History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 44

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454

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THE PROPERTY TAKEN.

The money and negotiable securities taken from the bank amounted to be- tween $30,000 and $35,000. About $30,000 in negotiable bonds, left as special deposits, were also taken. In addition to these valuables, which could be made available in the hands of third parties, $10,000 of registered bonds and nearly $20,000 of non-negotiable securities were also taken. A number of the bonds were carried to England and negotiated, and when the Geneva award was paid they came back to this government.

Prompt steps were taken to ascertain the condition of the bank. A reward of $5,000 was offered for the return of the property, or $1,000 for the arrest and con- viction of each of the robbers. The officers and directors of the bank promptly issued a card assuring the public that the loss sustained would not affect the solvency of the institution and that all checks would "be paid as usual at the counter of the bank."

TWO OF THE ROBBERS CAPTURED.

As the whole country was alarmed, and everybody was on the alert, the chief robber was soon traced to Waverly and arrested with much of the stolen plunder in his possession, including the fine gold watch taken from Cashier Robinson. He proved to be one Cosgrove, with many aliases, and was known to the police as an expert cracksman and burglar. A young man named Orson Cook, who drove the wagon, was also captured, and was brought to Wellsboro with Cosgrove, and both were securely locked up in the county jail. The other members of the band es- caped and some of them made their way across the ocean, bearing with them several thousand dollars' worth of negotiable bonds.

At the November sessions, 1874, Cosgrove and Cook were tried and convicted. Judge Wilson, assisted by Associates Smith and McNaughton, presided. The pris-

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

oners were defended by Messrs. Williston, Mitchell and Cameron, while the prose- cution was conducted by W. A. Stone, district attorney, assisted by Hon. Mortimer F. Elliott.

Isaac Marsh, alias Ike Morris, alias Howard, alias Cosgrove, was sentenced by Judge Wilson as follows: First count, pay a fine of $1,000, costs, and be imprisoned nine years and nine months in the Eastern Penitentiary; second count, restore the stolen goods, pay a fine of $500, and be imprisoned three years; third count, pay a fine of $500, and be imprisoned four years, making a total fine of $2,000 and sixteen years and nine months in solitary confinement.

Orson Cook was also convicted on three counts. His term of service was one year less on each count than was imposed on Cosgrove, making his total time thirteen years and nine months. He was very much cast down on receiving his sentence, but Cosgrove was bold and defiant, declaring that it was simply bad luck on his part, and if he were at liberty he would do the same thing again.

COSGROVE REFORMS.

The remarkable career of Cosgrove as a criminal had a singular, if not ro- mantic, termination. There is a humanitarian society in Philadelphia whose duty it is to look after long term and hardened criminals, and make an effort to reclaim them. The attention of the society was attracted to Cosgrove, and when he emerged from prison after serving his long sentence, he was kindly taken in charge by this society, a boarding house was secured for him, he was kept away from evil asso- ciations, and an effort made to reclaim him by good influences. The effort was not without reward. Kindness, moral suasion, and pious teaching had its effect on the hardened criminal. He saw the evil of his ways and declared that he had resolved to live a new life.

In the meantime Hon. Henry W. Williams, who was president judge of the court in which Cosgrove had been convicted in 1874, had been promoted to the bench of the Supreme Court of the State, and was living in Philadelphia when he emerged from prison. Much to his surprise, one evening in the winter of 1891, he received a letter from Cosgrove telling him what had been done for him by the society, and saying that with his permission he would be glad to pay him a personal visit and tell him of his conversion through the kindly offices of the humanitarian society. Permission was granted, Cosgrove came and the meeting was a very pleasant one; he related the story of his life, told what had been done for him and his change of purpose. Judge Williams encouraged him to be firm in his purpose and good would follow his resolve.

Within six or eight weeks Judge Williams received an invitation to be present on a certain evening at Trinity Episcopal church, Philadelphia, to witness the bap- tism and confirmation of Cosgrove. "I attended," remarked Judge Williams at the close of relating this strange story, "and witnessed the solemn ceremony, con- gratulated him on his changed life and upon the favoring influences by which he was surrounded at the beginning of his work as a Christian man."

"Did he remain firm in the faith ?" the Judge was asked. "I kept track of him for one or two years," he replied, "and he was still living a consistent and useful life, and was engaged when I last heard from him, as a sort of general overseer and pur-

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WELLSBORO (CONTINUED).

chasing agent for a large private hospital under the care of the society which had reclaimed him."

