Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 107

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1192

USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania > Part 107

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(a) Gazette, October 30, 1838.

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Dennis S. Scully was secretary of Lodge No. 45, and William Steele of Lodge No. 113.

In the summer of 1813 the first humane society organized in Pittsburg was established, and committees were appointed as follows: For Monongahela Ward, W. Mason, John Johnston, R. Patterson, John Semple, William Woods and Rev. J. Taylor; for Point Ward, Thomas Perkins, George Boggs, Rev. Francis Herron, James Lea, Reese Fleeson and John Scull; for Grant Ward, Rev. Thomas Hunt, John Hannen, Edward Gowdy, J. B. Clow, Rev. R. Bruce and J. Roseburg; for Allegheny Ward, W. Hays, P. Anderson, J. Irwin, Nathaniel Irish, J. Brown and M. Evans. Thomas Hunt was secretary of the ward committees. Meetings of the society were held at the Pittsburg Academy. Contributions were called for by the society. "Its general object is to search out and judiciously to extend relief to the sons and daughters of adversity." John M. Snowden was first secretary of the society. The Humane Society was one of the most prominent and useful of the early social and benevolent organizations of Pittsburg. Its membership was composed of the best citizens of the city, and the churches particularly rendered the organization great assistance. Con- stant collections were taken up for its benefit during all seasons of the year. In 1817 Rev. Joseph Stockton was president and John Hodge secretary.

In 1814 the Pittsburg Franklin Society was organized for the encourage- ment of patriotism, and its first celebration was held on July 4th of that year, on which occasion many loyal toasts were drunk. During the winter of 1813-14 the Pittsburg Chemical and Physiological Society was organized. In March, 1814, a special lecture on nitrous oxide, or exhilarating gas, was delivered at A. M. Bolton's Academy for the purpose of raising funds to aid the society. In 1815 the following were the officers of Encampment No. 2 Knights Templar, of Pittsburg: Francis G. Bailey, G. M .; Andrew Scott, G .; William Porter, C. G .; George Steward, S. B .; Henry Bailey, H .; Robert Henderson, C .; Jesse Hamilton, R .; George Miltenberger, Tr .; Colonel McAllister, S. B., and Phillip Connor, O. G. In 1818 the Adelphi Society, which will be found described else- where, began to attract attention by its usefulness. Another of the early organi- zations was the Erin Benevolent Society, which was established previous to 1818. In that year Alexander McClurg was secretary. In January, 1819, R. I. Dunn advertised that he kept for sale the most elegant Masonic aprons ever brought to Pittsburg. "There is little time devoted to amusements or to the cultivation of refined social pleasures. . Luxury, pomp and parade are seldom seen. There are, perhaps, not more than one or two carriages in the place" (b). In 1819, "in consequence of the distresses existing among numbers of aged and infirm widows in this city," a society of ladies was formed, called the Female Benevolent Society, for the purpose of alleviating their sufferings and con- tributing to their relief. This society began to solicit donations for that purpose, and numbered among its active workers the leading ladies of the city, among whom were Mesdames Page, Scull, McKnight, Manson, Irish, McClurg, Wicker- sham and Davis, and Misses Doane, E. Bakewell, R. Brock, M. Herron, M. Evans, C. Cowles and A. Scull.

In March, 1818, the State Penitentiary was projected here. The State appropriated $60,000 for its construction, and commissioners were appointed to select a site of not less than ten acres for its location. The amount was to be paid by installments as the work progressed. By November 30, 1818, there had been spent on the building $31,300. The height of the wall was twenty-five feet, and the two towers were thirty-five feet in height. The site chosen by the commissioners was on the public common in Allegheny. From time to time addi-

(b) Navigator, 1817.

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tional improvements were made by special acts of the Legislature; in fact, the penitentiary may be said to have been in process of construction from 1818 to 1833. Many changes were made in the original plan, which necessitated addi- tional appropriations, but in the end the institution became satisfactory to the State commissioners, and was accepted. The plan of the institution was that each prisoner should have a solitary cell, and this plan was kept in view from the commencement. From time to time the commissioners in charge of the work were changed and new ones appointed.

