History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 139

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

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In 1855 the society purchased seven and one-half acres of land at a cost of $2,507, now covered by the southeastern section of York. Some years later the limits were extended to embrace fourteen acres. An- nual exhibitions have been held every year since 1855, with the exception of four years of the Civil war, during part of which years the grounds were used by the government and troops were quartered on them.

The following named persons have been presidents: John Evans, from the organi- zation of the society to the date of his death in 1876; Dr. W. S. Rolland, 1876-1878; S. B. Heiges, 1879; Michael Schall, 1880-1886; William S. Roland, 1887-1896; John H. Wo- gan, 1897 to date.

The following have served in the office of secretary : Dr. W. S. Roland, from the or- ganization to 1876; A. H. Glatz, 1876-1879; Edward Chapin, 1880 to date.

The following have served as treasurer: William Wagner. 1852-1855; Charles Wei- ser 1856-1858; George A. Heckert, 1859- 1883; W. S. Roland, 1883-1884; Charles S. Weiser, 1885-1894; Charles H. Mayer, 1895; Jacob M. Smyser, 1896-1899; Charles H. Mayer, 1900-1902; Charles H. Dempwolf, 1903 to date.

As showing the growth of this society, the total receipts from its exhibitions an- nually since 1878 have been: 1878, $6,078 .- 20; 1879, $5.946.66; 1880, $5.667.75; 1881, $6,036.81 ; 1882, $6,075.30; 1883, $7,632.75; 1884, $7.630.45; 1885, $5,816.80; 1886, $7,- 842.60; 1887, $6,246.80; 1888, $8,519.92; 1889, $17,921.43: 1890, $17,258.26; 1891, $12,790.98 ; 1892, $13,404.52 ; 1893, $10,857 .- 80; 1894, $14,024.07; 1895, $11,822.25; 1896, $9.951.20; 1897, $14, 187.03; 1898, $15,639 .- 24; 1899, $11,877.40; 1900, $16,019.75; 1901, $18,475.15 ; 1902, $19,600.75 ; 1903, $16,375,- 75; 1904, $24,303.65.

The project of forming the Agricultural Society. York County Agricultural The profits of the exhibitions have al- ways been expended in the improvement of the grounds and buildings. The influence Society was first considered at a meeting held in the Court House, November 22, 1851. The ob- of the society has been abundantly mani- ject of the society was "to foster and im- prove agriculture, horticulture and the do- mestic and houeshold arts." The first exhi- bition was held October 5, 6 and 7, 1853, on the Public Common and resulted in a

fested, and the advantages offered by the society have been appreciated by the farm- ers, as is evidenced by the improved grade of stock now held by them over those used and kept fifty years ago. The annual exhi-

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bitions not only furnish the exhibitor the means of calling attention to new labor sav- Cathcart. ing methods, fertilizers, farm machinery and stock, but also serve as an annual reun- ion, as it were, for friends and relations to meet and discuss questions mutually inter- esting, arising out of past experiences in farming. Meisenhelder, John Weist and Thomas L. The hospital was formally opened April 28, 1881. For several years members of the York County Medical So- ciety gave treatment to patients at the hospital without , cost. The directors suc- ceeded in raising $2,000 for the support of the hospital and on June 27, 1881, the State Legislature appropriated $7,000 for sup- porting and equipping it. At a meeting of directors held in 1900 it was decided to en- large the institution and increase its accom- modations. In a short time they raised $20,000 by subscriptions and life member- ships and secured a state appropriation. Fortunately the hospital grounds were large enough to erect a substantial new building which was finished in 1902. This building and furnishings cost $70,000.

The growth of the city of York drove the Agricultural Society from its cradle, in the southeastern section of the town, directly across the compass to the northwestern section. Pursuant to a lively contest over the location of the new grounds, the mem- bers of the society voted in 1887, by a large majority, to purchase the Smyser farm, con- taining seventy-four acres, in West Man- chester Township, adjoining the present city boundary line, for the sum of $29,300. Immediately work was begun to adapt it for the uses and purposes of the society, and sixty acres were enclosed whereon the many buildings were erected.

The York County Agricultural Society has prospered since its organization. The annual exhibitions are awaited with eager expectation by many thousands of people in York County, as well as other counties in Southern Pennsylvania, and the adjoin- ing counties of Maryland. The attendance is very large and the display of implements of modern construction, farm products, as well as the exhibition in the other depart- ments, equals that of any other society in the state of Pennsylvania. The president of the United States was an honored guest at the annual exhibition in 1906, and delivered an eloquent speech to one of the largest audiences that ever assembled in York.

