USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Allegheny in Allegheny County > Recollections of seventy years and historical gleanings of Allegheny, Pennsylvania > Part 8
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It was fortunate for the citizens of Allegheny, that the day was calm : otherwise it would have been impossible to tell where the destruction would have ceased.
The appeal of the venerable pastor of the church (Rev. E. P. Swift) to the firemen, with a view to saving the church,' backed by the liberal offer of his year's salary as an inducement, was received by them with sullen indifference ; but, whenever danger threatened property belonging to sympathizers, it was promptly met, and the danger avoided.
The loss was estimated at $60,000, on which there was a small amount of insurance, say $5,000, the principal part of which was on the church.
* The church was rebuilt, and opened for public worship May 12, A.D. 1850.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
THE GREAT FIRE.
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ON the Fourth July, 1874, at twelve o'clock M., a disastrous fire broke out in the Second Ward, in a large frame carpenter- shop, Nos. 255 and 257 Federal Street, occupied by Messrs. Cresswell and Burgoyne.
For some days before the fire occurred, the weather had been dry, with high winds prevailing from a north-westerly point : notwithstanding this fact, the heat was oppressive. The origin of the fire was evidently caused by the too careless use of fire-crackers, igniting the dry débris in and around the shop. In a very short time the devouring element spread with startling rapidity throughout the doomed district. The day being intensely warm, the hot rays of the sun, together with the heat arising from the burning buildings, rendered the situ- ation of the firemen almost intolerable, and their efforts to save embarrassing. Not a cloud obscured the brightness of the noonday sun. The gale continued to augment, carrying with it the flames and burning cinders, until a large portion of the ward lying west of Federal Street, south of Sampson Street, east of Arch, and north of Benton Alley, was a tempest of fire.
The panic among the citizens now became serious, and ap- prehensions were entertained that the whole northern section of the city would become involved in the ruin.
In addition to the general consternation, a report of a de- ficiency of a supply of water in the reservoirs, the result of the disabled condition of the forcing-engines, created grave fears that the gallant efforts of the firemen would prove unequal to the emergency : consequently particular attention was directed to the saving of buildings on the verge of the fire, with a view to confine the damage to as small a space as possible.
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THE GREAT FIRE.
In view of this alarming state of affairs, orders were issued to shut off the water in the lower districts of the city, in order that the fast-failing supply might be concentrated in the neigh- borhood of the burning district : it was owing to this wise measure, together with the efficient aid and gallant efforts of the fire-department of our sister city, that the progress of the conflagration was checked.
The imminent danger stimulated every house-holder to be watchful, and to adopt prompt measures to extinguish incipient flames communicated by floating sparks, etc. Toward evening a happy sense of relief was evinced by expressions of joy and hope, as it became apparent that the heroic firemen would win the battle. Although exhausted by their mighty efforts, they still maintained their positions until success crowned their labors. The indomitable spirit and efficiency manifested by them on that occasion elicited the highest praise and earnest commendation of the citizens generally.
At three o'clock P.M. the fire crossed Federal Street, de- stroying and damaging buildings from No. 248 to 274 inclusive, besides several others on White-oak Alley, Hemlock and Pearl Streets. Ere night came, it was under complete subjec- tion ; but its work had been accomplished, and nothing remained of that thickly populated district but a mass of smouldering ruins.
The total amount of loss was estimated at $244,742 ; total amount of insurance on the same, $III,815.04; number of buildings consumed and damaged, 199.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
THE GREAT RAIN-STORM AND LOCAL FLOOD OF THE 26TH JULY, 1874.
THE citizens of Allegheny have abundant reason to remem- ber the month of July, 1874. They had scarcely recovered from the shock of the calamitous fire of the Fourth, ere they were again called upon to witness a scene far more appalling, because it not only involved the loss of property, but a terrible destruction of life.
Appalling disasters, like appalling crimes, are too rare to dis- cipline the heart to ponder over the shocking details with ordinary emotions.
Our most enlarged benefactions are insufficient to mitigate the terrible sorrows of those whose family and property have been destroyed as thoroughly as if they had never been. It was altogether a sad and melancholy scene, - one that, if spread on canvas, would surely fix the eye for a long time, but in the reality creates an indelible impression upon the memory. The shocking details which go to make up the picture of this terrible calamity are utterly indescribable. They pass before us as a weird vision, and make us feel the poverty of words and the weakness of eloquence.
