Montour County Independence, May 3 1850

 

Stenciled on the side of a building a block away from the courthouse in Danville are the words "Montour County Independence Day, May 3 1850"

A cannon was hauled to the mountain overlooking Danville that day, fired off regularly in celebration.   After 5 long years, Danville had won, they were once again the county seat.  Even if they had to send their own resident to congress and have him make some deals to form  an entire new  county to make it happen.  

The courthouse in Danville, built in 1871

While the residents of the newly formed county celebrated, and Columbia County residents formed a committee to attempt a repeal - the rest of the Susquehanna Valley was just tired of Danville and Bloomsburg's bickering. 

"It is to be hoped the result may preserve the State from any further annoyance and loss in the prosecution of the thirty-five years contention between Danville and Bloom." - The Lewisburg Journal, May 1850

When Columbia County was established in 1813, Danville was the county seat.  Thirty two years later, in 1845, the county seat was moved to Bloomsburg.

According to the Bloomsburg newspapers, who were undoubtedly biased, this was because Danville could not raise the funds to improve their buildings.  The buildings were old, not fire proof, and in disrepair.  

"Since 1837, the buildings have grown more dilapidate and unfit for use.  There are no fire proofs to secure public documents from destruction. The court house is a brick erection nearly 40 years old.  The sheriff's house is unfit for use and the Jail is indifferent as regards to arrangements for safety and comfort."

Danville residents, at least a few prominent ones,  were not happy.  Those residents then demanded that Columbia County be divided. 

 Valentine Best, publisher of the Danville Intelligencer, was elected to State Senate, with the mission of creating a new county for Danville.  To do so involved some shady political maneuvering. 

The Northumberland County Democrat in an 1890 article summarized:

"...Senator Valentine Best, who had just taken the new county of Montour by Columbia with a coalition with the Whigs, was one of the most exciting episode of Pennsylvania politics of the day.  Best had elected himself Speaker by his own vote, united with the Whigs of the Senate, and he thus effected the division of old Columbia."  

Under "Legacy" on the Senate library page for Senator Best, it reads

" Played an important and controversial role in the formation of Montour County, especially in the area including former parts of Columbia County and the retention of Danville as the new seat of Montour. Negotiated a deal with Senate Whigs, who voted for Montour bill, in trade for key committee seats, thus his political party blackballed from the party."

In PENNSYLVANIA A HISTORY  by  GEORGE P. DONEHOO, the events are  described in detail:

With his singular mission accomplished, Best soon resigned his seat on the Senate, and returned to his newspaper in Danville. [Note - some reports of his behavior on that notorious day refer to his confusion and shaky speech.   Best died 7 years later, at age 57, and one can't help but wonder if his resignation was not merely because he had "accomplished his singular mission" but perhaps also due to health issues.]

"In his attempts to address the Senate, he shook like a reed in the wind - his words were broken and interrupted, like the accents of a man in despair, and void of the energy suitable to the occasion.  Ah, is it not to be wondered that he trembled.  He had just perpetrated a most dastardly and villainous act, by turning traitor to those who had elected him..."

The Lewisburg Journal summarized the new county:  

 "The Governor having signed the bill to divide Columbia county, this new county will organize by the election of its officers next fail. Montour county comprises Danville, Anthony, Derry, Limestone, Liberty, Mahoning, Franklin, about half of Madison and of Roaring creek, and about a third of Montour and Hemlock or the Southern half of Columbia county.

 It is a narrow strip probably the smallest county in the State - but rich, and with the energy of Danville (its seat of justice) will make a respectable county. The old County Buildings will doubtless answer for a time  as well as new. 

The number of Taxables in Montour is about 2500, leaving 4100 in Columbia.

 It is to be hoped the result may preserve the State from any further annoyance and loss in the prosecution of the thirty-five years contention between Danville and Bloom." - The Lewisburg Journal, May 1850

Why is this written on this particular building?  Located across the road behind the  Courthouse, at the corner of Rooney Ave & West Friendship Alley.

Columbia county did make an attempt at repeal, but in the end, decided they were just tired of the fight.  "A wearied legislature eventually yielded its scruples, Columbia was sacrificed, and appointment passed, an adjournment effected."

