USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Catasauqua > A history of Catasauqua in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania > Part 28
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Solomon's doctrine of "spare the rod and spoil the child " was emulated to a giddy height in the early days of school-keeping. Many an offending child, or a friend of the offender, was sent out to the old apple tree with instructions to eut down a stout water sprout for use upon his own back. If the friend went for the whip, there was something for two youngsters to settle that night on the way home from school. If he refused to fetch the rod. he too fell under the ire of the school master. Rulers were thrown at scholars who whispered to their neighbors in the next seat, and, when they brought the ruler to the commanding master, he would slap the palms of their hands, or the tips of their fingers bunched together, until they would sting for hours. Failures in lessons were rewarded by hand ear-pulls, or by being chased to the foot of the class where, as umpires, they were compelled to enumerate all errors made by their class mates. An omission of errors meant some more slaps with the black ruler.
Before the introduction of the Joseph Gillotte Pens, which were made in England, and sold in this country at two pens for three cents, quills were used for penmanship. Young teachers usually had the time of their lives until they had acquired the skill to properly point and split a quill. The large tail feathers of geese or turkeys made the best quill pens.
Friday afternoon used to be the great time at school. A wide awake teacher
362
THE HISTORY
usually spent most of his time on Friday afternoons in giving exhibitions which patrons attended in large numbers. The program consisted of singing, essays. declamations, dialogues, debates and geographical or spelling matches. For a match two persons, usually a boy for one side and a girl for the other, chose al- ternately until practically the whole school was divided into two companies and ready for the fray. The teacher pronounced words which were spelt by pupils on alternate sides in regular order. If a word was misspelled on one side it was passed to the other, and then back again, and so on until some one spelt it cor- reetly. All who erred were out and took their seats. The last one standing won the match.
The last day of school was a great day in the life of the child of fifty and more years ago. Recitations were heard until noon, when an iron kettle was brought and rigged up by the big boys. It was filled with water and the fire started. The smaller children were sent home. Books, papers, pencils, slates and ink-bottles were nicely packed together (pupils furnished their own books and material in those days). When the water was hot enough the boys carried water while the girls washed desks, benches, windows, and finally scrubbed the floor, ending up at the door, which the teacher locked and the fun was over. Boys and girls who could not be sent home, but were banished from service in the scrubbing party, put in the afternoon by playing in the school yard and watching the big boys and girls coquet. A large hogshead was placed into the basement (cellar) of the Bridge Street School Building, which was kept filled by means of buckets from the spouting by the boys on rainy days so that when scrubbing periods came the water was on hand.
The game of ball back in the fifties and sixties was not a scientific contest between the pitcher and a batter, but rather an all-around sport. The ball was usually made of a piece of rubber or cork wound over with wool or yarn of a worn out sock until it was large enough to handle and then a soft leather cover, cut like an orange rind, sewed over it. If the game was "Corner Ball" four fellows stood on spots about fifteen or twenty feet apart. The ball was thrown from one to the other, around the square or diagonally across it. He who failed to catch or who dropped the ball was obliged to go into the square as a target to be
363
OF CATASAUQUA
thrown at, and another fellow took his place on the corner. If a fellow on the cor- ner threw at the man in the square and missed him, or if he dropped the ball, he too had to go into the centre. Thus the game continued until all the players were in the eentre save one. Now he took the ball and ran from corner to corner, the only spot from which he dared throw the ball, so as to get near some one whom he might hit by throwing. If he could hit them all and thus discharge every one from the box or center he had won the game.
"Gickley-over" was another game which was played around some wagon shed, corn erib, or wood house. The boys would divide. or choose sides, so that an equal number was on each side of the shed. One of the principals on a side would start the game by throwing the ball over the roof of the shed and call out "Gickley-over." If a fellow on the other side of the shed saw and caught it, the fellow who threw the ball was won over to that side. Then the first man on side number two threw the ball to side number one calling out the words which mean "watch out it is coming over." If in this instance no one caught the ball, but it rolled on the ground, then there was a general scramble for it, and he who got it ran around the shed either way as far as the corner on the other side and threw it at the fellows. If he hit one that man also came over. Thus the game con- tinned and men were won from side to side until at last one or the other side lost its last man, and the game belonged to the side that had won all the men.
