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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches

By H. C. Bradsby, 1891

CHAPTER XXVIL. Athens Borough

CHAPTER XXVIL

ATHENS BOROUGH

Pages 408 - 427

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ATHENS BOROUGH.

Athens Borough was incorporated March 27, 1831,and David Paine was elected first burgess. It was still but little, more than the hum-blest hamlet but its people had ambitious ideas for both their country and their " Tioga" town. When men first sent letters here by private hand they directed them to Tioga Point. and even its circle of jurisdiction extended far into New York. After a time letters for this place were directed to Ulster, and this went on some years, and then some classical turned mind insisted on Athens as the baptismal name for the young "future great." These high-sounding classical names for back stations and places, possessed of more ambition than popula-tion or wealth, often remind one of a family, who knew something of Bonaparte and named their favorite first-born "Napoleon Bonaparte," and when He was nearly grown and was attending the cabin school, he was only known as 11 Boney," he was so thin and meager, and during all his school-life he never mastered the alphabet, so it was supposed he had taken his name among the other children from his mental and physical conditions, and in that viewt here was great fitness in the boy and name. The original boundary lines included all the land between the rivers from the north line of the Public Land, now Ferry and Paine streets, and the north line of what was the late Henry Welles's, now J. 0. Ward farm. The limits were first extended southerly, taking in the Welles or Ward farm between the rivers; it was extended afterward northerly, including all the land between the rivers as far north as the north line of old Ulster, known now as the south line of the Guy M. Tozer homestead and the late E. C. Herrick's farm.The third exten-sion took in all the land north of the south line of J. F. Ovenshire's farm, and from the Susquehanna river west to the east line aforesaid of Herrick's farm.

The record book of the borough of 1862 opens with the following : At the burning of Patrick's first brick block, June 10, 1862, all boro records and papers that were then in the office of J. B. Reeve and in his care, were lost; or in plain facts, burned up. in 1866 a copy of boro charter was received from Harrisburg through the hands of 11. W. Patrick, Esq.

May 14, 1871, it was decreed by the court of Quarter Sessions of Bradford county, that the borough of Athens be subject to the restrictions and possess the power and privileges conferred upon boroughs by the act of April 3, 1851, and that the provisions of the charters be amended so far as they are in conflict with said act. The name and style shall be " The Burgess and Council of the Borough of Athens."

The burgesses that can now be recalled by the oldest inhabitant or rather the best memory which it is conceded is that of Attorney 11. G. Baird, were : Aaron Tibbits, Richard Durbin, Geo, A. Perkins, Mr. Conklin, 11. C. Baird (1848), Geo. Merrill, C. IL Herrick and E. 1-1. Perkins [?]. The records from June, 1862, are complete and full, and the officials in their order were as follows: 1862-Burgess, E. White; council: C. Comstock, J. B. Reeve, J. A. Bristol, H. W. Patrick, C. C. Brooks. 1863-Burgess, George Merrill; council: Charles Comstock, C. 0. Huntington, J. B. Reeve, John Drake, C. Hunsicker. 1864-Burgess, James A. Bristol; council: J. L. Drake, J. L. Corbin, 11. W. Rockwell, H. Williston, Ed. White. I865-Burgess, S. W. Blood; council: H. Williston, C. W. Clapp, L. McMillan John Drake, 1). F. Park. 1866-Burgess, S. N. Blood; council: A. H. Spalding, C. W. Clapp, J. D. Hill, G. H. Welles, G. M. Angier. 1867-Burgess, John Saltmarsh; council: William Hancock, E. S. Herrick, George Merrill, A. 0. Snell, William Durrant. 1868-Burgess, E. Herrick; council: 11. Williston, Squire Northrup, John P. Blood, George Merrill George H. Voorhis. 1869-Burgess, E. Herrick; council: A. A. Kinner, M. Foley, A. 0. Snell, James Bristol, J. S. Middaugh. 1870-Burgess, C. Hunsicker; council: William Hancock, 11. C. Smith, T. P. McEvoy, William Kiff, Edwin Drake. 1871-Burgess, C. Hunsicker; council: William Hancock, 11. C. Smith, C. T. Hull, William Kiff, Edwin Drake. 1872-Burgess, F. It. Pike; council: G. M. Angier, Charles Kellogg, E. N. Merrill, J. W. Comstock, Joseph M. Ely, Jr., Michael Foley. 1873-Burgess, Charles T. Hull; council: Charles Kellogg, D. F. Park, J. B. Reeve, Artemus Weller, Thomas McEvoy, Isaac Gregory. 1874-Burgess, A. A. Prince; council: John Carroll, E. D. Peck, F. T. Page, George H. Mead, George Jordan, F. B. Welch. 1875-Burgess, D. F. Park; council: F. A. Allen, J. M. Pike, George H. Mead, J. S. Middaugh, F. T. Page, 11. C. Smith. 1876-Burgess, Edward Herrick; council: J. M. Pike, E. G. Fitch, 1. N. Evans, F. T. Page, G. F. Sawyer, J. Al. Ely, Jr. 1877-Burgess, J. Leroy Corbin; council: J. At. Ely, C. S. Maurice, 1. N. Evans, George Pendleton, Fred. B. Welch, Ed. H. Perkins. 1878-Burgess, T. D. Woolcot; council: F. M. Welles, John Carroll, M. R. Heath, James Bristol, C. S. Maurice, J. M. Ely, Jr. 1879-Burgess, F. T. Page; council: John King, D. T. Park, Joseph Hines, G. A. Kinney, J. L. Middaugh, J. A. Bristol. 1880-Burgess, F. T. Page; council: Joseph Hines, T. P. McEvoy, F. M.Welles, D. F. Park, W. Osborne,* J. A. Bristol. 1881-Burgess, A. A. Prince ; council: John Carroll, M. P. Murray, John King, F. B. Welsh, E. At. Frost, D. F. Park. 1882-Burgess, A. A. Prince; council: E. C. Spalding, Al. R. Heath,M. P. Murray, George Vail, F. A. Gillett, Mark Thompson. 1883-Burgess, C. S. Maurice; council: J. L. Elsbree, F. A.Gillett, Mark Thompson' Cornelius Knibbs, H. F. Maynard, G. T. Ercanbrank. I884-Burgess, C. S. Maurice; council : E. T. Fitch, Joseph Hines, C. Knibbs, H. F. Maynard, E. IV. Kellogg, M. P. Murray. 1885)-Burgess, E. M. Frost; council: M. P. Murray (three years), J. W. Carroll (Fitch's unexpired term), Joseph Hines, W. G. Demiston (three years), C. Knibbs, (two years), E. W. Kellogg (one year). 1886--Burgess, George E. Davis; council: M. P. Murray, N. J. Knarlesboro, W. T. Demiston. E. W. Kellogg, C. Knibbs, J. W. Carroll. The latter resigned in March, and G. F. Ercanbrank was elected to fill vacancy. 1887-Burgess, George E. Davis; councilmen elect: Mark Thompson, C. Knibbs, A. C. McCaslin. 1888-Burgess, George A. Kinney; councilmen elect: D. W. Tripp, C. W. Prince, C. Knibbs, M. P. Murray. 1889-Burgess, George A. Kinney; council: M. W. Nevins (three years), James Lowman (three years). _1890-Burgess, Geo. A Kinney; Council (City Dow divided into three wards): J. E. Sivzers, C. W. Bullard, John H. Alberts, Jas. Lowman, M. P. Murray, M. W. Nevins. In addition to these councilmen, the officers elected at the February election. 1890, are the following: High constable, James :Bennett; auditor, J. F. McKean ; tax collector. James :Bennett; Second Ward, school director, H. L. Towner; Third Ward, school director, John Simmons. Judge of elections, First Ward, E. Mills; inspectors, W. K. Park and Jesse Barber; constable, First Ward, A. C. McCaslin. Second Ward, judge of election, George Pendleton; inspectors, J. T. Corbin. E. W. Campion; constable, Charles Fitzgerald. Third Ward, judge of election, John MeNamara; inspectors, W. H. French, A. Kirkpatrick; constable, A. Groat. At the June meeting, 1876, on motion of J. M. Ely, it was unanimously resolved that the borough would subscribe $1,000, provided the citizens would subscribe $500, and would pay $900 of this amount to the Chemung Bridge Company in full for their bridge, and make the same a free bridge. The people were clamorous for free bridges. In the early spring of 1890 an electric company sent an agent to the borough to arrange for electric lighting. His propositions were accepted and all conditions fulfilled; but he " disappeared," as the minutes put it, and now the good people are waiting for " next." They will not have to wait long. In connection with Sayre, an active movement is on foot to build electric street railways to pass from Athens to South Waverly, and by the early part of 1892, it is confidently expected, this improvement will be in full operation.

