USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania > Part 13
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seized Cook and after a short and fierce struggle in which the captors only saved themselves by pinning Cook's arms so he could not draw his revolver with which he was armed. Cook was carried to Chambersburg jail, and there detained until the arrival of the re- qusition from the Governor of Virginia. On the way from Chambers- burg to Charlestown, a stop was made at the Washington House in Hagerstown and there the wretched man, a mere boy in appearance and stature, real light hair and delicate features, dirty, ragged, swearing and trembling, was exhibited to a large crowd of people who had assembled, and who were astonished at his miserable ap- pearance, especially as he was supposed to be a man of great cour- age. Cook was a native of Connecticut, the son of respectable parents who had educated him for the law. Having no taste for the study, he abandoned it and took to roaming over the country. We hear of him as a book agent in the autumn of 1859, announcing himself as I. Steames; inviting all the negroes to join an insurec- tion against their masters, collecting supplies in a school house near Harpers Ferry, etc. He was one of the chief assistants to John Brown.
His family had lost all trace of him until his connection with the dreadful outbreak at Harpers Ferry was announced. Governor Willard of Indiana was his brother-in-law, and loyally supported him in his distress, procuring as his counsel, to defend him at his trial, Mr. Daniel Voorhees, whose eloquent appeal to the jury for mercy brought tears to the eyes of every one in the audience which filled the court house. He was however convicted and hanged.
JANE AND ELIZABETH IRVIN
Archibald Irvin and Mary Ramsey inherited the old Irvin home- stead and the Irvington Mills on the west branch of the Conococ- heague, a short distance from Mercersburg. The elder of the two daughters by the marriage was Jane and the younger, Elizabeth.
Nancy Ramsy, a sister to their mother, married John Sutters- land, an Englishman who lived in Ohio, near the home of General William Henry Harrison, at North Bend. The Irvin's visited their aunt, Mrs. Suttersland in Ohio, where they met the sons of General Harrison, William Henry and John Scott. The result of these meet- nigs was that William Harrison, Jr., came to Irvington Mills in 1824 to wed Jane Irvin. She was mistress of the White House in 1841. At that time her sister Elizabeth was only 14 years old. Eight years later she married John Scott Harrison, in Ohio. In 1888, Benjamin. Harrison, the oldest son of Elizabeth Irvin Harrison, became Presi-
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dent of the United States. Jane was one of the most beautiful and most gracious women who ever presided over the White House. Elizabeth's daughter writes of her mother thus: "I felt I could not do as well as some others, as I was only a child when she died. I remember her as an angel in our house, a devoted wife and mother. I have never heard her spoken of in any other way."
JAMES BUCHANAN
James Buchanan the 15th President of the United States, was the second child of James Buchanan of County Donegal, Ireland. In 1783, when 23 years old the elder Buchanan came to Philadelphia and after a few months became a clerk in the store of John Toms, at Stony Batter, at the foot of the North mountains, near Mercers- burg, Franklin County, Penna. Five years afterwards he was in business for himself at the same place. He was a shrewd business- man, with a good English education and a knowledge of men that kept him from being deceived in his trading. His place of business was a good one, here people from the west brought their products to exchange for salt, cloth and many other things that older com- munities could not furnish for their needs. These articles were brought on wagons from Baltimore, and after the exchange at Buchanan's place were put on pack horses for the trip across the mountains.
In 1788 the young merchant married Elizabeth Speer, whose home was at the foot of the South mountain, between Chambersburg and Gettysburg, and for eight years they lived at Stony Batter. At that place the future President was born and here he spent the first five years of his life. They then moved to Mercersburg where the father started a store which, like the former venture at Stony Batter, prospered greatly, and continued to increase until the mer- chant's death, in 1821.
After James, the younger, had received a fair English education, probably from his mother, he attended a school in Mercersburg where he was taught Latin and Greek. The first term he was a student of divinity under the Rev. Jno. King and Jas. R. Sharon, the next, Mr. McConnell and after him Dr. Jesse Magaw, who later married young Buchanan's sister.
