USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 57
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This decision of the commissioner stirred the sentiment of the colored population to its very depth. Baker alley was a favorite place for a convocation of the colored folks of the town,
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and upon the same night on which the fugitives were taken back a convocation of colored folks was clandestinely held in Baker alley, at which it was determined that a rescuing party should follow these remanded friends and, if possible, bring them back and pass them on northward entirely out of the reach of their possessors.
After dark, on Saturday night, some colored folks procured a horse and wagon and started for Morgantown, determined to carry their plans to a successful termination. On reaching the banks of Cheat river they halted; the waters looked dark and forboding of danger; a ferry, and consequently a ferryman would be necessary to carry out their plans, and that ferry- man might not prove friendly to their mission; the land beyond looked dark as midnight, and doubtless was haunted by spooks and hobgoblins, and from all appearances would prove any- thing but healthy for a free negro. Here, as wise generals, they held an animated council of war. The midnight air was becoming chilly and the hitherto warm ardor of the rescuers began to cool. It was decided not to venture across the river, as there was no certainty as to the results should they be detached in their plans; and, after a free exchange of opinions, the ex- pedition was abandoned, and the homeward journey com- menced, and as the distance between the rescuers and slavery increased, the more balmy and serene the atmosphere became, and just as day was breaking on Sunday morning, the merry song of the would-be rescuers floated on the morning breeze.
Uncle Alex Green bought for himself a team and was for many years a familiar figure about the town as a coal hauler and drayman, at which he continued to labor until a fall from his wagon compelled him to retire. He died at his residence, Monday evening, August 25, 1879, in the 95th year of his age, having been a residence of the county about forty years; his faithful wife having preceded him by some years.
Jerry removed to Washington, Pa., where he resided many years and reared a family. He enlisted in Company E, 32nd Pennsylvania volunteers and was killed in a railroad accident at Philadelphia.
Alex. Jr. became a steward on one of the packets plying the Monongahela river for many years. He was above the average in faithfulness and intelligence. He resided at Washington, where he reared a family.
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Billy is well and favorably remembered by our older citi- zens as one of the most genial, good natured and industrious colored men of the town. To hear his merry laugh was a pleasure to every one.
George enlisted in defense of his country in the war of the rebellion, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness.
Liz joined her brothers, Jerry and Alex, at Washington, after the death of her father, and there made her home.
Willis spent the remainder of his days in Uniontown, and tears would fill the old man's eyes as he would rehearse, in grateful remembrance, the many kindnesses and favors of which he was the recipient at the hands of his former mistress, with whom he remained fifteen years after President Lincoln by one sweep of his pen, which on this occasion, proved mightier than the sword, struck the shackles from four millions of human slaves, and at whose funeral he was a sincere mourner. He was always a quiet, industrious citizen, and the easy, graceful and courteous manner in which he would address a gentleman indicated the inborn and thoroughbred politeness of the south- ern-born darky that can never be imitated by the free-born negro of the north. He died November 12, 1908.
Notwithstanding nearly all the old-time colored folks of the town were entirely devoid of book learning, as the great majority of them were born in slavery, and it was against the law in the slave states to teach a slave the art of letters, they vied with the white folks in good manners; and as to morals they were as superior to the vicious Roanoke negro of today as though they belonged to a different race.
The following is a partial list of some of the best remem- bered colored folks of the town, many of whom owned property and were useful citizens: David Lewis, father of Mrs. Alex- ander Moxley and Tabitha Armstead. Isaac Tillman, John Wood, step-father to Alexander Moxley ; Billy Anderson, Sam- son Carter, Jim Truly, David Wedlock, Jacob Pritchard, George Grant, Dicky Paine, Thomas Lawson, Nathan and Tom Allen, Dicky Richardson, Abe Tasco, Ben Wares, Joe Black, Joe Wares, Thomas Waller, John and Cato or Decatur Webster, Boggus Johnson, Henry Offitt, Robert Magill, Eph Catlin, Abe Munsy, Wesley Strother, "Stumpy" Ned, Scipio Bruce, Alexander Moxley, Powhattan McClure, Eph Palmer, Bill Froman, Daniel Bolen, John Manaway, Sammie Jackson, Eli Curry, Martin
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Armstead, Pete Burgess, Peter Coon, Davy and Joe Diggins, Billy Gordon, Tommy Gilbert, Enoch Parrott, John Stephens, Wellington McClure. Keziah Jackson, wife of Sammy Jackson, was employed in her early girlhood as nurse for the great statesman, the Honorable James G. Blaine, which duties she faithfully performed for several years. She and her husband lived in the little frame house on Berkeley street from 1849 until 1904, a period of fifty-five years. She died at the east end of town February 6, 1907, at the age of 84 years.
