USA > Pennsylvania > Crawford County > Our country and its people. A historical and memorial record of Crawford County, Pennsylvania. > Part 46
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in Titusville. When Titusville made this gift, her population was about 10,000. Estimating the value of the contents of the two box cars at $2,600, the gift amounted to $15,000, or $1.50 for each soul in Titusville. And now, when she was battered and bleeding, when her buildings lay in ashes, when her streets were gashed and gullied by an angry flood, when the town was filled with mourners, when many of her industries were nearly-some of them utterly-ruined, when the town was a picture of desolation, it was thought that Chicago needed only to be reminded that a community, which in her memorable distress in 1871 had been among the first to come to her help, was now a bruised reed, when she would hasten to open her stores of wealth and in a fitting manner requite the people who had been her prompt benefactors. Chicago was reminded of Titusville's misfortune, of the dona- tion made to her by Titusville in her great affliction, and what was her response? Let the history of Chicago's gratitude be published.
In company with Mr. John L. Mckinney and Mr. John Fertig, two prominent citizens of Titusville, the writer arrived in Chicago early Sunday morning, June 19, 1892, two weeks after the disaster in Titusville. Mr. Mckinney and Mr. Fertig were delegates from Pennsylvania to the Demo- cratic National Convention, which was to assemble at Chicago on the 21st following. After arriving in Chicago, the writer was informed that Mr. Lyman J. Gage, cashier of the Chicago First National Bank, now the dis- tinguished Secretary of the United States Treasury, had published a notice in some of the Chicago papers that he would receive and transmit any donations in money for the relief of recent sufferers at Titusville, Pennsyl- vania. Accordingly the writer early on Monday forenoon called upon Mr. Gage at the bank and stated the object of his visit, which was to learn what had been done, and what probably could be done, in procuring contributions for the distressed people of Titusville. Mr. Gage said that his attention had been called to the subject by Mr. Eben Brewer, who lately died in Cuba, at the head of the postal service established in that island by President Mc- Kinley. Mr. Brewer was a former Titusville boy, and, learning of the calamity here, he had interested himself in behalf of his old home. Mr. Gage said he had already received contributions amounting to a little over $300. He inquired as to whom he should remit the money entrusted to him for the purpose named, and was informed that Mr. Roger Sherman was chairman of the local relief committee. Mr. Gage did remit afterward-
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tardily, it must be confessed-this sum, a little over $300, to Mr. Sherman. Mr. Gage was informed by the writer of what Titusville in October, 1871, had done for Chicago, and acquainted with the facts as to the late terrible calamity at Titusville. Mr. Gage did not seem much interested in the story. He was informed that two representatives of Titusville, Mckinney and Fertig, were then in the city, who, should he desire it, would call upon him and verify the statements already made. But he did not invite further inter- view, and the conference ended.
But on Thursday following, during a recess of the convention, the writer accompanied Fertig and Mckinney in a call upon Mayor Washburne, in his office at the City Hall. The object of the visit was stated to the Mayor, to whom the story of what Titusville had done for Chicago, as nar- rated above, was related, together with the statement that Titusville had generally contributed liberally to other communities in distress, notably to the Johnstown sufferers. Mayor Washburne received his visitors very kindly, and excused the seeming tardiness of Chicago in this case, by saying that the convention then in session there, together with some other important matters, had absorbed the attention of the community, but that as soon as the convention should be over, a public meeting of the leading citizens would be called for the special purpose of raising funds for Titusville's relief, and when this should be done he thought the people of Titusville would have no cause for complaint. So far as is known, no such meeting was ever held. The memory of Mayor Washburne was jogged more than once upon the subject, but no word ever came from him. Mr. Abbott, who had delivered in October, 1871, to Treasurer Pullman $11,400 for the Chicago sufferers, wrote later in June, 1892, to the distinguished capitalist, acquainting him of the distress here and referring to the matter of Titusville's gift over twenty years before. Pullman remembered the circumstance, and he replied that he was about to leave the city for a short time, but he would see that a meet- ing of influential citizens be held in his absence, when action would be taken to send Titusville a liberal contribution. Subsequently Mr. Pullman wrote to Mr. Abbott, expressing regret that nothing had been done; but he in- closed his individual check for $500. This sum, together with Gage's re- mittance, a little over $800 in all, was the total of Chicago's return for the donation of $15,000 made to her by Titusville in 1871. Titusville then gave for each of her inhabitants a dollar and a half to Chicago. In re-
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turn, in 1892. Chicago gave for each of her inhabitants two-thirds of one cent to Titusville.