In the fall of 1807 the young student was sent to Dickinson College. He soon fell into mischiveous ways that prevailed among the student body but naturally being a hard student, he kept up his college work. However, he tells of an incident that made a lasting impression on him. While sitting with his father one Sabbath morn- ing his father opened a letter just received, read it, and with down-
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cast look, handed it to his son and left the room. The letter was from Mr. Davidson, Principal of Dickinson College, and stated that, but for the respect they had for the father they would have expelled his son James. Having endured to the end of the term, they could not receive him again, and wrote to the father to save him mortifica ยท tion of having the son sent home. Young James was greatly mortifi- ed but soon resolved upon what to do. He betook himself to the great spiritual leader of the community, the Rev. John King, trustee of Dickinson, and a man of great influence in the country. Dr. King lectured the boy, and on condition he gave his word to behave better at college, promised to intercede for him. As a result, young Buchanan returned to college and applied himself with such diligence that he was put forward by his society as a sure winner of the first of two honors granted by the school. He however believed that his society was entitled to both honors and had another candidate put up with him. But the authorities gave first honors to his opponents and second honors to his colleague leaving Buchanan out entirely. They gave for their reason that it would have had a bad effect to give an honor to a student that had shown so little regard for the rules of the school as young Buchanan had shown. This so incens- ed his friends that they were willing to refuse to take part in the commencement exercises; but he would not allow them to do so, in fact after receiving a kind letter from the faculty, he himself took part.
The young student returned to Mercersburg where he remained until December 1809, when he went to Lancaster to study law with Mr. Hopkins. Although a diligent student, he describes this period of his life as the time when he studied hardest. He says: "I studied law, and nothing but law. I, almost every evening, took a lonely walk and embodied the ideas I had acquired during the day in my own language." He was admitted to the bar in November 1812. The second war with Great Britain had just started, and naturally his first speeches were on questions arising from that struggle. His first public speech to the people was made just after the British tock Washington in 1814, at a meeting called to adopt measures to hurry volunteers to protect Baltimore. He was one of the first to enlist, and his company under Major Charles Sterrett Ridgely, was the first of many from Pennsylvania to go to the defense of that city. He remained in Baltimore until honorably discharged. In October, 1814, he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature. At this time Philadelphia was threatened and the chief business of the Legis- lature was to provide for its defense. From his father at Mercers- burg, Buchanan received many letters, at this time, in which the
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father expressed fear that his election to office had taken the son from his law studies and practice at the wrong time, hoped the young man would merit the approbation of his neighbors and above all to merit the esteem of heaven.
Buchanan was returned to the Legislature in October 1815, but at the end of that session he left it to take up his law practice again, but he was not destined to remain long out of the public eye.
About that time the young lawyer became engaged to Miss Anne C. Coleman, daughter of Robert Coleman, a wealthy resident of Lan- caster. She is described as having been a singularly beautiful and attractive young woman. After the engagement had existed for some time in the late summer of 1819, Miss Coleman wrote Buchanan saying that it was her desire that he release her from it and of course, he did so. On the 9th of December, while she was on a visit to Philadelphia, Miss Coleman suddenly died. She was buried a few days afterward in Lancaster. Her lover was broken hearted, and in a tender letter to the father asking to see the body before the burial, he hints that both she and himself had been victims of the malice of others. It is a shameful commentary on the methods of partisan politics of the time at which this incident occurred that malice should have found its way into campaign documents but such was the case. The estrangement of lovers has never been a strange or unusual oc- currence; but the coming of death at such times, as in this case, makes a tragedy such as to throw its shadow over Buchanan's long and useful career.
