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 IV > Part 20
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"Given under the Seal of the Commonwealth, the 1st day of September in the Year of Our Lord 1789.
"Attest,
"CHARLES BIDDLE, Sec'y."
Indeed, the age of which we write was one of notable intemperance. Whiskey was almost universally consumed at public functions and in private life. This intemperance upon more than one occasion furnished a theme in describing con- ditions at Wyoming. Gambling, also, went more or less unchecked. In 1840, the first temperance wave which swept the country was instituted in Baltimore. To Wilkes-Barré in that year caine the Rev. Thomas P. Hunt, an emissary of the Washingtonians, as the temperance society was called, with a result that many men, whose names have been frequently mentioned in these pages, took the pledge. The next year he was followed by an evangelist, the Rev. Daniel Baker, a Presbyterian clergyman, who sent to church many prominent men of the community who had previously been little inclined toward religion.
But notwithstanding these reformative measures, taverns in Wilkes-Barré, at least, increased rapidly. The first mention of the White Swan tavern appears in print in 1822. It was then kept by Aechippus Parrish, on the site of the present Fort Durkee hotel. The name of this hostlery was changed upon opening the canal to the Packet Boat Hotel.
The canal likewise brought places for public entertainment, largely for boatmen, along its route. Two of these, well known in Wilkes-Barre in the canal period, were the Hibernian on Nortli Main street, kept by Paul Dunn, and the North Branch, on Canal street, kept by Peter Groghan.
1918
In 1839 it was announced that S. H. Puterbaugh, whose activities as a taverner appear more frequently in print than those of any other early Wilkes- Barréan, had taken "the Packet Boat Hotel and has put the establish- ment in good order under the name of the White Swan." The name hotel, as distinguished from the word inn or tavern, was first applied in Wilkes- Barré to what in its time was the most commod- ious house of public con- venience then in exist- ence.
In 1820, George M. Hollenback* completed, at the corner of River and Market street where now stands the Hollenback Coal Exchange, the most pretentious private build- ing of the Borough. It was used as his dwelling house and offices. Later an annex was constructed, as has been shown, to house the Wyoming bank. His lot, upon which stood THE HON. GEORGE M. HOLLENBACK a small building known as the Colt tavern, extended well to the south of the annex. Public spirit, more than the hope of reward, led him to complete, in 1831, the Phoenix Hotel, on this site:
" "The new hotel, now finishing,' states the Advocate, April 29, 1831, 'to which the public are indebted to the liberal enterprise of G. M. HOLLENBACK, Esq. will be a splendid establishment -large and commodious, eligible in design, and neat in execution .- Wilkesbarre from its position, in the centre of the Anthracite Coal region-in the heart of this rich and beautiful valley-seems destined to be a place of extensive business, as it is a delightful location for gentlemen of ease and fortune, who delight in the chase of the red deer, or love to throw the speckled trout from the mountain stream.'"
Maj. Orlando Porter was the first manager of the new enterprise. He was succeeded in 1837 by Capt. William H. Alexander who, in turn, gave place to P. McCormick Gilchrist, all famous hotel men of the time.
*George Matson Hollenback was born at Wilkes-Barre August 11, 1791, the only son of Colonel and Judge Matthias Hollenback and his wife Sarah (Burritt) Hollenback of Wilkes-Barré. He began his business career in the mercantile establishment of his father on Sonth Main Street, Wilkes-Barré, first as a clerk and later as a partner. In 1818 he began the erection of a three-story brick building at the south-east corner of River and Market Streets. It comprised a large store-room and counting-room and a dwelling, was completed early in 1820, and was for some years the largest and most imposing private building in Wilkes-Barré. Upon its completion Mr. Hollenback established his home in the residence part of the building, while he occupied the remainder of the building with a mercantile business which soon became, and continued to be for a number of years thereafter, the leading business of its kind in Wyoming Valley.
Upon the death of Col. Matthias Holleuback in February, 1829, George M. Hollenback inherited from him a large fortune, and succeeded to many of the business pursuits in which the former had been engaged for a long time In January, 1819, George M. Hollenback was appointed Treasurer of Luzerne County. At that time he was a member of the "Wyoming Guards" (commanded by Capt. John L. Butler) of the Pennsylvania Militia. A few years later he succeeded to the captaincy of this company, and a number of years subsequently attained the rank of Lieut. Colonel in the militia of the State. In 1824, and again in 1825, he was elected one of the three Representatives from Luzerne County to the Pennsylvania Legislature. In 1840 he was a Presidential Elector on the Van Buren and Johnson ticket. He died at Wilkes-Barré November 7, 1866, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.