Mr. Abbott, in November. 1871, sent $1.500 and a carload of supplies to sufferers from a fire in Wisconsin. How many communities have a better record for generosity than Titusville? How many communities have among their leading members a William H. Abbott?
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
A chapter of this order was organized in Titusville in November, 1898, of which Mrs. Roger Sherman had been appointed Regent by the National Society at Washington, District of Columbia. This branch will be known as the Seneca Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, located at Titusville, Pennsylvania. The officers are Mrs. Alma Seymour Sherman, Regent : Mrs. Mary A. Chase Fletcher. Vice-Regent; Miss Helen Patterson. Secretary; Mrs. Jeanette Chase Martin, Treasurer; Mrs. Annette Farwell Grumbine, Registrar; Mrs. Caroline Knowland Hyde, Historian. The mem- bers of the Local Board are Mrs. Mary Celia Thompson, Mrs. Lillian Ellis Emerson and Miss Anna Farwell.
ELEEMOSYNARY WORK.
On January 29, 1885, sixteen women met at the house of Mrs. Roger Sherman, in Titusville, to take into consideration the subject of local charity work. Propositions as to plans and methods for systematic labor in caring for destitute or needy people in the city were discussed at length. Previous to this movement efforts to relieve persons in want had been made by those charitably inclined, and appeals for contributions had been generously re- sponded to by citizens of means. But the work had been irregular and with- out method. To secure greater good in charitable endeavor, it was decided to adopt a more definite and a practical system of distributing alms, so that none of the destitute be overlooked. Accordingly a society was organized, whose object was expressed in the preamble of the constitution adopted : "To lend a helping hand to those who may be suffering from temporary desti- tution, sickness or lack of employment." From that declaration of purpose the organization took the name of "The Helping Hand Society," and by this name the association was thenceforth known, until September 6, 1892, when it was formally united with the Ladies' Auxiliary Relief, organized imme-
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diately after the flood and fire in June, 1892. The two were merged into one organization, which has since been known as the "Helping Hand Relief So- ciety." In April, 1892, before the change in name had been made, a new branch of work was undertaken by the society. This was to furnish means to defray the expenses of inebriates in freeing themselves from the appetite for alcoliol, by taking the so-called gold cure remedy. A special fund, dis- tinctly raised for that purpose, was contributed by citizens. From this fund the expenses of seventeen persons, unable to pay the expense of the treat- ment, were met at the different institutions to which they were sent, and their families cared for in their absence. It ought to be said that the results as a whole from this undertaking were largely beneficial. Without assuming advocacy of the gold cure system, or in any manner discussing its merits, it is due to the truth to say that several of the seventeen sent by the Titusville society to the several so-called gold cures for treatment, have since lived strictly sober lives.
While many Titusville women are deserving of honorable mention for their unselfish work under the auspices of the Helping Hand Relief Society, the name of the late Mrs. Kate P. Bryan is especially entitled to recognition for her devotion to her duties during the eight years when she was President of the organization.
The present officers of the society are: Mrs. Samuel Grumbine, Pres- ident; Vice-President, Mrs. H. M. Hall; Secretary, Mrs. Bruce R. Tem- ple; Treasurer, Mrs. Daniel Colestock; Finance Committee, Mrs. J. G. Ben- ton and Mrs. Roger Sherman.
The High School Helping Hand is a chartered society. The object of the organization is to relieve the wants of the worthy poor, and at the same time give young people a training in charitable work. The President of the society is Miss L. M. Wilson, principal emeritus of the high school. Teachers and students work together. The ward schools contribute money and provisions at Thanksgivings, and at other times when circumstances jus- tify a call upon them for help. The society has purchased a house, 154 West Elm Street, for which payment is made in installments. When paid for the property will belong to the High School Helping Hand, and the income from rent will be devoted to charity. On last Thanksgiving one hundred dinners were distributed among poor people in the city. When Miss Henrietta G.
