USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 74
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Uniontown Commandery, No. 49, Knights Templar .- Was constituted May 13, 1874. The first officers were: Nathaniel Baillie, Eminent Commander; Charles H. Rush, Generalissimo; William Hunt, Captain-General; William C. Snyder, Prelate; Clark Breading, Treasurer; William H. Hope, Recorder; Silas M. Baily, Senior Warden; William T. Moore, Junior Warden; John F. Gray, Standard Bearer; J. Austin Modisette, Sword Bearer; Thomas Brownfield, Warden.
Fort Necessity Lodge, No. 254, I. O. O. F .- Was instituted August 6, 1847. The first officers of the lodge were: Samuel Bryan, N. G .; M. Kelly, V. G .; H. W. S. Rigden, Sec .; M. Runion, Act. Sec .; David Clark, Treas. The lodge first met in the Madi- son college building, and since in the Bryan building, next in Concert Hall building, next in the Hogsett and Hankins build- ing. In 1912 this lodge erected a fine three-story brick build- ing on North Gallatin avenue, with business rooms on the first floor, living rooms on the second, and a fine lodge room on the third, into which the lodge moved in February, 1913.
Fayette Encampment No. 80, I. O. O. F .- Was chartered July 31, 1848. The first officers were: Samuel Bryan, C. P .; James Piper, H. P .; H. W. S. Rigden, S. W .; D. M. Springer, J. W .; James A. Morris, Sec .; James McDermott, Treas .; David Clark, S.
Laurel Lodge, No. 9, I. O. S. M .- Was organized September 7, 1859, with the following officers: S. D. Oliphant, Grand Commander ; D. M. Springer, Vice Grand Commander; John Collins, Chap .; J. B. Ramsey, Secretary ; E. B. Dawson, Treas.
The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, No. 471 .- This
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fraternal organization of the Jewish people of the town was organized with thirty-one members, and was instituted on Thursday night, May 19, 1898, with the following officers : Solomon J. Rosenbaum, President; G. M. Silverman, Vice- President ; Lee Stern, Secretary ; A. Livinson, Treasurer; Daniel Cohen, Inside Guard; A. W. Miller, Outside Guard; Jacob Davis, Isaac Silverman and Barney Cohen, Trustees. The institution of this lodge was celebrated by a grand banquet in the Standard Club rooms, at which the following visiting officers from the Pittsburgh lodge were present: Josiah Cohen, Past Grand President; O. H. Rosenbaum, Second Vice- President; Charles H. Joseph, David Hollander, Abraham E. Abrams, Solomon Kauffman, Henry Jackson, Charles Van Ullem, Rev. D. L. Mayer, J. A. Peley, Joseph Mayer and D. H. Goldman.
Royal Order of Lions, Den No. 600 .- The Royal Order of Lions, Den No. 600, and Beneficial and Insurance order was instituted Monday evening, June 17, 1912, with a membership of about one hundred. The officers elected were: Past Presi- dent, Adolph Herskovitz; President, J. L. Keffer; Vice-Presi- dent, J. M. Morrow; Secretary, Charles Hustead; Treasurer, M. C. Miller; Chaplain, J. W. Hagerty; Overseer, Clifton Wiley ; Captain of the Guard, R. H. Mckenzie; Inner Guard, John Crochette; Outer Guard, J. S. Scheeser; Physician, Dr. G. H. Griffin; Attorney, J. B. Adams; Trustees, Charles Eicher, J. Rosenfield and N. S. Hoy.
There are several other orders among which may be mentioned : Blue Lodge, No. 228; Chapter and Commander ; A. E. Willson Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Beeson Lodge, Knights of Labor of Honor, No. 2614; Protective Home Circle; Red Men ; B. P. O. of Elks; Royal Order of Moose, No. 20; The Order of Owls and several others.
THE UNIONTOWN HOSPITAL.
Uniontown being centrally and conveniently located within the great mining region of Fayette county, it was apparent that a hospital should be established here in order that those injured in the hazardous occupation of mining should in case of injury, receive prompt and efficient surgical attention.
