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NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY]
Astor, Lenox and Tllden
Founi/Ktlonk,
1909
k>/4^^?;:
HISTORY
OF
CAMBRIA COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
BY
HENRY WILSON STOREY
WITH
GENEALOGICAL MEMOIRS
' ' '. >
ILLUSTRATED. '°''''?.
voluivie: I.
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
NEW YORK CHICAGO
1907
' THE NEV/ YORK I
PUBLIC LIBRARY
<^40
A8TOR, LENOX ANP
TILDEN FOUNDATION*,
R 1909 L
Copyright 1907
BY
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
• • c
1 ••• , •• •
FOREWORD
A history of Cambria County and its people is an essential
part of the progress of civilization in our country for two hun-
dred and twenty-five years.
After its acquisition by William Penn it was at peace with
the red man for a period of seventy years, followed by thirty
years of cruel barbarism.
In the beginning its pioneers were with Washington in the
struggle for independence; its rank and file have marched with
Dearborn, Taylor and Scott, Grant, Farragut and Shafter, and
gallantly sustained our government.
' Its 666 square miles of land were richly endowed with the
tall white pine and hemlock, and the forests are filled with
hard wood, and its mountains are veined with the best quality
of bituminous coal.
In the iron and steel industry it has created for itself an
international reputation for excellent products, and in its fine
arts its people have achieved a worthy place. In statesmanship
and government, in the nation and state, the influence of its
men has been wielded for the good.
It is worthy to modestly enroll the achievements of her
people among the annals of our country.
In grateful aclmowledgment of the invaluable assistance
given in the preparation of this history by James M. Swank,
George T. Swank and Anderson H. Walters of the Johnstown
Tribune, John McCormick and other friends, the author de-
sires to express his sincere thanks.
MEN OF CAMBRIA WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED IT BY
THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
1. John J. Boyle: A Sculptor.
2. Jacob Miller Campbell: A General and a Statesman.
3. George Fritz: An Inventor and Engineer.
4. John Fritz : An Inventor and Engineer.
5. Lawrence Francis Flick, M. D. : The Master of Tuber-
culosis.
6. John Fulton: Geologist and Mining Engineer.
7. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin: A Pioneer Priest.
8. John White Geary: A Major General and Governor of
Kansas and Pennsylvania.
9. Joseph Johns: A Friend of the Common Schools and
Founder of Johnstown.
10. William R. Jones: An Inventor, Engineer and Manager
of Steel Works.
IL George Shryock King: Founder of the Cambria Iron Co.
12; Daniel Johnston Morrell: Iron and Steel Master; Author
of and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of
the Centennial Exhibition, and Commissioner to the
Paris Exposition.
13. Robert Samuel Murphy: Lieutenant Governor and Presi-
dent of the Pennsylvania Senate.
14. Robert Edwin Peary: The Arctic Explorer.
15. Cyrus Long Pershing: A President Judge and Member
of the War Assembly; the Democratic Candidate for
Governor, Supreme Judge and Congress.
16. Robert Lees Phythian: A Commodore in the United
States Naw and a Superintendent of the Naval
Academy-
17. Charles M. Schwab: A Steel Master.
18. Powell Stackhouse: President of the Cambria Steel Co.
19. James Moore Swank: An Editor, Statistician and His-
torian.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER. I.
William Penn seeks to purchase title from the Susquehanna
river — Penn secures the Dongan title — Penn's difficul-
ties in England and in the province — Treaties with the
Indians — French and Indian War — Charles Campbell
procures a warrant for the land on the Conemaugh
and Stonycreek rivers at Johnstown 1
CHAPTER II.
The Revolutionary War period — Meetings in Carpenter's
Hall in Philadelphia — Companies of Captain Robert
Cluggage, Captain Richard Brown, Captain Andrew
Mann, and Captain Jacob Hendershot — The companies
of rangers; Captain John Boyd and Captain Solomon
Adams — Mason and Dixon line — The whiskey rebellion
of 179^— The Forbes Road ." 10
CHAPTER III.
Organization of Counties — Cambria county taken from
Somerset and Huntingdon — First townships in Cam-
bria county 29
CHAPTER IV.
Indian Tribes in the Conemaugh valley — First white
visitors 46
CHAPTER V.
Pioneer settlers — Adams family — Prince Grallitzin — Cap-
tain Michael M'Guire — Joseph Johns — He lays out the
village of Conemaugh 67
CHAPTER A^I.
Indian trails — Old roads 91
vi CONTENTS
CHAPTEE VII.
A Political Eeview — The politics of the county, state and
nation from 1808 102
CHAPTEE VIII.
The Judicial District — Jurisdiction of the courts, and legis-
lation — Special acts, the judges and law^^ers — Inci-
dents 143
CHAPTEE IX.
Anti-slavery Sentiment— The underground railroad—
*' Abraham" and ''Patrick" shot at by a slave hunter
— Arrest of Henry Willis and others for aiding the
slaves 186
CHAPTEE X.
First Settlements 193
CHAPTEE XI.
The Eivers, Creeks and Eivulets — Saw and grist mills, and
rafting 211
CHAPTEE XII.
The City of Johnstown 240
CHAPTEE XIII.
Land Titles 290
CHAPTEE XIV.
The Eivers at Johnstown 311
CHAPTEE XV.
The Pennsvlvania Canal 330
CHAPTEE XVI.
Old and New Portage Eailroads 347
CHAPTEE XVII.
Newspapers and Periodicals 367
CHAPTEE XVIII.
Cambria Stee-t Company — Origin and early history of the
present great corporation 400
CONTENTS vii
CHAPTER XIX.
Fall of the Pennsylvania railroad platform 448
CHAPTER XX.
The Great Flood of May 31, 1889 457
CHAPTER XXI.
The Medical Profession 509
CHAPTER XXII.
Old Families in the County 535
CHAPTER XXIII.
Coal, coke, railroads and lumber -; . . . 573
History of Cambria County.
CHAPTER I.
WILLIAM PENN SEEKS TO PUECHASE INDIAN TITLE FOR THE SUSQUE-
HANNA RIVER PENN SECURES THE DONGAN TITLE PENN's DIE-
FICULTIES IN ENGLAND AND IN THE PROVINCE TREATIES WITH
THE INDIANS FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR CHARLES CAMPBELL
PROCURES A WARRANT FOR THE LAND ON THE CONEMAUGH AND
STONEYCREEK RIVERS AT JOHNSTOWN.
The King of England, Charles II, desiring to perpetuate
the memory of his friend, Admiral William Penn, for his vic-
tory over the Dutch fleet in 1665, looked with favor on the peti-
tion of William Penn, his son, for permission and a grant of
sufficient land in America to locate a colony thereon ; therefore,
on March 4, 1681, at Westminster, the charter for Pennsylvania
was granted. The boundary lines were given thus :
"All that tract or parte of land in America, with all the
Islands therein conteyned, as the same is bounded on the East
by Delaware River, from twelve miles distance Northwards of
New Castle Towne unto the three and fortieth degree of North-
ern latitude if the said River doth extend soe farre Northwards :
But if the said River shall not extend soe farre Northward, then
by the said River soe farr as it doth extend, and from the head
of the said River the Easterne bounds are to bee determined by
a meridian line to bee drawn from the head of the said River
unto the said three and fortieth degree, the said lands to extend
Westwards, five degrees in longitude, to be computed from the
said Eastern Bounds, and the said lands to bee liounded on the
North by the Ijeginning of the three and fortieth degree of
Northern latitude, and on the South, by a circle drawn at twelve
miles distance from New Castle Northwards, and Westwards
unto the beginning of the fortieth degree of Northern Latitude :
and then by a straight line Westwards, to the limitt of Longi-
tude above mentioned."
Under this authority Penn immediately began to make his
arrangements to take possession, and appointed William Mark-
ham, his cousin, lieutenant governor, who arrived in New York
Vol. I— 1
2 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
iu June, 1681. Markham found Captain Anthony Brockliolls,
deputy governor of New York, in charge of the Duke of York's
colonies. Brockholls inspected the documents which Markham
presented, and in acknowledging their validity gave him a let-
ter to the settlers in Pennsylvania, requesting them to yield
obedience to the new proprietor. On August 3, 1681, Markham
organized a Council, which was the formal beginning of Penn's
proprietorship, and began to buy lands from the Indians.
Penn sailed in the ship "Welcome," and landed. at Upland,
now Chester, about October 28, 1682, when he was about thirty-
eight years of age. Markham had had the city of Philadelphia
laid out before Penn's arrival, but it was under his instructions,
inasmuch as two years later Penn wrote: "And thou Philadel-
phia, named before thou wast born."
In the summer of 1683 Penn began to negotiate with the
Iroquois chiefs of New York, who were in control of the tribes
on the Susquehanna river, for that river and the lands on both
sides of it. In July he wrote to Brockholls commending two
agents he was sending to treat with the sachems of the Mohawks,
Senecas and their allied tribes, for a release of the Susquehanna
lands. In his letter he declared his intention "is to treat
* * * about some Susquehanash land on ye back of us, where
I intend a colony forthwith, a place so out of the way that a
small thing could not carry some people to it." It seems very
clear that Penn's intentions were to secure at once the Sus-
quehanna river to its source, and to the extreme point, or,
as he expressed it so plainly, "a place so out of the way that a
small thing could not carry some people to it."
The agents, William Haige and James Graham, proceeded
to Albany in August, and found that Brockholls had been super-
seded by Colonel Thomas Dongan, who had arrived August
25, 1683. Colonel Dongan is an important personage in the
study of the history of Pennsylvania, in view of his term of
service as governor of New York until 1688. He was a Roman
Catholic, as was the Duke of York, and an enterprising, active
and intelligent man, well qualified to manage the delicate rela-
tions then existing, especially so with the Iroquois Indians.
When Dongan heard of Penn's negotiations for the Sus-
quehanna river it gave him much concern, and caused his jus-
tices, who were his advisers, to become panicstricken. They
feared that Penn would plant a strong settlement on the Sus-
quehanna, and that the Iroquois Indians, instead of bringing
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 3
tlieir furs to the Hudson river, would send them to what is now
Philadelphia, l3y the way of the Susquehanna.
On September 7, 1683, the justices had a conference witli
such Indians as could be reached in their haste for action. These
were two Cayugas and "a Susquehanna," who were closely
interrogated as to the Sustjuehanna's geographical and trade
relations with the New York settlements, especially Albany.
These close questions caused the Indians to- be inquisitive.
Their inquiries were: Why did the justices want to know?
Were the white men coming to the Susquehanna? The chiefs
were asked how this Avould suit them, assuming it to be correct,
and they candidly replied "very well," as it- would be much
easier and nearer to trade there than at Albany, "insomuch as
they must bring everything thither on their backs."
The situation was alarming, and the justices hastily advised
Dongan to find some way to prevent Penn from acquiring the
"Susquehanna Indian title." On the 18th, Colonel Dongan
informed Haige and Graham that it was considered "very con-
venient and necessary to putt a stopp to all proceedings in
Mr. Penn's affairs with the Indians until his bounds and limits
be adjusted," and furthermore "to suffer no manner of pro-
ceedings in that business" until they should be advised. The
Indians were influenced by Dongan and his friends not to sell
to Penn, being told that they had no right to do that, but should
sell to the New York parties.
• , The situation was acute and prompt action was required;
therefore, to control it, Dongan purchased from some of the
chiefs, especially the Senecas, these lands and the river for
himself. He seems to have been uncertain whether his position
in this transaction was entirely honorable, although on October
lOtli he wrote to Penn avowing his purchase, and in another
letter of the 22d he stated the "Indians had confirmed the
sale;" however, he added, that he and Penn would "not fall
out" over it.
Even this purchase did not clear the liaze, and Penn's
efforts were causing much uneasiness in New York for fear of
losing the Indian trade. It went so far that in 1691 the Pro-
vincial Council of New York presented a petition to William
III, earnestly requesting the dispossessing of Penn altogether.
They represented that "The Susquehanna is situate in the mid-
dle of the Sinnekes country," and that it had been given to
the Duke of York manv vears before Penn bad received his
4 ITISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
charter. They further stated that Penn was endeavoring to
buy it from the Indians in order to draw away trade to his
province, and the King was assured this would do them great
damage, because "All the Nations with whom Albany hath a
trade live at the head of the Susquehanna river, ' ' and declared
that ''the inhabitants at Albany" had "only seated themselves
there and addicted their minds to the Indian language and the
mysteries of the said trade with the purpose to manage it."
They insistently urged that if Penn's title to Pennsylvania
should be affirmed that it should extend no further on the Sus-
quehanna than the falls thereof. The falls are probably at
the mouth of the Conestoga creek, about fifteen miles north of
the Maryland line. They preferred that Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Delaware and Connecticut be re-annexed to New York.
The uneasiness which Penn's negotiations caused in 1683
had now become malevolent; it was bitter and vindictive toward
the Province and its rulers. Penn was the central object for
the attacks of those who disliked his religious views, his demo-
cratic system of government, despised his humane policy, or
hated all of these. This was the beginning of Penn's trou-
bles and the historical events relating to Barr, Carroll and
Susquehanna townships in Cambria county.
In 1684 Penn returned to England with the fixed purpose
of making a short visit and of bringing his family to Penn-
sylvania, but in the meanwhile James II had succeeded Charles
II as King of England. Penn strove to use his influence for
the persecuted dissenters, which included the Roman Catho-
lics, and at first James assented, but political measures
demanded the re-enactment of offending measures, however,
and Penn continued to intercede for the oppressed people. This
condition of affairs continued until the revolution of 1688.
William and Mary ascended the throne February 13, 1689, in
full faith in the doctrine of the Church of England, which rad-
ically changed the situation. All the friends of the Stuarts
were suspects. Penn was twice arrested on charges of trea-
sonable correspondence with the ])anished James, and twice
was he acquitted. He was accused of being "a cheat," also of
being a Catholic, and under these strained conditions of aifairs
he remained in seclusion for three years. In 1693 three lords
presented his case to William with the assurance there was
nothing against him, and Penn was given his liberty.
However, his troubles were not confined to England, inas-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY, 5
much as in 1692 his executive authority over Pennsylvania was
taken from him and given to Benjamin Fletcher, governor of
New York, who was totally out of sympathy with the people of
this province, bnt npon Penn's release in 1693 his powers were
restored.
While Penn was abroad Thomas Dongan, formerly gov-
ernor of New York, returned to England in 1691 and succeeded
to the earldom of Limerick in 1698.
Penn's proprietorship of Pennsylvania now being confirmed
by William and Mary, he sought to acquire the ownership and
control of the Susquehanna river, regarding it as essential to
the prosperity of his province. It had been his first thought
as early as 1683, and most likely prior to that date, as his cor-
respondence with Markham shows, and his general knowledge
of the Province had determined the value of that river. There-
fore in 1695 he opened negotiations with Colonel Dongan for
the purchase of the interest of the Seneca Indians in the Sus-
quehanna river and its lands, which the latter had acquired
in his name in 1683. They were concluded successfully on Jan-
uary 12, 1696, by acquiring a lease thereof for one thousand
years, in consideration of the payment of one hundred pounds
and the annual rent of a "pepper corn" to be delivered on the
"Feast Day of St. Michaell the Arch Angel," is demanded.
Penn remained m England until September 9, 1699, when
he and his family sailed for America to make it their home;
however, this was not to be, as he returned to England in
1701 for a visit, and the changed conditions prevented him from
ever returning to Pennsylvania. The Province was governed
through his deputies until his death in 1718, when his son and
other heirs assumed control over Pennsylvania.
The following is the text of the deed of Colonel Thomas
Dongan to AVilliam Penn :
Deed of Thos. Dongan to William Penn, * * * This
indenture made the 12th day of January, Anno Dni, 1696, and
in the eighth yeare of the reigne of our Sovereign, Lord Will-
iam, the Third, King of Eng'd. between Thomas Dongan, late
Govern 'r of New York, and now of London, Esqr. of the one
part, and,
William Penn,
Govern 'r of the Province of Pensilvania in America, of the
other part; * * * [^ consideration of the sume of one
hundred Pounds * * * to him in hand paid by the said
William Penn * * * he hath demised and granted *
*
6 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
* to the said William Penn, * * * All that tract of Land
Jyeng upon, on l)oth sides the River commonly called or known
by the name of the Susquehanna Eiver and the Lakes adiacent,
in or near the Province of Pensilvania, * * * bggjn-ipjg
at the Mountain or head of the said river, and running as fare
as and into the Bay of Chessapeake, with all Isles, Islands,
mines, woods * * * which the said Thomas Dongan lately
purchased of or had given him by the Sinneca Susquehannah
Indians, and also all the lands * * * whatsoever lyeing
on both sides the Susquehannah river * * * which he,
the said Thomas Dongan did, at any time purchase or which
were at am^ time given unto (him) by the said Indians. * * *
To have and to hold, from the date hereof, for and unto
the end and term of One Thousand years, paying * * *
yearly and every year on the Feast day of St. Michaell the
Arch Angel, the rent of a pepper Corn, if the same shall or
lawfully (be) demanded to the intent and purpose, that by the
force * * * of these presents and of the Statute for trans-
ferring of uses, into possession, the said William Penn may be
in the actuall possession of the premises, and may be thereby
the better enabled to attempt and take a grant, release, * *
* for his heirs and assigns forever. * * *
Thomas Doistgaist, (LS.)
It will be observed this' document is a lease for the Sus-
quehanna lands and the river, but on the following day Don-
gan conveyed all his right, title and interest therein to W^illiam
Penn, in fee, for the consideration of one hundred pounds.
The deed is dated January 13, 1696, and conveys "all the land
and every of the Senneca Susquehannah Indians," and will
warrant and forever defend it.
There are two branches of the Susquehanna river which
join at Sunbury. The northern branch extends into the state
of New York. The Avestern branch runs along Union county,
and passes through Lycoming, Clinton, along Center, and,
through Clearfield counties into Cambria, at Cherry Tree. Its
source is, of course, on the eastern slope of the Allegheny
mountains, and becomes prominent near Carrolltown, then
passes through Carroll township, along Barr and through Sus-
quehanna townships into Clearfield county.
The Susquehanna is the only stream which drains the east-
ern slope and the territory east of the Allegheny mountains in
our State, and being very crooked the distance from its source
to Sunbury is about two hundred miles, fifteen of which lies in
Cambria countv.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 7
The Dongan deed is not of record except as it appears in
the colonial records, nor has it ever been found: however it
was confirmed in 1700 by several of the tribes, and in 1722 the
Conestoga Indians, then known as the Susquehanna Indians,
Cambria County Territory.
W. Scull Map of 1770.
Savages at "Conemack."
confirmed the lease and sale of 1696. It was subsequently af-
firmed by treaty and by deeds.
Notwithstanding the confirmation and the admissions of
the Five Nations, the Delaware Indians claimed they had an
interest in the Susquehanna lands, iand as the boundaries were
8 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
indefinite in the former deeds, the Penns arranged for an-
other conference with these several tribes, which took place
October 11th, 1736, in Philadelphia, and another treaty was
made. They gave tlie following deed:
To All People to whom these presents may come, * * *
we do and every of them doth give, grant, bargain, sell, release
and confirm nnto the said proprietors, John Penn and Richard
Penn, their heirs and assigns, * * * x\\ the said River
Susqnehannah, with the lands lying on both sides thereof, to
extend Eastward as far as the heads of the Branches or Springs
which run into the said Susquehannah, and all the lands lying
on the West side of the said River to the setting of the Sun,
and to extend from the mouth of the said River Northward,
up the same to the Hills or mountains called in the language
of the .said Nations, the Tyannuntasacta, or endless hills, and
by the Delaware Indians, the Kekkachtananin Hills, together,
also, with all the Islands in the said River. * * *
Dated October 11th, 1736.
Onondagoes.
His
Haxis^yhaeaxgguas,
X
Kakiskeeowaxa.
X
By his fr'd, Kaneck]
liun
mark.
ASHCOALAX,
X
Tagunhunty,
X
Hetquaxtagechta,
X
Caxhaayn,
X
Oneidas.
KUCHDAC H ARY,
X
Tecochtseeghekochoo,
X
Sawegatekoe,
X
Saliskaguoh.
X
By his fr'd.
Shekalamy,
X
Tagunhun^ty,
X
Tahashwaxgaeoeas,
X
SA:srEYUSK0E,
X
Tuscaroras.
Can-aungoe,
X
Sewuxtga,
X
Cahooyeeoh,
X
Tyeeos,
X
Senecas.
Cuyagos,
Kaxickhungo,
X
Seguchsaxyuxt,
X
Eyacksagee,
X
Suxeretchy,
X
Alias, Tagachskaholoo.
Kaxawatoe,
X
In the conference between Governor Keith and the Cones-
toga Indians in 1722, the Indians claimed that forty years be-
fore that, which would be 1682, William Penn had procured
some person in New York to purchase the lands on the Susque-
hanna river from the Five Nations, who pretended to have a
right in them by having conquered the Indians formerly set-
tled there. The Conestoga Indians said to Governor Keith
''that William Penn took the parchment and laid it upon the
ground, and saying to them it should be common amongst them,
namely, the English and the Conestoga Indians." Keith re-
plied: *'I am very glad to find that you remember so perfectly
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 9
the wise and kind expressions of the great and good William
Penn towards you; and I know that the purchase which he
made of the lands on both sides of the Susquehanna is exactly
true as you tell it, only I have heard further that when he was
so good to tell your people, that notwithstanding that purchase
the lands should still be in common between his people and
them, you answered that very little land would serve you, and
thereupon you fully confirmed his right, by your consent and
good will, etc."
The great object William Penn had in mind was the con-
trol of the Susquehanna river throughout his province. There-
fore, on September 13th, 1700, he purchased from Widagh and
AndaggAgunkquagh, kings or sachems of the Susquehanna In-
dians, all their right in the Susquehanna river, "and all the
lands situate, lying and being on both sides of the said river,
and next adjoining to the same, to the utmost confines of the
lands which are or formerly were the right of the people or na-
tion called the Susquehannagh Indians, or by what name soever
they were called," and therein confirmed the deed of Thomas
Dongan, now the Earl of Limerick, to William Penn, dated
September 13th, 1696. This deed is recorded in the Department
of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg, in Book F, volume 8, at
page 242,
A further purchase or confirmation of the Thomas Don-
gan deed was made April 22, 1701, between William Penn and
several branches of the Susquehanna, Shawona, Potowmack
and Conestoga Indians, for the Susquehanna river and the
lands on both sides of it.
At a treaty held in Philadelphia, in July, 1727, between
Governor Gordon and the deputies of the Five Nations, the
latter said inasmuch as the former had at divers times sent for
them they had therefore come to know his pleasure, and made
an offer to sell the Susquehanna river lands. Gordon replied
"that he was glad to see them, and that he takes their visit at
this time very kindly, but that they were misinformed when
they supposed he had sent for them ; that Governor Penn had,
by means of the Colonel Dongan deed, already bought of the
Five Nations the lands on the Susquehanna river."
A conference between the provincial officials and the In-
dians at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1753, was the beginning of
the Indian troubles. At that time the latter were friendly but
discontented, principally on account of the sale of August 25th,
10
HISTOBY OF CAMBBIA COUNTY.
o
o
c3
o
be
^ £
";: o
b/3
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 11
1737, known as the ''Walking Purchase" deed, wherein the
land conveyed was described to be "as far as a man can go
in one day and an half." This purchase did not relate to the
Susquehanna river or lands upon its shores, but applied to
the Delaware river in its vicinity.
In July, 1712, two hundred and thirty Indians of the Six
Nations made a visit to Philadelphia and held a conference
with Governor Thomas, complaining that the white men were
not honestly dealing with them, but were settling on their hunt-
ing grounds which had been reserved. Canassatego implored
the governor to make the white men remove therefrom, par-
ticularly those "who have settled on the Juniata, a branch of
the Susquehanna." The chief said: "We have given the river
Juniata for a hunting place to our cousins, the Delaware In-
dians, and our brethren the Shawnese. We therefore desire
you will immediatel.v by force remove all those that live on
the river Juniata."
The governor interrupted the chief by saying "that some
magistrates were sent expressly to remove them, and he thought
no person would presume to stay after that." The chief
replied: "These persons who were sent do not do their duty;
so far from removing the people they made surveys for them-
selves, and they are in league with the trespassers."
About August 11th, 1719, two hundred and eighty Indians,
including Senecas, Mohicans, Tutelas, Delawares and Nanti-
cokes again went to Philadelphia, against the advice of Con-
rad Weiser, whom they regarded and who really was their
friend. They renewed their complaints and insisted on the
white man being removed from their hunting grounds. They
did not complain of any trespassing east of the Susquehanna
river, but as to the grounds of their cousins the Nanticokes and
other Indians living on the waters of the Juniata, the white man
must use more vigorous measures and formallv remove them.
At the Carlisle conference of 1753 the Indians did not make
any threats, but continued to press their complaints that the
white man should forbear settling on the Indian lands over the
"Allegheny hills," and on the Juniata river.
The friendly relations heretofore existing between the
provincial people and the Indians were being strained and the
former deemed it wise to have another conference with the
Six Nations, which comprised the Mohawks, Oneidas, Senecas,
Tuscaroras, Onondagas and Cajaigas, and have a new treaty
12 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
to cover all the lands then in dispute. In this view the parties
met at Albany, in July, 1754, and after a conference the Six
Nations gave a deed to Thomas and Eichard Penn for the con-
sideration of four hundred pounds, lawful money of New
York, for "all the lands lying within the said province of
Pennsylvania, bounded and limited as follows : namely. Begin-
ning at the Kittoch tinny or Blue hills on the west branch of
the Susquehanna river, and thence hy the same, a mile above
the mouth of a certain creek called I^ayarondinhagh (Penn's
creek), thence northwest and by west as far as the said prov-
ince of Pennsylvania extends to its western lines or boundaries ;
thence along the said western line or boundary of the i3rovince ;
thence by the said south line to the south side of the Kittoch-
tinny hills ; thence by the south side of said hills to the place of
beginning. ' '
When the Indians returned to their homes and meditated
ui^on the fact that they had sold ail their lands west of the Al-
legheny hills, dissatisfaction and discontent were supreme.
They became exasperated, and sought an alliance with the
French, who were endeavoring to hold all the lands west of
the Allegheny mountains, and were then in and around Fort
Buquesne, now Pittsburg. The French promised to redeem
the lands which were claimed by the English under these sev-
eral deeds. The intense feeling broke out the following year
when the Indians and French attacked and defeated Greneral
Braddock, who was mortally wounded and died within a few
days.
This was the beginning of the Indian wars in western Penn-
sylvania. The Indians told Conrad Weiser that they did not
understand the ^joints of the compass, and if the line was so
run as to include the West Branch of the Susquehanna, they
would never agree to it.
In 1711 contention began between Louis XV of France
and George II of England as to the territory west of the Al-
legheny mountains. France claimed it on the explorations
made by La Salle in the lower Mississippi valley as early as
1679, wherein he had included a part of Ohio and of the Ohio
river, and by that fact, sought to take i^ossession of all the land
to the headwaters of the Ohio river, which would have included
the territory in Cambria county. George II denied the claim,
so in 1753 the French came to Pittsburg and, constructing Fort
Duquesne, prepared to take possession. During this period
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 13
(1755-63) the French took advantage of the discontent among
the Indians, and most of them joined issue against the provin-
cial authorities. The territory west of the Allegheny mount-
ains was' now defenseless and made desolate by the Indian
war.
On July 9, 1755, the army sent out by George II, under
General Braddock, was defeated at Braddock's field, and the
commander, mortally wounded, died four days later. This
regiment had been considered of sufficient strength to over-
come the French, but it remained for General Forbes in 1758
to capture Fort Duquesne and name it Fort Pitt.
Notwithstanding the treaty and the delivery of the deed
of 1754 for the land west of the Susquehanna river, the In-
dians of the Six Nations continued to complain that they had
not' been treated properly, and barbaric acts of cruelty were
being committed by them throughout Western Pennsylvania
and elsewhere. The Penns desired to have peace, and there-
fore invited the Indians to Easton to consider the contentions.
As a result of that conference (October 23, 1758) Thomas and
Eichard Penn appointed Eichard Peters and Conrad Weiser
their attorneys-in-fact, and directed them to release all their
claim to the land "lying to the northward and westward of
the Allegheny hill," providing that the Six Nations or their
deputies would affirm the sale of all the other land mentioned
in the deed of 1754, which included territory east of the Alle-
gheny mountains.
But the situation in Western Pennsylvania remained in-
tolerable, notwithstanding the effort of the Penns to conciliate
the several tribes of Indians. It was in 1771 that Samuel
Adams was killed by them at Sandy Eun, a few miles from
Johnstown, and other depredations being committed on the
pioneers and their families, many of them took their depart-
ure for the eastern part of the province.
A general conference with the Indians of the Six Nations
was called to meet at Fort Stanwix, New York, and there an-
other treaty was made, of which the deed bears the date of
November 5, 1768. The Indians who represented the Six Na-
tions were: Tyanbasare, alias Abraham, sachem or chief of
the Mohawks; Senughsis, for the Oneidas; Chenungbiata, for
the Onondagas; Gaustarax, for the Senecas; Sequarisera, for
the Tuscaroras; and Tagaaia, for the Cayugas. In considera-
tion of ten thousand dollars they sold all their interest in the
14 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
land "beginning at Owegy, in New York, and running sonth-
west along the easterly side of the Snsquehanna river till it
comes ojDposite the mouth of a creek called b}^ the Indians
Awandac (Towanda) * * * thence to the head of a creek
which runs into the west branch of the Susquehanna, which
creek is called by the Indians Tiadaghton, and down the said
creek on the south side thereof to the said west branch of the
Susquehanna; then crossing the said river and running u]) the
same on the south side thereof, to the fork of the same river
which lies nearest to a place on the river Ohio, called the
Kittanning, " * * *
This deed includes all the land south of the Kittaiming
trail in Western Pennsylvania, and was one of the largest
purchases made by the Penns. "Canoe Place," or Cheriy Tree,
is the northerly boundary line of this sale in this county. This
is the purchase known in our coimty as the "Canoe," or the
Cherry Tree sale. Tradition tells us that the land was meas-
ured by the Indians agreeing that Penn should have all on the
west branch of the Susquehanna river and west of it from a
IDoint where there was not sufficient water to float a canoe.
There is no good authority for this as it will appear in the
Fort Stanwix deed that the Indians sold everything south of
the Kittanning trail.
Prior to this purchase the provincial authorities endeav-
ored to keep the white man from making a settlement on the
land west of the Allegheny mountains, but now, having full
title to it, the council of the province directed that on and after
April 3, 1769, the territory mentioned should be open to per-
sons desiring to settle upon it, or to purchase it. On that
day, the very first day it could lawfully be acquired, Charles
Campbell took out a warrant for two hundred and forty-nine
acres on the Little Conemaugh and the Stoneycreek rivers,
which includes the First, Second, Third, Fourth and parts of
the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth wards of
the citv of Johnstown.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
15
CHAPTER II.
THE EEVOLUTTONARY WAR PERIOD MEETINGS IN CARPENTER 's HALL
IN PHILADELPHIA COMPANIES OF CAPTAIN ROBERT CLUGGAGE,
CAPTAIN RICHARD BROWN, CAPTAIN ANDREW MANN AND CAP-
TAIN JACOB HENDERSHOT THE COMPANIES OF RANGERS; CAP-
TAIN JOHN BOYD AND CAPTAIN SOLOMON ADAMS MASON AND
DIXON 'S LINE THE WHISKEY REBELLION OF 1794 THE FORBES
EOAD.
When the shot was fired at Lexington, on April 19, 1775,
it has been stated that its moral effect for religions liberty and
politi-cal freedom encircled the globe.
When that took place the territory now within the limits
of Cambria county was parts of Quemahoning and Franks-
town townshi]3s of Bedford county. Fort Bedford was the
county capital ; there the courts administered justice to the
people of the county; there the pioneers sought safety from
the attacks of Indians on their homes and families throughout
the county. The next fort west was Fort Ligonier, in West/-
moreland county. Bedford, was the common meeting place for
the patriot and the pioneer of this locality.
The inhabitants of the county were j)rincipally Scotch-
Irish Presbyterians, but Germans of the Brethren denomination,
Swiss and Irish, had also settled here. It was very natural
that both i3atriots and tories should be represented, although
there were few of the latter. Numbered with the patriots were
Colonel George Woods, Judge Barnard Dougherty, Colonel
David Espy, Samuel Davidson, Esq., Hon. John Cessna, Colonel
Charles Cessna, Major Edward Coombs, Colonel Hugh Bar-
clay, Captain Andrew Mann, Colonel Robert Galbreath, Cap-
tain Robert Cluggage, James Martin, William Proctor, Colonel
Thomas Smith, James Wells, John Malott, Robert Scott, and
Captain James Francis Moore.
When Samuel Adams and his party of ''Indians" threw
the cargo of tea into the Boston harbor, it aroused the colon-
ists, and a meeting was held in Philadelphia on July 15, 1774, for
the purpose of expressing their discontent with the law of
George III. George Woods, Esq., Barnard Dougherty and Sam-
uel Davidson of Bedford county were present as delegates. The
HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 17
Carpenter's Hall convention of 1775 resolved that the colonies
should raise an army to defend their principles and to Pennsyl-
vania was allotted the quota of 4,300 men. To more effectu-
ally carry it into efl'ect a committee of public safety was ap-
pointed on June 30, 1775, which consisted of prominent patriots
in the colony. Benjamin Franklin was president thereof; Will-
iam Garrett, secretary, and Michael Hillegas, treasurer. Bar-
nard Dougherty, of Bedford county, was a member of that
committee.
Within ten days after the battle of Bunker Hill was fought
(June 17, 1775) Captain Cluggage, of Bedford, had a company
on the march to Boston to assist Prescott, Pepperell and War-
ren, the heroes of that defeat. On its arrival at Carlisle it was
assigned to the First Pennsylvania Eifle Battalion, commanded
by Colonel William Thompson. The battalion started from
Reading, j)assed through Faston and northern New Jersey,
crossed the Hudson river a few miles north of West Point, and
joined the Continental army in the trenches at Boston, August
8, 1775.
They were the first troops to arrive from the west side of
the Hudson, and served in all the skirmishes in front of Bos-
ton; but before the British evacuated that city Colonel Thomp-
son's battalion was ordered to New York to aid in repelling the
landing of the enemy. Colonel Thompson was promoted to
brigadier-general, and Lieutenant Colonel Hand of Lancaster
was advanced to the colonelcy. When the term of enlistment
expired, June 30, 1776, most of the men re-enlisted for three
years or during the war. It then became the First Regiment
of the Continental Line, and was actively engaged in the bat-
tles of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, and Princeton,
under Colonel Hand, who on April 1, 1777, was made a briga-
dier-general to be succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel James
Chambers of CHiambersburg. Under his command the regi-
ment fought at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and every
other battle and skirmishes until it retired, January 1, 1781.
Thatcher's Military Journal says of this command:
"Several companies of riflemen amounting, it is said, to
more than fourteen hundred men, have arrived here from Penn-
sylvania and Maryland, a distance of from five to seven hun-
dred miles. They are remarkably stout and hardy men, many
of them exceeding six feet in liight. They are dressed in white
frocks or rifle shirts and round hats. These men are remark-
Vol. 1—2
18 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
able for the accuracy of their aim, strikins^ a mark with great
certainty at two hniidred yards. At a reyiew of a company
of them', presumed to be CoL Cresap's company of Maryland
frontiersmen, one-half of whom were recruited in that part of '
Pennsylyania lying west of the Allegheny mountains, while on
a quick adyance, fired their balls into objects of seyen inches in
diameter, at a distance of two hundred yards. They are now
stationed on our lines (Boston) and their shots haye freijuently
proyed fatal to British officers and soldiers who exposed tliem-
selyes, eyen at more than double of a common musket shot."
CAPTAIN ROBERT CLUGGAGe's COMPANY, FALL OF 1776.
Captain, Robert Cluggage. First Lieutenant, John Hol-
liday, commissioned June 25, 1775. Second Lieutenant, Robert
McKenzie, died Feb. 12, 1776; Benjamin Baird, from third lieu-
tenant. Third Lieutenant, Benjamin Baird, Oct., 1775, pro-
moted second lieutenant.
Sergeants: James Holliday; Daniel Stoy, clis. at Long
Island, July 1, 1776 ; resided in Somerset county, Pennsyl- .
yania, in ISL'^; Querinus Meriner, Dayid Wright.
. Corporals: AcQuilla White, William Lee, Joseph McKen-
zie, Angus McDonald.
Drummer: Timothy Sulliyan.
Priyates: Adam Anderson, resided in Westmoreland
county in 1818; Phillip Beechy, John Bowman; Thaddeus
Bronghdon, dis. Feb. 10, 1776; Thomas Brown, George Bruner,
John Cam])bell, Thomas Casey, Stephen Cessna, Patrick Clark,
Phillip Conner, James Corrowan; Joshua Craig, resided in
Cuml)erland county in 1820; John Crips, Alexander Crugren,
Thomas Cunningham, James Curran; John Dayis, afterward
, adjutant Flying Camp; Cornelius Dilling; William Donelin,
re-enlisted Ist Pa.; Matthew Dougherty, Laurence Dowling.
Daniel Francks, George Freeman, Amariah Garrett, Daniel
Gemberland. Reuben Gillespy, Richard Hardister, Conrad Han-
ning; Francis Jamison, re-enlisted 1st Pa.; Andrew Johnston,
enlisted June 25, 1775. promoted lieutenant 1st Pa. ; Matthias
Judy; John Kelly, — "Sept. 14, 1775, John Kelly, one of Capt.
Cluggage 's men, shot one of Cajit. Chambers' men through the
head for stal)l)ing him." — Wright's Journal. Peter King,
James Knight, William Laird, Charles Lenning, Rol)ert Leon-
ard; John Lesly, re-enlisted in 11th Pa.; Henry McCartney,
dis. at Long Island, July, 1776, weayer, resided in Lycoming
county in 1820; Daniel McClain, re-enlisted 1st Pa.; John Mc-
Cune, John McDonald, Patrick McDonald, Thomas McFarlane,
Thomas Magee, Daniel ^Mangaw, Michael Miller, Robert Piatt,
John Pitts. Samuel Plumb, ]\rartin Reynolds, Daniel Rhoads;
Philip Ritchie, re-enlisted 1st Pa.; Thomas Shehan, Francis
Shires; Alexander Simonton. re-enlisted 1st Pa.; Emanuel
Smith, Henry Smith; Daniel Stoy, promoted sergeant; John
Stuart, Jonathen Taylor, James Turmoil, Andrew Tweed,
HISTORY OF CAiMBRTA COUNTY. 19
James Vanzandt, Daniel Vanderslice, re-enlisted 1st Pa.;
Thomas Vaughn, re-enlisted 1st Pa.; Solomon Walker, James
Warlord. Thomas Ward, Alexander Wilson; George Whitman,
enlisted Jmie, 1775; re-enlisted in 1st Pa.; Samuel Woodward.
Captain Richard Brown's company was organized in Bed-
ford during February and March, 1776, and was assigned to the
First Battalion of the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, under
Colonel Samuel ]\Iiles, that being a part of Brigadier General
Lord Sterling's command. It fought in the disastrous battle
of Long Island, New Yoik, on August 27, 1776, wliere many of
them were killed, Avounded or captured, among the latter of
whom were Colonel ]\[iles, Colonel Atlee and James Piper, of
Bedford, lieutenant colonel, who died in captivity.
In a letter from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, in reference to
the defeat and retreat at Long Island, dated "Camp near Iving's
Bridge, 5tli Sep'r. 1776," he says:
''I understand that General Sullivan has taken the liberty
to charge our brave and good Col. Miles, with the ill success of
the Day, but give me leave to say, that if General Sullivan &
the rest of the Gen 'Is on Long Island had been as vigilant &
prudent as him, we might, & in all probability would have cut
olT Clinton's brigade; our officers & men in general, consider-
ing the confusion, behaved as well as men could do — a very few
behaved ill, of which, when I am informed will write you." * * *
"P. S. Tlie Great Gen'l Putnam could not, tho' requested,
send out one Reg't to cover our retreat."
-»
The command was engaged in the capture of the Hessians
at Trenton, December 26, 1776; at Princeton, January 3, 1777;
and, remaining part of the ensuing winter in Philadelphia,
moved down to Billingsport in March, 1777.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BROWN 's COMPANY.
Captains : Richard Brown, appointed from Bedford county,
March 19, 1776; taken prisoner Aug. 27, 1776; James Francis
Moore, from first lieutenant, Oct. 25, 1776.
First Lieutenant : James F. Moore, appointed from Bed-
ford county, March 19, 1776; joined the company Aug. 9, 1776;
promoted captain Oct. 25, 1776.
Second Lieutenants: James Barnet, resigned July 23,
1776; Thomas Boyd, from third lieutenant of Capt. Shade's
company, Aug. 9, 1776; taken at Fort Washington; resided in
Indiana county, Pa., in 1817.
Third Lieutenant : James Holmes, commissioned April 15,
1776; resigned Dec. 31, 1776.
Sergeants: Henry Steits; James Anderson, missing since
20 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Aug. 27, 1776, paroled December, 1776, resided in Bedford
comity in 1813; Patrick Fitzgerald, Samuel Evans, Thomas
Johnston, Jacob Hirsh.
Drummer: William Lever, missing since Aug. 27, 1776.
Fifer: Conrad Ludwick.
Privates: Ephraim Allen, Richard Allen, Henry Arm-
strong, Hugh Barkley, missing since Aug. 27, 1776; Hezekiah
Biddle, missing since Aug, 27, 1776; George Biddleson, Thomas
Bradley; William Bradley, missing since Aug. 27, 1776; Sol-
omon Brown; Peter Carmichael, missing since Aug. 27, 1776;
James Clark, George Clements, John Conrey, Michael Corwin;
Samuel Crossan, missing since Aug. 27, 1776; James Dailey,
Jeremiah Dawson; Peter Devlin, missing since Aug. 27, 1776;
John Dougherty; Timothy Dreiskel, missing since Aug. 27,
1776: Alexander Duke, James Evans; Samuel Fox, promoted
sergeant: WilJiam Fitzgerald, dis. Oct. 18, 1776; Adam Growss,
missing since Aug. 27, 1776; John Hagerty, John Harris; Jacob
Hirsh, ])romoted sergeant; Alexander Henderson, Hugh Henry;
Alexander Holmes, missing since Aug. 27, 1776 ; Robert Huston,
missing since Aug. 27, 1776; Thomas Johnston, promoted ser-
geant; Joshua Jones, James Kelly; James Lever, killed at Staten
Island, July 26, 1776; Conrad Ludwick, Daniel Maguire; John
Mallon, wounded by accident Aug. 12, 1776 ; Solomon Marshall,
Daniel Mclntire; John McGregor, missing since Aug. 27, 1776;
Michael McKittrick; Christy McMichael, missing since Aug.
27, 1776; John Mier, Aug. 4, 1776; William Moore, missing
since Aug. 27, 1776; George Morris; Jonathan Nesbit, missing
since Aug. 27, 1776; Tobias Penrod, Job Riley; Richard Rob-
erts, missing since Aug. 27, 1776; Jacob Rush, Miles Ryan;
Nathaniel Scott, missing since Aug, 27, 1776; Samuel Skinner,
Philil^ Shaver; John Smith, Jr., dis, Sept. 1, 1776; John Smith,
Sr. ; Degory Sparks, missing since the battle, Aug. 27, 1776;
Isaac Sparsell, Thomas Stanton; James Steed, dis. July 11,
1776, returned Aug. 23, 1776, re-enlisted at Hancock, Md., in
the 13tli Pa. ; Thomas Stockton ; Robert Stokes, missing since
the battle, Aug. 27, 1776; Richard Tull, Isaac Vanasdale, Albert
Vorris, Mark Welsh.
The situation in the east was critical, and of this the Indians
were taking advantage by committing all kinds of depredations
among the pioneers and their families in the frontier counties.
The pioneers became discouraged ; they were not strong enough
to repel their enemies and, the government seeming unable to
give them the protection to which they were entitled, many of
them left and took up their homes in more settled communities.
Under these conditions on July 15, 1776, congress author-
ized the organization of the Eighth Regiment of the Pennsyl-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 21
vania Line for the defense of the frontier, especially at Presqne
Isle, Le Boenf and Kittanning. The regiment consisted of seven
companies from AVestmoreland connty and Captain Mann's
compan}'^ from Bedford.
The muster roll of this company cannot be found. How-
ever, the men did good service at Kittanning and then marched
in midwinter to New Jersey, where they joined Washington's
army, many of them having died on the way from exposure and
lack of medical supplies. The company participated in the bat-
tles of Germantown and Brand^^wine, and was then ordered to
march to Pittsburg, where it became a part of General Mc-
intosh's command, and took an active part in the Indian war-
fare. In 1779 it was a part of General Brodhead's expedition
up the Allegheny river, helping to defeat the Indians and de-
stroy their villages, but at the expiration of its term of service,
the company was discharged at Pittsburg. Robert Aiken and
Abraham Faith, who were living in Somerset county as late
as 1825, were members of Captain Mann's company, as were
also Joseph Hancock, who resided in AVayne county, Indiana, in
1834 ; Jacob Justice in Bedford county, in 1820 ; Allen McComb
in Indiana county, in 1810; James Mitchell iii Somerset county,
in 1810, and Philip Wolf in Bedford county, in 1790.
CA.PTAI]Sr JACOB HENDEESHOT^S COMPAlSrY^ 1777.
A Role of the officers and privates out of the 1st Battalion
of Bedford County, Avho AEarched to Camp under the command
of Ca]3t. Jacob Hendershot & Enroled 9th January & Discharged
10th March & Allowed pay untill the 25th March, 1777.
Captain: Jacob Hendershot. Lieutenant: Frederick
Storts. Sergeant : Francis Shives. Corporal : William Steed.
Privates: William Andrews, Abraham Clavinger, John
Coombs. George Enslow, Adam Hersler, Jacob Hart, Evan Jen-
kins, Nelson Jolly, Thomas Mitchell, John Peck, Richard Pitt-
man, William Pittman, John Rush, John Slaughter, John Will-
iams.
Officers who marched with the Company : Lieut. Col. John
Graham: Major Edward Coombs, Major John Cessna; Captain
Obadiah Stiilwell; Lieut. Moses Reed, Lieut. John Stillwell;
Ensign Stillwell Troax.
Lieutenant Levi Linn with Capt. Paxton; Private Corne-
lius Troax with Capt. Paxton, and Private Joseph Troax, who
died in the service, February 15, 1777, also with Capt. Paxton.
. These officers marched with the company as volunteers and
as privates, receiving the same pay and subsistence as they.
22 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
CAPTAIN JOHN BOYD 's RANGEING COMPANY, 1781.
Recruited in Bedford County.
John Boyd, captain, late of the Third Pennsylvania regi-
ment; Richard Johnston, lieutenant.
Sergeants : Robert Atkins, Henry Dugan, Florence Grimes,
David Beates, William Ward.
Privates : William Alligane, Stephen Archer, Isaac Arthur,
John Arthur, Moses Bernan, Abraham Bodle, Joshua Burton,
Daniel Covert, John Conrad, Richard Corps, Jacob Crevistou,
John Crossin, Ludwig Curtz, John Downey, Sr., John Downey,
Jr , William Decker, Benjamin Prazier, Marshall Galloway,
Daniel Glovert, James Grimes, John Grimes, James Hall, Sam-
uel Haslett, George Jones, William Jones, Samuel Kennedy,
Felix McKinney, Joseph Martin. Samuel Moore, Michael Nich-
olas, James Paxton, Henry Simons, Solomon Sparks, John
Thomas, William Tucker and John Whiteacre.
Cai^tain Boyd's company were assigned to scout the for-
ests and guard the settlements from surprise and attacks by
hostile Indians.
Captain Solomon Adams in 1781 had charge of a company
of Rangers who were located somewhere in Brothers Valley,
most likely in the vicinity of Johnstown, where he made his
home. His company l^elonged to the Third Battalion of the
Bedford County Militia, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Barnard Dougherty, and of which John Woods was major. The
battalion was divided into eight companies thus : First com-
pany, commanded by Oliver Drake; second, by Christopher
Bridgely; third, by George Hostadler; fourth, b}^ Samuel Moore;
fifth, by Peter Ankeny ; sixth, by Solomon Adams ; seventh, by
William McCall; eighth, by Philip Cable. These assignments
bear date of "20th April, Ano dom. 1781."
There was another company of Bedford township of which
Solomon Adams was chosen captain. On September 29, 1781,
the sub-lieutenant for Bedford county directed that an election
be held to select officers, the result of which was : Solomon
Adams, captain; Allen McComb, lieutenant, and William Clark,
Jr., ensign. The judges of the election were Arthur McCaughey
and James Fletcher; inspector, John McCaughey.
In addition to Felix Skelly, mentioned elsewhere, there
were in bSlO several Revolutionary War soldiers residing in
Cambria county, namely: Ludwig Wissinger, aged 84; George
Lucas, aged 90; Plinn Hayes, aged 88; John Plott, aged 85;
Gottfried Settlemyer, aged 88; and Samuel Cole, aged 79.
HISTORY OF CAMBBJA COUNTY. 23
Richard Nagle also resided in Allegheny township, and in 1844
a Martin Rager assisted in celebrating the Fonrth of July in
Johnstown.
MASON AND DIXON 's LINE.
In view of the importance of this line being the boundary
line between the Free and Slave States, fretiuently cited prior
to the Civil war, and occasionally at this time, it becomes a
part of onr local history, inasmuch as the territory through
which the line was run in this locality was Cumberland county.
The contention arose between the successors of William
Penn and Cecilius Calvert, Lord of Baltimore, over the boun-
dary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1732 they
agreed ujum the line to the western boundary line of what is
now Franklin county. In 1760 the frontier border had so
advanced that the dispute became important, and efforts were
made to have it located by commissioners of the two provinces,
but after a delay of three years Charles Mason and Jeremiah
Dixon, eminent surveyors of London, were employed to run
the line. They immediately came to this country and com-
menced work, Imt it took almost two years to prepare the i)re-
liminary work. In the spring of 1766 they began again, and
by June 4th had reached the top of the Allegheny mountains,
at the point where Bedford and Somerset counties join, on the
border line with Maryland.
On account of the Indian troubles nothing more was done
until June, 1767, when these eminent surveyors started again,
accompanied by a party of Indians from the Six Nations to |)ro-
tect them from the hostile Delawares and Shawnees. The point
where General Braddock crossed the Maryland line into what
is now Somerset county was reached August 24th, 1767, but
there the Iroquois escort left them. Mason and Dixon continued
their survey to a point beyond the Monongahela river, when the
actions of the Shawnees and Delawares became so vicious they
were compelled to abandon the work and returned to Philadel-
phia, where they were honorably discharged on December 26,
1767, after four years' service. During that time the Penns
paid them thirty-four thousand two hundred pounds for their
share of the expenses. About 1782 the line was completed by
other parties.
The stone monuments used in marking this line ])ore the
letter "P" on one side, and on the other "M," and Avere l)rought
from England by Mason and Dixon. These stones were one
24 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
foot square, with a height of four and a lialf feet, and the weight
of each was five hundred pounds.
In 1901 and 1903 the two states had the line re-surveyed,
and finding many of the stone markers missing, a search was
made. One was discovered doing duty as a door step ; another
in a bake oven, and two in the foundation for a church. AA'^her-
ever it was possible the old markers were put back, even if
broken, and, laid in cement, were made as permanent as pos-
sible. The new moTiuments are of marble.
There have been two or three re-surveys of this famous
line, but notwithstanding the great improvements in instru-
ments and the progress of civilization from Indian warfare to
peace, the line as originally run was found practically true at
every point.
THE "whiskey EEEELLION" OF 1794.
The contention which caused this outbreak of the people
of "Washington comity, and even extended mildly into Quema-
honing township, was the excise tax on whiskey.
The great Alexander Hamilton had suggested to congress
the wisdom and justice of making a levy of four pence per gal-
lon on all distilled liquors manufactured in the country, and
on March 3, 1791, such an act was adopted. This tax was prop-
erly acknowledged as a just law everywhere except in southern
Pennsylvania, where all distillers became violent and refused
to pay it. Their neighbors seem to have s^mipathized with
them, and to some extent joined the force of resistance.
At that time there were several distilleries in Quemahon-
ing township, of which the owners were: Christian Hippie,
Philip Kimmel, Sr., Christian Levenstone, William McDermott
and Michael Mowry.
The government and state administration used all the con-
ciliatory efforts which were possible to prevent an outbreak,
and were very lenient with the gffenders permitting the time
to pass until 1794, when an army was sent to put it down. The
resisting parties hoisted flags with such inscriptions as, "Death
to Traitors," "Liberty and No Excise," "Equal Taxation and
No Excise," and "No Asylum for Traitors and Cowards."
President Washington and Governor Mifflin directed the
enrollment of 5,200 soldiers from Pennsylvania, and 7,750 from
New Jersey, Maiyland and Virginia. Washington appointed
General Henry Lee, then governor of Virginia, commander-in-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
25
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0^
0)
o
8us-jt4.tt ,p.a.Tl.
26 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
chief of the army. General Lee was known as "Light-Horse
Harry," of Revolutionary war fame, and was the father of
General Robert E. Lee, the famons Southern hero of the re-
cent Civil war.
On October 19, 1794, President George Washington, Sec-
retary Alexander Hamilton and General Henry Knox, Secre-
tary of War, visited General Lee at Bedford, and remained
two or three days before returning to Washington City.
The right wing of the army left Carlisle on October 22d,
and marching through Bedford and Quemahoning township ar-
rived at Mount Pleasant, where it encamped on the 29th. This
wing was composed of Pennsylvania troops, commanded by
Governor Mifflin. The left wing moved from Fort Cumber-
land on October 22d, and marching over the route taken by
General Braddock in 1755, also i^assed through Quemahoning
township and reached Uniontown, where General Lee and the
right wing arrived and went into camp on October 31st. The
dissenters, seeing the uselessness of further resistance, ceased
their warfares, and Washington granted amnesty to all who
had been concerned in it, excepting those who had committed
crime and were then in actual custody. General Lee moved
his headquarters to Pittsburg on November 17th, 1794, and the
army was then disbanded.
THE FORBES ROAD.
King George III desired to capture Fort Duquesne, which
was then held by the French, and which General Braddock had
attempted to do in 1755, when he met with death and disaster.
In December, 1757, the King commissioned Colonel John
E^orbes, "Brigadier General in America to command his Ma-
jesty's forces in the southern provinces." General Forbes im-
mediately began to organize an army for that purpose, and
early in the summer of 1758 he had a force of 5,850 soldiers and
one thousand wagoners. The place of rendezvous was at Rays-
town (or Bedford, as it is known), which General Forbes did
not reach until the middle of September. Prior to this Col-
onel Boquet had taken about 2,000 Pennsylvanians and o]iened
a road from Bedford to the Loyalhanna river, at Fort Ligonier.
Excepting the military road of General Braddock in 1755, this
was the first road used by wagons or artillery across the Al-
legheny mountains, and passed through what was subsequently
known as Brothers Valley to^vnship, and later as Quemahon-
HISTORY OF CAMBBIA COUNTY. 27
ing township. The Forbes road passed near to what is now
Stoyestown, abont eighteen miles south of Johnstown. It was
substantially laid on the Indian trail between Bedford and Lig-
onier, and passed through Kickenepaling, on the Quemahon-
ing creek.
Colonel Boquet sent a reconnaissance of about eight hun-
dred men, under Ma.i'or William Grant, to ascertain the situa-
tion at Fort Duquesne before the arrival of Forbes. Grant's
force was defeated, and he was captured by the French and
Indians under the command of Colonel Aubrey.- General
Forbes then moved his main army to Fort Duquesne, and on
November 25th, 1758, entered it, finding that the enemy had
evacuated and taken their departure down the Ohio river.
Thereafter it was known as Fort Pitt, until the name was
changed to Pittsburg.
Forbes street, which passes the entrance to the Carnegie
Institute, in Schenley Park, is the continuation of the Forbes
road which we have described. Also, that Frankstown avenue
which intersects with Penn avenue in the East End is the con-
tinuation of the Frankstown road, or the Galbreath road, which
passed through Munster, and more particularly referred to else-
where.
The war had now been active for more than a year. Our
troops, which were not supplied with proper arms nor with
sufficient ammunition, were being defeated, and, becoming dis-
couraged, believed they were in a losing contest. But not so;
they never did better service; for these things occurring on the
battle line were arousing a spirit of independence throughout
all the colonies, which could not have been made effective in
any other manner.
In May, 1776, the patriots of Pennsylvania were at work.
Those who were prominent sent out a circular inviting the lead-
ing men of the several counties in the province to meet in Phil-
adelphia, to adopt such a form of government "as shall, in the
opinion of the representatives of the j^eople, best conduce to
the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular and
America in general." In reply to this truly American doctrine,
the delegates met in Carpenter's Hall, on June 18, 1776. The
representatives from our county of Bedford were Colonel
David Espy, Samuel Davidson, Esq., and Colonel John Piper.
After due consideration they adopted this resolution-: "That
the present government of this province is not competent to
28 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
the exigencies of our affairs, and that it is necessary that a
provincial convention be called by this conference for the ex-
press purpose of forming a new government in this province
on the authority of the people only."
Wliile this conference was being held, another one of mnch
more importance was in session in Independence Hall, in the'
same city, a few squares away, formulating the Declaration of
Independence which was given to the world on July 4, 1776.
The delegates in this convention were Eobert Morris, Ben-
jamin Eush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer,
James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson and George Ross.
CHAPTER III.
ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES CAMBRIA COUNTY TAKEN FROM SOMER-
SET AND HUNTINGDON FIRST TOWNSHIPS IN CAMBRIA COUNTY.
A history is the recorded events of the past, therefore, we
will locate the territory within the limits of Cambria county, so
that its geographical situation will be clear, and the events
which follow may be applied clearly and definitely.
