USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Tyrone > Tyrone of to-day : the gateway of the Alleghanies > Part 4
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secretary, now in his 9th year of service; J. W. Foster, C. M. Ewing, M. D., now in his 5th year of service; H. F. Copelin, B. F. Leff, R. N. Ellenberger. These gentlemen are doing all that is in their power to secure for the young people of to-day advantages such as were not within their own reach in school boy days.
TYRONE BOARD OF TRADE.
The Board of Trade was organized in 1891 and is legally incorporated, the officers being: President, George C. Davi- son; Secretary, Farran Zerbe; Treasurer, E. J. Pruner. This organization takes an active interest in the development of the manufacturing interests of Tyrone and is able to offer ground as sites for a manufacturing plant free of cost, as well as other inducements to locate in our progressive town. The Board of Trade deserves the co-operation of all our citizens that its usefulness may be promoted. The effective forces are not always visible to the eye. Men praise the finished pro- duct, and forget the patient workman whose sweat and toil has brought it to pass. From parties not prominent in this body we learn that much work has been performed by it for the public good which has not been sufficiently recognized. The labors of the secretary especially have been assiduous, in correspondence and otherwise. Indications are very favorable for securing the establishment of other industries that would be helpful to the general business of the town. In matters pertaining to the public welfare the motto should be, " All at it, and always at it." To this end and in this spirit, the Board of Trade has its being and does its work.
WATER AND LIGHT.
The Tyrone Gas and Water Company was formed in 1865, subscriptions for stock having been taken in that year by J. L. Holmes. But it was not until 1869 that the first pipes were laid from a point on Sinking Run about a mile above the borough. There are now nearly 12 miles of iron pipe varying from 20 to 4 inch. The source of supply is 22 miles from the intersection of Pennsylvania avenue and 10th street, and 288 feet in elevation above that point. The reservoir, built last
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year, covers nearly ten acres of surface and contains a beautiful sheet of water like a glassy lake in the mountains, with a capacity of 30,000,000 gallons, estimated to be a four weeks' supply for the town without any inflow. The depth at the tower is 23 feet. From this place to the old reservoir 1} miles below, a space of 18 acres is to be enclosed and improved for a public park. It will in course of time become a very at- tractive resort, with its constant stream of water, abundant shade, lovely rhododendrons and pure air from the mountains. East Tyrone is supplied from another source in Decker Hollow. No town has better or cheaper water than Tyrone and the quantity available at present is sufficient for a city of 20,000 people.
The company furnishes light as well as drink. Fill your pipe with burning coal instead of tobacco. Cover the bowl tightly and light the other end. Instead of smoke for your lungs there will be light for your eyes. This is the simple process of making gas in a crude form. The apparatus of the gas plant is somewhat more elaborate, consisting of six large retorts in which the coal is consumed and, instead of the pipe stem, five miles of mains from 6 to 2 inches in diameter. These lead to small pipes in houses, terminating in jets. The gas when made is purified by passing it through lime. The building, below 300 Tenth street, is 100 by 36 feet. The gaso- meter, a new Single Lift "holder," contains 20,000 cubic feet and the works are capable of supplying a city of 10,000 people. About 10,000 cubic feet of gas is used daily by the 350 consumers, the cost being $1.50 per thousand. The super- intendent of this company's works is C. H. Dieffenbaugh who is esteemed by the public as he is trusted by his employers.
THE HOME ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY.
" You press the button; we do the rest." This familiar saying applies with special aptitude to the wonders of Elec- tricity. The button which you press, if it assume the form of a dime from Uncle Sam's Mint, will light you to the extent of 100 Watt hours. This cabalistic expression is dense darkness to us common folks. It is to be hoped that the scientific gen-
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tlemen understand themselves. Enough to say that there is a. measure for the lightning. Even the subtle fluid must give an account of itself, and so for every consumer there is a silent. register, a meter, which records the extent to which the cus- tomer draws each month upon the power supplied. That the consumer gets value for his dimes is evident from the increas- ing number who use the light.
The company bearing the above name, chartered in 1886, is composed of stockholders who carry among them 800 shares. at $50 a share, and do business below Tenth street on Logan avenue. There they have a brick building 40 by 120 feet, and a plant capable of supplying 120 arc and 1500 incandescent lights. Their machinery is well adapted for the work required, the boiler having a capacity of 360 and the engine of 300 horse power, but the growing business of the concern will soon necessitate enlargement. There are now in Tyrone 58 arc lights used by the borough, 29 by the railroad and 25 by business men. To keep this business in operation there are employed two engineers, two firemen, two linemen and one trimmer, besides the superintendent, S. H. Stouffer, who has worked his way from the bottom up. The officers of the com- pany are: President, S. S. Blair; Secretary, G. L. Owens; Treasurer, D. S. Kloss.
