USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Bridgeport > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 24
USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > West Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 24
USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 24
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BRIDGEPORT IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
For some time prior to 1895 a sentiment had prevailed among the most active and progressive people of Bridgeport in favor of a regularly organized society, the object of which should be to improve and beautify the town, but no definite action was taken until April, 1895.
282
First Meeting
FIRST MEETING
On the 9th day of April, 1895, there was a meeting held at the home of Mrs. A. L. Duncan with a view to perfecting an organization. There were present at this meeting, Rev. W. C. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes Patton, Mrs. H. L. Fishburn, Mrs. Frank Culbertson, Roland C. Rogers, Mrs. A. L. Duncan, C. K. Porter and Miss Irene Bar. Roland C. Rogers was made president of this meeting and Miss Irene Bar secretary. The objects of the meeting were then discussed and the laws governing the Improvement Society of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, an organization similar to the one proposed. was read by Mr. Rogers, and informally discussed. Roland C. Rogers, W. C. Davis and Mrs. J. Holmes Patton were then selected as a committee of three to make arrangements for the next meeting and to nominate candidates for the various offices of the society, which was to be known as the "Bridge- port Improvement Society."
SECOND MEETING.
The next meeting was held at the Cumberland Presbyterian church, July 2, and was well attended and considerable enthusiasm was manifested. Roland C. Rogers, who was chairman of the previous meeting and also chairman of the committee that had been appointed at that meeting, opened the session by reading the minutes of the previous meeting. Miss Irene Bar was selected as secretary pro tem. Rev. W. C. Davis, Rev. H. B. Emsworth, E. F. Porter, who was the county superintendent of schools, and others, delivered addresses on the prospects and on the good the society could accomplish, Rev. Emsworth in his address paying Mr. Rogers a very high and deserving compliment for originating and first agitating the question.
At this meeting the rules and by-laws of the Lewistown society were adopted with such changes as to make them conform to the name of Bridgeport, or rather it was decided to do this and a committee was appointed to make the changes and report to the next meeting which it did and the whole was then adopted.
The committee on nominations then reported the following:
FIRST REGULAR OFFICERS.
President, Roland C. Rogers: Vice Presidents, Rev. W. C. Davis and Rev. J. G. Patton; Secretary, Miss Irene Bar: Treasurer, Mrs. D. Fred Robinson : Executive Committee, R. L. Aubrey, Wm. H. Herbertson, George L. Moore, Levi C. Waggoner, Mrs. J. Holmes Patton, Mrs. Wm. Cock, Miss C. K. Porter, and Mrs. Robert D. Mason. The report of the committee was accepted and the nominees thus became the first officers of the Bridgeport Improve- ment Society.
283
Improvement of Market House Lot
The next meeting of the society was held at the call of the committee, July 11th at the home of Roland C. Rogers. The committee reported the following changes in the regulations and by-laws of the Lewistown society :
Bridgeport Improvement Society instead of Lewistown.
Two vice presidents instead of four.
Ten instead of thirty on executive committee.
Seaborn Crawford and Mrs. U. F. Higinbitham added to the executive committee.
Secretary and treasurer authorized to purchase suitable books for re- cording secretary's reports and keeping treasurer's accounts, the same to be paid for out of the society's treasury.
Orders to be duly signed by the secretary and treasurer.
Regular meetings shall be held the second Thursday of each month.
Membership fee one dollar per year, instead of obligation for three years. Sixteen instead of fourteen years the age limit.
Annual meeting the second Thursday of each March for the election of officers.
IMPROVEMENT OF MARKET HOUSE LOT.
The first move toward improvement was a resolution introduced at this meeting by Rev. Davis to the effect that the first work of the society be to improve and beautify Market House Lot. This motion carried and they adjourned to meet at the call of the committee on rules and regulations, after appointing the following soliciting committee:
Bessie Wright, Ettie DeLaney, Eva Pearsall, Kittie Kropps, Nell Cock, Lizzie Jones, Kate Britton, and Sarah Ghrist.
For some reason, that is not recorded, there were no meetings after the one recorded above, for two years, or to be exact, till the first day of June, 1897. But, in the meantime, Roland C. Rogers, Scaborn Crawford and Wm. H. Herbertson, the committee of three, who had been appointed at the meeting of July 11, 1895, it seems, had accomplished the work assigned them, and the Market House Lot had been cleared of rubbish and a neat fence built around it. This work was finished and from the language of the minutes of the meeting of June 1, 1897, it seems that it was done principally through the generosity of Roland C. Rogers who was chairman of the committee.
