USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > Greensburg > History of Greensburg (Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania) and Greensburg schools > Part 2
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Sale of the Public Lots.
A scope of two acres. of course, was more than was needed for the county buildings. However, it was evidently the original purpose of the Trus- tees, as well as the landowners who virtually donated the ground, (the consideration of five shillings was merely nominal), that the county prop- erty should consist of an entire town square. The opposition element maintained that the Trustees were not empowered to purchase more land than an amount necessary on which to ereet public buildings. Desiring, no doubt, to minimize all cause for contention, and have the cost of the structure fall as lightly as possible on the tax- payers of the county, the Trustees decided to sell
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BARCLAY OFFICE BUILDING. Main Street.
the surplus ground. The two acres were divided into ten lots by Benjamin Davis; one of the Trustees, who was also a civil engineer. On a day in October, 1786, duly announced, nine of the lots were disposed of at public sale. Be- low are given the names of the pur- chasers, with the amounts for which the lots were sold,
BACK STREET.
4
Co
2
1
FIRST STREET.
OTTERMAN STREET.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
7
8
9
MAIN STREET.
together with a com-
PLAN OF THE PUBLIC LOTS.
putation of the suis realized in dollars and cents, based on the modern value of the pound ($4.85):
No. of Lot.
Purchaser's Name.
Amount of Sale.
1.
Michael Rugh.
€ 3 00 0
$14.55
2.
Peter Rugh.
2 96
12.00
3.
Dewalt Macklin
4 60
20.86
4.
Peter Rugh.
5 54
25.54
5.
Isaac Wyely.
7 50
35.16
6.
William Beuck.
8 15 0
42.44
7.
Michael Huffnagle, Esq.
9 10
43.89
8.
Joseph Cook.
9 10
43 89
9.
Jacob Rugh.
3 00 0
14.55
.€52 2 10
$252.88
After the sale of the public lots, there was some discussion as to whether the authority vested in the Trustees warranted them in taking
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6
ALLEY.
such action. To remove all doubt, however, as to the future and make the titles adequate and secure, a supplemental measure was enacted by the General Assembly on March 21, 1795. It provided that the sale of sundry lots of ground, made by the Trustees appointed by the Act of September 13, 1785, "be, and the said sales are hereby declared to be valid
--
4
RESIDENCE OF MR. J. F. ZIMMERMAN. North Maple Avenue.
for the conveyance of the estate said to be granted by said sales, as if by the said recited Act the said Trustees had been authorized to sell any part of the piece of ground aforesaid. to private individuals."
Greensburg During the Whiskey Insurrection,
Greensburg was affected by the uprising in resistence to the Federal exise law, or as it is historically known, the Whiskey Insurrection, in 1794. Although there were few or no persons in direct or active sympathy with the move- ment, in the town, a number of daring characters in Hemp- field township were in full accord with the insurgents. All through the southern section of the county, from the Laurel Hill to the Forks of the Yough, a still more violent spirit prevailed.
Greensburg being the seat of justice, where the public records were kept, and her eitizens not evincing a disposition to join or aid the insurrection, but rather to deprecate it, an ugly feeling was developed against the county town. Threats of the organization of banded parties to march to Greens- burg for the purpose of committing outrages upon individ- nals, mutilating or destroying the public records, and burn- ing property, were given currency. So repeatedly and persistently were these reports circulated, that they pro- duced a feeling of alarm, not only in the town, but, also, among law-abiding citizens throughout the county. Accord-
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ingly, toward the latter part of May, the subjoined appeal, signed by prominent citizens of various sections of the conn- ty, was made to Gen. William Jack, the militia leader for Westmoreland:
SIR :- As attempts have been made to raise an armed force to dis- turb the peace of this County and prevent the due Execution of the Laws, and an attack has been premeditated to be made on the Town of
Greensburgh, we have thought proper to address you as the Com- manding Officer of the Militia on a subject so distressing to the minds of all Well disposed Citizens. If such proceedings are not checked in their first Career, it is more easy to imagine than to point out the Calamities which may be the Consequence. We would be happy to have it in our power to say that the disposition to submit to the Laws was so prevalent that any extraordinary exertion of Government for that purpose and protecting well disposed Citizens in the Enjoyment of their Rights and Liberties was unnecessary. Recent examples con- vince us to the Contrary. Until that protection can be afforded, we are of opinion that besides Voluntary associations among such as are well inclined, a Small corps of Militia Volunteers, embodied by your direc- tion, to be kept in service so long as you shall judge the exigency of the case may require, will Essential- ly contribute to maintain the peace, and under the Civil authority to assist in Suppressing Riots and traitorous designs. From the tenor and sentiments manifested by the Executive, we make no doubt that your Conduct in Calling such a body of men into service for a short time will meet with the most unequivocal approbation, and the Expense be De- frayed out of the publick Treasury. We add to this our personal assurance of your being re-imbursed any expenses which may be incurred by you as to the pay and Rations of the officers and men whom you may think proper to call out for the Salutary pur- poses above mentioned.
