History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 37

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288

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In the winter of 1842-43 typhoid fever broke out with great virulence in Sandy Creek and Deer Creek Townships. It continued about six months, and proved quite fatal.

In 1850 or 1851 quite an epidemic of typhoid fever prevailed in Sandy Creek and Deer Creek Townships, Mercer County, and Greenwood Township, Crawford County. A. L. Streight, grandfather of George H. Caldwell, the superintendent of the county poor farm, was one of its victims.

In the spring of 1856 the region about New Lebanon was visited by a severe scourge of typhoid fever. Among its victims who died were Jacob and William Reed, brothers; Taylor Farver and R. C. Gordon, Mrs. Price Dilley and her son David, William Uber and others. The leading physicians were Abijah C. Axtell, of New Lebanon, and E. X. Giebner, of Sandy Lake.

From some of the old newspapers glimpses of early medical matters in the county are obtained. In the Western Press of August 27, 1831, occurs this statement: "Bilious fever has been prevalent in this county during the sum- mer and autumn months for several years." In the same paper, under date of August 13, 1831: "Considerable excitement existed in our village in the early part of this week relative to mad dogs, one of which was killed on Tues- day morning. Four dogs that were unquestionably rabid have now been killed in the borough (Mercer) within a few weeks. A meeting was held in the court-house on Tuesday, 9th, to devise means for escaping hydrophobia, and petitioning the council to pass proper ordinances for the safety and wel- fare of the citizens." On the 14th of January, 1832, the same paper stated that small-pox was very prevalent fifteen miles south of Mercer, and that. several deaths therefrom had already occurred.

Medical Societies .- No records having been preserved, we are unable to determine when the first medical society was organized in the county. The first trace we have discovered of any was a brief notice in the Western Press, that the medical society of Mercer met December 23, 1843, at the Temper- ance Hotel, kept by Mrs. C. Shannon. The president was Dr. Samuel Axtell, and the secretary, T. L. Harper. The next. trace is an announcement of a meeting held January 23, 1844, at which the following officers were elected: President, Samuel Axtell; vice-president. James Magoffin; secretary, Robert. McCormick; censors, John Baskin, H. D. La. Cossitt and George Kirkpatrick; publishing committee, John Baskin and Robert McCormick.

At this meeting the following pronunciamento was made: "Resolved, that. this society deprecates the use of patent quack nostrums; and also the em- ployment of patent quack steam and urine doctors, knowing them, as well as we do, to be injurious to the health of the community, and not infrequently dealing out death to the credulous victims of their false pretensions." Still further to place a quietus upon that much-dreaded enemy of human kind, the "quack," Dr. Axtell was appointed to read, at their next session, a paper on the distinguishing marks between the scientific practice of medicine and quackery. Unfortunately, we are not able to present that paper, no copy of it having been preserved for future generations. One of the quack nostrums which was anathematized in the foregoing resolution was Dr. Duncan's Ex- pectorant Remedy. It was extensively advertised, and the unsuspecting were caught by such tempting promises as the following:

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Does sickness weigh upon your heart, Or pains afflict your breast?

Try Dr. Duncan's healing art, And it will give you rest. That worm of death might be defied,

If Dr. Duncan's art were tried;

And many lovely damsels saved The fate of an untimely grave.

The second Mercer County Medical Society was organized June 14, 1848, in the house of Mrs. Bradley, of Mercer, with Dr. Samuel Axtell, president; Dr. John Baskin, vice-president, and Dr. J. M. Irvine, secretary. At the second meeting, held July 24, same year, a constitution and by-laws, prepared by Drs. G. W. Baskin, J. W. Grier and J. P. Hosack, were adopted. At this meeting there were present Drs. Samuel Axtell, John Baskin, J. M. Irvine, J. P. Hosack, J. W. Grier, D. B. Packard, B. F. Gordon, C. M. Stewart, W. N. Reno, G. W. Baskin, Rosenberry Vath and George Bagnell. Subsequently the following named physicians became members of the society: R. E. Breiner, John T. Ray, H. D. La. Cossitt, J. H. Rankin, J. H. Mason, W. G. Henderson, A. G. Hart, P. H. Hanset, A. Harsha, W. H. Axtell, J. W. Riddle, George Veach, C. I. Dawson and C. Henderson. Its principal object was "to secure the advancement of medical knowledge; the elevation of professional character; the protection of the interests of its members; the extension of the bounds of medical science, and the promotion of all measures adapted to the relief of suffering."

