Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 40

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1) > Part 40

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Three years ago, when C. F. Halderman became publisher of the Oil City Blizzard, the Emlenton Herald, of which he was proprietor, was sold to Mr. Cubbison and consolidated with the News. After the death of Mr. Cub- bison, shortly after the business change, his estate sold the paper to Stewart & Wilbert, who carry it on most successfully as a home paper under the name of The News.

SENECA

The Seneca Kicker deserves more than mere mention. It is a paper devoted to the best in- terests of the county. Its large correspond- ence from small communities in which no pa- pers are published makes each issue like a neighbor's visit. It was established in 1899 by D. W. and G. B. Moore. The paper was well received and prosperous, but other inter- ests calling them from its office gave Miss Annie Kinney an opportunity to carry out a dream, to become the owner and editor of a paper. One of the original features was the department devoted to the birthdays of Ve- nango county babies. No baby in that section of the country considered itself dressed and ready for life until his or her coming had been put into rhyme by the amiable editor. It must have tried the soul of the most versatile to fit all names to proper rhymes, but it was done .. Miss Kinney retired from the paper a year ago, and Mr. Gordon Moore, one of the found- ers, now conducts it most successfully, even to the making of rhymes. The paper is printed at Mr. Moore's print shop in Oil City and is a credit to his faith in good journalism.

PITHOLE

The Daily Record of Pithole was the first daily paper that was financially successful in Venango county. On Monday, Sept. 25, 1865, Morton, Spare & Company issued the first paper. Thirty cents a week was not considered too great for a five-column folio. Lee M. Mor- ton was the proud editor, and this paper filled a want, as its advertising proves. Possibly it did not continue to be a complete record, as it aimed to be at first, of the daily life at Pit- hole. Stories that come floating from that hill- top at this late day would not all be "fit to print" perhaps, but enough was given to make

the paper of interest to many outside that dream city. W. H. Longwell joined the forces of the paper in 1866. Charles H. Vickers and W. C. Plummer were also connected with the enterprise. Mr. Longwell became the ultimate purchaser and was connected with the paper until its discontinuance. When the city of Pit- hole declined and fell, the paper moved on to the new place of promise, Petroleum Center, repeated its own history and lived while this town prospered, and then gave up its ghost.

RENO

The Reno Times, a paper established in the interest of that town, was published in 1865 and 1866, suspended in May of the latter year. Its editorial management evinced considerable ability.

PLEASANTVILLE

The first newspaper at Pleasantville was the Evening News, a daily established in January, 1869, by Dodd & Colegrove. Its career was brief and uneventful. The next venture was the Gas Light, also a daily, of which O. H. Jackson was proprietor. It flickered for a short time and then failed entirely.

The Commercial Record, B. Corwin, pro- prietor, H. C. Mapes, editor and publisher, was a five-column quarto and appeared semi- monthly. The first number was issued Feb. I, 1887. It was originally designed as a local advertising medium and served its purpose, being well supported by the business men of the town. It presented a creditable typograph- ical appearance, and the local columns were well sustained.

ROUSEVILLE

The Rouseville Evening Bulletin, a daily, was started by O. H. Jackson in October, 1870, and continued until Dec. 24, 1871. On Aug. 10, 1872, James Tyson issued the first number of the Pennsylvanian, a well edited weekly, which was continued for some time, but finally expired with the waning prestige of the town.

COOPERSTOWN

The Cooperstown News was published at that borough in 1879 and 1880 by J. Lloyd Rohr, later of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

OIL CITY

The press of Oil City has a history that differs materially from that of many other

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sections. The name of the city itself indi- cates that one great interest held the com- munity, and demanded avenues through which it might communicate with the outside world. W. R. Johns saw that there was an opening for a Weekly Register and obtained a tempo- rary habitation in the Third ward not far from the present Lake Shore depot. The journey of his printing outfit would rival in interest many tales of olden time. It was purchased in Monongahela City, was sent by boat to Pittsburgh, then to Kittanning by railroad, and from there over muddy roads, at times almost impassable, to its destination. Jan. 14, 1862, was the paper's birthday. It was from this first issue a paper of which no man need be ashamed. So far as known it was the first paper in the world to be devoted wholly to the oil country and its amazingly increasing interests. Mr. Johns retired from the man- agement of the paper in 1866 and was suc- ceeded by Henry A. Dow & Company.

