Northumberland County Area History   Shamokin

125 years
City of Shamokin, Pennsylvania 
1864-1989


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Transcribed for the PAGenWeb Project by:  Bruce T. Hall

 
Ancient Origins

Before the discovery of America by Columbus, an Indian village existed at the forks of the 
Susquehanna River where Sunbury now stands.  It was the oldest and most important of all Indian 
towns in this region.  In very early times, the place was called Schachamoki, the place of eels, and 
the creek Schachamekhan, eel stream.  The Delaware tribe in later years wrote the name 
Schamoki.  Sometime afterwards, it was called, in the Indian language, Sha-ho-mo-king.  The name 
was subsequently written, Shaumokin, and lastly, Shamokin.

The very word, Shamokin, like most Indian words, possesses a euphonious sound and seems ever 
to have been a popular one.  The name soon extended itself to prominent points around.  The great 
island in the river was termed Shamokin Island; the valley extending eastward was called 
Shamokin Valley; and the long range of hills running parallel to it, were named the Shamokin Hills; 
after the formation of the County, the name was applied to one of the principal townships; next to 
what is now termed the Big Mountain; next to the First Baptist Church in this part of the state 
(founded 1794); next to a post office at Snufftown (Paxinos); and finally gravitating steadily 
eastward like a prophet seeking honor the name was bestowed on our city by John C. Boyd, the 
founder of Shamokin.

While there is no record of any permanent Indian settlement in this part of the county, it is known 
that the first highway, the old Reading Road, originated from an Indian trail.  Another lesser known 
path passed through the western part of the Shamokin Cemetery, and over the high top of the peak 
named Shickelemy Point, to Tulpehocken, and then on to Philadelphia.  It is likely that Shickelemy, 
in his frequent conferences with Penn, traveled this route.  Little did this noble chief dream that the 
howling wilderness that lay spread before him. the Shamokin Coal Basin, would some day be built 
up in a busy city whose suburbs would be studded with coal strippings and collieries and many 
diversified industries.  Little did this Cayuga Sachem suppose that a town would spring up here to 
take the name of his beloved home on the banks of the Susquehanna.

Northumberland


On November 5, 1768, Thomas and Richard Penn, proprietors of the Province, purchased from the 
Six Nations a vast tract of land along the Susquehanna and its branches, for which they paid the 
meager sum of $10,000.  It should be noted that this was done many years after Fort Augusta was 
established with Indian consent.  During April 1769, a land office was opened to receive 
applications in the new purchase.  The terms were five pounds sterling per hundred acres, and one 
penny per acre per year for quit rent.  On the day the land office opened, 2,782 applications were 
received.  This rush continued until August, when the number of applications had reached 4,000.  
Settlements were so rapid that it was found necessary to create a new county government for the 
settlers.

Northumberland County was established for this purpose on March 21, 1772, including a territory 
nearly equal to one-third the area of the Commonwealth.  From this county in the course of years 
some twenty-six counties were carved out of the broad domain, leaving the "mother of counties' a 
mere fragment of territory bearing a shape somewhat akin to a rocking chair.

The original boundaries of Northumberland County extended north to the present New York state 
line and south to the Mahantango Creek.  The western line extended to Lake Erie and its easterly 
borders reached the head waters of the Lehigh River.  Its southern boundary is the only one that has 
never been disturbed.

Fully one-half of the Anthracite Territory of Pennsylvania was contained in old Northumberland 
County.  The great northern coal field is entirely within the original borders, comprising the 
Wyoming and Lackawanna districts, and practically one-half of the middle coal field of Shamokin 
and a large portion of the West Mahanoy districts with this disbursement already noted, only two 
of the original townships remained  ---  Turbut in the north, and Augusta in the southern portion  --- 
 a mere 460 square miles of the original 15,000 square miles.

Township of Coal

We are only concerned with Augusta Township, through which Coal Township originated.  The 
area now comprising Coal Township was formerly embraced in Augusta Township until 1785 
when it became a part of Catawissa Township, and then in 1788 a portion of Shamokin Township. 
 In 1813, Little Mahanoy Township was formed from parts of Shamokin and Augusta Townships.  
Finally in 1837, Coal Township was created from portions of Shamokin and Little Mahanoy 
Townships.

This township was aptly named Coal, as when formed it covered all the coal lands in 
Northumberland County.  However, in 1851, Cameron Township was removed from it.  This was 
followed by the removal of Zerbe Township in 1853 and Mount Carmel Township in 1855.  It is 
amazing that when the original Coal Township was established, it contained but seventeen voters.

Although the old Reading Road, opened in 1770 to connect the settlements of the upper 
Susquehanna with Schuylkill Valley, passed through the present limits of Shamokin, this locality 
was for many years practically unmarked by the influences of civilization.  There were numerous 
varieties of timber, but its value was trifling and a long period elapsed before the waters of 
Shamokin Creek at this part of its course were made to serve a useful purpose in furnishing the 
power for a single saw mill; and there was coal in practically inexhaustible quantities, but its 
existence was scarcely known and the time had not arrived for its profitable development.

The first road from Sunbury to Reading war nearly as straight as possible, running over hills and 
through ravines, having regard only for directness.  This old road which had been laid out before 
the formation of the county was called the Old Reading Road.  All the early emigrants to the 
Shamokin Valley traveled over this famous route.  It was the outlet by which the farmers hauled 
their products to the markets of Reading and Easton.  In the late 1700's, a round trip from Sunbury 
to Easton took a week.  The site now occupied by Shamokin was a very wild one at that time.  The 
green briars and laurel along both sides of the road formed an almost impassible thicket, and it 
was said that even the rabbits, which were plentiful, could hardly penetrate it in places.

The 400 acres of mountain vastness that is now Shamokin were located in a narrow valley 
circumscribed by mountains, the uninviting landscape possessing few attractions to excite the 
interest of roving Indian bands or travelers.  The low-lying section of the tract was a dark and 
almost impenetrable swamp, thickly covered with patches of pine, hemlock, laurel, and rocks 
through which a mountain stream wound its tortuous way.

Despite the forbidding aspect of the landscape and many natural obstacles, the sturdy spirit and 
perseverance of the rugged pioneer surmounted all difficulties and hardships in the course of time.

Early Colonists

Several settlements had been made along the Old Reading Road prior to the Revolution.  The 
Cherry family were the first settlers in the Shamokin area, having come while Pennsylvania was 
still a colony of England.  They, along with other settlers, were chased away several times by the 
Indians.  It is related that old man Cherry on one occasion, upon being warned of an Indian raid, 
escaped during the night with his possessions tied on a cow.  The Indians are supposed to have 
burned his log cabin.  James Cherry lived in the vicinity of what we now call Berry's.  He cleared 
off a farm at Luke Fidler, another at Springfield, and several others.  His home later became a 
stage stop and a tavern known as Irich's.  Shamokin's first burial plot was located there.  The 
erosions of time have obliterated grave markers; however, a low concrete wall surrounding the 
original enclosure is still visible.  This may still be seen and is located adjacent to Route 61 on the 
south side.

