USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Columbia > Columbia, Pennsylvania : its people-- culture, religions, customs, education, vocations, industry > Part 5
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Although several locations were considered, the
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Columbia site was chosen because the water of the Susquehanna River was suitable for finishing and bleaching the goods. Many of the original skilled workers came to Columbia from Scotland with the company, and because the Pennsylvania terrain resembled that of Scotland, the immi- grants were reported to feel at home. At one time there was a substantial settlement of Scotch peo- ple in the town.
James Cleland brought to Columbia a thorough knowledge of the lace industry which was part of his family heritage. His great-grandfather started a mill in Darvel, Scotland, in the late 1800's when hand looms were still in use. When Mr. Cleland established the Columbia plant in 1892, he installed eight lace curtain looms with the necessary auxiliary bleaching and finishing machinery. Approximately 100 people were em- ployed, some immigrants from Scotland, but the majority were native Columbians.
In June 1903 the company was incorporated under the name of Columbia Lace Company al- though the ownership and management re- mained the same. New machinery was added from time to time and additional buildings were erected to house sixteen looms by 1938. The larg- est building addition was made in 1925 when of- fices, finishing plant and shipping rooms were expanded.
The local industry bought its cotton yarns used in the manufacture of its products from the southern states of America, with the exception of a small amount of Egyptian yarn which it im- ported from England. At its peak production pe- riod Columbia Lace Company employed as many as 200 persons, many of whom had been with the company since its beginning in 1892. About 50,- 000 yards of lace curtain material were shipped weekly. Besides window draperies, the products included bedspreads, tablecloths, insertions, and during World War II, camouflaging material for the use of the U.S. Army.
In 1951 Columbia's oldest textile mill became a subsidiary of the American Fabric Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The parent firm, re- nowned for its lace and decorative linens, was elected to operate its subsidiary under the old name of Columbia Lace Company.
FOUNDRIES AND MACHINE SHOPS
The growth of the iron interests in Columbia, started in 1836 by Jeffery Smedley and Thomas Hood of Chester County, is of particular interest.
These men built the first steam engine in Lan- caster County, and one year later Mr. Smedley alone built stationary engines and machine parts. When he died, during the cholera epidemic of 1854, the business was left to Henry Brandt, who by 1870 formed the Columbia Manufactur- ing Company.
The Brandt Company was later acquired by the Supplee brothers and became The Supplee Iron Company. The Supplee brothers extended their business by purchasing a large tract of land near the Columbia and Reading Railroad at Fourth Street. In expanding, they sold stock and The Supplee Iron Company was formed.
As early as 1837 Frederick Bougher and George Wolf of York, erected a foundry at the Canal Ba- sin. The contributions of Bougher and Wolf are of particular interest.
When the first railroads were built they had difficulty going around curves without slipping. Therefore, one loose wheel was necessary on every axle. To overcome this difficulty, James Wright, Jr., conceived the idea of a beveled tread. He built a circular railroad for experimenting on a lot owned by John Wright. The beveled tread was perfected and patented.
Bougher and Wolf were the first in the country to manufacture car wheels under Wright's pat- ent. Another of their inventions was a wheel with solid hubs and concave and convex plates. Until 1837 car wheels had split hubs and spokes. An employee, Samuel Truscott, was their pattern maker and noted for his inventions until the firm was dissolved in 1859 at which time Mr. Truscott embarked in the coal-oil refining business.
In 1871, the heirs of George Wolf sold the Bougher and Wolf business to two gentlemen, Perrottet and Hoyt. By 1872, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company purchased the property for a roundhouse.
A machine-shop under the management of Zimmerman Supplee manufactured small sta- tionary engines. This shop was attached to the Keeley Stove Works.
CONTRACTING
In 1820 James Ferguson, born in 1801, began a craftsman enterprise in Columbia that contin- ued through succeeding generations, ending in 1965. Started as a craftsman in wood, Mr. Fergu- son was joined by his son, Christian, in 1870, as a carpenter.
