Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I, Part 75

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I > Part 75

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After remaining in town for some time the President and party resumed their journey, going towards Pitts- burg. They were escorted as far as the Allegheny County line by the military company and a delegation of citizens.

In later days President U. S. Grant passed through the town.

Worst Gas Explosion in History of Canonshurg-The residence of James D. Little, at the northwest corner of Pitt street and Central avenue, is built on the site of the Greer house, which was destroyed by a gas explosion in the early morning of December 9, 1885. Fire com- pleted the utter destruction of the house. Members of the family made narrow escapes from death.

The Greatest Flood-The Chartiers Valley has been flood-swept not a few times but the highest water in its history, was on the night of Tuesday, August 21, 1888. The bridge at the foot of Central avenue, the bridge at Houston and many other structures were carried out by the flood of that summer night. The Chartiers Rail- way was put out of business for nearly a week, as from Tuesday evening until the following Monday not a train passed Canonsburg. No mails were dispatched or re- ceived during that period.

Tragedies of Long Ago-It was in Central avenue, just opposite the frame building belonging to the Struthers estate, that a young man by the name of Wil- son, a carpenter's apprentice and citizen of the town, was killed in a fight between the town boys and a crowd of Jefferson College students. This was during the win- ter of 1850 and 1851. It appears that there had been bad blood between the students and town boys for some time and there had been a number of scrimmages which resulted, however, in nothing more serious thau torn clothes, bruised heads and bloody noses; but in this final melee the combatants fought at close range, and a stu- dent plunged a howie knife into young Wilson, killing him almost instantly. It is said that the late William Campbell conducted at that time a tailor shop in the

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

frame part of the building opposite where the fight oc- curred, aud that the man who did the deed ran into the shop and left the knife and then ran out.

A student by the name of Ammon, who lived in Mary- land, and whose family was influential, was mixed up in the affair; and he was taken the same night in a sleigh away out across the country towards the Monongahela River, and escaped into Virginia, and later, it is sup- posed, found his way home. He was not apprehended and never returned to Canonsburg. A student by the name of Robinson, from Ohio, was arrested, charged with the crime. He was lodged in the Washington jail and tried later. A number of the ablest lawyers in Wash- ington were engaged to defend him and the jury returned a verdict of acquittal, although large numbers of people continued to believe in his guilt. The affair created an immense sensation in the town and county and was talked about for years thereafter.

Among the tragedies stranger than fiction was the disappearanco from a mountain inn, while en route east with horses, of a resident of Market street. Ilis eom- panions, two young men, returned to Canonsburg with- out him, and a searching party discovered his dead body in the mountains. This was in 1813. His son became one of the town's postmasters.

The death of a lad, whose brother and sister now reside here, ocenrred more than 50 years ago, in the tannery where stands the Greenside Avenue U. P. Church. A pet bear, chained to a tree, in a death embrace erushed ont his life.

A leading drygoods merchant went cast to purchase goods early in the seventies. In Philadelphia he was buncoed, shipped by vessel to Cnba, and for months the town was excited over his disappearance. He returned in poor health and later moved west.

The stories of prison life endured by many of the young men whom Canonsburg sent to the frout in the Civil War are thrilling and evidence a patriotism which makes the old town rejoice.

CANONSBURG SCHOOLS.

When the present briek sehool building in Central ave- nue was ereeted, late in the seventies, after long de- liberation and more or less bitter feeling on the part of some of the taxpayers, it consisted of four rooms, and was believed by some of Canonsburg's conservative citi- zens (and the number of these included a large portion of the population) that the matter of providing school room for the children of the town had been settled for all time to come. Barring fire and earthquake, there was no reason why the building should not forever house all the boys aud girls of school age unless the structure toppled over from old age or general debility.

