USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Popular history of Erie county, Pennsylvania > Part 4
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Gov. Bigler was nominated in 1854 for a second term, but was sick during the campaign and was defeated by the Native American party. In Jan. 1855 he was elected president of the Philadelphia and Erie R. R. and contributed largely to bringing its affairs to a healthy condition. About the same time he was elected U. S. Senator, serving for six years.
After Lincoln's election, when secession became apparent, he united with Senator Crittenden, holding that the people of the Southern States, should not resort to violence until all peaceful means for adjusting their grievances had been exhausted. In the Senate Feb. 1861 he said: "As for secession, I am utterly against it. I deny the rightand I abhor the consequences. It is no remedy, for any one of the lamented evils and will aggravate rather than remove them, superinducing others of a more distressing and destructive character."
James Pollock, who succeeded to the gubernatorial chair Jan. 16, 1855, was as strikingly positive in regard to state and national issues then stirring the whole republic. He was in Congress when the first favorable notice was taken in that body, 1848, towards the construction of
The Pacific Railroad .- In a speech delivered that fall he said: "At the risk of being considered insane, I will venture the prediction, that in less than 25 years, a railroad will be in operation betwen New York and San Francisco; connecting with a line of Steamships from San Francisco to Japan and China." On May 10, 1869, the last spike was driven and the Great Pacific Railway became an accom-
FINDING OF PETROLEUM.
plished fact. In his first inaugural address, 1855, Gov. Bigler uttered the follow- ing regarding the pending issues between the
North and South, -- "Pennsylvania, cecupying as she does an important and proud position in the sisterhood of States, cannot be indifferent to the policy and acts of the national government. Her voice. always potential for good in other days, ought not to be disregarded now. Devoted to the Constitution of the Union, -as she was the first to sanction, she will be the last to endanger the one or violate the other. Regarding with jealous care the rights of her sister States, she will be ever ready to defend her own. To the Constitution in all its integrity to the Union in its strength and harmony, to the maintenance in its purity, of the faith and honor of our country, Pennsylvania now is and always has been pledged -a pledge never violated, and not to be violated, until patriotism ceases to be a virtue, and liberty to be known only as a name."
Gov. Pollock served as Director of the U. S. Mint at Philadelphia during the late war and for many subsequent years.
Wm. F. Packer, succeeded to the administrative chair of the Commonwealth, Jan. 19, 1858, continuing for one term. Gov. Packer's decided views on state and national polity, at this impending crisis, gives evidence to the intensity of feeling then existing. In his annual message Jan. 1859, he said: "The deplorable dis- putes in Congress, would have been averted, had the people (of Kansas) been se- cured in the unqualified right to vote upon their domestic institutions. Under various pretences, this sacred franchise has been virtually withheld from them. The theory has been insisted upon, that it will henceforth be the duty of Con- gress to protect slavery in the territories, if the people fail to do so. * * Such a doctrine will shake the very pillars of our constitutional fabric. It would compel every territory to elevate property in slaves above every other description of property or else convert the Congress into a theatre of crimination and confusion, filling the whole country with strife. Regarding myself as fully committed to the doctrine of popular sovereignty, in its broadest sense, I can never subscribe to the theory of Congressional intervention, as understood and supported by its opponents."
Petroleum Oil .- Under Gov. Packer's administration, came to Pennsylvania, one of the most astonishing developements of the age in mineral production. Pe- troleum had been known for 4,000 years, but in an insignificant way. At Muskin- gum, O. in 1819, it was struck while boring for salt, but its commercial value was discarded. Ten years later at Burksville, Ky. a flowing oil well was found in the salt district and the surface of the Cumberland river, covered for miles with the nuisance, which ignited causing great terror to the surrounding inhabitants. In the Kanawha country more than 50 years ago, 50 to 100 bbls. of the oil was annually collected for medical purposes, and about the same time factories were started in France to distil it from the shale rock. By Jan. 1, 1860, 40 coal oil factories were in operation in the U. S , principally obtaining the product from Scotch boghead coal and in the aggregate producing 200,000 bbls. annually, which was now utilized for lighting purposes.
