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 7
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 7
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 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
(From "The Soldiers' Memorial" through courtesy of S. G. Krepps.)
C. L. Connor, Capt., resigned Dec. 25, 1862.
Adam Jacobs, Jr., Ist Lieut., resigned Jan. 22, 1862.
Robert Clark, 2d Lieut., commissioned in U. S. A. Sept. 28., 1861.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Sergeants.
1-Solomon G. Krepps, promoted to 2d Lieut. Oct. 1, 1861; transferred to 4th U. S. Infantry, Feb. 14, 1862.
2-George W. Miller, promoted to Orderly Sergt. Oct. 1861; promoted 1st Lieut. Feb. 1, '62; killed Dec. 13, '62. in battle.
3-Jos. J. Bail, promoted 2d Lieut. May 1, '62; resigned July 13, '62, dis- ability.
4-Samuel B. Bennington, promoted 1st Sergeant May 1, 1862; 2d Lieut. July 13, 1862; to Capt. Dec. 28, 1862. Wounded at Fredericksburg. Corporals.
1-William Wilkinson, promoted Sergeant, July 1, 1861. Killed at Charles City Cross Roads.
2-James Binch, promoted Sergeant Aug. 5, 1862.
3-Henry J. Gormley.
4-Thomas McGee, promoted to Sergeant, Oct. 1, 1861 ; Quartermaster Sergeant, Nov. 1, 1861; 1st Lieut., Dec. 14, 1862.
5-W. F. Chess, detached on gunboat Feb. 1, 1862.
6-John H. Gue, wounded; honorable discharge. Jan. 26, 1863.
7-Josiah M. Anawalt, promoted to Sergeant, May 1, 1862; Orderly, July 13, 1862; 2d Lieut., Dec. 28, 1862.
S-William Fullerton, promoted to Sergeant, April 1, 1863. Musicians.
James S .Roher, Fifer.
H. Clay Gapin, commissioned in U. S. A., June 20, 1861. William Lucas, Drummer.
REGIMENTAL FIELD OFFICERS.
Colonel, George S. Hays, resigned, July 16, 1862.
Colonel, S. M. Bailey, commissioned Sept. 14, 1862.
Lieutenant-Colonel, S. D. Oliphant, resigned, Dec. 29, 1862.
Lieutenant-Colonel, William Lemon, commissioned, Dec. 29, 1862. Major, John W. Duncan, resigned, Nov. 21, 1861.
Major, R. E. Jounston, commissioned Sept. 14, 1862.
Adjutant, J. G. Swearingen.
Privates.
Adams, David
Archabald, Jacob, killed at Charles City Cross Roads.
Booth, John, wounded in battle at Antietam.
Baker, William N., detached on Signal Service.
63
Roster Company D, Eighth Pennsylvania Reserve Corps
Beckley, Eugene, discharged for wounds, Jan. 28, 1863. Burke, John Brawley, John D. Brawley, Charles E. Bane, William Barbour, James M., wounded at Fredericksburg.
Craft, D. L., detached on Signal Service.
Conley, Peter Calvert, Enoch Clark, Jacob Clark, William Campbell, Daniel
Daubbert, Frederick
Dean, William P., dicharged for wounds in battle at Mechanicsville. Devlin, James, promoted to Corporal, Oct. 1, 1861, dicharged, Aug. 1, 1862. Dawson, Elias H.
Ebbert, John H. Evans, Fleming Evans, James, promoted to Corporal, May 1, 1862; Sergeant, Nov. 1, 1862.
Feuster, Thomas
Gaskill, James E. Gregg, William K.
Hare, James, discharged, Oct. 31, for disability.
Haddock, Abraham S., promoted to Corporal, Jan. 1, 1863.
Haddock, Worcester, discharged Nov. 20, 1862, for wounds at Charles City Cross Roads.
Hill, Ashbold F., promoted Corporal, Oct. 1861; Sergeant, May 1, 1862; wounded at Antietam.
