USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Armstrong County, Pennsylvania her people past and present, embracing a history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 30
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MERCANTILE AND OTHER OCCUPATIONS
There were, according to the mercantile appraiser's list, of 1880, eighteen stores, of which seventeen were in fourteenth and one in the thirteenth class. Under this head are included drug stores, groceries and merchant tailor establishments.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS Following is a list of the principal mer- Seeing the need for a first class hotel, Josiah cantile establishments of Leechburg in 1913 : Klingensmith in 1901 built a handsome three Druggists-Frederick T. Butler, J. H. Parks
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& Son, M. Brechbill. Dry goods, clothing, shoes-J. A. McKallip, Stull-Hill-Coulter Co., L. N. Bush, Fiscus Bros., Sutton & Flude, Van T. Shepler Co., Long's Department Store, J. J. Long. Tailors-D. J. Fogel, C. R. Teeters, J. E. Anderson. Clothing, furnishings- Morris Liptz, Gusky & Bennett, L. N. Bush. Shoes-Frank Truxell. Jewelers-R. A. Cun- ningham, E. Willkow, J. F. Stoops. Crockery -J. A. Boyd. Furniture-Armstrong Furni- ture Co., Leechburg Furniture Co. Millinery -Miss Nell Doran, Miss Edythe Harvey. Confectioner-J. E. McDowell. Hardware- Smail & Hill Co., Hill Hardware Co., J. C. McGeary & Son, Leechburg Hardware Co., Ltd. Variety stores-J. C. Nolf, J. A. Boyd, Bright & Clark, J. Porgis, W. B. Miller. Grocers-A. C. Rose, Stull-Hill-Coulter Co., D. Gosser & Son, Aaron Ginzler, Fiscus Bros., Mrs. William Bucholz, Maridon Bros. Baker -F. P. Goryews. Real Estate-Leechburg Realty Co., Howard Thomas, W. B. Ryan & Co., T. L. Van Geisen. Newsdealers- Kifer & Bolar. Barbers-Raymond & Ross, A. E. Boucher. Pool parlors-C. A. Reeves, Culp & Anderson. Harness-A. O. Kinter. Fruit-Joseph Catalano, Martin Mar- tininsko. Restaurants-Long's, Cosey, Key- stone. Livery-Leechburg Livery Co., J. A. Kirk. Butchers-Andrew Lewis, H. A. Cook, J. E. Knepschield & Son, A. Ginzler, Maridon Bros. Undertakers-C. A. Logan and J. M. and A. M. Armstrong.
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ELECTRIC LIGHT
The Leechburg Electric Lighting Co. was organized in 1899 and operated until absorbed by the Leechburg & Apollo Electric Railways Co. in 1902. The borough is now supplied with light and power by the West Penn Electric Co., of Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
POSTAL
The Leechburg postoffice was established in 1829, with David Leech as the official in charge. A long line of postmasters has fol- lowed him, the last two being N. K. Collier and John G. Duncan. I. P. Kerr, appointed by Abraham Lincoln, was postmaster for thirty years.
Since the installation of the rural routes the postoffice here has been greatly enlarged to accommodate the increase of business. Three of the rural routes center here in 1913, as well as one Star route.
POPULATION
The population of Leechburg in 1850 was 359; in 1870, 368; in 1880, 1,123; in 1890, 1,921 ; in 1900, 2,459; in 1910, 3,624.
The assessment returns for 1913 show : Number acres, 37, value $4,455; houses and lots, 747, valued at $531,070, average, $732.93 ; horses, 141, valued at, $6,015, average, $42.80 ; cows, 4, valued at, $80, average, $20; taxable occupations, 1,082, amount, $54,817 ; total val- uation, $673,367. Money at interest, $101,- 827.79.
