USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One > Part 25
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Federal Hill (Eagle Village, or Twenty-sixth and Peach streets), and here they were met by an escort of the military. Thence down through the dense woods of that time substantially over what is now Peach Street, Turnpike Street and State Street to its foot, where a salute was fired from the Navy Yard at the foot of Peach Street (where the gas works now are located), being at the mouth of Lee's Run, where Perry had built the Porcupine, the Tigress, and Scorpion of his fleet. Repair- ing to Captain Daniel Dobbin's home on the northeast corner of Third and State streets, one of the most pretentious homes in the town at that time, an address of welcome was delivered whereupon the party was conducted to the home of Mr. Thomas G. Colt to meet the ladies of the town. He proved a most popular person with them.
The dinner on the great bridge being now prepared, all resorted thither and were seated under the canvas canopy around the sumptuous banqueting tables on the bridge in full view of the sparkling waters of Presque Isle Bay, and all about them the bunting, the flags of the new country the General had assisted so materially in creating, and the flowers, plants and evergreens in great profusion, made it a dinner such as the town had never witnessed, and it is doubtful if it has since wit- nessed one of more interest and exquisite beauty. As the little town did not then have more than some thousand people in it, the affair was one of considerable ambition for its people, and one long to be remem- bered by the people as well as by the General and his son, who accom- panied him. The weather was perfect, the guests in exceptionally happy mood, and General Lafayette's toast was most heartily received and applauded. His toast on that accosion was: "Erie: A name that has a great share in American glory ; may this town ever enjoy a proportion- ate share in American prosperity and happiness."
It has been said that General Lafayette spent a night here in the home of Captain Daniel Dobbins; but it is believed that he proceeded on to Buffalo that same afternoon, leaving at about three o'clock by car- riage, and accompanied by an escort of Erie citizens to Portland, New York, where his party went aboard the steamboat Superior, and sailed to Buffalo.
Some of the toasts proposed at this memorable banquet were "The President of the United States," "Ex-presidents," "Bolivar, the Libera- tor," "General George Washington," "The Surviving Heroes of the Revo- lution," "The Greeks," and lastly, "General Lafayette-In youth a hero, in
,
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maturity a sage, in advanced life an example to the present and future generations."
Foot of French Street, the place where used to be the regular boat landings ; where early travelers were wont to land, and pass on up the hill to the little town. Entertainment was found at the Dickson House, on the southeast corner of Second and French streets; the Buehler House on the northeast corner of Third and French streets; and other lesser places of public entertainment. Presque Isle Tavern had, in the very early days, almost a monopoly of the public trade. It was east of the landing of French Street, but right at the original landing by the old fort. The old tavern later erected by Colonel Seth Reed for his son Rufus S., at the southwest corner of Second and Parade streets, accom- modated guests also for many years. The Bell House at Sixth and French streets, built by William Bell in 1805, on the site of the present Becker Block; The American Hotel, where the Erie Trust Company Building now stands; The Dobbins House on the northeast corner of Third and State streets; The Farmer's Hotel, at Fifth and French streets, built in 1820, by James Duncan; the Laird House, built on the southwest corner of Eighth and State streets by Thomas Laird in 1829, and removed in 1867; the Park House, built by John Morris in 1829 on the corner of Park Row and Central (or Perry) Square, the present site of the City Hall. Later places of entertainment were provided by the Lafayette House on the west side of French Street near Fifth Street; the Erie House, on the west side of French Street at Front Street, kept by John Zimmerly and later used by the Bethel Association; the United States Hotel, was a large brick hostelry on the northeast corner of French and Second streets, kept by George W. Reed and others; the Canal House, was located on the canal at Fourth Street; while at Fifth Street on the Canal was the Cronenberger House; the Franklin House was at Second and State Streets, and near Second on the east side of French was the Sunbury House; the Western Hotel on Eighth Street at the canal; and the Eagle Hotel on the northeast corner of Park Row and State Street, later becom- ing Brown's Hotel when Hiram L. Brown re-constructed it after the fire of April 1, 1851, had consumed it, and in 1869 changed to the Ellsworth House when it was acquired by Colonel Ellsworth. It occupied the pres- ent vacant corner west of the Reed House, and was a most pretentious hotel of five stories in heighth. The site is now the property of the William L. Scott estate.
