History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 71

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 71

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the decade from 1849 to 1859 great strides were made, as the returns show for the cen- sus of 1860 the amount of 3,181,586 pounds in the State, an increase of 248 per cent in ten years; of this amount Lancaster County produced 63 per cent and has ever since re- mained in the lead. In the same year York County grew 695,405 pounds. The census of 1870 reports for the State 3,467, 539 pounds; Lancaster produced two-thirds of all and York County 527,809 pounds. The census of 1880 shows a production of 36,943,272 pounds in the State, or an increase of 965 per cent in ten years. Of this amount York County grew 5,754,766 pounds on 4,507 acres. The crop has gradually increased since that year. Experience has caused great improvement in the cultivation and curing of it. The average price of the crop of 1879 was 10 cents per pound, but the range of prices was from 5 to 15 cents, depend- ing on the skill exercised in curing and handling. The crop has increased from 10 to 25 per cent annually in York County.

Varieties Cultivated in York County .- The varieties of tobacco planted are the Connecti- cut Narrow Leaf, the Connecticut Broad Leaf, Hoover Leaf, Broad Leaf, Brooklyn Leaf, Valley Green, Kill Island, Glessner, Pennsylvania Seed Leaf, and during the past few years, the Havana Leaf. There are some other kinds named after individuals; whatever new kind is introduced, the dis- tinctive characteristics are soon lost, and must be renewed with fresh seed every few years. Owing to climatic influences, all va- rieties eventually change their characteristics to what is known as a Pennsylvania Seed Leaf. Cuban tobacco has frequently been tried without success. In some of the lower townships, within the past two years, it pro- duced and yielded very well. It is believed that stalks intended for seed should stand near each other, and not be scattered over a large tract. In that way they fertilize each other and produce prolific seed, true to the original variety. A southern exposure, fac- ing the sun, is always preferred for a seed bed, and the same plant bed can be used sev- eral years in succession. The bed is prepared about April 1st, and the plants ready by the 1st of June. It is believed that early cut tobacco cures into a light color, because the juices dry out more rapidly, and the late-cut cures darker because it cures more slowly. For this reason much tobacco is planted after 10th of June.

Preparation of Ground .- Grass lands are preferred by some when plowed down in the

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Fall; some prefer land on which corn was grown the year before, and thus avoid more the troublesome cut-worm. As a rule, any land that will produce wheat or corn, will grow tobacco. Sod or clayey soil should be manured in the Fall before plowing. To- bacco ground cannot be made too rich. According to circumstances from eight to twenty loads of manure to the acre is neces- sary. Well-rotted barn yard manure is pre- ferable for tobacco to all other fertilizers. Tobacco buyers do not now take kindly to artificial fertilizers. They claim that stable manure produces a pure white ash, other fertilizers do not. Custom demands that quality now.

Planting .- When the ground is ready it is thrown into ridges three and a half to four feet apart, and the plants placed on indenta- tions or "hills" twenty-two to twenty-eight inches apart. Plants should have four leaves, and the plants three or four inches across. Some farmers prefer planting on dry ground and watering the plant, which is costly. Most tobacco is planted immediately after a rain. The rootlets of the plants should be spread out and not squeezed together.

Cultivation. - The cultivation is a great care, and needs the closest attention. The disastrous cut-worm sometimes plays sad havoc which necessitates replanting. The shovel-plow is run twice between each row. The hoe is used for making near approaches to the plant and to pulverize the large clods near it. The utmost care is demanded while the plant is small. When the danger of the cut-worm has ceased the next great enemy is the tobacco worm. As the tobacco of this State is used almost entirely for cigars, the greatest care is necessary to prevent the rav- ages of this insect. No definite plans have been devised to rid a patch entirely of them, so hand-picking is resorted to. Poisons to kill the moths have been used, but not with- out some degree of danger. The hunting of the worms two or three times a week becomes necessary.

Topping and Suckering is the next work. Topping is done as soon as the blossom bud makes its appearance. Some top when the desired number of leaves have appeared. If the top is pinched out it will cause less bleeding than by cutting. Dry weather is unwelcome as topping comes on. If such weather occur, the process should be deferred. Most topping is done too high, and too many leaves left on the plant. This is owing to the cupidity of the grower. When this is done a season of drought produces "foxy"

tobacco, as it is termed, Topping after a warm soaking rain is most advisable.