Cherry's sons or relatives also settled here.  Joseph Cherry settled on the plot near where the F&S 
Brewery stands.  By the division of the Clark tract in 1803, John Cherry was assigned the lower 
western portion.  Prior to the war of 1812, Abraham Cherry built a saw mill on Shamokin Creek 
opposite the Cameron Colliery.  Another member of the family had a distillery on a hill east of 
Shamokin.  Thus, this has the distinction of being Shamokin's first industry.  As far as can be 
learned, this enterprise was begun in 1789, the same year that Washington was first inaugurated as 
President, and continued successfully for many years.


Other early pioneers were Solomon Dunkelberger and William Ducher.  Dunkelberger built the 
first log cabin within the present city limits, while Ducher is said to have been murdered.  Gotlieb 
(Ludwig) Goss had two tracts of land between Big and Little Mountains, the one tract taking in the 
area of the former county home in Uniontown at the site of the former Eagle Run Brewery, and the 
other the Brush Valley tract.  They were occupied by his two sons, Martin and George Goss.  
Towards Bear Valley, settlements were made by a man called "Maury the Hunter" and several 
others.

Stonehenge

The original tracts of land in this area were three in number  ---  the historic "Stonehenge" or 
William Tomlinson Tract, the Samuel Clark Tract, and the Samuel Wetherill Tract.  All were 
taken out in 1773.

William Tomlinson came to Berks County in 1740.  He was an upright Quaker, being a member of 
the Maiden Creek Meeting, although he resided in Berne Township.  He never moved to this 
county, but leased his tract to James Cherry for a term of years.  Isaac Tomlinson, the oldest 
surviving son of William, lived with his father until his death in 1795.  During the years that James 
Cherry resided on Stonehenge plantation, he was frequently visited by Isaac, who was sent by his 
father to inspect the improvements that had been made.

On one of these visits in 1790, the attention of Tomlinson was drawn to the black earth that 
appeared in a cut that had been made along the "Great Road" as it commenced to ascend a small 
hill.  Passing down Quaker Run, he noticed, in the bottom of the stream, a coal vein that had been 
exposed by the water.  Feeling confident that he had made a great discovery, he gathered some of 
the shiny black pieces of mineral and returned to Berks County where he tried them on his father's 
blacksmith forge.  The experiment was successful and thus became the first effort to use Shamokin 
stone coal.  To his great delight, he had found a substitute for Virginia soft coal.

About 1795-96, Isaac Tomlinson moved to Stonehenge and opened an inn and commenced farming. 
 To accommodate neighbors and travelers on the "Great Road," he built a blacksmith shop that 
was operated by his brother Thomas.  Shamokin coal, quarried at the Quaker Run mine, was the 
only fuel used at this forge.

This then is one of the three places where anthracite coal was first discovered.  Isaac Tomlinson 
should be remembered and honored as the first discoverer of Shamokin Coal, and the second 
person to apply it to practical use; not only the first in the middle coal field to use anthracite coal 
on the blacksmith forge, but his Stonehenge smithy was, at that time, the only one in Frontier 
Pennsylvania outside of the Wyoming Valley that used "stone coal."


One hundred and seven years later in December 1897, Dr J. J. John, Edward Brennan, a mine 
inspector, and Patrick Brennan "rediscovered" this ancient mine.  They found it to be a mere 
quarry on the north bank of Quaker Run, about 800 to 900 feet west of the then Scott shaft.  On the 
north bank, a few feet of covering had been removed and the coal was merely being quarried or 
stripped.  From this insignificant quarry in 1814 or 1815, John Thompson, a boy of fifteen, mined a 
two-horse load of coal, hauled it to Sunbury, a distance of twenty-five miles, and sold it to a 
shoemaker, who used it to heat his home, for five dollars.  This was the first Shamokin coal that 
ever went to market.

Shamokin

Other discoveries of stone coal in our region followed that of Tomlinson, but we will refer to only 
one, this one serving as the forerunner in the founding of our city.  Some farmers at the upper end 
of Irish Valley, in fording Shamokin Creek on various occasions, had noticed some small pieces of 
shining black stones in the bottom of the stream and had wondered where they came from.  To 
satisfy their curiosity, they traced these black stones up the creek until they came to a spot in the 
stream between what are now known as Spurzheim and Clay Streets.  Here they found a seam of 
coal that had been exposed by the action of the water.  This proved to be a fine vein of free-
burning red-ash coal, similar to that found at Stonehenge.  The discovery was often discussed 
among these settlers and occasionally loads of coal were hauled, and its burning qualities were 
tried with varied success.  This quarry was on the eastern one-third of the Samuel Clark survey, 
containing about 106 acres and was owned by Jacob and Mary Tomlinson.  While Jacob still 
resided in Berks County, Mary lived in a cabin somewhere on the premises.  This tract was sold 
by the commissioners for back taxes and was purchased by Sheriff Walter Brady for a trifling sum. 
 Walter was an impetuous man of that period and, on retiring from public office, was considerably 
in debt.  His bondsmen, to secure themselves, had this tract put up at sheriff's sale, but the sale 
was adjourned several times for a want of bidders, as the property was considered worthless.  It 
was finally sold August 19, 1824 on account of a debt of eighty-three dollars and fifty cents due 
Michael Zuerne.  It was described as a tract of land situated in Shamokin Gap, bounded by the 
lands of Benjamin Campbell and the late Benjamin Tomlinson, on which there is a stone-coal 
quarry.  A small portion of the land is cleared, on which is erected a small log dwelling, occupied 
by the widow of the late William Ducher.  The western line of this tract ran from near the former 
Washington Elementary School, south to the Lincoln Street Methodist Church and along the side of 
Grant Street to Chestnut.

Jesse Major was the purchaser.  Major was a reckless character; in fact, an outlaw.  He had been 
accused at different times of robbery, horse stealing, and counterfeiting; but generally managed to 
escape punishment.  He was a wandering tailor and was very fleet of foot.  It seems that every bad 
act that occurred in the neighborhood was attributed to him.  Tradition says that at the time of the 
sale, Jesse had just been released from jail at Fort Augusta and in passing by, jokingly made a bid 
of twelve dollars.  There being no other bidders, the tract was sold to him, amid considerable 
merriment, as bystanders assumed he had no money.  But, to every one's surprise, he paid the sum 
in gold.  Coal was known to exist on this tract for many years previously, but its value as fuel was 
not fully known.


