USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Allegheny in Allegheny County > Recollections of seventy years and historical gleanings of Allegheny, Pennsylvania > Part 3
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CITY GAUGER, WILLIAM BROWN, 1862.
JANITOR.
JOSEPH MARSHALL, 1865 to 1873. D. L. KEPHART, 1875. FRANK WADLOW, 1884.
MATTHEW KERR. 1874 to 1875.
ASSISTANT STREET-COMMISSIONER. ISAAC STEWART, 1868.
1. Abolished in 1876. 2 The office of bell-ringer was abolished Jan. 16, 1855.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
The fire-alarm telegraph was organized and put in working order in the month of July, 1867. Number of signal-boxes in the original line, 36 ; in the present line, 57.
FIRE-DEPARTMENT.
The ordinance creating the office of Chief Engineer of the Fire-De- partment was enacted by councils on the 27th of February, 1868.
James E. Crow was elected chief engineer, March 12, 1868, and has been continued in office to the present time. Dec. 9, 1869, councils passed an ordinance creating the paid fire-department, which was in- augurated on the first day of February, 1870, under the auspices of the following committee : -
J. E. B. DALZELL, Chairman.
ORMSBY PHILLIPS. -
GEORGE F. COMLEY. JAMES CALLERY.
ALEXANDER PATTERSON. ALFRED SLACK.
SAMUEL HASTINGS.
The present force of the department consists of fifty-five men, includ- ing the Chief Engineer and Superintendent of Fire-Alarm Telegraph.
There are nine first-class steamers, one of which is always held in reserve to take the place of any that may be undergoing repairs. The hose-carriages are ten in number, two of which are held in reserve in case of accidents. There are also thirty-six head of horses, two of which are held in reserve to supply the place of any that may become sick or disabled.
CHIEF ENGINEER OF FIRE-DEPARTMENT. JAMES E. CROW, from 1869.
SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPH.
L. D. MCCANDLESS, from 1870 to 1874 inclusive. G W WINN, from 1875.
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MANCHESTER.
MANCHESTER.
THE original town of Manchester was laid out in 1832, by John Sampson, C. L. Armstrong, Thomas Barlow, Thomas Hazelton, and Samuel Hall. It was bounded on the north by Island Lane, now Washington Street ; on the east by Ferry Lane, now Beaver Avenue ; on the south by the division line of out-lots Nos. 19 and 20; and on the west by the Ohio River. It was incorporated as a borough by the court of Quarter Ses- sions, Nov. 2, A.D. 1843, under the Act of the Legislature approved April I, A.D. 1834. And subsequently, to wit, on the eighth day of April, A.D. 1854, upon application of the citizens, the court granted and decreed to said borough all the rights and privileges under the Act of the Legislature approved April 3, A.D. 1851, entitled, " Act for the incorporation of bor- oughs, and repealing the provisions of the former Act as far as they may conflict with the provisions of said Act." The boundaries are as follows : viz., Beginning at the intersection of Pasture and Strawberry Lanes; thence by Pasture Lane and the boundary of the city of Allegheny 514° east 106.7. P. to the intersection of Pasture and Island Lanes ; thence by Island Lane and the boundary line of the city 576° west 120 P .; thence by the dividing line of out-lots Nos. 250 and 257 from Nos. 251 and 256, being also a boundary line of the said city ; thence 514° east 80 P. to Ohio Lane, now Pennsylvania Avenue ; thence by said lane and the boundary line of Alle- gheny 576° west 40 P .; thence by said boundary and the east- ern boundary of out-lots Nos. 261 and 270 to Water Lane, now Western Avenue ; thence by said Water Lane and the boundary of said city aforesaid south 76° west 80 P. to Ferry Lane, now
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
Beaver Avenue ; thence by said lane southwardly to the Ohio River ; thence down said river by the several courses of the same to the dividing line between out-lots Nos. II and 12 on the bank of the Ohio River ; thence by said dividing line north 76° east 50 P. more or less to Ferry Lane, now Beaver Avenue ; thence by the same northwardly to its intersection with Straw- berry Lane; thence by Strawberry Lane north 76° east 242 P. to the place of beginning.
One of the provisions of the Act approved April 3, A.D. 185I, makes it obligatory to record all proceedings in such cases, in the proper office for the recording of deeds, etc .; and only when complied with, shall the same be deemed a body cor- porate, entitled to the several powers, rights, privileges, and immunities conferred by the Act.
