USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Connellsville > Centennial history of the borough of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, 1806-1906 > Part 35
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MANUFACTURES
The name of the corporation was changed about this time to the Humbert Tin Plate Company. Two additional mills were added during 1897, making it a complete six mill plant, which was successfully operated as such until sold to the American Tin Plate Company in the fall of 1898. It gave employment to 450 men.
W. H. Baldridge, of New York, was made secretary and treasurer during 1897, succeeding A. M. King, Jr. The Stickney Iron and Steel Company of Baltimore was leased and operated by the Humbert Tin Plate Company from 1897 until the latter company sold out.
The American Tin Plate Company was purchased by the American Sheet and Tin Plate Company, which is one of the subsidiary companies of the United States Steel Cor- poration.
The plant has not been in operation for some months, it being the policy of the Steel Corporation to operate the smaller plants only when the needs of the trade demand it. Everything about the works is, however, kept in excellent repair and ready to start on short notice.
SLAYMAKER-BARRY COMPANY. BALDWIN AUTOMOBILE COMPANY.
The largest lock factory in the world was established at South Connellsville in 1896, and operated steadily and successfully until the fall of 1898 when it was almost com- pletely destroyed by fire. The company gave constant em- ployment to over 200 men and boys, and was much missed in the industrial community surrounding Connellsville. After it was rebuilt the automobile industry began to de- velop on a large scale and the management-having the necessary machinery-thought it an opportunity to go into the manufacture of automobiles. In 1900 it was turned into a factory for that purpose, manufacturing all the parts of a steam-propelled automobile, excepting wheels, tires and bodies.
The plant was quite extensive and gave employment to
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
'several hundred men. The main building was a machine shop and erecting rooms, 400 feet by 40 feet with a lean-to 200 feet by 30 feet. The boiler house was 40 feet by 90 feet and besides it had complete iron and brass foundries and a hammer shop. Most of the construction was iron and brick.
The manufacture of automobiles was a little prema- ture as the business was still in the experimental stage and the owners becoming disappointed in the returns discon- tinued the business. The plant is in excellent condition and repair and will probably be utilized at an early day for some profitable purpose.
During the operation of the automobile works 160 men, mostly mechanics were regularly employed.
PITTSBURGH SAFE COMPANY.
On the 4th day of December, 1902, this company was incorporated under Pennsylvania laws with a capital stock of $1,000.00.
An organization was effected May 20th, 1903, when George J. H. Goehler was elected president; Fred L. Nor- ton, secretary, and Adolph B. Goehler, treasurer. These gentlemen also constituted the board of directors.
At a special meeting of the stockholders held July 22nd, 1903, it was voted to increase the capital stock to $150,- 000.00. On July 31st following, new by-laws were adopted increasing the number of directors to seven. J. A. DeWitt, Joseph McConnell, B. T. Sherrick and J. D. Madigan were elected to make up the number required and at the same meeting Adolph B. Goehler resigned and W. H. Brown was elected treasurer and a director in his place. J. D. Madigan was chosen vice president as the new by-laws make such an officer necessary.
Ground was purchased from Joseph Soisson at South Connellsville and a plant erected at once. The factory has two main buildings 35 feet by 250 feet each, with a court fifty feet wide between them. These buildings are joined
PLANT OF THE PITTSBURGH SAFE COMPANY
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
at one end by a building 40 feet by 50 feet. From one of the main buildings a blacksmith shop 30 by 40 feet and a cabinet room 40 by 50 feet extend into the court. Alto- gether the arrangement makes an excellent shop and a pleasant place to work. The company employs, on an aver- age ninety-five people at the factory and thirteen in the office and as salesmen.
About ten finished safes are turned out for each work- ing day. The business has been steadily increasing and the entire output from its jobbing department has been sold for the next year, in advance. Shipments have been made from this factory to every part of the United States as well as to Canada, Mexico and the South American states.
At the last annual meeting J. D. Madigan was elected president ; H. T. Cochran, vice president ; Fred L. Norton, secretary, and W. H. Brown, treasurer. These gentlemen with Kell Long, Joseph McConnell and J. A. DeWitt, con- stitute the present board of directors.
AMERICAN ALUMINUM COATING COMPANY.
A growing enterprise located at South Connellsville is the American Aluminum Coating Company, incorporated in June, 1906, with a capital of $200,000.00.
