Chapter 5 – Allegheny (now Bethel, Parks and Gilpen)

Chapter 5
Allegheny (now Bethel, Parks and Gilpen)

Division of the Township in 1878-Origin of the name
Allegheny-English and French Traders-Conrad Weiser and Christian Frederick
Post-The Earliest Land Tracts Surveyed and Seated-Valuation at Different
Periods-Names of Pioneers-Churches-Schools-Mills-A Notable Fox Hunt-Old-Time
Fourth of July Celebration-Railroad Stations-Towns-Leechburg-Lively
Enterprises-Canal Packet Lines-Taxable Inhabitants in 1832-Steamboat Arrival
in 1838-The Town Incorporated in 1850-Religious History of
Leechburg-Litigation in the Lutheran
Church-Education-Physicians-Cemetery-Primitive and Improved Means of Crossing
the River-Manufactures-Mercantile and Other Occupations-Soldiers� Aid
Society-Secret Societies-Temperance-Population-Borough of Aladdin-In
Schools-Oil Works-Statistics-Geology of Allegheny Township

[The township of Allegheny was in existence when the author wrote this
volume, and its history is here presented intact, as it, of course, covers the
three new townships of Bethel, Parks and Gilpin, erected from the territory of
the old one.

A number of the inhabitants of Allegheny township petitioned the Quart of
Quarter Sessions, June 3 1878 asking for a division of the territory
comprising Allegheny into two or more townships, by the old sub-school
district lines as near as was practicable, so as not materially to change the
said school districts. Remonstrances were also presented, and the project was
vigorously opposed. September 18, 1878, however, the court ordered a vote by
the qualified electors of Allegheny to be taken upon the question of division,
and fixed Tuesday, November 5, following, as the time. The return of this
election, made December 26, 1878, showing that a majority of the voters were
in favor of a division of Allegheny into three townships, the court ordered
and decreed that the names of the divisions should be. �No. 1, Bethel; No 2,
Parks: No. 3, Gilpin.� The day fixed for the first election in each of the
townships was February 18, 1879. The place designated in Bethel was at
schoolhouse No. 4, known as bethel schoolhouse; and in Parks, schoolhouse No.
1, known as Hill�s schoolhouse. The place originally ordered for the holding
of the election in Gilpin was at �Spruce College� schoolhouse, but a
subsequent order of the court designated the house of Joseph Lessig as being
more convenient. Bethel township was named after the church and schoolhouse
which had been for years so called; Parks, after the park family, old and
prominent residents; and Gilpin, in honor of John Gilpin, Esq., of Kittanning
Borough, who, as an attorney, had assisted the people of Allegheny who favored
the division.-EDITOR.]

The township of Allegheny, though having until 1878 an extensive area for a
township in these later times, included but a small portion of the territory
that once bore its name. Its name was derived from the Allegheny river, which
is its western and southwestern boundary. Heckewelder says: Allegheny is
corrupted from Allegewi, the name of a race of Indians who are said to have
dwelt along a river of that name, and in Allegewinnik, i.e., all the country
west of the Alleghenies. The Shawanees called the river Pulawu-thepi-ki, i. e.
the �Turkey River place,� or country, according to J. Hammond Trumbull.*

*The writer gratefully acknowledges the receipt of the following letter:

THE WATKINSON LIBRARY
Hartford, Connecticut, December 4, 1877.

DEAR SIR: Mr. F. Vinton, of Princeton, encloses to me your request for the
etymology of the Shawano name for the Allegheny river, which you write �Palawu-thep-iki.�
This name properly belongs to land (or some locality) on the river, or near
it. Palawu-otherwise written Pelewa-is the Shawano name for the Wild Turkey;
Miami, piluah; Illinois, pi ewa. Pelewa-sepi, or as a Shawano often pronounced
it, Pelewa-thepi, is Turkey River; �Pelewa-thepi-ki, �Turkey River place�
(or country).

Whether the Allegheny was so named because of the abundance of wild
turkeys, or from the Turkey tribe (Unalachtgo) of the Delewares, I cannot
certainly say; but the former is the more probable.

        Yours truly, J. HAMMOND
TRUMBULL.�

On the Historical Map of Pennsylvania the upper Allegheny is named
Palawuthepiki, and the lower Allegheny, Palawuthepi.

The Indian settlements within the limits of this township were probably
visited by English traders from the East, from 1730 until 1749, and thereafter
by French traders and agents.

In 1748 Conrad Weiser must, the writer thinks, have passed through the
southeastern portion of the present township of Allegheny, on his route to
Logstown. It may be remarked, in passing, that he was one of ten children of
John Conrad Weiser, and was born at Herenberg, Germany, November 2, 1696. His
father and family emigrated to Schoharie, New York, in the summer of 1710,
where the Mohawk chief Quagnant became well acquainted with him, and induced
his son Conrad to accompany him to his home and learn the Mohawk language.
After acquiring a good knowledge of it he returned to his father�s
residence, and was now and then employed as an interpreter. In 1729 he removed
with his wife and children to that part of the Tulpehocken valley, a half mile
east of the present town of Womelsdorf, in upper Heidelberg township, Berks
county, Pennsylvania. The Muhlenbergs are among his descendants. He was a
prudent, conscientious man. Because of his knowledge of the Indian language
and customs, and his being a favorite with the Indians, he was frequently
withdrawn from his farm, where he wished to spend the rest of his days after
leaving Schoharie, to act as interpreter and agent for the Province.
Twenty-five years of his life were thus spent. On June 23, 1748, Anthony
Palmer, then president of council, gave him instructions to be followed in his
mission to the Indians, at Logstown, from which it appears that the government
had promised the Indians who were in Philadelphia in November, 1747, that
Weiser should be sent to them early in the spring. A present of considerable
value having been provided for them, he was to proceed thither with all
convenient dispatch. He and the goods were to be convoyed by George Croghan,
the Indian trader, who was well acquainted with the roads to the Ohio. Weiser
was instructed, among other things, �to use the utmost diligence to acquire
a perfect knowledge of the number, situation, disposition, and strength of the
Indians in those parts;� �to use all means in your (his) power to get from
them all kind of intelligence as to what the French are doing or design to do
in those parts, and indeed, in every other place:� �to make particular
inquiry into the behavior of the Shawanese, since the commencement of the war,
and in relation to the countenance they gave to Peter Chartier.� He set out
on that mission from his house in Heidelberg township, August 11, 1748,
passing on his route, Tuscarora Hill, Standing Stone, near Huntingdon,
Frankstown, where he overtook the goods, because four of George Croghan�s
hands had fallen sick, over the Allegheny hills, past the Clear Fields,
arriving at the Shawanese cabins August 23.

An August 25 they �crossed the Kiskeminetoes creek, and came to the Ohio
that day.� The point where they crossed the Kiskiminetas must have been at
the ford just below the mouth of Carnohan�s (formerly Old Town) run, having
the latter name on Reasding Howell�s map, so called from Old Town, on the
opposite or Westmoreland side of the river. That must have been the town
mentioned in Christian Frederick Post�s Second Journal. Post was a Moravian,
unobtrusive and upright, who emigrated from Germany to this state, or province
as it then was, in 1742. The next year he went with the missionaries Pyrlaeus
and Senseman to Shekomako, an Indian village on the Connecticut border, where
he married a baptized Indian woman. He preached the gospel to the Indians for
several years. Though abused and persecuted, arrested at Albany and imprisoned
in New York, after he was released he preached the gospel to the Indians at
Shattock, or Pachgatgoch, in Connecticut, working as a joiner or carpenter.
Having revisited Europe he returned to this country, and while at Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania, he was induced to deliver messages on two different occasions,
in 1738, tot he Western Indians at Cushcushking, an Indian town, or rather
four towns at short distances from one another, on Slippery Rock creek, in the
northwestern part of what is now the county of Butler, Pennsylvania, in which
were about ninety houses and two hundred able warriors. About four years
afterward he made an unsuccessful attempt to establish a mission about one
hundred miles west of Fort Pitt, and later went to the Bay of Honduras and
preached to the more tractable Mosquito Indians.

He set out on his second mission to Cushcushking from Easton, Pennsylvania,
October 23, 1758, and proceeded by the way of Bethlehem to Reading, where, on
the 27th, he met Capt. Bull, Lieut. Hays, Pisquetoman (an Indian chief), Thos.
Hickman, Totintiontonna, Shickalomy and Isaac Still, who had been selected by
Gov. Denny to accompany him. Taking in their route Carlisle, Shippensburg,
Fort Lyttleton, Raystown, Stonycreek and the Loyal Hannon, where they were
gladly received in the camp of Gen. Forbes at Fort Ligonier on November 7. The
next day the general had a conference with and made a speech to the Indians,
including some Cherokees and Catawbas who happened to be present. Post and his
party were detained there until near noon on the 9th for letters which Gen.
Forbes was writing, and were escorted thence by Capt. Hazelet and a hundred
men through a tract of good land, about six miles on the old trading-path, and
again reached the Loyal Hannon, where they found an extensive and
well-timbered bottom. Thence they ascended a hill to an advance breastwork
about ten miles from the camp, about five miles from which Capt. Hazelet and
his command separated from them, and kept the old trading-path to the Ohio.
Lieut. Hays, with fourteen men , was ordered to accompany Post and his men to
the Allegheny. At three o�clock P. M., November 11, they �came to
Kiskemeneco, an old Indian town, a rich bottom, well-timbered, good fine
English grass, well watered, and lays waste since the war began.� they fed
their horses there, and agreed that lieut. Hays and his party might return.
They did so. Post learned after he reached Cushcushking that the lieutenant
and four of his men had been killed and five taken prisoner by a party of
Indians whom they encountered.

The writer infers that �Kiskemeneco� must have been Old Town, from
which the first name of Carnohan�s run was derived, and that Weiser and his
party crossed the Kiskiminetas at the ford just below the mouth of that run.
According to the recollection of Philip Mechling, who was, in his boyhood,
familiar with the Kiskiminetas from Livermore to the Allegheny, that was the
only ford between Kelly�s near Livermore, and the junction of those two
rivers. In some old deeds land about Leechburgh is mentioned as being a mile
or so below �Old Town.�

Coal and two Indian towns on the right bank of the Kiskiminetas are
indicated on the historical map of this state, published by the Historical
Society of Pennsylvania, thus: �Coal, 1754,� a short distance above the
first bend below Leechburgh; �I. T. Kiskamanatas,� at that bend; �I. T.�
on the left bank of the Allegheny, a short distance above the mouth of the
Kiskiminetas.

Alexander Gordon says that while surveying in 1838 he first discovered the
vestiges of a circumvallation about one hundred and thirty rods above the
mouth of the Kiskiminetas, on the left bank of the Allegheny. The embankment
was then three and a half feet high, and enclosed from two to three acres.
White oak trees had grown up on the top or crest, which were then two feet in
diameter.

The Indian town at or near this point must have been the one which Capt.
Bienville de Celerou mentions in his account of his expedition down the
Allegheny and Ohio in the summer of 1749. Its name was Atteques, and it then
contained twenty-two houses.

Maj. Denny, in that part of his Military Journal relating to that part of
the tour of inspection which he and others made to Fort Franklin, mentions
that on Monday, April 28, 1788, he and those with him �passed several lodges
of Indians near the Kiskiminetas,� and that he and the others that night �lay
five miles above the mouth of that river,� which point is at or near the
present White Rock station, on the Allegheny Valley railroad.

Mrs. Elizabeth Snyder, who died a few years since, in her one hundredth
year, used to relate that in her girlhood – about 1787-8 – she and her brother
went to a cornfield one morning to hoe corn, where they then lived, on the
Westmoreland side of the Kiskiminetas, below Saltsburgh, when they were
startled by discovering a number of Indians in ambush. She and her brother
escaped to the blockhouse in that vicinity. All, or nearly all, the horses of
the white settlers in that locality were stolen that night by the Indians.
They were pursued the next day by the whites, and overtaken between Pine Run
and what is now Logansport, on the land now owned and occupied by her son,
Joseph Snyder, where all the horses, except a stallion that was killed, were
recaptured. The Indians escaped across the Allegheny at Nicholson�s Falls.

Maj. Eben. Denny mentions in his Military Journal, June 1, 1794: �Two
days ago the Indians attacked a canoe upon the Allegheny; there were three men
in it. They killed one and wounded the other two, but got nothing. The
accident happened five miles above the Kiskiminetas.

