USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Tyrone > Tyrone of to-day : the gateway of the Alleghanies > Part 7
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R. B. Freeman has been Assistant Train Master for ten years, a popular man whose services are highly valued. The department of Maintenance of Way is under the care of M. McCann who, besides being a faithful servant of the company, has been one of Tyrone's most useful citizens for over a score of years. In the same building is the office where T. J. Scott with his assistant Wm. Wolfgang, supervises the movements of the main line trains; also the ticket office where agent H.
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L. Hesser dispenses information and furnishes passports to travelers.
The P. R. R. Freight Warehouse is always a busy place. Here may be seen, scattered about and piled up, boxes and bales and barrels and bundles and crates, containing goods of all descriptions and from all parts. The interests of the com- pany, and of its customers as well, are looked after by the gentlemanly agent, Mr. Frank Guyer. The baggage room is in charge of F. A. Harris who, by correct handling of their personal property, contributes not a little to the comfort of multitudes of people. The operators for the main line at this point are Messrs. Thad. Wetzler and W. W. Stowders.
Going up the yard of the division, which extends all the way to Vail, three miles distant, we pass the Roundhouse and Lower Shops, where is the office of the Master Mechanic, J. A. Beamer. Beyond these is the Tower whence Wm. A. Bouse, the E. Tyrone Yard Master, has an outlook upon the cars and crews under his charge. Farther on are the Upper Shops where a good force of men are at work under foreman O. P. Bush, repairing cars as they come in, weakened by the wear and tear of railroad service. Near the extreme limit of the yard is the office of the Weigh Master, John A. Lytle, where with astonishing dexterity the weight of each car is "caught on the fly" as it rushes past the window which overlooks the scales. The railroad men in Tyrone have felt the stress of the hard times in short hours and scanty wages. But here, as might be expected, the signs of returning prosperity so long looked for are showing themselves.
Manufactures and Trade.
One of the great industries of Tyrone is the production of stone for various uses both in building and manufactures. Below the town the great limestone hills which rise on either side of the river are being cut into and brought down to the level of the roads which skirt its banks. The traveler pass- ing along sees high perpendicular walls of rock along the sides of which scores of men are at work, doing their utmost to undo the original work of the Creator in order that the
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work of man, the creature, may be done. A wise Providence has stored up in these projections of the surface the materials with which man may "improve" that surface for his own comfort and gratification. So always the Divine Builder pre- cedes the human. Even the fair structure of Science is at best the student trying to think God's thoughts after Him. Railroad commerce and the factories show how men are avail- ing themselves of the "portion of goods" which the Father in these valleys has prepared for them.
THE BUILDERS.
Into the dust of the making of man Spirit was breathed when his life began, Lifting him up from his low estate, With masterful passion, the wish to create. Out of the dust of his making, man Fashioned his works as the ages ran ; Palace, and fortress, and temple, and tower, Filling the world with the proof of his power.
The clay wherein God made him Grew plastic and obeyed him ; The trees, high-arching o'er him, The hills, in silence standing, Gave up at his commanding, Their ancient rock foundations To strengthen his creations ; And all the metals hidden Came forth as they were bidden, To help' his high endeavor, And build a house to last forever. - Henry Van Dyke.
MORRIS' QUARRIES.
The first quarries in all this region were opened up by A. G. Morris about 1870. He is the head of the firm which leads all others today in the United States in the output of limestone. Their works are located at various points in Centre, Clinton, Mifflin and Blair counties, employing from 800 to 1000 hands, with a capacity of 300 carloads daily. Their quarry at Tyrone Forges on the left has four crushers which turn out 50 cars of ballast stone a day. That on the opposite side produces 75 cars for furnace use with its two
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crushers. In these about 300 men are employed. For chem- ical as well as mechanical uses the product of this firm is unexcelled and orders come to them from the Atlantic, Middle and Western States.
STEVENS' QUARRIES.
