USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I > Part 74
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Perhaps in no other way is the growth of Canonsburg better shown than in the matter of street lighting. Be- fore the introduction of natural gas about 1885 the streets were lighted with kerosene lamps, the services of a lamp lighter being necessary. Of course the cost was not very large, as the Standard Oil Company had not theu raised the price of oil. The job of lamp lighter was usnally held by the street commissioner or a eon- stable, or some other borough official who performel the funetious of the place in connection with his other unties.
The Weekly Notes for September 26, 1891, says, in reporting a town Council meeting, that Burgess H. A. Huston urged that more lights be placed on the different streets. The town was then lighted with gas, there being 40 lights throughout the borough, and the lights cost the town the small sum of $8.50 per month. The Coun- eil at that time thought no more money could be ex- pended for lighting the streets, and no action was taken.
Since January, 1894, Canonsburg's streets have been lighted with electricity, and the light bill is about $270 per month, or 32 times greater than 18 years ago. Bnt the streets are now lighted 32 times better than in 1891.
At the present time it appears as if Canonsburg may soon be required to erect a sewage disposal plant, the borough having received notice from the State Health Department, a year ago, that this will be required as soon as the Pennsylvania Reform School at Morganza has erected a similar plant. Plans for the erection of such a plant were prepared for both Canonsburg and South Canonsburg, and these have received the approval of the State Health authorities. The estimated cost for the erection of a plant adapted to the use of both Canonsburg and South Canonsburg is $26,000.
As a result of this action on the part of the State Health Board, the town Council of both Canonsburg and South Canonsburg have recently discussed the mat-
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ter of uniting the two boroughs iu one, as their interests are identical. It is not believed that there will be serious opposition to this project, as it is estimated that the affairs of both boroughs can be more economically administered if they are combined in one municipality. Before the two boroughs can be united, however, a small strip of Chartiers Township, adjoining Canonsburg Borough, must be annexed to the borough, and this may cause more or less delay.
Burgesses of Canonsburg Borongh since its incorpora- tion:
1802-16-Dr. Samuel Murdoch.
1817-19-Craig Ritchie.
1820-21-Dr. Jonathan Leatherman.
1822-23-James Smith.
1824-25-Unknown.
1826-27-Craig Ritchie.
1828-29-Jeremiah Emory.
1830-34-John Watson.
1835-James McClelland.
1836-Henry McAfee.
1843-46-James McClelland.
1847-William McDaniel.
1838-39-James McClelland.
1840-41-James McCullough.
1842-Henry MeAfee.
1843-46-William McDaniel.
1848-Hugh Riddle.
1849-William McClelland.
1850-Craig Ritchie.
1851-George A. Kirk.
1852-John Briceland.
1853-54-Joseph V. Brown.
1855-William McDaniels.
1856-Samuel Smith.
1857-John Chambers, John E. Black.
1858-Joseph Hunter, John E. Black.
1859-Robert Donaldson.
1860-61-Henry Annisansel.
1862-63-James Crawford.
1864-Henry Annisansel.
1865-67-James McCullough.
1868-John A. McCord.
1869-Daniel Day.
1870- John Moore.
1871-72-John Chambers.
1873.74-Joseph Thompson.
1875-76-James Lutton.
1877-Adam Harbison.
1878-James Espy.
1879-William R. McConnell.
1880-Joseph Wilson.
1881-W. H. S. Ritchie.
1882-83-John B. Donaldson.
1884-85-T. M. Potts.
1886-S. A. Lacock.
1887-88-A. C. Pollock.
1889-90-John B. Scott.
1891-H. A. Huston.
1892-J. J. VanEman.
1893-A. L. Ruuion.
1894-David Hart.
1897-1900-E. T. Hitchman.
1900-02-Alexander MeMorran.
1902 -* Jolın B. Donaldson.
1903-06-T. M. Reese.
1906-09-Blaine Ewing.
1909-1912-W. H. Dunlap, Sr.
Canonsburg's population as shown by the censuses:
Census of 1820. 440
Census of 1830. 673
Census of 1840. 687
Census of 1850. 627
Census of 1860 650
Census of 1870.
641
Census of 1880.
699
Censns of 1890.