"Long-town" came into vogne a trifle later and was really in a manner a fore-runner of base ball. Sides were chosen. One set of men were batters and the other set selected their pitcher and catcher and the rest of the fellows were fielders. Long-town had only one base which usually was a stone, stump or tree about twenty-five strides from the batting point. He who batted the ball over the fence was out. A flying ball caught by some one put a man out. If the ball was batted over or through the bunch of fielders the batter ran to the goal twenty-five steps away. If a fellow pieked up the ball before the runner reached the tree or stump, and threw the ball so as to hit the runner then the runner was out : if he missed the runner so that the ball flew far away, the runner could touch the tree and run "home." When all the batters had safely reached the tree, but none
364
THE HISTORY
dared risk to run home, and a last man would bat the ball far over the crowd, then there was merriment when everybody ran home. In case all the batters reached the tree so that there was none to bat, pitcher and catcher would throw the ball to each other a certain number of times in which time somebody must risk and run safely home else the game is lost.
In the game of "Round-town" were four or five bases, placed in the form of a square, diamond, or pentagon. and basemen guarded these safety spots. The ball was thrown to the basemen who touched a runner and he was out. If a fielder caught a fly and tonched a runner, he put two men out. In Round-town more than one man was privileged to share safety at the same base ; and a whole bunch was permitted to run bases simultaneously. The bat was a piece of a rail or clap-board, seldom a whittled paddle.
"In ye good and olden times" loved ones did not understand the art of pre- paring and laying out a corpse so as to conceal the horror of death and the sting of its consequent sorrow. When Owen Frederick began to direct funerals in 1848, it was a common practice, in order to keep a body for a day or two until ar- rangements for burial could be made, to lay a board on two chairs, cover the board with fresh clumps of wet sod and then lay the body on the sod, grass np. and cover it with a sheet. Later the undertaker brought a rectangular box, two by seven feet and about six inches deep, into which the body was laid and ice packed around and on it. The water was drained from the box by a small spont into a bucket that stood on the floor. Still later the ice-box was coffin-shaped, about six and a half feet long, thirty inches wide at the shoulder and twenty- four inches deep. The sight of that box cansed many a shudder. The body, wrapped in a sheet. was laid into the bottom of the box, and a metal tray filled with cracked ice and resting on catches in the box was placed over it, and a close fitting lid was shut down tight. A small spout carried the water from this re- frigerator. The face and hands of the corpse were washed with saltpeter and water. The process of embalming was put into practice in this community in 1884.
Years ago, pall-bearers at funerals were called grave-makers. Sextons in
365
OF CATASAUQUA
cemeteries were unknown. When some one died. four men were sought who were willing to serve as grave-makers. A day or two before the funeral the grave- makers filled a "stuetze" with water, eider or some other consoling quencher. went to the graveyard together and dug and walled-out a grave for the deceased. Having completed their task by evening they returned to the house of mourning for a good dinner which neighbor ladies prepared. The neighbors also prepared meals for mourners who traveled long distances to be present at the funeral. On occasions when a prominent person died several beef roasts, a whole veal (calf) and two or three dozen chickens were required to form the base of the funeral dinner. It is said that Frederick Biery introduced this custom into this section of the country.
On the day of the funeral the grave-diggers served as pall-bearers. until the committal was ended. Then they donned their overalls and filled up the grave with ground. Thus their office was fulfilled.
Mr. Glace relates : William F. Romig was the first physician in Catasauqua. His office was located on lower Front Street. After a practice of some ten years he was succeeded by Dr. F. B. Martin, who admitted Dr. Yoder as partner in 1858. In 1868. Dr. Martin died and Dr. Yoder succeeded him.
