History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 69

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418

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So set'scht du als Antwort mache Dem G'bed', wu mir dir bringe; Dass der Rose-Knopf, dei Maul, Ufschpringe that mit Singe !

" THE BONNIE GEORGE CAMPBELL."

Hoch uf die Hochländer, Und dief in em Dag,

Der gude Georg' Campbell Reit frei wie er mag. All g'sattelt, all 'zaumt, Schöne Gläder tragt er :

Heem is sei guder Gaul, Doch er nimmermehr.

'Raus kummt sei Mutter --- Sie weint so herzlich :

'Raus kummt sei schöne Frau --- Sie weint avver schmerzlich.

All g'sattelt, all 'zaumt, 'N schtark Schild tragt er,

Heem kummt der Sattel, Doch er nimmermehr.

Mei Wiss, sie leit grü, 'S Welshkorn 's net g'ernt,

Mei Kornhaus is leer, Ung'bore mei Kind. All g'sattelt, all 'zaumt, Scharfe Waffe tragt er,

Heem kummt der Sattel, Doch er nimmermehr.

The last poem appeared originally, as its title would indicate, in the Scotch dialect. It was partly compiled and partly written by William Motherwell, who published it in 1827. Subsequently it was translated into German by O. L. B. Wolff, from whose version Henry W. Longfellow translated it into English ; and it is Longfellow's interpretation that Mr. Zimmer- man selected for conversion into Pennsylvania German.

Harbaugh's " Harfe," also Fischer's "Penn- sylvanisch Deutsche Gedichte" and " Kurzweil

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LANGUAGE, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

und Zeitvertreib," are publications in the Penn- sylvania German which are worthy of especial mention. They contain numerous interesting poems in this dialect, and introduce, in a supe- rior style, the notions, manners and customs of our German people.

The English language, both written and spoken, has been in use from the time of the earliest settlements by the English in the county, and it is natural to suppose that, in all these years, through judicial proceedings, busi- ness transactions and general education, it should have made considerable progress, espe- cially during the last twenty years; but fre- quent visits to churches and schools, stores and families in this time enable me to say that the German language is still predominant. Another generation-indeed, several generations-will have to pass away before the English language can take its place. The circulation of English newspapers is increasing gradually ; but their total circulation is still small compared with our population. They are a strong agency in effecting a change from the German to the English ; in reality, they are a stronger agency in this respect than the common schools. This is particularly apparent in Reading. Before the daily English newspaper was established here, the German language was commonly used by the major part of its inhabitants in their daily affairs ; but now the English has its place, and principally through the more and more general introduction of the newspaper. The convenience of distribution facilitates its growth. But the situation is not much im- proved in our boroughs and towns and town- ships, especially in the latter, notwithstanding the use and encouragement of common schools. In those, the newspapers are not generally read as they are in Reading. They are not so con- veniently distributed. But in them, as in Reading, the English language will become more generally used according to the more general introduction of English newspapers. The national government is contributing much aid by extending and increasing the postal facilities and the delivery of mail matter throughout the county. If the distribution of newspapers from the several post-offices could

be effected in those districts as in Reading, without compelling the people to walk after them, a great step would be accomplished towards increasing their circulation, and, with it, the use of the English language.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS .- The buildings and improvements throughout the county are mostly the result of German thrift and energy. Profits from labor have been almost entirely appropriated towards increasing the value of land rather than towards enlightenment. Fine barns, dwellings and fields are prominent in every locality. They are superior to those which existed in the previous century. Practical affairs show a decided advancement beyond their condition fifty years ago. This is apparent in live stock, in the cultivation of fruit, in the possession of improved implements and ma- chinery, besides a better class of dwellings and barns. A higher order of taste in the adorn- ment of persons and places has made its way through increasing liberality. These are signs to indicate the development of the people out of their previous condition.

Domestic habits, in respect to home-made articles, have changed. Spinning and weaving have been abandoned. The loom and the factory supply all the materials required. A change began to be made about 1840. Before that time, spinning was common everywhere in the county. It was one of the necessary accom- plishments of mothers and daughters. Till then reels and spinning-wheels were sold at different stores in Reading. Sales then declined gradu- ally, and within twenty years afterward there was no demand at all for these articles.

