USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Allegheny in Allegheny County > Recollections of seventy years and historical gleanings of Allegheny, Pennsylvania > Part 9
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Shortly after the opening, Mrs. Tatnall, and her young and beautiful pupil, Miss Carpenter, arrived in the city on a profes- sional tour to the South, and were delayed here on account of bad roads, and the suspension of navigation by ice. At their request, they were engaged to perform in conjunction with the company during their stay in the city. Mrs. Tatnall was celebrated as a melo-dramatic artiste. Her talent as a vocalist was of sufficient culture to insure a popular reception to the rollicking play of "Tom and Jerry; or, High Life in London," infusing into it a spirit of "fun, fashion, and frolic," which was promptly and gallantly sustained by her amateur assistants.
During the season the following pieces were performed : viz., "Who wants a Guinea ?" "Tekeli; or, The Siege of Montgats," "Tom and Jerry; or, High Life in London," " Heir-at-Law," "Who's the Dupe ?" "Floating Beacon," " Spoiled Child," " Adopted Child," "Day after the Wed- ding," "American Captive," "Four Gentlemen," and "The Devil upon Two Sticks."
Many of the members of the company were students of the Western University, and the whole thing was suddenly brought to a full stop by the faculty taking the matter in hand.
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THE OLD THIRD-STREET THEATRE.
For over six months the amateurs worshipped at the shrine of Thespis, until parental remonstrance, long-neglected studies, and determined opposition of teachers, recalled them to duty : then Old Drury closed forever, its amateur players bearing with them such fruits as their conduct and purpose merit.
From personal regard for the members of the company, Magnus M. Murray, who was then chief magistrate of the city, cheerfully assumed the censorship and direction ; and to his counsel they were eminently indebted. He was beloved for his cheerful and friendly disposition ; prompt in reproving wrong, he was equally so in awarding praise where it was due ; in short, he proved himself efficient, and was acknowledged by his protégés in loco parentis. Financially the venture proved a failure. The debt incurred by the purchase of the scenery was for a long period an incubus on the members, until finally liquidated. Had the ticket-agent and door-keepers proved faith- ful, the debts could have been paid without difficulty. The net proceeds were intended for charitable purposes. The only case in which the receipts exceeded the expenditures, was on the occasion of the play of "Tom and Jerry; or, High Life in Lon- don," for the benefit of the Greeks after the fall of Missolonghi, on which occasion the amount realized was transmitted to the treasurer of that fund by our preceptor, Magnus M. Murray. With this company closed forever the old Third-street Theatre, the premises having been purchased by the late Henry Hold- ship, who immediately demolished the building, and confiscated the property of the society.
The entire lot extending from Third to Fourth Street is now occupied by the "Dollar Bank." It was incorporated by Act of the State Legislature approved April 27, A.D. 1855, as the " Pittsburg Dollar Savings Institution." The name, however, was subsequently changed to the present one.
This magnificent building was erected in 1870, and occupied in the following year. To the genius and indefatigable exer- tions of the late Charles A. Colton, treasurer, is justly due the credit of its success and prosperous condition. Its principal front, on Fourth Street, is a fine specimen of elaborate and com- prehensive architecture : the interior is tastefully arranged with
108
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
all the appliances necessary for banking operations. The Third-street front is approached by a paved court sixty by sixty feet, in the centre of which is erected a large water-basin and fountain, surmounted by a life-size statue of the mythical god of the sea, wielding the trident, the emblem of his power.
THE FIRST BANK ROBBERY IN PITTSBURG.
109 1
THE FIRST BANK ROBBERY IN PITTSBURG.
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As early as the year 1815, there were only three banks in Pittsburg ; viz., the Bank of Pennsylvania, located on the north side of Second Avenue, between Chancery Lane and Ferry Street ; Bank of Pittsburg, south-west corner of Market and Third Streets ; Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, north side of Third, between Wood and Market Streets, - the aggregate capi- tal amounting to less than two million dollars, which was con- sidered abundantly adequate to the business of that period. When contrasted with the rapid growth and prosperity of the city and vicinity of to-day, the immense banking capital now involved, and deemed necessary to carry on its trade and com- merce, is simply amazing ; and the fact had scarcely entered into the minds of its most sanguine citizen of that early day. Among the incidents connected with the history of these banks, it may not be considered uninteresting to relate briefly the bold but unsuccessful attempt to rob the Bank of Pennsylvania by Plymart and Emmons, two of the most daring and expert robbers of their day. The cause of the failure was subsequently told by Plymart himself on his arrest for the successful rob- bery of the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank. It was frustrated by the simple device of placing over the keyhole a slip of paper, the least disturbance of which would render detection inevita- ble.