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Metcalf was a teacher in the high school she rendered invaluable service to the work of the society.
The Children's Aid Society of Pennsylvania had its origin in Philadel- phia in 1882. In 1889 the work had grown to so large proportions that it became expedient to divide the society into two parts, the eastern division to have its headquarters at Philadelphia, and the western its headquarters at Pittsburg. The western division embraces at present twenty-seven coun- ties, in each of which is a branch organization. Each branch sends a dele- gate to the meetings of the executive board, which assembles in Pittsburg once every month. The women of Titusville took an early interest in the society, so that the State society established the Crawford County branch at Titusville. An auxiliary of the Titusville branch has been located at Mead- ville. This auxiliary is making an excellent record for itself in charitable work. The Crawford County society was organized at Titusville twelve years ago, and during the twelve years it has cared for one hundred and ten children, placing many of them in good Christian homes, where they are re- ceiving careful training and a good education. At the annual meeting of the western division in Uniontown the Crawford County society was honored by the choice of one of its members, Mrs. J. A. Neill, of Titusville, for Pres- ident of the Western Pennsylvania Children's Aid Society.
The present officers of the Children's Aid Society of Crawford County are: President, Mrs. Roger Sherman; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. J. G. Benton and Mrs. J. A. Neill; Recording Secretary, Mrs. F. P. Brown; Correspond- ing Secretary, Mrs. G. W. Barr; Treasurer, Mrs. B. F. Kraffert.
EARLY AND LATER BUSINESS MEN.
Among the early business firms established at Titusville was that of Brewer, Gilchrist, Allen & Co., founded in 1840. This was a lumbering company, that bought timber lands, built and operated sawmills, manufac- tured lumber and shipped down Oil Creek, down the Allegheny River and thence down the Ohio to market. The company kept a merchandise store for the supply of their employees and families, and for the accommodation of the community. Their store of goods was first on Watson's Flats, near one of their sawmills. The late Rexford Pierce was a member of the company, and he continued a member for many years. After a time Gilchrist sold his interest to the other partners and retired from the firm, when the com-
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pany took the name of Brewer. Allen & Co. In the winter of 1845-6 Jon- athan Watson came to Titusville and purchased Allen's interest in the last mentioned lumber firm, which then took the name of Brewer, Watson & Co .. Rexford Pierce continuing a member of the company until its dissolu- tion years afterward. The senior member of the firm was Ebenezer Brewer, the son of Ebenezer Brewer, the father of the late Dr. F. B. Brewer, and the grandfather of the late Eben Brewer, already referred to in these pages. D. D. Allen, whose interest in the company Mr. Watson purchased, was the father of the late John M. Allen, this city, and the grandfather of Mr. Eugene Mackey, member of the present law firm of Byles & Mackey. Some time after Mr. Watson joined the company, its store and principal business office were moved to the northwest corner of Spring and Franklin streets. It was subsequently moved to the northwest corner of Pine and Franklin, where now is Clark's grocery house. In time Brewer, Watson & Co. sold their entire business to N. Kingsland & Co. This firm was succeeded by F. W. Ames & Co. For a time the name of the firm was C. H. Ames & Co., but F. W. Ames & Co. soon resumed possession and direction of the company's affairs.
Some time in the early fifties R. D. Fletcher, a nephew of Jonathan Watson, came originally from Vermont to Titusville, and entered as clerk into the employ of Brewer, Watson & Co. But in 1855 he opened a store of his own of general merchandise. on the northeast corner of Spring and Franklin streets. After about two years he purchased the ground where his brick block now stands, and erected upon it a two-story wooden building, into which he moved his store. He next rented the wooden building, and moved his store to the lower floor of Crittenden Hall. The wooden building was burned in the winter of 1863-4. In the summer and fall of 1864 he erected the four-story brick edifice, known as the Fletcher Block, on the east side of Franklin, between Central Avenue and Spring Street. The building was finished and ready for use in the spring of 1865, when Mr. Fletcher opened the dry goods house which has continued under his proprietorship and management for over thirty-three years.
