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 8
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" GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW-CITIZENS: You have called upon me for an address. I shall make a short one. I, as chief executive of. the State, am placed in a very unpleasant position. I shall endeavor to render exact justice to all so far as lies within my power. I shall execute the laws of the State according to the laws. I shall endeavor to protect all citizens, as well as public and private property, and should I fail it will be because I am powerless. I bid you good day."
Shortly after, the train, conveying the Governor and Secretary to Harrisburg, moved off, and the crowd dispersed.
In this connection, whatever bearing or supposed bearing it may have had upon the city of Altoona, we append a proclamation from Governor Hartranft :
PITTSBURG, JJuly 25, 1877.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA :
WHEREAS, There exists a condition of turbulence and disorder within the State, extending to many interests, and threatening all communities, under the impulse of which there has grown up a spirit of lawlessness requiring that all law-obeying citizens shall organize themselves into armed bodies for the purposes of self-pro- tection and preserving the peace :
Therefore, I, John F. Hartranft, Governor of the State of Pennsylvania, do hereby recommend that all citizens shall organize themselves into associations with such arms as they can procure, for the purpose of maintaining order and suppressing violence. And all good citizens are warned against appearing in company with any mob or riotous assembly, and thus giving encouragement to violations of the law.
[Signed]
J. F. HARTRANFT, GOVERNOR.
87
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
A RUMOR CALCULATED FURTHER TO EXCITE THE POPULACE.
On July 25 a rumor was current that a band of miners from the neighborhood of Houtzdale, and other mining towns, thoroughly armed. were marching upon Altoona, in consequence of which Sheriff Stiffler immediately swore in a posse of nearly one hundred men, and placed them under command of Capt. Guthrie. The miners, however, failed to make their appearance.
"CAMP BEAVER."
The main body of soldiers were encamped near Haggerty's woods, in P. R. R. passenger cars, their place of rendezvous being styled "Camp Beaver," while a considerable number made their headquar- ters in cars on Tenth avenue, opposite the round house.
GRAND HU'RY PRESENTMENT.
The court being in session at Hollidaysburg on this day, the fol- lowing presentment was made :
"We, the grand jury. inquiring in and for Blair county. would respectfully rep- resent concerning the disorders at Altoona within the last few days, that we have no personal knowledge of persons engaged therein. We are informed and believe That persons of the number of three or four have. in a tumultuous, disorderly and riotous manner. with force. stopped the trains running on the Pennsylvania rail- road, and have by threats and violence prevented engineers, firemen and brake- men from operating trains. But this information is not from personal observation of any one of us : nor is it from witnesses duly sworn, but only from rumor. or from statements made in the public newspapers. We have not the names of those engaged in such disturbance, nor is it in our power this sitting (so far as we can judge) to obtain precise and reliable testimony as to the names of guilty parties, and to the extent of their guilt, which would warrant a presentment. While anx- ious to aid in preserving the peace and good name of our county by promptly tak- ing cognizance of violations of the law within its borders, we are of the opinion that unless our sessions be indefinitely postponed by adjournment from day to day to allow for the hunting np and subpoenaing witnesses and execution of sum- mary process for their attendance. it is impossible at this session of the court to make that proper presentment as to crimes and criminals, and dates, which would be sufficient to warrant the arrest of the offenders. At present there is quiet and order at Altoona, and as we believe the late violations of law will not be repeated, therefore, unless the court is of the opinion that our services in session should be prolonged after the conclusion of ordinary business, we respectfully request that we may be discharged."
ROUTING OF TRAMPS.
About fifty tramps were driven out of Haggerty's woods, in the immediate neighborhood of Altoona, on the morning of July 26, in consequence of having, it is alleged, broken open a car containing to- bacco, segars, etc .. which they appropriated to their own use, and also because it was believed that they were inciting to riot all whom they could, being ready themselves, upon any pretext, to pounce spon, burn and plunder everything in their way.
88
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
H. J. CORNMAN,
- DEALER IN -
MEN'S A
AND BOYS'
READY - MADE CLOTHING,
GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS,
TRUNKS, VALISES, ETC.
Suits, Shirts and Hats
Made to Order.
NO. 1107 ELEVENTH AVENUE, OPPOSITE OPERA HOUSE,
ALTOONA, PA.
89
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
VETERAN SOLDIERS' ORGANIZATION.
