History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 32

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania > Part 32

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The apportionment act of June 9, 1832, made the district consist of Union, Ly- coming, and Northumberland counties, with one member, and numbered it the XVIth. Representatives: 1831-33, Lewis Dewart; 1833-37, Joseph B. Anthony; 1837-39, Robert H. Hammond; 1839-41, David Petrikin; 1841-43, John Snyder.

The apportionment act of March 25, 1843, made the district consist of Lycom- ing, Northumberland, Union, and Clinton counties, with one member, and it was numbered the XIIIth. The representation was: 1843-45, Henry Frick. He died, March 1, 1844, aud James Pollock was chosen to fill the unexpired term. He was re-elected in 1847-49. His successors were: 1849-50, Joseph Casey; 1851-52, James Gamble.

The apportionment act of May 1, 1852, made the district consist of Lycoming, Sullivan, Clinton, Potter, Centre, and Mifflin, and it was numbered the XVth. The members were: 1853-55, James Gamble; 1855-57, John J. Pearce (This was the year (1855) the Know Nothing wave swept over the State. Mr. Pearce was a Meth- odist minister in charge of the station at Lock Haven. His competitor, Allison White, was the Democratic nominee. The election of Pearce caused a great polit- ical sensation.); 1857-59, Allison White; 1859-60, James T. Hale; 1860-64, James T. Hale; 1864-68, Stephen F. Wilson; 1868-70, William H. Armstrong ; 1870-72, Henry Sherwood.

262

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

The apportionment act of April 28, 1873, made the district consist of Tioga, Pot- ter, McKean, Cameron, Lycoming, and Sullivan, and changed the number back to the XVIth, with Representatives as follows: 1872-76, Sobieski Ross; 1876-80, John I. Mitchell; 1880-82, R. J. C. Walker; 1882-86, W. Wallace Brown.

The apportionment of May 19, 1887, made the district consist of Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Clinton, but it still remained the XVIth. Representatives : 1886- 90, H. C. McCormick; 1890-92, A. C. Hopkins, present incumbent.

CHAPTER XVI.

FIRST JAIL AND COURT HOUSE.

THE BUILDING OF THE FIRST PRISON COMMENCED IN 1799 AND FINISHED IN 1801-A STRANGE BIT OF HISTORY-THE FIRST COURT HOUSE-PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION AND STATEMENT OF COST-A SLICE FOR LYCOMING BOUNTIES FOR SCALPS-COST OF HOLD- ING EARLY COURTS-THE NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY LINE-THE NEW COURT HOUSE.

F TROM the commissioners' minute book, beginning with October, 1799, it appears that steps were taken early that year to build a jail in Williamsport. Decem- ber 5, 1799, appears this entry: "Michael Ross, for material for jail and clearing the public lots, $18.64." On the same day John Turk was paid $2.25 for " two days rafting timber for the jail and making order," and the following day (6th) Mathias Knapp received "$81 for mason work at the jail," and on the 10th Peter Vanderbelt was paid " $25.92 for smith work at the jail." It is apparent from these entries that work had been progressing from early in the fall of 1799 on the new prison. These records were kept in small pass books, 4x63 inches in size, and although the paper is much faded and time-stained, the writing is still clear.

A bit of curious history is connected with the ground on which the jail was first built, and on which the present one stands. In Deed Book A, page 540, it appears that on the 12th of October, 1798, Michael Ross in consideration of one cent con- veyed to James Crawford, William Wilson, and Henry Donnel, commissioners, of Lycoming county, four lots for "court house, gaol, and offices." They were num- bered 169, 170, 171, 172, on the plot of the town, and were located on " Third and William streets, Tom alley and Pine alley." The jail of to-day stands on Lots 169 and 170.

The work of building seems to have been vigorously pushed, judging from the following payments noted on the minute book:

December 11, 1799, Henry Donnel, cash paid for jail per his bill, $202.76 .... May 8, 1800, Mathias Eder, hauling brick and sand for the gaol, $4.67 .... May 9, Hepburn and Grier, paid John Thomas for smith work done for the gaol, $5.72 .... June 21, Robert McElrath, well bucket, chain and lock, $3.50 .... July 22, William Hepburn, rope and windlass for gaol, $6.60 ... September 5, John Cummings, sheriff, digging gaol well, $45 .... September 6, Robert McElrath, materials for gaol kitchen, $72.55 .... October 25, Jonathan Turk, making a curb for

263

FIRST JAIL AND COURT HOUSE.

the gaol well, $1 ..... December 3, Robert McElrath, for nails, etc., expenses of the gaol, $15.41 .... December 5, Thomas Harris, on account of lime for public building, $30 .... Decem- ber 24, William Morrison, on account of timber, shingles, etc., for public building, $75 .... August 5, 1801, Mr. Calvert in full for painting, glazing, etc., at the gaol, $21.75.