The old hospital was turned into a nurses' home. In 1903 the State Legislature ap- propriated $28,000, one-half of which was to be used for building purposes and the balance for the maintenance of the hospital, at the rate of $7,000 yearly. In 1905 an ad- ditional appropriation of $30,000 was ob- tained, $12,000 for building purposes and the balance for the support of the hospital, at the rate of $9,000 yearly. A. B. Far- quhar has been unceasing in his devotion to the interests of this institution and has contributed liberally to its support. Miss D. Jeanette Copeland is superintendent and Dr. William H. Treible, resident physician. The board of directors for 1907 are the fol- lowing: A. B. Farquhar, M. D. Martin, John C. Jordan, C. H. Bear, P. A. Small, Dr. J. S. Miller, George S. Billmeyer, J. A. Dempwolf, Dr. M. J. Mckinnon. A. B. Farquhar is president of the institution; A. H. Raber, secretary ; William R. Horner, treasurer.

The York Hospital and Dispen- Hospital. sary was founded through the beneficence of Samuel Small, Sr. The need of such an institution had been The York Benevolent Asso- discussed by the York County Medical So- Benevolent ciation originated in the year Association. 1875. This society has ren- dered important services in ministering to the wants of the needy. The late Samuel Small served for a long time as president of the organization and gave lib- erally towards its support. David Fahs, who died in 1904, for a period of thirty years, devoted much of his time looking after the interests of the poor of York, who needed help. Through his wise direction ciety. Mr. Small's attention being called to the subject, he purchased for $6,500 the property on College Avenue, near the Co- dorus Creek, which was used as a hospital until a new building was erected in 1902. A charter of incorporation was obtained on January 14, 1880, and in accordance with the provisions of this charter, nine direc- tors were elected, viz: Samuel Small, Sr., Dr. W. S. Roland, Frank Geise, Jere Carl, E. G. Smyser, David E. Small, Drs. E. W. the Benevolent society distributed provi-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

sions, clothing, wood and coal to many sold. The area of Prospect Hill Cemetery needy families during the coldest weather in 1907 was nearly 100 acres. of the winter.

The following board of officers was

Soon after the cemetery was opened many bodies were removed from the grave-

elected by the York Benevolent Associa- yards on North Beaver Street and the one tion for the year 1907: President, Samuel back of Zion Reformed Church. The bodies Small; vice president, John M. Brown; in the large cemetery on South Duke Street secretary, Theodore S. Glatfelter; treas- were also removed to Prospect Hill. The urer, William R. Horner; board of remains of Philip Livingston, a signer of the managers, John M. Brown, George Ka- Declaration of Independence, from New ble. J. A. Dempwolf, David R. Saylor, T. York, who died June 12, 1778, while attend- S. Glatfelter, J. O. Drawbaugh, F. S. Zinn, ing Congress at York, were removed from the church burying ground on West Mar- Strack, A. F. Wedekin, William R. Horner, ket Street to Prospect Hill Cemetery. His descendants in New York State erected a marble shaft with appropriate inscriptions. Under this shaft the dust of the illustrious patriot of the Revolution now rests in Pros- pect Hill. The tombs of Jeremiah S. Black and General William B. Franklin, two dis- tinguished citizens of York County, are found in this cemetery.

William Small, P. H. Amig, Charles A. George S. Schmidt, Clarence E. Eisenhart, George P. Schaszberger. J. O. Drawbaugh was re-elected collector for the association. Prospect Hill Cemetery, situa- Prospect Hill. ted on elevated ground, over- looking the city of York, was originated in 1849. In the fall of that year, William A. Wilt, Samuel Wag- ner, Henry Small, George King and John Stahle, trustees of the First Reformed Church, of York, purchased five and a half acres on the west side of the Harrisburg turnpike and laid off a portion of the land into lots. The original burying place of the congregation was to the rear of Zion Re- formed Church on West Market Street. The same congregation had a graveyard on North Beaver Street, near the railroad. All the land in these two burial places was taken up.

A memorial chapel near the entrance to the cemetery was erected by Martin S. Eichelberger, a member of the York County Bar. The board of trustees of this ceme- tery in 1907 are the following : Israel Laucks, president; M. L. Van Baman, sec- retary; P. F. Wilt, treasurer; James A. Dale and J. T. Kopp.

