History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Part 25

Author: Smith, Robert Walter
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Waterman, Watkins
Number of Pages: 790

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By virtue of various acts of assembly and borough ordinances, nearly all the sidewalks have been paved with brick. The curbs are stone about five inches thick. The borough pays one-third and the prop-

perty owners the other two-thirds of the expense of the brick work.

The wharfing of the river bank, which was an important local improvement, must have been commenced as early as 1818-19. An order was issued by the county commissioners September 25, 1819, to Henry Jack for $250, one-half of the sub- scription made by the county for wharfing the Allegheny river at Kittanning. Considerable sums have since been expended by the borough for that purpose, the largest being for wharfing the bank with stone from a point about five rods below Jacob street to a small run between Walnut street and the rolling mill, a distance of about ninety rods, in 1869-70.

CROSSING THE ALLEGHENY IN EARLY TIMES AND LATE.

In the earlier years after the first settlement of Kittanning by the whites, the facilities for cross- ing the river were by skiffs and flatboats, when the water was too high for fording, which were either rowed or poled from one side to the other. The first ferry was some distance below the rolling mill, known as Sloan's ferry. Brown's ferry was established at a later period, higher up the river, at the mouth of Jacob street. Cunningham's ferry was established by the late William Cunningham, at the mouth of Market street, which was, in and after 1834, a chain ferry, said to have been invent- ed by Mr. Cunningham, though it was much like the pont volant, or flying bridge, long before known to French military engineers. The ferry- boat was borne across the river in about five minutes by the force of the current, by means of a strong wire, fastened to a tree about four hundred yards above the landing on the west side, the other end of the wire being fastened to the boat by stay- ropes, by which it could be brought to any desired angle with the current, the wire being kept out of the water by several buoys resembling small boats which crossed the river simultaneously with the large boat. The foremost end of the latter, being slightly turned up stream, was impelled across the river by the oblique action of the water against its side. Those buoys, says Sheman Day, looked like so many goslings swimming with their mother. That ferry was subsequently owned by Philip Mechling, who kept it up until the bridge was erected. The above-mentioned mode was changed to that of the more modern chain-ferry, which is by fastening the wire to trees or posts on both sides of the stream, dispensing with the buoys, connecting the boat to a pulley running along the wire by means of ropes or smaller wires, turning

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THE BOROUGH OF KITTANNING.

the foremost end of the boat up-stream, and thus causing it to be impelled by the oblique action of the current of water on its side.

By the act of April 2, 1838, and several supple- ments thereto, the present Kittanning bridge com- pany was incorporated. The charter thus granted lay dormant until about 1855, when, the requisite number of shares of stock having been taken, the work of building the bridge was begun, and was completed in March, 1856. The foundation con- sists of two stone abutments and four stone piers, substantially built. The first superstructure was chiefly wooden-Hall's patent. In a few weeks after its completion, about dusk, April 12, 1856, it was struck by a violent tornado and blown into the river. Wilson Todd, the toll-gatherer, and John Lininger were then on or near the east end of the bridge. The former, a one-armed man, sprang from the superstructure, after its detachment, and caught with his one arm on the abutment, and was thus rescued from perchance a watery grave. The latter was carried with the superstructure into the swollen river. There was intense anxiety for sev- eral hours among the excited people of Kittanning concerning his fate. He clung to that part of the bridge on which he went down. Fortunately, and to the great relief of all who were cognizant of his peril, he was rescued below Mannville. That tornado came from the west, and did considerable other damage in its fierce easterly sweep, through a limited portion of this borough and out through the country.

The bridge company having been authorized by the act of April 19, 1856, to issue preferred stock, replaced the lost superstructure by a wooden one on a different plan, that was firmly bound to the abutments and piers. It was covered. It lasted until 1874, when it was removed and the present graceful, durable, iron structure, with five channel arches, was substituted. The length of this bridge is nine hundred and sixteen feet. The total cost of the abutments, piers, superstructure and repairs is $60,000.

FIRST STEAMBOAT ARRIVALS.

