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Philipsburg 1870
Democratic Watchman December 23 1870, page 8
PHILIPSBURG - AND ITS PEOPLE
"Philipsburg, on the line of the Tyrone and Clearfield railroad, is, next to Bellefonte, the largest town in Centre county, containing some fifteen or sixteen hundred inhabitants, and is a thriving, smart place. We were out there two or three days last week, and were really surprised at the growth of the town since 1864, when the writer of this was last there. It is a regularly - incorporated borough, and is populated by an industrious, and energetic class of citizens. Being right in the midst of the coal regions, the greater proportion of the earnings of the miners is spent there, which makes money circulate freely and the market easier than in many other places. The miners are paid off every month, and there are but very few of them who do not find themselves in possession of upwards of one hundred dollars, and sometimes even more, at the close of their month's labor. At present they are paid per ton, and at this rate make between eighteen and twenty dollars a week. Wages now, however, are lower than formerly. Prices have been up to 75 and 80 cents per ton, and during the war as high as a dollar coal interest that makes Philipsburg what it is. Was it not for that, its race might be considered about run, but the black coal hills round about it, gloomy and unattractive as they seem in themselves, promise a bright and useful future for the place.
Philipsburg has several hotels, and more saloons, probably, than are good for its moral health. To counteract this, however it has five churches, all of which are well attended. They are Episcopalian, Catholic, Baptist, Union and Methodist. These all wage a vigorous warfare against evil and immorality and their restraining and purifying influences are gratefully felt and acknowledged by the people. Just now the Episcopalians are without regular pastor, but expect to be soon supplied. The Baptists have built a new church edifice, which is to be dedicated on Sunday next (Christmas)
In the way of Schools, this borough in the mountains is not behind her sister towns. There are two large public school buildings, and the schools are graded and largely attended. This speaks well for the place, and shows that the citizens are properly impressed with the benefits to be derived from a well organized school system.
Among the edifices in town are some handsome private residences, and, indeed, most of the buildings are gotten up with taste and a due regard to convenience. McGirk & Perks have a bank there which accommodates the business men, and no doubt makes money for its projectors - as what bank does not, in these days of Radical hard times and high rates of interest?
The great improvement of Philips burg, however, and the one of which her people most boast, is the extensive steam tannery just erected there, and which, is now almost ready to go into operation. This tann ery was put up at a cost of some sixty or seventy thousand dollars, and isguarantood to return its proprietors forty thousand dollars per annum. Messrs. White, Munson, All port and others with William McClellen of this place, are the share holders, and we think they have made a fortunate investment of their capital. The tannery contains one hundred and sixteen immense vats, which give it an -enormous capacity, and it will undoubtedly become the loading leather manufactory in this portion of Pennsylvania, if not, indeed, in the whole State. It is a very large building, supplied with two first class engines, a large and small one, the former for the purpose of forcing the machinery that grinds the bark, and the latter, we presume, for pumping the water into the vats.
The lumber interest is also a feature in Philipsburg, and planing and saw mills abound there and thereabouts. It is not an agricultural country, however, strictly speaking, and Philipsburg is not a grain market. She depends solely on the coal interest, and on her mills and manufactories for her prosperity.
Interested as they are in coal and lumber and the tanning of hides, however, the citizens of Philipsburg do not neglect the cultivation of their intellectual natures, and hence there is established there and well supported a weekly newspaper - the Philipsburg Journal - the editor of which, Mr. Ellsworth, is a young man of character and energy. He has a good office, and prints a handsome, and well edited sheet. The Journal is neutral in politics, but gives the general news, and is particularly devoted to local matters. These it "does up" spicily, and hence is a welcome visitor in every family circle. We paid the Journal a visit while there, and found the editor, foreman and hands up to the eyes in work, and looking as though the world had been using them handsomely. There, we also found our friend, W. J. Thompson, the writer, poet and printer, who with one of the weakest physical organizations possesses one of the most brilliant minds in the country Mr. Thompson is a young Englishman, but has traveled much and read more. In deed, he is - a regular book-worm - a walking dictionary, and is at home on all possible subjects. He is a, writer of books, poems, stories, sketches, essays-- in fact, of everything, one of the most versatile men we ever met, always ready with pen or tongue, and always able to support his theories and positions with the best and most indisputable authorities. He has also a fine classical education, and quotes Homer, Horace and Virgil with as much ease and aptitude as though he had been personally contemporaneous with them. Certainly a most remarkable, but very peculiar man.
The approach to Philipsburg is by the Tyrone & Clearfield railroad, over the Allegheny mountain, at the further side of which it is situated. The scenery is wild and not particularly interesting, save at Mount Pleasant, or rather-Mount Unpleasant, as we should call it, in winter. - Here the road winds around a deep fill, one hundred and two feet high from the surface of the run to the top of the - bank. Beyond this a short distance is the summit, and, from this point, a very pleasant landscape view of Clearfield county is to be had. We pass the thriving town of Osceola and several other villages, but nothing particularly worthy of note is to be seen. From Philipsburg to Clearfield, we can say nothing of the scenery, as we have never passed over that portion of the road. Of the road itself, we are inclined to speak most favorably, as it is certainly most ably managed by Mr. George C. Wilkins, superintendent of the Tyrone division of the Pennsylvania Central. Mr. Wilkins is one of the most faithful and trusted officers of the Great Company, and has won for himself golden opinions, in his present position as Superintendent at Tyrone. His conductors are competent and gentlemanly, his cars comfortable and convenient, and his -employees generally, obliging and attentive. It may be said that Mr. Wilkins does not appoint these men or furnish the cars, which may be true. At the same time, it is not likely that men are appointed to these positions or cars furnished, without, or against, his recommendation. So that, after all, Mr. Wilkins deserves the credit of, and is responsible for, them. Be this as it may, however, he is an able officer and an excellent manager
We would not close this hastily written article without acknowledging our obligations to. Mr. Abram Jackson, one of the must active and energetic of the citizens of Philipsburg, for much of the pleasure of our visit and his accommodating and unselfish spirit in "showing us round." Also, to his agreeable and interesting family for their kind consideration and hospitality. Such are the people who make good neighbors and kind friends and the world better and happier fur their having lived in it."
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