USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania : from its first beginnings to the present time, including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume III > Part 108
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"THE LUZERNE MATROSS.
"The members of this patriotic corps were invited by their republican fellow citizens to a supper at Mr. Reeder's in Wilkes-Barre on Monday last. The presence of the valiant volunteers infected a spirit of gladness throughout the whole company, and their return was hailed with the heartfelt welcome of their fellow citizens.
*The following is the roster of local officers, musicians and enlisted men who served with the "Matross" during the period of absence:
Captain, Samuel Thomas; 1st Lieutenant, Phineas Underwood; 2d, Ziba Hoyt; 3d, Andrew Sheets; Ensign, Edward Gilchrist; 1st Sergeant, John Carkhuff; 2d, Jacob Taylor; 3d, Absalom Roberts; 4th, Henry Jones; 5th, George W. Smith; 6th, John Bowman; 1st Corporal, Christopher Miner; 2d, Daniel Cochevour; 3d, Samuel Parrish; 4th, Ebenezer Freeman; 5th, Joho Blane; Ist Gunner, Stephen Ebans; 2d, Isaac Hollister; 3d, John Prince; 4th, James Bird; 5th, Morris Cramer; 6th, Festus Freeman; 7th, James Devans; Drummer, Alexander Lord; Fifer, Araha Amsden. Privates, Daniel Hoover; Joho Daniels, James W. Barnum, William Pace, James Bodfish, Godfrey Bowman, Benjamin Hall, Solomon Parker, Ezekiel Hall, Sylvanus Moore, Hallet Gakkyo.
1789
"The picture given by the volunteers of the wretched situation of Detroit, and of the people's joy at the arrival of the American Army, is truly affecting. Many of them have declared that even should they never receive one cent of pay they will not regret their time, because it assisted in the restoration of peace to the frontiers and security and joy to the people. Even those who had opposed their volunteering, and who have repeatedly propagated false tales about them, are now eager to welcome them home by hououring those they have on so many occasions traduced. This is not the proper time to indulge in party reflections, and we are glad to see a seeming return of good will towards those who have nobly vindicated their country's honor. May regeneration con- tinue until opposition to government ceases, and faction be prostrated at the throne of patriotism."
The West Side communities, not to be outdone by Wilkes-Barré in enter- taining the "Matross" made arrangements for a formal reception at a meeting held at Kingston, November 29, 1814, and reported in the Democrat as follows:
"At a meeting of a number of the citizens of Kingston and Plymouth, at the house of Mr. Archippus Parrish in said Kingston: Capt. Oliver Pettebone was called to the chair: and
"Henry Buckingham was appointed Secretary.
"After some introductory observations resolutions were unanimously adopted: viz .:
"Resolved, That the citizens of Kingston, Plymouth, and their vicinities do give to Capt. Samuel Thomas and the other members of the Luzerne Volunteer Matross and their wives a most cordial invitation to partake of a public Dinner at this place, [Mr. Parrish's] as a mark of respect due to them for their late patriotic tour on the lines in defence of our Country, and to manifest to them our full approbation of their soldier-like behaviour in following where the good of their country called and to bid them a hearty welcome to citizenship with us again.
"Resolved, That as some members of the said Company have not yet returned, the said Dinner shall be deferred on their account, until Tuesday the 14th Day of December next, hoping then all will be present.
"Resolved, That a committee of arrangement be appointed to make the necessary prepara- tions and carry the foregoing resolutions into effect.
"Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be figured by the Chairman and Secretary, and published in the three newspapers printed in Wilkes-Barre.
"OLIVER PETTEBONE, Chairman, "HENRY BUCKINGHAM, Secretary."
In 1814, the northern armies had more than held their own, but the un- expected was to happen insofar as the nation's Capitol was concerned. To stimulate recruiting, Capt. John Baldy and Capt. John Machisney also of the 16th U. S. Infantry came to Wilkes-Barré early in 1814. An "express" from the War Department reached these officers on August 29, 1814, giving the startling information that Washington had been taken, and that the enemy had burned the Capitol, the President's house, War and Treasury offices and destroyed the navy yard.
