USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I > Part 89
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The careful work of the plumbers has well preserved the town from explosions and fires.
On Friday morning, July 17, 1891, as Samuel Bigley, of Mt. Morris, a nitro-glycerine shooter, was passing out East Maiden street with his team of horses and twenty quarts of nitro glycerine, a terrific explosion occurred. Only the fragmentary remains of the unfortunate man could be found. A hole in the middle of the hard pike, six feet in diameter and two and a half feet deep, marked the point of the explosion. Thirty feet away were the terribly mutilated carcasses of the two horses. The re- port of the explosion was heard many miles away and windows in all houses within several hundred yards were broken. The brick house of Work Hughes, Sr., and the frame house of Lee Minton were almost totally wrecked. A horse shoe was blown with such force against the side of a frame building near by that it was imbedded and stieks there to this day, being frequently pointed out to passers by.
A wreck occurred Friday morning, October 19, 18SS, at the B. & O. Y, near Franklin street. The entire train, consisting of the engine aud tender, an express, a bag-
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HAZEL FACTORY NO. 2 OF THE HAZEL-ATLAS GLASS COMPANY, WASINGTON
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467
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
gage, a sleeper and two passenger cars were demolished by running into an open switch and falling over the trestle. The engineer and fireman were killed and a score of persons were injured.
About 12:30 on the night of the 20th of October, 1893, Samuel Dorsey, one of the wealthiest eolored inhabitants of Washington and a member of the borough eouneil, while returning home from his barber shop, was shot and killed on the north side of East Walnnt street, midway between Lincoln and College streets. It was always supposed that the motive was robbery, although when he was found he had a considerable sum of money in his clothes. At the same time two persons, a large and a small man, were seen running from the spot. The same night two men, a large and a small man, were seen at Meadowlands and later at Canonsburg, where they stayed at a hotel kept by a colored resident. From there they went to Pittsburg. Some time afterward Frank, alias "Kid, " Bennett was arrested by a Pittsburg detective ageney, tried for the murder at Washington, and aequit- ted. It was thought that the deed was committed by Beu- nett and Joseph Brown, as the two had been seen together near the Phoenix Glass Works. Joseph Brown was ar- rested but never tried, as there was not sufficient evidence against him. The murder still remains a mystery.
A great many artieles formerly manufactured here are manufactured elsewhere. John Town manufactured and sold eopper stills and copper stemmed ware, and adver- tised that he could be found opposite Bryson's brewery. Hats were manufactured, as were chairs and other home- made furniture. John House was then engaged in the eoopering business, which was very common in those days wheu barrels, churns, one-half bushel measures, wash tubs and such wooden ware was much in demand. The Hart family were also manufacturers of eroekery ware and clay pots. In 1845, boots and shoes were made in the town in sufficient quantities to supply the demand and ' tailoring was a very extensive business, conducted by many assistants called apprentices. The manufacture ing the longest life was that of the grain eradle. "The famous Miller cradle" was mannfactured at least as early as 1845 by Aaron Miller at which time he had recently hired Enoeh Miller, a "recognized good work- man." These eradles had a wonderful sale throughont the country and its market widened and the work was carried on after the death of Aaron Miller by his son John B. Miller, and later by Mrs. J. B. Miller, who with her family resides on the old Miller homestead on the Burgettstown grade road in Canton Township. It was thought that the wide introduction of reapers and bind- ers would destroy this trade but instead it inereased iu later years and many thousands were shipped throughout the country, especially into Virginia. In 1902 the Wa-
bash Railroad attempted to make an entrance into Wash- ington, and the Pennsylvania Lines in thwarting this at- tempt purchased the cradle factory and the elevator building which stood along its lines just north of the Chestnut Street depot. The machinery and the business of manufacturing grain cradles was then sold to Mr. J. A. Schab of Moundsville, W. Va., who is continuing the manufacture of the celebrated four-fingered cradle.
Washington Mechanical Society .- In 1792 the town of Washington would appear to have made considerable progress in manufacturing, as in that year there was formed in the town an association ealled the "Washing- ton Mechanical Society." Among the objects of this society was the eneouragement of all branches of man- ufactures, making historical collections, and expressing political sentiments. The society started a tin manufae- tory which seems to have prospered until the close of 1800, after which date its history is wrapped in obseurity.