The society as first organized continued its existence until the early part of the war, probably 1862. From that time until January, 1867, its condition was one of suspended animation. At the latter date, in pursuance of a call issued by a number of prominent physicians, a meeting for re-organization was held at the office of James & Barber, in Sharon. An ostensible revivication ensued, and for about five years a mere existence was maintained by Drs. Hosack, Mossman, Leet and Giebner, through social and professional visits. Increased membership and augumented interest on the part of the physicians of the county have since that period rendered the meetings of the society more fruitful and instructive.

The following officers have guarded the interests of the society during the past seven years of its history:

1882: President, J. H. Twitmyer; vice-presidents, T. M. Jackson and L. G. Meyer; secretary, J. H. Reed; examiners, B. E. Mossman, A. T. Clark and H. M. Bishop; censors, J. B. Livingston, Salem Heilman and A. T. Clark.

1883: President, J. W. Mehard; vice-presidents, Salem Heilman and J. B. McElrath; secretary, J. T. Shutt; treasurer, H. M. Bishop; examiners, H. M. Bishop, A. T. Clark and B. E. Mossman; censors, L. G. Meyer, A. T. Clark and Salem Heilman.

1884: President, J. P. Hosack; vice-presidents, G. W. Shilling and J. T. Shutt; secretary, J. T. Shutt; treasurer, H. M. Bishop; examiners, A. T. Clark, B. E. Mossman and H. M. Bishop; censors, Salem Heilman, L. G. Meyer and A. T. Clark; delegates to American Medical Association, R. M. Hope, G. W. Shilling and J. H. Twitmyer; delegates to State Medical Society, A. T. Clark, B. E. Mossman, R. D. Morford, T. H. Mitchell, J. H. Reed and J. T. Shutt.

1885: President, Salem Heilman; vice-presidents, R. M. Hope and F. H. Leet; secretary, R. D. Morford; treasurer, H. M. Bishop; examiners, B. E. Mossman, H. M. Bishop and A. T. Clark; censors, A. T. Clark, Salem Heil- man and L. G. Meyer; delegates to American Medical Association, B. E.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Mossman and Salem Heilman; delegates to State Medical Society, G. W. Shilling, E. J. Tidd, D. B. Hanna, L. G. Meyer, R. M. Hope and R. D. Morford.

1886: President, G. W. Shilling; vice-presidents, A. T. Clark and F. M. Temple; secretary, R. D. Morford; treasurer, A. T. Clark; examiners, H. M. Bishop, A. T. Clark and B. E. Mossman; censors, T. H. Mitchell, A. T. Clark and Salem Heilman; delegates to American Medical Association, A. T. Clark, F. M. Temple and H. M. Bishop; delegates to State Medical So- ciety, L. G. Meyer, J. W. Hamilton, D. B. Hanna, R. D. Morford and G. W. Shilling.

1887: President, R. M. Hope; vice-presidents, E. J. Tidd and J. H. Reed; secretary, R. D. Morford; treasurer, A. T. Clark; examiners, J. H. Twitmyer, E. Griswold and J. M. Scoville; censors, E. Griswold, J. H. Mitchell and A. T. Clark.

1888: President, L. G. Meyer; vice-presidents, D. A. Phillips and J. B. McElrath; secretary, J. M. Scoville; treasurer, A. T. Clark; examiners, J. H. Twitmyer, E. Griswold and J. M. Scoville; censors, A. T. Clark, E. Griswold and J. R. Caldwell.