Oil had been collected with blankets from the surface of Oil creek, back to Indian times and Col. G. L. Drake, commenced boring for petroleum near Titus- ville, in 1858. He was ridiculed by many of his neighbors, but persevered amid difficulties and Aug. 28, 1859 "struck oil" at a depth of 71 feet. His well yielded 400 gallons per day, the product selling at 55 cents per gallon, Great excitement
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ensued and speculators rushed in from all directions. The stony points on Oil creek, many of which had been sold for taxes, now became exceedingly valua- ble. and farms soid as high as $500,000 to $1,000,000. A forest of derricks was erected with surprising rapidity and many fortunes exchanged hands. The Noble well, in a little over a year. yielded 500,000 bbls. and the Sherman well nearly as much in two years. Prices declined from average of $13.00 per bbl. 1860 to $1.68 for '62, but a permanent industry had been started and the increasing demand throughout the world, still keeps up the search for the greasy fluid. The price has been very fluctuating having ranged from $20 per bbl. in its early days to as low as 50 cents at different times. The Pennsylvania production, steadily in. creased until 1882 when it reached the enormous aggregate of nearly thirty-two million bbls. since that time the average price has been about $1.00 and average output about twenty million bbls, per year. Pennsylvania has furnished by far the greatest supply, although considerable quantities of petroleum has been found in N. Y., Ohio, W. Va., Ky., Cal .. and Canada. Oil wells range in depth from 200 to 2,500 feet. Natural gas, which is found in great quantities in the oil regions, was at first considered practically valueless and allowed to go to waste. Now it is piped 100 miles or more, supplying a cheap and convenient fuel to towns and cities along the line. Paraffine and all other products from the wells are utilized in the various industries.
John Brown's Raid-The name of John Brown has been immortalized in song and "his soul goes marching on" to all posterity. He was born at Torrington, Conn., May 9, 1800 and became a zealous opponent of slavery. In 1855, he emigrat- ed to Kansas and at Ossawatomie fought against the pro-slavery party. He was the moving spirit in the Chatham, Canada, convention, May 1859, where he planned to invade Virginia and liberate the slaves. After residing near Harper's Ferry for three months. Oct. 16. aided by about twenty conspirators he surprised and captured the arsenal and armory at that place which he held until the next day when he was wounded and taken prisoner by the State militia. Gov. Wise made short work of his trial and he was hanged at Charlestown, W. Va., Dec. 2, 1859.
THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD.
A Convention at Columbia. S. C. Dec. 20, 1859, declared "that the Union now subsisting between South Carolina and the other States, under the name of the United States of America. is hereby dissolved:" Gov. Packer in his last annual message said: "It is claimed that the Union is merely a compact between the ser- eral States now composing it, and that any one of the States, which may feel ag- grieved, may, at its pleasure, declare that it will no longer be a party to the com- pact. The Constitution of the U. S. is something more than a mere compact, or agreement, between the several States. A government, whether created by con- : ent or conquest. when clothed with legislative, judicial and executive powers. is necessarily in its nature Sovereign: and from this Sovereignty flow 3 its right to en- foree its laws and decrees by civil process, and, in an emergency. by its military and naval power. The government owes protection to the people. who in turn; owe it their allegiance. Organized resistance to it is rebellion, which if successful may be purged of crime by revolution. If unsuccessful the participators may be executed as traitors. Under the U. S. Constitution, the general Government has the power to raise and support armies, to create and maintain a navy, and to pro- vide for calling forth the militia, to execute its laws, suppress insurection and re-
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REBELLION COMMENCED.
pel invasion. The creation of the Federal Government, was the act of the people and it is entirely immaterial, that the people of the several States acted separate- ly. within the territorial limits of each State. They created the Federal Govern- ment, to which they surrendered certain powers of sovereignty, and declared the powers thus surrended. to be supreme, not reserving to the States nor to the peo- ple, the right of secession, nullification nor resistance. It is therefore clear that there is no Constitutional right of secession, which when attempted to be carried out by force is rebellion and should be treated as such, by those whose sworn duty it is to maintain the supremacy of the Constitution and laws of the United States." Gov. Packer died Sept. 20, 1870, aged 63.