We are, Sir, your Humble Serv'ts,
WM. FINDLEY,
TIMOTHY BUELL,
SAM'L PORTER.
JOHN PARKER,
WM. TODD,
PETER CLASSON,
JOBN CONTZ,
JAMES GUTHRIE,
JOHN KIRKPATRICK,
JAMES M'KELLIP,
Cn'R TRUBY,
ROB'T WILLIAMS,
ROB'T TAYLOR,
JOHN DENNISTON,
SIMEON HOVEY,
GEORGE SMITH,
JAMES PERRY,
ROBERT BOLE. WM. MAGHEE,
JNO. BRANDEN,
FREDERICK ROHRER,
DAVID BEANS,
TERRENCE CAMPBELL,
CONRAD COLMER,
Jos. COOK.
JAMES HILL,
NATHAN WILLIAMS.
NULL HOUSE, PROPERTY OF LEVI PORTZER. Corner Main and West Otterman Streets.
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1
THOMAS HAMILTON,
JOHN HUTCHESON,
PETER TITTLE,
-
-
-
---
WESTMORELAND NATIONAL BANK BUILDING. Main Street.
On the night of July 26, the post-boy, en route from Pittsburg to Philadel- phia. was attacked by two men, a short distance from Greensburg, and the United States mail ritled. The purpose of the men was to scenre the letters being forwarded by the United States officials in and about Pittsburg to the Federal authorities in Philadelphia. In this they were successful. All mail matter not referring to the insurrection was left undisturbed. The possession of the official reports by the insurgents caused the writers thereof to quickly and secretly leave Pittsburg and remain in concealment for some time. Subse- quent investigation developed the fact that the mail robbers were John Mitchell and William Bradford, both residents of Washington county. Mitchell was arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to be executed. Bradford was indicted. Both, however, were pardoned after the insurrection subsided.
The action taken by Gen. William Jack, regarding the appeal made to him by certain inhabitants of the county, will be found in the annexed letter written by Gen. Jack to Governor MitHin:
GREENSBURGH. Sept'r 22d. 1794.
SIR :- I think it my duty to transmit your Excellency an account of the situation of this Connty at the present crisis, and the motives which induced me to call into service a small corps of Militia. to assist in preserving Peace, and warding off any attack on the County Town. Where the public Records are kept, and in which the adjoining Counties are inter- ested as well as this.
Untill the Disturbances took place, soon after the arrival of the Federal Marshall. the people of this County, altho' generally averse to the Duty on Spirits. thought very little abont it. and I have reason to presum many of the principal Distillars would have entered rather than subjected themselves to a prosecution, the flame was soon communicated, and many from different views rather encouraged opposition than otherwise. whilst those who failed of other reasons made use of threats, to accomplish their views. The enclosed paper. sent to a Distiller in this county. shows the mode of Invitation from Washington; but there is reason to suppose that open as well as deseguised menaces of burning. &c., had the great- est effect in collecting the small number that went from Westmoreland to Braddock's field.
The vigorous measures proposed by Government, as well as the just fears of all good citizens, and the danger to persons and property. all had their effect in allaying the ferment. The people, however, revolted at the Idea of submitting to the Law complained of. as settled with the commissioners met at Pittsburg. Considerable pains was used at this place to pro-
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-
cure the signing required, and I firmly believe but for the steady countenance and determination of a few among us, no signing at all would have taken place. The Germans who are thick settled in this Neighborhood, being from ignorance of our Language, more easily imposed upon, were extreamly unwilling, and even shewed a disposi- tion which I did not expect from those habits of Industry to which they are used.
On the 11th inst .. the day fixed. only about 80 came forward to sign out of several hundreds met; frequent attempts were made by some to
RESIDENCE OF MR. JOHN W, SCOTT. East Pittsburg Street. [ 17 ]
intimidate and create mischief; at length some of the ringleaders at- tempted to snatch the papers in order to destroy them, but were pre- vented. Those who were known to have signed have been more or less threatened ever since, by a set of worthless fellows.