These are the principal items entered in the minute book from December, 1799, up to August, 1801, and they show what was paid for work on the jail to that time. In later mouths and years other entries of payments occur, but as the auditors' statement can not be found, it is impossible to give the total cost of the structure. As it was a common building, it possibly did not exceed $8,000. These entries show pretty conclusively that the jail was ready for occupancy in the fall of 1800, and finished in 1801.

The prison was a two-story stone building, provided with a dozen or more cells. It was surrounded by a stone wall 120 feet on William street by 104 on Third, and it was about twenty feet high. The wall was not strongly built, but it served the purpose for which it was intended for nearly seventy years. In the front of the prison were a few rooms where some of the early sheriffs lived. Thomas Hays, when elected sheriff in 1822, occupied them and a member of his family was boru there.

In 1844 part of the wall-about fifty-two feet-fronting on Third street and running back twenty-two feet, was torn down and a brick building two stories high erected. The upper part was used as a hall by the Odd Fellows, whilst the first floor was occupied by the Washington fire engine and as a dwelling for the sheriff.

It was used for public purposes until 1867, when it was so badly damaged by fire that it had to be torn down. This necessitated the building of a new prison. Edward Haviland, an architect of York, was employed to furnish designs for a modern building combining strength as well as beauty, aud the commissioners proceeded with the work at once. In the meantime the basement of the present court house was fitted up with cells for the prisoners, and they were confined there until the new jail was completed. All the old walls were demolished and an entirely new prison constructed, together with a dwelling for the sheriff. The latter forms the south front, and as it is surmounted by a turreted tower, it presents an imposing appear- ance. It was completed in 1868 at a cost of $139,440.87. There are nearly fifty cells, and in case of emergency nearly one hundred prisoners could be accommodated. The work was done under the direction of the following commissioners: H. M. Wolf, George S. Opp, D. K. Updegraff, Henry Buck, and William Riddle-Jacob S. Max- well, clerk.

A STRANGE BIT OF HISTORY.

Now for the strange history. It has been shown that the ground was conveyed by Michael Ross and wife to the commissioners, October 12, 1798, in consideration of one cent ; that Ross was paid for clearing the ground; that the work of building was proceeded with and the building completed in 1801. In the meantime it appears that on the 7th of May, 1801, (Deed Book D, page 102) Ross and wife conveyed, in consideration of $300, to Charles Hall (of Hall's Farms) Lot 108 on Market street and Black Horse alley, and "two other lots," numbered 171 and 172, Third street, " Pine and Tom alleys," bounded on the west by Lot 170. These lots were originally conveyed to the commissioners for a nominal consideration and there is nothing on record to show that they ever were conveyed back to Ross. But,

264

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

stranger still, it appears (Deed Book M, page 348) that on the 18th of October, 1806, five years after the jail had been completed, Ross and wife conveyed to William Watson, John Carothers, and Ellis Walton, commissioners, Lots 169 and 170, in consideration of $70 " specie." These were the lots on which the jail was built, and as there is no deed on record to show that he purchased them back from the commis- sioners, to whom he first sold them, he appears as having sold them twice! But, stranger still, the following entry appears on the minute book of the commissioners: " April 30, 1807. Anne Ross for signing deeds for two lots for the jail to stand on, $3." The whole transaction resolves itself into a conundrum, which can only be explained on this supposition: After making a deed for the four lots it was decided not to build on them and they were conveyed back to Ross, but through neglect the deed was not recorded. In the meantime the commissioners concluded to erect the jail on the corner of Third and William streets, and they repurchased the two lots for $70, and had the deed recorded. The other two lots evidently were returned and the ground where the court house stands taken in exchange. But to add to the mystery, there is no deed on record for the ground on which the court house was erected! That there was such a deed we have the testimony of Jacob S. Maxwell, who emphatically asserts that he remembers seeing it in the safe when he was county treasurer, but what became of it he knows not.

The payment of $3 to Mrs. Ross was doubtless in accordance with a custom of the times to present the wife with a new dress for signing a deed, but in the absence of the material they gave her the money.

THE FIRST COURT HOUSE.

