USA > Pennsylvania > Montour County > Danville > Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania : a collection of historical and biographical sketches > Part 7
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THE DANVILLE INTELLIGENCER.
thrust he gave that grand old party. And when the Republican party began to manifest its power, his warfare was directed against it with equal ardor and determined hostility. In 1850 Mr. Best was elected to the Senate of Pennsylvania. The contest however was less a political than a local one. The issue was the question of creating Montour county. Accordingly he received the votes of those who favored 'the project and was opposed by those who ob- jected to the measure, without respect to party. In order to carry his bill through the Senate, which without his vote was a tie, po- litically he by his own vote and the sixteen Whig votes became Speaker of the Senate. He was much abused, but he bore it all patiently, believing that the end justified the means. It was the Democratic party especially that denounced him for what was re- garded as a betrayal of the party, more especially as in the distri- bution of the offices in the Senate he by his vote gave one half to the Whigs. But he finally carried his darling project, and he re- turned home, believing that the sacrifice he had made of his party standing for the benefit of his immediate constituents would be properly estimated. He had almost made himself a political mar- tyr to accomplish the purpose for which he was elected. But he was mistaken. Gratitude is a quality little known in political parties. If a partisan loses caste, even in its own service, the pharisees of the organization curse him, simply because others do. Mr. Best had served his purpose. But the majority of his party ignored his claims when he sought a nomination for Congress in 1856. This is a bit- ter lesson that many earnest politicians have learned. After devot- ing his energies and the best years of his life to a party, he finds that political parties, like corporations, have no souls. After the death of Valentine Best, which occurred in 1858 the Intelligencer was published for some time by Oscar Kepler, in the interest of Mrs. Best. The establishment was then purchased by a number of leading Democrats, dividing the amount into shares, as it still re- mains. The first editor under the company proprietorship was J. S. Sanders. He took charge on the 10th of September, 1858. Mr. Sanders kept up the paper to its old-time standard, and being a first- class printer he made many improvements in its mechanical depart- ment. In 1862 he left Danville and assumed control of a paper in Berwick. In the meantime, Thomas Chalfant had succeeded to the
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
editorship of the Intelligencer, in which position he still continues. Mr. Chalfant moved the office from the basement of the Best resi- dence to the second story of Reed's building, by the canal, and afterwards to the room in Assembly building, which was formerly occupied by the Montour American ; where it is now.
The Danville Democrat.
The Danville Democrat was established by Charles Cook, of whom a sketch will be found in this book. It was commenced in August, 1840. He called it the Danville Democrat and Tariff Advocate, though it always opposed the Democratic party. Mr. Cook con- tinued its publication until 1864, when he sold the office to Joel S. Baily as stated elsewhere. He also published a German paper dur- ing the campaign of 1844, which he called Der Tariff Advokat. In its editorial ability the Democrat was far above the average. While located in the Montgomery building, in 1845 the office was burned with that building. The old hand-press fell through the floor to the cellar but was rigged up and did good service for many years afterwards. During the latter years of its existence the Democrat was located on the second story of the building now occupied by W. C. Davis, on Mill street, in the First ward.
The Montour American.
The Montour American was founded by the author of this volume. The first number was published on the IIth day of December, 1855, in the Montgomery building. It was at a time when the Whig and Democratic parties each had a local organ-the one conducted by Charles Cook and the other by Valentine Best. The new paper, as might be inferred, had a hard struggle for existence in the beginning. But in the succeeding spring it joined in the support of Fremont. and the paper steadily gained in patronage, and proved a success under the administration of its founder. Indeed, the American was a popular favorite, and in its palmy days had a wide circulation among all parties. In 1859 I sold the American to George B. Ayers, of Harrisburg. During his ephemeral editorship, he called it Montour Herald. After a few months he abandoned it and re- turned to Harrisburg, having lost the greater portion of its patron- age. In October of the same year I repurchased the material, and
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THE MEDIUM.