NEWSPAPERS
The Leechburg Enterprise was established in 1873 by J. T. Robertson, who retained ownership until 1875, when it was purchased by H. H. Wray, who sold out in 1880 to Charles A. Hill. The next owners were H. L. Gorman and John M. Schwalm, the latter changing the name to Albatross. From 1887 to 1901 the paper was held by Edward Hill and D. K. Hill, and after that time came into the hands of the present editor, H. H. Wray. The name has been Leechburg Advance since 1885. It is a six-column, eight-page paper, all home print, and independent, with a cir- culation of 1,700.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The first Presbyterian families in this sec- tion had their membership at Freeport until 1843, when a subscription was taken to sup- port Rev. Samuel Caldwell for part of his time here. The congregation organized in 1844, with John Christy, William James and James Paul as ruling elders. The first mem- bers were: Alexander Gordon, Sarah E. Gordon, William Moore, Mary Moore, Mar- garet Anderson, Elizabeth Bole, Mary Kling- ensmith, Hannah Metzler, Joshua Cooper, Sara Ann Cooper, Eliza Wingard, Anna Hawk. On a lot given by David Leech the first church was erected in 1851, at an expense of $1,500. This being too small in 1882, the present building was put up at a cost of $12,600. Since that date it has been improved and repaired frequently. The supplies of this congregation were: Revs. Levi M. Graves, Thomas Black, Watson Hughes, William F. Kean and Andrew McElwain, until 1850. After that date the pastors have been: Revs. Thomas S. Leason, 1850-58; James E. Caruthers, 1859-70; David H. Sloan, 1871-96; J. S. Helm, 1896-1913. Membership in 1913, 316; Sabbath school, 218. The superintendent of the Sunday school is Mr. Sydney J. McCabe.
HEBRON EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
One of the earliest denominations in Leech- burg was the Lutheran. Before the town's
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incorporation services were held by Revs. Michael Steck, Adam Mohler and Jacob Zim- merman. In 1844 the Hebron Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized and in 1845 the first brick building put up at a cost of $1,500, on the north side of Back street, directly in the center of what is now Second street. It was dedicated in 1845. The pastors were: Revs. David Earhart, Louis M. Kuhns and Jonathan Sarver, until 1868. The first trustees were George Kepple, Jacob Trout, Thomas Van Tine, Abraham Heckman, Andrew Ashbaugh and Samuel Shuster. A division of the congregation occurred in 1868, which attracted nation-wide attention, and on the settlement of the case by the courts rested the fate of every Lutheran church in the two ruling bodies-the General Synod and the General Council. The adherents of the General Synod retained the origi- nal church building and the Rev. Jonathan Sarver organized the remainder into a separate congregation. After the separation the pastors were: Revs. Francis T. Hoover, Lewis Hay, John W. Poffinberger, J. C. N. Park, Geo. M. Heindel, D. D., and the present pastor, Rev. Edward E. Blint, D. D. The present fine brick building was erected in 1887, on the corner of Second and Main streets, the removal of the old building permitting the opening of Second street. The cost of the building was $50,000, and the organ, one of the largest in the State, cost $4,000. The church now owns the parsonage and another building adjoining. to be later used for necessary expansion, all free of debt. This church has been the meet- ing place of the Pittsburgh Synod during the years 1847, '58, '79, '88, '94, 1900, '02, '03, and '13.
The church council in 1913 is composed of Rev. Edward E. Blint. D. D., president ; N. H. Slonaker, secretary; John A. Hill, treasurer ; WV. H. Ashbaugh, financial secretary ; John A. Hill and John B. Sober, elders; R. E. Gosser, W. H. Ashbaugh, N. H. Slonaker and Welty S. King, deacons. The annual congregational meetings are presided over by Dr. J. D. Orr, president, and Lewis A. Hill, secretary.
The present church membership is over 600, the largest in the history of the congregation. The Sunday school, of which John A. Hill is superintendent, is attended by 350 members and children.
From this church in the past have gone forth two ministers, Revs. Braden Shaner and John T. Hill, and another is now completing his theological course, Frank E. Smith.
The deaconesses who have graduated from
. this church are: Sister Elizabeth Knepshield, St. John's Church, Des Moines, Iowa; Sister Edna Hill, St. Paul's Church, York, Pennsyl- vania.
For benevolent purposes last year this church contributed the sum of $1,788, and for all purposes, $5,498.
