USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. With illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 29
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
During 1838, coal was mined at the following places: At the Gap on the east side by Yoxtheimer; on the west side by Purdy & Co., at Buck Ridge, at the furnace, and the flat-vein back of Rock street.
During 1839, the times were most excellent. A number of mines were opened; several lateral roads were graded, and one or two laid with rails; a large number of houses were built, and there was a great demand for labor. Lots came into demand, and numbers of persons came here aud purchased lots for speculation. A new market was erected for the farmers of adjoining townships, and the so-called "Newtown" was the rising town of the day. Additions were made to the United States Hotel und Wenver's Hotel, and Daniel Evert erected a brick-house, the first of this material in Shamokin. It is now occupied by his son, William W. Evert, Esq. Boyd & Bird started up the foundry, making car-wheels and hollow-ware. John Bent was the founder.
During 1840, the town continued to flourish, but a change was evidently approaching. The improvements made and capital expended exceeded the requirements of that dny, and a reverse was sure to follow as certainly as in case of the Northern Pacific Railroad. But at this time, the indications to the people of the town and neighborhood seemed favorable still, and its progress for the past few years was looked upon as marvelous.
The Sunbury American of September 12th, 1840, in speaking of the town, says, " The Shamokin coal region, connected with Sunbury by a railrond twenty miles in length, which, a few years ago, was a solitary wild, un- trodden by the foot of man, save the solitary hunter in pursuit of game, is now teeming with a busy and industrious population. The town of Sha- mokin, located in the coal region, in a narrow valley, contains about one hundred houses. It has sprung up as if by ningie. These improvements which are but a commencement of a series of works upon a large senle now in progress, receut as they are, have already given a new life and impetus to this section of our County."
The same paper, in an editorial on Shamokin, of September 19th, 1840, stotes that, "We have been informed that this flourishing town, according
82
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA,
to the late census, already numbers about five hundred inhabitants. Three years ago, the site of the town was a perfect wilderness. We distinctly re- member, two or three years ago, when Coal township was erected, an ob- jection was made that it contained but seventeen voters. It will now poll about two hundred votes.
"Notwithstanding the pressure of the times, the town still continues to im- prove. Two anthracite furnaces are now under way, and will be ready for blast next Spring. With an abundance of coal and iron, in, uuder and sur- rounding the town, it must soon become a place of importance."
FIRST TRIP TO SUNDURY.
As before stated, the railroad to Shamokin was completed in August, 1838; and then a great meeting was held at this place, to witness the first trip of a locomotive and passenger train to Sunbury. A number of the friends of the road were present, among whow may be mentioned John C. Boyd, Burd Patterson, Hugh Bellas, and others, After some speeches upon the comple- tion of the great enterprise, and the partaking of a most excellent dinner, prepared by mine host, Mr. Kram, preparations were made to start the first train from the mountains to the Susquehama. This formal opening of the rond brought together at Shamokin the largest crowd that had ever met bere, to witness the novel sight. Men, women, and children, from far and bear, dressed in their Sunday clothes, assembled on the ground at an early hour, and patiently waited the time the iron horse should start out on his journey. The locomotive used on this occasion was the " North Star," built by Eastwick & Harrison, of Philadelphia, with Mr. Eastwick as engineer. Two passenger cars, named the Shamokin and Mahanoy, and a few other cars, were attached to the engine on this occasion. Most of the people present had never before seen a railroud or engine, and when the " North Star" com- menced blowing off' steam, they kept at a respectful distance, viewing the stronge creature with awe, as well as curiosity.
How proud that engineer must have felt, sented on his throne, the observed of all observers, when, after sounding the shrill whistle, that echoed for the first time along the mountains, he drew the lever, and slowly, amid the deaf- ening cheers of the crowd, storted the first passenger train for Sunbury.
ABOUT THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVES AND ENGINEERS.
The first locomotive placed on the road was the " North Star," in 1838, and a short time afterwards the second one, the " Mountaineer," was added, both being built at the shops of Eastwick & Harrison, Philadelphia. The first engineer was Charles Gill, who had the " North Star," and the second, Lewis Garretson, who had the " Mountaineer." After about five months, these engineers left, when Benjamin Katerman took the "North Star," and George Shipe the " Mountaineer." In n short time Mr. Katerman left, when Mr. Shipe took his engine, und Franklin A. Clark, afterwards somewhat famous for his stories and hotel-keeping, took the one vacated by Mr. Shipe.