CHAPTER XIV.

PHILANTHROPIC AND PATRIOTIC MOVEMENTS-TEMPERANCE-EARLY TEMPER- ANCE AGITATION-ORGANIZATION OF THE MERCER TEMPERANCE SOCIETY- THE LEADING SPIRIT IN TIIE MOVEMENT-ITS RULES AND SUPPORTERS-THE INFLUENCE IT WIELDED-COUNTER AGITATION-RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT AN ANTI-TEMPERANCE MEETING IN SHEAKLEYVILLE-GROWTH OF THE TEMPER- ANCE CAUSE-PROHIBITION MOVEMENT OF 1854-55-TEMPERANCE CONVENTION IN MERCER-OTHER TEMPERANCE MOVEMENTS-TIIE CRUSADE-WOMAN'S CIIRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION-MURPHY MOVEMENT-PROHIBITION-ANTI- SLAVERY AGITATION IN MERCER COUNTY-A SOCIETY ORGANIZED-ITS PRIN- CIPLES AND DECLARATIONS-GROWTH OF THE ABOLITION SENTIMENT-UN- DERGROUND RAILROAD-ASSISTANCE RENDERED THE IRISH PEOPLE IN 1847 BY MERCER COUNTY CITIZENS-STRONG PROTEST AGAINST TIIE DESECRATION OF THE LORD'S DAY-FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS.

SELFISHNESS is a strong element in human society. Its behests are imperious, and often relentlessly cruel and oppressive; and yet gleams of a higher light sometimes break through into benighted human nature and reveal ennobling traits. Men and women can be found who rise above the selfishness and bigotry that characterize a large part of the race. To such exceptional characters, and they may perhaps be regarded exceptional, the term philan- thropists may be applied; persons who love not the specific man alone, but the race; persons who accept the fundamental doctrine that "God has made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth." With them the surface and accidental distinctions of the world have no existence. Intel- ligence and character are more important than the fortuitous positions of mere wealth or social caste. The color of the skin, or the shape of the physical out- line, or the social position occupied, are not the marks by which either God or enlightened humanity judges rational creatures. He who is limited in his sympathies or benefactions by the narrow boundaries of party or race, presents very meager evidences of liberal culture or enlightened conscience. He can

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

justly lay claim to a very little of that spirit which declares that "God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted of Him."

Temperance agitation in some form dates with the beginning of society. If we accept the only comprehensive definition of temperance, viz., a moderate use of the good things of life and a total abstinence from those that are harmful, we shall readily see that two dangers must always be encountered: 1. The keeping within the bounds of moderation. 2. The observance of complete non-use of hurtful objects.

Human nature has its weaknesses. The conflict between the flesh and the spirit, between appetite and reason, between the baser and the nobler instincts of our nature, is a constant warfare. The great problem involved is whether man shall be governed by his stomach or his brain. In the natural economy the brain has the uppermost position, and should sit as the ruler; but how often is this order reversed. Very wisely has Solomon said that he who governs his own spirit is greater than the conqueror of a city. This superiority of the spiritual over the animal is the result of religion and education, and finally becomes, so to speak, a matter of enlightened habit. It cannot be regulated entirely by acts of the legislature. Moral regeneration cannot be secured directly by the preambles and resolutions of legislative bodies; and yet these have their importance as educational agencies, as means of developing and fostering an enlightened and sensitive public conscience. All acts of prohi- bition, to be permanently effective, must be passed by the unanimous voice of the person's individual legislative faculties and enforced by the executive power of his own will, guided by the promptings of a properly educated and respon- sive conscience. Legislatures and societies and associations aid in this matter, and in so far are they highly important and desirable. Parents should realize that sobriety in their children must be cultivated by developing habits of self- denial and self-control in all domestic matters. Habit, in short, is the basis of character, and habit must be formed by sound religious training and edu- cational agencies.

