USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > Bradford > Illustrated history of Bradford, McKean County, Pa. > Part 8
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JOSEPH CRAWFORD, JR.
Mr. Crawford was born in Ireland in 1874 and came to America in 1886, removing to Bradford the same year and taking the position of foreman in the machine department of Bovaird & Co. He enlisted in Co. C, February 15, 1894, re-enlisted three years later, was appointed corporal February 28, 1895, sergeant July 18, 1897 and was inustered into the service of the United States as sergeant May 10, 1898. He served with his company throughout the Porto Rican campaign, returning at the close of the war and again joining the National Guard. He was appointed sergeant-major of the first battalion January 11, 1900 and adjutant of the second battalion August 3, 1900.
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MILITARY OFFICERS OF BRADFORD, MEMBERS AND EX-MEMBERS, OF CO. C.
Thomas Conneely, 1st Lieut. and Inspector Rifle Practice 16th Regt.
J. F. Robinson, 2d Lieut. 16th Regt.
John Crawford, 1st Lieut. Adjutant 3d Batt. 16th Regiment.
W. J. Bovaird, formerly 1st Lieut. Co. C. 16th Regt.
Dr. Jas. Johnston, Major and Surgeon Medical Department N. G. P.
Lester H. Simons, Ex-2nd Lieut. Co. C, now Captain 47th Regt. U. S. V. Geo. O. Slone, 1st Lieut. Co. C 16th Regt.
John E. Fennerty, 1st Lieut. Adjutant 1st Batt., 16th Regt.
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MAJOR JAMES JOHNSTON
Surgeon-major of the 16th Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard and third in order of seniority of the surgeons of the state, began his military career as a cadet in the high school of his native town of Whitby, Ontario. Subsequently he joined the 34th battalion Canadian Volunteers, starting with rank of first surgeon and subsequently through his connection with a medical school being assigned to duty in the office of the surgeon-general. Later at the outbreak of the Riel rebellion he joined a mounted company of scouts, but the early termination of the trouble rendered the services of this command unnecessary.
He joined the National Guard of Pennsylvania during his first year in Bradford. In 1891 he received his commission as lieutenant and assistant- surgeon just in time for service at Homestead and Duquesne. He remained with the regiment during its 96 days stay and for fully half of the time was alone on duty, the surgeon and other assistant having returned to their homes.
At the next annual encampment he was promoted to the rank of major, which post he occupied during the riots at Walston and by successive commissions ever since.
In the Spanish-American war Major Johnston was in a position to render valuable service to the country. Transferred at Chickamaugua to the medical department of the United States army, he was first assigned as acting chief sur- geon of the first division and subsequently assigned to duty organizing the am- bulance service of General Brookes, first army corps, a duty he performed so capably as to receive favorable mention in the report of the surgeon general.
Space is too limited to review in detail his services during the campaign. He was surgeon in charge of the transport on which his regiment sailed to Porto Rico and in command of the ambulance company during the fights at Coamo and Aibonito, later supervising the building of a division hospital of 200 beds, 25 miles from the base of supplies, which hospital accommodating on several occasions over 300 patients, is always referred to with praise by both officers and men.
Dr. Johnston, during the Porto Rican campaign, was appointed chief surgeon of general Evart's staff and when the movement across the Island began, he accompanied the brigade in that capacity. On the homeward voyage he was appointed surgeon in charge of the transport Minnewaska, and this ship he fitted up with a hospital of 50 beds, by this means bringing home 46 men and four officers of this regiment, who would otherwise have been compelled to remain in the general hospital at Ponce.
At the close of the war he was transferred back to his regiment in the National Guard, which regiment he has given the benefit of his war experience.
He is an active member of the Association of Military Surgeons and National Registrar of the Society of the Porto Rican Expedition.
JOSEPH F. ROBINSON
Was born in Toledo, Ohio, on December 11, 1875, removed to Pennsylvania with his parents when quite young and has been a resident of Bradford during the past 15 years. Attended the Bradford High school, leaving in the senior
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year to accept position of city editor of the Sunday Post, continuing in the latter position until the outbreak of the Spanish-American war. Became a member of the National Guard of Pennsylvania on June 21, 1894, by enlisting as a private in company C, 16th Regiment, under Capt. Burns. Served with the company at the Walston riots and entered the United States service in 1898, being promoted to corporal and finally to sergeant, serving with the company throughout the campaign in Porto Rico, under Gen. Miles. Was elected second lieutenant of company C in September 1899. On April 1, 1899, was appointed street commissioner of the city of Bradford by mayor Greenewald, resigning the position on April 1, 1901 to accept the city editorship of the Daily Era, is a member of the Elks, Eagles, Masons, I. O. O. F.