Hazen, David, died of discase at Manassas, Apr. 12, 1862.
Haught, Robert, killed in battle at Fredericksburg.
Hughes, David C., promoted to Corporal, Nov. 1, 1862. Hughes, John C. Hoffman, William H. Hoffman, Benjamin A., detached on gunboat Feb. 17, 1862. Hasson, James, wounded at Fredericksburg.
Jefferies, Hamon, promoted to Corporal, Jan. 1, 1863. Jacob, James, taken prisoner at Fredericksburg.
Kisinger, John W., discharged for disability, Oct. 7, 1861. Levitre, George W.
64
Roster Company D, Eighth Pennsylvania Reserve Corps
Lucas, James, discharged for disability, Jan. 11, 1861.
Malone, David, killed at South Mountain.
Mitchell, William C., killed at Charles City Cross Roads.
McWilliams, Dennis, transferred to 6th U. S. Cavalry.
Me Williams, Daniel, wounded at South Mountain. Dis. Nov. 30, 1862. McCourt, Robert, discharged.
Mayhorn, Isaac, transferred to 6th U. S. Cavalry. Montonia, William.
Mc Williams, William, killed at Charles City Cross Roads.
Morgan, Edward, Jr., promoted to Corporal, Nov. 1, 1862.
Ort, George.
Page, G. W., killed at Antietam.
Ritchey, William A., transferred to 1st Penna. Cavalry.
Rhyn, Nicholas C., died of typhoid fever, Jan. 8, 1862.
Rhyan, James
Raum, George, taken prisoner at Fredericksburg.
Rhyn, Rudolph
Rhyn, Henry, taken prisoner at Fredericksburg.
Roland, James H.
Stewart, William, wounded at Antietam.
Simmons, John
Seesc, David, wounded at Antietam.
Shaw, Issachar, promoted to Corporal, May 1, 1862; sergeant, July 1, 1862; 1st Sergeant, Jan. 1, 1863.
Simpson, Thomas, wounded at Fredericksburg.
Smith, William
Swearer, John, wounded at Antietam: honorably discharged.
Swearingen, John G., promoted sergeant, Feb. 1862; Adjutant, Dec. 14, 1862.
Sprowls, William
Swearer, Nicholas C., wounded at Gaines' Mill; honorably discharged.
Scott, George W.
Smith, James, taken prisor at Fredericksburg.
Strawn, Enos K., discharged on account of disability.
Taylor, John L., discharged on account of disability.
Trump, Philip W., wounded at Fredericksburg.
Troth, James, hon. discharged.
Underwood, William H., deserted.
Waggoner, George
65
List of Deceased Soldiers-Brownsville, Penn'a
Waggoner, O. A. Watkins, John W. Wiggle, Simeon B., detached on gunboat, Feb. 17, 1862. Whitmer, Elliot F. Woodward, John, killed at Antietam. Winder, David C., deserted. Williams, Estess.
Young, John Young, Robert., transferred to 6th U. S. Cavalry.
ENGAGEMENTS.
Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862. Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862. Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862. Bull Run, 2d, Aug. 28, 29, 30, 1862.
South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862. Antietam, September 16 and 17, 1862. Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862.
Organized at Brownsville, Pa., May 1, 1861. Mustered into United States service July 29, 1861, at Meridian Hill, D. C.
LIST OF DECEASED SOLDIERS-BROWNSVILLE, PA.
(BY T. A. JEFFRIES AND J. D. S. PRINGLE)
William R. Sweitzer. Thomas Fewster, Co. D, Sth Pa. Reserves.
James S. Binch, Co. D, 8th Pa. Reserves. E. G. Beckley, Co. D, Sth Pennsylvania. James Johnson, Co. D, 5th Reg. Pa. Heavy Artillery. Flecher F. Chalfant, 2d Lieutenant, Co. B, 168 Pa. Vol. W. P. Bricker, Co. E, 168 Pa. Infantry. Cephas Taylor, Sergeant Co. B, 168 Pa. B. F. Marshall, Co. I, First Va. Cavalry. James H. Low, Co. G, 110 Pa. Volunteers.
