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 9
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 9
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 9
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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
UNIONTOWN TAVERNS.
When the National Pike was in the heyday of its glory, many prominent characters passed to and fro over it and it was a trump card for the tavern that secured their patronage. President Harrison, in 1841, when on his way to Washington to be installed in that high office, passed over the National Pike from Indianapolis to the east and stopped in Uniontown at what was then the Walker House. It was a log building and stood on the site now occupied by Commercial Row. During the days of the Pike's supremacy, there were between twenty-five and thirty hotels in Uniontown, all of them doing a good business. Among the prominent tavern keepers of those days may be men- tioned Jonathan Rowland, Daniel Culp, Matthew Campbell, Colin Campbell, Margaret Allen, Dr. Robert McClure, Thomas Collins, John Slack of Laurel Hill fame, William Downard who afterwards went to Laurel Hill, James Gregg who kept the Gregg House, Pierson Sayers, who afterwards became sheriff of Fayette County, James Piper who kept "The Jolly Irishman." and William Merriman.
TOO MUCH ROAST PIG.
Samuel Salter at whose house Chief Justice Thomas Me Kean always stopped when he came to Uniontown to hold court was another. It is related of Justice McKean that while stopping there he was frequently regaled
86
Anecdote of Manypenny and Jefferson
with roast pig. It was well prepared and served in the most tempting manner but the Judge finally tired of it and one day in his most dignified and peremptory manner, ordered the young lady who was waiting on the table to remove it as he was tired of it. The girl did so with blushing checks and trembling hands, but in a few minutes, Mrs. Salter who became very indignant at the liberties the Judge was taking, brought the pig back and replaced it on the table, saying to the Judge, "You are Chief Justice and run the court; I am chief cook and run this dining room. That pig must stay," and T. B. Searight in the "Old Pike" says it did.
ANECDOTE OF MANYPENNY AND JEFFERSON.
George Manypenny also kept a tavern in Uniontown in its early days and it is related of him that during Jefferson's administration, he went to Wash- ington and called on the President. Jefferson brought out the wine and asked him to take a glass which he promptly did. After a social chat and when Manypenny arose to go, he told the President that he would go home and tell the people of Uniontown that he had taken TWO glasses of wine with the President, and that he hoped his Honor would not let him go home with a lie on his lips. President Jefferson took the hint and in a state of great amusement brought forth the wine once more.
GEN. LA FAYETTE AND GEN. SANTA ANNA.
The Walker House was another popular hostelry as early as 1816 and was kept by Zadac Walker. General La Fayette was entertained at this house when he visited this country in 1825; Santa Anna, the famous Mexican warrior, also stopped here about the year 1834 when on his way to Wash- ington. The name of the house was afterwards changed to the "United States," and still later to the "Central." The "Spotsylvania House" was also a popular stopping place.
GEN. JACKSON AT THE MeCLEARY HOUSE.
The MeCleary House was for many years a popular tavern. It was at this house that General Jackson always stopped and Mr. Searight in his "Old Pike," tells the following story of Jackson :
In substance he says that on one occasion when Jackson was expected, a committee of citizens met him on the road and tendered him the freedom of the municipality. They also informed him that accommodations had been provided for him at the Walker House. He replied that he always stopped at William Hart's (who then kept the MeCleary House). The chairman of the committee rejoined that Hart was a Whig and that his house was a Whig house. The old warrior said that Hart had always treated him right and that he would stop there Whig or what-not, and he did.
The Swan kept by Nathaniel Brownfield, and the McClelland House were
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The Half-Way House-Searight's
also very popular houses in that carly day. The Seaton, the National, the Clinton, the Moran and others figure prominently in the carly history of Uniontown.
OLD TEAVERNS ALONG THE PIKE.
Between Uniontown and Brownsville, were the Moxley House, built and first kept by Robert Hunter. He was suceceded by William Darlington who remained in charge till 1848 when he moved to the mountains and took charge of the Stone House, then known as the Fayette Springs House.
THE HALF-WAY HOUSE-SEARIGHT'S.
The next house of import on the way to Brownsville from Uniontown was Searight's. It is a large stone building on the north side of the road and was for many years a popular resort for sleighing parties from Uniontown and Brownsville, who went there to dance and have a general good time. The house was built by Josiah Frost about the time the National Road was con- structed and was purchased by William Searight in 1821. It was also known as the Half-way House, between Uniontown and Brownsville. Wm. Sca. right the old proprietor of the house was superintendent of the National Pike for many years.
