LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
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 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 15 !•*/ 
 
A COMPENDIUM 
 
 OF 
 
 EDENBURG 
 
 
 AND 
 
 EDENBURG PEOPLE. 
 
 WRITTEN BY 
 
 MISS ETETTIE A. KEATLEY 
 
 1887. 
 
 CLARION JACKSONIAN PRINT. 
 
 CLARION. PA. 
 
5> 
 
 Copyrighted, 1887, 
 
 By Miss Hettie A. Keatlet, 
 
 Edenburg, Pa. 
 
DEDICATOEV. 
 Thislittle volume is dedicated by the Authoress to the Burgess and 
 Council of Edenburg, as a token of respect to the present officers, their an- 
 tecedents and successors. H. A. K. 
 
PREFACE. 
 In this volume, we offer to the citizens of Edenburg and vicinity, either 
 past, present, or future a brief review of events, and the names of men, 
 women and children, who have composed society and business circles, 
 since the place was first settled by the proprietors. This work has been 
 intended for years. To keep in remembrance the names of every family 
 who has ever lived in this place, was no easy task, and should any be 
 omitted it is because their names are not in the papers which have been 
 published in the town, or that memory has failed to recall them. Our town, 
 which was once asmall'city, has a greater historic record than any in the 
 State, in the same length of time It has been, as it were, Tried by Fire ! 
 The heroism of our citizens has been a marvel to all outside of the town. 
 These terrible conflicts, seem to be a bond of union to those who endured 
 the scourge. The benevolence of her citizens in church work and other 
 enterprises is an interesting: subject to Edenburgers wherever they may 
 be, and this little volume will serve in a measure to preserve from oblivion 
 the noble acts of heroism and benevolence of her citizens. With the purest 
 motives, ami kindest feelings we send it out with Greetings. 
 
 Edenburg, Clarion Co.. Pa., May 10, 1887. H. A. K. 
 
Edenburg and Edenburg People. 
 
 THE ADVENTURER. 
 
 ''Stand up erect ! Thou hast a form, 
 And likeness of thy God — who more? 
 A soul as dauntless mid the storm 
 Of daily life— a heart as warm 
 And pure as breast e'er wore.'" 
 
 Years ago, in country places, the owner of a farm of 
 one hundred acres of land was called rich. The won- 
 derful appreciation of the value of real estate, the extra- 
 ordinary luck of speculators, has entirely revolutionized 
 the opinion of a fortune, and now, a man who possesses 
 a million is barely called rich. Thus young men are de- 
 terred from attempting adventure, or, if they attempt, arc- 
 soon discouraged and the project abandoned for some- 
 thing more easily accomplished. The history of any 
 town, or country, is a delineation of the character of the 
 leading men and women it it, and of ks status, religious- 
 ly, morally and intellectually, in connection with its 
 business interests. The town of Edenburg, situated in 
 Beaver township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, has 
 had a greater diversity of experience, within a short pe- 
 riod of time, than any other in the State. To understand 
 its history correctly, it first becomes necessary to give a 
 sketch of its leading men before it became a borough. 
 
(> COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Mr. J. (». Mendenhall, the principal proprietor of 
 this live oil town, was a Quaker by birth, and always 
 used the plain language in his family. He was born in 
 Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, Pa., on the 14th day 
 of May, 1806. His ancestors came from England in 
 the ship with William Penn, and settled in Chester 
 county, Pa. From these all the Mendenhalls in the 
 United States have sprung-. 
 
 "Hate not husbandry, which God hath ordained.'* — Son of Sirach. 
 
 Mrs. Siffourney in her lovely strain has written : 
 
 'When the Creator's hand had placed 
 
 In this terrestial scene, 
 Man, in His own high image formed, 
 
 "Majestic and Serene, 
 Bade He this ruler of the globe, 
 
 To mountain summits soar? 
 Or for the wealth of gold and gems 
 
 It secret mines explore? 
 
 Or blow the rocks to atoms? 
 
 Or boil the floods to steam ? 
 Or with harpoon andjiookitranstix 
 
 The people of the stream? 
 Or bring with forge and hammer 
 
 Enormous shapes to light]? 
 Or study till the mid-night toil 
 
 Enwrapped the brain in night? 
 
 No, 'twas the Arbiter's command, 
 
 'Mid that delightful glade, 
 To "dress and keep the garden" where 
 
 His Eden home was made 
 And where no more his alien head 
 
 In Paradise might rest, 
 To till the earth from whence he came 
 
 Was still his Siu-'s behest. 
 
 Mr. Mendenhall was one of nature's husbandmen. 
 
 When this part of Clarion county (then Armstrong) was 
 a wilderness, he wandered hither in search of a location, 
 to make a home for himself and young wile, whom 
 he had shortly before married, nee Miss Susan Spencer 
 
AND EDEKBUEG PEOPLE. 7 
 
 of Half Moon, Pa. After making a trip from his home 
 
 mostly on foot, he came to what is now Clarion county 
 in the year A. D. 1830, and purchased what is known 
 as the Daniel Kiser farm, where Elk City stands. He 
 purchased the farm for $700. He returned to Centre 
 comity and brought his wife and household effects, and 
 settled in a small house in which the former owner, Mr. 
 Dale had lived. The house was small, but large enough 
 for two. One of the first things which he did was to 
 plant a Lombardy poplar in front of his door, which 
 grew to be a majestic tree and a reminder of his first 
 home, until the vandal oil man destroyed it. Frugality 
 and industry crowned his efforts, and in six years after 
 he purchased this farm, on account of its mineral value 
 in ore, he sold it to the firm of Black & Co., who had a 
 large furnace near, for the sum of $5,000. He then 
 purchased a wooded tract of 20 acres, the present site of 
 Edenburg. After this he made two other purchases, 
 which made him a farm of 188 acres. After clearing 
 his first purchase, he built him another home, and al- 
 though in a measure in the wilderness, he built large 
 enough to be able to accommodate strangers, and many 
 were entertained by his hospitality. He purchased two 
 other farms in the vicinity. One he called Jerusalem and 
 the other Egypt. These were both good oil fields in 
 late developments. Mr. Mendenhall was a remarkably 
 social man, had much pleasure with his friends and 
 neighbors. He had one especial trait of character, that 
 of being very fond of pets. His large barn was al- 
 ways filled with choicest stock and poultry. At one 
 time he had a "Deer Park." With these animals he 
 was on very friendly terms, but one incident shows the 
 
X COMPENDIUM <>F EDENBURG 
 
 sagacity ofthedeer. After donning a new suit of clothes 
 he wandered into the park one day. An "old buck" 
 not recognizing the new clothes, made light, and it was 
 a very narrow escape that his life was spared. He 
 changed his new suit for the old one and went again to 
 the Park, and the same old animal came to him and 
 fawned upon him as usual. Farms were being improved 
 all around him. In 1834 he with his few neighbors, 
 felt the need of a postoffice, there not being one nearer 
 than Shippenville. Consequently application was made 
 to the P. O. Department, and the request was granted. 
 Mr. Mendenhall was requested to name it, and he 
 called it Eden, and was appointed postmaster. After 
 some time the office was discontinued. When it was 
 again restored, there was another "Eden" in the State 
 and they called it Knox, and he was again appointed 
 postmaster, which he continued to he (with P. F. Kribbs 
 a< his assistant) until January 19th, 1<S 74, when he re- 
 signed in favor of J. T. Crawford. Up to this time and 
 afterward, the mails were carried from Emlenton to 
 Shippenville on horseback. J. T. Crawford continued 
 through the most exciting "oil times." When he took 
 what he had saved from the very remunerative position 
 at that time, he accepted Horace Greeley's advice and 
 went west. He and his interesting family are now 
 among the enterprising citizens of Nebraska. The suc- 
 cessorof J. T. Crawford, was J. Wilbur Orr, a genial, 
 social man, who with his accomplished assistant, Miss 
 Mary Flick, were very acceptable officers, but, a< fre- 
 quently happens, "Cupid with his dart," crept into the 
 office, and soon the postmaster and assistant united their 
 interest- for life. Soon after lie resigned in favor of 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. I) 
 
 Peter Spargo, and removed to Akron, Ohio, where he is 
 in a flourishing business now. Mr. Spargo, a very clever 
 man and an acceptable officer, held the position until his 
 demise on the 18th of March, 1885. After Ids sudden 
 death Mr. E. E. Kribbs kept it by special appointment 
 by the P. (). Department for one month. The admin- 
 istration having been changed, Mr. W. B. Delo received 
 the appointment, who with his amiable assistant, Miss 
 Mary Austin are the present incumbents. It is still a 
 salaried office. 
 
 Mr. Mendenhall was not only a farmer but a mer- 
 chant. Fie had a dry goods and grocery store at one time. 
 J. W. Coulter, with J. B. Patrick for clerk, succeeded 
 him. Richard Shippen, with J. T. Wilson for clerk, suc- 
 ceeded Mr. Coulter. Prosperity attended all Mr. Men- 
 denhalPs business efforts, but alas ! a shadow fell upon 
 his pleasant home. The wife of his youth sickened and 
 died, leaving him with one living child, J. 8. Menden- 
 hall, who when about eighteen years old, went to Cali- 
 fornia, where he spent most of his early life. Mr. J. 
 G. Mendenhall, at the loss of his life partner, although 
 cast down, was constrained to say "My Father, the 
 hand is Thine, who doeth all things well." He after- 
 ward married Miss Eliza Sloan a very amiable lady, by 
 whom he had four children, viz : M. Ariminta, now 
 Mrs. Travis, now residing in Edenburg. Griffith S. 
 who still resides at his home. 8. Louie, now Mrs. 
 Henry Kelly, ofCoeur d'Alene, Idaho Territory, and 
 Ella Genira, now Mrs. W. L. Jeffords, now living on 
 the old homestead grounds. When the youngest of these 
 children was ten years old, he was again bereft of his 
 
10 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 companion. On the 2^)th of November, 1871, he was 
 married to Miss Jane B. Rentier, of St rattan vi lie, Pa., 
 who was left a widow at his death, and who still resides 
 in her home in Edenburg. 
 
 The next merchant who came to the little town of 
 Edenburg, was P. F. Kribbs, and he came to stay. For 
 several years he alone furnished drv goods and efrocer- 
 ies, to the inhabitants of the surrounding country. Mr. 
 Kribbs is one of those busy men, who earns what he 
 has by the sweat of his brow or the activity of his brain. 
 He and his excellent wife and children were always 
 busy. Benton and Ellery, when quite small boys, would 
 rise at four o'clock, A. M., and wend their way with 
 their load of provisions, etc., to the nearest railroad sta- 
 tion and return in good time in the evening with their 
 loads of merchandise. From this course of trading, 
 with lumber interests and oil production, P. F. Kribbs 
 now stands among the leading business men of the coun- 
 try. Two large brick blocks with the sign, "P. F. 
 Kribbs & Son," and a beautiful brick residence, second 
 to none in the town are among the evidences of the fact. 
 It is often remarked that "man is the architect of his 
 own fortune," but observation in the past has led us to 
 conclude, "That the frugal hand of woman often lends 
 her charms." So we think to Mrs. Kribbs much is due 
 for Mr. Kribbs' prosperity. 
 
 "The trusting wife and mother, 
 Makes indeed a pleasant house, 
 There's naught too good to handle there, 
 The fond mother does her best to reuse, 
 Ambition in a sweet and loving fear.'' 
 
 Every house is a home where love and harmony 
 dwell. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 11 
 
 Mr. P. F. Kribbs is a son of the late (apt. George 
 Kribbs, who was one of the pioneer settlers and a prom- 
 inent citizen, and whose farm was very prolific in yield- 
 ing the oleaginous fluid in early oil developments. Mrs. 
 Kribbs is a daughter of Daniel Knight and a sister of 
 Dr. Knight, of Salem. Mr. and Mrs. Kribbs have had 
 eight living children, viz : Benton A., a worthy young 
 man now a partner with his father; E.Elmer, a law 
 student at Ann Arbor, Mich ; William, a theological 
 student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at Get- 
 tysburg, Pa. ; Charles, a student in Edinboro State Nor- 
 mal ; Florence, now Mrs. G. A. Karns, of Franklin, 
 Pa ; Susie and Mabel, Misses at home. Georgie, the 
 pet of the household was taken from the family group 
 one year ago. Although his place in the household is 
 vacant, he lives in memory as no other can. 
 
 "No longer fettered by the power 
 
 Of flesh and pain — his prison bars — 
 
 With joy must hail the golden hour. 
 That speeds his flight above the stars." 
 
 In the spring of 1874 Mr. Mendenhall razed the 
 old homestead and built on the same site a fine resi- 
 dence, which when completed presented a fine appear- 
 ance outwardly and was handsomely frescoed through- 
 out, and stood where the Clarion County Bank now 
 stands. His home was surrounded by a variety of love- 
 ly shade trees of the choicest kind of his own planting, 
 and adorned by the exotic and lovely flowers planted 
 and cultured by his wife and daughters. His was a love- 
 ly and loving home. When strangers and friends visit- 
 ed their home, they were invariably charmed by the 
 easy grace which pervaded the household. His three 
 daughters and son formed a quartette and could render 
 
12 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBTJRG 
 
 very fine music. One of his early pioneer neighbors 
 was Thomas Thompson. His farm was on the southside 
 of the Emlenton and Shippenville road. Mr. Thomp- 
 son's only son William went to the army and died in 
 June 1865. Mrs. Thomas Thompson the aged mother 
 of William Thompson still lives with her daughter, Mr>. 
 J. I Best, at the advanced age of i»4 years. Mr. J. I. 
 Best was a genial, social man, who purchased the Thomp- 
 son homestead. The year following Mr. Mendenhall, 
 Mr. Best also erected a handsome residence, but, unlike 
 his friend Mendenhall, he let "the old house stand" as 
 a relic of the past. It still stands with the creeping 
 ivy and trellised vines climbing up its walls. Like an 
 aged veteran it combines the past with the present. J. 
 I. Best, a quiet unobtrusive man, ever ready to help in 
 every good work was very liberal with his means. 
 When oil production developed so rapidly he granted 
 many leases and had large production. His family 
 grew up around him, bright, cheerful and pleasant. An 
 excellent wife and mother is Mrs. Best. But no circum- 
 stances in life can prevent the "fell destroyer," death, 
 from making his visits. Year after year he came and 
 pluck '1 from the h uisehold the little buds of promise, 
 until four had been taken. "No flower so sweet as the 
 larlv bud, when the crvstal die. 1 ]) of morn gives it fresh 
 perfume." So it seems death oftener plucks the morn- 
 ing flowers. 
 
 His eldest son, Willie, a very promising young 
 man, died February 2d, 1880. [t is ever thus with us 
 here. 
 
 "When the tide of bliss is highest, 
 When we closest clasp the toy. 
 
 Then the heart feels grief is nighest. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 13 
 
 Trembling, looking- on our joy; 
 Soon the sky shall be o'ercasf, 
 
 And voices ringing gladly. 
 
 And the pulses leaping madly, 
 To death's stillness shall have passed.,' 
 
 So it was, when everything was at high tide in 
 business circles, Willie was called to go, his disease be- 
 ing a complication of rheumatism and heart trouble. 
 
 Mr. Best, who was at the time of Willie's death 
 suffering from lung trouble, lingered until the following 
 autumn, when on November 10th, 1880, he too passed 
 peacefully over the "river from which no oarsman can 
 make a return passage." He was greatly missed from 
 the family circle, by the citizens of the town, and very 
 much from the M. E. Church of which he was an offi- 
 cial and liberal member. 
 
 "Swift the seasons come and go: 
 Thickly falls the drifting snow 
 O'er his peaceful grave we know. 
 
 But his feet 
 Have passed in at a pearly door. 
 And have trcd the shining golden floor, 
 Fair and fadeless forever more." 
 
 Mr. Best had seen Edenburg spring into existence 
 as a town, as by magic, and seen it once almost reduced 
 to allies, a number of times very much marred by 
 the devouring flames, and as often rebuilt. His aged 
 father had his home with him and still resides in the 
 home of Mrs. Best. "Grandfather Best" as he is famil- 
 iarly called, is perhaps the oldest man in the neighbor- 
 hood, being at present eighty-four years old, hale and 
 hearty. When Mr. Best realized the inevitable, like a 
 wise man, "he set his house in order," arranged his busi- 
 ness and left it in the hands of his son-in-law, Mr. G. 
 M. Cushing, to carry out his plans. 
 
14 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Mrs. Best is not in the best of health at present. 
 Frankie, their eldest, now Mrs. Cushing, Miss Louie, 
 Mr. Harry, Misses. Jennie and Sadie compose the family 
 who remain at home. Mrs. Cnshing whose health is 
 impaired has made several trips to the South for her 
 health and has found them beneficial. 
 
 The Mendenhall farm is bounded on the west by 
 the farms of Jacob and John Switzer. Jacob's sons, 
 Samuel and Jerry, now occupy the Jacob Switzer home- 
 stead. They are frugal, industrious and wealthy farm- 
 ers. Mr. John Switzer (now deceased) was an excellent 
 citizen, an energetic kind neighbor and a time friend. 
 His amiable wife and several of his children survive 
 him. His son, Milton Switzer, resides on the farm. 
 The Switzer farm- have yielded mil 'h oil and have some 
 producing wells at present. The Mendenhall farm is 
 bounded on the north by Jacob Switzer, Jr's. farm, which 
 has been a fine producing farm and is still yielding some 
 oil. In 1876, Mr. Switzer sol! :!ii< farm to the Van 
 Vie -k Brothers, who operated upon it for several years. 
 The western par: of this farm has been recently pur- 
 chased by Mr. D. O. White, who has erected a hand- 
 some residence upon it, where he an 1 his ace unplished 
 wife receive their friends with graceful hospitality. Mr. 
 S. X. McClelland, who pnrchasei theeasfcern part ofthe 
 farm i- improving it rapidly, although i + had been tra- 
 versed by oil teams until it was cut up by roa 1- in every 
 direction; but by his energy and skill he is making it 
 "blossom as the rose," and yield fair crops of the differ- 
 ent kinds of grain. Mr. McClellan is proverbial for his 
 great altitude and for having a kind, sympatheti i dispo- 
 sition. Their home is a pleasant oae. On the eastern 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 15 
 
 point of the Switzer farm, (now McClellan) and a small 
 portion of the Joseph Gates farm, known since 187.') as 
 the Marcus Hilling's farm, is the suburban town of For- 
 est Home and the Antwerp Pipe Line Station. To de- 
 scribe this little "villa" nestled among- the trees, would 
 require the easel and brush of a painter to give it the 
 proper effect. It was, to say the least, a lovely, cool re- 
 treat, yet not exactly an Eden proper. Its low, flat lo- 
 cation on the bank of Canoe Creek, in the rainy season, 
 caused the atmosphere to be impregnated with miasma. 
 Sickness followed and death visited many households. 
 There Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Delp lost their only son, 
 W. Ridge, a bright boy who was accidentally thrown 
 from a step ladder, when a blood vessel burst, and no ef- 
 fort could stay the life current until death claimed him. 
 The parents hold his memory in fond and affectionate 
 remembrance and can say with the poet : 
 
 "Yes, thou art gone, forever gone! 
 
 Our hearts are tilled with grief and pain, 
 For though thou art at rest, dear one, 
 
 We ne'er can see thee here again !" 
 
 The angel of death visited many other homes there. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Delp are now residents of Edenburg, have 
 a fine home on Main street and a fine shop where he 
 earns much money. His home is proverbial for having 
 the only flag pavement in town. Their daughter, now 
 Mrs. C. L. Lay, also lives in Edenburg in a nice new 
 residence on State street. To speak of Forest Home 
 socially, would require the pen of a George Eliot. It 
 bore about the same relation to Edenburg proper, that 
 Hesse Darmstadt does to all Germany. A small duke- 
 dom, as it were. It had its independent school, and its in- 
 dependent church services much of the time, while they 
 
l(j COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 still held their church relations in town. They had 
 their Sunday school, their literary societies, their croquet 
 lawns, their festivals and parties, by day-light, moon- 
 light or gas-light a^ it suited them. It contained about 
 thirty dwellings. It was to say the least a pleasant re- 
 treat, almost a "Utopia." If any one of the inhabi- 
 tants did any wrong it was always done in Edenburg. 
 Bradley & Co., had a large supply store, planing mill, 
 tank shop and blacksmith shop. J. W. Cowan vended 
 groceries, etc.; J. (t. Tate kept the Forest Horn: 1 House : 
 A. Culbertson had a meat market. There was Forest 
 Home Hall, built for the citizens and vicinity by pri- 
 vate contributions. The citizens always spoke of their 
 Hall with pride, and justly, as it was really useful as 
 well as ornamental, and was used only for moral, edu- 
 cational or religious purposes. The building was 24x4Q 
 feet, with corresponding height, ceiled, papered, painted, 
 wainscoted and handsomely seated, and was, withal, 
 the best of its kind in the country. J. M. Bethune who 
 had oil wells, Prof. Davis, Prof. Beers and Miss Ella 
 Culbertson, attended to the educational interests. Jas. 
 Benn and family, the Simons Brothers, the Sloans, 
 Walker's, Craig's, McCormick's, Best's, Help's, Pryor's, 
 Sweet's, Breckenridge's, Harley's and Ervin's of Cha- 
 tauqua circle fame. There Mr. William Buzza with his 
 sons R. W. Buzza and Richard. Rev. Richard Buzza, 
 of the Erie conference, first learned to speak in public in 
 the literary societies of Forest Home. This "villa" in 
 the forest was the home of Maj. J. B. Maitland, mana- 
 ger of the Antwerp Pipe Line, if any measure was 
 proposed, there was one umpire who could decide it. 
 The Major's "ipse <li.rif" settled all questions great or 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 17 
 
 small. Had he been an autocrat his opinions could not 
 
 have been more sought by the Forest Home people, but 
 this came out of respect and not a slavish fear. The Major 
 being a man of good judgment, who ever maintained a cool 
 deliberate bearing, and who seldom gave advice until 
 the subject was well weighed in his own mind, was a 
 safe person from whom to receive advice. He and his 
 family were greatly missed when they removed to their 
 country home in Rockland, Pa.. The early inhabitants 
 of Forest Home have mostly removed to some other 
 place, except J. G. Tate, who was first to come and last 
 to leave. 
 
 Mongtown, another suburb, on the Mahlon Mong 
 farm and partly on the Switzer, was quite a live town at 
 one time, although never so independent as Forest Home. 
 It had its school and hotels. The first citizen that came 
 into this new town was Mr. J. D. Kelley. He with his 
 amiable wife and little family located there in the spring 
 of 1873, and with the exception of a short time he resided 
 in Clarion, it has been his home for thirteen years. His 
 family has grown up. Miss Ada is a very well quali- 
 fied teacher in one of the rooms in McKeesport Union 
 School. Miss Alice and the younger ones are at home. 
 Mr. Kelley was with Mr. J. C. Hill on Mr. J. Turner's 
 survey from St. Petersburg to Fryburg. This brought 
 the surveyors past the Bower farm. Mr. Walter M. 
 Lowry having taken a large lease on the Frederick 
 Rower farm was not able to hold it, unless he operated 
 upon it very soon. Xot having capital enough to do 
 this, he solicited Mr. J. Turner and Captain Duncan to 
 operate on this tract, consequently they commenced to 
 drill on the St. Lawrence, the first well on the lease, 
 
18 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 April 21st, cased and tubed May 21st and had in the 
 line-, June 21st, an average of 72 barrels per day. This 
 has been one of the most substantial wells in the field. 
 Tt is still producing some oil. The company was known 
 as Turner, Duncan & Lowry. The Baliet No. 1, was 
 tubed on September Kith of the same year. Turner & 
 Duncan purchased Lowry 's interest and the firm was 
 then known a< Turner cv Duncan. They drilled Baliet 
 No. 2, St. Lawrence Xo. 2, Conestoga No's. 1 and 2, 
 Lady Bower, Detroit, Mississippi and Wabash, all fine 
 wells. These wells Mr. Kelley eventually purchased, 
 but recently sold them to Mr. Charles Shaver. Mr. J. 
 C. Hill came at the same time that Mr. Kelley did. His 
 family were very active and useful citizens. Mrs. Hill 
 always has friends wherever sir,' lives. The young ladies 
 were teachers. Mr. Hill is known as the oldest mem- 
 ber of the church to which he belongs. He drilled and 
 operated on the Turner wells for several years, then pur- 
 chased some wells which are still producing. Mr Hill 
 recently lives on Main street, Edenburg. About the 
 same time the St. Lawrence well was drilled, Mr. Chas. 
 Shaw drilled on the Mahlon Mono- farm and was suc- 
 cessful. Mr. Shaw brought his pleasant wife and little 
 family who were very highly esteemed. The McCall 
 Brothers soon came with their aged mother, who is still 
 a resident of Edenburg. All the parties came from 
 Freeport, Pa., Mr. Turner's home. Mr. Frank Clif- 
 ford also drilled on the same farm. He had a pleasant 
 lx»me on his lease, but is now living in Jamestown, X. 
 Y. Mr. I. M. Temple, now of Beloit, Kansas, kepi 
 the Mongtown House. Mr. and Mrs. Temple with 
 their interestine daughters were verv fine citizens. Mr. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 19 
 
 Charles Jefferson, who removed to Florida and planted 
 an orange grove, and whose wife and children are now 
 enjoying the fruit of his enterprise, formerly lived in 
 Mon^town. W. W. Wingard now of Warren, Pa., had 
 a beautiful home, the former home of Mahlon Mong. S. 
 
 E. Kinch one of the operators on the Turner lease with 
 his excellent wife resided there. They now reside in 
 O'Neil, Nebraska. J. Wilbur Orr now of Akron, O., 
 Sylvester Benn now of Lima, ()., John Vogen of New 
 Castle, Pa., A. L. Bunnell, now of Bradford, Pa., J. 
 Tom linson, of Beaver, Pa., James Maguire, (who still 
 resides near there on a farm) were prominent citizens. 
 
 F. T. Whitehill who has resided there over ten years, is 
 manager on the Oak Shade leases. He and Mrs. 
 Whitehill take great comfort in their pleasant home. 
 Still living there, are Melvin Cox, L. and R. Colling- 
 wood, Henry Gates and family, J. Babcoek, M. P. 
 Lewis and Thomas Stover. Mr. Albert Culbertson, 
 who purchased the W. W. Wingard property and resides 
 on it, has planted a vineyard which yields abundantly 
 every year. In connection with his line variety of grapes 
 he cultivates the strawberry, raspberry and Lawton 
 blackberry. He treats his man}' friends in the berry 
 season to the choicest of his fruits, with such a cheerful 
 jest that it makes the fruit taste more luscious than it 
 otherwise would. Miss Lizzie Culbertson has been one 
 of the most faithful workers iu the church to which she 
 belongs. She and Mrs. Culbertson are great florists. 
 
 The Mendenhall farm is bounded on the east by 
 the Hidings and Whitehill farms. Both have been very 
 productive oil farms. James Whitehill, the original 
 owner of the farm died and left the farm to his son Sam- 
 
20 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 uel. Mr. Samuel Whitehill had a large family of sons, 
 viz: George Washington, Wmfield Scott, Zachary 
 Taylor, John Preston, Millard Fillmore, Benjamin 
 Franklin, Marian M., Joseph, Charles and Alice. Three 
 of this family and the father and mother have died. 
 Marian M., is now the wife of Ross Yinsrling;, who is 
 a Professor in the State Normal at Clarion, Pa. At the 
 time of the greatest oil developments in this part of the 
 field, Mr. Whitehill sold his farm to an oil company for 
 $30,000. He purchased another firm in the vicinity 
 where he resided until his death. Among the first op- 
 erators on the Whitehill firm, were B. J. Painter A: 
 Brother. They had a large production. Mr. B. J. 
 Painter built him a nice home on the lease where he re- 
 resided until recently, when he sold his interests and re- 
 moved to Emlenton, Pa. Mr. Painter was one of the 
 leading voung men of the early period. Mr. George 
 Gyer and intelligent wife and interesting family are still 
 producing oil on their lease on the farm. They have a 
 pleasant home where happiness dwells with but little 
 alloy. John P. Whitehill still resides on the farm and 
 has good oil production, also Zachary and his interesting 
 little family. 
 
 Shady City, another suburban town of Edenburg, 
 is on the western border of the Whitehill farm and east- 
 ern boundary of Edenburg. It was in this cool retreat 
 that J. J. Bradley one of the prominent early oil opera- 
 tors built him a home. J. J. Bradley and wife were of 
 the excellent of the earth. Plain, open-hearted, oener- 
 ous people, upon whom any one could rely. Me had 
 large productions on different farms. Thinking to in- 
 crease his income, he went to the Bradford oil field. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. *2\ 
 
 When he went there he said to Mrs. Bradley, "when 
 we can command a certain amount, (which he named) 
 we will purchase a farm and settle for life." He real- 
 ized his anticipations and purchased a beautiful farm ad- 
 joining Hartstown, Pa. His home was in the village. 
 He remained there until a better situation presented itself 
 when he sold and again invested in real estate, and now 
 is a granger, owning a beautiful farm and home near 
 Atlantic, Crawford county, Pa. In this shady nook still 
 live Ellis Hall and family. Through the Whitehill 
 farm flows Canoe creek on whose banks are located a 
 saw mill and the Antwerp Pipe Line Station. It was 
 in this stream that Maj. Henry Wetter almost lost his 
 life. There was a rise in the stream and he attempted 
 to cross. The bridge gave way and let both horse and 
 rider into the turbulent stream. It was with difficulty 
 that he reached the shore. The only seat of learning 
 for Edenburg and vicinity ten years ago was Shady City 
 school house, on the Whitehill farm. In this shady 
 nook lived the Redingers, now of Cleveland, O. The 
 McEntyre's now of the upper oil field. The Lincoln's 
 now of Edenburg. Mr. Roland Patton lived there for 
 several years. Mrs. Patton, an excellent, good, woman, 
 with her daughter, kept a large boarding house for the 
 employes on the Whitehill farm. Afterward they lived 
 in Edenburo:, where Mrs. Patton died very suddenly 
 and was very much missed, especially among the sick. 
 Mr. Laverty and family who lived in Shady City, are 
 now living in Titusville, Crawford count v. They are 
 noted for their fine ability as vocalists. Mr. Laverty, 
 Jennie, Mossy and Beekie are holding concerts in and 
 around Titusville, where they draw good houses. Mr. 
 
22 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 John Sheldon, Mr. and Mrs. Springer, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Taylor (who had a grocery store.) 
 
 On the southeast, lies the Alexander McElhattan 
 farm, which was also very productive in oil. Mr, Mc- 
 Elhattan like his neighbors, has abandoned the old house 
 
 tor the new. A fine new dwelling adorns the place. On 
 this farm is the McElhattan cemetery, where many 
 straneers have been laid. Mr. McElhattan and family 
 live at ease on the revenue from their oil wells. 
 
 On the south of Edenburg lies the Columbia Com- 
 pany's farm, formerly the Henry Kiser farm, on which 
 was the pioneer well of the Edenburg oil field. In Feb- 
 ruary, of 1 S7">, Halm & Co., struck oil on the farm. 
 The well was not very large but it demonstrated the fact 
 that there was oil in this locality and that Edenburg was 
 on the belt. This farm afterward proved to be a pool of 
 oil. On it and the Best farm atone time lived the Bever- 
 ley's, Dawson's, Moore Brothers, Barton's, Mr. Lot C. 
 Leech and his interesting family, now of Petrolia, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Crick, and interesting little son, now of Pitts- 
 burgh, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Carroll, and their in- 
 telligent sons and daughters, who now reside on a farm 
 near Titusville, excepting Miss Mary, who spends most 
 of her time in Edenburg. On this farm lived Rev. Mr. 
 Hendren with his accomplished wife and daughter. The 
 shadow of death found its way to this little community. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Eichbaum lost two very interesting chil- 
 dren. There young Mr. Proudfoot died of diphtheria at 
 the home of his brother. Here lived Mr. and Mrs. B. 
 Drum and two lovely children, Ada May and Rodie V. 
 These dear children were taken from a loving mother 
 
AND EDEN BURG PEOPLE. 23 
 
 and a fond father. Death came and robbed the house- 
 hold. 
 
 "Oh! how the loveliest of earth's children pass, 
 In silence from our midst ! The opening year 
 
 Smiles on their freshening beauty, but the grass. 
 In Autumn hides their graves, and many a sore 
 
 And blighted heart, that used to mark with pride 
 Their budding beauty, keeps the mournful tale 
 
 Still fresh and sacred, how the dear ones died." 
 
 Death is a sad word ! There is a desolation in 
 the home circle, an aching void in the heart, which no 
 earthly pleasure can allay, until the heart grows strong 
 enough to realize that those for whom we mourn are in- 
 finitely more happy — until we can see the kind hand of 
 the Great Giver in it. It was so with these fond par- 
 ents. In addition to the above, the Doughertys, the 
 Kelleys and the Mays lived in this community. Mr. 
 W. S. Mays and family came early. We have record of 
 the death of Mrs. Mays as given in the local paper, which 
 also gives a sketch of the family : 
 
 "Clara A., wife of W. S. Mays, died at her home on Petrolia streef , 
 this place, Thursday evening, Line 25th, 1885, at half-past nine o'clock. 
 The deceased was the third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Varner, who 
 at the time of her birth resided in the town of Clarion, and being the first 
 child born in the county seat, was named Clarion, which for convenience 
 was afterward changed to Clara. Mrs. Mays, who had been an extreme 
 sufferer for several months, bore it all with Christian fortitude. There's a 
 vacancy in the home circle that can not be rilled. A husband, four daugh- 
 ters and two sons in sadness. Rev. J. H. Keeley preached her funeral ser- 
 mon the following Sabbath, in the presence of a large concourse of rela- 
 tives and fsiends. 
 
 Life's labor done, as sinks the day, 
 Light from their load the spirits fly, 
 While heaven and earth combine to say, 
 How blest the righteous when they die !" 
 
 On the south-west of Edenburg lies Beaver City. 
 Like Jonah's gourd, it sprung up, as it were, in a day and 
 withered as suddenly, when the oil production dimin- 
 ished. The Beaver and Mehrtena tracts were very pro- 
 
*24 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 ductive. It was on that part of the belt that Major 
 Wetter had such a large number of wells, at one time 
 numbering 90. The Major was a magnanimous direc- 
 tor. He never failed to remember his friends. The 
 large amount of business which he was carrying was 
 disastrous to himself and others, who were depending 
 upon his success. He was a clever, generous man and 
 had been a valiant soldier. He was appointed by the 
 Government as Secretary of New Mexico, and, upon the 
 death of the Governor, became Governor pro tern. He 
 died in 1883, and left a most estimable wife with four 
 little daughters- and their only son, Harry, Jr. Beaver 
 City was located on the Capt. Kribbs and the Beals 
 farms. The former owned now by P. F. Kribbs and 
 the latter by J. L. Hunter. In Beaver City, with Captain 
 Kribbs as one of the principal contributors, the Luther- 
 an denomination built a beautiful church. In size, finish 
 and construction, it would have adorned a city. In ac- 
 tive oil times the church was a necessity. Many pleas- 
 ing remembrances cluster within its sacred walls ; but, 
 as in everv church, "Memento Mori" is written in legi- 
 ble characters, on account of the vacant places of some of 
 its members. Two of the principal contributors, (apt. 
 George Kribbs and Mrs. Clara Hunter have passed over 
 the river, but their deeds should be cherished. Stran- 
 gers now occupy the Capt. Kribbs homestead. 1 1 is 
 amiable partner in life's struggles, now resides with her 
 daughter and son-in-law, Rev. and Mrs. Fox of Emlen- 
 ton, Pa. Mr. J. L. Hunter, after having his beautiful 
 home destroyed by lire, rebuilt on the same site one vast- 
 ly more magnificent, where, with his young wife, he en- 
 joys life and happiness. Beaver City was for a time ;i 
 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 25 
 
 very interesting town. There lived Misses Mary and 
 Laura Smith with their parents — very accomplished 
 young ladies. Miss Mary, now Mrs. Dr. Leadenham, 
 
 of Franklin, Pa., and Miss Laura, who, just in the gala 
 day of life was suddenly snatched from her friends by 
 the fell destroyer, death. She ate her dinner apparently 
 as well as usual, but it is supposed was poisoned from 
 eating some canned vegetables, and in less than an hour 
 was a corpse. 
 
 Here sat her aged parents, could they realize the change ? 
 Softly tread o'er the floor where death comes unawares. 
 The mother's voice grew faint, with anguish, 
 The father's silvered head is bowed in sorrow. 
 
 Friends and young companions stand aghast ! but 
 she is gone, never to return ! 
 
 Messrs. Flynn & Hamm had a large dry goods store in 
 Beaver ; Mr. Breston Clover had a grocery ; Mrs. Tay- 
 lor a millinery store ; A. Borland kept the Norris House ; 
 Mr. Kurtz also kept a store. Messrs. S. H. and Win. 
 Lowry lived there and had pleasant homes. Frank G., 
 John C, Homer C, and Wm. Keatley made their homes 
 there while superintending wells on the Altman farm. 
 Many very excellent people resided in Beaver. The 
 Altman farm was very productive. Mr. Ross Haney 
 had a number of wells on it. The Exley farm adjoin- 
 ing was fine oil territory and is the home of the Robin- 
 son's, where Miss Lillie Williams resides. 
 
 Charity Hill, on a point on the Best farm, south- 
 west of Edenburg, is quite a summer resort and worthy 
 of mention. At this point, in the early history of the 
 place, a very sad circumstance occurred, which will be 
 given in another place. Every town has its lover's re- 
 treat. Where could be one more. of a favorite than 
 
2h' COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Charity Hill? There, o'er shadowed by stately trees, a 
 large platform to protect from dampness; seats arranged 
 upon which to rest after climbing up the steep knoll ; : 
 swings and hammocks suspended from the trees; cro- 
 quet setts to satisfy the lovers of the game ; from springs 
 of the purest crystal could be obtained the elixir of life 
 to quench the most thirsty ; and the atmosphere so brac- 
 ing as to stimulate the most feeble ; here daylight, moon- 
 light and gaslight parties were held. Here on our In- 
 dependence Day could be mounted the cannon to usher 
 in that anniversary with honor. School pic-nics, Sun- 
 day school pic-nics, social parties, musical parties, and 
 even dancing parties were held there. In lively times 
 seldom a week passed that some parties Mere not inspired 
 with a desire to consult the oracle- of Charity Hill. Mr. 
 G. A. Clark, A. Wilson, S. Kribbs, W. L." Sweet, W. 
 Hovt, F. T. Swett and many others lived there in busy 
 times. Now Mr. and Mrs. S. Kribbs and their two in- 
 teresting little daughters, Wilda and Bessie, and Mr. 
 William and Robert Corlette hear the sweet songsters of 
 that noted resort. 
 
 On Charity Hill are the large tanks which supply 
 Edenbure with water. The water works are now under 
 control of the city fathers, and in case of fire would 1>< 
 efficient in connection with a good hose carriage and fire 
 company and plenty of hose. 
 
