Area History: A Centennial History - Mahanoy City CHAPTER V - Council and Departments PAGES 22-33 This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Shirley Ryan sryan@enter.net 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 fromthe submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. __________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER V - COUNCIL AND DEPARTMENTS PAGES 22 - 33 A CENNENTIAL HISTORY: THIS MATERIAL IS TRANSCRIBED FROM THE 1963 CENTENNIAL BOOKLET ENTITLED "MAHANOY CITY, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 1863-1963, A HISTORY". THE HISTORIANS WHO COMPILED THIS HISTORY WERE: JOSEPH H. DAVIES, CHAIRMAN CHARLES H. ENGLE ELWOOD M. YOUNG Transcribed by: Shirley E. Thomas Ryan June 22, 2002 COUNCIL AND DEPARTMENTS The first election in the borough was held Tuesday, February 23, 1864, the citizenry casting ballots at the public house of Patrick Ryan, 16 East Centre Street. Edward Boyer served as judge, and Edward Silliman and Michael Barry as inspectors of election. The voters elected John Eichman, Chief Burgess, for a term of one year and p. J. Barry, Thomas Westcott, George Wiggan, William Schweitzer, Thomas Fitzgerald and Frank Roth, members of Council. The first meeting of the Councilmanic body, of which records are extent, was held May 30, 1864. That it was not its initial session is attested by the verbal resignation of Secretary Charles T. King. Philip Conrad was elected his successor. The length of the terms of the Councilmen had not been determined at the polls so, on June 6, 1864, at a meeting called for the purpose, the following arrangement was reached: Messrs. Barry and Wiggan, three-year terms; Fitzgerald and Schweitzer, two-year terms and Westcott and Roth, one-year term. C. Forster was elected supervisor and the first order given him was "to clean up Centre Street". Twenty citizens were appointed to serve as policemen. There is a wealth of interesting information contained in the Council minutes and the development of the community can be traced, in many ways, through them. The following are a few notations from the early minutes: 1864 August 1 - Salary of Burgess fixed at $75 per year. The purchase of two lots from Frank Carter, agent for Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Co., for $500, to be taken out of taxes for a borough lockup, was approved. August 30 - Jacob L. Bricker was appointed Police Chief. A petition from citizens protested the grading of Centre and Main Streets. September 27 - Contract for the masonry work at the lockup was awarded to Koch and Co., and the contract for the Main Street bridge awarded to John Moyer. The borough grew so rapidly that on March 23, 1865, the State Legislature authorized its division into two wards, with Main Street as the dividing line. As polling places, the public houses of Patrick Ryan and Matthew Donahoe were selected, respectively for the East and West Wards. Because of an error in the act, which designated the Wards "North" and "South", a correctionary supplement was passed on March 30, 1866. 1865 January 23 - P. J. Barry resigned from Council and George F. Wiggan was elected president in his place. March 13 - Bridge on c"entre Street, near Catawissa Street, was reported completed and the lockup fit for use. C. M. Hill resigned as a member of Council and John R. Porter was named to serve the balance of his term. May 10 - Property owners on Centre Street "from the bridge near Catawissa Street up to and including Peter Bowman's property" were ordered to curb and pave their sidewalks or be prosecuted. July 3 - E. S. Silliman of the Finance Committee, reported William F. Jones had entered suit for damages, the first against the borough, in the sum of $475.07, done to goods in his cellar and to his cellar wall by floodwaters allegedly caused by "filling up" Mahanoy Avenue. A letter from the Union League requested the citizens to illuminate their homes on the evening of July 4. 1866 Marcy 15 - a list of forty policemen approved. June 28 - All slaughterhouse owners fined $20 because of complaints. November 5 - President of Fire Company appeared requesting Council to procure hose and carriage for company. 