On May 3, 1828, when the cornerstone was laid for Washington Lock No. I, of the Pennsylvania Canal, Masonic lodges Nos. 45, 113, 165 and 173 took part in the ceremonies. Another early organization was the Caledonian Society, of which, in 1828, Andrew Watson was president. The old Mechanic Society seems to have expired, for in 1830 another of the same name was organized with a list of 180 members, of which Rev. Robert Bruce was president and Thomas Bakewell secretary. Its objects were to promote the useful arts and sciences, the improvement of its members in practical knowledge, and the advancement of popular education. The committee to prepare a constitution were Thomas Bakewell, John Danforth, Robert Peters, Jr., Orin Newton and Frederick A. Bemis. The society regularly gave full courses of lectures on educational and scientific subjects during the winter months. In 1830 a society called the Snag Marines, consisting of the captains and other officers of the steamboats, was organized. On the 4th of July, 1830, they gave a celebration, and devoted the collections to the benefit of the heirs of Robert Fulton. In January, 1832, one of their entertainments netted $63, which amount was turned over to the Female Benevolent Society. In January, 1833, a typographical society was organized with Porter Sawyer chairman and M. M. Grant secretary. One of the most important of the early social organizations was a society of young men, established in 1833, which had for its object improvement in edu- cation and morals, and was much similar in all respects to the Young Men's Christian Association of to-day. From the commencement this society waged a relentless warfare upon the theater, which at that time was gaining a strong foothold upon the amusement-loving public of Pittsburg. The organ of this society was The Friend, in which, from time to time, appeared caustic articles denouncing the theater as a social and moral disorganizer. It was about this time, also, that there was organized here the Pittsburg Internal Improvement Society, the object of which was revealed by its name.

The murder of John Morgan in September, 1826, was made the cause, among other things, for extensive opposition to the Masonic organization, and lead to the formation of the Anti-Masonic party. The latter soon had a strong following here, and severe pressure was brought to bear upon prominent men who aspired to political preferment, by reason of their connection with that organ- ization. In September, 1834, a large meeting was held in Pittsburg, on which occasion a memorial and resolutions were adopted addressed to the Masonic order, urging a dissolution of their lodges and chapters, a sale of their property, and their utter dispersion in the interests of peace and harmony; but the lodges refused to take such action, and, in fact, paid little or no attention to the demand, not even ceasing to hold their regular meetings. Much excitement and bitterness over this question were exhibited in this community.

One of the early organizations was a Horticultural Society, which gave public exhibitions of products, with occasional intermissions, beginning during the decade of the twenties. Benjamin Bakewell, in 1834, was president and George Ogden treasurer. Their exhibition of June, 1835, was given in Musical Fund Hall, on Penn Street, near St. Clair, on which occasion premiums were given for the best displays of vegetables, fruits, flowers, etc.

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In 1836 James Alford issued a small work purporting to be an exposure of Odd Fellowship, for which act he was severely persecuted and denounced by his former friends of that order. In 1836 the Statesman accused A. W. Foster, Jr., of being an informer on the organization of Odd Fellows, whereupon the latter brought suit on three different charges against the editor, Mr. Butler. The secret societies were quiet until after the Anti-Masonic party had begun to wane at the beginning of the decade of the forties. Such organizations then began to grow rapidly, and within six or eight years could marshal their mem- bership by the thousands. A Masonic parade, which took place in June, 1846, was an imposing affair, there being in line, its was estimated, nearly 800 men. The Odd Fellows' organization had also increased greatly in membership. In September, 1846, at one of their celebrations there were nearly 300 men in line. During the forties there was organized here the New England Society, composed of persons born in that section of the United States, and in 1847 Walter Forward, a native of Connecticut, was president. In December, 1847, they celebrated the birthday of New England. In October, 1851, the Masons celebrated the com- pletion of their new Masonic Hall, on which occasion the largest procession ever conducted by secret societies up to that time passed through the public streets. A few years later the Odd Fellows' Hall was likewise dedicated with a large procession. In June, 1852, the number of Odd Fellows' lodges in Allegheny County was twenty-six; the number of contributing members, 2,444; number of widowed families relieved in six months, 23; brothers relieved, 240; past grands in good standing, 196; revenue for six months, $811.53; paid for relief of brothers, $2,576.32; paid for the relief of widowed families, $369.75; total relief, $3,602.53. In 1865 the Odd Fellows had 28 lodges in Pittsburg and environs. In 1870 they had 39 lodges and Io encampments; in 1880 they had 57 lodges and 15 encampments ; in 1890, 45 lodges and 8 encampments; and in 1895, 52 lodges and 12 encampments. In 1865 the Masons had II blue lodges, 2 chapters, one council and one commandery. In 1870 they had a total of 21 lodges, chapters, etc .; in 1875, 36; in 1880, 41; in 1890, 46; and in 1895, 47. In 1870 the Order of Red Men had 4 tribes in Pittsburg and vicinity. In 1880 they had 12 tribes; in 1890, IO tribes; and in 1895, 12 tribes. In 1870 the Grand Army of the Republic had 6 posts in this vicinity; in 1880, 10 posts; in 1890, 28 posts; in 1895, 29 posts. In 1875 the Knights of Pythias had 37 lodges; in 1885, 31 lodges; and in 1895, the same number. The Junior Order of United Mechanics had 27 councils in 1885, 57 councils in 1890, and 67 councils in 1895.