The Monitor, published by J. W. Smullin, lived for a short time. The Sand Pump and Bulletin and the Petroleum Monthly existed somewhat longer. In 1870 Mr. Johns gave new life to the Register, and added to its in- terest by publishing a daily edition called the Evening Register. He published also the Semi-Weekly Petrolian. It was at this time also that the Venango Republican was pro- moted. It had political bearings and gained adherents. F. F. Davis and Andrew Cone purchased the plant of the Register, Petrolian, Republican and what was left of the dead and gone Monitor. The new paper, called the Re- publican, commanded respect from the first by its attractive appearance and able editorial force. A stock company succeeded to the ownership and Mr. Metcalf of Meadville was the editor. H. H. Herpst and George V. For- man were also interested in the publication. The name was changed to the Times. The plant was damaged by fire, and unable to attract a sufficient following the paper discontinued its daily issue. Mr. Herpst became the owner of the plant and for some time published a weekly edition.

Oil City was expanding. In 1869 an Oil Exchange was organized. In 1871 a city char- ter was obtained. People who came stayed. The town was on the map, and its citizens began to feel the thrilling stirrings of civic pride. They did not ask, as in former days. with an apologetic air, if visitors liked Oil City, and they began to register when abroad from the hub of oildom instead of some other older and more aspiring city. Under these

conditions a paper of a character to serve as an active exponent of the now world-famous town was felt to be a necessity. The 11th of September, 1871, therefore saw the entrance upon the scene of the Oil City Derrick. C. E. Bishop and W. H. Longwell were the pub- lishers. H. H. Herpst was soon after added to their staff. All these men had journal- istic experience, and knowing the needs of the region they supplied the news liberally. The Associated Press reports were given, and the editorial part of the paper was well maintained. Mr. J. J. McLaurin suggested and carried out the idea of having oil region correspondence. This was a feature of value and of great in- terest. Homer McClintock afterward, in 1886 and later, did much to carry on this part of the paper's enterprise. In 1872 Frank H. Taylor became editor of the Derrick. In 1877 R. W. Criswell succeeded Mr. Taylor. In 1882 the Derrick Publishing Company was formed, Mr. Longwell retiring. Edward Stuck was then editor and manager. In December of the same year he retired in favor of William H. Siviter, and on Aug. 11, 1885, P. C. Boyle became owner, editor and publisher of a paper which is known as the organ of oil the world over. Its growth is the best monument that could be erected to the memory of its owner. It has be- come one of the most able and influential papers of the State and Venango county is proud of this enterprise. Mr. Boyle had first hand knowledge of the conditions in the oil country. He had the seeing eye and the feel- ing heart, a combination not always obtaining. His quick sympathy is seen in his literary style, trenchant and brilliant. Charles H. Har- rison of Pittsburgh was for a time connected with the paper. His friendship for Mr. Boyle was so earnest that at his early death he left his books to Mr. Boyle, who in turn gave many of them to the public library that the Belles Lettres Club was maintaining. Among the statisticians who have served the Derrick we find the names of R. W. Cris- well. William Steiger, Henry Gauss, A. S. Snell, Archibald Crumm and Frank H. Tay- lor. Mr. P. C. Boyle is president of the Derrick Publishing Company, with J. N. Perrine, secretary and treasurer ; E. R. Boyle, business manager: Joseph W. Orr, manag- ing editor. F. H. Taylor, of Oil City, is statistician, and the paper has special repre- sentatives for Pennsylvania and West Vir- ginia, at Pittsburgh; for Ohio, Kentucky, In- diana and Illinois, at Toledo, Ohio; Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas, at Tulsa and Ardmore, Okla., Fort Worth and Houston, Texas, and

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Shreveport, La .; Wyoming, at Casper, Wyo .; California, at Los Angeles; Mexico, at Tam- pico; Canada, at Chatham, Ontario; New York, in New York City ; and at Washington, D. C.

The Derrick is at home in a fine modern building with all the equipment an up-to-date paper can use. It is found the world over. Its oil reports are authoritative. It is a journal of high character, printing nothing in its col- umns that cannot be read in any home. It de- votes its great influence to the upbuilding of the community and has always from the date of Mr. Boyle's purchase been a promoter of patriotism, not of the bubbling sort that ex- hausts itself in emotion, but the kind that be- comes forcible in action. It is a daily adver- tisement of the virtues of a growing city and of its progressive inhabitants. The guiding genius of P. C. Boyle has made the Derrick a great newspaper.

