History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 38

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century > Part 38

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Five hundred and three acres were purchased at Mor- ganza by the State in the early seventies, for the purpose of removing the reform school from lower Allegheny. The price paid was $88,621.20. On the 1st of May, 1873, contract was made for laying stone for the foundations of two main buildings and four family buildings. In

July of the same year contracts for the buildings were given out, and on the 15th of July the corner stone of the main building was laid, with imposing ceremonies by Governor John F. Hortranft.

The estimates made for the different buildings were as follows: Main building, $80,000; girls' department, $40,000; boys' department, $25,000; church, $15,000; workshops and improvement of the grounds, $40,000; total, $200,000. Four buildings were completed and ready for occupancy in the autumn of 1876, and on the 12th of December of that year the institution was moved from Allegheny. Later other buildings were erected, but the church building has not yet been built, services being held in the chapel in the main building.

Since then the Pennsylvania Reform School has out- grown its clothes, just as the institution did when it was located in Allegheny, when it was known as the House of Refuge. The Pennsylvania Legislature, at its session of 1907, made a liberal appropriation, after the needs of the institution had been studied by a committee of the legislative body.

The buildings are overcrowded. It has been deter- mined to adopt the group plan of cottages, instead of the old buildings, which were more prisons than homes. This will make, in reality, a new institution. Already the work on two cottages and a gymnasium has been commenced.

The boys of the school have done a vast amount of work within the past few years, forming thereby habits of industry and learning, at the same time, useful trades. The school has an industrial department, teaching stenog- raphy, typewriting, telegraphy, bricklaying, blacksmith- ing, mechanical and architectural drawing, woodworking, turning, printing and domestic science. Religious instruc- tion is also given.

Andrew G. Happer, of Washington, is president of the board of managers of the institution. W. F. Penn, for- mer recorder of deeds, has been superintendent since May, 1905, succeeding J. A. Quay. Since Mr. Penn came. into the position he has made many progressive changes, one of which was to grade the schools. The grounds were beautifully laid out, and are kept in perfect order. An additional tract of land was added in the midsummer of 1909 by purchase from David P. Crane.

WASHINGTON COUNTY HOME.

The State Legislature passed an act on the 6th of April, 1830, giving authority to the county of Washing- ton to erect a building and conduct an institution for the employment and support of the poor of the county. The first commissioners, Gen. James Lee, Alexander Reed, Col. Joseph Barr, Gen. Wallace McWilliams, Zephaniah Beall, William Patterson and David Eckert, purchased land situated in Chartier and North Strabane Townships

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

from Robert Colmery, August 19, 1830. This land con- sisted of 172 acres, and cost $2,752. Afterwards portions of land were added to the farm until it comprised 209 acres.

In 1831 a building was erected which was superseded by the present building, which was commenced in 1872 and finished in 1874. It stands on the Chartiers Valley Railroad and on the Washington & Canonsburg (electric) Railway, one-fourth of a mile east of Arden station.

This present building is a fine brick structure, with three stories, and contains about ninety-seven rooms and a basement. The building at present is lighted with gas, but arrangements have been made to install an electric plant. There are at present 170 inmates. The largest number was in January, 1907, when the total reached 209. The building is heated by steam and has both hot and cold water. The institution keeps 24 head of cattle, 20 milch cows, 25 hogs and 4 horses. The home employs a practical farmer, who looks after the agricultural work. The crop for 1909 was:

Wheat

20 acres

Oats

16 acres

Corn 17 acres

Potatoes 5 acres

Hay

40 acres

The work is all done by the inmates of the institution. The water supply is furnished by three wells and two springs, and is pumped into the reservoir on the hill north of the home. There are five fire plugs on the out- side of the building, and there are inside connections with 60-pound pressure. Besides the farmer above men- tioned, there are employed an engineer, baker, hospital nurse, two matrons and a cook.

The following men have been chosen superintendents of the county home: Dr. John Logan, 1832-1858; John Gamble, 1858-1872; E. G. Cundall, 1872-1891; John Wil- son, 1891-1904; J. Vance Dodd, 1904-1907; John W. Quivey, 1907 to the present time.

The mildly insane are provided for, but dangerous wards of the county are sent, at the expense of the county, to State asylums.

WASHINGTON COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME.

The Washington County Children's Home is situated half a mile southwest of the county home, on the Char- tiers Valley Railroad and the Washington & Canonsburg Railway.

