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 6
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The first banking house was opened about the year 1853, by Messrs. Bell, Johnston, Jack & Co., of Hollidaysburg, Wm. M. Lloyd being one of the firm. About the year 1857 or 1858, Messrs. Bell, Johnston and Jack retired, and the name of the firm was changed to that of Wm. M. Lloyd & Co. Mr. Lloyd continued to do a large banking business until overtaken by the panic of 1873, and he sub- sequently ceased business. Between those periods the First National, Mechanies' Savings and the Altoona banks were established, and have braved all disasters, surmounted all obstacles, and are now doing a fair business, and regarded as solvent as any in the country.
CHURCHES.
In 1852 and 1853 the first churches were erected in Altoona. Previous to that time the only place of worship was the old Union school-house, which, for a long time, was used by a colored family as a place of residence and the African M. E. congregation as a place of worship. It was recently torn down, and a neat frame superstructure erected on the site, near the corner of Eleventh avenue and Sixteenth street, for worship by the African M. E. congregation. [See Churches on subsequent pages. ]
WATER SUPPLY.
The stream of water first introduced by the Pennsylvania Railroad company, and from which the public was for a time supplied by the gas
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
THE ALTOONA SUN.
DAILY AND WEEKLY.
The DAILY SUN isa large, neatly printed, lively Democratic newspaper, issued every afternoon. (except Sunday) and served by carriers in the city at 40 Cents per Month. By Mail, $5.00 per Year, or 50 cents per month. The sun contains the reguiar Associated Press Telegraphic Despatches up to four o'clock p. m. and is the
LARGEST, CHEAPEST
AND BEST
Daily Newspaper in Central Pennsylvania.
THE WEEKLY SUN
IS ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY. TERMS: $1,50 PER ANNUM.
THE JOB PRINTING DEPARTMENT
Of the Sun office is thoroughly equipped, and all orders for printing, ruling and binding, will be promptly filled. AAddress.
THE SUN, ALTOONA, PA. N. C. BARCLAY, BUSINESS MANAGER.
M. J. SMITH, (OF NEW YORK,)
PRACTICAL HORSESHOER.
Horses shod of Hat feet, split hoof, quarter crack, overreaching and interfering. Every other kind of work, including Iron Work for Wagons, Carriages, Farming Implements, Machinery, etc., at the Lowest Prices.
ALL WORK WARRANTED.
Eleventh Street, between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, Altoona, Pa.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
and water company, was found insufficient, the increase of railroad shops requiring, at least in the summer, all the water of the stream. The city council was urged to supply the town from some other quarter, and finally selected Kittanning and Burgoon runs, about four miles west of the city. A twenty-inch pipe brings the water from a dam at Kittanning Point to a reservoir located on Prospect Hill, which has a capacity of 3,275,000 gallons. This improvement cost over $200,000. Besides the amount expended for water, $150,000 were expended for putting in sewers and Macadamizing the principal streets. Eighth and Eleventh avenues, the principal ones on each side of the railroad, with the streets adjacent, have been properly sewered and Macadamized. [More on this subject hereafter. ]
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ..
Among the notable events in the history of Altoona was the cele- bration of the centennial year. In a communication, written by our venerable and highly-esteemed townsman, H. Fettinger, sr., and pub- lished in the EVENING MIRROR, December 27, 1875, attention was called to the propriety and importance of a public demonstration on the occasion of the out-going of the last year of the first century of our national independence. The suggestion was responded to, and in a few days, such was the activity displayed by our leading citizens, preparations were made for the grandest demonstration that had ever been witnessed in our Mountain City. We append a truthful and graphie narrative of the proceedings as they appeared in the EVENING MIRROR of January 1, 1876. The report was made by George J. Akers, one of the editors of that paper. We quote :
"The largest and grandest demonstration ever witnessed in this city took place last night, the occasion being the inauguration of the centennial year. The outpouring of the people was immense, and not an accident occurred to mar the enjoyment of the people. At an early hour the streets were thronged with an immense multitude, and presented a brilliant and lively spectacle.