HISTORY OF THE PUBLIC FOUNTAIN.
At this meeting, Mr. A. G. Leonard acting as chairman, the following officers were elected: Mrs. S. S. Fishburn, president; Miss Irene Bar, secretary; Mrs. R. D. Mason, treasurer, with two assistants, Mrs. Howard Bulger and Miss Sarah Ghrist. It was also agreed not to collect dues for the time that had lapsed, but to only collect for that year. It was also at this meeting that the question of a drinking fountain was taken up. The question as to where to locate the fountain, should it be erected, how to raise funds for accomplishing the work, and the advisability of asking the
10
284
History of the Public Fountain
.
Roland C. Rogers, Esq.
borough council to co-operate with the society, were all discussed at some length. Several locations were proposed and in fact at a meeting of the society held August 12, 1897, a motion prevailed to locate the fountain in front of Seaborn Crawford's lawn on High Street, but this was afterwards reconsidered and the fountain was finally placed where it still stands.
At first it was intended to limit the cost of the fountain to be purchased to $200, and the soliciting committees worked to that end. The fund grew slowly till it had reached $150, when at a meeting, August 9th, Roland C. Rogers proposed that if they would make the fund $350, he would add another donation in addition to what he had already given ($25) sufficient to make the total fund $500, or in other words he would contribute $150 more. No immediate action was taken on this proposition, though it was highly ap- preciated, for the reason that the society had some doubts about being able to raise the difference between the $155 then in the treasury and the $350 required. Another condition of Mr. Rogers' contribution was that the fountain be placed in the vicinity where it now stands.
In the meantime committees had been appointed to get prices on foun- tains and C. L. Snowdon president of the Bridgeport Water Co., had agreed to furnish water free, and to make a liberal contribution towards buying the
J.W. FISKE. N.Y.
Bridgeport's Public Fountain Dedicated Tuesday, November 9, 1897
286
Dedication of the Fountain
fountain. The soliciting committee had been authorized to solicit sub- scriptions from other sources than from citizens and to their solicitations Capt. Isaac Mason, Samuel S. Brown, Philip Hamburger and the Connellsville Brewing Co., responded liberally. At a meeting of the society held Septem- ber 9, it was found that the fund had reached $200 and then Roland C. Rogers again came to the front with a still more liberal proposition and that was to the effect that if the society would raise $50 more he would make his first offer of $150 good provided the committee did not ask council for aid. This offer the society accepted and committees were appointed to proceed with the work of buying and erecting the fountain, the committee appointed to select a design, at a previous meeting, having already made their selection of a fountain that came within the price, $400, which they had decided to pay.
DEDICATION OF THE FOUNTAIN.
Without going into further details it is sufficient to say that on Tuesday, November 9, 1897, the fountain was dedicated and presented to the borough of Bridgeport and its people by appropriate ceremonies originally designed to be held at the fountain but which adjourned to the Cumberland Presby- terian church owing to a downpour of rain. The exercises were opened at the fountain by Rev. J. G. Patton who after appropriate introductory remarks suggested the name of Roland G. Rogers as presiding officer of the day and he was accordingly unanimously elected. Mr. Rogers opened his remarks in a downpour of rain when it was thought best to repair to the Cumberland Presbyterian church which had been kindly offered and where he continued his address, reviewing the work of the society and the manner in which the fountain had been secured. not forgetting to give the ladies of Bridgeport due credit for the active interest they had taken in the work. Prayer was offered by Rev. W. Scott Bowman followed by the singing of "America, " led by Prof. E. E. Tombaugh. County Superintendent of Schools E. F. Porter delivered the presentation speech, and the gift was received by W. C. Bar in behalf of the town council, Rev. Rambo, Rev. Chalfant, Rev. Bowman and by I. L. Smith, who was then principal of the Bridgeport schools.
The fountain stands at the head of Bridge Street where it intersects High Street, is 44 inches square at the base, 6 feet 2 inches high and is mounted by a statue of Hebe 5 feet 4 inches high making the entire height of the fountain 113 feet. It is provided with a drinking basin for horses and one for man while there are two small basins nearer the ground for smaller animals. It is made of metal and weighs 2,100 pounds. The base is of a brownstone color and the statue was originally bronzed. Its total cost, in place, was $595, all of which the society paid out of its total funds after which it still had a small sum in the treasury.
PRESENT OFFICERS OF IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
At a meeting held March 10, 1898, the following officers were elected and whom we suppose are still the nominal officers as the last meeting recorded
287
Present Officers of Improvement Society
Residence of Daniel HI. Pearsall, Bridgeport
was held May 12. 1898 at which it was decided not to disband but to meet again at the call of the president.