THE CHOLERA SCOURGE.
The cholera scourge visited Uniontown in the summer of 1850. It made its first appearance on Monday morning, July 29, of that year, and its ravages were rapid and fatal. Consternation and terror was written on every face. Physicians were busy : business houses were closed : and people fled the town.
The cause of the epidemic was attributed to the plowing up of an old pasture field which had been used as a burial place for the worn-out stage horses of the National Stage-coach line, and its proximity to Pittsburgh street accounts for the facts that a large majority of the victims were on that street or vicinity.
The following is nearly a complete list of the victims, viz. : Hannah Webster, a colored servant girl in the employ of Col. S. D. Oliphant, who then resided in part of the " Round Corner " facing Pittsburgh street, where the First National Bank build- ing now stands, was the first victim.
Miss Meason, twin sister to Mrs. Lowry, died at the home of her uncle, Judge Veech, at West Main street.
Levi D. West, young son of Jonathan West, died near the north end of Pittsburgh street, July 29, aged eleven years.
Mrs. Mary Kithcart died on Peter street July 19, and her husband, John Kithcart, died August 1st.
John Irons, then editor and proprietor of the Genius of Liberty, and resided on Pittsburgh street, died July 30.
Samuel Smith, chair maker, and a previous employee of Col. W. B. Roberts, died at his home on Pittsburgh street July 30.
Mrs. Phoebe King, wife of Charles King, died on Peter street.
Wilson Swain, a blacksmith of Pittsburgh street, died July
-
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29. He was a corpse in half an hour after contracting the the disease.
A Mr. Hazzard, a stage driver of Hopwood's Row, South street.
Mrs. Samuel McDonald of Pittsburgh street, who fled to Redstone township, and died on the morning of the first of August.
Logan Brown and wife and their two children. These were colored people and lived at the head of Morgantown street.
George Cropp, Jr., young son of George Cropp, Sr., a black- smith of Pittsburgh street.
John Vankirk, died at his home near Sandy Hill, two miles west of town.
" Capt." Angus, a colored man who lived two miles north of town on Redstone creek.
Michael Fisher, who lived one mile out the McClellandtown road.
Everet Farwell, young son of Henry Farwell, who lived on Church street.
The malady raged for nearly a week. Tar barrels were kept burning in the streets, and other disinfectants used. A number of victims recovered from the disease.
OLD-TIME POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.
Is it because the interest in political campaigns is waning or is it on account of more advanced ideas of conducting them that we do not witness the enthusiasm that was manifested on such occasions fifty years ago?
In those days the most intense interest was manifested at the time the nominations were made and steadily increased until, like the gathering thunderstorm, augmenting as it swept over the country and burst in all its fury at the polls on election day. Neither did its rumblings cease until the cloud had rolled away in the distance and quiet had once more settled over the land.
Organizations were effected early in the season; the best stump speakers were procured, meetings were announced and well advertised, immense liberty poles were raised from which floated the stars and stripes bearing the names of the different candidates. Imposing processions were formed by delegations from different townships with their martial and string bands
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and appropriate banners, even the fair sex added grace and beauty to those old time demonstrations.
On all these occasions certain individuals were prominent participants. No Democratic procession was complete without Col. Ben. Brownfield with his famous and popular string band and immense wagon trimmed up with pines and flags for the occasion and drawn by a large team of powerful horses. General Henry W. Beeson, Col. John Morgan and Col. William Redick were prominent as officers, and Hon. William Mont- gomery, Hon. Henry Clay Dean, Hon. Andrew Stewart and Hon. John L. Dawson were always popular as speakers.
After the announcement of the victorious candidates the winning party would illuminate their house's and places of busi- ness. For this purpose tallow and sperm candles were used by placing them in rows across the windows, and although such might today be considered antiquated, the effect was strikingly beautiful.