The president of the company is George J. Humbert ; secretary and treasurer, G. W. Delamater, of Pittsburgh; superintendent, W. C. Voight. The directors are George W. Delamater, George J. Humbert and Lewis Walker.
The business of the company consists of coating steel sheets with aluminum, the product being used for roofing, flashing, spouting, and most of the uses to which galvanized iron and tin plate are put-aluminum not being subject to corrosion or rust, it is especially desirable for work ex- posed to weather or hard wear. Since its introduction to the trade there has been a special demand for aluminum coated sheets by automobile manufacturers as it takes a much nicer finish than other materials, having a smoother surface.
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MANUFACTURES
The process is electro-plating on a large scale. The steel plates, from 10 guage, down to much thinner sizes, in sheets 36 inches wide by 120 inches long, are arranged on edge in a properly prepared bath or solution contained in tanks on either side of which are the electrodes. The aluminum being deposited by the action of the electric cur- rent between the electrodes.
THE CONNELLSVILLE FLINT GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED.
Organized September 15th, 1888, with a capital stock of $15,000.00 paid in, which was increased the following year to $30,000.00, authorized capital, of which $28,500.00 was paid in.
The officers and managers were as follows: B. F. Boyts, president; J. C. Kurtz, secretary and treasurer ; J. M. Reid, Joseph Soisson, Worth Kilpatrick and John F. Soisson.
A list of the stockholders follows :
B. F. Boyts 20 shares
Charles Davidson 20
E. Dunn
10
John D. Frisbee 10 66
A. J. Johnston
10
J. M. Kurtz.
5 66
Worth Kilpatrick
20
J. C. Kurtz.
20 66
Kell Long
20
J. C. Munson.
10
J. T. McCormick.
20
G. W. Newcomer 20
J. M. Reid. 20
J. F. Soisson 20
Peter Soisson 10
J. J. Singer 20
66
Joseph Soisson 20
J. A. Zimmerman 10
66
Total
285 shares
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
The company purchased ground near the Davidson Coke Works-about the present location of the Pittsburgh Art Stone Company and erected a four pot plant for the manufacture of table ware, colored and plain lamp shades, vases, etc.
The enterprise started with every indication of suc- cess, but it soon developed that the practical men upon whom the management must depend could not agree among themselves, and soon bickerings and quarrels sprung up, making frequent changes necessary and resulting finally in the dissolution of the company. 1
The business was continued for several years and finally dissolved about September 11, 1896.
BREWERIES.
The first brewery of Connellsville was located near the present site of the Frisbee store. The water was piped from the large spring on East Main street in wooden conduits some of which were dug up only a few years ago, when workmen were excavating for a sewer. The time of oper- ating this brewery cannot be definitely ascertained but it was early in the nineteenth century.
Christian Snyder and David Welsh erected a brewery about 1870 on Mountain alley at the northeast corner of Apple street. It was a three-story building, the first story being built of hammer-dressed stone and the second and third stories frame.
The first story is still standing, having been incorpor- ated into the tenement house which occupied the site of the old brewery until purchased and converted into the distilling house of the Connellsville Distilling Company.
Ale was the only product of this establishment and they made about 2,000 barrels a year. Usually two "brews" a week were made of about twenty barrels each. The water was taken from the "Jane Smith Spring" in the old stone quarry. Only malt and hops were used-the ambi- tion of Mr. Snyder being to have his product absolutely
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MANUFACTURES
pure and he would agree to no substitutes or adulterations. The process was very simple: The malt was put in a large copper kettle resting over a furnace on the first floor and extending through to the second story where it was filled from a platform. After being boiled the malt was drawn off into a mash tub where it was stirred with long sticks and allowed to settle. When it had sufficiently cleared it was again drawn off into a smaller tub, allowed to settle and then pumped back into the kettle.
The hops were now added and the fires started once more under the kettle. After this mixture had been prop- erly boiled it was drawn off into a tub called a "tun" when the yeast was added and after being fermented there it was put in barrels called puncheons. The bungs were left out of these barrels and the contents allowed to ferment again-through the bung-holes. The beer was cooled by running it over copper tubes filled with cold water-the cooling room was a wooden trough about six inches deep and twenty-five to thirty feet square-holding about twenty barrels.
