Local History: William F. Gable Company 30th Anniversary Souvenir, 1914: Altoona, Blair County, PA

 

Contributed and transcribed by Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com

 

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                     Gable's 30th Anniversary Souvenir.

            A Brief History of Altoona and the People's Store.

 

                             ALTOONA, PENNA.

                     New York City, 2 Walker Street

                 Chemnitz, Germany, 25 Theatre Strasse

                     Paris, France, 3 Cite Trevise

                 Manchester, England, 66 Faulkner Street

               St. Gall, Switzerland, 16 Rosenberg Strasse

 

[1]

 

William F. Gable

 

[2]

 

A View of the Drapery Section

 

The People's Store And Its Employes

 

     In making our plans for the 30th Anniversary of the People's Store, we had under consideration many different things to use as a souvenir. We wanted something that would he representative of the store and yet would be appreciated by our patrons. After giving the matter much thought, we decided that a booklet containing a brief history of the City of Altoona and portraits of our employes, together with a few facts regarding the store, would make a souvenir that would be in keeping with the importance of our 30th Anniversary and which the people would be pleased to receive.

     The very interesting groups of pictures on the following pages are the result of this decision. Practically every employe of the big store on duty at the time the photographs were prepared, is represented. In fact we made a special effort to have every member of the store family included, in some instances making special arrangements to have absent ones report so they could be included in their proper group. All of the photographs have been taken in our new Photographic Studio and the excellence of the finished pictures is a fine recommendation of the quality of the work done in the Studio, which we are told is the largest and most up-to-date Studio between New York and Chicago.

     There are approximately 375 employes represented in the different groups, but there are certain seasons of the year when our store family is much larger, the high water mark being reached at the Christmas season when there are as many as 500 people working to serve your interests. It is the aim of the firm to have every one who visits the store treated with the utmost courtesy. We take great pleasure in recording the fact that time and again we are complimented on the manner in which our customers are treated by, the salespeople, which shows that it is their aim to make it just as pleasant for those who trade here as the firm desires it should be. In fact we doubt if there is any store anywhere, whose employes as a whole, are more courteous or give more attention to the trade than is accorded those who come here either as buyer or visitor.

     Every one of the 375 employes of the big store add their welcome to that extended on the first page of this booklet, and thank you for having honored us with your presence on this 30th Anniversary of the People's Store.

 

[3]

 

Gables Executive Dept.

 

[H. King MacFarlane, Advertising Manager; Jesse M. Fay, Floor Manager & Buyer of Linens; J. George Anspach, Manager; Howard M. Fleck, Buyer of Women's Coats & Suits; William B. Parker, Buyer of Underwear and Hosiery.]

 

[4]

 

Auditing, Bookkeeping and Mail Order Depts.

 

[AUDITING DEPT. Miss Norine Mountz, Miss Margaret Swoyer, Miss Ruth Fitzgerald, Miss Leota Wagerman.  MISS LAURA M. RENNER, Auditor of Sales. JESSE H. WRIGHT, Book-Keeper.  BOOKKEEPING DEPT. Clyde C. Cox (Stenographer), Miss Rebekah E. Hill, Miss Bertha Alberts, Mrs. C. W. Smith, Miss Blanche E. McCummons.  MAIL ORDER DEPT. Miss Alberta K. Ward, Clair Wishart, Miss Jane A. Craig. MISS HELEN R. MURRAY, Manager of Mail Order Dept.]

 

[5]

 

Laces, Dress Trimmings & Glove and Advertising Depts.

 

[LACES, DRESS TRIMMINGS AND GLOVE DEPTS. Miss Rachel Kelley, Miss Mareta Miller, Miss Gertrude Craig, Miss Ada Henshey, Miss Ruth Kelley, Miss Rose McNellis, Miss Garnett Dreisbach, Miss Myra Fasick, Miss Mary Gerhart, Miss Julia Ellis, Miss Edith Curry, Miss Stella Metzler, Miss Mary Heacox, Miss Regina Wilkinson, Miss Agnes McCaffrey, Miss Mary Hetrick, Miss Eulalie Klise, Miss Mary Renner.  MISS ANNA A. PLANK, Buyer of Gloves, Dress Trimmings, Laces, Etc.  ADVERTISING DEPT. Luther K. Lotz, Joseph H. Sharer, Miss Amalia Pfeffer, Miss Amelia F. Ewing, Miss Grace Mills.  H. KING McFARLANE, Advertising Manager.]

 

[6]

 

Millinery, Women's Coats & Suits and Alterations Departments

 

[MILLINERY DEPT. Mrs. Moorehead, Miss Madeline Hipp, Miss Adelaide Heverly, Miss Doris Wood, Miss Julia Skees, Miss Barbara Seidle, Miss Clare Eastman, Miss Helen Metz, Miss Belle Beegle, Miss Emelia Auer, Miss Marcella Heilmeier.  J. E. MILLER, Buyer of Millinery.  H. M. GLECK, Buyer of Women's Coats & Suits.  WOMEN'S COATS AND SUITS AND ALTERATION DEPT.  Miss Martha P. Hickey, Miss Ruth Willis, Miss Annie Shaffer, Miss Ellen Oatman, Miss Ada E. Brewster, Miss Ostella Garner, Miss Jessie M. Wolf, Miss Julia A. Farrell, Miss Elsie Kieswetter, Miss Laura Reaigh, Miss Madge Miller, Miss Allie Powley, Miss Eleanor McKerihan, Miss Kathryn Myers, Miss Cora Fry, Miss Emma W. Leppert, Mrs. Ida Hooper , Miss Mayno Kepner, Miss Nell Rodkey, Miss Annie Smouse, Miss Edythe B. Griffiths, Miss Mary C. Behe, Miss Margaret H. Maines, Miss Annie M. Waite, Miss Margaret Kissinger, Mrs. Lutie Sissler.]

 

[7]

 

Dept. of Muslins, Sheetings, Blankets, Etc., Silverware, Jewelry and Arts Goods Depts. and Notions and Toilet Goods Depts.

 

[DEPARTMENT OF MUSLINS, SHEETINGS, BLANKETS, ETC. Miss Edith Thompson, Harry E. Bible, Miss Emma Schmelzlen, Arthur A. Reffner, Miss Mary Ryan, J. E. Skyles, Miss Mary O'Brien, Max Lykens.  A. J. CARMANY, Buyer of Muslins, Blankets, Etc.  J. G. HARRIS, Buyer of Art Goods, Jewelry & Silverware.  SILVERWARE, JEWELRY AND ART GOODS DEPT.  Miss Belle McClelland, Miss S. May Border, Miss I. Helen Westover, Miss L. Pearl Turnbaugh, Miss Margaret Brotherton, Miss Lavenia Whitfield, Miss Margaret McDonnell, E. R. Miller, Miss Nora Raugh, Miss Lillie Holt.  NOTIONS AND TOILET GOODS DEPT. Miss Margaret Leader, Miss Mary McCormick, Miss Marguerite McNaight, Miss Margaret Craig, Miss Lillian Moore, Miss Grace McMullen, Miss Cora Jackson, Leo Schmidhammer, Miss Margaret Tipton.  ANNIE M. HILL, Buyer of Notions & Toilet Goods.]

 

[8]

 

Underwear & Hosiery, Undermuslins & Corset, and Linens Depts.

