USA > Pennsylvania > A geography of Pennsylvania : containing an account of the history, geographical features, soil, climate, geology, botany, zoology, population, education, government, finances, productions, trade, railroads, canals &c. of the state : with a separate description of each county, and questions for the convenience of teachers : to which is appended, a travellers' guide, or table of distances on the principal rail road, canal and stage routes in the state > Part 22
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efforts been crowned with more success. Literature and science are not neglected : ten or twelve associations or institutes for the promotion and diffusion of useful knowledge have been organized ; several of which have libraries and reading rooms, and in some of them courses of lectures are delivered on scientific and literary subjects.
Banks and Insurance Companies. Bank of Pittsburg, capital $1, 200,000; Merchants & Manufacturers' Bank, capital $600,000; Exchange Bank, capital $1,000,000; Farmer's Deposit Bank, capital $200,000, with privilege to increase to $500,000. Insurance : Pittsburg Navigation and Fire Insurance Co., capital $250,000, in shares of $100 each ; Fireman's Insurance Co., capital $250,000, in shares of $25 each ; Office of Beaver County Insurance Co., capital $40,000, in shares of $50 each; Office of American Fire Insurance Co. of Philadelphia; Office of Philadelphia Fire and Inland Navigation Insurance Co.
The Pittsburg Water works were first put in operation in 1827, and a large part of the city is now supplied with pure and whole- some water from the Allegheny river. This is raised by means of a powerful engine into a reservoir above the level of the city, from which it is distributed by pipes laid through the streets. Works are in progress by which the utility of this invaluable pub- lic improvement will be very much extended. The number of feet of pipe, of different sizes, laid for the conveyance of water from these works is upwards of 51,000, or rather more than 9} miles.
The gas works were erected in 1836, and are under the direction of twelve trustees, elected by the city councils. All the principal streets are now lighted with gas, and its benefits are soon to be extended more widely. The coal of Pittsburg is well adapted to the production of gas, and in no place are there greater natural facilities for obtaining this cheap and brilliant light.
There are six daily and twelve weekly newspapers published in Pittsburg, beside some religious, and other periodicals. Three of the newspapers are printed in the German language. The people are generally well informed and intelligent, and care is taken to promote the improvement of children and youth by means of com- mon and Sunday schools, the good effects of which are visible among all classes of the rising generation. There are few places of the same population where there is less drunkenness and vice, or more regard for the interests of religion and morality. The people of this place and its vicinity deserve the reputation which they so extensively enjoy for industry. It has become proverbial that " the idler can find no company in Pittsburg." The effect of this persevering and unwearied industry and application to busi- ness, upon individual as well as general prosperity, is well illus- trated by the fact that many of the citizens who are at present en- joying handsome fortunes were once labourers in the furnaces which they now own; and some who were not long since driving drays now ride in their own carriages. The advantages of a man's own individual exertion in raising himself to competence and a re- spectable station in society, have been truly exemplified in this place.
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ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
Within the bounds of this county, besides the city of Pittsburg and the adjacent places already named, are Elizabethtown, M' Kees- port, Sharpsburg, Bakerstown, East Liberty, Stewartstown, Nobles- town, and other thriving villages. The three first named are in- corporated boroughs.
The agricultural products of Allegheny county are wheat, rye, oats, indian corn, potatoes, &c., with some barley and buckwheat. Flax and wool are also produced in considerable quantity.
Coal is the great staple mineral product, of which it is estimated that from eleven to twelve millions of bushels are mined annually.
This county contains 92 flouring and grist mills, and 81 saw mills. About 45,000 barrels of flour are manufactured annually. The other principal manufactures of the county have been noticed in our account of Pittsburg.
The value of real and personal estate assessed for county pur- poses in Allegheny is $13,475,619; county tax $75,921; State tax $17,507. The assessed valuation of property is, however, be- lieved to be very considerably below the real value.