Alonzo W. Kinsey, an Englishman, was the first chemist at the furnaces. Kinsey was a scholarly man and manifested a great skill as an experimenter and leeturer. He astonished his friends by washing his hands in a certain solu- tion and then into molten iron which he splashed abont him with his hands uniu- jured. At the request of Capt. Bill Jones, he went to the Carnegie Works, where he married a second time, the mother of the wife of Charles Schwab. now of the Bethlehem Steel Company. He died a few years since at an advanced age.
The first machinist was George Jenkins. He was foreman in the Crane shops. Later he accepted a position as Superintendent of the Boonton Iron Works in New Jersey, where some of his descendants are still living.
Uriah Brunner was the pioneer druggist and newspaper man in town. He titled his paper "The Rising Star of Catasauqua." He moved to West Point, Nebraska, where he became a State Senator of that State.
366
THE HISTORY
John Swartz, a brother of the late B. Frank Swartz, was the first pho- tographer in town. Pictures were then taken on glass and were called daguerreo- types. Mr. Swartz died in 1852.
The first barber was Sammel Romig who died early in the fifties. James. W. Fuller, Ist, induced William E. Welsh, a colored barber, to come to Catasanqua where he conducted a shop for many years. A son of Mr. Welsh now conducts a shop at Coplay.
Joseph Troxell mended shoes and had a small store on Front Street where Kemp's Clothing Store is now located. His son, Alfred M. Troxell, is in the business at Front and Chapel Streets.
The first stone mason was Charles Breisch, who assisted in the erection of the first furnace. One son and a number of grandsons are still in town.
Nathan Fegely, formerly of Mauch Chunk, conducted the first humber yard on Church Street, the present site of the Town Hall. His yard ran to Middle Alley and Front Street, which accounts for the right angle in Railroad Street in the rear of Lawall's Drug Store.
The David Tombler briek yard was located at Howertown Avenue and Wood Street. Later it was moved to the Third Ward where it was abandoned. Neighly Brothers made briek on Howertown Avenne near the Hunter farm. The Kurtzes ran a brick yard in the Third Ward, which became the property of Franklin Goldsmith who closed out the business over a year ago.
The Union Foundry on Front and Pine Streets was opened by John Fritz and his brothers at the close of the forties. His brother-in-law, Isaac Chandler, ran a black-smith shop on Front and Bridge Streets, the site of the Crane loco- motive house. After a brief tenure they all went to Johnstown, Pa.
Mr. Glace remembers the first rocking chair brought to Biery's-Port in 1847. Two men brought it on a boat from Bethlehem. Many people came to see and try the great curiosity.
The first carriage was brought hither from Bath, Pa., in 1849, by John Boyer, father of our townsman, Eugene J. Boyer. This was also a curiosity.
1
367
OF CATASAUQUA
A young man by the name of John Thomas, a relative of the Superintendent. fell from the top of the first furnace, soon after its completion, and his body was buried in the rear of the Presbyterian Church on Fifth Street in Allentown. He was borne on a bier on the shoulders of relays of fellow employees, who wore high hats draped with long streamers of erepe as was the enstom in Wales in those days. A long procession of men and women, among whom were "Mother Thomas" and Mrs. Lackey, followed the cortege on foot to the grave. After the completion of the Thomas vault by David Thomas the body was deposited in it.
It will be interesting to locate some of the old buildings of Town :
THE STONE BARN, still a part of the Francis JJ. Deily estate, and erected about 1760. stands north east of the Wahnetah Silk Mill.
THE GEORGE TAYLOR RESIDENCE, which is the farm-house belonging to the barn just mentioned, was erected in 1768. Three iron plates bearing the inscription "G. T. 1768" were found in the open fire-places and kitchen of the building. The large plate in the kitchen was removed and presented by the Deily heirs to the Historical Society of Lehigh County, in 1910.
THE BIERY FARM-HOUSE, at Second and Race Streets, now the house of August Hohl. was erected abont 1800.
THE BIERY HOTEL. on Raee Street, in the rear of the American Hotel. was erected in 1826, and is now the property of George Deily.