resumed its publication. The old name was restored and its former patrons returned to its support. It was now located in the second story of Gross' building. The American was prosperous and now was firmly reëstablished, enjoying its old-time popularity. But as there were now two Republican papers in Danville, it was deemed best by politicians, that they should be united, as there was naturally always some trouble about a division of the party patronage. Ac- cordingly in January, 1864, I sold the American to Joel S. Baily, of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Charles Cook also sold the Demo- crat to the same purchaser, who united the offices and located in the Assembly building. But in the Autumn of the same year, Mr. Baily, tired of the business, sold it, and I once more assumed its control, and once more gathered its scattered patronage. After some time I moved the office into the Montgomery building, entrance on Bloom street. Here I greatly improved the material of the office and enlarged the paper, and here I brought the first power press, as I had previously brought the first jobbing press to Danville, and sub- sequently I also brought the first steam power to a newspaper office, as well as piloting the way in many other improvements. In 1871 the office was sold to William H. Bradley and Lewis Gordon for $5,000 cash. The American office having originally cost $600, it will be seen that my efforts increased its value $4,400. Some few years later Mr. Gordon sold his interest to Joel Bradley, and subse- quently William H. Bradley sold his interest to Edward Baldy, who afterwards sold to his brother, and it is now published by Bradley & Baldy. on Mill street, having removed it from Moyer Lyon's building which had been expressly built for the office. There is no vanity or egotism in appending the fact that the American to-day has lost popularity but is still supported as the local organ of the Republican party.
The Medium.
After the sale of the Montour American to Messrs. Bradley and Gordon, in 1871 I established The Medium in a second story of Moyer Lyon's block. This was a semi-weekly and is known as the gem of all the Danville newspapers. Many of its files were bound and are carefully preserved ; and although it was published less than a year, yet as much as twenty dollars has been refused for a bound
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
copy of its file. To the Medium office I brought the second, as I had also brought the first, newspaper power press to Danville. The printer boys in the Medium office, H. L. Gould, R. W. Eggert, N. C. Prentiss and Clarke Umstead, well remember that model press as the most complete and beautiful machine they ever saw in a country printing office. Richard W. Eggert had charge of the newspaper department, and took especial pride in making it a thing of beauty. In fact he is proud of it yet. In the spring of 1872, very unfortunately, I sold the Medium office to a company called the " Danville Publishing Company." This was done with a view to establish a large printing house in Danville. They changed the name to The Independent and moved the office to the basement of Thompson's hall.
"The Independent."
The Danville Publishing Company was organized under a charter granted by the Legislature. Mr. William J. Reed was chosen presi- dent, Mr. William Keiner treasurer and D. H. B. Brower secretary. I was also employed as editor. The company then bought a new chromatic jobbing press on credit and also incurred a debt of several hundred dollars in New York. All this time not a cent of the stock was paid in, and in less than nine months the establishment was seized for the debts referred to; it was sold by the sheriff and I never received a penny for the Medium office. My loss was over $2,000. The loss of the company was nothing as they never paid anything. By some mystery to me unknown, the office fell into the hands of S. P. Kase. This loss to me, with the loss met in adjust- ing the complicated interests involved in the sale of the American, swept away the fruits of all my toil for many years and left me with- out means to pursue my favorite profession.
The Mentor.
In the autumn of 1873 as the material of The Independent was lying idle, I joined a party consisting of Richard W. Eggert, John Lesher, William H. McCarty and myself in publishing The Mentor. A printing house was built in the rear of the Mansion House, now occupied by the National Record, and the printing material was leased from Simon P. Kase. But it was not a success, and it was abandoned the following year.
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SAGEBURG.
The Danville Record.
In the spring of. 1876 Mrs. A. P. Fowler purchased the printing material of S. P. Kase and employed me to conduct an independent paper for " The Danville Printing Company, limited," to be styled The Danville Record. The first number was issued on the 16th day of March, 1876. It at once received a large circulation and was patron- ized very liberally by the business men of Danville. And here it is proper for me to say, that of all the devoted friends I ever had, and I have had many, there is none more richly entitled to my grateful remembrance than Mr. A. P. Fowler, of Scranton. He is true as steel to every promise, generous and faithful, a friend in whom there is no guile. Ah! would the world had more like him! In my charge the Record flourished for two years when circumstances ren- dered it necessary that the material should be sold. I was not in condition to buy, and as the hard times gave little encouragement for business in this locality the office was transferred to the new owners in March, 1878.
The National Record.
