USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 78
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Many of the buildings both in Pittsburg and Allegheny are splendid. The new Court House completed six or seven years ago is an immense work. "It is situated on Grant's Hill, on a lot formerly the property of James Ross, Esq. This edifice stands on an eminence so high above the city as to afford an extensive and beautiful view of the hills and valleys of the three rivers-the Allegheny, the Monongahela and the Ohio, with all the towns and villages for miles around. The architec- ture is of the Grecian Doric order, a style the most noble and imposing left us as a legacy by the ancients. The ruins of Pastum and the Par- thenon at Athens contain the finest specimens of this class-the wonder and admiration of all modern travellers.
" The main front is divided into a hexa-style portico, and two pseudo peripteral wings. The building is 165 feet long, and 100 feet broad, and is connected with the jail in the rear.
" The basement contains 8 rooms, 4 of which are 32 by 25 feet each, and the other 4 are 15 by 32 feet each. These are used for public offices ; the prothonotary and recorder occupy the two in front, and the commissioners, clerk of sessions, &c., those in the rear. The whole of this story is made fire proof with groined arches, and makes a safe de- pository for the public records. These rooms are connected with each other by commodious passages, 12 feet in width.
"The principal story contains a rotunda 60 feet in diameter, 4 court rooms, about 45 feet square each, and two jury rooms, each 20 by 18 feet. Each court room is connected with the rotunda by two entrances, the one for the members of the bar, and the other for the public.
"'I he rotunda is 50 feet high to the base of the dome, which is sup- ported by 8 Corinthian columns. The dome at the base, is 37 feet in diameter, and is finished on the top by a lantern ; from the highest part of which inside, to the floor of the rotunda, is 128 feet. The ceiling of the dome is exceedingly beautiful, being executed in stucco work with enriched paneling. In the base of the dome are 8 circular headed win- dows, which throw a softened and subdued light into the rotunda.
" The second story is connected with the rotunda by three stone stair cases ; the main one is lighted from a small cupola which, with the ceil- ings of the stair case, exhibits richly ornamented stucco work. This
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story contains 5 rooms on each side. The eastern side is appropriated to the District Court of the United States, by which it is already occu- pied, and furnished in the finest style. On the west side are the rooms for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the public library, the judges, grand and petit jury. Each set of rooms is approached by a spacious corridor, 12 feet wide, and running the whole depth of the building, which gives to these apartments a high degree of elegance and com- modiousness.
" The height of the principal story is 20 feet, that of the second story, 15 feet; and from the floor of the basement to that of the principal story, is 13 feet.
" The floor of the portico will be 20 feet above Grant street when graded, and is gained by two flights of stone steps in front. Here stand 10 massive columns, 33 feet high and 5 feet 10 inches in diameter. These are of solid stone and fluted, and with their capitals are finely polished. From the level of Grant street when graded, to the top of the lantern is 148 feet. The Court House and Jail stand upon a lot 240 feet square, both are built of sand stone from quarries in this vicin- ity. The principal fronts of both are enriched and polished.
" 'The Court House has been in the progress of erection for about five years, at a cost of near $200,000, and is pronounced by judges to be one of the most elegant edifices of the kind in the United States."
The Western Penitentiary. on the Gothic plan, is situated on Beaver street, in Allegheny city. For utility in perfecting all the ends of pun- ishment as well as for economy and profitable results, it is, perhaps, not surpassed by any establishment of a similar nature in the country .- The aggregate profit from the labor of convicts for the last year, ex- ceeded by several thousand dollars, the charges necessary for their maintenance. The report of the attending physician, presents the singular fact, " that our Pennsylvania system of solitary confinement, with labor, is rather conducive than injurious to the health of the per- sons confined."
There were in 1842, in Pittsburg and its environs, fifty-five places of public worship, belonging to the different denominations, viz :-- Pres- byterian 20, Associate and Associate Reformed 6, Episcopalian 5, Bap- tist 4, Catholic 3, Lutheran 2, Congregationalist 2, Disciples 2, Unitarian, German Reformed, German Protestant, Church of God, 1 each, Welsh 3, Colored 4. Several churches have since been erected.