1867 January 21 - Summons served to appear before the Court in the case of William S. Jones, vs. the Borough of Mahanoy City. The purchase of a hose carriage and 500 feet of hose from Mr. Stichter for $1,100 was authorized. February 7 - Articles of agreement entered into with the Mahanoy City Water Co., for the installation of seven fire hydrants and connections. March 11 - Council notified that the Court decree in the Jones' case was "no cause for action", the decision being handed down March 2nd, 1867. The Burgess was instructed to bring suit against the Hartford Association Coal Company and Mr. Lewis, its agent, for filling South Alley with coal dirt. April 26 - a petition, signed by upwards of one hundred property holders from the eastern end of the borough, was presented, requesting the body to oppose the vacating of any streets or alleys in their vicinity. The solicitor was instructed to oppose in court the vacation of South Alley, also to notify the Hartford Association Coal Company to remove all dirt which it had placed in said alley. August 12 - Committee appointed to wait upon Chief Burgess Hein and request him "to attend the meetings of the Council, and to attend to his duties before faithfully than he has done". September 2 - a by-law was adopted authorizing the appointment of a "second" Burgess. William Jones was appointed to the office. His duties were defined "to act in the absence of the Chief Burgess or in the event of his resignation, removal or decease". October 7 - The Humane Fire Company requested an appropriation for the purpose of perfecting the organization, fitting up a suitable place for housing the apparatus, and for putting the hose in good condition". Chief Burgess Hein resigned "owing to necessity of absence and the impossibility of attending to the duties of his office". November 4 - A petition requested Council "to take action to prevent locomotives and cars of the Reading Railroad Company from running at the present excessive rate of speed through the borough". December 10 - An ordinance was adopted restricting the speed "of the cars of the Reading Railroad Company to four miles per hour in passing through the borough". 1868 February 3 - West End residents requested Council to establish a "market square" between Catawissa Street and "the Merchants Hotel". June 1 - Finance Committee requested to invite proposals for a plan of building to be used as a hose house, Council Chamber, etc. August 3 - Application received from the Mahanoy City Hook and Ladder Company asking for aid relative to implements for their use. September 7 - A bill of expense was submitted "for holding special election in the East Ward Borough for the removal of place of election from the public house of Patrick Ryan to the public house of Bernard Bank". It was referred to the solicitor. October 5 - The Hook and Ladder Company requested aid to procure the necessary implements to form said company "from and out of the Humane Fire Company No. 1". 1869 May 3 - Wiggan presented the deed of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Company for the lockup on Mahanoy Avenue. November 25 - Wiggan resigned as president and member of Council to take effect December 1 when he "will move to Philadelphia". A resolution of appreciation was voted him and he turned over the charter and other borough papers to the treasurer. 1870 January 3 - Council notified of the organization of the Citizens Fire Company. Its request for certain privileges accorded firefighting units was granted. May 26 - Hose carriage purchased from the Good Intent Company, Pottsville, for $185. November 7 - Ferdnend Metz granted a license for his "Town Hall" for one year. December 5 - An ordinance adopted prohibiting "horses or mules or hogs from running at large within the limits of the borough". Any animals so caught could be redeemed by the payment of a fine within five days, otherwise they would be sold to the highest bidder with one-half of the price going to the owner and the other half to the borough. 1871 April 13 - Citizens petitioned Council to erect street lamps. September 4 - Suit against Chief Burgess Emanuel Boyer instituted for "refusing to issue a warrant to Thomas C. Keegan, borough tax collector-elect, for taxes for the year 1871". 1872 A smallpox epidemic occasioned much concern on the part of Council during this year and it took action to stem the spread of the disease. February 19 - The sum of $1,000 was appropriated toward the payment of the Citizens Steam Fire Company engine. December 3 - The Chief Burgess was directed "to notify the watchmen to come on duty at 8:30 o'clock in the evening and continue until 8 o'clock in the morning, and call the hour during the night". 