The National Record is a continuance of the Danville Record, commencing in the spring of 1878, the material of the Danville Record having been purchased by James Foster, Harry Vincent and Victor A. Lotier. After some time Foster and Vincent sold their interest to Victor A. Lotier, by whom the paper is now published. It has been enlarged and is a vigorous Greenback organ. Among the people it is valued mainly for its local department which is under the charge of Richard W. Eggert, who is an excellent compositor as well as a lively localizer. The Record is now the largest paper in Danville and has a fair share of patronage. It is published every Saturday.
Sageburg.
Sageburg, sometimes called East Danville, is perhaps the most enterprising as well as the most beautiful section of this borough, and mainly constitutes the Second ward. From the ward line on Market street, it extends for half a mile or more up the river and is covered with various iron manufactories on the left and dotted over
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
with handsome residences on the right, between Market street and the river bank.
Sageburg did not however derive its name from the peculiar wis- dom or sage appearance of its inhabitants, for they are as lively and pleasant and seem to be as "gay and happy " as any other com- munity. Indeed they appear to have more taste than common, if we may judge by the elegance of their dwellings, the neatness of their premises and the peculiar charm of their surroundings. The picturesque beauty of a vine-clad residence on the banks of the Sus- quehanna, almost in the shadow of Blue hill, that lifts its loity crest for hundreds of feet above the majestic stream, can only be painted by the pencil of the artist or the pen of the poet.
Many years ago, only a single log building occupied the territory now known as Sageburg. In this building an old man by the name of Sage followed the coopering business. Not very poetic indeed, but he was a quaint and curious specimen of the genus homo. Be- ing a bachelor and anxious no doubt, like all the race of man, to leave behind him some memorial more substantial than a flour bar- rel to perpetuate his name, and evidently anticipating a brighter future for the locality, he gave it the name of "Sageburg," by which it is known at the present time, though it then contained only the one building and that a cooper-shop. But the prospective growth of Danville in the distant future no doubt was dimly ap- parent to the old pioneer. He has long since passed away. His shop is no more and the skillful workmanship of his hands is for- gotten. But his name still survives by courtesy, though it has no legal recognition. Other portions of the territory have since been known by different names, originating from different sources, such as Snydertown, Lundy's Lane, Amsterdam and Kulp's Eddy, but all are included in the general name of Sageburg.
Sageburg has become one of the most stirring portions of Dan- ville. The price of property is advancing and in no part of the town can you find so many handsome dwellings, surrounded by shrubbery and all the adornments that make pleasant and happy homes. The business establishments that have sprung up on the line of the railroad, the prospective free bridge, the advantages and beauty of the location, and above all the enterprise of the inhab- itants, conspire to immortalize the name of the old cooper, whose
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ST. PAUL'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
highest ambition was to make a good flour barrel and dub the old wooden shop with the name his father gave him.
Sageburg, or East Danville, though partially cut off from direct trade with the surrounging country on either side of the river, has outgrown all other portions of the town. 'In all its improvements, thrift, enterprise and taste are happily blended. Its manufactories teem with the fruits of industry ; its elegant residences and cot- tages, where fruits, flowers and the clinging vines in their season lend a charm to the scene, make it the favorite ground for summer promenading. It is the care bestowed upon their adornments that give it a rural beauty, combined with the advantages afforded by a town.
Among the public institutions of Sageburg, or East Danville, apart from the religious or educational, is the " Washington Fire Com- pany." They have a handsome building on Market street, and are always prompt at the tap of the bell as well as efficient in action. Their hall is furnished in excellent style and decorated with peculiar taste, rendering it one of the most pleasant places to spend a social hour or to meet for mental improvement. Among the oldest in the fire department is Ex-Chief William C. Walker, but still among the most active, always prompt on time and ready for duty.
The general intelligence, public spirit and social order of Sage- burg, like its external beauty, thrift and enterprise, will compare favorably with any other locality of equal population.
Perhaps the handsomest building in that quarter is the " Cottage drug store." This was built by D. C. Hartman about 1860 and is now occupied by Doctor Jordan as a residence and also as an ex- cellent drug store.
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church.