2,113
Census of 1900. 2,714
Estimated Population, 1909, of entire Canonsburg. 7,500
The decrease in population between 1840 and 1850 is explained by the fact that the borough lines were changed, throwing a part of Canonsburg back into Char- tiers Township, from which the borough had originally been carved.
In 1883 the lines were extended, which in part ac- counts for the great increase of population of 1890 over 1880.
The population of South Canonsburg by the census of 1900 was 610. South Canonsburg was incorporated May, 1897.
The number of voters in this borough in 1904 was 965 and in 1908 was 988.
The value of real estate in Canonsburg amounts to $1,692,880; personal property, $126,060; number of tax- ables, 1,284.
At the present time the bonded indebtedness is $83,- 000, divided as follows: Sewer bouds, $33,000; paving bonds, $30,000; general borough bonds, $20,000. These bonds all fall due within the next 20 years, and will be paid off as they fall due. The general borough bonds were issued in 1905. One-half the amount of these bonds, or $10,000, fall due December 18, 1915, and the other $10,000 on December 18, 1925.
The present tax levy of the borough is 12 mills.
The burgess of Canonsburg receives no salary, his only remuneration being fees allowed by law from costs imposed.
* Elected to fill out the unexpired term of Alexander MeMorran, resigned.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Canonsburg is a town of homes, and it is a notable faet that more families live in houses of their own than is the case in very many towns of this size. This is in part due to the fact that good wages are paid the em- ployes of mills and factories, and in part because, some years ago, an efficient building and loan association was maintained here. This association was organized in the spring of 1887, and it was in existence for a period of about teu years. Several series of stock were issued, and not a few families, through this organization, secured their own homes by monthly payments, and thins escaped the terrors of rent day. This, too, has made a better elass of citizenship, for the man who owns his own home is bound to take more interest in it and in the community at large than he will take where he is a renter.
There are, it is true, a number of old houses in Canonsburg. But the greatest amount of building in Canonsburg has been done within the past quarter of a century, so that the great majority of houses are comparatively new, and are in most instances neat and modern strnetnres and many of them are fitted np with all modern conveniences.
During the past few years many good houses have been built, this class of strneture predominating in the building operations of the past year. Within a con- paratively short period nnmerons streets, which a score of years ago were not even shown on the borough plot, have been built up with a good class of dwellings. The nnsightly front fence has, in nearly every instance, been removed; excellent conerete or flagstone sidewalks have been laid, and much greater attention is now paid to the lawns. Grass plots between the enrbs and side- walks are maintained in many of the avennes, and the streets are lined with beautiful shade trees. Slowly but steadily Canonsburg is being made into a little city beantiful.
Canonsburg is a good town in which to live. It has good public schools, including a high school which gives its graduates an education eqnal to what many colleges afforded a half century or less ago. It has an academy which has a wide reputation as a school of extraordinary merit. It has ten church buildings.
It has steam railway and trolley connection with Pittsburg and Washington. By the best trains Pittsburg is only 37 minutes away (from Fonrth avenue). In all nine trains a day make the trip either way.
The mills and mines in the town give employment to 2,000 men. Extending outward far enongh to inelnde the mines in the immediate vicinity the number of men employed is twice that number.
The best evidence that Canonsburg has superior ad- vantages for mannfactories is that she has a number of them already, and has had for many years. It is true
that Canonsburg has but one line of railroad; but this is not as great a hindrance as might be supposed, for the railroad is a real one, operated by the greatest railroad system in the country. The Chartiers Railway is double-tracked; it is one of the best ballasted roads in all the country; the train service is excellent, and mann- facturers are given the Pittsburg freight rate on their shipments.
Coal, a very important consideration, lies at the very door of the town, one of the best-equipped and largest mines in the country being located right inside the town. There are, in addition, small mines which supply the home demand for coal, and nowhere in the conntry is the market price of coal less than it is in Canonsburg. Natural gas is supplied to the mills and residences at a moderate rate, and the supply is abundant.
Canonsburg is well supplied with water. Located on Chartiers Creek, a stream which never runs dry, there is sufficient water to supply mills at all times. The North Strabane Water Company furnishes water to private residences and mills, and has a large patronage.
The streets are well paved and well lighted. Nearly every one of the principal streets is now paved, and the work is being carried on from year to year.