Col. Charles Campell, in his letter dated at Greensburgh, June 5, 1794, to
Gov. Mifflin, respecting the stopping of the draft for the support of the
Presque Isle station, wrote: The Indians, May 30, fired on a canoe between the
mouth of the Kiskiminetas and the Kittanning (as he spelled it, �Cattannian�)
and killed one man and wounded two. Neither he nor Denny states on which side
of the river the canoe was. If on the east side it was in Allegheny, but if on
the west side it was in Deer township. This river at that time was the
dividing line between Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, and between those
two townships from the mouth of the Kiskiminetas to the mouth of Truby�s
run, in Kittanning. After mentioning the attack upon Capt. Sharp and his
party, he added: �The frontiers seem to be much alarmed at such unexpected
news and the signs of the Indians seen on the frontiers. I consulted with Gen.
Jack, and we agreed to order Capt. Elliott, of the rifle company, on the
frontiers until such time as I could get your approbation, as it will be
impossible to keep them from breaking unless they be well well supported.�

Some time during the Indian troubles, 1785-90, while Capt. Miller and
Lieut. Murphy and the rest of their company were moving from Hand�s Fort, at
the mouth of the Loyal Hannon, in Westmoreland county, to Fort Armstrong, in
this county, they met three men between Taylor�s run and Crooked creek,
probably at or near Logansport. The captain halted, questioned, and then let
them go. The lieutenant and some of the men, thinking that the captain had not
questioned them closely enough, sent ensign or sergeant Pursley back for them.
They evinced a belligerent intent when they were ordered to halt. He, however,
brought them back. Upon further investigation it became evident that they has
deserted from the force stationed near bald Eagle�s Nest, probably at Fort
Davis, northeast of Milesburgh, on Bald Eagle creek, in what is now the county
of Center. Capt. Miller sent him to Pittsburgh in a canoe.

The only indication of any land having been taken up prior to 1792, on
reading Howell�s map of that year, is the word �Montgomery�s� in the
forks of the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas rivers. John Montgomery, Sr., took out
several warrants for tracts of land in this township.

From the ancient map of this county, elsewhere mentioned, it appears that
within the present limits of this township, as nearly as the writer can trace
them on that map, seventy-eight tracts had, before that map was made, been
surveyed on warrants, the names of the warrantees and the number of acres
being written on the respective tracts. The names Mf those by whom the various
tracts were seated, according to an early list in the commissioner�s office,
will be found below, within parentheses:

John Elder, 182.1 acres; John Collier, 313 acres; David McKee (Peter
Shaeffer), 264 � acres; J. Heckman (P. Heckman), 10 acres; John Barrickman,
captain of the drafted compnay from this county in the war of 1812, 100
acres; James Beatty (himself), 125 1/4 acres; Martha Maris, 308.8 acres*;
Hugh Glenn, 402 � acres; John Wigton (Wm. Highfield), 403.2 acres;
______________________________________________________ *The patent for this
tract was granted May 26, 1784, to Mary Paul, ex’x, and Joseph B. Paul, ex’r
of John Paul, for 1 pound 1s 4d.. The warrantee’s name, as mentioned in the
patent is Matthew Maris, and the tract is called “Matthewsborough.”
The entire tract was conveyed by Paul’s heirs to Peter Klingensmith, the
present owner, November 11, 1849, for $3,705. The White Rock station A. V.
R. R. and schoolhouse No. 12 are on this tract.

James Glenn, 460 acres; John Glenn, 465 � acres; John Morrison (Jacob
Williams), 415 � acres; Nicholas Bray (William Kelly), 125.1 acres;
Margaret Wigton (Geo. Wolf), 394 1.2 acres; Samuel Cochran, 110 acres; Gen.
Alexr. Craig, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, 275 acres; John
Pinkerton, 424 acres; Geo. Bartram, 410.7 acres; Ann Crisswell (Robert
Walker), 452 acres; Alexr. Walker, 248 acres, purchased from Alexr. Clark;
Sam�l Walker, 212.6 acres, purchased from Thos. Burd; Enoch Westcott, 419
� acres; Sam�l Waugh (Sam�l Stitt), 394.4 acres; Francis Bailey (Sam�l
Stitt) 394.4 acres; Charles Vanderen (Henry Girt), 363.8 acres; John Steele
(Jacks), 322.8 acres; Joseph Parker, member of assembly in 1777 (Wm. Stitt),
317.7 acres; Geo. Risler (- Neale), 380.8 acres; Griffeth Jones (Henry
Klingensmith), 350.7 acres; James Campbell, 219.7 acres; Jeremiah Pratt
(John Hawk), 425 1/4 acres; Sebastian Fisher (P. Klingensmith), 322 acres;
John Vanderen (- Hickenlooper), 358 acres; Geo. Ingram (Philip Klingensmith),
329 acres; Thos. Campbell (Jno. Hill), 305 acres; Geo. Isebuster (Jas. And
Jno. Jack), 315.7 acres; Charles Campbell, member of assembly in 1777 (James
Anderson), 245.3 acres; Hugh Cunningham, 269 acres; Archibald McKatten,
213.8 acres; Michael Barrickman, 218 � acres; James Crosby (Jas.
Fitzgerald), 7 3/4 acres; John Montgomery, 50.4 acres; John Hawk (same), 400
acres; Isaac Vanhorn, who was a captain in the 6th Pa. Regt. In and prior to
1782, 412.9 acres; John Vanhorn, Jr., 404 � acres; John Vanhorn, Sr., 365.9
acres; Mary Gibson (Jno. Klingensmith), 355 acres; John Conrad (Sam�l
Stitt, Jr.) 332.1 acres; Sam�l Evans, 338 acres; Robert Caldwell 377.9
acres; Thos. York (Geo. Elliott), 342 acres; John Brown (Jacob Beck), 357.8
acres, partly in Burrell; Barnard Macho, 430 acres; Amelia Grover, 437.2
acres; Wm. Smith (Jno. Shall), 386 � acres; Thos. Wood (Wm. McAllister),
124.2 acres; Jacob Reese, 360.4 acres; Lambert Cadwallader, 314 3/4 acres;
Wm. Hamilton, 314.7 acres; James Mease, 314.7 acres; Geo. Clymer, 314.9
acres; Sam�l Meredith, member of the assembly from Philadelphia in 1778
(Wm. Jack), 322 acres; Thos. Cadwallader (Robt. Hanna), 322 1/4 acres; –
Hesselgesser, 75 3/4 acres; Jno. Montgomery (Robert Parks, 226 acres, 20
perches; Sam�l Crosby, 60 acres), 286 acres 20 perches; John Montgomery (Sam�l
Crosby), 270.8 acres; A. Marshall, 212 acres, 23 perches; Hugh Cunningham (Assemus
Boyer), 106 1/4 acres, in a bend in the Kiskiminetas, next above Henry
Armstrong tract, which contained about 212 acres; Jacob Hawk (Jno. Stitt),
62.10 acres; Jno. Cadwallader *

(*John Cadwalader, above-mentioned, was a native of Philadelphia, was the
commander of a corps of volunteers at the beginning of the revolutionary
war, nearly all of whom were afterward commissioned officers in the
Pennsylvania line. He was promoted to the rank of colonel in one of the city
battalions, and then to that of brigadier general, and commanded the
Pennsylvania troops participated as in the winter campaign of 1776-7. He was
a volunteer in the battles of Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth,
and in other actions, and received the thanks of Washington, whose
confidence and esteem he had deservedly won. He was appointed to command one
of the divisions into which the army was separated when Washington
determined to attack the British army at Trenton, but the ice in the
Deleware river prevented both him and Gen. Irvine, the commander of another
division, from crossing in time. He, however, succeeded in crossing the next
day after Washington�s return, and pursued the beaten foe to Burlington.
Congress appointed him, in 1778, general of cavalry, which appointment he
declined, because he was satisfied that he could be more iseful to the
position which he then held. He died February 10, 1786, aged forty-three.
Lambert Cadwalader was commissioned by order of congress as colonel of the
4th regt. Pa. Inf. October 25, 1776.

Samuel Meredith was major of the 3d battalion, Gen. Cadwalader�s brigade.)

(Alexr. Hanna), 320 acres; Adam Moyer (Jno. Waltenbaugh), 332 � acres;
Andrew Hamilton (George Waltenbaugh), 306 acres, partly in Kiskiminetas
township; Thomas Barclay, 306.6 acres; Samuel Printz, 309.6 acres; John
Wilson (Philip Schutt), 357.6 acres; William Smith (Jno. Scholl), 386 �
acres.

Some, if not all, of these tracts were designated by particular names in
the patents. For instance, the Lambert Cadwallader tract was called �Oxford;�
the William Hamilton tract, �Hampton Court;� the James Mease tract, �Presburg;�
the James Vanhorn tract, partly in Burrell, �Sincerity;� the George Clymer
tract, �Flint castle;� the Samuel Meredith tract, �Mingrelia;� the
Samuel Printz tract, �Richland;� the John Cadwallader tract, �Campus
Major;� the Thomas Cadwallader tract, �Tascony;� – perhaps Tuscany; the
Jacob Reese tract, �Springfield;� the John Montgomery tract (Above
Leechburgh), �Farmers� Delight;� the Adam Moyer tract, �Union Green;�
the Hugh Cunningham tract (in a bend of the Kiskiminetas), �Cornfield;�
the other Hugh Cunningham tract (on Elder run), �Poplar grove;� the
Archibald McHatton tract, �Rich Hill;� the Isaac Vanhorn tract, �Parnassus;�
the Charles Vanderen tract, �Charlesburgh;� the Sebastian Fisher tract,
�Rislersburgh;� the Martha Maris tract, �Marthasborough;� the
Alexander Craig tract (Logansport), �Bird Bottom;� the John Wilson tract,
�Wilsonburgh;� the Charles Campbell tract, �Bloomfield.�

At a critical period of the Revolutionary War, when there was great danger
of the dissolution of the American army for want of provisions to keep it
together, a number of patriotic citizens of Philadelphia gave their bonds to
the amount of �260,000 in gold and silver for procuring them. They were
procured, the army was kept together and our independence finally achieved.
Though the amount of these bonds was never called for, the lending of these
men�s credit, at that juncture, answered the purpose as well as the money
would have done if they had advanced it.* Among those who thus patriotically
subscribed, were the above-named Thomas Barclay, James Mease and Samuel
Meredith, who each subscribed �5,000. Barclay was American consul at Paris in
and about 1784.

  (*The Statesman, an old Pittsburgh paper.)

In 1804, the valuation of some of those tracts were: Sebastian Fisher, 40
cents; John Vanderen, 65 cents; George Ingram, 50 cents; Thomas Campbell, 65
cents; Charles Campbell, 65 cents; John Montgomery (all his tracts), 75 cents;
John Vanhorn, Sr. and Jr., 50 cents; Thomas York, 50 cents; John Brown, 65
cents; Barnard Macho (or McCoo), 50 cents; Amelia Grover, 40 cents; James
Vanhorn, 50 cents; William Smith, 40 cents; Jacob Reese, 50 cents; Lambert
Cadwallader, 40 cents; James Mease, 65 cents; George Clymer, 65 cents; Thomas
Cadwallader, 40 cents; Hugh Cunningham, 50 cents; John Cadwallader, 40 cents;
Adam Moyer, 65 cents; Andrew Hamilton, 50 cents; John Wilson, 50 cents.

In 1876, the assessment of the land embraced in the John Elder, Montgomery
& Stewart, and John Collier tracts, at and around Schenly station, in the
forks of the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas rivers, varies from $15 to $800 per
acres which, in 1804, was assessed at from 40 to 65 cents per acre. Along
Taylor�s run – so called after Robert Taylor, who was killed by some Indians
and buried opposite the mouth of a small run, on land now owned by A. Grantz,
two miles and ten rods in an air line from the mouth of Taylor�s run, where
a stone with the initial letters of his name on it is still standing – and at
and around Kelly�s station land is now assessed at from $3.50 to $6 which,
in 1804, as the Gleem and Wigton tracts was assessed at from 40 to 50 cents
per acre; the Nicholas Bray tract, at the junction of Crooked creek and
Allegheny river, was then assessed at 40 cents, now at $5 per acre; in the
central part of the township, then from 50 to 65 cents, now from $4.50 to
$9.50; above Leechburgh, along the Kiskiminetas, �Farmers� Delight,�
then 75 cents, now $11 per acre.

The assessment lists show a gradual diminution of the number of unseated
tracts – very gradual for a number of years. In 1837 the number of such tracts
returned by the assessor was sixteen, thirteen of which were returned in the
names of the original warrantees, viz: Robert Caldwell, Lambert Cadwallader,
Barnard Macho, John Vanhorn, Wm. Smith, John Wilson, Enoch Westcott, Amelia
Grover, Mary Gibson, Adam Moyer, J. Vanhorn, Andrew Hamilton and John Wigton,
i.e. in most of these instances parts of the original tracts. In 1846, 168
acres of the Barnard Macho tract were returned on the last time as unseated.
Parts of two other tracts were returned as unseated in other than the names of
the original warrantees. In 1876, only four parcels of land, aggregating 52
acres, are returned by the assessor as unseated.