In the two cities are forty-one different secret and benevolent societies, hav- ing a total of 740 lodges, as follows: Masonic (including Knights Templar, Scottish Rite, etc.), 48 lodges; K. A. E. O., 6 senates; Knights of Malta, 4 com- manderies; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 47 lodges; Rebekah lodges, II ; encampments, 14; cantons of the Patriarchs Militant, 3; National Union, 7 coun- cils; Ancient Order of United Workmen, 33 lodges; Royal Arcanum, 20 councils; Improved Order of Heptasophs, 30 conclaves; Beneficial and Protective Order of Elks, 2 lodges; Knights of the Golden Eagle, 14 castles; Order of the Golden Chain, 5 lodges; Knights of Honor of Pennsylvania, 13 lodges; Good Templars, 9. lodges; Junior Order United American Mechanics, 62 lodges; commanderies of the United American Mechanics, 2; American Protestant Association, 16 lodges; Knights of Pythias. 25; D. O. K. K., I lodge; Uniform rank, Knights of Pythias, 6 companies; Grand Army of the Republic, 17 posts; Union Veteran Legion, 2 encampments; Sons of Veterans, 8 posts; Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, 18 circles; Knights and Ladies of Honor, 24 lodges; Order United Friends, 15 councils; Subordinate Councils Daughters of Liberty, 24; Protected Home Circle, 16 circles; Ladies of the Union Veteran Legion, 2 encampments; Improved Order of Red Men, 9 tribes; Knights of the Mystic Chain, 35 assem-

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blies; German Beneficial Union, 28 districts; Fraternal Legion, 13 branches; Knights of the Maccabees, 2 lodges; Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, 39 branches; Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association, 30 branches; Order of the World, II lodges; Sovereigns of Industry, 31 councils; North American Sænger- bund, 39 societies.

The following description of the great meteoric shower of November, 1833, was written by a resident and published in the Gazette: "I arose about 4 o'clock. Upon going into the open air I was struck with the appearance of the heavens, every part of which seemed to be filled with meteors. I supposed the phenomena were but momentary. To my surprise, the longer I continued to gaze the more luminous they appeared. I remarked that they all came from one common center and were propelled in every conceivable direction. It is difficult to give a con- ception of their appearance. If a thousand rockets can be conceived to have started from the same point at the same instant, scattering blazing stars and fiery serpents in every direction, it may perhaps give some idea of this singular phe- nomenon. At times it was indeed a shower of fire. The meteors seemed to fall to the earth in all directions. Several appeared to light on an engine factory in my immediate neighborhood, and many were not extinguished until they had passed into the yard in the rear of the building. Having the Coal Hill in front I could distinctly perceive thousands of these strange fires falling at one time between me and the hill, and apparently plunge into the river. To my view this was so extraordinary that I roused my family from their slumbers to partake of my enjoyment and interest. So long as I continued out these appearances were unabated; this was upward of an hour. I observed, too, after the dawn of day, that the meteors were still passing through the atmosphere, although the light of the morning had dimmed their luster. The sky was uncommonly clear. What struck me as somewhat singular in this phenomenon was that the meteors all radiated from a common center and did not seem affected by the course of the wind."

