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 9
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The principal streets and avenues were ornamented with flags and other national devices. The procession formed on Eleventh av- enue, right resting on Twelfth street, and commenced to move about 9 o'clock a. m. It was led by a carriage containing Junior Vice De- partment Commander Burchfield, of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic; Rev. Jesse B. Young, the orator of the day, and Rev. J. Green Miles, of the First Baptist church. Chief Marshall Fitzharris and his aids-Messrs. Amheiser, Valentine and Stroh-came next, fol- lowed by the Junior Greys' band. The order of marching of the bal- ance of the organizations was: Junior and Senior order of United American Mechanics, J. A. Parker and L. S. MeGlathery, marshals ; Citizens' band ; Bethany and Rising Sun Circles, Brotherhood of the Union, Wm. Fortenbaugh and Edward W. Cavender, marshals; So- cial band ; Good Will Steam Fire company, Gust. Klemmert, mar- shal; Altoona City band; Vigilant Steam Fire company, William H. Johnson, marshal ; Excelsior Hose company, J. B. Stahl, marshal; Company D, Fifth regiment, N. G. Pa., commanded by E. M. Amies ; Mountain City band; carriage containing representatives of Potts Post; Lieutenant Stephen C. Potts Post, No. 62, G. A. R.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
When the line reached the entrance to the cemetery the Junior Greys' band and all the organizations following stood in open order to permit the passage of the Post, which advanced to the lead, sue- ceeded by the Mountain City band and Company D. The march to the monument was then resumed, during which the Mountain City band played a solemn dirge. A platform had been erected to the north of the soldiers' monument and the procession filed to the right and marched around the shaft, encircling it. The first thing in the or- der of exercises at that point was the rendering of " Remember Me." the well known air from the opera of "Bohemian Girl," which was beautifully played by the Mountain City band. Rev. J. G. Miles of- fered a prayer ; then a dirge was rendered by the Altoona City band, when the ceremony of decorating the graves of the dead soldiers was performed. Chief Marshal Fitzharris then introduced the orator of the occasian, Rev. Jesse B. Young. At the conclusion of the oration a selection was given by the Junior Greys' band, and the procession moved out of the cemetery to the place of assembling, where it was disbanded.
OUR NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY.
Since the Centennial year no especial demonstration had been made in the observance of the anniversary of American independence .* As early as May, the present year. the subject of a firemen's parade was freely discussed by our citizens. Meetings were held, and the various wards of the city canvassed for contributions to defray the expenses of the firemen to whom, when the fact was established that a sufficient amount of money could be raised, invitations had been extended to visit our city. The sum realized was $1, 191.30, which after deducting or reserving $10 for printing and $50.30 for the pur- chase of fireworks, was divided among the Altoona companies for the entertainment of their expected guests in the following sums: Vigi- lant Steam Fire Engine company, $328; Empire Hook and Ladder company, $313; Altoona Steam Fire Engine company, $332.50; Ex- celsior Hose company, $157.50. [The Good Will company declined. to participate in the celebration and consequently received no contri- bution.]
The visiting firemen, were : (1) The Mount Vernon Hook and Ladder company of Harrisburg, guests of the Empire; (2) Hope Steam Fire Engine company, of Harrisburg, guests of the Altoona; (3) Logan Hose company, of Bellefonte, guests of the Vigilant; (4)
*The Fourth of July, 1880, occurring on Sunday, Monday. the 5th was celebrated.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
.
C. W. SICKLES,
BUTCHER,
- AND DEALER IN -
Fresh, Salt and Smoked Meats,
SAUSAGES, ETC.
POULTRY ALWAYS ON HAND.
1224 Ninth Street, between Green and Chest- nut Avenues, Altoona, Pa.
R. A. BONINE,
PHOTOGRAPHER
14th Street, between 11th and 12th Avenues, Altoona, Pa.
PUBLISHER OF STEREOSCOPIC VIEWS :
".Among the Alleghenies," "Horse-shoe Bend," and other important points along the Penn'a and Bell's Gap Railroads; also, 250 different views of Scenes in Florida.
ALL KINDS OF PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY.
LIFE SIZE OIL TYPES A SPECIALTY.
HORSESHOE CURVE, LOOKING WEST.
