History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 134

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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The death of General Harrison was solemnized in York by a'

bers of the bar, physicians, borough officers and citizens generally united with them in forming a procession,-the several associ- ations having their banners clothed in mourning-under the command of General Michael Doudel. the marshal at the funeral ceremonies on the 17th of April last. In this order the procession moved out the railroad to the south borough line, where it halted to await the arrival of the cars. These came about 12 o'clock, and in addi- tion to the Cincinnati committee, were filled with the President and directors of the

Death of

Harrison. military procession through the principal streets of the town. A service was then held in Christ Lutheran Church, when funeral orations were deliv- railroad company, and a number of military

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

corps from Baltimore, among which we administration, had not yet ended. At the noticed the Eutaw Infantry, Independent same time, the York Bank, the only finan- Blues, National Guards, Junior Artillerists, cial institution in York, announced that it and the First Baltimore Light Infantry, all had suspended specie payment. President Van Buren remained quietly at the hotel during the night, and the following day started at 6 A. M. for Harrisburg, going by way of the turnpike road through York Haven. He was on his way from Washing- ton to his home at Kinderhook, on the Hud- son, a few miles north of New York City. of whom immediately alighted, formed in front of the cars, and passed along the line of the York procession, which saluted them and immediately fell in at the rear of the train, which moved at a very slow rate, and in this order to the strains of funeral music, the entire body proceeded to the railroad depot, presenting a most impressive and General Zachary Taylor, while solemn appearance. There the procession Zachary serving as President of the dismissed and the York Volunteers and many citizens joined the companies which came from Baltimore, proceeding in the cars to Wrightsville and thence to Colum- bia, where the military companies, having been reinforced by the arrival of the Balti- more Independent Grays, escorted the body to the canal and saw it safely deposited on board of the boat, which was to convey it toward its western destination. The York and Baltimore volunteers returned thence to this borough, and after uniting and form- ing one of the handsomest parades through our town that we ever witnessed, the latter resumed their places in the cars and wended their way to the Monumental city."

Martin Van Buren arrived in York Van from Washington on Friday, June Buren. 21, 1839. This occurred during the third year of his administration as President of the United States. Although the railroad from Baltimore to York had been completed in 1838, the President on this occasion traveled in a carriage drawn by two horses. He was accompanied by one of his sons, and attended by two colored servants. One of these servants was his coachman and the other rode behind the carriage with two extra horses. The dis- tinguished visitor stopped for the night at White Hall Hotel, later the National House, at the northeast corner of Beaver and Mar- ket Streets. He was waited upon by a large number of his political adherents and other citizens of York, who shook hands and exchanged courtesies with him. There is no record that any public demonstrations were held in his honor.

Taylor. United States, visited York, Au- gust 10, 1849. He was making a tour through Pennsylvania, New York, and New England as far east as Boston and left Washington on the evening of August 9, accompanied by his son-in-law, Dr. Wood. Governor Johnston, of Pennsyl- vania, arranged to meet the President at the state line. The Governor arrived in York from Harrisburg by stage on the evening of August 9, and lodged for the night at the Washington House on East Market Street. On the morning of August 10, the Governor, in company with about twenty- five citizens of York, went in a special train, furnished by the railroad company, to the present site of the Borough of New Free- dom. Here they awaited the presidential train, which reached the state line about noon. Coleman Yellott, chairman of the committee from Maryland, then addressed Governor Johnson as follows:

"We come from Maryland, honored with a pleasant duty. We come to introduce to you and to the citizens of your State, a dis- tinguished visitor. We are sure that he will be received with the respect due the presi- dent of our common country, and with the gratitude merited by the brave soldier whose deeds have covered the American name with honor and glory. We now sur- render to the hospitalities of the Keystone State, General Zachary Taylor."

In answer to this fitting speech Governor Johnston responded, in part :

"As the honored representative of the cit- izens of this Commonwealth, it affords me unfeigned pleasure to welcome you within our borders. In their name and speaking

At this time the influence of Van Buren was on the wane. The great financial panic their sentiments, I tender to you the hos- that had spread over the country, during his pitalities of the State of Pennsylvania."