Banks and Insurance Companies in 1840-Bank of Pittsburg, capi- tal $1,200.000. Merchants' and Manufacturers' Bank, capital $600,000. Exchange Bank, capital $1,000,000. Farmers' Deposite Bank, capital $500,000.
Pittsburg Navigation and Fire Insurance Company, capital $250,000, in shares of 100. The Firemans' Insurance Company, capital $260,- 000, in shares of $25 each. Beaver County Insurance Company, capital $400,000, in shares of $50 each. American Fire Insurance Company, and Philadelphia Fire and Inland Navigation Insurance Company.
Pittsburg Water Works .- This public improvement was first put into operation in 1837, and supplied a very large portion of the city [316]
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with pure and wholesome water taken out of the Allegheny river, raised by means of a powerful steam engine into a reservoir above the level of the city, from which it is distributed by pipes of various calibre through the streets.
The gas works were erected in 1836, and are under the direction of twelve trustees, elected by the city councils. All the principal streets are now lighted with gas. The bituminous coal of this region is well adapted to the production of gas.
In 1842, there were six daily and twelve weekly newspapers pub- lished in Pittsburg, besides some religious and other periodicals-three of the newspapers were printed in the German language: all ably con- ducted. " The people are generally well informed and intelligent, and care is taken to promote the improvement of children and youth, by means of common and Sunday schools, the good effects of which are visible among all classes of the rising generation. There are few places of the same population wheret here is less drunkenness and vice, or more regard for the interests of religion and morality. 'The people of this place and its vicinity, deserve the reputation which they so extensively enjoy for industry. It has become proverbial that " the idler can find no company in Pittsburg." The effect of this persevering and un- wearied industry and application to business, upon individual as well as general prosperity, is well illustrated by the fact that many of the citi- zens who are at present enjoying handsome fortunes, were once laborers in the furnaces which they now own ; and some who were not long since driving drays now ride in their own carriages. The advantages of a man's own individual exertion in raising himself to competence and a respectable station in society, have been truly exemplified in this place."
The improvements are numerous. Besides the aqueduct fully des- cribed, there are three bridges, across the Allegheny river, each about 1200 feet long, connecting the cities of Pittsburg and Allegheny .- There is also a wire suspension bridge over the Monongahela, built by the same gentleman who built the aqueduct, 1500 feet in length, forming a communication between Pittsburg and Birmingham. Sevral turnpike roads pass in different direction from Pittsburg, through the county .- Besides these two cities, there are several boroughs and towns in this county.
ALLEGHENY CITY is situated on the right bank of the Allegheny river, near the junction with the Monongahela, opposite Pittsburg, with which it is connected by three bridges. It was incorporated in 1828. This city presents many fine residences, in commanding situations, occupied by many persons doing business in Pittsburg, who are pleased to retire from the bustle, smoke and coal dust of the principal city. Its commer- cial and manufacturing business, properly its own, is considerable.
Its population in 1840, was 10,089, and may be at present rising of 12,000. It contained at the late census, 58 stores, with a capital of $83,400; 9 lumber-yards, with a capital of $50,000; 1 furnace, and 1 forge ; value of hardware and cutlery manufactured, $50,000 ; 3 cotton factories, with 14,270 spindles ; 2 tanneries ; 1 brewery ; 1 rope walk ; total capital in manufactures, $726,640; 1 theological college, 318
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students ; 3 academies, with 169 students ; 12 schools, 709 scholars ; and several churches.
The two cities, with their respective inhabitants, form, as it were, a consolidated community, inspired by the same spirit of enterprize and perseverance in business. Their motto seems to be, in all they do, " Onward."
Birmingham Borough is situated one mile south of Pittsburg, on the opposite side of the Monongahela river, upon the Birmingham and Elizabeth turnpike. Its location is a beautiful one, and in manufacturing interest, it partakes of the character of its English namesake, having within its limits no less than four glass manufacturing establishments, several extensive iron establishments, a white lead factory, &c.
