USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
603
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
the French in 1754, and later by the army of General Brad- dock in 1755, showing the various encampments of Braddock's army; Fort Necessity as occupied by Colonel Washington ; the burial of General Braddock; the Big Rocks where Jumon- ville was surprised, killed and buried; Washington Springs; the encampment of Colonel Dunbar, and Colonel Washington in consultation with Captain Christopher Gist.
In the view of Ligonier valley was old General Arthur St. Clair sitting in front of his old log tavern stand. The view of Uniontown from Pine Knob was faithfully executed. The life- like scene of Jacob B. Miller, at Ohiopyle Falls, engaged in his favorite sport, with an immense fishing pole, out of all pro- portion to the size of the view, brought forth tremendous ap- plause. The White Rocks, where Polly Williams met her tragic death, August 14, 1810, was beautifully shown. A snow scene was so realistic as to cause a hush to pervade the audience while the fast falling flakes ladened the branches of the trees. The old stagecoach, with its dashing team of foaming steeds, thundering down the mountains, was so realistic that one almost heard the crack of the long-lashed whip, and instinctively started to get out of the way. The thunder-storm, with which the ex- hibition closed, was so vivid that actually some of the audience hesitated to leave the hall until they were assured that the storm was a part of the entertainment only.
The canvas of this panorama was mounted on three sets of rollers for convenient handling, and was first set up in the court house, more for the purpose of getting everything in complete working order than for exhibition, but the anxiety of the people to view this grand work of art was so great that the proprietors gave two evenings' entertainments.
It was the full intention of the management to exhibit first in Philadelphia and New York, and by liberal advertisement, acquire great notoriety and then go to London, where they be- lieved a fortune could be easily and quickly acquired. Alas! Fate determined otherwise.
One of the proprietors was offered $1,000 for his interest in the enterprise before leaving Uniontown, but he was too en- thusiastic to consider such an insignificant offer.
The first place booked for exhibition was at Cumberland, where it was displayed for seven days. The next place was Winchester, and from there to Baltimore where it was well ad-
604
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
vertised and exhibited for a week. The next place was Pitts- burgh, where it was exhibited in Philo Hall. Here the company become disrupted, and some of the principals withdrew. New arrangements were made, and the canvas was taken down the Ohio river and exhibited at East Liverpool, Blythe's old home, to an appreciative audience. From here it was taken to Cin- cinnati where it was held for freight, and some of the original owners redeemed it and brought it back to Uniontown and ex- hibited it in the then new Tremont Hall, corner of West Main and Morgantown streets. It was next sold to a party who took it west and realized handsomely by its exhibition. It is said that finally the canvas of this panorama was cut into pieces and used in Trimble's variety show in Pittsburgh, for backgrounds.
This panorama, which was a great attraction in those days, would have been a paying investment had it been properly managed, has been supplanted by the stereopticon slide and the moving picture film.
THE AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS.
Agricultural exhibitions have been held at Uniontown and elsewhere in Fayette county at irregular periods from an early date. The Agricultural Association of Fayette county, of which the Honorable Charles Porter, who held the office of associate judge of the county, a resident of Luzerne township, was the president, General Henry W. Beeson, treasurer, and Hugh Thompson, secretary, gave an exhibition the second Wednes- day (10th day) of April 1822, at Uniontown, possibly in the court house. The principal articles on exhibition were needle- work, carpets and linen goods. The live stock was exhibited in a convenient place not far from the court house. The list of pre- miums awarded at this exhibition was not published until Sep- tember 17, following, on which date of the " Genius of Liberty " it appeared and was signed by General Henry W. Beeson, as president, pro tem, and Andrew Oliphant, secretary, pro tem.
Another exhibition was given April 9, 1823, at which a number of premiums were awarded.
At a meeting held by the officers of the association at the court house during the October session of court in 1823, a list of premiums to be awarded at the next exhibition was arranged, and it was determined to hold the next annual exhibition on the second Wednesday of April, 1824.
605
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
How long this organization held its exhibitions is not now certainly known; neither is it apparent why the exhibitions were held in the spring rather than in the fall, thus excluding all vegetables and fruits from the list of exhibits. All the linens, capets and needlework exhibited were manufactured within the household of the exhibitors.
