USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > History of the city of Altoona and Blair County : including sketches of the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. > Part 18
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IHISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
BOROUGHI OFFICERS.
The town of Hollidaysburg was organized into a borough, by or- der of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Huntingdon county, in the month of August, 1836, under the aet of Assembly approved April 1, 1835, and became subject also to the provisions of the act of As- sembly of April 3, 1851, by order of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Blair county, July 24, 1854. The first election for borough offi- eers was held on the 13th day of September, 1836, and the following gentlemen were elected : Burgess, Dr. James Coffey ; town council, Joseph Reed, John Walker, William MeFarland, D. Mitchell and S. F. Henry; constable, Simon Brotherline.
THEIR FIRST MEETING.
The burgess and town council held their first meeting on Tues- day, September 20th, and made the following appointment of borough officers: town clerk, Alexander McCormick; (now a citizen of Al- toona ;) treasurer, James McCahan; assessor, Peter Hewit, esq .; assistant assessor, John Mitchell; street commissioners, Col. Samuel Smith and John Dougherty; street regulators, James Craw- ford, esq., C. Garber, esq., and Col. John Bingham ; firemen, John Irwin, Samuel Frampton, esq., James Clossin and Abraham, Brown; collector, James Clossin.
The office of " street regulator " has been for years abolished. It was the duty of these officers to superintendent the grading of the streets. This was an important matter. Hollidaysburg had in it many ugly " washes" and gullies; these had to be filled and hills cut down and a proper grade established. Allegheny street had in it a good sized gully or wash-out, which continued itself down through what is now the lot of Moses Brown; in some places' it was eight or ten feet deep, and proportionately wide at the top.
HOW MONEY WAS PROVIDED.
The borough had little or no money in the treasury, and the ques- tion of raising funds became an important one. All that was wanted, or asked for, was fifteen hundred dollars, and with this modest sum the borough eonneil, assisted by their honest board of regulators, pro- posed to accomplish the work. It was proposed that a loan be taken of the citizens, but the subject of issuing the bonds of the borough was not broached or, perhaps, thought of. The liberal minded citi- zen was invited to deposit a sum in the treasury, and as an evidence of this obligation a certificate was given him, which was to be used
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
by him, or the holder, in the payment of taxes. The ordinance was adopted in June, 1837, and the certificate was in the following lan- guage :
" HOLLIDAYSBURG BOROUGH LOAN.
" This is to certify that there is due to bearer from the Burgess, Town Council and citizens of the Borough of Hollidaysburg ONE DOLLAR, bearing an interest, re- deemable in the payment of taxes, by virtue of an ordinance passed by the Town Council, June 19, 1837.
JAMES COFFEY, Burgess."
These borough notes were printed on brown or yellow paper, and were called "shinplasters," and passed current with the merchants and dealers in the town and vicinity. It is said that some of the hon- est old farmers became indignant and disgusted when it was at- tempted to circulate this sort of money amongst them, but their dark visaged countenances brightened, and finally radiated with a broad grin, when it became evident that they would bring a pound of coffee, or a quart of whisky as quickly as the gold or silver. These " shin- plasters " must have been popular, for since the earliest recollections of the writer the streets of Hollidaysburg have been finely graded and well paved.
RAILWAY FROM PHILADELPHIA TO PITTSBURG.
As early as 1836 the feasibility of the construction of a contin- uons line of railway from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, and over the Al- leghenies without incline planes, was earnestly and enthusiastically discussed. Accordingly a large "Railroad Convention" was called to assemble at Hollidaysburg, on Tuesday the 24th day of January, 1837. The convention was in session two days. It was composed of delegates from Westmoreland, Indiana, Cambria, Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata counties. The delegates from Huntingdon county were Gilbert L. Lloyd, Dr. J. H. Dorsey, John M. Owens, James Henderson, David MeMurtrie, David Blair, G. W. Russ, William McFarland, Thomas B. Moore, Dr. H. V. Bramwell, J. S. Weisling, Samuel Calvin, Maxwell Kinkead, Edward Bell, D. Buoy, W. R. Hampson, Peter Hewit, John Cresswell, Sr., A. P. Wilson, James A. MeCahan, Samuel Royer, Henry Divine, J. Bingham, Dr. James Coffey, S. F. Henry, Anthony G. Stewart, Robert Lowry, A. Mc- Cormick, S. Frampton and Thomas J. Kennedy.
