Local History: XLIII - Part II : Davis's 1877 History of Northampton Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan Walters USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. HTML Table of Contents may be found at http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/northampton/davistoc.htm _______________________________________________________________________ HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. ††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††† 150 (cont.) XLIII. THE BOROUGH OF EASTON. PART II. IMPROVEMENTS-COURT HOUSE. The first tannery in Easton was established by David Berniger, about 1760. Its precise location is not known, Herman Snyder also engaged in the same business very soon after. These were not like many of the tanneries of the present day-working imported hides, sent up by merchants of Philadelphia and New York, to be tanned and returned as leather to the city but they were small establishments, collecting their stock from the butchers and farmers of the vicinity, and producing not more than enough leather for the use of the cobblers and saddlers of the neighborhood. The persons of Henry Young and John Young, who established those trades there in 1759. Easton's first bridge was built across the Bushkill Creek, at Hamilton street. The work was commenced in September 1762, commissioners, Peter Kichline and John Moore being charged with its superintendence. We may conclude that the frame work was extremely heavy and ponderous, for fifteen and three quarter gallons of rum and one barrel of cider were required to assist in the "raising" of it. The cost of the rum was four shillings and four-pence-about fifty-eight, cents-per gallon, and that of the cider, fifteen shillings-about two dollars-probably including the cask. The bridge was of wood, and its total cost was £226 16s. 9d.-or about $604.90. The first mills of the town were a grist and a saw-mill erected in 1762, by Peter Kichline, on Bushkill Creek; the gristmill standing on the place now occupied by, the planing-mill of Michael Butz, Esq., and the saw-mill being on the opposite side of the creek, upon the site now owned by Adolph Groetzinger. Being the only mills within a large circuit, they, of course, became at once prosperous. Customers came to the grist-mill from near and from afar off, some on foot and some on horseback, with the long sacks thrown across the animal, one end of the sack containing the "grist," and the other a stone, "to make the balance true." It is well known that there was once a boy-Jacob was his name-who accidentally discovered that if the grain were to be placed equally in both ends of the bag, it would lie safely across the bone's back without the aid of the balancing-stone; but upon making this fact known to his father, Peter, he was most severely reprimanded, and solemnly warned against any attempt at innovation on the time-honored method which had come down through his ancestors from the Fatherland. And it is somewhat probable-though not quite certain-that the home of that reckless youth was not many miles above Easton, on the Bushkill. In the same year-1762-the old log church of the Lutherans, built many years before, on the road to Durham, was abandoned by the "Forks congregation," as it was called, and thereafter they were blended with the worshipers at Easton, who held services, sometimes in the log school house, and sometimes in the old Moravian-built Brothers' House. The next year this Moravian house was purchased, for the Lutheran congregation, and by them used as both church and parsonage. The price paid was £400. The parsonage was on the street level, and the place of worship occupied the tipper portion of the house. The county had now been without a court house for ten years, since the passage of the Act of Assembly (March 11th, 1752), authorizing its erection at Easton. The trustees, appointed under that Act, now petitioned the Assembly (October 15th, 1762), for a new Act authorizing them to proceed with the work of erection. This petition was not immediately acted on. But after due consideration, the Assembly confirmed the original Act, February 17th, 1763. The work of building then proceeded, but does not appear to have been pushed very vigorously, as the Court House was not completed until 1766. It stood in the centre of the Public Square, and was a handsome, two-story building, built of limestone, after the style and plan of Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia. It was surmounted by a symmetrical cupola, in which, two years afterwards, was placed a bell, of good quality and tone, cast by the Moravians, at Bethlehem, in 1768. Altogether, it was it building of which the county and the shire-town had reason to be proud. It is asserted by many of the old residents of Easton (and the assertion is quite extensively believed), that this Court House was built in 1754; the date having been, it is said, cut in a stone tablet over the entrance. It is certainly difficult to explain why that date was cut there, but it is as certainly a fact that the building of the Court House was not even commenced until more than nine years after that time; as is conclusively shown by the fact that on the fifteenth day of May, 1765, a numerously signed petition from residents in Northampton county, was presented to the Legislature, which petition set forth that the location of the county seat at Easton, was an injustice to other portions of the county, because of the remoteness and inaccessible position of the town; and alter enumerating at length various other reasons why it should not have been located there, it closes with the following words: "The petitioners therefore most humbly pray the House to take the premises into serious consideration, and to forbid the, said trustees from erecting a Court House at Easton, and from engaging in, or entering upon the said work; and that the house would likewise be pleased to order a bill to be brought in, and offer the same to his Honor the Governor, for repealing so much of the said law as respects the building of the said Court House, and give power to proper persons to build and erect the same, in some convenient place in or near the centre of said county." The Act which authorized the trustees to commence the building, had been passed on the seventeenth of February, 1763, and may be found in vol. v, page 247, of the Votes of Assembly. It was for the repeal of this act, that the petitioners prayed. Their petition was denied, and the law stood as it had been passed. These proofs the absolute and conclusive, that the Court House was not built, or commenced, in 1754,or at any other time prior to 1763. In that year, as also in 1762, the courts were held in the tavern of Conrad Shouse; for which privilege the county paid him an annual rental of four pounds, which, however, also included candles and fuel George Taylor, the Signer, was one of the trustees appointed to have charge of the building of the Court House, and all the moneys expended upon it passed through his hands. Yet Mr. Taylor did not reside in Easton until 1764. The first session of court was held in the new building, March 6th, 1766. 151 Those ancient adjunct of the Temple of Justice-the pillory and the whipping post-stood directly south of the Court House, in Pomfret street, and many were the reigned who there expiated their printer against society.1 There is a record of a woman-Mary Nickum-who endured the infliction of nineteen stripes, well laid on the bare back, for the theft of some linen cloth of the value of £1 6s. 10d. After an existence of about twenty-four years, these antiquated engines of punishment disappeared forever from the Public Square of Easton. GROWTH-CHANGES. In 1763, the town contained sixty-three dwelling houses, including the six taverns. And there were shown on the list of taxables, one gristmill, one saw-mill, three stores, two butchers, one baker, one blacksmith, one locksmith, two weavers, one gunsmith, three tanners, four shoemakers, two tailors, five carpenters, three masons, one hatter, one saddler, one skindresser, four esquires, three laborers, three rated "poor," nineteen, calling not stated (probably men of leisure), two widows, and five "single men." Among which, last, is found the name of Robert Traill. But, although he was then rated "single," the people of Easton not long afterwards found out that be was a host, in himself. Though, their, without designated profession, he was afterwards admitted to the bar of Northampton, the third resident lawyer of Easton, in point of date, but not third-nor indeed second-to any in legal ability and prominence, through a career of a quarter of a century. His popularity in the county was great, If two misguided farmers-taking counsel more of their passion than of their wisdom-rushed into the labyrinth of the law, it was a question with such, which could soonest reach and retain Lawyer Traill and many a hay-fed Rosinante was rushed at a dangerous pace down the steep hill, or across the Bushkill Bridge, in the owners haste to be first at the office of the favorite lawyer. And whatever it might be that was needed, will, deed, assignment, or any of the multiform invocations or evasion, of law and justice, none felt themselves secure, unless the legal shield of Robert Traill covered them. He was at various Clerk of the Courts, Sheriff, Member of the Assembly, and Secretary of The Committee of Safety. In 1763, however, Mr. Traill had not yet been admitted to the bar, and the only lawyer, on the list of taxables at that time, was Lewis Gordon, Esq., named as Prothonotary. Mr. William Parsons had paid natures great debt, and Peter Kichline, Esq., was no longer a publican, but politician, Sheriff, Commissioner, and Justice of the Peace, and withal a most estimable, as well as prominent man. He was afterwards Member of Assembly, and Colonel of troops raised in Northampton.2 Nathaniel Vernon had removed from Easton to the Susquehanna country and the ferry was now owned and plied by Daniel Brodhead, This ferry was then more productive than any, other property or business in the town or, country, though some time later, if is found assessed at only two hundred pounds, or about five hundred and thirty-four dollars. John Anderson, one of the landlords of the pioneer tavern, on the Square, had retired to the ease and dignity of private life, and his partner, William Craig, is not mentioned in the list. The other innkeepers, Paul Miller, Jacob Bachman Conrad Shouse Adam Yohe, had resigned their place to Jacob Hembt John Ricker Jacob Opp Edward Rinker. Meyer Hart had added to the profession of shopkeeper, that of landlord, while Frederick Nungesser had taken up the calling of merchant in addition to his precious one of innkeeper.3 Henry Allshouse, the carpenter; Ernst Becker, the baker; and Abraham Berlin, the blacksmith, are still found at their old trades, and it is certainly pleasant to find upon the list, the name of Anthony Esser-still a butcher-for it shows that he was not extinguished, in 1758, by that act of Nathaniel Vernon's, which, although done in the interest of so meek and peaceful a people as the Quakers, cannot be characterized, otherwise than as an act of attempted tyranny. In the lack of census returns, we are left to infer that the population of the county town was then not far from two hundred and fifty. Mr. Jacob Arndt, father of Captain John Arndt, on the occasion of his last visit to Easton, made about that time, said that he hitched his horse to one of the trees in the Square while be attended to his business, and that "it did not appear to him that Easton was much of a place." After a peace of five years, the Indian troubles broke out afresh, in 1763, and raged until the next year, when the punishment which they received by Bouquet, in the West, made the savages ready and anxious for peace. This war, while it lasted, was very bloody. Companies of men were formed in various places, to be always ready at a moment's warning, to afford protection to points assailed or menaced. The entire military force of Easton-twenty-three men-enrolled in such a company, and on the eighth of October, 1763, Lewis Gordon, Esq., the Prothonotary, was chosen their captain. From the close of the Indian war, in 1764, Easton enjoyed a, decade of comparative quietude, and freedom from alarms, though not of rapid growth. It contained, in 1773, only sixty-nine houses-an increase of but six dwellings in ten years. They were nearly all small one-story log buildings- though eight of them were taverns-more than one public house to every eight dwelling. 