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCHI
The First Lutheran Church was organized in 1868 by Rev. Jonathan Sarver, who donated the lot on which the present edifice is stand- ing. The first building was of brick and cost $5,000, being built in 1872. Rev. Sarver re- signed in 1883 and sold the parsonage to the congregation. He was followed by Rev. W. J. Miller, D. D., 1883-93; Rev. E. F. Krauss, D. D., 1893-1900; Rev. M. L. Zweizig, 1901- 09. The present pastor is Rev. Frederick A. Reiter, who came Sept. 26, 1909. The present beautiful and modern church building was erected in 1909-10. It is of brown limestone, elegantly furnished, heated and lighted and is one of the finest in this part of the State. The chimes in the tower can be heard each Satur- day eve and Sabbath, and are the pride of the residents of this quiet and picturesque town. Their clear, melodious tones roll over the lovely valley of the Kiskiminetas like a benediction and incline the hearer to a deeper reverence for the blessings of religion. The entire cost of the church, chimes and the modern and home-like parsonage adjoining was over $63,000. The church membership is 500 and the Sabbath school has an enroll- ment of 350. At the end of 1913 the collections for missions and other purposes amounted to over $1,400. Mrs. Flora Stiv- enson was the first contributor to the fund for chimes and is called "The Mother of the Chimes." She died this year, 1913.
THE METHODISTS
Up to 1830 the Methodists of Leechburg were served by itinerant preachers who came through on their tours of this county. The names of these pioneers are not all at hand, but among them were: Revs. Thomas McGrath, John Somerville, Simon Elliott, David P. Hawkins, James Henderson, M. L. Weakley, Israel Dallas, D. P. Mitchell.
Under the direction of Rev. F. S. DeHass the small congregation organized in 1830, and in 1846 a brick church was built on the site of the present church, on land donated by David Leech. Rev. DeHass was afterward appointed U. S. consul to Jerusalem.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
From the last date the pastors were: Revs. as early as 1857-58 (but nothing permanent) H. S. Nesbitt, E. B. Griffin, Daniel A. Hines, by a Rev. Mr. Hopkins. Hiram Miller, Jack Lane, James R. Means, J. S. Bracken, J. Shaw, H. Borbage, W. P. Blackburn, Isaac Sadler, Theo. Coleman, Wil- liam Steward, Wampler Mutersbaugh, Heaton, P. F. Jones, A. Scott Ray, Richard Jordan, Simpson, John Wakefield, Joseph Shaw, A. P. Leonard, John S. Lemmon.
Between 1866 and 1867 the old brick church, which had become unsafe, was replaced by a frame building, 35x45, which in turn was re- placed by the present edifice in 1887. The old frame was torn down and the new church, of brick, cost about $17,000. The trustees at the time of erection were: Joseph C. DeWitt, J. H. Fiscus, Israel Klingensmith, Aaron Hill, W. B. Jack, Andrew Grinder and Cornelius McCauley.
Succeeding pastors were: Revs. William Dallas, M. M. Eaton, E. B. Webster, Henry C. Beacon, J. F. Core, N. Davis, Thos. J. Kurtz, George Orbin, J. B. Risk, W. F. Conner, C. W. Miller.
After 1875 the Leechburg circuit was abolished and the charge was made a station. The subsequent pastors were: Revs. Jas. M. Swan, J. W. McIntyre, H. H. Pershing, B. Pugh, E. G. Loughry, until 1886.
To the earnest efforts and care of Rev. Loughry we are indebted for this complete record of Methodism in Leechburg. He de- voted much time to gathering the data and entering it in the church records. 'After a life of good works and regretted by hundreds he passed away this year (1913) in Pittsburgh. His pastorate at Leechburg lasted five years.
The pastors from that date to 1913 were: Revs. J. B. Uber, O. A. Emerson, Thomas Patterson, Calvin Miller, P. C. Brooks, N. L. Brown, William Tannehill, Thomas Hicks and the present popular incumbent, Rev. Thomas Charlesworth.
