Indian Proprietors — First White Settlers — Wild Game — Early Merchants, Millers, etc. — First Death — Early Justices — First Postofflce — Early Churches — Gillespie's Addition — Early Bridges — Amusements — Pioneer Costume — New Castle Made a Borough — The Town Resurveyed — Some Notable Improvements — Prosperous Era Begins — First Fire Company — New Castle in 1840 — First Steps Towards Banking — The New County — The First Courts — New Castle in 1850 — Court-House — New Military Companies — Hard Times in 1855 — Gaslight Company Incorporated — A Contemporary Description of New Castle in 1858 — The War Period.
[p. 86] The borough of New Castle was raised to the dignity of a city February 25, 1869, and divided into two wards, the first ward including all of the former Pollock Township, and the second the whole of what had heretofore been the borough, and considerable territory from Neshannock Township. This enlargement of the limits added greatly to the population, the census of 1870 giving the new city 6,164 inhabitants. The first city election was held on the third Friday of March, 1869. The first mayor was T. B. Morgan; president of Select Council, R. W. Cunningham; president of Common Council, David Craig; secretary, John McMichael.
1869-T. B. Morgan.
1870-M. B. Welch.
1871-M. B. Welch.
1872-William S. Black.
1873-Thomas McBride.
1875-J. R. Richardson.
1878-Robert Cochran.
1881-Robert C. McChesney.
1884-Robert C. McChesney.
1887-Robert C. McChesney.
1890-John B. Brown.
1893-Alexander Richardson. (S. W. Smith succeeded Alexander Richardson in the fall of 1894.)
1896-S. W. Smith.
1899-C. L. Warnock.
1902-John C. Jackson.
1905-M. Louis Hainer.
1908-Harry J. Lusk.
By an Act of Assembly, approved -May 23, 1874, New Castle was made a city of the third class (which includes cities having from 10,000 to 100,000 inhabitants), and by order of the Court of Quarter Sessions, made December 6, 1876, it was divided into four wards.
The lot on which the City Hall stands—68x180 feet in dimensions, and located on the northwest corner of Washington and East Streets—was purchased of Jesse W. Moore for $15,000. The building was commenced in June, 1875. The original contract price for the construction of the building was about $31,000, the contractors being Vogan & Preston. Before being [p. 87] completed the building was burned—June 7, 1876. The amount expended up to that date was about $24,000, there being no insurance. The building was rebuilt at an additional cost of $15,000. It is constructed of red pressed brick, with galvanized iron trimmings, and is three full stories and basement in height. The whole of the first floor is occupied by the mayor's, treasurer's and controller's offices, and the second floor by the two councils, committee-rooms, and audience chamber. The basement is occupied by the Police Department and for storage rooms. The building is well adapted to the needs of the enterprising city in which it is located.
The following shows the city government for 1907-1908:
Mayor-M. Louis Hainer.
Clerk-A. E. Rhodes.
Engineer-C. H. Milholland.
Solicitor-James A. Gardner.
Treasurer-John McCandless.
Controller-L. C. Hughes.
Health Officer-C. C. Horner.
Poor Director-J. A. Hainer.
Poor Physician-W. C. Kissinger.
Poor Warden-J. L. Gold.
Street Commissioner-J. E. Barteaux.
Chief of Police-Thomas J. Spiers.
Chief of Fire Department-F. J. Connery.
City Electrician-W. S. Devlin.
Assessors-W. N. Aiken, Robert McBurney and G. G. Pearson.
Select Councilmen-Jas. A. Stevenson, J. C. McCready, B. L. Lusk, A. R. Shaffer, M. L. Cukerbraum, W. E. McKee, W. H Chambers. S. A. Winternitz, clerk.
Common Councilmen-C. O. Davis, Samuel Warner, T. C. Elliott, R. L. Wallace, P. K. Fike, R. H. McCann, L. G. Genkinger, W. H. Thomas, J. L. Gorman, C. C. Rigby, John Rae, J. M. Triplett, J. H. McIlvenny, J. C. Raney.
This board has its regular meetings on the first Monday evening of each month in the High School Building, and is composed of the following officers and members:
R. C. G. White, president; J. H. Bittner, secretary; John McCandless, treasurer; Helen L. Moseley, clerk; T. A. Kimes, superintendent.
First Ward-W. J. Chain, I. S. Fulkerson.
Second Ward-W. K. Hugus, R. C. G. White.
Third Ward-J. H. Bittner, Chas. G. Martin.
Fourth Ward-W. E. Patterson, J. D. Clarke.
Fifth Ward-Thomas Sadler, J. Blucher.
Sixth Ward-G. W. Heckart.
Seventh Ward-S. A. Barnes, R. W. Hamilton.
The city now contains fifteen capacious and well appointed school buildings, while there are also three parochial schools carried on by the Roman Catholic Church—St. Joseph's, St. Mary's, and St. Mary's (Polish). (See chapters on Education and Religious Organizations.)
The first citizen to fill the honorable position of postmaster in New Castle was Thomas Thornton Boyd, who was appointed in 1812, under President Madison's administration, and continued to fill the office for twenty-six consecutive years, up to 1838. Following him have been:
R. W: Stewart, about eighteen months.
David Tidball, about eight months.
Joseph T. Boyd, again, about eighteen months.
David Tidball, again, about six months.
David Schaffer, about three years, during a portion of Tyler's and Polk's administrations.
William H. Reynolds, a few months.
William H. Shaw, under Taylor's and Fillmore's administrations.
[p. 88]
David Tidball, under Pierce's administration.
Alexander Newell, under Buchanan's administration.
A. H. Leslie, a few months, under Buchanan.
David Emery, under Lincoln and Johnson, until 1867, when the office was taken possession of by a special government agent and correspondent of the New York Tribune, appointed by President Johnson in May, 1867. This agent occupied the position until August 5, 1867, when David Tidball was appointed, and was continued to February 1881. The more recent incumbents have been: E. I. Agnew, 1881 to 1885; William Gordon, 1885 to 1889; J. M. Clark, 1889 to 1893; Geo. B. Gibson, 1893 to 1897; John S. Brown, 1897 to 1903; John A. McKee, 1903 to the present time.
It is not known when the first fire company was organized in New Castle, but it was probably nothing more than a bucket company, each member being furnished with a leather bucket, with his name, or the name of the organization marked thereon, which he kept at his house or place of business.
The first fire company in New Castle, of which we have any record, was organized on the 29th of September, 1836, the meeting being held at Andy Lewis' tavern. The following is a complete list of the officers chosen: President, J. T. Boyd; vice-president, William Cox; secretary, S. C. Euwer; treasurer, Thomas Painter; captain, William Dickson; lieutenant, W. B. Miller; first engineer, R. W. Cunningham; second engineer, James Watson, Jr.; third engineer, P. T. Boyd; fourth engineer, J. W. Cunningham; axeman, Thomas Hunter, John M. Semple and E. R. Semple. How long the company continued in existence we cannot say, but there seems to be no doubt that it was kept up for many years.
The first fire engine brought to New Castle was a small hand-engine, which was operated by means of two cranks, one on either side of the wheel, which forced the water through the hose. Though a very imperfect machine, it was regarded with considerable pride by the people of New Castle.
Whether the Eagle Fire Company existed prior to 1851, we do not know, but as the constitution of this company was published for the first time in this year, we may, perhaps, safely infer that the company was first organized some time about this period.
The following is a list of officers chosen by the Eagle Fire Company, in April, 1851: President, B. B. Pickett; vice-president, S. Dunn; secretary, P. Dunn; assistant secretary, John R. Richardson; treasurer, William Lutton; captain, P. Miller; lieutenants, J. McGown, first; S. Dunn, second; engineers, J. R. Richardson, first, R. Craven, second; W. R. Madge, third; W. G. Scott, fourth; assistant engineers, William Love, William Gaston; hose directors, D. Diamond, J. S. King, G. Riddle, J. S. Pomeroy, J. R. Emery, William Douds; assistant hose directors, D. Craig, R. P. Marshall, J. R. Moore, J. Crips, J. A. Addis, J. H. Emery, R. Emery, J. Pyle, H. Stanson, H. Hall, G. V. Boyles, William Emery, William Lutton, U. Cubbison; hose engineers, J. B. Du Shane, J. H. Orr; ladder men, B. B. Pickett, J. B. McKee, G. Moore, R. Wright; hook men, J. B. Moore, John H. Spencer; axe men, D. Stewart, Sr., S. Bussinger.
The first engine purchased by the Council, for the Eagle Fire Company, arrived at New Castle on Saturday, the 30th of August, 1851. The Gazette of that time. described the new engine as "a beautiful piece of mechanism."
On Saturday, the 4th of September, 1852, there was a grand firemen's parade, which was followed by a dinner at the Cochran House.