It must be remembered that this was long before the era of combination-locks and the modern improvements ; and the expert robber of that day experienced comparatively little difficulty in accomplishing his nefarious purposes, compared with the present time. To insure success, it was necessary to
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
make two visits to the interior of a bank, the first to take the impression of the lock, the second to abstract the treasure. Plymart successfully accomplished the first ; but, with all his experience and ingenuity, he was completely baffled by the sim- ple device of the slip of paper over the keyhole. By this expe- dient the safety of the bank was insured. The subsequent bold and successful robbery of the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank by these parties was a matter of more notoriety, and created intense excitement at the time. Relying upon the safety of its granite vaults and ponderous locks, the officers had failed to adopt those simple expedients so embarrassing to the professional burglar ; and thus Plymart was able on his first visit to procure a correct impression of the lock, from which Emmons (who was an expert mechanic) fashioned a key that enabled them to penetrate the vault, and abstract the entire moneyed capital of the bank. They were pursued by the offi- cers of the bank, and Plymart was arrested. The money, how- ever, was only partially recovered. In consequence thereof, the bank was compelled to close its doors, and go into liquidation. Among the articles stolen, was the gold medal, commemorat- ing the battle of the Cowpens, awarded to Gen. Morgan, by a grateful country, for his meritorious services during the Revo- lutionary war, and special gallantry at the battle of the Cow- pens, South Carolina. The medal was recovered from Plymart, who was brought to bay on the borders of Lake Erie, at or near Cleveland, O., by an offer of some immunity to be granted in conveying him to the place of trial. This offer was made in order to prevent him from casting it into the lake, which he threatened to do.
On their return to Pittsburg, Plymart proposed to the au- thorities of the bank (no legal process having been issued), to make a clean breast of it, by telling where the treasure was concealed, upon the assurance that he would not be prosecuted. With this view, the matter was arranged. In company with Plymart, and under his direction, the officers of the bank pro- ceeded to a point on the north bank of the Ohio River, a few miles below Beaver. Before, however, pointing out the spot where the treasure was concealed, he wished it to be under-
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THE FIRST BANK ROBBERY IN PITTSBURG.
stood, that, as far as he was concerned, they would find the amount intact. What his confederate, Emmons, had done in the mean time, he could not say, -as they had separated at the time, - and was unwilling to be held responsible therefor. With this additional understanding, he directed operations, the result of which proved his faithfulness in this particular, and the recovery of a large portion of the money stolen. Matters hav- ing thus been satisfactorily adjusted, he was permitted to depart. If my memory serves me right, he was subsequently arrested on a similar charge, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the State Prison, and was pardoned out before the expiration of the time of sentence. What ultimately became of him and his partner Emmons, I am unable to say. Shortly before the event of the robbery, an incident occurred, in reference to this medal, that made an impression on my memory which the lapse of over sixty years has failed to obliterate. My grandfather, Robert Magee, had occasion to send me to the bank for change for a note. Morgan Neville, then an officer, - whether cashier or teller, I cannot now determine, - in handing me the change, in a joke, included the medal. I confess I failed to see it in that light at the time : before leaving, however, and still pondering on the novelty of the thing, without arriving at a satisfactory conclusion, I forthwith determined to return it, and in lieu thereof insist upon receiving change of a more comprehensive kind.
II2
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
PAPER FOR THE SOCIETY OF OLD RESIDENTS.
- 1
"THE Society of Old Residents" is the one for which this paper was prepared : -
MR. PRESIDENT, AND MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The committee to whom was referred the subject-matter of the late base attempt to assassinate the chief magistrate of the nation, have instructed me to submit for your consideration the following preamble and resolutions, expressive of the sense of this association.
Since the last meeting of the association, an event has oc- curred, painful and startling in its nature. Again has a chief magistrate of the nation become the victim of the assassin's bullet.
Shocking events, like shocking crimes, are too rare to disci- pline the heart to ponder over the distressing details with ordi- nary emotion.