ATHENS BOROUGH.

The first fire company originated with the Junction Iron Works in 1855. This important manufactory was operated by C. W. Shipman and Col. C. F. Welles; the plant stood on the ground now occupied by Fitch & Kinney's store and John Merritt's house; their chief products were steam engines and fine machinery in iron, steel and brass; at the time this was the most important factory in the count y. In the fall of 1855, Mr. Shipman purchased at a fair at Elmira a small fire engine be found there on exhibition, and brought it home with him; his entire idea was to have something to protect his iron works. The remains of this little old first engine in the county are to be seen yet at the rooms of Protection Company No. 1. There is a claim made by the Naiads, of Towanda, that they purchased their engine a little before this one arrived in Athens. When Mr. Shipman arrived with his pur- chase, immediate steps were taken to form a company. The first idea was to form one exclusively of the employes of the iron works. Alfred B. Couch was elected foreman in the machine shops; Daniel Bradbury, assistant foreman; Lucien McMillan, clerk, and George E. Lambert, treasurer. A committee on constitution and by-laws was appointed, who reported October 30, and it was resolved to restrict membership to the iron works employes. In 1856 a new rule was adopted, allowing others outside of the works to become members. Uniforms were procured, and the 11 laddies" would meet and take the "pet" out for a little exercise. A cistern was built in the rear of the machine shop, and now the exercises consisted in manning the brakes and forcing the water through the two hundred feet of rubber hose to the top of the works. When the boys had all in turn blistered their hands. a resolution was passed that the men in Wheeler & Overton's tin shop be allowed to join them, and the same privilege was extended to the men in Stevens' wagon-shop. They were now busy recruiting men; in November the ranks were full, and it was declared a public institution for the equal protection of all, and the engine and hose were given over by Mr. Shipman to the company for the use of the borough. A. P. Stevens presented a hose jumper, a hose company was selected and the affair was now a complete borough fire company; the next move was the first fireman's ball-a great event. Time went on, and, fortunately the winter passed with no alarm bell to call out the boys. May 28, 1856, the first regular business meeting of the new organization took place, and the following officers were elected: Daniel P. Merriam, chief; Emmott Harder, foreman; Mark Bramhall, assistant; L. S. Keeler, treasurer; C. T. Hull, secretary, and L. A. Lewis, James Nolan, Edward Welch, J. T. Johnson, W. B. Hosford, T. Al. Harder, W. W. Wilkinson and Hubert Corner, suction hosemen. The boys said they selected Daniel P. Merriam because he was the heaviest man in the crowd, weighing three hundred and upward, and was in Old-School Presbyterian, who always stood up at prayers.

As this was really the first organization, it was in order to give it a name, and the one selected was the " Protection Engine Company No. 1," and the boys resolved to parade on the coming Fourth of July in full uniform. A blue silk banner was secured. and the ladies embroidered on it in blazing letters: 11 Protection Engine Company, Athens, Pa.-Always ready," and a gala day it was in Athens 11 when the band began to play." Ike Snell carried the proud banner, and no prouder man ever went marching down the street. The Company, in their new uniforms, marched over the bridge, led by Jabez Stone's martial band, to where is now the Smull tannery, where they received their visitors, the Towanda companies, which came up on the canal packet boat 11 Gazelle " that had braved the perils of the raging canal. When the " Franklins " and " Naiads " had been thus received, all joined in procession, and marched back to the 11 Exchange Hotel," and at 10 A. M. the procession formed; the town was gaily decorated and from every house and every window fluttered welcoming flags to those brave and scarred fire-fighters in their resplendent uniforms. The parade over, they marched to the foot of Ferry street, to test the engines.