The capital, or the county seat, for the transaction of the
business relating to common affairs and the administration of
justice, is Ebensburg, which was located at that place when the
county was organized. The converging lines passing through
Ebensburg are, one degree forty-five minutes and forty-four
seconds (1 45' 44") west from Washington City, and forty de-
gress thirty-four minutes and twenty seconds (40 34' 20")
North Latitude. The county is on the western slope of the Al-
legheny mountains; the eastern boundary line lies along the
crest thereof, witli Bedford and. Blair counties adjoining. It
is about thirty-seven miles in length, with Somerset on the
south and Clearfield county on the north: the westerly line is
about thirty-three miles in length along the Westmoreland and
Indiana county lines; its northerly line is about twenty-five
miles in length, and the southerly line about twenty-one miles.
Its area is 666 square miles, or 426,240 acres.
When William Penn laid out the city of Philadelphia and
assumed control of the province of Pennsylvania in 1682, he
created three counties, namely: Philadelphia, Bucks and Ches-
ter. The latter included all the territory west of the other two,
and of which Cambria was a part. Lancaster county was created
in 1729; York in 1749, and Cumberland in 1750. It will be
observed that civilization was moving westward, and in 1771
Bedford county was organized, being taken from Cumberland,
At the first session of the quarter session's court for Bed-
ford county, on April 16th, 1771, almost its first official act was
to create the township of Brothers Valley, the first township
ever organized west of the Allegheny mountain. Its boundary
lines were all the lands lying between the crest of the Allegheny
mountain, the Youghiogheny river and the western foot of
30 BISTOBY OF CAMBBIA COUNTY.
the Laurel Hill, extending from the Maryland line northward
to the Conemangh river. It will be observed that it did not
extend north of the Conemangh or of the Little Conemangh
rivers. Elsewhere will be fonnd an accurate list of the resi-
dents of Brothers Valley in 1772, with such property' as was
assessable.
During the April sessions of the Bedford court, 1775, it
made the new township of Quemahoning from the township of
Brothers Valley. The boundaries of Quemahoning were: "Be-
ginning where the Great Eoad, which is laid out through the
Glades crosses the Allegheny Mountain near Burd's Gap, and
along the said road to where it crosses the Laurel Hill at
Matthias Ditches Gap; then along the Laurel Hill by the line
of Westmoreland county to the head of the Little Conemangh,
and from thence along the dividing ridge between the waters
of the Susquehanna and Little Conemangh to the Allegheny
Mountain, and by the same mountain to the place of beginning."
Huntingdon county was formed, in part, from Bedford
county, September 20, 1787. The relevant boundar}^ lines of
Huntingdon were ; * * * *' to the Gap at Jacob Stevens' Mill,
a little below where Woolery's Mill formerly stood, in Morrison's
Cove; thence in a straight line by the southerly side of Blair's
Mill at the foot of the Allegheny Mountain; thence across the
said mountain in a straight line, to and along the ridges dividing
the waters of Conemangh from the waters of Clearfield and
Chest Creek's to the line of Westmoreland county; thence
by the same to the old Purchase Line, which was rrm from Kit-
tanning to the west branch of the Susquehanna river; and down
the same to the mouth of Moshannon Creek, and along the re-
maining lines or boundaries which noAv divide the county of
Bedford from the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland and
Franklin, to the place of beginning." (2 Smith's Laws, 418.)
The Assembly, by the act of April 17, 1795 (3 Smith, 229),
authorized the organization of Somerset County, and described
its limits, so far as being material, thus: "That all that part
of Bedford County, lying and being to the westward of a line
to be drawn along the top of the Allegheny mountain, from
where the Maryland line crosseth the same to where the line
of Huntingdon County crosseth the same mountain, shall be
* * * called Somerset." This included the land up to the
Huntingdon line, which is substantially all the territory south
and southwest of the ridge dividing the waters of the Little
HISTORY OF CAMBPdA COUNTY. 31
Conemaugli and the Susquehanna rivers, and all Quemahoning
township.
The township of Canihria was created by the court of quar-
ter sessions of Somerset county about 1798. The record has
been lost, but it is certain that it was taken from Quemahon-
ing township, and the assessments for 1798 show it was duly
organized and included all the territory up to the Huntingdon
line.
At the December sessions for Somerset County, 1798, a
petition from the citizens of Cambria township was presented, as
follows:
"Humbly showeth that the present boundaries of said
(Cambria) townsliip produce many difficulties and incon-
veniences among which the following are conspicuous, viz : The
inluibitants of that part of Cambria Township lying south of
Conemaugli Eiver in attending township meetings and elections
are obliged to cross a dangerous water and travel through a
wilderness of gi-eat extent to Beulah, whereas the center of
Quemahoning township is not so great, nor the communication so
much interrupted by water.
"The petitioners therefore pray that all that ])art of Cam-
bria Townshi]) lying south of the following line, beginning at the
Westmoreland County line where the river Conemaugli crosses
it; thence up said river to the mouth of Stony Creek; thence up
th'3 Little Conemaugli river following the South Fork to its
source; thence due east to the line of Bedford County be an-
nexed to Quemahoning Township, as being the most proper line
of division between said townships, as well in point of con-
venience to the inhabitants thereof, as it being the natural
boundary and they will ever pray."
The same is marked granted.
Conemaugli township was organized by the court of (juarter
sessions for Somerset county, at its session held in February,
1801. The relevant portions of the boundaries were: "All
those parts of Quemahoning township, * * * thence along
the Westmoreland County line to the river Conemaugh; thence
in a straight line to the junction of the north and south branches
of the Little Conemaugh river; thence up the south branch
thereof to the head spring thereof; thence due east to the Bed-
ford County line." Thus it appears that all the territory north
of the straight line from the Little Conemaugh to the South
Fork, thence to the Bedford line and south of the Huntingdon
line was Cambria township, when it was in Somerset county.
In pursuance of the act of March 29, 1798 (3 Smith, 322),
32 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
authorizing the commissioners of these counties to run new lines,
James Harris, James Wells and James Hunter did so on Octo-
ber 30, 1798, which is recorded in Somerset county thus : "A plot
of a line extending from a white oak on the summit of the Alle-
gheny Mountains along the ridge dividing the waters of the
Siisquehanna and Allegheny Rivers until it meets a line drawn
from the summit of Laurel Hill west of the Blacklick, along the
ridge of said Hill, north eastward, separating that part of
Somerset County from the Counties of Westmoreland and
Hantingdon. "
A drawing accompanying this report shows that the line
along the ridge is about sixteen miles from the Bedford to the
Westmoreland line, and less than ten miles along Westmoreland
county to the Somerset line. It appears to be substantially the
same as was made when Huntingdon county was formed. This
division line is particularly noticeable along the Cambria and
Clearfield railroad from Cresson to Kaylor's Station, touching it
at many points on the ridge, beginning at the west leg of the "Y"
at Cresson. The station at Kaylor's is almost on the dividing
line. A drop of water falling on the northeasterly side of the
track will flow' into the Atlantic, and falling on the other side it
will find its way to the Gulf of Mexico.
The court of quarter sessions for Bedford county, at the
April sessions, 1775, created Frankstown township. This was
twelve 3^ears before Huntingdon county was organized. It in-
cluded all the territory in Cambria county north and northeast
of the headwaters of the Little Conemaugh river and the Black-
lick creek. The line was thus des.cril)ed in the order of the court :
** Along the line dividing Bedford and Northumberland Counties
from the West Branch of the Susquehanna to where the Little
Juniata runs through Tusseys Mountains ; thence along the said
mountain to the ridge dividing Morrison's Cove from Coyle's
Cove; thence along Dunning 's Mountain to the dividing ridge
between the waters of Dunnings Creek and the southwest branch
of Frankstown Branch ; thence along the ridge to the Allegheny
Mountain ; thence cross the same and by the line of Quemahoning
Township to the line dividing Bedford and Westmoreland Coun-
ties, and by the said line and along the limits of tliis count}'' to
the place of beginning." These are the relevant courses for
Frankstown township, and very clearly fix the division line along
the Quemahoning township line.
Thus we have shown that Cambria was organized by taking
HISTOB.Y OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
33
tlio townslii]! of Frankstown from Huntingdon county, and the
townships of Cambria and Conemangh from Somerset, and
probably a small part of the northwest corner of Bedford connty.
It will be observed that the act authorizing the creation of Cam-
bria connty specifies that it shall include certain portions of
''Huntingdon and Somerset" comities, and does not mention
Bedford, but the records in the Department of Internal Affairs
at Harrisburg claim that a part of Bedford was included.
The following is a list of the taxable inhabitants of
Brothers Valley township, in Bedford county, in the year
1772. Brothers Valley township included all of Cambria coun-
ty, and was organized in April, 1771:
Name. Acres. Improved. Horses. Cows.
Henrj' Abrahams 100 12 2 3
Frederick Ambrose : 200 8 2 2
Samuel Adams 200 5 2
Solomon Adams 200 3 1 1
Richard Brown 300 6 1 4
negro slave 1
John Bridges 200 3 2 '1
John Baxter 200 8 2 1
Ludwick Boude 100 2 1 1
Christopher Bennch 200 3 1 1
Benjamin Briggs 300 2 2 1
William Cracart 200 . 4
James Clavpole 200 1
Frederick Cefar 100 3 1 1
James Campbell 200 12 1 1
Abraham Cable, Esq. (See Colonial
Records. Vol. 10, page 8) 200 10 2 4
John Catta 200 4 2 1
Michael Cefar 106 6 1 1
Joseph Death 600 5 1 10
Oliver Drake 100 2 1 2
.Tames Dougherty 200 10 5 2
William Dwyer 150 10 1 4
John Dilliner 100 2 1
Henrv Enslow 100 8 3 4
John Enslow 100 6 1 2
Robert Estep 100 3 1
Adam Flick 100 1 1 1
Jacob Fisher 200 12 2 3
.John Ferguson 300 4 2 1
Andrew Friend 50 10 3 2
Augustine Friend 100 2 2 3
Paul Froman 700 18 2 5
negro slaves 2
Michael Flick 200 4 1 ,
Charles Friend 200 10 2
John Friggs 200 1 2 1
John Fry 100 1 1
John Glessner 200 8 2 3
Joseph Greenwalt 100 7 2 2
William Greathouse 200 10 2 3
Thomas Green 100 6 2 8
Walter Hite 200 8 2 2
Michael Huff 300 6 3 3
servants 1
Richard Hoagland 350 71 2 3
Andrew Hendricks 200 10 4 6
, A'ol. I — 3
34
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Name. Acres.
Benjamin Jennings 200
William Johnston 200
Solomon Kessinger 100
Philip Kemble 300
George Kimball 100
Valentine Lout 100
Daniel Lout lUO
John Markley 200
James McMullen 45
William McClee 300
John Miller . 300
Joseph Ogle 200
Adam Pollen 100
Francis Pollen 200
Benjamin Pursley 100
John Pursley GO
James Pursley 100
John Peters 300
Henry Rhodes, Sr 200
Jacob Rhodes 100
Gabriel Rhodes 200
Henry Rhodes, Jr 400
John Rhodes 100
John Reed lOO
John Rice 400
Gottlieb Rose 100
Hugh Robinson luO
Frederick Sheat 200
John Swiser 100
John Sappinton 200
Adam Small 300
Bastion Shells 100
James Spencer 240
Nathaniel Skinner 100
William St. Clair 100
Henry Smith 200
Solomon Shute 100
William Tyshou 300
Abraham Vaagiiau 100
Thomas Urie 100
Philip Wagaly 200
Fredeick Weimer 200
John Weimer 100
Richard Wells 300
George Wells 50
Acquilla White 200
John Winsel 100
Peter Winard 100
Thomas John Waller 100
Samuel Wallis 300
Improved,
, Horses.
Cow
36
4
6
3
1
1
4
2
1
8
2
4
5
2
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
10 .
4
5
9
1
1
7
2
1
10
1
2
10
2
2
5
1
1
3
2
1
12
3
2
7
1
1
3
2
3
12
2
3
21
3
4
5
2
3
10
2
2
10
1
2
1
1
1
7
2
2
35
7
1
negro slave 1
8
1
8
1
2
4
2
2
5
2
O
6
2
2
8
1
1
1
21
2
6
5 ■
1
6
3
1
1
2
1
1
12
1
1
4
2
2
12
10
2
1
4
2
2
2
1
1
10
3
2
4
2
1
3
1
2
1
2
1
5
2
3
1
2
1
Tile act of Assembly aiitliorizing the creation of Cambria
comity, Marcli 26, 1804 (4 Smitli's Laws, 171), provided:
Tliat so miicli of tlie counties of Huntingdon and Somerset,
included in the following boundaries, to wit:
Beginning at the Conemaugh River, at the south-east corner
of Indiana County;
thence a straight line to the Canoe Place on the west branch
of Susquehanna;
thence easterly along the line of Clearfield county to the.
HISTOBT OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 35
south-westerly corner of Center County, on the heads of Mu-
shanon Creek;
thence southerly along the Alleghany Mountain to Somer-
set and Bedford Counties about seventeen miles, until a due
west course from thence will strike the main branch of Paint
Creek ; thence down said Creek the different courses to the mouth
of Mill Creek;
thence a due west line till it intersects the line of Somerset
and Westmoreland Counties ;
thence northerly along the said line to the place of be-
ginning,
be and the same is hereby erected into a separate county,
to be henceforth called Cambria County; and the place of hold-
ing the courts of justice for said county shall l)e fixed by the
legislature at any ])lace not at a greater distance than seven
miles from the center of said county, which may be most bene-
ficial and convenient for said county.
An act entitled, "An Act to establish and confirm the place
for holding Courts of Justice, and to provide for erecting the
public buildings for the use of Cambria County," was passed
March 29, 1805 (4 Smith's Laws, 235), wherein John Horner,
John J. Evans and Alexander Ogle were appointed trustees to
organize the county and receive deeds from Rees Lloyd, John
Lloyd and Stephen Lloyd, for certain described land and in-lots
in the town of Ebensburg, in trust for the use of Cambria county,
agreeable to the proposals heretofore made by these gentlemen.
"An Act to organize the provisional county of Cambria."
passed January 26, 1807 (4 Smith's Laws, 360), provided:
"Sect. VIII. That the citizens, inhabitants of Cambria
County, who are, or shall be qualified to elect, agreeably to the
laws and constitution of this State, shall, at the general election
to be held in the county aforesaid, on the second Tuesday in
October next, (1807.) choose two fit persons for sheriffs, two
for coroners, and three for commissioners in said county, * *
and said officers when chosen as aforesaid, and duly qualified
to enter on the duties of their respective offices. * *
"Sect. IX. That the Courts * * shall be holden on the
first Monday of March, June, September and December, and
* * the President Judge of the Tenth District or Circuit, and
the Judges to be appointed, * * shall have an exercise like
powers, jurisdiction and authorities within and over the
same."
It will be observed that the provisional act authorizing the
new county of Cambria was passed in 1804, but on April 4, 1805
(4 Smith, 255), another act was passed directing "that the in-
36 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
habitants of Cambria county shall elect with the inhabitants of
Somerset county for members of Federal and State Legislature,
and also for county officers, until said county shall be organized."
There is no record to be found stating when these townships
were created, or by whom, excepting that when the county came
into official existence, in 1807, there were three townships in the
new county, namely, Allegheny, Cambria and Conemaugh.
Allegheny included that jiart coming from Frankstown
township, Huntingdon county, and Cambria and Conemaugh
from Somerset. It is presumed, and with much weight, that
John Horner, Jolin J. Evans and Alexander Ogle, who were
the commissioners or trustees to organize it, simply adopted the
former lines of Cambria and Conemaugh townships as they
had been created by the court, and named the new township
Allegheny.
We have been unable to find a map or plot of either of these
townships prior to that of 1816. By referring to the map of
Walter B. Pludson and John Morrison, made in 1817, it will be
observed that Allegheny township included everything north
and northeast of the ridge on the headwaters of the Little
Conemaugh river and the Blacklick creek, or part of old Franks-
town township. Conemaugh included that part south of the
straight line from the Conemaugh river to the South Forks,
thence following it, through the Cedar swamp, to the Bedford
line. Cambria included all between Conemaugh and Allegheny
townships. These were the original townships.
Summerhill township was created in 1810, having been en-
tirely taken from Cambria. Again referring to the 1817 map,
it will be observed the Summerhill line began on the top of the
mountain at the point of meeting of the Bedford and Huntingdon
line, and, by various courses, left the old Galbreath road a
short distance east of Munster, then taking a southerly course
ran to the Indiana county line, at the crossing of the old road
mentioned.
The Assembly passed an act dated March 19, 1816 (6 Smith,
374), directing that maps be made of each county, which "shall
be on a scale of two miles and a half to an inch, and shall ex-
hibit the boundary lines of the county and of each township,
the courses of the rivers and other principal streams, the posi-
tion of the mountains, the lakes, and mineral and salt springs,
the cities, towns, villages and remarkable buildings, the roads,
noting particularly such as are turnpiked and the distances in
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
37
miles, between the principal towns and remarkable places, and
the maps so formed shall be sent as soon as convenient to the
office of the surveyor general."
Under this authority Walter B. Hudson and John Morrison
made a very complete map of Cambria county, which, so far as
is now known, was the first official and substantially accurate
early map. It gives the longitude and latitude at Ebensburg,
Cambria CountJ^ The Huison and Morrison Map of 1816, Showing Four
Townships.
the boundary lines of the four townships — ^Allegheny, Cambria,
Conemaugh and Summerhill — ^^and the roads then open to travel.
In their notes accompanying the map, the principal towns and
villages were enumerated -thus : Ebensburg, inhabitants, 150 ;
Munster, 80 ; and Johnstown, 60 ; and further :
''The tract of country is covered with a thick heavy growth
38 HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
of excellent timber, and from its elevated situation (being almost
as high as the summit of the Allegheny) partakes of the nature
and appearance of mountain lands, but there are many fine
tracts entirely clear of stone, and near Ebensburg where quarries
of stone are opened they are easily worked and excellent for
building being a soft granite of a grey color interspersed with
glistening particles of a metallic appearance.
"Fall grain is raised by the farmers, but not to so
good purpose as east of the mountains, but potatoes, turnips, and
all kinds of spring grain (except corn) do extremely well. This
county is all considered excellent for grazing.
"The principal timber is wild cherry, poplar, chestnut, ash,
oak, sugar maple, cucumber, pine and hickory, but birch,
hemlock and laurel abound in the marshy lands. The minerals
are iron, stone coal and marl.
"Conemaugh river is navigable for boats three or four
months in the spring season; it has a fine channel free from
obstructions. All the streams in the county have sufficient fall
for Mills, etc. and do not fail so much in dry seasons as most of
the western waters. Canal tracts have not (we believe) been
sufficiently examined in this county. We should not despair of
connecting the waters of Conemaugh and Juniata rivers. The
Poplar run could be easily connected with Bobb's Creek, the
heads of which do interlock with those of the Conemaugh & this
will be much the shortest route from Harrisburg to Pittsburg.
The Conemaugh could be easily connected with either the Clear-
field or Chest creeks between Ebensburg and Munster, and even
this route would be shorter and better than to connect with any
of the higher branches of the Allegheny river."
On January 1st, 1907, the county was apportioned for the
convenience of the people into three classes of municipal cor-
porations, namely: 1 city of the third class; 26 boroughs, and
28 townships.
The following is the list of boroughs and townships with
the date of incorporation. It will be observed there have been
several boroughs which are not now in existence; several on
account of consolidating with other municipal districts, and one
having been abandoned by reason of losing its population.
In connection with this subject there are two maps to illus-
trate the locations of the townships. The first one is the Hudson
and Morrison map of 1816, the oldest authentic map of the
county, which discloses the three original townships, and that
of Summerhill, created in 1810. The second map is the same
with all the townships substantially shown as they exist in 1906.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 39
ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS.
As lias been heretofore noted, there were three original
townships in the comity of Cambria, namely: Alleg-heny, Cam-
bria and Conemangii established while the territory was a part
of Somerset county.
On January 1, 1907, there were twenty-eight townships
within the county, created and organized as follows :
1. Adams was created January 5, 1870, it having been
taken from Richland township. It was named for the pioneers,
Solomon and Samuel Adams.
2. Allegheny was one of the original townships. The name
was derived from the Allegheny mountains.
3. Barr was created September 4, 1872, out of the townships
of Blaeklick, Cambria and Susquehanna. It was named by Henry
Scanlan, the surveyor, for the Barr family who had taken up
much land in that vicinity, in the early days of the common-
wealth.
4. Blaeklick was formed October 10, 1850, out of the town-
ships of Cambria, Carroll and Jackson. The name is derived
from Blaeklick creek.
5. Cambria was also one of the original townships. The
name is derived from the Welsh settlement made there pfior to
1800.
6. Carroll was formed January 1, 1840, having been taken
from Susquehanna township. It was named for Archbishop
John Carrollj of Baltimore, a cousin of Charles Carroll, of
Carrol Iton.
7. Chest was created December 10, 1853, it theretofore be-
ing a part of White and Susquehanna townships. The name is
derived from Chest creek.
8. Clearfield was organized December 31, 1822, from Alle-
gheny township. The name is derived from the Clearfield creek,
whicii originated from the "Clear fields" on the mountain, and
was so designated in the colonial days.
9. Conemaugh, the third of the original townships. The
name originated "from the Indian name of the river,— Caugh-
naugli,-maugh.
10. Cresson, organized December 4, 1893, was taken from
Washington township. It was named for the Philadeli>hia phil-
anthropist, Elliott Cresson, who died a])out 1854.
11. Croyle was created September 9, 1858, from Smnmer-
hill township. It was named for Thomas Croyle.
12. Dean was organized July 10, 1877, it having lieen taken
from Clearfield township. It was named for the distinguished
Judge John Dean, who was the common pleas judge at that
time.
13. East Taylor: The township of Taylor was created
40
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
July 7, 1857. It was named for Judge George Taylor, also the
common pleas judge. On June 2, 1884, it was divided into East
and West Taylor townships.
14. Elder was formed February 12, 1878, from Chest town-
ship. It was named for John Elder.
15. Gallitzin was established June 4, 1866, it having been
taken from Allegheny township. It was named for the Parish
Father, Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin.
Ola Tov^^^»»
MtW
Ro<ias>
-_£!£.-
-CAMBRIA COUNTY —
— Three oriqinol TosA/nships
— 18(6 ood (90b —
16. Jackson was organized on January 3, 1828, ^ prior
thereto it being parts of Cambria and Simimerhill township. It
was named for Andrew Jackson, who was elected xjresident
that year.
17. Lower Yoder: Yoder township was created July 17,
1858, from Conemaugh township. It was named for David
Yoder, a farmer. On September 1, 1879, it was divided into
Lower and I'^pper Yoder townships.
18. Munster was organized December 9, 1854, from Alle-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 41
glieny, Cambria and Washington townships. The name came
from the village of Mnnster, which was founded about 1802. It
was an Irish settlement.
19. Portage was formed March 4, 1878, from Summerhill
and Washington townships. The name originated from the
*' portage" between the Conemaugh and Juniata rivers, in con-
nection with the Allegheny Portage railroad.
20. Reade was established September 1, 1879, out of White
township. It was named for George M. Reade, a lawyer of
Ebensburg.
21. Richland was created April 2, 1833, it having been
taken from Conemaugh township. It was a very large town-
ship, and was named for the quality of the land therein.
22. Stonycreek was formed January 4, 1876, from Cone-
maugh township. The name was derived from the Stonycreek
river, which was so named in the colonial days on account of
the rocky bottom and large boulders in it, which still appear.
23. Summerhill was formed February 7, 1810, from Cam-
bria township. It was the first township organized after the
county was established. The name was spelled ''Somerhill"
in the early maps. It was probably named for Joseph Somers
or David Summer, who were property holders.
24. Susquehanna was created January 6, 1825, from Alle-
gheny and Cambria townships. The name was derived from,
a tribe of Indians of that name who had their habitation along
the banks of the river in Cambria county, as early as 1682.
25. Upper Yoder was formed September 1, 1879. See
Lower Yoder.
26. Washington was created in 1834. The petition for its
creation was filed July 8, 1830. It was taken from Allegheny
Cambria and Summerhill tov^^nships and named for the first
president.
27. West Taylor was formed June 2, 1884. See East Tay-
lor.
28._ White was organized July 6, 1838, from Clearfield
township. It was named for Judge Thomas White, the com-
mon pleas judge.
IINTCOEPORATIOIS" OF BOROUGHS.
Prior to the general borough law of 1851, all the boroughs
in Cambria county were created by a special act of the legisla-
ture, and even after that date two were established in the same
manner. Since the new constitution of 1873, however, they
cannot be so created. On January 1st, 1907, there were twenty-
six boroughs having municipal existence; they were organized
as follows:
1. Ashville, taken from Gallitzin township; incorporated
by a decree of the court of quarter sessions of the peace on.
42 HISTORY OF CAMBJUA COUNTY.
March 9, 1887. It is recorded in docket 9, at page 20, The
name was derived from the okl Ashland furnace, which was
named in honor of "Ashland," the home of Henry Clay.
2. Barnesboro, taken from Susquehanna township; incor-
porated by the court March 5, 1893; recorded in docket 11, at
page 93: named for Thomas Barnes, a coal operator.
Camlnia, taken from Lower Yoder township by a decree of
the court dated October 11, 1861, and recorded in docket 4, page
254. Cambria borough consolidated with the city of Johnstown,
December 18, 1889, becoming the Fifteenth and Sixteenth wards.
It was named by James P. McConaughy, the founder.
3. Carrolltown, taken from Carroll township. It was
incorporated by an act of assembly dated March 30, 1858, P. L.
191, and was created by the consolidation of the villages of
Carrolltown and Campbelltown. See Carroll township for deri-
vation of name.
Conemaugh, taken from Conemaugh township. It was also
created by an act of assembly dated January 12, 1831, P. L. 7.
The name was changed to the borough of Johnstown by a sim-
ilar act dated April 14, 1834, P. L. 294. It was named by Joseph
Johns, the founder, for an old Indian town named Conemaugh.
It included the first seven wards of the city of Johnstown at
the time of the consolidation, December 18, 1889.
Conemaugh, the second borough of that name, was taken^^
from Conemaugh township. It was created bv an act of assem-
bly dated :\[arch 23, 1849, P. L. 235. This borough also con-
solidated with the city of Johnstown, December 18, 1889, now the
Ninth and Tenth wards thereof.
4. Chest Springs, taken from Allegheny township by an
act of assembly dated April 19, 1858, P. L. 339. The name is
derived from Chest creek.
Cooper sdale, taken from Taylor township by a decree of
the court bearing date of October 7, 1869, during the existence
of the district court while it was held in Johnstown; it is
recorded in docket 1, at page 8. The borough was annexed to
the city of Johnstown by ordinance dated March 28, 1898; and
is the Twenty-iirst ward. The borough was named for James
Cooper.
5. Cresson, taken from Cresson township by a decree of
the court dated June 7, 1906, recorded in docket 17, at page 114.
See Cresson township for name.
6. Daisytown. taken from Conemaugh township by a decree
of the court dated June 9, 1893; recorded in docket 10, at
page 457.
7. Dale, taken from Stony Creek township by a decree of
the court dated March 9, 1891 ; recorded in docket 10, at page 44.
8. East Conemaugh, taken from Taylor township by a
decree of the court dated September 10, 1868; recorded in
docket 5, at page 263. The name is derived from the name of
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 43
the railroad statioii Conemaiigli ; also from the fact that it was
east of another borough named Conemangh.
9. Ebensbnrg, taken from Cambria township by an act
of assembly dated Jannary 15, 1825, P. L. 354. It is the oldest
borough in the county, and was named for Ebenezer, in Wales
10. Ferndale, taken from Upper Yoder township In^ a
decree of the court dated June 1, 1896; recorded in docket 12,
at page 89. It was named by the Vickroy family on account of
the luxuriant growth of ferns in that vicinity.
11. Fi'anklin, taken from Conemangh township by a decree
of the court dated March 9, 1868 ; recorded in docket 5, at page
240. It was named for the American philosopher and the
adopted citizen of Pennsylvania.
12. Gallitzin, taken from Gallitzin township by a decree
of the court dated December 3, 1873; recorded in docket 6, at
page 154. The name was derived from Prince Gallitzin, other-
wise Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, the parish priest at Loretto.
Grubbtown, taken from Upper Yoder township by a decree
of the court dated August 8, 1882 ; recorded in docket 8, at page
38. It consolidated with the city of Johnstown December 18,
1889, and is now a part of the Eighth ward. It was named for
William Pinaldo Grul)b.
13. Hastings, taken from Elder township by a decree of
the court dated Aj^ril 16, 1894 ; recorded in docket 11, at page
94. It was named for Governor Daniel Hartman Hastings,
Johnstown, for further data see Conemangh. The bor-
oughs of Johnstown, Millville, Prospect, Cambria, Conemangh,
Woodvale and Grul)btown consolidated, and became a city of
the third class. The charter was executed by Governor Beaver,
December 18, 1889. It was named for Joseph Johns, the founder.
14. Lilly, taken from Washington township by a decree of
the court dated June 11, 1883; recorded in docket 8, at page
94. It was named for the Lilly family,
15. Ijoretto, taken from Allegheny township by an act
of assembly dated March 8, 1845, P. L. 124, and named for a
village on the Adriatic sea.
Millville, taken from Taylor townshi]:) by a decree of the
court dated July 16, L858; recorded in docket 3, page 556. It
became a part of the city of Johnstown, December 18, 1889, and
comprises the Thirteenth and Fourteenth wards. The name
is derived from the mills of the Cambria Iron Company, now
the Camlu-ia Steel Company.
Morrellville, taken from Lower Yoder township by a decree
of the court dated October 8, 1890; recorded in docket 9, page
419. It was annexed to the city of Johnstown by an ordinance
dated October 19, 1897, and is now the Eighteenth, Xineteenth
and Twentieth wards. It was named for Daniel Johnston
Morrell.
16. Patton, taken from Carroll, Chest, Clearfield and El-
44 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
der townships by a decree of the court dated September 4,
1893 ; recorded in docket 10, page 458. It was named for John
Patton, of Cnrwensville.
17. Portage, taken from Portage township by a decree of
the court dated October 7, 1890 ; recorded in docket 9, page 419.
See Portage townshijD for derivation of name.
Prospect, taken from Taylor township by a decree of the
court dated December 9, 1863; recorded in docket 4, page 446.
It consolidated with the cit}^ of Johnstown on December 18,
1889, and is now the Twelfth ward. The name is derived from
its elevated position overlooking Johnstown.
18. Rosedale, taken from West Taylor township by a de-
cree of the court dated December 17, 1894; recorded in docket
11, at page 252, and named for Allen Rose.
Roxbury, taken from Upper Yoder township by a decree
of the court dated March 12, 1893; docket 11, page 95. It was
annexed to the Eighth ward of the city of Johnstown by an or-
dinance approved January 2, 1901.
19. Sankertown, taken from Cresson township by a de-
cree of the court dated June 11, 1906; recorded in docket 17,
page 115. It was named for Joseph Sanker.
20. Scalp Level, taken from Richland township b}^ a de-
cree of the court dated November 16, 1898; recorded in docket
13, at page 37.
21. South Fork, taken from Croyle township by a decree
of the court dated August 3, 1887; recorded in docket 9, page
21. The name is derived from the south branch of the Little
Conemaugh river.
22. Spangler, taken from Susquehanna township by a de-
cree of the court dated November 13, 1893; recorded in docket
11, page 3. It was named for Colonel J. L. Spangler.
23. Summerhill, taken from Summerhill township by a
decree of the court dated September 6, 1892 ; recorded in docket
10, page 272.
Summitville, taken from Washington township by an act
of assembly approved April 30, 1851, P. L. 825. The name was
derived from the summit of the Allegheny Portage railroad.
The borough has been abandoned; the charter was relinquished
and annulled by a decree of the court dated June 5, 1882 ; re-
corded in docket 8, page 36.
24. Tunnelhill, taken from Gallitzin township by a decree
of the court dated December 5, 1876 ; recorded in docket 6, page
359. The name was derived from the two railroad tunnels
there, but of which at present there are three.
25. Westmont, taken from Upper Yoder township by a
decree of the court dated June 13, 1892; recorded in docket 10,
page 258.
26. Wilmore, taken from Summerhill township by an act
of assembly approved February 10, 1859, and jniblished among
HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 45
the laws of 1860, page 802. It was named for Bernard and
John Wilmore, the founders. See plan of town laid out by
William Hudson, June 4, 1831, in deed book, vol. 7, at page 12;
also, vol. 12 at page 698.
Woodvale, taken from Taylor township by a decree of the
district court held in Johnstown, dated July 4, 1870 ; recorded
in docket 1, page 68. It consolidated with the city of Johns-
town, December 18, 1889, and is now the Eleventh ward. The
name was derived from Murray's grove, a picnic ground lo-
cated there until after the Civil war.
CHAPTER I V .
IXDIAX TBIBES IX THE COXEMAUGH VALLEY FIRST WHITE VISITOBS.
Jolmstown seems to have been in the path of travel be-
tween the East and the West at a very early period, and has
held this advantage to the present day. It was the site of an
Indian village, occupied principally by the Shawonese and Del-
aware tribes, both of whom were vigorous and deceitful, and
the territory between Bedford and Loyalhanna, including our
own vicinity, was the scene of much inhuman conduct by
marauding Indians.
The first inhabitants of the vicinity were a tribe of Shaw-
onese Indians, of whom Okewelah was the chief, and some Dela-
ware and Asswikale red men, who continued to reside here until
1755. As to their character and nativity we give such informa-
tion as is obtainable at this day as to who they were, where
they came from, what they did, and when they took their de-
parture.
It will be observed that frequently a name is spelled dif-
ferently in the same article — for instance, "Okowela" and
''Okowelah;" but we have quoted as it was written by the
men who recorded the interesting history of our town and
State, which we reproduce.
The best authorities j^ractically agree that the original
gi'and division of the Xorth American Indians inhabiting what
is at present the Southern tier of Pennsylvania counties, from
the Ohio to the Delaware, called themselves the Lenni Lenape,
or the original people. These were sub-divided into three prin-
cipal parts — the Turtle, the Turkey, and the AVolf Tribes, and
these tribes were again sub-divided into numerous classes,
among them the Delawares, who were closely associated with
the Shawonese; and these two classes far outnumbered all the
others.
In addition to the Lenapes there was, until 1712, another
grand division called the ''Five Nations," consisting of the
(3nondagas, the Cayugas, the Oneidas, the Senecas, and the
Mohawks. In that year the Tuscaroras were expelled from
their native place — Xorth Carolina and Virginia — came Xorth,
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. f~ 47
and were taken care of and made a part of that grand division,
the members of which thereafter called themselves the "Six
Nations." The Lenapes, however, called them Mingoes, and
the French designated them as the Iroqnois Tribe. The Six
Nations principally inhabited the northern portion of Penn-
sylvania and the present territory of New York, esjiecially the
region about the lakes, althongh, as we have noted, many of
them lived among the Delawares and the Shawonese.
There were estimated to be forty-two distinct and sep-
arate tribes of Indians in the Northern portion of North
America, and thirteen in the Southern part. Along the south-
ern line of Pennsylvania, in a direct course between Pittsburg
and Philadelphia, most of the Indians were Shawonese and
Delawares, although there were representatives of most every
other tribe known.
The Colonial Kecords, the Pennsylvania Archives, and
''Day's Historical Collections of Pennsylvania" agree that the
Shawonese Tribe were treacherous and ferocious, while there is
a difference of o]union as to the Delawares being so classified.
Some think they were as brutal and deceptive as any of the
others. Anyhow as these two tribes occupied the present site
of Johnstown in their day and generation, it is important to
know something about them.
The Delawares were natives of Pennsylvania, and, while
they were guilty of many acts of cruelty toward the whites,
yet it was probably a matter of self-defense, as their property
had been taken from them; by purchase, some of it, it may be
true. But unprincipled white men entered their reservations
and committed all kinds of crimes, which provoked them to
acts of violence. By some they were said to be cowards. The
best authority to controvert this objectionable view of the Dela-
wares is the contradiction of it by William Henry Harrison,
the ninth President of the Union and the hero of Tippecanoe.
He says: "They (the Delawares) are rarely cowards, but still
more rarely are they deficient in sagacity or discernment to de-
tect any attempts to impose upon them. I sincerely wish I
could unite with the worthy German (Mr. Heckewelder) in re-
moving this stigma r.pon the Delawares, A long and intimate
knowledge of them in peace and in war, as enemies and friends,
has left ui)on my mind the most favorable impressions of their
character for bravery, generosity, and fidelity to their engage-
ments."
48 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
The Sliawonese were originally from the South, where the
Cherokees mostly inhabited, but, being a ferocious and treach-
erous band, full of selfishness and self aggrandizement, they
were driven out of that country and came to Pennsylvania.
Bancroft says they arrived here in 1698, and other good au-
thority makes it twenty years earlier. However, they came,
and were taken care of by the Delaw^ares, but they soon caused
trouble with their new-made friends, and by them were driven
from the eastern part of Pennsylvania to the headwaters of
the Susquehanna, of which the west branch has its source in
Cambria County.
Sherman Day notes the fact that in 1732, when the number
of fighting Indians in Pennsylvania was about seven hundred,
one-half of them were Sliawonese. Ever restless and quarrel-
some themselves, and being encroached upon by the white man,
they retired from one hunting ground to another until they
joined the French at Pittsburg, in 1755, and finally drifted to
the AVest.
As early as 1742 the French, who then occupied the Ohio
Valley, induced a large number of Shawouese to go with them.
There is no doubt that the Shawonese Tribe occupied the site
of the City of Johnstown in 1731, when Okowelah was their
Chief, but it seems as if they were among those who joined the
French. In 1758 it is said that Christian Frederick Post, a
missionarj^, passed through the place, and reported it a deserted
Indian village, with briars and underbrush growing thereon,
but we doubt the correctness of this, as we believe it was an-
other town farther north to which he referred, although the
village was probably abandoned at that period.
These red men of the forest were chiefs of tribes belong-
ing to the Shawonese nation. Okowelah was the first chief of
that tri])e who has a local history connected with the Cone-
maugli, and while he was here it seems that he favored the
French in their combat at arms with the English.
The Shawonese were treacherous to the Delawares, as well
as to Provincial authorities, who made repeated treaties with
them, to which they almost always proved false. They were
usually aiding the French, but, Indian like, they would some-
times deceive them and help the English.
By reason of their unfaithfulness and the violations of
their many treaties, the reputation of the Delawares and the
Shawonese for fidelity was at a low ebb with other tribes of
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 49
Indians, particularly the Six Nations, as well as the white man.
This is shown in the story of a conference held in Pittsburg in
January, 1759, between the ISix Nations, Delawares, and
Shawonese, The chiefs were Cannewaungh, Sagowinnie, Aw-
inne Onas, Sonoyeyough, Onistogah, Tecanashategh, Occon-
deuagh, Acquialinguish, (Janigatt, and Snake's Son, interpreter
for the Shawonese. Jo Hickman acted as such for the Eng-
lish. Before the conference the chiefs of the Six Nations called
on Captain Ward and with apparent frankness informed him
that they intended to express their minds and opinions freely,
but that they were to be kept private from the Delawares and
Shawonese, and proceeded thus:
"Brother, the Delawares and Shawonese are not yet to be
depended ujjon. They may tell whatever they know to the
French. ' '
Another one said:
"Brothers, to-morrow I will talk of this before the Dela-
wares and Shawonese; you are not to mind what is said there,
for it is outside of my lips, but what is now said be attentive to,
for it comes from my heart." Then he gave five strings of
wampum.
The character of the Delawares and Shawonese is thus
described by Colonel Henry Boquet, at a conference with the
Oneidas, Onondagas, and other Indians at Fort Pitt, October
3,1761:
"Brothers, the Delawares, Wyandots, and Shawonese are
a false people, and they deceive you as they have always done ;
if they are sincere why don't their Chiefs eome to speak to me.
They have, in time of peace, killed our traders in their towns;
they stole all their goods, they have attacked this fort, and
when I came uj) last year they attacked me in the woods and
killed some of our people."
It has been generally understood that the earliest authen-
tic information we have had of the white man being here, was
the trip of Conrad Weiser, an Indian interpreter, in 1748. This
is erroneous, as Jonah Davenport and James LeTort, both
Indian traders, were here in 1731, and to get a fair knowledge
of the situation as it appeared to them, and as they stated it to
the provincial authorities at the time, we give the statement of
Davenport, as he made it; and for the same purpose the re-
ports, opinions, and facts as set forth by others at the time are
given in full, which aiford conclusive evidence that Johnstown
Vol. 1 — 4
50 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
has a history directly connected with the aborigines of North
America.
"The Examination of Jonah Davenport, Indian Trader,
Taken Before His Hon. the Lieut. Gov. of Pensa. (Patrick Gor-
don) :
"This Exam't says that he is lately come from Allegeney,
where there are now Indian Settlements consisting of about
three hundred Delawares, two hundred and sixty Shawanese,
one hundred Asswekalaes, and some Mingoes. That last Spring
was four years, as he remembers, a French Gentleman in ap-
pearance, with five or six Attendants, came down the Eiver to
a Settlement of the Delaware Indians on the Ohio River, which
the Delawares call ]vithanning, with an Intention as this
Exam't believes to enquire into the Numbers of English Trad-
ers in those parts, and to sound the minds of the Indians ; That
the said French Gentleman spoke the Shawanese Language,
Avitli whom this Exam't has conversed, but that few of the
Shawanese being then there nothing of moment passed; That
in the Spring of the year 1730 the said Gentleman returned
with about five Attendants and had some discourse with the
Shawanese, which this Exam't afterwards learnt from some
of those Indians was touching tlie English and French Inter-
est and endeavoring to perswade them to unite themselves to
the French, and at his going away took with him ten or twelve
Shawanese to Montreal, as 'tis said, some of whom at their
Return told this Examinant that they had been well received
and civillv treated bv the French Governor, and that thev in-
tended to goe and live among the French; That last Spring
the same Person returned with the same number of Attendants,
one of whom was called his Brother, who being a Gunsmith
wrought for the Indians during his Stay amongst them; That
the French made a considerable Present to the Shawanese in
Powder. Lead, and some woolen Goods, which they returned
by another large Present; That several Conferences were held
between them, the Result of which, as this Exam't has been in-
formed, was that ye Shawanese should remove themselves
amongst the French, which this Examinant verily believes they
soon intended to doe; That the said French Gentleman again
took with him at going away, fifteen or sixteen of the said
Shawanese who were not returned when this Exam't left Al-
legeney. This Exam't likewise says that in his Dealing with
the Mingoes, now called the Six Nations, he has frequently
heard some of these people mention the extraordinary civility
of the French to them, and that attemi)ts were made to induce
them to break oif from the English interest.
"Jonah Davenpoet.
"PhiladeliMa, Oct. 29, 1731.
•) J
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 51
It is indorsed as follows :
''Cap't. Sup. Sacramentum.
'^ Predict: Jonah Davenport; Coram: P. Gordon."
The statement of Jonah Davenport was also accompanied
by another account of this trip by James LeTort, an Indian
trader, taken before Lieutenant-Governor Gordon, to the same
effect. In it he says: "This examinant says that he is lately
come f]'om Allegeney, where there are several settlements of
Delawares, Shawanese, Asswikalns, and Mingoe Indians to the
number of four or five hundred (Indians.)" Attached to these
reports is the following tabular account of these Indians on
the Conemaugh in that year:
NUMBER OF INDIANS, 1731.
Dist. — Conniimah — Delawares; 60 men.
50 Kythenning River — Delawares mostly.
Miles. Fam. Men.
Connuraach-Delawares 20 60 f ^C^ptain Hill, a Alymaepy ;
50 Kilhenning River-mostly Delawares 50 150 ^ KyKenhammo. Delaware;
I Sypous, a Mingoe.
16 Senangelstown — Delawares 16 50 Senangel.
60 Leqneepees — Mingoes mostly and some Delaw — 4 Settled families, but a great
resort of those people.
On Connumach Creek there are thre.e Shawanese towns 45 200 Okowela.
Asswikales 50 Families, lately from S. Caro-
lina to Ptowmack, and from
thence thither, making 100 men;
Aqueloma, their Chief.
Ohesson, upon Choniata, dist. ) ^, _. ^..^ ^^. ., ,
from Sasqueh 60 miles. \ Shawanese 20 60 Kissikahquelas.
Assunepachlaupon Choniata. J
I
dist. about 100 Miles by I ^^j^^^^^^ ^2, S6
water, and 50 by land from ,
Ohesson.
■(
Achequelcma. Chief of the Asswikales, true to the English.
Okowelah, a Shawanese Chief, suspecied to be a favourer of ye French interest.
We have quoted this report as it was made by these In-
dian interpreters and traders, because of its signification in
locating the Indians at Johnstown and elsewhere on the Cone-
maugh river — the tribes, their number, and their chiefs. In
the twenty-six volumes of the Pennsylvania Archives and of
the Colonial Eecords there is no other statement relating to
any portion of the Province so distinctly and specifically made,
all of which should make the people of Johnstown grateful to
Jonah Davenport and James LeTort.
James LeTort was a tru.stworthy person. A fort known
as Fort LeTort was erected and named for him on the site
where Carlisle, Cumberland county, is now located.
This statement recorded three Shawonese towns on the
52 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Conemaugli river, and the one called "Connmnali," was lo-
cated where Johnstown now stands.
One of the other "three Shawonese towns" was probably
at Kiskiminetas, below Saltsburg, as it is well known there was
an Indian village there. At that time (1731) the Conemaugh
river was known as such until it reached the La Belle, or the
Allegheny river.
In 1731 Okowelah was the Shawonese chief; Ackequel-
oma, chief of the Asswikales ; and Captain Hill-a-Alymaepy, of
the Delawares. It seems there were on the Conemaugh river
twenty families belonging to the Delawares, with sixty men;
forty-five families of the Shawonese, having two hundred
braves, and fifty families belonging to the Asswikales, with
one hundred men, making in all one hundred and fifteen fami-
lies and three hundred and sixty men. If the ratio be the same
as is now estimated, there should have been nearly six hundred
Indians located along the Conemaugh.
The information in reference to the Asswikales is very
meager, as they were not numerous in this section of the coim-
try. From the note accomijanying the statement, they had
but recently come from South Carolina, and were probably a
branch of the Cherokees or some other Southern tribe.
We cannot locate "Ohesson upon the Choniata," but be-
lieve it is near Lewistown; nor " Assunepachlaupon," which is
evidently a typographical error by making it one word, as it
should be "upon the Juniata."
The first account of white men trading with the Indians
west of the Allegheny mountains and being in the Province
of Pennsylvania is about 1728. The statements made by Dav-
enport and LeTort in 1731 came very near to that date. Al-
though there were one or two other trails between these points,
yet it seems they were not of sufficient imi3ortance to the offi-
cials of the Province, nor to those who traveled them to make
a note of the same. A slight exception must be made, how-
ever, in the case of the route through the northern part of
Cambria county, which was taken by Governor James Hamil-
ton and William and Richard Peters, secretaries, on the 16th
of April, 1752. This route turned to the north at the Clear
Fields, on the top of the mountain, and passed through Cherry-
tree and the Beaver Dams, near Hastings, toward Kittanning,
It was as follows, quoting verhaiim from another ancient re-
port:
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 53
"From Philadel])liia to George Croglian's (100) 100
"From George C'l'oghan's to Ancliqiiick, Three Springs . . 60
"To furthermost Crossing Jnniata 20
"To Frank's Town 20
"To the Clear Fields 18
"To the Head of Susquehanna, Chelisguagua Creek 25
"To the Two Licks 25
"To the Eound Holes 25
"To the River Ohio or Allegheny 17
' ' To the Logs Town (250) 30
"To the Eusks-Kusks 30
* ' To Tnskerawas 60
' ' To Mnskinong 40
' ' To ve Three Licks 30
"To Hockockon 50
"To the Lower Shawenese Town (270i/.) 60
"To the first Pict Town on a Branch of Ohio 180
800
> J
The above account is taken from the report of Hugh Craw-
ford and Andrew Montour, the 16th of April, 1752.
Twightwees appears to have heen on the Ohio river, about
four hundred and sixty miles below Pittsburg, and was so named
because the English called the Miami tribe of Indians "Twight-
wees."
At a meeting of the Provincial Council, held in Phila-
delphia on March 21, 1757, Lord Loudon was ])resent and de-
sired information in regard to frontier roads throughout the
Province. Among others the following appears :
"There are two usual Paths from the Ohio to Pennsylvania,
One through Ray's Town, distant from Shippensburgh sixty-
five miles, and the other thro' Frank's Town, situate at about
thirty miles north of Ray's Town. A new Road w^as opened and
cleared thro' Ray's Town over the Allegheny Hills for the use
of General Bracldock, and is now a good one; thro' Frank's
Town Col. (Jack) Armstrong marched to the Kittannin, and it
is said to be a very bad Road, abounding with Morasses and
broken Hills difficult of Passage. B}^ one or the other of these
two Roads the Parties of Lulians have hitherto entered the
Province, their Rendezvous having usually been either at Ray's
Town or Frank's Town."
In 1754 John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg, made a
schedule of the two roads between his ferry and the Allegheny
river. As it is the best proof, we give it in full as he made it:
54 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
From my Ferry to Geo. Croghan's 5 miles.
To the Kittitany Mounts 9
To Geo. Cowen's House 6
To Andrew Montour's 5
To the Tuscororaw Hill
To Thos. Mitchell's Sleep'g place 3
To Tuscaroraw 14
To the Cove Spring lu
To the Shadow of Death 8
To the Black Log 3
Now the Road forks toward Ray's Town & Frank's Town, we
continue Ray's Town Road to Allegheney.
To the 3 Springs 10
To the sidling Hill Gap 8
To Juniata Hill 8
To Juniata Creek at ye Crossing 8
To the Snake's Spring 8
To Ray's Town | Bedford] 4
To the Shawana Cabbins 8
To Allegheney Hill 6
To Edmond's Swamp 8
To Sioney Creek 6
To Kickeney Paulin's House (Indian) 6
To the clear Fields 7
To the other side of the Laurel Hill 5
To Loyal Haning [Ligonier] 6
To the Big Bottom 8
To the Chestnut Ridge 8
To the partings of the roads 4
Thence one road leads Lo Shanoppin's Town, the other to Kiss-
comenettes, old town. •
To the Big Lick 3
To the Beaver Dams 6
To James /Dunning's Sleeping place 8
To Cock Eye's Cabin 8
To the 4 Mile Run 11
To Shanoppin's Town, on Allegheny River [six miles above the Ohio] . . 4
To the Logs Town, down the river [fourteen miles below Pittsburg] ... 16
Old Roads 246 miles.
Now beginning at the Black Log, Frank's Town Road.
To Aughwhick 6 miles.
To Jack Armstrong's Narrows, so called from his being there murdered 8
To the Standing Stone (about 14 ft. high 6 inch square) [Huntingdon] . 10
At each of these last places we cross Juniata.
To the next and last Crossing at Juniata 8
To Water Street (branch of Juniata) 10
To the big Lick 10
To Frank's (Stephen's) Town [three miles below Hollidaysburg] 5
To the Beaver Damms 10
To Allegheny Hill 4
To the Clear Fields 6
To John Hartt's Sleep'g Place 12
To the Head of Susquehannah 12
To the Shawana Cabbins 12
To P. Shaver's Sleeping Place, at two large licks 12
To the 18-mile Run 12
To the 10-mile Lick 6
To Kiskemenette's Town on the Creek, runs into Allegheny Riv'r, 6 mil
down (almost as large as Schuylkill) 10
To the Chartieres Landing on Allegh'y 8
To the Kittanning Town up the River 18
To' Venango, higher up the Allegh'y 70
Down the River from Chartiere's Land'g to Pine Creek 14
To the Logs Town 17
Logs Town lies due West from Harris's Ferry.
Note. — ^John Harris told me that he verily believed that Logs Town was
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 55*
distant from his House clue West an hundred miles less than the within acco't
mentions; the road he went having so many great crooks.
JOSEPH SHIPPEN, JR.
It will be observed that the road forked at the "Black Log,"
about forty-six miles beyond Raystown, which is now Bedford.
The southerly branch seems to reach the top of the Allegheny
mountains at ''Edmonds' Swamp," six miles from the "Stony
Creek" — which is believed to be near Stoyestown, as there was
a blockhouse, or barracks, named Fort Stony Creek at that
place — and then six miles to "Kickenny Paulin's House"
(Indian), which is on the Quemahoning creek, Somerset county,
as is well known.
Clear Fields and Edmonds' Swamp are located in Shade
Township, Somerset county. The Clear Fields are on what is
known as the John Hamer place, near the top of the mountains,
between Walker's Mill, on the Lambertsville Road, and Bucks-
town. Edmonds' Swamp is drained by Oven Run, which empties
into the Stonycreek river a short distance above Forbes' Cross-
ing. It is on the Jesse Slick farm, lying between the Forbes Road
and the Stoyestown Pike. The farm known as the William
Buchanan place is but a few miles northwest of Buckstown and
lies to the south of the Clear Fields and Edmonds' Swamp. It is
about eighteen miles from Johnstown to the Swamp, and about
twenty-one to the Clear Fields. The Indian tradition as to the
bare spot known as the Clear Fields is that many years ago a
storm swept over the mountains and at this place the whirlwind
centered, tearing up all the trees by their roots, and for some
unaccountable reason trees would never grow thereafter on that
soil, nothing but short, scrubby underbrush existing thereon.
The Swamp is close to the old fort known as Stonycreek, a few
miles from Stoyestown.
Mr. Weiser was a colonel in His Majesty's troops, as well
as an Indian Commissioner and interpreter, and a friend of
Thomas and Richard Penn, representing them as their attorney
in fact, in the Indian treaty at Easton on October 23, 1758. Mr.
Weiser died in 1761, leaving but one son — Samuel — to survive.
He was a man of great intelligence, diplomacy, and courage, and
had the entire contidence of the Indians. His character can be
best given by the following letter:
Mr. Richard Peters.
"Sir: If the Governor won't meet the Indians this evening
only to shake hands with them, and signify his Satisfaction to see
them in town, and leave Business to other day when they are
56 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
recovered from their fatigue, I will say that he does not act the
part of a well-wisher to his Majesty's people & interest at this
Critical time. You may let him know, so here is my hand to my
saying so. I am, sir, a loyal subject, and a well-wisher to my
Country. Conrad Weisee.
"Philadelphia, Julv the 6th [1758], at half an hour after
five."
It seems that Weiser had arranged a meeting between the
Indians and the provincial officers, but that Governor William
Denny was inclined to postpone it to another time, in con-
sequence of which this letter was written to Mr. Peters, the
secretary.
On his trip to the Ohio in 1748, he made the following
notes in his journal.
Aug. Miles.
18, From the Black Log to within two miles of the Stand-
ing Run 24
19, Traveled twelve miles this dav 12
20, Came to Frank's Town ' 26
22, Crossed Allegheny Hill & came to the Clear Fields . . 16
23, Came to Shawonese Cabbins 34
24, Came to the ten mile Lick 32
25, Crossed Kisky Monitas Creek & came to Ohio 26
170
Note — The Black Log is 8 or 10 miles southeast of the
Three Springs, and Frank's Town lies to ye north, so that
there must be a deduction of at least twenty miles.
In other notes he further adds:
Aug'st 11, Set out from my house & came to James Galbreath
that day, 30 miles.
12th, Came to George Croghan's, 5 miles.
13tli, To Eobert Dunning 's", 20 miles.
14th, To the Tuscarrora Path, 30 miles.
15th &: 16th, Lay by on Account of the men coming back Sick, &
some other Affairs hindered us.
17th, Crossed the Tuscarrora Hill & came to the Sleeping Place
called the Black Log, 20 miles.
18th, Had a great Pain in the afternoon; Came within two miles
of the Standing stone, 24 miles,
19th, AYe traveled but 12 miles: were obliged to dry our things
in the afternoon.
20th, Came to Frank's Town, but saw no Houses or Cabins;
here we overtook the Goods, because four of George Cro-
gan's Hands fell sick, 26 miles.
21st, Lay by, it raining all Day.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 57
22d, Crossed Allegheny Hill and came to the Clear Fields, 16
miles.
23d, Came to the Shawonese Cabbins, 34 miles.
2-l:tli, Found a dead man on the road who killed himself drinking
too mnch whisky; the place being very ston}^ we could not
dig a grave ; he smelled very strong ; we covered him with
Stones and Wood and went on our journey; came to the
10 mile Lick, 32 miles.
25th, Crossed Kiskeminetoes Creek and came to Ohio that Day,
26 miles.
26th, Hired a Canoe ; paid 1,000 Black Wampum for the loan
of it to Logstown. Our horses being all tired, we went by
water and came that night to a Delaware town; the
Indians used us very Kindly.
The journal continues until September 29, 1748, when he
returned to George Croghan's. This trip was made to distribute
presents to the Indians, and many councils were had with them.
On the 29th of August he arrived at Logstown and says: "This
day news came to Town that tlie Six Nations were on the point
of declaring War against the French, for the reason the French
had Imprison 'd some of the Indian Deputies."
Mr. Croghan made several trips between his cabin, which
was five miles above Harrisburg, and the Ohio river, in and
about 1750, He was an eminent frontiersman and a colonel
among the provincial men. After the fall of Fort Duquesne he
located in Pittsburg and procured control of a large quantity
of land, of which Schenley Park is a part. George Croghan
was ^an ancestor of Mary Schenley, of .London, who gave that
beautiful place to the people of Pittsburg a few years ago.
At a council held in Philadelphia on March 2, 1754, at
which John Penn, Joseph Turner, and Richard Peters, members
of the council, were present, a map of a road to the Ohio was
considered, in the following manner :
"And then Mr. Patton and Mr, Montour were examined,
who did declare that the Courses and Distances from Carlisle
to Shanoppin, an Indian Town on the River Ohio, near the
mouth of ^lohongialo, are laid down in a map well they had
presented to the Governor, and now produced to the Council
with as much Care and Accuracy as in their Power, and that
they believed them to be as near the Truth as it could be Known
without actual Mensuration; and that the two following tables,
taken from the map contain a just description of the Road as
well by computation as by the Compass."
58 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
The computed distance of tlie road by the Indian traders
from Carlisle to Shanoppin's town:
From Carlisle.
Miles.
