History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 91

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 91

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Citizens' Library-It was in 1811 that the people of Washington began to feel the need of a public library. Thomas H. Baird advertised in the paper on July 15, 1811, that he would lend his books to subscribers at the rate of $5 per year; the library was to be open in the house of Mr. Baird every day except Sunday. How long it continued is not known.

The Washington Library Company was organized in February of 1816 with Matthew Semple as librarian. In May the library was opened in the house of Mr. Semple. No one seems to remember what became of the library. In 1832 and 1833 Archibald Kerr kept a circulating library.

The Mechanics Library was opened in 1846; at first it was kept in the building below Dr. Whittlesey's drug store, but was removed afterward to the old Methodist Church parsonage on Beau street.

As the years went by the citizens began to desire a more pretentious organization with better equipment, so in 1867, the Washington Library Association was formed

with Mr. A. Wilson as president, Rev. Watkins as secre- tary, Mrs. V. Harding as treasurer, and Miss Martha Grayson as librarian. The library was formally opened in the Grayson home in February, 1868, with about 150 volumes. The books of the Mechanics' Library were finally presented to the new organization, and entertain- ments were given and money raised for purchasing books. Much interest was taken in the library, and the number of volumes increased till in 1871 there were about 1,600 volumes.

In 1869 a new Town Hall was proposed, and Dr. F. J. Le Moyne offered to donate $10,000 for a public library, provided rooms in the new building were given for that purpose. In April of 1869 the offer was made to the council, and after some months the offer was accepted.

The Town Hall was completed in 1871, and the rooms for the library were provided. Two thousand and one hundred dollars was spent in erecting the fire-proof vault, $5,900 was expended for books, and $2,000 was placed at interest for use of the library. The new organization became known as the Citizens' Library Association which was to be controlled by a board of five curators, one to be appointed by W. & J. College, one by the Court of Washington County, and three to be elected by the people.

On November 16, 1871, Miss Mary Gregg was elected librarian and served until April 16, 1888, when she re- signed, and Miss Mary Murphy was elected. Miss Murphy resigned on April 28, 1888, and Miss Willa M. Kirk was elected. On April 24, 1890, Miss Annie Charl- ton was elected and served till February 9, 1891, when Miss Antoinette Cracraft was elected.

Miss Cracraft served till the fall of 1902, when her health failed.

About this time a new interest was taken in the library, especially by the Civic Division of the Current Events Club. On January 30, 1903, Miss Janet M. Clark was elected librarian and still serves.

During the following spring the Civic Department raised about $1,400, with which new books were pur- chased and the rooms were repapered. In April the postoffice was moved, and the library came into pos- session of a large front room now used as a reference and reading room. One of the other rooms was fitted up as a children's room.

A renaissance in library affairs began with the in- terest aroused by the Civies and the election of Miss Janet M. Clark. The council took new interest and gave heat, light, janitor services and $600 per year; the school board decided to give one-fifth of a mill of the school tax, and the library in return gave free books to teachers and pupils of the borough schools and the

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parochial school, and purchased 79 sets of Supplementary readers to be used in the schools.

The library staff now consists of the librarian and three assistants who are specializing in various depart- ments. There are now 12,800 volumes in the library. Aid is received from the school funds as required by recent law.

Washington Borough Fire Department-In the year 1903 Washington Borough established the Gamewell fire alarm system and employed paid firemen, who are always on duty. A fire building was erected on the lot belonging to the borough in the rear of the Town Hall Building, and a fine equipment purchased. Two horses are sufficient for the ladders and hose which are usually taken in case of fire, for fire engines are not now needed as formerly, because of the abundant water supply in the fire plugs located all over the borough. The de- partment is one of the best, although it has only five men. No very disastrous fire has obtained great head- way since the organization of the paid company. The confinement is so continuous that this department de- serves a better location on Main street, where they would have more pleasing quarters. The chief is Patrick Curran and his assistants who are well trained and disciplined are: Horseman, Harry Cundall and Charlie Houston; electrician, Lawrence Loar, and driver, Shel- don H. White.