 However, as we have circled Edenburg, it behooves 
 ns to enter and describe it, if possible. To do it justice 
 we should build it up and burn it down a number of 
 times. The St. Lawrence well and the Hahiuv ( Jo., well on 
 theH. Riser farm, clearly demonstrated the fact that the oil 
 belt had its course through this part of the country. People 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 27 
 
 begaDtocome in rapidly. Mr. Chas. Shaw, of Freeport, 
 Fa., came with his family. Mr. M. T. Travis, with his son 
 Linus R., and daughter Hattie, came from Strattanville, 
 Pa., as well as Esq. A twell and family of Franklin, Pa. All 
 located on north Main street. N. Brown, Esq., with his 
 tank shop, located on State street. Mr. Brown was a 
 man of genius and was particularly noted for his fine 
 basso voice. He was generally solicited to sing in the 
 church choirs. He, with his excellent wife and inter- 
 esting son Addison left after the fires, and located in 
 Sherman, X. Y., where they went to care for Mrs. 
 Brown's aged parents. The same spring, Col. J. B. 
 Brown and son, W. C. B. Brown, real estate agents, lo- 
 cated on central Main street. The Col. and his son at- 
 tended faithfully to business. The Col. was a man of 
 fine bearing. He had some peculiarities and used some 
 Indian cognomen, having spent some time among the 
 Canadian Indians, but withal was a social, intelligent 
 man and was blest with a lovely wife, who died shortly 
 after they left Edenburg. She was among her friends 
 in Rochester, N. Y., when the fell destroyer, cancer, 
 terminated a beautiful life. On central Main street was 
 Mr. W. S. Brown, with his large furniture store. He 
 was the most extensive furniture dealer ever in the lower 
 oil country. Mr. Browm and his interesting wife were 
 very pleasant citizens. Mrs. Brown with her French 
 vivacity was charming ! She was educated in Paris and 
 spent much of her early life in the Franco-American 
 city of New Orleans, where the French language is as 
 much spoken as the English. She enjoyed life in earn- 
 est. Mr. Brown endured several scorchings and becom- 
 ing weary of this he succeeded in getting business in thv 
 
28 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Bradford district. When Mrs. Brown, Clinton and 
 Bertha concluded to join him there, their friends here 
 regretted very much that they could no longer have 
 them. Mr. D. Ochs and family came from Davis' 
 Corners and settled on south Main street, where they 
 have remained ever since. They were of the pioneers 
 with their little family who have now grown up. Miss 
 Wilda, now Mrs. J. Berlin, Miss Jennie, now Mrs. J. 
 Altman, William, their only son, who spent several 
 years in the west and endured pioneer life at Silver Cliff 
 and other points, Lizzie and little Minnie arc Eden- 
 burgers. Mr. and Mrs. Ochs are probably settled for 
 life in their pleasant home surrounded by their children. 
 One incident with regard to the St. Lawrence well 
 is worthy of mention. Mr. Mendenhall had a never fail- 
 ing well at his house, which might truly have been called 
 the "Town Pump." Water could always be had there 
 when all the other wells were dry. But one day, all of 
 a sudden the well quit yielding water. No one could 
 account for it. In a few days the water came again. 
 The phenomena was inexplicable, until it was ascertained 
 that at the time the water failed, the operators, Messrs. 
 Hill & Kelley, had cased and tubed the St. Lawrence. 
 Soon after they were obliged to draw the casing and tub- 
 ing, and as soon as that was done the water returned to 
 the well, and when the casino- was again inserted it shut 
 it off' entirely. About this time came Dr. Erie \Y . 
 Northrop, who hung out his sign, "E. W. Northrop, M. 
 D," on Main street, and also brought his wife and two 
 lovely little daughters, Mabel and Blanche, both of which 
 that fatal disease diphtheria snatched from their embrace 
 within the space of three days. The Dr. had an exten- 
 
AXI> EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 29 
 
 sive practice and being the pioneer physician was very 
 much esteemed. He once made a pilgrimage to Silver 
 ( liff, with thoughts of making his home there, but find- 
 ing the atmosphere too rarified he returned to his own 
 State, Pennsylvania. The Dr. was the nephew of Rev. 
 Calvin Kingsly, Bishop of the M. E. Church, who died 
 on his eastern tour and has his grave on the Mediter- 
 ranean shore. The same season Mr. Peter Spargo and 
 the Gray Brothers brought their families and also locat- 
 ed on Main street. 
 
 The first house built for a hotel in Edenburg stood 
 almost opposite to the Mendenhall home on State street, 
 but w^as destroyed by fire before being occupied. The 
 second one was built by Mr. Page Mapleston on State 
 street and was called the Edenburg House. This was 
 the lodging place for the early adventurers to the new 
 oil field. When business became more active, Mr. Ma- 
 pleston sold out his interest to Messrs Orr, & Bryan of 
 Rouseville. It has always been one of the leading ho- 
 tels in the place, and although it has twice been con- 
 sumed by fire, it has been rebuilt and is still owned and 
 kept by Robt. Orr. The Norris House on Main street 
 was the next hotel. This was kept by Mr. Andrew- 
 Borland. Mrs. Borland and Misses Laura and Mattie 
 were kept very busy with their many boarders and lodg- 
 ers. In the autumn quite a number of young men were 
 in town and as winter was approaching they began to 
 think of some amusements. They conceived the idea of 
 a "Skating Rink," and as the roller skating craze had 
 not yet reached this part of the country, they leased the 
 ravine on State street, just east of where Mr. and Mrs. 
 J. A. Travis' new residence now stands. While the 
 
30 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 adage has it that fortune always favors the brave, in this 
 Instance it was a failure. A mild winter with hut little 
 -now or ice was not favorable to the enterprise. In the 
 spring of 18 To, Mr. Fred Fluinmer obtained a lease and 
 drilled the first well on the Mendenhall farm. Me had 
 some show of oil, but just then he was getting some very 
 large wells at Fairview, Butler county, consequently did 
 not test the well. This dampened the ardor of opera- 
 tions for a short time. The men who operated on this 
 well were Thomas Clinglesmith the contractor, Messrs. 
 Ed. Roach now of Kane, Pa., and Mr. M. Carroll, who 
 died recently in Fern City, and left an amiable wife all 
 alone, without any relatives near her. Death comes to 
 all ; but a few short months since Mr Carroll was well 
 and busy, earing for the things of earth, but in the midst 
 of these busy scenes was called to lay aside these cares 
 and obey a higher summons. The Gray Bros., and P. 
 Spargo, having faith in the territory, drilled at another 
 point on the Mendenhall farm, and were rewarded by a 
 large production. The "Nellie (Tray," their first well, 
 flowed at intervals for several days. The success of the 
 Gray Bros., adventure won the confidence of speculators, 
 and but a short time after Messrs John Moran, \Y. C. 
 B. Davis, D. J. Wynkoop and G. L. Underwood 
 secured leases on the farm, started the drill and were 
 well repaid by a large production. From this time 
 adventurers were numerous. The town became a scene 
 of activity and bustle. Speculators, contractors and 
 drillers came in large numbers. On the western part of 
 the farm, Messrs Stone and Deming drilled three good 
 wells, Nos., 1, 2 and 3. which were subsequently pur- 
 chased by Harris & Wallace, then by Mrs. J. G. Men- 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 31 
 
 denhall, afterward by E. G. Crawford, and are now 
 owned by Mr. Simon Beck. Two of the wells are still 
 producing several barrels per diem. Mr. Beck, having 
 purchased the lease, has erected a nice home on it and 
 is enjoying some of the fruit which had been planted by 
 the original owner. Mr. Wesley Chambers, one of the 
 most extensive producers of oil times, purchased the 
 Plummer lease and drilled four good wells. Some of 
 these are still producing oil. J. McMannus leased ten 
 acres on the eastern part of the farm ; but sub-leased be- 
 fore operating. Several large wells were drilled upon 
 tli is lease, which was known as the Richardson & 
 Callihan lease. Much building was done on this lease. 
 The extension of Penn Avenue and Railroad streets 
 are on it. The leases expired two years since and 
 fell back into the hands of the owners Mr. and Mrs. 
 Travis. Many of those who formerly leased have now 
 purchased their leases and hold them in fee simple, viz : 
 Dr. O. G. Moore, T. Kilgour, Fred. J. and David 
 Harley, W. Smith, J. J. NefF, J. K Tomlinson, F. M. 
 Dennison at the corner of Penn and Dennison Avenues. 
 J. C. McCombs, A. J. Smith's iron works, B. Harcles- 
 tee, Dr. W. F. Myers, Mrs. D. M. Hazelette, Mrs. 
 W. H. Donovan, M. H. Marcus, Wm. Baltzer, trustees 
 of W. C. T. U. hall, Mrs. Gibson, J. R. and Mrs. 
 Neely, D. & F. ReifF, P. F. Kribbs, Mrs. C. E. Sweet, J. 
 Beaty, and N. F. Oles. The John Moran lease was 
 subsequently purchased by Wesley Chambers. Mr. 
 Chamber's interests are, and have been managed by 
 Messrs F. E. Garrett and G. A. Clark, the latter of 
 whom has built him a very neat residence on the Moran 
 lease, just far enough from the center of town to make a 
 
:V2 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 pleasant home. Mr. F. E. Garrett has a fine location 
 on the hill north of town. He and his amiable wife and 
 interesting; little family reside there in ease and happi- 
 ness and are regarded as among the most estimable of 
 our citizens. Their home is in close proxinity to Mr. 
 J. M. Brother's handsome residence. These gentlemen 
 live so high that they can look over the town and have 
 also a fine view on all sides; but notwithstanding the 
 altitude of their positions, thev seem to recognize those 
 who occupy lower plains as their equals and friends. 
 Mr. J. M. Brothers purchased a number of acres, includ- 
 ing the orchard, from G. S. Mendenhall, and proposes to 
 make his numerous sons grangers. Mr. Brothers and 
 his pleasant wife are kind sympathetic people and true 
 friends. With James, George, Joey, Willie, Laura and 
 baby form a pleasant family group ; but the fell 
 destroyer, death, has visited this house-hold also. The 
 last time called John Paid, a sprightly little boy. 
 
 'They laid him down in his little white slip, 
 
 The lids o'er the violet eyes, 
 The casket is enshrined in his parents hearts 
 
 The sweet jewel lives in Paradise." 
 
 Mr. Brothers is, and has been quite extensively en- 
 gaged in the oil business, and is one of the enterprising 
 men of the town. 
 
 J. D. Wolf leased ground and drilled a well on the 
 east side of Main street, at which well Mr. Heckethorn 
 was killed, by being caught in the bull wheel. J. D. 
 Wolf was one of the leading young men of the period. 
 He built a large hall, the lower part of which he used 
 for his hardware and oil well supply store. The room 
 on the second Moor was used as a public hall, where 
 preaching services, when they had any, concerts and all 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 33 
 
 social gatherings met — that was before any churches were 
 built. About the same time the Garrett Bros., drilled 
 a good well on the Mendenhall farm on the north side 
 of State street. S. J. Marlin, of Brookville, Pa., drilled 
 on the north side of West State street and had a good 
 well. In the spring of 1875, the Goss Brothers., of 
 Plea^antville, Pa., drilled on Charity Hill, on the Best 
 farm ; also Mr. Beam, of the same place, drilled on the 
 farm. All had good wells. It was at these wells that 
 Alonzo Goss and A. Wilson were killed by a boiler ex- 
 plosion. Wilson was instantly killed, and Goss lived 
 until the next day. Mrs. A. Wilson and her son 
 Howard G., reside on South Main street. Frank Oliver 
 resides in Oil City. Her other and eldest son has been 
 in the west for several years. This same spring Mr. M. 
 E. Hess, of Shippenville, also drilled on the Best farm 
 and had a fine well. During the summer great develop- 
 ments Avere made in and around Edeiiburg. The first 
 to erect a church in the town were the Winebrinarians. 
 The Methodist Episcopals had been anxious to build, 
 and some large amounts had been pledged toward the 
 enterprise, but on account of some obstacles were obliged 
 to postpone for a time. Consequently as the people 
 gathered into the town, it became imperative to have a 
 church, and the new denomination took the initiatory 
 steps. Messrs D. Higgins, W. Crawford, and W. 
 Boarts, took the lead in the business department. Rev. 
 J. Veneman was pastor. Mr. J. I. Best gave them a 
 lease on South Main street for ninety-nine years. All the 
 citizens assisted by giving liberally. The church was 
 finished and dedicated in March 1876, by Rev. J. Shoe- 
 maker of Chicago. They kept regular services for 
 
34 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 some time. A large Union Sabbath school was organ- 
 ized, with Mr. J. M. Giifurd as Superintendent. Some 
 of the principal officers and teachers were D. J. AVvn- 
 koop, G. L. Underwood, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crabbe, 
 and B. F. Painter. The Misses Mary and Laura Smith, 
 of Beaver ; Miss Carrie Stone, of the Beck farm, Misses 
 Mellie and Ella Davis, Misses Laura and Mattie Bor- 
 land, Miss Lizzie Miller, Mr. J. H. Irvin and Mr. 
 John McCrea, and very many younger men and Misses, 
 as the school was principally composed of that class. 
 No doubt memory often reverts to those pleasant Sab- 
 bath afternoons where they met to study "The Word" 
 and enjoy each other's society. First they all met as 
 strangers ; but ere long became familiar friends. There 
 it was that Air. John MeCrea's musical talent became 
 established, and something of an old time singing school 
 was conducted by him for mutual improvement. Like 
 all other singing; schools in the days of "Auld Lang 
 Syne," it had its little musical episodes and many of 
 them (piite provocative of mirth. 
 
 April 1st, 1876, the young people, with a number 
 of the married people, Mr. and Mrs. Crabbe, and others 
 held a centennial costume party in Wolf's Hall. It is 
 needless to name the parties as all the young people of 
 that period were engaged in it. The dresses, many of 
 them, were of very unique designs. No more honor 
 was displayed in the Centennial year to our flag and na- 
 tion than was in spirit by that Centennial party in Ed- 
 enburg. 
 
 In less than two years after the Winebrinarian 
 church was built, the denomination sold it to the Pres- 
 byterians. The first Presbyterian family found in or 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 35 
 
 near Edenburg was that of John Craig Hill, from Free- 
 port, Pa. In the spring of 1876 Rev. W. D. Cassett 
 was sent by the Clarion Presbytery to look up the mem- 
 bers of that denomination, and he stopped with Mr. and 
 Mrs. Mendenhall. Mrs. Mendenhall chanced to know 
 that Mr. Hill was a Presbyterian and directed him there. 
 The people around Edenburg, up to that time, were 
 mostly members of the Evangelical Lutheran, German 
 Reformed, no Presbyterian churches, with a few Metho- 
 dist Episcopals. Rev Cassett preached a number of 
 times and was followed by Rev. Ross Stevenson, J. 
 Hench and others. They rented the Winebrinarian 
 church prior to their organization and purchase of the 
 church. At the organization of the church, the official 
 members were Messrs. D. Wilhelni, Robert Atwell, 
 John C. Hill, A. Culbertson, Elders. Messrs. L. Mit- 
 chell, Harry Craig and J. B. Painter, Trustees. The 
 first regular pastor was Rev. Perry Alien, who was in- 
 stalled September 10th, 1877. Rev. Allen was a fine 
 speaker, an interesting minister, and under his pastorate 
 the church enjoyed much prosperity. Early in his min- 
 istry he married a very amiable lady and they enjoyed 
 home life in the new parsonage which was fitted up for 
 their use. He received a salary of fifteen hundred 
 dollars. He served the church one year, from which he 
 went to obey a call from the first Presbyterian church 
 of Sharon Pa., and is now Pastor of the Presbyterian 
 church of Warren, Pa., After Rev. Allen left, which 
 was immediately after the great fire of 187j8, the church 
 was served by supplies, among whom were Revs. S. 
 Greible, S. B. Fleming, J. W. Wilson, S. J. Sloan, A. 
 B. Fields, (now deceased) D. L. Dickey and Joseph 
 
36 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Bauseman, a young man, who united with the church 
 on profession of his faith, under the pastorate of Rev. 
 
 Allen. This young man had imbibed some infidel 
 views, but after listening to the preaching of the gospel 
 in the churches of Edenburg, became convinced of his 
 error and gave his heart to God and united with the 
 Presbyterian church — the church of his mother's choice. 
 He at once commenced to prepare for the ministry. Af- 
 ter passing through the curriculum of the Theological 
 Seminary at Allegheny City, he returned and preached 
 with great acceptability to this community. The other 
 supplies were F. H. Earseman, who, the year before he 
 graduated, served the church six months very accepta- 
 bly. Following; him was Rev. T. S. Gray, a very gen- 
 ial, pleasant christian minister, who with his mother and 
 little brother Charley, composed a very interesting 
 family. 
 
 On February 1st, 1887, at a special meeting of the 
 Clarion Presbytery, Revs. J. S. Elder, T. 8. Leasonand 
 J. W. Wilson officiating, Rev. F. H. Earseman, a tal- 
 ented young minister, was installed pastor to serve the 
 church at a salary of $800, with the following hoard of 
 elders : Messrs." J. C. McCombs, J. C. Hill, A. Culb- 
 erson and W. I. McDowell. Trustees : G. S. Hamm, 
 S. X. McClelland, Hugh Am., and Hunter Hill. At 
 the first organization of the Presbyterian church, the 
 Union Sabbath School control was assumed by that 
 church. Tt has had different superintendents, but the 
 principal ones have been Hugh Amo, W. I. McDowell 
 and A. Culbertson. Mr. McDowell is the present super- 
 intendent. The Presbyterian church has had a Foreign 
 Missionary Society connected with it for several years. The 
 
AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 37 
 
 I 
 
 present officers are : Mrs. J. C. Hill, President ; Miss My rs 
 McElhattan, Recording Secretary ; Mrs. Hugh Amo, 
 Corresponding Secretary ; Miss Lizzie Cnlbertson, Treas- 
 urer. Church choir : — Mrs. H. P. Loomis, organist ■ 
 Misses Florence Mong, Alice Forker and Carrie Mong. 
 Messrs. H. P. Loomis, W. I. McDowell and B. A. 
 Kribbs. 
 
 In the fall of 18 75, the Methodist Episcopal denom- 
 ination decided to build a church, haying some large 
 amounts already subscribed for that purpose. Rev. E. 
 M. Kernick being appointed by the M. E. Conference 
 to serve the Salem charge, (Edenburg not haying been 
 represented at conference as an appointment,) he was 
 personally solicited by Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall ' and 
 others, to come and make it an appointment, and take 
 the business oversight of building a church. He com- 
 plied with their request promptly, and ' proved himself 
 to be just the man for the place. He at once organized 
 a Board of Trustees yiz: Wm. P. Finley, President • 
 Maj. J. B. Maitland, Secretary; J. J. Bradley, Treasurer. 
 The other members were Daniel Gilger, J. I. Best G. 
 G. Howe and R. C. Armstrong. The trustees secured 
 a charter. Mr, Mendenhall offered them three lots for 
 church purposes. Two for a church site and one for a 
 parsonage, on any part of his farm that they might 
 choose to select. The Board selected a site on Central 
 Main street; The contract was let in November 1875. 
 In February 1876, through the energy of Rev. Kernick 
 pushing on the work, the first quarterly meeting was 
 held in it, although it was not yet finished. At this 
 time Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall presented to the church 
 a costly communion service. The work progressed and 
 
38 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUEG 
 
 on the 16th of the following June it was dedicated by 
 Rev. J. R. Lyon, P. E., (now deceased). At the dedi- 
 cation the proprietors and employees of the St. Lawrence 
 well presented a handsomely bound Bible and hym- 
 nal. The church was a handsome structure, well fin- 
 ished outwardly with a steeple 85 feet highland a costly 
 fresco finish inside. One can scarcely realize how such 
 a beautiful structure could be erected at so small a cost 
 as $5,000. It was only through the economy of the 
 superintendent, and the liberality of some large hearted 
 ones who did much giving which was not reckoned in 
 the cost. When the church began to build there were 
 five male members and eight lady members, making the 
 sum* total thirteen members. At the time of dedication 
 in June there were sixty members. 
 
 In this world we experience sunshine and shadow 
 in their varied forms. AVhile Edenburg was growing 
 and evervthing was moving forward, shadows began to 
 o'ercast the horizon. In May, Mrs. J. S. Mendenhall 
 died of pulmonary consumption. Having been reared in 
 the dry, bracing atmosphere of California she was not 
 able to endure the many changes of our climate. Mr. 
 J. G. Mendenhall, who had given so much toward the 
 erection of this new church, and whose great ambition 
 amid all his other business, was to see a church estab- 
 lished, was taken from his bed to the dedication, where 
 he put on his last thousand to see it dedicated and was 
 carried back, and was never out of his house again until 
 he was carried out a corpse. He was greatly missed in 
 that busy time by the citizens and by his wife and fami- 
 ly and the church for which he had done so much. His 
 decease occurred August 11th, 1876. A procession of 
 
AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 39 - 
 
 twelve hundred people followed him to his last resting 
 place. 
 
 A busy life had been his, varied with much com- 
 fort. The busy wheels of life now stand still. The 
 silver cord is broken. As the poet has expressed it : 
 
 "Rest comes at length, though life be long and dreary, 
 The light must dawn, and darksome night be past ; 
 
 All journeys end in welcome to the weary, 
 
 And heaven, the heart's true home will come at last." 
 
 On June 23d, the Sabbath following the dedication, 
 a special meeting was called for the purpose of organiz- 
 ing a Sabbath school. An organization was effected by 
 electing Maj. J. B. Maitland; Superintendent ; C. B. 
 Haven, Assistant ; Mrs. J. Vedder, Secretary ; J. J. 
 Bradley, Treasurer ; J. R. Bowman, Chorister ; Miss 
 Ella Davis, now Mrs. J. D. Wynkoop, organist, and 
 the following teachers ; Mrs. J. B. Maitland and Miss 
 Hettie A. Keatley, primary department ; Mr. and Mrs. 
 J. J. Bradley, M133. Jennie Boyer, Mrs. J. Vedder, Mr. 
 G. S. Hamm and Col. J. B. Brown in the other depart- 
 ments. With regard to church interests and help, where 
 all were willing workers, it is difficult to particularize. 
 Mr. G. G. Howe, "Father Howe" as he was familiarly 
 called, gave liberally to both the first churches. Al- 
 though on his death bed at the time of the dedication of 
 the second church, he gave still. Mrs. Howe was a most 
 excellent woman, was very anxious to see a church erect- 
 ed and did all she could for its accomplishment ; but 
 died in March preceding the completion of the first 
 church, at the age of 65 years. Father Howe lived un- 
 til September 1881, when he too joined her at the age of 
 76 years. They rest in peace. Mrs. Boyer their daughter 
 and N. B. Howe, Esq., have been liberal givers. R. C. 
 
40 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Armstrong, one of the first trustees and consecutively so, 
 gave liberally to all the churches. 
 
 There were sixteen producing wells on the Men- 
 denhall farm at the time of Mr. MendenhalPs death, 
 August, 1876, and in all 36 wells. In the spring of 
 that year oil sold at forty cents per barrel. Many prophe- 
 sied that they would never see two dollar oil again, but 
 before the next January it sold for four dollars and 
 twenty-five cents. Edenburg was made a station at the 
 next Erie annual conference, Rev. E. M. Kernick was 
 returned and lived in the neat, comfortable parsonage 
 that had also been erected the previous year, at a cost of 
 sixteen hundred dollars. The congregation worshipped 
 in this new church until January 5th, 1877, at which 
 time it was burned. Some were of the opinion that it 
 was the work of incendiary, others that the fire originat- 
 ed from the heaters. No other buildings were burned 
 at that time. On the ashes of this church a spirit of 
 ambition inspired the multitude to erect another church 
 on the same site, and much larger. With the insurance 
 on the one just burned and additional subscriptions the 
 trustees proposed to build one worth eight thousand dol- 
 lars. The work on this second church was executed 
 rapidly, and when finished was a beautiful house of 
 worship, large and well finished. In the basement, Sab- 
 bath school and lecture room, two class rooms and kitch- 
 en with furniture. The house was furnished with two 
 organs and every other necessity. The board of trustees 
 were Maj. J. B. Maitland, J. J. Bradley, G. G. Howe, 
 R. C. Armstrong, W. W. Wingard, E. F. Heeter, J. I. 
 Best, W. B. Weaver, P. F. Kribbs and M. E. Hess. 
 On resignation of Maj. J. B. Maitland as Sunday school 
 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 41 
 
 superintendent, M. E. Hess was elected. The church 
 was dedicated August 20th, 1877 by Rev. J. P. New- 
 man, D. D., pastor then, as he is now, of the Metropoli- 
 tan M. E. church, Washington City. Rev. E. M. Ker- 
 nick served the church faithfully two years. He saw 
 two fine churches erected and finished, one at a cost of 
 $5,000 and the other at a cost of $8,000 and a parson- 
 age at a cost of $1,600. He received a salary each year 
 of $800. 
 
 As this is a history of local events, it would be 
 gratifying to the writer to name each one who contribut- 
 ed to these church enterprises, but that would be an 
 herculean task. At the following conference of the M. 
 E. Church held at Fredonia, K Y., Rev. P. P. Pinney 
 was appointed to the charge. During some parts of his 
 first year the membership of the church numbered near- 
 ly three hundred and he received a salary of $1,600. 
 The second year of his pastorate there were some new de- 
 velopments in the "upper oil field," and by removals 
 the membership became somewhat reduced and he only 
 received $1,200. The church had worshipped in this 
 edifice one year, and from 20th of August 1877 to the 
 13th of October 1878, when the church and parsonage 
 were both consumed in the great conflagration of the lat- 
 ter date. After this fire the trustees purchased the Chas. 
 E. Brown property for $300, which was the next par- 
 sonage. They then urchased an acre of ground from 
 G. S. Mendenhall, west of central Main street and sold 
 the lots which had been donated to them tor church 
 purposes for all time. With the proceeds of the sale, 
 and the balance of insurance (after paying off claims on 
 the church just burned) they built a small, but rather 
 
42 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 commodious church, for the sum of $2,200. This, Rev. 
 Pinney's third year, he received a salary of SI, 000. This 
 third church was dedicated March 6th, 1879, by Rev. B. 
 F. Delo, P. E. Rev. Pinnev, notwithstanding the many 
 depressing casualties, had a pleasant pastorate of three 
 years. 
 
 In February 1879, at a meeting of the C. L. S. C, 
 held at Mrs. J. G. Mendenhalls, the subject of minis- 
 terial support was discussed, as, in view of the disastrous 
 fire which had thrown so many out of their homes, it 
 looked a little dark in advance. There was a motion 
 made to organize "A Circle" for work and have a May 
 Fair. It was unanimously carried and it was resolved 
 to call it the Society ot Earnest Workers of Edenburg. 
 On motion, Mrs. G. L. Underwood was chosen Presi- 
 dent ; Miss Hettie A. Keatley, Vice President ; Miss 
 Hattie Hatch, Secretary and Mrs. B. F. Bonnell, Treas- 
 urer. This society was to meet weekly at the houses, 
 which were large enough to entertain it, to work and 
 organize plans for the lair. All the ladies in the com- 
 munity became interested in it, without regard to church 
 relations. It was a lovely, social time. When the 5th 
 of May came (the time the fair was to commence) all re- 
 paired to the "Old Opera House," each to carry out their 
 different parts. The first place of importance was "The 
 Loan Art Gallery" on the second floor. This was con- 
 ducted under the supervision of the committee appoint- 
 ed by the Society viz: Mr. and Mrs. Crabbe, Mr. and 
 Mrs! F. G. Sackett, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Hess and Dr. 
 Boley. To undertake to describe that collection of 
 ancient and unique articles would take much space. 
 Many of the curiosities were loaned from some distance, 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 43 
 
 but the most were collected in the county. Mrs. Crabbe 
 conceived the idea of having a "butter woman." Mr. 
 Thomas McCall, a sculptor, was solicited to try his skill, 
 and made one scarcely inferior to the one exhibited at the 
 Centennial exhibition. In addition to this he made a 
 "mud man" which was considered a great curiosity. 
 The committee spent much time and care upon this de- 
 partment, especially the chairman of the committee, 
 Mrs. Crabbe, and were rewarded by the enconium "well 
 done." Strangers from abroad, who visited the "Fair" 
 during the week, pronounced the art gallery, in arrange- 
 ment, not inferior to loan galleries in the cities, but not 
 so extensive. The lower floor was dotted with booth's 
 on every side, decorated in the most lovely manner, un- 
 til the old house presented the appearance of a fairy's 
 palace. Seldom is it that every one does well, where so 
 many are at work, but in this instance each felt that 
 upon them individually rested responsibility, and at the 
 close of the week the gross proceeds amounted to $600 — 
 nett $475. This was paid on the minister's salary. In 
 justice to all we should like to name each one who 
 helped with the enterprise. The lunch and ice cream 
 tables were under the. supervision of Mrs. Pinney and 
 Bonuell, assisted by Mesdames, Lavertv, Mavs, Smith, 
 Long, Ochs, Myers, McCall and others. Fancy table : 
 Principal, Mrs. Young ; Mrs. G. L. Underwood, Mrs. 
 W. C. B. Davis, Mrs. Harley, Mrs. Tomlinson, Mrs. 
 Cowan. Table of wearing apparel made by the society : 
 Mrs. F. T. Whitehill, Mrs. J. J. Bradley,' Mrs. J. T. 
 Wilson, Mrs. J. M. Bethune, Mrs. Jahn, Mrs. Reding- 
 er, Mrs. J. D. Wynkoop, Mrs. L. C. Leech, Mrs. B. B. 
 Dunn and her aged mother Mrs. McLean. Grocery 
 
44 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 stand : Mr. G. L. Underwood in the evenings. These 
 occupied the east side of the room, handsomely decorat- 
 ed and festooned. On the west side of the room was 
 the commission table. The decorations were very at- 
 tractive. The writer, with Mrs. Crick assisted by Miss 
 Hattie K. Travis, Miss McElhattan, the Misses Mays 
 and Mrs. Mendenhall had charge. It yielded $52 alone. 
 There was a flower stand, a lemonade stand and a con- 
 fectionery stand. One special feature was the "Baby 
 Show/' conducted by Mrs. J. G. Mendenhall, on Thurs- 
 day afternoon. This drew the largest audience of any 
 of the day exercises. Thirty-two beautiful babies, un- 
 der two years old, with their proud mamma's, were seat- 
 ed on the platform concealed by a curtain. Any one wish- 
 ing to look at the lovely sight paid ten cents. In an 
 hour $13.65 was realized. The young ladies had en- 
 terprises of interest in the evening, which brought in 
 much money. Among the young ladies, were Miss 
 Frankie Best now Mrs. G. M. Gushing, Miss Emma 
 Kehoe now Mrs. John Johnson, Miss Maggie Mackey 
 now Mrs. Joseph Flynn, Miss Hattie Hatch, now Mrs. 
 J. R. Bowman, Miss Florence Kribbs now Mrs. G. A. 
 Karns, Miss Louie Wilson, now Mrs. Rev. W. Mayes 
 Martin, Mrs. Emma Mays now Mrs Xeeland, Miss 
 Hattie Travis, Misses McElhattan, Miss Sadie Mayes, 
 Miss Anna Mason, Miss M. A. McKenzie, Miss Wilda 
 Ochs now Mrs. J. Berlin of Fern City, Miss Tate and 
 many others. The gentlemen who took a special inter- 
 est, were W. C. B. Davis, G. L. Underwood, M. T. 
 Travis, D. J. Wynkoop, M. E. Hess, J. M. Bethune, J. 
 G. Tate, D. W. Lewis, F. G. and F. Sackett, E. W. 
 Crabbe, Dr. Boley, D. Harley, Thomas McCall, J. J. 
 
 
AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 45 
 
 Bradley, Rev. P. Pinney, G. S. Mendenhall, Allen Mc- 
 Lain, J. I. Best and F. T. Whitehall. At this fair 
 much sociability was manifested. It is a question now 
 freely discussed whether it is right to resort to such 
 methods. While we do not claim it unqualifiedly right, 
 we think the end justifies the means sometimes. In this 
 instance the town had been reduced to ashes ; the church 
 property was also destroyed ; the Presbyterian minister 
 had gone, and a generous spirit would not allow the on- 
 ly one who remained to suffer ; and by uniting their ef- 
 forts — "for in union is strength" — they could make the 
 minister comfortable. It seemed right to do this. There 
 were so many willing workers, it seeming like their 
 gifts to building the tabernacle in olden times. An- 
 other benefit it brought the people who had been scat- 
 tered by the fire together Many were living in very 
 small houses until they could rebuild. Only for this 
 the former associations would have been completely for- 
 gotten. When the shadows fall upon us nothing cheers 
 us so much as association with those who have had the 
 same experience. It makes us stronger to feel for others 
 woes and sorrows ! 
 
 In 1880, at the M. E. Conference held at Corry, 
 Pa., Rev. W. Mayes Martin, formerly of 10th Street 
 church, Erie, Pa., was appointed to serve the church as 
 pastor. He was a young man of superior talent and 
 christian deportment, under whose guidance the church 
 and Sabbath school had a very pleasant and profitable 
 year. His ministry was of the kind which developes 
 ' the better nature of our being. His daily life was ex- 
 emplary and his sermons carried weight with them on 
 that account. As a gentleman, who was not a member 
 
46 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 of any church, remarked : "I like to hear Rev Martin 
 because there is more of God and His love for poor hu- 
 manity in it than we often hear." He received his sal- 
 ary, and at the close of the year a farewell social was 
 made, at which time he received nearly one hundred 
 dollars. He was conductor of a large C. L. S. C. circle, 
 who also manifested their gratitude in a very substan- 
 tial manner. He went to Minnesota and served three 
 years very acceptably at Fergus Falls, and is now in his 
 third year at St. Cloud, one of the oldest towns in the 
 State. The following conference appointed Dr. W. L. 
 Riley. During this year the trustees sold the old par- 
 sonage and built one on the lot near the church. It cost 
 about $400. Thus, in less than seven years, the M . E. 
 Church of Edenburg had built three churches and two 
 parsonages and purchased one already built. Dr. Riley, 
 a fluent speaker, held good congregations. He received 
 $1,000 salary. Following Dr. Riley, Rev. B. F. Delo 
 was appointed to the charge, and was returned a second 
 year. He received each year $700. The present pas- 
 tor, a very brilliant, energetic man, Rev. J. H. Keeley, 
 is in his third year and receives a salary of $700 per 
 year, with several beneficial socials. Some repairs on 
 the church last year, with the benevolent collections and 
 minister's salary, amounted to $1,200. With oil at 63 
 cents the outlook is not very encouraging for the near 
 future. ' 
 
 The present Superintendent of the Sunday school is 
 M. E. Hess, with the following board of trustees : P. 
 F. Kribbs, President ; G. M. Cushing, Secretary ; J. 
 M. Bethune, Treasurer ; George M. Burke, F. T. 
 Whitehill, M. E. Hess, Allen McLain, R. C. Armstrong 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 47 
 
 and N. B. Howe. The Methodist Episcopal Church 
 has three missionary organizations : The Foreign Mis- 
 sionary Society, the Ladies Foreign Missionary Society 
 and the Woman's Home Missionary Society. The Lucy 
 Hayes Home Mission Band of the M. E. Church, in this 
 place has been conducted under the auspices of the Wo- 
 man's Home Mission Society. It was organized by the 
 authority and under the direction of Mrs. C. V. Cul- 
 ver, Corresponding Secretary of the W. H. M. S. of 
 Erie M. E. Conference, on the 4th of March, 1884, the 
 writer being appointed by Mrs. Culver, Directress. Of- 
 ficers elected semi-yearly. First President, Miss Flor- 
 ence E. Smith (now of Kane, Pa.;) Vice Presidents, 
 Misses Lizzie McConnell, Rosie Childs, Mattie Grinder 
 and Bella McLaughlin ; Corresponding Secretary, Mas- 
 ter Frank G. Travis ; Recording Secretary , Ethel Hub- 
 bard ; Treasurer, Master Joe Brothers. During this 
 six months Mrs. ex-President Hayes, the President of 
 the Home Mission Society in the United States, in token 
 of her interest in the Band, which was named for her, 
 sent the Corresponding Secretary an autograph letter 
 and her photograph. Second election, Master Joe Broth- 
 ers, President ; Misses Mabel Kribbs, Sadie Best, Nan- 
 nie McCormick and Attie West, Vice Presidents ; Cor- 
 responding Secretary, Mamie Brunei* • Recording Secre- 
 tary, Lulu Hubbard ; Treasurer, Grace Booth. In 
 November of that year, Mrs. Culver and Mrs. J. K. 
 Dale made the band a special visit. At the close of the 
 missionary year, October 1885, the band had sent to 
 Gilbert Haven Industrial Home, Savannah, Georgia, 
 supplies to the amount of $19.00 and paid to the same 
 institution $20.00 in money. By the payment of the 
 
48 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 $20, thev made their directress a life member of the 
 Home Mission Society. Officers for last year, Presi- 
 dent, Miss Susie Kribbs ; Vice Presidents, Misses Jen- 
 nie Best, Gillie Clark, Jettie Jolley, Ella Yates and 
 Luella Jolley ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Stella 
 Benn ; Recording Secretary, Miss Leora Tomlinson ; 
 Treasurer and organist, Miss Essie Bethune. During 
 the year $4.00 of supplies were sent to Haven Home, 
 and $20 in money to the same school. By the payment 
 of the $20, the Band made their pastor, Rev. J. H. 
 Keeley a life member of the W. H. M. S. The mem- 
 bers of the Band viz : Misses Susie Kribbs, Essie Be- 
 thune, Ethel Hubbard, Mabel Kribbs and Grace Floyd 
 collected a "nickel fund" of $7.36, to enable the society 
 to build a missionary training school in the city of Chi- 
 cago. Thus the little band has paid in money $47.36 
 — and for mother's jewels $5.70 — $53.06, and in supplies 
 $23.00. Total, $76.06. The choir of the M. E. church 
 and Sabbath school at present, is as follows : Mr. J. J. 
 Corlette, leader ; Misses Lou Best and Emma Clark, 
 organists ; Misses Maud Van Geisen, Daisy Byers, 
 Sylvia Gibbs, Nellie Cuffman, Leanna Neff and Jennie 
 Best. 
 
 In the spring of 1879, the Catholic denomination 
 being quite strong, concluded to build a church. They 
 purchased a beautiful location on the hill on the north 
 side of State street from Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Travis, 
 where they erected a fine church building and a very 
 neat parsonage. Rev. J. Mulligan was pastor at that 
 time. Like the other denominations, they lost many of 
 their members by removals, consequently, the church 
 has never been entirely finished. Father Mulligan was 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 49 
 
 the only stationed priest the church ever had. Since he 
 left, the church has been served by monthly supplies. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF THE BOROUGH. 
 
 In the Autumn of 1876 the borough of Edenburg 
 was organized by procuring a charter. The Menden- 
 hall and Best farms alone were included in the borough 
 limits. The charter was procured through the agency 
 of Wilson & Jenks at a cost of $280. 
 
 The first election of officers resulted in the election 
 of P. F. Kribbs, Burgess, with the following Council, 
 viz : J. I. Best, Robt. Bryan, Dr. E. W. Northrop, J. 
 B. Painter, J. D. Wynkoop and E. W. Crabbe. 
 
 BOROUGH ORDINANCES. 
 
 In pursuance and by virtue of the Acts of Assembly of the Commonwealth 
 of Pennsylvania, relating to Boroughs the Burgess and Town Council of 
 the Borough of Edenburg did on the 20th day of December, A. D., 1876, or- 
 dain and enact the following ordinances for the government of said Bor- 
 ough : 
 
 No. 1. — Council. 
 
 Be it ordained and enacted by the Burgess and Town Council of the Bor- 
 ough of Edenburg. and it is hereby ordained and enacted by the authority 
 of the same: That within ten days from the election for borough officers, 
 the councilmen shall meet for organization, and be sworn in according to 
 law. The Burgess will be ex-officio president of the Council; the Secretary, 
 Treasurer, and Street Commissioner shall be elected. A majority of a full 
 Council shall be necessary for a choice, all of which officers shall take an 
 oath or affirmation to perform their several duties with fidelity. The Town 
 Council shall meet as often as once a month at such time as may be fixed 
 by the by-laws of the corporation. 
 
 No. 2.— Burgess. 
 
 Sec. 1.— That the Burgess shall meet with the Council for organiza- 
 tion and take upon himself the oath or affirmation prescribed by law, and 
 it is hereby made the duty of the Council to give reasonable notice of such 
 meeting. 
 
 Sec. 2.— That it shall be the duty of the Burgess to sign all orders on 
 the treasurer, provided the same shall have first been approved and direct- 
 ed to be paid by the Council. 
 
50 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBTJEG 
 
 Sec. 3.— That the Burgess in conjunction with tin- Council, shall have 
 control of the high constable and all police employed by the authority of 
 the borough ; and the Burgess shall have power in cases of emergency to 
 appoint special police, provided such appointment shall not Continue longer 
 than two days, unless approved by the Council. 
 
 Sec. 4.— That the Burgess shall preserve order and maintain the 
 peace of the borough, enforce the ordinances and regulations, hear com- 
 plaints and exact a faithful performance of the duties of the officers ap- 
 pointed. That he shall issue his warrant for the collection of all taxes as- 
 sessed, demand and secure sufficient security in the amount fixed by Coun- 
 cil, from the treasurer, collector and high constable. That the Burgess 
 shall sign the by-laws, rules, regulations and ordinances after they have 
 been duly and correctly transcribed by the secretary, and shall from time 
 to time prepare and transmit to the Council a message calling their atten- 
 tion to such subjects as may in his judgment require their attention. 
 
 Sec. 5. — That in the absence of the Burgess, or in case of vacancy or 
 inability of the same, the Council elect one of their number to exercise the 
 like powers and like duties. 
 
 No. 3.— Secretary. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That the Secretary shall attend all the meetings of the Coun- 
 cil, keep full minutes of their proceeding, transcribe their by-1 aws. rules, 
 regulations and ordinances adopted into a book kept for that purpose, and 
 when signed by the presiding officers, attest the same, preserve the records 
 and keep the seal of the borough, certify copies of any book, paper, record, 
 by-laws, rules regulations, ordinances or proceedings under the seal there- 
 of, attest the same and file for record the proof services of all notices, and 
 draw orders on the treasurer for amount of all bills which have passed the 
 Council, and at the expiration of office deliver to his successor the seal and 
 all the books, papers and other things belonging to the borough. 
 