" The doors of the Opera House were thrown open at eight o'clock, and in less than twenty minutes it was impossible to obtain standing room, and hundreds of persons were compelled to forego the pleasure of attending the exercises there. At ten minutes before nine o'clock the City Band marched to the Opera House, playing the old familiar air, 'Yankee Doodle,' shortly after which the curtain slowly rose. Arranged in appropriate order were thirteen little girls representing the thirteen original States of the Union, as follows:
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
Massachusetts-Miss Mary Patton. 1 Delaware-Miss Retta Smith.
New Hampshire-Miss Jessie Murray. - Maryland-Miss Emma Odenwalder.
Rhode Island-Miss Tillie Smith. 1 Virginia-Miss Jennie Powel.
- North Carolina-Miss Annie Kerr.
Connectiont-Miss Ninnie Bowman. New Jersey-Miss Maggie Cooney. New York-Miss Kate F. Fettinger. Pennsylvania-Miss Ellen Shuster.
South Carolina-Miss Jennie Smith. Georgia-Miss Clara Wahl.
" The little girls were dressed in white, with blue sashes, bearing the names of the States represented by them. In the centre of the stage stood a beautiful evergreen pine tree, representing the "Tree of Liberty," decorated with thirty-seven small flags, representing all the States now in the Union. The whole arrangement of the stage was under the direct supervision of H. Fettinger, sr. The overture on the grand piano, by Professor U. S. Lutz, was performed at about nine o'clock, but it was sometime afterwards that the Altoona City Band took their position on the stage, immediately in the rear of the 'little girls,' and when the curtain rose a second time the band played 'Hail Columbia.' The rising of the curtain was the signal for a. tremendous burst of applause. After a slight panse the audience again 'brought down the house' in appreciation of their delight at the beauty of the tableau. When the curtain was again raised, the Glee Club, com- posed of the following ladies and gentlemen, appeared and sung in elegant style, 'My Country "Tis of Thee.' Soprano, Miss Lizzie Sny- der and Miss Libbie Hindman; alto, Miss Carrie Bowman and Miss Maggie Hindman; tenor, Win. Mills and T. W. Wiley ; bass, E. M. Warren and E. J. Weston; pianist, Prof. U. S. Lutz.
"His Honor Mayor Gilland, then appeared and said: 'We have assembled here to-night to celebrate the inauguration of the centen- nial year of our independence as a nation, to honor the memories of those who laid down their lives for the blessings of freedom which we, as a people, now enjoy. They freely poured out their blood to cement the Union, and we are here to-night to do them and their memories the honor which their deeds so justly merit. There are those here who will address you. With these few brief remarks I wish you one and all a Happy New Year.'
" The Glee Club then sang the 'Red, White and Blue,' in excel- lent style, after which D. Orr Alexander proposed three cheers for the 'Red, White and Blue.' They were given with a will. Rev. C. T. Steck then read . John Adams on the Declaration,' a most appropriate selection, and most excellently rendered. Robert A. Clarke, in a clear and distinct voice, then read the Declaration of Independence. The Glee Club again sang the 'Red, White and Blue,' the audience joining in the chorus. A poem relating to the ringing of the memor- able Liberty Bell on the announcement of the passage of the Declara-
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
tion of Independence was read by Rev. C. T. Steck. The band then rendered the 'Star Spangled Banner' and the 'Red, White and Blue,' after which Wm. Lee Woodcock addressed the audience on matters relating to the past and present of our glorious country. The 'Rock of Liberty' was next sung by the Glee Club. At the conclusion of the singing the band struck up 'Yankee Doodle,' and the audience joined with hands and feet. Rev. Steck then read the stirring and appropriate poem 'E Pluribus Unum.' Rov. H. Baker then appeared on the stage and made a brief, terse and eloquent speech. D. B. Wil- liams was the next speaker; he acquitted himself creditably. The 'little girls' were again arranged along the front of the stage; the Glee Club took a position immediately behind them; then followed the singing of the 'Star Spangled Banner.' P. S. Ake recited the following original apostrophe to the American eagle: . The American eagle is the largest bird in the world-with his right foot perched on the Rocky Mountains, his left on the Alleghenies; with one wing spread over the Pacific, the other over the Atlantic; with one eye fixed on Mexico, the other on Cuba; his tail spread over Canada, and picking for all South America; is destined to carry the Stars and Stripes to all the nations of the earth, and freedom to all the inhab- itants thereof; he can spread his wings wider and soar higher than any other bird that soars in the heavens. When the eagle squeals the lion trembles and snakes seek their hiding places.' This concluded the in-door exercises. The band struck up ' Hail Columbia,' amid the shouts and yells of the vast multitude.