A certain David Reddiek appears to have been a prom- inent member of this society, as he is in most cases the mover of the resolutions offered, and the standing ehair- man of committees, and also the orator on each recurring St. Tammany's Day, when the society ate an annual din- ner. In November, 1789, Parker Campbell, Esq., who became an eminent member of the Pennsylvania bar, joined the society, and is frequently after that on eom- mittees, and the annual orator. Dissensions of a polit- ieal character, which arose in the society, ultimately eaused its dissolution.
Washington Steam-Mill and Manufacturing Company. -In the year 1814 the Washington Steam-Mill and Man- ufaeturing Company was organized, with the following directors: Alexander Reed, Robert Hamilton, Obadiah Jennings, Thomas Acheson, David Morris, Hugh Work- man and Thomas H. Baird. A steam flouring mill was built at the foot of South Main street and water eon- veyed by wooden pipes from a spring on the lot now occupied by the Adams Express Company on South Main street below Maiden, and several of the lot owners through which it passed had fountain pumps connected with these pipes. Two years after the organization of the company the mill was purchased by Thomas H. Baird who soon added a wool earding machine. The mill was operated afterward by leasers, who also installed a pull- ing and dyeing department. The mill was destroyed by fire May 19, 1831.
The Zelt Flouring Mill was erected in 1844 by Sam. uel Hazlett and Daniel Dye who ran it for a while. afterward selling out. Finally it came into the hands of the present owners, the Zelt brothers.
Jacob Zelt started brewing in Washington in 1845 and in 1849 built the present Zelt Brewery, now known as the Washington Brewery.
In 1846 Brice, Frisbie & Hitchcock built a foundry
468
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
which was operated by different persons until 1896 when the Second U. P. Church was built on the lot. It was first engaged in casting stoves.
Sheldon B., Charles and Morgan Hays crected a car- riage manufactory in the rear of what is now the court house square in 1841. The factory was of frame, thirty by fifty feet, and two stories in height, and its business was conducted under the name of S. B. Hays & Co. The wood work, trimming, painting and smith work were all conducted in this building, the business not covering a very extensive territory in its inception.
Business soon increasing, a brick annex was built, and horsepower was installed therein, to do the sawing and turning. The engine was four horse power, and by running it for three days of each week, enough machine work was turned out to keep the hands for the rest of the weck.
On November 8, 1851, the factory was entirely de- stroyed by fire. This was on Saturday, and by Monday of the following week, the firm had secured the old First Presbyterian Church building on South Franklin street, and was preparing to resume business. The seats were taken out and all hands fell to working on orders as if nothing had happened.
This concern employed thirty-three hands and made an excellent vehicle, which had a reputation all over the United States. Unfortunately the greater part of their trade was in the south and was broken up by the Civil War. The prosperity of S. B. & C. Hays began to wane in the late 60's and they eventually withdrew from the business world. House's Carriage Factory was es- tablished in 1868, and did business for a few years.
Wool carding establishments were instituted in Wash- ington County as early as 1807. In 1808 David and Thomas Acheson in an advertisement said:
"Conceiving it to be our duty to lend all our aid in order to promote the interest of this western country, and to encourage manufacturing, whereby we may become truly independent of foreign nations, assert that the western part of Pennsylvania, being well adapted for the raising of flax and manufacturing of linen, propose to purchase any quantity of flax and tow linen, if wove forty-two inches wide, so as to measure forty and one- half inches when bleached, for which we will pay from four to six cents per yard extra above the common price."
On the 15th of August, 1815, the wool growers of Washington County were invited to meet in Washington to consider the propriety of establishing a woolen manu- factory to be erected by stock.
A two-story brick woolen factory was built by David Acheson in 1827. The factory was purchased by James Darling & Co. in 1836. Later it was owned in turn by
Samuel Hazlett who discontinued its use as a woolen factory.
A woolen factory was established by Philip Buckley about 1843, and passed at his death in 1853 to the hands of David Campbell. It was situated on West Beau street and had a fifteen horse power engine. It required, in raw material, about 17,000 pounds of wool annually and its output was about 1,200 yards of flannel and blankets. The property was worth about $6,000.