THE NET, PUBLIC LLENA
ASTOR THEX AND TILLEN JATIONS.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
Phoenix Fire Engine company, of Hollidaysburg, guests of the Vigi- lant ; (5) Huntingdon Steam Fire Engine company, guests of the Vigilant ; (6) Good Will Hose company, of Hollidaysburg, guests of the Altoona ; (7) Allegheny Hook and Ladder company, of Holli- daysburg, guests of the Empire ; (8) Fame Hose company, of Low- istown, guests of the Excelsior.
Thus, with eight visiting companies and four of our own, twelve in all, fully equipped with the apparatus of each, steamers, trucks and hose carriages, material was furnished for producing a spectacle rarely witnessed in cities of corresponding size. But the weather proved in- auspicious. No sooner had the firemen assembled and their orderly arrangement been effected than the rain descended, and, with slight intermissions, continued throughout the entire day. Nevertheless, the column moved and passed over the route previously planned. There were, probably, one thousand men in line.
The city contained thousands of visitors from neighboring cities and towns, many of whom had arrived on Saturday. The trains of Monday morning were filled to their utmost capacity.
As usual on such occasions the streets and houses were profusely decorated with arches, flags, etc.
On the following morning, in response to an invitation extended by the Hollidaysburg companies, several hundred of our visiting fire- men, accompanied by several brass bands, as well as a large delega- tion of our citizens, visited the county capital and pieniced in the neighborhood during the day.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE EQUAL RIGHTS LEAGUE.
The Sixteenth annual meeting of this organization was held in the Opera House, its session commeneing on the 17th day of August, 1880. Its first meeting was held in Harrisburg in 1864. Rev. John Peck was the first president. William Nesbit, an old resident of Al- toona, succeeded him and has been the presiding officer ever since. The objects of the League (to quote from their printed constitution) "are to unite the entire colored people of our State in a common brother- hood ; for the promotion of morality, education, temperance, indus- try, and the encouragement of everything that pertains to a well-or- dered and dignified life, and to obtain, by appeals to the consciences of the American people, or by legal process, a recognition of the rights of the colored people of the United States." The attendance was large and the sessions harmonious.
8
102
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.
From the courteons and ethicient City Superintendent of Public Schools, Prof. D. S. Keith, we learn that as early as 1815 the first school house was erected within the boundaries of the territory now ocenpied by Altoona. The south-east corner of Fourth avenue and Twenty-fourth street is the site where it stood. It was a log build- ing, chinked and danbed, not plastered, and furnished with slab benches. This house, surrounded by primitive forest, was used both for school purposes and for church services. Children, as far distant as two or three miles, attended school here, and often in winter, when the ground was covered with snow, there being but few roads, a track was made to the school house by dragging a log through the snow. The building served for school purposes until 1838. During this period, spelling, reading, writing, and "ciphering" were the branches taught. Corporal punishment was in full force. The moth- ods of instruction differed widely from those of the present. The pu- pil's course of study began with the alphabet, and it was customary to introduce the whole number of letters to the abecedarian at the first lesson. Spelling was pursued for some time before the pupil was advanced sufficiently to take up the Bible, which was the text- book used in teaching reading. In penmanship the teacher wrote the copies for each pupil who was ready for this branch, and mann- factured pens out of goose quills. Arithmetic was the last study in the course, and one who could solve " single rule of three" was con- sidered quite an arithmetician. This school was at first known as the Beales' school, but later as the Black Oak Ridge school. Henry Ad- ams and John Gwin were among the first teachers.
PASSAGE OF THE COMMON SCHOOL LAW.
The law, entitled "An act to provide for the education of the poor gratis," was in force until 1834, when the common school law was passed. The passage of this law aroused the people somewhat in regard to education. It had bitter opponents, but having been agi- tated and discussed, some of its opponents became its strong support- ers, and an effort was made to have better school accommodations and better schools.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
UNION CHURCH AND SCHOOL HOUSE.
