USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Tyrone > Tyrone of to-day : the gateway of the Alleghanies > Part 3
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Outside the corporation line on the north is Greensburg, where twenty-one families enjoy comfortable and quiet homes,. lacking only one thing, a convenient means of reaching the business center. South of the upper wards and of Sinking Run is a settlement laid out by S. B. & A. W. Beyer who still have many lots to sell. These are within "shouting distance" of the borough, just over the ridge which shuts it in on the west. It is quite conceivable that means will be devised within a few years for opening up a thoroughfare, extending 12th street by an easy grade into this suburb, where already there are nearly a score of good houses with plenty of garden room. The surroundings constitute that happy medium be- tween city and country which many parents desire for their growing families.
A walk of fifteen minutes takes us over the summit and to the public building on 10th street and Washington avenue. No stranger coming to Tyrone fails to notice that portion of this avenue which extends southwest from this point, the longest and finest street in the town.
Just beyond Schell Run, which is the present borough line, is the tract of land known as the Denlinger, Poorman & Co. Addition. These gentlemen about four years ago pur- chased sixty acres, lying between the river and the main public road, which here runs parallel with the Juniata and. the P. R. R. They have with commendable enterprise ex- pended about $10,000 in laying out and improving this prop- erty, and have sold a good many of their lots. The return of good times will undoubtedly create a lively demand for those that remain.
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These lots front north and south, facing in one way the ascending slope towards the Alleghanies, and in the other the river and the side of Brush mountain, with the railroad along its base. They are but a short distance from the principal business houses and the Park avenue school, in the shelter of the hills but enjoying the unobstructed light of the sun from its rise to its setting. Trains passing on the main line every few minutes remind one of the wide world beyond and are in full view for more than a mile.
Were it not so close to the heart of the town, this would be the ideal truck farm. For workingmen's homes and for those of larger means who delight in gardening, it is the choice portion of Tyrone. No work or expense is needed to make a building site. The rich bottom soil is ready for the plow or spade, and no ground when " tickled with the hoe " will more readily " laugh with a harvest " to the joy of its owner. The "river here supplies a perfect drainage, but is ordinarily not more than a foot or two in depth so that a child may safely wade in and across it. Among the improvements made is the laying out of River avenue, a street lined with trees extending about three-fourths of a mile along the water's edge. No resident of this place is more unselfish and more untiring in his devotion to its interests than E. C. Poorman, who has the management of this property, and all who do business with him will find him liberal as well as just in his dealings.
Following the old Tuckahoe road in nearly a straight course, for about half a mile from this Addition, we find our- selves in Grazierville. On the way we pass Cold Spring Forge, so named from the cold water which "boils" out of the ground by the river side, but more famed for the fires by the side of which for forty years grimy workmen hammered iron, and for the factory which later turned out four hundred axes a day. Grazierville was founded at about the same time as East Tyrone and, though unincorporated, has a village-like aspect. It occupies a level site, having three streets parallel with the railroad and several crossing these at right angles. In respect of business and post office it is a part of Tyrone, but it has the convenience of a railway station of its own.
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Turning our steps towards the metropolis of the valley we walk the railroad track, a practice only justifiable when necessity demands it. But how else are we going to see Thomastown which lies at the foot of Brush mountain on the right bank of the river, and about a mile from Tyrone station ? The inhabitants of this hamlet like those at Cold Springs opposite, sitting "every man under his own vine and fig tree," enjoy their semi-rural life, where they have substantially the conveniences of the town and the independence of the country. The shady grove and running water and range for themselves and cattle are the common property of all, while church and school and stores are within easy reach and the doctor, if needed, may be quickly called. Looking ahead into the next decade, we can see the turnpike converted into a street and lined with neat houses from the new Shoe Factory all the way to Thomastown.
Continuing along the railroad we are soon at the starting point from which all these hives have swarmed out ; the nest from which most of the birds have flown, but not far, to build for themselves nests contiguous to that of the mother bird. Tyrone Forges is the mother of all this brood. The Upper Forge has "gone under ;" the Lower is still "on top " and, as a vigorous centenarian, smiles upon the swelling brood of its descendants. The real Tyrone is not narrowed within the present borough limits. Thè Tyrone of to-day, as the lineal descendant of the old Iron City of the Juniata, has succeeded to its name, and inherits all its estate and honors. Hence it is that our census of the town, while detracting nothing from the population of neighboring towns, embraces all of the crop which the genealogical tree bears upon its branches today.