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THE CITY OF YORK

President's Speech. kind reception which you have grateful to my Maryland friends for the hos- pitalities I have received at their hands. Traveling as I do, for the sole purpose of obtaining a more intimate knowledge of the different sections of our Union, of the vari- ous pursuits and interests, the kindness with

The train bearing the distinguished party arrived at York about I o'clock. The Pres- ident stepped out on a platform which had been erected and was received by Chief Bur- gess Jacob Barnitz, with the following ad- dress of welcome :

"On behalf of the citizens of York I am authorized to thank you for the honor con- ferred upon us by your visit, and to offer you a sincere and hearty welcome to all the honors we can bestow, and to the hospital- ities of our town.

"But, sir, there is another welcome, which we also offer, and that is to General Taylor, the victorious leader of our armies on many battlefields in the Mexican war, who has won the admiration of the world, who has raised our country to the highest renown, and who is entitled to receive the universal tribute of national gratitude and devotion. Again, we offer to you our warmest wel- come-the welcome of the heart-and we extend our welcome to the chief magistrate of our own state who accompanies you, and to the gentlemen composing your party."

General Taylor replied in a brief speech. He returned thanks for the welcome, re- ferred modestly to his military achieve- ments, and expressed his gratitude at the dead. reception given him.

on the north side of East Market Street,

President Taylor responded : "I am deeply thankful for the near Duke. After arriving there President Taylor and Governor Johnston, standing extended to me. I am also on a balcony, addressed a large concourse of people. A banquet was then held in the dining room of the hotel, followed by a re- ception, when a large number of ladies and gentlemen shook hands with General Tay- lor, the hero of Buena Vista.

At 4 o'clock the President, accompanied with which I have everywhere been received by the Governor and a committee from York by my fellow-countrymen, has been gratify- ing. I have been heretofore honored by the confidence of Pennsylvania. I feel great pleasure in now mingling with her people, and I pledge myself to endeavor to show by my future conduct, that the confidence of the Keystone State has not been mis- placed." left for Wrightsville. The train was halted at that borough and General Taylor left the car and mounted a platform prepared for a reception. Dr. Lee delivered the address of welcome and the President responded in a very impressive manner. After many citi- zens had been introduced to the distin- guished guests, the presidential party left for Philadelphia.

On August 10, 1850, a funeral procession took place in York in honor of General Zachary Taylor, who died while president of the United States. The procession moved through the principal streets of the town with great solemnity in the following order : Chief Marshall, David G. Barnitz, and aids ; committee of arrangements, band, Worth Infantry, Captain Ziegle, Washington Artil- lery, Captain Motter, Carroll Artillery, Cap- tain Totten, clergymen, funeral car, drawn by six gray horses, led by grooms, the pall bearers, the body guard, a company of Dra- goons, Lieutenant Diller, of Hanover, the horse, representing "Whitey," the animal Taylor rode in the Mexican war, Beneficial Society, Mount Zion Lodge, Humane Lodge, Mount Vernon Encampment, York Divi- sion, Brothers' Division, Nation's Hope, Section, Cadets of Temperance, Gettysburg band, United American Mechanics, United Brothers, Mr. Bland's School, Resolution Hose Company, Laurel Fire Company, and citizens.

During this ceremony and several days afterward, the Court House was draped in mourning, in honor of the distinguished

On March 6, 1861, two days after he re- tired from the presidency, James Buchanan stopped off in York on his way to his home at Lancaster. He arrived here on a special train, accompanied by the Baltimore City Guards. He was received at the railway

After the President's speech the Worth Infantry, a military company which had just been organized by Captain Thomas Ziegle, and the Pennsylvania Guards, commanded by Captain Motter, escorted the distin- guished party to the Washington House, station by a committee of citizens, the

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Worth Infantry and the York Rifles and es- gation of citizens and escorted in a barouche corted to the residence of Henry Welsh, Es- to the Washington House, where he took quire, on West Market Street, where he dinner and held a reception in the parlor. dined. In the afternoon he went to his home at Wheatland, near Lancaster, es- corted by the Worth Infantry.