In 1838 the trustees of the Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Metho- dist churches purchased a lot of ground from Eli Hastings, on which to erect a union church. Shortly afterwards, the school directors, having determined to creet a school house, purchased a lot adjoining for ten dollars, and agreed with the church committee that the church and school house should be erceted as one building, the school part being on one lot and the church part on the other. The school room and the church were separated by a swinging partition, which, when it was necessary to enlarge the church room, was swung up to the. ceiling and made secure by means of hooks. After the house was completed, which was late in 1838, a committee was appointed by the school directors to secure a teacher. Barton Hastings was elected first teacher, and the following is the agreement between him and the committee :
"Articles of agreement, made this 5th day of Jannary. 1839. between Barton Haslings, schoolmaster, of the one part, and we, the undersigned. committee of school No. 9, in Allegheny township, Huntingdon county. Pa,, of the other part : Witnesseth that the said Barton Hastings does bargain and agree with said com- mittee, to teach in their primary school for a ferm not exceeding three months. from the first of the present month, during which time strict subordination ac- cording to law and former enstom shall be observed. Spelling. reading, writing and arithmetic will be taught with fidelity. In consideration whereof, the said committee doth bind themselves, their heins and exeentors, to pay. or cause to be paid, unto the said Barton Hastings, the sum of twenty dollars per month for each and every month of said services. Witness our hands," etc.
It will be seen from the above that this district wa- embraced in Huntingdon county at the time referred to.
The Union school house, the name by which it was known, re- cently remodeled, and now occupied by the congregation of the A. M. E. church, stands on the corner of Union avenue and Sixteenth street. It served for school purposes until 1854.
BRANCHES TAUGHT.
During this period, geography and grammar were taught, and a degree of advancement somewhat higher than that during the former period was attained. However, but little improvement was made in methods of instruction. Recitations were conducted in spelling and' reading, but it can hardly be said that any were conducted in arith- metic. As long as the pupils were able to obtain the answers to questions, no assistance, in the way of explanation nor recitation, was thought necessary. When a pupil could not "do a sum," he went to the teacher, who, if conducting a recitation, allowed the class to proceed, or permitted the pupil, who could not "do his sum," to
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
WM. M. FINDLEY, M. D.,
802 Twelfth Street, Altoona. (EAST SIDE.)
HOUSE: 1126 Eighth Avenue.
J. D. HUGHES,
- DEALER IN -
ANTHRACITE AND BITUMINOUS® COALS. WOOD, HAY, STRAW, ETC.
Ninth Avenue and Nineteenth Street, Altoona.
D. A. BRADLEY,
MANUFACTURER OF AND DEALER IN
MONUMENTS, HEADSTONES
Lot Enclosures, and all kinds of Cemetery Work in Foreign and Domestic Marbie. Designs and Prices to suit all. All work done in an artistic manner and sat- isfaction guaranteed. Orders respectfully solicited.
ELEVENTH AVENUE, NEAR ELEVENTH STREET, ALTOONA, PA. ( Adjoining Josiah Arthur's Furniture Store.)
MISS ANNIE SHOFFNER, NEW MILLINERY AND DRESS MAKING STORE,
Twelfth Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, Altoona, Pa.
Respectfully solicits a share of patronage from the Jadies of Altoona and vicinity. The Dress Making is under the supervision of an experienced lady, and we guarantee all our work. The stock of Millinery Goods is always fresh and of the Latest Styles. New styles constantly received, Hats and Bonnets bleached, colored and remodeled.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
hear the class while he solved the question ; but, more generally, the assistance was given between recitations, and often some pupils went up and stood near the teacher, or took a seat near him, before the reci- tation was finished, so that being foremost, they might have their questions solved first. It sometimes happened, when the teacher had his attention drawn from his pupils, and his mind concentrated upon some question, not being very apt in figures, that pupils, waiting for their turns, had an opportunity to take a little recreation.
VETERAN SCHOOL DIRECTORS.
James Hutchison, who was elected school director shortly after the passage of the common school law, of which he was an ardent supporter, served twelve or fifteen years, and took an active part in education. Altoona's first board of school directors, after being incor- porated as a borough, in 1854, was presided over by Thos. K. Burch- inell.
ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENCY.
In 1854, the county superintendeney was established. This change did not affect some teachers very agreeably. Additional branches were to be taught, and a more thorough examination was to be passed. The first examination under this law, to be held in the Union school house, was advertised for several weeks, but, on exami- nation. day only one applicant, John Rutherford, was present. To be examined before the public. by the superintendent, was an ordeal through which many had no desire to pass ; and private examination being allowed, they preferred it to the public examination.
ERECTION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS, ETC.