MANUFACTURING AND OTHER ENTERPRISES.

The tannery established between 1812 and 1816 by Joseph Fish was operated by him until 1828, when he sold it to Ellis M. Bodine, who had removed to Wellsboro from Jersey Shore. In 1846 his growing business made it necessary for him to erect a larger building. This was destroyed by fire in 1848 and was not rebuilt, Mr. Bodine retiring from the business and devoting himself to farming.

The Wellsboro Tannery is the outgrowth of a small tanning enterprise estab- lished about 1825 by William Taylor, who carried it on until his death about 1846. His widow married Joseph Riberolle, who conducted the business there until 1857, when he erected a new tannery building across the street on the site of the present tannery. Here he carried on business for many years. Since 1881 the plant has been owned and operated by John Gisin. In 1886 the old building was destroyed by fire, and was replaced by the present building. Mr. Gisin manufactures upper leather, which is shipped to Boston in the red and finished state.

The Spencer Planing and Shingle Mill is the successor of one of the oldest manufacturing enterprises in Wellsboro. About 1830 David Caldwell located in the borough and started a cabinet shop, having as an apprentice Benjamin T. Van Horn, who remained with him five years and then opened a shop of his own on the site now occupied by J. C. & S. A. Spencer. Here for fifteen years all his work was done by hand. In 1850 the shop was equipped with machinery. Mr. Van Horn continued in business until 1872, when he sold the shop and plant to his son, Rankin L. Van Horn, and his son-in-law, N. T. Chandler. This firm carried on cabinet making and general wood working and operated the plant until the fall of 1894, when they sold it to J. C. & S. A. Spencer, the present proprietors. It is situated on the northeast corner of Pearl and Waln streets, and is devoted to planing, matching, moulding, scroll sawing and shingle making.

The first wagon shop in Wellsboro was established about 1836 by Sylvester Kelley, on Main street, just above Dr. Shearer's residence. He ran it about ten years. Another shop was established about 1844 by Seneca B. Kendall. About 1845 Hiram W. Dartt entered this shop as an apprentice and within a year purchased an interest in it. In 1850 the firm became Dartt & Gray and so continued for about two years, when Mr. Dartt bought out Gray's interest and carried on the business for himself until 1884, when his son, Albert P., succeeded him. In 1890 he consolidated the plant with that of the Wellsboro Carriage Company, which has since been owned and operated by himself and his brother, Edgar S. Dartt. The front part of the old shop on Main street, near Hiram W. Dartt's residence, is used for a broom factory. In the rear part Mr. Dartt, though advanced in years, although not regularly engaged in manufacturing, still works at his trade.

About 1850 Andrew Crowl established a wagon shop on Water street, near the site of Watkins' livery stable, where he manufactured wagons, carriages, sleighs, etc., for twenty years.

The Wellsboro Carriage Works were founded about 1870, by R. L. Mack, who was succeeded in 1888 by the Wellsboro Carriage Company, composed of W. E.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Wisehart, E. S. Dartt and E. W. Keifer. The shop was destroyed by fire in 1889, It was rebuilt; the plant of A. P. Dartt consolidated with that of the old proprietors, and the works have since been carried on by A. P. and E. S. Dartt, who compose the present Wellsboro Carriage Company. About fifteen men are employed the year round. The plant is located on East avenue, opposite the Bache Auditorium.

The Wellsboro Foundry and Machine Shop was established about 1854 by A. P. Cone and was operated by him for a number of years, since which time it has had various owners, among them being Young & Williams, Williams & Sears, Keen & Company, William C. Kress and R. H. Edwards, who ran it up to the close of 1895. The plant then lay idle until December, 1896, when White Brothers took charge of it and are now operating it as a foundry and machine shop.

R. H. Edwards' Foundry and Machine Shop is a new enterprise on State street. It was started as a machine shop in December, 1895, and a foundry added in December, 1896. Five men are employed.

Sheffer's Brewery was established about 1868, on Kelsey creek, back of the Coles House, by Charles Sheffer. He died in 1876 and his widow carried on the brewery until 1878, after which the building was converted into a family dwelling.

Och's Brewery was established about 1875 by John Och, on Charleston creek, near the present railroad station. It was washed away by the June flood of 1889, and was not rebuilt.