A committee was appointed to prepare a memorial to the Legisla- ture and an address to the people of Pennsylvania. A. P. Wilson, Samuel Calvin and John Bingham were of this committee for Hun- tingdon county. Strong resolutions, favoring and predicting the great importance and utility of the project, were adopted. It was resolved that the convention was firmly and decidedly convinced
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
HOLLIDAYSBURG SEMINARY. A BOARDING SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES.
HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA. W. P. HUSSEY, A. M., PRINCIPAL.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
of the perfect practicability of constructing a continuous railroad, without incline planes, from Harrisburg, through the valley of the Juniata, and along the Blackliek, on the western side of the monn- tain, and passing through Westmoreland county to the waters of the Sewiekly, Youghegheny and Monongahela, to Pittsburg; that the route passes through the richest mineral regions of the Common- wealth ; that Pennsylvania was anxious to secure the large trade of the west by the construction of one continuous railroad on the short- est and best route, and passing directly through the middle of the Commonwealth; that this route was demanded by the increasing trade which passes between the eastern and western waters. A com- mittee on finance was appointed, consisting. of James A. McCahan, Peter Hewit and Dr. James Coffey. Before adjourning, a resolution was unanimously adopted returning the thanks of the convention to . "the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, in Hollidaysburg, for the polite manner in which they have given to the convention the use of their commodious building.'
NOTABLE STORMS AND FLOODS.
On the morning of the 19th of June, 1838, the town was visited by a terrible storm and food. The rain began to fall about midnight, and continued, in unceasing torrents, until about six o'clock in the morning. The waters descended furiously in every direction from the high grounds, in immense columns, until all that portion of Gaysport lying between the railroad and the river was covered with a wild and almost irresistable flood. The Juniata had risen about fourteen foet above its ordinary level. The water in the dwellings near the river had risen as high as from four to five feet. This terrible flood did much damage to the canal between Hollidaysburg and Huntingdon, amounting to about half a million of dollars. Joseph Kemp, still a resident of Hollidaysburg, and Henry Lloyd, who died a few months ago in Pittsburg, were at the time connected with the Pilot Line Transportation company, and being in Gaysport during this event- ful night, endeavored to make their escape on a porch. The frail craft broke in pieces, and their fate was for a few moments in- tensely critical. Their escape from drowning was miraculous. A woman, named Mrs. Barrick, and two young children, whilst attempting to escape, were drowned. The store house of Chambers & King was wrenched from its foundation and borne down the stream ; the building was erushed against the viaduct and the entire stock of goods lost. Their loss was estimated at $5,000. John 14
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Bouslough, a merchant, lost much of his stock ; also, John Culbert- son lost merchandise and furniture ; John Keim, a grocer, lost almost his entire stock ; Peter Boyles lost a large new stable; John Barr had his furniture damaged and a fine library destroyed; the paint shop of Mr. Egbert was carried away; Mr. A. Ennis lost furniture, books and shingles; the Baltimore and Pittsburg line lost a new stable ; Hewit & McComb lost several small houses; Mr. Samuel Sharrer lost considerable material used in boat building ; and Mr. Charles Hughes' brick yard and a large stock of brick were destroyed.
The town was again visited with a terrible and destructive freshet October 7, 1847. The rain began falling on the previous day, and by three o'clock on Thursday afternoon the water was over the banks of the river and some three or four feet deep in the buildings nearest the stream in Gaysport. The store house of James R. Pat- ton, the barber shop of Snyder Carr, the office and store building of Justice Smith, Herron's blacksmith shop, the tailor shop of William Charlton, and a warehouse belonging to S. J. Royer & Co., were carried off. Serious damage was done to the canal, and the farmers along the river lost heavily.
FORMATION OF BLAIR COUNTY.
Perhaps no event in the history of the people of Hollidaysburg was the subject of so much interest, and fraught with so much im- portance as the erection of the new county of Blair, to be composed of parts of Huntingdon and Bedford counties. These counties op- posed the measure in season and out of season, and did everything to thwart the wishes and purposes of the ambitious and spirited people of Hollidaysburg. But, notwithstanding, the leading citizens of the town and vicinity labored most earnestly and zealously for the ac- complishment of this great and laudable object. The division of the county had been agitated as early as 1839, a meeting for the consider- ation of this project having been held in the Methodist church on the 21st of January of that year. Christian Garber, a progressive and influential citizen of that day, was president of the meeting. Wil- liam Williams, Peter Cassiday, Dr. James Coffey, Peter Hewit, John Walker, Samuel Calvin, esq., and Edward McGraw, were appointed a committee to determine the proper bounderies for the new county proposed, and draft petitions, and have the same printed, and after procuring signers forward the same to the Legislature. But their ef- forts were not crowned with success until February 23, 1846, when the bill greeting the new county was approved by Governor Shunk.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
The citizens of "old mother" Huntingdon were considerably exer- vised, and the people of the new county were exultant. Hollidays- burg, of course, became the county-seat, and the first sessions of court were held in the Methodist church. The commissioners leased of John Mahony a one-story stone tenemant house, which, after having the windows covered with iron bars, was used for a jail. When a prisoner wanted to make his escape he would have himself committed to the "dungeon," from which he could easily "bore" through the wall.