In 1820 he was sent to Congress. He first took part in a debate in January 1822, defending an attack on Calhoun, Secretary of War. and was sharply answered by John Randolph, of Roanoke. For a new member he took part in many discussions. In 1826 Mr. Buchan- an made a speech on the position of the house in appropriating money to defray the expenses of a Panama commission that brought from Mr. Webster the compliment that "The gentleman from Pennsylvania has placed the question in a point of view which cannot be improved. At this time he also made his first declaration in congress on the slavery question. He denounced it as a great political and moral evil, and thanked God that he had been reared where it did not ex- ist. Being one of the most influential Jackson leaders in Pennsyl- vania, President Jackson, in the summer of 1831, appointed him minister to Russia. In March he left Lancaster by stage for Wash- ington by way of Baltimore, and on the 8th of April set sail from New York for Liverpool, which place he reached after a voyage of 25 days. After his arrival at St. Petersburg he wrote to Jackson and spoke of the cold climate, the short summer nights, the manner of
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building and heating the houses, and adds : "Foreign ministers must drive a carriage and four with a postillion and have a servant be- hind decked out in a more green dress than our militia generals." This style was not suited to his democratic taste.
The chief object of his mission to Russia was to conclude a com- mercial treaty with that country. Against him were all the leading men of the court except Count Nesselrode who became his friend at the first, but even with his help it was no easy task to overcome the opposition. It was with great satisfaction therefore, that, the American minister learned from the Emperor at a levee in December that the treaty would be concluded.
Polk chose Buchanan as Secretary of State, and President Pierce made him minister to England. Owing to the condition of European politics his official life in London was full of vicissitudes, but his social life was enjoyable. His niece, Miss Harriet Lane, had joined him in the spring of 1854 and her letters home are radiant with descriptions of receptions, personages and costumes. Already the Democrats of his own State were putting him forward for the Presi- dency and at the convention at Cincinnati, without an organized effort on the part of his friends, he was easily nominated without pledge or promise. The first three years of his administration were spent in trying to allay the bitterness engendered by many years of political strife, while the last months were spent in dealing with one of those crises which are beyond human guidance. By his enemies his administration has been bitterly attacked, and it has been most ably defended by his friends, but he never doubted that the ultimate judgement of his countrymen would do him justice. When his term of office expired, he retired to his estate "The Wheatlands," which is near the city of Lancaster, and had been his home for many years. Here he enjoyed the letters and companionship of his many true friends. At this time he prepared and had published a defense of his administration. He had planned an elaborate autobiography but owing to the infirmities of old age it was never completed. He was a man of impressive appearance, over 6 feet tall, broad shouldered and somewhat stout. His eyes were blue, one near and one far sighted, which caused a habitual inclination of the head to one side.
He was fond of the society of men and women, and was popular at social gatherings. Reared by pious parents, he was all his life a Christian man, but not until September 1865, did he become a church member. He then united with the Presbyterian church of Lancaster
He died June 1st, 1868, of rheumatic gout and was buried at Lancaster June the 4th. The funeral sermon was preached by his
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friend and spiritual advisor John W. Nevin, D. D., President of Franklin and Marshall College.
Mr. Buchanan had inherited his fathers business ability and left an estate valued at $300,000. Little of this was from his salary as President for while in office he insisted on paying manv bills that Presidents do not usually pay. He also paid the expense of enter- taining the Prince of Wales although he was really a national guest. Surely as people of his native State, we should be proud of the cour- age, strength and ability of him who was Pennsylvania's greatest. statesmen under the Constitution, Franklin county's most noted citizen, and Mercersburg's most noted son.
KING SHINGAS .- INDIAN
King Shingas, as he was called by the whites, but whose proper name was Shingask, which is interpreted, Bowmeadow, was the great- est Delaware warrior of his time. Heckeweider, who knew him per- sonally says, were his war exploits all in record, they would form an interesting document, though a shocking one. Conococheague, Bigboor, Slearmens valley and other settlements along the frontier, felt his strong arm sufficiently to prove that he was a bloody warrior-cruel his treatment, rentless his furry. His person was small but in point of courage and activity, savage prowess, he was said never to be exceeded by any one. In 1753 when Washington was on his expedi- tion to the French on the Ohio-(Allegheny), Shingas lived where Pittsburgh now is, but in 1756, had his house at Kittanning.