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The Garrison Grounds situated back of the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, and overlooking the entrance of the harbor as well as the open lake, was fortified by a detail of soldiers from General An- thony Wayne's army. This detail was in command of Captain Russell Bissell who arrived here in July, 1795, and immediately commenced the work of constructing military works upon the commanding lake bank north of the Soldiers' Home. The harbor entrance in those days came in close to this bank, and then swept northwestardly towards Misery Bay into the harbor. This point was therefore the logical and most practical
OLD BLOCKHOUSE, ERIE, PA.
point for the location of a system of harbor defenses. The timber was first cut down, and the place cleared for the military works, in order that full observation could be had of any approach to the works from the south. An earthen breastwork was constructed along the brink of the bank, and the space behind it, for a considerable space, was enclosed with a substantial stockade, within which they built two-possibly three- log houses, one of which being a two-story block house having the second story projecting out over the first story far enough to enable those within to look down upon, and to fire at, any persons who had gained that place for hostile purposes. They ultimately, that season, managed to clear a ten acre tract about the fortifications, to enable them to cultivate the ground for their own sustenance, and to push the forest screen back so much the farther in case of an attack from that quarter. However, this (20)
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fortification was never called into duty for battle purposes, as the Indians had been fully and finally subdued, and peace upon the Great Lakes has been maintained ever since the Battle of Lake Erie. This military posi- tion was in full sight of the one across the creek where the Old French Fort had been years ago. The channel from the harbor into the lake then flowed close under the bank, through the flats now pastured and gardened below the hill, as will be seen from the early map of Presque Isle Bay published elsewhere in this work. It is said that the sole re- maining relic of Captain Bissell's original works here, is the old well near the block-house, which is still used by the veterans around the Home.
Here also occurred the death of General Anthony Wayne, in the fall of 1796, when he came into the harbor on his return from his Indian campaigns in the western country seeking treatment for a serious attack of gout. He was so ill when he landed from the small vessel which brought him from Detroit, that he was confined to his bed in the second story of the blockhouse, the best accommodation available here at the time; for be it remembered that then there were but very few pioneer families scattered in the woods hereabouts. One of his army surgeons who served with him in his Maumee campaign against the Indians was then stationed at Fort LaFayette, and was immediately sent for to attend him. But the surgeon, Dr. J. C. Wallace, although making all haste, learned at Franklin that his distinguished patient was dead. General Wayne died in the log blockhouse on the garrison grounds on Dec. 15, 1796. He directed that in case of his death, his body be buried at the foot of the flagstaff, in the basement of the blockhouse, and his wishes were faithfully carried out. The present blockhouse stands over the place of his burial, the writer having seen the crossed timbers which formed the anchorage of the old flagstaff, in the bottom of the excavation which later revealed the place; and the present blockhouse stands as a memorial upon the spot where the gallant fighter fought his last fight. When his son later came to remove his body to the home burial lot, the body was found in a remarkable state of preservation. The flesh was re- moved from the bones, and buried in the old sepulcher at the foot of the flagstaff ; but the bones were removed to his old home in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. General Wayne has, therefore, the distinction of occu- pying two sepulchers, far removed from each other; but ours is the honor of having with us the original place of his burial with military honors, within a military post, wherein he had expired. Here, too, is a spot of
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hallowed memory, and one which forms a shrine for our patriotic observ- ances. Here we citizens of the county of which he had so gallantly fought the Indians, should in all reverence resort from time to time, and pay our obeisance and reverence to his gallant memory; and this spot should be consecrated and reconsecrated by our patriotic and sympathetic respects and care.