Some of the above-mentioned warrants are dated in 1792-3. Others may have
been of dates varying from 1769 and onward. Alexander and Samuel Walker were
among the earliest settlers in the northern part, on the south side of Crooked
Creek; James Cunningham, a revolutionary soldier, in the northwest corner, at
the junction of that creek and the river; Philip Bolen and James Coulter,
along Elder Run and the present Kittanning and Leechburgh road, on lands now
owned by I. Turney, Hiram Hill, J. Lessig, J. G. Allshouse, two or three miles
north of Leechburgh; John Klingensmith, on the hill below Leechburgh; Philip,
Peter and Nicholas Klingensmith, farther down and back from the Kiskiminetas;
Wm. Hill, between James Coulter�s, now Hiram Hill�s above-mentioned, and
the Kiskiminetas; Wm. Hum, in the vicinity of the last; Conrad Hauk, Sr. and
Jr., about a mile southeast of White Rock Ferry and Station; Samuel and David
Hill, and John Carney, in the southeastern part, along and near Carnahan�s
Run; Jacob and William Hesselgesser, and Robert Hanna, on the river above
Leechburgh, at and near �Farmers� Delight�; John Hawk, about a mile and
a half northeast of Leechburgh, including the farm nnow owned and occupied by
Henry Truby; john, Samuel, and William Stitt, along and near Taylor�s Run,
two miles more or less back from the river; Eliah Eakman, in the eastern part
of the township; William Beatty, on the Margaret Wigton tract, adjoining the
Manor; Thomas Gallagher carried on a distillery for many years in, probably,
the northeastern part of the township; and Peter LeFevre kept a ferry a little
below the mouth of Carnahan�s Run, on the Henry Armstrong tract, called �Woodland,�
from 1805, and perhaps from before 1800, until 1825, when he left this county.
LeFevre�s Ferry was a prominent point in early times. The warrant for the
Henry Armstrong tract, or �Woodland,� is dated November 8, 1784. Armstrong
conveyed his interest therein to John Guthrie December 3, who conveyed the
same to Michael Rugh April 5, 1798, who obtained a patent therefor February
17, 1806. Rugh conveyed 213 acres to Peter LeFevre March 25, 1807, for �1,059
and 15 shillings, who conveyed 22 acres and 122 perches thereof to Daniel
Kepple August 10, 1808, for $67.91, and the residue to Jacob Drum, April
2,1825, for $1,528, who conveyed to William Williams, May 10, 1825, for
$8,000, who conveyed to Paul Morrow August 10, 1826, for $8,000, who
subsequently conveyed it to John Y. Barclay, John Kuhns, and Hugh Y. Brady,
together with all the rest of his real estate for the main specific purpose of
paying off what he owed the Westmoreland Bank of Pennsylvania, who conveyed it
to E. M. Bigham, from whom it passed, under the sheriff�s hammer, to Jacob
Hill, who conveyed it to Hugh Bigham, who sold an undivided moiety to William
P. McCulloch. The last two conveyed it to James Hunter, from whom it passed by
deed to James Shauer, the present owner. Those twenty-five persons appear from
the assessment list to be the only taxables within the present limits of
Allegheny township, in 1805-6. The population within those limits must have
then been about one hundred and twenty. The population of Allegheny township
in 1810, when it included all the territory between the Kiskiminetas and
Crooked Creek, from the Allegheny to the Indiana county line, was 820; it was
1,443 in 1820, and 2,966 in 1830. In 1840, after Kiskiminetas township had
been detached from it, the population was 1,839; in 1850, whites, 2,504,
colored, 2; in 1860, whites, 2,493, colored, 3; in 1870, exclusive of
Leechburgh and Aladdin boroughs, whites, 2,563, colored, 5. Between the census
of 1850 and that of 1860, (in 1855), a part of the territory of Allegheny was
detached and included in that of Burrell township. The number of taxables this
year (1876) is 674. If there are four and three-fifths persons for each
taxable, its present population is 3,200.

CHURCHES

The first church organized in this township is the Crooked Creek
Presbyterian, designated in the last township map, �Union Church,� located
between the second and fifth bends in crooked creek above its mouth- a little
more than half way from the neck of the second to the fifth-on the road
leading from the southern part of Manor township across that creek, at a ford
therin to the mill formerly owned by Robert Walker (of A.), but now by Held
& Kough. Just when it was organized is uncertain, but probably by the old
Redstone Presbytery, prior to 1825. �I first visited the church of Crooked
Creek,� wrote the late Rev. Dr. Painter, �in the summer of 1834. The
people had ceased to attend church among themselves, and though they had
commenced, some years before, to erect a church, *they had not finished it.
They had cut and hewed and put up logs for a large church, and had it under
roof ; the places for the doors were cut out, but the house never had a floor,
or doors, or windows, and the wide places between the logs had never ben
closed. When I first saw it. I noticed some sheep reposing on the ground
within the log enclosure ; in fact, the building appeared to be the resort of
all kinds of cattle that grazed through the woods ; they had free ingress into
it, and egress out of it.� That edifice was made tenantable, and for a few
years Dr. Painter gave that church one-sixth of his time. It soon revived and
began to prosper. It was statedly supplied for awhile by John Kerr, a
licentiate of the Washington Presbytery, and since 1841 it has been under the
pastoral charge of Revs. Levi M. Graves, William Colledge, G. K. Scott, and
Perin Baker, the present pastor. It was incorporated by the court of common
pleas of this county, June 21, 1843, and the trustees named in the charter
were James C. Kerr, William McKee, Hamilton Kelly, Andrew Jack, and Robert
Walker (of A.), who were to continue until the election, on the first Monday
of the then next June. Its present membership is 84 ; Sabbath-school scholars,
40. A neat, new frame edifice was erected, partly on the site of the second
log house, in 1869, and is designated �Union Church.� It is 45X40 feet,
and neatly furnished.

(*A log edifice built by Alexander Walker, in 1820; another log edifice was
built in 1840-1, about fifteen rods from the first one.)

The other three churches in this township are Lutheran. Zion�s is
situated in the forks, near a branch of Elder run, the fourth from its mouth,
as indicated on Pomeroy & Co.�s map of the township. The church was
incorporated by the proper court December 19, 1849. The officers named in the
charter were Henry Isensee, pastor, John Torney and Henry Wanamaker, elders,
Griffith Baker and Jonathan Moyer, Deacons, John Allshouse and Henry
Klingensmith, trustees, and the last named, treasurer. The present number of
members, 150; Sabbath-school scholars, 100. The edifice is frame.

St. Paul�s is in the southeastern part of the township, near the main
eastern branch of Carnahan�s, formerly Old Town, run. Members, 75;
Sabbath-school scholars, 70.

Bethel, situated near the head of a small branch of Taylor�s run, on the
Amelia Grover tract, about two and a half miles in an air line southeast from
the mouth of the latter, or Kelly�s station. It is a neat looking frame
structure, which was erected in or about 1848. Church members, 128;
Sabbath-school scholars, 100. This church was incorporated by the proper court
June 24, 1848. The trustees named in the charter-Rev. David Earhart, Samuel
Mansfield, Joseph Snyder, Peter Wareham and Jacob Kieffer, to continue until
the last Saturday in March, 1849.

Prior to 1826 preaching was in baarns and under shade-trees, and sometimes
in private houses.

SCHOOLS

About 1812-14 a log schoolhouse was erected west of the present Kittanning
and Lechburgh road, opposite the mouth of a short branch of Elder run, and
abut one hundred rods from the present schoolhouse, near Abraham Klingensmith�s
residence. Among its first teachers, if not its firstt, was James Stitt. About
the same time another similar house was erected on the east side of a branch
of Carnahan�s run, being the first designaated on the above-mentioned
township map, one hundred and twenty rods above its junction, and the same
distance northwesst of the graded schools. The first teachers were John
Criswell and Samuel Taggart. Mrs. Alexander Gordon, of Leechburgh, is one of
its surviving pupils. Another schoolhouse was erected, perhaps a little later,
about seventy-five rods east of St. Paul�s Llutheran church, in the forks
between an eastern branch of Carnahan�s run and a little spring run.
Townsend Adams was the first teacher. The next school was taught in a log
schoolhouse, which was erected in 1820-1, on land then belonging to Robert
Orr, Jr., and afterward owned by Andrew Stitt, one and a half miles from Kelly�s
station, or mouth of Taylor�s run, on the road leading therefrom to the
Bethel church. Its first teacher was Henry Girt. There was a log schoolhouse
near the Presbyterian church in 1830-1, in which Robert Walker and Samuel
Simoneral taught. The only other school before 1835, when the free-school
system was adopted, as the writer is informed, was kept in a schoolhouse about
two miles north of Jacksonville, or Bagdad, in or near the forks of the run
that empties into the Allegheny, a little below the head of the island, near
Donnelly�s station. The branches taught were generally those mentioned in
the general sketch of the county.

Upon the adoption of the free-school system the township was divided into
sub-districts, in each of which a hewed log schoolhouse, with glass windows,
was erected. The distance from one schoolhouse to another was about two miles.
At a later period, before 1856, those log houses gave place to frame ones,
except one which was brick, near Klingensmith�s mill. The first graded
school in a rural district, in this county, was established in 1858 by the
directors of the Allegheny school district. The number of scholars in the
school in the southeastern part of the township, near Stitt�s, now Marshall�s,
mill, on Carnahan�s run, about a mile and a half northeast of its mouth,
became too large for one school, or at least for one room. The directors were
petitioned to establish another school in another part of that portion of the
township. Instead of doing that they graded the school-two grades-and erected
a new building adjoining the old one. That experiment proved to be successful.
The county superintendent in his annual report, dated June 20, 1859, referred
to it thus: �From information derived from the directors, teachers and some
of the citizens in its locality, and from my own observation, I conclude that
the pupils in both departments were more diligent in their studies, more
ambitious to excel, and derived more benefit from the instructions of their
teachers, last term, than they ever had before the school was graded.� Yet
the directors had the pleasure of being brought before the court, on an
application of a few citizens to have them removed, for trying that successful
experiment. The court very properly dismissed that application at the costs of
those who made it.

In 1860 the number of schools was 15; average number months taught, 4;
teachers all male; average salaries $22; number male scholars, 442; female,
319; average number scholars attending school, 437; cost of teaching each
scholar per month, 48 cents; amount tax levied for school purposes, $1,826.70;
amount tax levied for building purposes, $304.45; total amount levied,
$$1,826.70; received from state appropriation, $155.04; received from
collectors of school tax, $1703.46; cost of instruction, i.e. whole amount of
teachers� wages, $1,320; fuel and contingencies, $135.07; cost of
schoolhouses, purchasing, building, renting, repairing, etc., $428.92.

In 1876 the number of schools was 16; average number months taught, 5; male
teachers, 5 female 11; average salaries of males per month, $34.80; of
females, $34.40; number of male scholars, 400; of female, 314; average number
attending school, 344; cost per month, 86 cents; total amount of tax levied
for school and building purposes $4,039.80; state appropriation, $567.13;
total receipts, $4,687.92; paid for teachers� wages, $2,914.50; fuel,
collectors, contingencies, etc., $1,041.53. Total expenditures, $3,956.03.

MILLS

Alexander Walker built a grist and sawmill, before 1805, near the second
bend above the mouth of Crooked creek, about three-quarters of a mile
southeast from the bridge across that creek on the Kittanning and Leechburgh
road. He was not assessed with them after 1824. His death occurred in 1826.
John Walker was assessed with a gristmill, probably that one, in 1830-1. As
that was the only gristmill in early times, in that region, that could be
operated all the year round, it was resorted to by people from a great
distance in times of low water in other streams. Michael Mechling and others
used to take their grists there in canoes from Kittanning, and found it
difficult to row up the creek on account of its rapid descent. Grists were
also taken by the same means to Hill�s mill on the south side of the
Kiskiminetas. In 1836-7 Robert Walker (of A.) erected a grist-mill about a
mile and a half east of the other, in the lower part of the most easterly bend
or loop of the creek, with which he was first assessed in 1838, it being then
rated at $500. The mill-seat is rock and was prepared by blasting, which was
done by Jacob Waltenbaugh, who is now upward of ninety years of age. A tunnel
for a head-race, 160 feet long, 4 feet wide and 41/2 feet from base to top,
was about the same time excavated by blasting through sand-rock and slate from
one side to the other of the lower part of that bend, or peninsula, by two
Englishmen by the names of Allison and Porter, who happened along there at
that time, for the sum of $1,600. The time spent upon that work was six or
seven months. That mill is still in operation, being now owned by Held &
Kough.

Philip Klingensmith�s sawmill was erected in 1817 and his gristmill in
1828, both on the last-mentioned run, on the high ground northh of the
Kiskiminetas, which were continued in operation until 1852-3. They were on the
George Ingram tract, the arrant for which is dated December 17, 1784, 3291/2
acres of which Klingensmith purchased from Joshua Elder, to whom a patent
therefor was issued April 28, 1789, by deed dated November 7, 1802, for ^350.
There must be a mistake in the description in the patent, for which reason it
is here specifically and somewhat at length referred to. The patent describes
this land as a �tract called �senior,� on the waters of the Kiskiminetas,
in Pittsburgh township, Westmoreland county.� Now, Armstrong township was
organized April 6, 1773, as heretofore stated, and a part of its southern
boundary was from the mouth of the Loyal Hannon down the Kiskiminetas to the
Allegheny, thence up the Allegheny to the Kittanning, thence with a straight
line easterly, etc., so that this Ingram tract must have been in Armstrong
instead of Pittsburgh-or rather Pitt-township in 1784, when the warrant was
issued, and in 1789, when the patent is dated. By deed dated March 22, 1822,
Philip Klingensmith, Sr., and Catherine his wife conveyed 232 acres and 67
perches of that tract to Philip Klingensmith, Jr., for $700.

