USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I > Part 37
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At the head of each of our borough schools is a prin- cipal who shows by his work he is master of the situation. The schools are carefully graded. Many of the teachers are specialists, giving thereby extra strength to their departments. The high schools have a three or four
205
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
years' course, and are conducted on the faculty system, the teaeliers being specialists. These schools are well equipped and do strong work.
In 1906 Washingtou was separated from the county, and Prof. William Krichbaum, principal of the school, was elected superintendent. He is an earnest, energetic schoolman, and the city ean count upon her schools rap- idly growing in excellence.
Reading, physical culture and writing are taught by specialists in some of our schools. Our educational cen- ters have largely become places of industry. They are filled with little people full of life, energetic and ambi- tious, desirous of excelling. They are successful because of the energy and good work of the teachers and prin- eipals, and the cooperation of patrons and directors. Schools never rise above our efforts, but will continue to rise so long as we are industrions. Our schools must move on. We are lingering some iu the background. Conditions change, society changes. Formerly the home was the center of industry. The child attended school to study his books, of which there were but few. He read them at school and studied the simple occupations at home, and in many cases settled there for life.
Conditions have changed. Society has changed. The home is no longer the center of indsutry, it is now a lit- erary institution. Papers, magazines and books have taken the place of the home industries. The world is offering places for human energy and industry. Man is eager to fill these places. It means a new school, uew thoughts and adaptability to meet the new conditions of the always changing social and industrial life. Teach- ing children how to think and adapt themselves to coudi- tions which they will meet is the future work of the seliool. To read and "eipher" is no longer au issue. Memorizing statements is no longer power. Much of the work that passes in our schools today is not learn- ing. Alertness, capability, flexibility, adaptability which comes of prompt thinking, thinking, thinking, making cunning the hand in swift execution, that is the work of the schools of today and tomorrow. Directors will have much to do in shaping this work. If in the future, as iu the past, they continue to place a high standard upon teaching, and demand of the schools results that will meet the present industrial conditions of life, they will get the teachers that can do the work. Our schools are what those in power are satisfied to have. If they are to make boys and girls capable of adapting them- selves speedily to conditions anywhere, it can be done. The sentiment in this county was never so strong for advancement. The patrons as a whole, the directors as a body, teachers, principals and the publie press are all ask- ing for the schools a higher standard in the teachers and an advance in wages, a longer term and closer local supervision. All things are tending toward the public
schools becoming the universal workshop to prepare the little folks intellectually, socially, morally and industrially for worthy citizenship.
In 1896 and in 1906, 62 and 72 years, respectively, after the law established the public schools, the follow- ing statistics were reported to the state superintendent from this county :
1896.
1906.
Whole number of schools.
456
671
Whole number of teachers.
463
694
Number of borough high schools
established
5
12
Number of rural high schools established
9
Length of school term (months)
7.23
7.79
School population.
18,522
24,457
Schools visited by superintendent Educational meetings attended by superintendent. . .
10
21
Average male salary per month.
$44.29
$60.96
Average female salary per month
$36.59
$47.17
Received from taxes, etc .. ... ..
$369,245.04
$595,622.18
Received by state appropriation. $83,044.75
$91,259.73
Iu length of term, Washington County ranked in state.
34.
27.
Wages for male teachers, the
21.
10.
county ranked in state ...
14.
2.
Number of directors iu the county
362
411
ed the county institute.
100
163
erty
$428,050
$1,610,314
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
The county superintendents began to serve at the fol- lowing dates:
John L. Gow, 1854.
George A. Spindler, 1882
Isaac H. Longdon, 1857. for vacaney, 1884, 1887.
A. J. Buffington, 1861.
Byron E. Tombaugh, 1890, 1893.
J. C. Gilchrist, 1866.
William G. Fee, 1869.
Frank R. Hall, 1896, 1899, 1902, 1905.
A. J. Bufflugton, 1875.
J. B. K. MeCollum, 1878.
L. R. Crumrine, 1908.
E. W. Mouck, 1881, died.
NEWSPAPERS.
List furnished by MI. R. Allen-6 point
Washington County has or has had the following newspapers :
. .
Number of directors that attend-
Estimated value of school prop-
202
510
county ranked in state. .
Wages for female teachers, the
206
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Beallsville.
Telegram, published by W. E. Robinson from 1886 to 1889. D *.
Bentleyville.
Times, established October, 1908. Still continued. . Snyder, local editor.
Burgettstown.