Cutting the Crop .- This is an important work and needs to be understood. Some years ago farmers let the plant get fully ripe. The careful grower has several ways of deter- mining maturity. When the leaves assume different shades of color and become brittle and break when turned over easily, the plant has matured and should be cut. Of late years much tobacco has been cut when on the point of ripening. This tobacco cures with a darker shade, and is preferred by some. Fashion, as it were, sometimes demands a dark shade, which can be produced by early cutting. It is considered imprudent to cut immediately after a rain, as the gum or resin secreted by the numerous hair-like glands is dissolved and in a measure washed off.

The hanging of tobacco, housing, stripping and bulking, preparing for market and pack- ing are all important parts of the process which need to be carefully understood. Space will not permit to discuss them here.

Does Tobacco impoverish the soil ?- Scien- tific agriculturists now assert that tobacco, though a voracious feeder, does not make heavier drafts on the soil than other farm crops. No soil in York County, even in the river districts, has been worn out by it, after twenty years of continuous raising. It is even asserted that the land where it is culti- vated is growing richer. Where careless farming prevails the case might be different. Tobacco stalks themselves are excellent ferti- lizers. They should be thrown on manure piles or plowed under. Yard scraps are now used by experienced raisers with great suc- cess. A few plauters are accustomed to throwing a handful of hen manure wherever a plant is set. It has a tendency to burn the tender plants, especially during a dry season. Phosphates suit some soils, but are considered objectionable by tobacco buyers.

Physical Features .- South-eastern Penn- sylvania is peculiarly adapted to the growth of tobacco, for which reason the culture of it is destined to increase in York County. It being a profitable crop, is another reason for the increase. Our county has some of the best soil in the State for tobacco. Me- sozoic sandstone of the upper end of the county by proper fertilization produces an excellent quality. The alluvial soil along the streams is admirably adapted, the lime- stone of the center and the eozoic chlorite slates of the lower end are noted for their strength and durability. The depth of the soil varies in different places, but they re-

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spond freely to manurial applications, whether natural or artificial, making it well suited for tobacco. The statement for many years made that the limestone land produces a finer quality of tobacco than any other, is somewhat discredited. The white ash, so desirable in the cigar, is due, it is claimed, to the mode of farming and curing. The quality of tobacco sometimes depends on the season ; at times the best and purest kind grows on sandstone soil. The moist atmos- phere that prevails along large streams, the numerous fogs, the low-lying situations, and the rich, alluvial deposits of soil, make the river sections especially fruitful of this valuable product. Island lands are there- fore valuable. The climate is well suited. The summer heat is prolonged late in autumn, and frosts rarely occur before October in this county, giving ample time for the tobacco to mature, even though some is planted as late as July.

The Cigar Industry .- No other single in- dustry employs so many persons in York County as the manufacturers of cigars. In certain sections whole communities are al- most entirely dependent upon it for a liveli- hood, and in those places a depression in the trade is a cause of great inconvenience. Many millions of cigars are annually made. The rapid increase of tobacco culture has stimulated this allied industry. It must be considered beneficial in this respect, that it affords employment to many people.

THE YORK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The project of forming an Agricultural Society in York County, was first considered at a public meeting held in the court house on November 22. 1851, the object of the society being, "to foster and improve agri- culture, horticulture and the domestic and household arts." The first regular meeting of the society was held January 5, 1852, at which officers and managers were elected. The first exhibition was held October 5, 6 and 7, 1853, on the Public Common in the Borough of York, and resulted in a net profit of $3,000. The second exhibition was held in 1854, and resulted in a loss, the re- ceipts not covering expenses by $110. No exhibition was held in 1855, in which year the present location was purchased, origin- ally containing but seven acres and fifty-one perches, but which has gradually been en- larged by purchase, so that at this time fourteen acres are enclosed. The cost of the original tract was $2,057,24, the value of the present $50,000. Since 1855, with the exception of the years of our civil war, viz .:

1861, 1862, 1863 and 1864 (during part of which years the grounds were used by the government, and troops were quar- tered on them), annual exhibitions have been held, up to the present year (1885), which marks the 28th, and now the society distributes in premiums and expenses annu- ally about $6,000. The following gentlemen have been president : John Evans, Esq., from the organization of the society, to the date of his death, early in the year 1876 ; Dr. W. S. Roland, for the years 1876, 1877, 1878 ; Prof. S. B. Heiges, for the year 1879 ; Michael Schall, for the years 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884 and 1885. The fol- lowing have been secretaries : Dr. W. S. Roland, from the organization to 1876; Hon. A. H. Glatz, 1876-79; E. Chapin, Esq., 1880- 85. The following have served as treasurer: William Wagner, 1852-55 ; Charles Weiser, 1856-58 ; George A. Heckert, Esq., 1859-83; W. S. Roland, 1883 and 1884; Charles S. Weiser, 1885.