From the earliest history of the town, efforts have been made to guard against fire. The village owned a fire engine in 1796. A Washington fire company was organized in 1801 and later the Franklin Fire Company was formed. In 1822 the Hope Company was organized and this together with the Washington Company, organ- ized in 1837, existed about 20 years. The Good Intent Fire Company was organized in 1837 and an engine purchased. Twenty years later the Hope Fire Company was reorganized and was again reorganized under the same name in 1870. The Eagle Fire Company was formed in 1857-though its fire engine was purchased three years previous. Water was often scarce, but bells were rung and cries made and the people turned out to form what was known as a bucket brigade. Some of the fire companies owned their own fire buckets which were made from sole leather and were used by men, women and children standing in line and passing the water from some pump to the locality of the fire. The empty buckets could be passed back along the line of smaller children. One or more of these leather buckets is owned by Mrs. Jennie W. Baird, of this town, as a relic.

The Good Will Company was formed and used a suc- tion engine worked by about 15 men on each side. In 1873 the first steam engine was purchased and it was a beautiful piece of brass. It was used by the City

Fire Department which was organized at that time. This company disbanded during the year and was imme- diately succeeded by the Little Giant Fire and Hose Company. Cisterns were constructed at different con- venient points near the center of the town. Frequently the little engine was brought out for drill and its puffing and throbbing always produced a crowd which generally raised a yell when the water would be thrown so high as to fall sprinkling like a baptismal shower on the head of Gen. George Washington, whose statue stood on the top of the court house. In 1880 the Mechanics Hook and Ladder Company was organized and this com- pany did good service until the bond issue was voted upon and the paid fire department was installed as above stated. Many of the most prominent men of the town were actively engaged as members of these volunteer fire companies.

Washington Hospital-The Washington Hospital, one of the town's leading benevolent institutions, may be said to be the outgrowth of a movement begun some 25 years ago, to provide a hospital for this borough. The leaders in that movement were Dr. Grayson and Drs. Thomas and Harry MeKennan, all now dead. That was unsuccessful and a few years later, Miss Nellie Reed, now Mrs. McCord, of New York, made vigorous efforts to reawaken hospital interest. A series of entertain- ments were given in the old Town Hall and several hundred dollars was secured for a hospital. Interest flagged however and Miss Reed placed the funds in safe hands and the matter was for the time dropped.

Early in 1897 Drs. J. Y. Scott, George M. Kelly and the late Dr. William Denny undertook the task of re- viving public interest in a hospital. Several public spirited men came to their assistance and in May, 1897, a charter was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County to the Washington Hospital. The original corporators were Drs. J. Y. Scott and George M. Kelly, and John A. Howden, James K. Mitchell, John Slater, Grattan G. Best, J. G. Brittain, T. B. H. Brown- lee, Thomas M. Nichol, Henry Schoenthal, A. G. Happer, John H. Murdoch, John W. Seaman, J. S. Cullinan and W. C. McBride.

The funds left by Miss Reed in the hands of A. G. Happer with other contributions, were invested in the A. W. Acheson homestead on Acheson avenue, Fifth Ward, and in May, 1898, the hospital was opened for the reception of patients.

The original building with its repairs and additions cost about $16,000 and since then $43,000 has been ex- pended in additions. The hospital now has four wards and 16 private rooms. It is equipped with gas and electric lights throughout, steam heat, elevator and tele- phone service.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

WASHINGTON HOSPITAL, WASHINGTON, PA.

Number of patients treated from the opening to October 1, 1909. 2,951 Number of patients treated from October 1, 1908,

to October 1, 1909 412

City Hospital of Washington-The City Hospital, erected near the Seventh Ward school building, was the result of a discussion among the physicians in May, 1906. Of the 26 charter members of the association, all were physicians. It was decided to add a number of laymen to the association, thus bringing the community at large into closer touch with the undertaking and giving them a direct voice in its management.

The hospital building is one of the best equipped in Western Pennsylvania and was erected at a cost of about $40,000. Ground was broken August 27, 1906. The formal dedicatory ceremonies were on April 26 and the following Monday, April 29, 1907, the new institution was opened for the reception of patients. The entire equipment of the hospital is modern and up-to-date.

The operating room is a model in its appointments and construction. It is equipped with all appliances and improvements which the latest discoveries and develop- ments in surgery and medical science prompts. The first officers of the City Hospital Association were A. C. Marsh, president; W. B. Ritchie, vice president, and Dr. T. F. Cashman, secretary.