TYRONE CEMETERY.
In 1858, by the efforts of J. L. Holmes, an acre of ground was purchased and laid out for a burial place. The first in- terment was an infant son of J. M. Calderwood. During the war there were eight soldiers brought home and buried here, of whom the first was John Miller Berlin, nephew of Samuel Berlin, who died not at the hands of the enemy, but was acci- dentally shot near Harper's Ferry, Va., in June, 1861. Since that time there have been many additions to the number of soldier graves, as each successive Memorial Day bears witness. There are now four acres enclosed and available for use but enlargement will again before long become necessary. Up to July 1st there were 1765 inhabitants of the silent ward. The city of the dead grows alike in prosperous or adverse times.
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There is room for enlargement. The hillside is well adapted for vaults, four or five tiers of which could be excavated in its rocky slope. The superintendent and present proprietor, Robert Waring, Esq .. has for nearly forty years given careful and conscientious attention to this cemetery. Advanced age must soon incapacitate him for such service and it would be proper, as it must ere long be necessary, that a change in the management should be brought about. No other place is so much visited by our citizens and shown to their visiting friends as the sacred spot that holds the earthly remains of loved ones. It would be well if another J. L. Holmes should arise who should secure the organization of a company to take charge of this interest of the community and hold it as a public trust.
OAK GROVE CEMETERY.
About northwest of Tyrone cemetery and reached by fol- lowing 15th street west beyond the borough line, turning to the left and crossing Sinking Run, is the burying ground of the Catholic church. At what would be 14th street, if that were extended west, the marble sentinels may be seen which guard the habitations of the dead. On this level ground is an old graveyard, the first body having been laid to rest in it in 1854, a young man Frank Davis, then a clerk for Study and Company. There are two and a half acres in the enclosure and the graves are well cared for, most of them being marked by headstones. Improvements to the property are contem- plated and this will be made in time a necropolis as beautiful as the one which overlooks the town.
TYRONE POST OFFICE.
The Tyrone Post Office is quartered in a commodious building erected in 1881 by the present efficient postmaster, W. Fisk Conrad, who has been one of the most active and useful of the business men of the place for a score of years. No town can boast of a better equipped and better managed post office than we enjoy.
The lower story of the block (a cut of which appears in this book ) on the north end, is finished in one large room, 23 by 100 feet. Two doors lead into the space allotted to the
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public where are found three desks provided with writing materials. The working apartment has the most improved conveniences for handling the immense mails which pass through the office. There are 16 outgoing and 21 incoming mails daily. The annual report just published shows receipts from stamps, &c., $23,423.81; Money Orders issued $22, 125.61, ditto paid $165,825.61; Registered matter 45,222 pieces, of which 28,583 were delivered in town, the remainder forwarded. For the protection of the valuable matter entrusted to it, the office has three fireproof safes and a vault, fire and burglar proof, 6 feet wide by 12 feet in length and height. The force employed are as follows: Chief Clerk, E. T. Watts; Money Order and Registry Clerk, F. C. Buck; Mailing Clerk, J. E. McClintock; Distributing Clerk, A. L. Miller; General De- livery, Arthur Shank; Stamping Clerk, F. D. Bradley. The Carriers are C. S. Hiltner, J. F. Hoover, G. A. Wilson, and H. C. Albright, substitute. Three railway postal clerks make daily trips from Tyrone P. O. There are 27 street letter boxes and 5 paper boxes. Three general and five business collec- tions are made daily, and two general and three business de- liveries. The receipts for the year closing June 30, show a gain over last year of 60 per cent. and are equal to 60 per cent. of those of the Altoona P. O. for the last year, being far in excess of those of any town in adjoining counties. For the excellent management of this office much praise is due to the postmaster, Mr. Conrad, who is untiring in his efforts to pro- mote the interests of the town and its people. It should be added that his plans are well carried out by a corps of hard working clerks.
The office is open from 5.30 a. m. to 8 p. m. On Sundays from 3 to 4 p. m., windows from 3.30 to 4 p. m. On holidays from 5.30 to 8.30 a. m. and 6.30 to 7.30 p. m., with one de- livery at 8.05 a. m. and collection at 4.45 p. m.
