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1974 Reprint of ''.llilistory of Lycoming County by J. F. Meginness(20 copiesleft)

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:Logging Railroad Era of Lumbering in Pennsylvania ' by Thomas T. Taber, Volumes Ito 13 JOUKNAL ;Gold Star Men and Women of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania' OFTHE (World War 1914 - 1918) Lyconaing County Historical Society Books on Indians, Fossils, Pa. History, Pa. Canals. etc. VOLUME XI SPRING NUMBER ONE 1975 JOU R NAL MUSEUMSS[TAFF of the Director Andrew K. Grugan LYCOMING COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Assistal%t }e Director Patricia Kahle Pwblisbed SemiamtlaLL] in \Villic msPor}, Pe} } Silva zia Ad7rLil st citive Aide Jean Laylon MuseumOffice - 858 West Fourth Street

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES RALPH R. CRANMER A. F. BEiauLEY MUSEUM VOLUNTEER STAFF WALTERJ. HEIM Wn.HAM E. N;COOLS, JR. MICHAEL LAGANA RoBEKV D. SmiNK Ge?iealo gist Mrs. Donald M. Carson JOHN R. SHARPNESS, JR. CURRENT SOCIETY PRESIDENT Regis£raiiolz Co? ml }tee Miss June Foresman, Chairman BOARD OFGOVERNORS Mrs. Stanley Bassett Miss Ethel Ertel ROBERT D. SMINK, PRESIDENT EDWARD .J. DURI{WACHTER, 3RD. VICE PRES. Mrs. Frederick Snell JANtES P. BRESSLER, IST. VICE PRESIDENT MRS. DONALD M. CARSON, SECRETARY LORING B. PRIEST,2ND. VICE PRESIDENT HAROLD B. TAYLOR, TREASURER Opela£ioll Z\base!£zt} Andrew K. Grugan

1974-1976 TERM 1975-1977 TERM PKbtici] and Public RelaLioits Andrew K. Grugan MRS. JOHN W. BITNER MRS. NO1{MAN INGERSOLL General Restorat on SAMUEL J. DORNSIFE MRS. JOHN LINDEMUTH Philip N. Gould WILLAI{D A. SCHELL MRS. LEWIS M. SOARS CHARLES E. NOYES, SR. SAMUEL M. LONG Cztratorial Depart?nen&s Gel?.oval CwlatoT Andrew K. Grugan EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS Archaeology James P. pressler, Chairman Willard Schell MRS. JOHN M. YOUNG, REPRIISENTATIVL William Turnbaugh JUNIOR LEAGUE OF WJLLIAMSPORT Avcbiues aitd Records Miss Gladys 'l'ozier, Chief MR. JACK CAMPBIILL PJ{ESIDENT Mrs. Richard P. Foresman THE GREATERWILLIAMSPOI{T CObtbIUNI'IY ARTS COUNCIL Mrs. John Holland DONALD M. CARSON Miss Jean Little HISTOI{ICAL SOCIETY RETIRING PRESIDENT Ed caiow Andrew K. Grugan

SOCIETY STAFF Fi7}e Arts Dr. June E. Boskin EXECUTIVE SECRllTAliY AND EDITOR MRS. KATHI{YN J. CI.UTE Itd&!try Francis Maneval