 No. 4.— Treasurer. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That the Treasurer shall give bond with security, as required 
 by the Council, before entering upon his duties ; he shall keep a just ac- 
 count of his receipts and disbursements, and shall submit his accounts to 
 the Burgess and Town Council at a regular meeting thereof, and shall annu- 
 ally submit his accounts to the borough auditors to be audited and exam- 
 ined by them, and shall publish the same in the manner directed by the 
 Council, and at the expiration of his office shall pay over monies remaining 
 in his hands and deliver all books, papers, accounts and other things be- 
 longing to the borough to his successor. 
 
 Sec. 2. — He shall receive all monies accruing to the borough in any 
 way whatever, and pay the same out on orders drawn by the Burgess and 
 countersigned by the clerk and keep the accounts of his office in a correct 
 and intellegible manner, wherein the receipts and expenditures of the bor- 
 ough may at all times be inspected by the Burgess and councilmen, or any 
 tax payer. 
 
 No. 5. — HIOH CONSTABLE AND POLICEMEN. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That it shall be the duty of the high constable and police to 
 
AXD EDENBURG PEOPLE. 51 
 
 enforce all borough laws, rules and regulations, to make or cause to be 
 made to the Burgess or Justice of the Peace, complaint of every infraction 
 of said laws, ordinances and regulations which shall come to their knowl- 
 edge, and procure the necessary proof thereof, and insubordination to the 
 Burgess, to preserve the peace and quiet of the borough and shall quell all 
 vice and disturbances. 
 
 Sec. 2.— The high constable shall post or cause to be posted in the 
 manner prescribed by law all notices of elections held. in pursuance of any 
 resolutions of the Council, and all ordinances enacted by the Council, and 
 when any law or regulation requires personal notice to be given relative 
 to any proceeding before the Council, shall serve such notices as may be 
 required by law or resolution, and shall execute all warrants and proces- 
 ses issued by the borough. 
 
 Sep. 3.— It shall be the duty of the high constable to securely keep 
 and feed all such persons as may be confined in the lock-up or in his cus- 
 tody ; otherwise in pursuance of the laws of this borough, he shall be en- 
 titled to charge and receive such compensation for boarding prisoners, 
 provided, however, that the borough shall be liable to the high constable 
 for such boarding bills. 
 
 Sec. 4.— The high constable or any police officer under him shall 
 make complaint or cause the' same to be made to the Burgess or any jus- 
 tice of the peace within this borough of any infraction of the laws of this 
 commonwealth, in regard to Sabbath breaking, gambling, profanity or 
 the sale of intoxicating liquors within the limits of the borough. 
 
 Sec. 5. — The high constable shall give bond in such sum and with 
 such security as may be approved by the Council. The bond with his oath 
 of office shall be filed within five days of the time he receives notice of 
 his election ; provided, that if the Council shall agree to it, he may per- 
 form these duties at a later period. 
 
 Sec. 6.— If the high constable or any police officer shall neglect or re- 
 fuse to enforce any of the laws, ordinances or regulations of the borough 
 after his or their attention shall have been called thereto by any citizen , 
 such officer shall be fined in any sum not less than 82 nor more than 8100 
 in addition to any other penalty his neglect may subject him or them. 
 
 Xo. 6.— STREET COMMISSIONER. 
 
 Sec. 1.— That the street commissioner shall be in strict subordina- 
 tion and subject to the directions of the Burgess and Council and shall 
 have full power and authority to carry out his instructions, or in the en- 
 forcement of ordinances, to make contracts and to employ all needful aid 
 in constructing roads and sidewalks or removing obstructions from the 
 same. 
 
 Sec. 2.— It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to give im- 
 mediate notice to all persons whose buildings, fences or other property of 
 any kind whatever may encroach upon property belonging to the bor- 
 ough, and if the same be not moved within thirty days after such notice, 
 it shall be the duty of the street commissioner to remove the same without 
 delay at the expense of the borough and make returns thereof to the 
 
52 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Council as soon thereafter as possible, with the cost of removing the same, 
 verified by oath or affirmation, whereupon the Burgess in addition to any 
 fine that may be imposed according to the ordinance of the borough, shall 
 proceed according to law to recover the amount so expended for the re- 
 moval of any such obstruction with twenty per centum added thereto, 
 which s»im or sums shall be placed in the treasury for the use of the bor- 
 ough. 
 
 Sue. 3«— It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to enforce all 
 regulations and ordinances relating to streets, alleys, roads, culverts, 
 sewers, bridges or nuisances, and shall not permit any stagnant water or 
 other nauseous or offensive matter, whereby the health or lives of the in- 
 habitants may be endangered, to remain within the limits of the borough 
 whether on public or private property. 
 
 Sec 4. — It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to pay close 
 attention to all matters pertaining to the borough in order to ascertain if 
 any of the ordinances or regulations have been or are being violated, 
 and he shall give immediate information of any violation he may 
 discover. He shall have full power and authority to enter in and up- 
 on any private property and remove therefrom at the expense of the own- 
 er or occupant thereof any and all nuisances found therein and to exam- 
 ine all flues and chimneys and to enforce all ordinances pertaining to the 
 same. 
 
 Sec. 5. — He shall have charge of all tools belonging to the borough, 
 and shall be accountable therefor. He shall keep account of all expendi- 
 tures in his department, designating the different items purchased and 
 moneys expended. 
 
 Sec. 6.— He shall prepare and present to the Council at least once a 
 month a correct statement of all expenditures in his office during the pre- 
 ceding month, with name of each oerson employed by him, showing the 
 time, when and how long such person was employed by him, the amount 
 of daily pay, with the whole amount due each person up to the time of 
 such presentment. 
 
 Sec. 7. — If the street commissioner shall willfully neglect or refuse to 
 perform any duty required of him by the ordinances of this borough after 
 his attention has been called thereto by any citizen of the borough, he 
 shall pay a fine of not less than $2 nor more than $50. in addition to any 
 other penalty his neglect may su jject him to. 
 
 No. 7.— AUDITORS. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That the borough auditors, shall annually, not later than 
 the first day of April, meet and examine, audit and adjust the books, pa- 
 pers and accounts of the borough treasurer, for the preceding year, which 
 shall in all case9 end on the first day of March. 
 
 Sec. 2,— That they shall cancel all orders and vouchers, by them al- 
 lowed, and »hall immediately make and present to the Council a written 
 report of the receipts and expenditures of the borough for the preceding 
 year, and also return to the borough clerk all orders and vouchers by 
 them canceled. 
 
AND EDENBUKG PEOPLE. 53 
 
 No. 8.— RIDING OK DRIVING ON SIDEWALKS. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to ride 
 or drive any horse or horses, or any mule on the sidewalk, and such per- 
 son or persons so offending, shall be fined $5.00, and in default of payment 
 of the same, the Burgess shall commit the said offender to the borough 
 lock-up for the space of forty-eight hours. 
 
 NO. 10 —DISORDERLY CONDUCT. 
 
 Sec. 1.— That it shall be the duty of the high co.istable, or any police 
 officer, at all times to apprehend all suspected night walkers, malefactors, 
 vagabonds, rowdies and disorderly persons, who may be found upon the 
 street corners, alleys, sidewalks, bar-rooms, drinking saloons or other pub- 
 lic places within the borough limits, and bring all such persons before the 
 burgess, to be examined, and if such above described persons shall be con- 
 victed of any disorderly conduct calculated to disturb the peace, or being 
 found gathered together in disorderly assemblies, or standing upon side- 
 walks, bridge or crossing so as to interfere with travelers or footmen there- 
 on, all such offenders shall be fined not less than $3, nor more than $20. 
 
 Sec. 2. — All persons are strictly forbidden and prohibited standing, 
 lounging, or loitering near to any ctiurch or public building, in the bor- 
 ough, during the time of holding any service or meeting or in any way 
 preventing or impeding the free ingress or egress of any person in attend- 
 ance thereat. All persons so offending, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not 
 less than $5, nor more than $2C, for each and every such offense. 
 
 Sec. 3. — Any person or persons who shall engage in fighting, quarrel- 
 ing or otherwise creating disturbances, within the limits of said borough, 
 shall pay a fine of not less than $5, nor more than $50. 
 
 Sec. 4. — That if any person or persons sentenced by the Burgess to 
 pay a fine, under any of the provisions of any sections of this ordinance, 
 shall neglect or refuse to pay the same, together with the fees and costs 
 thereon, such person may be committed to the borough lock-up for a pe- 
 riod to not exceed the time prescribed by law, and the fines together with 
 fees and costs, shall be collected by proceedings before a justice of the 
 peace. 
 
 No. 11.— STOVE PIPES AND CHIMNEYS. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That no stove pipe shall project from the side or end of any 
 building, nor from the roof, and flues and chimneys shall be carried up in a 
 safe and secure manner through the building in which they may be placed, 
 and their ends shall project through the roof a safe and secure distance, 
 not less than three feet ; and flues and chimneys in all cases shall be con- 
 structed of brick or fire clay, and where any iron stove pipe passes through 
 any floor or partition within any building in the borough, the same shall 
 be secured with a double tin, earthen or metal safe, and any person vio- 
 lating the provisions of this ordinance, shall forfeit and pay for every 
 such offence a fine of $10, and for every week he or they may continue 
 this, he or they shall be fined the sum of $20. 
 
 No. 12. —ENTERTAINMENTS AND AMUSEMENTS. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That no person or company of persons, shall exhibit within 
 
54 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 the limits of the borough, any theatrical or dramatic entertainment or 
 shall act, exhibit or perform any opera, circus riding, menagerie or exhi- 
 bition of animals, panorama, painting or sculpture, curiosity, trick of 
 legerdemain or any other exhibition, entertainment, show or amusement 
 of whatever kind or name, for which a reward is asked for and received 
 without a license for that purpose, first had and obtained from the Burgess, 
 which said license shall express for what it was granted, and the time it is 
 to continue. The amount of said license shall not be less than $3, nor 
 more than $25 for e<tch and every day. or part of a day, that the same may 
 be exhibited. The amounts of the license shall be determined by the an- 
 nexed schedule, provided that lectures on scientific or literary subjects, 
 exhibitions or fairs of painting or statuary, given or made by citizens of 
 the borough, and musical parties or concerts for benevolent or charitable 
 purpose, no license shall be required. Schedule of prices for each particu- 
 lar kind of show. Circuses, 520 ; menageries, $20; circus ai.d menagerie 
 combined, $25; theatrical or dramatical entertainment, $3 ; opera, $5 ; pan- 
 orama, painting, legerdemain, concert or any other entertainment, show 
 or amusement of whatever name or nature, not above mentioned $3. 
 
 Sec. 2. — No person, shall act, exhibit, show or perform any indecent, 
 obscene or blasphemous play, farce, opera, public exhibition, show or en- 
 tertainment. 
 
 Sec. 3. — Any person violating any provision, law or ordinance con- 
 tained in either the first or second section of this ordinance, shall upon con- 
 viction thereof, be fined not less than $10 nor more than $200. 
 
 No. 13.— RIDING AND DRIVING. 
 
 Sec 1. — That any person who shall allow a horse, mare, gelding or 
 mule to stand upon a street, alley or highway of the borough, and leave 
 the same without being securely fastened to post or other hitching place, 
 shall in case any animal runs away, pay a fine of not less than $5 or more 
 than $25 besides the making good of any damages the said horse, mare, 
 gelding or mule may have done while from under the control of such per- 
 son, provided the above fine shall not be imposed when the owner or 
 driver of such horse, mare, gelding or mule shall be with any of the said 
 animals and shall have lost control of the same. 
 
 Sec. 2. — That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to drive 
 or ride faster than a trotting gait any horse, mare, gelding or mule, 
 through any streets, alleys or highways of this borough, and any person 
 or persons so offending shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than ^20 
 for each and every offence. 
 
 No. 14. — auctioneers and pedlars. 
 
 Sec. 1.— That it shall be unlawful for any auctioneer, street vender 
 or pedlar to expose for sale his or their wares or merchandise without 
 first procuring a license from the Burgess at $2 per day, or any fraction 
 thereof. 
 
 Sec. 2.— That all hucksters and pedlars, ottering for sale any kind of 
 produce, shall first procure from the Burgess a license at not less than $10 
 per year, provided this ordinance does not include persons selling produce 
 of their own production. 
 
AXD EDENBURG PEOPLE. 55 
 
 No. 15.— ANIMALS AT LARGE. 
 
 Sec. 1.— That it shall be unlawful for any person owning hogs or 
 swine within this borough, to permit the same to run at large in any pub- 
 lic street, lane or alley, within the bwrough, and all persons so offending 
 by permitting their hogs or swine to run at large as aforesaid, shall pay a 
 fine of $1 for each of said animals permitted to run at large in the public 
 streets, as aforesaid, said fines to be collected in like manner as fines for 
 violating other borough ordinances. 
 
 Sec. 2.— That the high constable or any private citizen of the bor- 
 ough is hereby authorized and empowered to take up and keep in a place 
 of safety, any hog or swine running at large within the limits of said bor- 
 ough, and to notify the Burgess of the same, who shall cause five days no- 
 tice publicly thereof to be given by two or more printed or written hand 
 bills, put up in public places within the limits of said borough, and should 
 then no owner appear to claim the same and pay the fines and expenses, 
 the said Burgess at the end of the five days shall cause the said hogs or 
 swine to be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder and at the best 
 price he can obtain, and after deducting the fines and expenses shall hand 
 over the balance of the proceeds, if any remain to the treasurer of the 
 public schools of said borough, taking his receipt for the same, and it, 
 with a statement of his whole proceedings in the matter to the Secretary 
 to be examined and passed by them previous to being placed on record. 
 
 No. 16.— TAXING DOGS. 
 
 Sec. 1.— That the assessor and collector of said borough shall, within 
 ten days after the passing of these ordinances, and annually thereafter, 
 levy and collect a tax from the owner or owners, possessor or possessors of 
 one dog or pup, $1, and from the owner or owners, possessor or possessors 
 of more than one dog or pup $1 additional for each. * * * 
 
 No. 17.— DRUNKENNESS. 
 
 Sec. 1 — That it shall be the duty of the high constable, or any po- 
 lice officer, to arrest any and every person who shall be found intoxicated, 
 in any street, alley, lane or public highway, or in any public place, where 
 strong or spiritous liquors, wines, ale or beer is sold, and to take him be- 
 fore any justice of the peace, or before the Burgess ot this borough, and if 
 the. justice of the peace or Burgess shall, after due inquiry, deem him or 
 her too much intoxicated to be fully examined, or to answer on oath cor- 
 rectly, the Burgess or justice of the peace shall cause him or her to be con- 
 fined in the lock-up until he or she becomes sober, and then to be brought 
 before the Burgess or justice of the peace, and fined not less than S3 nor 
 more Than $20, and if said offender shall refuse to pay said fine, with fees 
 and costs thereon, such person shall be committed to the lock-up for the 
 period of forty-eight hours, and then brought before the Burgess or justice 
 of the peace, and interrogated under oath or affirmation as to the cause of 
 intoxication, and thus ascertain from whom he or she obtained the liquor 
 which caused such drunkenness. 
 
 No. 18, — FINES, FEES AND COSTS. 
 
 Sec. 1.— That all fines and forfeitures under the provisions of the or- 
 dinances of the borough of Edenburg, shall be recovered by a summary 
 
56 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBTTRG 
 
 conviction before the Burgess, and in all cases of conviction, the party 
 convicted shall be liable to pay, in addition to the fines, or forfeiture, the 
 legal fees and costs which have accrued in the case. 
 
 Sec. 2. — In case any person or persons, sentenced by the Burgess, 
 under the provisions of any ordinance, shall refuse to pay the fine to- 
 gether with the fees and costs thereon, such persons may be committed 
 to the lock-up for the period of forty-eight hours, and the tine together 
 with the fees and costs may be collected by proceedings before any justice 
 of the peace. 
 
 Sec. 3. — Fees and costs of the Burgess, high constable and policemen 
 shall be the same as those prescribed by law for justices of the peace and 
 constables of this commonwealth for like services, provided that the bor- 
 ough shall in no case be liable for the costs and fees of such officers. 
 
 Sec. 4. — If any person shall in any manner interfere with or obstruct 
 any officer or other person acting under the authority of the borough in 
 the discharge of his duty, or shall resist the execution or enforcement of 
 any ordinance of this borough or resolution of the council, such person 
 shall pay a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $100. 
 
 No. 19. — TO PREVENT SALE OR USE OF FIRE CRACKERS, TORPEDOES, ETC. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That no merchant, druggist, confectioner or other person 
 shall sell or dispose of any explosive compound, manufactured from gun- 
 powder or minerals or any other explosive substance, to be used as fire 
 crackers, torpedoes or in like manner, and tending to injure or annoy any 
 person or their property. 
 
 Sec 2. — It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to burn or in 
 any manner use any fire crackers, .rockets or tire works so called, within 
 the limits of said borough. 
 
 Sec. 3. — That any person or persons offending against any of the pro- 
 visions of section 1 or 2, this ordinance shall upon conviction thereof, be 
 fined by the Burgess, in any sum, not less than $5 nor more than $25, and 
 may be imprisoned in the lock-up or county jail not exceeding forty-eight 
 hours for each and every such offence. 
 
 No. 20.— ANIMALS IMPOUNDED. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to inter- 
 fere with or take out any animal from the borough pound, without having 
 proper authority to do so ; any person or persons so offending, shall be 
 fined not less than $5 nor more than $20, and the pound master is hereby 
 authorized to proceed against persons who have so offended. 
 
 No. 21.--NITRO GLYCERINE. 
 
 Sec. 1.— It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to carry, or 
 store, or have in his or her possession, within the limits of said borough 
 any nitro glycerine or other explosive compound. Provided that when 
 necessary to torpedo oil wells within the limits of said borough, a special 
 permit may be obtained from the Burgess for said purpose under the reg- 
 ulations prescribed in said permit. Any person or persons violating the 
 provisions of this ordinance shall be fined not less than $50. nor more than 
 $300, at the discretion of the Burgess, 
 
AND EDENBTTRG PEOPLE. 57 
 
 No. 22. — SIGN BOARDS. 
 
 Sec. 1. — That no sign shall be hung lower than eight feet above the 
 sidewalk. 
 
 No. 23.— SALOONS AND BILLIARD ROOMS. 
 
 Sec. 1. — All drinking saloons, billiard rooms and bars shall be closed 
 at or before 12 o'clock, p. m., and remain closed until 5 o'clock, A. M., the 
 following day. under penalty of $10 for the first offence and $20 for each 
 subsequent one. 
 
 No. 24.— NUISANCES. 
 
 Sec. 1. — No person shall plane or cast any earth, brick, stone, coal, 
 wood, filth, ashes, mortar, lime, shavings, ploughs, manufactured articles, 
 merchandise, or substance of any kind (except articles for the purpose of 
 immediately loading or unloading, removing or stowing away) on any. 
 square, street, sidewalk or alley within the borough, under a penalty of 
 not less than 53 nor more than $30, and the expense of removing the same, 
 if the same shall be removed by the street commissioner — provided, that 
 this section shall not apply to building material or other obstruction auth- 
 orized by proper permit from the Burgess, nor to materials used in laying 
 or repairing sidewalks. 
 
 Sec. 2. — Any person who shall place any wagon, cart, sled, sleigh or 
 other vehicle, or horses or any animals thereto attached on any of the 
 crossings at the intersection of any of the streets and alleys of the bor- 
 ough shall forfeit and pay a fine of not less than $1, nor more than $5, for 
 each and every such offense. 
 
 Sec. 3. — Any person who shall place any wagon, cart, dray or car- 
 riage of any kind whatever, in any public square or street within the bor- 
 ough, and shall suffer the same to remain more than twenty-four hours, 
 excepting for tlie purpose of loading or unloading, on being convicted 
 thereof, shall forfeit and pay for such offense a fine of not less than $1 or 
 more than $5, excepting all persons remaining over Sunday, who shall re- 
 move the same the day following. 
 
 Sec. 4. — The occupant or possessor of any lot within the borough, 
 shall, when required by notice from the street commissioner, remove all 
 wood, coal, ashes, barrels, boxes or any other obstructions, which may be 
 without legal authority on the sidewalk, squares, streets or alleys, in 
 front of, or adjoining the lot occupied by such persons, from and off the 
 said sidewalks, squares, streets or alleys, and any person neglecting or re- 
 fusing to remove the same, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not less than $3 
 nor more than $15 for each and every offense. 
 
 Sec 5 * ***** 
 
 Sec. 6. — Any person who shall keep or suffer to remain on his prem- 
 ises, or upon any private property, any dead carcasss or garbage, offal, 
 putrid meat, nauseous liquor, or other offensive or unwholesome matter, 
 or shall cast the same on any vacant lot or upon any square, lot or piece 
 of ground belonging to the borough, or any street or alley within the bor- 
 ough, or so near the limits thereof as to annoy and be offensive, the same 
 is hereby declared to be a common nuisance and shall be removed accord- 
 
58 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 ingly and the person offending shall forfeit and pay for each offense, be- 
 sides the expense of removing the same, the sum of not less than SI nor 
 more than $20. All the above ordinances ordained and enacted into laws 
 in Town Council assembled. 
 
 P. F. KRIBBS, Burgess. 
 J. B. Paixter, Secretary, Pro Tem. 
 
 1877, Council same as 1876. 
 
 1878, William Selby, Esq., Burgess; Council, M. E. Hess. J. Sheridan 
 W. M. Kirkpatrick, H. F. Whiting, Robert Bowman and S. L. Herron. 
 
 1879, J. K. Wilson, Esq., Burgess; Council, H. R. Burgess, C. A. 
 Wheelock, P. F. Kribbs, H. F. Whiting. John Watson and S. Best. 
 
 1880, M. E. Hess, Burgess; Council, F. E. Gairett, Frank Jarris, 
 Allen McLean, W. B. Weaver and D. W. Lewi*. 
 
 1881 C. A. Wheelock, Burgess; Council, G. S. Hamm,F. C. Jarvis, 
 Thomas Travers, J. M. Mong, R. W. Smith and G. M. Cushing. 
 
 1882, H. J. Bethune, Burgess ; Council, J. M. Bethune, W. O'Day, F. 
 E. Garrett. G. M. Cushing, Samuel Best and R. W. Smith. 
 
 1883, H. J. Bethune, Burgess; Council, Allen McLean, Robt. White- 
 hill, R. W. Smith, Josiah Dobson, G. M. Cushing. T. W. West. 
 
 1884, M. E. Hess, Burgess ; Council, P. F. Kribbs, T. Easley, P. 
 Spargo, Miles Feely, Robert Whitehill and Josiah Dobson. 
 
 1885, F. M. Denniston, Burgess; Council, Robert Whitehill, P, F. 
 Kribbs, M. E. Hess, A. J. Smith and M. L. Rose. 
 
 1886, F. M. Denniston. Burgess; Council, J. R. Neeley, A. J. Smith, 
 P. F. Kribbs, J. M. Brothers, M. L. Rose and J. I. Patterson. 
 
 1887, F. M. Denniston, Burgess; Council, J. M. Brothers, M. L.Rose. 
 A. J. Smith, J. R. Neeley, M. H. Marcus andT. Harvey Jolly. 
 
 The City Fathers, in the last year, have graded 
 the principal streets and cobble-stoned them, beside re- 
 pairing the old sidewalks and building new. They have 
 also opened up Penn Avenue, which now extends to the 
 hill west of town through the borough addition ; also 
 the extension of Railroad street, running parallel with 
 Penn Avenue and crossing Kribbs, Mendenhall and Best 
 streets at right angles. 
 
 To show the income from different sources in the 
 early history of the borough, we quote the Auditors Re- 
 port of April 1878, which was as follows : 
 
 Licenses * 1.088 25 
 
 Taxes 366 8° 
 
 Collection of fines 1.884 52 
 
 Total S 3,339 57 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 59 
 
 The streets were exceedingly bad in the early his- 
 tory of the borough, there being so much heavy hauling. 
 They were planked and repaired in the summer of 1877, 
 to a large extent, by the property owners. The Coun- 
 cil was to keep up repairs. 
 
 JOURNALISM. 
 
 Mr. J. M. Gilford came to Edenburg in December, 
 1876, from Pleasant ville, Pa, He, with his accom- 
 plished wife and pleasant little family, was warmly wel- 
 comed. His object in coming was to start a daily paper, 
 and December 12th, 1876, was issued the first number 
 of the Edenburg Herald. "Independent in politics, 
 neutral in nothing/' was its motto. 
 
 SALUTATORY. 
 
 As we take uo our pen to write this article, the great responsibility 
 of successfully editing and publishing- a newspaper seems to fill our mind 
 with the great importance of the work as never before. 
 
 As we look back at the record of names, whose owners have gone 
 down in trying to stem the tide of newspaper life, our heart beats quick 
 with anxiety and we gladly turn our eyes and look hopefully to the fu- 
 ture, and knowing by experience that as we have put our hand to the plow 
 and shoulder to the wheel, we must not (neither would we if we could) 
 look back, but with a steady hand and a firm purpose, push manfully for- 
 ward. And as we send our little sheet out into the world, we bid it God 
 speed, and pray that its mission for good and diffusion of knowledge may 
 be realized. For the "Herald" and ourself we make but few promises, 
 but rather prefer that our representative may speak for itself. Our inten- 
 tion has been and is to make this a live local paper for Edenburg, Elk 
 City and surrounding country. But we do promise that while the "Her- 
 ald" is under our control nothing that will bring a blush to any cheek 
 shall ever mar its pages, neither will we ever bow to rings or combina- 
 tions in any form or manner; but treat evil as we see it, and reward the 
 good by an approving word. To our brothers of the craft, here's our prof- 
 fered hand, and to all true and friendly brothers who are willing to ac- 
 cept, our heart goes with it, J. M. GIFFORD. 
 
 We insert many quotations from this number of the 
 Herald to refresh the memory of the early settlers of the 
 
60 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 towu, who remember the joyful occasi on when the first 
 Herald appeared. 
 
 A WORD ON THE PART OF THE EDITOR. 
 
 In presenting this initial number of the Herald, we cannot refrain from 
 saying a word in justification of ourselves in regard to the delay experi- 
 enced by our patrons, and no less we assure you, by us. It has been some 
 weeks since the Herald was promised to the public; and as soon as the en- 
 terprise was announced the business men of Edenburg and Elk City cheer- 
 fully responded with a willing and lucrative support. To these we owe 
 an explanation. It was our earnest intention to have issued the Herald 
 promptly: but at the time we commenced the undertaking the roads be- 
 came nearly impassable and it was almost impossible to obtain freight of 
 any kind, and the annoyance to us, caused by the delay in securing ma- 
 terial, was equal if not greater than the anxiety experienced on the part of 
 our patrons. Besides this we can fairly and conscientiously attribute a por- 
 tion of the delays to the blundering manner in which some of our orders 
 were filled. But we console ourselves in the old adage which says : 
 'There's always a calm after a storm," and we congratulate ourselves on 
 having emerged from the confusion as bright as a new dollar. Thanking 
 our patrons for their patience and forbearance, and for their already lib- 
 eral patronage, to which our columns will attest, we conclude, trusting 
 that no unneccessary inconveniences will occur in the future. 
 
 In this Herald we find the report of the first bor- 
 ough election, which resulted as follows : 
 
 Burgess— P. F. Kribbs; Town Council. — John I. Best, Robert Bryan. 
 Ezekiel W. Crabbe, J. Benjamin Painter. Daniel J. Wynkoop, John L. Cal- 
 lihan ; Justices of the Peace— Nehemiah Brown. Robert J. Atwell ; School 
 Directors— William C. B. Davis, 3 years; John I. Best, 3 years; Erie W. 
 Northrop, 2 years : Gilmore S. Hamm, 2 years; John M. Gifford, 1 year; 
 John W. Phillips, 1 year; Assessor— James Alexander Palm ; Assistant 
 Assessors— Husrh Amo, George H. Tucker ; Constable — Jacob Vedder ; 
 High Constable— Thomas Scott ; Auditors— George W. Connely, 3 years ; 
 John D. Wolf, 2 years ; Wilbur S. Brown, 1 year; Overseers of Poor— Jas. 
 M.Williams. Frank Jarvis; Judge of Election— Joshua M. George ; In- 
 spectors of Election— John Barnard, George A. Clarke. 
 
 The whole number of votes polled was 207. 
 
 The trial of the Goodwin-Akin case is given in full 
 in this issue of the Herald. We reprint it for the 
 benefit of those who were acquainted with the circum- 
 stances, and to show the state of morals with a certain 
 class at that early settlement of the borough. 
 
AND EDEXBUPG PEOPLE. (jl 
 
 [Quotation from the Herald.] 
 THE GOODWIN- AKIN CASE. THE TRIAL, VERDICT AND SENTENCE 
 Owing to a pressure of business we were unable to attend the Quarter 
 Sessions of the County Court, which met at Clarion on last Monday, conse- 
 quently are unable to give the proceedings ; but suffice it to give a synop- 
 sis of the trial of the Goodwin-Akin case, much of which is taken from the 
 clever report of the correspondent of the Daily Derrick. 
 
 It will be remembered that on the 8th day of November, an altercation 
 took place at the "rvialto Hotel and Restaurant" between Geo. W. Akin, an 
 oil operator, and a man named Badger, of Emlenton, and during the melee 
 a man named William Goodwin came to his death by apistol shot fired by 
 said Akin. The report says, in substance, as follows: On Saturday the 
 2d inst., the case of the Commonwealth vs. George W. Akin was called, 
 and after some difficulty in getting a proper jury, six jurymen and six tales- 
 man were sworn in and the case continued until Monday. 
 
 The following named jury was impanneled : Joun M. Fulton, S. L. 
 George, Benjamin Fulton, Hiram Wing, William P. Miller, C. L. Fulton] 
 Wm. H. Frazier, Chambers Yingling John Hilbert, Wm. Fork urn Albert 
 Rhea and T. C. Wilson. 
 
 The indictment contained three counts, the first of which is murder, 
 the charge being that Akin shot and killed William Goodwin during an 
 affray with Charles Badger, Rialto Hotel, Edenburg, on the night of No- 
 vember 8th. Defendant plead not guilty to each of the counts. The Com- 
 monwealth was represented by District Attorney, David Lawson, Esq., 
 Hon. James Compbell, J B. Knox and James Maffett. Akin was defended 
 by Wm. L. Corbett, S. K. Clark, Wilson & Jenks, B. J. Reid and A. B. 
 Richmond. 
 
 When court opened, Charles Badger was the first witness for the pros- 
 ecution. He testified that he was stopping at the Rialto Hotel in Eden- 
 burg, on the night of the 8th of November last ; the election was on Tues- 
 day previous ; I had made a bet with Callihan and Richardson ; after hav- 
 ing made the bet Akin came in ; he offered to bet and pulled out a roll of 
 bills; wanted to bet one thousand dollars on the result of the election ; 
 never met him before that night ; did not want to bet with him ; repeated 
 his proposition twice; I finally said I guess I will have to take that bet ; 
 Akin wrote a check for one thousand dollars ; I did the same ; the checks 
 were given to Ford, one of the hotel proprietors; Akin remarked he would 
 like to bet five thousand ; I offered him twenty-five dollars for the option 
 of the bet till next morning; William Goodwin was there and offered to 
 cash a checK for me; Akin's friends came around ; he then declined to give 
 me the privilege of the option ; I said all right, and reached for my twen- 
 ty-five dollar check ; I received a check which I destroyed without look- 
 ing at it; afterward Akin held up a check, and said, 'see here wnat he is 
 giving me, boys, a twenty-five dollar for a one thousand dollar check ;" I 
 sat down to replace the $1,000 check which had been destroyed in mistake ; 
 Mr. Akin got excited and said I thought he was a "Stunner;" I replied I 
 was a stranger, but was a gentleman and did not want to fight ; I pulled 
 off my overcoat ; Akin appeared in front of me, and I grabbed him by the 
 collar, we had a struggle and I got him down ; up to this time there wa- 
 
62 COMPENDIUM OF EDEN BURG 
 
 no striking on either side ; I said to him, "we must stop this, I am ashamed 
 of myself and you too, but you must behave yourseli and quit this or I will 
 tramp the whole head off you ;" he replied that he would ; I got off and 
 stood up ; he grabbed an air gun and struck me; the gun was taken from 
 him, I warded off the blow ; he called for glasses and threw them ; I re- 
 ceived a portion of one in my face ; I went for him, got Akin down on the 
 floor ; he was lying on his back ; I was crouching over him ; think I struck 
 him with my right hand ; my left hand had him by the shoulder or region 
 of the throat; saw a revolver in his hand and said, "this man has a revolv- 
 er;" put my hand over his and held his hand down to the floor; he was 
 wrenching his hand down to get loose ; there was a severe struggle and I 
 lost my hold ; I dropped my head and there was an explosion took place ; 
 the first thing I saw then was Goodwin throwing up his hands and falling 
 back ; had another struggle with him after the explosion ; I was somewhat 
 excited; I remember some one took hold of me and I was in the wash 
 room, my face was covered with blood where the glass had hit me. 
 
 Cross-examined. — Goodwin was an old friend of mine ; fight took 
 place between 12 and 1 o'clock; Akin claimed I had destroyed the 
 $1,000 check; I have never seen either of the checks since ; 1 took off my 
 coat and advanced one or two steps ; did not see him take off his coat ; 
 we were not apart at any one time during the fight to exceed three feet ; 
 did not hear him say "keep off," when I advanced the second time ; after I 
 had got him down I struck him in the face once ; heard him say, "take him 
 off' or I'll shoot ;" do not recollect saying,"I will kill him," was on top of him 
 holding him down when he shot ; my face was about six inches from his: 
 I never said the shooting was accidental ; I made information in the case. 
 
 The balance of the testimony on the part of the commonwealth was 
 virtually a corroboration of Badger's sworn testimony, when the common- 
 wealth rested and the defense called O. L. Hart, who testified as follows : 
 Was an actor at Wildman's opera house ; that night our place was closed 
 and I was in the other theatre; left there at half-past twelve with McCoy, 
 Smith, Rivers and Gibbs ; heard a scuffle at the Rialto, went over ; saw 
 two men fighting ; one had the other down on a ban-el or box ; heard 
 three or four blows in rapid succession ; was told it was Badger and Akin, 
 heard Badger say to Akin : "Now squeal or I'll beat the life out of you," 
 they struggled to their feet; Akin's face was bleeding; Akin leaned 
 against the bar with right arm resting on it ; Akin said : "Keep away 
 from me, you are a bigger man than 1 am, keep away from me ;" Badger 
 advanced toward him; Akin stepped back, still saying : "Keep away, 
 keep away ;" Akin seized an air gun; Ford took it from him; Badger 
 caught him by the right arm and pinned him to the counter ; Akin reached 
 back with his left hand and threw two or three bottles; the first one hit 
 Williams in the face; Badger caught his hand as he threw the third and 
 said "I will kill you;" Rivers came up to interfere andBotsford put him out 
 ot the house ; followed them to the door ; came back and Badger had 
 Akin down again ; heard Akin say, "let me up ;" Badger was striking 
 him; Akin said, "take him off" several times, then he said, "get off' me or 
 I'll shoot you ;" Badger replied, "you have a pistol have you?" Akin 
 said, "yes and I'll use it if you don't get off me ;" then Badger repeated 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 63 
 
 again, "I'll kill you ;" saw the glimmer of a pistol two or three times; 
 there wasa struggle for it; couldn't tell who had it ; Goodwin was stand- 
 ing near the door ; several cried "separate them, take the pistol from 
 them !" Several were stooping over them when the pistol was discharged; 
 Goodwin had made a step forward ; their heads were towar i him, and he 
 was five or six feet from them ; Goodwin fell back and said, "My God, I 
 am shot;" I went for Dr. Kea, he was on the porch; said he would not 
 come in as they had fire arms ; Dalton answered from the inside, "I have 
 the pistol ;" Goodwin was still in the room; was then canned upstairs; 
 after the shooting I heard Akin say, "I told him to get oft" me or I would 
 shoot him, I warned him to get off and I had to do it." Akin went out on 
 the stoop, stood there a few minutes then crossed the street; I was close 
 to him ; while under the balcony heard him say nothing about the shoot- 
 ing; I heard Badger say to Mcvlanus, "this is a terrible affair; a terrible 
 accident ; I had my hand on the pistol when it went off." 
 
 Cross-examined. — I saw Akin at the theatre that night ; the fight was 
 going on when we went to the Rialto ; saw the man on top striking; I 
 never saw Badger before 
 
 Defense rests. 
 
 Nothing materially different from the foregoing was brought out in 
 rebuttal and sur-rebuttal, and the testimony closed, when the court ad- 
 journed. 
 
 Court convened at 8 o clock, a. m., Wednesday morning, when Jas. 
 Campbell, on the part of the commonwealth, and W. JL. Corbett, for the 
 defense, argued the law to the court, and cited the authorties to sustain the 
 position assumed by each. District Attorney Lawson made the first argu- 
 ment to the jury for the prosecution. W. L. Corbett and A. B. Richmond, 
 Esq., addressed the jury on behalf of the defendant. James Campbell 
 closed the case for the commonwealth In their argument these gentle- 
 men thoroughly reviewed the evidence on both sides and plead earnestly 
 for conviction or acquittal, consuming the entire day. Court adjourned at 
 6 p. M., and convened again at 7.30. His Honor, Judge Jenksthen charged 
 the jury briefly and fairly ; saying that while the commonwealth did not 
 seek conviction of murder in the first degree, it did for murder in the sec- 
 ond, or voluntary manslaughter ; the defense claiming that it was self- 
 defense or at most excusable homicide. In the latter case it would be in- 
 voluntary manslaughter and no conviction under indictment could be 
 had. The jury then retired with instructions that if they found a verdict 
 betore morning they could be conducted to their quarters at the Loomis 
 House, butthat they should not separate. In the morning it was found 
 that they had agreed and they were taken to the Loomis House for break- 
 fast, thence to the court room, where a large number of people, including 
 many ladies, anxious to hear the verdict, had already assembled, when 
 the jury returned as follows: "Guilty of voluntary manslaughter." 
 Counsel for defense at once made a motion for a new trial, when the court 
 stated the motion would be heard on Saturday. At the time appointed 
 the court heard the argument for new trial, but failed to concur with the 
 learned counsel and was refused a new trial. The court in addressing the 
 prisoner, stated that the extent of the penalty was not exceeding twelve 
 years solitary confinement in the penitentiary, and then sentenced him to 
 
64 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 pay a fine of eight hundred dollars and undergo an imprisonment of two 
 years and six months in the Western Penitentiary where he was conduct- 
 ed by Sheriff Beck, yesterday (Monday) morning. Thus ended the case. 
 In concluding this sad rehearsal of an affray that could scarce have ended 
 worse, we are compelled to make a few remarks in regard to the melan- 
 choly affair. George W. Akin is a young man in the prime of life, pos- 
 sessed of considerable worldly means, and might to-day, had he avoided 
 bad company, be enjoying life in luxury, honored and esteemed by 
 friends, and unharmed by foes ; but instead he chose to do otherwise in 
 defiance of good advice and the example of good men, and the result is— a 
 prison cell. Mr. Akin and his friends have the sympathies of the entire 
 community in his misfortunes, and let us hope that he may live to return 
 a better and wiser man. And may we hope that the lesson taught in this 
 case, may be a warning to the many young men in our midst, who persist 
 in the same follies. May they turn their back on vice and sternly and man- 
 fully face virtue in all things and at all times ; for through this channel, 
 alone, can life be truly enjoyed and happiness in the next secured, 
 
 At this date, from December 9th to 12th, crude 
 oil opened the week at §3.60 j closed at §4.00. 
 
 [Quotation from the Herald. J 
 The week just passed has been an interesting one to producers. It 
 had been apparent for some days past that the oil market must take a rise 
 soon, but few really expected oil to come to four dollars. For days, per- 
 haps weeks yet, and, doubtless by the present outlook it will remain near 
 these figures for a time to come. But we do not hesitate to predict that 
 the market will fall again below these figures, as four dollar oil to a ma- 
 jority of producers means "sell." Our advice is sell only as much as is re- 
 quired to meet present emergencies and hold for better prices. There is 
 no reason why oil should not reach its real value if producers will act 
 wisely and be firm in their demands. Production is falling off in all parts 
 of the country. All the new strikes are small, and the eonsum jtion near- 
 ly equals the production. But a short time can elapse before the balance 
 will turn the other way and oil must go up unless new and heavy produc- 
 ing territory is discovered. The prospect for such an event taking place 
 is not very evident. The market opened yesterday at S3. 85, and closed at 
 $4.00. Clarion market, 11 A. M., to-day, quoted at SI. 10. United Spot, Oil 
 City, at $4.22%. Shipment, Oil City, at $4.00. Antwerp market closed 
 yesterday, for refined, at 00 lrancs. New York, for refined, at 35 cent-. 
 