Major visited his purchase several times and obtained some samples of stone coal from the creek 
between Clay and Webster Streets.  It is said he took some of these samples to a blacksmith at 
Paxinos and told him to try them.  The smith placed some of the chunks on top of the charcoal 
hearth fire, but the commenced to fly into small pieces when heated and the coal was pronounced 
worthless.  But Major did not lose confidence in his black diamonds, and in his travels over the 
county exhibited his mineral specimens.  His character, however, was so poor that his coal and his 
assertions received little attention.  By this time, Jesse was very anxious to obtain a horse and 
offered his "kingdom for a horse."  Finally, in the spring of 1826, he stopped at the tavern of 
Joseph Snyder, who then kept a hotel at the "Liberty Pole" in Rushtown.  Here he offered to trade 
his tract, now a beautiful part of Shamokin for a horse.  Mr. Snyder declined the offer, but sent 
Major to see John C. Boyd, who was fond of speculating.  Jesse went to see Boyd and finally 
made a sale, Mr. Boyd having first ascertained that the tract did contain coal.  Major was paid two 
hundred and thirty dollars for the property, an old horse valued at fifty dollars being part of the 
payment.  And, with the object of his ambition at last attained, Jesse Major had no further 
connection with the history of Shamokin.  The growth of a town in its early stages was not 
calculated to interest a man of his tastes.

We come now to one of the most important events that occurred in Shamokin's early history  ---  an 
event that confirmed the question that our region contained an unlimited supply of coal, well 
adapted to domestic purposes.  During the early part of the summer, Mr. Boyd commenced the 
work of developing his stone quarry.  He labored under great disadvantages, as his work was in 
the wilderness bordering on a swamp, and the road leading to it was barely passible.  With Ziba 
Bird as superintendent and miner, they built a dam on Shamokin Creek near Webster Street.  
Casper Reed and Samuel Startzel were hired to haul coal in wagons from Shamokin to Boyd's 
farm, two miles above Danville.  John Runkle, assisted by a small boy, Joseph Bird, wheeled the 
coal to the bank.  With the miserable roads of that period and the Shamokin Hills to cross, the 
wagons were able to make four trips a week.  Thus, it took two months to assemble some fifty tons 
of coal at Boyd's farm.

Some time in October, when the river was full, an ark with Mr. Boyd aboard went down the river 
to Columbia, a distance of 100 miles, taking three days.  It required several says to dispose of his 
cargo and it is very probable that the receipts did no more than cover his expenses.  But Mr. Boyd 
had accomplished his purpose and had shown the people that his stone coal quarry was an 
authentic coal mine and led the other holders of coal lands here to have a better opinion of their 
holdings.

The speculative tendencies that had induced Mr. Boyd to purchase the Shamokin tract also caused 
him to dispose of parts of it, in 1830, to Jacob Graeff of Reading.  It was he who originated the 
idea of founding a town.  In 1830, he had a part of the land surveyed and one street was opened 
through the bush, but beyond this attempt was not followed by any immediate or definitive results.  
It was reserved to Boyd to found the town on a permanent basis.  In 1834, the Danville and 
Pottsville Railroad between Sunbury and the Gap was placed under construction.  It was the 
prospect of railroad facilities for transporting coal and increasing the population that decided Mr. 
Boyd to make a second attempt to found a town.  It should be noted here that Boyd was a member 
of the board of the Danville and Pottsville Railroad and also the Old Furnace.  Thus, he was not 
entirely motivated by altruistic feelings.


The Original Furnace

Mention of the Old Furnace should be made here as it is one of the old landmarks in Shamokin's 
history.  Solomon Dunkelberger sold his land on the west side of the Gap to Henry Myers who in 
about 1825 erected a small charcoal furnace on Furnace Run.  The furnace operated with bog ore 
found in the vicinity and charcoal prepared on the grounds.  It was located on West Walnut Street 
where it crosses the run near First Street.  While running for some time, its operations were 
suspended because of the difficulty in obtaining limestone.  However, considerable quantities of 
iron ore were hauled to a furnace at Catawissa.  So Shamokin commenced the manufacture of iron 
at a very early date.

The Tragic Death of Martin Goss

Martin, son of Ludwig Goss, was a stout handsome man, full of fun, who lived in Gosstown 
(Uniontown) halfway between "Spook" bridge and the Rock Cut.  His life had seen no great feats 
unless you consider raising six sons and several daughters in a log cabin an accomplishment.  His 
eerie death accomplished what his life could not; he became a celebrity.

The social event of the year for these pioneer folk was a frolic on the first day of January 1830 at 
the house of Mr. Dunkelberger in West Shamokin.  People came in two-horse wagons, carts, and 
some even came riding oxen.  At such frolics, an abundance of coarse victuals and applejack, 
which all imbibed freely, was served.  Usually fiddling and dancing continued past midnight.

Upon getting dark on the night referred to, Martin Goss being about 75 years old, insisted on going 
home.  His wife being years his junior, declined to go.  So the old man left alone and, in order to 
save distance and time, traveled over the footpath that ran through present-day Uniontown.  This 
compelled him to walk over a makeshift footbridge near his home.  This temporary bridge was 
made of slab benches.  In crossing these slabs, he slipped and fell, face down, into the rushing 
water of Shamokin Creek.  Soon after, his body was discovered and the word was relayed back to 
the house of mirth.  Everyone there left immediately for the scene of the tragedy.  They sent 
someone several miles for the acting coroner, who later reported as follows:  "When I came I 
found the woods illuminated by the bright blaze of log heaps that had been put together and fired, 
and the dead man still lying in the water.  I ordered him brought out to the bank of the creek, but no 
one would obey.  I then repeated my request but no move was made and all stood as quiet as a 
Quaker meeting.  I then walked along the slabs to where the dead man lay and took hold of the 
collar of his coat.  As soon as this was done, a dozen man rushed into the water, without regard to 
cold or wet, and carried him out where we held the inquest.  I then asked some of them why they 
left him lay in the water for so long and refused at first to take him out.  Their answer was that if 
they had touched the dead man before the magistrate did, he could spook them throughout their 
lives."  Thus, from this accident, the red bridge erected near the point of the drowning some years 
later was called the "Spook Bridge."  It was said that for many years afterwards, older residents 
could not be induced to cross the bridge after nightfall.


New Town

On March 1, 1835, John C. Boyd, the founder, and Ziba Bird, his superintendent, proceeded to lay 
out our town.  Kimber Cleaver, the noted engineer of the Danville and Pottsville Railroad, had 
charge of the work.  The street cut out by Graeff was still distinguishable.