The old town which "growed up" in ruder days has, it must be confessed, an unkempt look about it, but the infant suburb of Nealmont in its picturesque cradle on the other side of the river, like a young Moses ready to embark upon a career of honor, takes away the reproach from the historic site. " As pretty as a picture " is the involuntary exclama- tion, as we look from the railroad bridge which crosses the bend of the river where it sweeps around a curve and then
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describes another in the opposite direction, enfolding the snug cluster of houses that is called Ironsville. Looking up the track, on one side we see Nealmont with its regular streets and fresh, neat homes, and on the other "Elkhurst." In the background on all sides the walls of green, sloping towards the sky. Just room for river and railroad to thread their way through into the two valleys described in the preceding chap- ter, so keeping open the communications between the army of industry and its bases of supplies.
Back in the "city " again, we have one more suburb yet · unvisited and "one more river to cross" to get to it. This is the Little Bald Eagle creek which bounds Tyrone on the north-east. Leaving Pennsylvania avenue behind, we face an almost perpendicular wall of rock in front of us which seems to forbid progress. But we discover a rift in the rock through which the road passes towards Bald Eagle Valley and, just around the bluff, we see Northwood. It must be explained that in the naming of the child here again, " some one has blundered," for it is more east than East Tyrone. But what's in a name, anyway? The misnomer has not hurt the growth of the infant, which is the most sturdy baby of the lot. Being but a short walk from the Paper Mill and closest to the main town, it is well situated for residences and is steadily ad- vancing.
Our circuit of the environs of Tyrone is almost complete. From the high ground above Northwood which affords a mag- nificent prospect of the Alleghany ranges, we can see across the railroad yard into East Tyrone, a distance of not more than half a dozen squares, and we are impressed with the im- portance and increasing need of better means of communica tion between the several sections of the growing town. There should be, "and it must follow, as the night the day," that there will be, safe passages for travel over the yards of the P. R. R. There is needed, and in these things demand creates supply, a system of trolley roads for rapid transit from point to point. Extension of water mains and sewers is another call of the outlying portions of Greater Tyrone. There is pros- pect of enlargement of industries but there is a nursing which
J. L. HOLMES.
PIUS SNEERINGER.
JONATHAN H. BURLEY, First Burgess of Tyrone (1857).
JAS. S. GILLAM, Present Burgess of Tyrone (1897).
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the mother must not forget is demanded of her. Our men of business are not dull of understanding nor sordidly selfish, and there is good reason to believe that new vigor and greater growth will be seen in the Tyrone of To-morrow.
V.
Public Matters.
CIVIC GOVERNMENT.
0
INCE ITS INCORPORATION in 1857, the borough of Tyrone has had as burgess the following, in about the order in which the names appear : Jonathan H. Burley, 2 years, William Davidson, James Crowther, J. M. Harper, W. O. Myers, I. P. Walton, 3 years, Samuel Berlin, James Bell, S. W. Barr, 2 years, G. W. Ram- say, 2 years, J. M. Calderwood, 2 years, Thos. W. Graffius, 2 years, Robert G. McLanahan, D. P. Ray, C. S. W. Jones, 5 years, Rowan Clarke, M. D., James McCann, C. B. Bowles, J. W. Thomas, S. B. Templeton, Richard Beaston, J. K. Ray, J. W. Howe, 3 years.
A commendable degree of public spirit seems to have prevailed through all these years, so that Tyrone has never been behind other towns of like size in the Commonwealth in regard to public improvements. Her citizens, then numbering about 1000, were nobly responsive to the call of their country in the crisis of the nation. Besides furnishing, with the snr- rounding country, about 300 men, the borough paid $6,000 as bounty money to fill the drafts.
