USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > Frackville > History of Frackville, Schuylkill County, Pa. > Part 3
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There was no industry that did so much toward making the borough of Frackville a possibility, and added so much to its growth and prosperity, as did the Lawrence colliery. During the first five months of the year 1900, no less than fifty seven thous- and, nine hundred and fifty-two dollars and thirty-eight cents, net, were paid to the employes of this colliery, the largest por- tion of which, directly or indirectly, benefitted the borough of Frackville. Hence it was a great loss to this borough, when it was finally flooded to such an extent that further operations became an impossibility.
6th-STANTON COLLIERY.
This colliery is located a short distance north of Maizeville, and was first opened by Miller, Hoch and Company, in 1870. But apparently never operated on a very large scale. A new breaker has been recently erected, and the future outlook of this colliery is quite encouraging. There are two slopes, sunk about eight hundred feet on a second lift. The vein worked is the Mammoth.
BROAD MOUNTAIN COLLIERY.
This is an entirely new interest, located about one half mile. southeast of the borough of Frackville. Some years ago a slope was sunk here, and considerable work done, as well as large
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sums of money spent, when it was abandoned and fell to ruins. Recently it was again taken hold of, and work begun November 11th, 1901. The first work done was to clean out the old slope, and build the breaker, all of which was completed by the begin- ning of February, 1903. The first coal run through the breaker, from the slope, was on February 9th of this year. The long de- lay in completing this work was due to the strike of 1902, which began on the 12th of May, and continued for five months. These workings will be known as the Broad Mountain Colliery, and operated by the Crystal Run Coal Company. Its main office will be in the Morris Building, Pottsville. The officers of the company are: President, A. J. Womelsdorf, Pottsville; Secre- tary and Treasurer, H. P. Womelsdorf, Pottsville; Vice Presi- dent, and General Manager, John L. Williams, Frackville. The following being the directors: John L. Williams, Frackvile; (Thomas H. Williams, Mount Carmel; A. J. Womelsdorf, Potts- ville; H. P. Womelsdorf, Pottsville.
The veins worked are the Mammoth, Skidmore and Buck Mountain. If everything turns out as is expected, when the colliery ships coal to its full capacity, the company hopes to be able to employ between three and four hundred men and boys. This property contains eleven thousand acres of virgin soil, the largest tract of its kind, at present, in the state of Pennsylvania. Hence if the Broad Mountain Colliery proves a financial success the future of the borough of Frackville is as bright as any town in the entire coal region. If the coal is in the ground, with the push, energy, and perseverance, coupled with the large experi- ence of the present management, the citizens of this town can rest assured that it will be mined, and that in large quantities. But not only this; there being such a large territory upon which to operate, there is no telling what developments may take place, along this line in the future, to the great advantage of the borough of Frackville.
According to the most reliable authorities there still remains sufficient coal in the earth to meet all the demands of the human race for the next seven hundred years, at the present rate of consumption. But as the demand doubles every sixteen years, the last lump of coal will be mined about the year 2053.
It will doubtless be observed that with but two or three ex- ceptions, we have confined ourselves to the early history of the coal industry; up to a certain time, and then dropped it. The
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reason for this must be evident to all, as we are not writing a history of the coal industry, only in so far as it had to do with the starting and building up of the borough of Frackville.
CHAPTER V.
BOROUGH OF FRACKVILLE.
Prior to and during the year 1850 the territory now occu- pied by the Borough of Frackville all belonged to James C. Stephens, and was nothing but a "howling wilderness." The only building in this community at that time, was a sawmill, which stood over the pond west of the arch on North Lehigh Avenue. Daniel Frack, Sr., of St. Clair, having purchased one hundred and sixty-six acres of the land which a large portion of Frackville now occupies, converted this sawmill into a. dwell- ing and hotel building. Into this building Mr. Frack moved, from St. Clair, in 1852, and here continued to live and conduct the hotel business from 1852 until 1861. During the latter year J. B. Nice took charge and kept the hotel but one year, when the Philadelphia and Reading Company bought the prop- erty and tore down the building. About this time a small building was erected at the head of Girard Plane in which Mrs. John B. Meredith, daughter of Daniel Frack, lived. In the year 1861 Mr. Frack laid off a part of his land into town lots, and at once opened up all the streets now in that portion of the borough. This tract includes all that portion of the present borough which lies east of the alley, running north and south, between Balliet and Nice streets, and was from the beginning known as Frackville.