Before the jail was completed steps had been taken to build a court house. This was a necessity. The first entries in the commissioners' book relating to this improvement appear as follows: "December 5, 1800. Matthew Adams, procuring a plan of Harisburg court house and a draught, $5 .... Jonn Turk, procuring a plan and draft of Harrisburg court house with Mr. Adams, $5." This was the first money paid by the commissioners for this improvement. That the plan of the Harrisburg building was adopted seems conclusive, for on the opening of 1800 the work seems to have been commenced. The first payment for material was for $16 to Thomas Harris, February 6, 1801, " on account of lime for court house and offices." And on the 7th of the same month William Hepburn was paid $134 " on account of brick for the public buildings." A few of the items charged on the minute book for 1801 are quoted herewith to show how the payments were made:

April 30, 1801, Gabriel Morrison, boating stone for court house and offices, $117.50 ..... May 14, John Turk, on contract for the court house, $50 ..... June 1, Ezekiel Slack and Levi Eder, digging the foundation and cellar, $45 ..... November 13, William Hepburn, on account of brick for court house and offices, $267 ..... September 24, 1802, John Thomas, on account of iron work for court house and offices, $167.67 .... October 30, Joseph Dumm, in full for 10,500 bricks for courthouse and offices, $56.

Items like the foregoing run through the books for several years, and they show that the commissioners paid for the work as it progressed. The building was up in 1802, for the following charge under date of September 24, 1802, appears in the commissioners' little book: "Jacob Grafius, for nine gallons of whiskey at raising court house and offices, $6!" The "raising" of the temple of justice was evi-

265

FIRST JAIL AND COURT HOUSE.

dently a great event in Williamsport, and the occasion was duly celebrated by a feast, for another charge in the minute book, October 30, 1802, reads: " Robert McEl- rath, for meat, cooking, etc., for the raising at the court house and offices, $20." He was the jailer and had charge of the new prison. Next comes the following: " April 11, 1803. Jacob Grafius, for three gallons of whiskey for court house and offices, $2."

After the court house was erected the most important matter seems to have been the purchase of a bell and image to adorn the cupola and steeple. The following entries regarding these articles are found in the minute book, and they are not with- out historical interest:

October 25, 1803, Stephen Bell. for going with wagon and team to Harrisburg for bell and image for court house, $20 ..... February 5, 1805, Robert MIcClure, money paid Samuel Hill for making image for the court house, per receipt of Andrew Berryhill, Jr .. $133 ..... Febru- ary 7. 1805, Samuel E. Grier, for money advanced John Burrows to purchase bell for court house. $250 ..... February 7, 1805, Samuel E. Grier, for money advanced Burrows to purchase an image for court house, $100 ..... February 26, 1806, Robert McClure, for money paid George Hedderly for bell. $61.22 .... February 6, 1806, John Burrows, from bringing bell from Phila- delphia and returning old one for court house, $55.

The building was completed and in use some time during 1804, as shown by this entry in the commissioners' book: "January 7, 1805, George Kneece, in full for cleaning the court house, chopping firewood, etc., for December term, 1804, $2.67." This was probably the first court held in the new building.

John Turk and Edward Gobin were the contractors, and Stacy Throp and Jacob Hyman were assistants. Matthew Adams had charge of the carpenter work. The bricks were manufactured by Joseph Dumm at the brickyard of William Hep- burn, on the Deer Park farms, a mile west of the building; the cut stone work was done by Samuel Biss, and the stone were brought from Sinnemahoning on rafts or floats. When the building was completed it was regarded by all as a model of architectural beauty; yet, judging from the pictures that have been preserved, it would be looked upon to-day as a curiosity. There are many yet living who remem- ber its unique appearance.

The first bell was entirely too small and failed to give satisfaction. It was re- turned and the one which now hangs in the belfry purchased. This bell has been in constant use since 1804 and still sends forth clear, ringing tones, which can be heard a long distance. It is said that it was rung so vigorously in 1815, on the reception of the news of peace at the close of the war of 1812, that it was heard a distance of eleven miles. It bears this inscription :

George Hedderly made me in Philadelphia Anno Di. 1804.

It is made of bell metal and is two feet four inches across the open end, two feet high, and weighs between 500 and 600 pounds. It was hauled from Philadelphia in a wagon by Gen. John Burrows, one of the commissioners under whom the build- ing was erected.

The auditors' statement, showing the total cost of each article entering into the construction of the court house, has been found in a time stained copy of the Lycoming Gazette, bearing date February 22, 1807. The stimulant used at the

266

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

"raising" is not mentioned, of course, but it could very easily be concealed among the " sundry articles got from storekeepers." The statement is as follows :

The amount of expense for building the court house and offices for Lycoming couuty:

To the amount for brick

$1.525 70

boards, scantling, and shingles.

