carboniferous age, and have slumbered peacefully ever since with never a snore, although the coverlets became dirty and veins of rock took the place of layers of cotton in their quilts, to stir this idle host into industry with their sharp picks, to serve notice on all these idlers that they have had their " nooning," and that the nineteenth century is an age of labor, not loafing, looks like a pretty good day's work for the Morewood miners. The story of the dragon's teeth springing up armed men isn't worth mentioning in comparison. Eleven hundred men working one year will do as much as one man laboring eleven hundred years. If Adam had kept on spading, allowing no time for strikes, he would only have been getting along towards the evening of the fourth day's work, measured by the Morewood standard, when the dawn of the new dispensation broke on his bald head. Methusaleh could not have done one such day's work in bis long lifetime, even if he had been born with a pick in his hands and dropped at the edge of the grave. This awakening process is daily going on, and the world moves, be- cause modem mechanics are binding the strong shoulders of the long-sleeping giants to the yoke. On the Hungarian .peasant's mental map of Amer- ica " Morewood" is doubtless larger than all the Southern States together, better known than Penn- sylvania. Here the first large colony of them was brought a couple of years ago, and hither hundreds have drifted since. Many of the early colonists have gone back to the old country, following the fashion of the Chinese, whose cousins they are. Others have floated out upon the prairies of the West, for they have a keen eye to their profit, and if they see a chance of making money are quick to go after it. Among the miners underground Hungarian men are plenty enough. Above surface their wives and daughters share their labor with the men. Broad- backed and brawny, the women handle the long, heavy iron scraper at the hot mouth of the oven, and their burly, dumpy figures arc seen between the han- dles of the big wheelbarrows as they trot from the oven to the car with five or six bushels of coke, weighing from two hundred to two hundred and forty pounds. Their principal employment, however, is forking coke in the cars. They all wear boots ; that is, for a few months in the winter. In the summer they go barefoot, and even thus early are fouud the strong imprint of plenty of pink toes in the yellow mud. Their skirts are scant, and leave room for about two feet of sunburn below. A distinctive feature of their costume is their head-dress, which usually con- sists of a shawl, not wrapped turban fashion, but pinned under the chin. Men and women are alike short, almost squat in stature, but broad and strongly built. The thick-set, grimy coke-drawers do not re- mind one forcibly of the famous Magyar cavalrymen, but the grandfather of some of these laborers charged with Kosciusko at Raclawicek, and heard with his own ears the alleged shriek of Freedom when he fell. If he did, however, it is long odds that his grand- mother attended to the stabling of his steed. The women are accustomed to hard work in their own country, and the men seem to be willing to let them do it. Col. Schoonmaker, the manager at Morewood, does all in his power to keep them out of the coke-yard, but nothing but a cordon of police could do it. Driven out of the yard repeatedly, they return whenever the yard-boss turns his back towards them. The company keeps no account with them, and their time is computed with that of their husbands, fathers, or brothers. Constant labor has developed their muscles, and a sculptor might find some of the finest model arms among the coke-forkers. Among the novel and curious industries developed in the coke region is that of "coke crushing," now in its infancy, and carried on by a company which has the exclusive monopoly. Their crusher is situated about a mile from the borough limits of Mount Pleasant. COKE CRUSHING. As you approach the crusher you are struck by the very odd shape of the building, with its tower one hun- dred feet high, and the rnanv extensions and changes in the roof. Yet the peculiar structure is necessary for the machinery used in crushing the coke. The supply of coke is hauled on truck-wagons from the Standard Mine Coke-Works, located but a few yards distant. It is weighed and run on the cage. Then it is hoisted to COKE. 409 the top of the tower, while an empty one is lowered. The wagon is dumped hy machinery, and the coke falls on metal bars below. All that is already fine enough falls between the bars, while the rest rolls over the bars into the first pair of rollers, where it is partially crushed, and then another set of bars sep- arates the fine coke from the coarse, which passes between a second set of rollers. The crushed coke enters two large iron revolving screens. There the dust and dirt are first taken out, next the nut or smaller size of coke, next small stove size, next stove size, and lastly all that passes out at the end of the screen is called egg size. Thus four sizes of crushed coke are obtained. There are in all three screens, two for the crushed coke and one for the coke that is fine enough without passing through the crusher, and is separated by the iron bars spoken of before. This separation, if the coke already is fine enough, is to save waste from the coke being ground more or less into dust. After the coke passes through these screens it falls into huge basins below, from which shutes carry the coke into the cars ready for shipping. Every part of the machinery does its work well. The whole struc- ture is on an entirely new plan. This is the only coke- crusher of the kind in the world. About fifteen cars of coke can be crushed daily, the product of about a hundred ovens. The crusher is owned and controlled by the Penn- sylvania Crushed Coke Company. The officers and directors are all Pittsburgh men. There is quite a demand for crushed coke cleaned and divided into sizes as it is made at these works. This crushed coke, it is claimed, is as good if not- better for domestic purposes, and even for manufac- turing purposes, than the anthracite coal. STANDARD MINES adjoin the borough of Mount Pleasant, and were opened in 1879. They are owned by A. A. Hutch- inson & Brother, of Pittsburgh. The superintendent is Charles Cunningham, who here and at other points has been connected with this firm since 1873. This company has five hundred and sixty-nine coke-ovens, and employs five hundred and fifty men. It carries on a large store, of which D. M. Pigman is foreman. It owns fifteen hundred acres of coal lands, of which two hundred is surface. It operates fifteen miles of railroad under ground and seven outside. Its daily production of coke is ten hundred and sixty-five tons, or seventy-one cars, at fifteen tons per car, and has connections with the Baltimore and Ohio and South- western Pennsylvania Railroads. The company has one hundred and fifty houses for its hands. There was erected in 1881, at its works, by the Pennsylvania Coal and Coke Company, a coke-crusher, which is the principal one in this region. Its superintendent is J. C. Dysart. It makes five sizes of coke. Boyle & Rafferty's coke-ovens are located at Bridge- port, and number several hundred, giving employment to hundreds of hands. Mullin A Strickler have extensive coke-ovens and mines near the above. The Cochran Heirs mines and ovens are situated at Bridgeport and near the others before mentioned. Rafferty's mines and ovens are at Painter's Station, and are very extensively carried on. Joseph R. Stauffer's ovens are located near West Overton. Morewood Mines are owned by Schoonmaker & H. Clay Frick, and are very extensive. Alice Mines is the property of the Schoonmakers. Hecla Coal Company has just been started. The United Coal and Coke Company was organized in 1882, and is now in operation. The Rising Sun and Bessemer Coke-Ovens are owned by C. P. Markle & Sons, of West Newton. F. M. McClain is superintendent of the Bessemer. EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP REGION. Since the building of the Southwestern Pennsyl- vania Railroad to Scottdale in 1872, the township of East Huntingdon has been revolutionized in its busi- ness, and where before were only the peaceful haunts of the tillers of the soil have become the marts of large manufacturing establishments, with coal-mines and coke-ovens scattered all over its limits, giving employment to thousands of hands. Where were only fields of grain now stand busy factories, and where the farmers' herds once grazed in quiet, hun- dreds of miners are digging out coal or making coke. SCOTTDALE IRON-WOEKS. Everson, Macrum & Co.'s rolling-mill was estab- lished in 1872, before the railroad was completed to Scottdale. The firm was then Everson, Graff & Co., who purchased of William A. Kifer the old "Foun- tain Mill" and distillery, on which site they erected their new rolling-mill. The firm is now Everson, Macrum & Co., composed of W. H. Everson, John Q. Everson, David S. Macrum, Christopher L. Graff, Walter T. Brown, and Edwin Miles. The first firm also bought of Col. Israel Painter a tract of land in Fayette County, on the other side of Jacobs Creek, the Frick farm below it. and some ten acres of Peter S. and Jacob S. Loucks, on this side of the creek. On the latter they made an addition to the town and erected thirty dwellings for their hands. The mill was started in operation May, 1873. It then made annually three thousand tons of sheet iron, which it now still manufactures, besides eight thousand tons of muck-bar. The foundry was added in 1875, and makes all kinds of castings for this mill and the one in Pittsburgh, the latter established in 1842 by Ever- son, Preston & Co. William H. Everson has been the general manager since 1873,— the commencement. The rolling-mill and foundry employ two hundred hands. The company's office stands where W. A. Kifer's residence was. The selection of its site for 410 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the rolling-mill made the town of Scottdale ; other- wise the town would have been at Everson, the centre of the coke-oven industries. The rolling-mill company started also an extensive store, which with the mill made the nucleus around which has arisen the flourishing borough. Everson, Macrurn & Co.'s " Charlotte Furnace" was built in 1873, and blown October 14th of that year. The firm of the furnace was then Everson, Knap & Co. The first year its product was thirty- five tons daily, but is now between fifty-five and sixty tons. It employs seventy-five men. The furnace is considered one of the best in the country, and is under the efficient superintendency of Edwin Miles. The company has the " Greenlick Narrow Gauge Railroad" from its mines to the Mount Pleasant Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, from which it gets daily sixty tons of ore. In connection with the na- tive ores mined on the company's property, ores from Lake Superior and Blair County, Pa., are also used. Hill & Keuney's foundry and machine-shop was erected in August, 1880, and has been in operation fifteen months. The partners are J. D. Hill and T. C. Kenney. The latter is a practical machinist, for- merly employed by " Charlotte Furnace Company." They employ twenty men, and are doing a business of $40,000 per year. The firm purchased the land on which to erect their buildings of Everson, Macrum & Co., part of the old Loucks place. They are ma- chinists and brass and iron founders, and make spec- ialties of coke manufacturers' supplies, viz. : larries, pit and machine-bolts, coke-barrows, pit-wheels and axles, pit-wagons, frogs, turnouts, railroad frogs, etc., and keep a full line of brass and iron fittings, brass castings, and machinery supplies. Their shop is well equipped and with first-class workmen. SCOTTDALE COKE REGION. The coal-mines of Everson, Macrum & Co. are on the opposite side of Jacobs Creek, and com- prises one hundred and twelve acres of land. Fifty miners are here employed, and fifty thousand tons of coal are annually produced for their rolling-mill and blast furnace. Several railroad tracks run from the mines over the creek to the mill and furnace. This firm has coke-ovens, of which fifty were started in 1873. They make nearly seven thousand bushels per day of coke. Stauffer's coke-ovens are situated northwest of Scottdale, towards Mount Pleasant, and immediately opposite are those of Blake & Co. Some four miles north of Scottdale are those of C. P. Markle & Sons, called the '' Bessemer" and " Rising Sun," of which George A. Markle and Mr. McClain are superintend- ents. The Home coke-ovens are operated by Stauffer & Co. Frick & Co. operate the "Valley Works" and "Tip Top Coke-Mines." Tarr's Station. Here are the coke-works of Peter Tarr, embracing eighty-one ovens, and the South- West Coal and Coke Company of Frick & Co., suc- cessors to Stoner, Hitchman & Co. The latter have eleven hundred acres of coal lands, and employ two hundred men, and have fifty dwellings for their men. It has another opening at Stonersville. Here, too, are sixty-four coke-ovens of Samuel Dillinger & Sons, erected in 1879. Hawkeye Station. At this point Samuel Dillinger & Sons have fifty-one coke-ovens, built in 1871-72. West Overton. Just north of this village are the one hundred and thirty coke-ovens of A. R. S. Over- holt & Co., of which sixty-two were started in 1873 and the others in 1878. These give employment to over a hundred men, and produce one hundred and eighty tons of coke daily. AT STONERSVILLE. In 1872, Hurst, Stoner & Co. (Braden Hurst, B. B. Stoner, Mr. Shaw, and W. B. Neal) established their coke-works, and laid out thirty lots on which they built dwellings for their men. They now have seventy ovens. The firm-name is yet the same, but the part- ners are Braden Hurst and Messrs. Rafferty and Mc- Clure. In 1873, S. Warden opened their coke-works, and erected twenty company dwellings. This com- pany (three-fourths of whose stock is owned by the Southwest Coal Company) has seventy-two coke- ovens in full operation. LATROBE REGION. The general business outlook in this neat little town, located on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, forty miles east of Pittsburgh, never was so bright as at present. All the various industrial establishments and coke-works surrounding her are in full blast, with cheering prospects. The steadily-increasing demand for coke is causing capitalists to secure all the coal ter- ritory from which this valuable article can be manu- factured. This is not only true of the Connellsville region, but for many miles surrounding it. Latrobe is coming in for a large share of this rapidly-increasing industry. Several large new coke-works and mines have been opened up during the year 1881, and are now in full blast, adding to their facilities as rapidly as circumstances will admit, while all the old works have made large additions and improvements. In addition to this a new branch has been surveyed and will be built from Latrobe, running through a large coal-field, striking the Southwestern road some miles back. Wealthy companies of business men have se- cured this coal, and as soon as the road is built it will be lined with coke-works. THE MONASTERY COKE-WORKS. A short distance west of town we find the large mines and coke-ovens of Carnegie Bros., 1 under the 1 This company baa lately been reorganized, but Carnegie <& Bros, still have a controlling interest. COKE. 411 general supervision of Mr. Robert Ramsey, formerly of Shafton. During the past year this company have made many improvements and additions to their works, among them the building of one hundred new coke-ovens, a new crusher and washer, besides extend- ing the capacity of their mines. They have now two hundred and forty ovens. The mine is reached by a slope three hundred feet in length, in which about ninety miners are employed, getting pretty fair work, as the ovens will be kept steadily in blast supplying coke for the Lucy Furnace and the steel-works. The coal averages about six feet. The miners receive thirty-five cents per wagon for run of mine. About two hundred men are given steady employment in the mines and about the coke-ovens and crushers. THE LATROBE COAL AND COKE WORKS. This is a new work, or rather an old work opened previous to the panic, on the opposite side of the rail- road from the Monastery Works, now being operated by this company under the general supervision of Mr. D. W. Jones. They have built new chutes, put' up new machinery, and built sixteen coke-ovens, in which they coke all the slack and ship the coal, aver- aging at present about ten cars daily. The under- ground workings, in charge of Mr. Alexander Sned- den, are reached by a slope one hundred and fifty feet in length. The coal runs from seven to eight feet. About fifty men are now employed, and more will be added as the trade increases. The miners receive thirty-five cents per wagon for run of mine. M. SOXMAN, JR., & CO.'S WORKS. About half a mile east of the town are located the coke-works and mines of this company, under the general supervision of Mr. Francis Kiernan. The mine at present has a drift entrance, and the coal is brought forward and hauled up quite a steep grade on to their chutes. The coal will average about seven feet. The miners receive forty cents per ton for run of mine. Last year they built and put in operation thirty coke-ovens, to which thirty more new ovens have recently been added, having now in blast sixty ovens. A large amount of coal is also shipped daily from the mine. A shaft is being sunk to the coal alongside of the ovens, from which the coal will be hoisted in the future. It will be seventy feet to the coal. Hoisting machinery, etc., will be erected as soon as the shaft is completed. They have a fine piece of coal, and will increase their shipping facili- ties. They employ at present forty miners, and thirty- five day men about the mine and ovens, giving them steady work. THE LOYALHANNA COAL AND COKE-WORKS The extensive works of this company are located on the opposite side of the road, a short distance east of the Soxman works. Mr. Morris Ramsey, formerly of the Franklin mines, at Houtzdale, has charge of the works as general superintendent. They have also made many improvements during the year. One hun- dred additional ovens have been built, giving them a total of two hundred and forty ovens, one hundred and forty of which have been in blast. The new ovens are now being lit up. The mine is entered by a shaft one hundred and forty-six feet deep. The coal averages seven feet, the miners receiving thirty- eight cents per ton for run of mine coal. Besides manufacturing coke they have their chutes built for coaling engines on the Pennsylvania road, and supply considerable coal for that purpose. About ninety miners, besides seventy-five other hands, are employed by the company. They own quite a number of houses, and are now erecting enough to accommodate thirty more families. RIDGEVIEW COAL AND COKE-WORKS. This company, which is presided over by Mr. James P. Scott, son of the late Col. Thomas A. Scott, has opened a new works at St. Clair Station. Mr. D. C. George, of Latrobe, is the general superintendent. They have made a drift opening into a fine piece of coal, averaging from six and a half to eight feet in thickness. They are shipping and manufacturing coke, having now thirty ovens in blast, and are grad- ing for a plant of eighty more. They are shipping about ten cars of coal daily to Philadelphia for steam purposes, and will increase the output as fast as open- ings are made. They employ about fifty-five men at present. The miners receive thirty-eight cents per ton for oven coal and forty cents per ton for shipping coal. THE ST. CLAIR COAL AND COKE-WORKS. This is also a new opening, recently made by a Pittsburgh company, Preston, Davis & Co., with Mr. Matthew Preston in charge as superintendent. They have fifty coke ovens up, thirty of which are in blast, and Mr. J. C. Watt is working on a contract of twenty more. Their mine is entered by a slope, the coal averaging from six and a half to seven and a half feet. They will also ship coal. About twenty miners are at work, and others will be added as fast as room can be made. The coke will be shipped to the different works of the company. THE MILLWOOD COAL AND COKE COMPANY. The chutes of this company are at Millwood Sta- tion, seven miles east of Latrobe. The mine is located back about three miles from the road, and is reached by a tram-road over which a small locomotive brings the coal. Mr. Albert Ford has charge, and has made many improvements during the year, among which was a change in the mining cars. Formerly the large cars that were run to the chutes were sent down the shaft and to the rooms for loading. This he has changed by putting in the regular mine-wagon and dumping into the other cars at the top, enabling them to get the coal forward with more speed. New steel rails are also being laid on the tram-road. The un- 412 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. derground works, in charge of Mr. John E. Morrison, are reached by a shaft two hundred feet deep. They have experienced considerable trouble with water and faults, causing heavy expense, but they have now got them in good shape, being dry throughout the workings. A large pump is placed near the bottom of the shaft which will throw three hundred gallons of water per minute. The very best of machinery has been erected, and everything is working smoothly. The works are kept running steadily the year round, and just at pres- ent are well supplied with orders, shipping coal to Philadelphia. They also supply the locomotives on the Pennsylvania road, which requires a large amount of coal day and night. A number of comfortable houses have been built near the shaft for the accom- modation of the employes. Several new blocks were built during the summer. About one hundred and twenty men are employed in and about the works. The miners receive forty cents per ton for run of mine, the coal ranging from five to six feet in thick- ness. IRWIN REGION. The appearance of the coke region along the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad is thus described by a stranger : " Five miles west of Greensburg are the dominions of the Penn Gas-Coal Company, where the railway runs alongside another little stream. Here they get the gas-coals that are shipped over the mountains to supply the Eastern cities. The mining is done by shafting on an extensive scale, the coal being raised to the surface by steam-power and loaded in cars for shipment. Branch lines of railway extend through the hills in all directions to the mouths of the shafts, and from Penn they will ship a thousand tons a day. Thus we run through the gas-coal region, through Manor, which is located on one of Penn's original manor tracts, past Shafton and Irwin. Here are more lands of the Penn Company, and also mines of the Shafton and Westmoreland Coal Companies. The entire region is full of coal-cars, mines, and shafts, while the little streams, in the yellow hue of their beds, show the presence of iron springs. Within a space of ten miles along this part of the railroad will be mined and sent to market probably a million and a half tons of gas-coal annually. Irwin is probably the chief village of this great settlement. The sur- face land is fertile, but the coal-mines do not permit a great amount of cultivation, though some good farming is done. As we run swiftly by these great coal measures there are also lines of smoking coke- ovens, and the railway occasionally darts through a short tunnel. There is a big nest of coke-ovens at Larimer, a mile beyond Irwin. "Punning a few miles farther welcome to Walls, where they make up the accommodation trains for the suburbs of Pittsburgh, fifteen miles from that city. As at Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Railroad here runs a great number of local trains for the ac- commodation of suburban residents, and the railway is dotted at every mile by pretty stations. The coal- mines are thick, and at Turtle Creek we enter Alle- gheny County, the stream alongside the road zig- zagging so that we have to frequently cross it. The characteristics of Pittsburgh are evident as we ap- proach the city through the deep valleys in the even- ing, amid the overhanging clouds and smoke." WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY. The first coal mined near Irwin was in 1840, on the Steele farm, just north of the present borough, which was sold for twenty-five dollars in fee. In 1852, Cole- man, Haleson & Co. (William Coleman, Mr. Haleson, and Thomas A. Scott) began mining operations, after the Pennsylvania Railroad was finished to Pittsburgh. In 1855 this firm was succeeded by J. Edgar Thom- son and Thomas A. Scott, who, in 1857, sold out to the Westmoreland Company then organized. The first superintendent was William F. Caruthers up to 1872, when he was succeeded by the present incum- bent, F. C. Shallenbarger. The paymaster from 1872 to 1877 was William F. Caruthers, then followed by the present official, G. R. Scull. The president of the company is E. C. Biddle, of Philadelphia, and the book-keeper at the Irwin office, W. C. Richey. Its mines are: 1, the Foster mine at Penn, a slope not now in operation; 2, Shafton, employing 120 men; 3, Shaft No. 1, near Manor, employing 300 men ; 4, North Side mine, at Irwin drift, employing 150 men ; here a locomotive runs inside of the mine and hauls the coal 1} miles; 5, South Side mine, at Irwin drift, employing 300 men ; 6, Larimer No. 1, not in opera- tion ; 7, Larimer No. 2, drift, and runs road to the railroad on a plane, employing 85 men ; 8, Larimer No. 3, at Stewartsville drift, employing 160 men, not now running; 9, Spring Hill drift, runs coal on plane to the railroad, employing 25 men. The company has in all about 1200 men in its various works, offices, etc. Its annual product of coal is 480,000 tons, mostly shipped eastward and for gas purposes. PENN GAS-COAL COMPANY was organized as a eorporation in 1857, and its first mine opened at Penn Station. It was a slope mine, but is not now in operation. The company still keeps its shops at Penn Station for rebuilding and repairing its cars, etc. Its second mine is Coal Run, a drift in North Huntingdon township, in full running, with 250 men. It is located just north of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and is reached by a branch railroad. Its third mine is Shafton No. 1, three-eighths of a mile east of Irwin, and employs 250 men. The fourth mine is Shaft No. 2, one mile south of Irwin, on the Youghiogheny Railroad, employing 250 men. This railroad from Irwin to intersect the Pittsburgh Divis- ion of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Sewickley was built in 1873 by this company, which still owns and operates it. The fifth mine, Shaft No. 3, at Mar- COKE. 413 Chanel's Station, on Youghiogheny Railroad, is not now in operation. The sixth mine, Youghiogheny, No. 4, is at the junction of the Youghiogheny and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, is adrift, and employs 250 men. The annual product of this company is over 500,000 tons of coal, chiefly shipped to the Eastern markets, and for gas-coal purposes exclusively, save what is used by its railroad. Its first superintendent was Emmett McGowan, but its present incumbent, William Wil- son, has been in office since 1862, and has been connected with the company since its organization, twenty-five years ago. The president of the company is F. A. Dingee; Secretary, S. T. Billmyer; and its Board of Directors are F. A. Dingee, of Philadelphia ; Mr. Richey, Trenton, N. J. ; Dr. David Hostetter, of Pittsburgh ; H. Stiles, and Mr. Hocker. Its chief engineer is John F. Wolf. It pays for mining coal seventy cents per ton, save at Baltimore and Ohio Junction (Sewickley), where the miners receive three and a half cents per bushel. The company has erected at its mines substantial buildings and neat dwellings for all its employes. It employs between twelve and thirteen hundred men in various capaci- ties, and with the Westmoreland Company form the two largest coal companies (bituminous coal) in the State. SEWICKLEY REGION. Probably one of the richest coal-fields in Pennsyl- vania, and consequently in the United States, is located in Sewickley and adjoining townships. In Sewickley township alone there are eight thousand acres of the Youghiogheny or Pittsburgh vein, or the six-foot vein, of coal for sale. The Youghiogheny vein of coal un- derlies the whole of Sewickley township. Underneath this vein lies another vein of varying thickness, from ten to thirteen feet. There are from three to four thousand acres of the six-foot vein already purchased by capitalists. Of the ten-foot vein there is yet none on the market, so that of this vein there are from eleven to twelve thousand acres awaiting the hand of capital to turn it into riches greater than the wealth of Croesus. Including these two veins this one town- ship contains more than twenty thousand acres, all of which can be had for a reasonable price, and some of which can be had for a trifle. It is a noticeable fact, and one painfully felt by some of the large companies, that every attempt so far to strike the " drawing point" or basin of the coal has been a failure. The Penn shaft is not far from one point of it, and another point is on the Yough River, above West Newton. A line from one of these points to the other is about on the plane of the coal basin. The point where it strikes the Little Sewickley Creek, being a little above the point where the Mount Pleasant and Pittsburgh pike crosses it, is the principal point. This point is likely crossed by another depression of the coal, running at right angles to the former. The Yough coal is known to be the best coal of its kind in the 27 market. Why companies will mine such coal as is mined in some of the northern counties of the State, and in some parts of adjoining States, while such vast quantities of the best are lying here, doing the country no more good than the millions of dollarsofgold stored away in iron vaults, is not explainable. The first mine opened in this township was that owned by the late Charles Armstrong about thirty years ago. It was opened by the Fulton Brothers, now of Irwin. Then William Hays and Thomas Moore each opened works on the Yough. Then came the works along the Cen- tral Railroad, and on the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad. The Hempfield Railroad was projected and partly built in 1853 and 1854. This road would have tapped the centre of the entire field, running as far as Wheeling. That company, however, was un- able to build the road. The Penn Gas-Coal Company attempted to get at the heart of this field by building the Youghiogheny Railroad, but only partially suc- ceeded. A railroad constructed to the very centre of this coal-field would furnish the means to almost double the coal production, and add immensely to the value of the State. COKEVILLE REGION. Concerning the extensive coke-works of the Isabella Iron Company at Cokeville, Westmoreland Co., the following appeared in Seward's Circular of a recent date: " The extensive coke-works belonging to this company are situated near the eastern terminus of the Western Pennsylvania Railroad, in Westmoreland County, just across the Conemaugh River from Rlairs- ville, Indiana Co., at a distance of sixty miles from the blast-furnaces. At this point over six hundred acres of coal have been purchased, and a considerable extent of surface property. The number of ovens at present built is two hundred, which are of the ordinary ' bee-hive' type, thirteen and one-half feet in diameter, and seven feet from hearth to crown, built of fire-brick laid in loam. One hundred and sixty of these are disposed in a line along the side of an ancient bank of the river, And are bound together in front by a stone wall three feet thick, laid in mor- tar, with openings for the working doors, the sides of which are pro- tected by iron frames. The upper surface of this wall is on a level with the top of the ovens. The side of the hill, which has been cut down vertically in order to prepare the foundation-bed for the ovens, forms this back wall, and all the space around and between them is filled with earth. When the ovens are working the door is closed with a temporary brick wall. "The yard in front of theovens falls two feet in its width of forty feet. Its lower side is sustained by a retaining-wall two and one half feet thick, in front of which, ami eight feet below its upper surface, run the broad- gauge coke tracks, two in number, which connect with the main road. " An immense amount of excavation and embankment was required in constructing the oven-yard and the roadway for the coke tracks. It was endeavored, its far as possible, so to locate the line that the former should furnish sufficient material for the latter, and so successfully was this accomplished that no barrow-pits were found necessary. "Owing to the intersection of the side hill by a raviue it became necessary to separate the remaining forty ovens from the others. They were therefore placed in a line on the farther side. The coke track being brought across the ravine upon trestle-work, was continued along in front of the ovens, and to some distance beyond tliein as a ' spur' track. "On a terrace above the ovens, at nearly the summit of the bank, is a line of trestle-work, between the consecutive bents of which coal-bins are constructed capable of holding about one hundred anil fifty bushels of coal. The coal is brought from the miues, about a mile distant, in small miue-cars, holding about thirty bushels apiece, hauled by a light locomotive over a narrow-gauge (thirty-six inches) track, which is con- tinued out over the trestle-work. The cars discharge their load at the 414 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. bottom into the bins, which are provided with doors at the side opposite to the centre of the ovens, from which the coal is let into the opening at the top of the ovens as desired by means of iron chutes. In this way all unnecessary handling of material is avoided. The narrow-gauge rail- road is a model of neatness in construction, and on its way to the mines passes over a bridge and trestle-work nearly forty feet from the ground. " Upon the top of the hill, above the ovens, is a reservoir built of brick, forty-two feet in diameter and six feet deep, capable of holding sixty-two thousand gallons, which is filled with water from the river by a large Cameron pump. On the bottom land below the ovens a number of blocks of houses and a large store have been erected for the use of the miners and coke-burners, and already quite a respectable village is springing up in the vicinity. "The coal searu now worked is the Pittsburgb or Connellsville, which is here over six feet thick, quite pure, and exceedingly soft and bitumi- nous in its nature, containing thirty per cent, of volatile matter and sixty percent, of fixed carbon. It is intersected by two distinct planes of cleavage at right angles to each other, technically termed the line of ' butts 1 and the line of the 'face.' The hearing of the latter is here N. 72° W., or nearly perpendicular to the line of upheaval of the Alle- gheny chain. It had the same bearing at Connellsville, and at Innis 1 Station, at the mines of the Pennsylvania Gas-Coal Company, bore N. 62° W. " Each oven is charged with one hundred and twenty-five bushels of coal, and yields one hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty bushels of coke, the operation lasting thirty-six hours, one hundred ovens, or half the entire number, being discharged and recharged every day. The coke produced is very hard and compact, and steel-gray in color, con- taining from ten to fifteen per cent, of ash, and very closely resembling the Connellsville coke, which has been proved to contain an equal amount of ash. "About fifteen thousand bushels of coke can be produced per day. This is brought to the furnace in cars of plate iron and vf wood, holding from six hundred to six hundred and fifty bushels apiece. " Car-loads of this coke have been sent to Omaha and Salt Lake City for use in smel ting-works." CHAPTER L. CIVIL HISTORY. STATISTICS, AND MISCELLANEOUS. Changes in the Territorial Limits of Westmoreland prior to the erection of Washington and Fayette Counties — Purchase of 1784, ami changes in Township and County Lines subsequent thereto — Mississinawa Township, — Election Districts, 1881 — Tables of Population — List of Judges, Associates, Justices, and County Officers — County Expenses — Big Frost of 1859 — Centennials of 1873 and 1875— Resolutions of 1875. We shall now touch upon the changes which have heen made in the civil and political history of our county since it embraced the whole of Western Penn- sylvania claimed by the Penns. By the purchase of 176S, as we have seen, the line of the Allegheny Mountains, as it now divides Bedford from Somerset, Blair from Cambria, and thence runs in an irregular line through Centre County, and so on to the Susquehanna, was the line which marked the eastern side of the purchase. From that date, Nov. 5, 1768, those parts of West- ern Pennsylvania which acknowledged the authority of the Penns was under the civil jurisdiction of Cum- berland County, that county being at that time the westernmost county of the Province, and on the fron- tiers in this direction. When the' county of Bedford was created by act of Assembly, March 9, 1771, for erecting a part of the county of Cumberland into a separate county, the reason assigned was " the great hardships the inhab- itants of the western parts of the county of Cumber- land lie under from being so remote from the present seat of judicature and the public offices." The boun- daries of Bedford embraced in turn the entire south- western portion of the Province, from the West Branch of the Susquehan na and the Cove (or Tuscarora Moun- tains) westward to the Ohio or Virginia line. When Westmoreland was formed out of Bedford, Feb. 26, 1773, it was separated from Bedford by the line of the Laurel Hill and Allegheny Mountains. 1 These were its nominal boundaries, not increased or extended until in 1785, when part of the purchase of 1784 was added to the northern side, but against that time, as we shall see, some alteration had been made on its southern and southwestern boundary by the erection of new counties. After the southern line of Pennsylvania had been determined and designated, the Legislature proceeded to organize the country thus detached from Virginia into a new county. This county thus taken off West- moreland was the county of Washington, and it was created by act of March 28, 1781. It was bounded by Virginia on the south and west, the Ohio River on the north, and the Monongahela River on the' east. The severance of Washington County from the parent county was no loss. The region of country that was embraced within its limits was, as a matter of fact, never a part of Westmoreland. The Mason and Dixon line was not run farther west than Dun- kard Creek till 1767, and this was the trivial and flimsy pretext for the lawless community gathered there to avoid civil and military obligation, the pay- ment of taxes, the support of the Continental govern- ment, and the cause of independence, and it gave them time and prolonged the opportunity of making and hoarding the money they made by selling their whiskey and cattle to the half-clad militia under Brodhead, to erect school-houses, attend church meetings, and murder Indians whom they beguiled into their cabins for the scalp bounty. The larger proportion of their early men distinguished for worth and humanity were of Virginia extraction, and were of a different race than the great majority of its inhabitants of that period. This region west of the Monongahela was for all general purposes, as we said, outside of Westmore- land. It might be that a few living near the borders of the rivers were amenable to the civil 'obligations resting upon them as citizens of Westmoreland. Some of them sat on the grand jury, but the most apparent evidence of their being a part and parcel of the politi- cal division of which they had legally been made a part, which is to be seen among the judicial records of the parent county, is in the list of slaves which 1 The commissioners appointed " to run, mark out, and designate the boundary lines between the said counties of Bedford and Westmoreland" were Abraham Keble, Thomas Smith, and Alexander McClean. CIVIL HISTORY, STATISTICS, AND MISCELLANEOUS. 415 their slave-holding inhabitants were obliged, by act of Assembly, to have filed in the Court of Sessions. But as a people or an integral part they were con- nected with the early county history of Westmoreland little more than the red men beyond the Allegheny. 1 It must not be taken either that Westmoreland had an actual or even a territorial jurisdiction over that part of Pennsylvania which was beyond the limits described in the terms of the purchase of 1768. Fayette County, by act of Assembly of September the 26th, 1783, was erected out of Westmoreland, with the Youghiogheny between as the division line, to which that part of the county now northeast of that river was added by the act of Feb. 17, 1784. The jurisdiction of Westmoreland over the southern part of Fayette County prior to the running of the Mason and Dixon line was merely nominal. The only territorial alteration made in the matter of townships within that part of Westmoreland which was now made Fayette County was in the erection of the two townships of Wharton and Franklin. At January sessions, 1781, the court erected Wharton township, and then also in 1783 at the July sessions. In these cases the boundaries are different, and it is probable that the first order was inefficacious and did not operate. The date of 1783 is the one Judge Veech, a very good authority, gives for its formation. Little mention is made in the court records of the townships of Wharton and Franklin further than the names given of the constables and overseers of the poor. The first notice of officers exercising their functions is at July sessions, 1780, when the constables' names are given for the townships before mention is made of their existence. Curiously, too, the word "Franklin'' was first written " Frankland," then afterwards overlined and corrected. 2 1 The territory of that which by the act of its erection was made Washington County was, according to all evidence, a part of the district of West Augusta. In 1720 Spottsylvania County was taken from West Augusta, with Williamsburg as its county town. In 1734 Orange County was taken from Spottsylvania, and comprised what is now known as Western Virginia. When in 1738 Frederick aud Augusta Counties were erected from Orange, Augusta County was to constitute all tluit portion of Virginia west of the Blue Ridge. Then in 1774, Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, organized a county at Fort Pitt, which was claimed by Virginia. On Nov. 8, 1776, West Augusta was divided into the three counties whose names are familiar to us, — Yohogania, Ohio, and Monon- galia. Yohogania County embraced the northern part of the Wash- ington County of 1781, Ohio County the southern part, and Monongalia a large part of Fayette. In 177S the lines of these three counties were adjusted by a committee of which William Crawford was one. 2 The office of sheriff was held by appointment until 1839, when it be- came elective. For mure than three years after Fayette became a separate county it remained under the jurisdiction of the sheriff of Westmoreland. Ref- erence to this, as well as to t lie fact that the other county offices were at first held in common with Westmoreland, is found in the following extracts fr lettera written by Ephraim Douglass to President John Dickinson, of the Supreme Executive Council, viz: "Uniontown, February 2, 17-^4. "... From an unhappy misconception of the law for dividing West- moreland, this county has not an officer of any kind except such as were created or continued by the act or appointed by the Council. Denied a separate election of a member in Council and representative in Assembly Wheatfield township, erected in the northern part of Ligonier Valley, and subsequently stricken off when Indiana County was formed, is first named in October sessions of 17S0. 3 till the general election of the present year, they unfortunately con- cluded that this inability extended to all the other elective officers of the county, and in consequence of this belief voted for them in conjunction with Westmoreland." " Union Town, 11th July, 1784. " Sir, — In obedience to the commands of your honorable Board of the 5th of June last, 1 take this opportunity of informing Council that there has yet been no sheriff for the county of Fayette separate from that of Westmoreland, the sheriff of that county continuing to do the duty of that office in this as before the division, and no bond has been taken for his performance of it in this county distinct from the other. . . ." At the time of the erection of Fayette County, Matthew Jack was sheriff of Westmoreland. On the 2Sth of October, 17s:;, Robert Orrwaa appointed by the Court deputy sheriff of Westmoreland, to act as sheriff of Fayette. He continued to act in that capacity till the appointment of James Hammond as sheriff of Fayette. The following from the Fayette County records bears upon the first iron suspension bridge ever erected : March 12, 1801. — The commissioners addressed a letter to the com- missioners of Westmoreland County on the subject of a proposed iron bridge across Jacobs Creek. April 9, 1801. — Letter received from the commissioners of Westmore- land, requesting a meeting of the two boards, with Col. Isaac Meason, on the hank of Jacobs Creek, on the next following Tuesday, " to con- sult and complete contract relative to James Fiuley, Esq., undertaking to erect an Iron Bridge over Jacobs Creek, and it is agreed that John Fulton and Andrew Oliphant proceed to business.' 1 April 14, 1801. — The commissioners of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties met and completed contract with James Finley to build a bridge supported with iron at or near Isaac Measou's, over Jacobs Creek, for the sum of six hundred dollars, one-half to be paid out of the treas- ury of Fayette, and one-half out of the treasury of Westmoreland. The bridge to be "a patent iron chain suspension" structure of seventy feet span, and to be completed ready for use on or before Dec. 15, 1801. This bridge over Jacobs Creek, on the turnpike road between Connells- ville and Mount Pleasant, was the first iron suspension bridge erected in the State of Pennsylvania. The plan on which it was built was in- vented and patented by Judge James Fiuley, of Fayette County. An- other bridge of this kind was built a few years later over Durilap's Creek at Bridgeport. The plan, however, proved defective and ilie bridges unsafe, the one last named falling under tno weight of a team and ordinary wagon-load, after having been in use less than ten years. Corroborating our statement is the following authority: James Fini.ey, the Inventor of Suspension Bridges. — The Ameri- icni Railway Times contains the folio wing hit of history: " In an old book occurs the following sentence : ' The invention of suspension bridges by Sir Samuel Brown sprung from the sight of a spider's web hanging across the path of the inventor, observed in a morning walk, when his mind was occupied with the idea of bridgiug the Tweed. 1 The artifice of tin' web which really guided Sir Samuel Brown was the American engineer. James Finley, of Fayette County, Pa. He, in the year 1796, built the first re Allegheny 2050 Salem 1831 Franklin 1704 Fairfield 1612 Washington 1604 Cook 1256 Donegal 1242 Bell 1064 Lower Burrell 940 St. Clair 795 Upper Burrell 714 Loyalliauua. 848 BOROUGHS. Greensburg 2500 Latrobe 1813 West Newton 1475 Irwin 1444 Scottdale 1278 Mount Pleasant 1197 Ligonier 635 8. Penn 604 9. Ludwick 603 10. New Florence 532 11. Parnassus 520 12. Salem 460 13. Bolivar 378 14. New Alexandria 335 15. Youugstown 294 16. North Belleveruon 208 17. Adamsburg 199 18. Madison 190 19. Donegal 183 20. Livermore 164 From the foregoing it will be seen that Greensburg stands at the head of the list of boroughs in regard to population, and Latrobe stands second, and that Derry* township stands at the head of the list of townships, North Huntingdon second, and Hempfiuld third. VILLAGES IN THE ORDER OF THEIR POPULATION. West Latrobe 159 Spring Garden 153 Millwood 150 Cireleville 149 Jacksonville 132 Grimtown 128 Fairfield 119 New Stanton 118 Paradise 110 Lockport li>o Kelleytown 99 Grapeville 92 Miirrysville 81 East Greensburg 53 Stewartsville 44 Ragentown 33 Perry ton 29 Derry Station' 777 Bridgeport 635 Webster 560 Westmoreland City 527 Suterville 493 South Side Village 484 Hahntown 432 Texas 410 Warden town 359 Shafton 34:'. Bunker Hill 327 Paintertown 299 Pleasant Unity ... 298 Harrison City 247 St. Clair 221 Gibsonton 180 Salina 172 Thirty-six villages not named, — Stahlstown, Laugh- linstown, Mechanicsburg, Waterford, Seward or Ve- rona, Lucesco, North Washington, McLaughlinsville, Markle, Shearer's Cmss-Koads, Mendon, Bethany, West Overton, Hannastown, Mansville, Bottsville, Hillside, Cokeville, Congruity, Newlensburg, Char- tiers, Smithton, Middle-town, Oak Grove, Jones' Mills, Laurelville, Stonerville, Tarr's Station, Bull's Head, Painterville, — the populations of which are not sep- arately given, which makes sixty-six villages in this county. In the foregoing table the population of some of the townships is made up of villages and of the country. In order to show what villages are accounted to make 1 Incorporated a borough since census was taken. up the total, the following table with explanation is given : Names of villages are indented aud placed under the township in which they are respectively situated, and the population of the township includes in every case that of all villages within it. The villages marked with an asterisk (*) are unincorporated, and their population is given only approximately, as their limits cannot be sharply defined : Adamsburg borough 199 Allegheny township 2050 Bell township, including the following villages 1064 * Grimtown village 128 Perry town village 29 * Salina village 172 Bolivar borough 378 Cook township 1256 Derry township, including the following villages 6964 * Derry Station village 777 * Millwood village 150 * St. Clair City village 221 Donegal borough 183 Donegal township 1242 East Huntingdon township, including village of Reagantown. 4404 * Reagan ttiwn village 33 Fairfield township, including the following villages 1012 * Fairfield village 119 * Lockport village 105 Franklin township, including village of Miirrysville 1704 * Miirrysville village 81 Greensburg borough 2500 Hempfield townsliip, including the following villages 6286 * East Greensburg village 53 * Grapeville village 92 * Paradise village 110 * Stanton village 118 Irwin borough 1444 Latrobe borough 1813 Ligonier borough 634 Ligonier township 2646 Livermore borough 164 Lower Burrell township 940 Loyalhanna townsliip 848 Ludwick borough 603 Madison borough 190 Mount Pleasant borough 1197 Mount Pleasant township, including the following villages... 4224 * Bridgeport village 635 * Bunker Hill village 327 * Spring Garden village 153 * Texas village 410 New Alexandria tmrough 335 New Florence borough 532 North Bellevernon borough 208 North Huntingdon townsliip, including the following villages. 6341 * Cireleville village 149 Hah ns town village 432 * Jacksonville village 132 * Kelleytown village 99 * Paintertown village 299 * Shafton village 342 . * Souths id e village 484 * St ewartsville village 44 * Warden town village 359 * Westmoreland City village 527 Parnassus borough 520 Penn borough 604 Penn township, including village of Harrison City 2809 * Harrison City village 247 Rostraver townsliip, including the following villages 3231 * Gibsonton village 180 * Webster village 560 Salem borough, or New Salem 460 Salem township 1831 Scottdale borough 1278 South Huntingdon township 3005 St. Clair township 795 Sewickley township, including the village of Suterville 3469 * Suterville village 493 Unity township, including the following villages 4079 * Pleasant Unity village.. 298 West Latrobe village 159 Upper Burrell township 714 Washington townsliip, including the village of Paulton 1604 * Paulton village 90 West Newton borough 1475 Youugstown borough 294 The population of all the counties which were formed out of the original Westmoreland in 1790 was 63,018. These were Allegheny, 10,309 ; Fayette, 13,325; Washington, 23,866 ; Westmoreland, 16,018. CIVIL HISTORY, STATISTICS, AND MISCELLANEOUS. 421 1785. John Moore. 1791. Judge Alex. Addison. 1803. Samuel Roberts. 1806. John Young. 1837. Thomas White. 1847. Jeremiah M. Burrell. PRESIDENT JUDGES. 1848. John 0. Knox. 1851. Jeremiah C. Burrell. 1855. Joseph Buftington. 1871. James A. Logan. 1870. James A. Hunter. 1801. William Jack. John Irwin. James Barr. 1806. William Jack. John Irwin. Jacob Painter. ■** 1821. John Loliingier. Thomas Pollock. 1841. James Bell. John Moorhead. ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 1851. James Bell. David Cook. 1856. Samuel L. Carpenter. G. R. D. Young 1861. Robert Given. *^ John Jones. 1866. Robert Given. 51. P. McClanahan. 1871. John W. Biddle. M. P. McClanahan. JUSTICES. The first justices appointed by the proprietary (Penn) for the county on its erection in 1773, with the advice of its Council (Joseph Turner, William Logan, Richard Peters, Lynford Landner, Benjamin Chew, James Tilghman, Andrew Allen, Edward Shippen, Jr.), were William Crawford, Arthur St. Clair, Thomas Gist, Alexander McKee, Robert Hanna, William Wilson, William Thompson, Eneas McKay, Joseph Speer, Alexander McClean, J. Bracken, James Pollock, Samuel Sloan, and Michael Rugh. PEOTHONOTARIES. 1773. Gen. Arthur St. Clair. 1776. Michael Huffnagle. 1779. Archibald Loehry. 1793. Thomas Hamilton. 1809. John Morrison. 1818. James Reed. John H. Wise. Eli Coulter. 1821. David Marchand. 1830. Randall McLaughlin. 1836. James B. Oliver. 1839. John Clark. 1842. David Fullwood. 1848. James McCallister. 1S49. Samuel B. Ramsay. Andrew Graham, Sr. 1852. Joseph Gross 1855. William McCall. 1858. Wm. J. Williams (4 months). Bales McColly. 1861. George Bennett. 1864. John Zimmerman. 1867. Lewis A Johnston. 1S70. John Zimmerman. 1873. R. W. Singer. 1876. John H. Highberger. 1879. H. P. Hasson. 1773. 1775. 1781. 1785. 1789. 1790. 1792. 1795. 179S. 1801. 1804. 1S07. 1810. 1813. 1816. 1819. 1822. 1825. 1828. John Proctor. James Carnahan. Matthew Jack. Robert Orr. William Perry. James Guthrie. John Brandon. James Brady. John Kuhns. John Brandon. John Sloan. Alexander Johnston. Robert Stewart. John Fleming. Humphrey Fullerton. John Klingensmith. John Niccolls. Morrison Underwood. John Klingensmith. SHERIFFS." ] 1831. 1834. 1837. 1840. 184::. 1846. 1849. 1852. lS. r .3. 1856. 1859. 1862. 1865. 1868. 1871. 1874. 1877. | 1880. I Samuel L. Carpenter. David Fullwood. William McKinuey. James Harvey. 2 Michael L. Hays. David Kistler. John Hugus. John Welsh. William Welsh. Valentine Elliott. William Huston. William Bell. Robert M. Reed. Daniel F. Steck. Alexander Killgore. John Guffey. James Borlin. Henry Kethering. RECORDERS OK DEEDS AND REGISTERS OF WILLS.! 1790. James Guthrie. 1S09. Robert Dickey. 1812. James Montgomery. 1818. Robert Montgomery 1830. Alexander Johnston. 1836. Jonathan Row. 1839. Jacob S. Steck. 1S42. Archibald B. McGrew. 1843. David Cook 1849. James Keenan, Jr. 1853. Randall McLaughlin. CLERKS OF THE ORPHANS' COURT.* 1836. George T. Ramsay. 1870 Joseph Gross 1854. Jacob M. Miller. 1857. Edward J. Keenan. 1860. William L. Evans. 1863. William 0. Guffey. 1866. Samuel Rock. 1869. Clark F. Warden. 1872. John M. Laird. 1875. William B. Snodgra63. 1878. James Dennison. 1881. William Hugos. 1839. William Gorges. 1855. Joseph Gross. 1858. Robert W. Singer. 1864. Joseph W. Blair. 1788. 1789. 1774. Christopher Truby. 1779. Benjamin Lodge. Robert Clark. 1783. Joseph McGanah. Alexander Barr. William Jack. 1785. William Moore. James Lawson. John Nesbit 1787. William Moore. James Lawson. William Jack. James Lawson. William Jack. Eli Coulter. William Jack. John Giffeni. Eli Coulter. 1790. John Giffem. Robert Clark. Benjamin Lodge. 1792. Robert Clark. Benjamin Lodge. George Smith. 1793. George Smith. Alexander McDonald James White. 1794. John Kirkpatriok. James White. George Smith. 1795. John Kirkpatrick. James White. Barton Loffer. Jacob Smith. Robert Dickey. James McGreary. Henry Allshouse. Jeremiah Murry. James Smith. James Parr. John Bounett. James Smith. 1803. James Parr. John Bonnett. Isaac Wager. 1805. James Parr. John Bonnett. William Freidt. 1ST:'.. George W. Frick. 1876. James W. Wilson. 1879. John R. Bell. COMMISSIONERS.' 1806. Thomas Pollock. 1798. 1800. 1802. John Bonnett. William Fiei.lt. 1SII7. Thomas Pollock. William Paiks. Jacob Tinstman. 1808. James Kelly. William Parks. Jacob Tinstman. 1809. James Kelly. John Sheaffer. Jacob Tinstman. 1810. Thomas Culbertson. 1811. Andrew Findley. 1814. James Caldwell. Robert Williams. 1816. John Milligan. 1817. Jacob Rugh. 1819. James Clarke. 1820. Samuel Bushtield. 1822. David Ryall. Neal Boyle. 1823. Jacob Turney. 6 1849. James Shields. Levi Kempf. John Horrell. 1850. John W. Marshall. (One elected each year for 3 years.) 1851. Henry Swartz. 1852. Simon Detar. 1853. Jesse Walton. 1854. Alexander Hanna. 1855. George Albert. 1856. F. B. McGrew. 1 857. G. W. Ross. 1858. Samuel McCleau. 1859. John Larimer. 1860. John Severn. 1861. James Menoher. 1862. W. J. Reed. 1863. Abraham Hays. - 1864. James H.Clark. 1865. M.G. Keener. 1866. Michael Keffer. 1867. John H. Highberger. 1868. John M. Bierer. 1869. George Bridge. 1 Sheriffs were appointed until 1839. - Upon the death of James Harvey in 1843, David Newingham was appointed sheriff until the next election. 3 Before 1790 the prothonotary also filled thiB office. < Up to 1836 the office of clerk of the Orphans' Court and of prothon- otary were filled by the same person, as they were later, between 1842 and 1855. 5 Given sb far as their records show. No records accessible in which the succession of these officers is kept up until 1849. 42i HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. 1870. Isaac Irwin. 1871. Hugh Ryan. 1872. William Deverter. 1873. John Herbert. 1874. Henry Keely. 1875. John L. Bierer. 1876. Clark Butlerfield (died and R. P. Arnold appointed in Ilia place). 1876. J. C. West. SI. M.Dick. 1879. Henry Keely. Henry Taylor. John H. Townsend. 1882. S. G. Breechbill. II. II. Byers. William Taylor. Election Expenses : Ballot-boxes Fuel and light for holding elections.. Pay of election officers Constables attending election Registry of voters Commissioners' Pop : Henry Keeley.. COUNTY EXPENSES. A writer in the Gazette, March 5, 1825, in criticising the public expenditure of the county, has the follow- ing : " Economy indeed ! Let these disciples of econ- omy bring their observances home to themselves. I am told they charge for commissioners' and clerks' pay, in the lump, $667, which, allowing to the clerk $130, would leave to each commissioner *17G pay for sitting one-third of the year. Let them render an account of how much each received, as is customary in other counties, that the people may see how much each apostle of economy has put into his own pocket." STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES OF WEST- MORELAND COUNTY FROM JAN. 3, 1881, TO JAN. 2, 1882. J. J. Wiksino, Treasurer, in Am, in, I niih Walmordand County. Dr. To whole amount of money received from all sources 8152,768.25 Ce. By amount paid on county orders 871,755.96 By amount paid on poor-house orders 62,216.79 Treasurer's commission 3,463.02 treasury 15,322.48 Dr. To balance in treasury at last settlement 853.096.93 To amount received from collectors for 1881 Pursuant to election laws, 1881 ■ ■ To outstanding taxes for years 1876, '78, '79, and '80.. Interest on same To amount pursuant to election laws, 1879 and 80 46.48 21,174.62 292.74 140.70 John H. Townsend.. William Taylor Commissioners' Clerk: D. Mnsick Commissioners' Counsel : V. E. Williams..... Edgar CVwan (extra) A. M. Sloan County Engineer : W. F. Miller Janitor: C. Wnnamaker Commissioners' expenses ■••■ Compensation of poor-house directors (extra).. County Institute Court-Bouse Expenses : Court-house and jail repairs. To unseated land ^ales °-t in " " prior to sale To docket costs per John R. Bell, clerk of courts To office rent per J. H. McCullough A. M. Sloan, from Aug. 18, 1SS1 To jury fees per Jas. Wilson, clerk of courts To jury fees per John R. Bell, clerk of courts To jury lee- per Henry Kettering, sheriff To costs in commonwealth case per Peyton Greenlow To costs in commonwealth case per Lewis Ross - To costs in commonwealth case pel Peyton Greenlow To gas for use of private individuals ■••■ To Ligonier bridge for use of Ligonier borough per N. M. Marker To Nine-Mile Run bridge per M. Kubns, supervisor To Stauffer's bridge, Fayette County Received of F. C. Gay as per statement ' .',,n To old lumber *■"" To lines per Henry Kettering SI " M " 278.10 33.55 15.0(1 28.00 112.00 124.00 ' 1.19.00 13 79 25.00 9.00 60.00 100.00 26.60 8152,708.25 Cr. By amount paid Assessors and assistants i- n Auditor of State account ,;,;,,,„ Auditors of county account >**>• '"' Bridge-building and repairs Blank books and stationery.. 719.24 Court Expenses : Boarding jurors obrH? Commonwealth costs iiiSrw l opying testi uy and stenographing i-Rsi Constables' quarterly return District attorney's fees Pay of grand and travels jurors Jury commissioner, J. Long " " W.Chambers •... Clerk to jury commissioner, W. Keener, 1876 Prothonotary's fees Clerk of courts 89.00 210.00 2,305.76 417.20 1,375.33 7Sil.nu 755.00 760.00 232.71 50.00 69.71 450.00 81.10 300.00 \_-UWI 1-IIi.rilDO una J"»* ' ^f«" — ■- _..„ q. Coke and coal oari. Gas for court-bouse and jail Architect for court-house and jail 99.05 1,075.00 Prison Expenses : Guarding jail Medical attendance Shaving prisoners Inquest on dead bodies Horse and livery hire • ■•""•■; Judgment iu Common Pleas, J. J. Wirsiug is. Westmore- land County ■•■■; ■■ ;■• s " Merchandise, clothing, bedding, and medicines lor pns oners, etc Miscellaneous Road and bridge views Redemption money aud tax refunded Road damages Rewards. State tax (extra for 1879 and '80) .......... Transcribing records (commissioners office) ............ lll.uu Transcribing unseated laud records as per act of 18o9 (J. W. Wilson) Transcribing fees on unseated land sales ;Y"w Transcribing fees on widows' appraisement docket (J. W Wilson) Telegraphing ' 268.50 85.00 16.90 S8.18 35.00 1.92 349.79 21.96 708.28 200.31 153.60 106.24 562.67 238.87 320.00 15.43 Maintenance at Pennsylvania Reform School li°lj>. Western Pennsylvania Hospital.. Allegheny County work-house.... 00 433.51 867.85 Printing and Advertising ; Westmoreland Democrat Pennsylvania droits Tribune and Herald ■ • J.J. Whsing, for advertising lands in winch sales were revoked Road and school-tax on unseated lands Siyr'si Refunding orders oTaon Fox-scalps : - 1J ' iu Poor-house orders out of county fund as per poor-house statement ■■ o'"-n'oo Treasurer's commission on $75,000 at 3 per cent Treasurer's commission on 858,972.75 at l 1 .. per cent Extra commission on poor-house orders as treasurer of poor fund Extra commission on poor-house statement Balance in treasury 415.84 189.10 390.92 23.75 884.68 311.08 27.36 15,322.48 Tipstaves and court-criers, 446.00 11,566.87 136.14 141.54 24.00 9.95 653.11 1,249.50 Sheriff's feeB and boarding prisoners z.iai.io 8152,768.25 L. P. Hays. John B. Horhach. J. Hiram Ringer. Auditor*, lilt! FROST OF 1859. On the night between the 4th and 5th of June, 1859, occurred the most memorable unseasonable frost in the annals of Western Pennsylvania. All vegeta- tion and fruit was almost totally destroyed. The region of country over which the frost extended was from the Northwestern lakes southeastward through CIVIL HISTORY, STATISTICS, AND MISCELLANEOUS. 423 portions of Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania into the States of Maryland and Virginia, being bounded on the east by the Allegheny Mountains, and on the southwest by the Ohio River from Wheeling South westward. The wheat, rye, and cornfields were cut down and ruined. In a few hours after the sun came out the sprouts withered and fell dead. Nor could any- thing be expected from the growth of the wheat, as the seed was entirely destroyed. In most of the county the wheatfields and cornfields were plowed up and buckwheat very generally was sowed, but in some instances potatoes were planted in their stead. Great excitement prevailed throughout the whole county, and in the rural districts arrangements were made to prepare for a famine. This apprehension and fear were increased by senseless men, and sometimes by designing men, who had nothing else to talk about but war, famine, and the latter end of all things. Suddenly the price of all the grains and all vegetables went up to an amazing figure. Men in some localities who were in well-to-do circumstances invested all they had and borrowed more to buy grain in expec- tation of more exorbitant prices, and with hopes in some instances to make much money. Some of these men were broken up by the venture, and they received but little condolence from their neighbors, for the prices as suddenly fell. The granaries in the West were full ; those who had purchased old flour which had got musty in the commission houses at Pittsburgh at prices from ten to twenty dollars the barrel, and who had refused to sell at any price, were now glad to sell at two or three dollars. All garden vegetables shared the same fate as the grain. Apples, cherries, peaches, grapes, and all kinds of wild fruits came to nothing. The year was long called the year of the frost, and no doubt would have long remained a marking-time in local annals had not a more noteworthy epoch occurred the next year. On the 23d of April of that year snow fell to the depth of over fourteen inches on the level by actual measurement in this region of country. CENTENNIAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, 1873. On Wednesday night, Feb. 26, 1873, in pursuance of a previous announcement, a large number of the citizens of the county and of invited guests came to- gether in the " Kettering House," and after a sump- tuous banquet in the due form celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the organization of the county. The meeting was organized by calling the Hon. Edgar Cowan to the chair. Messrs. Daniel Welty, John M. Bierer, D. W. Shryock, F. J. Cope, Lewis Cline, M. Underwood, S. S. Turney, Samuel Alwine, John W. Turney, H. C. Marchand, Alex- ander Kilgore, E. F. Houseman, I. Uncapher, W. H. Markle, R. W. Singer, and John L. Bierer were ap- pointed vice-presidents, and Messrs. Frank Cowan, S. A. Kline, F. V. B. Laird, and D. G. Atkinson, secretaries. Judge Veech delivered a speech, and after the ora- tion the following toasts were responded to by the gentlemen named : " Old Westmoreland, Mother of Counties, her Off- spring," by Hon. Edgar Cowan. " The Courts and Bench of Westmoreland County," by Hon. James A. Logan. " The Greensburg Bar," by Hon. Jacob Turney. "Our Pulpit, Press, and Schools," by Mr. D. S. Atkinson. " Westmoreland's Honored Dead," by Hon. James A. Hunter. "Our Physicians," by Dr. J. W. Anawalt. " Westmoreland's Daughters," by Mr. W. K. Kling- ensmith. " The County Officers," by Mr. C. F. Warden. "Our Mining, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Com- mercial, and Agricultural Interests," by Dr. Kline. "Our Railroads," by Hon. James C. Clarke. "Westmoreland's Battle-Fields, " by Dr. Frank Cowan. " Posterity," by E. J. Keenan, Esq. " Our Next Centennial," by Gen. Richard Coulter. This meeting gave evidence of the feelings of local pride which exists in the present generation, and be- gan a series of inquiries into our local history which had never been evidenced before that time. Enthu- siastic as it was, it was but preparatory to the cele- bration of the anniversary of the signing of the Han- nastown Resolutions, which ushered in the series of anniversary meetings commemorative of the Rev- olutionary period. CENTENNIAL OF THE HANNASTOWN RESOLUTIONS, MAY 16, J875. By the successful celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the date of the Hannastown Resolu- tions, celebrated on the 15th of May, the 16th falling on Sunday, the series of Revolutionary anniversaries was inaugurated. W T e give the preliminary and the final incident connected with this joyful occasion, from Frank Cowan's Paper of May 1, 1875 : WESTMORELAND'S CENTENNIAL. "In view of an appropriate public celebration of the centennial of the first declaration of inde- pendence of the people of the United States of America, namely, the one hundredth anniversary of the meeting held on the 16th day of May, 1775, at Hannastown, the then capital of Westmoreland County, embracing the southwestern .part of Penn- sylvania, the people of Greensburg assembled in the court-house on Wednesday evening last (Feb. 28, 1875), and effected an organization by calling His Ex- cellency Lieutenant-Governor Latta to the chair, and electing Dr. Cowan as secretary. The chair in a neat speech stated the object of the meeting, the import- 424 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. ance of the first step taken in the Revolution by the people of old Westmoreland one hundred years ago, and the great propriety of perpetuating the glorious principles of our ancestors in appropriate observances on such an auspicious day as an hundredth anniver- sary of their deliberate declaration in public. He was followed by H. C. Marchand, Esq., in response to inquiries about the meeting at Hannastown and the resolutions adopted, both meeting and resolu- tions but recently resurrected from the tomb of for- gotten lore. Hon. Edgar Cowan then spoke on the prospective celebration, suggesting a commemorative medal or other token to be sold, and the proceeds ap- plied to the national centennial next year. Col. Ege, E. J. Keenan, Esq., and Judge Logan participated in the proceedings. On motion, the chair appointed the following committee, to which was delegated the power of the meeting to increase their number and appoint sub-committees as they see fit: H. C. Mar- chand, chairman ; Edgar Cowan, Judge Logan, E. J. Keenan, D. S. Atkinson, Col. Ege, Dr. Kline, F. V. B. Laird, Frank Cowan, E. F. Houseman, Dr. Piper, Gen. Coulter, T. J. Barclay, and F. J. Cope. The meeting then adjourned. "The committee met immediately afterwards. Dr. Cowan was elected secretary. After discussing the matter at great length without coming to any definite conclusion with respect to a programme for the cele- bration, the committee appointed a sub-committee, consisting of Gen. Coulter, Judge Logan, Dr. Piper, E. F. Houseman, Dr. Kline, Col. Ege, and Frank Cowan, to report at an adjourned meeting to be held in the grand jury room on the following evening (Thursday) at half-past seven. "The sub-committee agreed to meet in the grand jury room at II a.m. on the morrow. " The sub-committee met at the time specified, and after discussing at length the project of a public cele- bration, the preparations for which are limited to only sixteen days, made the following suggestions, to be reported at the meeting of the committee in the evening. " That there be a mass convention organized at the court-house in Greensburg on Saturday, May 15, 1875, in commemoration of the meeting held at Han- nastown on the 16th day of May, one hundred years ago, by the people of Westmoreland County, at which meeting certain resolutions were passed (as recorded in the American Archives, Fourth Series, vol. i., page 615) which are in effect a declaration of independ- ence and severance by force of arms from the sover- eignty of England, and supposed to be the earliest authentic declaration of like import on record. " That a president be appointed to preside at said mass convention, and one vice-president from each of the fourteen counties of Southwestern Pennsylvania originally comprised within the limits of Westmore- land County. " That the officials and people of the several coun- ties originally comprised within the county of West- moreland be invited to be present, also all others in the State and country interested in commemorating the events of the Revolution. "That the military organizations of Southwestern Pennsylvania be invited to be present. "That the programme of the day be a parade in the streets of Greensburg in the forenoon, a national salute fired at twelve o'clock meridian, and the or- ganization effected at one o'clock in the afternoon in the court-house. " That the expenses of the convention be defrayed by subscription. "The committee on resolutions appointed at the meeting last Saturday in Greensburg — consisting of H. P. Laird, Judge Sterrett, Judge Junkin, Col. F. A. Rohrer, John W. Riddle, H. C. Marchand, Judge Trtinkey, Hon. John Williamson, R. G. Orr, William Jack, Rev. W. T. Cain, David Shaw, D. S. Atkinson — have reported the following as adopted by them : "Resolved, That the resolutions of the citizens of Westmoreland County unanimously adopted one hundred years ago at Hannastown, the then county .seat of Westmoreland County, are equally marked with dignity, firmness, intelligence, and wisdom ; and that now, after the la|ise of a century, in the ligh t of the great events that have since taken place, we can discern in the language and tone and thought of these moment- ous utterances the hand of that overruling Providence who shapes the destinies of nations, and who saw and determined the end in the begin- ning. Hence, then, " Resolved, That the first duty of this great assemblage, representing all the counties that originally formed a part of ' Old Westmoreland,' is reverently to acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe, and in deep sincerity to invoke the continued protection and guidance of the God of our fathers, and that He would give us wisdom and virtue to enable us to tread in the footsteps of those worthy ancestors, who with such feeble means have raised so great an empire, whilst we preserve with difficulty an inheritance so gloriously acquired. "Resolved, That, in the absence of any historical evidence to the con- trary, the resolute, brave, undaunted men who met at Hannastown on the HUli of May, 1775, deserve the immortal honor of having first of all the American colonists placed upon record and published to the world their firm and unchangeable purpose that Britain should cease the usurped claim of right to impo6e taxation on the colonists without their consent or fight. Abandoning all temporizing measures of non- importation, at a single bound they leaped over the abyss that separated peace from war, and in the interest of liberty and rightful independence unanimously staked their ' lives and their fortu lies' on the issue of war, to the end that they might maintain their own 'just rights and transmit them entire to their posterity.' " Resolved, That the resolution of allegiance to the British throne on the terms of ajust observance of the rights of the colonists was wise and statesmanlike and necessary to place in bold relief the true cause that was about to plunge the country into a long and bloody war. It was not impatience of government nor a mere desire to he independent of the British throne that urged the colonists into a fierce contest of doubtful issue, but to maintain the fundamental principle of Magna Charta. " Resolved, That the several Courts of Common Pleas of the counties that were in 1775 a part of Westmoreland County be respectfully re- quested to direct a copy of the Hannastown resolutions, and also a copy of these resolutions, together with the names of the officers of the meet- ing, to be entered on the records of the courts in perpetuam rei memo- riam." ©@urt-h@(U>82, )iaisiKi8iB!yj5©, wggT5ia©[fiELairoB ©®„, pj\. COUNTY BUILDINGS. 425 CHAPTER LI. COUNTY BUILDINGS. Acts relating to Couuty Buildings — The Old Court-House — Present Court-House — Sheriff's House and County Jail— Poor-House, now County Home — Tables of Expenditures, etc., for County Home — The Cattle Show — Wool-Growers' Association — Westmoreland County Agricultural Society. The act of 13th September, 1785, is as follows : ■' Whereas, the seat of justice for the county of Westmoreland hath not heretofore heen established by law, for want of which the inhabit- ants of said county labor uuder great inconveniences; for remedy whereof " Be it enacted that, etc.. That it shall and may be lawful for Benjamin Davis, Michael Rough, John Shields, John Pomroy, and Hugh Martin, of the county of Westmoreland, or any three of them, to purchase and take assurance, in the name of the commonwealth, of a piece of land, in trust for the use of the inhabitants of Westmoreland County. Pro- vided Baid piece of land be not situate farther east than the Nine-Mile Run, nor farther west than Brushy Run, farther north than l.oyalhanna, nor farther south than five miles south of old Pennsylvania road leading to Pittsburgh, on which piece of ground said commissioners shall el ect a court-house and prison sufficient to accommodate the public service of the said county." By an act of the 27th of December, 1786, the pow- ers given to the commissioners by the above act, and the acts passed on the 26th of February, 1773, and the 22d of March, 1784, to purchase land and erect thereon a court-house and jail for this county, were superseded until the Legislature should further and otherwise direct, and the mode of settling their ac- counts was prescribed. But this suspending law was repealed by act of 14th of February, 1789, which in its preamble and enacting clause throws light upon the subject of which we are considering. This reads as follows : " Whereas a law, passed on the 13tb day of December, 1785, empow- ering certain trustees, therein named, to purchase a piece of ground within certain prescribed limits and bounds, and thereon to erect a court-house and prison for the use of the county, and in aid thereof the commissioners of said county were authorized to levy the sum of one thousand pounds, which was accordingly levied and collected for the purposes aforesaid ; " Ami whereas the said trustees found it expedient to proceed im- mediately in erecting a small wooden building to accommodate the public business of the county, as a temporary convenience until proper materials could be procured for a substantial and permanent court-house and prison; "Anu whereas by a subsequent law, passed the 27th of December, 1780, entitled ' An act to suspend the powers of the trustees of West- moreland County,' the powers of the said trustees, and all further pro- ceedings by them intended, respecting the substantial and permanent building aforesaid, were suspended until a Legislature should further and otherwise direct concerning the same; "Ano whereas the sheriff, the justices of the peace, and other officers of the county of Westmoreland have, by their petition, stated the great deficiency of the small wooden building, which was only intended for temporary purposes, and the many inconveniences which the officers of the court, as well as the prisoners iu confinement, are subject to from ! the present uncomfortable state of the small building, and pray that the same suspending law may be repealed ; "ANn whereas it appears just and reasonable that the said county of Westmoreland should be accommodated with decent, sufficient, and permanent buildings, calculated to answer all the important purposes of a court-house and prison ; and that the money which has been levied I and collected for these purposes should be applied agreeably to the in- tentions of the law by which it was granted ; therefore " Be it enacted, etc.. That the said suspending law, by which the powers of the trustees of Westmoreland County were suspended, is hereby re- ^ pealed, made null and void, to all intents and purposes; and that the said trustees are hereby authorized ami required to proceed iu applying the remaining part of the money so levied and collected to the express purposes for which it was granted." COURT-HOUSE. The court-house usually known as the old court- house was a two-story brick building, located on the square of the present court-house. It fronted towards the east, and its entrance from that side was about where the entrance of the present one is. The door of this entrance, with another and smaller one which opened into the jail-yard, was the only means of in- gress and egress. A paved yard extended from the street to the house, and the floor of the first story was reached by two steps. The whole of this story was used for a court-room. A high balustrade extended the length of the room north and south, and separated it into two parts. In the middle of the balustrade was a gate, and on each side of the gate were columns of wood which supported the lofty ceiling. On the western side of this partition were the judges, lawyers, jurymen, and criminals. The judges sat against the wall facing the east; the jury box was on their right. The eastern side of the room, or that part outside of the balustrade, was reserved for the public. 1 In the upper story was the grand jury room. This room was large, lofty, well aired and well lighted. In it, as well as in the ball-room of the Dublin Hotel, were held theatrical performances by amateur socie- ties and by strolling minstrels, "where the king was welcome, and the lover did not sigh gratis." 2 It was the fittest room in the town, and commodious enough for its auditory. The students of the Greeusburg Academy in 1812, as before that, were publicly ex- amined in Greek and Latin and delivered orations and discourses in the grand jury room. This was the court-house proper, and it was reserved for the pur- poses of the court when in session. None of the public offices were in this building. The sheriff's, register and recorder's, prothonotary's, and clerk of the courts' offices were kept in a two-story brick build- ing which stood north of the court-house, and between it and the building still standing, which was best known as the Dr. Morrison property. On the south of the court-house was a one-story brick building, in which was the commissioners' office. This was the building in which, tradition reports, were first kept the records, and where court was first holden on the re- moval of the county-seat from Hannastown. Behind the judge's bench in the old court-room were placed two rams' heads with ponderous horns moulded out of plaster, while lesser ones moulded out of clay and colored white were fixed against the col- umns which supported the ceiling. A pious and 1 According to the seal of the burgesses and corporation of Greens- burg, which was intended to represent the old court-house, it stood with the gable front to the street; the door was round arched. It was two stories high. - Hamlet to the players. 426 HISTORY OF WESTiMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. iconoclastic generation demolished these memorials of an ancient art, and in the new court-house, under the inspiration of the modern renaissance, had painted on the walls of the new court-room some horrible daubs, which were said to be intended for Maj. Alex- ander and Judge Coulter, for Washington and Jack- son, but which bore no more resemblance to their prototype than a cow bears to a canal-boat, a hawk to a hernshaw. The bell which hangs in the belfry of the present court-house hung in the old one. It hung there until Friday, the 6th of May, 1854, when it was taken down in the process of removing the public buildings. It had been originally cast for a church-bell, as the inscription circling its mouth would indicate, "I will sound and resound unto Thy people, O Lord, and call them to Thy word !" It is one yard in diameter across the mouth, and was cast by George Hedderly, Philadelphia, in 1813. It has rung out with many strains for more than two generations. It was used fir a long time to call the children to school and the people to church. It has been rung for war meetings and for peace meetings. It has tolled for sorrow and pealed for joy. It was rung on the termination of the war of Eighteen-Twelve, the Mexican war, and the civil war. Its tones, as all will distinguish, are beau- tiful rather than loud, but remarkably sonorous. It is said by travelers and connoisseurs to compare, in this respect, with the most famous bells of America «>r Europe. The old court-house stood until it was demolished in 1854. In pursuance of a presentment from the grand jury, under the advice of the court, the com- missioners of the county prior to that time had taken incipient measures for the erection of a new court- house and for the demolition of the old. The courts from the time the old house was torn down till the new one was ready for occupancy were held in the Methodist Church. The present one was first occu- pied in 1856. In 1853 a contract was made between the commis- sioners and Bell & Arnold to build a new court-house and jail for the sum of thirty-nine thousand six hundred and fourteen dollars, according to a plan furnished by an architect named J. Edgar. On further consultation the plan of Mr. Edgar was rejected, and a plan fur- nished by Samuel Sloan, of Philadelphia, was adopted. This plan required a greater expenditure of money, and so another contract was made in 1854, by which terms the county of Westmoreland agreed to pay the builders forty-six thousand seven hundred dollars, besides additional sums for adventitious work. It was, moreover, stipulated that the architect should decide whether the compensation for the whole work was just and proper according to the estimate of cost ami labor, arid in the manner in which the workman- ship of all parts was executed. On the 24th day of October, 1854, the corner-stone of the new court-house was laid with all due cere- mony and formality. Notice of the event was given, and a number of the most intelligent and respectable citizens of Westmoreland were invited to be present. Prayers were offered to the throne of grace by the Revs. Geisy and Valentine, and addresses were de- livered by the Hon. Henry D. Foster and the Hon. Edgar Cowan. A copper box, containing copies of the census, of all the papers published in the county, a description of the burning of Hannastown from the pen of Judge Coulter, and a number of other things that may be instructive and amusing to remote pos- terity, were placed in the corner-stone. The stone was then laid on the southeast corner of the diagram, in the right position indicated by the great mystery of Masonry. Disputes arose between the commissioners and the contractors about the proper understanding of the contract, and the non-fulfillment of some of its specifications, and hence, in August, 1855, the con- tract with Bell & Arnold was rescinded by the mu- tual consent of both the contracting parties. In the same month another contract was made with John- ston & McFarland for the completion of the public buildings. By the conditions of this contract they stipulated that the court-house should be finished in time to hold the session of the court in the next May, and that all the public buildings should be completed by August, 1856. In return for this work the stipu- lated price was twenty-seven thousand six hundred and eighty-eight dollars. The contract was executed, and in 1856 the law was administered in the new tem- ple of Themis. It is very difficult to give the exact sum which the new public buildings of Westmoreland cost the county treasury. There were a number of contracts separate and apart from the main one, such as con- tracts for shelves, wainscots, railing, and pavements. Itis, however, estimated that all the expense connected with the public buildings from the inception to the completion amounted to a sum between ninety and one hundred thousand dollars. The new court-house stands about the middle of the town, at the corner of Main and West Pittsburgh Streets. It has its facade to the south on Pittsburgh Street, and extends northwards in a longitudinal man- ner along Main Street, with a space of some twenty feet between it and the common pavement. It is one hundred and thirty feet in length and sixty-two in breadth. It comprises a deep and extensive basement, first and second floors, with halls and apartments, in part a third floor, garret, and belfry. Two sides, the eastern and southern, are built of stone. The north- ern and western sides are built of brick and covered with cement. This is so moulded by the trowel as to resemble stone. The walls are very massive, and pre- sent an appearance of great durability. The inside of the house is plastered, painted, frescoed, and wain- scoted. Although in some instances the materials were not good, and although there were some defects COUNTY BUILDINGS. 427 in the arrangement, the construction appears to have been good, and the house united style ami durability with fine proportions and handsome ornamental workmanship. The basement of the building is large and deep. In a wide passage that runs lengthwise throughout the middle of it are placed three large furnaces, by which the whole building is warmed through flues and gratings in the side walls. For the furnaces coke is used, which is burnt and prepared for this purpose by the paupers and help at the county home. On each side of the passage where the furnaces are placed there is a row of ten heavy stone arches, making in all twenty arches. The basement is as cool as a cellar in summer, and very warm and comfortable in winter. The approach to the main entrance to the court- house on the southern side is by a series of a dozen or more heavy stone steps, which extend along the whole front, and reach from the pavement to a stone plat- form. Several more steps lead from the platform to three large double doors, which open into a wide vestibule. Two massive pillars, more than a yard square, support the arched ceiling at the back of the vestibule, and offer access by three openings to the main passage of the edifice. The main passage is cruciform. The stem of the cross runs from south to north, and the transept from east to west. On passing the pillars of the vestibule, within recesses to the right and left hand are two flights of stairs that ascend and wind about the walls until they reach the second floor and the lobby before the court-room. At an advance of some few feet from the bottom of the stairs, and south of the transept, on the right hand, are two doors that open into the offices of the treasurer and commissioners. North of it, and on the other side of the transept, are two doors that lead into the offices of the clerk of the courts and prothono- tary. On the left baud side of the stem of the cross, and south of the transvere arm, are the two doors of the arbitration-room, opposite those of the treasurer's and commissioners' offices. North of the transept are two doors that open into the offices of the sheriff and register. A stairway at the northern end leads to the jury-rooms and court-rooms on the second floor. As you enter from Main Street into the transept, a door on the north side opens into the clerk's office, and one on the south side into the commissioners' office. Both the stem and the transept have doors at all the ends, or cardinal points of the compass, and both are paved with small square and octagonal colored English tiles, which are intended to represent counterpanes. The arbitration-room is also thus paved. The cruci- form passage is ten feet wide and about fifteen feet high, and is brilliantly lighted in every part by gas through the means of pendants. On a level with the second floor, and above the vestibule, is a portico, whose roof is supported by four large fluted columns, with ornamented cast-iron capi- tals. The portico is about thirty feet in length, twelve in width, and twenty in height. The floor is flagged, and the roof covered with metallic fire-proof sheeting. There is no access into this fine, airy, handsome portico except through windows that open through the main wall of the building from the lobby before the court-room. In summer-time innumerable birds, sparrows, martins, and pigeons roost here, and even build their procreant cradles under the over- hanging eaves of this temple of justice. After passing the lobby on the second floor one enters the court-room. It is about sixty feet in length, forty-five in width, and twenty-four in height. The room is not well adapted for a display of ora- tory, for which many reasons have been assigned, the most probable of which is that it is so high, and there are so many angles, caused by the recesses of the windows, that the voice is lost or broken, and reverberates upon itself. The platform where the judge sits is at the north end of the room. At this end about one-third of the floor of the room is ele- vated above the remainder, so as to form a kind of dais or estrade. The dais is surrounded with balus- ters, and upon it are chairs for lawyers, clients, and jurymen. Outside of the balustrade the rest of the room is occupied by nave, aisle, and pews, like those in churches, only that the hinder pews are elevated about the height of a foot above those in front. On entering the room, at the south side a nave of the width of five or six feet leads nearly to the bottom of the balustrade. Along the walls on the east and west sides are aisles, and between the nave and them are double rows of pews, makiug four rows in all. Each pew will comfortably contain nine persons. There are sixty-four pews, and so seats are provided for five hundred and seventy -six persons, exclusive of those who can be seated within the balustrade. The room is lighted at night with two gas candel- abra on the judge's bench, and with three chandeliers. There are from six to ten globes on each chandelier. By day it receives light from fourteen windows, being seven on each side. The windows are fifteen feet in height and four in width. The original frescoing of this room was very tasty, and cost the county four hundred dollars. It was done by a foreign artist, Signor Michel. But the mortar of the walls being defective it gave way, and necessitated a new coating, the frescoing of which was executed in an inferior manner. At present the ceiling is lined with boards, and it and the walls now carry the third coat of colors. The belfry is some twenty feet in diameter, and the floor and roof are both covered with fire-proof iron and tin plates. The view from the belfry is noble and beautiful. Ou the eastern and western sides of the court-house runs a stone wall surmounted by a handsome iron railing. Along Main Street the wall is from three to six feet in height, and is twenty feet distant from the house. Along the western or alley side the wall rises 428 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. to fifteen or twenty feet in height, and on both sides it is some twenty or thirty feet longer than the court- house itself. Between the wall and the court-house on both sides terraces have been formed, walks paved with stone, and the remaining space has been sown with grass and planted with shade-trees. The entire railing cost eleven hundred and seventy-nine dollars. This is the court-house, a grand and handsome and costly building, which is an ornament to the town of Greensburg, and a matter of honest pride to the public-spirited citizens of Westmoreland. SHERIFF'S HOUSE AND JAIL. Intimately connected with the court-house are the sheriff's house and the common jail. Prior to 1854 the sheriffs rented their own houses, but then, in ac- cordance with the provisions of an act of Assembly, a public or official house was erected for the use of the sheriff. The sheriff's house of Westmoreland stands on West Pittsburgh Street, with only an alley interven- ing between it and the wall of the court-house. It is a plain two-story brick building. Behind and con- nected with it is the county jail. A large iron grating, with a grated door inside, separates the entry of the sheriff's house from that of the jail. The jail is small, badly lighted, and ill ventilated. There are four dun- geon cells in the basement, ten cells on the first floor, and ten on the gallery. It is indeed a miserable place, and is said to be far inferior to the old jail in all that respects security, size, salubrity, ventilation, light, and convenience. The whole place is so marked by vile- ness and meanness that a Christian man could wish his worst enemy no worse quarters. It is, moreover, so insecure that it has led to the remark that those who had the planning of it must have been thieves in their hearts, and intended at some future day to escape from it, and thus avoid the consequences of a felonious taking of somebody's goods and chattels. It has been regularly condemned by every grand-jury who have inspected it, and it is an eye-sore and a dis- grace to the people of the county. POOR-HOUSE. " The poor ye have with you always." The old system of maintaining the paupers of the county was so liable to objections on the ground of inhumanity, inconvenience, trouble, and litigation that some citi- zens, moved by considerations of charity and public spirit, obtained the passage of an act by the Legisla- ture to provide for the erection of a house for the ac- commodation and employment of the poor, if the project was approved by the sense of the people of the county, expressed in regular form at the ordinary annual election. The act was passed and approved on the 5th of April, 1849, by the Governor of the Commonwealth. It consists of nineteen sections, and its provisions are full, clear, and stringent, embracing the purchase of farm, erection of buildings, election of directors, appointment of physician, matron, and steward, management and treatment of poor, and penalties for neglect of or non-compliance with offi- cial duties. By the first section Benjamin Byerly, John Kuhns, Sr., John Trout, Samuel Hill, Thomas Trees, John C. Plumer, Henry McBride, Robert Hitchman, Joseph Budd, John McFarland, John Hill, Joseph Cook, Joseph Jack, John A. Hays, and Jacob Dible were appointed commissioners, and charged with the duty of purchasing, on or before the 1st of January, 1850, such real estate as they may deem necessary for the accommodation of the poor of Westmoreland. By the last section it is provided that the vote of the people be taken at the election in October, 1849, on the subject matter of the act, by tickets labeled on the outside " For a Poor-House" and "Against a Poor-House," and if, on casting up the ballots by the return judges, a majority be found in favor of a poor- house the act was to take effect, but if a majority was against it the act was to be considered null and void. As the people, actuated by good sense and benevo- lence, decided in favor of the erection of a poor- house, the commissioners recited in the act proceeded to discharge the duties enjoined upon them. On the 30th of November, 1849, they entered into and mu- tually signed articles of agreement with William Snyder, of Hempfield township, for the purchase of a tract of land situate in the same township and con- taining one hundred and eighty acres, for the sum of six thousand dollars. Snyder agreed to give posses- sion on the 1st of April, 1850, and to make the com- missioners who acted on behalf of the county a good and sufficient deed of warranty. According to the provisions of the act of Assembly, three directors were elected in the fall of 1850, who, in discharge of their official duties, proceeded to procure the erection of a building suitable for the reception of the poor of the county on the tract of land bought by the com- missioners. The whole amount expended in the erection of the first poor-house was $9092.24; $1375 were paid to Ramsey for brick, $7350 to Bryan on contract, and $367.24 for extra work. These buildings were totally destroyed by fire on the 20th of August, 1862. The fire originated a little before noon from a spark from a chimney, which ig- nited the cupola. Notwithstanding all efforts to save it the interior part of the building was consumed. The contents of the house, however, were saved, excepting a cooking-stove, which had fire in it, and two or three old bedsteads. On the next day a number of the paupers were brought to Greensburg, and domiciled in the county jail until arrangements had been made for their wel- fare elsewhere. Immediately after the destruction of the buildings a contract was made with Lyon & Bierer for the erection of a new, or rather the rebuilding of the COUNTY BUILDINGS. 429 former house; for the brick walls hail been but slightly injured by the fire. The new house cost in all, including both main contract and extra work, $5716.50. It thus appears that in the purchase of the poor-house farm, the original erection and subse- quent rebuilding of the house, more than $20,000 have been expended. That building in its turn was destroyed by fire in December, 1878. We shall, however, say something of it, as in its day it was regarded as a great institu- tion. The house extended one hundred feet in length from north to south, by fifty feet in breadth from east to west. It was built of brick, and was three stories in height. It was regarded as possessing many advan- tages of light and ventilation, which, however, closer scrutiny and comparison would not justify us in re- peating. In addition to the windows in the gable ends, there were three rows of large windows on each side of the two main sides. Besides the wide doors by which one entered into the halls, there were ten windows in the rows of the first, twelve in the second, and thirteen in the third stories. In addition to the garret and attic, the house contained three principal divisions. The entrance to the first or basement part was by doors level with the ground at the gable ends, or by stairs which descended from the upper portions of the house. In this part was a large room, furnished with huge chests or bunks for Hour and other provisions, and kitchen for the family of the steward, a general kitchen, washing- and baking-rooms, and an entry with five cells on each side, intended for the confine- ment of very refractory inmates, or for those insane paupers whose conduct made it necessary to keep them separate from the other inmates and occa- sionally to keep them in close custody. On the west side of the hall was a large dining-room, where all the paupers, except the sick, could eat at the one time. There also were the steward's office, a store- room for dry-goods, clothes, groceries, and a room for women. On the eastern sides were two rooms for the private apartments of the steward, and four rooms, with four beds in each, for women. In the third part there was a large hall exactly similar to the one in the story below it, with five doors on each side that opened into the bedrooms of different sizes, in- tended for the use of the male paupers. Each room had a fireplace, and was supplied with from three to half a dozen of beds, with tables and chairs. A large room on the northwest corner in this division was used as an infirmary. The beds of the sick were placed in a row, with chairs between for clothes, and small tables at the foot. A writer, in an account of the condition of the old poor-house, written in 1865, gives the following facts: " As there is abundance of both wood and stone-coal on the farm, the poor-house is as well warmed in winter as it is ventilated in the summer. There are large stoves in the infirmary, and in the hall before the 28 sleeping-rooms of the male paupers. There are grates and stoves in all the rooms, and immense fires are kept up in the general kitchen and washing-room. The inmates are furnished with coarse but very com- fortable clothes and shoes whenever they need them. Their food is better in quality and cookery than that of many poor families. They are allowed three full meals every day, consisting of bread, flesh, soup, and vegetables. At two of the meals they are furnished with fresh meat and coffee. One plug of tobacco is given every week to those who use the weed, and to the working-men more is given, according to their labor and apparent wants. In harvest and at thrash- ing and other heavy work the more generous stew- ards, at their own expense, have been accustomed to give whiskey in moderate quantities to those whose former habits made them require some stimulation under the pressure of labor. " At the present time there are," he continues, " some one hundred and fifteen men, women, and children in the poor-house. This number is from time to time increased or diminished by admissions and discharges, and in the winter season it usually rises to one hun- dred and fifty or thereabouts. Of the present inmates forty-four are women, fifty men, and the remainder children. There are ten women with young children. The paternity of these is not certainly known, and it may be safely presumed that they are all illegitimate. There are twelve insane and idiotic women and girls; and six insane and idiotic men and boys. Among the women are some clean and good-looking girls, whose virtue having become too relaxed, and having suffered in consequence, they are undergoing a course of material and moral astringents." By section third of the act of the 5th of April, 1849, relative to the Westmoreland poor-house, the directors elected by the people are constituted a body politic, with all the powers incident to an incorporate existence. They are empowered annually to appoint a treasurer, who shall give bond and security, and to employ and remove at pleasure physicians, surgeons, stewards, matrons, and all other attendants that may be necessary for the health and comfort of the poor. They are empowered to bind out as apprentices all such poor children as may come under their authority, provided that the apprenticeship of the male ceases at the age of twenty-one years, and that of the females at the age of eighteen years. By section tenth provision is made to guard the poor against any tyranny, harsh treatment, carelessness, or mis- conduct on the part of the officials who have the daily superintendence of the paupers. It is as fol- lows: " A quorum of said directors shall, and they are hereby enjoined and required to, meet at the said house of employment at least once in every month, and visit the apartments, and see that the poor are comfortably supported, and hear all complaints and redress, or cause to be redressed all grievances that 430 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. may happen by the neglect or misconduct of any person or persons in their employment or other- wise." The mode of keeping the poor now is a great im- provement on the old plan, under which paupers were sold out to the lowest bidders in their respective townships, and kept on the coarsest and worst food in garrets and outhouses. The erection of a house for their keeping and employment was a design worthy of an elevated benevolence and enlightened Christianity. In it they have warm clothing, good shelter, abundance of wholesome food, and a phy- sician, medicines, and attendance in sickness. To these things are added the solace of company and the consolations of religion. The poor often are not criminal, but simply imprudent and unfortunate. There are many worse men and women prosperous in the world and respectable in society than any of those within the walls of the poor-house, and the gate of heaven is not more easily entered by the rich than it is by these poor, humble penitents in this monastery of St. Lazarus. The Westmoreland poor-house is about two miles and a half south of the town of Greensburg, and within a hundred yards of the Southwest Railway and of the road which leads to Mount Pleasant. The present building is built near the site of the former one, upon the eastern verge of a level space ' of ground that descends on the east into a vale through which runs a brook, and ascends on the west into undulating and hilly ground. The house faces to the rising sun, and commands a fine and pleasant prospect, especially in a southern direction. The situation of the house is commendable, not only on account of the view, but on account of the ample ventilation. It is reached from the platform of the railroad by several flights of stairs, which have along either side protecting rails. The home is a station for all trains of the Southwest Railway, and on its schedule is known as " County Home." STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY HOME FOR THE TEAR 1881. Credits of J. J. Wirsing, Treasurer of Poor Fund. By amount paid as follows : Apple butter 839.00 Attorney's salary 130.00 Beef and beef cattle 1,145.13 Buuts and shoes 311.34 Blacksniithing 71.93 Brooms 1100 Conveyance of paupers 407.43 Constables' fees 462.20 Coffins 431.79 Cobbling 2-87 Coats in Quarter Sessions 15.15 " Common Pleas 20.93 Clothing 392.03 Carpenter-work 7.25 Cook 50.00 Carpenter and window-shades 612.70 Clocks 21.65 Cabbage plants 11.60 Drugs and medicines 342.18 Directors' Salary : John Shrum 376.50 George Freeman 396.00 Daniel Monahan - 382.50 Directors' Traveling Expenses: John Shrum $52.38 • Daniel Monahan 81.01 George Freeman 100.09 Board 110.36 Miscellaneous : Digging coal 298.47 Dry goods 960.15 Flour 131.06 Freight 49.33 Farm implements 19.10 Farmer 230.00 Furniture 1,579.76 Feed 150.57 Groceries 1,463.77 Grave-digging 23.50 Hosiery 35.60 Hats and caps 18.58 Home physician 300.00 Hardware 340.66 Harness 22.50 Insane paupeis 2,663.45 Insurance 1,037.50 Justice fees 209.68 Lumber 204.92 Labor 202.57 Liverv hire 28.00 Locust posts 269.30 Marketing 324.69 Miscellaneous 72.55 Matron of Home 131.00 New County Home : Architects— Drum & Stien 300.00 Steam heating— W. J. Butler 10,785.10 Window screens — Marshal & Bio 1,122.15 Building— R. & H. Fulton 20,500.00 Grading— James White 456.65 Terra Coita pipe — Lang & McCullougb 131.76 To sundry persons 3,860.96 Oil 23.01 Out-door relief 5,327.06 Out-door medical relief 1,312.07 Potatoes 12.53 For Printing : Kline & Bro 130.90 Laird & Sons 113.35 McAfee & Atkinson 101.06 Postage 41.00 Queensware 107.40 Salt 14.85 Stationery. 45.23 Steward of Home 600.00 Steward's expenses 27.60 Surveying 23.00 Seamstress 71.00 Engineer 167.76 Tobacco 303.90 Telegraphing 6.78 Thrashing 24.74 Whiskey 60.00 Wheat 635.92 By whole amount for 1881 62,046.40 By orders of 1880 $171.39 $62,216.79 STEWARD'S STATEMENT FOR 1881. Statement of F. C. Gay, Superintendent of County Home, from Jan. 3, 1S81, to Jan. 2, 1882. Products of Farm. Bushels of wheat 546 " oats 557 " corn in ear 1,950 " potatoes 430 " onions 73 " turnips 22 " beets 22 " tomatoes 135 " beans 25 " rutabagas 2 " peas 16 Tons of hay 60 Heads of cabbage 4,200 Barrels of sauerkraut 6 " Boap 116 " pickles _ 1 Cans tomatoes 70 Gallons tomato butter 5 Pounds pork 6,148 " beef slaughtered 15,273 Number of inmates 186 11 deaths 40 " births 9 " indentured 10 COUNTY BUILDINGS. 431 Stock on Farm : Work horses 4 Milch cows 6 Head beef cattle 10 Head stock cattle Head stock hogs 25 MATRON'S STATEMENT. Statement of Mrs. H. L. Gat, Matron. Men's Wear : Pairs of pants 9 " drawers 28 Shirts 81 Blouse 1 Undershirts 8 Boys' Clothing : Coats 3 Pants 20 Shirts 13 Waists 12 Women's Wear : Dresses 138 Chemises 81 Drawers 14 Skirts 37 Aprons 86 Night-gowns 4 Bonnets 13 Girls' Chilling: Dresses 65 Skirts 13 Aprons 14 Chemises 11 Drawers 7 Bedding : Haps 91 Bedticks 94 Bolsters 33 Bolster-cases 11 Pillows 79 Pillow-cases 181 Sheets 121 Bedspreads 15 Towels 60 Pairs of stockings 31 Pairs of socks 57 Children's stockings 15 Yards of carpet 51 THE CATTLE SHOW. The first effort of the agricultural people of the county to effect an organized society resulted in what was called " The Cattle Show." In the Gazette for October 31, 1823, appears the fol- lowing notice of the first meeting of the society: "The Society for the Promotion of Agriculture and Domestic Manu- factures for Westmoreland County held their first annual exhibition in this place on Wednesday last. It rained almost the whole day, and it was extremely unpleasant to be out; notwithstanding, an immense number of people were present. Many persons were prevented from bringing stock to the exhibition from the unfairness of the weather; but we are happy to say that, for the first, it will bear comparison with many others. There were some fine cattle, and Bonie very fine hogs, among which we noticed one of Gen. Markle's, which weighed five hun- dred and seventy-four pounds. The specimens of domestic manufactures were exceedingly fine. The gypsy hat manufactured by Miss Weigley from the spear-grass was the prettiest thing of the kind imaginable." Of this society A. W. Foster, Esq., was president, and John I. Scull, secretary. At the second meeting of the society, Oct. 20, 1824, Andrew Findley, Jr., got the premium of five dollars for the greatest quantity of Indian corn raised on five acres, being seventy-four bushels of shelled corn per acre. Robert Jamison got two dollars and a half for the greatest quantity of potatoes raised on half an acre, being two hundred and two bushels. Accordingly in the county papers for August the 24th, 1854, advertisements appeared with the follow- ing headings in display lines : " Westmoreland County Agricultural Society. The first annual fair of the West- moreland County Agricultural Society will be held at Greensburg on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 11th, 12th, and 13th of October next. Premiums to the amount of five hundred dollars and upwards will be awarded for the best and second-best stock horses and mares ;" and so on for other horses, mares, cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry, for other specified products of the field, dairy, or shop. It also further set forth that besides the above, " the several committees have power to award discretionary premiums on all meri- torious articles not enumerated in the premium list," and that " any person, by paying into the treasury of the society the sum of fifty cents, may become a mem- ber, which gives him and his family (this includes only the children in their minority) the privilege of admission into the fair-grounds at any time during the fair. It also gives him the privilege of entering his stock or other articles for exhibition without further charge." It was further announced that a ladies' riding match was to come off on the second day of the fair at ten o'clock ; that an address would be delivered on the second day at two o'clock p.m. ; that a plowing match would come off on the last day of the fair ; and that a brass band had been secured for the occasion. It was also announced with great gravity that compe- tition for premiums was open to all the States. This announcement was signed by John Eichar, J. C. Rankin, and J. W. Turney, committee of arrange- ments. Some time later an effort was made to establish a local agricultural society at Mount Pleasant. WOOL-UROWERS' ASSOCIATION. On Feb. 17, 1866, a meeting of some of the princi- pal farmers of the southwestern portion of the county was held at Mount Pleasant to organize a wool- growers' association. At the meeting a constitution was adopted and promulgated. The object of the association was declared to be to advance the interests of wool-growers in the district represented, and to co- operate with other similar societies in aid of State and national associations. The officers elected for the then ensuing year were : President, John D. Mc- Caleb; Vice-Presidents, Mount Pleasant township, Amos Trout ; East Huntingdon township, Tobias F. Landis ; South Huntingdon township, O. P. Fulton ; Rostraver township, E. F. Houseman ; Sewickley township, P. S. Pool ; Hempfield township, J. Charles McCausland ; Unity township, Alexander Culbert- son ; Donegal township, William Kessler ; Salem township, James Dickie ; Ligonier township, Hugh Little; North Huntingdon township, John Blair; Bell township, Maj. James Paul ; Derry township, Jesse Chambers; Allegheny township, David Carr; Corresponding Secretary, Daniel S. Tinstman ; Re- 432 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. cording Secretary, Jacob B. Sherrick ; Treasurer, William B. Neel. WESTMORELAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The following 'is the act to incorporate the West- moreland County Agricultural Society : " Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and is hereby enacted by the authority of the 6anu>, That George Rhey, I). W. Shryock, Thomas Donohoe, David Tinsman, George F. Huff, James C. Clarke, William S. Jackson, Alexander Kilgore, Isra el Paint er, John A. Byers, Amos Trout, William Bennett, Thomas C. Pollock, John Harg- nett, John Agnew, C.R. Painter, Joseph Jack, ('. S. Overholt, Alexander Culbertson, James A. Dick, John P. Kilgore, George Gallagher, George T. Paul, James Dickie, John Hugus, A.M. Fultou, Joseph Shepler, Rob- ert Seaton, James Graham, Samuel Warden, John Irwin, Robert Smith, J. C. McCausland, F. Y. Clopper, John L. Bierer, C. H. Stark, William Donnelly, John L. Smith, Win. B. SnollgrassTJohn W. Turney, John C. Rankin. Dauiel Reamer, their successors and associates, be and the same are hereby made and constituted a body politic and corporate by the name and style of the Westmoreland County Agricultural Society, and by the said name they and their successors shall and may have perpetual suc- cession, aud shall be in law capable of sueing and being sued in all courts andjudicatories whatever, and also of contractingand being contracted, with relation to the business and objects of said corporation, as herein- after declared; they may have a common sea], and shall have power to lease aud purchase, in fee simple or otherwise, such real estate in the •county of Westmoreland as may be necessary for carrying on the busi- ness of said corporation or society; Provided, That they shall not at auy one time hold more than one hundred acres of land; And provided fur- ther. That the land so held shall be exempt from county aud all other municipal taxes. "Sec. 2. The object of said society is, aud shall be exclusively, to ad- vance the interests of agriculture in said county. "Sec. 3. That the capital stock of said society shall be thirty thou- sand dollars, to be divided into shares of five dollars each, for which cer- tificates shall be issued, sealed by the seal of said corporation, and signed by such otBceror officers as may be designated by the by-laws, and which shall be assignable under such regulations as the directors may establish for the same, and each share of stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote in all meetings and elections, and may be cast by duly consti- tuted proxj ; Provided, That no person shall at any time hold more than one hundred shares in his own right. '• Sec. 4. The foregoing named corporators, or a majority of them, shall, as soon as three thousand shares of stock are subscribed, give at least two weeks' previous uotice in all the newspapers published in said county of the time and place, to be by them appointed, for the sub- scribers to meet in order to organize said society, and to choose by bal- lot, by a majority of the votes of subscribers to be cast at said election, nine managers, to serve until their successors shall be duly elected, which shall be annually on the first Monday ol February thereafter, and Baid managers shall select one of their number president, and shall se- lect a secretary and treasurer to serve for the 6a term ; the treasurer shall be required to give bond in such sum and with such securities as the board of managers shall approve; Provided, That al said first elec- tion no pereon who is not, in the opinion of a majority of the said cor- porators present, a bona fide and responsible subscriber shall be entitled to vote, and at all subsequent elections only Buch as may have paid their Btock in full, or such portion as may have been called for by the man- agers. " Sec. 5. That the board of managers of said society shall have power to make by-laws for the regulation and well-being of the society not in- consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth, and shall keep minutes of their proceedings, which shall at all proper times be open to the in- spection of the stockholders, and at the annual meeting aforesaid they Bhall make a full report of their transactions, and the condition of the society ; and they shall also have power to declare dividends of so much of the net profits of the society as shall appear to them advisable, aud at such times and payable when the by-laws may fix. " Sec 6. That every person who shall have subscribed and paid the sum of teu dollars or upwards to the association known as the Agricul- tural Society of Westmoreland County shall be entitled to one share or the capital stock of this corporation or society for each sum of five dol- lars bo paid ; aud every person who shall have paid the sum of one dollar to the same shall be entitled to one share of said stock upon payment to this society the Bum of four dollars. " Sec 7. That the said board of managers shall have power to alter or change the location of any public road or highway which may pass through or over any land leased or purchased by them ; Provided, That they make and construct for the use of the public aB good and conveni- ent a road in every respect as the roads so altered and changed; And pro- vided further, That no such road shall be obstructed or interfered with until the said road shall have been examined by three disinterested view ers, to be appointed by the Court of Quarter Sessions of said county, who shall make report thereof, and such report shall be approved by said court, and the costs and expenses of said view shall be paid by said so- ciety. " John Clark, " Speaker of the House of Representatives. " WlLMER WORTHTNGTON, " Speaker of the Senate. " Approved the seventeenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-uine. "John W. Geary." CHAPTER LII. NOMENCLATURE. The subject of the origin and derivation of the names common to the nomenclature of our country hereabout is not wholly, as we apprehend it, without some interest. The names of nearly all our streams, mountains, and villages may be traceable to either an English or an aboriginal origin. The names first given by the British to localities and places which were named by them generally commemorated that of some prominent military officer or some civilian for the time being in favor. Thus Bouquet called the stockade fort which he erected at the Loyalhanna after Sir John Ligonier, an officer of distinction of French extraction, but in the service of England, with whom he had served in the Continental wars of Europe. This gave name to the village sub- sequently built near the old fort, and to the whole valley, a region of country which has always been regarded as a prominent, and indeed for certain occa- sions in early times, as a separate, if not an independ- ent, portion of the county, cut off from the rest by great natural barriers. The names of the original townships are but echoes of European names, and they involuntarily recall one's attention back to localities of an older date and more ancient history. These names, it must be remem- bered, were designated for the chief part by the Scotch- Irish, who for that matter here had carte blanche. This one fact, rightly considered, evidences the domi- nation of that race. These names are mostly the rep- etition of the names of townships of the Scotch-Irish colonies in the eastern part of Pennsylvania and in the adjacent parts of Maryland. " Hempfield" was the name of a township in Lancaster County, Pa., and also the name of a township in Mercer County. " Mount Pleasant" is the name of a township in Adams (formerly York) County, and of a hundred in Cecil County, Md. This name was transferred to Washington County, aud to other Pennsylvania NOMENCLATURE. 433 Scotch-Irish settlements. " Huntingdon," an En- glish Cromwellian name, no doubt sacredly treasured by the descendants of the defenders of Londonderry and Enniskillen as the name of the manor-home of the Protector, was given to a township in Adams (formerly York) County. " Rostravor," " Rosstra- vor," or " Rostrevor," changed to " Rostraver," was a seaport town and watering-place in the County Down, Ireland. There is a monument erected there to the memory of Gen. Ross, who was killed at the battle of North Point, near Baltimore, September, 1814. "Menallen" and " Springhill," now two Fay- ette County townships, but first known as Westmore- land townships, were named, the former after a town- ship in Adams (formerly York) County, the latter by Col. George Wilson in commemoration of the lo- cality in West Augusta County, Va., whither he had removed. 1 With probably the exception of Westmoreland, Fayette, and Greene Counties, there are no other counties in Western Pennsylvania the names of whose townships or boroughs would alone indicate whence their first settlers came. 2 Of the first three townships formed after the orig- inal ones that of " Derry" is in its name purely North Irish. "Salem" and "Unity" probably took their designation from the respective settlements about the churches of those names, which were the most prom- inent settlements within their limits at the date of their formation. Both the latter names are old and strictly orthodox. The name of " Donegal," too, was a favorite one in Scotch-Irish settlements, and is trace- able to Ireland. It was the name of one of the con- gregations of the Old Redstone Presbytery, which has since been changed to that of Pleasant Grove. So, too, have the names of the earlier churches and con- gregations sometimes been perpetuated in those of set- tlements, of communities, of post-offices, and of vil- lages. Hence is there " Congruity," " Chartier," " Bethel," " Sardis," and " Mount Pleasant," the last as it is applicable to the name of the borough of Mount Pleasant. That the old Mount Pleasant Church, a most noted landmark, was called after the name of the village is an erroneous notion to entertain. The truth is that Mount Pleasant congregation was some- thing of an old congregation under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Power when there certainly were not more than two or three cabins on the whole site of the present town. But the opposite to this, without any show of authority, has long obtained. But the presence of that strange race of red men will never be effaced or forgotten among us so long as we retain the memorials of our written history or call our mountains and streams by the names they gave them. i 1 See Judge Veecli in Centenary Memorial, A pp. No. 4. 2 A township in Fayette is called "German 1, because settled by the Germans. " Ye say they all have passed away, That noble race and brave ; That their light canoes have vanished From off' the crested wave ; That 'mid the forests where they roamed There rings no hunter's shout; But their names are on your waters, Ye may not wash them out." The names of most of our streams in Western Penn- sylvania are of Indian origin ; so, too, are the names of most of the more prominent mountains of the State. It has been remarked from a general observa- tion that the most important contribution made by the aborigines to our language has been in their bestow- ing the names upon natural objects, — upon mountains, lakes, and streams. Most of these Indian names in the region of West- ern Pennsylvania are from the dialect of the Lenni Lenapes, or Delawares, whose pronunciation was less abrupt, and whose idioms were more sentimental than that of their conquerors, the Iroquois, or Mingoes, whose ideas and words, on the opposite, partook of a warful character. The origin of the name of one of our local streams has been the subject of much contention. The name of the Loyalhanna Creek has been variously accounted for, and we are not familiar with any that has been so maltreated, one so replete, as a philologist would say, with homonyms. Some with ignorance and stupidity trace it to an Eng- lish original, saying, for example, that it was named for Robert Hanna ; others erroneously purport that the old Indian name signifies " Clear-running water;" " while the legend," in the words of Dr. Frank Cowan, " which attributes the name to the faithful daughter of the last of the Indians who resided in the gorge, a certain ' Loyal Hanna' (mirable dictu /), who supported her father in the extremity of age with her bow and arrow (after he had been abandoned by the rest of his tribe), is on a par with the popular origin of the word Ligonier, namely, that an early hunter, shooting at a deer while the animal was scratching its ear with its hind foot, by chance killed it, perforating at the same time the Leg an' ear." 3 The name Loyalhanna, from the best authorities, which are now recognized as satisfactory, is derived from an Indian compound word, " La-el Han-neck," which means Middle Creek. The word " Hanneck" is evidently the generic name for stream, creek, or river, and is to be found in Susquehanna, Meshannon, Mahoning, and in other names of streams throughout the State. The Loyalhanna appears to have been known by that name before the arrival of Bouquet there in 1758, as is evidenced in many old records, and by the narrative of Capt. James Smith, and the 8 " Poems, etc." By Frank Cowan. The " faithful daughter" story appeared on a placard inviting pleasure- seekers, in the interest of the Ligonier Valley Railroad, to go to Idle- wild. The leg-aod-ear account was imparted to me in great confidence as an item of local information not nearly so generally known as its importance justified. 434 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. narrative of John McCullough. With Capt. Smith's narrative most readers are familiar; of McCullough's not so much is popularly known. John McCullough was taken by the Indians in July, 1756, near Fort Louden, in York County. At that time he was quite young. He says 1 that the morning before they came to Fort Duquesne they came to Kee-ak-kshee-mannit-toos (Kiskiminetas), which signifies Cut Spirit, 1 an old town at the junction of La-el-han-neck, or Middle Creek, and Quin-nim- mough-koong, or Can-na-maugh (Conemaugh), or Otter Creek. 3 McCullough in his narrative divides the words into syllables, and labors to give the pronunciation as like as possible to that of the Indian. Thus wigwam he writes weik-a-waum, and tomahawk, tim-ma-keek- can. The name Loyalhanna is variously spelled by dif- ferent authors and in old papers, as there was no uni- form method of spelling proper names, and in the absence of any standard authority the writer made an effort to conform to the sound of the word. Forbes in his letters and reports writes "Loyalhan- non." In Washington's correspondence in Sparks' it is written " Loyal Hanna." Smith in the narrative has " Loyal Hannah." Smollet in his continuation of Hume's " History of England" calls it the stream " which was called by the aborigines the " Lyel An- ning." Some old warrants and surveys have " Lyel- anna" and " Lyel-anning." In Frederick Post's Second Journal (1758) it is " Loyal Hanning." In so late a publication as the " St. Clair Papers" its ancient name is reproduced as " Lyal henning." Kiskiminetas, as we now have it, was an old Indian name. The stream is called by Conrad Weiser (1748) " Kis-ke-min-e-toes." He was good authority, for he was Indian interpreter for the colonial government. " Kickena-pawling Old Town," called by Post (1758) " Keck-kek-ne-pol-in," was the site of an Indian set- tlement at the junction of Stony Creek with the Conemaugh. On this site is now the city of Johns- town, Cambria Co., which got its name from Joseph Jahns, a hardy German, who settled there near a hun- dred years ago, and gave his name to the place, which the Welsh changed from Jahnstown to Johnstown. "Kis-ke-men-e-co" is also mentioned by Post (1758), as well as by McCullough, as an old Indian town, opposite the site of Saltsburg, but then lying waste. 4 These were Shawanese names and settlements. Among its many forms it has assumed these ■ " Kiskiminites," "Kiskimintes," " Kiskiomeanity," " Kiskaminetas." • See narrative in "Border Life. 1 ' - We confess ignorance of any such tutelary divinity among the abo- rigines, unless it was Indian for "Old Scratch." 3 If there was anything in the phonetics of a language by which one ' could establish the motive of those people in naming places and objects, one might suspect that this region of the Conemaugh and Kiskimine- tas indicated " the place of large and small bull-frogs." 4 Rev. W. W. Woodend, D.D., a local historian and a scholar, in his centennial speech, delivered at Saltsburg, Indiana Co., 1876, says, "Even Not less various, however, have been the forms in which Monongahela has appeared. In Washington's letter to Governor Hunter, 27th April, 1754, it is " Monongialo " In Scarroyady's address to the Pro- vincial Council (1755) it is " Minongelo." In Albach's "Annals of the West" there are two spellings, — " Monongiala" and " Mohongely." It was also some- times written " Mongolia," and many of the common people of Virginia corrupted it into " Monigehale," as they called Conococheague " Connikegig." The versatile Brackenridge has furnished the translation of several of the Indian names of the Western streams, sometimes with accuracy, and sometimes with a liberal poetic license. He says that Monongahela means falling-in banks or mouldering banks. Rather different, however, is the interpretation which is given by some other writers. Writing of the derivation and the signification of these river names, Brackenridge says the word "Ohio" in some of the Indian languages means bloody, and, literally interpreted, the " River of Blood." As well established as is the fact that the name which the French gave it, " La Belle Riviere," has no affinity with the Indian name " Ohio," yet many persist in associating the meaning of the one name with the other. The Indian word " Ohio," whatever it orig- inally may have meant, certainly was not their word used for beautiful. 5 The word, in the language ot the Senecas, was " O-hee-yuh." When McCullough was taken prisoner by the In- dians, he narrates that when they came to the Alle- gheny River the Indian who claimed and adopted him took him by the hand and led him down to wash his white blood out in the water of the " Al-lee-ge- con-ning," as he writes it, and which he. says signifies " the impression made by the foot of a human being ; for the reason, said they, that the land is so rich about it that a person cannot travel without leaving the mark of his feet." 6 According to Loskiel, the Alle- gheny was called by the Delawares, who inhabited the region about it, " Alligewisipo ;" but the Iroquois, or Mingoes, regarding it as a continuation of the larger stream, called it the Ohio. Most authorities trace the name Allegheny to a designation of the mountains, previously known to that of the river. Some writers and geographers, yet observing a dis- tinction without a difference, write the last two syl- lables of the word which they use to designate the mountains "gha-ny," and the last two when they the untutored aborigines of the country were not slow to discover the natural beauties and advantages of the place, and planted here amid the native forests one of their towns. Like its builders, every vestige of this ancient village has disappeared, and even its very name has been for- gotten." This is ornate, but not correct. The name of the Shawanese Indian town still lives in the name of their river. 5 We are inclined to believe that "Ohio," in some form, is part of " Voughiogheny." 6 Qnere. If this was the case, must not the Allegheny Mountains have been named after the stream and taken their name from it? NOMENCLATURE. 435 designate the river " ghe-ny." The spelling of the word varies now, and some good authorities write " Allegany," some "Allagany," and the same name for a county in New York is spelled differently in Pennsylvania. In the earlier documents it appears in sundry grotesque forms. We recall " Allegaening" in the " Message taken down by Edmund Cartlidge for Governor Thomas, April, 1730." ' In some examples these earliest forms of the abo- riginal names are probably the most correct, for the reason they were written thus with the special pur- pose of retaining their Indian designations. Thus it is asserted that Kittochtiuuy, the name of a famous landmark, a mountain, in one of the first purchases is more correct than Kittatiny, the name by which it was known on the deed to the whites ; and that the Indians could not recognize it by the name which Penn's officers gave it. It is likely that " Cat-tan- yan," the name of the Indian village on the Alle- gheny River, as Smith in the narrative has it, ap- 2)roaches the original more nearly than " Kittanning." No name, however, appears to have so misled our predecessors, and those who had occasion to use the word in writing, as the spelling of the river " Youghio- gheny." In the diary of a soldier who was in Braddock's army in the expedition in 1755, which diary is vol. 212 of the King's Library, London, it is spelled " Yoxhio Geni." On Governor PownelFs map of the British Middle Colonies prior to the American Revolution it is spelled " Yochio Geni," and it would seem to have so designated a tribe of Indians about the lower por- tion of the stream, for when the river itself, or the creek, as he denominates it, is marked, as it is above Confluence or Turkey Foot, it is " Yaw-yaw-ganey," an orthography which savors faintly of a Teutonic original. 2 On this map Stewart's Crossings is called Stewart's Rift. On a map in Ponchot's " Memoirs of the Late War in America," called Carte des Frontieres Francoises, etc., it is spelled " Oxiogany." In many of the earlier letters to and from the pro- vincial authorities, and particularly in George Cro- gan's letters to Governor Morris, 1755, it is spelled and written " Yohiogain." In Crogan's Journal, 1751, it is " Yogh-yo-gaine." In a deed between some Indians and others and Capt. Henry Monton, H.M.S. (His Majesty's ser- vice), recorded in Bedford County, 10th September, 1772, it is spelled " Yaughyagain." A letter from Samuel Sackett (settled in Union- town, 1781, in 1778 removed to Georges Creek, Fay- ette Co., Pa.) published in the Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette, Oct. 26, 1880, is dated " Shirtee (Chartier) Settlement, ' Yougang' County." 1 See Egle's " History of Pennsylvania," 319. 2 Although this was in Somerset County it was before the Revolution. Hildreth, in his " History of the United States," spells it " Youghiogeny." Among the petitions to the earlier courts are the following various renderings : " Youghiagana," " You- gagany," " Youghiogeny." In the description of the first townships it is " Youghiogena." A localism once obtained, which had its origin in convenience, if not in necessity. This was the naming of streams, which were at certain distances in partic- ular directions from prominent points. The streams which flowed into the Loyalhanna were designated as Two-Mile Run, Four-Mile Run, Nine-Mile Run, Twelve-Mile Run, Fourteen-Mile Run, and so on, because they were nearly those distances respectively from Fort Ligonier, and that either at where they flowed into the Loyalhanna or where they were crossed by the main road. A person who resided near one of these streams was then addressed on letter by the name of the stream, and he dated his letter under the same name. Thus St. Clair sometimes writes from Loyalhanna, William Proctor and Archibald Lochry from the Twelve-Mile Run. So, too, was this method of naming streams followed by the settlers along the Monongahela and the Youghiogheny. It will probably be admitted without dissension that the aboriginal names of these streams, both in sound and sense, are superior and preferable to the majority of the names of those designated by the practical first settlers. Of these we have Brush Creek, Bushy Run, Turtle Creek, Crooked, French, Mill, Tub, Pine, Stony, Redstone, Redbauk, Crab, Goose, to which may be added the beautiful and ornate names of Whiskey, Tinker, Barren, Bloody, Roaring, Possum, Wild-Cat, and Hypocrite Runs. The names given to streams and places by the first whites who named them were often done for conven- iency. Thus names of camping-places and of passes, of mountains and springs, had for the most part to be coined by the officers and soldiers who came out in the first expeditions, and most of those who kept jour- nals of their progresses, or diaries, or wrote letters while on their march, have, in the absence of certain authority, given different and original appellations to designate such places. In a journal of a soldier in Braddock's army, in the King's Library, before quoted, a small stream in their route is called " Thickety Run." Turkey Foot, sometimes called Crow Foot, as in Braddock's letter to Governor Mor- ris, July 6, 1755, was an appropriate designation of the three streams which form the Youghiogheny, in Somerset County, and it was thus long known to the first settlers thereabout, and has been fixed in en- during annals. It was thus named from a fancied resemblance. It is now known as Confluence. Cat- fish was the ancient name of Washington Town, and was derived from the name of a Delaware chief who had his home there. That whole settlement was known as the Catfish settlement. The creek which flows past the town is called Catfish Creek. 43(1 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Jacobs Creek, in Westmoreland County, is called for Capt. Jacobs, a noted Indian chief, who had his lodges and pappooses betimes near it. Jacobs Swamp was the designation of a large body of land in East Huntingdon township, about Ruffsdale, and is the name by which a portion of the land was patented. This stream in Governor Pownell's map of the colonies, 1776, is called Salt-Lick Creek. This Capt. Jacobs is the same gentleman whose name was such a dreadful one to the frontier settlers after Brad- dock's defeat, who headed more than one marauding excursion, and who figured in the capture of Kittan- ning by Col. Armstrong in 1756. l The names by which some of the older landmarks and settlements were known to the first settlers have been in later times changed and altered. This has been done sometimes by corrupting them in an invol- untary manner, sometimes by the common consent of those of the vicinage, and sometimes by legislative enactment. And in some instances it does not appear to have been done for the better, neither in the inter- est of good taste nor with a spirit of veneration, which, if it is apparent in a people at all, is apparent in a pride in and an attachment to old names for the asso- ciation of ideas, and which must necessarily belong to the names of old places. In some instances the beautiful and appropriate names given by the Indians have been abandoned, and in their stead have been substituted the names of cities, of mountains, and of divinities of the heathen mythology. And these we now use to designate rail- road stations, post-offices, ferries, and cross-road vil- lages. What shameless taste, partaking of effrontery, did it evidence to substitute Logan's Ferry to desig- nate the crossing of the Allegheny River for the In- dian name Pucketo, and to call a thrifty business town, noted chiefly for its trade in lumber, after that mountain in Greece sacred to one of the Muses, Par- nassus. So, too, we now have Apollo for Johnson's, which was itself a bad name for Kiskimineto. Then we have Bethany, which was long used for the name of a village whose chief claim to notoriety was in the whiskey distillery then in operation within its sacred precincts, and Lycippus, the name of a celebrated sculptor of antiquity, for a post-office on a spur of the Chestnut Ridge, a name wholly inappropriate to the locality, and which has suffered beyond endurance at the hands, or rather mouths, of an unappreciative populace, who by a concatenation between words and ideas are forever associating it with a certain scorbutic disease, calling it Erysipelas, and, more horrid still, Lycippius. Neither is there any congruity in calling 1 This heroic personage might have been to the Indians a "great chief," but as a "captain"' ho was one of Doll Tearsheet's kind. The body of the Indian killed there was identified by a pair of long military boots which he had un, and which had belonged to Lient. Alexander. He could not escape with them on, and was slain in trying to get them off. At that time he wa-s not in " good Btamling." He was a small man. There was, however, another Capt. Jacobs, probably his sou. one suburb of Greensburg Mudtovvn, and another Paradise ; one suburb of Mount Pleasant, Texas, and another, Bunker Hill. It was a custom of the Land Office to designate tracts of land in the patents from the State by certain and several names. If this subject should be followed up it would be a diversion enjoyable. Thus a tract of land near the Ridge Church, in Mount Pleasant town- ship, upon which Mr. Isaac Smail has been boring for oil, is called " Shakespeare." The lands of the Bene- dictine monastery of St. Vincent, wherein are the cloisters of the celibates, was patented under the name of "Sportsman's Hall." Beaver Run and Beaver Dam, a landmark on Jack's Run, were evidently named after the presence of those rodents, which in early times were numerous in all our streams. Their "slides" have been seen at Beaver Dam by many persons still living. Post, in 1758, mentions the fact that there were numerous beaver-dams in this part of the country, and particu- larly one of them near their camp, not far from Laurel Hill. After the Revolution the names partook of a dis- tinct American characteristic, and then Washing- ton, Franklin, Greene, Adams, Jackson, and the rest came in. CHAPTER LIII. SPECIAL BIOGRAPHIES. John Covode — Alexander Johnston — William Freame Johnston — John White Geary — Hun. James Keenan — Richard Coulter Drum — Commo- modore John ltonnett Marchand — Dr. Joseph Meredith Toner. HON. JOHN COVODE. The Hon. John Covode was one of the most re markable men whom Pennsylvania has ever produced. It is not the purpose of this sketch to present a minute record of his life, tell " the long story of struggles and triumphs" which marked his way from boyhood to the grave, and go into the analysis of his character by the comparison of it with that of other men of force and distinction, or speculate upon the value of Mr. Covode's services to his constituents and the country during his congressional career. A plain statement of the most prominent facts of his career must for the most part suffice the reader of this. Mr. Covode, who died Jan. 11, 1870, was born in Westmoreland County, March 17, 1808. His father was Jacob Covode, a son of Garret Covode, a native of Holland, who was, when a child, kidnapped in the streets of Amsterdam by a sea-captain, who brought him to Philadelphia, and under then existing laws sold him into bondage as a " redemptioner," in which condition he was held for some years after arriving at manhood, and was employed as a domestic servant in the household of Gen. Washington. He died in 1826 at the advanced age of ninety-four years. The ^~7y~t^^e^ SPECIAL BIOGRAPHIES. 437 name of Garret Covode does not necessarily represent that of the Hollandish family from which he was born, for it was coined or originated by the sea- captain who stole him, and by him conferred upon the boy. The mother of John Covode, and whose maiden name was TJpdegraff, was a Quaker, and it is among the traditions of her family that two of her ancestors, together with a person named Wood, prepared and published a protest against the decision of William Penn recognizing the legality of negro slavery. This protest is said to have been the first anti-slavery mani- festo published in this country. Mr. Covode received only a limited education in the schools. He was brought up on a farm, and after- wards learned the trade of woolen manufacturing, which business he conducted for forty years, but he pursued other avocations at the same time. He was a contractor early in life, connected with the public works of the State, was one of the first to encourage the building of the State canal, and after its comple- tion he engaged in the transportation business, and commanded the first section boat which went over it from Philadelphia to the interior of Ohio. In short, his was an active, earnest life of varied labor before he became a public man, as well as after he entered upon the career of politics which made his fame national. The first note we have regarding Mr. Covode as a candidate for political office indicates the date of 1845, and states that he was then the Whig candidate for the State Senate in a very strong Democratic district, and that the second time he was nominated he came so near being elected that the Democracy, then in power in the State, alarmed at his growing popularity, changed his district. He was then taken up by his party and was elected to Congress in 1854 from the Twentieth District, and was re-elected in 1856, 1858, and 1860. In 1866 and in 1868 he was sent to Con- gress from the Twenty-first District (under the new apportionment). In 1860 he was a prominent candi- date for nomination for Governor, and also in 1863. In 1860 he was president of the convention that nomi- nated Governor Geary. In 1869 he was chairman of the Republican State Committee, and held that posi- tion when he died. Mr. Covode was conspicuous in connection with stirring events prior to and throughout the period of the Rebellion. As chairman of the Lecompton In- vestigating Committee in 1858 he won a national reputation, which was made more secure by his ser- vices as member of the committee of Congress to in- quire into the conduct of the war, and by his con- spicuous and valuable services in support of the gov- ernment. Few men labored as zealously as did he in behalf of the government during the trying times of the Rebellion, or had better knowledge than had he of the interior workings of the immense enginery em- ployed by the government to suppress the Rebellion. He had the confidence of many of the most import- ant actors in that eventful period, and by his great energy, quick perception, and knowledge of human character was able to render many important services to the nation, which were recognized and appreciated by those in power. Mr. Covode was a man of strong sense, and pos- sessed the faculty of combination to an unusual de- gree ; that is, he was what is known in the vernacular of politicians as a "wire-puller" of extraordinary capacity ; could pull more wires, and pull them more persistently and cleverly, than most men. He was fruitful in resources and untiring in whatever he undertook. He was a good neighbor and a fast friend. ALEXANDER JOHNSTON. The paternal ancestors of Alexander Johnston, Esq., were originally from Annandale, Scotland, where they at one time possessed the estates of Bracken- side ; but the head of the house, Alexander John- ston, being killed at the battle of Fontenoy, on the 30th of April, 1745, where he was serving as a captain of Welsh Fusiliers in the British service, the estate fell into dispute, and finally, through political strife, was lost, and the family settled in Ireland. There Alexander Johnston was born on the 10th of July, 1773, in County Tyrone, Barony of Omagh, and parish of Killskerry, at a place called Scar Brae, which is two miles from Lowtherstown, five miles from Ennis- killcn, and near the border of the County Fermanagh, and died at Kingston House, near Youngstown, July 16, 1872, aged ninety-nine years and six days. He emi- grated to America in 1797, just one year before the great rebellion of 1798. Departures for America were then rare to what they are at present, and so, owing to this, to personal friendship and the ties of kindred, Mr. Johnston was accompanied on his road for some miles by the members of the Masonic brotherhood, to which he belonged, and also by a company of cavalry, of which he had been a member. He sailed from Londonderry and landed in Philadelphia; from thence he went to Carlisle, Pa., where a cousin, Gen. William Irvine, lived, who, having commanded at Fort Pitt, and knowing Western Pennsylvania, advised him to go to that part of the State. In pursuance of his ad- vice he crossed the Allegheny Mountains to West- moreland, and after a short time went to Butler County, where he located himself on a tract of pre- emption lands then offered to actual settlers. Be- coming dissatisfied he returned to Westmoreland, made the acquaintance of William Freame, a Belfast Irishman, which led to his marriage with Mr. Freame's second daughter, Elizabeth, and located himself in Greensburg. William Freame had been a private in the British army in 1776, and came to America in the army under Wolfe. At the peace of 1763 between Great Britain and France he accepted, with many of his comrades, the proposition of the English government to remain 438 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. in the colonies. He settled first in Lancaster County, where he married Elizabeth Johnston, who had emi- grated from Ireland with her father in 1782. This branch of the Johnston family settled in Kentucky and North Carolina. The issue of the marriage of Alexander Johnston with Elizabeth Freame was eight sons and two daugh- ters. The two eldest sons were educated at West Point, and served as commissioned officers in the regular army. The youngest, Richard, was a volun- teer in the Mexican war. Before its close he was ap- pointed a lieutenant in the regular army, and was killed at the head of his company, while storming the enemy's works at Molino del Rey. Hon. Edward Johnston resides in Iowa. The remaining sons living are residents of this State and county. The biogra- phies of two of them, Hon. William F. Johnston and Col. John W. Johnston, will be found elsewhere in this work. The physical stature of the sons was re- markable, varying in height from six feet to six feet six inches, and in weight from two hundred to two hundred and fifty pounds. After residing a number of years in Greensburg he removed to Pittsburgh and engaged in the mercan- tile business. In this he was prosperous, but tempted by the high price of iron, owing to the prospect of war and its actual effects, he bought up a large tract of mountainous land in Unity, Derry, and Ligonier townships, Westmoreland Co., erected a forge and rolling-mill, removed to Kingston, and became an ironmaster. His iron-works were called " Kingston," because the name of the tract of land on which they were located had been so designated in the patent. The enterprise did not succeed. Kingston iron was not estimated at full price in the market. Iron fell in price, and Mr. Johnston became not only disheart- ened at the result but involved in pecuniary affairs. The turnpike road being located alongside of his mansion house, he rented his works and converted his house into a tavern. After some years he returned to Greensburg, and acted as justice of the peace until his appointment as register and recorder by Governor Wolf. Mr. John- ston had, indeed, been quite an active politician. He acted with the Federal party till its final dissolution, voting for Andrew Gregg, the last Federal candidate in Pennsylvania. He became a Jackson man in 1824, and acted and voted with the Democrats against the anti-Masons and National Republicans. He held several offices, — sheriffby election, justice of the peace, treasurer, and register and recorder by appointment. The dates of his commissions for these respective offices are as follows: sheriff, Nov. 4, 1807; justice of the peace, Oct. 24, 1822 ; treasurer, Dec. 27, 1826- 27 ; register, etc., Jan. 21, 1830. In the latter office he served for six years, when he returned to his moun- tain home, Kingston, a place peculiarly adapted to retirement, and where he resided until his death. He is said to have been at his death the oldest living Mason in the United States. As one of that fraternity he was admitted in Ireland ; walked in a Masonic procession as early as 1795, on the festival of St. John the Baptist. He organized, under special authority from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, the lodge at Greensburg, and also, by deputation, the lodge at Somerset. Having been honored by his fellow-citizens with offices of honor and profit, he never transcended his trust or stopped short in his line of duty. Having their confidence, he was always foremost in anything projected for their welfare and the advancement of common interests. In his business connections he was exact to the cent, and of all his many employes not one, perhaps, can say but that he got his due. His own comfortable fireplace felt better as he knew that those connected with him were likewise from want. Occupying public positions as he did, and having many depending upon him as he had through such a long life, he exercised great influence, and cer- tainly great influence for good. His manners were most affable. It mattered not whether to rich or poor, woman or child, he had to all an agreeable way ; not stiff and dignified, but urbane and unassuming. Neither did infirmity or any untoward cause make a change in his demeanor. His disposition was social, and, especially in his latter days, nothing pleased him so much as agreeable company. It is natural of old age to seek rest, Nestor-like, in the bosom of their family, or in communing with people of their own years, but he took great pleasure in converse with the young, an evidence of the vigor of his mind, aud always to their advantage, for he had encouragement and advice through which one might see high moral principle, patriarchal patriotism, and the wise experi- ence of three generations of men. Thus, courteous in his manners, benevolent in his acts, charitable to the poor, Christian in his walk, he wore with venerable simplicity the dignity of " spotless gentleman," — a dignity that needs no robe of office to make it honor- able. His memory was stored with personal anecdotes, and replete with historical reminiscences, drawn in part from reading, and in part from personal recol- lections. He took great pleasure in conversing on these subjects, and having been a close observer, his mind was a microcosm of the greatest historical century in the annals of time. He remembered the ringing of the bells and the shouts and the bonfires by which the people in Ireland rejoiced when they heard the news of the signing of the treaty of peace at Versailles and the termination of the Revolution- ary war. Speaking to the writer of this notice, he said he distinctly recollected hearing the watchmen of their native town call out the hour of the night and the surrender of Cornwallis to Washington at Yorktown, which was joyful news, as many Irishmen were on both sides. And this was after the surrender of the empire at Sedan. So great was his age that ALEX. JOHNSTON. SPECIAL BIOGRAPHIES. 439 he could have heard the first click of the musket on that spring morning at Lexington that startled the world, and after deluging it in blood ceased not to rev- erberate till the sinister sun went down on that June evening on the shattered columns of the Imperial Guard at Waterloo, an epoch that will always fill a page in the history of the world. When the Corsican Napoleon died he was entering vigorous manhood. The most casual observer could see as a predomi- nant trait in his character a strong love for his adopted country and its institutions, and although he warmed with native patriotism in recalling the dead — Emmett, Grattan, Burke — men cotemporary with himself, yet Ireland was not to him as America. For the one he grieved ; in the other was his most ardent expectation. He was truly American. When he set his foot in America he shook off the rust and moth of prejudice and felt himself a free man. The evening of his life was such as old age might ever wish for. He possessed all his faculties unim- paired, and physical decline came slowly as he neared his rounding century. All his children, and many of his grandchildren, stood around his death-bed. Death itself stole gradually over his limbs till, on the evening of the 16th of July, as the day went out the light went out, and with the closing shadows the spirit of the patriarch walked into the shades among his fathers. "Of no distemper, of no blast lie died, But, fell like autumn fruit t lint mellowed long, Even wondered at because he dropt no sooner. Fate seemed to wind him up for fourscore years, Yet freshly ran he twenty winters more, Till, like a clock worn out with eating time, The wheels of weary life at last stood still." WILLIAM FREAME JOHNSTON, William Fr'eame Johnston, the third Governor of Pennsylvania under the constitution of 1838, from July 9, 1848, to Jan. 20, 1853, was born at Greeusburg, Westmorelanl Co., on the 29th of November, 1808. He was the son of Alexander Johnston, Esq., of Kings- ton House, Unity township, and of his wife, Eliza- beth Freame, and an account of his ancestry will be found in the sketch of Alexander Johnston, which has just been given. The subject of this sketch was in early boyhood taught by a kind and good mother that the cardinal duties were to obey God's commands, to honor parents, and to love native coun- try. His common school and academic education was limited, but he had from youth an ardent taste for reading, and being blessed with vigorous powers of mind and body, he was enabled by great diligence to acquire a vast fund of information, which served him instead of elaborate training. He studied law under Maj. John B. Alexander, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1829, in his twenty-first year. Shortly after- wards he removed to Armstrong County, where he engaged in the practice of law, soon rising to a posi- tion of commanding influence. He was appointed by Attorney-General Samuel Douglass, and subse- quently by Attorney-General Lewis, district attorney for Armstrong County, which office he held until the expiration of Governor Wolf's first term. For several years he represented the county in the Lower House of the Legislature, and in 1847 was elected a member of the Senate from the district composed of the counties of Armstrong, Indiana, Cambria, and Clear- field. As a legislator, Mr. Johnston was bold and original, not beholden to precedents, and was an acknowledged leader. During the financial crisis which arose dur- ing the Presidency of Martin Van Buren many expe- dients were adopted and many plans proposed to al- leviate the wide-spread effects of that disaster. Then Mr. Johnston came forward with a proposition to issue relief notes, for the payment or refunding of which the State pledged its faith. This he advocated with his usual energy and logical acuteness, and though a majority of the Legislature was politically opposed to him, it was adopted and gave instant re- lief. It was designed as a temporary expedient, and as such was remarkably successful. As the originator of this measure and its special advocate, he acquired a reputation for financial skill and ability throughout the Commonwealth, its fortunate result serving only the more widely to circulate his fame. In 1847, Mr. Johnston was elected president of the Senate. By a provision of the constitution, if any vacancy occurred by death or otherwise in the office of Governor, the Speaker of the Senate should be- come the acting executive officer. Governor Shunk, in the extremity of an incurable disease, resigned his office on the last day possible to allow of anew choice at the ensuing fall election, and that day was Sunday. From this complication of affairs arose questions of great constitutional importance. It appeared to be a good opinion that the Speaker of the Senate could hold the office of acting Governor until the election of the next year, but not wishing to hold the office one moment longer than the popular will seemed to dictate, he determined to avoid every occasion of a charge of selfishness and ordered the immediate election. The election thus ordered resulted in the choice of Mr. Johnston for the full term of three years. He early and persistently, as Governor, took an active and very material interest in the development of the mining and manufacturing interests of the State, and his messages evince the solicitude he had for the public prosperity, and are standing memorials of his practical business and financial views. In all things he was jealous of the honor and renown of the Commonwealth, but he was particularly solicitous for the safety of the records of the Colonial and State government, which until his time existed only in man- uscript. In his message of 1851 he recommended that those records worth preservation should be arranged, . edited, and printed at the expense of the State. In 440 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. compliance with this recommendation, an act was passed authorizing the appointment of a suitable agent to select and superintend their publication. Mr. Samuel Hazard, a gentleman of taste and ability well suited to the execution of the trust, was dele- gated, and under his supervision twenty-eight volumes of "Colonial Records" and "Pennsylvania Archives," containing a vast amount of original papers of incal- culable value and interest, were published. Governor Johnston deserved much credit for the successful manner in which he managed the financial affairs of the State during his administration. Upon his accession the debt was over forty millions, having been increased eighteen millions during the preceding nine years. The interest on this vast sum was regu- larly paid. His political course during his first term had been so satisfactory to the party by whom he was supported that he received the nomination for re-election, but was defeated by a small majority. Upon retiring from office he entered upon an active business life, and was engaged at different periods in the manu- facture of iron, boring for salt, the production of oil from bituminous shales, and latterly in refining petro- leum. Under his presidency the Allegheny Valley Railroad was constructed from Pittsburgh to the town of Kittanning. During the civil war he took an ac- tive part in organizing troops, and, as chairman of the Executive Committee of Public Safety, superintended the construction of the defenses at Pittsburgh. In connection with Mr. John Harper, he became respon- sible for the ammunition which was sent to West Vir- ginia at a critical juncture in the fortunes of that State, and which materially aided in preserving it from being overrun by the Confederates. He was appointed by President Andrew Johnson collector of the port of Philadelphia, the duties of which office he for several mouths discharged, but through the hostility of a majority of the Senate to the President l he was rejected by that body, though ample testimony was given that the office was faithfully and impar- ; tially administered. He was married on the 12th of April, 1832, to Miss Mary Monteith. The offspring of this marriage were ; five sons and two daughters. 