The weather in the afternoon was somewhat showery, unpor- tentous of any unusual disturbance.
The rain ceased about seven o'clock, and the rays of a gor- geous sunset lit up the western horizon with the glory of departing day.
The people attended religious services in their respective
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THE GREAT RAIN-STORM.
churches as usual ; whilst many promenaded the public parks and avenues, seeking pleasure or recreation, discussing the events of the day, and prospects of the morrow, which, alas ! to many never came.
Thus fell the shades of night. The weary retired to rest, and silence brooded over the deserted streets. What a wonder- ful change was effected in a few short hours! About eight o'clock vivid flashes of lightning in the north and south, ac- companied by loud peals of thunder, heralded the coming torrent. Soon the gathering storm-clouds came together with terrible force, opening their flood-gates of destruction over the doomed districts, extending from the valleys of Butcher's, Spring Garden, and Wood's Runs on the north, to McLaugh- lin's, Painter's, Saw-mill, and Beck's Runs on the south, cover- ing an area of about sixteen miles from north to south, and five miles from east to west.
The storm appeared to be the result of a combination of, or rather a collision between, separate forces approaching from opposite directions ; coming together over the doomed dis- tricts, covering the heads of the streams above mentioned, whose valleys were filled with the pluvial down-pour, until each became a mighty river, carrying death and destruction as it rushed onward towards its natural outlet.
Never, within the recollection of its oldest inhabitant, has Allegheny been visited by a rain-storm so disastrous in its con- sequences. Down from the neighboring hillsides came the rushing waters, to add their instalments to the overflow on the plain below, gathering strength and motion by the concentra- tion of the numerous rivulets, forming gullies, down which the roaring waters swept with irresistible power, leaving the sur- face as if it had been riven by an earthquake.
Every obstacle opposing the mighty flow went down be- fore it. Substantial brick buildings melted away as if they were constructed of quicksand : wooden structures arose from their foundations, were carried along on the bosom of the fast-accumulating waters, and broken up when hurled against other buildings which vainly opposed their onward course. Nothing in its path escaped destruction, -houses,
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bridges, trestle-work, trees, etc., all going down before it, pre- senting to the eye a scene of ruin and dismay the like of which it is to be hoped we shall never witness again
The destruction of property, although immense, is nothing when compared with the loss of human life. Many who retired to rest on that fatal night, in the doomed districts, were pallid corpses when the morning light broke upon the terrible scene.
Little children, lisping their appropriate nursery-rhymes, had no thought that the full significance of their prayer would be realized ere morning came. Their delicate bodies were recov- ered from the chaotic mass, so horribly disfigured and covered with foul and loathsome impurities as to be scarcely recogniz- able. It was a scene well calculated to arouse the sympathies of our nature : strong men wept ; and feeble women wailed, and were borne fainting away. Whole families, in some instances, were lost, their dwellings falling in ruins upon them.
Language fails to do justice to the terrible scenes presented to our gaze on the following morning. Those who escaped the disaster of the night hastened to the scene of ruin, in search of the bodies of the lost ones.
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Willing hands were soon at work, removing the débris ; while others waited with anxious hearts, hoping their missing ones had escaped. As corpse after corpse was recovered from the ruins, and identified, the spectators stood awe-struck.
As the storm-clouds burst, and the descending rain fell upon the range of hills north of the city, the waters sought their natural outlets through the valleys of Butcher, Spring-garden, and Wood's Runs, expanding the streams flowing through them into terrible elements of destruction, against which man's efforts were impotent. In the Butcher's-run Valley, some distance from its intersection with Spring-garden Valley, the accumulating water first appeared, gathering strength and volume from the flow from the hillsides, and swept on its headlong course, making a clean sweep of every thing in its path, until it met the equally impetuous outpouring of the flood of Spring Garden.
In the upper portion of the latter, the damage was less than
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THE GREAT RAIN-STORM.
in the former : nevertheless, the marks of the flood were as clearly defined. This valley, for over a mile, presented a most melancholy appearance. Buildings of every description were carried away, and huddled together in confused masses, forming a picture of desolation and ruin which beggars description.