On the same day this news was published in a special edition of the Sus- quehanna Democrat, (the edition consisting of a small hand-bill) the regular edition of September 2d confirming the news as follows:
"CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY.
"On Monday, Aug. 29 last, we issued the following in a haudbill. There can be no doubt of its truth; whether the government papers were saved or not we have not learnt.
"We have none but confused accounts of the movements of our troops, or of the enemy. A battle was fought or rather a skirmish, for there was but little blood spilt, at Bladensburg."
The same "express" which brought this news, instructed all the regular army detachments to move at once from Wilkes-Barré to the defense of Baltimore, which was threatened by the victorious British troops of Admiral Cockburn. At this time, as appears from advertisements directed by these officers, the government was offering a bounty of $124 and one hundred and sixty acres of land to all "able bodied, patriotic young men who are desirous of shoulder- ing a musket to defend the rights of an injured country." On August 4, 1814, several weeks before news of the fall of Washington had reached the valley, a large detachment of regular army volunteers left Wilkes-Barré, enroute to Washington, via Easton.
1790 1
That brutal force was sometimes urged in connection with handling these detachments, is disclosed by an account appearing in New York Evening Post of August 12th, written August 5th by the Wilkes-Barre correspondent of that publication. The account in part is given below :
"CRUEL TREATMENT TO SOLDIERS.
"Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Ang. 5.
"Monday last was a day of unusual excitement in our village. The U. S. troops enlisted in this vicinity were under orders to march. The parting of friends, and the separation of hus- bands from wives was in no little degree affecting, and this painful feeling was in some cases heightened by the opinion, whether well or ill-founded, I pretend not to say, that some of the sol- diers had not been very fairly attached to the service.
"A sergeant by the name of Brack, conspicuous for his knowledge of discipline, and more so by his severity to the soldiers, in the course of Sunday broke his sword over the head of a Mr. Cook, a soldier, and severely wounded him in the arm. Brack was justly turned into the ranks- but the next morning restored to his shoulder-knots, and marched off with the troops as sergeant.
"During the forenoon, after the troops had marched, the whole town was thrown into con- fusion. A man by the name of McWiggin was said to have enlisted. He protested he had not. Force was used to send him after the troops. He used his stick with such effect that he cleared himself but was again taken, put on horseback under a guard, an officer by his side having 2 pistols, and marched off. To see a citizen thus compelled to march, who solemnly declared he was not an enlisted soldier, awakened feelings in most bosoms that saw it, worthy of freemen. The citizens gathered round. A Habeas Corpus was obtained. The military were forcing the man along as fast as possible, when a number of spirited citizens stepped before the cavalcade and stopped it. The officer presented his pistol to their breast and threatened to blow them thro. One of them seeing Judge Fell called upon him to interfere, that the man might have a legal hearing. The Judge in the name of the Commonwealth ordered them to stop. The Habeas Corpus was served. The case was tried before Judge Gibson, and McWiggin was discharged. Thanks to the formers, the independence and intelligence of the civil authority, our citizens cannot yet be dragged off against their will and impressed into the army. Whether legal associations of the people to protect their rights will not be indispensible to the public safety is a question worthy of solemn consideration. As Monday was a day of agitation and alarm, Tuesday was a day of fearful gloom and sorrow.
"A Mr. Dixon, a civil, inoffensive, but feeble man, who had enlisted and was marching out with the troops, was killed on the mountain by Sergeant Brack. Dixon it is said complained of fatigue and lingered behind the rest. Brack sent for him and he did not come. Brack went back, cut himself a stick, and beat poor Dixon on the head and kicked him in the side till, as he after- wards complained, his toes were sore.
"Dixon was put in a wagon, and died very soon. The people went after him yesterday to bring him in, but he was so bruised he had become too putrid. He has left a wife and four children to mourn for him.
"An inquest was held on the body. Verdict-Wilful Murder! Brack is confined in jail."
Robert Dixon was a recruit from Wyalusing Township, a man past fifty years of age and physically unfit for service. He was buried near the Bear Creek bridge on the turnpike by those who went out from Wilkes-Barre to bring him home. Sergeant Brack was found guilty of murder in the first degree when tried at Wilkes-Barré sometime later. However his counsel secured a second trial for him which resulted in a verdict of manslaughter, whereupon a long sentence of imprisonment was inflicted. Brack subsequently died in the state penitentiary.
