USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pa. : containing an outline of the state from 1682, until the formation of Washington County in 1781. History during 15 years of union. The Virginia and new state controversy--running of Mason's and Dixon's line--whiskey insurrection--history of churches, families, judges, senators, assembly-men, etc., etc. > Part 23
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
June 27, 1829, the other May 27, 1830. The first we~ loaned me by Mr. John Conkey who still resides in Richhill township, and is now in the 944th year of his age. The first article on the first pages of this old paper is a notice to the "Liberty and Dunkard Rangers," calling on them to parade at the house of Jacob Kuhn, in Wayne township, on the 4th of July, 1829, pre- cisely at 10 o'clock. Signed John Mehen, O. S. By order of Samuel White. Captain. The second article is a notice from Richard Furman, Adm'r of the estate of David Rumble, no- tifying all persons interested to meet at the house of the de- ceased in Dunkard township, Friday, July 24, 1829. Next George Kenny offers a reward of twenty dollars for the arrest of a certain Simon Johnson, who, not having the fear of the jaw before his eyes, had broken away from the constable of Whiteley township. The fourth article states that Nathaniel Jennings still continues to card wool at his old mill where a good quality of rolls will be found at the following prices : Common wool for four cents, if the money is paid down, if not p. il in six months, five cents per pound will be demanded ; 1! paid in the year, one "fip" per pound will settle the bill ; if not paid until after the expiration of the year, eight cents per pound will be charged. In order to encourage prompt pay- ment Mr. Jennings proposes to take wheat, rye, corn, flax seed, Ac. He does not inform the public where his old mill is situated, but I ain informed that it was directly in front of J. A. J. Buchanan's residence. The fifth article is entitled "Stray Cow," in which Samuel House, of Morgan township, complains that a black muley cow, with a white face, has been troubling him, and he desires the owner to come and take her away. The sixth is a notice of Thomas Fletcher, William Seals and Solo- mon Fordyce, stating that they had audited the accounts of Greene Academy on the 19th of May, 1829, and find a balance in the hands of the treasurer thereof of $2,677.74. The sec-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ond column is almost exelusively devoted to a proposal made by J. Baker and J. Morris for publishing a book entitled "A Revelation of Rights," written in Greene county, by Elias E. Ellmaker, Esq., in the year 1809. The contents of this book are as follows : 1st, On the proper study of man and his orig- inal rights ; 2d, of society and the natural and unnatural state of man : 3d, of government in general ; 4th, of political and civil liberty ; 5th, of the form and administration of govern- . ment ; 6th, of criminal law ; 7th, of slavery ; 8th, miscellaneous reflections on the alteration of our system of government; 9th, address to the citizens of the world. At the foot of this column is an advertisement of the paper called the Pennsylva- nia Reporter, a Democratic journal published at Harrisburg by Stambaugh, Welsh & Co. The editor of the Mesesnger gives notice that he will receive subscriptions for the above paper at his office in Waynesburg, and in order to accommodate himself (« the times and scarcity of money, he proposes to take wheat and bacon in payment of any debts due at his office. At the t cad of the 3d column Hugh Workman notifies the public trat Lie has erected a new tan house on Greene street, near id'r. isaac Slater's, where he proposes to furnish all kinds of leather for cash, or tan all kinds of skins on the shares. Hc also wishes all persons that know themselves indebted to him to make im- mediate payment and save costs, as further indulgence cannot be given. Just below is a notice of the old "Colonization So- ciety," stating that the churches generally propose taking up collections on the Sabbath immediately preceding the 4th of July each year to aid this society. This statement is made ou the authority of the National Intelligencer. The next is a com- munication dated Providence, R. I., May 29th, 1829, in which the correspondent mentions as a matter of surprise that a cargo of cotton goods has been shipped faom that part to Canton, China, which was ecowasgal on advantageous terms for a car-
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. 289