Four rooms housed all the pupils of Canonsburg 30

years ago. Today thero are 20 school rooms in the borough of Canonsburg, occupying three school build- ings. In addition to this number there are seven rooms and seven teachers in South Canonsburg; two in White Lawn Terrace, two in East Canonsburg, one on Buffalo llill, and one in Alexander Place-a total of 33, all within the limits of the Greater Canonsburg. This is a very good index to the growth of population in Canons. burg during 30 years. In the old borough as many school children are now enrolled as the federal census of 1880 credited the entire town of Canonsburg with people. In 1816 a log schoolhouse stood on the south side of Chartiers Creek on what was for many years the Coleman property, west of South Central avenne. A brick building long used as a schoolhouse, erected in 1816, stood for 77 years on the south side of Water street, east of the flouring mill. The race of the nearby flonr mill coursed in front of the building, aud, a short distance further south, flowed Chartiers Creck. This building after being abandoned as a schoolhouse was occupied as a dwelling, and during its long existenee by the creek bank, was the home, at one time and another, of various families. The building was destroyed by fire December 11, 1893.

A stone schoolhouse formerly stood on the site of the present Central avenue school building. After the erec- tion of the old stone struetnre it was used by Jefferson College. After being vacated by the college the old building was for many years used as a public school- house. In addition to this school, schools were from time to time conducted in private honses. One of the latter schools was maintained for some years in what was onee known as the Burkhart property in Central avenne. This property was owned by D. R. Bebout at the time of its destruction by fire in February, 1908.

The "town hall" was erected in 1843, on the site of the old stone college, and stood until torn down in 1877, to make room for the front part of the present Central avenue school building.

Prior to the passage of the public school law, the schools were known as "pay schools," and were freqnent- ly under the eoutrol of self-appointed committees, or trustees. From the borough records it appears that a board of trustees was in existence in 1816, when the "littlo brick" was built and eertain eoneessions were granted in Water street to Craig Ritchie, John Watson, Dr. Samuel Murdoch (Canonsburg's first burgess), and others, for sehool purposes.

As long ago as 1811 the Rev. D. D. Graham advertised to give a series of instruction in the "study of rhetoric. belles lettres-comprehending the seience of philology." The names of some of the earlier teachers, whose services extended as far back as 1828, have been preserved. Among them are Samuel llindman, John Hindman.

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Samuel Guess, John Roberts, Mrs. Raukin, Mrs. Grier, Joseph Gray, Samuel G. McNeill, Nancy Knox, Mary Ray, David Bas- com, Thomas Wilson, Hugh Sturgeon, John. Strcan, Samuel Patton, James Patton, James McClelland, Betty Sampson, Joseph Norris, Robert Curry (from whom Curry Institute of Pittsburg took its name), Benjamin South and William G. Fee.

From the adoption by the Chartiers Township school district of the school law of 1834 to the year 1857, Char- tiers formed a part of this district. An act of assembly, approved April 1, 1857, constituted the borough of Canonsburg a separate school district, and provided for the election of a board of directors on the 24th of the same month. The following were elected and constituted the first school board of the Canonsburg district: Rev. William Smith, D. D., Benjamin South, Dr. Joseph L. Cochran, James McCullough, Dr. John Weaver, Sr., and Dr. James Dickson.

There were two public schools in the district during the time when it was under the jurisdiction of the Char- tiers board, which extended through a period of about 22 years. About the year 1856 the schools were graded, and a third department added. In 1843 the "town hall," a brick building, containing three rooms-two upon the first and one upon the second floor-was built by the authorities of the borough of Canonsburg, at the expense of the borough, on the site of the old stone college. The board of the Chartiers district and, later, the board of the Canonsburg district were allowed to use this building for school purposes free of charge for more than 30 years.

By an act of assembly approved January 16, 1858, a part of Chartiers district was annexed to the Canons- burg district, constituting an independent district, with the following boundaries: "Commencing at the mouth of Brush Run; thence up said run to the bridge near William Morris' and Mrs. McNary's; thence southwest to the mouth of James Ballentine's lane, southeast of his house; thence southwest to a run near and east of John Weaver's barn; thence down said run to Chartiers Creck; thence down said creek to the place of begin- ning."