The marching companies would then parade the principal streets with torches and banners, headed by martial bands, and the shouts of victory vied with the sound of fife and drum.
Appropriate campaign songs were always sung, and al- though never poetical they never failed to add zest and ani- mation to the marchers.
The campaign of 1840 was doubtless the most exciting and interesting within the recollection of our oldest citizens. Gen. William Henry Harrison was the nominee of the Whig party, and his great popularity as a soldier and statesman made him a strong candidate for the highest office within the gift of the people. From the very start of the campaign the utmost en- thusiasm prevailed. In May of that year the Young Men's Harrison convention met at Baltimore, and log cabins, Indian canoes, coon skin caps, hard cider and buckeyes were the in- signas of the campaign, illustrating some incidents in the life of the candidate.
Our older citizens will remember the log cabin constructed of poles and mounted on a wagon which was drawn by six gray horses. This cabin was decorated with coon skins, buck horns, etc .; Samuel S. Austin being the leading spirit in its construc- tion. Several of our leading citizens accompanied this log cabin to Baltimore.
At Cumberland they were met by the Harrison club of that
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city and remained over night, where an immense and enthusi- astic meeting was held in the court house. The next day they were escorted out of town, and one day later, a delegation, con- sisting of about fifty young men, clad in hunting shirts and coon skin caps, followed. These had a large ball which had been constructed of light timber covered with red, white and blue cloth in alternate stripes, and at the poles were stars and a blue ground, and was lettered with various mottoes of the campaign. A pole was passed through by means of which it was drawn along through the intervening towns with shouts and songs. At the great procession at Baltimore it was the great attraction and was greeted with cheer after cheer. The New York dele- gation asked and secured permission to take it with them to their celebration of the battle of Fort Meigs on the 8th of May. They took it through Philadelphia and New York city, and everywhere it was greeted with the greatest enthusiasm. One of the popular songs of this campaign ran thus:
" With heart and soul this ball we roll,
May times improve as on we move.
This Democratic Ball set rolling first by Benton is on another track from that it first was sent on,
Farewell, dear Van; you're not the man, to guide the ship, we'll try old Tip.
Ye office holders fed with pap, have very saucy grown,
We'll tell ye, sirs, we don't like that and mean to make it known.
With promises we've long been fed, but do not like the treat, We'd rather have a little bread and something else to eat."
Another favorite song ran thus :-
" Come all ye log cabin boys in the nation, We want you to be on the ground when we lay the foundation, We'll turn out and build old Tip a new cabin
And finish it off with chinking and daubing.
The Hoosier and the Sucker boys and Wolverine farmers All know the right way to carry up the corners."
Another favorite song was as follows :-
" Oh where, tell me where was your Buckeye cabin made?
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'Twas built among the merry boys that wield the plow and spade.
Where the log cabin stands in the bonnie Buckeye state."
" O what, tell me what, is to be your cabin's fate? We'll wheel it to the capitol and place it there elate, For a token or a sign of the bonnie Buckeye state."
"Oh why, tell me why does your Buckeye cabin go? It goes against the spoilsmen, for well its builders know, It was Harrison that fought for the cabins long ago." "O what, tell me what then will little Martin do? He'll follow in the footsteps of Price and Swartworth too, While the log cabin rings again with old Tippecanoe."
" Oh who fell before him in battle, tell me who? He drove the savage legion and British army too, At the Rapids and the Thames and old Tippecanoe." " By whom, tell me whom will the battle next be won? The spoilsman and Leg Treasurer will soon begin to run, And the Log Cabin candidate will march to Washington."
General Harrison, in this election, swept the country like a cyclone, receiving 234 of the electoral vote to Van Buren's 60, but he was not permitted to enjoy the honors of the office but for one month.
The campaign of 1844 was bitterly contested. The annex- ation of Texas as a state was the bone of contention, James K. Polk was put in nomination by the Democrats and Henry Clay was the nominee of the Whig party. Polk stalks were the em- blems of the Democratic party. These were used as walking sticks, ridden as horses and shouldered as guns, one of the cam- paign songs ran thus :-
" The old she Polk too, she's an eagle forever, A squalling she'll fly to the head of Salt River, With a yip, fol de rol, rol, foldi rol, ray, Fol de rol, rol, rol de rol rody."
An immense liberty pole was raised on the small triangular piece of ground in front of the present opera house by the Whigs, and what was acknowledged to be the most massive
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and tallest pole ever raised in this community was erected on vacant ground opposite the old White Swan Hotel by the Democrats. This pole broke from its own weight and fell with a terrible crash across the neighboring lots. The flag was run up on the remaining stump and rendered good service during the campaign.
The campaign of 1852 was exciting and was conducted with the greatest enthusiasm. The Whigs put in nomination General Winfield Scott, the hero of two wars, and the Democrats nom- inated Franklin Pierce, also a soldier. Many of our citizens will remember the large soup-bowl that was hauled in the pro- cessions during this campaign. This was a large circular affair built of wood in the shape of a soup-bowl and mounted on wheels, and had seating capacity within to accommodate six or eight men who were vociferous in singing campaign songs. Floppers or turncoats were always looked upon with scorn and were subjugated to many sarcastic remarks, one ditty ran thus :-
" Jim Beckett turned from the Loco side
In the soup-bowl for to ride."
Another song started off in the following style :-
Now poor ' Coony ' Scott, you're too late in the day, « You never can be president, 'tis so the people say."
It will be recalled that during this campaign there were mass meetings held at Brownsville; the Whigs held theirs one day and the Democrats the day following. William C. Stevens had a wheelborrow on which was a platform, bearing the follow- ing: "The Whig Platform " in large letters, this he wheeled to Brownsville and back, and Miley Hann led a mountain cow covered with muslin on which was lettered "Two dollars a day and roast beef."
The soup-bowl above mentioned after its service in the campaign, was placed in the back yard of the McClelland hotel, of which William Swan was one of the proprietors, and the Genius of Liberty of November 4th contained the following advertisement :-
" For Sale-A large soup-bowl that would make an ex- cellent swill tub. The article can be seen in the rear of the Mc-
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Clelland hotel, kept by William Swan. For further particulars enquire of James Beckett, Thomas Swan and Cary Stuck."
The American, or know-nothing party whose chief object was to oppose foreign influence in the political affairs of the United States came into existence about this time and put their candidates into the field, and the Genius of Liberty of October 18, 1855, poked fun at the party in the following style :-
" Ho, For Salt River-The dilapidated and rickety steamer · 'Know Nothing,' Captain Jesse B. Ramsey, will sail for Salt River in a few days. Renegade Democrats restricted to deck passage. For passage apply to Jesse Reed, treasurer and clerk."
In 1856, what is now known as the Republican party was organized, and John C. Freemont was nominated as its first presidential candidate. He was given the sobriquet of the " Wooly Horse," and on account of the privations he endured while making his explorations in the Rocky Mountains it was said that he ate mule beef, hence the campaign song ran thus:
" The Wooly Hoss jumps mighty high, He do dat, he do dat, For he eats mule beef and grasshopper pie O he do dat day."
" We're bound to run all night We're bound to run all day I'll bet my money on the bob tailed nag, Won't somebody bet on the bay?"
Salt River tickets were issued immediately after the elec- tion. These gave a description of the vessel about to start on her voyage up Salt River, and a detailed list of her officers and men, in which the leading politicians of the defeated party were given the most grotesque names and menial offices imaginable, and in fact some of these names were so strikingly appropriate that they ever afterwards clung to the parties to whom they were given.
CHAPTER XXVII.
DR. JOHN F. BRADDEE-THE GREAT MAIL ROBBERY-DR. WILLIAM PURNELL.
Dr. Gunn, author of a medical work known as "Gunn's Domestic Remedies," was a practicing physician of Knoxville, Tenn., and, it was said, had in his employ as a hostler and office boy a youth by the name of John F. Braddee, a native of Paris of that state, and whose father had died when John was quite young. While in and about the office of his employer young Braddee picked up some few ideas of the practice of medicine, or at least the idea that there was money in it.