From Carlisle to Major Montour's 10
From Mont ours to Jacob Pvatt's 25
From Pvatt's to George Croghan's, at Aucquick Old Town 15
From Croghan's to the Three Springs 10
From the Three Springs to Sideling Hill 7
From Sideling Hill to Coutz's Harbour 8
From Coutz's Harbour to the top of Ray's Hill 1
From Ray's Hill to the 1 Crossing of Juniata 10
From the 1 Crossing of Juniata to AUaguapy's Gap 6
From AUaguapy's Gap to Ray's Town [Bedford] 5
From Ray's Town to the Shawonese Cabbin 8
From Shawonese Cabbins to top of Allegheny Mountains. . 8
From Allegheny Mountains to Edmund's Swamp 8
From Edmund's Swamp to Cowamahony Creek 6
From Cowamahony to Kackanapaulins 5
From KackanajDaulins to Loyal Hannin [Ligonier] 18
From Loyal Hannin to Shanoppin's Town near [Pittsburg] 50
The corners and distances by compass :
K 20, W. 8 miles to Major Montour's.
W. S. W. 20 miles to Jacob Pyatt's.
X. 20, AV. 8 miles to George Crogan's, or Aucquick Old
Town.
N. 70 W. 7 miles to the Three Springs.
S. 70, W. 5 miles to Aucquick Gap.
S. 70, W. 53/. miles to Coutz's Harbour.
S. 80, W. 9 miles to Allaguapy Gap.
West 3 miles to Ray's Gap.
X. 15, W. the coui'se of the Gap.
N. 63, W. 5 miles to the Shawonese Cabbins.
N. 60, W. 5 miles to tlie top of Allegheny Mountains.
X. 75. W. 41 2 niiles to Edmund's Swamp.
X. 80. AV. 1 miles to Cowamahony Creek.
X. 10, W. 31/, miles to Kackanapaulins House.
X. 64. W. 12 miles to Loval Hannin Old Town.
X. 20, W. 10 miles to the Forks of the Road.
West 10 miles to .
X. 80, W. 15 miles to Shanoppins Town.
There is no doubt that Cowamahony Creek is the same as
Quemahoning, as we know it.
The computations made from a map prepared by Messrs.
Patton and Montour are twofold — first, by the estimated dis-
tances from point to point, as the best road would lead, to -pass
around hills and gulches; and, secondly, by an air line — as the
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 59
bird flies. It will be observed that the distance by the trail
from the "top of the Allegheny Mountains to Kaekanapaulins "
is nineteen miles, while by the air line it is only twelve ; and from
''Kackanapanlins to Loyal Hannin" it is eighteen miles by the
road, and in an air line it is north 64° west, twelve miles distant.
These measurements are practically correct, and these
gentlemen did a service of great value to themselves, their de-
scendants, and their descendants' neighbors.
When the same question was under consideration Mr.
William West, a surveyor, presented the following to the Gov-
ernor :
'^Sir: Agreeably to your request I- herewith send you the
Latitude of Shannoppin's Town as taken by Col. Fry, the 16th
of June, 1752. I likewise send You the computed Miles from
the Three Springs to Shanoppin's Town. I begin there as I
take it to be near the same Meridian with the Big Cove, or rather
a little to the eastward of it. You will observe that the Road is
very crooked, for there being many Hills, we were obliged to
make many Windings to come at proper Places to cross them.
xlbout a mile from Shanoppin's
Town Sun's Meridian Altitude 16th June
1752 72 54°
90
Zenith Distance 17 6
Sun's Declination 23 21
Latitude of Shanoppin's Town 40 27
Miles.
From the Three Springs to Sideling Hill 7
To Juniata 19
To Garrett Pendergrass' or Ray's Town 12
To the Foot of Allegheny Hill." 15
To Edmunds' Swamp the other side of Alleghenv
Hill ". 12
To KeKinny Paulins 10
To Loyalhannin 20
To Shanoppin's Town 50
145
"I went to the Log's Town in company with Capt. Thomas
McKee, Mr. John Carson, and three Indian traders, from whom
I had the within com]-)uted distances, which in many places I
think are estimated more miles than they would measure, and
in some Places We traveled many Miles to make a few Westing,
60 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
particularly from the Shawonese Cabbins to KeKinny Paul ins,
which altho' it is computed near thirty miles I do not think
make Ten miles Westing.
"I am Your Honor's most humble servant,
Wm. West/'
Mr. Patten, also, says ''he rode in four days from Ohio the
Frank's Town Road to Peter Shearer's, about four miles from
Susquehanna River, in June, 1750, which, by the Traders com-
putation, is one hundred and twenty-six miles."
At a conference held near Fort Duquesne, on September 3,
1758, Kickanepaulin, who had taken his departure from the
vicinity of the Quemahoning, his former habitation, made the
following speech in behalf of other Indians to Christian Fred-
erick Post, a missionary, and a representative of the Provincial
Grovernment. He said:
"Brethren, it is good many days since we have seen and
heard you; I now speak to you in behalf of all nations that have
heard you heretofore.
"Brethren, it is the first message which we have seen or
heard from you ; we have not rightly heard you.
"Brethren, you have told of that peace and friendship
which we had formerly with you. Brethren, we tell you to be
strong and always remember that friendship we formerly had
with you. Brethren, we desire you would be strong, and let us
have that good friendship and peace we had formerly. Brethren,
we desire that you make haste, and let us soon hear of you again.
[Gives a string of wampum.]
"Brethren, hear what I have to say; look, Brethren, since
we have seen and heard you, we who are present are part of all
the several nations, which have heard you some days jigo, see
that you are sorry that we have not that friendship we formerly
had. Look, Brethren, we at Allegheny are likewise sorry we
have not that friendship with you we formerly had.
"Brethren, it is good that you have held that friendship we
had formerly amongst our fathers and grandfathers. Brethren,
we long for that peace and friendship we had formerly.
Brethren, we will tell you we must not let that friendship quite
drop which was formerly between us. Now, Brethren, it is
three years since we dropped that peace and friendship which
we had formerly with you. Now, Brethren, it's dropped and
lies buried in the ground where you and I stand, in the middle
between both. Now, Brethren, since I see you, you have digged
up and revived that friendship which was buried in the ground.
Now you have it, hold it fast.
''Do be strong, Brethren, and exert yourselves, that that
friendship may be well established between us. Brethren, if
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 61
you will be strong, it is in your power to finish that peace and
friendship well now. Brethren, we desire you to be strong and
establish and make known to all the English of this peace and
frlendshi}), that it over all may be well established, as you are
of one nation and color in all the English governments.
"Brethren, when you have finished and agreed everywhere
together on this peace and friendship, then you would be pleased
to send it to us at the Allegheny. Brethren, when you have set-
tled this peace and friendship and finished it well, and you send
it to me, I will send it to all the nations of my color.
"When I receive your answer and we have looked that
everything is well done, so that I can send it to all the nations
of my color, they will all join to it and we will hold it fast.
Brethren, when all the nations join to this friendship, then the
day will begin to shine clear, and as, when we once have more
of you and we join together, then the day will be still and no
wind or storm will come over us to disturb us. Now, Brethren,
you know our hearts and what we have to say. Be strong ; if you
do so, everything will be well and what we have now told you,
all the nations agree to join.
"Now, Brethren, let the King of England know our minds
as soon as possibly can." [Gives a belt of eight rows to seal the
compact.]
At a meeting of the Commissioners — Richard Peters, Isaac
Morris, and Benjamin Franklin — and Conrad Weiser and An-
drew Montour, interpreters, and the representatives of Indians
of the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawonese, Twightwees, and
Onendats, held at Carlisle, October 1, 1753, Scarrooj^ady said:
"I have something further to say on behalf of the Shawo-
nese, Brother Onas: At the beginning of the summer, when
the news was brought to us of the approach of the French, the
Shawonese made this speech to their Uncles, the Delawares,
saying :
" 'Uncles, you have often told us that we were a sensible
and discreet people, but we lost all our sense and wits when we
slipped out of your arms; however, we are now in another's
arms again, and hope we will slip out no more. We remember
and are returned to our former friendship, and hope it will
always continue. In testimony whereof, we give you, our Uncle,
a string of ten rows. '
"The Shawonese likewise at the same time sent a speech to
the Six Nations, saying :
" 'Our Brethren, the English, have treated us as people
that had wit ; the French deceived us ; but we now turn our heads
about and are looking perpetually to the country of the Six
Nations and our brethren — the English — and desire you to make
an apology for us. '
62 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
''And tliey gave eight strings of AVampmn. The Delawares
and Six Nations do, therefore, give up three strings to Onas,
and recommend the Shawonese to him as a people who have seen
their error, and are their and our very good friends." [Gave
eight strings.]
On another occasion Xeuchecouna, Kekenatclieky, Sonatzio-
wanah, and Sequeheton, chiefs of the Shawonese, met the Dela-
wares and the Indians of the Six Nations, and said :
"AVe, tlie Shawonese, have been misled, and have carried
on a private correspondence with the French without letting you
or our brethren, the English, know of it. AVe traveled secretly
through the bushes to Canada, and the French promised us great
things, but we find ourselves deceived. AVe are sorry that we
had anything to do with them. AVe now find that we could not
see, although the sun did shine. AVe earnestly desire you would
intercede with our brethren — the English — for us who are left at
Ohio, that we may be permitted to be restored to the chain of
friendsliip and l)e looked upon as heretofore, the same flesh with
them. ' '
"We let the President and Council of Philadelphia know
that after the death of our chief man Olomipies, our grandchil-
dren — the Shawonese — came to our own town to condole with
us on the loss of our good King, your brother, and they wiped
on our tears and comforted our minds, and as the Delawares are
the same people with the Pennsylvanians, and born in one and
the same country, we give some of the presents our grand-
children gave us, to the President and Council of Philadelphia,
because the death of their good friend and brother must have
affected them as well as us."
At the conclusion of the speeches made by Shawanasson and
Achamanataimu, chiefs of the Delawares, they gave a beaver
coat and a string of wampum.
Wampum was Indian money, and its value is thus fixed by
Samuel Weiser, a son of Conrad Weiser, in a report of his ex-
penses made March 21, 1760 :
"To 667 grains of Wampum made in two strings of several
rows, made use of with the Indians at Fort Augusta, at 55 per
hundred. Cost, £1 13s. 9d."
At a meeting of the Council, held in Philadelphia, on De-
cember 29, 1755, this subject was considered and it was agreed
to enter the following statement on the minutes :
"All our accounts agree in this, that the French, since the
defeat of General Braddock, have gained over to their interests
the Delawares, Shawonese, and many other Indian Nations for-
merly in our Alliance, and on whom, thro' fear and their large
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 63
promises of Kewards for Scalps and assurances of reinstating
them in the Possession of the Lands they have sold to the Eng-
lish, they have prevailed to take up arms against ns and to join
heartily with them in the execution of the ground they have been
long meditating of obtaining, the possession of all the country
between the River Ohio and the River Susquehannah. '
J ?
It was the Delawares and Shawonese who had pledged their
allegiance to the English two years before this, at the Council
held at Carlisle, but now a portion of them occupying Johnstown
were helping the French.
The opinion of Colonel Archibald Lochry, expressed in
writing to Joseph Read, President of Council, is as follows :
"Twelve Mile Run, Westmoreland Countv,
July 4, 1781.
"We have very distressing times Here this summer. The
Enemy are almost constantly in our County Killing and Cap-
tivating the Inhabitants. I see no way we can have of de-
fending ourselves other than l)y offensive operations. General
Clarke has requested our assistance to Enable him to carry an
Expedition into the Indian Country. * * * The General's ob-
jects are the Showneys, Delawares & Wiandotts Countrys in
Order to bring them to a General Engagement and if Successful
He makes no doubt of Reducing these three Nations."
It appears that in 1784 the southwestern portion of Pennsyl-
vania was free from the marauding Indians, inasmuch as on the
14th of June, Christopher Hays, of Westmoreland county, wrote
to John Dickinson, President of the State, as follows :
"Although the Indians have been very troublesome to the
Inhabitants in the Kentucke neighborhood this spring, we have
had the happiness to live in the most perfect peace and security
as yet, * * * as the northern Indians seem gradually disposed
for peace & anxious for a treaty."
Mr. George Dallas Albert, in his research of Provincial his-
tory, in the "Frontier Forts," says that the pronunciation of
Conemaugh, as made by the Indians, was Quin-nim-maugh-
Koong, or Can-ne-maugh, and signified Otter Creek. Also, that
Stonycreek is the English for the Indian name, Sinnehanne, or
Achsin-hanne ; hanne signifies a stream of water. Sherman Day
states that the first settlement of the Lenape Indians were the
Assun-pink, or Stonycreek, Indians. Loyalhanna is corrupted
from Laweel-hanne, meaning the middle stream ; and Kittanning
from Kit-hanne, or Gicht-hanne, which signifies the main stream
in that region of the country.
64 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
It is a fact well known that Indians could not pronounce
"r"; they could not say rum, but called it lum, and Quaker they
called Quackel.
The following is a list of Cherokee names and their signifi-
cance, prepared under date of June 21, 1758:
Weyesong, or the Cold.
Heneley, or the Common-on-Instrument to play with.
Hunnegurwisky, or the Bitter.
Sky Huga, or Travelar.
Xethsthouwewa, or Strieker.
Turturwiskey, or the Forsaken.
Xecourraggua, or the Killer.
Kinnathshia, or the Company Keeper.
Keththakisky, or the Messengar.
Gugkonnosky, or the Drunker.
Hannechcha, or the Comer Inn.
Mr. Day records the fact that one summer day, when the
children and women of the Shawonese and Delaware Tribes were
together gathering fruit, a feud arose between them concerning
the title to a large grasshopper caught by one child and claimed
by another. This involved a question of boundary and territorial
rights. When the warriors, who were at that time peaceably
engaged together in a chase, returned, they took part with their
respective women ; a sanguinary contest ensued, in which, after
great slaughter, the Shawonese were defeated and were expelled
from the valley.
The following is a specimen slightly transposed of the lan-
guage used by the Seneca Indians :
THE lord's prayer.
Gwa-nee', che-de-oh' gii-o'-ya-geh, ga-sa-nuh'
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
ese' sa-nuk-ta' ga-oh ese' sne'-go-eh ne ya-weh' yo an-ja'-geh
thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth
ha' ne-de-o'-deh ga-o'ya-geh. Dun-da-gwa-e' wa-sa-gwus
as it is in heaven. Forgive us our
ong-wa-yeh'-his-heh' da-ya-ke'-a-wa-sa-gwus-seh' ho-yeh'his .
debts as we forgive our debtors.
Da ge-oh' ne' na geli' wen-nis'-heh-deh e' na-ha-do-wen-nis'-heh-
Give us this day our daily
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 65
geh o a'-qiia. Ila-sqiia'-ali e' sa-no' ha wa-ate keli', ua-gwa'
bread. Lead us not into temptation, but
da-gwa-ya-dan'-nake ne' wa-ate-keli' na-seli'-eli nees'
deliver from us evil for thine is
o-nuk'-ta na-kuli' na ga-hus-tes-heh, na-kuh' da-ga-a-sa-uh'.
the kingdom, and the power and the glory.
Na-huh'-ne-ya-weh.
Amen.
Joe Wipey, a friendly Delaware Indian, was cruelly mur-
dered by two renegade white men — John Hinckston and James
Cooper — while he was sitting in his canoe fishing in the Cone-
maugh river, near the mouth of Hinckston run, now in the
Fourteenth ward of the city of Johnstown.
Wipey lived in a cabin a few miles west of Johnstown,
making; frequent visits to Solomon and Samuel Adams and
other pioneer families in this vicinity. His wanton death
caused much consternation among the provincial people and
the council offered a reward of five hundred pounds for the
arrest of the two men. The murder occurred in May, 1774,
when (xeneral Arthur St. Clair, then at Fort Ligonier, in-
formed the governor, stating that it occurred "about eighteen
miles from this place."
Another friendly Indian known as "Kicky Huston." in this
vicinity, had a wigwam on the hill known as " Kicky 's Ridge,"
in Adams township. It is the first ridge on the westerly side
of the summit of the Alleghenv mountains on the Ashtola road,
between which and the summit lays Horner's Dam. Kicky
trapped beavers, and was a successful hunter for large game,
such as deer and bear, keeping residents of Bedford supplied
with that kind of food. Wipey and Kicky were the last of the
Indian race in the southern part of Cambria county.
About 1778 a number of marauding Indians in and around
Hart's Sleeping Place, near Carrolltown, and along the Kit-
tanning trail, were aiding the British troops, who then had
possession of Kittanning. A party from the Juniata valley
led by John Weston, started to go to Kittanning to procure
assistance for a pillaging expedition in the valley; however,
a friendly Cayuga Indian chief, called Captain Logan,
who lived at Chinklaclamoose, on the site of the town
of Clearfield, gave warning to the colonists. Captain
Vol. 1—5
66 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Thomas Blair successfully led a party of colonists to inter-
cept the movement, and on their return they encamped near
the "Clearfields" for the night. In the morning two of the
party — Moses Hicks and ]\Ir. Gersham — went out to get game
for food, when they were captured by the Indians, taken to De-
troit, and held as prisoners by the British until the war was
over.
CHAPTER V.
PIONEER SETTLERS ADAMS FAMIIA' PRINCE GALLITZIN CAPTAIN
MICHAEL m'gUIRE JOSEPH' JOHNS HE LAYS OL'T THE VIL-
LAGE OF CONEMAUGH.
The best proof that is now obtainable leads to the con-
elusion that Samuel. Solomon, and Eachel Adams were the
first white people to locate, improve and till the soil on land
within the limits of Cambria county. It seems that the Adams
family came from Berks county some time prior to 1774, and
improved the Peter Snyder tract of land, which later became
the Horner estate in the Seventh ward. The exact date cannot
be fixed, l)ut it was not prior to April 3, 1769, as, by the act of
the provincial authorities, no white man was permitted to lo-
cate on land which had been reserved by treaty with the Indians
for their exclusive use ; however, it was prior to 1771.
It will be observed that Charles Campbell took out a war-
rant on April 3, 1769. It is probable that the Adamses did
the same then, or soon thereafter; at least, the deeds show that
in 1771 Peter Snyder took out a warrant for the '^Solomon
Adams Improvement" on "both sides of Solomon's Run" (in
the Seventh ward). The records do not show that Solomon
Adams took out a warrant: but that he occupied it and made
improvements on it there is no doubt.
During this period (1769-1774) the white man and the red
man were in a war, which had practically been circumscribed
to the territory between Bedford and Pittsburg, and especially
in and around Bedford, Ligonier, and points between them.
The near-by forts were at Bedford and Ligonier, and one was
at Fort Palmer, a few miles south of Lockport and near Co-
vodesville. When danger from the warlike Indian was appre-
hended the Adamses would flee to one of these points.
In 1777 the Tull family, who resided on the mountains six
miles west of Bedford, consisting of father, mother, nine daugh-
ters, and a son. were massacred, excei)ting the son, who was
absent. The hill is yet known as the Tull Hill on account of the
terri1)le vengeance of the Indians on this occasion.
Sherman Day gives an account of the courageous action
and death of •Samuel Adams as follows :
68 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
''About December of the same year (1777) a mmiber of
families caoie into the fort (Bedford) from the neig-hborhood
of Johnstown. Amongst them were Samuel Adams, a man
named Thornton, and one Bridges. After their alarm had some-
what subsided they agreed to return for their property. A
party started with packhorses, reached the place (now Johns-
town), and, not seeing any Indians, collected their property
and commenced their return. After proceeding some distance
(about four and a half miles) a dog belonging to one of the
l^arty showed signs of uneasiness and ran back. Bridges and
Thornton desired the others to wait whilst they would go back
for him. They went back, and proceeded but 200 or 300 yards,
when a body of Indians, who had been lying in wait on each
side of the way, but who had been afraid to fire on account of
the numbers of wliites, suddenly rose up and surrounded them
and took them prisoners. The others, not knowing what de-
tained their companions, went back after them. When they ar-
rived near the spot the Indians fired on them, but without do-
ing any injury. The whites instantly turned and fled, except-
ing Samuel Adams, who took a tree and began to fight in the
Indian style. In a few minutes,- however, he was killed, but
not without doing the same fearful service for his adversary.
He and one of the Indians shot at and killed each other at the
same moment.
""When" the news reached the fort a party volunteered to
visit the ground, and when they reached it, although the snow
had fallen ankle deep, they readily found the bodies of Adams
and the Indian ; the face of the latter having been covered by
his companions with xVdams' hunting shirt." •
Tlie place where this sanguinary duel took place between
the pioneer and the Indian is on the farm of William Cole, in
Richland township, four and a half miles from Johnstown. It
is on Sandy Run, near the head of Solomon's Run. The path
from the Adams place was up Solomon's Run and then along
Sandy Run. The grave where Samuel Adams and the Indian
were buried is but a few hundred yards from the home of Mr.
Cole, at the angle of the Geistown and Elton, or the "Hollow"
road.
The facts of the manner and place of the death of Samuel
Adams are fully sustained by tradition, by stories from persons
who were companions of Adams, as well as the grave that held
the bodies of the representative of the white man and the red
race, side by side, who were combatants in a cause in which each
believed he was in the right.
The above, as has been noted, is the version, of Historian
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY, 69
Day, and wliile'in the essentials it agrees with, yet in many points
it differs from well authenticated local tradition concerning the
same incidents. Probably the best of these local stories is that
of Edwin A. Vickroy, a son of Thomas Vickroy, a surveyor, of
Alum Bank, Bedford County.
Thomas Vickroy was a neighbor of the Adamses, and, of
course, knew them well, and Edwin A. Vickroy, also a surveyor,
knew Archibald Adams, a son of Samuel Adams. From these
gentlemen he procured his information, which was substantially
this :
That Samuel Adams, just previous to his death, lived on
the place formerly owned by Louis von Lunen, but he did not own
it, as in a contest with William Barr it had been lost. It is
now mostly in the Seventeenth ward of the city. When the In-
dians became troublesome he took his wife and children to Fort
Bedford for safety and came back for his cattle. While collect-
ing them the Indians observed his movements, and when he and
his brother Solomon, John Bridges, and Thomas Cheney had
stEirted with the cattle toward Bedford, the Indians went around
them and ambushed at the crossing of Sandy Eun and fired on
them. Solomon escaped and ran to Bedford and gave the alarm.
The next day a party came over and found Samuel Adams and
an Indian, both dead, and both were buried near where they fell.
No tidings could be had of Bridges and Cheney for a long
time, but they finally returned and told of the attack; that they
began to fight Indian style, each man getting behind a tree, but
that they were overpowered, and had been taken prisoners and
conveyed to Canada. But Adams had killed an Indian and
was himself dead, before they were taken away. Bridges re-
sided on the place known as Samuel Biough's.
Archibald Adams, the son of Samuel Adams, was born in
1764, and died in what is now the Eighth ward of the city of
Johnstown in 1859. A short time before his death he spent the
day with Mr. Vickroy, and then said that he was about seven
years of age when his father was killed, which would make his
death about 1771. Sherman Day states that it was about 1777,
but it seems that our authority is the better. We know that the
Adamses had improved the John Horner farm prior to 1774, as
it was warranted as the ' ' Adams Improvement. ' ' Jesse Proctor,
the great-grandfather of I. E. Eoberts, of this city, married the
widow of Samuel Adams.
There is, as a matter of fact, no doubt of the death of Samuel
70 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Adams and of the Indian combatant substantially- in the manner
set forth, nor of the time nor of the place, and that this historical
event is so well authenticated ought to be a matter of satisfaction
to the people of the county in which Samuel Adams was un-
doubtedly the first settler, in the days when every man was a
hero. This theory rests upon authority from the lips of persons
who were companions of the Adamses, two of whom were John
Grosenickel and Peter Goughnour. The late Isaac Hersh-
berger, who was born in 1811 and resided until his death on his
farm a short distance from where Samuel Adams died, knew
John Grosenickel very well and heard him relate the Adams in-
cident, along with other things occurring at that time, in 1777.
Shortly before his death he stated that Grosenickel came from
Lancaster county and settled on the farm now occupied by
Samuel I. Hershberger, near Geistown, on the Bedford road.
The log house occupied by Grosenickel and his family, which
was erected before the death of Samuel Adams, is still stand-
ing. It was used as a dwelling until 1895 and now does duty
as a home for Mr. Hershberger 's chickens. When the trail
between the Adams improvement and Geistown was opened,
Grosenickel built another log house near the trail, which was
used as a lodging place by many a weary traveler. The Adamses
were also frequently entertained therein. This house is about
three-fourths of a mile east of Geistown on the Bedford road,
and was recently occupied by 'Squire McVicker.
In the latter house John Grosenickel died about 1826. His
youngest daughter, Salome Grosenickel, married Justus Varner,
who later lived in Adams township, but both have been dead
many years. A number of their children, however, are now
residing in Richland and Adams townships.
Hannah Grosenickel, a daughter of John Grosenickel, mar-
ried John Miller, who was an uncle of Isaac Hershberger. They
resided on a farm now occupied by Joseph S. Blougli, a mile
and a half south of Geistown. Mr. Miller moved to the ' ' Miami ' '
country in Ohio, and afterward to Iowa, a good many years ago.
Peter Goughnour, Daniel and Christian his brothers, lived
above Solomon's Run. Isaac Hershberger was intimate with
Peter Gouglmour, and in referring to the early days of pioneer-
ing, told him that on one occasion, he, with some of his neigh-
bors, went east to procure provisions and were unavoidably
delayed, and when the party returned Goughnour 's family were
living on nettles and potato stalks, which they cooked as greens.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 71
KACHEL ADAMS.
Tradition lias it that Rachel Adams was also killed by the
Indians, and this is authenticated by the word of Peter Gough-
nour and Thomas Vickro}^, the surveyor. These gentlemen fre-
quently told Mr. Hershberger how Samuel, Solomon, and Eachel
Adams started from their home to go to Bedford over the Geis-
town trail; that they remained at Grosenickel's over night and
started at an early hour next morning with some horses. After
proceeding a few miles something occurred that required the
brothers to return, and they left Rachel in charge of the horses
for what they expected would be a brief absence. Before their
return, however, the Indians appeared, captured the horses,
and killed Rachel Adams. This occurred near Elton, in Adams
township, at a small stream which has since been known as
Eachel's Run, named by the woman's brothers, it is said, in
commemoration of the horrible deed. In her memory also was
named Rachel's Hill, a prominence a short distance east of
Geistown on the Bedford road.
In connection with the death of Samuel and Rachel Adams,
tradition says that their brother Solomon was also killed by
the red man, but there is no authentic, or reasonably authentic,
information that such was the case. The probabilities are that
it is not true, as we have record testimony in the colonial ar-
chives that in 1787 Solomon Adams was appointed by the Pro-
vincial Council as one of the Viewers to locate the Frankstown
road, and acted in that capacity, as appears by his report when
the duty was performed.
The Hannastown massacre, in 1782, was the final atrocious
act of the Indians. For a year or two afterward an occasional
attack was made on the white settlers, but by 1784 there was
practically peace as far west as Westmoreland county, and
it is not probable that Solomon Adams was put to death by them
after 1787.
On Friday, April 6, 1787, at a meeting of the supreme ex-
ecutive council in Philadelphia, wherein Benjamin Franklin was
President, commissioners as follows were appointed.
"Charles Campbell, of Westmoreland County, and James
Harris, of Cumberland County, surveyors, and Solomon Adams,
of Bedford County, were appointed Commissioners to lay out
a highway between the navigable waters of Frankstown Branch
of Juniata and the River Conemaugli, agreeably to Act of As-
sembly dated 29th of March last."
72 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Within recent years proofs of the habitation of the Indian
in this vicinity have been plowed from the ground and fonnd
in trees. A few years ago Saninel I. Hershberger plowed np
an Indian tomahawk, and frequently he has found arrow points
made of stone, some broken and others whole. John B. Lehman
found an arrow head on the farm of Moses B. Miller, in Rich-
land. Isaac Hershberger cut a tree on his farm and found
near the top of a flint arrow head imbedded therein. About 1863
the late Wesley J. Rose found a skeleton in the lot now occu-
pied by John Thomas, Esq., on Vine street, Johnstown, which
the late Dr. John Lowman, the eminent surgeon and i^hysician,
pronounced to be the perfect form of a matured Indian.
Pastor Gallitzin, a pioneer, came from the Gallitzin family,
of the Russian nobility, whose members had been prominent in
war and diplomacy from the sixteenth century.
Vasili, a prince of that house, surnamed the Great, born
1643, died 1714, was the councilor and favorite of Sophia,
the sister of Peter the Great, and regent during the latter 's
minority. The design of Vasili was to marry Sophia and place
himself on the Russian throne, but it miscarried, whereuf)on
Peter placed Sophia in a convent, and banished Vasili to a
spot on the Frozen ocean, where he died.
Amalie, Princess Gallitzin (1746-1806), the mother of
Father Gallitzin, was a daughter of the Prussian general. Count
von Schmettau, and was noted for her literary culture and de-
voutness to Catholicism. In 1768 she married Prince Dimitri
Alexievitch Gallitzin, (1738-1803) a diplomat and the author
of several books on geology. He had been sent as ambassador
to the court of France in 1763, and to The Hague ten years later.
The Prince and Princess separated, she withdrawing from a
life of splendor in the courts of Europe retired to a charming
residence between The Hague and Scheveningen, where she edu-
cated her two children, a son and daughter.
Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin was boi'n at The Hague,
December 22, 1770. He was carefully educated and at seven-
teen was confirmed in the church of his mother's choice, taking
the name of Augustine to please her. The father, desiring to
have his son enter the army and take up a military career, pro-
cured for him an appointment as aide-de-camp to the Austrian
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 73
General von Lillien, but difficulties arose which caused a re-
consideration for his future, and the position was not accepted.
The father had conceived a j^rofound admiration for John
Adams, who represented the States at The Hague, which feel-
ing was cordially reciprocated, and when the military career
was cast aside for the present at least, the Prince desired his
son to travel through the United States under the kindly at-
tention and influence of Mr. Adams. The father gave him
letters to Mr. Adams and others in the field of diplomacy at
Washington, and the mother procured a letter of introduction
from the Prince-Bishop of Hildesheim to Bishop Carroll, of
Baltimore. It was the decision of the parents that Demetrius
should lay aside his princely title and estate, and should travel
in America under the name of Mr. Schmet, an abbreviation of
''von Schmettau," his family name.
When the time for his departure had come and his mother
accompanied him to the pier, he recanted and implored her to
let him stay. Her flashing eyes and indignant accusation of
cowardice overcame him, and he fell backward into the ocean,
but being an expert swinuner he recovered in time to sail for
the new world. Demetrius arrived in Baltimore on October
28, 1792, and presented his letter to Bishop Carroll, who took
a kindly interest in the youthful traveler. His life was made
so pleasant that he evinced no desire to form new acquaint-
ances, nor is it known that he called ujDon Mk. Adams at AVash-
ington, who was then vice-president.
Probably a year or more after his arrivel he informed the
Bishop that he had determined to renounce his ambition and
that of his familv, and intended to enter the church for the
benefit of the American mission. His family were informed
of the new declaration, and they were astounded; beseeching
letters came, imploring him not to do so, but he remained firm
and entered the Society of St. Sulpice, and on March 18, 1795,
was ordained a priest. Thus a child of fortune became a pio-
neer in the forest of the Allegheny mountains. He was now
known as Father Smith, and served as a missionary at Port
Tobacco, on the Susquehanna, at Conewago, near Gettysburg,
and in Cumberland and Huntingdon counties, until July, 1799,
when he arrived at Loretto, the scene of his future home and
work.
Captain McGuire had donated a tract of land for church
purposes at Lorettoj and Father Gallitzin l)egan to construct a
74 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
log cliurcli, wliere on December 24, 1799, lie celebrated the in-
itial mass in a building, which was the first one erected for that
purpose between the Mississippi and the Susquehanna rivers.
He devoted his services to the congregation at Loretto, and
traveled the mountains administering spiritual comfort to
those who were unable to attend his church. He created debts
for the church and honored them with remittances received
from his sister, until in 1808 he was informed that in conse-
quence of adopting the Catholic faith and clerical profession
he was excluded from any share in his father 's estate, and tliat
his mother having died (1806) his sister was sole heiress. This
decision of the Russian senate and council of state was ap-
proved by the emperor and was therefore irrevocable.
His sister, known as the Princess Marianne, or Mimi,
could not bestow any part of the property on her brother, but
she wrote him that she would faithfully divide the income, and
led him to believe that it was her wish to do so. Her i)rom-
ises were not fulfilled, although he received small remittances
for a while, the princess ended all hope by marrying, late in
life, the Prince de Salm, who squandered her foi-tune. These
complications caused his financial em.barrassment, for debts
not of his own, but m.ade for the use of the church and which he
felt in honor bound to meet. It is estimated that he had spent
between $150,000 and $170,000 from his own fortune. These
sacrifices on his part were beyond the comprehension of the
rougher element, and aroused suspicion in the minds of the
wicked. Notwithstanding the financial difficulties, these sus-
picious persons formed a conspiracy to ruin his reputation, even
accusing him of forgery; but it fell harmless among those who
knew him, and Bishop Carroll always remained his friend. In
these difficulties with the border ruffians, who had been en-
couraged by the suspicious members of the community, he showed
much courage and fearlessness. On one occasion two of the in-
tense sinners went to his church with the intention of attacking
him there by an assault. He was informed of this, and when the
congregation had assembled, coming before the altar in his
vestments', he said: "I now proceed to offer up the Holy Sac-
rifice of the Mass. Let no one dare to profane this church, or
insult the Christ here present, by one word or movement. And
I tell you this," as he advanced with vigor of speech, ''and I
tell you this, if any man raises hand or foot to take me from the
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 75
altar, or to interrupt my words this day, another day shall
come when he will call for me and I will not be there."
On July 18, 1807, one of the conspirators recanted and hu-
miliatingly acknowledged his guilt, and imposed this penalty
upon himself: "As to temporal punishment, I will, with cheer-
fulness, submit to your reverence. I am willing to submit my
bare back to flagellation publicly in the church, by your trustees,
for I consider no punishment too good to be inflicted upon me,
the most unworthy of sinners."
In 1808, in the campaign between Snyder and Eoss for
governor, he was enthusiastic for Eoss, the Federalist candi-
date, and in a letter to Bishop Carroll, who was also a follow-
er of Hamilton, he said: "I am ver\^ much afraid of the issue
in the next election. Our Irishmen are ready to go mad for
Snyder, and Charles Kenny, Esq., of Westchester, by his art-
ful and virulent publications in the Aurora and in Dickson's
Lancaster paper, keeps them uj) in a state of enthusiasm for
Snyder and against sound, genuine principles. Under the
signature of Tyrconnell he made an attack upon my political
character and principles in order to prevent his countrymen of
Cambria and' Huntingdon counties from listening to me. I
yesterday sent my reply to be published in Hamilton's Federal
Gazette of Lancaster."
While he was in Huntingdon, in 1802, he filed his naturaliza-
tion papers and was made a citizen under the name of August-
ine Smith. Having adopted this name by the direction of his
parents, and the purpose for which it was done having passed,
he now desired to have his own name restored; therefore, on
December 5, 1809, he presented a petition to the senate and
house of representatives of Pennsylvania, praying that a law
be enacted to establish his true name of Demetrius Augustine
Gallitzin, which was accordingly done on February 12, 1810
(5 Smith, 84).
He was for some years vicar-general of the diocese of
Philadelphia, Imt on October 28, 1823, Gallitzin wrote to Arch-
bishop Marechall declining to accept the bishopric of Detroit,
wherein he expressed his laudable purposes thus :
"Several years ago I formed a plan for the good of religion,
for the success of which I desire to employ all the means at my
disposal when the remainder of my debts are paid. It is to form
a diocese for the western part of Pennsylvania. What a conso-
lation for me if I might, before I die, see this plan carried out,
76 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
and Loretto made an Ej^tiscopal See, where the Bishop, by means
of the lands attached to the bishopric, wliich are very fertile,
would be independent, and where, with very little expense, conld
be erected college, seminary and all that is required for an Epis-
copal establishment. ' '
In writing to Bishop Carroll he expressed his views on the
question of temperance thus :
''I am so exceedingly fatigued after walking since last Mon-
day' about fift}' miles through rocks and mire after sick peo]Dle
{having lost my riding horse) that I am obliged to confine my-
self to a ver}^ few words. From what little experience I have it
appears to me that total abstinence from S])irituous liquors is
the only sure way of breaking up the habit of that kind ; and as .
I never keep any kind of liquor, nor drink anything but water or
milk, I think if he seriously means to leave off the practice of
drinking he will have a fine chance of curing himself effectively
by living with me."
Gallitzin was intensely patriotic, and would not submit to
any halfway measures or things dishonorable. During the
war of 1812 two members of Captain Richard McGruire's com-
pany came home without leave of absence, probably worse ; they
attended the service in the church at Loretto, and as the priest
approached from his dwelling one of them went toward him with
an offer of greeting to receive the expected welcome. He stopped
and clasped his hands behind his back, and with his dark eyes
expressing contempt, he bade them no welcome, but saying: "I
never shake hands with one who deserts his post," passed on.
Gallitzin was a versatile citizen ; beside being the priest, he
was the trading man of the community for many miles from
Loretto; he was the counsellor in all things, legal and otherwise;
he had a limited knowledge of medicine, and gave his assistance
wherever he could; he built a tannery and a hat manufactory,
and aided the farmers.
On February 9, 1800, he wrote thus to Bishop Carroll in-
forming him of the favorable conditions at Loretto: "Our
church, which was only begun in harvest, got finished fit for
service the night before Christmas. It is about 44 feet long by
25, built of white pine logs, with a very good shingle roof. I kept
service in it at Christmas for the first time, to the very great
satisfaction of the whole congregation, who seemed very much
moved at a sight which they never beheld before. There is also
a house built for me, 16 feet by 14, besides a little kitchen and a
stable. I have now, thanks be to God, a little home of my own for
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
11
the first time since I came to this country, and God grant that I
may be able to keep it. * * The congregation consists at pres-
ent of about forty families, but there is no end to the Catholics in
all the settlements round about me ; what will become of them all
if we do not receive a new supply of priests, I do not know; I try
as much as I can to persuade them to settle around me. ' '
In 1827 Gallitzin not having satisfied all his creditors,
he prepared a petition to his fellow Christians requesting relief,
wherein he stated: Being the only son of a wealthy father he
did not spare expense in order to get the above ends accomplished
(establishing the Loretto church), but still spent far below his
supposed ability. Lately, unexpectedly and without having had
it in his power to foresee, or to even suspect such an event, he
finds himself by a decree of his former government, deprived of
The McGuire Residence at Loretto, Where Prince Gallitzin Said First Mass
in Cambria County.
the whole of his parent's estates, and with debts amounting to
more than $5,000. * * This statement came to the hands of
Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, the signer of the Declaration of
Independence, who endorsed his approval of the project as fol-
lows :
'•I hereby recommend to all charitable persons to sub-
scribe such sums as their inclination and ability will ])ermit to
second the views detailed on the opposite page Ijy the Reverend
Demetrius A. Gallitzin.
''Ch. Carroll, of Carrollton.
"13th Nov. 1827."
Some of the subscribers were: Ch. Carroll of Carrollton,
$100 ; Robert Oliver, $100 ; Baron de Maltitz, $100 ; Je Silvestre
Rebello, $100; Cardinal Capellari, $200— the latter was subse-
quently known to the world as Pope Gregory XVI ; and Matthew
Carey,' $20.
78 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Father Gallitzin died May 6, 1840, in his sixty-ninth year.
Seven years thereafter a vault was constructed in the church
yard to which his remains were transferred, and a humble but
substantial monument was erected to his memory. This was,
however, replaced by a beautiful bronze figure of the Pioneer
Priest, the gift of Charles M. Schwab, as a token of his esteem.
It was dedicated October 10, 1899, in the presence of a large
concourse, when Archbishoj:) Ireland and Governor William A.
Stone made the principal addresses. There were many church
dignitaries present, among them Sebastian Martinelli, Arch-
bishop of EjDhesus, and the Apostolic Delegate to the United
States of Pope Leo XIII; the Kt. Rev. A. A. Curtis, Vicar Gen-
eral of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Mr. Justice John Dean,
of the supreme court, in acknowledging the invitation to be
present said: "No one reverences the Christian character of
Father Gallitzin more than I; that character shines through all
the early records of the county, deeds, wills and contracts. Much
of his work passed under my eye as judge in that county. He
was a Christian lawyer in this, that taking human nature as
it existed, he sought to allay and prevent strife by wise, just
and clear writings, as well as by Christian counsel."
The first settler in Northern Cambria was Captain Michael
McGuire, who, in 1788, brought his family from Taney town,
Maryland, where they had resided. During the Revolution, Cap-
tain McGuire had served in a Maryland company, but his first
visit to Cambria county had been made on a hunting trip in
1768, when he established his camp near the borough of Chest
Springs, which appears on a map of 1793 and is designated
"Captain McGuire 's Camp." AYitli his nearest neighbors at
Blair's Hills on the eastern slope of the mountains, about
twelve miles distant, he located the "McGuire Settlement" in
the valley east of the borough of Loretto, now Allegheny town-
ship, in this county, but at that time in Frankstown township,
Huntingdon county. He died on his farm, November 17, 1793,
in his seventy-sixth year, and was the first person interred in
the Loretto Cemetery.
Captain McGuire was a devout Catholic, and donated a
very large tract of land for the use of the church and its schools
to Bishop John Carroll, of Baltimore, a cousin of Charles
Carroll, of Carrolltown, who was the last survivor of the sign-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 79
ers of the Declaration of Independence. This fact was the mov-
ing cause which influenced Prince Gallitzin to locate at Loretto
and establish a Catholic colony on the western slope of the
monntains. The following letter from Bishop Carroll to Prince
Gallitzin is pertinent:
"Washington City, March 1, 1799.
**Eev. and Dear Sir:
"I fear you have been disappointed in not receiving an ear-
lier answer to your letter, which covered a list of subscribers in
Clearfield, Frankstown and Sinking Valley. I had come hither
on immediately before the arrival of yours at Baltimore.
"Your request is granted. I readily consent to your pro-
posal to take charge of the congregations detailed in yours, and
hope that you will have a house built on the land granted by
Mr. (Michael) McGuire and already settled or cleared, or if
more convenient, on your own, if you intend to keep it. * * *
I meant to have offered you with your present congregations
that of Emmitsburg and the mountain (Mount St. Mary's)
united in one. ^,j t>- i ^ t> i^- ,,
John, Bishop ot Baltimore."
Captain Richard ]\rcGuire was also a pioneer of northern
Cambria'. He was a son of the preceding, and was born in
Frederick countv, Marvland. December 12, 1771, and died at
* . » ' 7 7
Loretto, January 13, 1855. He was seventeen when his father
located the "McGuire Settlement" at Loretto, and on May 15,
1800, he and Eleanor, daughter of John and Ann Byrne, were
married.
Captain Richard McGuire, like his father, was a farmer and
a patriot; he organized a company at Loretto and commanded
it in the War of 1812.
Joseph Johns, the founder of Johnstown, was a native of
Switzerland. He and a sister named Frainie Johns came to this
country about 1768, when he was near nineteen years of age,
and first located in Berks county, where he and Frainie Holly
were married. His sister Frainie married Joseph Crisner, and
they located on a farm in Elklick township, Somerset county,
near Meyersdale. Their children were: Peter, Eli, Jonas,
David, Joseph, Benjamin, Christian, Gabriel, John and Daniel.
The name Frainie was originally spelled Frainie, but subse-
quently changed to Frany, Franie, Vronie, and Fannie.
Joseph Johns bought a farm near Berlin, Somerset county,
which was afterward owned by Martin Myers, who was county
surveyor at one time. In 1793, he sold it, and on the 13th of
80 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
September, 1793, he bought from James McLenahan the Camp-
bell tract of land, on which most of Johnstown is now situated,
including the tirst four wards, excepting the upper part of the
Fourth, and parts of the Ninth and Tenth and a part of the
Thirteenth wards. At the same time he purchased the ''Henry
Wise" tract, of which the Twelfth ward is a part. At that
time it was a forest, and as late as 1828 that portion west of
Market and Vine streets was in woods.
In the fall of 1793, or the following spring, he erected a one-
story log house on the Campljell survey, which consisted of two
hundred and forty-nine acres, near the corner of Levergood and
Vine streets.
The land of Mr. Johns' final homestead near Davidsville
"GJ-i'^ry"*''''''"''""' • ■•, >^ '::_^>-i^-S!!:m'''^''^z!lL''''''''2f^^
. li'A
■ "^-^ "'•*''" "!■:,,.-.'.
First House in Johnstown, Built by Joseph Johns, Probably in 1793.
was surveyed on a warrant issued by the commonwealth to
Jacob Barge for three hundred and sixty acres, and allowance,
on March 14, 1776, the warrant being dated February 7, 1776,
by Thomas Smith, deputy surveyor.
The survey has the following certificate attached :
"A Draught of a Tract of Land called the "Stock Farms,"
situate on the West side of Stony Greek, about a Quarter of a
Mile Distant from it. on the East side of Adams' Path, where
the same crosses the Maple Swamp adjoining lands of Clement
Biddle & others in Quemahoning Township, in the County of
Bedford, containing three hundred and Sixty acres &: the usual
Allowance of six per cent, for roads, &c., surveyed tlie 14th
Day of March, 1776. for Jacob Barge, in Pursuance of a warrant
dated the Seventh Dav of Februarv, 1776, bv Thomas Smith,
Deputy Surveyor.
''To John Luhens, Esq., Surveyor General."
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 81
Reuben Haines purchased the warrant, and on June 24,
1776, the commonwealth granted a patent to him for the Barge
survey. Haines sold it to Abraham Lidden on August 19, 1776 ;
Lidden sold it to John Lehman, Jr., on Februaiy 12, 1799, and
Lehman sold it to Jacob Stover on March 1, 1800, for £141
and thirty cents.
On December 12, 1804, Jacob Stover and Joseph Shantz,
or Johns, entered into an article of agreement by which the
former agreed to convey '^'all that tract of land whereon the
said Jacob Stover now lives with his family, it being one hun-
dred and eighty acres and allowance," for £700.
The compact was skillfully drawn by Abraham Hildebrand,
an eminent justice of the peace of this place and subsequently
one of the associate judges of the county, and was witnessed
by him and Daniel Wertz on April 5, 1805. John McClean
made a survey of the same for Mr. Johns.
On April 9, 1805, Jacob Stover and Catharine, his wife,
executed and delivered a deed to Mr. Johns for this land..
On the 16th of October, 1807, Joseph Johns purchased
another tract of land, containing eighty-eight acres and allow-
ances, situated in Conemaugh township, Somerset county, from
David and Barbary Yoder, for £59 10,9. The commonwealth
issued a patent to David Yoder on February 27, 1806, for this
piece, which was described as bounded by the land of "Widow
Lehman," "the Stonycreek River," and "vacant Stony Hill."
In the Yoder deed the name of Mr, Johns, the grantee, is spelled
"Shontz."
Joseph Johns also owned the Robert Morris farm, located
on the Quemahoning, about three miles above its mouth, but
he sold it to John Borntrager, on April 9, 1812, for 350 pounds,
Mr. Joseph Reininger is now the owner.
Robert Morris, although not a native, was one of the great
American patriots. He was one of the signers of the Declara-
tion of Inde])endence. He was the great financier for the coun-
try during the Revolutionary War, but misfortune came in a
financial way, and he spent his later years in a debtor's prison.
He died in Philadelphia May 8, 1806. He deserved a better fate
at the hands of his countrymen.
The farm in question is known as the John McSweny, or
Sweny, warrant, which was dated April 3, 1769, for "three
hundred acres of land, called Kickenypawlings Old Town, situ-
ate on the Quemahoning creek, where the old road from Bed-
Vol. 1—6
82 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
ford to Fort Pitt crosses said creek, now in Qnemalioning town-
ship, in the county of Bedford." This seems to be good proof
that tlie Indian village of Kickanepawlin was not at Johnstown.
McSweny, or Sweny, sold to William Hunter, of Peters
township, Cumberland county, on January 22, 1772; Hunter
conveyed it to Thomas Smith, of Bedford Town, for £200, on May
9, 1778, and on the 21st of April, 1779, Smith sold it to "Robert
Morris, of the city of Philadelphia, merchant," for £765.
In 1813, three years after Mr. Johns' death, he having died
without a will, partition proceedings were commenced in the
orphans' court for Somerset county, and under date of No-
vember 3, 1813, Alexander Ogle, clerk of the Orphans' court,
certified that Joseph Johns, "the eldest son and heir at law,"
was the highest bidder, and awarded to him the one-hundred-
and-eighty-acre tract at $10.71 per acre, and the eighty-eight-
acre parcel at seventy-six cents per acre.
The adjoining owners on the eighty-eight-acre tract were
John S. Miller, Tobias Yoder, the Stonycreek river, and land
of Carl Von Lunen.
Joseph Johns, the second, held both tracts of land until
April 22, 1867, a few months after the death of his wife, and
less than a year before his death, when he sold the two hundred
and sixt^'-eight acres to his son — Jose^jh Johns, the third — for
$2,800. ' ■
This deed is in manuscript in its entirety and is skillfully
dra^m, plainly and neatly written by Peter Levy, Esq., who al-
ways did his work in tliat jnanner. Mr. Levy was a justice of
the peace at Davidsville, within a mile of the Johns' homestead,
for many years, and was probably as well acquainted with the
family as any person could be, and, being a gentleman of in-
telligence and education, his judgment should have great weight
on questions not conclusively settled. In this deed he describes
the parties thereunto as follows: "Between Joseph Shautz
(Johns), widower, of the first part, and Joseph Sliantz (Johns),
his son, of the second part."
This was within the past forty years, and at that time
in the judgment of 'Squire Levy the correct way to spell the
name in a legal document was "Shantz," while it was com-
monly known and used by the grantor and his neighbors as
"Johns," as the latter name is within parenthesis, incorporated
for the purpose of explanation.
Joseph Johns, the first, with his unmarried sister Frainie,
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 83
came to this country in 1769, as will appear by the following
registry made at Philadelphia, where they disembarked: ''List
of foreigners imported in the ship Nancy. Captain William
Keyes from London, Qnaliiied September 1, 1769, * * *
Joseph Schantz." * * * Their descendants of the present
do not know anything in reference to their ancestors in Switzer-
land, nor do they have any information as to what part of
Switzerland they hailed from, as the brother and sister are the
only persons of that family who embarked from the Old World
for the New, and they located in Berks connty. It is known,
liowever, that Joseph Johns was born November 8, 1749.
At the time of his death he resided on the Jacob Stover
farm, on which place he was also bnried in a private graveyard
located on a knoll, which can be seen from the Davidsville
Road. His wife and some of his descendants rest by his side.
The inscriptions on the tomb-stones of the husband and wife are
simply this :
Joseph Johns, Feaney Johxs,
Died Died
Jan. 18, 1810. Dec. 15, 1833.
Aged 60 vrs. 2 Aged 76 v. 8 m.
mon. 10 d. 18 d.
The family of Joseph Johns, and all publications relating
to his death, fix the date as of January 18, 1810, it even so ap-
pears on the tombstone, but is an error. It should be 1813,
when he was sixtv-three vears of age instead of sixtv. The
evidence of this appears on the records in the Somerset court.
For instance, on April 9, 1812, Joseph Johns and Franey his
wife conveved to John Burntrager the Robert Morris farm called
the "Quemahon," on the old road from "Bedford to Fort Pitt."
Both signed this deed, which shows it was two years after the
date usually given as the date of his demise. Furthermore, on
March 9, 1813. letters of administration were granted to Chris-
tian Miller and Peter Blougli for his estate, and on the same day
they filed their bond for $2,000 with Abraham Morrison and
Frederick Neff as sureties. Also, Franey Johns, the widow,
was entitled to the letters, but on March 8, 1813, she executed
a renunciation of her right in favor of these gentlemen. The
custom was and is yet to probate wills or take out letters of ad-
ministration soon after the death.
Joseph Johns, the Third, when his attention was called to
this fact, admitted it might be true as thev did not have a record
84 BISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
of the date, and the gravestone was not erected for a great
many years after his death and likely they were mistaken.
The administrators' final account disclosed that the decedent
has in his jDOSsession i3ersonal property to the value of $2,-
125.531/0, in addition to his real estate.
Frainie Johns, his wife, who was Frainie Holly, of Berks
county, was bom March 27, 1757, and died December 15, 1833,
aged seventy-six years eight months and eighteen days. Mr.
and Mrs. Johns had two sons — David and Joseph — and three
daughters — Barbara, Vronie, and Sarah.
• David was born July 30, 1779, and died when he was sev-
enteen 3^ears old, while his parents lived in Johnstown.
Barbara Jolms, born January 22, 1782, married John Born-
trager, then a farmer, in Conemaugh township, Somerset county,
but they moved to Lagrange county, Indiana, many years ago.
She died May 1, 1870, aged eighty-eight years three months and
twelve davs.
Vronie, or sometimes called Frainie, her mother's name,
was born January 22, 1786, and married John Holly, a son of
David Holly, of Conemaugh township, Somerset county. They
subsequently moved to Canada, where Mr. Holly died. His
widow then married a Mr, Nell. She died in Peru, Indiana, in
October, 1869, in the eighty-third year of her age.
Sarah, born January 27, 1794, in Johnstown, married Chris-
tian Eash, a farmer, of Conemaugh townshi]3, Somerset county.
Joseph Johns, second in descent, married Nancy Blough.
daughter of Jolm Blough, a farmer of Quemahoning township.
He was born January 19, 1792, and died December 5, 1868, aged
seventy-six years ten months and sixteen days, and Nancy, his
wife, was born August 26, 1799, and died February 14, 1867,
aged sixty-seven years five months and eighteen days. They had
three sons — Daniel, John, and Joseph — and four daughters —
Catharine, Sara, Annie, and Christina. Daniel, the eldest son,
was born August 20, 1819, and he and Polly Yoder, a daughter
of Joseph Yoder, of Somerset county, were married October 26,
1841, and have resided near Middleburg, Elkhart county, In-
diana, for many years. They have three daughters — Maria,
born May 28, 1843 ; Lizzie, born December 3, 1845, married to
John Stahley in December, 1868, and Catharine, born October 4,
1860, married to Joseph D. Miller in March, 1879. Both mar-
ried daughters reside near Middleburg, EUdiart county, Indiana.
Catharine Johns, born November 1, 1820, married Samuel
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 85
Slirock, of Somerset county, on March 19, 1850, and died Novem-
ber 12, 1896. They moved to. Lagrange county, Indiana, soon
after their marriage. They had three sons — John, born August
15, 1852, now residing in Battle Creek, Michigan; Josepli, born
May 1, 1854, in Ligonier, Indiana, and Samuel, bom February
21, 1856, in Cleveland, Ohio.
John Johns, born January 20, 1824, on November 17, 1844,
married Catharine Yoder, a daughter of Christian Yoder, of
Brothers Valley, Somerset county, and they also, located in La-
grange county, Indiana, where they now reside. They have two
sons and tive daughters : Judith, born April 11, 1847, married to
Martin Baer in February, 1872, resides in Wellman, Iowa;
Rosina, born November 4, 1848, married to John C. Hershberger
in 1871, lives at Inman, Kansas; Daniel J., bom September 8,
1850, married to Nancy Yoder in May, 1875, lives at Goshen, In-
diana; Lena, born November 13, 1853, married to Peter C.
Schrock in 1870, resides in Lagrange county, Indiana ; Jacob J.,
born July 24, 1856, died December 30, 1894, was married to Ma-
linda M. Mehl in November, 1876, who died August 17, 1890, and
in February, 1891, he married Mary^ Sunthimer, who sur\dves
him; Amanda, born June 30, 1860, married John E. Miller
in July, 1882, and now lives at Shipshewana, Lagrange county,
Indiana; and Catharine, born February 13, 1868, married to
Elias A. Borntrager in May, 1885, resides at Middleburg, In-
diana.
Sara Johns was born November 22, 1822, and on December
29, 1850, married Joseph Thomas, of Conemaugh township,
Somerset county, where they now reside. They had three sons
and one daughter: Valentine, bom October 31, 1851; Aaron,
born July 23, 1853 ; Christina, born September 7, 1857, and Sam-
uel, her twin brother, who died April 21, 1890. They reside in
Somerset county.
Annie Johns, the sixth child, was born May 13, 1831, and
died November 7, 1891. She and Samuel Yoder, a son of Dan-
iel Yoder, of Cambria county, residing in that part now known
as Upper Yoder, were married October 17, 1851, and have three
sons : Joseph S., born February 3, 1853 ; Daniel S., born October
3, 1856, and Samuel S., born February 3, 1860.
Christina Johns, the seventh child, was born February 11,
1834, and on December 5, 1852, she was married to Sem Kauf-
man, Jr., of Conemaugh township, Somerset county, where the
couple have always lived. They had fourteen children — ten boys
86
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
and four girls: Joseph, born February 19, 1854 — died March 11,
1854; Isaac, born June 28, 1855; Xoah, born March 17, 1858;
Anna, born July 21, 1860; David, born August 24, 1862 — died
October 9, 1862; Bennett, born February 13, 1864; Eleasannah,
born March 9, 1866— died May 28, 1889 ; Lizzie, born Augiist 24,
1868; Katie, born September 7, 1870; Sem, the third, born May
18, 1873— died May 19, 1873; Daniel, born May 27, 1874; Amos,
bom July 29, 1876 — died February 1, 1877; Menno, born May 2,
1878— died April 16, 1879; and Austin, born May 27, 1883, and
died on the same day.
Joseph Johns, the third in descent, was born June 14, 1826,
Joseph Johns, III.
on the farm where he now resides, and where his grandfather lo-
cated after he moved from Johnstown. He and Lydia Kaufman,
a daughter of Mr. Sem Kaufman, lately deceased, of Conemaugh
township, were married April 7, 1850. Mrs. Johns was born No-
vember 18, 1832, and died November 9, 1896, aged sixty-three
years eleven months and twenty-one days. They have had three
sons — Sem K., Moses K., and David K., and three daughters —
Lizzie, Barbara and Fannie.
