USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 71
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The rooms of the hospital were generously fur- nished as follows: Operating room, by Mrs. Mary E. Heilman; sterilizing room, by Mrs. Mary A. Young; men's medical ward by the Keystone Ath- letic Association ; men's surgical ward by Allentown Fire Department; women's medical ward by Mrs. Walter P. Huber; woman's surgical ward by Hon. and Mrs. James L. Schaadt; west isolating room by Mrs. George Ormrod; east isolating room by the W. C. T. U .; reception room by C. A. Dorney Furniture Company; head nurses sitting and bed room by the Golden Circle of King's Daughters ; central private room by the Circle of the Silver Cross, Kings' Daughters; west private room by Faithful Workers; east private room by Circle of "Seven"; sideboard by the Ever Ready Circle, King's Daughters ; X-Ray instrument, Dr. C. D. Schaeffer.
From the annual report for 1899 we learn that the statistics for the first six months are as follows :
One hundred and sixty-eight patients were treated ; largest number of patients at any one time, 21, with an average of 12. The nursing force consisted of a head nurse, two graduate nurses, and four probate nurses. The president in his annual report for the same year advocates the extension of its capacity and usefulness by the erection of a wing in the near future.
IMPROVEMENTS.
In 1902, through the generosity of James K. Mosser, of Allentown, a large and commodious wing was added to the building at a cost of $39,- 773.
This building was furnished as follows :
Male surgical ward, by William F. Mosser; fe- male surgical ward by Hon. Robert E. Wright; children's ward by Mrs. Walter P. Huber; male surgical dressing room by the M. W. M. Circle; female surgical dressing room by the Ladies' Aux- iliary ; seven private rooms by the Silver Cross Circle of King's Daughters, the Circle of Seven, the Faithful Workers, the Clover Club, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Kleppinger, the Sunshine Circle, and the employees of F. W. Woolworth; four iso- lating rooms, two rooms by Mrs. E. G. Martin; Broad silk-weavers; Adelaide silk-mill; connecting corridor, first floor by C. A. Dorney Furniture
Company; connecting corridor, second floor, by the Kroll Furniture Company; rug by John Taylor; laundry machinery by Messrs. Nuding and Neu- weiler ; wheel-litter by Thomas E. Ritter; six addi- tional beds and bedding by the Ladies' Auxiliary; shades for entire building by J. M. Grimley.
In 1903 two lots opposite the hospital on Chew Street, were purchased at a cost of $5,500, for a nurses' home.
A beautiful annex known as the woman's ward was erected in 1905, by Mrs. Maria E. Mosser, widow of the late James K. Mosser.
The cost of the annex was $4,371, and was paid for by the generous donor. During the same year there was also erected a boiler house, coal house, laundry, and a corridor connecting them with the main building.
The most extensive improvements since the hospital was erected, was the new building which was erected in 1911 and 1913, at a cost of $114,- 371, not including the furnishings.
The rooms in the new building were furnished by the following persons and organizations: Alvin Lawfer, Mrs. Alvin Lawfer, Silver Cross Circle, Keiper family in honor of H. L. Keiper, Henry School, Jockey Club, Charles Lieberman, Mrs. Frank Koch, Robert Wilbur, E. N. Kroninger, P. J. Lau- bach, John M. Mack, E. M. Kern, J. M. Grimley Co., George Kleppinger, Merkel & Co., Joseph Lieb- erman, Tilghman Cooper, Thomas Ritter, Mrs. R. P. Stevens, Owen Clauss, Lloyd Tilghman, Victor Wonderley, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Moyer, Dr. Low- right, Mrs. and Ada Balliet, Mr. and Mrs. David Malcom, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Wetherhold, Mrs. Grace Moyer, National Silk Dye Company, Levi Bachman, D. G. Dery, Nurses Alumna Association, two rooms; Mrs. Charles Matchan, in memory of her husband, Ward B., M. T. J. Ochs, Arthur G. De- walt, Fred Horlacher, David S. Menges; The Ladies' Auxiliary furnished the obstetric ward, the nursery, the maternity ward, and various dressing rooms throughout the hospital; Mrs. Heilman, the operat- ing-room. Mrs. E. M. Young, the sterilizing room, Road Drivers' Association, the children's private ward, Mrs. Walter A. Huber, the children's ward; fire department one of the wards, James F. Hun- sicker, Dannie Megges, and Abraham Samuel, the doctors' rooms.