John Stitt�s gristmill was erected in or about 1819 on Carnahan�s run,
a mile and three-fifths northeast, in an air line from its mouth, and his
sawmill in the same locality in 1826, which continued to be operated by him,
his widow and one of his heirs until 1866, and since then by Thomas M.
Marshall. �Just as good as wheat at Stitt�s mill� used to be a common
saying in that region. John Hill�s sawmill was erected about 1819-20 and was
continued in operation several years, probably on one of the runs about midway
between Leechburgh and Donnelly�s station. Jacob Riggle�s sawmill was
erected in 1839-40, somewhere in the forks of the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas,
and appears to have been operated until about 1858. Levi Klingensmith�s
sawmill-now a steam mill-has been operated since 1855-6, near the mouth of the
first run above Donnelly�s station, and Hill, Seaman & Co.�s steam
sawmill for several years at White Rock. Of late years a portable steam
sawmill has been used in different parts of the township. Beatty�s sawmill
went into operation in 1855-6 at Center Valley, on Taylor�s run, about a
mile and a half from its mouth. Both it and a gristmill are in operation there
now.

OTHER INDUSTRIES

In 1835 there were ten salt wells in operation from the mouth of Carnahan�s
run, along the Kiskiminetas to a few miles below Leechburgh. The next year
there were two less. In 1837 there were two new ones. The number was
considerably diminished in the course of a few years. There were about three
on the Kiskiminetas in 1854, and for several years after, and one on the
Allegheny in 1853 was continued a few years thereafter.

The North American Oil Works were established by a joint stock company in
1856 and were located on the right bank of the Kiskiminetas, about 200 rods
above its mouth. Oil for illuminating purposes was manufactured from cannel
coal, which abounds in pots rather than regular strata in that region. The
coal was placed in revolving retorts, which were heated by external coal
fires. Thus the coal in the retorts was roasted and its oleaginous matter
expelled in the form of gas, which was conducted into a number of iron pipes
several inches in diameter, which were placed horizontally and side by side in
reservoirs of cold water, where it was condensed into the form of crude oil,
which was conducted into large tanks, from which it was drawn off, refined,
and prepared for burning by the use of chemical agencies and suitable
apparatus. The capacity of these works was from 1,500 to 2,000 barrels a
month. The subsequent discovery and abundant supply of petroleum in Venango
county and elsewhere proved a death-blow to the manufacture of oil from coal,
which resulted in the stoppage of those works, which was severely felt both by
their owners, who had invested in them a large amount of capital, and by a
large number of employes, who were thus thrown out of employment.

The Penn Oil Works were established on the Allegheny, about one hundred and
twenty-five rods above the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, in 1865. Their capacity
for refining crude petroleum is about 5,000 barrels per month.

The chief industry is of course agricultural. The number of mechanics
needed in such a population, though by no means large, has been adequate to
their wants. A carding machine was established by Joshua Cooper in 1824, at
what is now donnellly�s Station. It is notable that Isaac David was assessed
in 1807 as a bookbinder, but where his place of business was is not known to
the writer.

On the side hill facing the Kiskiminetas, a short distance above Leechburgh,
are two vineyards, one containing about 200 and the other about 300 vines,
from which several barrels of wine have annually – that is, in some years –
been produced. Farther up the river, near the first bend above Leechburgh, is
a noted point called �Lover�s Leap,� whence it is said, a loving but
disappointed maiden precipitated herself, the cause of her rashness being
different from that of the beautiful Indian girl, the daughter of an Indian
chief, who, to avoid marrying against her will, threw herself from another �Lover�s
Leap,� a projecting rock six or seven hundred feet high on the east side of
Lake Pepin, some fifty years ago, in the presence of her tribe.

The assessment list for 1876 shows as follows: laborers, 160 (one of whom
is assessed with a piano); coal-miners, 19; carpenters, 6; blacksmiths, 5;
millers, 3; shoemakers, 2; coopers, 3; teachers, 3; singing teacher, 1;
book-agent, 1; railroad agent, 1; dispatcher, 1; clerk, 1; plasterer, 1;
mason, 1; sawyer, 1; tailoress, 1; teamster, 1; wagonmaker, 1; disabled
persons, 3; old man, 1. The rest of the taxables are engaged in agricultural
and mercantile pursuits.

The mercantile appraiser assessed twelve as merchants of the fourteenth
class, one of whom was exonerated from paying license because not engaged in
the business, and one in the thirteenth class. Total in both classes, 12.

GREAT FOX-HUNT OF 1828

In accordance with previous arrangements, a fox-hunt occurred on Friday,
March 11, 1828. The circle commenced at Long run, in Kiskiminetas township;
thence up that run to Jno. Shirley�s; thence to Jacob George�s; thence in
a straight line down Crooked creek to its mouth; thence down the Allegheny
river to the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, and thence up the same to the mouth of
Long run. The closing of inner circles were closed by strewing straw lightly
around at or near Robert Criswell�s, on Carnahan�s run. The distance from
the center to the inner circle was one-fourth of a mile, and to the outer
circle one-half a mile, both having been marked by straw or blazing the trees.
Seventeen or eighteen red foxes were taken in the course of that hunt.

EARLY FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

The anniversary of our national independence used to be observed in a
proper manner by more or less of the citizens. The chronicle of the
celebration of July 4, 1838, has casually come to the writer�s notice. On
that occasion the Armstrong Light Dragoons and a large number of citizens
assembled at �Farmers� Delight,� the residence of the late Robert Parks,
along the first bend in the Kiskiminetas above Leechburgh. David Kuhns was
appointed chairman, and Alexander Gordon secretary. After various evolutions
by the dragoons, they partook of an excellent dinner. The Declaration of
Independence was read, and thirteen sensible and patriotic toasts were
submitted and unanimously approved. There were only two volunteer toasts, one
of which was complimentary to Mr. and Mrs. Parks and expressive of the thanks
and gratitude of the assemblage to them, as host and hostess, for their
liberality and bountiful repast, and the other complimentary to the Armstrong
Light Dragoons for their correct and gentlemanly deportment, reflecting upon
them honor and the admiration of their fellow citizens.

THE CANAL

The southern border of Allegheny township was skirted by the Pennsylvania
canal, the construction of which, from 1826 till 1829, and its subsequent
operation gave a vigorous impulse to agricultural and other interests of the
people of and caused a more extensive and rapid emigration to this township
than had previously been the case. The facilities for transportation of
passengers and freight which it afforded are now offered by the West
Pennsylvania division of the Pennsylvania railroad, on the opposite or
Westmoreland side of the Kiskiminetas.

RAILROAD STATIONS

Schenley, named after Capt. Schenley, who owns, or did once own, the land
around it, is a short distance above the mouth of the Kiskiminetas. It is on a
tract of land which, it is said, was surveyed to Montgomery and Stewart March
25, 1769. It is on the tract designated on the ancient county map as the John
Elder tract. Aladdin is nine-tenths of a mile above Schenley, on the John
Collier tract. Donnelly�s is a little over a mile and a half above Aladdin,
on the John Barrickman tract. White Rock is three miles and four-tenths above
Aladdin, on the Martha Maris tract. Kelly�s is a mile and two-tenths above
White Rock, at the mouth of Taylor�s Run, on the James Glenn tract.
Logansport is two miles and two-tenths above Kelly�s, on the Alexander Craig
tract.

TOWNS

The town of Crosbysburgh was laid out on the James Crosby tract, which
adjoins the John Montgomery tract, called �Farmers� Delight,� on the
south, in perhaps before 1816, for, on the 27th of June, of that year,
Alexander Duncan paid James Crosby thirteen dollars as the consideration for
two lots, Nos. 7 and 8, each 66 by 65 feet, fronting on the main street, and
adjoining land of Robert parks on the north. The patent to Crosby for this
tract, containing seven and one-half acres, is dated July 28, 1817, and the
deed for those two lots June 13, 1818.

The town of Jacksonville, known for many years by the name of Bagdad, but
which is now called New Jacksonville, was laid out about 1828, on the Michael
Barrickman tract, which originally consisted of 218 � acres, which Barrickman
conveyed by deed from the commonwealth to John Hill, except the mill-seat and
six acres and 150 perches, February 17, 1814, of which hill conveyed
ninety-six acres to Michael Shoop, November 28, 1814, which Shoop conveyed to
John Hill for use of Michael Kiestler, August 1, 1814, which the latter
conveyed to Samuel Kiestler December 1, 1843. This town is on each side of
Elder or Klingensmith�s run, near its mouth, along the right bank of the
Kiskiminetas, two and a half miles above its mouth. The first assessment of
seated property in jacksonville was made in 1832, viz.; Catherine Byers, one
lot, $15; John Klingensmith, Jr., one house and lot and one head of cattle,
$33; John Stoll, one house and lot, one head of cattle, $108; John Shoop, two
cattle, $41; George Walter, one house, four lots, one head of cattle, $58;
Philip Walter, single man, $50; Peter Yingst, shoemaker, one house and one
lot, two cattle, $266; Samuel Yingst, shoemaker, single man, $75; total $596.
The first list of unseated lots was in 1835, when two such lots were each
assessed at $10. This town was in its most flourishing condition while the
salt works there and in its vicinity and the canal were in operation.

Kelly�s Station, established June 14, 1860; Hamilton Kelly, first
postmaster. Schenley Station, established May 30, 1862; Peter Eakman, first
postmaster.

By act of March 29, 1813, the elections were directed to be held at the
house of Eliab Eakman. Sometime after the organization of Kiskiminetas
township, the place for holding them was changed to the schoolhouse in the
central part of the township, near Abraham Klingensmith�s, where it now is,
on the Charles Vanderen tract, called �Charlesburgh.�

LEECHBURGH

This town was formerly a part of Allegheny township, in a deep bend of the
Kiskiminetas, on its right bank, a little more than five miles above its
mouth, is situated on the southern part of the John Vanderen tract, the
warrant for which is dated February 10, 1773. White Matlock obtained a patent
for 192 � acres in the southern part of that tract, dated August 12, 1783,
which had been surveyed to James Walker October 13, 1773. Its subsequent
owners were William P. Brady, Jacob Mechling, a brother of Michael Mechling,
one of the first settlers in Kittanning, Frederick Sleiff, Joseph Hunter,
Matthew Shields and David Leech. It was, it is said, once called �Friendship.�
In several of the deeds by which it was afterward conveyed from one to
another, it is called �White Plains.� It had been occupied by but very few
persons before the construction of the Pennsylvania canal. A log cabin was
erected some, perhaps ten or fifteen years before the completion of the canal,
near a spring of good water on the east side of the tract, and a small patch
was cleared about the same time. Michael Moorhead and Joseph Hunter, the
latter a drover, were among the earliest, if not the earliest, of its
settlers. The deed from Matthew Shields and wife to David Leech for one
hundred and seventy-two acres of that tract is dated October 16, 1827, which
Joseph Hunter had previously agreed to sell to Leech & Trux, but being
unable to make a good title, Trux became wearied with the delay and insisted
on seeing the article of agreement, which, when he got hold of it, he
destroyed by putting it in the stove, whereupon there was a dissolution of the
partnership between Leech and him. They had entered into a contract with the
canal commissioners for building a canal-lock which the engineers had located
on that land, and for building a dam five hundred and seventy-four feet long
and thirty-six feet high across the Kiskiminetas, adjoining that lock, which
was at first called the �Big Dam,� but afterward the Leechburgh dam, and
dam No. 1. By reason of that dissolution Mr. Leech acquired, through the
interposition of Matthew Shields, a title to that tract of land, on which, in
1828 or thereabouts, he laid out the town of Leechburgh. He was a native of
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, whence he came to Sharpsburgh, Allegheny county,
where he had another contract on the canal, and thence to �White Plains.�
The route of the canal was surveyed in 1826, and in 1828-9 boats commenced
running on it from Pittsburgh to Blairsville.

A high freshet, about November 18, 1827, caused considerable damage to the
works along the Kiskiminetas. One-half of the �Big Dam� was swept away,
and the tow-path was considerably damaged, causing a loss of six or seven
thousand dollars.

After the completion of those public works Mr. Leech was authorized by the
proper authorities to use water from that dam for the purpose of running a
sawmill, gristmill and woolen factory. In 1829 he was assessed with a sawmill,
and in 1839 with it and a gristmill, and in 1831 with only the former, after
which he does not appear to have been assessed with either. He built the
passenger and freight boats of the first line of the canal from Pittsburgh to
Blairsville, and used as a boat-yard the lot on the northwest corner of Canal
and second streets, which is the one now next east of K. K. McKallip�s
dwelling house, and William Gosser�s blacksmith shop on the northeast corner
of Market and Second streets, was the one used by the builders or workmen. The
work was superintended by Captain Cole.