The Oil City Blizzard was established in 1882 by F. W. Bowen, H. G. McKnight and B. F. Gates. These young men had all gained experience on the Derrick and they believed the time had come to give Oil City an evening paper. Their capital was small, but their hopes were great. Mr. Bowen was editor in chief, Mr. McKnight had charge of the mechanical part, and Mr. Gates of the job department. The paper was welcomed and soon enlarged its capacity. Mr. Gates removed from the city after four years of successful work and the firm continued as Bowen & McKnight until the death of Mr. Bowen in 1916, Mr. McKnight retaining direction of the paper for a year longer, until the plant was sold to the present publishers. The paper occupied a field of its own to some extent. It was the only evening paper that had lived, although other ventures had been made, they had failed. Frank Bowen wielded a sharp, pointed pen. He was at his best in controversy. Though one might differ greatly with him and deplore the stinging lines, still laughter was not far away. Editorial writers, or some who aspired to do that work, were encouraged to try their skill in the Blis- sard columns. Robert Simpson went from that paper to the Pittsburgh Gazette-Times; A. R.

Crumm to the Pittsburgh Post; E. A. Brad- shaw to the Jamestown Journal; E. C. Bell to Titusville; F. F. Murray, now editor of the journal "Along the Way," and B. W. Babcock, who went to the New York Times, all tried their wings in the little Oil City office. The Blissard is now an eight-page paper with large circulation. It is carried on by C. F. Halder- man of the Emlenton Herald, and S. M. Rosen- thal of The Punxsutawney Spirit. It is pub- lished by the Blizzard Publishing Company, of which H. A. Downs is president ; C. F. Halder- man, treasurer; Samuel M. Rosenthal, secre- tary. The growth and stability of the paper is assured, and Oil City enjoys an evening paper that is welcome in every home.

One who glances through the files of the papers of long ago, and reads with some thought the records of the struggles and the failures and successes of the men who have given body to the Fourth Estate, finds that all have had in a degree similar experience. The editor of The Democratic Arch begs his fellow editors to "render unto scissors the things that are scissors," his words gaining force from the fact that the man who took some of his edi- torial matter without credit was a ministerial editor who would appreciate the almost Scrip- tural appeal. The Franklin Library is custo- dian of a file of this ancient paper and students of human nature as well as of journalism find much to interest them in pages yellowed and made brittle by time. Steady progress toward the fine accomplishment of the present is so plain that a wayfaring man, even a fool, may see it. To-day the best is none too good for the humblest resident of this unique region. To say that the press has led rather than fol- lowed any demand for better things journal- istically is not undeserved praise. But the splendid fact remains perfectly plain that the brains of to-day are not one whit brighter or finer, and have no more convolutions, than those of the past. Reactions maye be quicker from cultivation, but the thinking mind and the urge toward perfection existed in 1828 just as they do in 1918.

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CHAPTER XVIII

SCHOOLS

FRANKLIN-SCHOOLS OF OIL CITY-BIRD DAY-EMLENTON SCHOOLS-IRWIN TOWNSHIP-OTHER TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS-SCHOOL STATISTICS

FRANKLIN

In the year 1801 there were enough chil- dren in Franklin to require some organized in- struction. One hundred and seventeen years ago a small house built of unhewn logs was erected and the goddess of wisdom invited to come down and take her stand upon the clap- board floor and dole out to those unhappy in- fants the rudiments of education, the "three R's." They may not have been so very un- happy, for between the great logs were spaces through which the light came, and sounds that drifted in from the trees, which suggested sports to be enjoyed in the far away hours of release. Simple as the environment was, it sufficed, and it is immortally true that no teacher ever taught "R's" alone. What he was spoke to the swift, sure judgment of the chil- dren, made for a wider culture than books alone, elaborate, embellished or not, can give.