 

[UNDERWEAR AND HOSIERY DEPTS. Miss Anna Lambour, Miss Violet Worley, Miss Rebecca Armstrong, Miss Florence E. Miller, Miss Sadie Smith, Miss Margaret Tiernan, Miss Ruth Wilson, Arthur Pannebecker, Raymond Stewart, Paul Moran.  WILLIAM B. PARKER, Buyer of Underwear & Hosiery.  MISS ELVIA L. WAGNER, Buyer of Undermuslins & Corsets.  UNDERMUSLINS AND CORSET DEPT. Miss Kathryn Pfeffer, Miss Edna Wolf, Miss Rachel McCurdy, Miss Edna Davis, Miss Emma Hufford, Miss Anna Medley.  J. M. FAY, Buyer of Linens.  LINEN DEPARTMENT. Miss Isabel Bice, Miss Agnes DeTemple, Miss Catharyne Lowe, J. A. Smith, Miss Meda Robb, Miss Edith Parsons, Miss Ethel Shiffler, Harry L. Miller (Assistant Buyer), Miss Bertha Russell, Miss Agnes Wilkinson.]

 

[9]

 

Accounts, Cashiers, and China & Crockery Depts.

 

[DEPT. OF ACCOUNTS. Miss Margaret Miller, Miss Anna Brown, Miss Geraldine Brown, Miss Amy Brenaman, Miss Mabel Kinsel, Miss Alma Leader, Miss Helen Wertz.  D. G. HURLEY, Manager, Dept. of Accounts.  CASHIERS. Miss Nannie Cunningham, Miss Theresa Stehle, Miss Irene Pressell, Mrs. Julia M. Warner.  MISS RACHEL SHELLENBERGER, Cashier.  I. J. RIVELY, Buyer of China, Crockery, Etc.  CHINA AND CROCKERY DEPARTMENT. Miss Emma C. Smith, Miss Beulah Arbogast, Mrs. Sue Bryant, Miss Mabel Helsel, Mrs. J. F. Stirk, Miss Ruth Powell, Miss Flo McCann, Miss Nellie Fawber.]

 

[10]

 

Buyers and Floor Managers.

 

[William H. Fisher, Floor Manager; Richard J. Hall, Floor Manager; J. J. Hamilton, Floor Manager; Nellie Twitmire, in charge of Patterns; A. S. Mills, Floor Manager; Mrs. A. R. Titzel, Buyer of Pictures; Mrs. Martha M. Bradley, Picture Dept.; Elizabeth A. Koelle, Telephone Operator; Joseph F. Herbert, Display Manager; Russell R. Burchfield, Card Writer; L. Arthur Tipton, Assistant Display Mgr.[

 

[11]

 

Dress Goods, Silks, Infants' Wear, and Wash Dress Goods Depts.

 

[DRESS GOODS AND SILKS DEPT. Miss Josephine Kephart, Miss Edna Koelle, Miss Naomi Gorsuch, Miss Marguerite Irwin, Miss Jane Wilson, W. J. Russell, Miss Edna Reimer, Miss Gertrude Work, F. M. Vaughn. E. S. McGAW, Buyer of Dress Goods & Silks.  MISS PAULINE O. ROTH, Buyer of Infants' Wear.  INFANTS' WEAR DEPARTMENT. Miss Ruth I. Henry, Miss Sarah J. Taylor. I. TRUDEAU, Buyer of Wash Goods.  WASH DRESS GOODS DEPARTMENT. Miss Anna Feser, Miss Oriveda McNally, Miss Anna M. Snyder, Miss Margaret Craufurd, Miss Edna Murphy, Miss Annie R. Martz, John V. Gasdorf, Miss Anna Breslin, Miss Mary Miller.]

 

[12]

 

Men's Furnishings, Men's and Boy's Clothing, and Shoe Depts.

 

[MEN'S FURNISHING DEPARTMENT. Palmer Hahn, G. L. Moran, Francis Wilt, D. P. Miller, George P. Gable, John Steedman. F. B. WOODWARD, Buyer of Men's Furnishings.  FRANK M. DERSTINE, Buyer of Men's & Boy's Clothing.  MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING DEPT. Archie Sandrus, Peter Lancia, Miss Ella Feeney, J. A. Wertzberger, W. S. Little, H. R. Kettl.  JOHN S. GINGERICH, Buyer of Shoes.  SHOE DEPARTMENT. Claude G. Files, D. C. Haines, H. E. Ruehr, C. L. Bollinger, Miss Myrtle Crawford, Miss Helen V. Rossman, Miss Hattie Orange.]

 

[13]

 

Book & Stationery and Grocery Depts.

 

[BOOK AND STATIONERY DEPT. Michael A. Cerully, Miss Viola B. Cole, Miss Irene Fischer, Miss Margaret Boyles, Miss Verna H. Giarth, Miss Charlotte McIntosh. ROBERT B. GABLE, Buyer of Books & Stationery.  M. T. BERRINGER, Assistant Buyer of Books.  J. G. ANSPAGH, Buyer of Groceries.  ARTHUR F. BRUCKMAN, Assistant Buyer of Groceries.  GROCERY DEPT. Miss Minnie Parkes, Harper Price, Earl Kelley, Ralph Schroyer, Walter Reed, Miss Viola Doyle, Miss Edith Ergler, Miss Margaret Stamm, Mrs. Marie Hare, Miss Agnes Stehle, Miss Frances Haggerty, Charles Fawber, Elmo Fasic.]

 

[14]

 

Furniture, Carpet & Rug, and Drapery Depts.

 

[FURNITURE DEPT. Harry J. Kerlin, J. Calvin Stiles, W. C. Ferguson, Lewis N. Edwards. F. A. ROMICH, Buyer of Furniture.  A. W. WEIDNER, Buyer of Carpets & Rugs. CARPET AND RUG DEPARTMENT. Joseph Thompson, T. A. Sharbaugh, Harold Riley, Miss Alma Neuhart, W. P. Gwin, Earl Lotz.  MISS BLANCHE I. HAKE, Buyer of Draperies.  DRAPERY DEPT.  Miss Lottie Brotherton, William Huber, Philip Rudacile (Shade Maker), Miss Ruth Killinger, Miss Margaret W. Marks, Monroe Wharton, Miss Mame E. Breslin.]

 

[15]

 

Photographic Studio

 

[Entrance to the Photographic Studio.  ROBERT B. GABLE, Manager Photographic Studio. Photographic Studio Reception Room.  The Photographic Studio.  CHARLES C. NEFF, Assistant Manager Photographic Studio.  PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO. E. J. Spalding, H. W. Detrich, Roy R. Altman, A. S. Makamura, J. K. Donaldson, Miss Verna Giarth, D. M. Peck.]

 

[16]

 

Restaurant and Store Messengers

 

[RESTAURANT EMPLOYES. Miss Ethel Steele, Miss Mary Healey, Miss Anna Flanagan, Miss Clementine Smithmyer, Mrs. Johanna Vondran, Miss Frances Schreiner, Miss Pearl Ott, Miss Helen Steele, Miss Mary Shoenfelt, Miss Jennie Dengler, Miss Lillian Young, Miss Marie Hammond, Miss Helen McFalls, Miss Kate Brunhuber, Miss Catherine Achatz, Mrs. Lena Wagner, Miss Martha Benton, Miss Helen McIntosh, J. P. Resig, Mrs. John Bath, Miss Anna Morning, Dessie Schermerhorn, Miss Regina McHugh, Miss Belle French, Miss Elizabeth Kunsman, Miss Pearl Shoff, Miss Julia Dunegan, William Glasgow, Maxwell Schroyer.  LEWIS ADAMS, Manager of Restaurant.  STORE MESSENGERS.  Homer Replogle, Ralph McConnell, Archie Landrus, John Shute, Walter Roth, Francis Clark, James Hickey, Paul Hayward, Sidney Koch, Charles Fawber, George Grassmyer, William States, Albert Holland, Arthur Burket, John Hess, C. A. Arthur, Charles Herr, Glen Streightiff, William Fischer, George Neiman.]