William McCoy, Co. 1, 5th Reg. W. Va. Cavalry. Alford M. Patterson, Co. B, 16th Pa. Cavalry. Eli M. Lilley, Co. G, 1st Pa. 6 mo's Cavalry. Capt. Isaac Lynn, Co. C, 88th. John C. Burd, 8th Res. Jas. Knight, 22d Pa. Cavalry, Co. 6. Jacob Ramage. James H. Brown.
66
List of Deceased Soldiers-Bridgeport, Penn'a
John Young, Co. D, Sth Pa. Res.
James Beaty, 85th. Robert McCune. David Hager. Peter Row. Daniel Macoby, Sth Res.
John G. Sedgwick, 85th.
Jos. G. Thornton.
James M. Johnson, Sth Res.
U. L. Clemmer.
Jas. Lucas. Col. B. Brashear. Col. John B. Krepps, 112 Pa.
Jas. Warnock, 112 Pa.
William Hatford.
Ashbel F. Gabler.
Charles H. Sinclair.
Col. John S. Kreeps. John Johnson. John T. Mechem.
George Waggoner, 85th.
R. E. Gabler, Co. G, 85th Infantry.
Hugh McGinty, Co. G, 85th Pa.
Capt. Thomas Shuman.
John N. Jacobs. Thos. R. Marshall.
Thomas Simpson, Co. D, 8th Pa. Reserves.
James L. Brackenridge. Eli S. Forsythe. Paul Roach.
LIST OF DECEASED SOLDIERS-BRIDGEPORT, PA.
(BY T. A. JEFFRIES AND J. D. S. PRINGLE)
N. C. Ryan, Co. D, Sth Pa. Res.
Geo. W. Scott, Co. D. 8th Pa. Res.
William C. Mitchell, Co. D, Sth Pa. Res., in front of Richmond.
W. F. Stewart, Co. D, 8th Pa. Res. Daniel Campbell, Co. D, 8th Pa. Res. William Lucas, Co. D, 8th Pa. Res. John Woodward, Sth Reserves. Killed at Antietam.
Fleming Evans, Co. D, Sth Pa. Vol.
Charles Page, Co. D, Sth Reg. Killed at Antietam. Ed. D. Clear, I, 85th, Sergeant. J. W. Crawford, Co. E, 85th Pa. Infantry. William Wampler, Co. E, 85th Pa. Infantry.
67
List of Deceased Soldiers-Bridgeport, Penn'a
John F. Booth, Co. D, 8th Pa. Reserves.
Samuel Wood, Co. C, 85th Pa. James Day, Co. C, 85th Pa. John Brawley, Co. C, 85th Pa. Killed at Antietam.
William Linn, Co. C, 85th Pa.
Robert Lochkart, Co. C, 58th Pa. Infantry.
John B. Faull, Co. H, 1st Pa Cav.
Wilson Owens, Co. H, 1st Pa. Cav. Elmer Gregg. Co. H, 1st Pa. Cav. W. H. Michaels, Co. H, 1st Pa. Reserve Cavalry. Henry I. Tate, Co. H. 1st Pa. Reserve Cavalry. Issac Lynn.
Z. H. Pringle, Co. I, 2d Mass. Cav. Died in Andersonville prison. Robert K Riley, Navy.
William B. Richey, U. S. Navy, Assistant Engineer.
G. W. Shallenberger, U. S. Navy, Assistant Engineer. William Me Williams, killed in front of Richmond.
N. P. Hormell, 7th Pa. Cavalry.
Christian Snyder, Ind. Ringgold Cavalry. Killed near Huttonsville, Va., August 18th, 1862.
Samuel Drum, Ringgold Cavalry.
William F. Hartranft, Ringgold Cavalry.
Win. N. Mitchell, Co. M, 3d Pa. Cav.
John Halley. Townsand Hopkins. Died on U. S. gunboat Choctaw, Jan. 15, 1860, at mouth of Red River.