2,169 47

mason work.

1,119 45

lime

323 83

copper

330 00

iron work

785 87

stone cutting

754 63

hair and plastering.

672 22

.. 66

hauling

1,876 35

66 66

labor

310 52

paint and oil.

134 13

image and bell.

444 20

66 66

nails

295 77

sundry articles got from storekeepers.

717 14

66 for superintending the building. 1,500 00

66 for water spouts, which are procured, but not yet put up 247 45

Total amount $20,417 80

To this statement Jacob Shoemaker and Thomas Martin, "auditors of public accounts for the county of Lycoming," affix their signatures, January 17, 1807, and declare it to be correct.

A SLICE FOR LYCOMING.

Early in 1804 Lycoming was called ou to contribute the first slice from her ter- ritory to help form Centre county; but the legislature evidently believed in com- pensating her for the loss, for an act (see P. L. 1804, page 472) was passed annexing-

All that part of Luzerne county which lies west of the East Branch of the Susquehanna on the line between Pennsylvania and New York, at such place that from thence a due south line will strike the northwestern corner of Clavarack township; thence by the line of the said township about a southwest course, crossing the said East Branch to the northernmost corner of the said township; thence by the south west side of the same to the southwest corner thereof. and from thence by a due west line to the line separating the counties of Luzerne and Lycoming.

Over this territory Lycoming exercised a "protectorate" for several years, as she did over Tioga, Potter, and McKean. It was the only territory ever given to her.

BOUNTIES FOR SCALPS.

The court now having a permanent habitation and a home, the judicial machinery moved more smoothly and business was despatched with greater celerity. At this early stage of our history the country was filled with wild and savage animals, and to encourage their destruction the legislature authorized the com- missioners to pay a bounty of $8 for wolf and panther scalps. It is interesting to look over the books of the commissioners and note the bounties that were paid from 1806 to 1810 and 1812. Payments seem to have commenced in 1806, and a few items gathered from the books at random will show the reader of to-day what was once a profitable business for hunters and trappers:

carpenter work.

7,211 07

EngyFCKet L. n.NY

James Gamble

269

FIRST JAIL AND COURT HOUSE.

September 2, 1806, Oliver Hays for one full grown wolf head, certificate being produced, $8 ....... Scovel Baily, for two wolf heads, $16. . September 3, 1806, Josiah Furman, one wolf head, $8 .. Frederick Bodine, do., $S .. . Adam Konkle, do., $S ....... John Jordan, do., $8 .. . John Hildebrand. do., $8. John Morrison, do., $8 .. . December 1, 1806, Bethlehem Thompson, three wolf heads, $24. . October 6, Joseph Riely, one panther

head and three puppies, $20 .. .... October 16, 1807, Benjamin Reynolds, for one full grown pan-

ther, $8. William Dewitt, one full grown panther, $S .. .... William Smith, one panther

head, $8. .November 6, 1807, Edward Edwards, one wolf head, $8 .. ... November 30, Elias Needham, two panther heads, $16 ....... December 1, two wolf heads, $16 ....... Edward Baison, four panther heads, $32 .. . William Dewit, oue do., $8 ... John Quigle, one wolf head, $8 ....... Titus Ives, two do., $16 .. ... Abraham Webster, two panther heads,

$16 ....... January 30, 1808, David Caldwell, one wolf head, SS ... . February 1, William Smith, one panther head, $8 .. . John Kelse, do., $8 ... ... Ebenezer Bacon, do., $8 .. Robert Forsman, one wolf head, $8 .. May 8, David Lusk, do., four, $32 ....... June 20, Robert Forsman, one wolf head, certified by John Piatt, $S.

Red fox scalps only commanded 26} cents, consequently few were offered, when wolves and panthers were plenty and brought $S each. For the year 1810 wolf and panther heads cost $234, and for 1812, $288 were paid, showing that the animals were still numerous. In 1825, however, they seem to have been more vigorously hunted, for the commissioners that year paid $408.84 for scalps.

COST OF HOLDING EARLY COURTS.

Compared with to-day the cost of holding our early courts was small. The trav- erse jury for May session, 1807, cost $40. Moses Tool was paid $24 in full "for ringing the bell and crying court one year ending May 9, 1807." The grand jury for February term, 1808, cost $38, and the traverse jury for the same term $98. For August term. 1808, the grand jury received $48, and the traverse jury $108. Jonathan Walker, for serving as deputy attorney general (prosecut- ing attorney) from 1798 to February, 1800, was paid $57.60.