CAPTAIN JACOBS .- INDIAN
Captain Jacobs was dauntless and reckless. When Col. Armstrong fought the Indians at Kittanning in the summer of 1756, Captain Jacobs with some warriors took possession of his house in Kittanning, defended themselves for sometime, and killed a number of men. As Jacobs could speak English our people called on him to surrender. He said, that he and his men were all warriors, and they would all fight while life remained. He was again told that they should be well used if they would surrender; and if not, the house should be burned down over their heads. Jacobs replied, that he could eat fire.
JACK ARMSTRONG
On the South Penn branch of the railroad running from Cham- bersburg to Richmond is a little town called Williamson. A few miles from this town in a meadow along a back creek is a stone and some
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old foundation of a house which was supposed to be the cabin home of Jack Armstrong.
Jack Armstrong, was known as "Captain Jack," the "black hunter," the "black rifle," the "wild hunter of the Juniata," the "black hunter of the forest," and was from Franklin county. He entered the wilds of the Juniata, built himself a cabin and lived by hunting and fishing. One evening when he returned from his sports, he found his wife and children murdered and his cabin burned. From that time on he forsook civilized life, lived in caves, and protected the frontier settlers from the Indians, asking no reward but the gratitude of those whom he rescued. "Jack's Narrows," a narrow passage of the Juni- ata through Jack's mountain, below Huntingdon, was named after him.
The story is told of the little settlement of Concord, in Con- cord News, that the families were surprised at one time by the Indians and they thought all was lost when suddenly from the dark rang loud and clear a shot. It so scared the Indians that they ran away.
JOHN ARMSTRONG
John Armstrong, of Carlisle, after his daring achievement at Kittanning, was of continued service to the frontier settlements during the French and Indian war, and in the Revolution he rose to be a major-general. He was at Fort Moultrie, and commanded the militia at Brandywine and Germantown. He served twice in the Continental Congress.
THADDEUS STEVENS
Thaddeus Stevens was born in Vermont. He made shoes, taught a country school, and graduated at Dartmouth College before he came to Pennsylvania, as assistant teacher in the academy at York. Stepping from teaching to law, he began to practice at Gettys- burg. He rapidly rose to distinction, and was sent to Harrisburg as a law-maker. He took no prominent part in the passage of the free school law except to vote for it. But when its repeal was threaten- ed, he defended it with all his matchless logic and eloquence, and won the day against determined opposition. In honor of its author, the speech was beautifully printed on silk by some free school friends in Reading, and proudly kept by him until his death. He performed great services for the nation later on, but he himself always regard- ed his successful defense of free schools in Pennsylvania as the greatest achievement of his life. In 1841 he removed to Lancaster, where he was elected to Congress in 1848. He served in that body
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fourteen years, dying in Washington in 1868. He was one of the boldest and ablest statesmen who sustained the Union in its hour of peril. He was a sincere and consistent friend of the colored race. He ordered in his will that his body should not be buried in a cemetery where the color line was drawn. He served in Congress when he ought to have been at home enjoying the twilight of his life; for during his last year he was daily carried in a chair to his seat.
Thaddeus Stevens although living very little in the Cumberland Valley owned Caledonia Furnace and a property connected with it. He spent most of his time in Gettysburg and Harrisburg. When the Confederates under Lee came through Chambersburg they burned the Furnace in order to retaliate for the injuries Thaddeus Stevens did their cause .- He made many anti-slavery speeches. An old house standing by the bridge at Caledonia was his office and the station house marks the site of his blacksmithshop. During the Buckshot war he had won an acknowledged position as the most formidable debator and perhaps the greatest orator at that time in public life in Pennsylvania. The Harrisburg Telegraph speaks of him at this time as a "giant among his pigmy op- ponents." It was during this time that he began the railroad from Gettysburg to his Furnace at Caledonia. This road was never finished on account of financial difficulties but the bridges are in use today by the Western Maryland Railroad. Because it was so crooked it was humorously called the "Tape Worm Road."