In 1874 there were four wards. There are now seven, as follows, the terms North, East, South and West being only approximately correct : The First Ward boundary begins at the south end of Pennsylvania avenue, turns west on 10th street to Lincoln avenue, thence south to West 9th street and thence on the line which 9th street would follow, if opened out, to the borough line. The Second Ward takes all north of the north line of the first ward and W. of Pa. avenue, to 12th street. The Third Ward comprises all W. of Pa. avenue from 12th street to 14th street and to the Alley which extends west from Lincoln avenue between 14th and 15th streets. The Fourth Ward includes all east of Pa. avenue from the south
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line of borough to 14th street. The Fifth Ward extends from 14th street on the south and Lincoln avenue on the west to the borough line. The Sixth Ward takes in all from Lincoln avenue west to the borough line, and from 14th street (and W. 14th street over the hill) to 18th street. The Seventh Ward includes all beyond 18th street, north and east, to the borough line. 1981151
The plan of naming the streets and numbering the houses is easily learned. The avenues run nearly north and south (being a little east of north and west of south) from Ridge avenue on the east to Bellmont avenue on the west. The streets cross the avenues at right angles and are numbered from Tenth street (the main street), Eleventh, Twelfth, &c., to the north; in the opposite direction, Ninth, Eighth, &c., these being short streets, cut off by the river.
Going up the avenues from Tenth street, the house on the right hand corner is numbered 1000, on the left hand 1001; odd numbers on the west side, even numbers on the east. On the streets the numbering is east and west from Pennsylvania avenue. Going east on 10th street, between Pennsylvania and Blair avenues, the numbers are from 1 to 100 E. 10th; from Blair to Bald Eagle avenue, 100 to 200 E. 10th, &c. Going west on 10th street, between Pennsylvania and Logan avenues, the numbers are 1 to 100 W. 10th, &c. Similarly as to 11th, 12th, &c., streets. While the numbers seen on the doors along the avenues are correct, those on the streets are not always reliable.
The assessed valuation of property in Tyroue is $1,955, 040. The borough tax for 1897 is 6 mills on the dollar; this with 5 mills of county and 72 of school tax makes the total rate of property taxation to be 18¿ mills per dollar. The receipts of the borough treasury during the last fiscal year were $14. - 128.19, and its expenses $11,320.73. The bonded indebted- ness is $27,400. The value of public property is estimated at $16,273.81. A large part of this is invested in the public building on the corner of 10th street and Washington avenue. The first public building in Tyrone was erected in 1857, a "lock-up "' 8x12 feet on the old school house lot, Washington
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avenue above 12th street. The present one is a more imposing" edifice of brick, two stories high and about 50 feet square on the ground. In the lower story it affords a habitat for the " Citizens' Fire Engine." Above are rooms for the meetings: of the company and of the Patrol, the large room in front be- ing fitted up commodiously for the use of the Council. A one-story addition in the rear contains the Cell-room with its four iron cages.
The borough officials at present are : Burgess, J. S. Gil- Iam; Clerk, W. F. Taylor; Treasurer, T. J. Gates; Solicitor; W. L. Hicks; Chief of Police, Harry Miller; Night Police, Harry Wands; Street Commissioner, W. H. Cochran; Borough Council, G. C. Davison, Pres .; J. T. Owens, Thomas Scott, Richard Beaston, C. A. Morris, John McKinney, C. M. Waple, F. G. Albright, Walter Burley, Harry Stonebraker, Z. T. Steele, Walker Meadville, J. M. Goheen, L. W. Stonebraker.
Tyrone has an efficient Board of Health whose members. have been vigilant in removing causes of sickness and in isolating cases affected with contagious disease. Through their efforts the town has been put in a good sanitary condi- tion. Its members are, F. A. Harris, Pres .; D. J. Appleby M. D., J. F. Wilson, S. B. Beyer, W. F. Hiller; H. M. Wands, Health Officer.
LAW AND ITS EXPOUNDERS.
The law of commandments contained in borough ordinan- ces is administered by the honorable burgess, J. S. Gillam, the man whom the office sought, and whom now offenders seek-to avoid.
W. F. Taylor has filled the office of J. P. to general satis- faction for several years. With gentleness and impartiality he adjudges the merits and demerits of the case in court. The squire is also the custodian of the borough records and a court. of appeal in himself on all disputed points of municipal law.
A. A. Smith is the great pacificator of the borough. He will not encourage much less invite litigation, but woe unto those who, when tried in his scales of justice, are found want- ing. In such cases he has his way of conquering a peace, the
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offender being bound with a chain of silver or gold to restrain his passion. The justice is a citizen of many years' standing and "His Honor "' stands high among his fellow citizens.
Stevens, Owens & Pascoe constitute a very strong trio of legal and forensic talent. The head of the firm, A. A. Stevens besides being one of the foremost citizens, is in the front rank in his profession in Blair county and in the state of Pennsyl- vania. His determination and ability generally carry him through to the end for which he starts out. The other part- ners, G. Lloyd Owens and W. T. Pascoe, both comparatively young men, have already gained for themselves an honorable reputation.