An agricultural fair was held at the old Thornton farm in Redstone township in the fall of 1852. Among the premiums offered at this fair was a prize of one hundred dollars in the free-for-all race for "anything that wore hair and had four legs." A man by the name of Hays owned a young bull that he had broken to run under the saddle, and he would slip to the race-course under cover of darkness and practice his bull to run the track.
At the time set for the races, Hays appeared with his bull, and demanded to have him entered against the protests of those who had entered their horses, but according to the terms of the premium list, Hays was entitled to enter anything that wore hair and had four legs. Hays had also taken the precau- tion to strap a stiff ox hide on the back of the bull instead of a saddle, and provide himself with a horn and pair of spurs. When the signal was given to "go" Hays prodded his bull with the spurs, gave his horn a loud blast, which together with the roaring of the bull and the flopping of the ox hide caused the horses to fly the track and Hays was an easy winner. This ludicrous incident provoked laughter in the vicinity for many years.
Another fair was held on the farm of Eli Cope, one and a half miles east of Brownsville on the National road, October 6th and 7th, 1853. This fair was not in operation over two years. The prime movers being W. C. Johnson, W. Elliott, James Craft, Samuel H. Smith, Col. John S. Krepps, David Deyarmon and W. G. Patterson.
The Jefferson Township Agricultural and Horticultural society held a fair on October 26th and 27th, 1853. David H. Wakefield being an enthusiastic horticulturist, took a leading part in these exhibitions and had on display a great variety of fruits, the product of his own nursery and farm. The officers of this association were: William C. Patterson, president ; Joseph Miller, William Colvin and William L. Stewart, vice- presidents; W. L. Stewart, recording secretary; David H.
606
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Wakefield, corresponding secretary and librarian and David Deyarmon, treasurer.
The Fayette County Agricultural Association was incor- porated in 1859, with Alfred Patterson, Esq., as president and William H. Baily as secretary. Grounds were secured running from the Barton mill road, now Grant street, on the east to the Baltimore and Ohio railroad on the west. These grounds con- tained eighteen acres and had a half-mile track, and lined on the south side of Fayette street.
The first exhibition on these grounds was held October 19th, 20th and 21st, 1859. In preparing the race-course for these grounds, Jim Combs, then quite a small boy, fell in front of the roller which passed over his entire form, leaving him almost as flat as one's hand ; Jim, however, still lives to relate the incident.
A most ludicrous incident occurred during this fair when what was known as the " Pryor " horse was matched against Johny Hagan's filly for a race. The Hagan mare flew the track with Bill Froman on her back and passed under the judge's stand which stood about four feet off the ground. Froman's head struck the stand with enough force to crush an ordinary man's skull, and Dr. Smith Fuller and Baily Dawson, who were! in the stand, were greatly alarmed lest the little building should collapse; but when the mare emerged from under the stand and began eating grass, and Froman limped away rubbing his shins, the crowd burst into uproarous laughter.
The second exhibition on these grounds was held October 10th, 11th, and 12th, 1860. At this fair "Honest John," owned by Thomas Curl of Carmichaels, was the fastest running horse.' He was a long legged, light built horse and was at his best in a ! three-mile heat, in which few horses could keep within sound of his hoofs. The Pryor horse gave him a stiff race for a half mile, but Honest John would scarcely get a good start in that distance. His large, speaking eyes, that stood out from his head, appeared to say " Give me a clear track and I will show you something in the way of running."
The third exhibition was held October 1st and 2nd, 1861, and it will be remembered that the 85th regiment of Pennsyl- vania volunteers, which had been enlisted here, was encamped on the fair grounds at this time, and it was advertised that patrons of the fair would have the opportunity to witness the daily drill of the regiment. A large buck elk that had been
607
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
presented to the association and ran at large on the grounds, and was kept confined during the fairs on account of its vicious- ness, made an attack on one of the soldiers on Sunday morning, October 13th, and was shot and eaten by the soldiers.
The fourth annual exhibition was held October 8th, 9th, and 10th, 1862. Another cross elk had been procured by the as- sociation and allowed to run at large on the grounds, and on Monday, October 6th, it made an attack on old Billy Henry and gored and trambled him until assistance arrived. It, too, was butchered and the meat sold.