Washington Cemetery-The old graveyard in the borough of Washington was probably used from the be- ginning of the settlement of the town and passed into the possession of the borough. After it ceased to be used Franklin Street was extended through it and the part east of Franklin partly built up and the western part also built upon. The place at last became so ill kept besides being in such an unhealthy proximity to the town that a charter was granted to the Washington Cemetery Company March 3, 1853, for the laying out of a new cemetery. The company had the following incorporators: Samuel Cunningham, James Watson, George Lonkert, John D. Chambers, Hon. Alexander W. Acheson, James Brown, Joseph Henderson, R. F. Cooper, James Ewing, John L. Gow, John H. Ewing, Dr. John W. Wishart, Hon. William McKennan, David S. Wilson, O. B. McFadden, Alexander Murdoch, William Hopkins, S. B. Hays, John Hall, Franklin Nichol and Dr. M. H. Clark. The board of managers was composed of Rev. Thomas Hanna, John L. Gow, Hon. Alexander W. Ache- son, William Hopkins, James Watson, James Brice and D. S. Wilson. These men determined upon the hill a half mile southwest of town and accordingly the land now occupied by the cemetery was purchased from Alexander Sweney, Joseph Huston and William B. Huston. The ground was cleared, a superintendent's house erected and the cemetery laid out by John Chislett. Hundreds

of handsome monuments have since been erected. A magnificent monument was erected here in 1871 in memory of the Washington County soldiers who gave their lives in the Civil War, and another is erected over the grave of Col. Alexander Hawkins, a Civil War vet- eran, who commanded the Tenth Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American War, and who died on the voyage home from the Philip- pines. The cemetery is beautifully laid out. Shade trees are abundant and in every way it is a God's Acre of exceptional beauty. The grounds are under the care of William Crosby, who has been superintendent for 41 years and has now 175 acres under his charge.

The records of the early educational history of Wash- ington are very meager. The earliest mention of schools is the incorporation of the academy in September, 1787. In 1789 this school was opened in a room in the upper story of the log court house. Rev. Thadeaus Dodd had charge of the 20 students who formed the first class. The only hint of a common school in the town at that time is a conversation with Mordecai Hoge, who is recorded as saying that he attended school in 1790 in a hewed log cabin with low windows and desk and slab benches. In the newspaper in 1795 and also in 1799 ap- peared advertisements of a French school. William Porter in 1796 advertised to open an evening school in the schoolhouse on Wheeling street. This was the old red schoolhouse where the south end of the old college building now stands. Mr. Porter probably taught the day school also, as his is the only name of a school teacher, which appears on the assessment roll of 1798 In 1800 a Miss Good taught school in Washington and again in 1809 opened a school for ladies.

In June, 1805, John Hoge sold to Alexander Little, James Gilmore and Robert Anderson, lot No. 77 on Belle, now Wheeling street, to be made use of for a schoolhouse and no other purpose, unless it be for build- ing a house or a place of public worship. A brick school- house was erected in the rear of this lot; later both were conveyed to the Baptist Church.

About 1811, Mrs. James H. Baker, established in Washington what is said to have been the first female seminary west of the Alleghany Mountains. It was opened first in a house which stood on the site now oc- cupied by the Morgan Block, on South Main street, above Maiden.

On April 14, 1814, Mrs. Baker advertised that the school would reopen on May 7 and that arrangements had been made "for boarding all foreign pupils." On April 24, 1815, she informed the public that the May term would commence in "a new and elegant house on Maiden street, capable of accommodating 40 young lady boarders." This was a pretentious school for that early

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

day. The house referred to is still standing and is in a good state of preservation. It is the home of Mrs. John Baird. The Baker Seminary continued in this build- ing for several years.