After considerable discussion, extending over several years, a number of the prominent physicians of the town assembled in
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the directors' room at the Central School building on April 27, 1901, and formally organized the Uniontown Hospital Associa- tion by the election of Senator A. D. Boyd as President; Dr. Jacob S. Hackney as secretary and Samuel M. Graham as treas- urer.
Through the efforts of Senator Boyd the legislature of Pennsylvania approved a bill, July 18, 1901, by which the sum of $20,000 was appropriated for the establishment of a hospital, providing a like amount should be raised for the like purpose by popular subscription.
Active steps were taken to secure a site on which to erect the hospital, and Robert F. Hopwood, James M. Hustead and Josiah V. Thompson each offered to donate a piece of ground for that purpose, and it was decided to accept the site on the McClellandtown road of two and one-eighth acres offered by Mr. Thompson, which was deeded for that purpose August 6, 1901. Additional grounds of one and one-fourth acres, purchased from George Titlow, were subsequently added.
The first meeting of the board of trustees was held August 27, 1901, at which Hon. Nathaniel Ewing was elected president of the association ; Dr. T. N. Eastman, vice-president ; Dr. Jacob S. Hackney, secretary; Samuel M. Graham, treasurer; and Josiah V. Thompson, J. C. Work, A. D. Boyd and O. W. Ken- nedy, trustees.
On June 30, 1902, Mrs. Sarah B. Cochran of Dawson, Pa., generously donated $10,000 towards the erection of the hospital, and the further sum of $2,000 to the operating department. All of which was most graciously accepted. On May 28, 1903, George W. Acklin, Esq., of Pittsburgh, voluntarily donated $1,000 to the hospital, which was also graciously accepted. On October 22, 1903, Andrew J. Gilmore donated $500 for the pur- chase of an ambulance. The commissioners of Fayette county contributed $6,000.00, and the directors of the poor contributed $2,000.00 for erection of building and purchase of additional ground.
At a meeting of the Trustees, Architect H. S. Bear of Pitts- burgh, was selected as chief architect, to be assisted by Andrew P. Cooper, architect of Uniontown, to prepare plans and speci- fications for the building.
On September 18, 1902, the contract was let to the con- tracting firm of Eggers and Graham for the erection of the
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building, including the heating system, for the sum of $58,733, and building operations were actively commenced.
On November 8, 1902, the corner stone was laid without ceremonies, by Dr. Jacob S. Hackney, and on December 4th, following, the institution was granted a charter. Up to October 22, 1903, the sum of $72,384.34 had been collected and $67,666.80 had been expended.
On Thanksgiving day, 1903, the hospital was formally opened for the receipt of patients. A little girl, burned at Mc- Clellandtown and who died a few hours after being received, was the first patient.
A training school for nurses was established April 11, 1904, from which a number of young ladies have been graduated.
On April 12, 1912, a contract was let to the South Penn Building Company for the erection of a nurses' home and dormitory of which Harry W. Altman was the architect. The legislature of Pennsylvania appropriated the sum of $10,000 for the erection of the same. It is constructed of buff brick and has the capacity to accommodate twenty-one nurses.
Officers of the Association .- Presidents: Hon. N. Ewing, elected August 27, 1901, resigned Nov. 10, 1903. Hon. A. D. Boyd, elected November 10, 1903, resigned November 6, 1905. Robert F. Hopwood, elected November 6, 1905.
Superintendents .- Miss Mabel E. Craft, elected May 28, 1903, resigned January 1, 1904. L. E. Osborn, elected January 1, 1904, resigned February 15, 1904. Miss A. H. Van Gliet, elected April 2, 1904, resigned September 6, 1907. Miss Grace Bricker, elected September 6, 1907, resigned January 3, 1908. Dr. C. H. Davidson, elected January 3, 1908, resigned March 3, 1908. Miss Nannie Wilson, elected March 3, 1908, resigned September 7, 1909. Miss Florence Brumbaugh, elected Sep- tember 7, 1909, resigned October 21, 1900. Miss Grace Brum- baugh, elected October 21, 1910.
During the years 1912 and 1913 the Ladies' Hospital As- sociation erected an Isolation Ward building. This building stands on the grounds of the Uniontown hospital at the corner of Delaware avenue and Thompson street.
THE OLD HENRY BEESON MANSION.