In the Gazette of November 16, 1833, Mr. Craig said: "We have received and will publish in our next a satisfactory explanation of the phenomena of Wednesday." The explanation was as follows: "Our atmosphere was, on Tues- day, very dark and comparatively moist. We had Indian summer; but it was not that dry air which is filled with particles of smoke only- the cause of our usual Indian summer-the smoke was moistened by an abundance of vapor in the lower regions of the atmosphere. The weather for four days had been uncommonly warm for the season of the year, and owing to the heat and the universally distributed moisture, a rapid decomposition of the leaves of vege- tables took place. The preceding evening was warm, and from 3 to 4 o'clock in the morning of Wednesday a rapid decrease of temperature took place, and the moisture in the air was cooled down below the freezing point. This change of temperature was accompanied with a sudden excitement and liberation of the electrical fluid, a thing that in such rapid changes from heat to cold always takes place. In ordinary circumstances the electrical discharges take place without being perceived; but after a warm day in the autumn every cold evening exhibits more or less of these meteors, which shoot along the heavens like stars falling from the firmament. The moisture that was in our atmosphere, and distinguished this season our Indian summer, detained the gases which rose from the decaying vegetables by absorbing both the hydrogen and phosphorus, the only gases which ascend into the atmosphere from decaying vegetables. Sometimes these appear in will o' the wisp, and at other times they ascend to a great elevation, where they are set on fire by the electricity in the higher regions of the atmosphere. They, on Wednesday, were low, and when the water in the air congealed by the cold, they were left dry, and the radiations of the electrical fluid set them on fire;

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and they burned in the strata as they were separated and showed the innumerable squibs and rockets which were so beautiful and so harmless."

In December, 1827, the Pittsburg Philosophical and Philological Society was organized, but was not put in good working condition until February, 1828. Its objects were the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Rev. Robert Bruce, D. D., was the animating spirit of the organization, being its first president. For many years, with occasional intervals, this society was the leading literary factor in Western Pennsylvania. All the prominent citizens, divines, professors, law- yers, doctors and students of special subjects took part in its performances and assisted in maintaining its usefulness. To show the character of its work, the following is given as its order of business during the winter of 1828-9: Lecture on astronomy, Rev. John Taylor; on architecture and civil engineering, Professor John Behan; on anatomy and philosophy, Dr. J. P. Gazzam; on geography, natural philosophy and mechanics, Rcv. Robert Bruce; on moral philosophy, Rev. John H. Hopkins; on geology, mineralogy and zoology, Professor Robert Peters, Jr .; on mathematics, Rev. Joseph Stockton; on botany, Magnus M. Murray; on chemistry, Dr. Troost, and on the learned languages, Rev. John Black. Weekly debates were held by the society, on which occasions the most celebrated speakers of Pittsburg displayed their oratory, skill and learn- ing. During the winter of 1832-3, on one occasion the question "Was Brutus justified in taking the life of Cæsar?" was discussed. On the affirmative were Messrs. Harper, Hanna, Robinson, Liggett, Riddle, Holbrook, William McCand- less, Guthrie, Judson and Birmingham; and on the negative were Miltenberger, Wilson McCandless, Lea, Liffler, Stewart, Dalcy, Douthett, Forward and Brown. At this time Thomas M. Howe was the presiding officer. The literary societies of the University contributed much to the intellectual advancement and pleasure of this community. The Tilghman Literary Society was organized in 1822, and later came the Wirt, Philomathcan and Marshall literary institutcs. In 1838 Rev. Dr. William Elder, a man of great learning and force of character, was invited to deliver a course of lectures to the people of Pittsburg on mental and moral philosophy. Mr. Elder accepted the invitation, which was signed by the follow- ing gentlemen: R. C. Beatty, William Lecher, James M. Crane, John McMas- ters, C. L. Magee, Thomas Mellon, H. Parry, W. Thorn, F. B. McConnell, T. J. Bigham, J. C. McFarland and Josiah Copley.

It was advertised in 1835 that a balloon ascension would take place July 4th at Penn and Wayne strcets, and the proceeds from the sale of seats thereto be devoted to the building of a flying machine. On September 12, 1837, Pro- fessor Richard Clayton made from Pittsburg his fourteenth ascension in his balloon, and landed within four miles of Brownsville.

In 1836 N. R. Smith, who had first introduced into Pittsburg as early as 1826 the monitorial system of education, instituted here a system of lyceums, branches of the Pennsylvania Lyceum, the objects of which were advancement in declamation, popular oratory, extemporaneous and forensic debates, moot courts, literary criticism and lectures on literary and scientific subjects. It was designed that there should be connected with the museums a cabinet of curiosities, of which Mr. Smith, as a member of the State Lyceum, should be curator. There were organized here through this influence a Young Ladies' School Lyceum, a Young Merchants' Lyceum, a Children's Lyceum and a County Lyceum, all of which were managed by a board of controllers. The charges were $5 per quarter. After a year or two, the novelty having worn off, the sys- tem fell into decadence.