In February, 1852, a test was made of [p. 89] the engine belonging to the Eagle Company. The engine being stationed at the canal, the hose was carried to the north side of the "Diamond," a distance of 500 feet, from which point a strong stream was thrown over the Gazette Building. At that time John R. Moore was president of the company, James Moorhead, secretary, and John R. Richardson, captain.
On Tuesday evening, the 26th of February, 1856, a supper for the benefit of the Eagle Fire Company was given at the Leslie House. More than 100 persons, besides firemen, partook of the luxurious repast. The supper was followed by a dance.
On Monday evening, the 25th of October, 1858, a meeting was held at the Eagle Engine House, at which the Eagle Company was reorganized, with following officers: President, D. Tidball; vice-president, Thomas Marshall; secretary, James Dickson; assistant secretary, James M. Craig; treasurer, James McGown, and captain, John W. Taylor.
November 2, 1858, a new fire company was organized under the name and title of "The Relief Fire Company." The following officers were elected to serve during the ensuing year: President, D. S. Morris; vice-president, H. J. Levis; secretary, Crawford W. Stewart; assistant secretary, Noble Holton; treasurer, O. G. Hazen; captain, John R. Richardson. Notwithstanding the Girard Insurance Company, of Philadelphia, donated to this company the sum of $50 towards procuring a new engine, the latter was never procured, and on this account the company ceased to exist.
Although there has been a fire company in New Castle known as the Eagle Fire Company almost from the year 1836, the Eagle Fire Company existing in 1877 may be said to date its existence from the 16th day of November, 1871, at which time a meeting was held at White Hall that resulted in the organization of a fire company. The following is a complete list of the officers then elected: Captain, John Young; first lieutenant, Thomas Marshall; second lieutenant, William P. Morrison; first engineer, D. D. Douds; second engineer, Henry Hartsuff; first hose director, D. M. Cubbison; second hose director, H. W. Squier. This meeting was presided over by Col. D. H. Wallace; John A. Porter served as secretary. At a meeting held on the 3d of February, 1872, a new set of officers was elected. What is now known as the new constitution of this company seems to have gone into operation about the 1st of October, 1873, about the time that the Eagle steam fire-engine arrived.
The first officers under the new constitution were: President, Joseph Kissick; vice-president, D. H. Wallace; treasurer, William H. Reynolds; secretary, H. E. Woodworth; captain, John Young. At this time the Eagle Company contained about sixty members, but the number in 1877 would probably not have exceeded forty.
For several months the Eagle steam fire-engine, though it weighed fifty-three hundred pounds, was drawn to fires by hand, but in January, 1874, a team of horses was purchased by the Councils for the sum of $500, Frank Miller being made driver.
A hook-and-ladder company was organized in the autumn of 1873, which was known as the Rescue Hook-and-Ladder Company. It had a membership of about thirty-five strong, able-bodied young men, with Stephen B. Marshall, foreman. but the apparatus assigned to them was so cumbersome and unwieldy as to make its use a matter of considerable difficulty. In consequence the company gradually diminished in numbers until at length it was disbanded.
Some time in the spring of 1877 a new company was organized in what is known as the Fourth Ward. This company contained about sixty members, all strong and vigorous young men, some of whom had had experience in fire-fighting. This [p. 90] company had charge of the hook-and-ladder truck formerly belonging to the old Rescue Hook-and-Ladder Company.
The Neshannock Fire Company, which contained about sixty members, was organized on the 26th of September, 1873. Its original members numbered forty-four.
The company known as the Vigilant Fire Company was organized on the 12th of December, 1873, at which time it contained forty-seven members. At first it was called the Amoskeag Fire Company, from the fact that there was a purpose on the part of its members to procure an Amoskeag fire engine. After a time, however, this purpose was abandoned, and it was resolved to procure a hook-and-ladder truck with Babcock Extinguishers. The original members of the Amoskeag Company were only four in number. These were: President, Thomas McBride; vice-president, Thomas Marshall; secretary, A. M. Coulter; treasurer, D. M. Cobbison.
At a meeting held on the 11th of February, 1874, the company assumed the name of the Vigilant Fire Company and adopted the motto, "We strive to save." At a subsequent meeting held on the 18th of March, 1874, the following list of officers was elected: President, Thomas Marshall; vice-president, Thomas McBride; secretary, L. D. Durban; treasurer, C. W. Watson; trustees, George B. Berger, H. W. Squier and Milton Love; foreman, D. M. Cubbison; first assistant foreman, H. W. Squier, second assistant foreman, James Hale; captain of axe, M. Hannon; captain of extinguishers, W. W. Cubbison; marshal, William H. Wilson. The hook-and-ladder truck, with the extinguishers, arrived in New Castle in April, 1874.
The Neshannock and Eagle companies disbanded in 1878 on account of trouble with the city councils over the sale of their team, the privilege of purchasing the same being refused by the councils. Frank H. Miller, now fire marshal in Cleveland, was then driver. At that time the driver was the only man permanently employed in the department.
The steamer purchased in 1875, and known as "The Eagle," continued in use until 1882.
In 1882 Hollen Hose Company was organized. In that year also the establishment of the present water-works revolutionized the system of fire-fighting, and much of the glory that arose from the rivalry of the different ununited companies departed. Its loss was more than compensated for, however, by the better service which resulted from the new methods of the united department under one supreme control.
About 1891 the Gamewell fire system was put into use, and alarm boxes were distributed throughout the city. At first, there were but twelve, but now there are sixty-four, with about thirty-five miles of wire. There are now seven stations, and a lot has been purchased on Arlington Avenue for the eighth, which will be erected in the near future. The outlying districts are given excellent protection.
The stations are the following:
Central Engine House, in East Street, in rear of the City Hall, was built in 1881. It is the headquarters of the T. W. Phillips Hose No. 1, Vigilant Aeriel (65 feet) Hook-and-Ladder Truck, and also fire police. Besides the chief, there are six men stationed here, all of whom are full paid. In winter—from November 1 to April 1—three extra men are employed for night work.
W. D. Wallace Hose and Chemical Company No. 2 is located on Park Avenue, in the Second Ward. It now has two men, but in the near future a three-horse hitch will be put in there, requiring an additional man.
The Croton Hose and Chemical Company No. 3, on Vine Street, has two men.
The George W. Johnson Hose and Chemical Company No. 4 is on Ray Street, in the Fourth Ward. It now has two men, but soon will have similar additions to No. 2.
Hose and Chemical Company No. 5, on [p. 91] Scioto Street, Fifth Ward, now has a three-horse hitch and four men.
Hose and Chemical Company No. 6, on Smithfield Street, has two men.
Vandevort Chemical and Hose Company No. 7, located at the corner of Cherry and Cedar Streets, Seventh Ward, has three men.
The Phillips Hose Company is hose and chemical. It has a combination wagon and team.
In addition to the twenty-four full-paid men in the department, there are now about 185 volunteer numbers. New Castle is justly proud of its fire department and its efficient service. The expense for this year (1908) not including equipment or buildings is $26,350; property valuation, $76,891.
The Firemen's Relief Association, of New Castle, on June 28,, 1895, passed an act providing that one-half of the net amount received from the 2 per cent tax paid upon premiums by foreign fire insurance companies be paid to the treasurer of each of the boroughs and cities of the commonwealth.
The Firemen's Relief Association, of New Castle, was chartered February 23, 1897. The object of the corporation is to provide and maintain a fund from legacies, bequests, and other sources for the relief, support and burial of those who may be crippled or killed or who might be prevented from attending to their usual occupation or calling on account of chronic ailments or permanent injuries caused by exposure or accident while attending to public fire duty. Any member of the association in good standing when incapacitated for his regular employment while attending to his duties as fireman is entitled to benefit during the time that the Board of Examiners may report him as under control.
If a member is killed in the performance of his duty, leaving wife or orphan children under sixteen years of age, or dependent parent, such shall receive $300.
The income from the tax above mentioned is now about $8OO per year.
The fire captains since 1872 have been the following:
John Young, 1872-76; George C. Hagan, 1876-78; Joseph Stritmater, 1878-79; Col. D. M. Cubbison, 1879-80; Capt. A. S. Love, 1880-81; W. W. Cubbison, 1881-92; James H. Brown, 1892 to January, 1901; F. J. J. Connery, January, 1901, to present time.
Captain, C. W. Watson; first lieutenant, P. Gaston; second lieutenant, John Linn, with a force of twenty-four men. Apparatus: One steamer of the "Button" pattern, costing $3,500; one hand-engine of the same pattern; one hose-carriage and four hose-reels, with 3,500 feet of hose; two hook-and-ladders and one police truck, with necessary apparatus.
This department consists of twenty-five officers and men, the present chief being Joseph Gilmore, who has held the office since April 1, 1908. The lieutenant is James Diskin, while there are two sergeants.