At the intersection of Madison Avenue and East Street, the water, relieved from its comparatively narrow limits, spread with startling rapidity upon the improved thoroughfares, rushed through them, gaining strength, causing a terrible loss of life and property. On East Street the water flowed a short dis- tance, causing considerable damage: thence it took an east- erly course, until it met the impetuous flow which had taken Madison Avenue for its channel. The large sewer under the latter, constructed with a view to receive the ordinary flow of the stream, was rent asunder by the pent-up waters, leaving a yawning chasm twenty feet in depth. For nearly a mile, the thoroughfares were gashed and hollowed out from twelve to fifteen feet deep. The buildings on both sides were flooded, and the weaker ones wrecked : others, lifted from their founda- tions, held together until Vista Street was reached ; the terrified occupants imprisoned in the upper stories, escaped a death which otherwise seemed inevitable.
Concord Street crosses the run at a grade of about eigh- teen feet above the natural bed of the stream : the turbulent waters rushed through the channel, under the bridge, until obstructed by floating wrecks, and a dam was formed. For a short time it withstood the pressure, but finally gave way, the waters making a clean breach through it, of at least forty feet in width. O'Hara Street, which is the next parallel to Con- cord, descends by an easy grade to its junction with Spring- garden Avenue, on both of which were neat and substantial brick and frame dwellings, owned and occupied by persons in comfortable, and some of them in affluent, circumstances. As the flood, checked for a moment at Concord Street, burst its way through other channels, it precipitated itself upon the large culvert beneath O'Hara and adjacent streets, tearing them asunder with the power of an earthquake, upheaving the sur-
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
face, and demolishing solid buildings. Here the great destruc- tion of life took place.
The weary had retired to rest, with feelings of confidence that the crisis had been reached and passed. But alas ! how soon they realized their fatal mistake! Ere slumber had locked their senses in forgetfulness, with the pent-up waters above bursting their barriers, came the awful noise of the impetuous flood, as it sought its way into the sewers con- structed to receive the ordinary flow of the streams through the valleys of Butcher's Run and Spring Garden.
These sewers were deemed of sufficient capacity to meet all ordinary contingencies : in this case, however, they proved an element of destruction, rather than a means of safety. The increasing flood rendered the capacity of the sewers inadequate to its free discharge : resisting the mighty pressure for a short time, their confines finally burst, creating a vortex, through which the vehement waters whirled and tossed in their mad career.
The sudden upheaval of the sewers was alike destructive to life and property. Substantial buildings were lifted from their foundations as if caught in the embrace of an earthquake, over which the mighty avalanche of waters passed, carrying death and destruction to many : even whole families were swept away, to be seen no more in life.
Merciful slumber had rendered many of the victims oblivi- ous of their surroundings ere the advent of the dark angel. Some were found stretched upon their beds, their bodies stained with foul and loathsome impurities, which otherwise had the appearance of voluntary repose. To such, the sudden darkness, the lightning blaze, the boom of the distant thunder, and the roar of the rapidly accumulating waters, gave no warn- ing of the awful calamity that was approaching.
In the valley of Wood's Run, the disaster was marked with the same features of death, destruction of property, and narrow escapes.
At the intersection of Wood's-run and McClure Avenues, the full force of the flood was felt : from this point to the river, its flow was impetuous and destructive. This locality
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THE GREAT RAIN-STORM.
was not so thickly settled; and the damage, though great, was not to be compared with the losses in the Butcher's-run and Spring-garden districts : the loss of life, however, was pro- portionably as serious.
The same tragedy was enacted, the same scenes of desperate effort and calm despair took place, each one indulging in his own private griefs, to the exclusion of all thought of the heav- ier calamity which had fallen upon others.
On the south side, from the Monongahela Bridge to where Saw-mill Run empties into the Ohio, although considerable damage and discomfort were caused by the scour and débris from the hillsides flooding the basements of buildings between the hill and Carson Street, there is no record of the loss of a single life. But in the Saw-mill Run Valley, the terrible nature and devastating effects of the flood became more apparent as the eye took in the scenes of sudden desolation. For a long distance up this valley, the evidence of its irresistible power was everywhere visible. Every opposing object was swept away in a moment. Dwellings, out-houses, bridges, and tres- tle-work, all went down before its mighty power, tossed and hurled about like leaves on the surging waters.