John Mason was the first teacher of the Franklin children. In 1809 Alexander McCal- mont took charge of the school. Two dollars was considered a fair price for three months of training, the patrons of the school furnish- ing firewood and providing the room. Old records show that thirty-five pupils were guar- anteed before Mr. McCalmont took charge of the institution, George Power, John McDon- ald and Alexander McDowell each subscrib- ing for three; Abraham Selders, Philip Houser, William Connely, James Martin and Catharine Armstrong, each two; William Moore, Dennis Pursel, Nathaniel Hays, Sam- uel Monjar, William Gibson, Marcus Hulings, Robert Armstrong, Hugh Picknoll, John At- kinson, Robert Austin, Jacob Weaver, Charles Ridgway, John Broadfoot, Samuel Plumer, Robert Dewoody and John Ridgway, one each.

The State made annual appropriations for educational purposes, and each county had its own academy. When the town of Franklin was laid out lots were set apart for future use

as school sites. The idea of a general plan of school work was developing, and Franklin caught the spirit early. In 1813 the Venango Academy was incorporated. Alexander Mc- Calmont, George Connely, William Moore, Alexander McDowell, John McDonald and George Power were the first trustees. Each year two members of this board of trustees were elected by the county, and their term was three years. One thousand dollars was given by the State to be invested in safe and growing securities. One thousand was also given to as- sist in building or buying and equipping a house adapted to school purposes. Five hun- dred dollars must first be provided by the citi- zens themselves, before the State fund was available. Among the provisions for helpful- ness it was decreed that four poor children were to receive tuition without cost. If it were possible to look backward it would be interest- ing to see what befell the first four of this se- lect class. It would have been equally difficult for those kindly people to have looked for- ward to the day when tuition, books and even food are provided, and the young citizens, from the poorest or the richest homes, are put, so far as human nature and good will can ac- complish it, on an equality that helps make the world safe for democracy. In 1815 the build- ing was erected. It was built of wood, and contained a small entrance hall and two good- sized rooms. For eight years John Kelly taught his eager pupils. John Sutton and John Gamble came after him, and they in turn were succeeded by several clergymen of good educa- tion and fine individuality. Robert Ayres was an Episcopal minister, while Nathaniel R. Snowdon and Thomas F. Magill were Presby- terians.

The schools increased with the growth of the town, and in 1838 the legislature permit- ted the trustees to sell 510 acres of land in addition to some lots in their possession, in order to furnish adequate room. The news-

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papers urged the trustees to go forward in this work and gave stimulus to the movement, and in 1853 the two thousand dollars in the hands of the trustees were made to do good service in the erection of a brick building on Buffalo street. New life was given to the school when the two large rooms downstairs and one above were opened for use. Educa- tionally a new day arrived. The old academies gave way in large degree to the constantly im- proving public school system. In Franklin, however, the Academy long continued to hold a large place, and it was September, 1871, when the building was sold to the Evangelical Church.

Under the public school system buildings were erected in various parts of the town. There were three of these in 1848 a brick building on Buffalo street between Thirteenth and Fourteenth, now occupied as a residence ; a small frame house on Buffalo street near Ninth, and a similar structure on West Park street, between Elk and Otter, built about 1840 upon ground owned by the Presbyterian Church. The latter is still referred to as "the old white schoolhouse." There was no regu- larly arranged course of study in those days nor for many years afterward, each teacher doing what seemed right in his own eyes, and when pupils became sufficiently advanced they could enter the Academy. The town was neither populous nor wealthy, and the im- provement in the public schools was scarcely perceptible, public interest and energy being centered upon the Academy.

That the beginning of the oil development marked a new era in local educational as well as material progress was substantially evi- denced in 1867 by the erection of the Union school building on the corner of Eleventh and Buffalo streets, at a cost of $33,700. On Jan. 6, 1868, this building was opened with an at- tendance of seven hundred pupils-such an outpouring of the rising generation to one point as had never before been witnessed in Franklin. In 1860 there were seven schools; from 1861 to 1865, eight, of which one was for colored pupils; in 1867, twelve; in 1871, thir- teen ; in 1872 and 1873, fourteen ; in 1874, fif- teen. With an increasing population enlarge- ment of accommodations had become a neces- sity, and on May 28, 1876, contracts for the erection of two new buildings were awarded, that for the First Ward at the corner of Ninth and Elk streets, and for the Second at the cor- ner of Fourteenth and Buffalo streets. The original cost of the former was $13,490; it was enlarged in 1889 at an added expenditure of

$3,036. The latter cost $18,400 and was en- larged in 1884 at a cost of $3,275. The cost of the Third ward building was $12,400.