The department occupies rooms in the basement of the city building. The office-room is comfortably and neatly fitted up, and adjoining are the cells for prisoners, consisting of three separate apartments, built very strong and lined inside with boiler iron, with a heavy open iron grating in front along the corridor. They are clean and well lighted and ventilated. For basement rooms these are exceedingly dry and comfortable. For a number of years the department has had a patrol wagon, but there are as yet no patrol boxes.
The present water system of New Castle was established in 1882, and gives excellent service. The water pressure in the downtown district runs from 90 to 100 pounds or over, and is obtained from two [p. 92] large reservoirs, one on the North Side and the other on East Hill. Into the reservoir on the North Side the water is pumped from the Shenango River, after passing through one of the best filters in the country; while the water is forced into the East Hill reservoir from the mains by a first-class pumping station. From near this latter reservoir the water is returned to the mains from such an elevation as to give an excellent pressure in all parts of the city. The City of New Castle Water Company is located at No. 29 North Mill Street, D. H. Amsbary being the present superintendent.
This company was chartered in February, 1856, the incorporators being Dr. Charles T. Whippo, Stephen J. Noble, Theodore F. Hay, N. White and Ezekiel Sankey. The franchise included the right to manufacture and supply the borough of New Castle with gas for illuminating purposes for the period of twenty years. Before the expiration of the time granted, the company became involved, and their rights and property were sold by the sheriff. The purchaser under the sale was Joseph Pennock, of Pittsburg, who was the principal creditor. Soon after his purchase he sold out to Cyrus Clarke, who disposed of a half interest to David Sankey. Mr. Sankey went to Harrisburg and procured a new act of incorporation, or a re-enactment of the former charter, with a new set of incorporators, including Cyrus Clarke, David Sankey, Isaac N. Phillips, and perhaps some others. This company sold out in 1875 to another company, which operated the works under a capital of $50,000. In the latter part of 1899 this latter company, with others, was merged into the Fort Pitt Gas Company. In March, 1903, the Fort Pitt Gas Company was absorbed by the Manufacturers' Light & Heat Company, of Pittsburg, which now supplies New Castle and Ellwood City with natural gas for all the ordinary purposes. This company owns 248 oil wells and 648 gas wells, also owning and controlling uder lease 448,976.32 acres of gas and oil lands, a large proportion of which are yet undeveloped. The company is officered in Pittsburg and the vicinity. The local district embraces New Castle and Lawrence, Butler and Mercer Counties, the New Castle office being in charge of Joseph T. Campbell, formerly agent for the Fort Pitt Gas Company. Under his direction the local service is maintained in a thoroughly efficient and satisfactory manner, which makes New Castle an up-to-date city as regards this important utility.
The introduction of natural gas and the electric light proved ruinous to the old gas companies. The charter of the Lawrence Gas Company, formerly operating in New Castle and vicinity, is now owned by the Pennsylvania and Mahoning Valley Railway Company. The gas plant has not been operated for some years. The city streets are now lighted by the New Castle Electric Company, which is controlled by the Mahoning & Shenango Railway & Light Company. M. A. Pooler, 5½ South Mill Street, is superintendent.
This company was originally chartered in 1868. The incorporators were D. Craig, R. H. Peebles, Joshua Rhodes, A. B. Berger, George Pearson and James Rhodes. The road was built in 1866 by James Rhodes. The first cost was about $100,000, which was subsequently increased to $140,000. The company organized with George Pearson as president, James Rhodes, secretary and treasurer, and the balance of the incorporators acting as directors. A new charter was obtained in 1872, and a new company organized under the name of the New Castle Railroad and Mining Company. The new company purchased the interests of the Neshannock Railroad, Coal and Ore Company. The road was constructed to connect the New Castle Railroad [p. 93] and Mining Company with the coal and iron-produciing district in Neshannock Township, north of New Castle.
The Central District and Printing Telegraph Company, operating under the Bell telephone patent, began business in New Castle in 1881, with about twenty-five or thirty subscribers. They now have about 3,500 subscribers. They have a modern battery equipment and employ about thirty-five exchange operators.
The American Union Telephone Company, an independent company, is successor of the Citizens' Telephone Company: President, David Jameson; treasurer, C. H. Aiken; secretary, W. Scott Paisley. This company started with 110 subscribers. The business increased to such an extent that the members of the company who had other interests found it inconvenient to give it the required attention and the business was sold to its present owners. The company has about 1,500 subscribers and employs about nineteen operators. C. P. Mebane is the manager, with an office on the second floor of the Greer Block.
The origin of a popular and up-to-date place of amusement dates back to March 12, 1866, when a stock company, under the title of the "New Castle Hall and Market Company" was chartered, with a capital of $25,000, and authority to increase to $175,000. The original incorporators were E. J. Agnew, George pearson, Jr., George Conzette, I. N. Phillips, Paul Butz, Adam Treser, George C. Reis, John Davis, Ezekiel Sankey, Joseph Kissick, Christian Genkinger, James R. Shaw and A. B. Berger. The contract for the erection of the buildings was let in May, 1867, to James M. Mayne, at $25,000, but additional work brought the total expenditures up to $38,000. The building was completed in the autumn of 1867. It is situated on Mercer Street, and is sixty-four feet front by 134 feet deep. It contains on the first floor two store rooms. The Opera House occupies the upper portion of the building, and is finely fitted up with a roomy and convenient stage, proscenium boxes, gallery, etc., and has ample accommodations for an audience of 1,000. The best traveling troupes always visit New Castle, and the entertainments given are equal in every respect to those of a similar character in the large cities. The present owner and proprietor is J. F. Genkinger.
This park, which was opened by the New Castle Traction Company, is considered by many to be the most beautiful pleasure resort, from the standpoint of natural scenery, in Western Pennsylvania. From the site of the terminal depot, up the rocky stream to the falls, the scenery is undoubtedly grander than can be found anywhere else in this part of the state. Across the bridges you stand in awe as you contemplate the sublimity of the Cat Rocks rising perpendicularly from the bottom of the gulch and crowned by a cosy, rustic house. Advancing, you come to such points of interest as the boiling spring, the great waterfall, and the old dam. These are all in the primeval forest, and, with few changes, are just as they were when the Indians made this their favorite camping ground. Many traces of the red men are yet to be found in the rude figures on the rocks, notably the face of an Indian princess carved on a huge bowlder just beneath the falls, where tradition says she met a horrible death by falling over the cliff. The falls are one of the principal points of interests—a miniature Niagara. On either side the walls of the rocky gulch rise perpendicularly. All the amusement attractions usually found in such resorts in these days are provided at the park. [p. 94]
The extensive floral business now carried on by Butz Brothers, on Croton Avenue, was originated in October, 1851, by Paul Butz, who purchased six acres of land then in poor condition for cultivation, and on which there was a one and a half story frame dwelling, and an old stable. It required several years of hard, unremitting labor to get the land in passable condition for the purposes Mr. Butz had in view. The first building erected was a small greenhouse, in 1853, for the cultivation of plants and flowers. Very little taste had been developed, at that day, in the cultivation of flowers among the good people of New Castle and the adjacent region, and the proprietor was obliged at first to keep up his establishment, apparently, as much for his own gratification as for the accommodation of the public. Mr. Butz was thoroughly acquainted with the cultivation of plants and flowers, and also an accomplished landscape gardener, before he became a citizen of Lawrence County, having been employed for upwards of fifteen years in some of the largest horticultural establishments and botanical gardens of Europe. He soon became known, and his services began to be in demand in the laying out and adorning of private grounds in and around New Castle. He also introduced the first young evergreens and shade trees.
For several seasons he pursued the business under serious difficulties, due partly to climatic conditions, as well as to those above mentioned. But during the years 1855-56 the market for plants and flowers greatly improved, and Mr. Butz purchased and added to his place four more acres of land, which, after getting it in good order, he planted in strawberries and peach trees. The same year he planted a young nursery of evergreens, shade trees and shrubs. In 1858 he built an addition to his greenhouse, in order to extend the cultivation of plants, and also added about 20,000 young stock plants to his nursery, such as evergreens, small fruits, grapes, etc.
In 1859 a severe frost, on the 5th of June, destroyed nearly everything not pro- tected by the greenhouses, and just a year later, after other greenhouses had been added, a heavy storm, accompanied by a terrible fall of hail-stones, some of them as large as hen's eggs, broke all the glass in the greenhouses and hot-beds, and caused great damage to all kinds of crops, so that the season proved very unprofitable. Other seasons were, however, favorable and the business began to be profitable. In 1863 another large greenhouse was erected in place of the first one, and in 1864 Mr. Butz increased his facilities by the purchase of seventeen additional acres of land. In 1866 about 5,000 square feet of glass were added in the way of hot-beds and cold-frames for forcing early vegetables. By 1867 Mr. Butz's market had extended to the neighboring towns of Sharon, Mercer, Greenville, Beaver Falls, Youngstown and others, and has since been maintained with a steadily increasing business.
