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 23
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The total tax levy was, in round figures, $1,000. More than half of this amount remained unpaid at the close of the year. A large proportion of the amount carried as collected was in the form of "pavement receipts" by which the borough allowed credit to individual property owners for sidewalks laid at the owner's expense. Less than $200 in cash was actually handled by the muni- cipality in the whole of a fiscal year.
Up until the year 1842, boroughs were left to shift for themselves by way of methods of assessment and taxation. Local assessors placed what valuations they pleased upon taxable objects without any attempt on the part of the state to regulate their system. So notorious had the evasion of taxes in general become in that period, that by an act of July 27, 1842, the legislature prescribed not only what objects must be taxed for municipal, county and state purposes, but prescribed penalties for the failure of property owners to make the required returns.
Pursuant to this act, borough assessors made return on February 10, 1843, of the following assessed valuations in Wilkes-Barré:
"Real and Personal Property
$508,323 80,803
Trades and Occupations
Money at Interest 65,065
Pleasure Carriages
4,120
Furniture.
5,210
Number of Watches 39, Value
2,185
Offices
11.750"
While improvement followed this standardization of levies, it was many years before Wilkes-Barré could claim to be on anything like a sound business basis with reference to its financial affairs. When money was not available, orders in the form of script were issued against the day when the treasury might find itself in a plethorie condition.
These orders were peddled about by their unfortunate holders for what they might bring, hence it is not surprising that complaint found its way into the local press. The Republican Farmer, under date of May 24, 1843, printed this contribution to the matter:
"Mr. Editor.
"Can you, consistently with your position as public sentinel, inform the tax payers of the Borough of Wilkes-Barre, why it is that the orders drawn by the Borough Council on their Treasurer, are at such a shameful depreciation? From the amount of taxes, annually imposed, one might suppose, that if fairly collected, and properly disbursed these orders ought to be at par, and not so grossly dishonored. Do the collectors do their duty? Do they render a strict account of the Duplicates or Tax books put into their hands, and pay the money and orders over into the hands of the Treasurer in all cases? The people should be called upon to pay no more taxes than are indispensible to the public wants-and when taxes are imposed, it is right they should understand how the money arising therefrom is applied. I pause for information.
"One who would like to see the poor man who repairs your streets paid in something that would buy him a loaf of bread."
The same journal, in its issue of August 2d of the same year, carried the complaint a step further :
"We must get rid of the county and borough shinplasters from abroad as soon as possible. Harrisburg, Lewistown, Lancaster and Carlisle tickets have been circulated very freely here from some time past. They are brought up by the boatmen and travellers. The general re- sumption by the solvent banks, which seems now to be indicated, and the free circulation of specie,
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will soon destroy the credit of this worthless trash. We must send them home, therefore, while they have value there Some of the merchants of this place have already declined receiving them; if the example is followed, the whole batch goes down. We do not wish any of our people to lose on them; and advise them to send back the tickets by the boatmen, or any body else going down the river. They can be put off for a month or two, after that they won't buy dogs, even in the places where they are issued."
In fact, at this period, the same newspaper, under the editorial guidance of Samuel P. Collins, assumed an aggressive stand as to matters municipal. Commencing with its issue of November 21, 1838, and continuing the same aggressive editorial policy for many years thereafter, the Republican Farmer and Democratic Journal discussed shortcomings of the community with refreshing candor. The editorial broadside of that early date is as follows:
"We understand that at the late November sessions, the Grand Inquest presented the Public Square of this Borough, as a public nuisance. Why that body should have distinguished the Square as particularly entitled to this judgment, we cannot imagine, as we believe if they had occasion to, or by accident had examined beyond its boundaries, they would have found that the balance of the town was equally liable to the application of a presentment. We think if that body had valued their reputation for impartiality, they should have rendered the same charge against every way, bye-way, and strip of public ground in the entire borough.