The first boat that passed Leechburgh on the canal was a packet, built near
Saltsburgh, probably at Coal Port, which made a fine display, having on board
banners and music. About two weeks afterward one of Leech�s boats was
launched and started for Pittsburgh. She was detained a considerable length of
time below Freeport, in consequence of a break in the embankment at the
aqueduct. After the water was let into the canal above Leechburgh a boat was
drawn out of the river into the canal, run up to Johnstown and loaded with
fifty tons of blooms. On her return, while passing through the tunnel, says
Morris Leech, she was filled with about three tons of stone and clay. When
about one hundred yards below the tunnel, hundreds of tons of earth, etc.,
fell from the tunnel into the canal, which shut off the water below it, so
that the boat did not reach Leechburgh until nearly a month afterward. Soon
after the breach at the Freeport aqueduct was repaired, a prize of five
hundred dollars was offered to the proprietor of the boat that would first
arrive at Pittsburgh. Harris and Leech were the contestants. The former�s
boat was light packet, and the latter�s – the Gen. Leacock – was a much
larger and heavier one. Harris was confident that his smaller and lighter boat
would win the prize. On the first of July, about four miles above Pittsburgh,
Leech�s was within a mile of Harris�. The next day Leech�s men cut
poles, peeled the bark off them and laid them across the canal, in which there
was then only six feet of water. By the aid of one hundred men, relays of the
poles, five yoke of oxen and ten horses the boat was kept up out of the mud
and moved onward. When Leech�s horses came abreast of Harris� boat, an
extensive and fierce fight between the crews of the two boats began. When
Harris discovered that he had to contend with superior numbers, he proposed
that he would give up the contest if his contestants would quit fighting and
permit his boat to go to the rear. On a signal being given by Leech all
fighting ceased, and his hundred muddy men plunged into the clear water of the
Allegheny and washed. The next day all hands aided with the poles in hauling
Harris� boat to the rear and starting her up the canal. On the fourth of
July tables were set in the hold and under canvas on the deck of Leech�s
boat, on which a sumptuous dinner was served to five hundred persons,
including Gen. Leacock, then canal superintendent, who presided, engineers and
a karge number of Pittsburgh merchants. Such was the finality of the first
trip of the first of Leech�s boats that reached Pittsburgh.

The number of freight and passenger boats then built was four, viz:
Pioneer, Capt. Monson; Pennsylvania, Capt. Cooper; DeWitt Clinton, Capt.
Joshua Leech; Gen. Leacock, Capt. Robert King. The cabin for passengers in
each was in the center.

A part of the dam was swept away July 7, 1831, by a sudden and heavy flood
in the Kiskiminetas, causing a cessation of canal navigation for the rest of
that season. A new lock and dam were located by engineers about sixty rods
below the former ones and within the limits of the town. At the letting the
contract was awarded to Thos. Neil of Tarentum, Pennsylvania, for about
$16,000. He had scarcely entered upon the performance of his part of the
contract when the commissioners turned it into a state job, the cost of which,
says Alex. Gordon, is known to very few persons, if any. From November 10,
1831, and throughout the principal part of the following winter, the weather,
most of the time, was very cold, which caused a large accumulation of ice in
the river, which broke up February 10, 1832, with a high flood that carried
away the lock, the northern abutment of the dam, and did much damage
elsewhere. That abutment had to be repaired and a new lock built before
navigation could be resumed on the canal.

David Leech, Robert S. Hays, George Black, Geo. W. Harris, and Wm. F.
Leech, constituting the copartnership of D. Leech & Co., of which David
Leech was the traveling agent, subsequently established distinct lines of
freight boats and packets, or exclusively passenger boats, which they
continued to run until the canal was superseded by the Pennsylvania railroad.
Travelers on the Pennsylvania canal in those times will not likely forget that
company�s packets and their attentive and obliging captains.

David Leech, having purchased the right to ise water from the dam, erected,
in 1844, a sawmill, a large gristmill, with four runs of stone and expensive
machinery, the walls in the first or lower story of the latter being stone,
and those in the other stories brick, which subsequently became vested in
Addison Leech, who conveyed the same to the present owners, R.D. Elwood &
Bro.

In addition to the above-mentioned enterprises the founder of Leechburgh
was, soon after he settled here, engaged in the mercantile business; he and
his sons were afterward extensively engaged in the same business. He was,
still later, from 1853 till 1856, engaged as an active member of the firm of
Leech, Chamberlain & Co., in the construction of the Allegheny Vally
railroad from Pittsburgh to Kittanning. His vigorous constitution began to
yield to the weight of years, the numerous cares and responsibilities of his
active life and to the approach of disease, in 1857, and he died November 3,
1858, regretted and esteemed at home and abroad.

The growth of Leechburgh as a town commenced with the construction of the
canal. The first brick house in it was built in 1830 on the corner of Third
street and Basin Alley, by Solomon Moore. The first separate assessment list
of its taxables was made in 1832, viz.:

John Brown, lot No. 87, land 125 acres (Martin�s), one head of cattle,
valued or assessed at $833; Joshua cooper, lots No. 78-9, one head of cattle
$58; Samuel Dickey, one house and lot, one horse, one head of cattle, $223;
George Dupehorn, lots Nos. 83, 96, one head of cattle, $108; Daniel Freeze,
lot No. 36, one head of cattle, $108; John Fee, blacksmith, lot No. 49, one
head of cattle, $283; Wm. Hickenlooper, lot No. 117, one head of cattle,
$208; Jacob Hill, lot No. 10, two cattle, $616; David Kuhns, lots Nos. 98-9,
two horses, one tanyard, one head of cattle, $286; Christian Grove, head of
cattle $8; Malcolm Leech, lots Nos. 38 and 31, $225; John R. Long, lot No.
12, one head of cattle, $408; James McBride, lot No. 84, one head of cattle,
$183; William F. Martin, hatter, $100; Peter Nees, lot No. 3, one head of
cattle, $108; Samuel Philliber, lot No. 30, $50; Matthew Taylor, tailor,
lots No. 69, 101, one head of cattle, $108; Peter Ulam, cabinet maker, lot
No. 11, one head of cattle, $508; Robert Walker, hatter, $100; Peter Weaver,
shoemaker, one head of cattle, $33; David Weaver, one head of cattle, $8.
Total valuation, $1,198.

STEAMBOAT ARRIVAL.

On Friday, May 18, 1838, the steamboat New Castle made a trip up the
Kiskiminetas as far as Leechburgh with a large number of passengers, on
account of a slip in the canal above Freeport. She left the same day with
about 150 passengers. The dam at that point prevented navigation higher up
that stream. By the act of April 13, 1791, providing for the opening of sundry
roads and improving sundry navigable waters, the governor was empowered to
contract with certain individuals or companies for improving among others the
Kiskiminetas river from the mouth of the Loyal Hanna to the second falls,
inclusive, and thence to the Allegheny river, and the sum of �250 was
appropriated for improving the navigation of the former and of �100 for
improving that of the latter portion of this.

THE TOWN INCORPORATED

By the act of March 22, 1850, this town was incorporated into a borough,
included within these boundaries, viz.: Beginning at a buttonwood on the
Kiskiminnetas river south eighty degrees, east seventy perches, north twenty
degrees, east sixty-five perches to a post corner of land of D. Leech; thence
by same south sixty and a half degrees, east one hundred and twelve perches to
a post; thence south five, east seventy-nine perches to a black oak (fallen)
on the bank of the river; thence down the said river the several courses and
distances of the same to the place of beginning.

The first election, as provided by the charter, was to have been held on
the first Friday of May in that year, and on the first Friday of March
thereafter until 1874, since when, by the constitution of 1873, it, in common
with the elections of the cities, boroughs, and townships, has been on the
third Tuesday of February. The burgess and town council elected on the first
Friday of May, 1850, and their successors are made a body politic and
corporate by the name, style, and title of the burgess and town council of the
borough of Leechburgh, and have and possess and enjoy all the rights,
liberties, franchises and privileges of a borough incorporated in pursuance of
�an act to provide for the incorporation of boroughs,� passed April 1,
1834. It is also provided by that charter that the constable of the borough
shall perform the duties of high constable, but that the burgess and town
council may authorize the election or appointment of a high constable if they
deem it expedient. The other officers elective by the voters of the borough
are two justices of the peace, a judge and two inspectors of election,
assessors, overseers of the poor, agreeably to the laws of this commonwealth;
and three school directors at the first election, one to seve one year, one
for two, and one for three years, and one annually thereafter, who must
perform the same duties and possess the same powers as those elected under the
general laws of this commonwealth.

There does not appear to have been a borough election held on the first
Friday of May, 1850. At the spring election of that year, however, Alexander
Gordon had thirty-five and Jonathan Hettrick twenty-six votes for justice of
the peace.

David Leech was elected the first burgess and Addison Leech, J. Thos.
Johnston, Jonathan Hettrick, Wm. R. Garver, and Jacob Ulam were elected the
first councilmen, at the spring or borough election in 1851 and the municipal
government of Leechburgh was soon thereafter inaugurated.

CHURCHES

There appears to have been preaching at Leechburgh by both Lutheran and
Presbyterian clergymen early in its history, before either the organization of
any church there or its incorporation into a borough. The early Lutheran
clergymen who preached here were Rev. Michael Steck, Sr. and Jr., Adam Mohler
and Jacob Zimmerman, and later (in 1844), David Earhart.

There was preaching here by a Presbyterian clergyman (Rev. Samuel Caldwell)
at times for about a year before the organization of the Presbyterian church,
which appears to have been first in the chronological order of church
organization. Rev. A. Donaldson, D. D., in his sketches of the churches of
Kittanning Presbytery, presented at its April session in 1873, at Elder�s
Ridge, says: �Leechburgh, in an irregular way, had become a preaching point
for a brother no in the presbytery of Blairsville, which, therefore, sent the
writer to the village to inquire into the case. Having done so, and reported
that an organization there was needed, it was effected April 24, 1844.� That
church was thereafter supplied by Rev. Levi M. Graves, Messrs. John Steele and
John Black, licentiates; Revs. Andrew McElwain and William F. Keane, and Thos.
S. Leason (a grandson of the Mrs. Leason elsewhere mentioned). The last named
was the settled pastor from 1851 until 1859 when, by reason of �an unhappy
and obstinate feud arising, the relation was dissolved.� Rev. J. E.
Caruthers was immediately settled as pastor for half time until 1864, and from
that year until 1871 his whole time, when the state of his health required his
removal west. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. David Harvey Sloan,
for three-fourths of his time. The present church edifice was erected in or
about 1850 on the northwest corner of Main and First streets. It has been
several times repaired. Membership, 178; Sabbath school scholars, 130.

The Hebron Evangelical Lutheran church was organized November 21, 1844. The
present brick edifice was erected in 1845, on the north side of Back, at the
head of Second street. The pastors since its regular organization have been
Revs. David Earhart, Louis M. Kuhns, Jonathan Sarver, and the present one, F.
T. Hoover. Membership 188; Sabbath-school scholars, 80. This church was
incorporated by the court of common pleas of the county June 22, 1848. The
trustees names in the charter who were to continue until the election held on
the last Saturday of March, 1850, were Rev. David Earhart, George Kepple,
Jacob Trout, Thomas Van Tine, Abraham Heckman, Andrew Ashbaugh, Jr., and
Samuel Shuster. The charter provided, among other things, that the pastor or
pastors should be in communion with some Evangelical Lutheran Synod in the
United States. That portion of the charter was amended by the same court,
March 15, 1864, thus: �The pastor or pastors of this congregation shall be
members of some Evangelical Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States.�
In 1860 or 1861 this church received an accession of eighteen or twenty
members from the Zimmerman charge, consisting of two churches a mile or two
apart in Westmoreland county, they retaining their church organization there
so far as church property was concerned. Congregational unity continued until
March, 1868. To understand the cause of the schism which followed, it is
necessary to bear in mind that the General Synod of the Lutheran church in the
United States, organized as shown by the testimony in 1821, once embraced the
territory of the principal portion of the United States, but now it embraces
all north of the Mason Dixon line; that the General Council embraces all of
the United States and Canada; and that a portion of the District Synods
seceded from the General Synod, and organized, in December, 1866, at Reading,
Pennsylvania, an ecclesiastical body known as the General Council, which
adopted its constitution at a meeting held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in
December, 1867. The original Pittsburgh synod was organized in 1845, and
incorporated by act of April 18, 1846. From the organization of that synod
this church was a constituent part of it. At a regular meeting of that synod,
held at Greenville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1867, after
discussing the question whether it would still adhere to the General Synod or
attach itself to the General council, a majority of its members resolved to
join the latter. The minority declined to do so, but immediately met, elected
officers, and then adjourned to meet at Worthington, in this county, on the
fourth of the then next ensuing December. They held a session there of three
or four days. Thus there were two bodies, each claiming to be the Pittsburgh
synod, one adhering to the General Synod and the other to the General Council.

In April, 1866, Rev. Jonathan Sarver was elected pastor of the Hebron
Evangelical Lutheran church for a term ending April 1, 1867. He was then in
connection with the General Synod, but afterward became an adherent of the
General Council and was aware that some of his congregation were for that
reason opposed to his being continued the pastor, by agreeing to employ him
for another year. After examining the above-mentioned amendment to the
charter, he thought he could not properly be the pastor of a church that did
not belong to a District Synod attached to the General Council. For he said in
the course of the hereinafter-mentioned testimony: �The reason which would
force me to leave the congregation was, that I was not and could not be
connected with any synod in connection with the General Synod.� The question
on the amendment to the amendment of the charter was considered by the members
of the congregation and by the council, and notice was given from the pulpit
that a congregational meeting would be held on March 5, 1868, to determine
whether the congregation would be in favor of changing the amendment of 1864,
so as to read: �That no minister shall be eligible to the office of pastor
of this congregation unless he be a member of the Pittsburgh synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran church, or connect himself with it as soon as possible
after his election, and a failure to do so connected shall be considered a
resignation of his office as pastor of this congregation,� and to remove and
repeal in both supplement and charter everything inconsistent with this
amendment. The meeting was held and the vote stood fifty-seven for and
forty-two against the proposed change. A petition in favor of and a
remonstrance against the proposed amendment were presented to the court of
common pleas of this county. The court refused to grant the prayer of the
petitioners. The majority, however, continued to hold the church edifice and
other property, and the pastor and council unanimously refused the use thereof
to the minority or adherents of the General Synod, who thereupon employed a
pastor and used the academy building for a while as a place of worship, still
claiming that they were the lawfully constituted Hebron Evangelical Lutheran
church of Leechburgh. Their council and trustees on April 24, 1869, filed
their bill in equity in the court of common pleas of this county, No. 49, June
term, 1869, against the pastor, council and trustees of the general council
portion of the church, in which, among other things, they alleged or charged
that they, the plaintiffs, were the duly elected council and trustees of that
congregation; that the congregation was, by its connection with the Pittsburgh
synod, still in connection with the General Synod; that the defendants had
dissolved their connection with the General Synod and connected themselves
with the General Council who have departed from the faith and doctrinal basis
of the General Synod, and adopted a doctrinal basis widely different from that
of the General Synod; that the defendants were not the legal pastor, council
and trustees of the congregation; and that the said pastor persisted in the
possession of the church property and the exclusion of the plaintiffs. The
bill concluded with the prayer that the defendants and all others of the
General Council be restrained form the use of the church property, and that
the plaintiffs be restored to the possession thereof, and for general relief.