1776 TO 1783. During those ten years of peace, the slow-going townspeople had moved quietly on, in their calm way, the men congregrating at evening in the large rooms, or in the porches of the taverns, in the discussion of such events as came to their knowledge through the weekly Philadelphia newspapers, which were received by a few of the citizens, and by them freely loaned to their neighbors. They read and pondered on each passing event, each new act of usurpation and tyranny, by which the Crown and Ministry, drove their loyal colonies to the final alternative of resistance and separation, and, of the actual opening of the Revolutionary hostilities, when the fires of patriotism fleshed fiercely up in every town and hamlet, through all the land, their response was neither a slow nor an uncertain one. Towards the quota of the county, Easton and immediate vicinity furnished a company of sixty-seven men, rank and file. They left their homes and marched to the scene of war, bidding to the hills, the crags, and the rippling Delaware, a farewell which, to many of them, proved a final one. While this company was being raised and drilled for the field, there, occurred the most momentous event in all the world's secular history, the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Soon the news, was heralded in Easton, and was there received with a general feeling of deep and stern satisfaction. On the eighth of July, the town held its first celebration of the immortal act. The companies of soldiers, destined for Washington's "flying camp," marched through the streets, to the music of drum and fife, and with the exhilarating pageantry which is inseparable to all military movements. The townspeople-men, women and children-fell in extemporaneous procession and marched in the rear of the soldiers, to the Court House, where Robert Levers, Clerk of the Sessions, arose and read to them, that clear and convincing enumeration of the reason, why the colonies, of right ought to be free and independent of the tyrrancy of George the Third. It was but a simple story-nothing more than they all knew before, but it was recounted in language which almost equaled that of the Psalms of David; while Hancock and Adams, and Easton's own TAYLOR, and Rutledge and Gerry, and Carroll of Carrollton, and all their heroic compeers, vouched for its rectitude, and on their sacred honor, pledged fortune and life in its support. After the disasters of Brandywine and Germantown, more than two thousand sick and wounded soldier, were sent to Northampton county, and distributed between Easton, Bethlehem, and Allentown. Those sent to Easton, were quartered in the Court House, and in the German church on Pomfret street; though of course, as these could not accommodate the vast number, all the other available rooms in the town, was also brought into requisition. ________________________________________________________________________ 1. The following is from the docket the December Session of 1754. It shows the punishment of a horse thief at that time. "Wherefore it is considered and adjudged by the court here, that the said John Eggleston shall restore the said horse and mare to the said John Jones, shall also pay to the said Jones for his loss of time, charges, and disbursements in the apprehending and prosecution of the said John Eggleston, and, moreover the said John Eggleston shall forfeit and pay the like value of said horse, and mare to the Governor, for the support of government, and shall stand committed, &c., and that he shall be publicly whipped with nineteen lashes on his bare back, well laid on." 2. Captured at Long Island and escaped. 3. Frederick Nungesser was great grandfather of the late Governor Reeder, Howard J. Reeder, Esq., of Easton, has now in his possession the innkeeper's license granted to his great-great-grandfather Nungesser by Governor Denny, in 1759. It is much prized as a relic and a curiosity, and it read as follows -wording, orthography, capitals and all, BY THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM DENNY, ESQ., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware. Whereas, Frederick Nungesser hath been recommended unto Me, as a sober and fit Person, to keep a House of Entertainment, and being requested to grant him License for the same, I do hereby license and allow the said Frederick Nungesser to keep a Public, House in the town of Easton, for the selling of Wine, Rum Beer, Cyder, and other liquors, mixed and unmixed, until the Tenth Day of August next. PROVIDED he shall not at any Time, during the said Term, suffer any DRUNKENNESS, unlawful GAMING, or any other Disorders, nor sell any Drink to the Indians, to debauch or hurt to them, but in all Things Observe and practice all Laws and Ordinances of this Government to his said Employment relating. GIVEN under my hand and Seal at Arms, the tenth Day of August, in the Thirty-third Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, KING GEORGE the Second, and in the Year of our LORD, 1759. WILLIAM DENNY 152 In those dark times, they were some instances of defection to the patriot cause, by men from whom better things were expected. Among the saddest of these was that of Lewis Gordon. He had entered the struggle, apparently with the most ardent love of country, but when the clouds closed thickly over the prospects of the patriots in 1777, he abandoned their cause and embraced that of the enemy. It was a fall like that of Lucifer! Steps were at once taken for his apprehension, but before the warrant could reach him, God, in His infinite pity, had snatched him from his earthly dishonor,1 by a summons to a higher tribunal. During the period of the Revolutionary War, many of the chief personages of the government and the army, passed through Easton. Among these were John Hancock John Adams,2 Pulaski Mifflin Franklin Laurens Gates LaFayette Ethan Allen as well as Washington himself. We may be sure that the townspeople, who had evinced such enthusiasm on the announcement and reading of the Declaration, were far from apathetic, when they saw, the Chief of the Signers among them, and when the towering form of the great Commander passed through their modest streets. An army of twenty-five hundred men, and two thousand horses, marched through the little town, in July, 1779. It was the expeditionary corps of General Sullivan, on his way to the Wyoming region, and Tioga, for the punishment and expulsion of the treacherous Shawanese and Senecas. After accomplishing the object of the campaign, Sullivan returned, with his army, to Easton. In the Generals diary was made this entry: "1779, October 10th, the army began march from Wyoming to Easton." Four days were consumed in the march from Wyoming, and in the evening of the fourteenth the advance entered the town. To us, at the present day, who have become accustomed to the mention of armies, numbering scores, or hundreds of thousands of men, that force seems to have been a small one, but if any of us have ever been residents of a quiet village of five hundred people, into which we have seen the march of two thousand five hundred armed men, with nearly an equal number of horses, we may well understand that, on that October evening, ninety-eight years ago, Sullivan's army must have seemed to the Eastonians to be as numerous as- "______________________________________________the stars on the sea, When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee." And their coming was almost like the descent of the wolf on the fold, to the quiet county seat. The Court House was occupied as barracks, and so also was the church on Pomfret street, and beyond the capacity of these, many of the soldiers were quartered upon private families, and in public houses. The corps laid at Easton for several weeks, and, during that time, they committed those excesses which armies usually commit, whether among foes or friends. It is recorded that the evil behavior of these soldiers almost passed belief. Three of them, belonging to Colonel Hubley's regiment, were hanged on Gallows Hill near the present site of St. Bernard's Church -for the murder of an innkeeper, above Stroudsburg, on the return march. The old Court House bore the marks of their vandalism until the day of its demolition. Probably, in all its century and a quarter of existence, through the vicissitudes of fire, flood, and Indian menace, Easton never had a wilder experience than during that brief stay of the friendly army of Sullivan. Still another Indian treaty was held at Easton on January 30th, 1777. It convened in the Lutheran Church, north of the Court House, but we know of little that was accomplished at the session, beyond "the shaking of hands, and drinking of rum, during which time the organ played". But in this particular, it was probably quite as productive of real good as if it had protracted its sitting for many days, and had then, with great flourish of trumpets, announced the conclusion of a peace, made only to be disregarded and broken, within the succeeding year. INCREASE, AND OTHER MATTERS, TO 1789. In the decade ending 1783, notwithstanding it had been a period of war, Easton had made it greater growth than during the previous ten years. There had been an increase of sixteen dwellings; bringing the number from sixty- nine to eighty-five; and the population was now not far from five hundred souls. The houses were still mostly one-story, and built of logs, with the bake-oven in front of them; and the streets were burdened and encumbered with piles of wood and all manner of rubbish, rendering them sometimes nearly impassable. There were something more than one hundred cows, and double that number, each, of sheep and swine, and twenty-five or thirty horses; and when it is recollected that the horned cattle, hogs, and sheep ran unrestrained and at will, through the streets, and lolled at ease under the shade of the trees which ornamented the Public Square, or disported themselves, with perfect license, in the luxurious pool by the Court House, it is not hard to imagine the difficulties which then beset the way of the pedestrian, in the streets of the shire-town of Northampton county. During this time, some changes had occurred in the town, but they were not extensive. In 1774, an addition had been made to the jail, nearly equal in extent to the original structure. This fact seems to show that there had been a considerable increase of crime, which view receives corroboration from the memoranda of payments made to Jacob Weaver, for maintenance of prisoners, and for expenses incurred at executions upon Gallows Hill. The cost of this jail extension was about four hundred pounds, of Pennsylvania money, or one thousand and sixty-six dollars. A church had also been built in 1746 by the Lutheran and German Reformed Congregations in union. Its location was on the east side of Pomfret street, a short distance north from the Court House Square, and it was styled "The Union Church,"3 and was used in common by both congregations, as a place of worship. Joseph Hopkinson, Esq., an eminent lawyer of Philadelphia, at that day, speaks of it as "a large and handsome structure." From this it appears that the Lutherans-reinforced, as they had been, by worshipers from the old "Forks Church" at the time of its disintegration- had outgrown the large house which had been purchased of the Moravians, for four hundred pounds, in 1763; and it shows that the Reformed people were also becoming quite numerous. For many years there were no other churches; there, nor were there, indeed, any other congregations except these at that time in Easton. The school house church was, however, open to all Protestant denominations, and was occasionally used for preaching by the Presbyterians and others. Captain Webb, an English prisoner on parole, and an enthusiastic Methodist, preached there, in his uniform, in 1777; though there was not then, nor for fifty years thereafter, an avowed Methodist in the county town, nor in all the neighborhood surrounding it. Jacob Able was now not only an innkeeper, but proprietor of the ferry franchise-having purchased it from the estate, of Lewis Gordon, after his melancholy death, in 1777. Though the most productive property in Easton, it stood in the valuation at only six hundred and eighty pounds ($1,813,33), while David Wagerer's mill, then recently completed, was assessed at one thousand three hundred and forty-eight pounds ($3,594.66). This last-named valuation, however, necessarily included an expensive outfit of machinery, while very little of that description was included in the assessment of the ferry. Adam Yohe, innkeeper, had passed to his last account, and his son, Adam, now prosecuted his late fathers business, and wore the dignity of landlord- no mean consideration in those days. Colonel Peter Kichline still lived, but had ceased business, and the mill on the Bushkill, had been given to his son Andrew. George Taylor, the Signer, Easton's most honored citizen, had gone to his reward, and now Robert Traill, Esq.-Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, etc.