USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > Old Schuylkill tales, a history of interesting events, traditions and anecdotes of the early settlers of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania > Part 17
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"After Dr. Berluchy's death, Dr. Brown was taken ill. Knowing more of the former's good qualities and capability than any man in Pottsville, I considered it a duty to write his obituary.
"Shortly after, I met Dr. Brown, who had recovered, and said, 'Well! Brown, I am glad to see you out again.'
"'Yes,' said the testy old chap, 'I fooled you, didn't I ? You thought you would have a chance to write an obituary for me and cover me over with beautiful flowers like you did Berluchy, but I was too smart for you.'
"The obituary had gone in the 'Miners' Journal' as the newspaperman's work (C. D). Elliott's) but Dr. Brown under- stood the technical language and recognized my hand."
LET THERE BE LIGHT
The advance from the primitive stages of artificial light all came within the scope of the early settlement of Pottsville up to the present time. The "Schmutzomsel," an iron receptacle with chain attached to suspend it to the wall or ceiling, with the rush tallow dips, were the first lights used. The former was filled with any fat or grease in which was inserted a wick or rag to burn. Then came the crude oil and camphene or fluid lamps.
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Many burned the common tallow candle solely owing to the danger connected with the use of fluid.
In 185- a beautiful young lady, one of the belles of Potts- ville, was burned to death through the use of camphene. She was filling the lamp whilst holding it in her lap and it in some way ignited and exploded, scattering the fluid over her clothing, which took fire and parts of her body were burned almost to a crisp. She was engaged to be married and her untimely death created great consternation among the users of that death-deal- ing source of illumination and many householders banished the fluid lamp and camphene canteen at once and forever from their premises.
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The thriftiness of the early settler was something not to be sneezed at and would be little understood in these days of easy access to the stores and plentitude of supplies for the family cooking. When Peter Peterpin first came to Pottsville he boarded with a family of whom he was very fond. The wife, a hardworking and industrious woman in addition to cooking for her own family kept several boarders.
One day Peter chanced home early to dinner. The main dish was a generous part of a boiled ham to which were cooked dried string beans and potatoes, a toothsome dish in winter for a hungry man, when well cooked.
Just as the boarding mistress was dishing up the dinner, she discovered that a little mouse, that had in some way gotten into the bean bag, was cooked along with the mess. It was the work of an instant to take the rodent by the tail and throw it into the swill pail.
Peter was enjoined to silence, there was nothing else in the house to cook and the meal was served and as usual enjoyed by
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the men. The cook and the former, however, confining them- selves to bread and butter and coffee. Peter had lost his con- fidence in his boarding mistress and whether this was an added incentive for his marrying soon after is not related. ** ** * * *
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The road from Pottsville to Sunbury was traveled exten- sively by the drovers and the dealers in cattle, in the early days, made the trip frequently on horseback with their outrunners of boys and men to corral the steers and hogs. One of these, the founder of a leading wholesale establishment in Pottsville and who retired from the business a wealthy man, said, "there is no animal in the brute kingdom as stubborn as a hog.
"When I was a young man in Germany, where I learned the trade of butchering, I could do any hard work but when it came to killing I always sickened and was compelled to leave the job to others. My employer said nothing but after a time turned me out alone with a large drove of hogs to take them to a dealer forty miles away. I could never relate all the trouble I had with those hogs. They strayed everywhere and would not keep the road but I finally delivered all but two that were drowned. Although I never cared to do it, ever after that I could kill a hog as easily as I could look at one."
OLD HISTORIC MANSION HOME OF BURD PATTERSON, EsQ.
No description of the early history of Pottsville is com- plete without a reference to Burd Patterson, Esq., and the fine old mansion he occupied over a half century ago.
Mr. Patterson came here from the vicinity of Royers Ford
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and was a large owner of tracts of coal land in the Schuylkill and Heckscherville Valleys. He was also interested in the Pioneer furnace and other business enterprises. He was one of the most enterprising of Pottsville's foremost citizens and did much to further the advancement of its business interests. He had two sons, James and Joseph, who were engaged in the coal business with their father. His brother George, who came to Pottsville with him, had been married twice and had a large family of sons, the adults of which were also engaged in the coal and iron business. Edward, Frederick, Stewart, William, Theodore, James, Duncan and the scions of the younger branch of the family and the descendants of the first named, made an important clan in the old coal town.
