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 6
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CHAPTER VI
THE ELECTION OF BURGESS EDWARD HAND OF REVOLUTIONARY FAME
AT the close of Henry Dehuff's term, came that of Jacob Reigart, followed by Henry Dering, serving until 1789, when that great patriot of Revolutionary times, Edward Hand, was elected chief burgess. It was at the time when the people, through their representatives, were looking for a site for the national government. Philadelphia, Baltimore and other towns had become aspirants for the honor of becoming the nation's future capital. Nor were the inhabitants of "Old Lancaster" any the less interested, believing as they did that their own inland town was possessed of a greater number of advantages than those of any other site that might be offered.
The following letter was written by Chief Burgess Hand on the seventeenth of March, 1789, to senators and representatives, and brings into light, to a greater extent than hitherto, the status of the borough of Lancaster, its internal improvements and social life, enumerating its diversity of local industries which, in the estimation of Burgess Hand, were not surpassed in the town's size and possibilities by any other in the Union.
As the letter is somewhat lengthy, only a portion
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shall be given, and yet sufficient to show the love this patriot had for his adopted city. And so, mark with what sincerity the letter was written. It began:
"BOROUGH OF LANCASTER, March 17, 1789. "Gentlemen: The Corporation of this Borough have been instructed by the inhabitants thereof and adjoining township to address you. The new Con- stitution, to which we anxiously sought as a means of establishing the Empire of America on the most sure and solid basis, is now in motion, and one of the objects of Congress will be to fix a permanent place of residence where their exclusive jurisdiction can be conveniently and safely exercised.
"Should the general interests of the Union point out an inland, central situation as preferable to a seaport for the future residence of your Honorable Body, We humbly offer ourselves as candidate for that distinguished honor. As an inland town, we do not consider ourselves inferior to any within the Dominion of the United States. Our lands are remarkably fertile and in a high state of cultivation. Our town is possessed of every advantage for Water Works, as will appear from the draughts herewith sent, and peculiarly healthy, with springs, wells and pumps in nearly every portion of the town."
"Springs, wells and pumps in nearly every portion of the town!" This was no exaggerated statement of Burgess Hand. Only those who have lived through the days of old can recall how boys were sent with pitcher on a warm July afternoon for a draught of clear, sparkling pump-water! Of course, 7
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ice was harvested, to be stored away during winter, provided the season was favorable. But this was years before the manufactured product came to take the place of that gathered at Graeff's Landing.
At the time bacteria, if known to the medical fraternity, were not heralded through the newspapers as a warning to bathers. They enjoyed their after- noon and evening baths as a god-given privilege. But, as the city grew, with the sewage in greater quantity finding its way into the Conestoga, the cry went out, "Beware of the germs!" Think for a moment. Who would have thought seventy years ago that the time would ever come when placards were to be tacked to this or that tree as a warning to old and young? And yet in this advanced age of scientific discoveries, the Conestoga is avoided by bathers as dangerous to both health and even life!
But to conclude Burgess Hand's letter to Repre- sentatives and Senators of the United States: To the city's inhabitants of this twentieth century it cannot help but provoke a smile to think that "Old Lancaster" in 1789 should presume to offer itself as suitable for the United States capital! And it was not a joke either! No, no! The letter meant just what it said. Now mark what is to follow, enough to make the mayor and councils of "New Lancaster" stand up and take notice!
"Every necessary material is to be had and in the greatest quantity desired at the most reasonable rates. We venture to assert that there is no part of the United States which can boast, within the compass of ten miles, a larger number of wagons and good teams than ourselves!
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"The Borough of Lancaster is a square encom- passing a portion of ground one mile in length from the center (the court house) by the main streets which intersect at right angles. We have five public buildings, including an elegant court house, fifty by forty-eight feet. In the second story thereof is a very handsome room 44 by 32 feet in the clear, and two convenient adjoining rooms, each being 22 by 16 in the clear. There are several places of worship besides a temporary synagogue, belonging to the respective Societies of Episcopalian, Presbyterian,
. CONESTOGA WAGON.
Lutherans, Reformed Church of Heidelberg, Mora- vian, Quakers and Catholics."