During the shipping season, these two locomotives made two trips per day to Sunbury, hauling down about forty londed cars of ecal, and bringing back from forty to fifty empty ones. It is related that great trouble was experi- enced in keeping np steam, and in coming up to Shamokin it 'frequently happened that all hands were summoned to rob some farmer's fence of dry rails to keep up steam. Another great trouble was the bad condition of the railroad structure. The white oak rails were framed in wooden-ties, and fastened by oaken wedges. On top of these wooden rails were spiked down strap-iron, two-and-one-half inches wido and three-quarters of an inch thick. The engines were too heavy for this structure, and, as a consequence, were frequently off the track. Hours of time, and much patience, were lost in righting up things ; but the more the rond was used the worse it beenme, and finally the engines were taken off, and the cars were hauled by horse-power. A caboose was then used for passenger travel, called the Black Hawk, which, until within a few years, might be seen at the Shamokin Iron Works, used for the storoge of bar-iron.
The first ears put on the road were brought from Girard's Works, and held about two-and-one-half tons. Soon afterwards, Mr. Bitteutender built some that held three tons, and finally cars that held four-and-one-half tons.
FIRST OFFICIALS.
Moncure Robinson, for years, was the Chief Engineer of the Danville and Pottsville Railroad. Mr. Totten was his principal Assistant.
Kimber Cleaver, Est., afterwards the Chief Engineer of the road, com- menced as a peg-driver, but soon reached the position of engineer, with charge of a level.
Thomas Sharpe was the first Superintendent. He is represented to have been an able official, but rather passionate. In 1839, he resigued, and went to Richmond, Va., to take charge of a road there. He was succeeded by Samnel R. Wood, who had previously been Worden of the Eastern Peuiten- tiary. He was a Quaker gentleman, of excellent business qualities, but rather self-willed. He continued as Superintendent until the road failed, in 1842, when he was appointed Sequestrator. He acted for the railroad for many years.
Patrick Riley was the Master Mechanic. He nud Mr. Sharpe spent a great deal of time in trying to invent a conl-burving engine.
William H. Chessington was one of the first brakesmen and conductors on the coal trains. The trains were made up by coal from Buck Ridge, Shamokin Coal and Iron Company, Yoxtheimer's, Purdy's, and the mines at the flat-vein, called the "Sour Kront vein."
The first coal operators were Brannigan & Cowan, at Buck Ridge; Purdy & Co. and Yoxtheimer, at the Gap; the Shamokin Con) and Iron Company, at the furnace; and William Fegely, at the tint vein.
THE OLD READING ROAD,
The old rond that connected Sunbury with Reading, and which had been laid out before the formation of the County, was called by this name. All the emigrants to the Shamokin Valley aud adjacent parts, from New Jersey, and the lower counties of our State, traveled over this famous route. It was the outlet hy which the farmers hauled their products to the markets of Reading and Enston. Mr. Philip Persing, a resident of our town, and now in his one-hundredth year, related to the writer that sixty-six years ago he hauled dried peaches over this road to Easton, and received one dollar and fifty cents per bushel. It was then abont one week's work to make the round trip. Hedescribed thesite now occupied by Shamokin as a very wild one at that time. He said the green briars and laurel along ench side of this road about Shamokin, formed an almost impassable thicket, and that rabbits, which were then very plentiful, could hardly penetrate it in places.
The old road is supposed to have been laid out from an Indian trail. In many places this old thoroughfare is still visible. It rau along at the foot of the Big Mountain, in the gap just where the Northern Central Railroad entered the town somewhere near where the stables of the Cameron Colliery stond, and continuing along the linse of the mountain just above the Central school-house property, through the property of W. H. Douty, nad touched Sunbury street at Seibert's corner. The road then rau eastward until Luke Fidler was reached, it deflected to the right, and nearly opposite the Luke Fidler breaker, it crossed Coal Ruu and ran over to Springfield, and theuce along the Sow's Back to the Cut, and thence towards Mt. Carmel.
Mr. John Thomson says, the first rond from Sunbury to Reading was as nearly straight as possible, running over hills and through ravines, having , only regard to directness. In the course of time the road was improved ; abrupt hills were wound around, and instead of going straight up Sunbury street, the road curved around by Benjamin MeClow's house. The Rending road ron to Paxiuos and thence to Snufftown, along the farms of David Miller and Solomon Fegely, to Sunbury. At Paxinos, a tavern was kept as far back as 1800, by a man from New Jersey, by the name of Zeitsmith, which was a famous stopping-place for emigrants in those enrly days. After the Centre turnpike was opened, a great deal of travel that heretofore hud gone over the old road, was directed to the new and better route.
