NEWS: Items from The Alleghanian, December 12, 1861, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa., Volume 3, Number 12, Thursday, December 12, 1861 The War Department, it is reported, is convinced that Gen. Scott was right in rejecting the offers of cavalry regiments for the war. It is found that raw mounted troops are of very little use for active service. Enoch Lewis, Esq., General Superintendent and W. H. Wilson, Esq., Resident Engineer of the Pennsylvania Railroad both of Altoona were in town on Saturday last. The Stars and Stripes now wave in seven of the seceded states, to wit - In North Carolina, over Fort Hatteras; in South Carolina, at Beaufort; in Georgia, at Fort Tybee; in Florida, at Key West and Fort Pickens; in Mississippi, at Ship Island; in eastern Tennessee and in the northern and western sections of Virginia. The Union Flag also waves, we suppose, in some parts of Texas and hundreds are hidden away but worshipped secretly in every secession state. Government has given orders for the manufacture of half a million pairs of woolen mittens for the use of the brave soldiers who are now battling for our national existence. This is good news for the soldiers. The Fate of a Traitor It is with a great deal of pleasure that we note the expulsion of John C. Breckinridge from the United States Senate. A resolution for that purpose was offered by Mr. Chandler of Michigan on the 4th inst., when Mr. Powell of Kentucky took the ground that inasmuch as Breckinridge had resigned, he could not be expelled. Mr. Trumbull of Illinois insisted however that he should be expelled and offered a substitute for Mr. Chandler's resolution in the following pithy language - Whereas, John C. Brickenridge, a member of this body, has joined the enemies of his county and is now in arms against the Government he had sworn to support therefore, Resolved that the traitor, Breckinridge, be expelled from the senate. The substitute was accepted by Mr. Chandler and the resolution was unanimously adopted, yeas, 36, nays, none. The following gentlemen were absent or dodged the question, viz - Messrs. Bayard, Bright, Johnson (Tenn.), Johnson (Mo.), Pearce, Polk, Powell, Rice, Sandsbury and Willey. Thus the double traitor who has proved himself false to Kentucky and false to the Union, instead of being permitted to vacate his seat by resignation is genteelly kicked out of it by his former associates. He has brought upon himself the disgrace which his expulsion carries with it. He has received what he deserves and he deserves still more. We hope than an opportunity will yet offer, when he may be presented with a hempen neck tip and that the Federal authorities will adjust it so tightly that he cannot say "Craven," a word which describes the despicable coward with the utmost precision and nicety. All Hail! Silver Grays! Last week we visited Harrisburg in company with Capt. William Palmer, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for having the company of the veterans known as the "Silver Grays," ordered into service, as well as to have provision made for their being comfortably quartered and speedily uniformed. Our most sanguine anticipations were realized. We were received in the most friendly manner by Governor Curtin who gave us every satisfaction, assuring us of his cordial interest in the effort to raise a company of hardy veterans desirous of marshalling themselves under the "Stars and Stripes," also giving his consent to all our suggestions, promising to provide for the "Old Men of Cambria" to the extent of his power. We were authorized to send on the "boys" on Tuesday. They are gone, followed by the fervent aspirations of every patriot in the county for their safety while absent and their honorable return, after the glorious Stars and Stripes once more wave proudly over thirty-four States of the Union. We accompanied the "Silvered Patriotic Soldiers," on Tuesday as far as Altoona. They numbered about sixty to be followed by many more during the present week who could not make it suit to go with the advance. In parting with this brave band of volunteers, who have discarded all claims to exemption from liability to military service, we were forced to the conclusion that so long as this spirit animated the Northern American heart, our old Flag and our Republican Institution could and would withstand the assaults of domestic as well as foreign foes. In extending, when parting, the hand of friendship to each one of these "old men," we felt within us a feeling of confidence and pride which we cannot describe. God bless them! May their days be days of glory and happiness and may their end be peace. We cannot close this brief article without saying one word of praise and commendation for the sprit and devotion which characterized the amiable lady of Capt. Palmer while the "Silver Grays," were rendezvoused at her house. Night and day she was laboriously engaged in ministering to their wants. Every member of the company carries with him a feeling of gratitude which will live even beyond the grave. A soldier's benedictions are hers. It will give us great pleasure and we know it will be equally gratifying to our readers to publish from time to time "notes' promised to be furnished us by a "Silver Gray." [The above was prepared last week after returning from Altoona, but too late for publication until this issue. - Ed. ALLEGHANIAN] Local and Personal