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
The Washington Greys, the first military company ever organized in Hollidaysburg, was the pride and boast of the town. It was or- ganized October 5, 1839. Maj. Wm. W. Williams was captain; Dr. J. A. Landis, first lieutenant, and Hon. George R. McFarlane, second lieutenant. The best citizens of the town were in the rank- and carried muskets. They were provided with uniforms, and the people boasted that their's was one of the best drilled companies of the State.
Hollidaysburg was pleased and delighted with a military encamp- ment for the first time, during the week commencing on Monday, the 18th day of October, 1841. The companies in attendance, in addi- tion to the Washington Greys, were the Bedford Artillery, Captain Reamer ; the Independent Greys of Bedford, Captain Arnold: Cam- bria Guards, Captain William A. Smith ; Williamsburg Light In- fantry, Captain MeKiernan, and the Union Cavalry, Captain Bell. They were encamped on the beautiful flat north of the town. known then, and for many years since, as the " Race Course." The field is now owned by Col. William JJack. Maj. William W. Williams, of the Washington Greys was in conunand. and Maj. Talliaferro, of Bed- ford, second in command. On Thursday the ladies gave a grand and sumptuous dinner to the richly uniformed troops. The table was spread in what was known as Market square, and extended from near Wayne street to Union, a distance of one hundred and sixty-five feet. It was loaded with all the delicacies the country afforded. After the soldiers and the large concourse of citizens and strangers had par- taken to their hearts' content of this bounteous repast, "three times three hearty cheers were given to the ladies of Hollidaysburg, fol- lowed by as many salutes, and appropriate music by the bands in at- tendance." The generous and noble conduct of the ladies on this occasion was spoken of in terms of the highest praise and commenda- tion. The troops were reviewed and inspected by Major Washa- baugh and General Compher, of Bedford.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
A grand military encampment was held in the town, commencing October 11, 1843. The affair seemed to absorb public attention for the time being. Even the great and mighty questions involved in the political campaign then pending were forgotten, and the town, espe- cially the female portion of it, was in a whirlpool of excitement. Preparations were made on a grand scale for the entertainment of guests, and the following hotels were in readiness, and entertained to the entire satisfaction the large number of strangers that thronged the town for a week : The People's House, by William Donaldson ; American House, by J. M. Hewit; Washington Hotel, by Captain Joseph Hammer ; Exchange, by D. H. Moore; Juniata Hotel, by Col. J. R. Johnston; United States Hotel, by JJohn Dougherty; Temperance Hotel, by Mrs. Stackpole, in Gaysport ; Gaysport "Inn," by John Law; Perry Hotel, by William Barr, and the "Boarding House," by Gideon Marlett. The camp was located on the beautiful slope of the Jackson (now Smith) farm facing Hollidaysburg, and was named Camp Warren. Seventeen companies, and as many bands, were in attendance, well uniformed, fully equipped and profi- cient in drill and discipline. These were divided into two regiments, numbered the First and Second. Captain R. C. Hale was elected colonel of the First regiment, and Captain William W. Williams, of the Greys, was made colonel of the Second, and A. L. Holliday was elected quarter-master of the brigade. Col. Williams was a gal- lant looking officer-military from crown to foot. The following companies were in camp: Union Cavalry, Captain Bell; Lewistown Artillery, Captain Porter; Washington Guards, Captain Michael Cresswell; Washington Infantry, Captain W. W. Porter; Mifflin- town Guards, Captain S. Davis; Lewistown Guards, Captain R. Sims; Juniata Artillery, Captain D. M. JJamison ; Centre Guards, Captain A. Gregg; Penn's Valley Cadets, Captain Lot W. Irvin ; Bellefonte Infantry,' Captain J. Morrison ; Washington Greys, (Johnstown, ) Captain J. Potts; Washington Greys, (Hollidaysburg, ) First Lieutenant JJ. A. Handis; Bedford Artillery, Captain JJ. Reamer; Independent Greys, Captain S. M. Taylor ; Montgomery Greys, Captain T. B. Wallace; Conemaugh Greys, Captain John Linton ; Somerset Guards, Captain John R. Edie.