1919
In the thirties, few wrote or spoke of Wilkes-Barre without mention of delicacies, especially oysters, served by Sam Wright .* He had mastered the art of southern cookery and first established himself "on the Meeting House side of the Public Square where persons wishing beer or any article in the cake or bread line can always be accommodated."
An adept, likewise, at blending drinks, "Wright's Imperial Beverage" which, according to advertisements seems to have possessed a claret base, re- ceived gratifying recommendations. Three.years later he opened a branch in the basement of the Phoenix Hotel as the following announcement in the Herald will substantiate:
"All Hail! Lovers of high flavored and well dressed Oysters.
"Both Fryed and Stewed, Are requested to call at my old stand on the west side of the Public Square or at my New Oyster Establishment in the cellar of Maj. O. Porters Hotel, on River Street, where they will find oysters as well as other refreshments, served up at short notice. "SAMUEL WRIGHT."
"Samuel Wright, by day and by night, Will serve up fine oysters you know; I have them on hand and move at command
On the square and at Porters below. If you call for a heart, or even a tart, I'll furnish them both if you please; Mince pies, I have too, or Plumb Pudding in lieu As well as dried beef and good cheese."
The application of the word hotel, as applied to the Phoenix was not without loss of the romantic names of earlier hostleries. It will be recalled that the Arndt tavern was "at the Sign of the Ship" and the Fell tavern, the only name of a
MOTEL
PHOENIX HOTEL
lengthy list still to survive, was "at the Sign of the Buck." Usually the signs were upheld by tall uprights erected in front of the premises. Not infrequently, however, these signs swung from neighboring trees. It may be left to the imagin- ation as to the character of the sign of the Red Lion hotel which, in 1838, was kept by George Kocher, Jr., on Market street "a few doors from the bridge." An advertisement of the Red Lion in the same year indicates that the "New Eagle and Accommodation Line" of stages started from this stand "daily for Philadelphia via Hazleton, Beaver Meadows and Mauch Chunk." Doubtless
*Old Sam Wright at his unpretentious bake shop on the Public Square dispensed cake and beer to both great and small. We see him now, with his ebony face and portly mien, always pleasant, always ready to wait on those who frequented his place, and when a successful student at law had passed his examination it was customary for him to give the examining committee a supper at Sam's which feast was usually presided over by Squire Dyer. "Reminiscences" by Samuel P. Lynch.
1920
a significant emblem overhung mail coaches of the "Berwick, Northumberland and Harrisburg Line" advertised to leave the White Swan in March, 1839. Then came the Black Horse hotel of 1840 on the south side of Public Square, a rival in name and fame of the White Horse Hotel, of West Market street.
In the year 1880, James A. Gordon wrote from memory the following "Reminiscences of the White Horse Hotel" which became better known to a later generation as the Courtright House:
"My first recollection of this locality is as early as 1806 or 7. Anderson Dana was then the owner. He lived at the corner of Franklin and Market streets, in a small one story house owned by Parthenia Gordon. On the adjoining lot toward the river, was Geo. Chahoon's carpenter shop. From this point there was not a single building until you reached Jacob and Jos. Sinton's store and dwelling on the site of the present Music Hall; nor was there any up to 1815. In the Spring of that year Benj. Drake erected a blacksmith shop, with a store house in front, on the lot now occupied by the Courtright Block, where he carried on blacksmithing and a store in connection with Henry Courtright, a son of Cornelius Courtright, Esq., and uncle to the present proprietor. The store, however, was of brief duration, and gave place to a millinery establish- ment conducted by Miss Nancy Eley, who afterwards became Mrs. Nancy Drake. At what particular date the premises were converted into a house of entertainment for travelers it is difficult to state, but certainly not before 1824, and probably not until 1830; and it is quite as uncertain who was the first landlord. * * * I have come to the conclusion that Geo. P. Steele was the hangman of the then young 'White Horse.' He was at that time a young man from Hanover, just married to a member of the Chrisman family. About 1833 or 4 he became proprietor of the old red tavern on the corner of Main street and the Public Square, now the Luzerne House. Who Mr. Steele's immediate successor was I am unable to state. Among those who followed him, however, I remember James Conner, Thos. Hutchins, James H. Phinney and others.
