USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > School history of Berks County in Pennsylvania : by Morton L. Montgomery > Part 14
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(before 1877) we had only two companies, one at Reading and the other at Hamburg, whose exercises were scarcely noticed. The building and savings associations were in a flourishing state and assisted greatly in improving the city with numerous dwell- ing-houses for the working people. The political feeling of the people throughout the country changed very much, and the process of change necessarily developed a high degree of excitement. The year 1876 was particularly distinguished in this respect. Improved postal facilities were given to the people, and the business of the post-office was largely in- creased.
1877 to 1887 .- And the fourth, or last decade, from 1877 to 1887, did not fall behind the previous decades. It started out with a serious trouble, the regulation of which was beyond our wisdom. We could not rectify it ; it broke upon us like a sudden explosion ; and then, through fear, it subsided. This was the labor question. Several years before 1877 the subject was discussed earnestly, and it led to the formation of different societies, the most prominent of which was the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers. Demands for higher wages were made; these were not complied with; and a strike followed. This strike was general in this State and in other States; and it was persisted in until it terminated in a great riot at Reading on July 23, 1877, causing the death of 10 persons and the wounding of 39. Councils increased the water supply to answer the growing demands of our rapidly-increasing community ; and they made
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efforts in the direction of improved highways. An earnest beginning for a city park was instituted in 1878 by private individuals, but the decade was permitted to pass away before Councils gave the matter any consideration or appropriated any moneys toward its improvement and enlargement. The building and savings associations were more flour- ishing than ever before, 25 having been conducted successfully, with their payments and investments counting into the millions of dollars. Societies of all kinds, particularly secret, beneficial, and social, were very active, numbering altogether at least 150, with their membership including almost every man of age in the community. Manufactures of all kinds were carried on extensively, more especially of hats, stoves, cigars, and building materials; and the demands of trade extending throughout the country required enlarged factories and the employment of more working-people. The common-school system of education, under the direction of the Board of School Controllers and a City Superintendent, was carried on very successfully, and the good man- agement was shown not only by the education af- forded to the children of the city, but also by the superior school buildings erected. Co-education was found to work unsatisfactorily, and it was therefore abandoned in 1881. The population, which in 1847 was about one-fifth of the entire county, grew in 40 years to nearly one-half, and the assessed value of all property to more than one-half, a result in the progress of improvement directly attributable to manufactures, the former having been estimated
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226 SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
at 60,000, and the latter at nearly 30,000,000. And the election returns showed an increase of four- fold, from near 3000 votes to near 12,000.
Future Prospects .- Looking backward through two scores of years in our municipal life, and realiz- ing what education and steam have done for us since 1847, when these two great forces just began to impress themselves forcibly upon our people, and then looking forward through the remaining years of this century to the year 1900, with the advant- ages of our vigorous population, education, wealth, manufactures, various internal improvements, and political freedom, what can we not hope to accom- plish with these same forces, the one to direct and the other to propel us in the march of civilization ? We have here a grand centre, possessed of inconceiv- able natural advantages which arise from the con- junction of fertile valleys and flowing streams. The prospects before us, for developments on the one hand and accomplishments on the other, are most pleasing to contemplate. But to insure our continued progress and make it proportionate with that of the past, we must fit ourselves to discrim- inate for things, not persons, and so direct our in- dustrial, political, and moral energy as to subserve the public welfare rather than individual aggran- dizement.
1847 and 1889 Contrasted .- A general review of Reading in the year 1889, forty-two years after its in- corporation as a city, will reveal a marked improve- ment in the community. Its population was in- creased five-fold, and from one-fifth of the county it
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has come to be nearly one-half. In this time its sheds were developed into factories and its shops into works, through a more general introduction of steam as a motive-power. The investments in in- dustrial establishments grew from a few thousand dollars in value to hundreds of thousands. Then one railroad extended through the place with several trains traveling to and fro each day ; now trains run from the city in eight different directions, and con- tinue running almost day and night through the year, carrying passengers and tons of freight count- ing into the millions.