Buehler House .- The site of the old Buehler House, later the Rees House, and still later the McConkey House, on the northeast corner of Third and French Streets, being associated with Commodore Perry's Headquarters while his fleet was being built in our harbor, is entitled to our thoughtful appreciation ; but still more is it an honored spot as being the site of the organization of the County of Erie on April 2, 1803, and the formation and holding of the first court in the Buehler House which then occupied the corner, surrounded by a post and rail fence of pioneer days. Here Judge Jesse Moore held that first court, and here, and in the house of Conrad Brown opposite the Buehler House, and in a log building on the corner of Holland and Second Streets, which latter was sometimes used as a jail, the courts continued to be held until the erection of a court house in the public park. Here, and at the two houses men- tioned, as well as at the first court house in the park, the opening of the court was announced by the blowing of a horn by the court-crier. This site on the street corner calls for our reverent respect and due appre- ciation.
Perry's Fleet .- The sites of the building of Perry's Fleet, the one at the mouth of Lee's Run between Peach and Sassafras Streets, where the Porcupine, the Tigress and the Scorpion were built; and the mouth of Cascade Creek, at the present site of the Pittsburg Railroad Coal Docks, where the Lawrence, the Niagara and pilot boat Ariel had been built, constitute two historical spots dear to the hearts of all true citizens of this county. The Historical Society have erected markers near to these two places, reciting their importance in our historical life.
Perry Square is associated with a number of events and things which make it one of Erie's cherished places of resort. About where the pres- ent Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument stands, was built Erie County's first Court House, about 1807. On March 23, 1823, this building, with all of its public records and other contents, was destroyed by fire. This was a most appalling loss to the county and its citizens. This court house
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was immediately succeeded by another building, erected upon the founda- tions of the first one, two stories in height, which served the county until 1853. In this second court house was held not alone the courts of the county, but meetings of the citizens, lectures and other public forms of entertainment. Political meetings were convoked here, the famous "Railroad War" meetings were perhaps about the last public gatherings held in it; while practically every church organization was formed within its walls, and many of their first meetings held in it.
Just north of this building was the old County Poor House; while to the south of it was conducted for many years a commodious Market House with a columned veranda running entirely around it. In this second court house was held the trials of many famous cases, amongst them that of the murderer, Henry Francisco, sentenced by Judge Henry Shippen on Nov. 11, 1837, and hung by Sheriff Andrew Scott on March 9, 1838, in the jail-yard on the site of the present court house. The second execution for murder was that of Edwin Dewitt Heidler on Aug. 8, 1899, after his sentence by Judge Walling in 1897, for the murder of his brother-in-law, Levi H. Kreider on May 1, 1896.
Niagara, the rehabilitated battleship and only survivor to this day of Perry's famous fleet, lies at her dock in the west canal basin along- side of State Street pretty well down to the end. She represents faith- fully the primitive vessels which were then used on these lakes, and is a most interesting object to those who are at all interested in historical matters.
Wolverine, the modern name for the good old ship, "The Michigan", is usually at one of the wharves at the foot of State Street. She is the first iron boat built by the United States, and is probably the most ancient vessel owned by the government which is still in service. She is used as a patrol boat, and somewhat as a training school for the navy.
Massasauga Point is of interest as being the last village of the In- dians in this county, so far as known. Here was a small village of Senecas as late as the early spring of 1795; likewise another upon Millcreek near its mouth; another a little south and east of Waterford, and still another at Cranesville. They were small villages of some 20 to 30 fami- lies, but General Wayne's defeat of their forces on the Maumee effectually quieted the red men, and very shortly, during the summer of 1795, they seem to have removed themselves from this county, excepting for an occasional straggler passing through.
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Presque Isle Bay is, of course, one of the show places, and points of practical interest, in and about the city. Nearly every tourist and traveler who stops at all in the city, makes a point of going to the foot of State Street for a look across the harbor from which Fighting Perry sailed with his gallant crews.
The Hammermill Paper Company's mills in the northeastern corner of the city are known the world over for the writing paper they make from spruce pulp-wood brought in by lake boats.
CAPT. CHARLES V. GRIDLEY
Presque Isle Peninsula has long been a wilderness into which only the hardy dared venture. It is now being converted into one of the most picturesque parks in the land, with ponds, drives, boulevards, and shrubbery in profusion. Here picnickers will delight to come for a sum- mer outing; and here will the tourists and summer visitors delight to ride and stroll by the shores of the lake, or along the equally delightful margin of the harbor.