In 1897 (James died in 1867), Christian and his
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two sons, John G., born in 1868 and Emory, born in 1870, formed a partnership for contracting and building.
Emory died in 1900 and the business was con- tinued by John G. (230 North Third Street). In 1923 John G. was joined by his two sons, Wilfred, born in 1896, and Charles, born in 1900, in a part- nership that continued until 1946 (although John retired in 1931) the work was continued jointly by his sons until they separated in 1946, each one pursuing his respective skill.
John G. died in 1957. In 1967 Wilfred retired to devote his time to music and arts, both fields in which he had attained an enviable reputation.
Charles retired in 1965, thus ending his enter- prise in contracting that had its inception 145 years earlier.
The enterprise prospered through the years despite the outstandingly low prices.
One of the 1893 statements in their records lists 114 perch of stone - 25 cents; 1 joist, 32 feet 48 cents; work, 9 hours - $1.80.
FRANK SAHD SALVAGE CENTER, INC.
Frank Sahd and his family first moved to Co- lumbia in October, 1941, and bought the property at 217-219 Locust Street. An antique shop was started in the front section of the building, and in the rear a metal warehouse was the first home of the salvage center. Concentrating on ferrous and non-ferrous metals, most of the business was from out of town, with customers coming from a 150-mile radius.
By 1950 the business increased and the demand for more storage necessitated the purchasing of property located on Lancaster Avenue. From here the business expanded into paper and rags, along with the sale of new and used plumbing, electri- cal fixtures, new and used structural steel and pipe, but the recycling of scrap metals was still the main business.
The business of Scrap Processing requires a tremendous amount of equipment: shears, hy- draulic presses, downstroke balers, portable and permanent cranes with magnets and grapples, loaders, towmotors, torches, tractor trailers, roll- off containers, etc. All of these pieces of equip- ment are necessary to convert scrap into a proper form for use as a raw material in a steel mill, copper mill or paper mill. The end product being a new car, washer, cardboard cartons, or electri- cal wire and plumbing fixtures.
COLONIAL METALS
Colonial Metals Co. opened for business early in 1946 in Columbia in an antiquated building located at the corner of Second and Linden Streets which, prior to being purchased by the founders of Colonial Metals Co., had been vacant for quite a few years.
During the years from 1946 until now, the com- pany has grown from its small beginning to a modern complex of locations in Columbia, Penn- sylvania and Chicago, Illinois, and with offices and representatives throughout the world, em- ploying 300 persons. Sales are approximately $50,000,000 annually. The company is now one of the largest producers of brass and bronze ingots in the United States in addition to being a major factor in the distribution of aluminum ingots and the trading of non-ferrous scrap throughout the world.
The prospects for the continued growth and expansion of the company appear very bright un- der the guidance of a new, young, ambitious and knowledgeable generation of men and women who are gradually replacing the generation re- sponsible for the growth of the company to the present time.
OTHER INDUSTRIES
Other industries that contributed greatly to Columbia's economy included:
Harry J. Knipe, Marble, Granite Works; Fairer & Son, Columbia Boiler Works, 5th & Mill Sts .; William Aherne, Florist, 6th & Chestnut Sts .; Ashley & Bailey, Silk Mill (later Schwarzenbach Huber Co.) ; Bruner Wharves; Columbia Planing Mill, Front & Locust Sts., John D. Forry, propri- etor; Paul J. Engle, Ice; Columbia Coal and Ice; W. H. Kiehl, Ice; Harvey D. Abel, Ice.
Triumph Embroidery Co., East Columbia - F. S. Given, president and treasurer; C. E. Gray- bill, secretary; W. H. Lucas, manager; E. C. Shan- non, assistant. This plant later became Lucas Mfg. Co. and located on Avenue H above 4th St.
East Columbia Brush Co., organized in 1896 by Messrs. William Harm and Thomas Edwards. 300 styles of brushes were made.
