USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Allegheny in Allegheny County > Recollections of seventy years and historical gleanings of Allegheny, Pennsylvania > Part 7
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By invitation of the citizens, Mr. Johnston and his company gave another concert at the " Ark " on the following Saturday evening ; and the performance on that occasion passed off without disturbance or interruption.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
THE COTTON-MILL RIOTS IN THE CITY OF ALLE- GHENY, MONDAY, JULY 31, 1848.
DURING this period, the political party in power in the State was fast losing its ascendency ; their opponents having already elected their candidate, William F. Johnston, governor. To regain and maintain its lost prestige required a bold effort for a continuance of political power. With this view, the enactment of a stringent ten-hour law, with fines and penal- ties for its violation, was made a party measure.
It was an easy matter to demonstrate that utter ruin would result to the cotton-mills in Allegheny, by running ten hours a day, against thirteen hours a day in the Eastern States. So, by common consent, all the mills closed operations, and dis- charged their employees, on the first day of July, when the ten- hour Act became a law.
It soon became apparent that a majority of the operatives were anxious and willing to return to work under the former régime ; and with the view of determining the question, it was thought advisable that on a certain day all the cotton-mills should resume operations at twelve hours a day as before.
Unfortunately, at this period, the iron-mill hands were on a strike ; so that at the appointed time, of the five mills, but one, the Penn, started up.
The engines were promptly started in the morning, and by noon about one-half of the machinery was working. Trouble, however, was anticipated. Sheriff Forsyth was early on the ground. A large and highly excited crowd gathered around the premises, composed of both sexes, and demanded the dis- charge of the employees then at work, and the closing of
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THE COTTON-MILL RIOTS.
the mill. This unreasonable demand being refused, the mob, with angry shouts and threats, forced an entrance, breaking doors and windows, driving from the building all who were at work, compelling the engineer to shut off steam, injuring the machinery, and causing much damage generally.
The appeal of the sheriff to the rioters was met with sullen indifference ; and there being no response to his call upon the Posse Comitatus, he was powerless to quell the disturbance, leaving the mob in entire possession of the premises. It is proper to state, that no employee of the Penn was engaged in these riotous proceedings.
Perhaps no single element in bringing about this unfortunate state of affairs was more conspicuous than the course adopted by the organ of the then political party in power, published in the city of Pittsburg.
From day to day before the riot, its editorial columns teemed with appeals to the lowest passions of our human nature, and afterwards defended the gross outrage, holding up for public odium and contumely the honored names of some of our best merchants and manufacturers of both cities, whose only offence consisted in being interested in those extensive estab- lishments that had proved of vast public benefit.
The destruction of property occasioned by turbulent acts of this sort, is of secondary consequence when compared with the gross outrage on society, the disturbance of peace and good order, the interference with the liberty of action, and danger to life.
The best interests of all are indentified with the growing in- dustries of our country ; and those who seek to array labor against capital, as antagonists, make a fatal mistake. They are, and ought to be, natural allies, bound by a common com- munity of interest to afford mutual assistance and protection.
The violence of a mob is not confined, as a general thing, to those against whom it is directed : others are in as much danger from violence as those who are its intended victims.
Thirteen of the principal characters engaged in this riot were placed under arrest, and bound over to appear at court for trial. The question to be determined at these trials, was
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
not only the conviction of the guilty, but to ascertain if property paying heavy taxes was entitled to the protection of law.
Much interest was manifested in the result of these trials : many members of the Pittsburg bar had volunteered in the defence. It became evident that the prosecuting` attorney would need assistance : and Edwin M. Stanton (himself a Democrat) was appealed to, and nobly responded, by assum- ing the lead in the prosecution; and by the justice of the cause he represented, and with the power of his great talents and eloquence, won the victory, which resulted in the conviction of eight of the thirteen accused. Seven of these forfeited their bail, and "fled to other fields and pastures new ;" while the remaining one was sentenced by Judge Patton to hard labor in the Western Penitentiary for a term of years. Gov. Johnston, on the petition of the mill-owners, pardoned him before the expiration of his sentence.