SHERIDAN TROOP.
Sheridan Troop, Penna. National Guard, is an organiza- tion in which the people of Tyrone take great pride, though not exclusively belonging to the town. A portion of its mem-
.
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bers are from the adjacent country. The Troop was formed and mustered into service in 1871, the present commanding officer, Captain C. S. W. Jones, being at its head. This place he has held constantly and with honor to himself and his com- mand for more than a quarter of a century; while the present First Lieutenant, T. M. Fleck, has been an officer since 1875, ever taking an active interest in the affairs of the organization. The troopers as well as the officers have proved themselves to be true soldiers, and have acquitted themselves with credit and elicited very high encomiums on every occasion when they have been called out, either for drill or for active service. Recently, by the enterprise of its members, the Troop has been uniformed in respect to their horses as well as their suits. A complete outfit of bays have been purchased and, mounted on these, the "boys" made a fine appearance as they marched down Pennsylvania avenue on their way to the encampment af 1897. We believe that the patriotic spirit of these brave volunteers should be recognized and take pleasure in publish- ing the complete roster, a Roll of Honor which may stimulate the boys now in their teens to fill the vacancies which may occur and when occasion may require it, swell the number who shall follow the flag of our noble country.
Roster of Sheridan Troop for year 1897: Captain, C. S. W. Jones; First Lieut., Thos. M. Fleck; Second Lieut., Harry S. Fleck; Assist. Surg., Dr. J. L. Brubaker; Quartermaster, Lieut. D. R. Fry; First Sergeant, L. F. Crawford; Q. M. Sergeant, J. R. Cornelius; Com. Sergeant, H. A. Gripp; Ser- geants, H. S. Fleck, A. L. Dickson, C. H. Fleck, E. L. Addle- man, J. S. Fleck; Corporals, F. I. Sprankle, W. S. Meadville, N. I. Wilson, C. S. Eyer, James Coleman, W. E. Moore, C. S. Buck, F. E. Fleck; Musicians, C. W.Gensimer, G. W. Stewart; Troopers, Conrad Albright, V. C. Addleman, A. B. Arble, Maurice Balling, C. F. Bateman, Jno. B. Beam, D. J. Beck, C. W. Beck, W. C. Biddle, W. H. Bridenbaugh, C. B. Brown, Philip Carper, H. F. Confer, Warren Conrad, Jas. C. Craw- ford, D. T. Fleck, J. K. Fleck, W. H. Fleck, H. F. Fleck, W. W. Fleck, J. W. Fry, H. H. Gensimer, R. D. Gillam, J. C. Harris, H. C. Kauffman, H. J. Kocher, J. H. Lotz, E. H.
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Mentzer, J. F. Moore, C. E. Morrow, H. C. Myers, Milton Patterson, George Ramey, G. W. Rumberger, S. C. Stewart, David Templeton, J. L. Thomas, Alex. Trimble, James Trim- ble, G. W. Way, Chas. Waite, J. R. B. T. Wilson, H. L. Weyer.
The main armory of Sheridan Troop is located at Tyrone. It is built of brick and is 56x81 feet in size, with three stories front and two back. The first floor is given entirely to stabling with 60 stalls, forage room, etc. The second floor contains a drill room 64x54 feet. On this floor is also an office and kitchen of convenient size. The third floor front is used as a property room. The building was erected in 1892 and includ- ing the lot it stands on cost about $5,200. Besides this armory the Troop also owns two others, one at Warriorsmark and the other at Sinking Valley. They are frame buildings and are worth, including the ground occupied by them about $3,000.
It is evident that the citizens of Tyrone have shown in some degree a commendable Esprit de corps that has contrib- uted much to its progress. More of this spirit would accom- plish greater things. Selfishness dwarfs the man and defrauds society of its rightful dues. There have been and are now in other cities, conflicts between labor and capital. It is for the lack of human sympathy. Whenever the law of love shall dominate society and the golden rule prevail in business, there will be no strife and no want. The people of Tyrone to-day, honor the memory of one man who would have been a liberal benefactor to the town of his adoption if the law had not de- feated his purpose. The late John S. Morrison, who died October 17, 1890, in his will set apart $60,000 for the estab- lishment of a public library. His heart was generous, but his hand was tardy. The swift messenger of death robbed Tyrone of the giver and his gift at one stroke, and emphasized the neglected maxim of the Old Book, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it."
COUNTY, STATE AND NATIONAL OFFICIALS.