Mr. Cleaver prepared a chart of the town, showing that its boundaries were Dewart Street on the 
north, Webster Street on the south, Pearl Street on the east, and Orange Street on the west.  The 
part laid out included the Jesse Major tract.  The first sales of lots fronted on Sunbury, Shamokin, 
Commerce, and Franklin Streets, while on Independence Street, now our leading street, not a lot 
was sold because of the hemlock swamp.  There were about 200 lots on the map, which at $12 
each, would have netted the founder approximately $32,000, had they all sold out.

After the survey of the town was completed, some difficulty occurred in getting a name for this 
sylvan yet houseless town.  The name Marian was first selected but owing to widespread 
objections was never used.  So our present city was still referred to as "Boyd's Stone-coal 
Quarry," "Boydtown," and "New Town."

A short time after the laying out of Shamokin by Boyd, a Sunbury syndicate, composed of McCarty, 
Warner, Davis, and Jordan, having acquired to the balance of the Clark estate, proceeded to lay 
out another town, naming it Groveville.  This venture was not successful and few lots were sold.  
The syndicate was finally obliged to sell out their interest to another and more successful party 
when the two towns were united.  Soon after, the lower town dropped Groveville and adopted 
Boyd's second choice for his town  --- Shamokin.  But despite naming the joint town Shamokin, the 
people did not accept the name for many years afterward, invariably calling it "New Town."

Prior to laying out the proposed town of Shamokin, the material for the first house was framed and 
fitted at Ziba Bird's saw mill located just above Locust Gap.  Thus, it appears that the so-called 
modern idea of pre-cut homes is not so new or novel.  On March 1, 1835, two teams hauled the 
material to the corner of Shamokin and Commerce Streets and two carpenters erected the building. 
 This building had no foundation and, instead, it was set on props.  Within five weeks, Ziba Bird 
and family moved into it although it was not yet plastered.  The building later became part of the 
National Hotel and later the site of the Odd Fellows' building.  Mr. Bird promptly erected a 
second house on the opposite side of the street, moved into it, and finished the first by the addition 
of a cellar and foundation walls.  He then moved back into the original home. Shortly after this, the 
Birds were blessed by the birth of a daughter  --- the first child born in Shamokin.

The second house is also entitled to some mention.  Shamokin's first tavern was opened in it by 
Joseph Snyder of Rush Township, on July 9, 1835, and the first male child of Shamokin was born 
there the following year.  In honor of the event, John C. Boyd presented the boy, John Boyd 
Snyder, with a valuable town lot.

In 1836, there were just five families at Shamokin, the other early settlers living in what is now 
Coal Township.  Ziba Bird and Joseph Snyder resided at the Boyd Town plat, and Dr. Robert 
Phillips, James Porter, and Jacob Mowry in the lower part of the town.

The doctor mentioned above kept a tavern in a house standing in the Gap, opposite the Cameron 
(Glen Burn) breaker.  The good doctor acted in a double capacity.  To the sick he gave jalap and 
calomel; and to the thirsty, measured drinks of whiskey and mountain water.  He was equal to all 
occasions and his jokes and stories were freely given to one and all.  Needless to say, he was a 
very popular fellow.

Initial Coal Companies

During the late summer of this year, George Heckert, an attorney of Lancaster, in company with 
Mr. Park, made a visit to the coal regions on horseback.  They commenced their investigations at 
the mines on Zerbe Run, now Treverton, where James Renney had opened his famous drift, and 
lodged there all night at his log cabin.  The next day they rode to Shamokin, then a town of two 
houses in the woods, and stopped with Mr. Snyder in his new tavern.  They remained here several 
days, carefully inspecting the coal openings that had been made in this vicinity.  From here they 
proceeded to Girardville, the northern terminus of the Girard Road, and then to Pottsville, where 
they met the famous Burd Patterson.  With him, they held a long consultation about coal lands and 
their values.  From these observations, they decided in favor of the Shamokin region and 
purchased the celebrated Blue Ridge tract, containing 848 acres, one of the best in the entire coal 
field.  This was the Lancaster Company and Jacob Mowry was the superintendent who opened 
their mines.  One Saturday evening, the men working here were detained until dusk and on walking 
to town were followed by an animal they supposed to be a large dog.  Later, to their surprise, it 
was discovered to be a panther that seemed rather indignant because his premises had been so 
rudely trespassed upon.

On June 16, 1836, the Shamokin Coal Company was incorporated with land holdings of 3,000 
acres in Northumberland and Columbia Counties.  The board of directors consisted of the 
following persons: Samuel R. Wood, Philadelphia; John C. Boyd, near Danville; James Hepburn, 
Northumberland; William Boyd, Havre-de-Grace, MD, and V. D. Palmer, Baltimore.  Among 
other lands secured was the Wetherill tract, bordering on the railroad, upon which a considerable 
portion of our town, particularly Springfield, was afterwards built.  Here, a few years later, the 
company opened their colliery on the eastern side of the railroad.

The First Railroad


The latter part of the previous year had seen the completion of the Danville and Pottsville 
Railroad, from Sunbury to Paxinos.  Shamokin was still a woodland without roads or streets 
except for the Great Road and the graded railroad bed running to Paxinos.  However, some 
improvements were undertaken as coal was discovered and drifts were opened.  A hundred or 
more tons were mined and hauled by teams to Paxinos, and there loaded in small railroad cars and 
sent to Sunbury by horsepower.

Next year, a third house appeared in Shamokin  --- a one-story frame building, located on Dewart 
Street, that Mr. Boyd have moved here from the country.  This became a schoolhouse and the first 
school in the Shamokin area was opened here with Abia John as teacher.  His salary was $8.00 
and board per month.  In addition to teaching, he had to fulfill the job of janitor.  This year also 
saw the community's first marriage.  Joseph Bird, a town pioneer, married Rebecca Kram, 
daughter of Jacob Kram.  The bride was presented with a corner lot by the town's founder, John C. 
Boyd.  It was this year that Coal Township was erected, embracing all of the coal territory in 
Northumberland County with Little Mountain as the northern boundary and Line Mountain as the 
southern boundary.  Also, a few blocks of Sunbury Street and Shamokin Street from Sunbury Street 
to the railroad were opened and graded.

The railroad extending from Sunbury to Shamokin was completed in August 1838.  Strap iron 
bands imported from England were laid on oak rails as part of the trackage, T-rails being unknown 
at this time.