1 JOHN WHITE GEARY, Governor of Pennsylvania from Jan. 15, 1867, to Jan. 21, 1873, was the youngest of four sons, and was born ! near New Salem, 2 in Westmoreland, on the 30th of December, 1819. The family was originally Scotch- Irish, but for several generations his ancestors had enjoyed the privileges of American birth. Richard 1 We have drawn largely in this sketch from the very valuable and interesting " Lives of the Governors of Pennsylvania," etc., by William C. Armor. Philadelphia, 1872. 2 Mr. Armor, in his " Lives of the Governors of Pennsylvania," says Gen. Geary was born near Mount Pleasant. On tins point there is not a unanimity of opinion. Geary, his father, a native of Franklin County, had received a liberal education, and was a man of re- fined tastes, amiable disposition, and superior moral excellence. His mother, Margaret White, was born in Washington County, Md., and was in all respects a worthy companion and helpmeet of her husband. His father had engaged in the manufacturing of iron and had failed, when in this trying situation he fell back upon the resources of his early education and opened a select school in Westmoreland County. The remainder of his life was devoted to this profession, at all times honorable. Being himself possessed of liberal culture, it was the earnest desire of his father that his sons should receive a collegiate education. Prompted by paternal love, every sacrifice possible was made to compass this end, and after passing the usual course of pre- liminary studies the youngest son was entered a student at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa. By the sudden death of his father his career was thus in- terrupted. To suitably provide his mother he left college and opened a school on his own account. He then subsequently returned to college. On leaving college he turned his thoughts on com- mercial pursuits, but soon evinced a preference for civil engineering. This he intended to adopt as his fixed vocation. With this end he went to Kentucky, where he was engaged, partly in the employ of that State and partly in that of the Green River Railroad Company, to make a survey of several important lines of public works. Returning to Pennsylvania, he soon after became assistant superintendent and en- gineer of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. While thus engaged the war with Mexico broke out. In a short time he raised a company in Cambria County called the American Highlanders. At Pittsburgh the command was incorporated with the Second Penn- sylvania Regiment, commanded by Col. Roberts, of which regiment Geary was elected lieutenant-colonel. Shortly after the surrender of the capital Col. Roberts died, and he was elected to succeed him. The services of the regiment in Mexico are well known to all. Ou the 22d of January, 1849, being in political sympathy with the administration in power, President Polk appointed him postmaster of San Francisco and mail agent for the Pacific coast, with authority to create post-offices, appoint postmasters, establish mail routes, and make contracts for carrying the mails through California. On the 1st of the next April he entered upon the duties incident to his appointment. President Polk's successor, President Taylor, ap- pointed Jacob B. Moore Geary's successor. But eight days after his removal he was elected first alcalde, though there were ten different tickets sub- mitted to the choice of the electors. Shortly after he was appointed by Brig. -Gen. Riley, the military Gov- ernor of the Territory, Judge of First Instance. These offices were of Mexican origin, and they imposed onerous and important duties. The alcalde was SPECIAL BIOGRAPHIES. 441 sheriff, probate judge, recorder, notary public, and coroner. The Court of First Instance exercised both civil and criminal jurisdiction throughout the city, and, besides this, adjudicated all those cases arising under the port regulations which usually fall within the cognizance of Courts of Admiralty. On May the 1st, 1850, in a vote upon the first city charter and for its officers, Judge Geary was elected the first mayor of San Francisco by a large majority. He declined a re-election, but accepted a place on the Board of Commissioners, which had been created by the Legislature for the management of the public debt of the city, and was made its president. As chairman of tiie Democratic Territorial Committee, he was instrumental in securing the Free State clause in the constitution of the State, and the reference of that instrument to the people for their sanction. In February, 1852, he returned to Westmoreland, where his wife, in failing health then, soon after died. He engaged in farming interests here, and specially directed his attention to the rearing of stock. In 1855 President Pierce offered him the Governorship of Utah Territory, which he declined. He, however, accepted the Governorship of Kansas, and was com- missioned iu July, 1855. He arrived at Fort Leaven- worth September 9th, and his administration extended only from that date to March, 1857, at which time the Presidency of Buchanan commenced. Gen. Geary was in Westmoreland when the civil war commenced. Immediately on receipt of the attack on Fort Sumter he opened an office for recruits, and offered his individual services to the President. They were accepted, and he was commissioned a colonel, and authorized to raise a regiment. In the course of a few weeks he received applications from sixty-six companies, soliciting permission to join his command. On account of the numerous and urgent appeals he was permitted to increase his regiment to sixteen com] anies, with one battery of six guns, making the full complement to consist of fifteen hundred and fifty-one officers and men. The artillery company was that which subsequently became the celebrated Knapp's battery. The services of Gen. Geary in the civil war on the part of the Union army were so varied and so distin- guished that they may be relegated by us with pro- priety from a provincial history to the history of the nation, to which they belong. The general reader has at hand so many varied and comprehensive his- tories of this struggle that we are sure that whatever we might say here would be useless verbiage. Gen. Geary, who was a Democrat until the break- ing out of the war, at the ending of it became a Re- publican, and in 1866 was elected by that party Governor. He was inaugurated on the 15th of Jan- uary, 1867. On the expiration of his first term he was renominated without much show of opposition and re-elected by something of a reduced majority. He served out his term and died. Governor Geary was married on the 12th of Feb- ruary, 1843, to Margaret Ann, daughter of James R. Logan, of Westmoreland County. By this marriage he had issue three sons, one of whom died in infancy, and another was killed in the battle of Wauhatchie; the third is an officer in the regular army. Mrs. Geary died on the 28th of February, 1853, and in November, 1858, he was married to Mrs. Mary C. Henderson, daughter of Robert R. Church, of Cum- berland County, and had issue several children. Governor Geary through life was a man of good habits and strong physical powers, and greatly owed his success to great energy, prudence, and temper- ance. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and be- longed to a number of secret societies. He was proud of his military titles and somewhat fond of show and ostentation. HON. JAMES KEENAN was born in the ancient village of Youngstown. He struggled in early life with many adversities. These, however, only served to make him self-reliant, and to bring into greater activity traits of character which were in after-life of no inconsiderable importance to his success. When war was declared by the United States against Mexico he was among the first to offer his services, and on 1st of December, 1846, volunteered as a private in Capt. Herron's company, the " Du- cpuesne Grays," of Pittsburgh, First Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers. In 1847 he returned from Mex- ico, laboring under a severe chronic disease which he had contracted by exposure on the field. He, how- ever, rapidly recovered, and soon after received the appointment of a lieutenant in the Eleventh United States Army Infantry, and opened a recruiting-office in Greensburg. Again, in the spring of 1848, he started with his command for Mexico, and remained in the service until the close of the war, when his commission expired. His gallantry in the ser- vice, and his bold and daring adventures at the head of his command, brought him prominently into no- tice, and after his return from Mexico he was, in the fall of 1849, elected register and recorder for Westmoreland County. At the expiration of his term he was again re-elected to the same office, in 1852, for another period of three years. During the period that Gen. Keenan was register and re- corder he introduced various improvements in the manner of keeping the books and papers of the office, which were followed by his successors, and which have proved highly beneficial to the public. On the 2d of February, 1852, while he held the office of regis- ter and recorder, he was appointed by Governor Big- ler adjutant-general of Pennsylvania. In June of the same year President Pierce tendered him the position of consul to Hong Kong. This latter appointment was held under consideration for some time, which he, however, finally concluded to accept, and in the fall of 1853 resigned the offices of register and recorder 442 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. and adjutant-general, and sailed in October, 1853, for Hong Kong, China. During the first year of Mr. Buchanan's administration, Gen. Keenan paid a visit to his friends in this country, and while here was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Barclay, an estimable lady of Greensburg, with whom he immediately left the United States for his consulate in Hong Kong, which position he occupied until the 22d of Jan- uary, 1862, when he with his family sailed in the ship " Surprise" for the United States, and arrived in New York on the 16th of the next May, very ill, having been confined to his berth in the ship for six weeks previous to the end of the voyage. On the day after his arrival he was removed with much difficulty to Blanchard's Hotel, on Fourth Avenue, where he remained until Thursday evening, the 22d. Although lie seemed to revive somewhat for the first forty-eight hours after landing, yet the best medical skill and kindest attention was unavailing against the deep-seated disease, which had got such a firm hold on him, and he afterwards commenced sinking, which continued until it terminated in death. His mortal remains, under the care of James C. Clarke, his brother-in-law, were brought to Greens- burg on the next Saturday, and on Sunday afternoon interred in the cemetery at Greensburg in the presence of the largest concourse of citizens that perhaps ever assembled in this place on such an occasion. Gen. Keenan was a young man, but he possessed endowments, both mental and physical, which enti- tled him to a very high position in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. From his first entry into public life until his final end, his career had been upward and onward, and although he had not reached the zenith of life, yet no young man in Western Penn- sylvania had a more brilliant career before him. A warm personal friend, who published this sketch of his life, had this further to say, which is not an overdrawn characterization : " From a long and intimate acquaintance with the deceased of the most unreserved character, first formed in 1846, the writer of this notice can say, without exaggeration, that Gen. Keenan was pos- sessed of many of the noblest qualities that endow human nature. He was generous, brave, intrepid, and courageous, yet gentle, kind, and humane ; his knowledge of human character was very accurate, and his confidence was consequently seldom mis- placed ; his manners were courteous, easy, and grace- ful, not assumed for the occasion, but natural, the generous overflowing of a happy disposition and be- neficeut heart. He was not surprised or disconcerted by sudden danger, but only roused to cool and in- trepid action. He had many of the qualities of a great commander, and if events had drawn him into that channel he would doubtless have greatly distin- guished himself. " Without the aid of either friends or fortune, ex- cept those whom he endeared to him by the excel- lence of his own character, he rose rapidly, step by step, without a single reverse or defeat, to a position of great public importance, and if God had spared his life many predicted for him a still more brilliant career. The excellence of his person, the counter- part of his mortal organization, was in perfect har- mony with his mental structure. Nature is seldom so lavish of her gifts. An intimate friend may say that, within the limits of his knowledge, he never used these glorious gifts, ready passports to a confid- ing heart, to ensnare innocent and unsuspecting inno- cence. Being an elder brother, many of the responsi- bilities both of a father and a brother were cast upon him in early life. With what unceasing fidelity and tenderness he provided for his widowed mother, and with what wise counsels he guided the steps of his young and inexperienced brothers, their bleeding hearts will now recount. May we not trust and hope that these noble traits of character, preserved in the midst of so many temptations, were evidences that the hand of God was upon him, and that the glory of His power and the munificence of His grace will be magnified throughout all eternity by grateful homage of his ransomed spirit, perpetually rendered for undeserved mercy. He died on Thursday evening, May 22, 1862", aged thirty-eight years, eight months, and six days. RICHARD COULTER DRUM. Richard Coulter Drum was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Pa., in 1825, and from the Greens- burg Academy graduated to Jefferson College, where, after spending a short time in the acquisition of the higher studies, he commenced the study of the law, having managed in the interim to pick up the very exemplary trade of the printer. From these pursuits he was awakened by the sound of the bugle from the Rio Grande, where his brother, Capt. Simon H. Drum, was already serving with the Fourth Regular Artillery, and shouldering his musket as a private soldier on the 8th of December, 1846, he entered the Mexican war as a member of Company K of the First Pennsylvania Volunteers. Scarcely two months later, on the 18th of February, 1847, he was commis- sioned a second lieutenant of infantry and assigned to the Ninth, in which he performed such gallant and meritorious services before Chapultepec on the 13th of September as to gain him a brevet, an event that was saddened by the untimely death of his brother, who met his death the same day in the famous assault upon the Belen Gate. At the close of the war he was transferred to the Fourth Artillery and ordered to Florida, his regimental comrades including such names as Pemberton, Getty, A. P. Howe, Garesche, Garnett, Mansfield, Lovell, Fitz-John Porter, Couch, and Gibbon, and where he awaited his promotion, which met him at Fort Sumter on the 16th of Sep- tember, 1850. During the next decade his services were marked by stirring episodes and flattering marks SPECIAL BIOGRAPHIES. 443 of approbation. He fought with Harney in the peril- ous Sioux expedition, and as aide-de-camp to that gallant veteran aided to maintain the peace during the Kansas disturbance of 1855. In November of the following year he was appointed an aide to Gen. Persifer F. Smith, and acting assistant adjutant-gen- eral of the Department of the West, and at his death, two years later, he rejoined his battery at Fort Mon- roe, where he was made adjutant of the post, and on the 16th of March, 1861, was transferred to the ad- jutant-general's department with a captaincy by brevet. This merited promotion, which sent him with Gen. Sumner to the Presidio, was unfortunate in the respect that it removed him from the scenes where his knowledge of the practical tactics of war would have been of the greatest value to the government, to an isolated command where the duties and dan- gers were great, requiring management of the most delicate character. The necessity of holding open the overland route to travel, of repressing the tendency of the Indian tribes to revolt at a time when the resources of the government were severely strained in the States, of watching the covert hostility of the Mormons, and holding the Mexican frontier against incursions from the South, where Maximilian and Bazaine had se- cured a threatening foothold, were duties that called for the most dextrous management and the most thorough comprehension of the situation. How well he performed these duties, and with what satisfaction to the people of the Pacific coast, was shown by the fact that at the termination of his service, on the 1st of October, 1866, a sum of money exceeding $40,000 was raised at San Francisco and presented him as a testimonial of their appreciation. While in Cali- fornia he was promoted, on the 3d of August, 1861, to the rank of major in the adjutant-general's depart- ment, and on the 17th of July, 1862, to lieutenant- colonel. Returning East, he was made adjutant-general to Gen. Meade, whom he accompanied a month later to the Third Military District, where he rendered no un- important aid in the arduous duties attending the re- construction of the States of Georgia and Alabama. After turning over these States to the civil authorities Gen. Drum attended Gen. Meade to the new Depart- ment of the South, where he remained until March 20, 1869, having been promoted to a colonelcy on the 22d of February, and later to the Division of the At- lantic, with headquarters at Philadelphia. On the death of Gen. Meade he continued as adjutant-gen- eral to Gen. Hancock, who succeeded him, where he remained until the 26th of November, 1873, when he was sent to the Division of the Missouri at Chicago, where he remained until the 2d of May, 1878. Dur- ing the labor riots of the summer of 1877, Gen. Drum again found occasion for an exercise of that personal judgment and sound discretion which had character- ized his administration at San Francisco. The threat- ening emergency found both Gens. Sherman and Sheri- dan absent on the plains, far beyond the reach of the telegraph, a howling mob in the streets of Chicago, crazy with the tidings of the success of their fellows at Pittsburgh, and a like impending fate hanging over the city. Aware of his ability, the War Department placed upon Gen. Drum the full power and responsi- bility of maintaining the public peace. Without an instant's hesitation he collected all the regular and militia forces within reach, seized the gas and water- works, planted Gatling guns at strategical points, and patroled the city with bristling bayonets, and by such prompt and vigorous measures checked and dispersed the mob without firing a gun, and before it could ef- fect the slightest damage to person or property. For these services he received the public thanks of the people and the highest commendation of the War De- partment. On the 2d of May, 1878, he was ordered to Washington, where he remained until the retire- ment of Adjt.-Gen. Townsend on the 15th of June, 1880, when, without political influence or personal ef- fort, he succeeded to the vacancy amid general appro- bation of the appointment. Gen. Drum signalized his entrance into office as adjutant-general of the army by one of the most im- portant moves in the history of the War Department. Recognizing the importance of the uniformed State militia as the nursery which in time of war must be called upon to furnish the officers to organize and command the volunteer forces, and with a view to as- similate the rules and forms governing both the reg- ular army and the militia, he addressed a letter to the adjutants-general of the States, in which he expressed the warmest desire to be of service to the State forces, and intimating the propriety of sending them copies | of all general orders issued from the War Department. I The responses to this overture of friendship and co- I operation were most hearty and unanimous. " It is a happy augury for the future of this country," re- marked Gen. Jones, of North Carolina, "when high officials of the government begin to recognize the true relations between the regular army and militia or Na- tional Guard. It is an indication that the men who now shape and control public affairs are returning to the wisdom which prevailed with those who laid the foundations of this republic, and leads me to believe that the militia may yet become what it was originally intended to be, a thoroughly organized, disciplined, effective force, ' a sure and permanent bulwark of na- tional defense.' " " I have to thank you for your ex- treme courtesy in this matter," writes Gen. Berry, of Massachusetts, "and to express again my pleasure at the interest taken by you, an interest which is so much needed, and which will tend to raise the standard of the organized militia throughout the country." " Your arguments and conclusions," said Gen. Backus, of Cal- ifornia, " are worthy of the distinguished officer and gentleman who now presides over the adjutant-gen- eral's department of the United States army, and are 444 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. such as would be expected from a gentleman who, while assistant adjutant-general of the Department of California, so successfully administered affairs as to leave pleasant remembrances and a host of friends." A year later this initiatory step was followed by issuing to the States, upon requisition, the tactical works and blank forms and books prescribed for the regular army, as still further assimilating the man- agement, drill, and internal government of the two forces, while regular officers have been detailed to in- spect the camp and troops of the militia at-their an- nual musters. The importance of this step cannot be overestimated, and the progress of the National Guard towards that discipline and development which is imperatively demanded of the great factor of success will date from the moment when Gen. Drum, as adjutant-general of the army, extended the helping hand of the national government. In private life Gen. Drum presides at the head of one of the most charming households in Washington. He married, during his subaltern days in Louisiana, the daughter of Gibbs Morgan, of Baton Rouge, a notable Southern family, our present minister to Mexico being a brother to Mrs. Drum, who is now one of the most popular and accomplished ladies in so- ciety, and has two daughters, one a widow and the other a recent debutante. Their home is a large and substantial pressed-brick house, situated on K Street, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth, in the centre of fashionable Washington, and is an attractive example of the modern architecture, involving carved brown- stone and brick trimmings, stained window-glass, with halls and parlors finished in natural wood, and the whole furnished with elegance and taste. It remains to be added that the general is about five feet nine inches in height, with a complexion that is florid, and hair and moustache gray and grizzled as becomes a soldier, and will weigh not far from one hundred and forty. To quote from a recent sketch, " he dresses in extreme good taste in civil costume, is quick in his movements, writes rapidly, decides quickly, knows a soldier when he sees him, works hard, is cautious in his manners, has a friendly smile and a quick frown, is not particularly religious, is given to fishing as a diversion, does not quarrel with the good things of this wicked world, and, take him all in all, he is a charming gentleman, a good officer, a true friend, and an admirable adjutant-general." 1 Military History of Brig-Gen. Richard C. Drum, Adjutant-General of the United Stales Army.— Enrolled as a private in Company K, First Penn- sylvania Volunteers, Dec. S, 1846, and was mustered into service Dec. 16, 1840. Served with his regiment in the war with Mexico (being engaged in the siege of Vera Cruz) until discharged at Vera Cruz, Mexico, March 17, 1847, having heen appointed a second lieutenant, United States In- fantry, Feb. IS, 1847 ; second lieutenant, Ninth Infantry, April 9,1847; transferred to the Fourth Artillery, March 8, 1848; promoted first lieu- tenant. Fourth Artillery, Sept. 16, 1850; brevet captain and assistant adjutant-general, March 16, 1861 ; vacated comniisssiou of first lieuten- ant, Fourth Artillery, May 14, 1801; major and assistant adjutant-gen- eral, Aug. 3, 1861 ; lieutenant-colonel and assistant adjutant-general, l " Army and Navy Register," Feb. 4, 1882. July 17, 1862; colonel and assistant adjutant-general, Feb. 22, 1869; and brigadier-general and adjutant-general, June 15, 1880. Breveted first lieutenant Sept. 13, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Chapultepec; colonel, Sept. 24, 1864, for meri- torious and faithful service during the war, and brigadier-general, March 13, 1865, for faithful and meritorious service in the adjutant-gen- eral's department during the war. Service: Joined the Ninth Infantry, May 19, 1847, and served there- with in the war with Mexico (engaged at the battles of Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Itey, Chapultepec, and Garita de Belen) to July, 1848, when he joined the Fourth Artillery, and served with that regi- ment en route from Mexico to Fort Monroe, Va., to Aug. 14, 1848; at Fort Monroe, Va., to Oct. 21, 1848 ; Fort Pickens, Fla., to April 25, 1849 ; Baton Rouge, La., to June 4,1850; on leave to Oct. 20, 1850; on detached service with light battery to March 11, 1851; with regiment at Fort Columbus, N. Y. H., to May 23, 1851; on detached service conducting recruits to Fort Kearney, Neb., to July 21, 1851 ; with regiment at Fort Columbus, N. Y. H., to Aug. 12, 1851 ; Fort Johnston, N. C, to June 6, 1852; Fort Brady, Mich., to October, 1853 ; Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to May 25, 1855; on detached service as acting commissary of subsistence of a battalion of the Sixth Infantry en route to Fort Kearney, Neb., to July 1, 1855; with regiment in the field, Nebraska Territory, on expe- dition against hostile Sioux Indians (being engaged at the action of Blue Water, Neb., Sept. 3, 1855), to Oct. 20, 1855 ; aide-de-camp to Gen. W. S. Harney, commanding the Sioux expedition, to Nov. 10, 1856; aide-de- camp to Gen. P. F. Smith, commanding the Department of the West, also acting assistant adjutant-general at headquarters of that department, to May, 1858 ; with regiment at the artillery school, Foil Monroe, Va., from June 4, 1858 (al60 post-adjutant of school from September, 1858, to Jan. 9, I860, and ordnance officer to April 21, 1860i, to April 3, 1861; awaiting orders aud en route to California to May 6, 1861; on duty as assistant adjutant-general at headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal., to June, 1865; headquarters Department of California, to Oct. 1, 1866; headquarters Department of the East, New York City, from Dec. 27, 1866, to Jan. 6, 1868; headquarters Third Mili- tary District, Atlanta, Ga., to Aug. 1, 1868, and of the Department of the South to March 20, 1869 ; at headquarters Military Division of the At- lantic, Philadelphia, Pa., from April 3, 1869, to Dec. 16, 1872, and at New York City to Nov. 26, 1873; headquarters 'Military Divibion of the Mis- souri, at Chicago, III., from Nov. 28, 1873, to May 2, 1878 ; on duty in the adjutant-general's office, Washington, D. C, to present date, June 16, 1880. COMMODORE JOHN B0NNETT MARCHAND was born on the 27th day of August, 1808, on the banks of the Sewickley, in Hempfield township, Westmore- land Co., Pa., on a farm located by his grandfather, Dr. David Marchand, in 1770, nine miles from Greens- burg. His father, Dr. D. Marchand, was elected pro- thonotary of the courts iu 1823, and at the age of fifteen years young Marchand entered the office as clerk. In December, 1828, he went to Philadelphia, and entered the United States navy. His appointment being dated in May previous, was sent to Greene County in mistake, thus causing the delay. In 1837 he was promoted to master, immediately after which he was put in charge of the expedition sent to survey the Savannah River. On the loth of Septem- ber, 1841, he was put in command of the schooner "Van Buren,"and on the 3d of September sailed from Baltimore to operate against the Seminole Indians in Florida. In this war he took a conspicuous part, and was frequently exposed to great danger in the swamps and bayous. On July 8, 1842, the Indian war being then over, he sailed from Indian Keys for the North. From this date on until 1843 his services were varied, the greater portion of the time being spent on board ship. On the 4th of May, 1843, he sailed from Hamp- SPECIAL BIOGRAPHIES. 445 ton Roads in the U. S. S. " Brandywine" for a cruise ' in the East Indies, but before completing this duty he received orders from the Navy Department to make a cruise of the world, and immediately sailed in pur- suance thereof, in which expedition he visited many places of interest, and professionally examined the | waters of the European and Asiatic seas. He re- turned to the United States Sept. 17, 1845, which he touched at Norfolk, Va., having completed the cir- cuit of the globe. On the 25th of November, 1846, war having been declared against Mexico, he sailed in the ship " Ohio" to join the American squadron in the Gulf of Mexico. He participated in the celebrated action in which the American ships of war bom- barded the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, under the cover of the fire of which the army of Scott debarked at Vera Cruz. On the 29th of March, 1847, Vera Cruz surrendered, and possession was taken of the city and fortifications by the Americans. From the close of the Mexican war till the begin- ning of the civil war, the country being at peace, the professional life of Commodore Marchand was not varied from ordinary routine duty. He was engaged in the interim in visiting foreign courts and perform- j ing duty abroad. On Dec. 15, 1858, he left New York to join the Paraguay expedition in command of the " Memphis," returning to the United States the following spring. At the outbreak of the civil war he was on light- house duty in Detroit. During this time an incident occurred which illustrates the devotion he had for the profession which he had chosen from among all others, the navy. While here he was offered the command of a Michigan regiment, which he refused to accept, though he gratefully acknowledged the honor con- ferred upon him, but he made application at once to the Department for immediate sea duty. He was given the "James Adger," and put in command of ! the blockade naval forces at Charleston and George- town, S. C. On the 16th May, 1862, he was wounded off the mouth of the Stone River. On the 24th of October following he was ordered to command the " Lackawanna," and in February following reported for blockade duty off Mobile. From this time until the 5th of August, 1864, the date of the battle of Mobile Bay, he was engaged in blockade duty, during which time he captured many of the vessels engaged in assisting the Confederates, among them being the I British steamer " Neptune" and the rebel steamer " Planter." We will now turn to the battle of Mobile Bay, which can best be described in the commodore's own words, which I copy from his journal : "On the 5th of August, 1864, the vessels took posi- tion alongside, and lashed to each other as required. The ' Lackawanna,' with the ' Seminole,' was in the centre of line of battle. Fort Morgan opened fire upon us first, and the rebel boats ' Tennessee,' ' Mor- gan,' ' Gaines,' and ' Selma,' inside of the bay, raked 29 our vessels with shot and shell. It was a magnificent sight, every vessel with ensigns at their mastheads and peaks, the shot and shell flying through the air with their piping sound, the dense volumes of smoke from the guns sometimes hiding the nearest ships, then floating away towards the forts, ami the loud cheers of all hands. Although shot and shell were flying around none struck the ' Lackawanna's' hull, doing serious injury, till we were within four or five hundred yards of Fort Morgan, when a heavy, elon- gated shot from the fort passed through the ship's side, killing and wounding sixteen men at the 150- pound rifle, when it carried away two stanchions of tin' taffrail, passed through the foremast, and carried away the head of the sheet-cable bits, and then pass- ing through the other side of the ship fell into the water. Blood and mangled human remains for a time impeded the working of the 150-pounder. The firing of shells from our fleet was so continuous that the enemy were driven away from their guns. At 8.30 o'clock a.m. our fleet had passed beyond the range of the guns of Fort Morgan, when the ram ' Tennessee' was seen approaching. The admiral made signal to the ' Monongahela,' as being nearest, to run her down, and instantly the same was made to me. The ' Mo- nongahela' struck her angularly near the stern and glanced away. I was more fortunate, striking her at right angles to her keel. The concussion was tre- mendous, and we rebounded, but soon after drifted against her broadside to broadside, head and stern, when our marines and some of the crew, with muskets and revolvers, opened fire into her ports, preventing the reloading of their guns, which had been fired into our bows when almost touching, exploding two shells, and sending one solid shot in^o her berth-deck, kill- ing and wounding many of the powder division and the already wounded. "In ramming the 'Tennessee' we had done her no perceptible injury except demoralizing her crew, but our stern was cut and crushed far back of the plank ends. " Our guns had been pivoted on the opposite side, in anticipation of swinging head and head, so that but one ix. gun could be sufficiently depressed to bear upon the ' Tennessee,' which was fired nearly into one of the ports, causing the port shutter to jam, becom- ing useless during the remainder of the engagement. We then separated in different directions by her going ahead, and we having nothing to hold on by, I ordered the helm hard over, to bring the ship around to make another attempt at ramming the ' Tennessee,' but our great length and the shoalness of the water, which sometimes was not more than a foot under the keel, prevented our turning rapidly, and in going around we collided with the flag-ship, the ' Hartford,' knocking two of her quarter-deck ports into one, although every effort was made on my part, by backing the engine, to prevent the occur- rence. We sustained no injury by the collision. As 446 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. soon as we cleared the ' Hartford' I again started to ' run down the ' Tennessee,' but before reaching her she had hauled down her flag, hoisted a white one, ! and surrendered to the fleet, which had by that time gotten around her." Thus closed one of the hardest-fought naval en- gagements of which the annals of America contain record. On the 28th of November, 1864, he resigned com- mand of the " Lackawanna," and arrived at Hampton Roads Dec. 11, 1864. On July 11, 1865, he was or- | dered to the Philadelphia Navy- Yard as executive officer, and on the 25th of July, 1866, was promoted to commodore for meritorious services, and put in command of the navy-yard at Philadelphia. On the 27th of August, 1870, he was placed on the retired list, under the longevity law. The Army and Navy Journal, commenting on his retirement, says, " The operation of a general law only by a few weeks deprived him of the highest rank in his profession." He died April 13, 1875, at his residence in Carlisle, Pa., and is buried in Ashland Cemetery. In stature he was five feet nine inches in height, being stout, but not corpulent, and always wearing a clean-shaved face. When in active service he wore his uniform only when absolutely necessary, but after ' he was retired it was never seen. A correspondent ' writes, " It is said of him by those who sailed with him that no profane word was ever heard from his lips ;" and when on shipboard and without a chap- lain he always read the Episcopal service every Sun- day to his crew. At the age of forty-eight years he married Mar- garet Donaldson Thornton, daughter of Paymaster Francis A. Thornton, U.S.N. JOSEPH MEREDITH TONER, M.D. Of distinguished men now living and taking an active part in the higher affairs of the world, who are bound by ties of birth or blood, to the county of which we write, must not be forgotten Dr. Joseph M. Toner, of Washington City, one of the foremost gentlemen in his profession in America. Dr. Toner was born in Pitts- burgh, Pa., April 30, 1825, and is the elder of two sons, the only surviving children of Meredith and Ann (Layton) Toner. His brother, Hon. James L. Toner, resides in Deny township. Dr. Toner received his early education in the common schools of Pittsburgh, and of Westmoreland County, whither his parents removed while he was yet young, and where other relatives of theirs lived. He subsequently attended the Western Pennsylvania University for a year, and was sent to Mount St. Mary's College, where he continued his studies for two years longer, but left without having completed a classical course. He began the study of medicine in 1847 with Dr. John Lowman, the leading physician of Johnstown, Pa., attended Jefferson Medical College in the winter of 1849-50, and at the close of his term entered Ver- mont Medical College, at Woodstock, and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that insti- tution in June, 1850. In July of that year he began practice at Summitsville, in Cambria County. He, however, shortly after attended Jefferson Medical Col- lege a third term, and received his degree of M.D. from that seat of learning in 1853. He was in practice in Pittsburgh during the cholera epidemic of 1854. After that, passing the summer on the farm with his mother, he, in 1855, removed to Harper's Ferry, Va., but observing that there was not sufficient room for any considerable professional advancement there, he in November of the same year took up his present residence in Washington. We can scarcely do more in this short sketch than advert to the fact that Dr. Toner has made for him- self in the medical profession of the United States and in the domain of natural science a reputation of the very highest degree. He has labored for his pro- fession with untiring zeal. Of the many instances in which his learning and the results of his own labors have been freely offered to the public for public good we shall instance but one. Prompted by a desire to encourage students to aspire to a higher and more scientific education in the profession, and being im- pressed with the idea that much remained to be ef- fected for the encouragement of special and original studies, perhaps through other means than those in vogue, Dr. Toner founded in 1872 by endowment, in the District of Columbia, the "Toner Lectures." "Be- lieving," writes the founder, " that the advancement of science (that is, a knowledge of the laws of nature in any part of her domain), and especially such dis- coveries as contribute to the advancement of medi- cine, tend to ameliorate the condition of mankind," he therefore set aside a fund, the interest of which was mainly to be used in maintaining the "Toner Lectures," to be delivered annually in Washington, to consist of a series of discoveries, memoirs, or lec- tures, which " should contain some new truth or dis- covery, based on original investigation," which were, if approved, to be published. This fund has been placed under the control of five trustees. One of his biographers says that the doctor has perhaps been the most successful biographer, thus far, of the medi- cal profession of the United States. " He is an au- thority in nearly all matters relating to the history of medicine, medical biography, and the local history of the District of Columbia." Sketches of his life have appeared in Allibone's " Dictionary of Authors," Johnson's " New Encyclo- pedia," the Northwestern Medical and Surgical Jour- nal, etc. He is a member of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, of the Medical Association of the District of Columbia, of the American Medi- cal Association, (since 1864), of the American Public Health Association, of the Philosophical Society of Washington, and of the Alumni Association of Jef- ferson Medical College, an honorary member of the APPENDICES. 447 California State Medical Society, of the New York State Medical Society, of the Wisconsin Historical Society, of the Detroit Academy of Medicine, a cor- responding member of the Gynecological Society of Boston, of the Virginia Historical Society, of the Albany Institute, of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Little Rock, a visitor to the Government Hospital for the Insane, and patron of the Toner Scientific Circle of Georgetown College. A list of Dr. Toner's chief publications may be found in the " Catalogue of the Surgeon-General's Library." They are so numerous as to be of themselves a library. He has been working for years on a " Biographical Dictionary of Deceased American Physicians," which when finished will be one of the most complete works of its kind ever published. The doctor's library is the most extensive of any private medical library in the United States, with possibly one exception, and is, without doubt, the largest of any south of Phila- delphia. APPENDICES. APPENDIX "A." [See Chapter XI.] A LIST OF NEGRO AND MULATTO SLAVES Registered in Westmoreland County pursuant to an Act of Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania, entitled "An act for the gradual abolition of slavery" passed the 1st day of March, A.I). 1780, and to an Act of As~ sembly e>ttitled " An act to redress certain grievances within the counties of Westmoreland and Washington," passed the 13(/i day of April, A.D. 1782.1 Sept. 25, 1780. James Gray. Female, 25, Beck. Oct. 12, 1780. Edward Cook. Male, 45, Jame ; female, 35, Sail ; male, 24, Davy ; male, 22, Joshua; female, 17, Esther ; female, 16, Nelly ; female, 1, Sue. Providence Mountz. Male, 28, Sam ; female, 22, Let; female, 2, Phillis. Vajj Swearingen. Male, 25, Will; male, 30, Tony; male, 23, Winn; female, 13, Wester or Hester; female, 9, Feby; male, 4, Harkless ; male, 16, Jack ; male, 18, Tom ; male, 1, Wilt, Jr. Josepu Jones. Female, 17, Cloe; female, 15, Bridget; male, 1, Dick. Devereux Smith, Pittsburgh. Female, 43, Suck ; female (mulatto), 7, Lucy. Oct. 16, 1780. Thomas Galbraith, Fairfield township. Male, 20, Ben ; male, 13, George. Oct. 18, 1780. Joseph Dorsey. Male, 30, Charles; male, 32, Phil; male, IP, Aaron; male, 19, Tom ; male, 25, Casse ; female, 28, Jane ; male, 12, Pompey ; female, 6, Rachel ; female, 4, Phillis; male, 2, George; male, 1}4, Frederick ; male, \< t James ; male, 5 months, Warmer. Oct. 18, 17B0. John Hamal. Male, 40, Bigion ; female, 30, Phillis ; female, 8, Armice; female, 6, Dorrah; female, 4, Chisiah ; female, 2, Hanna. Oct. 22, 1780. Henry Husk, Mount Pleasant township. Male, 45, Friday ; male, 45, Monday; female, 35, Jane; female, 30, Madam; female, 11, Suck ; female, 14, Bay well; male, 8, George; male, 6, Bob; female, 2, Gob; male, 3, Harry; female, 16 mouths, Phillis. Oct. 22, 1780. Moses Watson. Male, 30, Jame. Arthur O'Haka. Male, 6, Bob. Oct. 26, 1780. Arthur Frazer. Female, 23, Jude; female, \\A, Pat. Dec. 28, 1780. John McKibbins. Male, 15, Lidge. Zaciariah Gomel. Male, 32, Tom ; female, 40, Luce. \ 1 The date of entry is first given, then the names of owners in small capitals, followed by the sex, age, and name of the slave. Henry Heath. Male, 45, Peroks; female, 40, Judea ; a mulatto, name nor sex ascertained, 14. Andrew Heath. Male, 11, Dick. William Conwell. Female, 14, Gin. Andrew Robertson. Female, 39, Elizabeth. Oct. 28, 1780. Walter Briscoe. Male, 39, Mudd ; male, 36, Roger ; male, 65, Tom; male, 70, Fortymore ; female, 14, Phillis ; female, 14, Dinah; male, 15, Jacob; female, 39, Heagor; female, 9, Esther. Edmund Freeman. Male, 35, George; male, 27, Harry; female, 41, Charlotte ; male, 17, Ned. George Swan. Male, 17, Pryor; female, 35, Kate ; female, 12, Jean; male, 9, Luke; female, 5, Violetta ; female, I, Betty; female, 25, Penelope ; male, 5, Gerard ; female, 2, Sibia. John Swan. Male, 35, Jack ; male, 12, John. David Duncan. Male, 18, Peet ; female, 21, Sue ; female, 10, Cate; fe- male, 11 months, Cook ; male, 2^, Frank. David Sample, Esq. Male, 14, Tom ; male, 12, Nero ; female, 12, Vine ; female, 14, Dinah. Soskey Wright. Male, 22, Toby; female, 20, Sine; male, 9 months, Cuff. Benjamin Kirkindall. Male, 28, Sam; male, 13, Ned; female, 9, Nance. Zedick Wright. Male, 15, Ben. Oct. 29, 1780. Francis McGinnis. Male, 12, Tom. Oct. 30, 1780. xEneas Mackay. Male, 31, Pompey. Nathaniel Hurst. Male, 35, Sam: female, 35, Def; female, 3, Sal; female, 1, Hanna. Nov. 10, 1780. Charles Campbell. Female, 40 ; male, 15. John McDowel. Male, 13, Pompey. John Nevil. Male, 32, Harry ; male, 30, Jack ; male, 33, Lennon ; male, 25, Jerry ; male, 24, James ; male, 27, Cato : mate, 19, Jacob ; female, 48, Nan ; female, 35, Esther; female, 24, Pegg; female, 23, Pendey; female, 22, Vilet; female, 23, Doll; male, 7, Will; female, 6, Sail ; male, 4, Putnam; female, 2, Beck; female, 3, Liz; male, month 1, Jack ; male, months 3, Lemon ; male, days 18, Anthony. Nov. 10, 1780. John Decamp and Nehemiah Stokely. Male, 35, Syres; female, 40, Nan ; female, 14, Melsey ; male, 6, Prince ; female, 4, Nance ; female, 1 and 11 months, Pegg; female, 10 months, Frank. John Ryan. Male, 18, Frank ; female, 16, Suck. Jan. 10, 1781. Robert Bell. Male, 50, Pompey, Sr. ; female, 45, Mary; male, 35, John; female, 20, Rachel; female, 21, Dorrety ; male, 19, Pompey, Jr.; male, 13, Benjamin; female, 10, Margaret; female, 8, Jean; 448 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. female, 6, Ann; female, 5, Sinah; female, 9, Lydia ; male, 7, Cato ; female, 4, Dinah ; male, 3, Nace ; female, 2, Lucy ; male, 4, Samuel ; female, 3, Faney. Edmund Rick. Male, 26, Gay. James Buckston. Male, 34, Boswrine; male, 55, Sam; female, 16, Bett; male (mulatto), 8, Sam. Margaret Vance. Female, 27, Priscilla; male, 7, Harry; male, 3, Daniel. John Winter. Female, 23, Sail; female,*6, Suck ; male, 4, Sam. Marcus Stephenson. Male, 45, Suder; female, 18, Luce; female, 4, Poll. James Stephenson. Male, 55, Fortune. John Stephenson. Male, 22, Harry ; female, 21, Poll ; male, 12, Jeffrey ; female, 10, Jenny : female, 5, Betty. March 26, 1781. Ebenezer Finley. Male, 13J^, Primus. Oct. 10, 1781. Samuel Evalt. Male, 30, Moses. Andrew McFarland. Female, 17, Bett. Oct. 11, 1781. Richard Stephens. Male, 21, Simon; female, 14, Phillis; female, 5. Daphney; female, 18, Jin. Andrew Lynn. Male., 26, Jupeter; female, 30, Doll ; female, 10, Roge; male, 7, Need ; male, 5, Reuben ; male, 3, Nace ; male, 1, Frank. Dec. 10,1781. Van Swerinoan. Male, 24, Harry ; male, 24, Peter, female, 13, Tamer; female, 8, Bett. Richard Finley. Male, 12, Sampson ; female, 40, Moll ; female, 15, Luce; female, 13, Jude ; female, 9, Sarah ; female, 7, Priss. Dec. 14. 1781. James Whiteacre. Female, 45, Nell; female, 39, Sue; female, 17, Dinah ; female, 1, Cash ; male, 37, Orange ; male, 12, Hampton. Dec. 20, 1781. William McGrew. Male, 30, Tom ; Male, 17, Isaac. Dec. 18,1781. Thomas Clere. Female, 8, 6 mo., Heager. Ann Burgess (widow). Female, 28, Matty; female, 14, Nelly; male, 13, Harry; male, 10, Batchelor; female, 10, Dinah ; male, 10, Ben. Elizabeth Burgers. (Not given) 3, Jessima. Dec. 19, 1781. Isaac Finley. Female, 25, Fortune ; male, 14, George; male, 6, Ned ; female, 30, Crils ; female, 13, Samh ; female, 12, Lid ; female, 4, Jin ; female, 2, Suck. Sarah Matterson. Female, 37, Fill ; male, 16, Tom. Paul Lash. Male, 35, Sequire. Samuel Kinkade. Female, 28, Tenea ; female, 10, Sue ; male, 7, Isaac ; male, 5, Pitt; female, 10, Grace. Aaron Moore. Female, 19, Priss. Mark Harden. Male, 34, Reuben ; female, 40, Elizabeth. John and Marten Harden. Male, 20, James; female, 15, Casner ; female, 13, Jude. John McMahan. Male, 32, Elleuder; female, 9, Hannah; male, 7, George; male, 5, Benjamin; male, 3, Sambough. Theophilus Philips. Female, 17, Susannah; male, 2, Harry. Dec. 23, 1781. Robert Orr. Male, 18, Benn ; female, 15, Sook ; male, 3, Turn. Dec. 24, 1781. Gaither Simpson. Male, 26, Peter. Sallee Evans. Female, 24, Rachel. Isaac Pearce. Male, 18, Yock; female (mulatto), 21, Jude; male, 5, Isaac ; female, 1, 3 mo., Rhodey. James Finley. Female, 7, Sail. Philip Shuit. Fomale, 18, Patt; male, 11 months, George. Samuel Stephens. Male (age not given), Robert. John Coe. Male, 30, Keziali ; female, 17, Delia ; female, 15, Susan ; male, 14, Peter. Benjamin Stephens. Male, 38, Jem ; male, 30, George ; male, 17, Will ; female, 26, Nan ; female, 4, Fanny ; female, 2, Charity. Charles Stephens. Female, 17, Chloe. Dec. 20, 1781. Dorsey Pentecost. Male, 15, Jack ; male, 40, David ; female, 18, Sail; female, 20, Patt; female, 14 monthB, Flora; female, 18 years, Jem; male, 21, Dick; male, 32, Tom ; male, 14, Will ; female, 12, Hanna; female, 15, Linda; male, 25, Sam : male, 20, Joe ; male, 19, Harry ; male, 13, Gilbert. Christopher Hays. Male, 28, Peter. Dec. 24, 1781. John Murphy. Male, 25, Nerrow; male, 5, Jerry ; female, 35, Onner; female, 17, Cato ; female, 9, Fan ; female, 7, Fanner. Dec. 10, 1781. Jonathan Reese. Male, 20, Will. Zekel Moore. Female, 38, Frank. Philip Pearce. Male, 15, Jack. Charles Wickliffe. Female, 50, Frank ; female, 30, Frank or Fung ; female, 17, Amey; female, 7, Hanna; male, 5, George; male, 2, Joshua. Sarah Harden. Male, 36, Frank; female, 21, Hanna; female, 42, Philis; female. 5, Minea; male, 5, Nace; female, 3, Elizabeth; fe- male, 2, Garner. Mary Wickliffe, widow of Robert Wickliffe:, deceased. Female, 45, Cairon ; male, 21, James; female, 19, Esther; female, 17, Sarah; female, 14, Nan. Samuel Pair. Male, 4, Weine. James White, Springhill. Male, 20, Abraham ; male, 12, Jonas; female (mulatto), 10, Ellender. Dec. 24, 1781. Charles Cain. Male, 16. David. Dec. 29, 1781. John Gibson. Female, 50, Nell. Dec. 14, 1781. Rev. James Finley. Male, 12, Primus. Rev. James Wright. Female, 14, Jean. Rev. Samuel Irwin. Male, 10, Ben ; female, 17, Patty ; female, 22, Jack ; female, 23, Will ; female, 18, Poll. Gabriel Cox. Female, 15, Hannah ; male, 26, Squash ; male, 20, Job ; male, 21, Jack ; female, 19, Sail. Joseph Becket. Female, 25, Beck ; male, 18 months. Tom; male, 29, Harry ; female, 22, Esther ; female, 12, Violet ; female, 16, Bett ; male, 32, Moses. June 4, 1782. Augusta Moore. Male, 11, Abnxhaiu. William Harrison. Male, 40, Larrow ; female, 17, Sail; female, 15, Jacob. Thomas Moore. Male, 40, Simon ; female, 17, Snll ; male, 15, Jacob. Joseph Graybill. Male, 21, Dick ; female, 22, Hanna; female, 2 years, 4 months, Nelly. Benjamin Davis. Male, 23, Pomp ; female, 25, Hanna ; male, 7, Milton ; female, 4, Sue. Joseph Hill. Male, 23, Tom ; female, 22, Florence; female, 8, Susan- na ; female, 6. Dinah ; male, 4 years 3 months, George; female. 2 years 4 months, Lucey. July 6, 1782. Thomas McGinnis. Female, 25; Jane; male, 5, Andrew; male, 4, Jack. July 11, 17S2. Dennis Springer. Male, 33 ; Dave; female (mulatto), 22, Poll; male, 5, Frank. July 26, 1782. David WHITE. Female, 20, Sail. Robert Vance. Male, 4, Tom. Aug. 26, 1782. Rev. James Finley. Male, 30, Plato ; female, 30, Bett ; female, 12, Nan ; male, 10, Toby ; female, 9, Betts; male, o, Plato ; male, 40, Jemes. Sept. 4, 1782. J amis McCulloch. Male, 11, Essex. Sept. 21, 1782. John Taylor. Male, 12, Brier; female, 4, Bet. Oct. 8, 1782. Joseph Hill. Male, 18, Jack. Jacob Machling. Male, 20, Tom ; female, 9, Bets. John Meason. Female, 30, Milea; male, 4, Bill. Oct. 9, 1782. Michael Campdell. Male, in, Bub; female, 8, Jin ; female 4, Cate. • Oct. 10, 1782. Hezekiah McGruder. Male, 34, Robert; male, 28, Tobias; malt 24, Erasmus; male, 23, Edward ; male, 23, William; male, 5, Abraham; male, 2 years 6 months, Benjamin ; female, 38, Rachel ; female, 32, APPENDICES. 449 Elizabeth ; female, 27. Hanna; female, 22, Eleanor; female, 10, Teraminta; female, 9, Alice: female, 9, Charily; female, 2, Cas- sandra; female, 2 years 4 months, Leah. Margaret Hutton. Male, 37, Jeremiah ; male, 20, Thomas; male, 16, Isaac; male, 14, Philemon ; female, 57, Hannah ; female, 40, Cath- arine; female, 19 ; Susanna; female, S, Henrietta; female, 5, Ra- chel. Richard Noble. Male, 22, Joshua ; male, 9, John ; male, 4, John ; male, 21, Ignatius ; female, 29, Lucey ; female, 15, Patience ; female, G, Dinah. William Goe. Male, 27, James: male, 24, Anthony; male, 11, Scot- land ; female, 45, Jane ; female, 36, Ann ; female, 18, Dye ; female, 14, Daphuey ; female, 8, Priscilla ; female, 5, Hannah ; female, 2' L ., Lucey. John Goe. Female, 2m, Jane. Margaret Goe. Female, 24, Rachel. Edward Cook. Male, 12, Ben. Levi Stephens. Female, 18, Elizabeth. James Stephenson. Male, 70, Fortune; female, 12, Bet. Oct. 11, 1782. Sarah Bradley. Man, 22, Jack. John Pierce Devalt. Female, 45, Ciish. Oct. 12, 1782. Henry Spears. Male, 39, Cronibo; male, 28, Ohonora; male, 21, Sambo; male, 15, James; male, 7, York; male, 5, William; male, 5, David ; male, 4, Jeremiah ; male, 3, George; male, 2 years 4 months, An- drew ; male, 2 years 2 months, Daniel ; female, 39, Sungra; female, 35, Obina; female, 23, Flora; female, 9, Barbara; female, 6, Jane; female, 4. Ann ; female, 2 years 3 months, Pheby ; female, 2 years 2 months, Elenor. Peter Reasoner. Female, 14, Dina. Oct. 14, 1782. John Waddle. Male, 27, Butler; female, 14, Dinah. Thomas Warring. Male, 30, Charles ; female, 36, Nell ; female, 13, Gin; female, 11, Nenbe ; female, 5, Bett. Oct. 15, 1782. Gasper Gayer. Male, 20, Jim. Oct. 23, 1782. John Carr. Male, 23, Bass. Nov. 12, 1782. John Lind6ey. Male, 26, Job ; female, 25, Hannah ; male, 14, Samboe ; female, 9, Judea ; female, 8, Abby. Nov, 17, 1782. Charles Harra. Female, 22, Rose. Michael Shillys. Female, 22, Phillis. Nov. 25, 1782. Charles Foreman. Female, 17, Amynta. Thomas Gist. Male, 32, Jesse. Robert Ross. Male, 22, Gabe ; male, 30, Dubbiu. Benjamin Powers. Male, 25, Peter. James Death, Jr. Male, 18, Tom; fomale, 16, Polldore; female, 12, Flora ; male, 8, C;esar ; female, 7, Sale ; female, 5, Rachel. Christian Rodenbaugh. Male, 19, Frank. Samuel Fulton. Male, 15, Hercules; female, 15, Milley. James Lynch. Female, 25, Jude ; female, 6, Dinah : male, 3, Peter. James Gray. Female (age not given), Neel. George Clark. Male, 18, Ben ; male, 4, Tom ; female, 16, Suck. Gilbert Simpson. Male, 55, Orson; male, 20, Dufley; male, 18, Simon ; male, 19, Daniel; female, 22, Ann; female, 20, Jean; female, 18, Lucy; male, 7, Joseph ; female, 5, Alle; female, 3, Lydia; male, 3 Philip; female, 1, Darcus. Nov. 26, 1782. William Steel. Malt, 18, Phil!. Nov. 30, 1782. James Cross. Male (mulatto), 24, James ; female, 26, Susanna ; male, 22, Bill; female, 30, Lett; female, 5, Edy ; female, 5, Lucy; female, 3, Maffy ; female, 2, Mary. Dec. 3, 1782. Daniel Elliot. Female, 12, Hannah. Dec. 5, 1782. John Neal. Male, 12, Prince. Dec. 10, 1782. Eli Coulter. Female, 19, Lucy ; male, 35, Guilbert. James Laughlin. Female, 30, Pegg. Hugh Laughlin. Female, 25, Moll ; female, 14, Jean ; male, IS, Jacob j female, 5, Kett. John Laughlin. Female, 40, Margere ; female, 15, Dinah. Dec. 17, 1782. James Sterret. Male, 35, Bob; male, 10, Moses; female, 32, Sib; fe- male, 4, Lydia; male, 8, Dick. John Hall. Male, 30, Frank ; female, 25, Fillis ; mulatto (age notgiven), 9, Hick ; male, 7, Wapping ; female (mulatto), 5, Jude ; male, 3, Sam. Jacob Hewit. Male, 30 (age not given) ; female, 20, Esther ; male, 1, Ben. Dec. 19, 1782. John Kidd. Male, 15, Bob. John Wright. Male, 22, Jack ; male, 14, Abraham ; female, 22, Eaffe ; female, 16, Hanna; female, 16, Jean. Dec. 20, 1782. Jonathan Johnston. -Male, 28, Toby ; female, 26, Chloe; male, 20, La- tum; female, 12, Rachel; female, 3, Patty ; female, 1, Esther. William Bi.ackmore. Male, 21, Bush ; female, 20, Peter. William Price. Male, 38, Francis; male, 19, Natt ; boy, 7, Dick; boy, 9, Thorn. Isaac Meason. Female, 30, Vanac; female, 10, Febe; fomale, 4, age not given ; male, 22, Jack ; male, 13, Joseph ; male, 9, Ben ; male, 20, Harry; male, 9, Dick. Mary Meason. Male, 30, Solomon. Elizabeth. Female, 20, Pb ilia; male, 3, Peter. John and James Perry. Female, 27, Belinda; female, 30, Phillis; male, 4, Amos; male, 3, Bill; female, 10, Fortune; female, 6, Bett ; female, 2, Sail; male, 1, Nise ; male, 18, Tom; male, 15, Sam; male, 20, Jack. Edward Freeman.' Male, 28, Jack; male, 27, Dick; female, 19, Char- lotte ; male, 4, Ned. Reuben Kemp. Female, 40, Flora. James Rutta. Female, 20, Jenny. Benjamin Coe. Male, 15, Titus. John McKibbins. Male, 26, Daniel ; male, 12, David ; male, 18, Jarret ; male, 20, Jack. Dec. 22, 1782. William Pitts. Female, 18, Rachel ; male, 25, Luke ; male, 16, George ; male, 3, Saul ; male, 17, James. Dec. 23, 1782. John Irwin. Female, 30, Hager; male (mulatto), 12, Tom ; female, 10, Venus. William Irwin. Female (mulatto), 16, Vail. John Johnston. - Male, 17, Boast; male, 30, Jack. Dec. 26, 1782. James Smith. Male, 11, Jesse. Dec. 27, 1782. Thomas Brown. Female, 29, Susanna ; female, 26, Margaret ; male, 20, Abner; male, 18, Doreby ; female, 6, Phillis J male, 3, Richard. Otho Brashears. Male, 28, Henry ; female, 23, Reheccah. Naoy Brashears. Male, 40, Moses ; female, 37, Sarah ; female, 38, Dinah ; male, 20, Peter; female, 21, Cloke; female, 13, Pegg; male, ^.Gard- ner ; male, 11, Jully ; male, 8, Edesen ; female, 4, Hanna ; female, 3, Dilly; female, 3, Catharine. Leven Wilcox. Female, 30, Chloe; male, 22, Tom ; male, 15, Aaron ; female, 7, Susanna; male, 7, Samuel ; female, 6, Jean ; male, 4, Jef- fry ; female, 3, Ann. James Hammond. Male, 17, Sam; male, 21, Nick; male, 7, Frank ; fe- male, 4, Milley. Rezin Virgin. Male, 15, Will ; male, 7, Tom. Jonathan Arnold. Male, 19, Bobb ; female, 3, Bett. James McMachan. Male, 7, Wright. Armstrong Porter. Male, 33, Sam. Dec. 28, 1782. Richard Stephens. Male, 17, Agaday ; feDiale, 14, Eve. Joseph Bracken, Jr. Male, 65, London. John Wells. Female, 14, Kate; male, 12, Dick; female, 10, Poll. Dec. 29, 1782. Edward Mills. Female, 21, May. Peter Laughlin. Male, 25, Sam ; female, 18, Lydia ; female, 10, Fane ; male, 2, Mich; male, 2 months, Toby. Robert Harrison. Male, 15, Ned ; female, 9, Rachel ; female, 7, Hager. John Harrison. Female, 45, Sue. IsaacNewman. Male, 27, Richard ; female, 27, Hanna; male.ll.George- Thomas Gorham. Male, 45, Sam ; male, 30, Jey ; male, 19, Tom ; male, 8, James; female, 40, Betty ; female, 14, Dyner. 450 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. John Gorham. Male, 9, Tobe. William Tyleb. Male, 11, Bobbard. Daniel Stephens. Male, 4, Nathan. John McClelland. Male, 16, Bob. John Poweb. Male, 7, Quintus. William Goe. Male, 22, Sam. Dec. 30, 1782. William McCormick. Male, 23, Sumson; female, 30, Chloe; female, 11, Sail ; male, 8, Peter; female, G, Sail. Benoni Dawson. Female, 36, Doll; male, 14, John; male, 11, Chris- topher; female, 11, Lucy; female, 9, Priscilla; male, 6, Joseph; male, 3, Smith. Dec. 31, 1782. Nicholas Dawson. Male, 27, Sam. Elenor Dawson. Male, 37, Scipio. Chables Griffin. Male, 14, Jack. John Brown. Female, 9, Else. George Swan.- Female, 37, Kate; male, 12, Luke; female, 11, Jane; female, 6, Lette ; female, 2}..j, Ann. Samuel Burns, female, 11, Sook. Frequent allusions to these " servants" are found in letters addressed to Col. Washington in 1774 and 1775 by Valentine Crawford, who re- sided on Jacobs Creek, and acted a* general agent in charge of Wash- ington's lands and affairs of improvement in this region. An extract from one of those letters is given below, viz. : "Jacobs Creek, July 27, 1774. "Dear Colonel, — On Sunday evening or Monday morning, William Orr, one of the most orderly men I thought I had, ran away, and has taken a horse and other things. I have sent you an advertisement of him. I am convinced he will make for some ship in Potomac Kiver. I have sent two men after him, and furnished them with horses and money. I have also written to my brother, Richard Stevenson [a half- brother of Crawford's], in Berkeley, and James McCormick to escort the men I sent, and to forward this letter and advertisement to you. ... I have Bold all the men buttwo, and Ibelieve Ishould havesold Ihem but the man who ia run away had a very sore foot, which was cut with an axe and was not long well, and John Smith was not well of the old disorder he had when he left your house. I sold Peter Miller and John Wood to one Mr. Edward Cook for £45, the money to be applied to the use of build- ing your mill. I sold Thomas McPherson and his wife and James Lowe to Maj. John McCulloch and Jones EnniBfor £65, payable in six months from the date of sale. To my brother I sold William Luke, Thomas White, and the boy, John Knight. He is either to pay you for them or he loses them in case you can prosecute your designs down the river [the opening of a plantation on the Virginia side of the Ohio, between Wheeling and the Little Kanawha]. I took John Smith and William Orr on the same terms ; so that, in justice, I am accountable to you for the man if he is never got. I should have sold the whole of the servants, agreeable to your letter, if I could have got cash or good pay, but the confusion of the times put it out of my power. ... I only went down to Fort Pitt a day or two, and two of my own Bervanta and two militia- men ran away. I followed them and caught them all down at Bedford, and brought them back. While I was gone two of your men, John Wood and Peter Miller, stole a quantity of bacon and bread, and were to have started that very night I got home, but a man of mine discovered their design. I sold them immediately, and would have sold the whole if I could, or delivered them to Mr. Simpson, but he would not be con- cerned with them at any rate." The following is a copy of the advertisement referred to : "Five Pounds Reward. " Run away from the subscriber, living on Jacobs Creek, near Stew- art's Crossing, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on Sunday night, the 24th instant, a convict servant man named William Orr, the prop- erty of Col. George Washington. He is a well-made man, about five feet ten inches high, and about twenty-four years of age. He was born in Scotland, and speaks that dialect pretty much. He is of a red com- plexion and very full-faced, with short, sandy-colored hair, and very re- markable thumbs, they bulh being crooked. He had on and took with him an old felt hat bound with black binding, one white cotton coat and jacket with black horn buttons, one old brown jacket, one pair of snuff- colored breeches, one pair of trowscrs made in sailor's fashion, and they are made of sail-duck, and have not been washed, a pair of red leggins, and shoes tied with strings, two Osnaberg shirts and one Holland shirt marked 'V. C.,' which he stole, and a blanket. " He stole likewise a black horse, about fourteen hands high, branded on the near shoulder and buttock ' R. W.,' and shod before. He had neither bridle nor saddle that we know of. I expect he will make to some seaport town, as he has been much used to the seas. Whoever takes up said servant and secures him, so that he and horse may be had again, shall receive the above reward, or three pounds for the man alone and reasonable charges if brought home paid by me. " Val. Crawfobd, " For Col. George Washington. "July 25, 1774. "N. B.— All masters of vessels are forbid taking him out of the coun- try on their peril. " V. C." APPENDIX "B." [See Chapter XVI.] THE HANNASTOWN MEETING OF 1775. The following is transcribed from the "American Archives," fourth series, volume ii. page 615: "Meeting of the Inhabitants of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. " At a general meeting of the inhabitants of the County of Westmore- land, held at Hannu's Town the 16th of May, 1775, for taking into con- sideration the very alarming situation of this country, occasioned by the dispute with Great Britain, "Resolved unanimously, That the Parliament of Great Britain, by sev- eral late Acts, have declared the inhabitants of the Massachusetts- Bay to be in rebellion, and the Ministry, by endeavoring to enforce those Acis, have attempted to reduce the said inhabitants to a more wretched state of slavery than ever before existed in any state or country. Not content with violating their constitutional and chartered privileges, they would strip them of the rights of humanity, exposing lives to the wanton and unpunishable sport of licentious soldiery, and depriving them of the very means of subsistence. " Resolved unanimmisly, That there is no reason to doubt but tlie same system of tyranny and oppression will (should it meet with success in the Massachusetts- Bay) be extended to every other part of America : it is, therefore, become the indispensable duty of every American, of every man who has any publick virtue or love of his Country, or any bowels for posterity, by every means which God has put in his power, to resist and oppose the execution of it; that for us, we will be ready to oppose it with our lives and fortunes. And the better to enable us to accomplish it, we will immediately form ourselves into a military body, to consist of Companies to be made up out of the several Townships under the follow- ing Association, which is declared to be the Association of Westmoreland county: "Possessed with the most unshaken loyalty and fidelity to His Ma- jesty King Geor>je the Third, whom we acknowledge to be our lawful and rightful King, and who we wish may long be the beloved Sovereign of a free and happy people throughout the whole British Empire; we declare to the world, that we do not mean by this Association to deviate from that loyalty which we hold it our bounden duty to observe; but, animated with the love of liberty, it is no less our duty to maintain and defend our just rights (which, with sorrow, we have seen of late wan- tonly violated in many instances by a wicked Ministry and a corrupted Parliament) and transmit them entire to our posterity, for which pur- pose we do agree and associate together: "1st. To arm and form ourselves into a Regiment or Regiments, aud choose officers to command us in such proportion as shall be thought necessary "2d. We will, with alacrity, endeavor to make ourselves masters of the manual exercise, and such evolutions as shall be necessary to enable us to act in a body with concert; and to that end we will meet at such times and places as shall be appointed either for the Companies or the Regiment, by the officers commanding each when chosen. "3d. That should our Country be invaded by a foreign enemy, or should TroopB be sent from Great Britain to enforce the late arbitrary Acts of its Parliament, we will cheerfully submit to a military disci- pline, and to the utmost of our power resist and oppose them, or either of them, and will coincide with any plan that may be formed for the defense of America in general, or Pennsylvania in particular. "4th. That we do not wish or desire any innovation, but only that things may be restored to, and go on in the same way as before the era of the Stamp Act, when Boston grew great and Avierici was happy. As a proof of this disposition, we will quietly submit to the laws by which APPENDICES. 451 ■we have been accustomed to be governed before that period, and will, in our several or associate capacities, be ready when called on to assist the civil magistrate in carrying the same into execution. "5th. That when the British Parliament shall have repealed their lute obnoxious Statutes, and shall recede from their claim to tax us, and make laws for us in every instance, or when some general plan of union or reconciliation has been formed and accepted by America, this, our association, shall be dissolved; but till then it Bhall remain in full force ; and to the observation of it we bind ourselves by everything dear aud sacred amongst men. m 44 No licensed murder! no famine introduced by taw ! " Resolved, That on Wednesday, the 24th instant, the township meet to accede to the said Association and choose their officers." THE PITTSBURGH MEETING OF 1775. Augusta County (Vibginia) Committee. 14 At a meeting of the inhabitants of that part of Augusta County that lies on the west side of the Laurel Hill, at Pittsburgh^ the 16th day of May, 1775, the following gentlemen were chosen a committee for the said district, viz.: George Croghan, John Campbell, Edward Ward, Thomas Smallman, John Cannon, John Mc'.lillongli, William Gee, George Valandigham, Johu Gibson, Dorsey Penticost, Edward Cook, William Crawfnrd, Devereux Smith, John Anderson, David Rodgers, Jacob Vanmetre, Henry Enoch, James Ennis, George Willson, William Vance, David Shepherd, William Elliot, Richmond Willis, Samuel Sam- ple, John Ormsby, Richard McMaher, John Neville, and John Swear- ingen. "The foregoing gentlemen met in committee, and resolved that John Campbell, John Ormsby, Edward Ward, Thomas Smallman, Samuel Sample, John Anderson, and Devereux Smith, or any four of them, be a Standing Committee, and have full power to meet at such times as they shall judge necessary, and in case of any emergency, to call the commit- tee of this district together, and shall be vested with the same power and authority as the other standing committee and committees of corres- pondence are in the other counties within this colony. "Resolved unanimously. That the cordial and most grateful thanks of this committee are a tribute due to John Harvie, Esquire, our worthy representative in the late Colonial Convention held at Richmond, for his faithful discharge of that important trust reposed in him ; and to John Neville, Esquire, our worthy delegate, whom nothing but sickness pre- vented from representing us in that respectable assembly. "Resolved unanimously, That this committee have the highest sense of the spirited behavior of their brethren in New England, and do most cordially approve of their opposing the invaders of American rights and privileges to the utmost extreme, and that each member of this commit- tee, respectively, will animate and encourage their neighborhood to fol- low the brave example. " The imminent danger that threatens America in general, from min- isterial and parliamentary denunciations of our ruin, and is uow carry- ing into execution by open acts of unprovoked hostilities in our sister colony of Massachusetts, as well as the danger to be apprehended to this colony in particular from a domestic enemy, said to be prompted by the wicked minions of power to execute our ruin, added to the menaces of an Indian war. likewise said to be in contemplation, thereby think to en- gage our attention, and divert it from that still more interesting object of liberty and freedom, that deeply and with bo much justice hath called forth the attention of all America, for the prevention of all or any of those impending evils, it is " Resolved, That the recommendation of the Richmond Convention, of the 20th of last March, relative to the embodying, arming, and disciplin- ing the militia, be immediately carried into execution with the greatest diligence in this country, by the officers appointed for that end; and that the recommendation of the said Convention to the several committees of this colony, to collect from their constituents, in such manner as shall be moBt agreeable to them, so much money aB shall be sufficient to pur- chase half a pound of gunpowder and one pound of lead, flints, and cartridge paper for every tithable person in their county, be likewise carried into execution. " This committee, therefore, out of the deepest sense of the expediency of this measure, most earnestly entreat that every member of this com- mittee do collect from each tithable person in their several districts the sums of two shillings and six pence, which we deem no more than suffi- cient for the above purpose, and give proper receipts to all such as pay the same into their hands, and the sum so collected to be paid into the nands of Mr. John Campbell, who is to give proper security to this com- mittee or their successors, for the due and faithful application of the money so deposited with him for the above purpose, by or with the ad- vice of this committee, or their successors; and this committee, as your representatives, and who are most ardently laboring for your preserva- tion, call on you, our constituents, our friends, brethren, and fellow-suf- ferers, in the name of God, of everything yon hold sacred or valuable, for the sake of your wives, children, and unborn generations, that you will, every one of you, in your several stations, to the utmost of your power, assist in levying such sum, by not only paying yourselves but by assisting those who are not in a condition at present to do so. We heartily lament the case of all such as have not this sum at command in this day of necessity; to all such we recommend to tender security to such as Providence has enabled to tend them so much ; and this commit- tee do pledge their faith and fortunes to you, their constituents, that we shall, without fee or reward, use our best endeavors to procure, with the money so collected, the ammuuition our present exigencies have made so exceedingly necessary. " As this committee has reason to believe there is a quantity of ammu- nition destined for this place for the purpose of government, and as this country on the west side of the Laurel Hill, is greatly distressed for want of ammunition,and deprived of the means of procuring it, by reason of its situation, as easy as the lower counties of this colony, they do earnestly request the committees of Frederick, Augusta, and Hampshire, that they will not suffer the ammunition to pass through their counties for the purpose of government, but will secure it for the use of this destitute country, and immediately inform this committee of their having done so. 44 Resolved, That this committee do approve of the resolution of the com- mittee of the other part of the county, relative to the cultivating a friendship with the Indians, and if any person shall be so depraved as to take the life of any Indian that may come to us in a friendly manner, we will, as one man, use our utmost endeavors to bring such offender to condign punishment. 44 Ordered, That the standing committee be directed to secure such arms and ammunition as are not employed in actual service or private prop- erty, and that they get the same repaired and deliver them to such cap- tains of Independent Companies as may make application for the same, and take such captain's receipt for the arms bo delivered. " Resolved, That the sum of fifteen pounds, current money, be raised by subscription, and that the Bame be transmitted to Robert Carter Nicho- las, Esq., for the use of the deputies sent from this colony to the general Congress. Which Bum of money was immediately paid by the commit- tee then present."— Oai^'s History of Pittsburgh. APPENDIX "C." [See Chapter XVII.] We give herewith a list of the names of those taking the foregoing oath, and returned by Hugh Martin, Esq. Martin was a substantial citizen in his day, was early appointed one of the county justices, and | was by reappointment a justice of the peace nearly all his life. Among the county records his name is met with often. He was one of the com- missioners designated by the Assembly to locate the county-seat, when the report was made in favor of Greensburg. He resided on the Sewickley. This list was found among others in the department buildings at Harrifl- burg, when the compilers of the new series of the Pennsylvania Archives were ransacking for material, and thus, as we understand, at the desire of a Westmorelander, at the time there, was inserted among others of a similar kind to be found in the third volume of that series. 44 The Names of TJiose that have taken the Oath of Fidelity Before Me, To- gether taith the Years, Months, and days of the Months when Taken, pr. Me y Hugh Martin, Esq. " September ye 11, 1778. Samuel Glasgow. 23, John Griffin. 23, Moses Lotta (Latta). 23, Samuel Robinson. 23, Alexander Maxwell. 23, Samuel Serrels. 24, Isaac Miller. 26, Jacob McLain. October ye 3, 1777. Isaac McHendry. 3, Joseph Hutchison. 9, Clements McGerry. 9, Joseph Eager (Eicher). 9, William Robinson. - 9, James McQuiston. 9, John Kilgore. 452 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. 10, George Latimer. 13, Robert Waddle. 13, John Robinson. - 13, James Martin. 14, John Moore, Esq. 14, Alexander Young. 14, John Brandon. 14, Robert Robinsom- 14, WilHam Youug. 14, Ch.'irles Siskey. 14, Robert Jamison. 14, Abraham Leasure. 14, David Perry. 14, John Cortney. 14, James Waddle. 14, Francis McGinnice. 14, John Stachal. November ye 1, 1777. William Ferguson. 1, James Furguson. 1, John Jack. 1, John Speelman. 1, James Clark. 3, George Sulear. 3, John Jamison. 20, David Sheerer. 21, Thomas Patton. December ye 27, 1777. Nicloss^Whitsal. 27, John Willy. March ye 24, 1778. Frederick Dumbal. 24, Mathias Stockbergur Aprile ye 23, 1778. George Huber. 23, Michain McKendry. 25, John Fiskey. 25, Christopher Reiner. March ye 9, 1778. Richard Young. 13, John Millar. 16, John Davis. 16, James Giver. 25, William Lechery. 27, Robert Fleeman. 27, James Wilson. 29, James Steel. 29, Samuel Luis. June ye 2, 1778. George Ryan. 2, John Beck. 19, Garet Fiskey. 19, George Stockberger. 19, Joseph Craford. 21, John Persbon. 21, Jacob Dydich. July ye 3,1778. James Parr. 7, Robert Marshal. 7, John McHee. 23, Arthur Ohorow. 30, Thomas Winter, August 19, 1778. William Waddle. 29, Peter Gross. 31, Daniel Armal. September ye 9, 1778. Benjamin Eakin. 11, James Cliford. 21, Jacob Powers. October 9, 1778. John Telor. 12, Casper Weaver. 13, George Findly. 30, Hendry Bair. January ye 1,1779. John Beer. 2, Johu McEraciu. 4, John Neele. 5, George Otr. 5, Edmond Cochel. 5, Joseph Hussburne. 5, Samuel Glasgow. 5. James Egneu. 5, George Swap. 5, Charles Johnston, 5, Nathaniel Miller. 'Ninety-four in number. " Westmoreland County: "I do certify the within accunnt of 94 persons, having taken and sub- scribed the Oath of Allegiance before Hugh Martin, is recorded accord- ing to law. " James Kinkeab, Recorder." APPENDIX "D." [See Chapter XVII.] DEPUTIES TO THE PROVINCIAL CONVENTION HELD AT PHILADELPHIA, July 15, 1774. Robert Hauna. James Cavett. COMMITTEE OF 'THE PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE HELD AT CARPENTER'S HALL, PHILADELPHIA, June 18, 1775. Edward Cook. James Perry. COUNCIL OF SAFETY FROM Oct. 17, 1777, to Dec. 4, 1777. ALSO MEMBER OF THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. Thomas Scott. ASSISTANT FORAGE-MASTER FOR WESTMORELAND, April 5, 1780. Archibald Steele. PURCHASER OF FORAGE AND PLACES OF DELIVERY. Johu Allen, Fort Ligonier aud Fort Pitt. TO TAKE SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE CONTINENTAL LOAN (Ap- pointed by the Assembly, Dec. l(i, 1777). Charles Foreman. Edward Cook. COMMISSIONERS TO SEIZE THE PERSONAL EFFECTS OF TRAITORS. Col. John Proctor. Thomas Galbraith. COUNCILORS. John Proctor, March 10, 1777. Thomas Scott, Nov. 18, 1777. Christopher Hays, Nov. 13, 1780. Matthew Jack, Dec. 24, 1781. Isaac Meason, Oct. 2S, 1783. John Beard, Nov. 18, 1786. William Findley, Nov. 25, 1789. Johu Smiley, Oct. 2IJ, 1783. CENSORS. William Findley, Oct. 20, 1783. JUDGES OF THE COMMON PLEAS. Prothonotary, June 11, 1777. Michael Huffnagle, Dec. 24, 1781. George Wallace, May 25, 1784. Christopher Trueby, Aug. 18, 1784. John Moore, Aug. 18, 1784. Matthew Jack, Aug. 18, 1784. Abraham Hendricks, Aug. 18, 1784. Hugh Martin, Nov. 13, 1784. George Baird, Nov. 16, 1784. Johu Moore, Nov. 20, 1784. John Hughes, Oct. 24, 1784. James Hamilton, Oct. 31, 1784. Charles Campbell, June 24, 1786. Jacob Reiser, March 2, 1787. Andrew Graff, March 3, 1787. Alexander Mitchell, Sept. 11, 17S7. Matthew Jack, Sept. 11, 1787. James Findley (resigned June 14, 1788). John Pomroy, Sept. 30, 1788. William Lochrey, Dec. 9, 1789. George Finley, March 10, 1790. OFFICERS OF THE COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS. President, John Moore, Oct. 24, 1785. OFFICERS OF THE ORPHANS' COURT. President, Johu Moore, Oct. 24, 1785. PROTHONOTARIES. Michael Huffnagle (preceded by | Andrew Lochrey, March 21, 1777. Mr. Lochrey). i Michael Huffnagle, Dec. 24, 1782. REGISTIiR OF WILLS. James Hamilton, March 11, 1786. RECORDER OF DEEDS. James Hamilton, March 11, 1780. CLERKS OF COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS. Archibald Lochrey, Feb. 27, 1778. Michael Huffnagle, Dec. 24, 1781. CLERKS OF ORPHANS' COURT. Archibald Lochrey, Feb. 27, 1778. Michael Huffnagle, Dec. 24, 1781. APPENDICES. 453 SHERIFFS. William Perry, Nov. IS, 1777. | William Perry, Nov. 28, 1786. Matthew Jack, Nov. IS, 1780. James Gutrey (Guthrie), Nov. 9, Kohert Orr, Oct. 28, 17S3. 1789. CORONERS. John Griffin, June 27, 1777. William Waddle, Oct. 28, 1783. William Wad.lell, Nov. 18, 1777. John Gibson, Nov. 28, 178G. Michael Rough (Rugh), Nov. 13, Robert Dickey, Oct. 31, 1788. 1780. COLLECTORS OF EXCISE. William Perry, Jan. 1, 177S. Wendal Ourry, Nov. 27, 177s. John Allen, Nov. 25, 1780. David Renkin, Nov. 24, 1781. Anthony Thompson, May 13, 1783. JUSTICES OF Edward Cook, June 11, 1777. John Guthrie, June 11, 1777. Charles Foreman, June 11, 1777. John Moore, June 11, 1777. James Marshall, June 11, 1777. Christopher Truby, July 11. 1777. Philip Rogers, June 11, 1777. Joseph Huston, June II. 1777. Robert Adams, June 11, 1777. James Bair, June 11, 1777. Hugh Martin, June 11, 1777. James McGarraugh, June 11,1777. John Beard, June 11, 1777. Andrew Robb, June 11, 1777. Robert Richy, June 11, 1777. John Allen, May 12, 1779. Alexander Mitchell, May 1, 17SO. John Allen, June 16, 1780. James Terrens, June 16, 1780. Providence Mounts, Sept. 15, 1780, Nehemiah Stokley, March 28, 1782, James Guthrie, Feb. 27, 1783. John Stokely, Nov. 21, 1783. William Graham, April 7, 1783. John Griffin, March 3, 1787. Robert Hunter, Jr., Sept. 16, 1789. THE PEACE. John Miller, Sept. 1, 1783. John Hughes, Sept. 17, 1783. Michael Hnffnagle, Sept. 30, 1783. George Wallace, May 25, 1784. Christopher Truby, Aug. 18, 1784. John Moore, Aug. 18, 1784. Matthew Jack, Aug. 18, 1784. George Baird, Oct. 9, 1784. Abraham iTendricks, Nov. 13,1784. Hugh Martin, Nov. 15, 1784. James Hamilton, Oct. 24, 1786. Charles Campbell, March 2, 1787. Jacob Ruger, March 3, 1787. Andrew Graff, March 3, 1787. Michael Rugh, Sept. 7, 1787. Alexander Mitchell, Sept. 11, 1787. Matthew Jack, Sept. 11, 1787. James Findley (resigned), June 14, 1788. John Pomroy, Sept. 30, 1788. William Lochrey, Dec. 9, 1789. George Findley, March 10, 1790. DEDIMUS POTESTATEMS. Archibald Lochrey, June 11, 1777. Christopher Hayes, July 24, 1782. Edward Cook, June 11, 1777. Dorsey Peutecost, July 24, 1782. John Moore, June 1 1, 1777. Edward Cook, July 24, 1782. DEPUTY SURVEYOR. James Hamilton, April IS, 1785. COUNTY LIEUTENANTS. Archibald Lochrey, March 21, 1777. Charles Campbell (vice Cook). Edward Cook, Jan. 5, 1782. SUB-LIEUTENANTS. Charles Campbell, March 21, 1777. Col. Samuel Hays, March 2: James Pollock, March 21, 1777. James Perry, March 21, 1777. Edward Cook, March 21, 1777. Christopher Hays, March 21, 1777, William Cochran, Dec. 3, 1777. George Reading (vice Pollock, de- clines oath), June 2, 1778. COMMISSIONERS OF PURCHASES. John Gourla, May 2, 1778. John Perry, Aug. 31, 1780. John Allen, April 3, 1780. i David Duncan, March 12, 1781. William Anderson, June 1, 1780. ' Michael Rough, Dec. 21, 1781. PAYMASTER OF MILITIA. Col. John Proctor, Sept. 13, 1777. WAGON-MASTER. Andrew Lynn, Jan. 9, 1778. INSPECTOR OF FLOUR. Hugh Gardner, April 22, 1785. AGENTS FOR FORFEITED ESTATES. Col. John Proctor, May 6, 1778. I Michael Huffnagle, Dec. 27, 1783. Thomas Galbraith, May 6, 1778. I Robert Galbraith, Dec. 27, 1783. >, 1777. James Perry, June 2, 1780. Edward Cooke, June 2, 1780. George Reading, June 2, 1780. Christopher Hayes, June 2, 1780. Alex. McCIean (vice Cooke), Jan. 5, 1782. APPENDIX "E." [See Chapter XVIII.] ROLL OF CAPT. JOHN NELSON'S INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF RIFLEMEN. A resolution of Congress, dated Jan. 30, 1776, directs that Capt. Nel- son's company of riflemen, now mined, consisting of one captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, and seventy privates, be en- listed for the service in Canada, on the same terms as the other troops ordered for that service. It was ordered to New York March 13, 1776. It was, by Gen. Arnold's orders, attached to Col. De Haas' battalion in Canada, and after De Haas' battalion left Ticonderoga, Nov. 17, 1776, it was attached to the Fourth battalion, Col. Wayne's, and on the 24th of March, 1777, was attached to Col. Francis Johnson's Fifth Pennsyl- vania. Names, rank, etc., from Jan. 30 to Nov. 30, 1776. Captain. Nelson, John, of Westmoreland County, com. Jan. 30, 1776. First Lieutenant. Oldham, William, com. Jan. 30, 1776. Second Lieutentmt. Ott, Adam, com. Jan. 30, 1776. Third Lieutenant. McCollom, Robert, com. Jan. 30, 1776 ; resigned July 12, 1776. Archer, Joseph (or Joshua), com. July 12, 1776, vice R. McCullom, re- signed. . Sergeants. Price, Richard, app. Feb. 15, 1776 ; died at Fort George, Oct. 30, 1776. Hartley, Thomas, app. Feb. 7, 1776. Smith, Andrew, app. Feb. 6, 1776. McCowen, Robert, app. Feb. 7, 1776. Carr, John, app. Oct. 30, 1776. Corporals. Preston, Edward, app. Feb. 15, 1776 ; died Sept. 20, 1776. Bonner, Joseph, app. Feb. 22, 1776. Brown, Jesse, app. Feb. 21, 1776. Fugate, John, app. Feb. 13, 1776. Carr, John, app. Sept. 21, 1776; promoted Oct. 31, 1776. Nelson, Thomas, Sr., app. Oct. 31, 1776. Privates. Bird, Thomas, enl. Feb. 28, 1776; deserted May 2, 1776. Bower, Francis, enl. Feb. 19, 1776. Brooks, Robert, enl. Feb. 7, 1776; deserted May 2, 1776. Bradley, Edward, enl. March 1, 1776; sick in hospital. Campbell, Baruett, eul. Feb. 10, 1776; sick in hospital. Caldwell, James, enl. Feb. 18, 1776. Cunningham, John, Feb. 17, 1776; furloughed by Gen. Gates. Carr, John, enl. Feb. 14, 1776; promoted corporal Sept. 21. Collins, Joseph, enl. Feb. 15, 1776 ; deserted March 15, 1776. Coffman, Isaac, eul. Feb. 9, 1T76 ; deserted April 1, 1776. Cox, John, enl. Feb. 20, 1776. Clipper, Valentine, enl. Feb. 21, 1776; deserted May 2, 1776. Corbett, John, enl. Feb. 28, 1776; furloughed by Geu. GateB. Campbell, William, enl. March 5, 1776. Carmichael, , enl. March 8, 1776. Davis, Morgan, enl. Feb. 12, 1776. Deal, Jacob, enl. Feb. 12, 1776. Ditch, Philip, enl. March 12, 1776. Downey, John, eul. March 14, 1776. Downey, Thomas, enl. Feb. 10, 1776. Eakle, Henry, enl. Feb. 17, 1776. Easter, Nicholas, enl. March 8, 1776 ; deBerted March 18. Eastley, Charles, eul. Feb. 7, 1776; deserted April 14. Edminston, Robert, enl. Feb. 19, 1776. Ebersole, Christian, enl. Feb. 8, 1776. FiBher, Samuel, enl. Feb. 10, 1776 ; deserted March 27. Fitch, Joseph, enl. Feb. 17, 1776. Flack, George, enl. Feb 19, 1776. Forsyth, Abraham, enl. March 11, 1776. Fuller, Christian, enl. Feb. 22, 1776. Gridley, Jasper M., Feb. 15, 1776 ; joined Donnell's artillery company Nov. 21, 1776. 454 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Gowd, John, enl, Feb. 13, 1776; deserted May 2, 1776. Corporals. Gutting, Andrew, enl. March 13, 1776. McKee, George. Hand, William, enl. Feb. 23, 1776. Bennett, Abraham. Harrigan, Michael, enl. Feb. 10, 1776. Kelso, John. Harris, George, enl. Feb. 7, 1776. Webb, William. Holland, Henry, enl. Feb. 11, 1776. Private*. Holt, William, enl. March 17, 1776. Branch, Elijah. House, Michael, enl. Feb. 6, 1776. Brown, John. Jameson, Samuel, enl. March 22, 1776. Calagan, James. Johnston, James, enl. Feb. 10, 1776. Carothers, John, enl. at Carlisle; wounded in the left hand at Three Kelley, James, enl. Feb. 9, 1777. Rivers; re-enl. under Richard Butler, and Berved three years; re- Kirkpatrick, William, enl. Feb. 17, 1776; furloughed to Maryland. Bided in Butler County, Pa., in 1817. Lemon, Isaac, enl. Feb. 19, 1776; deserted May 8, 1776. Coil, Charles. Love, William, enl. Feb. 23, 1776; deserted March 12, 1776. Conner, John. McCullock, David, enl. Feb. 9, 1776 ; killed at Fort Ann, May 29, 1776. Cowley, William. McGuire, Daniel, enl. Feb. 12, 1776. Craig, James. McGuire, Thomas, enl. Feb. 12, 1776. Davis, Amos. McManus, William, enl. Feb. 19, 1776. Davis, Robert. Mitchell, John, enl. Feb. 14, 1776; deserted April 14, 1776. Dixon, Robert. Morgan, Evan, enl. March 1, 1776. Doyle, Bryan. Mullady, Robert, enl. Feb. 7, 1776; deserted April 2. Ewin, William. Murphy, Arthur, enl. Feb. 14, 1776. Fleming, George. Nelson, Andrew, enl. Oct. 25, 1776. Fleming, Henry. Nelson, Thomas, Jr., enl. Oct. 25, 1776. Forbes, James. Nelson, Thomas, Sr., enl. Feb. 10, 1776; pro. to corp. Oct. 31, 1776. Futhey, Robert. Nixdorff, Samuel, enl. March 7, 1776. Gordon, Andrew, in 1820, residing in West Nantmeal township, Chester O'Brian, John, enl. Feb. 19, 1776; deserted May 2. County. Onsell, Abraham, enl. Feb. 10, 1776. Hanna, David. Phyfer, Emanuel, en!. Feb. 16, 1776. Hamilton, James. Pooder, Tobias, enl. Feb. 5, 1776. Henry, John. Ralston, .Tames, enl. Feb. 7, 1776. Heron, Patrick. Reed, Thomas, enl. Feb. 20, 1776. Jones, Hugh. Rerick, George, enl. Feb. 14, 1776; deserted March 14. Jordon, Garret. Roach, Morris, enl. Feb. 12, 1776. Kennedy, James. Slucer, John, enl. March 6, 1776 ; furloughed by Gen. Gates. Kinsey, James. Smith, John, enl. Feb. 10, 1776; deserted May 2. Kyle, William. Smith, W r illiam, enl. Feb. 24, 1776. Laferty, Patrick. Stonemyer, John, enl. Feb. 2, 1776. Leas, Edward. Stuckey, Michael, enl. Feb. 19, 1776; deserted May 2, 1776. Lindsey, John. Teel, William, enl. Feb. 12, 1776. Lucas, William. Tingle, George, enl. March 9, 1776; deserted April 22, 1776. Martin, William, Jr., enl. at Carlisle; re-enl. in Third Pennsylvania. Trepner, George, enl. Feb. 21, 1776. Martin, William, Sr. Wallace, James, enl. Feb. 12, 1776; acting as butcher at Mount Inde- Matthews, William. pendence. McCarrel, Dennis. Wells, Richard, enl. Feb. 26, 1776. McConnel, James. Williams, John, enl. March 14, 1776. McCord, Matthew. Wolf, John, enl. Feb. 13, 1776. McFadden, Thomas. McGill, James. McKenzie, John. APPENDIX "F." McMillan. John, eul. at Greensburg, March 1, 1776; re-enl. Third Penn- sylvania. [See Chapter XVIII.] ROLL OF CAPT. WILLIAM BUTLER'S COMPANY. Meyer, Dennis. Navel, Edward. Patterson, William. From Jan. 5 to Nov. 25, 1776, as they stood at Ticonderoga. Roberts, Jonathan. (EnliBted ui the vicinity of Greensburg, Westmoreland County. Many of Roddy, Isaac. the company re-enlisted in Third Pennsylvania, Capt. Jas. Chrystie.) Rucraft, George. Stover, John. Captains. Smith, John. Butler, William, com. Jan. 5, 1776; pro. major Oct. 7, 1776. Stimble, Isaac. Chrystie, James, com. Nov. 11, 1776. Sutherland, John. First Lieutenant. Butler, Thomas, com. Jan. 5, 1776. Sweeney, James. Verner, Robert. Wilson, Samuel. Second Lieutenant. Seitz, Charles, com. Jan. 5, 1776; dropped Sept. 20, 1776. APPENDIX «G." Ensigns. [See Chapter XVIII.] McCully, George, com. Jan. 5, 1776; pro. 2d lieut. Sept. 20, 1776, vice ROLL OF CAPT. STEPHEN BAYARD'S COMPANY. Lieut. Chambers, discharged. (Jan. 5, 1776, to Nov. 25, 1776.) McMullan, Nathan, Sept. 20, 1776, vice Parke, discharged. Captain. Sergeants. Bayard, Stephen, com. Jan. 5, 1776. McCully, Robert. First Lieutenants. Jack, Thomas. Chrystie, James, com. Jan. 5, 1776; afterwards captain Third Pennsyl- McClanen, Hugh. vania. Carrell, Thomas. Craig, John, com. Nov. 11, 1776. APPENDICES. 455 Second Lieutenant. Dunn, Isaac Budd, com. Jan. 5, 1776 ; pro. July 4, 1776. Ensigns. Black, James, com. Jan. 5, 1776 ; pro. July 4, 1776. Marshall, John, pro. Nov. 11, 1776. Oates, James, pro. Nov. 11, 1776. Sergeants. Shepherd, John. Philips, Barney. Coegrove, Andrew. Points, Joseph. Boyd, Thomas. Jones, Thomas, re-eul. April 8, 1777, in Capt. Coren's company of artil- lery; trans, to artillery artificer, Capt. N. Irish's company, where he served three years. Drummer. Maxwell, John. Fifer. Dougherty, George. Corporals. Woo Lay Up Meat, of which there is a greate Plenty, their Grain is all Burn' 1 A Destroy 11 on the North of ('imnemoch ; if there is No Store of Provision for Next summer, and the People Kin- dred from Getting Spring Crops the Countery is undoubtedly Broke up. The Plan we Have adopted Has Been Putin Execution at the Expense of a few Individuals, which cant Be Long Continued without supported by the Puhlick. I Have Sent five Indian Scalps taken by One of our Scouting Party, Commanded by Coll. Barr, Coll. Perry, Coll. Smith, A Oa.pt Kingston, Being to the Honnorable Assembly, Praying Relieft (My Situation Hass Beeu Critical; Genneral Hand required more men than I could Possebly furnish from Two Batalions, which is all I can Pertend to Have jurisdiction over, on acct. of the unsettled Boundery between this State and Virginia.) I sent One Hundred Men for the Ex- pedition, some of them Reached the Genneral at fort Pitt, the Remain- der was Stopt by His Order, at the same time the frontearsof Our County Lay Exposed to the Marcy of the Sevages ; Not a Man on Our frontears from Logenear to the Alegenia River, Except a few at fort Hanna, on Continental Pay. I was oblidged, by the Advice of the eub-Heutenants & other Principal People of the County, to adopt the measures I Before Laide Down to your Excellency : I Requested Genneral Hand's approba- tion on the Plan, Volentears in the Action. The Action Hapned Near. Kittaning, they Retoock Six Horses the Savages Had Taken from the suffering fruntears, for Encourgement to other Partys I Hoop your Ex- cellency will make a Retaliation for these Scalps, And subscribe myself, &c, &c. Ar. Lochry. — Archives, F. S , vi. 68. PRESIDENT WHARTON TO COL. ARCHIBALD LOCHRY. Ix Council, Lancaster, December 29, 1777. Sir, — Altho' it is not understood that the Expence of supplying the Militia with provisions, while they are engaged in the service of the United States, is to fall on this State in particular, Yet Council desirous of doing everything in their power have sent you, by Colonel John Proctor, the sum of five hundred pounds, to purchase provisions with. It is expected that the provisions be purchased on the lowest terms and at first hands. I am, sir, your very humble servant, Thomas Wharton, Junr., Prest. —Archives, F, S., vol. vi. 143. ARCHIBALD LOCHRY TO PRESIDENT WHARTON. Westmoreland, May 13, 1778. Honrd Sir, — Agreeable to your Excellencies Instructions I do hereby send you a Just and True Return of the Puhlick Arms in our county which I have in my care. 75 stand I purchased myself; 27 Stand I received of the Militia that went to the Jersey from this County in the year 1777; 72 Stand I re- ceived by Col'l John Shields, and Cnl. Hayes Informs me of 80 Stand being on the Way, not yet come to Hand, which is in all 254 Stand ; but when we Reduce 12 Stand that we lost by the Enemy, and 3 Carried away by Deserters, there remain 239 stand. There is a Considerable number of Old English Muskets, which Geu'l St. Clair formerly had in his care, belonging to this State, and Distributed in this County ; they are all Unfit for service and hard to be Collected, as the Person that Possesseth them is under Obligation by Bond to Return them to Gen'l Siukler [St. Clair ?1. The Arms or the most of them may be Repaired fit for Garrisons. My Notice is short, the Arms Private Property I cannot assert, tho' they are Exceeding Scarce, Yet, Notwithstanding I can Pur- chase some from the Poor, distressed by the Enemy, but not without cash. On the 28th Aprile the Indians came into the Settlement at and about Wallace's fort, Attacted 20 of our men which was Reconnoitering the woods, and killed 9 of our Men, and wounded Capt. Hopkins slightly, and we lost 9 gunB. In short, I am sorry to inform you that the Frontiers of this County is more Distressed by Reason of this Last Scrimmage than they ever were before, as by appearance there was a larger Body of the Enemy than ever before appeared at once, and with much more Vigour; the Great Road is now the frontier, and being dissapointed in their Expecta- tions of an Early Campaign into the Indian Country, I am Sorry to In- form you that I doubt a General Evacuation of the Posts on the frontiers (fort Pitt only Excepted), on the first or next appearance or Attact of such a body of the Enemy. I am also to Inform you that fines Laid in this Couuty on Delinquents (tho' strict measures are used) I have on Re- ceived £0O, and all the Publick money I have ever Received I have paid for Guns, Substitutes, and other Publick Uses, as will appear per acc't at Settlement, and in the Interim I beg leave to subscribe myself, etc. A. Lochry. — Archives, F. S., vi. 495. Gen. Mcintosh, in a letter to Col. Lochry, dated Foi t Pitt, Jan. 29, 1779, says, " I am just informed that Capt. Clark, of the Eighth Penn- sylvania Regiment, who was sent to command an escort to Fort Laurens, as he was returning with a sergeant and fourteen men, three miles this side of that fort, was attacked by Simon Girty and a party of Mingoes, who killed two of our men, wounded four, and took one prisoner. I am also informed that a large party of the same people are s«-t ofT to strike the inhabitants about Ligouier and Black Leg [Blu< k Lick] Creek, and send you this express to inform you of it that you may acquaint the neighborhood, and be upon your guard." — Archives, F. S., vii. 173. Capt. Joseph Erwin, in a communication to President Reed, dated at Hannastown, July 20, 1779, says, " In obedience to the orders of the Council, with infinite pains and difficulty I have enlisted forty-five men for the service of our frontiers, and have them now at the place of their destination and endeavouring to be serviceable to the distressed inhab- itants. "As an officer in the service of our State, I should be guilty of the highest neglect were I not to inform Council of the hardships I have encountered, and I fear without the assistance of Council it will be no hard task to tell what my poor men are to suffer. "Destitute of the resources of the public stores, I have now these men on your frontiers totally destitute of blankets, shoes, and every necessary cloathing ! Guns we have, but those we have are the refuge [re/use f] of the military store at Fort Pitt ; and to sum up the whole, we are nearly destitute of every necessary." In a postscript he adds that his subaltern officers who had been first appointed for that service had declined their appointments, and that Col. Lochry, agreeable to former instructions, had nominated John Jameson first lieutenant and Henry Armstrong second lieutenant. Col. Lochry, in a letter to President Reed, dated Hannastown, July 20, 1779, says, "All the arms we had have been constantly in actual ser- vice, and by militia deserters and emigrants, when we lost a stand of arms we lost the man. What few arms we have still left are so outof re- pair that they are almost useless, and it is out of my power to get them repaired in this quarter. " The two companies raised by Genl. Mcintosh's orders are nearly com- pleated and are now at Kittanning or scouting in that neighbourhood; but I am sorry to inform you that times will shortly expire, so that it will be necessary for Council to give directions concerning them." COL. JOHN PROCTOR TO PRESIDENT WHARTON. Westmoreland County, Aprr. ye 26, 1778. Hounoreh Sir: I an in gieait need of a larg sum of Cash. I hope you will send me by the Bairar, Mr. George Hendry, foure thousand Pounds if Posable ; he is a safe Hand, and what Ever sum you send me by him I will be an- swerable for. I would a ben Down myself, but thought it unsafe to lave Home at this time. Sir, I am able to iuform you that Capt. Alexander McKee with sevin other Vilons is gon to the IndianB, and since there is a 6ergt. and twenty od men gon from Pittsburgh of the Soldiers. What may be the fate of this County God only knowes, but at Prisent it wears a most Dismal aspect. I am, sir, etc., John Proctor. — Archives, F. S., vol. vi. 445. In an answer to this letter (ibid, 45S), May 2, 1778, the Council sent £3500, which they hoped was sufficient to pay off the arrearages. THOMAS SCOTT TO T. MATLACK, SECRETARY TO THE COUN- CIL, PHILADELPHIA. Wfstmorehnp, Aug. 1, 1778. . . . The Indians have made several breaches on the inhabitants of late in different parts of this country. Capt. Miller, of the 8th Penna. Regt. with a party of nine men, chiefly Continental soldiers, were Bringing grain from the Neighborhood to a Fort called fort Hand, about 14 miles north of Hannas Town, on the seventh of last month, and on their return were surprised by a party of Indians, who lay in wait for them, and killed the Capt. & seven others. — Archives, F. S., vi. 673. PRESIDENT REED TO BOARD OF WAR, 1779. Inclosed we send you a copy of a Letter forwarded to us by the Lieu- tenant of Westmoreland Couuty, with the information that in Pursuance thereof two companies of 60 men each are nearly complete, & to serve for 6 months, with a Request that the Appointments of the Officers may be confirmed & the Men put under the 6ame Footing as other temporary Troops are. We have delayed any Answer because we were not ac- quainted with Genl. Mcintosh's powers. But as the Frontiers are in a 464 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. most deplorable Condition & we find it very difficult to give them effect- ive Assistance by Militia, we have concluded to support &. Countenance the measure. And we are induced thereto more strongly as his Excell e Gen. Washington has made a Requisition of COO militia to co-operate with the troops on the proposed Expedition. We find it impracticable to comply with this Demand in any season & the Period of 2 months being too short for real service have encouraged these temporary Iulist- ments as being more permanent ft producing letter Troops. We find that including the 5 Companies already ordered by Congress, there will be about 7U0 men raised on this Plan in Westmoreland and Northum- berland, and probably Bedford may follow the Example; if so they will make up 800 at least. — Pa. Archives, vii. 404. APPENDIX "P." [See Chap. XXIV.] (1.) To show the estimation in which Brady was held by Gen. (then colonel) Brodbead we give a few extracts from his correspondence, found among the Pennsylvania Archives: COL. D. BRODHEAD TO PRESIDENT REED, 1780. Capt. Brady with five men and two Delaware Indiana set out for San- dusky with a view to bring off a British prisoner or some Indian scalps. •One of his Indians left him and returned to this place sick or cowardly. He has been out ten days, and in as many more I expect him back again, if be is fortunate. I beg leave to recommend Capt. Brady to the notice of the Hon. Ex. Council as an excellent officer, and I sincerely wish he may not leave the service for want of the promotion he has merited. SAME TO SAME. Fort Pitt, June 30, 1780. Capt.- Lieut. Brady has just returned from Sandusky. He took priso- ners two young squaws within a mile of their principal village. One of them effected her escape after six days march, the other he brought to Cuscusky, where he met seven warriors, who had taken a woman and child off Chartiers Creek. He fired at the captain and killed him, and has brought in the woman and the Indian's scalp, but the squaw made her escape at the same time. When Capt. Brady fired at the Indian he had only three men with him, and but two rounds of powder. He was out 32 days, 6 of which he was quite destitute of provisions of any kind, but he has brought his party safe to his place. THE TRIAL OF CAPT. BRADY. (2.) On Monday last, the 20tb of this month (May, 1793), a Court of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery, and of Nisi Prius, for the county of Allegheny was held at this place^Pittsburgh) by the chief justice and Judge Yeates. The only criminal business that came before the judges was the trial of Capt. Samuel Brady, who, when the judges were last here, had been indicted for murder, in killing certain Indians, near the mouth of Beaver Creek, iu the spring of the year 1791. It was proved to the satisfaction of the court that, notwithstanding the treaties of Fort Stanwix, Mcintosh, Muskingum, and Miami, which established peace between the Indians and the people of the Uuited States, and obliged the Indians to surrender all who should commit any murder on our frontiers, certain banditti of them had from time to time infested the western frontier, stolen horses, taken boats, aiid murdered our citizens; that recently, before the killing of the Indians, for which Brady was now tried, several people from Ohio County, particularly Boggs, Paul Riley's family, and Mrs. Vanbuskirke, had been put to death ; that to pursue the Indians who had committed these murders, and to recover some property stolen, a party of volunteers from Ohio County, of which Brndy was one, crossed the Ohio, and led by the trail of the Indians towards the pla.ce where the killing happened, fired and killed those for whose death Brady was tried. It was proved by the oath of Keyashuta, an Indian chief, that the Delawares had long before let go the chain, that they, the Shawanese, Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots, and some renegade Mingoes, were in the battle against Gen. Harmer, 1790. It was also proved that the attack and firing of Capt. Kirkwood's house was by Delawares, that some of the instances of murder and rapine above mentioned were by Delawares, that the persons killed were Delawares and had in their possession some of the property just before taken from Ohio County, manifested an intention of proceeding to com- mit other murderB on our citizens, and when fired on by those who at- tacked them, and whom they had just discovered, were in the act of siezing their guns; and, moreover, the relation of John Hamilton, a trader on the spot, satisfied the court of the malignant and hostile temper of those very Indians. The chief justice, in a charge distinguished not less by learning than humanity, explained the laws of war and the light of putting enemies to death, urged the impropriety of killing those who might with safety betaken prisoners, and the baseness of killing women, lamented that any acts of outrage by our citizens should occasion retaliation on them- selves; but stating that, in his opinion, the Indians killed were hostile, directed, if the jury concurred iu hiB opinion, of which he had no doubt, they should acquit the prisoner without leaving the bar. The jury did so, and the court ordered Capt. Brady to be discharged on payment of fees.— Letter dated Pittsburgh, 25th May, 1793. In relation to the testimony of Guyasutha, or Kyashuta, in this case the late James Ross, Esq., who was Brady's counsel, told a characteristic story. The testimony of that Iudiau was so very strong in favor of the defendant that even his counsel was abashed. After the trial was over he spoke to Guyasutha, and rather expressed his surprise at the decided tone of his testimony, upon which the chief clapped his hand upon his breast and exclaimed, " Am I not the friend of Brady f" It seems obvious that he considered himself as much bound to swear for his friend as he would be to fight in his defense. APPENDIX "Q." [See Chapter XL.] (1.) COPY OF A MUSTER-ROLL of a Company of United States Volunteers, Riflemen, under the Command of Capt. John B. Alexander, of the Pennsylvania Line, in the service of the United States from the date last mustered to the 2\st of December, 1812, inclusive. No. Rank. Date of Ap- pointment or Enlist- ment. Captain. Lieutenant. Ensign. Sergeant. Corporal. John B.' Alexander... Christian Drum Peter Drum ;. Richard Hardin John Jamison , Peter Fleegar H enry Hawkins Adam Kitring , Samuel Linger , William Richards — Edward Shelletts Jacob GoBsart I Drummer. Henry Barton ' Private. William Cassady , John Collins Solomon Dehaven.... Benjamin Jamison.. Isaac Keck William Kerns Henry Miller Daniel Miller Leonard Miller George Myers Samuel McLain JohnMitchel Jonas Keereamer... Jacob Pluck Jacob Kupert John Rice Jacob Sickafuos George Sickatoos Frederick Stewart.... George Sheffler \\ illiam Singer Robert Thomson. ... James Thomson , James Taylor Adam Williams John Wingart Jacob Wingart Abraham Weaver.... Peter Walters William Vandyke.... John Shirey * Sept. 11,1812 To what Time En- gaged or En- listed. 12 months. 1 A waiter employed by Capt. Alexander. APPENDICES. 4G5 (2.) MUSTER-ROLL Of a Troop of Tieehe-Month Volunteers, Light Dragoon*, wider the Com- mand of Capt. Joseph Mli n Menear. J. Mart/,. John McKillip. Hugh McDivit. James O'Dann. COMPANY F, ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHTH PENNSYL- VANIA REGIMENT. This company was made up of men from Erie and Westmoreland 1 Counties, the officers from the latter being as follows: 1st Lieut., Alexander Prosser ; 2d lieut., Andrew Guiler. ROSTER OF COMPANY H, ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHTH PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT. Capt. John T. Fulton. 1st Lieut. Cyrus Thomas. 2d Lieut. Henry Bamhart, disch. on surgeon's certificate Jan. 19, 1863. 2d Lieut. S. E. Plough, pro. from 1st sergt. 1st Sergt. T. J. Armstrong. William Bender. Joseph Bailey. B. F. Baker. G. W. Cliue. Solomon Cline. Jacob Cline. Samuel Carriuhari. at Newberne, N. C. J. V. B. Ebbert. D. Erfle. John Frisby. H. Fitzgerald. Charles Fry. Charles Forbe6. A.Gallicher. H. George. Davis Glunt. C, Feb. 25, 1863. Philip Hill. J.G. Haymaker. Nov. 23, 1862. Samuel Patterson. G. R. Ramely. George Rose. Oliver Shannon. M. Stay mates. Joseph Smith. G. B. W. Staymates. W. W. Silvis. W. J. Staymates. Robert Shaw. John Steel. John Surnau. Samuel Surnau. G. W. Swank. John Wintzell. John Waddle. G. J. Waugaman. Andrew Walp. David Watson. Joseph Wiester. D. A. Altman. J. P. Taylor. 0. P. Sigfried. James Errett, died Dec. 9, 1862. John Stump. Thomas Baldridge. Peter Hufferbert. R. Henry. Jacob Shearer. Josiah Baughman. B. F. Parker. Joseph Altman. J. A. Altman. Corporals. J. M. Miller. Jacob Buzzard. David Billhimer. 'Musicicvttt. Jacob Walthour. Henry Bender. Michael Baker. 1 It is impossible to separate the men from the two counties. C. Allbright. John Bare. Joseph Bare. Daniel Baughman. Cyrus Baughman. M. L. Bigalow, Dec. 1, 1862. S. Dillingham, Dec. 1, 1862. Simon Eisamau. John and Aaron Evans, Dec. 1, 1862. John Fellabaum. Lewis Fink. John Fisher. J. W. Fox. Thomas C. Gear. T. Glayn. John Gross. J. W. Johnston. William Kerrigan. J. W. Kelly. Amos King. W. D. Kuntz. Reuben Kuntz. Cas Klingensmitb. William Laughery. Alex. Leonard. John Leassure. Otho Linton. David Lane. John Laughlin. A. C. Love. E. Lynch (all four Dec. 1, 1862). B. F. Miller. Aaron Miller. Henry Miller. C.F.Miller. Simon Miller. T. C. Myers. John F. McMillam. George F. McDowell. William Beck. Daniel Beard. Daniel Bare. Charles Brewer. A. Billhimer. W. J. Copeland. David Erfle. Lewis Haines. Joseph Henry. W. P. Henry. Leonard Hunker. John Harrison. John Hawkey. Samuel Hudskin. John C. McDowell (both Dec. 1, 1862). B. F. Nulle. S. Oaterwise. A. W. Osborn,Dec. 1, 1862. I. C. Rohrbacher. George Rohrbacher. D. B. Rosenthal. Jacob Shoaf. John Sarver. Jacob Shoemaker. Lewis Smith. Wm. Suttle. John D. Steiner. John Simpson. W. H. South, died May 16, 1863. John Thompson. Wm. Thompson. Josiah Vandike. Solomon Wible. Jacob Wible. Jacob Wyant. ROSTER OF COMPANY I, ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHTH PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT. Capt. James Hitchman. 1st Lieut. John B. Johnston. 2d Lieut. William B. Johnston, died at Newbern, N. C, Jan. 3, 1863. 2d Lieut. Oliver B. Fulton, pro. from 1st sergt. Jan. 4, 1864. 1st Sergt. P. J. McGuire. Sergeants. J. A. Harmon. George P. Burch. George Trump. George Ackerman. U. F. Beistel. Israel Brooks. Isaac Wadworth. Daniel Knhns. James Armel. J. M. Allison. Lewis Ambrust. J. G. Ashabaugh. Henry Armel. George Baker. Cyrus Baker. John A. Baker. David Bare. Jacob Barnhart. Henry Brante. H. C. Blystone. James Butler. John Brindle. Paul Creamer. R. B. Carpenter. John Clark. James Clark. S. A. Crise. Corporals. James Fowler. Eli Albright. David Shiver. James Irwin. Privates. Jacob Crosby. W. C. Cochran. James Dodds. J. S. Drummond. John Fritz. G. H. Findley. Cyrus A. Foster. John Foulke. Joseph Farr. John Fiscus. Adam Franklin. L. C. Fulton. R. Graham. Charles Gesler. E. Hickley. Christian Harr. Michael Hoffman. John Hoffman. Andrew Hoffer. 490 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. George Held. J. Hay. S. C. Hunter. Wm. Harkless. S. H. Junnel. W. C. Kelly. Michael Kelly. Henry Kiser. Jacob Lohr. E. Lynch. Peter Lawson. Otho Linton. J. N. Mitchell. Peter Miller. Lucas MyeiB. Jeremiah Marker, 1863. Cyrus Music. James Mitchell. George Miller. J. S. Miller. Henry McDowell. John McFarland. J. Neiterhauser. George Noscar. All mustered out Jacob Puche. John M. Pare. Miller Roadman, died March 8, 1863. J. A. Ruuibaugh. Henry Ranse). Peter Senn. J. Shalatis. W. J. Short. Josiah Surfus. John Shrum. Joseph Sailor. George Sherry. Samuel Sidman. J. B. Sarver. died Feb. 14, P. C. Weaver. H. A. Walter. Peter Wilson. W. M. Watt. H. D. Wead. John Wissing. Daniel Warman. Hardy Wiland. David P. Weaver. Jacob Zimmerman. July 25, 1863, unless before discharged. ROSTER OF COMPANY K,ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHTH PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT. Capt, Josiah B. Lauffer ; 1st lieut., Simon J. Miller; 2d lieut., William Earnest ; 1st sergt., W. D. Ewing. Samuel Shields. Jacob Beamer. John Haney. John Kunkel. David Snyder. Corporals. Edward Boothman. Isaac Bear. J. B. Gray. J. J. Berline. Collin Tarr. Thomas Christy. J. R. Fritchmau. W. F. Gray. William McCntchen. Henry Kline, died atNewberu, N. 0., March 2, 1863. John Leighner, Dec. 1, 1862. Musicians. Philip Loughner. John Berline. Privates. John Ashbough, S. P. Armstrong, both Dec. 1, 1862. Reuben Baker. Israel Blose. Henry Bush. Levi Bush. John Bushyager, died March 5, 1863. George Bowman, William Bowlin, William Beatty, D. W. Brubaker, James Baker, all five deserted Dec. 1, 1862. Samuel Carpenter, Robert Caldwell, died March 6, 18G3. William Duffield, Joseph Dunk, Dec. 1, 1862. Simon Earnest. G. Hoylberts. J. M. Elliott. G- W. Householder. A. J.Gosser. George Hill. William Gooch. John Harman. James GibBon. Abraham Hutton. Alex. Gilchrist, died Feb. 12, 1863. George Hudson. James Hocunn, James Heasley, Frank Hill, John IngloBt, all four de- serted Dec. 1, 1862. Even Jones. A. M. Johnston. William Jellison. Joseph Jameson. John Jobes, Francis Jones, both Dec. 1, 1862. James Kennedy. Joseph Loughner. Z. H. Klingensmith. George Lessig. Charles Luster. Hugh Luster. Caleb Landis. John Loughner, Dec. 1, 1862. Jacob Lohr. W.J.Miller. Frank Miller, J. K. Morland, both Dec. 1, 1862. Abner McCounell. Albert McMurray. William McCiacken, H. McDowell, Henry McNeal, all three deserted Dec. 1, 1862. H. M. Neely. W. H. Powell, Dec. 1, 1862. Daniel Potts. Isaac Ranson. G. B. Potts. George Ramsey. William Porter. Frederick Reagh, William Robeson, both Dec. 1, 1862. Joseph-Steihl. Matthias Sowash. Loui s J. Shuster>died at Newbern, N. C, April 15, 1863. Julm Strwait, John Sleyter, Henry Smith, Thomas Turner, Georga Thompson, Amos Uncapper, Isaac Wadsworth, George White, Thomas Wilson, Frank Woodsidee. James H. Young, must, out with company July 23, 1863. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.— {Three Years* Service.) Company B. 2d Lieut. Frederick A. Reeo, pro. to 1st lieut. June 2, 1864, to capt. Sept 25, 1864, to nmj. Nov. 25, 1865; must, out Dec 14, 1865. 2d Lieut. John Carson, pro. to 1st lieut. Co. II ; killed in action Sept. 29, 1864. TWO HUNDRED AND FOURTH REGIMENT— " FIFTH ARTIL- LERY."— (One Year's Service.) Company I. Capt. James C. Hawk, rank from Sept. 10, 1864 ; must, out June 30, 1865, with company. Part of this company was recruited in Westmoreland. ROSTER OF COMPANY E, TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTH PENN- SYLVANIA REGIMENT. Capt. John T. Fulton, pro. to lieut.-col. Sept. 9, 1864. Capt. Clark L. Brant, pro. from 1st lieut. Sept. 9, 1864. 1st Lieut. W. D. Ewing ; 2d lieut, H. H. Walthour; 1st sergt, J. F. Mc- Millen. Sergeants. Jeremiah Bush. 0. P. Siegfried. Cyrus Gross. B. F. Miller. David Erfle. M. E. Low. W. H. Altman. Eli Crouse. W. D. Cherry. Corporals. Jacob Wible. L. F. Arnibrust J. W. Fox. Noah Buzzard. Musicians. S. J. Brown. Privates. J. M. Alters. J. W. Anderson, Sept. 9, 1864. Jacob Brewer. D. B. Bear. John Beck. Allen Buzzard, died at Point of W. P. Dewalt. John Earhart John Everett. W. H. Eisaman. David Errett John Ewing. Louis Fink. Marion Fox. Alexander Fox. John Farlane. John Fisher. S. C. Funk. C. M. Funk. William Fleckinger. Conrad King, Sept 9, 1864. Samuel Loughner. A. F. Lemoin. John Medsgar. J. A.Miller. John A. Miller. William MiiBick. Joseph Mellander. John McCall. Martin Orvack. William Albright. Jacob Beason. Daniel Bare. Henry Baruhart. Rocks, Va., Oct. 23, 1864. John Fellowbaum. Jacob Heister. H. C. HeaHley. J. G. Heasley. David Houts. Jacob Harris. John Heasly. John Henderson. W. J. Hay B . Joseph Jones. George Kepple. David Kauffman. Adam Keihl. Henry H. Kelly, died Oct. 17, 1864. David Sherbondy. Samuel Sincley. , David Sethman. A. F. Siegfried. Joseph Shoemaker. H. V. Steiner. John W. Truxal. R. F. Thompson. Simon Uber. Isaac Weighty. APPENDICES. 491 Simon Peters. Daniel Willyard. George McDowell. Joseph Showman. H. N. Roos. David Walthour. James Pabel. Abraham Shawley. Simon Row. John Webster. Reuben Reeger, trans, to Co. I. P. E. Swank. A. G. E. Shaft. William F. Weaver. H. M. Stin.-. John Weaver. John Sbettler. S. M. D. Weller, died at City Point Nov. 7, 1864. T. M. Waddle. John Wadsworth. COMPANY I. TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT. Simon Wagaman. Peter M. WaBsum. 2d Lieut. Robert B. Rogers. John Walters. Company K. Richard B. White, accidentally wounded Nov. 20, 1864. Capt. Joseph S. Coulter. ROSTER OF COMPANY H, TWO HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH A portion of this company was from Westmoreland, but the largest REGIMENT. part from Cambria. Capt. M. V. B. Harding; 1st lieut., Andrew Guyler; 2d lieut., Geo. R TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTH REGIMENT.— (One Tear's Service.) Griffith ; 1st sergt., E. H. Taylor. Asst. Surg. H. S. Lindley.from Sept. 8, 1864, to May 31, 1865. Sergeants, TWO HUNDRED AND TENTH REGIMENT.— (One Tears Service.) S. P. Kays. Wm. Bates. Oliver Knapper. Surg. W. S. Wilson, from Sept. 17, 1864, to May 30, 1865. Michael Kelly, wounded at Petersburg. ROSTER OF COMPANY E, TWO HUNDRED AND ELEYENTH Corporals. REGIMENT. Henry Y. Moore, wounded at Petersburg. Capt. William Walter. W. H. Eiseman, wounded at Petersburg. 1st Lieut. J. B. Lucas, disch. Nov. 19, 1864. J. E. Smith. J. B. Brown. 1st Lieut. Lewis Thompson, pro. from 2d lieut. Feb. 27, 1865. David Baldridge. Wm. Hughes. 2d Lieut. John B. Walter, pro. from 1st sergt. Feb. 27, 1865. Thos. Paecball. Sergeants. David Campbell, wounded at Petersburg. David Richard. Mttsicians. G. A. Brant, prisoner from Nov. 17, 1864, to March 2, 1865. Samuel Shields. T. R. Moore. John Marshall. A. S. Cameron, wounded at Petersburg. Privates. Peter Auman, wounded at Petersburg. Corporal*. H. B. Arnold. Wm. Boiken. A. Barclay. David Ayres. Jeremiah Butt. T. D. Stitt, prisoner from Nov. 17, 1864, to March 13, 1865. Alex. Auld. John Baker. G. A. Jelley. Benjamin Hysong. Harrison Berlin. Levi Clites. Isaac Blackson. Shannon Roberts. G. W. Berlin. Peter Campbell. Charles F. Ullrey, killed at Petersburg April 2, 1865. A. L. Beam. J. Clacomb. Nelson Statler, wounded at Petersburg April 2, 1865; died June 3, 1865. David Rouser. Fred. Cross. J. T. Beam. H. W. Deals. Privates. J. M. Boyle. Samuel Fox. A. J. Allison. Robert Blackson. Daniel Bills. C. C. Fisher. Casper Adams. J. W. Blackburn. Jesse Fee. J. Mallison, killed at Petersburg. Hiram Barclay. W. F. Fox, prisoner from Nov. 17, 1864, to March 2, 1865. J. A. Blackburn. H. B. Blackburn. J. K. Gallather. J. J. Lonergan. T. A. Baird. Michael Galiigher. James Lagure. J. J. Bussart, captured at Bermuda Hundred. Johu Heintzleman. Samuel Lagure. S. J. Brinker. Eli Crouse. David Haumont. James Mahon. W.G.Bell. Noah Cams. E. Hushberger. A. B. Mahon. Peter Beahman. J, M. Duncan. Joseph Hossick. David Moyers. A. J. Case. D. R- P. Hill. Alex. May. James R. Dowds, died at Salisbury, Jan. 12, 1865. John Johns. J. S. McQuaide. James Davison. G. W. Garland. A. R. Kautz. John Penrod. John Davison. J. C. Harkcan. Geo. Knopsnyder. Amos Peer. J. B. Dolbey. Reuben Hugh. Alex. Keyser. W. M. Palmer. C. M. Ewing. Alexander Hunter. John Lauk. Samuel Palmer. J. G. Evans. S. K. Henry. Levi Palmer, killed at Petersburg. David Epley. B. F. Harkcan. Epbiaim Pugh. Joseph Ray. J. C. Ewing. 0. F. Johnson. Daniel Queer. W. H.Soxman. M. A. Fry. A. A. Johnson. C. F. Reamon. Rufus Shoupe. Alexander Fisher. Edmund Johnson. E. B. Slonacker, wounded at Petersburg. John Foursha. D. Kuebler. Conrad Sbafer. F. E. Griffith. John Kuebler. • J. K. Simley, wounded at Petersbutg. G. W. Garland. Isaac S. Kuhns. Uriah Snyder. John B. Tittle. J. M. Gross. Jacob Kurtz. Jacob Simpson. Noah Tinkey. L.Gardner. John Kurtz. J. C. Vernon. H. N. Lane, wounded at Petersburg. S. B. Land. A. S. Webster, wounded at Petersburg, Va. J. F. Leacock, prisoner from Nov. 17, 1864, to April 2, 1865. J. W. Weimer. P. V. Wasour. R. W. Larimer. J. J. Miller. Andrew Zink, wounded at Petersburg. George Moore, died at Salisbury Jan. 24, 1865. ROSTER OF COMPANY I, TWO HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH John Matthiot, wounded at Petersburg. REGIMENT. David Moses. A. Marshall. Charles Mitchell. J. B. Mowhead. Capt. John W. Graham ; 1st lieut,, Daniel Igo ; 2d lieut., Samuel McEl- H. Y. McDowell, prisoner from Nov. 17, 1864, to March 2, 1865. roy ; 1st sergt., J. S. Norris, wounded at Petersburg. Godfrey McDowell. Jacob Snyder. Sergeants. John McDowell. James Stimmel. S. J. Halferty. Charles McCune. Frederick Snyder. A. H. Graham, wounded at Petersburg. J. M.McCurdy. Noah Shawley. Jonathan Bitner. Wm. Little. 492 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. J. P. McKelvey. David Wallace. Geo. Serena. H. M. Murphy. David Findley, wounded at Petersburg. Corporals. S. M. Kennedy. Wm, Cunninghai Isaac Lewell. J. A. Ambrose. Wm. Blair. H. B. Bowman. J. A. Campbell. John Campbell. H. Campbell. Privates. L. II. Amnan. John S. Brady, died Feb. 4, 1865. Thos. Cummins. David Comfort. J. T. Elites. A. J. Cresswell. James Decker, killed at Petersburg. Martin Decker, wounded at Petersburg. Edward Esch. Edward Halferty. D. B. Graham. "Wm. Henderson. J. L. Graham. Josiah Hile. Thomas Gillmore. John Huston. John Ilanna. S. R. Huston. Wm. Halferty. Geo. Hill. J. I. Horrell. L. K. Hixon, woundod at Petersburg. Conrad Jacoby. Josiah Lilley. C. A. Krigger. Alex. Martin. W. M. K.-nnedy. C. A. Magnus. Jesse Louther. J. T. Maxwell. J. R. Love. J- A. McMillen. Samuel McCurdy. R, II. McClelland, captured at Bermuda Hundred Nov. 17, 1864; died at Annapolis, Md., March 17, 1865. Robert McCreery. Wm. McBurney. John B. McMasters, captured at Bermuda Huudred. John Neil. John Ogden, wounded at Petersburg. Geo. Piper. J. C. Peoples, wounded Nov. 20, 1864. Jacob Risinger, died Oct. 17, 1864. W. L. Robb, wounded at Fort Steadman March 25, 1865. Isaac Robb. Wm. Robb, prisoner from Nov. 17, 1864, to March 2, 1865. Samuel Reed. John W. Ramsay. Reuben Reeger, died at Salisbury Jan. 19, 18G5. W. C. Saxton. Charles Stewart. J. W. Smith. Dixon Pnodgrass, wounded at Petersburg. Geo. W. Stewart. Francis Smith, wounded at Petersburg. John Steel. Abel Stewart. W. W. Taylor, killed at Petersburg. Francis Troutman, wounded at Petersburg. Samuel Tewell. John Updegraff. Henry Wilkins, died at Salisbury, N. C, Jan. 26, 1865, having been cap- tured at Bermuda Hundred. W.M. Wallace. Aaron Wells. Wm. W. Young. ROSTER OF COMPANY K, TWO HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH REGIMENT. Capt. Josiah Henderson. 1st Lieut. John P. Tarr, killed at Petersburg April 2, 1865. 1st Lieut. William B. Chain, pro. from 1st sergt. to 2d lieut; to lstlieut. 2d Lieut. Hugh M. Thomas. 1st Sergt. Amos Miller, wounded at Petersburg. Sergeants. J. M. Johnston. F. L. Marsh. J. H. Durstine, killed at Petersburg. Corporals. B. F. Everett. JohnG. Reeee. W. B. Adair, killed at Petersburg. Daniel Ross. A. D. Harnian. J. R. Kiehl. C. D. Altmau. R. M. Axton. Privates. S. D. Altmau. George F. Austraw, wounded at Petersburg. Nick Altemus. J. S. Bumgardner, wounded at Petersburg. Joseph Booker. G. R. Barnhart. D. P. Brant. Peter Bidler. James Butt. Samuel Baldwin. J. H. Bair. Michael Borts. William Bracken. H. T. Cope. Clark Cunningham. W. H. Cuuningham, died at Salisbury Feb. 14, 1865. J. G. Dunlap. John C. Ewing. M. I.. Fry, wounded at Petersburg. David Fletcher. J. W. Gallatin. Thomas M. Gallatin, prisoner from Nov. 17, 1864, to March 2, 1865. Wilson Goss. J. W. Grim. Samuel Huey. Levi Henderson. Scro^gs Hartman. J. D. Henderson. D. P. Husband. Magnus Hebrank, wounded at Petersburg. Irwin King. J. G. King, wounded at Petersburg. Israel Lanffer, killed at Petersburg. James Long. Joseph Loucks. David Lear. Abraham Lope. Sidney Long. Jonathan Merritt. J. F. Miller. John W. McAbee,died at Salisbury Jan. 24, 1865. John McNely. Joseph McCray. Samuel McClain. James McDonald. Bfiijamin Newcomer. W. R. Patton. J. D. Patty. James Ramage. J. W. Reamer. Lewis Ross. J. L. Reece. Michael Row. Joseph Small. William Suttle. E. M. Stantz. J. Stoffer. John C. Steiner, wouudedat Petersburg. D. W. Shupe, killed at Petersburg. John L. Shupe, killed at Petersburg. Isaac Sherrick. Aaron F. Stouer. Joshua Stewart. Peter Shaffer. John L. Shuck. J. K. Sarver. John T. Tarr. J. J. Von. Jonathan Wyun. Daniel Wertz, wounded at Petersburg. Jacob Weaver, died at Salisbury Feb. 13, 1865. William H. Wynn. John West. Andrew Whiueman. Peter M. Wassum, trans, to Co. E. Jacob Williams. TWO HUNDRED AND TWELFTH REGIMENT— (SIXTH ARTILLERY). Capt. Malachi Leslie. Company L. 1st Lieut. Henry McCormick. 2d Lieut. William Winebrenner. Part of these companies was composed of Westmoreland recruits. TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH REGIMENT.— (One Year's Service.) Asst. Surg. John R. Bair. INDEPENDENT BATTERY " C"— Three Years 1 Service {Thompson's). 1st Lieut. Thomas Brown, pro. to corp. Jan. 1, 1862; to sergt. Jan. 1, 1863 ; to 1st lieut. June 26, 1864 ; disch. Oct. 22, 1864 ; veteran. Several of this battery were from Westmoreland County. TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT STATE MILITIA. Lieut.-Col. R. M. Reed. Chaplain W. J. S. Shaw. Company C. Capt., James II. Duff; 1st lieut., Henry McKeever; 2d lieut., John Zimmerman ; 1st sergt., George W. Frick. Zachariah Zimmerman. H. M. Jones. Sergeants* H. P. Metzgar. Samuel Jack. APPENDICES, 493 William Earnest. Matlhew Jack. Abraham Duff. D. W. Buchanau. S. M. Aurent. Josiah Amalong. Nathan Anderson. Johnston Baird. William Bair. Samuel Bovard. J. W. Borland. N. T. Cunningham. T. R. Cunningham. Alexander Craig. John Craig. James Duin. William Dickey. J. M. Elliott. William Fulmer. A. J. Fulmer. John Green. J. C. Gourley. J. C. Graham. John Hill. George Hill. S. H. Hill. D. T. Harvey. L. D. Hitty. T. M. Humes. Thomas Hissam. J. G. Haymaker. J. W. Harvey. H. P. HugUB. Kobert Johnston. J. R. Johnston. George R. Jackson. C. J. Kepple. S. P. Keck. A. J. Klingensmith. Gasper Klingensmith. Reuben Klingensmith. Israel Kepple. Henry Kline. Amos Kline. Corporals. J. H. Wiley. H. M. Clements. William Junes. John Hauey. Musicians. R. J. Clow. Josiah Kaylor. William Lutz. J. K. Larimer. G. W. Leighner. Samuel Meanor. John Montgomery. W.J. Miller. Joseph S. McQuaid. Thomas McQuaid. D. K. McConnell. J. C. McKalip. J. F. McKalip. S. J. Paul. Samuel Patterson. J. C. PottB. G. R. Ramdley. W. A. Ralston. S. H. Ringer. James Reed. Paul Row. Samuel Shields. George Sarver. John T. Sloan. John Steel. B. F. Stump. Isaac Silvis. W. S. Sloan. George Saul. S. J. Steck. David Tallant. John Vaun. C. J. Walton. P. A. Waugaman. Alexander WelBh. Jeremiah Walton. J. H. Young. N. C. Young. George R. Young. Company E. Capt, David Kerr; 1st lieut., J. S. Marshall; 2d lieut., J. A. Blair; 1st sergt., Johnston Glass. F. Thornton. D. W. Shaw. William Shaw. W. S. McLaughlin. Michael Alcorn. James Nealy. H. D. F. Reed. R. M. Alcorn. J. J. Adair. James Alcorn. D. C. Blair. John Bowman. Jacob Bowman. Abraham Bowman. William Beacom. Joseph Beales. H. L. Borts. 32 Sergeants. David Watson. Thompson Miller. Corporals. J. C Walker. J. D. Townsend. Jacob Wilson. C Hagermau. Musicians. Jacob Snyder. Elias Beighley. Giles Butterfield. Matthias Clawson. 0. J. Clawson. John Duun. Thomas Dunn. James Daugherty. Samuel Fell. S. H. Furgesou. J. B. Greer. Levi Gumbert. A. Gallagher. Hugh Gallagher. John Glass. William Gartley. John Gould. Dwight Geer. K. A. Hagerman. John Hurst. J. M. Hine. T. D.Hine. James Hall. T. M. Johnstou. Israel Kunkel. Jacob King. Andrew Learn. Urias Learn. Samuel Low. Washington Montgomery. J. A. McQuilkin. James McGeary. W. R. McLaughlin. S. M. Nelson. A. Nickelson. 'R.P.Paul. Jacob Porter. Henry Rose. W. A Shaw. Frederick Spicher. William Stewart. Samuel Stewart. T. T. Townsend. W. G. L. Totten. W. J. Walker. Isaiah White. A. J. Wiggle. Labanna Walter. Christopher Wolferd. Linns Yockey. William Young. Company F. Capt., Joseph K. Howell ; 1st lieut., Andrew Bavaird ; 2d lieut., Humph- rey Caraon ; 1st sergt., H. H. McCormick. John Carson. Nathaniel George. Alexander Watson. Eli V. Kendig. J. Q. Adams. A. H. Brown. George Byerly. David Cowan. William Copeland. F. D. Fast. William Fellabone. Isaac Hohn. Samuel Helman. Jacob Hurshey. David Jenkins. W. E. Keough. Robert Klingensmith. B. R. Larimer. J.F. Marchand. Sergeants. J. F. Weutling. Corporals. Peter Holman. A. M. Bowser. Musician. A. L. McFarland. Henry McMannis. John Mclver. Theodore McDonald. Silas McCormick. W. H. Osborne. John W. Painter. Stephen Ridinger. J. L. Sturgis. Luciau Schroder. Theodore Taylor. W. G. Taylor. Robert Waddle. R. D. Wampler. Robert Warnock. Company I. Capt, Joseph Cook ; 1st lieut., William Seanor; 2d lieut., George Stew- art; 1st sergt., Samuel Cooper. Samuel Taylor. John LewiB. Andrew Steele. Alexander Swend. Samuel Foster. F. W. White. William S. Mclntire. Frank Anderson. George Ashbaugh. Dennis Barnes. John Brown. S. P. Beatty. Josiah Bark. R. C. Brown. William Backhouse. Orlando Craig. Alexander Cannon. Sergeants. William Moore. J. A. Sheffler. Corporals. J. G. Lattimore. J. J. McFarland. J. Huutsburger. S. R. Munroe. Musician. M. Donholland. A. B. Fink. H. M. Fink. J. R. Gordon. James George. M. A. Gordou. J. L. Hihbard. George W. Householder. Samuel Jack. William Jennings. 494 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Wilson McClaney. Samuel McConnell. William Paschall. John Sawyer. Thomas A. Walker. M. E. Kelly. J. W. Laughlin. EHaB Maris. Thomas Mulherin. John S. Maris. James McClelland. COMPANY A, FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT STATE MILITIA. 1st Lieut. John Hill. COMPANY B, FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT STATE MILITIA. Capt.,John Oursler; 1st lieuts., M.V. B. Harding (pro. to adjt.), Eli Cham- bers ; 2d lieut., Nicholas Bridenthall ; 1st sergt., Benjamin Moore. H. F. Keener. E. M. Taylor. J. M. Johnston. William Bates. St. Clair Wineland. Alpheus Hibben. Samuel Baker. Henry Bossart. W. C. Armour. James Armor. A. C. Beil. David Baldridge. George Barger. Joseph Bossart. John Brinker. John Braden. Elias Brest. Charles Bird. W. L. Bair. H.H.Berlin. G. W. Crow. Webster Cochran. D. L. Drum. Peter Dick. David Davis. Benjamin Geiger. J. W. Griffith. James Gallagher. William Hunter. William Keyser. S. P. Keys. H. B. Kennedy. J. M. Long. John Lonergan. David Laugh ery. Robert McLain. Sergeants. A. J. Bossart. J. G. Lawson. Corporals. J. A. Johnston. George W. Smith. J. J. Barger. E. W. Smith. Musicians. T. H. Moore. Privates. Cornelius Moore. John McCartney. John McCracken. Alexander McLain. John T. McKelvey. H. T. Moore. William Mayers. J. II . Moore. John McCracken. Robert Muffit. Joseph Nichols. A. Boursler. Justus Pershing. Lewis Ross. Joseph Retler. Thomas Richardson. J. M. Smith. John Soxman. Samuel Shields. J. M. Simpson. Jacob Shanefelt. F. V. Swarttown. Nehemiah Thomas. George Taylor. Christopher Wineland. James Welch. Joseph Wuttemburg. William Wright. ROSTER OF COMPANY C, FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT STATE MILITIA. Capt, Z. P. Bierer ; 1st lieut., A. M. Fulton ; 2d lieut., P. K. Faulk ; 1st sergt., J. M. Laird. Sergeants. M. G. McCall. W. J. Row. C. F. Mitchell. R- B. Patterson. Levi Cline. John Leasure. A. W. Loucks. R. S. Miushall. W. D. Cherry. W. B. Adair. Amor Armbrust. Henry AllBhouse. S. P. Baker. Corponth. H. H. McCormick. E. E. Habruuk. J. A. Watterson. J. B. O. Cowan. Musicians. Samuel Loughner. Privates. Sanford Beard. H. Y. Brady. J. B. Bear. Allan Buzzard. J. J. Painter. H. H. Painter. Z. P. Pool. David Powell. Levi Portzer. Simon Peters. Oliver Rugh. Isaac Rhoades. Reuben Reamer. Noah Sheffler. Joseph Shotts. J. C. Steiner. George Sincely. Joseph Shoemaker. Albert Shaft. D. C. Turney. C. K. Turney. Augustus Vogel. H. H. Walthour. Franklin Wise. Balsor Walters. Jacob Weaver. Norman Young. George R. Young. Christopher Collier. Peter Davis. F. B. 0. Everett. I. P. Fullwood. S. K. Funk. Reuben Fightner. Cyrus Gross. S.P.Hill. Johnston Hill. Paul Henry. W. H. Henry. H. G. Hirsh. Wilson Hays. A. D. Harman. S. L. Jelly. Samuel Lowery. J. A. Maiehand. I. F. McCall. J. W. Mclntire. Jacob Men sli. John McKeever. John Nolen. Jacob Obouru. H. S. Obourn. Adam Ohr. COMPANY D, FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT STATE MILITIA. 2d Lieut. Josiah Henderson. Some men were also in this company from Westmoreland. ROSTER OF COMPANY F, FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT STATE MILITIA. Capt., John O'Hara; 1st lieut, W. H. Lowry ; 2d lieut, H. A. Bitner; 1st sergt, Heman McKelvey. Irwin Horrell. T. C. Pollock. Samuel Peoples. B. R. Lowry. J. A. Mickey. Frederick Kissel. Sergeants. J. II. Scroggs. John Baker. Corporals. J. T. Ambrose. William Robbins. W. P. Martin. T. A. Seaton. Musicians. Samuel Fry. Privates. Samuel Low. John MathiBt Solomon Murdoch. Isaac Marker. Porter McCIune. J. W. McFarland. Godfrey McDowell. Hiram McDowell. Robert Piper. Samuel L. Peterson. C. H. Penrod. Samuel Pollock. B. It. Robb. Noah Serena. J. E.Smith. Samuel Slater. William Spoonhullow. Robert Tranger. J. W. Thompson. William Wagner. Benjamin Yealy. Joseph Fry. J. W. Ambrose. George E.* Armour. William Aldrich. William Bowser. Thomas Bales. John Beam. H. C. Bell. John Brady. C. A. Campbell. Harrison Churns. J. C. Ewing. Ross Griffith. J. M. Harr. Jacob Horner. Abraham Howard. Jacob Horner. John Horner. Francis Hess. John Irwin. J. M. Jones. J. C. Keffer. John Kibble. ROSTER OF COMPANY I, FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT STATE MILITIA. Capt, William Saner; 1st lieut, D. R. Cook; 2d lieut, J. M. Campbell; 1st sergt, I. W. Duushane. J. M. Moor. S. P. Reed. Sergeants. R. J. Walker. J. H. Sloan. APPENDICES. 495 Corporals. John G. McLain. W. R. Stewart. Wilson Lewis. Samuel Foster. Hugh Mclveaver. Samuel Stewart. Thomas Mewherter. William Warlcman. J. H. McLaughlin. J. C. Walker. Alexauder Uonuoni. Joseph Laughlin. James Ross. J. R. Wilson. S. D. McConnell. J. H. Machesney. William Reed. JohnS. Welty. T. B. Sproull. J. M. Willgard. Musicians. Michael Sang. D. H. Walter. Josiah Dougherty. W. G. Estley. FIFTY- SEVENTH REGIMENT. John Anderson. Frank Anderson. Frank Boyle. Dennis Barnes. W. H. Couch. John Cosgriff. Orlando Craig. James Cox. John Cook. John Brown. William Case. M. Dunhollin. Samuel Doreman. Michael Guidon. James George. G. D. Gorley. Lewis Helnian. Joseph Henesley. William Hazlett. James Johnstone. William Jennings. Samuel Jack. John Lewis. James Lat timer. James Morgan. Thomas Mulherren. J. S. Maris. l^rivates. James Monroe. Henry McBride. Lewis McFaiiand. James McClellen. Robert McKee. John O'Neal. William Pasley. Michael Prugh. John Piitchell. Thomas Pastull. R. J. Patterson. Stephen Pounds. Alexander Swener. Abram Sindorf. William Sindorf. George Simons. Philip Serena. William Serena. Thomas Snodgrass. William Shields. John M. Stewart. ■ James Spoonholler. H. C. Seanor. E. S. Torreuce. R. H. Williams. Fullerton White. J. McWallace. ROSTER OF COMPANY K, FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT STATE MILITIA. Capt,, D. W. Townsend ; 1st lieut., James C. Hawk ; 2d lieut, Levi Sha- ner; 1st sergt., A. B. Copeland. William Parke. James Given. A. H. Wylie. David Vantine. H. 0. Beacom. Adam Hetrick. Musician Samuel Nelson. W. W. Crook. T. M. Boal. Corporals. J. A. Armstrong. M. B. Crooks. Archibald Dodds. S. S. Armstrong. J. T. Armstrong. David Alter, pro. to hos. steward. Joseph Alter. David Alter. Matthew Aver. J. B. Alexander. George Armstrong. Andrew Buseland. John Beacom. William Beacom. J. A. Barnett John Best. William Brisbine. Thomas Bain. J. D. Cole. Thomas Blair. R. A. Copeland. T. B. Clemens. Johnston Cuddy. Calvin Clements. James Dougherty. William Dunn. JoBeph Dugan. John Dougherty. James Elder. James Fryer. Samuel Ferguson. William Garrett. Levi Gumbert. S. E. Hill. A. J. Hankie. Jacob Hank. T. S. Irwin. F. M. Johnston. Hugh Jamison. Cyrus Kepple. J. A. Logan, pro. to quarter-mas- ter sergeant. F. M. Ludwig. J. M. Husted. J. C. Muller. R. B. Mechesny. James McGeary. Robert McCrum. James C. McGeary. Adjutant, R. A. Henderson. Company A. Capt., W. R. Ford ; 1st lieut., R. A. Henderson (pro. to adjt.) ; 2d lieut., Alexander Craig; 1st sergt., R. H. Bruce. Sergeants. A. S. Hamilton. George Cunningham. Robert Graham. Casper Adams. W. A. Gray. Robert Scott. George Marshall. John Coleman. Musician George E. Foot. Corporals. William Jellison. William Uncapher. Samuel Cribbs. Israel Hickman. Privates. Elijah Akers. Ambrose Brown. Thomas Belle. G. M. Boyle. James Brennan. Charles Cribbs. Christopher Clawson. John Cribbs. Thomas Campbell. S. D. Cribbs. G. C. Craig. George Cunningham, Jr. J. G. Devinney. J. M. Dayton. Martin Doran. J.B. Dalby. Joseph Eshbaugh. Joseph Fance. Jesse Gray. J. A. Howard. J. R. Porter (pro. to colonel July 8, Thomas Robinson. David Ranson. S. P. Repine. William Redman. John Rager. Andrew Rahl. D. W. Spires. Frederick Jellison. Milton Kirkwood. Daniel Keefe. W. D. Lucas. C. G. Lose. Leander Lynch. A. C. Long. J. D. Layton. James Murray. William McCormick. Edward McFadden. Matthew McFadden. James McClenahan. James McGrath. J. M. Orr. G. W. Perry. Matthias Palmer. A. A. Palmer. C. W. Palmer. 1863). John Shea. Robert Smith. J. R. Torrance. Thomas Thompson. Robert Wiley. Milton Wiley. G. D. Wilkinson. ROSTER OF COMPANY H, FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. Capt., Ceorge Richie; 1st lieut., W. H. Lawsou ; 2d lieut., C. OJDoug- Iass; 1st sergt., J. W. Shoemaker. Henry Baughman. E. G. Kennedy. W. M. Eckley. Joseph Hamilton. John ClendeTiniii. S. D. Smith. Oliver Allen. Uriah Bliss. James Beam. W. D.Blackburn. Henry Bankafett. William Brindle. James Batton. James Collins. Sergeants. J. R. Powell. David Markle. Corporals. Ainzi Smith. Thomas Finney. J. P. Hamilton. Frank Beezle. I'rivates. J. S. Campbell. James Carpenter. JameB Deeds. Theodore Evans. S. L. Foot. Simon Greenawalt. James Hixsenbaugh. Malcolm Haggerty. 496 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Joseph Hutchinson. John Huey. Theodore Hunter. George Hunter. D. D. Kripps. Peter Kuhns. James Lewis. Pieraon Luce. J. H. Lucker. George W. Markle. Cyrus Markle. J. B. Milligan. W. B. Milligan. Alexander Milligan. S. L. McGrew. George Newell. W. B. Patterson. F. M. Patterson. James Patterson. Joseph Pinkerton. Also Reppard. Randolph Reynolds. Daniel Shoaf. Albert Siegfried. Casper Sterner. William Spratt. Albert Sykes. William Swern. John Stewart. George Smith. Bennett Van Kirk. John Webster. John Winkler. Marion Waltz. Joseph Young. INDEPENDENT CAVALRY BATTALION. Company B. Capt., George H. Murphy; 1st lieut., Culbertson Ramsey; 2d lieut., John W. Graham; 1st sergt., Hugh McCune; qr.*mr. sergt., Samuel McElroy ; com. sergt., John W. Graham, Daniel Igo. J. H. Pershing. J. W. Smith. S. M. Kennedy. J. H. Blair. D. Nicewonger. J. A. Ambrose. H. G. Young. Farrier, J. S. Morris. Blacksmith, H. M. Wilson. J. F. Austraw. Abraham Bennett. George Barton. Jooathan Bitner. J. C. Blair. William Cunningham. W. J. Campbell. J. A. Campbell. G. W. Games. W. H. Covode. Martin Decker. John Decker. J. W. Decker. J. P. Deitrich. Gregory DeWitt. W. D. Felton. Samuel Findley. David Felton. Sergeants. Henry Barton. James I. Ross. Corporals. J. D. Bryan. Isaac Tewell. R. H. Ramsey. Aeher Campbell. Buglers. J. M.Mitchell. Privates. David Fry. John Fry. M. A. Graham. William Henderson. John Hess. J. I. Harrell. James Halferty. John Huston. Robert Huston. FranciB Hicks. S. R. Huston. Amos Johnston. J. A. Jones. C. A. Krigger. M. P. Krepp. Henry Lope. D. A. Lawson. E. W. Lenhart. R. W, Mardis. A. G. Martin. Archibald Matthews. Adam Mangus. Michael McCullough. Samuel McCurdy. Samuel McCune. A. C. McDowell. Daniel McDowell. W. B. McElroy. D. F. McClelland. J. P. McKelvey. John B. McMasters. James C. McMulIen. John Neil. Marshall Reed. E. J. Reed. J. C. Shrum. Samuel Tewell. John Tittle. Frederick Ulery. John Updegraff. John Wadsworth. W. M. Wallace. Stephen Walker. Peter Wiuebrenner. DICK'S INDEPENDENT CAVALRY COMPANY. Was mustered in July 9, 1863, and discharged October 3d. Capt., William B. Dick; 1st lieut., James Loar; 2d lieut., 0. J. Greer; 1st Bergt., H. 0. Tintsman. Sergeants. Stewart Whitehall. 0. P. Shupe. Ezra Ebersole. W. J. Hitchman. J. J. Fox. William VanWymer. Isaac Stouffer. F. M. Davie. John Byers. 0. B. Robertson. Isaac Sherrick, Bugler, George Sitherwood. S. L. Anderson. C. D. Altmau. W. E. Andrew. Henry Briuker. Ludwick Barroue. John Bryan. Samuel Berlin. W. L. Brant. J. A. Buyer. Lumpson Burkholder. H. D. Campbell. EH Crouse. R. A. Cunningham. Eli Crosby. Cyrus Cole. William Dinsmore. C. A. Ebersole. James Ellis. M. L. Fry. J. W. Fox. A. L. Fry. J. S. Funk. B. F. Harkens. T. G. Hodge. George W. Hough. James Irwin. Corporals. William Woodcock. James Love. D. P. Brant. Eli Sell. Privates. ' D. W. Keister. David Keougn. Samuel Loucks. PreBsley Lovingar. A. F. Lemon. Heury Lovear. Jacob May. John Moore. John McNully. 8. M. Otto. W. J. Robertson. Andrew Robertson. Amos Sindorf. John B. Sheppard. Reuben Sherrick. C. W. Swartz. B. K.Solliday. Jacob Sheets. J. M.Smitley. Isaac F. Stoner. D. W. Shupe. B. F. Simpson. James Scott. John P. Tarr. John Weitzel. William H. H. Wolf. LOCAL HISTORY OF B 0R0UGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. GREENSBURG. F( DURING THE LAST CENTURY. Wes 3R some years after the end of the Revolution, we ;tern Pennsylvania increased in population and in ora-alth as it had never increased before. The emi- a kl, tion about 1787 and 1788 was accounted remark - an , J. Whole colonies left the New England States r j J began settlements together in the Northwest Ter- : y tory. Many, indeed, stopped in these parts. There ]. 'ere inducements offered here to those who could buy 1 and such as were better than those offered in the 1 West. The lands were cheap and partly improved. The holders of them were anxious to sell that they themselves might repurchase at cheaper rates. Thus the class which came in was well prepared to add to the material wealth, and to put new life in those who had been wearied out by toil and watching. These people brought with them their own stock ; and their horses and cattle, their hogs and sheep, as well as their agricultural implements, were far ahead of anything common to this country. It was also remarked that at about this time laboring men first began to be paid their wages in current money. This money, too, had a value, for they did not handle the Continental paper, which was necessary to be shifted off at a nominal value by those who were so unfortunate as to hold it. On the 24th of September, 1788, Allegheny County was organized out of parts of Westmoreland and Wash- ington Counties. About this time Greensburg had the nucleus of a bar. The town, from all accounts, improved during those years rapidly. In the last year of the se- dition (179-t) there is much correspondence dated from Greensburg; and here the United States commissioners stopped for some time taking testimony and making their report. A small body of troops was quartered near the town during the last winter. Some of the old citizens then first came to notice. Within the few- years immediately following that notoriety the popu- lation was further increased, and among those who came in were some of the most prominent families. In 1799 it was incorporated, and contained possibly between four hundred and five hundred souls. Up to 1786 there was no collection of houses worthy the name of town in all Western Pennsylvania, un- less we except the town of Pittsburgh. In 1784 an arrangement was made to lay out the manor of Pitts- burgh into town lots and sell them without delay. In 1786 the number of houses there was estimated at one hundred, and the population at about five hundred. Previous to this there were no buildings outside the fort, only the few straggling huts occupied by soldiers and mechanics. There were, it is said, five stores there at that time, and it was, as is well known, the only important commercial place in the West, such as it was. Uniontown, which had been laid out by Henry Beeson at a very early day, but at that time but a sorry place, was known as Beeson's Town as late as 1794. In 1796 they built their court-house and market-house. Brownsville, the Old Redstone, was laid out in 1785. At that date there were perhaps several stores there. But in all the remaining por- tion of the western part, and especially in Westmore- land, there was no place where there was a cluster of more than a dozen houses. A place with some pre- tensions, named Port Royal, on the Youghiogheny, had been laid out in squares and streets, and lots sold. One of the streets was called Washington Street, and there was at the time some expectation of its becoming a considerable place, but for years it proved to be only a city of magnificent distances. Robbstown, the name by which West Newton was long known and which was but another name for John Simerall's ferry, was a more promising place than any other of these, being at the head of flat- boat navigation on the Yough, and consequently a point for emigrants and shipping. SELECTION AS SEAT OF JUSTICE. Ill an act of Assembly passed on the 13th of Sep- tember, 1785, it was recited that whereas a seat of 497 498 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. justice for the county of Westmoreland had not there- tofore been established by law, for want of which the inhabitants labored under great inconveniences, to remedy which it was enacted that it should be lawful for Benjamin Davis, Michael Rugh, John Shields, John Pomroy, and Hugh Martin, or any three of them, to purchase, in the name of the Commonwealth, a piece of land in trust for the inhabitants of the said county ; and by the act it was provided that the said piece of land should not be situate farther east than the Nine-Mile Run, nor farther west than Bushy Run, farther north than Loyalhanna, nor farther south than five miles south of the Old Pennsylvania road leading to Pittsburgh ; on which piece of ground the said commissioners should erect a court-house and a prison sufficient to accommodate the public service of the county. These trustees had much trouble and waited long until the report of the majority of them was finally taken off their hands and made stable by the un- altered law of the land. The settlement about the future county town at that time had some influential men in it; among them were those of the Jack family, Col. Christopher Truby, and Michael Rugh (whose land adjoined that of the other two). Besides this, the new road, which left Hannastown to the north, precluded the possibility of that place from being again reported favorably upon. The fact of the courts being held there as long as they were was but a makeshift, From the time of the first report it had met with outspoken opposition ; and since the close of the war it was, even after the formation of Fayette on the south of the county, far from the centre of the county, as it remained, either in population or in location. At this juncture the three men aforementioned laid their heads together. By an article of agreement- witnessed the 10th day of December, 1785, 1 Chris- 1 ARTICLE of Agreement made and conoluded on between Chris- topher Truby and William Jack of the one part and Benjamin Davis, Michael Roogh, and Hugh Martin, Esquires, Justices for the County of Westmoreland, WITNESSETH : Thut the said Christopher Truby anj William Jack doth hereby grant, bargain, and sell unto the said Benjamin Davis, Michael Rough, and Hugh Martin, Trustees, a certain piece of land situate and being in Hempfield township, on the North Branch of Sewickley, containing two acres, for the use of erecting a court-house and prison, for the considera- tion of sixpence lawful money of the State of Pennsylvania to us ill hand paid, the receipt we do hereby acknowledge [and] ourselves fully satisfied; anil the said Christopher Truby and William Jack doth hereby bind themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns to make clear patent free from encumbrance to the said Benjamin Davis, Michael Rough, and Hugh Martin, Trustees, or their successors, and the said Christopher Truby and William Jack do hereby promise the said trustees to lay out a certain quantity of land for the use of a county town containing sixty acres, viz. : Running thence south twenty east 106 perches, south forty-three east 80 perches, north seventy-five east 40 perches, and north four and one-half north 135 perches to a post south seventy-five west to the place of beginning. And to allow the inhab- itants of said town free incourse and recourse to the North Branch and West Branch at certain places, as the said trustees shall think proper, and to any injury to the bottom on said waters, and the said Christopher Truby and William Jack doth hereby promise to sell the said Lot [s] of topher Truby and William Jack convey ed to Benjamin Davis, Michael Rugh, and Hugh Marti, n, 2 trustees, as mentioned, for the nominal consideratk on of a six- pence, two acres of land for the use of erect ing a court- house and prison for the county ; and the) T promised the trustees to lay out a certain quantity of land con- taining sixty acres on the North and West Bra ncbes of the Sewickley, the site of Greensburg, for the use of a county town. They also allowed the inha 1 jitants of the town free inconrse and recourse to the North and West Branches at such places as the trusts ?es should think proper. They likewise promised to sei. '1 the lots of ground for the new town at the rate of fo rty-five shillings per lot. By an act of the 27th of December, 1786, the given to the commissioners by the act first men and the acts of 26th February, 1773, and 22d . 1784, to purchase land and erect thereon the i buildings, were superseded until the Legish should further otherwise direct. The supersedii was then in order repealed by an act of the February, 1789, and the sale of the lots of gr> confirmed. By this they were empowered to a and levy a tax on the people of the county noi exceed one thousand pounds, Pennsylvania curre: The commissioners therefore reported in favc this place, then called Newton, being a town, si say, " without any houses." It was, however, a clo settlement and had a cluster of houses, one of whic for certain was the old tavern stand which stoo there before the time of Simon Drum, Sr., and whic) was occupied afterward by him. 3 The election act c 1786 recited that whereas the commissioners had fixe< that the courts should thereafter be holden at Greens- burg, otherwise Newton, it declared that thereafter the people of the Fifth Election District of the county, who had till then voted at Hannastown, should vote at the court-house at Greensburg. FIRST COURT, ETC. The last court held at Hannastown was the October term of 1786, aud the first court held at Greensburg was the January term of 1787. The court-house, so called, preceding what is usually known as the " Old" court-house, was a small brick building, situate upon the >ame lot, and afterward occupied for some of the county offices. By an act of Assembly passed about 1790 all the counties that did not have such public buildings as were intended in the act were to build powers tioned March, aiblic tture ig act ■ 14th ■ni ml ssess t to ocy. >r of , -> to se h -d i if i ground fit the rate of forty-five shillings per lot, and we do hereby bind ourselves iu the penalty of two thousand pounds for the true perform- ance of the above agreement as witness our hands and seals the tenth day of December, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five. Christopher Truby. [seal.] William Jack. [seal.] Sealed and delivered in the presence of) William McGee. J Recorded in Book " B," p. 287. - Sloan and Pomroy were Hanna's men. 3 In 1785 " the devil'' came to this house "to dance away wi' the excise-man," Graham (see Chapter XXXVII). GREENSBURG. 499 court-houses and jails of brick or of stone The old court-house was not finished, we believe, till at least after the Whiskey Insurrection, 1797. The comple- tion of the building, as has reasonably been inferred, was retarded by the troubles of that time. In 1789, Greensburg had a " May-pole" standing in the centre of the then village, on the road to Puckety. Simon Drum built his brick house in 1808. James Clark, a wheelwright by trade, kept tavern in 1790. Ludwig Ottoman was here in 1790, and in 1795 among the residents were Mrs. Priscilla Coulter, Thomas Hamilton, Peter Harbaugh, and Simon Drum. C. H. Stark tore down (in 1874) his stone dwelling, long known as one of the oldest and most substantial buildings of the town. It was built in 1796, and used for a hotel for a long time in the days of the rumbling stage and the slow-plodding Conestoga wagons, when fast time from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia was six days. It was an inn where the old farmers and wagoners used to have jolly times. Mr. Stark re- modeled it with an elegant brick addition. The old Truby and Kuhns families are remembered in the following: "I do Hereby Cartyfi that philiph Cone, of Westmoreland County, Hath voluntarily taken and Subsciibd the oath Affirmation of allegiance and fidelity as Directed by an act of general assembly of peenSylvana passed the 13th Day of June at 1777, witness my hand and Seal the 1 Day of June at 1778. [l. s.] "Christo'r Truby." GREENSBURG IN THE OLDEN TIME. The first tolerable idea we get of the old town of Greensburg dates to a time not farther back than a few years after the beginning of the present century. From a number of reminiscences compared together, and from a few old prints, we can get a glimpse of the metropolis as it existed from about 1805 to 1820. The first census in 1810 gives the population at (585, aud that of 1820 at 770. It would appear that the houses of the county town were at first but common struc- tures, most of them log or frame weatherboarded ten- ements. There were a few of the early stone houses, but these did not date so far back ; the old banking- house of the Westmoreland Bank, for instance, which was commonly thought to be one of the oldest build- ings of the town, was erected about 1805. The stone part of the house on the northwest corner of West Ot- toman and Depot Streets, which at first was used for a tavern, was built in 1796. Of the old houses, once noted landmarks, nearly all have been remodeled ( and rebuilt, or altered in such a way that but a part of the original structure now exists. Thus the corner house on Pittsburgh Street and Main Street, oppo- | site the court-house, known to many old persons yet i as the Drum house, contains in its superstructure nothing of the first building ; a part of the foundation walls is said to be the same which supported the old I building, perhaps the most historic landmark in the place. This is the house which entertained the com- missioners and United States and State officials during > the Whiskey Insurrection. At that time it had a clapboard roof, and it had for a sign a full-length painted effigy of Gen. Nathaniel Greene. At the time of which we speak nearly every one of the pri- vate houses was set in a yard, and being scattered about, the broad patches of sky and daylight were seen between them. At scarcely any place was the sight of the fields obscured. A cluster of one-storied log houses and miserable huts on the eastern slope of the hill going into town, by the side of the old road, was called Irishtown, and another suburb on the western side was called Dutchtown. This road was the main thoroughfare, and it is said that in the early times the most business was done on this street. Along here the biggest crowd of idle men and boys collected to see the horses stalling in going up the hill, and to hear the wagoner cursing and cracking his whip. Along here were the blacksmith-shops, and on the corners of the square where it crossed Main Street were two taverns, a store, and the county build- ings. Among the first public buildings on the Main Street were the taverns which from time to time were opened by impecunious great men. If a man had been high sheriff or county commissioner, or if he was a bankrupt merchant, he started a tavern. It did not require much capital, and it was the most remunerative business to get at. Thus the propor- tion of inns here was as high as in any other of the villages, and some of the houses now occupied as resi- dences were even later than that used as taverns. The building in the court-house square, in the walls of which you may see the archway, was at one time the "Dublin Hotel." Through this archway the wagoners drove to the yard behind the house, and it was in the upper story where Mr. Williams, to an ad- miring auditory, sang his comic song, "When Thim- ble's scolding wife lay dead," and where Professor Doupenloup, the French dancing-master, held his benefit. Between the lower house on Main Street and the German burying-ground there was a patch of un- fenced common, upon which the boys kicked foot-ball, and where the cows of the town depastured and lay at night. The first Episcopal Church stood on East Ottoman Street, at the corner of the first square, on the north side. The commons on this side extended out from here over that part of the town next to the angle of the two railroads. It was not till 1803 that Judge William Jack, a public-spirited man, aud one of the founders of the town, gave one hundred and thirty-one perches of ground to the "burgesses and inhabitants to erect thereon a house for preaching and public worship." Sixty feet square of this tract was to be set apart for the building, and the rest was to remain a place of burial for the dead. Upon this lot the burgesses, with the consent of the inhabitants, erected a Presbyterian Church, whence the burial- ground received the name of the Presbyterian grave- yard. This old burying-ground lay for a long time 500 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. on an uninclosed common, and where the graves were not inclosed by a durable wall or palings they were trodden upon by cattle or overrooted by the swine. The erection of the new Presbyterian Church on the ground of the congregation on South Main Street, and the bad condition of the burying-ground itself, led to the formation of the St. Clair Cemetery As- sociation, from which enterprise we have the only public place of recreation and resort in the town, and the chief object of interest to point out to strangers. On the west side of the town, now its most populous suburb, there were but two or three log houses. Lud- wick Ottoman, a man who lived and died a Dutch- man, owned the Stokes farm and most of the land upon which Ludwick is built. His log house, which stood near the future site of the residence of the late William A. Stokes, Esq., was entered by a double door, hung the one above the other, like the doors a of stable. His Sunday dress was a red -flannel wambus, or roundabout, made out of a woolen blanket. There was, it is true, but somewhat later, a house of some repute on the summit of Bunker Hill along the turn- pike. It was a wooden structure, lathed and plastered on the outside. It was later known as the Bushfield tavern, when it was to Greensburg what Belmont was to Venice. At Henry Barton's blacksmith-shop in East Greensburg the rough-visaged, brawny-armed men, like the Cyclops toiling at the forges, yelled like savages around a stack of heating tires, beat the horses with their rasps, and drew out of the white fire the seething plow-irons. From early in the morning till late at night the bellows were creaking, and it was a favorite place for countrymen to loiter and lazy men to gather to watch the sparks fly " like chaff from the thrashing-floor," and be in awe of the most extensive manufacturing establishment in the town. Some of the old inhabitants, natives of the town, can go along and point out where was once the site of the house or the abode itself of her great burghers, whose reputation is as much identified with the town as the fame of Pericles is identified with Athens, or that of Lycurgus with Sparta. Thus on the site of the public hotel latterly well known as the " Richmond House," and now the property of Mr. Samuel Alwine, was the residence of John B. Alexander, Esq., whose monumental tablet in the St. Clair Cemetery epito- mizes the history of his life. " He was a distin- guished member of the bar, his knowledge and tal- ents placing him among the first of his profession. He served his country as an officer in the late war with Great Britain." Judge Young lived in a long, low-fronted, white-colored house, whose floor in time had sunk below the level of the pavement, on the corner opposite on the north side of Main Street, the lower house on the square since known as the Burnt District, which is now covered with the gigantic piles of iron, stone and brick masonry which go to make up the Kuhns Block and Masonic Hall. Dr. Pos- tlethwaite resided in a house opposite the Alwine Hotel and diagonal to Judge Young's house. Judge Coulter, then a practicing lawyer, lived in a house and had his office whose site is now covered by the building of the Greensburg Banking Company. THE PEOPLE AND THEIR OCCUPATIONS. We have halted midway in the chronological history of the county town merely to get a glimpse at the people who then did business in its shops and who walked about its streets. These memoranda are taken from the local notices or made up out of the advertisements which appeared in the county papers about the dates given. From a card in the Gazette, Nov. 7, 1823, J. B. Alexander and Joseph H. Kuhns entered into a part- nershij) as attorneys and counselors-at-law. It is also seen that James B. Oliver was established as a scrivener and conveyancer. In 1823, John Connell kept a store opposite "the market-house and stage-office." In the same year, M. P. Cassilly, Randal McLaughlin, and Henry Welty, Jr., were in partnership in the merchandising business. They dissolved their partnership in April, 1824, M. P. Cassilly continuing in business at the old place. H. Brown & Son and Mr. Mowry kept stores opposite the post-office. The Gazette office was removed to a building between these in 1824. John Connell kept a store and advertised fancy goods. Other mercantile houses and firms then were Arthur Carr, James Brady & Co., who kept two doors north of the bank and one door south of the Westmoreland Republican, Henry Welty, Jr., and Randal McLaugh- lin, who continued each for himself after the dissolu- tion of the partnership mentioned ; Edward N. Clop- per, who had just come from Baltimore, and who engaged in business in the room "below Horbach's tavern, and next door south of Simon Drum, Esq." Of other persons and trades we have these: Of hatters there were a Mr. Gallagher, John Isett, and .William Findley. Hugh Stewart manufactured spin- ning-wheels and reels at his shop, " being the second house on the north side of the street, west of the residence of Mr. Henry Welty, Sr. James Arm- strong did tailoring. George Singer was chair-maker, and also did gilding, sign-painting, and glazing. James Gemmill was a stone-cutter, and had his shop opposite the German Church. He kept grindstones on sale. Peter Fleeger kept a saddlery. Jehu Tay- lor had what he was pleased to call a furniture ware- house, in which he exposed to sale various articles of household convenience, in conjunction with his busi- ness of cabinet-making. In a current issue of one of these papers in 1S25 there is a complaint of the scarcity of water in pumps in case of a fire. At that time they had an engine, but it was not kept in repair, and for practi- cal purposes was regarded as useless. Samuel McCawlev carded wool in- an establishment GREENSBURG. 