LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DDDDSEailbH :*iiilSii: iiSiiiii: Class / / Copyright W. „ COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT Apoijj^ MAP OF APOLLO IN 186L 1816-1916 HISTORY OF APOLLO PENNSYLVANIA. THE YEAR OF A HUNDRED YEARS By T. J. Henry, M. D. PUBLISHED BY THE NEWS-RECORD PUB. CO. APOLLO, PENNSYLVANIA 1916 COPYRIGHT 1916 BY T. J. HENRY. M. D. HISTORY OF APOLLO 'JUN 29 1916 ©CI.A431675 1816-1916 HISTORY OF APOLLO THL YEAR OF A HUNDRED YEARS EXECUTIVE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE AND CHAIRMEN E. A. Townsend, President John H, Jackson, Treasurer Sterling G. McNees, Secretary Historical, Dr. T. J. Henry Vocal Music, Frank T. Wray Instrumental Music, Thos. Sutton Grounds, W. E. Jones Speakers, Frank W. Jackson Reception, Rev. J. W. Brockway Civic, W. R. Rowland Parade, L. Todd Owens Entertainment, Mrs. J. Wes Cowan Invitation, Charles H. Truby Badges, Walter R. Steele Finance, Ira J. Wray Fireworks, T. Earle McCullough Decoration, Milo D. Shaw Publicity, Lauretta A. Guthrie Athletics, Dr. J. C. Hunter Historical Pageant, S. G. McNees Advertising, W. C. Campbell Historical Relics, Philip Koch Reunions, Margaret McBryar OFFICIALS OF APOLLO BOROUGH Burgess, - J. C. Hunter, M. D, Councilmen, J. M. Hankey, President, R. W. Rowland, R. F. Orr, Mor- gan Crawford, Charles W. Johnston and J. Ross Lobaugh Secretary, Sterling G. McNees School Directors, Dr. Colin Cameron, President, J. B. Miller, T. Earle McCullough, Charles F. Austin, Mrs. T. J. Henry Secretary, Charles H. Truby Board of Health, J. C. Hunter, M. D., President, W. F. Devers, D. B. Coulter, James DeShong, Sterling G. McNees, Secretary Health Officer, Russell M. Owens Chief of Police, L. J. Gulp Street Commissioner, - - - - - - D. C. Young Constables, D. L. Haney, Joseph McGuire High Constable, ------ James M. Spahr Borough Solicitor, Sterling G. McNees Justices of the Peace - - W. W. Hill and John Q. Cochrane FOREWORD It has been asked, "Why write a history of Apollo?" Importance is relative. It is not necessary to be a city of the first class to fill the niche in the hearts of the people or the history of the state. Besides it is our town. It is more. It is said that in no otheil language is there a word which exactly defines home. Apollo is our TOWN, our HOME. It has fallen upon the writer to be historian for Apollo's Centennial. It has been necessary to be brief. It has been found impossible to embody biographies. Indebtedness for in- formation furnished from memory's stores is acknowledged from the following: Mrs. M. Evans, Mrs. Daniel Jack, Mrs. Margaret James, Miss Elizabeth Ford, Miss Millie Turney, Mrs. Elizabeth Bash, Mrs. Nancy Coleman, and G. Wash Burkett. To others for the loan of books: W. B. Ansley, M. D., Mrs. T. M. Willard, F. W. Jackson, Geo. W. Crawford, J. P. Wood, Robert Lock; to the different ministers in town for church statistics and to Mrs. George J. Bortz for her "History of the Lutheran Church." Other citizens in Apollo have assisted in gathering statistics. The following have contributed articles: T. A. Cochran, list of soldiers buried in local cemeteries; S. F. Hildebrand, list of soldiers enlisting in Apollo and the im- mediate vicinity; Lauretta A. Guthrie, "History of the W. C. T. U."; Mrs. T. J. Henry, histories of Woman's Club and Apollo Free Li- brary; J. N. Nelson, History of Apollo Trust Company; Prof. W. R. Steel, roster of school teachers; C. P. Wolfe, History of First Nation- al Bank; Syl. T. Hildebrand, roster of bands. A few of the articles have been taken with little change from the local papers as there had been some of them contributed by the writer years ago, although usually unsigned. In compiling this work the writer gleaned freely from histories of the neighboring counties and from C. A. Hanna, "Wilderness Trail" and "Thwaite's Early Western Travels." With these aids and the writer's knowledge of the town, and this extends over half a century, it is hoped that the chronicles are correct and that they will give pleasure to some and pain to none. If so, they will have served their purpose. TABLE. OF CONTENTS Page Additions to Borough -------- 25 Apollo Bridge -- --47 Apollo Steel Co. - .__57 Apollo's Fountain 47 Automobiles 98 Aeroplanes -....gg Apollo Trust Co. 69 Board of Trade .__ gg Brick Works qi Burial of Warren 4.1 Business Men's Association 91 Bird Life -------_.__ 99 Bridges 59 Borough Horse -----_. ..99 Basin ------__.__ 99 Burgesses ___ 54 Bands ------- ....gg Captain Sharp's Journey --------35 Camahan's Blockhouse --------38 Concrete Works ------.._ loi Centennial Program - - - - - - -- 50 Cemeteries -----__... 63 Coal Mines 68 Canal -..-_ 52 Cooperage -----_____ 53 6 CONTENTS. Page Clubs 91 Constables ----------94 Colored People 100 Community Trees --------_ loo Churches Presbyterian ---------74 Methodist Episcopal --------75 Zion, A. M. E. 76 United Presbyterian 76 Lutheran --77 Baptist 79 Free Methodist 80 Shiloh Baptist 80 Reformed ----------81 Catholic 81 Deep Snow ---__-__-- loi Dentists ----.-----.55 Electric Railway 67 Electro-Plating Works 57 Electric Steel Co. 58 Free Library ----------90 Ferries 59 Fort Hand 34 Foundries -----------62 Fire Department --- 65 Fires 65 Fairs 101 First National Bank 70 Fraternal Orders ---------91 Gas and Gas Companies --------68 General History - - - - - - - -- 11 Garbage Furnace --- 101 Gala Days 48 CONTENTS. 7 Page Grist Mills """-------58 Dr. McKissen ""-------- 44 History of Apollo --_ jg Hannastown "■--------29 Iron Industries ""-------55 Indian Spring ----------32 Indian Arrowheads 43 Justices g^ Kiskiminetas River ---------26 Legendary ------.-..37 Local Tales -___39 Lawyers gg Laufman Mill --__ gg Lime and Ballast Co. - _ . g7 Middle Decade ------.___ 92 Miscellaneous -__9g Military ---._ g3 Nail Mill 55 Newspapers qi Old Home Coming 49 Old Inhabitants -----____ 39 Ordinances ----------26 Old Mills 31 Post Office ----- g4 Poetry 4g Political ---------__ 87 Personal Mention ---_ gg Present Business - - - - - - __ - 102 Potteries ---------..go Planing Mills 58 Physicians ---------- 54 Pound -----.-__-- 98 Rolling Mill ----__.___ 55 8 CONTENTS. Page Regional History . - _ 29-32 Soldiers, Civil War 84 Soldiers, Spanish-American War ------ 86 Salt Industry ----------51 Schools 71 Suburbs 95 The Big Maple 96 Telephones ee Tanneries -----------58 Township and Borough --------24 The Unfinished Millstone -------- 30 Wireless Telegraphy - 101 Water Works 64 Woolen Mill 67 W. C. T. U. - - - - - 81 Woman's Club - 90 Warren 40 LI5T OF ILLUSTRATIONS L MAP OF APOLLO IN 1861. IL OLDEST HOUSE IN APOLLO.' III. VIEW OF COUNTY BRIDGE. IV. MRS. DRAKE'S LOG CABIN. / V. THE UNFINISHED MILL STONE." VI. BALANCED ROCK. VII. BURNT MILL HOLE. VIII. RESIDENCE OF JOHN B. KERNS ON THE SITE OF FORT HAND. IX. INDIAN ROCK. X. OLD OUTLET LOCK HOUSE. XL FIRST PRINTING OFFICE OF WARREN LACON. XII. CO. I, 78th REG. PA. VOL. AT LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TENNESSEE. XIII. OLD SOLDIERS LEAVING APOLLO FOR THE FIF- TIETH ANNIVERSARY OF GETTYSBURG. XIV. BEGINNING THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. XV. FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH. XVL FLOOD OF 1907. XVII. FLOOD AT NORTH WARREN AVENUE IN 1907. XVIII. 'SQUIRE WM. HENRY ENTERING HIS OFFICE AT THE AGE OF NINETY. XIX. J. P. WOOD WITH A GERMAN CARP AND A SPOON- FISH CAUGHT NEAR THE BRIDGE. XX. THE BIG MAPLE. XXI. OLD MARTIAL BAND. XXII. DEEP SNOWFALL OF 1910. XXIII. COL. S. M. JACKSON AND HIS HORSE FRANK. HI5TORY OF APOLLO PENNSYLVANIA. 