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 22
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A. C. Montanye
24
finisher
George Reufs 1.3
carriage painter
J. Henry Root
25
painter
Stanley Woodward 26
lawyer
John C. Barney
28
carpenter
Samuel J. Tonkin 19 mechanical engineer
Frank Souder
25
carpenter
Cornelius Wambold 22
landlord
Cyrus A. Marcy
21 tinsmith
Marx Long 42
grocer
B. M. Mask
.3.3 machinist
Charles Stegmayer
32 brewer
Rufus W. Marcy
21
carpenter
Charles M. Cyphers
30
tobacconist
C. B. Stout
25 bricklayer
D. C. Roberts 37
25
landlord
J. H. Jones
21
machinist
R. H. Waters
24
clerk
Frederick Fox
23
haker
D. C. Miller
24
engineer assistant
H. C. Hirner
34 marble cutter
E. S. Dana
42
attorney at law
George Moore
28 harness maker
George W. Smith
34
upholsterer
G. W. Hoover
29 chairmaker
Edward Mackin
20
engineer
Isaiah B. George
25
grocer
Jay Campbell
22
painter
Daniel W. Perry
23
carpenter
D. C. Connor
25
engineer
B. F. Bennett
24 mechanical engineer
William L. Butler
20
shoemaker
Jonathan S. Jones
18 machinist
S. Clapsaddle
27 restaurant keeper
D. F. Groff Alfred Groff 19
21
tobaconist
Jonas Long
31 merchant
Julius Reufs
boy torch boy
#Roster of the Protector Fire Company on the date of adopting its constitution and by-laws, March 28. 1859:
Geo. N. Reichard
E. A. Hancock
Lewis LeGrand
W. W. Ellis
Richard Sprague
Joseph Schilling
Wm. Rankins
John Norton
George Kaufer
Wm. How
Adam Drusbach
David I. Patrick
W'm. E. Lines
Andrew M. Tell
Hugh Connor
M. Crogham
Shiber
Joseph Griffith
George Scheuer
George C. Caffey
David Barber
John Laning
J. W. Rhoads
James P. Dennis
Washington Norton
Lemuel W. Jones
1. G. Wood
Phillip McGuire
Frederick Scherer
Alfred Reily
James Culver
W. A. Holmes
IC. 13. Miner
S. H. Bennett
Ezra Keithline
W'm. 11. Cook
Dominick McGinly
G. W. Lehmen
Frank lains
Wm. Riester
Christian Barber
John Shovlin
Emanuel Edwards
Watson B. Connor
Henry M. Hoyt
Lewis Deufenbach
William French
II Liekuirlker
19 printer
John C. Kropp
18 shoemaker
V. R. Urquhart
20
yeoman
Joseph W. Dilley 21 W. H. Stephens M. B. Houpt 19 carpenter
23 brickmaker
Samuel Emmery
John Fritz
34
butcher
John Kropp
2.4
brewer
Richard S. Perry
27 carpenter
A. C. Jones
26 moulder
J. J. McDormott
34 blacksmith
Samuel Geisinger
stage proprietor
machinist
ROLL LIST
Henry C. Wilson
V. M. Luby
R. Cutter
C. Pearce
1932
The first machine, the Davy Crockett of 1818, later the Neptune, for- tunately survived the vicissitudes of more than a century of use and abuse. Today, in a good state of repair and under the name Wyoming, which it gained by being transferred to a company of that name in 1865*, Wilkes-Barré's first piece of fire apparatus proudly occupies a niche in No. 7 Engine House and sometimes makes its appearance in civic parades, when its ropes are manned by veterans of the department.
Even a disastrous conflagration in 1855, when a fire destroyed most of the buildings on the east side of the Public Square, including the Exchange hotel and the Hillard steam mill, did not stir the community to a point of add- ing any equipment to the three pumps above mentioned.