1873 February 3 - a resolution was adopting authorizing the enlargement of the engine house of the Humane Fire Company and the erection of "a suitable brick building, fronting on Pine Street, on the present lots, to accommodate the other Fire Company, said building to be 25x40 feet, two stores high and so arranged as to make a secure place in the basement for a lockup". 1874 March 2 - A petition, "praying" a certain portion of Railroad Street for a gas works, was granted. November 5 - At this meeting Council adopted resolutions on the fatal shooting of Chief Burgess George Major. December 7 - Council voted the widow of Burgess Major his full year's salary of $100. A communication was received from the County Commissioners agreeing to pay $2,000 toward the construction of the Main Street bridge. December 16 - a special meeting of Council was held to hear the report of a committee of citizens "in reference to the late lawlessness in the borough". Their recommendations, among others, included: erecting of twenty-five street lamps, stringent police regulations embracing: enforcement of strict sobriety upon the part of each member of the force, payment of all fines for arrest into the borough treasury and not to the officer making the arrest, the lighting and extinguishing of street lamps by the police, at fires, the proper disposition of such force as will prevent interference with the firemen in the discharge of their duties, that not less than four police officers be paid and uniformed, and that an ordinance prohibit "the firing of guns and pistols except on Christmas and New Year's days". 1875 May 7 - The Gas Company, agreeing to furnish gas for the borough at the rate of three dollars per lamp, it was voted to place twenty-two lamps at such points deemed suitable. May 19 - Frank Wenrich, chairman of the Fire and Police Committee, was authorized to go to Philadelphia and purchase a new hose carriage for the Fire Department. May 25 - At a special session, it was resolved "that in view of the riotous condition of affairs in the borough, which may at any time break out in open commotion, we urge upon the Governor of the State to recognize the organization in the borough of a military company under state laws". 1877 February 26 - A citizens committee complained of damage likely to follow the undermining of the town by George W. Cole. It was decided to ask the court to grant an injunction restraining the responsible parties from any further undermining of the town". Council agreed to pay half the expenses involved. July 26 - A number of citizens attended the meeting called "to confer upon the riotous fears of the community and devise ways and means to guard against violence and remove causes for theft, etc". A resolution was adopted permitting the Burgess to enroll one hundred special policement to serve without pay during the present emergency". August 10 - Council voted to accept an invitation to attend a reception of the Silliman Guards. 1878 March 14 - a resolution was adopted stating: "Whereas, James Mathias, Chief Burgess of our Borough, has left town under circumstances which satisfy us that he intends not to return, therefore, resolves, that we declare a vacancy in the office of Chief Burgess....and we proceed forthwith to an election to fill such vacancy". James K. Watkins was elected Mathias' successor. April 18 - Special meeting "to take action on the late attempts to set fire to building in the borough". A reward of $200 was offered for detection and conviction of the culprits. December 30 - A "write of ouster" from the County Courts was read in the case of James Watkins and Frank Jones vs. John Jones. The writ excluded John Jones "from holding or exercising the office of Chief Burgess...by virtue of any supposed election to said office on the third Tuesday of February 1878". John Eichman and John Jones were nominated for the office of Burgess with Eichman being elected by a vote of seven to five. 1880 December 7 - A request was received from Captain Schoener for a lease of six years on property on the rear of the Council lots for the purpose of erecting an armory for Silliman's Guards, now a company of the 7th Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania. 1881 September 22 - The minutes of a special meeting called to memorialize President James Garfield, following his assassination, are bordered in black. Appropriate resolutions were adopted. December 6 - A request of the Silliman Guards to be exempted from the payment of borough taxes was refused. 