The Western Division of the Pennsylvania canal enters this county on the west side of the Allegheny river, about 30 miles above Pittsburg, and passing down on the same side, until opposite the city, is there taken across the river by a splendid aqueduct 1,200, feet long, built by the State at a cost of $104,000. After passing through a tunnel under Grant's Hill, this canal terminates at the Monongahela river. Another branch of the canal continues through Allegheny city, and debouches into the Allegheny river a few hundred yards above the head of the Ohio.
Beside the aqueduct already mentioned, there are three bridges, each about 1,200 feet long, across the Allegheny river, connecting the cities of Pittsburg and Allegheny. There is also a bridge over the Monongahela river, 1,500 feet in length, forming a communi- cation between Pittsburg and Birmingham.
Several turnpike roads pass in different directions through this county, which, together with most of the common roads, are kept in tolerable repair.
The attention which is given to the cause of education in Pitts- burg and its vicinity has been already mentioned. The common school system is in general operation throughout the county, which has 33 school districts, maintaining 230 schools. Each of the five wards in the city of Pittsburg has its public school house, in which the male and female departments are under separate teachers. In the third ward is also a public school for the instruction of coloured children. These schools are kept open for about eleven months in the year: but in the country districts the average time which the schools are in operation does not exceed six or seven months. The Teachers' Lyceum of Allegheny county is an institution having for its object the improvement of teachers, and the general diffusion of knowledge.
This county has its share of historical interest, and in perusing the accounts of the old French and Indian wars we shall find it the scene of many a memorable event. Here Washington, when
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GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
but a youth, visited the Indians at Shannapin's town, and spent several days with them at Logstown. On his return from Le Bœuf, on foot, in the end of December, he and his companion came near perishing when crossing the Allegheny river at the head of Herr's Island. Their frail raft was broken by the drifting ice, and the future preserver of his country, together with his only companion, sank up to their necks in the freezing stream. They finally extricated themselves, but suffered intensely until they reached Frazier's at the mouth of Turtle creek, a distance of nine or ten miles. In this county is the memorable field where the gal- lant but imprudent Braddock, with his ill-fated host, were destroyed by the savages, and the bones of the slain, and other relics of the fight are yet found by the ploughman and the curious visiter. Here La Fayette, in 1825, landed from a skiff and walked over the bloody field where the illustrious friend of his youth first distin- guished himself by his coolness and bravery. A few hillocks yet show the outline of that fort from which the hapless prisoners taken at Braddock's defeat were led to the stake. The territory which now forms this county has been the scene of many an In- dian outrage and many a pioneer adventure, a few only of which have been preserved from the oblivion of time.
How is Allegheny county bounded ? Is the surface level or hilly ? What is the most valuable mineral production ? How is the principal coal bed situated,-and what is said of its extent and thickness ? Mention the prin- cipal strata of limestone and building stone. Describe the several varieties of soil. What is said of the climate ? What three rivers are in this county ? What is said of the Allegheny, its navigation and trade ? Of the Monon- gahela ? Of the Ohio? What other streams are mentioned ? What is the principal city and how situated ? Who first commenced the erection of a fort here, and what was it called after its capture by the French ? By whom was it retaken and what was it then named ? What remains of the old fortifications still exist ? What was the number of houses in 1775 ? In what year did the place begin to improve ? When was Allegheny county established, and to what had it previously belonged ? In what year was Pittsburg incorporated as a borough, and when as a city ? What city and towns are adjoining to and connected with Pittsburg ? What is its popula- tion and that of Allegheny city ? Total of these cities and adjoining towns ? Mention the principal manufacturing establishments and their number ? What is said of the advantageous position of this city ? What are the prin- cipal public buildings ? Describe the new Court-house, the Western Peni- tentiary, &c. What theological seminaries are situated here ? What is said of the religious, moral and literary institutions ? Banks and Insurance companies ? Describe the Pittsburg water works. The gas works. How many newspapers are published ? What is said of the inhabitants and their general character for morality and industry ? Name some of the other towns in Allegheny county. What are the chief productions of agri- culture ? The staple mineral product ? The manufacture of flour ? What is said of the canal and aqueduct ? The principal bridges ? Of the com- mon schools ? Mention some of the historical events connected with this county.
3. ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
Armstrong county is bounded on the north by Clarion, east by Jefferson and Indiana, south by Westmoreland, and west by Butler.
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ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
The total population, by the census of 1840, was 28,365; but a portion having been since laid off into the new county of Clarion, leaves the present number in Armstrong at about 19,255.
The surface of this county is diversified, being generally what may be termed hilly or rolling. In some parts are large tracts of land which are unfit for cultivation ; others are suited only to the growth of timber ; while extensive portions are found which may be classed among the richest lands in the State. The alluvial bottoms along the streams are highly prized for their fertility, and are generally thickly settled and cultivated.
The Allegheny river passes nearly in a direction from north to south through the western part of this county, and is navigable for steamboats from Pittsburg to Warren, in Warren county. Red Bank creek forms the northern boundary of Armstrong county. Mahoning creek, a large tributary of the Allegheny, falls into that river 10 miles above Kittaning. Cowanshannock and Crooked creeks flow westward and empty into the Allegheny, the former two miles above, and the latter six miles below Kittaning. Crooked creek affords a number of excellent mill seats, and has on it six large flouring mills in operation. The Kiskiminetas river, which forms the southern boundary of the county, is one of the largest tributaries of the Allegheny, and is noted for the salt works in its vicinity. That portion of the county which lies west of the Al- legheny river is watered by Buffalo creek, which flows southward, affording water power for a number of mills, and empties into the Allegheny two miles below the mouth of the Kiskiminetas.
This county lies within the great bituminous coal formation, and contains beds of coal, limestone and iron ore, which are rapidly adding wealth and importance to the county, as they are brought into productive usefulness. The want of capital, how- ever, has hitherto retarded the developement of the mineral re- sources of this region, until the recent erection of furnaces and other manufacturing establishments, which now begin to give promise of the future wealth to be derived from the formerly ne- glected hills of Armstrong.
The salt works on the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas rivers form an important item in the productions of this county. The wells for obtaining the salt-water are generally bored from 500 to 650 feet deep, being three inches in diameter for the first 200 feet, and the remainder two inches. Copper tubes are inserted; which have a band of leather filled with flax, tied around them above the point at which the vein of salt-water is reached. This fills the hole around the tube and prevents the fresh water above from mingling with the salt-water below. The brine is pumped from these tubes, by steam power, into a large reservoir, from which it flows into the boiling pans. After boiling for some time the brine is turned off into a cooling vat, where a sediment settles from it; it next passes into the graining pan, where after evaporation, the salt re- mains in the bottom. These pans are of iron, eight feet wide and twenty feet long, and are placed over furnaces in which the re- quisite heat is maintained. Each establishment consumes from
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GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
175 to 200 bushels of coal daily, and employs four or five men. The cost of boring a well and erecting the requisite works is about $3,500; and the quantity of salt made from a well varies from 1000 to 5000 barrels yearly. The whole amount of salt manu- factured annually within the county is about 320,000 bushels.
Kittaning, the county town, is situated on the east side of the Allegheny river, forty miles north-east from Pittsburg. Popula- tion in 1840, 1,323. It has a court-house, a prison, an academy, and several churches. Coal is abundant in the neighbourhood of the town. Kittaning is built upon the site of an old Indian village of the same name, which was taken and burnt during the French and Indian war by Col. Armstrong. About forty Indians were killed in the attack, a number of English prisoners were released, and by this well-timed and successful enterprise, an expedition which had been planned by the French and Indians against the frontier settlements was prevented.
Freeport is a thriving town, in the southern part of the county, situated on the Allegheny river, sixteen miles below Kittaning, and twenty-eight from Pittsburg. It contains five churches, two steam woollen factories, and a steam saw-mill. The Western Division of the Pennsylvania canal passes through the town, and it is the principal depot for merchandise coming from the eastward for the supply of Armstrong and the other northern counties bordering on the Allegheny river. Population 826.
Leechburg is a flourishing place, situated on the canal, 35 miles from Pittsburg and 15 from Kittaning. At this place there is a large dam built across the Kiskiminetas river, 27 feet high and 574 feet long, constructed for the purpose of feeding the canal from that point to Pittsburg. This forms an immense water power, which belongs to the State, and is not improved. If brought into use it would make Leechburg a place of much importance in manufactures.