By gross negligence on the part of those having the matter in charge, the proceedings were not recorded until the 17th of March, A.D. 1860. Immediately upon ascertaining the fact, and in order to avoid the troubles looming up in con- sequence of the neglect to record, a petition was presented to the Legislature, setting forth the facts in the case, whereupon they passed an Act, to wit, on the second day of April, A.D. 1860, confirming and making valid, and of the same force and effect, all acts done in the premises, as if the said proceedings of court had been regularly recorded within the time pre- scribed by law, etc.
In view of the common interest existing between the cit- izens of the city of Allegheny and the borough of Manches- ter, the councils of the said city and borough, having met together in general meeting, in consideration of such com- munity of interest, and for other good and sufficient reasons, agreed together upon a plan for a union or consolidation of the same, in pursuance of which an Act of consolidation was enacted by the Legislature, approved March 12, A.D. 1867, extending the boundaries of the city of Allegheny so as to embrace all the territory constituting and forming the borough of Manchester ; and all the powers conferred upon said city by the several Acts of the General Assembly are extended over the inhabitants and territory embraced within the limits of
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MANCHESTER.
said borough, together with all ordinances now in force in said city, except such as prohibit the erection of wooden buildings.
ANNEXATION OF THE BOROUGH OF MANCHESTER WITH THE CITY OF ALLEGHENY BY ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED MARCH 12, 1867.
By the Act of consolidation of the borough of Manchester with the city of Allegheny, all the territory embraced in the former, together with that embraced within the limits of the latter lying west of Allegheny Avenue, was divided by a line running from east to west from Allegheny Avenue through the centre of Locust Street to the Ohio River, into two wards, respectively named Fifth and Sixth Wards ; the southern por- tion constituting the Fifth, and the northern the Sixth, Ward.
By the same Act, the city was authorized to extend her north- ern boundaries by a direct line from the north-east corner of the borough of Manchester to a point of intersection with the northern boundary of the borough of Duquesne so as to include the Troy-hill District, and from said point of inter- section to the eastern terminus of the line of said borough of Duquesne, whenever the council of said borough shall consent to the extension of said boundary line. Provided, the said borough of Duquesne shall be annexed on the same terms and conditions as the borough of Manchester. The territory here described to constitute the Seventh Ward.
Also, by the Act of the General Assembly approved March 18, 1868, the boundaries of the city were further extended so as to embrace all that portion of the borough of Duquesne lying south-west of a line drawn from the head of Herr's Island to the run at Willow Grove, thence by said stream to the boundary line of said borough and Reserve township: this, including the island, constitutes the Eighth Ward.
Also all the territory embraced within the limits of McClure and Reserve townships, lying south of the following line, com- mencing at the north-east corner of the borough of Manches-
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
ter, thence eastwardly by a direct line to Wickline's Lane in the township of Reserve, thence due east until said line inter- sects the line of Duquesne Borough, was annexed to the city by the Act of the General Assembly approved April 9, A.D. 1867, out of which the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Wards were subsequently formed.
HISTORICAL PAPERS.
1
THE PITTSBURG BLUES.
THE following is a paper read before the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania : -
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
Many of the startling events which have rendered Western Pennsylvania conspicuous in the history of the past, leave their impress on the mind of every American citizen. "The Forks of the Ohio" was among the first points selected by the hardy pioneer to commence the work of civilization in the Western world.
The interesting events connected with the early history of Pittsburg and Allegheny, and the regions in and about the " Forks," are well calculated to excite an interest in the minds of every citizen of the county, especially those "to the manor born." Feeling assured that those who spend time and labor in gathering up the threads of the almost forgotten past will certainly be interested, with your permission I here present for your consideration the following elaboration of memoranda, jotted down from time to time, as the scenes and events transpired.
Previous to the declaration of war, June 19, 1812, between the United States and Great Britain, the Pittsburg Blues were organized under the military laws of the State. Imme- diately upon the commencement of hostilities, filled with becoming zeal and patriotism, they unanimously tendered their services to the General Government, which were accepted ; and the Blues at once were ordered into active service, to join the North-western troops, commanded by Gen. William Henry Harrison.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
The company having been, previously, thoroughly drilled in the science of military movements, by officers well qualified by experience and education, were fully prepared to take the field at a moment's notice. Preparatory to their departure for the seat of war, they went into camp on the Ioth day of September, 1812, on Grant's Hill, near where the Court House now stands. On the 20th they were ordered to the north side of the Allegheny River, and there went into camp, on the commons, on the ground afterwards occupied by the Western Penitentiary. On the 21st they again struck their tents, and went into camp on the bank of the Ohio River ; their white tents extending westerly from Belmont Street, to a beautiful grove of sugar-trees, where Ferry Lane (now Beaver Avenue) enters the Ohio River.