"About this time Jesse Dilley and Cornelius Courtright became the owners of the property and subsequently Dilley sold his interest to Courtright and it has remained in the family from that time to the present.
"In 1840-41, Geo. Kocher took charge of the house. During his term it was the stage house for the northern mail routes from Wilkes-Barre. He was succeeded by Henry Petit from Sugar- loaf, Pa. He was an active and intelligent young whig of the Henry Clay pattern, and during the Clay and Fre- linghuysen campaign in 1844 his house was headquarters for the Whig party of Luzerne County. Here the GRAINO Clay and Frelinghuysen clubs held their meetings. Here Amos Sisty, Chas. Bennet, Judge Taylor, Samuel Lewis, Dr. John Smith, Thos. F. Atherton, Walter Sterling and others were wont to congregate and work Hurrah! Hurrah! Boys, there's no two ways in The fun we'll have at old Tip's raisin'! Hurrah! in the interest of the Kentucky statesman. Amos Sisty furnished the poetry, and Walter Sterling. Judge Taylor, and Sylvanius Heermans led the singing. The * * glee club was always on hand to entertain. *
"On the opposite side of the street, on the corner of the Alley, (Fazer) and within ten feet of H. B. Wright's office, we raised a pole one hundred and twenty feet in height; and at the raising we had a mass meeting from all northern Pennsylvania, which for numbers and respectability has never been surpassed in Wilkes-Barre. On that occasion landlord Petit erected a platform in front of the hotel, on a level with the 2nd floor, for the accommodation of the glee clubs in attendance. * * * Among the notables who figured conspicuously at the White Horse during this campaign was Mayor John Swift of Philadelphia, accompanied by a glee club from that city, and Jos. R. Chandler, editor of the North American. Mayor Swift spoke from the White Horse platform and Chandler addressed the citizens of Plymouth. Chandler re- mained in Wilkes-Barre several days, and delivered one of his best lectures in the Presbyterian church to a crowded house on 'Domestic Affections.' * * *
/up with hers
HARD
CIDER
No General
-Fine
LOG CABIN SONG BOOK.
Used in the Harrison-Tyler Campaign-1840
"Before Henry Petit came to the 'White Horse' he kept the 'Black Horse' on the corner of W. Market street and Public Square, and subsequently he returned to his old quarters and was succeeded at the 'White Horse' by Wm. Beisel.
"The raising of the pole was conducted by a young bricklayer named Parker. The flag used on this pole was 45 x 75. It is still in existence, and is in the possession of Wm. H. Butler."
In 1828, the first mention appears of the Dennis Hotel, when a dancing school was advertised to be conducted in the "long room" of that hostlery.
1921 1
In 1844, this hotel stood at the corner of Market and Franklin streets, "at the Sign of the Heart," and was still conducted by Col. Jacob J. Dennis, for whom it was named. Several stage advertisements of the period vouch for its popularity.
In 1849 this became known as the Eagle Hotel, Col. H. B. Hillman then being proprietor. The building was destroyed by the disastrous fire of 1867 and later became the site of the first home of the Second National bank. It might be stated, in passing, that fire had much to do with the rebuilding of many taverns of an earlier day. On July 19, 1848, the White Swan was partially destroyed by fire and the next night, its neighbor, the Black Horse, was also badly damaged by the same element, fatalities being fortunately avoided in both cases.
In 1854, the White Swan again took fire and this time was totally destroyed. In 1855 proprietor Puterbaugh, apparently undismayed by his loss, announced the completion of the Exchange Hotel, a three story brick, on the site of "my White Swan Hotel, burned last spring."
In 1851, George P. Steele, a hotel man of varied experience, laid plans for the largest hotel venture of the community's earlier history. In 1837, he had succeeded Messrs Carpenter and Hancock as taverner of the small hotel
at the corner of North Main and the Square which then bore the name of the Pennsylvania Arms
Mr. Steele changed this name to the Pennsylvania Hotel and continued in occupation until his election as Sheriff of Luzerne County, in 1841. It was then leased for a time to Jacob Bertels, in whose regime it was headquarters for the stage line using the Easton and Wilkes- Barré turnpike.