The profits of the exhibition have always been expended in the improvement of the grounds and buildings, and now this organ- ization can boast of as compact and well arranged ground as any similar organiza- tion in the country, and is free from debt. The race track is but one third of a mile in circuit, which is the only objection to the present site. Unfortunately the grounds are surrounded by streets and roads, and it is nearly impossible to secure the additional land which seems necessary for the future use of the society. The influence of the society has been abundantly manifested, and the advantages offered by the so- ciety, have been profitably appreciated by the farmers, as is evidenced by the improved grade of stock now held by them over those used and kept thirty years ago; and in im- proved methods of farming. The annual exhibitions not only furnish the exhibitor the means of calling attention to new labor- saving methods, fertilizers, farm machinery and stock, but also serve as an annual re-un- ion, as it were, of friends and relations, who meet and discuss questions mutually inter- esting, arising out of past experiences in farming. The attendance has always been large, and on Thursdays of Fair week, the citizens of the borough always expect the streets to be crowded. Various estimates have been made of the usual crowds on that day, from 13,000 to 22,000. The great suc- cess of the exhibitions of this society are largely due to the efficient and active inter- est taken by John Evans, Esq., who for a quarter of a century was the president of

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the corporation. A large exhibitor himself, he never accepted a premium, although hun- dreds of dollars had been awarded him by the judges.

HANOVER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Hanover Agricultural Society was organized in September, 1884, by electing Stephen Keefer, president; R. M. Wirt, vice president; M. O. Smith, secretary; Joseph G. Keagy, treasurer. The directors, includ- ing the president and vice president, were William Boadenhamer, W. C. Stick, H. Y. Sprenkle, George Bowman, David Newcomer, H. J. Lilly, George A. Long, L. P. Brockley and E. H. Hostetter. Twenty-eight acres of land were purchased to the right of the York Road, adjoining the borough limits, at a cost of $275 an acre; including land, build- ings and all needed improvements the amount expended by the association was $15, - 000. In 1885 two acres of the land were sold.

In the early part of June, 1885, an exhi- bition was held under the management of W. C. Stick. On this occasion there was a large attendance of people.

The regular annual fair was held in Sep- tember of this year (1885).

It is thoroughly believed that this fair will be of inestimable value to the rich agricul- tural section around that interesting town. For many years Hanover has been known as a prominent place for the purchase and sale of fine horses.

At a recent election John R. Bittinger, A. Schmidt, J. H. Schmuck and H. W. Parr have been elected directors to fill positions of those who retired.

EDUCATIONAL.

THE founder of the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was an ardent advocate of schools and education in general. The class of settlers, who represented the Society of Friends in this county, established schools soon after the settlement was formed. They were kept in the meeting houses at first. The Quakers deeply cherished the thoughts and opinions of their great prototype, William Penn. Among the many circular letters he sent to them, one contained the following forcible sentences: "Nothing weakens king- doms like vice. It is the enemy of wisdom

and religion. If we would preserve our government, we must endear education to our people. The government is a trustee for the youth of the kingdom." The intelli- gent Friends, some of whom were prominent in the administration of affairs at the time of the first settlement of this county, filled the desires of Penn by encouraging education.

The Scotch-Irish, who by nature were an educating people, also brought the church and school with them. Parochial schools. similar to those established in Scotland dur- ing the latter part of the seventeenth century, were organized here.

The first German churches also had paro- chial schools, yet no systematic effort was made to improve the schools among the Ger- mans in Pennsylvania until 1751, when Michael Schlatter was sent to this country on that mission and did noble work. A plan was laid by some noblemen of Europe, for the instruction of the Germans and their descendants in Pennsylvania; consequently, through the efforts of Rev. Muhlenberg on the part of the Lutherans, and Rev. Schlat- ter on the part of the German Reformed peo- ple, parochial schools were very early estab- lished in this county and State. These schools continned in force until the present century.