In pursuance of a call from a committee of veteran soldiers, a meeting of veterans was held in the council chamber in the evening, F. B. Stewart, chairman, and J. D. Davis and J. G. Hirsh, secre- taries. Capt. E. M. Warren was elected captain, by acclamation ; George H. Gwin, first lieutenant, and B. J. Brown, second lieuten- ant. The following preamble and resolution were passed :
WHEREAS. This city is in a state of commotion, and, as we think, in danger of violence, and as it becomes the duty of good citizens to protect life and property, therefore, be it
RESOLVED-That we, as soldiers of the late war. organize ourselves into one or two companies to act under proper officers to be elected by ballot, to obey such or- ders as may be given by proper authorities.
C. JJ. WOLF. R. J. CROZIER, E. M. WARREN, J. W. FRIES.
FIRING UP ENGINES.
Ou the morning of the 27th four engines were fired up to take freight trains out, but after some forty engineers and the same num- ber of firemen had been asked to go out and refused, the fires were withdrawn and the engines returned to the upper round house.
ADDITIONAL TROOPS EN ROUTE FOR PITTSBURG.
This morning (27th), on Cincinnati west, 1,000 soldiers of the N. G. Pa., passed through Altoona to Pittsburg, with the view of openi- ing the P. R. R. freight travel. Three sections of the train stopped in this city for breakfast, or rather for coffee and sandwiches, after which they started for the west. Among the party was Governor Hartranft and staff, and other distinguished gentlemen. The troops were detained at the upper end of the yard by a report that a squad of strikers had taken engine No. 524 up the mountain with the avowed purpose of starting it down the mountain to collide with the train. But it was afterwards ascertained that most of the strikers had jumped off at the foot of the mountain, and the rest took the engine up as far as Gallitzin where it was surrendered to Supervisor Gilson.
About 12:30 two trains of United States troops arrived in the de- pot under the command of Major Hamilton, about six hundred in number.
The second soldier train left this city with S. Arthur Hand, of Philadelphia, (a soldier) as engineer of the first engine, and Captain Statler, of Bedford, as second engineer. Both firemen were also sol- diers.
90
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
CLEARING THE DEPOT.
Ten soldiers, under a lieutenant, marched through the depot, clearing everything before them, allowing nobody to remain. All freight trains in the yard were moved east this morning.
ARRIVAL OF ELEVEN CARS OF TROOPS.
At 11:50, on July 28, a section of five cars, followed at an interval of about ten minutes by another section of six cars, arrived in Al- toona. They contained detachments of the First, Second, Third and Sixth regiments N. G. Pa. They were on their way to join their commands-the Twentieth regiment, under command of Col. Bonna- fon. The men numbered six hundred. They were served with ra- tions, and after a rest of an hour took their departure. The Twen- tieth regiment was composed entirely of veterans of the late war, who had been recruited on State service for a few days previous to their arrival here in Philadelphia. The merchants of that city had sub- seribed $10,000 to equip them.
STRIKE ENDED.
On Monday, July 30, 1877, the strike ended in this city. Freight trains, both east and west, including Hollidaysburg branch, were run- ning the same as before. Workmen returned to their places in the shops that morning. The curling smoke of industry again wafted skyward, and the buzz of the machinery was again heard in and about the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad company.
THE STRIKE AT TYRONE.
At a meeting held by the engineers, firemen and brakemen of the Tyrone branch roads, on the evening of July 23, a committee was appointed to confer with Superintendent Blair, and to lay their case before him in the form of resolutions passed by them which set forth certain demands made upon him. To these Mr. Blair could give no definite reply until he had held a consultation with General Superin- tendent G. Clinton Gardner, of Altoona, and that he (Blair) under the present circumstances was in no condition to help them. The committee received but little satisfaction.
On account of the strike in Harrisburg no empty cars from there could be run into Tyrone, nor from any other points; consequently work was suspended as though a strike existed. The passenger trains continued to run as usual on the branches, however, but no freight. It had been resolved that no more troops would be allowed to pass
91
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
over the branch road, nor to remove those that were there, con- sisting of two companies of the Twelfth regiment, N. G. Pa., who were kept for the protection of the town. But on July 25 they were joined by two other companies of the Twelfth regiment from Bradford county, who came by way of Lock Haven, and, in obedience to orders, they all embarked on a special train and were taken to Eliz- abeth Furnace, from which place they marched and joined their com- rades in " camp" at the lower shops, arriving about 4 o'clock the fol- Plowing morning.
CONCLAVE OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
Beginning on the 29th and ending on the 30th of May, 1878, the Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, convened in this city. Thirty-five subordinate com- manderies were in attendance. A grand parade that was to have oe- curred on the last day of the session, was prevented by a heavy fall of rain.