The homeless children of the county were formerly kept in the county home. On June 13, 1883, the State Legislature passed an act forbidding the county to retain within the poor house for a longer period than sixty days all the children between the ages of two and six- teen years. In order to comply, twenty-one acres of land

situated in South Strabane Township was purchased by the county commissioners from William Hervey, Septem- ber 19, 1884, for a consideration of $4,000, a children's home was soon built, and was used until February 12, 1899, when it was destroyed by fire. Almost seventy- five children were in the building, and all were taken out in safety. The children were taken to the A. B. Caldwell heirs' farm, in Buffalo Township, three miles south of Taylorstown. This farm was used as the chil- dren's home until the completion of the present build- ing, on the site of the old home that was burned, was finished, March 26, 1907. The new building was erected at a cost of $60,000. It is a brick structure, two and a half stories high, and includes in all fifty-two rooms, with basement and attic. The boiler house is situated on the outside of the main building, as a protection against fire. There is one large schoolroom, well equipped for teaching the primary grades, and provided with an experienced male teacher. Many of the children in the institution are too young to enter the school, but the latter sometimes contains as many as fifty. The total number during the winter of 1908-09 was 109. There are at present 37 male children and 26 females, making 63 in all. Under the law these children may remain in the home until they reach the age of sixteen years. Homes outside the institution are secured for them as rapidly as possible. The character and conditions sur- rounding these homes are always thoroughly investigated before the child is permitted to leave the institution. The farm consists of twenty-two acres of land. The Washington County Children's Home and the Washington County Home rent land and farm it jointly. There are six attendants in all. Mrs. Mary Rocky has been in charge since 1904, and there is no better evidence of efficient management than the manner in which the home is kept. Extreme cleanliness is conspicuous everywhere. The institution is well provided with playgrounds for the children. The successive superintendents have been M. S. Pence, David Ross, W. K. Lyle, J. L. Rocky and Mrs. J. L. Rocky.

MEDICAL HISTORY AND SOCIETIES.

Dr. Absalom Baird, of Scotch-Irish descent, opened his "doctor shop" in Washington in 1786. Dr. John J. LeMoyne, a Frenchman, followed him about nine years later. An Indian doctor was located and owned a lot in the same village in 1810. Whether he was an Indian or only used Indian methods and medicines we are not told, but between the Scotch-Irish, French and Indian schools of medicine, the people surrounding the county seat needed not for a physician.

By this last date, Dr. Ebenezer Jennings, father of the Rev. S. C. Jennings, was located near Cross Creek and Burgettstown; Henry W. Blachly, father of four

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

medical sons, near Prosperity; Dr. Ephriam Estep, in Somerset Township; Dr. Hugh Thompson, from whom we have the town named Thompsonville, in Peters Town- ship; Dr. Samuel Murdoch, Dr. James Cochran and Dr. James Warren at Canonsburg. For some unexplainable reason there was no physician at Parkison's Landing- at least, there was none nearer than Greensburg and Brownsville in 1805.

A decade later, Dr. Samuel King, Dr. Pollock and Dr. Brooks were in active practice there, all noted in their profession. Dr. George Linn was for many years, at a later period, in active practice. Between that point and the county seat the name of Dr. Boyd Emery has been a household word for three-quarters of a century, and the name still continues.

All of these and many more were allopathic, and not until forty-two years ago were there any homeopathic doctors. The first is said to have been Dr. Hunter, of California. This school was introduced into Washington by Dr. J. Morgan Maurer in 1877, and he was followed by Dr. Jonas Ely, about a decade later. The osteopathic practice was introduced by Dr. Robert H. Miller, about the year 1900. The Washington County Medical Society has done much to destroy the bitterness among the med- ical fraternity, and has gone so far as to say, "The school of graduation is no bar to membership. Every reputable physician of the county is invited to become a member."

The physicians from the very first have been more or less in politics. Dr. Baird had scarcely "got his feet warm" until he was in public office, such as justice of the peace, lieutenant of militia, member of the state senate, sheriff of the county and trustee of Washington Academy. Men who knew the needs of the community, as well as the sick patient, were well qualified for office, especially for the Legislature, to which many of them were elected. Among the latest to receive the title of "Honorable" was Dr. D. M. Anderson, Dr. John B. Donaldson and Dr. W. W. Sprowl.

WASHINGTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. By Dr. John B. Donaldson.