1816 Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. 1916. The Year of a Hundred Years. No man's life is a history unto himself. His ancestors and his associations form an integral part thereof. So with the history of a tovv'n — not only its buildings and its inhabitants make its history, but the circumstances which brought it into existence and the in- fluences which contribute to its continuance. It will not, therefore, be irrelevant in writing the history of Apollo, Armstrong Co., Penn- sylvania, to consider briefly the state and the county before the town. The history of Pennsylvania is unique inasmuch as, under the Crown of England, it was a province, not a colony, from the first. It was purchased by William Penn, son of Admiral Wm. Penn, of England. Wm. Penn, Jr., was a young man much like others of his age, proficient in manly sports and tolerably studious while at college. While attending Oxford he became a Quaker — a new sect at that time. He refused to attend chapel and prayers as was re- quired at that institute and was reprimanded and fined. He became radical and, strangely enough, loving liberty himself, he was not willing to grant it to others, for he with his companions in the new faith were expelled from college for tearing the surplices off some of his fellow-students. His father beat him and banished him from home for his fanatical actions. Later, through the intercession of his mother, father and son became reconciled. The latter was sent to France to forget his folly. He traveled in France and Spain and returned with "too much vanity of the French garb and affected man- ner of gait and speech." He studied law and had some military ex- perience but returning to his religious convictions he was again es- tranged from his father. Again they were reconciled. Soon after this his father died and William having been fined, imprisoned and buffeted about on account of his Quaker tendencies, decided to go where he could enjoy religious freedom. It happened that King Charles II owed his father's estate sixteen thousand pounds. For this and the valuable services rendered the Crown by Admiral Penn the King granted to Wm. Penn a tract or pi'ovince in America which Penn wished to call New Wales. After some consideration. King Charles called it Pennsylvania which every school child knows means Penn's Woods. This was in 1681. Owing to the vastness of Amer- ica and ignorance as to the real lay of the lands, the extent of this purchase was too much of the "more or less" as it occurs in old deeds so that over five million acres more were granted than are actually included in Pennsylvania. New York, Maryland and Virginia de- tracted from the original grant. Penn immediately sent colonists over to take possession and the following year, August 30, 1682, he 12 THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. sailed in the ship Welcome. Arriving in America he established a government and, broadened by his experiences in England, granted the greatest religious liberty. He was opposed to holding slaves and early advocated their education, the abolition of polygamy among them and their civil trial for crime with a view to their final freedom. It may be well at this point to consider who were the inhabitants of this New World whence Penn directed his energies. America gives evidence of having been inhabited for ages. It is sufficient merely to mention the Cliff Dwellers as a lost race and to speak but briefly of the Mound Builders. The Zuni Indians, of New Mexico, are the remnant of a pagan people conquered in 1550 by the Span- iards, who yet retain their own religion despite their subjection to Christian nations for more than three and one-half centuries. But the Mound Builders are of more local interest inasmuch as evidences of their habitations have been observed in Pennsylvania and even in Armstrong county. These mounds were of various forms and uses, some as forts and some as burial places. None of the mounds in Pennsylvania are so elaborate or unique as in some of the Western and Southern states. Those near Manor were in the shape of circu- lar forts. They had been ditched around and trees growing upon them were estimated to have been 200 to 300 years old. Too much space cannot be given to this discussion, but from the fact that some Mound Builders cremated their dead and kept the ashes in urns, that they were artisans in copper as well as users of stone and flint, there is no doubt but that they were a distinct race from the Indians. It seems that they usually followed the river valleys. In this vicinity there is but one mound regarded as the work of this race and it has never been explored. This mound is on the Thomas Martin farm on the North Washington road. It appears very prominently on a hill to the right of the road as one views it fi'om Chambers' Schoolhouse. It is one hundred and fifty feet in diameter and is of different soil from the rest of the hill. After the Mound Builders, what? The Lenni Lenape have a tradition that the Allegewi inhabited the eastern part of this country. The Lenni Lenape (or Original People) claim they were the first Indians in America; that they were the progeni- tors of all the other tribes. They finally left the land of the setting sun, where their ances- tors had lived for ages, and journeyed toward the rising sun. At the great Mississippi they came upon a different people, taller and heavier than the Indians. The Allegewi, as these people were called, refused to let them settle there. After some time they agreed to let them pass on through their territory. On seeing their multitudes they feared the result of the permission and fell upon those who had crossed the river, slaying them and threatening the same fate to any who should attempt to follov/. The Lenni Lenape still lingered on the west bank of the Mississippi until another tribe of Indians came. These were the Mengwe, also seeking lands further East. They had OLDEST HOUSE IN APOLLO— SOUTH SECOND STREET (Picture by T. J. Henry.) » w Xi Q 3 r/1 -t-> K S W THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. 19 On hearing it appears that John Montgomery & Alexander Stuart obtained applications on the 9th of February, 1769, for two thousand acres of land. One thousand on the North Side of the Keskamenitas Creek, including the mouth of Black Leggs Creek and Black Leggs Town and one thousand on the South Side of Kiskamenitas Creek be- low the mouth of Black Leggs Creek. That upon inspecting the place afterward in order to survey said location it was found that there was not a sufficiency of land to fill them. That the Deputy survey- or at the instance of the said John Montgomery made four separate surveys at or near the places afterward the land not allowing the Quantities to be surveyed in two surveys only. That the Surveyor also at the instance of the said John Montgomery (it being too re- mote from Philadelphia to send for relocations) made four other surveys a considerable distance lower down the Kiskamenitas, all subject to the Approbation of the Governor. And the Application was made to the Governor for approbation and the same was ob- tained before the opening of the office for the new purchase. That the whole of the surveys does not exceed the quantity allowed on the applications to be surveyed. That on the seventh