" After the exercises in the Opera House had concluded, the dense crowd therein assembled poured out into the streets and swelled the immense throngs there congregated. Every door step, balcony, door and window along Eleventh avenue was occupied by persons anxious to obtain a better view of the proceedings on the streets. The interval from eleven until twelve o'clock was consumed in illuminating the houses, preparing for the parade and general jollification.
" About twelve o'clock St. John's Literary Society, numbering eighty men, attired in regalia, with torches and national colors, marched down the east side of Eleventh avenue and halted in front of Marsh's tailoring establishment. The Empire Hook and Ladder company, fully equipped and carrying axes and torches, simultaneously marched down the western side of the avenne, halted opposite Stelle's hotel, and opened order to allow the Good Will Engine company to pass through. In the meantime St. John's Society marched down to Eleventh street, across to the west side of Eleventh avenue, and
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
ESTABLISHED 1874.
THE PEOPLE'S PAPER.
FEARLESS! INDEPENDENT! FREE!
THE CALL.
DAILY. WEEKLY. SUNDAY.
THE LEADING PAPER IN ALTOONA.
SUBSCRIPTION: Daily, $4,80; Weekly, $1.50; Sunday. $2.00 per year. Specimen copies free. Read them ! Subscribe for them ! Advertise in thein ! Advertis- ing rates reasonable. 49The Sunday Call has the largest circulation of any paper in Altoona
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
halted. The Latta Guard, headed by their drum corps, next marched up Eleventh avenue to Eleventh street and halted at the Opera House. The Excelsior Hose company appeared at this juncture and took a position on the avenue, soon after which the Altoona Engine company (P. R. R.) marched up Twelfth street to Twelfth avenue, down Twelfth avenue to Eleventh street, along Eleventh street to Eleventh avenue, and halted; they were attired in full equipments, bearing axes and torches and headed by their drum corps. Aids Hamlin and Alexan- der having arrived on prancing steeds some time before, busied them- selves in forming the line, in which labors they were subsequently assisted by Messrs. Cornman, Fries, Hurd, Meyers and Crozier, assist- ant aids. During the formation of the line the immense throng of people maintained an uninterrupted cheering from one end of the avenne to the other. Fire-works were set off in profusion, fire-arms discharged, and the general enthusiasm was deafening.
"Precisely at twelve o'clock, midnight, the Vigilant bell gave the signal, and from every church steeple, from the school houses, shops and engine houses the glad tidings of great joy went forth and rever- berated through the atmosphere unto all the inhabitants of our Moun- tain City, reminding us that the grandest new year of the closing century was being born. Simultaneous with the ringing of the bells, the locomotives in the yards of the Pennsylvania Railroad company sounded their shrill whistles; the bon-fires on the hills were lighted; the cannons on Reservoir and Gospel hills thundered; various colored lights appeared in various parts of the city ; windows were brilliantly illuminated, and the whole city was aglow with many colored lights. Such a scene was never before seen or heard in the city of Altoona. At precisely fifteen minutes past twelve o'clock, Chief Marshal Stewart dashed up Twelfth street on his 'white charger,' and assumed command of the procession. In a moment the command was given, and the procession of over a thousand men were in motion. The uniforms, regalias, axes and horns of those composing the parade, sparkled amid the glare of the torches. The music served to render the scene more impressive. The following was the order of the procession: (1) The Chief Marshal, plumed, and wearing a jeweled sash, on a spirited white charger, accompanied by his aids; (2) Latta Guards, in full uniform ; (3) Altoona City Cornet Band; (4) Good Will Steam Fire Engine company; (5) Empire Hook and Ladder company; (6) Mountain City Cornet Band; (7) Vigilant Steam Fire Engine company; (8) Excelsior Hose company ; (9) Altoona Steam Fire Engine company;
6
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
(10) St. John's Literary and Benevolent Society; (11) Keystone Cornet Band ; (12) Cavalcade of citizens.