The officers elected at the meeting March 10, 1898, were Mrs. S. S. Fishburn, president; Seaborn Crawford and George L. Moore, vice presidents ; Miss Irene Bar, secretary: Mrs. R. D. Mason, treasurer: Thomas Connelly, W. H. Ammon, Roland C. Rogers, Mrs. J. W. Worrell, Mrs. D. Fred Robinson, together with the officers already named, executive committee.
That the Bridgeport Improvement Society has already accomplished much good for the borough there is ample evidence, and that it will again spring into active life and still further beautify the town, there is little doubt.
THE READING CIRCLE.
On December 1, 1883 several ladies met at the Old Manse, the home of Solomon G. Krepps, to organize a society for self-culture, something that would be within the reach of those who had household cares and vet time for reading. They decided to call the society to meet on Monday of cach week at the homes of the members in alphabetical order, from seven to nine P. M.
The ladies to whom the honor is due for this organization, are Mrs. Wm. S. Duncan, Mrs. S. Smith Fishburn, Mrs. Isaac M. Mason, Mrs. Solomon G.
288
The Reading Circle
Krepps, Mrs. Robert Graham, Mrs. U. S. Grooms, and it certainly is an honor to have given such impetus to this circle of readers, that they have met each Monday evening for twenty years or more. The simplicity of its menage of the Circle is the secret of its success.
They began with the Home College Series, a set of one hundred small books including history, art, science, biography, literature, etc. The study of these books covered a period of two years. Then came the Abbott Series.
In 1887 the class commenced with the current Chautauqua Course reading the prescribed books and graduating with the Chautauqua Class of 1890, with the exception of Mrs. Solomon G. Kropps who (with Mrs. I. B. Beazell) is a graduate of the pioncer Chautaugua Class of 1882.
The class also read the "Tourist Series" and some miscellaneous books from standard authors.
In 1902 they began the study of Shakespeare's plays on which they are still engaged.
Each meeting is opened by every member asking two questions on Bible history. Some of the ladies are well versed in this part of the work. Another feature of the work is current events. The evening's work is finished with spelling.
The ladies enrolled for the first three months of the Circle's history were, Mrs. William Duncan, Mrs. S. Smith Fishburn, Mrs. Ada O. Kropps, Mrs. H. C. Krepps, Mrs. Wm. Cock, Mrs. Robert Graham, Mrs. J. C. Greenlee, Mrs. Wm. C. Armstrong, Mrs. J. C. Grooms, Mrs. Solomon G. Krepps, Misses E. E. Fishburn and Annic Worrell, Mrs. Celia Minehart. Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. A. O. Krepps and Mrs. Fishburn were college-bred women and their help from that source has been of untold value to the other members, the three serving as presidents in turn until Mrs. Duncan's death. Mrs. Wm. C. Armstrong was chosen president in 1900, and Mrs. Ada O. Kropps was elected to take her place and has served since that time. She is untiring in her efforts to make the meetings instructive and pleasant. With her brilliant mind that refuses to be dimmed by the passing years, she proves to the class that age is no obstacle to self-culture.
The Circle from the beginning would not allow any political matters dis- cussed. They have had papers on different subjects, reproductions of poems and debates. One, "Resolved that the horse is of more importance to man than the cow." The cow won the laurels in that race. Again, "Resolved that Julius Caesar was a greater man than Napoleon Bonaparte, but the negative was not able to prove Shakespeare was wrong in saying that "Cæsar was the foremost man of all the world."
There are only six of the original members living here at present. Mrs. Duncan and Mrs. Graham are dead : Mrs. Fishburn isin Pittsburg, an honored member of the Monday Night Club of that city; Mrs. John Worrell, Mrs. A. V. Nelan, and Mrs. E. F. Porter later members also in Pittsburg; Mrs. Isaac M. Mason is in St. Louis: M. C. Minchart is in Cleveland, Ohio and Mrs. U. S. Grooms is in Peoria, 111.
The members now (1904) are, Mrs. Ada O Krepps, Mrs. Wm. C. Armstrong, Mrs. Wm. Cock, Mrs. H. C. Krepps, Mrs. Annie Worrell Connelly, Mrs. Chas.