"But, will not this public judgment and condemnation by so respectable a body as the Grand Inquest for this county, of the manner of keeping and preserving the public grounds of this Borough, bring the people to a sense of the indecent appearance these grounds present, if not to the inconvenience the people themselves experience from their remaining in such a condition? A consideration for their own interests, both private and general, if not an honorable pride should have influenced this community to long since remove the 'nuisance' of which the Grand Jury complain. For we sincerely believe, that, in addition to the greater health and comfort that would be secured to the citizens by a judicious improvement of the public grounds and streets of this Borough-its business relations with the surrounding county, and the influx of visitors, would be increased sufficient to early repay the entire expense. The inducements for wealthy individuals to select this Borough as their place of residence, would also be much increased. We hope our town councils will early take some steps in reference to this matter. The streets of the Borough are in the very worst condition they can possibly be. For about seven months in the year, they are always in nearly as bad a condition, although we think that this Fall in consequence of a very great increase of the business of this place, the streets are worse than usual."
From this and other sources, it can be inferred that the Public Square was anything but a center of civic adornment. Nor, in fact, did it then hold its present position as the business center of the community. West Market street, convenient to ferry and bridge, was the hub of activity. In 1840, if any- thing like zones might have been applied to Wikes-Barré, the borders of the Public Square would have been classed as the community's manufacturing district. The foundry of A. C. Laning, of which mention will later be made in connection with early industries of Wyoming, stood on the southerly side of the Square.
The grist mill of Lord Butler occupied a major portion of the space on the easterly side between what is now the Fort Durkee hotel and North Main street. The municipal hay scales, extending well into the street, faced the mill .*
*The Wilkes-Barre Leader, under date of June 6, 1893, published the following as to the Public Square hay scales: "The hay scales that were removed June 2, 1893 from opposite the store of Lewis Brown, on east side of Public Square, were put in place something over fifty years ago by the Messrs. J. L. and L. Butler, who had them placed there to accommodate the business of the steam grist mill, which was built somewhere along in the latter part of the thirties. The hay scales mentioned as belonging to John P. Arndt in 1810 as being on the Square, were an entirely different affair from the modern scale just removed. Arndt's scale was fashioned something after a gigantic steelyard scale, with a long beam, and machinery to lift the load bodily from the ground. Mr. Arndt left Wilkes-Barre about 1820, and settled at Green Bay, Wisconsin. After his removal to the West "Old Michael" occupied the storage house formerly belonging to the Arndts, which stood on the river bank about opposite the E. P. Darling residence, and was general weighmaster for the town until the Butlers set the scales just removed, which was a great improvement on the old style. The Arndt scales may have been located on the Square in 1810, but if they were, they did not remain there a great while, and they had no feature in common with the ones just removed, and could not have occipued the same place, as they required to be operated through a second story door or window. There were no scales on the Square at the time the Butlers built their mill on the east side, facing the Square, near where the Exchange Hotel stands. "The scales just removed have been operated up to June 2nd, jointly by Lewis Brown and the Hillards, who own them. The receipts averaged about a dollar a day. at twenty-five cents a ton, though on some days thirty or forty tons came to town.
"The Leader has unearthed the following with reference to the first scale:
"The fact is that the scales were first allowed on the Square by an ordinance of the old borough council passed July 7. 1810. There were present at the meeting Thomas Dyer, Charles Miner, Geo. Cahoon, Enoch Ogden, Isaac Bowman and F. Tracy, the clerk. The ordinance as passed was as follows:
.. 'Whereas, John P. Arndt hath offered for the use of the borough his hay scales on certain conditions: Be it or-
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A few shacks of buildings were dotted here and there along the Square's borders, the brick house of Joseph Slocum being the sole building of any pretention in the neighborhood. Within the Square area stood buildings before enumerated: Old Ship Zion, the second court house, the "Fireproof", the old Academy and a flimsy market house with hose house attached. With the exception of the "Fireproof," these buildings were of wood construction, the academy and church plainly showing the ravages of time and the market house a mere shell of rough boards.