This county contains also Warren, Middletown, Lawrenceburg, Worthington, and other rising towns and villages, with a popula- tion of from 100 to 250 inhabitants.
The agricultural productions are those common to the other western counties of the State, and much of the soil is well adapted to the raising of grain, large quantities of which are sent from the southern part of the county to supply the eastern market. Cattle and sheep are raised in great numbers. Within the last few years a superior breed of sheep have been introduced into the country, by which it is believed that wool will before long become one of the staple productions.
There are four furnaces for the manufacture of iron now in operation. Two of these are in Franklin township ; one in Sugar creek, which is one of the largest furnaces in the State, and con- nected with which, near the mouth of Sugar creek, is an extensive rolling mill; both under the control of an incorporated company. The other furnace is in Madison township, near which is said to be a very large bed of cannel coal.
The value of property assessed for county purposes in 1842 was $2,121,352; county tax, $7,592; state tax $2,308.
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BEAVER COUNTY.
The Pennsylvania canal passes along the whole southern bound- ary of this county, a distance of 25 miles.
A tolerable turnpike road passes through Kittaning to Butler ; and the common roads are kept in as good order as is usual in the western counties.
There is an academy at Kittaning, and the system of education by common schools is general throughout the county. There are 14 school districts, and 129 common schools, but they are kept open only about four months on an average during the year.
The population of Armstrong county is of a mixed description. Many of the inhabitants are of German and Irish descent,-prin- cipally settlers from Westmoreland and the neighbouring counties.
By what counties is Armstrong bounded ? Describe the face of the country and soil. The principal streams. What valuable mineral produc- tions ? How is salt water obtained ? In what manner is salt manufac- tured from it ? What is the county town and how situated ? Where is Freeport ? Leechburg ? What other villages in the county ? What is said of the agricultural productions, &c. ? Of the iron manufactures ? Canal and turnpike roads ? Education ? Of the inhabitants ?
4. BEAVER COUNTY.
Beaver county adjoins the states of Virginia and Ohio on the west, Mercer county on the north, Butler on the east, Allegheny on the south-east, and Washington on the south. Population 29,368.
The surface is generally rolling rather than hilly, with steep and precipitous ascents from the valleys of the principal water courses. The alluvial soil of the bottom lands is highly fertile, and most of the upland is adapted to the production of grain and for the graz- ing of cattle and sheep. Agriculture here is in a flourishing state, and among its other pursuits considerable attention has been bestowed upon the cultivation of the mulberry for silk, and the vine for grapes.
The Ohio river flows across the southern part of Beaver county, and in the north the Mahoning and Shenango unite and form Beaver river, which flows southward nearly through the middle of the county, and empties into the Ohio near the town of Beaver. In the east are Slippery-rock and Conequenessing creeks, both con- siderable streams, which unite their waters and flow westward into Beaver river. On Beaver river, within five miles from its junction with the Ohio, is a succession of falls and rapids, having an aggregate descent of 69 feet, and affording an immense water power for manufacturing and mechanical purposes.
Valuable and extensive beds of bituminous coal, with strata of limestone, occur in almost every part of the county. Near Greens- burg is a bed of cannel coal about eight feet thick, resting upon three feet of ordinary bituminous coal. This cannel coal is light, compact, ignites with great facility, and burns with a strong bright flame.
Beaver is the county town, situated on an elevated plain near
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GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
the junction of Beaver river with the Ohio. It is an incorporated borough, and contains 551 inhabitants. Its public buildings are a court-house and county offices of brick, a stone prison, a bank, an academy and several churches. This town, though pleasantly situated, has not improved so rapidly as many other places in the same neighbourhood.
Bridgewater is situated on the west side of Beaver river, imme- diately at its junction with the Ohio, being connected with Ro- chester, on the opposite side of the Beaver, by a handsome and substantial bridge.