Hicks & Templeton form a brace of counselors who are highly esteemed and have acquired a large practice both in the courts and in other departments of legal business. Mr. Hicks is a candidate for nomination by his party to the office of District Attorney. His character and abilities fit him for the honor and, if the balance of power falls to Tyrone, the die will be cast his way. Mr. Templeton is of a family whose members have been much identified with the growth of the town and is courteous as well as trustworthy in doing the business committed to him.
Andrew H. McCamant, unlike the preceding five of his brethren, is "single " personally as well as professionally, but he has a double claim upon the confidence of his client, who knows that no partner shares the secrets of the case. Native and to the manor born, Mr. McCamant is well and favorably known among us, and Tyrone wishes him success as one of her own sons.
R. J. Goodall, the last of the seven, is not a " son," but to many of our citizens a stranger within our gates, who needs therefore to be introduced. A graduate of Dickinson College in 1893 and of its Law School in 1896, Mr. Goodall comes amongst us from Danville, Pa., his former home. To gratify gossipers we will say that he has had but one love, the first syllable of whose name is Law, whom he steadily wooed and won and finally wed since coming to our town to live. We
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bespeak him favor and wish him the success that befits the bearer of so good a name.
Of Notaries Public the first in order is D. T. Caldwell who is so well known to the public as to need no introduction. On the contrary, he is the man who is posted as to all matters usually inquired about. What he does not know about Tyrone, Blair county and Central Pennsylvania would make a small- sized book, and he is as willing to give you the benefit of his information as to take his fee for attesting your papers.
H. B. Calderwood, son of one of the most prominent and esteemed citizens of the past generation, has the confidence of the people as a straight and reliable man of business, and he seems to be always busy.
D. R. Miller is the soldier's friend who has done more than any man in a wide region of country to secure for the veterans of the late war the benefits of our liberal pension laws. Captain Miller knows all the points; one is tempted to say that he has a "pull" upon the sympathies and purse of Uncle Sam.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The system of fire protection is much improved from the winter of '57 and '58 when William Stokes and Benjamin Jones were the firemen of the borough. The Fire Department dates from 1868, when William Stokes as marshal, with five assistants, constituted the force. In 1871 $1055 were ordered to be spent for 25 fire plugs, and in that year the Neptune Fire Company was incorporated. For the full statement in regard to the department we are indebted largely to the courtesy of W. W. Carns, the Chief; Martin Burley, C. H. Dieffenbach, J. A. Maloney and W. T. Henderson.
The Neptune Hose Company, No. 1, was constituted June 24, 1871, with 31 members and chartered by the county court in October following. The first officers were: President, D. P. Ray; Secretary, J. M. Smith; Treasurer, D. A. Smith. Their equipment was the hose and carriage furnished by the Borough Council until August, 1873, when a steam fire engine was purchased by the borough for their use. In about a
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month, however, they surrendered their charge, some misun- derstanding having arisen between the company and Council, and in June of the following year, having bought for them- selves a carriage and hose, they resumed active service.
In 1878. Tyrone Fire Company, No. 1, was started, but for some cause the organization was not a success and after an existence of about two years disbanded, whereupon the Nep- tune Company was again put in charge of the steamer and other property of the Fire Department, May 11, 1880. It was in July of that year the great fire broke out, which must have proved more disastrous than it did, if they had failed to re- spond promptly to the call. The excellent work done by the firemen in that emergency proved the worth of their services and prompted steps towards more efficient organization. In January, 1882, Friendship Hook and Ladder Company was instituted with W. F. Conrad as president; E. F. Wood, vice president, and W. F. Kolbenschlag, secretary, and has proved to be a vigorous and effective addition to the force. Under the lead of their energetic president and aided generously by the citizens, they built at a cost of about $5000, the handsome structure on the corner of 11th street and Blair avenue. It is a two story brick, with 40 feet frontage on the avenue and a depth of 60 feet. In this building which was dedicated June 20, 1893, though not yet entirely free from debt, they have a long room for storing their apparatus, a kitchen, and a meet- ing room, while the second story is in one large hall, adapted for public uses.