The new and substantial iron bridge over the stream near the Gas Works, and the one at Carson Street, were torn from their foundations, and carried into the river.
On Beck's Run, the storm was equally severe, and has also left its sad record of mortality, and destruction of property. The distance of this valley from the Monongahela River to the base of the hills is about two miles. The hills at the head and on each side are precipitous, and cut up with gullies, through which its small streams flow.
These, arising among the range of hills covered by the storm, at once became raging torrents, hurling, with the power of an avalanche, every thing movable in their course to the valley below. Here the vast accumulation of timber, etc., formed a temporary dam, above which the turbulent waters rose with frightful rapidity. For a brief period, the obstruc- tion withstood the mighty pressure, then broke away, carrying every thing before it in its mad career to the river.
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
To this latter circumstance may be attributed the melan- choly loss of life at this point.
From a point north of Mansfield, to a short distance above where Mclaughlin's and Painter's Runs empty into Chartiers Creek, the full force of the storm and flood was felt.
Never, within the recollection of the oldest inhabitant, have the residents of this beautiful valley been visited with an occurrence so disastrous in its consequences to life and prop- erty.
Along the borders of Chartiers Creek, and especially in the vicinity of Mansfield, the loss of property was immense; and many who had long enjoyed peaceful homes upon its borders will have abundant reason to remember the sad event, and regret their impotent efforts in resisting the destruction of their own and neighbors' property.
The loss of life, as far as can be ascertained, is estimated at 124; viz., -
At Butcher's, Spring-garden, and Wood's Runs
70
At Chartiers Creek, including Mclaughlin's and Painter's
Runs
13
At Saw-mill Run
32
At Beck's Run
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Total
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As an evidence of the impetuosity of the current in the Saw- mill Run Valley, an instance is related of a very valuable lead- horse, attached to a team belonging to " Taylor's " Salt Works, being carried along amidst floating débris into the river, and, by the force of the out-flow, carried across the river, and landed, without injury, on the northern bank, immediately below the end of Chartiers Street.
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THE OLD THIRD-STREET THEATRE.
REMINISCENCES OF THE OLD THIRD-STREET - THEATRE.
THE onward march of improvement, and ceaseless desire for change, will soon obliterate the few remaining old landmarks of the city of smoke. In the following brief memoir, the author has endeavored to elaborate events of a period when the genius of Ross, Baldwin, Forward, Biddle, Wilkins, Dallas, Craig, Shaler, Breckenridge, Lowrie, and Walker enlivened the halls of justice with the power of their eloquence; the faithful ministers of grace, Taylor, Heron, Bruce, Black, Swift, Stock- ton, Shinn, Kerr, Fathers McGuire and O'Brien, heralded forth from the sacred desk the glad tidings of salvation to a sinful people ; and Mowry, Agnew, Lewis, Gazzam, Stevenson, Brunot, Irwin, Holmes, Speer, and Armstrong occupied the front rank of the medical profession.
The first theatre built. in Pittsburg was located on the east side of Third Street, near the corner of Smithfield Street, on the westerly half of lot marked No. 310 in the general plan of the city, which was conveyed by John Penn, and John Penn, jun., to Robert Smith by deed dated Sept. 30, 1790, and from Smith to Samuel Peoples by deed dated 26th March, 1813, who conveyed the same to Henry Holdship, Feb. 6, 1828, who, by deed dated Sept. 25, 1833, conveyed the same to John McGill and George Davies, who conveyed the same to Zantzinger Mc- Donald by deed dated Feb. 23, 1835, who conveyed the same to Thomas Hanna by deed dated March 25, 1836, who, by deed dated Aug. 5, 1836, conveyed to William Stewart, Jan. 5, 1837, and by the latter conveyed the same, by deed bearing date
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
March 27, 1837, to James Wood, and on the second day of March, 1868, the heirs of James Wood conveyed the premises to the Dollar Bank, the present owner.
The Pittsburg Gymnasium was erected about the year 1842 or 1843, by Samuel Barrett, on the site of the old theatre. It was quite a favorite institution, and was conducted on scientific principles by the projector and his successor, the late John McClelland.