A great crowd assembled to witness the first trip to Sunbury.  Men, women, and children from near 
and far, attired in their Sunday best, were present to enjoy the novel spectacle.  One "Dutchman" 
from the valley, who was noted for his great strength, was nonplussed when he failed to lift the 
little wood-burning locomotive named "North Star."  This engine had been built in Philadelphia, 
shipped by canal to Sunbury, assembled there, and then towed to Shamokin for this auspicious 
event.  Two passenger cars, named "Shamokin" and "Mahanoy," each with twenty-person 
capacity, and about thirty other trucks equipped with seats, were attached to the train.  When the 
engine blew steam from the exhaust, the crowd fell back to a respectful distance, viewing the 
strange object with mixed awe and curiosity.  The first passenger train, with everyone traveling for 
free, finally started on its way to Sunbury amid deafening cheers and hurrahs.  Despite the 
protection of umbrellas, most passengers returned from the trip with their clothes burned full of 
holes.

The wood-burning engines was quite small.  They were stoked with wood and would eject 
showers of sparks from their funnels.  The sparks would serve, in a manner, to light the way.  In 
fact, they produced the only light then possible, except for a few lanterns attached to the train.  But 
these sparks also burned the caps and clothing of the crew.  The lengthy shift brought a daily salary 
of $2.00 for engineers, $1.50 for firemen, and $1.00 for brakemen.  After replacing burnt clothing 
and paying for board, there was not much left.

Later, during the shipping season, this locomotive and its mate, the "Mountaineer," made two trips 
daily to Sunbury, hauling about forty cars of coal and bringing back the "empties" loaded with 
supplies for the town.  However, the engines were too heavy for the type of rail used and 
frequently left the track.  Horsepower was eventually substituted.  A caboose, called the "Black 
Hawk," was used for passenger travel whenever there were passengers to haul.


During 1838, coal was mined at the following places: At the Gap on the east side by Yoxtheimer; 
on the west side by Purdy & Co.; at Buck Ridge, at the furnace; and the flat-vein back of Rock 
Street.  John Boyd, having a drift near his original stone coal quarry, built a lateral line to the 
railroad.  This mine was later known to the pioneers as the "Sauerkraut Works" and was operated 
by William Fagley.

Early Homes

Thirty-one homes were soon erected and Jehu John, of Shamokin Township, opened the first store 
in part of Shamokin's first house.  The eighth home was erected by George Shipe at Sunbury and 
Franklin Streets.  Mr. Shipe has left us with this description: "I came to Shamokin in the spring of 
1838 and built a home 16 by 24 feet, one and a half stories high, and when I moved in this house 
had but one door and one window.  To get upstairs, we used a ladder, and it was no easy job to 
carry the babies up and down such a stairway.  All the houses built were cheap and without taste 
or ornament.  We were all poor but industrious, and came to this new town to better our 
condition."

John C. Boyd put up two saw mills to provide lumber for the improvements underway, one being 
on Coal Run and the other on Shamokin Street opposite Webster Street.

Free School Election

To decide the contested question of free schools, a special election was held at Weikel's tavern in 
East Cameron Township (the then place of election in Coal Township).  The Shamokin area 
voters, led by Kimber Cleaver and Jonas L. Giliger, carried the free school question by a small 
majority.  This was in spite of those south of Mahanoy Mountain who were bitterly opposed to the 
measure.  Upon election of a school board, the District was divided into eight subdistricts.  The 
following year, construction of a two-story brick school building on Sunbury Street was begun.  
This was afterward the eastern part of the Central Schoolhouse.  The school was finally completed 
in February 1840 for the magnificant sum of $600.

Post Office

During 1839, the area boomed.  A number of mines were opened; several rosds were graded; a 
large number of homes were constructed; and there was a great need for labor.  Lots came into 
demand, and numerous people came here and bought sites for speculation.  A new market was 
erected for the farmers od adjoining townships, and the so-called "New Town" was the rising 
town of the area.  This year also saw the erection of a brick house by Daniel Evert, the first of that 
material in Shamokin.  At this time, the nearest post office was located in Paxinos, although it was 
called the Shamokin Post Office.  This inconvenience led to repeated requests for the 
establishment of our own Post Office, and finally the Coal Post Office was created and William 
Fegely appointed as the Postmaster.  The Post Office was in Mr. Fegely's store with service 
provided only three days a week.  A letter to Sunbury cost 61/4 cents and was optional with the 
sender wether the postage should be prepaid or not.

1840

Another year passing, the town continued to flourish, but a change was evidently approaching.  But 
at this time, progress still seemed favorable to the people of the area as the advance of the past 
few years was looked upon as marvelous.  Already, Shamokin numbered about 500 inhabitants.

Our region at this period was a wonderful area for hunting and fishing.  The woods between 
Shamokin and Mount Carmel abounded with deer, bears, and smaller game; while Shamokin Creek 
teemed with pike, sunfish, suckers, and eel.  Coal Run, Quaker Run, Buck Run, and Carbon Run 
were filled with trout.  There was no trouble then to catch a nice string of fish in a very short time, 
the water of these streams being pure and clear.

It happened also at this time that some men were engaged in digging the foundation of a new 
foundry.  This foundry was being located at the site of the present Shamokin Reality Building.  
While digging, the skeleton of a man, his pistol, and some silver were discovered.  The skeleton 
was supposed to be that of a peddler from Mahanoy who had been missing for some years.  It is 
thought that he was murdered for his money.

Anthracite Furnace

The foundry, here located, was among the first in the county.  It was owned by the Shamokin Coal 
& Iron Company which had been incorporated in June 1836 and began shipping coal in 1839.  At 
this time, the company owned some forty thousand acres of coal and iron lands, Several drifts 
were opened opposite the furnace, and a lateral road was put in to connect with the Danville and 
Pottsville Railroad.  By July of 1841, they had shipped three hundred thousand tons of coal, mining 
about twwo hundred tons a day during the shipping season.  The following is a description in part 
of the Anthracite Furnace taken from the North American of 1842.

"This furnace, erected on the property of the company, at the village of Shamokin, is now in full 
blast, under the charge of William Firmstone, turning out pig metal of the very best quality.  The 
machinery performs admirably.  The forest has given place to the march of civilization, and the 
wilderness has been made to bloom as the rose.  Shamokin now contains more than six hundred 
inhabitants, nearly three hundred of whom are scholars in the Sunday School, and it is destined, at 
a now distant period, to become a large and flourishing town.  Few places possess greater 
advantages for prosecuting the coal and iron business."


On May 24, 1842, a fire broke out at the foundry , that burned down the casting house, hoisting 
equipment, and part of the boiler house.  This fire had the distinction of being the budding 
community's first fire.  While fought by a "bucket brigade," in reality the fire burned itself out.  A 
few weeks later the foundry's furnace itself blew out.  Sometime shortly after the fire, the company 
failed and Benjamin H. Yarnell of Philadelphia was appointed assignee.  Several parties 
afterwards attempted unsuccessfully to run the furnace, and in 1845 it was sold at sheriff's sale. It 
remained idle for a number of years, until it was started up again about 1855 and continued running 
with varied success until 1872 when it was finally blown out.