On the other hand the defendants, in their answer to the plaintiff�s
bill, averred that the Pittsburgh synod was only incorporated by the
legislature by act of April 18, 1846; that said synod was organized in
January, 1845, and the congregation of the Hebron Evangelical Lutheran church
of Leechburgh participated, through its then pastor, Rev. David Earhart, in
its organization, and that it had ever remained a part of the Pittsburgh
synod, and never in connection with the General Synod except through the
Pittsburgh synod and its connection therewith; that the Pittsburgh synod
united with the General Synod in 1853, and in 1866 legally and orderly
dissolved that connection; that the only connection a congregation can have
with a General Synod is through a District Synod; that such connection is a
matter of choice; that the withdrawal of the Pittsburgh synod from the General
Synod was orderly and legal, and involved no departure from the faith of the
church or violation of charter or constitution, but a closer adherence
thereto; that the defendants� pastor was the legal pastor and the other
defendants were the legal council and trustees, and that the plaintiffs were
secessionists. That answer denied all schism on the part of the defendants�
pastor; that any synod has control of church property; and that the defendants
had not ousted or excluded the plaintiffs from the congregation or church, but
alleged that the plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew therefrom. The answer
concluded with a prayer that the plaintiffs� bill be dismissed with costs.

During the pendency of the case for several years testimony was taken on
both sides, filling one hundred and thirty-two printed octavo pages, on the
questions as to which of these two divisions of that church adhered most
closely to the faith and doctrinal basis of the Evangelical Lutheran church in
the United States, and as to which of those two divisions was legally entitled
to the use and control of the property belonging to the Hebron Evangelical
Lutheran church of Leechburgh. In the latter was involved the question raised
by the defendants touching the validity of the above-stated amendment of 1864,
their counsel alleging in his history of the case that it was �slipped
through� under pretense of amending the charter of the church so as to
embrace an academy property, and referring to certain testimony adduced by the
defendants in support of that allegation, which was denied by the plaintiffs�
counsel in their counter history of the case, who used certain other testimony
iin support of their denial. That question was argued by learned counsel on
both sides on the application to change that admendment by the substitution of
the one above-mentioned, voted for by a majority of the congragational meeting
March 5, 1868. It was claimed that the petitioners for and the remonstrants
against that charge were, respectively, in the majority. Judge Logan, in
giving the reasons of the court of common pleas of this county for not
allowing that change of the amendment of 1864 to be made, said: �Our duty,
however, is but the exercise of a judicial function in determining whether,
under the laws of the land and of this corporation, the amendment demanded can
be granted, and we shall refer to doctrinal questions only as they may be
necessary to guide us in this inquiry. * * * It seems to be conceded on all
hands that the Pittsburgh synod �(the body to which the petitioners for that
change and defendants in the bill in equity belong)� is not connected with
the General Synod, but with the General Council of the Lutheran church. It may
be further stated that the General Synod and General Council, whilst both
claiming to be within the Lutheran church, are yet in antagonism, neither
yielding recognition or obedience to the other. * * * We do not at present say
what might be the effect were this an application to set aside that decree�
(allowing the amendment of 1864). �It is enough to say that here the
question can not be inquired of. But more: This amendment was acted under for
almost, if not quite, three years, and it is held� (by the supreme court)
�In the Commonwealth ex rel. vs. Cullen et al., 1 Harris, 140, that a single
unequivocal act may be patent enough conclusively to establish assent. We are
compelled, therefore, to regard this as an existing and valid provision of the
charter, and in that light must examine this application. * * * Of course this
is not a possessory action, but its effect is to give title under which
possession enforced.� Having cited two cases in which the supreme court of
Pennsylvania holds that �The title to the church property of a divided
congregation is in that part of it which is acting in harmony with its own
law, and the ecclesiastical laws, usages, customs and principles which were
accepted before the dispute began, are the standards for determining which
party is right,� and that it is �unimportant on which side the majority
is.� That learned judge further said:� By this rule we are bound. * * *The
charter of this congregation, to the extent of its expression, was the law of
the corporation before and at the time this dispute began. To that charter we
must look for any expression of ecclesiastical law, usage, custom or principle
relating to the present question. Within that charter and that part of the
amendment of 1864 before quoted we find that the pastor or pastors shall be
members of some Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which shall be in connection with
the General Synod, etc. This, than, was a constituent part of the law of the
congregation at time the dispute arose, and as to the subject of which it
treats, is controlling. The present amendment is, by its preface and its
terms, as stated in the petition, to change and repeal this part of the
charter by the substitution of a new synodical connection, consistent with the
views of the petitioners, and is asked as a right because claimed by a
majority of the corporation. With which side is doctrinal right in this
controversy, we can not inquire. It is enough for us to know that at least a
large minority of the corporation desire to maintain a connection consistent
with the terms of the charter as existing when the dispute began, and to that
end resist this application. To allow this amendment would be but to take this
church property from those who have followed the law of its charter, and give
it to those who seek by this amendment �(proposed in 1868)� to establish a
new law. To do this would be in violation of the announced opinion of our
supreme court. This amendment cannot, therefore, be granted.�

From the law and the facts as above abstracted, the reader will perceive
why the same court, December 14, 1871, finally adjudged and decreed in the
above-mentioned bill in equity, among other things, that the defendants should
deliver to the plaintiffs the church building, the lot of ground thereto
belonging, with the appurtenances, and the books, records, and effects of that
church, within twenty-five days of that date; enjoined that no pastor who is
not in synodical connection with the general synod from officiating as pastor
in that church, unless regularly elected its pastor by the congregation
agreeably to its constitution and charter; and restrained the defendants from
preventing or in any manner interfering with the occupation of the church by
the plaintiffs and others who are qualified members thereof, adhering in faith
and practice to a church in connection with the General Synod, yet saving to
the defendants the subsequent rights, after compliance with the degree, to
avail themselves of chartered rights and privileges in church and property
under and subject to a synodical connection, as expressed in the charter and
its amendment of 1864. The case was taken to and affirmed by the supreme
court. The cost followed the event of the case. That controversy appears to
have been a sincere and earnest attempt of both parties to maintain there
respective rights, legal and ecclesiastical. The result of it was, as is
usual, the development of bitter feeling, and of division of that church into
two.

The General Synod branch retained the original church edifice and other
church property, and employ a pastor of there own faith. The General Council
branch erected, in 1872, an elegant and commodious church edifice, brick, on
the south side of Main street, on the third lot east from Mulberry alley, and
they still retain Mr. Sarver as their pastor. Membership, 200; Sabbath-school
scholars, 150.

The exact date of the organization of the Methodist church has not been
ascertained. Services were held for a while in the small schoolhouse. About
1846, a brick edifice was erected on the southwest corner of Main street and
Spring alley, which has since been replaced with a frame one. Membership of
Leechburgh circuit, 225; Sabbath-school scholars, 175.

A Baptist church was organized in 1783. A church edifice, situated on the
southwest corner of Third street and Siberian avenue, was commenced in 1875,
which is not yet completed. It is frame, 40 x 40, and Gothic in style of
architecture.

SCHOOLS

The first one was taught by John Faulk, in a small frame schoolhouse, which
was erected by David Leech at his own expense, before the free school system
was inaugurated. In the latter part of March, 1830, a large number of the
inhabitants of Allegheny township met in that schoolhouse to witness the
exhibition of the pupils who had previously been taught by a Mr. Lee. Their
performances were said to have been highly creditable. After their conclusion,
N. P. Cooper, R. Criswell and S. Dickey were appointed a committee to draft
resolutions, which having been presented, were unanimously adopted. They
expressed the pleasure and admiration of the meeting for the public spirit
evinced by David Leech in his manly and spirited exertions to promote the
welfare of the people of this place, and tendered him their thanks for his
liberality in erecting, furnishing and supplying with fuel at his own expense
a large and commodious schoolhouse for the exclusive use of the pupils of this
place. A larger one-story frame schoolhouse was erected by the school
directors in 1843, on the southeast corner of Main street and Bridge alley,
which continued to be used for school purposes until a few years since, when
the use of the Lutheran Institute building was secured therefor until the
completion of the present public schoolhouse, which was erected in 1875, on an
acre lot bounded by Siberian avenue, First street, Back street and Spring
alley. The area of this creditable temple of knowledge is 85 x 54 feet. Its
basement story, with stone walls nine feet high, is the same area. The
superstructure consists of two stories, with brick walls. The hight of ceiling
in the lower is thirteen, and in the upper story is sixteen feet. The areas of
the schoolrooms in the lower story are, respectively, 34 by 25 feet. In the
upper story is a hall for public exercises, 58 x 51 feet, the remaining
portion of it being reserved for additional schoolrooms when they may be
needed. Each room is well lighted and is supplied with nice patent furniture.
The requisite outbuildings have been erected. With proper labor, attention and
expenditures, whether voluntarily contributed by the pupils of the school and
the people of Leechburgh, or by the school directors at the public expense,
the grounds around that schoolhouse can be made a beautiful and attractive
campus. The entire cost of the ground and buildings thus far is about $15,000.

In 1860 the number of schools, 1; average number of months taught, 6;
teacher, male; average monthly salary, $22; number male scholars, 30; number
female, 40; average number attending school, 47; cost of teaching each scholar
per month, 31 cents; amount tax levied for school purposes, $143.74; teacher�s
wages, $121; fuel and contingencies, $10; repairing schoolhouse, $8.

In 1876 the number of schools, 4; *average number months taught, 5; male
teachers, 1; female teachers, 3; average salaries per month, male $70; female,
$41.67; number male scholars, 152; number female scholars, 119; average number
attending school, 191; cost per month, 52 cents; total tax levied for school
and building purposes, $2,802.79; state appropriation, $332.84; total
receipts, $3,667.86; paid for teachers� wages, $1,243.50; fuel, collectors
and contingencies, $1,177.21; total expenditures, $3, 723.88.
(*That is a graded school of four grades.)

In 1857-8 the Leechburgh Institute, an institution for the education of
both sexes in the higher grades of learning, was established by people of
Leechburgh and vicinity. A two-story brick building of suitable size was
erected on lot No. 124, on the north side of Back street, in which there was
for several years a flourishing school under the charge of David McKee, now
connected with Thiel College, and other principal teachers. The deed for that
lot from David Leech to the trustees in trust, etc., is dated August 5, 1857.
The consideration therein expressed is �for the furtherance of education and
for the sum of one dollar.� The size of the lot is 60 x 120 feet. It was
conveyed �for the purpose of erecting thereon suitable buildings for an
institution of learning.� A company was organized, which appointed a board
of trustees, who caused the building to be erected and assumed the discharge
of such other duties as usually pertain to such a board. In the preamble of an
act relative to certain real estate in the borough of Leechburgh, approved
June 28, 1871, it is alleged that a company by the name and style of the
Leechburgh Institute, etc., �was incorporated by the Court of Quarter
Sessions of Armstrong county.� That court had not the power and authority to
incorporate an institution of that kind. If incorporated by the court it must
have been by the court of common pleas/ It does not appear from the records of
that court to have been incorporated. That preamble further sets forth that
that company became insolvent and its real estate was sold at sheriff�s
sale, and the proceeds thereof were applied to the discharge of the debts of
record against the company; that the sheriff did, on the 4th day of June,
1862, make and deliver a deed for such real estate to Edward S. Golden, who on
the 30th day of June then instant, did transfer, set over and assign all his
right, title, interest and claim thereto to the then board of trustees and
their successors in trust for themselves and others interested by virtue of
their written agreement. Wherefore it was enacted that the title which passed
by the sheriff�s deed be ratified and confirmed, and that the trustees be
authorized and empowered to sell that lot and the buildings thereon, with the
appurtenances, and to execute and deliver a deed in fee simple to the
purchaser or purchasers thereof, and distribute the proceeds of sale amongst
the stockholders in proportion to the stock held therein by each one. By deed,
dated November 4, 1872, the trustees conveyed that property to J. Henry
Bergman for $1,000. That institution was chiefly under Presbyterian control.