In addition to these parochial schools, private schools were established in places remote from churches or meeting houses.

SOME EARLY SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.

The names of some of these early teachers and schools are mentioned elsewhere, and frequently appear in the township history. Rev. John Andrews, an Episcopal clergyman, · afterward provost of the University of Penn- sylvania, at Philadelphia, beginning about 1770 and continuing during the Revolution- ary period, taught in York the first classical school west of the Susquehanna River, an important fact in history, and like the Rev. Mr. Dobbins, who opened a similar school in the Marsh Creek settlement, Gettysburg, was a gentleman of great force of char- acter. Both these schools were then in York County, Adams not being separated un- til 1800. While Andrews eagerly taught the rising generation of the better class of people in and around York to con the pages of Latin, Greek and the higher mathematics, Dobbins was doing a noble work for the Scotch-Irish of Marsh Creek. The former trained the minds of many of the early lawyers of the York bar, and some of the early clergy. At least sixty of Dobbins' pupils became profes-

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

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sional men, and twenty became ministers of the gospel. Rev. Andrews removed from York; Rev. Dobbins died in this county, his remains were interred in the Lower Marsh Creek burying ground near the town of Gett- ysburg, and the old stone building known as the "Dobbins property", in which he taught, is still standing in the suburbs of the town. These were representative men, who labored zealously and earnestly among our ancestors, to mold the facile minds of the young, in those early days, that they might become the ideal prototypes after which they were created.

The teachers of York County, in its early history, especially of the rural districts, were varied in character and ability. They re- mained longer, however, in one locality in many instances than teachers now do. Thomas Garrettson taught twenty-three years in succession, at the Newberry Friends' meeting house, in a school kept up by that denomination. He was a mild-mannered, genial gentleman, who generally controlled the boys by moral suasion, and his influence was long felt and not yet lost to tradition. William Underwood, the first clerk of the Warrington Friends meeting, was also the first teacher in that section, beginning in 1740. Zephaniah Underwood and his brother, Elihu, were men of equal merit and influence among the Warrington Quakers, before and during the Revolution. John Peter Streher taught the children of the first emi. grants to Dover Township in 1758, and after. An educated German, Ludwig Kraft, as early as 1744, began twenty years of continuous work among the early settlers on the banks of the Codorus, at York, when the town contained less than three hundred inhabitants. His school was organized by the celebrated Mich-, ael Schlatter. Rev. David Candler, who organized the "Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Conewago Settlement" (now Hauover), taught a school in his log church and school- house, as early as 1738, near the present site of Hanover. After his death in 1744, John Frederick Wildbahn became the instructor of the youths of that settlement. He also ministered to the spiritual wants of the first German settlers of the community. Bar- tholomew Maul, from 1735 to 1770, taught the early Lutherans in York.

Among the Scotch-Irish, from the time of their emigration, schools were established and supported. The oldest one known was in the First Presbyterian Church, then a log building at the Union of Scott's Run with the Muddy Creek. It was in operation before 1750. Schools were supported and consider-

able advancement made, at the Presbyterian churches of Guinston, Chanceford, Round Hill and Center. A classical school was opened at the Slate Ridge Church during the latter part of the last century. It was taught by the pastor. Among the pupils were the following persons, who afterward became dis- tinguished American citizens: U. S. Sena- tor James Ross of Pennsylvania; Judge Hugh Brackenridge, and the late Senator Rowan, of Kentucky.

Jacob Goering, who became a Lutheran clergyman of rare ability and power, was born of German parents in Chanceford Town- ship in 1755, upon attaining his manhood, be- came a successful teacher in his own district.

The people of Hopewell tell many a quaint story of "Jimmy" McCandless, the poet, fiddler, justice and schoolmaster, known throughout the entire "lower end", three- fourths of a century ago. "Jimmy" Cabot, of the village of Liverpool, was a similar personage about the same time. Lawrence Frost was a successful teacher in "Newberry meeting" long before the Revolution. Elisha Hammond and Isaac Kirk, before 1800, taught at Lewisberry; Hervey Hammond, the son of the former, and Jacob Kirk, the first county superintendent, and the son of the latter, both followed in the footsteps of their ancestors, and were noted teachers of the same vicinity. John MeLaughlin, in 1810, taught the first purely English school in Han- over, partly on the Lancastrian plan. The old Monaghan Church, now the Dillsburg Presby- terian church, had a parochial schoolhouse connected with it, which in 1809, was a very old building. In 1783, John Beals, was a teacher of this school, and was followed by William Bowman. Samuel J. Kirkwood, now the distinguished ex-cabinet officer, under President Garfield and ex-governor of Iowa, taught in Hopewell Township early in life. The old school house of Jefferson is still in existence, as is the one at Stone Church near by, erected in 1788. The follow- ing advertisement, published in 1771, illus. trates that all teachers were not exemplary characters.

