USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 85
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 85
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324
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
ture of grading the streets was seven thousand dol- lars.
In the beginning of the year of 1857 there was not a house in what was called " Verbeketown," and hardly half a dozen in what is now the Sixth Ward. while at the present time Verbeketown is compactly and in most parts well built up, while the ward has nearly, if not quite, seven thousand inhabitants, with two election precinets, and a voting population of fifteen hundred. Thus it will be seen what enter- prise, and the small inducements held out to the peo- ple for a given purpose, will produce.
In the year 1800 Harrisburg received its highest corporate honors,-that of a city. The boundaries were extended in all directions, commissioners were appointed from the most reputable and staid citi- zens of the borough to lay out streets and avenues and set the municipal machinery in motion. Al- though at the time arousing much opposition, yet its subsequent growth and prosperity have fully realized the fondest expectations of its earnest advocates. In population it ranks the sixth in the State, and in man- ufacturing interests it is the third, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia alone exceeding it, while in the Union it ranks high among the inland cities. The chief municipal offieer- from the period of its incorporation until the present year are as follows :
MAYORS.
William H. Kepner, April 20, 1800-March 57, 1-63. A. L. Roomfort, March 27, Ist3-March 23, 186G. Oliver Edwards, March 23, 1-66-J in. 11, 1869. W. W. Hays, Jan. 11, 1869-March, 1 -70 (died in office). George B. Cole, April 4, 1870-Jan. 9, 1:71. William K. Verbeke, Jan. 9, 1971-Jan. 13, 1513.
J. D. Boas, Jan. 13. 1873-Jan. 11, 1-75.
John D. Patterson, Jan. 11. 1.75-Jan. S. 1881 (resigned).
John C. Herman, Jan. 5, lasi-Apr.12, ixst. Simon Cameron Wilson, April 2, 1553, to serve two years.
CITY TREASURERS
Alexander W. Watson, April 20. 1-60-March 22, 1-62. John T. Wilson, March 28, 1-62-March 27, 1x6 .. George F Weaver, Sr . March 27, 1.6-Jan. 16, 1873. Grafton Fox, Jan. 1, 15:3-Jan. 11, 187%. Duvid S. Herr, Jan. 11, 1-75- April 2, 1877. Wilham Sheesley, April 2. 1877-April 4. 1881. Leonard H. Kiunard, April 4. Isal-April 2, 1883 (re-elected to serve for two years from April 2, 1-831.
PRESIDENTS OF COMMON COUNCIL.
Daniel W. Gross, April 20, 1500-March 98, 1862. William O. Hickok. March 2s, 1862-March 27, 1868. John H Ziegler, March 27, 18G -- tet. 23, It's. David Mumma, Och 2;, los-oct. 23, 1sb3. Christopher Lew ., Oct. 22, 1500-Out. 2%, 1-10. J. Brishen Buy 1, Oct. 2%, 1.PLUct. 27, 1-71. Daniel C. Maner, Oct. 27, 1871-Oct. 25, 1872. John D. Patterson, Oct. 25, 1-2-Oct. 24. 1873. W. IT. H. Sig, Oct. 24. 1 ;3-001. 22, 1:73. J. A Slentz, Oct. 24, 1875-April 1, 1-78. Julin C Kirk, April 1. 1 -78-April 7, 1879. William H. Clrckner. April 7, 1 -70-April 5, 1 -: 0. John J. Hargest, April , I .- April 4, 1>1. Somurt W. Myers, Spol +, leal-Apr 13. 199 Charles A. Miller. April 3. 1 - 2-April 2, 1-3. John C. Hutton, April 2, 1583.
PRESIDENTS OF SELECT COUNCIL.
A. Boyd Hamilton, March 22, 1867-April 20, 1>68. Robert L. Muench, July 27, 1574-Feb. 19, 1875. Joseph Strominger, 1 eb 19. 1875-April 7, 1579. John A. Gramm, April 7, 1870-April 4, 1851. William J. Adams, April 4, 18x1-Jan 23, 18-2. Charles I .. Bailey, Jan. 25, 1852-April 2. 1853. William L. Gorgas, April 2, 1853.
CLERKS OF COMMON COUNCIL.
David Harris. April 20, 1860-April 1, Isos.
John T Wilson, April 1, 18-Ort. 23, 186%.
John Smithler, that. 2. I April 2, lass (re-elected April 2, 1983, for three years).
CLERKS OF SELECT COUNCIL.