Note what is to follow, and you, dear reader, will almost think yourself back in "Old Lancaster" of one hundred and twenty years ago:
"Within the compass of the Borough, an enumera- tion of dwellings was actually taken in 1786, and the number then built was 678. Many of the houses are large and elegant, and would, in our idea, accom- modate Congress and their Suite at this period without inconvenience. Boarding and lodging are to be had at very easy rates. According to the best
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computation we can make, there are within this Borough about 4200 souls."
Again note the town's industries-"14 hatters, 36 shoemakers, 4 tanners, 17 saddlers, 25 tailors, 22 butchers, 25 weavers, 25 blacksmiths, 12 public bakers, 30 carpenters, 11 coopers, 6 dyers, 7 gun- smiths, 5 ropemakers, 5 tinners, 2 brass-founders, 3 skin-dressers, 1 brushmaker, 7 turners, 7 nailors, 5 silversmiths, 3 potters, 3 coppersmiths, 3 breweries, 3 brickyards, 3 printing presses, and 40 houses of public entertainment within the Borough.
"The current price of provisions-wheat, 5 shilling sixpence; rye, 3 shilling; Indian corn, 2/6; oats, 1/6; best hay, 3 £ per ton; pork and stall-fed beef from 25/ to 30 per cwt. All kinds of poultry in great abundance and reasonable. Shad, rock and salmon are plentifully supplied from the Susquehanna in their seasons."
And here the chronicler can only say that, if this letter had been written in this year 1917, he might have said something of how these species of fish had been destroyed by the coal refuse coming down the river.
As in that epoch of over a century ago, when the borough had a population of but 4,200, with but 678 dwellings, these burgesses must have considered the town of some importance. And verily justified they were in boosting it instead of discounting it, as is done at the present day by some who never know when they are well off.
It is well to remember that in the years to come old newspapers will be read over; and it is not
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pleasant for us to feel what other people will think when they read of criticism made by present-day critics except to complain of muddy and dusty streets.
But let us conclude Burgess Hand's letter. Think of "forty houses of public entertainment" within the borough of 4,200 souls !- one for every hundred of the town's population! Of course, all could not have been taverns nor even apartment houses with "rooms to let." Some few must have been places of amusement for senators, congressmen, their wives and daughters; but the kind of entertainment! Of one thing we feel reasonably sure, there were not any moving pictures shows bearing the slogan "The Hamilton," "Hippodrome," "Scenic," "Colonial" and others.
It takes no vivid imagination to place oneself in the mental condition of these burgesses as they sat in the ease of contentment, awaiting a favorable response to the letter sent no doubt by special delivery to senators and representatives.
As the missive had not been kept a profound secret from the shopkeepers, tavernkeepers and boarding house-keepers, we can only think what a hurly-burly of excitement all were put to in making preparation for the incoming of this representative body! How much time was devoted by the janitor in getting the court house in order may never be known! What the reader shall shortly learn is that the court house was later handed over to Congress at least for one short day; and that, at a still later time, was used by the Legislature for over a
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decade. But why anticipate coming events? The narrator has enough to do to fathom the depths of gloom which hung over the burgesses and their assistants, as for many weary weeks they hopefully looked forward to converting the borough into a "New Lancaster."
We believe it is the regret of every councilman of today that the verdict was not favorable! The reply, if one came, must have been destroyed by the burgesses for fear of the commotion its reception might likely have created among shopkeepers, butchers, bread bakers, and last among the owners of the forty places of public entertainment!
The reader will recall the order to the clerk to visit every public baker and weigh each loaf. And now, imagine if you can, by whom all the bread was consumed by a population of but 4,200 souls. Of course, there could not have been any delivery- wagons going from village to village. All that can be inferred is that the inhabitants must have been pretty good bread eaters to keep the twelve town bakers busy. Then think again of the bake ovens necessary !
But let us not overlook the "twenty-two" butch- ers! By whom all the choice roasts were consumed is another puzzler for the chronicler. But as the choicest of these could be had at a sixpence per pound, to live on the fat of the land was better than to live in a city of fifty thousand with roasts at fifty cents per pound, and none of the best at that!