The stages ran along the road before the turnpike was minde.
INDIANS.
It is not at all likely that any party of Indians ever made a settlement in our vicinity, though the Delawares occupied this part of the country. No relics or implements of the red man, as dart-hesds, heads, etc., have ever heen found around here, which may be regarded as good evidence of their having no permanent settlement in our parts. But several of their paths passed through here. The oltl Rending road, the first highway through this part of the County, is said to originate from an Indian trail,
Another path passed through the western part of the Shamokin cemetery, and over the high top of the print named Shiekelemy Point, to Tulpehocken, and thence to Philadelphia. Mr. Jacob Maury informed the writer that he had frequently noticed this path. It is more than likely that, in his fre- queut conferences with Penn, Shickelemy traveled this route, and from the eminence named after him, took a survey of the wild country then, which now comprises the Shamokin Coal Busin. Little did this noble chief dream that the howling wilderness, that lay spread before him, would some day in
PLATE XIX
STORE & RES OF HARRY DENIUS, TURBOTVILLE, NORTH? Co., PA.
RES. of GEORGE W. RYON, ESQ , SHAMOKIN, NORTH" COUNTY, PA
HAAS & SEILER'S HALL HAAS & SEILER'S HALL,
PHIL. MARKET
ORY GOODS &GROCERIES
HAAS & SEILER , DEALERS IN DRY-COODS . GROCERIES, FLOUR, FEED „¢ COY SIXTH & SPRUCE ST, SHAMOKIN, NORTH CO., PA
RES. OF C. W. WEAVER, M. D. SHAMOKIN, NORTHP CO., PA
83
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
the future be built up a busy mining town, whose suhurhs would be studded with collieries mining millions of tons of coal ; little did this Cayuga Sachem suppose that a village would spring up here to take the name of his beloved home, on the banks of the Susquehanna.
OLD SETTLEMENTS.
Several settlements had been made along the old Reading road prior to the Revolution.
The Cherrys were the first settlers in the Shamokin region, they having come here while Pensylvania was a colony of Great Britain. These, with other settlers, were chased away several times by the Indians. It is related that the old man Cherry, on one occasion, when being obliged to seek shelter at Fort Augusta, tied the bed-clothing on his cow and fled. The first Cherry lived at the house now known as Irich's. He cleared off a farm at Luke Fidler, another at Springfield, and several others. There were several sous. One, Joseph Cherry, settled on the flat near where the Shamokin brewery Dow stands. The stones of the chimney and foundation may still be seen. Another one settled on the hill east of Shamokin, and put up a distillery.
A man by the name of Dunkelberger put up a log-house on the spot now occupied by the brick-house of B. F. Lake. This was the first house in the present limits of the horough.
Gotlieb Goss took up two tracts of land between the Big and Little Menu- tains, the one tract taking in the poor-house farm, J. Zimmerman's farm, and Uniontown and the brewery, and the other the Brush Valley tract. Im- provements were made on them, and they were occupied by his two sons, Martin and George Goss. Towards Bear Valley, settlements were made by a man named Maury, and others.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS.
Shamokin has ever been noted as a patriotic town, and from its com- mencement duly observed the anniversary of Independence. It will not be out of place to mention a few of the celebrations in the early days of our town.
The first celebration was held at the hotel of Dr. Robert Philips, on July 4th, 1839. About a year previous, Dr. Philips, who represented the interests of Purdy & Co., at their mines, built a hotel and office, and what is now known as the Philips' tract, opposite the Cameron Colliery. The hotel stood on a pleasant, green tract, along the public rond in the Gap, and was a noted place in these days. The dector was a very sociable man, and was a great favorite with the people who came to Shamokin. Here our citizens met in 1839, and duly observed the day with speeches, tousts, etc. James Porter, who built and resided in the house now occupied by Jacob Bades, made a cannon out of' a gum tree, which answered every purpose. The next year the second eclebration was held at the same place.
The third celebration was held in 1842, at the house of Franklin A. Clark, who kept a public house on the corner of Sunbury and Washington streets, afterwards the " Douty House," burnt down in 1872. The Shamokin Grays were present, and a number of military men from other parts of the County.