The Gleaner of April 14, 1815, contains the following account of the second trial of Brack at the spring term of Court of that year:
"The Court now sitting in this place has been closely engaged in business for twelve days past. A good deal of business has been done. Some causes have been tried of a nature to excite great curiosity; others were of a description to awaken feelings of a deeper and more solemn interest.
"George Brack had been indicted for the murder of Robert Dixon in August last. At last October Term he was tried and found guilty of murder in the first degree.
' On motion the Court granted a new trial.
"At January Term, some error having been made in summoning a jury, he could not be tried. On Friday last he was arraigned at the bar, and his trial commenced.
"Messrs. Evans and Mallery were counsel (appointed by the Court) for the prisoner; Mr. Ross on behalf of the prosecution. The trial was managed by the counsel on each side with the ability which is known to distinguish the gentlemen engaged. * * *
"The verdict of the jury was 'murder in the second degree.' Brack received his sentence on Monday-12 years imprisonment in the Penitentiary; 11 of them at hard labor, and one in the solitary cells."
1791
The Commonwealth promptly followed the national government in a hurried call for more troops in the defense of Baltimore. The 35th regiment of the militia was included in the call. By various consolidations of local detach- ments, two companies representing Luzerne County, were soon ready for field service. That active forces were opposing the draft is indicated by an editorial in the Susquehanna Democrat of November 11, 1814, in the following terms: "THE DRAFT.
"This week has been celebrated by the assemblage of the militia detached in pursuance of the Governor's orders, to proceed to Baltimore. We are not sufficiently acquainted with the pro- ceedings to state them in detail and therefore abstain from publishing anything at present on the subject, further than to observe that the conduct of Wilkesbarre, with some few exceptions, is a disgrace to the American name; every pains have been taken to discourage the men, urge them to mutiny and prevail upon them to return home. The Lawyers particularly have set such an infamous example as in any other country would richly entitle them to all the benefits of a halter.
"The troops have suffered and will no doubt continue to suffer, for want of proper means to cook their provisions-but they have generally shown a disposition to act as Americans, and put up with inconveniences which in a new country like this cannot be avoided. Some of the troops we understand, commence the march to-day on their way to Baltimore."
The two consolidated companies which marched in November, to Danville, on the way to Baltimore, were those of Capt. Peter Hallock* which became the Ist Company of the 35th Regiment, and the company commanded by Capt. Jacob Bittenbender,f composed of men recruited from the southern tier of townships of the county.
When these marched out, seven members of the defunct Wyoming Blues marched with them, their drummer making quite as much martial music as the musicians of the larger units. The detachments of Blues was assigned to Captain Hallock's company as an inspection of the latter's roster will show.
When these troops reached Danville, the tidings of the repulse of the British main army by the gallant defense of Fort Henry was announced. The troops were thereupon ordered to remain at Danville awaiting further orders. The treaty of peace was even then under way at Ghent, Belgium, between John Quincy Adams, James A. Bayard, Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell and Albert Gallatin, Commissioners of the United States and an equal number of represent- atives of Great Britain. On December 24, 1814 it was signed. By its terms it settled not a single question raised by the war, but evidence had been given to the world that the young American nation was not to be either the catspaw of European politics or to submit tamely to abuse by even the mightiest power of the time.
ROSTER OF 35TH REGIMENT, Ist COMPANY.