On the 19th of May, 1855, the present regular county medical society was called into existence in the commis- sioners' office in the court house, in Washington, and the minutes state that a vote of thanks was accorded the commissioners' clerk, Mr. Gamble. Subsequent meetings were held in the town council chamber and at sundry hotels, but, as now, the meetings were generally held in the court house.

The meeting was called by notice sent by some of the Washington physicians through the mail, and by means of newspaper notices.

Twenty men presented themselves, and by signing the constitution and by-laws presented that day, thus became

members of a society which has held together ever since. The meetings were then held semi-annually, in May and October.

The following names are affixed to the constitution, and of these members three are still alive: John W. Martin, of Canonsburg; George H. Cook,* of McDonald, and J. S. Van Voorhis, of Belle Vernon.

The complete list is as follows :

John Wishart, James Stevens, Boyd Emery, John Weaver, J. S. Van Voorhis, S. S. Rodgers, J. Wotring, Thomas McKennan, John R. Wilson, L. H. Sweitzer, J. Wilson Wishart, John W. Martin, George H. Cook, W. B. Kennedy, Wray Grayson, J. S. B. Kountz, Robert David- son, James P. Gazzam, John Dickson and W. Addison, the three latter serving as censors for the society.

This meeting was called for 10 o'clock, and after appointing committees on constitution and to nominate officers for the year, adjourned until 1 p. m.

The officers elected at the afternoon meeting were as follows: President, John Wishart; first vice-president, J. Stevens; second vice-president, Boyd Emery; record- ing secretary, J. R. Wilson; corresponding secretary, J. S. Van Voorhis; censors, Davidson, Emery and Wishart; examiners, John Weaver, J. Wotring and J. W. Wishart; treasurer, Wray Grayson.

During the following years the meetings were increased to four per year, and this was the custom until the year 1903, when they were increased to six, meeting bi-monthly, and in 1905 to ten a year, or monthly excepting August and September.

During the years of the Civil War the meetings of the society were permitted to lapse, but on April 25, 1867, they were again resumed, and from that time to the present the profession has not been without an efficient society, that has done much towards disseminating knowl- edge throughout the ranks of the profession, and thus doing much good to the whole people.

From its inception the best men in the profession have always been numbered in its ranks, and the society now has a name known all over the State as one of the best. During the past two years a system of post-graduate readings has been established, that are attended weekly and much good is done thereby. The membership now amounts to 120, and an effort will be made this year to have every eligible man in the county enrolled.

Of late years the sectarian spirit has almost been abol- ished, and now members of the other schools are invited to join, and many have so availed themselves of the privi- lege. Much more liberality is practiced throughout the rank and file of the profession, and in a very few years the medical profession will be rated where it belongs, as the most liberal and altruistic profession in the world.

3 Dr. George H. Cook, since the above was written, died December 13, 1909.

HIGH SCHOOL, WASHINGTON

SIXTH WARD SCHOOL, WASHINGTON

FEE

TYLERDALE SCHOOL, WASHINGTON

THIRD WARD SCHOOL, WASHINGTON

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

The following have served as president of the society, and may serve to show the leaders of the society for fifty-five years: John Wishart, '55; John Weaver, '56; Boyd Emery, '57-'67-'72-'78; Ezra Bemis, '58; Thad- eous Dodd, '68; S. L. Blachley, '69; William H. King, '70-'71; W. P. Morrison, '73-'81; George A. Linn, '74; Thomas P. Bradley, '75; John H. Leyda, '76; David McCarrell, '77; Thomas McKennan, '79-'90-'91; F. P. Scott, '80; John A. Patterson, '82; O. L. Blachley, '83; J. Y. Scott, '84; C. B. Wood, '85; H. H. MeDonough, '86; John B. Donaldson, '87; Joseph McElroy, '88; Q. C. Farquar, '89; W. V. Diddile, '92; John A. Mckean, '93; Wray Grayson, '94; J. N. Sprowls, '95; Boyd A. Emery, '96; W. J. Mitchell, '97; S. A. Lacock, '98; L. C. Bot- kin, '99; J. B. Irwin, '00; W. R. Thompson, '01; H. L. Snodgrass, '02; R. C. Wolf, '03; U. B. Murray, '04; Harry A. Acheson, '05-'06; W. H. Alexander, '07; T. D. M. Wilson, '08; W. D. Martin, '09; and George B. Woods, '10.