The York Board of Trade, a body

Board composed of representative bank-

of ers, merchants and manufacturers

Trade. of the city, was organized January In 1851 the burial place along the turn- pike was incorporated as Prospect Hill Cemetery by the trustees of the Reformed Church. The first tract of land bought, orig- inally belonged to the estate of William Jones, a noted Quaker. As more land was needed the cemetery company purchased other tracts. To the west of the cemetery lay the Willis farm, containing a beautiful spring and partly covered with a dense growth of native trees. The delightful shade around the Willis spring was a resort in early days for school picnics, Fourth of July celebrations and many social gather- 1886. Captain W. H. Lanius was elected president, John F. Thomas, vice president : John C. Schmidt, secretary; Charles H. Dempwolf, corresponding sec- retary ; William H. Jordan, treasurer. The board met regularly for a period of fifteen years to discuss measures relative to the business and manufacturing interests of the city and improved railroad facili- ties. The first object obtained by the Board of Trade was the construction of a railroad from York to join the Western Maryland at Porter's, five miles southeast of Hanover. Other beneficial results fol- ings. This farm was purchased from the lowed from the deliberations of this body, heirs of Penn by William Willis, one of the one of the most important of which was first Quakers to settle at York. It was the Sesqui-Centennial celebration in 1899, owned in turn by his son, John Willis, and to commemorate the one hundred and fif- his grandson, Samuel Willis. After the tieth anniversary of the organization of death of the latter, the cemetery company York County. The inducements offered by the York Board of Trade influenced the bought the entire farm, a part of which was

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erection of a large number of manufacturing in York, July 4, 1876. There was a paean establishments between the years 1886 and of all the bells in town from midnight until 1900. I o'clock a. m. Then followed huge bon- fires and a brilliant display of fireworks Merchants' Association. and the roar of guns and cannon. The streets were thronged with people and at daybreak music filled the air. York was beautifully decorated and the fire companies excelled all former displays in tasteful and elaborate decorations. At 6 a. m. a vast concourse of people witnessed the raising of a large American flag on a pole erected in Centre Square. In the afternoon a parade of military companies, firemen and various orders, in all 5,000 men, passed through the leading streets, escorted by bands dis- coursing patriotic music. Captain Frank Geise was chief marshal and his aides were Major H. S. McNair, George W. Heiges, John Blackford and Horace Keesey.

The Merchants' Association of York was organized Jan- uary 14, 1878, in the chamber of Common Council on South George Street, by the election of J. Frank Gable, president; C. A. Geesey, secretary ; A. H. Lafean, treasurer. A charter of in- corporation was obtained June 5, 1899. This association was organized to protect the business interests of its members, who were prominent merchants of York. The association became a vigorous body and began to take an active part in discussing needed improvements in the city. A num- ber of prominent merchants were members of the committees which planned the Ses- qui-Centennial of York County in 1899. The laying of asphalt pavements and a sys- tem of cleaning the streets were discussed by the association and improvements urged. In some respects this association has acted in the capacity of a board of trade and many of the measures which it has advocated have been carried into effect by the city councils. An interesting event is an annual banquet, which is largely attended by representative business men. In all its well directed efforts the Merchants' Association has endeavored to promote the public good of the city.

Municipal League. The Municipal League of York was organized at a public meet- ing held in the High School building January 17, 1907. A. B. Farquhar was chosen president : George S. Schmidt, vice president ; Rollin Z. Hartz- ler, secretary : George P. Smyser, treasurer ; Captain W. H. Lanius, John V. McCauley, Samuel Small, Sr., Rev. Clinton E. Walter, William A. Froelich, executive committee.

The objects of the league as given in the constitution and by-laws are to induce citi- zens and taxpayers to take an active and earnest part in municipal affairs; to devise and advocate ways and means for the im- provement of York: to sustain and encour- age faithful performance of public duty and progressive management of city govern- ment.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.

The Centennial of our existence as a na- tion was celebrated amid great enthusiasm

Following the parade commemorative exercises were held in Centre Square, on the site of the Court House in which Con- gress met during the Revolution. Rev. Dr. Lochman delivered the opening prayer ; the Haydn Quartette, composed of H. Gipe, M. L. Van Baman, Henry C. Pentz and B. F. Thomas, sang "A Hundred Years Ago:" Fitz James Evans read the Declaration of Independence, and Hon. John Gibson read an historical sketch of York County. In the evening the people again assembled in Centre Square and listened to a grand chorus, led by Prof. Gipe, the reading of a poem, "One Hundredth Birthday," by E. Norman Gunnison, and an oration by George W. McElroy. A splendid exhibi- tion of fireworks on the fair grounds ended the day's celebration.