Just over the hill from Searight's coming this way, is the old Abel Colley place. This place was very popular in its day. The old building is still standing. When the traffic on the National Pike ceased, Abel Colley built a fine brick house across the road from it, and there he died. W. Searight Colley, a son of Abel, still owns and occupies the latter property. Next comes the Johnson or Hatfield House. About a mile west of the Hatfield House is the old Peter Colley place. Peter Colley was the father of Abel Colley before mentioned. He kept a tavern before the National Road was built, and Searight says was the first man reputed to have a "barrel" of money. Along about 1840 Arthur Wallace kept a tavern about a mile west of Peter Colley's. Isaac Bailey who afterwards became postmaster of Brownsville, kept this house for a time. We next come to what was called the Red Tavern, because it was always painted red. Among the many others who kept this house was Huston Todd. He was the father of Ewing Todd, for many years a prominent citizen of Brownsville and the grandfather of William Todd of Bridgeport, Harry Todd of Monessen and Samuel Todd of Charleroi. This property now belongs to the Bowman heirs or is still owned by members of the Bowman family.
A little farther to the west, though not exactly on the National Road, is an old stone house that was run as a tavern by Wilkes Brown before the National Road was built. Wilkes Brown was a descendent of the Browns who originally owned the land where Brownsville now stands. The next tavern before reaching Brownsville, was a fine brick building on the south side of the road. It was the property of and was kept by Daniel Brubaker. Brubaker purchased this property from David Auld in 1826 and was its
88
Old Taverns in Brownsville
constant occupant till he died long after the National Road had lost its prestige, except for a short time when Alex. R. Watson kept it.
OLD TAVERNS IN BROWNSVILLE.
The ancient hostelries of Brownsville next claim our attention. There were many of them though in Brownsville there were no wagon-stand taverns. Wagoners going west passed on through Brownsville, crossed the iron bridge and put up at the old Riley and Bar houses in Bridgeport, or stopped at Brubaker's on the hill above Brownsville.
THOMAS BROWN'S "ORDINARY."
The name of the first public house in Brownsville is not known, but it appears likely that it was kept by Thomas Brown, as there is found in the records of the West Augusta (Va.) court, held at Fort Dunmore in April, 1776, an entry, dated the 16th of that month, as follows: "License to keep an Ordinary is granted to Thomas Brown at his house at Redstone Fort. Bazel Brown, on his behalf, entered into bond according to law." Nothing further is found of the "ordinary" of Thomas Brown.
THE BLACK HORSE TAVERN.
The earliest inn of Brownsville of which anything definite is known as to its location and landlords was the "Black Horse Tavern," a stone building, a part of which is still standing in the more recently erected stone cottage building between the residences of N. B. Bowman and James Slocum, and occupied by Miss Mary Ledwith. The date of the opening of the old tavern cannot be accurately fixed, but it is known that the public meeting at Redstone Old Fort July 27, 1791, usually referred to as the first public act in the Whisky Insurrection, was held at the Black Horse Tavern. The last meeting of the insurgents was also held at the same place, Aug. 28 and 29, 1794. In the Western Telegraph (published at Washington, Pa.) of March 29, 1796 is found the following advertisement, viz .:
"Amos Wilson begs leave to inform his friends and the public that he has purchased the house formerly occupied by Mr. Patrick Tiernan, the sign of the Black Horse, on Front Street, Brownsville, well known by the name of Redstone Old Fort, where he has opened a tavern, " etc.
The tavern property, together with four other lots in Brownsville, "be- longing to Charles Armstrong, Elijah Clark, boat builder, and Capt. T. Shane," were sold at public auction on the 31st of December, 1796, by James Long, auctioneer, but it seems probable that, notwithstanding the sale, Wilson still continued as landlord of the Black Horse Tavern, and was keeping it in 1799, from an account of the celebration of St. John's day (June 24th) in that year by Brownsville Lodge No. 60, of the Free Masons, viz: "In the evening re- paired to Brother Wilson's at the Black Horse Tavern, and spent the evening in festivity. " Later it was kept successively by John Sheldon, Josiah
89
Old Workman Tavern-Now Girard House
Tennehill, Joseph Noble, Mrs. Dr. Lewis Sweitzer, and others. It was dis- continued as a public house many years ago.
OLD WORKMAN TAVERN-NOW GIRARD HOUSE.