Ovid F. Johnson, March 22. 1867-April 20, 180% 0. A. Wilhelm. July 27. 1874-Feb. 19, 1s75. John W. Young, Feb. 19, 1875-April 8, 1876. B. Frank Peters, April 8, 1876-April 4, Iss1. W. J. Baker, April 4, 1s>1-April 2, 1:43.
The year 1860 is especially noted for the visit of the Prince of Wales to America and to the new city of Harrisburg. He was formally received by his honor, Mayor Kepner, and at the capitol was invited to a seat in the Hancock chair, introduced to the citi- zens by Gen. Cameron, and weleomed to the State by Governor Packer. Among the distinguished visitor- to the city, he was the first scion of royalty since the days of Teedyu-cung, king of the Delaware, who had honored this locality with his presence.
In the general history of the county we have dwelt very fully upon the great civil war, and in this place can only casually allude to it. The location of the first and greatest military eamp in the Northern States was adjoining the limits of Harrisburg, named, by Gens. Kuipe and Williams, in honor of the chief magistrate of Pennsylvania, Camp Curtin, which with being the central point of communication, es- pecially with the oft-beleaguered Federal capital. made it a prominent rendezvous. The citizens of the city were equal to any emergeney, and the com- munity fed gratuitously twenty thousand returned three months' soldiers for several days, the proper authorities failing in their duty. Hospitals were es- tablished, and. although in charge of the govern- ment, the ladies of the State capital never wearied in well-doing, caring kindly for the siek and wounded.
From the commencement of the war the charity of the citizens was unbounded and without stint, the doors of hospitality freely opened, and to our honor be it >aid two citizens, Messr -. John B. Simon and Eby Byer-, established the Soldiers' Rest, where the sick and wounded patriot on his way homeward found rest and refreshment and gentle care. Thousands were kindly ministered to, and until the "boys cante marching home" the good work went on unabated. In every cemetery and graveyard within the borders of Dauphin County lie the remains of her brave and true sons, while in the cemetery at Harrisburg the grass grows green over the graves of Union and Con- federate soldiers from far-off States. In all the strug- gles for life, for liberty, for right, and for the Union . Harrisburg was never behind. But these dark days
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
325
of our country have passed like "a dream that has been told." May the lesson taught be heeded by those who come after us, -that the Union of States is not a rope of sand which may be broken at the will of any section.
On the 19th of July, 1877, while the Governor and commander-in-chief of the forces of Pennsylvania was on his way to visit the Pacific coast, a general strike was inaugurated by the employés of nearly all the railroads in the United States. In many por- tions of the commonwealth the municipal and county authorities failed to restore traffic, and for several days the rioters, for such many proved to be, had control of affairs. The burning of the round-house, depot, aud cars at Pittsburgh, with the attack of a reckless and infuriated mob upon the soldiery at that
exhausted, at onee took measitres to preserve peace and restore order. A proclamation was issued call- ing upon the law-abiding citizens to aid him in the faithful discharge of his duty. The city was placed under military rule, and the sheriff summoned all reputable citizens for the support of " law and order."
In the afternoon quite a number of Philadelphia soldiers, who had reached Fairview on the west side of the Susquehanna, surrendered their arms to a hand- ful of the rioters, who, with increasing numbers, brought the former to the city, marching ther through Market Street to the depot. It was a pitia- ble sight, and only proved what was in store, had not the prompt measures of Col. Jennings checked this ebullition of outlawry.
On Monday night the rioters, several hundred in
. C
CAMP CURTIN HOSPITAL.
place, gave cause for great uneasiness and alarm. Travel was suspended on all the railroads eentering at Harrisburg.
Sunday, the 22d, was one of great suspense. The authorities, however, were quietly preparing for the emergency. That evening, one by one. the City Grays found their way to the arsenal, which had been defenseless. On Monday the Mexican trophy cannon were duly spiked, but the mob increased by tramps showed signs of disquiet, and affairs were assuming such a situation that became suddenly alarming. The sheriff, Col. Jennings, returned to Harrisburg on Monday afternoon and found the city ju the power of the mob, the proclamation of the mayor of the day previous availing little. The sheriff' met the committee of citizens, and when Mayor Patterson informed him that his power to quiet affairs had been
number, began breaking into the stores, ostensibly for guns, but in reality for pillage. At this juncture the sheriff gathered the citizens, and placing himself at their head came upon the mob, who soon dispersed, while upwards of thirty were arrested and placed in prison. On Tuesday evening twelve hundred of the citizens organized into "law and order" companies, paraded through the city, and from that time, dur- ing the emergency, the citizens patrolled the eity, preserving order withont calling to their assistance the military. Governor Hartranft. in the sub-equent message to the Assembly, highly complimented the ex- ample of the officers and citizens of the capital city.