The Lutheran �Leechburgh Institute,� commonly called the Lutheran
Academy, was incorporated by the court of common pleas of this county, March
15, 1864. Its charter and a supplement to the charter of the Hebron
congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Leechburg were conjoined
and granted together. The applicants for the charter of this �Institute�
stated that they were �desirous of establishing a good academy or high
school,� the object of which was to be �to afford to both sexes
opportunities for acquiring a knowledge of the common and higher branches of
education.� The prescribed number of trustees was nine, six of whom were to
be regular members of the Evangelical Lutheran church and to be elected by the
Lutheran congregation of Leechburgh and other subscribers or contributors to
the institute. A three-story brick edifice, containing six schoolrooms, with
cupola and bell, was soon after erected. This institution was in a flourishing
condition for several years. Among its instructors were Revs. David McKee, D.
M. Kemmerer and Samuel F. Breckenridge. It began to languish after the
commencement of the controversy in the church and was closed in 1869.

Both of those Institutes were, during their two brief careers, efficient
promoters of education, and quite a large number of pupils of both sexes
availed themselves of their advantages. It is probable that one alone might
have been permanently prosperous if established on such a basis as to have
commanded the support of the different denominations.

MEDICAL

The first resident physician was Dr. George W. Marchand, who was succeeded
by Drs. J. P. Pullard, William Wilson, J. Kiers; John T. Crawford, who removed
to Kittanning, studied law, was admitted to the bar, entered the military
service of the United States in the late war of the rebellion, and died of
disease contracted in that service; T. C. McCullough, who has been for many
years a resident physician of Kittanning; Washington Reynolds, who also
removed to Kittanning, where he practiced his profession until his death; W.
L. Morrow, who removed to Freeport; R. P. and J. A. Hunter, J. A. Armstrong
and J. A. Carson.

CEMETERY

The Leechburgh Cemetery Company was incorporated by the proper court
September 5, 1864. The charter provides that its capital stock consist of one
hundred shares at $25 a share, which can be increased to two hundred shares by
the corporators holding a majority off the shares. The annual election of its
officers is held annually on the first Monday of May. This company, among
other things, is authorized to purchase land not exceeding twenty acres within
a mile of Leechburgh for cemetery purposes, and to borrow money not exceeding
$5,000. Bonds given for such borrowed money are not to be liens on the
cemetery ground, but only upon the proceeds of the sale of lots. The ground
belonging to this company at present consists of two lots, nearly, and is
situated between Back street and Siberian avenue, and nearly midway between
Spring and Bridge alleys. Lots have been laid out and a number of them have
been sold, but as yet regular streets and walks have not been opened. The
former, at least some of them, are appropriately adorned. The grounds
generally are susceptible of being made a beautiful resting place for the
dead. The old cemetery adjoins the new one, fronting on Siberian avenue.

CROSSING THE RIVER

The primitive means of crossing the Kiskiminetas was by ferrying in canoes
and larger boats. More convenient facilities were needed. By act of 7th of
April, 1832, the Governor of this commonwealth was authorized to incorporate a
company to erect a bridge over that stream, on the big dam, at Leechburgh. The
capital stock consisted of 200 shares at $25 each. The books for subscription
were to be opened on the 1st of the then next October, and the company was
required to commence the work of erecting the bridge in two years, and to
complete it within five years after the passage of the act, or forfeit to the
commonwealth the rights, liberties and franchises granted by the charter, but
these portions of that act were repealed by the act of April 10, 1845, and the
time extended to January 1, 1846. A bridge was built, by contract with Hugh
Callen, on trestles, which, having become unsafe, was removed, and one with
stone piers and abutments was erected in its place, which was carried away by
a high flood, September 28, 1861, and replaced by the company in the summer of
1862. It was swept away by the heavy ice-gorge, March 15, 1875. A difference
of opinion and controversy had arisen between the bridge company and the
hereinafter-mentioned iron works company respecting the tolls which the latter
was to pay. The former, May 20, 1875, presented their petition to the court of
common pleas of this county, praying that their charter might be disannulled,
which was resisted by the latter. After argument and due consideration of the
law and the facts involved, the court granted the prayer of the petitioners,
July 21 of that year, and appointed the writer a trustee to sell all the lands
and other real estate then owned by the former. Thereupon the Kiskiminetas
Bridge Company was incorporated by the Governor of this commonwealth by virtue
of a general act of assembly, with a capital of $25,000. The property of the
Leechburgh Bridge Company was sold by public outcry by the trustee, at two o�clock
P. M., on Thursday, August 19, 1875, to the Kiskiminetas Bridge Company, for
the sum of $2,301, which sale was confirmed by the court, September 6, 1875,
and the trustee was ordered, on payment thereof, to execute and deliver to the
purchaser a proper deed of conveyance, which was accordingly done. The new
company immediately contracted for the repairing of the piers and abutments
and raising them several feet higher than they had previously been, and the
erection thereon of a superstructure partly of iron and partly of wood, all
which was completed so that the new bridge began to be used on the then next
Christmas day, and it has been in successful operation ever since.

MANUFACTURES

The supply of the various kinds of mechanics, such as are usual in every
town, has kept pace with the growth and wants of the population of this
borough. John Taylor�s tannery, between Main and Back streets, and Spring
alley, and the Lutheran Institute or Academy lot, was established by David
Kuhns, in 1828, as appears from the assessment list. That is the first year in
which he was assessed with a tan-yard.

Rogers & Burchfield having purchased at what were then considered low
rates divers lots in Leechburgh, and a considerable quantity of other land,
partly therein and partly in Allegheny township, erected in 1872 and 1874
extensive iron and tin works, consisting of six single puddling furnaces, two
knobbling fires, one refiner�s fire, six heating furnaces, four sheet
heating furnaces, three annealing furnaces, two pairs of muck rolls, two pairs
of sheet rolls, two pairs of tin rolls, two pairs of cold rolls, one pair of
muck shears, two pairs of sheet shears, one blast cylinder with engine
complete, five cylinder boilers and one Allen engine of about 350 horse-power.
The quantity of finished iron made per month was two hundred and fifty tones,
the quality of which was equal to the Juniata charcoal made iron and number
one stamping. All the other was equal to the best brands of sheet iron. The
tin works, consisting of three stacks, were built in 1874. Their daily product
was ninety boxes of excellent tin. The number employed in the manufacture of
iron and tin was one hundred and fifty. They were suddenly thrown out of
employment by the suspension of those works September 19, 1875. The
rolling-mill and other buildings are situated in the southwestern part of the
borough, between Main, Third and Canal streets.

By act of March 23, 1872, Canal street was vacated between the southwest
corner of lot No. 19 to Main street; Market, between Third and Canal streets;
and Brown alley, between Main and Market streets. That act provides that the
borough shall not be charged with any damages therefor.

A large store belonging to the Siberian Iron Company is situated on the
southwest corner of Third and Market streets.

Coal was used at first for fuel, which was abandoned and gas substituted,
of which the well on the opposite side of the river, from which it is
conducted through iron pipes, affords an abundant and apparently exhaustless
supply. It is much cheaper than coal, and being free from sulphur, makes a
much better quality of iron than can be made with bituminous coal. Besides it
is used for illuminating the town at night, which is done by means of a
perpendicular gas-pipe extending upward thirty-five feet more or less, near
the rolling-mill, from the top of which jets of burning gas make a large and
brilliant flame, whose light extends a great distance. That gas-well was
developed in 1871 by an oil-well company, composed largely, if not entirely,
of citizens of Leechburgh, who drilled for oil, having been induced to do so,
as the writer is informed, by the knowledge of the sandrocks and other strata
which they gained from the geological articles that had previously appeared in
the Union Free Press. The depth to which that well was drilled is 1250 feet
and that of the gas vein about 1200 feet from the surface.

Brickmaking is carried on in a yard on a lot fronting on Canal street,
nearly west of the intersection of Third and Fourth streets, with which a
dry-house is connected, by a joint stock company.

MERCANTILE AND OTHER OCCUPATIONS

There are, according to the mercantile appraiser�s list, this year
eighteen stores, of which seventeen are in fourteenth and one in the
thirteenth class. Under this head are included drug stores, groceries and
merchant tailor establishments.

The appraisement list for this year shows the number of ministers to be 4;
physicians, 3; mill foreman, 1; puddlers, 8; rollers, 5; heaters, 5; shearers,
2; shinglers, 3; knobblers, 7; pickler, 1; tinmen, 3; teacher, 1; surveyor, 1;
clerks, 7; agents, 5; contractor, 1; miners, 23; laborers, 58; wagonmaker, 1;
brickmaker, 1; cabinetmaker, 1; brick merchant, 1; stonemasons, 2;
blacksmiths, 4; shoemakers, 9; carpenters, 9; tinners, 3; grain merchant, 1;
cabinetmakers,2; engineers, 2; baker, 1; farmer, 1; barber, 1.

The postoffice was established November 18, 1829. The first postmaster was
David Leech; the present on is Israel Putnam Kerr.

SOLDIERS� AID SOCIETY

A humane and patriotic spirit animated the people of Leechburgh and
vicinity during the war of the rebellion. Considerable quantities of lint and
clothing and fruits were forwarded tot he army by them before any regular
organization was effected. The first meeting of the Soldiers� Aid Society
was held probably in the spring of 1862, shortly after the battle of Malvern
Hill. It is regretted that the minutes of that society cannot be found,
because without them a full and accurate presentation of its good work cannot
be made. Immediately after that battle three large boxes of sanitary stores
were sent with Rev. L. M. Kuhns and Addison Leech to the wounded soldiers. As
those gentlemen were not allowed to pass beyond Washington, those stores were
detained until Mr. Kuhns, as chaplain, succeeded in forwarding them to
Fortress Monroe, where they were handed over to the hospitals. In July of that
year the contributions of this society were sent tot he Soldiers� Aid
Society of Philadelphia, and afterward to the Pittsburgh branch of the
sanitary commission.

As the records cannot be found and as the reports of its doings were not
published, it is very difficult to form a correct estimate of the industry and
liberality of its members and the value of the contributions made by others.
One of its treasurers, Mrs. Mary Watson, told the writer that she remembers
distinctly of four or five hundred dollars being in the treasury at one time,
which, and all other moneys belonging to the society, were judiciously
expended in procuring materials to be made up by the members, and other needed
articles. It is altogether probable that the aggregate value of the labor
performed by this society and the contributions made through it, if a
pecuniary estimate could be made of them, might justly be set down at several
thousands of dollars. The following is taken from a letter of one of its
members: �I must say, for the size of the place and the means of the people
generally, the amount sent elicited some very complimentary letters from
officers of the commission. Everything was prepared with great care and
liberality, and evinced the patriotism and industry of the ladies of
Leechburgh and vicinity, of whom Mrs. John Klingensmith, Mrs. William Parks
and Mrs. Henry McKallip were particularly efficient in collecting materials
and working; indeed, all did a full share.�

The society persisted in doing the good work until the necessity for it
ceased. Most, if not all, of its meetings were held at the residence of Mrs.
Addison Leech, who was one of its devoted and efficient members.

SOCIETIES

I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 650; instituted March 12, 1869; members, 70.
Knights of Pythias, instituted in 1871; members, 66.
Order of American Mechanics, instituted in 1873; members, 68.
Order of United Workmen, instituted inn 1874; members, 42.
The hall of both these lodges is the Lutheran institute building.
The Leechburgh Banking Company commenced business in February, 1873.

TEMPERANCE

The sentiment of a large number of the people has been for years adverse to
the granting of licenses for the sale of intoxicating beverages, which
demanded the special act of March 27, 1866, prohibiting their sale within the
borough limits. The old time temperance organizations at times existed. The
Bay Leaf Lodge of Good Templars No. -, was organized December 19, 1868,
flourished and languished, having had a membership of -. At the election,
February 28, 1873, the vote on the license question stood: for license, 6;
against license, 77.

POPULATION

The number of inhabitants in 1860 was, whites, 358; colored, 1. In 1870,
whites, 350; colored, 18. The number of taxables this year is 280. If there
are four and three-fifths persons for each taxable, the population this year,
1876, is 1,288.

BOROUGH OF ALADDIN

This municipality was taken from Allegheny township and incorporated as a
borough by the court of quarter sessions of this county June 8, 1867. Its
boundaries were prescribed thus: Beginning at a black oak, thence north 26 �
degrees west 22.7 perches to a post; thence north 63 � degrees east 72
perches to a post; thence south 26 � degrees east 28 perches to stones;
thence south 63 � degrees west 42 perches to a post; thence north 26 �
degrees west 5.3 perches to a post; thence south 63 � degrees west 22.7
perches to the place of beginning, containing eleven acres and ninety-seven
perches.