VOLUblE XI SPRING Lewis Harper NUMBER ONE 1975 Textiles Mrs. Norman Ingersoll Mrs. Edith Wright Extra Copies of The Journal Seventy-Five Cents Each Mrs. Leslie Painton CONTENTS Page 5 Greetings fmm the President's Desk 4 SPECIAL EXHIBIT SCHEDULE Special Exhibit Schedule Williamsporc's Musical Heritage by Mary L Russell 6 EXHIBIT OF THE MONTH The Pilgrim's Progressby W. J. King 8 March 1, 1975 Arltique Radios of Francis Maneval Lally's Creek by Millard F. Case 10 July 1, 1975 Special Township Exhibits One Each The Story of Peter Herdic month for 42 Months Legal Involvemelats 11 COLLECTO'R'S CORNER Reproduction of a Stock Certificate issuedby the Lycoming Gas and Water Co. to Peter Herdic 22 April 12, 1975 Victor:ian Jewelry 22 What Hlappened to His Properties June 23, 1975 The Art of Penmanship Rumors and Hlearsay following His Bankrupt(y 24 September 23, 1975 Ladies' Fans More Stories about Peter Herdic 30 December15, 1975 Christmas Special 32 Editorials January27, 1976 Cui:rency and Coins Obituary March 15, 1976 Glass Bottles Bibliography 38 May 12, 1976 Centennial Show 1876 Notes on Peter Herdic 39 LARGE LOBBY EXHIBITS COVER PI(JURE Peter Herdic As a Your)g Man April 1, 1975 Judges of Lycoming County June 26, 1975 Little League Exhibit V September2, 1975 Local Handmade Textiles December 5, 1975 Holiday Exhibit -- Washington Crossing May 23, 1975 the Delaware Valley Forge GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK MEETINGROOM Dear Members: April 26, 1975 Prints and Drawings by Nancy L. Cole man It is with a deep sense of humility thad I accept the honor of being presidellt of our Society.I shallendeavor to proveworthy of your:trust. July 1, 1975 'A Look at Lycoming County with Photo- graphs'' -- featuring the D. Vincent We began oul observanceof the U.S. Bicentennial with an excellent program, Smith collection The Eve of Lexington."The pmgram committee,under the chairmanshipof Dr. Loring Pi:lest, is planning other interesting programs beginning in September September, 1975 'Pennsylvania 74'' -- A Juried Show of Membersof the Board of Governors and our Museum Director, our staff and Contemporary Penne. Crafts, Sponsor:- volunteers, are dedicated to continue the high standards of our organization. ed by the Penna.Council on the Arts American Bicentennial Watercolor Show -- Budget deficits continue to plague us, and we continue the efforts begun)last May 5, 1976 year as means of improvi-ng our financial status Sponsored by the /{.z/f ;b fg Pa/Mor I would remind you to advertisethe Society arid Museum.Visitors from outside Lycoming County and Pennsylvania are lavish in their praise of our Museum. Too of ten THE NORTH WING we fail to appreciatethe good things in our own community.Let us urge our friends to join our Society and take advantage of the opportunities of membership April 8, 1975 Late Victorian Bedroom Furniture made by I look forward to greeting you at future activities. the Lupp ept's Sincerely yours, Spinning and Weaving ( 1775-1840) Robert D. Smirk, President

The above exhibits will be supplemented with special Bicentennial exhibits ? The Bicenterlnialexhi'bits aie being co-sponsoredby the LycomingCounty Bi- SUMMER ACTIVITIES OF THE centennial Commission, with the assistance of the Lycoming County Commissioners LYCOMING COUNTY HISTORICAL SCEIETY On permanent display me: an excellcnc Indian Gallery; recreations of colonial rooms; a Lumber Gallery and recreationsof a Biacksnlith Shop, Gristmill: and Car- September26, 27, and 28, 1975 -- Bus Tour to Williamsburg, Virginia penter Shop. 6 T HE JO U R N A L 7