The gymnasium, like its time-honored predecessor, had to bow down before the advancing tide of improvement. Al- though their glories have departed, their old-time votaries still remember them with pride and pleasure.
The theatre was erected between the years 1817 and 1820, by Charles Weidner, architect and builder, and was a substan- tial frame structure, sixty feet front, two stories in height, with a projection over the entrance, supported by plain columns, ticket-office on the right, and the passage-way to the pit and gallery on the left. The rear of the lot, twenty-five feet, was occupied by a one-story building of sufficient height for the proper working of the stage-machinery. The interior was tastefully fitted up with dress-circle, pit, gallery, and pro- scenium boxes (the latter for special patrons of the drama), with the usual orchestra accommodation in front of the foot-lights. The painting under the proscenium arch, which extended to the full height of the building, was a fine specimen of art, representing the several phases of the drama, - tragedy, comedy, pantomime, etc., - under which appeared the Latin motto, Veluti in speculum.
The author's first recollection of its occupancy was by the first Thespian Society, in 1823 and 1824. Prominent among the members, and playing the leading characters, were George Beale, Richard Biddle, Magnus M. Murray, Matthew Magee, Morgan Neville, Charles Shaler, James B. Butler, Duncan Walker, Alexander Breckenridge, Sidney Mountain, Alexander Johnston, jun., William Wilkins, Benjamin Evans, R. B. Barker, T. B. Dallas, J. S. Craft.
The object and aim of these gentlemen was to create a fund for the relief of the suffering poor. Many hearts were made
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THE OLD THIRD-STREET THEATRE.
glad by these truly philanthropic efforts, so quietly executed that the recipients were entirely ignorant of the source from whence it came. At the close and disbandment of the society, Messrs. Pelby and Jones became the lessees. Edwin Forrest was a member of this company, and made his first appearance in genteel comedy ; also the beautiful and accomplished Miss Riddle, in the rôle of leading lady.
Messrs. Collins and Jones succeeded the above, with Mrs. Entwistle playing the character of leading lady. Then fol- lowed the Drakes, Samuel and Alexander, who were succeeded by the renowned Sol Smith. Poor Sol's efforts proved unsuc- cessful in a financial point of view. His creditors not appre- ciating the situation of affairs, he was compelled to beat an in- glorious retreat.
The gentlemanly N. M. Ludlow next assumed the manage- ment, with a very strong company, himself one of the ablest genteel comedians of that day, and quite a favorite with the patrons of the drama : he introduced the amiable, beautiful, and accomplished artiste, Mrs. Ball, who subsequently became the wife of one of our most esteemed citizens, at which time she retired from the stage.
Mr. Fuller succeeded Mr. Ludlow with a very respect- able stock-company, under whose management considerable changes and improvements were effected in scenery, decora- tions, etc. Many new scenes were added, and the whole ap- pearance changed for the better. The latter, after a brief but unsuccessful season, sold out to the Thespian Society, composed of the following amateurs : Richard Agnew, J. R. McClintock, William Mountain, W. W. Peters, Charles Den- nison, William C. Chaplin, John C. Mowry, H. N. Barker, S. Brunot, M. B. Miltenberger, B. J. Wallace, J. J. Marks, Alfred Marks, Alfred Cochran, Lewis Peters, George Holmes, Thomas Collins, Peter Freeby, John E. Parke, and William Goff. The latter was a member of Mr. Fuller's company, and remained in Pittsburg with a view of making it his home. As a musical director, his talent and services were highly appreciated. His harp, however, has long since been " hung upon the willows;" and in the dreams of the past,
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his pupils now living hear its strings sounding their old-time melodies.
The above amateurs purchased from Mr. Fuller his entire scenery, etc., at a cost of seven hundred dollars, and opened with the play of " Who wants a Guinea ? " with marked success, except the unfortunate rendition of the character of the irascible Sir Jonathan Oldskirt, by Mr. Freeby, who was inflexible in sticking to the "text," and who, upon completing a passionate peroration, turned to the audience, exclaiming as he retired, in the words of the parenthesis, " (Exit Sir Jonathan Oldskirt in a rage.)" This new rendition of the character proved too much for an appreciative audience, as well as for poor Freeby, who finally retired on this vociferous though doubtful evidence of the popular applause. It was his first and last appearance be- hind the foot-lights.
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