On the 16th day of September, 1854, Samuel Haupt, of Pottsville, bought one hundred and eighty acres of land lying directly west of, and joining the Frack Estate, from James C. Stephens. This land was also yet in its primeval state, except one or two acres, which had been cleared off and cultivated as a garden and potato patch, and upon which there stood a small old house, with but one room down and one up stairs, and also a building that was intended to answer the purpose of a barn. To this place Samuel Haupt, with his five boys, Andrew G., David P., F. S., Samuel R., and later, John, came in 1854 and re-
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mained until 1861, clearing off and cultivating the land. Dur- ing this time, however, Mrs. Haupt remained in Pottsville, look- ing after the interests of the home there, and preparing food for the men in their yet wild mountain home. In the latter part of the year 1855 they began erecting the present house, which was completed in 1856. And four years later, 1859-'60, the large and commodious barn, as it now stands, was built. This is now known as the "Haupt Farm" or "Homestead." Hav- ing thus during these seven years, 1854-1861, not only brought considerable land under a state of cultivation, but erected large and comfortable buildings for both man and beasts. Samuel Haupt moved his entire possessions into his new home on the first day of April, 1861. It was in the summer of this year that Mr. Haupt laid out a portion of his land into town lots. This tract includes all that portion of the present borough lying west of the alley running north and south between Balliet and Nice streets. To this tract the owner first gave the name of Planeville. Some of the first deeds were made in this name. Nice and Centre streets, running north and south, and Pine, Spring, Washington and Frack streets, running east and west, were at once opened. The latter part of the year 1861 and the beginning of 1862 J. B. Nice erected a large house at the north- ern end of Nice street. This property now belongs to the Phil- adelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. The "Frack Homestead," on Balliet street, row occupied by Mrs. Mere- dith, was erected during the years 1861-'62, by Mr. Frack. The Frackville hotel, now kept by George Ernst, was built at the same time. The first store was started here by F. S. Haupt in the fall of 1865, and was kept in the small building on Pine, east of Nice street. A little later J. and J. Foeller, railroad contractors, started a small store in a little building standing on the southwest corner of the pond, west of the arch. In 1868 the third store was started by Price and Brother, on the northwest corner of Nice and Pine streets.
From the year 1865 to 1875 the development in this com- munity had been very rapid. In these few short years it was changed from the most uninviting wilds of an unhabited mountain to one of the most desirable mountain villages in the State of Pennsylvania. So rapid had the growth, as well as the improvements, been during these years that incorporation had already become a favorite theme during the year 1874. About this time the name of the Haupt tract was changed from
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"Planeville" to "Mountain City," while the name of the portion owned by Daniel Frack continued to be Frackville. In view of the fact that the territory to be included within the newly in- corporated borough was in two distinct tracts, each known by a different name, created quite a contest when it came to fixing the name for the new borough. The survey was made, and the
" Property and Business Place of A. S. Seaman "
plan drawn up, by John Haupt. The borough includes within its limits three hundred and sixty-six acres. It was finally de- cided that the "'Mountain City" plan would be adopted for that of the borough, and that it would be christened Frackville. The charter was granted on the 10th day of April, 1876, and from.
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BOROUGH OF FRACKVILLE
that day Frackville became an incorporated borough. The first election under the charter was held on the 25th day of May, 1876, when the following offices were filled: Chief Burgess, David P. Haupt. Members of Council, Henry Parton, A. Zone, Reuben Wagner, Robert McNealy, William E. Deisher and H. C. Wagner. Council met on June 3rd, when H. Parton was elected
" Residence and Business Place of Mrs. W. S. Sanner"
President, and H. Wiederhold, Town Clerk. George D. Haugh- awout, of Ashland, was the chosen borough solicitor; J. D. Hadesty, Treasurer; Benjamin Christian, supervisor; F. J. Kef- fer, tax collector, and John Haupt, borough surveyor. From June 10th to August 14th, 1876, Council met every Saturday
e