JOHN E. FENNERTY
Was born at Coal City, Pa., September 26, 1869 and removed to Bradford in 1876. He was educated in the public schools of Bradford. His military career began with his enlistment in Co. C, September 24, 1888. He was promoted to corporal in time to serve in the Homestead strike from July 11 to October 13. He was a sergeant at the Walston coal strikes in June 1894 and was made regimental sergeant-major in 1895. May 5, 1898, he was commissioned as second lieutenant and appointed battalion adjutant. In the Porto Rican campaign, lieutenant Fennerty had charge of the scouting expedition to the Spanish outposts. For his gallantry in the fight at Coamo, major-general Wilson recommended him for brevet rank of first lieutenant. On the re-organization of the National Guard, he received a lieutenant's commission and is now battalion-adjutant of the first battalion.
GEORGE O. SLONE
First lieutenant of Co. C, was born in Russell, Pa., September 23, 1865. He was educated in the public schools completing his studies with a course at the Jamestown Union School and Collegiate Institute from which institution he graduated. Removing to Bradford in 1880, he engaged in newspaper work, starting the Bradford Sunday Post in 1895. Subsequently he became connected with the Daily Record and is at present city editor of that newspaper. Lieutenant Slone enlisted in Co. C 15 years ago. During the Spanish war and Porto Rican campaign he was the first sergeant of the company. The efficient manner in which he performed his duties as first sergeant is attested by the fact that after the reorganization of the company as a member of the National Guard, he was selected as first lieutenant. He is a member of Tuna lodge, I. O. O. F., Bradford Tent, K. O. T. M. and an honorary member of the B. T. U.
WILLIAM J. BOVAIRD
First enlisted in Co. C., 16th Regiment, N. G P., February 8th, 1889, was appointed corporal in 1890 and in September 1891 was elected 2nd lieutenant. October 1893, subsequently elected 1st lieutenant June 1894. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, he volunteered into the United States service May 10th, 1898, as 1st lieutenant of Co. C, 16th Regiment, U. S. V., and served with the regiment in the Porto Rico campaign, returned home with the regiment and mustered out of U. S. service December 28, 1898. He then returned to the National Guard of Pennsylvania and on the expiration of his commission, June 1899 retired. Mr. Bovaird was born in Allegheny county, Pa., March 25, 1863, came to Bradford in 1878 where he has remained ever since, now holding the position of foreman of the blacksmith department of the Bovaird & Seyfang Manufacturing Company.
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THE NEWSPAPERS.
HE Bradford Miner, originally owned and edited by Col. Sam C. Crane, was the first newspaper published in Bradford. The initial number, dated Friday, March 12, 1858, a small four page, five column sheet, is quite a journalistic curiosity, and all things considered, an excellent little newspaper. The second editor was Col. J. K. Haffey and the third C. D. Webster. The paper was finally dis- continued in Bradford and the plant moved to Smethport.
The next newspaper was the New Era. The first number was issued August 28, 1875. The first editor was Col. Haffey. In his salutory he said: "We are paid for editing the New Era, will do what we think best, write what seems needful, advocate the interests of the Tunungwant Valley from our own standpoint, and promise only to earn our pay."
October 29, 1877, the New Era was merged into the Bradford Era, which newspaper was subsequently absorbed by the Daily Blaze, which had been established in the fall of 1878 by David Armstrong. The name was retained and the Blaze discontinued.
The Butler Brothers, now proprietors of the Buffalo Evening News, established the Sunday News April 11, 1879 and continued publication up to November, 1883, when the paper was sold to P. H. Linderman and ran several years before it was discontinued.
The Bradford Sunday Herald was established August 4, 1878, by the Herald Company, consisting of D. W. Lerch and W. L. Cooper. Originally it was the organ of the labor party and greenback money, but after a change of ownership the policy was changed. The present owner, Ada Cable, took charge in 1898.
The Daily Blaze, established by David Armstrong in 1879, had a brief but turbulent existence. The Blaze is remembered chiefly on account of its edition printed one day with blood red ink. This crimson color was supposed to symbolize an uncompromising hostility to the Standard Oil Company and at the time attracted considerable attention. S. K. Dunkle was editor and J. L. Howell foreman and local editor. After a troubled existence of three or four months the Blaze was added to the graveyard of newspaper dead.