In 1867 John Hoon, established on the west end of Belle street the woolen factory in the large two-story extensive brick building; and on the 16th of April, 1869, he received John McClain as a partner. The es- timated value of the plant was $8,000. A twenty horse power engine was used. The manufactory handled 30,- 000 pounds of wool, spinning it into yarn carding and weaving it. They manufactured 2,500 yards of blankets and 1,600 yards of flannel annually, employing five hands. In 1881 Mr. McClain started a broom factory in con- nection and about twenty-five dozen brooms were made per week.
Washington also boasted a large tannery in the 60's, conducted by Thomas J. Hodgens and John McElroy. The firm manufactured annually about 4,000 sides of leather, and 1,500 calf and kip skins, using three hun- dred cords of oak bark, and employing eight hands. In 1867 Thomas Walker and William Fitzwilliams estab- lished a steam planing mill, which did a large business for a number of years.
Some of the other early industries were as follows: On the north side of West Maiden street, George K. Scott had a lumber yard which was the first one estab- lished in Washington. Col. James Ruple manufactured threshing machines, wind mills, brick and woven wire, on the south side of West Wheeling street. John Mor- row had a wagon making and blacksmith shop on East Wheeling street, as did also Robert Hartford and John Hallam. On the south side of East Chestnut street James Dagg and afterwards James and Jackson Dagg had a wagon maker shop. On the south side of Walnut street, John McConaughy, a wood pump maker, was located. John Best, wood carver, and sawmill, at the corner of Beau and Franklin streets. William Stone had a wagon maker's shop on East Maiden street where the Seminary now stands.
Prior to 1844, James Ruple, grandfather of C. M. Ruple, Esq., sank a shaft for coal on a lot close by the location of the Phoenix Glass House, west Maiden street. Water was too strong and the shaft reached only about 100 feet.
In 1864, Messrs. Parkin, Marshall & Co., sank a shaft on the Shirls farm, at the foot of West Beau street. A coal vein five and one-half feet in thickness was found
469
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
at a depth of 350 feet. Thirty men were employed and about 1,000 bushels of coal mined per day. Coal was mined until 1870, the Legislature passed at law requiring coal companies to construct other means of escape and ventilatiou thau by the main shaft. The company was unable to go to this great expense aud the property was sold and afterward came into the possession of the Washington White Lead Works Company. The coal mines that were opened gave work to a new class of labor, with which the section was unacquainted before.
In 1880 the Washington Lead Works Company, com- posed of Edward Little, W. W. Smith, John A. Best and Frederick King, was organized. The Washington Coal Works land, at the foot of West Beau street, was purchased aud the company manufactured about 1,000 tons of white lead per year. The company ran for about ten years.
Washington is the central town iu one of the most extensive fields of high grade fuel coal in the wide world, and is in a wonderful natural gas and oil field. It is also the center of what may be called the labor market, and in addition to all this, its railroad facilities are equal to those of most towus of the size in the same coal field.
Mr. Charles N. Brady saw the opportunities in Wash- ingtou with its healthy atmosphere, central location and cheap fuel, and started the town into its manufacturing development in 1887 by making it the center of glass plant industries. The oil and gas development about the same time brought in new industrial features, boiler works, tank factories, machine shops, lumber yards, sand reel and sueker-rod factories and a variety of plants.
Some idea may be obtained of the importance and variety of Washington's industries by the following re- ports of a number of them for the year 1907.
Firmu
Employees. Wages.
Tyler Tube and Pipe Company 760
$ 500,000
Pittsburg Window Glass Company.
200 142,000
Duncan-Miller Glass Company
185 125,000
Atlas Glass Works and Hazel Nos.
and 2 ..
1,300
625,000
Jessop Steel Company
300
208,000
Griffiths Tin Mill
100
100,000
McClure Tin Mill
290
170,000
Phoenix Glass Company
100
72,000
Washington & Canonsburg Railway Company
70
60,000
Washington Electric Light & Power Company
25
21,600
Walker & Slater
25
25,000
Washington Ice Company
35
20,000
Vester, Stewart & Rossell
40
35,000
B. D. Northrup
28
20,000
Zahniser & Sten
20
10,000
Yonng Packing Company
18
11,000
J. JJ. Davin
10
10,000
M. R. Zahniser
15
10,000
Gardner Engine Company
15
15,000
Donley Brick Company
30
10,000
Capitol Oil, Paint Varnish Company ..