 

[17]

 

Candy and Housefurnishings Depts.

 

[CANDY DEPT. Miss Kathryn Shiffler, Miss Ruth Powell, Spencer Orange, Miss Catherine Arthurs.  MISS ANNIE M. STIFFLER, Buyer of Candies.  JOHN P. BANZHOFF, Buyer of Housefurnishings.  HOUSEFURNISHINGS DEPARTMENT. Miss Emma Raichle, Miss Mae Gorsuch, Russel F. Lightner, Miss Mary Embrick, Miss Esther Warner, Francis S. Clark, Harry Brumbaugh, Miss Mary Ward, Miss Mary Hanson, Miss Daisey Lathero, Miss Priscilla Byrne, E. G. Kelly, Miss Mary Lucas, Paul Mackey.]

 

[18]

 

Clerks, Watchmen, Fireman and Mechanics.

 

[G. W. Cross, Fireman; Thomas I. Ernest, Shipping Clerk; D. J. Schlemmer, Assistant Shipping Clerk; Blair K. Myers, Store Mechanic; George M. Werner, Picture Frame Maker; A. A. Hildebrand, Watchman; George Sammell, Head Watchman; David Grove, Watchman; Elmer Gray, Watchman; D. A. Wyerman, Watchman.]

 

 

[19]

 

Porters and Matrons

 

[Miss Mabel Brown, Matron; Albert Jackson, Porter; A. E. Carr, Porter; Mrs. Ella Jackson, Matron; Lewis Tillery, Porter; Eugene Alexander, Elevator Man.]

 

[20]

 

Dress Goods & Silks

 

[21]

 

Cloak & Suit and Glove Depts. and Main Floor

 

[22]

 

Drapery Dept., Soda Fountain & Restaurant and Carpet & Rug Dept.

 

[23]

 

Furniture, China and Grocery Depts.

 

[24 - 25]

 

The Store in 1884 - Thirty Years Ago 

 

    On March 1, 1884, the store was opened in a small room at 1300 Eleventh avenue, occupying a space of about 20x40 ft. in size.  The beginning was on a very small scale, the force at that time numbering but ten or twelve salespeople, while the average department of the present store contains more goods than was shown in the entire store on Opening Day, thirty years ago.

     The business soon out-grew this small room, and in the Fall of the same year the store was moved into larger quarters on Eleventh Avenue (pictured at the left) where it continued to grow at such a rapid pace, that in 1892 it was necessary to provide a new and larger home.

 

The New Store Home, Occupied December 8, 1892

 

     Preparations were completed which led to the erection of a modern three story building at 1320-22 Eleventh Avenue (pictured in the upper right hand corner).  The new home was occupied December 8th, 1892, the stock of goods being moved the night before, on baggage trucks, and the new store opened the following morning without a particle of interruption to business.

     At this time, there were only 42 employes - today the business requires the service of 375 to 500 employes.

     This new building was the largest, most modern, and by far the best constructed building of its kind erected in Altoona up to that time.

 

One Annex Added in 1898, Another in 1900

Still Another Addition Was Made in 1902 

 

     As shown in the different pictures, additions were made from time to time as the growth of the business demanded more space until the Store Home has grown into the magnificent four story and basement building, shown in the center picture.

 

The Home of Gable & Co., 1914

 

[26]

 

Our New Modern Sanitary Kitchen

 

     When plans were being made for the latest addition on the Fourteenth Street side of our building, we included specifications for a new kitchen for our restaurant and determined that everything pertaining to it should be strictly sanitary as well as modern in every detail.

     As a result we now have a kitchen that cannot be excelled anywhere for cleanliness and modern, up-to-date methods of preparing food. As a first means of sanitation we had the walls and ceiling cemented and then finished with a heavy coating of white enamel. The floor is what is known as a Mineral Floor which is not only strictly sanitary but is superior to cement and has a resiliency that makes it more comfortable to walk on.

     A modern Sturtevant Ventilating System, operated by a 15 horse power motor, was installed and which changes the air every four minutes, the foul air being carried into a 4x4 foot stack, which extends to the roof of the building.

     A modern Refrigerator with opal glass lining, the most sanitary refrigerator that can be had, is used for storing meats, vegetables, etc. It has an ice capacity of 1,000 pounds. The cooking is done on a large Range of the latest type specially made for natural gas and over which a canopy is suspended to collect all odors, which are carried direct to the ventilator. Connected with the range is a modern, natural gas Broiler.

     A large, 10 foot Steam Table keeps the meats, vegetables, etc., good and hot, ready to be served to our patrons. A triple set of Coffee Urns, of the latest type, with 20 gallon capacity, heavily nickel plated, provide delicious coffee that cannot be excelled.

     The Baking Oven is of the latest type and is heated by natural gas. All pastries, etc., on sale and served in the restaurant, are baked in this oven. The baking is all done under daylight, brought into the kitchen through prisms laid in the sidewalk on Fourteenth street. Three Cabinets made of galvanized iron, one of which is steam heated, provide space for storing the dishes and glasses.

     Sandwiches and other prepared foods are kept in good condition in metal cabinets.

     A modern Blakeslee Dish Washer enables us to wash the dishes in a thorough manner, at the rate of 4,000 pieces per hour. The dishes are placed on a rack, suspended by a chain over the washer and dropped into one tank where the water is kept in motion by an electric blower; after having been thoroughly cleansed the rack is placed in another tank of boiling water for rinsing. Thus the dishes are thoroughly washed and cleansed, without the use of dish cloths or being washed by hand. A separate table is provided for washing and polishing the glasses. All glasses used at the Soda Fountain are washed here also.

     In arranging the Kitchen we made an effort to have every piece of equipment made of metal, in order to make it as sanitary as possible. Twenty-seven tungsten electric lamps make it practically as light as day. An Elevator Shaft has been provided to bring all supplies direct from the street to the kitchen and refrigerators.

     With the completion of the New Kitchen and enlargement of the Dining Room, we are enabled to make our here-to-fore excellent restaurant service much better and we invite you to come and see how well prepared we are to serve you now.

     Our patrons are invited to inspect our new kitchen.

 

[27]

 

A Few Historical Facts About The Store

 

This is the 30th Anniversary of the William F. Gable & Co., Store and on the preceding pages we have presented many interesting pictures that give you much information in regard to the store and its employes. We are now going to mention a little store history, giving facts as remembered by our store historian, William B. Parker, and which we thought would be of interest to our patrons. Mr. Parker has been with the store almost continuously since 1887.

