USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster > The story of Lancaster, old and new : being a narrative history of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, form 1730 to the centennial year 1918 > Part 14
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As there never has been a time when the councils of Lancaster have not been ready to pay homage to this or that great man, on October 30, 1841, both bodies were hurriedly summoned to act upon the following resolution: "Whereas, Councils have heard with great pleasure that His Excellency, David Porter, Governor of Pennsylvania, will visit the city to-day, Resolved, that we have an undiminished confidence in the administration of Governor Porter, and rejoice that the popular voice has again declared
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that he shall be our Chief Magistrate for another three years.
"Resolved, that we together, with the Mayor and Aldermen, wait upon his Exellency on the arrival of the cars, to tender him the hospitalities of the city. Resolved, further, that Messrs. Champneys and Buchanan join in the ceremonies." This reso- lution emphasizes the fact that the people of "Old Lancaster" were always and ever ready through their councils to welcome all distinguished citizens, come from whence they might.
Another outburst on the part of councils occurred the same year in making preparations for the parade in honor of William Henry Harrison, "the hero of Tippecanoe," and popularly known as "the log- cabin" candidate. What rendered the parade so conspicuous was a log cabin on wheels with a live coon fastened on the roof, and a barrel of hard cider standing by the cabin's open door. Every- where along the line of parade was sung the song of "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too." It was a most momentous occasion for the Whigs, their first victory for forty years. And who could have had the audacity to say that the name, "Lancaster" was not then on the map?
Politically, if not industrially, there never has been a time from 1818 down to 1918 that our town's name has not been on the map! It used to be said, "As go Lancaster city and county, so goes the Union for either one or the other parties." Men have been known to sacrifice a lucrative business in order to serve their constituents in any capacity
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from that of constable, squire, on up to that of president of the United States. And, indeed, why should not all men be willing to help in every way within their means and capacity, in enlarging and beautifying their own home city? To live alone for self and selfish ends and aims, is to live a useless, wasteful life. And here the thought occurs, it is easier to give advice than to practice what one preaches. So, to avoid the billowy waves of too much criticism, the chronicler has an episode to relate as taken from the minutes of councils at the November meeting of 1843.
"Gentlemen of Select and Common Councils. I have the honor to transmit herewith the resolu- tion of the Lancaster, Susquehanna, Slackwater Navigation Company, inviting councils to join in an experimental excursion on Tuesday next.
"Respectfully, "JOHN MATHIOT, Mayor."
On the day named there arrived from the city of Philadelphia the steamer intended for the purpose of towing on part of the navigation between Lan- caster and the Susquehanna. The invitation con- tinued, "The Conestoga Packet Boat will leave Reigart's Landing in tow of steam at half past eight o'clock, precisely.
"LEWIS HURFORD, President."
To this "free junketing expedition" came the prompt reply, "That Councils feel great pleasure in hearing of the arrival of the Steamboat, 'The Edward Coleman,' which is to be run on the Cones- toga from the city to tidewater, and hail the occur-
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rence as indicative of the completion of what they had always believed would be of great benefit to the city and county of Lancaster.
"Councils feel deeply the compliment paid to them, and freely accept, by resolving to meet at their rooms on Tuesday morning at 8 o'clock, to proceed from there to Mr. Reigart's Landing." Adopted unanimously by both branches.
It will be recalled that the canal continued with more or less success until the early sixties, before going finally into liquidation.
This, if the narrator may add, is the first resolution passed unanimously by councils since the year 1818, except over the remains of one of their own number. But why should there have been any hesitation, being led to believe, as they were, to partake of the many good things to be had on board the packet boat, "The Edward Coleman," on their way to the Susquehanna on a beautiful November morning, even if it did require councilmen getting up a little earlier than was their usual custom. Why, we verily believe from personal experience in antici- pation of a free "blow-out" to New York, the chronicler would have sat up the entire night, even to miss his breakfast.
The only account of this journey down the winding Conestoga has been taken from a newspaper of that early date, from which a few extracts have been made, to be read by some of the councilmen's descendants.
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"Before the Edward Coleman had gotten up steam, a roll-call registered the nine Select and the fifteen
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Common members all aboard on schedule time. As the weather was a little too cool for bathing outwardly in the placid waters of the Susquehanna, our caravan of sightseers were not to be blamed for bathing themselves inwardly from a dozen bottles of champagne at the Company's expense! Then to think of the ample 'spread,' so different from what they had been getting at home! What actually occurred in passing through locks would be to betray confidence. It was late in the day when Safe Harbor was reached, owing to "The Edward Coleman" running out of steam. On our home- ward journey, trouble beset us on every hand, requiring the packet boat to be drawn homeward bound by three mules. And now, Mr. Editor, whether any prayers were offered by the returning councilmen is extremely doubtful owing to the fact that they were not prayerfully inclined."
And so ends this chapter-fragments picked up, some out of the minutes of councils, others through the chronicler's storehouse of memory.
From the Intelligencer of May 28, 1844.
STEAMBOAT "CONESTOGA"
The splendid new Iron Steamboat CONESTOGA is now running with regularity and great dispatch between
LANCASTER & PHILADELPHIA,
and will take freight either way at very reduced rates, viz .: Flour at 1812 cents per barrel, delivered in Broad street or any part of Philadelphia. Store Goods 16 cents per 100 Ibs. delivered in Lan- caster city. Apply to
GEORGE CALDER, Graeff's Landing, Lancaster. A. WRIGHT & NEPHEW, Vine st., Wharf, Philadelphia.
CHAPTER XVII
FIRST MOVE TO BRING GAS INTO THE CITY VERY DISCOURAGING
So much occurred during the forties as to cause the chronicler to pause and consider whether more time has not been given to matters of secondary importance rather than to such others having to do with the city as a growing municipality. But all readers are not interested alike. There is the human side apart from the historical, and it is to meet this diversity of opinion the chronicler has endeavored to interest in the volume's pages.
Mention of the railroad, water and gas, how would you, my reader, like to dispense with the automobile, trolley and parlor coach and go back to the slow- going stage? As to water, filtered, how would you like to go to the pump for your daily supply? In mention of light, the chronicler does not believe there is any one in Lancaster willing to exchange gas or electricity for the candle, fat lamp or oil with the danger of an explosion. Such were the conditions less than a century ago. Did the people welcome the incoming of the railroad? The majority may have; others, counting the cost, demurred. When it was proposed to bring the water from the Cones- toga, a like condition prevailed, only in a more pro- nounced form. At last, when it was proposed to
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illume the streets and houses with gas, did the citizens rise up in their might to welcome it as a godsend? No! wrapped in their former customs, habits and traditions, a goodly number met in town-meeting with the result to follow.
At a meeting of councils, November 7, 1842, came a petition signed by numerous citizens, praying said bodies to grant to "The Lancaster City Gas Com- pany" the right to lay pipes into the city. With this, came a message from Mayor Mathiot: "Gentle- men: The undersigned, for and behalf of the Lan- caster City Gas Company, respectfully begs leave to state that, in the event of the councils granting the said company the privilege of laying pipes through the streets of the city and distributing the gas, to give the Corporation the right and privilege at any time after twenty years of purchasing and assuming the ownership of the entire works with their appurtenances erected and established by the said company; on the Corporation of said city pay- ing, or securing to be paid to said company the principal cost of said works, and making up the dividends on the stock of said company to six per cent. (should the same fall below that) and ten per cent. on the entire cost for the trouble and expense and responsibility incurred in the establishment of the said Gas Works:
"Signed, JOHN GETZ, on behalf of the company."
This was followed by a protest which, being read, was laid on the table. It is only reflecting public opinion pro and con to say that the townspeople were divided, as they have since been on all new
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departures from former customs. As the writer has occasion to know, being chairman of the Lamp Committee at the time the electric light came to take the place of gas, his position was not by any means a bed of roses. And among the most strenu- ous dissenters were the owners of gas stock. This self interest unfortunately has always loomed up, and at times among councilmen who make city affairs secondary to their own selfish desires. All cities might become models of perfection if it were not that so many councilmen have axes to grind and in what they consider perfectly fair means in guarding their personal holdings from injury.
However, at a meeting following an ordinance was read three times and passed, giving the com- pany the right to lay pipes through the city, pro- vided it be done within two years. On the principle that you can lead a horse to the water-trough but you can't make him drink, so, while the company was given the right under certain restrictions, not even councils had the authority to make the people use it for house lighting.
Much of the opposition came from the dealers in oil with which the lamps had been filled, and to be lighted only during the dark of the moon. As there was not any weather bureau to tell when nights were to be cloudy and when clear, the lamp-lighters con- tinued to obey instructions by glancing the almanac over.
It will be observed that, while councils permitted the gas company to lay its pipes, it did not take kindly to purchasing the plant after twenty years.
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And why? Had not councils helped bring the rail- road into the city? And, furthermore, had not the municipality built the water works? And yet, as these older heads reasoned, they had still the candle and oil lamp to fall back upon. It would be inter- esting to know how many years it took to persuade housekeepers to resort to gas; also, to get the city to light its streets with gas. And it was only after a special offer was made in a reduction, that a few of the prominent avenues were thus lighted.
It would seem there is always something to engage the chronicler's attention. At a councilmanic meet- ing, January, 1842, it was resolved "That three members from Select, three from Common, with a like number of citizens be appointed to meet a committee of members of Congress to make an examination of the waters of the Conestoga whereon to establish a 'National Foundry.'" Where or at what point this foundry was to be located or its purpose, no further mention was made at any future meeting, nor did any committee arrive.
Once more must mention be made of the "City Scales," first located at the southwest corner of Duke and Orange streets on the vacant plot where now stands the Pennsylvania Business College. From the upper part of the scale's house extended a beam, on the end of which hung the steelyards. When a load of coal was to be weighed, as per requirement, it was driven on the platform and the horses unhitched; then by means of pulley and tackle, up went the load, the weight taken by the weigh-master. Later, along came the empty wagon
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undergoing the same process. At the time all coal was weighed by the city to make sure customers were getting the proper weight of twenty-two hundred and forty pounds as a ton. Since those early days, dealers in coal do their own weighing on platform scales at two thousand pounds per ton, or at so much per pound, and no questions asked by the consumer as to price per ton or weight.
Along about this time the Finance Committee was greatly annoyed over petitions from fire companies, praying for financial assistance. This caused the chairman to declare, "There are now in the city more fire companies and more firemen than under any circumstances can ever be required. Experience has shown that this excess of fire engines has pro- duced very great confusion, but, what is more to be feared, retarded and interfered with their usefulness. It would, to say the least, be the height of folly, even with an overflowing treasury, to encourage any increase in the number of engines, already com- pletely organized and equipped.
"Persons composing what they call the 'Columbia Hose' company well knew before they associated themselves together that their company was entirely unnecessary. Besides, it behooves councils to dis- countenance everything productive of evil, and we can conceive of none greater than a useless, super- numerary number of fire companies!" And the "Columbia Hose" Company did not get an appro- priation! What an uproar the chairman's speech created among the members is not referred to in the councils' proceedings.
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If the members of this disappointed fire company could have looked ahead to this year 1917, to see appropriated for the paid department $30,000 annually, we can only imagine their astonishment. As the minutes show, the largest yearly appropria- tion made at any time mentioned was $350.
Among the communications received was one from Thomas C. Wiley, Collector of City Toll at the railroad, "that from and after this day, all cars loaded or unloaded from the State Siding on Chestnut Street or from any private siding, shall be charged twenty-five cents wharfage for single and fifty cents for double cars for the use of said streets; and that no cars on the streets shall remain there for more than twenty-four hours."
Think of cars standing on Chestnut street from Duke to Water!
Another page encased in black lines indicates the passing of a person of more than usual importance. At this meeting, Tuesday afternoon, June 25, 1845, we find the following memorial resolution: "Where- as, It has been announced to the American people that Andrew Jackson, ex-President of the United States, has departed this life-
"Whereas, This mournful event, although not unlooked for, has caused a deep impression through- out the Nation, indicating a universal disposition to pay merited honors to the memory of the illustrious dead, And Whereas, we the members of the Select and Common Councils of Lancaster City, partici- pated in the general feeling, and are desirous of participating in the general demonstration, suitable
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to the sad occasion when the Country sorrows for the decease of one who has so eminently filled the mission of his glory-Therefore, Resolved, that in view of the loss the Nation has sustained in the death of Andrew Jackson, once the leader of her armies, the Head of the country, and chief among her statesmen-we cause our respective chambers to be placed in mourning for six months, and that each individual wear the badge of mourning for sixty days. Resolved, that a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars be appropriated to defray the expenses that may be incurred in the personal obsequies of the late Andrew Jackson."
At the close of John Mathiot's eleven years as mayor came Michael Carpenter, who for many years had held the position of Clerk of the Select branch. At the first meeting after his election in 1843, an ordinance was introduced, giving the Conestoga water to a "Cotton Factory at seventy- five dollars per year so long as said factory shall continue its operations."
The petitioners' request being granted, brought forth the following message from his honor, the mayor: "I object to the adoption to that part of the minutes which relates to the Preamble and Resolution instructing the Water Committee to enter into a contract with a company, giving water at seventy-five dollars per year perpetually, and for the following reasons:
"First, Councils cannot confer on the Water Committee a power which is not granted to itself by its charter :
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"Second, Councils cannot authorize the Water Committee by resolution to sell or enter into con- tract, and bargain away for an unlimited period any part of the city property in which the citizens will thereafter continue to hold an interest:
"Third: Councils cannot pass such a resolution without suspending or repealing the second rule which governs the business and intercourse between the two bodies:
"Fourth: Councils have no power to enact either by resolution or by ordinance which will bind up the interests of the community perpetually.
"Fifth: This action on the part of Councils tend to compromise the interests of citizens, and tend to establish perpetuity, a power which no Corporation can possess under the laws of Pennsylvania.
"Sixth: Variance from required order of action is valid grounds for a motion to quash all pro- ceedings had in the premises:
"Seventh: I object to their adoption because they are unjust in their tendency, and will confer rights and privileges to this Company perpetually which are refused and cannot be enjoyed by the rest of its citizens!
"Resolved, that the clerk be authorized and instructed to draw black lines around and to expunge forthwith from the Journal all reference to the grant." This was decided by the president to be out of order when an appeal was taken, and his decision overruled with but one dissenting vote in the negative.
Comment would seem to be unnecessary. All
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know what the Councils of Lancaster did less than a score of years ago-they gave in perpetuity a most valuable franchise never to be reclaimed! As the minutes further show, Mayor Carpenter was not opposed to giving aid to this, one of the first cotton mills to be erected, with others to follow. His objection was in giving the right in perpetuity. We all know what a blessing these mills have been, aiding in the building of homes all over the southern and other parts of the city. For nearly seventy years the clicking of their spindles has been heard day in and day out, affording employment to de- serving men and women.
Before the year 1840, few new streets had been opened, and it was not until a somewhat later day that property holders had an act passed, reim- bursing themselves for land taken in street exten- sions. Efforts have since been made to have the act repealed. Juries have in many cases awarded damages out of all reason, when it is considered that the benefit accruing to owners in the shape of build- ing lots on both sides of a street. It is not so many years ago that the city had to pay the county over one hundred thousand dollars and which the county had previously assumed. This latter statement has reference to payment made by the city along in the eighties, as the minutes will in all probability show.
If what has already been set forth serves no other purpose than to make councils more careful in guarding the city's interests, it may serve a good purpose. And here the question arises, what is a city? As understood by the average citizen it is
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but a heartless corporation owing everybody a living, if not in one way, then in another. To much the city in a suit for damages as against the individual has become a well-established principle in all muni- cipalities. Few there are in the making of their wills ever think of leaving any part of their fortunes for the city's future enlargement and beautifying. We live, grow wealthy out of the advantages the city affords, and then take pleasure in finding fault with things that do not go our way. It is to be hoped in the next succeeding chapter there may be more of the historical, and less of the chronicler's telling other people how to manage their own affairs, public and private. If, however, the narrator's views run counter to the average citizen's, let them be taken for what they are worth, in extracting the grain from the chaff. For after all the community of Lancaster, taken as a whole, has at all times been a law-abiding citizenship. Strikes, as shall be shown, we have had, but seldom if ever have they resulted in any very great disturbance of the public peace. Physically speaking, the soil upon which the townstead was built, has been exceptionally free from upheavals such as have visited cities built along this or that river. Apart from frequent inundations to which other towns have been subjected, our town has had a certain number, but where can it be pointed to that whole blocks have been swept away? Lancaster's safety at least during the past quarter of a century can be attributed to our well-equipped Fire Department. But why shower too much praise before the story is ended?
CHAPTER XVIII
DISMANTLING OF THE OLD JAIL, AND BUILDING OF THE NEW PRISON. JAMES BUCHANAN'S BEQUEST
DISCUSSION having arisen at times as to when the old jail was dismantled and the new prison erected, it may be said it was completed in 1851, and considered at the time a very massive structure, in fact, too stately for evildoers. Built of sand- stone, it had a tower one hundred and ten feet high; this, however, was removed years ago, owing no doubt to its becoming top-heavy. As the "Castle" stands it covers about four acres, surrounded on three sides with a wall eighteen feet high, but as has been the case, not high enough to prevent escapes. The cost was $110,000.
To repeat what may already have been stated, the first crude jail stood at Postletwhait's tavern in which the first court was held in 1729-30. The second log jail was built on the Hamilton plot at the corner of West King and Prince. It answered its purpose until 1774, when it was supplanted by one of stone. This building, familiar to almost everybody from its picture, stood until 1852, when its inmates were transferred to their new quarters on East King near the reservoir.
During the time this structure was being dis-
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mantled more than one boy's curiosity was aroused as he strolled here and there even to the dungeon on the lower ground floor. Looking through a crevice a more gruesome sight could not be imagined. And horror increased when told that, years before, a lone prisoner had been allowed to starve to death through the keeper's forgetfulness. Along the side of a rock could be seen where the convict had scraped with his fingers to find a way out or to attract attention. If the story was told to frighten boys, it surely had its effect.
At the January meeting of 1850 a score of peti- tions were presented, all praying for better pave- ments and better crossings. One from the Vestry of Saint James' Church asked in humbleness of spirit and meekness of heart for a crossing leading to the opposite sides of the streets. As the male attendance had fallen off, the excuse given no doubt was on account of the street's condition. And good reason had the men at least for being tardy, owing to a report that only a short time previous one of the vestrymen had suddenly disappeared with only his hat remaining to certify to his identification.
Of course, too much credence need not be placed in stories of this kind. And yet, along in the fifties, the streets were an abomination. However, this petition, and also others, was referred to the Street Committee. Being in the winter time, with the commissioner taking things easy until the coming of the June appropriation, the vestrymen had to bear their souls in peace for six months longer.
Waiting for the June appropriation, has been the
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excuse down to the present day! For this waiting there may be some justification. It gives the dust a chance to find its way into this or that house, or all of them, instead of being carted away earlier in the shape of mud! Every womanly housekeeper in the city of Lancaster of this year 1917 has had more dust to contend with than all their other worries combined; at least the chronicler has been so in- formed by one who knows whereof she speaks.
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