In the year 1863 the board of directors of the inde- pendent district of Canonsburg decided to establish a school for the colored children of the district. One John Chase, colored, had died a few years before this time, intestate, leaving a lot containing a few acres situated in the western end of the town. The State Legislature passed an act conveying this lot-which would other- wise escheat as to the commonwealth-to certain colored men as trustees for the use of the colored people of the vicinity, for the purpose of a church and parsonage; with the proviso that if the lot or any part of it should

ever be used for any other purpose it should revert to the commonwealth. As the erection of a schoolhouse was not one of the purposes for which the property was conveyed to the trustees, the board of school direc- tors made an effort to have the act amended so as to include this purpose. The matter was finally satis- factorily adjusted, and the schoolhouse was erected in 1863, aud enlarged in 1870, and continued until 1881, when it was abandoned.

In the year 1877 the number of pupils had so in- creased that the "towu hall" was inadequate for their accommodation, and it was decided to erect a new building. The lot on which this building stood was purchased from the borough and a four-room brick building erected at a cost of about $6,000. In 1883 a four-room addition was built. In 1889 more rooms be- came necessary, and a two-story frame building, in the rear of the Central avenue building, was erected. Later a part of the Jefferson Academy building was occupied.

The number of pupils had so increased by 1895 that another school building became absolutely necessary. After much delay, on account of inability to agree upon a site, a location was secured on the south side of East College street, about midway between Central and Green- side avenues, and here, in 1896, was erected the present pressed-brick building, at a cost of about $20,000. The building contains two stories and basement. There are ten rooms in the building. The four rooms of the High School are located in this building, as is the principal's office. Credit for a good laboratory for the school is chiefly due Dr. A. L. Runion, who has devoted both time and money to eqipping it, although he receives no pe- cuniary benefit for the interest which he has taken in this part of the school work.

The High School dates from 1886, when the school board adopted a full course of study. John B. Anderson was principal of the schools at this time. From time to time the course of study has been revised and ad- vanced. The first class was graduated May 31, 1889. Prof. Anderson was compelled to resign in the spring of 1891, owing to ill health, and died at Claysville in October of the same year. He was succeeded by W. C. Black, who was principal until 1898, in that year J. M. Schaffer was elected to the position, remaining four years and resigning to accept a professorship in Grove City College, Prof. F. W. MeVay, the present principal, has been at the head of the schools for seven years. Under his management they have steadily advanced and are today among the best in Western Pennsylvania. Last year an innovation in the form of a post-graduate course was adopted in the High School. This was in- tended as a move toward making the High School course four instead of three years.

There are 20 rooms in the schools of Canonsburg, four

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of these being in the High School. To maintain the schools eosts the district about $20,000 for the nine months' term. Tho bonded indebtedness of the district is $15,600. The following figures are from the annual statement of the financial affairs of the district for tho year ending June 1, 1908:

Wholo number of schools, 19; number of mouths taught, 9; number of malo teachers, 3; uumber of fe- male teachers, 18. Averago salaries of males per month, $99.44; average salaries of females per month, $56.66; number of male scholars enrolled, 389; number of fe- male scholars enrolled, 432; whole number iu attendance, 821; average daily attendance, 642; average percentage of attendance, 95; cost of each pupil per month, $2.01; uumber of mills levied, 9; number of mills levied for school purposes, 71% ; number of muills levied for build- ing purposes, 11%; amount levied for school purposes, $14,289.30; amount levied for building purposes, $2,- 857.87. Total amount levied, $17,147.17; estimated value of school property, $40,000.

SOUTH CANONSBURG BOROUGH SCHOOLS.

The public schools of South Canonsburg have had a rapid growth, and have kept fully up with the progress made by that thriving borough during the 12 years since South Canonsburg was incorporated 12 years ago. At first the school on the South Side was under the juris- diction of the North Strabane Township school board, and in the early nineties the township erected a new schoolhouse there.

After incorporation (May, 1897), a frame building was erected, bnt owing to the rapid growth of that part of town, within a few years thereafter more room was required. In 1901 a four-room brick strneture was erect- ed, the building being dedicated March 21, 1902.

Two years ago this building became so crowded that another structure was required. The district voted to issue $11,000 in bonds for the erection of a four-story briek school building adjoining the other structure, and this was completed a year or so ago, and has since been tn use.

There are seven rooms. Prof. MeWilliams came here from State College, and has been at the head of the schools for some years, and under his direction good results have been obtained.