Reverting in time once again, the year 1841 opened with some prospect of an increased coal 
tonage, but business in general was greatly depressed by the free tariff then in force.

The locomotive had been repaired and additional coal cars had bee built, but unfortunately the 
wooden railroad could not stand the weight of the engines.  The shrinkage and decay of the 
superstructure, the spreading outward of the rails on the curves, and the "Snakeheads" formed by 
the loosening of the strap iron, led to frequent derailment of the trains.  These constant derailments 
led to the establishment of work crews every few miles from here to Sunbury.

The increasing impairment of the road led many to advise a return to horse power.  Despite these 
handicaps, the coal shipment that year reached 22,154 tons, the highest ever by the Danville and 
Pottsville Railroad.

The year 1812 opened with a series of misfortunes and Shamokin reached a very low ebb in its 
prosperity.  The railroad failed and appointed Samuel R. Wood, Sequestrator.  The two engines 
and two passenger cars were sold and taken away, and our historic road forever closed its 
troubled career.

The Fagely Reign

William and Reuben Fagely, who had been hired to put in a turning-table and some lateral roads, 
were familiar with the workings of the railroad and its officers.  They leased the road for ten years 
and converted it to horse power.


The brothers had come to Shamokin in 1838 and erected a storehouse and commenced store 
keeping the following year.  Within three years of their arrival, they opened "Tape Vein" in the 
Gap.  At this time, Purdy and Jordan operated on the west side, and Yoxtheimer and Snyder on the 
east side.  The industrious brothers soon assumed control of both operations.  In the next few 
years, the Fagely's carried on nearly all the business of the community.  They mined and shipped 
all the coal, bought and sold most of the goods, furnished provisions, and gave employment to 
labor.  During the shipping season, the men employed labored at the mines or hauled coal to 
Sunbury.  In the winter months, they worked in the woods to prepare material for the railroad and 
its upkeep.  Taxes, debts, salaries of preachers and teachers were paid by orders on their store.  
Not a marriage or funeral could take place or a visit to another town could be made without the 
consent of "Uncle William."  Childbirth was said to be the only condition of humanity not under 
their control.  A candidate for office always consulted with the Fagelys and, if they consented, the 
vote pf the community was secured.  It has been related that even the sermons were shaped to meet 
their approval.  Their power over their "subjects" was as great as that of Nikita or Fidel.  If a 
laborer did wrong, he was sent to "Goss Hill" to work on a farm, picking stones, until his offense 
had been atoned.  Although the Fagelys held absolute power over the inhabitants, they did not use 
it solely for their own welfare.  People were always well supplied with provisions and there were 
no paupers.  In the time of sickness, through the kindness of "Aunt Kitty," no one suffered for 
anything that could be procured for their relief.  The kind deeds of this good Samaritan toward the 
sick and dying lived long in the memory of many.

The following was recorded in an interview with John Newman, an early pioneer, while in his 
seventy-second year:

"In the spring of 1844, I quit the road and went to the Gap mines operated by William and Reuben 
Fagely, working first as a laborer and later as a miner.  Here at that time there were no strikes or 
suspensions.  A man could have steady work all of the time.  If there was no work at the mines, 
there was plenty at the Goss Hill farm.  A laborer then got from 621/2 to 75 cents a day, and a miner 
got $1 per day.  Some miners got $7 per week, but those were rare cases for exceptionally good 
men.

All work was by the day at the mines  --- no yardage or wagon work.  We began work at 7 and at 
noon all the men were called out of the drifts to eat their dinners outside.  At 1 o'clock, we 
returned to work and remained until 6 o'clock, when we were called out and sent home.  All our 
workings were above water level.  We had no gas or fall of top, and no one was hurt inside.

We had no regular payday, but always had credit at the store.  If we asked for money and if Uncle 
William thought that we needed it, he would give us some.  I think the condition of the laboring 
man in those days was fully as good if not better than now.  His wages were small and little 
money, even of shin plasters, came to him, but his wants were few.  He had steady work and plenty 
of good food.  Living was cheap except for clothing; and such luxuries as whiskey and cigars could 
be had at reasonable figures.  Whiskey sold from 121/2 to 25 cents per quart, and you could buy 
four cigars for a penny.  Drunkenness, fights, and quarrels were rare except on battalion days, and I 
think we were more neighborly then than now."

During this period, all citizens that had money moved away, while those to poor to move worked 
for the Fagelys.  A few of the inventive kind flooded the county with patent rights, such as new 
stoves, plows, scales, patent medicines, etc.  Nearly every county in the state was favored with 
some specimen of Shamokin's ingenuity.


However, the spirit of progress and speculation were abroad, and soon the old inhabitants of 
Shamokin were to have their dreams broken by the restless spirit of enterprise, armed with capital 
and labor.  Railroads were to be graded and laid with iron rails, collieries to be established with 
coal breakers, businesses conducted on the cash system, and a general revolution in the method of 
transacting affairs.  For years afterwards, many occasionally sighed for the return of the old time 
when Uncle William and Uncle Reuben ruled the destiny of Shamokin.



Coal Chronicle

It bears mentioning at this point that the Gap Mine under different ownership throughout the years 
had, in June 1841, come into the possession of William Cameron.  Even today, the Glen Burn 
Colliery is still called the Cameron Colliery by many despite the ownership changes.

Beginning in 1850, there was a general industrial revival in the region.  Coal lands and 
improvements that had laid dormant took on renewed activity.  There followed a long period of 
development and expansion that spread its benefits and prosperity to all sections of the county.  
The new El Dorado of the black diamond gave promise of great fortunes to be dug from its 
covering of centuries.  New mines soon dotted the hills and valleys.  Speculation in coal property 
became rife as private operators invested their energies, faith, and savings in the rapidly 
developing industry.  While the list contains many deserving credit, time and space prevent 
mentioning but a few in this historical recital.

Judge William L. Helfenstein had appeared oh the scene in 1849.  Seeking investments in the 
anthracite field, he came in contact with Burd Patterson and John C. Boyd.  Possessed of a 
comprehensive mind and a great ability as an organizer, Judge Helfenstein soon interested 
capitalists of New York, Philadelphia, Lancaster, and other cities in various ventures in the coal 
fields.  He formed numerous syndicates, and came into possession of the Danville and Pottsville 
Railroad in 1851 through a sheriff's sale, changed its name to the Philadelphia and Sunbury 
Railroad, and substituted iron rails for the oak rails with iron straps.  William H. Marshall and 
Kimber Cleaver assisted in this enterprise.  The coal used in Shamokin in 1853, was delivered to 
homes almost in the condition it was brought form the mines.  The first efforts to clean the product 
was accomplished by cylinder screens, turned by hand, with horse-driven power substituted later. 
 Large breakers made their advent at the Lancaster Colliery, Big Mountain, Luke Fidler, and 
Carbon Run.