In 1888 another disagreement between the Neptune and Council resulted in their retirement from the public service again and a new organization was called into being Citizens' Fire Company, No. 2, and put in charge of the borough prop- erty. The Neptune Company, however, took steps at once to provide themselves with an outfit of their own, so that since May 8, 1888, the town has had three efficient companies of men co-operating in the important duty of extinguishing fires and saving property and life. The Neptune boys in 1889 dedicated their engine house, a frame building on the corner of Blair avenue and Herald street, all paid for, with stable
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and blacksmith shop attached, where since that time their be- longings, including a span of horses, have been housed and cared for. This company now numbers 38 active, 10 honorary and three life members. Its officers are: President, Martin Burley; Secretary, J. D. Lucas; these two with Walter Burley composing its board of trustees. The engineers are Walter Burley, Wm. Reed and Thomas Lukehart.
The Citizens' Company has from the beginning aimed at a high standard and justly deserves credit for its work. In 1893 they bought from Council the old engine and exchanged it for a new and improved Silsby, paying the difference in money. They also have two fine horses. Their present mem- bership is 60 active and 40 honorary. The president is W. W. Carns; secretary, H. C. McCans; treasurer, Dr. Lowrie; financial secretary, W. S. Meadville; driver, Thomas F. Ermine.
The officers of the Hook and Ladder Company are: Pres- ident, J. A. Maloney; secretary, Howard Templeton; financial secretary, William McNelis; treasurer, W. F. Hiller; foreman, Grant Taylor.
Tyrone Fire Patrol is an important addition to the depart- ment which has been in operation about three years, its special function being the preservation of order and care of property during the progress of a fire. Their outfit consists of a wagon and team of horses, a chemical fire extinguisher, ropes, sledges and tarpaulins. While on duty each member of the patrol is empowered to act as a special police officer. The officers are: president, P. J. Grau; secretary, R. N. Ellenberger; assistant secretary, W. J. Ebbs; treasurer, Farran Zerbe.
SCHOOLS.
The public schools of Tyrone are regarded with much pride by the people and have a high standing among the schools of Pennsylvania. The first principal of schools in the infancy of the town was J. M. Calderwood, who taught in the old building on Washington avenue where three departments were maintained. In 1868 the Logan avenue school house was erected. There were then ten rooms, only six however
LOGAN AVENUE SCHOOL BUILDING.
ADAMS AVENUE SCHOOL BUILDING.
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being occupied. S. C. Laird was the first in charge in the new building. Twice it has been enlarged. There are now three large buildings with improved furniture, well lighted and ventilated, the total cost of which is $79,000. The Logan avenue building has 18 rooms, the Adams avenue 8 rooms and the Park avenue 4 rooms. A good course of study is laid out and followed, including, besides the ordinary branches, the elements of natural science, some of the higher mathematics, Latin and some business branches. An average of seventeen graduates yearly has been turned out since 1891. Among other facilities there is a good set of apparatus for illustrating physical science and a library of 500 volumes.
There are under the successful management of Superin- tendent C. E. Kauffman, now entering his fifth year in this position, 29 teachers, as follows : Logan avenue-High school: Room 18, I. C. M. Ellenberger; Room 17, H. S. Fleck; Room 16, Mrs. Ida Patton Smith; Room 15, Miss Belle Cryder. Grammar school: Room 14, J. L. Beyer; Room 13, Bertha Africa; Room 12, Belle Miller. Intermediate: Room 11, Linda VanScoyoc; Room 10, Bertha J. Smith; Room 9, Louisa Dysart. Secondary: Room 8, Anna E. Coulter; Room 7, Belle Snyder; Room 6, Mary Hull. Primary: Room 5, Jennie K. Smith; Room 4, Mary Crawford; Room 2, Lina Reese; Room 1, Mary E. Foster. Adams avenue-Grammar school: E. E. Houck, W. H. Woomer. Intermediate: H. A. Waite. Secondary: Erma Reed, Catharine Appleby, Belle Graham. Primary: Anna Simons, Mary Smith. Park avenue-Gram- mar school: Harry Stonebraker. Intermediate: Gussie Hoff- man. Secondary: Flora E. Finney. Primary: Nina Caldwell. In 1881 there were about 560 pupils enrolled; in 1897, above 1300.
The satisfactory condition of our schools is explained by the fact that the best citizens have all along been interested in them and actively identified with their management. This is seen by looking over the names of those who have served on the school board from the beginning. The present board is an efficient body and composed of the following gentlemen: T. T. Shirk, president, now in his 8th year of service; W. T. Canan,
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