*Captain, Peter Hallock; 1st Lieut., Moses Philips; 2nd, Jeremiah Fuller; 1st Ensign, W'm. Polen; 2nd, George Denison; 1st Sergeant, Stephen Decker; 2nd, John Cortwright; 3rd, Joseph Wright; 4th, John Kelly; Ist Corporal, Ezra Ide; 2nd, Ebenezer Ide, 4th, Isaac Carver; 5th, David Pear; Drummer, Samuel La France; Privates, Thomas Benedict, Jared Marcy, Samuel Mott, Wm. Osborn, Benjamin Kyron, William Ross, George D. Nash, Benjamin Knapp, Geo. W. Benedict, Wmn. Honeywell, Thomas Mulford, Porwell Wheeler, Thomas Lynn, Isaac Neffas, John Huff, Jacob Good, John Thompson, Samuel Carey, Jr., Uriah Rogers, Obediah Smith, Joseph Tompkins, John Hess, William Winters, John Miller, Peter Connor, Abner Wade, Jr., Anthony Fass, John Hunter, John Masco, Adam Steel, John Jameson, Jeremiah Vandermark, Moses Carter, Anson Cascaden, Ithemar Rogers, Aaron Van Loom, Jacob Sorber, Jr., Jacob Sorber, 2nd., John Smith 2d., Redmond Owins, John Ensley, Henry Barkman, Jonah Romig, William Blane, Samuel Weiss, James Reeder, 2nd., Michael Hart, Daniel Simm, Jr., Peter Bellas, John Lutz, Henry Young, Jr., Michael Staunty, John H. Smith, Philip Groupe, Luke Blane, William Caldwell, John Vaughn, Jr., John F. Cisco, Richard Edwards, John Faris, William Love, George Culver, Archippus P. Childs, George Cosnor, Samuel Haug, Thomas Young, Morgan Hughes, Asa Gore.
"WYOMING BLUES." (Attached).
2nd Sergeant, Andrew Voyle; Drummer, John Davis; Privates, Abraham Hart, John Garrison, Eli Downing, Truman Gilbert, Jesse Downing.
(Certified)
JOZE ROGERS, Adjt.
ROSTER OF LOWER END COMPANY.
+Captain, Jacob Bittenbender; Lieutenant, Ensign, John Myers; 1st Sergeant, Jonas Buss; 2d Sergeant, Jacob Boston; 3d do. Henry Long; 4th do, Peter Sutz; 1st Corporal, Williams Smithers; 2d Corporal, David Deal; 3d, Henry Harvey; 4th Stephen Arnold; Privates, George Deal, Henry Snyder, Daniel Snyder, George Rittenback, William Ruth, George Shevey, Abraham Woolever, John Bidlack, Charles Scott, Frederick Levenburg, John Romish, Hugh Cameron, Henry Shrain, Jacoh Brader, Benjamin Stucky, Philip Stonebach, Warren Haas, Henry Hanny, Andrew Hanney, William Bitterley, John Walk, Jacob Wenner, Henry Uplinger, Thomas Little, Joseph Henderson, Richard Davidson, Levy Seward, Richard Chrigery, Jacob Benscoter, George Donty, Miles Sperry, Abner Johnson, John Zimmerman .- 44.
1792
The return of local companies and of various detachments which had volunteered at Wilkes-Barré was hailed with great acclaim especially by the Democrats. With the war, was ended the existence of the Federalist party which here, as elsewhere, opposed its conduct. This opposition made that party a target of ridicule and abuse on the part of those who had stood by the administration even in its most discouraging hours.
Under the odd title of "Wilkes-Barré Unroofed," the Gleaner of March 24, 1815, lifts the pall of gloom and dissension which had overhung the community during war times and voices happier expectations of the future in the following article:
"The noise of the drum and shrill-sounding fife has ceased in our village. The girls and the boys are getting married, deterred no longer by fears of a militia draft or the terrors of a con- scription.
"The old women are anxiously awaiting fresh supplies of their former beverage, Bohea ;- and the young ones are as anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mr. Hollenback's wagon, which is to bring up the new calicoes and bonnets. The grog-bruisers are keeping it up at the taverns. "Our market-what shall we say of our market, or how describe its improved appearance? Our market*, which during the war was honored only with the presence of dead dogs and cats fancifully and attractively arranged on the hooks, by the mischievous, latin-chopping urchins of the vicinity, now affords many good things for the hungry stomach. We noticed the last market day with no small emotions of pleasure, and secret pride, the appearance on one of the stalls of a very fine, whole, fat hen, being the first within our recollection, that has been brought to our market unquartered. The novelty of the spectacle, as might be naturally expected, drew a con- siderable concourse of people. It affords us much satisfaction to be able to add, that the worthy proprietor, Mr. Liebhaber Von Speckandeyer, met with a ready sale of the hen to a company of gentlemen who afterwards raffled for her, but we have not been able to learn who became the fortunate possessor."