Henry Clay, the distinguished orator and statesman, who served as speaker of the House of Representatives at Washington, and United States Senator from the state of Kentucky, visited York, as the guest of Charles A. Barnitz, who was a representative in Congress from 1832 to 1834. Clay was then in the height of his power and influ- ence in American politics, and later was twice the Whig nominee for President of the United States. While in York, he was called upon by his political friends, and made a brief speech from the balcony of the Washington House on East Market Street, and then returned to the national capital.

Daniel Webster, the greatest of American orators, visited York toward the close of his career as an American statesman. He was met by a delegation of citizens from York, at Baltimore. When he entered the train, he took a seat near the centre of a special car, where he sat in silent meditation until the train approached the state line between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Then he arose from his seat, walked to the rear platform, and when the train reached the state boun- General James A. Garfield, while dary, he said to his companions, "and that is James A. a member of Congress from the Mason and Dixon's line!" Upon returning to his seat, he spoke no further until he reached the station at York. He was then emiah S. Black. A few months after his in- escorted to the Washington House, where he held a reception and remained several hours. He was called upon by a large num- ber of citizens with whom he shook hands and greeted cordially, and made a brief speech.

Andrew Johnson, who was elected vice president with Abraham Lincoln in 1864. succeeded to the presidency in April, 1865. The following year, after he had broken away from his allegiance with the Republi- can party, President Johnson made a tour of several states of the Union. This trip is known to political history as "swinging round the circle." Johnson desired to know the attitude of the people toward him in the leading states of the Union. He left Wash- ington in a special train which stopped at York. He was met at the station by a dele-

After remaining in York several hours, he was driven to the train and departed for Harrisburg.

With the distinguished party who accom- panied President Johnson on this tour of the states, was General Ulysses S. Grant, who in 1868, was elected President of the United States, and re-elected in 1872. This was the only time that General Grant visited York. He was then serving as secretary of war in Jolinson's cabinet. It was about this time that General Grant was interested in fine horses. After the dinner hour, he vis- ited the residence of Erastus H. Weiser, a member of the bar, and with the latter went to see several fine horses in York. This his- toric visit occurred some time before the im- peachment of Andrew Johnson, when Grant was slowly breaking away from his firm al- legiance to the administration. He was called upon at the Weiser home and at the hotel by numerous soldiers who had fought under him during the campaigns of 1864 and 1865. Admiral Farragut, who had won fame and distinction as the greatest naval officer of American history, was a member of the presidential party on this memorable trip through York.

Garfield. state of Ohio, frequently stopped off at York to visit his friend, Jer- auguration as president of the United States, the train upon which he was travelling northward, halted for ten minutes at the Northern Central Railway station. A large number of people assembled at the station and, in answer to a call, the President, while standing on the rear of the car, made a brief speech, in which he referred to York as the capital of the United States during the dark- est days of the Revolution. The remains of President Garfield passed through York amid the tolling of all the bells of the town on the night of September 23, 1881. The Philadelphia Press, in referring to the passage of the body through York, said:

"The train conveying the remains passed through York at 8.33, followed half an hour later by the train conveying the distin- guished guests. Upwards of 10,000 people

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THE CITY OF YORK

the cars could be obtained. The bells of the town were tolled while the train passed through, and business of all kinds was sus- pended after 6 o'clock. The York Republi- can Club, five hundred strong, wearing badges of mourning, occupied a position along the railroad and strewed the track with flowers for several hundred yards, as the train conveying the funeral party ap- proached. Since the day Lincoln's honored remains passed through here, never has such a sorrowful demonstration been witnessed. The crowds stood sorrow-stricken. Crape and emblems of mourning were visible at every hand, while sadness and intense sor- row were depicted upon every countenance."