     When the new store of Gable & Co., was opened March 1, 1884, the Altoona of that time was far different from the splendid city that is here on the store's 30th Anniversary. Then it contained just about one third of its present population. Instead of its miles of well paved streets, the lone block on Eleventh avenue between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets was the only bit of paving the city could boast of. The remainder of the streets, not even excepting Eleventh avenue, were ordinary mud roads and it was no uncommon sight even on Eleventh avenue, to see wagons stalled hub deep in the mud. Instead of our present well lighted streets, there were only small gasoline lamps every here and there, which gave a very uncertain light to the pedestrian who found it necessary to be out after nightfall. There were no trolley cars at that time, simply the old horse cars which traveled a route extending from Chestnut avenue and First street to and over the Seventeenth street bridge to Eighth avenue and down to Fourth street. Instead of the excellent transportation service we now have both night and day, one often had a long wait before the means of transportation would arrive and instead of being able to go from one side of the city to the other at all hours of the night, the last chance to ride from the west to the east side was at 9.30 p. m., as the last car left the turnout at Eleventh avenue and Eleventh street at that hour.

     In 1884, gas was the most up-to-date method of illumination, but there were more people using kerosene lamps than gas. In the Fall of 1886, the Edison Company, now the Penn Central Light and Power Co., established the first electric light system, although the Pennsylvania Railroad Company had been using electric light for certain portions of its plant, before that time.

     By comparing the Altoona of today, about which we give much interesting data in the latter part of this booklet, with the Altoona of 30 years ago as described in the above brief sketch, one can see the wonderful advancements that have been made in this comparatively short time. But the People's Store has advanced even more rapidly, both in size and its ability to serve its ever increasing clientile with entire satisfaction to each customer. However, the one important feature of giving satisfaction with every transaction, which was the foundation stone upon which the business was started, i5 still the same today.

     Thirty years ago there were but ten or twelve clerks in the little store at 1300 Eleventh avenue, today there are 375 to 500 employes according to the season. The number was gradually increased until in September, 1887, there were eighteen clerks, 2 cashiers, one floor manager and three cash boys. After 26 1/2 years there remain of this force, Miss Anna A. Plank, Miss Annie M. Hill, H. King MacFarlane, the latter having been one of the three cash boys, Jesse M. Fay and William B. Parker. At that time the cash boys attended to all messenger service in the store, such as passing customer's pur-

 

[28]

 

chases from counter to counter, etc., delivered all of the packages and, after the store was closed, swept the floor. For delivering the goods purchased by our customers it is now necessary to provide a delivery department consisting of fourteen horses, ten wagons and sixteen employes, while it requires the services of five men working continuously from the time the store closes until it opens the next morning, to clean up the floors of the present store and get them ready for the next day's business.

     When, in 1892, it was found necessary to erect a new and larger home for the store, ground was bought and a building constructed at 1320-22 Eleventh avenue. When the store was moved to its new home on the night of December 7, there were just forty-two employes to go from the old store home to the new. Of that number there are ten remaining in the store service, which is nearly 25 per cent of the entire force - a fact that is considered by many people, as being quite a compliment alike to employer and employe. In addition to those mentioned on the preceding page, the ten employes include, J. George Anspach, Miss Eleanor McKerihan, Blair K. Myers, Howard M. Fleck and Miss Cora Jackson.

     At this time, 1892, the new building consisted of two floors and basement, 50x120 ft. and a third floor 50x50 ft. In 1898 a 25x120 ft. addition was made to the west of the main building; in 1900 another 25x120 ft. addition was added to the east of the main building. In 1902 another 25x120 ft. was added to the west, but the old buildings were allowed to stand and used temporarily until 1906 when a new structure was built and the third floor extended back to the alley. In 1910 a new building 50x90 ft. was added at the corner of Fourteenth street and a fourth floor extended over the entire group of buildings fronting 175 ft. on Eleventh avenue. In this same year a three story warehouse, 50x90 ft. was built on Twelfth avenue and connected to the main store by a tunnel and overhead bridge. In 1913 still another addition 30x50 ft. was added to the rear of the Fourteenth street front, giving the complete store a frontage of 175 ft. on Eleventh avenue by 120 ft. on Fourteenth street, embracing four floors and basement - practically three acres of floor space, counting warehouses, etc.

     The goods we offer our patrons are gathered from every market of the world and are of the very best grades it is possible to secure. Buying, as we do, in large quantities in connection with fifteen other big stores, we secure advantage of many price concessions that mean savings for our patrons that other stores cannot offer. We have a permanent buying organization in New York City and connections in Paris and other Continental cities, which enable us to bring to our customers the new styles as soon as they appear.

 

The Gable & Co. "Quarter Century Club"

 

     This unique organization was formed a few years ago and all employes, as they round out 25 years in the store's service are entitled to membership. It was established in order to show, in a marked manner the firm's appreciation of the faithfulness of those employes who by such a long term of service, show true loyalty to the store's interests. Upon the completion of 25 years in the employe of the firm, each member of the Quarter Century Club is presented with a gift of $100 in gold. The present members of the Quarter Century Club include Miss Anna A. Plank, Miss Annie M. Hill, H. King MacFarlane and Jesse M. Fay.

 

[29]

 

Our Men's and Boys' Clothing Section

 

Brief Facts About The People's Store

 

     There are forty-five or more Separate Departments, each a complete store in itself.

     From 375 to 500 people are employed, according to the requirements of the season.

     The latest model in Cable Cash Carriers, operated by electricity, is installed to transfer money to the cashiers and quickly return change to the customers. Ninety stations are in operation. Ten Delivery Wagons are required to transfer the customers' purchases to their homes in Altoona and surrounding towns.

     A modern system of steam heat keeps the entire building comfortable on the coldest day of mid-winter, while the many windows and doors allow a free circulation of air to keep the summer heat to a minimum.

     It is located on Eleventh avenue, just one and one-half blocks from the P. R. R. Passenger Station, and trolley lines from all parts of the city and suburbs pass its doors.

     The One Price System that enables everyone to buy at the same price, is strictly enforced.

     Its prices are the "Lowest East or West of the Alleghanies" - one reason why the store has grown so rapidly in the 30 years of its existence.

     It is a homelike store and visitors are always welcome, regardless of whether they come to buy or simply to see the goods.

     It is protected from fire by a Modern Overhead Sprinkler System that renders the entire building practically fireproof.

     Is equipped with a first-class modern electric elevator.

     Buying for cash and selling for cash, has, in a large measure, contributed to the wonderful success of this "Store of the People" since its inauguration, thirty years ago.

 

Our New Photographic Studio

 

     It is the largest between New York and Chicago. During the daytime daylight is used to make the sittings - the sky-light being 18x11 ft., and is the largest in the city. At night tungsten and nitrogen electric lights are used - thus doing away with the undesirable flash. The dark rooms and finishing rooms are equipped with the very latest photographic apparatus; large slate sinks and tanks are used instead of the ordinary woolen ones, and the floors are all of rubber cement. The Studio equipment includes three of the largest and latest model portrait cameras, which make three sittings possible at one time.

     The Commercial Photographic Department is equipped and ready to make pictures at a moment's notice - the equipment includes View, Banquet, Graflex and Cirkut cameras, and the latest smokeless flash light apparatus, so that pictures can be made "any size, any place, any time."

 

[30]

 

The People's Store Delivery Department, 1914

 

Thirty years ago it consisted of three cash boys and a push cart.  The faithful "helpers" in the centre group see that your purchases reach your homes promptly.

 

[THOMAS McGOUGH, Head of Delivery Dept.  DELIVERY DEPT.  J. Frank Dunkle, Stanley Moore, George Burley, Malcolm Housel.  DRIVERS. Regis Weakland, Earl Lykens, George Shultzberger, Paul Cherry, Ira Parsons, Roy Woessner, Ralph Creighton, George Bunn, Baker Reed, Earl Neiman, Charles Campbell.]