Burd Patterson was a direct descendant of James Patter- son, who came to America in 1714 from Salisbury, England, and settled in Lancaster County. ' He was a grandson of Edward Shippen, the first Mayor of Philadelphia, and of Col. James Burd, of the Colonial War, for whom he was named. With such distinguished parentage and with large means at his command, together with his business prestige-he was a fine old-school gentleman, dignified, yet affable and easy of approach-Burd Patterson was a power in the community and "The Pattersons" cut a prominent figure in the social circles of town.
The Burd Patterson mansion, now occupied by Wm. Lewis, Esq., former Superintendent of William Penn Colliery, stood alone in the square, south side of Mahantongo, between Eighth and Ninth Streets and occupied the entire block. That and Cloud Home were considered the handsomest mansions in town. The latter was built later. It was built on a knoll (the street
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has since twice been raised) terraced in front and with hand- some flower gardens. On the east side, on Eighth Street, on the site of the residence of L. C. Thompson, stood a white frame structure used as an office building for the Patterson's coal and other business interests. This was for many years in charge of Owen Keenan, clerk.
On the west side, on the site of the Riollay Lee mansion, was a large enclosure with a high board fence, the vegetable garden of the estate. In the rear was a fine grove of tall pine trees, some of them are still standing, that made a beautiful background to the imposing picture. A natural spring of water from Sharp Mountain furnished the supply for the house to which it was conveyed in pipes from a small covered reser- voir on the grounds. So great was the source that a pipe from it to the front pavement ran almost constantly and provided drinking water for not only the surrounding neighborhood but water was carried in pails from the spring by people to West Race Street, where the poorer population and colored people lived in the early days, their houses having no water facilities. The water was cold and was in great demand in the days when. ice was not in general use. Patterson's spring had a great repu- tation, too, as a trysting place for lovers. A fine avenue of trees lined the curbstone and the square was a rendezvous for walks in summer time.
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AN EARLY ROMANCE
If Plato had seen Rose Sheeley he would have been more than ever convinced that, "beauty was a delightful privilege of nature," as he is quoted to have said, when he taught the boys and girls of Athens. Rose was tall and symmetrical in figure, and graceful in movement. Her skin was of a milky- whiteness, her hair brown, her teeth white and even, her eyes a deep blue-gray. She was of a quiet, retiring nature, almost a recluse at times and yet had many admirers.
The family lived in the old stone house, on the brow of "Guinea Hill" at the head of Twelfth Street, opposite Samuel Heffner's. The father, a German, was the gardener at the Burd Patterson mansion.
Rose Sheeley, like every other pretty girl, had a lover, whom, as the sequel shows, she adorcd. Her father objected to this lover and provided another suitor for her hand in mar- riage, whose claims he strenuously pressed and whom he at- tempted to compel her to marry.
Poor Rose grew very morbid over the situation and one day after a stormy interview with her father repaired to Tumbling Run dam and drowned herself. She jumped into the water from a small pier jutting into the dam from the centre of the breastwork of the first dam. When her body was found, which was not without great effort, she was discovered to have tied a shawl about her waist and filled it with heavy stones that her body might sink the more quickly.
Her lover, a sturdy citizen, who married afterward and raised a large family, now grown-up men and women, was
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most beside himself with grief at Rose's sad ending but the suitor provided by her father quietly disappeared from town. The excitement over the suicide was very great. Hundreds visited the scene of the drowning and an immense crowd in- spected the remains and attended the funeral which took place on a Sunday afternoon and attracted the curious from far and wide.
A short time afterward, Sheelcy, the stern parent, was found dead in the garden of Burd Patterson where he had been at work the night before, according to his usual custom, weed- ing in the cool of the evening.
Sheeley was discovered by two small boys, Edward Patter- son and a companion, in the morning, lying on his face, a tuft of grass in his hand. It was first thought he had suicided but the inquest returned a verdict of heart disease.
He was not an unkind man and it was known that he was deeply worried over the untimely end of his daughter Rose and the part he had taken toward bringing it about. For a long time it was rumored that Shceley's ghost could be seen walking about in the vicinity of his home, on the hill, and also in the Patterson garden. Two gray-haired citizens, of town, relate that they sat up several nights in the rear of Baber cemetery to lay the ghost but he did not walk on those nights.
DINAH AND VILKINS
Prior to the suicide of poor Rose Sheeley, a circus camc to town, old Dan Rice's, the clown of which sang the song, the. first verse of which ran :
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"As Dinah was walking in the garden, one day, Her papa eame to her and thus he did say,
Go dress yourself, Dinah, in gorgeous array,
And I'll have you a husband both gallant and gay." Chorus.