Sem K. Johns was born February 25, 1851, and now resides
on a farm in Conemaugh township, Somerset county.
Closes K. Johns was born July 22, 1852, and lives at Hills-
boro, in Paint township, Somerset county.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 87
David K. Johns was born December 15, 1855, and died Octo-
ber 29, 1872.
Lizzie Johns was born December 13, 1858, and on November
14, 1875, married Mr. Aaron Swank, a farmer, who for the past
fourteen years has resided on the Johns homestead, and culti-
vates it.
Barbara Johns was bom June 21, 1861, and married Mr.
Henry Rish, a merchant of Davidsville, Somerset county.
Fannie Johns was born December 31, 1864, and on January
22, 1882, she married Mr. Harry Custer, of Ingleside, Cambria
county.
Joseph Johns the founder, was among the pioneers who cul-
tivated the land about Johnstown, probably being preceded only
by Samuel and Solomon Adams, who located on Solomon's Run,
in the Seventh ward of the City of Johnstown. He was a self-
made man, arriving in Berks county with no friend or acquaint-
ance, except his sister; no wealth, saving good health and a
strong character for honesty, industry and frugality. He, as
well as most of his descendants, was, and are, members of the
Amish congregation.
Joseph Johns, the third, has the family Bible of his grand-
father, with the memoranda of the family records in his writing.
It is a German Bible printed in 1776, by Christoph Sauer, of
Germantown, who was the first publisher of the Bible, printed
in German, in America.
Mr. Johns, the elder was a Federalist, a follower of Alex-
ander Hamilton, and his children and grandchildren were
Whigs. Those living now are Republicans.
There is some confusion in the orthography and pronuncia-
tion of the family name. The early records seem to indicate
that it may have been spelled, using the English letters, as
Yontz. In some of the deeds signed by the founder the J's in
Joseph and Johns are not made alike, arid it may be that the
latter is intended for a Y, or probably an S, as it is conceded
1)y his people that in the early days the name was pronounced
Shonz. But for many years it has been and is now correctly
spelled J-o-h-n-s.
Joseph Johns, the elder, was five feet six inches in height
and weighed one hundred and seventy-five pounds. He was
small in stature, but large in l)one and sinew, and had great
strength and endurance. His wife — Frainie Johns — was a large
woman, and, in her later years, never so well contented as when
88 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
knitting or preparing flax thread and making clothing. Mr.
Jolms, the third, has two small balls of linen thread, one white
and the other an indigo blue, which she spun from flax and
colored over seventy-five years ago. It is very smooth and even,
without knots- or defects, very strong, and has a delicate lustre
notwithstanding its age. He has also a deerskin from a deer
shot by his grandfather while he lived in Johnstown. It ex-
hibits the holes where the bullet penetrated and passed out of
the deer's body in the hind leg. The skin was tanned by his
grandfather by what was known as the alum process, and is
yet as soft and velvety as the finest chamois. He had three
deerskins and gave one to his son Joseph, who gave it in turn
to his son Joseph. The others are in other branches of the
family.
Joseph Johns, the first, was, like all the pioneers, an expert
marksman, and while living in Johnstown shot many bears, deer,
wolves, and much smaller game. On one occasion he shot what
he believed was a wolf, but, after a closer examination, he was
undecided, as it looked very much like a dog belonging to one
of his neighbors. To clear up the doubt he went to the neigh-
bor's house, and there found the dog in good health. When he
lived at what is now the corner of Vine and Levergood streets,
many articles of wearing apparel, such as coats, vests, and
trousers, were made for himself and sons from skins which he
tanned, having previously killed the original wearer.
Joseph Johns, the second, was five feet seven inches in
height — one inch taller than his father — and weighed about two
hundred pounds.
Joseph Johns, the third, is five feet seven and one-fourth
inches tall, and ordinarily weighs one hundred and sixty-five
pounds. In his eighty-first year he is in good health, with a
strong constitution, a ruddy complexion, and an abundance of
silvery hair.
The most eventful incident in the lives of Joseph Johns,
the second and his son — Joseph Johns, the third — was the brutal
robbery committed at their home on Saturday night, May 15,
1852. ,
About 9 o'clock that evening six men from the town where
Joseph Johns, the founder, had dedicated to the public the
squares, playgrounds, school lots and other popular places of
resort and use, went to the farmhouse built by him and asked
for something to eat, which was handed to them from a sliding
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA. COUNTY. 89
window. Presently tliey threw their weight against the door
and broke in, when a struggle took place, and the father and son
were brutally beaten, the nose of the son being broken, which
mark he carries to this day.
Both of them were overpowered, hound hand and foot, and
laid on the kitchen floor, after which the robbers went through
the house and procured about $300 in money. The son succeed-
ed in freeing himself, and started to Davidsville for assistance.
Going to the hotel kept by Cyrus Shaffer, he made known what
had just occurred at home. He, with his broken nose and bloody
appearence, and a number of gentlemen, among them being
Josiah and Samuel Waters, Daniel and John Border, John
Seigh, Nelson and Leonard Fearl and John Inscho, at once
started for the Johns homestead, but the burglars had departed
and the elder Mr. Johns was lying on the bench, bleeding pro-
Fac-similes Joseph Johns III. First one in German.
fusely from the wounds inflicted in the struggle. A large bowie
knife and some clubs had been left at the house.
The rolibers were at this time unknown, but the next morn-
ing the neighbors were on the alert and roads and fields were
closely examined for marks in the mud on the road and in the
freshly-plowed fields. A short distance below the farmhouse
of Isaac Kaufman Josiah Waters found a footprint alongside
the plank road, and, it being a peculiar one he examined it close-
ly and said it was "Yell Zook's crooked foot." His associates
came to the same conclusion, and they liastened to Johnstown
and arrested Zook, who was taken to the Mansion House, on the
corner of Main and Franklin streets, where the Dibert building
now stands. Zook at once made a confession and said his com-
panions in the crime were John Shaffer, known at that time as
"Bully Shaffer," a boatman with a great reputation as a rough-
and-tumble fighter; Daniel Ewing, and three others, named
James W. Miller, Jacob Patton, and Andrew J. Young.
90 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Ewing was arrested at Coshun's coal bank, now in Cone-
mangli township, Cambria county, by sending in a bloodhound
and scaring him out. Shatfer was apprehended at Columbia,
Pennsylvania, and the others, excepting Young, were soon in
Somerset jail. Before the trial Ewing broke jail and was never
heard of afterward.
The trial took place in Somerset in August of that year
before Judge Kimmell, when John R. Edie, Esq., subsequently
a member of congress and a colonel in the regular army, was
district attorney, Zook was not indicted, but betrayed his con-
federates and went on the witness stand for the commonwealth,
although it was he who planned the robbery and procured their
help to carry it out. Shaffer, Miller and Patton were sentenced
to seven years' imprisonment, but Shaffer was pardoned after
a period of three years, and for many years afterward kept
hotel at Duncansville^ Blair county.
A portion of the $300 — about one-third — was the savings
of Joseph Johns, the third, in five and ten-dollar gold pieces.
It seems Shaffer did the dividing of the spoils in a house over
the basin waste weir, between the corner of Clinton and Wash-
ington streets and the Gautier Works, in Johnstown and, shak-
ing some of the gold pieces, said, "these pennies are not much
account," and put them in his pocket, thus defrauding his
criminal associates, as he had Mr. Johns.
Neither the grandfather, nor the son, ever sat for a portrait,
daguerreotype, photograph, or any other kind of a picture of
themselves. At the period when the elder Mr. Johns lived there
was no opportunity for such things, except to have an oil port-
rait, and such artists were scarce in the vicinity in which he re-
sided; but it is most probable he would not have had a likeness
if he could, on a question of principle, as his son — Joseph, the
second — declined to do so because it tended to vanity, which
these good people abhorred. The grandson absolutely declined
to sit for a photograph, but he qualified his refusal by saying:
"Some of the children have theirs, but I do not need it." How-
ever in 1904 he reconsidered his former opinion.
CHAPTEE V I.
INDIAN TRAILS OLD ROADS.
It is admitted that the best map of Western Pennsylvania
during the colonial days is that of "W. Scnll," dedicated to
Thomas and Richard Penn, without date, but generally said to
have been made in 1770.
It shows the Venango trail as beginning at Frankstown,
thence to the top of the Allegheny mountains, most likely through
the Burgeon Gap; crossing the Clearfield and Chest creeks,
it passes through ''Hart's Sleeping Place," near CarroUtown,
thence in a direct line to "Canoe Place," or Cherry Tree, from
where the trail runs to the junction of the Allegheny river and
French creek. Scull's map also describes the Bedford-Pitts-
burg trail thus : Starting at Bedford and passing through the
"Shawnese Cabbins," at the foot of the eastern slope of the
mountains, thence to the summit. A short distance from the
top of the mountains is "Edmonds' Swamp," then crossing the
Stonycreek and the Quemahoning creeks and a direct line to Fort
Ligonier, thence to Fort Pitt. The "Long Glade" and the
"Great Glades" are a few miles south of the swamps.
There is another map without date pulilished by the state, al-
so dedicated to the Penns, which locates the Indian village at the
junction of the Conemaugh and Stonycreek rivers, now Johns-
town, and marks it thus: "Conemack, Old Town and Sauvages."
Also, at a point opposite the mouth of the Loyalhanna river,
which is now Saltsburg, is marked "Black Town Sauvages,"
and further down the Kiskiminetas river another Indian village
is shown. On the Ohio river the villages are indicated thus :
"Sewicklys, Old Town, Sauvages," and "Chartiers' Old Town,
Sauvages."
These records are important in view of the fact that when
Joseph Johns laid out what is now the city of Johnstown, he
named it "Conemaugh Old Town," or at least the person who
prepared the document made it that way. It seems clear that
the words "Old Town" were not a part of the name of the place,
but were given by the early surveyors to explain that the village
92 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
was an old Indian town, and in no sense to be a part of the
name.
The Pennsylvania Historical Society of Philadelphia has
pnblished a map of the early days of the province, which discloses
the Kittanning trail as beginning- at Frankstown, below Holli-
daysburg, thence throngh Bnrgoon's Gap, at what is now known
as Kittanning Point, to the top of the monntains. There it
diverges, one going northwest direct to Cherry Tree and Kit-
tanning, and the other one taking a southwesterly course follows
the Little Conemangh river to Johnstown.
These maps show other places mentioned in the several
schedules of distances given by Weiser, Harris and others.
For instance, Dunning's creek begins on the eastern slope and
empties into the Eaystown branch of the Juniata, east of Bed-
ford. The ''4 mile Eun," the "9 mile Eun," and the ''12 mile
Eun" are streams which empty into the Loyalhanna river west
of Fort Ligonier, crossed by the Pittsburg-Bedford trail.
The Kittanning trail was the route over which Colonel
John Armstrong conducted his expedition to destroy the French
and Indian out post at Kittanning.
In his elaborate report Colonel Armstrong states: "On
Wednesday the 3d instant, (September, 1756), we joined our
advance party at Beaver Dams, a few miles from Frankstown,
on the north branch of the Juniata. We were there informed
that some of our men having been out on a scout had discovered
the tracks of two Indians, on this side (east) of the Allegheny
mountains, arid but a few miles from camp. * * The next
morning we decamjoed, and in two days came within fifty miles
of Kittanning. It was then adjudged necessary to send some
persons to reconnoiter the town and to get the best intelligence
they could concerning the situation and the position of the
enemy. Whereupon an officer with one of the pilots and two
soldiers were sent off for that purpose. The day following we
met them on their return, and they informed us that the roads
were entirely clear of the enemy, and they had the greatest reas-
on to believe they were not discovered. * * "
It will appear that on September 4th the expedition halted
in the vicinity of Canoe Place, or Cherry Tree, to await the in-
formation desired. Eeceiving that, Colonel Armstrong continued
his way and attacked the force at Kittanning, which he complete-
ly routed, and destroyed the town. The French and Indians re-
tiring to Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburg, removed the enemy
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 93
from that portion of the colony. The loss to Armstrong's
command was forty-nine; 17 killed; 13 womided and 19 missing,
and a nnmber of prisoners held there by the Indians were re-
captnred.
The result was so important that the city of Philadelphia
tendered him and his men a vote of thanks, and appropriated
150 ponnds for a medal for the Colonel and to give relief to the
widows and children of the soldiers lost.
There were three Indian paths leading from the Allegheny
river to Philadelphia, which passed through what was and is
now Cambria county. The Quemahoning trail from Bedford to
Ligonier crossing the Quemahoning creek at Kickenapaling's
Indian village, now in Somerset county; the Conemaugh, follow-
ing the river to Johnstown thence to Bedford, and the Kit-
tanning trail from Kittanning to Frankstown. However, the
first highway for teams and wagons was the military' road con-
structed by Colonel Boquet in 1758, to take his army to Fort
Duquesne, which passed near to Stoystown.
The Bedford and Johnstown road is the oldest one in the
county, and ends at the comer of Main and Bedfords streets,
Johnstown. It was opened for travel so early that there are no
records of it. It was the most direct route between these points,
and may have been travelled as early as 1731, when it was
simply a trail to the nearest block house at Bedford. It was
used by Solomon and Samuel Adams and their sister Rachel
between 1760 and 1770. At that time it came down Solomon's
Run to Adam's mill, subsequently John Horner's mill, on the
northerly side of the Von Lunen road, in the vSeventh ward. The
old road passed Salix three miles to the south of that town. It
has been changed in many places, but it is substantially the same
road between these points that the pioneers and the Indians
used as a path. It was upon this road that Samuel Adams was
killed by the Indians in 1771, as noted elsewhere.
The Kittanning Trail, or Burgoon's Gap Road, was one of
the northerly pathways between Bedford and Kittanning, or
Lake Erie, at a very early date, at least in 1754. It led from
Frankstown to what is now known as Kittanning Point on the
Pennsylvania railroad, where there are two gaps. The Kit-
tanning trail was in the northeasterly gap and passed through
Clearfield township, Hart's Sleeping Place, near Carrolltown,
thence through Susquehanna township to Kittanning. This road
was not in use in 1816, excepting through the Burgoon Gap, the
94 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
southwesterly gap at Kittanning Point, tlienee passing Cad-
walladers, and Elder's Mill, in Gallitzin township to Loretto.
The Burgoon, or the Dry Gap road to Captain Michael McGuire
was used prior to 1789, when the Galbreath road was opened,
through Blair's Gap to Frankstown.
On April 6, 1787, the executive council for the province of
Pennsylvania appointed Charles Campbell, of "Westmoreland
county, James Harris, of Cumberland county, surveyor, and
Solomon Adams of Bedford county, Commissioners to lay out
a highway between the navigable waters of the Frankstown
branch of the Juniata and the river Conemaugh, agreeable to
the act of assembly of March 29, 1787. Charles Campbell was
the grandfather of Joseph H. Campbell, formerly a resident 'of
Ebensburg. He is also the same person who took out the war-
rant for the land on which Johnstown is now located. Solomon
Adams is the same Mr. Adams who occupied the tract of land
known as ''Adams Mill Site," in the Seventh ward of the city,
and extending along Solomon's run, later acquired by John
Horner.
On September 25, 1788, the bid of Kobert Galbreath, of Bed-
ford, was accepted. He otfered to make a good public road to
lead "from Frankstown to the mouth of Loyalhanning creek,"
fifteen feet in width, except at places where digging or bridges
were necessary, which were to be twelve feet, for three hun-
dred and ninety-three pounds in specie, or about $1,906. Hugh
Davidson and Andrew Henderson were his sureties for the faith-
ful performance of the work. On January -l, 1790, Mr, Gal-
breath made this report to the council:
"Agreeably to a contract made with your honorable Board
in September 1780, I have proceeded to open the road from
Frankstown, in Huntingdon county to the mouth of the Black-
lick, in Westmoreland county, &: having compleated the same as
will appear by the enclosed certificates, take the liberty of re-
questing a performance of the contract.
"I also beg leave to inform the Honorable Board, that at
the time I undertook this Business it was with a full conviction
that the distance was no more than fortv three miles ao-reeablv
to the Draughts made by the Commissioners appointed to lay
out the road. Whereas the real distance measured after Com-
pleating the Business (the chain carrier being previously sworn)
is fifty four miles, & the Comm'rs in surveying the road after
running several different courses laid down the draught in a
straight line from the first to the last which will appear by a
copy of the field notes obtained from Mr. Harris. 1 was con-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 95
seqiientlv obliged at a considerable expense to do what they have
already been paid for in addition to the exyjense of clearing the
Road eleven miles fnrther than I had any Idea of when I made
the contract. Confident of the Jnstice of your Honorable Board
I appeal to it on this occasion. Shonld any further Information
on the subject be deemed necessary I would be happy in laying
it before you or any Committee for the purpose."
Thence follow the field notes, which appear in the first
series of Archives, in volume 11, at page 656. The road was laid
out in August, 1790, beginning at a buttonwood on the branch
of the Juniata near Dan Titus, thence up near Blair's run;
thence to a beech on the top of the Allegheny mountains ; thence
to a branch of the Clearfield creek; thence to a beech at Robin-
son's Improvements; thence to a beech over the north branch
of the Conemaugh river above the Great Elk Lick; thence to a
small branch of the Conemaugh river running southward 620
to a chestnut ; thence across several small branches of the river
to the top of the Laurel Hill, thence to the mouth of the Black-
lick creek below Blairsville. There are recorded four certi-
ficates from persons who had examined the road and approved,
it, namely: Captain Michael McGuire, James Karr, Daniel Titus,
and Joseph McCartney, who said ''One wagon I have seen that
had come from Frankstown to the West side of Laurel Hill and
heard no complaints." The certificate of Captain Michael Mc-
Guire, dated November 30, 1789, is thus: "I do certify that I
have travelled the new road opened by Robert Galbreath, Esq.,
from Frankstown to Conemaugh and found it sufficiently
opened, and found the Digging and Bridging Compleatly finished
where it was necessary, and Likewise Drove My Waggon with up-
wards of Twenty Hundred over the Alleghany Mountains with
Ease ; Nor Did I find any difficulty in any Parts of the Road so
far as I had occasion to travel it."
The Galbreath, or the Frankstown road, ran along the
ridge almost to Munster, thence it took a southward course and
passed Ebensburg about four miles to the south ; thence to and
across the Laurel Hill. The popular Frankstown avenue in the
city of Pittsburg is the westerly terminus of this road ; however,
the part in Cambria county has long been abandoned. The ob-
jection that it was too far south seemed to be sustained, as a
report stated: "But from information of other as well as my
own observation I am convinced that by continuing upon the
dividing ridge which separates the waters of Connemach from
96 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
those of the Clearfield and Chest, a good road may be had
several miles shorter, and much easier made. * * Indeed these
mountains (except some of the east side of the Allegheny) are
no obstruction to the road; they are capable of a close settlement
the whole way across, but the lands being already appropriated
by such as do not choose to live on them. There is more than
thirty miles without a house." This report is neither dated or
signed. The exception seems to have been dismissed and a
settlement made with Mr. Gralbreath.
There is confusion in the name of the Frankstown road,
as there were two highways of that name. The second one was
authorized by the province, April 10, 1792, (3 Smith, 85), to
lead from ''Frankstown to Conemaugh, (Johnstown) at the
mouth of the Stoney creek, and from thence to the northwest
side of the Chestnut ridge, at or near Thomas Trimbles." This
road was, completed that year as it appears on the Howell map
of 1792. It has been of great service and is as yet the direct
route from Johnstown to Hollidaysburg. It was a prominent
highway while the canal system was in operation. The road
is thirty-three miles in length between these jDoints, and passes
through the northerly joart of the Cedar swamp and below the
old reservoir to Johnstown.
The route, at least that part of it west of Johnstown, was
probably changed by the act of assembly dated April 11, 1799,
(3 Smith, 385), for the convenience of the people between
"Frankstown and Ligonier Valley." The Hudson and Morrison
ma]) of 1816 shows two roads from Johnstown leading to the
west, one on each side of the Conemaugh river, which were prob-
ably the continuation of the Frankstown road to Johnstown.
Neither of them have been in use for very many years, but
evidence still appears that they were one time. Mr. James L.
Shields, now residing in Blairsville, travelled the road on the
south side of the river before the canal was constructed, and
before there was a bridge erected over either the Conemaugh or
the Stony creek rivers below their junction at Johnstown. He
was then about sixteen years of age, and crossed the Conemaugh
river at the Point in a little rowboat which was conducted as a
sort of a ferry. The westerly landing was about where the west
abutment of the Pennsylvania railroad stone bridge is now lo-
cated.
A petition was presented to the court of quarter sessions
for Somerset county at the September term, 1798, for the ap-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 97
pointment of viewers to lay out a road rimiiiiig west from the
Hmitington county line, near Beula. On December 17, 1798,
(Road docket A, page 137), the report of John J. Evans, Simon
James, Peter Galbreath, William Seamy, Ebenezer Hickling
and Thomas W. James appears. They laid out a road "from
the Huntingdon County line at the Dividing Ridge between that
county and Somerset County where the new cut road from
Frankstown to the town of Beula to the Westmoreland County
line on the north end of Laurel Hill," passing through the
** center of the town of Beula",
At the December term, 1800, a petition was presented de-
scribing the situation very clearly as follows: "That a road
hath lately been laid out from the Town of Somerset to the Town
of Beula passing by or near a place known by the name of
Samuel Steel's saw mill. Also, that one other road from Somer-
set to Beula aforesaid hath been laid out as 'tis presumed
pursuant to order or orders hitherto issued by the said court,
which l)oth roads we understand will at the present Sessions
be presented for confirmation. In the laying out the two roads
aforesaid the said petitioners agree there is great propriety as
they swerve from each other so as that the one materially ac-
commodates the neighborhood of Stoystown and the other in a
less degree as tis at present surveyed accommodates Benn's
Creek settlement, yet, under the impression that the road in-
tended to accomodate Benn's Creek and its neighborhood more
fully the petitioners pray the said Court to nominate and ap-
point a sufficient number of suitable persons to review that part
of the said road (meaning the AVestermost route to Beula) which
lies between John Reed's saw mill and Somerset". The court
appointed Daniel Miller, Andrew Neel, John Borntrager, Jacob
Berkey, John McQuiller and John Rhoads to review and ex-
amine the ground, and make such alterations as were necessary.
The road was substantially laid out on what is now the Somer-
set and Johnstown road.
At the February term, 1801, of the court of common pleas
for Somerset county, another petition was presented to change
the route of another part of the Beula road as follows. "The
petition of divers inhabitants in Somerset County humbly
showeth that your petitioners on the west side of the Allegheny
Mountains in said township of Cambria in said County humbly
pray for a review of the road that leads from Frankstown to
Beula from Thomas B. Durbin's house to a mile on the East
Vol. I — 7 •
98 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
side of the lattle Conemaugli on said road." Finding it to be
three miles shorter than the other route, they consider it bet-
ter. These petitioners were Thomas Braniff, Patrick Braniff,
Michael Braniff, Arthur McGongh, Andrew Mikesil, A. Weis-
ener, Tom Welch, William Dodson, Martin Mikesil, Sr., William
Dickson, Martin Mikesil, Jr., Michael Diamond, Samuel Long-
streth, Daniel Diamond, Sr., Daniel Diamond, Jr., Samuel White
and Isaac Crum.
An examination of the Hudson and Morrison map of 1816
does not show that the Beula road was ever opened between
Johnstown and Beula, and the only evidence of it is the fording
just above the Franklin street bridge, which is called the "Beula
fording" to this day.
The Act of Assembly dated April 8, 1833 (P. L. 365), ap-
pointed Charles Ogle, John Witt, John McMullen, John Bell,
Jesse Griffith, Samuel Kimmeil, Peter Levy, Garret Keam and
Peter Levergood to organize the Somerset and Conemaugh
Turnpike Company to make a turnpike road from the borough
of Somerset to the canal basin at Johnstown. This took the
place of the old Beula road. The new pike came through Mor-
ris street to the south end of the Franklin street bridge. The
old Kernville covered bridge was erected at that point in 1836,
and it was the first bridge across the Stonycreek river below
Fox's fording bridge. The old Beula road followed the Stony-
creek bank from Poplar street bridge to the Beula ford. The
borough of Johnstown purchased the rights of the turnpike com-
pany to Morris street, now Franklin, in the Fifth and Sixth
wards in 1883.
The Huntingdon, Cambria and Indiana turnpike was au-
thorized March 10, 1810, but letters patent incorporating the
company were not issued until February 15, 1815. This road
is now known as the stone pike leading from Holliclaj'sburg
through Ebensburg to Blairsville, thence to Pittsburg.
In addition to this northern pike there were three other
turnpikes crossing the mountains south of Johnstown. The
first was the National Pike from Cumberland to Wheeling, au-
thorized April 9, 1807, but not completed until 1821; the Bed-
ford and Somerset pike by the act of March 9, 1814; the Bed-
ford and Stoyestown pike, on March 8, 1815, and the Stoyestown
and Greensburg pike the same day. On March 27, 1819, another
road was authorized to be made between Ebensburg and In-
diana. The old covered bridge at Blairsville, built in 1820,
IIISTOB.Y OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
99
was at that time the finest one in the western part of the coun-
try. It was destroyed by the Johnstown flood of May 31, 1889.
The Northern pike was finished in 1821, and the Bedford and
Stoystown pike in 1818. The first year the Northern pike was
in operation the amount received from tolls was $5,838,25, and
the expenses $4,267.60. There were six toll gates ten miles
apart ; two, seven and a half miles and one only five miles dis-
tant from another. The construction of the Northern turnpike
reduced the charge for hauling pig metal from Huntingdon and
Center counties to Pittsburg to twenty dollars and thirty dol-
lars per ton, which before had been between fifty dollars and
eighty dollars.
The following are the details of the construction of the three
princii)al pikes nearest to Johnstown, dated March 23, 1822:
o
a
o
o ,_^
O
Bedford and Stoystown. 281/2 All $40,400 $104,000 $6,211.22
Somerset and Bedford... 33 15 40,000 12,500 3,000.22
Huntingdon, Cambria
and Somerset 80 80 55,950 171,850 3,435.22
12
to
15
15
IS
to
13
Limestone
Gravel
Stone
Stone
National Pike 80 80 8,000
The road from El^ensburg to Summerhill was the first road
ordered to be opened by the court after its organization in the
new county. It was presented to Judge Young, who had as his
associate judges Abraham Hildebrand and George Roberts, on
December 3, 1807 ; the return was made and ordered to be opened
March 8, 1808. It led from Ebensburg to Croyle's mill, on the
Little Conemaugh river, now known as Summerhill. Thomas
Croyle established a mill there about 1801. A bridge was erect-
ed across the river at a very early date, but it was washed away
in the spring flood of 1824, and was immediately rebuilt. An-
other road was opened from the mill to connect with the Franks-
town road on the top of the hills on the south side of the river.
The Phillipsburg road is the oldest county road extending
north of Ebensburg. The proceedings were begun June 20th,
1808, but the viewers did not make their return until Decem-
ber 3, 1811. The petitioners represented that they ''suffer great
injury for the want of a road from the town of Ebensburg to
join that one beina: made bv the order of the Court of Centre
456^45
100 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
county from Phillipsbiirg to the line of the connty of Clear-
field, near the Great Forks of Clearfield creek. That the ground
is such as to admit of a good wagon road being made at a mod-
erate expense." The viewers were Samuel McMullen, Zephania
Weakland, William O'Keefe, Luke McGuire, David Todd and
John Glass. They recommended it to be kept up by the super-
visors of Allegheny township, and to be thirty feet in width. It
passed through Loretto and the improvements of Delozier,
Meloy's, Samuel McMullen, A. Anderson and Nugent.
On September 9, 1819, the Court appointed Peter Lever-
good, Isaac Proctor, Samuel Hildebrand, Shepley Priestly,
Leavy Koberts and Christian Good viewers to lay out a public
road between Johnstown and Ebensburg. The Northern pike
was then in the course of construction. On October 9 they re-
Dorted that thev had laid out such a road to lead from "Johns-
town to the Turnpike road at Bellewes Cabbins," to be thirty-
five feet in width. This is substantially the road which now
connects with the old stone pike at Munday's. It has been the
principal road for driving between these points, and is the best
road at this date. The distance is eighteen miles, and many
interesting tales are told of fast driving in the early days of
sleighing, or in less than two hours when it was favorable.
On one occasion within recent years, a Johnstown mer-
chant desiring to get a writ of execution ahead of one which
had been sent by mail on the morning train, employed J. C.
Pender to drive him in a two horse l)uggy under contract to
reach Lbensburg before the railroad train, which he did in one
hour and ten minutes, and secured the first fieri facias and got
his money, too.
After the completion of the Old Portage railroad the fav-
ored route from Johnstown was by railroad to Jefferson, now
Wilmore. then driving to Ebensburg. However, since the com-
pletion of the Ebensburg branch in 1861, the best manner of
traveling is by the Pennsylvania railroad via Cresson.
Prior to 1821, the only road between Ebensburg and Johns-
town was via Croyle's road and bridge, now Summerhill, thence
to the Frankstown road into the town.
On October 25, 1818, a road was laid out from the Som-
erset county line at Garrett Reams' to the south end of Frank-
lin street — at that time at the Kernville bridge, ^^^lat is now
known as Franklin street through the Fifth and Sixth wards
was named and known as Morris street. In 1821, Januarv 2.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 101
another road to lead from the Somerset county line, at or
near Henry Miltenberger's to Johnstown was opened.
On June 3, 1817, the court appointed Adam Cover, Will-
iam Spencer and A. Murphy viewers to meet viewers on the
part of Somerset county to locate a bridge across the Stony-
creek at or near Fox's Fording, which was near the Red bridge,
or what is now known as Kring's. This was the first bridge
across the Stonycreek river. In traveling between Somerset
and Beula or Ebensburg, the Stonycreek river was crossed at
the Beula fording at the Franklin street bridge when fordable,
but when the water was high it was necessary to cross at Fox's
fording.
On the same day another board of viewers were appointed
to locate a bridge across the Little Conemaugh at or near Johns-
town. It is probably located a little north of the Walnut street
bridge, but it was the first erected in the town. There were but
two. other bridges in the county — one at Croyle's and the other
at Fox's fording prior to 1816. The order to locate a county
bridge at Fox's fording, dated June 3, 1817, authorized the
second bridge at that place. It was so selected on account of
it being the most economical place for a bridge.
CHAPTER VII.
A POLITICAL, EEVIEW THE POLITICS OF THE COUNTY, STATE AXD
NATION FROM 1808.
On National affairs, Cambria was substantially a Demo-
cratic county until 1893, when it became Republican.
The system of our government is a subject of much inter-
est to all classes; therefore, it is necessary to a proper under-
standing of county politics, to acquire correct knowledge of the
national parties and their leaders. The political organizations
in the townships are a part of the great system which controls
the federal government.
When the federal government was formed in 1789 there
was but one party of any strength- — the Federal party — of which
Washington, Hamilton, Jay, Adams, Marshall, Roger Sher-
man, Richard Heniy Lee, Pinckney, and Fisher Ames were the
leaders. They continued in control until 1800, when a disagree-
ment with John Adams caused the election of Thomas Jeffer-
son. The differences had been smoldering for a long time, and
being so far apart it was certain to cause the division. The
Federalists advocated a central government, a protective tar-
iff, a national currency, and many other policies which now
prevail in the Republican party, or, in other words, it is bet-
ter to have one nation than to have forty-six single states, each
antagonistic to the other.
When Jefferson succeeded to the Presidency in 1801, he or-
ganized among the farmers and planters what was known as
the Republican-Democratic party as against the industrial es-
tablishments, or the workmen of the shops and mills.
For a time, the Federalist was a northern party, and the
Republican-Democratic, a southern one. So far as national
politics were concerned, the former died about 1817, and locally
throughout the north about 1823.
The party of Thomas Jefferson continued in control of
the general government, with three exceptions — John Quincy
Adams, Harrison-Tyler, and Taylor-Fillmore administrations —
until the election of Mr. Lincoln; since that event, with one ex-
ception, 1893 to 1897 — the presidency and congress have been
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 103
under Republican rule. It is true, Cleveland was president
from 1885 to 1889, but the senate was Republican, and at times
the Democrats had control of the lower house of congress, but
the latter never had full control except under Cleveland's sec-
ond term.
Jelferson was opposed to a war with England, and thereby
he was humiliated by both England and France, especially by
the former in the impressment of American seamen. Jeffer-
son induced congress to pass the embargo act, which did more
harm to America than to England. Notwithstanding these con-
ditions, Madison, a follower of Jefferson, was elected president
in 1808.
The first presidential election in Cambria county was lield
on Monday, November 7, 1808, and the election in 1812 was
on Friday, October 30; as late as 1836, it was held on Friday,
November 4, and in 1840 it was held on Friday, October 30, "be-
ing the fifth Friday preceding the first Wednesday of Decem-
beT."
A reference to the table of votes cast for this office shows
that there were but 62 votes for Madison, and 7 for Pinckney,
in the five polling places in the county; one at the house of
Cornelius McGuire, in Allegheny township; one at the resi-
dence of John Braniff; one in the court house at Ebensburg
for Cambria township ; one at the dwelling of Mary Beatty, in
Johnstown; and one at the house of John Grossnickle, near
Geistown, for Conemaugh township.
104
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND VOTE IN CAMBEIA.
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Townships 1808 1812 1816 1820 1824 1828 1832
Allegheny 19 3 21 21 23 .. 10 10 .. 1 47 21 63 16
Cambria 27 2 40 3 46 .. 22 37 1 2 53 27 83 27
Clearfield 7 . . . . 12 2 25 3
Conemaugh 16 2 13 18 1 23 8 23 4 .. 80 23 113 36
Jackson 9 7 41 2
Summerhill 15 8 5 . . 7 ID . . . . 95 13 119 10
Susquehanna 18 1 25 2
Totals 62 7 89 50 75 23 47 87 5 3 314 94 469 96
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Districts 1836 1840 1844 1848 1852 1856
Allegheny 57 40 76 106 126 86 129 99 163 117 344 29
Blacklick 29 41 40 51
Cambria 56 105 158 77 100 212 124 243 75 171 62 176
Carroll 26 45 54 42 59 68 121 89 287 31
Chest 84 5
Clearfield 20 17 8 49 67 16 85 25 111 35 166 25
Conemaugh 94' 198 258 194 150 198 229 282 173 206 337 372
Conemaugh Bor 110 35 202 40
Ebensburg Bor. , 59 91 80 82
Jackson 32 32 48 53 45 43 75 60 60 72 47 105
Johnstown Bor 91 85 123 109 170 127 205 296
Loretto Bor 21 15 40 2
Munster 133 14
Richland 44 24- 70 57 42 97 53 109 75 133 91 160
Summerhill 57 55 49 132 123 72 143 78 286 97 232 174
Summitville Bor 56
Susquehanna 25 34 25 14 23 44 33 44 80 58 76 53
Washington 65 49 56 181 271 59 301 68 461 112 481 21
White 37 12 31 42 32 48 41 62 24 29
Totals 450 554 811 920 1123 996 1386 1233 2035 1461 2987 1665
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY
105
The voters in the borough of Conemangh, subsequently
clianged to Johnstown, voted in the township of Conemaugh
from 1831 to 1814. The poll being in the borough.
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1860
•
■1864'
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' 1872 ■
'1876'
'1880'
Adams. . . .
42
67
86
102
104
94
Allegheny.
55 1
28
215
30
214
129
27
26
266
27
245
Barr
, ,
32
52
53
117
44
109
Blacklick .
66
86
46
34
81
51
29
68
79
57
72
43
Cambria Bor. . . .
10
146
35
223
170
21
16
269
15
170
Cambria Bor 2.
> . < *
25
151
Cambria . .
180
31
153
35
165
48
160
55
178
53
178
45
Carroll . . .
58 1
46
20
317
46
286
179
5
21
243
34
209
Carrolltown
Bor
5
14
2
55
4
73
56
16
5
93
8
96
Chest Spgs
. Bor
40
14
• * •
24
22
35
32
20
25
8
53
6
33
Chest
25
54
. . .
9
117
35
138
101
17
15
181
13
88
Clearfielfl .
'
24 1
25
21
196
36
272
173
90
31
266
45
221
Conemaugh
• < • <
98
36
86
54
98
65
34
90
38
28
45
34
Conemaugh
Bor.
81
66
14
28
104
56
148
133
39
35
186
70
230
Conemaugh
Bor
2
27
68
56
106
91
47
39
130
66
202
Coopersdale
Bor
. . . .
• . ■
4
36
39
12
65
11
Croyle
72
67
31
84
60
99
76
82
90
116
123
114
Dean ....
11
22
East Conemaugh
Borough
...
, ,
31
47
29
24
50
48
94
55
Ebensburg
Bor.
115
82
69
12
92
21
21
88
75
28
62
22
Ebensburg
Bor.,
West Wa
rd .
...
74
76
61
74
75
62
64
89
57
91
Elder-
...
8
93
Franklin B
3r. . .
...
63
27
12
72
78
41
99
29
Gallitzin Bor. . . .
•.
28
90
41
116
Gallitzin .
45
57
17
90
53
121
81
60
27
71
28
46
Jackson . .
107
34
68
54
102
55
26
84
120
76
51
143
Johnstown,
1st .
181
37
20
1
124
57
201
55
52
226
223
84
317
88
Johnstown,
2d .
60
67
14
6
103
39
122
50
30
140
139
46
174
53
Johnstown,
3d .
58
23
14
3
49
80
71
79
84
68
72
95
99
107
Johnstown,
4th .
108
15
40
5
70
45
105
61
42
106
98
79
167
120
Johnstown,
5th .
149
64
149
61
44
130
135
77
186
94
Johnstown,
6th .
55
22
25
110
115
59
169
91
Loretto . . .
9
122
33
19
7
1
31
10
86
33
102
11
206
48
117
47
98
8
161
,. 8
87
51
22
11
181
48
Millville . . .
68
Millville, 2d . . .
71
126
SO
103
Munster . .
19
85
8
102
22
119
74
13
14
110
14
62
109
Portage . . .
75
Prospect Bor. . .
3
27
21
49
43
17
12
53
28
59
Reade ....
162
52
Richland .
160
36
5
127
1 OO
170
141
24
92
108
74
104
91
Stonycreek
. . .
68
32
94
56
Summerhill
64
36
1
43
71
45
106
43
63
58
79
48
65
*Summitvil]
e . .
2
34
4
30
6
2
9
32
7
7
24
3
25
* Abandoned June 5, 1882.
106
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Susquehanna . . 84 56 65 87 106 109 65 76 74 97 71 85
Taylor 138 38 1 ... 116 52 142 64 26 90 127 65 152 60
Tunnel Hill Bor 1 41
Washington 72 319 1 ... 27 176 63 217 151 50 45 271 33 228
White 88 15 1 . . . 74 44 156 60 14 112 112 53 33 41
Wilmore Bor... 48 28 41 24 51 27 36 17 22 20 29 38
Woodvale Bor 38 11 54 30 75 35
Yoder 93 72 3 49 61 43 104 44 77 14 75 34 109 47
>Yoder, Lower 48 17 64 55 99 56
Totals 2277 1643 124 110 2244 3036 2935 3558 2841 2547 2989 4257 3962 4555
a
o s
9 S
Districts in 1904.
1 City.
24 Boroughs.
28 Townships.
102 Election Districts.
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1884 1888 1892 1896 1900
Adams 123 93 110 103 135 116 160 92 177 90
Adams, Dunlo 106 42 175 58
Adams, Gramlingtown
Allegheny 35 226 36 193 38 177 31 184 53 197
Ashville Borough 13 34 16 48 26 24 26 27
Barnesborq (Bor.) 139 43 195 55
Barnesboro', South
Barr 63 107 79 113 74 117 81 104 101 117
Barr, South
Blacklick 81 34 81 42 65 45 107 50 191 77
Blacklick, No. 2
Cambria Bor., 1st W. 9 157 3 182 ,
21 248 ... •
1904
175 65
168
49
75
12
61 179
32 43
144
167
106
100
152
68
35
53
16
82
34
20
42 189
204 38
50 197 42 215 43 209 49
226 52 235 66 215 106 249
14 119
16 75
20 37
22 211
14 126
13
13
16
63
35
174
16 121
12 76
22
11
28
189
40 130
27 75
22 24
36 184
33 78 35 85 37
Cambria Bor., 2d W. 17 189
Cambria 173
Carroll 41
Cari'oll, Northeast
Carroll, East
Carroll, West
Carrolltown Bor 13 94
Chest 20 84
Chest Springs Bor... 14 30
Clearfield 28 208
Conemaugh Bor, 1st. . 78 239 86 278
Conemaugh Bor, 2d.. 80 205 105 240
Conemaugh 54
Conemaugh, Upper
Coopersdale Bor 76
Cresson
Croyle 158 158 118 162
Croyle, No. 2
Croyle, No. 3
Daisytown Borough 32
Dale Borough ] 22 102 175
Dean H 27 24 43 22 41 41
East Conemaugh Bor. 86 57 149 64 185 90 248
E. Conemaugh B., 2d
East Taylor 90 29 96 33 71 26 57 2 53 6
East Taylor, No. 2 52 12 49 15
Ebensburg, East Wd. 64 19 68 22 77 24 92 19 106 22
227
115
66
29
138
41
31
49
86
94
51 149
31 57
23 17
61 137
84 13 103
75
32
20 121
34
7
66
30
39
9
137
30
60
1
86 151 108 210
76 105 121 175 125 71
32 82
37 42
84 185
27 56
85 326
41
94
27
93
203
123
72
54
20
226
75
237
209
59
48
122
260
46
83
24
32
106
23
57
38
6
26
20
3
a.
o
o
B
4
1
7
8
1
3
1
4
5
2
2
3
1
9
1
2
2
17
1
11
8
6
1
5
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
107
78
96
66 82
22 123
91
26
82
117
36 98
174 112
39
23
54
58
43
263
68
22
67 84
117 232
59 62
53 132 72
117 129
92 57
Ebensburg, West Wd. 58
Elder 15
Ferndale Borough
Franklin Borough ... 71
Gallitzin Borough ... 54
Gallitzln 41
Grubbtown Borough . 42
Hastings Borough
Jackson 135
Jackson, Vintondale
Jackson, Nanty Glo
Johnstown, 1st Wd.. 266 122 317 151 295 115
Johnstown, 2d 150 66
Johnstown, 3d 71 114
Johnstown, 4th 102 59 138
Johnstown, 5th 151 101 199 100 234
Johnstown, 6th 184 103 261 122 304 172
Johnstown, 6th, No. 2
Johnstown, 7th 72
Johnstown, 7th, No. 2
Johnstown, 8th 91 43
Johnstown, 8th, Rox'y
110 80
61 121
35 4
100 44
135 230
74 67
124
44
40
117
200
93
101
163
7
49
195
58
167
79
53
126
249
120
94
157
1
61
214
55
148 125
142 62
42 13
132
177
63
117
54
9
178 86 109
98 139 41
74 111
46
72
84
134
365 123
180 42
76
128
298
362
69
68
124
147
407
187
103
159
306
401
123
47
64
68
151
183
94 127 167 163 207 261 179 292 223
98 47 136 41
70
48
55
4
97
46
51
8
140
112
114
38
55
41
49
80
4
212
159
133
96
39
39
33
37
17 88
68 195 113
87 67 112
248 131 308
Johnstown, 9th 89 289 124 263
Johnstown, lOfh 58 206 70 202
Johnstown, 11 th 52 70 77 80
Johnstown, 12th 55 140 94 139
Johnstown, 13th 136 82 183 70
Johnstown, 14th 56 118 76 110
Johnstown, 15th 4 102 17 111
Johnstown, 16th 20 269 55 279
Johnstown, 17th 212 145 251 135
Johnstown, 18th
Johnstown, 19th
Johnstown, 20th
Johnstown, 21st
Lilly Borough 22
Loretto Borough .... 11
Morrellville Bor., 1
Morrellville, 2d
Morrellville, 3d
Lower Yoder 159 101 299 185 40 115 101 140
Munster 13 105 17 88 15 89 19 70
Millville Bor., 1st Wd. 180
Millville, 2d 59
Patton Borough
Patton Bor., 2d Wd
Portage Borough
Portage 82 86 109 103
Portage South
Prospect Borough . . 35 65 33 76
Reade 192 46 231 91 187 49 123 32
Reade, North
Reade, South 115 46 115 46
Reade, West 72 46 117 26
Richland 129 79 133 77 152 82 180 65
Roxbury Borough 78 30
Rosedale Borough 59 3
Scalp Level Borough
South Fork Borough 184 50 220 64 129 48
South Fork Bor.,2dW 150 27
Spangler Borough 63 85
Stony Creek 90 76 162 104 121 63 199 43
Summerhill Borough 48 54 40 60
Summerhill 59 57 71 44 60 50 73 62
Summerhill, South
Susquehanna 112 93 121 99 153 109 89 32
Susquehanna, Soutla 71 88
Susquehanna, West
134
81
96
103
160
95
24
66
349
156
155
229
116
103
6
306
236
112
112
67
89
111
287
179
34
50
56
16
loo
44
164
144
69
91
419
217
88
159
336
254
225
249
157
131
140
151
108
133
123
169
103
36
117
462
175
193
229
143
138
10
109
51
10
5
133
71
79
88
125
85
71
144
86
36
26
283
198
123
99
55
77
185
323
157
49
38
38
15
126
49
120
21
168
67
54
21
135
64
57
53
44
67
90 40
139 130
100
94
100
197 214
... 165
45 112
61 85
85 156
132
111
61
64
53
139
63
194
47
159
112
67
70
193
213
92
197
65
64
29 139
11
89
42 183
15 47
58 1/2
21 ...
4
21
43
66
41 242
26 284
111 151
43 239
60
64
94
82
33
83
64
58
127
71
68
103
23
13
40
11
75
6
16
60
19
153
65
69
38
32
30
69
15
7
4
2
8
6
1
5
5
1
6
4
2
7
21
11
4
18
10
11
26
5
2
5
1
2
69
17
27
21
13
2
11
4
2
7
1
3
3
2
10
5
7
24
48
5
21
4
9
3
2
1
2
108 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Tunnclhill Borough.. 9 42 20 95 18 75 21 92 19 87 2-5 71 ...
Upper Yoder 92 18 131 49 192 57 119 23 101 16 124 14 5
Washington 36 207 26 127 32 145 40 142 48 129 67 Ho ...
Washington, No. 2 28 96 20 79 ■■ •••
Westmont Borough 28 9 67 4 79 6 152 19 6
West Taylor HI 49 113 50 112 43 130 28 128 46 78 8 4
West Taylor, No. 2.
89 28 6
White ' 32 36 54 62 47 42 66 48 87 41 79 25
Wilmore Borough ... 39 31 40 28 27 80 38 29 30 22 34 18
Woodvale Borough... 65 60 114 121
Totals . ...4253 5517 6020 8838 10476 13106 646
4817 5948 6259 6560 7168 7223
Plurality ' 564 431 239 2278 3308 5883
We give tlie table of votes for every presidential election,
as a study of it is of great valne to the historical student. It
clearly discloses the gradual progress of the county, and the
shifting of the ])0])ulation. For instance, in 1852 there were
383 votes cast in Summerhill township, while in 1860 there
were but 140; in Washington township there were 573 votes
in 1852, and 192 in 1860. It recalls the issues of the campaigns
and the men who led the parties, and substantially when each
district was formed; not precisely, however, as that is ac-
curately given in another chapter. In 1808 the twenty electoral
votes of Pennsylvania, out of 175 in the country were cast for
James Madison and George Clinton.
On June 12, 1812, war was declared against England, and
Madison was re-elected. After three years of warfare, a treaty
of peace was made which decided nothing of value, and left
both countries as they were when it began. The twenty-five
electoral votes of the state were given to James Madison and
Elbridge Gerry, out of 217 in the country.
The Federal i:iarty was very feeble in 1816, and in the fol-
lowing year, ceased to have a national organization, although
in local affairs it continued in spots until 1825, or thereabouts.
James Monroe received 188 electoral votes to 34 for Rufus
King, the Fedei-alist, and in 1820 he received all of them with
one exception. In the latter year there was but one electoral
ticket in Pennsylvania, having 24 votes. John Todd of Bed-
ford was the elector for this district. This period in our po-
litical history was known as the "era of good feeling." Under
James Monroe's administration five states were admitted to the
Union: Mississip])i in 1817; Illinois in 1818; Ala1)aina in 1819;
Maine in 1820. and Missouri in 1821.
Pennsylvania voted for James Monroe and Daniel D. Tomp-
kins in l)oth years. With three exceptions, Pennsylvania his
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 109
always voted for the successful candidates. In 1832, it voted
for William AVilkins for vice-president but Martin Van Buren
vr-dti elected: in 1884 and 1892 it voted for James G. Blaine and
Benjamin Harrison, and both M^ere defeated. The total elec-
toral vote in 1816 and 1820 was 217 and 235, respectively.
James ]\lonroe had adopted and carried into practice many
of the principles of the Federal party, especially those of in-
ternal im]Drovements. In 1821 he built the National turnpike
from Cumberland to AVheeling, which passes through Somer-
set county. These acts of Monroe revived the spirits of the
old Federalists, therefore there were four candidates for ]n'esi-
dent in 1824: John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Wm. H. Craw-
ford, and Andrew Jackson. "^
Jackson, the Republican-Democratic candidate, had a plur-
ality but not a majority of the electoral votes, and the election
was thrown into the lower house, where Adams received the
votes of thirteen states; Jackson of seven, and Crawford of
four. Henry Clay was made secretary of state, which caused
the unfounded charge of a "corru})t bargain," which was suf-
ficient to prevent him from ever being president. The twenty-
four electoral votes of Pennsylvania were cast for Andrew
Jackson.
The cry of the "corrupt bargain" and the Jacksonian pol-
icy of "to the victors belong the spoils" swept the country in
1828, and Andrew Jackson's admirable decision of charac-
ter in managing the South Carolina nullifiers increased his
vote in 1832.
Cambria was overwhelmingly for Jackson in 1832. Not-
withstanding the fact that Henry Clay was the exponent of
the protective polic}', Pennsylvania never gave him her elec-
toral vote; even in 1832, when he was a candidate, there was
not a Clay ticket in Cambria county or the state. The 96 op-
ponents of Jackson in Cambria voted for William Wirt and
Amos Fllmaker, the Anti-Masonic candidates. The Whig party
was organized in 1830. Pennsylvania had 28 electoral votes
out of 261 in the nation in 1832.
Martin Van Buren was a ])rotege of Andrew Jackson, and
won over William H. Harrison in 1836 on Jackson's reputa-
tion, especially on his attitude on the United States Bank ques-
tion. In the following year occurred the most distressing i)anic
the country ever had.
Cambria, for the first time, was carried for the anti-Demo-
110 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
cratic candidate in 1836, when William H. Harrison and Fran-
cis Granger liad a majority of 104. Pennsylvania had 30 elec-
toral votes in 1832-36 and '40.
General William Henry Harrison was again nominated in
1840. John Tyler took the place of Francis Granger for vice-
president on the Harrison ticket. The Jackson policy on the
bank qnestion was not satisfactory to the country, nor were its
free trade principles acceptable, and Harrison and Tyler were
elected by 240 to 00 electoral votes. William Henry Harrison
died within a month after his inauguration and John Tyler
succeeded to the office. He reversed the policies upon which
the ticket was elected, adopted the free trade principles of
the Virginia class of statesmen, and wrecked the Whig party.
Cambria county did not cast its vote for Harrison this time.
The campaign in Cambria county was vigorous. The Al-
learhenv Portage railroad was in the control of the State Dem-
ocracy. The Democratic county convention met in Ebensburg
on June 30, and nominated a full ticket. K. P. Linton was chair-
man of the committee. At that time each borough and town-
ship was entitled to two delegates. The friends of Van Buren
called a meeting in the court house for that evening at early
candle-light. The members of the standing county committee
were : Robert P. Linton, Charles Litzinger, William Todd, Jacob
Luther, John Anderson, John McGough, Hugh Dugan, Jesse
Patterson, John Singer, Christian Horner, James Murray, Will-
iam Pryce, Patrick Shiels, David Summerville, Peter McGuire,
John Lucket, John Pringle, Jacob Horner, Charles Wilson, and
George Kring.
While slavery was a vexed question for many years it be-
gan to show itself prominently in the campaign of 1844. The
advocates of slavery switched the question to the annexation
of Texas, and with it James K. Polk and George M. Dallas
won over Henry Clay and T. Frelinglmysen. Clay had been a
candidate in 1824, 1832, as well as this year. The refusal of
the Democratic party to nominate Van Buren in '44, caused
trouble in New York state, but it was not sufficient that year
to elect Clay. James G. Birney, the anti-slavery candidate,
reduced the Whig vote there and Polk succeeded in getting the
electoral vote. Pennsylvania had only 26 votes in the electoral
college in '44, having proportionately lost its population through
the free trade ijollcios of Jackson, Van Buren and Tyler.
In 1848 General Zachary Taylor, the hero of the Mexican
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY, 111
War, was nominated for president by the Whig party, and
Lewis Cass b}'- the Democrats. The anti-slavery advocates in
New York, with the Van Buren barn-burners, reduced the Cass
vote and gave the state to Taylor, who was a Louisiana slave-
holder. Cambria county had at this time 2,619 votes, out of
which Cass only had a majority of 153. The state had 26 elec-
toral votes. President Taylor died in 1850, and Millard Fill-
more, of New York, succeeded him.
The Clay, Calhoun-Webster compromise of 1850 was in-
tended to quiet the slave question, but it really opened it wider
than ever. The most unfortunate event was the speech of Dan-
iel Webster, made in the senate on March 7, 1850, by which he
lost the confidence of the North. Its idol now lay shattered. He
had agreed to the enforcement of the fugitive slave law. The
Whig party was dying: Winfield Scott could not get the vote
in the South. Franklin Pierce received a large vote, having
254 electoral votes out of 296. Scott lost Cambria county by
574 votes.
Senator Douglas introduced and congress passed in 1854
the Kansas-Nebraska bill, which embodied the policy that slav-
ery could be established in any state or territory. It repealed
the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had made provision
for the admission of Maine and Missouri into the Union. That
Act of Congress was the beginning of the Civil war which ended
at Apf)omattox in April, 1865. Kansas was the preliminary
battle-field, and John Brown was there solidifying the anti-
slavery vote.
The Whig party had disappeared and ended its mission.
The Kepublican party was founded in Pittsburg in 1855, but
was not organized until June, 1856, when at Philadelphia it
nominated John C. Fremont and William L. Dayton. The vote
for Fremont was surprisingly large, but not sufficient to de-
feat Buchanan. It was practically the beginning of the end
of a thirty-five year warfare on slavery, which closed with the
defeat of the Confederacy. James Buchanan and J. C. Breck-
inridge were elected. Cambria county gave them a majority of
1322.
Slavery had divided the National Democratic party, and
in Cambria county it was as badly split. The regular Demo-
cratic county convention met July 9. 1860, and nominated a full
ticket, with George Nelson Smith, of Johnstown; for the As-
112 HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
seinbly. But it was not done without a bolt by tlie Breckinridge
adherents. The Douglas men controlled the convention.
On July 23, the Republicans nominated a complete ticket
with Alexander C. MuUin, of Ebensburg, for the Assembly.
On August 28 the Breckinridge Democrats met at Ebens-
burg and also nominated a complete ticket, with Michael Dan
Magehan for the General Assembly. All the parties held meet-
ings throughout the county. Howard Roberts, then of Ebens-
burg, was the chairman of the Republican county committee.
Among his leading workers were Colonel J. M. Campbell, James
M. Swank, D. J. Morrell, A. A. Barker, William M. Jones, Jolin
M. King, John Roberts, James D. Hamilton, of Wilmore, Hugh
Gallagher of Allegheny, Samuel Reed, of Blaeklick, David
Watt, of Gallitzin, Jason Pringle, of Summerhill, and Edwin
A. Vickroy, of Yoder. Samuel McKeever, of Johnstown, was
captain of the "wide awakes."
Augustine Durbin was the chairman of the Breckinridge
committee, and his leading assistants were S. B. McCormick,
W. Weimer and William P. Patton, of Johnstown; Richard
White and James McGough, of Allegheny; James Burk, of
Summerhill; Peter McGough and Thomas Short, of Washing-
ton; Francis Bearer and Thomas Powers, of Susquehanna;
W. William Hudson and F. K. Herlinger, of Croyle; Simon
Dunmyer, of Jackson, and Jacob Dunmyer, of Richland. Their
headquarters were at Ebensburg, and their adherents, who were
plentiful, were: John A. Blair, Charles Murray, Joseph Mc-
Donald, John Thomas, Michael Dan Magehan, John Buck, Jere-
miah McGonigal, of Hemlock (now Lilly), Isaac B. Wike, James
Myers, Augustine McConnell and James Riffle, of the Summit,
Jordan Marbourg, A, J. Hite, Lewis Plitt, John Hannan.
The leaders of the Douglas-Democratic i3arty were Philip
and Thomas Collins, Robert L. Johnston, Phil S. Moon, John
Rhey, Michael Hasson, John Fenlon, R. A. McCoy, Rees and
John Lloyd and Chrysostom Noon, of Ebensburg; John P. Lin-
ton, W. H. Rose, Harry A. Boggs, who had been a Breckinridge
adherent, and succeeded John Buck as postmaster at Johnstown.
George Nelson Smith was a delegate to the Charleston conven-
tion for Douglas, and subsequently voted for him at Baltimore;
and Michael Bracken of Gallitzin.
It was the most bitter political contest ever held in Cam-
bria county; it was a trial of strength between factions, with
an element of slavery or anti-slavery in each. On one occasion,
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 113
there was a struggle between the Douglas and the Breckinridge
Democrats for the possession of the court house to hold a polit-
ical meeting. Judge Taylor was holding court, and as soon
as he had directed the court cryer to adjourn, and before he
had left the bench, Philip Collins arose and nominated Thomas
Collins as president of the meeting. Immediately some one
nominated John A. Blair for the Breckinridge partisans. Col-
lins was declared president and endeavored to take the seat
loefore Judge Taylor could adjust his papers on the bench.