 

[31]

 

Harry L. Johnston

 

A Brief History of Altoona

 

Written Specially for Gable & Co.'s Thirtieth Anniversary by Harry L. Johnston

 

ALTOONA, PA., is one of the most unique cities in the United States. Altoona is a city of workers, where there is neither the very rich nor the very poor; a city of homes and home owners; a city of railroad shops, and rolling stock and motive power; a city of ideas and ideals; a city of stability and dependability; a city of progress and of expansion; a city of promise, with confidence in itself and faith in the future; a city without hate, without fear; a city where people live and laugh and labor and love.

     Altoona has a romantic location, on gently sloping hills, at the base of the Alleghany mountains. On every hand the mountaintops kiss the azure of the sky by day and meet the stars by night.

     Altoona lies at the head of the picturesque Logan valley or Tuckahoe valley, as it was commonly called in the pioneer days, and is elevated 1168 feet above tide. It is situated about thirty miles from the geographical centre of Pennsylvania.

     The city derives its name from the liquid and expressive Cherokee word, "Allatoona," literally "high lands of great value." The name was bestowed by Archibald Wright, of Philadelphia, long a resident of the Cherokee country in Georgia, and an admirer of the musical names of that Indian language.

     Some writers have stated that the name was derived from the Latin word altus or the French word alto, but J. Simpson Africa, in his history of Huntingdon and Blair counties, gives the Cherokee derivation on the authority of the person who bestowed the name, Mr. Wright. Strickland Kneass suggested that the name was too long and it was shortened, by omitting the second syllable, "la," to Altoona.

     In 1849 Altoona was part farm, part wilderness and largely swamp. Indeed, there were three farms, owned respectively by William London, David Robison and Andrew Green.

     Robison owned the middle farm on which the original village was laid out in that year. It came into his possession ten years earlier. It contained 223 acres and included that portion of the city now extending from Fourth to Fourteenth avenues and from Eleventh to Sixteenth streets.

     Archibald Wright purchased the Robison farm, through Mr. Cadwallader, but he subsequently presented it to his son, John A. Wright, after whom the public school in the Third ward was named.

     Robison lived in a farm house built of logs, which was erected near where the Logan House now stands. Mr. Wright had ascertained that he would be willing to accept $6,000 for his farm. On the day when Mr. Cadwallader arrived to close the deal, Robison was butchering. While the negotiations were pending a letter dropped from Mr. Cadwallader's pocket. This letter authorized the bearer to pay $10,000 for the farm, rather than permit the deal to fall through. It was picked up by Mrs. Robison, and, like a good wife, she acquainted her husband with its contents, with the result that Mr. Cadwallader was forced to yield to the demand for $10,000, instead of getting the farm for $6,000.

     Andrew Green owned the farm lying east of Eleventh street and much of it was covered with virgin timber. After Altoona was laid out he con-

 

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cluded to start a rival city, which he called Greensburg. He foolishly declined to make the streets of his town conform to the general plan of Altoona, which is responsible for the unsightly and inconvenient offset in the avenues at Eleventh street, between Eleventh and Sixteenth avenues.

     William Loudon owned the farm west of Sixteenth street, which he purchased from Eli Hastings in 1838 and occupied a year later. It contained 204 acres. The homestead, the usual log house, stood near where the Eighteenth street culvert passes under the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad. When he learned that the new railroad company intended to locate its shops here he laid out a portion of the tract in lots.

     It is said that the officials of the Pennsylvania railroad really preferred Hollidaysburg as its headquarters at the foot of the eastern slope of the Alleghanies, but that the property owners there demanded prohibitive prices for their land, so another site was sought. Hollidaysburg at that time was a flourishing community and had been for some years by reason of the canal. It was also the county seat and is yet.

     Mr. Wright encouraged the railroad to locate its shops and offices in Altoona by donating thirty-five acres of the Robison farm to the company. In truth, he may have been the agent of the company in buying the farm. At all events the railroad accepted the gift and Mr. Wright appointed Clement Jaggard his representative to sell off the remainder of the farm in lots. Mr. Jaggard became one of the new town's most important men. The Jaggard mansion, erected on Sixth avenue, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, years afterwards, stood in a grove which many hoped the city would buy for a park. The High School now occupies a portion of the plot. Feb. 18, 1914, the Altoona school board authorized the purchase of three additional lots fronting on Sixth avenue, including the old mansion, and the estate donated a lot 50x120 feet on Fifth avenue.

     Feminine appellatives were bestowed upon the streets of Altoona as originally plotted. After the village had been laid out by John A. Wright, a number of civil engineers and others held a little celebration. Mr. Wright was asked if he had yet named the streets. He said that he had not. Whereupon they proposed to name them after their sweethearts, which proposition met with favor. And thus it was that the streets came to be called Virginia, Emma, Harriet, Adeline, Rebecca, etc., which included the names of several of Mr. Wright's family.

     The original street names and their present designations follow

 

Present Name                  Former Name

 

Fourth avenue                 Elizabeth street

Fifth avenue                  Rebecca street

Sixth avenue                  Helen street

Seventh avenue                Adeline street

Eighth avenue                 Harriet street

Ninth avenue                  Branch street

Tenth avenue                  Main street

Eleventh avenue               Virginia street

Twelfth avenue                Emma street

Thirteenth avenue             Claudia street

Fourteenth avenue             Mary street

Eleventh street               Katherine street

Twelfth street                Annie street

Thirteenth street             Julia street

Fourteenth street             Caroline street

Fifteenth street              Clara street

 

     The first building erected on the original site of Altoona after Mr. Wright came into possession of the property, was a frame structure for the use of Strickland Kneass and the surveyors of the railroad. It was used as an engineers' office and was located near the railroad, probably at what is now Tenth avenue and Twelfth street.

     But in the immediate vicinity, indeed in what is now included within

 

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Views Taken in and About P.R.R. Altoona Shops - 1

 

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the boundaries of the present city, were several other buildings. As early as 1825 John McCartney, a native of Franklin county, was living in a cabin which he built on what is now the Cricket field at Chestnut avenue and Seventh street. Much of his time was spent in clearing what later became the Seventh ward of the timber and converting the land into a farm. In 1828 he married Charlotte Christman, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Christman, and moved on the farm, where eight children were born to them. When the city outgrew its original lines, he laid out the farm in lots, and established the suburb of McCartneyville, subsequently known as Logantown. His eldest daughter, in 1851, married John A. Smith, venerable and respected citizen, living today (1914), and they settled on the northwest side of the city.

     Altoona grew slowly at first. Prospective inhabitants awaited developments. John B. Westley was the town's first contractor and builder. He erected the first house in the fall of 1849, for the use of Mr. Worrall, an engineer employed by the Pennsylvania railroad, at Eleventh avenue and Fourteenth street. Local histories credit Mr. Westley with building the first house in 1851, on Tenth avenue between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, but this is incorrect, although he may have erected a structure there in that year. Prior to 1852 he had erected these other buildings: Residences and storehouse for John Loudon on Eleventh avenue, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, residence for Enos M. Jones at 1406 Eleventh avenue, shop for Thomas Elway, a tailor on Twelfth avenue, dwelling for Joseph Boone, a lumber dealer, on Gospel Hill, house for Henry Eicholtz at Eleventh avenue and Thirteenth street and a house for William Payne on Ninth avenue, between Ninth and Tenth streets. Mr. Westley died at his home, Seventh avenue and Tenth street, April 6, 1900.