The ale was stored until properly aged in cellars or caves about thirty feet under ground and reached by a series of sub-cellars, back of the brewery-insuring an even temperature and the final cave being cold storage.
The plant never paid Messrs. Snyder and Welsh- some say the product was "too good." In 1877 it was destroyed by fire.
PITTSBURGH BREWING COMPANY.
About October 1st, 1890, Rockwell Marietta and Mar- cus Marietta began the erection of a brewery at the corner of Pulaski and Eighth streets. The building was com- pleted the following year, and the first beer made in Octo- ber, 1891. In the meantime they had organized the
CONNELLSVILLE BREWING COMPANY.
A co-partnership composed of Marcus and Rockwell Marietta, J. D. Madigan and Peter Soisson.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
Rockwell Marietta was superintendent and manager. The sales for the first year averaged 500 barrels per month.
In 1894 Marcus Marietta sold his interest to S. E. Frock and Cyrus Echard and Mr. Frock was made super- intendent and manager. Shortly thereafter Peter Soisson died and his interest passed to his sons, Wm. H., and Augustus D. Soisson.
During the spring of 1898 a consolidation of the more important breweries of Pittsburgh and vicinity was effected under the name of the Pittsburgh Brewing Company. Ne- gotiations were at once started for the purchase of the plant and business of the Connellsville Brewing Company, which was accomplished in December, 1898. Joseph D. Madigan of the old campany was retained as superinten- dent, and has held the position ever since, in addition he has been made a district superintendent with headquarters at Connellsville.
The business has grown steadily, until at the present time the sales average 3,000 barrels per month. The old German process of manufacture has been maintained -- the management having never adopted the new carbonating pro- cess, believing the old method to be better. The plant cov- ering an acre of ground employs fifty men and fifteen teams. It is equipped in the most modern way and is now aband- oning steam for electric power. It has four boilers of 80 horse power each, two ice machines with a capacity of 110 tons a day and storage for over 5,000 barrels of beer.
WHITE ROCK DISTILLING COMPANY.
In 1894 Mark Gemas bought a large piece of ground near the Yough Brewing Company on South Arch street and contiguous to the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. On this he erected a modern distillery with an annual output of 1,300 barrels. It was called the Gemas Distillery and was sold about 1898 to W. C. Reynolds, who ran the business till 1900. In this latter year S. K. Reed, Lewis W. Reed, J. I., and J. C. Martin entered into a partnership under the
527
MANUFACTURES
name of the White Rock Distilling Company, and bought Reynolds out.
The distillery had increased its capacity to about 2,000 barrels per annum and was producing close to that amount.
On June 2nd, 1902, the company was incorporated under Pennsylvania laws with a capital of $50,000.00, tak- ing the name of the White Rock Distilling Company, with the following officers, who were also the directors of the company : President, J. I. Martin; vice president, J. C. Martin; secretary, Lewis W. Reed; treasurer and superin- tendent, S. K. Reed.
During 1904 the old Zachariah Connell homestead, at the corner of Fairview avenue and Arch street was pur- chased, and a new plant erected thereon, which was com- pleted and occupied October 18th, 1904. This plot contains 66 feet by 165 feet and the company built three brick build- ings, consisting of a distillery four stories in height, a four- story ware-house and a two-story salesroom and office. The equipment is modern in every respect-the latest and most approved methods of manufacture being employed. The present output is about 2,000 barrels a year.
S. K., and L. W. Reed bought the interests of J. I., and J. C. Martin in April, 1905; later Lewis W. Reed died and the officers and directors of the company are now : L. Guy Reed, president ; S. K. Reed, vice president and treasurer ; Anton Pollak, secretary.
CONNELLSVILLE DISTILLING COMPANY. .
This company was organized in February, 1902, and incorporated under Pennsylvania laws March 4th, 1902. Clair Stillwagon was president; George B. Snyder, sec- retary, and Marcus Marietta, treasurer. These three were also the directors of the company.
The distillery was erected on the site of the old Snyder brewery. The first story of the present building being that of the original brewery. The old power house of the Electric Company on Grape alley has since been pur-
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
chased from the West Penn Railways Company and is now used as a warehouse by the Distilling Company. The out- put of the plant at the present time amounts to over 500 barrels of whiskey per year.