Gardening is still carried on successfully. Besides supplying vegetables for family use, it is a source of profit to mothers, who dispose of a considerable proportion of garden products at market.

The almanac is a common guide to indicate by the changes of the moon the proper time for planting. The practice of consulting the moon's phases is regarded by many persons as a super- stitious notion ; but it still prevails. So fences are erected when the points of the moon are up, . shingle roofs are nailed in position when the points are down, and woods are cleared when the

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

moon is full. But the custom is not so general as it was, especially in towns and cities, where building operations are conducted through all seasons ; and walls, fences and roofs are placed in position regardless of the point of the moon.

A funeral in the country districts is always largely attended, especially the funeral of a citizen of some prominence. The services are generally conducted in the German language in the church of which the deceased was a member. Afterward the guests return to the house of mourning and participate in a large dinner. This custom lias continued time out of mind. Great sociability is exhibited upon such an occasion. Friends travel miles to attend a funeral in order to show respect for the deceased. And the entire neighborhood is very often repre- sented.

The burials are generally made in the bury- ing-ground adjoining a church. The first set- tlers made burials in private grounds set apart on farms for this purpose. It was instituted as a matter of convenience; and then the funeral service was held at the house. The change of farm ownership caused this custom to be gradu- ally abandoned. Thirty years ago private grounds were still numerous. Church cemeteries began to be more encouraged then and burials in them increased. Occasionally a burial in one of these private grounds is still made.

The country store was a great institution years ago. But its influence, trade and popu- larity are much reduced. This change was effected through the introduction of the rail- way and competing stage-lines. Variety of goods and cheapness are considerations which induce the people to visit the towns and the county-seat for their purchases. It is noticeable that the railway is drawing the patronage of Reading to Philadelphia more and more; so that as our townships come to patronize Read- ing, Reading goes to patronize Philadelphia. This is apparent elsewhere-the cities attracting the trade of towns, and the towns that of the country districts. The country inu was also a popular place for many years. Frolics and dances were common everywhere years ago; and they were carried on successfully at the

inn. The " fiddler "1 was an important person upon such occasions. And " Battalion Day " brought much profit to the inn that was near by the place where the military exercise was con- ducted.

Military affairs were active throughout the county from the close of the Revolution till the beginning of the Civil War, a period cover- ing nearly eighty years. Companies of men were formed in every section, and battalions of them were drilled annually at the prominent towns, mostly at Reading, Kutztown, Ham- burg, Rehrersburg and Womelsdorf. These exercises occasioned the day to be called " Bat- talion Day." They afforded the men much pleasure and a great change in their daily em- ployment in field, barn and work-shop. Many sons of early families became quite prominent as military men. The most popular military men, by reason of long-continued service, were Generals George De B. Keim, George M. Keim, Henry Schaeffer, and William High, and later for several decades till the Civil War, General William H. Keim.

The old "Conestoga wagon" is no longer seen passing over our highways. Fifty years ago it was in prominent use everywhere. Many of them were seen moving together in conveying great loads of wheat and other products, such as manufactured articles, whiskey, etc., to distant markets, especially to Philadelphia. Each one was drawu by four horses, sometimes by five and six ; it attracted much attention, with jingling sweet-toned bells on the lead-horse of the team to indicate its movement ou the way. Its capacity was from two thousand to three thousand pounds. It was covered with a strong canvas top. In returning, store goods of various kinds were brought along. Upon the opening of the railroad in 1838, this business of hauling in Conestoga wagons ceased. Since then, the only considerable haul- ing by farmers is in conveying their grain, hay, etc., to the market at Reading; and this is done almost entirely in one wagon at a time. In a "moving" by a farmer about April 1st

1 One of them informed me that he once earned fifteen hundred dollars in a year.

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many teams are used to convey the whole stock, furniture, etc., in a day. The long train affords *to a certain degree an idea how the Conestoga teams appeared.