289
The Old Red Pump
Harmon, Mrs. Carrie Porter, Miss Sarah Ghrist, Mrs. J. M. Springer, Mrs. R. C. Miller, Mrs. R. D. Mason, Miss Ettie Delaney, Mrs. Amy Cox, Mrs. Wm. Todd, Mrs. M. H. Milligen, Mrs. Samuel Crawford, Mrs. T. D. Hann, Mrs. Caleb J. Miller and Mrs. Chas. Sawyer.
THE OLD RED PUMP.
Among the old public wells of the borough, the oldest was the "factory well." and was situated on the lot opposite the residence of D. Fred Robinson, and was fed by a large and never-failing spring of pure water. Many of the older citizens remember it well. It was not a public well, its real purpose being to supply water for the use of the Bridgeport cotton factory, erected on the lot above mentioned, about the year 1815. Several years after this well was put down, John Riley dug one on the lot which is now included in the public park at the foot of High Street. It was used by the public for many years. This was the "Market House well." Both wells have ceased to be, but there is still in existence a third one, which is almost as old as the oldest and as excellent as any-the Red Pump well.
For this useful gift the people are indebted to Joel Oxley, a Quaker who came to Bridgeport from Loudon County, Virginia, in the year 1805. This public-spirited and generous citizen burned the brick and built the house now the home of Mrs. Harvey Milliken: and in front of his home he dug the well which for fourscore years has, in the words of the old citizen, "been a mighty useful thing."
It was in the year 1816 that the well was completed and a pump placed therein. This pump was in every way like the one now in use, except that the spout was made of wood instead of iron. It is probable that Mr. Oxley himself made the pump, for he was a cabinetmaker and had a shop in the frame house between the residence of Mrs. Milliken and John Weston. About forty years ago Amos Griffith a pump maker of Bridgeport, made the pump which is now used. Longer than the oldest living citizen can remember, these pumps have always been dressed in a coat of red paint, and of course each has always been known as the red pump. In time of drought the well has been sought by people from all parts of the town, and its water source has never been known to fail, though at times its supply has not been equal to the demand.
TUTOR OF JAMES G. BLAINE.
It is interesting to note here, that Mr. Oxley was a famous school-teacher of the olden time. For many years he taught a private school at his home and many of his pupils became great men-Jermiah S. Black and James G. Blaine, for example. Mr. Oxley also taught in the stone schoolhouse which stood where the Porter residence now stands. In the borough records we read that on April 24, 1824, Joel Oxley "requested the privilege of the use of the schoolhouse as a schoolroom for two years from the first day of May next, " and on this application " the burgess was directed to lease the
290
Bridgeport Cemetery
same to Joel Oxley for the above term, reserving the customary privileges of the council, and to the Methodists as a meetinghouse." In these records we find, too, that he was a member of the borough council in the years, 1830, 31, 34, 35, and 36. He was in fact, a man interested in every good work to be done in the community. It is not strange, then, that he has left the public something which causes his name to be mentioned with praise today.
Besides its usefulness, the old red pump has a fame, widespread among Bridgeport boys, old and young, here, there and everywhere. Near it many a raid upon the neighbors' fruit trees and grape arbors has been planned, many a fishing and hunting excursion has been arranged. On . many a Hallow'een it has been the center of operations against the vehicles, gates, steps and other available movable property in its vicinity. Indeed its vicinity has been a stamping ground for the boys of Bridgeport for many generations.
BRIDGEPORT CEMETERY.
Situated on an eminence on the southeast part of Bridgeport, sloping gently to the north and overlooking the valley of the Nemacolin and in plain view of the National Pike where it passes over the Blubaker hill, is the Bridge- port cemetery, one of the most delightful plots of ground and one of the best kept cemeteries along the Monongahela river. Summer or winter, whenever you go to it, you find it in perfect order and neat and clean as the lawn of the mnost pretentious private residence.
In this cemetery there rest many of the old-time citizens who lived, loved and labored, and who went to their reward long before the present generation or the one before it came upon the stage of action, and here as the years glide by, many of the descendants of those who now sleep beneath its sod, will go to take up their abode in the silent city of the dead.
WHEN ESTABLISHED.
The old cemetery was first set aside or established by an act of council passed December 28, 1847 and the burial lots were free. July 14, 1891, the Bridgeport Cemetery company was organized and acquired eight acres of ground lying north and west of the old cemetery. October 22d of the same year, council relinquished all its rights in the cemetery, to the company as will be seen in the following excerpt from the minutes of council. The new company was not chartered, however, till February 1. 1892, though an appli- cation for the charter was on file for said charter when the action of council was taken, as it refers to the company as "chartered."
"Bridgeport, Pa., October 22nd, 1891.