The present church building is in fine condi- tion and has a large auditorium and Sunday school. The Ladies' Aid Society, which is still in a thriving condition, assisted at the erection of the church in 1887, raising $1,600 toward its cost.
In 1889 the membership was 123; in 1890 it was 257 ; and in 1913 it was 445. The Sun- day school has a membership of 338.
The conference of the Methodist Church of the Pittsburgh district was held in Leech- burg in 1904.
HOLY INNOCENTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
In 1885 the General Missionary of the Dio- cese of Pittsburgh, Rev. Samuel P. Kelly, visited the town and found a former com- municant of St. Paul's Church, Kittanning, resident in Leechburg, Mrs. Mary Weiser, with two young daughters (twins) whom she had taught to pray for the establishment of their beloved church in the place. There were also about twenty other Episcopalians resident here. So a mission was begun under the name of "The Holy Innocents," and Mr. George A. McKallip Dyess was appointed lay reader. A chapter of the "Guild of the Good Shepherd" was organized of which the officers were Miss L. M. Eckman and Mrs. Weiser.
The Bishop of Pittsburgh made his first visitation of the mission on July 2nd, 1885, held service in the Baptist Church, and con- firmed one person.
Since that date he has administered con- firmation in Leechburg a score of times, and has confirmed one hundred and thirteen candi- dates.
Since that time Rev. S. P. Kelly, other gen- eral missionaries and local ministers ( some- times resident ), have had charge of the work, including the Revs. Charles A. Bragdon, J. H. Barnard, George Gunnell, William Coney, John King, Joseph Baker, A. S. Lewis, Thomas Lloyd, A. W. Kierulff, C. E. Ball, and G. A. M. Dyess, Ph. D.
A frame church was built and opened December 26, 1889. This was burned down in 1904, and another of brick was erected and opened for service June 22, 1905, consecrated November 5, 1913.
There have been since 1905 many removals and losses, and the present number of com- municants is only forty-eight.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The First United Presbyterian Church of Leechburg was organized in 1884 with 15 members, yet within that year they succeeded in erecting a $4,000 brick church. The first pastor was Rev. James Dodds. He was suc- ceded by Rev. J. A. Browning. Rev. E. Z. Thomas, D. D., took charge in 1881, and dur- ing his pastorate to the present year (1913) repairs and additions to the amount of $2,000 have been made to the church and the member- ship increased to 206. The Sunday school numbers 140. A new parsonage is being erected.
THE BAPTISTS
There is a tradition that some services of The First Baptist Church was organized in the Episcopal Church were held in Leechburg 1873, and that year a frame building erected on
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the southwest corner of Third street and Siberian avenue. It is of a Gothic design and measures 40x40 feet. This church has been repaired and remodeled in 1913, the re-dedica- tion services being held by Rev. Harry Bam- bridge, president of the Pittsburgh Baptist Association. An address was also delivered by Rev. H. G. Gleiss of Pittsburgh. Rev. Thomas Lambert, of Scotland, has accepted a call to fill the pulpit during the com- ing year.
HUNGARIAN PRESBYTERIANS
The Videke Reformatus Egyhaz, or Hun- garian Presbyterian Church, was organized May 6, 1911, with a membership of twenty- seven, under the care of the Presbytery of Kit- tanning. For a time services were held in the Presbyterian Church in Leechburg, but the increase of membership enabled the congre- gation to erect a handsome brick building in the suburbs, the cost of which was $5,000. This church was occupied on Christmas day, 1913. The dedication was postponed to May 30, 1914.
In connection with the church is a thriving Sunday school of thirty-four members, and a men's Bible class of twenty-three members.
The pastor, Rev. A. W. Kovacs, has been the father of his congregation from the first, and has expended his entire time in the up- building of the organization, even putting his hands to the labor of erecting the building. His services are held in the Magyar language and he is frequently called upon to address meetings of six nationalities in their native tongues. Rev. J. S. Helm, D. D., assisted largely in organizing this congregation.
ROMAN CATHOLICS
St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Church of Leechburg was established about 1872 and the membership has fluctuated since that date in proportion to the prosperity of the town. The present membership is quite large and is com- posed largely of the English speaking citizens of that denomination. They have a neat frame building in the upper part of the town with a handsome new brick parsonage oppo- site. Rev. F. A. Maloney has been in charge of the congregation for the past two years.