But the chronicler must not forget the trend of his narrative by indulging himself too freely in
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helping the reader to think out what he is able to reason to his own satisfaction.
No. We are not disposed to find fault with the burgesses for trying to prevent people from getting drunk on the public streets! They may be blamed for allowing three distilleries in full operation. But as they were revenue producers, like those of the present day, they were tolerated as a necessary evil. Again, how could the twelve public bakers have carried on their business without "sots" to make the dough rise? Why, during our boyhood, nearly every half-grown lad could be seen with kettle in hand on his way to Shearer's distillery, around the corner at North Queen and Lemon Streets for a supply of this old-fashioned ingredient. And when these tired lads received a slice of their mothers' home-made bread as round as a miniature race- track covered with "smearkase" and molasses, what more could their hearts desire than perhaps another slice of the same kind?
In the "good old days" people ate hog and hominy, jowl and greens, bacon and beans, "snitz and knep," without any knowledge of their inner organs. Today a boy lives on cigarettes, the girls on chewing gum, their fathers at the "club," their mothers at their sociables when not out collecting. However, a tap on the shoulder by one in authority admonished the chronicler that, for the sake of family peace-and with this gentle hint, the chapter closes, with a few more complaints on the part of the burgesses:
"As many inconveniences have arisen from the
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butchers bringing their dogs with them to market, it is ordered that they confine them at home during the market hours; and likewise as the market place has been obstructed by their not keeping their blocks in regular order which has prevented a regular thoroughfare through the market, it is ordered that after cutting up their meat, the clerk shall see that this regulation is enforced."
Also: "As frequent complaints have been made by the inhabitants from the inconvenience of swine running at large through the borough, it is ordered that the High Constable shall make proclamation for that purpose in confining them for the space of four days from this date under penalty of five shillings to the informer and one half of the swine taken for the poor of the borough."
Here follows an order on John Hobson, late treasurer: Sir, please pay to William Ross, the present treasurer, the sum of seventy two pounds four pence specie, 'and sixty one pounds thirteen shillings and four pence Continental Currency which now remains in your hands, and this shall be your order, given under my hand this 10 day of October, 1786.
"JACOB REIGART, Burgess."
This is the first mention of Continental Currency by the burgesses. Of course it was generally in use at the time in 1786 and for some years previous among merchants and the public generally. It would seem that the trouble with butchers would never cease. "Finding a number continuing at home and selling their meat during market hours,
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the Corporation have resolved that every one and each in said borough bring their meat to market on each market day and there continue with the sale until the hour of nine in the morning. For non- compliance for each offence, they will suffer a penalty of fifteen shilling. It is further resolved that they weigh their meat by scales, owing to a bad custom they have of blowing up their mutton by their breath; therefore, all meat thus blown up shall be confiscated.
"Again, as wood is an expensive article to the Borough we have thought fit to appoint three assistants to the clerk of the market who for every cord shall be entitled six pence paid by the farmer of the wood if it be deficient in being a good cord to the purchaser."
Think for a moment of wood being a scarce article a century and a half ago! No, it was not that cord wood was scarce, with nearly three fourths of the county heavily timbered. There were other reasons. Reports coming from the treeless West, led the farmers to believe that the most valuable of their holdings were their timber tracts. And in this, but for the discovery of coal at a somewhat later day, their hopes might have been realized. Who would have ever imagined that at the time mentioned, there could have been a "corner" in cord-wood for domestic use? It seems almost incredible! And yet, from other sources we learn that to cut down a forest tree for family use was considered sacrilegious. Only the dead trees were cut out to make more room for the young, healthy
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timber. It is within the recollection of the chron- icler that on both sides of the turnpike leading east from Witmer's bridge, timber grew in an over- abundance. The same along other pikes. It was only after the cultivation of tobacco became highly profitable that the oaks and hickories had to go. No doubt these included the famous hickory that stood before the Gibson Inn. This historic tree being one of the landmarks of the town, it came early to be associated with what were called the "Hickory Indians," thereby receiving the name "Hickory" town.