 Having quoted quite extensively "from the first is- 
 sue of the Edcnburg Herald, we now propose to speak 
 of the editor. J. M. Gifford and family came to Eden- 
 burg from Pleasantville, Pa. He founded the ILt<iI<1 
 and built quite a comfoftabk' home. The paper had a 
 large circulation and the office turned out a great amount 
 of job work. Prosperity attended him until January 
 
AXD EDEXBUEG PEOPLE. 65 
 
 oth, 1877. At that date the M. E. church was de- 
 stroyed by fire, and, to prevent further destruction, Mr. 
 Gifford's house and office, which adjoined the church, 
 were torn down. He rebuilt immediately. In Febru- 
 ary of the same year, a very interesting little son was 
 taken from the family circle. We here insert some ex- 
 pressions of sympathy from the writer of this book, 
 written after Johnnie's death. 
 
 [Copied from Daily Herald, of February 25th, 1887.] 
 
 DEDICATED TO MR. AND MRS. GIFFOKD. 
 
 It is the mid hour of night, while all nature is seemingly wrapped in 
 silent repose, and naught is to be heard save the heavy tramp of the 
 watchman as he walks to and fro, to see if 'all is well;" but the Great 
 Watchman knows all that is transpiring within the wal Is of the palace or 
 the cottage, yea, even the thoughts ofo^r hearts. He knows what an- 
 guish of soul some fond and loving heart may be experiencing each mo- 
 ment. Last night when all was quiet and the pale moon shone with her 
 silvery rays, we might have taken a glance into the quiet chamber of a 
 friend, and have seen the silent teardrop from the eyes of fond and lov- 
 ing parents, as they held vigils over the delicate form of their darling 
 Johnnie. At each throe of pain of the little sufferer might be heard a cor- 
 responding sigh from them. Their anxiety of soul none but an affection- 
 ate and loving parent can comprehend. The night waned and the morn- 
 ing dawned. The kind angel came and took the spirit of the little sufferer 
 home to himself, there to dwell forever. The little rose-bud has been 
 plucked from the parent's home only to be transplanted in a fairer and 
 more congenial clime. While they weep for his absence from the little 
 home circle they fully realize that Johnnie is where neither disease or 
 pain can reach him, and they know that they have one more tie in 
 Heaven. 
 
 While he quietly sleeps in his little bed, 
 
 Softly rests his weary, delicate head, 
 
 He is done with the sins and sorrows of life, 
 
 Done with all its conflicts and strife, 
 
 Sickness, suffering and pain are o'er 
 
 As he waits for his friends on the other shore. 
 
 Sorrowfully will you glance at the vacant seat, 
 
 Sadly will you wait for the pattering feet, 
 
 Silently will you enter the desolate room ; 
 
 From which his frail form was so recently borne, 
 
 Alas ! he coraeth not, but you will love to think 
 
 That he is waiting for you all, just over the brink. 
 
 Hettie A. Keatley. 
 Edenburg, Pa., Sabbath evening, Feb. 25th, 1877, 
 
66 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 Mr. Clifford continued the publication of the Her- 
 ald with great success. He was burned out twice after- 
 ward, but with the co-operation of his active wife he 
 continued its publication until his health failed. When 
 anything exciting occurred he was in the habit of send- 
 ing out two or three extras per day. Close application 
 to business and an inherent pre-disposition to consump- 
 tion, caused him to fall a prey to that disease. He died 
 at the early age of thirty-three years, August 9th, 1880. 
 His remains were taken to his early home for interment. 
 Mrs. Gilford and their two children, Glenn and Kittie, 
 resided with Mrs. Crum, Mr. Gilford's sister, for a long 
 time. She finally emigrated to Kansas, where she made 
 her home, but only lived a short time, leaving her two 
 children orphans. From a life insurance policy which 
 she held in one of the orders in Edenburg, she left them 
 $1,200. 
 
 In January, 1877, J. Campbell & Son, commenced 
 the publication of The Oil Times, a live sheet, both daily 
 and weekly. The Campbells were fine chroniclers of 
 events and their editorials were up to the highest stand- 
 ard. They continued the publication of their paper 
 about two years. After Tlie Oil Times and Daily Her- 
 ald came the Evening News, published by H. Price. It 
 was a tri-weekly and was issued on Tuesdays, Thurs- 
 days and Saturdays. After this The Daily Spirit pub- 
 lished by J. Ed. Leslie. This gave the oil news while 
 it existed. We copy the price of oil from this sheet of 
 the issue of February 13th, 1880, at $1.08 J. 
 
 In the summer of 1881, Mr. T. W. West came 
 from Clarion, Pa., and commenced the publication of 
 the Clarion County National, a weekly, in the interest 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 67 
 
 of the Greenback party. It is quite an addition to the 
 town, and an interesting paper, still published by West 
 & Son, now in the interest of the labor party. In the 
 summer of 1884, Mr. H. Price resumed the journalistic 
 profession by the publication of the Clarion County Ob- 
 server, in the interest of Blaine and Logan, which is still 
 published as a Republican paper. Mr. Price is a good 
 printer and a spirited editor. 
 
 BANKS. 
 
 In the fall of 1875, Edenburg began to teel the 
 need of a bank. Those who live in a town after it has 
 all the necessary institutions to carry on business suc- 
 cessfully, can but slightly realize the appreciation of the 
 pioneers when an improvement is introduced. Thus it 
 was with Edenburgers when a bank was started to hold 
 the surplus funds, and a railroad built to carry away the 
 production of oil. Messrs. F. Merrick of Cooperstown, 
 Pa., and George W. Connelly of Pleasantville, Pa., 
 purchased the property owned by Mrs. and Mr. J. A. 
 Travis on central Main street, to set up a bank. They 
 were ready for business in "The Edenburg Bank" in 
 the beginning of 1876. The firm promised fair, the 
 people had confidence, consequently all who had earned 
 more money than they used, deposited it there for safe- 
 ty. Mr. Mendenhall, whose health was then declining, 
 in arranging his business for the future, placed large 
 amounts there for his wife and children, with a solemn 
 promise that it should be cared for as he directed. Alas 
 for promises ! The firm gathered in the shekels, lived 
 high, drilled oil wells and carried friends for large 
 
68 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 amounts. Thus time passed on, until one fine June 
 morning in 1878, the news was heralded over town, 
 "The Edenburg Bank is closed." This scrap of news 
 was received much to the dismay of the large depositors 
 and equally so to the smaller ones ; for what that class 
 had in the bank was their aU. The widow and the 
 fatherless, with the aged ones, who had laid by their 
 small sums, to help them when they could not help 
 themselves, were left to do the best they could, so far as 
 the firm of the Edenburg bank was concerned. Even 
 forty dollars of the M. E. Sabbath school went with the 
 rest. S. Crosby, Esq., was appointed assignee and in 
 the spring of 1881, ten cents on the dollar was paid to 
 the depositors. In 1877 the Clarion County Bank was 
 started on central Main street by Messrs. Dickey, Eccles 
 and Crawford, of Franklin, Pa., with E. G. Crawford 
 as trustee and cashier. It has been one of the reliable 
 institutions of the town ; has done a fine business and 
 is still doing well, with the addition of Mr. R. K. Mc- 
 Cormick as assistant cashier. One incident, worthy of 
 mention with regard to this bank : When the great fire 
 of October, 1878, occurred ; when all was confusion, 
 and very many suspicious persons were in town, Mr. 
 Orie J. Blakely, then assistant cashier, put all the money 
 and papers of the bank into a sack, and accompanied on- 
 ly by one person, conveyed it through the crowd to his 
 own home on the Bower farm. For some time after 
 this the bank carried on business in Richardson & Cal- 
 lihan's office on Penn avenue. 
 
 THE FIRST RAILROAD. 
 This was in February, 1877. The P. & W., nar- 
 
AXD EDENBURG PEOPLE. 69 
 
 row guage, then Emlenton & Clarion R. R. ? made its 
 advent into the then growing town. Its entrance was 
 hailed with much "joy and gladness/' by the inhabitants. 
 To show the anxiety felt before it came we quote an ar- 
 ticle from the Herald just prior to its entry into town : 
 
 "Mr. R. W. Smith, formerly of Lehigh Valley, ticket and freight agent 
 on this end of our "little road," was in our office yesterday and said : "The 
 cracks in his office floor and walls are so big," and he measured with his 
 hands a space about ten inches. ' Can't stand that long this cold weather. 
 Shall have our cars into town and permanent buildings up in about twelve 
 davs." He informed us the depot will be located about four hundred feet 
 north of Cassel & Kinnear's machine shop. This will place it directly east 
 of this office. When this is accomplished we shall feel awful big as a town, 
 a great deal larger than St. Petersburg or Clarion, and about fifteen-six- 
 teenths as big as Pittsburg. 
 
 What do you think about it, you new born Council ? And you, new 
 made dispensers of legal (?) justice. 
 
 Mr. R. W. Smith was the first ticket agent and gen- 
 eral manager of the railroad business for seven years. 
 
 We quote from the Herald of later date, after the 
 Emlenton & Clarion R. R. had been running several 
 months. 
 
 ANOTHER RAILROAD TO EDENBURG. 
 
 THE MEETING AT FOXBUBG. 
 
 A meeting was held at the Fox House, at Foxburg, on the 2d inst., by 
 the friends of the proposed narrow gauge railroad from Foxburg to Eden- 
 burg. From the enterprising character of the gentlemen present we think 
 we are safe in predicting that at an early day our town will again be pene- 
 trated by a narrow gauge. A correspondent of the Daily Derrick furnishes 
 the following list of persons present at the meeting, and who are interested 
 in the enterprise: Barney Vensel, James M. Guffey, J. B. McElwaine, J. 
 Ashbaugh, Charles Vensel, C. King, A. Myers, J. Akin, J. V. Ritts, Cashier 
 of St. Petersburg Savings Bank, G W. Butt, Charles Blakeslee, Captain 
 Chalfant, A. W. Smiley, W. C. Mobley, Superintendent of the Parker and 
 Karns City Railroad, Wm. Fox, Squire Fullerton, Capt. McCray, J. Mande- 
 ville and S. G. Bayne. The object of the meeting was briefly stated after 
 which James M. Guffey was elected chairman, and J. B. McElwaine, sec- 
 retary. The chair then stated his views, after which there followed a gen- 
 eral interchange of opinions. A motion then carried that a subscription of 
 one thousand dollars be raised to defray the expenses of a preliminary sur- 
 vey to Edenburg, Foxburg pledging four hundred dollars and St. Peters- 
 burg six hundred. A committee was then appointed to collect the one 
 thousand dollars, with instructions to employ a competent staff of engi- 
 
70 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 neers to make the survey. The meeting then adjourned to meet at the call 
 of the Committee for the purpose of considering the report of the engineers. 
 
 This was preliminary, but the road was shortly made 
 from Foxburg to connect with the Emlenton <£ Clarion 
 road at Jefferson station. For a considerable time after 
 the road was laid Edenburg was the terminus, but soon 
 the cry was "On to Clarion !" Sometime after the road 
 ran to Clarion the track from Emlenton to Jefferson was 
 abandoned and the travel has since been from Foxburg 
 to Clarion. About four years since, the road was ex- 
 tended to Kane. Mr. P. W. Smith, who came in with 
 the narrow gauge, was a man whom every one respected, 
 with his excellent wife and interesting family. When 
 he was about to leave for Kane, Pa., his present home, 
 his gentlemen friends presented him with a valuable gold 
 watch as a testimonial of their appreciation of his worth. 
 
 About the same time Mr. Smith came, Mr. L. D. 
 Crandall, wife and interesting son, Harry, came. Mr. 
 Crandall manipulated the express for several years and 
 had a pleasant home on Penn avenue. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Crandall were proverbial for their superior social quali- 
 ties. When they went to the upper oil field they left a 
 vacant place in the social circle which- it would be dim- 
 cult to fill. 
 
 Mr. Campbell, general manager of the P. e\: W. 
 
 Railroad, lived on Penn avenue for sometime, and he and 
 his amiable wife were a great accession to society. Mr. 
 E. E. Boyd had charge of the business for quite a long 
 time. He, with his wife and interesting little folks, re- 
 side on east State street. Mr. P. Cullis, who had charge 
 of affairs at the depot during the last year, with his ac- 
 complished young wife and babe, have gone to Chicago 
 to live, where he will fill a more lucrative position and 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 71 
 
 not so much hard work. The best wishes of the many 
 friends made while here go with them to their new 
 home. At present Mr. Mahan is stationed in the depot. 
 
 PERSONAL CHRONICLES. 
 
 In the spring of 1877, there was a large emigra- 
 tion to Edenburg. Many fine citizens came and brought 
 their families and built nice residences. Among them 
 was J. T. Wilson, formerly cashier of the First National 
 Bank of Sharon, Pa. He built a nice residence on west 
 State street, and was active in business circles and in the 
 church, as were also his wife and daughters. When all 
 seemed happy a shadow fell upon the home circle in the 
 death of an interesting little daughter. 
 
 "Sooner or later the storms do beat 
 Over her slumber, from head to feet ; 
 Sooner or later the winds do rave, 
 In the long grass above her grave." 
 
 The parents do not forget their child, although in 
 their far western home, their thoughts oft revert to the 
 little mound in the Shippenville cemetery. In the spring 
 of 1883, Mr. Wilson, not having realized his anticipa- 
 tions in the oil field, went west, has located at Fergus 
 Falls, Minnesota, where he and his interesting family 
 are now enjoying prosperity and happiness. The Wil- 
 son residence was purchased by Mr. J. McCormick, who 
 after improving it resides in it. Mrs. McCormick has 
 her pleasant home adorned with a great variety of the 
 choicest plants. It presents a vernal appearance all the 
 year round. Miss Mary is an interesting young lady, 
 uncommonly studious, and is destined to be a brilliant 
 scholar, Joseph, John, Nannie and baby are all at- 
 
72 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 tractive. W. W. Mason, Esq., of Mercer, Pa., built 
 him a nice residence beside that of Mr. Wilson. His 
 was a pleasant home, with his excellent wife and accom- 
 plished daughter Anna. Esq. Mason was proverbial 
 for many social qualities, but especially for being the 
 tallest man in the town, and Mrs. Mason for being the 
 smallest lady. N. N. Booth, Esq., purchased the Ma- 
 son property and has recently improved it, until it is 
 among the finest wooden structures in the town. Pre- 
 sided over by his excellent wife and daughter Alfaretta. 
 Esq. Booth has been in different kinds of business here 
 for several years. Has had considerable interest in the 
 Cogley oil field. At present he has a large carriage fac- 
 tory in the old "Clarion House." Mr. F. H. Whiting, 
 of the Oak Shade Oil Company, built a lovely residence 
 on Penn avenue. His yard was beautifully terraced and 
 planted with the choicest flowers and shrubbery and lie 
 
 had lived in it but a short time until it was consumed 
 
 • 
 
 by fire. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting were pleasant acces- 
 sions to the very refined society of that period, but Mr. 
 Whiting's health had failed, and after much medical skill 
 has been exhausted and travel to different parts, with 
 much time spent in the salubrious climate of Florida, he 
 is still a confirmed invalid, who has the sympathy of all 
 his friends. Mr. J. A. Travis, after selling his home 
 to the firm of Messrs. Merrick & Connelly, had pur- 
 chased a property in Mongtown for a time. It Vas 
 there in September, 1877, that his younger brother, 
 Linus R. Travis, died of malarial fever. Linus was a 
 young man of superior character, quiet, retiring and as 
 was remarked by the aged minister who attended his 
 funeral : "There lies the remains of a young man who 
 
AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 73 
 
 has left the record of a spotless life." A life although 
 ever so pure is a lost love to earthly frieucls. 
 
 "But hope consoleth hearts that weep or bleed, 
 O'er broken ties, in desolated bowers, 
 With the lovely thought that the loves 
 Of earth are holy, and survive in heaven, 
 Where love hath but one altar, one pure fire, 
 And God is "'all in all." 
 
 This was the second time the angel of death had 
 visited this uew home. Two years previous little Wil- 
 lie was taken, leaving Frankie their eldest alone. His 
 father, M. T. Travis and his sister Hattie K., having 
 their home there also — James, Linus and Hattie having 
 lost their lovely mother in December, 1872. 
 
 Mr. Will Andrews, the druggist, purchased the 
 propertv of C. By son, on Penn avenue. He and his in- 
 teresting wife resided there for some time. After being 
 burned out in his business, they returned to Warren, 
 Ohio. Messrs. Barger, Travers and Gilson built good 
 homes on east State street. Charles E. Gibbs, who mar- 
 ried Miss V ick, daughter of James Vick, the great flor- 
 ist of Rochester, X. Y., built a fine residence on Mrs. 
 Mendenhairs oil lease west of Main street. After liv- 
 ing there part of a year he sold to Mrs. Mendenhall and 
 lived on Penn avenue until the spring of 1879, when 
 they removed to Olean, N. Y. Near the same time Dr. 
 O. G. Moore, the leading dentist, married Miss Emma 
 Trainer, of Strattanville, Pa. After boarding for some 
 time he purchased the Will Andrews property and re- 
 moved thither, where he and his cheerful wife and in- 
 teresting little family continue to reside. He has en- 
 larged and improved his home until it is one of the most 
 convenient houses in the place. The Dr. is one of our 
 
74 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 substantial citizens, and a great advocate of the Greenback 
 and Labor cause. 
 
 Tommie Travers, Will Andrews and Chas. Gibbs, 
 all being married about the same time, on their return 
 their bachelor brethren gave them an ovation in the way 
 of a sleigh ride. The two seated sleigh, being covered 
 with white and illuminated, was drawn around on the 
 different streets by four young men of their club, much 
 to the amusement of the citizens. Later in the same 
 winter, Mr. G. C. Steele and Miss Ella Genira Menden- 
 hall were married. They still resided in the old home- 
 stead where she and G. S. Mendenhall lived at that 
 time, and until it was burned in 1878. They rebuilt on 
 the same site and lived there until the May fire, of 
 which Ave will speak further on. This time their house 
 was torn down to prevent the spread of the fire. Soon 
 after it was rebuilt. The shadow of death came to this 
 home. First little Eddie was taken, which left a va- 
 cant place in the home. In August 1885, Mr. G. C. 
 Steele was called to go, leaving Mrs. Steele and little 
 May. Soon after G. S. Mendenhall came home from 
 the west and made his home with her. Last year she 
 was married to Mr. W. L. Jeffords. Mr. Jeffords is 
 engaged in the torpedo business. The Antwerp and 
 Union Pipe Lines were established at an early date. 
 Have since been consolidated and are known as the 
 Transit Pipe Line. The Oak Shade Oil Company's of- 
 fice, owned by Bradley, Whiting & Co., with Mr. G. 
 M. Cushing, as their superintendent, who continues to 
 represent the firm. Mr. Cushing, although among the 
 last of his set to have the Gordian knot tied, led to the 
 altar Miss Frankie Best. Mr. and Mrs. Cushing's hap- 
 
AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 75 
 
 piness is much marred by her want of health. Like 
 Mr. Whiting, she too has resorted to medical treatment 
 and southern climate, but not with the desired effect, 
 restoration of health. On looking over the list of resi- 
 dents of Penn avenue we find the names of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Farthing, who lived on the street about one year. 
 On seeing their names it brings to memory an incident, 
 which at the time was shrouded in mystery. They had 
 a beautiful little daughter, Lizzie. A strange man had 
 been employed to chop wood and do some other chores 
 about the house one afternoon, and just as it was grow- 
 ing dark, Mrs. Farthing sent her little daughter to do 
 something in the rear of the house. After waiting for 
 some time for her to come in, she went to look after her, 
 but she was no where to be found. Becoming alarmed 
 she sought her among the neighbors, and not finding her, 
 the cry was sounded that Lizzie Farthing was lost ! 
 Xext day the Herald made pathetic calls for help to re- 
 cover her. The search proceeded for two days and 
 nights, when bv some mysterious communication to the 
 editor, her whereabouts was indicated, and on going to 
 the place found her concealed in a coal bank. No furth- 
 er explanation was given. In the spring of 1877, Mr. 
 M. E. Hess of Shippenville, Pa., who had been operat- 
 ing some on the Best farm, built a comfortable home on 
 his lease and brought his family ; composed of wife and 
 four children. His oldest son Eugene being married 
 and already living here. Mrs. Hess was a most amia- 
 ble lady. She and the writer were close friends. She 
 was a lady, whom to know was to love, but that most 
 fatal disease, cancer, had implanted itself in her system. 
 Several times she had been to Rome, N. Y., and had the 
 
76 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 cancer extracted, but as often it grew again. The last 
 time it poisoned her entire system. She endured great 
 suffering with Christian heroism. On visiting her in 
 company with a friend, the day preceding her death, 
 when bidding her farewell, she remarked : "I will be 
 better here to-morrow, or in Heaven !" The to-morrow 
 dawned, she was easier. Her husband having business 
 at Oil City started on the early train. Soon afterward 
 she called her son-in-law, Mr. F. G. Sackett, and said : 
 "Dispatch to Belle, (who was at school in Clarion,) tell 
 her mother wants her." In less than an hour she was a 
 corpse. The telegram containing the account of her 
 death was received at Oil City before Mr. Hess arrived 
 there. Mrs. Hess was much missed by her family and 
 friends. But, 
 
 "She's lying now in long repose, 
 
 Ah ! true the heart that feels no woes, 
 
 Is surely blest. 
 No longer now life's cares she knows, 
 Or sighs for weary day to close. 
 
 That she may rest. 
 
 Mr. Hess afterward married Mrs. Dr. Clotz, of Tur- 
 key City. Mr. F. G. Sackett, brother of Rev. O. M. 
 Sackett, a brilliant young man, who was connected with 
 Mr. Hess in business, as was perfectly natural, became 
 captivated by the charms of Miss Ida. Cupid played 
 his part, and a few month previous to Mrs. Hess' death 
 they were married. Have now an interesting little 
 family and live at Kossuth City. Mr. G. S. Hamm, one 
 of the pioneer business men, having in company with Mr. 
 J. Flynn commenced business with the beginning of the 
 town, in the spring of 1876, and who has been burned 
 out four times, married Miss Belle, who live in their 
 pleasant home on the hill side, where they enjoy life with 
 
 
AXD EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 77 
 
 their two children. Notwithstanding, the "fire fiend" 
 has pursued Mr. H. so closely, he now has a large brick 
 block on corner of Main and Railroad streets, in which 
 he has a dry goods and grocery store. The upper rooms 
 are used as lodges. Messrs. Frank and Ernest Hess are 
 still at their home. Messrs. Coulter and F. M. Dennis- 
 ton, known as the Denniston Brothers, came among the 
 first, and represented the "Robert's Torpedo Co." They 
 were among the live men of the place. Mr. Coulter 
 Denniston married Miss Edith Cameron, who more re- 
 cently lived at their early home, Grove City, Mercer 
 county. Mr. Denniston died very suddenly about three 
 years since. Mr. F. M. Denniston, the present Burgess, 
 in his third term in succession, is still in the torpedo 
 business. Married Miss Annie Schmadder, of Fryburff 
 Pa., and has a pleasant home on Corner of Penn and 
 Denniston avenues, and of the "spice of married life" 
 have Miss Carrie, a little six "year old, full of life. Mr. 
 J. W. King, who came early, married Miss Jennie Shel- 
 don, one whom nature endowed with many graces. They 
 lived for sometime on East State street, from which they 
 removed to Farnsworth, Warren county. There, from 
 an attack of malarial fever, she died, leaving her husband 
 and two interesting children. We here insert an article 
 from the Clarion County National, at time of her death. 
 
 The sad newsof the death of Mrs. John W. King-, nee Miss Jennie Shel- 
 don, at Farnsworth, Pa., this morning", December 10th, was borne to us 
 over the wires. It has been said "Death loves a shining mark," in this 
 case it was truly verified. The subject of this notice was a sister of Mr. J. 
 Sheldon. In the spring of '76 she and the writer met as strangers. At first 
 meeting a mutual sympathy seemed to exist between us. She remained 
 with me the most of the time for two years and a half, at which time she 
 was married to her now bereaved husband. She was one of those whom 
 "to know was to love," always kind, lady-like and obliging. She ever had 
 a strong hold upon the affections of our family, regarding her as a younger 
 sister. After a sickness of about two months with malarial fever she 
 
78 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 passed away from earth and its cares, leaving a fond husband and two 
 bright and lovely children, to mourn the loss of a most dutiful and affec- 
 tionate wife and mother. 
 
 "She died ! She died ! has been pronounced of all, 
 
 It will be our sad memorial, we must die ! 
 
 Must! There is no reprieve. 'Tis God's decree. 
 
 The form that seemed so passing fair, is so beloved. 
 
 And clings so fondly, by a thousand ties 
 
 Around its loved ones, soon will pass away. 
 Hail, glorious light 
 
 Of Revelation ! Brightly beaming forth 
 
 From the Eternal Mind. Pure nature rise ! 
 
 Throw off thy shattering despondency ; 
 
 On that sweet rest, which Uod through Jesus gives. 
 
 Read and believe; we die, we die, to live again ! 
 
 H. A. K. 
 
 Mr. John King, with his two children, Annie and 
 Fraukie, are now in Lima, Ohio. Mr. John Sheldon, 
 who in company with Mr. J. J. Bradley entered the field 
 early, was successful. Married Lina Hidings, still re- 
 resides on the Ashbaugh farm, where he has his oil pro- 
 duction. 
 
 One of the pioneer young men of the place was Mi*. 
 
 Allen McLain. He married Miss Ella Richardson. 
 Has been superintendent of oil production of the ( )ak 
 Shade Oil Company for several years. Has a pleasant 
 home on Petrolia street, and two interesting children 
 to cheer them. Dr. W. F. Myers, son of Col. Myers, 
 of Franklin, entered the town early, found it necessary 
 to have a partner in business, consequently soon returned 
 to his home and brought as his partner for life Miss 
 Agnes Martin. Four jewels adorn their pleasant home 
 on Penn avenue. The Dr. and his amiable wife have 
 some celebrity as vocalists. He is a well read physician 
 and has a good practice. 
 
 Mr. J. S. Johnson and family came early. Mr. 
 Johnson being engaged as book-keeper for J. Sheridan 
 & Co. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had three sons and six 
 
AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 79 
 
 daughters. One, Miss Ella, having married, before they 
 came, Mr. Perry Morrow, late member of the Wis- 
 lature. Soon after settling in Eden burg, Miss Sarah, 
 the eldest, married Mr. Henry Volger. Early the angel 
 of death came and bore away Miss Caroline. 
 
 Mr. John Johnson Avas a prominent young man of 
 the progressive period of the town. Was there any 
 benevolent enterprise or church work, John was always 
 to the front ready to help. He afterward married Sarah 
 Davis, of Shippenville, who died early, leaving little 
 Robbie, an infant. Quite recently he was .married again 
 to Miss Emma Kehoe. They live very happily on West 
 State street in the cottage home formerly owned by S. L. 
 Herron, Esq. Mr. William Johnson married Miss 
 Jennie Kribbs and lives at Clarendon, Pa. Mr. Nelson 
 Johnson, of detective notoriety, married Miss Ida Young, 
 of Strattanville, Pa., where they now reside. Miss Helen 
 was married three years since to Mr. D. Anderson, of 
 Richburg, X. Y., where they have since resided. Miss 
 Cornelia was married to Mr. Emory Myers, but a few 
 months since and lives at North Clarendon, Pa. Miss 
 Mary has charge of the home since the death of her 
 mother. We clip the notice of Mrs. Johnson's death 
 from the National : 
 
 Mrs. J. S. Johnson, died suddenly of appoplexy at her home in this 
 place, Monday night the 19th inst., aged 66 years, four months and thirteen 
 days. The deceased had been ailing for the last four years, but during 
 the day before her death she appeared unusually well and cheerful. She 
 was an exemplary christian, an affectionate wife and mother, and an ex- 
 cellent neighbor— loved and respected by all. An aged husband, five 
 daughters and three sons mourn an irreparable loss, but for her to die was 
 gain. Her remains were conveyed to Rockland, Venango county, her 
 former home for interment. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Palm came to Edenburg before 
 there was any oil developments, but came to teach and 
 
80 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 not drill oil wells. After occupying different positions 
 in the town, was united in marriage to Miss Maggie 
 Carroll, of the Columbia farm. Also, Mr. Wm. Hill 
 to Miss Ella Carroll, sister of Mrs. Palm. Mr. Palm 
 and his excellent wife reside now in Titnsville, Pa. Mr. 
 Hill in Freeport, Pa., his wife having died shortly after 
 marriage. Time in his rapid flight makes many 
 changes 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 In August, 1875, a terrible storm spread all over 
 the country. Mr. Abraham Day was inside the door of 
 his house, Avhen the forked lightning struck and instant- 
 ly killed him. Minnie Mendenhall, little daughter of 
 J. S. Mendenhall, was at Mr. Day's house, holding the 
 door knob with her right hand, and was struck in right 
 hand and left foot, but not injured otherwise. Miss 
 Sadie, his daughter, fell senseless, but soon recovered. 
 
 In the spring of 187(5, Mr. Heckethorn was killed at 
 J. D. Wolf's well, on Main street, by being caught in 
 the bull wheel. Mr. Heckethorn lived a very short time 
 after being carried to the house of Albert Sloan. His 
 wife and friends came and took his remains to Rockland 
 to be interred — the home of his youth. In autumn of 
 the same year Messrs. A. Wilson and Alonzo Goss were 
 killed by a boiler explosion at the Goss Brothers lease 
 on Charity Hill. Mr. Wilson was instantly killed, his 
 body was fearfully mangled. Mr. Goss lived a few hours 
 and then expired. 
 
 In the summer of 1877, occurred the death of Mr. 
 O. P. Happer, who with Mr. B. F. Painter lived in a 
 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 81 
 
 house owned by Mrs. Mendenhall, and located in the 
 same inclosure with her own residence. This house was 
 called the " Wigwam" from the fact of so many being in 
 it and Col. Brown being one of them. We quote the 
 account of Mr. Happer's death as given in the Daily 
 Herald : 
 
 HORRIBLE TRAGEDY— DEATH FROM A PISTOL SHOT.— A PROMI- 
 NENT OPERATOR THE VICTIM —THE CORONER'S INQUEST. 
 Yesterday about noon, Edenburg was thrown into a state of excite • 
 ment by the report that a young man, well known here, by the name of O. 
 P. Happer had killed himself by shooting- himself through the heart with 
 a revolver, in a building on Main street known as the "Wigwam " The 
 building where the sad affair took place is two stories high, with an addi- 
 tion of a one story building extending to one side, the rooms are occupied 
 as follows: The front and back rooms of lower floor by Painter, Fuller 
 and Happer, as office and sleeping rooms. Directly over this is the office 
 of Col. J. B. Brown <fe Son. The addition is used as a physician's office by 
 Dr. Magill. Hastening to the place designated our reporter found the 
 rumor too true ; upon a bed in the sleeping room of the first named gen- 
 tleman lay the lifeless form of Mr. O. P. Happer. The body and clothes 
 were clean and neat in every particular. The shirt had been cut away 
 from the bosom, leaving the breast exposed, near the centre of which and 
 over the region of the heart was visible a small round hole, showing 
 plainly the cause of his death. Upon a wash stand lay a No. 1, Smith & 
 Wesson revolver, all the chambers but one loaded. Lying along side was 
 a bottle of oil uncorked, for the purpose of cleaning his revolver. We 
 learned upon inquiry that the friends of the deceased looked upon the sad 
 event as purely accidental, as no cause can be assigned tor self-destruc- 
 tion. The only persons present were Mr. J. B. Painter who at the time 
 was writing at the table, and Mr. Charles E. Wilton, whe had called a tew 
 moments before to collect a small bill. Mr. Happer had drawn a check 
 for the amount, and Mr. Wilton had signed a receipt for the same, and 
 turning to Mr. Painter made remarks upon another subject, Mr. Happer 
 at the same time going into the sleeping apartment, but a moment had 
 elapsed when the report of a pistol shot was heard, and an exclamation of 
 "My God, Ben, I am shot!" came from the dying man. Mr. Painter 
 claims that Mr. Happer had taken a revolver some time before from his 
 traveling satchel with the remark that he would oil it up and see it it 
 would not work easier. He had just returned from making a purchase of 
 the oil, and as is supposed was in the act of oiling the pistol when it was 
 discharged with the above result. When picked up from the floor all the 
 chambers were loaded bvit one. The deceased was a man of correct hab- 
 its and a perfect gentleman. He was in the twenty-seventh year of his 
 age, and a single man. His father was at one time a member of the legis- 
 lature from Washington county, where he now resides. The blow will 
 fall most heavily upon his mother and sister who are both in poor health. 
 
82 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 May they have help given them from on high to bear up under this sad 
 affliction. 
 
 THE CORONER'S INQUEST. 
 
 Was at an early hour assembled at the summons of N. W. Brown, Esq., 
 and was composed of the following persons : Mr. P. F. Kribbs, foreman 
 J. I. Best, R. Bowman, W. M. Kirkpatrick, T. J. Crawford and B. F. Jar- 
 vis. Mr. J. B. Painter was the first witness sworn, who testified as follows: 
 Myself and Charley Wilton were sitting at the table talking, Mr. Happer 
 wascleaninghis revolver which had become rusty. He, Mr. Happer, was in 
 back room and came to the door several times while we were talking. All 
 at once, heard a slight report and the voice of Mr. Happer say, "My God, 
 Ben.'' These were the very words he uttered. Found him falling back- 
 ward across the bed ; he gasped several times ; thought he was shot in the 
 arm ; went for Dr. Magill and Langfitt. He was dead when I came back ; 
 the hour was about half past eleven. Do not know of any trouble he was 
 laboring under, he was in good spirits last night. Cross-examined. — The 
 door between the rooms was opened all the time; saw no revolver in 
 his hand after I heard the report. In reply to an inquiry as to the oil, he 
 laughingly said, it was to use on his boots and his revolver. He was get- 
 ting ready to go on a journey. 
 
 Dr. Magill sworn. Was sitting in my office at the time of the accident, 
 heard slight report, heard Mr. Painter say "O, my ! Happer. how is this?" 
 Was called and went into the room in about five minutes after with Mr. 
 Painter and Dr. Langfitt, as he came from the street. Made an examina- 
 tion and found the ball had entered the breast on the left side of the ster- 
 num, passing obliquely upward. In my estimation the ball penetrated, 
 cutting large arteries, which would cause almost instant death. 
 
 C. H. Wilton sworn. Had called to present a bill, and Mr. Happer af- 
 ter writing check for amount passed into the sleeping apartment, turning 
 to Mr. Painter made a remark about his approaching marriage. At this in- 
 stant we heard a pistol report from the adjoining room. Rushing in we 
 found Mr. Happer in the last agonies of death. Mr. Painter started tor a 
 physician and I called to this gentleman, (pointing to Mr. Brown ;) I picked 
 up from off the floor lying at his feet a revolver which I laid on the wash 
 stand. The revolver was loaded with the exception of one chamber which 
 had been discharged ; should think he lived about four minutes after acci- 
 dent ; don't know that he spoke afterwards. Cross-examined. He evi- 
 dently set upon the edge of the bed as he had fallen upon it. 
 
 Mr. W. C. B. Brown sworn. Heard no report of a pistol shot, but heard 
 a commotion in office below; was called down by Mr. Miller, who said, 
 "'Hurry a man has shot himself!" Went below; Mr, Wilton came to bed 
 room door with pistol in his hand, saying, "This is what he shot himself 
 with," and he had picked it up from the floor; I saw immediately that Mr. 
 Happer was either dead or dying ; saw Mr. Wilton place the revolver on 
 the table or stand. No cross-examination. 
 
 After a short absence the jury brought in a verdict to the effect that the 
 gentleman came to his death by a pistol shot accidently discharged by his 
 own hand, and not otherwise. Mr. J. B. Painter was intending to start 
 next morning to Independence, Washington county, Pa,, to be married to 
 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 83 
 
 Miss Manchester, daughter of Col. Manchester, of that place, and Mr. Hap- 
 per was to accompany him. Mr. Happer's brother came in answer to a tele- 
 gram in time for the evening train. It was a sad sight to see carried away 
 by twilight, one who in the morning was so full of life and good cheer. 
 
 A SAD OCCURRENCE. DEATH OF PETER SPARGO. 
 
 On Monday forenoon, March 16th, 1885, at about 
 11 o'clock, onr town was thrown into a state of profound 
 gloom and sadness by the announcement that Peter 
 Spargo was dead ! The affair was so unexpected and 
 intensely sad that but few could realize that such could 
 be the case, but on visiting the postoffice the unwelcome 
 truth was fully verified ! He, who but a few minutes 
 previous, had been seen on our streets in his usual 
 health, and apparently in his ordinary cheerful state of 
 mind, now lay a corpse. The result of the contents of 
 a revolver penetrating his heart, which had been taken 
 from his safe in his office, and discharged while in his 
 own hands. No other citizen of Edenburg was more 
 esteemed than Peter Spargo, and no death that ever oc- 
 curred in our midst was more deeply lamented. The 
 funeral, which took place Wednesday afternoon was 
 among the largest witnessed in this section for some 
 time. Services were held in the M. E. church, Rev. B. 
 F. Delo of Clarion officiating, during which our busi- 
 ness houses were closed. His remains were deposited 
 in the new cemetery, under the honors of the following 
 orders: George H. Covode Post, No. 112 G. A. R ; 
 Triumph Lodge, No. 1055 K. of H., and Edenburg 
 Lodge, No. 115 A. O. U. W. His family are left in 
 comfortable circumstances, he being insured to the 
 amount of $4,000. Mr. Spargo entered the army in 
 May 1861, as a private in Co. K. Regt. 42, P. V., at 
 the age of 17 years. Discharged May 22d, 1864, rank 
 
84 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 private, U. S. S. C. Date of muster into G. A. P., 
 December 3d, 1876. Committee of resolutions of re- 
 spect from G. A. R., M. E. Hess and B. F. Rhodes ; 
 committee for A. (). U. W v Nelson X. Booth, John H. 
 Mehrten and John C. Peters ; committee from Triumph 
 Lodge K. of H., with a vote of thanks from same to 
 Mrs. B. B. Dunn for floral decorations, J. H. Mehrten, 
 A. J. Smith and F. F. Whitehill. A coroner's jury 
 decided that Peter Spargo came to his death by acciden- 
 tal shooting by his own hand, or otherwise. Mr. Spar- 
 go left a wife and three sons. Mrs. Spargo and Frankie 
 live on Main street, John the second son is at school, a 
 student in Allegheny college. 
 
 In the spring of 1884, Laura Hauto and some oth- 
 er children were playing along the P. & W. railroad track, 
 just at the curve as it enters Edenburg from the east. 
 The other children, on hearing the train coming, ran un- 
 der the track, but Laura became confused and ran to- 
 ward the engine, and it ran over her and terribly man- 
 gled her little body. She was dead when lifted. The 
 verdict should have been wanton cruelty of the con- 
 ductor. 
 
 [From the Clarion County National.] 
 A SHOCKING OCCURRENCE. 
 
 GEORGE CUFFMAN, A CITIZEN OF EDENBLRG, MEETS A TERRIBLE FATE BY THE 
 BURNING OF CANOE PUMP STATION.— HIS MUTILATED REMA.INS BE- 
 YOND RECOGNITION.— FINDING OF CORONER'S JURY. 
 
 On Wednesday morning between 4 and rive o'clock, the National Tran- 
 sit Pump station, near Edenburg, known as Canoe Station, was discovered 
 to be on fire by a Mr. Hidings, who resides near by, and going to the boiler 
 house, kicked at the door so as to arouse the engineer, but receiving no 
 response, and presuming no person was in the house, he then ran to the 
 house of Mr. Frantz, an employe of the company and gave the alarm . 
 They immediatelv started back to the station, but when reaching it, the 
 fiery fiend had made too much headway and the structure was soon in 
 ashes. The body of Mr. George Cuffman, who run the forenoon tour, was 
 found lying with his face down, on the boiler house floor, burned to a 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 85 
 
 crisp, nothing being left of his feet or arms except a part of the right arm, 
 the back of the head being burned to the skull, rendering him beyond re- 
 cognition except by his watch, a tax receipt and some other papers found 
 about his person. The deceased was a brother of J. D. and James, Cuff- 
 man, and leaves a wife and two children to mourn the sad fate which 
 ended the life of a husband and father so suddenly, and in a manner so de- 
 plorable and mysterious. He was a member, (in good standing), of Eden- 
 burg Lodge. No. 115, A. 0. U. W. His charred and dislocated remains 
 were gathered up and conveyd to the undertakers rooms of Moore Bros. «fe 
 Co., preparatory to being removed to the home of his family on Peun 
 avenue for interment. His funeral will take place to-day (Friday) at 10 
 o'clock a. m. The origin of the fire is unknown, and the loss to the com- 
 pany will not fall short of §5,000. The following is the 
 
 FINDING OF THE JURY. 
 
 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Clarion, ss. 
 