Enterprise, published monthly in 1879 by J. P. Don- nan and C. Knepper, and became a weekly in Septem- ber, 1881, with J. Howard Cramer editor. Now issued by Burgettstown Publishing Company. B. M. Talbot, editor and manager.
The Call was founded by M. R. Allen, August 2, 1881, and was the first newspaper printed in Burgettstown; was consolidated with the Enterprise, December 31, 1887. J. Howard Cramer, editor.
Herald, founded by W. G. Cramer, June, 1909.
California.
Valley Spirit, established in 1856 by A. J. Gibson. D. in 1857.
The Valley Leader, by Weddell & Patton, in 1876; was of short duration.
Valley Messenger, established in 1884 by William Minehart. This publication was sold to the California Printing Company in 1890, and the name changed to Sentinel. H. L. and A. H. Lamb are the present editors.
Canonsburg.
The Luminary, published in 1833. D.
The Students' Enterprise, in 1852. D.
The Herald was established by T. M. Potts in 1872. The Notes was founded in 1875 by Fulton Phillips. Later D. H. Fee purchased the publication and in 1896 established a sprightly daily edition, which still con- tinues. Now issued by the Notes Publishing & Print- ing Company, D. H. Fee, president.
The Local was established by Sipe & Charlton in 1887, and in 1888 they purchased the Herald and con- solidated the two papers and conducted them for a number of years. The publications were discontinued a few years since.
Charleroi.
Mirror, established in 1890 by J. M. Lang. In a short time H. C. Wilson purchased the publication, and in 1892 sold to E. C. Niver.
The Daily Mail was started in 1900 by W. H. Cramer, and in 1901 sold to the Mail Publishing Company.
The Daily Mail and Mirror were consolidated in 1909, * Discontinued.
and the two publieations are issued from the same office. E. C. Niver, editor.
The Sun was published weekly for about about six months in 1898 by Frank Smith.
L'Union des Travailleurs, established in 1900 by Jo- seph Godisart. Only French newspaper in the connty. Lewis Goazian, present editor.
Claysville.
Sentinel, by Horace B. Durant.
Cross and Crown, by Rev. Foulks, about 1884.
Recorder, founded by W. A. Irwin, June 15, 1888. H. L. Melvin and brother are the present owners and editors.
Donora.
American Herald, founded April 19, 1901, by F. Ver- non Hazzard. During the year Roman E. Koeler pnr- chased one-half interest.
The Daily News was established in 1892 by J. Me- Alvin and A. Calvin.
Finleyville.
Expouent, published in 1894 by Sid C. Wilson. Dis- continued in 1909.
Florence.
Enterprise, published about 1850 by James Robb, was of short duration.
Midway.
News, established August, 1908, by August Dailly. D.
Monougahela City.
Williamsport Chronicle, established 1813. D.
Village Informant, published 1818 by Joseph Celin- gan. D.
Pennsylvanian, published 1818. John Bansman. D.
The Phoenix, May 7, 1821, by B. Brown. D.
Williamsport Patriot, 1833, by John Bausman. D.
Monongahela Patriot, 1834, by Sam G. Baily and John W. Hammond. D.
Carrol Gazette, 1838. D.
Neutral Grounds, 1841, by Jolin MeNeal. D.
Weekly Republican, 1848, by Solomon Alter .* Daily Republiean, 1881, by Chill W. Hazzard.
Valley Reeord, 1876, by William Boggs. About 1890 the Record issued a daily edition, which continued some years. D.
The Juniors' Friend and Pennsylvania Reserve News Letter, 1876, by Chill W. Hazzard.
Monongahela Democrat, 1892. D.
Monongahela Times, 1902.
* Owned and edited by the Hazzards since 1855.
201
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Me Donald.
Budget, published a short time by Charles Knepper about 1882. D.
Argus, published by John JJohnson about 1883. Sold to Fulton Phillips, who changed the name to Outlook in 1885. Now published by the Outlook Publishing Company.
Telephone, founded in 1893 by J. A. Smith and sold to W. H. Cramer in 1897, who changed the name to Record, about 1899. G. C. Kuehnert, the present editor, became the owner.
Roscoe.
Forum, established by Moses Lowens in 1892.
Sunshine, founded by George Collins about 1893. Later Collins purchased the Forum and the two were consolidated in 1901. Joseph T. S. Cowen purchased the plant and still continues the publication.
Gospel Reflector, paper of the Church of Jesus Christ, published every month. It was started at Roscoe about 1905, by William Bickerton. Alexander Cherry now editor.
Washington.
Western Telegraph and Washington Advertiser. Pub- lished August 22, 1795, by Colenick, Hunter & Beau- mont. D.