The following were the officers : President, Chas. Derring; Vice Presidents, Captain W. H. Kase and John Boughner; Secretary, Emannel Zimmermau. After the reading of the Declaration of Independence by the secretary, numerous tonsts were read, a few of which are given :
By Chas. Derring-" The heroes of the Revolution-May their memory he indelibly stamped on the hearts of the American people." Three cheers. By Capt. W. H. Kase-"Col. Richard M. Johusen, the next President of the IJuited States." Three cheers and three guns.
By John Bougher-" The heroes of the War of 1812-May their pos- terity follow their example as patriots and soldiers." Three cheers and three guns.
By Emanuel Zimmerman-"The Day we celebrate." Three cheers and three guns.
By Henry Bird-" Anthony Wayne, the farmer's son of Chester County- May our legislative halls be well supplied with men of his stamp, and our armies with hearts like his." Three cheers.
By Joseph Bird-" Henry Clay, the next President of the United States." Three cheers.
By Joseph Allison, Jr .- " Peace and prosperity."
By E. Zimmerman-" May Democrats once more reign, bring bard eur- reney up with Buchanan, and' down with the hauks. May the echo Demo- craey sound throughout the United States." Three cheers and three guns.
By Captain William H. Kase-" Shamokin town-May peace and har- mony reign throughout the place, and business of all kinds prosper under the hands of the people." Three cheers.
By Pemberton Bird-" May the next anniversary of our Independence be celebrated without the use of alcohol." Three cheers.
By E. Zimmerman-"The framers of the Declaration of Independence May their names be held sacred by the American people, and their fame be handed down to posterity, till time shall be no more." Three cheers and four guns.
By Benjamin MeClow-" The opposers of Temperance-May they see the errors of their ways, and join in the temperance army heart and hand." Three cheers and six guns.
By F. A. Clark -- " The Shamokin Grays-May they ever be ready to pro- teet their rights." Six guns and six cheers.
By Joseph Bird-" Here is to the Temperanee enuse; hoping the time is not far distant when the glorious day of Independence may be celebrated with the use of cold water." Three cheers and four guns.
By Dr. Philips-" Washington-First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Three cheers and four guus.
By Patrick Loneton-" The fair sex; the life of mankind." Three cheers.
By E. Zimmerman-" David R. Porter-He has been weighed, and found not wanting." Four cheers and four guns.
By J. Cowen-" May the Eagle of Liberty never lose a feather." Three cheers.
By John Eisely-" The Tutor who taught General Washington the alpha- bet between his knees, when five years old-He rests in peace." Three ebeers.
By the Company-" May peace and prosperity attend the host and hostess."
Almost every year, since this date, the Fourth has been properly cele- brated by the citizens of Shamokin.
SHAMOKIN COAL AND IRON COMPANY.
This corporation deserves a passing notice, as much of the earlier pros- perity of Shamokin, to 1842, was owing to the improvements started up under its auspices.
This company was incorporated in June, 1836, but in November, 1839, the whole of the stock being taken, arrangements were made to mine and trans- port coal. Several drifts were opened opposite the Furnace, and a lateral road put in to connect with the Danville and Pottsville Railroad. They commenced shipping coal in 1839. They owned fourteen thousand acres of eoal and iron land; seven hundred and fifty of which were in Columbia County, the balanee near Shamokin. Several of the stockholders obtained a charter in March, 1840, for the manufacture of iron. They at onee pro- eeeded to purchase the neces ary machinery for the erection of two furnaces. Up to July 1st, 1841, they had shipped three thousand tons of coal, mining about two hundred tons a day during the shipping season. Opposite these drifts they put up a large anthracite furuace, one of the first of the kind erectett in the County.
The following description of the furnace is taken fram the North American of 1842:
"This furnace, erected on the property of the company, at the village of Sha- mokin, is now in full blast, under the charge of William Frimstone, turning out pig metal of the very best quality. The machinery performs admirably. The forest hus giveu place to the march of civilization, and the wilderness has been made to blossom as the rose. The village of Shamekiu now con- tains moro than six hundred inhabitants, nearly three hundred of whom are scholars in the Sunday-school, and it is destined, at no distant peried, to be- come a large and flourishing town. Few places possess greater advantages for prosceuting the coal and iron business. The furnance is thirty-eight feet square, bore built up eleven feet plumb, then battered two-and-one-half inches to the foot to the top of the stack, which is forty-seven and one-half feet high from the commencement of the base. Foundation under the whole, five feet deep und forty-two feet square. Engines, one hundred and eighty horse-power. Ten boilers, each thirty feet leng, and thirty inches diameter. Engine-lense, sixty by thirty feet. Boiler-house, sixty by forty-five feet. Boiler-stack, seventy feet high. Casting-house, forty-five by forty-eight feet."