The life of the farmer is comparatively little beyond hard, earnest labor and rigid economy throughout each succeeding year. His daily reflection is upon his stock and crops. All the improved implements and labor-saving ma- chinery are devised and introduced by others for his benefit. He would continue in the same manner of conducting his farming opera- tions which had been practiced last century and even this century till 1850, if inventive genius had not created them for him. The farmer of our own county has not produced anything to improve his situation in respect to labor. He adopts what is brought to him. This singular inactivity keeps him back of the advancing times. Through it, the products of his labor are permitted to be drained to populous places. One of the chief consequences is little remunera- tion. . The men of thought and energy in cities absorb the greater proportion of the profits. If his daily habits were not simple and his ex- penses small, he could not keep what he has, much less accumulate more. His net income from actual labor is limited. Compared with the income of business men, agents, officers, and clerks in cities, it is insiguificant. His manners are the same in this respect as in others. If we examine them closely and com- pare them with the condition of things one hun- dred years ago, we find little progress. His house- hold furniture, bedding, clothing, table-ware, social habits and general customs are generally the same. His walls are not decorated with costly paintings, his floors are not covered with fine, soft carpets, his beds are not composed of easy springs and hair or wire mattresses, his table does not glisten with polished silver or sparkle with cut glass, his dwelling is not after the modern style, with arrangements for health and convenience, and he bimself is not a patron of art, literature or amusements. But in towns and cities we find all these things, not only in the dwellings of bankers, lawyers and merchants, but also of industrious mechanics, agents and clerks ; and art, literature and various amuse-

ments are largely patronized and encouraged. This great difference is caused by the spirit of progress, which obtains more in populous places, where the people are led in numerous ways to intermingle daily with one another. Association creates the landable ambition to de- velop improvement in the various departments of domestic and social life; and it relieves the monotony of daily labor by amusements, literary, musical and dramatic. In carrying on its amusements successfully, it is converting night more and more into day and devising new methods for social pleasure and excitement. Im- proved light facilitates and encourages it in the night-time. And traveling is a great agency in stimulating it. Indeed, in certain respects, it is like steam on the one hand and electricity on the other,-active and energetic in moving about from place to place, and brilliant and powerful in providing the necessary light to accommodate its conceptions. Horse-power, and locomotion afforded by it means may suffice for the people in the country districts ; but steam and railroads afford locomotion which is not too rapid for the people in the towns and cities. Indeed, the genius that thrives in the very midst of the most populous places and of the pleasures and excitements which they produce is struggling with the mysteries of the world for a motive- power stronger and quicker than steam and hopes of realizing victory are highly entertained. Restless energy is introducing wonderful changes in the manners and customs of the people. In the mountainous and farming districts, where distance separates the inhabitants and where means for rapid intermingling are impracticable, if not impossible, the changes are imperceptible. Their situation does not war- rant changes, especially such as are constantly going on in the cities, for it could not support them. The profits of labor and the investments in them are too slow and too small. Hence their manners and customs, their dwellings and churches, their roads and movements, their speech and actions, their dress and associations, are the same or nearly the same as they were a hundred years ago. Their energy is inseparable from the plow and the hoe and muscular exer- tion. But the cities produce and support these

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

changes, and in them energy partakes more of the mind than of the body. And these changes and this mental energy are more active amongst their inhabitants. In comparing the situation of the people of Albany and Caernarvon town- ships ---- districts located at the extreme northern and southern ends of our county, thirty miles apart also of Hereford and Bethel townships, -districts located at the extreme eastern and western ends, forty miles apart, with the situa- tion of the people of Reading, the county-seat, the difference is apparent at a glance. One hundred years ago they were alike or nearly so. But just as Reading is in advance of the districts mentioned, so is New York, the great metropolis of our vast country, in advance of Reading. By contrasting the two extremes, our mountainous districts with the great metrop- olis, the difference in the manners and customs of the respective inhabitants is wonderful. And yet the forefathers of each, as immigrants, started alike. In the one, oil and tallow are still used and even the open fire-place for the production of light in a simple and inexpensive way ; in the other, these have long passed away, especially for public purposes, and the people have light from electricity. In the one, thousands of in- habitants are scattered over miles of territory ; in the other, thousands are concentrated upon a few acres. In the one, a few hundred dollars suffice to make the inhabitants contented and happy ; in the other, millions of dollars are in- vested and expended to carry on successfully the manners and customs of the inhabitants, and such changes as ambition and competition produce. Contentment would seem to be the co-partner of slowness, if not of stilluess ; but discontentment of energy and activity. . In the one, the expense of a few extra dollars in travel or in entertainment is looked upon as luxury, if not extravagance ; in the other, thousands of dollars are expended as a matter of necessity for the same purpose.