An association was set on foot in the Town, the 13th Instant, for protection and mutual safety, and was generally agreed to even hy some of those who did not like the declaration, to submit to the Laws. On the 16th, being assured of an attempt, set on foot by a Lieut. Straw, to raise a party to come to Town with the pretense of getting the papers, I thought it most advisable to issne a Warrant, and Committed him to Goal.
Being joined by a Number of friends to peace from the country, I went with a party of about 50 men to a House where the said Straw's party was to collect, about a mile from Town, Where we found about 30 persons who Declared in favor of peace. and not finding some of those among them who had been the most active, we thought it best to be satis- fied with their assurances.
To put a Check to further Combinations of this kind, it was deemed expedient (on a consultation among the citizens of the Town, and some who had come from the country, Par- ticularly Mr. Findley and Mr. Porter) to have a party raised to be ready on any Emergency. In consequence I have given Instructions for calling out a Lieut. and 30 Volunteers Militia to rendevouze here this week. The number to be augmented, if occasion requires; but I hope this will not be necessary- the more especially as the Troops ordered by the Executive are now supposed to be on their March.
For your Excellency's satisfaction I transmit you a copy of the Letter from the Citizens to me, and at the same time request your sanction to the measure I have undertaken.
I am, Sir, your Excellency's Most obed. Humble Serv't, WM. JACK.
The subsequent course pursued by the citizens of this locality, in connection with the effort to re- establish respect for the law and restore order, is set forth in the following:
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Greens- burgh and Township of Hempfield, in the county of West- moreland, on Wednesday, the 22d of October, 1794, convened
for the purpose of giving to the deputies who are to meet at Parkin- son's Ferry on the 24th inst., such unequivocal assurances of their dis- position for submission to the laws, as would enable them to propose and adopt snch measures on their behalf as would be decisive in mani- festing their sincere regret for and abhorrence of the late violent measures, and of their firm determination to support and yield obedi- ence to the constitutional laws of their country. The following resolu- tions were proposed and adopted:
1. Resolved, as the sense of this meeting, That it is the duty of every
RESIDENCE AND OFFICE OF DR. T. P. COLE. South Pennsylvania Avenue.
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good citizen to yield obedience to the existing laws of his country.
2. Resolved, That we discountenance all illegal acts of violence, from whatever motive, and that for redress of grievances, the privilege and right of the citizen is to petition and remonstrate if necessary.
3. Resolved, That we will support the civil authority and all officers in the legal exercise of their respective dnties, and assist in securing for legal trial, all offenders against the laws, when called upon.
4 Resolved. That the citizens of this town and township will give no opposition to the opening an office of Inspection therein, should the same be contemplated by the government, and that we will use our endeavors to remove improper prejudices, and recom- mend a peaceable and general submission.
5. Resolved. That a copy of the preceding resolutions be given to one or more of the deputies for the town or township who are to meet at Parkinson's ferry, on Friday, the 24th iost., together with a copy of the assurance paper, signed by the citizens of this meeting, in order that the same inay be laid before the members of the said committee, and that an- other copy be made out for publication in the Pittsburgh Gazette, and that the same he attested by the chairman and clerk of this meeting.
A true copy.
Attest:
DAVID MARCHAND, Chairman.
THOMAS HAMILTON, Clerk.
We, the undersigned citizens of the town of Greensburgh & township of Hempfield. in the county of Westmoreland, being desirous of living in peace and of adopting such meas- ures as appear to us most likely to ensure the same in future, as well as to promote the real interests of the country, do severally promise, engage and certify that we will support. when legally called upon, the civil anthority and all officers in the due execution of their respective powers under the laws of the land, and give our assistance in bringing to legal trial all offenders against the laws; and further, that if an office of inspection for the entering of stills, &c., is opened in the said town or township or in any other part of the same county, that we will give all necessary support in protecting the same against violence; and such of us as are distillers and design continuing in the same employment promise to enter the same
when such office shall be opened, and that we will use our endeavors to defeat all combinations having for object the disturbance of the public peace and opposition to the laws aforesaid. In witness we have hereunto set our hands this twenty-second day of October in the year of onr Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four.
A true copy.
DAVID MARCHAND, Chairman.
Attest: THOMAS HAMILTON, Clerk.
N. B .- The above assurance or certificate was signed in the course of the evening by four hundred and twenty citizens, and it is expected the same, or something similar, will be entered into and subscribed in the other townships of the county of Westmoreland; in some parts of the same a similar assurance has been given, and in all it is expected a compliance will take place immediately.