The Junction Iron works were moved from Athens in August, 1856, and this caused Merriam and Harder to resign, and C. T. Hull was made foreman, and Noble Ruggles assistant A. H. Spalding, chief, and J. 1-1. Wilson, secretary.

At the annual election. January 3, 1857, the following were chosen: James H. Wilson, foreman ; T. E. Davis, Jr., assistant; C. T. Hull, secretary; A. 11. Spalding chief engineer, and L. W. Burchard, assistant. After the closing of the Junction Iron Works, the Company found quarters at J. II. Wilson's, and their place of practicing was th e, tall chimney of Gillett's brewery, which was destroyed by fire.

Dissensions arose in the C mpany, and interest began to flag. On August 3, 1857, a resolution to disband was passed. At the same time a request was in, e to C. T. Hull to call a public meeting to organize a new company ; a meeting was held, and an informal emergency company was enrolled, but a general demoralization on the subject prevailed.

To this time, the principal fires in Athens were: J. B. Brockway's house in 1847, which stood where is now J. L. Ellsbree's residence adjoining and burned was Hiram Merrithew's small shoe-maker's shop, in which Merrithew hustled out in such a hurry that he lost his wooden leg.

In 1851 the row of wooden business houses that stood where is now the old brick block, down town, were burned. In this fire passed away the old 11 Eagle Hotel" building; Billy Wilson's store, William Mier's cabinet shop, and Grant Snell's new frame store, not finished; the Methodist church, " Barrack Row "-tenement houses-and the Episcopal church building. This fire swept away all the business houses on Alain street, churches, and Barrack Row, clear to the river on Chemung street, a great calamity to the town.

In 1856 the 11 Exchange Hotel barns, sheds, and Dr. William Kiff's house were burned. It was one of the hottest days in July This was only a few days after the great parade of " Protection Company, and the engine was worked mightily, and soon pumped the cistern dry, so a bucket brigade leading to the river was put in force.

Soon after this Patrick's old brick block was burned. It was rebuilt in its present form. Then the Page store and John Drake's residence went up in flames. Drake's residence was one of the old Clement Paine buildings, and stood where is now the Salvation A Army barracks.

In the order following were the fires that destroyed Dorsey's lively stable: Pike's hotel and the wooden row of buildings on the east side of Alain street; Edwin White's tin shop, which stood near where is R. N. Lowe's residence, and with it went the Presbyterian church ; then F. R. Lyon's cabinet shop and the second brick Presbyterian church building. The Junction Iron Works buildings were burned in 1872, unoccupied at the time. In the vicinity where is now the heavy part of the business on Main street were " hot grounds." The Hemlock row was burned, but other buildings took its place, and they too were burned.

In the meantime the continued indifference to having a live fire company finally paved the way to its rehabilitation. Periodical attempts, at all events renewed efforts after every fire, had been made to this end, and 1877 witnessed the hour and the men when the Athenians should once more become active fire-fighters. A meeting was held at Mitchell Bros.' store, and at this meeting appeared Joseph AT. Ely, who was fresh from an extended experience with the noted Excelsior Hose Company No. 14, of New York, and he and C. T. Hull took the matter in hand. The old hand engine and cart were purchased that bad fallen into the hands of Blood & Co., a committee was appointed, and six months after the council provided laws and regulations that resulted in the present Fire Department. A lot was purchased on Bridge street at the request of all the leading citizens. A company of eighty members, composed of the best citizens, was soon organized, and Protection Company, No. 1, was revived, and the name changed to Protection Hose and Engine Company No. 1, and at all these preliminary meetings J. M. Ely was secretary and one of the moving spirits. June 7, 1878, an election was held and the following officers chosen : Joseph M. Ely, chief engineer; Charles T. Hull, first assistant chief; David F. Park, second assistant chief.

At the special meeting, June 8, 1878, the following general officers were elected : T. 1). Wolcot, president; Al. R. Heath, vice-pres i dent, At. W. Nevins, secretary; George T. Ercanbrack, financial secretary; F. T. Page, treasurer; George A. Kinney and Joseph Hines, trustees; E. G. Fitch, member of fire board; Charles Morse, forem an; John Carroll, assistant foreman; 11. Carpenter and Ard Crous, pipeman. A new and elaborate uniform was prescribed. With their new company and new uniform they were ready for invitations, and went to Waverly in September, accompanied 'by the Athens Cornet Band. New hose, 200 feet, had been secured by a public subscription, and the next year the borough purchased a leather hose. The first building was provided as follows: Mr. Ely knowing the borough could do nothing,, found a man who could furnish the lumber and wait three years for his pay ; it -was purchased and the members volunteered to do the work, several put in as much as two month's steady work on it. It was put up in the fall of 1878. The ladies gave a festival, and raised funds to complete and furnish the building.

For 1879 Ely, Hull and Park were re-elected. During this year there had been three fires, and this made it plain that a fire alarm was needed. Seventy dollars were subscribed, mostly by the company, a bell purchased, and the present tower-house and belfry put up and the bell swung. After this thorough re-organization, the principal fires, in addition to those given above, were: October 15, 1879, F. R. Lyon's cabinet factory, and John Carroll's. residence and the Presbyterian church-losses $12,300; May 19, 1880, Novelty Furniture Works, fire room ; May 26, following, frame dwelling, foot of Chestnut street ; December 27, 1881, John Merritt's livery stable, Mrs. Stone's dwelling and Dr. Towner's barn ; May 27, 1882, the old toll-house and Chemung bridge; March 10, 1883, Mrs. Murray's new frame dwelling, loss $3,000; May 13, 1883, Seth Ellsbree's I three-story building, Main street, loss $5,200 ; October 26, 1883, Estabrook's three-story double brick, conrer Elm and Alain streets, loss $10,500; November 4, 1883, barns in rear of Pad Factory; June, 1884, Novelty Furniture Works, Ralph Tozer's coal office and sheds, Dana McAfee's grain barn and contents, Daily's wagon storage, and the Furniture Works' lumber yard-loss $120,300, insurance, $45,000; December 27, 1884, two and a half story double store building on Main street, belonging to N. C. Harris and occupied by Pike & Lowe ; November 28, 1885, contents cellar under Pad Factory ; July 3, 1880, W. Carner's dwelling, partial loss ; July 18, 1 886, kitchen of D. It. Park's dwelling; December 18, 1886, the frame hammer shop of Bridge Works.