I have consulted the authentic records of the Methodist Episcopal church and also drawn largely on the memory of those who watched its progress with prayerful solicitude ; but I am chiefly indebted to Mr. Duncan C. Hartman for the names and dates in the earlier days of the church. How vividly the subject recalls the scenes of my own childhood and all the " fond recollections that cluster around the memory of home." Well do I remember old " Father Gruber," and "Father Hunter " in the missionary days of Methodism, when the devoted preachers of the old school were the bold and fear-
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
less soldiers of the cross and heroes of God, who sacrificed homes of ease without regret, and braved a weary life of toil without com- plaint. They were men whose lives demonstrated the doctrine they preached, and whose death was the triumph of a living faith. The humble piety and simplicity of manners that marked the personal character of Methodists in the olden time, was also exhibited in their dwellings and in the unpretending " house," where they gathered to worship. With one accord they ignored the frivolities of society, enforced the doctrine of humility and labored earnestly for the world's redemption. . The fervent zeal, impassioned eloquence, and earnest solicitude for the welfare of others, readily explains their wonderful success.
The precise period when the first Methodist preacher arrived at this place, is not now known ; but they were the second religious body organized here. The first regular conference appointment for Dan- ville was in 1791. This place was then included in Northumberland circuit, which extended from Northumberland up the North Branch of the Susquehanna to Wyoming Valley, and up the West Branch to Great Island. The distance traveled by the circuit rider in making his round was three hundred miles, which was accomplished in six weeks. When the nature of the country and the roads are con- sidered the hardships of the preachers of that day may be imagined, and it required something more than the pittance allowed them, to cheer them onward in their arduous labors. This territory for many years was supplied by only two or three ministers, and it in- cluded present circuits and stations of Williamsport, Newbury, Muncy, Milton circuit and station, Northumberland, Mifflinburg, Lewisburg, Catawissa, Bloomsburg, Berwick, Bloomingdale, Orange- ville, Sunbury and parts of Bellefonte district. Some thirty or forty Methodist preachers are now employed on the same territory.
Previous to 1804 Danville and the circuit in which it was located belonged to the Philadelphia conference. In that year it was trans- ferred to the Baltimore conference. In 1807 it was returned to the Philadelphia conference. In 1810 it was included in the new Gen- nessee conference and in 1820 it was re-assigned to the Baltimore conference, of which it still continues to be an appointment.
The following is a list of the preachers who successively, and we might add successfully, labored in Danville and vicinity by appoint- ment of conference :
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ST. PAUL'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
1791, Richard Parrott, Lewis Browning.
1 792, James Campbell, William Colbert.
1793, James Campbell, James Paynter. 1794, Robert Manly, John Broadhead. 1795, James Ward, Stephen Timmons. 1796, John Seward, Richard Sneath.
1797, John Lackey, John Higby. 1798, John Lackey, John Lead. 1799, James Moore,. Benjamin Bidlack, D. Stephens.
1800, Ephraim Chambers, Edward Larkin, Asa Smith. 1801, Johnston Dunham, Gilbert Carpenter.
1802, Anning Owen, James Aikins.
1803, Daniel Ryan, James Ridgeway.
1804, Thomas Adams, Gideon Draper.
1805, Christopher Frey, James Saunders. 1806, Robert Burch, John Swartzwelder.
1807, Nicholas Willis, Joel Smith. 1.808, Thomas Curren, John Rhodes. 1809, Timothy Lee, Loring Grant. 1810, Abraham Dawson, Isaac Puffer. 18II, B. G. Paddock, H. Baker, R. Lanning. 1812, George Thomas, Ebenezer Doolittle. 1813, Joseph Kincaid, Joseph Chamberlayne. 1814, John Haggard, A. Dawson. 1815, Reynolds M. Everts, I. B. Cook. 1816, John Thomas, Alpheus Davis. 1817, Benjamin Bidlack, Peter Baker. 1818, Gideon Lanning, Abraham Dawson. 1819, John Rhodes, Darius Williams. 1820, John Rhodes, Israel B. Cook. 1821, Marmaduke Pearce, John Thomas. 1822, John Thomas, Mordecai Barry .. 1823; Jacob B. Shephard, M. Barry. 1824, Robert Cadden, F. McCartney. 1825, Robert Cadden, Richard Bond. 1826, John Thomas, George Hildt. 1827, John Thomas, David Shaver. 1828, Charles Kalbfus, William James.
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
1829, James W. Donahay, Josiah Forrest.
1830, james W. Donahay, A. A. Eskridge.
Berwick circuit was formed in 1831 from that portion of North- umberland circuit, which made the labor of the preachers a little less. Danville was still included in the old circuit of Northumber- land and was supplied by the following preachers :
1831, David Shaw.