Andrew G. Curtin familiarly known as the "War Governor" of Pennsylvania was inaugurated, Jan. 15, 1861, having served as Secretary of State, under Gov. Pollock, in which place he urged the adoption of the Normal School system, for the training of teachers. The Legislature of 1856, passed a law embodying the material features of his suggestion. Gov. Curtin was called to the chair when the gravest questions were to be solved. Separated from the South only by an imag- inary line, it was difficult to foretell the momentnous consequences of rebellion and Confederacy. His first message contained similar sentiments to those expressed by Gov. Pollock and he further said: "Pennsylvania can never acquiesce in such a conspiracy nor assent to a doctrine which involves the destruction of the Govern- ment. It is the first duty of the national authorities, to stay the progress of anar- chy, and enforce the laws. Pennsylvania, with a united people, will give them an honest, faithful and active support. The people mean to preserve the integrity of the national Union at every hazard." An extra session was called April 30, and he said: "The time is past for temporizing or forbearing with this rebellion, the most causeless in history. The North has not invaded nor has she sought to invade a single right of the South. On the contrary all political parties and all administrations have fully recognized the binding force of every provision, of the great compact between the States, and regardless of our views of State policy, our people have respected them. The leaders of the rebellion in the cotton States, have mistaken the forbearance of the general Government, having insanely looked to a united South and divided North for success. The insurrection must now be met by force of arms and a quarter of a million of Pennsylvania's sons, will if need be, answer to the call of arms, to wrest us from a reign of anarchy and plunder and secure for coming ages the perpetuity of this Government."
Washington Threatened .- By the revolt in Baltimore, communication between Washington and the North had been cut off. Gen. Patterson who held command in this State discovering the serious predicament of the National Gov- ernment, surrounded on all sides by rebellion, called upon Gov. Curtin for 25,000 troops in addition to the full quota which had responded to the call to arms April 15. The governor made the call and in response the loyal sons of this State came pouring in from every county. When communication was opened with Wash- ington a few days later the Secretary of War, revoked Gov. Curtin's call; as the 75,000 three months men had already been enlisted, but our loyal governor be- lieving that the magnitude of the rebellion had not yet been fathomed, applied to the Legislature for authority to form fifteen regiments as the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps and the wisdom of this act was fully demonstrated, when a few weeks later this same corps of troops was urgently called for by the Secretary, to assist in pro- tecting Washington from the assaults of the enemy.
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ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
Prominent note has often been made regarding Gov. Curtin's special solici- tude for soldiers. He provided every practical agency to lessen their privations and suffering or care for the loved ones left at home. In 1862 he was re-elected by 15,000 majority and after the expiration of his term served several years in prominent public positions.