February 4, 1 89 1, the old 11 Exchange Hotel " burned, Th is was .1 notable old building, once the very heart and center of the village, but now in lower town, and the business has passed away from its locality. It had stood for sixty years, and was at one time a noted stage stand on the great south west thorough fare through the county. It sheltered in its day most of the notable men of Pennsylvania or New York -Buchanan, Fremont, Van Buren, Greeley, Wilmot, Graw, " Dick" Johnson (Tecumseh's slayer) and a host of others-a land mark, truly, in northern Pennsylvania. For fifteen years or more it was " too far clown town," and when it was built it was thought " it is too far uptown." It burned at the dead of night, and to some the greatest loss was the destruction of the old tavern rounded sign that swung so long before the front door.

Ely, Hull and Spalding continued by re-elections in their respective offices without change until I885, when Hull and Ely changed places. The Fire Department and G. A. R. hall are now the same, and Athens can boast of a most efficient lot of fire-fighters.

Returning a little to the story of the founding and growth of the town, which may now be said to be one hundred and five years old, we refer to the description of the place, the oldest one now known, made in 1795 by Duke de la Rochefoucauld. Ile describes it as eight or ten rough cabins, one of them a tavern " crowded with travelers going to settle near the lakes "-the year before, so great was this travel, that three of the cabins called themselves taverns. He described the merchants trading with Indians mostly, but dealing in hemp which was obtained from the valleys above. The Duke was not pleased with his accommodations ; had to sleep in the "loft" that was entered by an outside ladder; his bed or pallet was as rude as possible, and - not clean ;" he slept, therefore, with his boots on, and the rood, according to his notes, was not any better than the other accommodations. Choice business locations at the beginning of the century were rated in the market nearly as high as the average lots on Broadway, New York. In 1802 George Welles bad become the possessor of Lockhart's purchase, and he employed a surveyor to resurvey the place, which he called " Lockhartsburg," but the people would not so have it, and the old names and streets prevailed.

Welles was the fairest minded of men; his name deserves the brightest future in the history of the county. When he purchased Lockhart's title to the point, he came on and located in the place. For fourteen years previously the Connecticut people were settled here, and supposed they owned the land by a good Connecticut title they had bought and sold without let or hindrance. Mr. Welles' first act on arriving was to purchase James Irvine's tavern, and claim that was on Welles' land, paying him $6,000; and he moved into the tavern and continued it as a public. On the lower part of the point were Isaac Cash, Ira Stephens, Nehemiah Northrup, David Paine, Henry -Decker, Jonathan Harris, Nathan Bull and Mr. Beebe. These were all in peaceable possession, and had made houses and fences, and were cultivating their fields. Mr. Welles bought these all out, and paid in the aggregate about $3,000. Elisha Mathewson had purchased lots on the Welles or Lockhart tract, and Mr. Welles offered to buy his interests, but Mathewson refused to sell on any terms, and, as his lots were scattered about promiscuously, affairs 'soon became vexing. Mr. Mathewson died in 1805, and Gen. Henry Welles succeeded to the ownership of his father's interests in the Lockhart lands. He tried in vain to purchase the Mathewson interests, and finally commenced suit in the Federal Court. Mrs. Mathewson had given a deed to Welles, but she claimed it was as a compromise, and she was to have a clear and fee simple deed to her house and lot. Under this deed the sheriff put Welles in possession. In 1809 Gen. Henry Welles was elected to the Legislature, and lie secured the passage of what was known as the Bedford and Ulster Act, by which these townships were allowed the benefits of the provisions of the Compromise of 1799. Mrs. -Mathewson commenced suit for her entire land and lots. Her claim was against Satterlee, from whom her husband had obtained title. These were deemed the most important cases in connection with the history of the 11 Seventeen Townships." The eases were twice carried to the supreme court ; finally, before the House of Representatives, at Harrisburg, asking for special legislation. Constant Mathewson, son of Elisha, had, in I827, been elected to the Legislature, and finally secured the appointment of a commission to examine the question and appraise the land, and in the end Mrs. Mathewson was paid by the State $10,000. Thus happily ended the long land controversy, involving about 127 acres on the point; land questions that had disturbed social and political life throughout this portion of the State for nearly half a century. In 1842 Athens was described as a very pleasant and promising village, and, as a business place, one of the most important in northern Pennsylvania. " It is on the isthmus which extends across the point of junction between the Tioga and Susquehanna rivers, and about two miles above the junction and, with this brief notice of the place, the visitor proceeds to say: "Above and below the town the land widens out into meadows of surprising fertility. The long main street of the village runs lengthwise of the isthmus, and is adorned by delightful residences and shade trees and shrubbery. There is an academy here, a substantial bridge over each of the rivers ; that over the Susquehanna .has been recently built ; that over the Tioga was built in 1820. Population, 435." The marked eras in the place were the first mails carried on foot from Wilkes-Barre to this place; then the weekly coach mails, the canal, and, finally, the railroad. The small stores of Hollenback, David Alexander and Hepburn had in a way met the trading wants of the people, but when Mr. Welles came he brought the first real store, for that day a large ven-ture indeed, containing no less than $11,000 worth of goods, and he and his partner, Canton, occupied the building nearly Opposite the " Irvine Hotel," After the store was abandoned the building was made a dwelling by Judge Herrick, in 1813

From the time of its first discovery, thoughtful men regarded Athens as in man respects a favored point, and believed in its destiny, especially as a great future manufacturing and shipping point. It had long been the Indian's "door" between the north and the south, and the white man could also see that it was 11 the center," and lie dreamed of a time when it would reach out its long arms of' commerce that would be backed by great factories, supplying a needy world. They built for home sup y the first saw and grist mills-the enterprise of such men as Prince Bryant and John Shepard, and Shepard's old stone mill stands to-day on Cayuta creek, near where he first built one of the finest mills in the country, with all the latest improvements, with a magnificent water power; and viewing this mill and around, on the beautiful stream and the romantic spot, one can almost fancy that the shades of the men who came here one hundred years ago and selected this place might yet be seen flitting about these leafy bowers. As an evidence of the supreme importance to the people the mill of John Shepard was, it may be mentioned that it was burned in 1798, and the people voluntarily met and by volunteer labor mostly rebuilt it in six weeks, and over this there was joy in every cabin for many miles about. Shades of the great departed!