Herald of Liberty, May 21, 1798, by John Israel. D. Western Missiouary Magazine, from 1803 to 1806.
Reporter, established August 25, 1808, by B. Brown and William Sample. Several changes were made in the ownership up to 1873, when E. L. Christman became editor, and on August 4, 1876, commenced the daily issue of an evening edition. In 1891 the management was changed to the Christman Publishing Company, and in January, 1892, William Christman became sole owner of the stock of the company, and in December, 1892, sold the plant to the Observer Publishing Company, the present owners.
The Western Corrector, 1809. D.
The Mercury, 1812. D.
Washington Examiner, May 28, 1817, by John Grayson.
Democrat Eagle, August 25, 1828. by Thomas Mor- gan. D.
The Luminary, 1834, by William Appleton and Will- iam H. Cornwall. D.
Our County, June 5. 1835. by Thomas Jefferson Mor- gan. D.
Western Register, February 3, 1837, by Robert Fre. D. The Patriot, 1843, by Russell Evrett. D.
Advocate and Day Spring. 1845, by W. H. T. Barnes. D. The Commonwealth. 1848, by Seth T. Herd. D.
Washington Review, by William Swan and Ritzel, Oc- tober 9, 1551; later consolidated with the Examiner.
Washington Examiner and Review, by .1. H. Ecker and William Swan.
Collegian, 1852, by B. W. Lacey. D.
The American Republic and Spirit, 1853, by American Association. D.
American l'uion, 1855, by J. B. Musser. D.
The Tribune, 1856, by John Bausman. D.
The Aurora, May 1, 1857, by Cyrus B. King and Jo- seph Wilson. D.
Colleaguer, 1859, by JJ. W. Moss. D.
Maul and Wedge, 1860. D.
The Valley Sentinel, 1860, by Moses T. Scott & Co. D.
Advance, founded in 1871 by Dr. H. B. Durant and Murray A. Cooper. About 1879, E. F. Acheson and James Stocking purchased the publication and changed the name to Observer, which has since continued, becom- ing a daily publication in 1896. Now published by the Observer Publishing Company, of which Hon. E. F. Acheson is president.
The Advertiser, 1875, by John B. Scott.
Journal, a daily established by George A. Spindler, September, 1885. D.
Democrat, established by Adam Ecker, April 3, 1878. Sold to Hart & Charlton in 1880. A daily was issued by Hart & Foster, June 1, 1892, and continued about four years. The plant was sold to Record Publishing Company, June, 1903, by John Foster, as trustee and surviving partner of Hart & Foster. D.
The Washington-Jeffersonian, a college publication, issued monthly; founded December, 1877, by G. H. Welshons.
The Saturday Evening Supper Table, founded by J. H. Allen. May 30, 1885. D.
The Scotch Irish Picket, founded by Fulton Phillips. 1885. 1).
The Journal, a weekly publication, by J. H. Allen, December 4, 1897. Changed to Democrat April 8. 1909.
Petrolemn Exchange, the first morning daily publica- tion in Washington, was established by T. F. Irwin in 1889. and was consolidated with the Observer about 1890.
The Daily Record was established by the Record Pub- lishing Company, June, 1903.
Labor Journal. established March, 1908. W. C. Black, editor.
The Seroll. a monthly publication by the pupils of the Female Seminary, established in 1906 by the class of 1907.
The Red and Black, a weekly publication by students of the college; issued October, 1909. Karl Keffer, editor.
West Alexander.
('all, established in 1985 by W. A. Barry.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS IMPROVEMENTS AND COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS.
Court Houses-Pennsylvania Reform School at Morganza-County Home-Children's Home-Medical Societies- Daughters of American Revolution-Bar Association-Historical Society-Children's Aid Society-Woman's Christian Temperance Union-Justices' and Aldermen's Association.
COURT HOUSES.
Washington County court houses have all beeu on the present location.