It did, however, inspire the reorganization of the Neptune Company with James M. Rutter as foreman in the winter of 1858.f Early in 1859, still another Company, with E. B. Harvey as president and C. C. Plotz, an exper- ienced fireman who had removed from Easton to Wilkes-Barré, as foreman, was organized. It so happened that there was serious work ahead for each of these companies. In November, 1859 occurred the second large conflagration in Wilkes-Barré's history. A description of this fire narrated by an eye witness, was published in the official program of the State Firemen's Convention held at Wilkes-Barré, October 4-6, 1921, as follows:
"During the time Mr. Rutter was foreman, the Neptune Company attended all fires which occurred, the first fire of importance being the big one of 1859, which started on West Market street and swept everything before it clear out to the corner of North Main street and Public Square. This fire started in the building owned by John G. Wood and which was occupied by a clothing store. This structure was situated next to Cahoon's Hall, formerly occupied by
Jacob Williams
Lewis Hay
Andrew Keiser
Thomas A. Dennis
D. W. Bennett
John Severns
Millen Gilchrist
Joseph F. Cerold
Michael Kane
John Thay
Charles Roth
Francis Whartes
Wm. Stine
H. B. Dennis
Phillip Hapersberger
George Baer
John P. Fell
1. E. Sterley
B. Hillman
J. B. Denniz
Patrick Reilly
John Conner
George L. Ruke
*Roster of Wyoming Hose Company, No. 3, organized August Ist, 1865.
J. C. Bergold
Y. Montarney
S. Cox
S. S. Barnes
J. W. Patten
V. Kropp
A. Betterly
John Prior
F. Ayres
S. Barnes
H. Rainow
F. Corkins
E. Constine
E. F. Roth
D. Rockafellow
Wm. Claproth
I. H. Yeets
B. Marshall
J. Eley
James Rutter
N. Reading
S. Barnes
E. W. Stiles
P. Allabach
A. Clapsaddle
El. W Smith
W. Stark
A Allabach
W. Stetler
C. Hartland
E. Allabach
G. Stewart
Chancey Root
W. Alden
J. Williamson
N. Y. Sandmeper
G. Dutter
R. Walker
Anthony Bower
W. Finch
E. D. Williams
C. Hartland
E. Everett
J. Weaver
J. Neigh
J. Fell
E. Willits
O. Monnega
J. Gray
D. Purcel
Charles Gable
S. Gaffney
W. Driesbach
Samuel Barton
J. Houswich
William Kay
George Behee
S. Holmes
G. Habesberger
A. Roberts
H. Johnson
M. Hoffman
T. M. Kesler
I. E. Long
P. B. Carey
J. Anger
J. Megennis
J. Beales
R. Orr
J. Kilmer
C. Zahn
James Jones
J. Miller
N. Belding
M. Kidder
R. A. Leslie
tThe old Neptune company, of which James M. Rutter was foreman, was composed of the following members: James M. Rutter. foreman; William Swan and Charles D. Hoover, assistant foremen; pipemen, Frank Densmore and Sterling R. Catlin; president, H. G. Hillman; secretary and treasurer, E. G. Butler, and members C. P. Hunt. Elwood Hunt, Peter Behee, William Keiser, Andrew Kaiser, James Penman, J. W. Kestler, Frank Baab, Philip Rineman, John Rineman, J. W. Patton, Frank Corkins, William Ward, John Neuer, Charles Elliott, George Behee, R. F. Roth, I. E. Finch, C. C. Betterly, James Higgs, Adam Fraley, John Fell, J. L. Lewis, Phillip Killian, Albert Clapsaddle, Frank Kline, Anthony Kline, Toney Bauer, Newell Louder, Edward Yarrington, P. Carey, John Jenkins, Bob Russell, James Russell, J. F. Kappler, Harry Gilchrist, Thomas Gilchrist, Thomas Taylor, Theodore Brymer, George McGinnis, John Weaver, Charles Fritz, Michael Snyder, Adam Jacobs, Ellis Housenick, William S. McLean, Edward Willitis, Jacob Bergold, Chester Monega and Charles Engle.
At the outbreak of the war nearly all of these men enlisted in the Union Army and served various terms. During their absence the company was kept up by "Ike" Long, Edward W. Smith, Stewart Barnes, Edward Constine, John Bauer, I. M. Teets, John McGinnis and a number of others whose names cannot be recalled. (From State Firemen's Convention Program, 1921 )
1933
Yordy's printing establishment. Cahoon's Hall, which was one of the few brick buildings in the city at that time, had just been completed, and the painters had but a day or two previous added the finishing touches. The building was saved after a hard fight, but not until considerable damage had been done.