-filled the first professional place in public estimation, which had been made vacant by the defection of Gordon and the death of Taylor. Henry Allshouse was still nominally in the same calling which he had commenced in Easton, thirty years before-that of carpenter and joiner- though the active part of the business was prosecuted by his son, Henry, Jr. Ernst Becker still baked bread for the townspeople, but Anthony Esser, the butcher, was no longer living. Abraham Berlin had become a Justice of the Peace, and left the business of blacksmithing to his sons, Abraham and Jacob. Frederick Nungesser was dead, and the tavern was kept open by his widow. Two other widows were also innkeepers-those of Henry and George Bush, Meyer and Michael Hart were still merchandising, and the number of tailors in the place had increased to nine, viz., Abraham Labar Jacob and John Reese Robert Hannon Adam Craft Henry and Nathaniel Brown John Bishop John Brotzman Evidently the town had made considerable advance towards luxury; in the matter of dress, at least. ________________________________________________________________________ 1. He died at Easton, in 1777. 2. In the diary of John Adams, occurs this entry: "1777 September 22d, Monday-Dined at Shannon's, in Easton, at the Forks -Slept at Jansen's in Bethlehem." 3. This church building is the one which was used as a hospital for the sick and wounded who were sent to Easton, in such large numbers, after the battles of Germantown and Brandywine and also the one which has been spoken of as having been occupied by Sullivan's troops in 1779. It was a large, plain, rectangular building, without steeple until 1842, when one was added; and at the same time, the house was remodeled and thoroughly repaired. It is still standing on its original site-corner of Third street and Church alley-and is owned and used as a house of worship by the Third street Reformed congregation. It is a large, fair-looking edifice, in excellent repair, and shows no indication of having already entered on its second century of service. 153 The Act of Assembly of March 1st, 1780, which abolished slavery in Pennsylvania, had effected the condition of only eleven persons in Easton, that being the total number of slaves which had been held there. Of these bondsmen, Michael Hart was the owner of two, although, in the previous year, the valuation of his dwelling house had been only equivalent to seventeen dollars and seventy-seven cents, in silver money, while Theophilus Shannon had but one slave, although himself the proprietor of the public house at the cornet of Northampton and Fermor streets, one of the few substantial stone structures in the town. If we had lived at that time, and had innocently entered Shannon's tavern for a bowl of punch, we should have found, to our amazement, that the modest charge for the same would be thirty dollars; or if we had asked for a "toddy," the cost would be ten dollars. An extortionate demand, one would think! It is, however, but justice to the memory of Theophilus and his fellow publicans of that period, to explain that not only would the bowl" of punch have been concocted of the best St. Croix and Jamaica spirits- widely different from the "rifle" or "forty-rod" whiskey of the present day-and would likewise have been sufficient in volume for three persons; but also that the price, which seems at first so exorbitant, would have been made, in anticipation of a tender of Continental money, which then stood at seventy-five for one; but if payment were proffered in silver money, then forty cents would have settled for the punch, and thirteen and one-third cents-just an even Pennsylvania shilling, of the old time -would have paid for the toddy. After all, we should have thought these charges very reasonable, especially in view of the quality of the cheer. Another innkeeper of Easton, and a contemporary of Shannon, was Jacob Opp; and here, is given an exact transcript of one of his tavern bills; "EASTON, March 17th, 1781, "To a nip of Toddy 10 dolls "Cash 8 dolls "Cash 12 dolls "1 bowl of Punch 30 dolls "1 bowl of Punch 30 dolls "1 Grog 8 dolls "Washing 49 dolls "1 bowl of Punch 30 dolls "To 1 Grog 8 dolls "1 bowl of Punch 30 dolls "21 Quarts of Oats 62 dolls "Hay 90 dolls 12 Meal Victuals 260 dolls Lodging 40 dolls _________ 667 dolls "Received the contents of the above, "JACOB OPP Innkeeper." This bill was for entertainment of both man and beast-the human guest being one of the States agents, traveling on official business. The charge for hay and oats being $152, while the liquor bill is only $146. A singular transposition of amounts; being a large sum for forage, add a disproportionately small one for spirituous sustenance, it would seem particularly when we notice the significance of the date-seventeenth of March-Saint Patrick's Day ! This Continental currency had been first issued by Congress, seven years, before, and had, for a long time, answered well its purpose; but issue followed issue, till the amount in circulation exceeded two hundred millions, which volume was very far in excess of the requirements of the people of the colonies, and hence this great depreciation. And so it came that a yard of Michael Hart's calico would cost ten times as much money as would be required to purchase the same measure of the heaviest silk to be found to-day in the well-filled stores of Easton; and so it was that Jacob Opp, Jacob Able, Theophilus Shannon, Adam Yohe, and the other publicans, demanded seventy-five prices for their tavern bills and toddy; and so also, it came that Colonel Peter Kichline could have realized, for the scrubbiest calf in his herd, a far greater sum than would now purchase the "Cinderilla" of Mr. McKeen. Consequent upon the reopening of the "Pennamite war," after the close of the Revolution, occurred an incident (and the only one connected with that imbroglio) which is pertinent to the history of Easton. That incident was the incarceration and escape from Northampton county jail of twenty seven Connecticut prisoners, captured by the Pennamites in 1784. They endured some month imprisonment, but at last accomplished their own enlargement, in a manner which the jailor recounted as follows: "On the seventeenth of September, 1784, about 4 a.m., I ordered Frederick Barthold up stairs in the prison where the prisoners were confined, to let out of each room (they were in two rooms) two prisoners, as there were two handcuffed together, in order to fetch water, as usual; and going up through an iron gate, and after the same was shut again, he heard him, the said assistant, say that the bread which was to he brought up at the same time ought, or ought be got ready to be carried up when those prisoners were to be put up again that were to be let down, and he and his wife were getting the bread to carry it through the iron gate, and when they (the deponent and wife) opened the gate, the gate was seized by some of the Wyoming prisoners, who were hid, at the same time, in a crack leading to the stairs, going up, and that he endeavored to shut the gate again, but was overpowered, and squeezed and kicked very much; seeing that, he called to his wife to shut the front door, and as the key was not in the lock she could not shut it fast enough. He then called to her to alarm the neighbors, as he saw he would be overpowered, and run to the front door himself, in order to lock the same, and was overpowered again, and bruised very much, so that he testes very unwell yet, and all the prisoners from Wyoming, twenty-five in number, ran out, and that he pursued them, and apprehended one." There is little doubt that the people of the county of Northampton were glad enough to be so easily rid of them, and were not particularly rejoiced that the jailor had the good (or bad) fortune to apprehend even one. INCORPORATION OF THE BOROUGH. The following is the text of the Act of Assembly which incorporated the Borough of Easton, in the year 1789: "AN ACT for erecting the Town of Easton, in the County of Northampton, into a Borough, and for other purposes therein mentioned: "SECTION 1. Whereas, the inhabitants of the Town of Easton have represented by their petition to the Assembly that the said Town is advantageously situated on the confine, of the rivers Delaware and Lehigh, and is greatly improving and increasing in the number of buildings and inhabitants, and that the courts of justice for the County are held there; and for these reasons have prayed that the said Town may be erected into it Borough. SECTION 2. Be it therefore enacted, and it is hereby enacted by the Representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same. That the said Town of Easton, out-lots and commons thereto belonging, shall be, and the, same are, hereby erected into a Borough, which shall be called THE BOROUGH OF, EASTON forever, the extent of which Borough is, and shall be, comprised within the following boundaries, to wit Beginning at, the Black Oak on the west bank of the river Delaware, being a corner of land of Andrew Krouss, running thence west five hundred and sixty-three perches, to a post in the line Of George Messinger's land; thence by the title of land late of Barnett, Walter, and others, south four hundred and fifty-three perches, to a birch on the northwest bank of the Lehigh River; thence down the same river, by the several courses thereof, to the mouth thereof and thence up the river Delaware, by the several courses thereof, crossing the mouth of Bushkill Creek, to the place of beginning," Passed twenty-third of September, 1789. Upon organization of the Borough under this Act, John Brotzman was chosen Chief Burgess. At the time of its incorporation, Easton had made no great advances in population. It still contained less than one hundred dwellings, and could not, in the ten years then just, passed, show an increase as great as modern Western towns of the same size have often made in as many months. But, in respect of trade with the surrounding country, its importance was entirely beyond proportion to its population. As a grain market, and as a purchasing and forwarding point for produce, it stood unrivaled. One chronicler says: "The streets of Easton presented a very busy scene. Five hundred sleds, either standing in the streets, or passing through them, was an ordinary occurrence, and sometimes from fifteen to twenty thousand bushels of grain were received by the merchants in one day. The mills and storehouses were crowded, and oftentimes overloaded, with their precious burden" The town was especially important as a grain and flour market, not only because it afforded-for that day-unusual facilities is a shipping point, but also because, on Bushkill Creek, were the, best water-powers, in many miles, in either State, and most of the grain from the two contiguous counties in New Jersey, as well as from all Northampton and the Wyoming Valley, came to Easton to he ground at the mills, and thence forwarded to Philadelphia by the boats upon the Delaware.1 And although a traveller who visited Northampton county at that time wrote that, "the farmers there exchanged their grain at Easton for whiskey," yet there is no reason to believe that the farmers of that vicinity were more intemperately disposed than farmers in general, nor that the merchants of Easton at that, period were less inclined to deal fairly and legitimately with their country customers than merchants at other places have been before and since. _________________________________________________________________________ 1. The usual capacity of these boats was about seventy barrels of flour 154 It seemed as if the Act of Incorporation had, indeed, infused a spirit of enterprise into the town, arid was conducive to its growth, for it is sure that improvements came thick and fast in the train of the charter. In the next year-1790-the first approach towards city customs, appeared in the laying of a pavement from the Court House Square to Opp's tavern, which stood at the corner of Northampton and Hamilton streets, where the Central Hotel now stands, Adam Yohe's inn was diagonally opposite this, on the southwest corner. Soon after (in 1792) a building was erected for the safe keeping of the county records. Of this building, Hopkinson says: "It is perfectly fire-proof; it is one-story high, an oblong form, with a wide entry through the middle, communicating with two spacious rooms on each side; each of the rooms is arched over, the floors are all plastered, the casements of the windows ire of stone, and the whole of the doors and shutters axe of iron." Its location was in the southeast corner of the Square, on the second lot from that corner of Third street, where the office of the Central Express now is. BRIDGES AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. In the summer of the same year, the Hamilton Street Bridge over Bushkill; which had been superintended by Messrs. Kichline1 and Moore, and had been "raised" at such in expenditure of rum and cider (in 1762), was replaced by a three-arched bridge of stone, and, immediately following this came the establishment of Easton's first Post Office, March 