The Kimber Cleaver mentioned above was a remarkable man and had, for many years, been a 
candidate for various state offices.  In 1852, his party, the Native American Party, ran him for 
governor.  Needless to say, while he polled a commendable vote, his candidacy was unsuccessful.

It was reputed that Cleaver named streets after Ben Franklin, George Washington, Daniel Webster, 
and Henry Clay because they were his favorite statesmen.  Also, Shakespeare and Spurzheim 
happened to be among his favorite authors.  This unusual man has also be credited with the idea of 
laying the Atlantic Cable.  With so many novel ideas, and so much ambition and foresight, it was 
unfortunate for the Shamokin and Coal Township area that he died a young man.

Beer Business Booms


Early in the fifties of the last century, when brewing was an untried industry in this region, a small 
establishment with a limited output of both ale and porter was operated on Eagle Run.  Called the 
Old Eagle Run Brewery, it was located between Gosstown (Uniontown) and Weigh Scales.  It is 
thought that this business was established in Coal Township by one Thomas Richards in 1854.  It 
is known that this brewery was later operated by Fritz Gottlieb.  In 1870, Martin Markle assumed 
management and produced ale.  Purchased by P. H. Fuhrmann and Max Schmidt in 1895, the Eagle 
Run Brewery increased production many fold.  The Shamokin Brewing Company, East End, was 
also acquired when the plant was sold during bankruptcy proceedings.  Years later, the brewery 
near Weigh Scales was destroyed by fire and the company was moved to Shamokin.  With the 
name shortened to F & S, the company continued to expand.  In 1853, while Richards was 
establishing a beverage concern, the coal business was increasing and lateral roads were being 
built, the railroad between Sunbury and Shamokin was laid with iron T-rails.  Soon afterwards, 
the line was extended to Mount Carmel.  The area was indeed booming and company homes to 
house the workers were being constructed near all of the large breakers.

The Helfenstein Mystery

On the 22nd day of December 1854, an unusual event took place in Shamokin that remains 
unexplained to this day.  The story is best begun by reprinting here the letter that had been sent by 
the committee.

Dear Sir:

On Friday, December 22nd at 10 o'clock A.M. At this place, Judge Helfenstein proposes 
to dedicate forever a valuable and productive coal estate in the Shamokin Coal Basin for 
the benefit of the destitute poor of New York, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Carlisle, etc.  And 
also the laying of the corner stone of a free collage at Shamokin to be endowed with the 
proceeds of another coal estate; and also the dedication of a coal estate for the benefit of 
African Colonization.

Signed:
Kimber Cleaver
Wm. Fagely
Committee:
D. M. Bird
Wm. H. Marshall
Wm. Atwater


A description of the two estates shows that one laid immediately south of the town and was 
estimated to hold enough coal to produce 300,000 tons per year.  The other was purported to be a 
short distance east and was capable of producing 150,000 tons per year.  This estate was already 
leased for a royalty of 25 cents per ton.


The then Governor of Pennsylvania, William Bigler, was present at this auspicious occasion and 
after a short tour of the estate, laid the cornerstone of the free college.  Speeches were made by 
several men including the Governor and Judge Helfenstein.

It has been ascertained that this was the beginning of the "Academy" which stood where the 
present Shamokin Middle School now stands.  However, what happened to the free coal estates 
has not been learned and thus is still a mystery today.

Mansion House

The beautiful building once located between Arch and Lincoln on Market Street was originally 
built by the Lutherans for a girls dormitory.  The original owners had constructed it for the 
Shamokin Collegiate Institute.  The dormitory structure, later became known as the Mansion 
House, had 42 rooms.  Time passing, it was sold for back taxes and purchased by William Brown 
and his brother-in-law, Dominick Lynch.  Besides renting upper rooms to travelers, Brown, for 
several years, operated a department store in that building.  In addition, he operated a foundry 
where the Social Security Office now stands on Independence Street.  One of the most active 
businessmen of his day, he also owned a coal slope at the rear of the Mullen Foundry.  Mr. Lynch 
and his family ran a boarding house with a barroom in the basement of this building during the 70's 
and 80's.  They constructed livery stable space at the rear or east of the Mansion House and those 
stables remained in use well into the present century.

Early Clubs

In 1885-86, Franklin B. Gowen, a bookkeeper at the Shamokin Furnace; A. R. Fiske; Henry 
Longnecker; Dr. G. S. Robins; Capt. Henry Van Gosken, the writer; and several others established 
a club called the Shamokin Senate.  They met weekly in the Odd Fellows' Hall and conducted 
themselves according to the rules observed by the United States Senate.  Mr. Gowen represented 
South Carolina and was as troublesome in his particular views as John C. Calhoun during the days 
of nullification.  This group was probably an offspring of a debating club which had formed many 
years before.  In 1838, in the old schoolhouse on Dewart Street, prominent speakers were 
Pemberton Bird, Dr. Phillips, James Porter, Jonas Stein, Joseph Bird, Samuel John, Amos Y. 
Thomas, George Martz, Jehu John, and Emphraim Mowry.

The Shamokin Lyceum Society was established in 1857 and continued for eight years.  The weekly 
meetings were held in Bittenbender's Hall and consisted of readings, lectures, and discussions.  
Shamokin's first library was begun and through the efforts of Charles W. Peale one of the finest 
mineralogical collections in the state was formed.

This year saw Judge Helfenstein resign the presidency of the railroad.  He was succeeded by 
James S. Biddle of Philadelphia.  The name of the road was changed to the Shamokin Valley and 
Pottsville Railroad until 1862 when it was leased by the North Central Railroad for ninety-nine 
years.

The Shamokin Canal

Also in 1857, a charter was procured to construct a canal between Shamokin and Sunbury.  To be 
known as the Shamokin Canal, its advocates contended that every ton of coal brought enough water 
with it to float it to the market.  Needless to say that the construction of the canal never 
materialized.

The First Bank

The first bank in the area, called the Shamokin Bank, was established on Shamokin Street this 
same year.  After surviving some rough years, the bank issued it's own money in 1861.  Several 
years afterward, the name was changed to the Northumberland County Bank and all of the red 
Shamokin Bank bills were called in and destroyed, and new money of a different color was 
circulated.  It has been alleged that the bank directors partied while the obsolete money burned.