The writer has attempted to picture the growing borough of Wilkes-Barré and its environs from such records as have been left to us of the present. The recorder of historical fact must confine himself to a narrative based on sure ground, without permitting the play of imagination. Upon others, however, no such restrictions are imposed.
To "see ourselves as ithers see us," is sometimes worth glancing into the glass. Certain it was that the stranger of 1810 who visited the community in the early spring of that year was no novice at caricature. No inkling is given by the Federalist, at the time of publication of this contribution or later, as to who the stranger might have been. His observations, however, must have aroused some consternation in the village and may have led to some reformation in habits, if nothing else. This frank, unvarnished view of Wilkes-Barre at the period of this Chapter, is given for what it is worth:
"MEMORANDUM OF A STRANGER IN LUZERNE.
"March 20, 1810. Cloudy day-rain towards night-4 O'Clock, came in sight of a small town in this county-a delightful and extensive valley, sufficiently watered by Susquehanna and its tributary streams. Set this country down rich-the soil undoubtedly will reward the labors of the husbandman with an abundant harvest.
Came down into the town (Wilkesbarre)-found it regularly laid out-handsome place, though too many small houses for beauty. Streets terribly muddy-almost impossible to get along. Wonder the inhabitants don't have a side-walk, at least, so that foot people may not have their legs pulled out by the roots. (Mem .- stone enough on the mountains at a small distance. Query-would not a good pavement raise the value of property sufficiently to defray the expense?)
"Came down into the street-extends north and south (Main street). What! two men running horses !! Mud, knee deep-well, they spatter it agoing bravely. They spout it around like Mount Etna in a fit of colic. Huzza! there goes one man and his horse, heels over head- spatter, dash, souse all over in the mud-Ha! ha! ha !- a new way of dismounting. (Mem .- Never run horses in slippery weather.) Walked up to the centre of the place-saw a meeting-
*The market was a one story shed, erected sometime in 1810, almost in the center of Market Street as it passed through the Square. It was from this building that the street took its present name, the thoroughfare being known as Center street in the original town-plot. On the outline sketch of buildings on the Square in 1830, the market is shown as having been moved to one side of the street where it was then doing duty as a home for Wilkes-Barre's first volun- teer fire department as will later he indicated.
1793
house-good sign, though seldom seen in this country-court-house, an academy, I guess, with one end of it fenced in-a jail probably, by the high yard fence-four public buildings, religion, justice, knowledge, and iniquity-curious compound. Wonder what old huge, antique stone- building that is with new roof and windows-[the stone "Fire Proof"]-contrary to Scripture- put no new cloth upon an old garment. (Query-Is this not what they call the Gothic order of architecture? Mem .- never build in that style looks like the devil-This is the first building that bears such strong marks of antiquity, and which appears to have been too rough for the de- vouring jaws of time, which I have seen in America. I can find no date upon it-conjecture, built about the time of the second Olympiad. Went a little further-stopped at I cannot tell whose house-found six great, strong robust men playing cards without any concealment. In- quired if they had any laws in this state, or, perhaps their magistrates are blind, like Justice of old. Went down to the river-a delightful bank, save the mud, which, for the purpose of brevity, I wish might always be excepted, when this place should be mentioned hereafter. A big house on the bank-foundation all gone from one end-a little more will tumble it down the hill [the Arndt store house]-a good simile for the government of the U. S. A. Saw a man drunk-he had business on both sides of the way. (Mem. There was once an insurrection in this state on account of taxing whiskey.) Saw another man moving with great obliquity-made inquiry afterwards-found he was candidate for sheriff. Do all sheriffs in Pennsylvania step quick two or three times, and then with a long side-way stride? The river is wearing away the bank very rapidly-from appearance it seems to incline side-ways, like the man I saw just now.
"Two men rode up from the river-one horse kicked up and threw the rider head and heels in the mud-the people all flocked around just as they do to see dogs fight-made inquiry, and found the man was a Methodist minister. Well, if I remember right, this sect of Christians hold to falling. (Mem .- It may do well in theory, but it is hard enough in practise.)