Individual protests had been made against the general use of liquors in the family, and at the "log-rollings " and "huskings " in the early days, but apparently with little effect. The distillery was regarded as quite as im- portant as the grist-mill or school-house. Every community was well supplied with such institutions, run, often, by the leaders of churches, and patronized by the minister of the gospel.

In 1827 the first public movement in the county in the direction of active tem- perance work was made. Rev. Samuel Tait, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Mercer, being the originator and leading spirit of it. He began his efforts by first pledging himself to abstain from the use of ardent spirits, and believ- ing that precept would likewise prove efficacious, preached a strong sermon on temperance, in which he enjoined a rigid adherence to the spirit and letter of Christian abstinence. Not content with this, he appointed a meeting for the purpose of permanently organizing the temperance workers of the county. As might be expected, little interest was at first manifested. Whisky in those early days was almost universally regarded as a household necessity, being in special demand in the harvest field and at huskings, log rollings and raisings. But notwithstanding the freedom with which it was used, a sentiment against its consumption gradually arose, and in due time attained formidable propor- tions. Organizations were established in every township in the county. Dur- ing the twelve years of the existence of this movement much good was accom- plished directly, and more, indirectly, by the impulse thus given to the work.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

The immediate result of Rev. Tait's efforts took shape as the "Mercer Temperance Society." The officers elected February 10, 1829, were as fol- lows: President, Alexander Brown; vice-president, Samuel Holstein; secre- tary, William Fruit. Following are the rules on temperance adopted by the organization :

We agree to discontinue the use of ardent spirits during our membership, except as medicine.

We agree that it shall not be considered as any mark of friendship for any member of this society to offer ardent spirits to any one on any occasion, except as medicine.

We agree that it would be highly improper for any member of this society to give, solicit, or receive drams in stores.

We agree that we will neither give or receive treats at public elections, military trainings or any other public meetings.

We agree to withhold our suffrages from all drunkards.

We agree to use all friendly means that we can to reclaim those who drink to excess.

We agree to prefer helping those who need manual labor when they have no ardent spirits.

We agree if any of us are known to use ardent spirits, except as medicine, our name shall be stricken from the society by the officers.

We agree that such members of this society as have on hand, or contracted for, ardent spirits, are at liberty to dispose of them according to their best lights, provided they abstain from them themselves.