The writer was an eve-wit-ness to the burning of the old 11 Exchange" tavern, mentioned above.It was one of the never-to-be-forgotten resorts of northern Pennsyl-vania, built in 1830 by William Briggs, who kept it several years, and about 1840 was succeeded by S. & G. Park, who had it enlarged and finished, the third story and veranda being added; then kept by Olm-stead & Burchard, Hon. G. W. Kinney, Jacob Ercanbrack, Sloan Jor-dan. A. J. Noble and ]. S. Patterson, and when burned, by Mr. Phelps. In the old stage-coach days this was a famous" stand." Fat barns, stage horses, and those great whips-,, Old Sam Wellers " all of them, and the old Concord coaches, were in the royal court yard-the Ionq whips of the drivers and the stage horses' 11 ra-ra-ra-ta-ta-ta-tat! were the signals for the jaded horses to prance and pretend to plunge and the people to rush to the front to see the great arrival-the school children, and many of their grandparents, gave open-mouthed, daily attendance on these events. The g-re-a-t man of the long slim whip and horse is gone-faded away as though drowned by the roar and scream of the locomotive whistle, and the old "Exchange" was his fitting memorial, with its older sign that swung in front with its highly colored " Coach and Four" rampant. " Mine Host " inside, usually in his shirt sleeves and big, loose carpet slippers, the very impersonation of fat larder and the vet fatter feather beds and snow-white linen in rows in the great one room above the entrance floor. His hearty, cheery, welcome to the newly-arrived guests, and the delicate offer of a little" suthin"' to clear the weary traveler's throat-a sweet activity that was probably just six days less than a week from the distillery near by-was freely handed out from the dark corner, and every drop seemed to say and sing, 'o'er all the ills of life victorious! " On the earl y morning2 o'clock-of February 4, 1891, this good old land-mark passed away in smoke and flame to the horrid midnight melody of the fire-bells. And the next morning the aged Athenians lingered about the smoldering ruins, and many an honest regret escaped their lips-more over the loss of the old sign than of the building.

Early in the "fifties," C. F. Welles and Chauncey Shipman built the Iron Works-foundry and iron machinery of all kinds especially engines. It was situated on the block west of Fitch & King's store. After some time it was changed to the 11 Agricultural Works," and was operated by Blood & Co. In time it ceased as iron works, and fell into the hands of Charles Clapp who converted it into a shingle factory, and successfully operated it some time but it was eventually burned as mentioned above.

D. Alexander built the first distillery on lot 34, now the property of Mr. Maurice. But the ideas of a distillery then and one now are so wide apart as to have hardl y the shadow of a semblance. They first made whisky of rye and then of corn-but a still in the way of a factory then was not of much more significance than the housewife's spring soap-making, usually in a borrowed kettle-it is said the whisky was mostly made to be polite to the preacher in his weekly visits, a kind of sacramental observance, as well as in lieu of his cash salary. The average man of that day was far more-religious than he is now, but he had less prejudices on some subjects.

The first school in the village was in the house of David Alexander, taught by a man named Thompson. The first school-house was built on the old Cross street, near the distillery. It was a general public house for church services, public meetings and school.

William Miller and Daniel Moore, in the latter part of the other century, started the first ferry at Athens. It is said that the first house built in what is now Athens was in 1783, by Andreas Budd, on lot 34. In 1814, Michael R. Thorp improved his property, and in time sold to Judge Herrick. At the time this was the finest improvement in the county. Among the earliest practicing physicians was Dr. Amos Prentiss who opened shop in 1797, near old Milltown ; he built a room for a drug store and kept it as such several years. Ile taught the first school in the first school-house built near Milltown burying ground the succeeding teachers were Amos Franklin and then Daniel Satterlee.

Francis Sneckenberuer, with an Irish wife, came in 1799, and located on lot 28. Thomas Wilcox, in 1800, and located near the State line and sixtieth milestone. The old Simon Spalding place is now the possession of Minier, Morely Griffin, Lane and Green.

Joshua R. Giddings was born on Queen Esther's field, now George Page's farm. In the year 1800 Stephen Tuttle came ind opened a small store in Hollenback's block-house. George Welles, in 1799, built on the west side of Main street on lots 8 and 9. Elisha Satterlee owned a twentv-acre tract or lot. The price he paid for it was a French crown piece and a bandanna handkerchief.

The first fulling mill was built in 1808 by John Shepard and Josiah Crocker., This was a great improvement for the good of the people who came here to mill or to the woolen mill for many miles through the trackless woods, and at first on foot because there were no paths even a horse could follow. One man, toward the southwest corner of the county, went to mill at Athens on foot, was lost three days and nearly perished. A postoffice was established in 1803 at Athens, and William Prentiss was tire first postmaster. The present incumbent is E. W. Davis, with J. Henry Price, assistant, and Miss N. A. Doran, money clerk.

Joseph Buonaparte came down the river, and it is said was a guest .it Hepburn's first log taven kept in the place. Stephen C. Foster, who will live in memory while the sweet and simple songs of "Old Do(, Tray," 11 Suwanee River." 11 Nelly Bly " and others of his carols will ever continue to be sung by lovers of simple melody, was a schoolboy in Athens, attending the old academy He, when a, ]ad, would play his flute and compose music, and while here lie wrote the " Tioga Mat-ch." His brother was one of the superintendents in the construction of the canal.