THE BIERY HOME, now owned by Frank B. Manser, on the corner of Race and Canal Streets, was creeted in 1830.
THE BIERY STONE-HOUSE, used for many years as a store, at the Canal bridge on Race Street, was erected in 1835. It is now the property and residence of George B. F. Deily, and the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Laubach.
THE THOMAS HOME is the large frame dwelling opposite the furnaces on Front Street, erected by the Company during the fall of 1839. The stone building on the front lawn was the ice house used by Mr. Thomas.
368
THE HISTORY
THE KURTZ FARM-HOUSE. east of the Rubber Works, was erected about 1800 and is now owned by JJohn Yeager.
THE FREDERICK MANSION was so named after George Frederick who owned it for many years. It stood on the West Side, a few rods south of the Her- cules Metal Works. It was one of the oldest houses in the Lehigh Valley, having been ereeted in 1757. When the Lehigh Valley R. R. was built, this house was sold to Asa Packer. It was also known for years as "The Fort" because it was used as a place of refuge from the Indians.
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OF CATASAUQUA
CHAPTER XII
BOROUGH OFFICIALS, OLD HOME WEEK PROGRAM AND VIEWS
BOROUGH OFFICIALS.
Dr. C. JJ. Keim. Chief Burgess.
Francis G. Lewis, Solicitor.
Lewis J. H. Grossart, Engineer. Daniel Gillespie, Overseer Water Dept. William McNabb, Receiver of Taxes.
James H. Harte, Street Commissioner.
Henry Zeaser, Fire Marshal. C. E. Scheckler, Sr .. Chief of Police. Andrew Smith, Alvin Roth, Patrolmen.
TOWN COUNCIL. Rufus W. G. Wint, President. Reuben C. Weaver, Secretary. Ralph C. Boyer, Treasurer.
COUNCILMEN.
C. D. W. Bower. Robert G. Dougherty. Samuel P. Gemmel. Joseph M. Kane. Samuel Mitchell. Oscar H. Sehugar.
Harry B. Smith. Harvey W. Snyder. Robert H. Steinmetz. Howard V. Swartz. William H. Wentz. Rufus W. G. Wint.
370
THE HISTORY
BURGESSES.
Names and Years Served.
David Thomas, 1853. John Boyer, 1854.
Uriah Brunner, 1855.
David Thomas, 1856-57.
William Goetz, 1858-59.
A. C. Lewis, 1860.
John Williams, 1861-69.
James C. Beitel, 1870-71.
John Williams, 1872-73.
M. H. Horn, 1874.
George Bower, 1875.
William H. Glace, 1876.
F. W. Wint, 1877.
Henry Davis, 1878-80. Philip Storm, 1881-84. Robert E. Williams, 1885-87. John W. Hopkins, 1888-89. Thomas Jones, 1890-91. W. A. Borger, 1892-93. Charles R. Horn, 1894-96. C. D. W. Bower, 1897-99. Rufus M. Wint. 1900-02. Henry W. Stolz, 1903-05. C. J. Keim, M. D., 1906-09. II. H. Riegel, M. D., 1909-14. C. J. Keim, M. D., 1914-18.
CENSUS-The population of the Borough, according to the United States enumeration, since its incorporation, has been as follows :
1860
1932
1890 3704
1870
2853
1900
3963
1880
3065
1910
.5250
371
OF CATASAUQUA
OFFICERS OF THE OLD HOME WEEK ASSOCIATION
President, Leonard Peekitt.
Secretaries, Harry H. Aubrey, Daniel B. Quinn.
Treasurer. James S. Stilhnan.
OME
JUNE
CATASAUQUA
SAU
QUA
28-JULY 4, 1914
COME BACK
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
J. S. Elverson, Chairman Finance Committee.
William H. Glace, Esq., Chairman Historical Committee. Rev. David R. Griffith, Chairman Memorial Committee. C'apt. Joseph Matchette, Chairman Parade and Music Committee. Edmund Randall, Chairman Publicity Committee. Albert B. Lee, Chairman Fireworks Committee. Thomas Deemer, Chairman Decoration Committee. John L. Schick, Chairman Entertainment Committee. Harry B. Weaver, Chairman Educational Committee. Wilson Scott, Chairman Concessions Committee.