"Tu-ral, li-ural, liu-ral, li-ay, etc."
The ballad went on to relate that Dinah had a lover and objeeted to the suitor, provided and eared nothing for the silken gowns and gold jewelry ; and on the wedding day set, was found dead with a eup of "eold pizen" in her hand of which she had partaken for Vilkin's sake.
The song took like wild fire. Franeis Alstadt, bookseller, who kept store in Mutton Row where Union Hall now stands, or next to it in the wooden building, disposed of hundreds of copies of it (at one eent eaeh) and everybody around town, as was the eustom with the catehy songs those days, sang it.
Pretty Rose Sheeley was of a very romantie disposition and it was supposed that this song, which she with everybody else sang and re-sang, influeneed her to do likewise and end her young life, like Dinah, for her "Vilkin's" sake.
RECORD OF POTTSVILLE POSTMASTERS
The following is a list of Pottsville Postmasters from the establishment of the office up to the present time. G. C. Schrink, the present ineumbent, in kindly furnishing the list to the writer, jocosely says, in appending his own name: "And
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G. C. Shrink, from March 8, 1899, to as long as the public and the administration will permit him to remain."
Thomas Silliman January 11, 1825
George Taylor June 4, 1825
Chas. Boyter Sept. 20, 1828
Joseph Weaver Febr'y 21, 1839
John T. Werner . Sept. 8, 1841
Michael Cochran Aug. 16, 1844
Daniel Krebs, Sr
Febr'y 15, 1847
Andrew Mortimore May 2, 1849
John Clayton April 18, 1853
Henry L. Acker
June 14, 1858
Margaret Sillyman
April 20, 1861
Amanda Sillyman
April 16,
1882
Elizabeth Sillyman
June 21,
1882
James H. Mudey
July 27,
1886
Wm. R. Cole, no date on record or file.
Louis Stoffregen
Febr'y 9 1895
G. C. Schrink
March 8, 1899
EARLY IRON WORKS-THEIR ESTAB- LISHMENT
The Pioneer Furnace was started in 1837. Here Burd Patterson, Mr. Lyman and Nichols Biddle, of the United States Bank, Wm. Marshal and Dr. Geisenheimer, of the Valley Fur- nace, experimented to smelt iron with anthracite coal. They
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were sueeessful in 1839. The Orehard Iron Works were found- ed by John L. Pott in 1846, and were operated subsequently by Lewis Vastine.
The Pioneer Furnace passed through different hands and finally was purchased by Charles M. and Hanson Atkins, in 1853. In 1866 the old plant was torn down and a new one ereeted. Two more furnaces were built. The old furnaces, after being idle for a number of years, were torn down in 1905. The Washington Iron Works, The Wren Brothers, E. W. MeGinnes, John T. Noble and Pomeroy and Sons, on the site of the lower P. & R. C. & I. Company shops, or near that point on Coal Street. Jabez Sparks was also in the business. The stove works of Simon, John and Joseph Derr; the nut and bolt works, and the Stephen Roger, Roseberry and other small eastings foundries on Railroad Street, gave employment to a large number of men. In 1835 Haywood and Snyder erected the Colliery Iron Works on the site of the upper shops. A foundry was built in 1836. Benjamin Haywood withdrew in 1850. The business was continued by George W. Snyder until purehased by the Reading Company.
The Pottsville or Fishbach Rolling Mill was built in 1852 by John Burnish. In 1864 this mill was purchased by the At- kins brothers who rebuilt it. After a period of idleness it was almost entirely rebuilt and enlarged by the Eastern Steel Com- pany and at this writing, 1906, is one of the mammoth and leading establishments of its kind in the United States.
The Palo Alto Iron Works were established by Richard Lee, George Bright and William Harris. In 1855 they became the property of Benjamin Haywood and Co., and subsequently
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in '56 Mr. Haywood became the sole proprietor. The Reading Car Shops now cover this site.
The Pottsville Water Company was organized April 11, 1834. The Pottsville Gas Company came into existence in 1849.
The first newspapers were the "Freiheitz Presse," Miners Journal," "Pottsville Advocate," "Gazette and Emporium," "Jefferson Democrat," "Americanisher Republikaner" and "Pottsville Standard," all weeklies.