go of tea which was brought back by the ship Parthiam. At the foot of this column is a piece entitled "Fraud." giving an account of a rascal in Albany, who gave his note to another man, writing his name with spittle and sprinkling black sand over it. When the spittle became dry, the sand rubbed off, and the name was invisible. Verily there were villians in those days as now. We now ecme to a communication from C. Minor in defence of Free Masonry. This article and the edi- torial notes attached to it, fills five and a-half columns of this little old paper which measures thirteen inches wide by ninc- teen inches long. On the last page of this paper is another article taken from the Ontario Messenger dated May 25. 1829. entitled "The Morgan Conspiracy." In these two articles we find the germ of "Anti-Masonry," which was at that time just beginning to make its appearance as a political element which caused the defeat of George Wolf and the election of Joseph Ritner in 1835. And from the history of political parties with :- in the bounds of my own recollection which extends back as far as 1828 when Gen. Jackson was first elected, I think we learn one lesson, which is, that the American people demand some living issue. Thus in 1828 and 1832 it was bank or no bank; in 1835-38, Masonry or Anti-Masonry; in 1840, tariff or no tariff ; in 1844, when the Texas question of annexation was agitated, it was Texas or no Texas : then in 1860 the all absorb- ing question, slavery or no slavery. Now I want the readers of my history to understand that I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but as coming events cast their shadows before them. so I think I see that the next issue will be whisky or no whisky. But to return to the contents of the old paper. The article on the Morgan Conspiracy is exceedingly interest- ing and revives in my memory many things about the Morgan abdnetion and murder that I heard talked about when I was a boy, before I could read.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
On the second page I find a letter from Gen. Andrew Jack- son to the Creek Indians, dated Milledgeville. Georgia, May 26, 1829, entitled "Indian Talk," which I will copy in full. "Friends and Brethren : By permission of the Great Spirit above and the voice of the people, I have been made President: of the United States, and now speak to you as your father and friend, and request you to listen. Your warriors have known me long. You know I love my white and red children, and always speak with a straight and not a forked tongue ; that I have always told you the truth. I now speak to you as my children in the language of truth. Listen. Your bad men have made my heart sicken and blead by the murder of one of my white children in Georgia. Our peaceful mother earth has been stained by the blood of the white man, and calls for the punishment of his murderers whose surrender is now demanded under the solemn obligations of the treaty which your chiefs and warriors in council agreed to, To prevent the spilling of more blood, you must surrender the murderers, and restore the property they have taken. To preserve peace yon must com- ply with your own treaty. Friends and brothers, listen : Where you now are, you and white children are too near to 'each other to live in harmony and peace. Your game is de- stroyed, and many of your people will not work and till the eâîthì. Beyond the great river Mississippi where a part of your nation has gone, your Father has promised a country large enough for you all, and he advises you to remove to it. There your white brother will not trouble you ; they will have no claim to the land, and you and your children can live upon it as long as the grass grows or water runs, in peace and plenty. It will be yours forever. For the improvements in the country where you now live, and for the stock which you cannot take with you, your Father will pay you a fair price. In my talk to you in the Creek Nation many years ago I told you of this
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
new country where you might be preserved as a great nation, and where your white brothers would not disturb you. In that country your Father, the President, now promises to protect you and feed you, and to shield you from all encroachments. Where you now live your white brothers have always claimed the land. The land beyond the Mississippi belongs to the President and no one else, and he will give it to you forever. My children listen : The late murder of one of my white chil- dren in Georgia shows that you and they are too near to each other. These bad men must be delivered up and suffer the pezalties of the law for the blood they have shed. ! have sent my agent and your friend, Col. Crowell, to de- mand the surrender of the murderers and to consult with you on the subject of your removing to the land I have provided. for you west of the Mississippi in order that my white and red children may live in peace, and that the land may not be stained with the blood of my children again. I have instructed Col. Crowell to speak the truth to you and to assure you that your Father, the President, will deal fairly and justly with you, and whilst he feels a father's love for you, that he advises your whole nation to go to the place where he can protect you. Should any incline to remain and come under the laws of Ala- bama, land will be laid off for them and their families in fec. My children, listen : My white children in Alabama have ex- tended their laws over your country. If you remain in it, you must be subject to that law. If you remove across the Missis- sippi. you will be subject to your own laws, and the care of your Father, the President. You will be treated with kindness and the land will be yours forever. Friends and brethers, listen : This is a straight and good talk. It is for your nation's good, and your Father requests you to hear his counsel,"? Signed, Andrew Jackson.