The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, met in Altoona, June 12, 1865, a detachment of which received Gen- eral Grant on his visit to this city.
In this connection we remark that the Twenty-first Triennial Con- clave of the Grand Encampment of the United States, met in the city of Chicago, on August 16, 1880. The Mountain Commandery, No. 10, of Altoona, sixty Sir Knights and twenty ladies, JJames P. .Stewart, Eminent Commander, were in attendance.
RELIEF FOR IRELAND-RECEPTION OF MR. PARNELL.
On the evening of February 12, 1880, in the Opera House, James Stewart Parnell (see portrait) a member of the English Parliament, delivered an address for the benefit of those who were suffering from the famine at that time existing in Ireland. He was accompanied by Mr. Murdoch, editor of the Inverness (Scotland) "Highlander." A committee of our citizens had been appointed to meet him at Huntingdon and escort him to Altoona. The committee consisted of the following gentlemen, although one-half of them, on account of other engagements, failed to serve : Charles E. Pugh, John Reilly, "Thomas W. Hurd, Thomas H. Greevy, S. M. Woodcock, Milton Alexander, T. N. Ely, H. C. Dern, William P. Furey, T. J. Maitland, W. D. Tyler, M. Fitzharris, Edmund Shaw, George W. Strattan, F. P. Tierney, D. A. Gilland, John Hurd, A. V. Dively, Dennis Sulli- van, T. Blair Patton, Charles J. Mann, Simon Neuwahl, H. J. Corn- man, James G. Flanigan, M. Edgar King, Thomas W. Jackson,
92
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
CITY
PLANING MILLS,
20th Street, on Branch Railroad,
ALTOONA, PA.
WILLIAM STOKE & CO., PROPRIETORS ..
The extensive equipment of the old Peoples' Planing Mill, purchased by us, being. complete in every respect, enables us to furnish
SASHES, DOORS, BLINDS, SHUTTERS,
FLOORING, SIDING, MOULDING, BRACKETS, FRAME LUMBER,
SHINGLES, PICKETS, ETC.,
AT THE
LOWEST MARKET PRICE.
Stair Building and Store Fronts a Specialty.
93
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
Christ. Hauser, Fred. W. Olmes, Henry Fettinger, sr., and James Kearney. [The last named gentleman was the first to suggest the idea of obtaining the services of Mr. Parnell. ]
On the arrival of the train a large number of citizens had congre- gated to take the first look at the "Irish agitator." The Altoona band was also there and rendered stirring music, after which the vis- itors were loudly cheered.
On the night of the meeting Thomas W. Hurd, then mayor of the city, was selected as president, and a number of prominent citizens as vice-presidents and secretaries.
William P. Furey, having been selected for the purpose, intro- duced Mr. Parnell to the audience. In doing so he made a neat and appropriate extemporaneous speech.
Mr. Parnell reviewed the infamous policy of the English govern- ment toward Ireland, as illustrated in the Trish land laws, picturing: the absolute degradation which for ages had been the lot of the Irish tenantry under the iniquitous landlord system. In clear and forcible language he stated the causes which have reduced the peasantry to a condition of pauperage and driven the native population from the fer- tile and productive lands to seek a miserable subsistence upon barren and unproductive wastes. His utterances throughout were those of a statesman and thinker, and the audience was pleased and gratified.
When Mr. Parnell concluded his address, Mr. Furey introduced Mr. Murdoch, who, clad in the costume of the highlanders of Scotland, delivered a humorous but none the less effective oration.
A considerable amount of money was then contributed, one per- son, Hon. John Reilly, donating $100, and other citizens manifested their interest by liberal contributions. Rev. Father Walsh, now de- ceased, contributed $500 out of his private purse, and the St. John's Literary Society appropriated $48.40; (£10) all of which sums com- bined (expenses of renting Opera House, etc., deducted) aggregated $1,584.57. This amount was promptly forwarded to the sufferers by Rev. Father Walsh, receipts of which were duly acknowledged. Mr. Parnell and Mr. Murdoch declined compensation for their labors and would have even paid their hotel bills had the management of their reception allowed them to do so.
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE OF THE M. E. CHURCH.
The twelfth annual session of this body of Christian ministers was held in the Opera House, commencing on the 10th of March, 1880. Bishop Gilbert Haven, whose death. occurred previous to the
94
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
meeting of the Conference, was to have presided. His place was tilled by Bishop Jesse T. Peck, who had been making a short tour of visitation among a few of the charges along the Susquehanna river.