Captain Charles V. Gridley's sepulcher in the extreme northwestern corner of Lakeside Cemetery close by the bank of the lake he loved so well, is within the sacred Gridley Circle, where his only son, John P. Vin-
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cent Gridley, who had become a Captain of Marines, and was killed by an explosion on the Missouri, lies by his side. The father was in command of the Olympia in the squadron under Admiral Dewey, whose flagship she was. Although sick almost unto death Captain Gridley maneuvered his ship from its conning tower, into its assigned place before the Span- ish defenses of Cavite. His Admiral called to him from the deck, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley", and the storm of shot from our fleet at once spoke the doom of the ancient fortress. At the close of the battle, when the Spanish had surrendered, the captain came from the tower in an almost dying condition due to the fearful suffering he en- dured from the terrific concussions all about him. Although all haste was made in forwarding him to his home, he never again saw it, for he died at Kobe, Japan, from where his body was forwarded to Erie, and given a soldier's burial with the blue jackets and marines from the old ship Michigan, and the veterans from the Strong Vincent Post of the G. A. R. and the Soldiers' Home about him. He was buried in the beauti- ful evening of July 13, 1898; and just as the last note of taps was sounded, the glorious sun dipped behind the horizon in a wondrous glory.
His grave is surrounded by four of the ancient guns taken from the Navy Yard at Cavite, and sent here for the purpose by the government he had served, and each with its name and date of manufacture hand- somely engraved upon it. They are the Trajano, 1777, at Barcelona ; Yerraska at Barcelona in 1788; the Manahem at Seville in 1792; and the Hypocrates at Seville in 1798.
The Land Lighthouse site with its old tower minus the lantern, is just east of the harbor entrance, up on the high lake bank. The first lighthouse built here cost $3,000. In 1858 a new tower was built; but its foundations proving defective, a further expenditure of some $33,000 was required in making them safe. This tower was 67 feet from its water-table to the focal plans of the lens, and 127 feet above the lake level. The lens for this structure was manufactured in Paris and cost $7,000 delivered in New York. It had a fixed white light which could be seen for 17 nautical miles. The site was used for a lighthouse from 1818 until 1880, when in spite of great protest it was discontinued, but soon re-established and operated until 1885, when it was finally discon- tinued, and its lantern shortly after taken away.
The keepers were, Captain John Bone, 1818; Robert Kincaide, 1833; Griffith Henton, 1841; Eli Webster, 1841; James W. Miles, 1849; John
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Graham, 1854; Gen. James Fleming, 1858; A. C. Landon, 1858; John Goalding, 1861; George Demond, 1864; A. J. Fargo, 1871; George W. Miller, 1885, who served until the light was discontinued.
The Beacon Light was erected on the north pier head of the channel entrance in 1830, and the keepers of its light have been: William T. Downs, Benjamin Fleming, John Hess, Leonard Vaughan, George W. Bone, Richard P. Burke, Frank Henry in 1869; Charles D. Coyle, 1884; Robert Hunter, 1889; Thomas L. Wilkins, 1898.
The Flash Light, or Presque Isle Light, is a well-known light on the north shore of the peninsula, and was built in 1873.
LIGHTHOUSE BUILT IN 1866
The U. S. Weather Office, located in the upper story of the Commerce Building at Twelfth and State Streets, is a place of interest which should be more appreciated and oftener visited by the people.
The Court House, on Sixth Street just west of Perry Square, is a notable example of pure Corinthian architecture, built after the plans of Mr. Porter, a Philadelphia architect. Preparations were made for its construction in 1852, and were proceeded with until a commodious build- ing, composed entirely of stone, brick and lumber produced within our own county, had been completed upon the place where had formerly stood the county jail. . Its cost was $60,000, and at the beginning the building was disfigured by a tower upon the south end of its roof, built to accommodate the bell and a large town clock. These were later re- moved, and the symmetry of the building restored to classical lines. The
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cut stone as well as the floor flagging were produced from the Howard Quarries in Franklin township.
The county offices were placed within this court house building, in- stead of in a separate building as in its predecessor in the park. Owing to the lesson learned by the recent fire, and the complete loss of the public records, every effort was made to have this building a fire-proof one. In 1889-90 a substantial wing to the east of the main building was erected, and already the need for still further extensions is apparent in order to provide room for the growing mass of public records, and for the use of public officers and the courts.