Columbia Grey Iron Works, 2nd & Linden Sts., organized August 17, 1891. Manufactured toys, novelties, building hardware. Shipped merchan- dise throughout the United States and foreign countries. Officers were: Joseph W. Yocum, pres- ident; H. B. Stauffer, secretary-treasurer; H. S. Stauffer, general manager.
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Wilson Laundry and Machinesy Co. Formed in 1882 with W. B. Given, president; C. W. Bender, secretary-manager; P. M. Hoffman, treasurer; E. G. Smith, superintendent.
Also: The Old Columbia Flour Mill, Front & Lawrence Sts .; Columbia Mfg. Co., Bridge St., near Second; Columbia Coal & Ice Co., Blunston St., near Tenth; Columbia Gas Co., South Front St .; The Earle Brush Factory, Franklin and 13th Sts .; The Columbia Brewing Co., South 4th St .; Columbia Rolling Mill, 5th & Mill Sts .; Holling- er's Tannery, Lancaster Ave. & 10 St .; Columbia Planing Mill and Lumber Yard, River Front, be- low Locust; Levan & Sons Fairview Flour Mill, South Front St .; East End Rolling Mill, Mifflin & 11th Sts .; Edward C. Bittner, Cigar factory - began operations in 1876.
Schleeger and Witte Cigars were also an inte- gral part of the cigar industry in Columbia.
COLUMBIA TELEPHONE COMPANY
The Columbia Telephone Co. incorporated as a Columbia enterprise on May 6, 1895, with a cap- ital of $5,000, and came into active existence on January 1, 1897. At the turn of the century the capital had been increased to $7,500.
First officers were: H. C. Young, president and general manager; Dr. W. G. Taylor, secretary and treasurer; Dr. S. S. Mann, Capt. C. E. Lenig, Samuel W. Hinkle, C. E. Oberlin, Dr. W. G. Tay- lor, H. C. Young, directors.
The company became a part of the United Telephone System about the middle of the 1900's.
COLUMBIA GROCERY COMPANY
Wholesale grocers located at 111-113 Walnut Street. J. E. Simpson was manager.
H. C. BRUNER & SON
A wholesale and retail coal dealer, H. C. Bruner & Son had offices and yards located at Front and Bridge Streets and at 922 Blunston Street. Branch offices were at 201 Locust Street; W. L. Bucher's Drug Store, at 4th and at 6th and Lo- cust; A. G. Guiles Sons, South Second Street; W. H. Brown, 8th and Walnut; Howard Smoker, Druggist, Five Points.
COLUMBIA ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
A local enterprise that offered the power of electricity, not only for lighting but for every other field of commercial activity, for motive
power, elevators, church organs, blowers, and ventilation. Also forseeing at the turn of the cen- tury future use for cooking and heating, plus the "curling tong heater".
The Beacon Shoe Company; the Susquehanna (Cut) Glass Company, organized in 1910 by Al- bert Roye, who was later joined by his brother, Walter, as a partner. Their sister, Miss Katherine Roye, and brother, Benjamin, were also associ- ated with the factory. The R&S Company; United Sound and Signal Company; The Follmer Clogg Umbrella Factory; Standard Garment Company; Blue Bird, Marietta and Plaza Silk Mills and numerous other concerns have con- tributed to the town's economy through the years.
HEALTH CARE COLUMBIA HOSPITAL
A town meeting was held in the Sunday School room of Trinity Reformed Church, 3rd & Cherry Streets, Columbia, in January 1894, to determine the feasibility of establishing a Columbia Hos- pital. A large number of persons were employed here by the railroads and the iron works and they urged the establishment of a hospital. The pro- posal was adopted and the court approved a char- ter on March 14, 1895.
A large three-story brick building, 115 S. Sec- ond Street was rented and adapted to hospital use. It required two months of work to alter the home - most of which was donated. Thursday, May 2, 1895 the hospital formally opened for pa- tients. In the first year of operation Columbia Hospital admitted 91 patients for which it re- ceived a total of $101.00 in payment. The balance of the $2,500.00 expenses for the year was made up largely through contributions and some state appropriation.