A previous annual conference had been held in Altoona in March, 1874. Bishop Levi Scott, of Delaware, was the presiding officer.
The Conference represents a membership of 35,000 full members and 5,000 probationers. The church property is estimated at $1,703,- 185. Number of Sunday-schools, 462; scholars, 42,638. There are 203 ministers including fourteen superannuates.
Altoona Methodism-with ninety-seven members and fifty-five probationers-was erected into a separate station in 1854. John H. Ryland was the first preacher. He was succeeded by Alex. E. Gib- son in 1855, John A. Collins being presiding elder. In 1856 came Wilfred Downs. When the East Baltimore Conference was formed in 1857, Samuel A. Wilson was sent to serve the station for 1857-8. In 1859-60 Samuel Creighton; 1861-2, W. L. Spottswood; 1863, 1864-5, W. R. Mills; 1866-7-8, J. S. McMurray-W. M. Frysinger latter year.
The remaining appointments were as follows: 1869-First church, A. W. Guver; Second church, J. Donahne; 1870-S. W. Sears, D. S. Monroe ; 1871-F. B. Riddle, D. S. Monroe; 1872-F. B. Riddle, R. E. Wilson, Daniel Hartman (third charge) ; 1874-James Curns, R. E. Wilson, D. Hartman; 1875-6-James Curns, S. C. Swallow, J. W. Owens, J. W. Leckie; 1877-W. W. Evans, M. K. Foster, J. W. Leckie; 1878-9-B. B. Hamlin, M. K. Foster, Thomas Sher- lock ; 1880-1-B. B. Hamlin, Jesse B. Young, and Thomas Sherlock.
RELIEF FOR THE MILTON SUFFERERS.
A fire, commencing 11:30 on the morning of the 14th day of May, 1880, in Milton, Pennsylvania, continned its ravages until six hun- dred and sixty-six buildings were destroyed. Indeed nearly the en- tire town fell a victim to the flames. In response to a call made by the Governor upon the mayors of the cities of the State, our own mayor, Howard, called a meeting at the Opera House on the evening of the 15th, of which he was constituted the presiding officer. During its progress a notice to the pastors of the various churches, request- ing them to bring the subject before their respective congregations on the following day (Sunday) was prepared, in response to which collections on that day were taken up in the various churches, with the following results : First Methodist, $201; Second Presbyterian, $54.38; Second Methodist, $23.47; First Lutheran, $50; St. James
95
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
German Lutheran, $12; Third Methodist, $17.91; Christ Reformed, $11.71 ; Church of God, $6.25; United Brethren, $7.16; First Baptist, $44.75. Total, $428.63.
At the meeting in the Opera House a committee of gentlemen from the different wards were appointed to solicit and receive contri- butions, who met at the mayor's office on Sunday morning, inmedi- ately after which they commenced the good work, which they con- tinued during the week, collecting upwards of five hundred dollars in money and upwards of one thousand dollars' worth of provisions and such other goods as the sufferers of Milton were supposed to stand in need of. These contributions, added to the collections taken up at the churches, ($428.63) constituted a respectable total-about $2,000.
STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.
An annual meeting was held in the Opera House, commencing on May 19, 1880. [Its sixteenth annual session had been held in Al- toona, in June, 1865. About seventy delegates, representing every county in the State, were present on that occasion.]
At the recent meeting, Dr. Andrew Nebinger, of Philadelphia, took the chair. Dr. Rowan Clarke, of Bell's Mills, delivered an ad- dress of welcome to the delegates. Appended is an abstract :
" Our county occupies a central position in the State. It has rich and productive valleys to feed our people, and high mountains and hills filled with rich minerals that centuries will not exhaust.
"We have the principal shops of the best constructed and man- aged railroad of the country. These shops make anything that is used on a railroad, from the smallest bolt to the finest Pullman coach, or the most powerful locomotive. Their fires never go out. As the Jews of old turned their eyes each morning and evening to the tem- ple to see that the daily sacrifice was offered, and were happy and contented when they saw smoke arise, so do our people rejoice each day when they see the cloud of smoke arise from the work shops, sat- isfied that our county is safe and prosperous.