501 one door above the brick brewery, on the turnpike road. An article, a kind of political travesty, headed "Aid to the Greeks," appeared in the Gazette Feb. 13, 1824, which was signed " E. F. Pratt, Hair Dresser," and which had attached thereto the following: " Done at the Jackson Tonsotial Hall, two doors north of Mr. Edward Patchell's Jackson's Bullet-Proof and Element-Defying Hat Factory, a few doors south of Beale's Arbitration and Delegation Hotel, and patent never-wearing-out hrush manufactory, and in full view of the fish mar- ket. Those who cannot find the [dace will inquire at Alexander Smith's or Peter Shires', Point Brewery. The 2d day of February, A.D. 1824, and the year of the world 5S24." A writer who signed himself " A Mechanick" sent a couple of articles to the Gazette in December, 1826, which were intended to start a movement in favor of a circulating library for the benefit of the laboring class. In the second article he says, — " In the present article I wish to impress more fully upon the minds of our citizens the importance, nay. absolute necessity, of entering upon some decisive measures to retain if not increase our population, and of rendering that population fit for the sphere in which circumstances have rendered it necessary for them to move. " A few weeks only have transpired since Maj. Coulter's steam-mill was put into operation, and already the increased hum of business is apparent in the section in which the mill is located. To a casual ob- server this may be attributed to trivial or transient causes, which will only endure for a short season ; but to the man of business and reflec- tion only are the true reasons and causes apparent. If, then, a 6team grist-mill is materially reviving our business, and is consequently pro- ductive of gain to a part of our population, in how much greater degree would not the establishment of different kinds of manufactories among us promote the pecuniary interests of our whole community?" . . . The writer says that Greensburg then was, and for the four years past had been, without that " useful mechanick, a nailor." INHABITED LIMITS OF THE TOWN. It is a singular observation, but the recollections of those older persons in the county whose attention has been directed to the Greensburg of the early times nearly all fix upon some certain date, and this date varies little from about the year 1830. The only way we can account for this is in the fact that about that time was hung Joseph Evans, an event that for many years was a subject-matter of conversation among country people, and one which had brought them to the county town perhaps for the first time in their lives. In 1830 the population of the town was 810. The buildings for the most part were frame or log, and the appearance of the town on the whole would bear little resemblance to it now. On the north the town extended to the house of Hon. John Latta and one just opposite occupied by a chair-maker, Joseph Her- wig. On the south it was bounded by the German Reformed parsonage and a house just opposite, where a tavern, not the most orderly in the world, was kept by one Mrs. Bignell. The house was called " The Sun, Moon, and Seven Stars." The sloping ground south of town was called the " Bullet Ground," be- cause it was used, and had been so used long previ- ously, for the manly exercise of "long bullets." When log houses began to be erected along the road in that part of the town it received the name (about 1840) of " Kinderhook," in compliment to Martin Van Buren, whose birthplace had that old Dutch name. West Pittsburgh Street, then called " Dutchtown," was terminated by the blacksmith-shop of Tim Jen- nings, somewhere about the foot of the street, on the side opposite the residence of Mr. Cowan and some- what below it. The hill west of it was then known as " Bunker Hill," probably in ridicule, for there was a riotous tavern on the top of the hill, where cocks, dogs, men, and other game animals fought, sometimes for money and sometimes for recreation. There were no houses on the hill but one, a frame house, opposite the house built by Judge Burrell, and now owned and occupied by Hilary Brunot, Esq. This house was occupied by John Williams, whose son, William Williams, was well known in his day as an efficient deputy and clerk in the public offices. East Greensburg, or "Irishtown," ended at the then new brick steam-mill of Eli Coulter, brother of Judge Richard Coulter. This mill was one of the first steam-mills in the county. It was nearly opposite the residence of William H. Hacke, Esq. West Ot- toman street ended at the old stone house which was burnt down a few years ago, and on the site of which has since been erected the United Brethren Church. This* house was a very old one, having been used as a tavern in 1797. About the time of which we write it was kept by David Cook, once register and associate judge and the grandfather of William Cook, Esq., a gentleman in his day quite a politician in Westmore- land, and later a citizen of Washington City, where he has attained some reputation in a wider sphere as a politician and a lawyer. East Ottoman Street was ended by the brewery of John and Richard North, two Englishmen. This was at a point probably half- way between Main Street and the end of East Otto- man, at the foot of the hill. TAVERNS AND LANDLORDS. At that time the canal of the State and the National road from Wheeling to Baltimore had not been com- pleted, and so a stream of travel — wagons, heavy and light, carriages and horsemen — passed through the town, and the taverns were well patronized. There were three principal taverns on Main Street, — the " Simon Drum House" (corner of Main and West Pitts- burgh Streets, opposite the court-house), the " Hor- bach House" (corner of Main and East Pittsburgh Streets, and opposite the Baughman building), these two in the centre of the town, and the " Westmoreland Hotel," owned and then kept by Frederick A. Rohrer. The Horbach House was the house where the mail coaches stopped, Mr. Horbach being an extensive stage proprietor and mail contractor. The Bohrer House, best known by that name, was Democratic headquarters. 502 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Other houses there were, but none of so wide and extended reputation, nor of so long continuance. A house whose reputation was founded on the name of the landlord was an institution not of a day's growth. Among these the house opposite the store of Mr. Henry Welty (southest corner of Main and East Ottoman Street) was used a tavern, and kept by a man named Job Hornish. It was much frequented by drinking mechanics and working-men. On West Ottoman Street, on the corner of Depot Street (upon the site now occupied by the residence of W. H. Markle, Esq.), was a tavern. It was the only tavern in Greensburg at that time where broad-wheeled wagons stopped. These usually passed through to the " Eicher House," about a mile east of the town on the turnpike, or to Grapeville on the west side. This wagon-tavern had been kept by Griffith Clark, father of Capt. Samuel Clark, of Mount Pleasant. He died in 1829, and was buried with full Masonic honors. " The brethren of the mystic tie" attended the funeral in full dress, and at their head marched the Hon. John Young, presi- dent judge, with a book in his hands. The tavern was afterward kept by Brintnal Robbins, Peter Row, aud Joseph Nicewonger. In " Dutchtown" there was an inn kept by John Kuh us. The citizens of German descent at that day were very clannish, and so the " Kuhns House" was a favorite stopping-place with the Dutch who held Democratic opinions. In " Irishtown" there was a good tavern, called "The Federal Springs," owned and kept by Frederick Mechlin. The politics of the tavern were just the opposite to those of the Kuhns House, but in both the language spoken was mainly " Pennsylvania Dutch." We have spoken of the " Drum House," and we might further say that although the house went by that name, as it had for years before and as it did for years after, Mr. Drum was not at that time the inn- keeper. This was a man named Ephraim Jordan. Simon Singer kept the "Greensburg and Pitts- burgh Hotel." The " Dublin Hotel" was an Irish house, kept by a man named Thompson, and stood on " Green Lane," the street from Caleb Stark's towards the railroad. Snowden's printing-office was in an alley back of Baughman's building, and that of John W. Wise was on the corner of East Ottoman Street going toward the cemetery on Maple Avenue. THE YOUNG "HOODLUMS" OF OLD TIMES. In those days some of the young men of the town were of wild habits. They much resembled the bloods of London, described by Liddell and Macaulay, who infested the streets of the metropolis during the shameless days of the Restoration. They had their se- cret societies, their cat calls, and their signs. Every boy who came to study a profession, to learn a trade, or attend the academy was initiated by coal-housing. Any young man who kept the society of young ladies was tabooed by these old-time " hoodlums," as it was a sign of effeminacy. Temperance habits were with them an excluding sin. A young man was lampooned in the columns of the county papers, and jeered at on the streets, nicknamed and talked about, if he in the least slighted these larks and habituated himself to quiet occupation, to temperance, and to close application to his studies. One of these young men, lampooned by the " hoodlums," became a celebrated physician by hewing his way up from a saddler's apprentice. He completed his studies under Dr. Postlethwaite, aud located in South Carolina, where he achieved distinction in his profession. An- other timid young man when he came to town to read law, was chased about all night to be coal- housed. He is now on the Supreme Bench of one of the Territories. Many of these roystering young men subsequently settled down into quiet habits, and became the leading men of their localities, while others became nobodies, and were glad in after-years to receive any kindness from those they had in years gone by insulted. SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES. In speaking with a gentleman familiar with the subject of schools in the early Greensburg, he said that the schools there, as he first knew them, about 1830 might be distinguished by the degrees of com- parison, as much, more, most. Thus Miss Lydia Bid- die taught much, Robert Nelson Somerville more, and Thomas Will most. In 1829, on the site where now stands the Metho- dist Church, on Main Street, there stood an old log house owned by Dr. Postlethwaite. In this house Lydia Biddle taught the rudiments of an English ed- ucation. At Miss Biddle's school were taught the children of Dr. Postlethwaite, Rev. Michael Steck, Alexander Johnston, Michael P. Cassilly, and other citizens. After having been lugged, shaken, and cuffed by the tender hands of Miss Lydia Biddle, the children were presumed to be far enough advanced for the flagellation of Robert Nelson Somerville. On the public common, at a short distance north of the end of East Ottoman Street, and west of the Presbyterian Meeting-House, the citizens of Greens- burg had at a very early time erected a low, one- story log house, wherein the ordinary branches of an English education should be taught. There is a di- versity of opinion who the first schoolmaster was, and this in all probability will remain a question unset- tled till the crack of doom, and be rated in the cate- gory of unanswerable queries, of which one of the most universal is that one which is raised as to the identity of the individual who struck Billy Patterson. This first school-house was erected, as we have said, on the public common, and but a short distance from the elegant spring now within the inclosed limits of the St. Clair Cemetery. It was a cabin house of rude structure, about eighteen by twenty-four feet, one GREENSBURG. 503 story high, with shingle roof. The furniture con- sisted of wooden benches of oak plank, of lengths cor- responding with the size of the room. The writing- desks were made of broad inch boards, which were fastened to the inside walls of the building, and ex- tended around the room. The light and ventilation were admitted to the promiscuous crowd of girls and boys through several small eight-by-ten-light win- dows. Mr. Silliman, the county superintendent in 1876, who made up the local history of the common-school system for the report of that year, says that a man by the name of Roseberry began teaching a school in this building. This school was made up by subscrip- tion, and consisted of possibly above fifty scholars, of course varying in summer and winter. Among the other early teachers were James O'Harra and Robert Williams. Williams taught for a long period, and his labors extended possibly down to 1816 or 1817. After Williams came Gideon H. Tanner, a teacher of high qualifications and training. He introduced various improvements in the school and the branches taught, and brought the system of teaching nearer to that which is now maintained in the common schools of the county than any other. Among the first school- masters here was Samuel L. Carpenter, afterwards county surveyor, State senator, sheriff, and associate judge. In 1829, as we said, the schoolmaster was an Eng- lishman named Somerville. The schools then were all maintained by subscription. On the supposition, we presume, that he had advanced to the second degree of comparison, our informant was removed from the school of Miss Biddle to that of Mr. Somerville. The dominie was a tall, straight, stern-looking man, with a thin, shallow face and overhanging black brows, under which gleamed two savage eyes. He dressed in taste and in first-class style, — black frock coat, cravat, and standing collar. His whole appearance and manner inspired awe and respect. After the scholars were seated, he passed around and inquired what books they had brought to school. These were indeed a queer collection, for they included all school books, such as Dilworth's and Murray's Readers, the Old and New Testaments, Plutarch's Lives, and ..•Esop's Fables. He evidenced great discretion in ar- ranging his scholars into classes, and in making them conform to a regular system in classification. Somerville enforced strict discipline in his school. Every Saturday afternoon he brought in his bundle of rods. Somerville left Greensburg suddenly, and nothing was heard of his whereabouts afterwards. He, how- ever, left the reputation of being a good scholar, and among the learned men of the town he was regarded as the best informed. He had evidently been the graduate of a British university, and probably had been an usher in a High School. Such, as far as we have been able to learn, were the facilities for a rudimentary education prior to the efficient common-school system. For a more ad- vanced education it was still customary to be a pupil of some educated clergyman, who found it expedient to teach private schools, until the establishment of the Greensburg Academy. THE GREENSBURG ACADEMY. At an early period of its municipal existence the education of the rising generation was regarded with deep interest by the citizens of Greensburg. At the beginning of the present century several schools of different grades imparted instruction to the youth of the town and neighborhood. There were schools opened on both Academy Hill and on Bunker Hill. The Bunker Hill school was under the charge of the Rev. Milligan, whose son, also Rev. Milligan, offici- ated so long for the Covenanters of Westmoreland. The Academy Hill school was taught by several per- sons, among whom was the Rev. Cannon, who was also a burning and shining light to those of the faith who still protested against prelacy and the custom of singing psalms to worldly tunes, and who still ad- hered to the letter of the Solemn League and Cove- nant. The ordinary schools created a desire for a higher institution, where striplings could be prepared for college and a knowledge of the humanities be ac- quired. Accordingly an act of incorporation was procured from the Legislature, and in 1810 an acad- emy was built on the hill north of the town, on exactly the same site where the present edifice has been erected. The State gave a donatiou of two thousand dollars towards the foundation of the insti- tution. In 1836-37 another donation was given to it by the Legislature, in common with all, the acade- mies and seminaries throughout the State. The old academic edifice was a plain two-story brick building, with four windows and a door in the first story and five windows in the second story, at both front and back sides. There were no windows in the gable ends. There were an entrance and four rooms below stairs, and a small and two large rooms above stairs that opened into one another. The rooms below were intended for a family, the small room above stairs for the private room or study of the preceptor. One large room above stairs was used for the school-room of the girls, and the other for that of the boys. In the old academy, although they had but one instructor, the boys and girls were kept care- fully separated. They had not only different rooms, but different play-grounds and different times of in- termission. The act of incorporation required the dead lan- guages and the mathematics to be taught in the academy, in addition to the ordinary parts of an English education. To this course of instruction some of the preceptors added the French language. The classical books used were the same as now used, 504 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. but the editors were different. Instead of Anthon's books they used Clarke's Caesar and the in usum Del- phini editions of the classics. The English books were altogether different from those now used. The present books are more diffuse and minute in impart- ing information. Their object is evidently to simplify the acquisition of knowledge. Among the first teachers in the academy were Jon- athan Findlay, Charles Lucas, and Thomas Will. Findlay was a brother of William Findlay, once Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania, and an uncle of James Find- lay, Esq., an able and learned lawyer of the Greens- burg and Pittsburgh bars. These were succeeded by James Jones, Samuel Sherwell, Farnsworth, Lathrop, Ames, Woodend, and Moore. In July, 1850, the old academy was burned to the ground. It is not known whether it caught fire by accident, was set on fire by a barbarian incendiary, or was consumed by a kind of spontaneous combustion from the excessive heat of the flames in the lamp of science. Some of the instructors in the old academy were men of natural ability and good education. Thomas Will had graduated with honor at St. Andrew's in Scotland, and James Jones had done the same at St. Omer's in France. Sherwell was one of the best and most accurate English scholars in the United States. Azer Lathrop, Farnsworth, and Ames were natives of New England, and graduates of her best colleges. Ames afterwards became a bishop in the Methodist Church. He was a good scholar and a good teacher, although it must be confessed that there were some imputations against his morals, and he is yet remem- bered as leading in several disreputable marauding expeditions by night, and particularly on one occa- sion wherein the outsiders took possession of an old building in which was being held a negro revival. The alumni of the old Greensburg Academy reflect honor on their alma mater. Among those who re- ceived a great part or all of their education at the Greensburg Academy were Henry D. Foster, Thomas Williams, of Pittsburgh ; James Reed, of Gettysburg ; Edgar Cowan, Augustus Drum, J. M. Burrell, Wil- liam F. Johnston, Albert G. Marehand, Capt. Alex- ander Montgomery, U.S.A., J. Herron Foster, Peter C. Shannon, all distinguished citizens, and many others who have gained fame and fortune at the press and the bar, in the pulpit and in the field, and in all the higher walks of professional or active life. After the burning of the old academic building there was no place for education at Greensburg, ex- cept the common schools, for more than ten years. In the spring of 1862 the directors of the public schools in Greensburg made a contract with the trus- tees of the burnt academy for the transfer of the ground and funds of the extinct institution to them. The transfer was made in accordance with the pro- visions of two acts of Assembly. The one was a gen- eral act, which provided for the transfer of public places of education on certain contingencies, and the other was a special act passed for this occasion and this object. The ground belonging to the old acad- emy consisted of several acres, on which it had been situated, and the funds consisted of the principal and proceeds of the donations to it, which had been in- vested in bank stock. It was made an essential con- dition of the transfer that scholars resident outside of the district of Greensburg should be received into the schools about to be established on the site of the old academy on the payment of certain proportionate sums according to the grade of the schools. Another condition was that a place and facilities should be always afforded in the building about to be erected for an academic department. After the transfer had been completed, a contract was made, in June, 1862, with two skillful artists for the erection of a suitable edifice for both schools and academy. The building was finished in 1863, and four schools or departments were opened for the education of the youth of both sexes. In 1864 there were five schools opened, and 1865 saw six departments in full operation under the care of the same number of in- structors. The new academic building stands on the site of the former house. It faces to the west. Its dimen- sions are large, and its appearance quite imposing. Its length is between eighty and ninety feet. Its width is about sixty feet. The edifice has a flight of stone steps and a handsome porch on tlje west side, leading to a pair of double doors with a small vestibule between them. These open into a wide and lofty entry, with two large rooms on each side. The four rooms in the first story are occupied by the first four departments. In the second story are two rooms as large as those below stairs, a small room over the porch at the entrance, and a capacious, well- lighted hall. The two rooms are occupied by two re- maining departments. The small room contains the library and philosophical apparatus, and the hall is intended for examinations, exhibitions, and lectures. It is a fine room, being about sixty by thirty feet. The ceiling is lofty, and the room receives light from ten windows. The laws of phonetics have been carefully observed in its construction, and a sound not above a whisper is audible in every part of it. In regard to light and ventilation, the new building is said to be far superior to the old one, and inferior to no structure in the country. There are large double doors at the east and west entrances, with porch and steps, and a large door and entrance on the southern side with covered stoop and steps. There is a large and well-aired basement, one part of which is used for wood and coal, and the other is occupied by a family, whose duty it is to cleanse the rooms and out- buildings, and take care of the plot, the house, and its appurtenances. There is a comfortable and ex- tensive attic, and the whole is surmounted by a turret, which overlooks the country for miles around, and in which is hung a splendid fine-toned bell, whose musi- GREENSBU11G. 505 cal notes can be heard all over the built-up portion of the town and its suburbs. The situation of the building is as salubrious as it is delightful. It stands on the highest ground for miles around it, and so has the benefit of all the airs of heaven. On the western side it overlooks a scope of hilly but highly cultivated country, interspersed with handsome houses, gardens, groves, and orchards. On the south the view extends over Greensburg to a fine stretch of undulating corn and meadow land until it is obstructed by the hills rising at the dis- tance of several miles below town, or the curling smoke that lies over the constantly glowing craters of coke ovens. On the east the prospect reaches to Chestnut Ridge and Whortleberry Hills. Just below the building it presents to the eye a most attractive and beautiful landscape. In the summer, when the air is mellowed with a delicate haze, it is a dreamy and delicious vision ; and it has been said by one who saw with the eye of a poet or landscape-painter that all that is wanting to make its beauty perfect is the sparkling flow of a lucid, silvery stream of water. The plot belonging to the academy is covered with grass and ornamented with shrubbery, and its borders are surrounded with silver-maples and horse-chest- nuts. The outbuildings are large, clean, and conven- ient. There is a cistern of soft water, and also a well of excellent limestone water, within twenty paces of the house. The academy contains a small but well- selected library, intended for the use of the scholars, and a philosophical apparatus. This consists of an orrery, tellurium, globes, telescope, microscope, mag- netic needle, magnet and wheel, pyrometer, kaleido- scope, and Claude Lorraine glass. For the use of the schools a variety of maps and charts is supplied for the purpose of teaching and illustrating painting, zoology, geography, anatomy, and astronomy. The rooms are furnished with all kinds of conveniences and facilities for study and learning, such as benches and desks, with places for books, blackboards, and maps along the walls, bells to summon the scholars, clocks to tell the hour, and thermometers to regulate the temperature. The original cost of the building was $11,500. The cost of the furniture was $1000. The cost of the phil- osophical apparatus has been upwards of $250. The shrubbery and other improvements of the ground cost more than $500. There is now a broad brick pave- ment from the town past the academy grounds, and from the gate to the front steps of the building. The board of directors has drawn up, adopted, and caused to be published in pamphlet form a system of instruction and rules for the government of their public schools. The course of study is all laid down, and the duties of teachers and pupils are enjoined in a clear and forcible manner. Some of these rules de- serve commendation for the good sense, respect for the community, and sound morality exhibited in them. By section eight of chapter three teachers are enjoined to use such corporeal punishment as would be exercised by a parent in his family. By section thirteenth teachers are required to prevent, both in school and out of school, all improper games, quar- rels, vulgar and profane language, and all disrespect to citizens and strangers. By section twenty-sixth the morning duties of each department shall com- mence with reading a portion of the Holy Scriptures and repeating the Lord's Prayer. By section second of chapter fourth pupils are forbidden to throw stones, cut or chalk fences, or use obscene or profane language under penalty of suspension and expulsion. By section tenth pupils are forbidden to eat fruit or sweetmeats in the school-rooms, and the use of tobacco in any shape is prohibited, not only in the house but on the premises. By section fifteenth any pupil guilty of flagrant misconduct, or whose example is pernicious, can be suspended by the principal and expelled by the board. By one of the rules uniform report cards must be furnished to the teachers, and these cards must be filled by them every week, so as to indicate the attendance, recitations, and con- duct of the pupils. These reports are taken home every Monday by the pupils, and if not returned the next day with the signature of the parents or guar- dians, the pupil who makes no proper return may be excluded from his place in the schools. THE GREAT FIRE OF 1858. About two o'clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, the 21st of September, 1858, a fire broke out in a stable of Jeremiah Gilchrist on a lot back of his res- idence, in the lower part of the square upon which is now the Masonic building, and before it could be checked or got under control destroyed that whole portion of the square and the residence of John M. Loor, in which was the post-office, on the corner diag- onally to the Kuhns Block. The loss was estimated at $30,000, which, considering the enhanced value of real estate in town now, was at that time regarded, as it really was, of great magnitude. Much personal property was either lost by the fire or was stolen. For a long time it was doubtful whether the town could be saved, but after three hours' hard work on the part of the firemen and the citizens generally the fire was checked. The ground remained long after vacant, and pre- sented a desolate appearance with its debris exposed. At length the first building erected in the " burnt district" was a small building used for a tailoring- shop, and the next, Gen. Foster's law-office. At length the ground changed hands, and now the finest build- ings and the most costly cover the site of that former eye-sore and add greatly to the wealth and architectu- ral beauty of the town. FIRE AT ROBINSON CORNER. On Sunday morning, 10th of October, 1875, the old Robinson Corner, as it was called, — that is, the corner 506 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. now occupied by the Baughman building, — took fire and in a short time was entirely consumed. At the time of its destruction it was occupied on the first floor by William Robinson & Co., dealers in general merchandise, and by his son, dealer in grocery and queensware. The second floor was divided into three apartments, occupied respectively by J. M. Carpenter as a law-office and Joseph Greer as a justice's office, by Robert Black as a tailor -shop, and by S. Weiner, dyer and scourer. The occupants lost everything they had in the building. The fire was combatted with great energy, the two fire companies being on the ground shortly after the first alarm. The fire was checked on reaching the Baughman brick store building, adjoining the burning buildings on the north side of Main Street. This building being much loftier than those burning, having a solid wall of brick, against which the flames were powerless, and protected by galvanized iron cornices, lintels, and roofing, the. flames on reaching it were fortunately controlled. GROWTH AND PROSPERITY. But shortly after the close of the late war an unpre- cedented demand for houses and building lots sprang up in all the business towns of the country, and Greensburg shared in this. The causes for this de- mand appeared to be a ceaseless torrent of foreign immigration, a rapid increase of native population, and a much larger influx than theretofore of the in- habitants of the country into our cities and towns. The reasons that of late years so strongly impel the people of the rural districts to change their locations for the more crowded life of the towns are alleged to be the revolutions in trade and employment induced by railroads, the high price of mechanical and other labor, the money made during the war, the segrega- tion of wealth, and the great temptation for men of substance to abandon agricultural toils, invest their property in the public funds, and live at more leisure, where they have more of the conveniences of civil- ization and greater opportunities for enjoying social life. The present want of tenement-houses began to be noticed about this time, and more than one article appeared in the town papers in which the demand for houses was set forth and the want of a due sense of public enterprise on the part of the property-hold- ers of the town reprehended. In the spring of 1866 in one of these papers appears, in a lengthy and sen- sible article on this subject, the following extract: " While other towns endeavor to increase their wealth and numbers by all kinds of inducements, Greensburg seems to he destitute of that species of public spirit which rejoices in the prosperity and takes pride in the growth of a community. "On nearly every street in town there are good vacant sites for houses, or old buildings that are useless, unsightly, and unprofitable. On these vacant spaces neat and comfortable buildings ought to be erected, and the old rotten buildings should be replaced by others fit for the habita- tion of respectable people. On Main, Pittsburgh, and Ottoman Streets there are capital vacant sites for the erection of good houses. All the environs of the town abound with places so handsome, pleasant, and convenient for dwelling-houses that almost any other community would at once appreciate them and convert them into homes for happy families." MARKET-HOUSES. Of the public buildings of the early Greensburg not the least conspicuous was the market-house. A market-house was regarded as an indispensable public building in the old colonial towns, and a visible indi- cation of a county town. The market-house stood on the corner of the public square and on part of the ground now occupied by the court-house. It was built of brick. In a manuscript book belonging to the burgesses and Council of the borough, which is called " Laws of Greensburg," and which, besides containing some of the early ordinances of the corporation, also contains the minutes of their proceedings, we find the follow- ing insertions about the beginning of the present century : "To amount of expenditures on the market-house, as per contract with Nathan WillianiB (see his account), $240. "Oct. 30, 1801. To paving the market-house and gravelling in front with stone, as per order of the burgesses to Nath. Stewart for that ser- vice, $128.50. "To posting the market-house, as per order of the Burgesses in favour of Enos Grauness, $18. " To taking out stumps, streets and alleys, as per order in favour of James McLaughlin, $1.50." The new market-house was opened on Tuesday morning, April 3, 1860. Visitors were much grati- fied with the neatness, the cleanliness of its stalls, and the systematic order in which all the arrange- ments had been made. The stalls were occupied by Messrs. Bierer, Landis, and Shearer. On that occa- sion Mr. Landis made his first appearance as a butcher in the town, and his beef was the subject of com- mendation. It was, however, said that the first meat was sold by Frank Shearer, and that C. H. Stark, coach- and carriage-maker, was the purchaser. Wil- liam Cline was appointed market clerk. PUBLIC HALLS. Mrs. Armstrong was the proprietor of the Dublin Hotel, where were held the Fourth of July celebra- tions and dancing-schools, at about the date of 1812. In the Register of June 11, 1812, appears the fol- lowing notice: LAST NIGHT BUT ONE. THEATRE. At the Dublin Hotel, Greensburg, on Friday evening, June 12, 1812, will be presented a much admired comedy, called The Prize; or2,5,:t, 8. Between the comedy and farce recitation, "Mary, the Maid of the Inn," written by Southey, by Mrs. Turner. Comic Song, — " Thimble's scolding wife lay dead," by ilfr. Williams. To which will he added a celebrated Comic Opera, called " The Wag of Windsor; or Man of All Trades." «J- For particulars see hills. A more advanced step had been made in the his- trionic profession, or rather in the appreciation of the legitimate drama, in 1824, as will be seen in the fol- lowing announcement of May 7th of that year: GREENSBURG. 507 THEATRE. Messrs. Lucas, Davis & Smith will perform the tragedy of Richard III. and the farce of " Sylvester D GREENSBURG. 527 conduct of that paper appeared. The construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad through the county was then in progress. The heavy work in the vi- cinity of Greensburg brought there a large increase of population, which gave a new impetus to its growth and enterprise, making dwellings and suita- ble business houses scarce. For several years Mr. Shryock, like all other new-comers, labored under in- conveniences from this source, but in 1855 he pur- chased a lot on Main Street, adjoining the Methodist Episcopal Church, from which a previous owner had re- moved all the antiquated buildings. On this he erected that year the large two-storied brick now there, and which he designed for his dwelling and printing- office mainly, but had in it also a law-office and store- room to rent. At that time it was among the best and most modernly constructed houses in town, — the first dwelling with a metallic roof, — and has doubtless yielded the owner the largest revenue on the original cost of any building in the place. Mr. Shryock subsequently changed the name of his paper to that of the Greensburg Herald, and from the time he entered upon his editorial career up till 1870, twenty years, his was the only organ in the county to antagonize the old Democratic party, which up to 1860 was in the majority from one to two thousand votes. Some of the gubernatorial and Presidential campaigns between 1850 and 1870 were very heated, and sometimes bitter and personal. During that period there were times very trying to those at the head of public journals, who realized the responsibil- ities of the position, and felt the necessity of mould- ing a right public sentiment on all the questions be- fore the country. The editorial columns of the old Herald bear ample testimony to Mr. Shryock's faith- fulness in the position he occupied, as well as fear- lessness in the advocacy of the doctrines of the party with which he affiliated, and his true loyalty to his country during the four years of civil war. He seems to have had the confidence and respect of his party in an unusually high degree. He was made one of the delegates for the Twenty-first District to the National Republican Convention of 1860, where he voted for the nomination of Mr. Lincoln, after casting his first ballot for Mr. Cameron under instructions from the State Convention. In August, 1862, after the passage by Congress of the first internal revenue act, Mr. Shryock was commis- sioned by the President assessor of internal revenue for the Twenty-first District of Pennsylvania, then embracing the counties of Fayette, Westmoreland, and Indiana. This office imposed upon its incumbent duties of the most laborious, responsible, and perplex- ing character. Here was a new law to execute, the provisions of which were new to everybody. It taxed for war purposes every branch of business in the coun- try. In its execution the assessor and his assistants were the first officers to come in contact face to face with the people, allay their prejudices, and try to re- concile to and secure their prompt compliance with the law. Nor was this all : there were no decisions, explanations, or instructions, based upon the law to guide them in determining the true meaning of its elaborate and multifarious requirements. And yet justice and uniformity in its interpretation were ex- pected at their hands. For over four years he dis- charged the. duties of that office, and at the same time edited and published the Herald. But his loyalty to the Republican party and its pronounced doctrines, and his refusal to indorse Andrew Johnson and those who became his special exponents and had practi- cally left the party, among them Senator Cowan (in aid of whose election as senator Mr. Shryock had given his best endeavors), procured the latter's re- moval from office. Soon thereafter Mr. Shryock as- sociated with him in the publication of the Herald his son, John D. Shryock, who was then chief clerk in the Soldiers' Orphans' School Department at Har- risburg, under the administration of Governor Geary. His son's health, however, failed, and he died in October, 1871. Soon thereafter the health of Mrs. Shryock, the mother of his six children, gave way also and she died. Under these afflictions Mr. Shry- ock disposed of his newspaper to two gentlemen, who immediately united it with the Tribune, which had been started eighteen months previously by J. R. Mc- Afee, Esq., and since the early part of the year 1872 the Tribune and Herald has been a weekly organ of the Republican party in the county. Then for the first time in his life Mr. Shryock was practically out of business for four months. How- ever, in May, 1872, he was appointed and confirmed collector of internal revenue for the old Twenty-first District, and entered upon the duties of that office on the 21st of that month. This position he filled till Oct. 1, 1876, when the district was divided, and the counties composing it were consolidated with the Twenty-second and Twenty-third Districts. Mean- time he had again married, in March, 1874, Miss Martin, of Northumberland, and the fell destroyer had carried away his second daughter at the age of twenty-three, his only remaining son at the age of twenty-one, leaving him but two daughters, the eldest married, and the youngest, the latter also pass- ing away at the age of sixteen years in November, 1877. He was now just where he was as to family thirty-four years previously. In January, 1878, he and his wife removed to Mount Pleasant, an old town, twelve miles south of Greensburg, in the coking coal region, where, associated with two other gentlemen, a private banking-house was opened, he taking charge of it as cashier. In the three and a half years he re- mained connected with that enterprise they built up a nice and remunerative business, the house gaining the confidence of the public to as large an extent as he could possibly have hoped. For several reasons, among them the fact that the location and surroundings were not deemed comfort- 528 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. able and healthful, on account of the sooty atmos- phere, produced by the vast and constantly-increasing quantity of coal being converted into coke, Mr. Shry- ock resolved to change his base. In September, 1881, he, with a number of other gentleman of large means in the county, subscribed the stock and organized "The Merchants' and Farmers' National Bank of Greensburg." Selling all his interest in the "Mount Pleasant Bank," Mr. Shryock returned to Greens- burg, and was made cashier of the new bank, which opened for business Oct. 24, 1881, with a paid-up capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, to the interests of which he is now giving his undivided attention. An earnest man, he is conscientious and zealous in all he undertakes. And although while he was en- gaged in politics his antagonisms with his fellow- citizens of the Democratic party were at times sharp, yet he has in that party some of his warmest personal friends, who esteem him highly for his integrity and generous social qualities. In religious faith Mr. Shryock is a Presbyterian, having united with that church in early life. At the age of thirty-three years, in 1849, he was chosen and ordained a ruling elder, and has exercised that office in his church ever since. In 1857 and in 1866 he was honored with a seat in the General Assembly as one of the commissioners from his Presbytery. He inherited a robust constitution from an ancestry of strong mental and physical de- velopment, and long-lived, some of them reaching the age of ninety-five years. Now in his sixty-sixth year, weighing over two hundred pounds, he is as strong and active on his feet as many men at forty. He and his most estimable wife have a very comfort- able and attractive home, in a pleasant part of the town, where, by their cheerfulness and proverbial hospitality, they make the many friends who visit them full welcome and happy. J. \V. MOORE. Mr. J. W. Moore, whose portrait appears in this book, resides in Greensburg. He is a gentleman well and favorably known in the business circles of Westmoreland and Fayette Counties, in which he has large coal and coke interests, especially in the coke-works of J. W. Moore & Co. in South Union township, Fayette County, called the Redstone Coke- Works. The following description of the Redstone Works is taken from the " History of Fayette County" : " These works, owned and operated by J. W. Moore & Co., are situated about three miles south of Union- town, near the railroad leading from that town to Fairchance. The property embraces about six hun- dred acres of land, with a frontage of nearly two miles along the railroad. A part of this land was purchased in 1880, and the construction of ovens then com- menced. On the 1st of May, 1881, seventy-five were completed, and ninety-five have since been added. It is the intention of the owners to increase the number to three hundred. " The mine is entered by a slope or ' dip-heading,' with a grade of one foot in twelve, and has been ex- tended to six hundred feet. Three hundred feet from the entrance is the first fiat-heading, which extends southward, and from this another runs par- allel with the slope-heading. " Several blocks of houses, each containing eight rooms, and intended for use of the miners, have been built at the works. A large brick store-building has also been erected. Two stone quarries have been opened on the property near the oven-beds. The location of the works is near the head of a mountain stream, which furnishes an abundant supply of pure water. The coke manufactured here is contracted for by J. D. Spearman Iron Company, in Mercer County, Pa." HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION, BOUNDARIES, En. Hempfield township was organized April 6, 1773. Its boundaries, determined by the judges of the first Court of General Quarter Sessions, were : Beginning at the mouth of Crabtree Run and running down the Loyalhanna to the junction of the Conemaugh River; thence down the Kiskiminetas to the mouth (hereof; thence with a straight line to the head of Brush Run ; thence down Brush Run to Brush Creek ; thence with a straight line to the mouth of the Youghiogheny ; thence up the same to the mouth of Jacobs Creek, to the line of Mount Pleasant township. Its present boundaries are north by Salem, north- east by Unity, southeast by Mount Pleasant, south by East Huntingdon, southwest by South Hunting- don, west by Sewickley, and northwest by North Huntingdon and Penn townships. 1 1 By act of 14th March, 1845, that portion of the township of Hemp- field which lies south of the Big Sewickley Creek was attached to and directed to thereafter constitute a part of the township of East Hun- tingdon, and that the said creek should thereafter be the division line between the said two townships. In 1872 a part of the division line was changed between Penn and ^ %»u. HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP. 529 The township contains some very fertile land, and an abundance of coal underlies its soil. It is well supplied with schools and churches and other evi- dences of well-defined civilization and intelligence. The officers chosen at the first township election were John Brown, constable; Samuel Miller and Alexander Thompson, overseers of the poor ; and Wendell Oury, supervisor. Its citizens are of an in- dustrious and prudent character, as were their ances- tors before them, who left to their posterity the ex- cellent characteristics they possessed. The first settlers were nearly all Germans, mostly from the eastern and southern counties, with some direct from the fatherland, and all of the Lutheran or Reformed faith in religion. Among them were John Harroldfthe Brinigs, Froelichs, Henrys, Ruglis, Allemans, Drums, Ottermans, Marchands (from Switzerland), Benders (now called Painters), Kun- kels, Longs, Gaugweres, Detars, Rosensteels, Millers, Snyders, Turneys, Fritchmans, Miihlisens, Klingen- smitbs, Myers, Steinmetz, Strohs, Altmans, Thomases, Barnharts, Mechlings, Haines, Buergers, Urics, Tru- bys, Rohrers, Williamses, Huffnagles, Ehrenfriedts, Alshauses, Hubers, Kemps, Reamers, Keppels, Al- wines, Kiehls, Smiths, Silvis, Kemerers, Kifers, Shrunis, Whiteheads, Saams, Byerlys, Eisemans, Clines, Walt-hours, Baughmans, Detmars, Wageles, Corts, Grosses, Seaners, and others. These worthy pioneers constituted no inconsider- able part of the hardy and substantial people who gave character to this part of Westmoreland, and from them have descended many of the most promi- nent citizens of the county, and others who have removed to distant parts of the United States. HARROLD'S, OR ST. JOHN'S REFORMED CHURCH. This was one of Rev. John William Weber's Origi- nal churches, and its congregation, with that of Brush Creek, divides the honor of being the oldest of the Reformed faith in Western Pennsylvania. Balthazer Myer, a German schoolmaster, gives us the names of children baptized by himself before they had a min- ister, together with their age and the names of parents and spopsors. The first on the list is Peter, born 11th September, 1771 ; baptized Aug. 2, 1772. Parents Anthony Walter and Elizabeth. Sponsors, Frederick Reiss and Su- sanna Elizabeth Alteman. The last child he baptized was Susanna, born 30th May, 1782; baptized June 4, 1782. Parents, John Rudolph and Christina. Then follows a list of children baptized in Zion's Church by different ministers. Of these the first child was John Adam, born -7th November, 1784 ; baptized 25th December, 1783. Parents, Adam Myers and Elizabeth. Sponsors, Peter Eisanian and Anna Barbara. Hempfield townships for the convenience of the people in school and other purposes. The point commenced on the farm of George Detur, and ran to that of J. H. Orr, in Hempfield township. Rev. John William Weber became pastor in June, 1783, and the first child he baptized was Daniel, horn 19th November, 1782 ; baptized 8th June, 1783. Parents, John Hurrold and Barbara. Sponsors, William Altman and Barbara. The Lutheran pastor at this time was Rev. Anthony Ulrich Lutje. The first record of Lutheran commu- nicants was in October, 1791, under the pastorate of Rev. John Michael Steck. In 1785 a warrant was taken out by Michael Rugh and Anthony Altman for one hundred and fifty-eight acres for church and school purposes. This was recorded in 1789, and a patent issued the same year. Before regular preachers came to this section, the German schoolmasters, like Balthazer Myer, led the religious services of the people, reading sermons and conducting the worship on Sunday, and teaching in the school during the week. Among these lay teachers were Michael Zunsel, George Bushjager, and Charles Sheifler. One hundred and eight acres of the land was sold in 1793 to Rev. A. U. Lutje for sixty pounds, which proceeds went to the joint coffers of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations. The remaining fifty acres, with church and school-house, by agreement mutually signed Sept. 24, 1791, was to remain from that day forever the joint property of both the Lu- theran and Reformed organizations, " to be used for church and school purposes till the end of the world." The property was intended from the first for the joint use of the two churches named, but the patent was issued to the Lutherans only. To satisfy the Re- formed party a bond was given in their favor to cover their rightful claim. It was signed by Valentine Steiner, William Altman, Anthony Altman, and Jacob Seanor, and was for three hundred pounds, and was made to Jacob Painter and Nicholas Alleman, in trust for the Reformed Church. On Nov. 28, 1819, a deed was made for this undivided half by Jacob Haines and Jacob Miller to Barnet Thomas and Peter Baum, Reformed trustees. The first building erected on these church lands was a log school-house, to which was afterwards added a dwelling-house, con- nected therewith by a covered hall. In this school- house worship was held, and even after the log church was built, owing to the want of stoves or heaters in it, public services in cold weather were held in the former. Extensive repairs to the old and first house of worship in 1794. The log church was begun and raised to the height of the first story, but owing to Indian troubles it was left standing in that unfinished condition for years. Before anything was done again towards resuming work upon it the sprouts and underbrush had grown up inside the structure, so that the ground had to be cleared oft" the second time. The church building was spacious, but had but one door. The floor was made of puncheons, and the seats of hewn logs. There was a gallery open in front on the right hand side, which had rough seats, and to which a rude stairway led. At first there was only a plain table serving for an 530 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. altar. The original pulpit, after the wine-glass pat- tern, is now in the Muhlisen Church. It was a shaky affair, that creaked and rocked and swayed a good deal as you mounted its lofty height. It was sur- mounted with a small sounding-board painted in blue color, with a canopy showing the sun, moon, and stars in white. The window-glass of the church were often broken, and the windows left unrepaired, so that the squirrels and birds had free access to the inside of the church. And they were frequently seen sporting about and diverting themselves, as well as the younger part of the audience during the hours of regular worship. In course of time a new school-house was built, in which in severe weather worship was held. In 1828 George Eisaman moved into the school- house, and next year he built, on a lease, a tenant- house, and in 1850 the barn was erected. On May 28, 1829, the corner-stone of the present stone church edifice was laid. Bernard Thomas and Jacob Haines were the building committee. It was dedicated in 1830, when Revs. Voight and Switzerbart were pres- ent with the Lutheran and Reformed pastors. The building was repaired, papered, and painted in 1855. Its graveyard, the oldest in the county, was enlarged in 1867, and the new portion regularly laid out in lots. The first pastor, Rev. John William Weber, came from Northampton County, and first found a home in a log cabin on Garrett Thomas' place till he secured a more suitable place. He then purchased a farm for himself on the Sewickley, late the property of Col. Israel Painter (now deceased). There he resided till his death, in July, 1816. His remains were in- terred in the Muhlisen graveyard, and the resting- place left unmarked for fifty years. In 1874 the church and his relatives jointly erected a neat monu- ment to his memory. Rev. Henry Habliston, of Bal- timore, was pastor from 1816 to 1819. His successor, Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D., entered upon his duties in October, 1819, and served it for threescore years without interruption and with a large measure of success. BRUSH CREEK REFORMED CHURCH. At an early day in the primitive settlement of this county members of the two German Churches were accustomed to meet in assemblies at Loutzenheiser's and Davis', where they held religious services and offered divine worship. These services were at first conducted without a minister, and consisted in sing- ing from their German hymn-books, reading the Bible, and offering prayers from their German prayer- books, and hearing sermons read from sermon-books by the schoolmaster. In 1783, Rev. John William Weber became the first pastor. At the advice of Dr. David Marchand, a native of Switzerland, the early settlers on Brush Creek took up for church and school purposes one hundred and eighty-two acres of un- seated lands. This was a portion of a tract of three hundred and fortv-seven acres, of which Dr. Mar- chand had himself entered one hundred and sixty- five acres, now Mrs. Walthour's farm. A patent was accordingly taken out for the above land in Dr. Marchand's name Nov. 14, 1792, he having advanced the money meanwhile in order to secure this property for the two German churches. He made a deed to the two congregations on July 20, 1797, for £28 12s. 6d., the money before advanced. The first building erected was a log school-house, which was used as the first house of worship. It was afterwards burned while the people of the neighborhood were absent, having temporarily left their homes on account of the Indian troubles. Subsequently the first church was built. It was a structure of hewn logs, with only one door, and that at the gable end. Its floor was of puncheons, the seats hewn logs ; there was no pulpit, no gallery, and a common table served for the altar. Aug. 17, 1816, the corner-stone of the present brick edifice was laid, but it was not completed until 1820, when it was dedicated by the Lutheran and Reformed pastors, assisted by Rev. Henry Gerhart, of Bedford, who preached the sermon. Subscriptions towards its erection having fallen far short of the sum needed, John Shrum and Adam Baughman, trustees, were authorized by an act of the Legislature to sell eighty- two acres of the church lands. These were sold in parcels at from fifteen to twenty dollars per acre. The church lost five hundred dollars by getting into a lawsuit with the contractor for the brick-work. Jacob Dry did the carpenter-work. April 27, 1864, the Legislature authorized the selling of forty-one acres of the coal underlying the church land. The pro- ceeds of this sale amounted to five thousand three hundred and thirty dollars. The present commodious dwelling-house was built by Peter Whitehead and Michael Baughman, trustees. The church was in- closed by a good fence, and the graveyard enlarged. Ornamental shade-trees were planted, and other ser- viceable improvements made. A new pulpit, with altar space and platform, were erected. Some years after a new roof was put on, new seats and windows made, and other needed improvements added. In 1870 a nine-hundred-dollar pipe-organ was put into the church. Rev. Weber's pastorate extended from June, 1783, to July, 1816. During the early part of his labors here it was necessary for each man to carry his trusty rifle along to church, in order to protect the people from the sudden surprises and sav- age attacks of the hostile Indians. A rifle company, to which Samuel Adams belonged, kept itself in readiness at an hour's notice to march to the relief and protection of the settlers from the stealthy foe. Catechization by the pastor was in those early times generally held in private houses. Young people came from the Kiskiminetas River, from the Alle- man settlement in Butler County, and from Puckety Run to be taught the gospel way of salvation. Many would stay during the winter's course of instruction with their friends or hospitable Reformed families ^^Wf^^J^^iC HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP. 531 till after they were confirmed in the faith of their fathers. It happened once that during the week be- fore Easter, when the catechumens had assembled there in the old church with their venerable pastor for their two sessions a day, the place was unusually cold. He directed the shivering boys and girls to build a brush-heap near the church, and then fire it during the intermission between forenoon and after- noon sessions. And around its blazing heat they warmed themselves till, at the call of the old min- ister, they piously returned to resume the afternoon services. Bonnets were not then worn by the young women who attended these classes, nor at church. A clean kerchief neatly put on was the female head- gear then. And if, perchance, aged mothers or some matronly dames of prime years could cover their heads with a wool or beaver hat, they thought them- selves dressed in most fashionable style. But if some of these would possibly wear their hats to church, they would invariably lay them aside on going to the communion, and would wear only their neat white caps. Mr. Weber's successor, Rev. Henry Habliston, served from 1816 to 1819 as pastor, and was succeeded in October of the latter year by Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D., then quite a youth. He preached some sixty years. The joint constitution of the two congregations — Reformed and Lutheran — who hold this property was adopted when the corner-stone was laid. It is recorded in George Keek's record- book, given in 1806 for the purpose of keeping the church registry. At that meeting John Shrum was president, and Jacob Eisaman secretary. George Burger transcribed the documents. This and Har- rold's Church are the mothers of many surrounding churches, and have sent forth to the West and else- where hundreds of pious families, who in other fields have become laborers in the great religious vineyard. ST. PAUL'S, OR SEANOR'S REFORMED CHURCH. It is not known when St. Paul's congregation was organized, but its territory was in June, 1783, in- cluded in Rev. John William Weber's missionary field of labor. He died in July, 1816, and at some time during his pastorate he established this congre- gation. It is certainly older than the Miihlisen, or Milliron, congregation, which was organized in 1812- 13. The article of agreement by which the latter's church property was conveyed is dated March 6, 1813. Before Mr. Weber's death there was a log church rudely built and furnished, on the present site of the Seanor Church. It was not finished until in the same year (1816) Rev. William Weinel became pastor. He was a schoolmaster and organist in Northampton County, and studied theology under both the older and younger Dr. Becker, the former of Baltimore, the latter of Northampton County. His pastorate lasted until 1828 or 1829, when he resigned and moved to the northern part of the county. It was then served for four years by Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, who, in 1832, was succeeded by Rev. H. E. F. Voight, right from the fatherland. He continued to January, 1862, but for the five years previous Rev. L. H. Ke- fauver had supplied the congregation with English preaching. Rev. H. W. Super was pastor from April, 1862, for three years, followed in January, 1866, by Rev. George H. Johnston for a year. After this it was served by Rev. T. J. Barkley for nine months. It was then attached to the Mount Pleasant charge, and served by Rev. J. H. Sykes for one year. In the fall of 1868, Rev. N. P. Hacke, D.D., was appointed as German supply, and Rev. T. J. Barkley as the English. This arrangement continued one year, when Rev. L. B. Leasure became supply for one year. At the end of this time the congregation was for the second time attached to the Second Greens- burg charge, under which, in November, 1870, Rev. John W. Love became its pastor. A good brick church was built in 1837, and this was replaced by the present brick edifice, erected in 1875, both owned jointly by the Lutherans and Reformed. The officers of the congregation in olden times were William Beck, Tobias Long, Adam Truxel, Samuel Pool, George Hawk, Lewis Long, George Albright, Jacob Fox, Peter Miller, Abraham Long, and John Knaughman. Among those still or lately living who served as elders or deacons are John Truxel (of Greensburg), Jacob Mechling, Frederick Long, John Hartzel, John R. Kingdig, Isaac Fox, John Sell, Levi Fox, Harrison H. Painter, Davis Truxel, Jonas Miller (the last two of Pleasant Unity of late). From 1870 to 1876, the membership increased from forty- two to sixty-two. TOWNS, VILLAGES AXD HAMLETS. LIIDWICK adjoins Greensburg, and is generally taken for a' part of the latter, especially by strangers. It is a separate municipality, however, it having received corporate honors Feb. 17, 1859. It is a flourishing town, and its close proximity to the county-seat gives it a value not enjoyed by other towns of more general importance. It takes its name from the owner of the tract of land on which its site is located, Ludwick Ottoman, sometimes written Otterman. 1 NEW STANTON. This village is located seven miles southwest of Greensburg, on the Clay pike. It was laid out by Benjamin Snyder on the old " Glade Road" leading from Somerset to Pittsburgh, in the beginning of the century. His plan of the place recites that he laid it out at the earnest solicitation of a number of en- terprising and industrious citizens. In 1870, it had but one hundred and forty-five inhabitants, and its 1 There has been from the earliest usage of this word an arbitrary spelling. Of the authorities consulted there is a disagreement, not reconcilable. The first form appears to have the preference, and in all probability was his correct name. 532 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. buildings were old and dilapidated. Since then its progress has been rapid and many elegant buildings have been erected. Its excellent school edifice was erected in 1871. At that time John Sell was the prin- cipal merchant and carried on the tannery. J. Steiner had a tinning establishment ; J. Moore & Son, a sad- dlery-shop ; and Harry Byers and J. C. Steiner, boot- and shoe-shops; Dr. R. E. Fulton was the physician; and H. P. Horbaugh, the druggist. Trinity Reformed Church. — In 1872 a few Reformed people and others living here requested Rev. John W. Love, the Reformed pastor at Seanor's and Greensburg, to preach here once a mouth. He con- sented, and every four weeks preached in the after- noon or at night in the old Union Church in the sum- mer, and in the school-house in the winter. The corner-stone of its edifice was laid June 12, 1875, Rev. W. W. Moorhead, of the Greensburg Presby- terian Church, preaching the sermon, and Rev. John W. Love conducting the other services. During the summer a neat Gothic frame church was built, furn- ished, and a bell placed in the steeple. It was dedi- cated Nov. 14, 1875, when the following ministers officiated therein : Revs. W. C. B. Schullenberger, of Scottdale ; D. B. Lady, of Mount Pleasant ; A. E. Truxel, of Somerset; J. W. Love, L. B. Leasure, and Luciau Cont. On December 12th following the con- gregation was formally organized with the following members: John Sell, Melissa Sell, Tobias Long, L. Gumbert, B. Gumbert, I. V. Huff, Nancy Huff, Sarah Lowe, Jacob Cochenhour, Hettie Cochenhour, Rachel Brandt, Lidie Brandt, Samuel Pool, Harriet Pool, James F. Stanton, Kate Stanton, John H. King, S. M. Powell, Maggie Powell, Urias Matthias, H. H. Byers, Nancy Byers, and D. G. Smith. All of these except John and Melissa Sell and Mrs. Kate Stanton were re- ceived on application or certificate from other churches and by confirmation, most of them being heads of families. The establishment of this congregation is owing largely to the liberality and influence of John Sell, who furnished nearly half the means for and de- voted much time and labor to the erection of the church. MADISON BOROUGH. March 11, 1876, the petition of the citizens of Madi- son village, in the township of Hempfield, for incor- poration was filed in the office of the clerk of the Quar- ter Sessions Court, In the petition the limits and boundaries of the proposed borough were formally set forth. The grand jury at the February sessions of that year passed on the petition, and returned it to the court favorably. On Oct. 3, 1876, the court de- creed that the village should henceforth have corpo- rate privileges, designated a day to hold the first elec- tions, appointed Philip Fisher to give notice, Philip Fisher to be judge, and Anthony Ruff and Samuel Davidson to be inspectors, and made the borough a separate school district. ADAMSBURG BOROUGH. The town or village of Adamsburg, by certain boundaries marked and designated in the description, was incorporated into a borough by act of Assembly, 5th of March, 1841. The citizens who might vote were to hold their first election at the brick school- house on the third Friday of the next April. For the first election Jacob Gosser, Jacob Stiner, and John Melville were to give notice, or any of them, and per- form all the duties enjoined upon constables. OTHER VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. Painlersville is on the Southwestern Pennsylvania Railroad, and is a growing place of note. Middletown lies in the southeast part of the town- ship, in a rich and fertile section. Grapeville is located between Greensburg and Ad- amsburg, in a regiou very early settled. Arona is a pretty hamlet near the Sewickley town- ship line, and has several shops, stores, etc. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. GEORGE W. CROUSHORE. George W. Croushore, of Grapeville, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland County, March 16, 1841. He is of German descent, and the youngest son of George and Margaret (Baughman) Croushore. His father died when he was about four years old, and his opportunity for an education was confined to a short period, most of his time being spent in farm- work. When thirteen years of age his mother aban- doned the farm, and George went to live with his brother Henry, with whom he remained one summer, working in a tannery. He then engaged in brick- making, which he followed for three years, and after- wards worked at the mason trade for a like period. In 1861 he purchased the farm upon which are his present home and large tannery. To the work of farming and tanning he has since devoted himself, and his labor has been rewarded with financial suc- cess. He was married Sept. 14, 1864, to Sade Alls- house. Their living children are Margaret E., \ Henry G., William B., John H., Charles C, Herbert 1 L., and Franklin H. One child, James O., died in infancy. When a youth Mr. Croushore united with the German Reformed Church, and has always been a worthy member of the same. CAPT. JOHN SMAIL. One of the hard-working, successful farmers of Westmoreland County is Capt. John Smail, of Hemp- field township. He is of German descent, and is the son of Peter and Sophia Smail, natives of Northamp- ton County, who emigrated to Westmoreland near the close of the last century. They are a family of rjU^v\ dvnectl. ' # ^^> ^/ooiyhyfuil^ married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William v =n-, who was related by blood to the family of Gen. George B. McClellan. James Galloway died Jan. 20, 1837, and his wife died Oct. 30, 1862. They had nine children, — Rhoda, William, Eliza- beth, Nancy Jane, Mary, John, Sarah, Henrietta, and James. Two of these died when children. John Galloway was born on the farm of his father, and the one he now occupies, March 5, 1810, and re- mained w'th his father until his death. Mr. Gallo- way at an advanced age, now over seventy-two, still lives or/ the homestead, his niece, Miss Nancy New- ell, iiving with him and keeping house for him. Mr. Galloway and his niece were but lately made the subjects of one of the most brutal attacks at the hands of a villainous set of robbers, which caused much and wide-spread talk. On the 19th of October, 1881, five disguised robbers entered the house of Mr. Galloway, they finding out that he had money therein, and closing with him, they beat him about the head until they took him to be dead, when they dragged him by his feet on to the porch. Although he was an old man he made a desperate resistance, and getting a pocket-knife out of his pocket, he used it in his des- peration to good advantage on the bodies of several of those who attacked him. When left on the porch he recovered consciousness, and arose to totter off to get assistance and to give alarm, but before he was able to get away they discovered him, and again knocked him down and then dragged him into the house again, still beating and kicking him. One of these wretches in the mean time had at- tacked Miss Newell, his niece, aud choked her until she was almost incapable of speech, only relaxing his grip as he asked her where the money was. This she heroically refused to tell. The rest of the robbers, having left Mr. Galloway insensible, were now busied breaking furniture and ransacking the rooms for the money, which to the amount of two thousand eight hundred dollars they succeeded in securing, when they fled. They debated among themselves whether they should set the house on fire or not, and when they concluded not to do so they left in different directions. Of these robbers, three of them were shortly iden- tified, namely, Bill Collins, called "Shorty," John McKinney, and "Crossan," and, pleading guilty, were sentenced to the penitentiary, where they are now serving out their term. The other two of the five have not yet been identified. That Mr. Galloway survived the attack upon him is a thing miraculous. The robbers evidently thought they had left him dead, and had they suspected that he would live they would undoubtedly have killed him outright, for upon the hearing after the arrest he, with his niece, identified them in such a manner that their conviction was but a matter of form. 550 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. JOSEPH LIPHNCOTT. The name Lippincott is one of the oldest of local origin in England, and was derived from Lovecote, which is described in the Domesday Book or cencus, made by order of William the Conqueror, in 108(5, of lands held by Edward the Confessor in 1041-66. This Saxon name implies that a proprietor named Love held the house, cote, and lands, hence called Lovecote, which name was probably already ancient. Surnames were not settled until about this d.ate, and hence Lovecote, Loughwyngcote, Lyvenscott, l5»ffing- cott, Luppingcott, through which variations it has descended to become fixed in Lippincott during the last two centuries, and is undoubtedly of great an- tiquity. The family were granted eight coats of arms by the College of Heralds. One of them, belonging to the Wibbrey branch, and in the possession of Phiiip Luppingcott, Esq., of North Devonshire, England, in 1620, when visited by the Heralds, and was at that time already ancient, is thus described : " Per fesse, embattled gules and sable, three leopards, passant argent. Crest, out of a mural crown, gules, five ostrich feathers, alternately argent and azure. The motto, ' Secundis dubiisque rectus,' which may be thus translated, Upright in prosperity, and adversity, or firm in every fortune." The family in America are descended from Richard and Abigail, who removed from Devonshire, Eng- land, in 1639, and settled in Boston, New England. Having been excommunicated from the " church" at Boston for nonconformity in 1651 he returned with his family to England, and resided at Plymouth, and early thereafter became a member of the Society of Friends, then emerging from the various sects around them, and in consequence endured much persecution for the testimony of a good conscience. In 1663 he returned to New England, and lived for several years in Rhode Island, and finally in 1669 established him- self and family at Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., N. J., where he died in 1683. His widow, Abigail, died in 1697, leaving a considerable estate. Richard Lippin- cott was the largest proprietor among the patentees of the new colony. From their eldest sou, Remembrance by name, de- scended Samuel, who in 1789 removed from New Jersey to Westmoreland County, Pa. One of his sons, James, was the father of twelve children, viz.: William, John, Jesse, Joseph, Samuel, Henry, Kath- erine (Mrs. Ulam), Sarah (Mrs. Cyrus P. Markle), Rachel (Mrs. Toliver), Harriet (Mrs. Hemingray and Mrs. Oliver Blackburn), Nancy (Mrs. William Mc- Cracken), Mary (Mrs. Clark). The maiden name of the mother of this numerous family was Zeigler. She came from the State of Delaware. Joseph Lippin- cott was born near Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., Pa., March 17, 1800; his whole life was passed in his native county and that of Allegheny. On the 20th of November, 1834, he was married to Eliza Strickler, who all through his life made him a loving, tender wife, and whose memory is dearly cherished by her children, relatives, and many of those to whom she ministered. In 1835 they went to Pitts- burgh to live, where he, in connection with his brothers, William and Jesse, became proprietors of the Lippincott mills, now known as the Zug iron- mills. He remained in Pittsburgh until 1838, when he disposed of his interests and returned to Mount Pleasant, where for over twenty years he was a suc- cessful merchant. He had the confidence of the public to an almost unlimited extent, and as banks were scarce in those days he became a depository for moneys that at times reached a large amount. About the year 1854 he engaged in the business of safe manufacturing in this city, the firm being Lip- pincott & Barr. The works were situated on Second Avenue, running through to First Avenue, on the site at present partly occupied by Messrs. C. P. Markle & Sons' paper warehouse. In the year 1856 he also pur- chased an interest in the firm of Lippincott & Co., axe and shovel manufacturers. He retired from ac- tive business pursuits in 1859, residing in Mount Pleasant until 1865, when he removed to Pittsburgh. In the year 1830 he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Eighty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, his commission bearing the signature of George Wolf, then Governor of the State. This is the only public position he ever held, his temperament being such that, while always taking an active interest in State affairs and wielding an undoubted influence, yet he did not court publicity. The colonel, or Uncle Joe, as he was familiarly called, endeared himself to the people of Mount Pleasant and vicinity by his many acts of kindness. If there was a poor man in financial difficulties he was always sure of relief from him, and oftentimes it was voluntarily extended without being asked for. His generosity was unbounded, and to this day many of the older residents of that section recall instances of his unswerving friendship that do credit to his goodness of heart. He together with his wife were members of the Baptist Church, and in his days of prosperity he was one of the largest contributors that there was in Western Pennsylvania to his church and her institu- tions. Having almost reached his eightieth year he died in Allegheny City on the 28th of August, 1879 ; his wife died on the 27th of April of the same year. In summing up his character the writer of this sketch, his son, wishes to put on record his admira- tion of those virtues in the character of his father that were worthy of emulation. He was a country gentleman of simple tastes, but he was a man among men. His surviving children, who all reside in Pittsburgh, are Harriet E., Sarah A. (now Mrs. Henry H. Vance), Annie M., and Jesse H. Lippincott. Three chili' Mary Jane, James, and William, died i; MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 551 DANIEL SHUPE. Daniel Shupe was the eldest son of Isaac and Eliz- abeth Shupe, and was born June 26, 1816. His father was known as an energetic and successful business man, and carried on farming in connection with mill- ing, tanning, and the mercantile business. In con- junction with his son he erected the extensive flouring- mills in Mount Pleasant town, which are at present operated by Mr. O. P. Shupe. His son remained with him, and early displaying business talents, assisted him in his various branches of business until his death, about 1847. In the mean time Daniel had married Miss Caroline Hitchman, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Hitchman, Feb. 27, 1840. The many good points of character which went to make the man might be summed up in these words: He was public-spirited to a marked degree ; he was good to the poor; was a genial, whole-souled, pleas- ant companion; a kind and sympathizing friend, al- ways ready to oblige a neighbor or a stranger; he was upright and fair in his dealings ; he was generous to enemies and charitable to all. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, was without hypocrisy, and had many Christian graces. His life-long friend, the late Col. Painter, said to a mutual friend shortly after Mr. Shupe's death, with tears in his eyes, "God made only one Dan Shupe." And it was the general expression when he lay dead that the poor and dis- tressed of Mount Pleasant had lost a good friend. Perhaps some details of his life and doings may give a clearer idea of the man. Mr. Shupe did not live in Mount Pleasant borough, but in the suburbs, in Mount Pleasant township, and was a member of the board of public schools for twenty-five years in succession until his death. He took a lively interest in the schools and in building school-houses, and by dint of hard fighting against opposition from stingy taxpayers, succeeded in having built for every district in that large township a handsome and commodious house of modern style and accommodations. No other township in the county can compare with Mount Pleasant in the matter of school buildings, which result is to be attributed mainly to the efforts and perseverance of Mr. Shupe. When the schools opened yearly he was in the habit of hunting up chil- dren whose parents were poor, and of buying, at his own expense, outfits of books as an inducement to attend the schools. For twenty years he labored, in season and out, to have a railroad built to Mount Pleasant, and finally, in the building of the branch road from Broad Ford, on the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad, realized the hope of many years. He was one of the most ac- tive workers in that enterprise. It was proposed to Mr. Shupe to join with a few others in allowing the road to become embarrassed, and then have it sold and buy it themselves for a song. And although there was plenty of money in it, and he a shrewd, money- making business man, he refused to join in the whole- sale robbery, as he called it, of those who had taken stock in good faith. That job was accomplished af- terwards, but he had no part or lot in it. He by such a course gained the esteem of all good citizens. During most of his life he was engaged in the mill- ing business, and many a sack of flour found its way from his mill to families in need, and during the panic times of '73 and the long depression following, a poor man or woman was never turned away by him or his partners in business, Mr. James R. Wade and his son, Mr. O. P. Shupe, even when they knew to sell on credit to many was to give away. If Mr. Shupe was remonstrated with he was ready to admit it was not business, and to add in a high tone of voice in the same breath, " People must live, and how in the name of God can they live without bread ?" If a man got into financial difficulty he was ready to look into his trouble to see if there was not some way out, and if possible help him out and set him on his feet again. For others who got into the hands of the law for some offense, he would do what he could ; even if they landed in the jail or penitentiary he would look after them, and as soon as free see that they got employment. His disposition was to reach out a ! helping hand, and lift a man up when others kicked j him down ; of this many examples could be given. j Like most good, enterprising men he had his enemies, ready to kick him down too ; and at one time (about 1861 or '62), becoming involved in financial trouble, he was near being pushed to the wall by them without remorse. About this time he and Mr. James R. Wade met in Pittsburgh. Mr. Wade had come down from the oil regions and was not aware of his friend's troubles; but in the night discovered by his restlessness that he was very ill or in some great trouble, and after striking a light asked him what the matter was. His troubles were explained, and Mr. Wade, who is one of the best- hearted of men, took from his waist a belt, and hand- ing it to Mr. Shupe, said, " Here, Dan, is six thou- sand dollars in money; will it do you any good?" " Yes," said Mr. Shupe, overcome with emotion, " with six thousand dollars I can quiet all my credi- tors and get out." This was soon accomplished, and he was prosperous again. Mr. Shupe was one of the pioneers in the oil business, and in this he was successful. He was of a joyous disposition, seldom or never despondent, was fond of fun and frolic, and took great pleasure in making others happy, and especially the boys of his own town. He was always around at a circus or show of any kind, and generally remained outside till the crowd was in, and then gathering up all im- pecunious lads, would make a job lot of them with the doorkeeper. Of a pleasant winter's day, when sleigh- ing was good, he has been seen with his team hitched to a good sled, the sled filled with little girls, and a hundred feet of good stout rope reaching out behind 552 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. with dozens of small boys on their little sleds attached by a cord to the rope, having the merriest of times up and down and around town, and himself as merry as the merriest. He was known familiarly in business circles and by all his neighbors as simply " Dan" Shupe. Mr. Oliver P. Shupe, his son, seems to have re- ceived his father's mantle, is full of generous im- pulses, and bids fair to rival, if not outdo, his father in public-spiritedness and general usefulness. Mr. Shupe was twice married; the first time to Miss Hitchman, who died May 24, 1848, at the age of twenty-nine years. They had three children, — ■ Oliver P., born 1843; Lucy A., born 1845; and Beu- nivista T., born 1847. He was married the second time to Miss Sallie B. Dick, daughter of W. B. Dick. His children living of the second family are James W., William D., Carrie J., Virginia B., and Sadie O. He died suddenly in Allegheny City, April 30, 1878, of a congestion of the brain. - " + ■s ees <■ NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION, Etc. North Huntingdon Township was organized \ April 6, 1773. It was the parent township of both the others bearing the same name with the local prefixes. It is a populous and very flourishing township. The main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad trav- erses the township, with stations at the following places: Manor, Irwin's, Larimer's, Carpenter's, and Stewart's. The principal stream is Bush Creek, which flows entirely through the township. On it are many mills and several extensive manufactories. The entire eastern portion of the township contains an abundance of bituminous coal, which is advan- tageously mined. There are also some very distinct outcrops of coal in the central part and one in the northwest corner. This forms a part of the famous Pittsburgh coal measures. The principal town within its limits is Irwin bor- ough. There are the following flourishing villages, viz.: Larimer's Station, Stewartsville, and Robbins' Station, all post-villages, while Circleville and Jack- sonville are neat and thrifty hamlets. Since the building of the Pennsylvania Railroad and its com- pletion in 1852 the township has more than quad- rupled its population and material resources. It em- braces in its territory all nationalities, the English and German predominating. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. While in Ligonier Valley, around the stockade fort erected in 1758 by Gen. Forbes' men, claims were taken up and settlements made as early as 17(i0, the first actual land cultivation 'commenced in the township no earlier than 1770, after the termination of the Pontiac war, which ended in 1768. Among the early settlers were the Marchands, Walthours, Studebakers, Whiteheads, Saams, Cribbses, Thom- ases, Sowashes, Harrolds, Rodebaughs, Millers, and later the Gongawares and Kunkles. The Marchand family first located near Millers- thai. The Studebaker lands comprised the farms now owned by J. R. Kunkle, Jonas and Peter Gon- gaware, J. Lawrence, Kunkle's heirs, Jacob Buzzard, and Samuel Alshouse. The Walthours owned the Harrold and Hays farms, and almost all the land between them and Manor Station. In 1774 the house lately occupied as a dwelling by Elijah McGrew, near the track of the Youghiogheny Railroad, was built. The earliest settlers in this township were Germans, except Matthias Cowan, Col. John Irwin, afterwards one of the associate judges of the County Court, and his brother, James Irwin, the father of the founder of Irwin borough. Judge Irwin at first traded with the Indians, but as soon as colonies began to form he took up a large tract of land, including that on which Irwin borough now stands. A little later large numbers of Scotch-Irish Pres- byterians settled along Brush Creek and north of it. Among these were the McCormicks, Osbornes, Boyds, Sloans, Coulters, Ewings, Crosbys, Greens, Wilsons, Irwins, Skellys, Larimers, Fullertons, Hindmans, Longs, Horvells, Marshalls, Simpsons, Duffs, Corrys, Grays, Forsythes, Temples, and others. Many of these did not come until after the close of the Revo- lution, from 1783 to 1796. The first known settlement was made in 1761 by Matthias Cowan, who married a Miss Gray, and came in a cart, in which they lived until he built his cabin on the farm now owned by Matthias Cowan Ekin, his grandson. Cowan's brother-in-law, Abner Gray, was captured on this farm by the Indians and carried into captivity. Thomas Marshall very early located on lands now owned by Col. McFarlane. John, one of the early NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 553 settlers, lived on the farm now the property of George Scull, and was the founder of the present Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette, which was established by him ninety-six years ago. There were two block-houses in the township ; one was on the farm now owned by John Gott, and the other on the farm of Brintnel Robbins, who came from New England. The latter farm is now owned by Joseph Robbins, a grandson of the original settler. These block-houses were places of refuge to which the settlers fled on the approach of Indians. The brick house now occupied by John H. Irwin, just outside of Irwin borough, was built in 1836 by John Irwin, and nearly opposite was the old tavern, erected and opened when the turnpike was built in 1816. LONG RUN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEME- TERY. This ancient church congregation was organized under the Redstone Presbytery in the last quarter of the past century. Its present brick edifice was erected in 1865. Among the early settlers buried in its ceme- tery are Catherine, wife of Benoni Gregory, died Dec. 18, 1833, aged 92. George Miller, died Nov. 11, 1843, aged 86 ; bis wife, Christina, died Feb. 6, 1826, aged 63. John Miller, died Oct. 8, 1845, aged 55. William Michael, died July 9, 1846, aged 58; bis wife, Elizabeth, died April 14, 1835, aged 40. Sarah Marchand, wife of Edward Scull, died June 8, 1845; born March 1,1819. y Nancy, wife of Henry Boyd, died June 14, 1838, aged 58. John Scull, died Feb. 8, .1828, aged 63; his wife, Margaret, died Sept. 9, 1842, aged 75. John Irwin Scull, died Jan. 31, 1827, aged 37. Ahby Scull, died Jan. 12, 1831, aged 70. Robert Taylor, died Aug. 6, 1824, aged 84. Margaret A., wife of Isaac Taylor, died Sept. 22, 1822, aged 21. John Macurdy, died May 12, 1825, aged 54. John Hindman, died April 8, 1810, aged 48; his wife, Isabella, died Dec. 7, 1832, aged 74. James Cowan, died Oct. 11, 1826, aged 54. Matthew Cowan, died Dec. 25, 1819, aged 84; his wife, Rachel, died April 10, 1815, aged 61. William Ewing, Sr., died Nov. 17, 1838, aged 89 ; his wife, Ann, died Sept. 25, 1818, aged 75. Alexander Ewing, Sr., died Feb. 14, 1S26, aged 56. Nancy, wife of Alexander Ewing, Jr., died Feb. 10, 1846, aged 39. Martha White, died Dec. 11, 1874, aged 73. Samuel Mann, died March 11, 1803, aged 50. Amelia Mann, died Dec. 17, 1790, aged 30. William Fullerton, died Nov. 10, 1827, aged 63; his wife, Hannah, died May 3, 1797, aged 29; his wife, Barbara, died Jan. 12,1803, aged 34; his wife, Jane, died March 21, 1820, aged 53. Daniel Fleming, died Aug. 20, 1819, aged 58; bis wife, Susannah, died Dec. 16, 1825, aged 59. Daniel Fleming, Jr., died Jan. 21, 1820, aged 21. Thomas McKean, died Nov. 11, 1841, aged 78; his wife, Margaret, died June 24, 1837, aged 78. John Cavett, born June 7, 1778, died Feb. 22, 1872. John Cavett, died Oct. 5, 1847, aged 77; his wife, Jane, died Dec. 27, 1827, aged 51 ; his wife, Elizabeth Cavett, died March 16, 1845, aged 50. Andrew Carson, died May 18, 1830, aged 35. Jacob Cort, died Oct. 13, 1853, aged 47. Mrs. Mary Ward, died April 15,1828, aged 62. Hannah, wife of John Gray, died July 30, 1850, aged 53. Boyd Ward, died Dec. 21, 1848, aged 55 ; his wife, Nancy, died April 20, 1840, aged 40. Catherine Huffnagle, died Feb. 21, 1843, aged 80. Juliet, wife of John Forsythe, died Aug. 16, 1834, aged 41. Thomas Plunier, died March 3, 1811, aged 43; his wife, Ann, died May 20, 1815, aged 37. Matthew Robinson, died May 22, 1833, aged 51; his wife, Rebecca, born 1794, died OcTll, 1865. Jane Tilb, died Jan. 19, 1820. George Kennedy, died Dec. 17, 1841, aged 70. John Boyd, died May 18, 1840, aged 78; his wife, Rachel, died Oct. 29, 1848, aged 68. Joseph Hall, died Dec. 10, 1824, aged 53. Charles Stewart, died July 2, 1836, aged 62. Hannah, wife of William Woods, died Oct. 17, 1847, aged 75. Robert Marshall, died Jan. 28, 1829, aged 63. Samuel Wattlrs, died July 8, 1838, aged 51. Rev. Christopher Hodgson, of M. E. Church ministry, born Sept. 12, 1811, died March 25, 1874. Mary Osburn, died Aug. 19, 1839, aged 60. Samuel Logan, died June 7, 1823, aged 25. Margaret, wife of David Logan, died July 30, 1843, at an advanced age. Adam Coon, horn June 13, 1774, died April 23, 1854; his wife, Mary, born Jan. 1774, died Oct. 15, 1858. William Caldwell, Sr., died Dec. 7, 1872, aged 79. John Cooper, died 1820, aged 84 ; his wife, Jane, died 1793, aged 43. James Cooper, died 1826. Alexander Cooper, died 1851. James Rollins, died Nov. 17, 1792, aged 47. Anthony Rollins, died Oct. 30, 1828, aged 87. Henry Rolands, died 1812, aged 60. Isaac Robinson, died April 18, 1812, aged 55 ; his wife, Jane, died Feb. 22, 1828, aged 74. Richard McAniilty, died Oct. 20, 1823, aged 55 ; his wife, Elizabeth, died March 17, 1831, aged 83. Julia Parks, died Jan. 6, 1834, aged 32. William Parks, died Nov. 14, 1837, aged 78 ; his wife, Margaret, died May 7, 1832, aged 68. Martha, wife of William Larimer, died Jan. 13, 1798, aged 27; her hus- band died Sept. 18, 1838, aged 67. John Larimer, died Dec. 26, 1873, aged 80 ; his wife, Christiana, died May 16, 1854, aged 51. Isaac Taylor, died Aug. 21, 1875, aged 83 ; his wife, Elizabeth, died Aug. 25, 1877, aged 71. Benjamin Byerly, born May 15, 1791, died Jan. 3, 1864; his wife, Jane, born Sept. 2, 1796, died Jan. 22, 1852. Thomas Sampson, died Feb. 2, 1846, aged 52. Samuel Black, died Nov. 7, 1870, aged 70; his wife, Jane, died Oct. 2, 1876, aged 64. BETHEL CHURCH (UNITED PRESBYTERIAN). This church, originally called Brush Creek, was or- ganized in 1796-97, and was the third one of this de- nomination in the county. Its log edifice was re- placed in 1836 by the second building, which stood until 1881, when the present one was erected. Its first pastor was Rev. Matthew Henderson, and its present incumbent Rev. J. N. Dick. THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized Nov. 7, 1870, by Revs. R. Carothers, D. Harbison, and J. A. Marshall, with Elders Duncan Hamilton and D. W. Shryrock, with forty members and four ruling elders, viz.: Adam Byerly, Robert Hanna, William Kirker, and D. W. Highberger. For long years previous the place had been used as an outpost of Long Run Church in Redstone Presby- tery, and enjoyed considerable preaching from its pastor, not enough, however, to satisfy the desires of the Presbyterians at the station, or the Presbytery of Blairsville. Hence the organization and the early settlement of a pastor, Rev. D. L. Dickey, whose successors have been : 1873-77, R. M. Brown ; 1877 James Kirk (stated supply) ; 1878-80, S. K. Howard ; 554 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. 1880-82, A. Z. McGovney. The present elders are C. L. Palmer, W. S. Bowman, Daniel Lenhart, Louis Marcband (also session clerk). THE REFORMED CHURCH was organized on the first Sunday in January, 1853, eight months before John Irwin laid out the town. The first pastor was Rev. S. H. Gilsy, whose succes- sors have been : 1856, T. J. Apple ; 1857-61, L. H. Kefauver; 1861-65, H. W. Super; 1866, George H. Johnston ; 1866-70, T. J. Barclay ; 1870-72, Walter E. Krebbs ; 1873-79, J. M. Titzell ; 1880-82, A. E. Truxal. John Irwin, founder of the town, gave the lot on which the edifice was erected in 1853. The fourteen original members were Joseph, Fanny, Elizabeth, Cyrus, Lucetta, Amanda, and Albert Cort, Samuel and Susan Perkins, Jacob and Anna Hershey, John Wigle and wife, Mary. The first elders were Joseph Cort, Jacob Hershey, S. Perkins, and John Wigle. The present elders are Joseph Cort, S. C. Remsberg, S. P. Highberger, Jacob Hershey ; deacons, William Moore, Adam Whitehead, George T. Keifer, Peter Hilt, Jr. The superintendent of Sunday-school is Abuer Core. The church membership is two hun- dred and forty. THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN OF HOLY TRINITY was organized in 1874 by Rev. A. H. Bartholomew, who for two years served it with those of his charge. The following were members of the church council : J. B. Blyholder, Mr. Hunker, C. C. Painter. It then united with Trinity Church at Adamsburg, and in 1876 called Rev. V. B. Christy as pastor, who made his residence at Irwin. It purchased its lot in 1876, and erected its edifice in 1877. Its present pastor is Rev. Mr. Lund, who also ministers to the English Lutheran congregation. His services in the former are conducted in the Swedish language. Its Sunday- school superintendent is Charles Gustaven. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL congregation was formed in 1859. Rev. W. P. Black- burn was the first pastor, whose successors have been : 1860-63, F. D. Fast ; 1863-66, W. F. Lauck ; 1866- 67, G. W. Cranage ; 1867-70, N. G. Miller ; 1870-73, J. H. Concla ; 1873-75, S. P. Wolf; 1875, David Mc- Cready ; 1875-77, Homer G. Smith ; 1877-79, Noble G. Miller; 1879, R. Hamilton; 1880-82, Earl D. Holtz. The trustees are S. Ridinger, Cyrus Bill- bimer, D. P. Highberger, Samuel Wood ; Superin- tendent of Sunday-school, Prof. E. B. Sweeny. Orig- inally a circuit appointment, it is now a station of the Pittsburgh Conference. The church membership is two hundred. The church is on Main Street, and the parsonage faces on Third Street. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN (OF IRWIN). This congregation was organized Oct. 17, 1874, from the parent "Bethel" Church, two and a half miles southwest of town. The first elders were Thomas Shaw, Samuel Gill, John Rose, David Shaw, M. C. Ekin. Rev. E. N. McElree was pastor until 1877, and was succeeded by Rev. C. B. Hatch, the present incumbent. The church edifice was erected in the winter of 1868, when the members were component parts of the old Bethel congregation. Jt is a frame structure, situated on Maple Street, and has a commo- dious basement and lecture-room. John Fulton is the Sunday-school superintendent. The church mem- bership is one hundred and sixteen. CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (RO- MAN CATHOLIC) is a substantial brick structure, with priest's residence adjoining the frame school hall. Before its erection masses were said in the old school-house and at pri- vate dwellings. Rev. M. Murphy has been the pastor since 1872. The congregation was organized and church erected in 1867. The corner-stone of the building was laid Aug. 15, 1867. Rev. T. Mullen, vicar-general of the diocese, in the absence of Bishop Domenec, officiated. In the afternoon a lecture was delivered by Rev. Father Ward. WELSH CONGREGATIONAL. Services are held every Sabbath at 10 a.m. SCHOOLS. The citizens of North Huntingdon township eagerly accepted the free-school system, voting almost unani- mously in its favor. The then boundary of the town- ship contained six rude school-houses; now within its limits there are twenty houses and twenty-two schools. Among the prominent teachers after the adoption of the school law were Theodore Woods, the McCormick family, and many others. At a later date were J. R. Howell, J. Brennaman, W. P. Dewalt, E. B. Sweeny, Miss Sue Dewalt, Miss S. Smith, and many other good names. Among the prominent di- rectors were Dr. R. B. Marchand, William Wray, H. Larimer, John Gaut, William Kunkle, A. Duff, and others. In 1882 the Irwin school board consists of Dr. G. L. Humphreys (president), S. D. Lauft'er (sec- retary), Joseph Copeland (treasurer), D. C. Schaff, James Gregg, Rev. J. M. Dick, D.D. The commodious two-story brick school building was erected in 1867. The teachers in 1882 are: High School, Prof. J. Chamberlain ; Room No. 4, W. B. Caldwell ; No. 3, E. B. Sweeny ; No. 2, E. B. McCormick ; No. 1, Miss Bertha E. Heed. UNION CEMETERY is located about a mile east of the town, on the Greensburg turnpike, and among its burials are the following : Col. John Irwin, died Feb. 15,1822, aged 82; his wife, Elizabeth, died June 3, 1818, aged 70. James Irwin, died July 24, 1833, aged 82; his wife, Jane, died Feb. 17, 1836, aged 45. John Irwin, born Oct. 9, 1811, died June 7, 1876; his first wife, born Sept. 14, 1811, died June 22, 1830. NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 555 Martha Atlee, wife of W. F. Caruthere, born Aug. 6, 1812, died July 6, 1876. Samuel Gill, born May 14, 1807, died Sept. 5, 1875. Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Lenhart, died Nov. 24, 1802, aged 59. Mrs. Mary E. George, born April 6, 1831, died Oct. 21, 1878. Emma B., wife of Thomas H. Irwin, born Dec. 28, 1842, died March 8, 1865. William Schribler, died June 7, 1876, aged 55. Robert Wilson, died Jan. 8, 1846, aged 70; his wife, Jane, died Feb. 20, 1862, aged 62. James Wilson, Jr., died May 12, 1847, aged 23. Elizabeth Wilson, wire of R. A. Hope, died Dec. 11, 1878, aged 49. Jacob B. Saam, born June 20, 1820, died Feb. 11, 1879. Henry Kebort, died Aug. 29, 1877, aged 66. Jacob Cole, died June 21, 1878, aged 37. Martin Bowers, died June 8, 1873, aged 36. Elizabeth, wife of Dr. D. D. Taylor, died , aged 59. Mary, wife or John D. Evans, died March 27, 1876, aged 36. Mary J., wife of D. W. Highberger, died July 6, 1876, aged 32. Charles Robinson, died Sept. 15, 1879, aged 42. Thomas Williams, died Nov. 27, 1878. aged 51. Sarah Sowash, died Feb. 9, 1882, aged 38. THE CATHOLIC CEMETERY is near the above, and among its oldest interments are Joseph Mason, died Sept. 23, 1876, aged 67 ; his wife, Julia, died June 1, 1879, aged 71. Frank Fiunigan, died Jan. 8, 1880, aged 70; his wife, Mary, died April 11, 1880, aged 68. Eve, wife of John W. Hugo, died July 15, 1876, aged 55. John Flannigan, died Nov. 2, 1876, aged 53. Thomas Dolan, died June 17, 1877, aged 51. IRWIN BOROUGH. Irwin is located on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, twenty-two miles east of Pittsburgh, and is situated in the heart of the bituminous coal region of Western Pennsylvania. When the railroad was fin- ished, in 1852, the site of the town was a forest of (mainly) white-oak timber. In 1844 there was only one house here, which was owned by Thomas Shaw, and an old log cabin occupied by a coal-digger. John Irwin, its founder, laid out the first plan of lots in September, 1853, to which he subsequently made several additions. The original plan called for but one street, called " Main," extending from the rail- road to the Reformed Church. The first addition was First, Second, Third, Fourth, Oak, and Walnut Streets. The second addition comprised a nine-acre lot. He also built the " Stewart House." The greatest change in the place was brought about by the coal companies. Just one month after the first through train passed over the railroad Thomas A. Scott and William Coleman commenced, in De- cember, 1852, to open the mines and ship bituminous coal to distant markets. They continued to operate until 1856, when they sold out to the Westmoreland Coal Company, which had been incorporated in 1854. This company began operations at Larimer's Station, and has grown until its field of operations extends from below Manor Station to beyond Spring Hill. The Penn Gas-Coal Company was incorporated in 1859, and commenced shipping from Penn Station. In 1866 it bought out the Coal Run Railroad, which had been built in the same year by Painter & Lauf- fer, and began work near this borough. In 1874 it built the Youghiogheny Railroad and opened mines near the mouth of Big Sewickley Creek. In November, 1864, the borough was incorporated, 1 the necessary survey for the same having been made by John McCormick, then seventy-five years of age, and H. F. Ludwick. The first borough officers were elected in 1865, viz.: Burgess, H. F. Ludwick; Clerk, S. C. Remsburg; Councilmen, John Irwin, William F. Caruthers, Jacob Goehring, John McWilliams, Abner Cort; Treasurer, J. J. Hurst. The officers in January, 1882, were : Burgess, J. M. Dinsmore ; Clerk, S. C. Remsburg; Council, David Steel, C. W. Pool, R. M. Fulton, J. H. Orr, George Sowash, Jr., C. R. Frit'ch- man ; Treasurer, John D. Brown ; High Constable, Philip Bussue. The first store in the town was kept by John George, in the property now owned by George H. Irwin. In the early part of 1868 a visitor at Irwin des- cribed the town in the following article. As this was shortly after its incorporation, we regard it as val- uable and of interest to the later generation : "Irwin Station is situated on the Pennsylvania Railroad, ten miles west of Greensburg, and has of late become one of the most important stations along the line. In connection with and adjoining the station a village was laid out, which a short time since was incorporated under the title of 'the Borough of Irwintown.' On visiting this borough on Saturday last we found that Latrobe had not monopolized all the enter- prise in our county, for that spirit exists to a very eminent and com- mendable degree in Irwintown. " The first house on the site of the town now so thickly populated was built in the spring of 1854 by John George, Esq.. who immediately set- tled therein. Here he found himself alone in the woods, without a habitation in sight, and surrounded on all sides by a dense forest. But he was not long to remain alone, for in quick succession the trees of the forest disappeared before the woodman's axe, and buildings were erected with surprising rapidity. The dreary and apparently repulsive side-hill seemed to be inviting to the energetic pioneer, whose industry and labor soon changed the aspect from a dull, uninteresting forest to a flourish- ing, beautiful, and pleasant borough of one thousand inhabitants. "We purpose to make a brief sketch of the improvements which came under our notice, hoping that it will tend to stimulate to extra exertion towards progression in the future, and that their brilliant rec- ord for enterprise in the past may be outshone by themselves. "There are three hotels within the limits of the borough, all of which are kept in good, orderly style. The Guffey House is situated on the corner of Second and Oak Streets, is a large three-story building, con- taining nineteen comfortable and commodious sleeping-rooms, two large and handsomely furnished parlors, a large and comfortable dining- hall, a reading-room and bar-room, besides the portions occupied by the landlord's family. It is so situated as to command a beautiful view of 1 On the 23d of August, 1864, the petition of the citizens of the town of Irwin was presented to the court, in which was set forth in the usual form and by the usual terms the inconvenience under which they suf- fered from want of being incorporated, and asking the court to incor- porate the aforesaid Irwintown. The court, after the same had been regularly passed on by the grand jury at the August sessions, 1864, or- dered and decreed on the 14th of November, 1864, that the prayer of the petitioners should be granted; that the inhabitants residing within the limits set forth should be incorporated under the name and style of the borough of Irwin ; that the first borough election should be held on the first Monday in December, 1864 ; that the election should be held in the school-house in the borough ; that John McCormick should give notice of the election, and that Stephen Ridinger should be judge, and John McWilliams and Derwiu Taylor inspectors. Nov. 28, 1864, it was ordered that the borough of Irwin should be a separate school district. 556 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the railroad east and west, the coal-works, and all the surrounding country on the north side of the house. The landlord, Mr. John Guffey, is an obliging gentleman, and neglects nothing which will contribute to the comfort of his guests. The table ia provided with nil the choice viands the market affords, dished up in the best style which an experi- enced and obliging landlady can conceive. The bar is well kept, hand- somely decorated, and furnished with all kinds of liquor. On the whole, this hotel is a credit to the town, and should be visited by everybody who chances to stop off at Irwin. The other hotels, kept respectively by Wm. Twigger on Main Street, and Joseph L. MeQuistion on the railroad, are good houses and have every facility for the accommodation of guests. "Ab a manufacturing town Irwin borough is somewhat deficient. The Westmoreland Coal Company have a large shop for repairing cars for their own use, but make no new ones. Wo found several shoemaker- shops, a couple of carpenter-shops, in which considerable work is done, there being in the one owned by Mr. Greeuawalt fourteen mechanice constantly employed, and ten in the one owned by Mr. Fulton. " Our old friend, John McWilliams, Sr., seems to be very busy in the manufacture of copper and tinware. There is one steam fiou ring-mill in the borough, which is run by Messrs. Beck & Helman, in which a flourishing trade is kept up. "Owing to the large number of men maintained there by the West- moreland and Penn Gas-Coal Companies, the mercantile branch of trade offers special inducements to persons entering business. We found, therefore, a large number of stores, the first of which on our list is that of Jacob Goehring, Esq., on the corner of the railroad and Main Street. Mr. Goehring occupies a large frame building, divided into several separate apartments. The dry-goods and grocery department is fifty feet deep by twenty feet wide, the drug department is forty by twenty, and the wareroom is thirty by fourteen. These are on the first floor, and other commodious warerooms are on the second floor. *' Lewis Eisaman keeps a first-class confectionery and oyster saloon on Main Street, two doors above Twigger's hotel, and next door to him is William Over's boot and shoe house. "On the corner of Main and Second Streets, J. J. Hurst & Co. have erected a fine new brick building, which is occupied by them as a store- room. The main room is about ninety feet deep by twenty in width, j and is divided into three apartments, the front entrance on Main Street. Next door above in the same building is the drug department and post- office, kept by the same firm. There are three large rooms up-stairs, two of which are used as warerooms by the firm, and the other is used as a hall by the I. O. of O. F. " Nearly opposite to this we found our young friend, William A. Shrum, engaged in the mercantile business in company with Mr. Shoe- maker. They have a fine room, an extensive stock of goods, and are doing a good business. " As we went on up Main Street we found that gentlemanly young merchant, John McWilliams, Jr., located between Third and Fourth Streets, in a large and neatly furnished room, well filled with goods in bis line. " On the corner of Fourth and Main Streets, Mr. D. W. Highberger holds forth. He has one of the finest store-rooms in the borough, it being fifty feet deep by eighteen in width, well stocked with dry-goods, groceries, boots, shoes, notions. In connection with the store, Mr. Highberger has erected a handsome photograph gallery. " S. Ridinger & Co.'s large hardware and furniture store was next visited, where we found a flue large room, well filled with goods in their line. " This part of the town is not much inhabited as yet, but is rapidly growing, there being upwards of thirty new huuses in process of erec- tion in this immediate section. In consideration of this fact, this is the most desirable business place in the borough, and we are pleased to see that Messrs. Highberger and Ridinger have availed themselves of it. "There are two churches completed, the Methodist, a large frame building, and the German Reformed, a large brick building, both of which are numerously attended on occasions of service. The Catholic Church is now in course of completion, aud contributes in a very great degree to the improvement in appearance of the lower part of the town. It is situated on the corner of Second and Walnut Streets, fronting towards the railroad, is built of brick, two stories high, and is a fine and substantial building. "Through the kindness of the gentlemanly assistant superintendent of the Westmoreland Coal Company we were enabled to viBit and ex- plore one of the extensive mines of the company in the vicinity of the borough. This is one of the most extensive coal companies in the State, and in busy seasons furnishes employment for upwards of six hundred men, thereby contributing greatly to the population and business im- portance of the town. The company shipped from this station alone during the year 1867 upwards of 250,000 tons of coal. The works are stopped now, owing to some difficulty in navigation east, but will prob- ably start up soon. " We found a great many new dwelling-houses just completed or in course of erection, but cannot describe them in detail, further than to say that they are principally all large and substantial frame buildings. The scarcity of brick and the haste with which houses are erected is assigned as the reason why so many of the buildings are frame. They present a handsome appearance in general, however, ami particularly the mansions of Simon I). Laufler, John George, Jacob Painter, and Jacob Goehring, and the brick mansion of Joseph Cort, E&q., is one of the finest and most substantial structures in the county. 11 The following is a list of the new houses just finished and in process of erection : "Dr. Marchand, Henderson, And. McCauley, M. Widaman, Arch. Mathias, P. Kissell, Bailey, Abner Cort, two buildings; Adam Byerly, Van Dyke, William Wiggle, Shefller, David, Sharp, John Brown, Bow- man, Joseph Lenhart, A. Heasly, Henry Sawlers, Daniel Henry, William Howell, John McCornuck, Esq., William Williams, Stephen Ridinger, Simon Highberger, John James, Jonathan Williams, William Ridinger, Josiah Carson, Charles Henry, Jacob Painter, James Fleming, Aud. Learn, William Kunkle, John G. White, Mrs. Steele, Daniel Lenhart, and Dr. D. D. Taylor. 11 In addition to the above there are a number of residences under contract aud in contemplation, of which we will speak at our next visit, which we hope to make before long. "The borough limits extend back to the turnpike, and are being rap- idly built up, giving ample foundation for the belief that ere long Irwin borough will be the most populous town in our county." BANKS. The Irwin Deposit Bank was organized in 1868 by Lloyd, Huff & Co., in the old Cort building. They suspended business in the panic of 1873, the same year the bank building was erected. They were suc- ceeded by Beck. Happer & Co., who closed business in 1875. Their successors were B. K. Jamison & Co., who retired in 1880. The Farmers' and Miners' De- posit Bank was established by P. S. Pool & Son, March 9, 1877, in the court building. In September, 1880, the bank was removed to its present eligible location on Main Street. This is a private bank, and was the successor to the banking business carried on a while by W. S. Nicodemus. ORDERS, SOCIETIES, Etc. HUNTINGDON LODGE, No. 549, I. 0. 0. F., was chartered Feb. 5, 1858, but the lodge hall and charter having been destroyed by fire, it was rechar- tered April 2, 1873, by William Stedman, M. W. G. M., and James B. Nicholson, M. W. G. S. Its offi- cers for 1882 are: N. G., William Davis; V. G., Daniel Henry; Sec, M. E. Lindeblad ; Asst. Sect., John Gittings; Treas., P. G. Petterson ; Trustees, Robert McElroy, Daniel Henry, J. H. Kerr, Robert Milburn, Edward Davis. It has a membership of one hundred and forty, and meets every Saturday evening in its own hall on Main Street, in the third story of the building it erected aud owns. IRWIN ENCAMPMENT, No. 196, I. 0. O. F. This encampment was originally chartered May 16, 1870, but was rechartered after the fire, April 2, 1873. The charter members and first officers were: C. P., M. L. Momeyer; H. P., R. D. Stewart; S. W., NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 557 Samuel Darrell ; J. W., R. R. McGuire; Scribe, P. Dewalt; Treas., J. L. McQuiston ; I. S., Henry Mil- liron ; O. S., J. C. Carroll. The officers for 1882 are : C. P., William Davis ; H. P., Albert Fish; S. W., M. E. Lindeblad; J. W., Thomas Ramsden ; Scribe, J. H. Kerr; Treas., Daniel Jones ; I. S., Edward Davis. It meets the second and fourth Wednesday even- ings of each month, and has a membership of forty. HIRAM LODGE, No. 69, ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED BRETHREN, was chartered Feb. 14, 1872. The charter members and first officers were : P. W. M., H. K. Klingsmith ; W. M., Joseph L. McQuistion ; G. F., George H. Kuhn ; , William N. Thompson ; Rec, Robert W. Wright ; Fin., Henry Bailey ; Rec, John Gray ; G., A. H. Hershey; I. W., Nevin Cort; O. W., Daniel Henry. MARCHAND POST, No. 190, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. This post was instituted Sept. 8, 1880, and named in honor of Dr. Samuel S. Marchaud, captain of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, who had been promoted from first lieutenant Aug. 23, 1862, and who was wounded and taken prisoner at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862. He died Feb. 18, 1863, of wounds received at Freder- icksburg, in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., and the Confederates sent his body home, accompanied by his sword, watch, and all his personal effects. The first officers and charter members were : C, Louis Mar- chand ; Sr. V. C, Samuel Wilson ; Jr. V. C, J. C. Frederick ; Q. M., D. G. Lindsay ; O. D., Thomas Ray ; O. G., John Sanders ; Surg., John Glisley ; Chap., J. K. Painter; Adjt., J. K. Gallagher; Q.-M.- Sergt., Daniel Henry; Sergt.-Maj., Philip Bussue; James Mcllhenny, William Blake, George V. Miller. The officers for 1882 are : C, J. C. Frederick ; Sr. V. C, Wm. Blake ; Jr. V. C, Thomas Ray ; O. D., John Dempster ; Q.-M., Joseph Martin ; Chap. J. K. Gal- legher; Surg., James Mcllhenny; Adjt., Louis Mar- chand; Q.-M.-Sergt., Daniel Henry; Sergt.-Maj., Philip Bussue. Its membership is fifty-six, and its meetings are held the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month at I. O. O. F. Hall. WESTMORELAND LODGE, No. 415, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. This lodge was chartered Dec. 5, 1873, with the following charter members : Samuel Wood, Lewis Eisaman, James Gregg, Adam Crampton, D. G. Lind- say, James B. Morton, George W. Mclntyre, Philip Freeman, Joseph Shorthouse, John Adams. The officers for 1882 are: P. C, Thomas Johns; C. C, Herman Hackinson; V. C, George Greeves; P., David Weldon; M. A., R. Hosick; K. R. and S., Magnis A. Lindeblad; M. F., John Adams; M. E., Nelson Bergman ; Trustees, Lewis Swanson, C. H. Schram, George Shorthouse. It has a membership of one hundred and three members, and meets every Tuesday evening. 30 THE IRWIN CORNET BAND, of which Will Leigh is leader and B. M. McWilliams teacher, consists of eighteen pieces. UNION CEMETERY. This beautiful cemetery, lying about a mile south- east of the borough, was laid out in 1873 and 1874, and the first person therein buried was William F. Weaver, who died April 27, 1874. It comprises fifteen acres of land most eligibly located. The cemetery association was incorporated by the court in August, 1873, with the following incorporators : W. F. Caru- thers, Lewis Eisaman, Joseph Cort, Joseph Lenhart, S. D. Lauffer, S. C. Remsberg, B. B. Copeland, Samuel Gills, John J. Hurst, F. A. Happer, Wil- liam Crookston, John George, Jr., George R. Scull, Louis Marchand, J. I. Marchand. The first board of managers was Joseph Cort, John J. Hurst, F. A. Happer, W. F. Caruthers, Lewis Eisaman, S. C. Remsberg. The presidents have been Joseph Cort, John J. Hurst, F. A. Happer, Louis Marchand. The secretary since its organization has been S. C. Rems- berg. The treasurers have been F. A. Happer, W. F. Caruthers, Thomas H. Irwin, and W. F. Caruthers (present incumbent). The present board of managers is Louis Marchand, W. F. Caruthers, S. C. Rems- berg, Joseph Eisaman, William Wilson, and C. F. Billhimer. CHURCHES. For mention of the churches of the borough, see antecedent pages in the history of this township. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. THE COWAN AND EKIN FAMILIES. In 1761, Matthias Cowan, who had married a Miss Gray, settled in the township. He was a Scotch- Irishman. His children were James, Joseph, George, Martha (married to William Ekin), Mary, Betsey, and Ann (married respectively to three brothers named Hughey), and two daughters who died young and unmarried. Robert Ekin was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and came to Allegheny County when his son William was four years old, and to this town- ship when he was ten. Robert Ekin and his wife died in 1815, shortly after which Mrs. Matthias Cowan (nee Gray) died. William, son of Robert Ekin, was born in York County, where his father settled on coming to America. He died in 1851, and his wife (Martha Cowan) in 1858. Their children were Rob- ert, born Dec. 24, 1804; Matthias Cowan, born April 24, 1806; Eliza, married to Andrew Christy ; Rachel, married to Samuel Gill ; John ; Mary, married to Thomas Shaw ; and Margaret, who died young and ' unmarried. Of these, Matthias Cowan Ekin mar- , ried, June 15, 1845, Nancy, daughter of William I Rand and Susanna (Patterson) Rand. M. C. Ekin's 558 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. farm lies about four miles south of Irwin Station, between it and the Youghiogheny River, and is the place where his maternal grandfather, Matthias Cowan, first located one hundred and twenty-one years ago, during all of which time the homestead has been in the family and belonging to three gen- erations. the Mccormick family. John and Joseph McCormick, brothers, came from County Tyrone, North Ireland, in 1788, and pur- chased land around what is now Larimer Station. Joseph never married, and died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. John had married Sarah Sloan in his native country before he emigrated. She was a lady of unusual mental attainments for her day, a midwife of considerable note, and a sister of Dr. William Sloan, an Irish practitioner of much celebrity. Their four children born before their emi- gration were : 1. William. 2. Andrew. 3. Jane. First married to Robert Donaldson ; sec- ondly, to Mr. McDonald, of Franklin County ; and the third time to Daniel Hellman, who was killed near Larimer Station by a log rolling over him while clearing land. She had no children. 4. Joseph. The children born in Westmoreland County were : 5. John, born Aug. 22, 1789. 6. David. 7. Sarah, never married. 8. Samuel, settled at Cadiz, Harrison Co., Ohio. 9. Thomas. 10. Elizabeth, married Samuel Osborne at Stew- artsville, had eight children. Of the above seven sons, all but David and Thomas lived to be over eighty years of age. John, the fifth child, was born at his father's homestead, across the creek from Larimer Station. He was a tanner, and learned his trade with Caspar Walthour, to whom he was apprenticed in 1804, in his fifteenth year. He built the tannery at Larimer Station, operated it for years, then sold it, and subsequently the land upon which it was erected. He married Esther So wash, whose ancestors had early settled in Virginia and were of Huguenot extraction. Their children were: 1. William, died in infancy. 2. Eli, born May 14, 1820, and a school-teacher from 1843 to 1854; now magistrate and notary public. 3. John Calvin. 4. Sarah, died young. 5. George. 6. Dr. James Irwin. 7. Silas, attorney-at-law. 8. Samuel. 9. Mary Elizabeth, died in infancy. 10. Albert, died young. 11. Rachel, married John George. 12. Henry H., lawyer in Pittsburgh, Speaker of the House of Representatives in State Legislature in 1 874, and six years United States District Attorney for Western District of Pennsylvania. 13. Horace Greeley. Dr. James Irwin McCormick, the sixth child of John and Esther (Sowash) McCormick, was born in March, 1828. He attended Washington College, Pa., but graduated at Franklin College, Harrison County, Ohio. He subsequently taught school at Johnstown, Greensburg, and other prominent places in the State. In the spring of 1855 he was appointed by Governor James Pollock as superintendent of the Westmore- land County schools, which position he held two years, and by his assiduous labors and genius suc- ceeded in raising the standard of the qualifications of the teachers. He then opened a Normal School at New Derry, which became a popular institution, and one noted for the thoroughness of its training. While conduct- ins this he read medicine with Dr. William Burrell, and after graduating at the Western Reserve Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio, he located at New Flor- ence. Shortly after he located at West Fairfield, and took the practice of Dr. Taylor, then elected to the Legislature. In 1871 he removed to Irwin, where he soon acquired a very extensive practice, and took rank as one of the best physicians and surgeons in the county. He was one of the finest classical scholars in the State, and no one in this county ever equaled him in his labors and success in behalf of the free schools. He married Rachel Black, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Mansperger) Black, by whom the following children were born : 1. Emma. 2. Samuel Black. 3. John. 4. Margaret Isabella. 5. William Henry Harrison. After his wife's death he married her sister, Mar- garet, who bore him children, to wit: 1. Charles. 2. Mary Alice. 3. Eugenia. 4. James Irwin. Dr. McCormick was a Republican in politics, and once the candidate of his party for Congress. He served several years as United States examining phy- sician for pensions. He was an active member of the Masonic order, and of the Ancient Order of United Brethren. He died Aug. 18, 1881. THE IRWIN FAMILY. Among the earliest settlers in this township were Col. John and James Irwin, two brothers, who emi- grated from North Ireland. The former was for sev- eral years an Indian trader, but when emigrants began ijf.tf.k %*& NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 559 to pour into the new settlement he entered large tracts of land. He subsequently, after the organization of the county, became one of the associate judges of its courts. His brother James married Jane Fullerton, and settled on his farm near Irwin Station. Their son, John Irwin, was born Oct. 9, 1811. He married for his first wife Lydia Hurst, of Mount Pleasant, Jan. 9, 1834, who was born September, 1811, and bore him children as follows : 1. Thomas Hurst, born Sept. 8, 1836. He married his second wife, Mary J. Dickey, Oct. 1, 1844. She was born Dec. 27, 1818. The children by the second marriage were : 1. Nancy Hurst, born July 30, 1845, and married to Thomas Stewart. 2. Jane Fullerton, born Feb. 20, 1848, died Aug. 16, 1864. 3. Elizabeth Dickey, twin of above, married May 10, 1875, to James L. Ewing. John Irwin died June 7, 1856. The original Irwin lands extended from Jacksonville to Wardensville. Judge Irwin left a part of his vast landed domain to his nephew, John Irwin, who upon it laid out the borough of Irwin. The latter was the first man in this region who took out and sold coal, which was then done to accommodate his neighbors. For the first coal lands he sold, — that is, the right to take out the coal, — and reserving the fee to himself, he re- ceived a hundred dollars per acre. eli Mccormick. The grandfather of the gentleman whose portrait appears herewith, John McCormick, emigrated from County Tyrone, Province of Ulster, Ireland, to America in 1788, and settled at what is now Lari- mer Station, Westmoreland Co., where he purchased a large tract of land. He married Sarah Sloan, of his native isle. They had ten children, nine of whom married and raised families. Their fifth child was John, who was born about one year after their settle- ment in this county. He was apprenticed to the tan- ning trade, which he learned thoroughly, and followed for a number of years. Not being entirely satisfied with this business, he disposed of his tannery, and, being a natural mechanic, he devoted a few years to carpenter work. He then engaged in farming, which he followed about nine years, when he was elected justice of the peace in North Huntingdon township. He was continued in this office until eighty-one years of age. He was a man of rare intelligence, having supplemented his "school learning," which was lim- ited, by extensive and careful general reading. He married Esther Sowasli, who was of German descent, and a native of Westmoreland County. They had thirteen children. Those living are Eli, John C, George, Silas, Samuel S., Rachel E., - aud Henry H. Those dead are William S., Sarah, James I., Mary E., Albert, and Horace G. John died in 1873, and his wife Esther in 1866. Eli McCormick was born at Larimer Station, West- moreland Co., Pa., May 14, 1820. He attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood until fifteen years of age, and then engaged in farming. This he pursued for a few years, and then re-entered school, where he remained for two years preparing himself for teaching, to which he devoted a number of years, quitting it permanently in 1854. In 1848 he pur- chased a drug-store in Adamsburg. This he dis- posed of in 1855, and removed to Kittanning, Arm- strong Co., Pa., where he again engaged in the drug business. In 1858 he entered the employ of a drug firm as traveling salesman. He continued in this until 1870, when having been elected justice of the peace in Irwin, where his family had resided for a number of years, he entered upon the duties of his office. In the same year he was appointed notary public, and has held the position ever since. Mr. McCormick is a thoughtful, intelligent busi- ness man, being a firm believer in the adage " What- ever is worth doing at all is worth doing well." As a teacher he held advanced views, being one of the first in the county to reject and repudiate the rule of brute force in school government, which at that day was the only method employed in the county. In its stead he substituted moral suasion, aud appealed to the children's sense of right and wrong. His suc- cess was marked, and many of the pupils who be- came imbued with his ideas were afterwards success- ful teachers. In short, no matter in what business engaged, he has made it the rule of his life to pre- pare himself thoroughly for his work. He was married Dec. 29, 1846, to Sophia Kepple, youngest daughter of Jacob Kepple, of Salem town- | ship, Westmoreland Co. Their living children are i John Q. A., married to Maggie Cooper; Jacob K., I married to Mima Harris ; Edward B., and Roscoe T. Two of their children, James I. and Frank, died young. Their only daughter, Mary, married Wil- liam R. Hanna. They are both dead, and their only child, Roscoe Elton Hanna, resides with his grand- parents. ANDREW L. McFARLAXE. From County Tyrone, Ireland, came Francis and his wife, Mary (McWilliams) McFarlane, and settled in Westmoreland County. Here they remained but a few years, when they removed to Lawrence County, Pa., where Francis engaged in farming, in which business he was signally successful, and was able at his death to give each of his children a fair pecuniary start in life. The number of his children was four- teen, Andrew L., whose name is the caption of this article, and who was born Sept. 19, 1825, being the youngest. He received a good common-school edu- cation, and began work for himself as a farmer in his native county. In 1844 he came to Westmoreland County to superintend improvements upon his broth- 560 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. er's farm. In the following year, February 19th, he married Mary E. Larimer, youngest daughter of William Larimer, Sr., long a prominent citizen of Westmoreland County. They had six children, two of whom are living, — George L., who married Allie Eaton, is engaged in the lumber business, and has his residence in Pittsburgh ; Ella F., married Thomas Boggs, and resides upon a farm in Westmoreland County. Mrs. McFarlane died Oct. 27, 1863, in her thirty-seventh year. May 16, 1865, Andrew L. Mc- Farlane married Jennie A. Davis, of Fayette County. To them were born three children. Those living are Lida F. and Andrew Lewis. Mr. McFarlane has been diligent and eminently successful in business, and has added very largely to his patrimony. His possessions are chiefly land and coal. He is engaged at present in developing his coal, and also carries on an extensive lumber trade. He is a man of sound judgment and correct business principles. He is genial and hospitable, and has a well-appointed home. HON. ROBERT STEWART ROBINSON. Hon. Robert S. Robinson, of North Huntingdon township, is of Scotch descent on his paternal side, both his grandfather, Isaac M. Robinson, and his grandmother, Margaret Moore Robinson, having been born in Scotland. They migrated to America in the latter part of the last century, and located in Alle- gheny County. They were the parents of live chil- dren, of whom Matthew, the father of Robert S., was the second in number. He was born about 1781, be- came a farmer and live-stock dealer and raiser, and died in May, 1833. About 1809-10 he married Miss Rebecca Stewart, daughter of Robert Stewart, at that time and for years thereafter a great mail contractor on the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia turnpike, over which he ran several daily lines of the old-fashioned lumbering stage-coaches of the period. He became a man of wealth, founded Stewartsville in Westmore- land County, and owned a valuable estate in Pitts- burgh. He died about 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Robinson had eight chil- dren, of whom four are living : Rosanna, the wife of Jacob Bankert, of Westmoreland County ; Isaac M. ; Sarah C. ; and Robert S., who was born, Oct. 1, 1815, on the farm adjoining the one on which he now resides. He was educated in the subscription schools of the time, and spent most of his time on the homestead farm till he was about twenty-two years of age, when he entered upon general merchandising and stock- raising and dealing at Stewartsville. He pursued merchandising for three or four years, profitably for the times, and about 1843 gave up merchandising, and removing to a farm in the vicinity of Stewartsville, gave his attention to farming and stock-raising, which business he still pursues. He raises short-horn Dur- hams as his particular pride, taking the utmost inter- est in pure breeds. He also raises good stocks of horses, the Kentucky driving horses and Clydesdale draught horses claiming his particular attention. In politics Mr. Robinson is a Jeffersonian-Jackson Democrat, but not an extremist. He holds himself as conservative in principle, and while he votes with his party for all good measures, reserves to himself the right to adjudge whether or not a partisan meas- ure ought to command his support. He has held various township offices, which, however, he never sought. In 1880 he was elected to the State Legisla- ture for the term of two years, representing the dis- trict of Westmoreland County, and took his seat in January, 1881. He was assigned to the committees on agriculture, manufactures, elections, and others. Jan. 25, 1842, he married Miss Ann Jane Ludwic, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Johnson Ludwic, of North Huntingdon township, by whom he has had eight children : Henrietta, wife of Grabel H. Svvoap, now residing in Missouri ; Matthew, who died in in- fancy ; Cyrus M., at present a coal merchant in Pitts- burgh ; Nancy Jane, who became the wife of John R. Christy, of Allegheny County, and is now dead ; Re- becca Stewart; William Stewart, married to Emma Beck, of Irwin ; Lucien G. ; and Florence May, de- ceased. ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP. BOUNDARIES, Etc. Kostraver Township was among the first organ- ized townships in the county, haviug been erected April 6, 1773, with boundaries as follows : " Beginning at the month of Jacobs Creek, and running down the Yougiiiogheny to where it joins the Monongaliela; then up the said MoDongahela to the i ill of Redstone Creek ; and thence with a straight line to the beginning." The first officers elected in the township were Balt- zer Shilling, constable; Alexander Mitchell and Sam- uel Biggard, overseers of the poor ; Eysham Barnes, supervisor. Other early settlers, beside the first officers above named, were Rev. James Power, the Finleys, George Wendell and his son Peter, the Cunninghams, Ful- lertons, Pinkertons, Housemans, Robertsons, Thomp- sons, Sheplers, Lowreys, Pattersons, Orrs, McClains, Robinsons, Caldwells, Steeles, Wilsons, Smiths, Ei- selles, McClures, Hutchinsons, and others. The present boundaries of the township are : north by Forward and Elizabeth townships, Allegheny County; south by Washington township, Fayette County ; east by the Yougiiiogheny ; and west by the Monongaliela River. The principal stream after the two rivers just men- tioned is Saw-Mill Run. This township is much di- versified in its topography, having high and romantic bluffs along the streams, and more or less level land I in the interior. There is an abundance of coal and limestone found in the eastern part, and the very best quarries of flagstone in the west, near Webster Post- ; office. The first actual settler in the township was Joseph Hill, who came from Winchester (now Westminster), ' Carroll Co., Md., in 1854. He was then eighteen years old, and had made quite extensive improvement when Braddock's army passed in the summer following (1755). He settled about one mile a little northwest of Rehoboth Church, on lands now owned by the Fishers, Finleys, Frees, Brownellers, and others. His father, also named Joseph Hill, served seven years in the Revolution, and after its close settled in the town- ship near his son. Before the Revolution the Housemans and Shep- lers came from near Winchester, Md., and settled. Of the latter there were three brothers, viz., Peter, Matthias and Caleb, who located on the Monon- galiela River hills. Matthias Shepler married a daughter of Joseph Hill, the first settler, and had the following children : John, Philip, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Mary, Margaret, and Catherine, of whom John, Isaac, and Jacob remained in the township, the other sons emigrating West. Isaac married Mary Houseman, and was the father of the venerable Capt. Joseph Shepler. After Joseph Hill the next actual settlers were George Wendell and his family, who came from Ha- gerstown, Md., in the spring of 1758, and whose set- tlement in the northeastern part of the township is described elsewhere in a sketch of this family. Among other early pioneers were Joseph Black- burn, Dr. Bela B. Smith, Col. John Power, James Sterrett, John Steele, Capt. William Elliott, William Robeson, the Pattersons, Nathaniel Hayden, and the Wrights. The two first pastors of Rehoboth Church were Revs. James Power and James Finley. The former was born in 1746, in Chester County, Pa., and left eight daughters, but no sons. Rev. Mr. Finley was born in 1725, in County Armagh, Ireland, and died June 6, 1795, leaving several children, whose nu- merous descendants are still found scattered through- out the township. AN HISTORIC RECOLLECTION. The following touching the visit of Lafayette to the United States and his reception in our part of the county is from the Gazette of June 3, 1825 : "On Saturday last, about 10 o'clock a.m., intelligence was received by express in this place that Gen. La Fayette would bo at the Brick Meet- ing-House in the Forks of Yough at 10 o'clock the following morning. Maj. Alexander, agreeably to a wish communicated through the mes- senger, paraded his artillery company on horseback, and set out at six o'clock with 2 field-pieces. They proceeded eight miles the same even- ing, and on the following morning were joined at Gen. Markle's by a part of Capt. Pinkerton's artillery company with another field-piece. The troops, under the command of Maj. Alexander, together with a number of private citizens from the surrounding country, arrived at Lebanon School-House, adjacent to the Meeting-House, at about 11 o'clock. The three field pieces were placed on the side of the hill im- mediately back of the school-house. Telegraphs were posted on the surrounding hills, who gave information when the -Nation's Guest' passed the county line, upon which a salute of 13 guns was fired. In a few minutes the general and suite, escorted by 50 or 60 citizens of Fay- ette County, mounted, arrived. He reviewed the troops, shaking each one cordially by the hand, after which he partook of refreshments pro- vided by Gen. Markle. A number of persons were then introduced, among whom was old Mr. Sterrett, of Rostraver township, who had fought with him at Brandywine. The meeting was an interesting and affecting one. He examined the brass 4-pounder belonging to Maj. Alexander's artillery corps, and said it was a Spanish piece, but that it was not engaged in the battle of Saratoga, as was generally supposed. He paid his respects to a number of ladies who had assembled to see him, and having got fresh horseB in his phaeton, was escorted by the citizens aud a part of the military to Beazel's tavern (late Daily's), 561 562 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. where refreshments were provided, lifter partaking of which he pro- ceeded towards Braddock's Fields, accompanied by a concourse of citi- zens of Allegheny County, where he arrived at 4 o'clock in the evening. He retired to his chamber to peruse some letters received from his family in France, and on Monday morning last entered Pittsburgh. " It rained very hard a considerable part of the day, which, together with the distance the troops had to travel (22 miles), made them appear to great disadvantage. All, however, passed oft' well, and each one was pleased with the trip, and the appearance and conduct of the old friend of American independence." We are pleased to learn that Gen. Lafayette ex- pressed his gratification at Pittsburgh with the re- ception with which he met at Lebanon School-house, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland Co. THE OLDEST LIST OF TAXABI.ES we have seen of the inhabitants of this section made during the Revolution, furnishes the following names and data : "A return of the Names and Surnames of the Tax- able Inhabitants of the Township of Rostraver and their Taxable property taken by order of the Com- missioners of Westmoreland County by Matthew Jamison Assistant Assessor : No. of Acres. = o H — o d S - o d 1 1 - g 6 X 1 1 1 1 tn H •o a I B d Z 2 1 2 1 ."■ o ~ d a 9 1 9 — a) — o d Z 1 2 IT s <5 £ P Q O o d Offices, TradeB, Professions, and Occupations. Owners' Names. H .2 "3 o o a « 5 o > p Pi a H d IS « — p o d 76 75 40 Matt. Jamison, y.m Carpenter. Taylor. 115 7 Wm. McKnigbt, y.m... 6 4 9 30 1 1 3 1 6 2 3 1 2 1 4 1 4 2 3 2 1 1 3 2 ,8 4 Taylor. 300 1 :. 5 in 1 8 5 200 2 T 1 i John Logan, y.m 150 Weaver. Joseph Pearce, ju/nr "SS 300 1 1 T 1 2 4 7 ... Captain, Frontiers, Washing- ton. Henry lIcGIaughlin.f. 300 1 .... l 2 3 1 4 2 6 2 4 6 4 '5 7 i Weaver. 180 1 l Jas. Finny and Ruhert 270 2 2 1 1 2 3 3 1 2 2 3 5 2 5 300 l l l i John MeConnell, y.m.. 300 -— B ... 1 ... 1 Bl 2 3 8 3 3 1 2 2 3 10 4 1 3 300 i 50 s Philip Howel, y.m Lieut. 150 Captn. 150 1 1 2 2 ... Weaver. 5 Kobt. Walker 4 l The exact date of the above list of taxables cannot be learned, but it is evident it was made up during the Revolution. It is noticeable that although there were columns for the number of acres of land which were held by deed and by warrant, yet there was no report made of any as so held, but all was returned as held by location or by improvement. In the col- umns for "barns" the figures represent the number of outbuildings, and the letter " B" is used for barns. In the list of occupations, etc., those who are not de- signated are understood to be farmers. The y. in. stand for young men. The proportion of cabins to houses was as Falstaff's sack to his bread. SCHOOLS. A school-house was built and occupied for school purposes during the interval from 1780 to 1805. The school was supported by subscription, and the scholars were compelled to go a distance of four or five miles. The teachers were generally incompetent, and ruled with tyranny. This school-house had a straw roof and paper windows. The house that was built in 1805 is still standing near the centre of the township, being the first to have a clapboard roof and glass windows. Its first teacher, G. H. Lower, was from New York, and was a fine scholar. He taught, be- sides the common branches, a class of six for some time in Greek and Latin. He remained quite a while in the township, and created quite an interest in education. In 1812 two more school-houses were erected, one in the northern and the other in the southern part of the township. The latter was deeded by Samuel Burnes for school purposes " as long as water would run or grass grow." Among the leading teachers were Lower, Roberts, and Darr. The schools continued on in the old ruts until the passage of the common school law. Many being opposed, the schools did not succeed very well for some time. Among the first directors were John Power, E. Moore, and P. Rhyal. At this time there were but six houses in the district. The first year after the adoption of the school law two new houses were built, one at Leusty, and the other at Iowa. At this time there were no graded schools, but some of the teachers were capable of teaching higher mathe- matics and the languages. Among the prominent teachers were Eckley, Darr, ex-United States Senator Edgar Cowan, and Douglass. The schools continued to be ungraded until 1873, when the Webster School was divided, and the upper room was taught by Pro- fessor L. P. Smith. In 1866 new houses began to take the places of the old ones, two being built each year, until at present there are fourteen in the township, two being independent, viz., Lagrange and North Belle- vernon. Among the zealous workers for the last ten years are Lowry, McLane, Brown, and others. R0H0B0TH CHURCH CEMETERY. Rohoboth Church (Presbyterian) is one of the pio- neer churches of the county. The present edifice, a brick structure, was erected in 1836. Rev. A. F. Boyd «iiiiiiflBttii«ii«iiittitti!ifti«aitti«»ciiiiiti«isiaiiisi«i ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP. 503 is the present pastor. Among the early settlers buried in the cemetery attached are Dr. Belft II. Smith, died Oct. 1", 1841, agfed 79; hie wife, Elizabeth, died May 23, 1S44, aged 74. Eleuor Moore, died Jan. 7, 1819, aged 53. Jane, wife of Kohert Moore, died April 11, 1S32, aged 80. James Starrett, died July 8, 1829, aged 78; his wife, Elizabeth, died March 26, 1833; aged 80 Robert Galloway, died June 30, 1818, aged 49. Col. John Power, elder of Rohoboth Church, died July 29, 1805, aged 48; his wife, Margaret, died March 10, 18313, aged 80; their daugh- ter, Jane, died Not. 14, 1798, aged 18. Mary, wife of John Power, died April 14. 1850, aged 46. Rev. James Finley^ born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1725, died Jan. C, 1795; was forty-six^'ears in the ministry ; his wife, Hannah, died April 1, ag'ed 80 ; their son, Michael, died July 29, 1S50, aged 77 ; he was a ruling elder in Rohoboth Church. Fanny, wife of Joseph Finley, died Feb. 18, 1x47, aged 66. John Steele, died Jan. 10, 1856, aged SI ; his wife, Nancy H., died Aug. 23, 1850, aged 69. William Bigtaam, died Dec. 12, 1844, aged 74. George Crawford, died June 11, 1797, aged 52. Capt. William Eliott, died March 20,1804, aged 54; his wife, Ruth, died July 2, 1830, aged 76. SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH AND CEMETERY. This church, located in the northern part of the township, was organized in 1792, and is the oldest of this denomination in the county. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Barkley. The present brick edifice was erected in 1842. WEBSTER is the largest town in the township, and is located in its northwestern part on the Monongahela River. It was laid out in 1833 by Benjamin Beazell and a Mr. Ford, and so named in honor of the great statesman, Daniel Webster, then in the zenith of his power and glory. Here Samuel Walker built the first steam- boat on the Monongahela River, and for many years this place was a noted point for the building of steam- boats. Here are located the Webster Coal Company's Works, operated by Sneeden & Willson, lessees of John Guffey, of Greensburg. These are the old Blackamore Works. John Gilmore also has coal- mines, now being extensively worked. The Presbyterian Church edifice was erected in 1881, and is supplied with preaching by the pastor of Rehoboth. The Methodist Episcopal Church building was built in 1866, and is a neat frame structure. It is on the Fell's Church Circuit, and before its erection preaching was had in the school-house. The present pastor is Rev. Taylor ; Sunday-school superintendent, D. Richards ; and Trustees, F. C. Anderson, Asbury Fell, George W. Smith, D. Richards, Christian Keigh- line, Thomas F. Brown, and Lewis McDonal. BLACKAMORE LODGE, No. 701, I. 0. 0. F. was instituted in 1871. Its first officers were N. G., D. B. Brooks ; V. G., Alex. Simrall ; Sec, Jacob Tomer; Asst. Sec, John Brooks; Treas., John F. Birmingham. Its Past Noble Grands who are still members are D. B. Brooks, Philip Andre, Sr., John Boyd, Henry Boyd, Philip Duwa.ll, William Hodgson, John W. Jones, Lewis V. Jones, A. G. Milholland, Alexander Simrall, Thomas Strickland, Robert Sar- ber, and Philip H. Andre. The officers for 1882 are : N. G., Thomas Strickland; V. G., Frederick Zimmer ; Sec, A. J. Milholland; Asst. Sec, Robert Sarber; Treas., Philip H. Andre; Trustees, L. V. Jones, John Boyd, P. H. Andre. It has thirty-nine members, and meets every Saturday evening. WEBSTER LODGE, ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED BRETHREN, No. 70, was chartered Feb. 9, 1874. The following were the charter members and first officers : P. M. W., John Brooks ; M. W., W. H. Hodgson ; G. F., D. B. Brooks ; O., Stephen Doyle ; G., Michael Miller; Fin., Samuel Campbell ; Rec, Dr. E. K. Strong; I. W., James For sythe ; O. W., Lewis Shepler ; J. F. McDonal, R. E. M McDonal, S. C. Hara, V. W. Thomas, George Hodgson Wm. Snyder, Samuel Insler,|B. F. Seichman, J. S. Wall John Jenkins, A. Booth, A. Sharp, T. E. Spence, B Firestone, James Shaw, P. Kern, H. Cropp, L. Nahar Philip Dewall, William Evans, H. Miller. The of- ficers in 1882 are : P. W. M., Sandy Wilson ; W. M. Joseph Taylor; F., Conrad Steinoble; Fin., Dr. J T. Krepps; Rec, Albert Allen; Receiver, Samuel Campbell ; G., William Hamilton. It meets twice a month. STAR OF THE WEST LODGE, No. 26, L. 0. L., was instituted Sept. 19, 1871. The first officers were : W. M., John Holt ; D. M., George Archibald ; Sec, Joseph Cocain ; Treas., Charles Cocain ; Chap., Sam- uel Haney. The officers in 1882 are : W. M., W. J. T. Campbell; D. M., Thomas Cocain; Sec, Jacob M. Fish ; Treas. and Chap., Samuel Campbell ; Tyler, John Mure ; Com., John Starline, John Stewart, Ben- jamin Braley, Joseph Taylor, George Booth. The lodge meets the first, third, and fifth Fridays of each mouth. TOWNS AND VILLAGES. A little of the northern part of the borough of Bellevernon is in this township. 1 Rostraver is a hamlet in the eastern part, having a Methodist Epis- copal Church, mills, stores, and shops. Bakertown is a small place on the Monongahela below Webster. Mount Pleasant is another hamlet in the southeast portion, containing a Union Church, school, etc. The principal business of the inhabitants of the township is agriculture, but there is a large amount of capital invested in the coal interest, principally in the way of grist- and saw-milling. THE WEDDELL FAMILY. George Weddell and his son Peter, a boy aged six- teen, left Hagerstown, Md., in the spring of 1758 for 1 North BeUereriwii Borough.— The court, on Feb. 26, 1876, ou the formal presentation of the grand jury of the petition filed in the clerk's office decreed and ordered that the citizens of Rostraver township and resi- dents of Speer's new addition to Bellevernon, within the boundaries de- scribed, should be vested with corporate privileges, and thenceforth b« a borough. Samuel Dougherty was appointed the first judge of the borough election, and Frauk Morgan and Thomas Hunt inspectors. 564 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the purpose of settling among the Western wilds. They followed what was then known as " Braddock's trail" until they reached the Youghiogheny River, which they descended until they arrived at an old Indian fort, where they decided to make their home. Here they erected a cabin, cleared and cultivated the soil. In the fall of the same year the father returned to Maryland, leaving his son in company with another young man, where they remained until spring, sup- posing themselves to be the only white men west of the Allegheny Mountains. Their food consisted of such game as then abounded in the forests, and corn ground on a " hominy-block," and baked on flat stones. In May, 1759, the father, George Weddell, accompanied by the remainder of his family and by other friends, again reached his Western home. He had five sons, two of whom emigrated to Kentucky, two others remained on the original homestead (now the property of Isaac Irwin), while Peter located and took out. a warrant for four hundred acres now in Westmoreland County, and about a mile from the farm of his father. In 1774 he married Rebecca Prichard, who died in 1780, leaving three children, — Jesse, Lydia, and Joseph P. In 1783 he married Miss Parsons, and in the following year received an injury from which he died. He left another son, Peter M., who went to Cleveland, Ohio, and became a very successful business man. Horace, only son of the latter, is now a resident of that city, and worth several millions of dollars. Jesse, Lydia, and Joseph P. were reared by their grandparents. Jesse emi- grated to Indiana, and Lydia married James Mont- gomery. In 1802, Joseph P. married Sarah Scott, and settled and lived on the farm of his father until his death, in April, 1871. Twice during his life he, in company with his family, rode on horseback to Chicago, then a straggling village. His children were Rebecca, married to John Penny ; Hannah, married to Thomas Penny ; Margaret, married to T. F. Thomas, and died August, 1870 ; Jesse, Scott J., and Peter M. Rebecca and Hannah, with their husbands, removed to Iowa. Peter M. is a Baptist minister of celebrity in Ohio. Jesse and Scott J. were farmers, owning two hundred acres of the tract located and settled by their grandfather, Peter Wed- dell, and also three hundred acres adjoining, all of which is improved and every acre of which is arable ground. Jesse occupied a seat in the House of Rep- resentatives in the sessions of 1851-54, and proved one of the best legislators the county ever had. Jesse Weddell removed to Kansas some two years ago, but Scott J. still occupies part of the old homestead. BUDD'S FERRY AND THE BUDD FAMILY. The Budd estate, just south of West Newton, on the Youghiogheny River, and in Rostraver township, has been in the possession of the Budd family for over a century. John F. Budd, the late owner, came into possession after the death of his father, Benjamin Budd. Joseph Budd, Sr., with his two brothers, Conklin and Joshua, came from Somerset County, N. J., before the Revolutionary war and settled here. Conklin only remained a short time, and went else- where to seek his fortune, but Joseph and Joshua became large owners of lands at the ferry owned by them and named in their honor, and also in the " Forks." Joshua, who became a major, married Miss Betsey Fitch, kept store, tavern, and dealt largely in all kinds of stock and in lands. He laid out Mount Vernon, on the plateau west of the ferry, and intended to make of it a great town. Although he sold several lots, and a few houses were erected, the town really existed only on paper. He had two sons, Daniel and Joshua, Jr. The latter married Charity Sparks, of Washington County, and died in New Orleans, where he was on a trip with his boats loaded with produce and provisions. His widow mar- ried John Cooper, a tanner, of Robbstown (West Newtown), who sold out his tannery there to Mr. Fulton, and went to Williamsport, and there estab- lished a tannery. Dying there his widow married John Smouse, who kept the " Valley Inn," three miles west of Monongahela City. Joseph Budd married and had seven children. Of these Amy was married to John Sutton, Rebecca to William Walsh, Betsey to Benjamin Stewart, of Rostraver township, Rachel to Isaac McLaughlin, Esther to Robert Arm- strong, of Wayne County, Ohio, and Joseph, Jr., to Miss Stewart, of Rostraver. The other child, Ben- jamin, married Miss Nellie Finley, and inherited the large homestead estate at the ferry. Joseph Budd, Sr., donated the ground for the Salem Baptist Church and for the eemetary thereto attached. He assisted Nathaniel Hayden, David Davis, and others in erecting the church edifice in 1792. The Budds came to the Youghiogheny River before the Indians were all gone, and when the only settlement between Gen. Simrall's ferry (West Newton) and their ferry was one solitary cabin. All emigration to the West, which a few years after their settlement had become very large, had to pass over either Budd's or Simrall's ferry, or else there take flat-boat. Some strangers from the East came and occupied a cabin near the ferry. They were rather prepossessing in manners, and agreeable in their intercourse with the settlers, but seemed to have no business other than fishing and hunting. After the death of Woods, one of their number, they all immediately left. After their departure there were found secreted on and in the premises vacated by them all manner of apparatus for counterfeiting, and it turned out these people who had their rendezvous here were the greatest band of counterfeiters in the country, who had fled from New York to escape the officers, and here in the mountains I of a new settlement pursue their schemes unmolested. | On the Budd estate are some remains of the ancient J mound-builders, which are among the largest and best preserved in the State. Pi a t xi naLL©, , WIiTrOSl®KIILAIRI® ©@.j PA. A ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP. 565 THE CUNNINC.HAM FAMILY, lames Cunningham was born in Lancaster County in*lS57, and removed in 1784 to Rostraver township, where he had purchased a considerable tract of land. He married Mary Robinson, of this township. Their children were : 1. Robert, born April 15, 1790. 2. Mary, married James Elliot. 3. Alexander. 4. James. 5. John. 6. William. 7. Nancy, died unmarried. He served in the navy in the Revolutionary war, and died in 1841. He had a distillery on his farm, where the populace often met in the " Whiskey Insur- rection of 1784" to discuss their grievances. Robert Cunningham married Brittie Bennett in 1818. He served in the war of 1812 in Capt. James Markle's company, and was shot through the body, but lived to be eighty-four years of age, and died Aug. 20, 1873. His children were : 1. John Bennett, born Jan. 1, 1820. 2. Mary, married John V. Hurst. 3. Harriet, died young. 4. Nancy. 5. Harriet (second), died young. 6. Lavina. 7. Elvira. 8. William H. 9. Minerva. 10. James Elliott. The family is of Scotch-Irish origin, and settled in Lancaster County on arrival in America in 1725. GIBSONTON MILLS. The mills of John Gibson's Son & Co. are located at Gibsonton, near Bellevernon, on the Mouongahela River, and manufacture pure Monongahela rye, wheat, and malt whiskeys. It employs seventy-five hands, and is the largest rye-distillery in the State and probably in the Union. The mills began opera- tion in 1857, under the firm-name of " John Gibson, Sons & Co. ;" but after the deaHi of John Gibson, in 1864, and of his son Alfred, the firm-name was changed to " John Gibson's Son & Co.," the son being Henry C. Gibson, of Philadelphia, and Andrew M. Moore and Josepn F. Sinnott. When first established, a quarter of a century ago, the capacity of the mills was two hundred and fifty bushels daily, but the business has grown to such dimensions that the ca- pacity now is seven hundred and seventy-five bushels, or a product of sixty-five barrels of whiskey every twenty-four hours. For twenty years these mills have been under the superintendence of T. L. Daly, whose father was one of the contractors in the build- ing of the original works. The mills and various other buildings are on grounds of forty acres of area, j contiguous to which is the farm of three hundred ' acres. The eight bonded warehouses have a capacity of forty thousand barrels of whiskey, and at this wri- ting are filled to their utmost limit. This distillery is registered as No. 14 in the Twenty-second Revenue District of the State. The buildings were erected in 1856-69, warehouse No. 4 in 1870, No. 5 in 1880, and the others since then, and all under the trained eye and supervision of Mr. Daly, the efficient superin- tendent of the mills. BONDED WAREHOUSES. No. 1 is 504 by 100 feet, basement, two-story, attic, slate roof, and built of stone. No. 2 is 110 by 50 feet, basement, three-story, attic, slate roof, and built of stone. No. 3 is 50 by 93! feet, basement, three-story, attic, slate roof, and built of stone. No. 4 is 50 by 106 feet, basement, three-story, attic, slate roof, and built of stone. No. 5 is 200 by 50 feet, basement, one-story, iron roof, and built of stone. No. 6 is 200 by 50 feet, two-story, basement, attic, slate roof, and built of stone. No. 7 is 225 by 50 feet, three-story, attic, slate roof, and built of stone. No. 8 is a one-story frame, board roof, 50 by 250 feet, and is only a temporary building. There are five other warehouses. The malt-house is a four-story stone building with slate roof, and has an annual capacity of thirty thousand bushels of malt. The other buildings are the distillery, mill-house, dry- ing kiln, saw-mill, boiler-house, two carpenter-shops, two cooper-shops, blacksmith-shop, and ice-house. Adjoining the mills is the residence of the superin- tendent (an elegant stone structure), near which are the coach-house, spring-house, wagon-house, and two barns, and on a street leading to the mills are nine- teen tasteful dwellings, the residences of the work- men. There are four steam-engines of forty, sixty, sixteen, and twenty horse-power respectively. There are eight boilers, one wooden and two copper stills. The mills have an organized fire brigade among the employes, and in their operations of a quarter of a cen- tury have never had a fire, and the only one on the premises that ever occurred was a small fire in one of the dwellings, in which the loss was less than forty dollars. The mills make all their own barrels, and carry a stock of a million of staves. The bonded warehouses are heated by steam, and thus the stored whiskeys are continually improving in age beyond any other known methods. All their grain is received by rail over the Monongahela Division of the Pennsylva- nia Railroad, and then transferred by boats across the river. The mills are only forty miles from Pittsburgh and near the Fayette County line. There is no dis- tillery in America that has such costly and substantial buildings, and none that equals it in the purity and flavor of its whiskeys, which have a world-wide repu- tation for their excellence. 566 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. THE DAVIS FARM. This old farm, adjoining lands of Hortentious Lowry, John Stoneman, Andrew Moore, and Benja- min Thompson, has a curious history. Every person who has had anything to do with it in the way of ownership has become ruined financially. About a century and a third ago two men came from Vir- ginia, settled there, built a cabin, and cleared a little patch of ground. When winter came, one of the men went back to Virginia to bring his family out in the spring to their new home out in the wilderness, leav- ing his companion in charge of their new acquisition. So when spring came the man brought out his fam- ily, but instead of finding his companion at the cabin he found a man by the name of Davis in full posses- sion, but he could learn nothing of the whereabouts of the companion he had left there. The Davis family claimed the property as their own, that they had cleared what had been cleared, had erected the cabin, and refused to give up the place. Nothing was ever heard of the lone companion, and it has always been the belief that he was murdered by the Davis family. Only one of the Davis family died a natural death. Several of them committed suicide, others became insane, and they all became financially ruined. The belief seems to be universal that a curse rests and has ever rested upon this tract, and the financial ruin that has attended its history, as well as the miserable ending of the Davis family that first possessed it, seems to afford good grounds for this belief. THE POWER FAMILY is one of the oldest that settled in the township. One of its descendants, Patrick Power, married Nancy Galliher. Their son, Samuel W. Power, was born May 14, 1823, and married in September, 1847, Meliuda Hasler. Their children were Ada, John Patrick, Homer James, Sarah H., Anna H., and Calvin Oliphant, of whom John Patrick and Homer James are deceased. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. THOMAS L. DALY. Thomas L. Daly was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 18, 1839, the sixth in a family of eight children of Thomas and Mary (Marr) Daly. His father and mother were natives of Dublin, Ireland, and after emigrating to this country eventually settled ih Phil- adelphia. His father was a distiller and followed his occupa- tion in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Del. In the early part of the year 1857 he was employed to su- perintend the erection of the distillery apparatus of the Gibsonton Mills, situated in the township of Ros- tra ver, Westmoreland Co., Pa. (For a full descrip- tion of these extensive works see another page of this volume.) While thus employed he was killed by fall- ing through a hatchway of the mills. His death occurred April 7, 1858. Thomas L. Daly lived at home until eight years of age, when he went to live with Samuel Anthony, near Wilmington, Del., where he remained eight years. Mr. Anthony owned a farm and fiouring-mill, and here young Daly received his first ideas of machinery. His education was received in the public schools near Wilmington and in Philadelphia. Upon leaving Mr. Anthony he spent about one year at home, then went to Iowa, where he remained about a year on a farm, with his brother James. In the spring of 1856 he went to Indianapolis, where for about another year he was employed in the flouring-mill of William Winpenny. In April, 1857, he came to Gibsonton, where he was employed in the building of the mills there. Having filled one position after another in these extensive works, and having acquired by his experience a thor- ough knowledge of the business, in July, 1873, he was appointed superintendent of the works, which position he still (1882) holds. The management of works as extensive as are the Gibsonton Mills, involv- ing the outlay of large amounts of money and the employment of a large number of men, requires busi- ness qualifications and an executive ability of no mean order. In politics Mr. Daly is a Democrat. He is a mem- ber of the Trinity Church (Episcopalian), Pittsburgh, Pa. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, hav- ing received the three symbolical degrees at Monon- gahela City, Capitular and degree of Knight Templar at Washington, Pa. He married, Sept. 19, 1860, Carrie W., daughter of Jonathan and Mary Ann Wilson. Mrs. Daly was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb. 2, 1837. They have had five children, viz. : Mary Emma, born June 19, 1861, died Nov. 7, 1869 ; Harry C, born Dec. 5, 1864; Atha- lia C, born Dec. 4, 1868 ; Thomas L., born Nov. 20, 1872, died young ; Kerfoot W., born April 24, 1874. CAPT. JOSEPH SHEPLER. Capt. Joseph Shepler was born in Rostraver town- ship, Westmoreland Co., Pa., March 6, 1807, the eld- est in a family of seven children of Isaac and Sarah (Hill) Shepler. His ancestors on both his father's and mother's side emigrated from Germany and set- tled in Virginia, in the neighborhood of Winchester. His grandfather, Matthias Shepler, with two bro- thers, Peter and Philip, moved from Virginia before the war of the Revolution and settled in Rostraver, taking up farms on the Monongahela hill in that township. He married Margaret Houseman, whose family was one of the early settlers of the township. Their children were John, Philip, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Mary, Margaret, and Catherine. All were mar- /- •^-', - m JOS. SHEPLER. ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP. 567 ried and raised families, and all are deceased. Isaac Shepler married Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Mary Hill. Her father at the age of eighteen came to Rostraver township, several years before the Brad- dock expedition, the first white settler of the township. The children by this union were as follows : Joseph, subject of this sketch. Lewis, a farmer, died Decem- ber, 1881; children, Bela Wright, I. Hill, and Fran- ces. Bela Wright married the youngest daugh- ter of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Wakefield. They have two sons and four daughters. I. Hill is deceased. Frances, wife of Samuel S. Blackburn, one son and two daughters. Mary, deceased, wife of James Wright, the latter now living in CarmichaePs, Greene Co., Pa. ; children are Frances, Homer, Elizabeth, John, and Anson. Samuel, born July 13, 1X14, own- ing and living on a farm adjoining Capt. Joseph, be- ing a portion of the land taken up by his grandfather, Joseph Hill. Has been twice married. First wife, Eveline Steele, whom he married Dec. 12, 1839. By this union three sons and three daughters, viz. : John Walker, Mary E.. deceased, Olive J., Dr. Joseph Tay- lor, Samuel W., deceased, and Eveline. His wife died April 18, 1850. Jan. 29, 1852, he married Eliza- beth Couldren ; by this union, two children, Irvin S. and Anna C. Margaret died at the age of eighteen. Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Davis Shepler; chil- dren, Lewis, Sarah Ellen, Margaret Jane, deceased, Samuel, Lewis M., deceased. Sarah E., wife of John Stephens, a farmer living in Washington, Fayette Co., Pa. ; children, Eltess O, Margaret, Elizabeth, Levi, deceased, Fitch, deceased, " Doe," and Ada. Isaac Shepler died Dec. 10, 1837. His wife sur- vived him many years. She died July, 1869, aged eighty-seven. Both are buried at the Fell's Church. Capt. Joseph Shepler has spent his whole life in Rostraver ; received his education in the district schools of the town. To the age of twenty-two lived on the homestead farm now occupied by Bela Wright Shepler. He married, April 16, 1829, Mary, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Blackburn. Mrs. Shepler was born in Rostraver, March 28, 1807. Her family were among the early settlers of the township. One year after marriage he lived at home, then moved on one of his father's farms, which he carried on for eight years. In 1838 he moved on the farm where he still resides. In 1836 he located three hundred and sixty acres in Putnam County, Ohio, with the intention of moving there, but on account of the death of his father was persuaded by his mother to remain in Rostraver. In politics the captain has been a life-long Demo- crat, and has always taken a lively interest in local pol- itics. He has been called to fill most of the offices of the town. He has been a member of the Fell's Metho- dist Episcopal Church forty-nine years, and one of its stanchest supporters. His wife has also been a mem- ber for the same period. At the age of twenty-one he was chosen captain of the first company, Eighty-eighth State Volunteers, which position he held for seven years ; was captain of the Monongahela Blues five years, and first lieutenant of the Rostraver Cavalry seven years. His children are as follows : Sarah, born Jan. 7, 1830, wife of William Jones, farmer and banker, residing in Rostraver township; children, Ella Jane, Joseph Shepler, and Samuel Jones. Violet, born Aug. 20, 1833, wife of Capt. Martin Coulson, a resident of Allegheny City; children, Joseph S., Margaret E., and Alfred Kerr. John B., born Feb. 18, 1835, married Josephine Claywell, of Jo Daviess Co., 111.; children, Shedrach Claywell and David Richey. Isaac Hill, born March 20, 1840, married Eveline, daughter of Samuel Shepler; children, James Kerr, Mary Blackburn, and William Jones. BENJAMIN F. BEAZELL. Benjamin F. Beazell was born in Rostraver town- ship, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Jan. 2, 1796, the seventh in a family of twelve children of William and Re- becca (Fell) Beazell. About the year 1760 his grand- father, Matthew Beazell, and his grandmother, Cathe- rine, emigrated from the town of Basil, on the Rhine, Germany, meeting and becoming acquainted for the first time on shipboard during the passage to America. They settled in Berkeley County, Va., and were married soon after their arrival. Their children born in Virginia were William and Elizabeth (twins), Mat- thew, Christianna, John, and Luke. In 1773 he moved with his family and settled in the township of Rostraver, on the farm now owned by William Jones, and here the following children were born : Catharine, Barbara, and Joseph. All except Jo- seph, who died when a lad, were married and raised families. Elizabeth, after marriage, settled first in Kentucky, afterwards in Missouri ; Barbara settled near Bucyrus, Ohio ; John went to Trumbull County, Ohio ; and Catharine settled in Fayette County, Pa. The rest remained in Westmoreland County. Mat- thew Beazell died in Rostraver, and was buried on the farm now owned by John Rankin. His wife survived him many years. She died at the residence of her daughter Catharine, in Fayette County, and is buried at Fell's Church. William Beazell, his father, married Rebecca, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca Fell. Her pa- rents moved to Rostraver in 1783, from Bucks County, Pa. The first Methodist sermon in Rostraver town- ship was preached in Benjamin Fell's house, which for a number of years was headquarters of that church. He gave the grounds upon which was built the " Fell" Methodist Episcopal Church, taking its name from the donor. Prior to his moving to West- ern Pennsylvania, Mr. Fell was prominent in both Church and State. He took a decided stand in the cause of liberty; was a member of one of the first Conventions that assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and was the intimate friend of < nn. tf-l&ij uJd h^At^h V FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP. 569 took the products of his farm in flat-boats to the New Orleans market, a custom not uncommon in those days among farmers residing near the river. His wife died Aug. 23, 1822. He survived her six years ; died, aged eighty-four, in September, 1828. Both are buried at Rehoboth Church cemetery. His son, Stephen Lowry, Jr., born on the homestead in 1791, was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood, studied medicine with Dr. Joseph Pollock, of Monongahela City, and practiced his profession in his native town until his death. He married, Feb. 7, 1815, Anne, daughter of David and Anne (Rholand) Pollock. Mrs. Lowry was born in the year 1793. Her parents moved from Maryland some time towards the latter part of the last century, and settled in McKean town- ship, Erie Co., Pa., and both died there. Mr. Lowry served as a soldier in the war of 1812, under Gen. Joseph Markle. He died of consumption, brought on by exposure in a horseback ride to Erie County, Pa. His death occurred Oct. 3, 1820, at the home- stead. He left two children, — a daughter and son, — Herpalice, born Sept. 17, 1816, wife of Thomas Isherwood, living near Mount Vernon, Linn Co., Iowa ; they have four sons and one daughter and Hortensius. Mrs. Lowry was again married in No- vember, 1832, to Randle Johnson, a farmer of Ros- traver. By him she had one child, Caroline Matilda, born July 24, 1834, wife of A. B. Moore, a farmer of Rostraver, and a descendant of one of its oldest fami- lies. They have five daughters living. Mrs. John- son died Dec. 25, 1847, and is buried at Fell's Church. Her first husband, Mr. Lowry, is buried at Rehoboth Church. Hortensius Lowry was born in the old brick house, the first built on the place, where his present resi- dence stands, and has spent his whole life on the farm which came into his possession in 1839 by will from his grandfather and subsequent purchase of his sister's interest. His mother, after her marriage to Mr. Johnson, lived at the old place for six years, to 1839, then moved on to a farm about one mile east of the homestead. From 1839 to 1850 his sister kept house for him. Upon her removal West, in 1850, he leased the farm to Robert Douglas, who carried it on to the time of his death, which occurred Jan. 1, 1862. Mr. Lowry married his widow, Mrs. Harriet F. Douglas. She was the daughter of David and Eliza- beth Weimer, born Jan. 17, 1829, in Connellsville, Pa. By her first husband she had seven children, viz. : Mary Elizabeth, born July 10, 1847, wife of H. A. Stewart, living near Creston, Union Co., Iowa, two sons ; Susan Rebecca, born Aug. 25, 1849, living at home; David Harstine Presley, born' July 31, 1851, a farmer of Rostraver: Hortensius Azariah, born Sept. 5, 1853, merchant in West Newton ; John W. S., born Feb. 11, 1856, farmer in Rostraver ; Margaret Emma, born April 7, 1860, now living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry have had two children, viz., Henry Foster, born April 22, 1864, died March 30, 1872; Charles Stephen, born Oct. 27, 1868. Mr. Lowry has been a life-long Democrat ; has been called to fill many of the township offices, and often called upon to act as executor and administrator of estates in his township and elsewhere. To the orig- inal homestead tract of two hundred acres he has added by purchase about two hundred more. His present fine residence was built in 1878. In farm-buildings and in all equipments for a thoroughly managed farm, none in the township are more complete. FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP. Fairfield Township was the name of one of the subdivisions of our county while it yet was a part of Bedford County. When Westmoreland was organ- ized Fairfield was made one of its townships. In set- ting it out by the first court held at Hannastown early in 1773, it was described as follows : " Beginning at the mouth of a run known by the name of Roaring Rnn [Roaring Run flows into the Loyalhanna Creek from the eastern side], and from tlience to rnn down the Loyalhanna to the Chestnut Ridge ; thence with the line of Armstrong township [that is, the Chestnut Ridge and the Conemangh River] to the Laurel Hill ; theme along the line of the comity to where the said Roaring Run crosses that line, or to a point in said line due east of the head spring of said run; thence down the said run to the beginning; that part of Armstrong township lying between the Laurel Hill and Chestnut Ridge to be added to Fairfield township." Thus Fairfield township at first embraced the greater portion of Ligonier Valley, and had within its limits the old Fort Ligonier, and was crossed from the Laurel Hill to Chestnut by the old military road, now within the township of Ligonier. Out of its original territory have been taken part of the town- ship of Ligonier, and the whole of St. Clair. The Fairfield township of to-,day is situated in the lower part of Ligonier Valley, having on its east the Laurel Hill, on the west the Chestnut Ridge, on its north the Conemaugh River, on its northeast the line of St. Clair township, and on its south Ligonier township. 570 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. DESCRIPTION, Etc. On either side of the township as you go down the valley towards the Conemaugh the surface of the land is hilly, and next the mountain bases abrupt and rocky; but in the centre of the township it is rolling, and in some places on the plateaus of the hills and along the streams it is level. The land in the middle region of the township is well adapted to farming purposes, and the inhabitants, being for the most part the " children of the soil," are thrifty and well under- stand their occupation, and on all sides one sees the evidence of their labor and intelligence. The population of the township by the census of 1880 is one thousand six hundred and twelve, which includes all the villages within its limits, but not the incorporated boroughs. Of these Bolivar, on the Pennsylvania Railroad, is the only incorporated bor- ough, while the unincorporated villages are Lock- port, on the Pennsylvania Railroad, West Fairfield (or Fairfield), in the eastern portion of the township, on the road from Ligonier to Johnstown through the valley. EARLY SETTLERS. Among the prominent and earliest settlers of the township of Fairfield as we have it now was Abner Briggs, a soldier, who served in ■ the war of 1812 in the Thirty-sixth United States Infantry. He died at his home in the township on the 20th of January, 1870, in the seventy-third year of his age, having been a resident of the county for more than fifty years. His descendants still reside there. The Pollock family was an old family here, and one which produced several men who in their day were representative men. John Pollock, Sr., was one of the county justices early in commission. He was a member of the Assembly -for several terms, and was an active officer in the militia and frontier service. In 1812 he was a candidate for Congress against Findley, but his party was in the minority in this district. SCHOOLS. The observations made on the school history of Fairfield township prior to the establishment of the common system must necessarily include the town- ship of St. Clair, for until the year 1856 St. Clair was a part of Fairfield. The earliest elementary schools were all subscrip- tions, being obtained by teachers in the same way that schools of like character are now secured. Among the first teachers was William Luther, well known to the older people as " Master Luther," and " master" he was, using the birch ruthlessly on large and small, so that his reputation as a successful pedagogue has continued down to our own time. Other early teachers were Mr. Elder, S. Kennedy, and D. Hutch- inson. Quite a number of elementary schools were taught by women teachers in vacant tenant-houses throughout the township. There was but one regular school-house in the township when the present school system went into operation. This was built in 1820, and was used as a school-house for several years after the school system went into effect. The school law- was adopted in 1835 without much opposition. In what now constitutes Fairfield township there were seven schools ; now there are twelve districts and thirteen schools. For a number of years there has been in West Fair- field village a select school or preparatory academy taught. This school has been praised by the super- intendents of the county repeatedly for the good work done for the schools of the township, and for the stim- ulus it has given in that whole neighborhood to the cause of popular and free education. FAIRFIELD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. One of the oldest and most historic landmarks in all Ligonier Valley is the church and churchyard of "Fairfield." The history, antiquities, and memorials of this church include far more than the history of the congregation, and a complete history of that congre- gation would go far towards being a history of the lower part of the valley. The first record iu regard to the congregation of Fairfield is an application for supplies on Oct. 7, 1786. April 21, 1787, a joint call was put in for Donegal, Wheatfield, and Fairfield for a Rev. James Hughes. It was not successful. Probably about this time a tent for the accommodation of the preacher in inclement weather was erected. This was on the right hand on the road going down from the present church, while on the left hand stood a round-logged house. The house was used for service in wet weather or in the winter season. When the preacher preached in pleasant weather he was screened by the tent, while the people stood in the woods outside or sat ou rude benches. This small house came to be known as the " study- house," because the preacher remained in it before the services, and came out to preach just before the services began. In it were probably held the sessions when occasion called. Both of these structures remained till about 1825. As early as 1790 or 1791 was erected a neat oblong house of hewed logs, three in length, with the centre division projecting three feet outward on each side. A tall pulpit of unpainted poplar, seven steps high in the preacher's division, and five steps in the nar- rower one in front, for the precenter, or " dark," as he was called, occupied the back projection, and was surrounded on three sides by a paneled quadrangle called " the square." Along the front of it passed the communion aisle, extending between the two end doors, and a short aisle led from the square to the front door in the opposite projection. For a long time the seats were such as a family chose to make for itself, and many of them of hewed timber. About 1815 a few families in three of the corners and in the FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP. 571 front projection got paneled poplar unpainted pews. About 1832 the house was weatherboarded, painted, and pewed more regularly. Thus it remained, a cher- ished memorial of " the olden time," the last of its kind in all this region, till 1867. The church continued to get supplies from 1786 until 1792, when it called and secured Rev. George Hill as its first, pastor. This occurred April 17, 1792, about four months after he had been licensed to preach. At the ordination of Mr. Hill, Nov. 13, 1792, Rev. Samuel Porter preached the sermon, and Rev. James Power gave the charge. At the time Mr. Hill took charge of this church it extended a distance of about thirty-five miles, from the village of Mansfield in the upper end of the val- ley to Killen's mills on the Black Lick, three miles beyond Armagh. The width of these bounds varied from eight to ten miles. This church at that time had one-half of the pastor's time, Donegal about one-third, and the remainder was given to Wheatfield, at a point somewhere between Nineveh and Armagh. About six years after the commencement of this pas- torate Wheatfield was given up, and never had a pas- tor again until Armagh took its place in the same bounds. Donegal continued to be part of the charge until about 1817. Difficulties arose between pastor and people, Donegal was dropped from the charge, and without much formality Ligonier sprang into existence, though not as a full organization. During Mr. Hill's lifetime the congregation ex- tended from Ligonier to Nineveh. He was a powerful man, both intellectually and physically, but the ex- posure and the strain incidental to a life devoted to his work in the severity of such a climate in time told upon him, and towards the close of his life his con- stitution became a wreck. He died June 9, 1822. In the vacancy caused by his death several appli- cants for the vacancy visited the charge. Among these was the celebrated Father Matthew Dunlap, so well known from the annals of the Blairsville Presby- tery, who, having a profound knowdedge of the Scrip- ture and ability of no ordinary kind, had likewise the most unbearable, boorish, and abhorrent manners. He was a licentiate of the Church of Scotland. He could not get a permanent charge in this country on account of his manners and habits. Besides, his sermons, prayers, and metres were too long. Rev. Samuel Swan appeared here in March, 1824, and preaching for some time and giving satisfaction, he received a call from the congregation, and was or- dained their pastor June 17, 1824. Rev. A. O. Pat- terson preached and Rev. Robert Johnson gave the charge. Mr. Swan was then in the twenty-fourth year of his age. In some respects he greatly differed from his predecessor, who incurred the displeasure of some of his congregation for his incessant manual labor; but Mr. Swan did not know anything of hard labor, and could not arrange a back log rightly, nor without great care or assistance saddle and bridle his horse. He worked with his head, and with this lie did good labor. ! He worked with the most untiring energy throughout his charge until he met with an accident which I abridged his usefulness. In 1839 or 1840 by the upsetting of a wagon one of his limbs.was very seri- ously shattered, and this made it difficult for him to travel over a charge so extended as this one was, in- cluding the whole valley from Donegal to Nineveh. But while it was in contemplation to divide the charge Mr. Swan received a call to the church at Johnstown, which he accepted upon resigning his former charge, Oct. 5, 1841. The congregation was then supplied by Presbytery until the Rev. John Fleming, wdio had previously been a missionary among the Indians, received a call. He was installed June 17, 1843. Rev. David Lewis preached the sermon, Rev. Samuel Swan charged the pastor, and Rev. P. Hassinger the peo- ple. Mr. Fleming and his congregation not being congenial, he was released April 15, 1846. On May 4, 1847, Rev. O. H. Miller was ordained and installed his successor. Mr. Miller was released Oct. 4, 1848. July 2, 1849, Rev. William Colledge was installed as his successor. This pastor, as well as his two prede- I cessors, preached at Union, West Fairfield, and Fair- field, which at that time constituted one charge ; and they resided at Union. Mr. Colledge was dismissed | April 13, 1852. Dec. 13, 1853, he was succeeded by ' Rev. J. W. Walker. Mr. Walker was in manner and in temperament mild and amiable, and he remained i pastor here longer than any others that preceded him after Mr. Swan. During his pastorate the present house was erected, and on Jan. 17, 1867, was dedi- cated. Mr. Walker's feeble health induced him to resign, April 28, 1869. He was succeeded by Rev. William Cunningham, who was installed Feb. 15, 1871. Such is a continuous and a chronological though brief history of this church as the same bears upon its religious character. Owing to the habits of de- cency and order in which these early Presbyterians started out and which they have kept up to this day, each of their church organizations may have a com- paratively correct and full history gathered from their own records. For the above statement of facts we are under obligation to the " History of the Old Fair- field Presbyterian Church," by Rev. Alex. Donald- son, D.D., July 9, 1876, and to the " History of the Blairsville Presbytery," by the same gentleman. Among the elders of this church notice has been preserved of the following : ' Among the original elders was James Pollock, Esq., the father of Judge Pollock. James Pollock, when the psalmody was changed, passed over into the Associate Church, and was followed by part of his 1 The data for the "secular" or lay history of the church are very meagre, for the admission of niemhers anfl the introduction of persons into the eldership were not recorded until a much later date. 572 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. family. So also was James McCurdy, believed to be a brother of Rev. Elisha McCurdy, the first to enter the ministry from this church. Also James Steel, who lived in theConemaugh district, someTline miles from the church, but who, with his wife, was accus- tomed to attend regularly, riding all the way on horseback. Also James Gageby, " a little Irishman," who was a fervent man to pray, but who could sing only two tunes, one a long and one a short metre. In the days of his earthly pilgrimage he lived on a little run that flowed into Hendricks' Creek, on which every family was a Presbyterian except one, and they all maintained family worship and took part in social prayer. Hence did a wicked and godless generation call the stream " Hypocrite Run." James Gageby 's body is buried in Unity graveyard. Also James Wilson, "a modest man, never in a hurry, never ex- cited." He made it a rule to stop business at noon on Saturday in order to do up every thing that might interfere with his observance of the " Lord's day." He was the father of the first missionary that ever went from Blairsville Presbytery to a foreign field. Also Daniel Hendricks, granduncle of Hon. Thomas Hendricks of Indiana. Also John Caldwell, and Robert Piper, and Thomas Pollock, the latter being known as Judge Pollock, a man whose influence was not bounded by the limits of the valley; Joseph Ogden, who would not suffer persons to pass his house on Sunday on secular business without having them brought before a justice for violation of the law. Then there were Henry Hartman, John Gilmore, John Phipps, Hugh M. Skiles, William Robb, T. Pollock McCoy, John Love, Joseph Menoher, and Samuel Hartman. Rev. Donaldson, whose personal recollection of the customs and habits of the early people extended far back, related some interesting reminiscences on the occasion of his historical address above referred to. He says it was no uncommon thing to see persons walking a distance of nine miles every Sabbath day to church. The women almost universally walked in their bare feet, or in coarse shoes, carrying fine ones in their hands, and would sit down and make the necessary change before coming into view of the church. Sometimes you might see fifty of them all engaged in the process of changing their shoes. Before 1825 there was not a single wheeled vehicle brought to the church. Between 1825 and 1830 a few " Dearborns," and perhaps one carriage, made their appearance at the church. But the masses came on foot. Old people and young men who wished to make a dis- play came on horseback, sometimes three and gener- ally two persons on each horse. On communion occasions the people from the extremes of the con- gregation, and also from Donegal, Ligonier, and Armagh, would come in great crowds. The most prominent figure at these meetings was that of the venerable Father Robert Campbell, of Donegal, who scarcely ever kept his seat in a religious meeting for five minutes without either himself speaking, singing, or praying, or calling on some one else to do it. He rarely spoke at length, but it was always to the point, and it had a powerful effect on all who heard. This church has had no stated supply, but seven pastors. Her ministerial sons are Revs. Elisha Mc- Curdy, Abraham D. Pollock, James Wilson, Alex- i ander Donaldson, George Hill, W. W. Wooden, W. i M. Donaldson, and John P. Kennedy, all, except the first, in the pastorate of Father Swan. Since his j day she seems as barren and as hopeless as good Naomi of old. UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized June 2, 1841, with forty-six members, all set off' from Fairfield to make with it a full charge. After the resignation of Rev. S. Swan, October 5th of that year, it has had the same pastors that served Fairfield, and for the same respective times, with one exception. Owingto the existence of difficulties, Rev. W. Colledge was dimissed from this church nine months before his release from Fairfield Church. He being excepted, all the pastors have resided in the village of West Fairfield, where this church is located. Joseph Kennedy, Dr. James M. Taylor, and William Peoples, Esq., may be specially mentioned among its elders. Having had five pastors, it never produced a minister. FAIRFIELD UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGA- TION OF LIGONIER VALLEY. Among the early settlers of Ligonier Valley were many of Presbyterian faith from Scotland and North- ern Ireland. Much deserves to be said of this people j concerning their integrity of character, devotion to principle, and ardent attachment to liberty and right. j The purpose of this sketch, however, is rather to re- | cord some of their efforts to maintain and establish that faith iu the New World which had cost so much hardship and fiery trial of persecution in the Old. It is to be regretted that in this formative period, when our ancestors were doing so much to establish the church of God in this almost unbroken wilderness, — a work for which generations yet unborn will rise up and call them blessed, — that so few records were kept from which a complete and satisfactory history could be made up. From such records, however, as are forthcoming, and from reliable information gathered from the unrecorded recollections of many who are still living, we can gather much that will be valu- able for all time to come. The first recorded facts re- garding the early efforts of the psalm-singing portion of this people to secure for themselves and for their children the ministration of word and ordinances ac- cording to their early faith, are gleaned from an ab- stract of the minutes of the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania, from which it appears that an applica- tion was made to said Presbytery for preaching in Fairfield township, Westmoreland County, as early as 1775. Probably some of the pioneer ministers who FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP. 573 had passed through this region two years previous, and whose principal labors were given to what is now known as Washington County, had done something to gather together some of these dispersed ones and possibly organized a congregation ; but the stronger probability is that the organization was not effected until about a.d. 1800. The names of the persons who made the first application for preaching cannot now be ascertained. About 1785, Robert Hamill, Esq., removed to Ligonier Valley, and as he had previously been connected with the Associate Reformed Presby- terian Church still clung to the church of his choice. As it began to be established in this section, on behalf of himself and others, he made application to the Second Associate Reformed Presbytery of Pennsylvania at a meeting held at " Loyalhauna Tent'' (at or near New Alexandria) in 1794 for preaching in Ligonier Valley. Accordingly Rev. James McKuight preached in the valley in May, and Rev. John Riddle (afterwards Dr. Riddle), who fulfilled a long and useful ministry near Noblestown, preached in July and November of that year, 1794. From this time up to the year 1800 frequent ap- pointments were made both in Donegal and Fairfield townships, they at that time embracing the whole of Ligonier Valley. The services conducted by the Associate Presbyte- rian ministers were held in a tent near what is now the house of W. T. Smith, one of the present mem- bers of session. The word " tent" does not give a very accurate idea in the modern acceptation of the kind of place in which the services were held. It was not the modern tent of poles and canvas covering, but simply a plat- form of logs for a pulpit, and logs laid by some con- venient plan for seating the people, and the dense shade of the forest was their protection from sun and storm. At about this time (1800) the Associate Presbyte- rian people and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian people and a number of families which came out from the Presbyterian Church were associated to- gether under the name of the Associate Presbyterian Congregation of Fairfield. They may never have been formally organized. Many of our older con- gregations have no means of learning of the cir- cumstances of their early birth, and have come to the conclusion that, like " Topsy," of " Uncle Tom's Cabin" fame, " they were never born but just growed." This one may have sprung up in some such mysteri- ous way, and simply been recognized by Presbytery as having all the necessary features of a congregation and entitled to recognition. The Associate Presby- terian people were the most numerous, and had been the first to occupy the field ; their principles also con- tained all that the others contended for, and their own special testimony besides; all this gave them the pref- erence and the organization. They all clung to the Westminster "Confession of Faith," "Larger and 37 Shorter Catechisms," and the Scottish version of the Psalms, and accepting the Associate Presbyterian tes- timony, fell in with that body. Another circumstance had much to do with this decision. In the year 1800, .Air. Daniel McLain, a licentiate of the Associate Pres- byterian Church, was preaching for the Associate Pres- byterian people, and was recognized as a young man of considerable talent and very agreeable manners. As the question of changing the Scottish version of the Psalms for "Watts' Psalms and Hymns" was agi- tating the community to its depths, Mr. McLain was challenged by Rev. Mr. Hill, pastor of the neighbor- ing Presbyterian Church, to discuss the psalmody question as to the divine warrant for using only the Scripture psalms. Both were men of might. No doubt each felt the worth of the other, and well did each present his cause. " When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war." Mr. McLain was a man of very winning speech, and very sociable with the people. Whatever may have been his power of logic, no doubt his genial manners had much to do with giving him popularity. He was successful in uniting all the parties attached to the Scripture psalms into one congregation under the care of the Associate Church. Within the next year a call was made out for Mr. McLain, and presented to the Associate Pres- bytery of Chartiers, which met at Buffalo, Pa., Nov. 5, 1801. He felt constrained to decline the call, and afterwards settled as pastor of Shenango congrega- tion, in what is now known as Crawford County, Pa., where he spent a long and very successful pastorate. The first church session consisted of Hugh Hamill, James Pollock, Peter McHarg, and William Lemon, and under their care the first communion is supposed to have been held at "the tent" in August, 1802. Rev. Robert Laing and Rev. William Wilson offici- ated. At a meeting of Chartiers Presbytery at Chartiers Church, near Cannonsburg, Pa., Nov. 2, 1803, Rev. John Crec was appointed to preach to the congrega- tion in Ligonier Valley ; also to hold a communion and moderate in a call. Whether or not he moderated the call himself or not is not reported, but at the fol- lowing meeting of Presbytery, on Dec. 13, 1803, the call was presented for Mr. Cree himself. He was a native of Scotland, where he was educated and li- censed to preach the gospel. He labored for a time in New York City, and afterwards for a few years at Rockbridge, Va., after coming to this country. He now accepted the call from Ligonier Valley, and his time was equally divided between the congregations of Fairfield and Donegal, his home being in the latter congregation, on the farm now owned by Mr. Ferry, near the farm lately owned by George Marker There was yet no church-building in his time of ministry. The services were sometimes held in the house and sometimes in the barn of John Menoher father of the late James Menoher, Esq., and grand- father of Thomas Menoher, one of the present mem- h\ 574 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. bers of session. The place of land on which the first church was built was a little below that on which the present church stands, and when the weather was fa- vorable services were held there in open air. It was near the spring. The pastor stood by a tree which was bent almost to the earth. This was his background, and before him, seated on logs placed in order, gath- ered the waiting congregation. Mr. Cree was a very worthy man and an acceptable preacher, but was " not suffered to continue by reason of death." His work was soon over, and his Master called him, "Come up higher." He was in the midst of pas- toral labor, holding an examination at the house of Hugh Hamill, one of the elders, in April, 1806, when, by a stroke of apoplexy, he was suddenly called to his rest, in the fifty-second year of his age and fourteenth of his ministry. The little band, without wealth, without a house of worship, and now without a teacher and leader, might well be discouraged ; but God was their hope, and they went forward in His strength. On the 1st of July following they presented to the Presbytery a petition for preaching and the dispensation of the supper. Preaching was regularly supplied. The moderation of a call was requested Oct. 28, 1807, which when made out was for Mr. Robert Bruce, afterwards Rev. Dr. Robert Bruce, of Pittsburgh, a very eminent and honored minister. As other calls were presented at the same time, this one was not accepted. In the latter part of February, 1814, a call was moderated for Mr. Jos. Scroggs, a licentiate, who had ministered to them in December, 1813. Mr. Scroggs was born in Cumberland County, Pa. When he was in his eighth year his parents removed to Washington County, Pa., from which home he was sent to Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Pa., at the age of eleven, where he graduated with honor in 1808 at the age of sixteen. He commenced the study of theology at once under the care of Dr. John An- derson, at Service Creek, Beaver Co., Pa. After four years of study he was licensed at Poland, Ohio, Oc- tober, 1813. After some time spent in travel in the East, where a call was made out for him in Ver- mont, he returned to Pennsylvania and accepted the call from Fairfield and Donegal congregations, and was ordained and installed before a large concourse of people at Fairfield Church, Oct. 14, 1815. The log church which had been built and partially finished during the time when the people were without a pas- tor could not contain the assembled congregation. The services were held at the door of the church, so that the concourse of people, both inside and out, might witness the impressive ceremonies. Mr. Scroggs was married, in May, 1816, to Miss Mary Hanna, sister of the late Rev. Dr. Hanna, of Washington, Pa. To them were given ten children, most of whom are still living. One son entered the ministry, and is now pastor of the United Presbyterian congregation of Madison, Pa. Mrs. Scroggs' health failed in the midtime of life, and she passed to her rest July 29, 1848. Mr. Scroggs was again married, in January, 1854, to Mrs. Nancy Hogg, of Canfield, Ohio, who still survives. Space will not permit any detailed description of the character and life-work of Rev. Scroggs. He was a man of thorough scholar- ship, keen intellect, and masterly use of language. His high moral character placed him above suspicion, and his earnest piety made his life to be a power for good wherever he was known. His steadfast adher- ence to principle, his opposition to all forms of evil, were such as control strong-hearted men in loyalty to the truth of God. While unbending in any case where moral principle was involved, he was every- where known as one of the most kind and tender- hearted of men. His nobility of life and clear, forci- ble, and at the same time earnest and entreating manner of presenting truth made one feel while en- joying his company or waiting upon his ministry " this is indeed a man of God." In his early ministry the church was in some of its parts awakening to the enormity of the evil of slavery, and he was in the front rank of the reformers. He dared to lift up his voice on behalf of the lowly when it cost something to do so. He presented a paper to the Associate Presbyterian Synod in answer to a protest against action taken by that body in op- position to slavery by six of its highly respected members, which is claimed by competent judges to be one of the ablest papers ever laid before a church court. When the union was about to be consummated be- tween the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches he for a time opposed the measure for worthy reasons. Before decisive action was taken, however, he grace- fully accepted the union, which was completed in Pittsburgh, May 26, 1858. In September, 1864, Westmoreland Presbytery met at Fairfield Church to celebrate the fiftieth anniver- sary of his pastorate. The exercises were most in- teresting and profitable. Addresses were delivered by Rev. Dr. Joseph Cooper, of Philadelphia, Rev. Dr. A. G. Wallace, and Rev. Dr. Alexander Donald- son, and a history was read by Rev. James P. Lytle, D.D., of Sago, Ohio, one of the sons of the congre- gation. He continued his labors as pastor from fathers to children and children's children to four generations, until, as the infirmities of age were creep- ing fast upon him, at a meeting of Westmoreland Presbytery at Turtle Creek, Sept. 2, 1872, he ten- dered his resignation, on the acceptance of which the Presbytery adopted very expressive and appro- priate resolutions. He continued to preach for the people occasionally through the following winter, and attended the spring meeting of Presbytery at Latrobe only a few days previous to his death. While attending to some domestic duties one evening he became thoroughly chilled, which prostrated him with a severe cold. His sickness was unto death. FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP. 575 After lingering a few days, conscious of his wasting condition, on the 21st of April, 1873, he passed into his everlasting rest in the eighty-first year of his age, the sixtieth of his ministry, and the fifty-eighth of his pastorate. The congregation which had so long en- joyed his labors, and who were his spiritual children, erected the year following a beautiful monument, which stands in the churchyard as a tribute of their esteem and love. Let us glance briefly at the places of worship to which the people have in all these years been gather- ing. As we have already seen, no church building was erected until after the death of Rev. Cree. The arrangements for building had probably been made in part at least before his death, and, as near as can be ascertained, the first building was erected in 1807. It stood below the bury ing-ground ; the place can easily be pointed out even now. Before the erection of the church a small log house, about twenty feet square, was constructed near by, which sometimes was called the "study-house," the "session-house," or "school- house," according to the several purposes for which it was used. Its principal use was for school purposes. The fireplace was built in one side, with logs for jambs, lined with stones, built up in the form of mason- work. It took a back-log ten feet long. The window was made by cutting out a section of a log, and sticks reaching from the log above to the one below formed the sash. The stained glass used in the window was made by saturating paper in grease and fastening it over the opening. This preparation fitted it both for transmitting light and withstanding moisture. The seats were of logs hewed on one side and supported by legs. The desks were built against the wall, and the benches when drawn up to them turned the faces of all the pupils to the wall. The master, standing in the midst of the room, had easy access to unruly scholars when the rod was to be used. This house was in use in days when the philosophy that " lickin' and larnin' must go together," and the application of birch was very frequent. It was considered in place to administer something corrective at any convenient time, for if the victim did not need it then he soon would, and it was not best to let a good chance slip. Among the books in use there was, first of all, the Bible (this was the reading-book for young and old), the United States Spelling-Book, Goff's Arithmetic, and the Shorter Catechism. The first teacher was William Luther; after him were William and Joseph Elder, father and son. The church building had on each side three lengths of logs, the middle section being set a few feet farther out than the other portion of the wall, leaving a kind of recess on the inside, in which the pulpit was placed. The doors were made at each end of the building. The first services were held when there was nothing but the earth for a floor and logs for seats. All the | first churches through the county were without chim- i neys. To have fires made the place almost unendur- i able because of the smoke. Many of them remedied this by making fires on the outside, to which the people might go out and warm up. A floor, seats, and a pulpit were afterwards put in by a builder named Groovner. The seats had very high backs, as was the fashion in those days, or, as a young lady once humorously said, to keep the people from looking on vanity. The pulpit was very high, and reached by a long tier of steps. About half as high as the pulpit was a secondary one, into which " the dark" ascended and in due time rose up to lead the singing. There in an inclosure round about the pulpit sat the session, gathered near the minister. This brings us down step by step from minister to people. From all sections of the country between the Loyalhanna and the Cone- maugh they gathered here for worship. A very few had wagons. Many more came on horseback, at the rate of one, two, and three, and some say four, to a horse. Many more came on foot. Go to church they would. If they could not ride, they watched a chance and walked. Not wishing to appear in church bare- footed, they would hang their shoes upon their arm- until they came near the church, and then clothe their feet before entering the sanctuary. The present church building was erected in 1849. The building committee were Thomas Smith, David Hutchinson, Andrew Graham, Jr., John Pollock, and Col. John McFarland. Nathaniel McKelvey was tfie contractor, building the church for twelve hundred dollars. The brick were made and laid by David Brown. The building has been repaired and re- modeled several times since. The congregation has given of her sons to the ministry as follows : Rev. R. H. Pollock, D.D., long a pastor in Wooster, Ohio ; Rev. J. P. Lytle, whose life-work has been bestowed upon a congregation in Muskingum County, Ohio ; Rev. Andrew Graham, of Indianola, Iowa ; Rev. Joseph McKelvey, of Beloit, Kan. ; Rev. Joseph A. Scroggs, of Madison, Pa., and Rev. James D. Little of Elgin, N. Y. After the death of Rev. Dr. Scroggs the congrega- tion received supplies by appointment from Presby- tery. In August, 1873, Rev. W. H. Vincent, a licen- tiate, was sent to preach for them a few Sabbaths. On the 21st of October following the congregation had a call for a pastor moderated, which resulted in the choice of Mr. Vincent. He is the son of Rev. Dr. G. C. Vincent, president of Franklin College, Ohio; was educated at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa., from which he graduated in 1869. His theologi- cal studies were pursued at Newburg, N. Y., and Al- legheny City, with a post-graduate course at Edin- burgh, Scotland. He was licensed by the First Presbytery of New York, in New York City, April 17, 1872. The call was presented to Presbytery in December, 1873, and at the next meeting, April, 1874, the call was accepted and the charge of the congregation at once assumed. The ordination and installation took 576 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. place at Fairfield Church, June 16, 1874, before a large assembly. The membership reported at the time the call was accepted was 112. Additions have since been made to the number of 110. The deaths and removals have been 62, leaving a net membership (April, 1882) of 160, third in size in the Presbytery. When the present pastor accepted the call it was with the understanding that a preaching station should be established at Ligonier. Services were for a time held every third Sabbath in the Presbyterian Church, afterwards at times in the Lutheran and Methodist Churches, and finally in the upper room of the school building. In 1876 the erection of a church building was begun. The funds, amounting to $4200, were raised in all parts of the congregation, and many liberal gifts were bestowed by persons of other de- nominations. The church was built under the super- intendence of a building committee consisting of i Thomas C. Pollock, Myers C. Clifford, Hugh H. Lytle, James McElroy, Thomas J. Smith, and Frank L. Brown. Samuel Murdock, of Ligonier, was the con- tractor. The building was completed and formally and appropriately opened for divine worship in August, 1877. Rev. Dr. R. B. Ewing, of East Liberty, preached in the morning, and Rev. Dr. D. W. Collins, o/ Blairsville, in the evening. During about eight months in the year service is held every Sabbath j afternoon at three o'clock. A prosperous Sabbath- school of ten officers and teachers and sixty scholars meets every Sabbath afternoon at two, services in old Fairfield Church being held every Sabbath morn- ing. In the winter season two-thirds of the time is given to Fairfield Church, and one-third to Ligonier Church. The present members of session are William T. Smith, Thomas C. Pollock, .lame- McElroy, Wil- liam Little, Thomas Menaher, and Myers C. Clifford.' BOLIVAR BOROUGH. At the May sessions of the Court of Quarter Ses- sions for the year 1863 the petition of the "citizens of the town of Bolivar, Fairfield township," was pre- sented, in which it- was set forth that they labored under great inconvenience by reason of not being an incorporated borough. In the said petition the boundaries of the proposed borough were marked out and designated, and the petition ended with the prayer to be incorporated. On the 13th of May, 1863, the petition was approved, and the application held over till the next term, under the act of As- sembly. Nov. 25, 1863, the court ordered that the judgment of the grand jury at May session, 1863, be confirmed, and ordered and decreed that, in conformity with the prayer of the petitioners, that portion of the town- ship of Fairfield including the town of Bolivar should be incorporated into a borough, under the l With thanks to the pastor, Rev. W. H. Vincent. laws of Pennsylvania, under the name and style of the borough of Bolivar, which was declared to be a separate school district. It was further ordered that the first election for the several officers designated by law should be held at the office of D. Coulter, in said borough, on the 16th of December, 1863; that Ed- ward Coulter be appointed to give notice of said elec- tion, and that R. J. Glover should be judge, and A. P. Dushane and G. D. Berlin should be inspectors. The first elections were held at the office of David Coulter until the fall of 1870, when the court on petition directed them to be held at the school-house in the borough. The population of Bolivar in 1880 was three hun- dred and seventy-eight. It is situated on the Penn- sylvania Railroad, and is a railroad town, — that is, a town which owes its existence and its business pros- perity to the railroad. It was, however, a village in the times of the flat-boat navigation of the Cone- maugh, and in the time of the canal. The town is laid out like all such modern towns are, in the checker-board fashion, the streets crossing each other at right angles. The chief business interest in the place is the pro- duction and manufacture of fire-brick from deposits of fire-clay which lie next the Concmaugh River. There are at present four companies engaged in the manufacture of the clay. The chief market for this production was created by the necessities of the coke business, as the fire-clay brick are the only ones which can be used in the ovens in which the coke is charred, or in the furnaces in which iron ore is smelted. These establishments are now run at their full capacity. More than a hundred men are engaged in the work. Above twenty thousand tons of clay are worked up here annually, and some two thousand tons shipped. Coal also exists in great quantities, but has not yet been sufficiently developed in this locality to add to the business interests of the place. There is a grist-mill and permanent saw-mill on Tub-Mill Creek, a stream which flows into the Cone- maugh on the western side of the town. This stream took its name from the fact that in very early times a tub-mill was erected on its banks, which remarkable occurrence gave name to the stream for all time. There are also some four or five retail stores within the limits of the borough, and a church owned by the Methodist Episcopals. The burying-ground is on the western boundary line of the borough. There are also two hotels, and a public hall attached to another building, which the public make use of on needful occasions. WEST FAIRFIELD VILLAGE. The village of West Fairfield is situated on the eastern side of the township, on the Johnstown road from Ligonier, and at the distance of about four miles from Bolivar Station. It is a small village, containing a population of one hundred and nineteen. Although the first settlers there clustered together about the a t <7 f /7 6ns2 2 ^d. FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP. 577 churches which had been first erected there, then in the country, and about a store which had been estab- lished later, and that without any regard to regularity of arrangement or convenience of access, yet now the several streets and alleys have been opened, and the lots arranged in such order that it is evident the aspirations of the inhabitants are fixed boroughward. The United Brethren, the Methodists, and the Pres- byterians have each a church here; and there are two tastefully kept graveyards, in one of which are many old graves. It has a school-house, two stores, and two physicians reside here. Lockport village is a station on the Pennsylvania Railroad. The population is one hundred and five. It was a village in the days of the old canal, and at this point the western division of the canal crossed the Conemaugh (whence the name of Lockport), on a beautiful cut-stone aqueduct, plainly seen from the railroad, standing as a monument to the enterprise of the past, the canal itself being abandoned. Works are in operation for the manufacture of fire-brick and gas retorts, employing some fifty hands. Coal is mined in the vicinity, but only for home consumption, as no competing market has been opened for the trade of that mineral. The village is regularly laid out in streets and lots, which are named and numbered. It is situated in a bend of the Conemaugh, which touches the boundaries of the village on the north and on the south. As in all the small station towns along the railroad, quite a number of railroad employes make their homes here, and reside in houses which they themselves own. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. COL. GEORGE H. COVODE. Prominent among the gallant sons of old West- moreland is the name of Col. George Hay Covode. He was born at Covodesville, Pa., on the 19th of August, 1835, being the oldest son of Hon. John ! Covode, whose character and attainments are fully given elsewhere. From his youth he was noted for his size and strength, and when only seventeen years old weighed two hundred and twenty-five pounds. Being tall and well proportioned, raised on a farm, and accustomed to out-door exercise, he was pecu- liarly fitted for the hardships of military life. At fifteen years of age he left home and entered Ligonier Academy, where he remained some time, and thence entered the graded school at " Elder's Ridge," then under the supervision of the eminent scholar, Rev. Dr. Donaldson. Obtaining thus a thorough education he was well fitted for the active duties in the important life he was destined to lead. In July, 1853, he entered the mercantile establish- ment of Covode & Graham at Lockport, Pa. In the spring of 1856 the junior member of the firm, R. M. Graham, Esq., retired, and the firm was then known as Covode & Son. The congressional duties of his father required him to spend the greater part of his time in Washington, and the business of the firm was carried on almost entirely by the son. This business, together with that of being postmaster and agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad, occupied his time up to the breaking out of the Rebellion. In 1858 he was married to Miss Annie Earl, of Somerset County, who lived but a few months. In the spring of 1861, when the dark clouds of war were gathering over this country, he shaped bis business at home so that he might be able to enlist in the ser- vice of his country. Just as he was ready to enter tin- army he was married in Harrisburg to Bettie St. ( 'lair liobb, a granddaughter of Gen. Arthur St. Clair. It might be supposed that the prominence his father had acquired in the civil affairs of the nation would insure for him an advanced position in the army; but this was not the case: for one of Hon. John Covode's leading characteristics while in Congress was that he refused to push any of his relatives for political or military preferment. Accordingly, with the assist- ance of Dr. George S. Kemble, Company D of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry was raised in Ligo- nier Valley, and the young merchant entered as a private. Out of respect to Hon. John Covode the new company was called the Covode Cavalry, but when they joined the regiment they were compelled to adopt the name, Company D of the Fourth Penn- sylvania Cavalry. At the election of officers for the company, without being a candidate, the unassuming private, Covode, was unanimously chosen as first lieu- tenant. The company with many others was stationed at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, but was shortly trans- ferred to a camp near the Soldiers' Home at Wash- ington City, which afterwards was named Camp Campbell in honor of David Campbell, their colonel. Through a vacancy occasioned by the promotion of Capt. Kemble, Lieut. Covode was promoted to the captaincy. While at Washington this regiment did patrol duty. On the 12th of March, 1862, for gallant services Capt. Covode was promoted to major. They were very rapidly removed to the front. On the 31st of June the regiment took a very prominent part in the battle of Malvern Hill, and because of his brave and daring action Maj. Covode received very flatter- ing recommendations from Gens. McClellan and Por- ter. From this they marched via Williamsburg to Yorktown, and then on towards Washington, taking part in the Second Bull Run battle. After reaching Maryland the Fourth was under Gen. McClellan, in whose celebrated march Maj. Co- vode was stationed in front until they reached Fred- erick City, where his regiment was assigned to Gen. Averill's brigade. During the early part of the fall of 1862 the Fourth was encamped upon the north bank of the Potomac, near Hancock, Md., this being 578 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. about the only season of quiet known in the military life of Maj. Covode. But he was not long allowed to rest. In the bloody battle of Kelly's Ford, in which it will be remembered that Gen. Averill gained over Gen. Fitzhugh Lee the first cavalry victory of the late war, the Fourth, under Maj. Covode, was the only regiment of Gen. Hooker's command which partici- pated. It is scarcely possible to form an idea of the battles in which a regiment of cavalry in a short time would engage, since it is well known in military circles that they are subjected to almost constant skirmishes. It was so with the Fourth. Under their gallant major they won a reputation at Kelly's Ford as one of the bravest of regiments, and were always called upon when a close combat was at hand. On his promotion his company presented him with a very fine and costly brace of silver-mounted pistols, one of which he lost in a charge in 1863, while the other is yet in the possession of the Covode family. After the presentation speech the major made the following reply : " My brave soldiers, I accept with real pleasure this testimonial of your kind regard for me. I shall always treasure these as tokens of your appreciation of my efforts to do my duty towards you as an officer and as a man. I can truly say that the feelings which prompted you to make this present are fully reciprocated. The knowledge of your regard shall sustain me in more strenuously endeavoring to increase your comfort and efficiency as soldiers. And when the time shall come that these pistols may have to be used, I hope we may be able to do our part in such a way that it will be a credit to old Westmore- land, and make her proud of Company D, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. I know that wherever I am called to go with these you will bravely follow." Into the very thickest of many bloody battles he was called to go, and his soldiers never refused to follow him. In the battle of Antietam, the Seven Days' battle, in Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and many others he was present and never failed to perforin bravely his part, and when the invading army of the South crossed the boundary of his native State he followed it and acquitted himself nobly on the stormy field of Gettysburg. On one occasion, at Falls Church, he with but a few men was entirely surrounded, but dashing against the enemy he skillfully cut them right and left and opened. the way for his men to follow. He was a noted swordsman, and in the fierce thrusts of a hand-to-hand fight he had very few equals in the Northern army. It requires great personal courage and nerve to engage in a conflict of this kind, but it is the universal testi- mony of both officers and soldiers that he was a man who knew no fear. Wlu-n in battle it was his habit to ride in front of his men, and above the roar of conflict and the clash of arms was heard his voice cheering his soldiers on to victory. In camp-life he was jovial and good na- tured, and would at any time incommode himself to favor any soldier. It was his habit when a paper could be procured to gather the soldiers around him and read the news. In this he also excelled, and his soldiers all speak of his powers as a reader and a con- versationalist. On the 8th of December, 1863, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and on the 28th of May following was made colonel. His death oc- curred in June, 1864, while in command of a brigade. A commission of brigadier-general was signed, and on its way to him, but he was never permitted to receive it. That Col. Covode was universally beloved by all his soldiers and officers is well shown by the tragic ac- count of his death, and the perilous adventure of the men who volunteered to rescue his dead body from the rebel lines. The story of his death can probably be better told by introducing the following touching letter, written to Mrs. George H. Covode by Gen. W. N. Biddle on the day following the death of her husband : " Headquarters Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, "June 20, 1864. " My dear Mrs. Covode, — It is niy painful duty to write yon of the loss of your hnsliand, our colonel, in the action of the 24th inst. In this great affliction I feel how entirely powerless are any human sym- pathies or condolences, even those as sincere and heartfelt as my own and my hrother officers, to whom your husband was endeared by his many kindnesses. Loving him as we did, we can understand and ap- preciate your greater loss, and hope that God may comfort you in your grief. There is little to be 6aid of the fight in which the colonel fell. Through the day there were no apprehensions of any serious engage- ment, and the colonel was in particularly good spirits. The morning was passed under a large shade tree with many officers, the genial spir- its of Col. Covode enlivening the whole party. Suddenly, about three o'clock, the enemy's whole cavalry corps It'll upon our brigade and soon commenced driving us rapidly back, we rallying from time to time and making a running tight of it. " Tour husband showed even more than the usual gallantry for which ho is distinguished, — perfectly cool and collected, encouraging our men, ami everywhere in the front of the battle, so much so that I re- monstrated with him on his exposing himself unnecessarily. Finally, at the fourth stand we made, he unfortunately mistook some of the rebel skirmishers for a part of our own regiment, and causing the Second Pennsylvania to cease firing, rode towards them, waving his hand to call them in. Discovering his mistake he turned to ride back to the line, but, alas! too late. A perfect volley was fired at him and he fell, his left arm being shattered and having a mortal wound through the iuies- tines. We ran to his assistance and carried him back to the woods, Sergt. Rankin, the first to reach him, being wounded badly and myself slightly as we carried the colonel oft the field. It was a perfect bail of bullets round us. With the deepest regret I write that all efforts to bring him entirely off the field failed. He was placed on horseback and brought to the rear of the lines of the First Brigade, which was to support us. The motion of the horse hurting him, and supposing that tb-re was time, a stretcher was rigged up on which he could lie down and he carried comfortably. Just as be was placed on it that bri- gade gave way, and the colonel refused to mount the horse again, order- ing all with him to leave him. One of our men captured near where he was escaped yesterday, and reports that the colonel died that same evening. From the nature of his wounds there is no ground for hoping the contrary. " He himself realized his position at once. Almost the first thing he said to me was, ' Oh, Biddle, I have my death-wound,' and when Col. Brinton tried to cheer him, telling him he would soon get over it, he said, ' No, colonel, I am shot through the stomach, and those wounds are always fatal.' He bore up most nobly, and met his fate with the calm- ness of a brave officer and Christian gentleman. He frequently asked to be left before he was, and it seemed that the hope of leaving s ■ message of affection to you enabled him to undergo as much as he did. We were unfortunately separated after fixing the stretcher for him. but Lieut. Paul was with him until so surrounded he had to right his way DONEGAL TOWNSHIP. 579 out. The hurry, rush, ami confusion were so great that no time was had to receive messages. His diary and some letters which fell out of his pocket I forward, together with letters that he was fated not to receive. I know nothing more, and regretting that there is no hope of his surviv- ing sorrow with you for his loss. May the Great Comforter give you strength to sustain you in this grief. " Very Bincerely your friend, "\V. N. BlDDLE." His brigade occupied the position of rear-guard in Sheridan's famous retreating raid across the country between the Chickahominy and James Rivers. The rear-guard in a retreat is well known to be a most important and dangerous position. From Bates' His- tory, vol. ii., pages 529-30, together with other records, letters, etc., we gather that the battle in which the gallant colonel fell was near St. Mary's Church, in the Chickahominy Valley, Va. Here a line of battle was formed in front of Gen. Hampton's entire corps. Gen. Gregg, the commander of the division, knowing his in- ability to contend with the overwhelming numbers of the enemy now so near them, sent message after mes- sage to Gen. Sheridan for reinforcements. These were all captured by the enemy, who were thus apprised of the weakness of the rear-guard. Knowing this the rebels determined upon an attack, which they made in a fear- ful manner upon the whole line at about three o'clock p.m. It was evidently their intention to capture the entire corps, which, however, being composed of the bravest and most daring of the dashing Gen. Sheri- dan's army, as might be expected, made a strong and determined resistance. Owing mainly, however, to the vast numbers of the enemy, the rear-guard was repulsed and driven back in scattering retreat. It was here more particularly that Col. Covode, re- gardless of his own safety, and evincing that daring, fearless nature which characterized his entire mili- tary life, was dashing up and down the line, exposed to the leaden hail of Hampton's army. In vain did he try to rally and reunite his scattered forces. From his youth he had been near-sighted, and perceiving on his right a squad of partly concealed men whom he mistook for his own, rode rapidly towards them, intending to form them within his own line of de- fense. Amid this scene of blood and carnage the patriotic colonel was pierced by rebel bullets, which on the following morning proved fatal. Thus in the raging conflict, while nobly fighting at the head of his men, was cut down one of the most promising officers of the Union army. His soldiers gathered quickly around him, and after conveying him, much against his will, for about three miles, were overtaken by the advancing army, and were forced to leave him, as he requested, in the hands of the enemy. The rebels took from him his clothes and other valuables and left him on the field to die. Fortunately he fell into the hands of a colored family, consisting of an old man and his wife. They cared for him kindly until the next morning, whenhedied in great agony, mainly from the effects of the wounds in the stomach. He was buried, and his grave marked by the colored friends who ministered to him in his last hours. A few days after his death his father, Hon. John Covode, went in search of his body, but found the Union army so far retreated that his grave was miles within the rebel lines. A company of four of his old regiment, consisting of Lieut. J. C. Paul, of Company C, of Apollo ; Sergt. Henry Green, of Leechburg ; Corp. Samuel King, of Kittanning; and Private A. Martin, of Company D, of Lockport, volunteered to cross the lines and search for his remains. Under cover of the night they passed around the army, and so far penetrated the rebel domain as to find his grave. They returned safely, having gone about forty miles. The next night Gen. Gregg ordered a party of thirty, provided with an ambulance-wagon, to go out and bring in his body. This party, com- manded by Capt. J. C. Paul, successfully accom- plished the task assigned, and returned to the Union lines with the body without having been molested. Mr. Covode took charge of his son's remains, and brought them home for interment in the old family burial-ground at West Fairfield, very near Ms old home. Thus in a quiet and elevated spot, overlook- ing three beautiful valleys which wind in either di- rection to the mountains beyond, he sleeps, within the same community through which he wandered and played but a few years ago when a mere child. DONEGAL TOWNSHIP. Donegal was the name given to one of the sub- divisions of the county when it was divided into townships by the justices at the sitting of the first court at Robert Hanna's in the early part of the year 1773. It was also the designation of that part of the country in the township divisions of the same when it belonged to the jurisdiction of Bedford County. As a township of Westmoreland it was bounded as follows : "To begin where the line of Fairfield township intersects the couuty line, and to run along that line to where the Youghiogheny crosses the same ; thence down the north side of the Youghiogheny to the top of Chestnut Ridge; thence along the top of the said Chestnut Ridge to the line of Armstrong township; thence up the Loyalhanna to the mouth of the Big Roaring Ruu ; and thence up the said run to the place of beginning." 580 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. It will readily be observed that the limits or bound- aries of the original township bore little resemblance to those of it now, they being of much greater extent than they are at present. The township then really embraced a great portion of Ligonier Valley, and besides including for the most part the area it now does, it likewise included a great portion of Cook, and that part of Ligonier Valley which lies between the Loyalhanna and the Chestnut Ridge. It was thus the actual township of much of that historic ground about Fort Ligonier, and all the old history of Cook — as indeed of that whole end of the valley — belongs to the early history of Donegal. But to follow out the plan which we have adopted in our sketches of these political subdivisions, and thus localizing them, we shall treat only of the township as it exists in its limits of to-day, and as we are familiar with it. The first officers elected by the people were John Cavenot (probably an ancestor of the Cavens), con- stable ; Samuel Shannon and Edward McDowell, overseers of the poor; George Glenn, supervisor. The first curtailment or alteration in its territorial limits was at the formation of Fayette County, shortly after the end of the Revolution, when that part of the township south of its present boundary line and within the limits of the new county was stricken off with it. The last township taken from Donegal was Cook, in 1855. DESCRIPTION. Its present boundaries are as follows : On the north by Cook township, on the east by the Laurel Hill, the eastern boundary of the county, on the south by the Fayette County line, contiguous to Salt Lick township therein, and on the west by Chestnut Ridge. Like all parts of the valley, the two sides touching the mountain ridges on the east and west are rocky, abrupt, and hard to farm. Along the centre and about the bottoms of the streams the surface is more even and level, and here the soil is generally fertile and well adapted to light farming. In this occupation are the inhabitants mostly engaged. The lumber business, however, in the more hilly parts of the township furnishes employment to those who reside there, and to those engaged in marketing and sawing it it is ordinarily profitable. Of the timber here there is yet large quantities of it growing, and it may be many years before the people inhabiting there shall feel or suffer any want from its scarcity. It is well watered by fine streams, the principal ones of which are Indian Creek and Roaring Run in the eastern and southern portion, and the Four-Mile Run in the northwestern part. The first two flow southward, and uniting pass into the Youghiogheny ; the other one flows northward into the Loyalhanna. 1 The turnpike from Somerset to Mount Pleasant and thence to West Newton passes through the town- 1 It ia evident that tlie " Roaring Run" which marked one of the lioundaries of the original township, "as flowing into the Loyalhanna," is not now generally known by that name. ship from east to west. On this was located the borough of Donegal and the village of Jones' Mill, both of them very old points, and identified with the after-pioneer history and annals of the township. In the old days this road was much traversed. Hence it was kept in good repair, and to this day shows evi- dence of the cost and labor expended in its construc- tion. The Valley road from Donegal borough to Ligo- nier, by way of Stahlstown, is the highway for ingress and egress for the lower part of the valley, and to it many other roads from all sides go. An idea of the natural resources of this section of country north of Jacobs Creek, along the proposed route of a much-talked-of railroad, may be had from the report of its engineer : " It would not be amiss to speak a word about the wealth of the conn- try through which the road passes. "Coal, — There will be found in the mountains, on the line of the road, all the veins of coal of the lower coal measures. The principal of these arc the Upper Freeport, six feet thick; Lower Freeport, three feet; Kittanning, four feet; and Clarion, four feet. All uf these are mined at the places from whence they take their names. Besides these there are many smaller seams. The Upper Freeport is found in the top of the mountains, and the Clarion in the creek some distance bt-bw ibe falls. The lie of this coal is such as to be favorably mined on the line of tin' road. For the first two miles the line of the road lies in the Conncllsville coal region, the properties of which coal are so well known as to require no word of praise. There is probably not a mile of Ibe mail \\ birh iloes not pass through either the upper or lower coal meas- ures. " Pire-Clay. — The mountains are well noted for the abundance of fire- clay, in fact, it exists all through the Chestnut Ridge. The clay slong your route is of the same character as that of the Savage Fire-Brick Company, whose brick has obtained a wide reputation with furnace- and oven-builders. "Limestone. — There are several large veins of limestone between Mount Pleasant and Donegal. One vein, which will be about on the same level as the giade of the road, is twenty-five feet thick. This limestone i- of an excellent quality, as indicated by the crystals of cal- i ite found existing through it in large quantities. Parties interested in tin- mad have tested this stone in several way-, and it was found equal to any in the county. It may appear foolish to state that it is in this vein that American marble occurs, as pointed out by Dr. King, the geologist, of Greensburg, or that on the crystals of calcite traces of lead have been discovered, which may yet lead to some large pocket rich enough to mine. " Sand. — At White Rock, on the Pittsburgh, Washington and Baltimore Railroad, a large business is carried on by the shipment of sand. The same stone exists on the line of your road. About three miles off the line ia an excellent quality of flint glass sand, and it is undoubtedly true that more of it may yet he found on Jacobs (ink. " Building Stones. — These exist in large quantities and in almost every part of the mountains. A large portion of them are freestones. All aregoodfor foundations, or dressed are suitable for ornamental archi- tectural work. Stones are so plenty on the line of the road that ballast will not cost the company more than what it is necessary to pay for breaking them. 11 Iron Oie. — About eight and half miles from Mount Pleasant, on the >iii vey line, is the site of the old Mount Pleasant Furnace. It had in its day a reputation, and was, I understand, a paying investment, but the strong competition caused by railroad transportation was not to he over- come hy wagons, and its stack stands to-day a monument of richness of the country. With a railroad passing through it, with its ore, with its coal adjacent to its ore ready to be coked, there is no country richer in min- eral wealth. There are four kinds of ore found in the Ridge, namely: kidney, red shale, fossiliferous, and bog. The latter of these is said to contain is:! 1 ; , per cent, of iron by an experienced person. The kidney, according to the word of an eminent analytical chemist, contains 50 per cent. Nothing better is needed, as an ore of that quality will take iron men by surprise. The amount of ore isimmense, and is only surpassed hy the quantity of coal. DONEGAL TOWNSHIP. 581 "Timber. — At first Bight this is most Abundant of all the objects of wealth. Along the creek Ihere is enough timber to place ties on ten thousand miles of railroad, and leaving enough for supplying tli" same with telegraph poles. No tine estimate can he formed of the actual a mount of timber on the line. Beech, maple, white-oak, anil poplar exist in abundance, and with them rock oak for tall bark, which may be said to be almost inexhaustible." POPULATION. The last tabulated return of the population of the township (1880) puts it at twelve hundred and forty- two, which does not include the borough. There are two post-offices therein, namely, Donegal, Jones' Mills. There is but one borough incorporation, — Donegal. OLD SETTLERS. Andrew Keslar's father came from Germany, and brought with him his son Andrew, then but seven years of age, and first settled in Maryland. Andrew moved to Donegal township in 1796, and till his death occupied the land which he opened out and culti- vated, and on which he raised his family. One of his sons, George, bought land across the line in Fay- ette County. Another of his sons is the present An- drew Keslar, now living in Donegal borough. He was born in 1801, and has passed a long and useful life near the borough and in it. There is an interesting report of a hunting-match in Donegal township printed in the Gazette, July 11, 1823. As a memorial of the sport and one of the pastimes of our ancestors, and as preserving the names of some of the settlers to the manner born, we give it here : "There were seven men on one side, or company, as it was called, and six on the other side. Lewis Hays was captain of one company, and had M. Palmer, A. Howard, II. Huffbrd, John Gay, M. Hays, Jr , and J. Weimer. J. Poarch was captain of the other company, and his men were George Hays, T MeC'nllongh, J. Barclay, M. Hays, and P. Stairs. " As the result of the hunt the first company killed 5 foxes, 19 Ground Hogs. 285 squirrels, 139 gray squirrels, crows, 2 Hawks, 1 owl, 73 Blackbirds.a grand total of 618. "The otlier party killed I fox, 14 ground Hogs, 256 squirrels, 112 gray squirrels, 8 crows, 5 Hawks, 1 owl, 93 Blackbirds, in all 557. " P. Stairs bagged 123 squirrels, and of all kinds of game 173." DONEGAL BOROUGH. The village of Donegal dates from the early part of the century, and it was a convergent point for the whole of the upper part of the valley for training- days, for rifle-matches, for village sports, and for store and mail purposes in the days when men who are now old were young. Its situation on one of the great highways which was daily traversed by mail- and passenger-coaches, by the lumbering six-horse wagons, and by the droves of cattle and hogs from the West, made it a desirable location for the tavern- keeper, the blacksmith, the wagon-maker, and the country store-keeper. Hence, after the business was diverted from the old roads, such as these, the pros- perity of the place was retarded, and the business of the place was left dependent on those of the village, or of the immediate neighborhood. The boundaries of the borough are set forth in de- tail in the petition of the inhabitants for incorpora- tion as a borough. The petition is as follows: "The petition oftliu undersigned citizens of Donegal township in said county (of Westmoreland) and residents of the village of Donegal and within the boundaries hereinafter mentioned, being a majority of free- holders in the limits aforesaid, Respectfully represent, That they are desirous of being incorporated into a body corporate and politic under the name, style, ami title of the ' Borough of Donegal,' to include and embrace all the lauds and persons residing therein, with the following limits and boundaries, viz.: Beginning at a post, thence by lands of Samuel Roadniau's heirs north 61 degrees, east 21 perches to a locust, north 40 1 ., degrees east 17^ perches to a locust, thence by land of Henry McKevau north 1"2 { ';, perches to a post north 41l 4 degrees west 28 perches to cherry north 40 degrees west 84 perches toa post, thence by landsof Edward Ringler, south 44V^ degrees west 86 perches to a post, thence by landsof Mary A. Kestler south 37 degrees west 2:1,',, perches to a post, north la] j degrees west 54 perches to a post, thence by land of Samuel Fligor south 4 degrees west 15 perches to a chestnut, thence by lands of C. Hubb's heirs south 20 1 ., degrees west 32 ,',, perches to a pine oak, south t'J degrees east 54 pet dies to a chestnut, thence by hinds of John Walter north C8f^ degrees east 70 perches to a post, thence by landsof H, M. Millhotl and John Gay's heirs south 35$£ degrees east 34 T 5 perches to a post, thence by lands of Eli Keslar, north 50 degrees east 33 perches to a post, south 36% degrees east 56 perches to a post, south 39 degrees east 19^% perches to a white oak, by lands of William Logan south 5V/2 degrees east 4l T n j perches to the beginning." William R. Hunter, Esq., made affidavit on the 13th of May, 1807, that the petition was signed by a majority of the freeholders residing within the limits of the proposed borough. On the 13th of May, 1867, the petition was passed on by the grand jury, who re- turn that the act of Assembly has been complied with, and they believe it expedient for the court to grant the prayer of the petitioners. On the 20th of August, 1867, ordered and directed that the prayer of the peti- tioners should be granted, that the inhabitants within the limits designated should be incorporated under the style and title of the borough of Donegal, and designated the 20th day of September, 1867, as the time of holding the first election under their incorpo- ration, the election to be held at the house of Mrs. Nancy Hays in said borough. S. P. Hays was to give due notice of the time and place of holding the said election, Jeremiah Wirsing to be judge, and Ja- cob Gettemy and Eli P. Fry to be inspectors. The court also directed that thenceforth the borough should be a separate school district from and after the expiratiou of the current school year. Probably no gentleman has done more for Donegal borough in all things that go to moral and intellec- tual improvement as well as material advancement — which fact will be readily admitted by his neighbors — than William R. Hunter, Esq. This geutleman still lives, and can have the satisfaction in his own lifetime of seeing these evidences of a lengthy and exemplary life around him on all sides. He is now, and has long been, one of the foremost business men of the place. The population of the borough by the census of 1880 is one hundred and eighty-three. It contains three churches, Lutheran, Methodist Episcopal, aud Baptist, a public-house (but does not allow license), and two stores. 582 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. JONES' MILL, post-office and village, takes its name from the mill that was in the ownership of the Jones family from a date prior to the beginning of the century. It is situated in the southern part of the township, near the line, on Indian Creek, and near the western base of the Laurel Hill. The turnpike which passes through Donegal east and west also passes through this village. There has been from time immemorial a public-house kept here, which always, with the ex- ception of local option times, also dispensed liquors. This is the only licensed house in the township. The place has been of late years much frequented by persons of ease, who stay there during the summer months to fish in the mountain streams for trout, to hunt in the woods, and to partake of the healthful and palatable cookery of that mountain region. Some years ago an effort was made by a company of sporting gentlemen of the county to breed trout in some large artificial ponds and basins built for the purpose, and situated near the top of the Laurel Hill, but the effort was abandoned after having been pro- nounced inexpedient. The village of Jones' Mill contains, besides the hotel mentioned, a grist- and a saw-mill, a store, and several shops, but the religiously inclined portion of the com- munity, outside of those who hold to the Methodist communion, have to go a distance of several miles to church, or wait for "bush-meeting" in summer, or " supplies" in winter. The Methodists have a church- building to the left side of the road going up the hill, about half a mile from the mills. CHURCHES. The religious preferences of the first settlers in this part of the Valley were Presbyterian, and they early had churches and congregations established on either side of Donegal township up and down the Valley. The churches of Tyrone and Laurel Hill were on the Fayette side, and the Old Donegal — now Pleasant Grove — Church was on the Ligonier side. Of this church we have in the history of Cook township in- serted an extended account. Historically it belongs to the name and the township of Donegal, but politi- cally to that of Cook. At these churches did the early settlers of this part attend. A later generation, however, brought innovations, and in the latter part of the last, and through the beginning of the present century, the Methodist itinerants, full of the energy and piety of a new or- ganization, carried their version of the gospel all through these parts, had many converts, and estab- lished some congregations. Then followed the Bap- tist and Lutheran organizations, who theretofore had not been in sufficient number to form congregations. Among the inhabitants of the township nearly all denominations are represented, and nearly all beliefs avowed. The Dunkards have from early times kept up their organizations in the region in which the three counties of Westmoreland, Somerset, and Fay- ette touch each other. It is believed that they, as a body, are weakening in numbers, and losing their distinctive characteristics. Among the first settlers there were many of Ger- man nativity who held' to the Reformed doctrine. These were occasionally visited by the Rev. Weber, the pioneer clergyman of that denomination in Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Weber established a congregation at Donegal, which belonged to the Mount Pleasant charge, and of which some account may be found in the records of that charge. They were subsequently ministered to hy the successors of that eminent man, the Revs. Weinel and Voight, and latterly Rev. A. J. Heller. Mr. Heller stopped preaching at Donegal while he was pastor of the Mount Pleasant charge, — about the year 1870-72. This is the last account of any services held in this congregation. THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF DONEGAL BOROUGH was organized June 14, 1834. The first pastor was the Rev. John P. Rockefellar, who not only here, but in different parts of the county, brought to his church many converts. He immersed many persons in the winter season, when the ice had to be cut to get to the water. John R. Lohr was the first deacon of this church. Two churches of Donegal township, a Methodist Episcopal and a Methodist Protestant, the former having a graveyard connected with it, are situated near the village of Stahlstown, Cook township. The road running through the village separates the town- ship. SCHOOLS. In giving a review of the common school system prior to the year 1834, when our system as we now have it went into legal and effective operation, James Silliman, Esq., the county superintendent at that date (1876) included the townships of Donegal and Cook together, for the reason that Cook was then in- cluded in Donegal, and did not have a separate town- ship organization until a much later period. Some time during the year 1801, the citizens resid- ing near Four Mile Run, in the northern part of the township, erected a school-house on the farm now belonging to the heirs of David Fiscus, deceased, and installed a teacher by the name of James Wilson. This was the first school-house of which we have any knowledge. Other houses were erected after that time, in different localities, and teachers employed. These schools were supported by subscription, the teachers generally being supported by the year. The houses were of the most primitive description, being built of unhewn logs ; the spaces between the logs were filled with clay, and either puncheon or earthen floors, slab seats and writing desks, and very poorly lighted, but pretty well " ventilated" from the spaces DERRY TOWNSHIP. 583 where the mortar dried and cracked ; clapboard roofs, with weight poles to hold down the boards, and a large fireplace, extending almost the whole length of the building. The teachers, also, were of limited education; if they could read, write, and "cipher" as far as the "single rule of three," and were adepts at thrashing the boys, they were considered competent to teach, or were called "good masters." Among the leading teachers at this time were James Wilson, Charles Johnston, James Alexander, James Henry, and others. The school-houses of the olden times were followed by more substantial ones, namely, Donegal, in 1818; Hays, in 1820; Stahlstown, in 1821; Union, in 1828 or 1829,— this house having been built by citizens and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and used as a place of worship on Sabbaths. Among the foremost teachers of this latter period were Hugh Larimer, Thomas Mathews, Thomas Johnston, and John McAfee. At the time the free schools went into operation in 1834, there was a large number of the citizens of the township opposed to it, and at the first election for directors in 1835, Peter Keslar, James W. Jones, William Campbell, and Hugh Caven, all bitterly op- posed, and Dr. Thomas Richards - and Peter Gay, Esquire, favorable to the system, were elected. The majority of the board being opposed to the system, the operations of the law were crippled in the begin- ning. But these men, being law-abiding citizens, and men of intelligence, finally yielded to the requirements of the law, and laid the township off in sub-districts, levied taxes, etc. In 1838 there was a vote taken for and against the system, — the friends of the system carrying it by a small majority. Since that time op- position to the system has gradually diminished until the present time, and it would be difficult now to find a citizen in the township outspoken enough to oppose the present school law and system founded thereon. Among the leading teachers from 1834 to 1850 were David Bell, Thomas Johnston, Simon Snyder, William Fetter, and others. Among the prominent school officers were John Caven, W. R. Hunter, Esq., John Weimer, John Johnston, and others. Reading, writing, and arithmetic were about the only branches taught, the " Bible and Testament" being the text-books in reading. The examinations were very superficial. The superintendent's infor- mant told him that he well recollected the first ex- amination, in 1845. The examining committee gave him one example in simple interest, and the correct solution of that was all that was required. From that period up to the present time the pro- gress of education in the township has been onward and upward, and more especially since the office of county superintendent has been created. Among the leading teachers from 1850 to 1870, were Joseph N. Campbell, J. R. Bell, Dr. J. A. Weller (deceased), William Larimer, George Blackburn, J. W. Williams, George W. Weimer, and others. J. R. Bell is the oldest teacher in service in the township, having taught from 1845 to 1873, with the exception of a short time he resided in the West. Among the prom- inent school officers since 1850 may be mentioned John Johnston (now of Ohio), John Gay (deceased), J. W. Jones (deceased), Henry Snyder, W. R. Hun- ter, Esq., John Snyder (deceased), Jacob Hofl'er, Esq., Henry Keyser, Samuel Jones, H. M. Millhoff, Jacob Gettemy, and others. DERBY TOWNSHIP. The largest township in the county at this day, in respect of its population and in regard to it as a political division by itself, is the township of Derry. ERECTION. It was established as a township and organized by the Court of Quarter Sessions in April term of 1775, and was the first township erected within the county after the formation of the original ones. The neces- sity of its erection had not, however, grown out of a mere spasmodic emigration to within its boundaries, for there were inhabitants within its limits who had occupied their lands continuously from before the date of the opening of the land-office (1769). At the date of the organization of the county (1773), that part of Derry township lying next to Hempfield was more thickly settled in some portions than any other interior section of the same proportions within the county. THE BOUNDARIES were described by the court as follows : "Beginning at the Loyalhanna; thence along the line of Fairfield township till it strikes Blacklick; then along down Two Lick till it strikes Conemaugh; then down the said Coneniaugh till it strikes Kis- kiminetas; then up the Loyalbanna to the place of beginning." Thus the township of Derry, although it at the time of its erection was larger in extent than it is now, was but a very small portion of the township of Armstrong, out of which it was wholly taken. By the formation of Indiana County, which came down 584 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. to the northern bank of the Conemaugh, and by the formation of the township of Loyalhanna on the Westmoreland side, which cut oft' the triangle be- tween the Conemaugh and the Loyalhanna, the limits of the township have been, as you will observe, greatly curtailed. The township is now bounded on the north by the Conemaugh, which separates Westmoreland from In- diana County ; on the east by the townships of Fair- field (north) and Ligonier (south), the line of which division is the Chestnut Ridge; on the southwest by the townships of Unity and Salem, marked by the natural boundary line of the Loyalhanna River; and on the northwest by the township of Loyalhanna. There are four incorporated boroughs in Derry township, namely, Latrobe, New Alexandria, Liver- more, and Derry. Besides these there are a number of villages, some of them deserving to rank as boroughs, and to have corporate privileges. Of these latter are New Derry, Bairdstown, Blairsville Intersection, and other hamlets or clusters bf houses, to which attention will subsequently be called. EARLY SETTLERS, ADVENTURES, AND HARDSHIPS. It is probable, but not certainly provable, that set- tlements were made in Derry township shortly after the formation of tbe old military or Forbes' road (1758), that is to say, some who have examined into the early annals of the settlement place some of the settlements so early as 1762, or previous to Pontiac's war. We are of the opinion that if there were any locations taken up previous to Pontiac's war, they were not occupied until but a very short period before the opening of the land-office, in 1769. Among the very first, if not the first altogether, of the settlers north of this road was John Pomroy, a man who was not only the first in respect to time, but who remained among the first men of the settlement in many respects until his death, nearly the space of a generation later. Pomroy had been raised a farmer in the Cumber- land Valley, where his father and some of his brothers lived'. They were of Scotch-Irish stock. Having heard of the large quantity of good rich land lying in this region after the occupation of the country by the army of Forbes, he made up his mind to leave his father's roof, and come out and occupy some thereof. He came by way of Ligonier Fort, where it seems he already had relatives and friends who were there under the shadow of the garrison. He did not choose, however, to remain there, but crossed over the Chest- nut Ridge, made the selection of a piece of land, erected a cabin, and took possession. Shortly after he came he had a visit from some passing Indians, who stopped as they passed him. It was not long either until a white man came to his cabin. This man was James Wilson, who afterwards became a neighbor of Pomroy, and who long after- wards, in a ripe age and full of quiet honor, died. This settlement' for all needful purposes may be designated by the village of New Derry. Pomroy having marked off his lands and Wilson having made choice of his tract, Pomroy assisted his neighbor in building his cabin. Their two cabins were about a mile apart, and they passed the nights alternately together. During that summer these two pioneers raised some corn and potatoes and cleared a small piece, which they sowed in fall grain, the seed for which they had to pack on their backs from Fort Ligonier. After they had killed some game and stored it away that they might get it in the spring, they set out for a trip to the east of the mountains, where their friends lived. They passed the winter in their respective homes there, and when the spring came they met by previ- ous agreement, and set out together for their settle- ment in Derry, then known only as the frontier of Cumberland County. On this trip they were accompanied by an Irish- man named Dunlap. He came out with the purpose of trading and bartering witli the Indians. He had received such favorable reports of the cupidity of the natives, and of the profusion of their skins and furs, that he conceived the notion that he could get rich more speedily this way by thrift than he could by the slow and burdensome life of a pioneer. His stoek in trade consisted of knives, brooches, beads, and other trinkets, but what he chiefly relied upon was a lot of rum, which he brought on the back of a horse. The pioneers found matters much as they had left them. There were some evidences of the Indians having been about, but yet there was nothing dis- turbed. Pomroy and Wilson went at work to shape up their plantation, and Dunlap " waited for custom- ers." The desired word having reached the Indians, it was not long until a party made their appearace at " Pomroy's Camp." They brought the furs and pel- try of the last winter's taking with them, and ap- peared to be in good " spirits" already for bartering. But when they got a taste of the rum they deter- mined to have a frolic. And in the relation of this commercial transaction we have an instance of a pe- culiar custom among the Indians, and one seldom mentioned. They having learned the effects of fire- water, had latterly established this custom, which they exercised here. Before giving themselves up to the debauch, they selected one of themselves, and him they vowed to sobriety for the time being, while the rest were drinking. All then that was left to be done or to do was to agree upon the price for the skins per canteen of rum. This was concluded at an exorbitant price and consequently great profit to Duncan. When they began drinking Duncan began diluting his rum with water, and, notwithstanding that for every canteen of rum taken out of the cask a can- DERRY TOWNSHIP. :,s.-> teenful of water was poured in, yet the Indians be- came drunker and drunker. Long before the middle of the night the party were all laid out, excepting one of a very robust constitution and the other one whose business it was to stay sober. This first one was now the only one able to come for liquor. This he now did in a demonstrative manner. He would come to the cabin, pounce against the clap-board door, make it fly from its rickety wooden hinges across the cabin floor, and with painted face and a fearful yell, a long knife in one hand, and an empty canteen in the other, confront poor, quaking, and trembling Duncan, shouting out loud, " ElMch" (meaning to say his name was Ellick), "stronger, stronger" (meaning that he was getting stronger and stronger), " more lam, more him." Dunlap supplied the canteen filled, and the otter skin was flung at him in return. This Indian was soon thereafter entirely helpless, and they were all with the exception of the watcher laid out. This state of insensibility con- tinued until the next evening. When they recovered they sobered up on rum weakened with water. The day following, being in better condition to do busi- ness, they disposed of all their stock of peltry, and retired into the forest. Duncan vowed that he would never go into this business " at first hands" again, but would resort to legitimate pursuits, and confine his mercantile trans- actions to within the pale of civilization. He had, however, come William Penn on them to very good advantage. Pomroy and Wilson escorted him through to Ligonier, 1 where he fell in with a safe convoy from Fort Pitt to the East. It is but proper to say that the recollection of Dun- can has been preserved in the families of both Pomroy and Wilson. The two pioneers, however, returned to their clear- ings, and devoted all their energies to breaking the soil. The second winter they returned to their old homes east of the mountains, and when they came back again each of them brought a wife. Pomroy's wife was Isabella Barr, the daughter of a neighbor in the Cumberland Valley, who subsequently migrated to Derry township, as well also as his two sons, James Barr and Alexander Barr, who were brothers-in-law of Pomroy, William Guthrie, Richard Wallace, and others. These two women were among the first to locate in Western Pennsylvania. They are said to have ridden out with the men while they were tracing the bound- aries of their claims, for the Indians were at that time numerous and very treacherous, although fur a length of time quiet. 1 Although we do not assume responsibility' for ttie particulars in the account of Duncan's commercial venture, yet it may not lie far from the verities, and well serves tu illustrate one phase of border Hie. We see no reason to doubt the relation at it is substantially told. The credit is due to Jonathan K. Row, Esq.. a Deny man, in a contribution furnished many years ago to the Greerwburg Herald. George Findley early emigrated to the "Pomroy and Wilson" settlement, which, as we said, designated the whole region of whom the settlers were neighbors. It was probably before the treaty of 1768 that he se- lected the site now occupied by one of his descendants in East Wheatfield township, in the county of Indiana. He settled on this land merely by occupancy. He made a clearing, erected a cabin, went back regularly from time to time, and about 1776 brought his wile with him from Hagerstown, Md. He had repeatedly to seek the shelter of Fort Palmer or Fort Ligonier in the Valley, as these were more direct and easier to ap- proach from his location than Fort Barr or even Fort Wallace. Among those who were in the campaign of 1777 with Washington, and who after that was one of the leading military men in AVestmoreland, was Samuel Craig, Sr. He removed with his family from Jersey into Westmoreland about the date of the opening of the land-office. He had purchased a large farm on the east side of the Loyalhanna nearly opposite where the Crab Tree flows into that stream. This was the old homestead farm. He and his three eldest sons, John, Alexander, and Samuel, all par- ticipated in the Revolutionary war. The life of the elder Samuel Craig was cut short. When he returned back to Westmoreland, where he took an active part in the defense of the frontier border, he was raised to several fiduciary appointments and of- fices of responsibility. Among others he held the trust of commissary. The duties of this office calling him to Fort Ligonier, he had frequently to go there, and on the last of these occasions he was- taken on the road. His horse was found on the Chestnut Ridge, between his home and this post. The horse had eight bullets in it; but all efforts of the family to ascertain the fate of Captain Craig were unavail- ing. The men of this family were, as we have said, among the first to enlist at the call for troops, and they thus suffered in common with their comrades in the campaign in the Jerseys. In one of the battles Alexander had a lock of hair cut from his head by a bullet from the enemy. On the night before the bat- tle of Princeton they slept on the wet ground. Alex- ander was not twenty years of age when he entered the army in Captain John Shields' company. He was promoted during the war, but to what rank in the Continental service we are unable to say. He was commissioned a lieutenant-colonel of the State militia in 1793, and a brigadier in 1807, and again in 1811. He was, however, better known as Captain, and with the Shieldses, the Sloans, the Wilsons, and the Wallaces, was one of the fighting men of the Derry settlement, and figured in the old stories among the heroes. He is buried in Conoruity churchyard. Of any single instance of his brav- ery or command we are not sufficiently informed to give account. It would appear that on one occa- 586 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. sion John, brother of Alexander, narrowly escaped being taken by the hostiles. He was surrounded by them near Fort Wallace, but got from them into the fort with only the loss of his gun. He afterwards re- sided on a farm of his own near Freeport, and died much respected at the advanced age of ninety-five. Fort Barr and Fort Wallace in this township were early erected. We suspect they were used as places of refuge prior to the Indian troubles of Dunmore's war (1774), although some authorities count their existence much earlier. Rev. William Cunningham, the historian of the Cunningham family, for in- stance, states that these forts were erected so early as 17(i4— G5. We can see no good reason for fixing the date so early. Most authority for fixing the dates pertaining to such matters are purely traditionary and not documentary, and as such should be care- fully considered. The utmost care must be exer- cised in fixing dates and locations before the year 1769, which in general marks the beginning of local history in regard to the record of dates. Fort Barr was located on the farm of one of the Barrs, and was about a mile north of New Derry. Its location was better known latterly as being on the Gilson farm, and by many persons it was called Fort Gilson. Fort Wallace was about five miles distant, and was located on the Wallace farm, on McGee's Run. Craig's fort, on the Loyalhanna, near New Alexandria, was of a date somewhat later. So also was the fort at John Shields', on the Loyalhanna, within four or five miles of Hannastown, which was erected by the people of the neighborhood for a defense for their wives and families, about 1774. Richard Wallace, soon after getting his farm in order, erected a mill, which was one of the first in that region. The first mill was a small one, and had but one run of stones. Before the mill was put up the settlers had to crush their grain in mortars or with hand-mills. The fort stood immediately above the present site of Wallace's mill. It was a fine block- house, situate within a clearing. The signal for the settlers to flee was three rifle- shots fired in quick succession. Col. James Wilson used to relate how he stood rifle in hand watching while his wife went to the spring for water. The set- tlers said that as a general thing the Indians were more troublesome during harvest and in the fall than at any other season. Many stories were related about the pioneers and their times in the neighborhood of these forts; but the most of them are of doubtful authenticity. In one excursion Richard Wallace was taken pris- oner by the Indians, and taken by them to their various stations in Western Pennsylvania and West- ern Ohio. This being towards the close of the Revo- lutionary war, he was sent on to Montreal, where he was exchanged, and whence he came home, after an absence of about eighteen months. The last hostile demonstration about Fort Wallace i was after the Revolution, in 1783. At that time a half-breed, used by the British and under their pay, and partly equipped in the uniform of an officer, ap- proached the fort with a flag. This was shortly after the raid on Hannastown, and there were here gathered many of the inhabitants. This fellow was used as a decoy. But the settlers there suspected him at once, having been deceived in this manner so frequently, and he was shot and killed. No attack was then made. He was buried a short distance above the mill. We have before related the adventure of Finley at this fort in Chapter Twenty. One of the foremost men of the settlement about Wallace's Fort we said was James Wilson. The old farm near New Derry contained about eight hundred acres. The tract to-day, counting the improvements thereon and the marketable value of the minerals, is probably cheap at a quarter of a million of dollars. Yet, at first, Wilson had hard work frequently to get enough money to pay the tax collector. Col. Wil- son, as he was best known, resided on this farm until 1820, in which year he died. In appearance he was a typical pioneer: tall, over six feet, very straight, and active. His remains, those of his wife, and a married daughter (Mrs. Knott) all lie in theburying- ground on the Barr or Gilson farm. There also were buried the remains of some of the Barr family, rela- tives of Mrs. Wilson. Col. Wilson and John Pomroy remained close and last friends until death separated them. Pomroy, although not such a leader in military affairs as Wil- son, was always a leader in civil affairs. He was one of the five commissioners appointed by Act of As- sembly of 1785 to locate a county-seat for the county, and whose labors resulted in the selection of Greens- burg. He was also one of the associate judges I under the presidency of Alexander Addison; certainly ; a very distinguished place of honor. He had a brother, Francis Pomroy, who with him shared a large portion of the popular respect and confidence.' Among the first of these settlers whose name we have met with heretofore, either attached to himself or his son, was William Guthrie, who made applica- tion in 1769 for three hundred and fifty acres of land, 1 some of which is at this day occupied by his grand- sou, Joseph Guthrie, Esq. William Guthrie took an active part in the border troubles, and was an officer in the militia, a lieutenant in 1794. His son, James Guthrie, served in the war of Eighteen-Twelve, and died on that farm. William Guthrie built a stone house on this tract in 1799. " "Gapt. John Shields came from Adams County to Westmoreland about the year 1766. He was a tall, muscular man, well qualified to endure the hardships incident to the time and place in which he lived. He 1 Pomroy's name is now usually written l'omeroy; but we follow hit. own autograph spelling. DERRY TOWNSHIP. 587 purchased a large tract of land in the vicinity of what is now known as New Alexandria. He was captain of a company in the Revolutionary war, and faith- fully performed the duties of a soldier in many a battle with the British. After the war with England was ended the inhabi- tants of Westmoreland County were greatly annoyed by depredations committed by the Indians. Meetings were held throughout the county, petitions drawn up and signed by the people and sent to Governor Penu asking for protection. One of these meetings was held at the house of Capt. Shields, a petition was drawn up setting forth the danger to which they were exposed as the troops raised by order of the Governor and Assembly were ordered to Kittanning. They complained that they were without arms and ammu- nition or the protection of the troops, and they con- cluded by asking for protection. The petition was signed by one hundred and thirty-four. The names of John Shields, John Alexander, and Samuel Craig are annexed to it. Meantime the neighbors built a small fort on an eminence near the residence of Capt. Shields. There was neither surgeon nor dentist available, and Mr. Shields was often called upon to reduce a fracture or extract a tooth. He was a blacksmith, and made his own dental instruments, and although they may not have been of as delicate structure as those of the dentists of the present time, yet they answered the end intended ; and on the whole, teeth were then extracted without much " pay-in'." Mr. Shields was one of the five commissioners who were appointed in 1785 to purchase a piece of land in trust for the inhabitants of the county, and thereon to erect a court-house and prison for the use of the county. /*Mr. Shields was a justice of the peace, and for many years a ruling elder in Congruity Church, of which Rev. Samuel Porter was pastor. He died Nov. 3, 1821, aged eighty-two years, and his remains repose in Congruity Cemetery. /*Mr. Matthew Shields, grandson of Capt. Shields, ' resides on the farm owned by his grandfather, and although he has been afflicted with almost total blind- ness for many years, yet he so manages his farm that for culture and neatness no farm in the neighborhood can surpass it. Additional early settlers were Thomas Allison, Gawain Adams, George Trimble, Alexander Taylor, John Lytle, Daniel Elgin, Conrad Rice, Thomas Wil- kins, Daniel McKisson, James Mitchell, Andrew Dixou, John Agey, Blaney Adair, Thomas McCrea, Thomas Burns, William Lowry, John Wilson, Robert Pilson, John Thompson, 'Patrick Lydick, James Simpson, Christopher Stutchal, William Smith. Along the Conemaugh and Black Lick, Charles Campbell (county-lieutenant after Lochry), Samuel Dixon, John McCrea, John Harrold, Philip Altman, Patrick McGee, Arch. Coleman, George Repine, Mal- achia Sutton, William Loughry, Jonathan Doty, Jacob Brioker, James Ewing, James Ferguson, Peter Fair, James McComb, Samuel McCartney, John Neal, Alexander Rhea, William Robertson, Daniel Repine, John Shields, Robert Liggot, David Reed, William Graham, Ephraim Wallace, George Mahon, Hugh St. Clair, James McDonald, William Clark, the Hices, Walkers, Thomases, McKnights. SNAKES AND WOLVES. There are few districts in the county to which at- taches so much of interesting early history as Derry township. Its location, — or speaking more to the point, the location of the early settlers of Derry was one that was exposed to the incursions and depreda- tions of the Indians from the earliest times down to but a very short period before the Revolution. The old military road which ran directly through it, the old trails along the streams along which the savages passed, the heavy woods to the north of the county, and the border line of civilization and settlement, which was the river to the north — these make its location one of extreme danger when there was danger at all. Besides this, the annoyance to the early settlers from wild animals and reptiles appears to have been of a more serious character than in most any other part of the country. The grassy glades about Indiana town (some of the few open spaces in this whole region at that time) were espe- cially noted for the great quantity of rattlesnakes, and these poisonous reptiles were sources of great annoy- ance in summer time along the sides of the Chestnut Ridge to even a late day. Bears in great numbers harbored within its limits. Late in the last century bears carried off young hogs in winter time from the very pens near the house. Wolves in the early times here prevailed in great numbers. Christian Post in his second journal, 1758, for the 9th of No- vember, writing at his camp on the Loyalhanna a few miles below Latrobe, says, " The wolves made a terrible music this night." It is well remembered, for it has been frequently related by the local histo- rians of Indiana County, that the region north of the Conemaugh was, up to the middle of the Revolution, literally a " howling wilderness," for it was full of wolves. Of Moorhead and Kelly, the two first who settled near the present site of Indiana town, and who formed a part of the settlement which composed the Derry settlement, an old story is told which we have heretofore given. To the early settlers there was probably no sound so dismal as that of these famishing wolves, unless we ex- cept the howls of those two-legged wolves, the Indians. Unless one has heard a wolf howl one can scarcely imagine it correctly. They did not, for instance, yell coarsely, but, on the contrary, in a tremor, long, shriek- ing, and increasing in volume as they raised their heads skyward, began first by a leader, and followed by the rest breaking in as a chorus. 58S HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. All other wild animals, panthers, bears, catamounts, foxes, common to this region, were to be met with in Derry township in the early days. INCIDENTS. In relating the early historical incidents of Derry, we cannot refrain from recounting the accounts pre- served of the settlement made by Fergus Moorhead, because there are many illustrations in his experience that will go toward giving us a comprehensive view of those times. Besides this, many of Moorhead's descendants belong to Westmoreland, and he himself was a pioneer and a settler of Westmoreland. Fergus Moorhead, his wife and three children, his two brothers (Samuel and Joseph), James Kelly, James Thompson, and a few others set out from their homes in Franklin County for the " Indian country," west of the Allegheny, in May, 1772. Moorhead brought three horses in a wagon, which contained their provisions, his family utensils, and household effects. His other live-stock consisted of a yoke of oxen, two milch cows, several head of sheep and hogs, and a lot of fowl. He had been to the country before by himself, had erected a cabin, made a clearing, and marked out a location before he went back to Franklin County whence he first came. The party came out by way of the military road of Forbes, and at the end of four weeks from the time they left Franklin they came to the spot which he and Kelly had previously selected, as we have men- tioned before. This was near Indiana town. It seems, however, that they changed their minds when they began to locate permanently, and erected a cabin and began to clear a few miles west of that spot. They then planted a small patch which they had cleared with potatoes and corn, and cleared another for a garden. Joseph and Samuel Moorhead left then- brother and his family to return home. For that har- vest Fergus cut the grass growing on the land, which at that day, in that section of country, in some places, resembled prairies, being open and treeless and rank with grass, and in some instances swampy. In these little meadow patches within the woods north of Conemaugh the wild grass grew luxuriantly. Snakes were also there in great numbers, particularly rattle- snakes, of which there was much complaint, tiny ami the copperheads coming to the cabins and secreting themselves in the beds. They also complained of and were much alarmed by panthers, wolves, and cat- amounts. In building their cabins they sometimes left the spaces between the logs open in summer, and in the winter filled them in. It was certainly an easy and convenient method of securing good ventilation, but one would suspect that it would be more practica- ble in a country with fewer venomous reptiles. Among the first things done by the settlement was the erection of the block-house known as " Moor- head's Block-house." But yet the settlers of this frontier, but more especially those in the direction of Conemaugh, frequently came in their flight for pro- tection to Wallace's Fort. In the beginning of the Revolution, Fergus Moor- head was taken by the Indians. Upon Mrs. Moor- head, while her husband was a captive- (1776), de- volved the sad duty, without any assistance whatever, to close the eyes of a dead child, — her own child, — make its coffin, and deposit it in the grave she had dug for it. As Moorhead was taken without the noise of a battle, but by being waylaid not far from his home, his people got no word from him. His wife went with her brother back to Franklin County, and while she was there at his father's house she had the un- speakable gladness to meet again her husband, who , after many adventures, returned back there from the country of the Indians. In 1781 he, with his wife and children, returned to their home in Westmore- land, now within Indiana County. Some other fam- ilies came out with them this time. But his cattle were gone, — "strayed or stolen;" really killed by the Indians, — and his whole place was in decay. Randall Laughlin was one of the early settlers who was identified with this region. He was one of the neighbors of Col. (or Gen.) Charles Campbell, the county lieutenant after Archibald Lochry. This was about the line of Blacklick and Centre townships, Indiana County, and of course north of the Cone- maugh. Laughlin came early, but probably did not locate permanently until after the beginning of the Revolutionary war. In the summer of 1777 all the settlers of the Camp- bell and Laughlin settlements took their families to Wallace's Fort. Towards the end of the summer they went back to look after their cabins, as they had done several times previously. When they were^at Laughlin's cabin Laughlin, Campbell, John Gilson, and one Dickson, all neighbors, were surrounded by Indians led by whites, probably British or half-breeds, and thus taken. Col. Charles Campbell kept a journal of their cap- tivity, and it is still extant in the original manuscript. They were taken September the 25th, 1777. They managed to let the whites know they were taken by leaving a written notice of the same in the cabin be- fore they left it. They left this writing on the door of the cabin, the Indians not objecting to it, and probably not suspicioning anything. In this paper Campbell said they would soon be back again. Laughlin and he did return by way of Franklin County, as they said they would, but the other two died while prisoners. The Samuel Moorhead mentioned, in 1774 com- menced building a mill on Stony Run, where Andrew Dixon's mill was afterwards situated, but before it was completed the settlers were driven off by the Indians. Gen. Alexander Craig was born Nov. 20, 175"). He was married to Jane Clark, second daughter of James DERRY TOWNSHIP. 589 Clark, Esq. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. James Power. The bride was arrayed in a | linen dress bleached to a snowy whiteness. Gen. Craig was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the State militia in 1793, and brigadier-general in 1807, and again in 1811. In 1812 a letter from Dr. Postlethwaite, of Greensburg, conveyed to him the i intelligence that war was declared with England. He I arose and paced the room in silence for a few minutes, and then said, " I have but one son, and he is too delicate to perform the duties of a soldier; I am | growing old, but if my country requires my services they shall not be withheld." The farm on the Loyalhanna was purchased by Gen. Craig from Samuel Wallace, Esq., a merchant of Philadelphia, in 1793. Mr. Wallace had purchased it from Loveday Allen in 1769. After the trouble with the Indians was over, Gen. Craig often met with them when surveying or out on business. He once went to the camp of Cornplanter, and they spent some time in shooting at a mark; to the great surprise of the party the general beat Corn- planter, who concluded that there must be some witchery about the gun, and for that reason pur- chased»it. The whites were prejudiced against the Indians, and embraced every opportunity to disoblige them ; Gen. Craig sympathized with them and treated them kindly. Once as he was walking along one of our rivers he saw an Indian canoe tied to a tree ; knowing that if it should be discovered by the whites it would be destroyed, he wrote his name on the side of the canoe and sunk it into the water. Some time after- wards he was in a store at Pittsburgh, and several In- dians came in ; one of them heard him named, and walked up to him and said, " Alexander Craig you a good man, you no destroy Indian canoe." Gen. Craig was agent for the heirs of Governor Mifflin, — Jonathan and John Mifflin and Rebecca Archer, — they owned a great deal of laud in what was then called the " backwoods ;" and although he transacted much business for himself and others, he never had a law suit, and often used his influ- ence successfully in preventing litigation among his neighbors. Gen. Craig had not the advantage of a liberal edu- cation, but he had good judgment, was fond of read- ing, had a retentive memory, and his mind was well stored with useful knowledge. In person, he was not quite six feet in height, was muscular, strong, and active; his manners were refined, and his whole ap- pearance prepossessing. He was generous ; he re- fused to take any share of the paternal inheritance, but left it for his father's younger children. , Gen. Craig's family consisted of three sons and five daughters. His second and third sons died in infancy. He lived to see the grave close over his three sons aud three of his daughters ; but the greatest sorrow of his life was the fate of his father. 38 His death occurred on the 29th of October, 1832, at the age of seventy-seven. He was interred in Congruity Cemetery, where a neat little monument marks his resting-place. LATER SETTLERS, Etc. For the following lists of the early settlers of Derry township, we are greatly indebted to our venerable friend Isaac Pershing, Esq., who was a grandson of Frederich Pershing, who bought a location in West- moreland in 1773. He came out with his family in that year from Fredericktown, Md., and located in Unity township, and built a mill afterwards upon his land. This was " Pershing's mill," on the head-waters of the Nine-Mile Run, and but a short distance from the village of Lycippus. He left issue four sons and three daughters who had families of their own. Thomas Anderson, a Revolutionary soldier, lived with Col. Guthrie, the elder, and died at his house in I 1827. Michael Churn, Sr., settled in 1782. John Mc- ' Guire, a neighbor of Churn, settled in 1778. One of Mc- Guire's neighbors was William Joyce. Robert Arm- strong was an early settler near Salem Church, and at his house were held some of the first itinerant services of the Methodist Church. The eccentric Lorenzo Dow was frequently his guest. Peter Knight, Sr., settled north of the village of Saint Clair (Bra- denville Post-office). He was one of the ancestors of the Soxmans and Schalls. Andrew Allison located on the banks of the Loyalhanna, between the present town of Latrobe aud Kingston, the residence of the late Alexander Johnston, Esq., his daughter mar- rying Charles Mitchell, who afterwards possessed the land. Some of his descendants are prominent citi- zens of Armstrong County, and of Washington County. The next neighbor on the creek below Al- lison was John Sloan, Esq., high sheriff of the county. Sloan was distinguished as an officer in the militia along the frontier during the troubles after the Revo- lution. In an expedition against a party of depre- dating Indians, as elsewhere noted, he was wounded in his groin, and had a silk handkerchief drawn en- tirely through the wound. He shot and scalped an Indian in that expedition, and brought the scalp home with him. This he would frequently produce on public occasions. He died on his farm in 1833. Joseph Baldridge, Esq., the paternal ancestor of the Bald ridge family, now widely scattered over the United States, lived on the Loyalhanna. His resi- dence, a spacious and expensive one for his day, is still standing on the lower road from Youngstown to Latrobe. He was a millwright by trade, and built a mill on that stream in 1804. When he came over the mountain he brought his sister with him. She rode on a horse which also carried his bundle of earthly goods, while he walked by the side. He died in 1840, a very wealthy man of his day, and of some influence. Christian Soxman was a miller, and built a mill on Soxman's Run in 1784. Died in 1823. 590 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Thomas Culbertson, a wheelwright by trade, settled early on land north of Latrobe. He is said to have built the first stone house in his part of the country. William Hughes was a very early settler. His oldest son was said to have been the first male child born in Derry township, but we repeat this merely as a cur- rent matter of belief in that neighborhood. James Cummins settled at the foot of Chestnut Ridge, about the end of the Revolutionary war. Hugh Cannon was one of the first settlers near Derry Station to the west. He followed the business of transporting flour and salt from the eastern side of the mountains and the valley of the Shenandoah. He died so early as 1818. His son, Alexander Cannon, who died in 1842, in the seventy-second year of his age, was one among the first settlers who in his younger days endured the hardships of early life. THE BEAR CAVE. Probably the greatest natural curiosity within the- limits of the county is the " Bear Cave," in this town- ship. It is a monstrous cavern in the Chestnut Ridge, and the nearest designated point to it is Hillside, a station on the Pennsylvania Railroad. There have been many accounts written descrip- tive of this great natural wonder, which have ap- peared from time to time in the periodicals, and some of them in works devoted to such subjects. The first general notice taken by the outside world of this cave was probably about the year 1840. Prior to that time it is not likely it was explored, if, indeed, a knowledge of it was even locally well known. In 1842 a very interesting article appeared in the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate descriptive of " A Visit to the Bear Cave in Westmoreland County." Although the party who visited it did not make a complete exploration of the cave, they expressed great satisfaction at the novelty of the adventure, and the historian of the expedition gave a rather glowing de- scription of the various apartments which they had examined. An account of another exploring party appeared in the Blairsville Record of November, 1842. This party was made up of young men mostly from about Blairs- ville, and were all well-known young men of char- acter. They were well prepared beforehand to make a thorough examination of the cave. Coming to the cave, they divided into two parties ; one of these entered to the right hand, the other to the left. In their progress they passed along over deep fissures, and heard far beneath them the gurgling of sub- teranean streams, into whose depths the light from their torches did not penetrate, nor could stones dropped down be heard to reach the bottom. The party, however, with difficulty sometimes, being compelled to crawl under the rocks on their bellies for a distance, at other times being compelled to stoop low and walk awkwardly, penetrated to a distance of nineteen hundred and forty-seven yards, where, at the end of a narrow passage-way which wound up in a room-like cavity, their journey ended. They said they explored in all forty-nine different rooms, or apartments, varying in size from eight to thirty and forty feet square. In some were found large quantities of carbonate of lime. Among the names chiseled in the rock there was that of Norman McLeod. McLeod left a cheese-knife there, suspecting, no doubt, that those in the future when they would find it would attach to it a tale of mystery and blood. This party actually found the knife, and made in their narration a touching sentence on it, and let " conjecture run wild." But it happened that McLeod's secret was known to several others of the free-and easy companions of his former days, and they divulged. For many years the knowledge of this great natural curiosity was confined to a few hunters along that side of the Ridge, and to a few of the people who lived near its mouth. McLeod was one of the first to satisfy a prying curiosity in penetrating so far within the bowels of the earth, and finding out all about it that has yet been known. But modern tourists describe the cavern more elo- quently still. They talk of narrow passages between walls of rocks, of immense chambers studded with stalactites and inhabited by bats, of fathomless chasms, of the sound of running water in the darkness, of twine for an Ariadne clew, of labyrinths, of torches, and have named some of .the larger rooms " The Snake Chamber," " The Altar Room," "The Senate Cham- ber," because of certain peculiarities, — all of which must be taken with a grain of salt, or rather after " an ounce of civet, good apothecary." EARLY SCHOOLS. In recording the educational deeds of other days of this large and flourishing township we pause and wonder at the very outstart that with such a good be- ginning it has not made still greater progress. The original school-houses of this township were not all built of logs, as was generally the case through- out the country, but there were substantial frame buildings prior to the adoption of the free-school system of 1834 Such was the school-house now known as McClelland's, but its dimensions were small. The writing-desks were fastened around the wall, the seats were called " peg seats," and the heat- ing apparatus consisted of a ten-plate stove used for burning wood. The earliest teacher remembered was " Master" Tawny Hill. Prof. James McCalep taught this school about fifty-three years ago. William Coch- ran, an Irishman, taught the first free school here. His teaching was remarkable for the religious in- struction mingled therewith. He opened the school with prayer, had Bible-class twice a day, and read in the New Testament four times a day. The Shorter Catechism was at that time a prominent text-book. His mode of punishment was such as questions, DERRY TOWNSHIP. 591 tasks, committing, etc. He was succeeded by a Mr. Wheeler, a Yankee from the East. It is worthy of mention here that Governor John W. Geary and his father, Edward Geary, were at one time teachers of prominence in this township. Messrs. James McClelland, Joseph Cook, James Long, and John Barnett were noted members of the school- board. One grand reason why the schools prospered so well was that the people In those days elected their very best men as directors. The territory embracing Derry township had then eleven schools; now the same territory has thirty-five, including Latrobe, Liv- ermore, and New Alexandria boroughs, and Inde- pendent, No. 8. The township has now twenty- eight schools. Among the late prominent directors are W. M. Baird, James Fulton, John Irvin, James Nichols, William Mewherter, D. K. Shirey, William Brown, S. J. Fishel. Among the leading teachers of a few years ago are F. B. Welty, John Moor, James Mewherter, Miss J. McGuire, Miss J. Barnett, and many others. PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT. Until a very late period, that is, until the beginning of the period of the modern development of the lum- ber and mining interests of the county since the civil war, the predominant interest of that section was agriculture. The inhabitants of that section, who, for the most part, enjoyed the labor and toil of an economical and thrifty ancestry, were firmly attached to the soil, glebfp. adstrictis. The excellent good man- agement of the soil, as well as the incentives offered to the farmer himself, added to the habits formed in those born on the land and devoted by occupation to its cultivation, had made farming in a very large portion of this township both profitable and compara- tively light of labor. So the inhabitants, not know- ing, cared little for the mines of wealth which lay in the soil, and which were growing on that portion of the Ridge which was regarded as the poorest, most worthless, and least to be desired portion of the whole country. The extra demand for the produce of the farm, and the enhanced value of those domestic animals which are raised by the farmer, were first apparent when the old furnaces and forges were in operation along the Upper Conemaugh, but from the building of the canal the marketable value of all agricultural com- modities increased out of all proportion to what it had before been, and to what it was in other more re- mote parts of the country. The facility for trans- porting and marketing these productions always made the farming interest in Derry by all odds the most desirable. There was an easy outlet, a good market, and the men who dealt in those commodities were proverbially good. But when the Pennsylvania Railroad was con- structed came that change which has left as marked an impress as was left by the civil war. For the con- struction of this road no less marks an era in the his- tory of Southwestern Pennsylvania than does the great war. The new generation then about actively entering into the business affairs of the world of their day and generation conformed themselves to the new order of things, and new men, far ahead of the most advanced ones here, came in with the road to abide with it, and these by their push, their innovation, and their very presence, established a new order of things. Henceforth the timber and the bark which had been allowed to decay or to perish, or which were wilfully destroyed, became, when worked into lumber, great staples. Suddenly work and occupation were given at wages beyond any ever before offered for the same consideration, to persons who had before that time been dependent on the hardest toil or the more servile labor of the winter for their scanty living. Even the very stones were put into market, and good quarries of sandstone opened along the sides of the Ridge, which now for above twenty years have been used in building the most elegant residences in the cities, and durable superstructures for the viaducts and culverts of the railroad itself, while the blue- i stone, of which unworked deposits are yet to be found, which was formerly thought to be valueless (unless for the convenience of the farmer to work out his road-taxes with), has since then yielded profit- ably on the investments when transported and used in paving the thoroughfares of Pittsburgh. HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES. In the following history of the churches in Derry township we have given all the record history which we have yet come across. For further information the inquirer is referred to the chapter on the religious history of the county. As the oldest organized, we begin with the Presbyterian Churches. "SALEM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, one of the primitive five vacancies reported in the Redstone Presbytery, is first mentioned as applying, with Unity, for permission to call a minister of Don- egal Presbytery, Oct. 15, 1786. His character was deemed doubtful in Redstone, and permission was re- fused ; but a Mr. Barr was then sent to supply one day. Frequent supplies were sent during four subse- quent years. A tent was used for a time as the place of worship, and a log house, with a stove in it, and called afterwards the session-house, accommodated the congregation on wet and cold days. Before the close of the last century a large house, of three logs in length, seventy by forty, or in the centre forty-six feet, was built. The pulpit, with a sounding-board over it, was large, about eight steps in height, with a clerk's desk six steps high at front of it. It occupied the back recess in the side and faced the front door in the other recess. There was a door in each end, and the communion aisle stretched between them. There were seventy-one seats, and six or eight hundred people could be accommodated in them. At first, for years, 592 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. there were no seats, and then some of them were sawed plank, but more were hewed, with posts at the ends, and a wide rail for a back. As the church for many years contained no stove, in very cold days they re- sorted to the session-house. In 1832 the church was ceiled with boards and plastered on the side walls. In 1848 a boy kindling the tires put shavings in the stoves. They fell blazing on the roof, and when the people assembled for prayer-meeting, the time-hon- ored, God-honored house was in uncontrollable flames. Many of the women sat down and wept. " April 20, 1790, along with Unity, Salem had called Mr. John M'Pherrin, whose ordination and installa- tion, September 20th of that year, has been already recorded in the case of Unity. For thirteen years he labored among his people with great earnestness, so- lemnity, and success, giving them all his time for the last three years. Then difficulties having arisen — which ought to have been settled — which he himself afterwards believed too small to justify a separation, he yielded to them at the time, and obtained a release from Salem, April 20, 1803. Obtaining an immediate settlement over Concord and Muddy Creek, in Butler County, he there spent the remainder of his devoted and laborious life. There, too, Feb. 10, 1823, in the sixty-fifth year of his life, he was called to the peace- ful rest of the ' Father's House.' The larger and bet- ter portion of Salem Church regarded him as a very paragon and prince of preachers. By him, as a model, they would test each succeeding minister, as they heard him, and with regretful tones would say, in nine cases out of ten, ' He duzzen't preach like Mis- ther Mucpharrinf Occasionally, as the very highest encomium, they would say of some ardent man, 'He pours it down on sintherz like Misther Mucpharrin .'' Had the Apostle Paul come down and preached there within forty years of the removal of this beau ideal pastor, he could have gained no higher praise. Rev. Thomas Moore was called as pastor Aug. 4, 1804, and accepted the call, but no record was made of his in- stallation. At the request of the people, he was dis- missed April 9, 1809. April 21, 1813, Rev. Robert Lee was called, and installed on the first Tuesday of August following. Rev. James Galbraith preached, and F. Herron gave the charge. The writer only re- members him as a tall, slender man, whose thundering voice would not allow even a child to sleep in church. He was released from Salem, Oct. 20, 1819. His sub- sequent labors were performed in Central Ohio. A few years ago his life-labors were highly eulogized in an obituary notice written by a ministerial son of Salem Church. " Serious difficulties had prevailed in Salem, more or less, from the removal of Mr. M'Pherrin. April 19, 1820, they obtained a committee from Presbytery to aid in settling them, which was but partially ef- fected. ' But the Lord was preparing the way for one of his servants,' who was pre-eminently a peace- maker, to enter that most important, aud yet most unpromising and disturbed charge. Thomas Davis, an Englishman, of strong and peculiar accent, an elder in the Second Presbyterian Church of Pitts- burgh — probably from its formation, sixteen years before, from which he was sent as an elder to the General Assembly of 1815 — had been licensed by the Presbytery of Redstone, when over fifty years of age, on Feb. 15, 1822. He was appointed to supply at Salem the second Sabbath afterwards, and at West Union the following one. They retained him as a supply most of the summer, and October 15th called him to be their pastor. November 13th he was or- dained and installed. Rev. Robert Johnston preached, and S. Porter gave the charge. A few years later he was seriously crippled by a broken limb, and per- formed his labors afterwards at a great sacrifice of comfort. His lot was greatly alleviated, however, by the constant attendance and considerate atten- tions of his wife, devoted to him and devoted to God. " In about the nineteenth year of his pastorate, greatly to his gratification, he obtained a colleague in the whole charge, and from that time, except on communion Sabbaths, alternated with him in the two churches on successive Sabbaths, until the day of his lamented decease, May 28, 1848, in the seventy- seventh year of his age. The old log church had been burned down a short time before ; they were, on that day, holding a communion near its site, in the barn of John Robinson. He, as was his wont, had preached the ' Action Sermon' with ardor, addressed the 'first table' with tenderness, communed at the second with emotion. Then, quite exhausted, his face glowing like a coal, he set out for home. But midway to it he fell lifeless from his horse, and ere his body was ' laid out' in his late habitation his emancipated spirit was at rest in the house of ' many mansions.' Well do I wot that when the stunning tidings reached the barn, where his youthful, filial colleague was conducting the afternoon service, he would look up through falling tears for the descend- ing mantle, and devoutly exclaim, ' My Father ! my Father ! the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof!' It ought to be added that two or three years previously his most devoted wife had taken leave of life in a manner equally sudden, and as she had desired to be taken. " Father Davis was a plain, earnest, rather impres- sive preacher. Partly from dialectic peculiarities, and partly because they came from his heart, his words stuck in the memory of his hearers. In social life he was affable, genial, and very frank. He pos- sessed in no limited manner a tact for dealing with persons of every stamp. This might have been in- ferred from his riding down successfully at Salem waves of commotion, by which two preceding pastors had been agitated into foam, and as foam were tossed away, while he held the pastorate for more than a quarter of a century, — his entire ministerial life. Yot he never fondled, flattered, nor temporized. Did an DKRRY TOWNSHIP. 593 artful woman, courting praise for the real excellence of her cookery, worry him with strong deprecating terms respecting it, he would hastily drain his cup, hand it back, and, using her own term, would say, 'Madam, I will take another cup of that "stuff!"' Or, if a close-fisted, purse-bound man complained to him about his ' frequent preaching against world li- ness,' and charged him with giving in this way one- half of the preaching to himself and another man, artlessly as a child he would perform an example in mental arithmetic on the well-known subscriptions of the two. ' Ten and fifteen are twenty-five. Twice twenty-five are fifty. Isn't it a burning shame ? You two get one-half of my preaching, and for it pay but twenty-five dollars. If the rest of the congregation paid only in that proportion I should have but fifty dollars a year !' Looking his reprover full in the face he would say again, 'Isn't it a burning shame?' Then, smiling, he would introduce another topic. " Mr. George Hill began to preach at Salem and Blairsville May 31. 1840, and after that gave an occa- sional day for ten months while completing his course at the seminary and in renovating enfeebled health at home. From March, 1841, he preached regu- larly. December 4th of that year, at Blairsville, he was ordained and installed as the co-pastor already mentioned. Soon after the decease of Father Davis, October 3d of that year, Mr. Hill gave all his time to Blairsville, having resigned the charge of Salem. In the mean time, on the old elevated site on the bench of ' Sugar- Loaf Hill,' a new, tasteful, brick edifice had been erected by John Barnett, Esq., one of the faithful elders. Its dimensions are less than the old one, but sufficient to accommodate the congregation, weakened by emigra- tion and other new organizations on three sides of the church. " After a vacancy of two and a half years Rev. Reuben Lewis was installed as pastor, May 13, 1851. Rev. George Hill preached, S. McFarren charged the pastor, and N. H. Gillett the people. He was re- leased Jan. 10, 1855. His successor, Rev. J. P. Ful- ton, was installed Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1857. Rev. N. H. Gillett preached, A. Torrence charged the pastor, and R. Stevenson the people. He was highly and justly prized as a preacher. After eight and a half years he very unexpectedly withdrew, and obtained a release from the charge June 16, 1866. Rev. James Davis had supplied, statedly, before his settlement, and Rev. James R. Hughes supplied after his departure. " Rev. W. F. Hamilton began to preach regularly at Salem and Livermore in the spring of 1868, and was installed as pastor September 7th of that year. Rev. J. W. Walker preached, S. H. Shepley charged the pastor, and G. Hill the people. To this church, in more senses than one, he is a treasure, and they know it. '"This (ongregation has suffered very seriously for some years past from emigration, and has now become much weakened in members and in strength. But it is hoped that it will yet be sustained and strength- ened by the King of Zion. It is memorable for some precious revivals in its earlier history. 1 "So writes its elder, John Barnett, Esq., the man who ought to have written all this church's history. . " The following have been its elders : Robert Tay- lor, death not recorded ; Andrew Kincaid, death not recorded ; Peter Wallace, died Feb. 12, 1839 ; John Barnett, Esq., Sr., died July 5, 1825 ; Jonathan Doty, went to Methodists. Additions: Abraham Fulton, died May, 1835; William McQuiston, death not re- corded ; Samuel Moorhead, ceased to act about 1820 ; William Bell, died in 1829 ; James Long, died in 1864. Ordained September, 1828 : William Barnett, died June, 1862 ; Robert MeConaughy, moved to North- field, Ohio; Thomas Chapman, moved to Illinois. Ordained Oct. 2, 1835 : James Guthrie, died Nov. 12, 1855 ; James Wallace, dismissed to New Alexandria ; Robert Fulton, died Jan. 23, 1865. Ordained Oct. 19, 1851: Andrew Long; Alexander Craig, died Sept. 9, 1869 ; John Barnett, Esq., Jr. Ordained December, 1862: Robert Sterling and Samuel Ebbert. Installed December, 1862 : Joseph Henderson, dismissed to Blairsville. December 16, 1866 : James Fulton in- stalled, and Oliver Fulton ordained. Feb. 17, 1867: John J. Douglass ordained, — the last three dismissed to Latrobe. Ordained Aug. 17, 1870 : William Ster- ling, Archibald Dunlap, and Lewis Mechesney. " This church has had two stated supplies and eight pastors. Its ministerial sons have been Revs. John, Abraham, James, and Benjamin Boyd (four brothers), and William Morehead in the pastorate of Mr. McPherrin ; and in that of Father Davis, his son, James Davis, James W. Knott, and John M. Barnett. Since which time this once prolific mother has ceased bearing. She originally deserved the name of Sa- lem. If at the close of the first pastorate her title to it was somewhat weakened, she has in later days firmly established it." 1 BLAIRSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Blairsville, under the name of " Forks of Black Lick," had been supplied by Rev. Dr. Herron, April 19, 1820, who at the request of the people gave it such organization as was customary at that time. Rev. Thomas Davis preached at the " Forks of Cone- maugh," March 7, 1822, twenty days after his licens- ure. But the name West Union had been assumed when he was called, October 13th of that year. As Blairsville increased in size and enterprise the pas- tor saw that the location of the church, a mile and a half from it in the country, was a serious blunder. Their house of worship at West Union being of mod- erate size, and for a considerable time incomplete, — a carpenter's bench being used for a pulpit, — he gener- ously purchased the building to reconcile the country people to change the place of worship to the town. Oct. 2, 1832, the Presbytery ratified this procedure 1 Abridged from " History of the Blairsville Presbytery." 594 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. and made Blairsville the name of the church. Here, in 1840, Rev. Hill began to preach occasionally, and in 1841 regularly ; on December 4th of same year he was installed as co-pastor with the Rev. Thomas Da- vis, when Rev. Samuel McFarren preached the ordi- nation sermon ; Father Davis presided, proposed the constitutional questions, and made the ordaining prayer; Revs. S. Swan charged the pastor, and W. Hughes the people. On Oct. 3, 1848, Rev. George Hill resigned his charge of Salem and gave his whole time to Blairsville. In 1850 he originated a much needed female semi- nary, secured the erection of the main building, and gained for the institution considerable eclat. He was succeeded in it by Rev. S. H. Shepley and lady, and they by Rev. J. R. Hughes, who was followed in this seminary in 1867 by Rev. J. Jewett Parks. Rev. Shepley was principal and proprietor of it from the fall of 1852 to June, 1865, and Rev. Hughes for two years. Blairsville Church originated with thirty- three members, of whom the last living member was Henry Barnes. The original elders were Michael Campbell, Daniel Smith, and John Cunningham. To these the first accessions were John McCrea, William T. Smith, Samuel Matthews, and Matthias Lichtenthaler; the second, James Speer, H. A. Thompson, and Matthew George; the third, J. H. Fair, Joseph Moorhead, Jacob Zimmers, and J. M. Turner ; and the fourth, Joseph Henderson and Jesse Cunningham. The deaconate began in 1855. The first board were James Baird, David Lintner, J. H. Fair, Samuel Kennedy, W. A. Louhry, Thomas Campbell, and Jacob Zimmers. The accessions up to 1874 were James Alexander, E. G. Stitt, Thomas Hotham, S. M. Bell, Samuel Barr, H. M. Hosack, and William Lintner. This church has sent forth as ministers Rev. Jesse M. Jamieson, D.D., Samuel Pettigrew, W. C. Smith, Nelson H. Smith, William Cunningham, W. Wallace Moorhead, and S. S. Gil- son. THE NEW ALEXANDRIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH applied for organization Oct. 4, 1836. It was granted the following April, and effected by Revs. T. Davis and Samuel McFarren, May 4, 1837. It consisted of seventy-one members, mostly from Congruity, and five elders, of whom (June 17th) James Shields and William Taylor were ordained, and along with Robert Rainey, Esq., Joseph Cook and Smith Agnew, in- stalled by the same committee. At this time twenty- six additional members were received, and to the whole ninety-seven members the Lord's Supper was administered on the Sabbath following. Presbytery held its October meeting in New Alexandria, when a call was presented for Rev. David Kirkpatrick, and a remonstrance against it by a respectable minority who did not wish in their public worship to be restricted to the Scotch version of the Psalms. Mr. Kirkpat- rick having intimated that in the circumstances he could not accept the call, it was returned to the con- gregation. Rev. Adam Torrance, who had been licensed by this Presbytery, and then had labored six years in Ohio, having returned in ill health, being present as a corresponding member at that meeting, in the evening preached by invitation. The church obtained leave to secure him till spring as stated sup- ply, then gave him a unanimous call to be their pas- tor. At his installation, June 13, 1838, Rev. Watson Hughes preached, and T. Davis gave the charge. For thirty years, humbly, earnestly, and successfully, he discharged his pastoral duties, and this was done, too, under the pressure of a kind and degree of suf- fering with which few others have been tried, and with which few can fully sympathize. The head that studied for the benefit of others was often ready to burst with an anguish of suffering. Towards the close of this period he and his people jointly gave a display of patriotic zeal that claims a passing notice. They for the time consented to forego his faithful services, and he as a sexagenarian en- countered all the discomforts of camp, the trials of march, the perils of the battle-field, and the miasma of the swamps and hospitals to act as chaplain of the Eleventh Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. The consent of his people being obtained on Sabbath, he joined his regiment on Monday at Camp Wright. After the battle of Bull Run the officers of the regiment by a unanimous vote invited him to re- main with them. He asked his congregation for leave, which was obtained. After an absence of four- teen and a half months they welcomed his return. From exposure during his chaplaincy the health of Mr. Torrance failed more seriously in 1866, and con- strained him to resign the charge April 23, 1867. Mr. Thompson R. Ewing having supplied the pulpit' three or four times, was unanimously called to be their second pastor. He was ordained and installed April 30, 1868. Rev. W. A. Fleming preached, Dr. McFarren charged the pastor, and A. Torrance the people. The experience gained by Mr. Ewing in a prolonged service for the Christian Commission added greatly to his qualifications for an energetic, efficient, and successful pastorate. To the first elders have been added John Hosack, Michael M'Ginley, Moorhead Edgar, James Wallace, James M. Shields, William Trimble, Isaac Parr Henry, John Mourer, Benjamin K. Craig, William Wallace, John C. Craig, Dr. J. W. Rugh, and Simpson. This church having had but two pastors, has raised four ministers, viz. : Revs. Moorhead Ed- gar, T. Freeman Wallace, T. Davis Wallace, and Rob Roy M'Gregor M'Nulty. The two Wallaces were sons of one elder and brothers of another. The elder of them married Miss Martha Torrance, daughter of the first pastor, and they have been doing very effi- cient missionary work at Bogota, South America, for twelve years, where they have been aided for six years by Miss Kate McFarren r daughter of the late venerable pastor of Congruity. DERRY TOWNSHIP. 595 LIVEBMORE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized April 22, 1851, by Rev. Adam Tor- rance and G. Morton, with elder S. Marshall. The members at first were twenty-four, with three elders, Samuel Black, John Colleasure, and William Simp- son. Sept. 1, 1851, Rev. George Morton, pastor at Ebenezer, was installed here for one-third of the time. Revs. James C. Carson preaching, N. H. Gillett charging the pastor, and George Hill the people. He was released April 1, 1853. During several suc- ceeding years there were but few supplies, and the sacraments were seldom administered. Then Rev. James Davis statedly supplied for some months. Rev. James E. Caruthers supplied statedly from May, 1858, until April, 1859. On May 20, 1861, Rev. J. B. Dickey was ordained and installed for half-time, when Revs. J. P. Fulton preached, David Kirkpatrick pre- sided, proposed the constitutional questions, and made the ordaining prayer. Adam Torrance charged the pastor, and S. H. Shepley the people. He was re- leased June 17, 1863. In October, 1865, Rev. D. Har- bison was called, and supplied half-time for eighteen months, and then returning the call accepted one from New Salem. Rev. W. F. Hamilton was called for half-time in March, 1868, and at once commenced his labors there and at Salem. He was installed Sep- tember 14th of that year, when Revs. J. W. Walker preached, S. H. Shepley charged the pastor, and George Hill the people. Under the first six years of his pastorate thirty-five members were added on certificate, and fifty-three on examination. The first house of worship was a frame in which the Baptists had a share, and was situated very inconveniently on a hill. The present is a comfortable brick edifice, favorably located, and was erected about 1862. The accessions to the eldership up to 1874 were John Gallagher, William M. Philerny, Jonathan Kerr, Dr. M. R. Benks, Daniel Uncapher, William McCurdy, Thomas Butterfield, William Irwin, Jo- seph Bricker, George W. Sheerer, John Archibald, Samuel Archibald, and Silas C. Fulton. The last four were installed and ordained Feb. 8, 1874. Of the above Messrs. Gallagher and Bricker have died, and Mr. Irwin removed. Up to 1874 this church had had three stated supplies and three pastors, and had raised and sent forth from its congregation no minis- ter. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT LATROBE was organized March 1, 1869, with one hundred and ten members, chiefly from Unity, by Revs. G. Hill, N. H. Gillett, and J. R. Hughes, with Jesse Cun- ningham and Samuel Miller. Its first elders were James Douglass, James Nichols, John Thompson, and Dr. D. W. McConaughey. The house of worship had been erected some ten years previous, and it was used as an outpost of Unity Church. Rev. N. H. Gillett, pastor of that church, would frequently preach an extra sermon in Latrobe. Then, by the advice and consent of the session, he had so divided his regu- lar services as to give this sub-station about one-third of his labors. Here his last days were spent, and here he died. Rev. S. M. Davis was ordained and installed its first pastor June 2, 1869. To the primitive membership of one hundred and ten were added in five years one hundred and sixty-six — just one-half on profession, and the other half by letter. The church is prosperous, and its Sunday-school has steadily increased in numbers and efficiency. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (DERRY) was erected in 1877, when the congregation was or- ganized, and Rev. D. R. McCaslin was the first pastor. He was born in Armstrong County March 10, 1847, and graduated at Princeton College. He preached nearly two years at Bowling Green, Ky., and then was called to this church and the one at "Salem." The elders wereE. P. Pitcairn, J. G. Alex- ander, A. O. Cavin, John Barnett, and the Sunday- school superintendent, J. G. Alexander. The edifice is a neat frame structure. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES. Prior to 1844, there was only at St. Vincents a Catholic priest for Westmoreland, Green, Fayette, Washington, Indiana, and Armstrong Counties. In 1844, Rev. J. Stillinger erected Blairsville as a proper station, after he had, in 1840, built a church there. The line between Blairsville and St. Vincents con- gregations was the big road from Brady's mill to Derry, and from Derry down to Millwood. Between Brady's mill and the pike, from Blairsville to New- Alexandria, half-way, was an old log church called Mount Carmel, sometimes visited by Father Still- inger. The church in Derry was erected about 1856, by Rev. H. Alto, of St. Vincents, and was attended by priests from St. Vincents until 1861, when Rev. T. Kearney, who had already charge of Latrobe, took charge of Derry until the former required all his time, when the latter got a priest of its own. St. Martin's Church, at New Derry, had for many years as its pastor the Rev. John Martin, under whose ministrations it grew largely in numbers and strength. The line of public works, first the canal and then the railroads, running through the township, the one along its upper border, the other along its lower border, brought in large numbers of foreign laborers, who in the greater proportion belonged to this com- munion. There was with all this, however, no urgent necessity for erecting churches much earlier than they here were, for these two points were for these people of easy approach. The number of Catholic people who were perma- nent residents about Derry town increasing, they were regularly supplied by the Monastery at St. Vin- cents until about 1856, when their church was built by the Rev. H. Alto, of the order. It was still at- tended to by the priests of the Monastery, until about 1861, when Rev. T. Kearney, of the secular clergy, who also had charge of the congregation at Latrobe, 596 HISTORY OF WESTxMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. took charge of Derry, till Latrobe grew too much, and it was inexpedient to divide his services, when Derry got a priest of its own. When the churches which had been founded or nurtured by the authori- ties of St. Vincents Abbey got strong enough to sup- port a priest of their own, they were then given up when they got their own pastor. THE CHURCH OF HOLT TRINITY (LATROBE) was dedicated Jan. 18, 1857. Its first pastor was Rev. J. Kearney. Previously Latrobe was a part of St. Vincents parish. Its number of souls is about one thousand. The first pastor was Eev. J. Kearney, who remained with his congregation for nearly twenty years, much beloved by all people. Latrobe being but little more than a mile from St. Vincents, it pre- | viously had formed part of that parish, until the wants of that part of the congregation necessitated the or- ganization of their own church. Attached to this church is a large and commodious school-house for children of the parish. The resident priest has a tasty and comfortable residence, and there is a grave- yard connected with the church. The edifice itself is commodious, comfortable, and elegantly finished and furnished both inside and outside. CHRIST REFORMED CHURCH (LATROBE). Latrobe is one of the many towns brought into ex- istence through the construction of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. It is located on this great line of travel and commerce, forty miles east of Pittsburgh. As early as 1855 some Reformed families moved here from various parts of the church. These, together with some members of the Youngstown congregation living in the vicinity, began to desire an organization. On March 4, 1859, Rev. C. C. Russell visited the field, and held the first Reformed services in the place, in the Presbyterian Church, in which they were con- tinued for some time. The Associate Reformed Church was then rented and used a while. An arrangement was then made for the use of the Lutheran Church until a new church edifice could be erected for a more permanent home of the congregation. On Sept. 23, 1860, a petition signed by Elders M. Saxman, Sr., and George Fritz, and Deacons M. Saxman, Jr., and David Hershey, together with a number of other Re- formed members, was presented to the Westmoreland Classis, asking the privilege of organizing a regular Reformed congregation in Latrobe, which was granted May 1, 1864. Rev. C. C. Russell retired and was fol- lowed in the pastorate by Rev. E. D. Shoemaker, who resigned in 1867. June 1, 1867, Rev. H. F. Keener was called to this congregation, which had been de- tached from the charge and constituted a part of a new missionary field. A lot of ground was now bought on East Main Street for five hundred dollars, and a new edifice began in the spring of 1868, under Benjamin Simpson as contractor. On Sept. 26, 1869, it was dedicated as Christ Reformed Church of La- trobe, its pastor and Rev. G. B. Russell, D.D., offici- ating. This property, including furniture, cost eight thousand dollars. In the fall of 1869, Latrobe was again placed back to form, with Pleasant Unity, Youngstown, and Ligonier, the present Latrobe charge. On June 1, 1870, Rev. J. I. Swander was called to the pastorate, under whom, in 1877, it num- bered one hundred communicants, and about an equal number of baptized children. The consistory then consisted of Sebastian Bair, S. D. Gress, John Wil- liard, and Frederick Garver, elders ; and D. J. Sax- man, John Brindle, Henry Best, and E. H. Fiscus, deacons. Peter Saxman left a bequest of one hun- dred and fifty dollars towards the liquidation of the church debt. Mary Mumaw built her monument and wrote her epitaph by bequeathing one hundred dol- lars for a baptismal font. It was designed by the pas- tor, and the work skillfully executed by H. Ousler & Sons. It is executed in fine Italian marble, and is an article of frequent use and a gem of great beauty. ZION LUTHERAN CONGREGATION, OF NEW DERBY, was organized in 1845. The first pastor was Rev. Augustus Rabb, who served eight years; the next Rev. Somra, who served four years ; then Rev. Bose- ner, five years; Rev. J. R. Focht, Rev. Bechtel, Rev. John Beeber, Rev. J. H. Smith, Rev. A. D. Potts. TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, LATROBE. The first Lutheran sermon preached in Latrobe was by Rev. I. O. P. Baker, in 1860, who preached here frequently, but not regularly. He was followed by Rev. G. Mechling, in 1862, or early in 1863. The latter was succeeded by Professor Daniel Worley, A.M., who took charge of Ligonier, Latrobe, and Derry in 1865. The Constitution, adopted the evening of April 14, 1865, is the first stated record we have con- cerning the organized congregation. Rev. Prof. Daniel Worley resigned June 28, 1865. He was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Smith, who continued eight years, and he was followed by Rev. A. D. Potts, who served one year. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, LATROBE, was organized about 1856, in which year its brick edifice was erected. Among its first pastors were Revs. McCarty and Bracken. The congregation be- gan with fifteen members, and before the erection of its house worshiped in the school-house. Since 1871 the pastors have been : 1871-74, J. F. Jones ; 1874- 77, J. T. Riley; 1877-80, A. C. Johnson; 1880-82, W. F. Conner, present incumbent. The Sunday- school superintendent is I. M. Keepers, and trustees, I. D. Pores, A. Shumaker, A. B. McChesney, D. E. Welch, G. B. Whiteman, J. S. Houck, Joseph Landis, A. S. Hamilton, I. M. Keepers. The United Brethren in Christ have a neat church edifice in the country, a mile and a half distant. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, DERRY, edifice was erected in 1876. Its pastors have been J. W. Mclntyre, 1876-79; R, J. White, 1879-80; and 2^ DERRY TOWNSHIP. 597 W. A. Stuart, 1880-82. The Sunday-school superin- tendent is Uriah A. Giesy, and the trustees are J. F. Ammend, Alexander Winn, William Dook, John Fry, J. C. Spear, G. C. Campbell, H. Gripps, Frank Horner. It is a circuit embracing Derry, New Derry, and Hillside. ST. MARTIN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, NEW DERUY, is a neat edifice, and has a large congregation. LA.TROBE BOROUGH. It may be said truthfully that a town so modern as Latrobe has no history, and as it is not the purpose of this book to pass for a directory, our remarks may not be so extended as the political importance of the place might seem to suggest. And, as we have avoided the invidious treatment of contemporaneous subjects, and have been sparing of laudatory obser- vations on prominent living personages, we trust our remarks on this subject will be appreciated. Before the Pennsylvania Railroad was projected, or even commenced, the site of Latrobe was covered with large forest-trees — oak and hickory — and thick undergrowth, such as were common to the bottom lands bordering on the streams of this region. The site of the mill-seat on the southwestern bank of the Loyalhanna, now owned by Mr. J. L. Chambers, was, it is true, occupied as a grist- and saw-mill since early in the present century, but there was only one road leading past it before the railroad. A great part of the land on the northwestern side of the railroad had not yet been reclaimed, and although that por- tion is laid out in streets and pretty generally built up, yet there are men living who worked in summer time standing in water there, digging up the roots and grubbing away the briers that the plow might be worked therin. Latrobe is, therefore, a railroad town, and owes its prosperity and its very existence to that corporation. Its citizens to-day are of the most enterprising and energetic character, and probably in business sagacity and business enterprise are not excelled as a commu- nity by any other in the State. Its population by the census of 1880 was eighteen hundred and thirteen, and this does not include the suburbs of Coopertown on the northeast, and West Latrobe on the southwest, nor any of the adjacent and dependent hamlets, vil- lages, or clusters about the coal- and coke-works in the vicinity. Since the last census was taken it has possibly increased more rapidly in population and in business capacity than any other incorporated borough in the county. With the suburbs of the borough proper there are safely estimated from two thou- sand seven hundred to three thousand souls, which might very properly be included in one corporation. The scenery in the vicinity is very picturesque and inviting, while the Loyalhanna, as it gracefully winds around the town, serves materially to heighten the beauty of the prospect. The country all around is remarkable for its fertility, and more grain is an- nually raised than in any other district in the county. The town is situated, as we said, on the Pennsylva- nia Railroad, where it crosses the Loyalhanna, in Derry township, distant from Pittsburgh forty miles. At an early day it was seen to be a desirable location for a town, and Oliver J. Barnes, an engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania Company, secured the ground upon which the town is now built. 1 He laid out a plan with much foresight and discernment. The plan was recorded ou May 28, 1851, in the re- corder's office of the county. The place was named after Benjamin F. Latrobe, a prominent civil engi- neer, closely identified with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and subsequently mayor of the city of Bal- timore. The place was laid out with great regular- ity like the squares on a checker-board, the streets crossing each other at right angles. It is situated on a flat piece of land in a bend of the creek. RAILROAD BUILDINGS. Mr. Barnes, the proprietor of the place, donated (ostensibly) the railroad three acres of land in the very centre of the town. Upon this the company erected a very large and commodious depot and water-station, which, built in the Roman style of architecture, looks more pretentious than the later and more ordinary water-plugs. They also erected a hotel building of brick, three stories in height, with all the modern conveniences. In this building the company has its ticket-office, and it serves for the station-house. The rest of the ground is used for lumber- and cattle-yard. The viaduct over the Loyalhanna River, on the south of the town, is a model of engineering design and skill, and is regarded as one of the finest and most substantial of all the river-crossings belonging to the road. When the construction of the railroad was com- mencing there was but a single house and barn on the site of so much wealth and so much labor. Within four years the place contained a population of between five and six hundred. At the time the borough was incorporated, the hotel of which we spoke was in the occupancy of John M. Marshall ; the other hotel, known afterwards by various names, was in the occupancy of Maj. David Williams, who is still a resident of the town, and who was a con- tractor on the road when it was building. These buildings were both at that time in course of erection. INCORPORATION. The borough of Latrobe was incorporated by the court, according to the prayer of the petitioners, by decree of 24th of May, 1854. 1 He purchased of Mr. Kirk at a mere song, and realized over eighty thousand dollars for his lots. Mr. Kirk, who on the sale of the land went to Pittsburgh, afterwards returned to Latrobe, and paid nearly as much for the site of his residence (a very handsome house) as he had received for his entire farm. 598 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. The corporate officers were directed to be a chief burgess, one burgess, and three assistant burgesses, and a town clerk. It was also declared to be a separ- ate election and school district. The first election was to be held at the house of Maj. David Williams, at that time a public-house, and at present time known as the " Parker House." This election was to be held on the 10th day of June, 1854. John Parker was to give due notice of the same ; Robert W. Bald- ridge was appointed judge, and Samuel Geary and James Kuhn inspectors. Subsequently, and before the election was held, the appointment of James Kuhn as inspector was vacated, and Jacob Bierer was appointed in his stead. CIVIL LIST. The following is a list of corporation officers from the time of the organization of the borough until the present: 1854. — Chief Burgess, David L. McCulloch; Burgess, John W. Coulter; Assistant Burgesses, William Platts, Joseph Bossart, R. Brinker; Secretary, K. SI. Biildridge: High Constable, W. H. Williams. The following have been chief burgesses since then : 1855-60. David L. McCulloch. 1860. J. J. Bierer. 1S61. SI. Bossart. 1802. David L. McCulloch, with John Brinker, burgess, act- ing as chief burgess part of year. 1863. John Moore. 1864-66. George Kuhu. 1866. J. J. Bierer. 1867-69. George Kuhn. 1869. John Ackerman. The borough officials in 1882 are: Chief Burgess, J. J. Bierer, Assistant Burgesses, W. SI. Best, S. P. Keyes, A. T. Douglass; High Constable, W. C. Campbell; Secre- tary, John Mclntyre, who has held this position since May 19, 1873. REMINISCENCES. Although a modern town in every sense, yet some memories of Latrobe connect it, if not with the old times, at least with old manners. Before the civil war some old customs which yet obtained, but which the war dissipated, were yet dear to the people ; and these " rites and ceremonies," as they may, with a stretch of privilege, be termed, were being transferred reluctantly from the old-time places to the more modern places. The Fourth of July fol- lowing the incorporation of the borough was cele- brated in Latrobe after the olden fashion. On that day a large number of the foremost men of Greens- burg, Youngstown, Derry, Saltsburg, Blairsville, and of the whole country round, assembled in the dining- room of the railroad hotel, and after having the Dec- laration of Independence read, and a speech made, they gave their toasts. These may be found in the files of the old county papers. Ah, the wit, wisdom, patriotism, and hilarity of these sentiments and those that perpetrated them ! for there were among them 1870. John Slaher. 1871. John Bennett, burgess, act- ing as chief burgess. 1872. William Head. 1873. A. H. Young. 1874-76. Reuben Baker. 1876. William Beatty. 1877-79. Reuben Baker. 1879. Uriah Heacox. 1880. Reuben Baker. 1881. ThomaB McCabe. many (some of whom are still living) of those still known, — the Keenans, the Johnstons, the Cantwells, the Coulters. BANKS. Latrobe has two banking-houses: The Citizen's Banking Company of Latrobe (which rose out of the ruins of the banking-house of Lloyd, Huff & Watt, who were compelled, by the failure of their correspondent in New York, to go into bank- ruptcy for their creditors after the panic of 1873) was organized Nov. 1, 1873, and began business in De- cember following. The first stockholders were David Williams, James Toner, John L. Chambers, William Anderson, D. L. Chambers, Reuben Baker, Jesse Chambers, Eli Chambers, I. D. Pores, S. H. Baker, Wesley Wilson, E. H. Wilson, A. Y. Douglass. It was a copartnership limited to five years, and when dissolved it was reorganized by its present proprie- tors, S. H. Baker, Reuben Baker, D. L. Chambers, and I. D. Pores. It is a private bank with individ- ual liability. The first president was Wesley Wilson, succeeded by the present one, I. D. Pores. W. H. Watt was cashier until July 1, 1880, when the present incumbent, Joseph Killgore, who had been assistant cashier, succeeded him. They occupy their own building, which was originally built by the firm of Lloyd, Huff & Watt. The Banking- House of W. S. Head & Son, as now known, was organized and opened in the spring of 1873. It is a private bank with individual liability. It was established under the firm-name of W. S. Head & Bro., the latter being Joseph A. Head. The first year its rooms were at the corner of Depot and Ligonier Streets, but thence were removed to its present site. William S. Head is one of the foremost, as he has been one of the most successful, business men in the town. He is a native of Frederick Co., Md. He early removed to Latrobe from Youngstown, where he had been engaged in the mercantile business, and in the same calling grew up with the place. He erected (in 1851-52) the first private house within the limits of the borough, on the site now covered by the im- posing block which he has since erected, the ground- floors of which are occupied as store-rooms, and one of them as bank. Mr. Head was also the first railroad and express agent in Latrobe. STORES, TRADE, Etc. Latrobe has a local reputation for the excellence of its stores. These are divided in the line of goods into specialties, and this was one of the first towns in our part that successfully carried through this innovation. The pioneer in this matter was I. D. Pores, the head of I. D. Pores & Co., hardware merchants, who has built up for his firm a splendid reputation, and made for himself a handsome fortune. In this arrange- ment he was followed by W. S. Head & Co., who carry exclusively dry-goods and fancy goods, by Hoke & Co., and by Michael Bossart & Son, who follow in the DERRY TOWNSHIP. 599 same departments. So all the branches of the mer- cantile business are separated, and all flourish. Boots and shoes, hats and caps, with furnishing goods for men, tinware, drugs, notions, millinery and trim- mings, grocery, queensware, jewelry are all exposed in different establishments. Besides this, there is a ready market at Latrobe for all the product of the fields, woods, barns, or hands. The wheat market has been ably represented by the Messrs. Chambers, who, although brothers, and both engaged in the same business, are not so as business partners. These gen- tlemen, Leasure Chambers and John Chambers, have, as a general remark, controlled the wheat trade cen- tering here, within a radius of some five to eight miles, for a number of years past. CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, Etc. There are eight churches. These are the property of the following denominations severally: Presby- terian, United Presbyterian, Catholic, Methodist, Re- formed, Lutheran, Baptist, and United Brethren. 1 Other denominations from time to time worship in some of these buildings by sufferance, such, for in- stance, as the Protestant Methodist and the Covenant- ers. Its school-house is a tolerably good brick build- ing, of two stories, but not so good or airy as it might be, considering the number of scholars in attendance. It is graded into three departments, and it is note- worthy that the authorities have uniformly had very excellent teachers. Besides the public schools, the Catholic parish supports its own school. 2 There are two public halls for the accommodation of the strolling minstrels and the wandering lecturer, and the accommodation would appear to be equal to the demand. There are four licensed hotels. MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. The Pennsylvania Car-Works were established in 1852 by Oliver J. Barnes, who operated them some six or eight years. They then remained idle until 1862, when their present proprietors, S. H. Baker and Reuben Baker, purchased them. The latter gentlemen, both from Chester County, have since conducted them with great profit to themselves, and largely to the material growth of the town. When they took charge there was only the brick shop and the foundry, to which they have added several buildings. Their shops cover an area of three hundred by two hundred and twenty feet on Railroad Street, with six other lots on Thomson Street. They work one hundred and thirty men, and manufacture freight and second- class passenger-cars, making all their soft castings save the large wheels. They turn out from three to four cars daily, and aggregate about a thousand a year. They build them from the ground, and manu- ^ee sketches of these churches on antecedent pages of this township history. 2 The borough is now building a school-house that will be when com- pleted everything that could be desired. facture everything except the big wheels. They have extensive planing-mills, and get their lumber from their own saw-mills, of which they have three in In- diana County, two in Westmoreland, and two in West Virginia. The two latter turn out seventy-five thou- sand railroad ties a month. They buy lumber all along the Ohio River, but principally at Parkersburg. The Baker Brothers were the organizers of the Loyal- hanna Coal and Coke Company, and still own some eight thousand acres of coal and timber land in this county, and three thousand acres of lumber lands in West Virginia. They are agents for the Pennsylvania Railroad in furnishing supplies, and besides their car manufacturing do a large business in work and cast- ings for outside parties. Their business annually ex- ceeds a million of dollars in these works. THE LOYALHANNA PAPER-MILLS were established in 1865 by Bierer, Watt & Co., who erected the main building. They subsequently sold to G. S. Christy & Co., who, in the fall of 1871, sold out to Metzgar Brothers & Co., who, in 1870, were merged into the firm of James Peters & Co., the pres- ent owners. The firm consists of James Peters, M. J. and Edward Metzgar. The mill burned in Oc- tober, 1879, and in January following the new one was erected. The former was a frame and the latter a brick structure. The main building is one hundred and sixteen and one-half by thirty feet, the next building fifty-five by thirty (the pulp-room), and the finishing-room sixty-five by thirty-two. Some forty hands are employed. It makes roofing, manilla, and wrapping papers. Its markets are principally Balti- more, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Chicago, and with a house in the latter it has for 1882 a contract for two million three hundred thousand pounds of paper. It makes daily fourteen thousand pounds of paper, and runs three hundred days in the year. Four-fifths of its material used are rags, and the balance straw and rope. It uses daily sixteen thou- sand pounds of rags, purchased from Harrisburg, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia chiefly. It takes three hundred and fifty bushels of coal daily to run the mills. It has a large paper stock and ware- house in Pittsburgh, and are now erecting one near their mills here, ninety by fifty feet. It has in its mills two hundred and fifty thousand pounds of ma- chinery, four boilers twenty-eight feet long and forty inches in diameter. Their works cover two and three-fourths acres, with five thousand square feet of ground just opposite, and are located on Ligonier, between Spruce and Oak Streets. THE PREMIUM FLOURING-MILL is the property of Samuel Walthour, and is on the corner of Railroad and Jefferson Streets. It is forty- five by fifty feet, four stories high, has three run of burrs, and all its machinery is complete and in good running order. Its ground embraces- two lots of one hundred feet square, is situated in the heart of the 600 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. town, fronting the Pennsylvania Railroad, with siding D. Evans, G. B. Anderson, Reuben Baker, L. A. running past the door. The engine power is sufficient Hoke, George L. Miller, John Thompson, I. D. Pores, to run three run of burrs and machinery. An excel- | H. P. Fulton, E. C. Richey, Joseph Nichols, Paul lent bored well yields all the water necessary to run j A. Gaither, W. H. Ackerman. It meets the second the boilers, even in the dryest seasons of the year. and fourth Monday evenings of each month. THE I'LANING-MILLS are two, both very large, and owned by Col. George Anderson and O'Brien & Toner. ORDERS AND SOCIETIES. LOYALHANNA LODGE, No. 257, F. AND A. M„ was constituted Sept. 19, 1853, with the following charter members and officers : W. M., John W. Coul- ter; S. W., Martin Runyen; J. W., Jesse A. Cun- ningham ; S. D., W. O. Hugart ; J. D., Samuel Elder ; Sec, D. Zimmerman. The Past Masters of this lodge are : 1854, John W. Coulter ; 1855, Jesse A. Cunningham ; 1856-58 and 1862, Jesse Chambers ; 1859, J. R. McAfee ; 1860, David Mc- Culloch ; 1861, J. J. Bierer ; 1863, James White ; 1864, D. C. George; 1865 and 1869, W. H. Watt; 1866, Sebastian Bear; 1867, John Oursler; 1868, Joseph Chambers; 1870, John G. Lowry ; 1871, S. R. Rut- ledge ; 1872, D. W. McConaughy ; 1874, D. P. Harr; 1875, Jacob H. Oursler ; 1876, George L. Miller ; 1877, E. H. Fiscus; 1878, A. G. Chambers; 1879, J. D. Evans ; 1880, D. W. McConaughy ; 1881, Jesse Cham- bers. The officers for 1882 are : W. M., J. D. Evans ; S. W., D. E. Welsh ; J. W., George B. Anderson ; S. D., J. C. Blair ; J. D., B. McCloy ; Sec, Sebastian Bear ; Treas., J. L. Chambers. It has fifty-eight members, and meets the first Monday of each month. LATROBE LODGE, No. Ml, I. 0. O. F., was chartered May 22, 1858, with the following offi- cers : N. G., C. F. Beam ; V. G., William Pollick ; Sec, I. M. Keefers; Treas., George Bennett. The officers in 1882 are: N. G., G. C. Kissel 1 ; V. G., Charles L. Mitchell; Sec, B. F. Geiger; Treas., I. D. Pores; Janitor, George Yingling. It meets every Saturday evening. SHALLUM ENCAMPMENT, No. 141, I. 0. 0. F., was chartered March 24, 1866. Its first officers were : C. P., I. D. Pores; H. P., I. M. Keefers; S. W., Samuel McCutchen ; J. W., George C. Anderson ; Scribe, W. H. Williams; Treas., David M. Bear. In 1882 the officers are : C. P., John Mickey ; H. P., S. P. Keys; S. W., George Yingling; J. W., John W. Yingling ; Scribe, D. J. Saxman. It meets the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month. LATROBE LODGE, No. 368, ROYAL ARCANUM, was chartered May 3, 1880. The charter members were A. M. Sloan, James Peters, Henry C^Bgst, S. S. Philips, H. G. Chambers, H. E. Hoke, Rev. J. L. Riley, Frederick Metzgar, D. C. George, T. W. Wei- mer, John W. Yingling, J. K. Barr, S. H. Baker, J. LATROBE LODGE, No. 30, A. O. U. W., was chartered Oct. 2, 1871. The first officers were : P. W. M., I. M. Keefers ; W. M., I. D. Pores ; G. F., D. C. George ; O., Reuben Baker ; Rec, John Smith ; Fin., R. McWilliams ; Rec, J. L. Chambers ; G., D. J. Saxman; I. W., Uriah Heacox ; O. W., John Oursler. LATROBE ASSEMBLY, No 273, KNIGHTS OF LABOR, was chartered Feb. 24, 1877, with the following charter members' Thomas McKeman, Enoch Davis, Sr., Edward Casey, Charles Mitchell, David Mitchell, Howard Keyes, George Sutton, Enoch Davis, Jr., John S. Sutton, Samuel M. Burns, Bernard Smith, John M. Geiger, John Williams, Jacob Smith, John Burke, Edward Bell, John Davis, Jr., John Flannery. It was organized June 19, 1880, and rechartered June 30, 1880. It meets the first and third Friday evenings of each month. LOYALHANNA LODGE, No. 950, KNIGHTS OF HONOR, was chartered Sept. 5, 1878. The charter members were W. H. Watt, Henrx-£LJBest, Reuben Baker, S. H. Baker, W. B. Norris, B. S. Kelly, A. P. Fultou, Joseph Nichols, D. C. George, G. B. Whitemau, James Peters, Paul H. Gaither, S. P. Keyes, John Newcomer, A. C. Keepers, J. J. Bierer, L. A. Hoke, C. F. Leachley, A. G. Chambers, George Kuhn, J. P. Klingensmith, A. M. Sloan, J. B. Hysong, J. F. Story, Jacob Fehr, Jesse Chambers, J. C. Campbell, J. W. Yingling, J. U. Horrell, Charles B. Fink, William C. Coleman, E. Pitcaim. It meets the first and third Thursday evenings of each month. P. A. WILLIAMS POST, No. 4, G. A. R., Its meetings are the second and fourth Friday evenings of each month. It was organized in Greens- burg April 18, 1874, as Maj. John B. Keenan Post, No. 4, and was the first in the county. In April, 1880. it was removed to Latrobe, and its name changed i to P. A. Williams. Its first Commander was J. A. Ege, and after its removal here the first was Frederick Metzgar, succeeded by Dr. J. D. Evans. Its removal was authorized by Chill W. Hazzard, Deputy Com- mander of the State. The officers for 1882 are: C, Jacob H. Oursler ; S. V. C, S. E. Bell ; J. V. C, A. Shumaker; O. D., James I Peters ; Q.M., Eli Chambers ; Surg., Dr. J. D. Evans; 1 Chap., Rev. T. B. Anderson ; Adj., Frederick Metz- ; gar; O. G., Thomas Murphy; Sergt.-Maj., Patrick I Mansfield: 0,M.-Serg., T. W. Weimer. ' {_£y^^ t ?>^( BERRY TOWNSHIP. IJ01 SCHOOLS. The directors of the schools are : President, Fred- erick Metzger ; Secretary, A. S. Hamilton ; and John Thompson, John S. Houck, D. P. Barr, H. 0. Best. The teachers are : Prof. George H. Hngus, Room No. 6 ; Rollin Guss, Room No. 5 ; Miss Lizzie Kelly, Room No. 4; Miss Martha White, Room No. 3; Charles Wakefield, Room No. 2 ; Miss Mary Mc- Kelvy, Room No. 1. At a meeting of the Board of School Directors of the school district of the borough of Latrobe, Pa., held on the 8th day of February, a.d. 1882, the fol- lowing proceedings were had, viz. : " Kesolveil, Tliat the school district of the borough of Latrobe erect a new common-school building according to the general plaus and speci- fications prepared and now in the care and custody of A. S. Hauiilton, secretary of the board, and for that purpose that the indebtedness of said school district should be increased $22,332.10, which is an amount not exceeding five per centum of the last preceding assessed valuation of the taxable property of said district. " Resolred, That as such increase of indebtedness exceeds the consti- tutional limitation of the power of the board, that the question of such increase, for the purpose aforesaid, shall be submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of said school district, to be held at the usual place of voting in the said borough of Latrobe, on Tuesday, the 14th day of March, A.D. 18S2, between the hours designated by law ; and as provided bylaw the board submit to the consideration of the said qualified voters the fol- lowing statement, viz. : "1. The amount of the last assessed valuation of property, etc., in said district taxable for school purposes (including territory annexed for school purposes) is $446,042.00. "2. That said school district is not now in debt, and that the amount of the existing debt of said borough is $3800.00. " 3. The amount of the proposed increase of indebtedness to be in- curred in erection of the new school building, outbuildings, aud furni- ture, according to the general plans and specifications, is $22,332.10. "4. The rate per cent, thereof on the last assessed valuation is .05. "Resulted, That the president aud secretary of the board of school directors of said district are hereby authorized and instructed to make proclamation and give such notice as is required by law of the said election. " Now, .therefore, in accordance with the foregoing resolutions, procla- mation is hereby made that an election will he held at the usual place of voting in the borough of Latrobe, on Tuesday, March 14, A.D. 1882, between the hours of seven o'clock in the morning and seven o'clock in the evening, to determine whether the debt of the said school dis- trict may be increased $22,332.10, for the purpose of providing and erecting a new common-school building, outbuildings, and furniture for the same, and the qualified voters on said questiou shall each vote a ticket labeled on the outside ' Increase of Debt,' and on the inside con- tain tlie words ' Debt may be increased,' or 'No increase of debt,' as the voter may choose or desire." This was voted affirmatively, aud the board is now erecting a three-story brick school building with ten rooms on the site of the old school-house. OTHER BOROUGHS, VILLAGES, Etc. NEW ALEXANDRIA BOROUGH. By act of Assembly of 10th of April, 1834,— the same act by which Ligonier borough was incorpor- ated, — " the town of New Alexandria or Dennis- ton's town, in the county of Westmoreland," was erected into a borough, under the name and title of the borough of New Alexandria. By the same act the officers and their duti-w and powers were specified, and the time and place ■ f election were designated. On the second Tuesday of the next May the inhab- itants entitled to vote were to meet at the school-house in the said borough to elect their first officers. Early settlers or inhabitants near New Alexandria : E. A. Robinson, George Michel, David McGinley. Alexander Denniston laid out the village of New Alexandria, giving it his name. Some of his de- scendants yet live in the neighborhood. LIVERMORE BOROUGH. The borough of Livermore is situated on the south- western side of the Conemaugh River, and on the line of the Western Pennsylvania Railroad. It was, before it was incorporated, a village which sprang into existence by reason of the canal, and was laid out into lots and streets so early as 1827 by one John Livermore, one of the principal engineers on the canal. John Gallagher was the first burgess, and G. M. Beham was the secretary of the first Council. Its population by the census of 1880 was one hundred and sixty-four. Owing to the local trade it enjoys from the surrounding country, its business is, in com- parison to its population, decidedly good. It contains a hotel, quite a number of stores, a steam grist-mill, railroad station and depot, and is a post-office. It has a Methodist Episcopal and a Presbyterian Church, and is a separate school district. A number of the inhabitants residing in Derry township, within the limits of now Livermore bor- ough, presented a petition to the Court of Quarter Sessions at November sessions, 1864, desiring to be incorporated, and giving the boundaries and limits of the proposed borough. M. R. Banks made affi- davit that the petition was signed by a majority of the freeholders residing within the limits therein set out. On the 15th of November it was submitted to the grand jury, who duly returned it favorably. On Feb. 13, 18(35, the court ordered the presentment of the grand jury in this regard to be confirmed, and that the prayer of the petitioner should be granted, and that part of the township included within the limits described, which included the village of Liver- more, should he incorporated under the name of the " Borough of Livermore ;" that the first election should be held at the school-house in the borough, on the 31st day of March, 1865; that John Hill should give notice of the election ; and that Richard Freeland should be judge, and James Duncan and G. M. Beham, inspectors. NEW DERRY. The village of New Derry is one of the old-time villages of the township, and like many others it might give occasion to the remark that the town was finished long ago. So would it have been, was it not for the vitality of the couutry round, and the great material wealth that exists there, for ordinarily a place so near the railroad, and with such competition as was offered by all the novelty and the enterprise which draws and attracts people to new places, the 602 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. place would have been as a business point much in- ferior to what it actually is. DERRY STATION is situate on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, fifteen miles east of Greensburg, and three west of the Packsaddle Gorge of the Chestnut Ridge, one of the wildest, most picturesque, and romantic regions traversed by the great highway of Pennsylvania. There was no town or settlement here of any import- ance until 1852, when the railroad was built, and then the first buildings put up were by the railroad company. From a railroad point of view it is one of the most important stations on the road, for here all the freight trains are overhauled, inspected, weighed, and made up into trains according to the several lines of freight-bearing cars, and started anew on their several journeys. The number of these cars that are separated and assorted according to lines will average eighteen hundred daily, and the impor- tance of the station is accordingly manifest. In a few words may the operations at this point be described. First. The station is located on a straight piece of track one and two-thirds miles in length, one-third of a mile from the western terminus of this straight course, and one and one-third miles from the eastern. The grade of the track is down towards the east, but light and easy. From the station the distance either way is readily traversed with the eye, so that trains by day or night can be seen at any point therein. Second. A number of sidings are placed on each side of the two main tracks of the road, five on the north side and two on the south side, which, with a third on the south for depositing freight at Derry, make ten tracks, which are all connected with switches so that cars can readily be transferred from one to another. This shifting is done with eastward- bound trains without a locomotive, taking advantage of the down grade in that direction ; but with west- ward-bound trains an engine is required. Third. A corps of officers and employes well organ- ized, and each efficient in his particular duty by long experience with a proper regard for the responsibility of his position. This corps comprises a train-master, dispatchers, weigh-masters, telegraph operators, car- inspectors, and machinists, the duties of which may be briefly stated. The train-master has charge of the trains between Pittsburgh and Altoona. He is highest in authority at the station, and has a general supervision over all that takes place in the yard. This important post has long been occupied with great satisfaction to the com- pany, and consequently credit to himself, by Mr. Ed- ward Pitcaim, a gentleman of extensive railroad ex- perience, prompt, exact, and trustworthy at all times. The dispatchers are two in number; they have control of the cars from the time they arrive in the yard until they leave, make them up into trains, regu- late their movements, supply cars wherever needed between Pittsburgh and Altoona, keep records of locomotives, conductors, engineers, cars, number of them, and whether loaded or empty, etc., which records are daily transmitted in duplicate to the superinten- dents at Pittsburgh and Altoona. Every twenty-four hours on an average they handle, to use the phrase of the road, as many as eighteen hundred cars, at least six hundred more than are handled at the yard in Pittsburgh. A stranger can scarcely understand how all this is done without confusion and innumerable accidents, but with the experience of years, under the guidance of the two gentlemen above named, every- thing runs as smoothly as clock-work, and accidents never happen except for causes beyond their control. The weigh-masters, as their name indicates, weigh and keep records of the weight of locomotives, com- pany and individual cars, loaded and empty, stock, coal, grain, etc. Practice has made these gentlemen very quick and accurate in their particular business, and it is one of the most interesting features of a visit to their office to see them weigh a car as it passes over the scales in one or two seconds. The telegraph operators are two in number. It is their duty to keep a full register of the arrival and departure of all trains east and west, to deliver orders to trainmen, to transmit reports of the dispatchers to the superintendents, and such other messages as are daily required in the management of such a stupend- ous business road as the Pennsylvania Central. To accomplish this great work they are provided with what is considered the most complete and convenient telegraphic apartment on the line of the road, — a spacious room on the second floor of the station build- ing, with windows on three sides, so that the whole yard can be surveyed at a glance and the relative situation of all trains observed by day and night, the headlights of the locomotives and the colored lanterns attached to the trains and carried by trainmen being discernible even in the moonlight for the distance of a mile or more. The office is furnished with four Penn- sylvania Railroad lines and four Western Union lines, and also with signals, etc., as well as provided with speaking-tubes and transmitting-waiters, connecting it with other offices in the building. The car-inspectors, of whom there are at present six, examine carefully the cars as they arrive, test the wheels, etc., and report their condition to the dis- patchers. If any need repairing, they are turned over to the machinists, who, besides the gang and other laboring men employed generally on the road, will conclude this list. If the repairs to be made are slight the cars are not removed to a special siding ; other- wise they are separated from their trains, shifted to a secure place, where they may be put in order with greater convenience. It is expected that in a short time repair-shops will be erected at Derry, but at present all work is done in the open yard. Besides these special .features of Derry Station, there is another of interest and importance to be al- :^ yVj^L^CO^C Cr-^i^l ~o«e>-t- WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION, Etc. Washington Township was legally organized in 1789. The erection resulted from the following peti- tion : " Upon tbe petition of Sundry of the inhabitants of Siilem township to the court, praying that a division of the said township might he made by their worships in such manner as they should judge most convenient and proper, as the extent of the said township is at present so great as to put it out of the power of a constable to do his duty therein. And the distance is too great to attend elections from the extremities of the town- ship, as in some measure to deprive them from attending the same." The above petition was read and continued at a prior meeting of the court, for the minutes read : " Petition read and continued, and now at the July session, 1789. The court, considering the large extent of Salem township, order that that part of said township, beginning at the line between Salem and Frank- lin townships ; thence by an easterly course to the head of a branch of Beaver Kun that runs through the lands of William Hall and Joseph Thorn ; thence down said branch to where it empties into tbe main branch ; thence an easterly course to where it strikes the Kiskiminetas or Loyalbanna, — which said division or boundary is to be hereafter known by tbe name of Washington township." The only villages in this township are North Wash- ington and Oakland Cross-Roads. The principal stream is Beaver Run, which forms the eastern boundary of the township; Pike and Poke Runs are streams of minor importance, although of vast benefit to the farms through which they pass. In the centre, as also in the southern part, extensive veins of coal exist. These are largely developed, but in the other por- tions of the township there is coal, but it is not mined to a very great extent. The principal industry is agriculture, and the prosperous and tidy aspect of the farms and residences attests to the attention paid by their thrifty owners. Its inhabitants number some of the best families of the county, and the appear- WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 607 ance of the township shows its wide-spread prosperity. It was named in honor of President Washington. PIONEERS. Among the early settlers were the Walters, Sloans, McKowns, Kerns, Branthoovers, McKillips, Cham- bers, Hills, Rughs, Calhouns, Steels, Georges, Bairs, Yoekeys, Thompsons, Brineys, MeQuilkins, Mc- Quaids, Halls, and McCutheons. SCHOOLS. The tirst school was organized in 1808, on the farm now owned by Daniel Hilty. It was taught by an Irishman named Timothy Collins. The house was built of logs, lighted by strips of greased paper pasted on the crevices between the logs, and heated by an old-fashioned fireplace. These were the days when corporal punishment was administered with a ven- geance. About the same time Charles Foster kept a school in an old deserted log building on the farm now owned by Joseph Neely. Not long after this Joseph Muffly taught several sessions in the town- ship. His teaching was an improvement on the age in which he taught. The township adopted the free- school system about 1836, at a sharply-contested elec- tion. Among the first directors were Alexander Thompson, John Reed, and Adam Bowman. The first teachers were John McCormick, John Duff, S. McCormick, and others. The first examiner was John Craig, who had also been a teacher, and was followed by several others up to the time of the county superintendency. In the fall of 1853, a teachers' institute was organized by the teachers at their own expense, which is said to have been among the first district institutes ever held in the State. Among the teachers were W. H. Townsend, J. H. Gill, A. J. Thompson, and S. G. Thompson. POKE RUN PRESBYTERIAN TERY. CHURCH AND CEME- In 1783 or 1784, Joseph Thorn, William Hill, John Hamilton, James Paul, David Carnahan, and others applied to the Presbytery to have preaching at Poke Run, the name of the stream running along past the base of the hill on which this ancient church now stands. Its site was then thickly covered with poke, and the first house erected there stood not far from a spring in John Miller's field, and was part of the time used for a school-house, in which the two firar teachers were Messrs. Findley and Critchalow. In l 1789 the Poke Run congregation erected a large log I church edifice seventy by thirty feet, on the same site where the present brick building stands, and applied to the Presbytery for preaching. On Sept. 22, 1790, Rev. Samuel Porter was installed as its pastor. He was ordained with Rev. John McPherrin on James McKee's farm in Congruity. Poke Run was then a frontier settlement exposed to the incur- sions of the Indians, who frequently committed ter- rible depredations in that vicinity and on the other side of the Allegheny River. During the few first years of his pastorate some of his congregation were obliged to carry their rifles with them to the house of worship. His pastoral relations continued until April 11, 1798, when he resigned so as to devote his entire time to the Congruity congregation, which with Poke Run had before been his charge. There was then no regular preaching until 1799 or 1800, when Rev. Francis Laird came over the mountains from the East, and began preaching to Poke Run and Plum Creek congregations united. He was installed as pastor in Conrad Ludwig's meadow ; June 22, 1800, that being a middle position between the two congregations. This was in 1800. He was pastor for twenty-nine years and six months, and then accepted a call from the church at Murrys- ville. The next two years there was supply preach- ing by Revs. Alexander and Martin, — the latter a Welshman, who turned out to be an impostor and deceived the church officers, — William McGeary, Samuel Hill, Alexander Thompson, John Townsend, Joseph Young, and James Christy, members of ses- sion. This was in June, 1831. In 1833 (May 1) Rev. James Campbell, of Arm- strong County, was installed as pastor and continued until he resigned April 1, 1834, when Rev. David Kirkpatrick began stated supply preaching to this congregation and the one at Elder's Ridge. May 9, 1838, he was installed as pastor, and commenced his regular ministrations, and preached in the old log church and in the woods near John Miller's until the brick edifice was built and finished in 1836, when the church called him for the whole of his time at a salary of six hundred dollars per year. Mr. Kirkpatrick continued as pastor near until his death, Jan. 5, 1869 (having resigned June 23, 1868), a period of thirty years. 1 In 1812, the members of the session were John Hamilton, James Paul, William Hill, John Given, Joseph Thorn, Samuel Paul, and William Guthrie. After them were John Townsend, Samuel Hill, James Christy, Alexander Thompson, William McGeary, and Joseph Young ; then followed Alexan- der Cowan, Obadiah McCowan, Andrew McCutheon, William Stewart, and Robert McQuilkin, after whom were John Ralston, James Thompson, James Sloan, ,, * The Rev. David Kirkpatrick, D.D., died at his residence at Oakland, Westmoreland County, on Wednesday the 5th of January, 1869. He was one of the leading divines connected with the Presbyterian denom- ination, was a remarkably fine scholar and theologian. He was born in Ireland, and was a graduate of the University of Belfast. For some years he occupied the position of principal of the academy at Milton, Pa., an institution which numbers among its graduates such men as Ex-Governor fjurtin, Rev. D. X. .Tunkin, D.D., Rev. G. Marshall, D.D., and many others who have become prominent. For many years subse- quent he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Poke Run, in this county, one of the largest congregations in Western Pennsylvania, and during his pastorate won the love and esteem not only of the members of his own charge but of all with whom he became associated. He had reached the advanced age of seventy-four years, and although his death was not entirely unexpected, it will cause sincere regret among his numerous friends and acquaintances. He was the father of Judge John M. Kirkpatrick and William II. Kirkpatrick, Esq., of Pittsburgh, Pa. 608 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. William McQuilkin, John Dickey, and Henry Weis- ter. When Mr. Kirkpatriek was installed in 1835, they were Samuel Hill, John Townsend, Alexander Thompson, William McGeary, James Christy, Jo- seph Young, and William Guthrie. In 1875 they were Henry Rose and James Paul. Rev. Henry Bain, from Ohio, succeeded Mr. Kirkpatriek in 1869, and is the present learned and popular pastor. Under his pastorate the congregation has largely increased in membership, and through earnest labors a new church edifice, built of brick and in modern style, was erected and dedicated in 1881. This church re- ceived Rev. John McMillan as its first supply Oct. 18, 1785, under the designation " Head of Turtle Creek ;" and April 9, 1780, Rev. James Power, under the name of " Poke Run." When Mr. Porter, the first pastor, came with his family, he encamped by a large fallen tree, set up two forks twelve feet from it, laid a pole between them, and others as rafters from it to the log, from which he stripped bark enough to cover it, as a shed under which to sleep and study, while the part outside of the post was a durable back-log for their fire ; and thus they lived until a house could be erected. The present pastor, Rev. Henry Bain, having graduated at the Western Theological Seminary in April, 1869, was called immediately to Poke Run, and on the first Sab- bath in May began to preach here, and was or- dained and installed June 22d of that year. Rev. T. R. Ewing preached at this installation, Dr. McFarren presided and made the ordaining prayer, A. Torrance charged the pastor, and J. A. Marshall the people. Though of good Seceder and Associate Reform stock, he joined the Presbyterian Church at a great revival at Haysville, Okio. He has entirely remodeled the style of worship at Poke Run. The use of tokens, table- seats, and the Scotch version of psalms, all in vogue when he came, has given away to the usages of sur- rounding Presbyterian Churches. The right-hand elders of Rev. Kirkpatriek in his long pastorate were Hon. Samuel Hill, Joseph Thompson, and John Townsend, Sr. This church is by far the most wealthy, harmonious, and unchanging of all the country churches in the Blairsville Presbytery, and was made such by the labors and prayers of two stated supplies and five pastors during a period of ninety-seven years. It has produced from its congregation one able and eloquent minister, Rev. Daniel W. Town- send. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This church was erected at Oakland Cross-Roads in 1875, and dedicated in the fall. When built there were but few Methodists in the neighborhood. It is a neat frame structure, and was erected mainly through the means and exertions of James Mehaffey, aided by Moses Miller and his two sons, James and John, and John Walter. It belongs to the Sardis Circuit, and the present pastor is Rev. W. S. Cummings. PINE RUN REFORMED CHURCH. This congregation, near North Washington, was organized conditionally April, 1861, with twenty- seven members. These members belonged previously to the St. James congregation, near Salina, but the distance being too great to attend divine worship regularly at that church, they were dismissed for the purpose of forming a new congregation. The names of those thus dismissed were John Yockey, Jacob Weister, John Gumbert, Sr., Simon Kuukle, Libby Kunkle, William W. Weister, Elizabeth Weister, Ja- cob H. Yockey, Dorcas Yockey, Conrad Beighley, Catharine Beighley, Susanna Gumbert, Daniel Gum- bert, Christiana Gumbert, Leah Kunkle, Elizabeth Muffley, Samuel Fry, Margaret Fry, Joseph Knap- penberger, Anna Knappenberger, Jacob Waugaman, Mary Waugaman, John Waugaman, Mary Lauder, Franklin Kunkle, Israel Muffley, and Susanna Auk. The congregation was attached to the Salem charge, of which Rev. R. P. Thomas was then pastor, and consequently he continued to minister to this people, as he had done while they yet belonged to the St. James congregation, which was also a part of the Salem charge. Services were held every other Lord's day, in the afternoon, at the " Yockey school-house." John Yockey generously donated one acre of ground as a site for a church and graveyard ; a subscription was taken, and a building committee appointed to carry out the project of erecting a church. This committee consisted of Cenrad Beighley, Daniel Gumbert, and Elder John Yockey. The corner- stone of the proposed edifice was laid June 5, 1862, the pastor being assisted in the ceremonies by Rev. C. C. Russell. The same day John Yockey and Ja- cob Weister were elected elders, and Simon Kunkle and Jacob H. Yockey deacons. The building was dedicated August 30th following with dedicatory ser- mon by Rev. G. B. Russell, of Pittsburgh. The next day eleven new members were added to the congrega- tion, — nine by the rite of confirmation, and two by renewal of profession. Those entering into the con- gregation at first contributed towards building the church as follows: John Yockey, one acre of land and $100; John Gumbert, Sr., $100 ; Simon Kunkle. Leah Kunkle, Jacob Weister, William W. Weister, Conrad Beighley, J. H. Yockey, Daniel Gumbert, c:nli $50; Israel Muffley, $25; Susanna Gumbert, $10 ; Joseph Knappenberger and John Waugaman, each $5. The balance to pay the contractor was con- tributed by persons who became members afterwards, and by persons in the neighborhood who were friendly to the enterprise. Rev. R. P. Thomas continued the pastor until the spring of 1863, and added fifteen members during his pastorate of two years. His suc- cessor was Rev. Thomas J. Barklay, in April, 1863, t who remained in charge to the end of 1866, when the St. James and Pine Run congregations were consti- tuted a new charge, called the St. James. During his ministry nineteen were added to the communi- "■«*•: ctsvntJ WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 609 cant and twelve to the baptized membership. He organized a Sunday-school May 8, 1864, of which Cyrus Kunkle was elected superintendent, William Weister assistant, J. D. Louffer secretary, and John Yoclcey secretary and treasurer. It increased until it numbered sixty-six teachers and scholars. Rev. T. F. Stauffer succeeded him in 1867, and was the first pastor of the St. James charge proper. From this time on Pine Run congregation received half of the pastor's time, which gave it new life and prosperity. He resigned September, 1871, to accept of a call to the Wilkinsburg Mission, Allegheny County. During his pastorate fifty-nine full members were enrolled upon the church-book, and eighty-four chil- dren baptized. He changed the services from the afternoon to the forenoon of Sundays, which revived the Sunday-school, for which he secured a good new library. His successor was Rev. J. B. Welty, who began his labors in September, 1872, but only re- mained one year, having decided to engage in mission- work in Iowa. He added fourteen members by con- firmation and certificate. Rev. John Grant, and then Rev. John McConnell, each served the congregation as supply for a period of six months. The latter re- ceived one by confirmation and three children by baptism. In June, 1875, this congregation was stricken off from St. James' charge and erected into a charge by itself. In July following Rev. Henry Bair became the pastor of this new charge. In 1877 this charge numbered one hundred and six confirmed and eighty-seven baptized members, owned a substan- tial church edifice, and was free from debt. Its offi- cials then were : Elders, John Yockey, Daniel Lauffer, John Gumbert, Sr. ; deacons, Simon Kunkle, P. K. Gumbert, Asa Blose ; trustees, John Yockey and Simon Kunkle ; chorister, J. D. Lauffer. The Sun- day-school then had upon its roll twelve teachers and eighty-five scholars : Its officers were : Superinten- dent, Frederick Wigle ; secretary, Jacob H. Yockey ; librarian, P. K. Gumbert; treasurer, John Gumbert, Sr. ; choristers, A. B. Hill and J. D. Lauffer. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. JAMES SLOAN. Among the original and good people of this county may be classed the Sloan family, to which Mr. James Sloan belongs. The old stock came from Scotland ami Ireland, and settled in what is now Franklin County, near the Maryland line. The great-grandmother was captured by the. Indians and taken to the Indian village of Kittanning. She was kept a prisoner for two years and a half. When on a hunting expedition with the Indians one even- ing the party came upon a trail ; one of the number asked where that trail led to, when one of the Indians said it led to a white settlement, — Fort Wyoming. This was the first chance during these many months to escape. During the night this white woman left the hunting-camp and took the path through the dense woods to the white settlement. She traveled for three nights, hiding herself during the daytime; after great suffering she at last reached Fort Wyom- ing, and returned to her home. The grandfather, Robert Sloan, was born and lived in Franklin County, dying at the age of seventy-eight. The father of James Sloan, John, came with his wife, Elizabeth, to Westmoreland County in the fall of 1797, and settled in Salem township, on land owned now by ex-Superintendent H. M. Jones. John Sloan and Elizabeth Steel were married in 1795 or 1796. The land through the southern part of the county was owned by one James Campbell, from whom John Steel bought a mill and divided with his brother-in- law, John Sloan. There were three sons and two daughters born to John and Elizabeth Sloan, viz. : Robert, John, James, Mary, and Eliza. Robert Sloan, by trade a wheelwright, bachelor, died near Clarksburg. John S., a farmer, married Jane Christy, lived on farm adjoining old homestead ; died 1878. Mary, married Charles McLaughlin, lived near La- trobe; had four children, three still living. Eliza, married to James McKelvy, farmer, near Clarksburg, Indiana Co., Pa. ; still living. James Sloan, whose portrait is here given, was born in Salem township on May 14, 1806 ; remained on the old farm fifty years. Married, June 15, 1827, to Miss Margaret Alcorn. Moved in the spring of 1856 to the farm he now lives on in Washington township. Mr. Sloan has five children living,— John, Eliza, William, Nancy, and James. Among his grandchil- dren is A. M. Sloan, Esq., of the Greensburg bar. Mr. Sloan has filled important positions in the county and in the church. He is a clear and steady-headed FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION. The exact date of the organization of Franklin township, in Westmoreland County, is not fixed by satisfactory record evidence. It was erected, however, between 1785 and 1788, for at the October sessions of 1785 there was no such township, and at the October session of 1788 it is named, as is also Salem, and its constable was in attendance at court. PIONEER SETTLERS. To William Meanor, Eobert Hays, Michael Rugh, Mr. Finley, John Hill, Mr. Stitt, Matthew Gorden, and others belongs the honor of being the first to settle in the township. William Meanor bought a claim from an Indian for a keg of tobacco and a rifle, and after locating the claim by a "tomahawk survey," built the first house in the township on the farm now owned by John Rubright. On April 3, 1769, Robert Hays made application to the government for land, and in consideration of forty-five pounds two shillings and sixpence was granted a tract of three hundred and thirty-nine and a half acres. He built a house soon after, within a few feet of the one now occupied by David Steele, which was the second one in the township. These cabins or dwellings were built of logs, with puncheon floors and wooden (stick) chimneys. The furniture consisted of a rude wooden table, split logs for benches, a rifle-rack, etc. The early settlers all came from be- yond the mountains in the eastern part of the State. For a few years these hardy pioneers prospered. Other settlers came, and the wilderness was gradually being transformed into fertile fields, when the Indians became troublesome, and a warfare commenced which only ended when the savages were driven from the country. In 1778, Michael Rugh and family, con- sisting of a wife, son, and daughter, were captured by the Indians and taken to their camp near the present Oil City, where they spent the winter. They were taken the following spring to Canada, where they were held for three years. Upon their release they were sent to New York City, and from thence they made their way back to their home, on the farm now owned by John Haymaker. When peace was established and the State government formed, Michael Rugh was elected to the House of Representatives. When his term expired he returned to his farm, where he resided until his death in 1820. His son died CIO during his captivity, and his wife in 1809. His daugh- ter was married to Jacob Haymaker in 1794, and her son, John Haymaker, now lives on the place settled by Michael Rugh. Robert Hays and his son were also captured by the Indians and held for three years. During their stay with the Indians the son acquired such a taste for the wild life of the woods that he was with diffi- culty persuaded to leave them, and after his return to the settlements he spent nearly all his time in hunt- ing and fishing. After Robert Hays was released he returned to his farm, and during another raid by the savages he was killed in the doorway of his dwelling. In early times, when a man wished to settle on a tract of land, he made what was called a " toma- hawk survey" by going around the tract and blazing the trees which would inclose his claim. Possession of the tract for twenty-one years would give him a color of title. Samuel Sword was the first constable elected. The first schools were established in 1800, in which read- ing, writing, spelling, and arithmetic were all the studies taught. The first grist-mill and store were at Murrysville. Among the first saw-mills was one built by William McWilliams, at which in early times was sawed nearly all th« timber for the surrounding meeting-houses. In the latter part of the last century Patrick Mc- Kinney was an old-fashioned Irish tailor, who peram- bulated from house to house, making what was called home-made cloth coats for the farmers and their sons. He was fond of his cups. About 1805 he went from what was called Burbridge's cabins (where he had a kind of home with an old man named Boyd) to the old still-house. Here he got his coffee-pot filled with whiskey and started for his home, about three-fourths of a mile distant. On his way he was seen by Wil- liam Richey, who was plowing in a field where now is Michael Ringer's orchard. Just on the top of the hill he sat down on a large rock that lay close to the bridle-path that went from Walthour's block-house to Carnahan's block-house, the former a short dis- tance southwest of Harrison City, and the latter a little north of Perrysville, in Bell township. Here McKinney sat down to rest. Here he was found in a drunken stupor by George Hall, who was on his way home from a blacksmith-shop that stood a little way from John Larimer's, and by William Richey, who both tried to carry Pat to his home, but ere they FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 611 reached it his life's spark had fled. He was buried in Riddle's graveyard. His cabin stood near a spring in what was called Samuel McMahan's walnut patch, above Doncaster's old steam-mill. In 1807 William McConnel married Susan Mc- Henry, wtiere John W. Riddle now lives. His grand- father had forty or more years before entered a large tract of land, on which William erected a log house, near where John Steel's cider-press used to be. John %IcConuel, son of William McConnel, who settled in this township before the close of the Revolution, mar- ried Nancy McKee, and inherited the five-hundred- acre tract of his father. About 1776 Jonathan, the father of Jacob Hill, took up a tract of land near the township line now occupied by Geiger, Slocum, Silvis, Steele, Smith, and others. In the spring he went over to Philip Drum's to make some arrangements and get some apple-trees to plant where Lewis Geiger or Adam Huffman lives. On his return Jonathan Hill was waylaid just on the ridge back of Joseph Lauffer's and scalped by a band of Indians. He was buried near where Drum's Church is. His son, Jacob Hill, inherited all his property and erected an old-fash- ioned distillery. Among the early settlers were the Wilsons, Bor- lands, Humes, Bethunes, Riddles, Wallaces, Beemers, Ramaleys, Andersons, Walps, Hamiltons, Dices, Lairds, Longs, Elwoods, Fergusons, Hays, Pattersons, McCutcheons, Haymakers, Berlins, McCalls, Rughs, Kings, Chambers, Snyders, Kuhus, Oglees, Teogers, McAlisters, Tallants, WTgles, Dibles, Beacons, Parks, and Taylors.- About 1820 and 1825 the original surveys or large farms had mostly passed into the hands of the second generation. Four, five, and sometimes six hundred acres composed an original farm, but by 1835 they were all subdivided among the heirs. The most prominent of the early schoolmasters was William Masters, a man of small stature, but of resolute will and energy. Old George Anient used to boast that he could go through the township on a good frosty day and tell with exactness at every barn whether the thrashing was done by the day or by the bushel without inquiry, but simply by the difference in the stroke of the flail, the stroke in the one case being so much quicker and more vigorous than in the other. The venerable widow of John Reager still lives at her old home just north of Sardis Post-office, in the northwestern part of the township. She is ninety- three years of age, and recollects all the incidents of ■ the Indian massacres in the country that happened seven or eight years before her birth, as narrated to j her by those who witnessed or participated in them. THE BERLIN FAMILY. In 1794 one of the soldiers who came from Eastern Pennsylvania in the army to put down the " Whiskey I Insurrection" was Jacob Berlin. He got a furlough in Pittsburgh to come out to that part of Franklin town- ship now included in Penn, to visit his uncle, Jacob Berlin, who had settled there some twenty years before. He so liked the country that in the spring of 1795 he returned with his wife, formerly Miss Eve Carbaugh. He finally settled between the Fink and Lauffer farms. His children were four daughters and six sons, viz. : Polly, married to Henry Smith, Catharine, to Jonathan Keithler, Lydia, to Daniel Knappen- berger, Sally, to George Detter, John, Frederick, Jo- seph, Samuel, Powell, and Elias, of whom Powell removed to Forest County, Frederick to Clarion, and John to State of Ohio. Col. Elias Berlin, the youngest son, was born in 1803, and married Sarah, daughter of George Anient. His children were four boys and five girls, viz. : Israel, Henry, Joseph, Cornelius Elias, Mahala, married to Nicholas King, Maria, Esther, married to Joseph Lauffer, Katy Ann, to Isaac Ringer, and Seruah, to James Chambers. His brother John served in the war of 1812. His farm is on the Pitts- burgh and New Alexandria turnpike. He killed sev- eral wild-cats, bear, and deer when a boy in this township, and picked up many bullets on the battle- field of Bouquet, where the Indians were defeated. THE BORLAND FAMILY. John Borland was born in 1750 in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to America the first time about 1769. He crossed the ocean five times. He returned to Ireland in 1775, and was prevented by the Ameri- can Revolution, then just beginning, from returning until 1781, when he brought with him his two broth- ers, Samuel and Matthew, the former settling on the Manor (now Penn township), and the latter locating in Washington County. John came to Franklin township in 1790, and entered some five hundred acres of land, part of which is the homestead of his son, Maj. Thomas Borland, who was there born in 1805. His neighbors were Charles Wilson (owning the lands now possessed by Judge John W. Riddle) and David Crookshanks. He married in 1791 Mar- garet, daughter of William Carnes, who lived two miles out on the Manor. His wife's brother married a daughter of Charles Wilson. John Borland had a very extensive distillery twenty rods below the pres- ent Borland homestead, in the hollow. His children were John, William, Rachel (died young), Andrew (became a printer and went to Missouri), James (owned the place where Cornelius E. Berlin resides), Samuel, Thomas, and Margaret (married to William McQuaid). Thomas, the only survivor of these chil- dren, married in 1847 Jane, daughter of Robert Wil- son, of Salem township. John Borland bought his land of William Ellison, Jr., in 1790, for ten shillings per acre, which had been entered by Ellison at the same time that A. M. Boyd entered his tract. John Borland, Jr., was in the war of 1812, and served at the siege of Fort Meigs under Gen. Harrison. The 612 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. first school-house in this neighborhood was on the Borland farm. It was built in 1799, and in 1812 was removed to another part of the farm towards the Manor. Samuel Milligan was its teacher for over six- teen years, who received six dollars a year from each scholar by subscription. John Borland died in 1830, aged eighty years, and his wife, Margaret (Carnes), in 1861, aged ninety-seven. His sister, who married Judge Potts, of Johnstown, died shortly afterwards. THE RIDDLE FAMILY. John and Robert Riddle, brothers, came from the north of Ireland about 1767, and first stopped with Charles Wilson, whose wife was their aunt. They both served in the Revolution, and Robert died in camp. After the close of the war John married Isa- bella Gaut, and settled on land where " Burnt Cabin Summit" is, now owned by Thomas McQuaid. He died in 1793. His children were John, Robert, and Mary, whose first husband was a McMaster, and sec- ond John Gordon. Robert, the second child, married Mary, daughter of John Williamson, of Salem town- ship. His childreu were Nancy, Susan, Isabella (married to John Mock), and Judge John W. Riddle. The latter was born in 1812, and married in 1838 to Margaret Jack McMahan. In 1864 he was elected a representative in the State Legislature, and in 1871 was chosen for five years one of the associate judges of the Common Pleas Court. His father, Robert, died in 1863, aged seventy-eight years. THE WILSON FAMILY. Charles Wilson settled in Westmoreland County before the burning of Hannastown. He had five hundred acres of land in Franklin township (of which the Judge Riddle farm is a part), and four hundred acres near Beaver. His four daughters were respec- tively married to Samuel McMahan, William Jack, Matthew Jack, and James Carnes. THE SNYDER FAMILY. In the last quarter of the past century Matthias Snyder with his wife, Betsey (Kuhns), came from Northampton County, and settled in Hempfield town- ship, four miles south of Salem. They located on the farm where their son Daniel died in 1881. Mat- thias died in 1813, and his wife in 1816. Their chil- dren were Molly, John, who settled near New Alex- andria, where his family is; Peter, who removed to Missouri ; Jacob, Daniel, and Jonathan, living with his nephew, Joseph Snyder, near New Alexandria. Of these, Jacob Snyder was born March 16, 1797, and in 1823 married Mary, daughter of Frederick and Christina (Harmon) Marchand. His children are Daniel, Lavina, married to Levi Long; Sarah, married to Ebenezer Steel; Susan, Jonathan, Rev. Jacob F., and Matthias. He learned the carpenter's trade with Jacob Dry, whom he helped to build the frame house in Salem that formerly stood where Mrs. John Quilkin's present brick residence is. Jacob Dry was a noted builder in his day, and erected the Union Churches at Manor and Brush Creek. Jacob Snyder came in 1831 to Franklin township, and set- tled on the farm on which he now resides. He pur- chased it from the assignees of the Greensburg Bank that had failed. It was a part of an original tract entered by John Moore, who willed it to his son Isaac. His father, Matthias Snyder, served in the Revolution. His son, Rev. Jacob F. Snyder, has been a prominent minister in the Reformed Church since 1865. He preached a year and a half in Arm- strong County, and since then in this, residing in this township near his father's residence and the scene of his labors. THE HUMES FAMILY. John Humes, an early emigrant from north of Ireland and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, set- tled at its close in this township with James Gibson. His land was a tract called "Southampton," con- sisting of two hundred and twenty-eight acres and one hundred and fifty perches, which had been sur- veyed by a warrant dated Aug. 26, 1786, to James Gibson, and for which the patent was issued March 22, 1804. His children were James, John, born May 20, 1797 ; Thomas, still living in New Salem ; Nancy, married to Moses Clark ; Jane, married to Mr. Humes, of Crawford County ; Ann, married to John McCall ; and Margaret, married to Isaac Clark, of Ohio. John Humes was in the war of 1812, and was wounded in the leg. The family has ever been members of the Seceders' Church. John married for his first wife Elizabeth, daughter of William Park, Dec. 27, 1821. She was born Sept. 15, 1802. Their children were William P., born Aug. 22, 1826, and postmaster at Manor Dale ; James G, born Nov. 24, 1827 ; John F., born July 10, 1831. His second wife was Sarah, daughter of John Watters, born March 9, 1800, whom he married Feb. 12, 1835. By this union were born the following children : Thomas McQuilkin, Jan. 19, 1837 ; Mary Jane, Nov. 7, 1838, and married to George R. Ramaley ; and Jeremiah, who died in infancy. John Humes died May 27, 1869, and Elizabeth (Park), his first wife, Nov. 10, 1833. The land settled by John Humes, the emi- grant, was some three hundred acres, overrunning the original survey, and is nearly all owned now by his three grandsons, William P. and James G. Humes and George R. Ramaley. THE DUFF FAMILY. John and Alexander Mcllduff were two brothers who came from Ireland and settled in this township about 1780, on a tract of three hundred and thirty- one acres, " with an allowance proportioned to six per cent.," in pursuance of a warrant dated Aug. 26, 1786, which tract was surveyed by John Moore, dep- uty surveyor. It was bounded then by the lands of William Callan, Peter Hill, Philip Drum, James Gibson, and Michael Hoffman (or Joseph Work- FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 613 man's). This tract is now owned by John, Robert, William, and Mary Duff and Ebenezer Steel. The name Mcllduff was, after a few years, changed to Duff. John Mcllduff had two brothers, — Oliver and Alexander. His children were Alexander, born 1783, and died in 1854; John, Robert, and Ann, married to John Watt. Of these, Alexander mar- ried Mary Lusk, who came from Ireland with her parents when she was only three years old. By this union were born the following children : John, Mary (unmarried), Ann, died single, William, Elizabeth, married to William Chambers, Alexander (deceased), Margaret, married to John Doncaster, and Matilda, married to Dr. James C. Laughrey, of Pittsburgh. John Duff and his wife built their cabin and cleared a small corn-patch, and the following year, when they were walking out one Sunday evening, leading their little and oldest boy by the hand, and were returning from their walk, they saw a smoke arise towards their cabin, when he ran forward, by good hick only far enough to get a glimpse, when he saw it in flames and surrounded by Indians. Mr. Duff, with his wife and boy, hid in the thicket all night. At this invasion of the savages many of their neighbors were massacred and Hannastown burned. Many of the offspring of the ancestral Duffs have been and are still prominent in the professions of medicine and divinity, and among the former is Dr. J. H. Duff, of Pittsburgh. John Mcllduff (after- wards changed to Duff) was the foremost man in the Seceders' Church -in this region, and gave the lot for the old log meeting-house and graveyard from his vast estate. THE CHAMBERS FAMILY. In 1725 five brothers of the name of Chambers, emigrants from Ireland, settled on the Susquehanna River, in Dauphin (then Lancaster) County. After- wards this family removed to the Cumberland Valley, where its descendants laid out the town of Chambers- burg. One of the line of this family, John Chambers, located at the beginning of the century in Washing- ton township, where he resided when he married Annalena Humes, daughter of John Humes, of this township. Their eldest child was William Chambers, born near Manor Dale, Feb. 14, 1818. He was mar- ried in 1843 to Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Lusk) Duff. His children are James Alexan- der, John Humes, Mary Elizabeth (deceased), and Sarah Jane, married to Washington Hill. He was elected in 1879 on the Democratic ticket as one of the county jury commissioners, which position he still holds. His maternal grandfather, John Humes, was once chased by the Indians to the block-house, and was so hotly pursued by one of their number that he turned around and struck the savage in the face with his hat, which baffled him for a minute or so, and thus enabled him to reach the house, only a few rods away. Once when out hunting his horses, which had got loose and wandered off, he was pursued by the Indians, but taking the creek he got home safely, al- though the bullets from the enemy's guns grazed his clothing. At one time, when plowing, an Indian dog approached him, which he killed, and took from it a ring fastened to its neck by its master, who was near, and soon approached with several of his comrades, but jumping on his horses he escaped to the block- houses before the savages could get within shot of him. THE HAYMAKER FAMILY. Another prominent and early settled family was that of Haymaker. Jacob Haymaker, the noted justice of the peace in olden times, was the father of John, George, and Michael, who all became wealthy farmers and leading men of the township. The squire possessed a fine farm, now in possession of his son Michael and the heirs of George (lately de- ceased). As a magistrate he was peculiar, and his manner of dispensing justice was so different from the methods of justices of the present day that it is worth relating. He had his term of court, or law-day, once a week. All suitors appeared on that day, and the court being duly opened he announced it as his opinion that the best way to proceed was for all par- ties to settle amicably and they would feel better af- terwards. He would hear no case before every effort had been made to settle it, and invariably postponed the hearing to facilitate this purpose until after din- ner. The dinner was always ample, and both sides made to join and dine with him, and if they were all temperate people, a little old rye distilled in the neighborhood would be dealt around as an appetizer. This good cheer and the squire's good humor and urgent advice to settle generally had the desired effect, if not before dinner, very soon after, and when the only obstacle to the settlement was the squire's costs he canceled them. Such practice was not cal- culated to enrich the squire. The more of it he had the poorer he was likely to get, but the products of his farm were large and he enjoyed his way and had the respect and esteem of the people. Although of German extraction, he sided with the English class in sentiments and social habits. THE NEWLAND (otherwise NEWLAN) FAMILY. William Newlan was the founder of the village of Newlansburg. He built a mill and owned a good farm. He was a quiet, industrious, and strictly honest man, who came from the Sewickley Quaker settlement. He raised a large family of boys and girls, all of whom are the children of his daughter, Mrs. Miller, who still holds the old place. Joseph Miller, his son-in-law, a highly influential man, spent his whole life after his marriage in the same place. Rev. O. H. Miller, ex-State librarian, and now of Allegheny City, is one of his sons. THE MELLON FAMILY. Archibald Mellon, of Parish Keppey, County Ty- rone, Ireland, married Elizabeth Armagh, of same 614 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. place, and in 1816 emigrated with his family to America, and settled in Unity township, of this county. His children were Armagh, Andrew, Samuel, Thomas, John, Archibald, and William. Of these, Andrew married Rebecca Walkup, born in , Ireland, by whom he had two sons, Judge Thomas | and William Mellon, and two daughters, Eleanor and Elizabeth. Iu 1819, Archibald (the emigrant), with his son Andrew, and their families, removed to Franklin township, where they lived until 1833, when they settled in Allegheny County. Archibald Mellon, Jr., was born in Ireland in 1796, and came with his parents in 1816 to this counly, and located first in Salem township. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Stewart, in 1828, and has no children. He now resides in New Salem borough. When Andrew Mellon left the " Crab-tree Farm," in Unity township, he settled on the one in this town- ship now held by P. Kline and P. Pifer, a short dis- j tance north of Remaley's (now Stark's) mill. Here an incident occurred to his son, Thomas Mellon, ex- | judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny j County, and now the senior partner of " T. Mellon & Sons' Bank" of Pittsburgh, that changed the whole \ course of the future life of the then young lad. When ten years of age he happened into a log cabin of a neighbor to escape a shower of rain, and while there picked up a much dilapidated copy of the " Life of Doctor Franklin, written by himself." He borrowed it, and that old blurred volume, not bigger than a spelling-book, changed the whole course of his j subsequent life. It kindled his ambition for knowl- | edge, useful knowledge, and its maxims became the foundation of his professional and business success, which have been very great. Had it not been for this trivial circumstance Judge Mellon would have | doubtless spent his life quietly and laboriously in cul- tivating one of those poor farms in his old neighbor- hood. His father, Andrew Mellon, was one of the first four elders of " Cross-Roads" Presbyterian Church, which was organized May 6, 1836, and ceased to act in 1841, when he removed into Allegheny Count)'. OTHER FAMILIES AND NATIONALITIES. Besides these there were the Hamiltons, the Clarkes, the McKalips, and other English, or rather Scotch- Irish families, well to do and well doing, in and about the centre of the township. The English did not, how- ever, equal the Germans in numbers, the latter pre- dominating in 1820 two to one. The well-known and worthy families, the Hills, Klines, Painters, Ramaleys, Drums, and others were of the German stock, and were also in most part the second generation or next in suc- cession to the first settlers on the lands on which they resided. The Germans and English, or Scotch-Irish, three-quarters of a century ago here formed two sep- arate or distinct classes, differing in sentiments and social habits and customs, although never disputing nor opposing each other, always good neighbors, but not associating closely. No more generous, kind, or obliging neighbors could be found than the Germans, self-sacrificing, but in nowise selfish or self-asserting. In all honesty and good will their standard averaged rather higher than the English, but in religion and in social or domestic habits they were perhaps lower in the scale than the English. CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS LIFE. The condition of religion in the township may be gathered from the following extract from a pamphlet on the Sunday question, written by the venerable Judge T. Mellon, of Pittsburgh : "This reminds me of the religions ideas and hahits over fifty years ago in that part of Westmoreland County (Franklin township) where I was raised. Rev. Father Wynal, of the Lutheran persuasion, was nurs- ing an emhryo congregation among the Germans. He resided near Salts- burg, but came over and preached to them every fourth Sunday, holding the services in the dwelling of our nearest neighbor, Peter Hill. The congregation has since developed into that now worshiping in a comfort- able brick edifice known as Hill's Church, with Mr. Snyder as pastor. "Well, at the time to which I refer, when Mr. Wynal was the pastor, and old Peter Hill, as honest a man and good a neighbor as need be, was its contributor, treasurer, trustee, and entire session, the Sunday on which preaching tctis to be at Peter's was regarded as a holiday indeed by the surrounding German population. They gathered from all quarters. The services lasted from nine till twelve a.m., when Peter's wife, Hetty, nie Geiger (for he was married twice, and had iu all twenty-five children), with the assistance of her neighbor women, would have an ample dinner cooked, which was not only free but welcome to all who had come to meeting. The dinner being over, the younger men would spend the after- noon in games of corner ball and pitching quoits on the green in front of the house, whilst Mr. Wynal and Peter and the old men Bat smoking their pipes on the porch, looking on at the sport with marked satisfac- tion. Evidently it occurred to neither pastor nor people that there was anything wrong or sinful in the performance. Times change, however, and religious observances, as well as other habits, change according to the prevailing fashion, for the same congregation would not now spend Sunday afternoon in that way. "At the same time we of Scotch Presbyterian proclivities had a sim- ilar gathering every third Sunday at Duff's Tent. Duff's Tent was a place in the woods with benches made of split logs, and an eight-by-ten box-shaped structure, boarded up and roofed, for a pulpit, and for a pas- tor we had the Rev. Hugh Kirkland,a fresh graduate from the theologi. cal school at Glasgow, aud zealous in the strictest ideas of the Scotch Kirk. He regarded the merits of Rouse's Version of David's Psalms and the enormity of Sabbath-breaking as of vital importance, and he preached on few topics except 'To prove the Roman Catholic Church to he the antichrist and whore of Babylon;' or 'The desecration of the Sabbath by the Lutherans;' or ' The damnable heresies of the Method- ists in denying the doctrines of innate depravity and predestination, and persisting in singing carnal songs instead of the Psalms of David.' This kind of preaching, however, did not bring forth good fruit, even iu the Scotch Presbyterian soil in which it was sown. My father allowed the Methodists the use of a vacant house on his place to hold their meetings, and several of the flock attended a Methodist meeting on one occasion to hear the Rev. Bascomb and some of the leading men. Mr. Humes joined in the singing. This the reverend gentleman regarded as an indignity to his teaching, and in his next sermon he took occasion to animadvert severely on the conduct of tho9e who, after being washed from their sins had, like the sow, again betaken themselves to wallow- ing in the mire. He was so pointed as to nearly designate the delin- quents by name, and this raised a row; but the straw that broke the camel's back was the starting of a Sabbath-school. George and Michael Haymaker and some other young people of his flock undertook to open a Sabbath-school in the school-house at Newlansburg near by. This was too great a saciilege for the good man to bear. He could not brook the desecration of the Sabbath-day by such worldly employment as school- teaching, and as a majority of his flock inclined to favor the Sabbath- school, he shook the dust from hiB feet and departed." FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 615 EMMANUEL REFORMED AND LUTHERAN CHURCH (UNION). A century ago this township, where now are beau- tiful farms and comfortable dwellings almost as thick as the stars in an evening sky, was then a dense for- est, save here and there a settler's cabin. The wild and savage Indian yet occasionally roamed over these hills and skulked through the valleys. Within sight of the church are some of the localities where his vengeance fell, carrying some into a terrible captivity, dispatching others with tomahawk and scalping- knife. The graves of both Indians and whites, who fell by each other's hands, are still pointed out to this day within sight of the church. Notwithstanding the perils of those earl) 7 days, our brave and hardy ancestors did not forget God, nor the " assembling of themselves together." To Brush Creek, three-fourths of a score of miles, often on foot, bearing their babes and little ones in their arms, they repaired for wor- ship. Here the little ones were baptized by Rev. John William Weber, the veteran pioneer Reformed minister of Western Pennsylvania. Within half a mile of the present Emmanuel Church stands the ancient log dwelling, now tenantless and fast going into decay, where three- fourths of a century ago Rev. Father Weber occasionally preached the glad tidings of salvation. He died in July, 1816. Rev. William Weinel came upon this religious field about 1816, and his labors resulted in an organized congre- gation about 1820. His temple was the plain house or barn of those of his Hock. In 1828, in connection with the Lutherans, a Union Church was built. The ground for the site was do- nated by Philip Drum and Peter Hill, both members of the Reformed Church. The former was a Revolu- tionary soldier, and lived until he was ninety-six years of age. The house was of hewed logs, about twenty-eight by twenty-six feet. The members hewed the logs on their own farms, and hauled them to the location. When they had a sufficient number, they called in the help of their neighbors and erected the church. The females having met together also on the ground did the cooking. The principal and almost the only men who took part in this enterprise were Philip Drum, John Kemerer, Jacob Cline, Mi- chael Cline, John Cline, Peter Hill, and John Lauf- fer, Reformed, and George Hobaugh, Lutheran. The church was seated by placing rough boards upon the trussels. In 1845 it was enlarged by sawing out the eastern end and adding a frame of fourteen feet to its length. The whole building was at the same time weather-boarded, and a pulpit of the wine-glass style constructed. Rev. Weinel continued until 1853, his last communion being Sept. 25, 1852, at which there were seventy-three communicants. During his pas- torate he confirmed eighty-nine persons, and baptized three hundred and thirty-two. Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D., began his labors June 12, 1853, having service every four weeks, and half the time in Eng- lish. In 1856 a building committee to erect a new edifice was appointed, viz. : John Rubright and Peter Hill, Reformed, and John Stark and George Har- baugh, Lutheran. September 12th of that year an article of agreement was entered into with John YV. Kuhns to erect the church. Material, brick ; size, sixty-five by forty-four feet; height, twenty feet to the square; oval ceiling; plan, Gothic; and to cost two thousand seven hundred dollars. On Easter Sunday, April, 1858, it was dedicated. Dr. Hacke's pastorate continued until his resigna- tion, June 16, 1867, under which fifty-eight were con- firmed and one hundred and ninety-five added to the baptized membership. His successor, Rev. J. F. Snyder, entered upon his duties April 1, 1867, and services were had every two weeks in the English language. Jan. 1, 1873, Emmanuel and Olive became one charge. In 1876 the parsonage was erected upon an acre lot donated by Peter Pifer, who, with Daniel Cline, built almost the entire wall, completed with but little assistance the carpenter-work, and did the plastering without the remuneration of a single cent. It is a T-house, size thirty-six by sixteen feet ; kitchen, fourteen by sixteen feet. John Kemerer, over fourscore years, helped to do the hauling and put down the well. When a young man he helped to dig the foundation of the parsonage in which Dr. Hacke has dwelt these many years, and was one of the pillars in the first and second building of " Em- manuel." This parsonage is beautiful in appearance and is also beautifully located, a few score yards from the venerable old dwelling already described. The first Lutheran pastor in this Union Church was Rev. Michael John Steck, whose successors were Revs. Jonas Mechling, Zimmerman Meyers, A. Tet- ter, J. S. Fink, from 1869 to 1875, when Rev. J. A. Scheffer was called. OLIVE REFORMED CHURCH. During the closing of the last and the beginning of the present century families of the Reformed faith from the eastern counties of Pennsylvania and Mary- land settled in this neighborhood. The nearest place of worship for them was Brush Creek, almost a score of miles distant. Thither the fathers and mothers journeyed, often on foot, to attend service and dedi- cate their children to the Lord. Occasionally that veteran pioneer, Rev. Father Weber, would visit them and preach in their midst. In later years, when the Manor Church was built, they worshiped there. In 1816, Rev. Weinel began to labor regularly in the vicinity of the place where Olive Church is now located. The services were first held in houses and barns. A congregation was organized, but at what date is unknown, but no doubt it was soon after he began his labors at this point. The question of build- ing a church arose. Two locations were presented about two miles apart, one with three acres of ground, offered by Mr. Haukey for a Lutheran and Reformed Church; the other an acre and three- fourths, offered 616 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. by Mr. Beemer for a Reformed and Lutheran Church, and also a school-house. Neither could be unani- mously settled upon, a part of both Lutherans and Re- formed holding to one location, and a part of both adhering to the other. The consequence was that two union church buildings, both of hewed logs, were erected on these locations at the same time in 1817. Rev. Father Weinel and Rev. Francis Laird, of the Presbyterian Church, were present at the lay- ing of the corner-stone at the Beemer location, which church was known as the " Beemer Church." The other was known as the " Hankey Church." The first record of baptism performed by Rev. Weinel is June 16, 1816, and of communion May 24, 1817, when fourteen communed and seventeen more were confirmed. Rev. Mr. Weinel had at this time some nine congregations, as the communion was only held once a year, and sometimes only once every two years. He labored until October, 1837, his last communion being on the 21st of that month, and last baptism on the 22d. In his pastorate of twenty-one years he confirmed fifty-eight and baptized one hundred and seventy. His successor was Rev. H. E. F. Voight, whose first baptism was Aug. 14, 1S39, and first com- munion April 26, 1840. He continued to serve this congregation and the one at Hankey's for sixteen years, when old age compelled him to lay down the shepherd's crook. When he entered upon the pas- torate of this field he served eleven congregations. His last communion in the Beemer Church was Oct. 22, 1854. On Oct. 5, 1858, Rev. R. P. Thomas was appointed a supply for the Hankey congregation, the Beemer Church having become so dilapidated and out of repair that it was utterly unfit for holding service. This congregation was found to be very small, having been almost entirely absorbed by the Lutheran Church, in consequence of having had no minister of their own for several years. Preaching was had every eight weeks from May, 1859. The corner-stone for a new Union Church was laid at Hankey's, which now took the name of Christ Church, May, 1859. Rev. Thomas continued here until he resigned the Salem charge, April 1, 1863, when for some five years this field was vacant. At the annual meeting of the Westmoreland Classis in October, 1867, the " Beemer-Hankey interest" was brought up, and Rev. T. F. StaufTer directed to preach at the Hankey Church, to gather the people together, to organize a congregation there, and to continue stated supply until otherwise ordered. In 1868 he began preaching at the house of John Reeger, near the Hankey Church, and from August in that year services were held at Hankey's, or Christ Church. The next year Revs. T. F. StaufTer and J. F. Snyder cultivated the whole field, the former preaching reg- ularly in Hankey's Church, and the latter in the Beemer Church when the weather would permit, the roof being partially off, at other times at a school- house in the vicinity, these points being two miles nearer to him than the Hankey Church. This con- tinued until July 2, 1870, when those desirous of being organized into a congregation met in the Hankey house for a reorganization. An election re- sulted as follows: Elders, George Smith, Henry Rem- aley; deacons, Michael Miller, John Beemer. The following entered into the organization: George Smith, Henry Remaley, Michael Beemer, Michael Miller, John Beemer, John Reeger, William Riden- our, Jacob Smith, Phebe Reeger, Catherine Ridenour, Max Miller, Leah Beemer, Catherine Beemer, Cath- arine Remaley. It was then decided to build a new church at Beemer's, on a lot of ground given that day by Michael Beemer, lying alongside of the old Beemer Church property, to be an exclusively Reformed Church. The building committee were George Smith, Henry Remaley, Michael Miller, John Beemer, and Michael Beemer. The corner-stone was laid April 18, 1871, by Rev. T. F. Stauffer, with sermon by Rev. T. J. Barclay, and was dedicated June 30, 1871, by the name of "Olive Reformed Church," with dedicatory sermon by Rev. J. I. Swander, Rev. T. F. Stauffer the liturgical services, and Revs. J. F. Sny- der and G. M. Spargrove, of Presbyterian Church, delivering addresses in behalf of the liquidation of the debt. The edifice is fifty-four feet in length, thirty-five in breadth, and eighteen in height. It is a frame structure, and in October of that year was connected with St. James' charge. Rev. T. F. Stauffer continued to the close of 1872. When Salem charge was divided, June, 1872, this congregation was de- tached from St. James and annexed to Emmanuel, thereby making a new charge known as Emmanuel. Rev. J. F. Snyder's pastorate began Jan. 1, 1873. Nine of the fourteen original members of the con- gregation organized July 2, 1870, were members of the Emmanuel, but had removed nearer to Beemer's than the Emmanuel Church, and were encouraged by their pastor to go into the new organization. Its Sunday-school is flourishing, and a large catechetical class is receiving regular instruction. CHRIST, OR HANKEY'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, was organized proper in 1856, though preaching had been held in the old log structure known as Hankey's Union Church since its erection in 1817. The corner- stone of the second edifice, the Union Church, was laid in May, 1859. The first regular Lutheran pastor was Rev. L. M. Kuhns, and among his successors was Rev. M. Colver. The membership is large and the Sunday-school very flourishing. SECEDERS' CHURCH AND CEMETERY. About three miles west of Salem stands the dilapi- dated old log edifice known as the " Seceders' Church," which was built near the beginning of the present century, but in which preaching has not been held since 1859. It is now fast crumbling into decay, but half a century ago was the scene of large meetings, when it went by the name of "The Tent." The FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 017 church lot and cemetery were donations of John Duff. In the old cemetery attached are buried many of the old settlers. MURRYSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEMETERY was organized in 1830, by Rev. Francis Laird, and services held in a house built by the founder of the town, Jeremiah Murry. Mr. Laird was appointed to this office by the Redstone Presbytery, April 6, 1830, and the original members of the congregation were forty-nine, chiefly from Plum Creek Church. On Nov. 16, 1830, Mr. Laird asked leave to resign his charge of Poke Run and Plum Creek, which was granted April 5, 1831, when he was called for all his time both to Poke Run and Murrysville. At the end of six months he declined the call from Poke Run and accepted that from this church, over which he was installed Oct. 19, 1831. He resigned from ill health June 19, 1850, and died April 6, 1851, aged eighty-one years, in the fifty-fourth year of his min- istry, of which twenty had been here. Sept. 2, 1851, Rev. L. L. Conrad was installed over this church and Cross-Roads. He was released April 12, 1853, and May 22, 1854, Rev. William Edgar was installed for full time. He resigned April 11, 1860, from half his time, that he might give that portion to Harrison City, where, as an outpost, he had often preached. From the whole charge he was released Oct. 18, 1865. Rev. G. M. Spargrove began his labors as stated sup- ply April, 1866, and May 14, 1868, he was installed pastor. In 1849 the brick house in which from 1840 the members had worshiped became too small for them, and in its stead they erected a more imposing one of two stories. The audience-room above was completed in the spring of 1871, and the basement later in the year. In May, 1873, a tornado carried off a large part of the roof, and greatly damaged the ceiling and other parts of the roof, which were soon repaired. The whole cost was some 115,000. The elders have been John Beacon, ordained 1831 ; dismissed 1832. John Tillbrook, ordained 1831 ; dismissed 1842. John Curry, ordained 1831 ; died 1849. Daniel Keister, ordained 1832; died 1856. Dr. Zachariah G. Stewart, ordained 1832; died 1863. Jacob Dibble (sixty years an elder), ordained 1832; died 1872. John Humes, ordained 1839; died 1869. William Kirker, ordained 1849; dismissed 1852. Daniel Shaw, ordained 1846 ; died 1856. Joseph Miller, ordained 1846; died 1862. John Haymaker, ordained 1846; died 1882. David Keister, ordained 1859. Joseph Hay. ordained 1859. Georgo Kirker, ordained 1859 ; dismissed 1865. William Meanor, ordained 1859, died 1873 James G. Humes, ordained 1869. Georgo F. Dihle, ordained 1869. F. L. Stewart, ordained 1869. A. C. McCutcheon, ordained 1869. Mr. Spargrove continued pastor until his death, Oct. 30, 1880. His successor and present incum- bent, Rev. J. I. Blackburn, was installed June 21, 1881. He was born in Fayette County, educated at Washington and Jefferson College, iu which he gradu- ated in 1878, and then studied in Allegheny Theolog- ical Seminary, where he graduated in 1881. This church has had two stated supplies, five pastors, and has sent forth as ministers Revs. O. H. Miller, J. J. Beacom, and R. L. Stewart, all sons of worthy elders. The cemetery lies just back of the church on a high elevation, commanding a splendid view of the whole valley. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (MURRYSVILLE). Its congregation was organized Oct. 30, 1877, and was an outgrowth of Beulah Church, with which it forms one charge. Rev. Alexander R. Rankin is the present pastor. Its frame church edifice was erected in 1880. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (MURRYSVILLE) is a part of the Sardis circuit, embracing preaching appointments here, Sardis, New Salem, Oakland Cross-Roads, and Davidson's Chapel. Rev. W. S. Cummings is the pastor. TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS existed in Franklin township very early, and that of the " Franklin Township Temperance Association" as early as 1847 did effective work, and was carried on by the most prominent citizens. They have op- posed the granting of licenses, and for some years have had no licensed house within their borders. MURRYSVILLE. This town was laid out by Jeremiah Murry, who on leaving the Emerald Isle had dropped the patro- nymic " Mc" from his name. He had the lots surveyed and the town regularly laid out as soon as the Pitts- burgh and New Alexandria turnpike (which runs through itj was located, and which was before 1821. Murry came to this country about 1781 (then in bis twenty-second year), and resided a few months in the Cumberland Valley. He then crossed the moun- tains on foot as a peddler, with his pack on bis back, and came to " Anderson's block-house," in this re- gion, where he halted. Having disposed of his wares with great profit, he was in search of land, of which be sought a tract both eligibly located for a farm and a mill-site. On arriving at the brow of the hill over- looking the valley of Turtle Creek, his keen eye noted the grand mill-site and the beautiful location of the land, all covered with a dense forest. He went down to the stream, and carefully examined the creek and the land contiguous to it, and then walked to Pittsburgh, to the government land-office, got his patent, and located his large body of splendid land. He and a man named Cole (a hunter, whose cabin was destroyed by the Indians) were the first settlers in this section. The old " Forbes" road crossed the creek here near the sulphur spring, where the town now is, and near it is the old Frankstown road. Murry at once put up a cabin (in which he had a little store) on the bank of the creek, on the site of 618 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. the present United Presbyterian Church. On the building of the turnpike he established the town, and built the brick house in which Mrs. Dr. J. S. Murry now resides, the first house erected in the place. He kept store all his life. He married Ann Mont- gomery, of Cumberland Valley, by whom were born the following children: Elizabeth, married to Rev. Mungo Dick ; Nancy, to John Cowan ; Rebecca, to John M. Gilchrist; Sarah, to Dr. Benjamin Burrell ; Jane, to John Carpenter, and James. His wife, Ann, dying Sept. 7, 1819, he subsequently married Mrs. Statira Rippey (nee McNair), by whom he had no children. He died Sept. 3, 1835, aged seventy-six years. His only son, Gen. James Murry, married Priscilla Schaeffer, of Greensburg, by whom were born the following children : 1. Susan, married to James Irwin, and still living. 2. Jeremiah, deceased. 3. Ann, married to James Verner, of Pittsburgh Passenger Railroad Company. 4. Dr. John S., who died in November, 1879. 5. Capt. Alexander Murry, of Foster's Crossing, Warren Co., Ohio, on retired list of United States army. 6. Sarah, married to W. F. McKnight. 7. Nancy, married to Robert A. Weddell, of Pitts- burgh. 8. Mary Jane, married to Johnston McElroy. 9. Andrew Jackson. Just below the Murry house Dr. Stewart built a brick house in 1832, but before this, and just after the Murry house was put up, Mr. McWilliams erected a brick house, in which he kept tavern a year or so. Gen. James Murry soon after built and opened a brick tavern on the site of the present "King House." The first resident physician was Dr. Benjamin Bur- rell, father of Judge J. Murry Burrell, who died Dec. 21, 1832, in his forty-first year. After him was Dr. Charles J. Kenly, located several years before his death, June 23, 1828 ; and the next was Dr. Zacha- riah G. Stewart. Dr. John McConnell, who died June 22, 1831, aged twenty-six, had only practiced a short time. After Jeremiah Murry the next store-keepers were James Irwin, in the building now kept by A. C. Mc- Cutchen, and John M. Gilchrist, the latter also keep- ing tavern. Capt. Hugh Irwin, of Newlansburg, was captain of the " Blues," a crack company that used to train in the old militia days when musters were held at this point. The residence of Francis L. Stew- art was erected by William Beatty, an eminent ma- chinist, who died in Louisville, Ky. The commercial centre of the township was Mur- rysville, of which its founder, Jeremiah Murry, mil- ler, merchant, and justice of the peace, was to its neighborhood what Vanderbilt or Astor is to New York City. He was a man of brains, enterprise, and energy, and prospered exceedingly and extended his possessions. He had a saw- and grist-mill, and a store filled with all kinds of goods, at which every- body could get credit who chose to avail himself of it, and who had a farm or share in one sufficient to secure the debt. It was said that in one direction, towards the northeast from Murrysville, he could travel five miles on his own land, much of it acquired in payment of merchandise sold out of his store. His son, Gen. James Murry, was a man of consider- able talent and fine address. Dr. J. S., son of the latter, was for a long period a noted practitioner Ex- Judge J. Murry Burrell, of Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court, was a grandson of Squire Jer- emiah Murry, and born and raised in this town, and J. M. Carpenter, a prominent attorney of Pittsburgh, is a great-grandson. TURTLE CREEK ACADEMY was established in 1861 by Francis Laird Stewart, and the school at first held in the residence of his father, Dr. Zachariah G. Stewart, and then for some four years in a frame building on the Stewart lot near the family mansion. When the new Presbyterian Church was built its basement was fitted up and ar- ranged for the academy, in which it has since been conducted. Mr. Stewart was the first principal, and his successor, Rev. G. M. Spargrove, conducted it until his death, in October, 1880. Since then it has been under the supervision of Rev. J. I. Blackburn, present pastor of the Presbyterian Church. Its trus- tees are Dr. G. C. Sparks, president ; F. L. Stewart, secretary; Rev. A. R. Rankin, treasurer; Dr. W. J. Rugh, William Milliken, James G. Humes, David Tallant, George F. Dible, Charles Wiester, A. C. Mc- Cutcheon, E. V. Kiester. THE GAS-WELL. Adjoining the town, and only distant a few hun- dred yards, but visible from all its limits, is the cele- brated gas-well. It is situate on the real estate of Henry Remaley, on the bank of Turtle Creek. When boring for oil this gas-well was struck at a depth of fourteen hundred feet. It was at once util- ized by Haymaker Brothers and H. J. Brunot, who erected large lampblack-works and carried on the manufacture of lampblack on a very extensive scale until their works burned down, Sept. 18, 1881. Car- bon black was very easily and cheaply manufactured by this gas-well, one of the greatest wonders of the day and said to be the largest in the world. Its flaming fire issuing forth can be seen at night for eight or ten miles in all directions, while its buzzing sound is heard for a great distance. It is visited by thousands from all parts of the world, and many of the most distinguished scientists of the day have been here to examine into its workings and analyze its gas. A curious fact in connection with the burn- ing well is the numberless dead birds whose tiny car- casses are to be found on all sides of the flames. The wild geese also gather around in the light when lost from the main flock. All around the well the trees SALEM TOWNSHIP. 619 are burnt and blasted and the vegetation dried up. The heat from the flames is terrible, while the light shed by them is simply grand. It can truly be said of Murrysville, " and there is no night there," for the country for miles around is made light as day. THE STEWART FAMILY. Dr. Zachariah G. Stewart was born at Alexandria, Huntingdon Co., in 1805, and was the son of Thomas H. and Anna (Harris) Stewart. He was educated at the academy of his native town, and there read med- icine with Dr. Trimble, a noted practitioner of his day. Afterwards he came to Pittsburgh, was some time in the hospital service, and then began prac- ticing there. Subsequently, in 182S, he located in Murrysville, at the solicitation of Capt. John M. Gil- christ, in whose company he was on March 11, 1829, when the latter was accidentally killed by the fall of a tree. He was married in 1831 to Jane, daughter of Rev. Francis Laird. He continued his practice here until 1858 (a period of thirty years), when he removed to Cannonsburg, so as to have better facil- ities for educating his children, where he died Aug. 30, 1863, from over-exertions in the hospitals at Get- tysburg after the battle in the preceding month. His wife died Feb. 23, 1879, in her seventy-fourth year. He was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church for a long period. Their children were Francis Laird, residing here in the old family man- sion ; Dr. Thomas H., of Trumbull County, Ohio ; Rev. Robert S., Presbyterian clergyman at Danville, once resident of Colorado, and who made an ex- tended tour in Europe; Anna M., married to Wil- liam McJunkin, of New Texas, Allegheny Co.; Jen- nie, married to John L. Mateer, of Atchinson County, Mo. ; Francis L. Stewart, married Miss Maggie H. Stewart, of Barre, Huntingdon Co., and thoroughly prepared himself for a teacher. He taught several years in Missouri and other States, and in 1861 established here the "Turtle Creek Valley Academy." SALEM TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION, Etc. The precise date of the organization of this town- ship is impossible to determine, as a blank occurs in the records of the court by which it was erected. It is quite certain, however, that it was made between the years 1785 and 1788, as the name does not appear among the list of townships in the former, but it does in the latter year. It has undergone some con- siderable changes in point of area since its formation. Its present boundaries are : north and northeast by Washington, Bell, and Loyalhanna townships; east by Loyalhanna Creek and Derry township ; south by parts of Unity and Hempfield townships ; and west by Penn and Franklin townships. The sub-strata of the township is a continuous series of coal-veins of an average thickness of seven feet. There are several extensive coal-works within its limits, and an inexhaustible supply of bituminous coal lies buried, only waiting future development. It has also a large quantity of excellent stone. The principal streams are Beaver and White Thorn Runs. This township bears the unmistakable impress of New England industry, prudence, and thirft. PIONEER SETTLERS. Some few of its early settlers were descendants of old Massachusetts ancestry, who emigrated hither late in the last century and remained here. Most, however, were of Brito-Scotch-Irish descent. Among the early settlers were James McQuilken, William Wilson, William Hall, Christian Ringer, David Shryock, Michael McClosky, Philip Steinmats, John Cochran, George Hall, William Wilson, George Wilson, and the Laughlins. In 1803, John Beatty came from Fayette County and moved into a log cabin that stood about one rod to the right of the Freeport road, above the mouth of John Cochran's coal-bank (then George Hall's), two miles north of New Salem. In April, 1806, this fam- ily removed to Butler County. About the beginning of the century the two well-known stone-masons in the township were Ned O'Hara and Michael Rogers. In 1802, William Wiley, an emigrant from Ireland, whose wife was a sister of Jacob Dible, of Murrys- ville, bought one hundred acres of land, now owned by the heirs of Levi Bush, but formerly by Browns- lee and David Crookshanks. About 1817, Moses Cunningham kept an inn at the junction of the Fuukstown and Puckety roads. In 1800 an old log school-house stood about one mile north of New Salem, about twenty rods off where the Freeport road is and in John McQuaid's field. Its teacher for sev- eral years was Alexander McMurry. In 1808, John Kline, an emigrant from Germany, who had married Susanna Hill, of Franklin town- ship, came into Salem to live. He was a cooper by trade. He was now an old man, and built his cabin on what he supposed was Frederick Ament's land, 620 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. who had told him he could have it rent free during his (Kline's) life; but it turned out in years after to be on Matthew Jack's land, and old man Kline, losing his cabin, was so wrought up in his feelings that he hanged himself with a silk handkerchief tied to an apple-tree. George Swanger lived in 1810 in a log house just above Isaac Laufl'er's brick house, or near Knappen- berger's old saw-mill. Frederick Ament in 1805 came from York County, and purchased a farm one mile from Salem from Wil- liam Dixon. He died July 14, 1847. In 1818, John Hutton came from Franklin County and located in the township, being a stone-mason, etc. George Nunamaker was one of the earliest settlers near Congruity. One of his daughters married a Brown, who served in the war of 1812, and was dis- charged at Fort Meigs, April 2, 1813. Among other early settlers may be mentioned the Laughlins, the Moores, Waltons, Walthours, Klines, Soxmans, Knappenbergers, Kissems, Shields, Shaws, Cooks, Steeles, Potts, Bairs, McQuilkins, Sloans, Klin- gensmiths, Frys, Dushanes, Christys, McConnels, Jones, Pauls, Stewarts, Wagners, Givens, McGearys, Snyders, Kecks, Ralstons, Caldwells, Gordons, Mc- Quaids, Stouts, Adairs, Hornings, Gibsons, Craigs, Keples, Shusters, Kemerers, and Zimmermans, who settled at different periods. John Hamilton, who served in the war of 1812, was the father of Mrs. Adam Hoffman. Nancy Christy, widow of David Christy, and before her marriage Nancy McCall, is still living, having been born in 1792. Her husband died in 1860, aged seventy-four years, and was born in 1792, on the farm now owned by his son, John Christy, one mile from New Salem. He was the sou of James and Mary (McCall) Christy. The mother of Hon. T. J. Bigham, of Pittsburgh, was a sister of David Christy, and Mr. Bigham, after the death of his parents, was raised in the family of his grandfather, James Christy. RECOLLECTIONS OF THE HON. THOMAS J. BKiHAM. We have great satisfaction in here giving a very valuable contribution, from the pen of the Hon. T. J. Bigham, a gentleman well known for his antiquarian and historical researches, and a native of Westmore- land. The observations he makes are applicable to Northern Westmoreland in an especial manner, but in a general manner to all Westmoreland. Mr. Bigham was born in 1810 in Salem township, near Delmont, where his parents had resided. His maternal grand- father was Capt. James Christy, of the Eighth Penn- sylvania. He was one of the original settlers in the northern part of the county, and had located on a farm on Beaver Run, Salem township, adjoining Delmont, shortly after the close of Pontiac's war, probably be- tween 1766 and 1768. Mr. Bigham's parents having died in infancy, he was brought up in the family of his grandfather. Capt. Christy was then, in the words of Mr. Bigham, " verging on threescore and ten, and although a quiet man, yet at that age all men become fond of telling tales of their childhood. I was con- stantly in his company from when I was able to run about. " Nearly all I know of Westmoreland County of the last century I learned from him and a few other neighbors of that age. He had been a quiet, hard- working farmer; he aided to make history, but had never written a line in his life. When he located on the farm on which he lived until his death at the age of eighty-three he has often told me of trouble he had from visits of the Indians and wolves in the night- time. He had made out to keep on good terms with the Indians, and killed wolves by the dozens. " Remember his location on that farm antedated the organization of Westmoreland seven years. No magistrates or police existed there before the Revolu- tionary war of 1776. During that war the Indians were hostile and overran the entire county, and more especially the northern part of it. He has told me a thousand tales of Indian visits and the dangers his neighbors encountered. Whenever old folks met to talk over olden times, all that had happened before the burning of Hannastown was the dividing line between the old and the new, almost as marked as Noah's flood of the old world. "THE SIMPLE HABITS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. " Necessity probably forced simple habits upon the original settlers, but for many years it had become the rule. Even the ladies who are fondest of show and fine dresses had become reconciled to things as they found them. They had no stores with fashionable goods to tempt the vanity of the young. They had no fashionable churches to exhibit their fine dresses. Their food was of the best and most healthful char- acter, and prepared by their own hand. Most of their clothing was the product of their own looms, wool grown on their own sheep; flax was grown upon their own ground, spun and woven on their own wheels and looms. Tea and coffee could only be procured by long pack-horse journeys of one or two hundred miles. Their log cabins, if not elegant, were healthy. They met on a common platform ; no class existed ; all were masters, none were servants. " Their buildings were equally simple. When a young couple married they went into the woods to open up a new farm for themselves. A log cabin of probably two rooms satisfied their ambition. As chil- ilivn multiplied enlarged cabins accommodated them, and finally in my boyhood days nearly all well-to-do farmers had substantial farm-houses, with parlors, dining-rooms, kitchens, and all the appliances of modern civilization. Some had failed and grumbled at their ill luck, generally the result of their own bad management. SALEM TOWNSHIP. 621 "PACK-HORSE TRANSPORTATION OF EARLY TIMES. " For many years nearly all the transportation of that section was tarried on by pack-horses. The roads were chiefly bridle-paths through the woods. A wagon-road tor Gen. Forbes' army had been opened across the mountains in 1758, but for want of re- pair had become simply a bridle-path. Land-slides and rolling rocks had left it impassable for wagons. No township supervisors existed to keep) roads in re- pair. The sparse population must have salt and iron for domestic purposes, some groceries, dry-goods, etc., and the only way to get them was by using their horses in the intervals of farm-work. A single horse could carry three or four hundred pounds, securely fastened upon a pack saddle, and one man could manage half a dozen of them, and in that way trans- port about a ton across the mountains. Money as a currency was almost unknown ; everything was bar- ter or exchange of Western products for Eastern goods, so they had a load in both directions. In the best of weather ten days would be employed to cross the mountains and return. Generally two weeks were required for a trip. The neighbors usually formed a small caravan; fifty or one hundred horses in single file along a path would carry probably ten tons, and for many years this was the mode of mountain trans- portation. Ordinary wagon-roads, turnpikes, canals, and railroads have superseded all these primitive modes. "THE EARLY SETTLERS WERE NOT POLITICIANS. "Even in my boyhood days I never heard half a dozen discussions on partisan politics. The county officers were then appointed by the Governor. No county conventions were then held to nominate a ticket. Whoever aspired to an election announced him- self as a candidate in the newspapers. The public would have five or ten candidates for most public offices, and every voter selected for himself. I never heard of a public meeting to discuss pending issues before the election as is now common. The old October elec- tions were held at Greensburg, and one-third of the voters did not usually attend. A governor's election would bring out a much fuller vote. I accompanied my relations to the election between Gregg and Sehultz, and was amazed to find the streets of Greensburg crowded with people ; never had seen so many people assembled together. Prior to that time the Legislature had, I believe, appointed Presidential electors. I remember my grandfather was quite an- noyed when an election by the people was announced for President. The machinery of an electoral ticket was not understood by the masses. Gen. Jackson and the battle of New Orleans they had all heard of, but to vote for thirty-two persons, none of whom they had ever heard of, puzzled them amazingly. ' Why all this change?' said they. 'The legislators probably understand all this. They elected Washington and Jefferson, etc., and we were all satisfied. But here are 40 thirty-two names of which we know not one, or only one or two of them, and why should we leave our farms and lose a day on this nonsense?' Since the voters have got to understand this complicated machinery, and have spent a month attending party conventions and listening to party discussions they look upon things very differently. My grandfather was a quiet Democrat, and my guardian a still quieter member of the opposition, but neither of them ever spent five minutes in talking to me of party politics or how I ought to vote. In my boyhood days I heard ten dis- cussions on religious subjects for one on politics. I am not certain but things have now gotten too much on the other extreme, too much politics and too little on religion." ANDERSON'S CAVE. About 1840 one Anderson, originally from Greens- burg, was taken to the Western Penitentiary of this State, convicted of highway robbery. He had been a schoolmaster, but he took to the woods, and soon became notorious as a daring highwayman and thief. He was said to be as agile as a cat, and would leap to the boot of a stage-coach in those days and in a twinkling of an eye become the possessor of some articles of value. Stealing was a mania with him. He would purloin and carry away and preserve with great care things of the most trifling value. When found he had concealed about his person an old axe not worth over six cents. When received in prison he became stubborn and unmanageable, refused to eat, and when placed in his cell stopped up all the holes, turned on the hydrant, and when rescued was immersed in eighteen inches of water. Abso- lutely refusing all food. or nourishment, he lingered fifty days and died. His cave was at the right of New Salem, where he secreted all his plunder and kept hid from the officers of the law. He was cap- tured away from it, and strange to say, notwithstand- ing all the valuables and treasures it is said to have contained, it has never to this day been explored or its contents fathomed. Between the years 1837 and 1840 this highwayman was in his zenith, and tradition says this noted freebooter stopped at no crime to compass his designs for stealing. Probably no greater example of kleptomania ever lived in the State, and his end was miserable in the extreme. CONGRUITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEME- TERY. Congruity first asked for supplies July 31, 1789, two months after the organization of the General As- sembly. On Sept, 22, 1790, Samuel Porter, at the same time with John McPherrin, was ordained at a tent on "James McKee's farm" and installed as pastor of Congruity with Poke Run. This church has raised a larger family of ministerial sons than any other in the Presbytery, — Revs. Samuel Porter, Jr., W. K. Marshall, D.D., Edward R. Geary, D.D., A. Craig McClelland, William Edgar, John 622 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Steele, William F. Kean, Lazarus B. Shryock, Sam- uel P. Bollman, John Molton Jones, David L. Dickey, eleven, and has had four pastors with one stated sup- ply. Rev. Samuel Porter, the first pastor, was born in Ireland, June 11, 1760, of parents belonging to the Reformed Presbyterian Church, commonly called ; Covenanters. He arrived in this country in 1783, and spent his first winter in the vicinity of Mercers- i burg, Franklin Co., this State. In the following spring he removed to Washington County, where through | the kind offices of Alexander Wright he procured a school to teach, and was led to attend the ministra- tions of Rev. Joseph Smith, then pastor of the United Presbyterian Churches of Upper Buffalo and Cross Creek. He also embraced opportunities of hearing Dr. McMillan. Through these and other clergymen he was induced to enter upon a course of preparation for the gospel ministry. His studies were prosecuted with James Hughes, John Brice, and Joseph Patter- son, partly under the direction of Rev. Joseph Smith, and partly under that of H. McMillan, with whom he studied theology. Having spent three years in the prosecution of his academical and theological studies, he was licensed by the Redstone Presbytery Nov. 12, 1789. Hence, at a meeting of April 12, 1790, a call was put into his hands from the united congregations of Poke Run and Congruity, one from the congregations of George's Creek and Dunlap's Creek, and one from Long Run and Sewickley. The region embraced by the two congregations first named, especially by Poke Run, was at that time a frontier settlement. Many of the people were wild and uncultivated, and needed much the moulding influence of the gospel and the restraints of religious instruction and discipline. As evidence of this it is said that on one occasion, while Mr. Porter was preaching in the woods, two young men withdrew from the crowd and ran a foot-race in full view of the preacher and congregation. Mr. Porter having no high aspirations for himself and judging himself best adapted to a field like this, preferred it to the others, which in some respects were more inviting. Under his faithful ministrations the congregation in- creased to such an extent in eight years that they felt themselves able alone to support a pastor, and as the labors of the united charge were too great for Mr. Por- ter, he felt it to be his duty to relinquish Poke Run. Accordingly the pastoral relation between him and that congregation was dissolved April 11, 1798, very much against the wishes of the people, who remon- strated against the proceedings. The congregation of Congruity, within the bounds of which he re- sided, agreed to take the whole of his time, prom- ising him "£120 per annum, one-half in merchant- able wheat at five shillings per bushel, and the re- mainder in cash." To this arrangement Mr. Porter acceded, and continued in the pastoral charge of the congregation to the time of his death, Sept. 23, 1825, a period of thirty-five years. While pastor there a new stone tavern had been built on the turnpike, scarcely a mile from the church, and was just opened by the owner, a very clever nian. The young folks of the neighborhood, many of them the children of church- members, and even baptized members themselves, had agreed to have what was generally known as a house-warming by holding a ball there. The ar- rangements were all made, the tickets distributed, and the guests invited. On the Sabbath previous to the intended ball Mr. Porter, after preaching an elo- quent sermon sitting in his old split-bottomed arm- chair (for he was too feeble to preach standing, and for many a long day sat and preached in that old arm-chair, elevated in the pulpit for his accommo- dation), and before dismissing the congregation, gave out the usual notices for the ensuing week and Sab- bath. After stating that Presbytery would meet the next Tuesday in Greensburg, and making his usual appointments, he then gave notice that on the next Thursday evening, at early candle-lighting, a ball was to be held about three-fourths of a mile from that place. He said it was to be hoped that all the polite young ladies and gentlemen would attend, as it was said to be a place where politeness and man- ners could be learned and cultivated, and that many other things could be said in favor of attending such places which it was not necessary for him to mention at that time. However, he said it was to be hoped that as many as could would attend at (he time named, "next Thursday evening, at early candle-lighting." He remarked that, for his part, if he did not attend, the young folks would excuse him, as it was likely he might be detained at Presbytery ; yet should Presbytery adjourn in time and nothing else prevent he expected to attend, and, should he be present, he would open the exercises of the night by reading a text of Scripture, singing a psalm, and be dis- missed. Then with a full and solemn voice and in the most impressive manner he read the ninth verse of the eleventh chapter of Ecclesiastes. Then he an- nounced and read the Seventy-third Psalm. After this was sung he offered up a fervent and affecting prayer, praying earnestly for the thoughtless and gay, and for the power of God's Spirit to guard them from those vices and amusements which might lead the youthful mind to fritter away precious time and neglect the one thing needful, and then, with his sol- emn benediction, the congregation was dismissed. The evening set for the ball arrived and passed away, but the ball was never held, the whole community having been loudly awakened by the venerable pas- tor's course. Rev. Samuel McFarren succeeded him, and was ordained and installed Oct. 3, 1827, when Rev. S. Swan preached and W. Speer gave the charge. His pastorate extended over forty-two years, and while unassuming was most successful. He resigned Jan. 11, 1870, when, in the judgment of many persons, he seemed competent to serve it well for many more SALEM TOWNSHIP. 623 years. On August 1st of the same year, after an ill- ness of only four days, he was called to his eternal home. He was succeeded by Rev. W. J. Bollman, who was ordained and installed June 3, 1870, when Revs. D. W. Townsend preached, G. M. Spargrove charged the pastor, and Dr. McFarren the people. He resigned Oct. 2, 1872, and Oct. 7, 1873, Rev. Wil- liam B. Craig, from Carlisle Presbytery, having been called in April, was installed. Revs. W. W. Moor- head preached, R. Carothers charged the pastor, and W. F. Kean the people. Besides the eleven Presby- terian preachers raised and born in its congregation, there were John F. Kean and Samuel P. Marshall, who were called from work to rest just before ready to enter upon the ministry, the former soon after li- censure and the latter just as he was about to be li- censed. The first elders were Thomas Armstrong, William Freeman, James McKee, John Shields, and John Cochran. The first accessions were John Moore, John Woods, Hugh McClarren, and David Buchanan. The second, Robert Shields and John Ralston. The third, John Dickey, William Armstrong, and Benja- min Allsworth. The fourth, John Steele, William Marshall, and John L. Adair. The fifth, William Ralston, Ephraim A. Robinson, and Robert Rainey. The sixth, Thomas McQuade, John Moore, and Wil- liam Craig. The seventh, Joseph Cook. The eighth, Thomas W. McConnell, Thomas Humes, John Mar- shall, and Joseph Reed. The ninth, James Sloan, David McConnell, James M. Shields, and Henry Robinson.- The tenth, George Kirker and Henry M. Jones. The present pastor is Rev. E. S. Robinson. - The cemetery adjoining the brick house contains the remains of the old settlers in this region. UNION REFORMED AND LUTHERAN CHURCH ("FEN- NEL'S CONGREGATION"). "Fennel" is a daughter of Trinity Reformed con- gregation, New Salem. Since her organization the charge has undergone three changes in the way of di- vision and reorganization, yet Fennel's has always stood by and held fast to her mother, Trinity. This congregation originally constituted a part of Trinity, at New Salem, but owing to the great distance these persons lived from Salem, and the inconvenience of attending divine service there, the pastor, Rev. R. P. Thomas, was engaged to preach for them in " Concord School-house" every two weeks, in the afternoon, com- mencing Dec. 4, 1858, which continued to Jan. 29, 1860. In the spring of 1859 a lot of ground for the church edifice and graveyard were purchased from David Shields. It was the design to build an exclu- sively Reformed Church, but when the deed was made the land was deeded to the Reformed and Lu- theran congregations. Hence the church became, and continues to the present time, a union church. The edifice is frame, forty-five by thirty-two feet, lined and ceiled inside with boards. The corner- stone was laid in August, 1859. and it was dedicated Feb. 27, I860, with ceremonies and exercises, by Revs. N. P. Hacke, D.D., and C. C. Thomas, assist- ing the pastor. The following were the first church officials: Elders, William McCutcheon, two years, Peter Hill, one year; deacons, Joseph Willard, two years, John Michael Fennel, one year; trustee, Da- vid Wolff. Some fifty members came from the New Salem congregation, leaving fifty-one at the latter. Its pastors have been the same as at New Salem: 1860-63, R. P. Thomas; 1863-66, T. J. Barkley ; 1867-73, J. F. Snyder ; 1874-76, S. Shaw ; 1876-78, J. W. Knappenberger ; 1878-82, C. W. Good. The Lutheran congregation was organized in 1859. The first pastor was Rev. A. Yetter, who was suc- ceeded by Rev. V. B. Christy. The membership is nearly a hundred. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEMETERY (NEW SALEM). This church was organized chiefly from Congruitv, Dec. 25, 1849, with seventy-two members and five elders, by Revs. S. M. McClung, D. Kirkpatrick, and W. Hughes. Rev. James C. Carson was installed its first pastor, Feb. 11, 1851. The substantial church edifice was erected in 1849 by the following building committee : James L. Clow, Henry C. Keever, Sam- uel Jack, Moses Clark, Joseph McQuilkin. The second pastor was Rev. David Harbison, who was succeeded in September, 1876, by the present incum- bent, Rev. J. L. Thompsjon. He was born in Wash- ington County, and graduated in 1869 at Washington and Jefferson College, and soon afterwards entered the ministry. This church is in the Blairsville Pres- bytery. The present ruling elders are Finton Tor- rence, Thomas K. McQuaid, Thomas Waddell, John W. Kirker, Robert I. Clow, James Stout; and the trustees are Finton Torrence, Samuel Bovard, John McKeever, Samuel Paul, and Joseph Christy. The Sunday-school superintendent is John G. Kirker. The church has a membership of two hundred and nineteen. The late Joseph McQuilkin and its first pastor, Rev. James 0. Carson, were largely instrumen- tal in the formation of the congregation and the erec- tion of the substantial brick edifice, built a third of a century ago. Its builder was D. W. Shryock, who built it 48 by 56 feet for $1520, as by contract with the building committee, entered into May 1, 1849, and same to be finished in twelve months. The first pastor, Rev. J. C. Carson, resigned Oct. 4, 1866, and died July 5, 1870. The second pastor, Rev. D. Harbison, was installed May 21, 1867, when Rev. N. H. Gillett preached, Samuel McFarren charged the pastor, and George Hill the people. The elders at organization were Joseph Reed, Col. Thomas Mc- Quaid, Sr., John Larimer, Robert Shields, and D. W. Shryock. The first accessions were Joseph Ralston, Joseph Harvey, Joseph Niccolls, and James Blair. The second accessions were Thomas K. McQuaid, S. S. Duffield, and Robert S. Clow. The congregation 624 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. of the dead, substantially inclosed, contains a larger amount of monumental marble than is to be found in almost any other inland town. TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH (NEW SALEM). A number of the members of the Reformed Church who lived in and around New Salem, and who wor- ! shiped at the Manor Church, four miles southwest from New Salem, or at St. James', nine miles north, long felt the necessity of a Reformed Church in the village of New Salem. Accordingly in 1849, in con- nection with the members of the Lutheran Church, who were also without a temple in the village, the work of erecting an edifice was begun. In the sum- mer of 1850, before the Reformed congregation was organized, this edifice, as a union church, was dedi- cated. November 25th following the congregation was formed, with Philip Hobaugh and Michael Fennel as elders, and Valentine Bossanl and Sebastian Bear as deacons. The following were the original members : Philip Hobaugh, Elizabeth Hobaugh, Valentine Bos- sard, Sarah Bossard, Sebastian Bear, Michael Fenner, Heury H. Bear, Elizabeth Bear, Sarah Row, Elizabeth Hugus, Henry Hugus, Sarah Hugus, Sarah Zimmer- man, George Kline, Hannah Kline, Simon Hugus, Lydia Hugus, George Lose, Catharine Lose, John M. Fennel, Isaac Hugus, William Marts, Mary Marts, David Wolff, John Snyder, Elizabeth Snyder, John Waugaman, Susanna Waugaman, Rebecca Kliugen- smith, Margaret Snyder. Rev. S. H. Giesy, who had ,but recently come into Westmoreland Classis, was elected pastor, this congregation, in connection with St. James', 2d Greensburg, and Irwin, constituting his pastoral charge. He continued pastor to Aug. 1, 1855, during which time thirty -six members were added by confirmation and certificate, and thirty in- fants to the baptized membership. His successor was Rev. Thomas G. Apple, a grad- uate of the theological seminary at Mercersburg, who was here a year and three months, his pastoral rela- tion being dissolved Feb. 14, 1857, when the charge was divided, Greensburg and Irwin forming one, and Salem and St. James the other. He was followed by Rev. R. P. Thomas, elected March 28, 1858, and duly called April 10th. On October 6th following the number of communicants were eighty-nine, eleven of whom were received under his pastorate. He con- tinued his labors to April 1, 1863, and was succeeded by Rev. T. J. Barklay. In 1864 the old Union Church was sadly out of repair, and on Jan. 7, 1865, it was resolved to build a new exclusively Reformed Church. The subscription committee were Rev. T. J. Barklay, Henry Hugus, William Hugus, Jonathan Snyder, and Joseph Snyder, and the building committee con- sisted of John Hugus, H. H. Bear, and George Keck. The lot was purchased for four hundred dollars. Early in the spring of 1865 the work began, and in the fall of 1866 the edifice was under roof. Mr. Barklay resigned his pastorate Jan. 1, 1867, at which time Emmanuel congregation was detached from first Greensburg charge and annexed to Salem, St. James and Pine Run constituting one, and Trinity, Fen- nel's, and Emmanuel's the other. He was succeeded April 1, 1867, by Rev. J. F. Snyder, and on the suc- ceeding 4th of August the first service was held in the new church, which was formally dedicated October 14th, with the dedicatory sermon by Rev. J. A. Peters. Rev. Snyder continued to Jan. 1, 1873, and under him one hundred and three persons were added to the communicant membership, and seventy- four to the baptized. June 6, 1872, the charge was again divided, Salem and Fennel's constituting one, and Emmanuel and Olive the other. The next pastor was Rev. S. Shaw, who entered upon his labors April 1, 1874, and remained until June 1, 1876. His suc- cessor was Rev. J. W. Kuappenberger, born and reared within three miles of New Salem. He was baptized, catechised, and confirmed by Dr. Hacke, and was a member of his congregation (Manor). He graduated at the theological seminary May, 1876, and was licensed by the Westmoreland Classis in June following, and installed November 9th. His suc- cessor was Rev. C. W. Good, present pastor, who was installed 1880. He was born in Tiffin, Ohio, where he served two years in the ministry before called here. SALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH was organized Sept. 27, 1850, with John Lenhart, Gasper Klingensmith, elders ; Isaac Bush, Joseph Sherbondy, deacons ; and John Zimmerman, trustee. At the first communion, Oct. 10, 1850, there were thirty-three communicants. The first edifice was begun in 1849, and dedicated in September, 1850. The present elegant brick church was commenced in 1868, and dedicated in January, 1870. The pastors have been: 1850-52, Michael Eyster; 1853-56, C. H. Hurst; 1856-66, A. Yetter; 1867-68, J. D. English; 1868-76, V. B. Christy; 1876-77, J. A. Baumau ; 1878-82, J. D. Roth, who resigned in January, 1882, to remove to Sidney, Neb., having been appointed by the Pennsylvania Synod to establish a church and mission there. His successor has not yet at this writing been elected. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (NEW SALEM). The Methodist congregation was the first religious organization in the town, and was made in 1833. Their first edifice, erected that year on the site of the present one, was a brick structure, which fell down in 1844, but was replaced by a frame building in 1846. This stood until 1874, when the present edifice was built. It is a part of Sardis Circuit, embracing five preaching appointments, viz.: Salem, Sardis, Murrys- ville, Oakland, and Davidson's Chapel. The circuit has often been changed and divided, being formerly known as Salem, Murrysville, Sandy Creek, etc. Since 1869 the pastors here have been : 1869, W. W. SALEM TOWNSHIP. G25 Roup; 1870-72, S. B. Slease; 1872-73, M. B. Pugb ; 1873-75, A. H. Miller; 1875-77, George Orbin ; 1877 -79, W. Johnson; 1879-81, J. B. Gray; 1881-82, W. S. Cummings, the present incumbent. The trustees are Dr. J. A. Fulton, Charles Soxman, George Marts, Hugh Brown, and Mr. Anderson. Dr. J. A. Fulton is the assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school, a union school, in connection with the Presbyterian members who withdrew from the Salem Presbyterian Church and united with that at Congruity, but has its services in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Joseph Harvey (Presbyterian) being the superintendent of this union school. COVENANTERS' CHURCH (NEW SALEM). For many years the Covenanters held worship in this town, and during and for some time prior to 1849, Rev. Mr. Cannon was the pastor, preaching the last Sabbath of each month. In August, 1849, when the only house of worship here was the Methodist Church, the people gathered in David Christy's woods, some fourteen rods northeast of where the Presbyterian Church now stands, to hear Mr. Cannon, but in his stead Rev. John Wilson preached. His sermon was a scorching denunciation of the crying sins of the day and of wickedness in high and low places. There were cake-stands in the wood, wdiere drink was sold, and a young man having imbibed too much, and pre- senting himself before the audience in a maudlin condition, the preacher gave the young man a severe reproof, and rebuked the authorities for allowing on the Sabbath such sales and exhibitions. This denom- ination has had no services here for over a score of years, and its members who did not remove mostly connected themselves with the other churches. NEW SALEM. New Salem was settled at an early date, but was not formally laid out and incorporated until 1833. Pre- vious to the laying out of the town, however, about 1810, Hugh Bigham came to the place and started the first store. He laid the first water-pipes from the " Big Spring" to what is now the centre of the town. About 1816, Samuel Bigham and his sister Kate opened the first public-house. She was then the Widow An- derson. Samuel Bigham built the house, which was lately owned and occupied by George Lose, deceased. Prior to 1833 there had been no stated religious ser- vices in the town. There was occasionally preach- ing, however, by Rev. Cannon, a Covenanter minis- ter, and others, sometimes in the school-house, and sometimes in an adjoining grove. The first religious organization was effected in 1833 by the Methodists. Their first edifice, a brick structure, was built the same year, on the site of the present one. In 1844 it fell down, killing a man named Thomas McClung, but was replaced two years afterwards by a frame building, which remained until 1874, when it was torn down to give place to the one now standing. The name of the post-office was formerly Salem Cross-Roads, and as this name did not indicate the ex- istence of a town, and as there was another post-office in the State called New Salem, it was called Del- mont. ■ The site of the town was part of a three-hundred- acre tract surveyed to William Wilson by a warrant bearing date of Nov. 8, 1784, of which he died seized. By his will, dated March 7, 1796, it was divided be- tween his sons, George and Thomas Wilson, to whom a patent was issued Dec. 7, 1812. The children and heirs of William Wilson (who entered the land), viz. : William, Martha, Agnes, George, and Rachel Wilson, and Thomas Young and his wife Mary, Samuel Mc- Clelland and his wife Ann, and Jane Elliott, all united in conveyances deeding all their interests in said tract to Thomas Wilson, thus making him its owner in fee simple. He laid out the original town on March 3, 1814, into lots numbered from 1 to 48, inclusive, the survey and plat being made by Isaac Moore. He sold these lots at public sale, and of which lot No. 25 was purchased by Joseph Reed for fifteen dollars. Joseph Reed was born in Lancaster County in 1791, came to Westmoreland County in 1798 with his pa- rents, and in 1814 settled here, building on the lot No. 25 the house now occupied by Simon P. Keck. He was the only original purchaser of these lots who owned it, or any of them, at his death. He was the first cabinet-maker in the place, which business, with that of undertaking, he carried on for over half a century, and he buried fifteen hundred and sixty-nine persons. On April 23, 1821, he bought two shares in the Pittsburgh and New Alexandria Turnpike Road Company, for which a certificate, No. 39, was issued to him, signed by its president, James Graham, and its treasurer, John A. Gilchrist. Graham at that time lived at the forks of the road where it joins the Greens- burg pike, and Gilchrist was a merchant at Murrys- ville, being a son-in-law of Gen. Murry, the founder of that town. Joseph Reed was for many years one of the managers of this then noted turnpike company. He died Feb. 22, 1880. He married Ann Christy, by whom he had the following children living : Dorcas, married to Samuel Christy ; James, now carrying on the business and trade of his father; Jane; Mary, married to Robert Campbell; Lavina; George H., who was in the late war and was wounded in the face ; John, mortally wounded at the first battle of Fred- ericksburg, Va., from which he died at the hospital, near Washington, D. C. ; and Harriet Newell. His wife (Ann Christy) died July 3, 1871. The two oldest houses in town are one owned by Zachariah Zimmerman, on Pittsburgh Street, a two- story frame, just above Snyder's Hotel, which was built in 1814 by a Mr. Hunter, and afterwards occu- pied by James R. Logan as a store ; and the other one the building owned by S. S. Duffield, and which was built in 1814 by John Potts, on the lot he pur- 626 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. chased that year of Thomas Wilson at his public vendue of the lots for the town. The leading men in the town at its laying out and for some years afterwards were the Bighams, Wilsons, and McKibbens. In 1828 there were but sixteen dwellings in the place and two stores, one kept by W. B. Alexander, in a house now torn down, and the other by James R. Logan, in the old frame building now belonging to Zachariah Zimmerman. Some four years later James L. Clow (still living three miles from town at nearly the age of ninety years) opened a store and tavern in the present " Duffield House," where in 1828 Benjamin Weaver had an inn. Hugh Misskelly had a cabinet-maker's shop, which was the second one started after Joseph Reed's, opened in 1814. One of the first shoemakers was George Lose, with whom John Hugus went to learn the trade in 1828, but which having mastered he never carried on. The oldest school-house was just back of the Presbyterian Church, in which for several years dif- ferent Irish teachers taught, whose love for education was excelled by their love of ardent spirits. Edward Geary, father of Governor John W. Geary, moved to this region from Unity township, and was one of the early schoolmasters of the county whose memory is revered by all. Daniel Zimmerman came here before the town was laid out, afterwards bought a lot on Pittsburgh Street and erected his house, in which he carried on his trade of a tailor, the first in the place. In the year 1825 the principal heads of families here were Humes Kelly, who kept tavern where Daniel Potts lives ; Mr. Weaver, who had the tavern at the Duf- field place; James McKibben, who had one just above John Hugus' house ; Robert Shields, who had a tannery (then just bought of John Hutton] ; Thomas McConnell, John B. Plummer, who carried on a saddlery and harness-shop ; Philip Steimats, Dr. Sterritt (the first physician here), who was the doctor for this whole region ; Thomas Bigham, Joseph Reed, who had a cabinet-shop and made coffins ; James R. Logan, store-keeper ; Mr. Dewalt, whose wife died a few months later; Hugh and Samuel Bigham, after- wards an associate judge of Armstrong County ; and Thomas Wilson, the venerable squire and founder of the town. Before the Pennsylvania Railroad was built New Salem was a very busy inland town, and being one of the main stopping-places on the Pittsburgh pike, was the centre of much trade and bustle. At one time as high as five lines of stages passed here, and the old-time taverns, with their bustling landlords and hard-worked hostlers, could hardly wait upon the travelers thronging the numerous old taverns that then flourished here. BOROUGH CORPORATION AND OFFICERS. New Salem borough was incorporated by act of Assembly of 8th of April, 1833. The qualified voters of the town, then made a borough, were to meet on the first Tuesday of May in each year, at the house of Henry Hughus, in the said borough, to hold their election for the borough officers, which were to be those then recognized by the law. Their duties and powers were set forth at length in the act of incorpo- ration. It appears there was no election held at the time designated, for an act was obtained as a supplement to this one, April 11, 1835, by which the inhabitants were allowed to meet at the same place for the same purpose on the first Tuesday of May, 1835. Thomas Wilson, Esq., was appointed judge of the election. At this election Henry Hugus was elected burgess, Christopher Amelong constable, and Hugh Misskelly, Tames R. Logan, James Harvey, Robert Shields, Philip Steimats, and John Deever, councilmen. Jacob Huffman was appointed town clerk. The first ordinance established the footways to be nine feet from the houses on each side of the streets, and provided for their being paved with brick or stone, also provided for draining the town, and de- clared against the planting of trees on any of the streets or footways, and made those already planted common nuisances. The next officers were elected in 1837, viz.: Bur- gess, Joseph Reed ; Constable, Michael Potser ; Coun- cil, Hugh Misskelly, James McKillip, Joseph Harvey, William Wilson, Daniel Medsker, Thomas Wilson ; Clerk, Henry Hugus. Since then the following persons have filled the offices named : 1838.— Burgess, J. L. Clow ; Constable, Jacob B. Anient ; Council, Thomas Wilson, James Harvey, George Lose, Joseph Sherboudy, Henry Hugus, Jonathan Remealin; Clerk, Henry Hugus. 1839.— Burgess, Henry Hugus; Constable, J. B. Ameut; Council, Joseph Harvey, Jacob Earnest, Thomas Wilson, George Lose, Joseph Reed, Hugh Miskelly ; Clerk, J. Huffman. 1840. — Burgess, Joseph Harvey; Constable, David McCullogh; Council, Matthew Jack, J. L. Clow, J. S. Ormsby, James Huffman, David Rankin, John Hugus; Clerk, Jacob Huffman. 1841. — Burgess, Henry Hugus; Constable, D. McCullogh; Council, James Carothere, J. R. Logan, James McKillip, J. L. Clow, Simon Hugus, Joseph Sherhondy ; Clerk, Jacob Huffman. 1842.— Burgess, Elias C. Gregg ; Constable, J. B. Anient; Council, H. Hugus, Robert Shields, Nathaniel Kelly, James McKillip, Jacob Earnest. Joseph Reed; Clerk, J. Huffman. 1843.— Burgess, Jacob Huffman ; Constable, Nathaniel Kelly ; Council, James Borlin, Israel S. Bigalow, David J. Potzer, John Uncapher, John Hugus, William McCall ; Clerk. Jacob Huffman. 1844. — Burgess, James McKillip; Constable, N. Kelly; Council, Adam Stygen, George Lose, William McCall, John Unceifer, Jacob Huff- man, I. S. Bigelow; Clerk, William McCall. 1845. — Burgess, Robert Shields ; Constable, D. J. Potzer ; Council, Joseph Reed, John Hugus, James Guthrie, Benjamin Truxal, Joseph Sher- bondy, John McNeil ; Clerk, John McNeil. 1846.— Burgess, Henry Hugus; Constable, D. J. Potzer; Council, John Zimmerman, Joseph Klingersmith, George Keek, George Lose, William McCall, Michael Pifer ; Clerk, John Zimmerman. 1847.— Burgess, William McCall; Constable, D. J. Potzer; Council, James Borland, John Hugus, Jacob Huffman, John McNeil, Joseph Sherhondy, Joseph Reed ; Clerk, John McNeil. 1848.— Burgess, William McCall; Constable, James Barlin ; Council, John Hugus, John Zimmerman, James Carothers, James McKillip, George Keck, George Lose; Clerk, James Killip. 1849. — Burgess, David Lloyd; Constable, James Borlin; Council, Dr. SALEM TOWNSHIP. 627 John McNeil, Joseph Reed, William McCall, J. B. Ament, D. J. Potzer, Henry Ilugus. 1850. — Burgess, Simon Hiifrua ; Constable, Gasper Klingensmith ; Coun- cil, James McKillip, Valentine Bossert, George Klingensmith, Philip Hol>augh, Joseph Marts, W. W. Logan (also clerk). 1851. — Burgess, George Lose; Constable, Joseph Kline; Council, Robert Shields, Henry Hugns, W. W. Logan, Dr. John McNeil, Daniel Bfetzgar, James Carothers ; Clerk, W. W. Logan. 1852. — Burgess, George Lose; Constable, Joseph Kline; Council, John Hugus, James Carothers, John McNeil, Daniel Potts, Joseph Kline, Philip Hobaugh ; Clerk, D. J. Potzer. 1853. — Burgesa, Cyrus M. Dumm ; Constable, J. Kline; Council, John Hugus, James Carothers, John McNeil, Daniel Potts, Philip Ho- baugh, Joseph Kline; Clerk, Joseph Harvey. 1854. — Burgess, George Lessig; Council, John Hugus, Joseph Kline, James Carothers, Philip Hobaugh, Daniel Potts. In this year the charter was extended under the general borough law authorized by the General Assem- bly. The proceedings of the borough from 1854 to 1858 are lost or mislaid. 1858. — Burgess, George Lessig ; Constable, Joseph Kline; Council, John Hugus, John McNeil, John Saul, II. H. McGinley, G. W. Frick, George W. Alms; Clerk, John McNeil. 1859. — Burgess, Robert Black; Constable, Joseph Kline ; Council, John Saul, George Klingensmith, George Keck, Joseph Walton, John T. Dickey Calso clerk). I860.— Burgess, W. D. Duffield; Constable, Joseph Kline; Council, H. T. Metzgar, Michael Hawk, George McLaughlin, Simon Earnest, Hiram Hobaugh, Simon P. Lessig; Clerk, H. T. Metzgar. 1861. — Burgess, Simon J. Stick ; Constable, Henry Wagner, Jr. ; Coun- cil, Henry Keck, G. W. Leighner, George Klingensmith, Simon Earnest, Daniel Blose, Cyrus J. Kepple; Clerk, Josiah Harvey. 1862.— Burgess, C. J. Steck ; Constable, Henry Wagner, Jr.; Clerk, Josiah Harvey; Treasurer, C. J. Kepple. 1863.— Burgess, George W*. Frick ; Constable, C. J. Steck ; Council, Henry Hobaugh, George McCray.Johu Earnest, Simon Hugns, Joseph Mc- Quailkin, Joseph Harvey (also clerk). 1864. — Burgess, Cyrus J. Kepple; Constable, S. J. Steck ; Council, Wil- liam Hugus, -I.iin.'s Carothers, John G. Wagner, Simon Earnest, William J. Lightner, Uriah Waugaman; Clerk, W. Hugus. 1865. — Burgess, George Lessig; Clerk, H. T. Metzgar. 1866. — Burgess, David White ; Constable, S. J. Steck ; Council, Dr. James A. Fulton, J. H. Welty, Charles Harvey, Peter Klingensmith, S. A. Linsenbigler, David Hanan ; Clerk, Dr. J. A. Fulton. 1867. — Burgess, John Doncaster; Council, Simon Earnest, J. II. Welty, Dr. J. A. Fulton, David Hanan, Peter Klingensmith, S. A. Linsen- bigler; Clerk, Dr. J. A. Fulton. 1868. — Burgess, George Lessig; Constable, S. J. Steck; Council, Josiah Harvey, Dr. H. P. Hugus, Dr. John McNeil, H. T. Metzgar, Peter Klingensmith, C. J. Walton ; Clerk, John McNeil. 1869. — Burgess, George Lessig; Constable, S. J. Steck ; Council, Josiah Harvey, William Kunkle, Peter Klingensmith, Hiram Hobaugh, Simon Earnest. John McNeil (also clerk). 1870. — Burgess, Peter Klingensmith; Constable, S. J. Steck; Council, David Henon, H. Hobaugh, W. L. Kunkle, John McNeil, Josiah Harvey, Simon Earnest ; J. McNeil, clerk. 1871.— Burgess, W. J. Leighner; Constable, John Carson; Council, A. J. Kliugcrsmith, John Welty, Simon Hugns, L. B. Snyder, Riley Walton, Simon Keck (also clerk). 1872.— Burgess, James Reed; Clerk, J. W. Borland; Council, John Waugaman, John Haner, Hiram Hobaugh, Michael Halk, J. S. Leighner, John W. Borland (also clerk). 1873. — Burgess, James Reed; Constable, Robert Dixon; Council, Zach- ariah Zimmerman, John W. Borland, Peter Klingensmith, John Earnest, David Hanan, John McNeil (also clerk). 1874.— Burgess, John W. Borland; Constable, R. Dixon;- Council, Z. Zimmerman, Thomas Waddell, Gideon Giuter, Daniel Potts, John Hugus, Peter Klingensmith. 1875.— Burgess, John W. Borland ; Constable, Charles Thompson ; Coun- cil, Daniel Potts, John Hugus, Gideon Ginter, Thomas Waddell, Z. Zimmerman, P. Klingersmith ; Clerk, Z. Zimmerman, 1876.— Burgess, J. W. Borland; Council. Thomas Waddell, Z. Zimmer- man, P. Klingensmith, Daniel Potts, G. Ginter, S. P. Earnest ; Clerk, Z. Zimnienmn. 1877.— Burgess, William Hugus; Council, Daniel Potts, L. B. Snyder, S. P. Keck, Daniel Blose, Robert A. Reed, Charles Harvey ; Clerk, R. A. Reed. 1878. — Burgess, Jacob B. Ament; Council, Uriah Waugaman, Thomas Kinney, James Reed, Jacob Earnest, John G. Kirker, S. S. Duffield ; Clerk, J. G. Kirker. 1S7!J— Burgess, J. B. Ament; Constable, G. W. Haney; Clerk, James Reed; Council, Henry Hill, John Hugus, Riley Walton, Thomas Kinney, Thomas Waddell, James Reed. 1880. — Burgess, Peter Klingensmith; Constable, Henry Hill; Council, John Earnest, .lames Reed, Josiah Harvey, C. A. Huffman, M. B. Anderson, Samuel Shi. Ids; Clerk, James Reed. 1881.— Burgess, Peter Klingensmith ; Clerk, J. D. Patty ; Council, ThoB. A. Kinney, John KliugHiismith, H. J. Branthoover, S. A. Linsen- bigler, Albert Earnest, J. D. Patty; Constable, Henry Hill; Street Commissioner, Thomas Kinney. CARMEL LODGE, No. 542, I. 0. 0. F., was chartered by Elias Wildman, M. W. G. M., and William Curtis, M. W. G. Secretary, May 22, 1858. The first officers were: N. G., John Doncaster; V. G., Robert Black; Sec, Henry McKeever; Asst. Sec.^ J. C. Shaw ; Treas., C. M. Johnston. The following are its Past Noble Grands still members of this lodge : Zachariah Zimmerman, James Nichols, Wil- liam Hugus, W. P. Humes, George Saul, L. B. Sny- ! der, A. B. Kline, William C. Sloan, J. D. Patty, Josiah Harvey, J. C. Kibler, S. M. Fink, Cornelius Berlin. The officers for 1882 are: N. G., C. J. Brant- hoover; Sec, C. E. Berlin ; Asst. Sec, L. B. Snyder; Treas., George Saul. Trustees, William Hugus, L. B. Snyder, J. D. Patty. It meets every Wednesday night in its hall on Pittsburgh Street, in the building erected and owned by the lodge. Number of mem- bers, twenty. BOROUGH SCHOOLS. The brick school edifice was erected in 1854, and is on Greensburg Street. The board of directors in 1882 consists of George Keck, President; J. D. Patty, Secretary ; Joseph Harvey, Treasurer ; L. B. Snyder, J. G. Kirker, Isaac Ringer. The teachers are W. L. Fennel, principal; Mr. Gordon, assistant; J. H. Ringer, W. H. Hensel, primary department. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. THE McQUILKIN FAMILY. James McQuilkin was born near Edinburgh, Scot- land, and arrived in Philadelphia in 1773. He was married in 1780, by Rev. James Power, near Mount Pleasant, to Miss Ann Robison, who was born in the Big Cove of Pennsylvania. Their children were Robert, John, Daniel, James, William, Samuel, Thomas, Joseph, Mary, and Isabella. James Mc- Quilkin died Dec. 2, 1802, and his wife, Ann (Robi- son), Sept. 18, 1828. Joseph, their second child, was born in Salem township, April 3, 1801, at the head of Thorn Run, where his father had located many years before. One of his brothers learned the blacksmith trade near Pleasant Unity, one that of a carpenter in Beaver County, two were boot and shoemakers, two 628 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. were farmers, Samuel died, and Joseph remained with his mother until her death. The latter son, Joseph, married, May 31, 1832, Elizabeth Thompson, of Washington. He bought out the interests of his brothers and sisters in his father's homestead place, and resided thereon until 1849, when he removed to New Salem, where, Oct. 28, 1851, he purchased from Valentine Bossart the brick house on Pittsburgh Street. He and his wife united with the Presbyterian Church at Murrysville, in June, 1832, in which they remained until the pastorate of Rev. David Kirk- patrick at Poke Run Church, when they joined it, where they held membership until Salem Church was organized in 1850, when they connected themselves with it. His wife died Feb. 25, 1852. He was mar- ried Jan. 18, 1853, to Sarah Clark. She was born in 1819, and was the daughter of Moses and Agnes (Humes) Clark. Her grandfathers, Isaac Clark and Mr. Humes, were both emigrants from Ireland, and early pioneers in the county. Joseph McQuilkin was elected justice of the peace in 1862, was re-elected in 1867, again in 1872, and the fourth time in 1877. He settled the estates of scores of people, and for over a quarter of a century did the major part of the con- veyancing for this section of the county. He never had any living children by either of his wives, and died Nov. 6, 1881, leaving the heritage of a good name. He was a great humorist, and kept a diary of important local events that had transpired in this region for over half a century. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, a stern Presbyterian in religious faith, and a man whose public and private record was unsullied by a dishonorable act. THE KLINE FAMILY. John Kline, who had been a Revolutionary soldier, removed from Lebanon County when his son John was a small boy, and settled near Adamsburg, in Hempfield township, on Brush Creek. This son, John, moved to the manor near the church, where he died. John's son, Joseph Kline, was born near Adamsburg, and came to New Salem in 1851, where he has since resided. When a small lad, and plowing with his father's hired man in a field adjoining the battle ground of Bouquette, he saw plowed up many Indian relics, and in one field found well-preserved hair of the Indians, that had lain covered up for over half a century, and was as fresh and flexible as when the Indians were buried. THE HUGUS FAMILY. John Hugus, the first of his name in this county, removed after the Revolutionary war from North- ampton County to Unity township. He was of French Huguenot extraction, and his father had emigrated to this country about 1745. His son Henry married Elizabeth Schwartz, and in 1818 removed from Unity to Salem township, and purchased a farm one and a half miles south of New Salem. Their children were : 1. Catharine, married to Isaac Bosler, who removed to Richland County, Ohio. 2. Margaret, married to George Lose. 3. Sarah, married to George Keck. 4. John. 5. Simon. 6. Isaac. 7. Jacob. 8. Henry. 