On Saturday, April 11, 1827, the steamboat Albion, Capt. Pursall, arrived here from Pitts- burgh, bringing a number of gentlemen as pas- sengers, for the purpose of making the first experiment of navigating the Allegheny by steam. The river was then about five feet above low water mark, and the current very rapid. Yet she stemmed it majestically at the rate of about four miles an hour, without the full force of steam. About 11 o'clock A. M. the report of a swivel on board an-

nounced her approach, and the shout "The steam- boat!" was heard throughout the borough, and the wharf was soon thronged with the people of this place and vicinity, eager to see her. She was soon noticed coming round the bend below town, plow- ing through the rapid current in splendid style, and was shortly moored at the wharf. She was a beautiful boat of fifty tons, designed for low water in the Ohio, and drew, with full load, a little inore than five feet of water. A party of 120 persons of this place, among whom were forty ladies, arranged with the Captain to take them a few miles further up the river on a pleasure excursion. The boat returned an hour or two sooner than she would have done on account of the disturbance and unpleasantness occasioned by a few men on board, who were exceedingly Bacchic and turbulent, which elicited from one of the gentlemen aboard an uncomplimentary remark concerning Kittan- ning, in relation to which the chronicler of the event said: "Hard, indeed, that this place should bear such a stigma, when a large majority of its people abhor such misconduct."

On Wednesday night, February 20, 1828, the Pittsburgh and Wheeling packet arrived, respect- ing which some one, probably Josiah Copley, on the 23d, wrote to Hazard's Register : "A sound was heard down the river, 'an unco sugh,' as Burns says, which was soon recognized to be the puffing of a steamboat. The town was immediately in a buzz. All looked out to catch a glimpse of the water walker as she came around the bend below town. Presently the bright glow of the furnaces burst upon the sight; the report of their swivel resounded among the hills, and the boat rushed through the yielding current amid the cheers of the people, and was safely moored alongside the wharf. She proved to be the Pittsburgh and Wheeling packet, of 100 tons, owned by the Society of Harmonists, at Economy-a beautiful vessel, very handsomely finished, with two decks. A number of ladies and gentlemen from Pitts- burgh and Freeport came as passengers. A large party was got up next morning, who took an excursion of six or seven miles up the river, for the double purpose of the pleasure of the trip and a small remuneration to the worthy Captain for the visit. It stemmed the current at the rate of five or six miles an hour, and came down at about fifteen. The trip was delightful, the accom- modations were excellent and the company equally so. All were highly pleased. No acci- dent occurred to mar the pleasure of the party. We returned at 11 o'clock, and the boat left in a few minutes for Pittsburgh amid the united cheers

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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY.

of the people on shore and on the boat. We expect her return on Friday for the purpose of ascending the river as far as Franklin or Warren. Two hundred passengers are to go from this place alone. The people are anxious that this important experi- ment be made."

The writer is informed that the trip on February 21 was to have been extended to the mouth of Red Bank, but it was found impracticable to extend it further than a few miles above Kittanning, on account of the high and rapid stage of water. Many of the passengers, however, clamored for the exten- sion to Red Bank. At the suggestion of one of the other class of passengers, who took a more rational view of the circumstances, the Captain turned his boat down stream, while the up-streamers or exten- sionists were in the cabin, and landed at Kittan- ning. When the passengers came on deck and got a glimpse of their own town, some of them didn't know it, and thought the mouth of Red Bank was a much larger place than they had supposed it to be.

The Wm. D. Duncan, a side-wheel steamer, Benj. Brooks, captain, and James P. Murphy, pilot, arrived here about 10 o'clock Friday night, Feb- ruary 22, 1822, when Washington's birthday was being observed by a ball at the Kittanning Inn. She had on board a number of ladies and gentle- men from Pittsburgh and Freeport. She left here on her upward trip for Franklin and Warren at 9 o'clock the next morning, drawing four and a half feet of water, and moved up stream at the average rate of abont four and a half miles an hour, and in nine hours reached Lawrenceburgh, now Parker City, where there was an accession of several gentlemen as passengers. Thence she pro- ceeded above the mouth of Clarion river, where she remained the rest of that night, and left the next morning, arriving at Franklin about 5 o'clock P. M., where those on the boat were cordially welcomed, in the midst of a violent rain-storm, by the hospit- able people of that place, a considerable number of whom took an excursion to Oil Creek Furnace, while the visitors from the lower Allegheny

enjoyed the civilities shown them by the good people of Franklin. The next (Tuesday) morning they commenced their downward trip, the steamer moving at the rate of eleven or twelve miles an hour, and reached Kittanning about sunset withont accident or aught to mar the pleasure of their excursion except the crowded cabin, which was necessarily occupied by all much of the time, on account of the rain.