 An inquisition inducted and taken at Edenburg, in the County of Clar- 
 ion, and State aforesaid, in the year, A. D.. 1885, and on the 11th day of 
 November, of said year, before J. L, Forker. Esq., acting as Coroner of the 
 said county, upon the view of the body of Geo. Cuffman, then and there 
 lying dead, upon the oaths of John Austin, Gr S. Hamm, C. A. Wheelock, 
 P. F. Kribbs, E. W. Crabbe and Samuel Clover, lawful men of the said 
 county, upon their oaths say that after viewing the body of the said dead, 
 and hearing all the evidence thought necessary in the case, find that the 
 said George Cuffman, deceased, came to his death by being burned in a boil- 
 er house at the pump station of the National Transit Company located 
 near Edenburg, in said county of Clarion. The origin of said fire 
 could not be learned by the said inquest. In witness whereof, as well, the 
 aforesaid Coroner as the jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their 
 hands and seals on the day and year, and at the place first mentioned. 
 
 J. L. Forker, Coroner. 
 
 At the time of the fire which occurred February 
 20th, 1886, which is recorded in the other place, we here 
 give the particulars of the burning of Win. T. Grove, at 
 Richie's restaurant : While most of the inmates es- 
 caped by a ladder from the outside, with poor Grove it was 
 different. It is supposed that he became confused and 
 descended the stairs, which led directly from the hall to 
 the kitchen, where the flames were the fiercest. Rodgers 
 was the last one who saw him alive. His charred re- 
 mains consisting of only the trunk of his body and his 
 head, were found when the building was totally de- 
 stroyed, lying on the ground in the place where the bot- 
 
86 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 torn of the stairs would have rested. This was by far 
 the saddest feature of the whole disaster. The coroner's 
 jurv could have but one verdict. His remains were 
 prepared for burial. His father, Mr. George Grove and 
 his brother-in-law, Walter Pool, iu answer to a tele- 
 gram, came on the early train and took his remains to 
 their home at Roger's Mills, near Brady's Bend, for in- 
 terment. He was 19 years old. 
 
 FIRES. 
 
 Edenburg can record more fires perhaps than any 
 other town in the State of Pennsylvania in the same 
 length of time. The first fire which occurred was a 
 house which was built for a hotel on the Emlenton and 
 Shippenville road, nearly opposite to Mr. Mendenhall's 
 residence. 
 
 The second was William Forker's foundry on south 
 Main street, in the spring of 1876. 
 
 The third was the M. E. church, January 5, 1877. 
 The house cost $5,000, was insured for $4,000. 
 
 The fourth fire, and the first one that was consid- 
 ered a conflagration, occurred January 13th, 1877, on- 
 ly eight davs after the destruction of the M. E. church. 
 It destroyed considerable property on the two principal 
 streets ot the town, Main and State streets. That part 
 of the town was very compactly built with large busi- 
 ness blocks. The fire occurred on Saturday evening and 
 continued until a late hour. It started in a room occu- 
 pied by a man and his wife, who resided above Lowell 
 & Livingston's clothing store, several blocks below cor- 
 ner of Main and State streets. The parties who lived 
 
AND EDEXBURQ PEOPLE. 87 
 
 there had gone out and perhaps had removed every- 
 thing valuable before doing so. After they left the 
 room the fire occurred. Some suppose it was a lamp 
 explosion, but mystery enshrouded the matter. The 
 fire rapidly gained headway, burning down and up State 
 street, and then swept around the corner, northward, until 
 it reached Wilbur'sjivery stable, where it was arrested. 
 The loss by this fire was estimated at $50,000, and 
 about twenty-two family residences and business places 
 were consumed. Much alarm was felt lest the fire 
 would reach large tanks of oil, located just back 
 of the Edenburg House, which, in such an event, 
 would have caused the fire to spread over the lower 
 part of the town. Also, a narrow escape from a nitro- 
 glycerine explosion. At the time the fire commenced 
 the Denniston Brothers had several cases of this dan- 
 gerous material deposited in Wilbur's livery barn. On 
 the alarm of fire it was quickly removed to a safe dis- 
 tance. Among the sufferers in this fire were Orr & 
 Brvan, H. J. Bethune, Lowell & Livingston, O. Durr- 
 num and many others. The Edenburg House being 
 burned, it was difficult for strangers to be accommodated, 
 as the town was then crowded with people — operators, 
 contractors, drillers, and strangers. The Bennett House, 
 built by D. W. Dyer, on the east side of Main street, 
 directly opposite to Mrs. Mendenhall's residence, which 
 is now on the corner of Church and Main streets, was 
 not quite completed ; but notwithstanding this inconve- 
 nience, the proprietor, J. L. Stemple, opened on the Mon- 
 day following the loth day of January, and finished and 
 furnished afterward. It was a fine, large three story 
 building, and while it existed, it was one of the leading 
 
88 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 houses. Many celebrities — men of science, lecturers and 
 
 dramatists lodged there. At a Masonic banquet held in 
 
 the Bennett house, in the winter of 1877, some of the 
 
 ladies wore costumes made in Paris. Very soon the 
 
 burnt district was rebuilt, and much better than before 
 
 the fire. Business was brisk, everything was moving 
 
 forward, money was plenty and the people gratified their 
 
 varied inclinations in its use. Those who loved sport 
 
 and the race, had organized a company and prepared a 
 
 race course on the north of Edenburg, on the Jacob 
 
 Switzer, jr., farm, at which they held Trotting Fair.-. 
 
 On the 19th of June, 1878, while a large part of the 
 
 population were attending one ol these fairs, the alarm 
 
 of fire was again heralded, much to the dismay of the 
 
 "Home Guards." It was soon discovered to be on Penn 
 
 avenue. At this scourge, more than a dozen dwellings, 
 
 besides a number of barns and out-houses, were laid 
 
 waste. Vbout twenty minutes of six, in the evening, fire 
 
 was discovered in a house on the avenue, belonging to 
 
 Mrs. Olds. Pennsylvania avenue is at right angles with 
 
 Main street, north of and parallel with State street. 
 
 With the exception of the west end, on which there were 
 
 a few business houses, it was lined <>n either side with 
 
 neat cottages, the houses of business men and those who 
 
 produced the crude. Halfway up the hill was the house 
 
 of Mrs. Olds. This house was an elongated structure, 
 
 divided by partitions, so that it could be occupied by a 
 
 number of families. Miss Aken, who lived in the rear 
 
 portion of the house, first found the partition between 
 
 her apartment and that occupied by Mrs. Day to be on 
 
 fire. Most of the house- being tinder box structures, and 
 
 built in the manner common to oildom, the flames 
 
AND EDEXBUEG PEOPLE. 89 
 
 warmed up the surroundings and rapidly made their way 
 to the adjoining buildings on the same side of the street. 
 H. F. Whiting's plastered house, the finest on the 
 avenue, was the first to catch ou the north side of 
 the street. It was a hard fought field, the supply of 
 water being limited, but there was a spirit of heroism, 
 displayed at that fire by some men which is seldom 
 equaled. Quite a stiff breeze was blowing to the north- 
 east and in this direction the flames were borne. Their 
 fury was arrested on the north side at the residence of 
 J. A. Travis — a wide cross street lying between his 
 house and Whiting's. On the south side it was arrested 
 at the Dr. O. G. Moore property. Miss Carrie Corbett 
 the daughter of the proprietress of a boarding house, was 
 arrested on suspicion, but after detaining her in the lock- 
 up all night, and giving her a hearing in the morning, 
 she was discharged. The following properties were de- 
 stroyed : 
 
 J. S. Harley, furniture and clothing $200, no in- 
 surance ; J. I. Best, building occupied by Mr. Harley, 
 $500, insured for $300 ; W. F. Hamilton, house, bam 
 and furniture, $900, insured for $800 with Farmers and 
 Mechanics' Insurance Company of Pennsylvania ; L. 
 Orkett, building $350, furniture and clothing $200 ; 
 W. W. Cochenower, house $395, furniture and clothing 
 $250, insured with Watertown, K Y., for $600 ; Rob- 
 ert's Torpedo Co., represented by the Denniston Bros., 
 barn and furniture $300, no insurance ; H. F. Whit- 
 ing, plastered house and furniture $4,000, insured for 
 $2,000 with the ^Etna, of Hartford ; A. C. Willough- 
 by, plastered dwelling house $2,000, insured for $1,250 
 with ^Etna, of Hartford ; Foust House, $500 ; James 
 
90 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 Elliott, house and furniture §750. This fire was thought 
 to be incendiary, but no proof could be had. 
 
 THE INCENDIARY TORCH AG A IX. 
 
 April 14th, 1878, another dastardly attempt was 
 made to destroy the town by fire. On the morning of 
 this day the window easing in W. M. Kirkpatrick's 
 grocery store on Main street, was saturated with kero- 
 sene oil and fired. A colored man discovered the fire 
 and roused the owner, who with the aid of his wife, 
 soon extinguished the flames, which were already creep- 
 ing up the side of the building. After this and other 
 indications of incendiarism the citizens detailed a large 
 number of men, who took turns by squads of six. Every 
 precaution was taken for a time, but just when the night 
 watch was lulled into security the most fatal fire of all 
 occurred. 
 
 THE GREAT FIRE. THE LITTLE CITY ALMOST SWEPT 
 
 OUT OF EXISTEXCE. 
 
 Thirteen is an unlucky number for Edenburg. It 
 was on the 13th of January, 1887, that the place re- 
 ceived its first baptism of fire, when $50,000 worth of 
 property was wiped out at a breath. On the 13th of 
 October 1877, occurred the terrible conflagration of 
 which we now speak, and which will long be remem- 
 bered as the most destructive that ever occurred in the 
 oil country, a region so famous for its terrible fires. 
 At ten minutes after four o'clock, on the above date, 
 the fire was discovered breaking out in the rear of 
 Wilbur's livery stable. The alarm was promptly given 
 by policeman E. J. Little, on discovering the flames, by 
 blowing the whistle at the oil well back of the Edenburg 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 91 
 
 House. Within a very brief space of time thereafter, 
 Main, State and Railroad streets were all ablaze. By this 
 time the sleeping city was aroused and in a very few 
 minutes the streets were filled with people. The com- 
 bustible material in the livery stable was soon on fire, 
 and the entire building wrapped in a sheet of flame. So 
 speedily was the building enveloped that it was impossi- 
 ble to get out the stock, and ten horses were roasted to 
 death. It is impossible to describe the scene at this ter- 
 rible moment, nor will it be attempted here. It was a 
 sight that no Edenburger will be likely to ever forget, 
 who witnessed it. To see the flames leap from building 
 to building and no means to arrest their progress. Men, 
 women and children ran half clothed from their blazing 
 houses, glad to have escaped with their lives. Heroic 
 efforts were made to check the progress of the fire, but 
 they were of little avail. The town was surely fired by 
 an incendiary and it was thought the water mains were 
 cut. The entire water system was found to be inade- 
 quate to meet the wants of the moment, and to this un- 
 fortunate circumstance can be attributed in a great meas- 
 ure the almost total destruction of the busy, bustling 
 town. In two hours after the fire broke out, thirty 
 acres of buildings were leveled to the ground, a mass of 
 smoking ruins. One hundred and seventy-four build- 
 ings, including the handsome M. E. church, the post- 
 office, express office, banks, stores and dwelling houses, 
 were destroyed by the fiery demon. The insurance was 
 but a trifle more than one-fourth of the loss. The town 
 up to 1876 was an inconsiderable hamlet, but with the 
 rapid development of the territory in the vicinity, and 
 the advance in oil to four dollars a barrel, it grew into a 
 
92 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 large town, and simultaneous with its growth was the 
 construction of the narrow gauge railroad connecting it 
 with Emlenton, on the Allegheny Valley railroad. It 
 thus became a business center, eclipsing in importance 
 all other distinctively oil towns. 
 
 The generosity of the people of the oil country, 
 known the world over, was happily illustrated in the 
 burning of Edenburg. Everybody had already given, 
 some from their abundance, others from their poverty, 
 for the aid of the fever stricken South, but when the 
 electric flash told of people suffering at home, every hand 
 was extended with assistance. The sister cities, Elk 
 City, Shippenville, Foxburg, St. Petersburg, Clarion 
 and Parker all responded at the first intimation. Oil 
 City gave wit'h a generous hand. In a few day s she had 
 contributed to the amount of $1,035 in cash. Of this 
 amount the United Pipe Lines gave $500. Duprez & 
 Benedict's Minstrels, at the Grand Opera House in Oil 
 City, and George Fawcett Rovre, at Mead vi lie, each gave 
 the receipts of one entertainment, less their expenses, to 
 the sufferers by the fire. Major Maitland's telegram to 
 the manager of the United Pipe Lines, informing him 
 of the terrible fate that had befallen poor Edenburg, was 
 the first intelligence of the fire sent from the town. 
 
 Edenburg, October 13th, 1878. 
 To E. Hopkins,— 
 
 General Manager United Lines, Oil City : — 
 
 I write amid the ruins of what was yesterday a busy town. Desolation 
 reigns from State street to Sheridan's machine shop, and from the railroad 
 to the hillside in the rear of our office, everything i-s swept clear. In short 
 all the business portion of the town is in ruins, leaving one hotel and 
 Kribbs' brick block and two machine shops. The fire originated in Wil- 
 bur's livery stable. 3 o'clock, A. M. As there was no water nothing could 
 be done to stay the flames and each one was intent upon saving his own 
 property. We saved all our books and office furniture. Some unimpor- 
 tant papers were left in the vault, which is yet unopened. We are 
 
AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 93 
 
 snugly ensconced in the old Empire office and repair men are on the way 
 from Petrolia to put in wires, and before business hours we think will be 
 in good working: shape. Such a calamity has never before befallen our 
 town. The hill sides are covered with goods saved, and many poor fami - 
 lies are surrounded by their all, homeless, without money and seemingly 
 without friends. It calls loudly for active sympathy, that sympathy which 
 goes clear down to the bottom of our pockets. God only knows what will 
 become of these people. 
 
 J. B. Maitland, Superintendent. 
 The relief committee meets at 2 o'clock, p. m., at the Opera House. 
 What shall I say for the United Pipe Line ? J. B, M. 
 
 MANAGER HOPKIN'S RESPONSE. 
 
 Oil City, Pa., October 13th, 1878. 
 To J. B. Maitland, Edenburg. 
 
 Will not be able to consult any one to-day, but will advise you to- 
 morrow. Say §'500 for immediate relief on my responsibility. 
 
 E. H. Hopkins. 
 
 On receipt of this telegram Major Maitland in- 
 formed the relief committee, which had already been ap- 
 pointed, that they could purchase $500 worth of sup- 
 plies for the needy on account of the United Lines. This 
 intelligence was hailed with tears of gratitude by many 
 poor families who had been deprived of their all, and 
 were actually suffering. The relief committee went to 
 work at once and purchased food and clothing sufficient 
 to relieve the immediate wants of all. The hill sides 
 with which the town is walled in on every side, were 
 covered with people — men, women and children — guard- 
 ing little piles of household goods, which they had man- 
 aged to save from the almost universal ruin. The hand 
 of sweet charity is always a benediction, and in this case 
 the assistance proffered came like a blessing to many, for 
 there were many who had not saved a dime or a crumb, 
 and barely enough clothing to cover them. The next 
 offering of money, after the United Pipe Line contribu- 
 tion, was $25 from Turkey City. Elk City and Ship- 
 penville were each on the ground early with loads of 
 provisions. As to which arrived first, the Elk City or 
 
94 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Shippenville representatives, can not be definitely stated 
 as both claim the honor. Oil City, as usual, was not be- 
 hind in the matter of charity. The town had just sent 
 out about §2.000 to the yellow fever sufferers, and more 
 was still being raised for the same purpose, when the 
 news came of Edenburg's calamity. Every heart was 
 touched, and on Monday morning Mr. W. P. Finley 
 passed around a paper among the members of the Oil 
 Exchange, and requested them to contribute something 
 to help those persons who lost their all in the fire. The 
 members responded with their usual liberality, and in a 
 short time he had raised the sum of $500. He then 
 sent the following telegram : 
 
 Oil City, Pa., October 15th, 1878. 
 
 C. W. Guild, Ch'm. Relief Committee Edenburg ; — 
 
 You may draw on me for $500, amount donated by the Oil City Oil 
 Exchange. W. P. Finley. 
 
 In a short time the following answer was received : 
 
 W. P. Finley, Oil City, Par- 
 Accept our thanks for your liberal donation from the Exchange. 
 
 Charles W. Guild, 
 Chairman Relief Committee. 
 
 Of the money donated, J. A. Bpstwick gave §100, 
 the Standard Oil Company §50, H. L. Taylor $50, Jos. 
 Seep $25, Charles Pratt & Co., §50, Wm. Hasson $20, 
 and others smaller amounts. On the following morning 
 §35 additional was subscribed by the Oil Exchange for 
 the benefit of the sufferers. This last contribution makes 
 a total of §535 donated to the cause by the Exchange, 
 and all told from the city §1.035. The following cor- 
 respondence explains itself: 
 
 Oil City, Pa.. October 17th, I <7^. 
 C. W. Guild, Chairman Relief Committee, Edenburg:— 
 
 You may draw on me for $35 more donated by the Oil Exchange 
 here for the Edenburg sufferers. Wm. P. Finley. 
 
AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 95 
 
 Edenbukg, Pa., October 17th, 1878. 
 W. P. Finley :— 
 
 Accept our thanks for your liberal donation from the Exchange. 
 
 Charles W. Guild, 
 Chairman Relief Committee, 
 
 Mr. OfFey, of the Parker Oil Exchange, was on 
 the ground, and after looking over the desolated scene 
 sent a telegram to Mr. Theodore Tack to the effect that 
 although there were no cases of absolute distress, before 
 morning many persons would go hungry unless food 
 was furnished them. Mr. OfPey concluded his telegram 
 with these words : "What will the Exchange do ?" 
 Mr. Tack immediately started with a subscription paper, 
 and in twenty minutes had raised $123. This amount 
 was at once dispatched to the relief committee. Parker 
 increased her subscription to the amount of §175, and 
 was ready to send more if necessary. 
 
 The aggregate cash donations sent to the commit- 
 tee amounted to upwards of $2,000. Beside the cash 
 donations, load after load of provisions were sent in from 
 all parts ol the county, as well as from the counties ad- 
 jacent, and the horn of plenty seemed to have been 
 emptied into the lap of the prostrate city. The gentle- 
 men who were delegated with the important trust of dis- 
 tributing this charity worked hard and faithfully and 
 rendered complete satisfaction in every particular. It 
 may be interesting to the reader to read a list of dona- 
 tions : 
 
 DONATIONS, 
 
 United Pipe Lines $ 500 00 
 
 Turkey City 25 00 
 
 E. M. Grant, Foxburg 50 00 
 
 Marcus Hulings, Oil City 100,00 
 
 [To draw for $100 more if necessary.] 
 
 Parker City Oil Exchange 195 00 
 
 Dr. J. M. Harding, Oil City 5 00 
 
96 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 Oil City Oil Exchange 535 00 
 
 J. M. Guffey, St. Petersburg 150 00 
 
 Foxburg 50 00 
 
 C. W. Little - 10 00 
 
 Gen. Harry White 50 00 
 
 Bradley & Co 100 00 
 
 Oil Well Supply Company Limited 100 00 
 
 M. E. Hess 30 00 
 
 Major J. B. Maitland 25 00 
 
 Emlenton Relief Association, cash and provisions 100 00 
 
 L. F. Barger 10 00 
 
 St. Petersburg, cash and supplies 250 00 
 
 Total 82.245 00 
 
 Elk City, one load of provisions ; Shippenville, one load of provi- 
 sions ; Clarion, one large load of r rovisions ; Paint township, one load of 
 provisions ; E. H. Beckwith, two barrels refined oil ; a farmer a large 
 quantity of vegetables. 
 
 Relief Committee, headquarters Kribbs block: Charles W. Guild, 
 chairman ; P. F. Kribbs, E. D. Crum, J. W. Sindorf, T. W. Burchinell, W. 
 H. Stewart, Hugh Amo and S. Breckenridge. 
 
 Citizen's Committee : headquarters at W. W Greenland's office. H. 
 F. Whiting, chairman; M. E. Hess, treasurer; L. F Barger, secretary ; L. 
 
 D. Crandall, Col. J. B. Brown and Maj. J. B. Maitland. 
 
 The following is a list of the losses and insurance : 
 
 MAIN STREET. 
 
 Loss Insurance 
 
 I. S. Harley, boots and shoes $ 4,500 00 8 2,000 00 
 
 J. M. Place, store building 800 00 500 00 
 
 T. J. Crawford, postoffice 2,800 00 800 00 
 
 J. D. Wolf, Proprietor Grand Central 5,000 00 
 
 Mrs. Grumpy, Grand Central 3,000 00 
 
 J. C. Swan & Co., druggists 2,500 00 1,000 00 
 
 W. C. Andrews, druggist 500 00 3 00 00 
 
 H. R. Burgess, druggist 2,000 00 750 00 
 
 J. Brucker, tailor, on stock 200 00 
 
 W. H. Crawford, confectionery 400 00 400 00 
 
 H. E. Ames, tools and household 150 00 
 
 M. E. Church and parsonage 8,000 00 5,000 00 
 
 Ross House 4,000 00 
 
 C. A. Wheelock, five buildings 4,500 00 1,750 00 
 
 John Walater, meat market 700 00 
 
 Stewart &. Hazlett, St, Cloud 2.800 00 
 
 Brown & Son, office 250 00 
 
 S. J. Stemple, City Hotel 2,600 00 
 
 Sam Gibbs 1.000 00 
 
 Wm.Kirkpatrick, grocer 3.000 00 500 00 
 
 Mrs. J. G. Mendenhall 2,000 00 1,700 00 
 
 New York Clothing Store, J. Barrance 6,000 00 3,500 00 
 
 J. L. Shaner, jeweler 1,000 00 
 
AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 97 
 
 2,700 00 
 800 00 
 
 4,000 00 
 
 400 00 
 
 600 00 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 400 00 
 
 2,000 00 
 
 800 00 
 
 3,000 00 
 
 1,500 00 
 
 Tommie Travers, clothing 5,60° 00 
 
 W. S. Brown, furniture 3,000 °° 
 
 Mrs. Geo. C. Steele, Mendenhall mansion 3,000 00 
 
 Mrs. Newman, milliner 300 °0 
 
 United Pipe Lines 2,500 00 
 
 O. G. Moore, dentist 50 9° 
 
 J. M. Gifford, Herald 800 00 
 
 Dr. Rea, furniture 10 ° °° 
 
 Mrs. N. Brown, three store rooms 5,500 00 
 
 Agent Titusville laundry 25 °° 
 
 Dr. E. W. Northrop, two buildings 2,500 00 
 
 D. W. Dyei, Bennett House 12,000 00 
 
 G. S. Mendenhall, seven buildings 2,000 00 
 
 S. P. Morrison 6u0 00 
 
 P. F. Kribbs, one budding and damage to others... 2 000 00 
 
 Selby Bros., law office 800 00 
 
 Oil Exchange building 3,000 00 
 
 Braunswigers boot and shoe store 3,000 00 
 
 Toot McConnell. Petroleum House 4,100 00 
 
 Clarion County Bank and Edenburg bank building 3 000 CO 
 
 J. H. Wilbur, livery stable and tenant houses 2,400 00 
 
 A. R. Chamberlain, hardware 1,500 04 
 
 A. L. Bunnel 1.000 00 
 
 E. W. Crabbe 3,000 00 250 00 
 
 Eaton, Cole & Bumham, building and well 1,500 00 
 
 Geo. Mayer, tobacconist 800 00 
 
 Flynn & Hamm, dry goods 15,000 00 
 
 Western Union Telegraph, furniture 100 00 
 
 Litchen, store building and stock 2,500 00 
 
 Hugh Amo, tobacconist 200 00 
 
 E. Timlin 2,000 00 
 
 Lizzie Quinn, milliner 500 00 
 
 Lina Frank 500 00 350 00 
 
 Mrs. Mack, milliner 500 00 
 
 A. C. Dinker, grocer 600 00 600 00 
 
 Mrs. John Smith 500 00 
 
 P. M. Magee 300 00 
 
 John Sheridan, residence and two wells 2,500 00 
 
 Jas. Crisp, dwelling 300 00 
 
 W. C. Davis, dwelling 300 00 
 
 G. W. Goodyear, dwelling 200 00 
 
 J. M. Strong, furniture 300 00 300 00 
 
 L. Hirsch & Co , clothing 9,000 00 5,100 00 
 
 R. W. Finch, artist 1,000 00 300 00 
 
 Miss M, A. McKeuzie & Upham, millinery. ..% 500 00 
 
 Charles Supes, building 1,500 00 
 
 Rev. P. P. Pinney, furniture 500 00 500 00 
 
 Dr. F. P. Langfitt, library, &c 500 00 
 
 J. P. McQuiston, dry goods 4,000 00 2.000 00 
 
 Robert's Torpedo Office, Denniston Bros 250 00 
 
 13 000 00 
 
98 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 Crosby & Meredith 100 00 
 
 Canning & Bros 200 00 
 
 J. Levy, dry goods 8,500 00 5,000 00 
 
 W. B. Harley. grocer 8,000 00 
 
 Bradley & Co 3,500 00 2,250 00 
 
 Hathaway & Thatcher, Newport House 2,000 00 300 00 
 
 B, F. Jarvis, tinware 6.000 00 1,600 00 
 
 Price, dwelling 100 00 
 
 Samuel Hill, dwelling 100 00 
 
 H. Wink, dwelling 150 00 
 
 Rev. Leffingwell, dwelling 100 00 
 
 J. Brucker, dwelling 400 TO 
 
 Marlin oil well 500 00 
 
 Ed. Sackett, household goods 370 00 
 
 S. M. Crosby, house and furniture 1,500 00 600 00 
 
 Nachman & Co., tobacconists 600 00 600 00 
 
 Masonic Lodge. Kribbs' Block, damaged 100 00 
 
 Sundry individual losses 2,000 00 
 
 Different societies 500 00 
 
 STATE STREET. 
 
 Kribbs Block, Cor. Main and State 1,000 00 
 
 Loyd Walter, grocery 9,000 00 
 
 Will Horner, clothing 4,500 00 
 
 A. A. Aklen & Bro., building 1,600 00 
 
 Zuver & Hall, billiards 3,000 00 
 
 M. E. Hess, well fixtures 500 00 
 
 Noble & Co., meat market 800 00 
 
 Robert Bryan, buildings 8.000 00 
 
 Orr Brothers, hotel 10,000 00 
 
 B. Isaacs & Co 3,500 00 
 
 Mrs. O.Jepson, restaurant 1,500 00 
 
 P. A. Warnock, hotel 2,600 00 
 
 Gaily & Wilson, bakery 1,500 00 
 
 N. W. Brown. 3 buildings 800 00 
 
 Oyster Ocean 1,000 00 
 
 Garrett House 4,000 00 
 
 J. A. Jordan, clothing 2,500 00 1,200 00 
 
 Brown & Crandall, commission store 50 00 
 
 S. Moss 150 00 
 
 Wails & Phillipps. oil well 600 00 
 
 G. W. Gilson 2oil wells 1,500 00 
 
 G. S. Duncan, office 100 00 
 
 H. M. Zigle, clothing 2,600 00 800 00 
 
 Beardsly & Draper, saloon 1,200 00 900 00 
 
 T. S. Sieger, books 200 00 
 
 A. Myers, wholesale liquor, damage 200 00 
 
 Henry Schoen, Edenburg Bazaar 2.400 00 400 00 
 
 M. Harold, livery stable 1,500 00 1,500 00 
 
 Dr. Powell 100 00 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 2.000 00 
 
 2,000 00 
 
 800 00 
 
 1,200 00 
 
 500 00 
 
 1,500 00 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 1,200 00 
 
 400 00 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 
 
 De France & Urey, druggists ». 
 
 B. Simons, tobacconist 
 
 Peter Cramer 
 
 Henry Steuart, loss of clothing 
 
 Mrs. Emma Marr, damage 
 
 George Higer, butcher 
 
 Dr. Eddy, fixtures 
 
 O. Dunning, Globe Hotel 
 
 F. Englert, bakery 
 
 Lovejoy, grocery 
 
 Angell's drug store, vacant 
 
 Hardenburg, livery 
 
 Knarr's meat market 
 
 Mrs. Sarver. millinery 
 
 Pollock, bakery 
 
 Morrison's music store, vacant 
 
 J. Rawlin's Arcade Hotel 
 
 G. Kilgour's shoe shop 
 
 RAILROAD STREET. 
 
 P. Moran, wholesale liquors 
 
 Moran & Boyce, hotel 
 
 M. S. Booth, billiard room 
 
 Herman Stern, confectionery 
 
 W. McNamara, saloon 
 
 Thomas Klingensmith 
 
 P. Dhrew, hotel 
 
 A. C. Morrison, hotel 
 
 Charles Guild's, Exchange Hotel and office. 
 
 Wm. Jahn, dwelling and stock 
 
 Eagle Hotel, vacant 
 
 C. E. Gibbs, owner of Pittsburg House 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. 
 
 Dong Sing, laundry 
 
 Fox Draper, laundry 
 
 Crisley's blacksmith shop , 
 
 Hancomb's bowling alley 
 
 J. A. Travis, livery barn 
 
 Kerr, Tinker & Co , 
 
 H. F. Whiting, stored goods 
 
 Six oil wells , 
 
 B. Kirley's sucker rod manufactory. 
 
 Coefield & Hammond, office 
 
 George Sheffield, office 
 
 Harold's livery shed.. 
 Furlong's dwelling.... 
 John Coast's oil well. 
 
 3. 
 
 99 
 
 2,000 00 
 
 
 3,000 00 
 
 1,200 00 
 
 800 00 
 
 
 50 00 
 
 
 100 00 
 
 
 600 00 
 
 400 00 
 
 100 00 
 
 
 2,600 00 
 
 900 00 
 
 2,600 00 
 
 1,400 00 
 
 200 00 
 
 
 600 00 
 
 100 00 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 
 200 00 
 
 
 100 00 
 
 
 300 00 
 
 
 500 00 
 
 
 100 00 
 
 
 300 00 
 
 
 2,500 00 
 
 500 00 
 
 2,000 00 
 
 500 00 
 
 600 00 
 
 
 1,600 00 
 
 850 00 
 
 500 00 
 
 
 900 00 
 
 800 00 
 
 3,000 00 
 
 
 2,800 00 
 
 1,500 00 
 
 L0,000 00 
 
 2,100 00 
 
 2,000 00 
 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 
 800 00 
 
 500 00 
 
 100 00 
 
 
 100 00 
 
 
 500 00 
 
 
 200 00 
 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 
 500 00 
 
 
 300 00 
 
 
 5,000 00 
 
 
 500 00 
 
 
 150 00 
 
 
 150 00 
 
 
 100 00 
 
 
 50 00 
 
 
 500 00 
 
 
100 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 i OHIO STREET. 
 
 E. &S. R. R. depot 2,500 00 1,000 00 
 
 Fruit stand in depot 100 00 
 
 Oil Well Supply Co 30.000 00 unknown 
 
 Chalfant <fc Graff 30,000 00 13.600 00 
 
 Putnam's livery barn 1,000 00 
 
 Vacant building 200 00 
 
 Union Express Co 100 00 
 
 8411,335 00 §106,150 00 
 
 After the fire, warm, delightful weather prevailed 
 up to Thursday afternoon, the 17th inst., when a rain 
 of considerable volume set in ; but rain as fast as it might 
 the work of building went rapidly on. The clear rap of 
 the hammer, the grating of the saw and sound of the 
 plane could be heard on every hand. Wagons and cars 
 loaded with all sorts of lumber were being unloaded con- 
 tinually. Carpenters with kits of tools could be seen 
 flocking from every direction. Many business localities 
 were changed. People not familiar with the indomita- 
 ble pluck and energy of the citizens peopling the oil 
 towns, shook their heads sorrowfully when they heard 
 the awful story of the fire, and the wide-spread ruin and 
 desolation it had wrought, and said : "Ah, well, this is 
 the last of Edenburg." They were never more mis- 
 taken. 
 
 "When Greece City, Modoc and a few of the earlier 
 towns were leveled to the earth by fire, they lay prone 
 and helpless. Not so with Edenburg. Although all 
 swept away but the ragged edges, she shows unmistaka- 
 ble evidence of soon springing into life. Owing to the 
 removal of business the great Northern Oil Fields, pre- 
 vious to the holacaust which came so near wiping Eden- 
 burg from the face of the earth, the place contained its 
 share of unoccupied buildings. It was a self evident 
 
AXD EDENBUKG PEOPLE. 101 
 
 fact that there was more of Edeuburg than the business 
 of the community demanded. The new Edenburg will 
 be built up with a view to the demands of business, and 
 will not be over done. There is still a large oil produc- 
 tion in the territory surrounding the town, and will be 
 for many years to come. To this fact is due the speedy 
 building up of the place." 
 
 CHIT CHAT ABOUT THE FIRE. 
 
 Messrs. Sackett & Long, of the Clarion House, will long be gratefully 
 remembered by many persons whose immediate wants they relieved with 
 their usual promptness. Scores of sufferers by the fire were taken in and 
 fed by them. 
 
 A little girl entered the relief committee rooms with a huge basket 
 which she wanted filled with provisions. Mr. Guild asked her where she 
 was from and she replied Beaver City. The affable chairman blandly in- 
 formed her that Beaver City was not included in the burned district. 
 
 The peanut man was the first to resume business. 
 
 The ruins were visited by thousands of people on Sabbath and since 
 daily by hundreds. 
 
 A woman was seen throwing a large rocking chair out of the second 
 story window, and soon after was seen coming down complacently carry- 
 ing a bundle of clothes. 
 
 Up to Thursday the average number of families supplied by the re- 
 lief committee, was one hundred and twenty-five, of individuals furnished 
 with meals, one hundred. Also transportation has been furnished a num- 
 ber who wanted to go to friends. 
 
 Quite a con! est between Main and State streets which will get the 
 postoffice. Main street won. State street also requested the railroad com- 
 pany to locate their new building on it. It was located on Railroad street. 
 The M. E. church edifice was the finest and most costly structure con- 
 sumed. 
 
 It is needless to say that Edenburg after this terri- 
 ble fire, Phoenix like, rose grander than before. The 
 buildings were better. It presented a fine appearance 
 when the new buildings were completed. The streets 
 were widened thirty feet. Business soon moved on as 
 though nothing had occurred. The spring of 1879 was 
 opening up beautifully, the weather was all that any one 
 could desire and business was looming up accordingly. 
 On the morning of April 19th, 1879, Mr. F. L. Ben- 
 
102 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 singer, who had been detained on business in his store 
 until 2 o'clock, discovered flames issuing from a vacant 
 house south of Kribbs' Block. He at once gave the 
 alarm and hurried to the scene, and as he approached 
 the building he heard sounds as of some one running 
 away, but he could discover nothing in the darkness. It 
 was supposed that some miscreant had scattered coal oil 
 on the second floor of the building and applied the match. 
 This blaze destroyed ten buildings, and the loss was es- 
 timated at $10,000. It occurred on south Main street, 
 which up to this time had escaped the scourge, with the 
 exception of the burning of Win. Forker's foundry. 
 
 At 9 o'clock, on Saturday evening, May 22d, 1880, 
 while many of the people were attending a circus on the 
 hill-side, west of town, a fire originated in the United 
 States Hotel, on Railroad street, next to the P. & W. 
 R. R. depot. This fire was undoubtedly the work of 
 an incendiary as the house was vacant. Mr. R. A. 
 Walker of the United Lines noticed a light spring up 
 in one of the chambers of the hotel. Everything had 
 been taken out of the house for over a month. He 
 sounded the alarm, but before enough of people could be 
 assembled, the fire had gained headway. When the 
 alarm of fire reached the circus one of the most exciting 
 scenes occurred. Men became wild with fright and 
 some ladies fainted — such a horror had each one of the 
 dreaded cry, "Fire !" In making their egress the pas- 
 sages became crowded so that there was danger of being 
 trodden under foot. Men resorted to removing the bar- 
 riers by stripping the canvas to shreds. Such a scene of 
 excitement and struggling humanity had never been 
 witnessed in the town. On arriving at the fire but lit- 
 
AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 103 
 
 tie could be accomplished. It was at once decided that 
 nothing could be done to save buildings, consequently 
 the best and only thing to be done was to remove and 
 save the goods. The tables were removed from Zuver's 
 billiard hall, and every house which was supposed to be 
 at a safe distance from the fire was full in a few min- 
 utes. W. I. McDowell, the faithful clerk in Cochran's 
 hardware and oil well supply store, detailed a squad to 
 save it, which was successfully accomplished after a des- 
 perate battle with the monster. Another squad by 
 a similar effort saved the depot. The names swept 
 on and consumed everything in their course on both sides 
 of Railroad street to the corner of Railroad and Main. 
 Here a desperate effort was made to save Hamm's store, 
 but it was of no avail. The fire turned the corner north- 
 ward and spent its fury on the east side of Main street 
 until it passed Kernick's music store and there it was 
 arrested at an open space. It turned the other corner of 
 Railroad and Main streets and swept both sides of Main 
 street south of Railroad street. Several building's were 
 torn down to arrest its further progress — among others 
 was the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Steele. On the 
 east side of Main street the stand was made at the Wil- 
 bur livery barn, now owned by Mr. Wood. Several 
 times the barn caught fire but was as often extinguished. 
 This fire swept away over sixty buildings, at a loss of 
 from $75,000 to $80,000. Mr. Oris. Exley was seen at 
 the circus and at the fire, but has never been seen or 
 heard of since. One other incident of this fire : Mrs 
 Mendenhall had her garden planted and the vegetables 
 were beginning to show green, when all G. S. Hamm's 
 store goods were carried over and laid upon them. 
 
104 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Neither fish, salt or sugar would grow any more than 
 dry goods, consequently her garden was a barren waste. 
 In this fire as in the October fire, J. M. Gifford's home 
 and the Herald were destroyed, also Gibbs' shoe store, 
 J. L. Shaner's jewelry store, and two fine buildings 
 owned by J. Alexander. Up to that time Main street 
 was the Broadway of Edenburg, built up in the finest 
 taste ever displayed in the town, with fine offices, bank 
 buildings and stores of every description. Misses Was- 
 sum & Crick, Miss M. S. McKinzie, the Postoffice, J. 
 P. McQuiston, the Newport House, J. W. Cowan, D. & 
 F. Rieff, Pat Moran's liquor store, Wm. Kernick's music 
 store, G. S. Hamra's dry goods store, (his third scorch- 
 ing) were all destroyed. Some became discouraged and 
 removed to other fields. Others took it as something 
 they might expect and went to work to rebuild ; but not 
 so many fine buildings were erected. One person had 
 erected a two story building and had it ready to finish 
 off, when, in June, a severe wind storm came and blew 
 it down. At this fire, as at former ones, was witnessed 
 the true sympathy which exists in oil towns more than 
 in any other. St. Petersburg, Clarion and all the towns 
 along the line of the railroad, sent tangible evidences of 
 a common humanity, in their general bequests. 
 
 A THREE MONTH'S ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAST HOLO- 
 CAUST. 
 
 At 3:40, on the morning of August 22d, just three 
 month's after the last fire, our citizens were again awak- 
 ened from their slumbers by the dreaded alarm of fire — 
 doubly dreaded on account of the terrible experiences 
 thev had passed through three times, when the ill fated 
 city had been swept by the devastating element. At first 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 105 
 
 they could scarcely realize, that they were called upon 
 so soon to battle with the enemy, but the terrible reality 
 was plain that they must put forth an herculean effort or 
 let the flames devour everything. The flames were seen 
 issuing from the rear of Wheelock's & Moore's livery 
 stable (late Wood's and formerly Wilbur's) by Mrs. S. 
 W. Clover, who awakened her husband to give the 
 alarm. Mr. Clover appeared on the street as soon as 
 possible and noticed that the rear of the barn had been 
 saturated with oil. He gave the alarm and was soon 
 re-inforced by others, but were too late to save any effects 
 from the barn. Seven horses, one very valuable, owned 
 by E. G. Crawford, with a number of complete rigs, 
 were destroyed. Two boys who were sleeping in the 
 office were nearly suffocated with the smoke or odor of 
 burning oil, which, it was supposed, had been thrown on 
 to start the fire. In ten minutes after discovered the 
 fiery demon held sway and with its destructive fangs 
 lapped in its embrace the following new buildings which 
 had been erected since May 2 2d : 8. Gibbs, boots and 
 shoes ; J. L. Shaner, jeweler ; O. G. Moore, dentist ; E. 
 W. Crabbe, unoccupied ; Clem Berlin, fruits ; J. W. 
 Woodington, unfinished ; J. M. Mong, unoccupied, and 
 J. A. Palm, news room. These were all north of 
 Wheelock's livery. J. A. Weaver, billiards; Petroleum 
 House, S. W. Clover, proprietor ; Tommie Travers, 
 clothing store, and J. I. Best, boots and shoes. These 
 were old buildings south of the barn, all on Main street. 
 On State street, H. R. Burgess, drugs ; Miss White, 
 dressmaker, up stairs ; J. L. Miller, grocery ; D. W. 
 Lewis and family, up stairs ; Fred Englert, residence 
 and bakery. The latter was torn down, which saved 
 
106 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 * 
 
 the balance of State street. The drug .store of Wood- 
 ward & Co., and Mayes' building, tenanted by Mrs. 
 H. R. Brown's clothing store, by hard fighting, were 
 saved. G. S. Hamm's store was saved this time, also 
 Mong tv. Magee's large store was saved. It was just 
 three months from the May fire which was checked, 
 where this one commenced. It commenced at the same 
 spot and exactly at the same hour, almost to a minute, 
 as the fire of October 13th, 1878. The loss aftthis, called 
 the Auo ust fire, was estimated at fifteen thousand dol- 
 la is, but fell heavier on the sufferers than any previous 
 one, owing to the slight insurance. 
 