Appointment The County Commissioners have appointed Mr. John Farrell of Johnstown, Mercantile Appraiser of this county for the ensuing year. Court The proceedings of Court last week were of such a trivial and uninteresting nature that we have decided to not burden our columns with their publication. Lyceum The question for debate at the E. L. A., on next Friday evening is as follows - "Resolved, That the President's Message is a sound conservative document." Gone We hare sorry to chronicle the removal from our midst of our friend, Clinton R. Jones, who, with his family, has gone to try his fortune in Western Virginia. May success attend him! In Town Our friend, Geo. Barrett, Esq., now engaged as Assistant Engineer on the Reading Columbia RR has been spending a few days in town this week. He looks well and is one whom we are always glad to meet. Personal Col. John M. Bowman, editor of the Johnstown TRIBUNE, was in town on Tuesday and dropped in to see us. He appears to bear the crosses of editorial life about as well as the next one. Long life to him! Installation and Retirement Mr. John Buck, the newly elected Sheriff of this county was sworn into office yesterday. Although we opposed his selection on political grounds, still we are confident in predicting that he will make a popular public official. R. P. Linton Esq., the outgoing Sheriff, has filled his term of office with honor both to himself and the county. The thanks of the people will follow him in his **re[word unclear, may be retirement]. We tender our best wishes for the prosperity of both parties. Cambria County Millville Borough - Continued Cambria Iron Works The development of the iron resources of Cambria county is of rather recent origin and is calculated to portray the shortsightedness of man, maugre **[word typed as printed in the paper] all his scientific attainments. What now is perhaps the richest iron field in Pennsylvania was a few years since regarded as a worthless and unseemly bluff, a kind of wart on the agricultural surface of Cambria county. Nay - at an early day in our history as I have elsewhere noticed, pig metal from the valley of the Juniata was, with incredible labor and difficulty, hauled over the Alleghany Mountain by what is known as the "Frankstown Road," a road which the progress of improvement in these latter days has left with few travelers. Nearly a score of years since George S. King, Esq., who is entitled to the honor of first establishing iron works in Cambria county purchased the ground and commenced the erection of Cambria Furnace, stimulated by the Tariff Act of 1842. This furnace is about a mile from the canal and the Conemaugh River; and is supplied with water by a tributary of that stream. Its distance I believe is about four miles from Johnstown in Conemaugh (now Taylor) Township. The Messrs. Shryock were associated with Mr. King in this enterprise, but afterwards their interest fell into the hands of the late Dr. Peter Shoenberger. This is the oldest iron establishment in Cambria county. At a later period Mill Creek furnace was erected on the stream of that name in Conemaugh (now Yoder) township and owned by John Bell & Co., the firm being John Bell, George S. King and Peter Shoenberger. The interest of Mr. Bell became vested in Mr. Shoenberger prior to 1850. Still another Furnace was erected on Ben's creek, a tributary of Stony creek, a short distance above its mouth, also in the present township of Yoder (then Conemaugh), some of the dwellings being in Somerset county. The same company owned this furnace under the firm name of Bell, King & Co. In 1850 or about that time Dr. Shoenberger became sole owner of this furnace. The impulse that had been given to the manufacture of iron had meanwhile subsided - the business languished - and a general stagnation was the result. The worst fears were entertained for the success of these establishments and, if I remember rightly, they had (or at least some of them) suspended operations. It was about this period (1850) that the idea of establishing the Cambria Iron Company originated. I have not the Act of Incorporation before me but think the capital stock of the Company was fixed at One Million dollars. Cambria, Mill Creek and Ben's creek furnaces with all the lands attached to them were put into the concern at the modest sum of $100,000; this amount to be held by Messrs. King and Shoenberger in proportion to their respective interests in these furnaces. The act of incorporation was passed by the Legislature, the charter obtained and the company forthwith commenced operations. Everything was undertaken on the most gigantic scale and the extensive works, now known as the Cambria Iron Works progressed rapidly to completion. But reverses came. As in most undertakings of a similar character the expectations of the corporators were too sanguine, their ideas of success were not realized; the stock went down to nominal prices and ruin seemed to stare the whole enterprise in the face. Nothing but the wisest counsels could have preserved the affairs of the Company from bankruptcy as heavy liens had been entered on record for the construction of the Mill and other buildings. Happily wise counsels did prevail and the whole concern, for the purpose of a final experience, was leased to Messrs. Wood, Morrell & Co., who have conducted the works to the present time. Signed - Jonathan Oldbuck, Monkbarns, December 12, 1861