In 1830 the steamboat Allegheny, the first one for the Allegheny river, was built. Two citizens

of Kittanning owned interests in it, which did not prove to be profitable. Her first trip to Franklin was on Friday, April 16, 1830, with three tons of of freight and thirty or forty passengers. Her speed up stream was three miles an hour. She reached Warren on the 22d, and Kittanning, on her return, on the 26th of April. On one of her . other trips she ascended the Allegheny to Olean, New York.

The New Castle was the next steamboat that was built for the Allegheny river, on which steam- boating soon after became quite brisk.

Among the steamboat captains on the Allegheny none was, perhaps so noted for his brusqueness as John Hanna, whose new steamer, the Allegheny Belle, made her first arrival here Thursday night, December 8, 1842.

IMPROVEMENT CONVENTION.

Another notable event of a public nature was the convention of about fifty delegates from the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Craw- ford, Jefferson, Venango and Warren, which met, pursuant to previous notice, in the Presbyterian church, Kittanning, June 18, 1835, which was organized by appointing Henry Shippen, of Craw- ford county, president, William Ayen, of Butler, and Adam Hays, of Allegheny, vice presidents, and Josiah Copley, of Armstrong, and Ephraim Galbraith, of Venango, secretaries. The following preamble and resolutions were then discussed and unanimously adopted:

" Whereas, the Allegheny river, from its magnitude, local position and adaption to steamboat navigation, is evidently destined to become the principal medium of communication between the northeastern and southwest- ern portions of our country, and may, at comparatively trifling expense, be rendered navigable for steamboats at all seasons of the year when uninterrupted by ice,

"Resolved, That the improvement of the Allegheny river would go far toward a union of the Genesee, Susquehanna and Lake Erie with the Ohio, and that it would be a great central channel from which lateral avenues of commerce would diverge in all directions.

" Resolved, That the object of this convention be earnestly recommended to their fellow citizens of West- ern Pennsylvania.

" Resolved, That Thomas Blair, Joseph Buffington and Wm. F. Johnston, Esqs., be a committee for the purpose of drafting a memorial to the Legislature of this state, praying for the passage of an act to incorporate a com- pany to improve the Allegheny river from Pittsburgh to the New York line.

" Resolved, That a committee of correspondence be ap- pointed to inquire of and consult with such public bodies or private individuals as they shall deem proper to further the objects of this convention in the improving of the Allegheny river, and that said committee consist

His. Buffington

RESIDENCE OF THE LATE HON, JOSEPH BUFFINGTON, KITTANNING, PA. 1872 1830

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THE BOROUGH OF KITTANNING.

of A. W. Foster and N. B. Craig, of Pittsburgh, Hon. R. Orr, of Kittanning, J. Bredin, of Butler, Hon. J. Gal- braith, of Franklin, and Robert Falconer, of Warren."- Hazard's Register.

SOME OLD-TIME FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS.

The Fourth of July, 1828, was celebrated in a manner worthy of description. As preliminary and preparatory to it the following communica- tions appeared in the Columbian of June 21, 1828, viz .:

" Communication. The friends of Gen. Andrew Jackson are requested to meet at the house of Mr. John Mechling"-on lot No. 120-" in Kittanning, on Friday evening next"-June 27, 1828 -- " at early candle-light, to consult upon measures pre- paratory to celebrating the approaching anniver- sary of American independence in a suitable and becoming manner."

" Communication. The friends of the Adminis- tration "-John Quincy Adams'-" wishing to par- ticipate in the festivities of the day of the Fourth of July next are requested to leave their names at the house of Mr. David Reynolds."