The Montour County Courthouse was built in 1871. Located  at 253 Mill St., Danville,  it was designed by Charles Wetzel.  The building features quoins, brackets, arched windows and a cupola of the Italianate style.  Postcards creatively depict the building in a variety of colors, although I found no evidence that the color of the building has ever changed.

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Columbia Gazette and Republican Advertiser, November 2 1813

Page 3 was one full editorial against the dividing of Northumberland County.  After reading about the 1847 "Montour County Independence", I found this page particularly interesting. It is very critical of the men of Danville and their motives - saying that there would be no stopping the split, that Danville was completely set on being the county seat.  

" The men of Dan[ville] would oppose it with fire and faggot. They have a hundred eyes as Argus had. They have blinded the people to run forward without knowing when they are going and they will not suffer them to consider where they are lead tug them. "

"They have been purchasing land about Danville at an enormous price, some as high as 100 dollars per acre. 6. Some of them have declared that, unless they were confident of having the seat of justice there, they never would have petitioned for a division. 7. Some of them have declared that, a great deal might be done, with the Commissioners appointed to fix the seat of Justice, that they could put it were they pleased, and there was no doubt but that they would fix it at Danville- "

In 1813, both Union and Columbia County were formed out of Northumberland County.  The County seat for Columbia County was indeed located in Danville, until 1845 when it was moved to Bloomsburg.

And when that happened, Danville again began a campaign to split the county, so that they could once again be the county seat.  And again, they got their way - May 3rd 1850 was "Montour County Independence Day", A new county was formed and Danville was once again the county seat of their new county.

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A CATECHISM

Unfolding the subject of dividing Northumberland County. 

Question 1. what is the chief end of the division of the County ?  Answer I. The chief end of the division of the county, is to promote the interest of the dividers. Every man for himself, is the general maxmin

 Q. 2. HON will division promote their private interest A. 2. By cutting up their lands into town lots, anti supplying them with offices—but, with the greater part, will be weeping and wailing for the loss of the chief city.

 Q. 3. What will be the consequences of division ? From 2 to 3 dollars per head of taxes, will every year do, be laid on the people to support the new county and enrich the new officers. Ten dollars per head to erect public buildings. Washington, Jerseytown, and Bloomsburg, will be  disappointed in the seat of Justice, and their inhabitants, exasperated to see it fixed at Danville, will be enraged at themselves for their folly ; while the powerful men of Danville wax fat and laugh at the gull trap in which Derry, Bloom and Catawissa have fallen. The war will press us down with heavy burdens, and many will be ruined. 

Q. 4. Why will all these people be disappointed A. 4. Because the inhabitants of each of these places are sure the county town will be where they reside. Only one place can succeed, and that will be Danville. 

1. The Danville people started the business, and they well know taw own interests. 

2. They have POT stated in their petitions that the county town shall be neat the centre, or within any distance of it. 3. Danville is upon the river, and the advantage of navigation gives its natural situation a preference. 4. They, the men of Danville have been making great exertions to obtain a turnpike from the Bear Cap to their town, and there it is to end, 5. They have been purchasing land about Danville at an enormous price, some as high as 100 dollars per acre. 6. Some of them have declared that, unless they were confident of having the seat of justice there, they never would have petitioned for a division. 7. Some of them have declared that, a great deal might be done, with the Commissioners appointed to fix the seat of Justice, that they could put it were they pleased, and there was no doubt but that they would fix it at Danville- 8 One of them declared that he could shew where the Court-house would stand, and that was opposite the end of Daniel Montgomery house, near Robert Irwins old Cellar. 9. They 

are not remarkable for public spirit, unless private interest urges them ; but they are remarkable for their zeal and activity to divide the county. 10. They are long headed, quick sighted men, possessing influence, likely to succeed in their plans and never would take so much trouble for nothing. 