On Sunday morning one regiment attended divine service at the Methodist Episcopal church, and the other attended at the Presby- terian church. In the afternoon the entire brigade marched to the Presbyterian church, which was a large and spacious building, and listened to an excellent and appropriate discourse, by the Rev. Dr.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
David Me Kinney, from the text found in Proverbs XII : 2: " A good man obtaineth favor of the Lord; but a man of wicked devices will he condemn."
The Governor of the State, David R. Porter, was present, and re- viewed the troops. This was regarded as a first-class military dis- play in every respect, and Hollidaysburg was equal to the occasion.
The commencement of hostilities with Mexico in 1846 put a qui- etus on military organizations in Hollidaysburg as well as in other localities in the State. Their presence was required at the front Although the Washington Greys did not go to Mexico as an organi- zation, many of the company volunteered and were found in the ranks of the Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, where they acquitted themselves in a manner characteristic of that military spirit of which they gave evidence in their holiday parades. It was not for some years after the close of the Mexican war that the martial spirit began again to be awakened. At one time the town boasted three fully equipped, well drilled companies ; these were the "Emmet Guards, " the "Hollidaysburg Fencibles" and "Juniata Rifles." Pre- vious to these organizations, however, there existed for a brief period a plucky little company called the "Hollidaysburg Guards," which enjoyed, and was more commonly known by the sobriquet of the "Twelve Apostles." This company had a good band and a very becoming uniform. It was officered by George Bingham, captain ; William Stone, first lieutenant, and W. F. McFarland, second lieu- tenant ; but it was with difficulty that its members could be induced to turn out on "muster day." The company had regular "muster days" and never failed to turn out on the 8th of January to celebrate General Jackson's victory at New Orleans. But muster they would, "at the risk of bullets," and frequently the entire column would con- sist of from twelve to fifteen muskets. Hence the name of "Twelve Apostles." They would march on the sidewalks. The writer was a child during the palmy days of this company, and he remembers, that after hearing the music, and rushing to the front door, the com- pany would suddenly appear filing around the corner. Hence it is that the Mother Goose melody comes to mind simultaneously with the remembrance of this company :
"Rubber dnbber goes the drum, See them 'round the corner come."
The boys hardly ever followed this company. But, notwithstand- ing the slim attendance on parades, when called upon to do active duty in the service of the State, the ranks were filled up and the mem-
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
bers turned out to a man. During the building of the tunnel in 1850- 51, the Irish raised a little war among themselves, which was of such magnitude that the Pennsylvania railroad company could not settle their dispute or cause a cessation of hostilities. The military had to be called upon, and the "Hollidaysburg Guards" responded promptly and forty rounds of ball cartridges were issued to each man. The knapsacks were supplied with necessary blankets and clothing, and five days' cooked rations filled the haversacks. They were in the field three days, and did not leave until the last infuriated connaught- man or orangeman had surrendered his shot gun and laid down his "shellalch," and had returned to his allegiance and to the blasting of rocks in the tunnel. The company was under fire several times, and the battle of Bennington caused considerable sensation. The Guards captured thirty-three prisoners. Soon after this little experience, the noble and gallant little company ceased to have an existence.
The "Hollidaysburg Feneibles" were organized about the year 1856, with Col. D. HI. Hoffius as captain. Colonel Hoffius was a dis- tinguished and highly respected lawyer, then enjoying a large and lucrative practice at the bar, and was besides one of Hollidaysburg's leading citizens. He had passed through the Mexican war, serving as a lieutenant, and was proud of his military record. The "Fenci- bles" were a good company and the citizens were proud of it. It was composed of some of the best young men in the community. On one occasion the ladies of Hollidaysburg presented the company with a beautiful and very valuable silk flag.