A special Act of the Legislature, applicable to the county of Philadelphia, made the county liable for all damage done to property therein by the act of a mob ; and, at the session of the Legislature subsequent to the cotton-mill riots, the pro- visions of the Act were extended to Allegheny County. It is therefore but fair to conclude, that, but for these cotton-mill riots, the county of Allegheny would not now be groaning under the Supreme Court verdict for the millions of damages awarded for property destroyed by the great railroad riots at Pittsburg within the last few years, and illustrative of the scriptural declaration, that "They who sow the wind may reap the whirlwind."
The cotton-mills in operation at the time were the --
Anchor, established in 1828 by Blackstock, Bell, & Co., in the First Ward, on Robinson Street, between Federal and Balkam Streets, extending along the latter to Lacock Street.
Eagle King, Pennock & Co., bounded by Sandusky, Robin- son, and Isabella Streets, Fourth Ward, established in 1832 by Arbuckle & Avery.
Hope, Pollard McCormick, on the corner of Lacock and Hope Streets, Fourth Ward.
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THE COTTON-MILL RIOTS.
Penn,' Kennedy, Childs, & Co., fronting on River Avenue, between Federal and Sandusky Streets, extending back to Isabella Court, Fourth Ward, established in 1846.
Banner, I. K. Moorhead & Co., on the corner of Main and Sycamore Streets, extending back to Carpenter's Alley, Fourth Ward, established in 1836 by Voeghtly & Bro.
Franklin, E. Hyde & Sons, on West Canal Street, between Robinson and Lacock Streets, First Ward, established in 1858 by E. Hyde.
It was estimated, at the time of the occurrence, that these six mills operated over thirty-five thousand spindles, six hun- dred and fifty looms, and one hundred seventy-five cards, man- ufacturing annually over eleven thousand bales of cotton into sheeting, ticking, cotton-yarn, and cordage, to the value of over eight hundred thousand dollars, and afforded employment to at least one thousand hands.
On the 7th of July, 1850, from the same cause which led to the troubles at the Penn mill, a disturbance took place among the female employees of the Eagle and Hope mills. This occurred during Mayor Fleming's first term, who, by his char- acteristic prompt and energetic measures, quelled the tumult before any serious damage had been accomplished.
NOTE. - Railroad riot occurred 21 and 22 July, 1877.
I The first slate roof in Allegheny County was put on this mill by Thomas Arnold, in 1845, the year of the great Pittsburg fire.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
GAS EXPLOSION AT THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH, ALLEGHENY.
ON the thirteenth day of August, 1845, at six o'clock P.M., a terrible explosion of gas occurred in the gas-room connected with this church, situate on the East Common (now Union Avenue), near the corner of Ohio Street. This was anterior to the formation of the present gas-company. The late Rev. Charles Avery ' had procured a patent gas-apparatus from Cin- . cinnati, for the use of the church, which had been in success- ful operation for over a year. The gasometer having com- menced leaking, some of the leading members of the church were called together, to assist the workmen in raising the gas- ometer out of the pit, in order to repair the damage. Having accomplished this, they were about to leave the building, when Mr. Karns discovered that he had left behind his walking-cane. Mr. Charles Brown proposed to go back to the gas-room, and get it for him : if it had not been for the latter circumstance, he would probably not have been killed.
The sexton, - Mr. Herron, - Messrs. Russell and Eyester, were still in the gas-room, securing the gasometer: the others were standing outside.
By this time it had become quite dark; and Mr. Brown, sup- posing that all the gas had escaped from the building, entered it with a lighted candle, when the gas exploded, blowing the building to atoms.
" The well-known philanthropist, the late Rev. Charles Avery, contributed largely to the building of this church, and subsequently erected the parsonage solely at his own cost. At his death he bequeathed to the church the sum of five thousand dollars, the interest of which was to be applied to the payment of the current expenses during the maintenance of the same.
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GAS EXPLOSION AT THE METHODIST CHURCH.
Messrs. Eyester, Russell, and Herron were so terribly burned, that death ended their sufferings the same evening. Mr. Brown lingered in extreme torture for about ten days, when a merciful death put an end to his sufferings.
Messrs. Karns and Williams, although severely burned, recovered.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
STEAM-BOILER EXPLOSION, OF THE COTTON-BATTING FACTORY OF JAMES AND ANDREW FIFE.