" The main line of the Pennsylvania railroad passes through this county. Branches are sent forth from Altoona to Hollidaysburg ; there again dividing to different portions of the county, to collect the rich ores and other minerals which nature has so abundantly stored away in the hills and valleys. From Tyrone, in the northern end of the county, the Tyrone and Clearfield road, which also sends numer- ous branches to bring forth the products of the immense coal and lumber fields of Clearfield; also the Tyrone and Lock Haven, to the
96
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
- THE -
AMERICAN SEWING MACHINE
{ Awarded the First Premium at nearly every publie exhibition in which their machines have been exhibited, including our late Centennial, where they received two awards, one for the machine, and one for the work done on the machine, ]
IS IN GREAT DEMAND,
BECAUSE OF ITS
GREAT SIMPLICITY,
Being particularly free from all combinations, always ready to work, and easily understood by every one, even the most inexperienced.
IT IS THE LIGHTEST RUNNING
SHUTTLE MACHINE in the world, requiring little ontlay of strength, and sews with great speed, and never skips stitches.
IT HAS A SELF-THREADING SHUTTLE,
And requires no adjusting of the tension every time a new bobbin is placed in it. No time wasted in vexations delays in getting the shuttle ready to work. IT IS ALWAYS READY.
IT IS THE MOST DURABLE MACHINE
That ever claimed public attention, owing to its simple arrangement and the care- ful selection of the best material.
For further particutars call on or address
E. C. REESE, AGENT FOR BLAIR COUNTY.
Office :-- 5th Avenue and 12th Street, Altoona, Pa.
97
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
top of the Susquehanna region, and soon the Tyrone and Lewisburg will be running through one of the finest iron ore and limestone re- gions of the State. From Bell's Mills the Bell's Gap, a narrow guage road, elimbs around the spurs of the Allegheny and shows deep ra- vines, over a route unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur, giving pleas- ure to the lover of nature and collecting the products of Cambria and Clearfield. Whilst we do not dispute the claim that Boston is the hub of the universe, we do claim that Blair county is the hub of Con- tral Pennsylvania. For here we have the heart of the great road that largely controls the traffic of the whole country ; and we draw the resources of the surrounding counties into our own. Our county is growing-a little more than a generation okdl-and this city is only a stripling. Many who are here present were in the full vigor of manhood when the site of this town was covered with forest, with here and there a swampy meadow. Although its growth has been rapid, greater things are hoped for in the future."
The annual address was delivered by Dr. A. Nebinger, president of the Society. In his introductory be referred to their meeting (the thirty-first) as an occasion of friendly greeting; also, to note the changes of the past for our future improvement, and to make honor- able mention of those who have finished their work and gone to the grave like " one who wraps the draperies of his couch around him and lies down to pleasant dreams." He feelingly referred to those members of the Society who were yielding to the weight of years; alluded to the bright and cheering aspect of the country in a commer- cial point of view ; denounced jobbery and dishonesty in publie af- fairs, and made feeling allusions to the distress existing in Ireland.
The addresses delivered, and previously prepared papers on medi- cine, surgery, etc., which were read during the session, exhibited the progress medical science had made, and reflected credit upon the med- ieal profession.
During their stay the physicians, in response to invitations ex- tended by Charles E. Pugh, General Superintendent Pennsylvania railroad; Superintendent B. G. Ford, of the Bell's Gap railroad, and W. D. Tyler, of the Keystone Hotel company, made excursions to Lloydsville and Cresson. They also visited the upper and lower shops of the Pennsylvania railroad located here, accompanied by Theodore N. Ely, Superintendent Motive Power, and before leaving passed a vote of thanks to the gentlemen named, as well as to the Blair County Medical Society, who gave to them a banquet at the Logan House.
98
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
In Lancaster, on the second day of May, 1881, the next meeting of the Society will occur. Dr. S. M. Ross, of Altoona, who, at the late session held in this city, delivered an address on "Conservative Surgery," was selected to deliver an address on "Surgery," at the next annual convention.
PROHIBITION CONVENTION.
The State Convention of radical temperance, or total abstinence men, assembled in this city on May 20, 1880, and placed a ticket in nomination. On May 29, 1878, simultaneously with the Annual Conclave of Knights Templar, of Pennsylvania, a similar convoca- tion held its session here.
DECORATION DAY.
The 29th day of May, 1880, (the 30th, the usual day for the cer- monies, occurring on Sunday) was observed in this city as Memorial Day. The old flag was reverently drooped over those who died so that it might still wave, the unsullied emblem of a nation united and free; and the fairest Howers of spring were scattered upon their graves. A much larger number of citizens and strangers joined in the ceremo- nies than on any previous occasion, crowding our public thoroughfares at an early hour.
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