JOSEPH RITNER
Joseph Ritner, (December 15, 1835-January 15, 1839) was the third Governor born in Berks county. His father was a German farmer and, like most farmer boys of his day, Joseph received but a meager education. When a young man, he removed to Washington county, where he engaged in farming. By the force of his mental vigor, he soon proved himself a useful man in his new home, and the people honored him with a seat in the Legislature. He served six years and rose to the position of Speaker. As the successor of Wolf, he became the guardian of a precious legacy-the common school law; and he handed it down to posterity without the loss of one jot or title. At the end of his career as Governor, Ritner retired to a farm near Mount Rock, Cumberland county, where he died at the ripe old age of eighty-nine. President Taylor, in 1848, appointed him Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, but a favorite of Fillmore suc-
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ceeded to the office soon afterwards. The following are the opening lines of a poem by Whittier on Ritner's message of 1836: "Thank God for the token! one lip is still free,- One spirit untrammelled .- unbending one knee!"
WILLIAM FINDLAY
William Findlay, second son of John Findlay and Agnes Brownson, was born on the " old Findlay Farm" near Mercersburg in 1768 and proved a very bright man. It was the family's intention to send William to college, but financial loss to his father, caused by fire, changed this intention. William read and studied, however, and like the other sons, became well educated and competent. On De- cember 17, 1791, he married Nancy Irwin, daughter of Archibald Irwin, the family connected with Irwin's Mill and the Harrison line. The young couple began married life on part of the home farm, which part was willed to him on the death of his father, in 1799. As a young man he became a followerer of Mr. Jefferson's political school and an ardent Democratic-Republican. His first public office was as Major of Militia. In 1797 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, then sitting in Philadelphia. He (not yet thirty years of age) was one of the youngest members. In 1803 he was re- elected to the House. The capital was then temporarily located in Lancaster. William Findlay was the author of a proposal to locate the capital permanently at Harrisburg, and although the bill did not pass at that time, it did later and the seat of Government was moved to Harrisburg in 1812. In 1807 Mr. Findlay was elected State Treas- urer. He resigned from the House and filled the new office until 1817, being annually elected for eleven years. During his official service as Treasurer the second war with Great Britain was fought. The dis- turbances at large and some poor legislation in the state flooded the state with faulty paper money. In spite of the greatest care about $700 of this money found its way into the State Treasury which Mr. Findlay insisted upon making good from his own funds. This act coming to the notice of the Legislature, they voluntarily refunded the money to him. In 1817 he was a candidate for Governor against Gen. Joseph Hiester and was elected by about 7000 majority. His political opponents tried to annoy him by calling for an investigation of the State Treasurer's office. He remained Governor until 1820, when he was defeated by Gen. Hiester. While visiting in the old home in Franklin county he received word that he had been elected to the United States Senate for the full term of six years. His brother John was at the same time in the National House of Representatives. After his term in the Senate he was appointed by President Jackson,
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Treasurer of the Philadelphia mint. This position he held until 1841, when he desired to lay down the burden of public service and spend his last days quietly. He therefore resigned, spending the remaining days of his life with his daughter Nancy, wife of Governor Francis Rawn Shunk, in whose home at Harrisburg, he died, November 12, 1846. During his term as Governor the old capitol building was be- gun, and its corner stone was laid by him. His portrait is in Inde- pendence Hall. He loved the Presbyterian church and lived and died as a Christian citizen. A third brother, James, went west and helped in the founding of Cincinnati, then a frontier fort. A younger broth- er, Jonathan, helped to erect the State of Missouri-making his home at Kansas City. This was a very noted and prominent family in Franklin county.
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CHAPTER X. PROGRESS SINCE CIVIL WAR
S INCE THE CIVIL WAR, Now more than half a century ago, this far famed valley has made progress in every way. The population of the valley was: Cumberland county, 1860- 40,098; 1870-43,912; 1910-54,479; Franklin 1850- 39,904; 1860-42,126; 1910-59,775; Washington county, Md., in 1910-48,671. The population of the valley now is 162,925.
While many of the cities and towns of the valley have made remarkable advances in population as well as enlightenment and wealth, Waynesboro, Hagerstown, Chambersburg, Shippensburg, Carlisle, Mechanicsburg and Lemoyne have more than doubled in population.
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