The "Juniata Rifles" were organized on the 22nd of October, 1858, with our worthy townsman, A. M. Lloyd, as captain. This was also a first-class company and merited the praise and approba- tion of their fellow-citizens. They had their encampments and their festive days-their competitive drills, frolies and fun until the early spring of 1861. The American firmament was overhung by a black cloud ; the "cannon's opening roar" was heard in the south ; the na- tion suddenly sprang to arms and the days of "Sunday soldiering" were ended. The "Juniata Rifles" had resolved as early as the 22nd of February to accept the call of the Governor and be ready for ac- tive service at a moment's notice. The companies did respond promptly. The Governor's telegram was received on the evening of the 13th of April, and they were in Harrisburg, mustered into the United States' service and on their way to the front on the 20th.
The "Fencibles" were officered by F. P. Minier, captain; (their brave and much lamented captain, David H. Hoffius, having died in
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
July, 1859) John R. McFarlane, first lieutenant, and Thomas MeFar- lane, second lieutenant. They were given the post of honor in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment, having been assigned as company "A". Immediately after the organization of the regiment, its captain, F. P. Minier, was elected colonel.
The "Juniata Rifles" were officered by A. M. Lloyd, as captain ; Christ. N. Snyder, first lieutenant, and Stephen C. Potts, second lieu- tenant, and assigned as company "H" of the Second regiment. Nearly all the members composing these companies served in different or- ganizations to the end of the war. Lieutenant Potts was killed in the first battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th and 14th, 1863, whilst acting adjutant of his regiment, the Sixty-second Pennsylvania.
After the close of the war, the enthusiasm for "the pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war," had subsided ; the boys "didn't want any more of it in theirs," and the streets were not again enli- vened with the tread of men in martial array until the year 1874, when the "Juniata Riflemen," company "F", Fifth Regiment, National Guards of Pennsylvania, were organized. Jas. F. Milliken, captain ; J. Rodgers, first lieutenant, and Martin Bell, jr., second lieutenant. It was mustered out of service in January, 1876.
The military organization which is now the pride and boast of Hollidaysburg-company "C," Fifth Regiment N. G. of Pa .- daten its existence with the autumn of 1878. The company, like the entire corps of the National Guards, is equipped in a first-class manner and could take the field in complete readiness for campaign duty in twelve hours' notice. T. Dallas Wilkins, a young gentleman perfectly famil- iar with military tactics and having the capacity, in a high degree, of drilling and disciplining men, is captain ; James P. Stewart is first lieutenant, and J. D. Hemphil, second lieutenant. The company is composed of the flower of the young gentlemen of Hollidaysburg, and, as many of them are possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, it need scareely be a surprise to any one, when informed, that at the last encampment at Braddocks, they were highly complimented for their proficiency in drill and for the excellent discipline observed by the men. Hollidaysburg could always boast of a good military or- ganization. Its first company, the old Washington Greys, received the plaudits and compliments of all for excellent marching and drill at the great encampment of 1843, and now company "C," its last company up to this date, received the plaudits and compliments of all for the same accomplishments at the great encampment at Brad- doeks in 1880.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
VISIT OF KOSSUTH.
That distinguished Hungarian, Louis Kossuth, and suite, visited Hollidaysburg on Saturday, January 17, 1852, and remained in the town over Sunday. He was welcomed at the Mountain House, at the Portage Intersection, which stood near what is now called "Y" switches, by four or five hundred citizens. He left the cars under the escort of Hon. George R. McFarlane, and he had scarcely reached the platform until the people began to press closely around him and welcome him in the most cordial manner. He was escorted to the dining hall by Mr. William Shomo, who was chairman of the commit- tee of arrangements. Some two hundred persons dined with him. After dinner, the doors were thrown open and all thronged in. Gov- ernor Kossuth was introduced by Col. D. H. Hoffius in one of his characteristic and eloquent speeches. He tendered him, on behalf of his fellow-citizens, a hearty welcome and assurances of their warmest regard for him personally, and their deep sympathy for his betrayed and down-trodden country and their unalterable devotion to the cause of liberty. Governor Kossuth replied in an eloquent speech of over half an hour. Cheers were proposed, by Judge McFarlane, for Kos- suth, the rightful Governor of Hungary, and by Dr. H. T. Coffey, for " giving powder and ball to Russia." Thaddeus Banks, esq., on be- half of the committee to receive contributions of "material aid," presented to the governor a purse containing over two hundred dol- lars in gold. Judge McFarlane offered to make for him fifty tons of cannon balls, and would deliver them whenever called upon. Whilst in town the Governor was the guest of Hon. George R. MeFarlane. On Sunday, Kossuth and party attended divine service in the Lutheran church, and heard a discourse by Rev. Lloyd Knight.
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