The statement having been set forth that down to the year 1812, no general system of property taxa- tion had been authorized by act of Assembly, the following taken from the minutes of October 7, 1791, will make only too clear:
"Whereas, it is highly necessary that the Cor- poration should strictly attend to the due applica- tion of the monies assessed or levied and received for fines or penalties by virtue of the act of Assembly passed the 22 of January, 1774, entitled an act for regulating the buildings, keeping in repair the streets, lanes and highways in the Borough of Lancaster and for other purposes therein mentioned, Therefore-Ordered that the highway constable give notice to the present supervisors to be ready on the time of settling their accounts to inform the Cor- poration what streets, lanes and alleys and highways have been repaired and what sums of money may have been expended on any particular street in order that the Corporation may be able to judge
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of the due application for that purpose expended and whether the same were just and reasonable according to act of Assembly aforesaid."
From the proceedings of the burgesses, it would seem that no one carrying on any kind of business having to do in supplying the public, could escape the tax-collector. The employed officials were ever on the go from public bread baker to butcher, artisans, peddlers, and others from whom a few pounds, shillings and pence might be gathered wherewith to keep the town's wheels in motion. But of all the revenue collected, the greater portion came from markets and fairs. To close this chapter, let the twentieth-century reader be thankful for even an increase in taxation, with the hope that one of these days "New Lancaster" may have a just and equitable assessment of all property. Nor can the people of this city ever hope to have better streets until that day arrives. Go where one may, the most absorbing question is a just and equitable assessment of town property. For a full century the taxpayers have talked it over, but it seems favoritism is still the rule in most cities with Lan- caster being no exception if complaints generally made have any foundation in fact.
In closing this chapter, it may not be amiss to ask holders of turnpike stock to locate once upon a time Anderson's Ferry & New Haven Turnpike chartered in 1810? A certificate has been copied, as follows:
" EVIDENCE OF STOCK
"Anderson's Ferry, Waterford & New Haven Turnpike Office, Jan. 30, 1812.
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"BE IT HEREBY CERTIFIED, by the President, Managers and Company of the Anderson's Ferry, Waterford & New Haven Turnpike Road, That James Mehaffey of Waterford, Lancaster County, having paid thirty Dollars, is entitled to one share of stock in the said company, numbered two hundred and ninety three, transferable in the presence of the President or Treasurer, by the said James Mehaffey- or his Attorney, subject to the payments now due or to become due agreeably to the Act of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed the nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and ten, and Sealed with the Common Seal of the Company.
"GEORGE SNYDER, Treasurer.
"HENRY SHARE, President."
We do not know at what price per share the Marietta turnpike stock is valued at today, changed as has the Company's name.
A bid for this one share, number two hundred and ninety-three, properly endorsed by the president and treasurer, is awaited by the chronicler.
CHAPTER VII
RECOMMENDATION BY THE GRAND INQUEST, RE- SULTING IN THE BUILDING OF CITY HALL
WE are now to reach an important epoch of the administration of the burgesses at their meeting of the fourth of April, 1794, in which it was "Resolved, That the agreement entered into on the first day of January last, respecting the building for the public offices on part of the site of the market house, together with the concurrence of the Court thereon, be entered on the records of this Corporation- and are as follows, (to wit)
"The Grand Inquest
"(Seventeen in number being present) for the body of the county of Lancaster, at their Sessions, 1794, are unanimously of the opinion, That the Corporation of the Borough of Lancaster will grant a spot of ground, part of the ground allotted for the market place, which may be thought suitable for erecting the public buildings, which spot of ground shall be granted free of expences to the county, and that such public buildings shall be erected on solid ground of two stories high, unless it shall be thought necessary to build arched cellars underneath, in such case the Grand Inquest unanimously recom- mend such buildings to be erected.
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"Signed-
P. Musselman
William Kelly William Smith Jacob Johns
John Barvel
John Baughman
Michael Hess
Frederick Segar
John Free
Jacob Graeff John Roberts
Abraham Whiteside
Nathaniel Zagnr
Thomas Evans
Thomas Robinson
Christian Kauffman William Boel
"The Court concurred with the Grand Jury so far as relates to the erection of the public buildings on the site of the market house in the manner the jury have pointed out :
"By the Court:
"JOHN HUBLEY, Chief clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace."