President Theodore Roosevelt,

Theodore by invitation of Congressman1 Roosevelt. Daniel F. Lafean, visited York October 4, 1906. He had been present at the dedication of the state capi- tol at Harrisburg, where he took part in the ceremonies and delivered an eloquent speech touching upon the great material re- sources and development, the business en- terprises and the historical importance of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The President arrived in York at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and was driven in an open car- riage up George Street to Centre Square, and from thence out Market Street to the grounds of the York County Agricultural Society. A platform had been erected and President Roosevelt addressed an immense audience, gathered from every section of York and adjoining counties. He paid graceful tribute to the growing prosperity of York and made special reference to the town as the seat of government during a part of the Revolution.

After remaining three hours in the city, as the guest of the people, he returned to Washington.

CHAPTER XLII BANKS AND MANUFACTURES

Early Banking Laws-State and National Banks-York as an Industrial Center- The Diversified Interests of the Present Time.

Early in the last century statutes of the different states allowed banks to be estab- lished for the issue of notes payable in spe-

were stationed along the railroad, occupying cie on demand. These banks were founded every vantage ground from which a view of under acts of the Legislature, which limited the liability of the shareholders. Banking then was quite free, and all individuals could carry it on, provided they pursued the re- quirements of the law. But under this sys- tem there was great fluctuation in value, which frequently produced bankruptcy and ruin. Between 1811 and 1820 a number of state banks went out of business. The in- flation of bank notes was remarkable be- tween 1830 and 1837. But just as the amount had increased, it decreased correspondingly during the following six years, till 1843, and this caused the ruin of many financial insti- tutions. Among them was the bank of the United States, the renewal of whose charter had been vetoed by President Jackson.

The loss in the value of stocks and prop- erty of all kinds was enormous and resulted in the panic of 1837. Another crash took place in 1857.

At the beginning of the war the paper money in circulation amounted to two hun- dred million dollars, of which three-fourths had been issued in the Northern States, and the coin in circulation amounted to two hun- dred and seventy-five million dollars. The early necessities of the national treasury in this trying period compelled the government to borrow money, and in this behalf, in Feb- ruary, 1862, Congress authorized the issue of United States Treasury notes, amounting to one hundred and fifty million dollars, and declared them to be legal tender except for custom duties and interest on the national debt. This action was taken after a full, if not a bitter, discussion of the question.

Its constitutionality was tested vigorously but unsuccessfully.

A premium on gold naturally followed, causing it to be drawn entirely from circu- lation, and this increased as the Treasury notes multiplied. Then the national bank- ing system was introduced to supply a cir- culating medium. This was created on Feb- ruary 25, 1863, and amended June 3, 1864, whereby a Bureau and Comptroller of Cur- rency were appointed in the Treasury De- partment, with power to authorize banking associations under certain provisions, for public security. The existing state banks were rapidly transformed into national banks under this system and their notes were withdrawn from circulation. The cur-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

rency of the country in this manner came Square and George Street. This vault was to consist of Treasury demand notes, which, placed there by the authority of Congress in 1865, amounted to four hundred and fifty for the use of the deposits of the United million dollars, and of national bank notes, States Treasury, from September 30, 1777, which approached the limit of three hun- to June 27, 1778, while Congress sat in York. dred million dollars. The latter circulated The money issued by the Province of Pennsylvania was paper money in the form of pounds, shillings and pence, in accord- ance with the English law. The silver money then in circulation was largely Spanish and English coins. as freely as the former, because their ulti- ·mate redemption was assured by the deposit of an adequate amount in United States bonds at the National Treasury. This sys- tem was found superior in the protection against loss which it afforded, but it could The establishment of the United States Mint in 1791 at Philadelphia, and the char- tering of the United States bank, under act of Congress gave rise to a circulating me- dium of American coin and American paper money. not prevent a financial crisis from sweeping over the country, especially when other causes, such as excessive manufactures and enormous losses from fire, contributed greatly towards the result.

Congress also authorized small notes for five, ten, twenty-five and fifty cents to be issued for the purpose of supplying the Banks. loss of the small denominations of coin money from circulation. This was commonly known as "fractional currency." It was all redeemed after the war.