The total amount of the county assessment for the year 1810 reached $6,197.20, but this included the townships of Athens, Ulster, and Burlington in what is now Bradford county, and Pine, Dunstable, Wayne, Nippenose, and Bald Eagle, Clinton county. In 1813 the total assessments reached $8,307.35, but two more townships had been added in the Bradford county territory. The total number of townships at that time was nineteen, twelve of which were without the present limits of the county.

THE NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY LINE.

Trouble arose between Bradford and Lycoming regarding the northeastern boundary line. Judge Eldred (see Now and Then, page 184) thus describes the dispute and its final settlement:

The act of February 20, 1810, required a direct line to be drawn from a point on the Ly- coming line (then only an imaginary one) to the southeast corner of Tioga county (which corner had never been fixed) at the Beaver Dam on Towanda creek. No commissioners were appointed by this act or its supplement of March 28, 1811, to run and mark the line, and indeed it was unnecessary, for the whole length of it was supposed to be through a wilderness without inhabitants. But the construction of the Berwick and Newtown (Elmira) turnpike a few years later, induced settlers to locate on or uear this boundary line, and in consequence to create a necessity for its being run and marked. Hence, during the year 1816, the commis- sioners of Bradford county took the initiative and employed Judge Stevens, theu a prominent 16

270

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

surveyor, who resided a few miles below Towanda, to do the work. Having organized a corps he proceeded to the Beaver Dam, at the head of Lycoming and Towanda creeks. and, mistaking a sugar corner of a tract of land for the corner of Tioga county, ran and marked his line through to that of Luzerne county. Not knowing of the error, a number of houest Dutchmen on the route were surprised to find themselves instead veritable Yankees, and booked for Meansville [Towanda] instead of Williamsport.

Edward J. Eldred, who had been commissioned a justice of the peace for Lycoming county by Thomas MIcKean. now supposed himself a private citizen of Bradford, and for several months declined to act as a magistrate. The mishap of Judge Stevens was, however. soou after discovered and admitted by all the parties concerned, and for a subsequent decade affairs along the line remained in statu quo.

But the modus vivendi which existed between the commissioners of the two counties became strained and of little value in 1826. Taxes were demanded of certain inhabitants by both counties, and the authorities of each saw plainly that something had to be done. It was therefore agreed, in the spring of 1827. that an effort should be made to fix upon and run the line that season. A conference for this purpose, to be composed of one commissioner and the deputy surveyor of Lycoming and of Bradford, were appointed to meet at the house of E. J Eldred in the month of May following; and in pursuance thereof Thomas Hall, commissioner. and John A. Gamble, surveyor, reported at the time and place assigned, to represent Lycoming. The Bradford men failed to appear, but deputed Gordon F. Mason, then a bright boy of six- teen. as a messenger to inform Hall and Gamble that they had concluded it was best to meet at the eastern corner of the counties, where they hoped to join them the next day. On the following day the parties met somewhere near the Luzerne county line and began a wrangle which. as usual, diverged as it progressed, until by mutual consent all hope of an amicable settlement of the question in dispute was given up and the belligerents returned to their respective homes " muttering threatenings."

It was now Lycoming's turn to run and mark the disputed line as claimed by it. Accord- ingly, in the spring of 1828, preparations were made for doing so. In the meantime Thomas Hall had been elected sheriff, and Benjamin Jones commissioner for the "Lower End." It, therefore, became the latter's duty to take charge of the surveying party, which he organized and provided for. Rev. Henry Lenhart was then clerk to the county commissioners, and furuished the horse and vehicle, with the driver, Godfrey Lenhart, to carry the luggage and supplies. With directions to intercept it where the State road crosses the line, although then a boy of only fourteen years, Godfrey fearlessly set out and felt his way over the uncouth roads of the period to the designated point. Benjamin Jones and John A. Gamble, with their crew -including the renowned Tim Gray for hunter-drove up Lycoming creek to the Beaver Dams at the sources of the Towanda, and beginning at a point as much too far north as Judge Stevens had south, began to run and mark line No. 2. There was still at the west end of this line a wilderness of twenty miles or more to pass through, and having reached near the middle of it, the commissioners proposed to leave a reference, and make for the supply or luggage wagon- the following day being Sunday. To do this they had an alternative of going direct through the woods some ten miles, or by deflecting to the right, follow a path to the Hoagland settle- ment, and thence by road a much longer distance. Commissioner Jones and companions, ex- cept the surveyor and hunter, chose the longer and safer way, but Gamble and Gray proposed to go direct. Thus constituted, the parties separated, and now I will let Gamble tell what followed:

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 32

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650