Citizens vied with each other in decorating their respective resi- dences and places of business with bunting, flags, ensigns, arches, etc., in order to adorn the triumph of our arms, to perpetuate a remem- brance of our national independence, as well as to exhibit an apprecia- tion of the superior blessings we enjoy in the "land of the free and the home of the brave."
THIE CENTENNIAL FOURTII.
On the following Fourth of July every house and every street was decorated with flags, etc. The procession, composed of military, patri- otic personations, the fire department, benevolent and civic societies, the employes of our great work-shops, our tradesmen and artisans at work, each at his particular vocation, mounted on wagons drawn by richly caparisoned horses, and citizens in carriages and on foot, was one that was scarcely surpassed anywhere. Even the farmer with his hay wagon was represented. The procession, after moving through the principal streets and avennes, halted at a stand erceted in a field belonging to the Pennsylvania Railroad company, in the eastern part of the city, where the immense concourse of people were suitably and patriotically addressed by Judge John P. Blair, of Indiana county. A violent storm at three o'clock p. m., put an end to the gorgeous spectacle.
THE RAILROAD RIOTS.
The next interesting event-mournfully interesting, we are justified in saying, and in striking contrast with the recital immediately pre- ceding-was the railroad strike, which originated with the disaffected employes of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and extended to the principal railroads of the country. Without exhausting time or occu- pying space in explaining the circumstances which led to the inception of the strike, presuming that this subject is familiar to our readers, we will remark that on July 17, 1877, seventy-five or eighty engines had been congregated at Martinsburg, W. Va., a station of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, none of which were allowed to depart. Col. Faulk- ner, with seventy-five men of the light infantry guards, arrived at that point with loaded muskets and took charge of one of the westward- bound freight trains which had been detained by the strikers there. He was confronted by the strikers, who had armed themselves with all kinds of weapons. On the day mentioned no trains left Baltimore.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
The Governor ordered out the Matthews' guards, of Wheeling, to assist in quelling the riot which had broken out at that point. The riot having quickly assumed gigantic proportions, on account of pre- concert of action on the part of the strikers, on the very next day (July 18), Governor Matthews called upon the President for United States troops, which were promptly furnished. On July 19 the strike became general, extending from Martinsburg to Chicago-riotous pro- ceedings being enacted at Parkersburg, W. Va .; Benwood, Columbus and Newark, Ohio; Chicago, etc. The temporary success of the Balti- more & Ohio brakemen and firemen there-who were the parties who inaugurated the disturbances-encouraged those who occupied relative positions in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad company, and out of these initiatory proceedings grew our own troubles. With this preamble, we turn our attention to
WHAT TRANSPIRED IN ALTOONA.
On July 19, 1877, our city was thrown into a furore of excitement by the announcement that the freight conductors and brakemen on the Pennsylvania railroad had struck at Pittsburg-that they not only refused to go out with their trains when the latter were ready, but that they would not let the trains go. out. When the strike was inaugurated in the morning, none but freight conductors and brake- men were concerned in it, but at night the freight engineers and fire- men joined them. The strikers were in good spirits, and confident that all their demands would be acceded to-that the golden opportu- nity had arrived to benefit their condition, and that they would take advantage of it. A few days previous the following order had been issued by Superintendent Pitcairn :
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD OFFICE OF GENERAL AGENT AND SUPERINTENDENT PITTSBURG DIVISION, PITTSBURG. July 16, 1877.
NOTICE TO DISPATCHERS.
On and after Thursday, July 19. 1877, two trains are to be run on Union and two trains on National line through between Pittsburg and Altoona, thirty-six cars to a train, a pusher from Conemangh to Altoona. No passenger engines to be run on freight. Balance of trains to divide at Derry. first in first out. Derry to be head_ quarters eastward where engines will be turned. Between Derry and Pittsburg all double-headers, thirty-six cars to a train, or as many as they can haul, to be in- creased or decreased, in the judgment of dispatchers, according to lading in cars.