The Wellsboro Manufacturing and Building Company (Limited) is the successor of a sash factory established about 1870, on the same site at the foot of Main street, by Benjamin Austin. He died in 1873 and the plant was carried on by his heirs for a time and then by Truman & Bowen until it was destroyed by fire in 1878. In 1879 the present buildings were erected and plant established by Harman, Borden & Trull. In 1880 Mr. Trull retired and the firm became Harman, Borden & Com- pany, which was succeeded in July, 1892, by the Wellsboro Manufacturing and Building Company (Limited). The capital stock of this corporation is $15,000. It manufactures much of the lumber used by the company for building and other purposes; operates a large planing mill; gives employment to fifteen hands, and does a general wood working, contracting and building business. Its officers are as follows: R. J. Borden, superintendent; R. J. Borden, J. H. Harman, J. W. Mather, L. A. Gardner and F. W. Graves, managers.

The Wellsboro Cigar Factory, on Queen street, is the successor of a factory previously occupied by C. A. Yale. The pioneer factory was established about 1872 by Mr. Yale, on Main street, near the Wellsborough National Bank, and was afterwards operated by him at various locations in the borough. In 1881 the C. A. Yale Cigar Company was incorporated. In 1885 the name was changed to the Grand Master Cigar Company and for about two years the company did a large business, employing nearly 100 hands. The business was continued by C. A. Yale. In 1894 M. H. Stebbins, of Sabinsville, purchased a half interest in the factory, of Mrs. C. A. Yale. Three men were then employed. The business was continued until April, 1895, under the firm name of C. A. Yale & Company, since which time Mr. Stebbins has been the sole proprietor. Eleven hands are employed and 400,000 cigars manufactured annually.

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WELLSBORO (CONTINUED).

The C. A. Yale Cigar Factory was established in the spring of 1896. It is the successor of a small factory established in March, 1894, by A. H. Ballinger. The factory is located on East avenue, near Pearl street.

The Wellsboro Roller Mill, situated on East avenue, east of Main street, was erected in 1890 by S. L. Herrington and F. R. Field, on the site of a mill built several years before by Andrew Klock and S. L. Herrington, but which was destroyed by fire in 1890. The present mill is a four-story structure, equipped with eleven sets of rollers, and has a capacity of thirty barrels of flour, ten tons of feed and 400 bushels of buckwheat per day. Steam power is used. Herrington & Field ran the mill until 1893, when it became the property of A. I. Nichols and William Bache, Jr., who operate it under the name of Nichols & Bache. It is devoted to custom work and the manufacture of flour for general trade.

The Keystone Mills, located on the north side of Charleston street, near the railroad, were erected in 1886 by Alanson Spencer and the Dickinson estate, the machinery of the old Dickinson mill below the borough being used as part of the interior equipment, which consists of four run of buhrs, driven by steam. It is still operated by Mr. Spencer, and is devoted to the grinding of wheat, buck- wheat, corn, feed, etc.

The Wellsboro Glass Company (Limited) was formed in 1886, with a capital of $50,000. The main projector of the enterprise was John W. Bailey, who took a deep interest in founding the plant. The company organized by electing the following officers: President, John W. Bailey; secretary, Walter Sherwood; treasurer, J. M. Robinson. The works were fitted up in good style for the manu- facture of glass, and were in successful operation, when, on November 8, 1888, the plant was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $28,000, on which there was an insurance of only $12,400. In addition to the buildings, $6,000 worth of glass and $2,000 worth of pots were destroyed, and nearly sixty men were thrown out of employment.

The works were rebuilt the following February and opened at once under the direction of the Glass Trust, but disaster again overtook them in 1892, when they were totally destroyed by fire, and never rebuilt.

The Wellsboro Veneer Works, located on the site of the old glass factory, was founded December 1, 1895, by T. B. Fields & Son. The plant is devoted to the manufacture of wood veneers, baskets, handles and wood novelties, the annual output amounting to about $25,000. The working force consists of from twenty to fifty hands, according to the demands of business.

The Wellsboro Exchange of the New York and Pennsylvania Telephone and Telegraph Company is one of the latest up-to-date enterprises of the borough. This company is identical with the Bell Telephone Company, and the exchange recently established connects the borough with all the cities and towns throughout the country embraced in the long-distance telephone system of the company. The exchange is located in the store of R. L. Van Horn & Son, the local managers, and is for the use of the public. There are in addition twenty-three subscribers, who pay an annual rental for instruments placed in their offices or residences. The system in the county also includes the principal towns of the Tioga and Cowanesque valleys.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

THE WELLSBORO OF TO-DAY.