1882 September 5 - The Citizens Fire Company complained that sundry citizens interfered with firemen in discharge of their duties at a recent fire. 1883 January 2 - Council voted its appreciation "by framed resolutions" to the Columbia Fire Company, of Shenandoah, and the Perserverance Fire Company, Tamaqua, for assistance at a fire, December 3, 1882, which threatened to destroy the business district. 1884 April 8 - The erection of a new fire house was voted. July 1 - Contract for new hose house awarded to John F. Schoener, lowest bidder, the bid being $6,775. July 14 - Schoener declined the contract unless an additional $800 was added by Council. The body refused and awarded the contract to Samuel Rinehart. 1885 April 7 - The erection of a steeple for the new fire house, at a cost of $140 was approved. June 2 - A motion to prohibit the exploding of firecrackers on July 4th was lost. The purchase of a No. 2 La France steamer was authorized. 1886 April 19 - Citizens Fire Company granted permission to erect a temporary shed on the Council lot to house the street sprinkler. It was decided to advertise for bids to erect bridges on Water (Market) Street at B and C Streets. September 28 - Washington Hook and Ladder Company refused permission to have a place for their new truck built on the Council lot and a lot "near Flails" was leased from the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company for the purpose. 1887 May 31 - Plans and specifications were adopted for the erection of a new double house house to replace "the one now occupied by the Humane Company". June 16 - Contract for the house house, was awarded to Solomon Faust, for the sum of $5,975. November 10 - Report received that at a special election held November 8, a total of 1, 1139 votes were cast, 1,084 of which were in favor of "the electrification of the town". The Thompson Houston Electric Company, Philadelphia, was granted the franchise for the erection of poles and running wires" for the purpose of light, heat and power by electricity". December 20 - Number of lights originally contracted for increased to twenty-five. 1888 February 7 - Recommendation made that an effort be made to "extend all borough limits", the solicitor being instructed to investigate and report on the matter. October 15 - A special committee was appointed to arrange for the celebration of the "Quarter Centennial" of the borough and instructed to write the Governor, the original signers of the petition of incorporation and former residents who have attained prominence in other communities" and invite them to be present. An appropriation of $300 was given the committee. November 6 - Council rescinded the "Quarter Centennial" action "because of the unreasonable position of the part of the citizens". December 5 - Voted to offer a reward of $500 for the arrest and conviction of the slayer of Bernard McClafferty. 1889 July 2 - A request was received from "the military company" for permission to build a rifle range "partially within the borough". October 4 - An ordinance was adopted regulating the numbering of houses. 1890 September 22 - Resolutions adopted on the death of Chief Burgess James Becker. The minutes of the first twenty-six years have been digested briefly to give an idea of what matters came before the borough "fathers" for consideration. It remains for future historians to continue research to glean from subsequent borough records the wealth of material they contain relating to the town's history. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT In the early days of the community, law enforcement was a serious problem for the town fathers who appointed a large corps of citizens to serve as special police. At one of the earliest sessions of Council, Jacob L. Bricker was appointed Captain of Police and this title was used interchangeably with that of Chief of Police until 1882 when George Rudloff was elected head of the police department with the latter title, which has been used since. Succeeding Captain Bricker were: Henry Leitenberger, elected Captain March 27, 1856; Harrison Derrick, Chief, July 6, 1868; George Major, Captain, March 3, 1873; Mahlon Koch, Captain, March 2, 1874; William J. Watkins, Chief, December 16 Whetson (Whetstone), Chief, June 3, 1875; John W. Hardley, Captain, April 3, 1876; Mahlon Koch, Captain April 2, 1877; John W. Hardley, Captain, April 5, 1878; John Leitenberger, Captain, July 3, 1878; Daniel Hines, Chief, April 6, 1880; Christ Lugan, Captain, March 3, 1881; George Rudloff, Chief, May 2, 1886; Frank Reed, Chief, October 7, 1884; John Hassel, Chief, October, 1899-1917; Anthony P. McLaughlin, Chief, January7, 1918 to October 1, 1962; Laverne Sticher, Chief, December 4, 1962. Page 30 FIRE COMPANIES HUMANE FIRE COMPANY NO.1 Mahanoy City's volunteer fire department had its origin in 1868 when a few of the community's exemplary citizens united and formed the Humane Fire Company No.1. A preliminary organization was effected until formal establishment on June 18, 1868. There were twenty-eight members. Fred L. Spiegel was president, W.R. Yost, secretary and Dr. Phaon Hermany, treasurer. M.M. Ketner became president in November of the same year and remained in office until January 1880, when he was succeeded by Patrick McInerney, Sr. The first uniform was a red shirt, belt and a fireman's hat. For many years, in parades, they were long tan coats also. The company's first apparatus was a hose carriage purchased from a Pottsville company. At first, it was drawn by hand, then horses were used until motorized service was introduced. CITZENS STEAM FIRE COMPANY The Citizen's Steam Hose Company No. 2, was organized in March 1870 and received its charter in June 1873. The first officers were Philip Oberrender, president; Theodore Hammer, secretary, and Frank Wenrich, treasurer. The first piece of apparatus, a hose carriage steamer, was purchased in 1875. At that time the name of the company was changed to Citizens' Steam Fire Company. Funds to purchase the first engine were raised by popular subscription. Mrs. Wilbur Smith, wife of the owner of the Mansion House, contributed $500, the largest single gift, and in appreciation it was christened "Lady F. Smith". Later, its name was changed to "Major" to honor the memory of Chief Burgess George Major, assassinated in 1875, who had been a foreman of the company. In 1879, the company became a beneficial organization. A hose wagon was purchased in 1892. The first motor apparatus was delivered June 6, 1917. Until 1877, the apparatus of the company was drawn by hand. The first combination chemical and hose wagon was purchased in 1902. The first hose carriage was procured from the Good Intent Hose Company, Pottsville. WASHINGTON HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY The need for a hook and ladder company was stressed in February 1866, when it became necessary to borrow the ladder of William Behney, a painter, to reach the upper floor during a fire in the Second Ward. Plans were put in motion for the organization of such a company and it came into being at a meeting at the Christian Budwash Hotel, 138 East Centre Street. A uniform was adopted, the outfit included a white flannel shirt, cap, belt and necktie. The first equipment, which was handrawn, was purchased from the company's own treasury. On February 1, 1887, a horse and new equipment were purchased and later, a pumping engine was purchased, all at its own expense. In 1936, Borough Council purchased an aerial ladder truck for the company. GOOD AMERICAN COMPANY The Good American Company was organized on July 1, 1893. The first meeting was held in Roos' Hall, 239 East Mahanoy Street. The first officers were: President, Fred Miller; Vice-President, John Busch; Recording Secretary; Ewald Kline; Financial Secretary, John Allar; Treasurer, Nicholas Grimm; Foreman, Fred Klitsch; Messenger, John Weber; Trustees, Charles Metzinger, Peter Roos and Jacob Bernet. Organized as the German American Hose Company, its name was changed to Good American Company on January 20, 1919. Until that year, minutes were kept in the German language. Page 31 WEST END FIRE COMPANY The West End Fire Company was organized in Nork's Hall on March 11, 1925 with John Urban as president. A hose house was built on West Centre Street, in the 300 block. It was opened on June 15, 1927. In 1951, Borough