An earlier society of the same name was organized June 10, 1813, in Washington by adopting a constitution and electing Dr. Joseph Doddridge, president and Dr. D. G. Mitchell, secretary. Its members were: Drs. John Wish- art, John Warring, John Julius LeMoyne, Robert Glenn, William Warnock, John Byers, William Hamilton, Benja- min Carroll, James Mitchell, William Quigley, H. H. Blachley, John Smith, M. L. Todd, Thomas McGarrough, James Hayden, James Patterson, David Staunton, John Baird, Alexander Crawford, Thomas Hersey, M. Adams, Shipley Homes, John Mulliken, Samuel Murdoch.

Washington and Allegheny Counties joined in estab- lishing a medical society November 26, 1835. It is not known how long either of these societies continued to meet.

Note-Rev. Joseph Doddridge, medical doctor, deserves more than passing mention, because he was a medical missionary. Born in Bedford County, about 100 miles east of Pittsburg, in 1769, he was removed by his father in 1773 to their settlement in Independence Township. He became a clergyman of the Episcopal Church and spent his life in constant missionary and medical labor in Western Pennsylvania, Virginia and Southern Ohio, and was serving the Methodist Episcopal Church as a circuit rider in 1790. (Warner's History Allegheny County, pages 330 to 350.) He was a doctor in the double sense of the word. Many of the ordained min- isters of early days had a medical knowledge and prac-

tice also. Many physicians in Washington County have been a power for moral and spiritual good in their day and generation.

OTHER COUNTY SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.

Washington County Chapter, No. 27, Daughters of the American Revolution, was the third organized in the state of Pennsylvania, it being instituted in January, 1892. The membership is drawn from twenty-six families. This county had an unusually large number of soldiers of the revolution located within its borders, many settling here after the war ended.

Washinton County Bar Association was chartered Oc- tober 31, 1892. The association has approximately seventy members. Additions are accepted upon application and ballot.

Washington County B Association was chartered Oc- in 1902 and has a present membership of 200. The mem- bership dues are $1 per year, and this with $200 granted annually by the county commissioners, under a State law, constitutes the revenue of the society. Quarterly meet- ings are held at which historical papers or lectures are given by some eminent person. The life of the society is largely due to its very efficient president, Boyd Crum- rine, Esq. The rooms of the society are on the third floor of the court house, where are stored many valuable relics and documents, in charge of Mrs. Helena Beatty. The work of the society is handled by a board of manage- ment. A hearty invitation and welcome is given to all visitors.

The Children's Aid Society of Washington County pro- vides for destitute and neglected children. It is a branch of the state organization. Since its organization many years ago more than 220 children have been cared for by the society in this county. Mrs. Madaline (LeMoyne) Reed has been a moving power in this most humane work

The Washington County Woman's Christian Temper. ance Union was instituted in 1882. The union now has a membership of 225 and has done a noble, unselfish work.

The Justices' and Aldermen's Association of Washing- ton County was organized on May 1, 1906, with the object of assisting the several justices and aldermen in their work. Justice John N. McDowell, of Buffalo, was one of those instrumental in the organization. James A. Magill, the attorney, and many others took an active interest also.

CHAPTER XIX.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

ROADS-Early Roads and Road Legislation-National Pike-Washington and Williamsport Pike-Pittsburg and. Washington Pike-Pittsburg and Steubenville Pike-Prosperity Plank Road-Local Legislation. RAIL- ROADS-Early Surveys-Hempfield Railroad-Pittsburg-Southern Railroad (now B. § O.)-Pittsburg &- Steubenville Railroad (now P. C. C. & St. L.)-Chartiers Valley R. R. - Tylerdale Connecting R. R .-- Pittsburg, Virginia & Charleston Railway (now Monongahela Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad)-Ells worth Branch of the Monongahela Division of the Pennsylvania - Waynesburg & Washington Railroad- Wabash Railroad Pittsburg Terminal-Pittsburg & Cross Creek Railroad. SRTEET RAILWAYS-Lines of Pittsburg Railway Company-Washington Electric Street Railway - Washington & Canonsburg Railway - Pittsburg & Charleroi Street Railway-Charleroi & Allenport Street Railway - Allenport & Roscoe Electric Street Railway. MONONGAHELA RIVER-History of its Developments - Boats and Industries Connected With. TELEGRAPH and TELEPHONE COMPANIES-Early Lines-Bell-Federal-Home-Mutual-National.

