PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The fret public improvement in Watsontown, after mentioning the public road, was the connecting link between Northumberland and Union counties, the Ferry, started by Dan Caldwell, who was an enterprising, wealthy citizen White Deer Mills, in Union county, directly opposite the town. It was started about the year 1800, and is now owned and conducted successfully by Captain John Bly.
The next improvement was the West Branch canal, which was completed in 1830, and was great convenience and a much safer mode of conveying the products of the country to market than the old river arks and flat bottom boats. But its day has passed -let it flow gently along. We love it for the good it has done.
The next improvement was the Sunbury & Erie R. R. (Now Philadelphia & Erie.) That portion of it from Milton to Williamsport was built by the Catawissa R. R. Co., and was first operated by that Company. The first train ran over the road Nov. 3d, 1854. It consisted of an engine and two passenger cars, and was to many a great curiosity. The superintendent was Charles Paxton, Esq. The first agent here was John Starr, who commenced business for the company in January, 1857. He was a good man. He was one that could do justice to his employers, and at the same time be courteous and obliging to the public. He resigned in favor of his son, after serving four years and nine months, and the son has now officiated in that capacity for nearly sixteen years. May the mantle of the father still continue to rest upon the son.
In 1867 Ario Pardee, of Hazelton, completed his large and extensive saw mill, which, with probably one exception, is the best on the Susquehanna ; its cost was about $100.000. Watsontown owes considerable to Mr. Pardee for this enterprise. He has done more to build up the town, given more employment to laboring men, and done more to enhance the value of property than any one else. Out of his abundant means may he continue to do so. Mr. J. M. Folimer is agent for the concern.
Ten years prior to the time Mr. Pardee commenced here, in 1857, Moses Chamberlin and Wm. H. Follmer built their first mill on the canal at the western end of Fourth street, which was then entirely out of town. In 1858 Joseph Hollopeter took an interest in the mill, and in 1859 Mr. Chamberlin retired from the concern. On Nov. 3d, 1860 it was entirely destroyed by fire. Mr. Chamberlin returned to the firm, it was immediately rebuilt and business continued under the firm name of Follmer, Hollopeter & Chamberlin. In 1863 Hollopeter retired, and m 1865 it was purchased by Robert G. Cook, Joseph Hollopeter, Enoch and Enos Everitt, and in 1867 the other parties sold out to R. G. Cook and Ario Pardee, who have owned it every since. It has always been quite a source of revenue to its owners. Since its erection its production has been about 4,000,000 feet square timber annually. During the time that Follmer, Hollopeter and Chamberlin owned it they also ran a boat yard and small planing mill successfully at the foot of Second street.
There is also a Match Stick Factory connected with the mill, which is doing a good business. The Watsontown. Steam Flour Mill was built in 1868, by John McFarland, who still owns it, and has done merchant work to the amount of $160,000 annually. The Watsontown Tannery was built in 1867, by Wm.Wagner and Joseph Hollopeter. It has since been owned principally by Samuel Caldwell, who no doubt will realize a handsome profit out of it. The Watsontown Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Co. is quite an extensive concern owned by several of our wealthiest citizens, and conducted by 0. S. Lawrence.
The planing mill of Wagner, Starr & Co.. was built by them in 1868, and was destroyed by fire in 1875. A new company was then formed, consisting of J. H.
Wagner, J. W. Muffly, Wm. Hackenberg and D. F.
Wagner, who built a new mill between Sixth and Seventh streets, and commenced May 1st. 1876, and no doubt will do well. The Car Works are quite extensive buildings, and it is hoped will some day be made to pay, but whether they do or not the owner of them can afford to let them stand idle.
LITERARY SOCIETIES.
The first literary society, called the Minerva Association, was organized in 1860. The original members were D. C. Hogue, J. P. Starr, Jos. Long, A. 8. Lamm, Worthington Meixell, John R. Cooner, George Piper and C.M. King. The initiation fee was $5.00. The fret President was D. C. Hogue, and A. S. Lamm was Secretary. Their place of meeting was an upper room of the house now occupied and owned by Jas. Taylor, Esq. Their object was social inter. course, cultivation of the mind, &c. Far be it for me to say anything derogatory to the character of the members of that society, those remaining with us are among our best citizens, but as a truthful historian I am compelled to say that during the nights they were in session the citizens were remarkably careful to have their cellars and pantries well secured and the turkeys and chickens were sure to roost high on those occasions. When the war broke out, nearly it not all of them volunteered in defense of their country and the consequence was the "Minerva" ceased to exist, and the fowls once more were happy. In October, 1869, the society was again revived and with additional members that spacious edifice, Minerva Hall, corner of Second and Main streets, Was built, and I imagine that act blotted out all their past misgivings forever.