Fallston is a flourishing manufacturing town, at the foot of the falls of Beaver river, and thence deriving its name. A race has been constructed here, a mile and a half in length, by which the water is conducted to the wheels of a row of manufacturing estab- lishments of various kinds, such as woollen factories, flour mills, saw mills, oil mills, paper mills and other industrial operations in which water power may be usefully employed. In the rear of this town is a bed of excellent coal, so conveniently situated that the fuel may be slid from the mouth of the mines into the kitchen yards of many of the houses.
On the opposite side of the river, and connected with Fallston by a handsome permanent bridge, is the village of New Brighton, where the water power is also immense, and various mills and factories have already been erected.
Brighton, on the west side of Beaver river, four miles above the Ohio, is a beautiful and flourishing place, commanding unlimited water power from the river, with a fall of about twenty feet. Here is a flouring mill capable of manufacturing 200 barrels of flour per day ; an extensive cotton manufactory, and a large paper mill constructed upon the most approved plan. There is a tannery, and also a number of mechanical establishments.
Sharon is a thriving village on the west side of Beaver river, about a mile from the Ohio, having an iron foundry ; an extensive establishment for the manufacture of patent tubs and buckets ; boat yards for the construction of keel and canal boats, and various other manufacturing concerns.
Freedom, a village on the Ohio, about a mile above the mouth of Beaver, has several manufactories, among which is one for steam engines and boilers; and a boat yard for the building of steamboats.
Economy is a German settlement on the north-east bank of the Ohio, 18 miles below Pittsburg. The town contains about 100 houses, and is situated on a beautiful plain about 80 feet above the river. This town, together with a tract of land containing between 3,000 and 4,000 acres, is the property of the "Harmony Society," who, under the direction of George Rapp, emigrated from Ger- many about the year 1805, and first settled at Harmony in Butler county. From this place they removed to the banks of the Wa- bash, in the state of Indiana, where they cleared a large tract of land, built a town, and established various manufactories. Here they remained about ten years ; but finding the climate unhealthy
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BEAVER COUNTY.
they resolved to return to Pennsylvania, and in 1825 established themselves in their present location, where by the exercise of their peculiar habits of enterprise, industry and economy, they soon succeeded in founding a flourishing and beautiful settlement.
Their property is held in common as the general and indivisible stock of the society, and all persons who may unite with them and add their property to the common stock, are permitted, if they quit the community, to withdraw the principal without interest. They have a woollen manufactory, propelled by steam, in which from 70,000 to 80,000 pounds of wool are annually converted into broad cloth, satinet, flannel and blankets of superior quality. Their cotton, manufactory and grist mill are also driven by steam ; in the former about 300 bales of cotton are used in a year. Within the last few years their attention has been directed to the culture and production of silk, which in 1840 amounted to 2,389 pounds, being manufactured into silk goods of various descriptions.
Most of the ordinary branches of mechanical industry are like- wise carried on, as well for their own use and comfort as also for the accommodation of their country neighbours of the adjoining settlements, with whom a considerable business is transacted by way of sale and exchange.
In the lower story of a brick building, 120 by 60 feet, they have an extensive museum of natural curiosities, a large number of paintings, and a fine collection of mineral specimens. The upper story of this building consists of one spacious room, in which the whole society on certain occasions dine together, as on the cele- bration of their yearly harvest home, the anniversary of their asso- ciation, and other days of importance to them.
They have a large brick church in which they meet for worship twice on Sunday, and on one evening during the week. Their leader delivers a discourse in the German language, which is generally spoken among them, although many of them understand and speak English. A large and commodious school house is erected for the education of their children : they have a physician of their own, and an apothecary shop for the supply of medicines. A large and well arranged hotel is kept under the direction of the society, in which travellers and visiters are accommodated ; and a post office is kept for the convenience of the settlement.
Their large flocks of domestic animals, horses, cattle, sheep and swine, are of good stock, and being well managed and carefully pro- vided for, may be regarded as among the best in the western country.
In their agricultural operations they are surpassed by few, if any : their fields, meadows, orchards, vineyards, nurseries of fruit trees and gardens, are among the best in the country, and form a pleasing subject of admiration to the many travellers who visit this interesting place.
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