The Keystone Lime & Stone Company is the commercial name under which A. A. Stevens, Esq., conducts his exten- sive lime and limestone business. The office is in Tyrone ; the works of the company are on the Tyrone & Lewisburg Railroad, near Tyrone, where they have a large amount of superior limestone; and near Shoenberger and Union Furnace, along the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. These quarries extend a distance of 12 miles along the main line of the railroad, and are equipped with all modern improvements for the preparation of limestone in its various commercial uses. They have also a grinding mill, for the grinding of lime and limestone ; also seven large lime kilns for burning lime. Their quarries are among the largest in Central Penn- sylvania, having a shipping capacity at their various quarries of 150 cars of stone per day, and 2500 bushels of lime. Their lime goes to all parts of the country, and is not confined to Pennsylvania consumers. It is largely in demand in New York and Eastern states, where nothing but the highest grade of material is used, and it has a well earned reputation for its superior quality, both for building and chemical uses. Their limestone is used for fluxing, furnaces, glass works, railroad ballast and building purposes.
THE TANNERY.
The North Star Tannery, the only one now in Blair county, covers a large space of ground between the Juniata river and the Pennsylvania railroad, on the east side of Penn- sylvania avenue. It was established by D. P. Ray, Sr., in 1871 and run by him until 1881, when J. K. Ray, D. P. Ray, Jr., and J. W. Howe became the firm. It has the most ap- proved modern machinery and a capacity of 125 hides a day, employing 40 to 45 men. The bark used is oak and hemlock, some brought in from the country but most of it shipped
THE MORRISON & CASS CO. PAPER MILL.
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in by rail from Cambria, Clearfield and Centre counties. Some of the hides are obtained from Western cities, Omaha, Kansas City, Chicago and St. Louis. The building is two stories high, 280 by 62, and in the view of Tyrone is easily discernible by its tall chimney near the railroad station. The beam house is 35 by 32 and the leach house 96 by 66 feet. Besides these, there are several smaller buildings. The pro- duct is union crop sole leather, all of which is shipped to the Boston market.
THE PAPER MILL.
A busy hive is that which inhabits the square extending from Sixteenth street to the creek, where it forms the north- east line of the borough, and between Pennsylvania and Logan avenues. This is the site of the Paper Mill, its buildings covering the whole length of the block along Pennsylvania. avenue and 16th street, a total frontage of 825 feet. In the enclosed eight acres of land almost all the space is occupied with substantial brick structures where various departments of the work are carried on. With the exception of the rail- road interests which were the start of Tyrone, this is the larg- est industry of the place, giving constant employment to about 225 persons. The business was begun in 1880, but the com- pany, as at present constituted, was incorporated in 1889 under the name of the Morrison & Cass Paper Company, with a capital stock of $500,000.
The plant includes all the latest and best appliances for the manufacture of a superior quality of book and writing paper, and the products are in constant demand both in the United States and in foreign countries. The firm has never closed its work except for needed repairs. . The two tall chim- neys which attract the notice of the visitor walking from the station up Pennsylvania avenue, give forth a stream of the black vapor day and night from the fires which run its 24 steam boilers and furnish power to its eight steam engines. Fifty cords of wood are received daily and by ingenious con- trivances and manifold processes transmuted into the clean, light, smooth paper which passes out of the mill to the amount of 30 tons a day. The wood in five foot lengths is thrown into
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the jaws of a giant "chipper" whose teeth or knives of steel, with incredible speed "chew" it into little bits of uniform size and pass these into its throat, a trough conducting this hard, dry food into ten boilers which form the stomach of this system. There under pressure of steam and by the aid of alkalies the process of digestion is carried on, requiring about six hours, and the resulting soft substance is submitted to other operations of washing, bleaching and sizing. A certain proportion of rags is worked up and incorporated with the wood pulp. This is now ready for the paper machines, four in number. It is kept in constant motion on endless aprons of wire cloth and of felt, to strain the water out of it, and the drying process is completed by steam-heated cylinders round which the sheets are driven. They are now ready to be calen- dered, or run through rolls which act upon one another, giving the gloss and finish that mark the output of this mill. To describe these processes in detail or to even mention all the parts of the complicated mechanism would fill many pages. It ought to be said, however, that the company has an envia- ble reputation not only for the work which it turns out but for the treatment of its workmen, whose comfort and welfare are studied. There has been no cut of wages under plea of hard times, but with unvarying regularity $10,000 in wages is turned into the hands of its employees and finds its way into the channels of trade in the town every month. A Relief Association of the employees has 219 members who are entitled to a weekly allowance in case of sickness or accident and a death benefit of $100.