The memory of the tragical death of the good and faithful " Lincoln " is still green in our hearts ; and we are again called upon to mourn a similar attempt to destroy the life of our pres- ent honored chief magistrate, James A. Garfield.
Although the consequence of the act has not proved imme- diate in its effects, yet the nature of the wound received is of such as to create grave doubts of a favorable termination. Alternate hope and fear still agitate the national heart ; and if he is again permitted, by a wise and merciful Providence, to assume the duties of every-day life, his physical powers and thorough temperate habits may be considered essential factors in bringing about a result so desirable and important to his friends and the nation at large.
PAPER FOR THE SOCIETY OF OLD RESIDENTS. 113
Our most enlarged sympathies are insufficient to mitigate the terrible sufferings of the victim, or soothe the anguish of the family and friends. The cruel event passes before us as a mighty vision, making us feel the poverty of language, and weak- ness of eloquence, when startling realities and sudden calamities which have overtaken us, are to be described.
In all the relations of life, whether in Church or State, Presi- dent Garfield has proved himself a citizen of rare ability, reli- giously discharging the duties and trusts committed to his care. Wise in his counsel, firm in his friendship, as a Christian, hus- band, parent, and friend, he possesses the best of all records, - an untarnished reputation and an honored name.
Be it therefore
Resolved, That the members of this association, individually and collectively, express our utter detestation of an act so atro- cious, and that we extend to our suffering President and family the assurance of our heartfelt sympathy in their sad affliction, and sincerely trust that Providence will restore him to health, family, and friends.
Resolved, That the foregoing preamble and resolutions be engrossed upon our minutes, and a copy of the same be trans- mitted to the President and family, through the Hon. James G. Blaine, Secretary of State, with the hope that they may prove acceptable memorials of our profound sympathy.
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II4 HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
SANITARY FAIR.
No. 50 STOCKTON AVENUE, ALLEGHENY, April 5, 1881.
HON. JOHN E. PARKE.
Dear Sir, - I hope my delay in answering your request for a copy of the final report of the Executive Committee of the Sanitary Fair, has not caused you any serious inconvenience in the purpose for which you desired it, and that I may be excused. I now send you a copy.
In the early part of March, 1864, the Pittsburg and Allegheny branch of the Sanitary Commission, having exhausted its funds for the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers, decided to hold a Sanitary Fair. A committee was appointed to take the work in hand. There being no suitable buildings in the city, it was decided to erect such as were required ; and, after exam- ination of the various sites proposed, it was found that the public square in Allegheny was the only convenient place which would afford room enough for their erection.
A scarcity of materials in the city was the next obstacle encountered ; and, withal, there was no money on hand to begin the proposed extensive operations.
A Sanitary Fair was just closing its work at Cleveland ; and Messrs. C. W. Batchelor, James Park, jr., and John W. Chalfaut, were appointed a sub-committee to proceed to Cleveland, with authority to purchase such of the temporary buildings there erected as should be deemed suitable for our purpose, and the lumber necessary for the additional buildings, and arrange for their transportation to Allegheny. The purchase was made, the com- mittee giving their individual note for about ten thousand dollars, at short time, for the payment ; and on the 29th of March, the Executive Committee issued an address to the public, which appointed June Ist as the day upor which the Fair should be opened.
The Cleveland buildings were too small, and too few, for our require ments ; and the following are the dimensions of those which were erected in the Allegheny Public Square : -
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SANITARY FAIR.
Mechanics' Hall
192 feet long, by 51 feet wide.
Audience Hall
I86
93
Monitor Building
1 50
50
Floral Hall
I60
66
66
80
Bazaar
180
66
93
Dining-Hall
180
5I
Covering an aggregate of 73,200 square feet of space.
In addition to this, the entire upper floor of the new City Hall, which had been generously granted for the purpose by the Allegheny councils, was occupied by the " Art Gallery " and the " Old Curiosity Shop; " and there were extensive buildings for the exhibition of fine live-stock.
For a description of the opening on the Ist of June, and of the details in regard to the contents of the Fair-buildings, I must refer you to the files of the city papers of that date.
As will be seen from the final report, the total receipts of the Sanitary Fair amounted to $363,370.09.
Net receipts paid over to the Pittsburg Sanitary Committee, by the Execu- tive Committee of the Fair, $319,217.98.