Sligo extends, on the south side of the Monongahela, from the bridge to Temperanceville, or Saw Mill Run ; and Minersville on the Wash- ington turnpike. Manchester occupies a delightful site on the right bank of the Ohio, a mile and a half below Allegheny City.
Lawrenceville, named in honor of the gallant Captain Lawrence, of the U. S. Navy, was located in 1816, by W. B. Foster, Esq. It is beau- tifully situated on the eastern bank of the Allegheny river, two miles and a half above Pittsburg. For salubrity of air and beautiful scenery, it cannot be surpassed. The United States Arsenal is located here, which is graphically described by Mr. Harris, in the following extract :
"Among the active measures of the Administration at the commence- ment of the war of 1812, and among the most necessary and useful too, was the selection of suitable sites for the establishment of large National Arsenals.
"Preparation for the contest could no longer be deferred-war had been declared ; the Rubicon had been passed, and we no longer stood
-" like soft hearted women here, Waiting our losses, while the foe did rage ; And look upon, as if the tragedy
Were play'd in jest, by counterfeiting actors."
Troops were called into the public service ; the strong holds of the country, which had become little more than nominally so, were forth- with strengthened ; the magazines were replenished ; the operations at the public armories increased, and new facilities afforded for their aug- mented fabrications ; and the general vow was made
" I'll never pause again ; never stand still. Till either death hath closed these eyes of mine, Or fortune given me measure for revenge !"
" The Arsenals of the country at that time were few and diminutive, with arms and munitions fearfully inadequate to the increased demand. There was no organized corps, in which to search, with any prospect of success for either the peculiar science or experience requisite for the important duties of establishing and preparing the vast material for the large force which, it was foreseen would be demanded, to bring the war to an honorable termination.
" Of three or four principal points that were fixed upon for establishing large Arsenals of construction, at which all the munitions appertaining to the ordnance department might be collected by purchase and fabrica- [318]
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tion the position occupied by the Allegheny Arsenal was deemed second to no other, in its convenience of location, for communicating with, and supplying large and important sections of exposed inland and maratime frontier.
" The importance of this position as a strong connecting link between the Canadas and her military stations on the Mississippi was duly ap- preciated by the French, and the bones of many a gallant European, whose lives were sacrificed to the mutual desire to possess the occu- pancy of so commanding a post, are even now to be seen whitening the luxuriant and highly cultivated meadows of ' Braddock's Field.'
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" As a position whence supples may be sent to our north-western fron- tier, the posts on the great tributaries of the Mississippi, New Orleans, the fortresses that protect that great city, and to the chain of permanent defences on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico the Allegheny Arsenal can have no equal, and the superior means it possesses of selecting from among the numerous manufacturing establishments in its immediate vicinity, artizans of every description and of great skill, of procuring all the various materials required in the construction of arms and military equipments of all kinds, renders it one of the most important arsenals of construction in the United States.
" As a structure, this Arsenal possesses no particular architectural merit, although its style is peculiar; while it presents an appearance of strength, it does not possess any power of defence against an attack. Its high connecting walls forming a square with sides of' about 600 feet, give to the place, from the exterior, a stern, and cheerless aspect, which however, is dissipated immediately on entering the Arsenal yard, to- wards which, all the buildings forming the square present a handsome plain front.
"The arrangement of the public buildings is a judicious and conve- nient one, and they have been constructed upon a capacious scale, cal- culated for the extensive operations of a state of war, and the aid which those operations would receive from a steam engine, the power of which is now only partially applied to the more limited fabrications called for in a state of peace, would greatly facilitate those constructions which such an increased demand, would render necessary at this Arsenal.
"By this power there are at present a variety of machines put in operation, which very materially reduces the cost of fabrications .- Lathes for turning wood and metals-saws, grind-stones, polishing- wheels, punching and drilling presses, and screw-cutters are among the machines in use.
"The abundance of excellent coal near the Arsenal, and its trifling cost, gives to it one decided advantage over every other, and its conti- guity to manufactories of almost every description, and especially those at which iron is shaped and fashioned to man's will, renders its situa- tion, in this respect, exceedingly convenient for the construction of car- riages and machines, into which this material largely enters.