Later, the lease was pur- chased by Capt. B. F. Welles, who then, and until a later period operated the packet boat Northumberland from Wilkes- Barré to the town of that name, making three trips per week.
-
-
STEELE'S HOTEL
As one of the most popular and dependable men of his time, Mr. Steele was able to secure the finances necessary for the erection of a commodions struc- ture, and on March 24, 1852, he completed, on the site of The Pennsylvania, a four story brick hotel, sumptuously furnished for its time, which was thrown open to guests. With its name afterward changed to the Luzerne House and under different proprietors, many readers of this account will remember it as it stood until 1895, when it gave place to the present modern Bennett building.
Another hotel of considerable fame in the fifties and later, was the American House, built on the Square, on the site of the present Globe store.
It was erected by George F. Slocum, later owned by his estate. Of sub- stantial three story brick construction, it was rated, together with the Phoenix
1922
and Steele's, as among the three excellent hotels of the community, until the building of the pretentious Wyoming Valley Hotel, on the site of the Phoenix, in 1865. The name American was later changed to the Bristol House, by which it will be familiar to many readers.
While the Wyoming Valley Hotel cannot be classed as one of the early hostelries of Wilkes-Barré, its mention recalls the fact that it became known for its hospitality and entertainment more widely, perhaps, in its prime, than any public house of the Commonwealth. Its site, overlooking the river and the com- mon, was invariably a matter of remark. It proved in a sense, a community center. Its cuisine was a matter of delight and its bar a pleasant memory. Around its tables were negotiated many deals for coal properties which later changed the character of a great industry. With it as an objective over the week end, travelling men shaped their schedules and theatrical people their routings. Among its guests were registered the great and famous of the country. In the · attached cut of the hotel and its grounds, reproduced from a photograph taken in 1873, may be found some well known residents, among them the Hon. Henry A. Fuller, engaged in an innocent game of croquet. As further reference will
WYOMING VALLEY HOTEL
be made to the community's most famous hotel which became a memory by the erection of the handsome office structure of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company on its site in 1909, and mention also made at a later period of the few new hotels which have followed it in service, the record will be resumed of general events which were coincident with a remarkable constructive period of Wyoming's history.
The business affairs of the community have thus far been touched upon in this constructive period. On the civic side, things dragged miserably. In the
1923
category of members of council of the borough of Wilkes-Barré may be found some of the most distinguished names of the growing municipality. But even these men, apparently keen in their own business or profession, lagged in tugging at the harness of public services.
It requires but an illustration of the beginnings of a fire department for the Borough, and drawn from its minutes, to bear out this fact. In 1806, when the Borough was erected not a single building within its limits was constructed of any material other than wood.
Among the first things to occupy the attention of council, therefore, was the question of how best to protect the town fromn fire. The first action taken was at a special meeting, called for this purpose March 31, 1807. There were present Matthias Hollenback, president pro tem., Nathan Palmer, Charles Miner, Arnold Colt, and Samuel Bowman. On motion of Mr. Miner it was "Resolved to appoint a committee to obtain information as to the expense of a fire engine, and report such other information on the subject of the best ineans to secure the borough from fire as they shall think."
Messrs. Palmer and Miner were appointed as this committee, but they never made any report, except to offer a resolution which was adopted January 11, 1808, requiring all householders to provide themselves with fire buckets.
On the 12th of April, 1808, a committee consisting of councilmen Ebenezer Bowman, Jonathan Slocum and John P. Arndt were appointed "to purchase the patent right of a water machine for the borough of Wilkes-Barré," and the committee reported at a meeting held April 16, 1808, that they had performed the duties of their appointment and paid eight dollars for the said rights.
The fire problem did not long stay solved by the "water machine" for we find that on the 16th of August, 1809, on motion of Mr. Sinton, council resolved "that a committee be appointed to endeavor to obtain opinion of in- habitants of the borough on the propriety of procuring a fire engine, to form an estimate of the expense and whether the funds of the corporation are sufficient to defray the expense and report to a future meeting of the council." Thomas Dyer, Charles Miner and Joseph Sinton were made the committee. This com- mittee did not make any report until June 18, 1810, when they delivered them- selves as follows: "That they have considered the subject submitted to thein and are of opinion that it is expedient to have an engine procured."