There have been several changes in the personnel of the officers of the company, who at present are: Larimer Stillwagon, president; George B. Snyder, secretary and treasurer.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The history of the Centennial celebration is unique in the annals of Connellsville. Nothing like it was ever held before and it will likely be many years before anything sim- ilar is attempted. Only those directly connected with the great event can realize the vast amount of work entailed in getting matters in proper shape. It must be remembered that the men who conceived the Centennial were amateurs, as it were, and the wonder of it all is not that they did not do better, but that they did so well.
The celebration was held on August 14, 15, 16 and 17, in the year of our Lord, 1906. Those four days mark the greatest event in the history of Connellsville, and while not as lasting as the coke which has made Connellsville's name famous, they will long be remembered by her citi- zens. All historic paths in Connellsville lead to the great Centennial.
It is doubtful if any one man is entitled to the credit of originating the idea of a Centennial celebration. It was one of those spontaneous movements which occur in the history of every town. This chronicle of the events which took place pertains entirely to facts. The story is written of the events which occurred.
The idea originated, it is believed, sometime in the fall of 1905. It rapidly took on a tangible form, as the idea of a big celebration in honor of the town's one hun- dredth anniversary appealed to the patriotism of every citi- zen. The first meeting to consider the matter was held January 9, 1906, and others followed until all details were completed. These meetings were usually enthusiastic, but there were times when General Apathy had control. The selection of a date proved a difficult proposition, but the
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THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
above named ones were finally decided upon as being most satisfactory to all concerned.
A Centennial Association was formed with the fol- lowing officers: President, Rockwell Marietta; first vice president, E. Dunn ; second vice presidents, John D. Fris- bee, Worth Kilpatrick, Joseph Soisson, F. E. Markell, L. F. Ruth and Kell Long; recording secretary, W. D. Mc- Ginnis ; corresponding secretary, R. S. Coll, and treasurer, I. W. Rutter. The great burden of the work, however, fell on the executive committee, composed of Chairman Clair Stillwagon ; secretary, Josiah B. Kurtz; assistant sec- retary, W. F. Brooks ; C. M. Hyatt, P. S. Newmyer, Frank R. Bradford, Charles Davidson, John D. Sherrick, J. D. Madigan, P. J. Harrigan, Q. Marietta, Robert Felty, R. D. North, John Dean, A. D. Soisson, George B. Brown, Harry Dunn, I. Aaron, Col. J. M. Reid, E. C. Higbee, B. F. Boyts, Robert Norris, R. A. Doerner, William McCormick, John Irwin, George Porter and H. P. Snyder. Numerous other committees attending to various details of the work worked in conjunction with the executive committee.
For many weeks these various committees worked to- gether, formulating plans for the celebration. Few of those interested realized the amount of work the project entailed until they came face to face with it. In spite of this, when the morning of Tuesday, August 14, dawned, it found everything in readiness. The town was beauti- ful in her holiday garb. Every business house was be- decked with bunting and flags, together with many resi- dences. The streets were beautified by large white arches, bright with flags by day and brilliant with electric lights by night. At the corner of Main and Pittsburgh streets, the business center of Connellsville, was erected the mon- ster coal and coke arch of the H. C. Frick Coke Company. This was the feature display of the occasion, it being some- thing entirely original and unique. It was built under the direction of three Frick superintendents, P. J. Tormay, of Trotter, C. B. Franks, of Leisenring, No. 1, and R. C.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
Beerbower, of Davidson. Chief Electrician W. W. Horner arranged the 637 incandescent lights. The coal and coke used in its construction was picked from the mines and yards of the three plants named. Most of the coke was of the regulation ?? hour foundry variety, although some was burned longer especially for this purpose. The arch cost more than one thousand dollars.
An information booth was established near the arch. convenient to all points. Here were stationed two young men whose duty it was to direct strangers. The bureau was of great value to visitors at all times during the celebra- tion. The visiting newspaper men were well taken care of by the press committee, a room in the Smith House having been equipped with typewriters and other necessi- ties of a reporter. Staff correspondents of the Pittsburgh papers who attended found the quarters a great conven- ience, as did the local scribes. Ample police protection was provided, but the crowds proved exceptionally orderly. Arrests were comparatively few and most of the charges were of a trivial nature. The regular force was augmented by the addition of several special men. The West Penn Railways Company also had its full force of special offi- cers on cars at all times while detectives from Pittsburgh kept a watch for crooks and pickpockets.