From that time until 1830 the information available is very unsatisfactory and slight. Among the teachers dur- ing this time were Rev. Charles Wheeler, pastor of the Baptist Church; David Johnson, Mrs. Baker, Robert Fee, Rev. Matthew Brown, James Williamson, Mrs. White- house, Samuel Marshall, Andrew Gwinn, Obadiah Jen- nings, John Kerr, Philip'Potter, Mrs. Harriett Lafouch- erie and many others. The schools were taught in the old stone Masonic building in the rear of the Grayson property on Main street; in a house owned by Hugh Wilson, on Main street near Maiden; in the second story of the market house, which stood at the corner of Main and Beau streets, where the sheriff's office now stands, in a Pine alley schoolhouse; in the brick schoolhouse on the Baptist Church lot, and in a log schoolhouse on the Lutheran Church property, near the old graveyard. In December, 1830, a public meeting of citizens of the town and county was held at the court house for the purpose of taking into consideration the subject of general education, and to adopt measures to call the at- tention of the State Legislature to the subject. Alex- ander Reed occupied the chair, James Gordon was vice president, and Ephraim L. Blaine and William Baird, secretaries. A committee was appointed, which reported a petition to the Legislature, which was read and adopt- ed. Another committee reported a plan for a general system of education, such as was in practice in some of the eastern states."

"In 1832 the teachers in the borough, George K. Scott, Phillip Potter, Warner Long and Alexander G. Marshman published a letter in the papers of the day attempting to regulate the school system. This letter had the effect of arousing the citizens to the matter, and several meetings were held for the purpose of devising some measure in reference to the better regulation of common schools of the borough. One noticeable thing about the school teaching of that time is, it was entered on as a business enterprise, or venture, and at the close of the term the teachers would return grateful acknowl- edgement for past support and announce that he would open his school on the blank day of blank month next, in such and such a room."

"In the year 1836, Mrs. Fanny Biddle opened a ladies' school on Maiden street, and a new building was erected and occupied and a state charter obtained in 1838, for what is still a flourishing school, the Washing- ton Female Seminary.

"In 1834 the public school law went into effect and the borough schools became regularly organized into & district. From 1834 to 1843 the records are few and

dim. From that year minutes have been kept and the first school board mentioned in them consisted of John Grayson, president; George Morrison, secretary; Colin M. Reed, John Hart, Prof. Robert Milligan and Henry Langley."

"The schools held for about five months of the year and then the rooms were let to the teachers for sub- scription schools the rest of the year. In 1844 the tax for school purposes was $582.30. The earliest corps of teachers recorded consisted of Edward J. Morgan, George Freeby, Miss Sarah Hull, Thomas Officer, Samuel R. Witherow, Miss Martha Smith, Miss Mary A. Morgan and Phillip Potter, which last had charge of the colored school. With the exception of this school, and those for very small children, the sexes were taught in separate buildings. The buildings in use at that time were the basement of the M. P. Church, in the rear of the jail on West Beau street, containing two rooms; the house on the Baptist Church lot, reached by Cherry alley. This Baptist Church spoken of on West Wheeling street was torn down some years ago. It stood where brick dwellings now are just a short distance below Franklin street, near the home of Dr. W. J. Waugh; a brick house of two rooms on corner of Franklin street and Cherry alley; the lodge on West Maiden street, con- taining two rooms; the house where the colored school is on the lot in the rear of the A. M. E. Church, corner East Chestnut and Lincoln streets. The highest salary paid was $28 per month and the lowest $14."

"At this time there was some attempt at classifi- cation, but none at graduation. School government was rude and harsh and the buildings rough and unattractive, and after each vacation a committee was appointed to repair damages to the premises. In March, 1848, the M. E. Church building on Franklin street, near Chest- nut street, now the MacConnell Buggy Factory, was pur- chased and divided into four rooms, the second floor to be for the big boys. The purchase gave a great im- petus to the interest in school affairs.

"As graduation was desirable and something to evi- dence that distinction would stimulate pupils, a high school was established in 1866, and diplomas presented to a class of five girls, on May 17, 1867.