On the return homeward starting from Pittsburg, the New Jersey and Pennsylvania divisions of the army, sent against the insurgents, pursued two routes. Some of the troops traversed the southern section of this coun- ty. The first division, embracing the Pennsyl- vania cavalry, and acting as an escort to Governor Mifflin, passed through Greensburg, on Thursday, November 20. On the preceding night this part of the army encamped two miles west of Greens- burg, at a place designated as the "Dutchman's."
Forty Fort Fayette garrison soldiers, under com- mand of an ensign, reached Greensburg on the evening of November 27, from Pittsburg, with seventeen prisoners. Of those in custody, nine were citizens of Washington county, six of Alle- gheny, one of Fayette and one of Ohio county, Va. On their arrival, the prisoners were lodged in the county jail, where three other persons sus- pected of being in sympathy with the insurgents, were already incarcerated. On the morning of November 29, the twenty accused persons were brought forth, paraded about the streets of Greens- burg through mud and snow, and delivered into the charge of Major James Durham, in command
HOTEL STARK, PROPERTY OF MR. C. H. STARK. Corner West Otterman Street and Harrison Avenue.
[19]
of a detachment of cavalry. Subsequently the suspects were started on a very weary march to Philadelphia, each prisoner on foot between two of the guard, with drawn swords, on horseback. It may be here added that, after being imprison- ed in Philadelphia for months. some for longer and some
shorter periods, all were acquitted or discharged, there be- ing no incriminating evidence against them.
There is a local tradition that Gen. George Washington, who was then President of the United States, visited Greens- burg during the insurrection. It is founded, however, on error, President Washington started for Western Pennsylvania, on that occasion, but proceeded no farther than Bedford, thence returning to the seat of government. United States District Attorney William Rawle and the United States Commission- ers, however, made their headquarters at Greens- burg for a time during the troublous days of 1794. Disorderly persons, one night, threw a stone through a second-story window of the hotel where the Federal officials were lodged. The guilty parties were arrested and punished.
In the year named, when the fury of the insur- rection broke forth, there were sixteen distilleries in Hempfield township. A number of them were situated in the vicinity, but only one, so far as diligent search reveals, was located within the limits of Greensburg. That one was "on the square of the public spring" (the southeast corner of West Pittsburg Street and Maple Avenue). By whom the distillery was owned in 1794 is not known to the writer. In 1799 and 1800, however, it was the property of John and James McCaskey. In addition to two stills it embraced "a complete
RESIDENCE OF HON. E. E. ROBBINS. North Main Street.
[20]
brewery." The main building was a stone structure, and, connected with it, were several substantial outbuildings.
One morning in the middle of February, 1799, the citizens of Greensburg were much disturbed by grave apprehensions. They feared that the spirit of the insurrection was about to be revived. Between midnight and early morning a whiskey
pole had been erected in front of the house of John Wells, the excise officer, who resided on North Main Street. On the pole was a placard containing the following:
"Tom the Tinker, author. Liberty and no excise and no stamp act. Mr. Wells, you are a cheating
(very vile epithet). Huzza for liberty and no excise and no stamp act. This pole is erected by Tom the Tinker, and whoever cuts it down or demolishes it, shall have his house torn down and demolished. The Father is gone to the Grand Father, and will come again and bring with him twenty thousand men. In the year 1799."
Leading citizens of the town, after careful con- sideration, on the morning of its discovery, deter- mined to cut the pole down, which was promptly clone. A rigid investigation as to the authors of the outrage was likewise instituted. Persons who had been in the vicinity or passed Mr. Wells' honse, at various times up until midnight, came forward and stated that the pole had not yet been erected at that hour. The inquiry revealed the fact that the guilty parties were not residents of the town, but had come from a distance. No ar- rests were made but a vigilant watch was kept by citizens at night for several weeks thereafter to prevent the threatened destruction of property. Persons were much perplexed to construe or ad- vance a satisfactory theory as to the significance of the expression: "The Father is gone to the Grand
RESIDENCE OF MR. EDWARD DONOHOE.
North Maple Avenue.
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THE KEAGGY THEATRE BUILDING. West Otterman Street.
Father and will come again and bring with him twenty thousand men." By some it was thought to imply that international complications were being fomented. and that British assistance or the aid of French revolu- tionists, active shortly before, had been solicited and promised for a new uprising. Although no overt or open acts of a lawless character occurred, it was some time before the disquietude of the citizens of Greensburg was entirely dispelled.
Greensburg Incorporated as a Borough.
Perhaps the most notable period in Greensburg's history, in the way of advancement, was 1799. In that year, so close to the dawn of the new century, the town was incorporated as a borough, the first news- paper was established. a handsome new Court House and jail were in course of erection, and a public market house built. The Act of the General Assembly conferring upon the countyseat the dignity of a bor- ough, was approved February 9, 1799. In recent years this statute has been more commonly referred to as "the old charter." It embodies so much of historic interest. that it is reproduced below, in full, from a certified transcript of the original Act:
"THE OLD CHARTER.
AN ACT to erect the town of Greenesburgh, in the county of Westmore- land, into a borough.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the town
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of Greenesburgh, in the county of Westmoreland, shall be, and the same is hereby, erected into a borough, which shall be called the borough of Greenesburgh, and shall be comprised within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at a white oak corner in William Jack's land, by a line running north twenty degrees east thirty-three perches, to William Best's land; thence west along said line of William Best one hundred and seven perches and a half, to a post on George Oderman's
E
RESIDENCE OF MR. SAMUEL ALWINE, SR. Corner East Pittsburg Street and Alwine Avenue. [23]
land; thence by land of said George Oderman and Back-street south sixteen degrees east twenty-eight perches, to a post ad- joining said Oderman's land and a lot of William Barnes; thence south seventy-four degrees west twelve perches, to a post ajoining said Oderman's land and William Barnes' lot; thence by land of said George Oderman sonth sixteen degrees east fourteen perches to a post; thence south seventy-four de- grees west twenty-four perches to a post: thence by land of said George Oderman south sixteen degrees east thirty-three perches to a post; thence north seventy- four degrees east eleven perches to a post. adjoining James Watterson's land; thence by land of the said James Watterson and James Guthrie south sixteen degrees east eighty-eight perches to a post; thence by land of James Guthrie south eighty-two degrees east forty-four perches to a post; thence by land of Robert Williams, Christopher Truby and William Jack, north thirteen degrees east one hundred and forty-one perches, to the place of beginning.
SECTION II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the freemen of the said borough, who shall have resided within the same six months, and shall in other respects be entitled to vote for Members of the General Assembly of this Com- monwealth, shall, on the first Monday of May next, and on that day in every year thereafter, meet to- gether at the court-house in the said borough, and then and there choose, by ballot, two reputable free- holders, inhabitants of said borough, to be Burgesses, and three reputable persons to serve as Assistants, for advising, aiding and assisting the said Burgesses in the execution of the powers and authorities hereby given them; and also to elect a High Constable and a
1
SHIELDS, PAINTER &. SLOAN.
HAPOWARE
BUSINESS BUILDING OF MESSRS. SHIELDS, PAINTER & SLOAN. West Second Street.
Town Clerk; all and every of which persons shall be residents in the said borough, and shall be duly qualified to eleet as aforesaid, and the person which shall have the greatest number of votes for Burgess shall be called Chief Burgess.
SECTION III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the election for the officers aforesaid shall be holden in the following manner, to wit: the Constable of the town of Greenesburgh for the present year, and the High Constable so as aforesaid elected or appointed. in the manner hereinafter mentioned in every succeeding year, shall give notice of such election at least six days before the time appointed for hold- ing the same, by advertisement set up at six or more of the most public places within the said borough; and at the election to be holden the present year, the Town Constable and two reputable freeholders, to be chosen by the electors of the said borough for that purpose, and at every succeeding election the Burgesses and Assistants shall hold the said election, receive and count the ballots, and declare the persons duly elected: whereupon duplicate certificates of the persons so elected shall be signed in the present year by the two freeholders chosen as aforesaid, and in every sue- cecding election by the said Burgesses, one whereof shall be transmitted to the Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of the county, within twenty days after the said election, and the other filed among the records of the corporation; and at any election held as above directed, should the two persons highest in the vote for Burgesses have an equal number of votes, the next Court of Quarter Sessions shall declare who shall be the Chief Burgess; and if it shall at any time so happen, through neglect or other- wise, that no election shall be holden on that day, or in the mode herein prescribed, it shall be lawful for the court of Quarter Sessions, and it is hereby required forthwith to appoint the Burgesses, Assistants, High Constable and Town Clerk aforesaid, who shall thereupon be fully invest- ed with the power and authorities to their respective offices appertaining, and the Burgesses and other officers so appointed or elected shall holland execute their respective offices until the first Monday in May next ensuing their appointment or election, or until others shall be duly elected or ap- pointed in their stead.
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