With no drainage provided, the Square area became a huge pool of water after every rain and as the water stagnated, frogs congregated in numbers, affording considerable amusement for restless youths attending the Academy. In fact, the whole district north of Market street now occupied by railroad yards, a part of which still retains the name of "Duck Pond" was a morass drained by a small stream which meandered through the present city and emptied into the river along Riverside drive.
Small wonder it was, under the circumstances, that a grand inquest, with some show of civic spirit, felt impelled to indict the offending section as a "nuisance."
Dilapidated structures in and around the Public Square were not the only objectives that drew the fire of Editor Collins. In his publication of May 11, 1842, he must have rattled the dry bones of ultra conservatism in the borough by the following :
"We'll tell the property holders of this town a truth, and they may believe it or not, as they choose. A change will take place in our borough affairs in less than two years. The shops are filling up. If property holders won't improve their property, others will do it for them-but at their own expense. That policy which keeps large tracts of eligible and building lots in a thriving town, vacant, or filled with miserable disgraceful shanties-which refuses to sell a foot of land, even at exorbitant prices, to those who could pay for it, and build good houses upon it-is not only a narrow and mistaken policy, so far as pecuniary advantage is concerned, but is against the spirit of the times and cannot last.
"There is a current of feeling afloat in this borough, in reference to local improvement, which will have its way. It is to be regretted that it should meet with any opposition, so long as it is confined within reasonable bounds. True, landholders have a perfect legal right to say-"my property is my own, and I'll do as I please with it." But every man owes something to publie taste and general utility; and in town and cities this obligation is peculiarly strong. Illiberality in this respect begets ill-feeling-it engenders sentiments, which all good men must deplore. To illustrate this; we have heard fifty citizens declare that should a fire break out in certain rows of buildings in this town, they would only exert themselves to preserve adjoining tenements, but would not raise a hand to save the shanties. And why? Because the buildings are a disgrace to the town, and the owners well able to put up better ones in their place."
Mr. Collins, however, was not adverse to giving credit for improvement where he considered it due. For instance in his paper of July 7, 1842, the editor epitomizes some of the improvements of the season in the following terms:
"We are pleased to note, that notwithstanding the general depression of the times, the pace of improvement is gradually onward in Wilkesbarre. Several superior buildings have been put up already this season, and others are in progress of erection. On Main Street the beautiful stores of Messrs. Pettebone and Reynolds are indeed an ornament to the town. These stores are built in connection, of brick, three stories high, with open fronts, supported on cast iron pillars, with cut stone base and coping, tin-roofed and finished throughout in superior style. Mr. Reichard has built a solid and substantial stone dwelling house, on Union street near his brewery. On Franklin street, below Market, Mr. Hollenback has the cellars prepared for two three story brick dwelling houses, which will be put up during the season. The Academy, on the square, accomplishes its usual weekly allowance of six inches increase in altitude. At its present and past rate of pro- gress, it is likely to be enclosed sometime before Christmas-perhaps.
"In almost every portion of the town we hear the hammer of the artizan, and notice im-
dained that from and after the first day of August next, the hay scales, now situate on the Public Square, shall be in readiness to weigh all hay that may be brought to the borough for sale.'
"'Be it ordained that the town council shall annually or as often as need be, appoint some person to take charge of the hay scales, and that he shall justly and truly weigh all hay brought to the scales to be weighed, and he shall receive for every load of hay weighed the sum of twenty-five cents, one-half of which shall go to John P. Arndt for the use of said scales.'
"It was added that in case the weigher takes more than twenty-five cents per load he shall be fined four dollars."
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provements of different kinds. In the outskirts of the town, more particularly, the number of new buildings is to be remarked, many finished with neatness and taste."
Whether due to the inherent defects of its patched up construction or spring- ing from a wider interest in affairs aroused by the editorial pen, the community for a number of years discussed the erection of a more suitable building for academy purposes. On March 18, 1836, was held the first mass meeting in the old Academy called for the purpose of discussing the pressing needs of Wilkes- Barré's only school, semi-public in character. Various committees were ap- pointed which reported to a second mass meeting held in the same place on April 6th.
The Rev. John Dorrance officiated as chairman of the meeting, and George W. Woodward as secretary.