Eben Brewer established the Evening Star in 1879. Subsequently A. J. Farrar and A. J. Carr purchased the paper. In May 1880, H. F. Barbour purchased Carr's interest and in the fall of the same year, R. B. Stone became practically the sole owner. In 1883 George E. Allen & Co. assumed control. In May, 1884, Mr. Barbour became half owner and editor. In June, 1885, the Star Publishing Co. was incorporated with H. F. Barbour president and R. E. Whiteley secretary and treasurer. In October, 1885, the office was removed from the old stone building on Pine street to the present quarters in the Producers' Exchange.
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The Petroleum Age was issued in December 1882, under the management of W. J. McCullagh and A. J. Carr. The paper was purchased by A. L. Snell in August 1883, with J. C. McMullen and W. C. Armor as partners. Snell and Armor sold their interest to McMullen in 1884. The paper was discontinued.
Next on the list of Bradford newspapers is the Sunday Morning. This newspaper was established by Benzinger and Edwards with Phil. J. Welch as editor. The last publication of the paper containing Walt Whitman's poem Blades of Grass, sold for $1.00 per copy.
DAVID A. DENNISON.
R, E. WHITELY.
The Sunday Mail was established by A. J. Carr in 1881, and in 1884 absorbed by the Star.
To fight the enemies of the Typographical Union, the Evening Call was established in November, 1885. Only a few issues were printed and by January of the following year the paper had ceased to exist.
The Daily Oil News was established October 3, 1887. by E A. Bradshaw and J. C. McMullen. The paper was published until June 1888.
The Delemater campaign of 1890 led to the establishment of the Bradford Record, by senator Lewis Emery, Jr., Delemater, the republican nominee for governor, went down to defeat and the paper continued publication.
The Sunday Post was established in August 1896 by E. F. McIntyre and George A. Slone and continued publication until last fall, when it was superseded by the Sunday Home Journal, which was established by C. B. McIuowm.
A press club was organized in Bradford in 1884 with these officers: Will F. Jordan, president; George E. Allen, vice-president; P. H. Linderman,
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treasurer; A. J. Carr, financial secretary ; C. H. Steiger, recorder; George H. Leader, Col. L. M. Morton, T. E. Kern, L. E. Fuller, J. C. McMullen, directors; Joseph Moorehead, E. A. Bradshaw, Dr. L. N. Willard, L. F. Camp and Col. L. M. Morton, committeemen.
THE BRADFORD ERA.
The Bradford New Era was started by Col. J. K. Haffey in 1875. It was a semi-weekly publication and was printed at Forestville, N. Y. In 1876 the paper was purchased by Messrs. Ferrin, Weber & Persons-the latter member of the firm being the efficient editor. In 1879 The Era was sold to Longwell, Jordan & Co., who merged it with the Bradford Breeze. The name of The Era was retained and has since become a "household word" in Northern Pennsylvania. In 1886 the paper passed into the control of the present owners, The Era Publishing Company, P. C. Boyle manager. On the Era, Hon. W. F. Jordan, senior member of the firm of Longwell, Jordan & Co., made sufficient money to enable him to deal extensively in oil and he became wealthy. While its editor, he was elected as mayor of the city. Mr. Jordan was subsequently proprietor of the Harrisburg Telegram. He died in that city. Phillip H. Linderman, who was business manager of The Era in the early days, afterward became owner and editor of the Bradford Sunday News. He, too, is dead. Col. Morton, a former attache and Andrew Thornton, another, are likewise numbered among those who have laid aside their pens and passed to the beyond. The Era is republican in politics and is a prosperous publication.
David A. Dennison, editor of the Bradford Era, was born in Middlesex county, Connecticut, November 1, 1856. While he was yet an infant, his parents moved to Pennsylvania. He grew up in Crawford county, near Titusville. Twenty years ago he came to Bradford and has since lived here. He joined the Era staff in 1887 as a news gatherer. Later he became city editor, and succeeded Bino H. Butler, four years ago as editor of the paper. He was married in 1883 to Miss Katherine Grady of Bradford. Three sons complete the family circle.
THE BRADFORD RECORD.
The Bradford Daily Record was established as an evening news paper, September 27, 1890, during the famous gubernatorial campaign, in which G. W. Delemater was defeated by the election of Robert E. Pattison, the Record largely aiding to secure that result.
The Record has had a successful career, under the management of R. E. Whiteley since its inception. Originally it consisted of five columns folio, thence to six, seven and eight columns folio, respectively, until 1897. when its size was increased to eight columns quarto, and which remains the established size of the paper.