R. D. Fletcher has been a merchant in Titusville continuously for more than forty-three years. It will not do to stop here. Mr. Fletcher has during all these years been one of Titusville's most useful and most public spirited citizens. He was the first City Auditor, holding the office two successive
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terms of three years each, from 1871 to 1877, and he has held several other important municipal offices, in all cases giving to his official duties the most thorough and practical business talent. We are not permitted to stop here. The world owes a great debt to R. D. Fletcher and Peter Wilson for their timely assistance to Edwin L. Drake, when the poor man had been deserted by his backers in the East. Mr. Fletcher not only, with Wilson, endorsed Drake's paper, but he gave him a large credit at his store. A near friend of Mr. Fletcher who had just returned from a trip to Meadville, came into the store one day, and calling Mr. Fletcher aside, said: "Why, Dan, I was sur- prised yesterday to see at Meadville your name on Drake's paper for several hundred dollars. Why, Drake is crazy, and you will have every dollar of the note to pay. Drake hasn't a cent in the world." All the same, Mr. Fletcher re-endorsed Drake's note, and he continued to give Drake credit at the store. It was the only store in the place at which Drake could have got credit for a pound of coffee. After Drake's triumph in finding oil in August, 1859, he still was weighed down by debts. He gradually canceled all, but the last debt which he paid was the final installment to Mr. Fletcher in 1863, four years after his discovery.
J. B. Olmsted has been a merchant in Titusville for a generation. Another citizen who has been in mercantile trade at Titusville for a generation is Jacob Ullman. E. K. Thompson has been a druggist in Titusville about thirty years. John Lammers is another old Titusville merchant. S. Stettheimer, Julius Weill and Davis, the clothier, have long been in trade here. The present four drug stores are all a credit to the city. Junius Harris has been engaged in the construction and leasing of tenement houses, and other build- ings in the town, for more than thirty years. The Westheimer Brothers have for many years been in trade here. E. T. Hall has been in trade at Titus- ville for thirty years. R. L. Kernochan has been in the hardware trade here nearly thirty years. S. S. Bryan has been in the same business for per- haps fifteen years. Crossman has been in the grocery business about thirty years. The Barnsdall grocery has been established about twenty years. Fortney has been engaged in the furniture trade nearly twenty years. Will- iam Moran has carried on an extensive plumbing business for about thirty years. D. D. Hughes, now D. D. Hughes & Son, has been established in the general business of tin roofing and sheet metal ceilings, etc., for more than a quarter of a century. William Hunt, the upholsterer, has been established
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in his trade at Titusville for about a quarter of a century. The foregoing references are not made for the purpose of advertisement, but to put on record the names of those citizens who have successfully been engaged in trade at Titusville, nearly all following continuously a distinctive branch of business for many years, thus earning for themselves substantial credit. No reflection is intended for those engaged in business for a shorter period. Time is an important condition in the test of merit. Of the later dealers, those engaged for a less period of time in Titusville, it may be said that they enjoy generally the confidence of the community.
In concluding this sketch the writer thinks it proper to refer to certain notable characteristics of the Titusville community. Some of these dis- tinctive qualities showed themselves a hundred years ago, when Samuel Kerr and Jonathan Tittis, the pioneer settlers, founded the community. These men were brave, chivalrous, generous, kind and hospitable. They infused the spirit of these virtues into the association of those who settled around them. They transmitted these attributes to their descendants. They were broad minded men. Jonathan Titus gave the land for the first Presby- terian church. at the head of Franklin Street, gave the land for the first cemetery and land for school buildings. He kept an open house all his life. The same spirit of kindness, generosity and hospitality has distinguished the inhabitants of Titusville ever since. Warm blood has always flowed through their veins. An instance of their hospitality may be here related.