Each season witnesses some additions and improvements to the property of the Tyrone Paper Mill. The president of the company is Joseph K. Cass; the secretary and treasurer, J. G. Anderson. John B. Stroup is the efficient superin- tendent of the paper mill and M. J. Wike of the pulp mill. In the office one meets Messrs. Richard Beaston and S. P. Eby, both of whom have been identified with the firm for many years, and F. S. Armstrong, the bookkeeper.
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THE FOUNDRY.
The foundry and machine shops of A. G. Morris & Sons are between the river and the railroad, half a mile below Ty- rone. The building is of brick, two stories high and, with an addition of one story, extends along the track 300 feet. There is also a power house and blacksmith shop and a neat two-story structure for office use. The equipment for work is complete. They build stationary engines and have recently constructed a stone crusher of their own invention of which three are in successful operation, each capable of making 50 cars of furnace or 25 cars of ballast stone per day. Another piece of work just turned out of the shops is a newly pat- ented brick machine, the invention of Geo. C. Davison, which is likely to come into use extensively. The foundry is an in dispensable element in the business of the town, whose mechanics depend upon it to realize in working form the plans which have been wrought out in their brains. The in- ventor's mind needs the builder's hand to translate its thoughts into facts and make them effective. The firm have just begun the manufacture of the Burley steam and hot water heaters recently patented but already in use in several build- ings in Tyrone.
Just on the edge of the town, in an eligible location, are
THE TYRONE BOILER WORKS,
Reader Bros. & Hoffman, proprietors. These gentlemen are prepared to do all business in their line in a manner to satisfy their customers, being themselves thorough workmen and courteous in their dealings. Added to their own special line they have just begun the manufacture of a hot air heater, patented by themselves. This invention has been fully tested and given satisfaction in the Presbyterian church and several other places. It is equally adapted for large or small build- ings and is claimed to be economical and healthful. For the construction of these furnaces to meet the growing demand. an addition has been made to their building, doubling its for- mer dimensions.
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THE SHOE FACTORY.
The Tyrone Shoe Company is a recent addition to the manufacturing interests of the town and bids fair to become one of the largest. The business was formerly carried on in Williamsport. Their new building on the hillside opposite the R. R. Warehouse presents a front towards the town of 100 feet. It is built of brick, three stories high. On the ground floor is the office, where the manager, J. W. Howe, whose reputation as a first-class business man has long ago been made in Tyrone, looks after the general interests of the firm. In this first story, also, the sole leather work is done and the shipping attended to. On the second and third floors the cut- ting, stitching, bottoming and finishing are done, the whole process of making a shoe being accomplished by machinery of the most recent design. Communication is had from floor to floor by means of an elevator running through the middle of the building. Adjoining the main building is the power house, 20 feet by 26. About 50 persons are now employed by the company.
Whilst different styles of shoes are turned out, a specialty at present is the Bicycle Shoe which is made with seamless upper and water-proof sole of mercury-tanned leather, out- wearing other shoes, and with comfort to the wearer. The capital of the concern is $40,000 and its managers are gentle- men who have the confidence of the community in which they live. The President is W. L. Hicks; Treasurer, E. C. Poor- man; Manager, J. W. Howe, and Superintendent, N. A. Hughes, a manufacturer of long experience in this line. The other directors, equally well-known in Tyrone, are J. G. Anderson and H. A. Gripp.
ELKHURST ART SCHOOL.
The man who has in recent years done more than any other to extend the fame of Tyrone is the German Artist, H. A. Gripp. It is tribute enough to such a one to say that, though not yet forty years of age and beginning with no capi- tal but that of brain, he stands in the front rank among the capitalists of our town, and at the head of them all in the net
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gains of his business through these dull times. The splendid establishment at Elkhurst shows the growth attained in sixteen years from the seed of an idea, first conceived in the brain and then planted and diligently tended by the hands of a genius. Such a career is only possible when to God-given capacity, the first essential, and God-given opportunity, the second element of success, there is added the third and indispensable factor which converts the possible into the actual. This third factor is indomitable energy, and few men living possess it in larger degree than the proprietor of the Art School on the Juniata.