PRECISELY at eleven o'clock A.M., on the twenty-sixth day of March, 1849, the steam-boiler of the Cotton-Batting Factory, owned and operated by James and Andrew Fife, exploded, completely wrecking the building, setting it on fire, and entirely consuming it, with all its effects, together with other buildings in the immediate neighborhood.
The melancholy feature of this disaster was the loss of life. James Fife and his daughter -, Miss Elizabeth Staley, and William Bell, were the prominent victims : there were three others who died afterwards from injuries received on this occa- sion.
William Bell, nephew of the Fifes, had his head completely severed from his body by a portion of the boiler. Mr. Fife and his daughter, and Miss Staley, were caught among the falling timbers and machinery, buried beneath the débris ; and before assistance could reach them, the fire had done its work, and a merciful death ended their life and sufferings.
It is related by an eye-witness of the shocking calamity, that Miss Staley having been caught, and firmly held between por- tions of the machinery, a brave effort was made to save her : the attempt, however, proved abortive. Failing to move the machinery under which she was held, and the flames rapidly surrounding them, to save their own lives, they were reluctantly compelled to abandon her to her awful fate. She heroically urged them to desist, and said her only hope was in death.
Mary Staley (now Mrs. Showers), then ten years of age, a sister of the one above mentioned, was rescued from the ruins,
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STEAM-BOILER EXPLOSION.
uninjured physically, but mentally demoralized from the effects of her perilous situation.
Another of the young girls employed in the factory, whilst fleeing to a place of safety, was caught by some of the falling timbers, but was rescued before the flames reached her.
The factory was located on the rear of the lot, now No. 89 Ohio Street, between East Common and Sandusky Street. The front on Ohio Street was occupied by frame-dwellings, in which the families of the Fifes resided.
There were two buildings connected with this factory : the one on the west side of the lot was occupied by the Fife Brothers for the manufacture of cotton-batting. They subse- quently erected a three-story building on the east side, adjoin- ing the former, and had it rented out for the manufacture of hat-bodies, picture and looking-glass frames. The steam- power for this was supplied from the boilers in the basement of the cotton-batting factory. This was also destroyed, to- gether with its entire effects. There were employed in both these factories some twenty men and women.
When the boiler exploded, a portion of it passed through the rear end of the building No. 97, north-west corner of East Common (now Union Avenue) and Ohio Street, and landed on the East Common ; another portion was carried towards Sandusky Street. The main body of the boiler was deposited on the porch of house No. 37 East Common.
The frame-dwelling occupied by the Fifes ; the ancient log house built and occupied by the late Hugh McGonnigle (who was among the first settlers in Allegheny), situate on the north-west corner of Ohio Street and East Common, - were also entirely consumed. Nos. 37 and 38 East Common, although considerably damaged, would have shared the same fate, had the wind not changed to a northerly point, and driven the flames towards Ohio Street.
Jonathan Rush, who was subsequently elected mayor of the city, was engaged at the time in the hat-body department, and received some slight injuries.
The house on the west side of the factory, now No. 87, was
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
so much shattered by the force of the explosion, that it had to be strengthened with iron rods, etc.
The factory was never rebuilt. The disaster having deter- mined the ruin of the firm financially, the survivor was unable to re-establish the business.
EAGLE COTTON-MILL DISASTER.
On Monday morning, in the month of October, in the year 1833 or 1834, the boilers of the Eagle Cotton-Mill exploded, causing a partial destruction of the building and the death of thirteen of the employees.
A dense fog was prevailing at the time, rendering surround- ing objects dimly visible through its murky veil.
The employees had not all arrived : half an hour later, the mortality would doubtless have been much greater.
The first bell had sent forth its warning note : many were on their way, anticipating the second ringing, for all to be promptly at their position when the engine would start putting the machinery in motion. Just before the time for com- mencing operations, the engineer, Alexander Morrow, dis- covered that the packing in the cylinder required adjusting. Supposing it would occupy but a few moments of time to rem- edy it, he neglected to open the furnace-doors, and shift the weight on the safety-valve ; and, returning to his post at the throttle-valve, he started the engine. On the first revolution, the boilers exploded, creating a scene of desolation and ruin fearful to behold. In addition to the number killed outright, there were several more or less injured, who finally recovered.