"At the time this fire broke out old Neptune was lying dismantled in the paint shop of George W. Leach on West Market street where now stands the newer addition to the Miners Bank building. The building in which Mr. Leach had his paint shop was a two-story frame structure and the shop was on the second floor. The Neptune had been taken apart a few days previously for the purpose of having it painted.
"Realizing its value at the fire, Mr. Rutter and William Stevens kicked in the rear door leading to the paint shop, rushed up stairs and seizing the wheels threw them out of the window and then handed down the brake or lever, with which the pump was worked, to the people on the pavement, and lowered the body of the engine with ropes. Descending to the street they secured wrenches, put the machine together, and, attaching the hose, soon had a stream of water playing on the flames. While Mr. Rutter and Mr. Stevens were putting the machine together, the bucket brigade had formed and by the time the hose was attached they were ready to begin pouring water in the box; for this fire occurred previous to the introduction of fire hydrants and all water at that time was secured from pumps. The nearest pump to the fire at that time was on Public Square.
"During the progress of this fire an incident occurred which, looked at from this date. appears quite amusing. Shortly after old Neptune had been gotten to work, the heat from the fire became so intense that the buildings on the opposite side of the street began smoking, and later the paint shop, in which the machine had been housed, caught and blazed right merrily for a few moments. The firemen turned their attention to this building and soon had the fire out. The loss by this fire amounted to thousands of dollars as all the buildings on one side of the Square were destroyed."
In spite of frequent petitions to council and of considerable newspaper comment on the subject, the community continued to be satisfied with the
2
3
6
7
9
8
Group of Volunteer Members of the Fire Department after the Market Street Fire of 1867. As numbered they are:
1. James M. Rutter 2. George Behee 3. Antony Bauer 4. Chester Monnega
5. John McGinnis
6. Isaac Teets 7. Ernest F. Roth 8. Frank Smith 9. Stuart Barnes
three antiquated machines until the "great fire" of 1867 made imperative a complete reorganization of the system of fighting fires in the growing community
1934
April 9, 1867, was to prove that the old must give place to new if property was to receive sufficient protection.
The fire started on West Market street, on the roof of Theron Burnet's tin shop or the bakery adjoining, at 6:30 in the morning, and it burned until long in the afternoon. The buildings consumed extended from the Harvey (Morgan) building on North Franklin street around West Market to the alley adjoining the old Windsor Hotel, and on the opposite side of Market street from the alley (Fazer) adjoining the Misses Doran's store up the street and around South Franklin street to where the Grand Opera House now stands. The Wilkes- Barré fire companies, the Good Will, the Reliance and the Wyoming, were as- sisted by the Kingston company, and all worked valiantly for hours, but could make scarcely an impression on the flames.
The press, machinery and book bindery of the Record of the Times were destroyed with all the stock of paper.
The Wyoming National Bank building, which was then at its present location at the corner of West Market and South Franklin, was left standing, while the fire burned all around it. This was due to the fact that the building was built of brick and was more substantial than the mass of wooden structures that were consumed.
The list of buildings destroyed was as follows:
"Charles Lehman, Stock of paints, wall paper and shades, loss $1,700; Patrick Higgins, loss $2,200; Theron Burnet, loss $8,500; William P. Miner, loss $5,000; J. C. Jeffries, loss $75; E. B. Yordy, printer, loss $400; Estate of Jacob J. Dennis, loss $7,000; Urquhart & Paine, loss $2,000; W. U. Telegraph Co., loss $510; A. R. Brewer, operator, loss $20; L. B. Perrin, loss $4,000; C. B. Butler, stock loss $3,500; George L. Haines, furniture, clothing, etc., loss $250; O. Trumbower, stock and household furniture, loss $2,000; J. W. Gilchrist, household furniture, loss $800; Gilchrist & Son, livery shed, loss $650; O. Collins, loss $3,000; John Grandon, two buildings, loss $2,500; Faser & Smith, loss $125; John Faser, loss $3,300; J. W. Lynde, building and stock, loss $500; J. Sturdevant, building and stock, loss $10,000; W. W. Loomis, harness, loss $500; Pyle Creveling & Co., loss $3,000; B. M. Stetler, baker and confectioner, loss $1,500; James Taylor, baker and confectioner, loss $2,500; C. F. Cook, photographer, loss $1,200; Miss Phalla Ransom, dressmaker, loss $100; Miss Kate Patten, milliner, loss $100; S. E. Parsons, Esq., loss $300; W. Lee, Jr., loss $2,000; J. M. Courtright, Hotel, loss $3,000; Ziba Bennett, two buildings, loss $2,000; D. Mead, barber, loss $600; B. G. Carpenter, loss $250; F. L. Faries, hatter, loss $1,600; J. F. Jourdan, jeweler, loss $500; Mrs. Frances Lamb, loss $350; Timothy Parker, jeweler, loss $300; J. W. Everett, tailor, loss $150."