Additions or improvements continued to be made from year to year, particularly in 1870 and in 1872, with a constantly increasing business, plants, shrubs and trees being shipped to various points of Pennsylvania and adjoining states. In 1873 a large hot-house was erected and 35,000 stock plants were added to the nursery.
In 1874 Mr. Butz built two more greenhouses—one large one for the cultivation of tropical plants, such as ferns palms, bananas, pineapples, etc., and the other a propagating house for plants in general. Both these last are heated with improved hot water apparatus. During this season large shipments were made to the South and West as far as New Orleans, and even to California. Mr. Butz was also engaged during the season in laying out many fine private grounds, and furnishing them with trees and shrubs.
By 1877 Mr. Butz was growing annually [p. 97] about 60,000 plants, such as roses, greenhouse, hot-house and bedding plants, besides large quantities of evergreens, shade trees, ornamental shrubs, grape-vines, etc. His shipments were made to various parts of the United States and to Canada.
The magnificent business thus originated and carried to a successful issue by Paul Butz has since been continued with equal or greater prosperity, since his death, by his two sons William T. and Frank P., who were for years associated with him. Their vast nurseries and greenhouses, located at No. 129 Croton Avenue, cover several acres and they now have a score of glass-covered conservatories. They have a handsome store at No. 11 North Mercer Street, and as floral artists their fame extends all over the country. At the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, in 1901, they were awarded a gold medal for the superior excellence of their exhibit. The business is now the most extensive of its kind in Western Pennsylvania.
This formerly flourishing establishment was originated and put in operation by D. F. Balph and James F. McConnell, in 1868. In 1869 a greenhouse was erected, for forcing vegetables, other greenhouses being subsequently erected. In the spring of 1870 J. R. Balph purchased McConnell's interest, and the two brothers began the cultivation of flowers, fruit and ornamental trees, shrubbery, etc. In 1870 they purchased twelve acres of land, and in 1873 D. F. Balph purchased four and a quarter additional acres of John Long. Other extensive improvements were also made, and the firm did a large and prosperous business for a number of years. They subsequently met with financial reverses, and were obliged to give up the business. The site of their former large establishment is now covered with dwellings.
There are few cities that have any advantage over New Castle with respect to the beauty of its cemeteries. The earliest public burying-place here was probably the old ground adjoining Greenwood Cemetery on the southeast, and at present enclosed within its lines. It was probably laid out or opened for burial purposes very soon after the county was first settled—about the year 1800, or soon after. The original ground, consisting of about a half acre, was purchased by Cornelius Hendrickson at a very low price. Jesse Du Shane, Jared and Robert Irwin, Frank Ward, and perhaps others, bought out Hendrickson afterwards, and opened the ground to the public.
About 1836 about a half acre was purchased of James D. White and added to the original lot. It is said to have been resurveyed and a new fence built some time between 1840 and 1845. The Methodist denomination had a small burying-ground on Jefferson street, which was used as early as 1816, but the title was not made out until 1820. The "Seceders" also had a burying-place at an early date, and also a small church, at the north side of North Street, and facing Beaver Street, which then extended no farther north than the limits of the original town plot, as laid out by Stewart. When the "Seceders" abandoned their church and burial-ground, at the head of Beaver Street, they built the stone church on Pittsburg Street, and laid out a small triangular burial-ground adjoining. The old "Seceders" and Methodist burial-grounds, in the original town, have not been used as places of sepulture for years. A few of the remains in the Methodist ground were taken up and re-interred in the new Greenwood Cemetery.
A large share of the land upon which Greenwood Cemetery is located was originally owned by Ezekiel Sankey. As narrated by a former historian, "He and Samuel McCleary owned lands adjoining and a difficulty arose regarding the boundary line, Mr. Sankey claiming that it was [p. 98] a diagonal line, according to the plat of survey, and Mr. McCleary claiming it to be an east and west line. The matter was finally compromised between them by running an east and west line, which gave McCleary a part of what Mr. Sankey claimed, and also gave Sankey about ten acres off the south end of McCleary's lot. This ten acres was the nucleus of the present Greenwood Cemetery.
"In the spring of 1852 Ezekiel Sankey went to Harrisburg, and procured a charter incorporating a cemetery association, with James D. Clarke, William McClymonds, Jacob S. Quest, Joseph Kissick and E. Sankey as incorporators. The act was passed May 3, 1852. It authorized the purchase of not exceeding twenty-five acres. With this charter Mr. Sankey returned home and sold the ten acres, and transferred the charter to James D. Clarke, William Dickson and William McClymonds. These parties at once proceeded to purchase additional land, and make improvements. Mr. McClymonds superintended the work of laying out the grounds and planting the trees and shrubbery. The company, however, never organized properly, and consequently could not make legal titles to the lots.... An additional strip along the south side was subsequently purchased of the Crawford brothers, and also a small triangular strip along the ravine, at the southeast of Mr. Fulkerson....
"James D. Clarke died on the 2d of December, 1854, and his brother, Cyrus, became administrator for his estate. After his death McClymonds continued the business until March, 1861. He and Dickson were partners in the banking business. Some time previous to the latter date, Samuel D. Clarke, David Sankey, Joseph Douthitt and Cyrus Clarke associated themselves together and purchased the interest of the heirs of James D. Clarke. McClymonds and Dickson became involved, and their interest was eventually sold under execution, and purchased by David Sankey.
"The association having now obtained possession of the entire property, and being fearful that they could not properly or legally organize and do business under the old charter, sent David Sankey to Harrisburg to procure the passage of a new incorporation act, or a re-enactment of the old one, which he accomplished, the new charter being dated May 1, 1861. Under this authority an association was organized, with David Sankey as president, Joseph Douthitt, secretary, and Cyrus Clarke, treasurer. At a subsequent election Mr. Clarke was made secretary and treasurer. Mr. Sankey continued to fill the office of president until September, 1875, when he sold his interest to Mr. Clarke, and at the same time the entire property was transferred to C. B. Lower and W. T. Dougherty.... R. W. Sankey, son of David Sankey, was superintendent for the greater part of the time up to the transfer of the stock, in 1875."
At the present time the officers of the Greenwood Cemetery Company are: C. C. Dickson, president; C. L. White, secretary; C. C. Sankey, treasurer, and John Rae, superintendent. This cemetery has a very picturesque situation, and contains many fine monuments. An immense ravine cuts through the southwestern portion, deepening rapidly as it approaches the river, and affording wild and picturesque scenery all along the southern border of the cemetery. The grounds are finely and judiciously laid out, and ornamented with a great variety of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs.
One of the most beautiful cemeteries in New Castle is Oak Park, which was established about fifteen years ago, largely through the efforts of P. J. Watson. The Oak Park Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1893. This cemetery lies north of New Castle, overlooking the thriving city, and commanding an extensive view of river, valley and hills. The art of the landscape gardener has been called on to enhance its natural beauties, and [p. 99] it now presents a pleasing vista of well kept plots and lawns, intersected by winding drives and gravelled walks. The cemetery contains many handsome and costly monuments.
Another beautiful cemetery is Graceland, also lying north of the city, and containing about 250 acres. It was established in 1902 and is conducted by an incorporated company, of which the president is now Wells B. Clendenin, the other officers being J. N. Martin, secretary; H. E. McGoun, treasurer. C. L. Harrah is the efficient superintendent.
Valley View Cemetery is another cemetery having a favorable location, it being laid out on high grounds in the Seventh Ward, overlooking the valley of the Mahoning River. It is owned by a private corporation.
At different times there have also been several small or private burial grounds, that of the Crawford Brothers adjoining Greenwood Cemetery on the southeast being one of the most picturesque. There were formerly a few abandoned graves south of the residence of Joseph S. White, on the bank of the ravine, one of which bore the inscription, "In memory of Hannah Robinson, who departed this life September 4, 1830, aged thirty-two years."
The first burying-ground in the vicinity of New Castle, belonging to the Catholics, exclusively, was opened in the year 1852, on the north side of Washington Street, in West New Castle. It consisted of about one acre of ground, and was used until October, 1873. In 1873 a new cemetery was located on the Crawford Kiefer farm, about a mile and a half from the center of the city, where the church purchased sixty acres of land, devoting a portion to cemetery purposes and cultivating the remainder. The remains were taken from the old ground and re-interred in the new. The laudable and systematic efforts of the Catholics to provide consecrated burial places for their own dead have resulted in the present beautiful cemeteries of St. Mary's and St. Joseph's, which are a credit to those who have been instrumental in developing them into their present degree of beauty and completeness. The former is the earlier of the two cemeteries. It has ten acres in use for burial purposes, with a quantity of reserved land that will be used later. St. Joseph's was established by Rev. F. J. Eger, the first interment being on June 16, 1896. This cemetery contains seven acres, located on the extension of the Wilmington Road known as the Moore farm. It lies on a gradual slope, the rear portion of the land being covered by a grove. The cemetery is enclosed by a hedge row and laid out with gravel walks. There had been 933 interments up to October 5, 1908.