Martin Carter.
Hugh Pastories, Co. D. 155 Reg. Pa.
Joseph Scott. William Benton, Co. A, 4th W. Va. Inf.
Harmon A. Shoemaker, Co. G, 54th Pa. Vol.
John Reynolds, Co. G, 22d Pa. Cavalry.
George Lopp, Co. B, 22d Pa. Cavalry. Sol Smith, Co. G. 22d Pa. Cavalry and 85th Pa.
J. B. Grooms, Co. B. 22d Pa. Cavalry. William II. Shaffer, Co. B. Pa. Cavalry.
James Fawcett, 22d Pa. Cavalry. Wood Hutchenson, Co. D. 22d Pa. Cavalry.
Thomas Dickenson, Co. D. 22d Pa. Cavalry.
Henry Minks, Co. G, 22d Pa. Cavalry. Jas. W. Hendrick, Co. B, 22d Pa. Cavalry. E. Moffitt. Co. B, 22d Pa. Cavalry.
Jas. A. Gue, Pri. Co. E. Knapp's Ind. Bat., Pa. Vol.
Thomas A. Johnson, killed at Gettysburg, July 3d, 1863. James T. Troth, Co. F. 2d Pa. Heavy Artillery Fell at Gettysburg, June 17, 1864.
68
Died at Andersonville
DIED AT ANDERSONVILLE.
Joseph Bailes, Co. F, 2d Pro.
George B. Burd, Co. F, 2d Pro.
Geo. Claybaugh, Co. F, 2d Pro. Henry Patton, Co. F, 2d Pro.
Robert Seacrease, Co. F, 2d Pro.
Harmon C. M. Perrin, Co. F, 18th Pa. Cavalry, buried at Alexandria, Va.
John Chew, Co. F, 18th Pa. Cavalry. Ashbel F. Smith, Co. F, 1st Pa. Cavalry, Co. G, 1st Pa. L. Artillery. J. C. Pastorious, Co. F, 14th Pa. Cavalry.
John Hoff, Assistant Steam Engineer, wounded at Der. Creek, March 20, 1863, died at hospital boat, Red River, near Vicksburg, April 7th, 1863.
Samuel Dourin, Washington Cavalry.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR AND FILIPINO INSURRECTION.
None of the men enlisted from Fayette County were sent to the West Indies, and on the naval vessels were no Fayette County men of whom we have been able to learn.
Two companies C and D, of the 10th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, were raised respectively at Uniontown and Connellsville and sent to the Philippines, where they participated in the close of the Spanish-American war and the commencement of the Filipino insurrection.
The 10th Regiment was mustered into the United States service with Alexander L. Hawkins as colonel; James E. Barnett as lieutenant-colonel ; Harry C. Cuthbertson and Eberhart Bierer as majors. George W. Neff, of Masontown, became major surgeon; Lewis P. McCormick, of Connells- ville, assistant surgeon; and Reno L. Moser, of Uniontown, chief musician. Two battalions of the 10th Regiment left Camp Hastings at Mt. Gretna, Pa., about the middle of May, 1898, passed through Pittsburg, May 19th, and arrived May 24, 1898, at San Francisco, California, where they went into camp at the Presidio, and lay until June 14th. On that day they went aboard the transport Zelandia, and on July 20th were disembarked at Manila, where they lay in the trenches until the night of July 31st, 1898, when they repulsed an attack of 2,000 Spaniards. In this fight-the battle of Malate-Corp. Walter E. Brown, of Co. D, was killed . On August 12th the 10th was in the attack of Manila, and after the capture performed guard duty till the night of Feb. 5, 1899, when it went to the trenches and made a splendid charge on the Filipinos, in which Major Bierer, Privates A. B. Rockwell and Carl W. Debolt, of Co. C, and Lieut. A. J. Buttermore and Private E. C. Caldwell, of Co. D. were wounded. Eighteen days later the regiment helped to save Manila from being burned by resident Filipinos, and on March 13, 1899,
69
Spanish-American War and Filipino Insurrection