The site of this borough is on the upper or northern part of a long narrow
tract, originally surveyed to John Montgomery and Alexander Stewart, March 23,
1769, which lay between the John Elder, John Collier and Robert McKee tracts
and the Allegheny river. To that upper part of the Montgomery and Stewart
tract, Peter Shaeffer acquired the title by occupancy, and is included in the
warrant issued to him, dated December 3, 1824, and in the patent to him, dated
June 8, 1836, and portions of which he conveyed, July 11, 1855, to David Boyd,
viz., 60 acres and 37 perches for $249.25, and February 17, 1859, to Thomas
Donnelly, viz., 11 acres for $2,450. The former conveyed his tract, September
10, 1859, to Thomas J. Brereton, J. Thos. Johnston, H. Brady Wilkins and
Charles H. Shattuck for $1,125; the last-named confirmed his title thereto to
the others, viz., Brereton, Johnston & Co., May 10, 1860, and the latter
conveyed his tract, June 4, 1860, to that company for $10,000. The Aladdin Oil
Works, or Refinery, were erected by that company in 1859 for the manufacture
of oil from cannel coal by the same process as that of the North American Oil
Works in Allegheny township. About 1863 they commenced distilling petroleum.
From 1870 until 1876 these works were run by Dr. H. W. C. Tweddle for
manufacturing refined and lubricating oils and paraffine. They were then
purchased by the Standard Oil Company. The quantity of crude oil consumed in
those manufactures was about 8,000 barrels a month. The number of men employed
was from thirty to forty. The crude oil has been for some time received by a
pipe line from the oil wells. The operation of the oil works has been
suspended and resumed several times since they were built. Some of their
products at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia so attracted the
attention of some of the foreign visitors and scientists as to induce them to
visit Aladdin and examine the works.

Natural gas was first discovered in Leechburgh in 1870 by Jos. E. Beale and
others while drilling a test well for oil, and was first utilized for the
manufacture of iron in the Leechburgh Iron Works in 1872, being conducted into
the furnaces by pipes leading into the mill from the wells. A patent has been
asked for and is yet in litigation in regard to the same. It has since been
used for the manufacture of iron near Pittsburgh by parties who laid a pipe
line some eighteen miles from the producing wells to their works. It is also
now in use for the manufacture of steel by the open hearth process by Jos. E.
Beale in his West Pennsylvania Steel Works at Leechburgh, the place of its
first utilization. It is acknowledged by all who have any knowledge of it to
be the finest fuel for the manufacture of iron or steel ever discovered; being
so free from all the injurious ingredients of which coal is compose, and being
so easily controlled and applied makes it invaluable for the purposes named.
It can also be applied for burning brick, smelting iron ores and purposes of
that kind, so that the vicinities where it is found, that are convenient to
transportation, have advantages for the manufacturing of steel and iron that
cannot be competed with.

The first election was held by order of the court at the office of the
Aladdin Oil Company, December 18, 1861. E. B. Barton was elected the first
burgess, and Babteste Scott, P. Donnelly, D. Shair, William Gilman, and James
Boyle, the first councilmen.

The vote on the license question was ten for, and none against, granting
licenses to sell intoxicating liquors.

SCHOOLS

A frame one-story building was erected, probably in 1867-8, which is used
for a free school and for religious meetings. The first school report is for
the year ending first Monday of June, 1869.

In 1869 there was one school; No. Months taught, 5; female teacher, 1;
salary per month, $28; male scholars, 19; female scholars, 12; average number
attending school, 23; cost per month, $1.16; amount tax levied for school and
building purposes, $177.28; received from tax collectors and other sources,
$218.28; from state appropriation, $8.50; cost of instruction, $140; fuel and
contingencies, $30.25; cost of schoolhouse, $39.83; balance on hand, $8.23.

In 1874 there was one school; number months taught, 4; one female teacher;
salary per month, $28; male scholars, 8; female scholars, 14; average
attendance, 19; cost per month, $1.48; from state appropriation, $8.16; from
taxes and other sources, $164.98; total, $173.14; cost school houses, etc.
$24; paid for teacher�s wages, $112; for fuel, contingencies, etc., $18.30;
resources, $10.68. There has been no annual report since 1874.

STATISTICS

Population in 1870, native, 23; foreign, 6; total, 29. Number of taxables
this year 17, and the population, 78.

The assessment list for 1876 shows thus : Oil refinery, $11,000.
Occupations – managaer, 1; refiner, 1; stillmen, 2; laborers, 7; firemen, 2;
mechanic, 1; miner, 1.

GEOLOGICAL

The formations just below the mouth of the Kiskiminetas are, it is
presumed, quite similar to those just above its mouth. They are, therefore,
given as indicating what are immediately above.

�On the lands of Mr. Stuart and Mr. Dodd, on the east side of the
Allegheny, below the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, the slaty cannel coal is
separated from the bright bituminous bed by from six to eight feet of slate.
The cannel stratum averages five feet in thickness. The Freeport sandstone
beneath forms massive ledges along the railroad. On the east side of the
Allegheny the coals are at a much higher level than on Buffalo creek, owing to
a local rise in the strata, but there can be no difficulty in identification.
A proximate analysis of Dodd�s cannel coal by Dr. Alter, develops
thirty-four percent of volatile matter. From twenty-two pounds of the coal he
obtained thirty-three ounces of crude oil, a gallon of which yielded one ounce
of paraffine, besides coal tar, lighter oils, benzole, etc.

�One and one-half miles above the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, are fine
exposures of the Freeport sandstone, dipping both west and north (falsely
bedded, perhaps). Two and a half miles above its mouth, the Upper Freeport
coal is about one hundred and eight feet above the canal, due east and
twenty-five feet higher than at Freeport. Four miles above the mouth at (what
used to be) Otterman�s and Cochran�s salt works, the Freeport sandstone
has passed the fourth axis and descended below water level, dipping southeast.
There the Upper Freeport coal is sixty-nine feet above the canal, all the
strata below it being shales. At the canal level are black shales from four to
five feet thick. The mass os shales dips up the river rapidly, and at the same
time changes into sandstone beds still interstratified with shales.

�A fourth of a miles below� Leechburgh �the following section
exhibits the coal at a much lower elevation� than there : Descending from
the surface – �shale, 9 feet; Upper Freeport coal, 3 feet 3 inches; shale,
22 inches; coal, 7 inches; shale, 3 feet. Freeport limestone, blue, 2 feet;
soft sandstone, 1 foot; shale 17 feet to bed of Pine run, not much above slack
water.

�This appears to be about the middle line of the Fourth Basin. In the
middle of the basin both coal and limestone seem thin and irregular.

�At Leechburgh, five and a fourth miles above the mouth of the
Kiskiminetas, above which is a gentle undulation of the strata, the following
section of rocks was obtained at the quarries: Sandstone and shale, 16 feet;
Upper Freeport coal, 4 � feet, 63 feet above slack water; blue-black shale,
14 inches; light shale, 6 inches; coal, 4 inches; light shale, 14 inches; iron
ore, 3 inches; Freeport limestone, 1 foot; calc slate, shale, 3 feet; shale
and large chunks of limestone, 3 1/3 feet; limestone, 32 inches; shale, with
calcareous nodules and flags, 5 feet; calcareous shales, 6 feet 8 inches;
shale, sandstone, etc., 3 feet; sandstone, 1 foot; shales, a little
bituminous, 1 foot; blue ferriferous shale, 7 feet; shale and sandstone, 6
feet; massive Freeport sandstone, 42 feet; Lower Freeport coal,
interstratified with slate, 4 feet.

�The Freeport sandstone, near the water�s edge, is a fine quartzose
conglomerate, containing vegetable impressions and pebbles of nodular
carbonate of iron, of all sizes, and so numerous as to compose the whole mass
of the rock for a thickness of 6, 8 or even 10 inches. A slip appears to
combine with the original oblique bedding of the sandstone to express to the
eye of the spectator an unconformity of stratification at the upper limit of
the sandstone, and upon its apparently upheaved edges rests the calcareous
slates and coal above. Something similar may be observed elsewhere along the
Kiskiminetas, at a point seven miles below Saltsburgh.

�At the salt works, half a mile above Leechburgh, the upper Freeport
coal, three and a half feet thick, covered by sixteen feet of shale, is
sixty-two and a half feet above slackwater and sinks to an altitude of fifty
feet for the next two miles up the river, and is there three and a half feet
thick, covered by two feet of black slate and this by eight feet of sandstone.�
(Rogers� Geology of Pennsylvania.)

It is inferrible, then, that Leechburgh is near the synclinal axis of the
Fourth Basin,* i. e. the line along which the opposite descending strata meet.
The Fourth Basin lies between the anticlinals of the Fourth and Fifth, or the
axes of the Third and Fourth Basins. The anticlinal of the Fifth, or axis of
the Fourth Basin, passes northeast and southwest about two and three-fourths
miles to the northwest of Leechburgh on to the Kiskiminetas. The distance by a
straight line from the anticlinal of the Fifth Basin through Leechburgh is
about ten and three-fourths miles. If there are oil-bearing rocks in the
Fourth Basin the oil in them will be tapped at a less depth on the slopes that
at the center of the basin, that is, the line along which the strata of each
descending slope meet. The northwestern slope of the Fourth Basin appears to
be about seven and three-fourths miles from the respective anticlinals to its
center, or synclinal axis. The difference in the depth of a particular rock or
stratum at the center and along the slopes up to the anticlinals will of
course be in proportion to the degree of ascent from the center to the
anticlinals, provided no local changes occur to vary the regular interval
between water-level and the desired rock or stratum.

     (*According to the geologists there was in the
formation of the various strata a great wave from north to south, but between
the Allegheny mountains and the highland in Erie county, Pennsylvania, there
were six minor cross waves from northeast to southwest, which they call the
Six Coal Basins. The synclinal of a basin is its bottom, or the line along
which its opposite slopes meet; its anticlinal is the line along the top or
crest of it southeastern slope; and its axis is the line along the top or
crest of its northwestern slope. )

About 75,000 perches of sandstone have been taken out of the quarries near
Jacksonville, or Bagdad, and sent to marker, by Samuel Bowers and his
employes, worth $3 a perch delivered on the canal boat.

For the geological features or indications of the northern part of
Allegheny township the reader is referred to those elsewhere given as those
along Crooked creek.

The following is a record of the Leechburgh gas well, furnished to J. F.
Carll, of the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania, by Joseph G. Beale :
The well mouth is about fifteen feet below the level of the West Pennsylvania
railroad depot at that point. Conductor, 22 feet; sand rock, 50; limestone,
with gas and water, 6; fireclay, 12; soft, loose shale, 200; blue pebble, 60;
sandstone, white, 15; pebble, dark, 12; soapstone, 18; blue rock, 5; red rock,
8; slate, dark, 35; sandstone, white, with a little salt water, 75; slate,
blue, 60; soft blue rock, 100; sandstone, gray, 20; soapstone, 100; rock, soft
and changeable, with salt water, 152; sandstone, white, 30; shale, 200; blue
rock, hard shells, 20; pebble and sand rock mixed, present gas vein, 30; blue
rock and hard shells, 20; depth of well 1,250 feet. The great flow of gas is
about 50 feet above the bottom of the well and comes (observes Franklin Pratt,
assistant geologist in charge of the second geological survey of Armstrong and
several other counties) from the first sand rock. No coal beds are mentioned
as having been passed through in drilling this well, yet coals were struck in
boring various salt wells between that point and the Allegheny river. The flow
of gas is apparently as strong now as when it was first struck.

Levels above tide, at stations on the West Pennsylvania Railroad, along the
left bank of the Kiskiminetas. The datum is the mean tide in the Schuykill
river at the Philadelphia Market street bridge. Add seven feet to each to
ascertain its elevation above the mean Atlantic Ocean level; Helena, 1010 feet
above tide; Salina, 948 feet; Northwest, 887 feet; Roaring Run, 820 feet;
Apollo, 816 feet; Townsend�s Summit, 880 feet; Grinder�s (near
Leechburgh), 820 feet; Bagdad, or Hill�s Mills, 773 feet; Allegheny, or West
Pennsylvania Junction, as corrected by J. F. Carll, 790.64 feet. (Ibid, N.)

Along the Allegheny river , between the above-mentioned Junction and
Crooked Creek; Northwest, inside corner of north abutment of Kiskiminetas
bridge, 793.21 feet above ocean; opposite mile post, 795 feet; bench mark on
lower inside corner of north wall of culvert, 795.3 feet; opposite Aladdin
station, 792.9 feet; opposite mile post, 786 feet; opposite mile post, 779.6
feet; B. M. on upper inside corner of south abutment of bridge No. 32, 779.8
feet; opposite mile post, 784.3 feet; B. M. on lower inside corner of north
wall of culvert, 781.7 feet; opposite White Rock Station, 782.4 feet; opposite
mile post, 780.4 feet; B. M. on lower inside corner of north wall of culvert,
778 feet; opposite Kelly�s Station, 780.6 feet; opposite mile post, 781.3
feet; B. M. on �Hickory Right,� 315 feet north of 35th mile post, 794.32
feet; opposite mile post, 784.3 feet; B. M. on lower inside corner of north
wall of culvert, 782.7 feet; opposite Logansport Station, 785 feet; opposite
mile post, 785.5 feet; opposite mile post, 787.9 feet; B. M. on upper inside
corner of south abutment of bridge No. 38, 789 feet.

Source: Page(s) 105-155, History of Armstrong County,
Pennsylvania by Robert Walker Smith, Esq. Chicago: Waterman, Watkins &
Co., 1883.
Transcribed June 2000 by Linda Mockenhaupt for the Armstrong County Smith
Project.
Contributed by Linda Mockenhaupt for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy
Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)

Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format, for any
presentation, without prior written permission.

Return to the Historical Index

Return to the Smith Project

About Author

Nathan Zipfel

See author's posts