After the 85th left the fair grounds for the seat of war, a regiment under the command of Colonel Dale was en- camped there for a while, and when they left, the fences, sheds and buildings of the association were found to be in such a dilapidated condition it was not thought advisable to hold any further fairs on these grounds.
The same gentlemen who had been interested in the fairs previously held near Brownsville, with the addition of William Britton and George Darsey took up the matter and held fairs for several years on the Thornton riverbottom farm, about half a mile above Brownsville.
The Fayette County Agricultural Association was incor- porated July 21, 1879, with Jasper M. Thompson as president ; W. M. Larden and John D. Frisbee, vice-presidents ; A. C. Nutt, treasurer and John K. Ewing, Jr., secretary. Twenty-five acres of land were secured north of town, and a half-mile track was made.
The first exhibition held on these grounds was advertised for October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 1879, but on account of the race-course not being completed, the date was postponed one week at which time the weather was very cold and people were compelled to wear overcoats, which militated much against the attendance.
At a meeting of the directors held February 18, 1888, Jasper M. Thompson was re-elected president, James B. Wig- gins elected vice-president, R. F. Hopwood secretary and M. H. Bowman treasurer.
At a meeting of the directors March 29, 1889, James B. Wiggins was elected president of the association, vice Jasper M. Thompson, deceased and R. L. Martin vice-president. On February 14, 1891, R. L. Martin was elected president, William
608 .
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Allen, vice-president, W. C. McKean, secretary and M. H. Bow- man, treasurer. On February 9, 1892, W. S. Craft was elected president, J. B. Ewing, vice-president. At the election of Feb- ruary 13, 1894, W. S. Craft was elected president, S. E. Wads- worth, vice-president, W. W. Parshall, secretary and M. H. Bowman, treasurer. On October 17, 1896, after holding the fair, a meeting of the stockholders was held when it was ascer- tained that the association had lost about $1,500, not including the interest on the debt, and it was concluded to sell the grounds to liquidate the debt, and to offer the grounds at public sale on November 21, 1896. On that date the grounds were offered for sale and $12,000 bid, but not deeming the bid sufficient, the sale was postponed, but the following year some of the stock- holders took the grounds over and formed what was known as " The Fayette County Fair Association" and elected William M. Thompson, president; John N. Brownfield, vice-president; W. W. Parshall, secretary ; until the first Monday of May following. On May 31, 1900, W. M. Thompson was elected president ; Joseph Barton, vice-president; W. W. Parshall, secretary ; J. E. Dawson, assistant secretary and M. H. Bowman, treasurer. The last fair was held October 1, 2, 3 and 4, 1901. About July 31, 1902, the grounds were sold by W. W. Parshall, as agent for the association to E. D. Fulton, as agent, for a consideration of about $16,000, since which time there have been no more fairs held in Fayette county.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE COLORED FOLKS-THE CHOLERA SCOURGE-OLD POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.
From the founding of the town it has had more or less of a colored population. Some of the early emigrants from Virginia and Maryland brought their slaves with them into the new settlement. Societies were organized to abolish the institution within the state. An act for the gradual abolition of slavery was passed by the legislature of Pennsylvania March 1, 1780, whereby it was ordained that no person born within the state after the passage of this act shall be a servant for life, and all perpetual slavery is by this act abolished, and all those in case this act had not been passed, would have been born slaves, shall be deemed such until they become the age of twenty- eight years, but shall be treated as servants bound by inden- ture for a term of years, and all owners of slaves shall have the names of the same recorded. Under the law of March 29, 1788, registries of children liable to servitude continued for more than half a century after that date.
At Columbia, 28 miles below Harrisburg, in Lancaster county, arrangements were made for furthering fugitive slaves, into Canada, and here originated the phrase "The Underground Railroad," meaning the mysterious way by which they were conveyed beyond the reach of the slave catcher.
Every place where a fugitive slave could procure assistance was called a station on the Underground railroad, and these were numerous along the border line. The narrow avenue near the east end of East Main street, known as Baker alley was known as a "station " on the mysterious Underground railroad and was a great rendezvous for those who were assisting fugi- tives in their flight from slavery to freedom, on their way to Canada, where they would be secure from the slave catcher.