The erection of a one-story frame building, containing two rooms, in the Fourth ward, was commenced late in the year, and was com- pleted February, 1855, at which time two schools were opened. The house was fitted with improved furniture. The desks with seats were made cach to accommodate two pupils, but owing to the crowded con- dition of the schools, three or more pupils were put to one desk. This kind of furniture, which is now rapidly disappearing from the school rooms, "patent " furniture taking the place of it, was consid- ered a great improvement at that time. The sexes were taught sep- arately. John Rutherford was elected teacher of the boys' school, and Miss Cordelia White of the girls' school. Some time after the schools were opened, a large number of pupils having been enrolled, an assistant was employed, who taught the primary pupils, both boys
106
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
and girls, occupying part of the room in which Miss White taught. A term of four months was taught, with an enrollment of one hun- dred and fifty-eight pupils. The salary of the male teacher was thir- ty-five dollars per month. The common school branches were taught. During the summer of 1855, a one-story frame building, with two rooms, was erected in the Third ward, and was supplied with furni- ture similar to that in the Fourth ward. Much the same kind of fur- niture was used in most of the rooms until 1870. The railroad di- vided the town into two districts, East and West Altoona. Mr. Rutherford, who was " put on his muscle," taught the boys' school in West Altoona, and served as a teacher for a number of years. In 1856, another building, with one room, was created in the Fourth ward, to which were assigned the more advanced pupils, both boys and girls. The elements of one or two of the higher branches were taught. The number of teachers was six, and the length of the school term was increased to six months. As there were only five rooms, one of them was occupied by two teachers. Some schools were com- posed of both boys and girls, others of boys or girls only. This "un- systematie " arrangement, which, for the most of the time, was not restricted to any particular grade, was continued until 1875, except from 1860 to 1869, when the sexes were taught together. In 1857, a building similar to the one last mentioned was erceted in the Third ward. The borough was enlarged the same year, and made to include part of what was known as Greensburg. About 1855, some of the citizens residing in Greensburg found it inconvenient to send their children so far out in the township to school, and therefore determined to build a school house for themselves where it would be convenient. The house was built on Howard avenue, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, and now serves as a dwelling. Robert McCormick gave the ground, and with his subscription and that of other citizens, a suffi- cient amount was secured to erect the building. It was used for pri- vate school until it came within the limits of the borough, when the school directors of the borough got control of it, and used it about one year for public school ; being distant from the other school houses, it was afterwards left vacant, except when used for select school. [ Professor John Miller taught a select school here about 1862, shortly after which the house was sold. ] In 1857, there were seven school rooms ; nine teachers were employed, and five hundred and fifty pu- pils were enrolled. The schools were divided into three grades- primary, intermediate, and grammar. J. Ginter Counsman, who was sometime afterwards elected superintendent of Blair county, was
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
.
teacher of one of the two grammar schools. Only eight teachers were employed the next year. No more buildings were erected until 1864 and no increase in the number of teachers was made. The school population increased, and in some room> from one hundred and fifty to two hundred pupils, under the care of two teachers, were enrolled.
About 1861, a district institute was organized by the teachers for their improvement in methods of instruction and school management, and in general culture. These institutes were kept up until 1875, when, the school directors refusing to remunerate the teachers for the time spent at these meetings, they were discontinued.
No other than frame buildings were erected until 1870. The pop- ulation increasing so rapidly, the erection of buildings required con- siderable attention In 1864, a house with one room was built in the Third ward, at a cost of $1.500. A fourth grade, called the high school, was made, and E. H. Brunner was elected teacher. A few of the higher branches were taught in addition to the common school branches. The next year Professor JJohn Miller was chosen teacher of the high school, for which a room was rented, all the school rooms being occupied by the other grades. Professor Miller held this posi- tion until he was elected city superintendent. In 1866, a two-story building, with two rooms, was assigned to the high school, and was occupied by it until a building was erected in the First ward.
When the boundaries of Altoona were extended and it was incor- porated as a city, what was known as Loudonsville came within the limits. Here were two school houses, each with one room. One of them was built about 1859, and served for school purposes until 1876, when it was destroyed by fire. The other was erected in 1866, when two grades were established. Another house, with one room, in the Eighth ward, which was erected about 1867, came within the limits of the city also. The enrollment of pupils was greatly increased, and it was necessary to rent several rooms until more buildings could be erected. In a short time three houses were built-one with one room in the Fifth ward; and one with one, and one with two rooms in the Eighth ward.