At a meeting of the Burgesses, January 1, 1795, it was concluded and agreed that "the Commis- sioners with the approbation of the Judges of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, may erect a building for the public offices on the present site of the market house, that is to say, on the east end of the same, the breadth of which building shall be twenty-eight to thirty feet from south to north, and the length thereof, forty-five or fifty feet from east to west. Done at the Borough aforesaid the day and year afor mentioned. Paul Zantzinger, C. B. Charles Shaffner, B."
Here follows the consent of the judges: "We do by virtue of the presentment of the Grand Jury, consent that the Commissioners of the county of Lan-
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DECISION TO BUILD CITY HALL
caster, do erect the public offices on the ground within allotted for that purpose. They further order and direct that the said Commissioners procure a plan or plans for the same building for the approbation of the said court, the expence thereof to be paid out of the county stock:
"Signed, Joseph Henry Robert Coleman Frederic Kuhn Andrew Graff"
It was at the house of Philip Diffenderfer on the twenty-fourth day of February, 1798, that it was resolved by the burgesses that the corporation meet at the house of Jacob Frey, March 2, in order to take into consideration the building of the "New Market House." At this meeting appeared a com- mittee from Blue Lodge No. 43, consisting of Charles Smith, Henry Dering, William Kirkpatrick, and John Miller, Jr., to consult and to agree with the corporation respecting the privilege of erecting a superstructure upon the market house for the use of the Freemason Lodge, No. 43. The committee handed the corporation the following proposals, to wit:
"The Corporation to erect pillars and arches sufficiently strong to support the superstructure and roof, which pillars and arches are to be at the expence of the Corporation; the Lodge to build the superstructure and roof the building from floor and ceiling; the Corporation to grant the right to erect
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this superstructure and the direction of its uses of it to such trustees as may be appointed by the Lodge-But a room shall always be reserved for the use of the meetings of the Corporation-All other public uses of the rooms to be at the option of the Lodge.
"If the Corporation should think it proper to erect pillars in the Square, beyond the extent of the main market building for the use of the country market people, the Lodge will extend the roof over the same, floor, ceil, paint and finish it in a neat manner. [This was never done.]
"We on the part of the Lodge and on the part of the Corporation agree to the above proposals- By order of the Corporation: Paul Zantzinger, C. B. By order of the Lodge-C. Smith, Henry Dering, John Miller, Jr., L. Lauman.
"At a meeting, March 22 following, at the house of Philip Diffenderfer, the erection of the market house being under consideration, it is agreed that the market house shall be built agreeably to the proposals this day signed by the Chief Burgess on the part of the Borough, and on the part of the Mason's Lodge No. 43, by Charles Smith, John Miller, Jr., Lewis Lauman and Henry Deering:
"Agreed that Paul Zantzinger, John Hubley and Jacob Krug or any two of them are appointed to procure materials and workmen for the building of the above mentioned market house, in conjunction with any person or persons that the Lodge 43 will appoint for the same purpose."
At a meeting at the house of Jacob Frey, April 5,
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DECISION TO BUILD CITY HALL
following, it was ordered "that the committee appointed March 22 last to employ workmen and procure materials for the building of the market house in conjunction with the persons who may be appointed by Lodge 43-reported that, in conjunc- tion with Charles Smith, William Kirkpatrick and Lewis Lauman, on the part of the said Lodge- The said committee agreed with George Peters, brickmaker, Jacob Albright, mason and bricklayer, and Godlieb Sener, carpenter, as workmen and persons to procure material for the said building agreeably to the contract signed by them and pro- duced to the Corporation, the same being duly considered is agreed to and approved by the Cor- poration.
"Agreed that Paul Zantzinger and John Hubley, the Burgesses in whose names the order is drawn by the Commissioners of the county for the money granted by the Grand Jury and Court, toward the building of the market house, do call on the treasurer of the county, and receive the amount of the said order and deposite the same in the hands of John Roberts, the treasurer of the Corporation for the purposes of defraying the expences of the said building, and paying the same on the orders of the two Burgesses for the use of the said building. PAUL ZANTZINGER, C. B."
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