Immediately below this letter I find another letter from John
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
H. Heaton, Secretary of War, addressed to Joseph Ross, Richard Taylor, Edward Gunter and Wm. S. Coody, delegates from the Cherokee Nation, in answer to a communication they had sent to him. But the letter is too long to be transcribed in full. The next is a notice that Rev. A. Leonard will preach in the court house to-morrow at 11 o'clock. In the same col- mun is the announcement that the Independent Blues and l'ranklin Rangers have appointed the undersigned a commit- tce of arrangement and invitation to a celebration of the 54th anniversary of our Independence on the 4th of July, 1829, and is signed by Wm. Baltzell, B. Mahana, I. Hook, J. Hook, J. Hoge, John Clark, A. Rinehart, Jesse Kent, Hugh Workman. In the next article the editor expresses his regret that Col. De Witt Clinton had resigned his position, Engineer on the Ju- niata Division of the Pennsylvania Canal, which our old readers will recollect was at that date being brought into existence. Just below is a short extract from the "Franklin Repository," in which he refers to the article of Hon. Charles Minor, in de- fense of Free Masonry. IFis article represents Mr. Minor as the senior editor of the Villiage Record, and a member of Congress. I find by reference to Smull's Legislative Hand Book, that Charles Minor was a member of the 19th and 20th Congresses. This statement is found in the same column: Rumor cannot always be relied on-it nevertheless states that Amos Elmaker, Esq., will be taken up as the anti-masonic call- didate for Governor at the convention in Harrisburg next week. So mote it be .- Carlisle Volunteer. Another little piece of news is that "a letter received in Borton, dated Smyrna, April 4, 1829, states that the Russians have taken possession of Messervia to the north of Bourgas, and Sizi boli to the south- ward, and are fortifying both places. The next article is en- titled "Meeting of Freemen," in Heidleburg township, Berks county, at which the following was passed, one hundred and
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
fifty persons signing their names to the proceedings: "Re- solved, That hereafter we will receive no preacher into our con- gregation who is an adherent or supporter of a Theologica! Seminary, of the Sunday School Union, or the Bible, Mission- ary, Tract, or any other similar society ; or who is engaged in distributing any so called religious paper or magazine." A clipping from Raleigh, S. C., states that the locusts have made their appearance in great numbers in the vicinity of Salisburg. Then comes a couple of marriages ; 1st, by Nicholas Hager, Esq., Mr. Armstrong Porter and Miss Olive Inghram, June 25, 1829. The other marriage was performed by William Kineade, on June 23, 1829, the parties being Mr. Thomas Adamson and Miss Catharine Grant. The remaining column is filled with brief announcements : 1st, Daniel Fuller, of Whiteley town- ship, announces himself as a candidate for County Commis. sioner ; 2d, David Sellers, of Centre township, is announced for the same office ; 3d, Benj. Jennings, Asa McClelland and Rich- ard Long, County Commissioners, advertise that they will give out the building of a bridge over Dunkard creek, near Mt. ' Morris, on July 8, 1829 ; 4th, Thomas Mitchell requests all per- sons indebted to the estate of Ezra Mitchell, deceased, to call :Ind settle with William T. Hawkins, Esq. ; 5th, a stray stear is announced as trespassing on the premises of Abraham Scott, Cumberland township ; 6th, John Neff gives notice that an "old hay mare, with a star in her forehead, has been troubling him lown on Muddy creek, and that he would be glad if the owner would take her away; 7th, Israel Hook, Orderly Sergeant of .De Franklin Rangers, requires that company to parade in front of the Court House on the coming 4th of July. He says he does this by order of Cap't Baltzell; 8th, the Independent Blues are required to parade in the Borough of Waynesburg on the 4th of July, 1829. Each member is to be provided with thirteen rounds of blank cartridges. By order of Cap't. Jack_
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IHISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
son, John Irons, Orderly Sergeant; 9th, Ann Irons informs the ladies of Waynesburg that she is prepared to serve them in all departments of the millinery business, which means, I presume, that she will wash, bleach, rip and alter their old leghorn bonnets and make them look as good as new ; 10th, Is a notice from James Hughes that a brown cow broke into his enclosure some time in July, 1828, and is there in Morgan township until this day, and that he desires the owner to take her away. This closes the news found in the old Mesesnger of June 27th, 1829. I now come to the other old paper to which I referred, bearing date May 27, 1830. My old friend, W. T. H. Pauley, has saved me the trouble of condensing the news found in this second paper by doing it himself and com- menting on it. I will only add by way of "seconding the mo- tion," that I often saw Dr. John F. Bradee whose name is mentioned in this paper. I have been in his office, and am disposed to think he was certainly in possession of some skili, inasmuch as he guaranteed a cure to an uncle of mine, not- withstanding which he succeeded in bringing him to the grave , sooner apparently than he would otherwise have reached it.