     The year 1850 is a most memorable one in Altoona's history. It was the year the first train of cars reached the city over the newly constructed Pennsylvania railroad. Oddly enough there does not seem to have been much of a demonstration over the event, epoch-making though it was. Perhaps there were not enough people here then to make much of a fuss.

     On Sept. 17, 1850, the first train was run through to Duncansville, which was then the terminus of the Middle division. What is now the Hollidaysburg branch was part of the main line for the time being. The cars crossed the mountain over the Old Portage, which had been used to haul canal boats from Hollidaysburg over the mountain to Johnstown,

     On Dec. 10, 1850, the first train ran through Altoona to Pittsburgh. Meantime the present main line over the Alleghanies was being laid out and built. It was used for the first time on Feb. 15, 1854. It was a great engineering feat and gave the famous Horse Shoe Curve to the world.

     Altoona was now made the western terminus of the Middle division. Originally the railroad track was laid along Ninth avenue, and the first station established at Ninth avenue and Twelfth street. But the main line was changed to parallel Tenth avenue and the station was moved to Tenth avenue and Thirteenth street. For a time the ticket office and waiting room were in the Logan House. Later a building was erected on the present site of the depot. It sufficed until 1871, when a new station was erected. In its day it was an imposing structure, but it has since been considerably altered.

     Enos M. Jones, grandfather of the present state senator, Enos M. Jones, located in Altoona in 1851, purchased the lot at 1406 Eleventh avenue and built a home there. It is still in the family. Mr. Jones was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad company. Five years after his arrival the lot on which the Brant House now stands was offered for $250. In 1913 it was sold to the railroad company for $80,000 including, of course, the present hotel. For some reason the people were rather pessimistic in those early days

 

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Views Taken in and About P.R.R. Altoona Shops - 2

 

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Portion of P.R.R. Classification Yards at East Altoona - Largest in The World

 

and did not think Altoona had much of a future. Otherwise, they might have bought up the choice lots, held them and amassed fortunes.

     In 1851 Altoona consisted of a dozen houses. In addition to those previously named there were Adlum & Irvin's store, Benjamin Figart's store, Dr. Gabriel Thomas' residence, and the Exchange hotel, the latter located on Tenth avenue between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. A brick building was in course of erection on Virginia street (Eleventh avenue) for railroad offices.

     Few streets had been laid out and none of them was graded. Trees covered the present site of the First National bank. Where the Logan House now stands was a pond in which the boys went swimming in summer. Deer passed through the straggling village in their migrations to and from the "licks."

     With the advent of through passenger traffic it became necessary for the railroad company to furnish accommodations for its patrons, so it was decided to erect a hotel here. The Logan House was the result. It was begun in 1854 and rushed to completion the following year. The stone was obtained from the William Bell farm. The hostelry did not extend back to Eleventh avenue as it does now, but it was nevertheless a great building at the time, located in the midst of a wilderness. It attained fame all over the country later, and was the scene of the conference of loyal war governors on Sept. 24 and 25, 1862, at which it was decided to uphold the hands of President Lincoln in the vigorous prosecution of the war. It is said that this conference was one of the most momentous events of the Civil war and that it very largely contributed toward the preservation of the Union of states.

 

Establishment of the Railroad Shops.

 

     With the advent of steam transportation it became necessary to establish shops for the manufacture and repair of motive power and rolling stock. Accordingly the Pennsylvania Railroad company began the erection of its original shop unit in 1850 at Twelfth street. It consisted of a two-third

 

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round house, with eight tracks, for storing locomotives. One portion of the building was partitioned off for a paint shop and another for repairing freight cars. A long one-story building contained a locomotive repair shop, machine shop, car shop and foundry. When the road was opened from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, these constituted all the shops at that time. Today none of the original buildings remains. In their stead, in the same vicinity, have been erected what are known as the Altoona Machine shops, where locomotive repairing is a specialty.

     Anticipating the need for expansion, the "lower," or Altoona Car shops were erected below Seventh street. The third unit, the Juniata shops, one of the most complete plants of its kind in the world, was started in 1889. Originally intended to erect 150 locomotives a year, enlargements now give it a capacity of one locomotive a day. Much of the experimental construction is also done at the Juniata shops. Following the completion of the classification yards in 1902-03, what might be termed another shop unit was established with the construction of the mammoth East Altoona roundhouse, with the necessary departments for repair work. The last great shop unit here is the South Altoona foundries, erected in 1903. It is one of the most modern plants in the country, with a capacity of 900 wheels a day.

     These shops contain many departments, include one hundred buildings, and occupy fifty acres of ground space. Their estimated value, including equipment, is $18,000,000. In normal times between 15,000 and 16,000 persons are employed in the shops, yards and offices. Middle division records show that 2,162,895 cars moved past Denholm in 1913. The number of loaded cars was 1,307,790.

 

Incorporation of Altoona.

 

Altoona became a borough Feb. 6, 1854. The population was 2,000. The first election was held on March 10, 1854, John I,. Piper, Herman L. Lombaert, George R. Everson, Jacob Hesser, and Thomas McCauley being chosen to council. George W. Patton was chief burgess. In 1855 Greensburg was taken into the borough. In 1857 a building was erected at Thirteenth avenue and Twelfth street for a lock-up, the second floor of which was used for council meetings.

     Altoona became a city on April 3, 1868. The population then was over 8,000. In 1885 two branches of council were established - select and common, one representative from each ward being elected to select and two representatives from each ward to common. Early officials had much to contend with. Many perplexing problems confronted them. Still, these public servants managed pretty well, for they evolved a city out of an overgrown village. And no one was unnecessarily burdened with taxation. Altoona today owns property valued at $2,500,000, including the water system, with a net bonded indebtedness of $1,607,556.86. The assessed valuation of property is $26,232,000, which is probably two-thirds its real value, and the tax rate (city) is 10 mills. Altoona has 36.54 miles of paved streets, nine miles of main and sixty-six miles of lateral sewers, and owns a sewage filtering plant costing $100,000 and is about to build another worth $150,000. The death rate for 1913 was 11.71 per thousand of population.

     The old order obtained until Monday, Dec. 1, 1913, when the bicameral form of government was superseded by the commission form of government, a body of five men, including the mayor, composing council, and combining both the legislative and executive functions of the government. Hereafter the people will elect the commissioners and they will appoint all the employes of the government, save only the city controller, who is the people's representative to guard the city's expenditures.

 

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Present Board of City Commissioners, 1914

Top: Frank E. Rooney, Ira J. Shelley

Bottom: H. J. Cornman, S. H. Walker, George W. Kuebler

 

Burgesses of Altoona.

 

George W. Patton              1854 to 1855

Thomas McCauley               1856

James Lowther                 1857

Enos M. Jones                 1858 to 1859

W. C. McCormick               1860 to 1861

John Allison                  1862 to 1863

William Leonard               1864 to 1865

John Baer                     3 months in 1866

Henry C. Dern                 Balance of 1866

Henry Fettinger               1867

 All are dead.

 

Mayors of Altoona.