Blair resisted, and his followers sent word to other friends
about the hotels to come to their assistance, and they obeyed
the summons. It was in the old court room, with the wooden
rail around the bench. Discussion gave way to physical
strength ; the rail was torn down, the stove upset, and chairs and
seats generally broken. It is said that Tom Collins presided
at that meeting such as it was.
The Douglas-Breckinridge advocates in the state had made
a fusion on the electoral vote, each to have a certain propor-
tion of the vote in case of success ; this arrangement was known
as the "Reading ticket." In accordance therewith, a fine pole
was raised at Gideon Martz's, at Pensacola, on the Wilmore
plankroad, with a Douglas-Breckinridge flag floating from the
tiptop. It was a great success for a short time. That night
two men, said to be Captain Thomas Davis and Milton Jones,
cut it down by boring it with an auger, inasmuch as quietness
was necessary. The pole falling on a pig pen, started the ani-
mals to squeal, which noise brought out the residents. The
flag was procured and torn lengthwise. The portion with the
name of Douglas was stretched to the breeze and the Breckin-
ridge portion was fouled in the mud at the foot of the tree.
The election was then held on the second Tuesday of Octo-
ber, and resulted in the election of the entire Republican county
ticket. The vote is a study to the student of history, disclosing
the fact that about one-third of the Democratic voters were fol-
lov/ers of Breckinridge. Comparing the vote with that of 1856,
it will be observed that many anti-slavery Democrats voted the
Republican ticket.
The vote in the county was :
Assemblv: Mullin, Rep., 1,542; KSmith, Douglas Dem.,
1,172; Magellan, Breckinridge Dem., 900; Potts, New County,
1,107.
Vol. 1—8
114 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Register and Recorder: Lytle, Rep., 1,459; Griffin, Dong-
las Dem., 1,429; Gregg, B. Dem., 1,117; Canan, Ind., 692.
Commissioner: Cooper, Rep., 2,302; Ferguson, Douglas
Dem., 1,479; Gill, B. Dem., 831.
Auditor: Nelson, Rep., 2,181; Cliristy, Douglas Dem.,
1,527; Stalb, B. Dem., 832.
Poor House Director: Douglas, Rep., 2,361; Hopple, Dem.,
2,151.
By referring to the table of tlie presidential vote it will,
be observed that there were four candidates in 1860, and that
Cambria for the second time had cast a majority vote against
the combined opposition, excepting that Foster for governor
had 406 votes over Curtin.
Michael Dan Magehan left the Whig party with John Fen-
Ion, R. L. Johnston and others shortly after the Know-Nothing
issue raised in 1854. Judge Johnston has stated that he was
undecided to which party he would become attached until 1856,
when he joined the Democratic ranks.
Abraham Lincoln had a majority of 89,159 in the state over
the fusion, or what was termed the ''Reading ticket." The
Reading ticket was a fusion of the Douglas-Breckinridge
electors. Each party had a certain number of followers on the
electoral ticket, with the understanding if Pennsylvania should
decide the issue that its entire vote should be cast for the candi-
date who could win. Mr. Lincoln had a plurality over Douglas
of 251,265; over John Bell, 255,254, and a majority of 61,618
over all. In the electoral college Lincoln received 180 votes;
John C. Breckinridge, 72 ; John Bell, 39, and Stephen A. Doug-
las, 12, making 303 electoral votes in the country.
During the interregnum between the election and the in-
auguration of Mr. Lincoln, several of the southern states, led
by South Carolina, seceded and formed the Confederacy. On
April 12, 1861, about 4 o'clock in the morning, the Confederates
fired the first shot ujwn the little garrison in Fort Sumter.
President Lincoln was re-elected in 1864, over Major-Gen-
eral George B. McClellan on the Democratic ticket. The plat-
form of the latter contained a plank that decreed the war a fail-
ure, and advocated a compromise. Mr. Lincoln received 212 elec-
toral votes to 21 for General McClellan. There were 81 electoral
votes missing because the southern states were for the time
being out of the Union.
The vote cast liy the troops in the field is only important to
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
115
establish the fact of the politics of each soldier who was then
defending the Union. It shows conclusively that party politics
were ignored. The soldiers voted in 1861, bnt there was much
opi^osition to it by the Democratic party, on the ground that
it was unconstitutional. Therefore, it appears that the vote
for 1862 and 1863 was not counted. But in the meanwhile the
vexed question of constitutionality had been determined by the
court, and in 1864 the soldiers voted and their votes were re-
turned and counted with the county and state vote.
The Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry Eegiment was in
Camp Curtin at Harrisburg, on the day of the election, Octo-
ber 8, 1861, and voted thus:
^ HH k— (
c :r
^ ^
r^ O
Captain, Regiment and Company.
^ H^
3
53
■3
^ ^
Q
t=J
« C
3
"^ o
■a
John Suter, 54th, A
T. H. Lapsley, 54th, E
P. Graham, 54th, E
W. B. Bonacker, 54th, I
James Carroll, 55th, A
M. O'Connell, 55th, E
At Point of Rocks, Md. —
Co. F., 28th Penn. Vols
At Camp Tennally, D. C-
Co. A, 11th Pa. Reserves...
Co. H, 12th Pa. Reserves...
At Camp Harlan, D. C. —
Co. G, 4th Pa. Reserves
12
7
15
22
■ 7
12
2 11
1 8
4 8
7 9
9
9 13
13 ]5 10 17 12 15
17 13 15 10 21
H
1 10
12
18
V.
12
6 18 7 20
Totals
It will be observed that there was not a Republican vote in
Captain O'Connell's company, and not a Democratic vote in
Company H, Twelfth Reserves, while the others were about the
same as if each soldier had voted at home.
The Pennsylvania soldier vote in field and camp, October 11,
1861, was as follows:
w
1 10 10
8 ...
1
8
1
1
8
8
3 10
7
4
17
9
3
3
5 ...
11
17
14
14
14
14
9 ...
20
12
8
23
12
22
12
8
8
18
7
20
20
1
...
41 20 19 18 25 20 16 3 22 18 23 22 21 19
3 ... 3 ... 3 ... 3 3 3 3
17 3 28 9 24 8 6 15 7 9 26 24 6 4
.136 99 115 89 113 102 67 34 99 84 137 125 74 69
116
TIISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
o
Location and Company.
w
g-
? ^ W
3
7
1
2
1
1
14
2
51
3
7
1
1
Fortress Monroe, Va., Co. F, 3d Pa. Artillery, 152'1 Pa. Vols 2
Yellow House, Va., Weldon Railroad 3 ...
Clary sville Hospital, Maryland ^
Camp Carroll, Md., Co. F., 194th Pa. Infantry ^
Camp near Nashville, Tenn 1
Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md 1
Douglass Hospital, D. C 1
Navy Yard Hospital, Annapolis, Md 1
Camp Fry, Washington City, D. C 2
Camp on the field. Army of James River, Co. K, 106th Pa. Vols 14
Fort Brady, Va., Co. A, 20Gth Pa. Infantry 2
Camp near Petersburg, Va., Co. F, 198th Pa. Infantry 51
Cuyler Hospital, Philadelphia 3
Mower Hospital, Philadelphia 1 7 1
Old Court House, Va 1
Lieut. Snodgrass' Headquarters, Co. D, 149th Pa. Infantry 1 2 1
Camp near Petersburg, Va 1 2 ...
Camp near Point of Rocks, Md., Co. B, 211th Pa. Infantry 1 . . . 1
Sickel's Barracks Hospital, Alexandria, Va 1 ■ • •
Fort Delaware, Del .' 1 • • •
Judiciary Hospital, Washington City, D. C 1 • ■ • 1
Baptist Church Hospital, Alexandria, Va 1 . . •
Camp Biddle, Pa 8
Camp Cadwallader, Philadelphia, 187th Pa. Infantry 3 7
United States Steamer "Express" 2 4
Near Winchester, Va., Co. F, 49th Pa. Infantry 1
General Hospital, York, Pa 1
Bermuda Hundreds, Va., 206th Pa. Infantry 5
Bolivar Heights, W. Va., Co. M, 12th Pa. Cavalry 5 10
Bolivar Heights, W. Va 10 3
Rectortown, Va., Co. D, 5th Pa. Heavy Artillery 22 22
Huddington Hospital, Philadelphia ' ... .
Fort Steadman, near Petersburg, Va 1
Capt. Wishart's Headquarters, Army of James River, Co. H, 208th 1 . .
Thoroughfare Gap, Va., 202d Pa. Infantry 1
City Point, Va., Co. G, 21st Pa. Infantry 2 18 2
Cedar Creek, near Strasburg, Va., Co. A, 54th Pa. Infantry 1 14 1
Camp near Hatcher's Run, Va., Co. C, 209th Pa. Infantry 49 ...
Chattanooga, Tenn . 1 ...
Cedar Creek, Va., 54th Pa. Infantry 9 ...
Cedar Creek. Va., Co. D, 54th Pa. Infantry 8 ...
Fort Blois. Va 1 ...
Camp near Petersburg, Va., Co. D, 53d Pa. Infantry 1
Fort Duchesne. Va., Co. E, 11th Pa. Infantry 1 ...
Camp near Winchester, Va., Co. E, 49th Pa. Infantry 1 ...
Cedar Creek, Va., 54th Pa. Infantry 9 ...
2 7
2 4
1
5
5 9
9 3
21 28
1
18
14
49
1
10
8
1
1
9
Totals 53 281 52 276
It will be noted that in the last year of the war the propor-
tion of votes east was more than five to one in favor of the
Eepuhlican candidates.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY, 117
The leading question to be determined in the Grant and
Seymour campaign of 1868 was the reconstruction of the south-
ern states. The Eepublican party insisted that they should not
be clothed with their former rights until they would recognize
the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments to the
Constitution. The plank in the Democratic platform was am-
biguous on this question. It declared "amnesty for all past
political offenses, and the regulation of the elective franchise
in the states by their citizens." Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler
Colfax were elected by 214 to 80 electoral votes, 23 votes not
participating, their constituents being still disfranchised.
Pennsylvania gave 26 votes.
The general issues in the Grant-Greeley campaign of 1872
were the same as in 1868; however, discontented Republicans
and a portion of the Democratic party nominated Horace
Greeley. U. S. Grant and Henry Wilson received 286 electoral
votes out of 352, of which Pennsylvania gave 29, and a plurality
of 137,728.
In 1873 a severe financial panic came upon the country.
The following year the Democratic party carried the XLIVth
Congress for the first time since 1856, and Pennsylvania politics
went the same way.
In 1876 the country was in distress, principally on account
of the financial conditions. The Republicans had declared that
specie payments should be resumed on January 1, 1879, and
the Democrats were opposed, with a battle cry of reform in the
tariff and civic affairs. The campaign closed with 185 electoral
votes for Rutherford B. Hayes and 184 for Samuel J. Tilden.
The Republicans contested the vote of Florida, Louisiana, and
South Carolina and one vote of Oregon, but the electoral com-
mission by a vote of eight to seven sustained the Hayes vote.
Pennsylvania gave Hayes 29 votes.
Samuel J. Tilden declined a renomination in 1880. The
Democratic party began its campaign on the alleged ''great
fraud" of 1876, which became futile on the exposure of the
cipher telegrams between the Democratic managers. Near the
close of the campaign the tariff became the live question, and
General Hancock declined to consider it and averred that it
was a "local issue."
James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur received 214
electoral votes out of 369, 29 of which were from Pennsylvania.
General Garfield was assassinated July 2, 1881, and died at
118 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Elberon, New Jersey, September 19, when Chester A. Arthur
succeeded.
In 1882 the . Democrats carried congress, and Grover
Cleveland had over 192,000 majority in New York for governor.
It was attempted to make the contest in 1884 on the taritf ques-
tion, but it failed, and to the shame of the country the camj^aign
became personal to the candidates. Grover Cleveland is
claimed to have carried New York by 1,149 out of a total vote
of over 1,200,000, which gave him 219 electoral votes out of 401.
During Cleveland's administration the senate was controlled
by the Republicans, and the house by the Democrats.
The issue in 1888 was solely on the tariff question, and
Benjamin Harrison was elected by 233 electoral votes out of
401. Pennsylvania gave 30 votes in '84 and '88.
Senator M. S. Quay was the chairman of the Republican
national committee in 1888. The Republicans controlled both
houses of congress, and admitted four new states — Idaho, with
three electoral votes; North Dakota, three; South Dakota, four,
and Wyoming, three, making a total of 444, thus weakening the
vote of the solid south.
In 1892 the same presidential candidates led their re-
spective parties as in the last campaign. The country was
generally veiy prosperous, but discontent prevailed in some of
the western states, where General James B. Weaver was nom-
inated by the People's party, and received over 1,000,000 votes,
thus giving Mr. Cleveland 277 electoral votes out of 444. The
Democrats also succeeded in carrying both the senate and the
house, for the first time in thirty-five j^ears, Pennsylvania gave
32 electoral votes in 1892, 1896 and 1900 to the Republican can-
didates for president and vice-president. Grover Cleveland car-
ried Cambria county by 239 plurality in 1892. Since that elec-
tion the county has been substantially and strongly Republican,
excepting for factional ditferences in electing county officers on
the Democratic ticket. The Democrats passed the Wilson tariif
bill.
A severe financial panic came in May, 1893, as a result of
the election of 1892, and caused much distress. TI13 depression
continued until 1897. The paramount issue was placing the
coimtry on a gold basis; and secondarily, the tariff question.
William McKinley and Garrett A. Hobart received 271 electoral
votes out of 447 in the nation. The Republican party repealed
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 119
the AVilson tariff act and adopted the Dingley protective bill,
July 24, 1897.
The Spanish- American war began April 21, 1898, and prac-
tically closed July 3, 1898, when Admiral Sampson destroyed
Cervera's fleet at Santiago,
William McKinley and William J. Bryan again led tlieir
parties in 1900. The issues were empirism and the tariff. The
Democratic party endeavored to condemn the Eepublicans for
taking the Philippine Islands as a result of the war with Spain.
Little stress was laid on the tariff question, inasmuch as the
country was exceedingly prosperous. William McKinley and
Theodore Roosevelt received 292 electoral votes out of 447. Mr.
McKinley was shot at Buffalo, September 6, 1901, and died there
on the 14th, when Mr. Eoosevelt succeeded him.
The general prosperity continued, and the opposition to
the policies of the Republican party was feeble. At no time in
the campaign of 1904 was it substantial. Theodore Roosevelt
and Charles W. Fairbanks received 336 out of 476 electoral
votes, and a popular plurality of 2,547,656, which was the
largest ever cast. Pennsylvania, having 34 electoral votes,
gave Roosevelt a plurality of 505,519. The entire vote was
1,236,738, as follows: Theodore Roosevelt, 840,949; Alton B.
Parker, 335,430; Silas C. Swallow, Prohibitionist, 33,717; Eu-
gene V. Debs, Socialist, 21,863; Charles E. Corregan, Socialist
Labor, 2,211; and Parker, Independent, 2,568.
OUR GOVEEEORS.
The first constitution of Pennsylvania was that of Septem-
ber 28, 1776, under which Benjamin Franklin was the chairman
of the committee of safety. The next one was that of 1790.
The president of the latter convention was General Thomas
Miflflin, of Philadelphia, a Revolutionary soldier of great courage
and distinction, who was that year elected the first governor
over General Arthur St., Clair, of W^estmoreland county. Gov-
ernor Miffin was re-elected in 1793 and 1796.
Judge Thomas McKean, who had been chief justice of the
supreme court, was elected in 1799 over James Ross, the Fed-
eralist. Governor McKean was re-elected in 1802 and 1805.
He was the nominee of the Jefferson Democracy, then known
as the Republican-Democratic party. It was under Judge Mc-
Kean 's administration that the policy of "to the victors belong
the spoils" was inaugurated in the state. In a letter to Jeffer-
120 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
son in 1801 lie said: *'I am sorry that I did not displace ten
or eleven more, for it is not right to put a dagger in the hands
of an assassin."
The first vote in Cambria county for governor \\'as taken in
1808. Simon Snyder was a Jefferson Democrat. The candidate
of the Federal party was Senator James Ross. Governor Snyder
received 67,975 votes to 39,575 for Ross. The Federal party
was declining in the state, and Ross only carried the counties of
Delaware, Chester, Bucks, Lancaster, Luzerne and Adams.
The vote in Cambria was as follows :
Snyder. Ross.
'Allegheny township 47 51
Cambria township 96 31
Conemaugh township 37 37
180 119
It will be observed that Ross carried Allegheny township
through the vigorous efforts of Father Gallitzin, who was an
an ardent Federalist and a pastor who believed in maintaining
his political views at the polls.
Governor Snyder was renominated in 1811. The Federal
vote was divided between Judge William Tilghman, Richard Fol-
well and others. In Cambria county Snyder had 220 and Tilgh-
man 34.
The war with England was nearing the end, Snyder had
conducted a 'patriotic and satisfactoiy administration, and was
therefore nominated for a third term in 1814. The first nom-
ination made by a political convention in the state was for
Snyder, and took place at Lancaster, March 7, 1808. The oppo-
sition was divided between George Latimore and Isaac Wayne.
In Cambria county Snyder had 145 votes; Latimore, 29, and
Wavne, 22.
* 7
Governor Findlay, elected in 1817, was a Jeiferson Demo-
crat. The old Federalists supported Joseph Heister. Findlay
only had a majority of 7,059. The election was contested, but
Findlay was sustained. Cambria gave Findlay 205 and
Heister 150.
Findlay and Heister were renominated in 1820 to lead their
respective parties, the former at Lewistown and the latter at
Carlisle. The indiscriminate chartering of banks with the flood
of i)aper currency caused financial difficulties, and Heister was
elected by a majority of 1,605. This was the first time the Fed-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 121
eralists succeeded in carrying Cambria county— Heister 207;
Findlay, 191.
Governor Slmlze was the candidate of tlie Democratic
]iarty in 1823, and the name has continued till this day. The
opposition candidate was Andrew Gregg, but the party had no
substantial title, simply an opposition force. Simlze had over
25,000 majority. For the second time, Cambria was against the
Democratic candidate; Gregg had 269 and Shulze 252.
Governor Shulze was renominated in 1826, and had no or-
ganized opposition in the state, receiving 72,000 votes. He had
392 in Cambria to 38 scattering votes. It was under his admin-
istration that the Pennsylvania canal and the old Portage rail-
road system was commenced.
George Wolf was nominated by the Jackson Democracy in
]829. The AVhigs were then organized, and nominated Joseph
Ritner. Cambria for the third time gave its vote against the
Democratic party ; thus : Eitner, 434 ; Wolf, 210 ; however, Gov-
ernor Wolf was re-elected. It was under Governor Wolf's
leadership and that of Thaddeus Stevens in the house that the
common school system was adopted.
Wolf was an enthusiastic follower of Jackson, and was re-
nominated in 1832. The Whigs and the Anti-Masonic parties
renominated Ritner. Wolf was elected. The vote in Cambria
was : Wolf, 598 ; Ritner, 340.
Wolf was renominated for a third term March 7, 1835, at
Lewistown. The storm arising from the Anti-Masonic senti-
ment and the adoption of the common school system caused a
disagreement in the Democratic party, and on the following day
the dissenters nominated Henry A. Muhlenberg, and passed a
resolution in favor of Martin VanBuren for president. The
Whigs and their allies renominated Ritner, who was elected,
the vote being Ritner, 94,023; AYolf, 65,801; Muhlenberg, 40,586.
Cambria again voted for the Whig candidate, thus: Ritner,
694; Wolf, 610, and Muhlenberg, 38. The Whigs and Anti-
Masons elected 71 out of 100 members of the Assembly. The
same parties made a combination with the Muhlenberg senators
and had 19 out of 33 in the senate. Since 1790 this was the
second defeat for the Democracy for governor, and the first
time that the opposition had control of both houses and the
executive.
In October, 1838, the amendments to the constitution were
adopted by a vote of 113,971 to 112,759. Governor Ritner was
122 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
renominated by the AVliigs, and David Eittenliouse Porter, who
was nominated by the Democratic party, was elected by a ma-
jority of 5,504, the vote being 127,825 to 122,321. In Cambria
county Porter had 844 and Eitner 762. The vote was close and
was not settled for several weeks. The excitement throughout
the state was intense. The Democrats had a small majority in
the house, while the Whigs controlled the senate. This situation
produced a dual house and the famous "Buckshot war."
Grovernor Porter was re-elected in 1841 over John Banks,
the Whig candidate. His vote in the state was 136,504 to 113,-
473 for Banks. F. J. Lemoyne, the Abolition candidate, re-
ceived 763 votes. In Cambria county. Porter received 844
votes and Banks 810.
In 1844 the Democratic party nominated Francis Rawn
Shunk, and the Whigs, Joseph Markle, of Westmoreland county.
The former received 160,322 votes in the state, and Markle
156,040. In Cambria county the former had 1,129 to 969 for
the latter.
On Friday, November 1, 1844, the day of the presidential
election, a vote was taken to ascertain whether the state should
dispose of its public works, which consisted of the canals and
the Allegheny Portage railroad. The proposition was defeated,
and the vote in Cambria county was even — 955 in favor and the
same number against it.
Governor Shunk, the Democratic nommee, was re-elected
over James Irvin, the Whig candidate, in 1847, by almost 18,000
plurality. In Cambria county Shunk had 1,139 votes, and
Irvin 974.
Governor Shunk resigned on the 9th of July, 1848. There
is an interesting story in the political situation of that iDeriod.
The governor, being veiy ill with a pulmonary disease, was not
expected to live, and died within a few days thereafter. The
law was then as it is now — if the vacancy should occur within
ninety days of the next election his successor should serve an-
other full year. In this case the gubernatorial election would
be delayed until October, 1849. If 'the vacancy occurred prior
to the ninety days' lunitation, the election would take place in
October, 1848. The Democratic managers decided that the
election must be held in the presidential year of 1848, believing
that Lewis Cass would carry the state, and they would thereby
procure another Democratic governor. The Rev. Theodore
Witt, of Harrisburg, the governor's pastor, ijrevailed upon him
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 123
to resign on Sunday, July 9tli, which was the last day it could
be done in order to secure the object the Democrats desired.
The election took place October 9, 1848, and Morris L. Long-
streth, the Democratic candidate, was defeated by William F.
Johnston, and Zachary Taylor carried the state for president
over Lewis Cass by almost 14,000 plurality. If the election had
gone over until the following year, the Democratic candidate
would in all probability have been elected, as the dying AMiig
party could not have made an energetic campaign. The hero
of the Mexican war overturned all the calculations of the polit-
ical managers.
In 1848, AVilliam Freame Johnston succeeded Shunk as
governor by virtue of succession, he being the speaker of the
senate. He was nominated by the Wliigs for the regular term,
and Morris L. Longstreth was his Democratic opponent. John-
ston was elected, and was the third governor elected against
Democratic opposition since 1790. In Cambria county John-
ston had 1,151 votes, and Longstreth 1,421. The vote in the
state was: Johnston, 168,522; Longstreth, 168,225; a plurality
of 297. E. B. Gazzan, the Free Soil candidate, only polled 48
votes in the state.
The Democratic party nominated Senator William Bigler
in 1851, and the Whigs renominated William F. Johnston, both
of whom had formerly represented the Cambria senatorial dis-
trict. The paramount issue in this campaign was that of
slavery, caused by the compromise of 1850, which re-affirmed the
Fugitive Slave Law. It caused a division of the anti-slavery
vote, and Bigler, of Clearfield, was elected. His vote in Cam-
bria was 1,765, to 1,230 for Johnston.
Governor Bigler was renominated in 1854, and the Whigs
nominated Judge James Pollock, of the Northumberland-
Lj^coming judicial district. The Whig, Free Soil and Know-
Nothing vote swept the state. In Cambria county Bigler had
1,739 votes to 1,627 for Pollock. The latter declined a renomina-
tion in 1857.
There were three candidates for governor in 1857 — Senator
Packer, of the Democrats; David Wilmot, of the Republican
party; and Isaac Hazlehurst, of the Native American j^arty.
Packer was elected by 14,000 over both. In Cambria county
Packer had 2,379 ; Wilmot, 1,042 ; and Hazlehurst, 165.
The ebb-tide of slavery -was now rapidly approaching. In
1860 the Eepublican party nominated Andrew G. Curtin, of
124 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Bellefonte, and the Democrats named Henry D. Foster, of
Greensburg, a former congressman for the Cambria district.
Curtin was elected by a majority of 32,000. The vote in Cam-
bria county was : Curtin, 2,177 ; Foster, 2,583,
Governor Curtin was renominated in 1863, and Judge
George W. Woodward was the candidate of the Democratic
party; the former was elected. His vote in Cambria countv
was 2,164, to 3,000 for Woodward.
General John W. Geary, a former resident of Cambria
county, was the Republican nominee in 1866, and Heister
Clymer that of the Democratic party. Geary was elected by
over 17,000 majority. His vote in Cambria was 2,643, to 3,295
for Clymer.
Governor Geary was renominated in 1869, and Asa Packer
was nominated by the Democrats; the former was elected; his
vote in Cambria county was 2,539, to 3,189 for Packer.
Cyrus L. Pershing, of Johnstown, was the Democratic can-
didate for the supreme court at this election, receiving 3,220
votes, to 2,418 for Henry W. Williams in the county; the latter
was elected.
General John Frederic Hartranft was the nominee of the
Republicans and Senator Charles R. Buckalew of the Demo-
crats in 1872, when the former was elected ; his vote in Cambria
county was 2,823, to 3,530 for Buckalew.
Delegates for Cambria county district to the proposed con-
stitutional convention were elected at this time; A. C. Finney,
2,756; John G. Hall, 3,269, and George A. Achenbach, 3,270, were
chosen, and sei^i^ed in the convention of 1873.
On December 16, 1873, a special election was held to vote
upon the new constitution. It was adopted; the vote in Cambria
county was : in favor, 1,972 ; against, 1,813.
General Hartranft was re-nominated in 1875. Cyrus L.
Pershing, formerly of Johnstown, but then president judge of
the courts of Schuylkill county, was nominated at Erie, by the
Democratic party. Governor Hartranft was re-elected; the vote
in Cambria county was, Hartranft 2,325, to 3,399 for Judge
Pershing.
The leading issue in 1878 was the resumption of specie pay-
ments on January 1, 1879. Henry Martyn Hoyt was nominated
by the Re])ublicans, Andrew Dill l)y the Democrats, and Samuel
R. Mason by the Greenback party. Many gold Democrats
voted for Hoyt, who was elected. The vote in Cambria was:
HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 125
Hoyt, 3,342; Dill, 2,196; Mason, 1,081. Governor Hoyt was the
first governor to serve a fnll term of four years nnder the new
constitution, and was ineligible for re-election to succeed
himself.
The Eepublicau party was not united in 1882, owing to
differences in the political management of the party. The reg-
ulars nominated James Addams Beaver ; the Democrats, Robert
E. Pattison; the Independent Republicans, John Stewart, and
the Greenback-Labor partj^, Thomas 'Armstrong. Stewart
polled 43,743 votes, which elected Pattison by* a plurality of
40,202. In Cambria the vote was: Beaver, 3,279; Pattison,
4,247; Stewart, 188; and Armstrong, 551.
General Beaver was renominated in 1886, Chauncy For-
ward Black was named by the Democrats, and Charles Wolfe
l)y the Prohibition party. General Beaver was elected by a
plurality of 42,651. In Cambria county he had 3,865 votes;
Black, 4,966, and Wolfe, 345.
Senator George Wallace Delamater, of Meadville, was nom-
inated by the Republican party in 1890, and Governor Pattison
was renominated by the Democrats, after the lapse of the term
of Governor Beaver. The Republicans were dissatisfied with
the political situation, and a sufficient number voted for Patti-
son to elect him. His plurality was over 16,000. In Cambria
the vote was Delamater 4,092, and Pattison 5,834.
Adjutant-General Daniel Hartman Hastings, who had rep-
resented Governor Beaver in the work at Johnstown in main-
taining order, removing the debris, and protecting the public
health, subsequent to the flood of May 31, 1889, was nominated
for governor by the Republican party in 1894, and William M.
Singerly by the Democratic. The panic of 1893 caused a ma-
terial change in the political situation in Cambria county. The
entire Republican county ticket was elected that year for the
first time since 1808, and since that year it has been substan-
tially an anti-Democratic county. Hastings had 6,813 and
Singerly 5,120 in the county, and a plurality of 241,397 in the
state.
The political conditions in the state were complicated in
1898. A successor to Senator M. S. Quay was to be chosen;
ambition and jealousy were alert. The Republicans nominated
William A. Stone for governor; the Democrats, George A.
Jenks, of Brookville, and the Prohibitionists, Silas C. Swallow.
Stone was elected by a large plurality, 117,906, but was a
126 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
minority official. The vote in Cambria county was: Stone,
5,7G5; Jeuks, 6,490; and Swallow, 1,966. Swallow had 132,931
votes in the state.
Attorney-General John P. Elkiu, of Indiana, carried Cam-
bria comity for the liei^ublican nomination for governor in
1902, but Judge Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker received the
nomination. Kobert E. Pattison was named by the Democrats
for a third term, but Samuel W. Pennypacker was elected by a
plurality of 112,350. In Cambria the vote was: Penny23acker,
8,909; Pattison; 8,492, and Swallow, 380. Swallow had 23,327
votes in the state.
PRESIDENT JCDGE ELECTIONS.
Since January 1, 1851, all judges of Pennsylvania have
been elected for ten year periods by a direct vote of the people,
the same as other officials. Prior to that year, they were ap-
pointed by the governor, as judges of the federal government
have been and are now appointed by the president.
The first elective judge candidates in 1851 in the judicial
district of which Cambria formed a part, were George Taylor,
of Huntingdon, and Thomas P. Cami^bell, of Huntingdon; the
former a Whig, and the latter a Democrat, who removed to
Daven]3ort, Iowa, in 1865, and died there February 6, 1881. The
election took place the same day as the Bigier-Johnston contest
for governor in 1851, resulting thus :
Blair. Cambria. Huntingdon. Total
Taylor, Whig 2,296 1,220 2,382 5,898
Campbell, Democrat 1,647 1,719 2,028 5,394
In 1861 Judge Taj^lor had no opposition for another ten-
year term on the bench, excepting 19 votes, thus:
For. Against.
Blair . 3^636
Cambria 2,474 17
Huntingdon 2,636 2
The opposition votes in Cambria were all cast in Loretto.
Judge Taylor also received a soldiers' vote of 136, the 54th and
55th Pegiments being in Camp Curtin at Harrisburg, and Com-
pany A of the 11th iieserves and Company H of the 12th being
at Camp Tenally, D. C.
In 1871 there were three candidates. Judge Taylor running
as an independent. The vote in Cambria county was: Thad-
deus Banks, Democrat, 2,818; John Dean, Republican, 2,208;
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 127
George Taylor, Independent, 390. Judge Dean was elected in
the district.
There was no organized opposition to the re-election of
Judge Dean in 1881, his name appearing on both the Republican
and Democratic tickets. He received 5,984 votes, w^ith 250 cast
for Colonel John P. Linton.
XLVIITH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.
At an extra session of the legislature in August, 1883, an
act designating the judicial districts was passed, August 7,
1883 (pamphlet laws, 1885, page 325), making Cambria county
the Forty-seventh judicial district, and authorizing Judge Dean
to continue to preside over the courts of Blair county.
On November 6, 1883, Robert L. Johnston, Democrat, was
elected president judge of the courts of Cambria county, re-
ceiving 4,144 votes to 3,688 for G-eorge M. Reade, the Repub-
lican candidate. Judge Johnston served until his death, which
occurred October 28, 1890, when Governor Beaver appointed
Augustine Vinton Barker to serve as such until the first Mon-
day of January, 1892.
It being necessary to elect tlie successor of Judge John-
ston at the November election in 1891, caused a new beginning
of the ten years' term of service, which would otherwise have
been in 1893. Judge A. V. Barker was elected to succeed him-
self, receiving 6,532 votes to 5,565 for Colonel John P. Lin-
ton, the Democratic candidate, the former being the regular
Republican nominee.
The candidates in 1901 were Judge A. V. Barker, Repub-
lican, of Ebensburg, and Francis J. O'Connor, Democrat, of
Johnstown. The latter received 8,990 votes on the Democratic
ticket and 33 on the LTnion ticket, making an aggregate vote
of 9,023; Judge Barker received 8,952 votes, which gave F. J,
O'Connor a pluralit}^ of 71. Judge O'Connor entered upon
his ten-year term on the first Monday of January, 1902.
CONGEESSMEN FEOM THE CAMBRIA DISTRICT.
We give the vote for each congressman in uambria, but
the first named was the one elected in the district. The elec-
tions for congressmen up to 1874 were held in October, in even
years, subsequently, in November^ in even years. The term be-
gins March 4 in odd years, for a two year term.
The year and number given is the beginning of the term
and the number of the congress, beginning March 4, 1789, We
128 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
also give the counties which composed the district, and the date
of the apportionment : also the speaker of the House.
Act of 2 April, 1802, 3 Smith, 502. This district consisted
of Westmoreland, Somerset, and Armstrong counties, with 18
districts in the state. Cambria county was not organized until
1807.
1809. XL William Findley, E-D., 153; Robert Philson,
145. Speaker, Joseph B. Varnum, Dem., Mass.
1811. XII. William Findley, R-D., 181 ; John Kirkpatrick,
Fed., 82. Speaker, Henry Clav, Fed., Ky.
Act of 20 March, 1812, 5 Smith, 330.— Eighth district— Bed-
ford, Cambria and Somerset; 23 Congressmen:
1813. XIII. William Piper, R-D., 162; Samuel Riddle, Fed.,
114. Speakers, Henry Clay and Langdon Cheves, Dem., S. C.
1815. XIV. William>iper, R-D., 100; Dr. John Ander-
son, Fed., 101. Speaker, Henry Clay.
1817. XV. Alexander Ogle, D", 339 ; John Fletcher, Fed.,
11. Speaker, Plenry Clay.
1819. XVI. Robert Philson, D., 157; John A. Burd, 161.
Speakers. Henry Clay and Jolm W. Taylor, Dem., N. Y.
1821.' XVIL John Todd, D., 305'; Robert Philson, D., 96.
Speakers, Philip P. Barbour, Dem., Va.
Act of 2 April, 1822, 7 Smith, Q6Q. Thirteenth district, com-
posed of Bedford, Cambria and Somerset. 26 Congressmen:
1823. XVIII. John Todd, D., 96; no opposition. Speaker,
Henry Clay. Alexander Thomas served the unexpired term of
Todd.
1825. XIX. Alexander Thomas, 358; no opposition.
Chauncev Forward served the unexpired term. Speaker, Jolm
W. Taylor, Dem., N. Y.
1827. XX. Chauncev Forward, D., 114; William Piper,
Fed., 191. Speaker, Andrew Stevenson, Dem., Va.
1829. XXL Chauncey Forward, D., 177; William Piper,
Whig, 377. Same Speaker.
1831. XXII. George Burd, W., 273; David Mann, D., 356.
Same Speaker.
Act of 9 June, 1832, P. L. 560.— 28 Congressmen. Eigh-
teenth district, — Bedford, Cambria and Somerset:
1833. XXIIL GeorgeBurd, AY, 617; David Mann, D., 267.
Speakers, Andrew Stevenson, D., and John Bell, W., Tenn
1835. XXIV. Job Mann. D., 601; Charles Ogle, W., 413.
Speaker, James K. Polk, I)., Tenn.
We also give the full vote in the district: October, 1834:
Mann. Ogle.
Bedford County 2,102 920
Cambria County 501 413
Somerset County 831 i qh
3^534' 2^
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 129
1837. XXV. Charles Ogle, W., 565; Job Mann, D., 452.
Polk, Speaker.
1839. XXVI. Charles Ogle, W., 756; Job Mann, D., 854.
Speaker, R. M. T. Hnnter D., Va.
1841. XXVII. Charles Ogle, W., 697; Joseph Imhoff, D.,
868. Speaker. John White, Deni., Ky.
1841. XXVII. Henry Black, W., 517; William Philson, D.
587. AVhite, Speaker.
1841. XXVII. James M. Russell, ^Y., 349; WilUam Phil-
son, D., 505. White. Speaker.
Act of 25 March, 1843, P. L., 115.— 24 Congressmen in the
State. Nineteenth district, — Bedford, Cambria and Westmore-
land:
1843. XXVIII. Henry D. Foster, D., 1095 ; no opposition.
Speaker, John W. Jones, Dem., Va.
1845. XXIX. Henry D. Foster, D., 1144 ; Jacob D. Mathiot,
W., 922. Speaker, John W. Davis, Dem., Indiana.
1847. XXX. Job Mann, D., 876; Joseph H. Knhn, W., 549.
Speaker, Robert C. Winthrop, Whig, Mass.
1849. XXXI. Job Mann, D., 1440; Peter Levergood, W.,
1118. Speaker, Howell Cobb, Dem., Ga.
1851. XXXII. Joseph H. Kuhn, W., 891 ; Joseph McDon-
ald, D., 792 : JoJm Snodgrass, D., 727. Speaker, S. Linn Boyd,
Dem., Kv.
Act 'of 1 ^Idx, 1852, P. L., 492.-25 Congressmen. Eigh-
teenth District. Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon and Somerset:
1853. XXXIII. John McCullough, D., 1108; Emanuel
Shaffer, W., 1910. Speaker: Boyd.
1855. XXXIV. John R. Edie, W., 1645; Jacob Cresswell,
D., 1560. Speaker, Nathaniel P. Banks, W., Mass.
1857. XXXV. John R. Edie, Rep., 1474; Cyrus L. Persh-
ing, D., 2823. Speaker, James L. Orr, Dem., S. C.
1859. XXXVI. Samuel S. Blair, Rep., 1700; Cyrus L.
Pershing, D., 2273. Speaker, William Pennington, Rep., N. J.
1861. XXXVII. Samuel S. Blair, R., 2263 ; Archibald Mc-
Allister, D.. 2452. Speaker, Galusha A. Grow, Rep., Penna.
Act of 10 April, 1862, P. L., 405.— 24 Congressmen. Sev-
enteenth District, — Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon, and Mifihn:
1863. XXXVIII. Archibald McAllister, D., 2855; Samuel
S. Blair, R., 1418. Speaker, Schuyler Colfax, Rep., Indiana.
1865. XXXIX. A. A. Barker, R., 1888 ; R. L. Johnston, D.,
2688. Same Speaker.
1867. XL. D. J. Morrell R., 2791; R. L. Johnston, D.,
3146. Same Speaker.
1869. XLI. D. J. Morrell, R., 2917; John P. Linton, D.,
3512. Speaker, James G. Blaine, Rep., Maine.
1871. XLIL R. Milton Speer, D., 2843 ; D. J. Morrell, R.,
2943. Same Speaker.
Vol. I — 9
130 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Act of 28 April, 1873, P. L., 79.-27 Congressmen. Sev-
enteenth District,— Bedford, Blair, Cambria and Somerset:
1873. XLlll. K. Milton Speer, D., 3523; A. A. Barker, R.,
27G8. Same Speaker.
1875. XLIV. John Reilly, D., 3733; Samuel S. Blair, R.,
1928. Speaker, Michael C. Kerr, Dem., Ind.— Samuel J. Ran-
dall, Dem., unexpired term, Pa.
1877. XLY. J. M. Campbell, R., 2973; John Reilly, D.,
4335. Randall. Speaker.
1879. XL VI. Alexander H. Coif roth, D., 3246; J. M.
Campbell, R., 2415, Speaker: Randall.
1881. XL VII. J. M. Campbell, R., 4090; A. H. Coffroth,
D., 4455. Speaker. John \Y. Keifer, Rep., Ohio.
1883. XLVIli. J. M. Campbell, R., 3738; A. H. Coffroth,
D., 4265. Speaker, John G. Carlisle, Dem., Ky.
1885. XLIX. J. M. Campbell, R., 4429; Americus Enfield,
D., 4956. Speaker. John G. Carlisle, Dem., Ky.
1887. L. Edward Scull, R., 3848; Humphrey D. Tate, D.,
4778. Speaker, John G. Carlisle.
1889. LI. Edward Scull, R., 5475 ; Thomas H. Greevy, D.,
6017. Speaker, Thomas B. Reed, Me., Rep.
1891. LII. Edward Scull, R., 4191 ; Thomas H. Greevy, D.,
5590. Speaker, Charles F. Crisp, Dem., Ga.
1893. LIII. Josiah D. Hicks, R., 6050; Lucian D. Wood-
ruff, D., 6282. Speaker, Charles F. Crisp, Dem., Ga.
1895. LIV. Josiah D. Hicks, R., 6977 ; Thomas J. Burke,
D., 5076. Speaker, Thomas B. Reed, Me., Rep.
1897. LV. Josiah D. Hicks, R., 5641; R. C. McNamarra,
D., 6717; Joseph E. Thropp, Ind., 1822. Speaker, Thomas B.
Reed, Me., Rep.
1899. LVI. Joseph E. Thropp, R., 5914; James M. Wal-
ters, D., 7069. Speaker, David B. Henderson, Iowa, Rep.
1901. LVII. Alvin Evans, R., 10,209 ; James M. Walters,
D., 7,291. Speaker, David B. Henderson, Iowa, Rep.
Act of 11 July, 1901, P. L., 653, changed the district to
Cambria, Bedford and Blair, and designated it the Nineteenth
district :
1903. LVIIL Alvin Evans, R., 9314; Robert E. Cress-
well, D., 8187. Speaker, Joseph G. Cannon, Ills., Rep.
1905. LIX. John M. Reynolds, R., 10,312; Joseph E.
Thropp, D., 8681. Speaker, Joseph G. Cannon, Ills., Rep.
1907. LX. John M. Reynolds, R., 8152 ; Joseph E. Thropp,
D., 4979: Warren Worth Bailey, Bryan party, 2019; John W.
Blake, Ind., 350. Speaker, Joseph G. Cannon, Ills., Rep.
STATE SENATORS FEOM: THE CAMBRIA DISTRICT.
At the time Cambria county was organized, the senatorial
district was composed of Bedford, Cambria and Somerset coun-
ties, under the apportionment of March 21, 1808, 4 Smith, 496.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 131
The senate consisted of 31 members on a ratio of 4,500. One
member from each district. The name first given is the person
who was elected and served for the district, disregarding the
vote in Cambria.
1809. Jacob Blocker ; Alexander Ogle, D., 117 ; Josiah Espy,
91.
1813. John Todd, 259; Jacob Saylor, 43.
Act of March 8, 1815, 6 Smith, 268. Under this act the dis-
trict was the same, and known as the XlVth district, with a
ratio of 5,250 ; 31 members in senate :
1817. William Piper, 174; John A. Burd, 182.
1821. David Mann, 177; AVilliam Reynolds, 96.
Act of March 25, 1822, 7 Smith, 515. The district was com-
posed of Venango, Warren, Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson and
Cambria, and known as the XXIVth district. The senate con-
sisted of 33 members :
1825. Eben Smith Kellev; Hugh Brady, 459; Alexander
McCalmont, 152. Kelley died. October 13, 1829, Joseph M.,
Fox succeeded; his term expired 1830.
Act of April 20, 1829, 10 Smith, 359. The district con-
sisted of Huntingdon, jMifflin, Juniata and Cambria counties,
and was known as the XVIIth district. The ratio was 7,700,
with 33 senators :
1829. Thomas Jackson, term expired 1832 ; Joseph M. Fox,
349; William Houston, 148; David Lawson, 157.
1833. George McCulloch, 591; John Williamson, 348.
Act of June 16. 1836, P. L., 794. This district was composed
of Indiana, Armstrong, Cambria, and Clearfield counties, and
designated as the XXIIId district. The ratio was 9,256, with.
33 senators :
1837. Meek Kelly, term expired 1838; Alexander Irvin,
term expired 1839.
1839. Irvin resigned: Anson V. Parsons elected, term ex-
pired 1839.
1839. Findlev Patterson, D., 770 ; term expired 1841 ; Will-
iam Todd, W., 768; David Leech, 514.
1841. AVilliam Bigler, D., 901 ; Samuel Hutchinson, W., 723.
Act of April ]4, 1843, P. L., 251. Under this act the dis-
trict consisted of Cambria, Clearfield, Armstrong, and Indiana.
It was designated as the XXth district; the ratio was 11,746;
33 senators *
1844. William Bigler. D., 1130; Robert Craig, W., 937.
1847. William F. Johnston, W,, 940; Thomas C. McDowell,
D., 1125. Senator Johnston was elected speaker, and succeeded
Governor Shunk on the death of the latter.
1849. Augustus Drum, D., 1123; Robert L. Johnston, W.,
971.
Act of May 1, 1850, P. L., 777. The district was composed
132 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
of Blair, Cambria and Hiintiugdon counties. It was designated
as the XVth district, witli a ratio of 14,743. Senators, 33 :
1850. Kobert A. McMurtrie, W., 929; Thomas C. McDowell,
D., 1426.
1853. John Cresswell, Jr., D., 1367; A. M. White, W., 767;
Martin Bell. 630.
1856. John Cresswell, Jr., D., 2768 ; Alexander C. McMul-
len, W., 1544.
Act of May 20, 1857, P. L., 619. The district was changed
to the XXth district, containing Cambria, Clearfield and Blair
counties. Ivatio, 17,011, with 33 senators.
1859. Louis AV. Hall, R., 1391; Augustin Durbin, D., 2070.
1862. William A. Wallace, D., 2680; Louis W. Hall, R.,
1601.
Act of May 5, 1864, P. L., 258. Under this act it was the
XXlId districtli consisting of Cambria, Indiana and Jefferson
counties. Senators, 33.
L864. Thomas St. Clair, R.
1865. Harry White, R., 1973; Kennedy L. Blood, D., 2710/
1868. Harry White, R., 2826; William K. Piper, D., 726.
Act of May 6, 1871, P. L., 252, changed it to the XVIIIth
Senatorial district, composed of Clinton, Cambria, Clearfield
and Elk counties; 33 members:
1871. AVilliam A. Wallace, D., 3051 ; Jesse Merrill, R., 2439.
The apportionment of May 19, 1874, P. L. 197, changed it
to the XXXYth district of Blair and Cambria counties. 50
members :
1875. John A. Lemon, R., 2548 ; Samuel Henshev, D., 3291.
1876. John A. Lemon, R., 3098 ; W. Fisk Conrad, D., 4119.
1880. Harry A. Boggs, R., 4161; Herman Baumer, D.,
4399.
1884. Harry A. Boggs, R., 4365; C. Blvthe Jones, D., 4958.
1888. John A. Lemon, R., 5583; A. V. Dively, D., 5906.
1896. J. C. Stinemau, R., 8424; Francis P. Martin, D.,
6939.
1900. J. C. Stineman, R., 9806 ; Harrv E. Stahl, D., 7330.
1904. J. C. Stineman, R., 10,191 ; Thomas H. Greevv, D.,
8460.
The Act of February 17, 1906, P. L. 31, continued the
XXXVth district, but made Cambria a separate senatorial dis-
trict. 50 senators.
HOUSE OP EEPEESENTATIVES.
, . Members from the county of Cambria, and from the dis-
trict of which it was a part since 1808. The first two nained
persons were elected in the district and served, excepting from
1843 to 1849, inclusive, and from 1857 to 1873, inclusive, dur-
ing which periods there was but one member.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 133
xlct of March 21, 1808, 1 Smith, 496. The district consisted
of Cambria and Somerset counties. The ratio was 1500, with
95 members in the House :
1808. Alexander Ogle, D., 162; James Hanna, 198; John
Wells, 142; Charles Boyle, 72.
1809. James Hanna, 31; Daniel Stov, 79; Peter Kimmell,
175; Lewis Mitchell, 127.
1810. James Hanna.. F. ; Daniel Stoy, F.; Alexander Ogle,
D., 178; James Meloy, D., 195.
1811. James Hanna, F. ; Alexander Ogle, D., 180; James
Meloy, 182 ; John AYells, 61 ; Daniel Stoy, F., 7.
1812. James Hanna, F., 125 ; Alexander Ogle, D. ; James
Meloy, D., 186.
1813. Daniel Stoy, F. ; James Mitchell, 193; Isaac Hus-
band, 172.
1814. Joseph Reed, D., 129; Thomas King, 29; Isaac Proc-
tor, 140.
Act of March 8, 1815, 6 Smith, 269. The district was Cam-
bria and Somerset counties. The House consisted of 97 mem-
bers instead of 95. Ratio, 1750:
1815. Henry Black, F., 31; Thomas King, 26; Joseph
Reed, 151; Daniel Stoy, F., 52.
1816. Henry Black, F., 158 ; James Hanna, F., 178 ; Jacob
Ankeny, D., 147.
1817. Ilenrv Black, F., 58; James Hanna, F., 292; John
Wells, 182.
1818. Philip Noon, D., 301; John Hindman, F., 132.
1819. John Hindman, F., 201; Alexander Ogle, D., 97;
Philip Noon, D., 378; Peter Levergood, F., 203.
1820. Chauncey Forward, D., 43; John Mosteller, 187;
Philip Noon, D., 359; John Harman, 59; William Fulford, 48.
1821. Chauncey Forward, D., 171; Alexander Ogle, Jr.,
D., 161.
Act of March 25, 1822, 7 Smith, 515. The district con-
tinued as Cambria and Somerset counties. The ratio was 2100
with 100 members in the House :
1822. Chauncey Forward, D., 201; John Kurtz, F., 348;
Benjamin R. McConnell, 411.
1823. Peter Levergood, F., 488 ; Alexander Ogle, D., 182 ;
John Kurtz, F., 340.
1824. William Philson, D., 133; John Gephart, 186; Peter
Levergood, F., 340; Alexander Ogle, D., 96.
1825. William Philson, D., 287; Jolm Gej^hart, Jr., 301;
Moses Canan, F., 598.
1826. John Matthews. F., 402; John Gephart, Jr., 322.
1827. Jolm Matthews, F., 532; George Pile, F., 342; Irwin
Horrell, 201.
1828. George Pile, F., 230; John Gephart, Jr., D., 102;
John Rush, D., 398: Joshua F. Cox, D., 235.
134 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Act of April 20, 1829. 10 Smith, 359. The same:
1829. John Matthews, F., 637; Samuel Statler, D., 383 j
Joshua F. Cox, D., 110.
1830. Peter Levergood, Whig, 363 ; John Gephart, D., 82 ;
Samuel Statler, D., 365 : Michael Dan Magehan, W hig, 251.
1831. John Gephart, D., 317 ; Daniel AVeyand, D., 364; John
Matthews, Whig, 537 ; Peter Levergood. Whig, 315.
1832. Norman M. Bruce, D., 257; Bernard Conley, Jr., D.,
255 ; John :^ratthews, W., 682 ; Daniel Wevand, D., 543.
1833. Bernard Conley, Jr., D., 230; Peter Will, D., 216;
Henrv Fox. W.. 448; William Philson, D., 444.
1834. Joseph Imhoff, D., 556; Joshua F. Cox, D., 349;
Moses Canan. W., 538; David Lavan, D., 446.
1835. Joshua F. Cox, D., 707; John Gephart, D., 633; Eob-
ert P. Linton, D., 699; David Lavan, D., 574.
Act of June 16, 1836, P. L. 794. The district still continued
as Cambria and Somerset counties, with two members there-
from. The ratio was 3057; 100 members:
1836. Cleorae Mowerv, W., 561; Joseph Chamberlain, W.,
585; William A.^Smith. D'., 435; Jacob G. Miller, D., 444.
1837. Joseph Chamberlain, W., 532; Jonas Keim, W., 510;
John Kean, D., 602 ; Joseph Cummins, W., 582.
1838. Jonas Keim, W., 837; Joshua F. Cox, D., 761; Solo-
mon Baer. D.. 834; John Williams, 781.
1839. ' Jonas Keim, W., 470; Frederick Neff, D., 713; Wil-
liam Todd, 768 ; Michael Dan Magehan, W. 569.
1840. John Hanna, W., 374: Joshua F. Cox, D., 393;
Michael Dan Magehan, W., 1117; Solomon Baer, D., 894.
1841. John Eover, W., 917; John Hanna, W., 874.
1842. John Linton, W., 922; Tobias Musser, Ind., 491;
Jonathan Knepper, Ind., 474; John Will, 388.
Act of April 14, 1843, P. L. 251, Under this act Cambria
county was made a separate district, with one member. The
ratio was 3876, with 100 members in the House.
1843. John Linton, W., 817; David Somerville, D., 691;
John Francis, Ind., 113.
1844. Michael Dan Magehan, W., 872; Joseph McDonald,
D., 804 ; George Murray, Ind., 404.
1845. Michael Dan Magehan, W., 1016; George Murray,
D., 828.
1846. Michael Hasson, D., 600 ; Michael Dan Magehan, W\,
559; John Bell, Ind., 306.
1847. John Kean, D., 1116; George W. Kern, W., 975.
1848. John Fenlon, W., 1307; John Kean, D., 1202.
1849. William A. Smith, D., 1282; John Fenlon, W., 1202.
Act of May 15, 1850, P. L. 777. This act changed the dis-
trict to Bedford and Cambria counties, with two members of
the House. The ratio was 4865 with 100 members.
Fulton county was organized April 19, 1850, and was at-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 135
taclied to Bedford and Cambria district. It formerly formed
a part of Bedford county.
1850. John Cessna, D., 1404; elected speaker; John Lin-
ton, W., 1387; AVilliam A. Smith, D., 931; Samuel J. Castner,
W., 944.
1851. John Kean, D., 1753; William P. Schell, D., 1706;
John Linton, W., 1198; Aaron Barnhart, W., 1121.
1852. Thomas Collins, D., 1767; William P. Schell, D.,
1791; Daniel Litzinger, W., 1280; J. E. Satterfield, W., 1137.
1853. Thomas Collins, D., 1526; W. T. Dougherty, D.,
1581; Abraham Kopelin, W., 1250; J. H. AVilkinson, W., 1180.
1854. George S. King, W., 1760; WiUiam T. Dougherty,
D., 2506; William A. Smith, D., 1511; Peter Schell, W., 436.
1855. George Nelson Smith, D., 2076 ; Joseph Bernard, D.,
2084; R. S. Alexander, W., 1422; William W. Kirk, W., 1425.
1856. George Nelson Smith, D., 2778; William C. Reamer,
D., 2778; William W. Sellers, Rep., 1548; John Pringle, Rep.,
1549.
Act of 20 May, 1857, P. L. 622, made Cambria a separate
district with one member. There were 100 members, with a
ratio of 5796.
1857. George Nelson Smith, D., 2035; William Palmer, R.,
1549.
1858. Thomas H. Porter, D., 2091; Richard J. Proudfoot,
R., 1779.
1859. Richard J. Proudfoot, R., 1849; Daniel Litzinger,
D., 1590.
1860. A. C. Mullen, R., 1542; George Nelson Smith, D.,
1172; James Potts, D., 1107; Michael Dan Magehan, I)., 900.
1861. Cvrus L. Pershing, D., 2369; Abraham Kopelin, R.,
1235.
1862. Cvrus L. Pershing, D., 2750; James Cooper, R.,
1537.
1863. Cyrus L. Pershing, D., 3024; James Carroll, R., 2106.
Act of 5 Mav, 1864, P. L. 260, made no change in Cambria.
1864. Cyrus L. Pershing, D., 2688 ; Evan Roberts, R., 1863.
1865. Cvrus L. Pershing, D., 2739; James Conrad, R.,
1934.
1866. John P. Linton, D., 3375 ; John J. Glass, R., 2565.
1867. John P. Linton, D., 3031; Samuel Singleton, R.,
1971.
1868. John Porter, D., 3504 ; James Morley, R., 2854.
1869. John Porter, D., 3172; F. M. Flanagan, R., 2434.
1870. W. Horace Rose, D., 2909; Henry D. Woodruff,
Ind. D., 2707. Removal issue.
Act of 6 Mav, 1871, P. L. 252, did not change the situation.
1871. Samuel Henrv, R., 2912; W. Horace Rose, D., 2545.
1872. Samuel Henrv, R., 3426; John Hannan, D., 2952.
1873. Samuel Henrv, R., 3171; Henry Scanlon, D., 2825.
i
136 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
The apportionment of 19 May, 1874, P. L. 197, continued
the district as separate, and gave Cambria two members. 201
members in the house.
1874. John Hannan, D., 3293; John Buck, D., 3097;
Thomas H. Lapsley, R., 2491 ; John C. Gates, R., 2393.
1876. James J. Thomas, D., 4243; John Downey, 3985;
John H. Brown, R., 3240 ; W. H. Sloan, R., 3154.
1878. L. D. Woodruff, D., 3228; John Fenlon, D., 3136;
Alexander Kennedy, R., 2197 ; D. M. Kratzer, R., 1801.
1880. L. D. Woodruff, D., 4551; John Fenlon, D., 4307;
S. A. Criste, 4130; John W. Seigh, G.-R., 4078.
1882. Nathaniel Home, D., 4384; Joseph McDonald, D.,
4298 ; Samuel P. Morrell, R., 3602 ; W. W. McAteer, R., 3346.
1884. Nathaniel Home, D., 5009; John C. Gates, R., 4868;
William H. Sechler, D., 4791 ; James Cooper, R., 4169.
1886. John S. Rhey, D., 4909; Daniel McLaughlin, D.,
4365; Emanuel James, R., 4066; Joseph Masters, R., 3833.
1888. John S. Rhey, D., 5848; John M. Rose, R., 5762;
Daniel McLaughlin, D., 5645 ; David K. Wilhelm, R., 5611.
1890. Edward T. McNeelis, D., 5447; Michael Fitzharris,
D., 5224; Samuel D. Patterson, R., 4506.
1892. J. C. Stineman, R., 6224; James J. Thomas, D.,
6169 ; Slater W. Allen, D., 6112 ; John C. Gates, R., 5994.
1894. Samuel D. Patterson, R., 6870; J. C. Stineman, R.,
6836; John B. Denny, D., 5145; John Ricketts, D., 4958.
1896. S. D. Patterson, R., 8549; William P. Reese, R.,
8485; Thomas J. Itell, D., 6796; C. F. Frazer, D., 6662.