When Franklin was incorporated as a city in 1868 there were eleven teachers and 1,030 pupils. The annual school term was five months. In 1885 a superintendent of city schools was elected, and the city has not since been officially under the county administration. Since that time Franklin has had the follow- ing superintendents of schools : N. P. Kinsley, C. E. Lord, N. P. Kinsley, C. E. Carter. The city had in 1885 twenty-six teachers and 1,388 pupils, and the annual school term was nine months, which indicates much progress from the incorporation of the city. At present Franklin has fifty-six teachers, a school term of nine months, and 1,609 pupils; a high school building costing $140,530; six other school buildings; well-graded courses of study for both the common and the high schools, with special courses and electives found in any modern high school. By making proper se- lection from these courses young people can fit themselves to take up any line of business intelligently and successfully, or to enter any of the higher educational institutions of the country. They may pursue any line of pro- fessional studies. In a word, Franklin's high school stands among the best in the country, both in material equipment and in the ability of its instructors. Under its present superin- tendent, C. E. Carter, it will undoubtedly ab- sorb all the good things in education that are being developed anywhere. Clyde W. Cran- mer is principal, with a staff of twelve teachers.

Franklin has three special teachers: Austa Reisinger, instructor in drawing; Mrs. Maud G. Huntsman, domestic science; James G. Morgan, manual training.

The Union school, Adda McBride, principal, has eleven teachers; First ward school, Flor- ence Campbell, principal, five teachers; Second ward school, Helen S. Birge, principal, five teachers ; Third ward school, Ruth Gealy, principal, six teachers; Fourth Street school, Mary Borland, principal, two teachers; Oak Hill school, Edwinnia R. Yarletts, principal, one teacher.

One of the institutions of which Franklin might well boast is the night school organized and financed by Gen. Charles Miller. Long before such opportunities were famous the General established this school. It was in 1886 that it opened its doors to the ambitious and earnest students whose days were too full of work of other sorts to attend day schools. All

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men of Franklin were welcome. A few years later women also were admitted. "Without money and without price" might have been the motto, so far as the students were concerned, for nothing was asked except attendance and honest effort. For thirty-two years this splen- did plan has been worked out. Its benefits can never be estimated, so great are they. General Miller paid all expenses through these years, until in January, 1919, he turned the school over to the Y. M. C. A., with furniture, books, etc., to be removed to the building of the Asso- ciation, which gladly took advantage of his offer. During all this time he retained the same superintendent, Mr. D. J. Hart. It is with lively regret that this distinctive feature of Franklin loses a part of its individuality, although its benefits will still be flowing out into the community, under the care of the Y. M. C. A.

SCHOOLS OF OIL CITY (By Emma W. Babcock )

The old story credited to the oil regions, of the man who wished to buy capacity for his children, can never be located in this wide- · awake town. Early it was determined that the children were all right as to capacity, and only needed training to take their places in the great world into which so many of them have gone and added renown to the city which educated them. Early in 1862 the borough board secured the township schoolhouse on Haliday run. John Kuhns, L. M. Gordon and A. M. Gardner, who composed the board. elected J. J. Kincaid and later his wife also to teach the spelling, and other essentials of rudi- mentary education. It is in fact interesting to see how deep a hold the spelling book had upon all early trustees. Spelling must have been felt to be a specially difficult subject, as misspelled words were seen in public places inviting visitors to the towns to laugh when for instance they saw "Stove for sail" in the window of a hardware store, and other equal- ly suggestive announcements.

In 1863 a new schoolhouse. was built on the site of the present Oil Well Supply offices. This was destroyed by fire in 1866. It was necessary to have more room, and the Pearl Avenue school and one in the Third ward were built. Mr. Kincaid was principal on the west side and David Hays on the east. There were a great many children in Oil City, few elderly people, and no old ones at all. New buildings were erected as soon as possible. When the Venango City school district was

formed, D. Ross was made principal of a school on Second street. He was succeeded in turn by David McMullin, H. D. Hancock, W. J. McClure, J. Douglass, J. P. Ellingwood and Miss Eliza Kent.

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Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 40

Author: Babcock, Charles A. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: