Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 108

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 108

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Early in 1849 the California gold fever took absolute possession of this community. Even as carly as February residents of the county began to leave in considerable numbers singly and in small squads for the new Eldorado. Late in February a large company was formed here for the purpose of crossing the plains in a body and conducting mining operations in a concerted manner after California had been reached. On March 15th the company of about 250 men, under the command of Captain Ankrim, left on the steamer Consignee for the California gold fields. Previous to their departure they were presented with flags and listened to an address of good advice from Coloncl S. W. Black, who dwelt upon the necessity of military discipline and united action. It was said by the newspapers at the time that as many persons assembled to see this, com- pany depart as had gathered a few years before to sce the volunteers leave for Mexico. The history of this company is extremely interesting and would fill a small volume. A reorganization of the company has been effected in recent years and is still maintained. Companics continued to leave as late as 1852.

In 1838 the Pittsburg Institute of Arts and Sciences was incorporated by the Legislature. An organization has been effected several years previously, and the objects of the organization were the promotion and encouragement of manufactures and the mechanical and useful arts by the establishment of popular lectures. In 1842 the Catholic Institute, devoted to the improvement of literary taste, was established here. In after years many prominent lecturers appeared under the auspices of this institute.

In 1848 the Scientific Association of Western Pennsylvania was organized in the hall of the Western Pennsylvania University, and the following officers were elected: Professor Lemuel Stephens, president; W. W. Wilson, recording secretary; John Harper, treasurer; Thomas Hind, librarian; G. W. Fahne- stock, curator. Another early organization was the Pittsburg Gymnasium, which was established early in the decade of the thirties with Professor S. Barrett in charge. This organization, after a few years, suffered a lapse, butt was re- vived in the fifties and incorporated. Its principal object was to afford gymnastic exercises for young men.

On February 27, 1834, the first historical society established in Pittsburg was organized, and the following officers elected: Benjamin Bakewell, president; W. W. Fetterman, vice-president; John Harper, treasurer; Wilson McCandless, secretary; Charles H. Kay, librarian. The society continucd in existence for eight or ten years and accumulated a library of several hundred volumes, but finally seems to have become extinct. Early in the forties it was revived by

896

HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.

Rev. George Upfold and others (d). After a few years it again expired. The Polytechnic Association of Pittsburg was organized in the fifties, and in 1857 was conducted by the following officers: William Owens, president; A. W. Gazzam, vice-president; J. D. McFadden, secretary; F. Van Gorder, treasurer. In May, 1840, Dr. George D. Bruce exhibited here probably the first daguerreo- type ever seen in Pittsburg. In 1847 a special relief committee, appointed by the citizens, collected for the suffering Irish a grand total in money and supplies of $40,487.22.

The Allegheny Cemetery was incorporated by the act of April 24, 1844. By January, 1849, it comprised about eighteen acres laid out in lots, of which 630 had been sold. The first burial, that of a daughter of George A. Bayard and wife of James A. Briggs, took place September 4, 1845. By October, 1848, 505 burials had occurred. The product of lot sales by October, 1848, amounted to $50,896.33. George A. Bayard, of whom the land had been purchased, had been paid $22,503.67. At this time the cemetery consisted of about 100 acres, of which sixteen had been sold, yielding $51,000.

Uniondale Cemetery was incorporated in 1846 and now comprises about 110 acres. The total number of interments is about 37,000. Homewood Ceme- tery was incorporated in 1878 and embraces about 176 acres. Previous to 1897 there were over 7,000 interments therein. Calvary Cemetery consists of 104 acres and was incorporated in 1886. The number of interments previous to 1897 was over 3,000. St. Mary's Cemetery consists of about thirty-two acres, and Millersville Cemetery of about ten acres. There are a few others.

Pittsburg almost from the start took public action for the care of its poor and helpless. Laws were passed providing for the raising of funds to be de- voted to that purpose. From time to time buildings were created by the towns, buroughs and county, and improvements were made as the population increased. Special efforts were made in 1818, owing to the fact that many emigrants bound for the West became stranded here and were unable to proceed. It was about this time that Pittsburg built its first poorhouse. There was much complaint over the expense. The Gazette stated that in 1818 Pittsburg spent at least $3,000 for the care of the poor. It was stated in 1822 that the poorhouse, which stood about half a mile northwest of Allegheny, was the best institution of the kind west of the mountains. The inmates were clean, the house well regulated, and could comfortably accommodate about thirty persons, although the inmates at that time were but fifteen. Overseers of the poor managed the institution. In 1827 Charles Craig was superintendent and Mrs. Anne Mason matron. For the year ending March 31, 1827, the care of the poor cost Pittsburg $1,915.78.

In April, 1832, a number of ladies of Pittsburg and Allegheny assembled at the house of Rev. Joseph Stockton to consider the expediency of forming an asylum for orphans in this vicinity. Mrs. Page presided. Little was done on this occasion, and a second meeting was called for the third Tuesday in April, on which occasion Mesdames Page, Bruce, Wade, Tiernan, Robinson, Denny and Halsey were appointed a committee of arrangements. On this occasion William Robinson, Jr., presided, and Ross Wilkins served as secretary. A constitution which had been drafted was read and approved by the meeting. A committee was appointed to memoralize the Legislature for a charter, and another was appointed to solicit contributions to aid the undertaking. Mrs. Denny was appointed first directress, Mrs. Page second directress, Mrs. Halsey secretary, and Mrs. Robinson treasurer. The managers were Mesdames Bruce, Wade, Sellers, Wilkins, Higbee, Lothrop, Tiernan, George, and Misses Mary Page, Mary Herron, Cowan and Baird. Thus was established an institution

(d) Pennsylvania Magazine, Vol. IV, p. 122.

James Verner

897

HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.

which survives at the present day, and has done an amount of good which can- not be calculated in words and figures. The name adopted was the Orphan Society of Pittsburg and Allegheny, and the act of incorporation was approved March 20, 1834. In 1833 the ladies of the asylum gave a public fair, which real- ized, it was stated, the sum of $1,800. In 1834 another fair brought $437.60. In 1838 there were thirty inmates, and at this time the building for the asylum was nearly completed, at a total cost of $7,040, exclusive of $400 which, it is estimatcd, would be necessary for the construction of fencing, stabling, etc. The indebted- ness at this time amounted to only $1,436. The State had previously donated $10,000 to the institution, to be paid in annual installments of $1,000.

"In August, 1837, workmen unearthed a skeleton on Water Street, between Wood and Market. It was found two feet below the surface, fleshless and grim, and on examination proved to be that of an Indian. Several trinkets of silver and a piece of scarlet cloth, still undecayed, fringed and decorated with beads, and a brass band around the skull were found with the skeleton. It was placed in the Pittsburg Museum" (e).

In 1839 the Pittsburg Provident Society was organized, with Thomas Bake- well as president, and the objects of the organization were to furnish un- fortunates, during the cold weather, with soup, light lunches and other necessi- ties. Another early benevolent organization was a German society established in 1832, the objects of which were to relieve German emigrants on their arrival here. At the head of this institution were Rev. D. Kemmerer, Dr. E. King, George Weyman and Conrad Upperman. During the winter of 1837-8, owing to the hardships brought upon the poor by the panic of that year, the city authorities found it necessary to make special provision for the relief of temporary distress. In the month of December alone 6,000 bushels of coal were given to the poor. In January, 1838, a society was formed to assist indigent females by giving them employment and temporary support. This movement was under the management of Dr. Herron, Charles Shaler, Dr. Black, Dr. Kerr, E. B. Fisher, Dr. Dunlap, John M. Snowden and others. This organization was one of the most effective instituted in the early years. In 1840 they gave employment to 46 women, and distributed 928 garments, besides an immense quantity of provisions and other supplies. In 1841 Mrs. William Robinson, Jr., was presi- dent of this organization. During the forties the city erccted its first poor- house, and issued bonds to obtain means for that purpose. At the same time authority was received from the Legislature to levy a special tax for the support of the poorhouse and for the retirement of the bonds. The institution was man- aged by the guardians of the poor. It was an independent corporation, guided solely by its charter. In 1846 the city poor tax amounted to five mills on the dollar, but in 1847, under the new law, the tax was but two mills. In 1854 the board began the construction of a spacious poorhouse on the farm which had been purchased. Both Allegheny and Pittsburg, and even the surrounding boroughs, had several organizations of ladies and others, the objects of which were to afford either temporary or permanent relief to the helpless. In January, 1855, the Young Ladies' Association for the relief of the poor distributed 165 loads of coal, 85 pairs of shoes, 15 comforts, II made-up garments, materials for 55 woolen garments and 53 cotton garments, 40 pieces of second-hand cloth, $168 worth of groceries, and gave temporary relief to 268 families. This was but a single instance of the assistance furnished by the various benevolent organizations. Owing to the hard times of 1854 the succeeding winter entailed great hardships upon the poor of this vicinity. Accordingly the ladies' benevo- lent organizations opened special souphouses in the city, where large numbers

(e) Pittsburg Times, August 9, 1837.

898

HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.

of poor people could get wholesome food gratuitously. The first souphouse was opened on January 25, 1855, and in thirteen days 4,167 applications, repre- senting 19,006 persons, were received. In one day 604 applications, repre- senting 3,031 persons, were presented. The distress prevailing was so un- precedented that the entire city was called upon for assistance. Mr. R. Chester, of the Howard Association, opened the first souphouse on January 25th, on Seventh Street. By 2 o'clock on that day fifty-six gallons had been served- all the association had on hand. In less than one week, about this time, 266 loads of coal were distributed by the guardians of the poor. An average of 100 applications were received daily by them. In one day at the Seventh Street souphouse 250 gallons of soup and 1,000 loaves of bread were distributed, when the supply ran out, although others were waiting to be served. An account of the benevolent acts of the citizens since the Rebellion would fill a volume.

In November, 1841, the ship "Lawrence" was received in Pittsburg by a committee of citizens. It was brought here by two hundred citizens of West- moreland County on horseback and in carriages, and delivered to the original owners. Judge Wilkins formally received it in an eloquent speech. A splendid supper accompanied with toasts closed the services of the day.

The Western Pennsylvania Historical Society held its first stated meeting January 10, 1859, at the Merchants' Exchange. The first business was the election of officers. A letter from Neville B. Craig withdrew his name from the list of candidates for the presidency. Balloting resulted as follows: Wilson McCandless, president; James Veech, Rev. Dr. Jenkin, Rev. Dr. Howard, Neville B. Craig, and H. M. Brackenridge, vice-presidents; D. L. Eaton, sec- retary; F. R. Brunot, treasurer. Complete organization was effected at this time and provisions were made for future meetings. This society continues in existence, the president at this date being Rev. A. A. Lambing.

Dr. W. M. Wright in April, 1841, took good daguerreotypes here. "It is hardly necessary to add that likenesses taken by this process are facsimiles, the veritable reflection drawn by the hand of nature of the human face divine" (f).

"Daguerreotype Miniatures .- Our ingenious townsman, Dr. Wright, has made improvements in this beautiful art which have been without rival. The usual objections of indistinctness and vagueness of outline are entirely obviated in his specimens. In them every lineament is brought out with surprising pre- cision and delicacy and the likeness is, of course, proportionally strong, being, in fact, a veritable transcript of the face of the sitter" (g).

In 1860 the Allegheny Observatory was erected by the aid of funds raised by popular subscription, and soon afterward the institution was placed in charge of the Western University of Pennsylvania. Professor S. P. Langley was the first director and continued in charge after the University had assumed control. It was due to his efforts that in 1869 observatory time was made uniform through- out the United States. This institution has become noted for its original in- vestigations and discoveries and has made numerous improvements in astronom- ical and scientific research.

"A beautiful copper copy of the medal granted to General Daniel Morgan for gallantry at Cowpens was exhibited here by Alfred Keevil in July, 1860" (h).

On October 1, 1860, the Prince of Wales (Lord Renfrew) visited Pittsburg. Preparations on a grand scale had been made for several weeks to receive him. A committee had been sent from this city to Toronto some time before to invite liim to visit Pittsburg on his passage through the United States. The com- mittee sent to Alliance, Ohio, to receive the royal party were William Robinson,

(f) Avocate and Emporium, April 30, 1841.

(g Advocate and Emporium, June II, 184I.

(h) Dispatch, July, 1860.

899

HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.

Dr. W. H. Denny, Wilson McCandless, William Bagaley, John S. Cosgrove, WV. H. Smith and Dr. Phillips. Upon the arrival here of the royal party in the evening an immense crowd gathered, which was with difficulty managed by the police and the Duquesne Grays. The distinguished visitors, among whom were many eminent Englishmen, were conducted in carriages to the Monongahela House. They were entertained in a manner befitting their exalted positions, and the next day were escorted to the train for the East (i).

Strange as it may seem, Pittsburg had no parks until about a dozen years ago. Since that time it has managed, largely through the influence of E. M. Bigelow, to secure several and to improve and beautify them, until now the city lias a total of eight, embracing about 753 acres. The first established was the famous Schenley Park, of which 300 acres were donated by Mrs. Mary E. Schenley in 1889, and to which tracts of land 106 acres in 1890, 9 acres in 1891 and several smaller purchases have since been added by the municipality. Schenley Park contains a total of 433 acres and is admirably fitted for the pur- pose intended. The surface is cut with deep ravines and abounds in steep slopes and abrupt inclines and numerous streams of water. At the entrance of the park stands the Carnegie Library, and near the entrance is Phipps Conservatory, one of the largest and best equipped in the country. The conservatory was donated by Henry Phipps, Jr., and cost $110,000. Additional expenses have swelled the cost of the Schenley Park greenhouses to about $180,000. The electric fountain was donated at a cost of $10,000 by the Pittsburg Traction Company. The Highland Park, which is second in size, consists of about 290 acres and is already well improved. The first purchase of forty-six acres was bought from James McCully in 1872. The beautiful entrance cost $45,000. Besides these there are the Grandview Park, comprising seventeen acres, the West End Park nine- teen acres, Bedford or Central Park five acres, Herron Hill Park thirteen acres, Holliday Park three and one-half acres, Maple Grove Park sixty-three acres. All of this ground has recently been purchased by the city, and the parks account for considerable of the bonded debt of the municipality. Pittsburg for several years has appropriated annually for the improvements of its parks about $500,000. The fact that the city in a period of about nine years has secured so many beauti- ful parks and so well improved them is due largely to the efforts of Mr. Bigelow, for whom a splendid statue costing $10,000, and raised by popular contribution, was erected at the entrance of the Schenley Park. The parks of Allegheny comprise ninety-eight acres, originally given by William Penn as a public com- mon, and the River View Park. In 1867, by act of the Legislature, the "com- mons" were transferred to the city for park purposes. River View Park con- tains 245 acres and was purchased by means of a popular subscription at a cost of $110,000 for the first 217 acres; this park is now being rapidly improved and is sometimes called Watson Park, from the fact that the estate of Mr. Watson was embraced within the boundaries of the park. City Hall Park lies at the corner of Federal and Ohio streets. Both Pittsburg and Allegheny are thus well supplied with breathing places, but there is much yet to be done to improve them, and no doubt additions will be made in the future.

On January 24, 1788, John Boyd announced in the Gazette that "so soon as 100 subscribers can be procured, a circulating library will be opened in the town of Pittsburg." He announced that the opening would be made with 500 books; that twenty shillings per annum would be charged each subscriber; and that any book could be retained for fifteen days. Whether this library amounted to much cannot now be ascertained. In 1801 Zadoc Cramer issued a proposal to establish a circulating library, access to which should be charged at the fol-

(i) Dispatch, October 2 and 3, 1860.

900

HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.

lowing rates: $1 per month, $2 for three months, $3.50 for six months, and $5 per year. City people were permitted to retain books four days and country people two weeks. It was announced that the library would be open on Mon- clays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 a. m. to I p. m., and from 2 p. m. to 6 p. m. In time this library consisted of about 2,000 volumes. In November, 1813, the Pittsburg Permanent Library Association, which had been previously organized, held a meeting with Samuel Roberts in the chair and Charles Wilkins, Jr., acting as secretary. A committee, consisting of Rev. Francis Herron, James O'Hara, William Wilkins, Anthony Beelen and Aquilla M. Bolton, was appointed to frame a constitution for the association. At this time Messrs. Bolton, Bollman, Spear and Charles Wilkins, Jr., were appointed a special committee to confer with the old Pittsburg Library Company, which had been instituted by Zadoc Cramer, to ascertain upon what terms a coalition of the two could be effected. Negotiations between these two companies seem to have been prolonged for several years. However, in 1816, their union seems to have been accomplished, for at that time books were in circulation, and it was ascertained that about 2,000 volumes were in possession of the company.