The territory was extended in every direction, particularly to the north, and the dwellings were multiplied from 2500 to 12,000. The citizens could then easily walk from place to place, for the im- proved portion lay between 3d and 9th streets, and Chestnut and Walnut Streets, not a square mile in area; but now the four corners are reached by street-car lines covering an area of over five square miles. The houses then were not numbered and they were easily found without a directory, for the residents were generally known to one another ; now all the buildings are regularly numbered and a complete directory enables an entire stranger to find any person with ease. The sender of letters then had to drop them personally in the post-office, and fetch those addressed to him or pay one cent to a carrier ; now the postal service gathers them from numerous boxes located at nearly every street-cor- ner, and also distributes them from door to door several times a day. From the foot-messenger we
228 SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
advanced into the telephone ; from the letter into the telegram ; from lamp-light into gas-light and electric light ; and from a ten-plate stove for cooking and heating purposes into superior ranges, heaters, and furnaces, and steam is now supplied not only by private individuals for themselves, but also by a corporation which distributes it through the streets into dwellings, stores, and factories just as the water is distributed.
The public schools increased from 17 to 170, the scholars from 2000 to over 7000, and the churches from 13 to 44. The language then mostly used by the major part of the people was German ; now it is mostly English. Then amusements were occasion- ally conducted; now they are common, of every variety, from one week to another throughout the year, in halls and theatres for nine months, and in parks and the open air for three months. The streets then were in a condition similar to country roads, and they were without crossings or lights ; but now they are in an improved, substantial condition, with crossings at all intersections and lights every- where to make walking at midnight a pleasure ; and then it was exceptional to see people on the street after 9 o'clock in the evening, especially women and children ; now many are seen every evening until midnight.
Wooden bridges then spanned the river, but they made way for iron structures. The buildings were generally one and two stories in height, a three- story building being exceptional ; now three-story buildings are common in every section of the city,
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and we have reached the fifth story ; and from log, stone and brick we are advancing into a more gen- eral use of granite and iron. Business was then al- together done on the first floor ; now it has reached the fifth floor, with an elevator to carry people up and down without the slightest exertion on their part. The secret society then included two kinds, "Free and Accepted Masons" and "Odd-Fel- lows;" now it includes many kinds, numbering al- together over 100 organizations with a membership running into the thousands.
Gardening, butchering, and other customs of an earlier day were then carried on by every family ; now these have passed away almost entirely. Mar- keting for country products was then conducted in two public market-houses with extensions from 4th to 6th Street in Penn Square, both sides of which were lined with wagons whose shafts were propped up and horses stood eating oats or nibbling at hay, and purchasers moved hither and thither regardless of the weather ; now it is conducted in superior structures distributed in six sections of the city. Sewing men's and boys' clothing, and knitting stockings were then common duties by mothers and daughters at their homes ; now these are seldom practiced, especially the latter, for ready-made clothing of all sizes can be purchased everywhere, and stockings are knitted by machinery. Women and girls were then afforded employment only in domestic affairs ; now they are engaged in every de- partment of industry excepting in the iron works and upon the highways. Then the teaching of chil-
230. SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
dren in the public schools was done almost wholly by male teachers ; now it is done almost wholly by fe- male teachers. All these contrasts taken together constitute a material and social progress that is truly wonderful, and in examining for the cause of our present situation, we find one agent standing out more prominently than all other agents combined, and that is STEAM.
LABOR AND INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
LABOR.
Situation .- The close proximity of Reading to the great coal-fields of Pennsylvania, its location near the great centres of trade and commerce, and its superior local resources induced enterprising busi- ness men to establish large manufactories here ; and these have been the principal causes of its rapid and substantial development. The various trades common to every industrious community were carried on successfully in Reading from the begin- ning of its history. As a town for nearly 30 years, it had developed industrial life to such a degree as to give the people a good start in a new political era.