The Armstrong Guards met at the hotel then kept by R. B. Alford-Eagle House -Saturday evening, June 21. The meeting was organized by appointing the captain of the company, Thos. Blair, president, and John Croll, secretary. A pre- amble and resolutions were adopted deprecating the observance of that day as a party instead of a national jubilee, and that, though differing politi- cally, they would celebrate the day by having a dinner provided for the company and such other citizens as would join in the celebration, at such place and by such person as the committee might think proper. In pursuance of that arrangement the fifty-second anniversary of American indepen- dence, which occurred on Friday, was celebrated by the Guards and a large number of citizens, friends of both presidential candidates, in this borough. Samuel Matthews was chosen president, Michael Mechling and David Johnston, vice-presi- dents, and James Douglass, secretary. Capt. Blair read the Declaration of Independence and Charles G. Snowden delivered the oration. The orator, having presented at considerable length the advantages resulting from that independence, con- cluded his oration in these words : " In the ardor of enthusiasm into which my mind has been car- ried I have ascribed the possession of freedom and happiness to the people of this country without distinction. But, painful task ! I must retract, or at least qualify, the expression. For is there not, O Columbia ! thou first-born of freedom-thou who hast taught the world to know and prize as

they might this heaven-born blessing-is there not within thy bosom a numerous class of men who have no cause to unite their voices with ours in celebrating this memorable day? Alas ! there is; and while truth and candor make this confession the fair genius of liberty forgets for a moment the rapturous joy of the day to weep over their fate. Unhappy sons of Africa! when I think of your condition I am ready to ask myself if this be the United States-that land so famed for the natural rights of man? I am ready to ask, where are those solemn declarations, those solemn appeals, which our ancestors made to the Great Father of the great family of mankind in the hour of their dis- tress during the Revolutionary conflict? Did our patriots reason and heroes bleed to establish the position that a part only of the human race were born with an inherent right to freedom? This indeed was not their declaration, nor is it ours: but what must the rest of the world think of our conduct? Will they not brand our name, in other respects so fair, so glorious, with the foul epithets of interested, inconsistent nation? Of all the extremes capable of being united in a political system surely liberty and slavery are the most heterogeneous, discordant and shocking! Extir- pate, then, fellow-citizens, this baneful weed out of the fair garden of liberty, and let each return of this glorious anniversary find the evil rapidly diminishing until its name shall be forever lost from the annals of America, and the chorus of lib- erty shall be filled with joyful notes of all nations and colonies of men that breathe the pure air of Columbia. In order that this happy purpose may be effected, O may the luminous and divine spirit of liberty which is diffusing itself throughout the world still continue to diffuse itself and once more shed its influential rays upon the minds of Ameri- cans! And O ye enlightened republicans, whose ancestors so gloriously opposed acts of despotism for the establishment of your liberty, may you now pursue the dictates of humanity, and let proper motives actuate you in the establishment of uni- versal liberty, until that happy period shall arise when all mankind shall enjoy equal felicity!"

Although the anti-slavery sentiment expressed in the foregoing extract then harmonized with the general sentiment of the people in this borough and county, yet, in the course of eight or nine years, a change had come o'er the spirit of their dream, for on the 18th and 19th of April, 1837, a large meeting of men of all parties, from different parts of the county, was held, showing that Arm- strong was then determined "to discountenance the fanatical course of the abolitionists in their

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endeavors to embroil Pennsylvania with her sister states of the South." The sentiment was promul- gated in one of the resolutions, that Pennsylvania, having abolished slavery within her own limits, bad done all that she was in duty bound to do in regard to it. Time, knowledge and the logic of events wrought another change in the opinions of many who participated in the proceedings and voted for the resolutions of that convention-a change favorable to emancipation.

The assemblage then enjoyed an excellent dinner prepared by John Mechling, and then repaired to the shade of a large sugar-tree on the bank of the river below where the rolling mill now is.

TOASTS. 1. The day we celebrate. Sacred to liberty and the rights of man. Four cheers.

2. The surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the revolution. They now receive the appropriate re- ward of valor-the gratitude and bounty of their country. Three cheers.

3. The congress of 1776. A memorable proof that wise heads are as necessary as strong arms. Four cheers.

4. The memory of Washington. Drunk standing, and in silence.

5. The president of the United States. (Three cheers.)

6. The governor of Pennsylvania. (Three cheers.)

7. General Andrew Jackson. (Three cheers.)

8. The memory of DeWitt Clinton. The New York canal is the monument of his fame and the glory of his country. Standing, and in silence.

9. Our free institutions. May this rich inheritance from our fathers escape unhurt from the fury of party warfare. (Three cheers.)

10. Bolivar. He has filled the measure of military fame-his fitness to be a ruler of a free country remains to be seen. (Three cheers.)

11. The cause of liberty and representative govern- ment throughout the world. We wish it a steady and sure march, (Three cheers.)