1832, Marmaduke Pearce, James Forest.
1833, Josiah Forrest, James Reed, Jr.
1834, Henry Tarring, Oliver Ege.
1835, Henry Tarring, John Guyer, R. Beers, Thomas Myers.
Danville circuit was organized in 1836, and also embraced the territory of the present Montour, Bloomsburg, and part of Orange- ville circuits. The circuit of Danville has been supplied by the fol- lowing laborers :
1836, Joseph S. Lee, R. W. H. Brent.
1837, Samuel Ellis, Stephen Hildebrand.
1838, Robert T. Nixon, William Hirst.
1839, Robert T. Nixon, J. W. Houghewent.
1840, George Bergstresser, Joseph A. Ross.
1841, George Bergstresser, G. Guyer.
1842, John Ball, James Guyer. 1843, John Ball, S. G. Haie. 1844, James Ewing, George A. Coffey.
1845, James Ewing, B. F. Brooks.
In the year 1846, Danville was erected into a station. Since that time the following conference appointments have been made for this place :
1846, John Guyer.
1847, Philip B. Reese.
1849, Thomas Mitchell.
1850, Joseph France.
1853, James Brads. 1855, Thomas M. Reese. 1856, J. Wilson. 1857-8, William Harden. 1859-60, B. B. Hamlin. 1861-3, J. H. C. Dosh.
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ST. PAUL'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
1864-5, A. M. Barnitz. I866-7, J. McK. Reiley, D. D. 1868-71, F. Hodgson, D. D. 1872-3, S. Creighton.
1874-5, F. B. Riddle, A. M.
1876-8, W. A. Houck.
1879-80, J. Max Lantz.
This brings up the succession to the present date. The present pastor, J. Max Lantz, is an eloquent preacher highly esteemed by his people.
Rev. Wilson was the most unpopular of any preacher stationed here during my time.
Rev. William Harden was a noble worker in the cause, and has gone to his reward.
Rev. Riddle was an enigma. He was a man you could readily imagine would come in with a rush, rattle about four hundred words in a minute, close up suddenly, pop out at the back door, jump over the fence and push for home three laps ahead of every body else. He was a good scholar and said some excellent things ; but before you could grip them, he would jam in something else and the result was a muddle.
Rev. Barnitz was a solid thinker and a plain, earnest, effective preacher. He was highly esteemed.
Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, D. D., was perhaps the most popular of all the Methodist preachers, stationed here in recent years. He was in high favor with the community and was the chosen orator on public occasions.
Rev. Dr. Hodgson was a finished scholar and was in the front rank as a controversialist. He wrote several books of great merit. He also has finished his work and gone to his rest.
Rev. Dosh was an earnest and pleasant speaker and served his mission well.
Revs. Creighton, Reese, Hamlin and Brads, all made an honora- ble record here, and could not fail in accomplishing much good.
Rev. Houck, now in Lock Haven, is a splendid logician, remark- able for the clearness and force of his conclusions. As a pastor he is equally felicitous, kind in his sympathies, but stern and exacting where christian duty is involved. 6
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
Rev. Lantz the present pastor in charge, is regarded as one of the best speakers with which conference has favored Danville. He is highly esteemed by his people and cannot fail to make a good and lasting impression on his charge.
In looking over the list of preachers away back to the beginning of the century, how many delightful associations and stirring scenes are called to mind, by the octogenarians, as they peruse the names of the laborers who have broken the bread of life to the people of Danville. The introduction of one and the solemn farewell of another-the glowing eloquence of the young-the powerful logic of the learned-the kind persuasion of the compassionate-the fer- vent appeals of the enthusiastic-and the solemn warning of the aged, are brought from the store-house of memory, as the thoughts go back to the time when their living voices were heard in our midst. Many of these marshals in the camp of God, after performing deeds of heroism more glorious than the taking of a strong city, or conquer- ing a world, have long since fought their last battle and gone to their reward; and other sentinels on the towers are on their last watch, and soon will lay their armor by, " having fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished their course," one by one will follow the van guard to that bourne from whence no traveler returns, to join the faithful of all ages and wear the starry crown of everlasting life.
The first class in Danville was formed in 1815, and was originally composed of George Lott and wife, Mrs: Donaldson, William Hart- man and wife, and Samuel Steele.
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