All this territory, hallowed by the memory of the past, is now embraced in the Fifth Ward of the city of Allegheny. Under the shadow of these magnificent trees, the officers' headquarters were established.
The writer of these reminiscences has a vivid recollection of the scenes on this occasion : although but a youth of a few years, the impression made upon his memory was of an endur- ing kind.
Having been reared upon the land occupied by the encamp- ment, and having been permitted to roam with the utmost freedom at all times through it, gazing with rapt amazement on the "pomp and circumstance of war," and being witness to the affecting parting scenes between the soldier and his friends, memories as lasting as life itself were made.
When arrangements had been fully completed, the Blues broke camp, and on the 23d of September embarked on keel- boats moored in the river opposite their encampment, and departed for a point on the Ohio River, whence they were to proceed over-land to join the troops concentrating under Gen. Harrison, on the Maumee, to meet the combined forces of the British and Indians, under Gen. Proctor and the redoubtable Tecumseh.
I have no doubt there are many citizens of the cities and county, now living, who have a distinct recollection of this
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THE PITTSBURG BLUES.
gentlemanly and well-organized body of soldiers, whose valor was fully and satisfactorily attested on the battle-fields of Meigs and Mississinewa, and who, on several occasions, received the earnest commendations of the commander-in-chief. They were the first military organization in the county of Allegheny ; were composed of the best material, and made up of members of the best families in the city and county. Many of their descendants are still living. The following authentic list of the officers and men composing the organization, was copied from the official roll of the company, and can be relied upon as correct : -
OFFICERS.
JAMES R. BUTLER, Captain. MATTHEW MAGEE, Ist Lieutenant. ELIJAH TROVILLO, Ist Sergeant. ISAAC WILLIAMS, 2d Sergeant ; wound- ed at Fort Meigs, May 5, 1813.
JOHN WILLOCK, 3d Sergeant; wounded at Fort Meigs, May 9, 1813. GEORGE HAREN, 4th Sergeant.
NATHANIEL PATTERSON, Ist Corporal. JOHN W. BENNY, 2d Corporal. SAMUEL ELLIOT, 3d Corporal ; wounded at Mississinewa, Dec. 18, 1812.
ISRAEL B. REED, 4th Corporal ; wounded at Mississinewa, Dec. 18, 1812.
JAMES IRWIN, Ensign.
PRIVATES. 1385629
Robert Allison, Daniel C. Boss (wounded at Fort Meigs, May 5, 1813), Isaac Chess (wounded at Mississinewa, Dec. 18, 1812), John Deal, John Davis, John D. Davis, Andrew Deemer, Joseph Dodd (wounded at Mississinewa, Dec. 18, 1812; died June 16, 1813), Thomas Dobbins (wounded at Fort Meigs, May 5, 1813), J. Elliot, Oliver English, Enoch Fairfield, Samuel Graham, Nathaniel Hall, Samuel Jones, John Francis Lonsong (killed at Mississinewa, Dec. 18, 1812), Jesse Lewis, Peter S. Lewton, George McFall, Thomas McClernin, Robert McNeal, Norris Matthews, John Maxwell, Oliver McKee (killed May 28, 1813), Nathaniel McGiffen (discharged for disability), John Marcy (discharged for disability), Moses Morse, Joseph McMasters, Pressly J. Neville (promoted to sergeant), James Newman (killed at Fort Meigs, May 5, 1813), William Richardson (killed at Fort Meigs, May 5, 1813), John Park (wounded at Fort Meigs, May 5, 1813), Matthew Parker, John Pollard, Charles Pentland, Edward F. Pratt, George V. Robinson, Samuel Swift, Thomas Sample, Henry Thompson, Nathaniel Vernon, David Watt, Charles Weid- ner, Charles Wahrendorf (wounded at Fort Meigs, May 5, 1813), George S. Wil- kins (promoted, May, 1813).
It should also be understood that two colored men, Frank Richards and William Sidney, went with the Blues in the capa- city of servants to the officers, who, when necessity required it, handled muskets, and gained a reputation for coolness under fire, and unflinching bravery in time of danger.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
It is stated that James Newman and William Richardson were killed by one and the same bullet. It seems that New- man was standing erect; while Richardson, just in his rear, was in a stooping posture, picking his flint. An Indian, con- cealed in the branches of an oak-tree, fired at Newman ; the bullet passing through the latter's body, and thence into that of Richardson, killing both men.