An event of special interest and Borough importance was the one hun- Centennial. dredth anniversary of the in- corporation of York, cele- brated September 24 and 25, 1887. with im- posing ceremonies. On that occasion 30,- 000 visitors were in attendance. The town was filled with people. Public buildings, stores and private houses were decorated with flags, evergreens and bunting, and the anniversary day was ushered in by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon. During the forenoon 3,000 school children marched in procession through the princi- pal streets. The boys wore uniform caps and the girls were dressed in white. They

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

were reviewed from a stand in Centre opened with a meeting held in the audito- Square by Governor James A. Beaver who, rium of the York High School on Sunday, September 3, presided- over by Rev. H. E. Niles, D. D., when the religious history of the county was discussed by Rev. James Drummond and Rev. W. S. Freas, D. D. at the close of the parade delivered an ad- dress. He was followed by Deputy Super- intendent of Schools Henry Houck and W. H. Shelley. Five hundred young ladies, on a large platform, sang several patriotic selections. During the noon hour the in an address of welcome by M. B. Gibson, chimes of Trinity Church played national airs as well as sacred music.

The celebration was formally inaugurated chairman of the general committee, on the morning of September 4, at the York Opera House. The purpose of this meeting was to listen to an historical review of the city and county. Rev. Dr. E. T. Jeffers, presi- dent of the York Collegiate Institute, pre- sided. Addresses were delivered relating to the three classes of people who composed the original settlers of York County. Hon. John W. Bittenger spoke of the Germans; Robert C. Bair, of the Scotch-Irish, and George R. Prowell, of the Friends or Qua- kers. This part of the exercises was fol- lowed by an oration on the early history of York. by H. C. Niles and an original poem by William M. Gamble. In the afternoon of the same day the people witnessed a pageant composed of nearly 5,000 school children, marching to a flag raising in honor of the dedication of the York High School building, which had just been completed. Addresses were delivered by E. D. Ziegler, member of Congress from York County ; Charles H. Stallman, president of the school board, and Captain Frank Geise, mayor of York.

In the afternoon there was a parade of the military, Grand Army of the Republic, fire- men and secret orders. In all there were 2,000 men in line, while thirty bands and drum corps furnished the music. Colonel Levi Maish was chief marshal. His aides were Major Ruhl, Captains Fals, Grena- wald and Reynolds, Dr. Mckinnon, Thorn- ton Hendrickson, Daniel Fishel and Ste- phen Wilson. After the parade the gov- ernor held a reception in the Opera House and in the evening there was a brilliant dis- play of fireworks on the Public Common. The succeeding day there was a parade of Odd Fellows, Red Men, American Mechan- ics and a long succession of floats, repre- senting business houses and manufacturing establishments, followed by an illustration of farming as it was conducted 100 years ago and at the time of the celebration. When the parade ended the Hon. Chauncey F. Black delivered an oration in the Opera House, and then Judge Gibson read an his- torical sketch of the town. The exercises closed by singing "A Hundred Years Ago." The greatest concourse of people ever assembled in York, possibly not less than Sesqui- Centennial. 100,000, witnessed the industrial parade on the second day of the celebration. This in- cluded one hundred and sixty-eight floats, The celebration in 1899, of the Sesqui-Centennial, or the one hundred and fiftieth anniver- sary of the erection of York County, was one of the most interesting besides the large number of men represent- events in the history of York. The plan ing the industrial establishments and large corporations. The civic parade on the suc- ceeding day was no less imposing, about one hundred and twenty-five compan- ies and secret organizations of various kinds being in line. The people of York, and par- ticularly those who had assumed the task of preparing for the four days' demonstra- tion, could justly congratulate themselves upon the successful outcome of their labors. Centre Square was decorated with four triumphal arches, one of which was placed at each street. They were built in classic style of architecture and were forty feet wide, thirty feet high and twelve feet deep, originated with the York Board of Trade, and at a meeting of citizens held May 13, 1899, a general committee was appointed, composed of Milton B. Gibson, president ; George S. Billmeyer, treasurer ; Houston E. Landis, secretary, and M. L. Van Baman, Isaac Rudisill, J. Frank Gable, S. M. Mani- fold, Captain W. H. Lanius, Grier Hersh, John Garrety. H. E. Powell, Dr. E. T. Jef- fers, H. C. Niles. R. F. Gibson, George W. Gross and William A. Froelich. This com- mittee decided to hold a four days' demon- stration in the city of York on September 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. The ceremonies

H.B.BEARD& CO.