Twenty-six years ago the Pennsylvania Editorial Association held its annual meeting at Erie. The editors were generally accompanied by their wives, and the gathering was largely for the purpose of social recreation. The citizens of Erie gave them what was termed a reception, and this was perhaps all the company had a right to expect in the way of entertainment there. Most of these people had never visited the oil regions. So they decided to make a trip from Corry to Oil City, via Titusville, and return. They had been invited by members of the Titusville press to visit this city, and they planned to go first to Oil City, and then call at Titusville on their return. Accordingly they went to Oil City, and while there the citizens of the place with characteristic hospitality gave them an elegant dinner. On their return, they arrived at Titusville about the middle of the afternoon. They were met at the railroad station by the foremost citizens of Titusville, Dr. Roberts, then Mayor of the city, conspicuous among the rest. It was in
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midsummer, the streets were in good condition, and the general appearance of the town at the time was lovely. The citizens came to the station with their carriages for the purpose of giving the visitors a ride through the streets, and upon the heights overlooking the town. But when the proces- sion was moving up Franklin Street, an approaching thunder shower made it necessary for the party to hasten rapidly to places of shelter. The visitors were taken to the Parshall House and the Abbott House. After the shower the citizens regathered with their carriages and executed the drive which had been previously planned for the entertainment of the visiting party. In the evening a grand reception and ball, with refreshments, were given at the Parshall House in honor of the visitors. Coleman's orchestral band fur- nished the music. The leading citizens of Titusville were present. Mayor Roberts, with one of the ladies of the party, led the dance. These visitors were made the guests of Titusville from their arrival at the station until they took their departure after breakfast the next morning. Word went round from certain prominent citizens to the local dealers, requesting that they re- fuse payment from any of the visiting party for any ordinary purchase by the latter, and to send, after the party had left town, bills for such purchases to persons named, who would see that the bills were paid. The visitors were expressly notified that they would not be permitted to leave any money in Titusville. Before noon, following the departure of the visitors, all the ex- penses incurred by this hospitality were paid by the Titusville Oil Exchange, and this was done at the request of the Exchange, as a privilege and an honor to the association. The request was unexpected. The leading citizens had intended to raise by contributions among themselves the necessary funds. The total expenses, the hotel bills, the music, the carriages, etc., amounted to a little over $400. The visitors were undoubtedly sincere in their ex- pressions of gratitude for the hospitality shown them ; but it may be believed that the citizens of Titusville derived the greater enjoyment out of the oc- currence.
The prevailing interest of the community in the public schools of the city has already been remarked upon. The feeling is certainly justifiable. One has only to note some of the evidences everywhere apparent of the good which the schools are accomplishing, to understand why the citizens do not murmur at high school taxes. Not alone the amount of knowledge, as con- tained in the text books, is concerned. It is the training, the culture, the re-
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fining of thought, feeling and action, deportment and breeding, that the com- munity regards. It is interesting to witness some of the indications as to the character of the training in the Titusville schools. The young men and the young women at the high school, in their manners and their conduct, are young gentlemen and young ladies. Note the decent breeding of a hun- dred small children, dismissed from any of the large school buildings in the city. They do not rush out with boisterous shout and unseemly confusion. But they pass quietly out of the hall, down the steps and upon the walks and move away, with delicate grace of motion, which betokens a liigh order of refinement on the part of their teachers. There is not a lovelier sight in the world than a procession of these small pupils, as they move away in easy order from the school buildings toward their respective homes.
THE FUTURE.
The proper work for the historian is to record, rather than to predict, events. One person may judge of an outlook as well as another. Attention, however, may be called to a few important facts. Samuel Kerr and Jona- than Titus selected for a settlement the place which bears the name of the junior associate. They believed that nature had made this spot a site for a town. They accordingly located here, and each, under the law of the State, took up a large tract of land, the reservations being adjacent to each other. Their expectations were subsequently realized. It does not matter that neither of these pioneers lived to see Titusville larger than a hamlet. Kerr died August 29. 1839, aged 72 years. Titus died February 2, 1857, at about the age of 90. Drake was soon to tap the fountain of oil by drilling an artesian well into the subterranean rock. The rock was tapped, and Titusville soon grew into a small, but very respectable city. The production of petroleum in the vicinity of Titusville was never large. The inhabitants of Titusville have always, since Drake's discovery, been generally interested in oil production. Many of the wealthier citizens of the town have erected beautiful homes here. because of the ample comforts and advantages which the town affords. The city is exceptionally healthy. Excellent schools at- tract many people of means to become permanent residents of the town. A fine farming country of large area surrounds Titusville, furnishing to the in- habitants of the city abundance of food supplies at moderate prices. The town site, as Samuel Kerr remarked of the location when he first came to the
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