 

*George Potts                 1868 to 1872

David Kinch                   1872 to 1874

*D. A. Gilland                1874 to 1878

Thomas Hurd                   1878 to 1880

*William T. Howard            1880 to 1884

*C. J. Mann                   1884 to 1886

*S. J. Breth                  1886 to 1888

*E. H. Turner                 1888 to 1890

Theo. Burchfield              1890 to 1893

S. M. Hoyer                   1893 to 1896

H. C. Barr                    1896 to 1899

E. F. Giles                   1899 to 1902

S. M. Hoyer                   1902 to 1905

S. H. Walker                  1905 to 1908

S. M. Hoyer                   1908 to 1911

S. H. Walker                  1911 to date

 

*Deceased.

 

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Commissioners of Altoona.

 

     S. H. Walker, mayor; director of Public Affairs; Ira J. Shelley, vice mayor, director of Accounts and Finance; George W. Kuebler, director of Public Safety; Frank E. Rooney, director of Streets and Public Improvements; H. J. Cornman, director of Parks and Public Property.

     The terms of all expire on first Monday of January, 1916.

 

Formation of Blair County.

 

     Blair county was erected from portions of Bedford and Huntingdon counties on Feb. 26, 1846, on which date Governor Francis R. Shunk signed the bill, but the formation cannot be said to have been concluded until the following June. The county was named after John Blair, a son of Captain Thomas Blair, soldier in the Revolutionary war, who located in Blair's Gap in 1785. Hollidaysburg was chosen the county seat because it was then the largest town in the county. Governor Shunk appointed these officers to serve until the next election: Associate judges, George R. McFarlane and Daniel McConnell; district attorney, John Cresswell; sheriff, Benjamin Betts; prothonotary and clerk of the courts, Jeremiah Cunningham; register and recorder, John M. Gibboney; commissioners, Valentine Lingenfelter, William Bell and William C. McCormick.

     Judge Jeremiah S. Black, later chief justice of the Pennsylvania supreme court, and also attorney general of the United States, held the first term of court on July 27, 1846, in the Methodist church. Forty-nine lawyers were sworn in that day and three more the day following. Oddly enough, the first suit entered was for a divorce - Mary Armstrong vs. John Armstrong, subpoena issued June 23, 1846. The divorce was granted March 25, 1847. The entire costs were $7.75. Divorces come higher today.

     On Oct. 13, 1846, an election was held, these county officials being elected: Sheriff, Samuel J. Royer; prothonotary and clerk of the courts, Joseph Smith; register and recorder, Louis H. Williams; commissioners, John K. Neff, Edward McGraw and William Bell; auditors, Charles E. Kinkead, William P. Dysart and James Wilson; treasurer, Joseph Morrow; coroner, Joseph C. Morgan.

     The contract for a court house and jail to be erected on the site of the present court house, was let July 4, 1846, to Daniel K. Ramey, at his bid of $11,998.50, and both were ready for occupancy in June of the following year. The contract for the present jail was let to Jonathan Rhule in 1868. It cost about $100,000. Bids for the present court house were advertised Aug. 11, 1875, and twenty-three were received, the contract being let to John Schreiner, of Pittsburgh, for $100,003. The building was completed July 2, 1877, and was made the occasion of a celebration, at which judge John Dean delivered the historic address. At a cost of $242,000, the court house was remodeled and enlarged and it was rededicated Oct. 4, 1907.

     Judge Black continued on the bench until April 5, 1849, when the judicial districts were changed, and in the same month George Taylor, of Huntingdon, was appointed president judge of the Twenty-fourth district, to which Blair county belonged. He served until 1851, when the judiciary was made elective. He was chosen for ten years, being re-elected for a second term. He died in 1871.

     John Dean, of Hollidaysburg, was his successor, having been elected in October, 1871. He was twice re-elected for ten years each, but in November, 1892, he was elected an associate justice of the Pennsylvania supreme court. He died May 25, 1905.

     Hon. A. S. Landis, of Hollidaysburg, was appointed to the vacancy, Jan. 2, 1893, by Governor Robert E. Pattison, and served one year, when he

 

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was succeeded by Martin Bell, also of Hollidaysburg, who was re-elected in 1903. Judge Bell died Jan. 2, 1910.

     Governor Edwin S. Stuart appointed Thomas J. Baldrige, of Hollidaysburg, to the vacancy on Jan. 12, 1910. Judge Baldrige was elected for ten years in 1911.

 

Associate Judges of Blair County.

 

George R. McFarlane, appointed June 8, 1846.

David McConnell, appointed June 8, 1846.

George R. McFarlane, appointed March 11, 1847.

Davis Brooke, appointed Jan. 28, 1848.

James Gardner, appointed April 10, 1851.

James Gardner, elected October, 1852.

Levi Slingluff, elected October, 1852.

James D. Rea, appointed July 25, 1854.

James L. Gwin, appointed March, 1855.

David Caldwell, elected October, 1855.

John Penn Jones, elected October, 1855.

Adam Moses, elected October, 1860.

Samuel Dean, elected October, 1860.

Adam Moses, elected October, 1865.

B. F. Rose, elected October, 1865.

George W. Patton, elected October, 1870.

Joseph Irwin, elected October, 1870.

Charles J. Mann, elected October, 1875.

Samuel Smith, elected October, 1875.

Robert Stewart, elected October, 1880.

Robert L. Gamble, elected October, 1880, (Died Sept., 1881.)

Joseph Fichtner, appointed Sept. 18, 1881.

 

Gas and Water For Altoona.

 

     The Altoona Gas and Water company was incorporated April 9, 1859, to supply the new town with gas and water, the privilege having been granted by the state legislature by Act of May 2, 1855. The officers were: President, W. H. Wilson; treasurer, William M. Lloyd; secretary, B. F. Rose; managers, John Shoemaker, Enos M. Jones, Charles J. Mann, Rev. A. B. Clarke and George B. Cramer. The Pennsylvania railroad evidently had a joint interest in the water rights, for both the company and the city obtained a supply of water from Pottsgrove, and distributed it from the old reservoir at Fifteenth avenue and Twelfth street. Stockholders in the gas and water company did not have much faith in the future of the city, for they contented themselves with laying 4-inch mains, which were later replaced by 8-inch mains.

     Both gas and water were introduced in Altoona on Dec. 15, 1859. Later it was discovered that the old arrangement could not be continued, so the city finally decided to establish its own water system, bought a site at Kittanning Point and in 1871 built a reservoir, simultaneously erecting the Prospect Hill distributing basin. In 1872 the city purchased the water system from the gas and water company for $20,000, the railroad company took over the Pottsgrove plant and the Altoona Gas company was formed May 8, 1871, retaining the gas portion of the concern.

     This was the beginning of Altoona's splendid water plant, which today includes the reservoir, impounding dam and Lake Altoona at Kittanning Point, the Prospect Hill and Oakton distributing basins and a site for a reservoir in Riggle's Gap, together with the water rights of Riggle's Run,

 

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with an aggregate value of $2,160,500, or more than four-fifths of all the property owned by. the city. The capacity of the city reservoirs in gallons is as follows

 

 Lake Altoona                 600,000,000

 Impounding dam               360,000,000

 Kittanning Point reservoir    65,000,000

 Oakton basins                  6,000,000

 Prospect Hill basins          10,000,000

 

 Total                      1,041,000,000

 

     Lake Altoona has cost the city about $600,000, but $300,000 more will be required to complete it, when it will have a capacity of 1,600,000,000 gallons.

     The Altoona Gas company continued the old name until 1913, when it adopted the name of the Altoona Gas Light and Fuel company. Gas sells for $1.20 per thousand cubic feet, with a discount of 10 cents per thousand feet. Natural gas, introduced in 1913, retails at 35 cents per thousand cubic feet.