RAN AWAY, a servant man, who had followed the occupation of a schoolmaster, much given to drinking and gambling. One cent reward is offered.

Well authenticated tradition speaks of many knights of the rod and ferrule, who held power by "switch suasion" in different localities during the early history of our county. To another class the following quotation, from one of the world's greatest poets, would apply:

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"Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way, With blossomed furze, unprofitably gay, There, in his noisy mansion skilled to rule, The village master taught his little school. A man severe he was, and stern to view; I knew him well and every truant knew; Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace The day's disasters in his morning face; Full well they laughed with counterfeited glee At all his jokes, for many a joke had he; Full well the busy whisper, circling round, Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned. Yet he was kind, or, if severe in aught, The love he bore to learning was in fault; The village all declared how much he knew- 'Twas certain he could write and cipher too; Lands he could measure, terms and tides presage, And e'en the story ran that he could gange. In arguing, too, the parson owned his skill, For e'en, though vanquished, he could argue still; While words of learned length and thundering sound,

Amazed the gaping rustics ranged around; And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, That one small head could carry all he knew. But past is all his fame. The very spot Where many a time he triumphed is forgot,"

BOOKS USED AND MODES OF TEACHING.

In the primitive days our history among the Germans and in their parochial schools, books, imported from their native country, were used. About 1800 and later, many of the German susbcription schools were taught by Scotch-Irish and English Quaker school- masters. The schools, under the direction of the "Friends' monthly meetings," at. Warrington and Newberry, were regularly kept up for three-fourths of a century, and had a good record. The kindly persuasive manner and the gentle dispositions of these good old teachers of the past, are still deeply cherished in the minds of some of the old citizens of the neighborhoods in which they taught. How carefully they tried to con the inviting pages of Webster's, Comly's, Cobbe's spellers; Emerson's, Pike's, Park's and Daboll's arithmetics; Murray and Kirkham's grammar; the English Reader and the Intro- duction; frequently the New Testament, any history of the United States, or history of any country that might chance to have found its way into the scanty library of the early settlers. The competitive spelling match always gave rise to much interest, and taught the early youths the whole of the speller, possibly much better than spelling is now taught in many schools. There always was a great rivalry in attempting to acquire a knowledge of this art, and he or she who was the "best speller " in a community, was a local hero or heroine, as great in import- ance to the immediate vicinity as Washing ton to the nation at large. Teaching the spelling of words, without understanding their meaning, is of little value, consequently

outside of the emulation it brought about and the amusement it afforded, the value derived may not have been great.

There always was great rivalry in the study of arithmetic, and often a healthy spirit of emulation was inculcated. To go "through the book," and have all the " sums " copied, in a large book, specially prepared for the purpose, before any other schoolmate could do it, was considered a meritorious victory. Thus the one who could " cipher the best " in a community, was a person for whom there was much admiration. Until the invention of steel pens, and for several years after this event, in this section the quill was the com- mon instrument of writing. Metallic pens were unknown, and it was an important item for a teacher to know how to make a good quill pen. It is now one of the lost arts, but if we are to judge from the appearance, neat- ness and accuracy of some of the writing of our ancestors, done by a quill, in contrast with much writing now done with the metalic pen, it is a pity that quill-pen-making is a lost art. An attractively executed old docu- ment has come into the hands of the writer. It contains all the problems of an old Eng- lish arithmetic, copied carefully and sys- tematically on old style paper, made in book form. If Elihu Underwood. who executed this book in the year 1769, at the school ad- joing the "Warrington meeting-house," was not a local hero, he ought to have been con- sidered one. His father, Zephaniah, for many years a famous teacher among the Quakers during the Revolutionary period, and Elihu Underwood became one of the first trustees of the York County academy in 1789.

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 71

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104