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE.
Edmund Randall, Chairman. Harry H. Aubrey, Secretary. Reuben C. Weaver. Eugene T. Quinn.
William T. Scanlin. John S. Matchette. Daniel B. Quinn.
JEEK
PHOTO
372
THE HISTORY
PROGRAM
SUNDAY, JUNE 28TIL. RELIGIOUS DAY.
Special Thanksgiving and Commemoratory Services in all Churches. Re- ceptions to Former pastors.
MONDAY, JUNE 29TIL. RECEPTION DAY.
General reunion of families and Social and Fraternal societies.
Band concert in the evening at 8.45 o'clock. Concert by the Catasauqua Choral Society on St. Paul's Lawn, at 7.45 P. M. Address by Dr. John A. W. Haas. President of Muhlenberg College, Allentown, on a Civic topic.
TUESDAY, JUNE BOTH. EDUCATIONAL DAY.
Parade of Public and Parochial School children and Alunni 4 P. M.
Reunion of the Alumni Association of the Catasauqua High School and C'on- vert by Bethlehem Steel Co. Band in High School Auditorium & P. M. Band concert in the evening.
WEDNESDAY, JULY IST. SPORT DAY.
1
Registered shoot by Bryden Gun Club. Many of the most prominent marks- men in America will participate in the events. Extra attraction, the Topper- weins, the foremost shooters in the United States to-day. Fancy shooting by Mrs. Topperwein.
Athletic Tournament, 3.30 to 6 P. M. -
373
OF CATASAUQUA
THURSDAY, JULY 2ND. FRATERNAL DAY.
Grand parade of all Fraternal, Patriotic and Social Organizations.
Grand display of fire works in the evening. Band concert.
FRIDAY, JULY BRD. FIREMEN'S DAY.
Parade of Catasauqua and North Catasauqua Fire Departments and invited guests.
Band concert in the evening.
SATURDAY, JULY 4TIL. HISTORICAL DAY.
Grand historical, patriotic and civic pageant.
Magnificent display of fireworks in the evening. Band concert.
The series of pictures of some fine buildings and beautiful scenes of C'ata- sanqua, here appended, were printed from euts loaned the Editors through the complaisant liberality of the firm of Geo. V. Millar and Company of Scranton. Pa., and the earnest mediation of Messrs. A. J. Etheredge and Company of Cata- sauqua.
375
OF CATASAUQUA
-
GEORGE TAYLOR RESIDENCE-1768.
THE FAUST HOME.
376
-
Typical Bail ter Cata
13198
RESIDENCE OF MRS. KATE M. FULLER.
THE HISTORY
377
RESIDENCE OF EDWIN THOMAS.
12300
Typical Residence, Catasauqua, Pa
---
.....
D
-
OF CATASAUQUA
378
THE HISTORY
E
RESIDENCE OF FRANK M. HORN.
379
OF CATASAUQUA
U
RESIDENCE OF MRS. JESSICA WILLIAMS HOLTON.
380
THE HISTORY
RESIDENCE OF J. W. FULLER, BRD.
OF CATASAUQUA
12,129
Typical . Residence, Catasauqua,
Pa.
RESIDENCE OF LEONARD PECKITT.
381
382
THE HISTORY
RESIDENCE OF D. G. DERY.
L-CATASAUQUA
PINE STREET BRIDGE.
OF CATASAUQUA
RESIDENCE OF MRS. GRACE WILLIAMS KOEHLER.
VIEW OF CATASAUQUA.
384
THE HISTORY
RESIDENCE OF OSCAR J. STEIN.
FRONT STREET, LOOKING SOUTH FROM BRIDGE.
385
OF CATASAUQUA
RESIDENCE OF H. J. SEAMAN.
SCENE ALONG LEHIGH RIVER.