CITY SUPERINTENDENT AND TEACHERS OF HIGH SCHOOL.
The office of city superintendent was instituted in 1869, to which Professor John Miller was called. He served until October, 1874, when the present incumbent, Prof. D. S. Keith, was elected.
John S. Alexander was assigned to the high school; however Professor Miller continued to teach a few branches for one year.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
PHILIP TEATS, AUCTIONEER
- AND DEALER IN -
SECOND-HAND GOODS OF ALL KINDS.
New Furniture, Bedroom Suits, Jewelry, Notions, Dry Goods, Boots and Shoes, Queensware, and Bedding of every description, both Old and New.
All sorts of goods taken and sold on commission at reasonable rates. Sales in and outside the city promptly attended to by himself. speaks both English and German. Old Household Goods taken in exchange for New.
CALL AND SEE HIM.
[A piece of poetry written as an impromptu, and loft unceremoniously, surrep- titionsly and clandestinely on the glass case of Philip Teats' Auction House, 806 Twelfth Street, near Eighth Avenue, without signature:
Those fond of fine sofas and very good seats, Invariably call on our friend Philip Teats; Those wishing good tables at which to dine. Can there find a stock especially fine ; And all kinds of furniture both new and old, Which at prices quite low is invariably sokl.
That Teats is a "brick," as all people know, Who Forepangh fried hard to add to his show As one of his speakers to do the "polite," But Teats failed to join him. because 'twas not right To pull up bis stakes, Mountain City to leave,
For full well he knew how the people woukl grieve;
llis musical voice would no longer be heard,
And we're glad that friend Teats is a man of his word. "His musical voice would no longer resound."
For he's classed 'mongst the best that lives above ground.
At the favorite number-806 Twelfth Street, you'll find him in very good fix ; llis auctions at night are the best of the kind Of anywhere on the green earth yon will find. Those sales ( which are private) all through the long day, Attending of which you can have your own way, Result to the good of the people at large-
For attending his sales there's really no charge.
So go to the place, and all lake your seats, If you see nothing more, you will see our friend Teats.
PHILIP TEATS,
OFFICE: Twelfth Street, near Eighth Avenue, ALTOONA, PA.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
Nevin H. Fisher was next elected, and was followed by A. F. Ho- tetter, D. S. Keith, N. P. Crouse, and L. L. Book, the present teacher.
GRADING OF SCHOOLS.
In 1869, the schools below the high school were divided into five grades, and a revised course of study was prepared. The course for- the high school included the common school branches, with algebra, geometry, natural philosophy, Latin, Greek and German. However, but few pupils advanced much beyond the common school studies .. The course was not followed closely, every teacher changing it as he- thought it best adapted to the wants of his pupils.
MORE SUBSTANTIAL BUILDINGS ERECTED.
When Altoona became a borough and a separate school district, little idea did the school directors have of the dimensions the place- would assume in a few years. 'Frame buildings seemed to answer every purpose ; and it was thought, too, that there should be only one story, for when the first two-story school house was built, some- avowed that educational interest was getting up too high. But when a city charter was obtained, and the population continued to increase, the directors began to think it was necessary to oreet more perman- ent and larger buildings. In 1870, a brick building, with eight rooms, was erected in the First ward. Six rooms were supplied with pat- ent furniture ; and all the buildings erected afterwards wore fitted with such furniture, except a small addition put to one of the build- ings in the Third ward in 1871. There was still not sufficient school room for all the pupils, and, in 1872, a brick house, with four rooms, was built in the Eighth ward. In 1873, the frame building in the- Fourth ward, which was erected in 1856, was removed, and a brick house, with four rooms was built. The same year, two other brick houses, each with two rooms, were built-one in the Sixth ward and one in the Seventh ward. In 1875, an addition, with two rooms, was built to the Sixth ward house, making the total number of rooms thirty-eight ; and thirty-eight teachers were elected. In 1879, four additional rooms were added to the Sixth ward building. Owing to the rapid increase in school population, it was difficult to keep pace- with the demand for new school buildings; and when the number of rooms became equal to the number of teachers employed, which had not been the case since 1854, a very desirable end was accomplished ..
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