TRAINING SCHOOL.
A course of theoretical and practical instruc- tion for the purpose of training women to be- come professional nurses was started shortly after the institution was opened. The first superin- tendent or head nurse was Miss Anna B. Gib- son. Miss Clara V. Haring filled the office from 1900 to 1912, since which time Miss Alma M. Viehdorfer has filled it. Judging from the num- ber of graduates and the character of the young ladies who have been graduated from this insti- tution, it is evident that very efficient work is be- ing done.
370
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
The following have been the resident physi- cians of the institution :
Dr. William A. Hausman, 1902.
Dr. Jere F. McAvoy, 1903.
Dr. William J. Creighton, 1904.
Dr. Clyde J. Saylor, 1904.
Dr. Mahlon G. Miller, 1905 and 1906.
Dr. William H. Greiss, 1905 and 1906.
Dr. William J. Matz, 1907.
Dr. Forrest G. Schaeffer, 1908.
Dr. Robert L. Schaeffer, 1908.
Dr. Oscar O. Salter, 1909.
Dr. Frank S. Boyer, 1909.
Dr. John S. Schneller, 1910-19II.
Dr. Edwin S. Minner, 1910-19II.
Dr. Fred G. Klotz, 1911-12.
Dr. Edward J. Deibert, 1911-1912.
Dr. Harry B. Kern, 1912-1913.
LADIES' AUXILIARY.
A Ladies' Auxiliary to co-operate in erecting and maintaining the hospital, was organized Feb. I, 1896, with thirteen members. In 1899 they reported an active membership of 292. When the first building was erected they furnished the money with which the lot was purchased. They also contributed $2,500 towards the building, and $900, towards the furnishing.
This organization is the most valuable auxili- ary of the institution and has rendered most val- uable assistance in providing means for the erec- tion of the building, their furnishings and main- tenance of the hospital. Since 1909 tag day is observed about the middle of May, which nets annually about $2,600. The officers of the aux- iliary are : President, Mrs. Harry E. Ruhe; vice- presidents, Mrs. R. S. Leisenring, Mrs. Mary E. Heilman, and Mrs. Annie Schock; Recording Secretary, Laura V. Keck; Corresponding Sec- retary, Mrs. James Straub; Treasurer, Mrs. Henry D. Hersh.
OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The first president of the board was Rev. J. A. Singmaster, who served until 1900, when Hon. Edward Harvey was elected, who filled the office up to the time of his death in 1913.
Dr. W. H. Hartzell filled the office of Sec- retary until 1902 when Dr. Charles S. Martin was elected, who filled the office until 1908, since which time Abraham Samuels has filled the office. John E. Lentz held the office of treas- urer until the annual meeting in 1899, when he resigned on account of ill health. Edward H. Renninger has filled the office ever since.
Dr. C. D. Schaeffer has practically been the surgeon in chief since the hospital was opened. Dr. Orlando Fegley had been elected surgeon in chief, but owing to ill health he never served. Since 1902 Dr. Schaeffer has also been the
physician in chief. By consulting the statis- tics of the institution, it is remarkable how much has been accomplished in so short a time. It speaks well for the officers and frends of the in- stitution. To Dr. Schaeffer more than to any other man, the institution owes its remarkable growth. It is one of the finest and best equipped hospitals of the state.
STATISTICS.
Year
Nurses Graduated
Patients Treated
State Appropriation $ 5,000
Moneys Rec'd for Maintenance.
1899
168
$36,092.60
1900
380
8,114.68
1901
3
420
1,052.81
29,389.42
1902
5
533
13,062.00
45,013.00
1903
4
614
6,055.42
28,678.54
1904
8
805
9,704.38
25,153.15
1905
8
870
9,875.00
42,611.14
1906
4
899
10,500.00
38,418.72
1907
9.95
13,750.00
42,488.06
1908
9
I,III
11,000.00
70,759.79
1909
4
1,132
13,000.00
81,528.45
1910
13
1,322
15,000.00
68,749.69
I9II
9
1,443
11,250.00
40,1 30.83
1912
12
1,505
18,750.00
65, 156.57
Since the founding of the institution $365,000 has been expended for grounds, buildings, and furnishings; $329,513 has been spent for maintenance.
Members of the Association.
Any person contributing $10 at any one time, and $5 annually during each succeeding year, shall be a member of this Association. Mem- bership shall be forfeited by a failure to pay the annual dues for two years.