 Edenburg people are patient and heroic, but quar- 
 terly fires of this calibre are sufficient to shake the pa- 
 tience of the old patriarch of patience. There is no 
 doubt but that this fire was the work of an incendiary, 
 as the smell of burning oil could plainly be discerned at 
 the commencement, as if rags were saturated and placed 
 in position, and there were no fires lighted for any pur- 
 pose in the immediate vicinity. The people rebuilt af- 
 ter this fire and business went on, but not so brisk as 
 formerly. The Bradford field was at that time the great 
 attraction. 
 
 Miss M. McKinzie, who had rebuilt, lost her house 
 on Main street, by fire the following March, 1881, 
 caused by a defective stove-pipe. 
 
 In February, 1886, Mr. Jesse Smith, on west State 
 street lost his house by a flow of gas. They saved most 
 of their goods, but the house was consumed in a few 
 minutes. They rebuilt and have a very pretty home 
 now on the same site. 
 
 At half-past two o'clock on Saturday morning, Feb- 
 
AND EDENBUPG PEOPLE. 107 
 
 ruary, 1 XW, another disastrous fire broke out and de- 
 stoyed a block of wooden buildings on Main street, and 
 a young man named William T. Grove was burned to 
 death. The fire started in Ritchie's restaurant and board- 
 ing house, a two-story structure on Main street, the 
 third door from corner of Penn avenue and Main 
 street, spread out on both sides. The prime cause of 
 the conflagration, as everyone supposes, although no one 
 knows, was Ritchie's kitchen stove becoming overheated 
 by the natural gas fire and igniting the wood work 
 near to it, or some beam taking fire from the heat of 
 the stove-pipe. The flames made their presence known 
 in such a sudden manner that no time could be taken to 
 investigate their origin and it was just as much as the 
 occupants of Ritchie's house could do to scramble out of 
 bed and get out of the house. James and Wm. Ritchie 
 owned the house and conducted a restaurant and took 
 lodgers therein. On Friday night when the household 
 and their boarders retired, Nellie Keys and Mary Wake- 
 field, who did the house work, occupied the front room 
 in the second story, James Rodgers, a tailor and Wm. 
 T. Grove slept together in the next room, which was in 
 the center of the house, and Simon Clay and W r illiam 
 Ritchie occupied a bed in the back room, directly over 
 the kitchen. In an "L" built from the kitchen James 
 Ritchie, Adam Wallsmith and Harry Porter were quar- 
 tered for the night. Of all these Rodgers was the first 
 to be apprised of the presence of fire in the house. 
 About half-past 2 o'clock he was awakened by a suffo- 
 cating sensation caused by the smoke which at that time 
 had filled the house. He sprang out of bed and shouted 
 "Fire !" and then wakened Grove by pulling him out 
 
108 compendium of edenburg 
 
 on the floor. Every one in the house was quickly 
 awake. All the occupants of the second story, except 
 Grove, ran to the front part of the house and Clay 
 jumped out of the window to the sidewalk below. Those 
 sleeping down stairs finding it impossible to get through 
 the kitchen, broke a window out and made a hasty exit 
 through the opening. The fire had made such an ad- 
 vance when discovered that dressing was not to be 
 thought of. When James Ritchie got out, his first 
 thought was for the safety of those lodging in the sec- 
 ond story. Seizing a ladder, which happened to be 
 near by, he ran around to the front of the house with it 
 and placed it against the house beneath the window 
 where the two girls and the others were making prepa- 
 ration to jump to the ground. Fortunately every body 
 descended the ladder in safety an4 made a miraculous es- 
 cape. The borough night watchman, Nelson Johnson, 
 saw the flames shooting up four feet through that part 
 of the kitchen not directly under the bed room, at the 
 same time Rodgers was awakened, and he alarmed the 
 citizens by crying "fire," and ran to the burning build- 
 ing to render assistance. Ritchie's house was consumed 
 in a twinkling with all its contents, excepting what few 
 articles of clothing the men and women could snatch up 
 in their flight. Clay had escaped in his night shirt and 
 stockings, and he immediatelv went to his barn near by 
 and got his team of horses. In ten or fifteen minutes 
 after the alarm was sounded half the residents of Eden- 
 burg were on Main street. Preparations were soon 
 made for putting a stream of water on the buildings ad- 
 joining Ritchie's. A man went to the borough water 
 tank which is located on top of Charity Hill west of 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 109 
 
 town at an elevation of 125 feet above Main street and 
 turned on the water. The tank is of 1,000 barrels 
 capacity and connected therewith as a contingent force is 
 a 500 barrel tank filled with water. A four inch line 
 carries the water to the corner of Main and State streets 
 and then along the entire length of Main street. Two 
 sections of rubber hose were then called into requisition 
 and each was attached to a fire plug, but the water 
 would not run with any force. To put a stream on a 
 building was an utter impossibility. The water iu the 
 1,000 barrel tank was frozen over thick and solid and 
 the tank had no air vent. The only means of protec- 
 tion lay in bucket brigades, and three of these were 
 formed by the citizens. The water that came from the 
 two hose filled the buckets for two lines of men and 
 then another brigade was formed with the right resting 
 on the 250 barrel tank in the rear of A. B. Flovd's liv- 
 ery barn. The work of passing water then went on 
 vigorously. By this time Reiif \s d welling house and Davis 
 & NeiFs meat market were burning fiercely and the 
 whole of Main street on both sides was threatened. 
 Bucket after bucket of water was thrown on the flames 
 in rapid succession, but the absence of a steady stream 
 from a hose nozzle was deplored more and more as the 
 fire advanced. 
 
 The two buildings adjoining Ritchie's were soon re- 
 duced. Then Rieff's and Rooney's groceries caught and 
 were soon consumed. Penn avenue served as a barrier 
 to the advance on the south, although Mrs. L. C. Neelv's 
 millinery store, opposite to RiefFs grocery, was some- 
 what scorched and was only saved by very hard work. 
 From Rooney's grocery on the north the fire spread to 
 
110 COMPENDIUM OF EDBNBURG 
 
 Radebach cVlr Smith's grocery and wholesale confection- 
 ery store and having enveloped that the postoffice was 
 caught. Leaping over the narrow alley north of the 
 postoffice the fire took the two large stores of G. S. 
 Hamm, on the corner of Railroad and Main street-. 
 Here was the other limit of the conflagration. The men 
 all worked like heroes. Capt. John Barr suffered a fall 
 between the buildings that came very near costing him 
 his life for if he had gone to the ground he would have 
 been hemmed in between two burning buildings and es- 
 cape would have been impossible. While Hamm's store 
 was burning active measures were being taken to pro- 
 tect Crawford & McDowell's fine building on the corner 
 of Main and Railroad streets, and here Mr. W. I. Mc- 
 Dowell made some strong efforts with pails of water on 
 top of the building. Hamm's barn in the rear of the 
 store was also destroyed. Sparks flew in every direction 
 and the heat was so great that the paint on Crawford A: 
 McDowell's building was very much marred. In order 
 to save it they braced the north walls of Hamm's store 
 with several joints of tubing, each brace being made by 
 coupling two joints, so that the walls would incline in- 
 ward in falling. This measure wrought the desired ef- 
 fect, and undoubtedly prevented the flames from contact 
 with the hardware store. The wind favored the north, 
 while it was a cause of alarm to Mr. Xeely. The fronts 
 of the buildings along the west side of Main street op- 
 posite to the fire, also suffered greatly from the heat. 
 The glass in many of the windows was cracked. In 
 the space of two hours the whole block bounded by 
 Railroad and Main streets. Penn avenue and the alley 
 running between Main and Ohio streets, with the excep- 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. Ill 
 
 tion of Rieff's barn in the south-east comer of the square, 
 was laid in ashes. Mr. Hamm had a large stock of dry 
 goods and groceries. It was but a few minutes after the 
 fire commenced until half of his goods were on the side- 
 walk. He was insured for $6,000. Most of the mail 
 in the postoffice was saved. The building was valued at 
 $500. Hon. A. W. Smiley occupied the second floor, where 
 he was sleeping when the fire occurred. He saved near- 
 lv all his furniture and books. Radebach & Smith lost 
 most of their goods. The building was worth $550 and 
 was insured for $400. Mr. Rooney's property was 
 valued at about $300. Davis & Neff's meat market 
 was valued at about the same. The Ritchie Brothers 
 placed their loss at $1,200, insurance $700. Mr. Rieff 
 valued his house at $800, his store at $1,500 and was 
 insured for $900. There were several minor losses. 
 The girls who worked for Ritchie lost many of their 
 clothes. The saddest of all was the life that was lost, 
 which account will be given under the heading of "Cas- 
 ualties." 
 
 In the beginning of 1880, at a review of the Sabbath 
 school one evening, just while Rev. Pinney was praying, 
 fire was discovered in the basement of the church, by 
 Mr. John Black and Dr. Langfitt, who sat near the 
 heaters. Dr. Langfitt rose and said "this house is on 
 fire, but do not be alarmed, all can get out." Such a 
 rush, some trying to escape through windows, eventu- 
 ally all escaped without any harm, and by a very great 
 effort the church was saved from cremation. 
 
 On Monday morning Mr. John F. Brown was on 
 hand ready to adjust the damages, which amounted to 
 about ninety dollars. Mr. Brown has had many calls 
 
112 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 to Edenburg to adjust insurance claims, and is always 
 prompt and honorable. 
 
 o 
 
 EDENBURGERS, PAST AND PRESENT. 
 To go backward for a time we wish to mention 
 some of the early settlers. Among them was the fami- 
 ly of J. L. Forker, Esq., and his excellent wife, who 
 came from Rockland in the spring of 1876, and located 
 on south Main street. The family was composed of two 
 sons, now in the west, and Miss Laura now Mrs. J. I. 
 Patterson, Mr. Bentlev, a brilliant young man and quite 
 a favorite with the ladies, and Miss Alice, whose twin 
 brother, Alvin Lee Forker, was suddenly killed. Near 
 the Sweitzer run, in the southern part of town on the 
 Best farm there was a limestone quarry. There being a 
 great depth of earth on the top of the rock, the work- 
 men had dug under the hill in a shelving manner, thus 
 revealing the stone without stripping it entire. When 
 the men left the quarry at twelve o'clock, Saturday, one 
 of these shelves had just beeu made. The body of over- 
 hanging earth not being very great, no danger was an- 
 ticipated. Three little boys were playing about when 
 the men left, but when the men were gone the boys went 
 in and were playfully pointing to each other where they 
 were going to mine for coal. While in the place little 
 pebbles began to rattle down and the mass seemed to be 
 giving away. Johnny Spargo at the outer edge had 
 turned to move away, when Alvin Forker, who was 
 about the center, turned about and screamed "Oh Lew !" 
 to the third boy, who had started from under the ledge, 
 having noticed signs of the coming fall. The sound had 
 scarcely died on his lips, when the mass of earth and 
 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 113 
 
 rocks came tumbling down, burying him from sight. 
 The boys made desperate efforts to relieve him, but when 
 he was reached life was extinct. The remains were car- 
 ried to the nearest house. Dr. Boley was summoned 
 but it was ot no avail. 
 
 "A home is dark because of a light gone, in chill of the grave, 
 
 A dear form missed, entombed by the rush and sweep of the deep 
 
 death wave; 
 A circle broken, one bright link lost ; brother and son now no more 
 Seen on our sin tainted earth, yet lives, safe on the evergreen shore"" 
 
 About the same time came Mr. J. L. Shaner and 
 his young wife, also from Rockland. Mr. Shaner and 
 his wife were active factors in church work, also in any 
 public enterprise. Mr. Shaner had the first jew T elry 
 store in Edenburg, and has added to it until now he has 
 a large assortment of jewelry and silverware. 
 
 Mr. A. J. Smith and very amiable wife came from 
 Rouseville in the spring of 1877, accompanied by Mr. J. 
 J. Corlette of the same place. The Smith Bros., started 
 the Novelty Iron Works on north Main street, and Mr. 
 A. J. Smith had his residence on same street, where it 
 still remains. The iron works have been removed to 
 the corner of Ohio and Railroad streets, opposite the P. 
 & W. depot. Messrs. Smith and Corlette have been, 
 and are still among our most reliable business men. Mr. 
 Smith is proverbial for his quiet unassuming manners, 
 but are any in need Mr. and Mrs. Smith are ever ready 
 to assist in a quiet way. Mrs. Smith has been bereft of 
 both parents in the last four years. First a fond mother 
 was taken. Oh ! how hard to give up a loving mother 
 — to lay her in the cold grave ! 
 
 "Yet it is a spot where cares ne'er come, 
 Where nature her fond vigils e'er doth keep. 
 And pale lips there are still in slumber's dreams, 
 Closed to eyes that weep." 
 
114 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Soon an affectionate father was called. We feel a 
 loneness after the loss of our parents, that no other sor- 
 row can bring. 
 
 Mr. J. J. Corlette, not quite a bachelor yet, but some 
 of his friends fear that he may be, is a fine businessman, 
 who is not afraid of work and is blest with superior 
 musical ability, has been leader of the M. E. church 
 choir for a long time, and chorister in the Sabbath school 
 for many years. 
 
 Mr. W. I. McDowell, one of Edenburg's reliable 
 business men, engaged with Mr. E. G. Crawford in the 
 hardware and oil well supply business and other inter- 
 ests, also from Rouseville, and so near Mr. Corlette's age 
 that when the ladies pronounce one a bachelor the other 
 may tremble. Mr. McDowell is an elder in the Pres- 
 byterian church and Sunday school superintendent. He 
 came to Edenburg in September 1879. 
 
 Mr. E. G. Crawford, a semi Edenburger, doing 
 business in Edenburg, but having his residence in 
 Franklin, Pa. Mr. Crawford has been so long and fa- 
 vorably known in the county and also in Venango coun- 
 ty, having been prothonotary of that county, that it is 
 needless to tell about him, but this we can say that one 
 of Edenburg's fair ladies reached his widowed heart 
 and made a conquest of it. Miss Julia McLaughlin, 
 formerly of Millerst own, Pa., while visiting with Mr. and 
 Mrs. Nottingham, with her many charms, won Mr. 
 Crawford, and in the winter of 1881 they were married. 
 Two little sons cheer their pleasant home. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Xottingham came in the spring of 
 1877. Mrs. Nottingham is an accomplished lady, being 
 one of the most efficient pianists in the country, living 
 
AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 115 
 
 now with her aged parents in Millerstown, Pa. 
 
 Mr. R. K. McCormick is one of Edenburg's bril- 
 liant young men, Assistant Cashier of Clarion County 
 Bank, a line citizen, always ready to help in any good 
 cause. The ladies especially court his assistance in all 
 laudable enterprises. 
 
 Mr. B. A. Kribbs, hardly a bachelor, but a great 
 business man and quite a favorite with the ladies, as well 
 as Mr. George Richardson, who dispenses goods in the 
 grocery department of P. F. Kribbs & Son, are charm- 
 ing. 
 
 G. S. Mendenhall is another of Edenburg's unmar- 
 ried men. Griff is in the torpedo business, ever busy 
 and has always been quite a ladies' man. 
 
 Mr. W. B. "Weaver, wife and little daughter Win- 
 nie, came to Edeuburg from Forest Home in the spring 
 of 1880. Lived on the corner of Main and church 
 streets. Mr. Weaver was an official member of the M. 
 E. church. Mrs. Weaver was a very cheerful woman, 
 Winnie was a little lady. They now reside in Oil City, 
 Pa. 
 
 Mr. S. W. Clover, of the Clover House, came to 
 Edeuburg early, was married to Miss Mattie Orr, in 
 1877, who died in 1882. He was afterward married to 
 Miss Rosie Porter ; four children spice their home. 
 
 Mr. G. A. Wheelock came to Edeuburg in early 
 oil times, was a pioneer, conducted a meat market for 
 some time ; married Miss Gross, daughter of Jno. Gross, 
 Esq., of the Gross farm. Mr. Wheelock, with his 
 amiable wife made friends rapidly. He is one of those 
 kind hearted men who always win. Was largely en- 
 gaged in the livery business and other interests as well 
 
116 COMPENDIUM OF ED EN BURG 
 
 as oil. Always honorable and clever and is uow the 
 Sheriff of Clarion county. Mr. and Mrs. AVheelock 
 were excellent citizens and had a pleasant home with 
 their three little hoys, Elmer, Albert and Willie, and 
 were very much missed when they removed to Clarion. 
 
 Mr. T. C. McMasters, one of the pioneers, was 
 first in Mr. Nachman's jewelry store, afterward had a 
 stationery and jewelry store in the poston". e, went up 
 step by step until he now has a fine jewelry and station- 
 ery store, with the express office for one line — has a 
 pleasant home, where Mrs. McMasters presides as queen 
 of the household, with their three interesting children, 
 Tommie, Jessie and Lester. 
 
 Mr. M. H. Marcus, the great merchant tailor of 
 Edenburg, was one of the early inhabitants. He came 
 to stay and was not discouraged with a few fires. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Marcus are among our highly esteemed citi- 
 zens, with their accomplished daughters, Miss Beckie, 
 now Mrs. Leo Katz and Miss Mellie who is still at 
 home. Mr. Marcus has a fine trade. 
 
 Mr. Brockstine, who is foreman for Mr. Marcus 
 with his interesting wife and little family lives on Penn 
 avenue. They are native Germans, well educated in 
 the German language and the Hebrew, and are fast be- 
 coming Americanized. 
 
 Miss Mary E. Carroll, the lady foreman in Mr. 
 Marcus' establishment, is proficient in her department 
 and a lady in her manners. 
 
 Miss Ella Murphy, also in Mr. Marcus' employ, is 
 a lively, cheerful young lady, and particularly noted for 
 fine personnel and goodness of heart. 
 
 Misses Wassum and Crick, the oldest millinery 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 117 
 
 firm dow in the business, have a fine establishment and 
 a pleasant home. Miss Kate Wassum is a native Ger- 
 man, came to this country when ten years old, and not- 
 withstanding being brought up in America, she still re- 
 tains enough of the foreign accent to make her conver- 
 sation more interesting. She is naturally lively, viva- 
 cious and kind. Miss Crick, a pleasant amiable lady, 
 has endured much feebleness of health, is noted for her 
 amiability and kindness of heart. This firm has a fine 
 trade. 
 
 Mrs.- Anna Spargo, widow of the late P. Spargo, 
 has pleasant rooms on Main street, where she keeps a 
 ten cent counter and also a first class dress-making es- 
 tablishment. She and her little son Frankie have a pleas- 
 ant home. Mrs. Spargo, with her deceased husband, 
 were among the earliest citizens, have passed through 
 several scorchings, but have been brave to bear all. 
 
 Miss Anna Boyle, who is eonnected with Mrs. Spar- 
 go, is an amiable young lady and an acceptable Sabbath 
 school worker. Her home is in Riinersbura:, Pa. 
 
 Mrs. Carrie Yates, of the American House, and her 
 daughter Ella and little son Robbie, are pleasantly lo- 
 cated and kept very busy. The American House has 
 an extensive patronage. Mrs. Yates has distinguished 
 herself for her energy to press forward under discour- 
 agements. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Neeley at corner of Main street 
 and Penn avenue, have a fine business site. Mrs. Neeley 
 keeps a first class millinery and dry goods store, and 
 has a good trade. Mrs. Neely is much interested in 
 fancy work. She and Mr. X. and their little son Eben 
 enjoy life and happiness. 
 
118 COMPENDIUM OF EDEN BURG 
 
 Mr. J. A. Jordan was perhaps the first merchant 
 tailor who migrated to the new town, came from Reyn- 
 oldsville, Jefferson county, in 1877. Has continued his 
 business successfully and is doing a fine business now. 
 Mr. Jordan has had Miss Ida Clark as lady foreman 
 most of the time for several years. Mr. Jordan has 
 withstood the charms of very many fascinating ladies, 
 but it is supposed by his friends that he is likely to be 
 beckoned away from bachelordom into a state of con- 
 nubial happiness. 
 
 Miss Ida Clark is a lady in her manner and ad- 
 dress, a competent tailoress and has resided here for sev- 
 eral years. 
 
 Miss May McLaughlin, also in Mr. Jordan's estab- 
 lishment, is a very amiable young lady. Her parents, 
 Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin, with Master Homer and 
 Miss Bell, live on Railroad street. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Gibson, on east side of Main 
 street, have a large dry goods millinery and shoe store, 
 where they have a fine trade. Mrs. Gibson is an ac- 
 complished financier. Their home and store are cen- 
 trally located. Miss Jennie, now attending school at 
 Pittsburg Female College, is quite an accomplished 
 young lady. The other members of the family are Frank, 
 John, Harry, Claudie, Maud and Gladdis. 
 
 Mr. H. J. Bethune's drug store is on the north 
 side of State street. Mr. and Mrs. Bethune came in 
 1877, and have been active citizens. Miss Clara, their 
 eldest daughter was educated at Wesleyan Seminary, in 
 the Old Dominion, and is an accomplished young lady. 
 Miss Rhettie's education has been a practical business 
 one, she having had a confectionery and notion store 
 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 119 
 
 ever since she was quite a small girl. Master Horace 
 has a situation in the Clarion County Bank. 
 
 Mr. J. I. Patterson, druggist, has a lucrative busi- 
 ness on west side of Main street and also a pleasant 
 home. Mr. Patterson came from Freeport, Pa. After 
 an extended acquaintance with Miss Laura Forker, they 
 concluded the best thing they could do would be to 
 climb life's rugged steeps together. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. H. Hibbard, now live on Penn av- 
 enue, but have purchased a nice location on Kribbs 
 street, where they expect to erect a handsome residence 
 in the near future. Mr. Hibbard has his billiard par- 
 lor on State street. 
 
 Mr. H. R. Burgess, druggist, came to Edenburg in 
 1877. He did a fine business and was a favorite as a 
 business man, but after being burned out twice thought 
 he could do better. He went to the upper oil field, and 
 now has returned and located on east side of Main street 
 where he is having a lucrative trade. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. J. Murray Bethune, have their gro- 
 cery store on east side of Main street and do a fine busi- 
 ness. Have their home on west side. Came from For- 
 est Home where they had lived for several years. Their 
 
 son John, a student in the Seminary at East Randolph, 
 
 New York, with Misses Essie and Minnie compose the 
 
 family group. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. John Hotaling reside on west side of 
 
 Main street, and his blacksmith shop is on the east side. 
 
 Mr. Hotaling was a brave soldier. He rises early and 
 
 retires late to coin money by the hammer and anvil. 
 
 Their home is blest with Mr. George and Miss Emma, 
 
120 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 both grown up, Masters Calvin, Paul, Sim and Win- 
 field. 
 
 Mr. Robert Whitehall and wife, who have built a 
 nice residence on east side of Main street, with his wag- 
 on shop adjoining, are nicely located with their daughter 
 Miss Alice and two little sons. Death has entered this 
 home several times and left a vacant seat. 
 
 Mr. Jacob Mong, who has control of a number of 
 acres on the north-east corner of the Mendenhall farm, 
 is pleasantly located on the side hill. Mr. & Mrs. 
 Mong have quite a family. Miss Florence, a music 
 teacher, Miss Jessie, a school teacher, Misses Carrie, 
 Mary and Virgie, Mr. Harry in business in Pittsburg, 
 and the youngest, Frankie. 
 
 Mr. J. Weible, a native German with his sons has 
 been in A. J. Smith's employ for several years. They 
 are a fine family. Andrew the third son is quite an in- 
 valid. 
 
 Mr. Craig, formerly of Forest Home, whose eldest 
 daughter Alice was married to J. Kesner, deceased, and 
 three sisters compose the family. Mrs. Craig died sev- 
 eral years since. 
 
 H. R. Radebach, whose grocery and dry goods 
 store is on the east side of Main street, where he does a 
 good business, has built a nice new home within a year 
 on west side of Main street, Mrs. Radebach and Master 
 George being his only company, their daughters Ella 
 and Carrie being married. Miss Carrie married Mr. 
 Ora Smith, of Oil City, and Miss Ella married Mr. F. 
 Smith, of Curwensville, Pa. 
 
 Mr. R. W. Buzza has a pleasant home on west side 
 of Main street. Mr. and Mrs. Buzza are from England. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 121 
 
 Mrs. Buzza was raised in the city of Liverpool, a very 
 well accomplished lady and an expert pianist. They 
 have a very interesting family, viz : Masters Albert 
 and Alpha, twins, Willie and Duncan with Miss Amie. 
 Death has plucked a sweet flower from this little group. 
 
 Mr. Wm. Bnzza, of north Main street, with his es- 
 timable lady have had quite a large family, but are now 
 left alone, their children having settled in life. These 
 aged people are from England. Father Buzza, as he is 
 called was the Sabbath school teacher of Bev. E. M. 
 Kernick, in Cornwall, England. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Loomis, on north Main street, 
 came more recently. Mr. Loomis is the Superintend- 
 ent of the Oil City Gas Company, has his office on cen- 
 tral Main street. Mrs. Loomis is organist in the Pres- 
 byterian church choir, and a fine musician. With their 
 niece, Miss Mattison, they have a very cheerful home. 
 
 Mr. D. Harley, foreman in the Clarion County 
 Mill, has a neat residence on Penn avenue. Mrs. Har- 
 ley is noted for her culture of flowers, always having 
 the bay-window full of blooms. Miss Flora, Masters 
 Harry and Freddie cheer their home. 
 
 Mrs. Dr. W. M. Clover, with her daughter Dadie, 
 has a pleasant home on Bailroad street. Mrs. Clover is 
 a well educated lady, is very stroug minded and spends 
 much of her time caring for the sick. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Kilgour, with his cheerful wife and 
 numerous family, have their home on Penn avenue. 
 Mr. Kilgour has his shoe shop on central Main street. 
 Is blest with many bright little children, but death en- 
 tered and plucked one from the group. 
 
122 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 "A mother's joy 
 
 A father's toy, 
 
 With shining eye, 
 
 Clear as the sky, 
 
 With pouting lips, and dimpled chin, 
 
 With separate charm each heart to win, 
 
 A guileless babe that knew no sin, 
 
 Who wears white shining robes." 
 
 Capt. M. McCanna, wife and little Gracie, reside 
 on Railroad street. They have not been in the place 
 long, but have made a very favorable impression since 
 their arrival. The Captain was a valiant soldier in the 
 late rebellion. Enlisted April 21st, 1861, in the three 
 months service, was discharged August 24th. Re-enlist ed 
 the same (lav in 78th P. V. C, Col. Sirwell's regiment 
 then recruiting at Camp Orr, Kittanning, Pa., and was 
 elected 1st Lieutenant of Co. B.; was promoted to Cap- 
 tain December 27th, 1862, on the battle field at Stone 
 River for defeating, with the assistance of another com- 
 pany, the crack regiment of the Confederacy, called the 
 Rock City Guards. This was accomplished by two 
 companies of the 78th regiment. Capt. McCanna was 
 in 27 engagements and was discharged November 4th, 
 1864. On February 17th, received a commission from 
 Gov. Curtin to recruit a full company and was appoint- 
 ed to the Captaincy of Co. K. 104 Reg't., in the army 
 of Virginia and stationed at Petersburg. Was dis- 
 charged at close of the war Sept. 4th, 1865. 
 
 Mr. F. Harley on Penn avenue was the builder of 
 the Clarion County Mills. Since he sold it, has been 
 engaged in the oil business with Mr. John Mehrten. 
 Mr. Harley married Miss Mary Mehrten, daughter of 
 Mr. J. Mehrten. He and his young wife have a neat 
 home and are blest with a beautiful little daughter. 
 
 Mr. N. Neff has a pleasant home on Penn avenue. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 123 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Xeff have taken the joys and griefs inci- 
 dent to Edenburg, for a number of years. Miss Leanna 
 is a very interesting young lady now in the gala day of 
 life and Mr. Clark, their son, has chosen the wiser way 
 to educate himself, consequently is a student at the State 
 Normal iu Clarion, Pa. Mr. Neff has his meat market 
 on Main street. 
 
 Mrs. M. D. Hazelett, widow of the late Wm. 
 Hazelett, who was a soldier, with her three little daugh- 
 ters, Myra, Cora and Nannie, reside on Penn avenue 
 and have a cheerful home. Still there is an empty chair, 
 the circle is incomplete, the father is not there. But 
 while his wife and children miss him 
 
 "Sweetly he sleeps in his lonely bed, 
 
 Peacefully resteth the weary head, 
 
 Done with the care and labor of life, 
 
 Done with the conflict and the strife. 
 
 Pain and sorrow and sufferings o'er, 
 
 He waits for his loved ones on the other shore," 
 
 William W. Hazlett enlisted in Co. F. 105th Reg- 
 iment Pa. Vol., September 17th, 1861, was promoted to 
 corporal September 1st, 1864 ; promoted to sergeant 
 December 17th, 1864; mustered out with company 
 July 11th, 1865. 
 
 On Penn avenue lives Mr. Hugh Donovin, pro- 
 prietor of the Edenburg Boiler Works. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Donovin are natives of Ireland. Have been residents 
 of the town for several years. Mr. Donovin clears 
 much money in his business and has a very neat resi- 
 dence. Miss Lizzie, their eldest daughter now resides 
 in Oil City and is a neat tailoress. Miss Katie is at 
 home, also Hugh, jr., a very reliable young man. 
 
 Mrs. Ellen Sweet has her home on the avenue. Here 
 too death has taken the father, Mr. Sweet, a good chris- 
 
124 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBUKG 
 
 tian man, who had endured much pain from an injury, 
 from which he suffered for several years. At last he was 
 to go, and left a number of children. Robert, the eld- 
 est, a fine young man is a comfort to his mother, also 
 Morely, a clever, industrious boy. Mrs. Sweet has much 
 comfort with her small children. She is an amiable lady. 
 
 Mr. W. Smith and his excellent wife live next on 
 the avenue. Very fine citizens. Their son; are partic- 
 ularly noted for their talent in music. Mr. Freeman 
 Smith is leader of the McMasters' brass band. 
 
 Mrs. AVenk also lives on the avenue with her little 
 daughter Regina and son Charles. She is an industri- 
 ous fugal woman, who has been left to meet life's trials 
 alone. She conducts a laundry. 
 
 Mr. Benjamin Hardester has perhaps as fine a prop- 
 erty as is on the street. Has large grounds around his 
 house, and is surrounded by the most luxuriant shrub- 
 bery and flowers. He is certainly a successful horticul- 
 turist and florist. He seems to enjoy live very much all 
 alone. 
 
 Mrs. Addison Burns has her home on the avenue, 
 with her little family, lives quietly and independently. 
 Has many friends. 
 
 Messrs. David and Harry Reiff have their home on 
 the avenue. Their mother and sister preside over it 
 with much care. The Reiff Bros, have been scorched 
 several times. The fire of February, 1886, destroyed 
 both their house and store, but they went dauntlessly 
 forward and rebuilt, and have a neat home and a good 
 business on corner of Main and Penn avenue. 
 
 Mrs. N. Foster, on North Main street. Her father, 
 Mr. James Newell resides with her. He is aged 82 
 
AND EDENBUKG PEOPLE. 125 
 
 years, is able to clo a good days work — strong and well. 
 Mrs. Foster's health being impaired by rheumatism she 
 is blest by having a faithful daughter and little son. 
 Miss Myrtle is certainly a very trustworthy girl of on- 
 ly 14 years, kind and thoughtful beyond her years. 
 Johnnie is a bright little boy. 
 
 Mr. Robert Hoge lives next to Mrs. Foster. An 
 energetic worker, an employee on the United Pipe Line. 
 He and his industrious wife have two little boys, Willie 
 and Albert, who have more business capacity than many 
 grown up persons. 
 
 Mr. John Murphy, who occupies the house on cor- 
 ner of straight and crooked Main street, is absent from 
 home much of the time. Mrs. Murphy, Miss Ella, 
 Emma and Cora, compose the family. Miss Ella is 
 learning the tailoring trade with Mr. Marcus, and is 
 bright, cheerful and lively. 
 
 Mr. D. W. Lewis came to Edenburg early. Married 
 Miss Mary Honnor, lives on South Main street and have 
 a very nice little daughter. Mr. Lewis has had charge 
 of J. L. Miller's grocery store on Main street for several 
 years. Is also Notary Public. 
 
 Mr. Hale, the genial clerk in Kribbs' clothing store, 
 is a very reliable gentleman, and something of a ladies' 
 man. 
 
 Mr. W. I. Stewart, the gentlemanly proprietor of 
 the dining hall on Main street, with his young wife and 
 two interesting children compose a pleasant family. Mr. 
 Stewart does a fine business. 
 
 Mr. J. McKissick on West State street, with his 
 pleasant wife and numerous family. Death has marked 
 
126 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUEG 
 
 their home by taking from it two of its jewels, leaving 
 three bright children to comfort them. 
 
 Mr. Boarts, a worthy man with his faithful wife 
 have lived in their home on State street for several 
 years. Their children are grown up. 
 
 Mrs. Wiant, a very aged lady, who lives with her 
 daughter, Mrs. Thompson, is next to the oldest person 
 in the place, being over 90 years old. 
 
 Mr. Jessie M. Smith and his intelligent wife and 
 little son, have a pleasant home, but not without having 
 the shadows fall upon them in the death of their little 
 son Bertie. Bertie was a very bright boy, but disease 
 of the heart, originating from rheumatic affection, made 
 him its victim. He was a very patient sufferer, but 
 death came and released him. The fond parents could 
 say with the poet, 
 
 "Sorrowing hearts are ours to-night 
 And painfully our pulses swell ; 
 There rests a shadow and a blight 
 Where light and gladness used to dwell. 
 While thinking of a lovely form 
 That rests benath the church yard mould ; 
 A brow with love's sweet sunshine warm 
 In other days ; now damp and cold." 
 
 Mr. A. B. Floyd next to Mr. Smith. Mr. Floyd 
 purchased the J. D. Miller property, and has improved 
 and beautified it until it is quite a pleasant home, where 
 Mrs. Floyd presides with care. Frankie and Gracie 
 are very interesting children. Mr. Floyd has his livery 
 barn on central Main street. 
 
 Mr. John Morley next purchased the \Y. S. Brown 
 property, which with some improvements makes them a 
 cheerful home. Mrs. Morley and their son Walter en- 
 joy it mostly by themselves. Mrs. Morley is a very 
 amiable lady. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 127 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Lay, next on north side of State 
 street, have a very attractive home. With their charming 
 little son the time passes swiftly by in their leisure 
 hours. 
 
 Mrs. Keho, who resides with her daughter, Mrs. 
 J. C. Johnson, is one who came early to the town and 
 is very much missed when absent. 
 
 Mr. J. H. Benn and family reside on south side of 
 State street. The family is composed of Mr. and Mrs, 
 Benn and their three daughters, Stella, Alma and Ula. 
 
 Mr. T. W. West and family of the Clarion County 
 National were formerly Clarionites. Mr. and Mrs. 
 West are very fine citizens with their little family group, 
 Myrtle, Willie, Attie and Mabel are quite an acquisition 
 to society. 
 
 Mr. J. C. West with his young wife and little son 
 live on same side of State street, 
 
 N. N. Booth's fine carriage emporium is in the old 
 Clarion House on north side- of State street. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Jeffords next with little May 
 and G. S. Mendenhall enjoy their pleasant home. 
 
 Mr. S. Gibbs, Boot and Shoe Emporium on east 
 Main street, has built a nice residence on north side of 
 State street, Mr. Gibbs cannot help but succeed with 
 the help of Mrs. Gibbs' in the store. He has been 
 burned out oftener than any other party in town, which 
 has given him the title of irrepressible. Sylvia and 
 Leroy are also great helps to him. 
 
 Miss Emma Benn, Mrs. T. J. Van Geisen and 
 Mrs. H. T. Jolly have a fashionable dressmaking par- 
 lor on second floor of Kribbs' block. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. J. Altman on east side of south Main 
 
128 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUKG 
 
 street, have a pleasant home, where, with their li ble son, 
 they have much comfort. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. McDowell, with their Litfc] i daugh- 
 ter Mamie, have come in quite recently. 
 
 Mr. J. L. Shaner, wife and son Charlie have a 
 pleasant home. Master Charlie, although a small boy, 
 is quite a musician, and is a member of the McMaster's 
 brass band. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bumpus, who live in the Presbyte- 
 rian parsonage, have quite a large family and are pleas- 
 antly loeated. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn live on the west side of 
 south Main street. 
 
 " Dr. A. Beatty resides on the same side of Main 
 street, with his sister, Miss Jennie. They live in a 
 quiet, courteous style, enjoy their friends and acquain- 
 tances very much indeed. 
 
 Mr. J. J. Dantman, on the east side of street, live- 
 alone as neatly as if there were a lady's hand to arrange 
 his domicil. Mr. Dautman cleanses gentlemen's clothes. 
 He was a soldier in the late rebellion. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. John Hubbard, two of our excellent 
 citizens, live just off the street ashort distance. For kind- 
 ness of heart and good feeling they cannot be excelled. 
 Their pleasant family is composed of two sons and three 
 daughters. Ethel is quite a little missionary. Death 
 has also entered this household to pluck from the parent 
 stem the little tendrils. 
 
 But the pleasures which we are on earth denied. 
 In heaven will be ours. 
 
 Near to them are Mr. and Mrs. McCoy, almost 
 strangers but are pleasant citizens. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 129 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. John Horton live near, and with 
 their little adopted child enjoy life. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. H. Price, the editors of the Observer, 
 arc next on the street. They have a very interesting 
 little family. Mrs. Price is a first class compositor, 
 which is a great assistance to Mr. Price. It is a great 
 advantage to a husband to have a wife who can assist in 
 his business. 
 
 Mr. R. Orr, of the Edenbnrg House, with Mrs. 
 Orr and Miss Emma, are among the early residents, 
 ha vino; had charge of the house much of the time for ten 
 
 vears. In two or three instances he has let it to other 
 
 «/ 
 
 parties, but invariably returns. 
 
 THE SCHOOLS OF EDENBURG. 
 
 In the summer of 1876, there were but few children 
 in Edenburg. All who were of school age attended the 
 Shady City school. In the winter of that year, Mrs. 
 Charles Brown of Millerstown, Pa., opened a select 
 school in her own house on Straight Main street, which 
 she conducted in a most efficient manner. In the sum- 
 mer of 1877, the School Board erected a commodious 
 building containing four rooms for a union school. The 
 school opened the following autumn, with Prof. T. A. 
 Mays as principal, and the following teachers employed 
 a part of the time, viz : Profs. Campbell, Gill and Miss 
 Moffitt. 
 
 1878 — Prof. A. C. Davis, principal ; Mrs. Charles 
 Brown and Miss Moffitt, teachers. 
 
130 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 1879 — Prof. A. C. Davis, principal ; Miss Margie 
 Welker, now Mrs. Axgo, and Miss Nellie Lyon, now Mrs. 
 H. Amo, as teachers. 
 
 1880 — Prof. J. G. Anderson, principal ; Miss Wel- 
 ker and Miss Ella Reed, teachers. 
 
 1881 — Prof. J. G. Anderson, principal ; Miss Mar- 
 gie Welker and Miss Jennie McDowell, now of Brad- 
 ford, Pa., teachers. 
 
 1882 — Prof. L. C. Evans, principal ; Misses Ella 
 Reed, Hannah Nickel and Lottie Speer, teachers. 
 
 1883 — Prof. J. Core Trainer, principal, with Misses 
 Floda McCombs and Margie Whitehill, teachers. 
 
 1884 — Prof. William Gardner, principal, with 
 Misses McComb and Whitehill. 
 
 1885— Profs. S. H. Clair and A. S. Foreman, 
 principals, with Misses McComb, Whitehill and Mong 
 teachers. 
 
 1886 — Prof. J. M. Travis, principal, with Misses 
 Estella Johnson, Aletta Rossman and Jessie Mong. 
 
 The school rooms are furnished with Globes, Maps 
 and Aggy's new anatomical charts. 
 