The books of the old Wirt Institute were burned in the great fire of 1845. as were also many valuable newspaper files belonging to the Board of Trade.

The Philological Institute seems to have almost died out early in the forties,

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HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.

but was revived in 1846, at which time it was referred to as a time-honored institution. One of the questions discussed in 1846 was, "Resolved, That the universal and practical recognition of the equal rights of man would of itself secure the progress of the race in religion and virtue." The leaders in this debate were John A. Willis on the affirmative and William H. Williams on the negative. Dr. Edward D. Gazzam was the orator at the anniversary of the Institute in 1846.

Thus early in the history of Pittsburg the literary taste was cultivated. At first local lecturers occupied the rostrum, but at a later day all the celebrated orators of the United States, besides many from Europe, were secured by the societies, or other organizations, to interest and instruct the citizens of Pittsburg on the great questions of the day. Early in the forties Mrs. Abbie Kelly Foster and her husband, Stephen S. Foster, lectured, here for several nights in suc- cession on anti-slavery, anti-church and anti-state subjects. Temperance Hall could not hold the crowd which gathered to hear them. The citizens of this community were much interested at that time on the subject of slavery, temper- ance, anti-Catholicism, Fourierism, and other reform movements that were sweeping over the country. In January, 1846, while Mrs. Foster was speaking one evening, Joseph Barker, who was himself a reformer, endeavored to interrupt her and addressed her audience, but was prevented by those who had assembled from continuing. So great was the crush on this occasion that win- dows in old Temperance Hall were broken, and many people were bruised. Speaking of these lectures, the Gazette of January 14, 1846, said: "No good that we can see can come of these meetings. At any rate, men will hardly be made better or wiser by listening to abuse of every institution they hold valuable in government and Christianity." Previous to this, Mrs. Frances Wright Darus- mont lectured here on the subject of "Knowledge." This lecture was ridiculed and denounced without limit by the New York American, New York Commercial Advertiser, and many other Eastern journals. The lady was a native of England, and a coeditor of the New Harmony Gazette, and was a public speaker of rare cloquence and power. Probably the principal objection to her was the opposi- tion which the masses of mankind then entertained toward the appearance of a woman on the lecture platform. She met with no serious opposition here, but in other cities was often bombarded with stale eggs and other offensive missiles and epithets.

From this time forward all the leading lecturers of the United States ap- peared in Pittsburg. Ralph Waldo Emerson lectured before the. Young Men's Mercantile Library Association in the forties on the subject of "Worship." He was opposed by many here then and afterward, because it was thought he leaned too much toward infidelity. It was even asserted in the local newspapers and elsewhere that he was a pantheist. Beecher, Fred Douglas, Garrison and others were here at different times. Miss Lucy Stone lectured here on the subject of "The Social and Industrial Disabilities of Woman." She was well spoken of by the newspapers, one of which previously surmised in a humorous vein that she would probably appear in top boots and a surtout. She was greeted by an immense crowd and good order. "The Bloomer Costume .- Two or three women in this city appear every day in the streets dressed in the bloomer costume. Whether they or their dresses are ugly, we know not, but they cer- tainly do not appear to much advantage; nevertheless they are generally followed by a score or two of admiring youngsters" (c). John G. Saxe entertained the public here in the forties and fifties. Wendell Phillips, one of the greatest orators America has yet produced, lectured here in the fifties on the subject

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of "The Philosophy of the Reformation of Slavery." George W. Curtis, "the talented satirist of fashionable snobism," and author of the Potiphar papers, who, as Nathaniel Willis had said, "bewitched the fashionable world of New York by abusing it," lectured here carly in the fifties on "Gold and Guilt in Young America." The Christian newspapers continued to denounce the theaters and all reforms similar to Fourierism. The Christian Advocate spoke of the latter ism as a system of infidel development, but the secular press combated this position. At this time there were many persons here who believed in Fourierism and in the reforms advocated by Robert Dale Owen. In 1848 the Fourierites effected an organization in Pittsburg, and held meetings at the residences of the members, where the principles of their faith were discussed. Horace Greeley lectured here several times in the forties and fifties on the subject of reforms and reformers. One of the lectures of Wendell Phillips was entitled "Lost Arts." Bayard Taylor entertained the Pittsburg public with lectures on the subject of his travels and observations. Mrs. Swisshelm was a favorite lecturer as well as writer, owing to the freshness and vigor with which she disclosed the hypocrisy and shams of the day.

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Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 107

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co. Number of Pages: 1192

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1192