Any person, firm, or organization contributing not less than $10 in cash, or not less than $25 in material or merchandise, shall be entitled to a representative in the Association during the cur- rent year in which the donations are made.
Any person may become a life member of the Association by the payment of not less than $150 at any one time.
Any person may become an honorary member of this Association by the payment of not less than $1,000 at any one time.
Honorary Members.
George O. Albright.
Charles F. Mosser.
Employees of Atlas Portland Cement Co.
Atlas Portland Cement Co. Relief and Bene- ficial Association.
Hon. Edward Harvey.
John Greenall.
*L. J. Helfrich.
*Henry Leh.
Lehigh Portland Cement Co. and Employees.
William F. Mosser.
Hon. Robert E. Wright.
*John E. Lentz.
*James K. Mosser.
*Dr. Martin H. Boye.
Edwin G. Trexler.
Harry C. Trexler.
Thomas J. Koch.
John W. Eckert.
*Deceased.
371
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
E. M. Young.
Max Hess. George Ormrod.
William H. Gangewere.
Dr. C. D. Schaeffer.
James F. Hunsicker.
Heilman Boiler Works.
Andrew S. Keck.
Mrs. Margaret Matcham. Horlacher Brewing Co.
Ladies' Auxiliary.
Life Members.
Allentown Electric Light and Power Co. Allentown Fire Department.
Allentown National Bank.
American Cement Co. and Employees.
Bonneville Portland Cement Co.
Coplay Cement Co. and employees.
Hon. Hugh E. Crilly.
Donaldson Iron Co. and employees.
George H. Hardner.
Mrs. Mary E. Heilman.
Bryden Horse Shoe Co. and employees.
Lehigh Valley Transit Co.
George W. Seagraves.
United Italian Societies.
Lehigh Portland Cement Co.
Mrs. Joseph Ruhe.
Mrs. Walter P. Huber.
Keystone Athletic Association.
Lawrence Portland Cement Co. and em- ployees. Lehigh Valley Trust Co.
Merchants' National Bank.
Mrs. Joseph B. Lewis.
Novelty Hosiery Co. and Excelsior Knit- ting Mch. Mfg. Co.
M. U. M. Circle.
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Schaadt.
Whitehall Portland Cement Co. and em- ployees.
William R. Yeager.
*Mrs, E. B. Young.
William F. Mosser.
Mack Bros. Motor Car Co.
Allentown Public Schools.
Ladies' Auxiliary of Allentown Hospital. H. Leh Estate.
Richard C. Bondy. Joseph Ruhe. A. Samuels. *H. L. Keiper. E. N. Kroninger. Louisa Ochs.
Charles L. Lieberman.
George H. Kleppinger Mary I. Koch.
Peter Laubach. T. S. Cooper. Lloyd M. Tillman. Charles Ziegenfus. D. G. Dery. A. G. Dewalt.
V. F. Wonderly. Henry L. School. Mrs. Ida V. Lawfer.
Mrs. Briana Pendleton Stevens. Robert E. Wilbur. Mr. and Mrs. John M. Mack.
Owen D. Clauss. Joseph Lieberman. E. H. Wetherhold. Merkle & Co.
Crane Iron Works, Catasauqua.
Allentown Hospital Alumni Asso. Circle of Silver Cross, King's Daughters.
Road Drivers' Club of Lehigh Valley. i Bachman. J. M. Grimley Co. Mrs. Annie R. Huber.
STAFF, 1913.
Physician and surgeon, Dr. Charles D. Schaeffer ; assistant, Dr. Calvin J. Otto; pathologist, Dr. Jos- eph M. Weaver; X-Ray operator, Dr. Edward W. Feldhoff ; directress of nurses, Miss Alma M. Vieh- dorfer, R.N .; assistant directress of nurses, Miss Ruth A. Mench. R.N .; night directress of nurses, Miss Blanche M. Harrison, R.N .; internes, Dr. Ar- thur C. Zuck, 1912-April 1, 1913; Dr. Edward L. Royer, 1912-July 1, 1913; dietitian, Mrs. Edith M. Lithgow; stenographer and bookkeeper, Miss Etta E. Smallsbeck; consultants-surgeons, Dr. John B. Deaver, Philadelphia; Dr. H. Y. Horn, Coplay; physicians-Dr. H. H. Riegel, Catasauqua, Dr. Wm. B. Erdman, Macungie.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Mr. James F. Hunsicker, president: Mr. Peter J. Laubach, vice-president ; Mr. Abraham Samuels, secretary ; Mr. Edward H. Reninger, treasurer.