St. Vitus' Cemetery, located beyond Cascade Park, in Shenango Township, was established by Rev. Nicholas DeMita in January, 1906. It contains about four acres, and there have been about 300 interments here up to the present time.
There are at the present time the following secret societies and fraternal organizations located in the city of New Castle:
Mahoning Lodge, No. 243, F. & A. M.
Lodge of the Craft, No. 433, F. & A. M.
New Castle Lodge, No. 642, F. & A. M.
Delta Chapter, No. 170, R. A. M.
Hiram Council, No. 45, R. & S. M.
Lawrence Commandery, No. 62, K. T.
Victoria Lodge, No. 60 (colored), F. & A. M.
Alma Lodge, No. 63 (colored), F. & A. M.
Progress Chapter, No. 27 (colored), R. A. M.
Hiram Commandery, No. 17 (colored), K. T.
Nora Court, No. 4 (colored).
[p. 100] Leasure Court, No. 3440, Independent Order of Foresters.
New Castle Court, No. 206, Foresters of America.
New Castle Tent, No. 230, K. O. T. M.
New Castle Hive, No. 89, L. O. T. M.
Shenango Lodge, No. 195, I. O. O. F.
New Castle Lodge, No. 1118, I. O. O. F.
Lawrence Encampment, No. 86, U. R. I. O. O. F.
Rachel Lodge, No. 40, D. of R.
New Castle Lodge, No. 3725, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.
Melrose Lodge H. of R., No. 2564, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.
Western Star Lodge, No. 160, Knights of Pythias.
Fidelis Lodge, No. 460, K. P.
Robert Blum Lodge, No. 466, K. P.
New Castle Lodge, No. 404, K. P.
Amazon Lodge, No. 336, K. P.
Uniformed Rank, No. 36, K. P.
Castle Assembly, No. 19, Pythian Sisters.
New Castle Lodge, No. 69, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
Shenango Council, No. 180, Order of Independent Americans.
Lawrence Castle, No. 494, Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Neshannock Commandery, No. 12, Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Mary Lincoln Temple, K. of G. E.
New Castle Camp, No. 5269, Modern Woodmen of America.
New Castle Camp, No. 2550, Royal Neighbors of America.
Hancock Council, No. 46, Order of Americus.
Star of Wales Lodge, No. 60. True Ivorites of America.
Penna Council, No. 78, Home Guards of America.
Lawrence Lodge, No. 2231, Knights and Ladies of Honor.
New Castle Aerie, No. 455, Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Eucalyptus Camp, No. 6, Woodmen of the World.
Rigel Court, No. 9, Order of Ben Hur.
Lawrence Ruling, No. 718, Fraternal Mystic Circle.
New Castle Circle, No. 5, Protected Home Circle.
Excelsior Circle, No. 121, Protected Home Circle.
James M. Evans Circle, No. 506, Protected Home Circle.
New Castle Lodge, No. 981, Knights of Honor.
Penn Council, No. 420, Royal Arcanum.
Earnest Americans, Royal Arcanum
Lawrence Lodge, No. 18 (colored), Elks.
Germania Lodge, No. 123, Ancient Order United Workmen.
Order of Sons of Herman.
New Castle Division, No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians.
New Castle Conclave, No. 229, Improved Order of Heptasophs.
Willard Council,, No. 46, Daughters of America.
Washington Union Council, No. 43, Independent Order of Puritans.
Martha Washington Lodge, No. 24, Orangemen.
Abraham Lincoln Lodge, No. 44, Orangemen.
Lily Lodge, No. 76, Orangemen.
Royal Black Preceptory, No. 57, Orangemen.
Young Americans, No. 15, Orangemen.
New Castle Chapter, No. 971, National Protective Legion.
Gibson Delight, Order of True Reformers.
Loyola Council, No. 551, Young Men's Institute.
New Castle Circle, No. 21, Knights and Ladies of the Red Cross.
New Castle Branch, No. 59, Catholic Mutual Benefit Association.
New Castle Branch, No. 555, Catholic Knights of America.
Branch, No. 70, Knights of St. George
New Castle Lodge, No. 2, The Pathfinder.
[p. 101] New Castle Council, No. 92, American Fraternal Insurance.
St. Mary's Council, No. 512, Knights of Columbus.
Branch, No. 411, of Polish National Alliance, Volunteers of Kosciusko.
New Castle Post, No. 100, Grand Army of the Republic.
Mead Circle, No. 28, Ladies of the G. A. R.
Encampment No. 9, Union Veteran Legion.
Auxiliary, No. 40, U. V. L.
O. L. Jackson Camp, No. 249, Sons of Veterans.
New Castle Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.
Col. Daniel Leasure Camp, No. 23, United Spanish War Veterans.
The Almira Home for Aged Women, at New Castle, Pa., was organized in August, 1893. The need of an institution of this kind had long been felt, but effort to establish a home had never got beyond the discussion stage, owing to the expense involved in such an undertaking and to the fact that no source of income seemed available. The first definite step was taken when Mrs. Jennie Gilliland, Mrs. Henrietta E. Butler and Mrs. Samuel Gibson requested Capt. M. S. Marquis to give them an abandoned blacksmith shop on Butler Avenue, to be fitted as a home for an aged woman. The request was granted, but the shop was never converted into a home; instead, the small sum of money contributed for that purpose became the nucleus of the fund which made the present splendid institution possible. At that time the work was entirely in the hands of Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Gibson, who spent the winter of 1892-93 in an almost continuous canvass from house to house and among the business men. Finally they aroused sufficient interest to justify them in issuing a call for a public meeting of citizens, to be held in the Y.M.C.A. chapel. Many ladies attended, and Mrs. D. S. Morris was chosen chairman and Miss Irene Maitland, secretary of the meeting. The object of the gathering was stated by Mrs. Butler to be to devise ways and means to secure money for the erection, in New Castle, of an old ladies' home. At a meeting in August, 1893, Mrs. Butler presented a draft of a charter for an association, and an organization was perfected with the following officers: Mrs. Henrietta E. Butler, president; Mrs. E. F. Palmer, vice-president; Miss Margaret Young, secretary, and Mrs. Samuel Gibson, treasurer.
The present name of the home was adopted in honor of Mrs. Almira Martin, who had been the first to suggest the institution. The following board of trustees was elected: Mrs. O. N. Swisher, Mrs. T. J. Blackwood, Mrs. Nellie Dean; Miss Irene Maitland, Mrs. Samuel Gibson, Mrs. Frank Felton, Mrs. John Blevins, Mrs. Frank Davidson, and Mrs. H. E. Butler. Mrs. Butler soon after resigned from the presidency and was succeeded by Mrs. D. S. Morris.
The Almira Home is controlled by the Almira Home Association, a corporation chartered by the Court of Lawrence County in October, 1894. The management is vested in a board of trustees, composed of nine members elected annually from each of the following counties—Lawrence, Mercer, Butler, Beaver and Venango. Memberships and supplies are solicited from each of these counties, from which also inmates are received into the home. Persons admitted to the home as permanent inmates must be of good character, above sixty years of age, of sound mind, and free from contagious or aggravated, incurable diseases; and are subject to certain other restrictions, as to length of residence within the district before mentioned. The entrance fee is $300, to be paid at the time of admission into the home.
The executive committee for Lawrence County is at present composed of the following members: Mrs. Mary A. Davidson, [p. 102] president; Mrs. A. D. Mornes, vice-president; Mrs. David Jameson, corresponding secretary; Mrs. B. F. Butler, recording secretary; Mrs. Charles Hege, treasurer; Mrs. J. B. Love, chairman of house committee; Mrs. J. L. Stratton, chairman of the committee of religious instruction; Mrs. David Jameson, chairman of committee on inmates; Mrs. Mary A. Davidson, chairman of committee on real-estate, building and investments; Mrs. A. D. Mornes, chairman of the committee on membership, and Mrs. Adda Davidson. The committee superintends the management of the home during the interval between board meetings, arranges all matters that require special and immediate attention and that are not within the jurisdiction of any standing committee.
The present substantial and commodious building was completed in June, 1907, was dedicated on the 26th day of that month, and occupied the following month. It is three stories and a half, with basement, and contains forty-nine furnished rooms, is lighted with gas, and equipped with a hot water heating plant and other modern conveniences. More than one-half of the rooms were furnished by fraternal and benevolent societies and individual citizens. The lot has a frontage of 100 feet on Pittsburg Street and 300 feet on Almira Street, the total value of the property being estimated at $50,000. The list of employees comprises a matron, janitor, cook, nurse and general helper. At the present time there are twenty-four inmates.