If Baker alley had the power of utterance it could relate incidents of the most thrilling character. Many a weary, foot- sore fugitive sought its narrow confines to escape his pursuers whom he knew to be, like bloodhounds, hot upon his footsteps. Here he was sure to find a welcome, by kind friends who will-
609
610
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
ingly gave all the protection within their scanty means. Floor- ing boards were lifted, and the fugitives stowed away beneath, and an impromptu dance instituted, at which the utmost hilarity prevailed in order that any sound the fugitives might make would not reveal their whereabouts and lead to their captivity.
The law then required peace officers to arrest and hold in captivity all fugitives, and many who were not officers of the law devoted themselves to the contemptible avocation of cap- turing fugitives for the mere pittance they might receive for their services. Officers, slave-catchers and curious sight seekers frequently thronged this narrow alley in pursuit of fugitives, only to ascertain that the object of their search had myste- riously vanished. In a nearby stable was kept a team of horses; a fugitive would glide into Baker alley under the cover of darkness, the team was brought into requisition, and by day- break the fugitive would be forty miles away and the team quietly munching hay as though nothing unusual had occurred.
The amusing experience of a Uniontown man who devoted some of his time to the very unsavory business of capturing slaves in their flight for freedom, may be best told in the gentle- man's own language, as he used to relate it to his friends, who would enjoy a hearty laugh at his expense.
" Back in the 50s," he said, " a fellow could pick up a few dollars catching runaway slaves easier than by hard work, not- withstanding the disrepute into which he was sure to fall: A man by the name of Stump, who hailed from Old Virginia and who claimed to be the owner of all the fugitive slaves caught on free soil, but in reality was a mere hireling in the business, often visited Uniontown where he had a few acquaintances who were willing to share with him in the profits of the business. I joined Stump on several of his slave catching expeditions, the most memorable of which I will relate.
" In 1856 Stump came here in pursuit of a fugitive slave. The mysterious 'underground railroad' was then in operation . for the speedy conveyance of fugitives over the line into Canada, where they were secure from the slave catcher. I joined Stump on this occasion and we soon struck the trail which led into the town of Blairsville, Indiana county, and while walking down the street in that town Stump caught sight of his man, who had been in hiding in the house of one Lewis Johnson who was then known as a keeper of a station on the 'underground rail-
611
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
road.' The man was standing in a store door at the time and Stump stopped and pointed him out to me that I, being un- known to the fugitive, might approach without arousing his suspicion. I grabbed the man, at the same time telling him he was my prisoner. He being a powerful fellow, gave me a sling that landed me in the middle of the street. It was like prodding a pole into a hive of bees; a swarm of whites and negroes poured from every direction. It fairly rained negroes for awhile. Stump and I were quick to take in the situation and determined that the only safety was by immediate and rapid flight. There was little time to consider. Stump having the start, headed for the old canal and I in hot pursuit. We struck the tow path with an angry mob close upon our heels. I exerted my strength to its utmost, but in spite of all I could do one fleet-footed negro insisted that my coat tail should assume a perpendicular instead of its already horizontal position, and about every ten leaps I made, that negro's number thirteen boots came into such violent contact with the nether part of my anatomy that I was lifted bodily from the ground. He seemed to say 'get off the earth, you cuss, get off the earth.' I feared to look back or to tarry lest like Lot's wife a worse evil come upon me. Had it not been for the timely intervention of Mr. George Wilkinson, then high constable and Chester Davis, Esq., then mayor of the town, the good Lord only knows what would have become of me or what would have been left of me after satiating their thirst for my blood.
" I arrived home stiff and sore and with uplifted hand made a solemn vow that in case I ever became able again to resume my position on my tailoring board I would never more pursue a fugitive slave north of the 40th degree, so help me Andrew Jackson."