South Canonsburg in 1908 had seven schools taught an averago of eight months in the year. The one male teacher received $90 per month and the six females an average of $53.34. The number of pupils enrolled was 392 and the cost of each pupil per month $1.73. The school tax was 10 mills.

Canonsburg was formerly known the country over as an educational center. Here was located in 1802, Jeffer-

son College, the first collego west of tho Allegheny Mountains. Ilere, too, in later years, was the seat of a Theological Seminary and of the Olome Institute, a sem- inary for young women.

"The old college during the sixty-seven years of its separate existence graduated 1,950 students. Of this number 940 beeamo ministers, 428 lawyers, 202 physi- cians, and 374 entered other occupations. Forty-five becamo missionaries of the Cross and carried the Gospel into almost every land upon which the sun looks down. Two hundred forty-six took up arms in the war between tho states, on one side or the other; thirty-four were ehaplains.

"The old college as a separato institution long ago ceased to exist. It may not have ranked very high in athletics, but it did turn out men who made good."

The history of Jefferson College and Jefferson Acad- emy will be found under the general head of education.

The old college buildings, now used for the academy, are haunted with memories of bygono days, although few, if any, are living who wero present in 1833 at the dedication of the "new building" with its two society rooms in the third story and its Providence Hall meeting place.

Fort Job was a landmark in West College street, and stood for fifty-five years as a dormitory for college stu- dents. It contained three stories and basement, there being forty rooms in all. It was bonght by T. A. Straub in the fall of 1902 and razed a year or two later.

United Presbyterian Theological Seminary-About the year 1810 the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Synod de- cided to make two theological seminaries of the one sehool which for many years previons to that time had been situ- ate at Service, Beaver County, this State. It was decided to call the one, "The Eastern Hall," and to locate it in Philadelphia, and to christen the other "The Western HIall," and establish it in Canonsburg-and it was done. The seminary in Canonsburg was opened about the year 1821, with Dr. James Ramsey as its one professor.

In 1823 the trustees of the seminary decided to erect a building for the seminary, and plans were prepared and the contract let. But for some reason, now un- known, the contractors did not complete their work until 1835. In this building the school was housed as long as it remained in Canonsburg-or until 1855-when it was removed to Xenia, Ohio, where it is doing a large and an important work. The seminary was erected in the south of West Pike street, on a lot which now ad- joins the lot on which stands the residence of Squire J. L. Cockins. A part of the quaint-looking three story brick building (which was tho home of the Associate Reformed Theological Seminary) still stands and now belongs to the estate of Matthew Wilson. The other part of the building was torn down many years ago.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church which in 1858 united with the Associate Church to form the United Presbyterian Church, had no college of its own, and consequently mauy yonng wen having in mind to fit and prepare tbeuiselves for the ministry received their liter- ary education at Jefferson College, this place; and theu remained in town and entered the theological seminary where they were instructed in theology. It is pretty certain that had not Canonsburg been the seat of Jeffer- son College the Reformed Theological Seminary would never have been located her. For several years previous to the removal of the seminary from Canonsburg to Xeuia, there were two professors: Dr. James Ramsey and Dr. Abram Andersou. To the credit of these worthy pro- fessors in theology, it may be truthfully stated that some of tbe ablest ministers of the United Presbyterian Church of the generation that has just passed off the stage, or which is just passing, were trained by tbem in the senunary in Canonsburg.

Olome Institute-Olome Institute was founded in 1844, by Mrs. Olivia J. French, the cultured and devout widow of the Rev. John M. French. The name, it is said, was coined by the Rev. Mr. French, and was a contraction of Olivia, the name of his beloved wife, and Home. Rev. Mr. French, history says, would almost invariably write "Olome" at the close of his manuscript sermons, which he delivered as a minister of the Associate Presbyteriau Church. When Mrs. French founded her school in 1844 she named it Olome in honor of her beloved husband. The school had an efficient corps of teachers, and under the able direction of its principal it greatly flourished. The seminary began in 1844 in a modest way, but the number of students rapidly increased, and soon after buildings were purchased which had to be enlarged more than once. In 1857 there were eighty students enrolled and more than one-half of these came from beyond the confines of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Freneb con- ducted the seminary until 1862, or in all about eighteen years, when, possibly owing to the removal of the brother institution-the Theological Seminary-she retired and the school was discontinued. Mrs. French died only a few years ago at 'Marysville, Ohio, at an advanced age.