day of April, next after the opening the office the said Benjamin and Thomas Austin entered an application on one of the places where one of the said John Montgomery & Stuart's last mentioned four surveys were made and upon considering the whole matter the Governor orders that all the said surveys be received into the Surveyor General's Office in order for confirmation upon warrants of acceptance to be issued for that purpose. (Judgment in favor of Montgomery dated 7th of February, 1770.) Montgomery's claim having been sustained, Thomas Penn, son of Wm. Penn, and John Penn, grandson of Wm. Penn, being the proprietaries at this time, accordingly conveyed the titles to two plots to John Montgomery on two separate dates, March 5, 1773, and Dec. 27, 1774. Wm. Smith purchased both these plots at sheriff's sale in 1805. Nine years later he sold them to Wm. Johnston and Thomas Hoge for $3,708. Thos. Hoge sold his undivided half to Rev. Wm. Speer, who with Wm. Johnston sold 206% acres of the lower end to Isaac McKisseck. This is now the Allison farm. A num- ber of other sales not historically interesting are omitted. In the Greensburg Register, of Nov. 9, 1816, appeared the follow- ing notice: From the Greensburg Register, Nov. 9, 1816. Warren, a new town on the Kiskiminetas. The subscriber has laid out a town on the north bank of the Kiskiminetas river, in Arm- strong county, immediately opposite the mouth of the Beaver Dam Creek, on the farm known by the name of "Warren's sleeping ground." This town is supposed to be eligibly situated for business, and to offer many advantages to settlers. It is below the falls of the 20 THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. Kiskiminetas, and the navigation thence to Pittsburg is uninterrupt- ed. The great state road from Bellefonte via Indiana to Pittsburg, passes and is now open through it. There is also a road laid out and opened from Greensburg to the mouth of the creek, opposite the town. The surrounding country is well populated. It is distant From Pittsburg by water 37 miles From Pittsburg by land 25 miles From Greensburg 21 miles From Kittanning 16 miles From Indiana 25 miles The lots will be offered at public sale on the premises, on Wed- nesday, the 4th of December next, on a credit of six, twelve and eighteen months, the purchasers giving notes with approved security. WILLIAM JOHNSTON. Point Johnston, Nov. 6, 1816. The editor of the Mercury, Pittsburg, and the American, Indiana, are requested to insert the above advertisement three times in their respective papers, previous to the day of sale, for which they will charge. W. J. Another advertisement appropriate at this time was published in the Greensburg Gazette, February 1st, 1817. For Sale, a Valvable Tract of Patented Land, advantageously situated in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, adjoining the navigable stream, the river Kiskiminetas and on the state road now in part opened, and to be completed as soon as the spring season will admit; which road has its commencement near the navigation of the river Susquehanna, in Centre county and passed from Bellefonte through the town of Indiana to the city of Pittsburg — passing directly through the upper end of this tract, where there is an excellent situa- tion for a ferry. On this tract the town lots of the town of Warren have lately been sold and are now rapidly improving. This track adjoins the river immediately below its falls and extends along it about two miles, being twelve miles from its mouth and twenty miles from the city of Pittsburg. It contains six hundred acres or there- abouts; 200 acres are dry bottom of the first quality and 200 acres natural meadow ground; the remainder is upland of an excellent quality and well coated with white oak, hickory, locust and walnut timber; the bottom land is well timbered with walnut, cherry, locust and elm, &c.; about 70 acres are cleared. A number of never failing springs of water, with other natural conveniences, render this tract suitable to bear diversions. The soil of the whole tract is of a super- ior quality and the situation pleasant. It was surveyed on an early choice, being among the first returned surveys on said river. It may be purchased together or in two or more divisions as may best suit the purchasers. An indisputable title will be given. Terms may be given by applying to the Rev. William Speer, near Greensburg, to the subscriber, at Port Johnston, or to John Speer, near the premises. THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. 21 Upon this tract of land, 810 feet above sea level, the town of Warren was surveyed and laid out in lots by Wm. Watson, who was also a Justice of the Peace and wrote a number of the deeds for the properties. The lots were fifty in number and were 66x165 feet. The limits of the town were enclosed within the boundaries as now represented by First Street to South Fifth and from Pennsylvania Ave. to the river. The streets running parallel with the river were two, Back (later Church and now Pennsylvania Ave.) and Water (Kiskiminetas Ave.) while an alley served the purpose of Warren Ave. The names of the streets from North to South were Main (South Second), Thirty Foot (S. Third), Indiana (S. Fourth) and Coalbank (S. Fifth) Streets. Main street was the chief thorough- fare and business street. On it were the stores, taverns, printing office and blacksmith shops. The lots were numbered from the river up. Lot No. 1 was the McMullen lot, but it extended clear back to what is First Street. Lot No. 10 was what is now occupied by Frank Clowes and Ban Owens. The stables of these lots were on First Street. Coalbank Street took its name from a coalbank on the Robert Jones lot. Several additions to the town have been made. The first, called the New Addition, was eleven acres, owned by John Andree and John Mcllwain. At this time North Street (now First) came into use as a street. After the canal bridge was built at the foot of this street, gradually the line of traffic shifted until finally it was the principal street. According to the terms of the sale of lots the owners had promised to donate two acres adjoining Back Street for meeting house, school and cemetery purposes. Accordingly this was laid out. The plot is known as the old graveyard. The First Presbyterian Church was built on this plot in 1826. A schoolhouse was built at the southern end of this ground and that part of the lot was never fenced in with the graveyard. After the schoolhouse was torn down the lot was a public village green for many years. It was purchased by the Owens brothers from the Presbyterian Church. How that Church came to own the ground is given in the history of this congregation. An offer was made by the promoters of Warren which reads as follows: "The first four men who will erect a house upon their lots can go into our forest and take sufficient timber for the entire build- ing free of charge." There was a squatter's cabin upon this tract. It appears that Anthony O'Brien, accompanied by another Irishman, both stonemasons, came along about the time work was begun on the State Road. About 1810 this then great undertaking was be- gun. Heretofore travelers followed a trail or bridle path four or five feet wide. On this they carried all the commodities necessary to wilderness life, grain, iron, furniture, salt and all things not ob- tainable on a farm. The State Road as projected was to be