" Mechanics of every description nearly, are employed at this Arse- nal, in the various work-shop of which, between one and two hundred are not unfrequently engaged, upon the manufacture of the various mili- tary equipments, that are constantly being fabricated.
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" The number of small arms in depot at this Arsenal, varies from fifty to eighty thousand, and is likewise supplied with a large num- ber of heavy and field cannon, with a corresponding quantity of amuni- tion and equipments.
" 'The cost of the Allegheny Arsenal, including about thirty-seven acres of land, beautifully situated on the left bank of the river, from which it takes its name, and about three miles above its debouche into the majestic Ohio, has been little short of $300,000 : nearly the whole of which has been paid to the enterprising manufacturers and industri- ous mechanics of Pittsburg.
" The establishment is under the command of an officer of Ordnance, who exercises a general superintendence of all its operations, the imme- diate control of which is confided to several skilful and experienced master-workmen."
East Liberty, five miles east of Pittsburg, on the Greensburg and Philadelphia turnpike, is a handsome village, and was laid out about thirty years ago, by Jacob Negly, Esq.
Wilkinsburg is pleasantly situated near the turnpike to Chambers- burg : the Northern turnpike, leading to Blairsville, intersects this near this place. Braddock's Field, on the Monongahela, is about two miles south of this.
Minersville is pleasantly situated, about two miles east of Pittsburg, on a new turnpike road, which passes through it from Pittsburg to East Liberty.
Sharpsburg is pleasantly situated, on the right bank of the Allegheny river, 5 miles above Pittsburg. The Pennsylvania canal passes through it.
Stewartstown, on the Butler turnpike, is a pleasant village, five miles from Pittsburg.
Tarentum is a neat village on the Pennsylvania canal, twenty-one miles from Pittsburg, near the right bank of the Allegheny river.
Bakerstown is pleasantly situated, sixteen miles fiom Pittsburg, and fifteen from Butler, on the turnpike.
Elizabethtown is a beutifully situated manufacturing town, lying on the right bank of the Monongahela river, sixteen miles above Pittsburg. The town was originally laid out by the late Col. Stephen Byard, in 1787, who brought out from Philadelphia a company of ship-carpenters, and established the building of vessels at this point in 1800, and in the following year they built the schooner Monongahela Farmer, owned by the builders and farmers of the neighborhood, who loaded her with a cargo of flour, &c., and she sailed, via New Orleans, for New York .- In 1803, the brig Ann Jane, of 450 tons, was built here for the Messrs. M'Farlane, merchants, who loaded her with flour and whiskey, and sailed her to New York. This vessel was one of the fastest sailers of her day, and was run as a packet to New Orleans for some time.
From the above period to the present time, Elizabethtown has done a large share of building, and has turned out some thousands of tons of boats, barges, and other river crafts.
M' Keesport is twelve miles above Pittsburg, by land, and sixteen by the river, and is pleasantly situated on the Monongahela, at the junction of the Youghiogheny.
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There are considerable shipments of bituminous coal from this point; 10 collieries are in active employ within one mile of the village, where about two million bushels of the best bituminous coal are annually ship- ped, at an expense of 4 cents per bushel, and resold at the various points from the mouth of the Ohio to New Orleans.
Noblestown is twelve miles south-west from Pittsburg. Shosuetown is pleasantly located on the left bank of the Ohio river, fifteen miles below Pittsburg. It is noted as a place where steamboats are built.
Besides these, there are several other villages in this county-How- ardsville, Perritsport, Jeffriestown, Middletown, Perrysville, &c., &c. For the notices of the above named towns, we are indebted to Mr. Isaac Harris' Directory.
Among other interesting incidents that took place within the limits of this county, at an early period, we give place to the following :
Trial of Mamachtaga, an Indian.