At the same meeting Councilmen John P. Arndt and George Cahoon were appointed as committee "to bring in a bill in conformity with above report."
At the same meeting Mr. Arndt, in behalf of committee, brought in a bill entitled "An act for appropriating a sum of money to purchase an engine," which on being read, passed, to be read a second time at next meeting, which was to be held on Saturday following.
At the next meeting nothing was done with this resolution, nor was any action ever taken on it afterwards. After these efforts the council rested from its labors for nearly three years.
On Tuesday evening, March 16, 1813, Council inet; Present, Jesse Fell, President, and members Arndt, Bowman, Cahoon, Drake, Robinson and Sinton.
A petition was presented by Ebenezer Bowman in behalf of himself and others, stating "that they had viewed with concern the danger to which the buildings in the borough are exposed from fire and lament that no further pre- cautions have been taken to guard against the ravages of that destructive ele-
1924
ment and expressing a wish that the council would take such measures as may be thought necessary to procure without delay a fire engine for the use of said borough."
The council then went into a Committee of the Whole on the above petition. After discussing the same, the committee arose and reported, "that it is expedient immediately to procure an engine."
It was also resolved to appoint a committee of two "To procure an engine as soon as the funds of the borough shall be sufficient to meet the expense." It was also at the same time resolved, "that the sum of $700 be appropriated for that purpose."
This committee pursued the same do-nothing course of its predecessors for more than a year, when at a meeting of the new Council, hield May 9, 1814, it was resolved "that the committee, consisting of Mr. Arndt and Mr. Sinton, appointed by a former Council, on the subject of fire engine, be continued, and to report the best method of supplying it with water."
This committee was never afterward heard of, by report, or otherwise.
This failure, following the many like results to like efforts, was so dis- couraging that nothing more was done in the matter for three years next fol- lowing.
In the meantime, there seemed to grow up a conviction that something more than resolutions and committees would be necessary to secure the fire en- gine. The proposition to assess the borough for this purpose was unpopular so long as there was a hope of making other people do it. There was the county treasury, with everybody's money in it, how could it be reached?
The Council resolved to invoke the aid of a petition to the Court, which was presented at the August session, 1817, in the following language:
"The petition of Garrick Mallery and other members of the Town Council of the Borough of Wilkes-Barre and other inhabitants of the County of Luzerne would most respectfully represent that from the increase of wooden buildings in the Borough of Wilkes-Barre the destruction by fire has become very frequent and the danger therefrom very alarming to all property within the borough, and the publick, as well as the individual interest, requires some more effectual means of preventing with ravaging fire (sic). In the opinion of your petitioners this object can only be affected by procuring a fire engine with appropriate apparatus, the expense of which would probably amount to seven or eight hundred dollars, and inasmuch as the county and all individuals therein are interested in the preservation of the publick property as well as that of the individuals. Your petitioners therefore pray your honors to lay the matter before the grand jury of the county, and if they and the court shall think proper, they may grant some assistance from the funds of the county to aid the purposes aforesaid."
This petition was laid before the grand jury, and they made report as follows:
"The grand jury in taking into consideration the importance of the subject of the within petition cannot at the same time forget the present pecuniary embarrassment of the inhabitants of the county still feel a disposition to afford some aid, notwithstanding the pressure for money upon the treasury, for so laudable an object, do therefore recommend to court to appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars for the object under consideration.
"CORNELIUS COURTRIGHT, Foreman."
This recommendation was approved by the court as follows: "The Court concur with the grand jury and recommend the commissioners to pay the sum of two hundred dollars in assisting to purchase a fire engine for the borough of Wilkes-Barré, when the council make the said purchase."
On the 7th of October following Council directed its then president, Thomas Burnside, "to address a letter to John B. Wallace, Esq., requesting him to as- certain at what price a fire engine could be procured and the terms of payment in the city of Philadelphia."
At the meeting of October 29, 1817, the president laid before the Council "a communication received from John B. Wallace, Esq.," after which it was
1925
resolved "that Messrs. Mallery and Maffet be appointed a committee to call on the county commissioners and obtain from them a draft on the treasurer of the county for the amount of the appropriation made by the Grand Jury of August term towards purchasing a fire engine. Also on the treasurer and high constable of the borough and ascertain of them what sum of money they can procure in two weeks belonging to the corporation."
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