In the mean time the military gathered for the de- fense of the different railroads so as to insure peace and restore traffic, and when this was accomplished the citizen-soldiery returned to their homes.
1
326
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER IX.
WATER SUPPLY.
Early Efforts to Supply the Town with Water-The Water-Works of 1840-Shinplasters-The New Water-Works.
EFFORTS to supply the town of Harrisburg with water were made at a very early period in it- history. Reference has been made to the proposition for con- verting Paxtang Creek into a canal by diverting it from its course, and augmenting its supply of water from the Susquehanna by means of a wing-dam north of the present residence of Judge Hiester. This was for manufacturing purposes primarily. Legislative aid and approval failed, and the project was aban- doned.
About the year 1800 several trial surveys were made of the supply of water obtainable from some of the springs on the high ground east of Paxtang Creek, and below South Street. Nothing came of it, except that Pott's tannery obtained. by a wooden service pipe and very primitive basin, a supply for its uses. That was on the line of the present Philadelphia and Read- ing Railroad on Paxtang Street. It is impossible to state at whose expense the-e surveys were made, but we have always understood that John A. Hanna, Stacy Potts, Adam Boyd, Joshna Elder, Robert Harris, and Moses Gillmor had much to do with this exami- nation.
In 1818. '19, '20, Thomas Elder, Hugh Hamilton, Joseph Wallace, John Forster, Robert Harris, James R. Boyd, Jackson Watson. Abraham Bombaugh. George Beatty, Samuel Holman. John Fager, and John Roberts, determined upon and made survey for a water-supply for the town of Harrisburg. having then a population of three thousand, a highly culti- vated community, " very poor in purse so soon after the war."
The design was to confine the springs on the lands of Dr. Wiestling and Mr. Bombaugh, near the present new basin and on the line of Market Street, in a dam at the junction of Market and Thirteenth Streets. Also to utilize the springs on Messrs. Hielman's and Berry- hill's lands, west and south, in a dam on MIr. Hamil- ton's land, east of the present Paxtang tannery. both points quite one hundred feet above the low water of the Susquehanna River. The water thus gathered was to be conducted in wooden pipes to the town and supplied by gravitation. It was expected that this project would cost thirty-three thousand dollars, and afford two hundred thousand gallons a day. The municipality had no authority to aid the enterprise, the community was too poor to carry it out, so the whole came to be abandoned.
About this time the borough had incurred a debt of nearly two thon-and dollars. Some of the members of the Council-four of nine -- proposed and urged a sale of the reservation on the west side of Front
Street. Capt. Alexander Graydon bad showed the burgesses, Stacy Potts and Andrew Mitchel, as well as the public, in a newspaper discussion twenty years before, that this land could not be used for any pur- pose, except as a pleasure-ground, if any regard was had to the bequest of John Harris, the founder. Most of the lawyers of that day agreed with Gray don. In its necessity the Councils after 1809 rented " the bank" for lumber-yards, in detiance of all con- trary opinions. In a few years this violation of the grant of Harris produced a second,-the proposition to dispose of the whole of it from Paxtang to South Streets in town lots. Fortunately, the intelligence and sense of right in the community was aroused. It made its influence felt, and, after a brief struggle, effectnally defeated this scheme to aid an empty treasury. The present generation enjoy in this par- ticular the foresight of the founder and the good taste of our early citizens in the preservation of this de- lightful reservation.
The subject of water-supply was, however, kept alive by its friends, and that seems to have been the whole community. The newspapers occasionally al- luded to it, notably the Chronicle. That paper of the 5th of Augu-t, 1822, gave its support vigorously to any plan of supply, stating that " the introduction of a constant, a plentiful supply of fresh water into the town from the Susquehanna, or from the springs in the neighborhood, if such there are, of sufficient volume and elevation, is a subject that has been agitated for several years past. All admit the ne- cessity for and are convinced of the utility of this thing."
The article further sets forth the great convenience arising from the then recent introduction of water into Philadelphia, and urged the formation of a Har- risburg company with power to introduce water. This was a year previous to the passage of the first act of Assembly on the subject. That embraced a plan both brilliant and practical, nothing less than a canal sixty feet wide, six feet in depth, and nine miles long.