I know the particulars of the following story well, because one of the men (Smith) was shingling a house for me in the town of Pittsburg, the evening before he was murdered by Mamachtaga, and for which murder, and some others, this Indian was tried. Smith had borrowed a blanket of me, saying that he was about to cross the river (Allegheny) to the Indian camp on the west side. Here a party of Indians, mostly Delawares, had come in, it being just after the war, and the greater part of these Indians having professed themselves friendly during the war, and their chief, Killbuck, with his family and that of several others, having remained at the garrison, or on an island in the Ohio river, called Killbuck's Island, and under the reach of the guns of the fort. Mamach -. taga had been at war against the settlements with others of the Delawares who were now at this encampment.
I went myself over to the encampment the next morning, and found the Indians there. Two men had been murdered, Smith and another of the name of Evans, and two wounded, one of them a dwarf of the name of Freemen. According to the relation which I got from the wounded, there were four white men together in a cabin when Mamachtaga, with- out the least notice, rushed in and stabbed Smith mortally, and had stabbed Evans, who had seized the Indian who was entangled with the dwarf among his feet attempting to escape, and who had received wounds also in the scuffle ; the other white man had also received a stab. It would appear that the Indian had been in liquor, according to the ac- count of the other Indians and of the white men who escaped. Killbuck appeared greatly cast down, and sat upon a log, silent. Mamachtaga made no attempt to escape. He was now sober and gave himself up to the guard that came over, affecting not to know what had happened. The seat of justice of Westmoreland county being 30 miles distant, and the jail there not being secure, he was taken to the guard-house of the garrison, to be confined until a court of Oyer and Terminer should be holden in the county. Living in the place and being of the profession of the law, said I to the interpreter, Joseph Nicholas, one day, has that Indian any fur or peltry, or has he any interest with his nation that he could collect some and pay a lawyer to take up his defence for this
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homicide? The interpreter said that he had some in the hands of a trader in town, and that he could raise from his nation any quantity of raccoon or beaver, provided it would answer any purpose. I was struck with the pleasantry of having an Indian for a client, and getting a fee in this way, and told the interpreter to go to the Indian, and explain the matter to him, who did so, and brought me an account that Mamachtaga had forty weight of Beaver, which he was ready to make over, being with a trader in town, William Amberson, with whom he had left it, and that he had a brother who would set off immediately to the Indian towns, and procure a hundred weight or more if that would do any good, but the interpreter stipulated that he should have half of all that should be got, for his trouble in bringing about the contract .- Accord- ingly he was despatched to the Indian, from whom he brought, in a short time, an order for the beaver in the hand of the trader, with Mamachtaga (his mark.) The mark was something like a turkey's foot and these people have no idea of an hieroglyphic merely abstract, as a straight line or a curve, but it must bear some resemblance to a thing in nature .- After this, as it behooved me, I went to consult with my client and arrange his defence, if it were possible to make one on which a probable face could be put. Accompanied by the interpreter, I was admitted to the Indian, so that I could converse with him; he was in what is called the black hole, something resembling that kind of hole which is depressed !! in the floor, and which the Southern people have in their cabins, in which to keep their esculent roots, from the frost during the winter sea- . son. Not going down into the hole as may be supposed, though it was large enough to contain two or three, and was depressed about eight feet, being the place in which delinquent or refractory soldiery had been confined occasionally for punishment, but standing on the floor above, , I desired the interpreter to put his questions. This was done, explain- ing to him the object of the enquiry, that it was to serve him, and by knowing the truth, be prepared for his defence; he affected to know nothing about it, nor was he disposed to rely upon any defence that could be made. His idea was that he was giving the beaver as a com- mutation for his life. Under this impression it did not appear to me : proper that I should take the beaver, knowing that I could do nothing for him; besides, seeing the manner in which the dark and squalidi creature was accommodated with but a shirt and breech-clout on, hu- manity dictated that the beaver should be applied to procure him a blanket and food additional to the bread and water which he was allowed. Accordingly I returned the order to the interpreter, and desired him to ) procure and furnish these things. He seemed reluctant, and thought we ought to keep the perquisite we had got. On this, I thought it most advisable to retain the order and give it to a trader in town with direc- tions to furnish these articles occasionally to the officer of the guard, which I did, taking the responsibility upon myself to the interpreter for his part of the beaver.
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