sixty feet wide. It was partially opened in 1812. This road at this point coming from Indiana passed down what is now known as South 22 THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. Second Street and entered the river at a point just above the present county bridge. On crossing the fording it led up the bank slightly higher up the stream, and continued on to Pittsburg. The town of Warren was laid out so that Main Street (South Second) was a part of this highway. Anthony O'Brien and James Haley had squatted on Warren's Sleeping Ground at the foot of this street. John Black, who purchased Lot No. 1, paid the squatters a small sum to get them to move on without legal proceedings. Mr. Black was from Westmoreland County and built the first house in the village. This stood at the corner of Main and Water Streets, now South Second and Kiskiminetas Ave. It was the first public house also. It was known in later years as the McMullen house. About twenty-one years ago it was damaged by fire and the original log structure was removed. The other men who took advantage of the free timber offer were Conrad Ludwig, of Westmoreland, who built where the lockup stands. Henry Ford built about where the Reformed Par- sonage is and Robert Hanna, great grandfather of the late John R. Hanna, built on the south side of Main Street. The building is yet standing, is owned by the J. F. Whitlinger heirs and is occupied by Aunt Nan Jack. It is now the oldest structure in Apollo. These houses were all constructed of hewn logs and were finished in 1817. In 1819 the first frame building was erected. The carpenter work was done by John Cochran, father of Maj. T. A. Cochran. Isaac McLaughlin, uncle of Robert McLaughlin, built on Main Street in 1820. John Wort built a frame house in 1825. The first brick house was built by Dr. Wm. McCullough on the southeast corner of North and Church Streets and is yet standing, owned and occupied by Labanah Owens. The first stone building was the Presbyterian Church, in 1826. It stood for forty years. The first concrete block building was erected by Harry Wood in 1905. It stands at the rear of his nickel- odeon. The first settlers of the town prior to the building of the Penn- sylvania canal were, besides the first four builders, Joseph Alford, Isaac McLaughlin, Michael Risher, Robert Stewart, John Wort and Catherine Cochran. The latter, a widow, came from Crawford's Mill after her husband had died at that place. Her oldest son, John, then a boy of 12 years, helped Abraham Ludwick to clear the greater portion of the land within the limits at that time. Michael Cochran, another son, became a blacksmith and cutler on Main Street. He was proud of the quality of his cutlery and always stamped his name thereon. His great grandson. Dr. E. B. Henry, of Ingomar, Pa., has a drawing knife made and stamped by him. He later be- came a Justice of the Peace in the to\vnship and subsequently became Associate Judge of Armstrong County. W. J. Guthrie, of Pittsburgh, has two deeds executed by him conveying an acre of land from John Andree and Elizabeth Andrea THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. 23 for a consideration of $20 to Robert McKissen, March 30, 1843, and later, June 17, 1843, the same was conveyed by Robert McKissen and Ellen McKissen to George A. Withington for $27.50. This lot was re- purchased by Andree as the same is yet a part of the Owens farm. Polly Wilson, a daughter of Catherine Cochran, became owner of the Cochran log cabin on Indiana Street. Her son, Greenberry, while yet a mere boy helped haul logs from Hickory Bottom to byild some of the later log houses. Valentine Ford lived on the property now owned by D. H. Williams. He was a cooper and had a small shop at the foot of S. Fourth Street. John Ford owned where Cas- par Kettering lives. The house just above the J. W. Cowan property on S. Fourth Street is one of the oldest houses of Warren. Andrew Cunningham, grandfather of Miss Millie Tumey, occupied one of the twelve original log cabins in Warren. He was a cabinet maker and, as in those days there was not sufficient business in his trade to fur- nish a livelihood, he worked at carpenter work and repair of boats. The boat yard for the repair of canal boats was at the present site of John Green's ice pond. Andrew Cunningham was the first constable in the borough. The only log cabin now standing without any weather boarding, but in its pristine beauty of hewn logs, chunked and daubed, is standing on the rear of Mrs. Sarah Drake's lot, Kiskiminetas Avenue, and was built by George Hunter seventy-five years ago. The first house in town was the first public house, also, and was kept by James Horrel. Samuel Gordon was a prominent tavern keeper as well as a prominent citizen. John Mcllwain had a tavern where Steele's Garage stands. After the death of John Mcllwain, John T. Smith married his widow and they kept tavern for many years on the corner of Warren Avenue and First Street. Mr. Smith was a tailor and his shop is yet standing, occupied by R. M. Mc- Laughlin and Son, Real Estate and Insurance. George A. Withington was a tavern keeper. After his death, Mrs. Withington kept hotel on Main and North Streets, and for a time in the old Riverside Hotel. John Vorhaur was another tavern keeper. He kept in the McMullen house and later in the Riverside. Mrs. Withington was keeping hotel at the corner of First Street and Kiski Avenue during the civil war. When the news of Lee's surrender reached Apollo, one of her daugh- ters seized the dinner bell, rushed out on the upper porch and rang the bell until the good tidings were known by nearly all the town. Among the other business men in times when Main was the chief business street,were Hugh Skiles, Smith Whitworth, James Heron, John Alexander and Robert McKissen. David Watt and John Bair were blacksmiths. John Elwood was a cabinet maker and car- penter. The first separate assessment of the town of Warren, then in Allegheny township, was made in 1830, as follows: John Alford, lot No. 22, 1 horse, 1 h«ad of cattle, total valuation $58. James H. 24 THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. Bell, lot No. 16, 1 house, 1 other lot, $156, Catherine Cochran, lot No. 34, 1 house, 1 head cattle, $31. Robert Cochran, single man, lot No. 9, $25. Andrew Cunningham, lot No. 48, 1 head cattle, $31. Wm. Davis, lot No. 17, 1 house, blacksmith, $91. Philip Dally, No. lot not known, one house, $225. Samuel Gardner, lot, $255. Wm. Graham, lot No. 48, 1 house, 1 head cattle, $31. John Llewellyn, lot No. 4, 1 house, 1 horse, $255. Robert McKissen, lot No. 15, 1 house, 1 head cattle, $106. Alex. McKinstry, lot No. 1, 1 house, $252. Wm. McKinstry, 1 lot and house, $225.50. John Mcllwain, lot No. 2, 1 house, 2 horses, 1 head cattle, $601. Isaac McLaughlin, lot No. 38, 1 house, transferred to John Mcllwain Wm. Mehaffey, half lot No. 25 Peter Risher, lot No. 18, 1 house, 1 horse, $225. John Wort, lots Nos. 5 and 6, 1 house, 1 tanyard, 1 horse, 2 cattle, lot No. 2, unseated, $247. Value of unseated lots from $5 to $40 each. Eight years before the County Treasurer had advertised 25 inlots for sale for taxes, county and road, varying from 5c to 30c a lot. The population in 1850 was 329 whites and 2 colored. Apollo was divided into wards December 13, 1899. Assessed value in 1915, $660,746. Money at interest, $119,- 677.89. Houses, First Ward, 348. Second Ward, 404. Mills, First Ward 