"I went down a little further-saw a tavern with the sign of the vessel [the Arndt tavern] (Mem .- Look in the morning, and see if this be a seaport town.) Heard a bell ring-made inquiry, and found there was a Methodist meeting. After tea went, and found a great many people there. The minister delivered a forcible, impressive, eloquent, and scriptural sermon. Under such preaching there must be many Christians. Returned to my lodgings very weary. "N. B. Get up early in the morning and buy cloth for a coat.
"March 21. Rose at 6-walked out upon the bank-saw only one man up, and he, from his looks, will be down before night. At 7, went to the store opposite the ferry-found all closed and silent-perhaps this may be holy time with them-inquired if they be Jews and this be the Passover. Walked on-saw a new white house-very handsome situation-fence all gone around it [the Pickering House], (Query-has it not been a hard winter here?) What! the printing office [Federalist]- O yes-where that important agricultural information came from-information so complete that it had only one fault, and that the trifling one of having no application on this side of the Atlantic. Saw another store [Hollenback's]-went on, found it open and doing busi- ness-good many people in-inquire if this man does not tend his own store, and, of course, make more money. Going back, saw a man without a hat-his hair pointing to every quarter of heaven-his mouth open, and both hands working daylight through his yet closed eyelids- hope he has a large patrimony to doze over. Returned to the tavern-found a good many men come in to get their morning charge. Query-Arn't these men ashamed to let their wives and families know how much they drink? After breakfast walked round town-at 11 o'clock went by the academy-steeple as big as an eel basket-saw a number of great tall boys gaping, and leaning against the side of the house, and stretching as if for victory. (Query-Are they preparing to stretch hemp without anything to stand on?) Heard a man talk very loud within-
" "With what a braying noise he muttered, And thought, no doubt, hell trembled as he uttered.'
"Went on-saw many things which I shall never forget, but which I must not at present mention. Returned to my lodgings sick-evening pleasant-many people came in, and as they poured down the whiskey, they drowned out the politics. (Query-If they should drink less, talk less, and read more, wont they understand the subject better?) Went up street-going by the court-house heard a stamping, like that of a livery stable in fly-time-made inquiry afterwards and found there was a dancing school kept there. Mem .-
" 'He that will not work, by right should not eat, And he that has no head may use his feet.'
"March 22. In the morning-Over! Over! over! Halloo, ferryman! P. S. I shall return this way."
With a conclusion of the record of events of the early years of a century that now seems buried in the dim past, much of the mystery and tradition which attended the beginnings of Wilkes-Barré and the Wyoming Valley has been cleared by the two writers whose pens have been engaged in the task. There is a feeling of regret that this "Age of Romance", as it might be termed, is about to close. The final volume of this History will deal in largest measure with that gradual development of industry to which the present community is indebted for its marvelous expansion.
.
1794
But in closing Volume III, the vision of a poet comes to mind as a striking prophecy of the future of the valley. In 1803, Alexander Wilson an eminent ornithologist, visited Wilkes-Barré on his way from Philadelphia to Niagara. His poem, recounting his adventures, published under the title of the "Fores- ters" refers in the following lines to Wyoming, the last stanzas of which were to be fulfilled in far more striking degree than perhaps the poet ever imagined:
"And now WYOMI opened on our view, And, far beyond, the Allegheny blue Immensely stretched, upon the plain below The painted roofs with gaudy colors glow, And Susquehanna's glittering stream is seen Winding its stately pomp, through valleys green.
"Hail charming river! pure transparent flood! Unstained by noxious swamps or choking mud. * * * *
* * * * *
"Thy pine-brown'd cliff, thy deep romantic vales, Where wolves now wander, and the panther wails.
In future times (nor distant far the day)
Shall glow with crowded towns and villas gay."
"SO NOW TIS ENDED LIKE AN OLD WIFES STORY "
END OF VOLUME III.
LAUREL® BOOK SERVICE KATHERINE AND KARL GOEDECKE 33 West Third St. HAZLETON, PENNA.
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