17
12,000
Findlay Clay Pot Company
48
30,000
Dunbar & Wallace
12
10,000
William Forgie
35
20,535
John W. Hallani
128
60,000
Scattering
295
189,000
Total
4,025
$2,508,135
Just how many earloads or how many tons of freight originate in the Washington district is not definitely known, but it has been stated that perhaps no other town of the same size in the country had a higher production of car loads annually than Washington.
As most of the town's industries turn out glassware in some form or other it will readily be seen that the freight is what is denominated as high class. As an example, the Hazel-Atlas factories, three in number, shipped in the neighborhood of 2,000 carloads of high class freight during the past year. In addition to the shipments from these plants the Duncan-Miller, the Phoenix, the Highland and the Pittsburg Window factories shipped perhaps as many more, making a total of upward of 4,000 carloads of high class freight from the glass industries alone.
It is equally impossible to give the figures of produc- tion of freight by the community's industries engaged in the different forms of the iron business, but this was enormous when the output of the Tyler tube mill, the Jessop steel mill, the MeClure and Griffiths tin mills, the several oil well supply works, the paint works, the pot- tery and others are eonsidered.
Hazel-Atlas Glass Company-The Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, which operates three factories in Washington and one each in Wheeling and Clarksburg, W. Va., em- ploys more hands aud pays out more wages than any other manufacturing concern in Washington. The Washington plants are known as Hazel Nos. 1 and 2 and the Atlas.
The Hazel Glass Company was the first glass company to locate in Washington. In 1887 the firm of Brady & Tallman was formed, and a factory built on the old Lead Works' lot, with about sixty employees.
Afterwards it developed into the Hazel Glass Company, with C. N. Brady as president, aud A. B. Paxton as sec- retary. A larger factory was built between the B. & O. and Panhandle railroad tracks and west of Main street.
This factory is now known as Hazel No. 1. The Atlas Glass Company was started in 1894. When the Hazel- Atlas Glass Company was organized these separate plants
470
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
became its property. Since then Hazel No. 2 has been built.
At Hazel No. 1 there are employed 450 persons, fifty of whom are girls. This plant last year shipped a total of 800 carloads of finished ware out of Washington, and the ware found its way into all parts of the inhabited globe where anything is sold put up in glass.
The pay-roll for No. 1 amounts to $180,000 per year. At this factory the output comprises chiefly what is known as "packers' ware," that is, ware used by preservers of fruits, vegetables, wholesale druggists, manufacturing chemists aud for beef extraets and potted meats. This plant is located along the Pennsylvania lines and also has switching connections with the B. & O. Railroad.
Plans were recently adopted and contracts let for the rebuilding of the main part of this faetory. The new structure is modern in every respect and is constructed of steel. The cost is about $20,000.
Hazel glass works No. 2, owned and operated by the Hazel-Atlas Company, is located at the junction of the B. & O. system and the Connecting Railroad, on the western edge of Greater Washington. At this factory 425 persons find employment, thirty of whom are girls. The annual pay-roll reaches $200,000, and the carload shipments run about 1,000. The output comprises chiefly bottles, denominated as "pickles," "inks," "milks," etc. During the past year a new furnace was added to this works, making four now in use. The cost was about $2,500 and other betterments raised the total to about $5,500.
The Atlas Factory of the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company -- The Atlas Works are located on South College street, and also have switching connections with both railway sys- tems running through Washington. Here are made ma- chine blown fruit jars and some packers' ware, but the plant is devoted chiefly to the making of fruit jars. The annual pay-roll amounts to $175,000, divided among 350 employees, including forty girls. The jars made at this factory range in size from twelve ounces to sixty-four ounces in capacity, and like all the products of the Hazel- Atlas Company are sold throughout the eivilized world. The shipments last year reached 1,000 full carloads.
Betterments at this plant are now under way which will cost $2,500, and comprise a new furnace, which will add a large percentage to the prodneing eapacity, the number of employees and the annual pay-roll. Few people in Washington know the work eonneeted with the manufae- ture of the common every-day fruit jar and the mountain height of bottles handled automatically and used in their shipment.
Duncan & Miller Glass Company-One of Washington's solidest and most successful manufacturing concerns is the Dunean-Miller Glass Company, which located along the Pennsylvania lines in 1893 and began the making of
fine pressed tableware. Since these works were built the town has spread well on to a mile further out on what is now known as Jefferson avenue. The company's product is marketed throughout the world and the firm enjoys the reputation of being among the few at the top of their line of business.