These strong contrasts enable us to see our own manners and customs in the county of Berks as they are or were, or as they will be, especially in our more populous places, the nearer steam and electricity come to be con- nected with us in our material progress.

CHAPTER XVII.

NEWSPAPERS.

DURING the early history of Reading, there was no newspaper published in the town. News was communicated by persons to one another mostly at inns, of which the number was large in proportion to the population. It will not be supposed that the inhabitants en- couraged these resorts only for the liquid spirits which they afforded. It is true, men there drank whiskey, cream-beer, mead, etc. ; and they played at cards, dominoes, checkers, etc., for sport, if not for stakes. And the young people frequently indulged in dancing in the bar-room and dining-room of these places. But there was a prominent feature of the daily life at inns which surpassed all the things men- tioned. This was talk and gossip and story- telling. Each man was an unappointed, im- plied committee of one-a reporter, as it were- to collect and report anything new. The " bul- letin board " was not in existence. The latest accident, death, transaction or crookedness of any kind was communicated from one to the other, or to small groups of persons by the liv- ing voice. And so it was carried from build-, ing to building and from place to place. What interesting persons these reporters must have been-not reporters with pencil and paper gathering news for the press, but communi- cators reporting what they knew or heard for the general information of the public! What versatility-what attention-what memories- what imagination they must have possessed ! And what story-tellers, indeed, enlivened fre- quently, if not generally, under the influence of "apple-jack " and " old rye !" Not in the English language, for English was rarely spokeu then by those who assembled at inns ; but in the German language, which was used almost entirely throughout the town in the daily affairs of life, both secular and religious. The inn of the past can be, in this sense, likened to the newspaper of the present. Peo- ple assembled there for information; and the places could have been appropriately named- " Messenger," "Observer," "Courier," " Re- porter," etc., instead of " King George," " Gen'l.

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NEWSPAPERS.

Washington," "Red Lion," "Black Horse," etc. Now reporters go there daily, not to communi- cate, but to collect news for newspapers, by which it is circulated throughout the community.

During that early period of Reading, the Pennsylvania Gazette, published at Philadel- phia, had a limited circulation here. It was an interesting messenger to the people ; and its weekly arrival must have been an event of more than ordinary importance. A copy was doubtless busy in passing amongst persons wlio could read English-not for the personal mat- ters which it contained, but for foreign affairs, market reports, letters published at Philadel- phia, etc. Christopher Sauer's Journal, a news- paper printed in German, and published at Germantown, had a more extended circulation in this vicinity, and it exercised a large influ- ence over the residents.

Over forty years in the history of Reading elapsed before the newspaper became a local institution. The entire period of its local life as a town, with all its interesting and many im- portant events, passed away without having it in- troduced. This would seem to be a long while for such a factor to obtain a foothold in a commu- nity otherwise energetic and progressive. But this delay is capable of explanation. The peo- ple were interested in home rather than in foreign affairs, and strove to give them successful, if not profitable, development. Local matters required no printed publication, for, the town being small and the population limited, they were easily communicated. But as the town grew into a borough, and especially as the borough grew into a city, with its territory enlarged, the in- habitants more widely scattered and the popu- lation largely increased, the natural way became more and more incapable of satisfying the in- quisitiveness of the people and an artificial way had to be introduced, and this was supplied by the newspaper. After the lapse of nearly a hun- dred years since its introduction, general progress has come to be so wonderful, the people so nu- merous and scattered and their relations so inter- mingled, that, just as the natural way had to yield to the artificial, so did the old and slow process of printing on a hand-press, with its limited capacity, have to make way for the new

and spirited process by a steam-press, with its unlimited capacity. In the beginning the news- paper was weak in every respect-small in size, limited in circulation, uncertain in financial sup- port and wanting in mental vigor and originality ; but now it is strong, rich, bold and energetic.