1898. Thomas T. Sheridan, D., 6568; W. C. Lingle, D.,
6379; Harry L. Rodgers, R., 6144; J. Swan Taylor, R., 6067.
1900. Thomas Davis, R., 9830; James M. Shumaker, R.,
9770; Thomas T. Sheridan, D.. 7719; W. C. Lingle, D., 7517.
1902. Thomas Davis, R., 9098; E. E. Hohmann, R., 8798;
Harry Somerville, D., 8403; Thomas J. Itell, D., 8321.
1904. Edmund James, R. 10,661; E. E. Hohmann, R.,
10,543; John P. Bracken, D., 7878; W. C. Hubbard, D., 7481.
The apportionment of 15th February, 1906, P. L. 24, gave
Cambria three members — one from the city of Johnstown, and
two from the other parts of the county. There are 207 mem-
bers in the house.
1906. First District, City of Johnstown : F. P. Barnhart,
Rep., 2757; T. J. Itell, Dem., 1865; W. C. Wilson, Pro., 272;
Charles H. Stroup, Lincoln, 233.
Second District, two from the county: Alvine Sherbine,
Rep., 4873; Edmund James, Rep., 4730; A. C. Strittmatter,
Dem., 3905; W. C. Hubbard, Dem., 3340; David Irvine, W. C.-
Lin., 2106; Edward Fisher, W. C.-Lin., 1657.
HISTOBY OF CAMBBIA COUNTY. 137
SHERIFFS OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
It will be observed that the act creating Cambria county-
directed that two persons be elected to the office of sheriff. This
was an old Colonial practice and applied to every county, but
only one was commissioned. The two having the highest votes
^submitted their names to the governor, who had the discretion
to select one of the two. This custom prevailed until the con-
stitution of 1838, which provided that one person should be
elected for sheriff, and one for coroner.
The first named was commissioned or elected.
1807. James Meloy.
1810. Philip Noon, R. D., 109; William R. Williams,
Fed., 107. ^
1813. James Meloy, R. D., 156; Michael Skelly, Fed., 101.
1816. John Murray, R-D., 198; John Keepers, Fed., 177.
1819. Owen McDonald, R-D., 188; Samuel McAnulty,
Fed., 157.
1822. Jolin Murray, R-D., 251; Henry J. Mcauire, Fed.,
222.
' 1825. John McGough, R-D., 375 ; John Mathews, 292.
1828. Fleetwood Benson, D., 306; William Pryer, 202.
1831. Robert P. Linton, D., 452; John Anderson, Whig,
134.
1834. William Rainey, D., 422. There were nine candi-
dates—Daniel Huber, W., 410; Francis Christy, 267; William
Scott, 140; William Todd, 68; Paul Benshoff, 23; Thomas
Priestly, 10; Richard Lewis, 8; Charles Litzinger, 8; 158 re-
turned for a scattering vote.
1837. Robert P. ^Linton, D., 638. There were sixteen can-
didates, in addition to the scattered vote: Daniel Huber, W.,
487; Paul Benshoff, 57; Hiram Craver, 56; William Benson,
18 ; Charles Litzinger, 18 ; William Todd, 18 ; Christian Horner,
15; John Lucket, 14; Thomas D. McGough, 12; Jacob Luther,
10; Fleetwood Benson, 10; Charles Dillon, 8; Thomas Priestly,
7 ; John Williams and John Fels, 5 each.
1840. William Todd, D., 834; David Davis, W., 727.
1843. James Murray, D., 620; David Davis, W., 582; Au-
gustine Durbin, Ind., 451.
1846. Jesse Patterson, D., 1055 ; Henry Glass, W., 426.
1849. John Brawley, D., 1444; Robert B. Gogeby, W.,
1065.
1852. Augustine Durbin, D., 2048; Alexander McVicker,
W., 1062.
1855. John Roberts, D., 2107; Joseph Campbell, W., 1399.
1858. Robert P. Linton, 2176; James Myers, 1754.
1861. John Buck, D., 2242; James D. Hamilton, R., 1339.
1864. James Myers, D., 2670; George Eugelbach, R., 1593.
138 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
1867. John A. Blair, D., 3031; Samuel Singleton, K., 1971.
1870. William B. Bonacker, D., 3545; Francis Graver,
E., 2112.
1873. Herman Bamner, D., 2978: John T. Harris, R.,
2765.
1876. John Evan, D., 3692; Thomas Davis, E., 3481.
1879. Thomas Griffith, E., 3072; Michael J. Nagle, . D.,
'"'588
1882. Demetrius A. Luther, D., 3975; D. H. Kinkead,
E., 3923.
1885. Joseph A. Grav, D., 3740; J. C. Stineman, E., 3469.
1888. J. C. Stineman, E., 6111; John J. Kinney, D., 5421.
1891. J. M. Shumaker, E., 6235; Joseph A. Gray, D., 5664.
1894. D. W. Coulter, E., 6909; Eobert H. Nixon, D., 5236.
1897. Geo. M. Wertz, E., 6831 ; Herman Baumer, D., 6594.
1900. Elmer E. Davis, E., 9638; John H. Waters, D., 7973.
1903. Samuel Lenhart, D., 8898; John L. Sechler, E., 8283.
1906. Webster Griffith, E., 8189; W. H. Strauss, D., 7159.
THE PROTHONOTARY.
AVlien the county was organized, the prothonotary of the
courts was appointed by the governor, but under the constitu-
tion of 1838 the office became elective. In addition to his
duties as they exist at present, he was also register of wills,
recorder of deeds and clerk of the orphans' court, which so
continued until 1854.
1808. Edward V. James.
1809. James C. McGuire.
1821. Cornelius McDonald.
1823. Philip Noon.
1833. Adam Bausman.
1836. David T. Storm, W., removed by Gov. Porter.
1839. William A. Smith, D., appointed by Gov. Porter.
1839. William A. Smith, D., 753; Edward Shoemaker,
W., 528.
1842. William A. Smith, D., 734; George J. Eodgers,
W., 647.
1845. Joseph McDonald, D., 863; John Linton, W., 732;
George Burgoon, 190; Michael Hav, 96.
1848. William Kittell, D., * 1552 ; Edwin A. Vickroy,
W. 998.
' 1851. Eobert L. Johnston, W., 1569; William Kittell,
D., 1381.
1854. Milton Eoberts, W., 1818; Geo. C. K. Zahm, D., 1411.
1856. Joseiili McDonald, D., 2756; Howard J. Eoberts,
E., 1556.
1859. Joseph McDonald, D., 1906; Howard J. Eoberts,
E., 1683.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 139
1862. Joseph McDonald, D., 2738; William K. Carr,
R., 1531.
1865. Geo. C. K. Zalim, D., 2764; Edward F. Lytle, R., 1909.
1868. Josiah K. Hite, D., 3650 ; J. M. Christy, R., 2753.
1871. Josiah K. Hite, D., 3186 ; Charles C. Teeter, 2175.
1874. Bernard McColgan, D., 3005; D. H. Kinkead, R.,
2629.
1877. Charles F. O'Donnell, D., 2475; William A. McDer-
mitt, R., 1051 ; Emery West, G., 1252 ; Nathaniel Home, Ind., 583.
1880. John C. Gates, R., 4356; Charles A. Langbein, D.,
4242.
1883. Harry A. Shoemaker, D., 4064; Jolm C. Gates, R..
3751.
1886. Harry A. Shoemaker, D., 5031 ; Clark H. Langhry,
R., 3838.
1889. James C. Darby, D., 4546; Charles E. Troxell, R.,
4187.
1892. James C. Darby, D., 6255; Abraham A. Stutzman,.
R., 6012.
1895. Samnel W. Davis, R., 5915; William S. O'Brien, D.,
4969.
1898. Samnel W. Davis, R., 6660; H. A. Shoemaker, D.,
6491.
1901. Charles E. Troxell, R., 9215 ; R. L. Boner, D., 8409.
1904. Charles E. Troxell, R., 11005; John T. Long, D.,,
7667 ; H. 0. Winslow, Pro., 593.
EECOKDER OF DEEDS, REGISTER OF WILLS, AND CLERK OF ORPHANS'
COURT.
1854. William C. Barbour, W., 1692; James J. Will, D.,
1478.
1857. Michael Hasson, D., 1802; George C. K. Zahm,
D-R., 1715.
1860. Edward S. Lytle, R., 1459; James Griffin, D., 1429;
Albert M. Gregg, B-D., 1117 ; Robert H. Canan, Ind., 692.
1863. James Griffin, D., 3014 ; Robert Litzinger. R., 2138.
1866. James Griffin, D., 3288 ; William A. McDermitt, R.,
2640. _ . ^
1869. George W. Oatman, D., 3088 ; Samuel W. Davis, R.,
2526
^ 1872. James M. Singer, D., 3495; S. A. Kephart, R., 2905.
1875. James M. Singer, D., 3180; B. P. Anderson, R., 2649.
1878. John G. Lake, D., 2963; Israel W. Watterman, R.,
2240; W. W. Saupp, G., 1364; William A. Noel, Ind., 45.
1880. John H. Brown, R., appointed vice John G. Lake,
deceased.
1880 John H. Brown, R., 4652 ; Michael Sweeney, D., 3959.
1883. John H. Brown, R., 3933 ; Hugh McMonigal, D., 3848.
1886. Celestine J. Blair, D., 4864 ; John H. Brown, R., 400L
140 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY
1889. Celestine J. Blair. D., 4538; D. H. Kinkead, R., 4186
1892. Daniel McG-ougli, D., 6237; Samuel AV. Davis, R.
6013.
1895. F. B. Jones, R., 5870; Daniel A. McGough, D., 4997
1898. F. B. Jones, R., 6683; Dr. George E. Conrad, D.
6619.
1901. William H. Stranss, D., 9418; Charles C. Linton, R.
8334.
1904. Arthur Griffith, R., 10179 ; Wm. H. Strauss, D., 8899
Alex. McDo^Yell, Pro., 466.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES,
AYliere a judicial district consisted of more than one county,
■each of them was entitled to have two associate judges to sit
with the president judge, who until 1851 were appointed by
the governor. For Cambria county they were:
1807. Abraham Hildebrand and George Roberts.
1826. George Roberts and John Murray.
1838. John Murray and Richard Lewis.
1843. John Murray and Philip Noon. Judge Lewis was
appointed by Governor Ritner, and Governor Porter desired to
appoint Judge Xoon, but Lewis refused to resign, when he was
removed.
1851. Harrison Kinkead, D., 1610 ; Evan Roberts, W., 1451 ;
George W. Easly, D., 1417 ; Michael Levy, ^Y., 1294. Judge Rob-
erts resigned September 3, 1855, and Governor Pollock ap-
pointed Moses Canan to fill the unexpired term.
1855. Harrison Kinkead and Moses Canan.
1856. George W. Easly, D., 2742; Richard Jones, Jr., D.,
2710 ; Stephen Llovd, Rep., 1537 ; Moses Canan, Rep., 1590.
1861. George ^Y. Easly, D., 2304; Henry C. Devine, D.,
2239; Isaac Evans, Rep., 1279; James Purse, Rep., 1272.
1866. George W. Easlv, D., 3307 ; James Murrav, D., 3281 ;
John Williams, R., 2605; Charles B. Ellis, R., 2485.
1871. Rees J. Lloyd, D., 3057; John Flanagan, D., 3051;
Daniel J. Jones, R., 2367; David Hamilton, R., 2287.
1876. John Flanagan, D., 4283; John D. Thomas, D., 4135;
Richard Jones, R., 3020; Irvin Rutleclge, R., 2950.
1881. Joseph Masters, R., 3840 ; John Flanagan, D., 3433 ;
Richard Elder, R., 3165; James Myers, D., 3120.
The December court, 1886, was the last one to sit where as-
sociate judges sat.
J. Frank Condon was appointed court reporter on June 8,
1880, by Judge Dean, and died at Altoona, April 25, 1901. Mr.
■Condon was succeeded by F. C. Sharbaugh, of Ebensburg.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 141
DISTRICT ATTORlSrEYS.
Prior to the act of 1850, the prosecuting officer for the counter
was the attorney general for the state, who appointed a deputy
attorney general in each county, or wherever he deemed it neces-
saiy; after that date the office of district attorney was made
elective. The following are the attorney generals and their
deputies :
1808. Joseph M. McKean.
1809-1810. Walter Franklin. "William R. Smith.
1811. Richard Rush.
1812 to 1816. Jared Ingersoll. William R. Smith.
1817 and 1818. Amos Elhnaker. Moses Canan.
1819 and 1820. Thomas Sergeant. Henrv Shippen.
1821, '22 and '23. Thomas Elder. William R. Smith.
1823-1826. Frederick Smith. Carpenter.
1828-29. Amos Ellmaker.
1829. Philip S. Markley.
1830-32. Samuel Douglass. Carpenter.
1833. Ellis Lewis. Michael Dan Magellan.
1834-35. George M. Dallas. L. G. Pearce and"
Carpenter.
1836-37. James Todd. Michael Dan Magellan.
1838. William B. Reed. Moses Canan.
1839-44. Ovid F. Johnson. Thomas C. McDowell.
1845. John K. Kane. Michael Hasson.
1846. John M. Reed. Michael Hasson.
1847- '48. Benjamin Champneys. Michael Hasson.
1849-1850. Cornelius Darrah. Edward Hutchinson and
T. H. Heyer.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
This office became elective in 1850.
1850. Edward Hutchinson, Jr., W., 1175 ; Michael Hasson,
D., 1081.
1853. T. L. Hever, D., 1675 ; Geo. M. Reade, W., 1046.
1856. T. L. Heyer, D., 2755 ; Charles W. Wlngard, R., 1500,
1859. Philip S. Noon, D., 1838; Joseph H. Campbell, R.,
1660.
1862. Philip S. Noon, D., 2773; John H. Fisher, R., 1455.
1865. John F. Barnes, D., 2715 ; Samuel Singleton, R., 1946.
1868. Francis P. Tiernev, D., 3293 ; Joseph McDonald, 3037.
1871. William H. Sechler, D., 3107; Thomas W. Dick, R.,
2253.
1874. W. Horace Rose, D., 3480; E. G. Kerr, R., 2082.
1877. W. Horace Rose, D., 3192; James C. Easly, D.,
1577.
1880. William H. Sechler, D., 4460 ; no opposition.
142 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
1S(S3. Harrv (1, "Rose, T).. 4281; no opposition.
1886. Harry G. Eose, 5070 ^ T. F. Zimmerman, E., 3907.
1889. John Fenlon, appointed vice Harrj^ G. Eose, de-
ceased.
1889. Francis J. O'Connor, D., 4619; Henry Wilson Storey,
E., 4061.
1892. Eobert S. Mnrpliv, E., 6334; Francis J. O'Connor,
D., 6032.
1895. Eobert S. Mnrphy, E., 5924; James M. Walters, D.,
5019.
1898. M. B. Stephens, E., 7039 ; Francis P. Martin, D., 6450.
1901. M. B. Stephens, E., 9580; Horace E. Eose, D., 8228.
1904. J. W. Leech, E., 10951; Edward T. McNeelis, D.,
8376.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE JUDICIAL DISTRICT JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS, AND LEGISLA-
TION SPECIAL ACTS, THE JUDGES AND LAWYERS— INCIDENTS.
The first legislative act of the colony of Pennsylvania in
establishing courts was that of 22 May, 1722 (1 Smith, 131).
At that time the territory now in Cambria was a part of Chester
comity, and the courts convened "on the third day of the week
called Tuesday" in February, May, August and November, and
the court of quarter sessions of the peace was to continue for
two days.
In 1722 the supreme court was established, to consist of
three judges, of whom David Lloyd was the chief justice. By the
Act of 8th of April, 1826 (9 Smith, 179), it was increased to five
members, and by the constitution of 1873 it was again increased
to seven justices. The Western District was established at Pitts-
burg in 1806, to continue for one week.
Our county court was held in Lancaster from 1729 to 1749,
in Carlisle, Cumberland county, the .county capital, until Bed-
ford was created in 1771, and then followed Somerset in 1795.
The Act of 13 April, 1791 (3 Smith, 29), created the Fourth
Circuit Court District, consisting of Bedford, Cumberland,
Franklin, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties. Our county court
was then in Bedford.
The Tenth Judicial District was created by the Act of 24
February, 1806 (4 Smith, 270), and was composed of Armstrong,
Cambria, Indiana, Somerset and Westmoreland counties, with
Judge Young of Greensburg, as president judge, at a salary of
$1,600 per annum. There were also two associate judges for
each county.
The Act of 14 April, 1834, P. L., 344, authorized any two of
these judges "to hear and determine all causes, matters and
things cognizable therein." Our records show that the associate
judges frequently held court in the absence of the president
judge,, when they tried civil and criminal causes, charging the
jury and entering judgment.
Under the last mentioned act the return days for our court
of common pleas were "on the Mondays following the fourth
144 HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Monday in March, June, September and December" and con-
tinued for one week. The special Act of February 27, 1873, P. L.
169, provides for other return days than those mentioned.
The Twenty-fourth Judicial District was created by the Act
of 5 April, 1849, P. L. 368, composed of Blair, Cambria and
Huntingdon counties. Our court convened on the first Mondays
of January, April, July and October ; however, the Act of 1 May,
1852, P. L. 508, changed the regular terms to the first Mondays
of March, June, September and December and to continue for
two weeks. This act has never been changed.
The constitution of 1873 provided that when any county had
a population of 40,000 or over it should be entitled to its own
court and judge, and the office of associate judge should be
abolished. The census of 1880 gave Cambria over that number,
whereupon the. Assembly authorized and created the Forty-
seventh Judicial District, by the Act of 7 August, 1883, pub-
lished in the laws of 1885, P. L. 323.
FIEST JUDGES OF BEDFORD COUXTY.
At the time Bedford county was formed we were a part of it,
as has been noted. On March 11, 1771, Lieutenant Governor John
Penn appointed the following named persons as justices of the
court of general quarter sessions of the peace and of the county
court of common i^leas for the county, and a commission was ac-
cordingly bestowed upon each of them.
There were fifteen in the entire county, namely: John
Frazer, Barnard Dougherty, Arthur St. Clair, William Creaf ord,
James Milligan, Thomas Gist, Dorsey Pentacost, Alexander Mc-
Kee, AYilliam Proctor, Junior, John Hanna, William Lochry,
John Wilson, Robert Cluggage, William McConnell and George
Woods. A dedimus potestatem was directed to John Frazer,
Barnard Dougherty and Arthur St. Clair, which means in sub-
stance they should administer the oaths of office and allegiance
to the Proprietors of Pennsylvania.
At that period all the territory west of the mountains was
in Bedford county, and these judges must have been located at
various places therein for the convenience of the people. Judge
Hanna was the first judge of Westmoreland, and held court at
Hannastown ; William Lochry was a resident of that portion of
the county also.
The first court in Bedford county was held 16 April, 1771,
and the judges present and sitting were : William Proctor, Rob-
. HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 145
ert Cliigo-ag-e, Robert (John) Hanna, George (John) Wilson,
William Lochrv and AVilliam McConnell.
This was the .indicia! system nntil after the Declaration of
Independence and nntil the adoption of the constitution of 1790.
Under that instrument Governor Mifflin appointed James :\rar-
tin, Barnard Dougherty and George Woods, who served alter-
nately as the president judge. This system was, however,
changed by the Act of 13 xVpril, 1791, when in the following Au-
gust the governor appointed Thomas Smith of Bedford, presi-
dent judge of the fourth district, which included Bedford, Cum-
berland, Franklin, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties, and four as-
sociates for Bedford county, namely: George Woods, first asso-
ciate; James Martin, second; Hugh Barclay, third, and Peter
Hopkins fourth. Judge Smith served until 31 January, 1794,
when he was appointed an associate judge of the supreme court,
and James Riddle of Chambersburg succeeded him in Bedford
county, who continued to preside until November, 1804, when
he was succeeded by Thomas Cooper.
On March 1, 1806, Jonathan H. W^alker succeeded Coo})er.
Judge Walker was the father of Robert J. W^alker, Secretary of
the Treasury of the United States under President Polk, and
was the author of the Walker tariff bill of 1846, which only
passed with the deciding vote of Vice President Dallas of Penn-
sylvania.
The county of Somerset was taken from Bedford county
by the Act of 17 April, 1795, and the first term of court was held
in Somerset on Christmas day of that year. The president
judge was Alexander Addison, of the fifth judicial district,
wi'th James Wells, Abraham Cable and Ebenezer Griffith as his
associates. Judge Addison was the author of "Addison's Re-
port for the County Courts of the Fifth District and the High
Court of Errors and Appeals." The fifth district or circuit con-
sisted of Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington and xVllegheny
counties. Judge Riddle and Judge Cooper succeeded Addison,
who were respectively, the judges of the fourth district, until
12 May, 1806, when Judge Young became the president judge of
our district. Judge Addison served twelve years as president
judge. He was eminent in his profession, an accomplished
scholar and his integrity was beyond reproach, but on January
1, 1803, through political rancor he was impeached. x\fter his
death on November 24, 1807, when it was too late to remove the
Vol. I — 10
146 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
stigma that had been cast upon his character, it was the prevail-
ing opinion that a great wrong had been done him.
Judge Young was the first judge for Cambria. He was born
in Glasgow, Scotland, July 12, 1762, died in Greensburg, Octo-
ber 6, 1840, and is interred in the St. Clair cemetery in that
town. His father was a merchant of Glasgow, and at the time
of his death his son John was a clerk for the father of Sir Wal-
ter Scott.
Judge Young arrived in Philadelphia about 1779, and en-
tered the office of a Mr. Duponceau, and subsequently that of
Judge Wilson as a student of the law, until he was admitted
to the Philadelphia bar January 8, 1786. He came to Greens-
burg in 1789, and very successfully began the practice of his
profession. In 1786 he married Maria Barclay, of Philadelphia;
they were the parents of three sons and five daughters. His
second marriage was with Statira Barclay, a cousin of his
deceased wife, by whom he had a son and a daughter.
In 1792 and 179-3 he served a short period in the military
service for western Pennsylvania. Governor McKean appoint-
ed him judge of the Tenth Judicial District, which included
Cambria county, March 1, 1806, and he served therein for thirty-
one years, until he resigned at the age of sixty-nine. He was
engaged in the famous contention between the secular and the
regular clergy of the Roman Catholic Church, for the land upon
which the monastery is located at Beatty's Station, His oppos-
ing counsellor was H. H. Brackenridge, Esq., the father of
Judge Brackenridge, of our supreme court. He had been edu-
cated for the ministry, and in this" contention he could read with
accuracy and to the satisfaction of the court the bulls of the
Popes and the decrees of Councils, which were written in Latin.
Between him and John B. Alexander, Esq., a member of his
bar, a difficulty arose which resulted in the latter presenting ar-
ticles of impeachment. This came to naught, as his character
for integrity and excellence was firmly established. His court-
eous treatment of Mr. Alexander after he had failed to degrade
him, disclosed this. Judge Young was a follower of Emanuel
Swedenborg.
Judge Young was about six feet in height, of delicate mould,
and of a dignified bearing, stooping slightly in his walk. He
usually dressed in plain black, with the conventional swallow-
tailed coat and ruffled shirt, and worse his hair in a queue. His
forehead was high and smooth; his face well formed, and his
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 147
nose long and straight. He owned slaves at one time, but gave
them their freedom and sufficient monej' to start them on their
own account. "When he retired, the bar entertained him at a
banquet, when he closed his remarks thus:
**I conclude with the best wishes for all my fellow-creat-
ures, independent of external distinction. We are all the chil-
dren of one common Father, who causes the sun of His love and
the rays of His wisdom to shine upon all."
Judge White, of Indiana, was the second common pleas
judge for Cambria county, which was a part of the Tenth Ju-
dicial District composed of Armstrong, Cambria, Indiana, Som-
erset and Westmoreland counties. Westmoreland then had a
two weeks' term of court, the others having only one. Gov-
ernor Joseph Eitner made the appointment for life, and gave
him a commission dated December 13, 1836. He studied law
with William Eawle, an eminent lawyer of Philadelphia, and
began practice in Indiana in 1821, when he was about twenty-
one years old. He presided over our courts with dignity and
ability for ten years. At the time of his appointment president
judges were commissioned for life or during good behavior,
but the constitution of 1838 changed it to a period of ten years.
The appointment of his successor caused more contention,
discussion and turmoil in reference to our judges than any act
or thing which had theretofore occurred. Francis Rawn Shtmk
was the Democratic Governor, and was disposed to reappoint
Judge AAHiite, especially so as the friends of the latter had pre-
sented a petition containing the names of about twenty thousand
of his constituents, irrespective of party politics, requesting
it. But the political managers took a hand and said it would
never do to appoint a Whig. Judge Jeremiah S. Black strongly
recommended Shunk to make the appointment, and when he
took his departure he believed he would do so, but on the same
day a Democratic congressman on his way to Washington called
on the governor and objected to it which prevented the appoint-
ment being made.
Judge White's term expired February 27, 1847, and on
that day Governor Shunk sent in the name of Jeremiah M. Bur-
rell, of Greensburg, to Irhe senate for confirmation. William F.
Johnston, a Whig senator from the Cambria district, then re-
siding at Kittanning, was the speaker of the senate, and whose
party controlled the senate by one vote. Judge Burrell's ap-
pointment was promptly rejected. On March 15, 1847, the
148 HISTORY OF CAMBBIA COUNTY.
governor nomiuated Samuel A. Giliiiore for the succession and
renewed liis recommendation for the senate to confirm it, but it
was also promptly refused, by a vote of fourteen to twelve. The
governor made the third trial, and named Wilson McCand-
less of Pittsburg as Judge White's successor, and again re-
quested the senate to approve it, which was also declined by a
tie vote of thirteen to thirteen. The senate adjourned, and
there was no president judge for the Tenth Judicial District.
The public welfare was being seriously affected for the
lack of a presiding judge. Governor Sliunk assumed the respon-
sibility and ajDpointed his first choice — J. M. Burrell — to fill the
vacancy p/o hac vice, with his commission bearing date of
March 27, 1847. On Monday, May 24, 1847, Judge Burrell as-
sumed the duties of his office, and presided over the courts in
Greensburg, and in regular order in the other courts of the
district.
The complications heretofore had been political but now
confusion was supreme, and had shifted to the people, who in-
quired if the appointment was valid, or whether they had any
courts. Edgar Cowan, the eminent lawyer of Greensburg,
doubted its constitutionality, and brought an action of quo
ivarranto to test the validity of the appointment, which was
decided by the supreme court on a technical objection raised by
Judge Burrell, sustaining him, which is reported in 7 Pa., 34.
The technical objection in^oduced more complications and con-
fusion than had theretofore existed. The Democratic politi-
cians were alarmed, and the Whigs were complacent, but they
believed the duty rested on them to relieve the situation. While
the General Assembly was in session in the winter of 1847-48,
Senator Johnston was still the speaker of the senate. During
the session he casually met a young man named John C. Knox,
of Wellsboro, Tioga county, who was on his way to the west
to locate and begin the practice of law. His brilliancy cap-
tured the speaker, who advised him that if he could get Gov-
ernor Shunk to appoint him president judge of the Tenth Ju-
dicial District that he would undertake to have the appoint-
ment confirmed by the senate, which he had no doubt could be
procured. AVithin a few days the appointment of John C-alvin
Knox came to the senate from Governor Shunk, when it was
promptly confirmed. His commission was dated April 11, 1848,
when Judge Burrell resigned, and he served until Judge Taylor
succeeded him on the first Monday of December, 1851.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 149
Judge McCandless, who served many years on the bench,
always referred to or spoke of Judge White as "My illustrious
predecessor." Chief Justice Black frequently said that "Judge
White was the ablest and most satisfactory common pleas judge
I ever tried a case before." The refusal of Governor Shunk
to reappoint Judge White and its results did more than any
other thing to take the appointment of president judges from
the chief executive and make it an elective office, which was done
by the Act of April 15, 1851, P. L., 648.
Judge Jeremiah Murry Burrell was born near Murrys-
ville, in Westmoreland county, his mother being a daughter of
General Murry, one of the founders of Murrysville. He com-
pleted his education at Jefferson College, then located at Canons-
burg. He was a student of the law in the office of Judge Rich-
ard Coulter, who was subsequently an associate justice of the
supreme court, and was admitted to practice law Jul}" 14, 1835.
He had an inclination for politics, and purchasing the
"Greensburg Argus" about 1839, he made it a political organ
which gained a national reputation of sufficient force to meet
the approval of the opponents of Horace Greeley's anti-slavery
ideas, and other public interests. In 1844 he was an efficient
speaker and writer for Colonel Polk, the Democratic candidate
for the presidency. In a contest for the leadership of the Gen-
eral Assembly with Thomas Burnside, Jr., a son of Judge Burn-
side, and a son-in-law of Simon Cameron, he succeeded. He
was then recognized as an able partisan and a most eminent
orator. Notwithstanding his eminent abilities and integrity,
the manner of his appointment rankled in his bosom as well
as that of the party which appointed him, and after serving
less than a year he resigned the position of president judge of
our district.
Judge John Calvin Knox served acceptably as president
judge of the courts of Cambria county from April 11, 1848,
until April 4, 1849, when he was succeeded by Judge Taylor.
Judge Knox was a stranger in the Tenth District, which is
the prinicipal reason for his appointment and confirmation. In
addition to the manner in which Senator Johnston suggested
his name, there is another side incident connected with his ju-
dicial service which is of some value and has never been pub-
lished, which now may be properly done, as age mellows many
things into virtues,
Armstrong county was a part of the Tenth District, and
150 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
the late John S. Ehey, of Ebensbiirg, was then a young lawyer
residing in Kittanning, who had been appointed deputy attor-
ney general to prosecute criminal actions in the district. While
residing in that county he was elected to the General Assembly,
where bv that eminent bodv he was chosen speaker of the house
in 1852. When Judge Knox made his first visit to Kittanning
he met Mr. Rhey, and with due modesty and candor said he
feared to assume the duties which the office of president judge im-
posed as his practice of the law was limited. He had never tried
a case and felt that he was not equipped for the distinguished
position. Mr, lihey appreciated the condition of public affairs
in the district, and with his short acquaintance looked with
favor on helping the young judge, and thus counselled him:
''Never mind; go on the bench and made no excuses; do the
best you can and we will help you. Do not talk about it." He
did as he was advised, and performed his duties very well for
the brief period he was in the district.
The judicial districts were reapportioned in 1851, and on
the same day that Judge Taylor was elected for the Cambria,
Blair and Huntingdon courts, Judge Knox was elected in the
Venango, Jefferson, Clarion and Forrest district, then the
XVIIIth District, defeating Judge Buffington, who had been com-
missioned by Governor Johnston. Judge Knox served with
distinction, and in 1853 Governor Bigler appointed him as-
sociate judge of the supreme court to succeed the eminent Chief
Justice John Bannister Gibson. He was elected to succeed him-
self, and served there until January 19, 1858, when he assumed
the office of attorney general in the cabinet of Governor Will-
iam Fisher Packer. At the close of his official term as attorney
general he located in Philadelphia, where he practiced his pro-
fession until he became afflicted with softening of the brain, and
died in the Norristown Hospital.
Judge George Taylor was born at Oxford, Chester county,
Pennsylvania, November 20, 1812, and died in Hollidaysburg
while holding court November 14, 1871. He was the fourth child
of Matthew and Rebecca Anderson-Taylor. He did not attend
school after his thirteenth year. He removed to Huntingdon,
and became a clerk in the prothonotary's office, while David R.
Porter was the the official. In 1834 he entered the office of An-
drew P. Wilson as a student of the law, and was admitted to
the bar on April 12, 1836. He prosecuted the Flanagans for the
Betsy Holder homicide. He formed a partnership with Jolm
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 151
G. Miles in the practice of tlie law. In 1843 lie was elected
treasurer of Hnnting-don comity. While treasurer he retired
from the firm of Miles & Taylor and began to prepare for the
Presbyterian ministry. He mastered the Greek language and
could read the Testament in its original tongue. In 1835 he
was editor of a Democratic weekly newspaper.
The Act of April 5, 1819, created the XXIVtli Judicial Dis-
trict, composed of Blair, Cambria and Huntingdon counties,
and he was unanimously recommended for president judge, and
in the same month Governor Johnston, the Whig governor,
gave him his first commission. He succeeded Judge Knox in
Cambria county, and occupied the bench for the first time on
July 2, 1849. He was nominated and elected as a Whig in 1851
for a full term of ten years, and was re-elected in 1861. In his
twenty-two years' service he never failed to hold the regular
terms of court. Judge Taylor was an excellent common pleas
judge.
Justice John Dean was born at Williamsburg, Blair county,
February 15. 1835, and died in'Hollidaysburg, May 29, 1905.
He was the son of Matthew Dean. His grandfather was John
Dean, and his great-grandfather was Matthew Dean, one of the
early settlers in central Pennsylvania.
Judge Dean was educated in the common schools at the
Williamsburg Academy and Washington College. He taught
school in W'illiamsburg and Hollidaysburg, when he entered
the law office of James M. Bell and D. H. Hofius as a student
of the law. He was admitted to practice in 1855. In 1857 he
was elected superintendent of the county schools, and in 1859
formed a partnership with Samuel Steel Blair, which continued
until '64. In '67 he was appointed district attorney for Blair
county to succeed John H. Keatle}^, and was elected for the
next term. In 1871 he was elected president judge of the
X^lVth Judicial District consisting of Blair, Cambria and
Huntingdon counties. His Democratic opponent was Thaddejus
Banks, and George Taylor as an Independent candidate. In
1881 he was unanimously elected for the succeeding t^rni. The
apportionment of 1883 made Blair county a separate district,
where he completed the second term of service. In 1891,
he was again re-elected over H. T. Ames, of Williams])ort, an
Independent candidate. In 1892 he was nominated by the Re-
publican convention and was elected to the supreme court 'of
his native state, and entered upon his duties on tlie first Mon-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
153
day of January, 1898. He was next to the chief jnstiee in the
date of his commission at the time of his death. Judge Dean
did not accept a railroad pass during his judicial career. He
was regarded as one of the strong judges of the state.
Judge Robert Lipton Johnston, elected as the Democratic
nominee to succeed Judge Dean, was the first judge for Cam-
R. L. Johnston.
bria county when it was made a separate judicial district in
1883, and designated the XLVIIth District. He was born in
Franklin township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, on Jan-
uary 7, 1815; died at Ebensburg, October 28, 1890.
Judge Johnston was educated in private schools. In 1839
he removed from Indiana to Ebensburg, and became a student
of the law in the office of Michael Dan Magellan. He was ad-
154 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
mitted to practice on March 31, 1811. In 1815 lie was elected
connty treasurer on the Whig ticket, and in 1819, he was its
candidate for the state senate against Augustus Drum. In 1851
he was elected on the same ticket for prothonotary, clerk of the
oyer and terminer, quarter sessions and orphans' courts, and
register and recorder, all of which were filled by the same of-
ficial. In 1851 he was elected the first superintendent of public
schools, and served until October, 1855, when he resigned. There-
after he successfully practiced his profession until he was elected
president judge.
In 1854 he left the Whig party on the issues raised by the
Know-Nothings, and held aloof for twp years before he decided
to cast his lot with the Democratic party. He was a Douglas-
Democrat in the contest of 1860, and a War Democrat during
tlie strife. In 1864 and in 1866 he was a candidate for congress.
He headed the McClellan electoral ticket for president in 1864,
when Morton McMichael led it for Lincoln. He was an able
law5''er and an upright judge, and died suddenly while president
judge.
Augustine Vinton Barker was appointed president judge by
Governor Beaver to succeed Judge Johnston, on November 13,
1890. He was born at Lovell, in Oxford county, Maine, June
20, 1849; he was a son of Abraham Andrews and Elizabeth Lit-
tell Barker, who removed to Cambria county in 1854.
Judge Barker graduated at Dartmouth College in 1872, with
the degree of B. A., and in 1875 he was honored with that of
M. A. from the same institution. When he completed his edu-
cation he entered the office of Judge E. W. Evans, of Chicago,
as a student of the law, and later entered the office of Shoemaker
& Sechler, in Ebensburg. from which he was admitted to practice
at the Cambria bar, on August 4, 1874. He was selected solicitor
for the county commissioners in 1881. On November 9, 1891,
he was elected ]>resident judge for a term of ten years as the
Republican nominee, to date from the first Monday of January,
1892. He was an industrious and able lawyer and judge. He
was always a student. ELis decisions were rarely criticised or
. reversed by the appellate courts. Since his retirement he has
successfully practiced his profession at Ebensburg.
In his fourteenth year he enlisted with his father and
brother in Captain Daniel 0. Evans' Company K, Fourth Penn-
sylvania Militia, under the command of Colonel Eobert Lit-
zinger, in the department commanded by General Nelson A.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 155
Miles during General Lee's Gettysburg invasion. He served
from June 15 to August 8, 1863.
Judge Francis Josepli O'Connor was elected in 1901 to suc-
ceed Judge Barker. He is a son of James and Elizabeth Croyle
O'Connor; born August 11, 18(30, on the homestead farm, near
Forwardstown, in the county of Somerset, Pennsylvania. He
was educated in the public and private schools. He graduated
from the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann
Arbor, in the clnss of 1881, with the degree of LL. B. He was
admitted to practice law in Somerset county on May 8, 1881, and
on November 9, 188G, he removed to Johnstown, when he be-
came a member of the Cambria bar.
Prior to his graduation he taught school for a number of
terms in liis native county. In November, 1889, he was elected
district attorney for Cambria county, as the nominee of the
Democratic party, and served one term. In 1894 he was chosen
city solicitor for the city of Johnstown, and served for three
3^ears. In 1896, he was the choice of his party in the county for
the nomination for congress, but withdrew his name from the
conference in favor of Major R. C. McNamara. He was the
unanimous nominee of his party for president judge of the
XLVIIth Judicial Distiict at the November election in 1901, and
was elected. He is now serving as the ninth president judge of
Cambria county.
THE DISTRICT COURT.
Since 1850 several efforts have been made to have Johns-
town created the county capital, ot to make a new county to be
called Conemaugh. Thus far all attempts have failed. To give
the people of the southern part of the county relief in the trans-
action of legal affairs, the General Assembly passed the Act of
April 13, 1869, creating the district court with the courthouse
in Johnstown. The district included the boroughs of Johnstown,
Conemaugh, Millville, Cambria, Prospect, Franklin and East
Conemaugh, and the townships of Yoder, Richland, Taylor and
Conemaugh.
In criminal affairs its jurisdiction was limited to cases
triable in the court of quarter sessions, and it could not try the
higher felonies which are heard in the court of oyer and term-
iner. In civil matters it was limited to claims not to exceed
two hundred dollars ; however, its jurisdiction was enlarged by
the Act of April 1, ]873, so that all criminal prosecutions, ex-
156 HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
cepting treason and homicide, and in civil affairs the same power
as am' court of common pleas were given it.
Judge Taylor and Associate Judges George W. Easly and
James Murray constituted the court, but by the Act enlarging
the jurisdiction that part was repealed and the judges were to
be elected by the electors of the district.
The July term was approaching when the Union Hall on
the northwest corner of Washington and Franklin streets was
leased for the new county offices and court house at $800 per
annum. Pending the remodeling Colonel Linton's office was
Sheriff' Blair's headquarters, and Daniel McLaughlin's office
was used as the office of the prothonotary. The lease for the
Union Hall had not been executed when the opposition sought to
have it set aside in order to lease what was known as Fron-
heiser's Hall, on the southeast corner of Railroad and Clinton
streets. Of course this caused much trouble, and on May 6, a
protest was filed against the latter by James Potts, W. Horace
Eose, John F. Barnes, Cyrus Elder, A. Kopelin, Daniel Mc-
Laughlin and C. L. Pershing, as not being a fit place for the
court, and the U^nion Plall was finally chosen.
The court was organized Monday, July 5, 1869, by Judge
Taylor, and his associates named. Joseph McDonald was deputy
prothonotary, and Patrick Markey, court crier. There was much
enthusiasm in the opening ceremonies; Judge Potts made the
principal address and Judge Taylor responded. The members
of the bar who were admitted to practice therein were James
Potts, Abraham Kopelin, Cyrus L. Pershing, Daniel McLaugh-
lin, Cyrus Elder, John P. Linton, John F. Barnes, R. L. Johns-
ton, John Fenlon, George M. Reade, John S. Rhey, William
Kittell, W^ H. Sechler, F. A. Shoemaker, W. Horace Rose, John
H. Fisher, Jacob Zimmerman, S. B. AlcCormick, Harry White,
Isaac Higus, George F. Baer, now president of the Reading
railroad, F. P. Tierney. George W. Oatman, John E. Scanlan,
Joseph McDonald, T. W. Dick, James C. Easly, and H. C. Camp-
bell of Punxsutawney. The sheriff was John A. Blair, and his
deputy, James Null. Captain J. K. Hite was the prothonotary,
and F. P. Tierney the district attorney.
The first court continued for three days. But trouble was
brewing. In the April term, 1870, the grand juiy declared the
lock-up on the public square which was used as a county prison,
a public nuisance and indicted the following named gentlemen
for maintaining it: Burgess. Joseph S. Strayer, and Council-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 157
men Daniel J. Morrell, J. M. Campbell, James Morley, H. A.
Boggs, Eichard Jelly, David Hopkins, John P. Linton, Charles
Zimmerman, Sr., James King, Airwine Metz, T. R. Kimmell,
Jonathan Horner, Alexander Kennedy, James H. Hoover,
Joseph Layton, Daniel N. Jones, George W. McGarry and Henry
Barnes. Of course they were not called to trial.
A bill was presented in the General Assembly for 1870 auth-
orizing the removal of the county offices from Ebensburg to
Johnstown, but it was defeated. Tlie project then became a
political issue, but non-partisan; it was a test of strength be-
tween the people of the south of the county against the north
who desired to retain the county capital at Ebensburg. On
June 4 a very large meeting to start the campaign was held on
what was termed ''Court House Square," now the city park.
The officers were: President, William Flattery, Esq.; vice-
presidents, Hugh Bradley, C. B. Ellis, Thomas Davis, Captain
Patrick Graham. R. B. Gageby, Jacob Fronheiser, Jacob Fend,
Jolm Thomas, James Robb, George McLain, David Dibert,
Henry Shaffer, John Devlin, Charles 0. Luther, Henry Freid-
hoff, William Cushon. Morris Lewis, John Smith, A. M. Gregg,
Patrick Minahan, Thomas McKeirnan and Henry Gore, also
Daniel Good and Thomas McCabe, of East Conemaugh, James
B. Pyatt and l^eter Pubritz of Franklin, James Cooper and
John Lamison of Coopersdale, Daniel Burthold and A. A. Par-
sons of Taylor township. John Cushon and John P. Shaffer of
Conemaugh township, David Hamilton and James Burns of
Yoder township, George Orris and Christian Weaver of Rich-
land township, George Eichensehr and Alexander Murphy of
Adams township and Thomas Davis and Henry Adams of Jack-
son townshi]). The secretaries were H. D. Woodruif and George
T. Swank. An executive committee was appointed to conduct
the campaign consisting of Lewis Plitt, William Fhittery, B. F.
Speedy. H. A. Boggs, Charles B. Ellis, and Charles Unver-
zaght. The Tribune and the Democrat made it the leading issue.
A convention was held in Johnstown on June 25, with delegates
from every ward and townshi]) in the new district. The perma-
nent organization was Daniel ^IcLaughlin, president; George
McLain, and Thomas McCabe, vice-presidents ; and F. M. George
and John F. Barnes, secretaries. The resolutions presented by
the committee on such were adopted, the vital grievance being:
"Whereas, the time has arrived when the varied interests of the
people of the County of Cambria demand as an act of exact
158 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
justice tlie removal of the County Seat from Ebensburg to
Jolmstown, the great business and commercial centre of the
Comity, ' ' and requesting tlie candidate for Assembly who would
be nominated, to pledge himself to use every effort to pass a
law to that effect. General James Potts was nominated, but on
the 10th of August he withdrew and Captain Henry D. Wood-
ruff, of the Democrat, became the nominee for Assembly on the
Kemoval ticket.
On August 8 the Democratic convention met in ElDcnsburg
and nominated an "Anti-Removal" ticket. The candidates be-
fore the convention were William Horace Rose, James Griffin
and Nathaniel Home of Johnstown, Robert H. Brown of Cres-
son and John Porter of Lilly. On the sixth ballot Mr. Rose
was nominated. William B. Bonacker of Johnstown was nom-
inated for sheriff. The campaign was opened and conducted
solely on the question of removal of the court house, and politics
were disregarded. Meetings were held throughout the district.
The Anti-Removal party agitated the building of a new prison
in Ebensburg which was considered a good move to block the
Removal people. This event brought the campaign poet to the
fore with the following, which was sung to the tune of "Captain
Jinks of the Horse-Marines:"
" Old Bob and Phil may talk and cant,
And Tom and Frank may rave and rant;
But that big jail — Oh no, you shan't;
We'll raze it with our army.
"You know that Bill will not report;
He only pledged himself to sport;
But we are going to bring that Court,
With our Removal Army."
Lewis Plitt and others procured an injunction against Will-
iam Callan. the contractor for the new jail, and the commis-
sioners and treasurer, to prevent them expending any money
on the new penitentiary, as it was termed by the Antis. The
defendants not having filed an answer Judge Potts moved for
judgment pro confesso, which brought the matter to an issue.
An attachment was issued for the defendants for contempt of
court, but they all ap.peared and disclaimed any thought of con-
temi)t. which ended that proceeding and the new jail was com-
pleted. Tlie election took place on October 11, when Mr. Rose
received 2,929 votes and Captain Woodruff, 2,707. The vote in
Johnstovm was thus: First ward, for removal, 233 against
31; Second, 106 to 15 for it; Tliird ward, 111 to 21 for it-* Fourth
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 159
ward, 150 to 18 for it; Fifth ward, 166 to 32 for it; Sixth ward,
107 to 12 for it.
The vote in Ebensbiirg was thus: East ward. Rose 118;
Woodruff, none ; West ward, Rose 153 ; Woodruff, none. Cap-
tain Bonaclver was elected slierift', and Daniel J. Morrell was
defeated for congress by 11 votes.
Shortly after the election, F. Carroll Brewster, the attorney
general for the state, moved for quo ivarranto proceechng against
George Taylor to show cause why he exercised the duties of
president judge of the district court, and on February 9, 1871,
judgment was entered against Judge Taylor and he was ousted.
This was a serious blow and was considered to have actually
abolished the district court.
For almost a year tranquility prevailed, when suddenly
Governor Geary appointed James Potts, president judge,
David Hamilton and William Flattery associate judges, and
George T. Swank prothonotary and clerk of the quarter sessions
court, for the district court to be holden in Johnstown. The
old contest was renewed with vigor. On September 20, 1871,
a convention was held in Johnstown over which Captain Wood-
rutf presided. Thomas McCabe of East Conemaugh and John
W. James of Johnstown were vice-presidents, and W. A. Krise
of Coopersdale, and John Roberts of Franklin were the secre-
taries. The appointees were nominated. Notwithstanding
there were but ten days until the election, an opposition ticket
was placed in the field, consisting of Cyrus Long Pershing for
president judge; George W. Easly and Jacob Singer for asso-
ciate judges, and Robert H. Canan for prothonotary. It was
a brilliant dash, and was made more interesting because Judge
Taylor, Judge Dean and Thaddeus Banks were contesting for
the prize of president judge of the XXlVth judicial district.
The result was as follows: Judge Potts received 1,117 votes;
Pershing, 924; Hamilton, 1,181; Flattery, 1,262; Singer, 1,009;
Easly, 938; Swank, 1,470, and Canan, 910. Judge Dean suc-
ceeded in the XXlVth district. On the same day Samuel Henry
of Ebensburg was elected to the Assembly over W. Horace Rose
by a vote of 2,912 to 2,505. I'he result Oi this election was the
passage of the Act enlarging the jurisdiction of the district
court, reference to which has been made previously.
The Taylor quo warranto had done its work so well that on
March 28, 1872, at the suggestion of Captain J. K. Hite, who
was prothonotary in Ebensburg, another writ was issued against
160 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
George T. Swank to show cause why he exercised the rights and
duties of the office to which lie had been elected. The court
sustained the claimant, and the supreme court affirmed it, where-
upon Mr. Swank was likewise ousted. It was not a difficult
matter for an attorney or suitor to know what was going on in
the jury room after the jury retired. On this occasion an im-
portant case was being tried, and the jury having gone to their
room had agreed upon a verdict against the client of Colonel
Kopelin which of course came to his knowledge. He had also
received private information that Mr. Swank had been ousted
by the suj^reme court, therefore, Colonel Kopelin immediately
moved to have the jury discharged, inasmuch as there had been
no legal clerk of the court during the trial. The jury filed in
to record their verdict. Judge Potts received it on the ground
that the court had ''no official notice of the removal of Mr.
Swank." The opinion of Mr. Justice Agnew was considered
so broad that it virtually ended the district court, which re-
mained suspended from July, 1872, until after the amended Act
of April, 1873. Samuel Henry Avas friendly to the Removal cause,
and through his influence the bill became a law.
On April 9, 1873, Governor Hartranft reappointed George
T. Swank clerk of the district court, who reassumed the duties
attached to the position. On May 13, the county commissioners
leased for a court house Parke's Opera House, and the second
floor of the Benton buikling. which adjoined it on the west. The
0])position endeavored to have the Union Hall, Fronheiser's
Hall, or the Episcopal church selected for the court house, but
for the time being were unsuccessful. George W. Cope and
Henry H. Kuhn were admitted to practice law in March, and
Oliver J. i^oung and John H. Brown in September, 1873.
On May 12, 1873, another writ of quo warranto was issued
commanding Judge Potts to show cause why he assumed and
exercised the power of president judge of the district court. On
the return day Henry 1). Foster of Greensburg and John Scott
of Huntingdon ap]>eared for Judge Potts and moved for a con-
tinuance. It was granted on the condition that he would not
exercise an\' duty of the court, excepting to convene and adjourn
the court imtil the final decision was made. This condition
existed until October, when Judge Potts was removed. Not-
withstanding the Union Hall had not been leased for the use of
the court. Judge Potts moved thither on July 7, 1873, and opened
court a]i(l was about to adjourn under the condition imposed,
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 161
wlien Colonel Linton moved for the trial or the discharge of a
client who had been indicted for a serious offense. Judge Potts
directed the crier to adjourn the court until the first Monday
of October. While this was going on in the Union
Hall, another court had been convened in Parke's Opera
House, which was attended by Sheritf Bonacker, Treas-
urer John Cox, Associate Judge David Hamilton, and
George T. Swank, clerk of the court. The attorneys
present were Colonel Kopelin, K, L. Johnston, W. H.
Sechler, W. Horace Eose, Daniel McLaughlin, Jacob Zimmer-
man, and H. H. Kuhn. Subsequently Colonel Linton appeared.
Judge Hamilton directed Crier Markey to open the court, which
he did in his inimitable way. The commission issued by Gov-
ernor Hartranft appointing Mr. Swank clerk, etc., was read and
recorded. Colonel Kopelin and Colonel Linton then made the
same motion in this court as Linton had made before Judge
Potts sitting in the Union Hall. The motion was filed, and Judge
Hamilton adjourned it until the first Monday of October. Mr.
Swank did not personally act as clerk of the court, he continuing
as editor and publisher of the Tribune. Captain Kuhn was his
deputy until the latter part of 1872, when John H. Brown suc-
ceeded and served until his term expired.
On Septembe]" 19, 1873, a petition requesting the electors
to choose two delegates — one Republican and one Democrat- — to
meet in convention to nominate a candidate for clerk of the
court, was addressed to ' ' The Voters residing within the limits
of the District Court." It was numerously signed, beginning
with Gale Heslop and Casper Burgraff and ending with George
F. Randolph and D. J. Morrell. The convention met in Parke's
Opera House on September 27. The delegates were: Adams
to^vnship : Lewis W. Shank and Hiram Shaffer ; Cambria
borough: Michael Sweeny and Henry Gore; Conemaugh town-
ship: John Cushon and D. I. Horner; Second ward of Cone-
maugh borough: Martin Rist and William Cushon; Coopersdale
borough : W. A. Krise and John D. Adams ; Franldin borough :
John Furlong and J. F. Devlin; Millville borough: Michael
Maloy ; Taylor township : J. B. Bowser and J. B. Clark ; Jolms-
town, First ward: John Kitchens and Hugh Bradley; Second
ward; J. F. Barnes and Jacob Mildren; Third ward, Casper
Burgraff and William Doubt; Fourth ward: Oscar Graff e; Fifth
ward: A. Wigand and S. T. Robb; Sixth ward: Hugh Maloy and
S. B. McCormick; Prospect borough: Thomas Dunford and
Vol. I— 11
162 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
John Smith. There were no delegates from the First ward
of Conemaugh, East Conemaugh or Woodvale boroughs, nor
from the townships of Upper and Lower Yoder and Eichland.
The officers of the convention were John Cushon, president;
Michael Sweeny and Heniy Gore, vice-presidents, of whom the
latter declined to accept the honor, and Jacob Mildren was
chosen. J. B. Adams and W. X. Krise were the secretaries.
Lncian D. Woodruff was nominated by acclamation for clerk of
the court. Notwithstanding the unanimity in the proceedings
it was only on the surface, and deep down there was hot blood
among the iDoliticians, and every voter was in that class. The
election was to take place October 14, and on the 3d Samuel
Masters announced that he would be an indei^endent candidate
for that office. It was a lively dash. Mr. Masters was elected
by a vote of 1,443 to 1,294. At the same election Herman Baumer
was elected sheriff over John T. Harris by a vote of 2,828 to
2,550, and Samuel Henry, a Republican was re-elected to the
Assembly for the third successive .time. The latter and the
sheriff were of course county nominees.
The first Monday of October, 1873, was the time for the
beginning of the regular term. On that day some of the court
officials met in the Union Hall, and the others in Parke's Opera
House. Judge Potts went to Pittsburg that morning, and at
10 o'clock Associate Judge Flattery took his seat in the Union
Hall court and directed J. D. Hamilton, the court crier, to open
the court. The order was obeyed. Those present were : Robert
Barclay, a juror; Colonel Kopelin, an attorney; J. D. Barkley,
a spectator, and two reporters. Judge Flattery announced the
absence of Judge Potts, and that nothing could be done, and ad-
journed court until the first Monday of January. The Parke's
Opera House court did not even have an associate judge, and
it seems there were only two persons present — George T. Swank,
the clerk, and Patrick Markey, the crier, who opened and ad-
journed the court. At the July term Judge Hamilton had at-
tended both courts but at this time he was absent.
The supreme court ousted Judge Potts, but on October 31
he was reappointed by Governor Hartranft, who at the same
time reappointed Judge David Hamilton, and selected Robert
B. Gageby as the other associate judge in place of Judge Flat-
tery, who had gone over to the opposition but is recorded as
having resigned.
Tn the meanwhile the new constitution had been adopted,
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 163
which, when it would take effect, would aholish the district court
of Johnstown. In view of this it was concluded better to have
one court than two ; therefore, on the first Monday of January
tenn. 1874, Judge Potts and dissociate Judges Hamilton and
Gagehy opened the term in Parke's Opera House, where the
clerk had held his office during the turmoil, and where it con-
tinued until it went out of existence. On May 20, 1874, Colonel
Kopelin died.
On October 21, 1874, a petition numerously signed by the
leading citizens, among whom were D. J. Morrell, James Mc-
Millen, C. T. Frazer, W. B. Bonacker. E. A. Vickroy, John M.
King, A. Montgomery, John P. Linton, Cyrus Elder, John H.
and Pearson Fisher, requested Judge Potts and Associate
Judges Hamilton and Gageby to be candidates for re-election,
and on the same day their acceptance was announced.
On the 29th a card was posted announcing that John F.
Barnes would be a candidate for president judge, and Mahlon
W. Keim and John Benshoff for associate judges of this court.
This was the condition of affairs four days before the election,
and neither candidates on the respective tickets had been nom-
inated by a political party or a convention. It was a lively
campaign, but a sort of a go-as-you-please-contest, and the po-
litical stilettoes were keen and pointed. The result was : Potts,
1,015, and Barnes, 1,247: Gageby, 1,219, and Keim, 1,167, to
1,140 for Benshoff and 1,025 for Hamilton. Judge Barnes pre-
sided until the October term had been completed, when the dis-
trict court was abolished.
The records were removed to Ebensburg and filed in the
ofifice of the prothonotary, and thus ended a court of record
of a brief existence but of more turbulence than was ever known.
"Among the departed great men of Pennsylvania whose
services to the commonwealth deserve to be gratefully remem-
bered the faithful historian will place Judge Cyrus L. Persliing,
who died on June 29, 1903, at his home in Pottsville, Schuylkill
county. Pennsylvanians should be proud of the fact that this
modest but distinguished citizen lived all his days within the
borders of the Keystone State. Presbyterians should be proud
of the career of this conspicuous and worthy adherent of their
faith and doctrine.
' ' The Pershing family is one of the oldest in Western Penn-
sylvania. It is of Huguenot origin, Judge Pershing's great-
grandfather, Frederick Pershing, having emigrated to this coun-
164 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
try from Alsace, then a part of France, landing at Baltimore on
October 2, 1749. In 1773 the emigrant purchased a tract of 269
acres of land upon the head waters of Nine Mile Run in what is
now Unit}' township, AVestmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and in
1774 he moved his family from Frederick county, Maryland,
to the new home. With his sons he engaged in farming and he
also built 'Pershing's mill.' One of his grandsons, Christo-
pher, son of Christian, was the father of the future judge. Judge
Pershing's mother, Filizabeth Long, was also descended from a
pionee]- family in AVestmoreland county, her grandfather, Jacob
Long, a I^enusylvania German, having moved from Lancaster
county to Westmoreland county about the beginning of the last
century, Jacob Long's grandfather, Oswald Long, and his
father, Diebold Long, emigrated from Wurtemburg in 1730.