20th, 1793. It was first located near the southeast corner of the Public Square, and the Postmaster was Henry Spering. That the Eastonians of that day were not greatly given to epistolary indulgence, is shown by the fact that the first years receipts amounted to only thirty-three dollars. Notwithstanding which, it was an event of prime importance in its connection with, and bearing on the progress and advancement of the town. The year 1793, saw the establishment of the first printing office and newspaper in the borough, by Jacob Weygandt. The paper was a very small and insignificant sheet, and was printed in the German language. Not much is known of it, but its circulation was probably very limited, for the tastes of those German inhabitants did not run in the direction of newspapers; and as for the job printing branch of the business, it must hive been small indeed. Up to this time, Northampton street had been opened only from the river, up as far as the present line of Fifth street, but it was now extended westward over the hill; not at the full width which it carried at its lower end, but sufficiently wide to admit the passage of a single vehicle. It was not then, as now, the principal street, of the town, that precedence belonged to Ferry street, for over it was, laid the direct route from Jersey, by the ferry, and thence by the county road, to Bethlehem and Reading. As long as the ferry continued to be the inter-state thoroughfare from shore to shore at this point, Ferry street was the main highway of the town but when, about the time of which we are writing, the project of a bridge serf the Delaware was conceived, and when, a little latter, a company was incorporated2 for the realization of that project, and when, after its organization, the present location of the bridge was determined on the sceptre of chief importance gradually passed from Ferry to Northampton street, and the latter became "the principal and most central street of the town," as it was called by Hopkinson. It seems evident, that those who projected the town, in the interest of the Proprietaries, intended and expected from the first that Northampton would be the main street, and to that end, they laid it out, leading on both directions-riverward and countryward-straight towards the centre of the Court House Square. On the sixteenth of August, 1796, an ordinance was passed, empowering and directing the Chief Burgess to build a market house for the convenience of the people of the borough; and one was built in the open space directly north of the Court House. It was a long, low, ordinary looking structure, but answered all purposes, and it would be, even at the present day, a great improvement on the system of outdoor marketing, in rain, snow, sun, wind, and dust, which now obtains in Easton. Why the change back to the antediluvian custom was ever made, is, and must probably remain, a profound mystery. The first bridge across the Lehigh was commenced in 1797, and completed in 1798, by Abraham Horn Esq., contractor. It stood at the foot of Pomfret (Third) street, was a wooden bridge, twenty-two feet wide, spanning the river by a single arch, two hundred and eighty feet in length. Either the plan of this bridge, or its workmanship (or more probably both) were defective, for it fell, of its own weight, only a few days after completion. As it had not been accepted by the Commissioners, the entire loss fell on Mr. Horn. It was a sad accident for him, but it came near being a still more serious one to another citizen-Mr. Stover-who had crossed it with a heavily loaded wagon, only a few minutes before the disaster occurred. But the contractor bravely bore up under his heavy loss, and being assisted by friends (for they knew him to be honest and trustworthy), he soon erected another bridge, of three spans instead of one, they being supported by two stone piers in the river, between the abutments. In the eleven years preceding 1800, Easton made excellent advance in population and importance, and when site commenced the present century, and entered upon the fiftieth year of her existence, she bore but faint resemblance to the straggling settlement which, in the days of Parsons and Vernon, had clustered between the Square find the river, and of which Jacob Arndt spoke so contemptuously when, in 1760, be hitched his horse to one of the forest trees, while he transacted his business with the county officials. Now (in 1800) it was a town of nearly eleven hundred inhabitants, and over two hundred dwellings; most of them, to be sure, log structures, but a considerable number were of stone. The principal public house of the town at that time was that, kept by Lawrence Erb, on the corner of Northampton street and the Square, the spot now occupied by Broadwell & Conkling's store. The tavern grounds took up the entire space from the Square, up Northampton street as far as Bank alley, and were enclosed by a high stone wall. Upon Bushkill Creek two more mills had been erected, besides those of Andrew Kichline and David Wagener, and, in addition to these, there were seven more within as many miles, of the Court House. There were also upon that useful stream, four sawmills, three tanneries, and a flaxseed oil-mill, all doing a thriving business. Another claim to importance held by Easton, was the fact that even at that early day it had become a resort for people of wealth, seeking comfort and sanitary relaxation in summer, away from the heat of cities, In reference to this, Joseph Hopkinson, Esq., wrote, in August, 1798: "The situation of Easton being pleasant, the air fine and salubrious, and the water good, render it an exceedingly healthy place; insomuch that it has, of late, become a fashionable summer retreat to many of the citizens of Philadelphia." This result was brought about by, and immediately followed, the establishment of reliable and convenient means of public conveyance. STAGE ROUTES. Easton, by virtue of its geographical position, and the commercial character of its population, early established intimate relations, not only with Philadelphia, but with many of the surrounding towns both in the near vicinity and at a greater distance. It naturally therefore became celebrated, far and wide, as one of the most important stage centres of Eastern Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia. There were two routes from Easton to Philadelphia; one via Doylestown, and another via Bristol, but undoubtedly the first route was the one via Doylestown, and was established in 1796, by Frederick Nicholas, of Easton. In saying the first route, we do not mean to affirm that Frederick Nicholas was the first man to convey passengers and mail from Easton to Philadelphia, but all evidence goes to prove the line established by him the first which provided regular stage3 for the transportation of passengers, carried mail upon contract, had regular stations, fixed tariffs for travel, and made regular stated trips. At that early time, a trip once each week was all that was considered necessary; and the weekly mail and accompanying passenger conveyance was considered a great accommodation by the good people of Easton, who thereby looked upon themselves as holding close communication with the world at large. The first arrival of this stage was, by the Eastonians, considered to be (as indeed it really was) an event of the greatest importance in their history. It came into town by ferry across the Lehigh (being before the building of Horn's bridge), and when the drivers horn was heard, announcing his approach, the population, young and old, turned out en masse to greet his triumphal entry with applause and admiration as earnest and sincere as that which the Roman populace gave to Scipio on his return from Carthage. __________________________________________________________________________ 1. PETER KICHLINE was born in the Palatinate on the eighth of October, 1722. His trade was that of a stone mason. Emigrating to this country, and settling, at Easton, he became one of the prominent citizens of the town, being the first who commenced improvements, in the building of mills on the. Bushkill. During his long residence here, he filled many important offices as Member of Assembly, Justice of the Peace, Commissioner, Sheriff, etc. In the campaign of 1776 around New York, he was Colonel of the Northampton riflemen. Lossing in his Field Book of the Revolution, speaking of the battle of Long Island, in which the right raged on the ground now occupied by Greenwood Cemetery says: "Atice fell back to the left of Stirling, on the top to the hills. At this moment Kichline, and his riflemen: De Haas, and his battalion and Captain Carpenter, with two field-pieces, arrived" (vol. II, page 809). In that action Colonel Kichline was taken prisoner. He was the Sheriff of the county who apprehended, and brought to Easton Jail, the twenty-seven Wyoming law-breakers in 1784. He is said to have been a man of great personal bravery, of commanding stature (six feet one inch in height), and of remarkably fine appearance. He died November 27th, 1789, and was buried in the old German Reformed burial ground. 2. The Act of Incorporation was passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature, on the thirteenth of March, 1795, and by the Assembly of New Jersey, five days later, March 18th. 155 About the year 1810, Mr. Nicholas made another step forward, and began making trips every two days, making Doylestown the layover station. This continued until about 1815, when the people of the town were elated by the (then) astonishing fact of a daily line to Philadelphia. We are not able to determine positively whether this daily line was started by and during the lifetime of Frederick Nicholas or not, but are inclined to think it was; be that as it, may, he was undoubtedly an enterprising, pushing man, a good citizen, and one who did his share toward developing the interests of his town. After the death of Mr. Nicholas, the date of which we are unable to obtain, the line passed into the hands of his son, Samuel Nicholas, of Danborough; William White, of Easton; Mr. Moore, of Danborough; and Mr. Wilson, proprietor of the Rotterdam Hotel, situated on Fourth street above Race, in Philadelphia. The line continued in their hands, they experiencing no opposition, until about 1825, when the famous "opposition" line was established. It originated as follows: At that time, William White, one of the owners of the line, was proprietor of the Easton Hotel, or, as it was sometimes called, "Chippy" White's Hotel, located at the corner of North Third street and Centre Square, now the residence of Matthew Hale Jones, Esq.; at the same time, Mr. William Shouse, who is still living in Easton, was proprietor of the "Green Tree", now the Franklin House, on Northampton street, above Fourth. Mr. White, secure in owning the line of, travel, refused in any way to accommodate a guest of the "Green Tree". If any one wished to stop there they must get there with their baggage as best they could, and if any one stopping there wished to go to Philadelphia, they must go with their baggage to White's Hotel to take passage, for the stage would not call for them, at least not at the regular prices. This discrimination against his hotel was very annoying to Mr. Shouse, and being unable, by persuasion or remonstrance, to change the matter, and being of an energetic and determined nature, he decided to make an attempt to meet the enemy on his own ground, and fight him along his entire line. With this idea in view, he proceeded to Philadelphia, and visiting Colonel Reeside, then a citizen of Philadelphia, and known at that time as one of the most extensive stage and mail contractors in the United States, laid before him a proposal to establish an opposition line of stages to Philadelphia from Easton. After mature deliberation, the proposition was accepted, and it was agreed that Colonel Reeside should equip the lower end of the route, and that Mr. Shouse should handle the upper portion. It was determined to neglect no measure calculated to make the new line both popular and successful. New and elegantly painted and equipped Troy coaches were put upon the route, drawn by the most perfectly matched and swift teams of horses that could be found. From the first, the proprietors of the new line were aware that if they won in their undertaking they must do it by merit alone, and merit in their case had but two definitions, convenience and speed. The proprietors of the old line were able men, determined and energetic, and, in addition, had the advantage of the steady perquisite of the mail contract. If the new line could furnish the most elegant accommodations, and at the same time win in point of speed, landing its passengers at their respective destinations in advance of the old line, it would stand a fair chance of success, but not otherwise. This was fully understood by both parties, and the result