In March, 1900, the Record discarded its two-revolution Campbell press and installed a new Cox Duplex Perfecting press, having a capacity of 6,500 complete and folded papers per hour, and also two linotypes of the most recently perfected description.
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In November, 1900, a fully equipped job printing department was added to the plant and at the present time the capacity of the Record Company, for business in the printing and publishing line cannot be exceeded in this part of the state.
The Record is independent republican in politics and is the recognized organ of the petroleum business among that large army of producers who are not affiliated with the Standard Oil Company and do not favor its methods. Its circulation extends to almost every state in the Union, and to Europe and Canada. Hon. Lewis Emery, Jr., is one of the principal stockholders in the Record Company.
BRADFORD EVENING STAR.
The Evening Star was established in 1879, by Eben Brewer, who was succeeded the same year by F. N. Farrar and A. J. Carr. In 1884 H. F.
R. B. HABGOOD.
MISS ADA CABLE.
Barbour purchased Mr. Carr's interest and a year later the Star Publishing Company was organized and incorporated with Mr. Barbour as president. In 1885, the Star office was moved from the old brick building on Pine street to its present location on the Public Square in the Producers' Exchange, now owned by Tuna Lodge, No. 411, I. O. O. F.
After the death of H. F. Barbour, Judge Johnson conducted the Star, but subsequent to his death the principal ownership has been held by R. B. Stone, Esq., who owns the greater part of the stock and is the president of the com- pany. In 1897, the offices of editor and business manager were combined and H. G. James became the executive and literary head of the paper. In 1900, he became manager of the Los Angeles Herald and was succeeded as editor and business manager of the Star Publishing Company by R. P. Habgood, who is at present supervising the business and editing the Star. An extensive job work department has always been maintained in the Star office. The Star
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was the first paper in Mckean county to introduce the Mergenthaler linotype machines. The present office force includes: R. P. Habgood, editor and business manager; James McIntyre, news editor; Miss Merta Siggins, repor- ter; C. C. Blanchard, solicitor and collector; Miss Verna Depew, cashier and bookkeeper; M. J. Kellogg, foreman of the newspaper and M. R. Dutton, foreman of the job room. There are 18 employees in all. In politics the Star is a straight republican paper.
THE BRADFORD STREET RAILWAY COMPANY.
Few small cities in the country can boast of as complete and perfect a street railway service as that provided the citizens of Bradford by the Bradford Electric Street Railway Company, the offices of which are located at the corner
RAPID TRANSIT IN THE EIGHTIES. The Old Way.
of Main and Mechanic streets. In all there are ten miles of road which cover every section of the city and bring Lewis Run and Custer City in quick and easy communication with Bradford. The company operates eighteen cars and furnishes an eminently satisfactory service. Boston capitalists were interested largely in the organization of the corporation, but their stock has since been purchased by local capitalists. The charter was granted in 1894. The officers of this road are: President, F. W. Davis; treasurer and general manager, C. E. Hudson; secretary, F. A. Gallagher.
Mr. C. E. Hudson is a Boston man who has had large experience in business enterprises and is thoroughly qualified to discharge the duties of general manager of the road. He has resided in Bradford nearly two years.
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ROCK CITY.
A ledge of primeval, conglomerate rock, forming the edge of a table land on the summit of the highest of the Cattaraugus hills, marks the spot midway between Bradford and Olean, known as Rock City, one of the most charming and picturesque summer resorts in America. The locality is all that the name implies. Great, grim cliffs project their gray heads through the forest green, and their scraggly walls jutting out over the mountain side, gleam and glisten like gold in the sun. Through them narrow passageways cleft by nature wind tortuotous courses to deep gorges where the ice never melts and on to silent caverns which the sun seeks vainly to pierce. The table land overhead, covered with a forest growth of beech and birch and maple, overlooks a splendid picture of scenic beauty, a picture composed of majestic hills and beautiful valleys, a picture which only the hand of nature can paint.
Rock City is a place with a past. Once the oil men invaded this region with their drills and derricks and a village sprung into sudden but temporary life.
CLEAN ROCK CITY AND BRADFORD.
ONE OF THE O. R. C. & B. TROLLEY CARS. The New Way.
The Olean, Bradford and Warren Narrow Gauge railroad was built, opening an avenue of approach from Olean on the one side and Bradford on the other. This was about 1880. While the road was in operation thousands of visitors from Rochester, Buffalo and surrounding cities made excursions to this spot and were profoundly impressed by the rugged grandeur of the surroundings.