' ' Cyrus Long Pershing was born at Youngstown, Westmore-
land county, on February 3, 1825. He was therefore in his sev-
enty-ninth year at the time of his death. In 1830 his father
moved his family to Johnstown, dying in 1836. Cyrus was the
oldest of three brothers. A good mother was equal to her re-
sponsibilities. That her boys should receive the best education
that was possible was her firm determination. They were early
sent to 'subscription schools.' When thirteen years old Cyrus
became a clerk in a store in Johnstown. Here he learned from
the farmers to speak Pennsylvania Dutch fluently. In 1841 he
was employed as a clerk at the weighlock of the Pennsylvania
canal at Johnstown. Subsequently he filled other clerical posi-
tions in connection with the canal. In all these positions as op-
l^ortunity would permit he was an industrious student of the edu-
cational textbooks of the day. In 1839 he began the study of
Latin with the Eev. Shadrach Howell Terry, the first pastor
of the Presbyterian church at Johnstown, and afterwards he
began with Mr. Terry the study of Greek. Mr. Terry died in
1841 and was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Swan. In 1842
Cyrus L. Pershing recited Greek to Mr. Swan that he might be
prepared to enter the freshman class of Jefferson college, at
Canonsburg, which he entered in November of that year. From
this time until June 14, 1848, when he was graduated, he con-
tinued his college studies in the winter and his clerical duties in
the summer, with the exception of a few months in 1846, when
he taught one of the public schools in Johnstown.
"During the winter following his graduation Mr. Pershing
taught a classical school at Johnstown, which was well attended
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 165
and was very successful. In 1849, having resolved to study
law, he accepted an invitation from Jeremiah S. Black, of Somer-
set, afterwards the distinguished jurist, to enter his office as a
student. In Noveml)er, 1850, he was admitted to the Somerset
bar, and immediately afterwards, on November 26, 1850, he was
admitted to the bar of Cambria county. He opened an office
in Johnstown and at once entered upon a large and profitable
practice in the court of Cambria county. This practice he con-
tinued to enjoy as long as he remained a citizen of Johnstown.
He also established outside of Cambria county an excellent repu-
tation as a pains-taking lawyer who knew the law, and this
reputation paved the way for new clients and for honors which
soon came to him. Judge Black was so impressed by the native
ability of his student and the readiness with which he mastered
legal principles and the details of legal practice that he offered
him a partnership immediately after his admission to the bar,
but this arrangement was not consummated because of Judge
Black's elevation to the supreme bench of Pennsylvania in 1851.
''Soon after his admission to the bar Mr. Pershing was mar-
ried to Miss Mary Letitia Boyer, youngest daughter of the Hon.
John Royer, a pioneer iron manufacturer in the Juniata valley
and a Whig member of the legislature from Huntingdon county
and afterwards from Cambria county. The marriage took place
at Johnstown on September 23, 1851. The Royer family is an
old Pennsylvania family, of Huguenot extraction. Five sons
and two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pershing, all of
whom, with their mother, are still living.
"All lawj^ers in country towns in the old days were expected
to be politicians, even if thev did not have political ambition
of their own. Most of them, however, were ambitious of political
preferment. Cyrus L. Pershing was a politician from boyhood.
He knew the history of his country and of political parties as
few other boys knew it. He early developed literary talent as
a writer for the local newspapers, and what he wrote for publi-
cation often related to the political issues of the day. He be-
came a member of a local debating society and soon developed
considerable ability as a public speaker. Even before he was
admitted to the bar he was in demand as a speaker at neighbor-
hood meetings of the Democratic party, to which party he faith-
fully adhered from the beginning to the end of his active career.
When yet a boy he began to keep a diary of miscellaneous occur-
rences and also a scrap-book of election returns and political
166 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
events. This habit of methodically preserving facts which he
deemed worthy of preservation strengthened a naturally re-
tentive memory and nourished his literary and historical tastes.
Running through his public speeches and addresses while he
lived in Johnstown there was always a liistorical vein. In 1848,
before his admission to the bar, he was the orator of the day at
a banquet given at Johnstown to the Cambria county soldiers
who had returned from the Mexican war. Few men who have
ever lived in Pennsylvania have known the history of the State,
and especially its political history, as Cyrus L. Pershing knew
it. He was familiar w^ith the careers of its notable men — poli-
ticians, law^^ers, clergymen, college professors, and others, and
he had a personal acquaintance with most of them.
"After his admission to the bar Mr. Pershing's advance-
ment in the councils and leadership of his party was so rapid
that in 1856 and again in 1858 he was the Democratic candidate
for congress in the district of which Cambria county formed a
part. He was defeated in both years, as the district was largely
Republican in sentiment, but in each year he greatly reduced the
normal anti-Democratic majority. In the fall of 1861 he was
elected a member of the state legislature from Cambria county,
and he was re-elected in 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865, serving in
this office for an unusually long continuous period. His service
in the legislature ended with the session of 1866. The author
of a i3ublislied sketch of Mr. Pershing in 1869 says: 'During
the whole of Mr. Pershing's service at Harrisburg he was a
member of the committee of ways and means, the ju-
diciary, and other important general and special com-
mittees. At the session of 1863, the only one in which
the Democrats had a majority, Mr. Pershing was chairman of
the committee on federal relations, and at the succeeding session
was the Democratic nominee for speaker of the house. He was
an acknowledged leader and enjoyed to a rare degree the con-
fidence and personal esteem of his fellow-members without dis-
tinction of party.'
"It will be observed that Mr. Pershing's services in the
Pennsylvania legislature covered almost the entire period of the
Civil war. He was himself a War Democrat and believed in a
vigorous prosecution of the war. In addition to what is said of
Mr. Pershing's legislative career in the extract above quoted
it can l)e stated as a part of the history of that great struggle
that Governor Curtin was in the habit of privately consulting
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 167
with j\lr. Pershing as the Democratic leader in emergencies
whicli were constantly arising. The governor could rely on his
loyalty, his wisdom, and his influence over his fellow-members.
"Honors now come to Cyrus L. Pershing m rapid succes-
sion. In 1866 he was a delegate from his congressional district
to the National Union Convention which met at Philadelphia in
August of that year. In 1868 he was a presidential elector on the
Democratic ticket. In 1869 he was the Democratic candidate for
judge of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, but was defeated
by a small majority. In 187:2, owing to divisions in the Demo-
cratic party of Schuylkill county, he was asked to become a
compromise candidate for president judge of the courts of that
county. He was then in his forty-eighth year. He had never
been in Schuylkill county, and was, of course, a stranger to
most of its people, even to many members of the bar who had
urged him to accept the nomination. However, he consented to
become a candidate and was elected by a large majority for the
constitutional term of ten years. In December, 1872, he held
his first court at Pottsville and in the spring of 1873 he moved
his family to Pottsville. In 1882 he was elected for another
term of ten years, and in 1892 for still another term. But fail-
ing health prevented him from serving the whole of the third
term. He resigned in August, 1899, having presided with great
acceptance over the courts of Schuylkill county for twenty-seven
consecutive years. From 1899 until his death in 1903 he rested
from his labors, but his interest in public affairs and in the
welfare of his immediate neighborhood never ceased, and his
wonderful memory never failed until he was stricken with his
last illness.
"In 1875, while presiding over the courts of Schuylkill
county, Judge Pershing was nominated for governor of Penn-
sylvania by the Democratic state convention of that year, his
opponent being General John F. Hartranft, who had been
elected to the governorship in 1872 and was now a candidate
for a second tenii. (Jwing to his position on the bench Judge
Pershing could not "take the stump." So great, however, was
his personal popularity that he was defeated by a small ma-
jority of less than 12,000 for General Hartranft. Outside of
Philadelphia Judge Pershing led his distinguished opponent by
a large majority.
"During Judge Pershing's first term as president judge of
168 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
SchuyJkill county, or from 1876 to 1878 inclusive, the infamous
criminal organization known as the Mollie Maguires was com-
pletely broken up and many of its members were hung, largely
as the result of a series of trials over which Judge Pershing
presided. This organization had terrorized the anthracite
region for several years, and its agents had committed many
murders to establish its lawless authority over the coal-mining
industry. At the risk of his life Judge Pershing did not hesitate
to sentence to death the convicted participants in these murders
who were tried before him. From the beginning to the end of
these trials he displayed a degree of both physical and moral
courage that had never been excelled on the bench. The trials
attracted national attention. The law-abiding citizens of Schuyl-
kill county, without respect to party, have never ceased to ex-
press their great obligations to Judge Pershing for the courage-
ous part he took in ridding the county of the Mollie Maguire
terror. He had been thoroughly tested and found to be pure
gold.
''Judge Pershing became a member of the First Presbyte-
rian church of Johnstown when still a young man. He became a
teacher in its Sunday school and was afterwards and for many
years its superintendent. He was a ruling elder in the church
when scarcely thirty years old, and he continued in the eldership
during his residence in Johnstown. After his removal to Potts-
ville he was chosen to the same office in the Second Presbyterian
church of that place, and for many years he taught the Bible
class in its Sunday school. He was a member of the Union
Presbyterian Convention which met in Philadelphia in Novem-
ber, 1867, and a member of the General Assembly of the Presby-
terian church which met at Cliicago in 1877, at Saratoga in 1884,
at Philadelphia in 1888, and at Washington City in 1893.
"Judge Pershing was always a loyal friend of his alma
mater, Jefferson College, and of the united colleges, Washington
and Jefferson. From March, 1865, until June, 1877, when he
resigned, he was a trustee of AVashington and Jefferson College.
At the laying of the cornerstone of the front part of the main
college building, on October 21, 1873, Judge Pershing delivered
an address. In 1900 the trustees of the college conferred upon
him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, an honor that he
richly deserved."
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 169
Judge James Potts was born in Butler, Pennsylvania,
August 31, 1809, died in Oil City, August 6, 1891, and was
buried in Grand View cemetery at Johnstown.
James Potts was the son of John Potts, a native of the north
of Ireland. His mother's maiden name was Jane Karns, also
of Irish, or, more properly, of Scotch-Irish, extraction. Both
families were not only among the first settlers of Western Penn-
sylvania, but thej^ were also long prominent in the social, busi-
ness and political affairs of that part of our State. John Potts,
the father of James Potts, was a merchant and was one of the
pioneer settlers of the town of Butler. He was an active and
influential politician, representing Butler county in the legis-
lature at a very early day, and also held the offices of county
treasurer and county commissioner. Two of his sons, Greorge
and James, were also politicians from their boyhood, yet while
the father was a Jeffersonian his sons were Democrats all their
days. The Karns family was divided in its political allegiance.
Two members of a later generation, William and Samuel D.
Karns, who were brothers, were prominent in the councils of
the Democratic and Whig parties respectively forty and fifty
years ago.
At the age of seventeen James Potts entered Jefferson
College and almost completed a four years course, for some un-
avoidable reason, however, he did not graduate.
' ' On the 2d day of October, 1838, James Potts and his cousin,
Margaret Jane Karns, were married at Pittsburg, by the Rev.
James Prestly. Mrs. Potts' father's name was James Elliott
Karns. During the following winter the canal commissioners
under the administration of Governor David R. Porter appointed
James Potts, who had first been Captain Potts and was now
Major Potts, collector of tolls at Johnstown, on the main line
of the public improvements of the State, succeeding Frederick
Sharretts, a Whig. Soon after his appointment Major Potts
visited Johnstown for the first time, and in March, 1839, when
less than thirty years old, he entered upon his new duties and
set up housekeeping in the official residence of the collector, at-
tached to the collector's office on Canal street, now Washington
"street. Major Potts continued as collector of tolls for five years,
or until 1844, when he was succeeded by A. W. Wasson, of Erie,
who was in turn succeeded a few years later bv Hon. Obed
170 mSTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Edson, of AVarren. During a large part of Major Potts' term
as collector lie liacl as his clerks George Nelson Smith, Camp-
hell Sheridan, and Cyiiis L. Pershing, all Tvell known to the old
citizens of Johnstown.
''"Wlien Major Potts surrendered the collector's office to his
successor he opened an office on Clinton street for the practice
of law so far as this could be done without his having pre^^ously
been admitted to the bar. He had not completed his legal stud-
ies when he came to Johnstown, but when the whirligig of pol-
itics threw him on his own resources he resolved not only to
make JohnstoAvn his permanent home but to relv upon the prac-
tice of law for a livelihood. To comply with the court regula-
tions before applying for admission to the bar he nominally
became a student with Hon. Moses Canan, then the only lawyer
in Johnstown, and on the 7th of October, 1846, he was formally
admitted as a member of the Cambria county bar. He at once
entered upon an active and lucrative practice, in which he con-
tinued until advancing years and declining health caused him
to virtually retire from further pleas with judges and ji^nes
and further Imffetino* with younger men. On June 11, 1850,
when on a visit to his old home in Butler, he was admitted a
member of the Butler county bar. For about three years, be-
ginning with 1850, he was the senior member of the law firm of
Potts &: Kopelin. Abram Kopelin had studied law with Major
Potts, and was a bright and promising student. He afterwards
became one of the most distinguished members of the Cambria
countv bar. ]\rajor Potts never had any other law partner.
"As early as 1850 an active agitation had commenced in the
southern part of Cambria county in favor of the establishment
of a new county, with Johnstown as the county-seat, and in 1851,
after the election of George S. King to the legislature, this
movement, in which Air. King earnestly sympathized, took shape
in the preparation of a bill which provided for the organization
of the new county. The measure failed before the legislature,
but the agitation was again fiercely renewed in 1860, when Major
Potts, who had from the first been one of its principal pro-
moters, became the candidate for the legislature of what was
known as the New County party. He was defeated after a most
animated canvass, which has probably never been sur[>assed in
intensity in Cambria county. Then the war came, but a few
years after it closed the new-county movement was again re-
newed with great energy, this time, however, taking the form of
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 171
a proposition to remove the coimty-seat from Ebensburg to
Johnstown. In 1870 Captain H. D. Woodruff, of Johns-
to\vii, ran as a candidate for the legislature on this issue,
but was defeated by a small majority. It had previously been
proposed to establish at Johnstown a district court which should
include within its jurisdiction Johnstown and some neighboring
towns and townships. This scheme was so far successful that
in 1869 it was approved in an act of the legislature and the court
was duly established, the judges of the Cambria county courts
officiating as judges of the district court. Subsequent legis-
lation provided for the election of all district court officers by
the citizens of the district, but before an election could be held
the offices were filled by appointment of the governor, Major
Potts being appointed president judge by Governor Geary in
1871. He was subsequently elected to this position. Several
sessions of the new court were held with Judge Potts on the
bench. But the court, which had at first been eagerly desired,
soon fell into disfavor, because by the terms creating it it par-
took too much of the character of a police court. There was
much legislation concerning it and much litigation. In 1873
Judge Potts was defeated as a candidate for re-election to the
judgeship by John F. Barnes.
"Soon after coming to Johnstown Major Potts took an in-
terest in its military affairs. There had existed for a number
of years a volunteer infantry compau}^ called the Conemaugh
Guards, of which Joseph Chamberlain, John K. Shryock, and
John Linton were successively captains. About 1811 a rival
company was organized, called the Washington Artillerists, of
which Peter Levergood, Jr., was elected captain. He was suc-
ceeded by George W. Easly, and about 1842 Collector Potts was
elected captain, a position which he held for many years. The
name of the company had in the meantime been changed to the
A¥ashington (jrays. The Grays were often on dress parade,
and with the Conemaugh Guards they participated in many en-
campments. Those were stirring times for a countiy town.
;^^ajor Potts was a good drill officer. At the beginning of the
Rebellion he took delight in drilling Johnstown volunteers for
the Union army and in showing in many other ways his interest
in military affairs. He played the drum on the 3d day of June,
1825, upon the occasion of Lafayette's reception by the people
of the town of Butler, and the fifer whom he accompanied
with his drum was a Eevolutionary soldier named Peter Mc-
172 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Kinney, who had ])layed the fife at the battle of Bunker Hill,
in 1775, just fifty years before. In our old friend we have had
a link tjo connect the present generation with Revolutionary
-days.
''When he came to Johnstown in 1839 his official position
and his natural tastes combined to make him active in local
politics, while his wide acquaintance with the leading members
■of his party made him also to some extent a factor in State
politics. He had opiiiions of his own about men and measures
and expressed them freely. He was long a regular attendant at
the county conventions of his party. He was a Tariff Demo-
crat and the friend of Simon Cameron. He was a ready po-
litical writer and liked to take part in newspaper controversies.
For a few months along about 1846 he was one of the recognized
editors of an independent Democratic paper published in Johns-
town called the Courier; but a year or two before this, during
the interregnum between his retirement from the collector's
office and his entrance upon the active practice of law, he edited
for one winter the Democratic organ at Harrisburg, the Argus.
The Courier opposed Governor Shunk's renomination in 1847.
The paper probably died in that year. In both the cases in
which Major Potts assumed editorial duties he was influenced
by his strong partisanship and his thoroughly unselfish devotion
"to his political friends.
"When the flood came on that last day of May, 1889, Judge
Potts and his family were overwhelmed by the mighty rush of
waters : their home on the corner of Walnut and Locust streets
was destroyed in an instant; his oldest daughter, Jane, was
lost, although her body was afterwards found; and the judge
and his remaining children were swept down toward the now
historic stone bridge, where they were rescued. In a day or
two the judge and his family found a refuge with friends in
Westmoreland county and afterwards with friends in Blair
<?ounty; thence going before the summer was over to Oil City,
where a new home was secured, and where, away from the few
old friends who survived the flood, away from the stricken town
he had loved so well, worn by disease and broken in spirit, an
old man in every sense, he died.
Judge John F. Barnes is a native of Johnstown. He was
elected district attorney of the county, and was president judge
of the District Court. When the court was abandoned he became
a merchant, and is now residing at Waterford, Pennsvlvania.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 17a
SALARIES AND COMPElSrSATION OF JUDGES.
During- the early Colonial period it appears the judges of
the supreme court and other judges were paid by a system of
fees, especially so wlien the judges of the supreme court sat in
the court of quarter sessions their fees were double those in:
other courts.
When the courts were reorganized under the constitution
of 1790, the Act of April 13, 1791, 3 Smith, 35, provided that
when the judges of the supreme court and the president judges
of the court of common pleas shall sit as judges of high court
of errors and appeals, they shall be entitled to six dollars for
each day they shall attend.
Also, that the chief justice of the supreme court should re-
ceive one thousand pounds per annum, and thirty shillings per
day while on the circuit for traveling expenses; the associate
judges to get six hundred pounds and thirty shillings for travel-
ing expenses. The president judges received five hundred
j)Ounds, which was subsequently increased in the sum of two
hundred and sixty-six and 66-100 dollars.
The Act of April 4, 1796, 3 Smith, 271, fixed the salaries of
the associate judges of the supreme court, and the president
judges of the court of common pleas at four hundred dollars
per annum, which shall, as it provides, continue for "two years
and no longer."
In 1843 the president judges were receiving an annual salary
of sixteen hundred dollars, and the associate judges one hundred
and twenty dollars. The Act of April 17, 1843, P. L. 324, directed
that judges of the supreme court thereafter appointed should
receive an annual salary of eighteen hundred dollars, and the
associate judges sixteen hundred dollars, each, with an ad-
ditional sum of three dollars per day while they were traveling-
on the circuit for traveling expenses ; Governor Porter refused
to approve the bill but it became the law without his approval.
It appears by the Act of July 19, 1839, P. L. 630, the sal-
aries of all the judges had been increased in the sum of four
hundred dollars, which would make them $2,200 and $2,000, re-
spectively.
In the several acts relating to salaries or penalties, where
]30unds, shillings and pence are used, the English pound ster-
ling of $4.86 is not meant, but the value in Pennsylvania cur-
rencv. The values in all the Colonies were much depreciated.
174 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
and little uniformity prevailed; for instance, in tlie New Eng-
land colonies and Virginia a pound was $3.33 1/3; in New York
and North Carolina, $2.50; in Georgia, $1; in New Jersey, Penn-
sylvania, Delaware and Maryland it was $2.66 2/3. In Penn-
sylvania a shilling was thirteen and one-third cents; a sixpence
or a fip was six and two-third cents. As late as 1850 Judge
Coulter, in CJiapman'y. Calder, 14 Pa., 358, held that forty shil-
lings, or two pounds, was equal to five dollars and thirty-three
cents in Pennsylvania currency, and payment could not be de-
manded in specie of the sterling value.
The common pleas judges who received five hundred pounds
onl)' got about $1,331.66 for their annual services, and other
officials were recompensed at the like rate. The Colonial stand-
ards were in use for a long time after the Revolutionary war;
in Pennsylvania at least, until 1791.
In 1779 the values of fines, penalties and fees due officers
were regulated by the price of wheat. This was found to be
inconvenient, and was repealed June 21, 1781, 2 Smith, 5, and
the unit of measurement was based upon gold and silver.
The Act of May 2, 1871, P. L. 247, authorized the payment
of twelve dollars per day to the judge for holding court in other
districts than his own.
The Act of June 4, 1883, P. L. 74, fixed the salaries of all the
common pleas judges, excepting in Philadelphia, Allegheny and
Dauphin counties, at four thousand dollars per annum, provid-
ing, however, that when a district has over 90,000 population it
shall be five thousand dollars. The Act of April 14, 1903, P.
L. 175, increased this amount to six thousand dollars, and where
there is but one judge he is entitled to another thousand dol-
lars. In districts having less than 90,000 it is fixed at five thou-
sand dollars.
Members of (;ambria County Bar, January 1, 1907.
Name Kesidence Date of Admission
^^\ H. Rose Johnstown 6 March. 1860.
F. A. Shoemaker. . . . Ebensburg 5 June, 1860.
J. C. Easlv Carrol Itown 13 Februarv, 1866.
T. W. Dick Ebensburg 1 November, 1868.
Jacob Ziumierman. . .Johnstown 7 June, 1869.
Ellis G. Kerr Johnstown 3 December, 1872.
John H. Brown Johnstown 2 September, 1873.
A. V. P>arker. ...... .Ebensburg 4 August, 1874.
James M. Walters. . ..lohnstown 5 Januarv, 1881.
H. ^V. Storey Johnstown 14 March, 1881.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 175
Name Eesidenee Date of Admission
M. D. Kittell Ebensburg 6 Jmie, 1881.
Kobert S. Murphy. . .Johnstown 7 June, 1883.
H. H. Myers Ebensburg- 8 January, 1884.
John M. Rose Johnstown 16 June, 1881.
F. J. O'Connor Johnstown 9 November, 1885.
D. E. Dufton Johnstown 16 March, 1886.
Horace E. Eose Johnstown 5 April, 1886.
J. B. O'Connor Johnstown 5 April, 1887.
F. P. Martin Johnstown 26 Septemijer. 1887.
M. B. Ste])hens Johnstown 19 March. 1888.
E. T. McNeelis Johnstown 5 September, 1889.
E. E. Cresswell Johnstown 6 January, 1890.
S. Lemon Eeed Ebensburg 7 July, 1890.
William Williams. . . Johnstown 12 January, 1891.
W. P. Eeese Johnstown 22 January, 1891.
H. S. Endsley Johnstown 23 March, 1892.
J. F. McKenrick. . . . Ebensburg 5 September. 1892.
Harvov Eoland Ebensburg 11 November, 1892.
AYilliam Davis Ebensburg 10 April, 1893.
Mathiot Eeade Ebensburg 10 April, 1893.
Charles C. Greer. . . .Johnstown 4 September, 1893.
Peter J. Little Ebensburg 4 September. 1893.
Daniel L. Parsons. . .Johnstown 5 March, 1894.
Eeuel Somerville. . . .Patton 5 March, 1894.
Thomas J. Itell Johnstown : ... .20 August, 1894.
John W^. Kephart. . . Ebensburg 21 January, 1895.
J. W. Leech Ebensburg 7 Fel)i-uary, 1896.
F. C. Sharbaugh. . . .Ebensburg 7 February, 1896.
Charles C. Linton. . .Johnstown 7 June, 1897.
Harry Doerr Johnstown 7 June, 1897.
John H. Stephens. . .Johnstown 7 June, 1897.
Forest Eose Johnstown 3 July, 1899.
Percy Allen Eose. . . Johnstown 3 July, 1899.
F. D". Barker .Ebensburg 3 July. 3899.
Bruce H. Campbell. .Johnstown 3 July, 1899.
W. David Lloyd Johnstown 4 December, 1899.
J. Wallace Paul Johnstown 4 Deceral>er, 1899.
John C. Davies Johnstown 5 March, 1900.
George C. Keira Johnstown 5 March. 1900.
H. B. Mainhart Johnstown. . ., 5 March, 1900.
Herman E. Baumer. Johnstown 7 March, 1900.
F. J. Hartman .Ebensburg 14 January, 1901.
Philip N. Shettig Ebensburg 14 January, 1901.
D. P. Weimer Johnstown 8 July, 1901.
Emory H. Davis Ebensburg 6 January, 1902.
John E. Evans Ebensburg 6 January, 1902.
Charles M. Moses. . . Johnstown 2 Febi'uary. 1904.
Walter Jones Ebensburg .25 October, 1904.
176 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Name Eesidence Date of Admission
Alvin Slierbiue Johnstown 25 October, 1904.
Karl F. Stremel Johnstown 2 January, 1905.
Charles Hasson Ebenshurg- 13 December, 1905.
R. Edgar Leahey. . . .Johnstown Jo December, 1905.
Frank P. Barnhart. .Johnstown 13 December, 1905.
George E. Wolfe. . . . Johnstown 13 December, 1905.
Tillman l\. Savior. . Johnstown 3 September, 1906.
Wm. F. Dill . . ". Ebensbnrg 3 September, 1906.
Charles S. Evans. . . Ebensbnrg 10 December, 1906.
William A. McGnire .Ebensbnrg 10 December, 1906.
Morgan W. Evans. . .Ebensbnrg 10 December, 1906.
Albert W. Stenger. . .Johnstown 10 December, 1906.
THE EVIL, ODDITY AISTD BENEFIT OF SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
Prior to the constitution of 1873 the theory prevailed that
the legislature was supreme, could legislate upon all subjects and
cure all kinds of ills or errors, judicial or otherwise. It granted
divorces ; changed the names of individuals ; cured defects in
title to real estate, and directed judges to act in accordance with
the idea of the person who had sufficient influence to have the
bill passed. It was the one great evil cured by the new con-
stitution. The effect is shown in the number of pages in the
pamphlet laws before ajid after that date; that of 1866 contained
1,366 pages, and that of 1873, 1,213 pages, and the first one after
it was 1874, with 550 pages, and the largest since that date is
that of 1901, with 1,013 pages.
It absolutely prevented a uniformity of the laws. For in-
stance, the Act of 1 March, 1871, P. L. 151, authorized the
borough of Franklin to levy a borough tax of fifteen mills for
borough purposes, while on the next page (152) another special
law authorized the borough of East Conemaugh to levy ten
mills for the same purpose. The Little Conemaugh river divides
the two boroughs.
An effort to control the court was that of 1 April, 1837, P.
L. 128, where the president judge of Fayette county had re-
fused to open a judgment which the defendant complained was
unjust, and in place of taking an appeal the defendant had
su.ffieient influence with the General Assembly to enact a law
directing the judge to open it and to try the fact in dispute by
a juiy; and provided further, that if the judge should refuse
to do this, a judge of Allegheny county was authorized to hold
a special court in Uniontown to give the relief desired.
The Act of May 12, 1871, P. L. 804, authorized the appoint-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 177
ment of a justice of the peace in Cambria to be commissioned a
notary pnblic: provided, they should not have jurisdiction in
cases arising on paper by them protested.
The hunbering business in Cambria was an important
factor in the sixties and early seventies, and much complaint
was made by owners of mountain land against persons who were
felling the trees and hauling the logs to the streams to be floated
to market; therefore, on May 15, 1871, P. L. 868, a special act
was passed authorizing the trespass and even to making roads
over the lands of others, which was equivalent to eminent do-
main. It also provided a method for assessing the damages.
The special Act of Ai>ril 3, 1869, P. L. 695, extended the
jurisdiction of justices of the peace in what was then the bor-
oughs of Johnstown, Conemaugh, Cambria, Millville, Prospect,
East Conemaugh and Franklin, and the township of Yoder, now
Lower and Upper; Taylor, now East and West Taylor; Jack-
son, Richland, and Conemaugh, now including Stony creek,
granting that they should try certain of the lessor misdemean-
ors by a jury of six, and sentence the defendant to a term in
jail. They were also authorized to entertain jurisdiction in
cases of surety of the peace, and for non-compliance with the
judgment of the justice he could commit the prisoner to the
county jail for not less than ten days nor more than six months.
THE BETSY HOLDEE HOMICIDE.
Patrick and Bernard Flanagan were tried before Judge
White for the murder of Betsy Holder, which occurred July 31,
1842, to October term, 1842, and both were convicted. John S.
Rhey, Michael Hasson and J. F. Cox were of counsel for the
defendants and George Taylor, Thomas C. McDowell and John
G. Miles for the commonwealth.
While there was no doubt in the minds of the court, the
jury and the witnesses for the commonwealth, tliat they were
guilty, yet there was a strong sentiment in the county in their
favor. Judge White refused a new trial, and an appeal was
taken to the supreme court, reported in 7 W. & S., 415, wherein
Judge White was afhrmed. Pending the appeal the friends
of tiie condemned men presented a bill in the legislature, which
became a law 5 April, 1843, P. L. 168, directing that if the de-
fendants presented a motion to set aside the sentence of the
court and grant a new trial, and if the judge should be satisfied
it should be granted, then he is authorized to make the rule
Vol. 1—12
178 EISTOB.Y OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
absolute. It further provi fieri that if the jnclge sitting did not
desire to hear the motion or try the case, then it should be
heard before the judge of the fourth judicial district. The
judges refused to act under this alleged authority.
In the next Assembly another bill was passed, dated 4
April, 1844, P. L. 187, directing a justice of the supreme court
to hold a special court of oyer and terminer in Cambria
county on the fourth Thursday of April, 1844, to hear the
motion to set aside the sentence of the court and grant a new
trial, and if a new trial was granted that it should be held in
Huntingdon county, and furthermore, that the state should pay
all the expenses of the trial since April 5, 1843, provided: it
should not exceed $500. On April 25, 1844, P. L. 397, another
bill was passed amending the former extending the time for
hearing to any day prior to July 4, 1844.
On April 15, 1844, Chief Justice Gibson and all the associate
judges excepting Mr. Justice Huston, who was ill, sent a com-
munication to Governor Porter, who submitted it to the As-
sembly, wherein they said the proposed procedure was invalid;
that the legislature could not form a court of oyer and terminer
by excluding the president judge and including a justice of the
supreme court. It was in accordance with these views that the
amended act was passed, which eliminated the objectionable
features and did not create a new court of over and terminer,
but directed the supreme justice to sit with the two associate
judges of Cambria and hear the motion. Mr. Justice Eodgers
came to Ebensburg heard the argument and decided it adversely
to the defendants. The friends of the condemned had one more
move, which took jjlace a few days before the day of execution.
They were assisted in their escape, and the Flanagans were
never heard of after that occasion. In the March term, 1845,
Sheriff James S. Murray was indicted for permitting a voluntary
escape of the convicted men, but was acquitted for the lack of
evidence.
Michael Smith, of Johnstown, who was convicted of the
murder of John Minehan, also escaped from the county jail
in the night a few days before the date set for his execution.
No trustworthy tidings were ever known of his whereabouts.
Smith was known as "Peg Leg," as he had lost a limb, and
notwithstanding this marked defect he was able to elude all
the searches and effort for his rearrest.
In all the original deeds given by Joseph Johns for lots
HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 179
in the city of Johnstown, which were four rods in width and
sixteen rods in length, he reserved a ground rent of one dollar
per year, payable in specie. Most if not all of these reserva-
tions were settled by contract; however, to protect the holder
an Act was passed April 27, 1855, P. L. 369, providing that
where no claim was made for such ground rent or annuity for
a period of twenty-one years by the owner, a release or ex-
tinguishment thereof should be presumed, and such charge
should thereafter be irrecoverable.
The action of David Gillis against the Pennsylvania Kail-
road Company for the platform accident in 1866, was tried in
€ambria, and Judge Taylor granted a nonsuit, when an appeal
was taken to the supreme court. The appeal should have been
heard in Pittsburg in the usual order, but for some reason a
special Act was passed April 6, 1868, P. L., directing that it
be heard at Harrisburg at the next sitting of the court. Abram
Kopelin, E. L. Johnston and Daniel McLaughlin represented
the plaintiff, and C. L. Pershing and John Scott the defendant.
On July 2, 1868, Chief Justice Sharswood rendered an opinion
of the court affirming Judge Taylor, 59 Pa., 141.
A special act was passed April 10, 1867, P. L. 1130, where-
in any person who had been injured in the platform accident,
which occurred at Johnstown September 14, 1866, and who
believed a fair trial could not be had in Cambria, the cause
should be removed to Center county for trial; however, this
act was repealed at the next session.
As late as 1825 it was the custom in the courts of Cambria
for the jury to sign their names on the back of the indictment
to their verdicts of either conviction or acquittal.
The usual plea for defendant in a criminal action was non
cul et de hoc, etc., entered on the indictment, when the attorney
general would plead similiter. In 1808, the form of the action
which is now practiced as the "Commonwealth vs. John Doe,
was ''Respublica vs. John Doe."
Under the Act of February 24, 1806, 4 Smith, 270, the courts
were to meet four times a year; the common pleas to continue
for one week, and the court of quarter sessions for ''four days
only. ' '
Under the Act of March 19, 1810, 5 Smith, 125, no attorney
was allowed, nor was the court permitted to cite or use a British
decision wliich liad been rendered prior to July 4, 1776.
In "The Mountaineer" for May 4, 1840, William A. Smith,
180 HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
prothonotary. published a notice that James Thompson, presi-
dent jndge of the district conrt composed of Erie, Crawford
and Venango comities, would hold a special court in Ebens-
burg, on June 29, 1840, to tr>^ the Spier vs. O'Neil and the
Adams vs. Easton ef al, cases, which was required by an Act
of Assembly to be published for sixty days. In the notice he
adds the rules of the court for Cambria county require that in
''all cases at issue a jury shall be sworn."
^^A^aGABLE STREAMS OF PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.
The following named streams in Cambria county and lead-
ing into it have been declared public highways for floating
rafts, boats, crafts and other purposes, to wit:
Reaver creek. Section 6. Act of 25 March, 1850, P. L. 281.
Beaver Dam creek. Section 6, Act of 25 March, 1850, P. L.
281.
Blacklick creek, Act of 7 March, 1829, 10 Smith, 286. Also,
14 April, 1828, 10 Smith, 219.
Burned Dam run, Act of 15 April, 1863, P. L. 485.
Clearfield creek. Act of 26 March, 1814, 6 Smith, 187.
Conemaugh river, Section 5, Act of March 29, 1787, 2
Smith, 411.
Killbuck creek. Section 6 Act of 25 March, 1850, P. L. 281.
Kiskiminitas river, Section 1, Act of 9 March, 1771, 1 Smith,
324.
Kiskiminitas river. Section 5, Act of March 29, 1787, 2
Smith, 411.
North Beaver Eun dam. Section 6, Act of 25 March, 1850,
P. L. 281.
Slate Lick run. Section 6, Act of 25 March, 1850, P. L. 281.
Stony Creek river. Act of 6 March, 1820. 7 Smith, 255.
AVest branch of the Susquehanna river. Section 1, Act of
9 March, 1771, 1 Smith, 324. Also, section 24, Act of 3 May,
1832. P. L. 431. Also, an Act relating to square timber taken
adrift, Act of 11 February, 1873, P. L. 33.
HOW AN INCIDENT IN THE OLD COURT HOUSE AT EBENSBUEG DIRECTLT
RESULTED IN THE ELECTION OF TAYLOR AS PRESIDENT OVER CASS.
AYlien the Cambria Guards elected officers in the old court
house at Ebensburg, prior to their departure for Mexico, in
1846, T. C. McDowell and C. H. Heyer, both members of the
bar, were candidates for second lieutenant. Heyer was elected,
and McDowell in a speech pledged himself to go with the com-
pany as a private. He did go as far as Pittsburg with the
company, but he was still piqued at his defeat, and returned
home before the company was mustered into the service.
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY, 181
Shortly afterwards he was nominated as the Democratic candi-
date for state senator, the district consisting of Cambria, Clear-
field, Indiana and Armstrong counties. William F. Johnston,
of the latter county, was the A¥hig candidate. Soldiers in the
field had the right to vote, and papers were forwarded to the
proper officers in Mexico for that purpose. The Whigs indus-
triously used McDowell's failure to be mustered in, and the
soldier vote was practically solid against him, which overcame
the large Democratic majority in the district, elected Johnston,
and made the senate AVhig by one vote. The members of the
Cambria Guards refused to vote at all.
Johnston was elected speaker of the senate, and on the
resignation of Governor Shunk on July 9th, 1848, became gov-
ernor. He was not sworn in until July 26th, 1848, there being
in interregnum in the meantime. The controlling power in
politics in the state was the Portage railroad and the Canal
system and the elevation of Johnston to the gubernatorial
chair, of course, changed the politics and personnel of the
management of these public improvements and made possible
the election of Johnston as governor, and of the Whig electoral
ticket in the fall of 1848. The change in the electoral ticket of
Pennsylvania, brought about by the chain of events narrated
above, beginning at Ebensburg, was sufficient to elect Zachary
Taylor president of the United States instead of Lewis Cass.
Taylor had 163 electoral votes and Cass 127. Pennsylvania
had 26 electors and had they voted for Cass instead of Taylor,
the former would have had a majority of 16.
In view of the fact that Judge Jeremiah Sullivan Black
was the most eminent and distinguished member of the Cambria
county bar, and that he was a native of Somerset county, born
two years after Cambria was organized, we give his judgment
on the right of expatriation, which is the foundation of our laws
of naturalization of citizens.
President Buchanan requested the opinion which Judge
Black gave as his attorney general, and for purity of diction,
soundness of legal principles and strength of character it has
no superior.
The principle of the right of any person to -absolve himself
from his allegiance was a mooted question for all time, until
an Act of Congress, passed July 27, 1868, declared the denial
of it to be inconsistent with the fundamental principles of our
government. It was the Ernst opinion which convinced con-
182 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
gress of the correctness of the principle. The document dis-
closes the natural gifts of the author as being definite, concise
and the positiveness of his judgment, without a surplus word.
We quote:
Attorney General's Office, July 4, 1859.
Sir:
Christian Ernst is a native of Hanover, and emigrated to
this country in 1851, when he was about nineteen years of age.
Last February he was naturalized, and in March, after procur-
ing a regular passport, he went back to Hanover on a temporary
visit. He had been in the village where he was born about
three weeks, when he was arrested, carried to the nearest mili-
tary station, forced into the Hanoverian army, and there he is
at the present time unable to return home to his family and
business, but compelled against his will to perform military
service.
This is a case which makes it necessary for the government
of the United States to interfere promptly and decisively. * *
What you will do must of course depend upon the law of our
own country as conti'olled and modified by the law of nations.
* * The natural right of every free person, * * to throw
off his natural allegiance, * * is incontestible. I know that
the common law of England denies it; and that some of our
courts, misled by British authority, have expressed (though
not very decisively) the same opinion. But all this is very far
from settling the question. The municipal code of England is
not one of the sources from which we derive our knowledge
of international law. We take it from natural reason and justice,
from writers of known wisdom, and from the practice of civil-
ized nations. All these are opposed to the doctrine of per-
petual allegiance. It is too injurious to the general interests
of mankind to be tolerated Justice denies that men should
either be confined to their native soil or driven away from it
against their will. * *
In practice, no nation on earth walks or ever did walk by
the rule of the common law. * *
There is no government in Euroj^e or America which prac-
tically denies the right. Here in the United States, the thought
of giving it up cannot be entertained for a moment. * * if
we repudiate it now, or spare one atom of the power which may
be necessary to redeem it, we shall be guilty of perfidy so gross
that no American can witness it without a feelmg of intolerable
shame. * *
In regard to the protection of our citizens in their rights at
home and abroad,, we have no law which divides them into
classes, or makes any difference whatever between them. * *
There have been and are now persons of very high reputa-
tion who hold that a naturalized citizen ought to be protected
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 183
by the government of his adopted country everywhere except in
the country of his birth. * * This cannot be true. It has no
foundation to rest upon (and its advocates do not pretend that
it has any), except the dogma which denies altogether the right
of expatriation without the consent of his native sovereign— and
that is untenable, as I thinlv I have already shown. * *
No government would allow one of its subjects to divide his
allegiance between it and another sovereign ; for they all know
that no man can serve two masters. * * But a law which op-
erates on the interests and rights of other states or people must
be made and executed according the law of nations. * *
If Hanover would make a legislative decree forbidding her
people to emigrate or expatriate themselves upon pain of death,
that would not take away the right of expatriation, and any at-
tempt to execute such a law upon one who has already become
an American citizen, would and ought to be met by very prompt
reclamation. * *
* * Assuming that it was violated (municipal law of
Hanover) by Mr. Ernst when he came away, the question will
then arise whether the unlawfulness of his emigration makes his
act of naturalization void as against the King of Hanover. I
answer, no, certainly not. * *
In my opinion, the Hanoverian government cannot justify
the arrest of Mr. Ernst by showing that he emigrated contrary
to the laws of that country, unless it can also be proved that the
original right of expatriation depends on the consent of the nat-
ural sovereign. This last proposition I am sure no man can
establish.
I am, very respectfully, yours, etc.,
rm T-» • T i^ J . S. Black.
The President.
A MODEL TRIBUTE OF EESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE CHIEF
JUSTICE MARSHALL.
At a meeting of the Judges, members of the Bar and Officers
of the Courts of Cambria County, held at the Court House in
Ebensburg on the 30th day of July, 1835, for the purpose of pay-
ing a Tribute of Respect to the memory of the late Chief Justice
Marshall. On motion, The Honorable George Roberts was ap-
pointed President of the meeting. The Honoraljle John Murray
and William Rainey Esquires, Vice Presidents, and Adam Bans-
man Esq., Secretary.
On motion of Mr. Canan, Resolved, That a coinmittee of
five persons be appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the
views of this meeting. Wlierefore the President appointed
Moses Canan, MichaelDan Magehan, John Myers, Perez J. Av-
ery and Jonathan H. Smith said committee. The couunittee
having retired for a short time, the Chairman reported the fol-
lowing Preamble and Resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted:
184 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Wlien great and good men die; AMien those who have per-
formed important services to their country dei3art from amongst
us, the loss is general, and the Nation feels it, In such cases cus-
tom has sanctioned the public expression of sorrow, and a prop-
er respect for the worth}" dead requires it. It is the duty of all
to venerate their memory, and to cherish the recollections of
their good deeds as examples for imitation.
In the late decease of the venerable John Marshall, Chief
Justice of the United States, the whole community has sustained
a loss which will be long and deeply felt, By the Courts and by
the Members of the Bar, his death will be peculiarly regretted.
He was the great Patriarch of the law, the guide, the director
and the example of the Bench and the Bar. His virtues and his
talents have cast a bright Hale around his character; his decis-
ions have shed a splendor upon our judicial proceedings, and
given our Supreme Court a high and exalted character through-
out the civilized nations of the world.
For the purpose of expressing our great respect for the
venerated dead, and to do honour to the memory of departed
worth, this meeting unanimously agrees to the following reso-
lutions :
Resolved, That in common with our Fellow Citizens we de-
plore the death of Chief Justice Marshall, a worthy man, an em-
inent jurist and an upright and talented Judge.
Resolved, That the death of this great man, full of years'
and of honours, has created a blank in society which will not
soon be filled.
Resolved, That in the life of Judge Marshall we behold
much to admire. In youth he was a defender of his Country's
rights, and fought for her independence and Glory; in middle
age he was an eloquent and able advocate ; in his riper years an
upright Judge and most learned expounder of our laws and Con-
stitution; at all times, and in every situation a man of great
purity of mind and sterling integrity. One who sustained
through a long life a character pure and spotless and preserved
the Ermine of Justice unstained and endefiled.
Resolved, That we approve of the plan suggested by the
members of the Philadelphia Bar, of erecting a Monument to the
memoiy of Judge Marshall by the voluntary contributions of
the Members. of the Bar throughout the United States; And that
a Committee of three persons be appointed by this meeting to
correspond with similar Committees in other parts of the United
States : Whereupon Moses Canan, Michael Dan Magellan and
John Myers Esquires were appointed said Committee.
Resolved, That as a testimonial of respect for the deceased
we will wear crape on the left arm for the space of thirty days.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed
by the Officers thereof, and published in the Ebensburg "Sky"
and the Johnstown "Democrat," and that the same, with the ap-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 185
probation of the Court be entered on the Docket of the Court of
Common Pleas of Cambria County.
George Roberts,
President
John Murray,
William Rainey,
Vice-Presidents.
A. Bausman, Secty.
CHAPTER IX.
ANTI-SLAVERY SENTIMENT THE XJNDERGEOUND RAILROAD '' ABRA-
HAM'^ AND '^ Patrick'^ shot by a slave hunter — arrest of
HENRY WILLIS AND OTHERS FOR AIDING THE SLAVES,
The particular cause for producing Abolitionists was the
provision of the federal constitution and the laws thereunder,
declaring that a slave escaping from one state to another should
be reclaimed and delivered to the owner, and that the United
States marshal could call upon and force any citizen to assist
him in his duty.
^A^ien the clause as it was finally adopted in the constitution
was agreed upon, it was the concensus of opinion that slavery
would become extinct by 1808, inasmuch as it was not profitable •,.
but '\^^litney's invention of the cotton-gin changed this situation
and i^roperty in human beings became valuable, hence the Civil
war. It was this clause which prevented Mr. Lincoln from being
an Abolitionist; however, he was intensely anti-slavery, and
sought to jarevent its spread and confine it to the southern
states. It was the same cause which made William Lloyd Gar-
rison the leading Abolitionist. He believed and averred that it
was unrighteous for one race of people for their personal profit
to make slaves of another class. This sentiment arose prior to
the Missouri Compromise, and only ended at Appomattox in
1865.
During this period there was much contention over slaves
escaping north of the Ohio river and Mason and Dixon's line.
Much litigation occurred in the northern states, and many phys-
ical combats took place in reclaiming these runaway slaves.
This conflict produced a class of citizens who would not assist in
preventing but who would not go as far as Garrison. They ab-
solutely declined to interfere in their capture, and quietly aided
in their escape. This was done through the mythical "under-
ground railroad" system in the border states.
One of the favored routes from Maryland and Virginia
was through Bedford, Pennsylvania, thence over the mountains
by way of Geistown to Johnstown; thence to Cherry Tree, or
Ebensburg, where other agents helped the fugitive to reach
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 187
Canada, or located him in some secluded place. Another favorite
route was from Bedford to Hollidaysburg, thence to Ebensburg
over the mountain. It is not difficult to understand why aid
was given them, as it would be done today under the same cir-
cumstances. Few persons of the present generation fully ap-
preciate the evils of slavery as it existed in our country; there-
fore we will recall a few cases which show its extent and tragic
results.
It is probable that the most tragic case is the one known as
the Garner case, which occurred in 1856. Simon Garner, his
wife and son Robert, were the slaves of Mr. Marshall, of Ken-
tucky. Margaret Garner was the wife of Robert Garner, and
she and her four children belonged to a Mr. Graves of that
state, thus the husband and family were separated. They es-
caped across the Ohio and took refuge in Cincinnati. The
slave hunter followed and secured warrants for their arrest.
A\"hen the deputy marshal endeavored to serve it, he found the
house barricaded wherein they had taken refuge. A desperate
fight followed, but the fugitives were overpowered and taken.
Margaret, however, had determined that neither she nor her
children should ever again be in slavery if she could prevent it.
During the conflict she realized that they were going to be cap-
tured, and, retiring to where her children were, she killed one
of them, cut the throats of two others, and severely bruised the
baby in her endeavor to save them from slavery.
Many ardent Abolitionists resided in Cincinnati, but, as in
other places, there were some who would not go as far in assist-
ing the slaves as others. In the Garner case this class thought
it would save the fugitives if they should be arrested in Cincin-
nati and tried for homicide; therefore, Margaret was indicted
for murder, and her husband Robert and her father-in-law Si-
mon were charged with being accessories to the awful deed,
Their friends weakened and allowed the slaves to be taken by
the owners. "With the intent of seeking death on the voyage
down the Ohio, Margaret jumped overboard with her babe
clasped in her arms. Sad to relate, she was rescued, and when
informed that the child had been drowned, she expressed grati-
fication that her baby would never be a slave.
In contradistinction to the former case is the Christiana af-
fair which occurred in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1851. Ed-
ward Gorsuch of Maryland, and his son, with a deputy marshal
and a number of friends, attempted to capture a fugitive slave
188 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
who had taken refuge in a house in the village of Christiana.
Two shots fired at the house aroused the neighbors and some
colored men, who appeared with arms. Among those assembled
were two Quakers, Castner Hanway and Elijah Lewis, who tried
to persuade both parties to disperse, but to' this plea the deputy
marshal ordered them to join and assist him as provided by the
law ; they declined and urged him to leave. Gorsueh and his son
then fired on the colored men, who returned the attack and killed
both, all the others seeking safety in flight. Hanway and Lewis
were indicted for treason, and tried before Judge Grier, in Lan-
caster, and Thaddeus Stevens was of counsel for the defend-
ants. The accusation and iDroof were considered preposterous
by Judge Grier, who charged the jury to acquit them. Thus end-
ed the Christiana at¥air. Judge Grier subsequently became an
lionored justice of the supreme court of the United States.
It was under these conditions that the '* underground rail-
road" prospered. The leading citizens of our county who gave
their assistance in this way were: John Cuslion, Henry Willis,
William Barnett, John Myers, Wallace Fortune, Isaac Weath-
erington, Frederick Kaylor and Mr. and Mrs. James Heslop, of
Johnstown; William Slick, Sr., who resided on a farm near
Geistown; A. A. Barker, of Ebensburg; Dr. George Gamble of
Cherry Tree ; and George Atchison, who lived near Burnside, on
the Susquehanna river.
A citizen of Indiana county who took a prominent part in
ihe emancipation of the slaves, was Albert Hazlett, a lieutenant
of the little band which attacked the arsenal at Harper's Ferry,
Virginia, under the leadership of John Brown, the martyr, on
the night of October 16, 1859. In the diary kept by John Brown,
l3eginning March 10, 1859, he has this entry: ''March 16th.
Wrote A. Hazlett, Indiana P. 0., Indiana county. Pa."
In a letter from Brown to John Henry Kagi, his adjutant,
mailed at Chambersburg about July 12, 1859, he says: "Write
Carpenter and Hazlett that we are all well, right, and
ready as soon as we can get our boarding house fixed, when
we will write them to come on and by what route. I will pay
Hazlett the money he advanced to Anderson for expenses trav-
eling. "
Colonel Lee captured Hazlett and Anderson, who were the
last men in the arsenal, all the others having been killed or cap-
lured.
Many escapes were made through our county, but the most
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 189'
prominent was that of the shooting of ** Abraham" and "Pat-
ricia" near Geistown, on the 10th of February, 1837. Tliese
slaves were young men witli no otlier names than are here given,
and were tlie personal property of Cok)nel and Dr. John Sheard,
of Morgan county, Virginia. The colored boys had reached a
point not far from Geistown when the hunters, coming in sight
of the runawavs, shot Abraiiam in the knee and Patrick in the
right shoulder. Of course they were captured, and taken to the
farm house of William Slick, Sr., who was an agent of the Un-
derground Railroad, where medical aid and such kindness were,
extended as could only come from a family which was in sym-
pathy with the slave. AViiliam Slick, Jr., born August 28, 1823,,
a son of the former, and now an esteemed resident of Johnstown,
recalls the atfair and his youthful efforts to give assistance to
the wounded slaves.
Abraham and Patrick were brought to Johnstown under
arrest in charge of Samuel J. Smith, constable. The warrant
was issued by Christian Horner, a justice of the peace residing
near Geistown, in Conemaugh township, and charged the defend-
ants with being fugitive slaves. The warrant was issued Feb-
ruary 10, 1837, as follows :
"Whereas, it appears by the oaths of Jolm Compston and Ed-
ward Maxwell that "Abraham" & "Patrick," two colored boys,
was held to labor service to Col. John Sheard of Morgan coun-
ty, in the State of Virginia, and that the said Abraham & Pat-
rick, two colored boys, hath escaped from the labor & service
of the said Colonel John Sheard. YOU are therefore com-
manded to assist and seize the bodies of the said Abraham &
Patrick, if they be found in your county and bring them forth-
with before a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of your
proper county, so that the truth of the matter may be inquired
into and the said Abraham & Patrick may be dealt with as the
Constitution of the United States and the laws of this Common-
wealth directs."
Not long after their arrival in Johnstown the local agents-
of the Underground Kailroad became interested, as the boys'
gunshot wounds were serious, and procured for them the best
medical attention and lodging which they could. The officers
desired to take them away at once, but the agents insisted that
such haste would be inhuman, as careful nursing was necessary
for their recovery. Under this plea the fugitives were kept for
several days in a ])uilding on Clinton street, and in the mean-
time arrangements were being made to take them farther north..
190 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
They were supposed to bo carefully guarded, but one night they
disaj)peared. No one knew how, nor where they were, at least
the officers did not know.
Maxwell and Compston made diligent search, and for some
reason Maxwell appeared before Samuel Douglass, a justice of
the peace, in Johnstown, on February 13th, and charged two
citizens with the shooting thus: "doth say that on Friday, the
101 h day of February, * * * a certain * * * acknowledged
that he did shoot a Blaclanan by the name of Abraham, in the
knee & and from all information that this deponent hath re-
ceived he has just reason to believe that a certain * * * ({[({
shoot one other Black man by the name of Patrick, in the back,
both being mortally wounded, "being slaves of Dr. John Sheard
of the State of Virginia, and that ^ * * * was also con-
cerned in aiding and assisting in the same, etc."
One of these defendants was arrested, and an indictment
l>resented to the grand jury of Cambria county, charging him
with shooting Patrick in the back, with a rifle, with the intent to
kill. The witnesses before the grand jury were Edward Max-
well, C. Horner, Esq., "William Sleek or Slick, Justice Varner,
and Amelia Heltzel. The foreman of the jury, M, Leavey, re-
turned "not a true bill."
On the 27tli of February, Mr. Smith, the constable, made
an information before Samuel Douglass, Esq., as follows:
'"'That he held under arrest two black men as slaves belonging
to John Sheard of the State of Virginia for eight or ten days
past, and the said Black men made their escape from the cus-
tody of the said S. J. Smith, constable, on Friday night, the 21th
day of February, instant, and that he doth suspect Henry AVillis,
Esq., William Barnett, John Myers, Esq., Wallace Fortune,
Isaac Weathcrington, John Cushon, and Frederick Kaylor of
aiding and assisting the said Black men away from his cus-
tody."
The defendants were brought before Justice Douglass, and
a hearing was held on March 3d, when he entered this judg-
ment: "Xo ground for prosecution. Suit dismissed." The
truth was, that as soon as the wounded bovs were able to travel,
their friends had filled the bed of a wagon with hay, on which
they were laid and covered with the same light material, and the
driver started north through Hinckston's run road. Under these
terrible conditions was the -freedom for the fugitives acquired.
After the re]^eal of the Missouri Compromise, which was
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 191
substantially done in the famous compromise of 1850, an inci-
dent occurred in Johnstown which discloses strong conviction
and decision of character, with a beautiful sentiment expressed
by Mrs. James Pleslop, who as well as her husband was an
Abolitionist. An escaping slave had reached this town and had
been secreted in Oushon's coal bank, under Green Hill, by John
Cushon and other agents of the Underground Railroad. Soon
thereafter, while Mr. and Mrs. Heslop were sitting in their room
on the second floor, a knock was heard at the front door. It
was about dusk, and Mr. Heslop, going to the door, became en-
gaged in conversation with the visitor, which, continued for
some time. Mrs. Heslop, being acquainted vdth. the escape,
divined the matter to which the conversation related. Going to
the top of the stairs she heard the visitor pleading with her
husband to tell him where the fugitive was, and offering him
twenty-five dollars for the information. Still Mr. Heslop de-
nied any knowledge of the affair. Hearing the offer increased
to sevent}^ dollars, she descended the stairway, quietly walked to
the door and closed it. In referring to it to a friend she mildly
said: ''I was afraid James might be tempted."
As late as the winter of 1859-60, A. A. Barker, of Ebens-
burg, assisted a slave to escape who had been brought to him
from Bedford via Hollidaysburg. He was kept in the house over
night, and before daylight has his ''pung" or sled with one seat
ready to take him to George Atkinson's, in Clearfield county.
The slave was concealed under a buffalo robe- A few miles be-
yond Ebensburg, Mr. Barker met one of his own teamsters, who
inquired what he had under the robe, and being a friend, he told
him a "colored man." The driver replied *'I will take a look
at him," and. pulled the robe, which so alarmed the slave that he
jumped into the underbrush and disappeared. The snow was
ver^^ deep, and they soon tracked him and convinced him he
was among friends, when he returned. He was again bundled
in the robes and was safely delivered to Mr. Atkinson, who helped
him to Canada.
On another occasion, much earlier, Mr. Barker assisted a
family of colored persons to escape, and some time after he
received a very grateful letter from one of the girls, who sent
him her picture, which he always cherished, and before his death
he gave it to his son. Judge Barker.
About 1852 a number of boys were fishing in the Cone-
maugii river near the mouth of Laurel run. This party was
192 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
large; some of them were James M. Duncan, John W. Douglass,
David R. Brj-^an, Walter Magill and James Glass. While they
were so engaged they observed William McLain (to them
'*Mose" McLain) and "Pade" Cams riding down the towpath
as rapidly as their horses could go in company with four colored
men, each on horseback. Mr. McLain was the director of the
squad, and stopped to inquire the shortest way to Dick Bacon 's
cabin, a negro who lived on the mountain above where the Laurel
run dam is now located. After being informed, Mose said there
would likely be some one after them very soon, and wanted to
gain time, and advised the boys to hold the "slave hunter" as
long as possible, so he could get into the woods. In a few min-
utes thereafter the hunters appeared, also on horseback, and
the ci'owd of boys began to stone them, when they turned and
went back to Johnstown. The men living in the vicinity of
Cambria Furnace were intensely against the fugitive slave law,
and with the story told by Mr. McLain they got their guns and
every weapon within their reach, and prepared to stop the slave
hunters at their place. The latter did not return after the ston-
ing, and Mose got his friends to Bacon's, where they were
maintained for some time, and then sent on north.