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evening at 7 o'clock. On the latter date it was decided to meet the first Monday evening of each month. All roads, lanes and alleys were, by ordinance, declared public highways on the 14th day of August, 1876. It was upon this date that the grade of Lehigh Avenue, between Frack and Arch streets, was adopted. During this year, 1876, a number of ordinances, were gradually drafted and adopted, so as to bring the control of the borough under a clearly defined system of government. April 2nd, 1877, the following changes in the borough offices went into effect, as the result of the spring election: Chief Burgess, Joseph Beatty; President of Council, Reuben Wagner; Town Clerk, William F. Payne; Supervisor, Peter Hoffman. The latter part of this same year a portion of Balliet street was graded. January 1st, 1878, W. F. Payne resigned as Town Clerk, and Otto Speidel was ap- pointed to fill the unexpired term. On the 2nd day of April, 1878, David P. Haupt became Chief Burgess for the second time. John O'Halloran, President of Council; William J. Richards, Town Clerk; Peter Hoffman, Supervisor; George R. Kaercher, Borough Solicitor. The only change in the borough officers the following year, 1879, was that M. M. L'Velle was elected So- licitor. In the meantime, however, the borough had grown to such an extent that it became necessary to unite the eastern and western sides of the town with 'an overhead bridge. It was finally agreed that the bridge should be built on Oak street, and that if the borough would meet one thousand, four hundred and fifty-eight dollars of the expense, the Philadelphia and Read- ing Railroad Company would pay the balance. In order to pro- vide the means necessary for the building of this bridge, on February 3rd, 1880, the Council issued bonds to the amount of one thousand, five hundred dollars. These bonds were taken by Bernard Dolan, of Ashland, at six per cent., paid semi-annu- ally. Five of these bonds of one hundred dollars each, fell due October 1st, 1881; five more October, 1883, and the remaining five October, 1885. On April 5th, 1880, the following changes took place among the officers of the borough: Chief Burgess, P. Zimmerman; Town Clerk, Otto Speidel; Treasurer, John A. Lauck; Supervisor, Jacob Rodrian. Work was begun on the bridge about October 1st, 1880, and completed by the following March, 1881. The changes in the borough offices that went into effect April 4th, 1881, were: Chief Burges,, Jacob Rauch; Pres- ident of Council, A. J. Rhoads; Treasurer, A. S. Seaman; Su- pervisor, George Dillman. A tax of two mills was at this time
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assessed to meet the bonds issued for the building of the bridge as they would become due. In the meantime, however, consider- able work having been done on the streets, and otherwise, the floating debt had increased to such an extent that on January 2nd, 1882, it was decided to issue coupon bonds to the amount of one thousand, six hundred dollars to meet this indebtedness. Hence sixteen bonds of one hundred dollars each, were issued, one of which became due on the 1st day of April of each year, beginning with April 1st, 1883, and the last one falling due April 1st, 1899. To meet these bonds an annual tax of two and one- half mills was assessed upon all taxable property. The only changes in the borough offices April 3rd, 1882, were: Chief Bur- gess, John M. Thomas, and Borough Solicitor, S. G. M. Hollo- peter. April 3rd, 1883, J. B. Nice became Chief Burgess, and L. C. Anstock President of Council, the other officers remaining the same as last year. During the summer it became necessary to erect a fence on one side of the roads leading to Maizeville and Mahanoy Plane, and to make other improvements. In order to do this another loan of one thousand, five hundred dollars had to be made, which was effected July 2nd, 1883, by the issu- ing of fifteen bonds of one hundred dollars each, the first one falling due July 1st, 1884, and the last one July 1st, 1898. And in order to be able to meet these bonds as they became due, a tax of one and one-half mills was laid upon all taxable property. April 7th, 1884, William Taylor became President of Council; W. C. Richards, Town Clerk; William A. Marr, of Ashland, Borough Solicitor; John Harkins, Supervisor; and
Chief Burgess. While on March 2nd, 1885. Frederick Sanner entered upon the duties of Chief Burgess; Abraham Taylor, President of Council; William H. Keffer, Town Clerk. During the early part of the present summer, 1885, the Council erected a borough building, east of the railroad back of the engine house. The first story was provided with cells, to be used as the borough lock-up, while the second story was fitted up as the Council Chambers, &c. This building was completed and paid for July 2nd, 1885. On March 1st, 1886, all the officers of the previous year were re-elected with one exception. The southern portion of Broad Mountain Avenue was, by Council, authorized to be cut to grade, on the 25th of May, 1886. While on June 3rd of the same year, F. S. and John Haupt were awarded the contract to make Pine street to the profile of John Haupt for the sum of two hundred and twenty-five dollars. At
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BOROUGH OF FRACKVILLE
the same time John Haupt was authorized to make a profile of the following streets: Frack and Market to Centre, Balliet from Frack to Arch, Oak from Lehigh Avenue to Balliet, and Penn Alley from Spring to Arch Street. On June 19th, 1886, Council appointed a committee to ascertain from both the "Mountain
John K. Berk, M. D.