The next literary Institution was the Watsontown Lyceum. Through the efforts of Dr. J. J. Leiser and others, a stock company was raised a suitable building was erected and on 'the first Monday of May, 1976, the Institution was organized. H.F. Algert was elected President, and after one rear's service, in which he presided with dignity and impartiality, Wm. F. Shay Esq., was elected his successor. The society is a good one, and if the proper interest is manifested by the members much will be done to benefit themselves intellectually and to add to the general intelligence of the community.
The Watsontown Bank was chartered March 27th, 1872, commenced business January 7th, 1873, with A. Pardee, President, and De La Green, cashier. On January 1st, 1874, Mr. Green resigned for a better position, and Was succeeded by R. B. Claxton, Jr., a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability. Mr. Claxton resigned in September, 1876, and on account of his gentlemanly deportment as a business man his loss was regretted by those doing business in the bank.
The Watsontown Cemetery Association was incorporated November 5th, 1866, with Geo. Burns as president, who bas retained that position ever since. May he so conduct himself and control his passion and appetites that it may be A long time before he goes there to stay.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In regard to the Fire Department. In the spring of 1873 the borough purchased a hand engine, and a company was immediately formed. It was organized June 11th, 1873, and was called the Hope Hose Fire Co., No. 1. Soon after second company was formed and named the Eureka. The Hope Hose company soon after, with the aid of the citizens. purchased a first class Hook and Ladder Truck. In June, 1874, the borough purchased a new No. 3 Silsby Engine, and the West Branch Steam Fire Company was organized with about 100 men. Both companies are composed of our best citizens, and have done and will continue to do good service, whenever their services are required.
The oldest citizens of the place, those who bare lived here continuously the longest, are Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell, aged respectively 77 and 74 years. May their last days be their happiest and best.
The first tavern (they didn't have Hotels in those days) kept in the town was kept by James Watson, and who does not of hearing of Jimmy Watson's tavern. He was no relation of the other Watsons. His tavern was the headquarters of the gay and festive portion of our ancestors. Here they congregated and had their horse races and other sporting games. The first question Jimmy would ask them on their arrival was ("My Dear Sir, a gill or half pint, sir ?")
The tavern stood near the corner of Front and Main streets, about where the Messrs. Kirk now reside. The tavern was afterwards kept by Robert Brown, James Brown, Andrew Glover and George Fox. The hotel on the north west corner of Front and Main streets was built in 1857 by Wm. Cooner, and bas been kept by himself and sons ever since. The "Mansion House" was built by John H. Foresman in 1867. He afterwards sold it to J. H. Wagner, and it is now the property of Samuel Caldwell.
Watsontown has nine secret societies.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 619.
Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, Ancient York Masons: Warrior Run Chapter, No. 246 Roval Arch Masons : Patriotic Order Sons of America:
Wawenoc Tribe, No. 153, Independent Order of Red Men ;
Order of United American Mechanics;
Junior Order of United American Mechanics;
and Knights of Pythias.
The Watsontown Record was first published in April, 1869, by Oscar Foust, Esq, and afterwards by a joint stock company. It has been successfully published until quite recently by John J. Auten and H. F. Algert, and by Jobn J. Auten alone. It is now the property of D. L. Sollenberger. May he always conduct it in the cause of right.
The Watsontown Silver Cornet Band Was organized in December, I872. No enlogy is necessary from me ; they are here and have spoken for themselves.
As regards the patriotism of Watsontown, allow me to say a word. When our flag was fired upon at Fort Sumter more than fifty of our young men voluntarily rushed arms to defend that flag, and nobly did they do it. Twenty-nine in one company alone. I intended giving you their names and regiment bat time will not allow.
And why should the citizens of Watsontown not be patriotic ? They cannot help it. It is born in them. We have to day right here the descendants of those who so nobly defended their firesides and homes in this immediate neighborhood-- at Fort Freeland, Fort Boone, Fort Montgomery, Fort Augusta, and elsewhere -against the attacks of the British and Indians, many of whom laid down their lives, that we, their posterity, might enjoy the blessings and privileges that we today enjoy. Were it not that it might be construed as boasting, I would name you some of those descendants. Among them I would mention the names of the Kirks, the Vincents, the Bradys, the Daughertys, the Follmers, the Wallaces, and the Russells, I might also mention that in our town we have a grand-son of Mrs. Durham, who just below the town was attacked by the Indians, her child shot in her arms, she herself thrown from her horse, scalped by an Indian, and left apparently lifeless. I might further tell you that we have in our town a grandson of Alexander Guffy, who was the first to find that Mrs. Durham weltering in her blood, and carried water in his hat from the river, and bathed her temples, and restored her to life, so that she lived, many years thereafter.
And now in closing my history may I indulge the hope that the spirit of patriotism may never die out, and that the fair fame of the beautiful borough of Watsontown may never be tarnished.
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