The first currency money contrib- Banking at York. uted by the friendly King of France, in aid of the struggle for independence, was delivered in the year 1777, to Continental Congress, sit- ting at York; and the last money collected by the Confederate army of invasion as a tribute from any city in Pennsylvania, was paid in June, 1863, by the citizens of York. During the sittings of Continental Congress in the town of York, the finances of the forty-two banks. The County of York was struggling colonies were at a low ebb. The made a district with authority to establish a Treasury Department, bolstered by the re- bank.

ceipt of money from France, printed and is- sued in York (then styled Yorktown), about York $10,000,000 of Continental currency. Its Bank. value at the time of issue was almost thirty cents on the dollar, and its final redemption was prevented by repudiation.

The town of York existed for a period of sixty-four years before any financial insti- tution had been founded within its limits. In early days the large stores of the town contained small vaults in which money was deposited for safety. In the main, however, persons who owned coins, continental money or bills of credit issued by the state, kept them in their own houses for use as their demand required. There was a large vault in the building owned by Archibald Mc- Clean at the northeast corner of Centre no further meetings until September 13,

An act of Assembly, passed March State. 30, 1793, authorized the establish- ment of the Bank of Pennsylvania, with the main office in Philadelphia and the privilege of establishing branch of- fices in Lancaster, York and Reading, or such other places as might be deemed ex- pedient. The only branch offices established were at Lancaster and Pittsburg, until a supplement to the original charter incorpo- rating the State Bank, was passed March 8, 1809, at which time the State was divided into eight banking districts, each district to be allowed a bank. On March, 21, 1814, a banking act was passed by the General Assembly, authorizing Pennsylvania to be divided into twenty-seven districts with

This institution was founded under the banking laws of Pennsylvania. mentioned above, and was entitled "The York Bank." The first meet- ing of the board of directors was held Jan- uary 31, 1810, at the public house of Samuel Spangler, in the Borough of York. The minutes of the first meeting record these directors present : David Cassat, Henry Irwin, John Spangler, Godfrey Lenhart, William Nes, John Myers, Jacob Hay, Ja- cob Barnitz, Philip King and Jonathan Jessop; absent, Jacob Brillinger. David Cassat was elected president, and William Barber, cashier, pro tem. Discount days were established and a call for payment on capital stock was made. The minutes show

751

THE CITY OF YORK

. 1813, when, at a meeting of the board, it names of the directors when the York Bank was resolved that "it was expedient to re- became the York National Bank are the sume the operations of the York Bank," and following: Henry Welsh, A. J. Frey, Al- fred Gartman, Alex. Hay, Lewis Carl, John Rutter, John Evans, David Small, E. K. Ziegler, Samuel Small, William Danner, G. Edward Hersh, John E. Ziegler. The first dividend of four and one-half per cent. was made November, 1814, and since its organ- ization the bank has declared 185 dividends amounting to $2,954,210. a committee was appointed to secure a lo- cation for the banking building. It was not until March, 1814, that the bank was opened for business. This is explained by the fact that prior to 1814, there was no general banking law. Except in a few instances, banks were merely associations of in- dividuals acting together under published articles. These associations were author- The directors in 1907 are the following : Edmund Rutter, Smyser Williams, John C. Schmidt, Martin Bender, Grier Hersh, Henry Nes, Edwin K. McConkey, George Small, George W. Gable, Franklin P. Dietz, Henry W. Heffener, Francis Farquhar, J. J. Frick. ized by the act of March, 1814, which di- vided the state into twenty-seven banking districts. York County was entitled to one bank of $500,000 capital, but privileged to begin business when $5.00 per share was paid in, or $50,000. This act recognized the prior existence of the York Bank, as a spe- cial clause provided a method by which it could accept the provisions of the act. This it did, and after buying the lot of ground on the north side of West Market Street, near Beaver, on March 14, 1814, it received its first deposits. These jumped in six months from $790 to $80,000, and the notes issued by the bank from $2,400 to $135,000. In view of this, it is evident that York, as early as 1814, was a financial town of some importance.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 134

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372