City" and the "Anthracite Water Companies" whether they would furnish the borough with water. After some negotiations the whole matter came to nothing. Beginning with July 1st, considerable work was done on Railroad Avenue, while in October, 1886, Balliet between Oak and Frack Streets was cut
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down from twelve to fifteen inches, and a number of stumps removed from Lehigh Avenue. December 20th, 1886, Council decided that the grades of Market, Chestnut, Laurel, Spruce, Spring and Arch Streets should be taken from the level of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. At the organization of Council March 7th, 1887, the following persons were inducted into office: Chief Burgess, Thomas Irvin; President of Council, George Burchill; Town Clerk, Thomas Richards; Treasurer, Alex. Scott; Solicitor, William A. Marr, and Supervisor, John Harkins. On the evening of March 11th, 1887, the Keystone Hotel burned down. All property owners on Broad Mountain
C. A. Bleiler, M. D.
Avenue were, April 7th, ordered to put their sidewalks to the grade.
A Sanitary Committee was appointed by Council, on the 7th day of July, 1887, consisting of the following persons: John Mc- Barron, Edward Bateman and George W. Ernest. At a meeting of Council held Sept. 19th, grades for the following streets were adopted: Pine, from Philadelphia and Reading Railroad to East borough line; Spring, from Philadelphia and Reading Rail- road to East borough line; Frack, from Philadelphia and Read- ing Railroad to East borough line; Chestnut, from Philadelphia and Reading Railroad to East borough line; Arch, from Phila- delphia and Reading Railroad to East Borough line; Balliet, from Arch to Laurel Street; and Lehigh Avenue the entire length from the southern to the northern borough line. March
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5th, 1888, the following changes took place in the borough offices: Chief Burgess, Robert Coxon; President of Council, C. C. Wag- ner; Borough Solicitor, M. M. L'Velle; Supervisor, J. Rodrian, Sr. The town clock, in the high school building, was ordered by council, on August 2nd, from Green and Son, at a cost of six hundred dollars complete, except the bell. On January 3rd, 1889, the property holders on the following streets were ordered to have their sidewalks curbed and paved; Lehigh Avenue, be- tween Pine and Chestnut Streets; Balliet, from Pine to Chest- nut; including the cross streets, Spring, Frack, Oak, and Chest- nut, between Lehigh Avenue and Ball'et Street, all to be com- pleted by July 1st, 1889. March 4th, of this year, J. Folk assumed the duties of Chief Burgess; Edward Bateman, President of Council; E. Breckons, Solicitor; John F. Harris, Supervisor; and Jacob Rodrian, Jr., Town Clerk; the other officers remaining the same as the year previous. Action was taken on the 4th day of April adopting a four foot crossing for all principal thorough- fares, and a three foot crossing for all other streets. Quite a number of sidewalks were curbed and paved during the year 1889.
On March 3rd, 1890, the following change took place: Chief Burgess, Daniel Kiefer; President of Council, George Burchill; H. S. Thompson having done considerable surveying during the early part of this year, the Council on the 3rd day of April, 1890, accepted the profile, and ordered the following streets graded: Nice, from the northern borough line to Frack Street; with the following cross streets between Nice and Balliet, Spring and Frack. The 1st day of May, of this same year, Railroad Avenue was ordered opened from Oak (at the bridge) to Chestnut Street. The grades of Washington and Spring Streets between Nice and Centre were adopted June 6th, 1890. On the 3rd day of July the Frackville and Gilberton Light, Heat, and Power Company were granted the privilege to erect poles and put up wires through the streets of the borough of Frackville. We find that on January 8th, 1891, the bonded indebtedness of the borough had reached four thousand, one hundred dollars. The only change which occurred in the borough offices, on March 2nd, 1891, was: Chief Burgess, William W. Wertz. On June 8th, the Council considered and adopted twenty-two ordinances for the better management of the borough. At the organization of the Council on March 7th, 1892, James Kelly became Chief Bur- gess; and Reuben Wagner, President of Council, while the other
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officers remained the same as before. The financial committee was instructed on September 1st, 1892, to have the names of the streets painted on boards, and nailed on the corner houses at every street crossing. And the name of the Sanitary Committee was changed, on February 2nd, 1893, to the Board of Health. E. J. Douden became Chief Burgess March 6th, 1893, while the other changes were: John Dunlop, President of Council;, and William W. Wertz, Supervisor. By action of Council the Finan- cial Committee was at first constituted the Board of Health, which was afterwards changed so as to include the entire Coun- cil, in conjunction with the Chief Burgess. An ordinance was passed, June 1st, 1893, granting the Pennsylvania Telephone Company the right to occupy the streets with a sufficient num- ber of poles and wires to conduct its business in the borough of Frackville. In this ordinance the Council reserved the right of making use of these poles at any time it might be necessary for fire alarm wires. The total valuation of the borough in the latter part of the year 1893 was three hundred and ninety-three thousand and six