was one of the most bitter, protracted, and fiercely contested stage wars ever known in Pennsylvania. At first the proprietors of the new line, or the "opposition," as it was called, endeavored to make their trips via Hellertown, relying on the slowness of the old line to give them ample time to make the extra distance; but it was soon apparent that the old line, with opposition, was an entirely different affair from the old line without it. It was astonishing to see how rapidly the time between Easton and Philadelphia, which had been fifteen hours, was reduced. The "opposition" soon gave up the idea of taking Hellertown into their route, and were forced to devote all of their energies to beating the old line on its own route. Both lines had magnificent teams and fearless drivers, for the old line quickly dispensed with the old teams, and supplied their places with the best horses they could obtain. The time to Philadelphia was reduced until, with good roads, eight hours was considered as nothing remarkable, while the distance was made, a number of times, in six hours. Colonel Reeside, with six hundred horses in his stables, put upon his end of the line relays of the fleetest teams in the country, and Mr. Shouse did the same with his end of the line. The four-horse team of grays he drove from Easton are yet well remembered, by many old citizens, as models of equine beauty, and as being of marvelous speed. Mr. White's horses were not far inferior, and all along the route, the proprietors of the old line gathered teams nearly, and in some cases, more than equal to the "opposition." The relay stations were Bucksville, Doylestown, and Willow Grove. Exciting are the stories told of that contest; how the eager drivers, lashing their horses to a dead run, would continue the pace for miles, up hill and down, from station to station, while, for an hour before their arrival, the fresh team stood, all harnessed and waiting, in the care of ready attendants, who had the tired horses unhitched and the fresh ones attached, ere yet the dust had settled in the road over which the stage had so rapidly passed. A moment, and they were off again, at a gallop, eager to come in first at the next station. Between the two Easton teams the contest was particularly exciting. Mr. Shouse's team, on the level, was a trifle the most rapid, but Mr. White's driver, bold and fearless, and determined not to be beaten, and having also a lower carriage, took the breeching from the harness of his horses, and let them run at breakneck speed down the steepest hills. This the proprietor of the "opposite" could not do with their more elevated Troy coaches, and in this way the old line gained in descending the hills what they lost on the level, although at a fearful risk to life and limb. It often happened that the rival stages came into town at the same time, and there are yet many who can remember how the boys, and sometimes grown people as well, would flock to the vicinity of the old Chain Bridge to see them come into town. The old line, perhaps, a trifle ahead, descending the hill, across the Lehigh, at headlong speed, while the "opposition," slightly behind, but also descending rapidly, though not at a run, would creep up fast. The foot of the hill being reached, and both striking the bridge at once, went thundering over it at a dead run, side by side, the drivers urging on their horse, with voice and whip, themselves cheered by the shouts, of their respective friends. At such times, great, was the anxiety to see which reached Centre Square first, and the victory of either, no matter how slight, was hailed with joy by the winning party. Not always was the contest this close; sometimes delays or accidents occurred to one or the other of the contestants; but with good roads and no accidents, the route was generally made with great speed, and the result was usually close. At length Colonel Reeside, through his influence with the administration, obtained the mail contract, under the specification that he should offer to buy the stock of the old line, at a fair valuation. His offer was accepted by the proprietors of the old line, and the famous "opposition" was an "opposition" no longer. About the years 1825 to 1830, there were, in all, ten stage routes leaving Easton in various directions; they were, as follows; first in importance was the route already spoken of from Easton to Philadelphia; this was fifty-six miles in length. Next in importance, and the next established, was the live from Easton to Newark; this line was operated, about 1830, by Mr. Shouse, associated with J. J. Roy, of Newark; Colonel McCurry and N. B. Luce, of Morristown; and James Anderson, of Andersontown. The line passed through Washington and Morristown, and was sixty-two miles, in length The route to New Brunswick, via Bloomsbury, Clinton, and Somerville, was forty- five miles in length, and operated, at the time of which we speak, by William Shouse, his brother Samuel, and Richard Stout, of North Branch, N. J. At that time, passengers took the steamboat for New York at New Brunswick. Samuel Shouse afterward kept the Jackson House, corner of Fourth and Northampton streets, what is now the Central Hotel. The Wilkesbarre route, via Nazareth, Wind Gap, Ross Common, and Pokono, was sixty-five miles, long, and operated by Andrew Whitsell, of Nazareth; James Ely, of Ross Common; and Josiah Horton, of Wilkesbarre. The line to Mount Pleasant, via Stockertown, Wind Gap, Tannersville, and Howes, was eighty-one miles in length, and was along what was known as the "North and South Turnpike." This was operated by William Shouse, James Ely, Samuel Shouse, and Daniel Kramer, of Allentown. The line to Berwick, via Bath, Cherryville, Lehigh Gap, Lehighton, Mauch Chunk, and Beaver Meadow, was sixty-five miles long, and was operated by John Jones, of Berwick, who was sole proprietor. Prominent among the early pioneers of the Lancaster line, which extended from Easton, via Bethlehem, Allentown, Kutztown, and Reading to Lancaster, one hundred and six miles, was John Adam Copp, father of Frank B. Copp, of Easton. Mr. Copp owned this route from 1820 to 1825 or 1826, Mr. Copp was noted for his fine teams, having always in his stages, the finest horses to be secured, and ever well groomed and harnessed. At this time the stage started at Lancaster on Wednesday morning, and arrived at Easton on Thursday, changing horses at Reading, Kutztown, and Allentown, Returning, left Easton on Monday morning, and arrived at Lancaster on Tuesday afternoon. His headquarters at Easton was the hotel of William Shouse, with whom he was on the most intimate and friendly terms. His coaches were always drawn by four excellent horses, and mounted by the most expert drivers, During his staying term there was no opposition, he carrying the mail between Lancaster and Easton, at a yearly remuneration of seven hundred dollars. After 1826, the contract which, of course, was awarded to the lowest bidder, was given to what Northampton people then called a lot of "Yankees "a term applied to any one speaking the English language for four hundred dollars per year, and none of the old stagers bring willing to carry the mails at the rates named, the route, was parcelled out to a number of men, and instead of remaining a continuous route, was broken up into shorter routes from station to station. Fine horses at that time cost from seventy-five to one hundred dollars. During the time Mr. Copp owned this line he lost ten fine horses. No doubt the cause was overdriving in the attempt to accommodate the traveling public. 156 The route to Milford, via Richmond, Water Gap, and Stroudsburg, was sixty miles in length, and was operated by Benjamin Depue, of Centreville; and William Dean, of Stroudsburg. The river route to Philadelphia was via Durham to Bristol, Where passengers took steamboat for the remainder of the journey, the operators of this line were William Shouse, of Easton; John Johnson, of Monroe; Dr. Jinks, of Newton; and John Bissanett, of Frenchtown; this was never a very profitable line. The line to Newton was the only one not using Troy coaches and four horses. This line was only forty miles in length, and was operated by Simeon Mains, of Newton, the principal intermediate points were Belvidere, and Hope, New Jersey. Bethlehem had but one stage line of importance, viz: the one to Philadelphia, this line also extended to Nazareth where it connected with the Easton line for more distant points; this was one of the most traveled routes of the times, and many a distinguished man of the past undoubtedly rode over it, ere the use of steam supplemented the stagecoach. The principal proprietor of this line was Andrew Whitesell, of Nazareth.1 ACADEMY-NEWSPAPERS. On a spot of ground which rises boldly from the river, and lying on the east side of Second (formerly Fermor) street, between Church alley and Spring Garden, there was built in 1794, the building which was then known as the "Union Academy." It is now very dingy and ordinary in appearance, but eighty years ago it was thought handsome and imposing. Its site was very properly considered the best in the town, for it gave an excellent prospect, not only of the (then) settled portion of the town, and a still better one of Phillipsburg across the water, but it also commanded the upper and lower reaches of the beautiful Delaware. It was called Academy Hill, and is even yet, sometimes known by that designation, though the modest swell of ground scarcely peeps out from among the buildings which surround it. The Union Academy was so called because it was an institution equally controlled by the Lutheran and German Reformed denominations, whose ministers in the borough of Easton were perpetually to be members of its board of trustees. This board comprised fifteen members, and represented the Academy Association. It was incorporated on the twenty-first of April, 1794. The building was erected by subscription, at a cost of £702 10s 6d. ($1,873.40). The grounds embraced the even-numbered town lots, from twenty-six to thirty-four, inclusive, according to the town plat, but the title to these lots was not acquired by the Association until February 6th, 1800; at which time they were formally conveyed by the attorney of John and Richard Penn to Christian Bixler, for the trustees. Great interest was taken by individuals in the success of the Academy, contributions being made from time to time in its support, and an appropriation of two thousand dollars received from the Legislature; but, notwithstanding all this, it languished, and forty-one years after the incorporation, the charter became forfeited, and the lots and building passed to the proprietorship of the borough of Easton, to be used for the purposes of public education. But, although as an institution of learning, the Academy never became distinguished, it was at least respectable, and its establishment was an advantage and a matter of pride to the town at that time. There were two newspapers in Easton in 1800; the second one, called The American Eagle, having been commenced in 1799, by a Mr. Longcope. It was printed in English, and received very little encouragement. A third journal, in German, was published during the following year, by Christian J. Hatter, who was a colonel in the War of 1812. It was called the Northampton Correspondent, find was probably the most prosperous of any of the Easton papers of that date. It certainly was in the hands of an able and enterprising publisher. DELAWARE BRIDGE-LEHIGH CHAIN BRIDGE. The bridge across the Delaware, connecting Easton with the New Jersey shore, to which allusion has been made above, was completed sufficiently for crossing, in 1806, though not entirely finished, and formally open until the following year. It had been commenced in 1797, and was consequently ten years in process of erection; a time which seemed unnecessarily long, even to the people of that day, but which appears much more so to us. A very wide contrast to the building of the bridge across the Schuylkill at Market street, Philadelphia, which was done in thirty days, in the year 1875. It is but just, however, to say, that very much of the delay in building the bridge at Easton, was due to lack of funds, and not to any shortcoming of the architect, Mr. Cyrus Palmer, of Newburyport, Massachusetts; and that when completed, the structure was a strong and substantial one, which, in 1841, safely withstood the tremendous test of that great flood by which every bridge above Trenton, except this, was swept from the Delaware. And now, after an unmoved defiance of the frosts and floods of seventy years, it stands there still, the same safe and convenient thoroughfare between the States, and apparently as firm and solid as ever. The principle of its construction is that of arch and truss combined. Its length between the abutments is about six hundred feet, embraced in three spans, divided and supported by two massive stone piers in the river. Its width is thirty-four feet. There are two footways and a double carriage-way; over which latter, the street railway track is laid, and the cars pass constantly over it, to and fro, between Easton and Phillipsburg. A kind of travel very remote from the contemplation of those who projected the bridge eighty years ago. The total cost of the bridge was $61,854.57, and the entire funds of the company then amounted to but $42,200, which was paid on its cost, but still left the company $19,654.57 in debt. The proceeds of the tolls paid this indebtedness in about six years. The bridge is now free to pedestrians, the foot-toll having been stricken from the toll-list November 1st, 1856. The company has a reserve fund sufficient to rebuild the structure in case of destruction by flood, which seems very improbable, after the severe tests of 1841 and 1862. In the year 1811, the second bridge which had been built by Abraham Horn across the Lehigh at Pomfret street, was taken away, as no longer safe, and a chain bridge was built in its place. It was suspended on four chains, and was four hundred and twenty-three feet in length, and twenty-five feet wide, with two carriage-ways and a footway, railed and guarded, between them. This bridge served the purposes of travel for many years. 