ROBERT PITCAIRN, Superintendent.
A single freight train is a locomotive and eighteen cars. The crew comprises an engineer, fireman, conductor and three brakemen. What is called a "double-header" is a train of thirty-six cars, with an engine at each end. Mr. Pitcairn's order did not provide for an increase in the crew in proportion to the increase in the size of the train. The
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
men thought that a reduction on the first of June previous of ten per cent. and then an increase of one hundred per cent. in the labor required of them was more than they could bear. Previous to the issuance of the order the custom had been to employ four men besides the engineer and fireman in moving a single train of eighteen cars. If the above order had gone into effect an ordinary crew would have had to take charge of a train twice the usual size. This would have been equivalent to the discharge of every other man, and those retained would have had to perform double work. It was the increase in the amount of labor, the uncertainty as to who would be discharged and who retained, combined with the dissatisfaction created by the June reduction in pay that caused the strike. From the EVENING MIRROR of this city, of July 20, we extraet the following :
"The strike has not reached this city at this writing. Groups of persons, engineers, firemen, brakemen, shop men and others have been discussing the affair on the streets since morning. Last night but three coal trains arrived from the west in this city, although seventeen freight trains generally arrive during the night. Messrs. Robert Pit- cairn and Frank Thomson were in the city last night, and in company with G. Clinton Gardner, left for Pittsburg at an early hour this morning. James McCrea was in the city, also, but left for Harrisburg on Philadelphia Express last night. Lieutenant-Governor John Latta passed through the city last night to Harrisburg to be on hand in case of disturbance, Governor Hartranft being in California. Several freight engineers, firemen and crews refused to take their trains out of the city last night and this morning. Representatives from the western division are in the city and are in consultation with train hands, who say they are not inciting a strike, though they declare they will not take a train on the road under the present difficulties. Thomas A. Scott passed through to Pittsburg this forenoon.
MILITARY ON THEIR WAY TO PITTSBURG.
"At an early period of the morning of July 21, three train loads of soldiers, en route to Pittsburg, passed through this city. As they entered the depot at this point they were received by a few of the railroad employes there collected with expressions of disapproval. They belonged to the First Division of Philadelphia, and were com- posed of the First, Second, Third and Sixth regiments, one thousand five hundred men, under the command of Gen. R. M. Brinton. The German Hussars and State Fencibles were with them. Dismounted cavalry and artillery were noticeable also. At this point four large
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
boxes of cartridges were put on board. As the trains left the depot here the coupling pins of the engines were pulled five different times. One soldier was knocked down for an alleged insult. About two hundred railroaders were gathered at the depot, and the opinions ex- pressed were as varied as the characters of the men. A stone was thrown just as the last train went out, which struck the side of the last engine, and a link was thrown which struck a car.
STRIKE INAUGURATED.
"About 10:35 same morning (July 21), about fifty brakemen assen- bled in the yard of the railroad company, stopped two trains laden with stone, and refused to allow the other engines prepared to take the trains on to go out of the gate at the round house. They also sent all the shifting engines in but one for passenger use. They allowed all passenger trains to pass, but refused passage to freights.
"At 2:50 p. m., as the Hollidaysburg train was hauling out of the depot, with some freight trains attached, the strikers cut the train and would not allow the engine to proceed until the freight cars were placed on a siding. At 5:20 p. m., a train of eight cars, containing about four hundred soldiers, under command of Col. II. Rodgers, passed through the city, taking supper here. Engineer Philips came out on engine No. 924, and at the request of the strikers stepped down, and Jacob Russell, foreman of the round house, took the engine. Engineer James Westfall refused to come down from engine No. 136. One striker attempted to uncouple the engines from the train and was pierced through the arm by a bayonet in the hands of a soldier. A guard was thrown out around the engines, and when the trains started several of the guard were pulled off by the strikers. One man was pulled down and severely beaten, but they all managed to get on. After this the train was fired upon and stoned by the strikers around the depot, but nevertheless succeeded in threading its way out of the city en route for Pittsburg.
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