In 1903 the State Legislature of Pennsylvania appropriated $4,000 for building purposes and $2,000 for maintenance, and the institution now receives aid from the state to the extent of $3,600 per annum, which sum will doubtless be increased from time to time, as the need arises. Besides this money and the admission fees, the home derives an income from membership fees, donations and bequests; the membership totals 385, and the income derived therefrom amounts to $420. Miss Mary Hamilton advanced the money for the first payment on the home, without which generosity the purchase of the property would have been difficult. The present building was made possible mainly by legacies of Mrs. Elizabeth Hardaker Bolton and Miss Sadie Dunlap. If space would permit, much more could be told of the efforts made and assistance given by many noble men and women in the district, which benefits by this grand and benevolent institution. They are the people who typify ideal citizenship, and it is such benefactions as this which instills in the American breast a feeling of patriotism and a pride in the country and its people.
Conceived in necessity, fostered by a generous and public-spirited people, in whose hearts dwell a tender feeling for the suffering injured and afflicted, this grand institution is one in which New Castle and Lawrence County take a just pride. With the wonderful growth in this vicinity of industrial institutions, in which lurk dangers to life and limb, which cannot be eliminated, it became apparent that some steps should be taken for the proper care of the injured. It was recognized as a problem the people must deal with in concerted action with the employers and the medical profession; and, looking backward, it is seen that without the co-operation of these forces failure must have resulted. Most active spirits in the movement, originally, were William Patterson, Thomas W. Phillips, A. W. Thompson, and other employers of large industrial forces who gave freely of their time and means to the furtherance of the project, and subsequently to the maintenance of the institution.
As long ago as 1887 efforts were made, through Dr. Silas Stevenson and Henry Edwards, who represented this district in the State Legislature, to get a bill passed appropriating funds for a hospital. They were unsuccessful and upon returning from Harrisburg reported that an appropriation [p. 103] could not be secured unless the local people would contribute. A charter was procured January 19, 1891, and that year the Legislature appropriated $10,000 for a building and $7,500 for furnishings, on condition that the citizens of New Castle raised $10,000. A. W. Thompson started out with a subscription paper, and the following were among the first and largest contributors, of which there have since been too many to mention: William Patterson, $1,000; Thomas W. Phillips, $1,500; Crawford Iron & Steel Company, $1,000; New Castle Wire Nail Company, $1,000; Aetna Iron Works, Ltd., $1,000; R. W. Cunningham, $1,000; G. W. Johnson, $500; Raney & Berger Iron Company, $500; J. P. Witherow, $1,000; William G. Dunn, $100; Mrs. A. L. Crawford, $200; Brown, Thompson & Co., $100; Stritmater Brothers, $100; Offutt & Co., $100; O. L. Jackson, $100; Knox, Foltz & Co., $175; Lawrence Glass Company, $75; C. J. Kirk, $100; M. S. Marquis, $250; William Alexander, $100; Brown & Hamilton, $100; I. N. Phillips' heirs, $200; Dillworth Paper Company, $100; D. Jameson, $100; J. N. Fallis, $100, and Rev. J. F. Gallagher, $100. In 1894 the subscription list had reached a total of 438 names, and to date approximately $40,000 has been contributed to this institution by citizens of New Castle.
In the fall of 1891, about one and a half acres of ground were purchased from the estate of I. N. Phillips at the corner of North Beaver Street and Lincoln Avenue, and, during the winter following, plans for the building, drawn by Architect C. C. Thayer, were adopted. On January 11, 1892, the following were elected to constitute the board of directors: Thomas W. Phillips, William Patterson, David Dickey, L. F. Hoyt, W. E. Reis, M. S. Marquis, J. P. H. Cunningham, George B. Berger and A. W. Thompson. At a meeting of the board on January 23 of the same year, the following officers were elected: William Patterson, president; David Dickey, vice-president; C. J. Kirk, treasurer, and A. W. Thompson, secretary. The following March a building committee was appointed to consist of the following members: E. I. Phillips, chairman; W. E. Reis, J. P. H. Cunningham, L. Raney, R. C. Patterson and A. W. Thompson. During that month the contract was let for grading the lot, and June 29, 1892, the contract for the building, exclusive of heating, excavating and concreting, was let to William Barnet, of New Castle, for $14,679. The building was completed and ready for occupancy in April, 1893, and a part of the furnishings were in it, but as yet it was unoccupied except by a watchman, when on the 8th day of that month, at 10:30 p.m., an alarm was sounded summoning the people to fight the flames which enveloped the magnificent structure. A valiant fight was made, but to no avail, the building being almost completely destroyed; it was insured to the extent of $12,500. To see the work of the past years thus undone in a few hours was discouraging, but the work of clearing away the debris and rebuilding was started before the embers were fairly cold. The new building was a reproduction of the old plans, but was made more substantial in order to avoid a similar catastrophe, by the building of several fire-walls. The accident delayved the opening of the hospital until the spring of 1894. Shortly after, in the interest of the institution, a fair and benefit performance was given at the opera house, from which about $1,200 were received. A "loan entertainment," at the old Allen Rink, was given by the ladies of New Castle, which netted the hospital approximately $3,000. Early in May, 1894, the institution was dedicated, the services in the afternoon being followed by a charity ball in the evening; many notable people were in attendance, among them being Governor Patterson. The Masons kindly gave the use of their lodge room for the services, and William G. Dunn gave the use of his ballroom in the same building.
When opened, the hospital contained five [p. 104] wards, a well equipped operating room, seven private rooms, six bathrooms, dining-room, parlor and an office, and was provided with a heating plant and other modern equipment. It was not many years before the growth of the city rendered the hospital too small to accommodate the increased number of patients who sought admission. In 1899, an addition to the north wing was built, which more than doubled the capacity of two wards and added three private rooms, also giving better accommodation to the nurses. By 1903 the capacity was again overtaxed and it was decided to erect an addition to the West wing, which would practically double its capacity. These improvements were made at a cost of about $43,000, of which between $20,000 and $25,000 was raised by local subscription. In 1905 there was left an indebtedness of $17,000, and in that year the Legislature made an appropriation of that sum, but the governor reduced it to $7,000. There was still left an indebtedness of $10,000, and the sum was again appropriated by the Legislature in 1906, and the appropriation reduced to $6,000 by the governor. This leaves a balance of $4,000 unpaid, which is the only indebtedness of the institution. The report on its condition, made December 1, 1907, reveals the following interesting facts:
|
Total value of property |
$98,767.62 |
The hospital now has about two and one-half acres fronting on Lincoln Avenue, extending from Beaver Street to Shenango Street. Since its inception $90,826.68 has been received from the state for maintenance, and $45,000 for building purposes. The present income from patients is about $12,000 annually, and a like sum is received from the state. The hospital originally had a capacity of thirty patients, and now accommodates 120. The rooms of the institution have been beautifully furnished by the societies and benevolent private citizens of New Castle. The first patient entered the hospital November 10, 1893, since which time 7,766 patients have been treated and cared for.
The original board of directors has continued to the present time, except for the following changes made necessary through death or resignation. At the second election, January 9, 1893, John L. Crawford was elected to take the place of David Dickey, resigned; January 8, 1894, Elmer I. Phillips was elected to the place of John L. Crawford, who had removed from the city, and J. N. Fallis succeeded S. M. Marquis, resigned. A few days later George B. Berger was elected to fill the vacancy as vice-president, caused by the resignation of David Dickey, and E. I. Phillips succeeded Mr. Kirk as treasurer. The same officers and trustees then served without change until the death of William Patterson in August, 1905, when his son, R. C. Patterson, was elected to the presidency. Shortly after, D. Jameson was chosen to fill the place left vacant by the death of George B. Berger.
It is fitting that we here make mention of the unselfish efforts and devotion of the late William Patterson to the successful operation of this institution. A man of national prominence as a financier and one of the captains of industry in this country, the demands of his own interests on his time, were such that to give daily attention to the business of the hospital, which he did from the time he was elected president at its organization until his demise, must have been a great personal sacrifice. But his heart was in the work and of all his masterly achievements there was none in which he took so much pride as in his connection with the Shenango Valley Hospital and the grand work it was accomplishing.