In March, 1823, an act of the Legislature was passe.l incorporating a company "to supply the bor- ough of Harrisburg with water, and to insure against fire." The corporators were John Zinn, John For- ster, Jacob MI. Haldeman, Obed Fahnestock, John Capp, Samuel Pool, Peter Keller, Robert Harris, John B. Cox, Abraham Oves, Christian Gleim, John S. Wiestling. William LeBarrou, Jacob Bucher, John Gingerich ; shares twenty dollars, two dollars to be paid at subscription. It was not until December, 1825, that the necessary amount of money was sub- seribed to set the company going. An election was then held by the subscribers. John Forster, cashier of the Harrisburg Bink, was chosen president, Dr. Thomas Whiteside treasurer, John Roberts secretary. Director-, John Zinn, tanner; John &. Wiestling. printer : Christian Gleim, printer and sheriff of th .
327
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
county ; Samuel Pool, carpenter; John Ritchey, But the names of the two latter gentlemen do not ap- farmer, of Lower Paxtang; Benjamin Kugler, M.D., pear in subsequent proceedings, and George S. Kem- Ile and Henry Beader were added to this water- works committee. of Philadelphia ; Abraham Bombangh, farmer; Val- entine Hunimel, saddler. Laomi Baldwin, C.E., of Boston, was chosen engineer. John Davis, E-q., The scheme as first proposed did not include any special plan or defined ideas. Everybody could see that there was plenty of water in the river and plenty of land for a "ba-in," but the manner in which to , accomplish the work was yet to be reduced to a prac- ticable conclusion. made the preliminary survey. The fall from the mouth of Stony Creek at Green's mill ( Dauphin ) to the Market Street bridge across Paxtang was found to be twelve feet fifty-nine one-hundredth-, which it was decided would afford the requisite supply.
The company was engaged in preparations to carry out its project, when the ther. canal commissioners determined to locate the proposed eastern division of the Pennsylvania Canal over exactly the same ground ehosen by Mr. Baldwin for the water line of the Har- risburg Company. The State had the right and used it, thus dismissing the company without damages for the considerable expen-e its corporators had ineurred in surveying its line. It was a most indefensible ex- ercise of power on the part of the commonwealth. The company took the case to the courts. Whilst the question was pending, discussions were lively and heated, both at stormy town-meetings and places of publie resort. At last in May, 1827, the Supreme Court decided against the company, and the State proceeded to eonstrnet the canal as it is seen to-day. The company dissolved, and the corporators lost most of their two dollars a share.
In February, 1833, a new aet was passed having as corporators John Forster, Jacob M. Haldeman, Rob- ert Harris, William Graydon, Hugh Hamilton, George Geiger, Frederick Kelker, John M. Forster, Abra- ham Bombaugh, Francis R. Shunk, Henry Buehler, James Lesley, Lnther Reily, Joseph B. Henzey, and Isaac Updegraff. The charter allowed the company to take water from the river, "without a dam, at Brushy Rock," thence " to Pine Street," where works were to be constructed to force the accumulated fluid to " a point on the uninclosed publie ground, having careful regard to the safety of the arsenal." The basin was to have been where the present Mexican inonument now stands. The cost was estimated at one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. This pro- ject was never very popular, and after much contro- versy the company dissolved.
The project, however, which resulted in the suc- eessful introduction of Susquehanna water into the borongh of Harrisburg originated with Wm. Arres, a distinguished member of the Harri-burg bar. Having been elected a member of the Borough Council in Janu- ary, 1839, he applied himself to the work forthwith, and on March 26th following he scored from the Legislature the passage of an act to supply the borough of Harrisburg with water. In compliance with this aet, the Town Council on the 20th of April appointed the following members a committee to carry out the provisions thereof, viz. : William Ayre, (chairman ), Samnel Pool, Jacob Seiler, John Knepley, Michael Burke, George Beatty, and Christian F. Haehnlen.
The committee was, however, empowered to employ a competent engineer, and with his assistance " asrer- tain what head and fall can be had in the Susquehanna River from the head of 'Miller's Ripples' to the foot of the borough, specifying the same at the several points along the contemplated line, both with and without a dam." They were also to inquire into the expediency of nsing water-power or steam, the con- struction of the necessary "basin" (reservoir), the eost of water-pipes and laying them in the streets, to- gether with all other information necessary to com- plete the works, special reference being had to "ex- pense, utility, and practieability, and their probable revenue."