The next thing on the first page of the old paper now before us is the advertisement of an order of the Court for the sale of a house and lot in Mt. Morris, belonging to the estate of John Wood, deceased-Adaline Wood, Administratrix.
Next comes the Proclamation of the Hon. Thomas HI. Baird, President of the Court of Common Pleas in 1830, in the Fourth Judicial district, composed of the counties of Fayette, Greene and Washington, and the Hon. John Minor and William Craw- ford, Esqs, Associate Judges in Greene county. for the holding of a "Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery," on the "third Monday of June next, being the 21st day.)" To- this "proclamation" is attached the name of our venerable and highly esteemed fellow citizen, Hon. Mark Gordon, as Sheriff
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IHISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Judge Gordon is still living. ercet and straight as an arrow, and still taking a lively interest in the political affairs of the county and country, which he discusses with much intelligence and interest.
The next item is the advertisement of "military goods" by T. B. McFadden, of No. 83, Market street, Pittsburg. who an- nounces that he has just received an assortment of military articles, consisting of Swords, sashes, Wings, Epauletts, Shon]- der Knotts, Pompoons, Plates, Eagles, Buttons. &c., &c., all of which will be offered at reduced prices."
Next comes the advertisement of "New Spring and Summer Goods," by A. N. Johnson, who, at that time, was among the most enterprising merchants of our town.
"L'ook Here" is the heading of an advertisement for "50,000 pounds of cleaned washed wool" by B. Campbell, Jr .. & Co. From this it is quite evident there was some wool raised in Greene county at that early day.
Next we have the "List of Causes set down for trial at June Term, 1830," consisting of twenty-three cases, and signed by W'in. T. Hays, as Prothonotary, who, we believe, served in the saune capacity for an unbroken term of about twenty years.
Then comes the "Notice" of Dr. John F. Bradce, of Union- town, to all persons indebted to make immediate payment. This is the same Dr. Bradee who was sent to the Penitentiary „bont 1840, for mail robbery, and afterwards died there.
Richard Ledwith, who is remembered by many of our older tizens, is next announced as "a candidate for the office of County Commissioner."
Then comes "a card" from Dr. T. C. Hawkins, tendering "his professional services to the inhabitants of Waynesburg and the public generally. Dr. Hawkins is still a resident of Waynes- burg, and is regarded as one among the oldest inhabitants.
"Good Bargains" by Beeson & Pennock comes next in order
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
They have just received from the Philadelphia and Baltimore markets a general assortment of seasonable goods, which they offer low-aye, very low for cash or approved produce."
Next comes the advertisement of John Golden, another old landmark still residing here, who informs "the public that he has commenced the wagon business at his new frame shop on Mechanics' Row, corner of Washington and Greene streets." The building still stands, and serves Mr. Golden's purposes as al wagon maker's shop.
Next is a rule of Court to perpetuate testimony-Amos Mar- tin vs. Abijah Heaton, Samnel Heaton, Daniel Heaton, John Huss, et al. Wm. T. Hays, Clerk. This advertisement closes the first page of this ancient paper.
The first article on the second page is a very interesting let- ter from Thomas Jefferson, dated January 21, 1809,-just be- fore leaving the Presidential chair-to Mr. Leiper, father of Geo G. Leiper, who, in a note dated April 27, 1830, furnishes the original copy of Mr. Jefferson's letter to the Upland Union for publication. It is a short private letter, and treats a little of religion but more of politics. It predicts the war with Great Britian, which was then already threatening the young Republic.
The next article on the second page is from the Baltimore American, dated May 14, giving an account of a trial trip on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills, preparatory to the road being opened for travel. This trial trip was made by "Mr. Knight, the Chief Engineer, with some of his assistants." This was, no doubt, our former Wash- ington county neighbor, Hon. Jonathan Knight, who surveyed the route of the proposed B. & O. R. R. through this county. about the year 1836, or about that date, and who was elected to Congress in the memorable Know Nothing campaign of 1954. Mr. Knght had invented what was then known as the
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
"improved conical wheels," and the principal object of the ex- cursion trip was to test the applicability of these new railroad wheels on that part of the B. & O. road which had been com- pleted to Ellicott's Mills. The result of the experimental trip was announced as a great success, and the opinion confidently expressed that with such wheels "curvitures, not exceeding four hundred feet radius, offer no impediment to the transpor- tation upon railways, even at the rate of at least fifteen miles an hour."