Term Expires 1917-Hon. James L. Schaadt, Mr. Edward M. Young, Mr. Samuel F. Jordan, Mr. Emil A. Hirner, Mr. George K. Mosser.
Term Expires 1916-Dr. Charles D. Schaeffer, Mr. Abraham Samuels, Mr. Edward H. Reninger, Mr. Edwin G. Trexler.
Term Expires 1915-Mr. James F. Hunsicker, Dr. A. H. Balliet, Mr. George Ormrod, Mr. A. L. Reichenbach.
CHILDREN'S HOME.
The smallpox epidemic in the Spring of 188.2 left so many orphans and half orphans that Mr. William H. Thurston, then president of the Bethlehem Iron Company, felt the necessity of a place of refuge for these unfortunate children. A small house was rented on Cherokee street in South Bethlehem, and Miss Lizzie Frick was placed in charge of it as matron. For about four years Mr. Thurston bore the whole expense of maintenance, but as the number of applications for 'admittance increased, he deemed it necessary to place the Home on a more permanent basis and it was done in 1886. Mrs. George Jenkins was the first president with the following di- rectors: Julia De Witte Coppie, Martha N. Sayre, Sarah M. Nelson, Alice C. Frazier, Julia DeWitte, C. Jenkins, R. A. Lambertson, E. P. Wilber, Robert Lockhart, Samuel Adams and William H. Thurston. The number of chil- dren increased until the first house was too small and Mr. Thompson donated a lot for a new
*Deceased.
372
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
building, also on Cherokee street upon which a house was built with the funds secured by Mrs. Jenkins and the ladies of the Board. The new Home was taken possession of in June, 1888. In 1895 when the still increasing number of chil- dren had again rendered the Cherokee street quarters inadequate the Board of Directors de- cided to purchase a country site where new build- ings could be added from time to time and afford more room for the children. The fulfilling of this desire was made possible by the generous do- nation of a building by Capt. James Wiley in memory of his wife, Anna Lewis Wiley. The directors having secured an option on a tract of six acres of land in Salisbury township, immedi- ately began to solicit funds for its purchase. Sufficient funds having been secured the property was purchased and the building which is the Children's Home of to-day was erected, but recently a three-story addition, 32 x 4I was erected.
The following have been the matrons up to the present time: Miss Lizzie Frick, Mrs. Frey, Mrs. Kintner and the present matron, Mrs. Ab- ner Herman.
The children of the Home under nine years of age are taught by a competent teacher in the Home. Those over nine years of age attend the public schools of the township located at Gauff's Hill only a few blocks from the Home.
The object of the Home is to furnish tem -. porary shelter for homeless, destitute or unfortu- nate children until suitable, permanent homes can be found for them. The children are admitted between the ages of two and fourteen years. The children come principally from Lehigh and Northampton counties. The Home is supported chiefly by annual subscriptions, together with
the income from nominal board paid by parents and guardians and State aid. More than a thou- sand children have been provided for since it has been founded.
The Children's Home is in charge of leading women of the Bethlehems and there are several Allentown ladies connected with the administra- tion of its affairs, including Mrs. H. C. Trexler, Mrs. R. E. Wright, Mrs. Lucy Huebner, and Mrs. Charles D. Shrady. Mrs. H. H. Mitchell, of Bethlehem, has been president of the Home since 1908 and it is largely due to her ambition for the project and ability that the extensions of work have been made. Miss Anna Gummere, of Bethlehem, is the secretary and Miss Mont- gomery, of Fountain Hill, is the treasurer. Mrs. J. Davis Brodhead, of South Bethlehem, is a prominent, active member of the Executive Com- mittee, and heads the committee on school work.
RESCUE MISSION AND HOME OF ALLENTOWN.
The Rescue Mission and Home, located at 12- 14 North Third street, Allentown, was organ- ized by Obadiah Becker in 1900. In 1901 it was incorporated under the laws of our State and the following trustees were elected: Oba- diah Becker, Superintendent; Charles Keiser, President ; E. A. Soleliac, Treasurer ; Harry J. Troxell, Secretary; E. J. Rapp and Miss Mary Ormrod. The building consists of a three-story brick house, a brick chapel, 42 x15 feet built in 1909, and a two-story dormitory, 36 x 15 feet. In 1911 the number of meals served was 5,233; lodging was furnished to 6,063 persons, and the Gospel preached to over 9,000 people in 372 meetings, conducted in the mission. The Home depends for its support on voluntary con- tributions.