 

Organization of Fire Department.

 

     When Altoona began to assume the aspects of a town, fire protection became a necessity. So in April, 1859, the Good Will Fire company was organized, with Alexander A. Smyth, A. H. Maxwell and A. C. Vauclain as the prime movers. The hand engine of the Good Will company, of Philadelphia, was purchased and arrived here Oct. 22, 1859. There being no water in the town at that time, the celebration was postponed until Dec. 15, 1859, when both water and gas were introduced, and made the occasion of a "big" parade. W. W. Smith and Andrew Kipple, members of the original company, are still living. The Empire Hook and Ladder company was organized Sept. 14, 1866, and purchased a truck, ladders, etc., from the Empire company, of Lancaster. The following year the Pennsylvania Railroad company bought the first steam fire engine for Altoona, and installed it in the car shop yard. The Vigilant Steam Fire Engine company was organized March 26, 1868. Council, having authorized the purchase of two steam fire engines for the Good Will and Vigilant companies, the engines were ordered and arrived July 4, 1868. Subsequently a number of other volunteer companies were organized and there was great rivalry between them to see who could be the first to respond to the fire alarm. The volunteer department continued in service until 1895, when the agitation for paid fire fighters culminated in the organization of the present department on May 1, of that year, with J. N. Tillard, as the first chief. In 1896 Mr. Tillard was succeeded by William P. Pimlott, who served six years, when Theodore W. Allemann was appointed chief by Mayor S. M. Hoyer, and is still in the service. H. C. Graybill is assistant chief. The department consists of six engines, two hose and one chemical company (including two Pennsylvania railroad companies), and two. truck companies. All told there are seventy men in the department, not counting the firemen paid by the railroad company.

 

Establishment of Street Car Service.

 

Street car service was established in Altoona July 4, 1882, by the City Passenger Railway company, of which John P. Levan was president. The line extended from First street up Chestnut avenue to Eleventh street, to Eleventh avenue to Bridge street to Seventeenth street to Eighth avenue to Fourth street. It cost $35,000 to build and $10,000 to equip with six cars and thirty horses. July 4, 1891, the road was electrified. In 1892 the Altoona and Logan Valley Electric Railway company was formed to construct a line

 

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Altoona High School. Erected 1905-06.

Photo Made From Architect's Drawing by Gable & Co.

 

to Hollidaysburg, and service was established June 23, 1893. The following year a line was built to Bellwood and opened July 1, 1894. Tyrone people financed a trolley line between Tyrone and Bellwood, and subsequently sold it to the American Street Railways company, which, in 1901, had acquired the City Passenger and Logan Valley companies. All the lines were placed under one local management. The system now consists of eleven branches, with fifty-two miles of tracks and has 400 employes. S. S. Crane, of Altoona, is the general manager and operating head. J. J. Sullivan, of Philadelphia, is president of the American Railways company.

 

The Schools of Altoona.

 

     The public school preceded the church in what is now Altoona. In 1815 - almost a century ago - a log school house was erected at what is now the southeast corner of Fourth avenue and Twenty-fourth street, in the midst of the primeval forest. It was known at first as Beale's school, but later its name was changed to Black Oak Ridge school. Fine spring days some of the boys would play "hookey" and fish in the stream that then ran through what is now the Sixth ward. This building served until the Union school was established, in 1838, at what is now Union avenue and Sixteenth street. Barton Hastings was the first teacher in the new building. He taught spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic. In 1854, the year Altoona became a borough, the county superintendency was established. John Rutherford was the only applicant for teacher in Altoona. He got the job.

     A one-story school house was erected in 1855 at Seventh avenue and Fifteenth street for about $1,000, and John Rutherford chosen teacher of the boys and Miss Cordelia White teacher of the girls. The pupils numbered 158. During the same summer the second building was erected at Fourteenth

 

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HON. E. F. GILES, POSTMASTER and Postoffice

 

Government Building and Postoffice, Chestnut Ave. and Eleventh St.

Photo by Gable & Co.

 

avenue and Thirteenth street. Thus began Altoona's public school plant. When the city was incorporated, in 1868, there were seven school houses and ten school rooms. In 1914 the school buildings number seventeen, including the High and Central Grammar schools, and there are 178 rooms in the grade schools. There are 240 teachers employed. The value of the school property owned by the district is estimated at $1,094,900. The enrollment is 7,995, and the annual cost per pupil is $21.96.

     The office of city superintendent was established in 1869, and only four men have held the position, as follows: Professor John Miller, who died Sept. 3, 1875; Professor D. S. Keith, who served thirty-one years, or until 1905; Professor H. J. Wightman, who served until 1908, when Professor Henry H. Baish was chosen and still holds the office.

     All that is now known of the first school board is that Thomas K. Burchinell was the first president. Minutes of the early meetings have been lost, and the first board of which there is any record is the one in 1867, when the members were: J. L. Reifsneider, president; J. H. Dysart, R. A. O. Kerr, A. J. Kelley, H. W. Snyder and R. P. Johnston.

     The present board is composed of William F. Eberle, president; M. H. Canan, J. D. Hicks, D. S. Keith, A. S. Stayer, M. D., W. E. McKee, J. S. Fleck, Thomas G. Magee and F. A. Bell.

     Rev. John Tuigg established the first parochial school in 1853, with Mary Levi as teacher. Today there are seven parochial schools, with fifty-eight rooms, and an enrollment of almost 3,000.

 

Altoona Postoffice and Postmasters.

 

Robert McNamara was the first postmaster in this vicinity, having been appointed Nov. 11, 1817. The office was then in Collinsville, Huntingdon county. He was succeeded, Aug. 3, 1830, by David Y. Hileman, who held the job just two months, when McNamara took it back. McNamara was then in turn followed by these postmasters on the dates given: Esther Denlenger, March 18, 1834; Michael Hileman, April 25, 1835; Benjamin Figart, March 24, 1846; George Boozel, Dec. 21, 1848.

 

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On Nov. 1, 1850, George C. Ferree was appointed and the office moved to Altoona. After Thomas Elway was appointed on June 29, 1852, he moved the office to 1402 Twelfth avenue, and after Henry A. Sellers was appointed May 21, 1853, he moved the office to 1408 Eleventh avenue. John Shoemaker was appointed Sept. 20, 1856, and located the office in the old Masonic temple, now the Hotel Bingham, 1012 Twelfth street. Jan. 7, 1861, the office was made a presidential appointment, and Shoemaker re-appointed on that date. George W. Patton was appointed May 6, 1861, and established the office on the site of William F. Gable & Co.'s present store, but soon afterwards reoccupied the old Masonic temple, where the position of postmaster was successfully filled by the following gentlemen: Frank B. Stewart, April 5, 1869; T. B. Patton, Feb. 8, 1877; (resigned, May, 1891); Albert P. McDonald, May, 1891; (died Nov. 22, 1895); Reamer Hoke, (acting), Nov. 22, 1895; Hambleton P. Wilson, Feb. 1, 1896. During Mr. Wilson's incumbency the new postoffice building at Chestnut avenue and Eleventh street was begun March 7, 1901, and occupied Sept. 30, 1902. George Fox was appointed postmaster March 1, 1905, and Ellsworth F. Giles May 20, 1913.

     The steady growth of the office is shown by the increasing receipts during the past thirteen years

 

  Year      Receipts

 

  1900    $ 48,550 18

  1901      51,878 13