August 1896 a trolley accident on Chiques Hill sent 60 people to the hospital; a new and larger hospial was urged by the citizens.
The State Legislature of 1901 passed a bill ap- propriating a sum of $7,000.00 for the building of a new hospital. Through the cooperation of the citizens in Columbia, Marietta, Mountville and outlying districts an equal sum was raised.
The Board of Directors purchased a tract of land at Seventh and Poplar Streets from the Mif- flin Estate for the sum of $4,000.00. June 14, 1902 a contract was awarded to John D. Forry of Co- lumbia, for $20,000.00 for the construction of a new hospital.
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Thanksgiving Day 1903 a new Columbia Hos- pital Building was dedicated. The last patient admission to this building took place in April 1975. The 1902 structure is being used for offices and storage space.
The laundry building was constructed in 1905. In 1908 a majestic nurses home was constructed at the corner of 6th and Poplar Streets for stu- dent nurses. The last class of nurses graduated in 1930. This home was demolished in 1972 for an expansion of the Columbia Hospital.
An increase in the number of patients made it necessary to enlarge the hospital building built in 1903. Work began in 1925 on the addition to the hospital which became known as the "Gossler Annex" in honor of Philip G. Gossler of New York, a former Columbian, who contributed most generously to a fund drive to cover construction costs.
Government involvement in the health care field had rendered the 1903 and 1925 buidings obsolete.
Between 1961 and 1968, more than a million dollars in new construction and renovation was accomplished. Projects included the construc- tion of a new engineering plant at the rear of the hospital, the complete rewiring of the 1902-1925 structure, the construction of an ultra-modern medical -surgical wing and ancillary wing to ac- commodate ultra-modern operating rooms, cen- tral sterile supply, emergency room, x-ray, heart clinic, laboratory, dining room and kitchen facil- ities.
The construction of a two-story medical-surg- ical wing to replace the old section, costing 1.1 million dollars was opened September 1974. Work was commenced on an ultra-modern maternity wing complete with a nursery for the newborn, labor and delivery rooms. Doctors' lounge, solar- ium and patients' rooms completed in 1975.
A new two-story medical-surgical wing to be known as the "SAMUEL HEINEMAN PAVIL- ION" and costing 1.1 million dollars was opened in September 1974. At that time work began in the conversion of the 1963 medical surgical wing.
Columbia Hospital currently employs a staff of approximately 150 full- and part-time employees and has a medical staff of 22 active members and 38 courtesy members.
COLUMBIA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY
On April 23, 1895 a group of ten women, each appointed by the minister of her church, met
with the Board of Managers of Columbia's first hospital, 115 S. Second St.
Dr. Alex Craig explained to them the duties as Auxiliary members. Within a half hour the women were at work and have never stopped working.
The first benefit which the auxiliary sponsored (with a view of making money) was a trolly ride to Chiques Park on Sept. 5, 1895. Tickets, which involved the ride and a plate of ice cream, sold for twenty-five cents. The proceeds amounted to $75.01. The second project was an oyster supper when $75.00 was cleared.
In June 1897, the first graduation exercises for pupil nurses who had completed the course of nursing, was held in the Presbyterian Church. The Auxiliary gave each graduate a gift of $10.00 - a custom they continued until the last class of 1930 was graduated.
The Board of Managers appointed forty-five new members to the Auxiliary in 1901. The Aux- iliary did not have control of its own funds. In 1930 they made a second plea for a small contin- gent fund - and then were allowed to keep ten dollars.
In the annual report of 1903 - it was reported $3,009.89 has passed through the hands of the Auxiliary in the years 1901-1903.
Each member of the Auxiliary had the priv- ilege of nominating one and only one member a year. The candidates were then elected by the group as a whole. In 1904 the membership had reached 94. In 1969 the membership had reached 1,275 members.