Happily, the Executive Committee, before the opening of the Fair, anticipating the possible closing of the war before all the funds to be raised should be used, made a proviso whereby the remainder could be applied to some other benevolent purpose in Allegheny County. This remainder proved to be even larger than was anticipated, and it now con- stitutes the endowment fund of the medical and surgical branch of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital. It amounts to two hundred thousand dollars, and the interest is used in ministrations for the relief of human suffering.
Presuming that I have furnished the information for which you asked me, but quite willing to respond further, if in my power, to any wishes you may indicate to me,
I am very respectfully and truly yours,
FELIX R. BRUNOT.
TO THE CONTRIBUTORS AND PROMOTERS OF THE PITTSBURG SANITARY FAIR.
The Executive Committee of the Pittsburg Sanitary Fair present the following summary of the result of your effort in behalf of the sick and wounded soldiers of the Union Army : -
Cash received by N. Holmes, treasurer, from all sources · $361,516 17 Goods and cash handed over to Thomas Bakewell, Esq., president of the Pittsburg Sanitary Committee, which did not pass through the hands of the treasurer 2,053 92
Total receipts from all sources . $363,570 09
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116
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
Net amount paid to Thomas Bakewell, Esq., president of the Pittsburg Sanitary Committee · $319,217 98
Monument Fund
3,000 00
Paid N. Holmes, treasurer, sums received for lumber, gas- fixtures, etc.
8,272 32
Expenses of the Fair
33,079 79
Total
· $363,570 09
[COPY.]
Received of Felix R. Brunot, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Pittsburg Sanitary Fair, $319,217.98, as per several receipts given, of which this is a duplicate engrossment.
THOS. BAKEWELL,
President of Pittsburg Sanitary Committee.
PITTSBURG, April 8, 1865.
[COPY.]
The undersigned committee, appointed to audit the accounts of the Pittsburg Sanitary Fair, hereby certify that the vouchers in the hands of the secretary and treasurer exactly correspond with the disbursements as exhibited in the condensed statement, and they cordially commend the neat and accurate manner in which the accounts appear to have been kept.
GEO. T. VANDOREN, Chairman. I. R. MCCUNE, WM. ROSEBURGH, JOHN MAGOFFIN,
Committee.
PITTSBURG, March 27, 1865.
Pittsburg may be justly proud of the result of the Fair; for relatively to the population involved, and the restricted area from which the revenues of the Fair were derived, it places her far in the lead of all the patriotic cities of the Union which have made similar efforts.
Taking the census of 1860 as the basis for calculation, and including the population of Pittsburg, Allegheny City, Manchester, Lawrenceville, Birmingham, and the other boroughs, the net proceeds show an average of three dollars and forty-seven cents for every man, woman, and child.
The annexed table is given as interesting matter of record : -
Net proceeds of Fairs.
Average to Population.
St. Louis
$554,591 00
$3 44
New York
1,184,000 00
I 47
Brooklyn
400,000 00
I 50
Philadelphia
1,035,378 96
I 83
Cleveland
78,55I 33
I 81
Cincinnati
235,405 35
I 46
Pittsburg
322,217 98
3 47
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II7
SANITARY FAIR.
The total money contributions amounted to
$202,156 00
Of this sum, Venango County sent
18,555 70
Lawrence County
8,144 16
All other counties of Western Pennsylvania
13,761 14
Places outside the limits of Western Pennsylvania
. 4,719 00
The only considerable contribution from any one locality outside of Western Pennsylvania, was that of Chicago, which, in cash and goods, was about six thousand dollars.
Among the many trades and professions contributing in kind, it may not be considered invidious to mention the newspaper press. The reporters rendered invaluable aid in time and labor ; and the proprietors, besides making generous donations, spared no pains in contributing to the success- ful result.
In regard to the expenses of the Fair, it is deemed proper to state dis- tinctly, that no officer of the Fair, member of the Executive Committee, or of any other committee, received any salary, pay, or allowance whatever. Dr. William D. McGowan and Mr. B. F. Brown, the efficient acting secre- tary and assistant, were entitled to salary for four months of active labor. They received only a sum sufficient to cover their expenses, thus placing themselves among the most liberal contributors.
In closing our official duty, in connection with the Pittsburg Sanitary Fair, the members of the Executive Committee desire to express their obligations to the many generous hearts and busy hands which have co-op- erated with them, and especially to the ladies, without whom there could have been no such magnificent result. For ourselves, and in behalf of the thousands of our country's defenders, who have reaped, and are continuing to reap, the benefits of their generous labors, we offer to them all our grate- ful thanks.