St. Martha's Roman Catholic Church of Leechburg has the unique privilege of admin- istering to both the Greeks and Roman Catho- lics of the parish. Rev. Stephen Ulrich, the pastor, can converse with any member of the congregation, which includes Slovak, Magyar, Polish, Lithuanian, German and Italian nation- alities. There are 100 families in the parish
and they worship in a $2,000 frame edifice which they erected in 1910. The first Mass was said on September 22, of that year. They have also a $10,000 lot and parsonage.
GRACE LUTHERAN
Grace Lutheran Church is another offshoot of the Hebron congregation, organized in 1900. They have a frame church on Siberian avenue just above the latter. The present pastor is Rev. T. A. Himes, D. D. Rev. J. C. N. Park was the first minister, and was followed by Rev. John Tressler and Rev. William Hesse, D. D.
FREE METHODISTS
The Free Methodist congregation is sup- plied by Rev. S. W. Ayers, who also serves the congregation at Bagdad. They have a neat frame house of worship. Their congre- gation is small.
LEECHBURG INSTITUTE AND ACADEMIES
The first session of the Leechburg Institute for both sexes was opened in April, 1853. Chiefly instrumental in founding the school were: Daniel Zimmerman, Rev. Jacob Zim- merman, Robert Thorn, Rev. David Mckee, Mrs. Fitzgerald, William R. Trout. The first principal was A. S. Thorn, who remained in charge until 1854 and was followed by Rev. David McKee, who continued until 1862. For several years the sessions were held in an old log building belonging to Mrs. Fitzgerald, still standing in Westmoreland county, half a mile southwest of Leechburg, near Weinels Cross Roads. In 1858 a building was erected in Leechburg, in which the school was housed until 1862, when it was sold to the Presby- terian Church, and was named the Leechburg Academy. Later 011 this building was used as a boarding house by Mrs. Eliz- abeth Stitt, as it was the best adapted to that purpose in the then small town. It is notable that in 1861 fourteen students became soldiers in the first call for volunteers for the preservation of the Union. The old building was sold in 1873 for $1,000 to J. H. Bergman, who converted it into a dwelling house. Finally in 1878 the old institute was burned.
Up to 1864 the school was jointly conducted by the Presbyterians and the Lutherans. In that year the Lutherans incorporated the Lutheran Academy. A three-story edifice. with a cupola and containing six school rooms, was built on the site of the Hebron church, which later took its place. This academy pros- pered for some years, Professor McKee con- tinuing as the principal until 1867. Among the
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
instructors were Revs. David M. Kemmerrer, teachers' wages, $11,904; fuel, repairs, etc., Samuel F. Breckenridge, and others. After $12,564.71. the controversy in the Lutheran Church this institution languished and in 1869 was closed.
The Presbyterians continued their school for several years under the direction of Miss Martha Foley, Dr. T. A. McCurdy, S. A. McClung, Rev. Virgil Shirley, Rev. George W. Riggle, J. G. D. Findley, Rev. W. J. Boll- man. With the charge of Rev. T. B. Ander- son in 1869 the school ceased to exist.
SCHOOLS
The first school building in Leechburg stood on the south side of Main street, at the corner of Bridge alley. It was afterward used as a dwelling and moved across the street, where it now stands. The present school- house was built in 1874 and is still in a fine condition, but will soon be too crowded by the children of this rapidly growing town.
The Leechburg High School was erected in 1910, and is a handsome two-story buff brick building of modern design, valued at $22,000. S. M. Neagley is the supervising principal and his assistants are: Eliza McMullen, depart- ment of mathematics ; Carrie Smith, Latin and history ; Myrtle Foale, English ; William McIl- hattan, sciences; Amabelle Watson, music.