The editors were John T. Werner, Benjamin Bannan, E. O. Jackson, G. L. Vliet, Henry Hendler, Phillip Hoffa, J. P. Bertram, Henry L. Acker. The Weekly "Schuylkill Republi- can" was founded in 1872 by C. D. Elliott. Elliott and Beck opened a partnership for several years, when the former as- sumed charge. The "Daily Republican" was founded in 1884 by J. H. Zerbey who has been the editor and proprietor up to the present time, 1906, Charles G. Meyer is the owner of the "Evening Chronicle," which was established in 1872 and existed until a year ago, under various ownerships.
The early builders, contractors and dealers in mountain stone, and carpenters were: Charles Gillingham, Adam and Daniel Eiler, Jeremiah, Charles, Isaac and Henry Lord, Capt. Isaac Lykens, Isaac Severn, John McBarron and Hugh Dolan and Daniel Old.
Among the lawyers not heretofore mentioned were F. P. Dewees, Hon. Linn Bartholomew, Howell Fisher, G. W. Far- quhar, Hon. F. B. Gowen, B. W. Cumming, Hon. John W. and Judge James T. Ryon.
Early coal operators: Wm. Milnes, Wm. H. Johns, Judge
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Wm. Donaldson, Samuel Sillyman, Andrew Oliphant, John White, Col. G. C. Wynkoop.
The Hon. James Cooper, a United States Senator, had his residence here for several years. He lived in Morris Addition. He had an interest in the coal business of the county. John Shippen, President of the Miners Bank, was one of the historic family of Philadelphia of that name.
The Hon. Robert Palmer, State Senator, son of Judge Strange Palmer, who had also a son, Strange Palmer, was ap- pointed ambassador to Ecuador and died of a fever while en- route to South America. Deputy Controller Frank Palmer was a son of the former.
The life of Francis B. Gowen, President of the Reading Company and for years a resident of Pottsville, is like an open book to residents of the coal region and the State of Pennsyl- vania. These are but a few of the notable residents of Potts- ville.
RECAPITULATORY AND RETROSPECTIVE
It is with sincere regret that the author lays down the pen at this point of the history of the early days in Schuylkill County and the Borough of Pottsville. Much that might prove entertaining must necessarily be omitted. We beg the indul- gence of any who may feel overlooked by this omission. The share their ancestors had in the formation of the local history of this locality is a matter of local pride to all
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connected with the best interests of the county in which we have cast our lot. The mere knowledge of such facts is in itself a reward commensurate with the general results involved in the summing up of the whole. To still further carry on the details in story would involve a new era that would include a voluminous recount of the several hundred thousand inhabit- ants that now people the area of Schuylkill County and the vast industries and business resources that are productive of its present great wealth and enlarged interests in the business world. Charles Dickens said :
"A troublesome form, and an arbitrary custom, prescribe that a story should have a conclusion in addition to a commence- ment; we have therefore no alternative."
PART VII
OTHER TALES
PART VII
OTHER TALES
HILDA, A MORMON BRIDE AND MOTHER
CHAPTER I.
: H ILDA BRUNHILDE stood at the doorway of the little brown adobe shack on the great Mojave Desert. Not a living creature was in sight as with hand shading her eyes she scanned the glittering white sand of the broad expanse, in the bright rays of the scorching morning sun. Far away lay the beautiful Wasatch mountains, the Jordan river, Salt Lake and the New Jerusalem.
She remembered when two men in shiny black clothes had visited their little home on the coast of Norway and told them of the beautiful city and the land that was overflowing with milk and honey. The mother died of ship fever on the voyage. Her father, the two boys and she had drifted with others to Utah. Some went farther West but the majority sought work
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in the silver and ore mines until the missionaries should return and give them each the promised farm.
They had brought their few effects to the deserted hut, once occupied by cattle ranchers. The long pack trains some- times passed there and the drivers left them supplies, in return for which the girl would cook them a savory stew, coffee or mend and wash their scant clothing until their return. There was little for the cow and burro except the meagre doles of feed left them and the wild cactus secd and sage brush.
Word came that their father was killed. He had been working upon a draft of empty cars and was in the act of apply- ing a brake when he lost his footing on the bumper and was- thrown in front and run over, being literally hacked to pieces. His countrymen buried him on the mountain side with no other requiem to sing his praise except the soft soughing of the pine trees, so like the growth in their own dear native land.
Hilda was just sixtcen, Hans ten, and Wilhelm seven years old. Slightly above medium height, well developed and plump, with a lithe and active frame, Hilda was the picture of health and rustic beauty. Fair skin, deep blue-gray eyes with blackest eyebrows, rosy-red cheeks, dimples and regular pearly-white teeth. Long thick plaits of yellow-golden hair hung to her shapely waist, which was encased in the low laced bodice with white spencer above. She wore the short skirt common to the Norwegian peasant girls and made a pretty picture.
"Yes, they must go to the city. Hans worked with the charcoal burners. Hc would return on the morrow and they would go."
A neighbor drove away the cow. They packed the pan-
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niers of the burro with their bedding and few belongings and the start was made at dawn.
CHAPTER II.
It was after noon when they entered the city. They sat by a stream and ate their frugal meal of black bread and curd cheese, tethering the burro that he might nibble the alfalfa.
The glories of the hills were mirrored in the dense waters of the big lake. The sun shone in sharp relief on the bright silvery gray and blue waters. The far off mountain ranges, snow-capped at their summits, formed a life-like frame encased in battlements of sombre green or smoky blue for the wonder- ful city that lay at their feet. The caravan soon reached the Temple gates and tieing the burro in an obscure alleyway they went in.
It was Sunday afternoon and they hesitated about entering the great Tabernacle which already contained several thousand people. Inside of the gate was another large building like the old Lutheran Church at home and Hilda said:
" Let us go in here. There are Norse people inside from the Skagway; you can tell them by their dress."
A woman spoke to them in the Scandinavian tongue, and after a time and the singing of a familiar hymn, a man arose and preached.
" What mattered it if he talked over two hours on the thirteen Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day-Saints and the loyalty of its members to that church ? "
They knew nothing of " The Ten Tribes and their restora- tion, or that Zion will eventually be built on this continent, and
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Christ upon his second coming will reign personally in paradis- ical glory in that city." But they knew that at last they werc among friends. The boys slept during the long and rambling harangue and Hilda thought she must be brave for their sakes. At the close the woman accompanied by a man approached them and in answer to their queries the pitiful little story was soon unfolded.
Hilda said: " The boys must have schooling; I will work my fingers to the bone, if I can but get the work."
The boys entered school and Hilda was installed in the Bureau of Information, where Hannah Amundsen had charge of the girl clerks. She was assigned the care of the church literature, and all day until thrce o'clock she dusted and re- wiped the shelves and books, then she was free for school where she was fast mastering the language and making rapid progress in the studies prepared at night.
They were cared for under the supervision of the ward visitors and the Mormon Church charity system which has no equal in the world. The Later-Day-Saints fast on the first Sunday of every month and every householder is expected to give the money thus saved to the poor who are helped until they become self-sustaining, then they in turn help others.
CHAPTER III.
Tall and dignified, with long flowing beard and a mustache, hair of light brown mixed with gray, blue-back eyes and of rather delicate physique and gentle manner, if he was a wolf in sheep's clothing, the animal was at least well disguised. Elder Carter was a handsome man.
After a time Hannah told Hilda: " It had been revealed that she should be sealed to the Elder in marriage."
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" But he has a wife," said Hilda.
Hannah explained, " It is one of the rites of our religion. The sealed marriages are sacred and kept private. The Com- mon Law of the Gentiles is against them. You would indeed be an ungrateful girl if after all our kindness you did not obey."
A day came and she entered the Temple accompanied by Hannah. It was early in the morning and they took part in a preparatory service in the Assembly Hall. Removing their shoes they descended to the basement where they bathed in the women's baths. Hilda was given a beautiful robe and they entered the magnificent baptismal font room, where the Elder baptized her. The elegance of the surroundings overwhelmed the girl and she was as if in a trance.
The wall painting, by Armitage, of Christ preaching to the Nephites and the companion to it of Joseph Smith preaching to the Indians seemed to burn the figures of their subjects on her feverish brain. The splendid chandeliers, furnishing and dec- orations, heavy curtains, beautifully decorated ceilings and cornices of white and gold and artistic paintings, added to her bewilderment.
The series of reception rooms and the private apartments of the President and his Hierarchy all beautifully furnished and adorned with choice paintings and full-length mirrors were passed until the three rooms that open south of the Temple auditorium were reached, each of these exquisite in decoration with large plate glass mirrors, stained glass windows and myr- iads of electric lights. The middle room was circular in form, with a domed ceiling, completely surrounded by jeweled win- dows and paneled walls, with red silk-velvet borders, delicate
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