 The lady teacher, who has spent most time in the 
 schools here, was Miss Margie Welker, now Mrs. Argo, 
 who is now in the intinerant work. The next, Miss 
 Floda McComb, who is attending the State Normal at 
 Clarion, Pa. Miss Ella Reed and Miss Margie White- 
 hill have both been in the school as very acceptable 
 teachers. Most of the other ladies have taken homes 
 of their own to care for. Miss Nellie Lyon now Mrs. 
 Hugh Amo, resides on Penn avenue, has a pleasant hus- 
 
AND EPENBURG PEOPLE. 131 
 
 band and little son, Angus. Miss Jennie McDowell 
 whose home is in Bradford, Pa., has been an invalid 
 much of the time since she left Edenburg. 
 
 Prof. J. INI. Travis, was a very successful teacher. 
 His method of practical illustrations has been too little 
 used in the county, but the instructors are awakening to 
 a sense of its importance. We insert here an article 
 from the Clarion Comity National 
 
 EDUCATIONAL MEETING. 
 Friday evening. 8th hist., the M. E. church was well filled to hear the 
 closing- addresses of the pupils of No. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The interesting exer- 
 cises were opened with prayer by Rev. J. H. Keeley. The day being the 
 one appointed by the Conty Superintendent, to examine the class for grad- 
 uating in No. 4 grade of public school, taught by Prof. J. M. Travis. Six 
 pu«ls were in the class, viz : Misses Alice Forker, Emma Hotaling, Maud 
 VahGeisen, Stella Benn ; Messrs. Harry Best and Ernest Hess. The Super- 
 intendent reported all the class as having passed a very creditable exami- 
 nation, and some having gone above the standard per cent. The examining 
 committee consisted of Messrs. J. C. Hill, R. K. McCormick and Rev. H. F. 
 Earseman. Some pleasing exercises by a number of the pupils from grades 
 1 2 and 3 worthy of special mention was the "Welcome," spoken by Miss 
 Lena Guiher. a pupil in No. 1. While all were creditable, some exercises 
 were very fine. The valedictory by Miss Alice Forker was beautiful in 
 thought and composition, and was read with an easy grace, which would 
 have done credit to one older in years. The awarding of diplomas and re- 
 marks of Prof. C. F. McNutt, the Superintendent, were very interesting. 
 The exercises throughout were interspersed with very fine vocal and in- 
 strumental music, rendered by Mr. J. J. Corlette and choir, with Miss 
 Louie Best as organist. The duet, "Under the Moonlit Sky," sang by 
 Misses Maud Van Geisen and Jennie Best, was charming. The school has 
 dene some very fine work during the past seven months. The Professor 
 was exact, perhaps more so than many pupils enjoyed, ; but that is what 
 makes expert scholars. We understand that two of the members of the 
 graduating class came up from the B. grade during the term, ind by close 
 application passed some who were in the A. grade. "The race is not always 
 to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," but victory intellectually must 
 come by close application to study. He who seeks valuable gems must dig 
 deep to find riiem. So he, who would win Intellectual laurels must go to 
 the root, and understand the principles upon which, that which he seeks 
 is founded. It is to be hoped that all the students may catch a new inspir- 
 ation and when they have another golden opportunity to gather gems, 
 that they mav not be satisfied with surface pebbles. The Professor and 
 his assistants have labored faithfully to bring up the pupils under their 
 care, and have seen a marked advancement in their progress as the result. 
 
 A Lover of Education. 
 
132 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUKG 
 
 FRATERNITIES. 
 
 Edenburg has many of them. We propose to give 
 
 them with the board of officers created at the organiza- 
 tion and also the present officers. 
 
 EDENBURG LODGE, NO. 550, F. AND A. M. 
 Instituted March hi, 1877. 
 Officers :— Frank Merrick. W. M.: Alfred Sniedly, S. W.; Joseph B. Pain- 
 ter, J. W.; Robert Bryan, treasurer; Oliver P. Happer secretary. 
 
 Present Officers:— Benton A. Krihbs, W. M.; David A. Harley, S. W.; 
 G G. Shoemaker, J. W.; T. C. McMastere, treasurer; John J. Corlette, sec- 
 retary. 
 
 EDEN CHAPTER. NO. 259, R. A. M. 
 
 Instituted in 1878. 
 
 Officers :— Robert A. Fuller, M. E. H. P.; George Sheffield, King; H. S. 
 Lockhart, Scribe; Joseph H. Wilbur treasurer; J. Wilson Greenland sec- 
 retary . * 
 
 Present Officers .—Rev. B. F. Delo, M. E. H. P.: T. C. McMastera, King ; 
 Benton A. Kribbs, Scribe; George Youkers. treasurer; H. S. Lockhart, sec- 
 retary. 
 
 This order have many banquets and receptions. We 
 here insert an account of one taken from the National : 
 
 Edenburg Lodge. No. 550, gave a grand reception at Masonic Hall on 
 the evening of the 23d. The reception was in keeping with previous affairs 
 of the kind given, being up to the standard in every particular. The re- 
 ception was held in the grand hall of the Lodge in Kribbs' block. This 
 hall is use by the Blue Lodge and Chapter. Richly carpeted and furnished, 
 decorated with the various insignia of the Mystic Rites, the room present- 
 ed a scene of splendor. The banquets, which, for elegance, vied with any 
 previous effoi't of Edenburg caterers, was served at the Edenburg House. 
 During the entire evening an orchestra, stationed in the hall, discovirsed 
 enchanting music. The affair was noted as the most delightful and select 
 of the season, and in keeping with the high reputation the members have 
 always so worthily sustained in making so very pleasant all their similar 
 gatherings, Appended is a list of the participants : Mr. and Mrs. G. S. 
 Hamm, Mr. and Mrs M. H. Marcus, Miss Jennie Hover, Mr. and Mrs. T. 
 C. McMasters, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dobson, Miss Nellie Cuffman, Mr. and 
 Mrs. J. D. Cuffman, Dr. G. G. Shoemaker and 'lady, Jessie Youkers, Mr. 
 and Mrs. D. O. White, Mrs. M. F. Delo, Dr. A. S. Dobbs, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. 
 Kiser, Miss Louie Best, Mr. George Youkers, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Harley, 
 Miss Lillie Williams, Mr. James Maguire, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nicholson, 
 Miss Jennie Walker, Mr. J, B. Painter, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Johnson, Miss 
 Lena Beck, Mr. J. A. Jordan, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Black, Miss Sadie Mays, 
 Mr. C. E. Berlin, Mr. and Mrs. R R. Snyder, Miss Jennie Gibson, Mr. J. J. 
 Corlette and B. A. Kribb9. 
 
AND EDEKBURG PEOPLE. 133 
 
 I. O. O. F., XNOX LODGE, NO. 954. 
 
 This order was organized and had first installation April 4th 1878. 
 
 Officers: — Noble Grand, L. F. Barger ; Vice Grand, J. H. Haun ; Sec- 
 retary. J. C. Zuver; Assistant Secretary, E. S. Kinch; Treasurer, J. W 
 McElhattan. 
 
 Present Officers :— Noble Grand, S. L. Carpenter ; Vice Grand, George 
 Hime ; Secretary, D. W. Lewis; Assistant Secretary, G. G. Dangler ; Treas- 
 urer, Thomas Brown. 
 
 Mr. J. G. Mendenhall was a member of Clarion 
 LooVe, Xo. 252, and was the oldest member in the 
 
 to * ' 
 
 county. When quite a young man he traveled through 
 the southern states and became acquainted with the or- 
 der, made application for admission and was accepted 
 and initiated in the city of Natchez, Miss. He remained 
 there three months to get all the degrees, which he did 
 by dispensation, up to the encampment degrees. 
 
 A O. U. W. EDENBURG LODGE, NO. 115. 
 Organized August 16, 1877. 
 Officers:— P. M. W., R. L. Bowman; M. W., Hugh Amo ; F.. A. O. 
 Benjamin; O., L. C. Serekeugost; G., J. H.Thompson; Recorder. J. W. 
 Kenniston ; F., G. L. Underwood ; R.. B. F. Jarvis; I. W., R. E. Cage ; O. 
 W., George Goodyear. Trustees, S. W. Young, R. L, Bowman, J. K. Elli- 
 ott. Medical examiner, Jefferson Litz. Representatives to Grand Lodge, 
 R. L. Bowman. 
 
 Present Officers :— P. M. W., T. M. Berlin ; M. W.. O. E. Olson; Fore- 
 man, P. Kilgore; Overseer, H. Reiff; Guide, R. S. Brown; Recorder, J. 
 M. Br there; Financier, W. F. Myers; Receiver, W. F. Delp; I. W., J. I. 
 Patterson; O. W., Thomas Brown ; Trustees, J. H. Mehrteu, J. I. Pater 
 son, J. A. Gravis; Medical examiner, W.F.Myers; Representative to 
 Grand Lodge, Dr. W. F. Myers. 
 
 CLARION LEGION. NO. 24, SELECT KNIGHTS A. O. U. W. 
 Organized December 18th, 1885. 
 
 Officers:— P. C, J. M. Brothers; Com., G. S. Hamm; V. C, J. R. 
 Black ; Ht. C, J. L. Shanar ; Recorder, W. F. Myers ; Rec Treasurer, N. 
 N. Booth; Treasurer, J. M. Bethune; Marshal, J. A. Travis; St. rd, W. H. 
 H. Curtis; Sr. Workman. J. II. Mehrten : Junior Workman, C. H. Reift'; 
 GrdofLeg, R. S. Brown; Trustees, E. Eichner, W. H. H. Curtis, J. H. 
 Mehrten 
 
 Present Officers :— P. C. G S. Hamm ; Com.. J. R. Black ; V. C. J. L. 
 Shanar; Ht. C, J. A. Travis; Uec. J. M. Brothers; Rec. Treasurer, N. 
 N. Booth; Treasurer. J. H Mehrten; Marshal, C. H. Reiff; St. rd Recor., 
 R. Piper; Sr. Workman. Ellis Hall ; Jr. Workman, J. I Patterson ; Grd 
 of Leg., W. F. Myers; Trustees, W. H. H. Curtis, J. H. Mehrten. N. N. 
 Booth. 
 
134 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 This is a line order, has been prompt in payment, 
 and its death rate in this immediate vicinity has been 
 greater than some other orders. On street parade on 
 Decoration Day the Select Knights' excelled. 
 
 FRIENDSHIP LODGE, 1055, KNIGHTS OF HONOR. 
 
 Organized April 29, 1879. by D. G and S. A. Hughs. 
 
 Charter Members:— F. M. Denniston, G. L. Underwood, John G. Tate, 
 J. B. Potter, C. By son, John B. Maitland, Willim Jahn. John Richardson. 
 Wm. F. Hamilton, A D. Sloan, E. L. Sackett, D. J. Wynkoop, Alex. S. 
 Miller, J. H. Benn, F. J. Smith, E. W. Northrop, W. A. Johnson, J. A. 
 Hillyer, L. S. Vorous. W. B. Allison, John D. Millikin, E. B. Davis, F. T. 
 Whitehall, E. Aultman, H. Ruche, A. J. Smith, Jefferson D. Smith, Charles 
 E. Shaw, C. A. Wheelock, Herman Stern, Jas. Bell. W. C. Davis. 
 
 FIRST OFFICERS ELECTED AT ORGANIZATION, APRIL 29, 1878. 
 
 A. D. Sloan, Post Dictator; F. T. Wh'tehill, Assistant Post Dictator: 
 D, J. Wnykoop, Vice Dictator; F. T. Whitehill, Assistant Vice Dictator; 
 J. B. Potter, Reporter; G. L. Underwood, Financial Reporter; A. S. Miller, 
 Treasurer; F. J. Smith,- Guide ; J. D. Milliken, Chaplain; J. G. Tate, 
 Guardian : W. A. J. Johnson, Sentinel. Trustees.— E. W. Northrop, E. B. 
 Davis, J. B. Maitland. 
 
 OFFICERS ELECTED JANUARY 1, 1887. 
 
 W. H. Berlin, P. D.; John W. White, Dictator; A. M. Peters, Vice Dic- 
 tator; S. L. Carpenter, Assistant Dictator; D. W. Lewis, Reporter; Allen 
 McLean, Financial Reporter; M. H. Marcus, Treasurer; John Fagley, 
 Guide; Andrew Wright. Chaplain; J. H. Benn, Guardian; W. F. Delp. 
 Sentinel, 
 
 The entire number taken into this order since its 
 organization, including charter members, 122. 
 
 THE KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR. 
 
 This order was organized February 9th, 1882, with a list of eighty-seven 
 charter members. 
 
 Officers :— Allen McLean, Pretector ; Mrs. Emma L. Smith, Vice Pro- 
 tector; T. C. McMasters. Secretary ; F. L. Bensinger, Financial Secretary ; 
 R. W. Smith, Treasurer ; Mrs. J. W. Leadenham. Chaplain ; A. J. Smith. 
 Guide; F. T. Whitehill, Guardian: Daniel Brown, Sentinel : W. F. Myers 
 and J. W. Leadenham. medical examiners. P. Spargo,0. G. Moore and J. 
 T. Hillman, Trustees. 
 
 Present Officers:— J. R. Neely, Past Protecter; N. N. Booth, Protector; 
 Mrs. Ella G. Jeffords, Vice Protector ; W. F. Myers, Secretary and Finan- 
 cial Secretary ; Mrs. A. M. Spargo, Chaplain; R. K. McCormiek, Guide; 
 Mrs. M. H. Marcus, Guardian; S. X. McClellan, Sentinel; W. F. Myers, 
 Medical Examiner. Allen McLean, M. H. Marcus, S. X. McClelland, Trus- 
 tees. Present membership 58. 
 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. LdO 
 
 The Knights and Ladies of Honor, as an organiza- 
 tion is the most social of any. They usually hold socials 
 weekly or less frequently around at the homes of the 
 members and thus maintain friendly intercourse. 
 
 EDENBURG UNION. NO. 400, E. A. U. 
 Organized January 31st. 1882, with a Charter membership of 77. 
 
 Officers :— Gus A. Clark, Chancellor ; John Austin, Advocate ; James 
 Woodington, President; Mrs. Mary Lewis, Vice President; Mrs. M. M. 
 Woodington. Auxilliary ; F. G. Sackett, Secretary ; W. F. Myers, Account- 
 ant ; Benton A. Kribbs, Treasurer; Rev. W. L. Riley, Chaplain; J. G. 
 Tate, Warden ; Miss Annie Riley, Sentinel ; E. S. Crumb, Watchman ; W. 
 Buzza, Conductor; Mrs. E. S. Crumb, Assistant Conductor ; W. F. Myers, 
 Medical examiner; Trustees, B. A. Kribbs, John Austin, J. M. Bethune, 
 J. G. Tat«, W. R. Buzza, J. T. Wilson. 
 
 Present Officers :—W. R. Buzza, Chancellor; G. A. Clark, Advocate ; 
 W. F. Delp, President ; Mrs. J. Austin, Vice President: Mrs. Jno. Mor- 
 lev, Auxilliary; John Austin. Seeretary ; W. F. Myers, Accountant; A. 
 Weckerly, Treasurer; Mrs. Susie ClarK, Chaplain ; W.J. Smith, Warden ; 
 Mrs. M. J. Bethune, Sentinel; Samuel Bruner, Watchman ; Mrs. W.J. 
 Smith, Conductor; W. F. Myers. Medical examiner ; George A. Clark, 
 Trustee. Present membership 85. 
 
 There has been two male members died, viz : E. 
 L. Crumb, he retired well 'as usual to all appearance. 
 He and Mrs. Crumb entertained company until 10 
 o'clock, and he seemed to enjoy the company so much. 
 About 2 o'clock, A. M., Mrs. Crumb awoke and discov- 
 ered something unusual about her husband. Before she 
 could get assistance he had expired. The order paid 
 Mrs. Crum $1,450, who now resides at East Randolph, 
 N. Y., and is an estimable woman. 
 
 We clip the following from the local paper on the 
 death of Mr. Daniel Clark : 
 
 Mr. D. J. Clark, an old and highly respected citizen of Edenburg, 
 died suddenly of neuralgia of the heart at his home on north Main street, 
 Wednesday evening the 18th, 1885, at 5 o'clock. He had partaken of a 
 hearty breakfast, and after doing the chores about the house, went to his 
 shop to resume his daily toil at blaoksmithing, when he was suddenly 
 seized with a severe pain in his chest, causing him to fall to the ground. 
 Medical aid was immediately summoned, but nothing that human skill 
 could devise, proved of any avail, and at 5 o'clock death came to his re- 
 lief. The deceased was aged about 65 vears and leaves an aged wife and 
 
136 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBU&G 
 
 grown up family consisting of one daughter and four sons. He was a 
 member of E. A. U., of this place, in which order he carried a lite insur 
 ance of $2,000. Father Clark, as he was familiarly called, was a zealous, 
 consistent member of the M. E. c.uirch, and for over forty years tried to 
 live the life of a christian, and now that his life work is ended, he has 
 gone to receive the christian's reward. His wife, son Charles and daugh- 
 ter Ida live in their home on Main street. The E. A. I"., paid Mrs. Clark 
 $2,100. Mrs, J. M. Gilford, who had her life insurance policy in this order, 
 after her death which occurred in Kansas a short time since, the E. A. U, , 
 paid her children, Glenn and Kittie $1,250. The order has been very 
 prompt in satisfying beneficiaries. 
 
 EDENBURG COUNCIL, NO. 28. ROYAL TEMPLARS OF TEMPER- 
 ANCE. 
 
 This Council was organized February 1st, 1879, by Supreme Lecturer. 
 B. S. Way. under a dispensation granted by the Supreme Council of the 
 order with twenty-three charter members, viz : 
 
 C. B. Haven, .lames C. Ames, S. McLallin, F. George Smith, N. W. 
 Brown, J. B. Rose, Thomas McCall, H. H. McClintock. W. C. B. Davis, 
 W. A.Hartman. Samuel L. McGee, M. L. Rose, S. C, Skinner, W. F. Delp, 
 H. S. Lynch. P. P. Pinney, D. P. Walker, Mrs. M. C. Brown, Mrs. H. H. 
 McLallin, Mrs. M. P. Delp, Mrs. H. N. Davis, Mrs. II. M. McClintock, Mrs, 
 Lida McCall. 
 
 Officers elected for the term ending June 30th. 1879 : — Select Councillor. 
 S. McLallin ; Vice, James E. Ames ; Past, X. W. Brown; Chaplain, P. P. 
 Pinney; Secretary, F. George Smith ; Treasurer, Mrs. H. N. Davis; Her- 
 ald, D. P. Walter ; Guide, Mrs. M. P Delp; Sentinel, W. C. B.Davis: 
 Deputy Herald, Mrs. H. vi. McClintock; Medical Examiner, Dr. S, Mc- 
 Lallin; Treasurer elect, Mrs. H. N. Davis, resigned and Mrs. W. F. Delp 
 was elected to till the vacancy. After which they were installed by Su- 
 preme Lecturer, B. S. Way. The Council has had but one death of its 
 benetieiary members since its organization. That of David H. Pratt, who 
 was killed by a fall from a bridge, in Illinois, wnile he was engaged in re- 
 pairing said bridge, June 1st, 1885. on which his beneficiary received the 
 sum of two thousand dollars, 
 
 The oilicers lor the present term ending June 3Jth, HS7, are as fol- 
 lows:— Select Councillor, \V. F. Delp: Vice, Mrs. L. R. Lay: Chaplain. M. 
 J. Ochs; Recording Secretary, F. T. Whitehiil ; Financial Secretary, \V. 
 F. Myers: Treasurer, James H. Benn ; Herald, M. L. Rose: Dept. Herald, 
 Mrs. M. P. Delp; Guide. Mrs. M. J. Bethune : Sentinel, B. B. Dunn ; Re- 
 presentative to Grand Council, J. H. Benn ; Medical examiner, Dr. W. F. 
 Myers, 
 
 This is a very interesting order and the first tem- 
 perance organization except the Good Templars, who 
 had a very successful organization, which became deci- 
 mated by removals, and the few remaining members 
 have affiliated with the later temperance organizations. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 137 
 
 Many of the first members of the Royal Templars of 
 Temperance have gone west. Mr. and Mrs. \V. C. B. 
 Davis are now in Kansas. Rev. P. P. Pinney is in 
 Union City, this State. Mr. and Mrs Thomas McCall 
 have returned to Freeport, Pa. May the order continue 
 as progressive in the future as in the past. The death 
 rate has been very small, only one death in eight years- 
 
 EDEXBURG TENT. NO. 28. K. O. T. M. 
 
 Was organized June 2d, 1886, with a charter list of 21 members. 
 
 Officers :— Past Commander, F, M. Denniston; Commander, Allen Mc- 
 Lean; Sub. Com , John White; Sergeant, W. H. Berlin; Master at Arms, 
 James Hill man; Prelate, A. B. Floyd; Record Keeper, D. E. Skinner; 
 Finance Keeper, W. F. Myers : 1st Guard. W. S. Baltzer ; 2nd Guard, W. 
 W. Corlette; Sentinel. E. S. McElhattan ; Picket, E. S. Austin; Medical 
 Adviser. W. F. Myers. 
 
 Present Officers:— Past Commander, Allen McLean ; Commander, Jno. 
 White; Sub. Com., W. H. Berlin; Sergeant, James Hillman; Master at 
 Arms, W. S. Baltzer. Prelate, A. B. Floyd ; Record Keeper, W. I. Stewart; 
 Finance Keeper, W. F. Myers; 1st Guard, E. S. Austin; 2nd Guard, W. 
 L. Jeffords; Sentinel. D. R. Rose; Picket, F. M. Denniston ; Medical Ad- 
 viser, W. F. Myers. Present membership 28. 
 
 THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE. 
 
 This order was organized March 16th 1886, with a charter list of 77 mem- 
 bers. 
 
 Officers: — Worthy Patriarch, J. D. Keely; Worthy Assistant, Mrs. P. 
 F. Kribbs : Recording Scribe. R. K. McCormick ; Assistant Scribe, Miss 
 Lou Best; Financial Scribe, Allen McLean; Ti-easurer, P. F. Kribbs: 
 Chaplain, Rev. J. H. Keeley ; Conductor, M. E. Longanecker; Assistant 
 Conductor, Miss Clara Bethune ; Inside Sentinel, Miss Emma Hotaling: 
 Outside Sentinel ; Bentley Forker. 
 
 2d Quarter, June 29th, 1886:— Past Worthy Patriarch, J, D. Keeley ; 
 Worthy Patriarch, Allen McLean; Worthy Assistant, Mrs. F. Garrish ; Re- 
 cording Scribe, D. E. Skinner ; Assistant Recording Scribe, Mary McCor- 
 mick; F. Treasurer, Bentley Forker ; Treasurer, P. F. Kribbs; Chaplain, 
 Frank Gerrish : Conductor, Will W. Corlette ; Assistant Conductor, Nellie 
 Cuffman ; Inside Sentinel, Ella Radebach ; Outside Sentinel, Anson Beatty. 
 
 3d Quarter, September 28th, 1886 :— Past Worthy Patriarch, J. D. Kelley: 
 Worthy Patriarch, Allen McLean; Worthy Assisiant, Miss Hattie K. 
 Travis; Recording Scribe. H. D. Best; Assistant Scribe, Alice Forker; Fi- 
 nancial Scribe, D. P. Kahle; Treasurer, P. F. Kribbs; Chaplain, Frank 
 Gerrish: Conductor, Durand Rose ; Assistant Conductor, May McLaugh- 
 lin ; Inside Sentinel, Sylvia Gibbs; Outside Sentinel, W. F. Delp. 
 
 4th Quarter :— Past W. P., Allen McLean; Worthy Patriarch, R. K. 
 McCormick ; W. A., Miss Ida Clark ; Recording Scribe, H. D. Best; Asst. 
 R. S., Sylvia Gibbs; Financial Scribe, D. A. Harley ; Treasurer, Charles 
 
138 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 Bowlin ; Chaplain, Frank Gerrish ; Conductor, Bentley Forker; Assis- 
 tant, Cillia Clark ; Inside Sent., Alice Forker ; Outside Sent., Clark Neff. 
 5th Quarter :— Past W. P., Allen McLean ; Worthy Patriarch, R. K. 
 McCormick ; W. A., Miss Daisy Byers ; Recording Secretary, John Be- 
 thune; Assistant Secretary, Miss Stella Benn : Financial Scribe, H. D. 
 Best; Treasurer, Charles H. Bowlin; Conductor, El wood Byers ; Ass't., 
 Miss Emma Clark ; Inside Sent., Miss Susie Kribbs; Outside Sent., Frank 
 Gerrish; Chaplain, Rev. H. F. Earseman. 
 
 GEORGE H. COVODE POST G. A. R., 112. 
 Organized December 3, 1879. 
 
 Officers: — Commander, Maj. J. B. Maitland ; Senior Vice Com.. N. L. 
 Moore; Junior Vice Com., W. H. McLaughlin; Adjutant, W. A. Selby ; 
 Surgeon, H. R. Radebach ; Quartermaster, A. O. Benjamin; Chaplain, I. 
 M. Temple ; Officer of the Day, Martin Flick; Officer of the Guard, T. J. 
 Fisher ; Sergeant Major, S. C. Richard ; Quartermaster Sergeant, A. L. 
 Bunnell. * 
 
 Present Officers : — Commander. John White ; Senior Vice Com., G. L. 
 Myers; Junior Vice Com., J. C. Weaver; Adjutant, J. R. Black ; Sergeant, 
 Jacob Wenner; Chaplain, M. E. Hess; Officer of the Day, T. H. Jolley ; 
 Officer of the Guard. Simon Delo ; Sergeant Major, Jesse M. Smith ; Quar- 
 termaster Sergeant, J. J. Dantman. 
 
 THE GEO. H. COVODE RELIEF CORPS, NO. 58, AUXILLIARY TO 
 POST NO. 112, G. A. R. 
 
 This Corps was organized February 5th, 1886, by Mrs. Mary A. Wallace, 
 of Bradford, State I. and I. O. of Pa. 
 
 President, Mrs. Jesse M. Smith ; Senior Vice-President, Mrs. David 
 Whitehill ; Junior Vice-President. Mrs. Peter Spargo ; Secretary, Miss 
 Louie Best; Treasurer, Mrs. N.N. Booth; Chaplain, Miss Katie E. Betz ; 
 Conductor Mrs. F. E. Garrett; Assistant Conductor, Miss Mollie Crick : 
 Guard. Mrs. D. M. Hazlett: Assistant Guard, Mrs. Lock Park. 
 
 Officers for 1887 :— President, Mrs. Jesse M. Smith ; Senior Vice Presi- 
 dent, Mrs. John Hotaling ; Secretary, Mrs. D. M. Hazlett; Treasurer, 
 Mrs. G. A. Clark; Chaplain, Mrs. David Whitehill ; Conductor, Mrs. John 
 White ; Assistant Conductor, Mrs Lock Park ; Guard, Miss Lou Wenner ; 
 Assistant Guard, Mrs. Theo.|Updegraff. 
 
 The G. A. R., and the Relief Corps are both very 
 useful organizations and accomplish much good. The 
 soldiers who have died at Edenburg were William 
 Thompson, buried at Shippenville cemetery, Col. Al- 
 vord, who was buried at the McElhattan cemetery, Wm. 
 Hazelett, buried at Greenville cemetery. There was no 
 cemetery in Edenburg while the oil developments were 
 so extensive, for two reasons : First, the citizens were 
 
 
AND EDENBURCJ PEOPLE. 139 
 
 too much immersed in business to attend to that neces- 
 itv Second, there seemed to be no place sufficiently se- 
 cluded from the oil man's' tread. In the latter part of 
 the year 1884 and beginning of 1885, theG. A. R, took 
 the first steps toward securing a site for the cemetery 
 Peter Spargo especially was anxious to secure the ground 
 for this "silent citv," and he was the first person laid in 
 it in organization was formed allowing five directors 
 of theG 4 R., and four of the citizens, making nine 
 directors. The directors purchased seven acres of ground 
 on the north-west corner of the Mendenhall farm for 
 this purpose. On amplication of M. E^ Hess T W. 
 West, G. S. Hamm, P. F. Kribbs and T. H. Jolly, a 
 charter was granted May 9th, 1885. The first board of 
 managers, Jessie M. Smith, T. H. Jolly, ME. Hess, 
 S. Bargain, G. A. Clark, G. S. Hamm, N N. Booth, 
 T W West and P. F. Kribbs. The ground was dedi- 
 cated Mav 30th, 1885 by the G. A. R., with J. Bell 
 Neffas orator, assisted by Rev. J. H. Keely and Rev. 
 Thomas Gray. The proceeds of the sale of lots to be 
 applied on beautifying the grounds after the purchase 
 money is paid. The present board of managers , N. JN. 
 Booth, J. M. Brothers, W. I. McDowell, P. F. Knbbs, 
 Jesse M. Smith, M. E. Hess, John White, D. White- 
 hill J E Hotaling. The cemetery, although of short 
 duration is filling rapidly. It is becoming a beau- 
 tiful spot, but where fond friends, after a visit to this 
 secluded spot, leave with aching hearts. What could 
 be more beautiful than a cenotaph or monument on this 
 sacred spot. 
 
 w. c. t.u. 
 
 This ore a— . r£ - «. -'•--- rrxisx 
 
 Mrs. B. B. Dunn, President; Mrs. A. a. nuvu. » 
 
140 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 
 
 Presidents; Miss Hettie A. Keatly; Corresponding Secretary ; Miss Floda 
 McComb, Recording Secretary ; Mrs. J. M. Bethune, Treasurer. The 
 Presidents since then have been Mrs. Dr. W. M. Clover, Mrs. Mary Gray 
 and the present one, Mrs. T. J. Van Geisen ; Vice President, Mrs. P. F. 
 Kribbs; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. F. T. Whitehall ; Recording Secre- 
 tary, Miss Jennie Beaty ; Treasurer, Mrs. W. F. Delp. 
 
 The Union has purchased a lot and placed thereon 
 a tine hall for public meeting's. 
 
 Y. W. C. T. U. 
 
 The Y. W. C, T. U., have had an organization for ab^>ut two years, 
 which is in a very flourishing condition at present, with the following 
 officers: President, Miss Myra McElhattan ; Corresponding Secretary, 
 Miss Jessie Mong ; Recording Secretary, Miss Lizzie Culbertson ; Treas- 
 urer, Miss Florence Mong. 
 
 Quite a large Band of Hope is conducted by the 
 W. C. T. U., and the Y. W. C. T. U. These organiza- 
 tions have been very successful. 
 
 THE LEGAL PROFESSLON. 
 First in the field was S. T. Galley, a brilliant 
 voung attorney, who with his accomplished wife re- 
 sided on north Main street. John Austin, Esq., and 
 son David had a very lucrative business in preparing 
 leases, and in leasing out oil leasing knots. Mr. Austin 
 resided a long time on State street, but recently built 
 him a fine home on Main street, and also has his office 
 on Main street. Mr. Austin surrounded by his pleas- 
 ant family and the wife of his youth can have much 
 happiness in his declining years. The Selby Brothers 
 were both lawyers of some note. Wm. Selby was bur- 
 gess one year. They left in 1883 and are now enjoying 
 pioneer life in the west. S. Crosby, Esq., a man of 
 large brain and much business tact, had a good practice. 
 He was a bachelor, but since leaving the oil field has 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 141 
 
 changed his relations in life and lives in the southern 
 part of the State. W. W. Mason, Esq., has been spok- 
 en of in another place. Esq. Mason was highly esteemed 
 as a citizen and a good lawyer. J. K. Wilson, Esq., 
 was tall, fine looking and like his friend Crosby was 
 meeting lifes phases all alone. He was burgess one 
 year and lives now in Bradford, Pa. S. L. Herron with 
 his amiable wife were great society people aud had many 
 friends. They built them a nice cottage home on west 
 State street. Esq. Herron did a fine business but now 
 resides in Du Bois, Pa. Mr. M. M. Meredith, law 
 partner with S. Crosby, Esq., lived on Penn avenue, 
 was a successful lawyer. His family composed of Misses 
 Mary, Carrie, Master Frank and M. M., with Mrs. 
 Meredith, enjoyed life. Miss Mary is married to Mr. 
 E. K. Myers of Harrisburg, Pa., where they have all 
 resided for three years past, Mr. Meredith having an ap- 
 pointment under Governor Patterson. O. P. Happer, 
 whose sad fate is recorded in another place was also one 
 of the pioneer attorneys. J. S. Johns, a very social 
 pleasant gentleman formerly of Pittsburg, after spend- 
 ing two years in the oil country returned to Pittsburg, 
 where he now resides. J. Zuver, formerly of Oil City, 
 an aged man who was only in Edenburo; occasionally 
 with his son Joseph Zuver, who died suddenly three years 
 since. W. Wirt Johnson, Esq., in addition to his legal 
 work won some fame as a writer. W. P. Mercilliott, 
 who resided on Penn avenue, after remaining in the 
 place a very short time, died of typhoid fever. Quoted 
 from the local paper : 
 
 W. P. Mercilliott. Esq., died of complicated diseases at his home on 
 Penn avenue, this place, Saturday evening at 4 o'clock. Funeral services 
 were held on Monday at 12 o'clock. Rev. J. H. Keeley, officiating', after 
 
142 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUKG 
 
 which the remains were conveyed on the 1.20 p. tn. train lo Marienville 
 for interment. The deceased was aged about forty-two years and leaves 
 a wife and family to mourn their loss. 
 
 T. J. Van Geisen, formerly of Tionesta, who came 
 to this place recently with his pleasant family, composed 
 of Mrs. Van Geisen, Miss Maud, Master Lee and little 
 Dann, are among our iuterestiug citizens. 
 
 THE MEDICAL PROFESSIOX. 
 Dr. E. W. Northrop as has already been stated was 
 first in the field. His office was located on Main street. 
 The names of other resident physicians are given in 
 order. 
 
 G. W. RE A, Physician and Surgeon, office over the postoffice. 
 
 JEFFERSON LITZ, Physician and Surgeon, office over Herron & Austin's 
 law office. 
 
 S. D. BOUTON, M. D., Physician and Surgeon, office over Hirsh Co's., 
 clothing store on Main street. 
 
 F. P. LANGFIT, M. D., Physician and Surgeon, office over Berlin's store 
 on Main street. 
 
 W. A. MAGILL, M. D.. office in north wing of Wigwam, Main street, 
 
 J. F. JAMISON, M, D., office second floor of Bee-Hive. 
 
 DR. A. BO LEY, Homeopathic Physician, office on State street over Aus- 
 tin's law office. 
 
 WM. P. SHOEMAKER, M. D.. office on Railroad street near depot. 
 
 J. T. HOYT, Homeopathic Physician, office in Wigwam on Main street. 
 
 W. C. POWELL, M. D,, office on south Main street. 
 
 T. W. LEWIS, M. D., office on north side of State street. 
 
 J. W. LEADENHAM, M. D., office one door north of Clarion County Bank 
 on Main street. 
 
 W. D. EDDY, M. D., office on west side of Main street. 
 
 Dr. Eddy was master of seven languages, a man 
 very highly connected, came from the eastern states, be- 
 came dissipated and died from the effect of his reckless 
 life. Died suddenly and was taken home to his friends 
 for interment. He was a gentleman in his manners, a 
 well read physician, was fitted by birth and education 
 to have been an ornament to society, but in spite of all 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 143 
 
 these advantages, he chose the inebriate's shame. Pity 
 throws the pall of sorrow over his memory. 
 
 DR. G. G. SHOEMAKER, office west side of Main street, has an ex- 
 tensive practice. Has a very fine residence on Kribbs street in the 
 borough addition, where he and his pleasant wife and little sons en- 
 joy life. 
 
 DR. SVVANN, office in Swanrfs drug store corner of Main and Stale streets. 
 
 DR. W. CLOVER. Allopathic Physician and Surgeon, office at H. R. Bur- 
 gess 1 drug store. Dr. Clover has an extensive surgical practice. He 
 practiced in Edenburg in 1857. That was about his first practice. 
 
 W. F. MYERS. M. D., office in H. J. Bethune's drug store on State street. 
 Dr. Myers came in 1877. has remained ever since, and has a lucrative 
 practice. 
 
 DR. ALBERT BEATY, office on south Main street. He is the latest ar- 
 rival and has a good practice. 
 
 PERSONAL SKETCHES, CONTINUED. 
 
 On north Main street formerly lived Mr. John 
 Walton, superintendent of Mr. Chamber's interest prior 
 to Mr. Garrett's snperintendency. Mr. and Mrs. Wal- 
 ton were very fine citizens. Miss Effie, their only 
 daughter was a charming young lady. Mr. Waltons 
 now reside in Ouray, Arizona. 
 
 Mr. B. F. Bonnel, brother-in-law to Mr. Cham- 
 bers, also resided on the same bluff. Had a pleasant 
 little family who were active in church work and were 
 very interesting people. Recently, since they left here, 
 Mrs. B's health has failed and she is a confirmed invalid. 
 Mr. Bonnel and his sons, with Mabel and Annie, reside 
 at their former home at Wesley ville, Erie county, Pa. 
 
 Mr. Rollin R. Richardson, was one of Edenburg's 
 early young business men. After leaving here he went 
 to Tucson, Arizona, and was engaged in the herding 
 business. Rollin has always had an eye toward accum- 
 ulating wealth. We remember his early development 
 
144 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 of a business talent when we taught him at the age of 
 ten years. May success attend all his efforts. 
 
 Mr. J. Weckerly and family reside on the bluff 
 north of town. Mr. and Mrs. Weckerly are pleasant 
 people, with Miss Carrie and some smaller children at 
 home, enjoy life. James Weckerly, their son, a bright, 
 active young man, after occupying different positions of 
 trust here, has gone to Pittsburg to do business. 
 
 Mrs. Theo. Updegraff is a daughter of Mr. Weck- 
 erly. Mr. and Mrs. Updegraff have their home near 
 the mill, as he is the miller. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Lincoln, with their pleasant 
 little family, reside near the West Point Boiler Works, 
 of which Mr. Lincoln is proprietor. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Oles have erected quite a nice home 
 near the railroad. Mr. Oles is quite an aged man and 
 last winter received a severe injury by a fall on the side- 
 walk. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Tomlinson, former residents, 
 have a nice home on Penn avenue, having recently re- 
 moved to Beaver, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. O'Harra occupy 
 their home at present. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson's prin- 
 cipal object in going to Beaver was to enjoy the facili- 
 ties of Beaver College and Musical Institute for their 
 children, Misses Leora and Jessie. 
 
 Mr. Byers also resides on Penn avenue, has a beau- 
 tiful resideuce in the borough addition, which is not yet 
 completed. Mrs. Byers is an invalid, Miss Daisy is 
 quite a musician, Mr. El wood, clerk in Mr. Marcus' 
 store, Miss Nettie and some smaller children compose a 
 happy family. 
 
 Mr. S. Whitmore, wife,' daughter and son reside 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 145 
 
 on the same street. Mr. Whitmore is a very neat work- 
 man as a carpenter. 
 
 Mr. Anson Beatty on the same street is a very quiet 
 citizen. Mrs. Beatty has been a confirmed invalid for 
 several months. With Walter, Wilbur and Myrtle they 
 are a very interesting family. 
 
 Mr. David Jones, with his amiable wife, Master 
 Willie and the babe, compose a pleasant group. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Welch, on the Chambers lease, have 
 a neat home. Mrs. Welch is proverbial for her culture 
 of choice flowers. 
 
 Mr. G. A. Clark, whom we have mentioned previ- 
 ously, resides ou same lease. On Christmas morning 
 1885, when Mrs. Clark had just placed the turkey in the 
 stove to roast for dinner, they discovered fire up stairs, 
 which originated no doubt from a defective flue, and be- 
 fore they could get their goods out of the chambers the 
 fire had complete control, and they barely saved what 
 was on the first floor. They have built a nice home on 
 same site. Mr. and Mrs. Clark, Miss Emma and Cillie 
 with Master Frank and little Margie are pleasantly lo- 
 cated. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. John Beatty have a neat home near 
 the railroad, where, with their little daughters, Pearl 
 and Dora, and their little son they enjoy much happiness. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Childs, formerly of Du Bois, reside 
 on Penn avenue with Misses Beulah and Rosie, Masters 
 Edwin and Johnny. Have a pleasant location. 
 
 Mr. William Kernick and wife who formerly had 
 a music store, with groceries and confectionery, with 
 their interesting family, Dannie, Willie, Lizzie and Ce- 
 lia, reside now in Avonia, Erie county, Pa. 
 