It may seem strange, viewed in the light of present municipal affairs, that three years should elapse after the "great fire" of 1867 before any improve- ment was noticed in the scope of fire fighting ability of the community. Borough affairs, however, were not in shape to consider any large expenditures in this direction. The aftermath of the Civil war materially affected finances, both public and private. Steam fire engines were not a new contrivance at that time. In fact one of the earliest uses to which a heat engine was applied was in pumping water. Nor was Wilkes-Barré unfamiliar with what an engine of this classi- fication could accomplish. On September 24, 1860, a Boston concern, which manu- factured a steamer, brought it to the community for exhibition purposes. The municipality was then more concerned with the rumblings of approaching internecine strife than with fire protection and the engine was not purchased.
While the Borough looked with envious eyes upon other municipalities which possessed modern equipment and apprehension was general as to fire dangers, it remained for a public spirited citizen of the community to arise to the occasion. In the spring of 1870, Augustus C. Laning entered into negotiations with a Philadelphia manufacturer for the purchase, at his individual expense, of a suitable steam engine for the department. In the fall of that year a small
1935
steamer, bearing the name Mechanie was delivered and presented to the Borough by Mr. Laning.
Council gave the engine over to the care of Protector Company which was then largest in point of membership of all the volunteer companies; Stanley Woodward being named chief engineer, with T. S. Hillard and Charles B. Metz- ger, assistants. On May 4, 1871 the form of government of Wilkes-Barre was
-
T. S. Hillard
EARLY CHIEFS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT Stanley Woodward Chas. B. Metzger
changed from that of borough to city and shortly after the election of a council to meet new requirements, plans for the reorganization of the fire department were advocated. In 1874 the first step was taken toward converting the old volunteer system to a paid department.
Horses were purchased for the heavier apparatus, the drivers and the stokers of engines being at first the only salaried employees. Other members of the department were call men, being paid fifty cents per hour for their actual services at fires. In the fall of 1874, council authorized the purchase of a second and larger steamer. This was named the A. C. Laning in honor of the donor of the city's first steam fire engine. Upon its arrival it was used at all fires, the Mechanic being held in reserve.
From that time forth, the history of Wilkes-Barre's department has been one of advancement in point of efficiency and of sufficient increase in equipment to meet every emergency. The office of chief engineer, conferred upon Stanley
1936
Woodward with the arrival of the Mechanic, carried with it the responsibilities of chief of the department.
Upon Mr. Woodward's election to the bench of Luzerne County he re- signed January 1, 1880, to be succeeded as chief by Charles B. Metzger, who in turn was succeeded by T. S. Hillard. Other chiefs of the department since its organization on a paid basis have been: Ernest Roth, George J. Stegmaier, George St. John, Joseph G. Schuler and Frank Hochreiter. The administration of Chief Schuler is generally credited with having done more than that of any other to bring the local department to favorable notice among the smaller
Two LATER CHIEFS
Front seat to left, Joseph G. Schuler, Chief, 1899-1913. Front seat to right. Frank Hochreiter, Chief, 1913-
city departments of the country. Named chief in 1899, Mr. Schuler completely reorganized the department in 1903. Under this plan, twenty-nine paid men were continuously stationed in the five engine houses then owned by the city. To each company, eight call men were attached for active duty, the call men being paid a salary of $70 per year in lieu of an hourly fee for services. In the latter part of Mr. Schuler's administration, the task began of converting the city's apparatus from that of the horse drawn variety to the latest type of motor driven equipment. Resigning from the department in 1913 to accept a position as councilman under the new commission plan of government for Wilkes-Barré, Mr. Schuler has since been in position to lend valuable advice to his successor, Chief Hochreiter, under whose administration call men were eliminated from the department and a two platoon system composed entirely of paid men was in- stituted in 1919. The following year the last of horse drawn equipment was re- placed with motorized apparatus. On April 1, 1924, the following modern equip- ment, stationed in eight engine houses of the city, was owned by the city:
"No. 1 Engine House, one eight hundred gallon Ahrens-Fox pumping engine and hose car. One Mack combination wagon. One American LaFrance eighty-five foot aerial ladder. One Stutz car for chief.