The First Newspapers

In the spring of 1858, John Robins, a practical printer from Milton, arrived and started a 
newspaper called the Shamokin Journal and Farmers' and Miners' Advocate.  This first 
newspaper lasted until April 29, 1862.  It was followed by the Shamokin Register, Samuel John, 
editor and proprietor.  After its failure, the Shamokin Herald  --- Dr. J. J. John, editor  --- made its 
appearance.

Valor in War

The year 1861 saw the "Shamokin Guards" participate in the three-month summer campaign of the 
Civil War.  The Shamokin Guards had been formed in 1854, succeeding the "Shamokin Greys," 
who acted as a homeguard.  The part played by the Guards in the Civil War left a proud record of 
martial deeds.  During this conflict, Shamokin was represented in a large number of regiments and 
on almost every battlefield.

In September 1861, the Shamokin Guards were mustered into the service of the United States and 
assigned to the 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, as Company K.  Campaigning throughout 
this year and the next, Company K fought in many skirmishes.  However, they received their real 
baptism of fire in the battle of now historic Cedar Mountain.  Holding the extreme right of the 
Union lines, the company went into action with forty-five men and two officers.  It came out of that 
battle, an action that lasted less than two hours, with no officers and twenty-six men.


From here on, the company fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam (at 
the famous Dunker Church), Chancellorville, and Gettysburg, after which they were sent west and 
participated in many battles.  Climaxing all this, Company K accompanied General Sherman in his 
magnificent march from "Atlanta to the Sea."  In the brilliant and arduous campaign through the 
Carolinas, it shouldered its share of duty, always occupying the post of honor, "The Right of the 
Regiment."  The Union for which they had fought so long and well was saved.  On the 24th day of 
July, 1865, Company K of the 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers ceased to exist.  
From a military point of view, Company K ceased to exist that day; but so long as valor has a 
worshiper, their deeds will be remembered.  As participants in some of the most desperate 
struggles of the war, they had written the story of their valor on twenty-six battlefields.

The valor of the Shamokin soldier was dramatically illustrated in the blowing up of the 
Confederate fortifications at Petersburg on July 30, 1864.  One hundred anthracite miners were in 
the Union Forces that were confronted by earth and timber fortifications at Petersburg.  Behind 
these solid ramparts, the Confederates kept watch for an "over-the-top" attack.

Miners from the hard coal region excavated a tunnel five hundred and ten feet long, planted 8,000 
pounds of powder under the fortifications at the extreme end of the tunnel, and lit a fuse while the 
Union Army waited to rush through the breach caused by the explosion.  When the fuse failed to 
function as anticipated, volunteers were called upon to reenter the narrow tunnel to investigate, 
warned beforehand that any man who entered the tunnel was apt to be blown to atoms.

Sergeant Harry Reese, engineer, and later a chief burgess of Shamokin, and Lieutenant Jacob 
Douty claimed the desperate job.  Coolly entering the tunnel, the found and repaired a break in the 
fuse, applied a match while an Army division waited in suspense, and returned to safety.  A 
terrific explosion occurred within a few minutes after the daring sergeant and his companion left 
the mouth of the tunnel.  This delay, along with other reasons, defeated the purpose of the 
explosion; however, it earned the brave miner the famous title. "Hero of the Crater."  The 
explosion created a chasm 200 feet in length and sixty feet wide  --- hence, the name "Crater."

As a practical miner, Sgt. (Later Lieutenant) Reese had charge of the mining under Petersburg.

"He was on duty continually, never leaving the mine during its construction.  His meals were taken 
at night on the grounds; and he kept his blankets at the mouth of the tunnel and slept there where he 
could be found and consulted at any time of the day or night.

Reese had come to Shamokin as a bodyguard for a mine boss during the Mollie Maguire disorders, 
then operated a saloon where William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody often stopped when he passed 
through the region.  During this time, he acquired considerable property and served as burgess of 
Shamokin for several years prior to his death on May 3, 1893, of a tooth infection.

He earned his nickname, Snapper, because of his fearless attitude.


A Borough is Formed


Meanwhile, the greater Shamokin area continued to expand.  For several years, a number of 
citizens had been advocating the formation of a borough.  However, they were always overruled 
by some of the "old residents." who desired to let "good enough alone."  During the latter part of 
1863, the Shamokin Herald newspaper succeeded in influencing public opinion, and Shamokin 
was incorporated as a borough by the Court of Common Pleas of Northumberland County, 
November Term, 1864.

A special election for borough officers was held December 2, 1864, and resulted as follows: 
Chief Burgess -- R. B. Douty; Council -- John J. Esher, Daniel Weaver, John Dunkelberger, W. H. 
Gilger, and Henry Van Gosken; Judge of elections -- Stephen A. Harris; and Inspectors -- J. W. 
Young and R. A. Ammerman.  This council went to work at once and enacted a large number of 
ordinances.

Booth's Double

The greatest manhunt in United States history was carried out during the later part of April 1865 to 
apprehend the assassin of Abraham Lincoln.  Within a few hours after the murder of the President 
in Ford's Theater, Washington, Federal authorities knew the identity of the killer  --- the noted 
actor, John Wilkes Booth.  Booth remained at large for a period of twelve days before he was 
trapped in a barn near Port Republic, Virginia.  Whether he ended his life with a pistol shot or 
died from a sharpshooters bullet remains an unsettled question.

Of all the millions of men, both in the North and the South during the unparalleled manhunt, no one 
was more relieved to learn of Booth's death than a Pottsville native, Capt. Jacob Washington 
Haas, late Commander of Company G, 96th PIV.  The reason for this was that Haas had the acute 
misfortune to have been Booth's double in appearance and, on three separate occasions, narrowly 
escaped being lynched by infuriated mobs.

Capt. Haas, who died in Shamokin in 1914 at the ripe age of 81 years, often recalled in later life 
that although he missed death many times in all of the battles in which the 96th Regiment 
participated, and once was the target of a Mollie Maguire's pistol shot, spared only by the latter's 
poor marksmanship, his ordeal, when mistaken for John Wilkes Booth, gave him his greatest fright.

Six months after he was mustered out with his comrades, and several days subsequent to the 
President's assassination, Capt. Haas and Col. William Lessig, his regimental commander, left 
Pottsville for the Western Pennsylvania oil fields.  Near Lewisburg, PA, while staying overnight at 
a hostelry, Capt. Haas attracted attention and suspicion that he was actually the fugitive Booth.  For 
some hours, he and Col. Lessig barricaded themselves in a room to keep out of the clutches of an 
angry mob.  Fortunately, a Sunburian arrived to establish the correct identity.


20	Shamokin, Pennsylvaina  1864-1989


Shamokin, Pennsylvania  1864-1989	19