The "idea " which has made his fortune and made him the means of helping hundreds of his less fortunate fellows is, as he says, a very simple one. But to seize this simple thing, grasp the possibilities contained in it, and make use of it so that it would do the most good was like transmuting charcoal into diamond. It was doing in the sphere of practical life what Newton did in that of scientific knowledge when he de- duced the law of gravitation from the dropping of an apple.
The work to which Mr. Gripp has given his study and efforts is that of making life-like portraits from common pho- tographs enlarged. The demand for these, as is well known, is unlimited ; but the American people demand a finished product. It must be "a thing of beauty " that it may be "a joy forever." This want was recognized by the young German Artist and he set himself to answer it in such a way as to please and satisfy the great public.
The pictures which have made the name of Gripp famous are beautifully finished by hand in crayon. He teaches his method in the school by personal supervision and through as- sistants who are under his supervision. To others who cannot attend he gives instruction by mail. From every state and beyond the states in the British Provinces, he draws his pupils or communicates with them by Uncle Sam's ubiquitous mail service. The number of those who have since the beginning worked for Mr. Gripp counts up into the thousands. Many who have undertaken have not succeeded, but candid and careful examination compels us to say that the cause of failure
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is not in the method taught nor in the method of teaching. The one sufficient proof of this is that so many right here are finding it practicable and paying ; people of all sorts and classes, not one in ten of whom had either any previous train- ing or any natural talent in the direction of art. For a very moderate fee the needed instruction is given to all who apply, and to all who prove competent employment at their homes is given. Hundreds of men and women are constantly at work on these pictures and the huge packages of mail that arrive and depart daily, keeping a horse, wagon and driver constantly busy, are evidence of the magnitude of the work. There are, of students and others needed to keep the business running, 130 persons employed about the premises. When to these are added the much larger number of workers scattered all over the continent and the soliciting agents who send in the photo- graphs, those engaged in enlarging the pictures, the others who manufacture the mailing tubes and the increased govern- ment force required to handle "Gripp's mail," we can see how wide reaching is the influence for good that radiates from one man whose "idea " has fructified in blessings to many besides himself.
The esthetic faculty that marks the genuine artist is man- ifest in the environments of the Art School. Let us take a look at Elkhurst. Getting off at what was formerly known as Tyrone Forges, as we step upon the platform we see before us a group of buildings that command our admiration. Facing the railroad and the break in the mountains that opens into Warriorsmark Valley is the main building, large and stately, which is the home of the family and of the students who board here during their term of instruction. This is limited to two months, an inexorable rule which many vainly plead to have amended, the charms of the place and of the society enticing them to prolong their stay. To the left is the build- ing used for the school and for handling the incoming and making up the outgoing mail. Still farther to the left stands a stone structure which is being renovated and enlarged to afford larger quarters for the school. To the right of the main building there is seen the new gymnasium which is to
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furnish recreation and health-promoting exercise. Back of all, the spacious barn, seen through the trees, reminds us that there is "room at the top" for the 165 broad acres of Elkhurst stretch up and over the hills with their fields of grass and grain and woods and springs. The foreground of this picture is the wide curve of the Juniata, making room for the Rolling Mills and a Driving Park and, over the river, the cluster of houses known as Nealmont at the base of Bald Eagle Ridge. The proprietor of this estate is one who takes delight in seeing others share his good fortune. In every movement for the general welfare he is among the foremost, and all our citizens join in wishing long continuance of life and prosperity to Mr. Gripp.
SOLAR PRINT HOUSE.
The large print house of Lindholm & Butler deserves special mention. This firm, which moved from Cleveland, O., is engaged in the business of enlarging photographs, nearly all their product going to the great art emporium of H. A. Gripp. They employ about 25 hands, turning out 8,000 to 10,000 pictures weekly. The picture is magnified from a negative obtained by the use of a powerful camera under a powerful arc light, and passed through all the processes familiar to photographers. until they come out perfect repro- ductions on the large scale of the original. It is an interest- ing sight to see the force of young men at work in the large building of the old M. E. church on Washington avenue and 12th street, busy from dawn till dark like the husbandman who makes hay while the sun shines. They own and operate their own electric plant.