As an illustration of the material of which the Blues were composed, permit me here to relate the following incident, as told by a member of the company on the occasion of one of their anniversary meetings, at which the writer was an invited guest : -
One morning, during the memorable siege of Fort Meigs, Sergeant Trovillo, being possessed of some rare bit not fur- nished in Uncle Sam's daily rations, in order not to excite undue envy on the part of his messmates during the prepara- tion of his morning meal, wandered off into the woods, a short distance from the fort, but within the picket-line. There he built his fire, and commenced his preparations for breakfast. During the process, and near its completion, a hungry mess- mate was attracted to the sergeant's cuisine by the savory smell emanating therefrom, and of which he hoped to be in- vited to partake. Here was a quandary of a very embarrassing sort. The worthy sergeant's supply would scarcely justify a tender of hospitality; as his breakfast was pretty much in the category of a celebrated Methodist minister's turkey, - quite enough for one, but hardly enough for two.
The difficulty, however, was speedily settled in the following manner. Whilst engaged in conversation, the peculiar ping of a rifle-bullet saluted their ears, and the missile struck in close proximity to where they were standing. " Hallo, Lige, what in thunder does this mean ?" For an explanation, his attention was quietly directed to an oak-tree, upon the upper branches of which was perched an Indian.
"That infernal Indian has been pegging away at me ever since I commenced cooking my breakfast!" The prospect of enjoying a quiet meal not being very encouraging, the visitor departed, to seek a breakfast under more favorable circum- stances.
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THE PITTSBURG BLUES.
During the great and exciting Presidential contest of 1840, the few remaining members, in conformity with their usual custom, assembled at the house of Mr. James Lambie, corner of Federal and Robinson Streets, Allegheny. Mr. Lambie being a gentleman of fine education and polished manners, an old soldier of France, under Napoleon the First, possessing a genial disposition, was well qualified to act the host, and con- tribute to the general good feeling. Let it be understood that politics were never permitted to intervene. A want of knowledge of this fact, on the part of one of the invited guests, led to a very unpleasant state of feeling, and bade fair to result seriously. An eminently gifted attorney of the Pittsburg bar, a warm and enthusiastic supporter of the Dem- ocratic nominee, was introduced by the host, and cordially welcomed by all present. Quiet being restored, the president, John D. Davis, suggested the resumption of business. At this point, the health of Gen. Harrison was proposed. The guest, not understanding the condition of affairs, like a flash, and before he could be prevented, commenced a philippic reflecting severely on the moral, military, and political char- acter of the Whig nominee. If a bomb-shell had suddenly exploded in their midst, they could not have been more sur- prised. The excitement for a while was intense, and boded no good to the vilifier of their revered chief. President Davis, however, in a very eloquent manner, administered a scathing rebuke to the disturber of their peace, and feelingly explained the object and nature of their time-honored custom of meeting once a year, to drop a tear to the memory of departed comrades, as an outward manifestation of the inward truth, "though dead, they are not forgotten," thus calming the troubled waters. The guest then arose, and in a very feeling and eloquent manner made the amende honorable, by protesting his entire ignorance, and begged the forgiveness of all present for the untimely part he had taken. Good feeling was at length restored, and the parties left for their respective homes.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
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A REMINISCENCE OF THE WAR OF 1812.
IN answer to my inquiries, Capt. Robert Beer, one of our eldest and most respected citizens, a soldier of the war of 1812, gave me the following account of his trip from this city to Upper Sandusky, O., in the winter of 1812-13 : -
" About the Ist of November, 1812, the government adver- tised for volunteer teamsters, having some thirty cannon-car- riages (without cannon) and forty covered wagons to supply with drivers. As soon as a volunteer would sign the roll, he was ordered to go into a large yard on Garrison Alley, and bridle four horses. I was among the volunteers, being then an unsophisticated country boy of twenty years. (You will observe that I am now old enough to vote.) I was directed to hitch a team to a cannon-carriage, and drive over to the ground where the Western Penitentiary stood. Here we were en- camped for three weeks before we were ready to start. The road-wagons were loaded with cannon, powder, clothing, and all kinds of government stores. These wagons were drawn by five, and sometimes by six, horses. All being in readiness, we started for Gen. Harrison's winter headquarters at Upper San- dusky, O. Col. James Anderson was wagon-master ; James McHenry, a brick-layer of our city, assistant wagon-master ; Paul Anderson, forage-master ; Samuel Oliver, assistant for- age-master ; and Capt. Gratiot had command of the train. To guard the teams and property, we had Capt. Johnson and his company from Greensburg, now called Darlington, and half a company from Beaver County, under command of Lieut. Walker, who was subsequently killed by the Indians.