War on the Border,-Harper's Ferry was over the line, but near enough to cause grave feelings of alarm in this state, when the Government arsenal and am- munitions of war were taken there May 3, 1861, by the Confederate "Stonewall" Jackson, but after his recall, these again came into the hands of the Union forces. Jackson was promoted to Major General, commanding the Shenandoah Valley forces, in which his brilliancy as a military leader became especially conspicuous, and in June '62, the gravest fears were felt for the safety of the National Capitol. In August '62, he met Pope's advance corps at Cedar Run near Culpepper C. H. and defeated them. Jackson then led the van into Maryland and soon afterward captured at Harper's Ferry, 12,000 Union men. with their small arms, artilery and wagons. Jackson's march on Harper's Ferry, had weakened Lee's forces near Sharpsburg, and brought on the battle of Antietam, Sept. 18. This cam- paign of two weeks, cost the Confederate forces 13,533 men, killed and wounded, and nearly as many upon the Union side. Jackson continued in brilliant field work. The Union General Hooker made a strong feint of crossing the Rappahan- nock, below Fredericksburg, Apr. 28, 1863, and was confronted by Jackson, who next night marched towards Chancellorsville with three divisions. Flanking Hooper's fortified position, he came suddenly upon the 11th, Federal corps May 2, and put them to route. With his staff he went far in advance of his force, and returning after nightfall, was mistaken for Federal cavalry and fired upon by his own pickets. He was severly wounded and died May 10, 1863. These events led towards the invasion of Pennsylvania and the memorable
Battle of Gettysburg, the only fight of significance upon the soil of a free state. No event of the war caused greater consternation nor the massing of more forces in a brief period. After Jackson's fall, the two armies took the opposite shores of the Rappahannock, where they remained during the month of May. By a special blind manœuvre, Lee succeeded in gaining a weeks time, and June, 9,en-) countered the Union columns at Beverly Ford. Milroy's force at Winchester was routed, June 15, by the rebel General Ewell, who crossed the Potomac at Williams.' port with his corps. On the 21 and 22 the narrow neck of Maryland was traversed and the Keystone State invaded. Longstreet and Hill followed quickly with Con- federate corps. Gen. Hooker now swung the Union forces, crossed the Potomac on the 26, reaching Frederick on the 27. Just at this critical moment Gen. Hooker relinquished the command of the army; because his demands had not been aceeded to, and Gen. Geo. G. Meade took his place the next day. Gettysburg was now prac- tically surrounded and a 25 mile radius filled by a Confederate horde, commanded by Lee, Longstreet, Ewell and Hill on the west and north, and Early on the east. Stuart's cavalry met the Federal horsemen, under Pleasonton, at Hanover, 20 miles east of Gettysburg on the 30th. On the same day Buford's Union cavalry fell upon Pettigrew's, Confederate infantry near Fairfield, 10 miles S. E. of Gettys- burg. Heth at the head of Lec's main column, was marching down the Cham- bersburg pike and nearing Gettysburg. On the 31st, Buford swung his forces to the N. E. of Gettysburg, and about noon again came in conflict with Pettigrew's brigade. Here he made a determined stand and with 4,000 horsemen held the
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THE ARMIES IN CONFLICT.
ground until 30,000 of the enemy had massed against him thereby making this the battle ground for this and the two following days. In the meantime, the 2d, 3d, 5th, 11th, and 12th Federal army corps, had pushed forward and July opened with over 150,000 soldiers, nearly equally divided between the contending armies, massed within a radius of 10 miles from Gettysburg. Space will not permit us to give any adequate description of the movement of this stupenduous army, met in deadly conflict, nor to depict the horrors, death and carnage of the bloody battle- fields made in Pennsylvania, on the first three days of July 1863. Both parties looked upon it as a decisive battle and every foot of ground was contended for with desperation. The Confederate forces were estimated at 80,000 infantry and 8,000 cavaly; while the Union forces numbered about 70,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry. Lee's losses were 18,000 killed and wounded and about 13,000 taken prisoners, a little more than one third of his engaged force. The Union losses were 16,500 killed and wounded and 6,000 taken prisoners. The gallant fight made by the "Round Tops" Sickle's advance on Devil's Den, the bloody fight at Peach Or- chard, heroism of the gallant Third corps at Hazel Grove, and prompt reinforce- ment by the Fifth under Gen. Crawford, the mighty day at Chancellorsville, and indomitableness of Humphrey, are all matters of historic record. The morning of the 3d, found a massed Union line on Culps Hill, and by noon the Confederates had withdrawn from the contested ground and appeared to be retreating; but after an hour's ominous silence they opened fire with 150 cannons which was shortly responded to with 80 guns from the Union line. After this galling fire, Lee launched 15,000 of his troops against the centre of the Federal lines, directing them to march for the "Umbrella Clump" of trees, at the Cemetery Ridge. It was a mile up an incline, and in face of a destructive artillery fire. The assault failed and the Confederates rapidly withdrew. A sharp movement of the Union forces, might have prevented a retreat; but both sides had had enough. It may be called a drawn battle, but it was one of the most momentious of the war and will remain as an important part of Pennsylvania's history for all time.