1, Second Ward, 2. Horses, First Ward 88, Second Ward, 41. Cows, First Ward, 4, Second Ward, 9. Dogs, First Ward, 51, Second Ward, 45. Taxables, First Ward, 558, Second Ward, 528. Occupations, both wards: Laborers, 186; contractors, 7; carpen- ters, 27; steelworkers, 192; molders, 11; constable, 1; teachers, 2 engineers, 5; conductors, 2; watchman, 5; publisher, 2; reporter, 1 music teacher, 4; druggist, 4; merchant, 35; clerk, 57; teamster, 16 mail carrier, 4; agent, 6; liveryman, 5; milkman, 2; ragdealer, 1 restauranteur, 4; photographer, 2; undertaker, 4; proprietor pool room, 2; butcher 5; printer, 4; retired, 51; woolen man, 2; tinner, 2 machinist, 5; dentist, 3; minister, 9; shoemaker, 3; electrician, 9 real estate, 6; jeweler, 2; newsdealer, 1; miner, 12; telegrapher, 3 attorney, 2; stone mason, 2; manufacturer, 1; janitor, 2; bricklayer, 6; millwright, 5; brakeman, 3; manager, 5; painter, 5; barber, 6 farmer, 4; blacksmith, 12; plumber, 5; architect, 1; physician, 6 student, 2; tailor, 4; salesman, 6; messenger, 1; garageman, 3; post master, 1; justice, 2; cashier, 1; superintendent, 1; roll turner, 5 foreman, 6; bank examiner, 1; bank treasurer, 1; paper hanger, 3 baker, 1; bank president, 2; fireman, 1; assessor, 2. TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH. A petition from a number of residents of Allegheny Township was presented to the Court Dec. 22, 1831, asking that a new township be formed out of the upper end of the township, to be called Kiski- THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. 25 minetas Township. Philip Klingensmith, John Lafferty and John McKissen were appointed viewers. The Court approved their recommendation June 19, 1832 War- ren was now in Kiskiminetas Township. • . ^I ^^^ ""^ assembly March 15, 1848, Warren was incorporated mto the borough of Apollo. "Be it enacted, &c., that the town of Warren, in the County of Armstrong shall be and the same is hereby erected into a borough which shall be called Apollo." The voters were commanded to meet in the house of John Smith and e ect a burgess and five councilmen. Robert McKissen and Wm McCullough were appointed to publish and superintend the election! to be held May 3, 1848. At this election Robert McKissen was elected burgess and Wm. Nichols, Wm. Miller, George C. Bovard, John T. Smith, John Elwood and David Risher, town councilmen T r/""^ '^.t''^ f tr *^^ ^'^'^^^'^ "^'^^ regularly held at the home of J. 1. Smith and Mrs. Smith always served a turkey dinner to the board. ic^.J^t/""^* ^""^""^ °^ ^^^''''^ directors was elected in the spring of 1850 It consisted of Wm. C. Bovard, John B. Chambers, John T. bmith, Thomas Cochran, Samuel Owens and Hugh M. G. Skiles. ADDITIONS TO BOROUGH. t^.o^r'^^f the "New Addition to Warren," previously mentioned, in 1859 the borough lines were extended taking in a lot of land, a part of which later became vested in John B. Chambers, who laid out 45 lots m this portion in 1865. In 1869 the limits were extended to take in tlie lands of Michael Cochran. James Guthrie laid out a smaller a few lots'' ^""^ ^ '^""'^ ^^"''^ ^^^^' *^''' ^™''" '^'"^y P^^**^^ . T.^^f J%''°'^ ''"'''^ ^' *^^ Laufman Addition formerly belonged to David McLane, who was editor of the Pittsburgh Gazette for sev- eral years.It had been laid out and called the McLane Plot, but few lots were sold and it later became the property of the rolling mill company The last addition to Apollo Borough was made in 1893 It included Oak Hill and a part of Sugar Hollow, now called tileventh Street. Up until 1887 what is now known as Warren Avenue extended south only to First Street. The alley in the original plan was in this year by ordinance widened to 42 feet to South Fifth Street It was also increased to 40 feet from Seventh to Eleventh Street askin^rthl??h^P /nw^TI*^^^^ 5""". inaugurated for several months asKing that the town be divided into wards. There bein^ no obier- tions filed the Court issued a final decree dividing the to^^nto two wards. First ward being south of North Fourth^StreetlSd Second Eif3'Y89'9"an?thr^^ 't '^^^^T" ^^^^ decree was'maSe SeTordered'eSdTo'r eacTward°' '"'^*°" ^"' ^^^^^ ^«"""^-- 26 THE HISTORY OP APOLLO. ORDINANCES. By act of March 12, 1870, the Burgess and Council authorized the levying of a street tax not exceeding ten mills as provided for in act of 1848, It required property owners to pave fronting on streets with brick or stone. In case of financial inability so to pave, at the option of council they were permitted to pave with boards or plank. This ordinance provided that in case property owners failed to pave, the council could authorize the work and enter the cost as a lien against the property. The names of the streets were changed in 1889. North Street became First Street and all cross streets were numbered from this point. The streets running parallel with the river were to be called avenues. According to this nomenclature. Water street became Kis- kiminetas Avenue. Canal Street became Warren Avenue. The other avenues eastward are Pennsylvania (Church St.), Armstrong, Terrace, Woodward and Oak avenues. There are two exceptions. Grove Street has a name, not a number, and the small street running north and south back of E. A. Townsend's is called Crow Street. The avenues westward are Railroad and Clifford. The western ter- minus of N. Fourth Street and the northern terminus of Clifford Avenue were vacated by ordinance in 1891. The Philadelphia plan of numbering buildings was adopted in 1890. An ordinance fixing the proportion of street paving to be paid by the borough was passed in 1897. Apollo Electric Light, Heat & Power Co. was franchised in 1891. Other franchises were Conemaugh Gas Co., 1886. Apollo Gas Co., 1889. Apollo Water Co., 1888. Leechburg and Apollo Electric Railway eranted right of way in 1904, an extension of time for completion of road granted to 1906. An act for the preservation of public health was passed in 1888. THE KISKIMINETAS RIVER. It has been stated that the first mention of this river was by Christopher Gist, Washington's guide, when he was with the Ohio Company. He says "Monday, 12th, Nov., 1750. Set out from Stoney Creek, Crossed a great Laurel Mountain, came to Loyal Hannon, an old town on a creek of the Ohio, called Kiscomina- tis, thence from an Indian town on said creek, &c." In searching history we find that in 1748, two years before, Conrad Weiser set out from what is now Berks County to negotiate with the Indians, who, Geo. Croghan said, were becoming estranged from the French. Weiser was a prominent trader. He was well versed in Indian affairs as he had been adopted by the Mohawks,, When he started on his mission he kept a diary. It will not be ffi Ph THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. 