The old Workman House at the upper end of Market Street, now the Girard House, or at least it stood where the Girard House now stands, and which is now under the efficient management of Mrs. James Claybaugh was one of the earliest. The Workman House was built by John MeClure Hezlop in 1797, who presided as landlord for some time. James Workman took possession of it in 1843 and presided over its destinies for many years. He had a wide reputation as a genial tavern keeper and a good caterer. He had the patronage of the Stockton stage line at that time in its zenith, and many interesting incidents are related of it. We copy the following from "The Old Pike" by T. B. Scaright:
GENERAL JACKSON WANTED HAM AND EGGS.
"The late (1894) George E. Hogg, for many years a leading and wealthy citizen of Brownsville, is authority for the following amusing story concern- ing James Workman, the old tavern keeper, and General Jackson. On the occasion of one of General Jackson's frequent trips over the National Road, the citizens of Brownsville resolved to give him a public reception. All the usual arrangements for such an occasion or event, were made, including a dinner at Workman's hotel or tavern as hostelries were then called. The hero upon reaching town was taken to the Presbyterian church to listen to a reception speech and receive the greetings of the people. Soon after the audience had settled down, Mr. Workman entered the building and forcing himself down the main aisle, and to a front pew occupied by General Jackson, accosted him thus: 'General Jackson, I have been commissioned by the committee of arrangements to provide your dinner, and have come to inquire if there is any particular article of diet you prefer above another, that I may have the pleasure of gratifying your taste.' The old general gravely responded 'ham and eggs.' This seemed rather confusing to the old land- lord, who, supposing the General was joking, repeated his inquiry, when the same response came the second time and in an emphatic tone, 'HAM AND EGGS.' Mr. Workman then hastily withdrew and going home commanded his cook to prepare ham and eggs for General Jackson's dinner."
ANECDOTES OF HENRY CLAY.
Another story concerning this old tavern is worthy of space. It seems that at that time the approaches to the bridge across Dunlap's Creek were not in a very good condition and a stage coach in crossing it with Henry Clay as a passenger (he must have been riding on the outside) dropped so far as to throw the illustrious passenger out into the mud injuring him though as it proved afterwards, not seriously. Mr. Clay was taken to the Workman
90
Gen. La Fayette at the Brashear House
House and Dr. Stoy, an old practitioner was immediately called. The Doctor, it is said, was given to loquacity and being very much elated at being called to see so distinguished a patient, commenced to tell one of his long stories. In the meantime he had prescribed brandy and held the glass containing the liquid in his hand. Mr. Clay perceiving that the story was going to be a long one, interrupted the Doctor to suggest that he be permitted to drink the brandy without further delay and to rub the glass over his wounds.
It is related that a wit who was standing near by when Mr. Clay was so unceremoniously dumped into the mud, remarked that it was rather expensive to bring Clay all the way from Kentucky to fill up the chuck holes in the National Pike.
GEN. LA FAYETTE AT THE BRASHEAR HOUSE.
A short distance below the Workman House (now the Girard) stands an old stone house now occupied by Mrs. Westley Frost as a private residence. This was the Brashear House and was kept by Bazil Brashear and after- wards by James Searight of whom mention has already been made. It was for many years a prominent hostelry and the stopping place of many illus- trious personages, among them being La Fayette who was entertained there when he visited America in 1825. Bazil Brashear was a brother-in-law of Thos. Brown, the founder of Brownsville and the grandfather of Prof. John Brashear, the renowned astronomer and maker of astronomical intru- ments, who now resides in Pittsburg.
At the head of old Front Street, in a frame house, James C. Beckley also kept a tavern for a number of years.
THE OLD MARSHALL HOUSE.
On the ground now occupied by the handsome and palatial residence of C. L. Snowdon, in the early days, there stood what was then called the Marshall House. It was first kept as a tavern by William Reynolds who was an agent for the Adams Express Company. It was, of course, head- quarters for the express company and did a good business. After Mr. Reynolds, the house was in the hands of Hiram Holmes, Isaac Vance, Harvey Schroyer, J. W. Kisinger, Win. Garrett and others. Its name was frequently changed. It was once known as the Petroleum House and lastly as the Central.
THE OLD CLARK MANSION-NOW THE STOREY HOUSE.
The old Clark mansion, now the Storey House, was converted into a hotel about the year 1849 and immediately became the headquarters of the Good Intent stage line. Andrew Byers who was at one time the proprietor of the Clinton House, in Uniontown, was its first proprietor. Daniel Brown succeeded Byers. For some time after Brown left the house it was kept by Capt. Morgan Mason. The widow Schroyer also kept the house for a time
91
Old Krepps Homestead-Now the Monongahela House
as did Theakston Bros. Matthew Storey had purchased it subsequent to the date when it was under the management of Theakston Bros., however. When Mr. Storey came into possession of the house he greatly enlarged and improved it and under his management it has grown into great favor and enjoys a large and desirable patronage.