CHAPTER XVII.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
EARLY ROADS.
The first public road laid out in what is now Lehigh county was surveyed in 1735 while still a part of Bucks county. It began about a quar- ter of a mile northwest of Breinigsville, in Up- per Macungie, at a black-oak tree, situated at a corner of lands of Peter Trexler and Henry Shade-near the tavern of Jeremiah Trexler, whose father (said Peter) had purchased land there in 1729. The road passed through the present site of Breinigsville and Weiler's Store, crossed the Little Lehigh, thence through what is now the borough of Macungie, and the vil- lages of Shimersville, Old Zionsville, New Zionsville, Hosensack, Krausdale, and Geryville to North Wales where it joined the road from New Goshenhoppen to Philadelphia. The order was issued March 27, 1735, and the report was filed Aug. 16, 1735, by the viewers, Robert Thomas, John Roberts, Hugh Evans, and Jan Jansen.
Slatington Road .- In 1752, in Northampton county, a road was ordered to be laid out from John Moyer's house, on the Macungie road, (near Zionsville R. R. station), to Kern's Mill, (now Slatington). The viewers were Joseph Eberhard, David Owen, David Geesey, Christopher Haymaker, George Shoemaker, and George Hoffman. The road ran generally in a north-easterly direction, and passed through lands of George Streibeck, George Plott, (Vera Cruz), Rudolph Andreas, Taylor Floch, Bar- bara Shoemaker (near Emaus) and George Hoffman, crossing the Little Lehigh at "Hoff- man's Grist Mill" (owned ten years later by Jacob Wirth) ; thence a distance of three miles to the Cedar creek, passing Nicholas Walbert's grist-mill and through Lynford Lardner's plan- tation for two miles, passing east of his shoot- ing-place, called "Grouse Hall," (near Wen- nersville) to the top of a long hill; thence a dis- tance of 284 perches through Peter Troxell's land crossing Jordan creek, vacant land ( Mey- ersville) ; John Schadt's, Caspar Wistar's and Paul Balliet's land ( Ballietsville) a distance of three miles; thence by what is now Neffsville and lands of Jacob Shieffely and George Rex, six miles to said grist-mill at Trucker's creek ;
thence 30 perches to Trucker's house ( William Kern) and through land of Nicholas Kern and Joseph Grove two miles to a road leading from Bethlehem over the Blue mountains; total dis- tance 23 miles, 106 perches.
Reading Road .-- In 1753, divers inhabitants of Berks and Northampton counties prayed the Provincial Council for a road from Easton to Reading, for which there was a great necessity, inasmuch as the roads commonly used were not laid out by any authority, neither the Council nor the Courts of the respective counties. The petition was signed by the following subscribers : Conrad Weiser. John Jones.
Thomas Craig.
Jasper Scull.
Henry Harvy.
Thos. Armstrong.
Jonas Seely.
Benja. Lightfoot.
James Read.
Moses Heyman.
Jacob Levan.
Lewis Gordon.
Wm. Parsons.
Theobold Baum.
Will. Craig.
Merrick Starr.
Hugh Wilson.
James Starr.
Peter Haws.
Lyon Nathan.
Conrad Bower.
Geo. Beale.
John Hutton.
Isaac Levan.
James Biddle.
Peter Weitner.
Richard Rigg. Abraham Crosius.
Yost Sassamanshausen.
Peter Weiser.
This road was surveyed by David Schultz. It crossed the Lehigh river at a ford, by way of Kline's Island, south of the present bridge, and the Jordan creek near William Allen's house (now Union street) ; thence partly along the present Jackson street to Cedar creek, through John Griesemer's land, by way of the present Wescosville and Trexlertown into Berks county, near Rothrocksville, a distance of 13 miles. The distance from Easton to the Lehigh river was given as 15 miles. In later years, thousands of immigrants who landed at New York and set- tled in the west, traveled by way of this high- way.
The viewers from Northampton county were: George Knauss, Lewis Klotz, Thomas Arm- strong, Jeremiah Trexler, Melchior Schmidt, and Frederick Romig.