Council motorized the company which was formed as a special means of protection for the western section of the borough. LIST OF FIRES 1867 - Spruce Street School was damaged by a fire started, it was believed, by arsonists 1867 - Tavern of blind Patrick Ryan April 9, 1870 - North Mahanoy Breaker burned to the ground March 17, 1873 - Anthracite Hotel, 62-68 North Main Street, destroyed 1878 - Dieter Bakery and Confectionery Store December 3, 1882 - Dipper building and adjacent properties in the 100 block on West Centre, north side, destroyed February 13, 1886 - Large section of 700 block on East Centre Street, south side, destroyed April 3, 1885 - Enich block September 17, 1887 - Buck Mountain Breaker destroyed Page 32 January 16, 1889 - Irish Bookstore April 30, 1891 - Parmley property. A second fire damaged the premises within a two year period February 7, 1897 - Kaier block July 278, 1894 - Graham Store January 23, 1898 - Mahanoy Record office, Eichman stable, Eagle Hosiery Mill. Incendiaries captured and given jail terms March 23, 1901 - Properties of the Hooven Mercantile Company, Hoppes Brothers Flur and Feed Store, Gerhardt Shirt Factory and Calnon Laundry, destroyed May 3, 1903 - Rear of Guinan's Store February 10, 1904 - Krebs Drugstore November 20, 1909 - Knickerbocker Breaker destroyed October 15, 1913 - Kaier Grand Opera House November 26, 1913 - Dipper block November 27, 1913 - Mahanoy American Printing Company 1914 - Frank Restaurant February 13, 1917 - Dipper block and adjacent buildings February 14, 1917 - Friedberg Warehouse June 22, 1921 - Mule Stable at Tunnel Ridge Colliery November 10, 1922 - St. Nicholas Union Church January 9, 1923 - Armory hall May 2, 1923 - Mahanoy City Lumber Company premises and adjacent dwellings December 25, 1924 - Majestic Poolroom and Franklin Liachowitz, Freid and Oberson buildings February 27, 1925 - 500 block on West Centre Street January 11, 1926 - Hosiery Mill and Box Factory on North Eighth Street, destroyed January 15, 1926 - Holy Rosary Rectory, Mahanoy Plane January 10, 1927 - St. Casimir's Polish R.C. Church destroyed February 4, 1930 - 1100 block on East Centre Street, north side August 15, 1933 - Fenton Pharmacy, Mahanoy City Gas Co., and adjacent buildings August 16, 1933 - St. Aidan's R.C. Church, Ellengowen, destroyed February 5, 1937 - 1100 block on East Centre Street, south side February 22, 1937 - Lakewood Pavilion June 10, 1937 - Kirchner and Murtin Clothing Store October 26, 1937 - Kaier Garage on North Vince Street December 14, 1937 - Whitaker Estate, Snyder and other properties in the 100 block on West Centre Street June 19, 1938 - Mahanoy Township High School October 3, 1940 - Scrafford's Inn, Hometown November 10, 1942 - Central Bowling Alleys July 9, 1943 - Calnon's Laundry May 30, 1945 - Community's most disastrous fire, leveling the 100 block on West Centre Street, north side; parts of the 100 block, south side and 200 block, north side, as well as Railroad Street properties in the area. Page 33 March 3, 1946 - Eagle's building with Whalen's Drugstore on first floor March 29, 1947 - Park Breaker (Rhoades Contracting Company) January 6, 1948 - Klitzner and Romak propety (formerly owned by Oscar Skeath) January 16, 1948 - St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church (now United Church of Christ) February 13, 1948 - Noakes and Miles homes, 21-23 East Mahanoy Street October 18, 1950 - Janowitch Dress Factory December 16, 1951 - St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church July 22, 1952 - Lutz Lumber Company May 20, 1955 - 100 block on East Pine street October 29, 1957 - 11 properties in the 500 block on West Mahanoy Street December 19, 1957 - 5t00 block on West Mahanoy Street Octoer 29, 1957 - Old Bowmans schoolhouse (Davison home) December 6, 1958 - 300 block on West Mahanoy Street December 29, 1958 - Janowitch Dress Factory, Acme Market, Burdulis Café, Star Cleaners, store of Herman Coffee (who lost his life) and Stiney Geguzis property housing Heiler's Garage. Occupying aparments in the buildings were Hino, Herman and h. Janowitch families. October 10, 1960 - 200-226 East Centre Street, the disastrous fire occurring just after the community had successfully entertained the County Firemen's Convention January 10, 1963 - Hall of Hall-Reese Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars. .txt