Alexander Morrow, the engineer, was frightfully scalded : he lingered in terrible torment for a few hours, when a merciful death terminated his distress.
James Fleming, a promising youth, brother to the well-known firm of Fleming Brothers, an employee of the mill, was among those instantly killed.
An excited multitude soon assembled on the ground, and with willing hands and anxious hearts commenced the work of removing the wreck, in order to reach those who were caught
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STEAM-BOILER EXPLOSION.
between the timbers and machinery, or buried beneath the chaotic mass. Guided by the groans of the unfortunate vic- tims, every effort was made to reach and save them from the horrors of impending death.
A Frenchman, commonly known as "French Louis," a machinist, was just entering the door of the engine-room at the time of the explosion : a portion of the boiler struck him between the mouth and eyes, carrying away the entire top of his head.
Another Frenchman, familiarly known as "French Jimmy," generally employed about the machinery, was also severely in- jured, but ultimately recovered.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
A FIRE.
DURING the year of 1856, a disastrous fire broke out in the extensive Wagon Works of Phelps, Carr, & Co., extending to the Plow Works of Hall & Spear, both of which were entirely consumed, together with their principal contents, and all the buildings on the two squares bounded by Beaver Avenue, Locust, Walnut, and Market Streets, except the three-story brick building situate on the south-west corner of Beaver Avenue and Locust Street, and the one-story frame-dwelling on the north-east corner of Walnut and Market Streets, both of which were considerably damaged.
This fire was evidently the work of an incendiary, and was the third effort made to fire the same, - the two first proving unsuccessful. General suspicion was aroused, and pointed to one person, who, strange to relate, was never made to suffer the penalty of his crime. There was about $10,000 insurance on the Wagon Works ; but owing to these suspicions, and the insolvency of some of the insurance companies, very little was realized. The Plow Works were fully insured.
The Wagon Works were rebuilt by Phelps, Parke, & Co. in 1857, who operated the same until 1874, when they were suc- ceeded by the Pittsburg Wagon Works Company. The works were again destroyed by fire on the evening of the 16th of August, 1878. There was no insurance. This also was said to be the work of an incendiary. During the progress of the fire, a fatal accident occurred, resulting in the death of John Hurber of No. 3 Long Alley, Third Ward. A large amount of government work, together with other unfinished work, ma- chinery, tools, etc., was entirely consumed.
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A FIRE.
The first and second stories of the brick building on the corner of Beaver Avenue and Locust Street (occupied by D. Hamilton as a drug-store and dwelling), and the third story (by Davage Lodge of Masons), and contents of each, were much damaged by water, -the former to the amount of $500, upon which there was no insurance, and the latter to the amount of $300, covered by the Armenia.
The fire, crossing Locust Street, partially destroyed the buildings owned by William F. Trimble, Mrs. Watson, S. Wadsworth, and the Patterson heirs, all of which were fully insured by the Humboldt, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and People's, except the building owned by the Widow Watson.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
FIREMEN'S RIOT, 1849.
ON Monday, July 16, 1849, the great firemen's riot, and con- sequent loss of property, took place. Those who lost their property have abundant reason to remember the event, and regret the impotency of the city authorities to deal with lawlessness.
The deep mutterings of discontent on the part of the fire- men, caused by the refusal of councils to increase the annual appropriation for the department, produced considerable alarm among the citizens. The matter was officially brought to the notice of councils by the firemen in the form of a memorial, setting forth the causes which led to the dissatisfaction. The language, unfortunately, was of a threatening nature : it de- clared, that, if their demands were not affirmatively acted upon, they would stand aloof with their apparatus in case of fires. Notwithstanding this dictatorial and disrespectful language, councils treated the question in a prudent and proper manner, by the appointment of a committee to confer with the men, and report a basis for the settlement of the difficulty. This, how- ever, did not appear to meet with favor. The unhappy state of affairs continued, with no hope of its peaceful adjudication, until it culminated in the disaster of the 16th (which some averred was specially gotten up for the occasion). The insub- ordination exhibited by the firemen on that day, effectually sealed the fate of the independent fire-department of Allegheny. It is but justice to say, that many of the members of the de- partment, although they acquiesced in the demand for an in- crease of the annual appropriation, condemned the language employed, and the course pursued, by their colleagues. By a
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FIREMEN'S RIOT, 1849.
resolution of council specially convened, the mayor was in- structed and authorized to take possession of the entire fire- apparatus of the city, and to call a public meeting of the citi- zens without delay, to consider the condition of affairs, and report a plan to councils to meet the extraordinary emergency.