The staff of the Shenango Valley Hospital [p. 107] is composed of physicians selected by the Lawrence County Medical Society, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. They serve without pay, and to them is due a large measure of the success of the institution; the present staff, and the quarter of the year to which its members are assigned, is as follows: First quarter—Drs. T. J. Blackwood, A. M. Cook, L. O. Phillips, H. W. McKee, and Samuel W. Perry, assistant; second quarter—Drs. Harry Wilson, H. E. Zerner, C. A. Reed, R. G. Miles, and W. C. Kissinger, assistant; third quarter—Drs. J. M. Popp, C. F. McDowell, M. Linville, John Foster, and John Tucker, assistant; fourth quarter—Drs. R. A. Wallace, E. C. McComb, L. W. Wilson, E. A. Donnan, and A. W. Urmson, assistant. Dr. D. C. Lindley is the staff specialist on the eye and ear. The first superintendent was Miss Eliza Nelson, who served until March, 1895, when she was succeeded by Miss R. F. Johnson, who in turn was succeeded by Mrs. Harriet A. Cochran in April, 1896. The last named has served continuously in that position since, and with marked ability. At its inception the hospital had a matron, two nurses, a cook, a laundress and a janitor. The present force consists of the superintendent, a clerk in charge of the office, an assistant superintendent, a night superintendent, two internes, twenty-two nurses, two orderlies, one laundress with three assistants, one cook with two assistants, one dietitian and an assistant, a janitor, an elevator operator and six maids.
The Shenango Valley Hospital Training School for Nurses was established and incorporated in 1896, and at first had a two years' course, the change to a three-year course being made in 1899. It started with an enrolment of two pupils, and now has twenty, who have come from various parts of the country to avail themselves of exceptional advantages. The number of graduates is thirty-seven. During the first two years the training was by lectures delivered by members of the hospital staff, and since then the faculty has been composed of Drs. R. G. Miles, A. W. Urmson, W. H. Hay, E. C. McComb, H. W. McKee, John Foster, H. E. Zerner, W. L. Campbell, W. C. Kissinger, C. F. McDowell, together with Mrs. Harriet A. Cochran, the superintendent, and her assistant, Miss Austa Whitmore, and the resident physicians of each year. The executive committee of the hospital, consisting of the officers and trustees, serves in a similar capacity for the training school.
In November of the present year (1908) there will be opened a new hospital, yet unnamed, to be conducted by the Franciscan sisters of Pittsburg. The hospital is to be located in the old Phillips mansion, in the Fifth Ward. The grounds of this property contain about six acres, bounded on the north by Lutton Street, on the east by South Mill Street, on the west by South Jefferson Street, and on the south by Phillips Street. The building is three and a half stories and basement. When the repairs and alterations now being done are completed the institution will be able to take care of from thirty-five to forty patients. The improvements are to cost about $10,000, and will make the hospital a thoroughly up-to-date institution. While the sisters in control and the nurses will be members of the Franciscan order, the hospital will be non-sectarian with respect to the admission of patients. Sister Cecelia of Butler has been appointed the Mother superior.
This institution was established in New Castle September 10, 1903, by Margaret L. Henery, who came here as the representative of the Society of the Holy Family, of Cleveland, Ohio. During the first six months of its existence the home occupied quarters on Lincoln Avenue, being then moved to its present location, at the corner of Cunningham Lane and East Division [p. 108] Street. Two years ago the property was purchased. The society is Roman Catholic, but the home is not under any church control and is open to needy children of any denomination. It depends entirely upon the public benevolence for its support and aims to provide the children with a home in the real sense of the word. There are now twenty children being cared for in the institution.
This place so named from William Crow, its first settler who came from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, about 1826. He was a soldier during the War of 1812, and his father, Abram Crow, had served in the American Army during the Revolution. William Crow had the warrant which his father had drawn for his services in the army, which he located where Croton now stands. His two brothers, George and Moses, settled at Croton about a year later. It is probable that the three brothers divided between them the land located by their father's warrant. The place was for a long time called "Crow-town," in honor of the first settlers. The name was by some means changed to Croton about the time the glass works were located there in 1847. William Crow died May 12, 1836. He granted to Neshannock Township the ground on which the Croton School Building (now within the limits of New Castle) now stands.
Moses Crow sold his property lying on the south side of the "Scrub-Grass," alias, Harlansburg Road, to Dr. Whippo. Among those who had to do with laying out the land into lots were Isaac P. Rose, Samuel Pearson, William Becker and E. and P. Hoover, the last mentioned making a small addition of lots to the place about 1870-71, on the east side of Vine Street.
Among early settlers were Isaac P. Rose, James Vogan, Alexander Roderick and William Bennett.
On the erection of the glass works by Henderson and Morris in 1847, the place enlarged its borders, and began to put on the airs of a town. The first attempt at manufacturing was in the shape of a pottery for the manufacture of common earthenware, put in operation by Isaac Rose on a piece of land purchased of George Crow. Mr. Rose carried on the business for several years. There was also at an early day a small stoneware manufactory, put up by Ferdman Aye, a German, who operated it for some eight or ten years. Bricks were manufactured by William Crow, David Shaffer and John Tidball, and later by John Hammett and John G. Ray. A grocery store was opened by David Emery as early as 1846. Among the earliest physicians were Drs. Searles and Fish. Iron ore is quite abundant in the vicinity, and stone for building purposes has been quite extensively quarried. A description of the large nursery and greenhouses of the Butz Brothers is given elsewhere in the chapter on New Castle.
The village of Croton, formerly a suburb of New Castle, now forms a part of the city. It is situated on high ground and lies northeast from the Courthouse, and about a mile distant. There are many desirable residence localities in its vicinity, and manufacturing and other interests give employment to a large number of men.
About 1847-48 a Methodist class was organized in this place, and a church building erected about 1850. Since that date a very fine church has been constructed. Among the prominent members at the date of organization were T. P. Bittner, Isaac Cline, John Rhodes, J. C. Young, Daniel Bittner and James Emery, with their families. The first pastors (previous to the erection of a church building) were Revs. Crum and Hubbard. The first preaching was in the schoolhouse. The first regular pastor in charge was Rev. John Graham, who preached for a number of years, and dedicated the new church. The records of the society for the early years are scattered [p. 109] or imperfect, so cannot be given in detail, but among Mr. Graham's successors up to 1877 were Revs. Thompson, Bennett, Merchant, Johnson, Morris, Wick, Ward, Darrow and J. C. Rhodes. From 1877 to 1880 there is no record, but beginning with 1880, the pastors were (first of the Greenwood Charge, which included Croton): 1880-81, S. K. Paden; 1881-82, C. W. Reeves, supply; 1882-84, F. R. Peters; 1884-85, A. O. Stone; 1885-86, J. C. Gillett; 1886-90, C. M. Morse; 1890-95, C. W. Foulke; 1895-98, L. W. Elkins; 1898-01, W. S. Sheppard; 1901-04, S. A. Smith; 1904-05, S. L. Mills; 1905, J. L. Stratton, who is still pastor. In 1886 the name of the church was changed to Shenango M. E. Church. In 1893 a negro church was built on Croton Avenue, New Castle, at which time Croton Church became a station and the name was changed to Croton Avenue M. E. Church, which name it has since borne. Probably in 1899 Savannah was annexed to Croton Avenue, but this year (1908) it has been taken off and Croton Avenue is again a station. When it became a station there were 120 members, including ten probationers; now there are nearly, 300 members, including probationers, notwithstanding the heavy losses the church has sustained. Croton Avenue is now a well organized up-to-date church and has a graded, well organized Sabbath school. During the past three years the church has prospered in every way. Each year of the three there has been a revival with a number of accessions to the church, with frequent accessions during the entire period. The number of members in the Sabbath school (main school), is 312; in Home Department, 150; in Cradle Roll, 77; grand total, 539.
The church officers: Stewards—W. H. Locke, F. H. Rohlf (rec. stewd.), Fred Rowland, I. E. George (dist. stewd.), G. M. Gibson, A. C. Allen, Mrs. D. T. McConahy, Mrs. John Reitz and Mrs. N. J. Blackstone. Trustees—J. S. Campbell, William Hunter, W. H. Locke, P. K. Fike, E. E. Hilliard, A. L. Burlette, H. O. Allen, O. A. Rodgers, Rev. C. W. Foulke and T. C. Armstrong. Class leader, with twenty assistants, I. E. George. Local preacher, I. E. George. Sabbath school superintendent, Mrs. J. L. Stratton. Exhorter, C. L. Keagy.
A society of this denomination was organized in Croton, about 1855. Among those prominently connected with it were Thomas Blake and family, the Carrs, James and Douglass Ray, David and Joshua Pierce, Almond, John and David Miller, and their families. The first preacher was Elder William Ray. Among those who afterwards officiated were Elders Manning, Bumpus, Ring, Morford, Harvey and Clary. John Kelty was also an ordained elder at one time, and preached occasionally. In the prosperous days of this society the congregation was quite large.
The original town plot of New Castle was laid out by John Carlysle Stewart, in April, 1798.
James Gillespie, made, an addition in 1811.
James D. White, two additions in 1832 and 1837.
Ezekiel Sankey laid out West New Castle, 1836.
Thomas Falls made an addition at an early date.
John Crawford White, an addition in 1846 or 1847.
Dr. C. T. Whippo, an addition in 1850.