COURTHOUSE BUILT IN 1824
The County Jail is located just in the rear of the Court House, and in close connection with it. It was erected in 1850, and in 1869 was thoroughly remodeled at an expense of $39,671. It is the third jail build- ing of this county, just as the court house is the third court house in the county. The first jail was a little log building on the southwest corner of Second and Holland Streets. The second was of brick on the site of the present court house, and was built in 1830. The present jail has in it accommodations for the sheriff's residence, and fronts upon Fifth Street, where the entrance is. Its total cost has been approximately $60,000 besides repairs.
The first jailor was Robert Irvin, followed by John Gray, James Gray, William Judd, Robert Kincaid, Cornelius Foy, and others.
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The Federal Building, which houses the Post Office, the United States Courts, and the Customs and other Revenue Offices, is a most substantial building at the south side of Perry Square and on the east side of State Street. It was built from April, 1885, to 1887, inclusive, by Henry Shenk for the government. It is located upon the site of the mansion built by Rufus S. Reed, which had later been occupied by Dr. William Faulkner. The Reed mansion was standing upon the lot when it was bought by the government, which paid the sum of $36,000 for the property, and spent $250,000 in the construction of the building. It is said that this build- ing was erected and equipped wholly within the appropriation made for it by Congress. Congressman Watson, in 1882, secured the first appro- priation of $150,000 for it, and Congressman Samuel M. Brainerd later secured an additional $100,000 for the purpose.
Some of the Erie postmasters have been James Wilson from Jan. 1, 1801; John Hay, July 1, 1804; John Gray, Jan. 1, 1809; Robert Knox, Oct. 14, 1811; James Hughes, May 21, 1828; Robert Cochran, Feb. 26, 1833; Smith Jackson, June 20, 1840; Andrew Scott, Sept. 13, 1841; Robert Cochran, July 23, 1845; Thomas H. Sill, April 17, 1849; B. F. Sloan, May 13, 1853; Joseph M. Sterrett, March 27, 1861; Isaac B. Gara, April 8, 1869; Thomas M. Walker, July 10, 1876; Isaac Moorhead, Sept. 15, 1879 (who died in office June 4, 1881) ; E. W. Reed, July 1, 1881; Henry C. Shannon, April 9, 1885; John C. Hilton, May 28, 1889; Charles S. Clarke, May 10, 1894; Isadore Sobel, March 29, 1898; John T. Brew, 1914; Samuel L. Gilson, June, 1917; Turner W. Shacklett, Jan. 1, 1918; Joseph A. Han- ley, Feb. 1, 1919.
Erie City Hall, fronting 124 feet on Peach Street and 64 feet on Sev- enth Street, and thence through to South Park Row, finally gathered the various city departments under one roof-with the exception of the water department, which occupied offices in it for a time, but later secured a fine lot on the southeast corner of Seventh and French Streets. Up to this time councils had been without a permanent place, occupying first one place of meeting and then another; and the other officers had quar- ters apart from each other. Upon Philip A. Becker taking office as Mayor, he bent his energies towards accomplishing a suitable city build- ing in which the city administration could find a home. He succeeded in having the corner stone of the new building laid July 31, 1884, after the plans of David K. Dean, a local architect. It now houses the Police De- partment, Department of Health, City Treasurer, City Controller, Mayor,
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City Electrician, City Engineer, Headquarters for the Erie Fire Depart- ment, and the Select and Common Councils with their clerks.
The Home of General Charles M. Reed was one of the notable homes in the city during his lifetime. He was the son of Rufus S. Reed, and grandson of Colonel Seth Reed, a pioneer in the city. After the death of his widow, Harriet, the property became the home of the Erie Club.
The Water-Works is a spot of peculiar interest to all, for several reasons. One of them is that it is located upon the water front, and affords a most charming outlook over the harbor. Then, too, the swim- ming pool in the summer, and the State Fish Hatchery in the spring, are added attractions to the sightseer. Water-Works Park on the peninsula is a place of much resort in the summer.
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