Canonsburg is an orderly town. It has no licensed saloons, and there is practically no disorder in its streets. There is a police force, but the police have little to do. There is hardly ever a fight or disturbance in the streets. The borongh has curfew and anti-spitting ordinances, has an excellent system of sanitary sewers, and has a health board that looks carefully after the sanitary conditions.
The municipal affairs have been wisely and carefully managed, and are still so managed. The same is trne of the schools; these are among the best in the State, and are dealt with in a separate article.
The churches are strong and influential, for Canons. burg has always been a church community. Financially they are liberal, and to the canse of Christianity con- tribute more than $60,000 every year. The majority of the churches own their own houses of worship, and these are large and commodions.
Taking the town as a whole, Canonsburg is a most desirable place of residence. It is a modern town, and has modern public improvements. It is an interesting town, for it has a history extending back 130 years. The people are industrions and law-abiding. The place has moved forward into the front rank of towns of its' size, not through the efforts of one or two men, bnt through the efforts of its citizens. And in securing the publie improvements there has been lacking, what is so frequently fonnd in towns which are in the stages of being made over, opposition to moderu adaptation. The progress at which the town has moved forward during
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
the past decade bids fair to be maintained, and as the place grows the pace will be accelerated. The growth of Canonsburg is bound to continue; with expanding limits the town will, before many years, extend from Morganza on the east to Houston on the west, and spread out over the hills on either side of the creek. The growth in the past has not been rapid; it has, what is more importaut, been steady and permanent. Canons- burg has never had a boom, in the real meaning of the word, although it has had seasons of rapid expansion. And never having had a boom, it has never suffered from the after-effects of such periods of inflation. Houses command a fair but not an exorbitant rent. The prices of real estate, considering the improvements, is not high. Taxation is not burdensome.
In the 136 years of her history probably there has never been a citizen of Canonsburg with more varied and responsible duties thau had Col. John Canon during the eleven years after laying out the town until his death November 6, 1798, in his 58th year. He was in his lifetime a miller, a State surveyor, a county justice of the Virginia court, a militia officer, a salt and mili- tary-supply commissioner, an assemblyman in Colonial government at Philadelphia, the founder, builder and a trustee in Canonsburg Academy, a partisan in the "Whiskey Insurrection" and robbery of the mail sack in the Black Horse tavern, a philanthropist and friend of George Washington, and the records say he was a man respected in his life and lamented at his death. His grave is unmarked. Tradition locates it "on the top of the hill," probably where the Seceder log church and burying ground were located in 1808, above Pitt street on the west side of Central avenue.
The business carried on by our first citizens was varied-these included a hatter, a distiller, a brewer, a nailer, a tanner, a tailor, merchants, doctors, weavers, millers, carpenters and coopers. Three years after the sale of the first town lots an advertisement of Joseph Blakely in 1790, announced to the public "that he had set up the trade of coverlid weaving-with all kinds of flowered cottons, dimities and stuffs." Craig Ritchie and Matthew Ritchie were purchasers of lots on the first sale day, March 15, 1787, and the family name is more closely linked with that of Canonsburg's subsequent his- tory than even the names of Canon or MeMillan; be- cause three generations in the persons of Craig Ritchie, Sr., his son Craig Ritchie, Jr., and again his son, W. H. S. Ritchie, continnonsly carried on the dry goods busi- ness on the site where now are located the Hilfiger and Martin stores. Some years ago the Ritchie family re- moved to Kentucky from their residence here, the house
now occupied by Mr. E. T. Beadle's family on Central avenue.
In the records of the government Councils held in Philadelphia between the dates of April, 1782 and 1789, are many orders made in favor of Craig Ritchie, An- drew Munroe and others in payment for horses, muskets, saddles, etc., lost in the Sandusky expedition; and to John Canon for payment of troops stationed in Washing- ton County during those turbulent times.
Other early industries and business of Canonsburg were the boot and shoe factory of MeClelland & Me- Daniel, the chair and wheel manufactory of J. Orr, which made Windsor chairs and spinning wheels. Both of these were running in 1833.
Samuel Smith had a tannery on Greenside avenue near where the Greenside Avenue United Presbyterian Church now stands, away back in the forties and until as late as the early sixties.
The old wagon-maker shop of Joseph Thompson for many years stood in Greenside avenne. The proprietor is now dead and it is years since the wagon manufactur- ing industry has ceased in Canonsburg.