Soon after Henry Beeson settled on the present site of Uniontown he concluded to erect for himself a mansion into
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which he might move his family and enjoy the comforts of re- fined society such as he had been accustomed to at his former home in Berkeley county, Va. The site selected for this mansion was near an elegant spring on the hillside overlooking nearly the whole of his vast estate, which extended from the old Presbyterian graveyard back of the court house on the north to the old Baptist graveyard on the south, and from Morgantown street on the west to the road crossing the pike east of the Greenberry Crossland farm on the east.
The great Catawba trail, the main thoroughfare of the sav- ages passing from the northern to the southern tribes passed within a few rods of his door and is now the location of South Beeson avenue.
The main building of the mansion was two stories high and made of vitrified brick in such a manner as to give the whole front a checkered appearance. The kitchen was a one-story brick building of considerable size and stood some little distance from the main building with which it was connected by a covered porch.
The grounds were embellished with shrubbery from the east and a fine orchard of choice fruit supplied the family needs.
From this mansion Mr. Beeson could witness the growth and prosperity of the new town he had founded and which bore his name, notwithstanding Mr. Beeson had christened it "The Town of Union," and here also entertained his many friends from Virginia which the prominence of the Beeson family had there formed.
Mr. Beeson made his home in this mansion until he re- moved to the west about 1804, and settled at Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, where he built other mills and became a prominent and valued citizen, and where he died February 28, 1819.
Henry Beeson was the father of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, Jesse, the first of whom, was an infant when Mr. Beeson settled west of the mountains and was at one time editor and proprietor of the Genius of Liberty. An- other son, Jacob, known as Jacob Beeson, merchant, was the founder of the famous Beeson store which was the leading business store of the town for more than a century. To his son Henry, Jr., known as Henry Beeson the miller, he deeded the mansion house and seventy acres of ground. This son was born in this mansion house March 29, 1776, and lived there from
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the time his parents moved to Ohio until his death, January 20, 1832, and his widow still resided there for a few years until she was married to Roberts Barton, after which her son, Jesse Beeson, the well remembered miller of the west end of town and who was born in this mansion house in 1806, took posses- sion and here his son, the late Henry R. Beeson, was born in 1830.
After the death of Henry Beeson, Jr., the miller, the prop- erty surrounding the old mansion, consisting of about seventy acres, was sold at administrator's sale and Isaac Beeson became the owner, the widow, however, still retaining her interest in the mansion.
After the tenure of the Beeson family, several tenants occu- pied the mansion, the most prominent of which was Andrew Dutton, who moved in as tenant in 1856, and remained as such until his death which occurred January 24, 1893, and his widow still remained as a tenant for at least ten years longer. In fact this old mansion was occupied by Mr. Dutton so long that it became generally known as the Andy Dutton house. Other tenants succeeded Mrs. Dutton, among whom was James C. Browning who remained here seven years and he was succeeded by others.
After the death of Isaac Beeson this old mansion and much adjoining property became the property of his son, Charles H. Beeson, and since his death has been owned by his heirs until June 20, 1906, when after an ownership by the Beeson family of one hundred and thirty-six years, this historic old land mark was sold to Mr. T. Blair Palmer.
This old mansion stood sphinx like on an eminence for more than a century and a third, a mute witness of all changes that have occurred in this locality in that period of time, and if en- dowed with the power of utterance and caught in a reminiscent mood, would relate something like the following:
"Yes, it is true that Braddock had already met his dis- astrous defeat at the battle of the Monongahela, and the lilies of France had been supplanted by the cross of St. George, and Christopher Gist and a few other enterprising and hardy ad- venturers had made settlements west of the mountains, but Henry Beeson came here before the land office was established and the land thrown open for actual settlement, and the edict was still in force that all settlers must remove under the penalty
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of " death without the benefit of the clergy." I stood here when this section of the state was a howling wilderness traversed only by the trails of the red man. I have witnessed these trails con- verted into bridle paths traversed by pack-horses laden with the household effects of the daring frontier settler. I have wit- nessed these bridle paths widened into wagon roads over which was hauled the merchandise, salt and iron as well as emigrants seeking homes in the then far west. I witnessed the construc- tion of the great National road, the most important factor in the early settlement of the great west, and saw the throngs that crowded this historic highway, and I also witnessed its decline upon the advent of the steam cars. I witnessed the little village of Beesontown laid off into quarter acre lots and sold at the uniform price of five pounds each, a sum equal to thirteen and one third dollars.
Think of it: The original plot extended from Morgantown street to the eastern bridge on Main street and from Beeson avenue to Gallatin avenue on Peter street and comprised fifty- four lots and at the uniform price of five pounds each, would have netted the founder of the town the sum of seven hundred eighteen dollars and twenty cents. This price was eighteen cents per front foot for lots on Main street which now bring one thousand dollars per front foot.
I witnessed the building of the town from the little log cabins of the first inhabitants to the erection of the magnificent skyscraper which is the pride and glory of the town. I wit- nessed the birth of the infant village, saw it divested of its swaddling clothes and now behold it in the habiliments of a city of fifteen thousand inhabitants, with streets paved with brick, traversed by trolley lines and lighted by electricity.
I heard the dismal howl of the prowling wolf and other beasts of prey, and remain to hear the rumble of the railroad train, the shriek of the locomotive, the buzz of the electric car and the honk of the automobile. I heard the stroke of the woodman's ax as he felled the primeval forest and remain to hear the hum of industry from field, factory, forge and work- shop, and where the old Indian warpath once passed my very door is now a paved avenue adorned with costly residences of modern style.
I saw the little column of blue as it ascended from the cheer- ful backlog of the settler's cabin and remain to witness the great
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clouds of bituminous smoke that fill the air from the thousands of ovens that light the heavens with their lurid glare and attract the attention of the industrial world to Uniontown as the center of the great coke industry.
When this section of the state, known as the New Purchase, was thrown open for settlement, purchasers secured titles for their lands at five pounds per hundred acres, and the land on which the western part of Uniontown now stands was sold by Henry Beeson to his brother Jacob, for one dollar per acre.
It is true that the French flag no longer waved over the forks of the Ohio when I was erected, but over the beautiful valley have floated the flags of three powerful nations and the ban- ners of two great commonwealths, and from my elevated posi- tion I can see the star-spangled banner, the emblem of American freedom, floating from the flagstaff in front of the court house and by the grace of God it shall float there forever. Yes, I was here before Betsy Ross put the first stitch in the emblem of American liberty, and I have lingered to see the forty-fifth star decorate its field of blue, and it now floats from the rock-bound coast of the Atlantic to the wave dashed shores of the islands of the Pacific, and before the last rays of the evening sun are with- drawn from the latter the beams of the morning sun salute the former.
I was here before the Penns erected their historic fence to protect their big back yard from intruding neighbors, and before Col. McClean of this town had erected the corner post at the southwest corner which was then thirty miles distant from any habitation.
I heard the bugle call that summoned the patriots to arms in the struggle for American independence. I saw the brave men start on expeditions against the savages on our western border. I heard the roll of the drum that called together the heroes of 1812 in the second struggle with the mother country. I witnessed the departure of the lamented Col. Roberts with his company during the trouble with Mexico, I have sheltered veterans of the late war between the states, and I beheld on the court house lawn a trophy from the faraway Philippines, a memento of the struggle with Spain.
I have witnessed the erection of three temples of justice, one destroyed by fire in 1845, the second torn down in 1890, to make room for the present imposing structure which is a credit
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to the county and an ornament to the town, and I now feel like a centenarian who has outlived all his former friends and ac- quaintances and I must soon be numbered with the things of the past along with my old neighbor, the spring, which " needed no bucket its treasure to draw" and from which drank the fierce roving savage and his bloodthirsty squaw."
It is to be regretted that this old landmark was destroyed, yet so it must be in this age of improvement, the old must give place to the young, the ancient must give way to the modern, but the memory of Henry Beeson and the history of his old mansion must ever be preserved in the history of Uniontown.
Mr. Palmer tore away this old landmark and upon its site erected a fine modern mansion which he has since made his home.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
UNIONTOWN'S CENTENNIAL-UNIONTOWN'S OLD HOME COMING.
Uniontown as a borough was one hundred years old April 4, 1896, and early in that year the press of the town began agi- tating a movement for the celebration of the occasion.
An organization was effected by the election of Honorable Nathaniel Ewing, president; D. M. Hertzog, secretary; Bruce F. Sterling, assistant secretary ; M. H. Bowman, treasurer. The chairmen of the different committees constituted the executive committee, and was composed of the following gentlemen: T. B. Searight, speaker ; Thomas R. Wakefield, music; D. M. Hert- zog, finance; G. S. Harah, decorations; S. L. Mestrezat, invita- tions; O. J. Sturgis, curios; S. E. Ewing, processions; S. M. Baily, chief marshal; W. H. Playford, transportation; W. C. McCormick, advertising; Harry Beeson, road races; O. J. Sturgis, program; Lewis Williams, fireworks. Amos M. Jolliffe was placed in charge of the curios.
The date of the celebration was set for July 3rd and 4th, and the following speakers were secured for the occasion: Rev. A. A. Lambing LL.D, "Points on the Early History of the Headwaters of the Ohio; " Hon. Edward Campbell, " Our Local History ;" Rev. J. R. Wightman, " Religious Influence ; " Rev. T. N. Boyle, D. D., " The Army and the Navy ; " R. H. Lindsey, "The Day and the Occasion; " Mrs. H. S. Clark, " Centennial Ode." The Grand Stand was erected on Fayette street at the mouth of South Beeson avenue from which the speaking took place.
The entertainments comprised salutes by Battery B of Pittsburgh; Bicycle Races; Fireworks; Parades; Band Con- certs; Sham Battle by Military Companies ; Balloon Ascension, and the Curio Department.
The Public Fountain, the gift of the W. C. T. U. and the Ys, was dedicated by addresses by Mrs. E. D. C. Mair, Miss Puella Dornblazer and H. L. Robinson. The fountain was pre- sented by Mrs. H. F. Detwiler on behalf of the W. C. T. U. and the Ys, and was accepted by J. V. Thompson, president of the town council, as representative of the borough.
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Jacob Baker, who was born near Uniontown March 13, 1792, and who had passed the one hundred and fourth milestone of his long journey through life, was the honored guest of the town during this celebration. Main street was beautifully arched, and gorgeously and profusely decorated, and brilliantly illuminated with electric lights. It was estimated that sixty thousand people were in attendance, and the best of order and good feeling prevailed. The amount of the subscriptions, which met all the requirements, was only $2,171.90.
UNIONTOWN'S OLD HOME COMING.
The movement for an Old Home Coming was inaugurated at a banquet given at the Hotel Titlow on Thursday night, April 25, 1912, which was attended by about fifty men promi- nent in the business interests of the town.
Honorable Edmund H. Reppert was introduced as chair- man of the meeting. A number of gentlemen announced that they were in happy accord with the movement and promised their hearty support in its furtherance. The feeling of greatest harmony and enthusiasm pervaded the meeting.
Chairman Reppert announced that he would call a meeting for permanent organization in the near future, which was done. Daniel W. McDonald was chosen as chairman of the committee on permanent organization. A public meeting was held at the court house May 23rd, at which James R. Cray was chosen president of the organization, Frank M. Semans, Jr., treasurer and Charles W. Baer, secretary. The report of the committee on permanent organization, of which Daniel W. McDonald was chairman, was read and approved. The president of the organi- zation, together with the chairmen of the different committees, constituted the executive committee.
The chairmen of the different committees were as follows : James Hadden, invitation ; Mart A. Kiefer, program; Nathaniel Ewing, speakers; Frank M. Semans, Jr., finance; George F. Titlow, entertainment ; J. Searight Marshall, decorations ; Alonzo Hagan, reception ; Peter A. Johns, amusements ; F. P. Truesdale, transportation ; Samuel Stern, music; William Baum, fireworks; T. Springer Todd, parade; Lee Smith, privileges; Miss Frances Howell, a clean town; S. W. Metzler, press and printing; D. M. Hertzog, churches; Dr. P. F. Smith, first aide ; Charles P. Chick,
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information bureau; Charles H. Seaton, vice-president; A. G. Leonard, advertising.
The time set for holding the Old Home Coming was the week beginning Monday, August 26, and to continue five days. The entertainments and amusements arranged for the week were as follows: Battery B of Pittsburgh; The Moss Greater Shows; several flights of a Curtiss Biplane; Punch and Judy show; base ball games; wire performances; fireworks; repre- sentation of "Uncle Sam;" six different bands; automobile parade ; firemen's parade; industrial parade; general parade ; fantastic parade.
The speakers selected for the occasion were: R. F. Hop- wood, Esq., address of welcome; James G. Johnston, Esq., remi- niscences ; Honorable Samuel W. Pennypacker, history.
Liberal prizes were offered for a "Queen of the Jubilee ;" poems on "Old Home Week;" best decorated automobile ; fire- men's parade ; firemen's races and contests; floats; organiza- tions; tallest man; tallest woman; decorations; best kept lawn, etc.
It was estimated that the attendance on Thursday was at least seventy-five thousand people ; and the order that prevailed throughout the week of the celebration called forth the highest commendations, and not a single serious accident occurred to mar the pleasure of the occasion, and the spirit of good fellow- ship and enjoyment that pervaded the multitude was un- precedented.
The report of the finance committee showed that the re- ceipts from the subscriptions amounted to $9,697.96, and that the expenses, including premiums, amounted to $9,586.54.
UNIONTOWN'S OLD HOME COMING.
The following verses suggested by Old Home Coming Week are quoted, not as a literary production, but for their sug- gestions as to the early history of the town.
OLD HOME COMING WEEK.
In Berkeley county once there lived Two Quaker brothers dear, By name of Beeson, Jake and Hen, But this is nothing queer.
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Said Brother Hen, "Let's climb those hills Toward the setting sun, And there we'll take up virgin land, And there we'll make our home."
"I'm with thee, Brother Hen," said Jake, "We'll pack our goods and go. The road is mighty rough, no doubt, And traveling will be slow."
In seventeen and sixty-eight They bade their friends adieu, To make their homes beyond the hills, Where all the lands were new.
From Allegheny's rugged peak They saw a wond'rous sight, The valley lay before their feet, A land of pure delight.
Beside old Redstone's winding stream They both selected lands, And went to work as settlers should, With heart and brains and hands.
Hen built a mill to grind the grain Raised by his neighbors, and Jake builded vats and other things, Prepared their hides to tan.
"Let's found a town," said Brother Hen, " And benefit our race." "I'm with thee here again," said Jake, As smiles lit up his face.
So stakes and pegs were quickly driven, And streets and lots were made; In seventeen and seventy-six The corner stone was laid.
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"We'll put the prices low," said Hen, "In this new town we found, So people can afford to buy, A lot will be five pounds."
" For river Cheat we'll name a street, And one for Indian Peter, And Elbow street we'll give to one Because it is no straighter."
As time went on this village thrived And grew into a town, Until today it well may claim To merit some renown.
The founders long have passed away And many more besides, Yet some of their descendents still On the shores of time abide.
And now at this Home Coming Week, Both Hen and Jake revive, And stroll the streets of Uniontown, And great is their surprise.
They wonder at the changes that Have come to this old town; They now the strangest sights behold, And hear the queerest sounds.
The trolley cars go gliding by, The steam cars rolling past, The streets lit up with electric lights And houses heat by gas.
"It does beat all, it puzzles me," Says Brother Hen to Jake, "To see the changes that have been made, And still there're more to make."
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"We used to drive our slow ox team, Or ride a jaded horse, But now the auto whirls along And honks until it's hoarse."
"The aeroplane now skims the air, Regardless of all danger, And one was got for Old Home Week To entertain the stranger."
"I feel quite proud," says Brother Hen, "To take in this review, That we have founded here a town Far better than we knew."
" We'll meet while here some dear old friends, As General Douglass was; Colonel McClean, another one, On these two we must call."
"We'll talk to them of men and things We all so well remember, We'll not get through in Old Home Week, But talk into September."
"Who would have thought within our time That just beneath our feet Such mines of greatest wealth were stored, Awaiting man to greet?"
"They tell me now that Uniontown Is put upon the map, Among the many business towns Of enterprise and wealth.
And when I see this thriving town, I doff my broad-brimmed hat ; My heart grows full, my eyes o'er flow, And wonder where I am AT."
:
DEC 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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