FELIX R. BRUNOT, Chairman. JAS. PARK, JR., JNO. W. CHALFAUT, B. F. JONES,
I. I. BENNETT,
JAS. O'CONNOR, CHAS. W. BATCHELOR,
M. W. WATSON,
JOHN WATT, W. S. HAVEN,
JNO. H. SHOENBERGER,
THOS. M. HOWE,
Executive Committee.
I18
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
FERRIES.
THE following is a paper in full read by Hon. John E. Parke before the Old Residenters' Association on the subject of '" Ancient and Modern Ferries on the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers :" -
MR. PRESIDENT, - From my own recollections, and informa- tion derived from others whose age and experience qualify them to impart the same, I have carefully prepared the follow- ing statement of facts in relation to the ancient and modern ferries that have from time to time been established over the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers in the immediate vicinity of Pittsburg and Allegheny ; and it is offered here for the purpose of inviting criticism, in order that the errors, if any, in the memoirs, may be corrected.
About the beginning of the present century, a ferry, oper- ated by hand, was established by West Elliott, on the Ohio River, from the mouth of Ferry Lane, North Side, from which the lane derived the name, to a point on the South Side, imme- diately opposite.
At this point, the great buffalo trails from the South-East to the feeding-grounds on the North - western plains connect, over which the various Indian tribes roamed to and fro in their periodical visits, in order to concoct and perfect their nefari- ous schemes to crush out their indomitable Anglo-Saxon foe. This undertaking, not proving profitable, was, after a short experience, abandoned.
In 1832 Mr. Nolan established a ferry at the points above referred to, operated by a wire rope, and buoys to support the same. It proving detrimental to the free navigation of the
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FERRIES.
river, and dangerous to those operating it, it was also subse- quently abandoned.
Capt. Valentine Shorts succeeded Mr. Nolan, and operated the ferry by horse-power for a number of years quite success- fully. In the mean time Capt. Stoops established a steam- ferry above from the mouth of Chartiers Street to a point on the South Side above the mouth of Saw-mill Run. Capt. Stoops subsequently sold his entire interest to Messrs. Lea & Holmes, they to William McKee, who applied for and obtained a charter from the Legislature to operate the same, one of the provisions of which was that the said William McKee and his successors were not to interfere with the running of the ferry below, except in the legitimate competition for the travel across the river. Johnston Brothers succeeded William McKee. Then Capt. William M. Claney became the purchaser, and established the first side-wheeler. Capt. Claney disposed of his interest to Messrs. Krepps Brothers & Force; this firm was subsequently dissolved, Capt. Jerry Force purchasing the inter- est of his partners, who, after operating the ferry for a short period, sold out to Capt. William J. Kountz, the present owner.
The foregoing are by no means the first ferries established on the North Side, although they are the first established over the Ohio River at the points designated.
As early as 1786, Col. William Butler was granted, by Act of the State Legislature (vide Colonial Record., vol. xv. p. 42), the right to establish a ferry on the Allegheny River, from a point on the Pittsburg side to a point opposite, to where the line of Bank Lane would strike the Allegheny at what is now the mouth of School Street.
The nature of the ground at this point was deemed altogether unsuitable for a landing ; and representation having been made to the authorities to that effect, on consideration thereof, it was ordered and decreed by the Supreme Executive Council, that the " said grantee be authorized and empowered to estab- lish a landing, and erect a ferry-house, upon such other part of the 'Reserve Tract opposite Pittsburg' as will best pro- mote the convenience of the public and the intentions of the Legislature as set forth in the Act granting the same. He
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HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
is also permitted to occupy such land as has been improved and hitherto cultivated by James Boggs, deceased, for which privilege he shall exercise a supervisory care, so as to prevent the undue destruction of the timber of the Reserve Tract above referred to."
In pursuance of the authority given, the ferry was estab- lished at the mouth of St. Clair (now Sixth Street) to the mouth of Federal Street directly opposite.
Col. Butler, it seems, disposed of his interest to Robert Knox and John Morrison ; the former conducting affairs on the Pittsburg side, and the latter on the Allegheny side. They were succeeded by Robert Stewart and Mr. Battrocks. Mr. Cassily succeeded the latter. Under Messrs. Stewart & Cassily the ferry was carried on until the completion of the Allegheny Bridge in 1820.
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