Q. 3. But how can Danville he the seat of Justice when Point township is struck off, and Catawissa and Mifflin taken in? A. 5. That was a noble gull trait invented to catch clodhoppers, and carry their election and they succeeded in that too. They well know that, the legislature never will consent to bring the people of Mifflin and Catawista across the river to Washington, and leave only 5  little townships on that side to join Point and form a new county : they also know that the Legislature never will compel Turbut,  Chilisquaque and Derry, to travel across the county to Bloomsburg, and then Danville alone remains for the county town. Mifflin and Catawissa will be thrown off, and Point taken up again' in good time. Besides this, Milton and Northumberland will join Danville rather than go to Washington. 

Q. 6. Is there no meant of preventing so many people from being deceived and disappointed. A. 6. Every man is ready to believe what he wishes to be true. So all these people are sure of succeeding, although it is certain every place but one will he disappointed, therefore men blinded by interest cannot easily be awakened to danger. 

Q. 7, Suppose the people of the forks would circulate petitions stating that to prevent disputes or disappointments hereafter the law should specify some place as the scat of justice, or, that it should be within three miles of the Centre, would not this be a good plan to outwit the wise men of Dan?

 A. 7. The men of Dan would oppose it with fire and faggot. They have a hundred eyes as Argus had. They have blinded the people to run forward without knowing when they are going and they will not suffer them to consider where they are lead tug them. Moreover, by means of taking in Mifflin and Catawissa, and leaving out Point, they have a moveable centre, which they can shift about, up or down 10 or 15 miles, Thus the people of Bloomsburg, think they are in the centre, Derry believes itself in the centre, and every man sees his own farm so favorable, he is certain he will have the seat of justice at home 

-Q in the Corner. 

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Best died 7 years later, in 1857, at the age of 57

The street lights were installed beginning in 1923 

Census Of Montour & Columbia Counties

December 1850

With notes on township changes over the years.

"Mr, David Evans, a Democratic member of the last legislature from Montgomery co., has published a defense of his vote for the apportionment bill in reply to Mr. Porter, of Northampton, and in speaking of Best and Montour county he says :

"Therefore, such being truly the case, it behooved the democratic members to be on the look out in time, and one feature of events was to prevent the passage of the bill erecting Montour county, which being the body and soul of the democracy and whigism of the said Speaker of the Senate, so elected by the whigs. The Montour county bill was passed at an early period in the Senate, and came into the House. At that time the said member from Northampton, proclaimed that the Montour county bill should not pass until the apportionment bill was passed and signed by the Governor. The same being considered the proper course by myself and others, and calculated so to remain : but in the course of events the member from Northampton was called to plead a case in court at Bloomsburg, from or near Danville, and on his return his tales as to tho passage of the Montour county bill were much changed, and then urged tho passage of the bill.

— Therefore, through the influence of the said member, and a few others of the democratic party who wont with the whigs, except five, who, holding views beyond that of passing such disgraceful acts as Montour county for party purposes. 

Whereas said bill could never have received more than twenty votes in the House if party measures had not made it an object of the kind. The saith Northampton member well knows that the passage of the Montour county bill left Speaker Best, of the Senate, at liberty to pay his debt of bargain and sale to the whig party, of which he could not otherwise have done

 Then it became necessary to be watchful of more than Best, and the Senate alone. The talents of the member from Northampton, as an able lawyer, is not to be doubted—but the lack of precaution and care, without forethought of mind, makes him an uncertain and doubtful leader in the democratic ranks." 

Mr. Evans no doubt acted honestly in his vote for the appropriation bill, and he is not the only member who was driven by circumstances to vote against his convictions of right.

 It was notorious at Harrisburg that Best declared if the Democrats were not satisfied with the apportionment bill as it passed, they should have a worse one. The session had been protracted until many members were threatened with indignation meetings at home if they did not pass some kind of an apportionment bill and end the session.

It was known that Best had sold himself to the whig on the apportionment bill, and no democrat had any hope in that direction.

 In the Senate then no decent bill for the Democrats could pass; and hence a vote in the House was only a choice of evils. It was with this view that Mr. Evans and a few other democrats voted for the bill. He, for example, is an honest and radical democrat, and this vote of his must therefore be taken cum grano. If every democrat has been as upright as Evans in refusing to pass the Montour bill, Best would never have acquired the influence which he exercised for mischief on the apportionment bill as it passed, but to do justice to the motives of a man honest, though he may have been mistaken" - Star Of The North, Bloomsburg, June 1850