A gentleman of Paris, with whom doubtless young Braddee was acquainted, was a dealer in horses and frequently sent droves to the eastern markets by the way of Knoxville. On one of these occasions young Braddee engaged to accompany a drove over what was known as the North Western Pike of Virginia, and falling sick at Kingwood, on the route, he was left behind. After his recovery he made his way to Morgan- town, where he made the acquaintance of young William Pur- nell, in whom he found a genial companion.
While at Morgantown Braddee concluded that he would go to Uniontown and launch upon the sea of life as a doctor, and doubtless, he and his newly formed acquaintance took it afoot across the Mason and Dixon line, and for the first time entered upon the free soil of Pennsylvania. They stopped on their way at the farm house of Joseph Collins, about two miles south of Uniontown, known as the Fort Gaddis farm, and there learned that Mr. Collins' daughter, Hannah, was suffering from some malady, Braddee first announced himself as a doctor and pro- posed to treat the daughter. Mr. Collins looked upon him with considerable suspicion and denounced him as an Indian doctor, and gave him the name of "Pocahontas."
1
The disease of Miss Collins, however, yielded to Braddee's treatment and an affection sprang up between the two and he claimed her for a wife. To this the father was strenuously op-
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posed on account of the fact that Braddee was an utter stranger in the community, and with whom he was, doubtless, unfavor- ably impressed. To this end Mr Collins notified several of the ministers of the gospel and justices of the peace not to perform the marriage ceremony between his daughter and Braddee. He, however, failed to notify Rev. William Brownfield of the Great Bethel Baptist church, and to this Gretna Green the young couple and several of their friends repaired for the purpose of taking their marriage vows, but the irate father put in an ap- pearance, and addressing Rev. Brownfield, whose palm was ever itching for a marriage fee, said, " I warn you not to marry my daughter to that 'Pocahontas'." Then turning to his daughter, said, " Get on your horse, Hannah, and go home." She obeyed, but Braddee exclaimed, "I will marry her though there were forty cannons between her and me." They next ap- plied to James Piper, a justice of the peace, who had not been notified, and he performed the ceremony that made them man and wife.
Braddee concluded to settle in Uniontown and commence the practice of medicine, and, as it is said Braddee could neither read nor write, he retained Purnell as his confidential clerk, as the latter made some little pretentions to scholarship.
Opposite the old Baptist meeting house on Morgantown street there stood a double building, partly of logs and partly frame, and although built at different times, they were joined together and made one building. In this Dr. Braddee located upon beginning his practice of medicine in Uniontown, and from the fact that he gave notice in the Genius of Liberty of July 29, 1829, warning the public not to settle any accounts with Matthew Sawyer as his agent, would indicate that he had settled here some time prior to that date. His advertisement in the same paper of August 26, 1829, states that he has just opened an office on Morgantown street opposite the Baptist meeting house, where he guarantees to cure "all diseases in the cata- logue."
Dr. Braddee's appearance and manners were well calculated to deceive the public. Being over six feet in height and a splendid horseman he attracted much attention. In an incredibly short space of time he gained an immense practice. Patients came from hundreds of miles, and his practice soon became so exten- sive that he purchased several hundred feet of space on the
John Holleroft com
OR "TOM THE TINKER."
Courtesy of R. T. Wiley, author of Sim Greene and Tom the Tinker's Men.
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west side of Morgantown street, upon which he erected stables and sheds, where he kept several head of horses for his own use and pleasure, and arranged hitching places for the teams of his patrons, As many as fifty horses have been hitched here in one day.
He next fitted up steam baths in a log building on the op- posite side of the street on which his office was located, for the treatment of patients taking his botanical treatment, by which he claimed he could cure many otherwise incurable diseases. His advertisement announced that he could cure " all diseases in the catalogue," such as cancer, dropsy, tumors of all kinds, consumption and rheumatism.
From his very advent into this community Braddee stepped into trouble. He never aspired to associate with men of the medical fraternity, as that would have caused his exposure and wrought his undoing, but he preferred rather to herd with the vulgar upon whom he could apply his machinations without de- tection or exposure.
On October 28, 1830, he transferred all his personal prop- erty, and stock of medicines and drugs to Benjamin Brown- field for the sum of $1,000, and agreed to carry on the practice of a "medical practitioner " for the sum of $35 per month, Brownfield furnishing a horse, saddle and bridle for that pur- pose. This agreement bears suspicion on its very face.
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