First National Bank.-This was organized and opened its doors to the public for the transaction of business in 1865. Capital $100,000. First officers were : H. W. Patrick, president, and E. A. Spalding, cashier. Mr. Spalding continued in the office until his death in 1867, when the present officers, N. C. Harris, president, and C. T. Hull, cashier, took charge. Mr. Hull was elected treasurer of Bradford county in 1890, and in assuming his official duties he was succeeded in the bank by his assistant cashier, F. K. Barris. The men in control have, from the first. given unlimited public confidence in the institution, and its business and credit, at home and abroad, are A 1. Its recent statement shows: Capital $100,000 ; surplus $50,000 ; deposits $175,000 ; discounts $240,000 ; undivided profits $5,000.

Union, Bridge Company.-In the way of a small beginning these important works, among the most important now in northern Pennsylvania, came into existence in 1869, under the direction of Charles Kellogg. Was a small affair at first, and three men could easily do all the work, but it was a growing plant. Mr. Kellogg continued his In operations until 1872, when C. S. Maurice became a partner, and a strong company (unlimited) was formed, including these two gentle-men, L. C. Clark and the members of the present company, who are as follows: C. S. Maurice, C. McDonald, George S. Field and Edmund Haynes. The increased company was formed March 4, 1884, continued three years, and expired March 4, 1887, when Kelloggg and Clark sold to the present company. All the realty of the works belong to Maurice and Macdonald, as well as all the old machinery but the Union Bridge Company own all that has been added as new machinery, etc. A portion of the plant is on leased ground. While among the largest works of the kind, it is always prosperous-occupying about four-teen acres, and employing about five hundred hands, averaging the year round 475 employees. The monthly pay-role is over $17,000 in the Athens shops alone, and not including their great works in building or constructing at distant points, the material for which is the out-put of the Athens shops, which averages yearly about 15,000 tons. Their construction of great iron works extends nearly all over the civillized world. Among others of their building we note the Kentucky and Indiana bridge at Louisville, the great Eads bridge, St. Louis, the Hawkesbury river bridge, New South Wales, the Poughkeepsie bridge, the Illinois Central Railroad bridge, Cairo, Ill., the Merchants' bridge, St. Louis, the Winona bridge, across the Mississippi it Winona, and are now constructing a brid (re across the Mississippi at Memphis, Tenn.; this last work alone requiring over 7,000 tons of steel and iron.

Schools in Athens are in a most prosperous condition. A. new high school building is now occupied, and under the care of Prof. Lincoln E. Rowley ; the public schools of the place are widely known and considered among the best in the State. The corps of instructors is as follows: Lincoln E. Rowley, principal ; William 11. Kindt, viceprincipal ; Marietta Gregg preceptress. Grammar Department Sarah F. Clark, eighth grade ; Honor A. Sheridan, seventh grade. Intermediate Department.-Cora L. Finch, sixth grade; Augusta M. Park, fifth grade. Primary De .-Sarah M. Tabor, fourth grade ; Carrie B. Lynch, third grade - Ida B. Fuller, second grade,Hattie G. Shepard, first grade.

Willow Street Building.-Aronette I. Spear, supervisor, third and fourth grades; Kalista S. Bitting, first and second grades.

The Athens Academical Society was the first important educational movement in the county of Bradford. February 11, 1797, a public meeting was called and articles signed looking to the erection of a house of learning, and subscribers to the stock thereof were secured. as follows: Noah Murray, Chester Bingham, Joseph Spalding, Levi Thayer, David Alexander, John Shepard, David Paine, Joseph Hitchcock, Elisha Mathewson, Ira Stephens, Elisha Satterlee, Samuel Campbell John Spalding, of Ulster;. Nathan Bull, Clement Paine, Julius Tozer, Jonathan Harris, Joseph Furlane, Daniel Satterlee, Simon Spalding. of Ulster: Thomas Overton, John Jenkins, of Exeter; George Welles, John Franklin, Wanton Rice and Stephen Hopkins

The little old yellowed book containing these original signatures is a valuable and precious relic. It was recently gathered from the old waste papers that w ere to feed the flames, by oseph Hines, of Athens. Here is the sign-manual of nearly every one of the men who were the leading spirits of the times that tried men's souls, in this land of great events before any of us now living were born. These great men in the midst of the transcendent events in which they lived, thought of us, and for us were laying the foundations for a splendid civilization. Let us not prove to be degenerate sons of noble sires.

Thursday, March 2, 1797, the stock subscribers had another meet- ing, and their first act was the adoption of the name " The Athens Academical Society," and resolved to establish "a seminary of learning," at Tioga Point (or Athens), and also to petition the Legislature for an act of incorporation, and to ask the Susquehanna, Company for a grant of land for the same, and as soon as the buildings were up to secure a person of "literary abilities and exemplary character to be principal instructor." Joseph Hitchcock was appointed building inspector, and Chester Bin (,ham, David Paine, Noah Murray, John Shepard, Ira Stevens, David Alexander and John Spalding were appointed a committee to select a location forthe building. Of this meeting Noah Murray was president, and Clement Paine, secretary. At a future meeting the committee reported that the lot of land adjoining lot No. 26 had been selected. This was on the "public lot." The building was inclosed but not completed in 1805, it seems, and the records show that in 1808 a motion was made to advertise the building for sale; but at a meeting at E. and D. Paine's store, July 1, 1808, this order was rescinded, and it was resolved to repair the building. Clement Paine advanced ,$140 to repair the building, and the trustees acknowledged that as a lien on the same.

June 21, 1811, the proprietors of the Academy transferred to the Freemasons' Lodge No. 'to, all their right and title "to the upper room," for which they were to pay $80 in five annual payments,

February 27, 1812, Hon. Henry Welles, rnember of the Legislature from this county, secured the passage of an act to incorporate the Athens Academy," with nine trustees: Clement Paine, George Welles, John Franklin, Julius Tozer, Stephen Hopkins, David Paine, John Saltmarsh, John Shepard and Abner Murray, and a fund of $2,000 was donated by the State, the interest thereon to cro to the Academy; the Academy to school four poor children, two years each, gratis.