Though most concerned with what we ourselves are and have, we must not forget that we are but parts of a larger
PARK AVENUE SCHOOL BUILDING.
BRAGDON. PIT CS. PM
ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.
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whole, an inner circle surrounded by larger ones and insepa- rably connected with them. Not for curiosity only but as a matter that may often be important to refer to, we append a list of public officers who come into touch with us, as dwellers in Tyrone. The principal county officers are: Judge, Martin Bell; Prothonotary, J. L. Hartman; Register and Recorder, W. H. Irwin; Sheriff, G. T. Bell; Treasurer, John T. Akers; Solicitor, J. Horace Smith; District Attorney, W. S. Ham- mond; Surveyor, W. M. Frazer; Coroner, T. C. McCartney; Steward of Almshouse, P. H. Bridenbaugh; Warden of Jail, M. K. Baird; County Commissioners, John A. Smith, M. H. Fagley, James Funk; Commissioners' Clerk, W. S. Hostler; Jury Commissioners, B. J. Murphy, J. G. Watters; Poor Directors, W. M. Brown, Martin Ounkst, J. F. Wilson; Au- ditors, D. D. Coleman, H. C. Lorenz, Jas. M. Gilliland.
Administering the affairs of state in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are: Governor, D. H. Hastings; Lt. Governor, Walter Lyon; Sec. of Commonwealth, Frank Reeder; Attorney General, Henry C. McCormick; Dep. Attorney General, John P. Elkins; Treasurer, Benj. F. Haywood; Auditor General, Amos H. Mylin; Sec. Internal Affairs, James W. Latta; Supt. Public Instruction, Nathan C. Schaeffer; Deputies, Henry Houck, John W. Stewart; Adjutant General, T. J. Stewart; Supreme Court, Chief Justice Jas. P. Sterrett and six Asso- ciate Judges; Superior Court, Chief Justice Chas. E. Rice and six Associate Judges; Representatives of Blair County in State Legislature, Matthew M. Morrow, Altoona and G.M. Patterson, Williamsburg; State Senator for this 35th District, Jacob C. Stineman, of South Fork, Cambria county; Representative from the 20th Congressional District, Josiah D. Hicks, Al- toona; U. S. Senators from Pennsylvania, Matthew S. Quay, Boies Penrose.
VI.
Social Life.
THE HE FIRST THOUGHT of an outsider when seeking in- formation about a town is, " What are its hotel facili- ties?" It may be truthfully said that at any of our public houses the visitor will be well cared for.
HOTELS.
The Ward House in Tyrone, like the Logan House in Altoona, is the hotel best known to travelers. Its location just opposite the railroad station gives it preeminence, and its large space and faultless accommodations have kept it in the lead. The present lessee, Mr. J. McC. Davis, is endeavoring to improve upon the high record which it had achieved under his predecessors. Since he took charge in May, 1897, im- provements have been made in the building, both outside and inside. The original frame building and the brick added later, each four stories high, constitute a large, attractive and popular house of entertainment, where every convenience will be found. Whether stopping between trains, or for a pro- tracted stay, the visitor will find the Ward House first class and satisfactory. The number of people daily sheltered and fed within its ample walls is equal to that of a village of re- spectable size.
Passing up the street from the station, the Central Hotel is seen after crossing the bridge. It is a three story brick, well kept by C. M. Waple, of high repute among our own people and liberally patronized by the traveling public.
The City Hotel is the oldest in town and at the center of gravity of the population. It is a three story brick structure well fitted up and well conducted by its proprietor, Charles Woodin.
Adjoining the post office is the Keystone, owned and run by F. J. Miller. Though in the thick of business, there is · quiet and comfort in this hotel.
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On the corner of Pennsylvania avenue and Eleventh street is the Empire House, a three story frame, conducted by C. A. Baumgardner. Here the guest will find comfortable quarters and wholesome fare.
Nearly opposite the Empire is the Pennsylvania House, a two story frame, where Troutwine Brothers offer to the public good meals and lodging.
Farthest up town, but with regular and rapid communi- cation by bus to and from the station, is the Hotel Myron, a new and handsome three story brick building. Its appearance is prepossessing, and in the few months since its opening it has established a good business.
On the corner of Blair avenue and Tenth street is the Farmers' Hotel, kept by H. M. Graffius, having the favor and patronage of a goodly number of our people.