These rules were signed by the following persons: S. Tait, James Haw- thorn, Joseph McClain, James K. Caldwell, Thomas Vaughn, George Smith, W. Young, James S. Cossitt, John Bowman, Sr., Elias Alexander, Lyman W. Shepard, William Johnson, Robert Glenn, Samuel Vaughn, Willis Alexander, William McMillan, Samuel Glenn, Jr., William Glenn, Robert Rice, Jones Glenn, Hugh Donaldson, Nesbitt Ramsay, John Fruit, W. M. Smith, John Young, Jonathan Calvin, Robert Glenn, Abijah McClain, Ebenezer Alexander, A. Brown, William Fruit, William Glenn, Valentine Glenn, James Kilgore, David Young, William Findley, Samuel Beatty, William Gordon, William Junkin, . Thomas Pew, T. C. Cone, A. Bagley, Robert Patterson, Robert Stewart, William McCauley, J. P. Smith, William Alexander, C. Herrington, Eleanor L. Davitt, Eliza Davitt, David W. Findley, Esther Hackney, Agnes G. Bingham, H. Bingham, James Galloway, Margaret Ramsey, Elizabeth Bagley, Sarah Neal, Nancy Marshall, Susan Clark, Eliza Alexander, E. L. Dinwiddie, Stephen Jen- nings, Hester Young, Sidney J. Brown, Nancy Amberson, Mary Amberson, Char- lotte Kline, Rebecca E. Smith, Samuel Hawthorn, Sr., Mary Ann Espy, Nancy Templeton, Jacob Herrington, Margaret Donaldson, E. W. Glezen, Jane Davitt, J. Herrington, Sarah North, T. B. Davitt, Elizabeth T. Kilgore, Mary Findley, Margaret Patterson, Mary Ann Bingham, Elizabeth Bowman, Sarah Bowman, Eliza Neal, Mary M. Patterson, John D. Hawthorn, Thomas Templeton, John Bowman, Jr., William Stewart, Asa Arnold, Robert Johnson, George Blackson, Adam Forker, Joseph Moore, Samuel Cooper, Elihu Cozad, R. Hanna, Samuel Holstein, A. W. Porter, John Alexander, Samuel Gordon, Thomas Fruit, Will- iam Pew, Joseph Pew, John Pew, John Vann, Thomas Service, William Alex- ander, Jr., J. McPherrin, Rosanna McDonald, Mary Vaughn, Elizabeth Cald- well, John Craig, Christopher Wirtz, Samuel Bowman, J. L. McQuillen, Mary Arnold, Harriet Patterson, Rebecca Jones, Mary Rice, John Alexander, F. B. Glezen, Sarah Stewart, Maria Shipler, Jane Stewart, Sarah J. Moore, Sarah Dinwiddie, Maria Black, Margaret Harvey, Hannah Caldwell, James W.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Smith, John Henderson, Mary Hawthorn, Mary Williams, Joseph Junkin, William McBride, John Orr, Oliver Alexander, Elizabeth Patterson, Lavina Vaughn, Samuel Hawthorn, John Law, William D. Smith, William Rehard, Mary Sample, Susanna Bolton, Elizabeth Alexander, Amelia Tait, Samuel Flem; ing, Eliza Junkin, Mary Ann Rankin, Clarissa Amberson, Elizabeth Kline, Kath- erine Kline, H. Mason Bingham, Mary Stewart, Hannah J. Stewart, John Y. Stewart Eliza Smith, Mary Junkin, Mary McBurney, Mary Ann Caldwell, Sarah McQuade, James C. Hawthorn, Enoch Williams, William Jennings.

This society grew to be a power in the county. An account of its various meetings would be interesting to those concerned in the growth of public sen- timent. Such a sketch, however, is not possible. We can give but a few inti- mations along the line of temperance progress. A spirited meeting of the society was held at Center Church, seven miles southeast of Mercer, on the 8th of September, 1832. Malcom McComb was president, and S. Calvin Tait, secretary. Addresses were delivered by Rev. John Munson and Will- iam McMillan, Esq. In the resolutions passed, to the effect that the visitation of the country by malignant cholera demanded total abstinence from ardent spirits; and that, notwithstanding some defection from its ranks, the cause of temperance was making progress in the county.

The active work done by the society in the county resulted in counter movements. One of the most noted of these was a meeting held at George- town (now Sheakleyville) on the 14th of March, 1834. Ebenezer Miller was chairman and J. Montgomery, secretary. A long series of resolutions, con- demning, in the strongest terms, the formation and maintenance of temper- ance societies, as " calculated to disorganize our civil institutions, to engender strife and envies, to break the peace and harmony of society, to arm brother against brother, and father against son, and throw us into a state of revolu- tion and war," were passed. This array consisted of a preamble of 3,000 words, and twenty-nine distinct resolutions. As specimens we here insert three resolutions:

Resolved, That the principle on which abstinence associations are formed are destruc- tive of all government, that is, that private societies have the right to combine together in order to put down an article of domestic trade and manufacture, in which thousands of citizens are engaged, and from which the government receives a revenue for its sup- port. Admit this principle, and there is an end to all established rules and regulations, for if they have a right to do so in one case, they will have a right to do so in another, until the government becomes a merc name, a shadow without substance.