The next item of interest is the double column advertise- ment of "Fresh Spring and Summer Goods," by Renjamin Campbell & Co., who "respectfully inform their friends and the public that they have received from Philadelphia and Bal- timore a splendid assortment of merchandise, consisting of "loths, 100 pieces of calico, queensware, hardware, liquors," {{c. Nearly all the stores kept a supply of various kinds of liquors, and a good customer need never go away dry, or with- out having been well treated by the store keeper. The thing is a little different now-the drug stores monopolize the trade.
The first article on the third page, which was then editorial page. is the proceedings of a meeting held in the Court House in Waynesburg, May 14, 1830, for the purpose of organizing a temperance society, at which Obadiah Vancleve was called to the chair, and James M. Junkin appointed Secretary. A Constitution was adopted, consisting of seven articles, the 5th reading as follows: "The means employed by this society for the suppression of intemperance shall be the influence of moral example : abstaining from the use of ardent spirits: the dissimination of publications in newspapeas and pamphlets, and appeals to the reason, hearts and consciences of men, in the form of persuasion." After the adoption of the Constitution Joel Wood, of Wayne township, was chosen President : John: Conkey, of Bien Eventing, Vice President; and Wm. Gra-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
ham, Secretary. Both the President and Vice President of this temperance society have adhered with religious fidelity to the principles they then espoused, and are both still living in this county, which, to a great extent, may be owing to their temperate and exemplary lives. Mr. Graham, the Secretary: left the county about forty years ago.
At the bottom of the first column of the third page it is an- nounced that Congress is to adjourn on the 31st inst., (May.) Also that Dr. Daniel Sturgeon, who had been appointed Audi- tor General of this State by Gov. Wolfe, had entered on the dutias of the office on Monday, May 3d. Also that Jacob Spaugler, Surveyor General and S. Workman, Secretary of the Land Office had entered on the duties of their respective offices Monday, May 24th.
Quite a lengthy article on the "Next Consus" which indui- ges in some falicitous prognostications in regard to the growth which the coming census will develope as having occurred in the last decade-or from 1820 to 1830.
Next we have a notice of an address delivered by the cele- bruled preacher, Mr. Bascom, of the M. E. Church, to the peo- ple of Mount Sterling, Ky., on the subject of the American Colonization Society. This address was highly spoken of.
At the head of the fourth column of the third page, is this brief but comprehensive notice : "Died, at his residence in Morgan township, on Saturday last, May 22, 1830, at an ad- vanced age, Isaac Weaver, Esq., formerly a Senator from thi : District."
Next is the notice of a "Court of Appeal" for the 2d Battal- ion of the 119th Regiment P. M., to be held at the house of James Lindsey in Jefferson. Capt. Frost, Lieutenants Price and Bell were to compose the Court of Appeal. Signed John Lindsey, Colonel Commanding.
Then comes a list of five Sheriff sales. to take place at the
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. 209
Court House in Waynesburg, on the 3d Monday in June. These advertisements are signed by Mark Gordon, whom Rob- ert Whitehill once asked if he spelled cabbage with a "k."
At the head of the fifth and last column on the third page is an article headed "Tract Society," followed by a notice to the members of the Female Tract Society to meet at the Court House on next Monday evening, at 5 o'clock, to receive their tracts. This notice is signed by Miss "M. A. Harvey, Secre- tary." This venerable lady is still living in our town, where, by industry and energy, and a life of probity and business in- telligence, she has acquired a handsome competence for all her worldly wants, and now at four-score years and ten she is pa- tier 'ly waiting her call to a higher and better state of existence.
Beeson & Pennock advertise for a quantity of clean washed wool, for which they will pay a good price in goods.
WVm. Inghram informs the public that he has received and 0 "s for sale, low for cash or approved country produce, a fresh supply of spring and summer goods. He further an- nounces that he still carries on saddlery.
Then comes the quarterly notice by the Register of certain -
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