The twin conflagations of the previous year, which had destroyed two blocks of valuable property, in- cluding the Lutheran Church, on opposite corner, at Fourth and Market Streets, were still fresh in memory, and the water-works committee, imbued with the faith and indomitable energy of its chairman, pro- ceeded during the summer of 1839 to examine the ground and draw such conclusions as made the result practicable and only a matter of time. In this they were assisted by the engineering talent of the town, chiefly by Col. John Roberts, who made the survey and plot of the reservoir grounds, and by the spring of 1840 their plans were quite definite and awaited confirmation and acceptance by the Council.
Edward F. Gay, of Philadelphia, an engineer of considerable reputation at that time, was engaged to make a formal test of these preliminary measures, which he did by aetnal survey, and made a favorable report thereon.
The general plan was now matured, and Messrs. Ayres and Pool were delegated by Council to negotiate for the necessary land upon which to locate the reser- voir. The site deemed most eligible was on the heights of the ridge between the river and canal, at the inter- section of North and High (now Fourth ) Streets, which was the most elevated spot practicable, the top of the proposed reservoir to be ninety-two feet above low- water mark at the ( Market Street) bridge, and ninety- one feet above the noted low water of 1803. marked on Maclay's Rock. As it was also intended to bring the feeding main pipes up North Street from a water- honse to be located at its intersection with the river, the locality aforesaid was clearly the proper one. After many interviews, di-pute-, arbitration-, and snits the required amount of land was ultimately se-
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
cured for the reservoir, with its adjoining streets, eight acres and ten perches, at a total cost of four thousand four hundred and thirty-seven dollars and thirty-four cents.
It was solely through the instrumentality of Wil- liam Ayres that the money was seenred to construct the Harrisburg water-works. On Dec. 26, 1839. Gen. Ayres personally addressed the directors of the Bank of the United States, asking for the loan of twenty- five thousand dollars at six per cent. interest, payable semi-annually, the principal to be paid any time after 1850. The faith, credit, and responsibility of the borough was pledged a> security under the act of March 26, 1889. already mentioned. The money was not to be furnished until April next ensuing. Cer- tificates of loan were to be prepared and then issued.
The confidence in the integrity of the borough, shown by the liberal subscriptions of the bank re- ferred to, although far short of the sum required to complete the works, encouraged the Council to issue (April, 1841) in its own behalf certificates of indebt- edness (" borough notes," as they were called) in payment for labor, and received for taxes and all municipal dues. These notes were for twenty-five
2. Constructing a water-power in the Susquehanna and fifty cents, termed "shinplasters," and one, two, I in the neighborhood of Rockville, and foreing water and three dollars. They were graciously accepted by the people, and constituted the currency of the town for nearly three years.
It may be here noted that they were gradually canceled, and by the autumn of 1843 the necessity of further issue ceased.
By September. 1841, the works were considered as finished, anything further being considered as simply extension, and required only the superintendence of the water committee. Mr. Erdman, whose engineer- ing skill had been secured during their construction, consequently relinquished his engineership, and for- mally handed over the management to the Town Council on the 20th of that month.
In the year 1843 the capacity of the water-works was commensurate with the necessities of the town. Its income had so far increased that the deficiency to be made up by the borough issues was only about eleven thousand dollars. The labor done upon them was chiefly in finishing up and completing; the dis- puted land damages were settled finally ; very little amount of pipe was laid : so that this year closed with the Harrisburg water-works an accomplished fact. It may be here stated that by the lat of January, 1844, the pipe laid was equal in distance to eight miles; stop-cocks set, 107; fire-plugs erected, 99. The total cost of construction, for labor. materials, real estate; freight, and salaries, 8120,459.12. The general ex- pense of operating the entire works was reduced to $1482.50 per annum. The number of dwellings, manufactories, and other building, supplied with water was 653. The total amount of borough debt, $170,733.37.
By the extension of the city limits, especially on the
east side, the rapid increase of population, a demand was made for an improvement in the water supply of the city. The old reservoir it was found was too contracted, and its height insufficient even at the full level to supply the old part of the city, while beyond the rise of ground east of Paxtang Creek, where there was at least one thousand inhabitants, no improve- ments of the old reservoir could be made which would render aid to that locality. In 1868 active measures were inaugurated and proper legislation secured look- ing to an improved water supply for the city.
The water commissioners then appointed were Messrs. William Calder, A. Boyd Hamilton, Charles F. Muench, David S. Herr, and John J. Shoemaker. On the 16th of June, 1869. the commissioners elected H. P. M. Birkinbine engineer, who at once began an investigation of all the different sources of possible water supply. The following were examined and fully reported upon :
1. Locating the works on the western shore of the Susquehanna opposite the city, forcing the water from the river into a reservoir on Fort Washington Hill, and conveying it across the river by pipes.
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