John T..Phillips, an addition in 1867.
Henry F. Falls, an addition in 1867.
David White, or his heirs, an addition, date unknown.
Phillips and Du Shane, addition to West New Castle, 1868.
And there have been several other addi- tions, not all of which, however, have been placed upon record.
[p. 110] The present area within the city limits will not vary materially, from ten square miles or 6,400 acres, a large proportion of which is very thickly settled.
New Castle is romantically and picturesquely situated at the confluence of the Neshannock Creek and Shenango River. Big Run, a considerable stream, also discharges its waters into the Shenango within the city limits, and there are a number of smaller streams which also traverse various portions of its territory. "Along the Neshannock Creek the bluffs rise very abruptly to the height of a hundred feet or more; in places precipitous, and showing bold and rugged rock escarpments. The scenery along the Neshannock is quite wild and picturesque, and the minor streams present some rare and beautiful retreats, particularly is this the case upon a small creek which discharges into the Neshannock, near the crossing of the Coal railroad, and also on a small run below Croton Village; and there is a picturesque gorge or ravine just south of Greenwood Cemetery. Along the Shenango, from about opposite the west end of North Street, to a point in the southeastern part of Union Township, the hill rises abruptly from the stream, and the sandstone crops out in perpendicular cliffs. The bluffs are very bold and commanding in the northern part of the city, and afford many fine building sites, which have been greatly improved by the hand of art. On the east side of the Neshannock, from a point near the Courthouse, to the southeastern limits of the city, the hills rise more gradually, attaining a height of about 300 feet, at the distance of about ten miles from the creek. The valley of the Shenango, in the northwestern part is beautiful; skirted on the west by a fine level bottom, and on the east overhung by wooded heights. South of Big Run the hills rise grandly to the height of over 300 feet from the Shenango, and the valley of Big Run opens a charming vista towards the southeast.
"In the southern part of the city, a little north of Big Run, is a curious freak of nature, in the form of an oblong hill, lying parallel with the valley of the Run, rising some fifty feet above the level bottom, by which it is surrounded. It is the property of Hon. Thomas W. Phillips, whose residence crowns its summit, embowered amid the foliage of a few primeval forest trees, and a most beautiful arrangement of deciduous and evergreen trees, planted and arranged in the most artistic manner. This is one of the very finest residence locations in the city. The mound itself was undoubtedly formed by the action of counter-currents of swift-flowing waters, in the days when the vast continental glacial system was melting away under the rays of the sun. From whatever direction New Castle is approached, the views are beautiful, always excepting the murky atmosphere that perpetually overhangs the valley, from its smoking factories."
Including its numerous suburbs, the city contains an estimated population of from 40,000 to 50,000 people. Three lines of railway center or make connections with New Castle—the Erie and Pittsburg, the New Castle and Franklin, and the Ashtabula, Youngstown and Pittsburg. Another, called the Pittsburg, New Castle and Erie Railway, is in contemplation, with fair prospects of being put in operation at an early day.
A large amount of capital, amounting in the aggregate to several million dollars, is invested in extensive and varied manufactures, which give the city prominence, the principal among which are the various and complicated iron industries, the products of which, from pig-iron down through all the multiform variations of "T" rail, bar and sheet-iron, spikes and nails, mill-gearing, water-wheels, flat, round, plate, band-iron and nail-rods, find their market in all [p. 111] the great centers of trade throughout the land.
Large quantities of flour and feed, paper and sacks, glass, tin plate, pottery, carriages, etc., are also manufactured and exported to various points. A very large mercantile business is transacted in New Castle in the various departments of dry goods, groceries, clothing, drugs, paints, oils, medicines, jewelry, hardware, crockery and furniture, the number of business houses amounting to several hundred.
The principal thoroughfares are substantially paved, and the city has a number of fine and substantial bridges. The iron bridge on Washington Street, over the Shenango, is a splendid and most substantial structure. Its total length is about 210 feet and its width fifty feet, with two carriage-ways and sidewalks on either side. It is built upon the arched truss principle, somewhat modified, and is very firm, the heaviest traffic making no perceptible vibration. Another iron bridge spans the Shenango at Grant Street. It is about the same length as the Washington Street bridge, and a solid and satisfactory structure. It is similar to the "Howe truss." A substantial wooden bridge spans the Shenango at the "point," just above the mouth of the Neshannock, constructed upon the arched truss principle and covered. On the Neshannock there are three iron bridges of the King pattern, built at Cleveland, Ohio, and one wooden foot-bridge, the latter opposite the upper portion of the Shenango Iron Works. In addition to these there are four railway bridges within the city limits; two over the Shenango and two over the Neshannock.
The water-power within the city is all situated on the Neshannock Creek, there being three substantial dams upon the stream. There was formerly a very fair water-power on Big Run, but a flood swept it away and the dam has not since been rebuilt.
The city contains thirty-two church edifices, the most conspicuous being those of the Christian denomination, the First Presbyterian, Episcopalian, First Methodist and First United Presbyterian.
There are within the city fourteen school buildings, not including the large and flourishing Catholic denominational school. In addition to what has been already described the city contains numerous and important manufactories, two flourishing commercial colleges, three weekly and two daily newspapers, seventeen hotels, two gas companies, a company of the National Guard (troop cavalry), a fine military band, an opera and market house, besides several job printing houses, and many fine, tasteful and costly residences. There are about fifty resident clergymen, sixty-one practicing physicians, and about sixty-seven attorneys.
During the ten years from 1890 to 1900 New Castle's percentage of growth, according to the United States census department, was greater than that of any other city in the United States. The population in 1890 was 11,600; in 1900, 28,329. This growth was due to the fact that New Castle lies in a fertile region, enriched with inexhaustible veins of coal and limestone, and enjoys exceptional advantages for manufacturing pig iron as well as the finished material. The city is located on five railroad systems—the Pittsburg & Western, the Pittsburg & Lake Erie, the Pennsylvania, the Erie, and the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg.
Much of the coal used in manufacture is mined in Lawrence County.
From figures prepared by A. M. North, of the Erie Railroad, a few years ago, but the latest available, we quote the follow- ing:
Tonnage of blast furnaces, 1,500,000 tons annually.
Yearly tonnage of limestone quarries near the city, 935,000.
Various coal banks, 400,000.
[p. 112] Shenango Valley Steel Mill, daily output, 800 tons; sold or made up here, 250 tons.
Iron consumed daily, 1,000 tons.
Tonnage of other industrial plants runs the total year tonnage up to 3,908,600.
The men employed to handle this vast amount of mineral, which is constantly increasing, is one cause of New Castle's growth. But the factor which has been most instrumental in stimulating industrial enterprise in New Castle is the tin plate industry. Its development here has been due largely to the enterprise of Geo. Greer. In 1892 a company was organized, with Geo. Greer, president; Charles Greer, secretary, and W. S. Foltz, treasurer, for the purpose of erecting a tin plate plant. They began in a small way by erecting a four-mill plant with a bar mill in connection.
The company met with many discouragements, but as the business became better understood and new machines were invented the plant enlarged until it contained twenty mills. It was then the largest plant in the world. Later the company was enlarged and another mill, the Shenango, was completed, containing thirty mills. Thus New Castle has fifty mills, employing 3,500 men and paying out $200,000 monthly in wages. Two thousand three hundred tons of black plate are made every week when the mills are in operation.
The Shenango Valley Steel Mill, which later became the property of the National Steel Company, was established in 1891 with a capital of $2,500,000. Its officers were: W. E. Reis, president; William Patterson, vice-president; John Stevenson, Jr., general superintendent; James W. Reis, superintendent of furnace department. Geo. E. Berger was secretary.
A blast furnace, having an annual capacity of 120,000 tons, later became a feature of the plant.
The Bessemer steel department, a capacity of 30,000 tons of steel billets per month, also had a bar mill. The erection of the tin and steel mills led to the establishment of half a dozen large machine shops, and previous to the inauguration of these enterprises New Castle was well supplied with industries, so there is little cause for wonder at the phenomenal growth of the city during the 1890-1900 decade.
The city has brick works that employ about 200 men and pay about $8,000 a mouth in wages. There is also a paper mill at New Castle. The breweries employ more than 100 men. There are also flour mills and other industries.
In the year 1899 over 700 new houses were built.
In four years the assessed valuation jumped from $7,000,000 to $12,000,000. The greatest improvement was in the southern part of the city. For the increase in valuation in the suburbs and the upbuilding of the same the city has been largely indebted to the New Castle Traction Company, which spent over $500,000 in construction of its lines.
The assessed valuation of New Castle is about $15,000,000. The levy for all purposes does not in any year exceed 15 mills, and residence and business property is as- sessed at only from two-thirds to three- fourths of its real value. Manufacturing property is only nominally valued, it being the policy of the city to assist and encourage its industries.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 28 Feb 2002