Soldiers Enlisted .- The war records show, that 2,653,062 men were mus- tered into service during the strife, (of whom Pennsylvania sent 366,326, ) but as many of those were reenlistments, it is safe to say that over two million of north- ern men took up arms for their country. Of these 60,000 were killed on the battlefield, 35,000 mortally wounded, while disease in camps and hospitals slew 184,000. About 196,000 Union men were captured by the rebels and 41,000 died while prisoners, making a total of 320,000 Union men who perished in the defense of their country, while half as many more died within a few years from wounds or diseases resulting from army exposures. It has not been so easy to secure figures from the South, as the Confederate records were mostly lost or destroyed, but it is estimated that while so many were not engaged at any one time, as were on the Federal rolls, (the later showing 965,591 men Mar. 1, 1865,) yet the Confederates were held in service longer, and about an equal number succumbed to the ineyit- able results of war, making a great total both North and South of a million men who lost their lives in the Civil War between the states, which was commenced by firing on Ft. Sumter Apr. 12, 1861, and was practically closed by the surrender of Lee's army of 35,000. to the Union forces, under Gen. U. S. Grant, at Appo- mattox, Apr. 9, 1865, although, some scattered fighting continued through the south for several subsequent months. Richmond the Confederate Capital, had been evacuated on the night of Apr. 2-3, and taken by our troops, but just after Lee's surrender, Apr. 14, President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Boothe and
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expired on the morning of Apr. 15. 1865. There are many other general facts of the war worthy of note; but to Pennsylvania and especially to Erie County, the large share of our space must be devoted.
INDUSTRIAL AND PROGRESSIVE.
John W. Geary succeeded to the gubernatorial chair. Jan. 15, 1867, continuing two terms. In the heroic fight at Bolivar near Harper's Ferry, on Oct. 16, 1861, he had been in command as colonel and was wounded, but he was with the regi- ment the following spring. and at the famous battle of Gettysburg, was in active command of a division which did some of the most gallant fighting of the day. From Gettysburg, Gen. Geary and his force, were sent to Chickamauga, Wauhat- chie and Lookout Mountain where they again won laurels as heroic fighters. The marked public matters for consideration by Gov. Greay's administrations; were a vigorious reduction of the public debt, revision of the State Constitution, and questions arising from the results of the Civil War, all of which were well handled by the Executive. On Feb. 28, 1873, a little more than two weeks from the close of his second term, he suddenly expired while, at the breakfast table with his family.
John F. Hartranft was inaugurated governor, Jan. 21, 1873, continuing for two terms. He had served in the war in similar positions, and with like credit to himself as his predecessor in the governorship.
A New Constitution was adopted Dec. 18, 1873. The most important changes were increasing the number of Senators from 33 to 50, Representatives, from 100 to 201, subject to further increase with population, biennial instead of annual sessions, extending the term of Supreme Court Judges to 21 years and the Governor to four years instead of three, making him inelligible to succeed himself. One of the most momentious matters occurring within Gov. Hortranft's second term was the
Railroad Riots July 20-5, 1877, at Pittsburgh and elsewhere, in which many thousand railroad employees, by concert of action, stopped travel and traffic for several days. A large mob assembled at Pittsburg. Serious conflicts occurred between the mob and the militia, in which about 50 persons were killed and many wounded. A vast amount of property, estimated at $5,000,000, was destroyed. The State militia was unable to cope with the mob and the National Government was appealed to for service of the regulars, who were promptly ordered to the relief of the militia and the riot quelled. Gov. Hartranft was away from the State, at the start of this affair and it was believed that his absence prolonged the struggle. Allegheny County was finally compelled by the courts, to make pay- ments to the railroads, for property destroyed by the mob amounting in the ag- gregate to nearly three million dollars.