1937
"No. 2 Engine House, One Stutz triple combination with seven hundred and fifty gallon pump. One Mack combination wagon.
"No. 3 Engine House, one eight hundred gallon Ahrens-Fox pumping engine and hose car. One Mack combination wagon.
"No. 4 Engine House, one eight hundred gallon Ahrens-Fox pumping engine and hose car. One Mack combination wagon. One Seagrave fifty-five foot city service truck, (hook and ladder.) "No. 5 Engine House, one eight hundred gallon Ahrens-Fox pumping engine and hose car. One Mack combination wagon. One Seagrave seventy-five foot aerial ladder.
"No. 7 Engine House, one nine hundred gallon Nott steam fire engine. One Mack com- bination wagon.
"No. 8 Engine House, one American LaFrance seven hundred gallon pumping engine and hose car. One Mack combination wagon. One Pope-Hartford combination in reserve."
Such indifference as measured councilmanic attention to early fire depart- ment affairs was reflected in the attitude of that body towards other borough matters. Even a rising tide of optimism which was noticable in the early 30's failed to turn attention to civic improvements deemed essential to a growing community of today. The streets in season, and frequently out of season, were notoriously muddy. Sidewalks meandered where and when the individual property owner felt impelled to lay them. No system of sewers, of street lighting or of water supply existed. The borough treasury was usually bankrupt. The population of Wilkes-Barré had grown from 1206 in 1830 to 1718 in 1840, but the latter year witnessed but a slight change in the bearing of either citizens or their officers towards the fundamentals of improvement which are a mark of permanent progress.
The appended statement of borough finances for the fiscal year 1841-1842 will indicate how slim must have been the hopes of those who expected municipal improvement :
"STATEMENT,
OF THE AMOUNT OF TAX LEVIED, AMOUNT COLLECTED, AND THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURES, OF THE BOROUGH OF WILKES-BARRE, FOR THE COUNCIL YEAR OF 1841 -- 2.
"EXPENDITURES FOR 1841-2. Joshua Miner's Check Roll as Street Commissioner,
Michael Bannin, $3 75
Dennis M'Ewen, 3 50
Edward Ennis, 11 00
Martin Curry, 10 50
Joseph Henry, 7 00
Martin Bult, 7 00
John Kelly, 5 00
Harvey Lloyd, 1 50
Alexander Gray, lumber, 11 85
Sinton, Tracy & Co., spikes, 1 80
J. G. Fell, mending tools, 1 62
Phillips & Flick, spikes, 28
J. Miner's salary, 16 87
$81 67
$97 4912
"Andrew Beaumont's Check Roll as Street Commissioner,
Owen Flannagan, $32 92
Francis M. Govern, 17 17
John Riley, 20 92
James Murter,
15 25
William L. Bowman,
18 27
George Woolley,
12 50
Abraham Thomas,
8 69
John Reichard,
6 1212
C. Eschelman,
5 52
Bowman & Thomas, 5 30
John G. Fell, 4 50
Henry Colt, 3 50
"The following accounts, contracted under previous councils were allowed by the council of 1841-2:
J. J. Slocum, half year of clerk's salary for 1840-1, $10 00
J. W. Lynde and others, work done on Franklin street, in 1840, under street commissioner Al- exander, 9 8712
Charles Reel, street comm- missioner for 1840, as per receipts and vouchers ex- hibited-(to be allowed in the settlement of his duplicate for that year), 77 62
"LIST OF PAVEMENT CERTIFICATES IS- SUED DURING THE YEAR 1841 -- 2.