The committee appointed at the former meeting made a report, which was received, and after various amendments, adopted as follows:
"The Committee appointed at a public meeting of citizens held on the 18th day of March, 1836, to report at an adjourned meeting the best mode of raising the requisite funds to build a new Academy in the Borough of Wilkesbarre, and the most suitable location, size, and plan of the proposed building, with an estimate of the probable cost, proceed now to report-That the consideration they have given the subject, has resulted in the conviction that the best mode of raising the requisite funds to accomplish the object in view, will be by individual subscriptions of stock to the amount of not less than $2000, in shares of $10 each. It is presumed that the cost of such a building as the subscribers of stock may hereafter determine to erect, will not much ex- ceed $2000, and that such a building when finished, may be so rented as to produce annually to the subscribers, at least three per cent on their respective investments.
"The Committee have thought it most proper to refer the choice of location, size and plan of the building to the persons who may become stockholders, and for the purpose of procuring subscriptions of stock and organizing the friends of the object, recommend the adoption of the following resolutions:
"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare articles of association to be submitted to a meeting of the subscribers of stock, at such time as may be hereafter designated.
"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to obtain subscriptions of stock to the amount at least of $2000, and that this committee be required to notify a public meeting of subscribers within two months from this date, at which meeting both they and the committee to prepare articles of association, shall report.
"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to address the public through the newspapers on the importance and necessity of erecting a new Academy in the Borough of Wilkes-Barré.
" All which is respectfully submitted.
"(Signed) J. N. CONYNGHAM HENRY F. LAMB T. W. MINER HENRY COLT G. W. WOODWARD
Committee"
Those who expected a new academy building to quickly follow a propitious launching of the movement at the two meetings of 1836 were destined to that disappointment which invariably accompanied all public service efforts of early Wilkes-Barré. The project marked time for two years.
On March 12, 1838, the legislature passed an act by whose terms academies were eligible to financial assistance from the state in case they conformed to certain requirements. The board of the local academy determined to avail it- self of this aid and on April 16th of that year the legislature approved a petition to re-incorporate the institution as the Wyoming Academy. Aid secured by reason of this change of charter applied merely to expenses of the school and left the community to finance any buildings necessary for scholastic purposes.
By midsummer of 1838, sufficient subscriptions were secured toward a new building to justify the board of the new institution in disposing of the old building and determining upon the erection of a brick structure on the same site. Accordingly the old half log, half frame structure was purchased by Henry F. Lamb in July with an understanding that the building would be demolished when trustees of the Academy were ready to proceed with a new building on the site.
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Due to the difficulty of securing payments of subscriptions, the work then lagged discouragingly for nearly four more years. In the Spring of 1842, the cellar was dug and work progressed during the summer on a brick structure. Conditions attending the work were not to the liking of Editor Collins, however, and in his publication of July 27thi, he candidly explains what had excited liis wrath:
"The materials used in the building of the Academy, have been carelessly deposited, without any regard to the convenience of passers. Two of the most frequented walks across the Square have been obstructed all summer, and are likely to continue so the rest of the year, when it might as well be avoided as not. The mass of people have some rights, as well as the person who happens to be building a house. The practice of throwing dirt, stone, lumber, and lime and sand anywhere that a careless teamster may choose, is becoming too common in this town and as the town increases, it will become an insufferable evil, unless corrected, It is to check the prac- tise that we make these remarks at this time. For near two long months, the cellar of the Academy was left an unguarded trap, for the incautious or the stranger, right in the line of one of the most publie walks in town. Several strangers were precipitated into the pit-happily without much injury. But these things must be cared for. The people must be waked up, and the authorities must do their duty."
While the official title to the institution when it formally opened its doors to the public in its new building for the spring term of 1843 was the Wyoming Academy, it was but rarely referred to in either press or private correspondence as other than the Wilkes-Barre Academy.
Thus, in the Advocate of May 3, 1848, appears an advertisement of "Pro- fessor Gardner" who announces himself as "Principal, Proprietor and President of the Tonsorial Institute under the Wilkes-Barré Academy."