CHAPTER X.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
Solomon and Samuel Adams were the first settlers in the
county, locating their grist mill on Solomon's Run, now the
Seventh ward of Johnstown, prior to 1770. They were soon fol-
lowed by Captain Michael McGuire, who in 1789 settled at Lor-
etto. Between 1797 and 1808 there were five villages founded,
the first being Beula in 1797; Johnstown and Loretto in 1800;
Ebensburg in 1807; and Munster in 1808. The people appear
to have clustered around these localities, and as late as 1816
there were no other villages. We follow with the details of
these resi^ective communities.
JOHNSTOWN IN 1790.
The people of Johnstown, and indeed all those residing in
the Conemaugh valley and down the river to where the
Kiskiminetas empties into the Allegheny river near Freeport,
are indebted to Mr. John F. Meginness, of Williamsport, pub-
lisher of the notes of the '^Journal of Samuel Maclay, while
surveying the West Branch of the Susquehanna, The Sinnema-
honing and the Allegheny Rivers, in 1790."
Samuel Maclay was born in Lurgan township, Franklin
county, June 17, 1741, subsequently locating in Buffalo valley,
in what is now known as Mifflin county. He was a brother of the
Hon. William Maclay, who was the first United States Senator
from Pennsylvania. Maclay was the ancestor of the late Will-
iam Maclay of this city, father of Mrs. R. R. Murphy and Mrs.
John Tittle.
Samuel Maclay held various public offices in the Colony
of Pennsylvania ; he was a member of the Vth Congress, and
was Speaker of the State Senate, where in 1803 he presided at
the impeachment trial of Judge Addison; he was also elected
United States Senator, December 14, 1802. He died October
5, 1811 ; his grave is within sight of the turnpike, a short
distance west of Lewisburg.
On April 9, 1790, Samuel Maclay, Timothy Matlack and
John Adium were commissioned by the Supreme Executive
Council of Pennsylvania to examine the headwaters of the
Vol. 1—13
194 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Susquehanna, explore the streams of the then new purchase
from the Indians, and to discover if possible a route for a road
to connect the waters of the Allegheny with the "West Branch
of the Susquehanna.
On Monday, April 26, 1790, Mr. Maclay started from home
to meet the other commissioners. On May 19th they were at
Watsontown, then called Warrior Kun. On June 14tli they
began to survey the west branch of the Sinnemahoning, about
ten miles below Driftwood.
We quote from the Journal :
''Thursday, August 19th, 1790.— Got Keady Early in the
moniing started up the Kishcaminitas Eiver. Saw two white
men on the Eiver in a canoe. Continued to make all the speed
we could untill night and then took up our camp on the west
side, or rather south-west side of Eiver at the foot of a Eocky
hill near the mouth of a small spring.
''Friday. — August 20th. — Continued our Jorney up the
Eiver and arrived at the mouth of Loyalhannon at one oclock;
and as we had had several days of showery weather and con-
tinued moistness in the air, our Cloathes of every kind were
Damp and Disagreeable, and as the afternoon was a fine one
we agreed to let the men rest and Dry their Cloathe's, and ours.
We had this day been attempting to procure some fresh Pro-
visions on our way up, from the Inhabitants along the Eiver,
and had been unsucksesf ul ; we therefore sent off two of our
men in order to procure either Butter or meat of any kind.
They Eeturned with (out) Sucksess."
The Loyalhannon to which he refers is the Loyalhanna,
which rises in the Laurelhill, above Fort Ligonier, and flows
in a northwesterly direction through Westmoreland county and
em])ties into the Conemaugh river at Saltsburg, and forms the
Kiskiminetas river. From Saltsburg to Johnstown the river
is properly called the Conemaugh; sometimes it is designated
as the Big Conemaugh, to distinguish it from the Little Cone-
maugh, which meets the Stonycreek at the point in this city.
The distance from Johnstown to Saltsburg by the way of the
river is about forty-nine miles, and to Blairville about thirty-
three miles. The Journal continues:
''Saturday, AugMst 21st.— As all our attempts yesterdav
to procure ])rovisions had been fruitless, we were obliged to
stay this day in order to get a sup]Dly of Both flour and meat;
we were Luckay enough this morning to get the half of a Yeal
from one S^imuel Hoy, who lives a little way below the mouth
of Loyalhanning, and sent off a man and horse to Denison's
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 195
mill which is eight miles up Loyalhamiing creek, in order to
procure some flour ; the man is not yet returned.
"A little after Dark the man sent to the mill returned and
brought us a small supply of flour and a few pounds of Butter.
AVe have to acknowledge our obligations to Col'o Will'm Perrey,
who furnished us with a horse and sent his son to mill for us
for the flour. He lived just above the mouth of Loyalhanning.
"Sunday, August 2'2d. — The morning cloudy but so much
time already Elapsed we must make every possable Exertion
to get through our Bussness ; we proceeded up the Kiver above
10 miles and encamped for the day."
The place where they camped must have been about where
the Black Lick empties into the Conemaugh, near Social Hall,
a few miles below Blairsville. The Journal:
"Monday, August 23d. — Proceeded up the Eiver; met with
great difficulty; on account of the low water were obliged to
drag our canoes over the Ripples and were able to get only
about 8 miles. This day Encamped above an old Indian field
on the southwest of the Kiver; this field is Remarkable for the
Great number of Bones we found in it."
The field referred to is about a mile east of Blairsville.
"Tuesday, August 24. Pursued our Jorney up the River,
and with all the Exerscions we could make it was 1 o'clock be-
fore we had Got 3 i/^ miles, & the men were quite Exhausted
with the Jyabour of Dragging the Canoes up the Ripples. We
came on shore to Dine and before we had done, a rain came on
which induced us to pitch our tents for the night. We employed
the afternoon in trying to procure i^ack horses to carry our
Baggasre to Frankstown and ha]^pily succeeded.
"Wednesday, August 25th. — This morning we were
Busseyley employed in adjusting the Loads for the horses. As
soon as this was done we took our packs on our Backs, and
started at 11 o'clock and made the Best of our way up the
River. We had got but a little when we were overtaken by a
smart shower at a place where we had no shelter of any kind.
We proceeded up through the narrows where the River Cuts
the Chestnut Ridge; these narrows are five miles in Length and
the hill(s) come Down close to the water edge, so that we were
obliged often to wade the river, and had Exceeding Bad walk-
ing as there was scarcely any Beech and the Rocks and Laurel
come close to high Avater mark. We had Likewise several heavy
shower (s) so that Between the wading the River and the Rain
we w^ere. wet Indeed. About sunset we came to a house where
one David Ingard lives, and took up our Quarters for the Night
having Traveled about eight or nine miles."
The narrow gap was the "Packsaddle" west of Bolivar.
196 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
"Thursday, August 26tli. — We set off early in the morn-
ing and proceded up the River. Had much better walking this
day and a fine clear day. we kept close to it, and arrived at
the mouth of Stony Creek [Johnstown] a little before sunset,
and went up the Stoney Creek half a mile to where one Daniel
LaVere Lives, who Received us with an oppen Countenance.
We this day came through the narrows formed by the Laurel
Hill and found it in Gineral Good walking; we this day walked
19 or 20 miles.
"By appointment our Pack horses were to meet us at the
mouth of Stoney Greek, but we found they had been unable
to Reach the place ; we therf or took up our Quarters with Daniel
LaVere for the night. As we were in a part of the country
were none of us had ever Been we were obliged to hire a man
and send off for one Clark to conduct us the nearest and best
way from the Mouth of Stoney Greek to the mouth of Poplar
run on the Frankstown Branch, through the Alegina mountain.
We did in the evening after we had taken up our Quarters. As
this messenger has to walk 18 miles to where Clark Lives, we
can hardly Expect him to Return before the 28.
"Friday, August 27th. — Gersham Hicks came to us this
morning and in informed us that the horses and Baggage were
comming; that they had been unable to Reach the fork Last
night, the Road had been so Bad. After some time the horses
came but on the way had Lost one of our Tents, for this tent
two of our people were sent back who are not yet Returned. In
the afternoon they Returned but could not find the tent altho
they went back as far as the place they had Lodged the night
Before; but they heard that a man and a Boy from the Jer-
seys had passed along the road between the time that our
people returned to seek the tent, and as those people were in
want of Cloathes as its said, no clout they played us a Jersey
Trick.
"Saturday, August 28th. — We continued in our camp wait-
ing the Return of young Levoy whom we had sent for Clark.
He returned after sunset and with him a Daniel Clark, the
man who had been Recomended was gon a hunting, and this
man was the only person he could get to come who had any
knowledge of the country through which we had to pass. This
day we spent in Baking Bread and preparing for Crossing the
Alegina, mendin Mokossins &c.
""Sunday, August 29th (1790).— Agreeable to the Resolu-
tion of the Last night we prepared this morning to survey the
Conemaugh, as Mr. D. Clark had refused to conduct us over
the Mountains without we would Engage to ]^ay him 10 shillings
for every day that we would be from home. This we all agreed
was unreasonable as he himself confessed that he was not fully
acquainted with the country through which we must pass. We
therefor paid for the day he had spent in comming and for
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 197
another to go home in, 10 shillings, and prepared to go np
through the narrows, and survey the creek, and sent our Bag-
gage Round by a Better way with order to mett us Monday
Night at the forks of Connemaugh; and as it was Expected
they would be able to gain the forks much sooner than us, we
set out first and proceeded up the creek as far as we could that
day. Had bad walking and at night could scarcely find a spot
to encamp on, for the Land' which came to the waters edge
for some miles together. We at length found a spot in the
Laurel Large enough for us to lie on and took up our quarters.
Not long after Night rain came on and we were unprovided
with any kind of shelter. This not only kept me uneasy for the
moment but in pain in consequence as I was but verry imper-
fectly Recovered from my former attack of the Rheumatism,
brought on in the same manner; and there I was in a country
unsettled, without either canoe or horse.
"Monday, August 30th. (1790). Dryed my Cloathes with
all the care I could, and took my Bundle on my Back, and so
did my companions and we proceeded up the Creek with our
survey and Gained the first forks of the Cr By i/o past 1
O'clock; there eat our Dinner and proceeded on untill night
and encamped on the upper end of a Rock Bottom about two
miles below the forks where the pack horses were to meet us.
As we had given order to the pack horse men in case that we
Did not Reach the forks on Monday night that Hicks should be
dispatched down the Creek on Tuesday morning to meet us
with Provisions, as we had taken only two Day(s) Provisions,
we in order that they might know we were comming fired a
Gun Twist after dark, but had no answer.
"Tuesday, August 31st. (1790). After Breakfast we went
on with our survey and Reached the forks V2 after 10 oclock
but found our people had not reached the place. We then en-
quired into the state of our provisions, and found that the
whole we then had with us was not more than one scanty meal.
We then judged it advisable to make the best speed we could
to Frankstown and not wait Longer for the packhorses as we
were certain either some mistake or misfortune had happened,
or they would have been there before us. We accordingly set
off at a N. E. course and surveyed 8 miles before Dark, but to
oar surprise we had not yet reached the State Road. The
evening was Cloudy and we encamped by the side of a .Laurel
Tliicket near a small Branch of the Connemaugh.
"Wednesday, September 1st, (1790) The evening before
we had divided our Provisions into Equal Shares, and though
we had walked the whole day, yet each man's portion when we
had it was so small ; and not knowing how far we must travel be-
fore we could meet with any supply, none of us ventured to eat
any supper. This morning every man cooked his own Choco-
late Avith the utmost care and attention, and in General eat with
198 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
the Chocolate about one-half of our Bread ; and so we set out and
in about IVo hours we came to the State Eoad about Eight miles
N. ^y. of Blair's mill.
"After traveling about -4 miles on this Road we eat the
Remainder of our Provisions and Reached Mr Blair's mill a Ijit-
tle after 12 ocloek, where we were Rece'd with Great kindness
by Mr Blair's family, who gave us our dinner, as neither Mr
Blair nor his wife were at home. In the Evening Mrs Blair
came home ; and to my surprise Soon informed me that she knew
something of me and my connections. Upon enquiring she is
the daughter of a Mr Sims, who was a friend and acquaintance
of Mr R. Plunketts in Ireland, and came to this country the
same year that Mr Plunket came to the country ; and is a verrj-
decent, well Breed woman, and was very oblidging and attentive
to us. In the Evening we sent one of our men over to Patrick
Cassidy's with a Note, Requesting him to come to us in the morn-
ing. ' '
In Dr. Eagle's ''History of Pennsylvania" he refers to
John Blair, Jr., the person above mentioned, and for whom Blair
county was named, and states that his home was some four
miles west of Hollidaysburg, on the Huntingdon, Cambria and
Indiana turnpike, formerly known as the "Northern Pike."
This would be a short distance above Duncansville.
"Thursday, September 2d. (1790) After Breakfast Mr
Cassidy came and informed us that he was unacquainted with
the Ground between this and Connemaugh further than the head
of the Poplar Run, but he was of the opinion that the Poplar
Run Gap was a much Better Gap than the one in which the Road
is now made; and informed us that if we pleased he would Go
with and Likewise procure some other person who knew the
country all the way, to go with him and us in order to view the
Poplar Run as far as the forks of Connemaugh. He likewise
promised to assist us in getting horses to carrey our Baggage
down as far as Water Street, and his assistance in Procuring
us some fresh Provisions,
"Frida}^, September 3d. (1790) After Breakfast we Rec'd
a note from Mr Cassidy that he had the promise of two horses
and two sheep for one of which we sent one of our people. Not
until 4 oclock this day did we hear anything from our Pack
horses. Then they came in. They had mistaken the forks of
Connemaugh where they were to wait for us and stopped at the
first, insted of going on to the second, and by that mistake have
Lost us 2 days. Some time after night our man Returned with
a Mutton.
"Saturday, September 4th. (1790) This morning we sent
off a part of our Baggage to Mr Cassidy's by a son of McCunes
who brought us the mutton. Mr Adlum was this morning Im-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 199
ployed in protracting onr works from the month of Stoney
creek. After Breakfast and after I had finished coppying my
note(s) I took 2 hands, and Began at the 50 mile Tree above Mr
Blair's and snrveved the Road to Patrick Cassidvs, and from
thence to the month of Poplar Enn, which Bussness was some
time Delayed By the Rain, which fell this Day. Mr Adlnm
finished his work and Joined us in the afternoon. We Likewise
Got a horse fom Mr Cassidy and Grot another Load of onr Bag-
gage brought over this clay from our camp at Mr Blair's, but
Gersham Hicks with the Remainder was still Behind at the
Camp.
"Sunday, September 5th. (1790). AVe Dispatched Seymor
with a horse this morning to ]\lr Blair's to bring forward Hicks
and the Remainder of onr Baggage; and took the necessary
measures in order to Explore the Ground up through the Pop-
lar Gap, and thence to the forks of Connemaugh. The man we
sent is not yet Returned. In the mean time we had verrey dif-
feiant accounts of the Ground through the Poplar Gap. Pat-
rick Cassidy told us that he had been at the head of the Poplar
run and five miles further towards the forks of Connemaugh;
that so far it was Excelent Ground for a Road; much Better
than the road through the other Gap, and insinuated that undue
means had been exercised or the State Road would have been
taken through the Poplar Gap. This representation was Corob-
erated by one William Pringle who undertook to show us an
Exceeding Good way for a road up tbrough the Poplar Gap.
To this a young man, a hunter, of the name of Shirley Replyd,
that he knew the Poplar Gap weil; that he had a hunting camp
on it near the head; that there was no place there that would
admit of a Road; that if Pringle could find a Road there, then
he Shirley would Give them bis head for a foot ball. But he
informed "us that there might be a Road had to Conemaugh by
Beginning at the East end of a Ridge that is south of the Pop-
lar run and keeping that Ridge up to the Blue Knob a mountain
so called in those parts, and from thence by keeping the divid-
ing Ridge, but this way was objected to by Cassidy and others as
Going quite too far out of the way. Shirley further informed
us that Pringle, who was to be onr Guide, had some time before
uudertaken to conduct a Company over to Conemaugh «fc had
Lost himself and with Difficulty found the way home. From all
these circumstances, and acct taken together we were Deter-
mined to see the Ground and set out with our party and sur-
veyed about 2Vi miles uii the Poplar run through Low swampy
Ground Inclined to be stoney.
"Monday, September 6th. (1790). Continued our survey
up the poplar run through stoney swampy Bottoms, much cut
into GuHevs bv the water for about 2 miles; then took over a
hill and struck the run again. Found the Ground much the same
u]i the second forks, where Pringle told us we must take the
200 . HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
mountain which we did and found it much too steep to answer
for a road. However we continued our survey until! we came
in sight of a. cove in the hill. I then in order to save time pro-
posed to leave the compass and walk up to the top of the hill
in order to obtain a view of the hills around us as by this time I
had abundant Testimony that we could place no Dependance up-
on the Information of our Gides. AVhen we had Reached the
top of the first Rise or Spur of the mountain I planely saw that
admitting the Ground to have been good to the Bottom of the
hill there was no Possability of making a Road and therefore
under these circumstances Gave it as my opinion that to prose-
cute the Bussness farther would be misspending our time and
wasting the Publick Monev; Cassidv still Persisted that there
could be a tine Road made there, and Colonel Matlack said he
had wished to have Discussed this matter among ourselves, as
Commissioners and not other persons, and concluded with Ex-
pressing a Desire of seeing the top of the hill but added that
he would not bear an imputation of wasting the publick money.
I Replyd that for my own part I had seen sufficient to tix my
opinion ; if he or any other person had not, that an hour or two
would' be Sufticient for the purpose, that under these considera-
tions I had no objections to going on to the top of the hill.
''Mr Adlum Lickewise thought it best to Proceed with the
survey to the top of the hill ; and we proceeded accordingly but
before we had gone a half mile further we plainly saw that
our Gides were utterly at a Loss, and in a short time Cassidy
himself Declared that there could not be a road made there,
and Longe Before we had Reached the Top of the mountain, we
were all willing to return back the best way we could find
through the Laurel. We got clown a little below the forks of the
run and took up our Quarters, heartily tired of Road hunting.
Cassidy and Pringle would not stay with (us) all night, though
they were invited.
"Tuesday, September 7th. (1790) We returned to Cas-
sidvs and got there a little before 11 o'clock. Were oblidged to
wait some time in order to procure horses to bring forward our
Baggage and had to send one of our people to Mr Blair's mill
to get a fresh supply of flour. This detained Mr Adlum all
night at Cassidys. After Dinner I took two men to Carrey
Chain, and began the survev of the Frankstown Branch at the
mouth of Poplar run, and Proceed Down as far as Franks old
to^m When night came on, and not meeting with any of our
people, Colonel ]\[atlack and I went to Lowery's and staid all
night. When I left surveying I had sent the chain carriers up
to one Tituses to see whether any of our people had come there.
On their way they met with X. St Clair who Mr Adlum had
sent with our Blankets and part of the Baggage; but the night
was so dark that they could not find the road to Lowerys. They
therefore took up camp on the Branch."
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 201
The following is the mileage and the estimated expenses for
the eonstrnction of a highway consisting of canals and roads,
from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, made by Messrs. Maclay, Ad-
him and Matlack . * * *
Miles.
"From Huntingdon, on Juniata, to mouth of Poplar run. . . 42
Portage to the Canoe Place on Conemaugh 18
Down Conemaugh to Old Town (Johnstown) at the mouth
of Stonycreek 18
Down Conemaugh and Kishkiminetas to Allesrheny river.. f)9
Down Allegheny river to Pittsburg on the Ohio 29
ESTIMATE OF THE E5.PENSE.
Canal or lock naviaration to Poplar Eun (if found neces-
saiy, which will ^irobably not be the case) £7,000
Portage of 18 miles to Conemaugh at 20 pounds per mile 3fi0
Conemaugh and Kishkiminetas to Allegheny 7,150"
AN" OLD settler's EEMINISCElSrCES.
(This article was prepared by James M. Swank in 1869,
from notes made by the pioneer, Peter Goughnour.)
Peter Goughnour, who was born in Maryland in 1773. and
died in Conemaugh township in 1855, left a statement of his earlv
recollections of what was in old times called ''the Conemaugh
country," which statement is now before us. It is much to be
ree:retted that there is not in existence an authentic history of
the earlv settlers and settlements of the Conemaugh country,
and with n view to till a portion of this blank in our annals we
will compile from Mr. Goughnour 's statement such facts and in-
cidents as we think worthy of preservation.
Mr. Goughnour states that the first white settlers in the
Conemaugh country were two brothers, Samuel and Solomon
Adams. At the time of their settlement, about 1770, the Indians
werA quite numerous, who hunted and tished on the banks and
in the waters of the Conemaugh and Stony Creek. Samuel Ad-
ams lived about two miles south of the confluence of the two
streams, on Sam's Eun, from which it derived its name. Solo-
mon's cabin was located about midway between the jnnction and
his brother's cabin. Solomon's Eun took its name from him.
Samuel Adams and an Indian warrior killed each other with
their knives while fighting around a white oak tree on Sandy
Eun, about five miles east of the junction. Their bodies were
buried in one srrave, under the tree.
l\t"r. Goughnour settled in what is now Conemaugh town-
shin in 1798. Cambria county was then a wilderness, and not
known to a-eosTraphers. At the date of Mr. Goughnour 's settle-
ment the Indians had departed from their Conemaugh huntinfr
grounds, but he states that he found monuments of stone erected
over Indian graves, flint arrows, elk-horns and other relics of
202 HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
their presence. Some few monuments are still standing on the
banks of the Stony Creek above Jolmstowii.
Jacob Stntzman, who died in 1816, occupied in 1794 the Cone-
mangh bottom, now the site of Johnstown, and 'to which the In-
dians had given the name of Old Town. Mr. Stutzman was the
first white man who ever occupied the bottom. A son of his was
killed by an ox-team which was scared by a rattlesnake. The
bodv of the bov was buried on the left bank of the Stonv Creek,
where Water street in Kernville is now located.
Joseph Johns, or Yahns, a professor in the Amish com-
munion, and an industrious and honest man, laid out Cone-
maugh bottom into town lots about 1800. Those who assisted
him to lay out the town and who became its first citizens were
Peter Goughnour, Joseph Francis, Ludwig Wissinger and a few
others. They named it Conemaugh-town, but it was generally
called Johnstown. Mr. Johns died at an advanced age in Cone-
maugli township, Somerset county.
Dr. Anderson and William Hartley opened the first store in
the new town, and Isaac Proctor the second. The necessaries
of life at that time rated very high. Coffee was 50 cents per
pound; pepper, allsjoice and ginger, 50 cents per pound; shad,
50 cents each; salt, $5.00 per bushel; Wheat, $2.00 per bushel.
All other articles rated accordingly. Wages were from 40 to
50 cents per day.
There were at that time no roads through the wilderness
to older settlements, and nothing but canoes for navigating the
streams. Beasts of burden were rare, but wild beasts of the for-
est were quite numerous. Panthers, wolves, bears, etc., howled
at night around the cabins of the settlers. Nevertheless, the set-
tlers, in Mr. Goughnour 's language, "had fine times hunting
and fishing," as the forest was alive with game and the clear
and placid streams filled with finny beauties which pious old
Isaak Walton would have delighted to capture.
The bottoms in the vicinity of Conemaugh-town were cov-
ered with luxuriant verdure, and presented a wild and romantic
appearance. The hills were grand beyond description, with
their glorious old forests, amid which the woodman's axe had
never rang. Peavines, wild sunflowers, and other unnamed rep-
resentatives of the vegetable world twined around and waved
between the giant oaks, and spruce and hickories. AA'liat a par-
adise was that "Conemaugh country" to its first settlers, some
seventy years ago !
Still these pioneers had their troubles, and those forests
and bottoms had their drawbacks. Growing among tlie tall grass
was a noxious weed, resembling garlic in taste and appearance,
and called "ramps" by the settlers, which, when eaten by the
cows was sure to sicken them and put a stop to the supply of
milk and butter. The grass, from some cause not stated, did
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 203
not make good hay, and as the enltivation of corn, oats, rye, etc.,
was exceedingly limited, the result was that in the winter time
the cattle found Jordan a hard road to travel. The settlers, in
order to prevent their cattle from starving, were forced to cut
down trees so that they could browse upon the buds and young
branches. The women were required to clean land and do rough
farm work, such as harrowing, harvesting, hoeing corn, etc.
They were also accustomed to perform other hard labor inci-
dent to a pioneer life.
Large quantities of maple sugar and molasses were in a
few years manufactured by the settlers of the Conemaugh coun-
try, and packed to neighboring settlements. Venison also be-
came an article of export. In exchange for these commodities
the Conemaughites received necessaries which they could not
produce themselves. Bedford was the principal market for the
settlers.
In the course of time the population of Conemaugh-town
increased, as well as the number of farms in its vicinity. A log
inn for the entertainment of travelers was erected in the village.
A road was opened through the wilderness to Frankstown, be-
low Hollidaysburg, upon which pig metal was hauled to Cone-
maugh-town, and shipped in the spring of the year in flat-bot-
tomed boats to Pittsburg. Conemaugh-town now became a place
of some business, and it was found necessary to erect another
inn.
In 1808 the village was overflowed by a sudden rise in the
Conemaugh and Stony Creek, and the inhabitants were com-
pelled to fly to the hills for refuge. The village was again sub-
merged in 1816. The event was termed ''the punken flood,"
owing to the fact that it swept away the whole pumjikin crop of
that vear. Much damage was done bv the flood. Fences were
swept away, saw-logs and lumber disappeared forever, and
many horses and cattle were drowned. The settlers suifered
severely from this dispensation of Providence.
About 1812 the village boasted a grist-mill and a small
forge on Stony Creek. In 1816 the first keel boat was built by
Isaac Proctor on the right bank of Stony Creek, near where
the Union Graveyard is now located. Rafts were also construct-
ed at the same place.
While laborers were digging the race for another forge, on
Conemaugh, old fire-brands, jiieces of blankets, and earthen
smoke-pipe and other Indian relics were discovered at a depth
of 12 feet beloAV the surface of the earth.
Notwithstanding the improvements mentioned, the village
was still small when, in 1827, the Commonwealth commenced the
construction of the Public Works. Since that time it has stead-
ily prospered and gradually become a i^lace of some note and
business importance.
204 HISTOBY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
BEULA A DESERTED VILLAGE.
Morgan John Khys was born December 8, 1760, at Graddfa,
Glamorganshire, Sonth Wales, and died in Somerset, December
7, 1804. He was ordained a minister in the Baptist chnrch in
1787, and became an eminent divine and patriot. When sixteen
years of age he was imprisoned at Carmathen for two years, and
was twice in the. pillory for his advanced political views.
Coming to America in October, 1794, he made his home in
Philadelphia for two years, when he purchased a tract of land
in Somerset county from Dr. Benjamin Rush, founded the vil-
lage of Beula, on the south branch of the Blacklick creek, three
miles west of Ebensburg, and had the township of Cambria cre-
ated, giving to it the name which means "The Land of Free-
dom. ' '
The plot of the village was on a very large scale, being sub-
stantially laid out after the plan of the cit}' of Philadelphia, with
its wide streets, squares, cross streets and alleys. At that time
there was quite a movement to make the new county of Cambria,
and Rev. Rhys desired to make Beula the new county capital.
A number of his fellow countrymen having come with him to
make their new homo, some sixty log houses were constructed
in the business center of the embryonic town, which later con-
tained hotels, stores, church, mill, school and a library of about
six hundred volumes, for a population of three hundred souls.
The lorice of the lots ranged from ten to fifty dollars in state cur-
rency, and the deeds made by Morgan John Rhys spell the word
''Beula" without the letter "h."
The struggle between Ebensburg and Beula for the county
capital was vigorous, but immediately upon the selection of the
former the decline of the latter began. The fact that neither the
Frankstown road, the Northern turnpike, nor the Clay pike
passed through Beula, gave it an unfortunate location besides.
With these obstacles it could not hope to succeed, and soon be-
came what it has been for many years — a deserted village, the
onty reminder of which remains to us this day being the station
of the Cambria and Clearfield division of the Pennsylvania road
called ''Beulah."
Some of the persons who located at Beula with Morgan
John Rhys were John J. Evans, William Rees, Simon James,
Miles Phillips, William Williams (South), Thomas Griffith,
John Thomas, John Roberts (Pembryn), John Roberts (shoe-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 205
maker), David Bees, Robert Williams, George Turner, Thomas
Griffith (farmer), James Evans, and Griffith Rowlands. The
bachelors were David Edwards, Thomas Lewis and David Da-
vis.
After 1808 the village was substantially abandoned; how-
ever a few families engaged in farming continued to reside in
that vicinity. Thomas W. Jones, a surveyor and the justice of
the peace, died there March 14, 1808, aged thirty-six years ; Eliz-
abeth Jenkins on September 20, 1828, aged fifty-one; Elias Row-
land, on July 24, 1858, aged ninety-three, and Catherine, his wife,
on April 24, 1840, aged sixty-seven; William Roberts on Janu-
ary 7, 1822, aged fifty-one years.
EBENSBUKG.
The Rev. Rees Lloyd was the founder of Ebensburg. John
Lloyd, his grandson, who is in his eightieth year, states there
are two traditions in the family in reference to the origin of the
name. One is that it was named for his Uncle Ebenezer, and the
other is fi'om the good old hymn "Here I'll raise mine Ebe-
nezer." Rees Lloyd was born May 1, 1759, in the parish of
lilanboidy, AVales. He was ordained a minister in the Non-
conformist church in 1780, and was called to the pulpit at
El)enezer, near Pont-y Pool, which may be the origin of the
name. In 1795 he disembarked at Philadelphia with his wife
Rachel and family. In the following year he located on the land
where he founded the county seat. It seems that he purchased
the land from William Jenkins on an article of agreement, in-
asmuch as Lloyd's deed was given by his heirs and executed in
Washington City on September 30, 1805. It was known as the
Benjamin Rush tract, and contained lOS^Xj acres, and cost $400.
It was described as being on the headwaters of the Blacklick
ci'eek, in Bedford and Somerset counties. At that time there
was much confusion as to the line between Somerset and Hunt-
ingdon, but not as to Bedford at that place: Mr. Lloyd did pur-
chase a tract of land called "Mere" from Benjamin Rush,
August 8, 1804, containing over 401 acres, for $578.83, but it
was the Thomas Martin warrant. In 1808 he sold several lots
to Nathaniel W. Semple, who replotted them, but the deed avers
they were a part of the William Jenkins land. Mr. Lloyd died
May 21, 1838, at Paddy's Run, Butler countj^, Ohio, where he
had resided since 1817 when he left Ebensburg.
He organized the Congregational churcli at Ebensburg in
206 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
April, 1797, which was the first house of worship in what is now
Cambria coimty, and named it ' ' Ebenezer Chapel. ' ' It was soon
followed by the churches of Morgan John Rhys at Beula, and
that of Demetrins Angnstine Gallitzin at Loretto. Some of
Mr. Lloyd's early neighbors were: Thomas Phillips, Theophilus
Rees. William Griffith, Daniel Griffith, David Thomas, George
Roberts, John Jenkins, Johu Tobias, William Jenkins, Evan
Roberts, James Nicholson, John Jones, Evan Jones, Thomas
W. Jones, Esq., and Isaac Griffith. Many descendants of these
families reside in that vicinity and in the town.
In the chapter on the organization of the connty, reference
is made to the gronnd donated to the pnblic for the nse of
connty buildings. The strife between Ebensburg and Beula for*
the location of the county capital was conducted with energy.
The plot of the town was probably made in 1807, as it was ac-
knowledged on Jnlv 17 of that year. It consisted of two liun-
dred lots, each being four rods in width and sixteen rods in
depth. In addition there were subsequently laid out north of
Horner street thirty-six lots or parcels containing from one
to two and one-quarter acres.
As stated, Ebensburg was the first borough incorporated
in the county, bearing date of July 15, 1825. The first organ--
ization was : Richard Lewis, burgess; Philip Noon, John Murray,
Moses Canan, Owen McDonald and Silas Moore, members of
council, which met at the house of Mr. McDonald on March 21
of that vear. John Llovd was treasurer. In the following
borough election there were thirty-four votes cast by Richard
Lewis, Moses Canan, David H. Roberts, James Rhey, Philip
Noon, Silas Moore, David Davis (carpenter), Rowland Humph-
reys, Johnston Moore, Rees Morgan, John Williams, James
Murray, Thomas Ownes, John R. Evans, John Walsh, Jeremiah
Ivory, William David, John Dougherty, Robert Roberts, Stew-
art Steele. David Harris, Griffith Rowland, David Jones, Henry
Davis, Evan Davis, John Ivory, John Rodgers, John Lloyd,
Robert Young, John Thomas, Peter Mooney, Samuel Wesey,
John Evans (Smith), and John Carrel. All other elections were
held in Cambria township until 1852, when the first presidential
vote is given for the borough as 59 for Pierce and 91 for Scott.
The first firemen were Jeremiah Ivory and Owen McDon-
ald, who were appointed by the council March 28, 1826. In
1846 it purchased a hand engine for the Friendship Fire Com-
pany, and in 1872 the present Dauntless Fire Company was or-
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 207
ganizecl. The completion of the old stone or northern pike in
1820 made Ebensburg prosperous, as it was a favorite stopping
place for the stages and the Conestoga wagons. This continued
until the opening of the old Portage railroad, but as it, with the
canal system, could only be operated in the warm season, the
winters in Ebensburg were made lively.
The borough was divided into two wards by the Act of May
1, 1861, in which Center street was the division line. The Act
of April 11, 1868, authorized three members of Council from
each ward.
The term of service for the burgess was one year until 1893,
when it was extended to a three year period. The several offi-
cials were: Richard Lewis, 1825; James Ehey, '26; Moses Ca-
nan, '27 ; Stewart Steele, '28 ; John Lloyd, '28 ; Richard Lewis,
'29; Moses Canan, '30; Arnold Downey, '31; John Williams,
'32; James Murray, '33; Michael Dan Magehan, '34; David H.
Roberts, '35; Richard Lewis, '36; Michael Dan Magehan, '37;
Richard Lewis, '38; Johnston Moore, '39 to '41; David H. Rob-
erts, '41 ; Michael Dan Magehan, '42 ; Charles Litzinger, '43 ; A.
McVicker, '44; Wesley Bateman, '45; Richard Jones, Jr., '46;
Robert L. Johnston, '47; Ezekiel Hughes, '48; Michael Hasson,
'49; John Williams, '50; David H. Roberts, '51; George C. K.
Zahm, '52; Wesley Bateman, '53; Samuel D. Pryce, '54; John
Thompson, '55 ; James Myers, '56 to 58 ; David H. Roberts, '58 ;
John D. Hughes, '59; Andrew Lewis, '60; David J. Evans, '61;
George Huntley, '62 ; James Myers, '63 ; A. A. Barker, '64 ; C.
T. Roberts, '65; J. Alexander Moore, '66; T. Blair Moore, '67
to '69; Abel Lloyd, '69; Samuel W. Davis, '70; T. W. Dick, '71;
George A. Berry, '72; F. H. Barker, '73; D. H. Kinkead, '74;
George Huntley, '75; Samuel W. Davis, '76; Thomas J. Davis,
'77; John E. Scanlan, '78; Edward J. Humphreys, '79 to '82; C.
T. Roberts, '82; F. H. Barker, '83; J. S. Davis, '84; F. H. Bar-
ker, '85; T. Mason Richards, '87 to '89; George C. K. Zahm, '89;
Evan E. Evans, '90; James T. Young, '91 to '93; Festus Lloyd,
'93; T. Mason Richards, '94 to '97; F. H. Barker, 1900; Ed-
mund James, '03, and Alexander J. Waters, 1906.
The following gentlemen have been Postmasters at Ebens-
burgh, with the date of their appointments. The letter "h" was
dropped from the name September 28, 1893 : John Lloyd, Octo-
ber 1, 1807; John R. Lloyd, 'January 1, 1808; John Lloyd, June
17, 1818; Rees S. Lloyd, September 13, 1838; Rees J. Lloyd,
February 24, 1843; Milton Roberts, April 21, 1849; Frederick
208 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Kittell, February 19, 1853 ; Michael C. McCagiie, Jmie 27, 1853 ;
Harriet M. McCagne, Februar}^ 20, 1860; Matliias S. Harr, April
18, 1861 ; John Thompson, May 6, 1861 ; Edward J. Mills, Sep-
tember 13, 1866; Rees J. Lloyd, August 17, 1867; James T. Hut-
chinson, March 27, 1869; John Thompson, June 27, 1871; Ed-
mund James, April 23, 1878 ; James G. Hasson, October 8, 1885 ;
Florentine H. Barker, August 29, 1889. Philip G. Fenlon, Sep-
tember 28, 1893; Festus Lloyd, February 25, 1898; John G.
Lloyd, January 22, 1907.
The Hudson and Morrison map of 1816 gives the popula-
tion of Ebensburg as 150; Munster, 80 and Jolmstown, 60. The
Act authorizing the organization of the county directed that
the county capital should be within seven miles of the center
of that territory. Beula was about three miles southwest of
Ebensburg, which brought it within the limitation. The precise
location of the latter is forty degrees thirty-four minutes and
twenty seconds north latitude, and one degree forty-five minutes
and forty-four seconds longitude, west from Washington City.
The altitude above sea level at the main entrance to the court
house is 2138 feet.
It will be observed the center of population was about the
county capital, as these foui villages were within t^n miles
of each other from the most distant point. As late as 1816
Loretto was the most northerly settlement. However, Mc-
Geehan's grist mill on the Chest creek was a few miles to the
north. Elder's and Storm's mills were on the Clearfield creek,
a few miles east of Loretto, but about the same latitude. Will-
iam O'Keefe, the deputy surveyor general, resided just east of
Ebensburg at this time. Messrs. Hudson and Morrison stated
in their return of the survey that ''The Conemaugh could be
easily connected with either the Clearfield or Chest creeks
between Ebensburg and Munster, and even this route would
be shorter and better than to connect with anv of the hio-her
branches of the Allegheny river,"
After the opening of the Old Portage railroad the mountain
was a favorite place for visitors during the summer season.
The Mountain House at Duncansville was moved to Cresson
about 185-1; the Fountain Inn was located in the forest on the
old Northern pike a few miles east of the Summit. The Summit
has always retained its advantage but is limited as to its
popularity. After the opening of the 'uranch railroad Ebens-
burg became a desirable place to live, and since the closing
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 209
of the Mountain House at Cresson it is the leading summer
resort of this vicinity.
LOEETTO.
Tliis pretty village is the second oldest settlement in the
county. As we have noted elsewhere, Captain Michael McGuire
located there in 1788, when it was a part of Huntingdon county,
and died there November 17, 1793. It was known as the ''Mc-
Guire Settlement" until in 1799 Father Gallitzin established
a Catholic mission there and named it Loretto, for the famous
Loreto on the Adriatic coast, Italy, which seems to have been
spelled with one "t. " On the occasion of the centenary cele-
bration of the parish on October 10, 1899, the Kev. Ferdinand
Kittell published a souvenir of Loretto, prepared with skill
and carefulness. It is a volume of 405 pages, with much detail
of family and church history, which included a chapter on
Captain Micliael McGuire, by William A. McGuire, Esq., a
lineal descendant.
Loretto was originally in Frankstown township, Hunting-
don county, but after the organization of Cambria it was a
village in Allegheny township. In 1816 it was plotted into
town lots by Father Gallitzin, as he acknowledged the map
"to be his act and deed." It consisted of one hundred and
forty-four lots in three tiers, divided by two streets sixty feet in
width, and three cross streets of equal width. The central row
of forty-eight lots are one hundred and sixty feet in depth,
and the others two hundred feet.
Loretto is about seven miles in an easterly direction from
Ebensburg, and was incorporated as the borough of Loretto
by the Act of March 8, 1845.
Among the early settlers with Captain Micliael McGuire
and his wife Rachel Brown, were Cornelius McGuire, William
Dodson, Michael Eager, John Storm, John Douglass, William
Meloy, Luke McGuire who married Margaret O'Hara, Richard
Xagle, Richard Ashcraft, James Alcorn, John Trux and John
Byrne.
The souvenir of Loretto contains the names of all the
families, and those of the children, with dates of birth and
death from November 17, 1793, to October 10, 1899, which
renders it very valuable for genealogical purposes.
The surnames are: Adams, Bradley, Brown, Burgoon,
Burke, Byrne, Christy, Conrad, Coons or Knhns, Dimond,
Vol. 1—14
210 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Doiiglierty, Eckenrode, Flick, Glass, Hertzog, Litzinger, Mc-
Connell, McCoy, McDermitt, McGough, McGuire, McMullen,
Miller, Myers, Nagie, Noel, O'Neill, Parish, Skelly or O'Skelly,
Smith, Hoover or Huber, Kane, Kean or Cain, Kaylor, Kelly,
Little, Stevens, Storm, Sweeney, Weakland and Will. There
were twenty-five families by the names of Bradley and McGnire ;
Dougherty, twenty-two; Eckenrode, twenty- three ; Glass, twen-
ty; McConnell, twenty; Myers and Noel, each, twenty-three;
and Will, twenty. The aggregate number of families repre-
sented is 2143.
MUNSTER.
The Village of Munster is about five miles east of Ebens-
burg, and was iDlotted for a town by Edward V. James in 1808.
It is said to have been a rival for the county capital, but there
is no evidence of that fact. It was an Irish settlement. The
town plot was extensive, but it never prospered. The lots were
sixty-six feet in frontage and about one hundred and eighty
feet in depth, and sold for $16 specie.
It is near the headwaters of the Little Conemaugh river,
and one of the streets was named Conemaugh. It was located
on the first road made in the county — the Frankstown, or the
old Galbreath road, which is noted elsewhere. It had the ad-
vantage over Ebensburg, Buela and Loretto at that time, as
neither of these localities had a good road east or west. About
twenty years after the town was plotted there was an effort
to make a new township to be named Donegal, but it caused so
much friction the court declined to create it. Some of the free-
holders were John O'Gara, Hugh McWilliamson, Hugh Gara,
Moses Noon, ^Michael Burns, William Manly, Edward Smith,
John Nickson, Patrick Dawson, Dennis Lynch, John Rhey, John
Miller, Philip Noon, John D. Kerney, Jacob Glass, John Curren,
Peter Storm, Bartholomew Kearney, Cornelius Freel, Joseph
McGeehan, James Kean, James O'Kean and John Boyle. The
descendents of Kearney and the Glass and other families still
reside in that vicinity. However, there were few houses erect-
ed. The village is on the crest and western slope of the divide.
CHAPTER XI.
THE RIVERS, CREEKS AISD RI\TjLETS SAW AND GRIST MILLS, AND
RAFTING.
A spring on the farm of Andrew Strittmatter, in Carroll
township, near Strittmatter 's tunnel, on the Cambria and Clear-
field division of tlie Pennsylvania railroad, is the accredited
source of the west branch of the Susquehanna.
, Flowing in a northwesterly direction for half a mile, thence
for an equal distance nearly west, the stream above mentioned
is enlarged by another run, rippling down from Carrolltown,
about a mile and a half to the northeast. This is the longer run
of the two and is by some considered the source of the river,
which from this junction of waters all unite in denominating the
west branch of the Susquehanna.
From this point, flowing northwest generally, though with
many deflections to the right and left, the river passes through
Carroll township to the northeast corner of Barr, from where
it follows the boundary line of Barr and Susquehanna into the
latter. On its way it is augmented by the waters of at least
eleven runs, some small, others of more volume, bearing such
names as Walnut run. Moss creek, and Long run.
At this point, on the right bank, is the mining town of
Spangler, which extends for about a mile and a half along the
river. Here the river turns due north for a short distance, when
it makes a left curve, about a mile in length, down to Garman-
tovm, on the left bank. It is soon afterward joined by a small
rivulet from the west, and Pine run which rises near Platt\TLlle
and flows into it from the east, is the last large accession the
west branch receives in, luit not from Cambria county. From
this point the general direction of the river is northward until
it leaves the county at the historic Cherrytree.
Three other streams that rise in Susquehanna township
flow north into the west ])ranch in Clearfield county, the last of
which is Beaver run.
The West Branch and its tributaries have been to Northern
Cambria what the Conemaugh has been to Johnstown and its
vicinity— except in disaster. As public highways, between 1857
212 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
and 1880, they were of mueli more utility tlian tlie Conemaugh
ever was, for on tliem were floated to the eastern markets hun-
dreds of millions of feet of valuable timber, the proceeds from
the sale of which built up thousands of happy homes and laid
the foundation of the prosperity of Northern Cambria.
The predominating timber in Northern Cambria and ad-
joining districts of Clearfield and Indiana counties was white
pine. The principal uses to which this species of wood is put
are for lumber, shingles, and spars or masts for ships. Pine
cut in the summer months would be speedily devoured by grubs,
or worms, called sawj^ers ; hence, it became necessary to cut the
timber in the fall and early winter months. Formerly, the prin-
cipal part of the timber intended for lumber was cut down, and
hewn on three sides, the other side being "barked" with a peel-
ing ax. A tree was hewn forty, sixty, or eighty feet — according
to height — straight on two sides, that the timber might be lashed
or pinned together into rafts. On the other side it was hewn
to suit the crooks if there were any. It was then hauled to a
landing, generally on a dam, ])ut into the water, a number of
pieces placed side b}^ side, several poles laid across them through
which auger holes were bored down into the timbers, and pins
of wood securely driven in. A rudder made of a long pole fas-
tened on a pivot was fixed at the front and rear of the raft for
the purpose of guiding it through the water. A shanty in which
the cooking was done and which sheltered the raftsmen was
then built upon it, and the raft was ready for high water, which
generally occurred in the spring and fall of the year,
'* Spars" were cut the length a tree would permit — eighty
or one hundred feet — with some of them four feet and even
larger at the base. As it is necessary to know if a mast is sound
throughout, a simple expedient was used to determine that
important point. Close to one end of the spar a man placed his
ear, while another struck the other end with a heavy hammer
or sledge. If the stick was solid throughout a sharp sound was
heard by the person listening, while if the stroke was not
heard, or but a dull thud was the result, the timber was con-
demned as unfit for use. Spars were made into rafts, some-
times along with square timber. The job of hauling them to-
the water's edge was often a very laborious and expensive one,
many men and teams being required for the undertaking.
In later years much timber was floated down in sawlogs,.
the logs being cut and peeled in the woods. It is remarkable
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY 213
how fast an expert '^ peeler" can remove the bark from a log
or tree with his doublebit peeling ax, the bits being thin, about
eight inches broad, each bit being shaped somewhat like an
ancient battle ax. The logs ai'e hauled to the edge of a stream
and placed on the landing or dumped into a dam made for the
purpose. Sometimes logs were pushed for miles in chutes, or
''slides," made of small trees. In making these chutes one tree
was pinned on a piece of timber laid on the ground or some-
times elevated on blocks to overcome unevenness of the line, with
a piece fastened at either side as a fender. Into the groove
thus formed the logs were placed — sometimes many in number
— a team of horses was hitched to the hindmost log by means
of a grab driven into the rear end, and this log being shoved on
and bumped started those ahead of it. On reaching the dump
the team was turned around or run to one side of a tree or pole
close to the chute, and the grab released from its hold.
As much of this logging was done on small streams, resort
was had to splash-dams to drive the logs down to the river. A
splash-dam is constructed with a wicket that may be raised or
lowered at pleasure, and when ready it is opened, releasing the
water held in store and carrying the logs below down
the stream, along which men, provided with pike-
poles, are stationed to keep them in the channel.
The boots of these men are armed with spikes somewhat like
the climbers used by linemen on telegraph and electric poles, only
smaller, and thus provided they often leap on logs to release
jams with the greatest imaginable dexterity and fearlessness — •
a hazardous undertaking nevertheless. Sometimes a number of
logs were made into rafts, but logs were often floated loose.
When the spring had opened and the ice had left the river
sufficiently to insure safety, the sluices of the great dams in
which the rafts were securely held were opened and the down-
ward journey" along the river began.
This was a perilous journey, and none but the hardiest of
men were desirable for raftsmen. To steer the raft aright was
a very particular job. Sometimes bends were to be rounded
where the current hugged the shore, often boulders and obstruc-
tions bad to be avoided, and dams had to be "shot" through
chutes provided for the purpose. Here, if the raft was not kept
straight in the current as it entered the chute there was great
danger of its being wrecked. If the front bowsman was not an
expert there was the pi'obability of his being swept oif by the
214 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
water or knocked off by the rudder when the front part of the
raft dipped into the water below the chute.
The rafts and logs were floated down the river to Lock
Haven, Williamsport, Mnncey, and sometimes even to Havre
de Grace, ^Maryland, on the right bank of the river near the head
of Chesapeake bay. Arrived at their destination, they were
secured in large dams or along the shore by means of ropes
thrown around stakes or poles fastened to piers or driven into
the ground. The logs were run into booms, near which were
located great sawmills which manufactured them into lumber.
A boom is an obstruction of long logs securely fastened together
by clamps and swiveled chains, or by cribs thrown diagonally
across the greater part of the stream — generally from the inner
curve of a great bend in the river or in a dam — thus reflecting
the logs from the current into the slack water, where they re-
mained until taken therefrom to be worked up into lumber, as
was also the square timber of the rafts.
The fall rafting generally consisted of the timber that was
left over from the spring "drive," or that was not ready at that
time. Often a summer freshet was taken advantage of and some-
times a lo-^mess of water prevented or delayed a drive at the
usual time.
At first raftsmen on their return were compelled to walk,
or ride on horseback or in the stage to their homes, but after
railroad facilities became available that method of traveling
was adopted.
Eafting on the Y\'est Branch of the Susquehanna is now
practically a thing of the past, the people of Northern Cambria
having turned their attention to agricultural and mining pur-
suits, and, with ever increasing railroad facilities, the mineral
resources of that thri\^ng section of the county are being rap-
idly developed.
After leaving Cambria county, the West Branch runs in a
northeasterly and then in a northerly direction to McGee's
mills, where it turns to the northeast, a few miles farther on
receiving the waters of Chest creek, which general course it
continues to Clearfield, where it is augmented by the waters of
Clearfield creek. Down these two streams the greater part of
the rafting from Cambria county found its way to the West
Branch.
Winding eastward to Xorthumberland county it empties
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 215
its waters into those of the North Branch, forming there the
greatest river of Pennsylvania — the historic Susquehanna.
Chest creek rises near Kaylor Station, on the Cambria and
Clearfield railroad, in Allegheny township, and joined by the
AVest Branch, which rises in Cambria township, near Winterset
Station, on the same railroad, flows in a slightly northwest di-
rection through Clearfield township and between those of Elder
and Chest into Clearfield comity, where it enters the West
Branch of the Susquehanna.
Before the town of Patton is reached, where the Little Chest
creek flows in, Laurel Lick run. Chest Springs run and several
others pour in their w^aters.
Between the points where Flanagan's run and Blubaker
creek join it, begins the outcropping of red shale that underlies
the lower coal measures of the Westover and Johnstown basins,
here separated by the Laurel Hill anticlinal.
Blubaker creek, the largest tributary of Chest creek, rises
in the southwestern part of Elder township, and passes through
the town of Hastings to its junction with the Little Blubaker
creek, four miles beyond. Blubaker creek unites with Chest
creek, just a short distance before the latter enters Clearfield
county.
Of late years the development of the vast mineral resources
of the Blacklick region following the construction of a railroad
along the valley of the South Branch has brought that section
of the county prominently before the people ; but pl'obably few
are aware of the vast area of the drainage of the system, second
only to the Conemaugh.
The Blacklick in Cambria is composed of two large branches
—the North Branch and the South Branch— and their tribu-
taries.
The North Branch of the Blacklick— if preference is given
length and size — rises in Carroll townsliip, about a mile north
of the Cambria township line, near the old Ebensburg plank
road. Beginning its course in a northeasterly direction, swerv-
ing to the northwest, westward, and southwest, it unites, when
between four and five miles in length, with another branch,
which, rising about a mile to the southwest of the source of the
stream already noted, runs in a less circuitous course toward
the northwest. Forming from its source the boundary line be-
tween the townships of Cambria and Carroll it flows northwest,
receiving various runs and rivulets from the north and south,
216 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
until it reaches the northeast corner of Blacklick township,
wliich, in assuming a more westerly course, it divides from Barr
on the north for a couple of miles. Flowing south, on the line
of Blacklick to^^Tiship, it receives Dutch run. This run, rising
in Indiana county, flows southeastward into Barr township,
then in a southwesterly direction, crossing and re-crossing the
line between that township and Indiana county, finally flows
into the North Branch heretofore noted, from which place the
united waters, now of considerable volume, continue their course
southwestward, augmented from the east by what Pomeroy,
who published the best map of the county ever produced, calls
Elklick run, and its southern branch. Elk run, down to within
a half mile of the southwestern corner of the township, where
it enters Indiana county, and soon unites with the South Branch.
The South Branch of the Blacklick, formed by the union of
many considerable streams, the principal of which Pomeroy
calls the Middle Branch, rises in Cambria, within a quarter of a
mile of Allegheny township, the dividing line between which
two townships at this point is the West Branch of Chest creek,
about a mile from the headwaters of Clearfield creek and also
of the North Branch of the Conemaugh. Flowing south, north-
west and west and modified by several short windings past
historic Beulali close to the line of Jackson and Blacklick town-
ships, and later dividing them, it emerges into Indiana county to
form tlie cqnsiderable stream known as the Blacklick, and crosses
the southeastern end of that county to a point near Livermore,
below Blairsville, on the Westmoreland county line, where its
waters are merged with those of the Conemaugh.
The principal tributaries of the South Branch are the East
Blacklick, which rises a short distance north of Ebensburg and
flows southwest to its junction with the Middle Branch, which,
receiving another large branch which rises in the northern
part of Cambria township, becomes the South Branch; then
two smaller tributaries from the western part of the same town-
ship and from Blacklick township four small runs, and from the
south Steward's run, which, rising in Cambria, flows in a north-
westerly course through Jackson township, augment its waters.
Clearfield creek is the name of a stream which rises in two
branches in Cambria county near the dividing ridge, along
whose crest runs the Cresson and Clearfield railroad, one branch
rising near Kaylor Station and the other near Cresson. They
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 217
luiite in Himmelwrigiit's mil] dam and thence tlieir waters
flow northward into Clearfield coimty.
It is a misnomer to call this stream a creek, as it has the
size and importance of a river, having served as an outlet for
hundreds of millions of feet of pine lumber to markets along
the West Branch of the Susquehanna of which it is a tributary.
The name of the stream, which is perpetuated in that of one
of the townships of- this county and also of a neighboring county,
is derived from the "'Clear Fields" — a few small acres of
cleared ground on which the Indians raised maize, located along
its valley near the old Kittanning path, not far from the present
town of Ashville.
John Storm, or Sturm, is said to have erected a grist mill
on the Clearfield creek, near Loretto in 1792, now Seibert's
mill, Dawson Station, on the railroad.
Along what is undoubtedly the main branch,, which, as be-
fore stated, rises near Kaylor's, was the first permanent settle-
ment of white men, viz : that of Captain Michael McGuire, who,
in 1787, moved his family to a clearing and started a colony,
with which Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, i)rince and priest,
twelve years thereafter cast his lot and established the Catholic
•congregation of Loretto.
Gallitzin was a man who looked after the temporal interests
•of his people as the handmaid of their spiritual welfare, and
on this creek, about a hundred yards up the stream from the
bridge that spans the run, which is the highest name by which
it can be here truthfully called, built the third grist mill in Cam-
bria county. This was early in the present century, and was
then an undertaking of considerable magnitude, as the fall in the
stream is here so slight that a millrace about a half mile in
length had to be dug to give the water sufficient "head." The
water wheels of this mill might have been seen near the ruins
of the mill until a few 3^ears ago.
Some years after the erection of this mill Gallitzin had
built on the eastern branch at the present site of the mill of the
late B. P. Anderson a sawmill, the dam of which is still in use.
It was built, according to the testimony of one of the old pio-
neers, "at a cost of $1,500, at a time when men worked for fifty
cents a day and did an honest day's work."
This was probably the first water sawmill in the county.
It was built on this stream at a distance of two miles from
218 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
the grist mill for the reason that the water power at the latter
was not deemed sufficient to turn the crank of a sawmill.
About a mile below this mill the two branches nnite in Him-
melwright's mill-dam, which, as well as Anderson's, can be
seen from the Cresson and Coalport railroad, a branch of the
Cambria and Clearfield division. Another mile further down is
located Seibert's grist mill, near Dawson Station, a couple of
hundred feet below which Bradley's run, which rises in Alle-
gheny township, Blair county, enters Cresson township and
flows down through Gallitzin borough and Gallitzin township
and pours its murky waters into the hitherto comparatively pure
stream of the Clearfield. Next from the west a small stream
called Beaver Dam run comes in from Allegheny to^mship, Cam-
bria county.
On the eastern side, near the small mining town of Amsbry,
a small, swift mountain stream, which formerly swarmed with
trout, drains part of Gallitzin township, and at Ashville, a mile
further down, Trexler's run empties in from the same side.
At Ashville is Kratzer's saw^nill dam, and close to it on the
western side is the site of old Ashland furnace, the ruins of
which were dug up and hauled away about 1896. While quarry-
ing stone for the foundations of this furnace, about 1840, the
workmen found on a high rocky bluff the skeletons of several
human beings, buried in a horizontal position with the feet
towards the east. The bones of one of these skeletons indicated
that in life the individual whose remains were ruthlessly dis-
turbed, must have been of gigantic stature, probably eight feet
in height. The mode of burial, so different from that of the
Indians, who interred their dead in a crouching, vertical posi-
tion, aud the size of the skeletons would appear to indicate that
they were tliose of people of a pre-historic race of a higher
degree of civilization than the Indians — a supposition that is
borne out by the fact that many articles of potter}^ have been
found in the vicinity.
Within sight of this cemetery is one of the "Clear Fields,'^
about three acres in size, and about a mile farther up the creek
is a smaller one, while about three miles to the northwest is a
circular clearing, about three hundred feet in diameter, with
a solitary 