Resolved, That it is with sorrow and regret that we see and hear of ministers of the gospel, who profess to take the Word of God as the only rule of their faith and practice, engaged in the catch-popularity scheme of peddling about abstinence addresscs, teaching their hearers to resist the ordinances of God, to depart from the faith and to give hecd to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, commanding to abstain, etc., which, however, is unanswerable proof that the Scriptures are of divine inspiration; for the Apostle Paul, who spoke almost eighteen hundred years ago, has told us that such things would takc place in the latter days.

Resolved, That the abstinence plans are a mean species of nullification-a sneaking attempt to lessen the public revenue and injure property, forsooth, because the laws of God and the laws of country do not comport to their views and wishes.

The work of the county society, however, was not to be thwarted by such protests. The advocates of temperance were determined to push the war into the enemy's country, as was foreshadowed in a meeting held at the Presby- terian Church, in Neshannock Township, on the 26th of February, 1835, with Alex. Brown, president; William F. Junkin, vice-president; and S. C. Tait, secretary. After listening to addresses by John A. Bingham and J. P. Smith, resolutions were passed, declaring:

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

That the officers of this society divide the county into districts, appoint an individual to deliver an address in each district, and adopt measures to have the temperance pledge presented to every family in the county.

That the manufacture and sale of ardent spirits, except as medicine and for mechan- ical purposes, are a violation of the principles of political economy, and impose enormous burdens upou the industry aud wealth of the country.

That all who continue the traffic in ardent spirits, except as medicine or for mechan- ical purposes, stand in an intimate and criminal relation to all the evils of intemperance, and must, on the principle of moral accountability, be made partakers of those evils.

The historical development of this subject presents some interesting phases that should not be overlooked. In the first part of the chapter it is stated that the use and even the manufacture of liquor by church members, and in some cases by preachers, even, was not regarded disreputable. The public con- science, however, became enlightened. We are not surprised, therefore, to find the County Temperance Society, in a meeting held at the court-house January 24, 1851, at which J. L. McQuillen was president, and Theo. Mc- Donald, secretary, report the following: "The members of this society, regarding the making, vending and using of intoxicating liquors as a beverage an immorality, we call upon the churches to treat them as an offense, calling imperatively for the exercise of strict discipline."

The agitation of this temperance problem culminated in a new movement. -or rather a new phase of the question-prohibition by State enactment. In the Mercer Whig of June 14, 1855, we find the following address, calling for a temperance convention:

TO THE FRIENDS OF TEMPERANCE IN MERCER COUNTY.

Fellow Citizens :- In view of the present position of the reform, we deem it our duty to call a county convention of the friends of a prohibitory liquor law, to meet at the court-house in Mercer, on Friday, June 22. This salutary law has been enacted by the Legislatures of many States, but it has not yet found a place on the statute books of Pennsylvania. An act, restrictive to a certain extent, was passed at the last session, and it becomes the imperative duty of the friends of temperance to urge the passage of an act looking to the entire suppression of the liquor traffie. On the other hand, those interest- ed in this traffic have declared their intention to prevent further legislative restriction, but to repeal the laws of this nature already in force, and thus open the flood-gates of vice, misery and crime. Let the friends, then, in Mercer County come up en masse to the Convention of the 22d, and declare their position before the political parties have placed candidates before the people for their suffrages, to represent this in the next Legislature.

D. W. FINDLEY, A. J. GRIER, D. R. BARKER, W. W. W. WOOD, ALEXANDER THOMPSON, SAMUEL KERR, F. B. HUBBARD, WILLIAM F. CLARK, DR. A. G. HART.

The result of the foregoing meeting, called for June 22, at which Theo- dore Newcomb presided, and B. McDowell acted as secretary, may be inferred from the subjoined resolutions, which were drafted by William F. Clark, and unanimously adopted by the assembly. The terseness and vigor of the senti- ments then used can scarcely be excelled by those of any modern meeting, however learned or earnest:

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 37

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1288

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288