12. The laws and constitution of our country. To these alone we owe allegiance. (Three cheers.)

13. Our fair countrywomen. (Four cheers.)

VOLUNTEER TOASTS. By the president-The memory of Gen. Jacob Brown.

By Vice-President Johnston-The right of suffrage. With freemen, its transcendent importance should out- weigh every other earthly consideration.

By the secretary-The citizens of Kittanning. May the preparations which they have made for celebrating the fifty-second anniversary of the American Independ- ence prove to a demonstration that they emulate the spirit of '76.

By Capt. Blair-The memory of Kosciusko. The un- wavering needle of the patriot's heart will point steadily to the Pole.

By J. M. Jordan-Officers and soldiers of the revolu- tion.

And where the battle's thunder roar'd From morn till day's decline, For us their blood they freely pour'd, In days o' lang syne.

By John Francis-When the fair sex stand in danger,

may the Armstrong Guards be found standing at their arms prepared to protect them.

By Josiah Copley-The Pennsylvania canal. A silver chain to hind the State together-pity it must have an- iron link in it.

By Thomas MeKelvey-The Armstrong Guards. May we celebrate the present anniversary with the same feelings as did the heroes of the revolution on the 4th of July, 1776.

By Lieut. Johnston-The memory of Patrick Dough- erty, a soldier of the late war.

By John Clugsten-The United States. May they flourish and be crowned with success, and ever be the bright luminary of this western hemisphere.

By Wm. W. Hastings-The fifty-second anniversary of our glorious independence we celebrate, and not men.

By A. Colwell-The late preamble and resolutions of the Armstrong Guards ; their enemies find fault without knowing the reason why.

By James R. Snowden-The navy of the United States : It has wrested the trident of Neptune from the ancient lords of the ocean and forced the British lion to crouch at the feet of the American eagle.

By Lieut. Mccullough-May the oppressed of all nations break their chains on the heads of their oppres- sors.

By George Rohrer-The Jacksonites on the other side of the water : May they celebrate this day with the same harmony and good feeling that we have done.

By a guest-Our senator and representatives in the late legislature : Their exertions to secure our interests have secured our confidence.

By Thomas Struthers-David Lawson, the active and zealous friend and supporter of the interests of the west. By Jesse Williams-Our worthy host.

By the company-The president of the day, the vice- presidents of the day, the orator of the day.

Our venerable and respected guest, Judge Orr.

That fifty-second anniversary was also celebrated on the opposite side of the river by the friends of General Jackson. Robert Orr, Jr., acted as presi- dent, Samuel S. Harrison and Jacob Mechling as vice-presidents, and Frederick Rohrer and Thos. McConnell as secretaries. The locality of this celebration was among some trees just below where the old Freeport road turns up the hill, nearly opposite the foot of Mulberry street. After those present had partaken of a sumptuous dinner, pre- pared by the late Joseph Brown, the Declaration of Independence was read by the late Dr. Neale, and an oration was delivered by George W. Smith, then a resident of Kittanning, but now of Cecil county, Maryland, a copy of which the writer has not seen. The following toasts were then drunk with, it is stated, " a unanimity of sentiment seldom equaled : "

1. The day we celebrate : May the God of nations pro- tect our happy. country, so that in the latest ages our pos- terity may join in celebrating the birthday of freedom.

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2. Our country : May her councils be always peace and ever free from the suspicion of corruption.

3. The memory of Gen. George Washington.

4. The heroes and statesmen of the revolution : De- voted to the inherent rights of man, they have left us a monument of greatness for an admiring world to contem- plate with wonder and gratitude.

5. The army and navy of the United States : Matchless in skill and bravery- in the hour of need the sure defend- ers of our rights and liberties.

6. The President of the United States : Elected by in- trigue and corruption-may those eoneerned in betray- ing the rights of their constituents meet with a just reward-an expulsion from all offiees of honor and profit.

7. The Governor of Pennsylvania : His mild adminis- tration meets the applause of a free people.

8. The State of Pennsylvania: Her sons, eele- brated for virtne and patriotism, and always true to the principles of 1776, form a solid phalanx in support of the hero of two wars.

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History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Part 25

Author: Smith, Robert Walter Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : Waterman, Watkins Number of Pages: 790

Author: Smith, Robert Walter
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Waterman, Watkins
Number of Pages: 790