THE OLD KREPPS HOMESTEAD-NOW THE MONONGAHELA HOUSE.
As is well known to the older residents of Brownsville, the Monongahela House was for many years the private residence of Samuel J. Kropps. As near as we can learn from the records and memory of the oldest citizens, it was opened up as a tavern about 1844. A Mr. MeCurdy was the first pro- prietor. It was kept in turn by Jesse Hardin, Isaac Bailey, William Gans, Ephraim H. Bar, Cyrus L. Connor, and John Kropps a son of the owner.
OLD TAVERNS IN BRIDGEPORT.
Jack Arnold seems to have been one of the first to keep a tavern in Bridge- port. His house stood near where the market house was located which latter building occupied the ground now laid out in a park or rather a grass plat at the intersection of Bridge, Second and High streets. He was succeeded by John Riley who kept the place for many years. The old Kimber House was located where the Bar House now stands. Isaac Kimber, Robert Pat- terson, and John Neclan at different times presided over this house. The Bar House was the property of Ephraim Bar and still belongs to his heirs. It was kept by Robert Carter, Thornton Young, George Garrard, Mathew Story, Eli Bar, W. F. Higinbotham and others and is now a popular hostelry under the management of John E. Rickard.
OLD TAVERNS IN WEST BROWNSVILLE.
Like all other points along the National Pike, West Brownsville, had its old hostelries the mention of which will call to mind many interesting in- cidents not yet forgotten by the older citizens.
As early as the year 1820, Samuel Adams kept a tavern in a frame building on the corner of Railroad and Bridge streets. Later the frame was torn down and the brick house now occupied as a depot by the P. V. & C., was built on the site. Joshua Armstrong was the first occupant of the brick building. John Huston was the last one to occupy the old frame building. After Mr. Armstrong the house was kept in turn by the following: Morris Purcell, Major William Paul, Thomas Hamen Hopkins, Greenberry Millburn, John Cummins, Moses Bennington, William Dawson, James D. Dorsey, Doc. Bar, Robert Miller, Solomon Watkins, James Nichols, and John Taylor.
West of the above-named hotel or tavern and near the foot of the hill on the Pike, stood an old stone house in which Vincent Owen kept tavern at the opening of the Pike and for some time afterwards. The property
4
92
Old Pike Reminiscences
belonged to the Krepps family, and the landing of the Krepps ferry was near the tavern. Owens was succeeded by Samuel Acklin, after which John Krepps took charge of the house. Morris Purcell succeeded Krepps and after- wards went to the Adams house as above stated. The Krepps ferry which continued till about 1845, was run in connection with this tavern. This house closed long before the decline of travel on the Pike though we have not been able to learn why.
T. B. Searight in his "Old Pike" relates that the father of Vincent Owen was murdered in this old house while the latter was keeping it. Two persons who lodged in the house the night of the murder, were suspected of the crime but they fled before daylight the next morning and were never apprehended. There was no apparent motive for the crime.
The present hotels of West Brownsville are the Aubrey and the Atwood, the former presided over by David G. Province and the latter by J. J. Caulley. The Atwood was formerly occupied by business houses and flats and was fitted up for a hotel in 1901 by W. Breckinridge.
OLD PIKE REMINISCENCES.
T. B. Searight in his "Old Pike, " says the National Road had its contingent of quaint characters, eccentric men, philosophers in one sense, and loafers in another. They were indigenous to the road, could not live away from it, and enjoyed the precarious subsistence they obtained on it. The loadstone that attracted them and attached them to the road, probably above all other influences, was the pure whisky, before mentioned. It was plentiful and cheap, and could be obtained almost for the mere asking. It did not contain the elements of modern whisky, which excites men to revolution, insurrection, violence and insanity. Of the characters alluded to, whose haunts were at the old taverns along the road between Scaright's and Browns- ville, the reader familiar with that portion of the line will readily recall Marion Smith, (Logan) George Ducket, Jonathan Crawford, John W. Dough- erty, Gideon Lehman and Billy Bluebaker. Logan's forte was imitating the crowing of a rooster. Ducket had no pronounced trait but under a patriotie impulse volunteered as a soldier in the Mexican war, and marched with Major Gardner, Daniel Hazard and the other heroes to the halls of the Montezumas. Crawford was a tailor, and worked at his trade as little as possible, but quietly enjoyed his potations. He had nothing to say. Dougherty was a walking arsenal, savage in appearance and gesticulation. He carried knives, pistols and a general assortment of deadly weapons, but was never known to use them on an adversary. Lehman was also a tailor and bass drummer. He had a bronzed complexion and a stolid temperament. Billy Bluebaker was clastic in motion, but lacking in brain. He wore the smallest hat of any individual on the road, and was happy in doing little jobs for old wagoners at his uncle's tavern. These odd characters have all gone with the majority of the men of the road, They witnessed, and in their way participated in the enlivening scenes of the great highway, and are en- titled to a place in its history ..