The mammoth coal and coke arch erected on Brim- stone corner by the H. C. Frick Coke Company was not the only feature display of the celebration. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad, a big factor in the town's business affairs, went to considerable expense and had the largest engine in the United States placed on display during the four days. This was the No. ? 400 of the Mallet type, better known by railroad men and the public generally as "Old Maude." This engine was one of the feature exhibits of the railroads at the St. Louis Exposition. It is really two engines in one and is used on the Connellsville division of the road as a helper between Rockwood and Sand Patch. The engine was suitably decorated and rested on a siding near the depot
HOFCCO
Porter
THE H. C. FRICK COAL AND COKE ARCH
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CENTENNIAL' HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
during the time it was on display. On the same track with this powerful engine was placed one of the old time loco- motives of the company, showing the wonderful improve- ments made in motive power.
Another interesting feature was the Museum, presided over by the ladies of the Museum committee. This exhibit was located in the old Pennsylvania railroad station on Pittsburgh street, and relics of all kinds belonging to pion- eer families of the town were displayed. The museum was kept open all day, during which time it was visited by thousands of people.
The grave of Zachariah Connell, the founder of Con- nellsville, was not forgotten and, after being neglected for almost a century, the family burying ground of the Connell family, to the north of town, was purged of weeds and rubbish, a neat, substantial fence erected around it, and a tombstone placed over the grave.
Tuesday morning, August 14, brought with it ideal weather. Promptly at seven o'clock hundreds of whistles and bells pealed forth their summons, announcing the open- ing of the great event. Each succeeding morning this prac- tice was followed. Every train and street car entering Connellsville was crowded with visitors to town, many of whom were returning for the first time after years of ab- sence. It was literally "home coming week" for Connells- ville. The first event began at 10 o'clock, when the crowds gathered on South Pittsburgh street to hear the address of welcome by Burgess A. D. Soisson and the opening speech by Judge Edmund H. Reppert of Uniontown. From a mammoth platform built on the high school grounds a grand chorus of several hundred school children, led by Professor A. B. Morton and accompanied by the Connells- ville Military Band, formed a living American flag and sang patriotic songs. J. M. Lytle, Esq., one of the oldest living residents of Connellsville, presided on the speaker's stand, erected on the street between the high school and library.
THE J. M. GRAY RESIDENCE IN CENTENNIAL ATTIRE
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
Rev. William A. Edie, delivered the invocation, thanking the Divine Creator for the blessings he had showered on the community and praying for a continuance of the same. Burgess Soisson was then introduced and delivered the following address of welcome :
ADDRESS OF BURGESS A. D. SOISSON.
Mr. President and Fellow Citizens, Honored Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are assembled today to celebrate with fitting ceremonies and observances the one hundredth anniversary of the incorpo- ration of our town. To trace its growth and development and narrate its early history is not my duty or purpose. Rather it is for me to open these memorial exercises with a word or two of kindly welcome to the many strangers within our gates who have accepted our invitation to assist on this gala day.
It is with pardonable pleasure and justifiable pride that we meet on this occasion and enter upon the ensuing festivities. One hundred years is a landmark in this country. The national life of the United States numbers but one hundred and twenty- five years, so that the borough life of our town is almost co- extensive with the national life of the United States. If, how- ever, we could point to nothing but the lapse of time, our boast would be idle, but fortunately for us we are not left in such plight. Through various and changing vicissitudes we have ever gained and grown. Though our advancement has never been irregular and spasmodic, it has ever been constant and normal. From a small hamlet clustered in the forest on the hill by the river's side, we have grown to a hustling business city, known throughout the world wherever the iron horse has carried the light of civilization.
To our guests and visitors I tender the hospitality of our people. To the former citizens and residents returned to the scenes of early life I extend a cordial greeting. One and all I bid you welcome to our city, and hope that our meeting together shall be for good, and that at the close of this celebration we may one and all, host and guest, feel that it is a pleasure to have been here.
At the close of this pleasing invitation from the Burgess. Squire Lytle introduced the speaker of the day, Judge Ed- mund H. Reppert of Uniontown. Judge Reppert was given
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