BEYER'S MILLS
One of the most indefatigable among the manufacturers of Tyrone is F. D. Beyer. While he has steadily labored to promote his own interests, no one man, probably, has done more for the general welfare of the town in the last thirty years. The first Saw and Planing Mills in Tyrone were started and operated by a stock company of which Rev. John D. Stewart was an active promoter, but the business was bought
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out by Mr. Beyer in the early sixties and he has continued on the same line ever since. The firm of F. D. Beyer & Co. at present consisting of S. B. Beyer and F. R. Waring, have furnished materials and work for a large portion of the build- ings in this place, recently for the Shoe Factory and the ele- gant residence of F. W. Acklin. The Mills are well located along Lincoln avenue, the building reaching from 15th to 16th streets ; the yards crowded with logs and lumber of all de- scriptions, covering another square beyond. They know their business and are thorough in their work.
Mr. Beyer owns a large amount of real estate in the bor- ough, and his properties are well kept up, so as to be a credit to the town. He is one of the strongest champions of temper- ance among us and a "pillar"' in the Columbia Avenue M. E. Church.
TYRONE PLANING MILLS.
The firm of S. McCamant & Co., though not quite so old as that just mentioned, is one of the oldest in Tyrone, the property having come into the possession of the present owners in 1868. The Planing Mill on 15th street near Adams avenue and the Saw Mill now at work near Bald Eagle station furnish the means of support to a large force of men and their families. The Park Avenue School Building and the Presbyterian Church and Manse are specimens of the work done by the firm in recent years.
Mr. S. McCamant has taken an active interest in the ad- vancement of his adopted town and labored to encourage en- terprises that would help to build it up. As a public-spirited citizen he has been chosen to fill the office of sheriff of Blair county, and for two terms was a representative in the Legisla- ture of Pennsylvania. He is now President of the Board of Managers of the State Industrial Reformatory.
TYRONE MILLING COMPANY.
This firm. whose location is on Sixteenth street, corner of Lincoln avenue, operates the only flour mill within the bor- ough limits, where all customers may be accommodated, whether producers or consumers of the stuff of which the staff
REV. THOS ROSENSTEEL
REV. E. A. BORN.
REV. W. H. I. HOUGHTON.
I
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH.
REV. F. L. BERGSTRESSER.
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of life is made. The machinery is modern and workmanship skilled and careful. The head of the concern, A. W. Beyer, is a gentleman well known in the community and worthy of the confidence of the people which he enjoys.
TYRONE MARBLE WORKS.
The proprietor of the above deals in a very hard com- modity, but A. M. Wasson, though a comparative stranger in Tyrone, is well known to be no "marble heart," but a gentle man despite the stubbornness of his stock in trade. A glance at his present quarters, just over the bridge on Tenth street, indicates that they are inadequate for the extent of his busi- ness. No merchant would dare to leave his valuable goods exposed out of doors as does Mr. Wasson ; but he would be a monumental thief that would steal from one who thus shows his trust in humanity. Besides, the plunder would be heavy to haul and hard to hide, a consideration of no little weight to a prudent mind. More careful inspection proves that there is a master workman here who can compel the very stones to speak, if not to cry out. A talk with the proprietor will satisfy the interested inquirer that, while he understands his trade, no rival can underbid him in price. Samples of his work can be seen in a score of cemeteries in this and adjoining counties, and he can advise you as to what you should have as well as execute your order for what you want.
TYRONE GLASS FACTORY.
Allusion was made in these pages to the Cold Spring Forge and Ax Factory. These industries have for several years been defunct, but the resurrection time has come and out of their graves has arisen a new Glass Factory, whose buildings have just been completed and operations begun under the superin- tendency of Mr. George W. McGraw, an experienced glass worker. The present force comprises about fifty hands, the goods manufactured being various kinds of hollow ware, in- cluding bottles and jars. This quiet suburb of ours up the river is resuming its wonted activity, an indication of the general revival in business and in particular of the waking up of Tyrone to realize and improve its opportunities. This new
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