It is ninety years since Benjamin Wistar Morris laid out the "county town" of Tioga county, and named it Wellsboro, in honor of his wife, Mary Wells Morris. At that time a forest stood on its site, and a wide-spreading wilderness environed it. The forest has disappeared, and the wilderness has given place to the well- tilled fields of thrifty and prosperous husbandmen. The log cabin of the pioneer is a thing of the past, and on its site there now stands the modern home-a model of up-to-date architecture-with its interior conveniences and exterior attractiveness. So many of these handsome residences are to be seen in all parts of Wellsboro that one feels that the claim put forth for it as a place of beautiful homes is amply sustained. The rude log, and scarcely less rude frame, structures in which the early storekeepers, innkeepers, doctors and lawyers transacted business, have been replaced by sightly and substantial brick and stone business blocks and office buildings of modern design and architecture. The log school house and the old Academy find worthy successors in the present public school buildings, thronged daily by hundreds of light-hearted pupils, the beneficiaries of the free school system of the State. The old "Quaker Meeting House" is but a memory, and the Quakers themselves have all passed away, but religion and morality remain. Instead of one modest meeting house, there are now six church buildings, that bear witness in their architecture, furnishing and decoration, to a spirit of free-giving on the part of the many adherents of the different Christian denominations which they represent. On every hand are to be seen evidences of intelligence, culture, taste, refinement, public spirit and private enterprise.

And yet, it must be confessed that previous to 1870 Wellsboro grew very slowly. This was due to its isolation-its distance from either navigable stream or railroad. In 1840 it had but 368 inhabitants, and in 1870, 1,465. In 1872 came the railroad and gave it an impetus, resulting, not in a boom, but in a period of subtantial growth, the census of 1880 showing 2,228 inhabitants, and that of 1890 2,961. The present population is slightly in excess of 3,000.

The Wellsboro of to-day is a well-built town. Its streets are wide, and though unpaved, are graded and kept in good condition. In anticipation of early paving, nearly 4,000 feet of sewers have been constructed, and the work will be carried forward as rapidly as the finances of the borough will permit. Good flagstone sidewalks have been put down in all parts of the borough. These, in combination with well-kept grounds, stately shade trees and the absence of fences, add much to the attractiveness of the residence portion, and show a commendable pride in appearances on the part of the citizens.

The Park or "Green," though occupying but a single square, east of the court house, is one of the most popular places of public resort in the borough. It is county property, and was included in that portion of the original village site deeded to the county in 1806 by Benjamin Wistar Morris. The center is occupied by a handsome band pagoda, from which concerts are given every Friday evening, during the summer season, by the Wellsboro Band, one of the best in the State. West of the pagoda, facing Main street, stands the Soldiers' Monument, a descrip- tion of which will be found in one of the military chapters. "In the northern part of the park is a fine monument erected in honor of John Magee, the founder of the Fall

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WELLSBORO (CONTINUED).

Brook Coal Company, and one of the leading spirits in the development of the great coal deposits of Tioga county. The money for this monument was con- tributed by the employes of the company, and it was unveiled December 1, 1886. It is fourteen feet in height. The bases, shaft and capstones are of Quincy granite, and the bust of bronze. On the four sides of the polished shaft are bronze tablets containing inscriptions and illustrations commemorative of the character, pro- gressiveness and energy of the man. Surmounting the whole work is a bust of John Magee, in bronze. It is four feet eight inches in height and weighs nearly 1,000 pounds. The likeness is good and the expression of the face natural.

The Bache Auditorium is one of the notable buildings of the Wellsboro of to-day. It is located on the southeast corner of East avenue and Pearl street, and owes its existence to the liberality and public spirit of William Bache, assisted by a few other citizens. It was erected in 1894 at a cost of $16,000, and was planned and supervised by William C. Kress. It is a frame building sheathed on the outside with sheet steel, made to imitate brick. The seating capacity is 1,100, and it is fitted throughout with the latest improved opera chairs. The stage, which is 40x70 feet, is unusually large, and there is a full equipment of stage scenery and accessories. The building is heated by steam and lighted by electricity. It was opened to the public in November, 1894, under the management of William C. Kress. During the past year it has been managed by A. P. and O. H. Dartt.