Order, No. 77 Alexander Gray. 395 feet on Union street, $27 70
Order, No. 217, George Kocher, Jr.'s estate, 352 feet on Market street. 21 12 Order, No. 213, A. T. M'Clintock, 520 feet on Northampton street, 31 20 Order, No. 214, J. G. Fell, 116 feet on Market street, 6 96
Order, No. 215, Luther Kidder, 348 feet on Market street. 20 80
Order, No. 216, David Scott's estate, 414 feet, on Public Square, 24 84
1938
Henry Pettit, 3 50
N. G. Howe,
2 50
Gilbert Barnes,
1 50
Porter & Colt,
94
John Myers, lumber,
87
Peter Alabach, 75
Jeremiah Smith, 62
John C. Smith,
50
Richard Bynon,
50
George A. Davis,
45
Houghton Teeter,
25
Andrew Beaumont's salary, expenses paid, and ma- terials furnished,
46 38
$215 42
Jacob Bertel's Check Roll as Street Commissioner,
William S. Ross,
$2 50
A. C. Laning,
5 00
H. B. Wright,
2 00
J. Norser,
2 00
A. Parish,
1 25
J. Bertel's salary, amount paid to hands, for materi-
als furnished, &c., 80 10
$92 85
Collings, Barnum & Co., printing ordinance,
3 00
Amos Sisty,
3 00
Ziba Bennett, hauling gravel on streets, 22 80
Charles Reel, distributing tax notices, 2 50
John Reichard, hauling gravel on River street, 7 50
Christian Eschelman, open- ing North street through Redoubt hill. 10 00
W. W. Loomis, hauling gravel on streets, 6 00
J. M. Kiensle, salary for ringing 9 o'clock bell, and as clerk of the market, 30 00
M. S. Blackman's salary as Clerk,
20 00
Incidentals, 6 75
$501 49
Order, No. 123, Charles B. Drake, 62212 feet on Main street, 37 50
Order, No. 118, Nancy S. Drake, 236 feet on Market street, 14 10 Order, No. 113, Isaac Wood, 238 feet on Market street, 14 28
Order, No. 128, Lewis & Colt, 238 feet on Market street, 14 28
Order, No. 126, John Dorrance, 800 feet on Franklin street, 48 00
Order, No. 124, Samuel Jones, 71 feet on Northampton street, 4 26
Order, No. 128, Sharp D. Lewis, 224 feet on Franklin street, 13 44
$278 60
RECEIPTS
Amount of Tax levied for Borough purposes, for the year 1841-2, $1011 71 Amount of Taxes collected by Reuben J. Flick,
Cash, $20 26
Borough Orders, 91 86
Receipts for endorsements
on pavement certificates, 105 29
$217 41
Amount of Taxes collected by S. S. Winchester, 154 91 471 60
Amount due upon duplicate of 1841-2, $540 11"
To this statement, published in the Republican Farmer and Democratic Journal, May 31, 1843, M. S. Blackman, then borough clerk, added the following note of apology :
"It is due to the Town Council of 1841-2, to state-that upon their accession to office they found themselves embarrassed with unsettled accounts, contracted under their predecessors; funds of the Borough exhausted, from the delinquency of former collectors; and all its affairs ex- tremely confused, from the loose and irregular manner in which the business transactions of the Borough had been previously conducted. Several of the Collectors of former years were in arrears; the large amount of Pavement Certificates previously issued had provided the means beforehand for paying the taxes which they might levy; while there existed an immediate necessity for large expenditures in repairing the streets, and in draining the water from the Public Square, which had become a serious nuisance. In addition to this, the irresponsible character of the person elected High Constable for their year, rendered it imprudent to place the duplicate in his hands for col- lection; and it was difficult to procure any other person to undertake the thankless office. They were, therefore, obliged to resort to the credit system, and issue Borough Orders, instead of paying money, for their expenses. The result was, that a large amount of this species of currency was thrown into circulation; imposing upon succeeding councils a necessity for resorting to a similar expedient-the effects of which must continue until a more perfect system of administering the Borough affairs can be adopted.
"The items in the foregoing account were paid by orders drawn upon the Borough Treasurer;
1939
the number of the order, the amount, and the number of the bill, being noted in the Minute-Book or Journal of the Council, and corresponding with the entry or the marginal note of the Order Book, (to which the payers receipt is attached,) and with the bid filed. This is the system which the present clerk was compelled to adopt; and imperfect as it is, it was found impossible to reform it in the peculiar situation of the Borough affairs, as described above.
"Attest-M. S. BLACKMAN, Clerk."
From the above statement, it can readily be surmised that great expecta- tions could scarcely be realized from limited funds available.
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