1811 TO 1828. Before the year 1820, Easton had taken long strides in the way of changes and improvements. The Public Library had been established in 1811, the Easton Bank in 1814, and a branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania, not much later. The Presbyterians and Episcopalians had each built a place of worship and so the old Third street church no longer held the position which she had held for so many years-that of only church in town. (See illustration of Episcopal Church, Easton.) Of public journals, the Northampton Farmer was started in 1812, by Hon. Thomas I. Rogers, in a log building on Northampton street, between Second and Third, and was, in 1815, purchased by George Deshler and Samuel Moore, and named the Spirit of Pennsylvania Another small paper, printed in English and German, and called the "People's Instructor," was commenced about that time by Colonel Hutter, of the "Correspondent", and on the first of July, 1817, the Colonel, in partnership with his son, published, in English, the first number of the Easton Centinel, which has now existed for sixty years. In 1819, a short-lived sheet was issued, called the Mountaineer, and the Easton Argus, the Whig, the Journal, and a paper called the Exposition, came soon after. The introduction of water into Easton, through pipes from outside sources, dates front 1817. Up to hot time an insufficient supply had been obtained from the local wells, by buckets or pumps, but in that year a company commenced the work necessary for leading into the town the waters of a spring situated on Chestnut Hill. __________________________________________________________________________ 1. We desire to extend our thanks to Judge John Shouse, Henry W. Shouse, and F. B. Copp, Esquires, of Easton, without whose valuable assistance this information concerning the stage routes could not have been obtained. 157 REINCORPORATION OF BOROUGH. In the year 1828, an Act of Legislature was passed, supplementary to, and in modification of, the Act of 1789, which erected Easton as a borough. It was entitled "an Act for erecting the Town of Easton, in the county of Northampton, into a Borough, and for other purposes therein mentioned." This Act contained eighteen sections; of which the first is here given, as showing the effect which the new law had on the boundaries of Easton, and on the taxpayers residing within the town and suburbs respectively: SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the, Senate and House of Representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it is hereby elected by the authority of the same: That the said Town of Easton shall continue and remain a Borough, under the name and title of "The Borough of Easton," the extent and bounds of which shall be the same as in the original law, passed on the twenty-third day of September, in the year of our Lord 1789, and that part of the Borough bounded by the river Delaware on the east, the Bushkill on the north, to a point opposite the alley running from the Nazareth road, to the Bushkill; thence by a line running due south to the river Lehigh on the west, and by the river Lehigh on the south, shall be called the "Town," and the remainder of the territory within the limit, of the Borough shall be called the "Suburbs," and an assessment of taxes for lighting and watching the town, shall be assessed exclusively upon the property within the limits of the "Town." The Act was approved by Governor J. Andrew Shulze, March 19th, 1828. And it was ordered by the Council of which Thomas McKeen was President-that foot-walk of brick should be laid without delay by owners of lots "on the Public Square and on Northampton street, from the Delaware Bridge to John street, on Pomfret street to Ferry street, to Spring Garden street, and on Hamilton street on the eastside from Ferry to Northampton street, and on the north side from Northampton to Bushkill, and on the west side of Fermor street, from Northampton to Bushkill street, and on the north side of Ferry street from Front, or Water street, to Pomfret street;" "to be supplied by curbstone of good quality rounded at the corners, if deemed necessary by the regulator or committee;" the width of the walks to be twelve feet on the Public Square, and on Northampton street to the Delaware Bridge, and on Pomfret street from the Square to Ferry street; all others to be ten feet. It appears that, up to that time, animals had been suffered to room at will through the streets; for soon after the passage of this second Act of Incorporation, the Council passed ordinances, prohibiting goats and swine from running at large, and imposing a tax on dogs, but it was not until some years after that it was made "unlawful for any person or persons, being citizens of said borough, to suffer or permit any horse, mare, or gelding, mule or mules, jacks or jennies, to run at large within the bounds of the borough of Easton." Very stringent sanitary measures were also ordered by the Council, in 1832, to prevent the introduction and spread of the Asiatic cholera, which, during that year, crossed the Atlantic from the Old World, and made great ravages in many parts of the United States. Universal panic and terror were created by the coming of this scourge, but fortunately the epidemic did not reach Easton. 1833 TO 1840. For seventy years the, Hamilton Street Bridge had been the only means of passage across the Bushkill Creek, but had long been considered to be inadequate to the requirements of travel; and so, in the summer of 1833, a second bridge was built across that stream, at Pomfret street, Its erection had, doubtless, been hastened by the establishment of LAFAYETTE COLLEGE upon the opposite highlands-the cornerstone of the main edifice being laid on the Fourth of July, in that year. The bridge was a double-arched structure, of stone; well-built and durable. It stands, today, apparently uninjured by its forty-four year of service, and as strong and safe as when first completed. It forms the principal thoroughfare of travel between the town and the College grounds on Mount Lafayette. The town now (1833) contained five churches, an academy, a public library, two banks, the old Easton, and the Branch Bank of Pennsylvania, five weekly newspapers, thirteen lawyers, seven physicians, three drug stores, thirty-three general retail stores, one wholesale store, five fire- engines, three hose-carriages, two volunteer infantry companies, and one cavalry troop; three tanneries, four distilleries, one brewer, two saw-mills, seven flourmills, and nearly six hundred dwellings, many of being of brick. The grain and flour trade was, about that time, probably at its best. The Philadelphia Commercial Herald, in that year, stated that, "besides the amount of corn, shipped whole, and of rye and corn, manufactured into whiskey, there were about two hundred thousand barrels of wheat and rye-flour, and corn-meal, per annum, sent to market from Easton." After this time, however, although the amount of grain raised in the county increased very materially, yet the products of the Comm. beyond the Blue Mountain, and of the adjacent portions of New Jersey, gradually became diverted to other channels, on account of new routes of transportation, and the precedence-almost monopoly-which Easton had enjoyed, in that trade, gradually but steadily diminished. The Lehigh Canal had been opened in 1829, the first boat passing through it on the twenty-ninth of June, in that year the Delaware Division was completed in 1831, and the Morris Canal-forming still another outlet for Eaton-was finished in 1832. These, it was believed, would conduce, very greatly to the prosperity and growth of the town; but the expectation seems hardly to have been realized, as the gain made in population, for the succeeding ten years, was only about thirty-three per cent as against a gain of fifty per cent., during the preceding decade, and forty-five per cent, in that from 1810 to 1820; but it should be borne in mind that much of the increase, brought by the improvements, had centered at South Easton, to such a degree that that place, which had before been so inconsiderable, became a borough in the year 1840. The Chain Bridge, across the Lehigh at Pomfret street, built in 1811, after standing about twenty years, had become to be regarded as unsafe, and a new wooden bridge, supported by abutments and piers, was erected in its place; the contractor who built it, being George Law, who is now one of the millionaires of New York City. FLOODS. The great flood of November, 1840, is still well remembered by many, and caused extensive damage to that part of the town lying along the river. The Easton Whig, of the fourth, said of it: "The rain, which fell in torrent, on Thursday last, caused our streams to rise very much. The Lehigh, which usually rises very rapidly, came thundering down with her torrents, from tributaries among the mountains. There was considerable damage done, at the mouth where the new dam is constructing. The abutment of the dam, which is but partly finished, was overflowed, the water washing away the bank alongside. The large fireproof, four-story brick house, immediately below the dam was entirely demolished, being undermined by the water. It fell, with a heavy crash, into the river, The water, by this time, had got sufficient head to endanger the whole bank, which it was fast, undermining. So great was the apprehension, that the families along the river removed all their goods, expecting, that their dwellings would he swept away. There was but little damage done to the dam. The principal loss sustained is the destruction of the storehouse, and the washing away of the street, which will require a vast amount of filling in, and slope-wall, at, a heavy expense to place it in proper order." Two months later, the rivers rose still higher, in the unprecedented flood of January 8th, 1841., caused by long-continued rains thawing the heavy snows in the mountains. The Delaware rose to a point thirty-five feet above low watermark, producing ruin and waste on every side, and carrying away, in its resistless sweep, houses, barns, grain, fences, and animals, It was expected that the solid old bridge at Northampton street would yield to the tremendous power of the flood, and people gathered in groups, waiting for hours, to see it torn from its foundations, but it remained unmoved. Law's Bridge, over the Lehigh, was less fortunate. All night it stood against the fury of the torrent, until four o'clock in the morning, of the eighth, when it yielded, broke in pieces, and was whirled away on the roaring waters. The dwellings from the Lehigh River, back as far as Lehigh street, were inundated in their lower stories, and furniture and movables were destroyed; these misfortunes in most cases, falling on those who were in no way able to bear them, and that, too, in the midst of winter. The two wharves on the Lehigh-the last of which had been built, in 1837, at the foot of Hamilton street-were badly injured, though not wholly carried away. The abutments and piers of the Law bridge were left standing, comparatively uninjured; and upon these, a new bridge, of the same construction, was built by Solon Chapin, contractor. This, as well as the one which had been carried away, was a covered structure, similar to the Northampton street Delaware Bridge. Besides the Easton Lehigh Bridge, every other one across that stream, below the Gap, was also destroyed by the flood. FIRST TELEGRAPH-POLICE. The first telegraphic communication between Easton and the outside world was opened in the spring of 1848. William J. Brown was the first operator, but soon resigned his place, on receiving the appointment of Deputy Marshal after taking the census. He was succeeded as operator by J. L. Mingle. The office was first open in a basement on the north side of the Square. 