the 10th took up the line of march for Malolos, during which it made its daring charge, capturing Loma church and cemetery and having only Lieut. John Thompson and Privates John MeVey and Alex. McCause wounded. The regiment after this took part in the battles of Bocave and Marilioa, and in the latter battle on March 29th, Corp. Thomas Critchfield, and Privates Patrick Cummings, Ralph Downs, Alex. Young, Arch. Powell and Alex. Coulter were wounded. Then followed the attack on Malolos, and the 10th lost in killed Privates E. D. W. Stevens, Fred. Jennewine and Bert Armburst, and in wounded Sergeants Agustus Remaine and Charles Ashcroft, and Privates W. D. Lewis, James Noverch, Richard Baer, G. A. Taylor, who died afterwards; Solomon Rush, R. J. D. Knox, and William M. Engleheart . Two weeks later the Tenth went into active service again under General Wheaton. They repulsed a force of insurgents the first day, and the next week took part in the campaign about Apalit and Calumpit. On April the 14th the 10th was ordered back to Cavite, and on Saturday, June the 30th, sailed on board the transport Senator from Manila for San Francisco. When two days out from Yokohoma, on July 18th, they lost their gallant commander, Col. Alexander L. Hawkins, who died of cancer, but whose remains were brought to Washington, Pa., and entombed there, September 1, 1899. The regiment arrived at San Francisco, July the 25th, was mustered out there August 22d, and started for home, being welcomed and cheered at every town and city along their two-thousand-mile railway journey. They received a magnificent reception at Pittsburg, on Monday, August 28th, and the reception of Companies Cand D at Uniontown and Connellsville, their respect- ive homes, on Tuesday, August 29th, 1899, were magnificent and elaborated.
Early and Present Modes of Transportation
History of the National Pike
THE ARTERY OF COMMERCE TO WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA-ENORMOUS COST OF TRANSPORTATION -THE OLD NEMACOLIN TRAIL -THE "TURKEY FOOT" ROAD-THE CUMBERLAND OR NATIONAL PIKE-NARROW ESCAPE OF UNIONTOWN-WHERE AND WHEN WORK ON THE PIKE WAS COM- MENCED-COST OF THE NATIONAL PIKE-EFFECT OF THE PIKE ON WEST- ERN PENNSYLVANIA.
FIRST WAGONLOAD OF GOODS THAT CROSSED THE MOUNTAINS.
With the present facilities for transporting goods, it is hard for those not familiar with the difficulties of pioneer days, either by experience or by famil- iarity with the early history of the country, to comprehend the difficulties encountered or the cause for the enormous cost of transportation. Prior to 1789 all the goods brought across the mountains was brought on pack horses, and the cost of transportation was $3.00 per hundred. A pack horse could carry from two to three hundred pounds and it took from ten days to two weeks to make the trip.
ENORMOUS COST OF TRANSPORTATION.
It is said that the first wagonload of goods that was ever brought across the mountains was hauled by John Hayden for Jacob Bowman, in 1789. Mr. Hayden had a four-horse team, hauled 2,000 pounds and charged $3.00 per hundred for hauling. It took him one month to make the trip.
In consequence of the enormous cost of transportation, everything that came from the east of the mountains, was high, and all that had to be trans- ported over the mountains to the east was accordingly cheap. Salt was $4.00 and $5.00 per bushel of 96 pounds. Coffee was 33 cents per pound, sugar 25 cents, Jamaica spirits $2.33 per gallon, and other things were in proportion. Iron castings were from $70 to $90 per ton. At the same time wheat was only 67c per bushel, corn 22c and rye 50c. Notwithstanding this low price of grain, flour was $25 per barrel in Natchez, if you could get it there. These
71
The Old Nemacolin Trail
good prices down the river and the low prices of products here was largely the cause of the flat and keel boat industry in the early days and the heavy stamboat business that sprung up here in later years.