Employment .- Their employments made the bo- rough self-dependent and self-sustaining. They produced numerous articles, such as hats, ropes, chains, carpets, coverlets, clocks, home-spun ma- terial, barrels, castings, earthen-ware, leather, boots and shoes, wagons and carriages, etc., and, I must not forget to add, whiskey and brandy in great quantities. These constituted a good foundation upon which to build a rich and attractive super-
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structure during the two generations that were to follow. Manufactured articles were produced by hand during the entire period. Steam-power was introduced about 1836; but it was 10.0.0.0.0.0.0 applied almost en- tirely to the man- ufacture of machinery. And about that time the industry in iron began with commendable enterprise, naturally following the introduction of steam. Grad- ually thereafter, this important labor-saving agent was utilized in the manfacture of building materials, hats, ropes, etc. The railway was the principal cause in the development of this great industrial life. Before 1836 the borough contained no strong and rich manufacturing enterprises, notwithstanding turnpikes had encouraged trade overland for at least 20 years, and canals by water for 10 years.
Traffic .- The traffic of the borough in the begin- ning of that period was great, but the introduction of the several agencies mentioned increased it to a wonderful degree, especially after 1836. The an- nual increase of buildings evinces the rapid growth of the place : for, in 1840, 77 were erected ; in 1842, 65; in 1843, 98 ; in 1844, 120; in 1845, 182; in 1846, 246; and in 1847, 360, when there were at least 2500 buildings in Reading.
Hatters and Hat-Making .- The manufacture of wool and fur hats is the oldest, most prominent, and most continuous employment in Reading. It
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was in a flourishing condition when the borough was erected. In 1795, there were in Reading 38 hatters who produced 2200 fur hats and 54,000 wool hats, having then produced more wool hats than all the other counties in the State taken together. In Philadelphia the hatters were engaged mostly in producing fur hats.
The wool hat, as then made, was heavy and stiff, so stiff that a man, weighing 200 pounds, could stand upon it without crushing it. Its weight was II to 12 ounces, -to us of to-day, who carry fine, small, light hats, weighing but 2 ounces, prodi- gious. Its height was from 412 to 6 inches, with a brim 312 to 4 inches wide, and from 18 to 38 of an inch thick. The colors were black and white, and the number of each inanufactured was about the same.
In 1824, the borough contained less than 1000 taxables. Of this number, there were 6 master-hat- ters, who gave employment to 450 journeymen and apprentices, worked up annually 60,000 pounds of wool, and manufactured 150,000 hats. A hatter could make, on an average, 8 hats a day. This branch of industry continued to grow in strength as the years rolled on, especially in respect to the number of employees. The apprentices were nu- merous, and their increasing number alarmed the masters and journeymen.
Some years afterward, this industry was injured con- siderably by the introduction of caps and straw hats. Many journeymen were compelled to seek other oc- cupations. In 1846, the estimated number actively
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engaged in it was 15 master-hatters and 50 journey- men. This was a wonderful decrease in 20 years ; and it was not revived until 1852, when hats began to be made by machinery. The daily pay was about 96 cents. Hats were made by the piece. The colors began to be introduced about 1847 ; and after- ward many different colors were used.
The first soft wool hats in Reading were made in 1847. They were from 6 to 61/2 inches high, and weighed from 4 to 5 ounces. They had a wide brim. A button was attached on the right and left sides of the hat to enable the brim to be looped up, if desired. The style was called "sugar-loaf," hav- ing a round top. Home-made hats were mostly worn by the citizens.
The total investment in this industry now amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the daily product is estimated at 1200 dozens, which affords employment to about 800 working-people.
Brick-Making .- The business of making bricks for building purposes was an early industry. Tile- making is mentioned amongst the first employments of the town, but this branch did not include bricks. The buildings erected before 1800 were mostly of stone, log, and frame. The Trinity Lutheran Church is a superior specimen of a brick building erected before 1800. In 1845, this business had reached a wonderful degree of development in Read- ing; for, in that year over 7,000,000 bricks were made by 14 manufacturers, and in 1846 over 9,000,000 by 16 manufacturers. Building brick then cost $4 a thousand. This industry has continued active from
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that time until now. The number of hands employed is about 500, and the annual product exceeds 10, - 000,000. Fire brick began to be inade in Reading about 1846. The annual product now is several millions.