In 1903, the hospital was moved from S. Second Street to the beautiful new building at 7th and Poplar Streets.
The first Christmas bazaar was held in Nov. 1958 - the net proceeds of this first bazaar was $415.25. In 1975 the proceeds of the Christmas bazaar were $4,952.00.
On National Hospital Day, May 13, 1954, a Gift Shop was opened. In 1955 a Hospital Gift Cart was presented, by which gifts were to be taken to the doors of the patients.
An Annual White Drive was conducted throughout the area to secure linens for the hos- pital. In 1959 this drive was discontinued - it had been held yearly since 1921. The Board of Trustees thought it would interfere with The Friends of the Hospital Drive. It was resumed in 1962.
The Auxiliary pledged $7,200.00 for a new so-
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1975-76 BICENTENNIAL CALENDAR
1975
June 22 - Walking Tour from Columbia Community Center
June 22 - Art Show - Columbia River Park July 5 - Stay-At-Home Celebration -
Locust Street Park and Glatfelter Memorial Field
July 5 - Craft Show - Columbia River Park July 20 - Walking Tour from Public Library
July 20 - Colonial Table Setting Display - Public Library
August 17 - Photo Competition - Columbia Community Center
August 24 - Walking Tour from Columbia Community Center
October 12 --- Heritage Day Display - Public Library
October 23 - Mardi Gras Event Parade - Theme "Freedom"
October 29-30 - Market House Event
December 7-19 - Early American Dolls, Toys, Yule Decorations Display - Public Library December 31 & January 1, 1976 - Bicentennial Ball - Gen. Edward C. Shannon Armory
1976
January 1 - Town Criers, in Cooperation with Columbia News, began "crying" news each Friday evening in business district January 21-23 - Inventions and Writings of Benjamin Franklin Display - Public Library. Benjamin Franklin Day Observed February 8-20 - Mementoes of George Washington, early Valentines, Boy Scout Display - Public Library
March 8-19 - Girl Scout Display
April 11-23 - Art Exhibit featuring works of Lloyd Mifflin - Public Library
April 27 - May 8 - Operetta "Daisy" in Fulton Opera House, Lancaster; Sponsored by Riverview Girl Scout Neighborhood, Columbia
May 9-21 - Musical Instrument Display - Public Library
May 16-17 - Tour of local residences from Columbia Woman's Club
May 23 - Lutheran Service, Salem United Church of Christ
June 13-25 - Historical Flag Display, Program - Public Library
June 26 - Art and Photo Show, Chicken Barbecue Supper at River Park
June 30 - Wagon Train passed through Columbia
July 4 - Susannah Wright Display, Program - Public Library
August 8-20 - Colonial Kitchen, Tools Display - Public Library
September 12-24 - Colonial Clothing, Linens Display; Needlework Demonstration Public Library
September 19 - Reformed Service, Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ October 10-22 - Education in America Display - Public Library
October 27 - Market House Event November 21 - Catholic Service, St. Peter's Catholic Church
November 14-26 - Book Display, some by local authors - Public Library December 22 - Strolling Carolers, County Chorus
NOTE: - By September, 1975, a Community Chorus and small ensembles were organized and were heard later in concert.
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In The 1800's
COLUMBIA BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION
OFFICERS
President Mr. Theodore Schwalm
Vice President Mr. L. Bennett Gram
Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Josephine S. Roye
Recording Secretary Mrs. Lucy Snyder
Treasurer
Mr. Joseph Schauren
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. William Brazina Mr. John Crawford Mrs. Phyllis Gamber Mr. Reeves Goehring
CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES
Special Events Mrs. Carmella Mackison
Tour Development
Mrs. E. Witmer Gerth
Historic Research Mrs. Anna Swiger
Arts and Crafts
Mrs. Sandee Horvat
Colonial Arifacts and Antiques Mrs. Josephine S. Roye Acting Chairman
Ways and Means
Mr. William Brazina
Education
Mr. Robert Heiserman
Public Relations Mr. Robert G. Miller
HISTORIC RESEARCH COMMITTEE Anna Swiger John Crawford Grace Keeport (deceased) Hager Risser Sara Mischlich Thomas King Gertrude Wright Beatrice Frank Robert Miller
larium and made the first payment of $1,000.00 at the Annual Recognition Day Service in 1959.