27 necessary to mention more than the stations passed near this local- ity, August 22, 1748, after crossing Allegheny Hills (Mts.) he came to Clearfields, this being at the head waters of Clearfields Creek, a branch of the Susquehanna, in Cambria County. From thence he traveled to the Shawonees Cabbins, 34 miles distant, reaching that point Aug. 23. On Aug. 24 he states that he "found a dead man on the road, who had killed himself drinking too much whiskey. The place being very stony we could not dig a grave. He smelling very strong we covered him with stones and wood and went on our jour- ney." Came to 10 Mile Lick 32 miles (Ten Mile Lick is Spring Church, so called because it was ten miles from the Indian Town Kiskiminetas which was below Pine Run and opposite Shaner's Run.) August 25th, "Crossed Kiskeminetoes Creek and came to Ohio that day, 26 miles." On this route it will be noticed that he took a trail leading across to the Allegheny near Chartiers. Aug 26, he stopped at Shannopins, a Delaware town. Aug. 27, he dined at a "Seneka Town where an old Seneka Woman Reigns with great authority." This was Queen Alliquippa at the Forks of the Ohio. Weiser met the Indian tribes, gave them presents, made them speeches and completing his duties returned. On his way back he mentions "Kiskaminity Creek," and "Round Hole," another name for "Boiling Springs." He states that after traveling 35 miles from this place he came to where they had buried John Quen and found that the bears had pulled him out and left nothing but "a few naked bones and some old rags." It will be noticed that Gist spoke of Kiscominetis as a creek and Loyal Hannon as a town. The Indians often spoke of the stream instead of the town. In their method, the Kittanning meant the river, from Gicht, main and Hanne, Stream. The name Kiskiminetas is given two or three meanings by writers. John McCullough who was a captive, says they came to a river, Kee-ak-kshee-man-nit-toos, meaning "Cut Spirit." Heckewelder, who was an authority on the language, said it meant "Make daylight," being the impatient excla- mation of a warrior in haste to take the warpath. He says it comes from Gieschgumanito. Many of our streams retain their Indian names, but some have been translated into English, yet keeping the Indian significance. Thus of the tributaries of the Kiskiminetas, Conemaugh (Gunamochki) means Otter creek. Loyalhanna (Laweel- hanne) means the middle stream because it is half way between the Juniata and Allegheny. Hanne in Indian means stream. The Indian of Stony Creek is Sinne-hanne. The Indian name for Beaver Dam Creek (Beaver Run) is Amochk-pahasink. It means "where the beavers have shut up the stream." The Kiskiminetas was one of the most im- portant water ways in the state, especially during the salt industry. Its head waters are the Little Conemaugh and Stony 28 THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. Creek. The North and South Forks of the Conemaugh both rise in the Allegheny Mountains, within the limits of Cambria County. These branches merge at South Fork, where on June 1, 1889, the dam burst and caused one of the greatest calamities in the history of the state. Johnstown was destroyed with a loss of 2209 lives. The river is known as the Little Conemaugh until its union with Stony Creek, which rises in Somerset County and runs almost direct- ly North to the confluence. Besides the numerous acquisitions of smaller streams Black Lick rises in Cambria and runs almost parallel with the Conemaugh until below Blairsville, where it empties into the latter. At Saltsburg the Conemaugh and the Loyalhanna unite to form the Kiskiminetas. The Loyalhanna has its source in West- moreland County between Chestnut and Laurel Ridges. The Kis- kiminetas just after receiving the water of Roaring Run makes a steep declination which produces what is known in past histories as the "Big Falls." Here amid the rocks and bars the waters rush and madly swirl for nearly a mile. In early days many lives were lost in these rapids. By Act of March 9, 1791, the river was made a pub- lic highway. In 1811 improvements were made by blasting and removing rocks. At that time channels were made at the shallows and riffles. In 1821, $5,000 were appropriated for the improvement of this stream and five commissioners were appointed to supervise the ex- penditure. In 1828, the river became a part of the great canal sys- tem. Before its contamination by mines, mills and sewers fish were plentiful. The writer remembers an old time "Brush Netting" when hundreds of fish were driven down to the mouth of Beaver Run where a triangular inclosure had been built of stones in the river. A rope was stretched across the stream just below the rapids or Big Falls. Men and boys cut and tied green branches to this rope, mak- ing a brush fence. A team of horses was hitched to each end and by their pulling and men and boys pushing and kicking and shouting the fish were driven down to the angle and caught. The fish were laid in piles and a blindfolded man called out the names for distri- bution. While that was wrong it cannot be compared to the whole- sale poisofiing by factories or mines. The fish were of fine size and quality. Bass, pike, salmon, catfish, perch and many not so de- sirable inhabited the stream. Back in the nineties the fish were all killed. The coal mines are the greatest evil. Mr. H. P. Drake, assistant engineer of State Department of Health thinks that the waste products of the mines will be utilized and all drainage into streams eliminated. It is thought that the by-products will pay for the installation of the system. James S. Painter caught a pickerel with rod and line which weighed 23 pounds. This is the largest catch by that method re- corded. G. W. Wolfe caught one weighing thirteen pounds the day ci H T) THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. 29 before Mr. Painter's catch. H. P. Wood gigged one which weighed 32 pounds. On the same night he and John Jones gigged a catfish which drew 17 pounds. J. P. Wood holds the record for a large spoonfish. There have been many floods in the Kiskiminetas be- sides the Johnstown Flood. A notable one occurred in 1831, when part of Leechburg Dam was swept away. In 1866, Dam No. 2 above Apollo was destroyed. This was a calamity to the town as the Roll- ing Mill was run by water power at that time. Jan., 1881, the Apol- lo toll bridge was carried away. In 1907 the river rose to eighteen inches higher than it did at Apollo at the time of the Johnstown flood. This was the highest in history. REGIONAL HISTORY. There may be something inspiring to read about men dying in battle. The shouts, the rattle of musketry, the roar of artillery and the wild charge tend to make a soldier forget his danger, but when chased by foes as relentless as wolves, the pursued, wild eyed and panting like a hunted deer — such a death is revolting to our sen- sibilities. But of these there were many in the days of the colonies. Such was the death of the unknown man who was pursued for miles up the river until he was overtaken and killed on Chambers' Hill. He was buried a few yards beyond where the road turns toward the Chambers residence on the way from Apollo to Vandergrift Heights. Many of the older residents of town remember the oak tree by which he was buried. For many years wagons turned to either side of the forest marker rather than to fell the tree. Today all that re- mains of his body lies under the new brick road. Such also was the fate of Garver, who was wounded up the little run (Cat Tail Run) which empties into the stream which feeds the new reservoir of the Apollo Water Company. Bleeding, he staggered, half running, half falling up the hill frrom the Enoch Crawford farm to the crest of the hill at the Chambers line. There he fell, was scalped and later his mutilated body buried. His grave was yet to be seen a few years ago. It is said he came from near Arnold on the Allegheny River. On the opposite side of the valley on the Crawford farm there was another grave with a flag stone marker at the head and foot. The history of