In 1806 there were six taverns in Canonsburg. At this time a flaxseed mill was located on Brush Run, just below James Craighead's. In the following year there were but three brick houses in the towns. In this year John Roberts had a still-house on Joseph Thompson's corner, now the corner of Greenside avenue and Pitt street.
One of the earliest houses in the town is the Hutchin- son homestead on West College street. It was here that the United States troops came when they put down the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794-5. Another old house was the McAfee house on the northeast corner of East Pitt street and Central avenue.
Among the early inhabitants of Canonsburg were Henry Westbay, who was there in 1793, Thomas Brice- land in 1802, George MeCook, 1802; Daniel MeGill, 1796; John Roberts, 1804; George Kirk, 1811.
During the years of the Civil War, the expiring years of old Jefferson College, the town would have seemed empty without the familiar forms of "Squire" Me- Collough, Gen. Calohan, the wool buyer; John Chambers, the merchant, and loud and vigorous arguments of "Boss Paxton," father of the renowned Rev. Dr. John, of New York, and the genial, steady-going brothers, William H. and Oliver L., who have quietly done as much as any other two men to prosper Canonsburg.
Physicians-Canonsburg has been the home of many physicians. Dr. Hugh Thompson owned a lot in Canons- burg when first laid out in 1787. Dr. Thomas B. Craig- head came to Canonsburg and began to practice medi- eine in 1794. After him came Drs. Samuel Murdoch, James Cochran, J. W. Hilliard, John Warren, M. S.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Pettit, George MeCook, Jonathan Leatherman and later Drs. Barnett, James G. Dickson and J. W. Alexander. The town has at present ten physicians.
Early taverns-The first tavern to be opened in Canonsburg was in the building erected on lot No. 9 of the town plot on the southwest corner of Central ave- nue and West College street, long known as "the Black property, " now owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson and Miss Callie Curry. Herein Andrew Monroe, having pur- chased two lots in 1787 and having been duly licensed by the court, opened a tavern. He continued in the business at this stand until 1801, when his wife, Jennet Monroe, was lieensed and ran the house until 1805, In 1816 Andrew Monroe was appointed postmaster of Canonsburg, and after his death Mrs. Monroe was ap- pointed to succeed him. The postoffice building, we are informed, stood out much nearer Central avenue than the present resideuee, and if we are not mistaken the postoffice was in a room on the second floor. In much later times Jolin E. Black owned the property and lived here, and he and his eharming wife and daughters were important factors in the business and social life of the towu in the days when old Jefferson College was in Canonsburg.
Among the numerous buildings and places of historic interest in Canonsburg and vicinity few are of greater interest than the building now owned and occupied by Mrs. Susan Adams, on North Central avenue. This building was ereeted about the year 1793, or 116 years ago, and was opened as a tavern in 1794. This was a famous gathering place for the men of this region who were engaged in the Whiskey Insurrection iu 1794 and 1795; and when the mails were robbed at a point be- tween Pittsburg and Greensburg with a view to inter- eepting letters which were being sent from the western part of the State to the National government in Phila- delphia, the mail sacks were brought to Canonsburg and opened in one of the rear rooms of the Black Horse Tavern. Among those present when the mail sacks were opened and their contents examined were, David Brad- ford, of Washington, aud the principal leader of the Insurrection; and Col. John Canon, the founder of Canonsburg. It is but justice to the memory of the Messrs. Bradford, Canon and others who took part in that unlawful proceeding to state that they had but one objeet in view, and that was to protect themselves by intercepting the letters which they believed were being sent to the government, giving an aceount of their re- bellious conduct. All the other mail matter was restored to the postoffice and sent on its way.
History tells us that Henry Westbay continued to be the proprietor of the Black Horse nntil the year 1814, when he removed to Washington. ITis son James con-
tinued to manage the tavern for several years there. after.
Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was the sister of the well- beloved Prof. William Smith, of Jefferson College, spoke of seeing people from Kentucky coming into Canons- burg on horseback, accompanied by their servants, who were also their slaves, and of seeing them stop at the Black llorse Tavern. They were on their way to Phila- delphia to buy goods; and they carried their money with them in the form of specie, principally silver, con- tained in saeks. This was probably in the late thirties, or early forties.