The roads and the weather have been more discussed in this county than any other subject. The first white travelers found only trails or paths. These were sup- posed to be made by wild animals, and it seems probable that the buffalo may be included with the bear, deer and other wild animals as road makers in Washington County, as they "abounded"' in the Knawha Valley as late as 1770. (History of Beaver County, page 103), and Gen- eral Washington, in 1784, followed the road made by them across the mountains east of Morgantown (Washington and the West, page 67).

Indian trails or paths were here, the most noted being the Mingo path which crossed westward by Catfish Camp toward Steubenville, and others bearing the same as well as other names in different directions, and the very important Old Catawba war path, going southward and crossing the State line west of Mt. Morris, formerly in this county.

Before the erection of Washington County in 1781, roads or trails led from Catfish Camp by West Liberty to the mouth of Short Creek on the Ohio; to Wells Fort on Cross Creek, near the present town of Avella; to Fort Pitt; to Devore's ferry on the Monongahela; to Burgett's on Raccoon, and to Lindleys on Ten Mile Creek. As soon as the county was organized petitions were presented to open a road from Catfish Camp to Pittsburg and from here to Redstone ferry. The Redstone road went up over Gallows Hill, or nearly on South Main street extension. The road to Wheeling was shifted to the north and passed between Bellevue and Kalorama. The Grave Creek road led toward Wheeling.

The early roads went over the hills or along the ridges. if possible, but after the Indians were driven off the travelers sought the valleys. Streams were crossed at fordings and for many years no bridges were erected either over small streams or rivers. Fordings were found on the Ohio near Beaver, and on the Monongahela at Pittsburg, Mckeesport and elsewhere above. Much of the- time these could not be used.

The Augusta District Court, the Yohiogania County Court and the Washington County Courts when first opened had many petitions for roads, and it is probably safe to say that every term of court since has had its. road proceedings. The township supervisors opened and cared for them by calling out the neighbors to work out their road tax. This was necessary, as money was too scarce to waste.

It was sufficient if the roads were made passable. This- was done by throwing the dirt from the roadside gutters onto the road, making them worse, if possible, than before. If travelled sufficiently the roads became smooth and were good enough until broken up again by rain and frost.

This was sufficient for horseback and wagon travel in summer and sledding in winter when the simple needs. of the times could not be met by long walks across fields.

Buggies were almost unknown until after the middle. of the century, when they were being introduced very slowly by S. B. & C. Hayes, who began their manufacture on a lot in the rear of the court house in 1841. Car- riages or surreys were seldom seen prior to the Civil War .. The idea of a farmer boy having a horse and buggy he-

214

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

could call his own was not thought of until within the last quarter of a century.

The bicycle had come into quite general use and the country boy and the town man began to get away from home. Bicycling became a fad, and organizations were formed in the eighties to learn of the best roads and to obtain better roads by legislation. Ten years later the automobiles appeared on the roads and the influence of the manufacturers and purchasers went lobbying for good road legislation.

The "Flinn Road" Act, passed June 26, 1895, gave the county commissioners power under certain regulations to improve a road or roads and call them "county roads."

The "Sprowls Road" Act, passed April 15, 1903, es- tablished a State Highway Department, and authorized the improvement of roads under certain regulations by a state highway commissioner, the roads to be known as "state highways."

In 1905 the cash-road-tax law was enacted, giving town- ships the right to vote and to decide that their township road tax should be paid in cash instead of by work. All but six of the thirty-three townships have voted to pay in cash; induced by the clause that 15% of this cash tax shall be annually repaid to the township. The townships hire roadmasters to superintend the work.

Under the Flinn Act the townships thought they were to be relieved from repair of county roads, but late enact- ment has placed this burden on them. Under the cash tax law the 15% is not being paid by the State for lack of appropriation for that purpose. The farmer is taxed heavier than ever before for the construction, and is yet to feel a much heavier burden because of the very great cost of keeping in repair in addition to the great expense of roads yet to be built.

The first move in the County to construct county roads under the Flinn law was made by Canton and Hopewell Township residents in January, 1903.

Flinn roads were built the next year and Sprowls road commenced in 1905. J. Russell Wilson, C. E., a native of Washington, has represented the Highway Department since it was organized, and has charge of the roads and construction in Washington and Green Counties, and of that portion of the old National Turnpike road extending through Washington and Fayette Counties. Reports to this department show Washington County has 2,558 miles of public roads.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 38

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1474

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474