this grave is unknown. As Linus Townsend writes of the lone grave near Spring Church, 'The lone grave and he who's resting here. Alike by friends and kindred are forgot." HANNASTOWN. On account of local interest it may be pardonable to refer to Hannastown, although it properly belongs to history of Greens- burg. In July, 1782, while a number of residents of this village 30 THE HISTORY OF APOLLO, were engaged in harvesting, Indians were discovered skulking in the woods. The reapers at once retired to the town and hastily gath- ered all the inhabitants into the stockade. Hannastown, it must be remembered, was at that time the county seat of Westmoreland County. It was the first place where justice was administered west of the^ Alleghenies. On this fateful day the prisoners were released from jail and taken into the enclosure along with the rest. James Brison and David Shaw went out to reconnoitre and discovered the enemy to be in superior force. On their return they were pursued by the Indians and Shaw paused long enough to shoot one. Captain Matthew Jack on horseback circled around until he learned that it was useless to attempt to fight such a large force and then gal- loped off to warn the people at Miller's. As the scouts were leaving the Indians came out boldly and attacked the town. Enraged that they had not succeeded in surprising the inhabitants they began to pillage and burn the houses. One warrior dressed in a stolen uni- form of which he was so proud that he attracted much attention and was shot by a man in the fort. There were forty or fifty people in the fort and of these there were but twenty men able to use arms. These were armed with less than a dozen guns as most able bodied men were at the front. This may be said to be the last act of the Revolution in this section. The attacking party seems to have been about forty Canadians and one hundred Indians, who had come down the Allegheny in canoes and disembarked at Kittanning. The people in the fort beat their drums and rode horses back and forth across a bridge to make the enemy believe they were receiving reinforcements. The party fled in the night. They were followed as far as the Kiski- minetas where they crossed the river at the ford where Warren or Apollo, was subsequently located. The only death among the whites was that of Margaret Shaw, who was shot while rescuing a child which had toddled into danger. The Shaws and the Hannas of Apollo are descendants of those of Hannastown. THE UNFINISHED MILLSTONE. On the Saltsburg road, Westmoreland side, a branch road leads from Newton Kennedy's to the Rubright Bridge. In a little ravine a short distance down and to the right lies an unfinished millstone. Ihe gram of the stone is perfect and that it was not finished is told thus: When naught but a wilderness trail led down this hill a grist mill was projected for a site on Beaver Run just below this place, ihe stone cutter had selected this stone and was at work cutting to his Ime when he was killed and scalped by Indians. After this deed the Indians followed down the trail to a cabin near Rubright's cross- ing. The woman of the house who was alone fled at their approach Entering her house the marauders found a lot of newly baked bread which they stole and went their way without searching for her Whether from superstition or sentiment the stone was never fin- ished. Today it stands mutely testifying to the tragedies of our pioneers. THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. 31 THE OLD MILLS. Among the earliest necessities of frontier life was the grist mill. Prior to the use of steam power it was necessary to erect mills on streams easily dammed yet having an abundant and continuous flow. The old mills in this vicinity whose names are perpetuated because of their locations being favorite picnic grounds are the McCartney and Crawford Mills and the one remembered only as "The Burnt Mill Hole." The McCartney Mill was not only a grist mill but a fulling and dyeing mill as well was located there. These were situated on Rattling Run about three miles south of town. This vicinity is yet a well known camping and picnic ground. It is related that the mill- wright who erected the mill was so engrossed in his labor that he forgot his wedding day and was only aroused to the other duties of life by the anxious guests who sought him and reminded him of his waiting bride. Crawford's Mill was located on Pine Run, in Westmoreland County. A blacksmith shop, a tannery and a store were built near by. This mill site, besides being a favorite outing place, was known by the older settlers as the place of "The Haunted Gun," It was told many years ago that an old flint-lock musket lay on a rock. No one could pick it up. On attempting to do so an unseen hand knocked it back upon the rock. There it rested until rot and rust removed what human hands could not. Whether the spirit of a red man or a white stood guard, legend does not say. Up on the face of the cliff bordering the stream was a cave-like opening long un- explored. It was regarded as inaccessible. Of late years several enterprising youths explored it by means of a rope let down from above. It was found to be a room about 10x10 feet, with nothing within to gratify the curiosity of the explorers. In all probability it was a place of refuge in early days. Burnt Mill Hole is another well knoAvn and popular resort for picnics and fishing. It is two miles up Beaver Run Valley. It is so called from a hole or pool — the remains of an old mill dam. The first mill built on this site was burned and the name of the owner has passed into oblivion. The second one owned by Moses Felmlee, was also destroyed by fire. The third mill built a little lower down the creek was erected by Miller Callen and sold to Smith Whit- worth, It was near the "White Bridge." Mr. Whitworth ran the mill by water power for a few years and then removed it to West Apollo, where steam power was installed. The building is used as a bam by Mr. Gianini, of the Belvedere. The scenery around the "Burnt Mill Hole" is picturesque and fishing has been good in times gone by. Further enchantment for the spot lies in the tale told by old settlers of the man who was tortured to death there. All the gruesome details of his cruel death have been rehearsed for the ben- efit of the boys who in turn told their companions as they sat in the deep shade near the stream. The pool is deep and because of an 32 THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. outlet at the bottom there is a whirlpool which sucks floating ob- jects into its depth. Several persons have been drowned in this hole and many believe it is the whirlpool which drags the victims under. The water is not of sufficient volume to do this. The treachery of the pool is in its precipitous sides, which cause the unwary bather to plunge suddenly overhead. INDIAN SPRING. Smith's History of Armstrong County mentions Indian Spring as a place one and one-fourth miles east of Toquhesp, an Indian town which was in the dim past situated near North West Coal mines. This spring can be found more easily by going out from Apollo on the Maysville Road. It may be seen at the head of a little ravine to the left of the road just before coming to the branch which leads up to Horrell's school. Under the guidance of James Kunkle, of Penn- sylvania Ave., a visit was made to this curiosity. It is not the spring but a rock which is the object