On the 18th of October, 1781, David Hoge, of Cum- berland, to whom we have already referred, conveyed to James Edgar, Hugh Scott, Van Swearingen, Daniel Leet and John Armstrong a piece of land in the town of "Bassett" for the use of the inhabitants of Wash- ington County to erect thereon a court house, a prison, etc. In 1783 a log court house was begun, and in July, 1787, was completed by John Hoge and Andrew Swear- ingen, contractors, at a cost of £701, 8s and 934d. A traveler, in 1788, wrote of the conrt house and jail as be- ing "handsome buildings, in the center of the little city." In the winter of 1790-91 this court house was destroyed by fire. On the 1st of January, 1792, the commissioners laid a tax of £1,500 to erect a brick court house and other public buildings. This structure was erected in the center of the public square, the site of the present court house. In 1819 the building was improved by an addition. These buildings occupied the following posi- tions prior to the improvement in 1839: Commencing on the corner of Main and Beau streets, and going south was the market house, with a superstructure containing six rooms; next to and adjoining the market house was the engine house; then an alley, which led directly into the kitchen of the sheriff's house, through which access was had to the jail; next was the sheriff's office and the house attached and the prothonotary's office; then came the court house. On the south of the court house were the clerk of the court's and register's offices, adjoining which was a small shop of Alfred Galt, watchmaker, and three offices which were rented.
On the 25th of September, 1839, new buildings being necessary, all the old buildings were removed from the public square, except the offices on the southwest corner, which were continued in use, together with the Methodist Protestant Church, for court and other purposes.
The third court house was completed in 1842, and, together with the sheriff's house, cost $34,376. In 1867 a new prison and extension to the court house, including sheriff's office, arbitration room, etc., were completed, at a cost of $48,500. In addition to this, however, there was an additional expense for a stone wall inclosing the public square, for grading and for improvements to the sheriff's house, amounting to $3,500, making the total expenditure $52,000. The townspeople built another market house about this date on Cherry alley, on the southwest corner of the public grounds, where it remained until the "Town Hall" was erected, in 1879. The fourth court house, sheriff's office and jail required all the area of the county lot, and more, too.
PRESENT COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.
For many years the fact was notorious that the old court house was out of date, too small for such a grow- ing county, and far too inconvenient for the purposes intended, and tbe jail, also, wholly insanitary and inse- cure. Among others, the Washington County Bar Asso- ciation was especially desirous for the erection of suitable buildings. On January 11, 1897, this association ap- pointed a committee from its membership, with power to take action in the matter, as follows: F. F. Birch, L. McCarrell, J. P. Miller, Sr., M. L. A. MeCracken and Winfield MeIlvaine, esquires. At the November election of 1896 the following named gentlemen were elected as county commissioners: John M. Dunn, W. G. Shillito and John P. Charlton. These commissioners were be- sieged by many citizens, who urged upon them the advis- ability of taking immediate steps to secure new buildings. On the 12th of February, 1897, a petition, signed by the aforesaid county commissioners, was presented to the judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Washington County, stating the condition of the old buildings. The petition was referred to the grand jury at the February term, 1897, by the court. On February 12, 1897, the grand jury recommended the ercetion of a new court
208
209
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
honse and jail. A similar recommendation was made by the next grand jury, and on May 24, 1897, the judges, Hon. J. A. Meilvaine and Iton. J. F. Taylor, approved the presentment of the grand juries and directed the county commissioners to erect a new court house and jail.
Upon the public square were erected, at the time of the foregoing proceedings, a court house, the county jail, the sheriff's residence and the town hall-a building used for public meetings, library, police, post office and fire company. The town hall was ereeted on the part of the public square adjacent to Cherry alley, aud was a two-story brick extending baek 100 feet. It was built upon that part of the public square by virtue of a lease for fifty years obtained from the county commissioners on March 12, 1869. It being decided that all the public square was needed, the county commissioners paid the borough of Washington $12,000 for the removal of the town hall and the cancellation of the lease. The town hall was removed during the years 1897-98 to the present location. The removal of tho town hall was a marvelous feat. It was lifted from its foundation, moved back to Brownson alley, half a square from Main street, on which the building faced, turned around on a high trestle and then taken across Cherry avenue and placed on the foundation which had been built for it on the A. M. Todd lot, formerly of Rev. James I. Brownson. The eommis- sioners chose the plans of the new buildings as prepared by F. J. Osterling, of Pittsburg, and which had been approved by the judges.
The county lot was 240 feet square. One hundred feet on the west side was obtained by coudemnation pro- ceedings. Twenty feet along the south side was receded from to widen Cherry alley. The county lot now occu- pied, as inclosed by walls, is 220 feet front on Main street and 340 feet in depth.
During the summer of 1898 the brick buildings-court house, jail and sheriff's house-were purchased by Will- iam Hoekley for $200.
The statue of Gen. George Washington, which was preserved through the patriotism of Charles F. Wallam, still stands on the corner lot at Locust and Higland, recently sold by him to Dr. W. W. Chalfant. Court was held in the town hall building, and court house offices in the Brownson-Todd building, now standing in its rear, fronting on Wheeling street.