The newspapers of the county comprise two classes-weekly and daily. The weekly began in 1796, and continued to be the sole public agency for the transmission of news and the advertisement of merchandise, notices, etc., for sixty years. Its publication in the English language and in the German began at nearly the same time-the former having anteceded the latter by six months. The following narrative comprises the newspapers which were instituted in the county :

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS.

Reading .- Weekly Advertiser, Reading Herald, Readinger Adler, Berks and Schuylkill Journal, Chronicle of the Times, Readinger Post-Bote, Jack- son Democrat, Readinger Democrat, Berks County Press, Liberale Beobachter, Reading Gazette and Democrat, Alt Berks, Sonne Von Alt Berks, People's Advocate, Berks County Democrat, School Album, Weekly Leader, Reformirter Hausfreund, Banner von Berks, Die Biene, Die Deutsche Eiche, Republikaner von Berks, Spirit of Berks, Reading Weekly Eagle, Reading Weekly Herald, Reading Weekly News.

Kutztown .- Neutralist, Geist der Zeit, Der Hirt, Kutztown Journal, National Educator, American Patriot.

Hamburg .- Hamburg Schnellpost, Hamburg Ad- vertiser, Rural Press, Hamburg Weekly Item.

Boyertown .- Boyertown Bauer, Boyertown Demo- crat.

Birdsboro' Pioneer.

Womelsdorf .- Womelsdorf Gazette, Womelsdort Herald, Womelsdorf News.

DAILY NEWSPAPERS.

Reading Herald, Reading Gazette, Reading Times, Evening Dispatch, Reading Daily Reporter, Reading Daily Eagle, Die Reading Post, Daily Spirit of Berks, Reading Morning Herald, Reading Daily News.

WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS.

THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER was the first newspaper publication at Reading. It was an English weekly, instituted by Gottlob Jungman (Youngman.) The first issue appeared on Sat- urday, May 7, 1796 ; and the subsequent issues appeared regularly every Saturday for twenty

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

years, excepting probably an interim for some time previons to 1811. The subscription price at the beginning and for fifteen years thereafter was one dollar, and the publication was during that period in foli oform upon a sheet ten by six- teen inches, with two columns on each page; then, on August 3, 1811, it was enlarged to sixteen by twenty inches, with three columns on each page, and the price increased to two dollars. By the issue No. 196, February 1, 1800, it appears that Youngman had taken in a partner, named Carl A. Bruckman ; but it is not known how long they continued together iu the publication. Upon the enlargement of the paper, on August 3, 1811, the new issue was begun with No. 1. It is probable that the publication had suspend- ed for some time previously ; otherwise the con- secutive numbering would have been retained. The new issue was published by Gottlob Jung- man & Co. The name of the additional person in the company was not given. On December 31, 1814, the firm became G. & J. E. Jungman -the father having introduced his son John, who was a musician and then conducted a " Musical Academy " at Reading. The size of the sheet continned the same; but the columns were increased from three to four on each page. A book and stationery store was carried on by them in connection with the publication. They also issued a German newspaper called the Standhafte Patriot. The beginning of this publication could not be ascertained. In Octo- ber, 1815, they advertised a notice that they had determined to close out their store and to continue the publication of the English and German newspapers till May 1, 1816, when they would leave Reading permanently for the West, and they invited in the meau time pro- posals of purchase. The store and publications were continued till the time named ; but Gottlob Jungman, not finding a purchaser, was forced to make an assignment of his property for the payment of his debts. The assignee sold the estate, and it is believed that George Getz pur- chased the newspaper and printing material, for about that time he began the publication of the Berks and Schuylkill Journal.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 69

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards Number of Pages: 1418

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418