Fire Companies-Canonsburg has three volunteer fire companies, the first of these, No. 1, baving been or ganized in November, 1900. No. 2 company was or- ganized in 1902, and No. 3 company in 1905.

Canonsburg's earliest fire company was organized iu 1839, in which year the town council, then composed of William McClelland, James McCullough, James Orr, Dell Weaver aud Hugh Riddle, purchased the "Hibernia," a band fire engine that had been used in New York City and did duty at the great fire there in 1835.

In February, 1840, a volunteer fire company was or- ganized in Canonsburg, and it was resolved by council

"tbat the balance of the citizens be classed in three classes, whose duty it shall be to meet once a month to supply the engine with water; each person to furnish a bucket." Failure to attend meant a fine of 25 cents.

The company existed for only a few years, and then disbanded, the "engine" being sold for $35. It was found impracticable to haul the engine up the steep streets in case of fire. Another company was organized in the middle eighties, after the borough had purchased a hook and ladder truck, but this company, finding little to occupy it, dissolved.

Postoffice-Canonsburg has had a postoffice since be- ^ fore the year 1797.

Of the nine persons commissioned for the Canonsburg postoffice in over 100 years, four have been women. Their order of succession after William Clark was Andrew Monroe, Mrs. Munroe, George Kirk, Mrs. E. MeGinnis, Mrs. Jane Martin, George Perritte, Sara Perritte (now Mrs. W. F. Penn), W. K. Galbraith and J. L. Galbraith. A rather remarkable record when we note that four times the plum has dropped into a woman's hand, while only six families have divided the responsibilities and labors of this office in 107 years. And never a charge of irregu- larity has beeu even hinted at in all that time.

On November 2, 1903, the free collection and delivery of mail from the postoffice to all parts of town was begun, the postoffice having in that year become entitled to this service by the amount of business transacted. The receipts of the postoffice for the year 1908 were $11,363.10.

Canonsburg Market House-The market house seems to have sprung into existence with the charter birth of the town. In 1820 the old market house was voted out and the people were called together to decide upon the erec- tion of a new place for barter. In May, 1827, council granted a strip of land 25x45 feet between the houses of Hector McFadden and Andrew Munroe, "to the per- sons who subscribed to the erection of a new market house." Whether there ever was such a new house erected is not certain, but there was a market house built on the east side of Market street (Central avenue) below the present College street and outside the curb line almost in the middle of the street. It was 40x60 feet, a pavilion open on all sides, and the hipped roof was supported by six brick columns. Stalls in it were rented at $1.50 and $1.75 per year. One writer speaking of it says it served its generation, and on oue starlit night in the 60's a few college students witnessed its downfall.

Canonsburg Library-The first mentiou of a library in Canonsburg was when the Jefferson Academy was origi- nally chartered in 1794 under the name of the "Academy and Library Company of Canonsburg." The two liter- ary societies of the college each obtained a good library

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in time. The origin of the present library dates back to 1848 when the students of Olome Institute organized two literary societies which soon started separate li- braries. The books were kept at Canonsburg after the removal of the institute and on February 21, 1879, the Canonsburg Library Association was organized. Tho books were loaned to the association. For many years the library occupied quarters in the Martin buikling on Central avenue, and then for a year or two was located in the borough building.

The Canonsburg Library at present occupies quarters on the second floor of the Donaldson-Gowern building, West Pike street. There are many hundred volumes on the shelves, including all classes of reading matter. In connection with the library a free reading room is main- tained, more especially for the benefit of young men. The association was reorganized in 1905. A. Sheldon is president of the Library association; Charles G. Schade, viec-president ; Harry Black, secretary; Samnel Mun- nell, Jr., treasurer, and Miss Lizzie G. Barnett, librarian.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I, Part 75

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 584

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584