158 The establishment of a police system in Easton, may be dated from the nineteenth Of April, 1848; a Borough Ordinance having been passed on that day of the following effect: "WHEREAS, it has been found that the various duties required by the laws and ordinances of the Borough, cannot be adequately performed by the High Constable alone, and that it is requisite, as well to the good government of the Borough, as to the necessity of a more vigorous enforcement of its laws and ordinances, that its police should be strengthened and made more effective. Therefore, "SECTION 1. Be it ordained and enacted, that in addition to the present High Constable, the Town Council shall, within ten days after the passage of this ordinance, appoint two proper and discreet persons, one of whom shall reside in Lehigh Ward, and one of whom shall reside in Bushkill Ward, in the said Borough; which persons so appointed shall, in connection with the High Constable, form a Borough Police, and shall have, use, and exercise the power, and perform all the duties that are required from the said High Constable, and be subject to removal from office by the Town Council, for any misconduct, neglect, or misdemeanor in office, of which they may be guilty. "SECTION 2. It shall be the particular and special duty of the said High Constable and his assistants, to walk through the streets, lanes, and alleys of the said Borough of Easton, daily, and examine all vagrant, beggars, and such others as shall fall under the description of idle and disorderly persons, by any Act of Assembly of this Commonwealth, as to the place of their residence, and the means whereby they obtain a livelihood; and upon refusal to give an account thereof, or not giving a Satisfactory account, to apprehend and carry such persons before the Chief Burgess of the said Borough, or some other Justices of the Peace, to be dealt with according to law. And it shall be the further duty of the said High Constable and his assistants, to apprehend all night-walkers, malefactors, rogues, vagabonds, and disorderly and other persons, whom they shall find disturbing the public peace, or obstructing the foot-walks or highways, or shall have cause to suspect of any evil design, and to carry the person or persons so apprehended, as soon as conveniently may be, before the Chief Burgess of the Borough, or some other Justice of the Peace, to be examined and dealt with according to law. SECTION 3, ordains That, from and after the passage of this ordinance, the High Constable shall receive a compensation of three hundred dollars per annum, including the compensation for collecting the tax; and the assistants, each, a compensation of one hundred and twenty dollars per annual, to be, paid quarterly by to order drawn on the Borough Treasurer." On the same day (April 19th, 1848) there was passed, in Council, an Ordinance which made provision for the first lighting of the streets of Easton. This was done by means of oil lamps; this being before the days of gas manufacture within the borough. By this Ordinance it was enacted: "That it shall be the duty of the Committee on Streets and Roads of the said Borough, and they are hereby authorized and required to cause lamp posts, with proper lamps and fixtures, to be set up to such convenient places within the streets, lanes, and alleys of that part of the Borough, including within the limits thereof, called the Town, as to them shall appear expedient, and to make all the necessary arrangements and contracts for the supply of oil or other materials that may be, required for the proper lighting of the streets, lanes, and alleys of the town. And it was further ordained "That the High Constable and his assistants, in addition to their duties. as police of the said Borough, shall perform the duty of lighting the public lamps at night, for which service, they shall receive no other compensation than is allowed them by the Ordinance relative to the police of the Borough." Gas was introduced into the town in 1851, and the first lighting up took place in the evening of Thanksgiving Day about the twenty-seventh of November that year. FRONT STREET BRIDGE-SECOND JAIL. The third point where the Bushkill was sparred by a bridge was at Front Street, which gave another avenue of travel between the town and its northern suburb. This bridge is a solid, double-arched structure of stone, and was built in the summer of 1850. It remains uninjured by the hand of time, as perfect as when first completed. The second jail of the County was built in the years 1850 and 1851, on the easterly end of the lot occupied by its predecessor-the old jail of the time of William Parsons. It contained twenty-three cells, nine by twelve feet, and four larger ones; they being twelve feet square. The prison was constructed of the limestone of the country, and, adjoining it, was built a dwelling, intended as the sheriff's residence. Surrounding the prison was an outer wall of perhaps eighteen feet in height. All these are still in existence, and in a good state of preservation, but no longer used for county purposes. The sheriff's house is at present occupied by Mr. George P. Bertrandt. On a marble slab, in this dwelling, are cut the following names: JOSEPH STEVER CHRISTIAN YOUNG GEORGE LERCH, LEVI BENNETT, Contractor and Builder, 1850. It was completed in 1851. The prisoners were marched to it from the old prison, to the sound of fife and drum, and, on being assigned to their new quarters, received each a new suit of clothing. The old jail, when vacated, had almost completed its century of service. FIRST STEAMBOAT. About 1850, was started the project of steam navigation upon the upper Delaware, and during that year the building of a boat, for the purpose, was commenced at Philadelphia. She was nearly one hundred and fifty feet in length, flat bottomed, so as to pass easily over shoal places in the river, and propelled by a stern-wheel, such as that so frequently seen in the light-draft bouts of the Western rivers. The little vessel was finished in the spring of 1851, and was named the "Major William Barnet." Her engines; were placed in her, in May or June, and, after several assurances that she would certainly make her first trip up, on a given day, and as many failures to appear, it was finally announced that site would surely make her initial trip, and land at Easton on the Fourth of July. Upon this, preparations were made to celebrate the nation's birthday, and-what was then of more importance in the minds of many "to give suitable welcome, to the advent, at the Forks of the Delaware, of the Pioneer of the breathing craft," as the papers at that time announced. Great numbers, of people, from the neighboring country, came down to Easton, to hear the cannons speak on Mount Jefferson; to see the Firemen's Parade to watch for the coming of the steamboat. The Declaration was read, and an oration pronounced, on a shady island in the Bushkill, and till the usual forms were observed of parade and powder-burning; but the day wore away, and, when darkness came on and there was no longer any hope of the coming of the "Barnet," the people from a distance became angry, and charged the Eastonians with having laid a deliberate plan to mislead them, knowing, from the first, that the programme was a fictitious one, at least so far as related to the coming of the steamboat. Much bad blood was created, and angry recriminations and accusations of "humbug" were heard in the public places, and filled the public prints, for weeks after the day of the mortifying failure. The boat had got aground above Trenton, and had been obliged to lay up for repairs and alterations to her boiler and machinery; and so many were the delays, that she never reached Easton until the next year. Then the spirits of the believers rose again, and it was not only thought sure that She would now come at the appointed time, and that the traffic would be remunerative and permanent, as far as Easton, but it was, also confidently expected by many that it might be successfully extended up the river to Port Jervis; and a gentleman, expert in such matters arrived in Easton for the purpose of making-and did make-an examination of the river to that place, to determine as to the feasibility of the project. It was in the afternoon of the twelfth of March, 1852-a century and a day after the erection of Northampton county-that the long-looked-for, and long-delayed event was accomplished. The rumor was abroad that she would positively make the trial to reach Easton on that day, but so numerous had been these promises, and so invariable the failure to verify them, that the story was now received with almost universal incredulity. But on the morning of the twelfth, Mr. Joseph Barnet telegraphed from Lambertville, where the boat lay, that she was then about leaving for Easton, and would surely make the trip that day. In an hour, the news was known through the town. Nearly all business was suspended, and old and young awaited the arrival of the boat, but hours passed without any sign of her appearance. She had left Lambertville at six in the morning, but got fast upon a ledge at Hull's Fall; and this, added to her stops, and the rapid current which she had to overcome, caused a delay which seemed interminable to the anxious watchers, at Easton and Phillipsburg. 159 But all suspense will end at last, and a little before five o'clock in the afternoon she came in sight, and at once put on all Steam, so as to make the landing in gallant style. She came to land nearly in front of the Delaware Hotel, only eleven hours from Lambertville. The enthusiasm was unbounded! After the boat and the Captain and the Lambertville deputation had been welcomed by Hon. James M. Porter, and after his address had been properly responded to by Dr. Lilly of Lambertville, the excursionists, and Captain Young, and the boats company, adjourned to the American House. The generous Eastoinans, in the exuberance of their hospitality, would have taken the boat herself to the tavern, if it had been practicable. The cheer was of the best, and the liquors so pure and reviving, that before the close of the session at the American, public spirit and enterprise had been engendered to an almost alarming degree; and Lambertvillians and Eastonians vied with each other in mutual congratulations on the brightness of their commercial and industrial future. The next day was the Sabbath, but it is probable that many of the towns-people, neglected the days legitimate duty, to linger on the river bank, and gaze at the strange visitor as site lay, quiet and still, at her moorings. On Monday, she made a trip several miles up the Delaware, as a sort of reconnoissance towards the objective point of Port Jervis, and on Tuesday afternoon, She returned to Lambertville. After this, the boat ran quite regularly during the great part of that season, between Easton and the terminus of the Belvidere Delaware Railroad, which had been completed to Lambertville. Her advertised rates of fare were one dollar to Lambertville, and one dollar and seventy-five cents through to Philadelphia. It was claimed that her trips were profitable, but it became evident that the dangers of the navigation were too great for the advantages to be expected from the trade, and so, after a short experience, the Major William Barnet was withdrawn from the upper river. Another small stern-wheeled boat-the Reindeer-also attempted the enterprise, remaining on the river some little time after the departure of the other boat; but soon she, too, left the field, and steamboat navigation, on the upper Delaware, was suspended-once more to be attempted, a few years later, only to result in a fearful tragedy, and then to be abandoned forever. RAILROADS. The coal tonnage, passing Easton, on its way from the mines to a market, had grown enormously in twenty years, viz: from 70,000 tons in 1832, to 1,072,136 tons in 1852. Yet the canal, although the artery of such a vast through traffic, had hardly realized the hopes of the Eastonians in bringing increase and local importance to the town; and now, in addition to this, had come the extinguishment of their hopes of permanent and prosperous steam navigation. But, simultaneous, with the disappointment, came another agent of improvement, far mightier in power than canal or steamboat-the locomotive-thundering over the plain, across the river, and through the mountain, screaming out his contempt, as much of the laboring paddlewheel in the rapids, as of the patient mules toiling along on the tow-path. It was in the summer of 1852 that same season when the "Barnet" made her trips to and from Lambertville-that the New Jersey Central Railroad was completed