The products of this concern are tableware, lamp goods, sugar bowls, pitchers, tumblers, salters, candlebra and other fine pressed ware and gas and electrie ware, in the manufacture of which are melted weekly from thirty to thirty-five tons of sand, nine tons of soda, three tons of lime and three tons of nitrie soda.
Washington Glass Company-This company was or- ganized by some of the leading men of the town April 27, 1888, and manufacture medieines and small bottles and glassware. The plant of the Washington Glass Man- ufacturing Company was located on West Maiden street. The company was reorganized in 1896. The new com- pany manufactured plain and decorated lamps, shades, globes, chimneys, specialties and novelties. The officers after reorganization were A. W. Polloek, president ; C. N. L. Brudewold, general manager, and Henry Sehoen- thal, seeretary and treasurer. This property was sold to the Phoenix Glass Works.
Phoenix Glass Works-The Phoenix Glass Works is located in the First Ward along the tracks of the Penn- sylvania lines, as successor to the Washington Glass Works. This is a branch of a large concern which also operates at Rochester and Monaea. The local output in- cludes electric light supplies, with the exception of bulbs. The product goes into all seetions of the world where electric light is used, the Westinghouse. Company being one of their largest eustomers. A recent shipment from the Washington factory was billed through to the Isth- mus of Panama, while large shipments are almost daily going out to San Francisco. The company has operated what was formerly known as the Washington Glass Works for a period of five years. Its glass workers are all highly skilled and make good wages. During the past year two press shops were added to the equipment. This works has 100 employees and pays out $72,000 in wages yearly.
The Highland Glass Company was organized February 7, 1901. J. W. Paxton is the president and R. M. Tor- rence, secretary. The Highland No. 1 Glass Works is lo- cated at the side of the railroad on the end of West Beau street. The lot was formerly occupied by the Beatty- Brady Glass Company, and prior to that by the Lead Works. This lot was at one time occupied by the Hazel No. 1. Highland factories Nos. 2 and 3 are located along the line of the Chartiers Road at the extreme end of Tyler Ward. These companies are engaged in manu- facturing high-grade cathedral glass and other fine glass of similar character.
471
IHISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
The Novelty Glass Company was organized iu 1895. The factory is situated on Sonth Franklin street across from the First Ward school building. At this factory tumblers, mugs and novelties were manufactured. The plant was later takeu over and operated as the Sterling Glass Company and is at present shut down indefinitely.
Pittsburg Window Glass Company-Que hundred and eighty-five of the 210 employees of the mechanical de- partment of the Pittsburg Window Glass Company's Works, located on the Couneeting Railroad, are skilled in the highest degree, and make wages that many so-called professional meu would be glad to enjoy. The total annual pay-roll of this company goen considerably over $200,000, and as the plant is only engaged in manufac- turing for ten months iu the year, it is easily seen that the window glass workers are among the best paid work- men in the eonntry, and that means, of course, in the world. This factory began operations in Cetober, 1901, and has enjoyed increased business with each succeeding "fire."'
The Tyler Tube & Pipe Company is one of Washing- ton 's oldest manufacturing concerus aud has without doubt paid out more wages than any other in the town. The product of this works consists of boiler tubes, a specialty being made of tubes for locomotive boilers.
The average number of employees is 760, and the au. nual pay-roll will amount to $500,000. One-half of the employees are skilled.
The plant is located on the Pennsylvania lines a short distance below the junction of the Connecting Railroad. Its ontput is admitted to be equal to any made in the country and is marketed in all parts of the contineut. The number of tubes made in a year runs away up into the millions.
The Tyler Tube and Pipe Company was organized in 1890, with a capital stoek of $200,000.
Washington was, indeed, fortunate when the Tyler Tube Works, the largest concern of the kind in America, de- eided to locate here. Originally the works of this com- pany were located in New England, but it was soon found necessary to seek a locality uearer the source of supply, and Washington was therefore ehosen. The abundance of natural gas for fuel purposes was still another important incentive. The company nses both natural gas and gas of its own manufacture, made from eoal obtained west of the county home. The natural gas makes the most intense heat. It was originally intended to erect a tube mill alone, but the question of a suitable supply of iron and the preparation of that iron for the finishing process of the tube mill, led to the erection of the rolling mill, which is uow an important part of the present plant. Considerable material from these works is purchased by the United States government to be used in the construc- tion of marine boilers for war vessels.
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