Henry Martyn Hoyt, who was colonel of 52d, Regiment Pa. Volunteers became governor Jan. '79, holding for four years during which no event of special political sinificance occurred in Pennsylvania. At the National capital, however, July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was laid low by the bullet of the assassin crank Guiteau and died Sept. 19, following. Gov. Hoyt died in 1892.
Robert E. Pattison was elevated to the governor's chair Jan. 1883. The Legisla- ture after a few months session adjourned without having passed the Congressional re-appointment bill and the governor at once convened an extra session
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JOHNSTOWN CATASTROPHE
to perform that duty. It however, failed to accomplish the purpose and after hav- ing been in session from June 1, to Dec. 5, without coming to an agreement upon the bill. adjourned.
James A. Beaver became governor of this Commonwealth Jan. 1887. He. had been a colonel, and general by brevet, in the late war and was wounded in the ser- vice of his country. The most notable event of the State within Beaver's adminis- tration was the great loss of life and property occasioned by the
Johnstown Flood .- Heavy rains had been falling for several days and a dam across the south fork of Conemaugh Creek, which held in reserve a large fishing pond, suddenly gave way at 5 p. m., May 31, 1889 precipitating a great vol- ume of water into the narrow V-shaped channel below. The resistless rush of this flowing tide carried death and destruction in its wake, resulting in a greater loss of life, than has ever been recorded at one time in American history, excepting from bactle. The actual number of lives lost will never be known, as entire fam- ilies were swept from existence and remembrance, The lake or pond was formec- ly a canal feeder, located some 300 feet above Johnstown and less than three miles distant in air line, although it was 18 miles by the way of the ravine. The dam was 1,000 feet in length, and 100 feet in heighth at the deepest place, holding a body of water 3} miles long by over one mile in width and said to have been the largest reservoir in the U. S. The immense plant of the Cambria Iron works, was located near Johnstown, and in its several divisions of industry had caused a pop- ulation of 20,000 to 25,000 at that place and the suburban villages of Cambria, Conemaugh, Woodvale, Mineral Point and South Fork. The entire villages and their industries were more than half obliterated by the mad rush of waters. A hero named Daniel Periton, in the upper part of the valley, hearing the roar of of the waters and fathoming its import, rode down the valley with the greatest possible speed yelling as he rushed by "The flood flee to the hills" and hundreds of lives were doubtless saved by this timely warning. The hero continued in his mad ride until overtaken by the wall of waters and was found after the flood with his feet still in the stirrups. The survivors were paralyzed by their surroundings but,a relief corps was formed at Pittsburg and Jas. B."Scott with several thousand men,at once put to work to remove the rubbish and recover the dead. Within two weeks about 2,000 bodies had been recovered of which nearly 700 were identified. A great bulk of driftwood, containing hundreds of demolished houses, had collected above the stone bridge at Johnstown, and after it became impracticable to recover the corpses on account of decay, the flood wood was blown to pieces by dynamite and burned. A conservative estimate of the loss of life, places the probable num- ber, at about 4,000. Gov. Beaver was active in the cause of relief and Gen. Ha :- tings with a corps of men was put in charge of the sanitary work by State author- ity. More than a million dollars was donated by the citizens of Pittsburg and Harrisburg, and large sums from other cities were promptly forwarded. For some time rations were issued to 15,000 people who were homeless; but the indus- tries and former prosperity were rapidly re-established, and the casual traveler would now scarcely discover any trace of the great catastrophe of five years ago.
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