Capping Services were held July 3, 1959 when 36 young women in Cherry Red Uniforms were presented with caps, symbol of having qualified for the duties involved.
During National Hospital Week, May 8-15, 1960 the Pinkie Puppet program was launched. A Pinkie Puppet, the miniature of a Cherry Red Lady is presented to every patient age 1 to 12 years admitted to the Pediatric Ward.
Lenten Musicales and Christmas Cantatas were sponsored the past several years as fund raising projects. They were both inspirational and prof- itable.
The Grinnell Corporation presented a new metal sales cart to the Auxiliary in 1969.
A new gift shop was opened on Jan. 21, 1970. It is located at the main entrance to the new wing.
In 1974 a new event was launched - CHRIST- MAS IN JULY - an outdoor fair. The Auxiliary pledged $150,000.00 toward the $1.1 million "THE SAMUEL HEINEMAN PAVILION" fund.
Ten women started the Auxiliary in 1895; over the years 1,200 women are continuing their tire- less, selfless work, never tiring of serving their fellow man.
EPIDEMICS
Three severe epidemics were experienced by Columbians. The first, an epidemic of Asiatic Cholera, struck here in September of 1854, when more than 126 persons, including several persons who were apparently traveling through here and whose names were unknown, succumed in 16 days of the epidemic duration.
The cholera was brought here by a family of immigrants who arrived here by train on Sep- tember 7, 1854. The father and son were ill and were taken to an empty home on Front Street. Physicians were called and pronounced the ill- ness Asiatic Cholera. Both father and son died during the night. The last death from the disease was reported on September 23, 1854.
The following year the Yellow Fever visited Norfolk, Va., and Dr. J. Clarkson Smith, a bril- liant young physician of Columbia, and Daniel R. Craven volunteered to go to their assistance in Norfolk, in response to a cry for help. Within two or three days of their arrival, both contracted the disease and died.
In 1902 an epidemic of Smallpox struck the community. The extreme contagious nature of the disease required complete isolation and a cen- ter known as the "pest house" was set up in East Columbia in the rear of Manor Street, near what is now 12th Street. A strict quarantine was set up and national guardsmen monitored the build- ing to keep out quarantine violators.
An entire staff (medical, nursing and house- keeping) was maintained at the center. The bor- ough provided food for those families whose wage earner was stricken.
Estimated expense to combat the epidemic was $7,473.51. This included hospital equipment, pa- trolmen, guards, printing and advertising, gro- ceries and meat, vaccine virus, formaldehyde, fumigating, vaccinating physicians at Town Hall, medicines and nurses.
The files of Columbia Board of Health provided this information. H. B. Clepper was board secre- tary and Frank Paine was health officer.
Members of the sanitary committee from Boro Council were Adam Rodenhauser, Benjamin F. Breneman and Harry Mitchell.
Mentioned for cooperation during the emer- gency were G. Mason Rodenhauser, "Pat" Myers and Charles Gingrich, who carried food to the homes of quarantined families, passing the food into the house at the end of long poles. Roden- hauser later served as health officer.
Myers recalled chasing the husband of a stricken woman away from his home when, un- aware that his wife was stricken, he attempted to enter his home. When identified two hours later, they permitted him to enter, then for days had to forcibly prevent him from leaving.
A sad aftermath. Dr. DeMonie, who worked around the clock as health officer and hospital physician, during the epidemic, liked the town so much, he opened an office here. However, because of his work with the smallpox victims, no one would consult him, fearful of him because of his service to the epidemic. After several months he gave up and returned to his former home.
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