The old Union school building, the property now being owned by Washington & Jefferson College and used as a site for the academy, which was erected in 1853 to 1855, was destroyed by fire on Sunday, February 12, 1899. When first erected this old building was con- sidered a model and substantial structure and was visit- ed by many persons who desired to erect large buildings. It was 75x80 feet, brick, three stories high, and had four recitation rooms on each floor. The grammer school building still remains and is used by W. & J. Academy. Additions have been added to it since in control of the

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

college. The property was sold to Washington & Jeffer- son College for about $27,500. The school board, after disposing of this property, bought lots on North College street, next to Pine alley, and at the corner of South Franklin and West Maiden streets and erected new brick buildings. In 1895 the Second Ward building was erected. There are now schools in every ward of the borough, except the Fourth. This ward is small, and not far distant from the other schools. The younger colored children are taught in a separate school. The Tyler Ward has two schools, housed in practically new build- ings. One has only been in use within the past two or three years. The ward schools are in charge of prin- cipals who are under the direction of the superintendent. Not including the large High School faculty, 75 grade teachers are employed. The Parochial School is taught by the Sisters of the Catholic Church. Washington's High School ranks among the first class High Schools of the State. In addition to the superintendent and the assistant the High School faculty is composed of a principal and nine other teachers. There are also four special teachers. Pupils are permitted to elect book- keeping, shorthand and typewriting which is arranged for at the Washington Business College.

The school report for 1908 gave the borough of Wash- ington 65 schools taught nine months in the year. There were 7 male teachers and 70 female teachers. The average month's salary of the males was $91.42 and of females $60.05. There were 2,852 scholars enrolled and the cost per month of each pupil was $2.26. The num- ber of mills for school purposes was 5.6 and for build- ing purposes 2.4.

The borough of West Washington which has since been admitted to the borough had in 1908, 14 schools, taught nine months in the year. There was one male teacher, receiving a salary of $95 per month and 14 females at an average salary of $49.66 per month. There were 613 pupils enrolled and the cost of each per month was $1.75. The tax levied for school purposes was 7 mills and for building purposes 5 mills.

East Washington, which is not a part of the borough of Washington, had nine schools, taught 81/2 months in the year. There were three male and seven female teach- ers. The former received on the average of $85 per month and the latter $61.71. There were 173 scholars enrolled and the cost of each per month was $3.86. The school tax was 5 mills and building tax 2 mills. It has one large brick building where all its pupils attend.

Principals and Superintendents-In May, 1850, after an examination by Profs. Milligan and Alrich, of the college, Alexander M. Gow was selected teacher of the school for big boys. There were eight teachers beside him, and each school was independent of all the others. There was no similarity in teaching, discipline or man-

agement. No order or method, and among the teach- ers, as among the children, was constant and serious conflict. The first effort toward systematic government was the election of Rev. Wesley Kenney of the M. E. Church as superintendent, at $50 per annum. The school term was now ten months and the average salary of teachers $174."'

In 1851 the salaries were increased and John L. Gow, father of Alexander M. Gow, elected superintendent. From this year the union graded school may be dated. At the close of the school in March, 1852, the superin- tendent, John L. Gow, made a report of the changes effected during the year to a large public meeting held in the court house. In the spring of 1852 Alexander M. Gow was elected principal again and in 1853, superin- tendent, continuing in that position until the spring of 1857 and during the last year being treasurer of the board. In May, 1853, the school board resolved to erect a new building that season and sent Mr. Gow to Pitts- burg to consult an architect. John Chislett was em- ployed and a building to cost about $20,000 contracted for. On the 3rd of July, 1855, the new building was dedicated.

"In June of 1857 Mr. Gow resigned his position and left Washington County for the west. D. P. Lowary suc- ceeded Mr. Gow and was in turn succeeded by Alexander Wishart, who served from August, 1859, to May, 1861, when he resigned to enter the military service as cap- tain of a company he had raised. Rev. L. P. Streator held the position of superintendent till August, 1862, when Capt. Wishart was again elected to that position and retained it until the fall of 1866. On his resig- nation D. F. Patterson, Esq., now of Pittsburg, was elected to succeed him. He was superseded by Rev. W. J. Wilson, who served until the end of the school year in 1872. In February of that year, as a result of a matter of discipline, Mr. Wilson received a pistol shot wound from one of the boys in the school yard. This incapacitated him from performing his duties for some time, and during his inability his place was taken by Henry Hull. In 1872 W. C. Linn was elected the ninth superintendent and served for five years. J. W. Gib- bons succeeded him, and after a service of one year was followed by W. L. Welch. He in turn gave way to F. E. Sanford, who held the place until the election of A. G. Braden.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 91

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