The "Professor" modestly states in the same advertisement that "he will ensure to the young gents that he can beautify a head of hair to that degree, that it will have a galvanic effect of sueli power that a slantendicular glance at a feminine gender will cause a sensible flirtation around their hearts."
One of the first announcements of the newly organized school enumerates the hours of attendance expected of pupils. Students at present day insti- tutions will doubtless be interested in perusing them:
"The school will be open in the morning from 9 to 12 o'clock and in the afternoon from 2 to 5, excepting from the middle of November to the middle of March when the afternoon hours are from 1 to half past 4 o'clock. On Saturdays the morning session only will be held."
It will be remembered that a 50 pound bell adorned the small cupola on the frame end of the old academy building. The fate of this bell was disclosed by a paper read before the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society by Harrison Wright, Esq., December 14, 1883*, Mr. Wright himself, as a student of the
*Mr. Wright gave the following lists of teachers, janitors and trustees of the old Academy from its foundation in 1808 to its re-incorporation as the Wyoming Academy in 1838:
"In 1808 the Academy was formally opened, with Garrick Mallery as principal, he serving until June, 1810. 11is assistants, during this time were, Jacob Taylor, John F. Dupuy and Alexander Baldwin. Mr. Mallery was followed by Rev. A. E. Thayer, who served for a year and a half. His associates were, Edward Chapman, Andrew Beaumont and Edward Covell. Mr. Mallery and Thomas Bartlett, with Andrew Beaumont and Edward Covell as assistants, then took charge of the school until November, 1812, when William Janneson was engaged as principal. His assistants were.
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school, being intimately concerned with the bell's mysterious disappearance. The reference is as follows:
"When the building was dismantled, prior to its removal, some of the old students captured the bell and sunk it in the swamp near the spot where the L. & S. depot now stands; it was after- wards taken up and buried in the cellar of the old Lamb drug store, from which it was again resurrected to find a final resting place in the ground under where the Oristus Collin's barn stood until the fire of 1867, and is now covered by a part of the livery stable of Art Pursel."
An incident unusual to a community so far removed from what became known as the Mason and Dixon line as was Wilkes-Barré in the thirties, warned citizens of dangers of lawlessness in connection with a question which may, at the present, seem to have been remotely concerned with local thought and action.
There were those, especially of New England stock, who looked with abhorrence upon slavery in any form and who early began to spread doctrines opposed to the further extension of slavery into new states to be organized. The earliest victory of those who shared anti-slavery doctrines came in the form of the Missouri Compromise of 1820, when President Monroe signed the measure prohibiting the holding of slaves in the territory of the Louisiana Purchase north of 36 degrees, 30 minutes. Agitation of the question, pro and con, followed throughout the whole country. The census of 1840 showed no slaves owned in Luzerne County. The few which had been shown as owned by citizens in earlier census reports had gradually been sold or, in several instances, given their freedom. But while public sentiment did not countenance the actual possession of blacks in the community, it by no means was in sympathy with the views of early abolitionists who sought to upset a widely established system, backed by powerful and far reaching positive law. In the year 1821, William C. Gilder- sleeve came to Wilkes-Barré and engaged as a merchant in a building on the north side of Northampton street not far from its intersection with River. He was pronounced in his opposition to slavery. Born in Midway, Liberty County, Georgia, in 1795, he had gained his impressions of traffic in human chattels at first hand .* His father was a slave owner. He had seen men, women and children placed on the auction block in front of the church where his father preached. As a young man he had migrated north, settling first in New Jersey and then coming to Wilkes-Barré. Mr. Gildersleeve had, in addition to his impressions, the courage of his convictions. His home and store buildings soon became stations on one of those mysterious "underground railroads" which accounted for the escape of many runaway slaves into Canada. Towns along the North Branch of the Susquehanna river usually possessed residents who thought as Mr. Gildersleeve thought. Secreted until late at night by these abolitionists who were willing to be classed as law breakers in their zeal, the fugitive black
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