The business interests of the borough are in the hands of men of enterprise and public spirit. The stores are well-stocked and the goods tastefully and attractively displayed. Five hotels cater to the wants of the traveling public, each being managed by an experienced and popular landlord. The bar is represented by lawyers of ability and reputation, and the medical profession by educated and skillful physicians. Three ably-conducted and neatly-printed weekly papers deal with matters of public and local interest and receive the liberal support of the people of the borough and the county. Each year witnesses the erection of a number of handsome private residences, and, as increase of trade demands it, of new business blocks. Wealth is evenly distributed and the number of needy poor less than in most places of equal population.

CHAPTER XXIII.

DELMAR TOWNSHIP.

CREATION-ORIGINAL DIVIDING LINE-ORIGIN OF NAME-REDUCTIONS OF AREA -. PRESENT BOUNDARIES-CHARACTER OF SURFACE-STREAMS-THE "BIG MARSH" ALTITUDE-POPULATION-PIONEER SETTLERS-MANUACTURING ENTERPRISES- SCHOOLS-CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES-VILLAGES AND POSTOFFICES.

A T the time of its creation, March 26, 1804, the county of Tioga constituted a single township and also a single election district, likewise named Tioga. In 1805 the township of Delmar was created, the line between it and Tioga township being thus described in the report of the survey made by William Benjamin. It reads: "Began at the 93d mile-stone, on the New York state line; thence south twenty-five miles to the Briar Hills, and thence to the line of Mifflin and Lycoming townships," in Lycoming county, embracing all that portion of the county lying west of the line that now forms the eastern boundary of Charleston township.

The name originally given to the township by the pioneer settlers, who were from Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and Philadelphia, was Virdelmar, composed of the first syllable of the names of each of the States mentioned. The initial syllable of this composite appellation was dropped when the township was created, leaving the present name, in which the first syllables of Delaware and Maryland are preserved.

By an act of the legislature, approved April 11, 1807, the township of Delmar was constituted a separate election district, it being provided that "the electors thereof shall hold their general elections at the house of Joshua Emlin." Its area, at this time, embraced nearly two-thirds of the county, out of which, from time to time, new townships were formed, until December, 1873, when the township was established within its present boundaries. It is still, notwithstanding these repeated reductions of area, the largest township in the county. From north to south it is thirteen and one-half miles long. For a distance of nine miles from its northern boundary line, it has an average width of six miles. The remaining portion averages eight miles, by reason of an L-like extension toward the west. The total area is about eighty-five square miles. The borough of Wellsboro, which was taken from it in May, 1830, and which was the first borough created in the county, is situated on the Charleston line, northeast of the geographical center of the township, which is bounded on the north by Chatham and Middlebury; on the east by Charleston and Duncan; on the south by Duncan and Morris, and on the west by Elk and Shippen.

Owing to its oblong conformation and extensive area, the surface and scenery of the township are diversified. The former is broken, consisting of hill and valley, with limited areas of comparatively level upland, the whole forming a scene at once pleasing and picturesque. The rougher portions lie north of Marsh creek, and along

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DELMAR TOWNSHIP.

the Shippen, Elk, Morris and Duncan borders. Much the greater portion is, however, under cultivation, the soil, both in the valleys and on the uplands, being fertile and productive.

The streams of Delmar township are numerous and serve the double purpose of diversifying and beautifying its scenery and fertilizing its soil. The watershed extends from a point near school-house No. 9, northwest through the township center, to near school-house No. 15, in the Baldwin district. Marsh creek, the prin- ciple stream, is formed by the junction, in the northern part of Wellsboro, of Charleston creek coming from the southeast out of Charleston township, and Kelsey run, which flows from the southwest, having its source near the center of the town- ship. Morris creek, which rises near the southeast corner of the township, and pursues a northerly course, empties into Kelsey creek near its mouth. Marsh creek follows a northwest course to near Stokesdale Junction, where it turns west and flows through a marshy and winding valley to Ansonia, in Shippen township, and there unites its waters with those of Pine creek. The branches of Marsh creek on the north are Baldwin run, Kennedy run and Dents run. From the south it receives the waters of Heise run, which rises about a mile and a half west of Wellsboro. Darling run, which rises in the western part, and Campbell run which rises in the southwestern part of the township, are branches of Pine creek, which crosses its southwest corner. Stony Fork has its headwaters near the center of the township. Its course is south into Morris township, where it empties into Babb's creek. West Branch, a tributary of Stony Fork, rises near the southeast corner of Shippen, and flows southeast into Morris township. Wilson creek rises in the southeastern part of the township, and pursues a slightly southeast course to the village of Morris, where it unites with Babb's creek.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 44

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1454

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454