Cigar-Making .- The manufacture of cigars began in Reading about the year 1800. The tobacco used in making cigars was at first obtained from Ken- tucky ; manufacturers visited that State annually and purchased a sufficient supply for the entire year. The prices paid ranged from 3 to 7 cents a pound. About 1835, tobacco was introduced from Lancaster and York Counties. Cigar-makers generally made from 800 to 1500 cigars a day ; a few made as many as 2000 per day. If an experienced workinan could not make 1000 per day, he was considered ordinary. The wages paid were 5, 6, and 7 cents a hundred. The cigars were sold at rates ranging from $1.50 to $2 per thousand. The total manufacture in 1840 was about 40, 000 cigars daily. Possibly, of this num- ber, one-half was made in the country districts sur- rounding Reading. Most of the cigars were sold at from 3 to 7 for a cent, and were consumed in Read- ing and vicinity. There was then more smoking, in proportion to the population, than at the present day. On the counter of every tavern, a box of cigars always stood, whose contents were free to all guests. The workers in tobacco then were almost entirely men and boys, the latter being strippers. The em- ployment of females was not then thought of. Chewing tobacco was also manufactured. After 1840, the business of cigar-mnaking gradually in-
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creased, a better quality of cigars was made, and more skillful workmen were employed. It is a valuable industry in Reading, and the trade of the establishments extends throughout the country.
Clock-Making .- Clocks were made at Reading from 1760 for about 70 years. The metal parts of the clock were mostly imported, and then set to- gether by clock-makers. Some of the brass wheels were cast at Reading by brass-founders, and then filed and prepared for clock-works. Eight-day cor- ner clocks only were made at Reading. The cost was from $60 to $70; and with a fine, high wal- nut case added, it would frequently amount to . $ 100. Evidently only a few clocks in proportion to population were in use. The making of a clock required from six weeks to two months. This branch of industry departed after the intro- duction of Yankee clocks, which were much cheaper. There were shops also for repairing watches, clocks, etc. ; in which, however, no clocks were made. Some of these clocks indicated the changes of the moon ; others had moving figures, which appeared and disappeared. A musical de- partment was even included in the more valuable clocks, which produced pleasing tunes. Their delicate construction displayed wonderful work- manship. Many of thein were destroyed after 1840. Comparatively few families have them now. A fine specimen is considered a rare piece of fur- niture, and commands a high price.
Boot and Shoe-Making .- Large quantities of boots and shoes were manufactured in the bor-
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ough previous to 1840. But this industry was then also affected, for in the year named the bor- ough contained seven stores, which sold annually many cases of boots and shoes, mostly made in and shipped from Philadelphia and New England. The production of the factories at Reading was thereby greatly diminished. 6 From that time until now this industry has continued active.
Iron Establishments .- Before 1847, large man- ufacturing establishments were few in Reading. Numerous industries were carried on, some by indi- viduals and others by firins; but none by corpora- tions, such as furnaces, mills, factories, and foun- dries ; and these caused the wonderful increase of 87 per cent. in the population during the decade from 1840 to 1850. The growth of the place was almost entirely south of Penn Street, where the industries were located.
The first large establishment was for the man- ufacture of iron bars and nails. It was started in 1836 by the firm of Keims, Whitaker & Co. The naine was changed to Seyfert & McManus in 1844, and to Reading Iron Works in 1862. In 1880 it was one of the largest enterprises in the State, employing over 2000 hands, and paying out an- nually in wages over a million dollars.
Other iron works were started afterward but I can only mention several of the most prominent en- terprises, without extending the chapter beyond the space allowable : the Mellert Foundry was begun in 1848; the Reading Hardware Works, by the Harb- ster Brothers in 1851; the Obert Boiler Works in
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1854; the McIlvaine Iron Works in 1856; Reading Bolt and Nut Works by J. H. Sternbergh in 1865 ; Reading Stove Works by Orr, Painter & Co. in 1866; Reading Butt Works by the Rick Brothers in 1867; Penn Hardware Co. by the Heizmann Broth- ers in 1877 ; and Mt. Penn Stove Works in 1882.