" The journey was through an almost unbroken wilderness,
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A REMINISCENCE OF THE WAR OF 1812.
and its difficulties cannot be appreciated by the people of to-day. Ten miles were considered good travel for one day; and when the route was bad, as was frequently the case, we did not make more than six miles. It took us three days to get through Hahn's Swamp, and had hard work to do it in that time. We would often stop for a day, and, mounting our horses, go miles away along paths, there being no wagon-road, and return with our horses loaded with forage.
"At Canton we lay a whole week, repairing the wagons, shoeing the horses, giving them much needed rest, and pro- curing a supply of forage.
"From Canton to Wooster was thirty-five miles. At the latter place we found the first picketed fort. Mansfield ended the settlements in this direction. The only buildings were a fort, one tavern, one store, and one private house. We re- mained three days in Wooster, to recruit our animals, repair damages, and gather forage. Between Wooster and Mans- field, we had a good deal of new road to cut, the old one being impassable for the train. This was slow work, as you can judge.
" We were about two months on the road, and finally reached Upper Sandusky on New-Year's Day, as cold a day, by the way, as I ever experienced. We never saw a fire from sunrise till sunset ; and to make the matter worse, we were but thinly clad at best. On our arrival, we were ordered to ungear our horses, and start with them for a small town on the Sciota River, called Franklinton, just across the river from Columbus. Corn was plenty and cheap in that neighborhood, and they wanted their horses to recruit there for the spring service.
"Next day we started back to Upper Sandusky, to get our money, and be discharged from the service. There was no money to pay us with, - not a dollar in the treasury, - so they furnished us with tents and rations. We pitched our tents just outside the military lines, and for three weeks had nothing to occupy our time but eating and sleeping. At the end of this time, Col. Piatt of Cincinnati, who was treasurer of the army, gave us our discharge, and an order for our pay at the barracks in Pittsburg. We hadn't a dollar towards paying
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
our way home. They gave us rations to put in our knapsacks ; but they soon became stale, and unfit for use.
" Of course, after we left our horses at Franklinton, we did all our travelling on foot. I cannot now tell the distance from Franklinton to Upper Sandusky, but from the latter place to Mansfield was thirty-five miles. We all arrived in Pittsburg safe and well, after a very fatiguing journey.
" The Captain Gratiot I have mentioned was one of the engineer corps of the regular army, and an officer of high stand- ing. Capt. Wheaton was the paymaster, and a cross old chap he was. He carried a canteen of brandy slung round his neck, and sometimes he absorbed the brandy too freely.
"I suppose I am entitled to a pension for my services in 1812, but have not yet applied for one. I observe that some are drawing pensions whose term of service lasted but fourteen days. In 1856 I got a land-warrant for 160 acres of land."
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A LEGEND OF THE " SHERTEE."
A LEGEND OF THE "SHERTEE."
A FEW years ago the writer, in hunting through a hetero- geneous mass of musty old papers, the accumulation of years gone by, and so demoralized by time and the corrosive action of the elements as to render their further preservation impracti- cable, was prompted by curiosity to preserve as far as possible the subject-matter contained in a fragment of what he supposed to be some magazine published in early time. It is without date, and much impaired, evidently by the action of fire. In copying the manuscript, the author's language is faithfully quoted, as far as it is practicable, only supplying the voids as they occur from the causes above referred to.
LEGEND OF CHARTIERS.
On the north bank of Chartiers Creek (vulgarly called Shertee), which empties into the Ohio a short distance below the Forks (now Pittsburg), there resided, anterior to the Rev- olution, a stalwart farmer, a native of England, who, in the ab- sence of written history, tradition has styled Oliver Harris. Of his birth, parentage, early history, and other matter of no less importance, no authentic memorials are known. Tradition avers that he descended from a respectable family, who fled, on account of religious intolerance, from his native home, to one of the New-England colonies, there to enjoy the blessings of reli- gious liberty so generously promised to all. Possessed of a roving disposition, he was early induced to leave the paternal home, and brave the dangers "by flood and field," in seeking for fortune in a far Western land. On his arrival at the Forks, after a careful examination of the country, he selected as his
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