On May 24th, 1842, a fire broke out, burning down the casting-house, and part of the hotler-house, and hoisting apparatus. The furnace blew out a few weeks afterwards. A short time after the burning, the company failed, and Benjamin H. Yarnall, of Philadelphia, was appointed assignee. Several parties afterwards attempted to run the furnace, but were unsuccessful, and in 1845 it was sold at sheriff's sale. For several years it remained idle, but
84
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
was started up again about 1855, and continued running with varied success under different managements until 1872, when it was finally blown out. The furnace and stack are still standing.
SHAMOKIN FROM 1842 TO 1852.
During this period, Shamokin passed through much vicissitude, and reached a very low ebb in her prosperity. The furnace burnt down; the Danville and Pottsville Railroad Company fuiled, and appointed Samuel R. Wood, Sequestrator. The rolling stoek was sold at sheriff's sale. William and Reuben Fegely, who had been engaged in putting in a turning-table, and some lateral roads, and in making some of the principal repairs, were familiar with the workings of the rond, and were on terms of intimacy with some of the principal officers. They had come to Shamokin in 1838, and in 1839 erected the store-house now occupied by them, and commenced store-keeping. In 1841, they commenced coal business, by opening the " tape vein," in the Gap, and putting up the improvements. At this time, Purdy & Jordan operated on the west side, and Yoxtheimer & Snyder on the east side. The Fegelys soon became juissessed of these openings, also.
In 1842, when the railroad failed, aud the engines were taken off; on account of its dilapidated condition, William and Reuben Fegely took charge of the road, put it in repair, and hauled coal to Sunbury by horse- power, which they continued until 1852.
During this time, the Fegely's carried on nearly all the business of the town. They mined and shipped all the coal; they bought and sold the prin- eipal part of the goods; they furnished all the provisions, and gave all the employment to labor. During the shipping season, the men worked at the mines, or hauled the coal mined to Sunbury ; while during the winter months they were sent in the woods to prepare material for the railroad, or else work on the repairs. Taxes and all debts were paid hy orders on their store, and even the salaries of preachers and teachers were paid in this manner. Not a marriage or funeral could take place, not a visit to another town could be made, without consent of "Unele Waliam." Child-birth was said to be the only condition of humanity not under their control. Candidates for office merely consulted with William and Reuben, and if they consented, the vote of the town was secured; and it is said sermons were shaped to meet their approval. At this time their power over the inhabitants was as great as the Emperor of Russia exercises over his subjects. If a laborer did wrong, he was sent to "Goss Hill," to work on a farm, picking stones, until his offenee had been atoned, when he was permitted to work among his fellows again. But it must be said for the Fegelys, that, though they held absolute power over the people, they used it not altogether for their own advantage. Their people were always well supplied with pravisions; there were no paupers, and in case of sickness, through the kindness of " Aunt Kitty," no one was allowed to want for what could be procured for their relief. Yes, years hence, when the selfish acts of men, that were noised abroad with great eclat, will be forgotten, the kind deeds of this good Samaritan towards the sick and dying wal live green in the remembrance of many a relieved ooe, and the name of " Aunt Kitty" will he called blessed.
During this period, all that had money had moved away, whde those who were too poor to leave, worked for the Fegelys. A few of the inventive kind flooded the country with patent-rights, such as new stoves, new plows, new scales, clothes-machines, patent medicines, etc. Nearly every county in the State was favored with some specimen of Shamokin ingenuity.
A large number of the persons who moved away went to Schuylkill County, where they remained until business revived, when they returned, experienced in the working of coal. At this time, all the coal mined was hauled to Sunbury by horse-power, and during the shipping season, about one hundred horses were used for this purpose. It required two days for the round trip. From four to five horses were required to take a train of ten cars. The coal was sold at Sunbury, or to the towns along the Susque- hanna, and most generally exchanged for store-goods and provisions, which were brought back by the returning trains.
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.