of attraction. Formerly there was a large sandstone rock which jutted up from beneath the roots of a large chestnut tree. From beneath the rock there g^ushed forth a bounteous stream of clear cold water which formed a rivulet which rippled down the hollow through the forest. Evidently this was a favorite haunt for the redmen, as it is said the large rock was cov- ered with pictures. A smaller rock yet stands to the left of the stream just below the spring. Carved upon it is the crude figure of a man. The head and the body of the man are made deep so as to give the idea of solidity, while the arms and legs are but trac- ings. The hands have but three fingers, the knees are bent as if to represent the figure as walking. A few other tracings are vis- ible, but their import is not known. Owing to the scarcity of build- ing stone in this vicinity the larger rock has been quarried away and the spring is filled with spalls. This carving is doubtless the work of Indians. REGIONAL HISTORY. A short distance above Rock Furnace on the left of Jackson's Run, is a huge boulder six or seven feet high and of irregular shape, so balanced that it can easily be rocked to and fro, but the united efforts of several men cannot displace it. Down below Rock Furnace, just above the first crossing there is a large flat rock which has several pot-shaped holes in it. These are supposed to have been used by the savages as receptacles into which they placed com to reduce it to meal. The spot now known as the Apollo Cemetery was already cleared when the first settlers took up claims here. This tract was on the Samuel McKee farm and had been used by the Indians as a corn field. Many Indian graves were to be seen further up the hollow and a few out on the point. THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. 33 The site of Apollo was the site of an old Indian town, although the name is lost to history. Indian towns were not so stable but that they were often changed. Evidences of campfires, darts, spear- heads, broken pottery, amulets, pipes, beads and tomahawks found here have been too numerous to have been anywhere else than a village. Owens* Hill east of town has been more of a camping place. Hugh Owens says that shortly after the farm came into their pos- session, traces of campfires with charcoal and mussel shells were found at various spots on the top of this knoll. Even yet some spots are darker than others, when the ground is newly plowed. It is not improbable that this high ground was Warren's "Sleeping Place." It was directly on the old Frankstown Trail from east of the mountains. This branch of the trail came via Clearfield, Indiana, passing between South Bend and West Lebanon to Round Hole or Ten Mile Lick, now called Spring Church. From thence it led to "Warren's Sleeping Place" on the Kiskiminetas River. From this place the path led to the old Indian town of Kiskiminetas on the Westmoreland side on this side of Leechburg. This town was situ- ated just below Pine Run, directly opposite the mouth of Shaner's Run. This run has been known as Carnahan's Run, but on Howell's map as Old Town Run. From this place the trail led over the Trout farm to Jack's Island or near Arnold. Robert Walter Smith, al- though a careful historian, was mistaken as to the location of this town and supposed it to have been near Saltsburg. His statement was quoted by the compiler of Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania. There were two towns near Saltsburg. Both history and maps positively locate Kiskiminetas Old Town as stated above. The term "Old Town" was a common name for any of the towns which the Indians had, whether used or abandoned. Above Kiskiminetas Town on the hill was an Indian burying ground. Some of these were explored a number of years ago. Beads and darts were found and Jas. Schall found in one a quartz crystal. A number of years ago when the road from the upper part of Hickory Bottom was being made, Hugh Forbes, then but a small boy, along with another boy about his own size, were present when the work- men came upon a number of Indian graves on the hillside just beyond the present home of Charles Ward. The skeletons were shoveled out indiscriminately and thrown over the embankment. The boys, having an inborn hatred of the savages, piled the bones up and stoned them until broken into fine fragments so that "they would have a hard time getting together on the 'Resurrection Day.' " 34 THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. FORT HAND. This fort is one which belonged strictly to this region. It was built to protect this vicinity, in the fall of 1777. James Chambers was one of the reapers in the oats field in August of that year when they took refuge in John McKibben's large log house on discovering the Indians hid in the woods. They were not attacked then, but the Carnahan Block House was. This block house was only a few miles distant but they were frequently cut off from it. The site of this fort is the same as the present residence of John B. Kerns on Pine Run, about four miles from Apollo on the Pittsburgh road. It was built of logs and had palisades surrounding it. The enclosure con- tained about one acre. Several cabins for the soldiers were within the stockade. A fine spring within supplied the garrison with water. From the finding of cannon balls on the site, it is supposed the fort was supplied with wall guns. McKibben's house was a short dis- tance away and across the creek. The savages had become so vicious that the settlers of Westmoreland were constantly menaced. Col. Lochry had organized a company of sixty men for their pro- tection. He divided this company into four bands of rangers. One of these bands guarded the district between McKibbens and Carna- hans before the building of Ft. Hand. This fort is mentioned as having received thirty men as reinforcements in March, 1778. When Gen. Mcintosh took charge of this western division and arrived in Ft. Pitt, August, 1778, there were but two fixed stations besides Pitt. These were Fort Hand and Ft. Randolph at Wheeling. In the same month of his arrival Capt. Miller of the 8th Pennsylvania, with nine men had taken some grain to Ft. Hand and were surprised by Indians. The Captain and seven men were killed. Col. Brodhead succeeded Mcintosh. He reported the presence of hostile Indians near the fort in April, 1779, and that one was killed. On April 26, a band of hostiles appeared so suddenly that two men who were plowing were compelled to abandon their teams, one of oxen and one of horses. Angered at the escape of the men the Indians killed the oxen and horses, as well as all the cattle they saw. The fort was gar- risoned at that time by only 17 men under Capt, Samuel Moorhead. Sergeant Philip McGraw was in the sentry box at the time of the attack and was wounded. Sergeant McCauley took his place and he was wounded. McGraw lived only a few days. The attack began at one o'clock and lasted until noon of the 27th, There were women in the fort who assisted the men by moulding bullets, using pewter spoons and dishes when the lead ran out. During the night the marauders set fire to the McKibben house and burned it. When the sentry of the fort would call the hours as was the custom, some whites with the Indians would mimic his tones and cry "Is all well now?" One of the soldiers in the fort volun- teered to go to Ft. Pitt for assistance, as it appeared there were at Iz; Q