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Visit of Jenny Lind and P. T. Barnum
VISIT OF JENNY LIND AND P. T. BARNUM.
When Jenny Lind, the world-renowned songstress, made her first profes- sional visit to the United States, she returned east from her western tour by way of the National Road, in company with her troupe and in "chartered" coaches of the Stockton line. P. T. Barnum, the celebrated showman, was the great singer's manager, and was with her on the occasion referred to. The party remained over night at Boss Rush's tavern, twelve miles cast of Uniontown. The people along the road heard of the coming of the dis- tinguished travelers, and a number assembled at the tavern in the evening to get a glimpse of them. William Shaffer drove the coach in which Barnum was seated, and when he halted in front of the tavern one of the curious called up to the driver on the box and inquired: "Which is Barnum?" Shaffer answered gruffly: "I don't know Barnum from the devil." Barnum, meanwhile, had emerged from the coach, and standing by its side overheard the inquiry and the driver's reply, and stepping up to the inquisitor said to him: "I am Barnum; the driver is right, it is hard to distinguish me from the devil." The party entered the good old tavern and were entertained and lodged in the handsome style for which Boss Rush was greatly and justly distinguished.
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Union R. R. Station, Brownsville
Railroad History
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE RAILROADS THAT HELPED TO MAKE FAYETTE COUNTY AND THE THREE TOWNS WHAT THEY ARE- EARLY IHISTORY OF THE BALTIMORE & OHIO, THE PENNSYLVANIA, THE PITTSBURG & LAKE ERIE AND THE MONONGAHELA-THE CONNELLSVILLE CENTRAL- OPENING OF THE MONONGAHELA RAILROAD A GALA DAY-A CITIZEN OF THE THREE TOWNS FIRST PROPOSED THE UNION PACIFIC-PICTURES OF PROMINENT RAILROAD MEN WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES- PICTURES OF SCENERY ALONG THE VARIOUS LINES.
THE PITTSBURG & CONNELLSVILLE RAILROAD CO.
The Pittsburg & Connellsville Railroad Company was incorporated April 3d, 1837, rechartered in 1843, opened their road to Connellsville in 1855. and later under their recharter privileges, which had been repealed in 1864 and restored in 1868, they completed their road from Connellsville to Cum- berland, April 10, 1871.
THE FAYETTE COUNTY RAILROAD COMPANY.
The Fayette County Railroad Company was incorporated May 1, 1857. and completed its road from Uniontown to Connellsville on January 1, 1860. The road was sold by the sheriff in 1862, and purchased by the stockholders, who reorganized the company, and in 1864 leased the road for ninety-nine years to the Pittsburg & Connellsville Company, which also leased the Mt. Pleasant and Broad Ford railroad opened February 18, 1871.
BRANCH LINES OF RAILROAD.
In 1875 the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company partly secured by lease what they failed to accomplish by legislation half a century before. They leased the Pittsburg & Connellsville, the Mt. Pleasant & Broad Ford and the Fayette County roads for ninety-nine years, thus gaining an outlet to Pitts- burg and a road into the coke region of Fayette County. Twenty years later they pushed their Fayette County road to Morgantown, W. Va., under the name of the Morgantown & Fairmont Branch of the Pittsburg division. and in 1900 built a branch from Smithfield into the Klondike.
The second great trunk line to secure a branch into the county was the
96
Early History of the B. & O.
Pennsylvania, which obtained the Southwest Pennsylvania road, which was completed from Greensburg to Uniontown in 1876, and later extended to Fairchance by buying the Uniontown and West Virginia railroad. It also secured the partly finished Redstone Branch of the Pittsburg, Virginia & Charleston road from West Brownsville to Uniontown, completing it in 1882, and now operating it under the name of the Monongahela Division, while in 1900 it opened the Coal Lick Run Branch road from Uniontown to Leckrone in the Klondike. It also practically controls the Masontown and New Salem road of that region.
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