Numerous other establishments for manufacturing articles of various kinds are carried on in Reading, four of which are worthy of mention by reason of the large number of persons employed, -the Jack- son Ropewalk started in 1850, the Cotton-Factory in 1851, the Willson Spectacle Factory in 1872, and the Silk-Mill in 1887. The latter was demolished by a terrible tornado which visited Reading on Jan- uary 9, 1889.
P. & R. R. Co. Works .- The extensive works of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company must also be mentioned. The introduction of this railway immediately stimulated enterprise at Read .. ing, and caused energy and capital to be directed towards inanufacturing. Both people and money concentrated here more and more every succeed- ing year; and buildings multiplied rapidly to answer the demands of the increasing population. The company established its work-shops here when the railway was completed in 1838, and these grew in capacity with the increasing traffic of the road. The first large shop occupied the half- block on the west side of 7th Street, between Franklin and Chestnut Streets, where it has con- tinued till now. Each succeeding decade found the company with more extended shops of all
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kinds for the manufacture of engines and cars, affording constant employment for an ever-increas- ing number of workmen. The total annual income to the people of Reading from this single source dur- ing the past 50 years counts into millions of dollars, all of which contributed directly towards the sub- stantial growth of this community in its buildings, stores, factories, churches, and schools. The largely increased wealth of the city is, therefore, attributa- ble to this valuable internal improvement.
The possessions and investments of this company at Reading amount to an enormous sum. From these it is apparent that the company appropriated a great proportion of its income here, besides afford- ing constant employment to several thousand men in its numerous shops and on its several branches of railway. This fact stands out prominently in the management of the company, and it is worthy of special mention ; and, though this generous feeling resulted directly in the enrichment of this inland city, the entire county of Berks was indirectly benefited by it. The statistics for the time mentioned, as to the growth, wealth and producing capacity of our county, show that the major part was at Read- ing. This enrichment and development were, how- ever, very beneficial to the county in various ways, especially in respect to supplying funds for our gen- eral government, and to providing stores, merchan- dise of all kinds, and enlarged home market for the people.
The same strong cause increased the population, wealth, influence, and power of the entire Schuyl-
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kill Valley from Philadelphia to the mountains, the Lebanon Valley from the Schuylkill to the Susque- hanna, and the East Penn Valley from the Schuyl- kill to the Lehigh, an area of territory covering al- together several thousand square miles.
Brewing .- Distilleries for the production of spirit- nous liquor had an existence in Reading from the beginning of the place ; and about 1800 they were active. Brewing was also then carried on, but in a limited manner. About the time that steam was in- troduced, it began to grow into more prominence as a business enterprise, and it continued to grow with the development of the community. Gradually beer took the place of whiskey, and in 50 years it came to be as prominent as whiskey had been before 1836. It is a great factor in our social affairs. Many peo- ple regard it as the direct cause of much extrava- gance, suffering, and crime in the community. Within the last 30 years it has awakened the public conscience to such a degree in Pennsylvania and other States that a feeling of profound opposi- tion has been developed, which is not only inclined to regulate it by stringent legislation, but to probibit it entirely by constitutional amendment.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The internal improvements of Reading comprise the market-houses, postal service, water-works, city-hall, fire company buildings, Commons, public halls, gas and electric lighting, and street railways.
Market-Houses .- Immediately after a charter had been granted to Reading in 1766, authorizing the holding of semi-annual fairs and weekly mar-
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kets, the town-people erected a market-house on Penn Square. It extended from the eastern line of the Central Square eastward about 120 feet along the middle of the highway, and was about 20 feet wide. It consisted of a number of small square brick pillars, arranged in a row on each side, cov- ered by a shingle roof. A similar market-house was erected in 1799 westward of Central Square. A belfry was on the eastern extremity of this struc- ture. There were paved, uncovered extensions to the market-houses-from the eastern market- house to 6th Street, and from the western to 4th Street. In the eastern market-house and extension there were 32 stalls and 58 stands; and in the west- er11 38 stalls and 58 stands. Numerous stands were on the outside of, and between, the market-houses. The stalls of the eastern market-house were mostly occupied by butchers. Their rental was high through competition. . These structures were re- built in 1846 and 1847, and continued in use until 1871.
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