Some time after the above incident took place, this same Mr. Stump arrived in Uniontown in pursuit of three fugitive slaves. He had ascertained that he was ahead of the runaways and that they were following the old National road. He pro- cured a livery team and three slave catchers to assist him, among whom was the gentleman who figured so " actively " in the above mentioned adventure. They proceeded to the " Turkey's Nest " at the western foot of Laurel Hill and placed themselves in such position as to enclose the fugitives between the walls of the bridge, and thus awaited their arrival. Not
612
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
long after nightfall the patter of feet was heard on the mountain side and soon three dusky forms hove into sight; the slave catchers closed in and called a halt. One of the fugitives at- tempted to jump the wall of the bridge but was quickly told that it would be sure death to do so. The frightened fugitives sur- rendered and together with the slave catchers crowded into the carriage and all started for Oakland, Maryland. Just as they arrived at the station in the town a B. & O. train pulled in and the fugitives were hurriedly placed on board and as it pulled out from the station three disappointed slave catchers were left standing on the platform to pay their own hotel expenses and for the livery. team and received not one cent for their services.
This was the last instance of fugitive slaves being caught and returned to their owners that ever transpired in the neigh- borhood of Uniontown.
The Green family was one of the best and favorably known of the early colored families of the town. Alexander Green, the founder of this family, was formerly a slave and owned by several slave owners. He married Evalina, a servant belonging to Capt. Jack Evans of Morgantown. To this union were born five boys and the two girls, namely: Jerry, Alex, Billy, Willis, George, Charlotte and Liz; all of whom, by the laws of Vir- ginia, became the property of Capt. Jack Evans, while at the same time the father remained the property of John Staley of Decker's creek above Morgantown. Alexander Green finally became the property of Alpheus Willson, father of the late Judge Alpheus E. Willson of Uniontown, for whom he worked ten years, and of whom, by industry and economy, he purchased his freedom as also that of his wife; and leaving his children, crossed to the north of the Mason and Dixon line and settled in Fayette county, Pa., where he secured employment at Fair- chance furnace, whence, after some years of faithful service, he moved to Uniontown.
Upon the death of Capt. Jack Evans, his son, Col. James Evans, fell heir to Jerry, Alex and Willis; Jerry and Alex to be free at the age of thirty years, but Willis was to remain a servant for life. Mrs. Margaret Chadwick, daughter of Capt. Jack Evans, fell heir to Charlotte; Miss Lucy Ann Evans fell heir to Liz; George S. Evans fell heir to Billy and Thomas Evans fell heir to George. The latter two never claimed their property but allowed them their freedom.
613
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Of the savings from his meager earnings, Uncle Alex pur- chased a small lot near the eastern end of South street on which stood a one and a half-story log house. In this humble place he made his home in his declining years, and here the reunited family loved to assemble around the old hearthstone and relate the incidents of their former days in old Virginia. The three younger children still remained slaves in Morgantown, but en- joyed the privilege of occasionally spending a few weeks with their parents over the line in a free state.
In 1853, these three children were granted a vacation in which to visit their parents, and while here enjoying the hospi- tality of their home, they were overpersuaded by some colored associates and white friends to not return to their owners. Re- luctantly they consented to remain among their newly formed acquaintances. These new relations were not, however, to be permanent, but were doomed to dissolution.
The question of slavery was now agitating the country, and every slave found north of the Mason and Dixon line was given all the pecuniary and legal assistance possible to secure his free- dom, while thousands were aided in their escape to Canada.
The Genius of Liberty of September 1, 1853, contains a lengthy account of a hearing held before U. S. Commissioner R. P. Flenniken, Esq., given in Uniontown Thursday, August 25th, wherein Willis was claimed as the property of Col. James Evans, Charlotte as the property of Mrs. Chadwick and Liz as the property of Miss Lucy Ann Evans. The attorneys for the claimants were Amzi S. Fuller and Joshua B. Howell, and the attorneys for the fugitives were John Kennedy Ewing and Alfred Patterson.
It was agreed on the part of the council for the fugitives that they had permission from their owners to visit a free state and had remained on a free soil a sufficient length of time to have acquired their freedom, and that in many other respects the claimants had forfeited their ownership. The Commissioner handed down an elaborate opinion, and ordered that the fugi- tives be remanded; and they were taken back on the following Saturday amidst the anathemas of their colored friends and white sympathizers.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.