THE OLD NEMACOLIN TRAIL.
The carly history of road building is a long one and while it would no doubt prove interesting, must, for want of space, be omitted. The first attempt at road building west of the Alleghenies was made by the Ohio Company when it sent out Col. Thos. Creasap of Oldtown, Md., in 1750 with old chief Nemacolin as a guide. Col. Cresap did not build a road, however, or make any attempt to build one but simply "blazed" a way from Wills Creek (now Cumberland, Md.) to the mouth of Nemacolin Creek (now Dunlaps Creek) which line was afterwards closely followed by Washington and by Braddock in their disastrous campaigns against the French at Fort Duquesne. In 1753 the Ohio Company sent out a company of pioneers who did some work on the road but at best it was made but little better than a bridle path for pack horses. Following this, Capt. Wm. Trent of whom mention has already been made, was sent over the road by the Ohio Company and further improved it. This was at the time when he built the old Hanguard at the mouth of Redstone Creek in 1754. It was in this same year that Washington again passed over the road and made it passable for light wagons and artillery. Over this he dragged the same artillery that he surrendered to the French at Fort Necessity on the fourth of July, 1754.
THE "TURKEY FOOT ROAD."
Another road of considerable importance in the early history of Fayette County and this section of the country was what was known as the "Turkey Foot Road" or Smith's road leading from Shippensburg to Uniontown. The east part of this road was in course of construction under the super- vision of Col. James Burd when Braddock made his march to the Mononga- hela river but when the wagoners who ran away at the battle of the Monon- gahcla, reached the top of the Alleghenies to which point the road had been finished, bearing the news of Braddock's defcat, those who were at work on the road, joined in the flight and that was the end of the work on the road for the time being. It was not until 1760 that the road was finished to Uniontown via Sugar Loaf mountain and Dunbar's Camp. After this many roads were opened up, notable among them being one from Redstone Old Fort to Beeson's Mill at what is now Uniontown. One reason given for the opening of this road was that some of the people at and near Redstone Old Fort were compelled to go twenty miles to the mill of Henry Beeson "and in all probability at some seasons of the year will ever have to do so."
72
The Cumberland Road or National Pike
THE CUMBERLAND ROAD OR NATIONAL PIKE.
The most important, however, was the National or Cumberland road which was first advocated by Washington and which finally was completed in 1820 from Wills Creek (Cumberland, Md.) to Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia). In 1784 Washington himself passed over the route exploring the territory and seeking to ascertain the best location for the proposed road. It was on this trip that he met Albert Gallatin, then a young man, who while Washington was studying maps and plans in a mountain cabin, suggested that a certain route which he pointed out would be the best. Washington regarded him with some surprise and not a little hauteur but said nothing till he had finished his examinations, when he discovered that the young man was right. He then turned to him and told him that he was right. From this meeting a warm friendship sprung up between the Commander-in-Chief and Albert Gallatin, that lasted as long as Washington lived. Gallatin, as will be remembered, afterwards became Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.
A NARROW ESCAPE FOR UNIONTOWN.
The question of the National Road was kept prominent during the ad- ministration of Adams and also during the administration of Jefferson. It was during the administration of the latter that the first definite move was made to build the road. This was an act of Congress passed during 1811 appropriating $50,000 for building the road from Cumbeland to Brownsville, that part of the route already having been approved by President Jefferson. There was a protest against the location of a part of the road in Fayette County because it left Uniontown off the road and in an isolated spot. The protest against this part of the route was headed by Ephraim Douglas, mention ot whom has already been made, and resulted in President Jefferson changing the route to strike Uniontown. Had this not been done, there would probably never have been a Uniontown.
WORK ON THE NATIONAL PIKE COMMENCED AT CUMBERLAND.