After many preliminaries in searching for a teacher, April 25, 1814, Sylvanus Guernsey, of Philadelphia, opened the Academy-salary $500 a year-the price of instruction was fixed at $2.50 per quarter, each pupil to furnish his share of fuel. It took all kinds of cutting and twisting to pay the "preceptor" his years salary. The next year, I815, it seems from the records there was a new 11 preceptor," Mr. Talmadae. This significant entry appears: "Reading, $2.00 ; writing $2.50; arithmetic, $3.00; English grammar $4,00; higher branches mathematics, languages, etc., $6.00,"

The building was now ordered "lathed and plaistered." Mr. Brush was recommended to take charge of the school the next quarter. After a few days' trial he quit. Mr. Wellington, a graduate of Dartmouth, took charge of the school in the fall of 1816. Robert McKee was teaching the common school in the building. Miss Chubbuck was preceptress. " February, 1820, it was resolved to invest the $2,000 Academy fund in the Toll-bridge Company (a bridge over Tioga river). In 1822 Mr. Z. Butler was invited and accepted the position of preceptor of the Academy. The next year James Williamson became principal. April 19, 1824, David Paine resigned all official connection with the Academy ; lie had served ten years as secretary without pay. In March, 1839, C. A. Baldwin was chosen principal at a salary of $600 per year, and Miss Pierce as assistant teacher. In 1843 J. G. Merchant retired from the position of principal. F. 11. Hendricks was employed to teach in 1844, at a salary of $450. At a meeting of the trustees in May, 1853 the position of principal was offered to Jonas French, and the teacher in the lower room was Miss Mary Parry.

Mr. French continued in charge until 1856, when John S. Hopkins was employed. For the school year 1859-60 Theron K. Bixby was employed as principal. In 1862 Miss C. S. Eglin and Sarah W. Perkins were teachers. Miss Eglin died that year, and the school was closed June 4. J. Al. Ely was employed to finish the term; be was dismissed from the school April 21, 1865. The next year there was a move to reinstate Mr. Ely, which called out a vigorous remonstrance from many leading a citizens. It seems Ely determined he would not be dismissed, and took and kept forcible possession of the school. The trustees commenced suit against him as trespasser. An amended act was passed in 1866, providing for nine trustees. In 1867 Mr. Loutrel was principal, and unpleasant rumors concerning him were spread abroad, whereupon the trustees appointed Messrs. Thurston, Elsbree and Herrick a committee 11 to investigate the conduct and moral character of Mr. Loutrel, both in and out of school." At the next meeting the committee reported and the teacher resigned. In January, 1868, there was no principal, and Miss Mary Merrill was allowed to teach a three months' school. Col. Mullock was employed as principal, and Mrs. S. J. Gibson was allowed to teach a select school in the building.

The minutes of the trustees at this meeting, 'March 1, 1872, recite as follows: 11 Talked over the matter of a graded school, and requested Mr. Reeves to look up some laws in regard to it." March 18, 1873, it was voted to 11 give the use of the Academy to the school directors until the winter term." April 14 following it was resolved to transfer the Academy and all its interests, funds, etc., to the school directors of Athens borough, for the purpose of making the same into a graded school, and to have and hold the same as long as used for school purposes. And this was the end of the "Athens Academical Society," the alma mater of many of the most prominent men and women of Tioga Point. It served its day and purpose, and there are now many of its once pupils scattered over the face of the earth that will turn to this chapter of Athens history, and linger along its pages of blessed memories to them. The old Academy, great is the pity, was burned to the ground in 1842, and the little old building that was so long a public-school build-ing but now stands empty, was erected in 1843. Bright, ambitious boys, and blooming and beautiful girls of fifty-of nearly a hundred- years ago, have measured themselves with a selfish world and passed away forever-a hundred years, pitiless in its changes for them, so hopeful for the youth of to-day, and the same ceaseless grind of fate awaits us all-the most hopeful and despairing alike-"death levels all."

Athens Foundry and Machine Shop.-This was established in the early forties " by Chauncey Shipman, AT. Thompson and John Kucher ' was situated on Main street, where is now Fitch & Kinney's store. An account of the burnin '-of the old buildin g is given previously. It was rebuilt by Blood & Co., who made it an agricultural implement factory, and was opened as such in 1878. This firm ran it about fifty , en years and failed. The present foundry and machine shop is the successor of the original, was built on Harris street, back of the Pres-byterian church, in 1890, by the proprietors, Shipman & Thompson. It is quite an extensive and prosperous concern ; output about $15,000 annually, and consists of foundry and machine shop, pattern' room, engine and boiler room, with thirty horse-power engine, average of ten employees The concern bad a large woodwork department, which was burned in February, 1890, and. now works iron exclusively; has four lathes, two planers and three drills.

Sheridan's Iron Works.-Built by Robert E. Sheridan in 1890, on Elmira street near the railroad track ; building 24x7O, with ten horsepower engine, a No. 5 Sturdevant handling power, drill, and all modern improvements; a well-fitted jobbing foundry. Athens Furniture Company.-E. G. Fitch & Co., the "Co." being F. K. Harris. This is a fine plant, and one of the prosperous industries of the county. Its construction was commenced in I884-original inally two large two-story brick buildings, to which was added on the north ail IV' in 1887. The main building is 56x125, and the north addition is 109x49-all two stories. A one-story boiler-room 20x32, and another 12x32; a shaving room 14x16, and a dry-kiln with capacity of 65,000 ; 115 horse-power engine, and the other eighty horsepower. Annual output $1OO,000; 100 employes; a, weekly pay-roll of about $3,000, and a main and side-track.

Mattress Factory.-Proprietors, Stimson (L. F.) & Ellsbree (F. P.); was established in I888 ; is situated south of the furniture factory, on west side of the railroad; a wooden building 230x60, and two stories; fully equipped for the business in every respect, and gives employment to an average of fifteen hands.

Athens Car and Coach Company.---A joint-stock company, organized in April, 1889; capital stock, $20,000, subscribed for altogether by citizens of Athens, Officers: Charles Kellogg, president; Joseph Harris, vice-president; Edward Mills, secretary; James L. Dyer, superintendent, and Al. P. Murray, treasurer. Manufacture all kinds of omnibuses, coaches, drays herdics, milk and delivery wagons - twentyfive employees, output $10,000 annually, and supply goods to .1,11 parts of North America and South America. Occupy six two-story buildings: 130x125, 95x40, 75x125. and rent the second story of an adjoining building that is 30 x 90. Have a fifteen horse-power engine, and all the. shops are equipped with the latest and best machinery.