9. William. Of these, John, the first son and fourth child, was born Dec. 21, 1810, and married for his first wife Ann C. McGinley, and for his second C. A. Ford. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1849, and served three years. In 1876 he was elected to the State House of Representatives, and was for two winters a member of the Legislature. He was in the mercantile busi- ness in New Salem for over twenty years, and for a long time carried on a large distillery in Penn town- ship. He subsequently built one near New Salem, which burning down, he retired from the distilling business. His father, Henry, died in April, 1829, and his mother, Elizabeth (Schwartz), in June, 1854, while on a visit to her relatives in Unity township. ROBERT GIVEN. Robert Given, Sr., emigrated from County Tyrone, North Ireland, and after the Revolution, in which he served in a Pennsylvania regiment, he located in Lan- caster County. Some years after his arrival in Amer- ica two of his brothers came to this country, of whom George settled in Chester County, and Oliver in Lan- caster, near him. He married Mary Hawk, also an- emigrant from North Ireland, and of the Presbyterian faith, while he adhered to the Established Church of England. He died in 1800, and his wife survived him until 1847. Of their children, three arrived to ma- ture age, — George, who died in Johnstown in 1861 ; John, who died in Huntingdon County in 1872; and Robert. The latter was born April 17, 1799, near Sowdersburg, Lancaster Co., and in 1821 came to Westmoreland County, and was several years engaged in teaching a subscription school in Derry township. Although he was not classically educated, he had re- ceived a thorough English education, and was one of the most popular and successful teachers in his day. He was married on Nov. 9, 1820, to Miss Mary Taylor, of Mifflin County, who died in 1835. The living chil- dren by her were John, now a leading merchant in Iowa City; Mary, married to William S. Lincoln, of Huntingdon County; Robert, residing in Fayette County ; Martha, married to Wesley Rose, of Johns- town ; and Elizabeth, married to Marshall Rose, of Sacramento City, Cal. In 1838 he married Eleanor Brown, of St. Clair township, in this county, who bore him the following children: Albert, George, .f^J^f^ Z. ZIMMERMAN. SALEM TOWNSHIP. 629 William, a prominent attorney at Greensburg ; Mil- ton, Anna Maria, Harvey, and Eleanor. His son John served throughout the Mexican war, and was commissary at Vera Cruz. His sons George and Mil- ton were in the Union army in the late civil war, the latter, of Company F, First Pennsylvania Artillery, was killed at Gettysburg battle in July, 1863, in his nineteenth year. Robert Given was commissioned by Governor Wolf in 1831 as captain of the " Armagh Light Infantry," the best-drilled company in the Ninety-ninth Regiment of the Second Brigade, Fif- teenth Division, Pennsylvania militia. On Feb. 14, 1835, he was appointed by Governor Wolf justice of the peace for Wheatfield township, Indiana Co., and in 1840 (under the constitution of 1838) was elected to the same position in the same township, re- ceiving his commission from Governor Shunk. In 1857 he was elected magistrate for St. Clair township, of this county, in which he laid out the town of New Florence, and commissioned by Governor Pollock. In 18(51 he was elected one of the two associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas of this county, and in 1866 was re-elected to the same judicial position, which was the first re-election in the county of any associate judge. Judge Given on the bench won the esteem of the bar and the people for the ability and impartiality that characterized his rulings and course. When on the bench the president judge was often away, and here it was that his ability and judicial firmness were so signally noted. Judge Given has ever taken an active part in the politics of his country, and been for over half a century a leading man in the counsels of the Democratic party, with which he has been identified all his life. While a member of no church, his family has been connected with that of the United Presbyterians, but he has ever been a liberal contributor to all in his neighborhood. Since 1821 he has been a resident of either Indiana or West- moreland County, but for the past twenty-three years has resided in the latter, in which he has owned prop- erty in all that time. For over twenty years he was connected with the public works of the State, and aided in the construction of the old Portage Railroad and Pennsylvania Canal, and as a contractor graded three miles of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1882 he sold his elegant farm in the southern part of Salem township, and in April of the same year removed to Greensburg, where he shortly after, very suddenly died, full of years and honors, — a noble example of a self-made man who under our free institutions had arisen from a poor boy to competence and high posi- tion among his fellow-men. ZECHARIAH ZIMMERMAN. The name Zimmerman is of German origin, and is one of the earliest found in the German settlements of Pennsylvania. In the last quarter of the past century Jacob Zimmerman, of Berks County, married Maria Magdalena, daughter of Chris. Braucher, of the same county. Their son Daniel was there born Feb. 9, 1794, and when a young man removed to Westmoreland County before New Salem was laid out. Here, in Franklin township, he married Rebecca, daughter of John and Anne Elizabeth Waugaman, who was born Jan. 25, 1790. When he came to New Salem he purchased a lot just opposite the grist-mill, on which he erected a house, and in which he carried on his trade of tailoring, the first in the place. He was a strong advocate of the common school system adopted in 1834-35, and for which he fought at the polls and elsewhere to establish. He was identified with the early temperance movements of the day, and was the first man in his neighborhood to raise a build- ing without the use of whiskey. In 1830 he removed to Mercer County, but a short time afterwards re- moved to Allegheny township, in this county, to a farm he had bought, and on which he died in 1876. His aged widow still resides there at the advanced age of eighty -six years. Their children were : 1. Elizabeth, born Dec. 1, 1816, died aged two years and eleven months. 2. Rev. Jacob (a Lutheran clergyman), born Feb. 2, 1818, and resides in Allegheny township. 3. John, born March 24, 1820, cashier of First National Bank of Greensburg, and ex-prothonotary of the county. 4. George Washington, born Jan. 5, 1823, died during the Rebellion in the United States service. 5. Anna Mary, born Dec. 29, 1825, married to Rev. David McKee, and died April 11, 1869. 6. Zeehariah, born June 27, 1828. 7. Sarah, born March 5, 1831, married William Shearer, and lives on the Zimmerman homestead in Allegheny township. 8. Benjamin, born Nov. 9, 1833, died young. 9. Lucinda, born Jan. 1, 1835, married William Artman, resides near Parker, Pa. 10. Amos Lafayette, born Feb. 22, 1838, resides near Leechburg, Armstrong Co. 11. Michael Jonas, born July 24, 1841, died aged sixteen months. Their sixth child, Zeehariah, was born in New Salem, and is probably the oldest living person born in that place. He was raised on his father's farm in Allegheny township (to which his father removed when Zeehariah was two years old) until his twenti- eth year (1848), when he came to New Salem and clerked for his brother John in the latter's dry-goods store about a year. He then assisted in Mr. Red- path's store at Leechburg, after which he kept store at Howellton's Cross-Roads for several years. He then attended Duff's Commercial College at Pitts- burgh, and took charge of the company co-operative store in New Salem. Afterwards he was again a clerk in his brother John Zimmerman's store here, and in 1860 opened a drug-store, in which business he has continued to the present time. He was married Sept. 630 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. 15, 1853, to Catherine, daughter of John and Cathe- rine (Stotter) Walter. She was born Oct. 20, 1835, and died Feb. 6, 1857, leaving one child, Mary Cath- erine Walter Zimmerman, born June 24, 185G, and who married Albert J. Steel. On Sept. 1, 1859, he was married to Margaret A., daughter of John and Sarah Jackson, by whom were borne the following children : William John, Jennie Laura, Minnie Re- becca Harbison, and Sarah Etta Bertha. During the late war he was a member of the " Union Rangers," Capt. Duff's company of the militia (Company C, Twenty-second Regiment), which saw several weeks' service on the southern borders of the State. He is a member of Congruity Presbyterian Church, and worships with the congregation here that holds its services in the Methodist Episcopal Church edifice. In 1859 he became a member of Carmel Lodge, No. 542, I. O. O. F., of which he is a Past Noble Grand, and he is a life member of Ancient York Masonic Lodge, No. 225, of Greensburg, where he received its three symbolical degrees in 1863. He has served some twenty-five years as postmaster, first at Craw- ford's Mills, where he was appointed in 1850 by Nathan K. Hall, Postmaster-General under President Fillmore, and which he held until he resigned and moved away from that locality. In 1863, after John Doncaster, postmaster of this town, was burned out, he was appointed postmaster here, and held the office until March 4, 1881. He is a Republican in politics, and has been twice a candidate (for prothonatary) of his party, in the minority in this county, to help maintain its organization, and each time ran largely ahead of his ticket. He is one of the principal bus- iness men of the borough, and is ever identified with all projects for the best interests of the community, whose esteem he enjoys in an eminent degree. ROBERT SHIELDS. Among the early settlers in Franklin County was the Shields family, which had emigrated from the north of Ireland. James Shields was born near Chambersburg, in that county, in 1770, and came to Westmoreland in 1798, locating some four miles northeast of New Salem, in Salem township, on the farm now owned by his son David. He built a house on his two hundred-acre tract of land, to which he added subsequently one hundred and twenty acres more. He married Elizabeth Wilson, of the old and wealthy Wilson family, near Chambersburg. She was the eldest daughter of her parents, who had seven sons and three daughters. She became in 1872 sole heir of the extensive Wilson estate in Franklin County, embracing some five thousand acres of land, together with other valuable personal property. James Shields died in 1841, and his wife, Elizabeth i\\'il>on), March 23, 1873, aged ninety-nine years* Their children were Matthew, who died young; John, living in Franklin County; Robert; James, a resident of Chambersburg; David, residing in La- trobe; Matthew, living in Mount Pleasant; Wilson, also in Mount Pleasant; Sarah, married to William Ray ; and Mary (deceased), married to James Dickey. Of these, Robert was born in 1803, and when nineteen years of age went to Shieldsburg, where he learned the tanning business with Capt. Benjamin Hill, who there carried on an extensive tannery. In the fall of 1825 he removed to New Salem, where his father had purchased two lots, with a little tannery sunk on them, of John Hutton, the owner, who had started it a few years before. Robert Shields made additions and im- provements to the establishment; aud carried on the tanning business until 1870, a period of forty-five years. It was on the lots of his present residence on Pittsburgh Street, but the vats have beeu covered up for several years. He bought out the saddlery and harness-making business of John B. Plumer, which he conducted also for a long time, in addition to a boot and shoe factory carried on by him until the cheap Eastern manufactured goods began to be kept by the stores. He was married Aug. 31, 1826, to Mary Borland, daughter of Samuel Borland, by Rev. Har- per. His wife died Feb. 5, 1861. Their children were Elizabeth, born June 19, 1827, was married to George Lloyd, of Latrobe ; Lydia Anne, born March 19, 1829, unmarried, and resided at home; Florinda Patton, born Oct. 3, 1831, married Henry McKeever, and died Dec. 5, 1865; James, born Feb. 15, 1833, died young ; Mary Jane, born June 80, 1834, married Samuel J. Paul ; Samuel Shields, born April 26, 1836; Sarah, born Deo. 6, 1838, unmarried, residing at home ; David Wilson, born Oct. 4, 1839, died young ; Rachel Maggie, born Oct. 16, 1841, married John F. Humes; William Wilson, born April 1, 1843, died young ; Nancy Sterritt, married to Dr. James A. Fulton ; and Robert, an infant. Mr. Shields was raised and educated in the Presbyterian faith, and until 1849 (when the Presbyterian Church was or- ganized at New Salem) was a member of Con- gruity Church, where for nearly twoscore years he worshiped under the benign ministrations of Revs. Samuel Porter and Samuel McFarren, two distin- guished divines of their day. He is the only living head of a family who resided in New Salem in 1825, which was then a small village of but few houses, but a noted stopping-point for stages on the Pitts- burgh and New Alexandria turnpike. For over half a century he was very largely identified with its busi- ness interests, and contributed greatly to its growth in material resources as well as to the advancement of its educational and religious projects, to all of which he ever aided by his voice and purse. Since his residence here he has witnessed the erection of four substantial church edifices, the organization of good schools, and a rapid development of the borough in population and wealth, and in his old age enjoys the recompense of a busy and well-spent life, enjoy- ing the respect and confidence of his neighbors. *? &-Lc{^y SALEM TOWNSHIP. B3l SAMUEL J. TAUL. One of the first magistrates in what was then Washington (now Bell) township was Samuel Paul, Esq., one of the most popular justices of his time. He was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and a man de- scended from an old family very early settled in the provinces. He married Jennie Porterfield. Their children were Robert; Mary, unmarried; John; Jennie, married to Matthew Callen ; Hannah, mar- ried to George Provard ; James; and Sarah, married to George Spalding. Of these, John, born in 1803, married Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Laugh- ery) Thompson, of Washington township, on Beaver Run. She was born in 1804, and was the grand- daughter of Col. Laugh ery, who raised and com- manded the Westmoreland County company that started to join Gen. George Rogers Clark, and which met an untimely fate in all being cut off and killed by the Indians. The children of John and Sarah (Thompson) Paul were Samuel Jackson ; Robert Alexander; William Porterfield (deceased); Mary Jane, unmarried and deceased; Nancy Elizabeth, married to William Jack; Sarah Maria, married to Rev. J. Molton Jones, pastor of Pine Run Presbyte- rian Church ; James Laughery, chief clerk in the otfice of the State superintendent of public instruc- tion ; John Calvin, major in the late civil war and resident of Pittsburgh ; and Hannah Lucy, married to Rev. A. F. Boyd, pastor of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church. Samuel J. Paul was born Nov. 13, 1825, in Wash- ington township, and when one year old his parents removed to the Kiskiminetas River, and shortly after they settled in Bell township on a farm on which is the site of the present village of Perrysville, where they remained until 1839. Then they came to Salem township to a farm below Tree's Mill. He was raised on a farm, and educated in the schools of his neigh- borhood. After his marriage he resided two years in Loyalhanna township, and then shortly afterwards (in 1856) came to his present farm, which he then purchased, and which lies one mile east of New Salem. The following year he erected his neat cot- tage residence. He is a general farmer, but in the past has given special attention to stock-raising. He was married Nov. 1, 1849, to Agnes, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Porter) Jack. She was born April 3, 1823, and died Jan. 31, 1875. By this union the fol- lowing children were born : Nancy Jack, born May 28, 1851, married to John C. Davis ; Margaret Jane, born Feb. 14, 1856, married to Dr. Amos O. Taylor, of New Salem; John Calvin, born Jan. 16, 1859; Sarah Maria, born February, 1861 ; Samuel Jack, born Sept. 2, 1863. He was married June 14, 1877, to Mary Jane, daughter of Robert and Mary (Borland) Shields, who was born June 30, 1834. By this mar- riage was born one child, Robert Thompson, June 27, 1878. Mr. Paul's father and mother were married in 1824, at the ages of twenty and nineteen respectively, and in 1874 celebrated their golden wedding. They are both living on their old homestead. Samuel J. Paul is a member of the New Salem Presbyterian Church, and a trustee of the same. In politics he is a pronounced Republican, and active for the success of his party, though he has never been a candidate for office. His great-grandfather on the maternal side was the celebrated Col. Laughery (or Lochry), who left but two children, Jane, who married Samuel Thompson, and a sister, who married a Mr. McBryar. COL. JAMES L. PAUL. Col. James Laughery Paul, chief clerk of the de- partment of soldiers' orphans' schools of Pennsylvania, was born in 1839, in Westmoreland County, and was the son of John and Sarah (Thompson) Paul. In 1876 he published from the press of Lewis S. Hart, of Harrisburg, a neat volume of five hundred and twenty pages, elegantly illustrated by Frederick Haas, giving an able account of Pennsylvania's soldiers' orphans' schools. It is a book edited with rare ability, and gives a brief historical statement of the origin of the late civil war, the rise and progress of the State orphan system, and legislative enactments relating thereto, with sketches and engravings of the several institutions, with names of pupils subjoined. It also contains engravings and historical sketches of ex- Governors Curtin, Geary, and Hartranf't, and many other distinguished persons of both sexes who were connected with the orphan system or engaged in various capacities in the suppression of the Rebellion. Col. Paul enlisted at Pittsburgh Aug. 1, 1861, "for three years or during the war," as a private in Com- pany A, Sixty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teers, Col. (afterwards general) Alexander Hays com- manding. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, Third Army Corps, Gen. Phil Kear- ney's division. He re-enlisted in the field as a veteran volunteer, Dec. 10, 1863, at Brady's Station, Va. ; and when the time (Aug. 1, 1864) for which his regiment enlisted had expired he was transferred to Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, and served with it to the close of the war. While in active service he at- tained to the rank of second sergeant of his company, and claims no greater honor than that of having faithfully served his country as an enlisted man. Immediately after the surrender of Gen. Lee he was detailed as a clerk in the War Department at Wash- ington, by a special order of Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, and served in that capacity until Aug. 24, 1866, when, after having served for an unbro- ken period of five years and twenty-four days, he was mustered out of the military service under provisions of an order issued from the office of the adjutant-gen- eral of the armies of the United States. For gallant and long-continued services in the war for the suppression of the Rebellion, and as a 032 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. mark of personal regard, Governor John W. Geary, before retiring from the gubernatorial chair, in Jan- uary, 1873, commissioned him to rank as a brevet lieutenant-colonel, reciting in the commission the names of the following battles in which he partici- pated, viz. : Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Orchards, Seven-days' Battles, Chancellorsville. Get- tysburg, Wapping Heights, Auburn Mills, Mine Run, Petersburg, and also the pursuit and capture of the Confederate army at Appomattox. After the retire- ment of John Dickie Shryock, chief clerk of the de- partment of soldiers' orphans' homes, in November, 1868, Col. Paul, at the instance of Hon. John Covode, his personal friend, was appointed by Governor Geary to fill the vacant position. Col. Paul's abundant oppor- tunities for collecting materials, and his known indus- try and ability, are a sufficient guarantee that his book is complete, readable, and reliable. His was the laudable and grateful undertaking to tell how a great State expended over five millions of dollars in maintaining and educating over eight thousand chil- dren made fatherless by the casualties of war. He was assisted in the literary finish by Rev. Columbus Carnforth, A.M., who for ten years had been the State inspector and examiner of the orphan schools, and who, like Col. Paul, brought a ripe experience to elaborate the great work in interesting details. JOHN SNODGRASS. John Snodgrass was the only son of William Snod- grass, of Martic township, in the county of Lancaster, Pa., who was a farmer, and Ellen Beggs, a native of Ireland, who was brought to this country by her parents when a child. William Snodgrass, the father of John Snodgrass, was of Scotch descent. William Snodgrass and his wife, Ellen Beggs, had also four daughters, — Mary, married to John Tittle; Sarah, married to John Long; Elizabeth, married to An- drew Campbell, and Margaret, who never married. William Snodgrass and his wife came to Westmore- land County when their son John was a babe at his mother's breast, John Snodgrass having been born in Lancaster County not long prior to the year 1800. When William Snodgrass first came to Westmore- land County he rented a house from Col. Joseph Guthrie, in Derry township. The next year he pur- chased one hundred acres of land from Samuel Ram- sey, in the same township, then afterwards purchased one hundred acres adjoining the first tract from Jo- seph Blair, and then thirty acres from Joseph Ross. He died in 1813 or 1814, leaving surviving him his widow and the children above named. His widow died in the fall of 1844. William Snodgrass and his wife were both Old-School Presbyterians, and are buried at Salem Church, in Derry township. Wil- liam Snodgrass, in the language of his son John, was " an industrious, saving man, and his mother was an extraordinary woman to manage ; she man- aged and carried on the farm when the children were small." Such is the description that Mr. John Snod- grass has left of his father, and of that remarkable mother whose great abilities he inherited until, step by step, he became the most prominent and enter- prising business man in Western Pennsylvania. His first public enterprise was the construction of two heavy sections on the Pennsylvania Canal, at New- ton Hamilton. From about 1837 to 1843 he was super- intendent of the Portage Railroad. His clerks were W. S. Campbell, afterwards proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel, in Pittsburgh, and later of the St. Lawrence, in Philadelphia; and John W. Geary, afterwards Governor of Pennsylvania. After he left the Portage Railroad he bid for and obtained the carrying of the United States mail from Chambersburg to Pittsburgh by stage-coaches, which he continued until the railroad was constructed, and at the same time carried on farming on a large scale, and was the proprietor of two flouring-mills on the Loyalhanna. In 18(32 he was the largest land-owner in Westmoreland County, and during the war, in connection with Gen. Markle, Thomas G. Stewart, Col. Israel Painter, and Charles Hiliborn, of Phila- delphia, was awarded a very large contract to supply the Northern army with beef-cattle. After the con- tract was taken the government flooded the country with greenback money. This raised the price of beef-cattle in the market, and he lost heavily in all the supplies he furnished until his large fortune was nearly all gone. He persistently clung to fulfilling his contract with the government, and went down under the depreciation of the currency, which was something he could not control ; but such was the confidence of his creditors in his integrity that dur- ing his life he was not disturbed in the possession or ownership of his large landed estate. He was an ardent patriot, took a deep interest in local politics, and for upwards of twenty years did perhaps more than any other man towards making the county nominations. In 1850 he was nominated for Congress in the district composed of Westmore- land, Cambria, and Bedford, but owing to a division in the party, and two other candidates running in the same political party, he was defeated, and Joseph H. Kuhns, Esq., was elected a Republican representa- tive from this strong Democratic district. Mr. Snodgrass died in November, 1878, and is buried in the cemetery at New Alexandria. He was a strict Presbyterian, and died in the communion and faith of his father and mother. JOHN WALTER. About the middle of the last century Philip Walter was one of the many emigrants from Germany who came to Pennsylvania. After he had been in this country a few years and got settled he sent to the fatherland and brought over his future wife, whom ?//l He passed his boyhood on the farm his father had owned, about a mile and a half east of Greensburg. His father dying while he was a mere child left the care of the farm and its management to his widow and his two sons, Samuel and Isaac. These boys, growing strong, industrious, and judicious, soon took upon themselves the entire management, and proved adequate to their trust. Their early life was thus calculated to develop their characters into sober and efficient men anil capable and successful farmers. ttMS^, WM. T. SMITH. UNITY TOWNSHIP. 641 Samuel married Priscilla, daughter of James Hurst, of Mount Pleasant township, Dec. 29, 1831. In 1840 he removed to the Grier farm, and occupied it as its possessor until his death. The "Grier farm" belonged originally to William Grier, the ancestor of the Grier family, and whose daughter Sarah was the wife of Isaac Miller, father 'of Samuel. William Grier, from the beginning of peace in these parts after Pontiac's war (1764), was engaged as a packer ; that is, one who transported commodities upon pack - horses and pack - mules. When passing along one of the ancient trading-paths leading close by this tract of land, in 1767-68, stop- ping at a convenient place to lunch and feed his team, he found at a short distance a spring bubbling out from the roots of a large elm-tree. So well pleased was he with the site, and the spring of such marvelous excellence, that he marked the elm, and when, shortly after, the land-office was opened for applications, he, on the 3d of April, 1769, asked for a warrant to issue to him for a large tract surround- ing this tree and spring. Upon this tract he settled, and some of his descendants have owned it ever since. The memorable tree, long preserved, with its blazing to be seen, has almost entirely passed away, but from its decaying roots still bubbles the spring perennially which has slaked the thirst of the heated harvest- hands for above a hundred harvests, and which never has failed in the dryest season. This farm lies near the line of the Pennsylvania Railrrad, but a short distance from Beatty Station, and about three miles west from Latrobe. The character of a man such as Samuel Miller was is difficult to describe. It was only from intimacy that one could get to understand him. He united in a marked degree traits seemingly at variance with each other. His manners, his conservatism, his scru- pulous honesty belonged to the generation of his boy- hood, but his activity in behalf of all innovations which were calculated to improve mankind about him, either in morals, in intellect, or in worldly cir- cumstances, were the marked characteristics of a later generation. He was never in a hurry, and he was never behind time; watched well his interests, and at the same time adequately compensated his tenants and his working-men ; was economical, but not penurious. For a full generation, or from the time he came to manhood, he was one of the recognized leaders in his township in those things wherein a leader is required. His zeal for the success and prosperity of the common schools of his district in particular, and for the sys- tem in general, knew no abatement as long as he lived. In early life he united with the Presbyterian Church at Greensburg, under the pastorate of the Rev. Robert Henry. Having settled within the bounds of the Unity congregation he united with that church, and in about a year afterwards was elected a ruling elder, which office he filled with great usefulness and ac- ceptance till the time of his death. His pastor, in a memorial sketch of Mr. Miller, has, we think with great aptness too, this to say upon his religious and moral characteristics : " He was a strong, manly, good man, firm in his convictions, decided in speech, mid resolute in action. But he was deliberate and reasonable, always open to argument, and when convinced he as gladly embraced another's view and worked with him as if his own way had prevailed. What he wanteil at was the truth. He would do what was his duty, or what he believed was his duty, in face of all suspicion. lie was devoted to his church with growing zeal to the last — a man of prayer, liberality, and intelligent activity. He would ride miles to talk with his pastor or an elder about some matter of interest concerning the church. He was missed and lamented when taken from the church and community. 11 Priscilla Miller, wife of Mr. Samuel Miller, died Nov. 16, 1862, in the fifty-second year of her age. They rest together in the cemetery of Unity Church. Their children are the following: Sarah (Nelson), now deceased, Martha, Lydia (Baldridge), Rosanna, deceased, Harriet (Thompson), Frances (McKee), Priscilla, Anna, Celia (Boyle), and Samuel H., an only surviving son. Two children, a son and a daugh- ter, died young. WILLIAM T. SMITH. Philip Smith, the great-grandfather of William T. Smith, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, emigrated from Germany when quite a boy, and set- tled in Eastern Pennsylvania ; from thence he moved into Westmoreland, and married Mary Armel. His son, John Smith, born in 1767, was married to Cath- arine Shockey. He died in 1807, aged forty years, and his wife died in 1821, aged fifty-three. They had a family of seven children, one of whom died early, but the other six grew up. Four are still living, and are aged from seventy-five to eighty-three years. Of these, William Smith, father, was born February 12, 1800, on the farm now owned by and upon which resides his son, William T., who was the second son and the fifth child. William T. Smith was born on this farm in 1830. His early years were passed in the domestic employ- ment upon his father's farm incident to his occupa- tion. He enjoyed no further advantages than were usual to farmers' boys of his day. His early educa- tion was not neglected, and he certainly had superior training under his father's roof. The bent of his in- clination and his desire to acquire a practical knowl- edge of men and of the world were evinced and par- tially and practically gratified in his early manhood. In 1856 he ventured in the stock trade, and mani- fested judgment and business ability of no ordinary character in taking a drove of Eastern horses to a Western market. These he carried to Iowa. Return- ing successfully from bis speculation, but filled with a desire to know more of Western life and its practi- calities, he in March, 1859, again went to Iowa to examine some land which he had there purchased. In this trip he walked one hundred and twenty miles from Iowa City to Story County, returned to Iowa City, and thence came eastward as far as McLean 642 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. County, in that State, where, not far from Blooming- ton, he engaged with a former Westmorelander to conduct his farming interests. In 1859 lie went to Bloomington and took a course at Pratt's Commercial College. In April, 1860, he rigged up four yoke of oxen and started for Kansas, then the Mecca of so many glowing pilgrims who sought a wider and more prosperous field for their activities. But so many had entered thither that it appeared that the adventure would be fruitless. It appeared so at the time, but in the sequel it proved to be profitable, and was the oc- casion of an event which rarely happens in this practical world of ours; for engaging with a Mr. Lightfoot to break a tract of land, he was much dis- appointed when, having nearly finished his contract, Mr. Lightfoot announced that he had to return to his home in Alabama to sell a slave there to pay for the work. He did so return, but shortly after his arrival there he was taken ill. Then followed the war, and nothing was heard of the land-owner till six years had passed ; but then who can imagine the surprise of him to whom the money was due upon receiving a draft on New York at his home in Pennsylvania for the amount due with interest at ten per cent, added to date, with an accompanying letter from the former employer. Late in 1860, leaving his partner in Iowa, whither they had returned to take care of their stock, Mr. Smith revisited Pennsylvania, but in the spring of 1861 returned to Iowa. He then began farming there, and in 1862 married and settled down ; but his brother Ezra having died from injuries received in battle before Richmond, his father solicited him to come back and take charge of the old farm. This he did, and upon this farm he has made his home, which is a model for neatness, comfort, convenience, and hospitality. But practical as Mr. Smith is in all the walks of life, he possesses in an eminent degree the rare faculty of uniting pleasure and enjoyment with his vocation, and of making these elements of higher social and civilized life instruments for his own worldly success, and for the wider scope of acquired information. In 1876 he visited the Centennial Ex- position at Philadelphia twice, and he went with his eyes open, for not only did he enjoy with all the full measure of his healthful vitality and strong mind the sights at that wonderful fair, and all the places of interest in Philadelphia, and in New York, Baltimore, and Washington, whither his trips ex- tended, but he utilized many of the improvements and later inventions applicable to an advanced system of agriculture, and only feasible and profitable to a farmer of intelligence, a man who could discriminate between theory and practice, and who unites brain with muscle. In 1878, the year of the Paris Exposition, Mr. Smith went to Europe. In company with an invalid relative, he went from Liverpool to London, and thence to Newhaven, whence he crossed the English Channel to Dieppe, in France, where he first touched the continent. From here he went to Paris, and after visiting all the more noted places of interest and curi- osity in the gay capital of the world, such as the Madeleine, the Palace de Justice, the Louvre, the Place Vendome with its renewed column, the Cathe- dral of Notre Dame, with its high altars and famous organ and choir, and the suburbs of the city, Ver- sailles and Rouen, he was forced to abandon his pro- jected tour of Italy on account of the failing health of his companion, and to return home. Of this trip Mr. Smith preserves many gratifying memories and souvenirs. Of these he recalls the peculiar feeling of astonishment he experienced when, upon presenting his letter of credit at the cashier's desk of the Bank of England, he was handed a quill pen with which to write his signature. But above all and more interesting are his recollections and observa- tions upon the method of farming in France, and the habits, manners, and customs of the agricultural and peasant class of that country. He brought home with him more enlarged ideas of his vocation, and pro- nounced preferences for his country and its insti- tutions. In 1880, Mr. Smith made a summer trip to Col- orado and the mining regions of the Rocky Moun- tains, and now contemplates an extended trip to Utah, California, and the Pacific Coast. The judicious farming of such a man as our sub- ject is, as might be expected, a matter of course. Every resource and applicance calculated to develop the productive power of the soil, either by tillage, by the selection of seed, or by the rotation of crops, is brought into requisition. Particularly has he for years devoted time and care to the improvement of his breed of stock, and from this source has he been pecuniarily profited. His home is not only comfort- able, but it is much more. On his table and shelves are found books in great variety, and periodicals of all standard kinds are constantly being received in his family. He is truly, in every sense of the word, a model and a representative farmer, and this is all he pretends to be. Mr. Smith was married March 2, 1862, to Miss Maria Wilson, of Washington, Tazewell Co., 111. In bring- ing her to Pennsylvania he reversed the usual order of things, as indeed he appears to have done in the most important ventures and transactions of his life. In her he secured not only an intelligent but an intel- lectual wife and a worthy helpmate. Her great-grand- father, McLure, was of Irish blood, and settled in Tennessee, whence her grandfather moved to Illinois, in Tazewell County, where her father, William Wilson, from Perry County, Ohio, was married to Sarah G. McLure, mother of Mrs. Smith, and where he settled on a farm, on which he remained until his death, Nov. 19, 1857. They have a growing family of intelligent children. oh 'leuocs LaM.culs' UNITY TOWNSHIP. 643 ISAAC GEORGE. Adam George, the progenitor of the Unity township Georges, came out of Germany, and firstsettledin York County, Pa., and afterwards, about the time of the opening of the land-office (1769), came into West- moreland and located upon the place known in frontier times as " George's Station," which is now owned and occupied by Peter George, and which is but a short distance from the present " George Station" on the Pennsylvania Railroad. The name of Adam George appears in the lists of signers to the petitions of 1774 to Governor Penn for military protection from the Indians. In the Revolution he was a soldier under the immediate command of Washington ; he also served on the frontier, and although he escaped serious per- sonal injury, yet it seemed as by miracle. He died at an advanced age, and was buried on his own farm. One of his sons, Conrad George, was in the fort at Hannastown when the village was burned. John, the second son, grew up with great hunting proclivities, and spent much of his early manhood in the chase on the Alleghenies. He married, in Somerset County, Miss Eleanor Campbell about the year 1800. They lived together until the death of Mrs. George in 1860, a period of sixty years, and had a family of six sons and seven daughters, all of whom except one daughter grew to maturity. After his marriage he lived in Mercer County till the spring of 1811, when he settled on the farm now occupied by his son Isaac, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, situate in Unity township, near Beatty Station. He died Sept. 4, 1863, and was buried in Unity Church cemetery. Isaac, the eleventh child of John, was born Oct. 4, 1822, in Unity township, on the farm he now owns and occupies. He grew up on his father's farm until he reached the age of eighteen, when he went out from the home-roof to learn his trade. After serv- ing an apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter trade, he went to May's Lick, Ky., where he worked at his trade for one year; thence to Lexington, Mo., where he continued to work at his trade with good success. At this time occurred the war with Mexico, and under a call for volunteers Mr. George enlisted in the company of Capt. Walton (Company B), in the regiment which, under the command of Col. Doni- phan, made that famous march which has immortal- ized all those who participated in it. This regiment was raised in Western Missouri, near the borders of Kansas. They assembled at Fort Leavenworth, and began their celebrated march across the plains to the confines of Mexico on the 26th of June, 1846. The regiment was called the First Regi- ment of Missouri Mounted Riflemen; its colonel was A. W. Doniphan, and it was attached to the division of Gen. Stephen W. Kearney. The march of this regiment, called " Doniphan's March," or " Doni- phan's Expedition," is one of the most memorable in modern warfare, and the boldness of its concep- tion and the success in which it terminated brought forth the commendations of all military men and the plaudits of the people throughout the Union. The march will be celebrated to all time in the military history of the nation. After a march of one thousand miles across the plains through a hostile region the regimeut took Sante Fe on the 18th of August, 1846, fought the bat- tle of Brazito, which secured El Paso, crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico proper, marched on towards Chihuahua, which, after the brilliant battle and victory of Sacramento, they captured, Feb. 28, 1847. From there the command was ordered by Gen. Tay- lor to report to Gen. Brook at New Orleans, they being allowed to put in the rest of their time in marching homeward, an honor conferred upon them in recog- nition of their distinguished services to the country, which the general commanding regarded to be so effectual as to be thus publicly acknowledged. From Camargo, on the Rio Grande, ten men from each com- pany volunteered to take the horses of the regiment overland by way of Texas to their homes. Return- ing home by way of New Orleans, he, with about one- half of his comrades, landed at Lexington, Mo., July 1, 1847, having been honorably discharged. 1 His parents being now advanced in age he visited them, and out of a sense of duty to them took 1 On the 22d of May the regiment was reviewed by Gen. Wool in per- son, accompanied by bis staff, and the following order made, viz. : " Headquarters, Buena Vista, May 22, 1847. "The general commanding takes great pleasure in expressing the gratification he has received this afternoon in meeting the Missouri volunteers. They are about to close their present term of military ser- vice, after having rendered, in the course of the arduous duties they have been called on to perform, a series of highly important services, crowned by decisive and glorious victories. No troops can point to a more brilliant career than those commanded by Col. Doniphan, and no one will ever hear of the battles of Brazito or Sacramento without a feeling of admiration for the men who gained them. "In bidding them adieu the general wishes to Col. Doniphan, his offi- cers and men, a happy return to their families. " By command of Brig.-Geu. Wool : "Irwin McDowell, A. A. A. Gen" When Gen. Taylor received authentic information of the full of Vera Cruz, the capitulation of the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and the cap- ture of Chihuahua, he published the following order to the troopsunder his command: • " Headquarters, Army of Occupation, "Camp near Monterey, April 14,1847. "The commanding general has the satisfaction to announce to the troops under his command that authentic information has been received of the fall of Vera Cruz and of San Juan de Ulloa, which capitulated on the 27th of March to the forces of Maj.-Gen. Scott. This highly im- portant victory reflects new lustre on the reputation of ourarms. " The commanding general would at the same time announce another signal success, won by the gallantry of our troops on the 28th of Febru- ary near the city of Chihuahua. A column of Missouri volunteers, leBS than one thousand strong, under command of Col. Doniphan, with a light field battery, attacked a Mexican force many times superior in an intrenched position, captured its artillery and baggage, and defeated it with heavy loss. " In publishing to the troops the grateful tidings the general is sure they will learn with joy and pride the triumphs of their comrades on distant fields. " By order of Maj.-Gen. Taylor: "W. W. Bliss, .4. .1. .4. G." 644 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. charge of their affairs. He bought their farm, and lias continued to own and reside upon it unto the present time. By energy and industry he has made for himself a haven of rest, wherein he may safely and peacefully anchor the rest of his days. In addi- tion to farming, he has been rather extensively en- gaged in the lumber manufacture, and for years has carried on saw-milling profitably. On the 26th of December, 1853, Mr. George mar- ried Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Hon. Samuel Nixon, of Fayette County, a man of honorable standing, who served three terms in the Legislature of the State, and ten years as associate judge of Fayette County. Mrs. George, a woman of energy and piety, has contributed not a little to her husband's success. They have raised a family of two sons and three daughters. While in Kentucky Mr. George united with the Disciple Church. His wife was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. After their mar- riage they attended the Presbyterian Church of Unity, with which they also united with their children. Mr. George is a man of quiet manners, of consistent morals, and of liberality. He makes himself useful in church work when he is called upon to lend a helping hand. He is exact and scrupulously honest in his dealings, has keen discernment and quiet en- ergy. No man in his neighborhood has had better success in any calling than Mr. George has had in his. The fruits of his diligence, tact, and Christian uprightness, which he now enjoys, are a liberal and increasing worldly portion, the esteem of his neigh- bors, and a virtuous and intelligent family. SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. Huntingdon Township proper was among the original townships, organized April 6, 1773. Its boundaries as at first defined were : " To begin at the mouth of Brush Run, where it empties into Brush Creek ; to go along Byerly's path to Braddock's road ; thence along said road to the line of Mount Pleasant township ; thence with the line of Tyrone and Pitt- town townships to the beginning." The officers elected at the first election in the town- ship were George Shilling, constable ; James Baird and William Marshall, overseers of the poor ; David Vance, supervisor. Huntingdon township remained as originally cre- ated until January, 1790, when the court ordered that it should be divided into North and South Hunting- don, agreeable to the annexed petition, etc. : " Upon a petition of a number of Inhabitants of Huntingdon township to tlie courts, setting forth that they labor under a variety of inconveni- ences for want of a division of said township, and praying for a division agreeably to the districts laid off by the commissioners, etc., which having been read the same was continued under advisement at April Sessions, read and continued at July Sessions, and now, to wit, April Sessions, 1790, the same having been taken under consideration, it was thereupon ordered by the court that the same be confirmed agreeably to the prayer of said petition." The first constable of South Huntingdon (as this new part was called) was William Waggale. The township was again subdivided in 1798, and East Huntingdon was formed. The present boundaries of the township are north by Sewickley, northeast by Hempfield, east by East Huntingdon, south by a part of Fayette County, and west by the Youghiogheny River. The surface of the township is diversified, in some parts quite hilly, in others rolling, with an occasional plateau of level land. It contains a vast amount of coal. Several rich and influential corporations for the development of this caloric commodity have their works scattered over the township, notably in the borough of West Newton. The Pittsburgh and Con- nellsville Railroad runs along the Youghiogheny the entire length of the township, its chief revenue being derived from the transportation of coal. In several parts excellent stone abounds, and that, too, of the finest quality for building and other purposes. The first settlers were the Millers, Shulls, Finleys Waggales, Plumers, Blackburns, Markles, Rodar- mels, and others heretofore mentioned. George Plumer (born Dec. 5, 1752, died June 8, 1843) was one of the first, if not the first, as it was reported, white child born west of the Allegheny Mountains under the British government. He was at one time shut up for four days and nights in Fort Du Quesne under the Indian chief Killbuck, and noted a successful stratagem of two Indians on the Al- legheny River in decoying a couple of whites, one of whom was killed ; one of the Indians was also killed by a shot from the fort. He was a member of the State and National Legislature, and served with credit and honesty. He was also a ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church, and exercised a good influ- ence for purity, harmony, and the general prosperity of his church. CHURCHES. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SEWICKLEY is one of the oldest Presbyterian Churches in the west- ern part of Pennsylvania, being one of the original churches of the Old Redstone Presbytery. It is sup- / SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 645 posed to have been organized as early as 1776 by the Rev. Dr. Power. He continued to be their pastor, in connection with Mount Pleasant, till Aug. 22, 1787, when he resigned the pastoral charge of Sewickley, which continued vacant until, in union with Long Run, it became the pastoral charge of the Rev. Wil- liam Swan, Oct. 16, 1793. It again became vacant Oct. 18, 1818. In January, 1821, the congregation, having united with Mount Pleasant, presented a call to the Rev. A. 0. Patterson, who was ordained and installed at Sewickley, April 18, 1821., Dr. Patterson was dismissed Oct. 8, 1834. These churches having dissolved their connection from a persuasion that each of them was now able to support a pastor, Sewickley, in April, 1836, gave a call to the Rev. William Annan, who was installed their pastor in June following. From weakness of health, Mr. Annan was compelled to resign his charge in the June following. In December, 1839, the Rev. J. B. McKee was installed pastor, and continued till April, 1842. After a short period the Rev. Richard Graham became the pastor, and continued till 1850. In 1852 the Rev. Cyrus Riggs became pastor, who was succeeded by the Rev. J. H. Stevenson. The congregation of Sewickley was much weak- ened by the organization of a separate congregation in the borough of West Newton. Besides this there are but few congregations which have been dimin- ished so much from emigration as this one. It is still, however, a flourishing one, and although not com- posed of a great number of members, yet those are of a thrifty, intelligent, and worldly able class. The present building is the second one erected. It is built of stone, the first one having been built of logs. It is situated in the township of South Hun- tingdon, but just across the Sewickley Creek from the township of Sewickley, and had its name long before the township of the same name was formed. There is a burying-ground attached to the church, in which repose the last remains of three generations of the " race of men." Taken all in all, it is an ob- ject of the utmost historic interest in the township, and a spot round which gather many interesting local associations. The first building was one of those built in the most primitive style, and in all probability it was erected out of the trees growing round in the space of a week. For many years it had no stove, and the people of the congregation in winter sat shivering from the cold winds that blew through the open cracks. When the first stove was introduced it was regarded with suspicion. The stove had seen service before, probably in one of the New England States, for it was a Yankee innovation. Besides this, we should not call it a stove at all, for it was but the lower part of the bowl, and the smoke from the burn- ing wood used in it had to find vent through a hole in the roof. Among the curiosities of the churchly annals of the Old Redstone Churches is one of the subscription papers signed by the subscribers of this congregation to the salary of the Rev. Mr. Swan, when money was scarce and grain just beginning to be a marketable commodity, owing to the water communication offered by the nearness of the Yough, and the flat-boat con- nection with New Orleans. For the consideration of their raising the one-half of the Rev. Swan's services as pastor they " agreed to pay the amount set oppo- site their names, the one-half in cash, and the other half in produce at the following rates, viz.: wheat, 4 shillings per bush., rye at 3s. per bush., corn at 2s. 6d. per bush., to be delivered at such place or places within the bounds of the congregation as said minister or a treasurer chosen by the people may appoint. Witness our hands, this 17th day of Au- gust, 1792.'" PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WEST NEWTON. Previous to 1835 the Presbyterians of the town were compelled to worship at Sewickley Church, nearly three miles in the country. In that year they united with the Lutherans, and jointly erected a one- story frame edifice on Vine Street. This new church building was under the charge of the Sewickley Church, whose pastors supplied its worshipers with stated preaching. In January, 1851, the West New- ton Church was organized with seventy-one members from the parent (Sewickley) church, most of whom resided in the town. The same year the congregation purchased the interest of the Lutherans in the church building. In 1875 preliminary steps were taken for the erection of a new church structure, which was completed and dedicated May 10, 1879. Its pastors have been : 1851-55, Watson Hughes ; 1855-57, Daniel Williams; 1857-63, A. O. Patterson, D.D.; 1864-69, O. H. Miller; 1870-74, Henry Fulton; 1874 to pres- ent time, J. C. Maloy. The ruling elders have been : 1851, William Brookens, deceased; Dr. F. M. Mc- Conaughey, removed ; M. P. Smith, removed ; Thomas Robinson, deceased; 1858, Thomas Ray, in office; Andrew Robertson, in office ; Robert Gutfey , deceased ; 1866, J. C. Plumer, deceased ; Paul Hough, deceased ; H. D. Smith, in office; 1868, John McKenery, in office; 1870, R. W. Hunter, removed; 1876, William Plumer, in office; Alexander Rankin, in office. The Sunday-school superintendent is George Plumer. Its church edifice is an elegant brick structure, most cen- trally located on Main Street, with lecture-room in the basement. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WEST NEWTON. The congregation was organized Feb. 28, 1839, by Rev. Samuel Wakefield, D.D. Supply preaching was had until 1840 in the old school-house, when a small brick structure was erected on Second Street, which is now owned by C. P. Markle & Sons, and occupied as dwellings by tenants. The new brick edifice was 1 Records and ''Old Redstone." 616 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. built in 1880, and is the finest one of this denomina- tion in the county in size, elegance, and finish. Its architect was D. Knox Miller, and the contractors Deeds Brothers. Its cost was twelve thousand five hundred dollars. Its spire is one hundred and fifty feet in height, and its bell weighs one thousand three hundred pounds. This church is now a station, but at first was in a circuit embracing Connellsville, Mount Pleasant, and a large area of territory. Its pastors have been : 1840, T. Baker, S. B. Dun- lap ; 1841, W. Long, H. Hill ; 1842, George Sisson, M. A. Ruter; 1843, S.Wakefield, D. L. Dempsey; 1844, J. Moffett, D. Hess; 1845, J. Moffett, Sharp; 1846, ■ Fribbey, Sharp; 1847, H. R. Kern, M. A. Ruter; 1848, S. Wakefield, M. A. Ruter; 1849, S. Wakefield, J. Beacom ; 1850, C. Thorn. (All the above are deceased but Revs. Lang, Wakefield, and Dempsey.) 1851, J. Mancill, Rankin ; 1852, J. Mancill; 1853, E. B. Griffin, J. L. Stiffey; 1854, E. B. Griffin, M. J. Montgomery ; 1855, D. L. Demp- sey, J. A. Miller; 1856, J. McCarter, J. A. Miller; 1857, Samuel Wakefield, S. Burt ; 1858, J. D. Knox, S. Burt; 1859, J. D. Knox, W. A. Stewart; 1860, J. J. Mclllgar, W. A. Stewart; 1861, J. J. Mclllgar, J. A. Pierce; 1862, Z. S. Weller, R. Cunningham; 1863-65, W. W. Roup; 1865, M. J. Montgomery; 1866-69, W. A. Stewart ; 1869-71, J. Meacham ; 1871- 74, J. J. Hayes; 1874-77, W. Darby; 1876-79, S. Wakefield; 1879-82, H. H. Pershing. Of the above since 1851 all are living but R. Cun- ningham. The present incumbent, Mr. Pershing, was born in Indiana County in 1843, and has been fifteen years in the ministry. In 1882 the church officials are : Trustees, Eli C. Leightly (president), Samuel Coldsmith, Stevenson Pollock, James B. Sea- crist, Henry B. Goldsmith, Samuel M. Wallace, Gersham B. Horner; Building Committee, E. C. Leightly (president), Dr. B. H. Vankirk, Eandle McLaughlin, J. B. Seacrist, Samuel Coldsmith ; Sun- day-school Superintendent, Hon. Eli C. Leightly. The first Methodist sermon was delivered by Rev. S. Wakefield, Sept. 28, 1838, and was followed by stated supplies until Conference sent regular pastors two years afterwards. The original members were Jacob Longanecker and wife, James McGrew and wife, Matthew Carter and wife, David Banford and wife, and two others, eleven in all. Meetings were often held in Funk's saw-mill until the erection of the first church edifice in 1840. The first trustees were Jacob Longanecker, James McGrew, Benjamin Stewart, Randall Johnston, Samuel Hammond, Luke Beazel, and Rev. George Household. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WEST NEWTON. This congregation has a neat church edifice on corner of Centre and Locust streets, where services are held every third Sunday by Rev. G. C. Sampson. Its Sunday-school meets at 2.30 p.m., and the weekly prayer-meetings are held Wednesday evenings. CHRIST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, WEST NEWTON. This congregation was organized Jan. 1, 1830. Preaching was held for five years in the old school- house, and in 1835 it united with the Presbyterians, and erected a one-story frame edifice on Vine Street. Here services were held until 1851, when this con- gregation sold out its interest in the Vine Street building, and in the same year erected on that street its present brick edifice. The pastors have been : 1830-47, Jonas Mechling; 1847-58, W. S. Emery; 1855-65, Samuel B. Lawson ; 1865-66, J. P. Hentz; 1866-81, H. J. Lemcke. The congregation numbers one hundred and twenty, and its Sunday-school has twenty teachers and one hundred and four scholars. CHURCH OF GOD, "BETHEL," WEST NEWTON. The congregation was organized in 1842 and 1843, by Elder J. Dobson, and a brick edifice erected in 1852, on the site of the present parsonage. The pres- ent brick building was built in 1879. Among the early pastors were Revs. Dobson, Hickerell, D. Wirtz, J. M. Domer, B. F. Bolton, Grim, and P. Loucks. The latter preached here several years. He was born in this county, March 1, 1828, and was the son of John Loucks, whose father, Peter Loucks, emigrated from Bucks County, and purchased a farm on which Scottdale now stands, where he farmed until his death in 1825. John, his third son, purchased the old home- stead near Stonersville in 1826. He married in 1816 a Miss Basler. Rev. P. Loucks was converted in his twenty-third year. He attended the Mount Pleasant College, then under the supervision of the United Brethren, and taught school winters. He married the youngest daughter of John Fox, of Mount Pleasant, who came to this county when there was but one house where Mount Pleasant now stands. Her mother, Frederica Carolina Sherbus, was from the canton of Kireh- heimlanden, from whence she came in 1817, when but twenty years old, all alone, without any relative or acquaintance on board the vessel, and was married to Mr. Fox in 1820. Rev. P. Loucks was licensed to preach in 1858, and subsequently made missionary trips to New England. He died in 1881. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. J. S. Marple, whose predecessor was Rev. J. W. Bloyd. In 1881 Mrs. John Mellender donated to the congregation the parsonage, a neat frame structure, which she had built at a cost of $1200. It adjoins the church edifice. The present church officials are: Elders, S. P. Obley, Jacob Schoop, Samuel Brewer ; deacons, Henry Young, Charles Obley; Sunday-school superintendent, H. A. Obley. The membership is one hundred and ten, with an appointment at Sutersville. The member- ship at first consisted mostly of Germans, who wor- shiped in private dwellings, but after the great re- vival conducted bv Rev. Mrs. Beecher, now Rev. Mrs. SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 647 Werts, large additions were made of the English community. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WEST NEWTON. The congregation was organized and the brick church edifice erected in 1851. The pastors have been: 1851, Alexander Ferguson; 1851-58, D. H. Pollock ; 1859-62, W. L. McConnell ; 1864-72, J. D. Walkinshaw ; 1872-81, W. R. Stevenson, since when there has been no pastor. The first elders were H. T. Hanna, Joseph McMillen, John Wallace, John Martin, Robert Patterson, and the present elders are Joseph McMillen, H. T. Hanna, J. H. Campbell, J. A. Dick. The Sunday-school superintendent is Alex- ander Dick. Before 1850 preaching was held in the old school-house, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches by occasional supplies. WEST NEWTON. At the August session of 1837 a " Petition signed by a number of the citizens and lot-holders in the village of West Newton having been presented to the court, praying that the said village may be incorporated into a borough, was by the court laid before the grand jury for their concurrence, and the grand jury reported ' That the conditions prescribed by the act of Assembly of the 1st of April, 1834, entitled " An Act to provide for the Incorporation of Boroughs," have been complied with, and certified it as their opinion that it is expedient to grant the prayer of the petitioners.'" A draft or plot of the boundaries of the borough as prayed for was appended to said petition. But the court refused to confirm the report of the grand jury. 1 In an act of Assembly passed 8th of February, 1842, was a section in relation to West Newton borough which read as follows : "That so much of the third section of tho act of the 1st of April, 1834, entitled 'An Act to provide for the Incorporation of Boroughs," as requires applications for the incorporation of boroughs to be laid before the Grand Jury, be, and the Bame is, hereby repealed as respects West- moreland County, in the case for an application for the incorporation of West Newton, in said County, and the Court of Quarter Sessions of said county is hereby authorized to incorporate West Newton into a borough on application at their first term, if the said court think proper so to do." After the passage of the above enactment — namely, at the August sessions of 1842 — the citizens of the village again presented their petition to the court praying for incorporation of the borough (which in its bounds differed not much from the former one). The plot had been surveyed in January, 1842, by J. Stokely, and a plan was furnished the court with the petition. On the 26th of February, 1842, the court decreed that the prayer of the petitioners should be granted, and the borough was declared a corporation. The first election was ordered to be held at the school-house whereat the township elections were then holden. By an act of the 14th of March of the same year it was acknowleged as a borough in the legislation rel- ative to the election of an assessor and an assistant 1 "And now, to wit, June 1, 1838, Court decline to confirm the Report of the Grand Jury. By the Court, George T. Ramsey, Clerk." 1864. Alexander Plumer. I860. James A. Dick. 18G6. J. M. Schroyer. 1867. I. N. Downs. 1868-70. E. W. Dumm. 1870. James Hamilton, Sr. 1871. I. N. Downs. 1872-74. T. R. Reed. 1874. A. G. Oliver. 1875-77. E. W. Dumm. 1877. Philip Rohland. 1878. Henry Croushore. 1879. J. H. Schroyer. 1880-82. Henry Croushore. assessor. At the same time it was erected into a sep- arate school district. The limits of the borough of West Newton were extended by the Court of Quarter Sessions, upon the petition of the inhabitants, by an order of the court of May 27, 1850, confirming the action of the grand jury in that behalf. By an order of the court of 3d September, 1853, the privileges of the act of Assembly of 3d of April, 1851, were extended to the borough. BOROUGH OFFICERS. The officers of West Newton in 1842 were : Burgess, Alexander Plumer; Council, Andrew B. Funk, James Nicolls, David Shrader, Dr. John Hasson, William Linn; Clerk, James B. Oliver. Since then the burgesses have been : 1844. John Swern. 1845-47. Joseph Stokely. 1847^9. John C. Plumer. 1849-51. Samuel B. Weimer. 1851. Andrew G. Oliver. 1852. Isaac McLaughlin. 1853-55. E. W. Dumm. 1855. Thomas Hiliben. 1856-58. Samuel B. Weimer. 1858. Samuel Brennaman. 1859. E. W. Dumm. 1860. George H. Bear. 1861. Alexander Plumer. 1862. Jacob Everitt. 1863. Philip Ituhland, Jr. The officers in 1882 are : Burgess, Henry Croushore ; Clerk, Randall McLaughlin : Treasurer, Dr. J. Q. Robinson ; Council, David Markle, Robert Taylor, Jacob F. Streicher, S. Burkhart, Jacob Behoof, Randall McLaughlin ; Jus- tices of the Peace, J. Campbell, John Swern ; Constable, Edward P. Campbell. LOCATION. The valley of the Youghiogheny from McKeesport to Connellsville and beyond teems with towns, vil- lages, and hamlets, from which, though unsightly tipples and slack-piles banish all show of beauty, and myriads of coke-oveus, like miniature volcanoes, ob- scure the sun and paint " palace and hovel,'' patrician and plebeian, a monotonous black, yet, with the whir and roar of machinery, the hideous shriek of the steam-whistle, and the long line of heavy-laden trains, tell of the highest temporal prosperity. Lying in the busy valley, midway between Pittsburgh and Con- nellsville, about fifteen miles from the mouth of the Youghiogheny, is West Newton, on the southwestern slope of a hill descending abruptly to the Youghio- gheny River, in the midst of a fertile and diversified country. By the Pittsburgh Division of the Balti- more and Ohio Railroad communication is made easy in every direction. PIONEERS, Etc. Its early settlers were men of good birth, cultiva- tion, and intellect, prominent among whom were the Markles, Jonathan and George Plumer, and An- thony Blackburn. Like most other towns in Penn- 1 sylvania, the original settlement of Scotch, Irish, and 648 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Yankees was augmented at a later day by many Ger- mans, and still later by foreigners of almost every nationality It was laid out in January, 1796, by Isaac Robb, who came from New Jersey many years previous, and entered the land now comprising its site. When in the " Whiskey Insurrection" of 1794 the army marched through Robb's farm it threw down his fences, and he would not put them up again. But he thereupon made a lottery and sold off the lots for a town. Its survey and plotting were made by David Davis and a Mr. Newkirk. The founder of the town, Isaac Robb, subsequently traded down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers as far as New Orleans on boats. In 1807, while his boat lay at West Newton, he started one night when the river was rising to walk ashore to see if the fastenings were all right, but in the dark accidentally walked into the water and was drowned, although he was a splendid swimmer. His grandson, J. N. Robb, a prosperous farmer, lives about a mile from town. Notwithstanding the ori- ginal proprietor of the town named it West Newton, it was universally called " Robbstown," in honor of its founder ; but in 1835 the original and proper name was restored to it, and by which it has been since known. Before 1796 it was called Simrall's Ferry. There have been three additions to it, — first, Nicholson's, on the east ; second, Fulton and Baugh- man's, on the north ; and third, Baughman's, on the south. The earliest settlers in the country near the town were the Marklcs, John Crellis, Anthony Blackburn, Sr. and Jr., and George Plumer. Jonathan Plumer came out as commissary under Gen. Braddock's ex- pedition in 1755, and returned in like capacity under that of Gen. Forbes. His son, George Plumer, was born in 1762, near Fort Pitt, and married a daughter of Col. Lowrey, Lancaster County. He was a Presi- dential elector in 1820, and a member of Congress from 1821 to 1827. The first settlers in the town were Isaac Robb, John Hill, John Anderson, William McClintock, Mr. War- ren, Isaac Morgan, Andrew Fulton, David Morton, Edward Hill, and George Rolds. The oldest male citizen now a resident is William Plumer, born in 1800, and the oldest female is Katy Ann Kain, born in New Jersey in 1803. Her mother was a Luker, sister of David Luker. She came here when a little babe, and has resided here ever since. The oldest house is a log structure built by William Shreader, and now owned by Henry Croushore. It was a farm-house, but is now included in the corpo- ration. The oldest house in the town as originally laid out is the old William Brookens dwelling, but which has partially been remodeled. In 1805 there were not over ten or twelve dwellings here, of which one was the tavern, standing where the paper-mill is, and where Edward Hill kept for public entertainment. Another was a tavern kept by Joseph Vankirk, on the site of Obley's confectionery-shop. Another was the William Brookens house, and a fourth one was that of David Morton. The first brick house was erected by Dr. James Beatty on Vine Street. Dr. James Beatty was the first resident physician here, and after him came Dr. Henry B. Trout. Dr. Smith, however, who lived on the other side of the river, practiced largely here. The subsequent regu- larly settled physicians to 1849 were Drs. Abner G. Marsh, John Hasson, F. M. McConaughy, and J. K. Robinson. Dr. Hasson settled here in 1836, and died in 1873. Dr. Robinson was born in Rostraver town- ship in 1817, and was the son of Thomas and Achsa (Bailey) Robinson. His grandfather, Alexander Robinson, was an early settler, and came from Lan- caster County. He came here in 1846, read medicine with Dr. Hasson, graduated at the Medical Univer- sity of New York in the spring of 1849, and immedi- ately located here. He married Catherine, daughter of Hon. I. F. Krebs. The first store was opened by a Mr. Snodgrass in 1797, the second by Robert Fulton and James Kirker as partners in 1802 (who soon removed to Zanesville, Ohio), the third by John Gambrell in 1805, the next by John Rowan, and afterwards one by John Latta, who removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently George and Alexander Plumer carried on the mercan- tile business. The first blacksmiths were Jeremiah Ong and his brother-in-law, Samuel Reed. Afterwards William Reed had a shop. The first nailer was John Anderson, and the next one William McClintock, who made by hand the wrought nails. The first sad- dler was James Smith, who had his shop on Water Street. William Anderson was the first cooper, and Frederick Steiner the first hatter. The first cabinet- maker was John Robb, the second David Luker, and the third William Brookens. The first painter and chair-maker was a Mr. Cannann, and the second a Mr. Cox. Joseph Vankirk, who kept a tavern, was a surveyor, and also the first postmaster. The town began to improve in 1806, from which time until 1820, when the National road was com- I pleted, there was immense shipping by keel-boat to Pittsburgh. Upon the slacking of the Youghiog- heny River travel by steamers was large ; the first steamer to make trips was the " Tom Shriver." When the dams were swept out this trade became impracticable, and boats no longer landed regularly at the wharves. Surveys were made through here for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, but were ineffective. A much more important navigation scheme was that of the transatlantic canal, agitated in Congress and among the people. It was to follow the Youghio- gheny to its head-waters, thence cutting through the mountains a very short but terrible rugged way to the waters of Wills Creek, a tributary of the Potomac. This scheme likewise failed. The Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad was opened in 1855 from West Newton to Connellsville, SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 649 fifty-eight miles from Pittsburgh, on the Youghio- gheny River. Its president and superintendent was Oliver W. Barnes, assisted by D. W. Caldwell. At West Newton connection for passengers and freight for Pittsburgh was made by the steamer " iEolian." The morning train left for Connellsville at 8.30 a.m., reaching there at 9.50 a.m., in time for the stage for Uniontown. The fare from Pittsburgh to Connells- ville was $1.75, and to Uniontown $2.25. A train left Connellsville at 6 a.m. for West Newton, and con- nected with the steamer at 8.30 a.m., in time to reach Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. The local freight and passenger train left Connellsville at 12.30 p.m., and returning left West Newton at 5.30 p.m. The opening of this road had an important bearing on the history and progress of the town, and was hailed with delight by its citizens, many of whom, as well as the people in the surrounding country, took stock in it, and liber- ally subscribed for its building. From that time the town has steadily increased in population and busi- ness. On April 2, 1853, the town, by a vote of ninety- eight to twenty-five, subscribed six hundred dollars to the building of the " Hempfield Railroad," which, however, was never built. THE TOWN IN 1855. This year AVest Newton assumed a new appearance in its trade and progress. The following hotels were kept : Youghiogheny House, corner Main and Second Streets, by George McCune; the Mansion House (just opposite), by Henry Drum ; and the Exchange Hotel, corner Main and Water Streets, by A. Lowry. The physicians were Drs. John Hasson, Franklin M. Mc- Conaughy, and J. K. Robinson. The merchants were John Bell, M. P. Smith, Dick & Brother, and A. F. Stevenson ; E. C. Leightty, George Armstrong, and Solomon Stough were grocers and druggists ; John Andy manufactured tobacco, snuff, and cigars; H. C. Griffith and Samuel Goldsmith were saddlers and har- ness-makers ; Douglass & Mattox were coopers ; P. Paul was painter and chair manufacturer; Brookens & Megrail were cabinet-makers and undertakers ; and William Sykes, dealer in boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc. ; E. W. Dumm was the fashionable tailor and draper ; S. B. Stough, surveyor and conveyancer ; George Arm- strong, postmaster; W. M. Sykes kept oyster-saloon and confectionery ; and M. Fry had a boot- and shoe- and hat- and cap-store; S. G. Srnutz was the daguerrean artist, who "took likenesses, colored or plain, on short notice and in the best manner." SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS. The first school-house near the town was just north of it, and on land now owned by the heirs of Charles Robinson, and was built about 1795. Its first teacher was a Mr. Grim, who was succeeded by William Blackburn, Nathaniel Nesbit, and William Baldwin. It was a round log house, with earthen floor and clapboard roof. The windows were greased paper on sticks, and the chimney was in the centre and started from the joist. In 1809 a school-house was built on the farm of John Caruthers, and its first teacher was I William Baldwin. The first school taught in the town was in 1816, by N. Ruggles Smith, in a cabin, I which proving too small for the number of scholars it was changed to a larger log building of Col. James B. Oliver. In 1818 the first school-house was here built. It was an eight-square structure, and when j erected the best in the county. The first teacher in it was N. Ruggles Smith, afterwards principal of the Greensburg Academy. Among his successors was ex-United States Senator Edgar Cowan. The present school building, an elegant two-story brick building, was erected just after the late war. In 1882 the school board is George Plumer, president; Dr. A. O. Orr, secretary; Dr. F. H. Patton, treasurer; Benjamin Howard, Dr. J. Q. Robinson, and John Rial. The teachers are: Principal, Prof. J. A. Johnson, sixth room ; William S. Vandike, fifth room ; Miss Fanny J. Swem, fourth room ; Miss Josie Shutterly, third room ; Miss Mary Guffey, second room ; Miss Ella Lawson, first room. ORDERS, SOCIETIES, Etc. WEST NEWTON LODGE, No. 440, I. 0. 0. F. This lodge was chartered June 10, 1851, by George S. Morris, M. W. G. M., and William Curtis, M. W. G. Sec. The charter members and first officers were : N. G., T. R. Hazzard ; V. G., Eli C. Leightty ; Sec, John Klingensmith ; Asst. Sec, E. W. Dumm ; Treas., George Armstrong. The following are the Past Noble Grands yet members of the lodge : John Baer, James Baer, E. D. Baer, John Beamer, Michael Darr, A. T. Darr, Amos Eisenman, Morrison Fulmer, H. B. Goldsmith, B. Getchy, William Heidersdorf, Eli C. Leightty, William Miller, Martin Nahar, Leonard Nahar, P. J. Rohland, J. G. Ruoff, Simon Sampson, J. A. Stevenson, J. G. Steiner, R. M. Thomas, S. M. Wallace. The officers for 1882 are : N. G., J. H. Brundage; V. G., Wilhelm Lehna; Sec, A. T. Darr; Treas., B. Getchy; Asst. Sec, Amos Eisenman ; Trustees, Martin Nahar, P. J. Rohland, J. M. Baer. WEST NEWTON COUNCIL, No. 521, KOYAL ARCANUM. This council was chartered April 30, 1881, by E. A. Keyes, Supreme Regent, and W. O.Robson, Supreme Sec. The charter members were F. H. Patton, A. W. Orr, E. P. Campbell, John Hancock, John M. Wilson, John Darr, T. J. McElroy, James G. Guffey, James Emery, H. A. Douglass, W. W. Gregg, J. R. Porter, John Ingraham, John S. Douglass, William B. Miller, A. O. P. Guffey, Joseph C. Gregg, S. M. Wallace. The officers for 1882 are : P. R., A. W. Orr; R., J. T. McElroy; V.R., William Miller; O., F. H. Patton ; Chap., Gregg ; Sec, E. P. Camp- bell ; Col., J. Wilson ; Treas., A. O. P. Guffey ; G., John Hancock ; S., J. P. Hamilton ; Trustees, James Guffey, John Brown. 650 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. JOSEPH MARKLE POST, No. 57, G. A. R. Its officers for 1882 are : C, John Markle ; S. V. C, J. T. McElroy ; J. V. C, E. D. Baer; Q.-M., Alfred Catlin; Capt., Edward Welty ; Surg., Dr. J. H. Ritchie ; O. D., E. Neff, Jr. ; 6. G., James Kyle. WEST NEWTON AGRICULTURAL AND DRIVING ASSOCIATION. Its officers for 1882 are : President, Capt. B. Budd ; Directors, Simon Sampson, C. C. Markle, S. C. Weimer, Dr. F. H. Patton, Philip J. Rohland, J. J. Guffey, R. J. Graham, Robert Brown, S. B. Markle, Jr., H. A. Douglass, J. G. Steiner, H. Lowry. This association was organized in 1881, and is arranging elegant grounds for its exhibitions and driving. THE ROBBSTOWN BRIDGE. The Robbstown Bridge Company was incorporated in 1831 with the following incorporators: Alexander Plumer, J. C. Plumer, James Bell, Jacob Baughman, Frederick Steiner, Andrew Smith, Joseph Stokely, and William Linn. The bridge was erected over the Youghiogheny River in 1834, and was the first and only one ever built over the river at West Newton. It is a wooden structure with two piers in the centre, and since its construction has been well kept and re- paired. In its building Alexander Plumer and Isaac Steiner were the contractors for the stone-work, and Jacob Mace for the wood-work. The cost was $18,000, of which the State paid $8000, the amount of its stock, but on Sept. 7, 1843, it sold its interest to the company. Bela B. Smith owned the land on the Rostraver, and Andrew Robinson on the West New- ton side. The officers of the company are : Presi- dent, Bela B. Smith ; Secretary, Howard E. Smith ; Treasurer, George Plumer ; Directors, Bela B. Smith, George Plumer, Benjamin Sampson, Hunter Ritchie, Howard E. Smith. There is no bridge in the State of its age, forty-eight years, that is in such excel- lent condition, or has stood the tests it has endured in all kinds of storms and floods. BANKS. James A. Dick organized and started the first bank in 1867, and which is still in operation under his management. Its first place of business was in the Weimer rooms, and in 1870 it was removed to one door east of its present place, to which it was changed in 1875. The second bank established in the town was the Farmers' Bank, which went into operation after the panic of 1873, and was some four years in existence. Its president was Dr. J. Q. Robinson. Its first cashier was Eli C. Leightty, and the second Capt. John Markle. Its place of business was on the corner of First and Main Streets. WEST NEWTON CEMETERY lies on the west of the Youghiogheny River, and is beautifully situated on a high elevation overlooking the town and commanding a picturesque view of the valley. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT was organized in June, 1879, viz. : Chief Engineer, John Arthurs; Assistant Engineer, John Darr; Hose- men, E. Neff, G. M. Ewing, E. Stevenson; Drivers, Eli Kelley, John Mattox ; Bugler, George Murray. The engine is a No. 4 Extinguisher. The company is composed of men in the employ of Gen. C. P. Markle & Sons (paper-mill), who own the engine, etc. VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. PORT ROYAL is on the Youghiogheuy railroad, in the western part. Here, tradition says, the Virginia authorities held the ■ first court ever convened in Westmoreland County. The extensive distillery of John T. Moss is located here, of which A. C. Hamilton is the United States gauger, andM. S. Taggart store-keeper. The Ohio and Pennsylvania Coal Company in 1882 sank a coal shaft one hundred and seventy feet, and erected a large number of miners' houses. The company's superin- tendent is Austin Shannon. This place was one of the points that suffered greatly during boundary troubles between Virginia and Pennsylvania, which retarded the progress of the early settlements in this region. SMITHTON is a flourishing village laid out by J. H. Smith, Esq., proprietor of the large paper-mill located here. It is beautifully situated on the Youghiogheny River and Pittsburgh Division of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road. Smithton Lodge, No. 978, 1. O. O. F., was instituted April 20, 1881. Its first officers were : P. G., Wil- liam McLain; N. G., C. H. Weimer; V. G., J. B. Campbell; Sec, Henry Milliron ; Treas., William Hitterbrau; Con., L. H.Young; War., John Hex- inbaugh; R. S. to N. G., Cyrus Hepler; L. S. to N. G., Thomas Casey ; O. G., H. J. Nicolay ; I. G., D. O. Smith ; R. S. to V. G., J. S. Rhoads'; L. S. to V. G., Dr. H. Nicolay ; R. S. S., L. Corbet ; L. S. S., J. T. King. Its charter members numbered twenty-five. BELL'S MILLS. These mills, saw and grist, were erected on Big Sewickley Creek, at Sewickley Presbyterian Church, in. 1848, by Walter and William Bell. Walter and William Bell were born near Carlisle, in the Cumber- land Valley, and removed with their parents to Derry township in Westmoreland, when Walter was in his thjrd year of age. They were the sons of William Bell, who married Rosanna Bell. The latter was twice married, and both times to William Bells, and she and her two husbands were of no kin. Walter Bell married Polly, daughter of Andrew Finley, Esq., and his brother William married her sister Nancy. Walter Bell came to South Huntingdon township in 1810, in which year he and his brother William, both carpenters, built the house now owned and occupied by Daniel Williams. Their grandfather Bell came from North Ireland about 1740, and settled in the SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 651 Cumberland Valley, and married a daughter of John OTHER VILLAGES. Mendon is a thriving village in the central part of the township, and south of it is the pleasant hamlet of Centreville. Lying on the Youghiogheny River, and on the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad, is Jacobs Creek Station and post-office. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. THE SMITH FAMILY. Joseph Smith came from Berks County about 1800. He had a mill on Youghiogheny River, and another on Mineral Run, which were early and very exten- sive mills. He lived on a tract of land on which now stands the growing village of Smithton, which took its name in honor of him, the pioneer settler, who owned its original site. His three children were Henry, living at Falls City ; Polly, who died in 1875; and Samuel, born in Smithton in 1801, and who died there in 1874. The latter had six children, four of whom live at Smithton, one near Madison, and one is Mrs. Paul Hough, of Redstone, in Fayette County. > THE HOUGH FAMILY. Joseph Hough at a very early period settled on Jacobs Creek, where he located a large tract of land. He erected a mill, which supplied the wants of the settlers for miles around. He died in 1847. He had eleven children, of whom seven are living, — Paul, in Redstone, Fayette, Co., three in Westmoreland, one in Iowa, one in Indiana, and one in Missouri. Joseph Hough, Jr., resides on the old homestead. THE LEIGHTTY FAMILY. John Leightty came from Eastern Pennsylvania at the close of the last century and settled in Hempfield township, where he married a Miss Walker. Their children were as follows : 1. Jacob. 2. John, living in Indiana. 3. Sarah, married John Armbust. 4. Mary, married Jonathan Shook, and lives in Unity township. Of the above, Jacob married Salome Leader, daughter of Michael Leader, who resided on an ad- joining farm. Their children were: 1. Eli C. Leightty (only child), born Feb. 11, 1822. He was raised on a farm until his eighteenth year, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1839 he located in West Newton, then a town of not over three hundred population. In 1844 he embarked in the grocery and drug business, in which he has con- tinued to the present time. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Legislature in 1878, and served two years. He was there a member of three committees, viz.: Coal and Iron, Vice and Immor- ality, and Constitutional Reform. He was married Sept. 6, 1846, to Hannah E., daughter of Jacob Markle, by whom were borne the following children : 1. Normand M. 2. John M. 3. Adeline. 4. Emma L., married to H. A. Douglass. Mr. Leightty is a leading member and official of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and most promi- nently identified with the Masonic and I. 0. 0. F. orders. He is the oldest merchant in the town in continuous trade, having been in business here thirty- eight years. THE DICK FAMILY. Rev. Mungo Dick, of the Associate Reformed Church, came from Dundee, Scotland, about 1800, and settled on Sewickley Creek. He was for many years stationed pastor at Brush Creek, Mount Pleasant, and Sewickley Churches. About 1829 he quit preaching at Mount Pleasant, in 1832 he retired from Bethel (Brush Creek), and in 1836 from Sewickley. In 1815 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah Murry, of this county. He was born in 1772, and died in 1840. His wife died in 1876. Their children were : 1. Matilda, died young. 2. Rev. Jeremiah, an eminent Associate Reformed clergyman of Oregon. 3. Mungo, a farmer living on the old homestead. 4. Rev. John N., the pastor of the old Brush Creek Church (now Bethel). 5. Mary Ann, married to Rev. James Greer and deceased. 6. Elizabeth, unmarried. 7. James A., banker in West Newton, born in 1824, and married to Mary A., daughter of James Watt, of Latrobe. 8. David M., removed to Iowa and Missouri, in which latter State he died. Rev. Mungo Dick, the emigrant and ancestor of the family of this county, was a man of a strong will and great intellectual powers, and for over a third of a century expounded the gospel with great success. He left the impress of his. strong mind on three flour- ishing congregations over which he zealously minis- tered with ability and piety. THE HOUGH FAMILY'. Paul Hough was born in 1809 in Fayette County, and was married in 1832 to Miss Martha Cook. He carried on extensive flour-mills in Fayette City from 1832 to 1845, when he sold his mills and came to Westmoreland County, purchasing the farm now owned by Gen. C. P. Markle, and known as the " Dairy Farm." In 1874 he sold this valuable real estate and came to West Newton. His sons-in-law are ex -Sheriff John Guffey and G. R. Kemp, of Oil City. 652 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. He had two sons who died before his death, one of whom was a Union soldier in the late war. He died in 1879, leaving a wife and seven children, of whom one, E. C. Hough, Esq., is the genial and able editor, publisher, and proprietor of the West Newton Press, one of the best local journals in the State. THE HECHT FAMILY. John Hecht, Sr., was born in Wiirtemberg, Ger- many, in 1800, where, Jan. 12, 1826, he was married to Louisa C. Eisele, who was born in 1802. In 1832, with his wife, a son, and daughter, he came to Amer- ica, and settled in West Newton. In September, 1854, he removed to Clarence, Cedar Co., Iowa, where he died May 11, 1880. THE CUMMINS FAMILY. John A. Cummins was born in Derry township, May 9, 1796. He came to West Newton in 1856, and died in 1879. For nearly a quarter of a century he was largely identified with its growth and progress. PETER GREEN. J. H. Sutherland was a very wealthy planter, who resided in St. Mary's County, Md. He owned eleven slaves, of whom one was Peter Green. When the eman- cipation proclamation of President Lincoln went forth these slaves were liberated and scattered in vari- ous directions. The subject of this sketch went South, and was finally captured with a number of others by an Indiana regiment. He went with the regiment and cooked for the colonel, and at the close of the war he drifted around the country, and at last turned up at West Newton. Here he found employment at the paper-mill of C. P. Markle & Sons. Col. Sutherland returned to his old home in Maryland, where he died in 1881, and left the bulk of his fortune to his former slaves. Peter Green had no difficulty in making him- self known as one of the heirs to the estate, as he had on his person several scars and marks by which his aged mother easily recognized him. The amount of Peter's share of the estate was large, and puts him for the rest of his days in easy circumstances, to enjoy a peace and quiet heretofore unknown to him in his checkered career. COL. ISRAEL PAINTER. Col. Israel Painter was born in Hempfield town- ship, Westmoreland County, Pa., Nov. 11, 1810. He was of German descent on both his father's and mother's side. Jacob Painter, his grandfather, after marriage emigrated from Mecklenburg, Germany, and settled in Berks County, Pa. Here four sons and two daughters were born, viz. : Jacob, Michael, John, and Tobias, a daughter married to George Myers, and one married to Christopher Harrold. Jacob Painter and his wife died and were buried in Berks County. Jacob Painter, their eldest son, mar- ried a daughter of Rapiere, who lived in Indiana County, and settled on a farm in Hempfield township, situated on the Big Sewickley Creek, eight miles south of Greensburg, which became known for many years as the " Judge Painter place," and now owned by David Fox. By his first wife he had seven chil- dren, viz. : Betsey, Rebecca, Catharine, Tobias, George, Elias, and . His first wife died, and was buried at Harrold's Church. For his second wife he mar- ried Catharine, daughter of Christopher and Eliza- beth (Mueller) Lobingier. By her he had ten chil- dren, viz. : Polly, John, Jacob, Christopher, George, Joseph, Benjamin, Susan, Israel, and Sophia. Jacob Painter always lived on the farm on which he first settled. He built on the place a stone grist-mill, which he carried on in connection with his farming. He was an energetic, active business man, a member of the Legislature for several terms, justice of the peace for many years, was the Whig candidate for Congress against William Findley, and came within seventeen votes of being elected, and held the posi- tion of associate judge at the time of his death. He was a man of commanding presence, being about six feet in height, heavy set, and weighing about two hundred aud twenty pounds. In personal appear- ance his son, Col. Israel Painter, is said to have re- sembled him. ' He died at the age of fifty-nine, and was buried at Harrold Church. His widow, Catha- rine, survived him about thirty years, lived with her sons, Christopher and Israel, at the " Willow-Tree Farm," where she died, aged eighty-four, and was buried at Markle Cemetery. His daughter Betsey was wife of Gen. Joseph Markle, and mother of Gen. C. P. Markle, of " Millgrove." Christopher Lobingier, grandfatherof Catharine Lo- bingier, the second wife of Judge Jacob Painter, came from Mecklenburg, Germany, and settled in Dauphin County. He was married before leaving Germany. Little is known of him except that he was a farmer, and both he and bis wife died, and are buried in Dauphin County. They had one son, Christopher, who married (1766) Elizabeth Mueller, by whom he had eight children, viz. : John, Christopher, Catha- rine, Barbara, Mary, Elizabeth, Susan, and George. His wife died at Stoystown, Somerset Co., Sept. 15, 1815, aged seventy-one years. He settled in Mount Pleasant township in 1772, was a member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of 1776, and of the House of Representatives from 1791 to 1793. He died July 4, 1798, and was buried at the Presby- terian Meeting-house near Pleasant Unity. His eldest son, John Lobingier, was a prominent | man of his times, was associate judge, member of the Legislature, and justice of the peace. He was twice married, and left a large family. He became totally blind before his death. He died at the advanced age I of eighty-two years. Israel Painter lived at home £r£e/r 't tS' //„ <*/, ^ SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 653 until he was seventeen years of age. He then taught the district school two terms, was employed as clerk at Mount Pleasant in his brother Christopher's store one year. He then attended several terms at Jeffer- son College, Cannonsburg. In 1830, in company with a Mr. Newmeyer, he purchased his brother's store in Mount Pleasant and carried it on one year. He next built the " Mastodon" Salt-Works, and subsequently became interested in the " Fountain" and " Mammoth," and was the owner of them all at the time of his death. In com- pany with Daniel Waltz, he put down a salt-well in Monongalia County, W. Va., and established salt- works there, an enterprise requiring no small amount of pluck and energy, on account of the transportation through an almost unbroken wilderness of everything required in its construction and operation. He was interested in these works from 1832 to 1835. He be- came at an early date an extensive dealer in live- stock, — horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep. His opera- tions in this line of trade took a wide range, extend- ing through the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Ken- tucky, and West Virginia, and during the last war his dealings with the government in cattle, horses, and mules were on a large scale. Though not of the same political faith, he enjoyed the acquaintance and confidence of President Lincoln, a relation which was of great service to him in his operations with the government. Through his brother Christopher he became at one time largely interested in the cotton trade, making a number of trips to New Orleans in that interest. His operations in real estate were carried on upon the most extended scale. These embraced the purchase and sale of over one hundred farms in Westmoreland County alone, while he also operated largely in lands in Fayette, Indiana, and other Western Pennsylvania counties. At the time of his death he was the owner of thirty-two farms. He operated largely in oil and oil lands ; was president of the " Ozark Petroleum Company" from its organization to its dissolutiou. He purchased the farms of John Rynd, John Brown, and Lake, situated in Venango County, and good producing oil territory, and held them at the time of his death. In 1853 he built the " Weaver" Grist-Mill at Painter's Station, at a cost of $25,000, capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per day, the largest flouring-mill in its day in Western Pennsylvania. He was the owner of the Union Mills at Uniontown, with Henry P. Kifer of the steam grist-mill at Manor, and with Governor Geary of the " Latrobe Mills" at Latrobe. From 1865 to the time of his death Col. Painter gave much attention to coal and coal lands. He was the first to introduce into the Eastern market Western Pennsylvania coal as agas-coal, Eastern manufacturers of gas using up to that time an imported coal for that purpose. In company with John George, Jr., Col. Lewis McFarland, and others, he purchased large 42 tracts of coal lands on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad in North Huntingdon township, selling the coal to the Penn Gas-Coal Company and Westmore- land Coal Company. In company with Gen. Herman Haught, John Derbyshire, H. N. Burroughs, S. B. and C. P. Markle, he bought and sold many hundred acres of coal lands in Sewickley township. In 1873 he built seventy-four coking ovens in Bull- skin township, Fayette County, and carried them on till 1S79. He owned one hundred and seventy acres of coking coal lands near Mount Pleasant at the time of his death. He was interested in contracts for the construction of sections of the Pennsylvania Railroad, of the Northwest Pennsylvania Railroad, also of the Pitts- burgh and Erie and Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroads. He was a stockholder in the Mount Pleasant and Robbstown pike, also in the Youghiogheny Naviga- tion Company. He was prime mover in the building of the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad, also the Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad, and a director in both, as also in the Pittsburgh and Con- nellsville Railroad. He was associated with Governor John W. Geary in contesting the will of Stephen Girard, in behalf of the heirs of the latter against the city of Philadel- phia. He represented his district in the House of Representatives from 1846 to 1848 ; was canal com- missioner from 1849 to 1852; was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Charleston, S. C, identifying himself with the Douglas wing of the party. He was at one time a candidate of his party for nomination to Congress, but was defeated in the convention by Hon. H. D. Foster. His death was the result of an accident. By a fall a glass bottle was crushed in his hand, by which the latter was so badly cut and lacerated he survived the effect of it only ten days. He died on the 4th clay of July, 1880. It has fallen to few men " to fill a larger space" in their locality than did Col. Israel Painter. His energy and will seemed inexhaustible. He was constantly on the alert. With him to think was to act. Difficulties and obstacles which would have overwhelmed and swamped most men only inspired in him renewed exertions. All his enterprises were conducted on a large scale. To figure in a small way with him was an impossibility. In his disposition he was whole- souled and genial, consequently few men commanded a wider or warmer circle of friends. GEN. JOSEPH MARKLE. Gen. Joseph Markle was born in the township of South Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, Pa., Feb. 15, 1777. The family are of German descent. His grandfather, John Chrisman Merklin (written in this country Markle), was born at Alsace, on the Rhine, 654 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. about the year 1678. Some time after the Edict of Nantes, in 1685, he fled from Germany, passing down the Rhine into Holland, and settled in Amsterdam. Here he married Jemima Weurtz, or Weurtzen, a sister of the admiral of that name. In 1703 he emigrated to the United States, and settled at a place called " Salem Springs," in Berks County, Pa., Here he purchased fifteen hundred acres of land. He was by trade a coach-maker, and established on his purchase a wagon-maker's shop, blacksmith-shop, and grist-mill. He had nine children, of whom Gaspard Markle, the father of Gen. Markle, was the youngest. He (Gas- pard) was born in Berks County in 1732. He mar- ried Elizabeth Grim, and in 1770 removed to West- moreland County. Not long after his removal to the West his wife died, and in 1770 he returned to Berks and married Mary Roadarmel. Gen. Markle was the eldest child by this marriage. Gaspard Markle died in September, 1819, aged nearly eighty-eight years. For several years after the settlement of the family in Westmoreland the neighboring settlements on the Allegheny and Kis- kiminetas were harassed by the Indians, and the residence of Gaspard Markle was the post of refuge to which the settlers fled for succor and safety. Gen. Markle's elder brothers were active participants in repelling the attacks of the savages, and distin- guished themselves by their courage, intrepidity, and power of enduring fatigue and exposure. Several of the general's near relations were engaged in both the war of the Revolution and that of 1812. George Markle, a cousin, was in the battle of Brandywine. Jacob Markle, a brother of George, was in the naval service under Commodore Barney, and was on board the " Hyder Ally" at the capture of the " General Monk." Barnet Markle, a cousin of both Jacob and Gen. Mar- kle, was also on board the " Hyder Ally" on the same occasion, and was wounded in the engagement. Jo- seph Roadarmel, the uncle after whom he was named, was in the battle of Long Island iu August, 1776, was wounded, captured, taken on board a prison-ship lying in the harbor of New York, where he died of the wounds received iu the battle. There were lour of Gen. Markle's family connection in the troop which he commanded in the war of 1S12. One of the first of Gaspard Markle's enterprises after his settlement in Westmoreland County was the erection, in 1772, of a grist-mill on Sewickley Creek, which traversed his ancient homestead. Here was made some of the first flour manufactured west of the Alleghenies. It was transported in flat-boats by Jacob Yoder, a citizen of Beading, in Berks County, to the New Orleans market. This feat of the enter- prising Yoder was repeated five different times subse- quently by Gen. Markle. The services of his elder brothers being required on the farm, at the early age of thirteen, and for several years thereafter, the duty of transporting from the Eastern cities the supply of salt necessary for the family devolved on Joseph. This was accomplished by pack-horses, and being through an almost unbroken forest, with taverns or habitations of any kind being " few and far between," the dangers and hardships attending one of these journeys can hardly be conceived by people of the present day. His first trip to New Orleans was made in 1799, followed by others in 1800, 1801, 1803, and 1809. Prom the first trip he returned by what is called the wilderness route by way of Natchez, Nashville, Lex- ington, Chillicothe, etc. From the vicinity of Natchez to Nashville the route was by the Indian trail through the Chickasaw nation of Indians, a distance of about six hundred and fifty miles. In all this distance there were no houses or wdiite inhabitants, and the traveler was compelled to camp out overnight. The thrilling incidents attending such a journey, its narrow escapes from the fording of rivers and attacks of savages, would fill a volume in their description. From the trip of 1S00 Gen. Markle returned by sea, having entered as a common sailor on board the ship " Mars," Capt. George, owned by Tench Cox, of Philadelphia. She carried seventeen guns, with letters-of-marque, and was bound from New Orleans to Philadelphia, where she arrived after a passage of thirty-two or three days. From his other trips he also returned by sea, but al- ways as a passenger, his ambition as a sailor being satisfied by the first experiment. Previous to his first voyage his father had retired from active business, and devoted the whole management of the estate upon him. He farmed largely. In 1806 he erected another large grist-mill, and in 1S11 he formed a part- nership with Simon Drum, of Greensburg, and dur- ing that year erected a large paper-mill, the third establishment of the kind erected west of the Alle- ghenies. Mr. Drum residing at a distance from I lie paper-mill, its entire superintendence was added to his other duties. He was in the midst of these various employments when the war of 1812 broke out. In May of that year, in prospect of the war, he had raised from among his neighbors a troop of cavalry, of which he was elected captain. Their services were immediately tendered to the President. The accept- ance was a long while delayed, but upon the sur- render of Hull at Detroit they received orders to join the Northwestern army. Upon arriving with the troop at Pittsburgh, provisions which had been prom- ised were not forthcoming. In this exigency Gen. Markle raised the necessary funds by giving his own note, indorsed by his friends, William Fullerton, Major Joshua Budd, and John Daily, payable at six months, of $1250, which was discounted at the old bank at Pittsburgh. This amount, together with $800 raised by Quartermaster Capt. Wheaton, en- abled him to go forward with the troop. On their arrival at headquarters the commander-in-chief as- signed them the first rank in the volunteer cavalry. Of the distinguished part which Gen. Markle and his companions in arms bore in the service which fol- SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 655 lowed the following general orders issued by Gen. Harrison at the termination of their term of service sufficiently attests : '• After (General) Orders. "Headqi \i:n:us, Si'mt v Towx. ■■ 16th August, 1813. "The period for which the troop of Light Dra- goons commanded by Capt. Markle was engaged being about to expire, the commanding general directs that they proceed to Franklinton for their baggage, and that they be there discharged, or proceed embodied to Pittsburgh before they are discharged, as Capt. Markle may think proper. The General (Harrison) returns Capt. Markle, his subalterns, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, his thanks for their good con- duct whilst under his command. In the course of eleven months' service, in which they have performed as much severe duty as any troops ever did, the Gen- eral has found us much reason to applaud their steady and subordinate deportment in camp as their coolness and valor when opposed to the enemy, both of which were eminently displayed at the battle of Missis- sinewa and at the siege of Fort Meigs. "A. H. Holmes, Adjt. General. "A true extract." A short time after his return from the army he was elected major-general of Pennsylvania militia for the division composed of the counties of Fayette and Westmoreland. Upon his return home he entered upon the duty of retrieving his private affairs, which had greatly suf- fered during his absence. The dam of his paper-mill had been swept away by an extraordinary flood in the Sewickley. It was repaired, and the manufacture of paper extensively carried on. He supplied a great portion of Western Pennsylvania with paper, and personally distributed large quantities of it through Kentucky and Ohio. His. farm, too, in the mean- while was cultivated with great industry and vigor. His flour-mill was kept constantly employed. He also kept a store, out of which the hands employed by him were partly paid for their services. The profits of the whole were no doubt very great, but the free- dom with which he lent his name to his friends ultimately swallowed them up and left him deeply involved. In 1820, in order to relieve himself from the vexa- tion consequent upon his embarrassments, he trans- ferred to two of his sons two tracts of land containing over three hundred acres, including the paper-mill, upon the condition of their paying his responsibili- ties. This condition was faithfully performed by the payment of every dollar for which he was morally or legally bound. He retained the ancient homestead of his father, and thenceforward devoted himself to its cultivation, and from this source, together with the proceeds of his ffouring-mill, he supported his family. The political principles of Gen. Markle are sufficiently indicated by his votes cast for President. His first vote was given for Mr. Jefferson. He voted for Mr. Madi- son in 1808. Being in the army in 1812, he did not vote. He voted for Mr. Monroe, was in favor of Mr. Adams. In 1828 voted for Gen. Jackson, but became estranged from him and the party in consequence of his course in relation to the tariff from the fir>t, and always maintaining strong ground in favor of a protective tariff. He was a stanch supporter of his old commander-in-chief Gen. Harrison, and also of Henry ( lay, and indeed of every Whig and Republi- can candidate for the Presidency to the time of his death. With one exception (when nominated by his party as their candidate for Governor, to which his assent to the use of his name was given with great reluctance), he never was with his own consent a candidate for any civil office, though often urged to do so, and a number of times placed upon the ticket against his earnest protest, on one occasion as candi- date for the Assembly, and on another occasion in 1838 as a candidate for Congress, on both of which occasions he electioneered against himself. He lacked only about 4000 votes of an election at the time he ran for Governor in 1844, when Mr. Clay lost the State by over 8000 votes. The general was a great reader, and his memory, especially of facts, dates, and num- bers, was remarkable. His hearty good humor, his great fund of information, united with a vivacity of manner, made him excel in the social circle. Per- haps the most prominent traits of his character were his courage, honesty, hospitality, and benevolence. A physician who practiced several years in his neighborhood says he scarcely ever visited a poor family in sickness where he did not find that Gen. Markle had been in advance of him with a supply of whatever was necessary to their comfort. Traveling ministers of the gospel always found a welcome at his board and fireside, and the poor were never turned away without experiencing his kindness and liberal- ity. During the war of the Rebellion, when Penn- sylvania was threatened with an invasion, the gen- eral, though eighty-four years of age, promptly re- sponded to the call, and was elected captain of a company formed in the neighborhood for home pro- tection. He was for many years a member of the old Sewick- ley Presbyterian Church. The general was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Jacob Painter, whom he married Jan. 18, 1805, and by her he had four children, viz. : Shepard B., a resident of Rostraver township • Mary E., widow of John Boyd, living in West New- ton ; Elias R., died at the age of fourteen, in 1818 ; and Gen. Cyrus P. (a sketch of whom will be found in this volume). His second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Joseph Lloyd, of Westmoreland County, whom lie married Sept. 27, 1825. By this union there were twelve children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Lafayette, editor of the Ni/aek Chronicle, 656 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Rockland County, N. Y. ; Joseph and George W., owners and occupants of the old homestead farm ; Roxanna, wife of Dr. William L. Miller, of Alle- gheny City ; Sidnie, wife of Robert Taylor, of West Newton ; Margaret, living with Mrs. Boyd at West Newton ; and Hannah, who died at the age of fifteen. GEN. CYRUS P. MARKLE. Gen. Cyrus P. Markle was born in the township of Sewickley, county of Westmoreland, Pa., April 18, 1810, the third in a family of four children of Gen. Joseph and Elizabeth (Painter) Markle. (For gene- alogy of family see biography in this volume of Gen. Joseph Markle.) His education was limited to an attendance at the common school. One of the most pleasing incidents of his boyhood, and one remem- bered with no little pride, was his meeting Gen. La Fayette at Uniontown, Pa., and acting as one of his escort on horseback from that place to the city of Pittsburgh. This occurred when he was fourteen years old. Very early in life he became actively em- ployed in the business enterprises carried on by his father, and foreshadowed in the boy a capacity in the management of affairs which has been a marked characteristic of the man. In 1829, at the age of nineteen, a partnership was formed with an elder brother, Shepard B. Markle, under the firm-name of S. B. and C. P. Markle, which partnership continued for more than half a century. The manufacture of paper was the business in which the firm was chiefly employed, though farming was also quite extensively carried on. Two tracts of land containing over three hundred acres and the paper-mill at Millgrove were deeded them by their father on condition of their meeting certain pecuniary obligations for which he i had become liable by undersigning. These obliga- tions were eventually fully met by the firm. For thirty years the firm continued in the manufacture of paper at the " Millgrove" mill. In 1859, in order to meet the increasing demand for their products, and at the same time to avail themselves of better facili- ties for transportation, they built a large paper-mill (brick) at West Newton. At this mill paper from rags was manufactured until 1865, when they erected a straw pulp-mill (wood), and subsequently the pro- duction of wood pulp was introduced. In 1870, Mr. S. B. Markle retired from the firm, since which time the business has been carried on, largely extended, under the firm name of " C. P. Markle & Sons," the firm consisting of Gen. C. P. Markle and his sons, Capt. C. C. Markle and Shepard B. Markle, Jr. Iu 1881 this firm built at West New- ton another mill (brick), designated "Mill B," fifty- three by three hundred and twenty-nine feet, the largest and one of the most complete in the State, and one into which they have introduced all of the latest and most improved machinery. These mills are situated on the bank of the Youghiogheny River, between it and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. (A representation of them appears on another page of this volume.) In 1880 the firm purchased five thousand acres of coal and timber land in Milford township, Somerset County, Pa., and in 1881 built thereon extensive wood- pulp works. The pulp-mill is two hundred and fifty by eighty-three feet, the evaporator one hundred and fifty by fifty feet. In addition to the works, a station house, store, and twenty-four dwelling-houses were built by them. The place, named after the general, is named Markleton. It is situated on the Castlemau River, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. A better conception of the magnitude of these works can be formed by a visit to them. Something of an idea may be formed from the representation of them on another page of this volume. About twenty tons of paper are manufactured from the pulp produced at their Markleton aud West New- ton mills. While their mills at West Newton are devoted exclusively to the manufacture of printing paper, a very superior quality of hardware paper is produced at the "Millgrove Mill." The firm have their warehouse at 126 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh. 1 While the manufacture of paper has been the lead- ing business of the general, he has also been largely interested in the product of coke. In 1871, in com- pany with John Sherrick, of Mount Pleasant, under the firm of "Sherrick & Markle," he built on the Mount Pleasant Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad the " Eagle Coke- Works," one hundred ovens. Sold his interest in these works in 1879 to H. Clay Frick. In 1873 he purchased of Peter Sher- rick and William McMasters their farms, two hundred aud sixty acres, in East Huntingdon township, near Mount Pleasant, and in company with the former firm, Markle & Sherrick, erected on the'Sheri farm the " Rising Sun" Coke- Works, one hundred ovens. On the McMasters farm C. P. Markle & Sons built the " Bessemer Coke- Works," one hundred and fifty ovens. In connection with these works about fifty tenant-houses were built, also about a mile and a quarter of railroad, which is known in that section as the " June Bug" Branch of the Baltimore and Mount Pleasant Railroad. In company with Col. Israel Painter, Gen. Lari- mer, Horatio Burrows, and Gen. Haupt, Gen. Mar- kle has operated extensively in coal lands in the township of Sewickley. To the original homestead tract of three hundred acres he has added nine hun- dred acres adjoining in the townships of Sewickley and South Huntingdon. For a number of years the general and his sons 1 While the firm have been more than ordinarily successful in their business as paper manufacturers, they have met then full proportion of losses by fire. The old frame mill on Sewickley Creek was burned iu 18G2. In 1876 the brick mill, in 1877 the frame, and again in 187S the brick mill at West Newton were burned, hut were all rebuilt the same year they were burned. ;i^w^__ SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 657 have taken interest in blooded stock. Four of the finest " Jerseys" in the country may be seen at their stock-farm. Their yearly sales of stock run into the thousands. In all the operations of C. P. Markle & Co. about six hundred men are employed. Owing to a partial stroke of paralysis, from which he has never fully recovered, Gen. Markle has for a number of years left the active conduct of the business to his sons, by whom he is kept thoroughly posted in regard to all operations, and who fully appreciate the value of his advice and mature judgment in all business matters. The general became very early in life interested in the military, a taste undoubtedly inherited from his father. At the age of fourteen he became a member of the Sewickley Artillery Company, afterwards its adjutant, and then captain. Still later he was elected major and finally general of the Thirteenth Legion Pennsylvania Militia, composed of the counties of Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland. In politics he has been a firm supporter of the princi- ples of the Whig and Republican parties, but, like his father before him, has always been more ready to help a friend to office than to accept official position him- self. Indeed, the successful conduct of his extensive business interests, which have made him one of the busiest men of his times, would have precluded his entrance upon public life, even if he had entertained any aspirations in that direction. He was interested in the construction of the Pittsburgh and Connells- ville Railroad, and served as one of its directors. He was for many years a member of the Sewickley Pres- byterian Church, but at the present time is a member of the church of the same denomination at West Newton. He married, May 5, 1835, Sarah Ann, daughter of James and Margaret Lippincott. Mrs. Markle was born June 12, 1814, at Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., Pa. Their children are as follows: Margaret Ann and Mary Elizabeth, twins, born Jan. 28, 1836. The former, widow of Thomas McMasters, residing at Turtle Creek. She has one child, Rachel, wife of M. C. Miller, Esq. Mary Elizabeth, died June 14, 1843 ; Joseph L., born Nov. 7, 1837, died July 4, 1843 ; Jesse Henry, born Jan. 8, 1839, died June 10, 1843; Caseins C. Markle, born Oct. 31, 1840;' Shepard B. Markle, Jr., and Cyrus P., twins, born May 15, 1844 2 (Cyrus P. died Jan. 8, 1845) ; Mary Emily, born Sept. 7, 1846, wife of John M. Larimer, a merchant at Turtle Creek. Two children living, viz., Cyrus P. Markle and Thomas McMasters Markle. Harriet Cornelia, born Sept. 28, 1847, wife of A. O. Tintsman, living at Turtle Creek. One son, Cyrus Painter Markle. Amanda, bom July 26, 1850, died Nov. 18, 1850; Winfield Scott, born Feb. 14, 1852, died November, 1853. 1 See biography on another page of this volume. - For biography of former Bee following sketch. Mrs. Markle died Nov. 26, 1869. In the death of this most estimable woman the family, her church, and indeed the entire community in which she lived met with an irreparable loss. She possessed in large measure all the rare qualities which characterize the devoted wife and mother and the truly Christian woman. In the home and social circle she was easily a leader, and she was a helpmeet indeed in the "dispensation of a hospitality for which the Markle home has always been distinguished, — a hospitality without stint, extended to the stranger equally with relatives and friends. Honorableness and fair dealing have been the marked characteristics of Gen. Markle in the conduct of his business affairs. A contract once made has always been to him a sacred matter, something to be fulfilled and not shirked, though its fulfillment, as sometimes has happened to him, might entail large loss; but in the long run his successes have abun- dantly proven the truth of the old adage, " Honesty is the best policy." Though he has uniformly declined official position, few men have exerted a wider per- sonal influence in local and State politics. Men whose candidacy he approved and measures which he favored have always found in him a powerful ally. The Union cause in the late war had no more ardent sup- porter. Relying upon his discretion and good judg- ment in all business affairs, his counsel and advice have been frequently sought after by his neighbors and friends. In the development of the material resources of his locality and the advancement of all interests which look to the betterment of society it would be difficult to find one who has exerted a more commanding influence. SHEPARD B. MARKLE, Jr., youngest son living of Gen. C. P. and Sarah (Lippin- cott) Markle, was born at Millgrove, Sewickley town- ship, Westmoreland County, Pa., May 15, 1844. He was twin-brother to Cyrus P., who died Jan. 8, 1845. From a fall, which happened when about eighteen months old, and which affected the left limb, he was rendered a cripple for life. Many of the most eminent physicians of the country were consulted without favor- able results. Finally horseback riding and " plenty of it" was advised by Dr. Pancoast, of Philadelphia, as the means most likely to bring relief. The sequel proved the wisdom of the doctor's advice, for, though no permanent cure was possible in the case, he con- tinued to gain daily in strength, and his ability to discharge these many years the varied duties de- volving upon an exceedingly busy man is attributed almost solely by Mr. Markle to the benefit he derived from horseback riding. " Sheppy" Markle and his horse became, if not one, at least almost inseparable. The varied business interests of his father, in which he began early in life to participate, gave him ample scope for his favorite exercise. An average of from 658 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. twenty-five to thirty miles per day for many years is no exaggeration of the extent of his riding. The necessity for this exercise, together with the impor- tant part he was thus enabled early to take in his father's business matters, quite precluded the idea of his entering upon any extended course of study, and in consequence his education was limited to an at- tendance at the neighborhood district school and a select school at West Newton. • In 1870 he became associated with his father and brother, Capt. C. C. Markle, under the firm " C. P. Mar- kle & Sons,'' in the manufacture of paper, the produc- tion of coke, raising of stock, and farming generally. He has given special attention to the stock department. In 1876 he purchased twelve head of registered Jer- seys at Philadelphia, the first introduced into West- moreland County, since which time the operations of the firm in that line, managed principally by Shep- ard B., have been very extensive, involving many thousands of dollars yearly. For the last five or six years he has been obliged to discontinue his horsebacj riding, having become too stout to use his favorite mode of conveyance with any comfort to himself or horse. Few men of soundest body, however, ride more miles in the day, or accomplish more in the execution of business. Rain or shine, cold or hot, a man may " set his watch" by the promptness and regularity with which he may be statedly seen with his carriage at his usual places of business. In politics he is a Republican, and though he has neither sought nor desired office, no man in the locality is more liberal of his time and money in forwarding the interests of the party. He married, June 11, 1874, Isabella, daughter of James P. and Jane K. (Moore) Carothers. Mrs. Markle was born in South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland County, Pa., Oct. 18, 1852. She is the great-granddaughter of the Rev. James Power, one of the pioneer ministers of the Presbyterian Church in Western Pennsylvania. It is not too much to say that the Markle home at "Millgrove," always pro- verbial for its unstinted hospitality, has lost nothing of its prestige in this respect since Mrs. Markle be- came its presiding genius. Mr. and Mrs. Markle have children, as follows: Sarah Ann, born June 5, 1875; Jane C, born Jan. 29, 1877 ; Maggie McMasters, born Dec. 30, 1878; Mary Emily, born Feb. 23, 1880; and Cyrus Painter, born April 7, 1882. He entered the army Aug. 25, 1861, as second lieu- tenant Co. E, 105th Regt. P. V. I., Col. McKingly, of Brookeville, commanding ; was promoted to first lieu- tenant, and afterwards to the captaincy of the com- pany. He was appointed and served as provost- marshal under Gen. Birney, and subsequently was appointed inspector -general of forts north of the Potomac, first under Gen. Hoskin, and afterwards under Gen. Hardin, and occupied that position at the time of the expiration of his three years' term of enlistment. He was honorably discharged Sept. 3, 1864. Upon his return from the army he became actively employed in the business enterprises of C. P. Markle & Co., and upon the dissolution of that firm became a partner in the firm of C. P. Markle & Sons, and since the retirement from that position of his father, Gen. C. P. Markle, the management of their exten- sive paper- and coke-works has devolved chiefly upon him. He married Feb. 21, 1865, Mary A., daughter of Jacob S. and Mary (Fox) Overholt. Mrs. Markle was born in Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland County, July 1, 1846. Their children are Cyrus P., born Feb. 12, 1S66 ; Thomas McMasters, born Feb. 25, 1868; Mary O., born Sept. 13, 1870; Sarah Bessie, born Feb. 2, 1873, died Nov. 27, 1874; Jessie Ben- ton, born May 25, 1875; and Margaret Z., born March 8, 1878. CAPT. C. C. MARKLE. Capt. C. C. Markle was born at Millgrove, Sewickley township, Westmoreland County, Pa., Oct. 31, 1840, the fifth child of Gen. C. P. and Sarah A. (Lippin- cott) Markle. He received his primary and academic education in the district school of his native place, at Turtle Creek and Mount Pleasant Academy. He took a business course of study at the Iron City College, Pittsburgh. c HON. GEORGE PLUMER. George Plumer was of English descent. His great- great-great-grandparentS; Francis and Ruth Plumer, with their children, Samuel, Joseph, Hannah, and Mary, emigrated in 1633 from Newbury, in Berkshire, England, to New England, and in May, 1634, Francis Plumer took the freeman's oath in Boston. Francis Plumer was descended from an ancient and honorable family, which from the time of the barons' wars has always maintained a respectable standing in the midland counties of England. In 1635, Francis Plumer, in company with some of the inhabitants of Ipswich, under the pastoral care of the learned Dr. Parker, obtained leave of the General Court to remove to Quascacunquen, and began a town at that place which they called Newbury, Francis Plumer being one of the original grantees ; and it may be here mentioned that it is stated in a recent history of Essex County that "the meeting-house, which was likewise the school and the town-house, was on land owned by one of the descendants of Francis Plumer, who have held the paternal acres through all the years to this date" (1878). Joseph, the second son of Francis, was born in 1630, married Sarah Cheney, Dec. 23, 1652; Jonathan, the youngest son of this couple, was born May 13, 1668, and on the 10th of June, 1696, he married Sarah Pear- son ; John, the eldest child of the last-named pair, was born March 25, 1697, and Jan. 30, 1722, he mar- i ried Rebecca Wheeler ; and their second son, Jona- stctt^rct 9- £# SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 659 than, was born April 13, 1724, and June 6, 1744. he married M eh i table Herriman. Jonathan Plumer resided in Newbury, the place of his nativity, until the death of his wife, which oc- curred about the year 1749 or 1750. Her loss was so great an affliction that he decided to seek relief in change of scene. Accordingly he arranged to leave their three sons, who were entitled to a good estate from their mother, with her relatives in Rowley, and traveled southward. In his youth Jonathan Plumer had been converted under the preaching of Dr. George Wliitetield, and always took a deep interest in the religious move- ments of his day. Wliitetield in his travels through the colonies had made long visits in the congregations in Southern Pennsylvania and neighboring Mary- land, under the charge of the Finleys and Blairs and Smiths, then the great lights of the Presbyterian Church in those regions, and it doubtless was from his report of them, and of the fertility of the soil, etc., that young Plumer was led to seek his fortune among them. A record prepared in Newburyport many years ago says of him: "Jonathan Plumer (5th) emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1750 ; was commissary to Gen. Brad- dock in 1755." One of the foremost and most remarkable men of that day in Maryland was Col. Thomas Cresap, who had fixed his residence in what was then called " Old Town," near Fort Cumberland. Alter the disastrous failure of Braddock, Jonathan Plumer seems to have settled in Old Town, for it is shown in a published correspondence between Gover- nor Diuwiddie to Col. Adam Stephen, at Fort Cum- berland, and from the latter to Capt. Dagworthy, at Fort Frederick, that Cresap and Plumer were at the date, — March, 17-J7, collecting commissary supplies in that country. It is traditional in Mr. Plumer's family that he was also in the army of Gen. Forbes the following year, wdien that " Head of Iron" took possession of the smok- ing ruins of Fort Du Quesne and named the place Pittsburgh. The main portion of the army made only a short stay, and then returned to the east of the mountains, Mr. Plumer accompanying them. It was in Old Town, or in Fort Frederick, that Jona- than Plumer, on short acquaintance, married Miss Anna Farrell, who proved a loving wife and help- meet in all their after-life of dangers and trials. Their oldest son, William, was born in or near Fort Cumberland in 17-">7, and one other son in 1758, named John ; but while it is certain that the father was in Fort Pitt in 1759, there is nothing now to show that he had his family west of the mountains till in 17(51. Col. George Croghan having obtained a grant from the Indians of fifteen hundred acres on the Alle- gheny River, extending from Two-Mile Run up to the Narrows, Jonathan Plumer became interested in the grant, ami in the summer of 1761, " by permission of Col. Henry Bouquet, built a cabin and made many valuable improvements thereon" (Binney's Reports, vol. ii., page 95, et seq.), and it was in that cabin, on lice. .">, 1762, that George Plumer, the subject of this sketch, was born. When Jonathan Plumer built his cabin all that ii was in a state of-transition. The claim of the British had not been acknowledged by France, and tin- territory to the westward was held by force of arms. Quebec had fallen the previous year, and the ap- proaching end of French domination seemed certain, but the hopes and fears of the settlers kept them in continued anxiety and alarm. Houses were going up around the fort, but until news of certain peace none could tell in whose territory they would stand. At the last, on the 21st of January, 1763, intelli- gence was received in Philadelphia that on the .'id of the previous November preliminary articles of peace between France and England had been signed, and as speedily as the army express of those days could reach Fort Pitt, the announcement there was greeted with great joy and thanksgiving. "This peace," says a writer in Mr. Craig's " < llden Time," " removed for- ever from our. vicinity all tear of the arts and arms of the French." And in the " History of Old Redstone" Dr. Joseph Smith says, pagfe ~>-, " After the encroachments of the French and their Indian allies were successfully re- pelled, and the treaty of peace signed at Fontaine- bleau, Nov. 3, 1762, secured to the British crown this long-disputed section of the West, emigrants from Eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, Scotland, and the north of Ireland began to pour in," etc. Other testimony might be quoted to show that the date of " British dominion" was then fixed as of the third of November, 1762. What i- here recited is in explanation, in so far as now may be, of what was said by the few settlers and the officers and soldiers then in and around Fort Pitt, that George, the son of Jonathan Plumer, was the first male child born " to the westward" under the " British dominion." The portion of Croghan's grant owned by Jonathan Plumer was held by him till about 1777, when he sold it back to Croghan ; but he, Col. Croghan, was then in financial troubles, and the whole was sold at sheriff's sale in July, 1783, and bought by Samuel Ewalt, whose old home on the land is yet in good condition. The Plumer cabin stood about one hundred yards east of the Ewalt mansion. George remained with his parents, becoming a noted hunter and scout, and occasionally accompanying parties of surveyor-. Soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, Miss Margaret Lowrey, the youngest daughter of Col. Alexander Lowrey, of Donegal, Lancaster Co., Pa., 660 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. came over the mountains to visit her sisters, Mrs. Daniel Elliott and Mrs. John Hay. Col. Lowrey was a prominent, wealthy, and influ- ential Indian trader of that day. Miss Lowrey first met with George Plumer in the store of Mr. Elliott, who introduced him quite kindly to her, as he had a friendly regard for the young " Buckskin." They had occasional meetings, and became engaged ; but Mrs. Hay, with whom Margaret was staying, op- posed the match, but in the following August of 1784 they made a " runaway match" of it and were mar- ried. The first home of the newly-married pair was on the right bank of the Pucketos (now called Puckety) Creek, near Fort Crawford, where the husband had taken up three hundred acres of land and built a log cabin and cleared thirty acres. Here they struggled against cares and trials new to the wife, with no hope of the father's forgiveness. He worked hard, clear- ing and cultivating the land. Deer, bears, turkeys, and other game were abundant, and afforded them all the fresh meat which they needed. They were, however, often annoyed by Indians, and compelled to take refuge at night in the adjoin- ing woods, and occasionally in Fort Crawford. Their neighbors were Samuel Skillen, James Gray, Alexander Logan, and Robert Hays, who had mar- ried Mr. PI timer's sister Nancy. George Plumer and Robert Hays being called on to perform one month of military service as scouts, an attorney of Pittsburgh took advantage of their absence to send a surveyor to survey their lands, and had patents taken out before, they knew anything about it ; by this they lost their all. Up to this time Mr. Plumer had never met his father-in-law ; their meeting was a curious one. Col. Lowrey had a body of land north of Hannastown, about which there was some litigation. Preparatory to the trial of the case, Col. Lowrey was out with surveyors, when George Plumer, who was hunting in that direction, accidentally met the party. The sur- veyors, with whom he was well acquainted, after shaking hands, introduced him to his astonished father-in-law; but the colonel, having been preju- diced against him by John Hay, was cold and dis- tant, but eyed him sharply. Mr. Plumer, however, maintained his serenity, and making gradual ap- proaches to the colonel, finally invited him to go home with him and see his daughter and grand- children. But the colonel declined, and after shak- ing hands they separated. But the old trader's heart was touched, and he fol- lowed his son-in-law in a day or so, and entering the cabin unannounced, overwhelmed his daughter and her little sons with embraces, and all was well again. After spending some days with them he told Mr. Plumer that there were three fine tracts of land near the mouth of Big Sewickley Creek belonging to Simon Gratz (with whom he was in extensive business rela- tions), and for him to go and make a selection, and he would give it to him and his wife. This was speedily done, and in 1791 George Plumer built a house on the tract, at the mouth of the Sewickley, and moved into it. After the Plumers had been two years on their new place Col. Lowrey made them another visit, and was so much pleased with improvements by Mr. Plumer's energy and industry that he gave him eight hundred pounds to erect mills. The next year the colonel was out again, and found the saw-mill up, running, and masons at work on the foundation for a grist-mill. He was delighted, and gave Mr. Plumer three hundred pounds, and sent him burr-stones for his mill. The following year Mrs. Plumer and her sister Mary went East to see their father, and just before they started for home he gave each of them five hundred pounds. Soon after his wife's return Mr. Plumer was taken down with fever, from which he recovered slowly. During his protracted illness a sudden freshet swept away his mill-dam, which in his feeble condition greatly discouraged him, and finally, in connection with his physician's warning against continued hard work, induced him to sell his mills, with some adjoin- ing lands, to Maj. Michael and Adam Frichman. In the following year Mr. Plumer built a large square log house on the upper portion of his farm, to which he removed, and in it spent the remaining por- tion of his days. Early in 1808 he opened a store in connection with his large distillery and farming business. In 1812, Mr. Plumer was elected to the Legislature, and was re- elected in 1813, 1814, 1815, and 1817. On the 24th of June, 1818, he lost his wife, the be- loved of his youth. In her cultivated and refined society he had in a great measure overcome the dis- advantages of imperfect education, and suited himself for the higher duties which, in the latter years of his life, he was called on to perform. In 182(1, Mr. Plumer was elected a representative to the Seventeenth Congress of the United States, and was re-elected to the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Con- gresses. On the 14th of November, 1821, he was married to his second wife, Miss Martha Dean, of Indiana County, Pa., who survived hiin some years. In 1826 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church decided to establish a theological seminary west of the mountains, and a board of directors, con- sisting of twenty-one ministers and nine ruling elders, was elected by ballot to report the following year a suitable location for it in or near Pittsburgh. Mr. Plumer was one of the nine ruling elders; he, how- ever, did not favor the site finally selected on Hogback Hill, in Allegheny Town, but advocated the purchase of Braddock's Field. In 1832, Mr. Plumer was again urged to permit his name to be used as a candidate for Congress, but he SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 661 declined, and spent the remainder of his days in the quietude of private life. Of the children of George and Margaret Plumer, four, namely, Jonathan, Alexander, John C, and Lazarus Lovvrey, were born on Puckety, and the re- mainder of their children, Mary, Nancy, Sarah, Wil- liam, Elizabeth, and Rebecca, were born on the place bounded by the Youghiogheny and Sewickley. All but Jonathan and Rebecca were married and raised families, and all are deceased except William, whose years go with the century, having been born in 1800, an old man indeed, but still erect in form, remarkably active, and with memory quite unimpaired in all mat- ters of the local history of his native county of West- moreland, an invaluable assistant in his recollection of men and events of a past generation. The following are a few of the names of the first Sewickley neighbors of George Plumer: Anthony Blackburn and his sons, Joseph, John, Anthony, and William ; James and John Thompson ; Isaac Miller, a soldier of the Revolution ; Isaac Robb, who bought out John Simerall, who established "Simerall's ferry" and laid out "Robbstown," now West Newton; Col. Davis, a surveyor; Christian Funk, fanner and miller; Gaspard Markle, the father of that noble man, Gen. Joseph Markle; Patrick Campbell; Alexander and William Simerall ; Nathan McGrew ; James Caldwell, whose father was cousin to the father of John Cald- well Calhoun, of South Carolina ; Benjamin and Abner Gilbert; James, David, and Isaac Maines; James and Abraham Davidson ; John Milligan, Esq. ; John Jack ; John Carnahan ; John Cooper; James Carothers, a soldier of the Revolution, and others, but these will suffice. We close this sketch of one of the representative men of the early day of Western Pennsylvania with the following notice of his decease from the pen of his nephew, the Rev. William S. Plumer, D.D., at that time editor of the newspaper Watchman of the South, in which it appeared in Richmond, Va., June 22, 1843 : "Died, near West Newton, Pennsylvania, on the 8th inst., Hon. George Plumer, who was a representative in Congress for six years from the Westmoreland district, aged eighty years, six months, and three days. "It has often been said of him that he was the oldest man living born west of the mountains. He outlived all his brothers, of whom he had seven. He was by nature remarkably generous anil kind. A more af- fectionate relative no man had. He has left a large family of children and grandchildren. His last illness continued more than four weeks. A large concourse of sympathizing friends and acquaintances attended his burial from his own residence, where his pastor, Rev. Mr. Gillett, delivered an appropriate and impressive discourse. By a fall in the winter he received considerable personal injury, but recovered so far as in the month of May to ride several miles to Sewickley Church, where he conducted a prayer-meeting with much ability and solemnity. That night he was taken with violent pains through bis whole frame. From the first of this attack he believed it would be fatal, and set his house in order. " His views of religious truth were clear and solemn and appropriate. The blessed doctrine of the perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ imputed to believers lay near his heart and was all his hope. He recom- mended the blessed Saviour to all who visited him. He had spiritual conflicts in his last hours, but hope and faith triumphed. " Thus has fallen asleep one of the best of men, who while living was revered by all good men who knew him ; one who proved what upright- ness and the fear of God can do for those who are called to drink deeply of the cup of human suffering and sorrow. " May bis children and relatives (the editor of this paper iB his nephew) and their descendants have like precious faith, and obtain like good re- port." ALEXANDER PLUMER. Alexander Plumer was the second child of George and Margaret Plumer, born in their first home on Puckety, Dec. 18, 1786. Feb. 15, 1810, he was married to Susan, daughter of Isaac Robinson, of Versailles township, Allegheny County, Pa. By this union there were two children, — Jean, born April 4, 1811, yet surviving, the widow of Jesse Greer. The mother died 8th of August, 1814. Nov. 3, 1815, Mr. Plumer married Elizabeth Moore, by whom he had four children. His second wife died July 16, 1844. Sept. 7, 1846, he married Miss Eleanor Reynolds, who died April 23, 1860. March 13, 1862, he married Miss Livia E. Maclay, who survives him, residing in Peoria, 111. Alexander Plumer had an aptitude for business and trade which in more propitious times would have brought him distinction and wealth. He was early, placed in his father's store on the farm adjoining Robbstown, and when it was transferred to the village was intrusted with its management. When it was closed out, Mr. Plumer formed a partnership with Messrs. Cromwell & Dent, merchants, in Pittsburgh, and conducted for several years a large general trade, including the receipt of goods by wagon from the East, and shipment by keel-boats to Pittsburgh to his part- ners there for the lower country. Robbstown was then one of the points of river navigation for emigrants to the Ohio country, and A. Plumer & Co. furnished boats and supplies to the "movers." But they were involved in the embar- rassments of the Pittsburgh house, the members of which removed to Missouri, where, on a farm on which he afterwards resided, near St. Louis, the daughter of Frederick Dent married Capt. Ulysses S. Grant. When A. Plumer & Co. were sold out by their creditors he was left with an indebtedness of six thousand dollars beyond their assets. For this he was given an extension of ten years, with annual payments, and to the payment of his firm's debts he bent all his energies. He took charge of the im- provement of the Youghiogheny River by dams and wing-walls under supervision of government en- gineers. Next he made several trading voyages on the lower rivers, and with William T. Nicholls, Samuel Hunter, John Robertson, and his brother-in- law, James Smith, brought droves of cattle, sheep, and hogs from Ohio to the Eastern markets. In 1826-27 he built half the distance of turnpike from Robbs- town to Williamsport, and was one of the contrac- tors for building the bridge at Robbstown. He put down several wells for salt on the Sewickley Creek, iu doing which he invented the plan of casing his 602 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. wells to shut off the fresh water, afterwards adopted as original in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. Mr. Plumer was an original Jackson Democrat, but in the excitement following the abduction of Morgan he was one of the leaders in the anti-Masonic party in Western Pennsylvania, but was afterwards with the Whig and Republican parties. He was a man of strong native powers of mind, a sincere, active Christian, always of cheerful ready humor, and ever ready to do his part in all local and public affairs. He died in West Newton, of which he was the first resident when laid out as a town, Dec. 15, 1875, and was buried the 19th of the month, his eighty-ninth birthday. GEORGE PLUiMER, Jr. George Plumer was born in the borough of West i Newton, Westmoreland Co., Pa., May 11, 1814, the only son of Alexander and Susan (Robinson) Plumer. Losing his mother when but three months old, George Plumer lived with his grandparents on the old home- stead farm until he was ten years old. He then en- tered his father's store, where he was employed as clerk, and was in other ways connected with his father's business for thirteen years. In 1837 he went to Pitts- burgh, where for a time he was clerk in the wholesale dry-goods store of Carter Curtiss. Owing to the panic caused by the suspension of payments by the banks his engagement with this firm was short, and he re- turned to West Newton, where he again became in- terested with his lather in merchandising and in the manufacture of salt. In 1850 he leased the tannery in West Newton owned by the Hon. John Klingen- smith for three years, and upon the death of the latter purchased the tannery and carried it on till 1867, when he sold it to H. Croushore, its present owner, and purchased a farm in and adjoining West Newton, in the carrying on of which, together with the busi- ness of notary public, lie now chiefly occupies his time. His present fine residence on Main Street, West Newton (a representation of which appears on another page of this volume), he built in 1873. He married, April 17, 1860, Lucretia, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Turney) Cort. Mrs. Plumer was born Oct. 2t>, 1826, in Hempfield township, West- moreland County. Her father was born March 5, 1780, in South Huntingdon township; her mother in Hanover township, Montgomery Co., Pa., April 15, 1786. Her father died May 31, 1859 ; her mother, February, 1860. They had fourteen children, seven sous and seven daughters, all but three of whom are living, are married, and settled in Pennsylvania, Illi- nois, Iowa, and Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Plumer have no children, unless, in- deed, the church and the church's poor may be called such, for to these it may be truly said they have been both "father and mother." They have been mem- bers of the West Newton Presbyterian Church over thirty years, and during that time have been closely identified with its every " good word ami work." With an interval of but two years, for the last fifteen years Mr. Plumer has been its Sabbath-school super- intendent. He was the heaviest contributor in the erection of their fine church edifice, built at a cost of twenty-two thousand dollars, and was chairman of the building committee, and spent the most of his time, gratuitously, for two years in personally over- seeing its construction. Mrs. Plumer has been a teacher in the Sabbath-school during her connection with the church, and for the last year has had charge of the infant department. For many years she has been leader of the choir and its organist. By their contributions to their funds, Mr. and Mrs. Plumer have been made life-members of both the American Bible Society and of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. They are also contributing two hundred and fifty dollars yearly to the support of a home missionary in one of the Western Territories. In politics Mr. Plumer is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has al- ways taken an active part in forwarding its interests. He has been called to fill most of the public offices of the borough. All public improvements have found in him a friend and liberal supporter. Indeed, in all qualities which constitute the good citizen it may be truly said of him, he is a "worthy scion of a noble stock." JOHN C. PLUMER. John C. Plumer was born Nov. 28, 1788, at Puckety, Westmoreland Co., Pa. He was the third of four sons, and of the eleven children of George and Mar- garet Lowrey Plumer. His name (John Campbell) was given to him in honor of an event in early his- tory, the circumstances of which are as follows : On one occasion when his grandfather, Jonathan Plumer, was sorely threatened by the Indians he sought pro- tection for his family in Fort Pitt, and as evidence that his fears were not groundless it is related that on this occasion as they fled, on looking back, they saw the smoke of their cabin ascending. And it was at this time that the family was in the fort during the siege by the Indian chief Killbuck, and while re- maining near it, during the following summer, his son George, then a small boy, while attempting to swim in the Mouongahela, in company with his elder brother, William, was rescued from drowning by Col. John Campbell. It was this incident which has perpetuated the name of Col. Campbell in the Plumer family. In the home at Puckety the family was living in constant danger, and the Indians becoming openly hostile a removal was necessary. Two nights before leaving, the mother with her four boys, the youngest SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 663 a tender babe, was concealed under an overhanging rock, while the father kept watch with his dog and gun. In the spring of 1791 his father came into posses- sion of the land " in the forks of the Youghiogheny and Sewickley Creek," long known as the " Plumer Homestead," and now owned and occupied by the heirs of Abraham Funk. The cabin in which the family lived for some years gave place in 1799 to a hewn log house, large and roomy, and which in that day was a model of architecture. In this house some of the family were born, the parents died, and the different members separated to form their respec- tive homes. It was removed a few years since, and the material now forms another, but the grand old elm, spreading its sheltering arms, and which stood in front, yet remains to mark the spot. At the time of the parents' removal here, John Campbell was between two and three years of age, ; and his childhood and youth was spent in helping clear and work the farm. In the year 1805, when about seventeen years of age, he went with his brother Alexander on a trading expedition. Their cargo consisted of flour, whiskey, and bacon, which they took on a keel-boat to the salt-works on the Big Ka- nawha and exchanged for salt. In March, 1810, he started on a more extended ex- pedition. His cargo at this time consisted of three hundred barrels of flour and a quantity of whiskey and bacon, which he took to New Orleans on a flat-boat, and finding the market dull he shipped to Havana, and at that place exchanged his cargo for coffee, which he took with him to Philadelphia in a schooner. Here he met his father and a merchant by the name of Kirker, who were there purchasing spring goods, and sending home their goods and a portion of the coffee, which they loaded in six wagons, and shipping the balance of the latter to Pittsburgh, he walked the entire distance of more than three hundred miles in six days. At the age of twenty-four he joined the cavalry troop commanded by Capt. Joseph Markle, and was appointed sergeant on the 12th of September, 1812, and was in the battle of Mississinewa, and at the siege of Fort Meigs. At the latter he acted as a vol- unteer guide or captain of a picket-guard in advance of Maj. Ball's squadron, which was about to make a sortie from the fort, covering the landing of Gen. Clay's Kentucky troops, numbering twelve hundred men. The surrounding woods were full of Indians j and British, ready to cut off any reinforcements that might come to it. He conducted them safely to the fort, and for his bravery and military skill displayed in this hazardous undertaking he was publicly com- plimented by Maj. James V. Ball (afterwards lieu- tenant-colonel), commander of the fort. We find the following reference to this incident in Howe's " Ohio :" " Capt. Hamilton was directed to proceed up the river in a periauger, land a subaltern on the left bank, who should be a pilot to conduct Gen. Clay to the fort." On the morning of the battle at Mississinewa, when the first alarm was given, and while in the act of throwing his holsters across his horse, the handle of one of the pistols was carried off by a bullet from a concealed Indian. He was honorably mustered out of service with the troops at Franklinton, Ohio, on the 19th of August, 1813, after eleven months' service, carrying with him a scar which he received from the bursting of a shell. In 1814 he was elected captain of a troop of cavalry of the militia of Pennsylvania, in the First Brigade of the Thirteenth Division, composed of the militia of the counties of Westmoreland and Fayette, for the term of seven years, and his commission was con- firmed to him by Governor Simon Snyder. At the expiration of this time he received an earnest and flattering invitation to accept a second election, but he declined. Mr. Plumer was twice married. His first marriage, April, 1814, was to Miss Elizabeth Peairs, of Bound Hill, Allegheny Co., Pa., by whom he had two sons and three daughters, viz., Joseph Peairs, Margaret Lowrey, George Croghan, Susannah Allen, and Eliz- abeth, the last named the only present survivor. Susannah married the Rev. Thomas Stevenson, an esteemed minister in the Presbyterian Church. She died leaving four children, viz. : John C. P., who on the invasion of Pennsylvania in 1863 went out as a volunteer at the age of sixteen, and soon after died of brain fever, superinduced by exposure on duty ; Anna M., William P., and Thomas C. The latter on the death of his mother was from infancy reared in the home of his grandfather. William P. is the father of the only great-grand- child. Elizabeth married A. F. Stevenson, a merchant in West Newton. Their children are John C. P., Eliza- beth M., Susannah M., Martha, Robert H., William F., Walter L., Alexander P., and Joseph E. All are living except Susaunah. Mr. Plumer's son Joseph died at the age of aeven- teen years, and his two remaining children in child- hood. His wife died October, 1827. His second marriage, December, 1828, was to Miss Maria Elliott, of Fayette County. Her parents, Col. William and Ruth (Crawford) Elliott, removed at an early day from Franklin County and settled near Brownsville, Pa., on land which is yet in possession of the Elliott family. By this marriage there were three children, — Elisha James Elliott, Martha, and Ruth Elliott. The son died in infancy. Martha married John P. Hornish, attorney-at-law, of Keokuk, Iowa, who died September, 1874. Their children are John P., Elliott K., Martha, Walter A., Samuel, George P., and Philip Francis. Samuel is deceased, John P. is in the practice of law, and all reside with their mother in Keokuk. 6fU HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. The youngest daughter, Miss Ruth E., owns and resides in the old home on the river-bank in West Newton. His second wife, Maria Elliot, died in 1872, less than one year before her husband. Mrs. Plumer was a woman of strong, well-balanced mind, which she had stored with study of the literature of the past and present, but so reticent in her habit of life that it was only with her husband and children that she would freely discuss questions of the day and the works of her favorite authors. She was a true " help- meet" of her honored husband, a gentle, loving mother. One who well knew the wives of Mr. Plumer says of them, "They were both of the best old-fashioned type of Pennsylvania women, abundant in hospitali- ties, their home always attractive in its order, of deep-toned piety, and ever ready in works of charity and kindness." Mr. Plumer was a man of great industry, energy, and perseverance. Having by principles of economy accumulated a moderate capital, he settled in Robbs- town, now West Newton, soon after his first marriage, and built on Water Street his dwelling-house, which in later years he enlarged and improved. This house is the place where all the births, marriages, and deaths in his family have occurred. He bought from his brother Alexander and Wil- liam Clark their grist- and saw-mills, which adjoined his property, and about 1820 or 1-821 he removed the old structures and erected a new grist-mill of stone, which at the time was one of the largest and best in Western Pennsylvania, and to which in later years he built an expensive addition. His dealings in wheat aud flour were extensive for those days, and the demand for his quality of flour in- creasing he purchased of Abraham Funk his mills on Sewickley Creek, and to secure sufficient water-power for his town mill he built a dam across the Youghio- gheny River, which in the time of slack-water navi- gation he was compelled to raise, and in order to facilitate the passage of heavily-laden boats from above he procured a charter, and erected a lock on the west side. This was followed by much persecu- tion from unscrupulous men, which was met by him with his native firmness and readiness to do the right. In 1866 he sold bis mill property, and from that time retired from active business. He was active in superintending the erection of the " Robbstown Bridge" across the Youghioghenv. and was an original stockholder, which interest he re- tained to the close of his life. In 1819 he was commissioned justice of the peace by Governor William Findley, and discharged the duties of the office with more than ordinary ability, few of his decisions being appealed to court, and in no case were they reversed. " Squire Plumer" was the distinctive title by which he was respectfully known in his community. In 1838 he received an appointment from Presi- dent Van Buren to visit West Point as an in- spector, but, taking sick before reaching there, was able for but little duty. This was followed by a long and serious illness. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1830, where he was on the House Com- mittee on Claims, and in 1839 to the Senate, serving in 1840-42. Mr. Plumer was a hard-money Democrat, and dur- ing the years of struggle for bank extension and leg- islative control he was known as the " Old Hickory" of Westmoreland, which appellation had been given to him from his resemblance in features to his great political chief, Andrew Jackson. _ Mr. Plumer had all the depth and strength of the religious conviction which belonged to bis Puritan ancestry. He was in membership with the old Se- wickley Presbyterian Church from early life until January, 1851, when an organization was formed in West Newton. He was liberal in church benevo- lence, was zealous and active, and served as ruling elder from the year 1866 to the time of his death. He exerted a wide influence in church, political, and business interests, and while of positive and de- cided character, was respectful and courteous in dis- cussion. He was self-educated, a man of stern integ- rity, a pioneer in the free-school system of the State, and a friend of liberal education. We close this sketch of John C. Plumer, which might justly be more extended, with the following from one who knew him well: "Strong, self-reliant, of great courage, afraid of no man, strongly attached to his own opinions, yet tolerant; somewhat stern in manner, yet affectionate; his ear ever open to the cry of the widow and the fatherless; his mental powers of such type that had he possessed the advantages of to-day he would have reached high rank in law, statesmanship, or a military career, in his death, which occurred July 18, 1873, was verified the say- ing, " Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn Cometh in his season." He is buried in the cemetery which overlooks the scene of his long and useful life. JACOB FORDNEY KREPS. Jacob Fordney Kreps was born in Greencastle, Franklin Co., Pa., June 15, 1806. His ancestors were Germans, who settled in Lancaster County about the middle of the eighteenth century. His grandfather, Michael Kreps, was a hatter by tra le, and established himself in business in the town of Lebanon, then a part of Lancaster County. By industry and frugality ! he acquired a handsome estate. He raised a family of three sons and two daughters, viz. : Jacob and William (twins), Catharine, Polly, and Michael. Catharine was married to the Rev. Jacob Schnee, a Lutheran minister, who at an early day located in Greensburg, and for a short period ministered to the SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. G05 Lutheran congregation there. He afterwards united with Mr. Rapp's community, at Harmony, Butler Co., Pa., and was cashier of their bank. His father, Jacob Kreps, was born in Lebanon in the year 1772, and was brought up to the trade of ] his father. In 1794 he married Catherine Hetter- ick, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Hetterick, of j Pittsylvania County, Va., to which place they had emigrated a short time before from Dauphin County. | The engagement having been made he was necessi- tated to make a journey of more than three hundred miles to claim and bring back his bride. They re- mained in Lebanon four or five years, and settled in Greencastle in 1798 or 1799, where he carried on his business for many years, employing a number of hands. He made annual business excursions South to dispose of his surplus stock, many of his acquaint- ances having settled in that region. They had seven children, six sons and one daughter, viz. : William, | John, Charlotte. Michael, Jacob, Albertus, and Au- gustus, all now deceased except Jacob and Albertus. On one of these excursions the subject of this sketch accompanied him, and the opportunity was afforded him of taking a boy's view of the institution of slavery. His impressions formed at the time were decidedly unfavorable and were never changed. His opportunities for acquiring a common education were perhaps as favorable as were enjoyed in those early times, having been kept at school from the age of four to thirteen years with some intermission, during the last two years of which, the study of grammar and geography having been introduced, he acquired a slight knowledge of those branches. At the age of thirteen he was placed in a hardware-store with his uncle, William Kreps, Esq., at Hagerstown, Md., who was also postmaster. This was a great advantage to him, giving him a better knowledge of arithmetic and improving his penmanship. His chief associate in the post-office was his cousin, John M. Kreps, who became a leading minister and D.D. in the Presbyte- rian Church, and was successor to the celebrated Dr. | Mason as pastor of the Rutgers Street Church, city of New York, the ouly pastorate he ever held, and where he died in the year 1867. (The doctor changed the name from " Kreps" to " Krebs," believing the latter to be the correct orthography. ) Mr. Kreps remained with his uncle until the death of the latter, which occurred in 1822. He then re- turned home to learn the trade of his father. In those days it was considered important (at all events it was very common) for young men, after serving their apprenticeship, to travel some ("take a tramp") in order to see the country and to become more per- fect in their occupation. "Tramps" of that period were quite a different genus of men from the tramps with which the coun- try is so much annoyed to-day. The business of man- ufacturing hats (by hand) was then carried on all over the country, and was profitable and respectable, and journeymen hatters constituted a large class, traveling over the country and stopping to work when neces- sary. They were united by associations, and were ever ready to give assistance to their comrades when in need. They were "traveled men," and consequently intelligent. Their acquaintance was sought and they were introduced into the best society of the place. The State of Kentucky was a favorite "tramping- ground," for the reason that in many of her chief towns large shops were located, in which a number of men were employed, besides, the people of that State, perhaps more than any other, were given to fine dress, and of course it required the very finest " beaver" to complete the dress of a gentleman. At the age of twenty-one, with a comrade, Joseph Gilmore, he started on one of these " tramps," and at the end of the fifth day arrived at Pittsburgh, footsore and weary, but cheerful and happy at the prospect of the pleasure before them. They remained at Pittsburgh a few days to rest and see the sights, boarding with a Mrs. Beltzhoover, who lived on the southeast corner of the Diamond. The grand river with its splendid steamers and the busy city were sources of never- ending wonder and excitement to our inexperienced boys. They took passage on board the " Ben Frank- lin" for Cincinnati and Louisville, remaining a few days at each of these places. While at the latter place they had a new and strange experience in as- sisting a brother hatter in taking a flat-boat loaded with hats over the falls. The pilot on this occasion was one Boone, a descendant of the famous Daniel Boone. It seemed to them a dangerous undertaking, and the service was rendered only to accommodate one of their craft. Upon leaving Louisville they visited a number of towns in the interior, among which were Lexington, Frankfort, Lancaster, Har- rodsburg, and Bardstown. At Lancaster, Mr. Gil- more concluded to stop for a while, and Mr. Kreps continued his travels in company with Joseph Lock- wood, also a journeyman hatter. After losing his traveling companion, and being without an intimate friend, a few months was sufficient to satisfy him with such a wandering life, and he set his face homeward. The steamer "Kanhawa," upon which he took pass- age for Wheeling, collapsed her boilers at the mouth of Guyaunotte River, and twenty-three of the pas- sengers, officers, and crew were either killed or badly injured. The heartrending scenes upon this occasion made an indelible impression upon the mind of the young traveler. A few months after this he settled in Greensburg, Pa., where, in partnership with James Wood, he carried on his trade for a couple of years. Jan. 20, 1831, he married Eliza, daughter of Adam and Hannah Turuey. Mr. Turney came to West- moreland County with his father in 1785. He mar- ried, 1811, Hannah, daughter of Rev. J. William Weber, one of three brothers who emigrated from Holland prior to the Revolution. They settled for a time in New Jersey, where two of the brothers, John 666 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. and Henry, joined the Continental army. Henry was killed during the war. The Rev. Weber (now Weaver) came to Westmoreland County at quite an early day, and was one of the first ministers of his denomination (German Reformed) who preached in the counties of Western Pennsylvania and ( >hio, trav- eling extensively, preaching to the people, and plant- ing churches. He finally settled upon his farm on Big Sewickley Creek, where Col. Painter's mill and salt-works are now located, and where he died in 1817. Adam Turney carried on the copper and tin- smithing business tor a great many years in Greens- burg. He died in 1872. Mr. Kreps returned to Greencastle with his fam- ily, December, 1831, where he engaged in different branches of business, railroading, merchandising, etc. In the spring of 1845 he was appointed postmaster, holding the office until 1849, when he resigned and settled in West Newton, where he now resides. In the spring of 1850 he engaged in the foundry busi- ness, afterwards adding general merchandising, and was moderately successful. At the commencement of the Rebellion he took a deep interest in every means employed for its suppression. He was called to pre- side over the first war-meeting that was held in this part of the county, and was elected one of the officers of a company organized for home protection, under the command of the venerable Gen. Joseph Markle as captain. During the summer of 1861 he enlisted nineteen men to make up the quota necessary to till the ranks of the company commanded by Capt. A. G. Oliver in the Twelfth Reserves, went with them to Harrisburg, saw them sworn in, and accompanied them to their camp at Washington. He never har- bored a doubt of the success of the Union arms. He was one of the first men in the county to invest his money in the 5-20 bonds of the government, when so many were doubting and faltering. Five of his sons volunteered, and spent an aggregate of twelve years in the service. One of them, Capt. John W. Kreps, was wounded at Liberty < lap, in Tennessee, June, 1863, and was discharged on account of disability. His brother, Lieut. F. A. M. Kreps, took command of the company, and with a number of officers and men of the Seventy-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteers was captured at the battle of Chickamauga, and after an imprisonment of fifteen months in differ- ent prisons, and six escapes and five recaptures (one through the noted tunnel at Libby), he, with Lieut. E. P. Brooks, made a final and successful escape from Columbia, S. C. Floating in a canoe by night, and under the protection of the colored people during the day. they reached the sea-coast, and paddled several miles out to the gunboat " Nipsic," and were taken to Hilton Head, where they were clothed and sent to Washington. In 1863 Mr, Kreps was appointed a commissioner to visit the Pennsylvania regiments attached to Rosecrans' army in Tennessee, where he spent rive or six weeks. Three of his sons were in this branch of the army. In 1S64, with a number of other gen- tlemen, he was again appointed a commissioner to visit the Pennsylvania regiments in front of Rich- mond and Petersburg, and to supervise the Presiden- tial election of that year. He has always felt a deep interest in the improvement and welfare of his adopted home, and has at different times been elected to a place in the Borough Council and school board. In 1869 he was honored by an election to a seat in the Legislature from the Westmoreland and Indiana leg- islative district, and served in the session of 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Kreps, although partially reared in an- other branch of the Christian Church, have for near half a century been attached to the Methodist Epis- copal Church. A license to preach as a local preacher is among the many positions of honor and trust to which Mr. Kreps has been called by his church. Ac- cording to their means they have been liberal con- tributors to the different benevolent institutions of the church, especially to the Freedman's Aid Society, in which they have always felt a deep interest. Their family consists of six sons and two daughters living, and one son and one daughter deceased, twenty-eight grandchildren living and six deceased. We give the following personnel of their descendants : Catherine, the eldest, wife of Dr. J. Q. Robinson, of West Newton ; four daughters and one son living, and one daughter deceased. George Rippey Kreps, postmaster, Greenville, Mercer Co., Pa. ; four daugh- ters living and one deceased. Hannah, wife of A. E. Dravo, Sewickley township ; three sons and one daughter living, and one son deceased. Capt. John W. Kreps, proprietor of dry-docks, Allegheny City ; three sons and two daughters living, and one daugh- ter deceased. Maj. Frank A. M. Kreps, business manager of Evening Mail, Allegheny City; one son and one daughter living, and one son deceased. Lieut. Adam T. Kreps, manufacturer of engines, saw-mills, etc., Greenville, Mercer Co., Pa.; three sons living. David Dempsey Kreps, manufacturer of lumber, and planing-mill, Greenville; two sons and one daughter living and one son deceased. Capt. William Augustus Kreps, lumber manufac- turer and planing-mill, Greenville ; one son and one daughter living. His oldest grandson, Jacob Ford- ney Kreps, Jr., was appointed one of the pages of the House by Gen. Selfridge, Clerk of the House, at the session of 1870, and in 1879, after a competitive examination, in which twenty-three participated, he was appointed a cadet to the United States Military Academy at West Point from the Twenty-third Dis- trict by Col. Thomas M. Bayne, M.C., and he expects to graduate in June, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Kreps still reside at West Newton, where, on Jan. 20, 1881, surrounded by their numer- ous descendants and a large company of their friends and neighbors, they celebrated the fiftieth anniver- sary of their married life. J. P. CAKOTHERS. SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 667 .(AMES P. CAROTHEES. James P. Carothers was born near Port Royal, Smith Huntingdon township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Sept. IS, 1806. His grandfather, James Carothers, emigrated from Ireland, and eventually settled on a farm situated on the Little Sewickley Creek, Sewickley township, about three miles north of the present homestead. He served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, in a company raised principally in Lancaster County, Pa. He was twice married. By his first wife he had six children, viz.: John, James, Samuel, Martha, Jane, and Elizabeth. John and Samuel were twins. James was twice married. By his first wife he had two daughters; by his second, Elizabeth McClure, one son, John Carothers, a farmer, living in South Hun- tingdon. Samuel married Ruth Elliott, by whom he had two sons and five daughters. He carried on the old homestead farm in Sewickley, and both he and his wife died there. Martha, wife of James Kirker, a merchant in North Huntingdon township. Dr. William Kirker is their only son. Jane, wife of John Richey, a farmer and coppersmith, moved from South Huntingdon, and settled in Wayne County, Ohio, where they died, leaving a large family. Elizabeth, wife of Charles Hunter, a merchant in Port Royal, no children. Both died there. John Carothers, one of the twins above named, and father of James P., was born in Sewickley township, Westmoreland County, in the year 1789. He was a convert under the preach- ing of Rev. Dr. Power, whose daughter Isabella he afterwards married. He was a man distinguished for his kindness and charity, and his house was the home of the Christian minister ; his hospitality was shared alike by the poor and the rich. In 1808 he moved from a farm near Port Royal, and settled on the farm which has since been the homestead of the family, situated near Millgrove, on the Greensburg road. It consists of one hundred and eighty-one and a quarter acres, and was a portion of a tract deeded by patent to John Barr and James Wilson, described in the original patent as a certain tract of land called " Bachelor's Hall." At the time of his settlement on the place only a log house had been erected and a small clearing made in the forest. He was by trade a coppersmith, and while he cleared and worked his farm by day, he worked at his trade at night. He had remarkable health and vigor until within a few months of his death, which occurred at the homestead Dec. 2, 1858. His wife died many years before. Both are buried in the Se- wickley Church burying-ground. The children of John and Isabella Carothers were as follows: James P., Mary, Catharine, and William | Swan. Mary moved to Illinois with her sister Cath- arine, and died near Rockford, in that State. Cath- arine was married to the Rev. Joseph B. McKee, a [ Presbyterian clergyman, and pastor for several years I in the West Newton and Sewickley Churches, and '■ afterwards at Harmony and Indian Creek. He had made preparation to move to Illinois with his family, but was taken sick at West Newtou and died there. Eventually Mrs. McKee moved to Illinois, and sub- sequently to the State of Minnesota. She has three children, and at the present time she is living with her son John. William Swan was educated at Jef- ferson College, moved to Illinois, married, and died there. James P. Carothers was two years old when his father moved on to the farm which has ever since been held in the family. Upon the death of his lather he came into its possession by will after pay- ing certain specified amounts to his brothers and sisters. As a farmer he was thorough and painstak- ing. Pie made many improvements to the residence and farm buildings. In politics he was Republican. For many years he was a member of the Sewickley Presbyterian Church, and was three times elected to the office of ruling elder. He married, May 4, 1843, Jane K., daughter of Robert and Mary I Kerr) Moore. Mrs. Carothers was born in Nottingham township. Washington County, Pa., Oct. 11, 1824. On the father's side she comes from one of the oldest families of Ros- traver township. Her mother was a granddaughter of the Rev. James Power, D.D., the second clergyman upon the frontier in Western Pennsylvania, and the founder of the old Sewickley Church. Mr. and Mrs. Carothers' children are as follows : John O. born April 14, 1845 ; Mary F., born June 6, 1848 ; Isabella, born Oct. 18, 1851. By will of his father, which pro- vided for the payment to his mother and sisters of certain amounts of money, John C. Carothers became the owner of the homestead farm, and carries it on. The family at the homestead consists of himself, mother, and sister Mary F. Isabella is wife of Shep- ard B. Markle, Jr., living at the old Markle home- stead at Millgrove. There were eleven children in the family of Robert and Mary Moore, viz.: David, Eliza, Louisa, Obadiah, Ard, Robert, Maria, Jane K., James, Frances, and John Power. Obadiah died at the age of two, and John Power at the age of twenty. All the rest were married and, except Frances, raised families, and all are deceased except Mrs. Carothers and Louisa, widow of Robert McCullongh, who lives in Jackson County, 111. Mr. Moore was an elder in Pigeon Creek Church over forty years. The following extract from an obituary notice will give something of the estimate in which he was held : " In his death the church lost an efficient member, his family an affectionate husband and father, and the community a useful citizen." He died June 8, 1850; his wife Oct. 19, 1838. James P. Carothers died Feb. 5, 1S79. We cannot better close this sketch of him than to quote the following from an obituary notice of him written by the Rev. J. C. Maloy, pub- lished in the Presbyterian Banner: "A conscientious upright citizen of more than ordinary intelligence, a man of liberal views in all matters pertaining to the 668 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. public good, kind aud tender towards any who were in trouble, for integrity of purpose, sound morals, and consistent Christian conduct no man stood higher in the community. In his death the church lost a liberal supporter, and the county one of its best citi- zens. He was greatly afflicted the last four years of his life. His illness commenced with gangrene in his foot, which defied the skill of his physician, and little by little brought him to the grave. He died as he lived, in full faith in Christ as his Saviour, and in full hope of a blessed immortality." JACOB BAUGHMAN. Jacob Baughman was born in Armstrong County, Pa., March 14, 1802. His grandfather, Henry Baugh- man, and grandmother, Catharine Conkle, emigrated from Germany with their parents, the former when four years, the latter when two years old, and settled in the " Blue Ridge" region of Pennsylvania, thirty miles from Lancaster City. Here they were married and raised a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters. They moved from the Blue Ridge, and settled in the eastern part of North Huntingdon township, seven and a half miles from Greensburg, where he purchased six hundred acres of land at twenty shillings per acre. Their children were Mar- garet, John, Adam, Barbara, Catharine, Sarah, Peter, and Henry. Henry was killed by the falling of a tree at the age of twenty-two. All the rest were mar- ried and, except Peter and Margaret, raised families. Adam Baughman, his third child, and father of Jacob, married Magdalene, daughter of Peter Roof (or Rugh). She was born near Greensburg in 1770; her grandparents emigrated from Germany. Her uncle, Jacob Roof, represented his district in the Legislature for a number of years. There were four- teen children in her father's family, six sons and eight daughters, to each of whom he either gave a home or money to procure one. Six of them settled in Kentucky ; all the rest remained in Westmoreland County. After his marriage Adam Baughman settled on a farm in Armstrong County, about seventy miles up the Allegheny River, and here four children, viz.: Catharine, Michael, Polly, and Jacob, were born. Upon the death of his brother Henry, to whom in the division of their father's estate the homestead had fallen, he sold his place in Armstrong County and returned to Westmoreland, and became the owner of and occupied the homestead until his death. Here the following children were born, viz. : Elizabeth, Margaret, Peter, Anna, Henry, Christian, and Lydia. Henry died at the age of eleven. All the rest were married and raised families, and, with the exception of Polly and Christian, settled in Westmoreland County, and all are deceased (1882) except Jacob, Christian, Anna, and Polly. Catharine was wife of George Krok, one child ; Michael was twice married, and raised a family of fourteen children; Polly mar- ried Joseph Klingensmith, one son ; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Lenhart, two sons and six daughters; Mar- garet, wife of George Croushore, six sons and four daughters ; Peter married Elizabeth Lenhart, three sons and nine daughters ; Anna, wife of John Berlin, six sons and three daughters; Christian married Sarah Diel, one son and six daughters ; Lydia, wife of Samuel Alshouse, four sons and six daughters. Adam Baughman died at the homestead in 1841, aged sixty- eight; his wife in 1831, aged fifty-two. Jacob Baughman was an infant when his father moved from Armstrong County to the homestead. Here he lived until he was twenty-two years of age. He received the education afforded by winter attend- ance at the common school. He married Aug. 5, 1824, Margaret, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Turney) Cort. Mrs. Baughman was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland County, July 24, 1804, the eldest in a family of fourteen children, all but one of whom were married, aud settled in Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Iowa. In April, 1825, Mr. Baughman moved on to a farm belonging to his father in North Huntingdon town- ship, five miles from West Newton, which he carried on for three years. During this time he accumulated a capital of $800, with which in the spring of 1828 he came to West Newton, where he purchased of John Richie an acre of ground, upon which a tannery and log house had been erected, for which he stipulated to pay $1200, half down and half upon credit, leaving him $200 working capital. He built a slaughter- house upon the place, and for seven years carried on there the business of tanning and butchering. At the end of that time he purchased 85 acres lying north of the village, for which he paid $4000, and in 1836 he added 76.1 acres at .$5000, lying on the south and east side of the village, purchased of John Nic- colls, Jr., and in the spring of 1837 moved on to the latter property. The house, still a substantial farm residence, was built in 1776 by Joseph Van Kirk. Here he resided until 1879. He built upon the place a new tannery and slaughter-house. In 1837 he purchased in West Newton a store, which he carried on for three years, and subsequently, from 1858 to 1865, was interested in a store with Daniel Swaim. He owned and ran a grist- and saw-mill, to- gether with salt-works at the mouth of the Big Se- wickley, which he sold to Alexander Plumer in 1845. The same year he purchased the grist- and saw-mills now known as the Apple Mills, on the Big Sewickley, which he operated twenty years, selling them to Mr. Apple in 1865. His dealings for years in grain, flour, cattle, and hogs were very large for the locality, his sales in flour alone often amounting to seven and eight hundred barrels per day, while he kept not only his own but many of the neighboring mills employed in grinding his wheat. Though he operated at dif- i« C.J ' cLi^/Ur^M^i; SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 669 ferent times in any commodity out of which he might realize a profit, he held well on to his original busi- ness of farming, tanning, and butchering as sheet- anchors, which from first to last under his vigorous management yielded him sure and ample returns. His dealings in real estate, besides the purchases al- ready mentioned, have been quite extensive in the vicinity of West Newton and in the State of Iowa, in all amounting to several thousand acres, enough, indeed, to give all his children a farm and still have enough left to occupy the time of his old age, either for farming or disposing of in village lots. From the first Mr. Baughman took an active inter- est in every effort to make West Newton accessible to the markets. To this end he took stock in the West Newton and Somerset plank-road, in the Youghio- gheny Slack-Water Navigation Company, in the steamers "Shriver" and " West Newton," plying be- tween West Newton and Pittsburgh, and in the Pitts- burgh and Connellsville Railroad, enterprises which benefited the town, but which yielded to their pos- sessor no dividends. He was on the building committee with Alexander and John C. Plumer, Henry Fulton, William Linn, and Judge Bell in the construction of the West New- ton bridge, and when Jacob Mace, its builder, was likely to fail of completing his contract on account of the difficulty of collecting subscriptions, Mr. Baughman came to his rescue by timely raising the necessary funds. Like many others, Mr. Baughman "took a hand" in oil operations, which only resulted in the loss of many thousands invested. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but has never desired or sought office. For many years he was a member of the Lutheran, and his wife of the German Reformed Churches, but for the last twenty-five years they have been members of the Presbyterian Church at West Newton. Their children are as follows: Lavina, born Aug. 28, 1825, married John Parson, a farmer living in Cass County, Iowa. Two children, Simon and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, born Nov. 3, 1826, wife of George Welty, farmer, living at Pleasant Unity, Pa. Nine children, Jacob, Louise, John, Sherman, Susanna, Rose, Cort, Samuel, and Clara. John and Susanna are deceased. William, born June 19, 1828, a farmer in Cass County, Iowa, and a member of the State Legislature, married Barbara Schwartz. Children, Henry, Jacob, Cyrus, John, Emma, Addie, Samuel, Mary, Clara, and Albert. Adam, born Feb. 16, 1830, living in California. Harriet, born Jan. 27, 1832, wife of George Greer. Both deceased. Sarah Ann, born March 7, 1834, wife of William Fritchman. Two children, Edith and Elizabeth. Cyrus, born Feb. 21, 1836, married Martha Ann Clark, living in Cass County, Iowa. Children, Henry, 43 Margaret (deceased), Joseph, Lewis, Lavina, Eliza- beth, William, and an infant. Martha, born March 2, 1838, wife of William Hay- worth, living in Iowa. Henry Harrison, born May 25, 1840, enlisted as private in Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Reg- iment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, wounded at the battle of Yorktown, from the effect of which he died April 19, 1868. Samuel, born Sept. 15, 1842, enlisted as private in Company E, Thirteenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry Volunteers, March 10, 1862, promoted to ser- geant, and honorably discharged March 10, 1865, at Wilmington, N. C. Now a merchant in West Newton, of the firm of Baker & Co. Married Margaret Baker. Joseph, born May 24, 1844, married Sarah Simrall. Both deceased. Children, Frank, Charles, and Eben- ezer. Lucian, born June 2, 1846, married Jane Gracely. Children, Margaret, George, Alvin, Martha, Annie, Wesley, and Ira. Living in Pottawattomie County, Iowa. Ebenezer, born March 21, 1848, married Amanda Smith. Children, Minnie (deceased), Grace, Edward, Mary, James (deceased). A farmer owning and liv- ing on the old Niccolls farm. In 1879 Mr. Baughman purchased in West Newton, on Vine Street, the property of Philip Nett, where he has since resided. The family consists of himself and wife, and his son Samuel and wife, and grandson Frank. As will be seen from this account, the Scrip- tural injunction " to multiply and replenish the earth" has been literally fulfilled in the Baughman family. A patriarch indeed is he who may number at a family reunion ten children, forty-one grand, and fifteen great-grandchildren. The declining years of Mr. and Mrs. Baughman are indeed blessed with the conscious enjoyment of the love and filial regard of this large family circle, and the best esteem of the entire community in which they have lived for more than half a century. DR. LEWIS SUTTON. Dr. Lewis Sutton was born in Rostraver township, Westmoreland County, Pa., April 15, 1820. His father relinquishing his trade purchased a farm in Eliza- beth township, Allegheny County, Pa. In the year 1824 moved thereon with his family ; at a very early age was placed at labor in assisting his father on the farm. While thus engaged his primary education was not neglected, his father securing for him one or two terms annually at common school, at which he obtained a good English education. At or about the age of eighteen, desirous of furthering his education, obtained the consent of his father, was placed in a select school (Peter Hayden being the teacher), where he commenced studying the languages. He remained with him one year as a pupil, then was placed at a 670 HISTORY OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. select school in Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Pa. (Rev. McKinstry being principal), he remaining about one year under his instruction, at the close of which time, being desirous of a more advanced education, became a student at Washington College, Washington County, Pa. ; continued his studies at this college for about two years. At the close of that period, being eager to study a profession, selected medicine as his choice. In the year 1845 entered the office of Dr. John Has- son, now deceased, in West Newton, Pa., as medical student, there remaining until the month of Febru- ary, 1846. Through the advice of his preceptor, went to Philadelphia, Pa., in view of facilitating his studies in medicine, where he spent about two months in at- tending anatomical lectures, dissecting, and clinics in Pennsylvania Hospital, at the close of which re- turned to the office of Dr. John Hasson, remaining under his instruction during the summer months. In the fall of this year returned to the city ; entered the office of Dr. A. B. Campbell (now deceased) as a stu- dent ; spent much of his time in the doctor's private dissecting-room, in the way of dissecting and securing anatomical knowledge; at the same time matricu- lated at the Jefferson Medical College, attending the medical lectures delivered therein. During the ses- sion of 1846 and 1847 entered the Philadelphia Hospi- tal for daily medical instruction and bedside experi- ence, remaining at this hospital for one year. After the close of the session at the Jefferson Medical Col- lege matriculated for the summer term of 1847 at the Philadelphia Medical Association, at the same time continuing his daily visits at the hospital. In the fall of this year matriculated again at the Jefferson Medical College for the session of 1847 and 1848, at- tending the lectures therein during this term. At the close of this session the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred upon him. In the month of March, 1848, after receiving his diploma, returned to his father's in Allegheny County, Fa., remaining there a few months, but spent a greater part of his time in traveling. On the 22d of February, 1849, selected Mendon and vicinity as his place of practicing his profession. In due time he built up a large and extensive practice, which he held without interruption till the fall of 1877, when he found his labor and close confinement to business re- quired a rest and relinquishment for a time. He there- fore withdrew from business in his old vicinity, went to Philadelphia, Pa., visited his old alma mater, Jef- ferson Medical College, became a regular attendant upon the course of lectures delivered therein, also attending the clinics delivered at the most important hospitals in the city. Returning in the month of April, 1878, he resumed practice at his former place. Finding much benefit derived from this course in the way of improving his health as well as medical knowl- edge, he returned to Philadelphia in the fall of 1878, which he has continued to do for the past five winters regularly, spending his time there in attending lectures and clinics, and in taking special courses in the science of medicine, such as on the eye, under Dr. Little, chief in ophthalmology in the Jefferson Medical Hospital ; heart and lungs, Dr. Bingham, chief in the medical department in the hospital ; ear and throat, Dr. Trumbull, also chief in the same hospital ; on dermatology, Dr. John V. Shoomaker, principal in the American Hospital for Skin Diseases. For the past ten years has always kept a young physician with him, in the way of aiding him in acute diseases; has for the past five years relinquished much of the general practice, attention to chronic diseases occu- pying much of his time in office practice. John Sutton, the father of Lewis Sutton, was born in New Jersey, Dec. 1, 1782; died Aug. 29, 1856; was the oldest son of Jonathan and Hannah Sutton ; was raised and educated there; learned the carpenter and cabinet-making trades. Came to Westmoreland County, Pa., the year 1812 ; located at Budd's Ferry, where he worked at his trades. Was married to Amy Budd, Sept. 21, 1813, who was the oldest daughter of Col. Joseph Budd, deceased. After moving, located at the Deep Cut (Rostraver township, Westmoreland County, Pa.), where he continued to labor at his trades. Had five children, three sons and two daughters. About the year 1824 purchased a farm in Elizabeth, township, Allegheny County, Pa., where he moved during the same year, at the same time quitting his trades, devoting his whole time to farming and stock- raising. By industry and economy accumulated wealth, investing in lands, and at his death possessed several hundred acres of land and a considerable amount of money. Amy Sutton, the mother of Lewis Sutton, was born at Budd's Ferry, Rostraver township, Westmoreland County, Pa., Dec. 2, 1783 ; was the oldest daughter of Col. Joseph and Susannah Budd ; was married to John Sutton, Sept. 21, 1813 ; died Nov. 13, 1871. Grandfather Joseph Budd died March 16, 1826, aged seventy-four years and twenty-one days. Grand- mother Susannah Budd died Feb. 19, 1849, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. Children of John and Amy Sutton : Joseph, born July 27, 1814; was married to Sabina Shields, Jan. 1, 1846. Had eight children, five sons and three daughters. Joseph Sutton died Oct. 22, 1865; Sa- bina Sutton, his wife, died July 24, 1873. Jonathan, born March 3, 1816 ; died July 27, 1817. Susannah, born Oct. 9, 1817; was married twice; first husband, Walter Wall, who died; second hus- band, Robert Scott; had three children, a daughter by first husband, and a son and daughter by the last. Susannah Scott died Dec. 7, 1881. Lewis was born April 15, 1820 ; married Mary M. Buttmore, April 6, 1853. Mrs. Sutton was born in Hemprield township, West- moreland County, Pa., Dec. 15, 1830. Hannah, born Feb. 18, 1822, was married to Bris- ben Wall ; has a family of four sons. 35 ■o tefl 1 5= F, ■ MJ 63 © SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 671 Children of Jonathan and Hannah Sutton : John, born Dec. 1, 1782; Nathan, born Jan. 7, 1784; Elsea, born May 5, 1786; Susannah, born Oct. 6, 1788; Lewis, born March 31, 1793 ; Zachariah, born July 12, 1795 ; Manoah, born Sept. 15, 1797 ; Charity, born Aug. 1, 1800; Lewis, died April 27, 1882. SAMUEL B. WEIMER, Samuel B. Weimer was born in Donegal township, Westmoreland County, Pa., Jan. 27, 1816, the only child of David and Mary (Bossart) Weimer. His grand- father, John De Watt Weimer, emigrated from Ger- many, and eventually settled in Westmoreland County, Pa. David Weimer, his son, settled on a farm in Donegal township, and about nine miles from the old homestead. He married Mary Bossart, widow of Jacob Keifer. Both were members of the United Brethren Church. They lived all their married life on the place above named ; both died and are buried there. They were devoted Christian people, and commanded the respect of all who knew them. He died July 2, 1842, aged seventy-six years, two months, and five days. His wife died Feb. 6, 1849, aged sev- enty-nine years, one month, and twenty-seven days. Samuel B. Weimer lived at home until he was sev- enteen years of age. In 1833 he came to West New- ton, where he learned the trade of a hatter of David Weimer, a cousin. After learning his trade he con- tinued to work as a journeyman with his cousin until 1839. He then went to Monongahela City, where he carried on his trade eight months. He then returned to West Newton, and after clerking a few months for Jacob Baughman, in company with Daniel Swem he purchased the store, and under the firm of Swem & Weimer carried it on until 1853, when he sold his interest to his partner. Their purchase of Mr. Baugh- man invoiced $7700 and was mostly upon credit. At the time of the dissolution of the partnership, thir- teen years after their purchase, they had paid oft' this indebtedness and had a good working capital left, and it is but just to say that this marked success was due very largely to the splendid business management of Mr. Weimer. Their store was situated where the Presbyterian Church now stands. For the next two years Mr. Weimer was manager of the business at the warehouses connected with the Youghiogheny Navigation Company, a most respon- sible position at that time. Upon the completion of the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad from West Newton to Connellsville, in 1855, he became the agent of the road at West Newton, which position he held for nineteen years, until 1874, from which time he retired from active business. In politics he was first a Whig, then a Republican. In his earlier years he took an active part in local politics, and was often called to fill local offices. He was member of the school board, judge of elections, and justice of the peace, in the latter office over sixteen years; took an interest in all public improvements; was a stock- holder in the Robbstown and Mount Pleasant pike, in the Youghiogheny Navigation Company, and in the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of West Newton from 1851, was for years an elder, and for eighteen years the superintendent of its Sabbath-school. He was indeed a pillar of the church during his entire membership in it. The poor never made their appeal to him in vain. His advice was much sought after, and he was often called to fill the position of executor of estates and guard- ian of children. He was pre-eminently a home man. Out of business hours, any one would always know where to find Mr. Weimer. He was a devoted hus- band, a kind and wisely indulgent father. In his death, which resulted from a combination of diseases ending in paralysis, bis family and the community met an irreparable loss. He died at his residence in West Newton, Sept. 3, 1881. His last words were, " My hopes are bright." His widow, Catharine Lucetta Weimer, whom he married March 17, 1842, was the daughter of Thomas and Esther (Trout) Hanna, and was born in South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland County, Nov. 17, 1824. Her family were among the first settlers of that township. Her great-grandfather, John Miller, was its first justice of the peace. Her brother, Henry T. Hanna, is now living at the old homestead, the fourth generation in the family occupying it. Mrs. Weimer has been a member of the United Presbyte- rian Church since 1847, first in Sewickley, and of the church at West Newton from the time of its organi- zation. Their children are as follows : Mary Elizabeth, born Dec. 7, 1842, died Jan. 1, 1843 ; Thomas Hanna, born Jan. 27, 1844, died Feb. 8, 1857 ; Samuel Clar- ence, born Sept. 10, 1846 ; Hester Lucetta, born Dec. 2, 1848, married to George G. Richie, Oct. 29, 1867, died Feb. 16, 1872 ; and an infant son, born April 17, 1855. Samuel Clarence Weimer, his only surviving child, commenced merchandising in West Newton, in com- pany with his brother-in-law, George G. Richie, firm " Richie & Weimer," Jan. 1, 1872. Aug. 1, 1876, he purchased the interest of his partner, since which time he has carried on the business in his own name, and has done the leading trade in West Newton. The store building (a representation of which ap- pears on another page of this work) is by far the most complete establishment in the region, and is a model in every respect. " A place for everything, and everything in its place," is the motto literally realized. It embraces 10,190 feet of floor-room. Its clerks and other employes number twenty-two. Iii the conduct of this large establishment the lessons of order and thorough business management taught by the father have not been lost upon the son. ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP. Allegheny Township was organized in 1796, and received its name from the river that forms its northwest boundary. Its first officers were : Super- visors, Ezekiel Matthews and John Leslie; constable, Thomas Reed. Its surface is diversified. The north- ern part of it abounds in coal, but the major portion of the township is utilized for agricultural purposes, to which it is specially adapted. The soil is fertile and susceptible of the highest cultivation. The farms are well kept, and the residences substan- tial, which evince a large degree of prosperity. In the northeastern part, near the post-village of Lu- cesco, is the confluence of the Kiskiminetas and Allegheny Rivers, also the junction of the Alle- gheny Valley and Western Pennsylvania Railroads. The former runs along the northwestern and the latter along the eastern boundaries of the township, affording a rare convenience, both for travel and transportation, to its inhabitants. Another village and post-office is Shearer's Cross-Roads. EARLY SETTLERS. Among the old settlers were the Stewart family, in 1790 j the Leeehburgs, in 1791 ; Watts (William and John), in 1801; the Dimmits, Zimmermans, Hills, Cochrans, Hawks, before 1800 ; Bakers, Butlers, Al- ters, Wilsons, Lauffers, Longs, Trouts, Jacksons, McClellands, Garreys, Dodds, McKees, Copelands, Lynches, Armstrongs, McGossers, Ashbaughs, Town- sends, Faulks, Steeles, John Garrett, 1828; Joseph McElroy, in 1820; John Stewart, in 1833; J. H. Crane, in 1849 ; Judge Carpenter, McGearys. Wil- liam Watt was born near Chambersburg in 1781, and died March 5, 1855. PIONEER REMINISCENCES. The following accounts of depredations committed on the early settlers of Allegheny township by the Indians — murders, captures, battles, etc. — are full of interest: Massy Harbison was born in Ham well township, Somerset County, N. J., March 18, 1770, and was the daughter of Edward White, a soldier of the Revolu- tion, who served for three years, in which time he was in every battle but that of Long Island. He heard the roaring of the cannon and the din of war at the battles of Trenton, Monmouth, and Brandy- wine. After the establishment of peace her father and family moved from New Jersey to Redstone Fort 672 (now Brownsville), on the Monongahela River. This was in 1783, and in 1787, at that place, she married John Harbison. In 1789 she and her husband moved to Allegheny township and settled on the head-waters of Chartiers Creek, being among the very first to lo- cate in this region. In 1789 and 1790 the inhabitants on the banks of the Allegheny River and in this township enjoyed repose and cleared up much land and built several cabins, but in March, 1791, the In- dian war broke out. The first act of Indian aggres- sion and cruelty was the attack of the savages upon the house of Thomas Dick, living below the mouth of Deer Creek, March 18, 1791. Mr. Dick and his wife were made prisoners, and a young man living in the house with them was killed and scalped, and a considerable number of horses stolen. Mr. Dick and and wife were kept prisoners until Gen. Wayne's victory, in the fall of 1794. On the night of March 2d seven Indians came to the house of Abraham Buss, living two miles below the mouth of Bull Creek, and twenty-three from Pittsburgh, on the Allegheny River, in a friendly manner, leaving their rifles at the door (a well-known token of Indian friendship), and solicited their supper. Their request was complied with and supper procured for them, and they sat down and supped. When they had finished their meal one of the savages went and placed himself against the door to prevent any of the family from escaping, while the rest, with their tomahawks, murdered and scalped four men, old Mrs. Russ (the mother of Mr. Russ), and six children, then plundered what they pleased from the house, bore away their plunder, setting fire to the house and burning the dead bodies with the buildings. Mrs. Dary, daughter of old Mrs. Russ, witnessed an Indian's taking her own child, eighteen months old, and knocking its brains out against the head of her mother, by which means her mother was also killed. She, however, made her escape in pull- ing open the clapboard-door, with three of her daugh- ters. Agnes Clerk escaped with two children, as did also Catharine Cutwright, who lost her husband and son, murdered in her sight. John Dary, a lad of thirteen years and son of Jacob Dary, the proprietor of the house, but who was absent from home, when he saw the Indians at supper, suspected from their manner that all was not right, and he privately es- caped from the house and hid himself in a hollow tree, where he remained until the next morning, when he removed to a hole in some rocks on Little ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP. b'73 Bull Creek. Here he remained until the third day, when he was frightened from his retreat by the ap- pearance of a wolf. Jacob, a younger brother of six years of age, escaped from the house during the bloody conflict and hid himself under a log and cov- ered himself with leaves. While he was thus se- creted the Indians repeatedly came upon the log with fire in their hands in quest of those who had escaped. The women and children who had escaped hastened to the river, when they called so as to be heard a mile and a half, and Levi Johnson, Mrs. Russ' son- in-law, ventured at the hazard of his life to cross the river in a canoe for them, by which means seventeen persons were preserved from the savages. The night was very frosty and severe, and those who had thus crossed the river had to run nine miles, many of them nearly naked, without shoes to their feet, and through the woods for a place of shelter. By eleven o'clock that night, William Critchlow and Samuel Orr carried the news of these heart-sickening events to Mrs. Mary Harbison, and to the other eight fami- lies within a mile of the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas Rivers. Mrs. Harbison then mounted on a horse, with one child in her arms and another about four years old tied on behind her. Although within two months of confinement she thus traveled seven miles to James Paul's, on Pine Run, where she with her escort and children arrived about daybreak. By the time the sun rose there was between seventy and eighty women and children collected at this retreat. All the men, four excepted, had left them to pursue the Indians. The pursuers first went to the place where the awful massacre had taken place ; there they found the smell which proceeded from the burn- ing of the dead bodies to be so awfully offensive that they were scarcely able to endure it. From thence they went a mile below the Kiskiminetas, on the Alle- gheny, and erected a block-house called " Reed's Sta- tion," where in two weeks all the families who had fled from Allegheny township returned and remained during the summer. John Harbison then enlisted for six months, in a corps raised by Capt. Guthrie, and proceeded to the Miami villages, under the com- mand of Gen. St. Clair, and was in the fatal engage- ment in which the Indians so completely out-gen- eraled and defeated St. Clair, where he was wounded, on Nov. 6, 1791. The Indians attacked David Mc- Kee and another young man at a fish-basket on the river seven miles from the station, and most brutally massacred them. This was the last Indian barbarity perpetrated on the banks of the Allegheny that season. On the return of John Harbison from St. Clair's expedition, and on his recovery from his wounds, he was made a spy and ordered to the woods on duty, March 22, 1792. The appointment of spies to watch the movements of Indians was so consonant with the desires and interests of the inhabitants that the fron- tiers along this township now resumed the appearance of quiet and confidence. Those who had been for nearly a year huddled in Reed's Station block-house were scattered to their own habitations, and began the cultivation of their farms. The house of John Harbison was a favorite place for the spies to rendez- vous. On May 15th Capt. Guthrie, John Harbison, and other spies came to this house to get supper, and Mrs. Harbison, accompanied by a guard (William Maxwell), went to the spring for water. While there they heard a sound, like the bleating of a lamb or fawn, which alarmed them, and they hastily retreated to the house. Whether it was a decoy, or a warning of future trouble, they were unable to determine. On the night of May 21st two of the spies, James Davis and Mr. Sutton, came to lodge at the Harbison house, and the next morning at daybreak, when the horn blew at the block-house, within sight and dis- tant about two hundred yards, the two men got up and went out. Mrs. Harbison was awake and saw the door open, and thought the men had left it open. She intended to rise immediately, but having a child at the breast, and it being awakened, she lay with it at the breast to get it to sleep again, and accidentally fell asleep herself. The first thing Mrs. Harbison knew from falling asleep was the Indians pulling her out of the bed by the feet, when she looked up and saw the house full of savages, every one having his gun in his left hand and tomahawk in his right. Be- holding the dangerous situation in which she was, she immediately jumped to the floor on her feet, with the young child in her arms, then took a petticoat to put on, having only the one on in which she slept; but the Indians took it from her, and as many times as she attempted to put it on they succeeded in taking it from her, so she had to go just as she had been in bed. While she was struggling with the Indians for clothing, others of them went and took the two oldest children out of another bed, and took the two feather- beds to the door and emptied them. They then be- gan to destroy all they were unable to carry away, and while at this work Mrs. Harbison made for the door, and succeeded in getting out with one child in her arms and another by her side; but the other little boy was so much displeased by being so early dis- turbed in the morning that he would not come to the door. When she got out she saw Mr. Wolf, one of the soldiers, going to the spring for water, and be- held three of the Indians attempting to get between him and the block-house, Mr. Wolf being uncon- scious of his danger, for the savages had not yet been discovered. She then gave a terrific scream, by which means Mr. Wolf discovered his danger and started to run to the block-house, when seven or eight Indians fired at him, but the only injury he received was a bullet in his arm, which broke it, and he succeeded in making his escape to the block-house. When Mrs. Harbison gave the alarm one of the Indians came up to her with his tomahawk as though about to take her life ; a second came and placed his 674 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. hand before her mouth and told her to hush, when a third came with a lifted tomahawk and attempted to give her a blow, but the first that came raised his tomahawk and averted the blow, and claimed her as his squaw. The commissary with his waiter slept in the store-house near the block-house, and upon hear- ing the report of the guns came to the door to see what was the matter, and seeing the danger he was in made his escape to the block-house, but not with- out being discovered by the Indians, several of whom fired at him, and one of the bullets went through his handkerchief, which was tied about his head, and took off some of his hair. The waiter on coming to the door was met by the Indians, who fired upon him, and he received two bullets through his body and fell dead by the door. The Indians then set up their terrific yells and pushed forward and attempted to scalp the man they had killed, but were prevented from this by the heavy fire which was kept up through the port-holes from the block-house. In this scene of horror and alarm Mrs. Harbison began to meditate an escape, and for this purpose attempted to direct the attention of the Indians from her and to fix it on the block-house, and thought if she could succeed in this she would retreat to a subterranean cavern with which she was acquainted which was in the run near where the Indians then were. So she began to converse with those nearest her, and they began to question her respecting the strength of the block-house, the number of men in it, etc., and being informed there were forty men there and that they were excellent marksmen, they immediately deter- mined to retreat, and for this purpose ran to those besieging the block-house and brought them away. They then began to flog Mrs. Harbison with their whipping-sticks and to order her along. Thus what she intended as the means of her escape was the means of hastening her departure in the hands of the savages. It was, however, the means of the preserva- tion of the fort and the people in it, for when the Indians gave up their attack and retreated some of the white men in the fort had the last load of ammu- nition in their guns, and there was no possibility of procuring more, for it was all fastened up in the store- house, which was inaccessible. The Indians, when they had flogged her, took her away with them, and also took her eldest boy, about five years old, for he was still at the door by her side. Her middle boy, of about three years of age, had by this time obtained a situation by the fire in the house, and was crying bitterly to his mother not to go, and making little complaints of the depredations of the savages. But the latter were unwilling to let the child remain behind them, and they took him by the hand to drag him away with them ; but he was so very unwilling to go, and made such a noise by crying that they took him up by the feet and dashed his brains out against the threshold of the door. They then stabbed, scalped, and left him for dead. This inhuman butchery drew from Mrs. Harbison a terrific scream, and drove her almost to blindness, from which she was brought to her recollection by a blow given her by an Indian across her face and head. During all this agonizing scene she kept her infant in her arms. They then marched her along to the top of the bank, some fifty rods, stopped, and divided their plunder captured, when she counted their number (thirty-two), two of whom were white men painted as Indians. Several of the Indians could speak English well, and some of them she knew, having seen them go up and down the Allegheny River. She knew two to be Senecas and two to be Munsies, for they had called at the shop to get their guns repaired, and she had seen them there. They then went some forty rods and caught her uncle John Currie's horses, and two of whom, into whose custody she was put, started with her towards the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, and the rest went off towards Puckety. When they came to the bank that descended towards the Allegheny the bank was so very steep, and there appeared so much danger in descending it on horseback, that she threw herself off the horse in opposition to the will and command of the Indians. Her horse descended without falling, but the one on which the savage rode who had her little boy fell and rolled over repeatedly, and her little boy fell back over the horse, but was not materially injured. He was then taken up by one of the Indians, who went to the bank of the river, where they had secreted some bark canoes under the rocks, opposite to the island lying between the Kis- kiminetas and Buffalo. Not being able to make their horses cross the river, they left the horses behind and took their prisoners in one of the canoes to the point of the island, and then left the canoes. When they landed one of the savages with his tomahawk mur- dered and scalped her oldest. boy in her presence, which caused her to sink senseless to the ground with her infant in her arms. She was brought to mind by severe blows from the savages ; but seeing the scalp of her darling boy again relapsed into unconscious- ness, when they hid it and led her into the water, which revived her. The Indians then proceeded rap- idly forward, crossed Big Buffalo, also Conequenes- sing Creek (where Butler now stands), thence six miles to Little Buffalo, and crossed it where the old Sarver mill is. Mrs. Harbison, now weary of life, tormented and beaten by the Indians, determined to make the savages kill her to end her miseries. She took from her shoulder a large powder-horn they made her carry in addition to her child, and threw it in contempt on the ground, expecting to be immedi- ately tomahawked. They put it on again, and twice she repeated this proceeding, thus inviting her de- struction ; but her action pleased the Indians for her boldness, and they did not molest her. They now changed their positions, putting the In- dian behind her who claimed her as his squaw, to protect and keep her from doing herself any injury. ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP. 675 They reached the Indian camp two miles above But- ler before dark, and at night put her into a large dark bottom up a run, where they cut the brush in a thicket and pinioned her arms back, but left her hands with a little liberty. The next night they changed her to another station in the same valley. Ou the morning of the 24th, when her guard fell asleep, she escaped with her infant at her breast, being guided in her directions by a flock of robins, and wandered about, often hiding in rocks and caves to escape her pur- suers, who frequently passed almost over her. On Saturday, May 26th, the fifth day, she struck the head- waters of Pine Creek, which falls into the Allegheny four miles above Pittsburgh, not then knowing where she was. Several times she had narrow escapes from wolves and rattlesnakes. Changing her course she came to Squaw Run (head-waters), and in the even- ing to within a mile of Allegheny River. The next morning (Sunday), the sixth day, she was wellnigh exhausted, but wandered around, and came opposite to the fort at the point of Six-Mile Island. She saw three men on the other side of the river and called to them, but they seemed unwilling to risk the danger of coming after her, and requested to know who she was. She replied, and they asked her to walk up the bank for a while to see if the Indians were making a decoy of her or not ; but she answered that her feet were so sore that she could not walk. Then one of them, James Closier, got into a canoe to fetch her, and the other two stood on the bank with their rifles cocked ready to fire on the Indians provided they were using her as a decoy. When Mr. Closier came near the shore and saw her haggard situation he ex- claimed, " Who in the name of God are you ?" He was one of her nearest neighbors before she was taken, yet in six days she was so much altered that he did not know her, either by her voice or countenance. She had her infant at her breast, and was at once taken to the fort, where two of the women, Sarah Carter and Mary Ann Crozier, picked out of her feet and legs one hundred and fifty thorns, as counted by Felix Nigley, and the next evening at Pittsburgh as many more were extracted. After her capture the Indians, who had left her, went to John Curry's house and plundered and burned it, and then continued on to Puckety. But the inhabitants hearing of their approach were flying in every direction. A mile up the creek they fell in with the families of Flail and Mellon. The Indians fired upon them, wounding the two men and old Mrs. Flail, and captured Elizabeth, Mr. Flail's eldest daughter. They burned the house and barn of Hugh Mellon. Some sixty women and children, who had fled from their respective homes, collected together that night at the house of Mr. McLaughlin, where the Indians came and took a number of horses from the field. On the 24th they killed Bartholomew Gar- vey, who was on his way to Reed's Station with two horse-loads of bacon for the garrison there ; this happened fifty rods from Chambers' Station. In the following week Samuel Holmes, wife and daughter, on Crooked Creek, were taken prisoners. Miss Eliz- abeth Flail was six months in captivity. Shortly after Mrs. Harbison's return from captivity she and her husband removed to Coe's Station, seventeen miles above Pittsburgh, to begin life anew, having lost all their effects by the savages. There were no more Indian incursions until 1794, after St. Clair's defeat. In June of that year they attacked a canoe going up the Allegheny, and killed John Carter and wounded William Cousins and Peter Kinner. Two or three days after this the sav- ages attacked the boat of Capt. Sharp as he was descending the Kiskiminetas River, about fifteen miles from its mouth, and killed four of his men and mortally wounded the captain himself, who survived the wounds a few weeks and died in Pittsburgh. The boat in which they were killed and wounded floated down the stream, entered the Allegheny, and passed two stations in the night without being discovered, or without the assistance of any one on board to steer or to row her, and came opposite to Thomas Gurty's, a little below the mouth of Deer Creek, when the fourth man died, and when the women who were in the boat, fearing that the captain was about to die and that they would be left alone, called to the people on shore for their assistance, who immediately put off a boat to their rescue, and brought their boat to the shore. Four of the men had wives in the boat with them, who were compelled to witness the murder of their husbands, and to sit in their blood as it flowed freely and warm from their veins. The wife of Capt. Guthrie, who was in the boat with her husband, was shortly after she arrived in Pittsburgh delivered of her ninth child. In December, 1794, Mrs. Harbison and her husband removed again to the waters of Bull Creek. Her husband was at this time a spy and only came home once in eight or ten days. In the follow- ing spring they removed to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, at Cregg's Station. In the middle of May, on the approach of the Indians, all the women and chil- dren at the station, under the command of Mrs. Har- bison, got into a pirogue, assisted by Mrs. Mahaftey, and floated down to Owen's Station, where there were some men to protect them. In 1791, John Olough was in the corps commanded by Capt. John Cregg, 1 stationed on Crooked Creek, on the borders of Westmoreland County. Most of the settlers lived this year at the station of nights, but John Kilpatrick remained on his clearing. One morning in March the Indians attacked his house and fired through the door, wounding a man who kept the door, and killing a child lying in a cradle. Mr. Kilpatrick and one of the militia went into the loft, made an incision in the wall, and began to fire on the Indians, and killed one of them on the spot, 1 Or Craig. 676 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. whereupon the rest made a precipitate retreat. Mrs. Kilpatrick remained below, busily engaged in run- ning bullets, while her husband and his companions were firing them off. Allegheny township, from its peculiar position be- tween the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas River, was specially subject to Indian outrages at a time when the remainder of the county was enjoying compara- tive security. SCHOOLS. The condition of the schools in 1834, when the first free-school law was enacted, was as follows : The dis- tricts were few in number, and the houses built of logs and poorly seated, only rude slabs, without any support for the back, to which all the other appli- ances seemed to correspond. The schools were very large, often numbering over a hundred. The disci- pline was then enforced by a free use of the birch, for such a thing as moral suasion was not tolerated at that time, but it gradually and slowly made its ap- pearance, and unless the master treated the scholars when the holidays arrived he was of little value in the estimation of the pupils. Female teachers were not employed previous to 1834, and, in fact, the idea of a " girl" teaching school was wonderful to think about. The teachers did not have any order or sys- tem of recitation. In spelling many of the scholars seemed to be much interested, and many became fair spellers. The attendance was quite irregular, as many had a great distance to go. Among the teachers who were the most prominent were Samuel Owens, Lu- ther Bills, George Crawford, Robert Jeffrey, Samuel McConnell, and Wilson Sproull. If any one desired to teach, he would first apply to a member of the committee, and if he looked fit to teach he was then sent to some very learned man to be examined, who after a few scattered questions had been asked on the different branches taught was pronounced duly quali- fied, and immediately entered upon his duties. The wages ranged from ten to twenty dollars per month. Among the leading men in education outside of those employed as teachers were James Fitzgerald, George Bovard, John Artmau, and others. These men labored hard to advance the cause of education, yet there were not a few who worked hard in the opposite direction. From 1845 to 1860 the following persons were among the most prominent teachers : D. McKee, W. R. Trout, James Hawk, and others. The mode of teaching advanced slowly but surely ; such a thing as teachers' institutes was scarcely dreamed of, but after a great deal of reason- ing on the part of the best teachers the directors finally allowed the school-house for that purpose. In 1844 a debating society was started in what was then known as Crawford's school-house, and considerable interest was manifested by teachers and citizens. About 1851 an academy or select school was started near where Lober's school-house now stands. The professors were A. S Thorn and D. McKee, who flourished finely for some time and accomplished much good. The text-books in the early days in this township were the Bible and Testament, spelling- book, and Western Calculator. The schools at pres- ent are in a fair condition, with a live and progressive set of teachers and directors. PINE RUN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized by Revs. David Kirkpatriek and C. B. Bristol, with fifty-five members and four elders. It was reported to Presbytery April 13, 1847, without stating the date when it was done. For some months it was statedly supplied by Rev. Andrew McElwain, when, greatly to the regret of this people, he was sent to missionate on' the Allegheny Mountains. After this it was occasionally supplied until the last Tues- day of January, 1851, when Rev. T. S. Leason was installed its first pastor for half-time. Revs. L. M. Groves preached, S. M. McClung charged the pastor, and C. B. Bristol the people. His pastorate was very successful. He was released Jan. 10, 1855. During a vacancy of two years it depended on occasional supplies. Aug. 25, 1857, Rev. Robert McMillan, grandson of Rev. Dr. McMillan, patriarch of Presby- terianism in Western Pennsylvania, being ordained at Warren, was for half-time installed over Pine Run. Revs. John Starke preached from 2 Thess. iii. 1, S. M. McClung made the ordaining prayer, T. S. Leason charged the pastor, and W. W. Woodend the people. The labors of this humble, faithful, godly man, both publicly and from house to house, were so highly prized that for a year after he was disabled from pul- pit services they would not allow his resignation. They only consented when all hope of his recovery was lost, and he was released April 13, 1864. Dec. 28, 1864, Rev. John Orr, also ordained at Warren, was installed for half-time over Pine Run. Revs. T. D. Ewing preached from Mark xv. 16, J. M. Jones presided, proposed the constitutional questions, and made the ordaining prayer, F. Orr charged the pastor, and Dr. Donaldson the people. To a very worthy pastor he was a not less worthy successor. In his pastorate an emergency arose such as often occasions serious divisions in congregations, the erection of a new church edifice, together with change of locality. Several circumstances connected with this case seemed strongly to portend a rupture there. But the cautious management of the pastor among a people by whom he was beloved obviated the threatened difficulty and kept the church united. But very soon after they got possession of their comfortable church a distressing neuralgic affection of the head and eyes constrained him to resign the charge, April 4, 1872. In all these pastoral relations it was connected with churches on the other side of the Kiskiminetas River, first with Leechburg, and in the other two with Warren, called Apollo in 1868. At the close of the last pastorate by locality it came under care of Blairsville Presbytery. In 1873 it was statedly supplied in the last three tftfr^VL M ' <^fUwJ^<2si^#t ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP. 677 months by Rev. J. Molton Jones, to which time, with man}' occasional supplies, two stated supplies, and three pastors, it had sent forth no minister. ALLEGHENY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is situated about one-fourth mile from Kiskiminetas and Allegheny Junction. Services were held May 23, 1873, in School-house No. 8, and the next day, at session of Presbytery there convened, members of the Puckety, Lcechburg, and Freeport Churches were organized into the Allegheny congregation. The elders are William M. McDougal, A. W. Watt, John T. Watt, James Jones, Robert Dimmitt, and Jacob P. Vantine. The edifice was completed and occupied Oct. 17, 1875, under the auspices of its present pastor, Rev. M. M. Patterson. BROOKLAND REFORM ASSOCIATE CHURCH. This congregation was organized in 1832. Its first edifice was a log structure, and was in 1856 replaced by the present brick building. Its pastors have been : 1832 to 1843, Rev. Hugh Walkinshaw ; 1843 to 1860, Rev. Oliver Wylie, whose successor was the present pastor, Rev. Robert Reid. THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH is located just east of Leechburg Station. RAILROAD STATIONS, POST-OFFICES, Eiv. The railroad stations are Soda-Works, McKean, Garver's Ferry, West' Penn Junction (formerly Kiskiminetas and Allegheny Junction), and Leech- burg, on the Allegheny Valley Railroad; Bagdad, Grinder, and Townsend, on West Penn Railroad. The post-offices are Lucesco, McLaughlin's Store, and Shearer's Cross-Roads. EMPLOYMENTS. The two coal-mines at Leechburg, operated by a company, of which David B. Ashbaugh is part owner and sole lessee and superintendent, and the one at Bagdad, owned by Hicks & Schwalm, are the only ones in the township. The former employ two hun- dred men, and produce annually one hundred and fifty thousand tons of coal. THE LUCESCO OIL REFINERY was first an oil-manufacturing establishment making cannel coal oil, and was started in 1858 by Dr. Alter and others of Freeport. It employed a hundred and fifty men, and built thirty houses near its works, a few hundred yards south of the Western Pennsyl- vania Railroad Junction. It was operated a few years, when the discovery of petroleum oil at Oil City by Dr. Drake caused its abandonment, as it could not compete with the newly-discovered pe- troleum. A few rods southeast of the old oil refinery is ARCHIBALD DODDS' STORE, established by him in 1865. He is the son of Joseph Dodds, whose father, Archibald Dodds, an emigrant from County Monaghan, Ireland, settled some forty rods from the store here in 1825. The latter was a substantial citizen, and left a numerous offspring. Near Mr. Dodds' store reside the Reeds and Carvers, descendants of old pioneer families. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JOHN H. TOWNSEND. Isaac Townsend was born in Chester County, where his English ancestors, of the Friends' Society, had settled in the first part of the eighteenth century. About the year 1800 he removed to Kiskiminetas township, in Armstrong County, where he had pur- chased a farm on the Kiskiminetas River. Here with his sons he was largely engaged in the manu- facture of salt, and shortly after he became thus engaged the river from Dam No. 3 to Apollo was lined with these works, where now is but the one owned by Mr. Gammill. He used to ship the salt by boats to Pittsburgh, and pack it by horses over the mountains to the East, and afterwards his sons wag- oned it to the Eastern cities. He married Mary King. Their children were John, Isaac, Henry, Robert, William, Joseph, Polly (married first to Simon Tur- ney, and afterwards to Charles Gantz), and Susan (married to Daniel Ulam). Two other daughters died young. His second child, Isaac, married Mary Hill, daughter of John Hill (intermarried with Miss Waltz). Her father, John Hill, was one of the ear- liest and most prominent settlers on the Kiskiminetas River, and on it, in Allegheny township, very early erected a flouring-mill at what is now Bagdad Station, which was swept away two years after, as was another, built by Shiloh Hill and John Schwalm on the same site, a year later. The Hill family was of Irish extrac- tion. The children of Isaac and Mary (Hill) Town- send were John Hill, Eden, Darius, Elizabeth (married to Samuel Owens), Levi, Delilah (married to David Burkit), Polly (married to James Moore), Rachel- (married to John Moore), and Susan (married to William Kuhns). Mr. Townsend's father died Aug. 7, 1866, aged seventy-seven ; his mother died June 9, 1846, aged fifty. Of his father's family, Darius and Levi went to California in the time of the gold fever. They carried letters from Mrs. John Geary to her son, John W. Geary, afterwards Governor of this State. Levi died on shipboard on their outward passage, and Darius, after a residence of three years in California, went to Mexico, where he died. Eden Townsend, of the same family, a millwright by trade, was accident- ally killed in a mill he was building at McKeesport. Of this family, John Henry, the eldest, was born May 30, 1819, in Armstrong County. He was raised on his father's farm, and first educated in the old-time subscription schools, but when a young man attended 678 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. those of the free-school system just then established. In 1832 his father removed to his present farm, located in the three-bottom tract of the "Horseshoe Bend" of the Kiskiminetas. It was then all in woods save a small clearing with a log house on it. The present frame mansion was erected about 1840. The place is a part of the original Johnston tract, very early pat- ented. He was married June 26, 1849, to Eliza, daughter of John Burkit and Polly (Stout) Burkit, of Armstrong County. Their children are Newton E., Frank, Eden Augustus, Alice (married to William Adair), Barton Hill, Grant Burkit, and Florence. After his marriage Mr. Townsend removed to Apollo, and with his brother Eden erected a flouring-mill, in which he was engaged until 1854, when he came to the farm where he now resides. In politics he is a pronounced Democrat, and active in the counsels of his party, of which he is a leading exponent in the county. Ever largely identified with the cause of education, he was for twelve years one of the township school directors, and greatly contrib- uted to the efficiency of the schools in his jurisdiction by elevating the system and in the erection of new and commodious school-houses. In 1878 he was elected a county commissioner, and served for three years, with great acceptance to the people. During this period his colleagues were Henry Keely and William Taylor, while the clerk of the board was Darwin Musick. During his administration the large and elegant " County Home" was erected, — an enduring monument to the honor and judgment of the board, — and many other valuable public improve- ments made. On the building of the Western Pennsylvania Railroad, in which he warmly enlisted, he gave to the railroad company the right of way through his lands, and also two lots, for the foreman's house and water-plug. The company on his ground built a station and named it, in his honor, " Townsend." He is a member, with his family, of the Apollo Lutheran Church, to which he is a liberal contrib- utor. His elegant seat, embracing some three hun- dred acres, is beautifully located three miles above Leechburg, on the banks of the Kiskiminetas, in a section rich in historic incidents and near the site of an old Indian town. He has lived to see this magnificent valley rescued from a wilderness and dotted over with fine farms and substantial houses. When a boy he helped to boat salt and grain in boat-sections to Hol- lidaysburg, but since then have passed away the old Portage Railroad and Pennsylvania Canal, and right by his door are daily seen passing by the fleet trains on a branch of the great railroad of the State, — its proud boast, — the "Pennsylvania." DAVID B. ASHBAUGH. Alexander Ashbaugh was born in Baltimore County, Md., and was descended from a family of German ex- traction that in the latter part of the eighteenth century settled in that region. He married Mary Vantine, of an old and prominent pioneer family, from which union were born the following children: Andrew, Thomas, Alexander, James, William, David B., and Edessima, married to Peter Grinder. David B. Ashbaugh, his youngest son, was born Aug. 6, 1832, in Allegheny township, where his parents had settled several years previous. He has been twice married, — first to Elizabeth Grinder, who bore him two children, Albert W. and Mary Isabella, and second to Permilla Anderson, by whom the five fol- lowing children were born : Antes S., Robert N., James McCreighton, Bertie, and Custer, and also James, deceased. Mr. Ashbaugh was many years in the coal business on the Monongahela River, which he mastered in all its phases and shapes. Afterwards he was largely engaged in the construction of the Western Pennsylvania Railroad, four miles of which he graded and built. He then opened a coal-mine east of the Lynchburg tunnel to coal the railroad locomotives, and on the completion of the railroad began the shipping of coal. Soon after he opened the coal-mine west of the first one, and in the sum- mer of 1882 opened one west of Leechburg Station. These last two mines are operated by a strong com- pany, of which he is part owner, and the superin- tendent and lessee. These mines employ over two hundred hands, and produce annually some one hun- dred and fifty thousand tons of coal. This is shipped largely to the East, especially to the New Jersey Divi- sion, besides which his company coal all the engines on the Western Pennsylvania Railroad, and supply the Allegheny County work-house. The coal is of the noted Freeport vein, so well known in the com- mercial markets. Mr. Ashbaugh's residence is just at the east end of the Leechburg tunnel, where is the Kiskiminetas River. He has a beautiful seat of thirteen acres, finely located, and embracing a very large variety of the choicest fruit. He is a member of the Leechburg Lodge, No. 651, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and but few of his party in the northern part of the county are as active as he in maintaining its organization and in political campaigns. He has been sixteen years in charge of these coal-works, known now as the " Leechburg Colliery." In connection with H. H. Ray, he has a large store at Leechburg Station, which does a very extensive business. His company's coal lands embrace some eight hundred and twenty-eight acres of splendid coal-fields, all centring around or near the tunnel, which is fifteen hundred and sixty feet in length, and around which the river flows three miles. He is one of the most experienced coal men of the county, and stands high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and in the business world. EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION.— BOUNDS. East Huntingdon Township was organized by a subdivision of the original Huntingdon township, being taken from South Huntingdon in 1798. ' It is bounded north by Hempfield, 2 east by Mount Pleas- ant, south by a part of Fayette County, and west by South Huntingdon. The township has a varied sur- face, and one continuous substratum of bituminous coal. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The first settlers in the township were Scotch-Irish from the eastern and northern counties of the State, among whom were John Vance, for many years a magistrate, William and Frank Vance, the Fosters, Barrs, Cochrane, McClains, and McCormicks. From 1790 to 1800 a heavy immigration of Ger- mans and Mennonites, the latter including some of Swiss birth, came, and these thrifty men fresh from the eastern part of the State, and all possessed of considerable means for those days, bought nearly all the lands occupied by the Scotch-Irish, and entered other tracts not then taken up. This last class were most settled between Stonersville and the Fayette County line. The Mennonites purchased about twenty-five thousand acres in this and other town- ships, their principal settlement being in and about Stonersville. They were from Chester, Bucks, Lan- caster, Bedford, and Northumberland Counties. Among their leading men who located in East Huntingdon were Henry Overholt, Rev. David Funk, the Stauffers, Weltys, Peter Dillinger, Strohms, Ruths, Shupes, Fulkerths, Sherricks, Loucks, the Mumaws, Christian Stoner, the Tin- mans, Fretts, and Foxes. The German Lutheran and Reformed settlers mostly located in the north- west part of the township. Among them were Mark Leighty, Henry Lowe, Henry Null, Joseph 1 Efforts were made so early as 1794 towards the erection of this town- ship, as shown by the records of the Decemljer session of that year, viz. : " Upon the petition of a number of the inhabitants of South Hunting- don township, setting forth that they labor under great difficulty on the account of their township being so large, and praying a division, etc." (Read and continued under advisement.) 2 By act of Assembly of March 14, 1845, it was directed that that por- tion of the township of Hempfield, in the county of Westmoreland, which lies south of Big Sewickley Creek should be attached to and Bhould thereafter constitute a part of the township of East Huntingdon, in that county, and that the said creek should thereafter be the division line between those two townships. It was provided in this act that the election district of New Stanton should remain as if the act had not Suter, Nicholas Swope (for many years a justice of the peace), the Aultmans, Klines, Harbaughs, Ruffs, Snyders, and Hunkers. The Stauffer family is one of the oldest in the town- ship, and from it was given the name of " Stauffer's Run," a stream rising above Stonersville and run- ning south, emptying into Jacobs Creek at Scottdale. Abraham Stauffer came from Bucks County, and first settled near Scottdale, on the Fayette County side. His wife was a Miss Nisley, of Lebanon County (then Lancaster). Their son Abraham mar- ried Elizabeth Myers. The former died July 9, 1851, and the latter Nov. 11, 1878, aged ninety-five years, eleven months, and six days. They had three sons and three daughters, the latter being Mrs. Martin Loucks, Mary, married to Jacob Tinsman, and Eliza- beth, married to Jacob Harkless. Among the earliest settlers near Scottdale were the Sterretts, a very in- fluential family, a descendant of whom, John Sterrett, a prominent farmer, resides on his elegant farm a mile southwest of Scottdale. His grandfather was a cousin of Daniel Boone, and when the latter was re- moving to North Carolina (from which he was the first white man to penetrate into Kentucky) he passed through this region, and passed several days visiting his kinsmen, the Sterretts, at their new cabin home here. EARLY SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS. The early school-houses of East Huntingdon town- ship were similar to those of other localities in the county, being built of rude logs, and having other appliances to correspond. One of the earliest houses known was built on the farm now owned by Joshua Gant, another was located on the farm now owned by Jacob Leighty. It was built in 1802, and taught by a German named Leighty, who always opened his school with singing and prayer, a practice which has been continued in some localities of this township up to the present time. Some of the early teachers were John Selby, Peter Showalter, A. St. Clair, John Baughtencarges, and others. Early action was taken in this township in regard to the acceptance of the free-school system. At an election held at the house of Peter Pool, Sept. 19, 1834, the following persons were elected school directors, viz.: Jacob Tinsman and Jacob Overholt, to serve until the next election in March ; Solomon Luter and Peter Pool, for two years ; Gasper Tarr and Henry Fretts, to serve for 679 680 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. three years. This same set of directors met at the house of Christian Fox, Oct. 6, 1834, and after organ- izing appointed Jacob Tinsman as delegate, to meet other delegates in Greensburg the first Tuesday in November following, to perform such duties as were enjoined upon them by law to establish a general sys- tem of education. Agreeably to the time appointed by the general delegates at Greensburg, an election was held at the house of Peter Pool, May 21, 1836, in order to take the vote of the citizens whether there should be a tax levied or not; the result of said election was seventy-four voting no tax and two voting tax. How the schools were kept open from i834 to 1837 we have been unable to learn. We find, however, that direc- tors were elected each year, viz. : Jacob Tinsman and Jacob Overholt, re-elected in 1835 ; John Stoner and A. Overholt, elected in 1836; and William McMaster and J. Fulkerth, in 1837. After this we find another election was ordered to take the voice of the citizens whether the schools should be continued or not. Said election was held at the house of Peter Pool, on the first Tuesday of May, 1837, fifty-six voting no school and thirty-four voting school. The law required that in order to defeat the system a majority of the citizens in the district must vote against it, and fifty-six not being that majority, the system was declared adopted. Soon after this the directors began to sub-district the township and erect houses. In a few years after this the system began to gain favor, and at present in edu- cational matters it is considered one of the foremost townships in the county. It has been extremely for- tunate in always having good directors, who ever aimed to employ first-class teachers, and herein lies the cause of success in East Huntingdon. Blackboards were brought prominently into use in 1853. District institutes were organized in 1857, and have continued to be a leading feature of its schools ever since. Among the prominent directors since 1840 were J. B. Sherrick, II. W. Stoner, S. Dillinger, H. S. Overholt, Maj. R. Warden, S. Warden, D. Snyder, and many other good names. Among the principal teachers have been J. B. R. Sherrick, D. McGinnis, John Sample, William Foster, John Harrold, etc. At a later date there have been as directors, J. S. Fretts, J. B. Stoner, J. S. Warden, John Sillaman, B. Hurst, H. R. Fox, and others ; and teachers, J. D. Cope, P. Loucks, J. Sillaman, J. Chamberlain, J. H. Bryan, W. H. Morrow, etc. LUTHERAN AND (ZION'S) REFORMED CHURCH (UNION). This congregation was formerly known by the name of "Schwabs," afterwards changed to Swopes. The name was taken from that of a family in the neigh- borhood. The name of the family was doubtless derived from the country in Germany from which they came, — Das Schwaben Land. The congregation is now called " Zion's." The church is located four miles southwest of Mount Pleasant, about two hun- dred yards to the right of Ragentown road, and nearly four miles northwest of Scottdale. It was or- ganized about 1789, but no records are accessible prior to 1822. A log church which stood in the graveyard on the right of the road was used for many years as a place of worship. A brick church was built on the opposite side of the road, on land donated by Jacob Leighty, about 1862. It is a neat, comfortable, and substantial edifice. In the summer of 1872 the in- side received a coat of paint, the chancel was com- pleted and carpeted, and other improvements added. It was organized by Rev. John William Weber, and afterwards served by Revs. William Weinel, H. E. F. Voight, L. H. Keafauver, F. K. Levan, C. C. Russell, J. A. Peters, A. J. Heller, and D. B. Lady. Mr. Weinel took charge in 1817, and continued as pastor until 1825, the last year in which record of his com- munions are found. At the communion held July 15, 1825, Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D., officiated, and at those of April 19 and Nov. 22, 1829, Rev. C. Zwidler officiated. These are the only communions held, or at least the only ones recorded, between 1824, when Rev. Weinel held his last, and 1835, when Rev. Voight held his first one. It is probable that there was no stated preaching between 1825 and 1835. Mr. Voight preached here until 1864. From 1858 to 1860, Rev. L. H. Keafauver was English supply, holding a service in this language once every two months. In 1860 Rev. C. C. Russell succeeded him, who was fol- lowed in 1861 by Rev. F. K. Levan, who continued in the office of English supply or assistant pastor until 1864, when, Father Voight being disabled, the congregation became part of the newly-formed Mount Pleasant charge, and was placed under the sole pas- toral care of Rev. J. A. Peters. Under the ministry of Rev. William Weinel, especially from 1822 to 1825, the congregation seems to have enjoyed a season of great prosperity. In 1822 twenty-three persons were confirmed. Two years afterwards there were twenty- five more. In 1835 forty-five communed at one time. During the interregnum from 1825 to 1835 the con- gregation became necessarily much scattered. At the communion held by Rev. C. Zwidler in 1829 twenty-eight persons communed, including nine who were confirmed on the occasion. The communicants during Rev. H. E. F. Voight's ministry ranged from ten to thirty-two, when the congregation numbered from forty to fifty. English services were first intro- duced into the congregation by Rev. Kefauver in 1858. The following year a class of fifteen were con- firmed, and the congregation took a new lease of life. In December, 1865, under the pastorate of Rev. Peters, eight were confirmed, and in May of same year forty-one communed. In May, 1871, Rev. Heller being pastor, three per- sons were confirmed and thirty-four communed. The number of confirmations under the pastorate of Rev. Lady up to 1877 were twenty, and the highest number present at one communion thirty-nine. The congre- EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 681 gation then numbered forty-eight confirmed and twenty-five unconfirmed members, with the following consistory: Elders, Peter Steinman, Jacob Leighty, Sr., M. J. Leighty ; Deacons, M. M. Leighty, Jacob Felgar, and George S. Lowe. Its flourishing Sunday- school numbers about one hundred teachers and scholars, of which for several years M. M. and J. R. Leighty were the superintendents. JACOBS CREEK METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized with nineteen members in 1817, and its old log church erected the same year, and at that time was the only meeting-house of this denomination in all this region. Its present brick edifice was built during the late war, and is on the site of the old church, three-fourths of a mile southwest of Scott- dale. It has the same pastor as the latter. Its trus- tees are John Reiser, Daniel Fretz, John Kell, Jacob Hall, and J. D. Porter, Sunday-school superintendent. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (SCOTTDALE). The Presbyterian congregation was organized May 13, 1874, with nineteen members, and O. B. Eobertson as elder. Previous to this time Presbyterian services were held in the school-house and Reformed Church. Rev. Dr. John McMillan, of Mount Pleasant, effected its organization, and preached statedly from Novem- ber, 1875, to the same month of 1876. Then was called Rev. J. H. Stevenson, late of Sewickley and Tyrone Churches, who has been its only pastor from 1876 to the present. He was born in Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio ; graduated at the Ohio University, at Oxford, and the Western Theological Seminary, and has been nineteen years in the ministry. His grandmother, Sarah Marquis, was the first white woman baptized by a Presbyterian clergyman west of the Allegheny Mountains. He preached also at Ty- rone Church. The present elders are O. B. Robertson, John Robertson, and Dr. A. J. Rogers, and deacons, John Walter and John Robertson. The superintend- ent of Sunday-school is John Robertson. The church membership is one hundred and eight. The edifice is a brick structure, erected in 1876, and dedicated April 22, 1877. TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH (SCOTTDALE). This church was organized July 20, 1873, by Rev. L. B. Leasure, under a commission from the West- moreland Classis. The following were the officers and members of this organization : Elder, Dr. N. L. Kline; deacon, Daniel Byers; members, William A. Kifer, Sarah Kifer, Eliza Kline, Christiana Schwart- zendruber, Rebecca Evans, Hannah Evans, Rebecca Martz, Mr. Waugaman, Mrs. Waugaman. Rev. L. B. Leasure was the first pastor. The first trustees were elected Nov. 7, 1873, viz.: Dr. N. L. Kline and William A. Kifer. The corner-stone of the edifice was laid Nov. 9, 1873, by the pastor, with a sermon by Rev. J. M. Titzel. May 4, 1874, Zephaniah Brinker was elected a trustee, and one elder and two deacons were added to the consistory, increasing the number of officers to five. At this date, as the records show, the name of the place was changed from Foun- tain Mills to Scottdale. The new edifice was dedica- ted June 27, 1874, Rev. N. P. Hacke, D.D., preaching in German in the morning, and Rev. G. B. Russell, D.D., in the evening. Soon after this Rev. Leasure's labors as pastor ceased. Aug. 2, 1874, the communion was administered by Rev. L. Cort, with twenty per- sons participating, showing an addition of nine new members. Another addition of nine members was made April 3, 1875, at the communion under Rev. L. Cort, acting as a supply. The next pastor was Rev. W. C. B. Shullenberger, elected June 28, 1875, who began his labors Aug. 8, 1875. Under his pastorate the constitution of the congregation was adopted and seventeen persons added to the membership, making in all forty-six. His successor, Rev. Samuel Z. Beam, took charge of the mission Nov. 1, 1876, and is the present pastor. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (SCOTTDALE). The congregation was organized in 1875, under the auspices of Rev. A. P. Leonard, of Jacobs Creek Church, three-fourths of a mile distant, southwest, of which it is the offspring. The pastors have been : 1875-77, A. P. Leonard; 1877-79, B. T. Thomas; 1879-82, D. N. Stafford. The latter was born in Tus- carawas County, Ohio, educated at Scio College, Har- rison County, in that State, and lias been seven years in the ministry. Up to the building of the present church services were held in rented churches and tabernacles. Its edifice, an elegant brick, two-story structure, sixty-two by forty-two feet, was erected in 1881. The first service was held therein November 27th of that year, and it was dedicated on December 18th following, when Rev. Samuel Wakefield, aged eighty-five years, preached the sermon. Its vestibule is eleven feet square and its tower one hundred and five feet high. Its architect was Peter S. Loucks. It is a station connected with Jacobs Creek Church. The trustees are Dr. A. W. Strickler, Thomas Ten- nant, James Jones, Peter Campbell, J. W. Wiley; and Sunday-school superintendent, Clark Grazier. Its membership is one hundred. It is the second and the Presbyterian the first brick church erected in the borough. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, OF SCOTTDALE. Before 1876 masses were said and services held in Mr. Kehoe's dwelling, attended by Rev. Father Watters and other priests from Connellsville. In 1876 the old Protestant Episcopal Church frame edi- fice was purchased from Maj. Knop, in which worship was had until December, 1881, when the new and commodious brick edifice was far enough completed to hold services in it. Father Thomas McAnew was pastor from 1876 to 1879, when he was succeeded by Rev. M. A. Lambing, the present learned and popular 682 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. pastor, under whose successful auspices the new church was erected, together with the frame residence adjoining. The parish extends from Morgan's to and including Mount Pleasant, and has over sixteen hun- dred souls. It is three times as large as when Father Lambing became the pastor. He also says mass every other Sunday at Bridgeport, near Mount Pleasant. Some four hundred Poles and Hungarians belong to his congregations. UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST (SCOTTDALE). This congregation was organized in 1874, and its neat frame edifice erected the same year. Its pastors have been : 1874-76, W. A. Jackson ; 1876, Joseph Metzgar; 1877, David Speck; 1878, Martin O. Lane; 1879-82, Isaiah Potter. He also preaches at Walnut, Fayette Co., Barren Run, at South Huntingdon town- ship, and at Mount Nebo Church, two miles north- west of Scottdale. The membership is fifty. The church officials are: Trustees, Albert Keister, Na- thaniel King, Joseph Herbert; Class-leader, David Metzgar ; Assistant, Peter Sherrick ; Steward, Na- thaniel King; and Sunday-school Superintendent, Jacob B. Sherrick. BAPTIST CHURCH (SCOTTDALE) was organized April 17, 1875, and May 9th following Rev. W. T. Hughes was called as pastor. It has now no pastor, its last incumbent, Rev. Collins, having left in 1880. Its edifice, a frame, was built after the town was laid out. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN (SCOTTDALE) congregation was the first one organized in the town. It has never had a building, and at present has no pastor. THE MENNONITE CHURCH AND CEMETERY (STONERSVILLE). The first church building was a log structure, built in 1800, on the extreme lower corner of the grave- yard. In 1840 it was replaced by the present sub- stantial brick edifice. The first pastors were Revs. David Funk, Stauffer, and Welty, after whom were Henry Yetter, John Overholt, and Martin Loucks. For a good many years it has had no regular pastors, but has been supplied occasionally by ministers from a distance, perhaps as often as once a month. The membership is now quite small, as in the past two decades many have connected themselves with the Church of God and the United Brethren in Christ. The cemetery is now controlled by the Menuonite Cemetery Association, organized a few years ago. THE CHURCH OF GOD (STONERSVILLE). The congregation of this church was organized in 1841, in which year was erected in Bethany a frame church edifice, now used as a cooper's shop. Its first pastor was Rev. Joseph A. Dobson. In 1863 the congregation abandoned the old meeting-house in Bethany and erected a commodious brick church in Stonersville. Here its first pastor in the new edifice was Rev. Jacob A. Dohmer, and the present one is Rev. Robert L. Burns. The congregation is very large and flourishing, with an excellent Sunday- school. The first two pastors at the old meeting- house in Bethany were John and Thomas H. Hicker- nell. SCOTTDALE. The Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad was com- pleted as far as Scottdale in the spring of 1873, when the present site of the borough was farm lands. The town was laid out that year by Peter S. Loucks and his sister Catharine, on the south side of the Pitts- burgh road, and by Jacob S. Loucks on the north side a short time later. Peter S. Loucks subsequently made two additions, one on the west and the other on the northeast, and Jacob S. one. After the Loucks laid out the original town Everson, McCrum & Co. made an addition out of land bought of the Loucks brothers. The town was the outgrowth of the rail- road, and was very appropriately named in honor of its then celebrated president, Col. Thomas A. Scott. The first store opened here was by Livingood & Miller, and the second by Parker & Smith. The first house built after that was by James Kehoe, on Pitts- burgh Street and still occupied by him. The next were Abe Bosier's and John Rites'. The first hotel was kept by Lewis Stimple, and the second by Henry Branthoover. The first resident physician was Dr. C. D. Fortney, the next Dr. A. Rogers, fol- lowed by Dr. B. R. Mitchell ; then came Dr. Robert McConaughy, who afterwards removed, and the last Dr. A. W. Strickler, who came from Fayette County in 1877. The only lawyer settled here is J. R. Smith, who came from Huntingdon County in 1881. The first magistrates were N. L. K. Kline and William G. Hays ; the latter resigning was succeeded by T. W. Ault, who with Joseph K. Eicher (succeeding Kline) are the present incumbents. The two oldest persons in town are Col. Brinker and Thomas Kehoe. In the fall of 1872, Peter S. Loucks had laid out fourteen lots, and his brother, Jacob S., ten, thinking these would answer, but in the following year such a demand arose for lots that they at once laid out the town regularly into a large number. Pittsburgh Street (road) was the division line between their two tracts. The first lots were sold in fell of 1872 (twenty-four), at one hundred and fifty dollars each, and were seventy-two by one hundred and fifty feet, since when several of them have sold at one thousand dol- lars. Subsequently a majority of the lots were one hundred and ten by thirty feet, and were sold at from one hundred and twenty-five to two hundred and fifty dollars each. About fifty acres of the land of the brothers Peter S. and Jacob S. Loucks and their sister Catherine went to make up the town. The " Fountain Mill" and distillery then stood where the furnace is, and was the property of W. A. Keifer. The houses of Peter S. Loucks, Jacob S. Loucks, and EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 683 David F. Stoner (the latter built 1872-73) are in the limits of the borough, and were built before the town was laid out, but are not on the lots but are farm lands. P. C. Hockenbury, who has been a resident of this region since 1824, was the first saddler and harness-maker. When the old Fountain Mill was re- moved for the furnace it was the fourth mill. The first one, a log structure, was built about 1800 by a Mr. Hoke, and in 1822 the second one, a frame build- ing, was owned and operated by John W. Stauffer. BOROUGH INCORPORATION AND OFFICERS. The borough of Scottdale was incorporated by the Court of Common Pleas in the winter of 1874. 1 The first officers since 1874 have been : 1874.— Burgess, Hubert Foster; Council, P. S. Loucks, T. W. Ault, James L. Klingeiismith, E. C. Price, James Morgan; Secretary, T. W. Ault; Treasurer, P. S. Loucks; Street Commissioner, 0. B. Robert- son; Assessor, P. C. Hockenbury; High Constable, A. G. H. Cooper. 1875.— Burgess, P. C. Hockenbury; Council, J. D. Hill, Joseph K. Eicher, R. H. Everson, William Dick, Peter Campbell; Constable, H. C. Miller; Secretary, T. W. Ault. 1876. — Burgess, P. C. Hockenbury; Council, James L. Dick, Peter Campbell, GL B.Gray, R. H. Everson, Morgan Keddle ; Cuustable, Reason Lynch ; Secretary, T. W. Ault. 1877. — Burgess, P. C. Hockenbury ; Council, Morgan Keddle, David Dick, T. C. Kenney, John M. Smith, George H. Everson; Constable, S. J. Lint; Secretary, T. W. Ault. 1878. — Burgess, P. C. Hockenbury ; Council, John Robertson, John Walter, Morgan Keddle, J. D. Hill, T. C. Kenney ; Constable, C. H. C. Cope ; Secretary, T. W. Ault. 1879.— Burgess, John Robertson; Council, H. C. Hubbs, J. D. Hill, T.C. Kenney, William Dick, .Dr. A. W. Strickler; Constable, Samuel Bishop, J. K. Eicber. 1880.— Burgess, H. B. Orr; Council, Nathaniel Miles, J. R. Taylor, Joseph McCullough, N. L. K. Kline, W. A. Lockard ; Constable, A. B. Finley; Secretary, T. W. Ault, J. R. Taylor. 1881.— Burgess, P. C. Hockenbury; Council, Nathaniel Miles, P. S. Loucks, Johu Klingeusmith, John Robertson, E. H. Reid ; Con- stable, J. R. Torrance; Secretary, T. W. Ault. 1882. — Burgess, Joseph K. Eicher ; Council, E. H. Reid, E. A. Humph- ries, William Kelly, J. D. Hill, J. W. Thomas. BOROUGH SCHOOLS. Before 1878 the schools were held in a small frame school building of one room, located on the site of the present two-story brick edifice, built in 1878. The first one was the property of the township, and was taken into the limits of the borough. The school board in January, 1882, consists of George H. Ever- son, president ; Dr. A. W. Strickler, secretary ; Jacob S. Loucks, treasurer ; James Smith, Dr. B. R. Mitch- ell, and John Lott. The teachers are : Room No. 1, E. P. Weddle, principal, succeeding tAt the February session, 1874, the petition of certaiu citizens of East Huntingdon township was presented to the court, praying for the organization of a borough in the vicinity of that portion of the town- ship known as Fountain Mills. By the affidavit of Robert Foster and J. P. Herrington it was set forth that at the time the petition was taken around among the inhabitants of the proposed borough of Scott- dale it was signed by a majority of the freeholders residing within the limits proposed. By order of court of Feb. 5, 1874, the prayer of the petitioners was granted and the borough was incorporated. The third Tuesday in February, 1874, was fixed as the time of holdiug the first election, which was to lie held at the school-house therein, with Walter P. Brown as judge, and Robert Foster and John Loucks as inspectors. The borough was also declared to be a separate school district. E. H. Bair, resigned from sickness. No. 2, John Wed- dle ; No. 3, H. R. Francis ; No. 4, A. T. Fleming. The number of pupils is over two hundred, and the annual cost of running the schools is $1650. ORDERS, SOCIETIES, Etc. SCOTTDALE LODGE, No. 885, I. O. 0. F., was chartered Sept. 2, 1874, with the following officers and charter members: N. G., J. M. Kelly; V. G., A. H. Brown; Sec, H. J. Shir,ey ; Asst. Sec, J. W. Whitey ; Treas., J. S. Klingeiismith. The following are the Past Grands who are yet members : J. S. Klingeiismith, E. A. Humphreys, Samuel Talham- mer, C. W. Mytinger, Hugh Wilson, J. S. Albright, David Christ, J. W. Ruth. The officers for 1882 are : N. G., John A. Husher; V. G., H. D. Leach; Sec, John S. Albright; Asst. Sec, Milton Peddicord ; Treas., J. S. Klingensmith ; Trustees, J. S. Albright, C. W. Mytinger, George Gettamy. The lodge has a membership of sixty-three, and meets every Tuesday night. FOUNTAIN LODGE, No. 443, K. OF P., was chartered May 15, 18 — , with the following char- ter members : J. V. Branthoover, David Jones, J. Prytherch, C. W. Mytinger, J. Caldwell, M. Jones, W. T. Brown, Charles Maguire, John Caldwell, Jo- seph McCullough. The officers for 1882 are : C. C, J. B. Klingensmith ; V. G, H. D. Leach ; Prel., Mil- ton Peddicord ; M. A., Desmoine Bewlby ; K. of R. and S., C. W. Mytinger; M. of F., L. Llewellyn ; M. of E., Johu Rutherford ; Trustees, Nathan Smith, J. B. Klingensmith, H. D. Leach. It meets every Fri- day evening, and has forty -seven members. SCOTTDALE CIRCLE, No. 121, BROTHERHOOD OF THE UNION, was chartered Aug. 10, 1876, with the following char- ter members : W. C. Kinney, Isaac Barnum, William Barnum, Franklin Chain, Joseph Reagan, Isaac Rob- inson, William Gorman, Daniel Kline, Robert L. Kline, James Kline, George W. Bowers, William S. Lynch. SCOTTDALE LODGE, No. 1UC3, I. O. G. T, was chartered April 8, 1878. Its first officers and charter members were: W. C. T., John F. Kaine; W. V. T., Lizzie Prytherch ; W. C. H. A. P., R. Mc- Conaughy; W. S. E. C, L. N. Eicher; W. A. S., Molly Prytherch ; W. F. S., Annie E. Eicher ; W. T. R. E. A., S. K. Hockenbury ; W. M., John Might ; W. D. M., Delia Browning; W. I. G., Jennie Crock- ett; W. O. G., David Jones, Jr. ; W. R. H. S., Lyde Jones; W. I. H. G., Maggie White; P. W. C. T., George Barkel. Members, T. B. Ivan, H. Lentz, B. F. Hubbs, David Jones. C0L. ELLSWORTH TOST, No. 209, GRAND ARMY OF THE RE- PUBLIC. This post was chartered May 26, 1881, with the fol- lowing charter members : S. L. Steinsman, John W. Thomas, J. S. Klingensmith, J. K. Eicher, Samuel Ferguson, John Connely, S. D. Altaian, Nathan 684 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Smith, Benjamin Newcomer, George Lemon, John S. Booker, David Bare, J. G. Anderson, Henry C. Es- tep, John T. Moffett, George Segor, A. B. Findley, Joseph Cox, John Might. SCOTTDALE BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION was organized April 24, 1876, with the following offi- cers : President, W. T. Brown ; Secretary, T. W. Ault ; Treasurer, P. S. Loucks ; Directors, Dr. A. J. Rogers, G. H. Everson, J. W. Kobe, 0. B. Rob- ertson, T. W. McCune, S. J. Zearley, G. B. Gray, I. M. Kelly. 1877.— President, W. T. Brown ; Secretary, T. W. Ault; Treasurer, P. 8. Loucks; Directors, T. W. McCune, J. W. Robe, S. J. Zearley, David F. Stoner, Dr. A. J. Rogers, G. H. Everson, P. 0. Hockenburg 1878.— President, W. T. Brown; Secretary, T. W. Ault; Treasurer, P. S. Loucks; Directors, J. S. Kliugensmith, Dr. A. J. Rogers, Muj. J.M. Knap, 51. S. Loucks, S. R. Eicher, P. C. Hockenbury, John Walter, David F. Stoner. 1879.— President, P. S. LouckB; Secretary, T. W. Ault; Treasurer, D. F. Stoner; Directors, John Klingensmitb, S. R. Eicher, L. N. Sisley.W. T. Brown, John Robertson, W. K. Herbert, Jacob S. Loucks. 1880.— President, P. S. Loucks; Secretary, T. W. Ault; Treasurer, John S. Parker; Directors, John Robertsou, John Rutherford, W. K. Her- bert, S. D. Aultman, John Walter, David Dick, John Klingensmitb, S. R. Eicher. 1881.— President, P. S. Loucks; Secretary, T. W. Ault; Treasurer, John P. Klingensmith; Directors, John Robertson, S. R. Eicher, T. W. Ault, W. K. Herbert, David Dick, Dr. A. J. Rogers, J. A. Barnhart, John Walter, John Rutherford. THE LECTURE ASSOCIATION. Officers for 1882 are : President, J. R. Stauffer ; Secretary and Treasurer, E. A. McConn ; Committee, E. H. Reid, George H. Everson, George H. Fulton, E. O. Humphries, J. D. Hill, Nathaniel Miles, T. F. Cummiugs. THE POST-OFFICE was established in 1873, and H. C, Hubbs appointed postmaster. The. first year the proceeds of the office netted him forty-five dollars. Before that time the office was " Fountain Mills," on the Fayette County side of Jacobs Creek. Mr. Hubbs first kept it in the " Company Store" building, and afterwards removed it to the Livengood building on the corner, where it remained until 1880, when it was changed to its pres- ent location. In 1881 he was succeeded by the pres- ent popular incumbent, J. C. Farrar, who removed to this town five years ago from Cumberland, Md. In December, 1881, it was made a Presidential office, with salary at fourteen hundred dollars per year, to take effect April 1, 1882. ADAMS EXPRESS OFFICE was established in 1873, with H. C. Hubbs as agent, who has held this position to the present time. STATION AGENT. The first depot or station was built in 1880, and opened in January following, with H. C. Hubbs as station- and ticket-agent. Previous to this there was nothing but a platform to accommodate people, who were obliged to stand exposed to the inclement weather, and that, too, iu a town named in honor of Col. Thomas A. Scott, so long the noted president of the Pennsylvania Railroad. VARIOUS BUSINESS AND MANUFACTURING IN- TERESTS. The extensive planing-mill and lumber manufac- tory of Ruth & Stoner was established in 1873 by Peter S. and Jacob S. Loucks. They operated it on a large scale until January, 1882, when Messrs. Ruth & Stoner leased it. It employs some fifteen hands in manufacturing doors, sash, joists, etc., used by them in building houses. The Loucks brothers in their nine years' business erected many of the buildings in the town. The Loucks brothers, Peter S. and Jacob S., have a large warehouse, in which they store grain, seeds, wool, etc., in the buying and selling of which they are extensively engaged. In 1878, Zearley & Pool erected a planing-mill and lumber establishment, which E. H. Reid purchased and operated after them. It is now conducted by John H. Seivers, lessee of the property of Mr. Reid, and is situated on Broadway, one square from Pitts- burgh Street. It employs some twenty hands, and procures its lumber from the West and Northern Pennsylvania. Since its erection, four years ago, it has built many buildings in the place. The largest store here is that of E. H. Reid, formerly owned by the Furnace Company, of whom Mr. Reid purchased some years since. He is an old merchant, having been in business nearly fifteen years at Broad Ford. Another large dry-goods store, etc., is that of J. S. Parker, successors of Parker & Smith, who started the second store in the place. There are two large hotels, and every kind of industry is well represented. There are no licensed places for the sale of spirituous or malt liquors iu less quantities than the gallon or keg. The private banking-house of J. S. Stauffer and P. S. Loucks, doing business as the Scottdale Bank, has just (1882) been established in the borough. It pro- poses doing a general banking business, receiving de- posits and making discounts. John M. Stauffer is cashier. The bank is located in Loucks' Block, a new building, on Pittsburgh Street. STONERSVILLE. This town, a station on the South Penn Railroad, is on parts of the old tracts of land owned by Matthias Camp and Henry Fox. In 1800, when there was no building on the site of the present town, the Mennon- ite Church congregation purchased of Mr. Camp an acre and a half of ground, on which the same year they erected a log meeting-house, a school-house, and laid out a graveyard. This was the first start of the place. Shortly afterwards Christian Stoner erected a saw-mill, carding-machine, and fulling-mill on land purchased of Joseph Fulkerth. He also put up a cabinet-maker's shop and made coffins, being the first undertaker in the township. Next was the erection of a log house on the old State road, on the Fulkerth land, east of the railroad, which was built along here in 1872. The opening of the railroad was the be- EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 685 ginning of the place, which before was hardly a hamlet. That year Hurst, Stoner & Co., composed of Braden Hurst, B. B. Stoner, Mr. Shaw, and W. B. Neal, established their coke-works, now having seventy ovens. They laid out thirty lots along the State road. Their firm is the same now, but the partners are Braden Hurst, with Messrs. Rafferty and McClure. The next year S. Warden & Co. opened their coke- works and built twenty company buildings for their workmen. This company (three-fourths of whose stock is now owned by the Southwest Coal Com- pany) have at present seventy-two ovens. The first physician here was the present practitioner, Dr. J. E. Rigg, who located in 1875. The State road, from Mount Pleasant to Smith's Ferry, passed by its site, and on it a mile west of Stonersville a Mr. Keggy kept tavern several years before 1800, when Rev. David Funk purchased the place. The post-ofiSce was established June 1, 1877, and Braden Hurst ap- pointed postmaster, who still holds the office. The present stores are kept by J. J. Hurst & Co. and Wil- liam A. Byers, and the grocery by E. H. Trout. THE SCHOOLS. The first school-house was a little rude log hut. It was torn down, and the second one erected, a small brick structure, in 1830. In this house the first teacher was a Mr. Lutis, an educated sea-captain from Germany. It being too small a new one was built (brick) in 1850, which was replaced in 1876 by the fourth and present one, a fine two-story building, with two rooms. The four school-houses were on four different lots, two located north of the State road and two south. The present teachers are W. E. and E. Loucks, both experienced educators and sons of the late Rev. Peter Loucks. SHOUP'S MILL, an extensive steam flouring-mill, a frame building, three stories in height, is the first grist-mill erected here, and was built in 1881 by its proprietors, P. L. and J. B. Shoup, descendants of an old family, early settled in the township. KEAGANTOWN is a hamlet in the western part of the township, whose vicinity was early settled by the Suters, Smiths, Sny- ders, Lowes, McCurdys, Henkstellers, Reagans (from whom it took its name), Fosters. Here was the " Har- mony" Presbyterian Church, erected in 1840, and the place of attendance on church worship by that denom- ination for miles around until 1879, when the congre- gation was absorbed into the Scottdale Church. Two miles south of it is the Wesleyan Chapel, near which the old families of Hixons, Espeys, Felgars, Stein- mans, Houghs, Foxes, Kellys, Durstines, Hutchin- sous, and Fretts reside. HUNKER STATION is on the railroad just below the Hempfield township line, and is quite a shipping point. 44 " McKean'g Old Stand?' is in the northwest part of the township, in a neighborhood early settled by the Nulls, Ruffs, Lowes, Bryans, Reagers, and Kellys. THE SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD traverses the entire length of the township, and has been the means of adding largely to its wealth and population, and has stations at every necessary point to accommodate the rich mineral and agricultural productions produced in its limits. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. THE OVERHOLT FAMILY (WEST OVERTON). In 1800, Abraham Overholt came from Bucks County, where his ancestors had settled half a century before, and located where is now the village of West Overton. His wife was a Staufter, by whom the fol- lowing children were born : Henry, Jacob, Abraham, Martin, Christian S., John, died young, Annie, mar- ried to John Tintsman, and Elizabeth, married to John W. Frick. I. Of these, Henry's children were: 1, Sarah A., married to A. S. R. Overholt ; 2, Benjamin F. ; 3, Maria; 4, Abbie C. ; 5, Abraham; 6, Henry C. ; 7, Jennie O, married to Nathaniel Miles. II. Jacob's children were : 1, Maria ; 2, Elizabeth ; 3, Abraham; 4, Isaac; 5, Mary Ann; 6, Fenton ; 7, Christopher; 8, Jacob Webster ; 9, Emma Fox. III. Abraham's children were : ], George; 2, John; 3, Norman ; 4, Mary. IV. Martin's children were: 1, Hudson; 2, James; 3, Henry ; 4, Elizabeth, married to Mr. Richey ; 5, Ida. V. Annie Tintsman's children were: 1, Jacob O. Tintsman ; 2, A. O. Tintsman, a coal king of Pitts- burgh ; 3, Henry O. Tintsman, of Mount Pleasant ; 4, John, died in late war in the army ; 5, Annie, mar- ried to Loren Leassure; 6, Emma, married to Dr. Kline, of Greensburg. VI. Elizabeth Frick's children were : 1, Maria, mar- ried to J. S. R. Overholt; 2, H. Clay Frick, a coal prince of Pittsburgh ; 3, Annie, married to Mr. Braddock, merchant of Mount Pleasant; 4, Aaron ; 5, Edgar; 6, Sallie. VI. Christian S. Overholt's children were: 1, Alice Carey ; 2, Charles ; 3, Elmore ; 4, Mary, married to George McKean ; 5, Annie ; 6, William. Jacob Overholt was a brother of Abraham, and came here from Bucks County about the time of the latter's arrival, and located midway between Scottdale and West Overton. He was a noted veterinary sur- geon in his day. He married Elizabeth Detwiler, by whom were born the following children : John D., Henry D., Annie, married to Abraham Sherrick, Jacob, Susan, married to Christian Staufter. and 1 Martin. 686 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Of these the eldest, John D., married Elizabeth, daughter of Christian Stauffer, by whom the follow- ing children were born : Agnes, married to Abraham Bechtell; Jacob; Ann, married to Alexander 11. Boyd; Elizabeth, Christian, John, and Aaron S. K., the last two being twins and the youngest. Abraham Overholt established a small still on his farm in 1810, which used only a bushel and a half of grain per day. Before 1859 it had been enlarged, but in that year the firm of A. & H. Overholt erected on the same site the present distillery. It is a brick structure, six stories in height, one hundred by sixty feet, with capacity for two hundred and fifty bush sis daily. On the first addition, about 1830, to the estab- lishment a flouring-mill was added and steam-power introduced. Both corn and rye whiskey are made, and the superiority of its brands of flour and whiskey has given the mills a great celebrity. They are now operated by A. C. Overholt & Co., who have oue hundred and thirty coke-ovens just north of the vil- lage, of which sixty-two were started in 1873, and the others in 1878. These give employmeut to over a hundred men, and produce one hundred and eighty tons of coke daily. With the distillery is connected a large farm, on which is the elegant brick mansion in which A. S. R. Overholt resides, and which was built in 1838 by Abraham Overholt. The post-office was established in 1850, and since 1866 A. R. S. Overholt has been postmaster, his predecessor being Jacob O. Tintsman. The village was laid out and built by Abraham and Henry Overholt, and grew up settled by their employes. The first store was kept by Christian 3. Overholt & Co., and the present one by A. C. Overholt & Co. The village is prettily lo- cated in a rich agricultural and coal region, and many of its residences are fine brick structures. This place owes its existence to the Overholt family, who early settled in and around it, and where their descendants are still very numerous, being intermarried with many of the neighboring families. THE STONER FAMILY. The ancestor of the Stoner family in this county came from Switzerland in the middle of the last cen- tury, landed at Philadelphia, and settled in Chester County. He subsequently removed to Morrison's Cove, in Bedford County. His son Christian, born in Chester County, came to East Huntingdon town- ship in 1799 from Bedford County, where he had lived several years. Here, near Stonersville, he pur- chased five hundred acres of land, now in four farms. Tobias Landis now lives on the old Stoner homestead, the other three parts being owned by the grandsons of Christian, viz.: Adam Stoner, Christian Stoner, and Solomon B. Stoner, there being a few small sub- divisions besides. He died in 1814, and his wife, Barbara, in 1816. Of his land when he came one hundred acres had beeu put in cultivation by previous owners, and had a cabin on it, the remainder being in woods. His neighbors were Abraham Ruth on the west, George Muman on southeast, and Rev. David Funk on the east. Abraham's children were John, Abraham, Barbara, married to John Werts, Elizabeth, married to Christian Sherrick, Christian, Jacob, Daniel (the first born in this county, the others having been born before their parents' arrival here), Heiirv, Anna, married to John Rudabaugh, and David. Of these the eldest, John, was born in June, 1787, and was married Oct. 11, 1811, to Magdalena Fox, daughter of Henry Fox. He died Aug 7, 1868, and his wife April 21, 1858, in her sixty-eighth year. Their children were Elizabeth, born 1S14, and mar- ried to David Funk, grandson of the Mennonite preacher; Henry W., born 1816; John H., born 1818; Mary, born 1821, and married to David Funk ; she dying he married her sister Elizabeth ; Jacob F., born 1823: Adam, born 1826; Christian F., born 1828 ; Anna, born 1830, and married to David Landis ; and Magdalena, born 1833, and married to Rev. Reu- ben H. Bolton. The locality settled by the Stoner family was early called "the Stoner settlement," and the name of Stonerville was given to the village (now a thriving town) in recognition of this family, so prominent in this region since 1799. Leuffer Station is on the land of Henry W. Stoner. THE FOX FAMILY. Henry Fox was born in Chester County in 1745, and early (in 1797) settled in this township, two and a half miles west of Mount Pleasant, and near the Stoners. He had two sons and several daughters. Mr. Fox's selection of land, over three hundred acres, was ever considered the finest of the early purchases, being the clearest from the hollows and runs. His daughter Magdalena married John Stoner, and was the mother of the well-known citizen, Henry W. Stoner. Mr. Fox died July 25, 1824, aged seventy- nine years, and his wife, Mary, Aug. 30, 1834, aged eighty. THE DILLINGER FAMILY.— BETHANY STATION. Daniel Dillinger was born, Aug. 6, 1787, in the east part of the State, and came to this county at an early period, settling at Bethany, on the farm now owned by his son Samuel, and occupied by Moses Hickson. He died Feb. 9, 1845, aged fifty-seven years, and his wife (Mary Myers) June 19. 1871, aged eighty-one. She was born in Lancaster County. Their children were Daniel, Christian, Joseph, Jacob, Samuel, Daniel, Abraham, Elizabeth, married to Alexander Myers ; Sarah, to Michael Sheetz ; and Mary, first to John McCollum, and afterwards to John Billheimer. ( (f these Samuel Dillinger was horn Oct. 28, 1810, and married Sarah Loucks, born in 1808. He moved to his home farm in 1832, before which, after his mar- ,£/?0 EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 687 riagc, he lived near Seottdale. Their children were : Annie, married to Joseph Hickson, and deceased; Mary, married to Abraham Sherrick ; Catharine, married to Moses Hickson ; Sarah, married to J. 0. Fox ; John L., married to Mary Mclntyre : Elizabeth, married to C. T. Hanna; Eliza, married to A. A. Hasson ; Daniel' L. ; Samuel, married to Katie Hutch- inson. About 1830, Samuel Dillinger started a small still on his farm in 1851, and in 1853 erected a frame distillery at Old Bethany (West Bethany post-office), to which in 1856 he added a grist-mill, which was operated until 1881, when destroyed by tire. The same Mr. Dillinger, with his two sons, Daniel L. and Samuel, erected a new three-story frame distillery at Bethany Station, and began distilling in March, 1882. The firm of S. Dillinger it Sons manufacture pure rye whiskey, the only rye distillery now in operation in the township. It has a capacity for two hundred bushels a day. Its market is Pittsburgh and the East. All its grain is purchased in the West. Mr. Dillinger owns nearly a thousand acres of land in the township, half of which is full of undeveloped coal. They have at Tarr's Station sixty-fourcoke-ovens, and fifty-one at Havvkeye Station. The former were erected in 1879, and the latter in 1871. This firm does a very extensive business in its distillery, coke- ovens, and flour trade. Bethany Station is a growing village that arose nearly three years ago on the Dillingers establishing their coke-ovens, and is fast increasing in popula- tion and business. It lies a mile and a half northeast of Old Bethany and a mile northwest of Tarr's Station. The Dillinger family is excelled by no other in the northern part of the township in amount of business done, and has ever been specially active in the cause of education, several of the best school-houses being built through the persistent energy of Samuel Dillin- ger, Sr. He was one of the projectors of the South Penn Railroad in 1870 and 1871, at which time he and his sons had seventy coke-ovens in Fayette County, at Pennsville, now owned by A. O. Tinstman, who pur- chased them in 1881. They employ at their two coke- works over a hundred men. James R. ; Gasper; Margaret, married to John Hus- band; Matilda, married to Robert Neal; Henry; Paoli; and Samuel, who died in his twenty-second year. Of these, the venerable John Bal.ser Tarr was born Oct. 9, 1799. He attended several terms of the neighbor- hood subscription school, three-fourths of a mile from hi- father's, taught by John Selby. He was married in 1827 to Harriet Reagan, who died some ten years ago. He moved to his present farm in 1835. He served twenty-two years as magistrate, having first been appointed under the old constitution by the Governor, and several times elected -by the people. His father, Gasper Tarr, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and helped to build Reid's Station, on the Alle- gheny River, above Kittanning. Among the neigh- bors of his grandfather, in the early settlement of this region, were Jacob Gardner, Henry Loucks, Melchior Sherbondy, Matthias Camp, and Mark Leighty. Tarr's Station was named after James R. Tarr, who owned the land on which it is located. Here are the extensive coke-works of Peter Tarr, embracing eighty ovens, also the one hundred and thirty-eight coke- ovens of the Southwest Coal and Coke Company (Frick & Co., proprietors), which succeeded Stoner (Joseph), Hitchman & Co. It is a corporation which owns eleven hundred acres of coal land, em- ploys over two hundred men, and has fifty dwellings for its workmen. It has another opening at Stoners- ville. Since the building of the South Pennsylvania Railroad in 1872 all of its engines have been coaled here. One of the most active of its business men, who has very largely contributed to the development of the place, is Joseph Stoner, who has lately retired from the coke and mercantile business, and is now devoting his time to the Mount Pleasant Bank, of wdiich he is a fourth proprietor. The Robbstown and Mount Pleasant turnpike was completed in 1821, and was chartered in 1819. The managers from this region were Gasper Tarr, John Stoner, and Henry Null. The majority of its stock is now held by Henry H. Null, of Greensburg, but John B. Tarr is ite secre- tary and treasurer. THE TARR FAMILY.— TARR STATION. About 1794, John B. Tarr, whose father was an em- igrant from Germany before 1760, came from near Elli- cott's Mills, Md., and settled where Henry W. Stoner now resides. In this part of the township he purchased several hundred acres of land. His children were Henry, Peter, Christian, Daniel, and Gasper. Of these, Christian Tarr was a senator and representative in the State Legislature from Fayette County, and a member of Congress. Gasper married Ann Reid, of Lancaster County, and lived in the brick house where his son Henry's son now resides. His children were Catherine, married to Paoli Shepherd; Frederick; Esther, married to George Sherbondy ; John Balser; THE LOUCKS FAMILY in this county is descended from an ancestor who emigrated from Germany in 1759 and settled in Bucks County. From him sprang a grandson, Peter Loucks, who removed in 1800 and settled first just across Jacobs Creek in Fayette County, on a farm where now is McClure & Co.'s coke-works. Here he remained a year. He then purchased eighty acres of land, now a part of his grandson's (Peter S. Loucks) place, of John Hugus, with a cabin on it, into which he moved. Two years later he bought another eighty- acre tract, included in the present town of Seottdale, of a Mr. Galloway. At that time an old house, stable, and blacksmith-shop were on this place, all standing on the site of the Methodist Episcopal Church lot. 688 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. He had married in Bucks County Anna Overholt, by whom there were born the following children : Henry, Catharine, Jacob, Mary, and Martin, and those born after their arrival here were Sarah, married to Sam- uel Dillinger, John, Nancy, died young, and Peter, the latter living in Indiana. The original emigrant Loucks died about 1S25, and his widow subsequently married Martin Stauffer. Rev. Martin Loucks, who was only a year old when his parents came here, was born in 1798, and married Nancy Stauffer. He was a well-known Mennonite preacher, and preached at the old church in Stoners- ville. He died Nov. 7, 1869, aged seventy years, and his widow resides with her son, Peter S. Their chil- dren were Elizabeth, married to David F. Stoner and deceased ; Jacob, Anna, Catherine, Abraham, Peter Stauffer, and John. In old times the nearest school- house to the Loucks place was on the Overton farm, a mile distant, and was a stone structure, octagon- shaped. The old Peter Loucks homestead of eighty acres is now included in the limits of Scottdale bor- ough. John, second child of Peter Loucks, born here after his arrival from Bucks County, was the father of the late P. Loucks, who became an eminent minister of the Church of God denomination. The latter married the youngest daughter of John Fox, who moved to Westmoreland County when there was but one house where the town of Mount Pleasant now stands. Her mother, Frederica Carolina Sherbus, was from the canton of Kircheimlanden, Switzer- land, and married Mr. John Fox in 1820. She died May 23, 1876, aged seventy-eight. Rev. P. Loucks had five children, two of whom, W. E. and E., are the teachers of the Stonersville schools. Peter Loucks, the first of the name in the county, died July 10, 1825, aged sixty-four years, and his wife, Anna (Overholt), March 15, 1845, in her sev- enty-fifth year. SAMUEL DILLINGER. In the early part of the present century Samuel Dillinger, of whose family a genealogical sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this volume, began his life-work, with no capital save a strong body, a stout heart, and willing hands. To any one who gazes upon his broad acres and busy manufacturing establishments to-day his success is manifest. Indeed, no one embodying his characteristics could fail. Owing to the fact that it was necessary for him to devote his youthful days to manual labor, his early education was very limited. This deficiency he supplied by diligent study during the spare moments of after-years. His business edu- cation is of the very best, and was obtained from the business world by careful study of business men. While he has labored diligently to promote his in- dividual interests, he has not been unmindful of his duties as a citizen. He has always taken a proper interest in politics, and has held the local offices usually intrusted to business men. The free-school system has ever found in him a true friend and liberal supporter. He has always taken an active interest in whatever contributed to increase the industries or develop the resources of the country. Benevolent and hospitable, the poor have always resorted to him confidently in their time of need. His life has been one of usefulness, and commands the respect of those who know him. Although he has passed the allotted time of threescore and ten years, he is still vigorous in health, and enjoys the results of his years of toil, having committed the management of his large business interest to his sons. May 19, 1881, he and his wife, Sarah (Loucks) Dillinger, who has contributed so largely to her hus- band's success by saving his earnings and making his home comfortable and happy, celebrated their golden wedding. Here were assembled their children and numerous grandchildren, together with the few who remain of the happy comjjany which met more than half a century ago to bid them Godspeed through their wedded life. Both Mr. Dillinger and his wife possess many of the virtues of the sturdy race from which they sprang. ABRAHAM OVERHOLT AND HENRY S. OVERHOLT. The late Abraham Overholt, the immediate pro- genitor of the large family bearing his name in West- moreland County, and who made that name a house- hold word, not only in Western Pennsylvania but in al- most every region of the country, was descended from the immigrant Martin Overholt, who came to America from Germany some time early in the eighteenth century and settled in Bucks County, Pa., where he died in his thirty-seventh year, leaving a family of children, one of whom was Henry Overholt, who married a Miss Anna Beitler, by whom he had twelve children, all of whom were born in Bucks County, and who came with their parents from that county to Westmoreland County in the year 1800. At that time several of the children were married. Of the married the 'daughters bore the names of Loucks, Fretts, and Stauffer. The family, with its married accessions, " colonized" on a tract of land then wild, but since long known as the Overholt homestead, in West Overton. The next to the youngest of the family was Abraham Overholt, with whose name this sketch opens. He was at that time in his seven- teenth year, and had learned the domestic weaver's trade in Bucks County, and while his brothers cleared the land he wrought at the loom for the family and the wide-about neighborhood. Mr. Overholt prose- cuted his trade continuously till about 1810, when he and his younger brother, Christian, purchased a special interest in the homestead farm, and after a couple of years' co-partnership with his brother in farming he bought out the latter's interest (com- prising one hundred and fifty acres), at fifty dollars y^fc^T 1 EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 689 an acre, a price then regarded high. This purchase included a log distillery having the capacity of three or four bushels of grain per day only. At that time nearly every farm in the neighborhood possessed its private distillery. Mr. Overholt soon after the pur- chase built a stone distillery, which had a capacity of from forty to fifty bushels per day, but he had no mill, and got his grain chopped on Jacobs Creek, in what is now Scottdale, and at Bridgeport. The haul- ing of the " chop" from those places to the distillery was principally done by cattle, driven by Mr. Over- holt's younger sons, in whose minds dwell vivid memories of those slow and dreaded days, when the cattle were likely to " stall" at various points along the road. About 1834, Mr. Overholt built a brick flouring-mill, and thereafter did his own chopping for the distillery. This mill and the distillery above mentioned were kept running till 1859, when both were taken down, and on their site was erected a large structure, comprising mill and distillery, and in dimensions a hundred feet in length, sixty-three feet in width, and six stories in height. The capacity of the distillery is two hundred bushels a day, that of the mill fifty barrels of flour. A short time before the erection of the new building, Mr. Henry S. Over- holt, the oldest child of Abraham Overholt, pur- chased a half-interest in his father's farm and flour- ing and distilling business, and with him conducted the same till Jan. 15, 1870, when Abraham Overholt died, and on the 18th of June in the same year, and after a short illness, Henry followed his father to the grave. During the period of his partnership with his father, in fact, for ten years before the partnership was entered into, Mr. Henry S. Overholt conducted the business of the mill and distillery, the elder Overholt generally supervising. It should be here noted that Abraham Overholt was the first discoverer of coal in this portion of Westmoreland County, and commenced to use it before others made use of it. Prior to its discovery coal was brought from the other sides of the mountains to the blacksmith-shops of the region, and which it was found stood over the finest strata of coal. Mr. Overholt used to exhibit his coal-mines in an early day as a curiosity to visit- ing strangers from the East. Mr. Abraham Overholt as a business man was dis- tinguished for the order with which he conducted all his affairs, for his firmness and decision, for prompt- ness, great energy, and punctuality. He was never known to disappoint a creditor seeking payment, was gentle to his employes, and straightforward in all his dealings. As a citizen he was what his character as a business man would indicate. He was public- spirited, and was one of the earliest and most earnest advocates of the present common-school system of the State. In politics he was ardent. During Jackson's latter term as President he was a " Jackson man," but opposed Van Buren, and became an old-line Whig, and continued such till the advent of the Re- publican party, when he naturally united with it, and took extreme interest in its welfare. He was a warm Lincoln man, and during the late war was deeply aroused over the affairs of the country. Be- ing then nearly eighty years of age, he nevertheless visited the seat of war twice, in his anxiety over the state of the country and to encourage soldiers in the field with whom he was personally acquainted. Mr. Henry S. Overholt, who was born Aug. 10, 1810, and who was at the time of his death in his sixtieth year, possessed many of the characteristics of his father. He was considered one of the best busi- ness men in Western Pennsylvania. A marked pe- culiarity of this gentleman was his reticence as to his own affairs, and which he preserved in such manner that they who were curious and inquisitive, and deemed that they had some light at the beginning of impertinent investigations, were sure to find in the end that they then knew nothing. Socially he was not garrulous, and though quiet was very popular, and much beloved by all who knew him. His life was eminently moral from boyhood to the day of his death. In 1809, Abraham Overholt married Maria Staufl'er, daughter of the Rev. John Staufl'er and Elizabeth, his wife. Feb. 10, 1846, Mr. Henry S. Overholt was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Carpenter, born March 13, 1824, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary Sarver Carpenter, of Versailles township, Alle- gheny Co., Pa. Mrs. Abigail Overholt survives her husband, and resides in the village of West Overton. She is the mother of seven children, — Sarah A. Overholt, inter- married with Aaron S. R. Overholt (not a blood re- lative of hers), Benjamin F., Maria Carpenter, Abi- gail O, Abraham O, Henry O, and Jennie O, the wife of Nathaniel Miles, a native of Pittsburgh. The record of the children of Abraham Overholt will be found under the heading, " The Overholt Family," in another part of this volume. JACOB S. OVERHOLT. The late Jacob S. Overholt, of Emma Mines, East Huntingdon township, and who died April 20, 1859, was the second son and third child of Abraham Over- holt, and was born at West Overton, Oct. 18, 1814. He was reared upon the homestead farm, and was ed- ucated in the common schools, and while young, though somewhat employed upon the farm, was also engaged in his father's distillery, learning the busi- ness of distilling, in which the elder Overholt had peculiar skill, and in which Jacob soon became so proficient that he and his elder brother, Henry S., were practically intrusted by their father with the management of the business at an early age. At the time when Jacob entered the distillery the business was comparatively small ; but the close attention, 690 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. prudence, and activity of the young Jacob, with his brother, pushed it forward with gradual and safe progress, so that at the time he arrived at thirty years of age the business of the distillery, with that of a flouring-mill, both in the same building, had reached large proportions. The brothers continued for sev- eral years to conduct a prosperous business at West Overton, and in 1855 Jacob amicably dissolved busi- ness with his brother and removed to Broad Ford, Fayette Co., where he took into partnership with him- self his cousin, Henry O. Overholt, and there estab- lished a saw-mill, mainly for supplying the firm with materials with which to build up a then prospective village and a distillery, which in time became the most famous of the Overholt distilleries. The old distillery has since been pulled down, a largerone having taken its place since the death of Mr. Overholt. Under the immediate oversight of Jacob Overholt, the locality of Broad Ford, containing three dwellings when he first went there, shortly grew into a busy village. Mr. Overholt paid strict personal attention to his large business until his last illness. He was a man of great energy and business activity and integrity, and in the expressive language of one who knew him well, " he was everybody's friend." He was noted for his charity, never allowing the needy to go unserved by his door. Dec. 29, 1836, Mr. Overholt was united in marriage with Miss Mary Fox, daughter of Christian and Eliz- abeth Funk Fox, who resided near Stonerville, in East Huntingdon township. Mrs. Mary Fox Overholt was born Dec. 6, 1816, and resides on the farm pur- chased by her husband the year after their marriage, and then called Emma Mines, and on which spot were born most of her children, nine in number, all but one living, and whose names are Maria F., Elizabeth F. (deceased), Abraham F., Isaac F., Mary Ann, Fenton ('., Christian F., Jacob Webster, and Emma F. OLIVER BOVAKD ROBERTSON. Mr. Robertson was born in South Huntingdon town- ship, Jan. 16, 1839. He was brought up on the farm and elsewhere until eighteen years of age, and in youth attended school in the " Old Gate School- House," but had no particular affection for his teachers, and was a truant boy who loved to roam the hills, generally alone, and does not regret that he was a romj) and escaped often as he did from what was to him a prison-house, that old school-house. From seven years of age on he often accompanied his father when going about the country engaged in the stock business, and thus his school-days were interrupted, and he was unable to keep along steadily with his classes, and was consequently discouraged. To this fact Mr. Robertson attributes in a measure his early desire for playing truant, which grew upon him, and he was only occasionally in the school-house up to eighteen years of age, when he "graduated" himself under a chestnut-tree on Painter's Hill, and started off (running away) to see honors in a higher school, that of the business world. He first hired out to a farmer, his uncle, Andrew Robertson, then an old bachelor, and proceeded to do the first real work he had then ever done. He found the plow and the hoe and the cattle and team-horses more congenial to his tastes than the teachers and the "picture-books" (geographies, etc.), which they understood little and he less. But his first bliss was short-lived. An old maid kept house for his uncle; he "did not like her much," and one night when his uncle was off courting, and Oliver was away a little late, she locked him out. The night was too cold to allow him to sleep comfort- ably in the oat-straw in a barn, and so he danced most of the night to keep warm. He " graduated" from this school the next morning, leaving his uncle's house, and "took a contract" for rooting up bushes for Col. Painter, of Hempfield township, for ten dol- lars; but a day's work demonstrated to him that his education there would cost him at least a hundred dol- lars, and he "graduated" thence the next day: but finally his uncle sought him and apprised him that the old maid would stay with him only a month, after which time the uncle married, and O. B. went to live with him, and remained with him two years and four months, doing good service as a farmer. He then went to work hauling coal for Painter's salt-works for ten dollars a month and personal board and horse- feed. He then felt rich, "and was, too." Three months at this business made him rich enough, and he then went to learn barn-building of one Jacob Pore, of his township, and stayed with him a year at seven dollars a month, "board and horse fed," and then took Pore into partnership for a year, and next year went to contracting alone in house-building and hired Pore. Pore worked a month, ami O. I'.. not being suited with him "turned him off," and Pore " went to farming' and peeling willows." O. B. ami he "are now and always have been the best of friends." About this time the Rebellion had come along, and was proceeding pretty briskly, when O. B. enlisted in the State service for three months in a cavalry regi- ment, furnishing his own horse, whiskey, and chickens. He "graduated" at this business at the end of the term, bearing oil' honors as a soldier, and the affection of his comrades as a good fellow more given to fun than blood. He returned to contracting in house-building for a year, and feeling that his country could not get along without his services in the field, exchanged the chisel and plane for a gun and bayonet, and started off with Company G, One Hundred and Third Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, down into South Caro- lina, where he had plenty of fun and whiskey and no fighting, except for rations (the war closing up soon after he got into the field). Nearly all the regiment took sick of fever and ague in the South. Some died JfoJ £)oc*&r€f- EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP 691 on the way home. ( >. II. was left in South Carolina in charge of the sick, and remained there with them a few days, and then brought them to Harrisburg; and soon after the regiment was mustered out, and < i. B. "graduated" forever as a soldier. He returned to his native hills, and went to house-building again. In 1866 he bought a farm and went to tilling it; found the farm lonesome, and in a month hired help, put them in charge of the farm, and went himself to contracting, " graduating" then from personal farm- ing. His farm ran on in charge of his men for four years, at the end of which he sold it, making " a gi thing of it." Meanwhile he prosecuted house-build- ing, how successfully is nobody's business. A fter cell- ing his farm he rented another for two years, and put his family and stock on it, and continued building, too. At the end of the two years he sold his stock, but kept his family and two teams of horses and a spotted coach dog (" a good one, which he bought for ten cents when he was a puppy''), and moved into the ancient locality of Fountain Mills, then a deso- late place, containing a grist-mill and a couple of little houses, now the flourishing borough of Scott- dale. A rolling-mill ami a blast-furnace were at that time in process of building within the limits of the present Scottdale, and tenant-house-builders were in requisition. 0. B. contracted, and continued to contract till the spring of 1881, when he "gradu- ated" at contracting in house-building, saving to himself for his labor four good tenant-houses and his private residence, with sundry lots paid for to put more houses on, and a drug-store, a dry-goods store, and other unmentionable properties, to say nothing of the best team of bay draught horses in town. In 1881, feeling inclined to take a rest, he went into the butchering business, thinking he could thereby easily be of great service to his fellow-citizens; but he finds it the hardest business he ever worked at, both for his back and his pantaloons, which are constantly torn in their legs, and he is "right in that business now," and docs not know whether he will quit it or not before he gets all his money scattered out. When that times comes he proposes to quit and go to col- lecting. 0. B. was one of the primeval fathers of the borough of Scottdale, helping to organize the same. He was street commissioner the first year, but the people complained of mud in wet weather and dust in dry, and at the end of the year he ceased to be a candidate for further honors in that line. He was for one term a member of the Common Council, but next year sought retirement, and found it in the will of the people. The next year he was not made a burgess, though his fellow-citizens " ran" him for the office which that character is supposed to "fill" in boroughs, some of them forgetting, however, to go to the polls and vote for him ; they even voted for another, who bore the honors of the office, to the relief of the grateful O. B. 0. B. is in polities a Democrat, and always has been, being the only one of hi^ family of that faith. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and an elder of the church. In this matter be agrees with his family. When the church was organized in Scottdale, in 1874, there were but fifteen organizing members, about evenly divided as to sex. He was at the time of the organization of the church elected elder, and held the office for three years, as well as that of trustee, secretary, and treasurer of the church, and was never charged with defalcation or other peculiar misde- meanors in his church life. In 1863, just before going to the tented field, it occurred to ( ). B. that he better bring a five years' courtship to a close, and he married Miss Mary A. Mitchell, then a full orphan, a daughter of the late James and Margaret Martin Mitchell, of South Huntingdon township. She died in 1873, leaving three children, — Harry Ross, Nettie Bell, and Hazel James, — all now living, Nettie being the wife of Dr. B. R. Mitchell, whom she married at the age of fourteen. Harry is a graduate of the School of Pharmacy, at Pittsburgh, and is in the drug ami med- icine business in Scottdale. Hazel is going to school, and though but twelve years old enjoys sharing with his retired father the burdens of cattle-driving for Pittsburgh, riding bis Texan pony, which he would not part with for all Scottdale. In 1876, Mr. Robertson married Miss Anna Linda Livingstone, of Allegheny County. By her he has had two children, one of w"hom, John, is living. 0. B., who never allows anything to bother him, consid- ered himself always happy in matrimonial relations, and is apparently destined to enjoy a lengthened old age after he arrives at it. We must not forget to note here for the integ- rity of history that Mr. O. B. Robertson is probably Scotch, but perhaps of English, descent. His grandfather, who used to keep a hotel on his farm of about eight hundred acres in South Huntingdon township, and was familiarly known as "Old Johnny Robertson," came into Westmoreland County from east of the mountains, and, so far as known, brought no record of his ancestry with him, if he had any. He married a Miss Joanna Jack for his first wife, and by her bad seven children. She dying he married a Mi- Nichols. Losing the latter he married a third, a Miss Harriet Jewett, of Ohio. She is now living in Pittsburgh, and after the death of Mr. Robertson, wdiich occurred about 1852, she married again. The children of Mr. John Robertson by his first wife were named John (deceased), Andrew. Joseph, William, Thomas d . Sarah deceased:, and Eleanor [deceased . O. B. Robertson is the sou of Joseph Robertson, who is the only one of the sons of John Robertson who has been the father of male children. His mother, who died about 1858, was a Miss Isabella Bovard before her marriage, a daughter of Oliver 692 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Bovard, of South Huntingdon township. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Robertson were the parents of eight children who grew to manhood and womanhood, and six of whom are living, — Joanna J.; O. B. ; John; Eleanor (deceased i ; Margaret (deceased); Thomas; Andrew, and Isabella. DR. NICHOLAS L. K. KLINE. Dr. Nicholas L. K. Kline, surgeon dentist of Scott- dale, is a son of the late John Kline, of Penn town- ship, and was born Nov. 1, 1836, and is of German descent. A record of his ancestry in this country for several generations may be found in the interesting biographical sketch of W. J. K. Kline, M.D., in the Greensburg chapter of biographies in this volume. Dr. Kline was brought up on the homestead farm, and was educated in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen years made a trip at coal-boating from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, after which he en- tered Leechburg Academy, in Armstrong County, which institution he attended in summer sessions. In the winter he Caught school in his native town- ship, commencing his career as a school-teacher in 1857. He followed school-teaching for four years. In 1861-62, Dr. Kline was occupied in the oil regions in Venango County, Pa., in company with his brother, now Dr. Kline, of Greensburg, operating in oil. Re- turning from the oil regions he went to the study of dentistry in the office of the late Dr. A. E. Fisher, of Greensburg, where lie remained for about two years, and then located at Irwin Station for the practice of his profession. When the doctor settled at Irwin it contained only ten houses, but the enterprise of the doctor and others so improved it that in a few years it was incorporated as a borough, the doctor being one of the incorporators. Iu 1867 he, in company with his brother Amos, established there a drug-store, which, together with his dental business, he con- ducted for some years. Finally he sold his interest in the drug-store, and after remaining a year longer at Irwin moved to Scottdale, August, 1873, where he still resides, practicing dentistry, and enjoying a good practice. He is devoted to his profession, and con- scientious in his work as well as skillful. Those once employing him remain his friends, and re-employ him on occasion. As an evidence of his sedulous industry it may be mentioned that he has without assistance manufactured over three thousand sets of teeth aside from all his other professional work. When he set- tled at Scottdale that now nourishing borough was a new place, almost as fresh and youthful in appearance as a Western city on the prairie when just staked out and boasting only the cabins of the first wagon-load of " colonists." Scottdale at that time had but five dwelling-houses. The building of the rolling-mill had just commenced. Dr. Kline was one of the in- corporators of the borough, and soon after its incor- poration was elected the first justice of the peace of the place. He served as such for five years and two months. He has always taken an interest in the im- provement of the borough, and has been one of the Council. Dr. Kline is a member and elder of the Reformed Church, and was one of the eleven found- ers of the church in Scottdale, and together with his wife, who for about seven years prior to the present has been the organist thereof, lias taken an active in- terest in its growth and maintenance. Jan. 17, 1865, Dr. Kline married Miss Elizabeth Boice, of Greensburg, whose maternal great-grand- father, Richard Hardin, was an Englishman by birth, but a soldier on the side of the colonies in the Revolutionary war. Her grandfather, also Richard Hardin, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Boice were the parents of nine children. Mr. Boice died in 1843 at the age of thirty-six years. Some years after his death his widow married Mr. Joseph Walter, of Greensburg, who is now dead. Mrs. Walter is living in Greensburg, and is seventy years of age. JOHN STERRETT, ESQ. Mr. John Sterrett, a venerable bachelor, well-to-do farmer, and highly respected and intelligent citi- zen and native of East Huntingdou township, is of Scotch-Irish extraction. His grandfather Sterrett came to America from the north of Ireland, 1760, and settled on a farm about seven miles distant from the battle-field of Brandywine, in Chester County, Pa. Two of his oldest children, James and John, participated in that battle. In Chester County he reared to maturity a family of four sons and three daughters, and about 1786 he with his wife and chil- dren started out for Kentucky to join Daniel Boone, but reaching the place now called Mount Pleasant, in Westmoreland County, on the day before Christ- mas, they found themselves snow-bound, the snow being three feet deep. Compelled to tarry till spring, they finally made permanent residence in Westmore- land County, settling on a tract of land of three hun- dred and fifty-five acres, with an allowance of six per cent, for roads, etc., thrown in, and which was bought of Isaac Meason. The present farm of John Sterrett belonged to this tract. Upon this land the boys put up (at a point only a few rods in front of where Mr. Sterrett's house now stands) a good log cabin, which the family occupied for some time. The third son in number was Moses, the father of our John Sterrett. He married Margaret Woodrow, daughter of John Woodrow, a farmer, and a de- scendant of Puritan stock. John and Margaret Sterrett had eight children, — Polly, who married John Smith, and moved to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where she died Jan. 9, 1879; James, deceased ; John ; Elizabeth ; Moses, now residing in Springfield, Fay- ette Co., Pa.; William, who died young; Samuel, died aged about twenty-one; and Jesse, who died at EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP. 693 about the same age. Moses Sterrett died Jan. 5, 1830, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. His wife preceded him to the grave, she dying Jan. 1, 1831, at about the age of fifty-nine years. John Sterrett was born Nov. 23, 1805, and was brought up on the homestead farm, and got his book education in the common and subscription schools, going into arithmetic as far as "the rule of three," where the teachers of those days usually came to a halt. A few pages of what was miscalled " gram- mar" (a dictionary of synonymous terms prefixed to a spelling-book) was the end of "literary" education in the schools. On each Saturday Mr. Sterrett's teacher brought to the school-house a bottle of whis- key to induce the large boys to cut wood for the fires of the coming week. Thus the school was "run" in the winters. Mr. Sterrett relates several amusing anecdotes of the teachers of his early days. They all wrote a fine hand, though but few of them knew enough to keep a farm account. On his native farm Mr. Sterrett has resided all his life. After the death of his father the sister, Eliza- beth (still living in vigorous old age), and he accepted the farm as their portion in the settlement of the es- state, and have since occupied it jointly, keeping no accounts between themselves, both having wrought industriously. They have greatly improved the farm, erected upon it an excellent house and spacious out- buildings, and are passing their old days as farmers in peace and quiet. Mr. Sterrett, unvexed by a wife and family, has in his lifetime found much time to read, and is a gentleman of more intellectual prop- erty than most farmers or other men weighed down with family cares. In politics Mr. Sterrett is a Republican, and says he doesn't know how he could be anything else. (But this remark must not be construed as reflecting upon the honesty or ignorance of his neighbors who are not Republicans.) He was formerly an Old-Line Whig. About forty years ago he attached himself to the Methodist order, but has never attended church much. Miss Elizabeth Sterrett, his co-farming sis- ter, belongs to the Presbyterian Church. A branch of the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad, called the Hickman Run Branch, is now in process of grading across the Sterrett farm, running over the old play-ground immediately about the cabin wherein Mr. Sterrett was born. Thus the car of progress rolls on mercilessly, invading and destroying the sacred places of memory. Mr. Sterrett from his house looks down upon the broken and violated landscape, the theatre of his childhood's gambols and after- wards a beauty-spot of his farm, with no poetic affections, it may well be conceived, for railroad schemes. E. II. REID. Mr. E. H. Reid, merchant, operator in coal and coke, and a general business man of Scottdale, is of Scotch-Irish descent, his father when quite a young man having come to this country from Belfast, Ire- land, settling in Westmoreland County, Pa., where he married Miss Mary Henry, daughter of Edward Henry, after whom the subject of these notes was named. Mr. Reid, while receiving a good education, was early put to a practical business life, acting as clerk in his father's store until about his fifteenth year, when he " started out for himself," finding em- ployment in a store in Allegheny County, where he enjoyed special advantages for a business education, until about the age of nineteen. He then took a trip to the Western States, and located in Missouri for about a year, and then returned to Allegheny County, and engaged in business as before, continuing there, except for a short time in the oil regions, until he removed to Broad Ford, Fayette Co., in 1867, and went into business there for himself as a general merchant. He remained there until 1S78, in the mean time being engaged in the coal business and making investments in real estate, he at the present time owning in that locality an excellent farm, underlaid in good part with the famous coking coal, and on which stands Tyrone Presbyterian Church. In 1878, removing to Scottdale, he established himself in business, pur- chasing the merchandise and store buildings of the rolling-mill and furnace companies, thereby acquiring an extensive trade, which he has greatly increased, he now paying the largest mercantile tax in the county, besides owning several manufacturing estab- lishments in the place. In connection with a few other gentlemen Mr. Reid recently organized the Connellsville and Ursina Coal and Coke Company, having a paid-up capital of four hundred thousand dollars, and owniug six thousand five hundred acres of land underlaid with coking coal, iron ore, and immense beds of limestone, of which company he and his brother, Col. J. M. Reid, of Dunbar, own the controlling interest, as well as of the Ursina and North Fork Railroad, owned by the same company. Mr. Reid is the oldest of four brothers, three of them located in Fayette County, all active, energetic business men, who with their mother and one sister constitute the living members of the family. PETER STATJFFER LOUCKS. Under the heading " The Loucks Family," a chap- ter which appears elsewhere in this volume, will be found a brief record of the immediate ancestry, etc., of Peter S. Loucks. The parentage of Mr. Loucks is therein noted, but is here repeated for the convenience of this sketch. Mr. Loucks is the son of the late Rev. Martin 694 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Loucks, who died Nov. 7, 18(39, in the seventy-first year of his age, and Nancy Stauffer (born Feb. 9, 1808), his wife, still living, and who is the daughter of the. late Abraham and Elizabeth Myers Stauffer, natives of eastern counties of Pennsylvania, both of German descent. Abraham Stauffer died in Tyrone township, Fayette County, in 1855, at about sixty-one years of age. His wife, Elizabeth, died in Scottdale, Nov. 11, 1878, in the ninety-sixth year of her age. Martin Loucks and Nancy Stauffer were intermar- ried June 15, 1826. Martin Loucks was brought up on the homestead farm, and was educated in the common schools of East Huntingdon township, and became a farmer, and con- tinued such during life. He was reared under the re- ligious instructions of the Mennonite Church, and some time after his marriage, at about the age of thirty years, he was chosen, according to the customs and rites of his church, a preacher, and fulfilled the duties of his office, which was an unsalaried one, during his life. His duties took him frequently into various parts of his own county and adjoining coun- ties. Mr. Loucks was greatly beloved by his people. Though forbidden by tin- laws of his church to hold political office, he took interest in politics as a Whig and afterwards as an earnest Republican. Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Loucks were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, whose names are cited in the record above referred to. Of these children Peter Stauffer Loucks is the sixth in number, and was born May 3, T841, on the old home- stead farm of his grandfather and father, a beautiful spot, lying about fifty rods west of Jacobs Creek in East Huntingdon township, from the site of the house in which he was born and from his present residence near by a fine view of Chestnut Ridge and Laurel Hill being afforded. Mr. Loucks was educated at home and in the com- mon schools. His father was a great friend of edu- cation, and look pains to instruct his children at home, as well as to watch them when attending school, to sec that they spent their time profitably and made progress in their studies. Indeed, he was exceedingly particular in the matter of the education, religious and literary, of his children. Peter contin- ued attendance upon school in the winter season till about twenty one years of age, and occupied himself on the farm under his father until, when about twen- ty-six years of age, he and his brother Martin were given by their father entire charge of the farm, which they conducted till after the death of the elder Mr. Loucks, whereafter, under the provisions of the father's will, they came into possession of the farm, and Martin, after about two years, sold his interest to Peter and his sister Catharine, who now own the farm jointly. The farm is devoted to the common agricultural purposes and to the raising of stock for the markets. Mr. Loucks has paid more or less at- tention to the rearing of improved breeds of Durham short-homed cattle and the imported English breeds of draught horses. A portion of Mr. Loucks' farm, or about sixty acres thereof, has been laid out at different times into dwelling-house lots and sites for business houses, a considerable part of the most active or business por- tions of Scottdale now occupying the same. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Loucks, in connection with his brothers and T. J. Larimer and William Leeper, under the firm-name of Loucks, Larimer & Co., established in Scottdale a planing-mill for the manufacture of all kinds of worked lumber necessary for building purposes, and took extensive contracts for building. After the death of Mr. Leeper in March, 1880, Mr. Loucks and his brother Jacob purchased the interests of all others in the concern, and carried on the business as the firm of P. S. Loucks & Co. till Jan. 1, 1882, when they leased the estab- lishment to Ruth & Stoner, who now conduct the business. Mr. Loucks has actively engaged in pro- moting the interests of Scottdale and largely contrib- uted to its rapid growth, and is the owner of several of the best buildings, dwellings, and business houses of that borough. Mr. Loucks, with his brother Jacob, has since April, 1881, been engaged in the grain-shipping busi- ness, with Scottdale as the centre of operations, bring- ing grain from the West and elsewhere and distribut- ing it to the East and various points. In politics Mr. Loucks is a Republican, but does not aspire to office, but has held borough and town- ship offices. May 29, 1878, Mr. Loucks married Miss Mary A. Boyd, daughter of George W. Boyd and Martha Smith, his wife, both of Fayette County, and descend- ants of the earliest settlers of that county. The issue of this marriage is one son, Arthur, born June 18, 1880. LIGONIER TOWNSHIP. DESCRIPTION, NAME, Etc. In historic interest no name in the annals of West- ern Pennsylvania is more conspicuous than Ligonier, the name of a township and a borough in Westmore- land County. But although the name is familiar in the earliest mention of that section of country now particularly identified with it, yet it does not seem to be generally known that the name " Ligonier" desig- nates any civil or political subdivision of territory. It was originally the name of the stockade fort first erected by the English and Americans when they came into Western Pennsylvania, and it thus came to be the general name by which that contiguous region of country was designated. The name has by com- mon consent been applied to the whole valley lying between Laurel Hill and Chestnut Ridge in our county. The township of Ligonier was not erected until 1822. That part of the township lying in the interior, or between the more abrupt ridge of hills, is tolerably level, and is well adapted to agriculture. There are many streams, and the surface, of the land next these is well adapted for meadow, and these portions were among the first to be opened out and cultivated by the early settlers. Next the mountain ranges designated the surface is more abrupt and broken, ami although not specially adapted to farming, yet the labor and toil of three or four generations have made homely farms and comfortable homes to abound even there. Much of the surface is even yet covered with good timber, which has been and is now being raised with remuneration, and which is a source of some wealth. The principal streams are, first, the Loyalhanna, frequently called a river, as it is designated in the old colonial and French maps, a stream of much beauty, whose praises have been sung by many an aspirant to poetic fame, and whose name mingles in the ro- mantic stories of the Western border. Then follow the Four-Mile Run, Mill Creek, Coalpit Run, Fur- nace Run, and others, affluents of the Loyalhanna. These were early utilized for grist-mill and saw-mill purposes, and later for furnace and foundry purposes, at the time when water was the only expedient for motive-power. Thus it was that a large proportion of the early settlers located along these streams. Mill- seats were erected in the valley at a very early date, St. Clair being one possibly so early as 1781. on Mill Creek. Nathan Young made an improvement before 1769 on Chestnut Ridge, in Fairfield township; about the same time Peter Detar, who afterwards removed into Hempfield township. Frederick Rohrer, innkeeper, from Hagerstown, Md., took up land in 177o adjoin- ing the mill-tract of St. Clair; Simon Eaker (Eicher), John Ramsey, James Pollock, Garrett Pendergrass, Daniel Savoyer, Andrew Bonjour, Samuel Shannon, James Knox, Richard Shannon, Isaac Stimble, Rob- ert McLaughlin, William McKinzie, John Campbell, Thomas Galbraith, an innkeeper in Ligonier, in 1773. St. Clair and Huffnagle both resided in Ligonier town then. Abel Fisher, Henry Kerns, McDowells, Kelsus (now Keltzes). METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Bedstone District of the Baltimore Conference was formed May 28, 1784, ami comprised all of Western Pennsylvania, extending from Maryland and Vir- ginia to the York State line. The two circuit-riders for that year were John Cooper and Samuel Breeze. In 1785 the presiding elder was Thomas Foster, with Peter Moriarity, John Fidler, and William Lee preachers. In 1786, Enoch Martin was presiding elder, with John Smith, Robert Ayers, and Stephen Deakrns preachers. In 1787 the presiding elder was Joseph Cromwell, and the preachers, William Phoe- bus, J. Willson, and E. Phelps. In 1788, under Richard Whatcoat, presiding elder, Jacob Seaton and Lashley Matthews, the circuit-riders, established the Ligonier Methodist Episcopal Church, and had preaching, the first Methodist preaching in Ligonier Valley, and the second in the county. It was held at the house of Jacob Shaw, now in the territory of Cook township. Mr. Shaw was the class-leader, and the class consisted of his wife, three daughters, — < 'harlotte, Jane, and Prudence, — and Betsey Gibbins. A few months afterwards Sarah, Elizabeth, and Esther Roberts, all noted singers, joined the class, which was the organization of this church, then as now called " Ligonier." In 1801 the name of the district was changed from Redstone to Pittsburgh, and in 1804 from the latter to Monongahela. In 1789, Robert M. and Mary Roberts, parents of the distin- guished Bishop Richford Roberts, joined the church in the month of May. The latter was born Aug. 21, 1778, in Frederick County, Md., became bishop in 1816, and died March 26, 1843. He came to Ligonier 695 696 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Valley when a little lad of seven or eight years with his parents. Thomas and John Roberts also joined the same year. In 1790 the place of holding preach- ing was changed from the house of Jacob Shaw to that of Robert M. Roberts, on the farm now owned, near Ligonier, by Benjamin Deeds. In May, 1792, Bishop Robert R. Roberts was converted. In 1797 two of the members, Stephen Riley and William Lindsey, removed to Venango County. In 1811 the place of preaching was changed from the house of John Roberts to that of Cornelius Riley, father of Rev. James Riley and grandfather of Rev. Mc- Kendree Riley. From 1789 to 1813 the presiding elders and preachers were as follows: Presiding Elders. Preachers. 1789 - Henry Willis, John Simmons. Lemuel Green. Nicholas Sebrell. 1790 CharU-s Conaway. Amos G. Thompson. Thomas Raymond. 1791 Amos G. Thompson. Daniel Kidler. James Coleman. 1792 Amos G. Thompson. William UcClanahan. Jacob Peck. i: ' Charles Conaway. Thomas Hell. Seely Bunn. 1794 Charles Conaway. Samuel Hitt. John Phillips. I7B5 CharlesC iwav. Daniel Hit! 1790 Valentine Cook. James L. Higgins. Charles Conaway. 1797 Valentine Cool; James Smith. Solomon Harris. IT'.i- Valentine Cook, Thomas Haymond. James Paynter, 1799 ....Valentine Cook. Charles Burgoon. James Paynter. 1800 Valentine Cook. Rezin Cord. Isaac Bobbins. 18H1 Thornton Fleming. Jesse Stevenson. Asa Akin. Isoj Thornton Fleming Lash ley Matthews. Iso: Thornton Fleming James Quinn. Thomas Budd. 1Sii4 Thornton Fleming. James Hunter. Simon Gillespie. Iso". lames Hunter. William Page. William Knox. 1806 Thornton Pleming. James Hunter. S. Henkle. 1807 .Thornton Fleming. William Page. Robert Bolton. Iso- Thornton Fleming. John W.>t. William Lawman. 1809 Thornton Fleming. Thomas Dougherty. Joseph Lamston. 1810 Thornton Fleming. Tobias Bile.v. James Wilson, lsl I Jacob Glllber. Jacob Young. 1812 lacob Giuber. Simon Lonck. Lewis R, Fectigo. 1813 ... ..JacohGniber. Thornton Fleming. Lashley Matthews. The latter dying on his way to the Baltimore Con- ference, by his will his horse, saddle-bags, cloak, and great cloak were sold, and the proceeds given to the chartered ministerial fund. From this time to 1871 the record is lost. Since theD the pastors have been: 1871-74, A. B. Leonard; 1874-76, Samuel Wakefield ; 1876, C. W. Miller ; 1877-80, J. P. Riley ; 1880-82, A. C. Johnson. The present large brick church edifice was erected in 1857, before which time the church was on the upper end of the grave- yard. John Murdock is the Sunday-school superin- tendent. The congregation is the second one of this denomination in the county, and only preceded some two years by " Fell's Church," in Rostraver town- ship. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Although this church, known as Ligonier Church, and situated in the borough of Ligonier, is compara- tively of modern date, the members of the original organization were made up of parts of the Fairfield and the Donegal congregations, which, we will remem- ber, were included in the Old Redstone Presbytery. In " Old Redstone," according to Dr. Donaldson, it is erroneously reported as organized about 1798, to get the portion of Mr. Hill's time withdrawn from Wheatfield. The first notice of it on the Presbyterian records is Oct. 22, 1817, when Mr. Hill having with- drawn from Donegal and begun to preach at Ligonier, by direction of Presbytery resigned the old charge and accepted a joint call from Fairfield and Ligonier, and over the charge thus modified was installed Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1818. Rev. William Speer preached, R. Lee charged the pastor, and John Ross the people. At his decease, four years later, Donegal inquired of the Presbytery whether Ligonier should any longer be considered a separate church. April 6, 1823, Pres- bytery directed the two churches to settle this ques- tion between themselves, and it was decided in the affirmative. At the installation of Rev. S. Swan, June 17, 1824, it obtained nominally one-fourth of his pas- toral labors. But during the larger part of seventeen years, on every alternate Sabbath, he preached one discourse in Donegal and another in Ligonier, or occasionally in Laughlinstown, belonging to the same church. Thus each of these churches had virtually half-time services. After the resignation of Mr. Swan, Oct. 5, 1841, Donegal and Ligonier constituted a full charge. Revs. A. B. Clark, David Harbison, J. A. Brown, Ross Stevenson, and E. G. McKinley were the pastors for the times respectively, as staled in the case of Donegal. The last named still con- tinues in the charge. Among the elders, Thomas Wilson, John McConaughey, and Dr. Johnson Miller may be mentioned. John McConaughey, Jr., son of the elder, is the only ministerial son of the church. LIGONIER REFORMED AND LUTHERAN CHURCH. In the Ligonier Valley Rev. John William Weber, the first Reformed missionary west of the Allegheny Mountains, preached to the pioneer fathers and mothers who settled in its forests a hundred years ago. He died in 1816, and was succeeded April 26, 1818, by Rev. William Weinel. During his ministry a church was built about two miles southwest of the place now occupied by Ligonier borough. It was called the " Old Dutch Meeting-house." It was a rude structure, having but one window) and the pul- pit in the corner. They wanted a high pulpit, and not wishing to place it before the only window so as to exclude the light of the sun, they concluded to put the light of the gospel not under a bushel, but uii in the corner. It was customary for the men to go armed to worship, which had become necessary in earlier times, on account of Indians and wild LIGONIER TOWNSHIP. 697 beasts. Tlie habit clung to them after there was lit- tle clanger from either source. Sometimes game was killed on the way to Zion. On one occasion one of the elders, Henry Brant, on his way to church was met by a bear. Bruin climbed a tree. Mr. Brant discharged his gun several times at the bear and then climbed up after him. The animal had been se- verely wounded, but wa< not dead. In his death struggles he embraced Mr. Brant with more strength than affection, and the two fell together to the ground. Mr. Brant barely escaped with his life, and was too late for church. Rev. N. P. Hacke became pastor in 1823, and held his first communion June 22d, witli the following communicants : Matthias Marker, Martin Philippi, John Brant, Fred Hargonet, Margaret Marker, Elizabeth Philippi, Eve Eliza Brant, Annie Maria Dietz, Sarah Nicely, Maria Marker, Eve Bar- rone. Rev. Dr. Hacke was succeeded June 17, 1832, by Rev. H. E. F. Voight, who continued to visit the people from his home in Mount Pleasant until March 1, 1857. Under his pastorate the congregation with the Lutherans built a new union church edifice. A lot was purchased of Jacob Lowry,and a brick struc- ture erected in 1852 at a cost of $3000. The Re- formed congregation, being weaker than that of the Lutheran side, contributed less than half the means, but have an equal share in the property. It is on Main Street, near the railroad depot. In 1857 the Lutherans outnumbered the Reformed interest three to one, as from the unwillingness of the latter to have preaching in English many of its young people left it. In 1859, Rev. C. C. Russell was sent to it as a missionary. In June, 1870, Rev. John I. Swander became pastor of Latrobe charge, of which it was a part. Then the elders were Adam Brant, Daniel Bitner; deacons, Henry Brant, William Schaffer. The present Lutheran pastor is Rev. L. H. McMurry, whose congregation is large and flourishing. The United Presbyterian Church has a substantial edifice here, erected in 1876, before which preaching was had a year or two in the school-houses. It is a mission of the Fairfield Church, of which Rev. William H. Vincent is the pastor. The hitter's edi- fice was built in 1819, and took the place of an old log structure erected about 1800. Mr. Vincent was born in Lawrence County, and educated at West- minster College, and has been pastor of Fairfield since 1873. Under his labors this mission church was built to meet the wants of many of his flock living several miles from the mother-church. The Roman Catholic Church has a commodious edifice and a large congregation here. There is no resident pastor, the masses and services being at- tended by visiting fathers from St. Vincents Abbey. LIGONIER BOROUGH. HISTORICAL. The region of country about the Loyalhanna, and particularly about the site of old Fort Ligonier, was a familiar country for the early Indians. An evidence that the Indians were at one time numerous through- out the whole range of country from the Laurel Hill to the Ohio River is adduced from the fact of their having named all the streams which flow into the Allegheny and the Monongahela, no less than from the remains of ancient burial-places scattered all over the slopes of the hills that lie next the mountain ranges. There were several Indian paths or highways which crossed each other and came from many direc- tions together at this point. But whether the particu- lar line which might be indicated by the line of the Laurel Hill on the east was the boundary line of those nomadic tribes which at one time abounded in the space lying between these mountains and the source of the Ohio is a question which may reasonably be suggested to antiquaries. Without inquiring into the plausibility of the theory lately advanced that this region was a separate region for a race preceding the red man, we may state that from a time before it was known to the whites there were more or less Indian settlements about here. The oldest settlers declared that there were in Ligonier Valley remains of what they called an Indian fort, similar in structure to the fort at Indian Creek and at the Old Redstone, made before the whites ventured into these regions. They state also that it was evident there were places where they raised their corn, places cleared from the sur- rounding wilderness. As to the Indian trails about the Loyalhanna near Ligonier, it is certain that the great north-and-south trail from the New York In- dians to their Southern confederates passed near here, and that the trails from the western waters of Penn- sylvania joined this main trail here. One came from Kittanning and the Cherry Tree region to here, cross- ing the Conemaugh in its route, and one passing more directly west crossed the Loyalhanna between eight and nine miles west of the point fixed as Ligo- nier. These various paths separated into others, and struck out in divers directions. Thus we see by the Journal of Christian Post, 1758, that the last-named trail, after following the course of the Loyalhanna 1 at the distance of nine or ten miles from Ligonier, for a distance of several miles farther divided, one path continuing along the stream towards the old Seneca town along the Kiskiminetas, and the other trending through the wilderness towards Fort Du- quesne, afterwards Fort Pitt. On these trails it was 1 The name Loyalhanna, according to the best authorities, is derived from an Indian compound word, La-el-han-neck, and means Middle Creek. It was known to the Americans and to the French hy this name before the arrival of Bouquet It would appear also, not direi tlv it is true, but by necessary implication, to have been so designated or known from the uarrative of Capt. James Smith, who was taken pris- oner when he was one of the party who were sent to open the road from Bedford to Cumberland in the time of Braddock, some three years prior to the arrival of Bouquet there. This matter would scarcely bear repetition were it not to dispel some wide-spread and very erroueous no- tions and accepted opinions as to the etymology of this word. It is in its origin an Indian not an English word. 698 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. that the few traders who ventured out into these fron- tiers, and the early settlers who located in now Indiana County, about Kittanning, and in Deny township of Westmoreland County, passed and repassed. In some places along these Indian paths, when the army first came out, the marks of the horses' hoofs which car- ried the stores of the Indian traders or audits had not yet been worn out. After the defeat of Braddock in 1754, the English, it will be remembered, organized an army at Phila- delphia, with the object of making another attempt to capture Fort Duquesne. This army was under Gen. Forbes. The advance-guard, under Col. Bou- quet, cutting their way from Bedford, about the 1st of September, 1758, arrived at the Loyalhanna, on the western side of Laurel Hill. Here Bouquet, erecting a stockade for their protection in case of an attack from the French and Indians, awaited the arrival of Forbes and Washington. Forbes could not advance hastily with the main body of the army on account of his physical inability, he being ver) r frail and shattered in constitution, although he was by no means an old man. It was during the interval between the arrival of Bouquet here and the arrival of Forbes, some eight weeks after, that the expedi- tion under Maj. Grant and Capt. Bullit was sent out to reconnoitre about Fort Duquesne, and following the unfortunate termination of which was made the attack on the stockade by the French and Indians under De Vetre, of which we have made mention in our general history. Forbes, with the rear division of the army, arrived about the 1st of November (1758) at the camp on the Loyalhanna. In a council of war it was then deter- mined not. to advance farther till the next spring, when this arrangement was changed by the return of several prisoners who had been captured and held by the Indians, from whom was found out the true con- dition of the garrison at Fort Duquesne, which in- duced the British and Americans to advance and secure that post shortly after. FORT LIGONIER. The stockade erected here by Col. Bouquet was called Fort Ligonier, in honor of Sir John Ligonier, under whom Bouquet had served in the wars on the continent of Europe. Sir John Ligonier was a Protes- tant Frenchman, a Huguenot, who having been ban- ished from his native country on account of his religious belief engaged in service in the English army. He commanded the British cavalry at Lauf- feld, near Maestricht, where the English and Dutch, with the Austrian* under Marshal Bathiany, encoun- tered the French under Marshal Saxe. Being taken prisoner by the French he was treated with the greatest distinction and consideration, and was sent back by the king, Louis XV., and Saxe to confer with the Duke of Cumberland (son of George II., and com- mander-in-chief of the British army) to make offers of peace. The peace which then ensued was subse- quently ratified by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, that great landmark in the history of Continental Europe and of North America, 174s. 1 EARLY SETTLERS AND FIRST INDUSTRIES. Gen. James Ramsay, of Franklin County, bought at sheriff's sale Sept. 2, 1794, the "Ligonier Tract" of 660 acres, also 12 acres adjoining the same, the Indian field and mill creek, for £721. This was the site of Ligonier, and it was all sold as the property of Thomas Galbraith, deceased, at the suit of Jasper Moylan and Gen. Arthur St. Clair. Capt. George Eager and George Kelso lived in 1794 on the upper surveys, near Matthias Stockberger, Daniel Armor, and Henry Buzzard. William Jamison bought another large tract adjoining the Ligonier, as the property of the same defendant, in 1796. The oldest house now standing in the town is the one occupied by William Dice. Gen. Ramsay's house was a half-mile from town, where Harrison Gilbraith now lives. The turnpike was built through here in 1817-18. The first house erected after the town was laid out was built by Samuel Adams, where now David Shoefall's carriage-shop is. The second was built by James Seaton on the lot now owned by John Bowser, and the third on the lot where James Lawson lives. The latter was built by Hugh Deever, who kept in it the first store. It was a log structure, weather-boarded, and is now used by Squire Black as a magistrate's office. Frederick Myers kept the first tavern where McMillan's tannery is; William Carnes early built a house; Samuel Adams was the first blacksmith; and James McMillan the first cabinet-maker. The first resident physician was Dr. Thomas Rogers. John Hargnett was the first postmaster. The latter was born within two miles of town, and came about 1825 to clerk in Mr. Klopper's store. He was after- wards in the mercantile business as a partner with Mr. McGowan, then Dr. Miller, then Mr. Breniser, and later with Mr. McGowan again. Col. John McFar- land was born within a mile of the town in 1801, and has resided in it for many years. His parents and ancestors settled near here at an early period. Col. McFarland, Mr. Hargnett, and Conrad George are the three oldest citizens in the borough. Mr. George was born Jan. 1, 1804, and recollects the site of the town before it was laid out or had any buildings upon it. He is the son of Conrad George, who came, when a boy eight years old, with his father, Adam George, before 1780 and settled in the county. Among the first to settle in the town when it was laid out by Col. Ramsay in 1817 were Samuel Adams, Hugh Deever, Mr. Myers, Mr. Reed (tavern-keeper), Henry Ankenny (tavern-keeper), Samuel Knox, Thomas Wilson, Noah Mendell (tavern-keeper), and George Matthews. The latter was the first tanner, 1 For services of Sir John Ligonier see Knight's Popular History of England, chap, clis., et setj. LIGONIER TOWNSHIP. 699 and George Scott the second. The first mill was operated by Mr. Miller, and the second by Hush Deever. After the town was laid out in 1817 the lots were sold by the proprietor. Gen. Ramsay, in accordance with the following- plan: 11 Conditions or terms of the public s.i!<- of lots to lie sold in the town of Ligonier agreeably to a plan on the ground, March 3, 1817, viz.: All minors or servants are hereby prohibited from bidding at this sale (as well as insolvent persons), "Second, For the amount of purchases of each and every Lott three equal different payments will be required of six, twelve, ami eighteen months each, the purchaser to come forward within twenty-four hours anil give his obligations with approved Becurity,OE otherwise to he sub- jected to have then Lott or Lutts again set up and sold at public sale, when they must sustain the loss if any is thereby accrued. " Third, The highest bidder to be the buyer. "Fourth, Any person or persons purchasing either of the coruer lost iu the Diamond (or main cross street) wall be hereby obliged to build on such Lott within the space of seven years a two-story house of either brick or frame painted, or otherwise to forfeit the sum of one hundred dollars to be appropriated towards the erection of Public Buildings iu case a new county can be obtained ami Ligonier made its seat of justice, or in case of said town not becoming a seal of justice, then the above for- feiture is to be paid to the proprietor and to be deposed of at bis option. Those who buy any corner lott on Main Street, and not complying with the aforesaid requisition, must forfeit the sum of fifty dollars to be ap- plied as aforesaid. Any person buying any other Lott on Slain Street and not complying as aforesaid must forfeit the sum of thirty dollars, to applied as afotesaid. Any person purchasing a Lott on the main cross street (or Market Street) and not complying as aforesaid must forfeit the sum of twenty dollars to be applied as aforesaid ; and any person or persons purchasing any Lott on any other cross street or back street and not building thereon withiu seven years must forfeit the sum of ten dollars to be applied as aforesaid. "Fifth, The proprietor reserves a bid in all eases ; he also reserves llis old Barn, his young Apple Trees, and all movable property within the limits of said town. These conditions to be lodged with James Clark, Esq., where regular conveyance will be made within four weeks to all such as apply [or] who have complyed with the terms of sale. " John Ramsey." BOROUGH ORGANIZATION. The town of Ligonier, as it is called in the act. was erected into a borough by the Assembly on the 10th day of April, 1834. The boundaries were those which were included in a plot referred to as being on record in the recorder's office. The officers of the borough were those which were prescribed for the borough organizations, and their duties and powers were set out at length in the same act. The inhab- itants entitled to vote were to meet at the place where they had usually met to vote for members of the General Assembly on the first Monday of May then next. By act of 11th April, 184S, the limits of the bor- ough were further extended so as to include William Atchesou, Robert Galbreath, Robert Graham, Joseph Moorhead, and Andrew Bellinger on the east end of the borough, including the lands on both sides of the turnpike, described by certain metes and bounds, and Henry Lowry on the west. The limits were again extended by act of March 15, 1872. Borough Officers. — The records from 1834 to 1866 are lost. The officers in the latter year were: Bur- gess, James S. Black ; Clerk, John Murdock ; Treas- urer, John Hargnett; Constable, J. H. Murdock; Street Commissioner, John Mitchell; Collector, Wil- liam Cams; Assessor, J tunes Moore. Since then the burgesses have been : 1867 69, James [ S. Black ; 1869, James Lawson ; 1870, no record; 1871, Thomas A. Seaton ; 1872, Peter Lenhart ; 1X73, R. C. Breniser; 1874, James \V. Ambrose; 1875, W. II. Co- ! vode; 1876, W. D. McGowan;'l877, J. \V. Kepper; | 1878, C. S. Vannear ; 1879, W. H. Dice; 1S80, Thomas M. Brady : 1881, Alexander Glessner and Jacob Blan- set, the latter acting part of the time. The officers in 1882 are : Burgess, William J. Potts ; Clerk, Audrew Grove (for six years); Council, J. H. McConaughy, Andrew Grove, Michael Keffer, C. A. Lowry, John H. Frank, Noah M. Marker ; Consta- ble, John Glessner; Treasurer, J. H. McConaughy; Street Commissioner, H. F. Hartley. GROWTH AND PRESENT STATUS. The chief place of interest in both a historical and a business view in Ligonier Valley is Ligonier town. It is the only place of importance in the township of Ligonier, and is located — speaking iu general terms — near the centre of the township, and ou the north bank of the Loyalhanna. The situation of the town is delightful and romantic. It lies in the valley, having on the east and northwest the blue line of Laurel Hill for the rim of partial amphitheatre, on the southwest the Chestnut Ridge, the pleasant valley of the Loyalhanna extending down towards the west until it loses itself in the gap in the Ridge, and northwestward the lower valley itself rolling and hilly in all its extent from here to the Conemaugh. The Ligonier Valley Railroad from Latrobe to Li- gonier is a narrow-gauge road completed in 1878. It had been graded in 1872-73 for a standard gauge road, when the panic of that year put a stop to its further building. Its length is ten and a third miles. Its president is S. H. Baker. Its completion has con- tributed largely to the development and growth of the town, converting it from a village of the olden type to a village of the modern type. There could be no stronger evidence of the effect of innovation than there is in this town. Before the construction of the railroad running from the Pennsylvania road at Latrobe to Ligonier as terminal points, the busi- ness of the place, although fully equal to that of any other place of the same size within the county, has largely increased in volume and changed in character. The commercial commodities of the region, which largely consist of timber and its products, such as railroad ties, posts, sawed lumber, and bark, have here found a market for sale and a point of shipment. The population of the town from 1870 to 1880 in- j creased about one hundred per cent. It now is prob- ably about seven hundred and fifty. This rapid increase, spasmodic in its character, is to be attributed to the completion of the railroad rather than to any I other cause. The sudden rise in population was made 700 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. up in great part of business men, who expected an unwonted impetus to be given to business of all kinds, such as had been evidenced by the rapid growth in population, and in the volume of business in those new towns which had suddenly sprung into existence along the line of the Southwest Railway. With this accession and this fresh start began a spirit of im- provement which took hold of the older inhabitants, not seriously it is true, but moderately. For while most of the citizens and inhabitants showed a spirit of reform and a disposition of progress, it is apparent from the appearance of some portions of the town that this spirit has not been universal or too general in its manifestations. The most complainable objec- tion, and the one which meets the inquirer from all directions, is as to the disposition in many of the property-holders not to improve, nor to dispose of an- tiquated and decaying buildings at reasonable prices to those who even with limited means have inclina- tion and disposition to make thrift and taste go hand in hand. For a number of years before the completion of the Ligonier Valley road the village of Ligonier was re- garded as an agreeable summer resort for the middling classes of Pittsburgh, and a desirable point for pleas- ure parties at all seasons of the year from the sur- rounding towns. It is in summer-time at this day a Mecca for those who are attracted by the beauties of nature, the grandeur of mountains, and the placid sweetness of the silent summer fields. The " valley" in its physical topography is in itself composed of many smaller valleys or vales, lying between hills more or less abrupt. The numerous streams that rise in the mountains on either side, forming runlets and small creeks, flow through these smaller valleys, and these make many agreeable prospects. The drive between Youugstown and Ligonier on the old Stoystown and Greensburg turnpike, notwith- standing the bad condition in which it has latterly been kept, is, for natural scenery, for changeful and varied beauty, perhaps the finest in the county. The high mountains on the one side are, in their season, covered with foliage to their very tops, in which all the trees and shrubs indigenous to this latitude blend in the harmony peculiar to American forests ; the great family of ferns, the rugged rocks, monsters of an ancient world, now hoary and lichen-covered; the endless murmuring of the Loyalhanna down beneath the road-bed as it is, through the intermediate part of the gap ; the walls of hills beyond and behind ; the ever-changing views and prospects more resemble a picture than they do the landscapes which are ordi- narily designated with the conventional term pic- turesque. The Ligonier Valley Railroad is the modern luxury of travel to the tourists through these regions in which nature has been so lavish. Hence, after Ligonier was brought into direct communication with the great out- side world the advantages which so many people having the means are ready and willing to pay for were readily and fully appreciated. Thus Ligonier, by no great effort of a few public-spirited persons who were interested in the matter, of whom perhaps Judge Mellon and Mr. John Hargnett Frank were the most conspicuous, became a public place of resort for those who spend the season away from home and business. Its chief distinction among the villages and towns of our county at this time lies in this : Having every natural advantage it was fortunate in possessing citi- zens of spirit and enterprise, who realizing this brought their worldly means and their experience into requisition in offering and affording suitable and attractive accommodations to this class of patrons. The public accommodations have latterly been inade- quate for the wants of the public, so that in the sum- mer season many private boarding-houses are fitted up, and the business of these is dependent on the summer visitors. Its public-houses have a reputation of being more than ordinarily good. The excursion- ists or the denizens who abide there during the sum- mer season can have every attention, every conveni- ence, and every luxury which taste and judicious outlay can provide. ORDERS AND SOCIETIES. LIGONIER LODGE, No. 331, F. AND A. M., was chartered March 7, 1859. The first officers were: W. M., George S. Kemble ; S. W., Joseph Moorhead ; J. W., John McClintick. The Past Masters of the lodge have been Noah M. Marker, William H. Lowry, Joseph W. Moorhead, Joseph Clifford, John G. Al- bright, Noah M. Weller, William C. Knox, William A. Hall, John Ashcom, John McClintick, John A. Miller, John C. Fagan, Daniel F. Steck, D. Wilt, William Hall, Dr. M. M. McColley, W. E. Thatcher, Dr. J. A. Ashcom. The officers in 1882 are : W. M., Dr. M. M. McColly ; S. W., W. E. Thatcher; J. W., N. M. Marker; Sec, Dr. J. A. Ashcom ; Treas., An- drew Grove. Its meetings are held on the Friday evening preceding full moon of each month. LIGONIER LODGE, No. 960, I. 0. 0. F., was chartered April 1, 1879. The officers in 1882 are : N. G., A. F. Fowler; V. G., William Robb; Sec, Schell Marker; Treas., T. M. Brady. The Past Grands have been Thomas M. Brady, M. W. Miller, John T. Robb, Dr. J. A. Ashcom, H. L. Jones. The charter officers were: N. G., Thomas M. Brady; V. G., Scott Martin ; Sec, A. F. Fowler ; Asst. Sec, Schell Marker; Treas., A. C. Breniser. It meets every Monday evening ; number of members, seventy- five. LIGONIER LODGE, No. 1224, KNIGHTS OF HONOR, was chartered Sept. 17, 1879, but instituted Nov. 7, 1878, by special dispensation. The charter members were J. C. Culp, Andrew Grove, N. M. Marker, G. W. Ambros e. D. A. McColly, Dr. J. A. Ashcom, G. R. Murdock, William H. Covode, C. A. Lowry, J. W. McFarland, William Bush, M. B. Smith, Dr. M. M. ^ LIGONIER TOWNSHIP. 701 McColly. The officers in 1882 are: D., J. W. Am- brose ; Rep., J. M. Graham ; Fin., Dr. J. A. Ashcom ; Treas., Andrew Grove ; P. D., C. C. Griffith ; V. D., Dr. M. M. McColly ; G., John Ray ; S., M. B. Smith ; Guide, C. A. Lowry ; Chap., Rev. A. C. Johnson. It meets on alternate Thursdays, and has twenty-five members. LIGONIER COUNCIL, No. 501, ROYAL ARCANUM, was instituted July 17, 1880, with the following char- ter members : M. W. Miller, H. L. Jones, J. S. Ber- key, H. S. Denny, Andrew Grove, T. M. Brady, D. C. Zimmerman, L. A. Dennison, J. H. Ream, William H. Covode, J. F. Laughery, Benjamin Deeds, Noah M. Marker, J. G. Nicely, C. R. Withow, G. R. Mur- dock, Hamilton Smith, W. E. Thatcher. The officers in 1882 are : R., William H. Covode ; V. R., M. W. Miller ; O., J. S. Barton ; P. R., L. A. Dennison ; Sec, H. L. Jones ; Treas., N. M. Marker ; Col., An- drew Grove. It has a membership of twenty, and meets alternate Thursday evenings. BOROUGH SCHOOLS. The school board in 1882 consists of : President, Dr. M. M. McColly ; Secretary, John Hargnett; Treas- urer, A. F. Fowler, and David Marker, R. M. Graham, C. A. Lowry. The teachers are J. M. Graham (prin- cipal), Room No. 3 ; C. C. Griffith (ten years teach- ing here), No. 2 ; Miss Nannie E. Horrell, No. 1. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. JOHN POLLOCK. About the year 1760 five brothers, bearing the name of Pollock, settled in Cumberland County, Pa. They came from Ireland, whither they had emigrated from Scotland a few years previous. One made his permanent home in Cumberland County, and ex- Governor James Pollock is the only representative of his family known to the writer. Of the others, one returned to Ireland, two settled in Erie County, and one, James, came to Ligouier Valley with some In- dian traders, and with his hatchet marked a tract of land for his future home. He returned to Cumber- land County, where he married Mary Herron, and in 45 1767 they settled upon the farm which he had lo- cated. Here they spent their lives, diligently per- forming whatever work their hands found to do. Mr. Pollock was prominent in both Church and State. He brought with him to Westmoreland County a com- mission as justice of the peace, which office he held until incapacitated for its duties by old age. He was elected a member of the State Legislature, and at- tended the opening of the session, but soon returned home, where he remained and gave his attention to his farm. He was long a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was an elder in the same, but afterwards united with the Seceder Church, in which organiza- tion he was an elder. He and his wife were endowed with strong intellects, and were noted for their intel- ligence and piety. Their son John, whose portrait is here given, was born Oct. 8, 1783, in Mount Pleasant, where his parents had taken refuge be- cause of an incursion of Indians into Ligonier Val- ley. He learned the business of farming upon his: father's farm, where he spent his entire life. He never attended "school," and his vast fund of knowledge was obtained by his own exertion and the assistance of his mother. He was in the true sense " self-taught," and consequently well taught. Although he never learned a rule from a book, his j knowledge of mathematics was such as enabled him i to solve readily the most intricate and diverse prob- lems in that science. He was an elder in the United Presbyterian Church, and was a frequent contributor to the religious periodicals of the day. He took an active part in politics, but would never accept an office. His clear, well-balanced mind, amiable dis- position, and gentle Christian life made him a worthy exemplar. He married Elizabeth Hamill, Sept. 15, 1807 Their children are David, who married Jane John- son (both now dead); Ann S., married to Robert Graham (both now dead) ; James, dead ; Robert, who was a United Presbyterian minister, and married Jane H. Scroggs (now dead) ; Thomas C. married Martha J. Barnett, and resides on the old homestead ; Mary married Rev. Moses Arnot ; and Jane E., who is un- married. John Pollock died March 16, 1862. His wife, Eliz- abeth, died Feb. 15, 1864. LOYALHANNA TOWNSHIP. This township was formed out of portions of the territory of Salem, Derry, and Washington town- ships, the inhabitants of which section began their efforts for a new township in 1831, as appears from the following, taken from the records of November session of that year : " Upon the petition of a number of the Inhabitants of Derry, Salem, & Washington Townships, praying the Erection of a new Township thereout, with the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the tun- nel on the Connemauth, in Derry Township, thence to Robert Foster's on the Loyalhannah Creek, in Salem Township, from thence to inter- sect the line between Salem & Washington Tps. at or near Wm. Cald- well's, ,fc fr. that place to Kichards'B Dam on the Kiskaminites, & fr. thence up the Kiskaminites A Conemaugh Rivers to the place of Begin- ning; & praying the Court to appoiDt Viewers according to Law. The Court thereupon appoint John Horel, of Derry, James McCutcher, of Salem, & Michael Kunkle, of Wash. Tps." [Nov. 23, 1831]. Loyalhanna township was organized by the court in 1833, and received its name from the Loyalhanna River, which flows through its central part. Its boundaries are north by the Conemaugh River, east by Derry, south and southwest by Salem, and north- west by Bell townships. It is watered by the Loyalhanna and a few minor streams that are tributary to the same. The North- western Pennsylvania Railroad runs along its north- ern boundary, with a branch called Fairbanks' Ex- tension, which intersects the main line, and runs to the famous Fairbanks Company Coal-Works, a dis- tance of about two miles. Coal exists in abundant quantities in most parts of the township, and is in many places developed. Among the early settlers were the Georges, Hensels, Robinsons, Kerrs, McBrides, Adairs, and Stewarts. Among the prominent family names that have fig- ured conspicuously in the history of the township and vicinity are those of Kirkpatrick, Campbell, Sterritt, Bowman, Johnson, Semon, and others. There are no villages in the township, and the only settlement is around the coal-works. The main occupation of the inhabitants is agricul- ture, to which the land is generally well adapted. The township, though small in area, is equal in en- terprise and prosperity to its sister townships. Its inhabitants are characterized by their industry and thrift, intelligence and morality, and constitute a very excellent community in all respects. SEWIOKLEY TOWNSHIP. ERECTION, BOUNDS, Etc. Sewickley Township was erected in 1835, and was named after the Big Sewickley Creek, that flows along its southwestern boundary. It is bounded north by North Huntingdon, east by Hempfield, south by South Huntingdon, and west by the Youghiogheny River. EARLY SETTLERS. Among the earliest settlers were Caspar Markle, Judge Jacob Painter, Anthony Blackburn, the Caro- thers, Carnahans, Campbells, Biggses, Dr. Lewis Mar- chand, John Milligan, Capt. William Pinkerton, James Milligan, the Gilberts, McGrews, and others. James Milligan, yet living, is ninety-one years of age, and has voted for sixty-five consecutive elections. Capt. Wil- 702 liam Pinkerton was six feet four inches in height, and a man of immense muscular power. Anthony Blackburn, who had settled here about 1778, removed to Canada, taking with him a large family, several of whom had been schoolmates of Gen. Joseph Markle. One of these sons returned ten or twelve years afterwards, and re- sided in this neighborhood. The sons who remained in Canada were drafted and served in the British army in the war of 1812 on the Northwestern frontier. After the war was over one of them paid a visit to his rela- tions in Westmoreland County, and here stated that a few days before the commencement of the siege of Fort Meigs he was lying with a company of Indians in ambush near the fort; that while there Gen. (then captain) Joseph Markle and his orderly sergeant, SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP. 703 John C. Plumer, and a part of his troop passed by ; that he, Blackburn, recognized his old acquaintances, Markle and Plumer, and consequently permitted them to pass without firing upon them. This recognition saved the lives of all the party. THE MARKLE FAMILY. The progenitor of the Markle family in Westmore- land County was John Chrisman Markle, who was born in Alsace, on the Rhine, in 1678. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685, he fled from Germany, passing down the Rhine, and settled in Am- sterdam, Holland. Here he married Jemima Weurtz (or Weurtzen),a sister of the admiral of that name. In 1703 he came to America, and settled at Salem Springs, Berks Co., Pa., where he purchased fifteen hundred acres of land of the Penns. He was by trade a coach- maker, and he there established a wagon shop, black- smith-shop, and grist-mill. His son Gaspard was born in Berks County in 1732, and married Elizabeth Grim, and in 1770 re- moved to Westmoreland County. Shortly afterwards his wife died, and he returned to Berks County, where he married Mary Roadarmel, whom he brought to his home in this county. His residence here was the post of refuge to which the settlers fled for succor and safety. He and Judge Jacob Painter entered large tracts of land that extended several miles up and down Sewickley Creek. Several of his sous served in the desultory wars growing out of the in- cursions of the Indians, one of whom, George, was especially distinguished at the defense of Wheeling. George, his nephew, was in the Revolution and at the battle of Brandywine, and his brother Jacob was in the naval service under Commodore Barney, and on board " Hyder Ally" at the capture of " Gen. Monk." His brother-in-law, Joseph Roadarmel, was at the battle of Long Island, in August, 1776, where he was wounded, captured, and taken prisoner on the British ship of war in New York harbor, on which he died of wounds received in battle. Another member of the Markle family, Abraham Markle, removed from Ger- many, and settled in Canada, and became a delegate in the Provincial Parliament. In the war of 1812 he came to the United States, and became colonel in the American army. The British government confiscated all his property in Canada, but the United States gave him four sections of land near Fort Harrison, in In- diana. Gaspard Markle in 1772 erected a grist-mill on Sewickley, which traverses his ancient homestead. Here was made some of the first flour manufactured west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was transported in flat-boats by Jacob Yoder, a citizen of Reading, to New Orleans. So much consequence was attached to this feat that the citizens of Spencer County, Ky., where he afterwards lived and died, erected a monu- ment to him to commemorate the fact. All the salt used was transported by the Markles (Gaspard's sons) from Eastern cities on pack-horses, the intervening country being an almost unbroken forest and impass- able with wagons. Of course taverns and habitations, if any, were few and far between, and the caravans of packers were compelled to carry with them from home the necessary provender for the whole journey. But often the weary packer was turned out to graze on the mountains, or in the rich valleys which di- versified and divided them, while the rider himself reposed under the shadows of the overhanging forest. His son, Gen. Joseph Markle, was born Feb. 15, 1777, and was the most daring of all the packers over the mountains. In 1799, (Jen. Joseph Markle, then a young man twenty-two years old, made his first trip to New Or- leans with a load of flour from his father's mill. He left Robbstown (West Newton) in March, and was six weeks on the voyage. The early traders and boatmen on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers followed quick on the heels of the pioneers, and were a hardy and ad- venturous race. Before the introduction of steam- boats on the Western waters they were the common carriers of the Great West. Pittsburgh and Robbs- town were their headquarters, and New Orleans the Ultima Thule of their voyages. It was a long and tedious journey, the difficulty of returning adding greatly to its perils and the time occupied. As far as communication with white inhabitants was con- cerned, the voyage might as well have been made on the wide ocean. The unwieldy and sluggish flat- boats crawled slowly along with the current until it entered the Mississippi, where, amidst its whirlpools and eddies and its rushing waters, the sturdy voyager strained every nerve to save it from wreck on snags and sawyers. At night they lashed their boats close under the shore, and again at early dawn set out for their voyage. The boatmen generally returned by what was called the " Wilderness route" by the way of Natchez, Nashville, Lexington, Chillicothe, etc. From the vicinity of Natchez to Nashville the route was by the Indian trail through the Chickasaw nation, a distance of about six hundred and fifty miles. Gaspard Markle had retired from business before 1799, when the management of the mills, farms, etc., all devolved upon Gen. Joseph Markle. In 1806 he erected another grist-mill, and in 1811 formed a partnership with Simon Drum, of Greens- burg, and during that year built a large paper-mill, the third establishment of the kind west of the Alle- ghenies. Mr. Drum, father of Adjt.-Gen. Drum, of the United States army, residing at a distance, the entire superintendency was added to Gen. Markle's other duties. Gen. Markle was captain of a com- pany of light dragoons (troop) in the war of 1812, and was in the battle with the Indians on the expe- dition against the Mississinewa towns on the Wabash River, in which Lieut. Waltz (from his vicinity) and sixteen others were killed. Four other members of the Markle family were in this troop, one of whom, 704 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Jacob, was appointed to fill the vacant lieutenancy occasioned by Waltz's death. Gen. Markle was under Gen. Harrison, and was at the siege of Fort Meigs, and the sorties which accompanied it. While away in the West fighting the British and Indians the dam of the paper-mill on the Sewickley was swept away by a flood, but it was immediately repaired by the super- vision of his wife, and the manufacture of paper ex- tensively carried on. His dealings with a single house in Pittsburgh in a few years then amounted to more than a hundred thousand dollars. He supplied a greater part of Western Pennsylvania with paper, and personally distributed large quantities in Ohio and Kentucky. His farm, too, in the meanwhile was cultivated with great industry and vigor. The flour- mill was kept constantly employed. He also kept a store, out of which the great number of hands em- ployed by him were partly paid for their services The profits of the whole were no doubt very great, but the freedom with which he lent his name to his friends ultimately swallowed them up and left him deeply involved. In 1S29, in order to relieve himself from the vexation consequent to his embarrassments, he transferred to two of his sons, S. B. and Cyrus P., over three hundred acres of land, including the paper- mill, upon the condition of their paying his respon- sibilities. This condition was faithfully performed by the payment of every dollar for which he was morally or legally bound. He retained the ancient homestead of two hundred and twenty-five acres. It is one of those retired and fertile nooks into which our German population are so fond of retiring. Though selected by Gaspard Markle with far dif- ferent views, it is just such a spot as the eye of the lover of nature would delight to survey. It is beau- tifully situated on the east bank of the Sewickley. The principal part of the farm, descending gently from the east, terminates with a more abrupt descent at the stream. On an elevated point between the creek and a small rivulet which traverses the farm stands the family mansion, now occupied by George Markle. It is a large stone building, erected about 1818, and of rather modern construction. The frame mansion built in 1817 is occupied by Gen. C. P. Mar- kle. Immediately below the former is the mill built in 1806. From this point the stream, rushing and brawling among the rocks, pours along the base of a high and precipitous hill, crowned with oaks and fringed below with spruce and cedar. Hemmed in by the hill, it sweeps around a beautiful plateau of cultivated fields, and again approaches the mansion house. It has evidently at one time, after traversing a distance of a mile and a half, returned to within fifty paces of its present channel near the mill. Through the narrow isthmus thus formed Gen. Joseph Markle cut a tunnel, and through this and a canal cut along the deserted bed of the creek the water is now conveyed to the paper-mill. Here after having performed its office it is precipitated into its parent stream, which rushing through a cleft in the rocks rolls down its water towards the Youghiogheny. All or most of these objects are directly under the eye of the mansion. The hill towering and stretch- ing along it towards the setting sun, the creek at its base with its fringe of evergreen, the fields embossed in their midst and dotted over with the houses, paper- mill, the residences of the proprietors, and the neat white cottages of the hands, the clatter of the mill, and the ceaseless rush of the waters, all conspire to make this a spot where its owners may seek repose from the cares and vexations of life. In the " Whiskey Insurrection" of 1794, Maj.-Gen. Daniel Morgan's wing of the Federal army encamped on Gaspard Markle's homestead, and the garlic still found in this region troubling the land-owners is at- tributable to its being introduced by that army. Gas- pard Markle was opposed to the lawless opposition engendered against the excise laws and the officials sent here to enforce it, and saw with chagrin the de- fiers of law erect a liberty-pole on his lands, being unable in the excitement of the then maddened pop- ulace to prevent it. He died in 1819. Gen. Joseph Markle, his son, in 1837 purchased of his friend and old commander, Gen. Harrison, five hundred acres of land near Princeton, Ind., and eighty acres of another party near Vincennes same day. He died March 15, 1867, in his ninety-first year. Gen. C. P. Markle has some one thousand acres of rich lands on the Sewickley, all underlaid with the finest Youghiogheny coal. His splendid stock and dairy farm consists of three hundred acres, from which the annual sales of Jersey cattle exceed ten thousand dollars. His cattle and herds are among the best in the. State. He and his sons have also a large butchering establishment in West Newton, where are daily slaughtered animals from their farm to feed the people of that manufacturing town. The first paper-mill was erected in 1811, by Gen. Joseph Markle, in connection with Simon Drum, who only continued in the business a few years. It was a frame structure, located half a mile below the mansion, and was torn down in 1826. Gen. Markle built the steam paper-mill in 1827 by the narrows. It was constructed of stone and wood, and was over one hundred feet long. The stone end is still standing, and is used for a warehouse. In 1829 he turned the mill over to his sons, S. B. and Cyrus P., who in 1846 built the frame paper-mill in South Huntingdon township. It was operated both by steam and water- power. It was burned in 1862. In 1859 they erected the brick steam paper-mill in West Newton, to which in 1864 they made extensive frame additions. It was burned in 1876, and rebuilt in 1878. It was again burned in 1878 and rebuilt the same year. In 1879 it was again burned and rebuilt the same year. In 1881 Cyrus P. Markle & Sons, who for several years have been the active partners of their father, the general, purchased some five thou- SEWICKLKY TOWNSHIP. 705 sand acres of land on the Castleman River, in Somer- set County, where they invested over two hundred thousand dollars, and erected very extensive " pulp- works," in which the live trees of the forest are manufactured in two days into pulp, as elsewhere in this book minutely described. The principal paper manufactured by them is the glazed hardware paper, a particular fabric of extreme niceness and rarity, of which they are the only manufacturers in Amer- ica of this special kind. Part of it is shipped to Pittsburgh and the balance to New York, where much of it goes to foreign shores, and a large amount to China. The Markle paper-mills have been operated by three generations. Formerly they made all kinds of writing and bank-note papers, manilla wrappers, etc., but now their chief fabrics manufactured are the glazed hardwares, of a great variety of shades and textures. When Gen. Joseph Markle established the factory in 1811, and for a long time afterwards, the paper was all made by hand shaking, but now the latest inventions of skilled machinery are employed in all departments of its manufacture. The glazed hardwares are used by hardware manufacturers and dealers in the packing of all kinds of steels, cutlery, etc. The business of their paper-mill this year will reach a million dollars, and gives employment to several hundreds of hands of both sexes and all ages. The firm has also very extensive coke-ovens, — the " Bessemer" and " Rising Sun," — located near Mount Pleasant, which are among the largest and best in the State. The pulp-factories of C. P. Markle & Sons at Markleton, in Somerset County, are said to be the largest in the world in their capacity for the produc- tion of wood pulp. The following sketch of these great works was written by one of a party of recent visitors, and published in the newspapers : " Markleton is a station created out of nothing by Mr. Markle. He has already built ten dwelling-houses, and is building five more; has erected a church, a store, and an elegant little railroad station, besides his factories. The town lies in a little basin, surrounded by great hills densely wooded, and the Castleman River winds along beside it. On the opposite side of the river is one of the timber tracts belonging to C. I'. Mark 1<- A: Suns. They have over 8000 acres in Somerset and Westmore- land Counties. From Markleton a tram road extends back into the forest for eight miles. The road is carefully built, and T rails of excel- lent quality are used on it. The scenery along the road is highly pic- turesque, and its beauty was heightened by about a quarter of an inch of snow which lay upon the ground under the evergreen trees, although there was no snow in the open spots where the sun's rays could strike it. A large gang of men were at work about two miles from the station, getting wood ready for the mill "They do not use axes or cross-cut saws up there in cutting down trees. Such tools are too slow in performing the required work. They simply blow a tree up with dynamite. A specimen of this sort of thing was witnessed by the visitors. \ few large spruce were selected as the victims, ami the 'feller' who fel s began to quickly bore a hole in the base of the tree with an inch aug< \ The hole was driven in about ten inches, the chips were removed, and a dynamite cartridge was inserted in the hole. The dynamite used comes in sticks like a candle, and re- sembles moist brown sugar. A fuse whs attached to the charge, and after it was lighted the men sought a place of safety and waited. In a few seconds there was a mighty roar, and the great tree was lifted up into the air about ten feet, then with a swoop and crash it came to the earth, splintered half way up the trunk. "Dynamite Is not cheap, but it may truthfully be said that a little of it goes a great way. "The trees are cut up into four-foot lengths and split up into pieces like cord-wood. Then they are hauled over to the storage-yards beside : the factories. Almost any kind of timber could be used for making ' pulp, but the fibre of spruce and hemlock is so straight and soft that it can be worked more speedily and economically than any other available wood. The machinery in Markle's mill is strong enough to make pulp out of lignum vite, but it would dot pay. "About a hundred feet above the railroad is the mill proper. It is a superb building, one hundred and sixty-two by eighty-six feet, built in the most substantial manner atid fitted out with the finest class of ma- chinery. It is here the process of manufacture is carried on. The pro- cess is briefly this: The sticks of wood are brought into the mill and thrown into a large funnel which feeds a clipping-machine. This ma- chine consists of a large wheel furnished with five knife-blades, and the blades chip the wood off just as the knives of a fodder-machine cut straw. The chips are conveyed by an elevator to the second story of the mill and are dumped into 'digesters. 1 There are eight digesters in this mill. They resemble vertical boilers. The chips are fed into the digesters from openings in the top, and then a preparation of soda ash and lime is poured upon them, and they are boiled. The pressure of the chips as they spread apart ami the fibres Separate is immense, and the digesters have to be made to resist a pressure of one hundred and fifty pounds to the inch. In a short time the chips become a stringy pulp, and the liquid is run off by a pump and conveyed to the evaporator, of which we will speak later. The pulp next goes through a wet ma- chine, where it is strained and cooled. It then passes between rollers, and is made into sheets like pasteboard. Indeed, t'> the uninitiated, the sheets seem to be pasteboard of a fine and strong quality, and of a pure white color. The most striking feature about the mill is its water sup- ply. Four six-inch pipes are supplied with water from a strong moun- tain stream a hundred feet above the mill. The water is carried to the mill through thirteen hundred feet of huge pipe, with a fall of one hun- dred and sixty feet. A more magnificent supply of water could not be desired, aud it is so remarkably soft it does not require any artificial softening. "The evaporator which has been alluded to is a great building, one hundred and forty-eight feet long and thirty-eight feet wide. It is sup- plied with a long battery of small furnaces, above which are the retorts into which the alkali is pumped from the null. It is then evaporated until soda ash is the result, and this ash is again used in preparing pulp. There is but a trifle loss in evaporation, and the same alkali is used again and again. This evaporator is the most perfect building of its kind in existence, and yet it is not large enough to do all the work re- quired, and the foundations of another one have already been laid. "On the mountain side, a couple of hundred yards above the evapo- rator, is a six-foot vein of coal, which is opened, and which is to be con- nected with the works by a tramway. "The capacity of the mill is sixty thousand pounds of pulp daily. A cord of wood will make twelve hundred pounds of pulp. This pulp is worth one hundred and forty dollars a ton. About five tons of the pulp will make three tons of paper, we believe, although we base this on a guess. The pulp is transported to the Markle paper-mills at West New- ton, and there it speedily becomes paper. The firm has invested over a quarter of a million of dollars in its works at Markleton, but they will be amply repaid for their outlay. The mills will be in operation in two weeks, and will give employment to nearly two hundred men. A new paper-mill has been built at West Newton by the firm, and in a day or two it will begin work. The store of the firm is managed by Mr. John A. Miller, a very clever young gentleman, and the post-office — called Fibre— is in charge of Mr. John Cannon. "This mere outline of this great enterprise gives but a poor idea of its merits, but it shows how, as Capt. Markle remarked, 'a tree that waved its branches in the forest wind at noon on Monday may be sold on Tuesday morning by the newsboys of Pittsburgh, who shout, Here's your morning paper ! All about the great pulp- works at Markleton I' " CHURCHES. MARS HILL BAPTIST CHURCH was organized in 1840, with Rev. Milton Sutton as its first pastor. The Revs. R. R. Sutton, J. P. Rocke- fellar, G. Tonham, D. Webster, R. C. Morgan, and 706 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. others have held pastorates at various periods. The Rev. O. P. Hargrave has been pastor for nearly seven- teen years. Its membership is over one hundred, and the Sunday-school numbers one hundred and fifteen. The value of the church property is four thousand dollars. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is situated, with its cemetery, two miles northwest of Mill Grove. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH is located one mile north of the United Presbyterian. FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE is situated just north of Millville and near the Baptist Church. At the beginning of the century the Friends were strong in numbers, and among the leaders were the well-known Gilbert family. THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH is at Mars Hill post-office, and its membership ex- tends for several miles. It is supplied by circuit preaching from non-resident pastors. THE MARKLE CEMETERY is eligibly situated on the south side of Big Sewickley Creek, on the original homestead of Gaspard Markle. and near the old block-house, the refuge of all the settlers during the Indian incursions. In it lie the remains of Gen. Joseph Markle, Co-tz^ &t i^a/ SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP. 709 Harper's Ferry, on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road, October 16th. His company was in the spir- ited engagement at Bolivar Heights, in which the first sergeant and one private were wounded. The regiment was ordered to Edwards Ferry, with the in- tent of participating in the battle of Ball's Bluff, but did not reach there in time to engage in the battle. The regiment was next employed in guarding the Potomac River, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, between Nolan's Ferry and Antietam Aqueduct, his own company being located on the Maryland side opposite Harper's Ferry, a most important post, dividing the lines of the contending forces. The captain was detailed to construct the rope ferry over which the advance of the army crossed the Potomac, Feb. 24, 1862, and remained in charge of the same until the 1st of May following. He then returned to his regiment, then located at Reetortown, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, being engaged in guarding a distance of fifty-two miles of that road, a duty quite necessary and not a little dangerous, but with very little glory. He was in the battle of Cul- peper, Aug. 9, 1862, and under Gen. Pope was en- gaged in very many of the skirmishes and battles along the Rappahannock River and Orange and Al- exandria Railroad, ending with the second battle of Bull Run. After the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, in which hia regiment and company lost heavily, the company having a sergeant and four privates killed and seventeen wounded, the regiment occu- pied Harper's Ferry and Bolivar Heights. He was in the famous battles of Chancellorsville, May 1, 2, and 3, 1863, having both lieutenants wounded se- verely, and two corporals and seven privates prison- ers, and Gettysburg, July 1st, 2d, and 3d, having five men wounded. Following up Lee's retreating army until it had recrossed the Rappahannock and Rapi- dan, the regiment stopped at Raccoon Ford, on the latter river, where it remained until the Eleventh and Twelfth corps were detached under Gen. Hooker and ordered to join the Army of the Cumberland. After assisting to open up communication with Chat- tanooga and the Army of the Cumberland, and par- ticipating in the different skirmishes incident thereto, he took part in the glorious battle of Lookout Moun- tain ('-battle above the clouds"), Nov. 24, 1863, in which three of his men were wounded, and the next day that of Missionary Ridge, pursuing the retreating rebels all of next day, and on the 27th of November, at Ring- gold, Ga., on Taylor's Ridge, where a lieutenant, sergeant, and two privates were killed, and quite a number wounded, thus ending the campaign of 1863. During the winter of 1863-64 his company veteran- ized, with headquarters at Philadelphia, Pa., where its decimated ranks were filled with excellent re- cruits. In March, 1864, it again took the field, and engaged in all the battles and skirmishes from Chat- tanooga, Tenn., to Atlanta, Ga., notably that of Rocky Face Mountain, Ga., May 8, 1864, in which one sergeant and four men of his company were wounded; Resaca, May 15, 1864; Pumpkin Vine Creek, May 25, 1864, and on same day New Hope Church, where two privates were killed and six wounded, continuing for seven days and being under fire the whole time. He was in the battles of Pine Knob, PineHill.and Lost Mountain, June 14th ; Mud- dy Creek, June 16th ; Nose's Creek, June 19th ; Kolb's Farm, June 22d, in which seven men of his company were wounded ; Kenesaw Mountain, June 27th ; Mari- etta, July 3d; and was honorably discharged the ser- vice July 20, 1S64, arriving home on the 27th. From this brief resume of Capt. Greenawalt's army experience it will be seen that he participated in most of the notable battles of the war. From first to last he was impressed with the idea that the Rebellion must be fought down, and it would be difficult to find any one who more thoroughly practiced what he preached. On this account he uniformly declined to accept clerical or any other position which would take him from the fighting ranks, and fought against all attempts to transfer his best men from the ranks to such positions. For the number of engagements in which he participated he was exceedingly fortu- nate in receiving no severe wounds, and with the ex- ception of an attack of typhoid fever in August, 1861, he enjoyed remarkable health during his entire term of service. It is said the best soldiers make also the best citizens. Capt. Greenawalt is no exception to this rule. As a thorough, painstaking, and successful farmer he ranks among the first in a township of good farmers. To the original homestead tract he has added the Caldwell farm, adjoining it, and another farm of one hundred and fifteen acres in the same township. In politics he has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since its organization. He has been for fifteen years a justice of the peace in his township, and was candidate of his party for the State Senate in 1876. He married, Dec. 7, 1864, Mary M., daughter of William M. A. and Elizabeth S. (McFadden) Bell. A. M. CARLINE. A. M. Carline was born in Baldwin township, Alle- gheny County, Pa., June 23, 1840, the fifth in a family ofsix children of Adam and Elizabeth (Miller) Carline. His grandfather emigrated from England and settled in Baldwin township, where he kept an inn on the Brownsville road. He was twice married, and by his first wife he had four sons. Adam Carline, father of A. M., was four years old when his parents emigrated. He was a carpenter, and followed that trade during his life. Upon the death of his mother a division of the estate was made be- tween Adam and Jacob, the only children then living. Adam Carline lived and carried on his trade in Pitts- burgh a number of years, but the last years of his life 710 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. were spent on his portion of the farm in Baldwin, where he died in 1844. The children of Adam and Elizabeth Carline were as follows, viz. : Joseph A., born April 2, 1832, connected with the police force of Pittsburgh; James W., born , 1836, died ; Adam M., subject of this sketch ; Millicent G., born ■ 1842, twice married; first husband, John Peter- son ; second Elder, now living in Alliance, Ohio. His mother married for her second husband Daniel W. Morgan. By this union there were two children : Benjamin, deceased, and Kate, wife of James W. Smiley, living in Kansas. His mother died at his residence in Suterville, Dec. 25, 1880, and is buried in the West Newton Cemetery. Having received the education afforded by the common school, at the age of ten Adam M. Carline became a clerk in the store of J. P. Stall, on Water Street, Pittsburgh, with whom he remained until the death of the latter, about ten months ; then was em- ployed in the store of his brother, Joseph A., first on Grant Street, then on the corner of Fourth and Lib- erty, next as clerk for John Grazier, on Smithfield Street ; two years at each of these places. He then returned to his brother's store. For one season he was employed as second clerk on the steamer " Grand Turk," plying between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. At the age of nineteen, in company with Robert Mar- tin, firm Carline & Martin, he purchased his brother's store, and carried on the business until the spring of 1861. Aug. 9, 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier in Company H, Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cav- alry, and continued in active service until near the close of the campaign of 1863, when, having been confined by disease contracted in the army for a num- ber of months, returned home, January, 1864, on a sick furlough, and was honorably discharged at Pitts- burgh, May 28th of the same year. When he had re- covered from his illness he was employed by the gov- ernment until the spring of 1865 in shipping stock from the yards at Pittsburgh. April 1, 1865, he moved to Suterville, where for nearly seventeen years he has carried on a successful business in general merchandising. In politics he is Republican. He married, June 22, 1865, Amelia, daughter of John and Eliza (O'Con- nor) Battie. Mrs. Carline was born near Sharpsburg, Allegheny Co., Pa., Feb. 5, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Carline are members of the Presby- terian Church at West Newton. Their children are Elizabeth, born June 10, 1866; John Hasson, born Aug. 18, 1870; Eleanor Kate, born July 10, 1872; Adam Morris, born Nov. 29, 1874; William Thomas, born Oct. 18, 1876, died July 25, 1878. LOWER AND UPPER BURRELL TOWNSHIPS. ERECTION, BOUNDARIES, Etc. Lower and Upper Burrell Townships were erected in 1879, by the division of Burrell into Upper and Lower Burrell townships. 1 The original Burrell 1 The petition of divers citizens, inhabitants of the township of Bnr- rell, respectfully represent that they lahor under great inconvenience and disadvantage for want of a division of said township into two town- ships hy a proposed lino commencing at a marked rock on the right hank of Puckatos Creek, uear a walnut-tree, about twenty-five rods above the residence of William Parks, and running thence north forty- two degrees east until it intersects the line dividing the townships of Allegheny and Burrell, near the residence now or late of Matthew Young, it being the same line which divides said Burrell township tutu two election districts. Therefore your petitioners pray the court to appoint three impartial men commissioners to inquire into the propriety of granting a division of said township. And now, Dec. 22, 1877, petition presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions of said county, and the same order to be filed, and James B. McFarland, John Steel, and Robert S. Sproul appointed commissioners to inquire into the propriety of granting the prayer of the petitioners and to make a plot or draft of said township and the division line pro- posed to be made therein, if the same cannot he fully designated by natural lineB or boundaries, and to make report to the next term of the said court, together with their opinion as to the expediency and pro- priety of granting the prayer of the petitioners, as directed by the act of Assembly in such case made and provided. Per Curium. township was taken from Allegheny township, and organized in 1852. It was named in honor of Judge J. Murry Burrell, who was president judge of the court when it was erected. May 18, 1878, the report of the commissioners was filed, and on Sept. 21, 1878, the following order was made: "After due consideration of the premises, it is ordered and decreed that a vote of the qualified electors of said township be taken on a divi- sion thereof on Tuesday, the fifth day of November, 1878 (being the day for the holding of the general election), by au election to he held by the election officers of said township at the places fixed by law for holding township elections, and governed therein by the several laws of the Commonwealth relating to township elections. The ballots to be de- posited by the electors shall have written or printed on the outside there- of the word ' Divis™:*.',' and on the inside thereof ' Foit Division' or 4 Against Division.' The constable of said township shall give at least fifteen days' notice of the time and places of holding said election by posting not less than six written or printed handbills in the most public places in said township. The election officers, after closing the polls, shall count the ballots and certify within five days thereafter the number of votes for and against a division to the clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions. Per Curiam. " Retmn of election, filed 7th November, 1878. " Vote for divison, 114; against, 6, " And now, to wit, Jan. 18, 1879, it appearing to the court that at an election directed to be held by the qualified electors of the township of Burrell, in the county of Westmoreland, on the 5th day of November, LOWER AND UPPER BURRELL TOWNSHIPS. 711 Its boundaries were north by Allegheny, east by Washington, southeast by Franklin townships, west by Allegheny River, separating it from Allegheny County, which was its southern boundary. It was watered by the Allegheny River, the Big and Little Pucketos, and other smaller streams. Coal exists in all parts of the original township, in which are located some extensive coal-works. Its surface is rolling ; soil very fertile and highly cultivated. The chief oc- cupation of the people is agriculture. PIONEER SETTLERS. Of the early settlers nearly all of Scotch-Irish ex- traction. The Crooks family located on Pucketos Creek in 1791, and came from Antietam Creek. Wil- liam Ross was born in Ireland, and on his arrival in this country first located in Franklin and then Adams County, and removed to the glades here in 1794, and John Ross followed in 1801, who died June 23, 1827, aged fifty-four. The former died Aug. 28, 1849, aged eighty-seven years. His wife was a Miss Esther Reid, of Greencastle, to whom he was married April 19, 1803. John Stewart settled in 1804, with his brother William, who died April 19, 1850, aged sixty-eight years. John Bales settled in 1805. Among other early settlers were the McLaughlins, Birelys, Millers, Hummels (of whom David died May 23, 1867, aged sixty-nine), Donnells, the Hunters, Skillens, Moores, Logans, Shearers, Leslies, Bessorts, Blacks, Georges, Swenks, Milligans, Sands, Woolslayers, Rowans, Nelsons, Gills, Ludwigs, Dugans, Henrys, Leslies, Reisers, Lanes, Ingrams, Crawfords, Caldwells, Mencks, Younkins, Fredericks, Kunkles, Loves, Mc- Williams, McCutchens, and Ashbaughs. One of the first pioneers was James Johnston, a Revolutionary soldier, who lived to be one hundred and three years old, and is buried in Dugan's grave- yard in Allegheny County. David Alter came to Pucketos Creek from Cumber- land County. His father was born in Switzerland, and emigrated to America before the Revolution. He married Elizabeth Mill, and his sister married Governor Ritner. Of David's twelve children, the eldest daughter became the wife of Maj. George Dugan, and his eldest son, Joseph, was the father of Dr. David Alter. David Alter was born in 1775, and was a captain in the war of 1812, and built the noted " Alter's Mills" on Pucketos. His son Joseph mar- ried Margaret C. Dinsmore, of an early family. During the period from 1791 to 1795 the settlers A.p. 1878, by the order of said court, and agreeably to the act of Assembly id such case made and provided, a majority of the qualified electors of said township of Burrell voted in favor of a division of said township ; therefore it is ordered and decreed that the said township of Burrell he, and the same is, hereby divided into two townships, Hgreeably to the lines marked out and returned by the commissioners appointed to view and make report as to the propriety of granting the prayer of the peti- tioners for a division ; the eastern or upper division to he known here- after as 'Upper Bi'rrell TowNsinr,' arid the western or lower division to be known as 'Lower Burrell Township,' and John Ingram ap- pointed constable of Lower Burrell." Per Curiam. were subjected to many invasions by predatory bands of Indians, who carried off many into captivity, mur- dered and scalped others, and burned their cabins and plundered them of their stock. ,• About the first land entered or patented was a five- hundred-acre tract to a man named Wharton, which was subsequently purchased bv the McLaughlin fam- iiy. CHURCHES IN THE COUNTRY. THE PUCKETY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Located some two miles southeast of Chartiers Sta- tion is the oldest religious organized congregation in the limits of the original Burrell township. It had its origin in the settling of several families in the neighborhood from the Associate Reformed congre- gations of Adams and Franklin Counties, among whom were the Rosses, Crooks, etc., and of families of the General Assembly Presbyterians, among whom were the Watts, Skillens, and others. Preaching was had at several intervals from 1795 until 1804, when began the first stated supplies. Mrs. Esther (Reid), wife of William Ross, received her certificate from the Greencastle congregation Nov. 22, 1804. At a meeting of the Monongahela Presbytery, held Aug. 31, 1803, at Yough Meeting-house (now Bethesda), an application was received from Puckety for preach- ing here, and at its next meeting Rev. Joseph Kerr was appointed to preach on the first Sabbath in Jan- uary, 1804, which he did, the first regular stated ap- pointment here filled. At the meeting of Presbytery on March 4, 1804, a petition was received from Puck- ety for a regular supply, when Rev. Mungo Dick was appointed to preach, but was not always able to be there, but did preach the third Sabbath in November, 1805. Mr. Henderson preached in 1810, Mr. Bu- chanan in January, 1811, and Mr. Galloway the Feb- ruary following. These ministers came very long distances on horseback, and at a time when there were no roads or bridges. The place of the first preaching was a grove still standing on the Ross homestead. In 1806, William Ross built a barn, in which worship was held for some months. Shortly alter a "tent" was put up at the forks of the road near the residence of Squire Irwin, and about a mile from Chartiers Station. It was a temporary affair, built by putting four posts in the ground closed in on three sides, with a rough floor raised oil' the ground, and a covering for the preacher. Here services were held until the first edifice was erected. John and William Watts, John and Wil- liam Stewart, and John and William Ross were early connected with this church. The congregation was really organized in 1810, but not formally until the following spring. The first elders were John Ross, William Ross, John Stewart, William Stewart, John Watt, James Robertson. March 27, 1811, the Pres- bytery received an application to unite Deer Creek and Puckety into one charge. On Sept. 4, 1811, Pres- bytery met at Puckety, and installed Rev. James Mc- 712 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Connell as pastor of Puckety and Deer Creek, on which occasion were present Rev. Proudfit, Monro Dick, Galloway, and Buchanan. Mr. McConnell re- signed his pastorate at Puckety April 2, 1833. About 1816 measures were taken to build a meeting- house, which was erected on land conveyed by John Bales in 1825. The trustees in receiving his deed bound themselves and successors to let him and his family have one seat in the northwest corner of the house. The edifice was built of logs, thirty-two by thirty-eight feet, clunked and daubed, with no ceiling. It was warmed with a ten-plate stove for burning cord-wood. In 1833 the connection between Puckety and Deer Creek as two charges with one pastor was dissolved. Mr. McConnell was a native of Ireland, and received his theological education under the learned John Brown, of Haddington. He still preached at Deer Creek until Jan. 15, 1845. Puckety was now without a pastor until June 5, 1838. In May, 1836, just after the edifice had been re- paired and enlarged, it was destroyed by fire. Ser- vices were now held at the residences of Millers, Hummels, Bales, or in their barns, and sometimes in the school-house. The second church, the present brick edifice, was built in 1837. In 1834 these elders were installed : A. R. Stewart, William Watt, Francis Crooks, and Patrick Donnell. On Oct. 12, 1837, Rev. J. G. Fulton was called, and installed June 5, 1838, whose pastorate was dissolved Aug. 13, 1849. A. R. Stewart resigned his eldership in 1840. On the forma- tion of Blairsville Presbytery, Nov. 10, 1840, Puckety came under its territorial care; Rev. W. A. McKin- ney was installed pastor in July, 1841, and died Aug. 16, 1842. Robert Stewart was elected elder in 1842. Rev. J. W. Duff was installed Dec. 5, 1843. In 1845 the elders were William Stewart, Robert Stewart, Patrick Donnell, William Watt, Francis Crooks, James McMath, and David McLean. Mr. Dutf re- signed his pastorate April 13, 1848. In 1849 the elders elected were John Anderson, David Hummel, and William Stewart. The congregation had no pas- tor until the installation of Rev. John C. Bryson, Nov. 12, 1850, who resigned Oct. 31, 1854. In 1853 the elders elected were John Wylieand George Leslie. April 11, 1855, this church came under Westmore- land Presbytery's charge. The next pastor was Rev. James Given, installed June 21, 1859, who was re- leased April 8, 1873. In 1859 the elders elected were Daniel Hawk and William Vantine, and in 1868 William Crooks. The present popular pastor, Rev. M. M. Patterson,- was installed June 15, 1875. He was born in Elizabeth, Allegheny County, in 1845, and graduated at Westminster College, and later at Allegheny Theological Seminary. This is his first charge, and is in a flourishing condition. The church officials are Elders Daniel Hawk, Wil- liam Stewart, Robert Crooks, Edward Newell, Robert Stewart, Jr., and William Douglass ; Sunday-school superintendent, Hiram Gill. BETHESDA LUTHERAN CHURCH is located near the Allegheny township line. Its con- gregation was organized in 1864. Before that time the meeting-house was on the Ross farm, which was erected in 1850. The pastors have been: 1850 to 1864, Rev. D. Earhart; 1864 to 1S75, Rev. D. Hoover; 1875 to 1881, Rev. Barry ; and in 1881, Rev. M. G. Earhart, present incumbent. He also preaches at " Hankey" (Christ's) Church, in Franklin township. The church officials are: Council, Holmes George, Amos Willery, Abraham Sloanaker, Thomas George, and Henry Bair; Trustees, James G. Borland, Jacob Keiger, Henry Willery, Thomas George, Henry Ash- baugh ; Sunday-school Superintendent, Jacob Reiser. Number of members, one hundred and twenty. MANCHESTER REFORMED ASSOCIATE CHURCH was organized out of Brookland Church, and is lo- cated about a mile south of Milligan's Mills. It is supplied by the pastor of the Brookland congregation. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH has a congregation and edifice in Lower Burrell town- ship, about a mile and a fourth east of Tarentum Sta- tion. It is a part of the Parnassus Circuit, and its present pastor is Rev. Gray. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEMETERY (PARNASSUS). This congregation was organized May 18, 1842, by Revs. James Graham and S. M. McClung, with John W. Logan its only elder. It had occasional supplies for eight years. Rev. S. M. McClung was installed its first pastor Oct. 10, 1850. Revs. C. B. Bristol preached, David Kirkpatrick .charged the pastor, and James M. Hastings the people. He was released June 24, 1857. Oct. 6, 1858, Rev. D. W. Townsend was ordained and installed. Rev. Robert McMillan preached from 1 Corinthians i. 21. Rev. Dr. Donal- son presided, proposed the constitutional questions, made the ordaining prayer, and charged the pastorj and Rev. Robert McMillan the people. He was re- leased June 25, 1867. Dec. 29, 1868, Rev. J. P. Ken- nedy was installed, when Revs. J. D. Moorhead preached, W. W. Woodend proposed the necessary questions, D. J. Irwin charged the pastor, and J. E. Caruthers the people. From its situation this church, as well as Plum Creek and Pine Run, were placed by reconstruction, in 1870, under care of Blairsville Presbytery. This church has sent out no minister. Rev. J. K. Black became pastor in 1876, and is the present incumbent. The church officials in 1882 are : Elders, G. C. McJenkin, John Dugan, George Arm- strong, O. M. Bessort, William Bakewell, and Mr. Moody, and superintendent of Sunday-school, Win. Bakewell. Mr. Black also preaches at Arnold Chapel every other Sabbath. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (PARNASSUS). Its edifice was erected in 1874, but before that time preaching had been held in the second story of the station-house and at other points. The first pastor LOWER AND UPPER BURRELL TOWNSHIPS. 713 was Rev. J. T. Riley, whose successors have been A. H. Norcross, Robert Cartwright, Robert Hamilton, Alexander Scott, and J. B. Gray, present incumbent. This point with McLaughlinsville, Bethel, and New Hope form one circuit. REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PARNASSUS). The congregation was organized 1868, and its neat frame structure erected in 1870. The first pastor, Rev. J. M. Johnston, continued until 1872, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. C. McFeeters, the present incumbent. The church officials are : Elders, A. B. Copeland, Alexander Miller, John Reid ; Sunday- school Superintendent, A. B. Copeland. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIANS (PARNASSUS) have occasional services here, but have no regular congregation or house of worship. PARNASSUS BOROUGH. This borough lies on the east bank of the Alle- gheny River, in Lower Burrell township. When the Allegheny Valley Railroad was completed, in the winter of 1855-56, where the town is stood the Pres- byterian Church, the farm residence of John W. Logan, a house of his tenant near the church, and the dwelling of Alexander Cook, the latter. erected dur- ing the construction of the railroad. The town took its name from the church (Parnassus), so called after that of the original tract of land, and which was given to the latter by the laud-office in designating the land warrants and patents. John W. Logan laid out the town immediately after the completion of the railroad. The first building erected was by A. B. Copeland for his store, the first here, the second by A. H. Wylie, the third Mr. Copeland's residence (burned in 1868), and fourth the " Eagle Hotel." Drs. Curtis and Edgar were the first physicians here, but did not remain long. Dr. David Alter settled in 1863, and has been in continuous practice ever since, save when in the army during the war as surgeon in the Two Hundred and Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, of class of 1861, and a grand- son of Capt. David Alter, who settled on the Pucketos about 1800. The post-office was established in 1856, with John W. Logan as postmaster. His immediate successor was George L. Lee, and the present incum- bent is J. E. Lane, also station and express agent. BOROUGH INCORPORATION. By an act of the Assembly of 9th of April, 1872, the village of Parnassus was erected into a borough. The first section of the act empowered and directed the Court of Quarter Sessions to appoint three persons, whose duties were to make out and define the bounda- ries of the borough, and to file a report of the same in the office of the clerk of the court. In the petition of A. B. Copeland, A. H. Wylie, W. R. Logan, and Samuel Skillen these tacts were brought to the notice of the court, and on May 15, 1872, C. F. Warden, John M. Dickey, and John F, McCulloch were appointed commissioners to perform the duties defined by the act referred to. On the 6th of August, 1872, the above commissioners filed their report in the clerk's office, and in it they fixed the boundaries and limits of the borough. The commissioners in making their report in- cluded in the limits described about fifty acres of land, part of the real estate of Maj. Hugh Logan. Upon his death his executor made petition to the court to modify the boundaries of the borough, so as to exclude the land above mentioned. After a time, and upon regular proceedings, the petition was dis- missed at the costs of the petitioners, and the legisla- tive status of the borough defined at length in a lengthy opinion filed by the Hon. John P. Blair. In this opinion he held that the court had not the power to change the limits of the corporation after the same had been regularly laid out by and under the direc- tions of the act of Assembly. CORPORATION OFFICERS. The first municipal election under the borough charter was held on the first Monday in December, 1872. The officials have been : 1872.— Burgess, John Fluke ; Council, J. C. Stewart, W. J. Sproul. James II. Elder, S. Y. Crusan, A. 11. Wylie, \V. J. Wentz, W. R. Logan, Stephen Hughan ; Clerk, D. S. Dewalt ; Treasurer, J. C. McCutcheon ; Street Commissioner, William Bright; High Constable, J. W. Neff. 1873.— Council, J. C. McCutcheon, S. Hughan, J. H. Elder, Samuel Skil- len, J. C. Stewart, John Fluke, W. J. Wentz, A. II. Wylie ; Clerk, D. S. Dewalt. 1874.— Burgess, Dr. David Alter ; Council, A. H. Wylie, J. H. Elder, W. R. Logan, Daniel Yetter, J. C. Stewart, W. Wentz, John Parry, Dr. B.L.Calhoun; Clerk, Garret Crusan (who has been continued to the present time). 1875 —Burgess, W. J. Sproul ; Council, J. II. Elder, Stephen Hughan, Dr. B. L. Calhoun, R. K. Armstrong, William Lindsay, J. C. Steward, John Glenn, S. B. McBride. 1870.— Burgess, W. J. Sproul; Council, W. R. Logan, S. Hughan, S. B. McBride, Dr. David Alter, Dr. B. L. Calhoun, William Lindsay, John Glenn. 1877.— Burgess, F. M. Johnston ; Council, W. R. Logan, S. B. McBride, J. H. Elder, Dr. David Alter, Dr. B. L. Calhoun, B. F. King, Samuel Skillen, Josiah Masters. 1878. — Burgess, David Lewis; Council, R K. Stewart, O. M. Bassert, Jo- seph McCutcheon, F. J. Zimmerman, J. II. Elder, Josiah Masters, W. Went/.; High Constable, F. Alward. 1879. — Burgess, Samuel Skillen ; Council, It. K. Slewart, J. Masters, John Agey, Josiah Masters, T. J. Cooper, W. R. Logan, T. M. Boal, O. M. Bassert. 1880.— Burgess, W. J. Sproul ; Council, W. Wentz, J. M. Johnston, J. F. Zimmerman, W. R. Logan, R. K. Stewart, J. M. Masters, John Agey, Josiah Masters. 1881. — Burgess, JohuN. Aker; Council, Alexander Cooke, R. K. Stewart, Reiiwick Rowan, Robert Parks, J. M. Johnston, J. F. Zimmerman, William Truby ; Constable, W. J. Masters. IsS'j. — Burgess, John N. Aker; Council, Alexander Cooke, Dr. David Alter, Robert Parks, J. F. Zimmerman, J. M. Johnston, John Mas- ters, A. W. Logan, J. A. McCutcheon. PARNASSUS BANK was organized in April, 1872, with Dr. David Alter, president; A. B. Copeland, vice-president; and K. C. Hill, cashier. Four of the six first directors were Dr. David Alter, A. B. Copeland, A. H. Wylie, and R. Rowan. Dr. Alter was succeeded as president by 714 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. W. R. Logan, present incumbent, and Mr. Copeland has remained vice-president. The present cashier is A. W. Logan. It is a private institution and not a corporation. THE NEW CEMETERY is pleasantly located on ground commanding a pic- turesque view of the Allegheny River, and which was donated by the late Hugh Logan. The only three interments are Hugh Logan, born Dec. 3, 1788, died June 29, 1873; his wife, Elizabeth, born April 24, 1798, died Nov. 3, 1878. Nancy Hultz, born Nov. 17, 1802, died Nov. 28, 1878. PARNASSUS LODGE, No. S04, I. 0. 0. P., was chartered by William Stedman, M. W. G. M., and James B. Nicholson, M. W. G. Sec, May 24, 1872. The first officers were: N. G., Joseph E. Mur- ray ; V. G., John McElwain ; Sec, O. M. Bossert; A. S., John Agey ; Treas., George B. Armstrong. The officers in 1882 are : N. G., James Neely ; V. G., W. J. Masters; Sec, A. Jack; A. S., G. T. Jack; Treas., J. F. Zimmerman ; Trustees, L. L. Toy, G. B. Armstrong, Foster Alward. It meets every Saturday night at its hall over the bank. Membership, thirty. LILY DALE LODGE, No. 1216, I. 0. G. T., was chartered April 9, 1877, with the following char- ter members and officers : P. W. C. T., George Stailey ; W. C. T., W. D. Hare; W. V. T., Miss L. Magee; W. Chap., A. A. Hill ; W. Sec, F. J. Glass ; W. F. S., Michael Dearoff ; W. Treas., Miss Eliza Masters ; W. M., W. J. Masters; W. D. M., Kate Dunlap ; W. I. G., Jennie Hare; W. O. G., C. Phillips; W. I. H. S., Mrs. L. R. Noss. Charter members, John Agey, F. Alward, George Gillon, George Noss, William W. Davis, Cyrus Masters, John Kirkwood, Harvey Wentz, Eliza Masters, Margie Masters. KNIGHTS OF HONOR. A lodge of this order was instituted here Feb. 21, 1882, with the following officers: D., J. M. Kerr; S. V. D., S. M. Thorp ; A. V. D., J. E. Lane ; Rep., R. K. Stewart; F. R., John Masters; Treas., B. F.King. VILLAGES AND RAILROAD STATIONS. McLAUGHLINSTOWN lies in the southeast part of Upper Burrell township, and in a region early settled by the McLaughlins, Kunkles, Swanks, Wylies, McClintocks, Cochrans, Byerlys, Murrys, Hunters, and Borlins. It has a store, post-office, and several shops. Dr. William McWilliams is the resident physician, and a prac- titioner of long and successful practice. Two miles northwest are MILLIGAN'S MILLS. Going north from Parnassus the first station on the Allegheny Valley Railroad is ARNOLD, near which is the residence of Capt. R. P. Crawford and his coal-mines. Here were located the salt-works and oil refinery of Porter, Crawford & Co. TAKENTUM STATION is a mile farther northeast, and opposite to which, in the Allegheny River, is Harris' Island. CHARTIERS STATION lies in the northwest part of Lower Burrell township, and is an important shipping-point. Near it live the old families of Leslie, Shearer, Goldinger, George, Miller, Reed, and others. It was the scene of many Indian depredations from 1790 to 1795. BELL TOWNSHIP. FORMATION, DESCRIPTION, Etc. Bell Township was made out of parts of the town- ships of Loyalhanna, Salem, and Ligonier, and le- gally organized in 1853. Its present boundaries are : North by the Kiskiminetas River, east and southeast by Loyalhanna township, south by Salem, and west by Huntingdon townships. The West Pennsylvania Railroad runs through the township, following its northern and northeastern boundaries. The princi- pal streams are the Kiskiminetas River and Beaver Run. There are some smaller water-courses tribu- tary to these. There are several extensive coal-mines in the township, also some large brick-yards for the manufacture of fire-brick, which forms an extensive industry. EARLY SETTLERS. John Carnahan, the first settler, built a block- house on his land, which was the refuge of his neigh- bors for miles around on threatened invasion by the Indians. Among the early settlers were the Yockeys, Carna- hans, Callens, Marshalls, Whitfields, Clawsons, Ew- ings, Hines, Rumbaughs, Taylors^ Alcorns, Neelys, McKees, Hiltys, Thompsons, Kuhns, Blairs, Pauls, Kennedys, Weisters, Glasses, Sparkers, Whitezels, McDivitts, Buzzards, Klines, McCauleys, Walkers, Beattys, Gartleys, Montgomerys, Goorteys, Bow- mans, Househoulders, Learns, Robinsons, McCon- nels, Elwoods, Wolfords, Bears, Roughs, Smeltzers, Huffs, Grimes, and Longs. BELL TOWNSHIP. 715 Perryvsille is the principal village, located in the centre of the township, but there are several small stations on the railroad. ST. JAMES' UNION CHURCH (REFORMED AND LU- THERAN). Some three-fourths of a mile north of Helena, on the brow of a precipitous bluff', between two and three hundred feet above the stream of the beautiful Kis- kiminetas River, and but a short distance below the once famous Indian village of "Old Town," sur- rounded on all sides by heavy growth of timber, there is a graveyard of one-half acre, well inclosed with post-and-board fence, where repose the remains of from fifty to one hundred souls. This land, to- gether with some more remaining uninclosed, was donated by Simon Hine for the purpose of a Lutheran and German Reformed Church and burial-ground. Here, to the south, and outside of the inclosure, was begun the building of a church. The timbers had been dressed and drawn to the place, the day ap- pointed for the raising of the log house, the members were on the ground from far and near, one or two courses of logs put on their foundation, when came the question, " To whom shall the houses and ground be deeded?" and until that was decided not another hand to build was lifted, and when decided the issue remained the same. There the few logs placed upon pillars of stone remained untouched, as well as the large heaps lying all around, and there they are to- day, a decayed and decaying monument of human infirmity and folly. This happened in 1803, but the graveyard was opened a few years sooner. Some years after this failure, Christopher Yockey, of the Reformed Church, gave a lot of ground, about three miles southwest of the meribah (the place of strife), described above, the site of the present brick church. The old or first Union Congregational constitution bears date March 9, 1815. The lot of ground was surveyed October 10th of that year, and the deed for the land dated the 5th of the following December. Although the land was not deeded and surveyed until 1815, this church edifice, log structure, was built about 1808, when the ground was simply marked out. The first Reformed pastor was Rev. John William Weber, who came not earlier than 1808, nor later than 1812. He labored several years, not later than 1816. His successor was Rev. William Weinel, whose pastorate continued until 1838. The contract for the building of the present brick church, for the sum of twenty-two hundred dollars, was executed April 9, 1838, between Jacob Smeltzer and John Ringle, Lu- theran, and John Whitesell, Reformed, together with others of both congregations. The builders were Matthew Callen and John Paul. Rev. Henry Knep- per, Reformed, preached here about two years, resid- ing at Kittanning, preaching also at Butler. He was here as late as March 13, 1846. Rev. B. D. Ernst visited the congregation some, and preached Oct. 7, 1847. Rev. H. E. F. Voight preached here, probably between the pastorates of Revs. Weinel and Kuepper. Rev. Samuel H. Geisy began his labors Nov. 19, 1848, and served the Reformed congregation until July, 1855. The pastorate of Rev. Thomas G. Apple began Jan. 1, 1856, and continued until April 1, 1857, when the Salem and this congregation were separated from Greensburg and Irwin and constituted a charge. His successor was Rev. Richard P. Thomas, from April, 1858, to April 1, 1863. Rev. T. J. Barkley immedi- ately succeeded him, and resigned Jan. 1, 1867. Rev. T. F. Stauffer's pastorate was served from May, 1867, to September, 1871. On Oct. 30, 1870, the whole number of members was one hundred and twenty-four, of which fifty-nine communed. At this time the congregation fell into confusion and strife, starting in a proposition to sep- arate from the Lutherans, some favoring the project and others opposing, which led to the pastor's resig- nation, who preached his closing sermon May 14, 1871. Rev. J. B. Welty preached his trial sermon Aug. 18, 1872, and was elected pastor, and ordained and installed September 18th following. He resigned Sept. 16, 1873. Rev. John McConnell commenced his pastorate June 2, 1874, and in the next three years baptized twenty, confirmed seven, and added one on certificate. COOK TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION. There is a diversity of opinion respecting the causes which brought about a division of Donegal township and the formation of Cook. Many regarded the division of the township, especially for the prac- tical purposes of elections and the keeping up of roads, a necessity long before it was actually accom- plished ; and the causes which operated, and the in- fluences which brought it about, had been at work much earlier. Before the township was divided the elections were held at Stahlstown. This was a matter of complaint to those resident beyond the village of Donegal, in the southern portion of the township. But it is a matter of notoriety that while a small portion of the people on both sides of the line were dissatisfied, yet the township was divided before the majority of the people knew it, so do they still pro- fess. The advantages, however, of the division have been, and are now, so apparent that no one should or does cavil. It seems altogether probable that those gentlemen who were very zealous for the popular good and exerted themselves in having the division made early secured the co-operation of the Hon. David Cook, at that time an associate judge. Mr. Cook, by the way, was father of William A. Cook, Esq., a practitioner at the District of Columbia bar, and at present retained in some important cases as counsel for the government. Mr, Cook proved to be the right man in the right place, and his influence, coupled with the active efforts of the friends of the project, were entirely successful. The township was divided, and the new one was called " Cook." EARLY SETTLERS. Of the early settlers within these limits were Rob- ert Campbell, father of "Elder" Robert Campbell, and the progenitor of a numerous offspring, many of whom reside within easy distance of their paternal homestead. He came in with his family before the Revolution. He was murdered by the Indians and left in the fields, where was also left his murdered wife, when the Indians made their descent on that family and carried off the children, all except one. Of this we have spoken in a former chapter. The children taken were Thomas, Polly, Ibly (Isabella), Sarah, and the Robert of whom we spoke. The cap- tives were separated, and part of them taken to Can- ada. Thomas was bought by an English officer and taken to England, and it is not known what became 716 of him. After a captivity of about four years the girls returned to the valley. Robert returned about the close of the war, having been in captivity about six years. Isabella was afterward married to a man named Galbraith, and was the grandmother of George Campbell, Esq., of Mansville. The old inhabitants say that about that time, probably subsequent to that, there was a block- house near the Campbell farm, which itself was about a mile westward of Pleasant Grove Church. The location is now on the farm of James Freeman. Capt. Richard Williams was a very old settler along the Four-Mile Run, and the block-house built on his land was called " Fort Williams." All re- membrance of him or his family appears to be en- tirely dissipated in the upper valley. This was in all reasonable probability the same structure which lat- terly was known as the " Miller block-house," on the farm then owned by George Miller, some of whose descendants still own the place. Miller left a large family, most of whom have children living through Ligonier Valley, Unity and Derry townships. Miller was one of the first Roman Catholics in the valley, and he and his family to attend church had to go to the " Hill Church," now St. Vincents. Thither also they removed the remains of the members of the family when they died. Others of the early settlers not specially named in the history of the county at large or in the history of the other townships of the valley were the Get- temys, the Pipers, the Thompsons, the Biukeys, the Bests , the Phillippis, the Beistals, the Matthews, the Groves, the Parks, — one of whom, Zebulon Parks, was a Revolutioner with Washington, — the Hangers, Hineses, Hoods, Felgars, Noehls, Stahls, Brants, Ca- vens, Withrows, McDowells, Wellers. CIVIL OFFICERS. Among the first justices of the peace of the town- ship after its erection was Seymour Campbell, a very prominent local man, and a great adviser and peace- maker among his neighbors. His name is borne by many namesakes. There also were James McDowell, James McClain, John Campbell, John Berg, James Witherow, Eli K. Caven, J. G. Weaver, Lewis Thomp- son, and Josiah McDowell. The constabulary duties have been divided between a very meagre number, the evident policy being when a man is found fit and competent to exercise the duties of the office to keep COOK TOWNSHIP. il7 him in. The first man on the list (in the recollection of these and without consulting the records) is John Berg, who was succeeded by William Gettemv, he by William Thompson, and he by George Campbell. EARLY TIMES. During the times of the Indian troubles, through the Revolution, and down to even a few years after the end of the war, the district of what is now Cook township was the scene of many savage outrages. Of these particular incidents, which we think sufficient to cover the whole grounds, we have mentioned in the general history of the county. The captivity of An- drew Harman, and the troubles about the Williams' block-house on the Four-Mile Bun, as also the inci- dents connected with the early life of Robert Camp- bell, belong to the little region of territory bounded by the lines of the township. In order to understand how it was that the Indian depredations were carried into this remote region, bounded as it was by hills on both sides, and difficult of access from the North and the South, we must re- member that the great Catawba war trail, which ran north and south, ran along the summit and sides of the Chestnut Ridge, thus passing along the whole length of Ligonier Valley. These depredations, as has been said, were mostly committed by the Indians who traversed this path. At one time, late in the Revolution, there was in this part of the valley no security against the toma- hawk, the scalping-knife, or the torch. VILLAGES. The elections for Cook township are held at the school-house at the village and post-office of Mans- ville, which is located in the middle western part of the township, but in a nearly central location with re- gard to the populated portion thereof. It scarcely is entitled, in point of numbers, to be ranked as a vil- lage, but from its situation it has always been a point of interest for the people of the whole township. It is a " veritable village at a cross-roads," and these roads are much traveled. The gentlemen who owned the land there when there was talk of founding a town, some seventy years ago, from the inducements seemingly presenting themselves along one of the old wagon-roads, were James Phinney, Campbell, James McClain, Esq., and James McKenzie. The first house was built by George G. Campbell. Most all the old settlers were Campbells, and with all propriety it should have been named " Campbell's Town." Shortly after that date a tavern was kept there by a Henry Knox, and since that time William Gettemy was in the tavern business there. From the temperance proclivities of the inhabitants, and their known aversion to intoxicating beverages, it would not justify a person now to take out license. At one time there were two country stores in the village, but at present there is only one store, owned and kept by the Messrs. Keffer, of Ligonier. 46 STAHLSTOWN VII. LACK is situated on the " Old Felgar road," running from Somerset to Greensburg, and became a village in the days of the road-wagons. It lies in the middle southern part of the township, and within the line which divides Cook from Donegal. The road from Donegal down the Valley to Ligonier crosses through the place, and it is distant from Donegal four miles, and from Ligonier ten miles. Most of the ground upon which the buildings of the village have been built was owned by Leonard Stahl. Enos King built the first house ; it is a stone house, and is now owned by John Roadman. When the matter of opening out a village was first talked upon, it became a subject for discussion what the name of the place and post-office should be. Being then in Donegal township, many were for naming it Centreville. To this some objected, and especially did the Post-office Department object to the name on the ground that there was a Centreville post-office in Somerset County, Pa., and this but a few miles away. It was finally called Stahlstown, because the name of the original proprietor, as has been said, was Stahl. Many years ago a tavern-house was kept in Stahls- town by George Campbell ; William Rickart figured in the same business afterwards. These, as was the custom of nearly all public-houses of that day, sold whiskey. But now two public-houses for the enter- tainment of passengers are kept in the village, but at neither are liquors sold. There is not a licensed house in Cook township. In the census report the village of Stahlstown is not tabulated, but its population is included in that of the township. It has, however, two good stores, a resident physician, a Methodist Protestant and a Methodist Episcopal Church, which, although a part and parcel of the village, are really located within the limits of Donegal township, the parsonage for the former, a school-house, tannery, and the various shops common and needful in country villages. PLEASANT GROVE. A very alluring by-way resting-place is Pleasant Grove, the name given to the cluster of buildings about Pleasant Grove Church. This is on the right hand side of the Valley road, going from Stahlstown to Ligonier. The two churches, the Old Done- gal, or " Pleasant Grove," and the Methodist Epis- copal Church (organized in 1847), the one of stone, the other of brick, lie in close distance of each other, embowered among the monster trees of the old for- ests, and around them in the quiet country are spread the quieter graves of the dead. It is a spot to attract a loiterer who wanders by when the weather is warm and dry, and the harvesters are out in the "happy harvest-fields." Few churches in the valley have a more interesting history than the " Old Donegal," which we give herewith. 718 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. DONEGAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NOW KNOWN AS "PLEASANT GROVE," tbe last of the five primitive churches which belonged to the Old Redstone Presbytery , but which now belongs to that of Blairsville, obtained, April 25, 1785, Rev. James Power to supply one day. With Fairfield and Wheatfield, April 21, 1787, it called, unsuccessfully, Rev. James Hughes. Rev. George Hill, as stated in the case of Fairfield, became its first pastor, April 17, 1792, giving it for six years one-fourth of his time, and then one-third, till Oct. 22, 1817. At this time, without authority from Presbytery, he ceased his labors there. Of this the church complained to Presbytery, which declared emphatically that he ought not to have done so. He then tendered his resigna- tion, and was released, giving afterwards to Ligonier the portion of time thus disengaged. For over six years Donegal had occasional supplies, until June 17, 1824, as already stated, it obtained Rev. Swan, than whom no other man ever held so high a place in their con- fidence, esteem, and tender love. Oct. 5, 1841, he re- signed. From this time, with Ligonier, it became a separate charge, and received as pastor Mr. A. B. Clark, who was there ordained and installed, Jan. 26, 1842. Rev. George Hill preached, A. Donaldson charged the pastor, and P. Hassinger the people. This acceptable pastor was released Oct. 22, 1851. May 31, 1853, his successor, Rev. D. Harbison, was installed, Rev. George Hill again preached, S. Swan charged the pastor, and R. Lewis the people. He, too, was acceptable and useful, but resigned Oct. 3, 1855. June 3, 1856, his successor, Mr. John Allen Brown, was ordained and installed. Rev. S. H. Shep- ley preached, N. H. Gillett charged the pastor, and R. Stevenson the people. Acceptable as his predeces- sors, he resigned Oct. 21, 1859. June 8, 1860, he was succeeded by Rev! R. Stevenson. At the installation Rev. S. H. Shepley again preached, Dr. Smith charged the pastor, and J. W. Walker the people. Donegal township being divided, and this church being in the new organization, changed its name, by leave of Presbytery, to Pleasant Grove in this pas- torate. Mr. Stevenson resigned the charge Oct. 18, 1871. Oct. 29, 1872, the present pastor, Mr. E. G. McKinley, was ordained and installed at Ligonier. Rev. D. W. Townsend preached, W. Cunningham charged the pastor, and T. R. Ewing the people. This church has had no stated supply, seven pastors, but never produced a minister. Among all its elders, one noble, old, godly man, Father Robert Campbell, was greatly pre-eminent. Donegal, now Pleasant Grove, is regarded as exem- plifying a sentiment and illustrating a theory of bi- ologists. They maintain that affectionate, tender, frequent, and prolonged intercourse between different persons tends to induce a similarity of appearance, attitude, movement, face, and features among them. Thus a husband and wife, who at first have no notice- able resemblance to each other, after years of happy wedded life grow gradually like each other, and seem as if they had been kindred born. The philosophy is this : Frequent free flow of feeling in a social, lively way, as a great chemical life-power, predis- poses the respective capacity of our nature to take impressions. Just then the sunlight of the happy faces of fellow-beings beaming brightly upon us leaves on our features in photograph, more or less noticeably, the impress and imprint of theirs, while they in turn, by reciprocal emotion, carry away the " image and superscription" of ourselves. . Thus whole communi- ties, in some cases, are assimilated, and may be readily recognized by their common likeness. Donegal in "the olden time" was eminently, notoriously charac- terized by the freest kind of frequent social intercourse. It was so indulged as to bring their whole being into a very glow of warmth and life. Beyond controversy they did wondrously assimilate to a commonness, a oneness of feature and expression which no observer could fail to notice. To such a degree did this occur that in surrounding localities it was a common thing to hear the remark, "I cannot tell who he is, but I know he is a Donegalian." Even at the distance of a day's journey from their native, social homes have they been recognized as Donegalians, from their manifest peculiarity of face, features, and style of speech. In the upper part of Ligonier Valley are still pre- served many anecdotes of this eccentric man, and in nearly every religious work having reference to the early history of the Old Redstone Presbytery there is something said about " Father" or " Elder" Robert Campbell. If his character was not vouched for by some good authorities we might be led to think that the designation was more of a nickname than a well- earned cognomen. For of nicknames it may be ob- served that they very often describe, and are intended to describe, the character better than any other de- scription whatever ; for this use came they into the world ; but we have noticed that they are to be taken contrariwise when a churchly word is applied by a worldly people. There is, for instance, a one-story log church, with bench seats, standing on the top of the Chestnut Ridge, which having been built on land donated by Mr. Solomon Blank, has been for half a generation known as " Solomon's Temple," and we know a man who from his pious manner and worldly ways is known to every one as the "Apostle James." Campbell was a man of wonderful placidity of temper, and his mind taking a religious turn he excelled in organizing pious devotional exercises and system- atizing the efforts of the pastors, just as he would have excelled an executive officer had he devoted himself to politics or civil affairs with the expecta- tion of advancement. He was a representative of a class of men, hardy in body and mind, who were bred in Western Pennsylvania. A few observations on his character will readily illustrate what we say. COOK TOWNSHIP. 719 The Rev. Adam Torrance, speaking of him, says that he enjoyed but limited advantages of religious instruction in his early youth, yet being of an inquir- ing turn of mind he gave considerable attention to the doctrines of the Bible, and tried to understand them as they were generally believed and taught. But looking at the doctrines by reason and experience only he could not understand some of them, and es- pecially the doctrine of the resurrection of the body, which appeared to him utterly incredible. During his captivity among the Indians a circumstance oc- curred which served to strengthen his unbelief in that doctrine. A fellow-prisoner who twice attempted to escape was pursued and recaptured both times. By attempt- ing to escape a second time he had forfeited his life, and was accordingly bound to a sapling at the bead of a ravine, and with a pile of wood built around him and fired he was burned to ashes. All the white captives in possession of the Indians of that place, Robert Campbell being one of them, were obliged to witness the scene, as a warning against attempts to escape. The night following there was a very heavy fall of rain, and soon afterwards Campbell visited the scene of the burning and found the ashes and re- maining brands and everything else on and about the spot completely swept away by the land-flood. Where, he asked himself, are the particles of which that body was composed? Some of them evaporated and diffused through the air, others mingled with ashes and various forms of rubbish and swept into the stream below ; and how can they ever be collected and reunited so as to form a living body ? Such were his silent reflections on the subject, and more than ever was his unbelief in the doctrine of the res- urrection confirmed. After his return to the Valley he occasionally heard sermons, but being preached by uneducated preachers he received no light on the subject of his doubts, but hearing of a certain minister going to preach at a particular place he went to hear him, when it chanced that the doctrine of the resurrection was a branch of the principal subject of the discourse. The min- ister's last answer to the objectors was given in the words of the Saviour to the Sadducees : " Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." From that date Campbell dated his spiritual regener- ation. The following remarks as to the religious tempera- ment and zeal of the worthy man are from Rev. Aaron Williams' article, " The Religious History," in the Centenary Memorial: " Still another of these elders, ' who through faith obtained a guod report,' was 'Father' Robert Campbell, of the church of Donegal, now in the Presbytery of Blaiisville. He loved communion seasons, and be- sides attending those of his own church, with all the accompanying ex- ercises of four or five days, he was found at the communions of neighbor- ing churches, even when, as he once said, ' in order to do so he had to fight the devil and a buckwheat-field ready to be harvested, and at last only gained the victory by running away from both.' Before the pastor's arrival on such occasions he would not allow the people either inside or outside of the house to be unemployed. He would sing or prny, or call on some one else to do so, generally dropping a weighty thought, pun- gent remark, or brief exhortation. He seldom spoke five sentences at a time. His very soul would sing. He had no stereotyped prayer, but talked familiarly, though reverently, to God, as a child pleading with a father. Rarely could he afford to lodge with Christians if Godless fam- ilies lived near. These he went to visit, and with them read the Bible, talk, and pray." The first church building was a rude log cabin, in which the congregation worshiped for many years. In 1832 a substantial and for the day a very neat stone building was erected. John Lane did the mason-work, and Seymour Moses the carpenter-work. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. LEWIS THOMPSON. - John Thompson, the father of George Thompson, and grandfather of Lewis Thompson, the subject of this brief memoir, migrated from Cecil County, Md., to Greene County, Pa., in the early part of the present century. From there, after a residence of one year, he removed into Westmoreland, and settled within the bounds of Cook township, then Donegal, where he remained until his death in 1874. He was of Scotch-Irish nativity. His wife, Alice Nelson, of English extraction, he married in Maryland. Of his children, George, the second son, was born in 1811 in Maryland, before the removal of his father. He was married to Rachel Felgar, a resident of that part of Donegal township which is now Cook. He was a farmer by occupation. Beginning without any means of his own, like many of the best bone and blood, he by frugality, economy, and energy secured a farm of his own, and raised and educated a family of three sons and three daughters, three of his children out of a family of nine dying young. His children were the following: John (died young); Lewis, whose portrait appears in connection with this sketch ; Mar- tha Jane (died in youth) ; Harriet, married to Seymour Brant ; George W. ; Eveline, married to William Fisher; Mary, married to William Parke; James, now a partner with Lewis Thompson in the mercantile business ; and Elizabeth, who died in childhood. Lewis Thompson was born Oct. 20, 1836. He passed his first years at home upon his father's farm, and in due time secured all the benefits of such a common schooling as the school system of the day afforded. Being soon recognized as a scholarly boy, he had no difficulty in securing a school at the early age of sev- enteen. Devoting himself to his books, he in the mean time pursued his studies under private tutors, in special classes, and in the graded schools which were instituted for training teachers in their profes- sion. He devoted himself to the profession of teach- ing, which he followed for eighteen years. He held 720 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. all grades of certificates, from provisional to perma- nent, and was regarded as one of the principal and most successful educators in the county. When the civil war broke out he enlisted in 1863 in the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, Col. Dale, and served in this regiment until he was discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment. He re-en- listed in the latter part of 1864, in the Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. Trim- ble, afterwards Col. Levi A. Dodd. He went out as second lieutenant of Company E, was promoted to first lieutenant of the company, and served as quar- termaster of the regiment; was in the battles of Fort Steadman, Hatcher's Run, and in the closing battles before Petersburg, and was honorably discharged at the end of the war. After the war he again took up his profession, and taught a select school in Ligonier borough for ten months, and continued teaching in different places until 1868, when he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at Derry Station as junior partner of T. G. Stewart & Co., in which he remained for one year, when he went to Indiana County, where he started in business for himself in his own name. After re- maining here eighteen months he removed to Stahls- town, in Westmoreland. Here he began business in his own name in 1870, and so carried it on with such success that after it had assumed such proportions that it was necessary for additional assistance in its management he took in his younger brother, James, as a partner. The firm is now styled Lewis Thomp- son & Brother. Mr. Thompson, possessing all the essential elements of a successful business man, has built up a trade of great extent. Their business is the largest in their section of the country. He was elected a justice of the peace while he was a resident of Indiana County, and in 1874 when he removed to Stahlstown, and again in 1879. He is known as a gentleman who takes an active part in all public improvements, and as an advocate of all reform measures calculated to better the society and the world about him. His family has been in politics Whig and Republican, Mr. Thompson casting his first vote for Lincoln. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has held the office of class-leader and steward in the congregation to which he belongs ever since he has resided in Stahlstown. He was married in 1863 to Miss Malinda Withrow, oldest daughter of James Withrow. Esq., of Cook township. She died in 1865, leaving a daughter. He again married in 1867, Lucinda Parke, who is a daughter of Zebulon Parke, deceased, of Cook town- ship, and a granddaughter of Zebulon Parke, a Revo- lutionary officer of considerable distinction. Their family consists of one daughter, a son dying in infancy. WILLIAM WEAVER. The now venerable William Weaver, of Cook town- ship, was born in Somerset County, Pa., Sept. 18, 1809. His grandfather was William Weaver, a native of Germany, and a minister in the German Reformed Church. He emigrated to America when a young man, and died in the early part of the present cen- tury in Sewickley, Westmoreland Co. His father was also named William. He was a millwright by trade, and married Mary Aukeny, daughter of Christian Aukeny, of Somerset County, Pa., where he located and engaged in milling. In 1812 he removed to what is now known as Weaver's Mill, in Westmoreland County. Here he spent the remainder of his life. There were fifteen children in his family, thirteen of whom are still living. William is the fourth child, and was about three years old when his father settled here. His oppor- tunities for obtaining an education were very limited. He learned the business of farming and the milling trade, and after his father's death, in 1828, he pur- chased the mill and land belonging thereto. He was married Sept. 7, 1837, to Jane Grove. They have five children, — Mary, married to L. N. Phillippi, resides in Kansas ; Jacob G., married to Sarah J. Hood, is engaged in the milling business at the old homestead; Margaret, married John W. Phillippi, and lives near Ligonier; William C. is engaged in the manufacture of buggies in Somerset, Pa. ; Lewis A. is a merchant, and resides with his father. Mr. Weaver holds the important local office of school director, and during George Ritner's admin- istration was first lieutenant of the Donegal militia. He and his wife have long been members of the Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church. Mr. Weaver has held the office of elder in that organization for more than thirty years. He has lived a quiet, useful life, and has the respect of his neighbors. '^yoj-t^t^ PENN TOWNSHIP. After the application for the erection of a new township had been pending for ten years the Court of Quarter Sessions for this county, on Feb. 23, 1855, erected the new township, entitled " Penn township." It received its name from the founder of the State of Pennsylvania. The new township was formed out of portions of Hempfield, Franklin, Salem, and North Huntingdon townships. Penn township includes within its bounds the " Manor of Denmark," as laid out by the proprie- taries of the Province of Pennsylvania, and is con- sidered to be one of the most fertile portions of the State. We annex its boundaries as erected : " Beginning at a point on Turtle Creek where the State road from Greensuurg to Chalfant's crosses the same; thence in a direct line southeast to John I. Marchand's; thence southeast along the road leading to Walthour*s mill on Bush Creek ; thence up said creek, and by Altman's mill, IUingeusmith's mill, and John Harman's mill to where the State road to Salem crosses the same on Peter Row's farm ; thence along said road to near the house of Isaac Keck, in Salem town - ■ hip ; thence by the Pockety road to the Cross-roads on Borland's farm ; thence HOUth of John Borland's and Gluilt's farm to Lyons' run ; thence down Lyons' run to Turtle Creek; thence down Turtle Creek to the place of beginning." Within its limits is a part of the old Penn Manor, and also the village of Bouquet, named after the famous British officer who was engaged in the early ! Indian wars in its immediate vicinity. The surface of the township is hilly, the soil fer- tile, and the farms well cultivated. There exists an abundance of coal, which is susceptible of easy ex- traction, being very near the surface. The veins are . generally six feet in thickness. There are extensive | coal-works in various parts of the township. EARLY SETTLEMENT. Its territory was occupied by pioneers at an early date. George McWilliams located on a farm now owned by his grandson, A. McWilliams, and was driven off and kept off his lands seven years by the Indians, and went for safety to McKeesport, where there was a small fort for the protection of the early settlers. He brought a saddle from Ireland when he emigrated, with which he paid for about three hun- dred and fifty acres of land, now located in the north- west part of the township. The fifth generation of the family is now residing on the place. He built a house near where the present residence of A. Mc- Williams stands, which is considerably over a hundred years old. Jacob Berlin settled in the township very early, and in his house the Rodgers family was cap- tured and carried away into captivity. The house of Jacob Berlin was better than the cabins generally, and had a bright shingled roof, which frightened the Indians off" from attacking it, as they looked upon that sparkling roof with fear and superstition. Among the first settlers were Balthazer Myers, the Ewings, Fritchmans, George McWilliams, Paul Neligh, Adam Kemerer, Christian Eberhard, Jacob Brinker, Michael Fink, the Knappenbergers, Keisters, Heislers, Kistlers, Byerlis, Snyders, Berlins, Laufters, Degardens, Beswicks, Gongaures, Mulls, Waugamans, Blackburns, Millers, Holtzers, Soles, Walthours, Highbergers, Shusters, Brawleys, Sowashes, New- dorfers, Kifers, Kiuglensmiths, Thomases, Klines, Clarks, and others. The Klingensmith family, on the farm formerly of Man-hand or Foster, now owned and in possession of Mr. Ferree, were all massacred by the Indians, except a little boy, whom they carried off, and who was kept away until he was twenty-eight years of age. He then returned and claimed the farm, but as no one could identify him he lost it, and returned in disgust to the Indians, among whom he ever afterwards lived. This murdered family, father, mother, and four chil- dren, were buried by the neighbors, all in one grave, behind their cabin. An apple-tree grew at the grave, and fell only a few years ago. For several years after this sad occurrence the children at school were in constant dread of Indian raids, and alarms were common. We are indebted to Dr. Frank Cowan for the fol- lowing, it being part of a letter from Cyrus Cort, Esq., n descendant of Andrew Byerly, addressed to Mr. Cowan, who has taken much interest in our early county history, and by whom we have been much encouraged in the course of our inquiries : "In the northern and western parts of Westmoreland you will find persons bearing the name of Byerly, or whose maternal ancestors bore that name. These are the descendants of Andrew Byerly, who came to this country from the German Fatherland in the early days of colonial history. He settled first in Lancaster County, Pa., and built either the first house or first hotel erected ill that place. He afterwards moved to Cumberland, Md., where ho followed the occupation of baker. He baked for Braddock'a army when it lay at that place previous to its ill- fated expedition. And now for an incident. While the army was en- camped at Cumberland, a number of friendly Indian chiefs, with their warriors of the Catawba tribe, visited the camp and offered their ser- vices to Gen. Braddock, desiring to nee panj bis army in the expedi- tion that proved so disastrous The haughty Briton despised such allies, and foolishly declined to accept their services. In his chagrin at being 721 722 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. rejected one of the chiefs laid a wager of thirty shillings that he had a warrior that could beat any white man running. Gen. George Wash- ington, then niiijor and aide-de-camp, took the bet, and g t Andrew B.veiiy to consent to a foot-race with the Indian, wbtch he did, and came off victorious. In course of time Byerly moved to Bedford, Pa., where he baked for the British garrison stationed at that place, lie afterwards received a grant of three hundred acres of land on Bushy Run, near where Harrison City now stands, from Hi" British ofhYer com- manding at Fort Duquesne, in order to make a comfortable stopping- place for ex press-rid era and parties traveling between Fort Duquesne and the more eastern forts and stations, viz.: Ligonier, Bedford, Loudon, etc Vndrew Byerly had occupied his station in the -wilderness lot ;i few mouths when the l'ontiac Indian outbreak occurred. A general rally of the Western savages took pi. ice for the extermination of the whites. All the f.nts in Western Pennsylvania were speedily invested by the Indians. Providentially the Byeilys were notified in the nick of time by an Indian or Indians whom they had befriended. The family sought protection in Fort Ligonier. Jacob Byerly, who resided so many yearn along the. turnpike between Jacksonville and Stewartsville, West- moreland Co., Pa,, and whose remains lie beneath a military monument in the Brush Greek burial-ground, was then three years old, and used to say that be distinctly recollected the flight of the family from their borne at Byerly's Station to Fort Ligonier. "The first night the family occupied one of the outhouses attached to the fort. Next morning a body of Indians commenced firing upon the fort for admission. Before the family could get in the bullets of the savages were rattling against the gate above their heads. " At length Col. Bouquet, or Bosquet, as they used h» spell it, the gal- lant Swiss officer in the British service, came from Carlisle to the relief of the besieged forts with an army of five hundred men. The Indians withdrew a few days before the arrival of Col. Bouquet to Fort Ligonier. From this point Andrew Byerly accompanied Col. Bouquet. He took along his son Michael, with the view of recovering some of the prop- erty which was left behind in their flight to the fort. After proceeding a few miles from Fort Ligonier, for some cause or the other, the boy Htch&el was directed by his father to return and remain at the fort. As he ran back to Fort Ligonier, he saw a great many trails where the Iu- dians had crossed the road immediately in the rear of the advancing army. Next day, when Col. Bouquet with his forces wan in the immedi- ate vicinity of the Byerly farm aud station, the advanced guard or for- lorn hope, consisting of Andrew Byerly aud eighteen soldiers, was fired upon by the Indiana In ambush. Twelve out of the eighteen (ell from the effect of t lie first volley from the concealed savages. Mr, Byerly and six other survivors succeeded in reaching the main body of the army. Thus began the battle of Bushy Run. It commenced about two in the afternoon and continued till Dight, when it ceased. At daylight next morning it waB again resumed, and lasted until about 11 o'clock a.m. At this point Capt. Bullet told Col. Bouquet that they must try some other plan, or they would all be slain by the Indians. The col- onel asked Bullet what ho thought had best be done. Bullet proposed a manoeuvre by which he might move down a ravine with a company of soldiers and get in the rear of the savages. The colonel directed Mm to proceed accordingly. With his company the captain soon gained the rear unperceived by the Indians, and gave them an unexpected volley from that quarter. This, in connection with other movements on the pari of the soldiers of Bouquet, led the savages to believe that reinforce- ments bad come to the aid of the whites, and with a despairine yell they took to their heels in wild dismay. Andrew Byerly himself heard Capt. Bullett ask Ool. Bouquet for the company which gained the rear of tges and turned the tide of battle. His oldest son, Michael By- erly, used to say thai !"■ frequently heard Col. Bouquet and other British officers state afterwards, at his father's house, that they lost one hun- dred and thirty men in the battle. A number of wounded died after- wards, ten of whom were buried where Harrison Cily now stands. Mrs. Byerly, whose maiden name was Beatrice Gulden, or Qoolden, was a Swiss by birth, and from the same part of Switzerland that Col. Bouquet hailed from. They had several long conversations respecting the battle afterwards when Col. Bouquet stopped at their station-bouse, as he went to and fro between the different forte on the frontier." EARLY SCHOOLS. As may be supposed, the standard of education was not very high. The old-time schoolmasters went around nearly every fall, as soon as the farmers had housed their potatoes and corn, with their subscrip- tion-books or papers, and when any pedagogue ob- tained the necessary number of scholars to remuner- ate him for his winter's work he signified the day he would take up school. The class-books were the New England Primer, United States Spelling-Hook, West- ern Calculator, and Bible and Testament. The cate- chism had to be committed to memory, and was a very prominent feature throughout the term, which usually was from December 1st to April 1st. The picture of John Rogers at the stake was indelibly fixed on every young mind. The writing department was exclusively by copies written at the top of a page of foolscap by the master himself, such as "Com- mand you may your mind from play," and as steel or other metallic pens had not then come into existence, it kept the "master" pretty busy to have all the quill-pens mended before school opened in the morn- ing, and mend for such as had no pen-knife or could not do it during the day. School-hours were from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., with an hour's recess at noon for din- ner, when the very young but old-fashioned little women unrolled from the lunch-basket or satchel the thick slices of solid home-made bread, well covered with the yellow, and that again deeply overlaid with apple-butter or sauce, and they and their young brothers demolished it all with keen, sharp appetites. Those who could not pay for their schooling were not neglected, as all were free and expected to attend school, and at the end of the term the township offi- cers certified such scholars as were too poor to pay to the county commissioners, from whom the " master" received his pay for the indigent ones. Education in all essentials, solid education to make good and use- ful citizens, was as thorough then as now. It was more highly prized then than now. Boys went to school every winter from the age of seven or eight till about sixteen. Their time was of value, they had to pay for tuition, and they appreciated the importance of it in after-life, hence they went at it with a will, just as energetically as they would go into a harvest- field, consequently they became expertand thoroughly drilled in spelling, reading, writing, and arithmetic. These are the essential tools for the transaction of business, as well as the keys to knowledge, and as the latter is impossible in the aggregate either to acquire or retain, and as each can profit most by acquiring that which belongs to his trade or profession, the old system worked well, and produced strong men and women in all departments of lite. Tlio.sc who bad a taste for going farther than the rudiments of these schools always succeeded in obtaining what they wanted, tor " wherever there is a will there is away." MANOR CHURCH (UNION). *' Denmark Manor," a fine tract of land, lying from eight to twenty miles west of Greensburg, was so des- ignated by the Penns. This part of the county is at home called simply "The Manor." Hence the name of this particular district. The settlement very early PENN TOWNSHIP. 723 contained among its hardy pioneers a goodly number of Germans, among whom were the Degardens, Brinkers, Nelighs [Nalys], Lauffers, Finks, Eber- h.inls, Snyders, Berlins, Byerles, Kemerers, Kistlers, Heislers, Keisters, Knappenbergers, etc. Many of the immigrants came from Northampton, York, Adams, and Franklin Counties, and some from Maryland. For years the members of the Reformed Church in this section belonged to the Brush Creek congregation, one of the oldest in Western Pennsyl- vania. They would come from Puckety Run, Beaver Run, and from beyond New Salem. But these dis- tances being found so inconvenient, they resolved to organize a congregation more accessible to themselves and children. Nothing is on record of their action prior to December, 1809, when a building committee was appointed to erect a union house of worship. It was composed of Paul Neligh and Adam Kemerer, Reformed, and Christian Eberbard, Lutheran. Be- zahlmeisters, paymasters for the work, or treasurers, were Jacob Brinker, Reformed, and Michael Fink, Lutheran. Jan. 12, 1811, a contract was entered into for the erection of the church edifice, to be in size thirty-eight by forty-six feet. Peter Henkel was to receive two hundred and twenty-five dollars for the mason-work. May 15, 1811, the work began. The committee furnished the material, such as stone, brick, mortar, scaffolding, and the boarding of the hands. The corner-stone was laid June 3, 1811, by Revs. John William Weber, Reformed, and Michael John Steck. Jacob Dry contracted with the building committee, Dec. 24, 1813, at six hundred dollars, for doing the joiner-work, the painting, and glazing. All the material needed and a dwelling for the contractor was to be furnished him. The work was to begin by May 12, 1814. He was to be paid in full for his work June 7, 1815, when, no doubt, the edifice was finished and dedicated. A debt, however, for materials still remained at late as the fall of 1825, when it was paid by subscription. The church grounds were owned by Conrad Knappenberger and Jacob Brinker, from whom two acres were at first bought, and afterwards more was added by purchases from Paul Brinker and Jacob Lauffer. Universally at that time the German Churches had a school-house near by, which was the case here. The (Jerman school-teacher at this place when Dr. Hacke came into the charge was Andreas Almose, who also led the singing of the congregation. After the school-house was in part turned into a dwelling it furnished a home for the sexton. The old structure is now over sixty-five years old. In the severest cold weather the public services were held in the old log school-house, which, "when no school was kept, was a convenient and common retreat for the neighbors' sheep, which sought shelter there." The windows furnished sufficient light, and the old log benches, splitting at the auger-holes or losing a leg, would sometimes, when heavily crowded, break down in the midst of the solemn services, causing some most ludicrous interruptions. From such considerations, among others, it was finally determined to introduce itoves into the church. Hut there the difficult prob- lem then was how to get rid of the smoke. There were in this church, as in those elsewhere, no flues or chimneys built, against which omission Jacob Brinker had stoutly remonstrated. As the smoke had to be passed out somehow, they first ran the end of a pipe through a broken window-pane, then they put the pipes out over the two doors, and next one was put through the wall on either side of the pulpit. This, it was true, gave some warmth to the minister, but when the wind came from that quarter it put him under a cloud sometimes, greatly to his discomfort. According as the wind blew the house would be filled with smoke, not of incense, well-nigh suffocating the pastor and incensing the people to tears. Then the pipes were taken at the next trial through the ceiling and out of the roof, but this at one time set the house on fire, so at last the chimney was built, and relief was thus obtained. The Reformed pastors have been : 1815-16, John William Weber; 1816-19, Henry Habliston ; 1819, Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D. Hill's congregation and that at New Salem are daughters of the Manor Church, but lately other great losses have befallen it by removals to Manor Station, Scottdale, Greensburg, etc. THE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION, ST. JOHN'S, was organized in 1807-8, but divine services were held occasionally ten years or more previous to this date at the houses in the vicinity of the present church edifice by Rev. Michael John Steck. The Lutheran pastors have been : 1807-30, Michael John Steck ; 1830-48, John Michael Steck (son of above) ; 1848-68, Jonas Mechling, after whom the congrega- tion was served by several ministers till March, 1875, when Rev. J. A. Scheffer received and accepted a call. In early times, and largely continued to the present time, all their church properties were held in union between the Reformed and the Lutherans. This grew out of the circumstances holding in olden times. In Germany and in Eastern Pennsylvania many families of the twin churches of the Reformation were intermarried. The original sharp controversial dif- ferences had to a great degree subsided into a broader fraternity. The two denominations were practically much alike in origin, history, customs, language, and worship. They mutually intermingled freely in social and religious life. Their aims, trials, dangers, hopes, fears, and gains were one. Being each weak in num- bers, and so unable at that time to build separate churches for each denomination's scattered people, they joined both hands and means in the work. Neither church had ministers enough to supply every small congregation with its own service, if but only 724 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. once a week. In most cases, indeed, every four weeks, or at longer intervals, was as often as they could hold service. Hence, living in the same community, they could reciprocally attend each other's service alter- nately in the same house of worship. Thus at the same time, whether the appointment were by a Lutheran minister on one Sunday in each month, and by a Reformed minister on a Sunday at an inter- val between, the same mixed audience would be pres- ent at church. So, too, the same schoolmaster taught all the children of the two denominations, the cate- chism of the Reformed Church to the children who were designated to be trained in that system of doc- trine, and the Lutheran catechism was as carefully taught to the children sent by the Lutheran families. Sometimes children of mixed families were divided between the two systems of faith held respectively by the father and mother, so that some were taught by the schoolmaster as Lutheransand others as Reformed. Then, too, if the minister of the one church was more popular, more partisan, or of greater personal influence than his colleague of the other, he could get most of the children to attend his " Kinder- lehre," and confirm them in that faith. Generally this union relation was respected and worked har- moniously, but sometimes was liable to friction, if not indeed to engender party jealousy and become subject to proselyting. BEULAB ONITED I'RESBYTEKIAN CHURCH is situated on Byers' Hun, in the northwestern part of the township. Its congregation was organized June 4, 1845. Its tir.-t pastor, Rev. William Conner, was born in Allegheny County, May 17, 1799, edu- cated at Jefferson College, and studied theology with the Rev. Alexander McCahan, licensed to preach April 14, 1836, by the Monongahela Presbytery, or- dained April 12, 1887, and installed at Beulah in 1850. Before that time there was stated supply preaching. He resigned in 1858, and died Sept. 24, 1864, when a member of the Blairsville and Cone- maugh Presbytery. His successors were Revs. J. D. Walkinshaw, T. F. Boyd, and A. R. Rankin, present incumbent. He was born in Washington County Oct. 15, 1828, and was the son of John Rankin, and grandson of James Rankin, who, with James and David, were the three sons of James Rankin, who settled in Chester Count; in the middle of the last century. Rev. A. R. Rankin was educated at Wash- ington College, where he graduated in 1S47, studied theology at Cannonsburg, was licensed to preach Oct. 2, 1851, ordained Aug. 17, 1852, and installed at Beulah and Murrysville June 10, 1879. He has been thirty years in the ministry, and his brother, Rev. James G. Rankin, an eminent clergyman, died Dec. 17, 1868. His mother was Miss Agnes Burns, and married his father in Washington County. The church elders are David Tallant, James Morrow, Richard McCall, and John Duff. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PENN BOROUGH) was organized in the school-house by Revs. J. Davis, R. Caruthers, and J. A. Marshall, May 16, 1872, with fourteen members. Its first elders were R. A. Hope, L. B. Highberger, and W. H. Guthrie. Its first pas- tor was Rev. William Kain, called in June 18, 1873, and dismissed in October following, since which time it has had no regular pastor, but stated supply preaching. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (PENN BOROUGH) was the pioneer church of the town, and was erected in 1860 on a lot donated by J. H. Oliver, the founder of the place. It has no resident pastor, but is sup- plied from a distance. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was built in 1860, and is part of the circuit compris- ing Harrison City, Penn Station, Paintertown, and Manor Station, its present pastor, Rev. Ash, residing at the latter. PENN BOROUGH. This town is most eligibly located on the Pennsyl- vania Railroad, some six miles from Greensburg. It was laid out in 1859 by J. H. Oliver, on the south of the railroad, and by the Penn Gas-Coal Company shortly after on the north of the railroad. George Loughner and J. F. Landia were here before the place was laid out, and are the persons who have resided here the longest time. The former was a coal- miner, and is now a very aged man. The first store was kept by Gustavus Storey, for whom J. F. Landis clerked five years. The second store was owned by James McHugh, and the third by J. F. Landis. The lirst postmaster was James McHugh, whose successors have been Cyrus Ludwick, George Buzzard, J. B. Laufier, William Guthrie, and Isaac Wilson (the present incumbent). The first tavern was kept by Catherine Bowersmith, and the second by Robert McMinnis. The first resident physician was Dr. N. W. Brown, the second Dr. L. S. Claggett, whose suc- cessors have been Dr. J. W. B. Kamerer, Dr. L. Ofl'utt (present practitioner). The town rapidly grew in business and population on the development of the coal-mines, which built up the place and made it what it is. The oldest person in town is the mother of George Bell, who was born in Prussia in 1790. The first justices of the peace here were John F. Landis ami Jacob Bankart. The land on which the town was lirst laid out was purchased by J. H. Oliver, its founder, of Henry Kifer and the Penn Gas-Coal Company. INCORPORATION AND OFFICERS. Penn borough was incorporated in 1866. On May 16, 1865, at the current sessions of the Quarter Ses- sions Court, the petition of the inhabitants of that part of Penu township which included the residents of the village then known as Penn Station was pre- sented to the court and filed among the records of the PENN TOWNSHIP. 725 same. The necessary oath that she petitioners in- cluded the majority of the freeholders within the bounds of the proposed borough was made by J. F. Landis before Reuben Shrum, justice of the peace. On the same day the grand jury considered the peti- tion and returned it. Although there was a remon- strance, feebly signed, presented and filed some weeks later, the court on October the 19th, 1865, granted the prayer of the petitioners, and conferred on the in- habitants within the limits and boundaries designated the privileges of incorporation. It also appointed Friday, November the 2d, 1S65, as the day on which to hold their first borough election, which was to be held at the house of Ralph Pratt; C. Smith was to give notice, Hiram Fisher was to be the judge, and S. H. Boyd and Joachim Schultz were to be the in- spectors. The borough was also at that time made a separate school district. On the 20th of November following the decree of the court was amended so that the annual elections of the borough should there- after be held at the school-house in the borough. Since the date of its incorporation the burgesses have been Hiram Fisher (the first), James McMan- nis, L. B. Highberger, William Holmes, Joachim Schultz, John F. Landis, Henry Hall, John Helly, Mr. Brisbane, and James Mullin. Since 1875 the clerks have been: 1875, T. M elver ; 1876, D. L. Masters ; 1877, J. P. Wilson ; 1878, T. C. Mclver ; 1879, Simon Peters; 1880-82, J. P. Wilson. The officers in January, 1882, are : Burgess, Joachim Schultz : clerk, J. P. Wilson ; constable, Frank Herholtz; councilmen, R. A. Hope, Lemuel OfTutt, Ralph Pratt, Henry Truxal, Valentine Cole, Leo- pold Baker. The first drug-store was kept by John Zimmerman, and the second by Thomas C. King, who came here in 1870 from Johnstown and is still in business. The substantial frame school building of three rooms and a basement was erected in 1880. The school board consists of: President, Dr. Lemuel Oflutt; Peter Mc- Graw, secretary ; J. P. Wilson, treasurer ; James Ma- son, John Helly, Edward Gratz. The teachers are William Griffith (principal) and Miss Ella Toole. RESOLUTION LODGE, No. 609, I. 0. 0. F. This lodge was chartered Sept. 2, 1867. Its first officers were : N. G., Joseph Wilson ; V. G., Samuel Wilson ; Sec, Joseph McMannis ; Asst. Sec, John Buckner ; Treas., A. L. Kamerer. REBECCA DEGREE LODGE, No. 91, I. 0. O. F. It was chartered April 7, 1874, with the following officers: N. G, John S. Albright; V. G., Elizabeth V. Kamerer ; Sec, Mary E. Fisher ; Asst. Sec, Ella Dawson ; Treas., Fannie Westwood. COVENANT LODGE, No. 59, K. P., was chartered Sept. 2, 1870, with the following char- ter members : George Mclntyre, Henry Levy, John B. Watterson, Paul Jones, John F. Landis, John Giles, William Goodman, Henry Sager. Leopold Frank. PENN STATION LODGE, No. 52, A. 0. U. W., was chartered June 4, 1873, with the following char- ter members : John S. Albright, D. J. Miller, Wil- liam Goodman, J. P, Wilson, James McMannis, Thomas Dawson, John Nicholson, D. T. Miller, Ralph Dawson, James Truxal, J. Wilson, D. Riddle, William Thomas, James Riddle, W. D. Edwards, John Loughner, Daniel Collier, Philip Kifer, J. P. Klingersmith. PENN STATION DIVISION, No. 170, S. of T., was chartered Feb. 24, 1870. The charter members were Alexander Watson, John Painter, George Pain- ter, Henry Truxal, George Hamilton, Thomas C. Mc- lver, William Courtney, Andrew Buck, Wilson Sica- foce, Thomas Henderson, William Watson, Israel Linselinger, William Goodman, Joseph Shotts, Mary E. Mclver, Mary McMannis, and Lizzie Pratt. ANCIENT ORDER OF KNIGHTS OF THE MYSTIC CHAIN. The first officers and members were: Sir K. C, William Goodman; Sir K. V. C, John S. Albright; Sir K. 1st Lieut., James McMannis ; Sir K. R. S., William McKloeen; Sir K. A. R. S., John Nichol- son ; Sir K. F. S., Daniel M. Kelly ; Sir K. Treas., A. L. Kamerer; Sir K. I. G., William Thomas; Sir K. O. G., Ralph Dawson ; Sir K. P. C, William Mc- Kloeen, Robert Harrison ; Trustees, Philip Kifer, James Truxall, Thomas Dawson ; Members, Joseph Wilson, D. J. Miller, H. W. Heasley, Cyrus Overley, Jerome Lake, D. T. Miller, George Shorthouse, Jacob Myers, Walter Nicholson, H. R. Klingersmith. HARRISON CITY AND MANOR STATION are both growing towns, situated on Brush Run, and have mills, tanneries, and various other industries. Both have neat Methodist Episcopal Churches, with flourishing congregations. The Presbyterian Church at Harrison City was organized Oct. 6, 1856, by Rev. Drs. Samuel M. Farren and David Kirkpatrick, and Revs. William Edgar and J. C. Carson, with Elders John Larimer and Joseph Miller, after a sermon by Mr. Carson. The members were fourteen, with three elders. The house of worship was erected in 1859, and Rev. William Edgar, pastor at Murrysville, hav- ing frequently preached there before the congrega- tion, was released for half-time from Murrysville, April 11, 1860, and for that portion was installed at Harrison city. May 8th of that year Dr. Smith preached. Dr. McFarren charged the pastor, and J. C. Carson the people. April 8, 1865, he was re- leased from his whole charge. The church was statedly supplied then for some time by Rev. James Davis. Nov. 21, 1871, Rev. G. K. Scott was installed for half-time, when Rev. W. M. Moorehead preached and charged the pastor, and G. M. Spargrove the people. He was released Oct. 2, 1872. June 29, 1873, 726 HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Rev. William M. Kain was installed for half-time, Revs. Henry Bain preaching, D. Harbison charging the pastor, and W. W. Moorehead the people. The original elders were Hugh M. Robertson, Samuel Earhart, George SrJwash, and William Chambers. The accessions were John K, Foster, John Sowash, George Ramsey, Sr., L. B. Highberger, James A. Dible, and Dr. Henry Piper. Mr. Robertson removed and Mr. Dible died. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. JOSIAH BRINKER. Joseph Brinker is a native of Penn township, and was born Aug. 27, 1810. His life-work has been farm- ing. The high state of cultivation of his ancestral in- heritance and of the several farms added thereto by his patient toil bears witness that he has done his work well. His grandfather, Jacob Brinker, and his wife emigrated from Germany, and settled in Northampton County, Pa. They moved westward, and located upon the farm where Josiah now resides when most of it was a wilderness and the country was chiefly inhabited by Indians. Josiah's father, whose name also was Jacob, was then a youth of fifteen years. He was a farmer, and married Catharine Berlin, of Westmoreland County. He resided here until his death in 1846 ; Catharine died in 1835. Josiah Brinker was married first in 1833 to Anna Kistler, of his native county. They had nine chil- dren, five of whom grew to maturity. Those living are Jacob, Paul, Hiram, and Mary. Anna died in 1862, and in 1864 Josiah was married again to Mary E. Anient, of Westmoreland County. By this mar- riage there are two daughters, Sadie M. and Ida M. While Mr. Brinker has always been diligent in business, he has not neglected his duties as a citizen. Whatever has contributed to promote the best inter- ests of the community in which he lives has always enlisted his support. In his youth he united with the German Reformed Church, of which organization he is _a valued member. ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP. The territory now comprising St. Clair township was taken from Fairfield, and made a separate and distinct municipality in 1856. It received its name in honor of Gen. Arthur St. Clair, the Revolutionary hero and patriot, who after the close of the war of in- dependence resided in its vicinity. The present boundaries of the township are: North by part of Indiana County, cast by Laurel Hill, south by Fairfield township, and west by Conemaugh River. It is the smallest in territory in the county. Its surface is generally hilly, butnmcli of its soil is tolerably productive, particularly in the central part of the township. The main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad runs along the bank of the Conemaugh through to the township, with a depot at Nineveh (Verona post-office) and at New Florence. There are no mineral developments in the township, though stone and coal both exist under the surface. Its in- habitants are of the thrifty and industrious class, and keep the few acres of fertile land contained in its lim- its in a good state of cultivation. M:\V FLORENCE BOROUGH. At the February sessions, 1865, the citizens of the village of New Florence prayed the court to grant them corporate privileges. The grand jury passed on the petition on the 24th of February, 1865, and did not report adversely to the desire of the petition- ers, but it was held over by the court, and on the 27th of May, 1865, the report was by it set aside. It has been since incorporated. The borough is pleasantly situated on the Cone- maugh River and Pennsylvania Railroad. It was laid out as a village by Judge Robert Given. The depot is centrally located in the place, and the rail- way runs through the borough east and west. The streets are neatly laid out. It contains several stores, hotels, and shops; has a foundry, woolen-mill, and three churches, — Methodist, Catholic, and United Presbyterian. Its population is over five hundred. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. SAMUEL PERSUING. Samuel Pershing, of New Florence, was born May 6, 1833, in Indiana County, Pa., about three miles from his present home. He is of German descent, the third son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hice) Per- ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP. 727 shing. Hi, literary ec common schools and 1 few years „»fore he bei 9tore of R( bert Johnson a clerk, an) followed tl was received in the Ridge Academy. A of age he entered the Armagh, Indiana Co., as vocation until 1858, when he located in New Flor. ce and engaged in merchan- dising for limself. He .vas married June 8th <>f the same yeai vo Susau id. Covode, eldest daughter of George W. and Jane (Welshons) Covode. They have had .•■ oral children. Their eldest son, Harvey Covode, d». ' Dec. 15, 1867, aged eight years; the second, Cha > 8 M., died April 13, 1863, aged three years. Thos living are Curtis M., Cora R, George C, Jennie C, n d John R. Mr. Pershing had no pecuniary start in life. By his own exertion, and the assistance of a most excel- lent wife, he accumulated his present ample fortune which he little enjoys owing to his enfeebled condi- tion, resulting from disease and too close applica- tion to business. He has held all the important local offices usually intrusted to thorough-going business men. He early in life united with the Methodist Church, and as the Lord prospered him contributed liberally to its support. His active life has been one of usefulness to the community in which he has re- sided. He is respected by all who know him for his integrity, his industry, his devotion, his unselfishness, his charity. <= c^ S> c - o „

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