386
THE HISTORY
ـزهر ".
J2,132 Bridge and Fourth, Catasauqua.
RESIDENCE OF MRS. SARAH HUMPHREY FATZINGER.
OF CATASAUQUA
12308
Fifth and Walnut Streets, C'alasaugua,
RESIDENCE OF C. R. HORN.
387
388
THE HISTORY
RA Hotel. C.fuqua, Pa
EAGLE HOTEL.
OF CATASAUQUA
-
Bridge Street, Catasauqua, Pa.
12823
CATASAUQUAA NATIONAL BANK AND EMPIRE OFFICE BUILDINGS.
389
390
THE HISTORY
18197
SCENE ON UNION STREET.
391
OF CATASAUQUA
Bethel Welsh Congregational Church, Catasauqua, Pa.
12737 ~
BETHEL WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
392
Howettown Road
13.200
SCENE ON HOWERTOWN AVENUE.
THE HISTORY
OF CATASAUQUA
Fourth Street Scene, Catasauqua, Pa
12299
FOURTH STREET, LOOKING NORTH FROM BRIDGE.
393
394
THE HISTORY
13199
E
Front Street, Catasauqua,
FRONT STREET BELOW MULBERRY.
395
OF CATASAUQUA
V:Phoenix The Company "Hall. Catasauqua" Pa.
SCENE ON CHURCH STREET.
396
--
12,131
Bryden Horseshoe Works, Catasauqua, Pa.
BRYDEN HORSE SHOE WORKS.
THE HISTORY
397
OF CATASAUQUA
St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church Catasauqua Pa
SCENE ON THIRD STREET.
THE HISTORY
FRONT AND BRIDGE STREETS.
12820
*6
Lehigh National Bank, Catasauqua, Pa.
-
-
-
I
398
399
OF CATASAUQUA
af.
Entrance to Cemetery: Catasauqua
32304
ENTRANCE TO FAIRVIEW CEMETERY.
400
THE HISTORY
1
First Soldier's Monument nected after the Civil War,
12303
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
401
OF CATASAUQUA
-
Catasauqua, Pa
LEHIGH VALLEY DEPOT.
402
THE HISTORY
Depar Catasauqua, Pa.
-
C. R. R. OF N. J. DEPOT.
OF CATASAUQUA
12.129
Lehigh Canal Lock. Calasauqua
LOCK AT THE CRANE FURNACES.
403
40-4
-
Crane Iron Works, Catasauqua, Pa
12306
CRANE IRON WORKS.
THE HISTORY
105
OF CATASAUQUA
LOWER CATASAUQUA1.
406
THE HISTORY
LEHIGH RIVER AND CANAL.
107
OF CATASAUQUA
....
Third and Walnut Streets, Catasau
12.127
THIRD AND WALNUT STREETS
408
2735
St. Stephens Episcopal Church Carasauqua
CORNER HOWERTOWN AVENUE AND BRIDGE STREET.
THE HISTORY
THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara
THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW.
Series 9482
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UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 879 628 6
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அன்பர்
சர்கருப்பு பரு வம்
------ -- -- இன் சார் ---
ந்துவழியும்
சந்திரன்தும்பு
.அக் சந்து, இதரa ryproces
ஆபத்து வரும்
சித்தேரையேதோ
இக்ஷா பது
- - -
-- - -
-- - - -
-
بحيالص
திருத்தலம்
பரதர் துணை
அரம் - H-ரமாக்களை -
---------- - தாரம் ( ஸ்ரீ நேர்வீர் நேக்கர்
ஸ்கூல் IN. ஹஹர்ட் ஆடை
طبيعة الحياة تجربة للبنكفة بوجيه لوحة
----
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படுத்தஅடி ச்சாரியார் ஆண்டு
ஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீ ஹரிபோ
பணத்தை ---
مسجد بـ
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இரத்தசீ சாரம் மற்றும் மணிற்றசம்
சரித்து வாழும்
பக்கர் ஓர.தாராக்தி
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