Planing Mill.-Campbell Bros.; was started, in the spring of 1887, as a saw and planing mill by these gentlemen, who sold the next spring and bought it back in the spring of 1890. The mill building is 34 x 50; engine house, 16 x 30; shingle mill, 18 x 20. These gentlemen now have their sawmill at Barkley, that is supplied with a seventy-five horse-power engine The capacity is 20,000 to 30,000 feet per day.

Flexible File -Factory.- Proprietors, Sweet & Primrose. This industry was started in Athens in May, 1890. First one machine was equipped and put to work. It is the only manufactory of the kind in the world to-day, and the world's supply of these goods must be bad here. At present the goods are handled by a Philadelphia house. The little machine can cut $2,000 worth of files each month, The secret is in the process of tempering, which was the discovery of Mr. Sweet in 1889. In the factory is a large machine for making the ordinary files for jewelers and machinists. These are represented to be the hardest files made, and will readily cut tempered steel. Of the flexible files there are six sizes of dental instruments. Considering that this important industry-the invention in tempering steel, by E. Sweet-has but just been commenced, a most important future outcome is looked for.

Smull's Tannery.-For many years one of the loading industries of the county, because of the inexhaustible supply of hemlock, has been tanning, and every year the industry still grows. While this factory is not in the corporate limits of the borough, yet being on the opposite bank of the Chemung river, it may well be rated a part of the common town industrial plants. This was commenced in 1870 by Underhill & Maurice, who operated it about one year, and Charles E. Maurice became sole owner, and then it passed to Underhill & Noble, and in 1876 Thomas L. Smull purchased the plant, and has operated it since. The annual output is 1,250,000 pounds of leather, principally shipped to the English market; the raw hides are purchased and shipped from all parts of the Western World. The covering is 750 feet long, and is filled with the best machinery and appliances for carrying on the work. About fifty men are employed.

Butter Package Factory.-F. T. Page and R. D. and H. C. VanDuzer, proprietors, is situated in East Waverly, and was put up in 1880. They make a general assortment of baskets for all purposes.

Morley's Gristmill was burned, rebuilt, enlarged and fitted with all modern improvements.

Athens in 1861.-From some of the clearest-headed of the Athenians who were here, the following birds-eve view of the place in 1861 is obtained: In the central part of the business (or Main) street were the grocery and provision store of Charles Comstock - G. A. Perkins ' druggist Barris & Saltmarsh; Page & Bristol (Bristol retired and Welles took his place); John Jones, tailor; Edward Averill, grocer; C. Park & Son, general merchandise; Michael Welsh, liquors; Horace Conner grocer; Page & Ackerman, hardware, and three very fair hotels-" Exchange by Col. Sloan, " Athens' Hotel," by J. AT. Pike, and where is now the Stimson House" was Thomas R. Davis' hotel. Of the present hotels, the 11 Stimson House" was built in 1882, by Stimson, Harris & Ellsbree, and when opened was kept by Mr. Stimson; then by Sherman & Middaugh; then by Curtis, then by Mehan, then, in the spring of 1891, by Dag ett, and in the summer of that year it was sold to its present proprietors, D. D. DePue and Lew Morris.

A summary of the present industrial and commercial life of Athens is as follows: First National Bank; iron, wood and tanning industries above enumerated; five book and stationery dealers; eight boot and shoe stores and makers; three blacksmiths; soda bottling; one brick yard; two house movers; one carpet dealer; four carriage factories; twenty carpenters; one cigar factory ; four clothiers ; one bridge works; one coach factory; three coal dealers ; four confectioners; four crockery dealers ' ; three civil engineers; four (try goods; four drugs ; two express; one feed milt ; one florist; three fruit dealers; one grain elevator; ten grocers; two harness makers; two hardware stores; one herdic line; two hotels; two ice dealers; three insurance firms; two jewelry houses; two printing' , offices; one laundry - three livery stables; four lumber yards; two market 'gardeners; ten masons ; four meat markets; four merchant tailors; one millwright, four milliners ; one music store; one news stand; one opera house;two photographers; two planing g mills; two real estate firms; one sawmill one mattress factory ; one tannery ; two telegraph com-panies; one undertaker; one furniture factory; one furniture dealer, seven physicians; eight lawyers. The churches and schools will be found in their appropriate chapters.

The census returns of 1890 show a greater increase in population in Athens than any of the old boroughs in the county. Total population, in 1890, was 3,229, an increase over 1880 of 1,637. New additions have been laid off, and the lots have commanded ready sales at a constant increase in price. The number of new buildings going UP, and the wide expanse of new roofs greet the eye on every hand in riding from Athens to South Waverly through Sayre

Tioga Point Cemetery-Ten acres were donated by Chas. F. Welles in 1871, and ten more acres were afterward bought. The officers are: A. C. Elsbree, president; J. A. Bristol. secretary. Trustees,N. C. Harris, D. F. Park, Alex. Elsbree, F. T. Page, J. L. Corbin,E. N. Merritt and F. A. Allen.

Tioga on The Whisky Insurrection.-We learn from the 11 Penn-sylvania Archives" that the good people of the Point, even in the midst of all their other cares and troubles, were considerate patriots,and ready to express themselves in no uncertain terms on the Whisky Insurrection of 1794. On October 3 of that year a meeting was convened in Athens to consider the disturbance in the four western coun-ties of the State, and the measures then pursued by the Government against them. Gen. Spalding presided at the meetin , and Obadiah Gore was clerk. Matters were fully discussed, and the sense of the meeting was taken by vote. The resolve was to stand firmly by the Constitution; that the act laying an excise tax on whisky was constitutional, and that it was the duty of all good citizens to maintain the law and authority of the Government. The meeting condemned all. violent measures 'on the part of those opposed to the law in the western part of the State, and finally by vote announced their readiness (if required) 11 to turn out personally " to maintain and 11 support that free Government under which we live."

See Also - ATHENS TOWNSHIP And Sayre & S. Waverly Boroughs

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