The Arlington House stands on the corner of Tenth street and Logan avenue. This is an old hotel, built in 1853 by Joshua Burley, known as the Central for many years, and under its present name maintained as a popular home-like place of entertainment. The landlord, D. H. Haagen, is well and favorably known in Tyrone and among the traveling fraternity.
Of the guild of travelers, Tyrone has itself a large contin- gent. They keep us in touch with the outside world and make their trips with ease and celerity by the peerless Penn- sylvania railroad, but regularly and resistlessly gravitate to the center, for "there's no place like" Tyrone to the travel- ing man.
RECREATION AND AMUSEMENT.
The principal hall for public entertainments is the Academy of Music, located at 200 East Tenth street, and owned by The Tyrone Opera House Company, of which the president is I. P. Walton; secretary, Claude Jones, and busi- ness manager, C. M. Waple. This is a fine building, 60 by 100 feet, having steam heat and gas and electric light. Its cost was $18,000 and the seating capacity is 1,000. For lec- tures, concerts, dramas and all public gatherings requiring a
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large audience room, the Academy of Music is in requisition, and for seating arrangement and stage room it is fully equal to the average city theater.
Tyrone Club is a purely social organization of about one hundred members, comprising many of the leading citizens. Its history began in 1891, and in November of that year its attractive suite of rooms in Conrad's building, over the Fran- ciscus Hardware Company's store, was fitted up. The parlor, which looks out on the avenue, is supplied with conveniences for writing and with numerous daily papers and the best weekly and monthly magazines. Back of this is the card room and the billiard and pool room. Games are played but gambling is forbidden, and the rules in this regard are very rigidly enforced. The Club, though not constituted for busi- ness, has shown a generous public spirit, and on several occa- sions has opened its parlors for public meetings to consult about the interests of the town. Its officers are: President, H. L. Sholly; vice president, J. G. Anderson; secretary, J. W. Howe; treasurer, D. S. Kloss. Besides these officers there ís a board of managers consisting of eight members.
Another organization which is both social and educational is St. Matthew's Athletic Association, composed of young men of St. Matthew's Catholic church. Their spacious hall covers the entire second floor of the parochial school building, which is neatly furnished, containing a library of several hundred volumes and a well equipped gymnasium. The officers are: President, Rev. T. W. Rosensteel; vice president, P. S. Mc- Cann; secretary, H. B. Kearney; treasurer, M. McCann.
Mention is made elsewhere of the club rooms of the Elks, which are over Mrs. Ella Black's millinery store on Penn- sylvania avenue.
Horse fanciers and trainers find attractions in Charles Woodin's Driving Park, about a mile below town. In an enclosure of twenty-two acres, there is an excellent half-mile track and all conveniences for both horse and driver. Bicycle and base ball have numerous devotees in Tyrone and for either of these, the ground is especially favorable in and around town.
Allusion is made in the preceding chapter to the Reser-
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voir Park which the Gas and Water Company are fitting up for public use. It will doubtless become a popular resort. Already several outing parties report very enjoyable picnics held there. The abundance of water and shade and diversi- fied landscape in all directions about Tyrone give every facility for rustic recreation.
Tyrone Band .- Our people are justly proud of the Tyrone Band which, under the lead of Mr. Harry L. Stewart, has attained a high standard of efficiency, and has, during the present season delighted the citizens by its renderings of classical and current music on several occasions. It is hoped and expected that this young organization will press forward and become a permanent institution. The town has a good share of musicians of talent, both vocal and instrumental. The Tyrone City Band was organized by the present leader in July, 1896, and numbers about 20 performers. Each of their public entertainments has been successful, both musically and financially. It has been their custom to give weekly open air concerts in different parts of the town. In purchasing their instruments they were generously aided by a few citizens obli- gating themselves to the amount of several hundred dollars, of which the most has been paid. There still remains a debt of about $300 which an appreciative public will not allow to re- main upon the donors. The officers of the band are: Presi- dent and Treasurer, Geo. H. Garner; Secretary, Matt L. Allison; Musical Director, Harry L. Stewart.
FRATERNAL AND BENEFICIAL ORDERS:
The fraternity of the Square and Compass is well repre- sented among us. By courtesy of their secretary, William F. Vogt, we are enabled to present the following facts. Tyrone .* Lodge, No. 494, F. and A. Masons, is in a flourishing condi- tion, has an invested fund, and would be considerably better off financially if the large amounts given for charity were not taken into consideration. The relief of poor distressed breth- ren, their widows and orphans, forms a chapter in which charity whether given individually by brethren or as a Lodge is one of its brightest pages. Yet Freemasonry is not
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