The plans and specifications for the new building beiug completed, the county commissioners advertised for sealed bids for the erection and construction of the same. The bid of William Miller & Sons, of Pittsburg, for the erection of the building of sandstone, beiug the lowest bid, viz., $397,900, it was accepted, and the contract for the new court house and jail let to then.
It having been determined that the necessary sum needed to complete and furnish the buildings, and to
defray all expenses connected therewith, would be $500,- 000, the commissioners issued 500 registered bonds of the county, in the sum of $1,000 each, and bearing interest at 4 per cent per annum, due August 1 in each year, beginning with the year 1901, and payable yearly there- after to and including the year 1926, when said bonds will have been fully paid.
The Dollar Savings Bank of Pittsburg bought the bonds at a premium of $48,700, with a proviso for montlily deliveries and the payment to the county of interest on deferred payments.
John P. Charlton, one of the county commissioners, died in the summer of 1898, and the court appointed Hon. J. Murray Clark, Esq., of Canonsburg, to fill the vacaney, "Squire Clark" remaining in office until Jan- mary of 1900, when Tom P. Sloan, the newly elected Democratie member of the board, assumed his duties.
The erection of the jail is practically identified with the ereetion of the new court house. The tearing down of the old jail commenced early in April, 1898, and the excavation for the new jail was finished July 20, when the foundation was commenced. There were many un- avoidable delays, as might be expected in buildings of that kind, and it was not until June 30, 1899, that the jail was occupied by prisoners. On July 3, 1899, the sheriff, Joseph T. Hemphill, took possession of the sher- iff's residence.
Shortly after the excavation for the new jail was started the excavation for the new court house was com- menced, and was speedily pushed to completion. In the meantime the tearing down of the old temple of justice was commeuced April 21, 1898. The work of removing the town hall from the public square was commenced October 12, 1897, by Messrs. Coughlin and Hollings- worths, of Chicago, and finished January 13, 1898. The last term of court was held in the old court house March 19, 1898, and the May term was held in the town hall. When the corner stone of the court house was laid, March 7, 1899, a copper receptacle, containing relies pertaining to former court houses, photographs of prominent eiti- zens, copies of newspapers, pamphlets, histories, ete., was put in at the northeast corner of the building.
By August of that year changes were recommended and adopted, substituting certain marble floors, instead of wood and other materials, wainscoting with Italian marble and finishing with stuceo work and decorations not contemplated in earlier specifications. This inercased the original estimates from almost nine hundred thousand by almost fifty thousand dollars, and other finishings and furnishings, which might be called extras, increased it that much more.
The Washington County court house, constructed at a total cost of $1,000,000. was completed in November,
210
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
1900. It has been fittingly described by another, as follows :
"Well may the people be proud of this massive, noble building. It is constructed in Italian Renaissance style of architecture. Its height from the pavement to the top of the dome is 150 feet. It is constructed of Columbia sandstone from Cleveland, South Carolina granite, iron and steel, briek and cement; is entirely fire-proof, and contains fifty-four rooms, including three splendidly ar- ranged court rooms.
"The interior of the building is on a scale of mag- nificence and artistic beauty that one only expects to see in the great buildings of national reputation. On entering the main corridor a graceful stairway is seen, on either side stretch away vistas of Italian marble corridors; above, supported by twelve immense pilasters, interspersed with Roman arches, hangs the majestic dome, with its jeweled art glass and frescoes in colors and gold. The general finish of the building is exquisite to a degree -the brass work, the bronze, the gleaming stretches of polished marble and the wouderful color scheme of the decorative work all combine in producing an effect that delights the eye and the senses. In every way the Wash- ington County court house ranks as one of the finest tem- ples of justice in the United States.
"The Washington County jail, erected at the same time as the new court house, is located in the rear of that imposing edifiee. It is a fine example of a modern bastile, solid in construction, handsome in appearance and complete with all the up-to-date requirements of a house of detention. The sheriff's residence is on the south side of the building."
On November 12, 1900, the first judicial body, the grand jury, William Bamford, of Robinson Township, foreman, sat in this twentieth century court house. Since that time there has been tried in this new court house the largest civil cases and more of the most diabolical criminal cases in the history of the county.
PENNSYLVANIA REFORM SCHOOL.
Under the name of the "House of Refuge," this insti- tution was ineorporated by an act of the Legislature approved April 22, 1850, being opened on the cougre- gate plan December 13, 1854. Its location was on the site now occupied by the Western Penitentiary, in what was formerly the Ninth Ward, Allegheny. For some years this plan worked very well indeed, but eventually the school outgrew its surroundings.
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