The oil excitement died out. The village disappeared. The road with its wooden trestles, serpentine curves and dizzy grades was abandoned. Rock City for a time was forgotten. Then came another whirl of fortune's wheel.
In 1897 the old railroad was purchased by a new corporation-the Bradford and Olean Railroad Company. Some of the capitalists interested in this enterprise were W. B. Furgeson, Chas. E. Barnes, Frank E. Low, George E. Rogers, Chas. A. Richardson, H. L. Pierce and C. E. Hudson. The road was re-built, the route being changed in many places to avoid the trestles. Substantial sixty pound rails replaced the slim steel straps that did duty for the narrow gauge. Electricity was substituted for steam as a motive power.
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VIEW AT ROCK CITY ON LINE OF OLEAN, ROCK CITY & BRADFORD RAILWAY.
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VIEW AT ROCK CITY ON LINE OF OLEAN, ROCK CITY & BRADFORD RAILWAY.
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NO: 216 ROCK-CITY, NA
Scenery at Rock City, on line of Olean, Rock City & Bradford Railway.
Scenery at Rock City, on line of Olean, Rock City & Bradford Railway.
New, commodious, modern double truck trolley cars took the place of the old hen coop coaches of the steam road. An elegantly appointed $35,000 hotel was built on the summit and Rock City was again prepared to bid for public consideration.
Much may be said in favor of this resort. The high altitude furnished the golden mean between the lofty mountains and the sea side combining the advantages of both and without the disadvantages of either. The hotel, which by the way is called "The Hotel Bon Air," is a roomy building, equipped with all the modern conveniences. The grounds embrace thirty-five acres. Much of this territory is covered with standing timber, although there is about an acre of beautiful mountain laurel. The view afforded from the verandas of the Bon Air cannot be surpassed this side of the Rockies. Add to this a pure, bracing, health giving atmosphere and a delightfully cool temperature and all the desirable features of a summer resort are obtained.
A ride from Bradford to Olean over the trolley line is one that will never be forgotten. Leaving Bradford, the car skirts the mountain side for some miles and then begins to climb the hill, winding in and out strips of forest, past clearings and villages and derricks, and ever up and up and up. As it slowly climbs the toilsome pathway the passenger has abundant leisure to view the surrounding scenery. Here the forest growth shuts out the sight of the valley below. A little further and a bit of clearing spreads before your delighted gaze miles upon miles of frowning hills and smiling valleys. Further yet and a graceful curve in the road brings in view the distant summit with its mighty boulders looming up like giant sentinels guarding the grand old hills. Still on and up and at last you pass the "city" and soon begin the descent into the Four Mile Valley. The view from here is a restful contrast to the wild mountain scenery. In an instant you are transported from forest fastnesses to fertile farms. Before you lies a broad plain, level as a floor. In the distance is the city of Olean, and the long rows of tanks owned by the Standard Oil Company. A river runs through the center of the picture and green grass grows to the waters edge. Far away in the distance a chain of smaller hills dots the landscape. the whole completing a view that cannot be adequately described on paper and must be seen to be appreciated.
The Olean, Rock City and Bradford Railway Company, which has opened this region to the public has as complete an equipment as can be found in the country. The huge brick power station in Bradford contains three engines, aggregating 1250 H. P., a battery of five large boilers and four large generators. Natural gas is used for fuel. The cars are equipped with Westinghouse motors and have airbrakes. The company owns ten cars and a fine snow plow. The officers of the company are: President, H. L. Pierce; treasurer and general manager, C. E. Hudson; secretary, F. A. Gallagher. These officers, together with the following gentlemen, constitute the board of directors, W. E. Burdick, George Fobes, C. K. Thompson, H. J. Pierce, C. A. Richardson.
Trips are made every hour. The fare one way is forty cents to Olean, twenty-five cents to Rock City.
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BRADFORD'S MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES.
Manufacturing enterprises have replaced, or are replacing the slowly failing oil production. Huge brick smokestacks have risen amid the forest of derricks and overshadow them all. The whine and whirr of the factory machinery is silencing the measured and monotonous chug of the oil drill. A new life has begun, a life which differs materially from the old, but which, nevertheless, will place Bradford upon a firmer and more substantial foundation than it ever occupied under the reign of oil.
The development of the manufactures is of comparatively recent date although reference to the historical part of this work will show that a few enterprises existed prior to the oil discoveries. Encouragement of late years has been given to the establishment of various factories, and the benefit of such policy is now apparent in the diversified industries that provide employment for thousands of citizens.
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