In February, 1829, the Pittsburg Reading-room was established by popular subscription. Rules and regulations were adopted, and arrangements were made to obtain the leading periodicals of the country. Benjamin Bakewell was presi- dent, George Buchanan secretary, Colonel John Ramsey treasurer, Michael Allen, Henry Holdship, Thomas Bakewell, William Eichbaum, Henry M. Watts and John S. Riddle, managers. The reading-room was opened in April, 1829, at the corner of Market and Fourth streets. About this time the Franklin Li- brary Association was in existence at the corner of Grant and Fourth streets, under the charge of Linton Rogers, librarian. In 1831 this library consisted of 1,500 volumes. The Franklin Library seems to have been to some extent, at least, a private institution, because Mr. Rogers, in his advertisements, signed himself as proprietor. This library was one of the most important and best patronized of those established during the early years. In 1838 it contained over 2,000 volumes, and the subscription price was $5 per annum. At this time Mr. Rogers was agent of the library, and kept what would now be called a news-stand, where periodicals from all parts of the world could be procured. In 1831 John I. Kay & Co. opened a circulating library and reading-room over his store, and kept for the perusal of subscribers books, magazines, reviews, but no newspapers. In 1833 the Apprentices' Library and Bible Class had a cir- culating library of about 500 volumes. In 1835 a circulating library, consisting of 500 volumes, was conducted by Joseph A. Smith at No. 34 Fourth Street, for the subscription price of $2.50 a year. In July, 1837, the Washington Circulating Library was opened at the southwest corner of the Diamond by Kennedy & Allen, the terms being $3 per annum. A little later in the year Kennedy & Foster succeeded Kennedy & Allen in charge of this library. In 1841 the Pitts- burg Atheneum opened a combined reading-room and library of fifty maga- zines, fifty newspapers, of which ten were dailies, and several hundred volumes of miscellaneous books, for the benefit of subscribers, who were charged $3 per annum. On November 1, 1841, the association had over 100 subscribers, and at that time D. Harker was librarian. The library which had been opened by Kennedy & Allen was conducted at a later date by J W. and J. B. Kennedy, who continued to charge $3 a year, or 373 cents per month. Their works con- sisted of history, biography, poetry, romance, drama, novels, and other miscel- laneous works. By the act of May 8, 1854, the German Library Association was incorporated by John G. Backofen, Edward Fendrich, F. S. Schenck, Th. Umbstatler, Reinhold Siedle, Charles Barchfield, M. Doerflinger, William Wierneburg and Alexander Holstein.

90I

HISTORY OF PITTSBURG.

The exact origin of the present Mercantile Library Association cannot be given with certainty. It seems to have originated from several older ones early in the year 1835, and was sustained by several young merchants, who felt the need of a place to go in their leisure moments where they could read and study. Connected with it at the start were Messrs. Ramsay, Green and Wheeler. By July, 1835, about $1,800 had been subscribed. The charter was secured in 1835, and an amendment thereto was obtained in 1837, at which time the volumes on hand numbered about 1,200. In the autumn of 1835 the library occupied com- fortable quarters on Fourth Street, but after 1837 seems to have been dormant for several years. On the 13th of July, 1847, the Pittsburg Library Association was founded, and on the 29th of the same month an organization was effected with the following officers: Samuel M. Wickersham, president; John Finney, vice-president; Robert Finney, secretary; William P. Townsend, treasurer; John R. Hersh, David Holmes, Jacob Weaver, Charles H. Grant and W. R. Nimick, managers. In August a constitution and by-laws was adopted, and in 1849 the association was incorporated. In January, 1850, the Young Men's Mercantile Library and Mechanic Institute possessed 1,200 volumes, but at this time the patronage was rather slack. It was stated in the act of incorporation that the objects of the association were the promotion and encouragement of general information upon commerce, manufactures, and the mechanical and useful arts; and it was provided that the annual income should not exceed $5,000. In June, 1853, the Post, in a caustic editorial, declared that it was a disgrace that Pitts- burg had no public library.

Early in the fifties Colonel James Anderson, of Allegheny, presented that city with a select library of several thousand volumes, upon condition that the councils should take care of the same. The latter secured rooms and appointed a librarian, but the institution languished and was finally closed, but was revived by the Young Men's Christian Association, at which time the Allegheny City Councils granted it a yearly appropriation. However, the institution did not thrive, and the books were finally boxed up. The Anderson Library Association was incorporated by act of April 14, 1851. This library, like all the others of early years, lacked in the number of its paying subscribers. It was easy to issue books to those who did not pay, but it was difficult to keep upon the subscription rolls the names of men who promptly and regularly paid the amount of their subscription. In July, 1855, the Anderson Library was opened under the man- agement of Mr. Campbell with twenty-two subscribing members. At this time the library consisted of 1,350 books. Mr. Campbell had donated 1,500 volumes originally, but the others had been lost.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 108

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