14(3 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Miss Mary Corbett, who purchased Mr. Kernick's 
 
 property, has a grocery and confectionery store. Miss 
 Corbett is a very lively, vivacious lady and does quite a 
 lucrative business. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. F. Gerrish occupy rooms in the same 
 building, are very genial social people. Mr. G. is noted 
 for his skill as a painter. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Datesman, a very pleasant family, 
 now in Oil City, Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Herpst, Mrs. 
 Horner and sons, Mr. Hatch and family, J. Lowinthalls 
 family, I. Isaacs family, Mr. and Mrs. Mayes, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Shannon, Mr. and Mrs. A. Caldron, Mr. and Mrs. 
 J. Phillips, pipe line and telegraph clerks, Messrs. G. W. 
 Molts, S. Daily, D. Skinner, Lyle Austin, Miss Bris- 
 biu, Messrs. Frank and Melvin Longanecker, druggists, 
 J. R. Kuhns, P. J. Flynn, Benjamin Thomas, F. L. 
 Bensinger, C. Millspaugh and many others have resided 
 on Main street. 
 
 Mr. J. Rooney, who lives on State street has a 
 numerous little family. Mr. Rooney has his grocery on 
 Main street, where he does a fair business, and is the on- 
 lv grocer who makes a specialty of vegetables and fresh 
 fish. 
 
 The European House is kept by Mrs. Showalter 
 and son. Mrs. Showalter came from Elk City, where 
 Mr. Showalter died suddenly. 
 
 Mrs. Livermore and her little daughter, Maud May, 
 with her sister, have charge of their aged mother, Mrs. 
 Jordan, who is quite infirm. It is a lovely sight to see 
 children caring for their aged parents. 
 
 Mrs. David Higgins on State street also hasthe 
 
AND EDEN BURG PEOPLE. 147 
 
 care of her mother. She ami her little daughter have a 
 comfortable home. 
 
 Mrs. E. Grinder, with her two daughters, Ella and 
 Mattie, have a comfortable home. Miss Ella was un- 
 fortunate in receiving an injury by filling on the ice 
 while coasting:. Mrs. Grinder is a fine, industrious lady. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. D. Whitehill live on same street. Mr. 
 Whitehill has his business on Main street. He was a 
 soldier in the late rebellion. He and his brother are 
 both remarkable for their altitude. Mrs. Whitehill for 
 her ability as a vocalist. 
 
 Mr. William Baltzer on Ohio street is in the second 
 hand supply trade. With his wife and little babe form an 
 interesting group. 
 
 Mr. David Clover and interesting family reside 
 next on the street. David and his wife, nee Miss L. B. 
 Rulofson are from Strattanville. With May, Ralph, 
 Dora, Myrtie and Rulof R., Jr., have much pleasure, 
 only that David's health is not as good as usual. He is 
 in the livery business. 
 
 Mr. T. Harvey Jolley purchased the "Barger" 
 House, after being burned out of his home on Columbia 
 Farm. Mr. Jolley was sick when Mrs. Jolley discov- 
 ered the house to be on fire and being some distance from 
 any others, the flames could not be arrested. The first 
 parties Avho reached the scene were obliged to carry Mr. 
 Jolley out to some secure place. Mr. Jerry Dunn and 
 his young wife were living in one part of the house, but 
 not being at home at the time, like Mr. Jolley, lost 
 many valuable articles. Mr. and Mrs. Jolley with 
 Masters Coacly and Lawrence, Jettie and Luella, are very 
 fine citizens. 
 
148 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Mr. Emmett Murphy, and lady, with their three in- 
 teresting little children, Alice, John and Luella, have a 
 pleasant home. Mr. Murphy is superintendent of the 
 interests of the Kittanning iron ore mine at Elk City. 
 
 Mr. Frank Cook and family reside on the same 
 street, and although Mr. Cook has never taken orders, 
 resides in the Catholic parsonage. Mr. Cook is a plas- 
 terer by trade and is a first-class workman. 
 
 Off State street, a little south, formerly lived Mr. 
 and Mrs. Burton Turney, and Misses Anna, Blanche and 
 Bertie, a family highly appreciated. Mrs. Turney was 
 a very useful member of society and a great worker in 
 the church, while she resided here. Now they have a 
 little John Lamont added. Mr. Turney was a soldier, 
 enlisted with Judge Knox's company, served his term 
 and received an honorable discharge. They have now 
 removed to Rimerton on the Allegheny river. 
 
 In the same house which they occupied lives Mrs. 
 Gills. Her husband is engaged in the oil business in 
 the Lima, Ohio, oil field. They have a very cheerful 
 family, especialy Miss Pearl. 
 
 On South end of Petrolia street live Mr. and Mrs. 
 Jacob Wenner, quite aged. Mrs. Wenner is very feeble 
 in health. Mr. Wenner was a soldier and is now an ac- 
 tive member of the G. A. R. 
 
 Mr. Lowry Jacobs has a large family of interesting 
 children, but Mrs. Jacobs has been suffering for several 
 months with a severe attack of rheumatism. 
 
 Mr. George Jacobs and his pleasant lady live next. 
 Mr. Jacobs is collector of taxes and consequently is not 
 always a welcome guest, but is a very clever man. 
 
 Wm. Baltzer, Sr., with his estimable wife live next 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 14& 
 
 on the street. They are both proverbial for their kind- 
 ness of heart. Mr. Baltzer has been in the grocery bus- 
 iness for several years and has a fine trade. 
 
 J. D. Cuffman, a ganger, with his amiable wife 
 have a pleasant home cheered by an interesting family, 
 Miss Nellie, Ernest and several smaller children. Mr. 
 C. is a good citizen. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Park have a pleasant home, 
 spiced by the company of their interesting little son 
 Eugene. Mr. Park has his meat market on Main street. 
 
 Mack Turney and his pleasant wife and children 
 reside on this street. Mr. Turney is engaged with the 
 Oil City gas and fuel company and is a prompt work- 
 man. 
 
 John Shaffer and his wife reside on this street with 
 their three interesting children. Cora the eldest living. 
 Death entered this household one season and took from 
 them all of their lovely little pets. Two were tak- 
 en near together. In the spring of 1878, diphtheria be- 
 came an epidemic. Many households were in mourn- 
 ing. The Sabbath schools were decimated. In the M. 
 E. Sunday school nearly one whole class of which the 
 writer was teacher. We here quote from our Scrap 
 Book: 
 
 RESOLUTIONS OX THE DEATH OF SABBATH SCHOOL CHILDREN. 
 At a special meeting of the VI, E. Sabbath School, which met June 30, 
 it was unanimously resolved that on the following Sabbath, July 7th, 
 1878, there should be special services in memory of those pupils who had 
 died during the last quarter, viz : Christiana Goodyear, Willie Amo, Otie 
 Amo, Blanch Northrop. Arthur L. Bunnell, May Bell Northrop, May 
 Boyd. 
 
 The committee on resolutions submitted the following : 
 Whereas, In the Providence of God several of the pupils of our Sab- 
 bath school have been removed by death during the past quarter, we deem 
 it proper in view of these sad events, that we should accept these as calls 
 to us to be ready, and to become more active workers in our Master's vin- 
 
150 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 yard while the day lasteth, for the night cometh when no man can work. 
 
 We would also submit the following resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, 1st. That the Secretary of this school be requested to make 
 an appropriate minute of the death of each in the records of the same. 
 Their names, ages, date of death, and such other facts as he may secure. 
 
 Resolved, 2d. That while we mourn the loss of these very dear chil- 
 dren from our numbers, we do also rejoice in the light which we receive 
 from that glorious Gospel, which points us to a home above and te'ls us of 
 that Savior who said "Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is 
 the kingdom of heaven," and that we will the more earnestly strive, as of- 
 ficers and teachers to bring all the children under the influence of this gos- 
 pel, so that they, too, may become lovers of Christ. 
 
 Resolved. 3d. That we tender to the families and homes thus bereft 
 our sincere sympathy in this hour of their deep sadness and sorrow. Trust- 
 ing that God in His mercy may sustain them, turning by His grace even 
 this affliction into a blessing and thus bringing joy out of sorrow and life 
 out of death. 
 
 Resolved, 4th. That we have these resolutions published in the Eden- 
 burg Daily Herald, and that a copy be presented to the parents of each fam- 
 ily thus bereft. C. L. Ckumb, ] 
 
 Hettie A. Keatley, /-Committee. 
 
 P. P. PlKNEY. ) 
 
 After the resolutions appropriate pieces were sung 
 by the school. Prayer and remarks by the Superin- 
 tendent. 
 
 On Petrolia street live Mr. and Mrs. Wise, late ar- 
 rivals, with a large family of children. On South Main 
 street lives Mrs. James Ghuier, an industrious, active 
 woman, with a very interesting family of children. Lena, 
 a small girl, is quite an elocutionist. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Magee also live near. Mr. Magee has been quite an in- 
 valid for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas on Petro- 
 lia street have a lan>;e family. Mr. Thomas is an indus- 
 trious man. The M. E. parsonage, where resides Rev. 
 J. H. Keeley and his interesting wife and family. 
 His boys, Eddie, and Leroy, enjoy life, having 
 space enough to do just as they please. Mrs. Hart 
 and her two daughters and son live near. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Rose, with their sons Bayard and Archie reside in 
 that part of the town on Mendenhall street. Mr. Rose 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 151 
 
 is engaged with Mr. Neff in the meat market. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Gulp, Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Rhodes and Mr. and Mrs. Hendren and their two chil- 
 dren, on Best street are all pleasant citizens. 
 
 Mr and Mrs. Hantz live on the extension of Penn 
 avenue. Mr. Hantz is engaged with Mr. Weaver in the 
 furniture business on Main street. Esq. J. L. Forker 
 lives on the same street. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver and 
 their two sons live on the extension of Penn avenue have 
 a pleasant home. E. W. Crabbe and amiable wife re- 
 side on corner of Penn avenue and Kribbs street, just 
 opposite to Mr. G. S. Hamm's. T. J. Easley and little 
 son Frank reside on Best street ; also Mr. and Mrs. 
 Rowe. Mrs. Rowe has been an invalid for some time. 
 Mrs. Wenner and two daughters, Lou and Ollie, with 
 her son, occasionally at home, have a pleasant home. 
 W. B. Delo, postmaster, on same street has a very neat 
 home and a number of interesting children. Mrs. Por- 
 ter lives on a cross street. Mrs. Porter lost her husband 
 by death a year ago. He had been an invalid for a long 
 time. Durand Rose and his young bride reside on Main 
 street. Mr. and Mrs. Soles and interesting family occu- 
 py the house vacated by Mr. and Mrs. S. Bruner, who 
 have recently removed to Pitch Pine. Mr. Bruner's 
 have been here a long time and were very much respect- 
 ed. Mamie and Mattie were lovely children. 
 
 The Boyce House, on Railroad street, is almost va- 
 cated. Mr. Moran first kept it. Then Moran & Boyce. 
 Soon Mr. Boyce married Miss Celia Moran and took 
 the house. They conducted it successfully for some 
 time and sold to Mr. Farquhar, who conducted the house 
 until a fire occurred. Mrs. F. started the gas in the 
 
152 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 morning to get an early breakfast for some guests, and 
 after starting the fire went to attend to her toilet. On 
 her return she found the kitchen all ablaze. Much dam- 
 age was done to -the house before the firemen arrived, 
 but when they came they arrested it at once. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Farquhar went to Butler, where they have some oil 
 wells and have not yet returned. Mr. and Mrs. Boyce, 
 being natives of Ireland, after they closed out their hotel 
 here, made a visit to the home of their youth, and on 
 their return located in Clarion, and keep the Coulter 
 House. 
 
 J. Wilson Greenland, one of Edenburg's early young 
 men, three years ago married Miss Minnie, Hon. T. S. 
 Wilson's eldest daughter. He was Assistant Secretary 
 of Internal Affairs under Governor Pattison, and re- 
 sided in Harrisburg since his marriage until now he is 
 in Clarion. Wilson's office at one time was head- 
 quarters for the boys of that period, viz : Robt. Fuller, 
 Frank G. Keatley, S. H. Lowry and many others. Mr. 
 Hale, the accomplished clerk in P. F. Kribbs' clothing- 
 store is a very pleasant gentleman and has great attrac- 
 tions for the ladies. Edwin Austin, saddler and har- 
 ness maker is quite a ladies' man, and is an expert eques- 
 trian. James Reinsel has purchased the S. Bruner 
 property and is running the blacksmith shop very suc- 
 cessfully. Ambrose Boyer has been in Edenburg near- 
 ly all his life. He is foreman in A. B. Floyd's employ. 
 Ambrose is quite a favorite with all. On south side of 
 west State street reside Mr. and Mrs. Harpster, Mrs. J. 
 Preston and little family. Mr. Preston is in the upper 
 oil Held. On same street Mr. and Mrs. Sulinger, Miss 
 Minnie and some smaller children. About one year 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 153 
 
 ago a very sad circumstance occurred. While Mrs. Sul- 
 inger was gone to a neighbor's house for a pail of water, 
 the children were playing in the yard. They had a can 
 of crude oil and some fire near. A very small child 
 had gotten near the oil and had it on his clothing, and 
 in coming; in contact with the fire his clothes were all" 
 ablaze in an instant, and before Mrs. Sulinger could get 
 to him his clothes were burned off him, and his body so 
 burned that he died in a very short time. On Railroad 
 street lived formerly Charles Walther, a photographer. 
 He had a gallery for several years and was successful, a 
 very nice man and Mrs. Walther, Katie and two other 
 children were all happy. Disease came, pulmonary 
 consumption made its appearance and in a short time a 
 constitution naturally frail yielded to the disease, and he 
 had to leave the little ones who leaned upon him for 
 support. His remains were taken to Franklin for in- 
 terment. 
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF CONDOLENCE. 
 
 At a regular meeting of Edenburg Lodge, No. 115, A. O. U. W., held 
 July 10th, 1884, the following preamble and resolutions, were adopted : 
 
 Whereas, It has pleased the Supreme Ruler of the universe to remove 
 from our midst, our late Brother, Charles B. Walther, and 
 
 Whereas, The intimate relations long held by our deceased brother 
 with the members of this lodgs render it proper that we should place on 
 record our appreciation of him as a brother workman and his merits as a 
 man. Therefore be it 
 
 Ri solved. By Edenburg Lodge, No. 115, that while we bow with hum- 
 ble submission to the will of the Most High, we do not the less mourn for 
 our brother who has been called from his labor to rest. 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Charles B. Walther, this lodge loses a 
 brother who was always active and zealous in work as a workman, ever 
 ready to succor the needy and distressed of the fraternity, prompt to ad- 
 vance the interests of the order, devoted to its welfare and prosperity, one 
 who was wise in council and fearless in action, an honest and an upright 
 man whose virtues endeared him, not only to his brethren of the order, 
 but to all his fellow citizens. 
 
 Resolved, That this Lodge tender its heartfelt sympathy to the fami- 
 ly and relatives of our deceased brother in this their sad affliction. 
 
154 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Resolved, That our charter and lodge room be draped in mourning 
 for the space of thirty days. 
 
 Resolved, That these resolutions be|entered upon the records of this 
 
 lodge and inserted in the county papers, and a copy sent to the family of 
 
 our deceased brother. 
 
 C. A. WHEELOCK.) 
 
 W. F. DELP, /-Committee. 
 
 J. A TRAVIS, j 
 
 In May 1879, Mr. Lovejoy, an aged man, who with 
 his lovely companion lived on South Main street, died 
 very suddenly and unexpectedly. Mr. Lovejoy 's funeral 
 was very large, being buried by the Mason's and I. O. 
 (). F's. He was one of the parties who had lost by the 
 Edenburg Bank failure. Nelson, their adopted son 
 went West. Mrs. Lovejoy lives in Titusville and fre- 
 quently visits Edenburg. 
 
 In the winter and spring of 1878, the shadows 
 fell upon our household. Our aged mother was a great 
 sufferer for several months. I take the account of her 
 death from the Pittsburg Christian Advocate. 
 
 Mrs. Annie Keatley. widow of James Keatley, deceased, died at the 
 home of her daughter, Mrs. J. G. Mendenhall, March 18, 1878. Mother 
 Keatley's maiden name was Borland. She was born in Centre county. Pa., 
 April 12. 1793. Her parents were Archibald and Annie Borland. She was 
 left a widow when her youngest child was but seven day* old. She raised 
 her family respectably, instilled in their minds christian principles. She 
 had four children, Andrew H., her only son, died October 10th, 1843, Mary, 
 now Mrs. M. T. Travis, died December 16th, 1872. During her sickness she 
 had the cheerful care of her remaining children, viz : Mrs. J. G. Menden- 
 hall and Miss Hettie A. Keatley, with her son-in-law, Mr. M. T. Travis. 
 Also, her three living grand-children, James M., Araminta and Hattie K. 
 Travis. She had one great-grand-child, Frankie G. Travis. Mother Keat- 
 ley united with the M. E. church when in her nineteenth year. Was a 
 steadfast christian, always trying to live as she professed. She enjoyed the 
 ministration of Rev. P. P. Pinney and many other ministers and christian 
 friends during her last days on earth. She died as she lived with her hopes 
 centered upon Christ as the foundation of her faith. Her remains were laid 
 to rest in the the Strattanville cemetery, beside her children Rev. Thomas 
 Benn preach her funeral sermon by her request. The house was crowded 
 by her former friends and neighbors. Several ministers were present. 
 
 Her Pastor, M. Miller. 
 
 Several young ladies, have been in the family at 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 155 
 
 different times. Miss Annie Barnwell, now Mrs. Emo- 
 ry, of Shippenville. Miss Ella Honor, now Mrs. Gray, 
 Clarendon, Pa., and Miss Fannie Young, of Notting- 
 ham, England, an unusually brilliant young lady. Miss 
 Madeline Burwell, since she left us has attended school 
 at Salem, Ohio, and has been teaching near there. She 
 is more than ordinarily gifted intellectually. Miss Sadie 
 Shingledecker is a young lady who has resided with 
 other parties for several years and has many friends. 
 The Misses Mapleston, three sisters who have grown up 
 in the place, have shown themselves more than ordinari- 
 ly intelligent and ambitious. 
 
 EDENBURG LADIES AS ARTISTS. 
 
 We think Edenburg can boast as many artistic 
 ladies as any other town of its size, Titusville and War- 
 ren not excepted. 
 
 Mrs. B. B. Dunn, a natural artist, excels all others 
 in fancy work. Twenty years ago she filled orders for 
 some Parisian gentlemen, who took them to compare 
 with home work in Paris. Since then she has greatly 
 improved. Her reputation is becoming extensive, hav- 
 ing filled orders for parties as far west as Colorado and 
 California, and east to Philadelphia and very many oth- 
 er large places, both east and west. She has exhibited 
 some of the finest work in worsted, tissue, silk and wax 
 flowers. The work has that exquisite finish which 
 makes it vie with nature. She has a new method of 
 preparing wax for her work which excels any other. 
 This was her own invention. At present she is planning 
 her ideal of many years. Several times she has had it 
 
156 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 almost complete in her mind, but something still seemed 
 to be wanting, until in her anxiety to arrange it, her 
 sleeping hours were troubled and she had a dream, in 
 which the missing part appeared. 
 
 Mrs. L. C. Neeley, Kensington embroidery, dra- 
 sene work, tissue, ribbon work and Kinsington painting. 
 
 Mrs. H. Hibbard, ribbon, Kensington, aracene and 
 chenille work, silk, paper and feather flowers, wax 
 flowers and fruit modeling. 
 
 Mrs. F. M. Denniston, fancy work and Kensing- 
 ton painting. 
 
 ARTISTS IN OIL PAINTING, CHINA AND PLAQUE. 
 
 Mrs. A. J. Smith, Mrs. D. O. White, Mrs. F. M. 
 Denniston, Mrs. E. G. Crawford, Mrs. J. I. Patterson, 
 Mrs. P. Spargo, Miss Lillie Williams and Mrs. G. M. 
 dishing, who has just completed some very fine work. 
 
 Landscape painting, water colors, crayon and pen- 
 cil drawing, Miss Hettie A. Keatley. 
 
 KENSINGTON PAINTING. 
 
 Miss Mary E. Carroll, Miss Nellie Cuffmau, Miss 
 Mellie Marcus, Mrs. G. S. Hamm, Mrs. W, L. Jeffords, 
 Mrs. L. C. Neeley, Miss Rhettie Bethune, Miss Emma 
 Or. 
 
 PICTURE PAINTING. 
 
 Mrs. J. L. Jeffords. 
 
 LADIES WHO ARE EXPERTS ON PIANO AND ORGAN. 
 
 Some who have been here we will mention first. 
 Miss Rose Pinney, now Mrs. John Brown, of Titusville, 
 was a fine instrumental performer and had the finest 
 vocal power of any one who has been in the place. Miss 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 157 
 
 Maggie Mackey, now Mrs. Joseph Flynn, of Einlentoii, 
 was a line organist. Miss Emma Keho, now Mrs. John 
 C. Johnson was a fine vocalist as well as pianist. Miss 
 Lou. Wilson, now Mrs. Rev. Martin, of St. Cloud, Minn. 
 Miss Lou. Best, now a good organist. Mrs. H. P. 
 Loomis is considered the finest performer now. Also a 
 good vocalist. Miss Florence Mong is very fine. Miss 
 Emma Clark, Miss Daisy Byers, and many others play, 
 but not in public. 
 
 EDENBURG ORGANIZED A C. L. S. C. CIRCLE IN 1879. 
 
 Rev. P.P. Pinney, Conductor. A large class was 
 organized with the following members : 
 
 Mrs. P. P. Pinney, Mr. M. E. Hess, Miss Belle Hess, 
 F. G. Sackett, J. Langworthy, Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Un- 
 derwood, J. J. Corlette, Miss Hattie Hatch, now Mrs. J. 
 R. Bowman, Miss Hettie A. Keatley. At reorganiza- 
 tion Rev. W. Mayes Martin was elected conductor, and 
 new members came into the class. W. I. McDow r ell, 
 Miss Margie Welker, Mr. Campbell and wife, J. T. 
 Wilson and Miss Lou., Misses Ella and Lizzie Culbert- 
 son, Miss Ella Reed, John Bethune, Mr. and Mrs. John 
 C. Irvin, Benton and William Kribbs, Miss Florence 
 Kribbs. All read, but many moved away and some 
 were hindered in other respects. When the pioneer class 
 graduated, there were three of the number had finished 
 the course for the class of 1882, viz : Mrs. P. P. Pinney, 
 Mrs. Jennie Boyer, Miss Hettie A. Keatley. Mr. John 
 Bethune graduated in 1884. 
 
 The C. L. S. C, is a fine course of reading for any 
 one, and especially the young to train their minds to 
 think, reason and compare. 
 
158 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 THE OPERA HOUSE. 
 
 The first one in the place was built early and hur- 
 riedly, consequently never finished. It held from eight 
 to ten hundred. Some of the noted speakers of the na- 
 tion have spoken in that old building. J. M. Place 
 brought on the " Boston Lyceum Course" one season, 
 but it did not prove a paying investment for him. The 
 great prodigy Blind Tom held a packed house. The 
 old Opera House has been razed and a new one, more 
 substantial but smaller in compass, has been erected by 
 Robert Orr, called the La Pointe Opera House. It is 
 well finished and much patronized by the citizens for 
 public entertainments and by traveling troupes. 
 
 REUNION. 
 
 From the National. 
 The greatest social event that has ever struck our town came off on 
 the 4th inst.,viz: The reunion of the pupils of the different schools 
 taught by Miss Hettie A. Keatley. It proved to be the largest social gath- 
 ering that we have had the privilege of enjoying. Miss Keatley has had 
 perhaps the largest experience of any teacher now residing in the county, 
 having spent twenty years (of ten months in the year) of solid teaching. 
 Of these years she commenced and ended in Strattanville, where she was 
 brought up, having in all, taught in that village twelve years. The other 
 schools in which she taught were Burn's school house, Hindman's school 
 house, Jefferson county ; Rimersburg, Shippenville, Curllsville and in the 
 Grammar department of Cottage Hill graded school, Oil City. Having 
 performed her part conscientiously, she now has the satisfaction of seeing 
 those whom she instructed, the active men and women of to-day, many of 
 them occupying positions of honor and trust, Among them are ministers, 
 doctors, lawyers and statesmen, and the wives of many of these; others 
 occupying positions of trust in treasury and postal departments at our Na- 
 tional Capitol, while others are settling our western territories, who are 
 enrolled upon her register as boys and girls. About twelve hundred dif- 
 ferent pupils have been enrolled upon her books, of these, she knows of at 
 least one hundred who have passed from earthly cares. It would seem 
 that her instructions has not affected the head alone, but also the heart, 
 for after Miss Keatley has been out of the active service as teacher several 
 years, having abandoned that employment for the purpose of taking care 
 of her aged mother, these pupils feel a desire to invite all within reach to 
 
AXD EDENBURG PEOPLE. 1-51) 
 
 meet their teacher as a school once more and have her preside over them 
 as of yore. Mr. H. L. Young, of Strattanville, and others took the matter 
 in hand and soon an organization was formed. Edenburg felt honored 
 when she heard of their coming and her citizens rose up to meet and taki- 
 care of them. Therefore the leading citizens met, organized and appoint- 
 ed their committees. In fact they opened wide their hearts and put forth 
 their best efforts to welcome them. The very air was perfumed with the 
 odor of hemlock, and the bunting waved by every gale. On the morning 
 of June 4th, which was also Miss Keatley's birthday, every breeze that 
 wafted over our streets was laden with pupils. Buggies, cairiagesand 
 trains, all came laden with pupils, some quite young in years, others more 
 advanced, until the little Oil City of Edenburg was full of pupils. Brook- 
 ville, Strattanville, Clarion, Shippenville, Franklin, Oil City, Pittsburgh 
 and many of the rural districts were represented, as well as the resident 
 pupils of Edenburg 
 
 The spacious dining hall of Mrs. MendenhalFs, as Avell as the lawn ad- 
 joining, was covered with tables, ladened with the choicest viands. The 
 forepart of the day was spent in greeting and handshaking, renewing old 
 acquaintances and partaking of the good things to regale the appetite. 
 Many of us congratulated Miss Keatley on bearing the cares and toils of 
 these many years of school life so well, as she looks as blooming and young 
 as many of her pupils. In the afternoon all assembled in the M. E. church. 
 House called to order by President, Mrs. C. A. Rankin ; on motion of Mr. 
 H..L. Young, Miss Keatley was requested to preside. Music by choir; ad- 
 dress of welcome, by Mr. E. W. Crabbe ; response, by Rev. Thomas John- 
 son, of Rock Island, 111., and a former pupil of Miss Keatley's. Calling of 
 the roll by Miss Keatley. This was a very interesting exercise ; also, read- 
 ing of letters, and telegrams of respect by Secretary, Mrs. B. II. Frampton. 
 These letters, many of which were very interesting, and all evinced a 
 strong attachment for their teacher. President again in chair. Rev. J. S. 
 Elder, in behalf of Presentation Committee in very appropriate language 
 presented Miss Keatley with a beautiful adjustable chair, worth ^75, the 
 gift of her pupils. In behalf of the citizens of Edenburg, Mr. E. W. Crabbe 
 presented her with a purse, containing a handsome sum as a token of their 
 appreciation of her worth. To all which Miss Keatley responded in a very 
 feeling and hearty manner. Speaking words of praise and good cheer to 
 her former pupils, and thankfulness to her neighbors and friends. At her 
 home she received from her niece, Mrs. J. A. Travis, of Edenburg, a beau- 
 tiful silk organ spread, a China cup and saucer from another lady friend, 
 and a beautiful cushion from a cousin in Pittsburg. The exercises at the 
 church were concluded by music by the choir, and a short address and 
 benediction by Rev. J. Bell Neff, of Shippenville. After teaall repaired to 
 their homes, voting it the most pleasant day they had ever spent. With re- 
 gard to Miss Keatley, she commenced her duties as teacher before she was 
 fifteen years old. After having passed the curriculum of the public school 
 she receiver her higher education at Poland, Ohio, and at Beaver Female 
 College. At the latter institution she graduated, and in a class of seven 
 had the first honor. She also graduated in the Chatauqua C. L. S. C. class 
 1882. 
 
160 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 From Local Paper. 
 
 FIFTH ANNIVERSARY— WOODEN WEDDING OF DR. O. G. MOORE. 
 
 This anniversary was celebrated at their residence on Penn avenue, 
 Monday evening, January 1, 1883. The occasion was one of special inter- 
 est and the attendance was unusually large. About seventy invited guests 
 were present, besides several ladies and gentlemen from abroad. Dr. and 
 Mrs. Moore were attired in appropriate costumes, and as each couple or in- 
 dividual, were ushered into the parlor they were politely introduced to the 
 bride and groom by Mrs. E. W. Crabbe. After several hours had been 
 very pleasantly passed in social conversation and amusements of various 
 kinds, refreshments were served in ample order to which all did justice. 
 The epicurian propensity of all having been fully satisfied, the company 
 were entertained with some excellent vocal and instrumental music by- 
 Messrs. J. C. and J. Core Trainer, assisted by their sister, Miss Jennie 
 Trainer, and after the rendition of a choice selection by Mrs. J. W. O'Day, 
 on the organ, all returned to their homes feeling highly pleased with the 
 evening's entertainment. The numerous presents received by the Dr. and 
 Mrs. Moore were not only ornamental, but also useful, as a better selection 
 could not have been made. 
 
 WEDDING BELLS. 
 
 On Saturday evening December 30th, 1882, being 
 the fifth anniversary of the marriage of George C. Steele 
 and Miss Ellie G. Mendenhall, a number of their friends 
 surprised them by assembling at their home on that 
 evening to offer greetings, and present to them tokens of 
 friendship in a great variety of articles of wooden ware 
 of all styles, from the butter print to handsome picture 
 frames. After a sumptuous repast, which was set by 
 the guests, and much pleasant conversation all repaired 
 to their homes wishing Mr. and Mrs. Steele many more 
 returns of their marriage anniversary. 
 
 On October 23d, 1884, a large concourse of the 
 citizens assembled at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. 
 W. West, by invitation, to celebrate the occasion of their 
 twenty-fifth anniversary. It was an occasion long to be 
 remembered by all present. The evening was spent in 
 pleasant conversation, recitations and music. Mr. and 
 
AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 161 
 
 Mrs. West were the great attraction, both looking as 
 smiling and cheerful as when they first passed the or- 
 deal, but with Mr. West, editorial life has silvered his 
 hair, which was the only evidence visible that twenty- 
 five years had come and gone, unless we take in the fact 
 that he was grand-father. The entertainment on the 
 part of the host and hostess was faultless. The presents 
 in silver ware were magnanimous. They received all 
 the silverware that they will need during their lives, 
 many sending presents who could not be there. It is to 
 be hoped that when the years of married life has doubled 
 they may still enjoy life as now. 
 
 One of the pleasing incidents among the little peo- 
 ple in years gone by, was a lovely entertainment in the 
 M. E. church by Mrs. Charles Brown and Miss Rose 
 Pinney, at which time some tiney little ones were trained 
 to perform difficult parts. Among the number were, 
 Mabel and Annie Bonnel, May Stemple, Jessie and Car- 
 rie Rutherford, Mary Pinney and Kittie Plaisted. Mas- 
 ter Frankie Travis and Annie Bonnel represented the 
 characters of Mr. anclMrs. Tom Thumb. He was four 
 years old and she three-and-a-half. 
 
 At a social meeting of some of the members of the 
 Presbyterian Sabbath School, the following resolutions 
 were passed by Mr. W. I. McDowell's class in respect 
 for Miss Georgia Burke, Avho had been a member of 
 that class, and who has recently removed to Richmond, 
 Dakota, 
 
 Whereas, Our friend and class-mate, Miss Georgia Burke has re- 
 moved to her new home in Dakota, and whereas in all probability we 
 never shall meet again as a Sunday school class, we, her friends and class- 
 mates, desiring to express our regret at her departure, and our wishes for 
 her future life, have adopted the following resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, That we express our sorrow that duty has called Miss 
 
162 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 
 
 Georgia from among us. While she was a member she was always ready 
 and willing to do her duty, and by her kindness and gentle disposition, 
 has won the affection of both teacher and class mates. 
 
 Resolved, Therefore that we pledge anew our friendship for her, and 
 for each other, and although we may be separated, and though our heads 
 may grow gray, our hearts shall ever be young in the memory of the 
 loved friends of our Sunday school day-. 
 
 Resoeved, That a copy of these resolutions be given Miss Burke, and 
 
 that they be published in the Clarion County National. 
 
 Committee. 
 
 The children of to-day will be the men and women 
 in a very few years. We think it wise to encourage 
 them by remembering* their work, and labor of love in 
 any good cause. 
 
 One more such event and then we shall leave them. 
 
 On the 26th of March, 1883, the primary class in the 
 Sunday school, under the care of their teacher, (the writer) 
 held a costume party in the Clarion House, which was a 
 very interesting affair, called the "Martha Washington 
 Tea Party." It would be impossible at this distant date 
 to describe it fully. Master Harry Harley represented 
 the Father of his country, beautifully. Miss Florence 
 Smith represented Martha Washington, and, although 
 but seven years old, she performed her part admirably. 
 Master Willie Wilson and Miss Minnie Ochs repre- 
 sented Col. Nutt and wife. Master Joie Kilgore, a 
 Highland Chief, Master Dannie Kernick, (who was born 
 in England) Johnny Bull ; Master Joie Brothers, the In- 
 dian Chief; Master Alpha Buzza, William Penn ; 
 and there was the Flower Girl, Queen Elizabeth, Queen 
 Mary and many representative characters. The recita- 
 tions and music were good. The children realized clear 
 of expenses, $55, fifty of which were given toward plas- 
 tering the M. E. church. There were many other pleas- 
 ing features of this children's entertainment, which we 
 need not mention now. 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 163 
 
 We now present the business interests of Eden- 
 burg in a condensed form for reference, (both past and 
 present.) 
 
 The Clarion County Flouring Mil, built by Mr. Fred J. Harley in 1880 
 and 1881, at a cost of about $24,000. The machinery is part roller, and the 
 mill is quite an acquisition to the town and is at present owned by E. G. 
 Crawford. The mill is located near the P. & W. R. R. 
 
 Planing Mill— Messrs. D. Harley and J. M. Smith, proprietors, located 
 on Petrolia street. 
 
 Harness Shops— W. N. Wilson, State street ; M. M. Fisher and E. Aus- 
 tin, Main street. 
 
 T ank Shop— N. W. Rrown, Esq., (past). 
 
 Paint and Paper Store— C. T. Herpst, Main street, (past). 
 
 Blacksmiths— D. Higgins. State street, (past); D. Clark, deceased, J. 
 Hotaling, S. Brunei- (now J. Reinsel); W. F. Delp, Main street. 
 
 Hardware and Oil Well Supply Stores— I. Jacobs of Oil City, Main 
 street, (past); J. D. Wolf. Main street, (past); Gibbs & Jarvis, Main street, 
 (past); Chalfant & Graff, State street, (past). These sold to J. Cochran of 
 Rouseville. now owned by E. G. Crawford and W. I. McDowell, Main 
 street; Gibbs & Sterrett, of Titusville, on Ohio street. 
 
 Wagon Makers— Robert Whitehill, Main street ; John Knight, Main 
 street. 
 
 Livery— J. Moffett, C. Shaw. F. Wilbur and S. Shoels all of Main 
 street, (past); A. B. Floyd, Main street; J, A. Travis, Penn avenue, (past); 
 L. C. Putnam, State street, (past); C. A. Wheelock. State street, (past"); D. 
 Clover, State street ; J. Horton, State street. 
 
 Torpedo Offices — 1875, Coulter Denniston, (now deceased) Main street; 
 1876, F. M. Denniston to present time, Main street; 1877, A. L. Bunnell, 
 Main street, (past); 1878, A. L. Howard, Main street; J. L. Jeffords, Main 
 street; G. S. Mendenhall, Main street ; Ellis Hall. Shady City. 
 
 Iron Works and Boiler Shops — 1876 and 1877, J. Kinnear and Cassel, on 
 State street, (past). 1875 to 1878. J. Sheridan & Co., of Franklin, Pa., (past), 
 corner of Straight and Crooked Main street. West Point Boiler Works, 
 Miller & Co., then Bole & Co., and now A. L. Lincoln, near the P. &. W. R. 
 R. Edenburg Boiler Works, east of Main street, H. Donovan. Knox Boiler 
 Works near P. & W. depot, J. W. Townly. Novelty Iron Works, opposite 
 P. & W. depot, Smith Bros., of Rouseville. 
 
 Drug Stores — H. C. Grimshaw, (past), H. R. Burgess, G. S. Mendenhall, 
 J. I. Patterson, all of Main street. Dr. S. Wann & Co.. corner of Main and 
 State street, (past), H. J. Bethune, State street. 
 
 Hotels— State street. Edenburg House. P. Mapleston, afterward R. 
 Orr; Garrett House, now the Clover House by S. W. Clover; Clarion 
 House by Ed H. Long and others, now not occupied ; European House by 
 Mrs. Shoewalter ; Warnoek House by J. Warnock, deceased; Main street. 
 Norris House by A, J. Borland, (past); Centennial House A. S. Scribner 
 
164 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUKG 
 
 and others, (past); Ross House by S. W. Ross, (past); Petroleum House by 
 Toot MeConnell and others, (past); St. Cloud by Stewart Brothers and Win 
 Hazelett, (past); Bennet House by J. L. Stemple, (past); Newport House 
 J. Hathaway and others, (past): Globe Hotel by O. Dunning and others, 
 (past); American House by Mrs. Carrie Yates. 
 
 Railroad Street — United States Hotel by Wm. Jahn, (past); Pittsburgh 
 House owned C. E. Gibbs, kept by J. Morrison, (past): Mo ran House by 
 Moran <fc Boyce, afterward the Boyce House by M. Boyce and later by Mr. 
 Farquhar, (past). 
 
 Lumber Yards — Railroad street. W. W. Greenland, R. W, Buzza, N. N. 
 Booth, Esq. 
 
 Coal Yards— W. W. Greenland, R. W. Buzza. 
 
 Jewelers— Main street, J. L. Shaner, 1875, 1887 ; Calvin W. Little. Mr. 
 Swope, jeweler ; N. Nachman, T. C. McMasters. 
 
 Furniture and Undertakers, Main street, 1875 to 1881, W S. Brown, 
 Moore Brothers & Weaver, Weaver & Hantz. 
 
 Justices of the Peace — J. L. Forker. N. N. Booth. 
 
 News Depots and Notions— J. M. Place, with F. L Bensinger as clerk, 
 who is now in Franklin, Wm. Palm, Joseph Kenniston, T. C. McMasters. 
 
 Grocers— Main street, P. F. Kribbs & Son; W. M. Kirkpatrick, (past) ; 
 J. L. Miller, H. R. Radebach, J. M. Bethune, J. Rooney, ReiffBros., C. L. 
 Lay, G. S. Hamm, J. Cowan, (past, J. M. Mong <fc Magee (past), Win. J. 
 Baltzer and J. Page, (past), State street, J. M. Long, (past). 
 
 Clothiers— Main street, J. Brucker, T. Travers, George Mackey, (all 
 past). P. F. Kribbs, J. A. Jordan M. H. Marcus, now Mrs. H. Brown, A. A, 
 Alden, with J. Damo as clerk, (past), State street ; Horner Bros. 
 
 Photographers — Main street, W. E. Finch, C. B. Walther, (now deceas- 
 ed). F. M. Lewis. C. A, Shirley and C. Devaux. 
 
 Millinery and Fancy Stores, 1876— Miss Keatley, Mrs. J. Vedder, Mrs. 
 Mack, Mrs. Goheen, Mrs. Newman, Mrs. McKinzie, Miss Quinn, Miss 
 Frank, Misses Wassum and Crick, Mrs. Gibson Mrs. Neely. 
 
 Notary Publics— George Tucker, Wm. Selby, Esq., J. K. Wilson, R. K. 
 McCormick, D. W. Lewis. 
 
 Sculptors— Thomas and Frank McCall. 
 
 Dentists— Dr. O. G. Moore. 
 
 Dry Goods Stores— P. F. Kribbs, J. H. Berlin &Crabbe, Flynn & Hamm, 
 J. P. McQuiston, all on Main street. Ohio Store. State street; J. Levey & 
 L. Katz, J. Barrance. Bee Hive ; Stull & Sterner, State street. 
 
 Present, Main street— P. F. Kribbs & Son, G. S. Hamm, Mrs. L. C. Neely, 
 Mrs. M. C. Gibson, H. R. Radebach. 
 
 Land scape and fancy painting and perspective drawing— Mr. F. Ger- 
 rish. Main street. All who wish any work of that kind will do well to call 
 on Mr. Gerrish. 
 
 Edenburo; lias had its pleasures and its sorrows, its 
 flush times and its depressions, but the people who have 
 
AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 165 
 
 lived iii it are rather partial to it and for such we have 
 written. Still hoping that in this volume may be found 
 much to interest others, and that my many friends may 
 feel inclined to read it out of regard for the writer. 
 With this hope I finish my task. 
 
 THE END.