In pursuance of the call of Mayor Rush, the citizens in general meeting assembled in the Fourth-ward schoolhouse, when the following suggestions were recommended to councils for adoption : to wit, -
To re-organize the entire fire-department, and to appoint a superintendent for the same ; to appropriate $500 for the prose- cution of the leading spirits engaged in the riot, and to distrib- ute the four engines and apparatus as follows : -
The "Wm. Penn " in the First Ward.
The "Washington " in the Second Ward.
The "Uncle Sam " in the Third Ward.
The " President " in the Fourth Ward.
A resolution of thanks is justly due to the indefatigable fire- men of our sister city, who, notwithstanding the threats of the rioters, nobly exerted themselves in staying the spread of the flames. They were early on the ground ; but alas ! vandal-like, the rioters cut and otherwise mutilated their hose, rendering them entirely useless, thus carrying out the nefarious orders of the chief conspirators, - to prevent at all hazard the saving of property.
There can be no good reason assigned to justify an act so treacherous on the part of the firemen in betraying the confi- dence of the citizens in their efficiency and integrity. The refusal of the councils to accede to their demands for material aid, was not in itself a sufficient cause to warrant them in with- holding their own aid, much less, by threats and overt acts, intimidate others who felt disposed to do all in their power to save their neighbor's property. To discuss the policy of party at this late day, would be productive of no good, as many of the actors on that occasion have long since passed away. We would, however, hazard the opinion, that, if a different course had been adopted by the firemen, they would have covered themselves with imperishable renown instead of lasting disgrace.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
The fire commenced on the south side of Gay Alley, between Arch Street and the Diamond, in a carpenter-shop occupied by Henry Charles.
The origin of the fire was never satisfactorily accounted for : it was alleged that the proprietor, who was an inveterate smoker, had carelessly dropped a match among the shavings after lighting his cigar, and immediately left the building on business.
Soon the whole shop was enveloped in a mass of flames. A light wind from the south prevailing at the time, the fire crossed the alley to the Dewdrop property, from which it rapidly spread to buildings on Arch and Ohio Streets and the Diamond, cross- ing Arch, and setting fire to the First Presbyterian Church, accomplishing its entire ruin, together with other valuable prop- erty on the same square.
At this unfortunate period, the fire-apparatus of the city was not in very efficient order. The Wm. Penn and Washington, located in the old Town-house on the south-west Diamond Square ; and the President, on the corner of Lacock and Ander- son Streets; and the Uncle Sam, on Union Avenue,- at no time were considered equal to extinguishing large fires. They were worthless now, owing to the complications existing between the councils and the firemen. On the first alarm, the firemen hastened to their respective engine-houses, in order to prevent the citizens from taking out the engines, and carefully guarded the doors, and whilst the destructive element spread, and envel- oped their neighbors' property, and in a most determined and malignant manner threatened with personal violence all who would attempt to interfere.
As an instance of the riotous conduct of the firemen, and sympathy of many of the citizens therewith, the following is related : The La Fayette from the borough of Manchester was brought early on the ground : not being aware of the condition of affairs, the company commenced unreeling their hose, and getting their engine in position to go into operation, with a view to save the church if possible, and check the spread of the flames to surrounding buildings.
This could have been easily accomplished if they had been
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FIREMEN'S RIOT, 1849.
permitted to do so, as the fire had only slightly taken effect on the heavy cornice under the roof. Threats, however, of per- sonal violence, and destruction of their apparatus, caused a delay ; and in the mean time the progress of the flames rendered the saving of the church impossible.
This company possessed the means and the will to render effi- cient aid if they had been let alone; or if the men had received the least encouragement from the citizens, they would have run the risk of personal violence and the destruction of their engine. Failing in this, they heroically formed a bucket-brigade, with a determination to assist in this way in staying the further progress of the fire.
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