to the Delaware, and ran the first trains to Easton, or rather to Phillipsburg (the bridge across the river not being then completed, but Easton being regarded as the terminus, and so advertised). The opening of the road was on July 2d, 1852. The first train of eight passenger cars left Elizabeth at nine in the morning, and arrived at Phillipsburg at about two in the afternoon, bringing nearly five hundred passengers, among whom were members of the municipal governments of New York, Newark, and Elizabeth, with many prominent business men, merchants, and financier, accompanied by Dodworth's Band, from New York. The Easton authorities and committee of reception, with the Easton Brass Band, met the excursionists at the Phillipsburg depot, where Hon. Henry D. Maxwell extended to them a formal welcome, and proffered the hospitalities of the borough. This address was responded to, and the invitation accepted by John T. Johnson, Esq., on behalf of the excursionists and officers of the road, and then, under the marshalship of Captain Samuel Yohe, a procession was formed, which watched across the Delaware Bridge, to the music of the bands, the clangor of the church bells, aud the thunder of an artillery salute from the heights of Mount Jefferson. Arriving at the Court House, the distinguished guests were introduced to the Burgesses and Town Council, and by them ceremoniously received. A short address of welcome was pronounced by Hon. James M. Porter, and responded to by the President of the road, when an adjournment was had to Odd Fellows Hall where, after refreshments, toasts, and speeches from Hon. A. H. Reeder, William H. Dodge, J. P. Jackson, Erastus Brooks, and others, the procession re-formed, and was escorted back to the Phillipsburg station, whence, at five o'clock P. M, the strangers left upon the train for their homes. "Thus," said the Easton Sentinel of that time: "ended a day, the events of which will ever be remembered by our citizens, and will be referred to with pride and satisfaction, as an epoch at which a change in our communication with the world at large was consummated." It had, indeed, been a great day for Easton; an occasion of rejoicing, with music, and procession, and feasting; yet those who participated in its celebration and festivity, although more numerous were no more enthusiastic than those who, more than half a century before, had cheered the driver of Frederick Nicholas' stage, when be made his first triumphal entry from Philadelphia, and retired up his horse, at the tavern-stoop on the Public Square. About two years after (February 3d, 1854) came the opening of the Belvidere Delaware Railroad. Although entirely a New Jersey road, not entering at all on the Pennsylvania side of the river, its opening was regarded by the people of Easton as an event having particular significance for them and their town, in( as belonging even more to them thorn to Phillipsburg and so the principal celebration of the occasion was held in Easton. The train was larger, and the guests more numerous;, than on the day of the opening of the New Jersey Central. There were fifteen passenger couches, and nearly a thousand excursionists, Mayors and Councils of Philadelphia and Trenton, the Governor of New Jersey with his aides, and the heads of departments members of Legislature, officers of the three railroads, prominent merchants citizens of Philadelphia, and many others. Hon. A. H. Reeder delivered the address of welcome, and it most admirable and eloquent address it was. Then the. procession moved through the principal streets, amid the bell-ringing and boundless enthusiasm, and rested at Masonic Hall, where followed collation, speech making, and music. Only a part, of the visitors returned by the four o'clock train; a large number remaining to participate in the grand ball which was given that evening at Masonic Hall in honor of the occasion and leaving by the nine o'clock train on the morning of the fourth. There had been even more festivity, and more enthusiasm, than on the opening day of the New Jersey Central, two years before. Similar scenes attended the opening of the Lehigh Valley Road to South Easton, in 1855 It was, and is, a road entirely foreign to the territory of Easton borough, and yet is always regarded to her citizens, as one of their most valued thoroughfares. STEAMBOAT DISASTER. In the year 1859, was again revived the old project of steam navigation on the Delaware, above Easton. Surveys and examinations of the stream were had, during the low water in August, with a view to ascertain and report on the feasibility of the project. The report was, of course favorable, for the wish was father to the belief. So it was decided to build at Easton, a small steamboat, to be placed on the Delaware, and to run between Belvidere and Port, Jervis, a distance of sixty miles. Three of the corporators of the Kittatinny Improvement Company,1 viz Messrs, William R. Sharp, Alfred Thomas, and Richard Holcomb acting to their individual capacity were the projectors and proprietors of the boat enterprise. They employed Thomas Bishop, of Easton, to build the hull, the dimensions of which were: length (including wheel), eighty-seven feet; width fifteen feet six inches; width over guards nineteen feet; capacity about seventy tons. The, building of the machinery was entrusted to Mr. Wells, of South Easton Work was commenced at once, and, after one or two trials and alterations of machinery the boat was, on the fifth of March, 1860 declared ready to try the peril of the river. In the morning of Tuesday, the sixth of March, the Alfred Thomas (so had the boat been named for one of her owners), after receiving on board a party, consisting of gentlemen belonging to Easton and Belvidere-in all nearly one hundred persons-steamed away from the boatyard on the Lehigh, and down that stream, passing into the Delaware, through the outlet-lock at Williamsport. Heading up the river, she reached the Northampton Street Bridge about noon; and there she stopped, to allow such of her passengers as wished to, to go on shore. Many of them debarked at this point, but there were between thirty and forty who remained to make the trip to Belvidere. Those on board were: From Belvidere Alfred Thomas Richard Holcomb Hon. William R. Sharpe William Sharpe Jr. Mr. Carhart and son J. Depeu Labar John Smith Solomon McIntire Frederick Michler Peter Fisher Andrew Mellick. From Easton Valentine Schooley John Dehart Benjamin K Youells George Diehl Joseph Weaver George Smith Charles E. Buck Geo. Able Eugene Troxell Stewart Beatty Peter Bercaw Arthur Kessler David Troxell Edward McIntire Richard Williams Robert Burrell Jno. Clifton Charles Arnold Samuel Yates Henry Metier Samuel Schaeff (engineer) George Schaeff(fireman) William Diehl Joseph Losey, from Washington, N. J, ___________________________________________________________________________ 1. The company, consisting of eight members, was incorporated by the Legislature in the winter of 1860, but the act did not receive the Governor's approval until March 29th, twelve days after two of the corporators-Messrs. Sharpe & Holcomb-lost their lives by the explosion. 160 The engineers bell sounded as the boat stood up the river. But it soon became evident that she could not proceed far without greater head of steam, she was brought to shore at the island just above town, and there, moored until the necessary power should have been accumulated. After lying there for a time, and having generated sufficient steam to carry her over the ripple, the word was given to cast off. Just at this moment, the upper works of the boat were lifted into the air, torn and scattered in fragments. Simultaneously came a loud report, which was heard through all the lower portion of the borough, and for a long distance on the other side of the river. The boiler had exploded! Of the passengers who, a moment before, had been seen standing on the deck, with no thought of peril, some were killed instantly, some terribly wounded, some drowned, and nearly all violently thrown in the river. The shattered wreck swung off from the shore and floated helplessly (but with the stripes and stars still flying) down the stream, and lodged against one of the piers of the railroad bridge. Boats at once put off from the shore to rescue the sufferers; the dead, such its could be found, were taken upon the island, and everything possible was done to alleviate the dreadful sufferings of the manned and scalded ones. A gentleman of the press, who was soon at the scene of the disaster, said: "With the rapidity of lightning the news of the disaster spread over Easton, Phillipsburg, and South Easton, and crowds hastened to the river bank. All the bateaux that could be found were seized upon, to carry persons over to the island, where the wounded, and some of the dead, lay. Such it sight as the writer of this there witnessed, he had never before looked upon, and hopes never to behold again. Some of the unfortunate passengers, were blown into the river, others were thrown on the island, and others again, who had been but slightly injured, jumped from the stern of the boat into the water, and swam to shore. Nearly all the physicians of the borough were on the island, shortly after the explosion, rendering all the assistance to the sufferers that lay in their power." Following are the names of the sufferers: Killed Judge William R. Sharpe Richard Holcomb, of Belvidere George Shaeff (fireman) Samuel Shaeff (engineer) George Smith, Jos. Weaver, of Easton Mortally Wounded Valentine Schooley Samuel Yates Henry Metler Arthur Kessler, of Easton Missing William Sharpe, Jr, Belvidere Stewart Beatty, Easton Wounded Benjamin M. Youells (leg, broken in two places) Peter Bereaw leg broken), of Easton Andrew Mellick (arm broken), Belvidere Edward McIntire Eugene Toxell William Diehl, of Easton John Smith Salomon McIntire Frederick Michler, of Belvidere Jos. Losey, Washington, N. J. Richard Williams Robert Burrell, of Easton. Mr. Peter Fisher, of Belvidere, being anxious to reach that place, and doubting whether the boat would be able to get up, resolved to go ashore on the Jersey side, and take the train for home. He had but just left the Alfred Thomas, in a small boat, when the explosion occurred. The appalling event cast the deepest gloom over the entire community. A meeting for the relief of such of the sufferers as needed pecuniary assistance, was held at the Court House, on the eighth, and an ample sum was raised on the spot; so that all that could be done, was done for both the dead and living. As to the cause of the disaster, of course, there were many theories; only two of which, however, it is necessary to notice, viz.: the opinion of the coroner's jury, and that of the Scientific American. That journal, in commenting on the tragedy, said: The boat had been standing with steam up, for some time prior to starting, and had the engineer kept the feed-pump going then, and had he permitted a slight escape of steam, the accident would not have happened. The boiler is stated to have been too small and that a sufficient quantity of steam could not be generated to work upward against the current of the river; therefore the boat stopped to raise steam to the pressure of one hundred and twenty-five pounds to the inch, and, in doing this, the flues became red hot, as the pressure increased. When the signal was given to start, the engineer commenced pumping cold water, and the explosion instantly followed. Previous to the explosion, the gauge indicated a pressure of one hundred and twenty-five pounds. There is no mystery as to the cause of this explosion; the boiler was managed with an intent to commit suicide." The coroner's jury, which convened at Easton on the day following the catastrophe, gave it as their opinion that: "the said explosion was caused by the undue heating of the boiler, owing to a deficient supply of water therein; and further, that said boiler (without reference to other defects which, in their view of the cause of the explosion, need not be considered) was ignorantly and improperly constructed in this-that the gauge-cocks were placed too low; the lower one being below the crown-sheet, and the second, lower than the first should have been; that the said boiler was constructed at South Easton, under the supervision and direction of Samuel Schaeff; that the said Samuel Schaeff was also engineer of the said boat on the occasion aforesaid, and, in their opinion, did not exercise due care and skill." The wrecked boat was, after a time, disengaged from the, place where it hung against the railroad bridge pier, taken to Philadelphia, put in repair, and refitted with machinery, and, it is said, performed some light service for the government during the war of the Rebellion. There is no doubt that the experiment of the Alfred Thomas closed forever the chapter of attempts at steamboat navigation on the upper Delaware. End XLIII - Part II