In 1869 there was one school; number of months taught, 5; female teacher, I; salary per month, $28; male scholars, 19; female scholars, 12; average number attending school, 23; cost per month, $1.16; amount tax levied for school and building purposes, $177.28; re- ceived from tax collectors and other sources, $218.28; from State appropriation, $8.50; cost of instruction, $140; fuel and contingencies, $30.25; cost of schoolhouse, $39.83; balance on hand, $8.23.
In 1870 there was one school; number months taught, 4; one female teacher ; salary per month, $28; male scholars, 8; female scholars, 14; average attendance, 19; cost per month, $1.48; received from State appropria- tion, $8.16; from taxes and other sources, $164.98: total, $173.14; cost schoolhouse, etc., $24: paid for teacher's wages, $112; for fuel, contingencies, etc., $18.30; resources, $10.68.
$138, female, $56; male scholars, 362; female scholars, 394; average attendance, 623: cost per month, $2.02; tax levied, $15,611.76; re- ceived from State, $3,088.44; other sources, $21,261.74; value of schoolhouses, $81,000;
The school directors are: J. D. Orr, presi- dent; A. B. Walker, secretary; C. F. Arm- strong, treasurer ; C. S. Hill, A. M. Armstrong.
SOCIETIES
Leechburg is supplied with several lodges, some of them existing since the early settle- ment and others of the more modern secret orders.
The Masonic order was established here in 1889, and has a very large membership, in- cluding the Shriners. Present organizations are: Leechburg Lodge, No. 577, F. & A. M .; Orient Chapter, No. 247, R. A. M.
The Odd Fellows were organized here in 1869 and now have a fine membership. The present lodge is No. 437. They own their ·building, a three-story brick on Market street, with offices on the ground floor. Number of members, 208.
The Knights of Pythias were instituted here in 1871. The membership now is 160.
The B. P. O. E. have a fine home of their own on Market and Second streets and a membership of 200. The number of the lodge is 37.
Eyrie No. 1910, Fraternal Order of Eagles, has a membership of 125.
The Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 102, have a home in the town, and a membership of nearly 200.
The Fraternal Order of Owls has 250 mem- bers.
John A. Hunter Post, No. 123, Grand Army of the Republic, is composed of most of the surviving veterans of the Civil war, but its membership is becoming smaller each year, as the old soldiers pass way.
The William Marconi Lodge, No. I, is an organization of Italians named after the in- ventor of wireless telegraphy and is the first organized in the United States. It has over 200 active members.
The Minetora is another foreign society, with 250 members, and the Magyar Hungar- ian Society, with 125 members.
MEDICAL
The first physician in Leechburg was Dr. George W. Marchand. Others resident here at different periods were: J. P. Pullard, Wil-
The number of rooms in 1913 was 18; average months taught, 9; male teachers, 2; liam Wilson, J. Kiers, John T. Crawford, T. female teachers, 18; average salaries, male C. McCulloch, Washington Reynolds, W. L.
Morrow, R. P. Hunter, J. A. Armstrong and J. A. Carson. The present ones are: U. O. Heilman, Joseph I. Hunter, Joseph D. Orr, Clarence C. Parks, David H. Riffer and Howard M. Welsh, V. E. Van Kirk.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CEMETERIES
The old Leechburg cemetery is located northwest of the town, on a commanding hill. The Leechburg Cemetery Company was incor- porated in 1864. Evergreen cemetery was laid out in 1888, with all the skill that modern landscape engineers could exert. The main roadways have been worked out to advantage, and many beautiful and massive monuments bear witness to the respect in which the dead who sleep here were held by their surviving families and friends.
Part of this cemetery has been made into a park and set aside as a perpetual memorial to the soldiers of the various wars who were
natives of this and near communities. Here is a duplicate of the George B. Mead monu- ment at Gettysburg, and a large cannon, a donation from the War Department, mounted, near the center of the park. This park is under the care of the Soldiers' Memorial Asso- ciation, an organization of the citizens of Leechburg and surrounding territory.
The cemetery of St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Church is near here, having been chartered and laid out in 1897. It is a peace- ful and beautiful "Campo Santo," or rest of the saints. Pleasant Hill cemetery is also located near here on a hill overlooking the town and is a very beautiful burial place.
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