dollars, while the regular taxation was one thousand nine hundred and sixty-five dollars and three cents, of which amount one thousand one hundred and seventy- nine dollars and two cents was borough, and the re- maining seven hundred and eighty-six dollars and one cent special taxes. The first regularly constituted Board of Health was appointed by Council January 9th, 1894. Those whom the President appointed were David Taggart, M. D., to serve five years; C. C. Wagner, four years; A. Berdanier, three years; Thomas M. Reed, two years; and Robert Frew, one year. No changes were made in the borough officers on March 5th, 1894, save that Samuel Winn was elected President of Council. During the early part of the year 1894, a number of ordinances were adopted looking toward the better government of the bor- ough. On the evening of October 4th, 1894, Council decided to introduce electric light into the borough, and to secure ten arc lights, to be distributed as Council might determine. These lights to burn every night in the year from dusk to daylight. The contract to furnish these lights was given to the Frackville and Gilberton Light, Heat and Power Company, and on October 18th the agreement between the Council and Company was mutually accepted, and the proper officers authorized to sign the same, There was no change whatever in the personnel of
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BOROUGH OF FRACKVILLE
the borough officers, when Council was organized on the 4th day of March, 1895. During the months of May and June, of this year, Railroad and Broad Mountain Avenues were graded. And on September 3rd, an additional arc light was placed at the intersection of Lehigh Avenue and Arch Street, thus making, at this time, a total of eleven within the borough. The Schuyl- kill Telephone Company having asked for the right to erect poles and put up wires through the streets of the borough, was granted that privilege on the evening of September 5th, 1895. At this
R. A. Reick, Attorney-at-Law
time the Chief Burgess, E. J. Doudan, resigned, and on the 7th day of the following November George W. Wagner was elected to serve to the end of the unexpired term. After the organiza- tion of Council on March 2nd, 1896, we find the following officers occupying their various positions: George W. Wagner, Chief Burgess; George Burchill, President of Council; J. Rodrian, Jr., Town Clerk; W. S. Sanner, Treasurer; William. W. Wertz, Supervisor; and McHenry Wilhelm, Borough Solicitor. During the following June the northern end of Nice Stret was graded,
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BOROUGH OF FRACKVILLE
On the 4th day of February, 1897, Council entered into a con- tract with the Frackville and Gilberton Light, Heat and Power Company to furnish the borough with light for a period of five years. The only change which occurred among the borough officers on March 1st, 1897, were, Reuben Wagner, Chief Burgess; and John S. Thomas, president of Council.
Richard Francis Fennessy
During the month of May, 1897, an additional arc light was placed at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Pine Street, and in June, of the same year, one at Nice and Oak Streets, thus making a total of thirteen arc lights in the borough of
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Frackville at the present time. At a meeting of the Council held September 10th, 1897, twenty-five ordinances were reviewed and finally adopted. The old bridge at Oak Street having become unsafe, the Council on the 8th day of December accepted the offer of the Horsehead Bridge Company of Horsehead, New York, to replace the old structure with a new and improved Pin Bridge for the sum of one thousand six hundred and seventy- five dollars. The bridge was satisfactorily completed on Febru- ary 11th, 1898. On March 7th, 1898, we note the following changes in the borough offices: President of Council, John Dunlop; and Supervisor, William James. The latter part of this year (1898) the total valuation of the borough is three hundred and fifty-six thousand one hundred and forty-two dollars, with a total taxation of one thousand six hundred and two dollars and sixty-four cents. On the 6th day of March, 1899, we find the following men enter upon the duties of their respective offices: Reuben Wagner, Chief Burgess; John Pauley, President of Coun- cil; J. F. Carr, Town Clerk; W. S. Sanner, Treasurer; McHenry Wilhelm, Borough Solicitor; William James, Supervisor. March 5th, 1900, the following changes took place: Chief Burgess, H. H. Price; President of Council, David Thomas; and Borough So- licitor, R. A. Reick. During the month of June of this year Nice between Frack and Oak Streets, was considerably im- proved. About this time, and later, several franchises were asked for by different parties granting them the privilege of operating their particular line of business in the borough of Frackville. Among these, on October 4th, 1900, an ordinance was adopted granting the Shenandoah and Pottsville Street Railway Company, its successors and assigns, the right to build and operate an electric railway on certain streets in the borough of Frackville. January 12th, 1901, Council took action submit- ting the question of increasing the borough debt over and above the two per centum of the assessed valuation allowed by law to the qualified electors of the borough, on Tuesday, February 19th, 1901, being the day of the regular spring election, the amount of said increase to be seven thousand dollars over and above the two per cent. allowed.
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