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THE CITY OF YORK

so that they could be seen at a great dis- tance. Between the arches in each angle of the square were two heroic columns, sup-

stuck full of flags. These arches and col- umns were connnected by means of electric wires, hung in festoons and provided with electric lights, which were placed on the arches in such a manner as to show their principal outlines at night. The scene at night, when the several thousand lights were lit, was very impressive and delighted the people. The whole arrangement well deserved the name of "Court of Honor," and it was the principal feature of all the decorations of the city. It was designed by Reinhart Dempwolf, who also designed the arches for the York Gas Company, the York Bank and those at the intersection of Market and Newberry Streets and Market and Penn Streets, all of which were deco- rated with bunting and flags and were lit up at night. The arches were generally constructed of wood and covered with mus- lin which, in the case of those in the square, was covered with a thick whitewash to give it more the appearance of stone. This por- tion of the work was done by Watt Brothers & Company.

On January 1, 1901, the Twen- Twentieth Century. tieth Century was ushered in by the citizens of York with enthusiastic demonstrations. About 10 o'clock on New Year's eve, watch night services were opened in many of the churches and continued until 12 o'clock midnight, when crowds of people assembled in Centre Square. When the hands of the town clock in the steeple of Christ Luth- eran Church pointed to the hour of twelve, cannon at the soldiers' monument in Penn Park fired a salute and all listened to the music of the bells in church spires, factories, towers and fire engine houses. Just as the sound of the bells was dying out, one by one, the City Band marched into the Square and played patriotic airs. Be-

PUBLIC PARKS.

When the town of York was laid out by porting Corinthian capitals and globes, the heirs of William Penn in 1741, lands were reserved on both sides of the Codorus for public purposes. These tracts were known in early history as "The Com- mons," and during the first half century of the history of York, these tracts were pub- lic pasture grounds for cattle, sheep and other animals belonging to the inhabitants. The tract west of the Codorus was sold, and an area containing twenty acres, east of the Codorus, was retained by the proprietors of Pennsylvania. In 1816 these public lands were deeded to the borough of York as the Public Common.

During the time that Continental Con- gress held its sessions in York, an entire regiment was encamped here, and at other times during the Revolution detachments of soldiers passing through the town on the way to the army, frequently pitched their tents underneath the shade of the native trees which covered part of this Common. In 1842 the part fronting on George Street was sold, leaving the area of the Public Common about fourteen acres. It was

used as a camping ground for 7,000 soldiers in the fall of 1814, when the British threatened Baltimore during the second war with England. In the days of militia laws, when all able-bodied citizens were required to go through the manual of arms four times a year, the Public Common was used for company, battalion and regimental drills. What was known to that interesting period as the " Big Muster " included the drill and discipline of several hundred untrained sol- diers who followed their occupations during the remainder of the year.

The Public Common was frequently used as a place for circuses and other traveling shows for more than half a century, and in October, 1853, the first exhibition of the York County Agricultural Society was held upon it. During the early part of the Civil fore the band arrived, Company A, of the War, it was a place of rendezvous for sev- Pennsylvania National Guards, fired a eral regiments, where they were organized, trained and drilled before being sent to the Army of the Potomac. From 1862 to 1865 the northern part of the Public Common number of volleys. In obedience to the request of city councils, houses were il- luminated in honor of the new century, and there was a magnificent display of fire- was utilized by the United States Hospital. works.

Barracks had first been erected in the fall

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of 1861 for the Sixth New York Cavalry, in memory of the patriotism, valor and which wintered here. Later a hospital was erected and near the centre of this group of government buildings stood a chapel for religious worship. Rev. J. A. Brown, after- wards president of the Lutheran Theo- logical Seminary at Gettysburg, was chap- lain. In this hospital from December, 1862, to June, 1865, over 14,000 sick and wounded soldiers of the Union army were cared for by the surgeons and nurses, employed by the government for that purpose.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 139

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