Heidelberg Road .- In 1753, inhabitants of Heidelberg township prayed the Court for a public road from "Bake Oven" in the Blue mountains to the Great Road leading to Phila- delphia, near George Good's plantation (now
373
374
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
City Water Works, formerly Schantz's spring. The names of the subscribers were:
Daniel Burger.
Lorentz Simmon.
Frantz Gildner.
Simon Wehr.
Henrich Ohl.
Migel Eber.
Conrad Bloss.
George Rex.
Andres Meyer.
Peter Miller.
John Foller. John Leonard Stein.
Nicholas Handwerk. Jacob Peter.
Filb Wagenman.
Michael Moser.
Fetter Misemer.
Samuel Muse.
Philip Fidler.
John Moller.
Daniel Coston.
Jacob Ferber.
Paulus Antoni.
George Mertz.
Frederick Schneider.
Jacob Bender.
Henrich Reinhart.
John Hunsicker.
Christian Smith. John Fuhr.
The road was laid out, and the viewers were: George Good, George Rex, Jacob Rex, Jacob Kohler, Daniel Troxell, and George Coster.
The road from Emaus to Bethlehem in Salis- bury township was laid out in 1760.
In 1761, a road was laid out from Balliets- ville (then Paul Balliet's tavern) to Jacob Kohler's mill at Egypt, thence crossing the Le- high river to Wilson's mill in Allen township to Easton.
In 1762, a road was laid out from Kohler's mill, Egypt, to the new town ( Allentown). The viewers were: William Craig, Christopher Wag- ner, John Tool, Paul Balliet, Thomas Hunsick- er, and George Rex.
LEHIGH CANAL.
The navigation of the Lehigh river was a subject of discussion for many years, and as early as March 9, 1771, an act was passed de- claring it a common highway and appointing commissioners to improve the navigation of the stream. Other acts were passed in 1791 and 1794, and on Feb. 27, 1798, an act was passed appointing William Tilghman, Godfrey Haga, and John M. Taylor, of Philadelphia; John Barnet, Joseph Horsefield, and Nicholas Kern, of Northampton county, and Matthias Hollen- bach, Rosewell Welles, and Lord Butler, of Lu- zerne county, commissioners, who were author- ized to receive subscriptions for stock, at $100 a share, in the Lehigh Navigation Company and also authorizing the sum of $10,000 to be raised by a lottery, the proceeds to be employed in the improvement of the river.
The Lehigh Coal Mine Company had been organized Feb. 13, 1792, by Col. Jacob Weiss, Michael Hillegass, Charles Cist, William Hen- ry, and others and secured about 10,000 acres of land, the greater part containing coal de- posits. Owing to the difficulties of transport- ing the coal, the mines remained neglected until 1806, when William Turnbull constructed an
"ark"-a rough timber boat, 16 feet wide and 20 feet long, in which he conveyed two or three hundred bushels of anthracite to Philadelphia. Boats of this pattern, somewhat larger, were afterwards made to carry on the business, and continued in use until 1831. "Bear trap" dams were built to form pools of water, and when the water overflowed them long enough to fill the river-bed below to its ordinary flow, the "sluice- gates" were let down and the current thus cre- ated would move the "arks," collected in the pool, down the artificial flood. Twelve of these dams and sluices were built in 1819. They were designed by Josiah White, who, with Ers- kine Hazzard and George F. A. Hauto, had secured a twenty-year lease from the Lehigh Coal Mine Co., at an annual rental of one ear of corn, had a new act passed authorizing them to improve the navigation of the river, and or- ganized on the 10th of August, 1818, the Le- high Navigation Company. On Oct. 21st, the Lehigh Coal Company was formed and on April 2Ist, 1820, the two companies were consolidated under the name of the Lehigh Navigation and Coal Company, and in that year, 365 tons of coal were sent to Philadelphia. By an act of Assembly passed Feb. 13, 1822, the company was incorporated as the Lehigh Coal and Nav- igation Company and was empowered to com- mence a slack water navigation upon the Le- high within a year from the date of the act. In the same year in which operations were begun on the canal, a railroad was constructed, nine miles in length, from the mines at Summit Hill to Mauch Chunk, on the wagon road laid out in 1819. The elevation at Summit Hill was 936 feet and the cars of coal descended by gravity. Mules rode down with the coal and brought the empty cars to the mine, the trip taking three hours. In 1845 a back track was completed for returning the cars, now known as the famous "Switchback Railroad."
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