"Regular Meeting of Council: - Motion made and unanimously passed that the Council relinquish any and all interest they may have in the Bridge- port Cemetery Co., Chartered, with the understanding that said Company
291
List of Incorporators of Cemetery Company
fence the same, take it under their management, give it the same care, and manage the same by and under same rules and regulations by which the new Cemetery is managed."
LIST OF INCORPORATORS OF CEMETERY COMPANY.
The following is a list of the incorporators of the Bridgeport cemetery as found in the published rules and regulations of the Bridgeport Cemetery Company of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, bearing date of February 1, 1892: T. S. Wright,
Thos. Aubrey,
L. C. Waggoner, W. H. Herbertson,
Wm. H. Ammon,
Geo. W. Springer,
Seaborn Crawford,
E. Chamberlain,
J. W. Worrell, M. D.,
Geo. S. Herbertson,
Roland C. Rogers,
Daniel DeLancy,
H. B. Cock,
Joshua Speer, R. L. Aubrey,
Samuel A. Lopp, Sr.,
Bulger Brothers,
Samuel H. Pearsall,
Thos. Axton,
S. H. Dusenberry,
Chas. Herbertson, Albert Herrington, T. S. Wood, A. M. (deceased).
OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY.
President, Geo. W. Springer. Secretary and Treasurer, Levi C. Waggoner.
DIRECTORS.
Geo. W. Springer, Roland C. Rogers, Albert Herrington,
R. L. Aubrey. E. Chamberlain, L. C. Waggoner,
Geo. S. Herbertson.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
For the benefit of those who may be interested and who have no other source of information concerning the rules and regulations of the cemetery, we append a few of the more important sections of articles of said rules and regulations together with excerpts of other matters of import set forth in the published rules and regulations of the company.
The corporation shall be known by the name of "The Bridgeport Cemetery Company, " and by that name shall have perpetual succession.
ARTICLE SECOND.
The purpose of the corporation is the maintenance, without profit, of a public cemetery, in the borough of bridgeport, County of Fayette, and state
Bridgeport's Beautiful Cemetery
293
Concerning Interments
of Pennsylvania, for the burial of the dead without distinction or regard to sect, under such conditions, rules and regulations as the Board of Directors of said Corporation shall establish.
ARTICLE FOURTH.
The Corporation shall, at least once in every year hereafter, fill by election, all vacancies which may occur among them, and may at the time increase and add to their number from those who may be lot owners, so that said as- sociation shall consist of 25 members.
ARTICLE SIXTHI.
The said Corporation shall have power to lay out and ornament, and to divide into suitable plots and burial lots; erect buildings and do all things necessary to be done to adapt the ground so purchased to the pupose of a Cemetery; and to sell lots and dispose of said plots and burial lots, for the purpose of sepulture, to individuals, societies or congregations, without dis- tinction or regard to sect.
THE INCOME OF SAID CORPORATION, AFTER PAYING FOR THE LAND AND ALL EXPENSES, SHALL BE APPLIED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CEMETERY, AND THE PERPETUAL MAINTENANCE OF THE SAME IN GOOD ORDER AND SECURITY.
CONCERNING INTERMENTS.
No. 1. Whenever an interment is to be made, timely notice thereof, must be given to the President, on the previous day of the interment, if possible.
No. 2. In all cases of interment in lots, where parties applying are un- known to the President, or their responsibility insufficient, a written permit from the owner of the lot must be filed before an order is issued.
No. 3. Any lot owner allowing a friend to make an interment in his lot must make application in person or by a written order, and no disinterment will be allowed in any lot without a similar order from the owner thereof.
No. 4. All interments will be subject to the following charges, until other- wise ordered, which in all cases must be paid to the President before the in- terment:
Open ng grave for interment of adult .. $7.00
Opening grave for interment of children under ten years. 5.00
Opening grave for interment of children under two years 3.00
SINGLE GRAVES.
When a single grave is wanted the following prices are charged, which covers the expense for the use of the ground and the opening of the grave: Single grave for adult .. $9.00
Single grave for child under ten years. 7.00
Single grave for child under two years 5.00
294
Endowment Fund
DISINTERMENTS.
No. 1. No disinterment for removal of remains outside of the Cemetery or for re-interment in another part of the grounds, will be permitted during the months of April, May, June, July, August and September: but from the first of October to the thirty-first of March, disinterments may be made at any time, at the discretion of the President.
No. 2. The charge for disinterment for the purpose of removing from the Cemetery will be. $7.00
Disinterment and re-interment in new grave, adult. 14.00
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