In 1810 Joshna Emery was licensed as a tavern keeper and opened business in a buikling which stood on the site of the D. W. Crane residence, on Central avenue, opposite the Academy buildings. Here Mr. Emery eon- tinued to eater to the wants of "the traveling public" until he moved down town to the corner of Main and Pike streets, on the corner on which the Washabaugh hardware store is uow located; and here he continued in business until the year 1840, when he sold out and removed to the west. Some say that it was in the tavern which stood on the site of the present D. W. Crane house that John Quincy Adams was entertained when he visited Canonsburg after he retired from the presi- deney-probably some time in the thirties, but there is no positive evidence obtainable on the subject.
THE OLD BRICELAND TAVERN.
The old Briceland Tavern, which stood for many years on the site of the Citizens Trust Company's building, was for a long time one of the town's most prominent landmarks. When it was built, or by whom, it has been impossible to learn; but this is known, that back in the forties and the fifties and the sixties, iu the days when the old pike was in its glory and the stage coach answered to the express train and trolley car of today, and the freight wagon to the freight train and express ears of the present, Briceland's Tavern was a famous stand.
John Briceland, the son of Thomas Briceland, who was one of the early if not among the first settlers in town, conducted the Brieeland Tavern for many years. Before the war the Briceland Tavern was headquarters for visitors on college contest and commencement days, and also on the days when the militia met in Canons- burg to "muster," or to celebrate St. Jackson's Day, January 8-the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. On these occasions there were refresh- ments both solid and liquid, for in those good old days such a thing as a temperance tavern was unheard of, and it sueh an institution had been opened it would not have lasted a month, for nearly every one drank, "more or less," but generally more. During war times the sol-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
diers passing through to enlist or going home on fur- loughs stopped at Briceland's, and when the survivors of Company G of the One Hundred and Fortieth came home in June, 1865, the town feasted them at Brice- land's Hotel (for taverns had ceased to he in 1865). Later Mr. Briceland's son, John, kept the house and still later it passed out of the family's hands. But under differeut landlords and names it continued to be the town's principal hotel on down until 1903, when the building was purchased by the Citizens Trust Company and toru down and the preseut fine structure erected on the site. For a number of years before the house was torn down it had been known as the Sherman Honse and the Central Hotel.
In 1819 William Finley was a tavern keeper and kept where the Canonshurg Opera House now stands. He was in business until his death, or in all about ten years. About the same time there was a tavern kept a door or two east of the same corner by Thomas Ramsey.
Hector McFadden was licensed as a tavern keeper in November, 1822, on the corner of Main street (now Cen- tral avenue) and East College street, now the Struthers Corner, and continued in business until 1835. McFadden was an Irishman and was popularly known hy the name of "Hecky" McFadden. His place was a popular resort and many a joyous time was had there by the village wits and wags.
INTERESTING EVENTS.
Gen. Washington visited Canon's Mill as his diary shows, September 18-21, 1784, before there was a plot of lots, "and lodged at a Col. Canon's on the waters of Shirtee's Creek-a kind and hospitable man and sen- sible." The great general had fought the British off and now turned to fight off the Seceders from 2,813 acres on Miller's Run which he had obtained by Virginia patents based on soldier land warrants he had pur- chased.
On September 5, 1817, Canonsburg was honored hy a visit from James Monroe, then serving as the fifth President of the United States. The President, together with a number of other officials and friends, was making a tour of the settled portions of the country and on their way through Western Pennsylvania made it a poiut to visit Canonsburg, then attracting attention as the seat of Jefferson College. The President and his suite came into town it appears from the west. They were met at some distance from the borough and escorted in hy the Miller Company of Light Infantry, and a number of gentlemen on horseback. History tells that "a re- freshment was served the President and those who ac- companied him at the Emery tavern," which stood on the northeast corner of Pike and Main streets, (now Central avenue) on the site of the present building
owned hy J. A. Hilfiger & Sons and occupied by the Hil- figer grocery and the W. S. Washabaugh hardware store. After partaking of refreshments the students were intro- duced by the principal of Jefferson College. An ad- dress of welcome on behalf of the town and college was delivered by a committee of citizens, previously appoint- ed to look after the entertainment of the President and suite while here. The President made a fitting response; expressing his appreciation of the welcome and enter- tainment extended him hy the citizens of the town, and commending the people for their interest in the cause of higher education as attested by their support of Jefferson College.
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