Work was commenced on the road at Cumberland in May, IS11 and the first ten miles were finished in 1812. Twelve miles more of the road were completed by 181 !. The next section was from Tomlinson to Smithfield, a distance of 18 miles. This was let in 1813 and finished in 1817. Thus section by section the road was built westward, until in August 1818 it seems to have been finished to Uniontown, and according to the Genius of Liberty of the date of Aug. 8, 1818, stage coaches commenced running. The Genius of Liberty of that date says: "The stages have commenced running from Frederick Town, Maryland, to Wheeling, in Virginia, following the course of the National Road westward from Cumberland. This great road. truly an honor to the United States, will be finished from Cumberland to this place in a few months (some of the heavy masonry was not yet finished
73
Cost of the National Pike
southeast of Uniontown) and from Brownsville to Wheeling, it is expected, in the course of next summer, leaving only a distance of 12 miles from Union- town to Brownsville."
For some unaccountable reason the work on the road from Uniontown to the west end of the cast section, which is a point one mile and ninety-six rods east from the Monongahela river at Brownsville, had not been contracted for, but was in due time let and built, so that in 1820, we find the following in the Uniontown Genius of Liberty bearing date of December 19th:
"The commissioner appointed by the government of the United States, Thomas MeGiffin, Esq., has been engaged for a week or two past in examining the United States turnpike, made under contract with the government by James Kincaid & Co., between this place and Washington, who has approved of it, and ordered the same to be given up by the contractors for public use. The National Turnpike is now completed and in use of the public from Cumberland in the state of Maryland, to Wheeling, in the state of Virginia a distance of about one hundred and thirty miles."
COST OF THE NATIONAL PIKE.
This road when completed cost the government about $1, 700,000 and was one of the best roads ever built in the United States. The following from the plans and specifications to which contractors had to subscribe will give some idea of the manner in which the road was built :
"The natural surface of the ground to be cleared of trees and other wooden growth, and also of logs and brush, the whole width of sixty-six feet, the bed of the road to be made even thirty-two feet in width, the trees and stumps to be grubbed out, the graduation not to exceed five degrees in elevation and de- pression, and to be straight from point to point, as laid off and directed by the superintendent of the work. Twenty fect in width of the graduated part to be covered with stone, eighteen inches in depth at the center, tapering to twelve inches at the edges, which are to be supported by good and solid shoulders of earth or curbstone, the upper six inches of stone to be broken so as to pass through a ring of three inches in diameter, and the lower stratum of stone to be broken so as to pass through a seven-inch ring. The stone part to be well covered with gravel, and rolled with an iron-faced roller four feet in length and made to bear three tons weight. The acclivity and de- clivity of the banks at the side of the road not to exceed thirty degrees."
EFFECT OF THE PIKE ON THE COUNTRY-NO TOLL.
The excellent condition of the road and being a direct route from the hitherto separated east and west, and being absolutely free of toll, much was expected of it in the way of increasing business and bringing new settlers west of the Allegheny mountains. But the reality so far exceeded the most sanguine expectations as to amaze the most optimistic. At any given point there passed every hour of the day and often every few minutes, stage coaches
74
Effect of the Pike on the Country
loaded down with mail, passengers and baggage, farm wagons loaded with household goods, the families perched on top of the load, making their way to the great west where future fame and fortune awaited them, great Cones- toga wagons laden with merchandise, flour, whisky, bacon and other products on their eastward trip and iron, salt and other merchandise on their westward trip. And, as time passed by, the number of these increased instead of diminishing, until the great National Pike was almost one continuous stream of vehicles of every description. Added to this, were pedestrians and vast droves of hogs, sheep and cattle and horses that were taken to the eastern market on foot. All this created a demand and a pressing demand at that, for taverns in the towns along the line and for others along the pike between the towns. In this emergency there was no lack of enterprising men to take advantage of the opportunity to gather in the shekels and as a natural consequence, the long line of taverns for which the Nationall Pike was famous in the heyday of its glory, sprang up as if by magic, nor did their glory wane till the Penn- sylvania and the Baltimore and Ohio railroads penetrated this section, the Pennsylvania lines to Pittsburgh and the Baltimore & Ohio to Wheeling. and put an end to its glory forever.
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