WILLIAMSPORT'S MUSICAL HERITAGE New York and Boston.He had a brilliant in Cleveland, and sal)g wi-th the Orpheus career as a member of Sousa's Band, playing Chair of Cleveland. In 1934 and in 1947 Williamsport Claimed Talented M.usiciansAplenty with that organization in every state Of he was head of the eastern division of During Plush ''Golden Age of Music '' the union and directing the bandon several ASCAP, and in 1947 was named head of occasions when they played his composi- the concert division tions. #++ In searching Williamspoi:t's musical past, Herdic-Rawle. Pi:eminent as an organist mere comes into view a lisa of talented musi- and piano teacher was Frank Eber whose One of his greatest experiences came It was in the 1920's that WilJialnsport cians not previously mentioned in this daughter, Mrs. Arthur Munzinger, followed in the late 1890s when h-eperformed be- rose to fame in the danceband world with series of articles. Dave Harman and his orchestra.An alum- in his f ootsteps, musically speaking. In the f ore the King of England. Perhaps one Although many are forgotten or unknown early 1930's, she moved to the west with of rhe things tor which he was best'known nus of the University of Pennsylvania,Dave [o the present generation, they contributed her son, Eber Ar.thur Munzinger: a 'cellist was his recording work foi: the Edison Harman started his orchestra in 1920 with significarhtly to the cultural enjoyment of with the Chicago Symphony Qrchescra. Phonograph Co., making his debut with a small group of six men. Within four meir time. The .time was the late 1890's, #++ them as comet soloist in 1907. years his orchestra was ranked as one of the extending into the first decade of the pre- In rhe year 1910 there came to the three top bands in the country along with sent century. Although he reachedgreat heights in Paul Whiteman ar)d Fred Waning post of director of the RepaszBand a man music, Mr. Hazel often remarked that he That was a period sometimes refers:ed who is regardedby many as the most out- never spent as much as 25 cents for his to as WilJiamsport's "golden age of mus- standing contribution Williamsport has ev- musical education. Some of his composi- In 1924, a song plugger who had come ic," the plush daysof the LycomingOpel:a er made to the field of music. His name tions, principally marches, are international House before the 1920's. to Williamsport heard the band. He took was John Hazel, a man who, in the peak f avorites, such as "103rd (kvalry March, them to New York City and helpedthem of his career, was world f amous as a per Blue Jackets March," "Cochran Post get a booking in the famed Cinderella Among the vocalists were Charles Green, former, composer, and conductor. He was March,'' "Lycoming Motors March," "Buick Ballroom. They spent two successfulyears Charles Gleim. William Gould,, Adam one of the ''big four" of corn)etisrsin the March," arid a "Spanish Bolero.' there, and in 1925 and 1926 the orchestra world. Musicians before the turn of the Beiter, Edward Schleh, Charles Wolf, and A prominent figure in the musicallife played in many of the leading cities of Newton Chatham,all of whom were pmm- century consideredMr. Hazel rhe rival of the east. On one occasion, Frankie Carle Jules LeW, one of the most brilliant and of Williamsporr at the burn of the cen-jury inent in church work. Home talent shows was Mary Stuart Otto. A skilled pianist, substituted in {he band. There were a num were rhe order of the day at that time. poll'erful comet soloistsof that time. Dur- ber of times when Tommy and .Jimmy Dor ing the summers of 1891 and 1892 they she studied abroad particularly in Berlin. Popular in those shows were (he McCollum Just before her death in 1955 she presented sey used to sit in with the band also brothers --- A. W. and Edward. played rival attractions in Atlantic City. her valuable collection of music to the +## One of WiJliamsport's most eminent James V. Bmwn Li-bury. It is known as the musicians was William C. Hellman. who. John Hazel was born September 28, Mary Stuart Otto Collection. until his death in 1946, presented annually Leaving home to achieve success on che 1865. at Bellefonre buE moved to Williams- #+# musical stage in larger cities were Fred a number of opera scores, volumes of clas- port as a sma]] boy. His musical career be sical piano repertoire, and volumes of songs McNaughton and Trevatte Maffetr gan at the ageof 10 when he receivedhis One of the most colorful personalities to the JamesV. BrownLibrary Among feminine singers of early days in the musical life of Williamsport was first comet.It is interesting[o nice that Educated in -the public schools of Wil- were Marion Ruch and Mrs. Hiram Merri- rhe hours upon hours of practice, in which Mai:y B. Lundy. A native of this city, she man. Carrie Dierrick received an oppor- he blew againstthe brick wall of the old was one of the most outstanding piano liamsport, at Mercersburg Academy, arid at tunity to go on the stagewhen a Gilbert Elliott Paint Shop (which stood near the teachershere for a period of nearly a half H.arvard College where he received highest century. honors in music in 1900. he continued his and Sullivan company appeared in this present Growers Market) for tone, helped study in Munich and in Paris, and later ci'ty gain for John Hazel the distinction of Followingher graduationfrom Elmira taught musicat Harvardfrom 190-5 to Others were Ellen Reading McHaffie being (he best in rhe United Skates. College in 1889, Miss Lundy made her first 1930. In addition to teaching, he composed (who studied abroad), Kathryn Sheffel, At the age of 10 he became a member of threetrips co Europem studywith for voice, piano, chamber music, and for the renowned Viennese teacher. Theodore May Fisk, Bertha Allen Flock, limily Can- of the Stopper Band of this city, and played orchestra. field Wood. Helen Peaslee Hoskins, Emma his first solo in public at the Al-bion Ho- Leschetizky. Kiess, and Clarence Sprout. tel in Atlantic City in 1883 while a mem- Except for a number of years at Wash- Blanche Derr Bubb, soprano, Susanne ber of the hotel orchestra.Later that year ington State College in Pullman, Wash., (.Editor'sNote: This is }be tin L ills ail- Krape, contralto, and Trevatre Maffetr he was in a theater ouch'extra in Philadel- Miss Lundy spent all her teaching yearsin mentin a seriesot twelvedescribing tbe baritone, formed the Williamsport Concert phia. Next he joined the band of the Williamsport.' I)iStor] of vlasic in Witch?nsport,as com- Co. Other members of the group were Buffalo Bill show and played with them piled in 1957 b) Mrs. Glen Rassetl of tbe Recognized as an outstanding vocaJisr Lycoming CoLLegem.asia faci4lt]. 1} was ber Charles Krape, 'cellist, and Mary Stuart on their tours throughout the country. was FredericC. Erdman.As a child he sang Otto, pianist. +++ bbesis tor tbe degree Master ot Arts con- in the Trinity Episcopal Church Choir, and ferre(L zlPol} ber b) }be PeiLllsVLuallia State Remembered as accor)plished pialaists His tours of the country took him to later with the OrpheusClub. In 1920 he University. Tbe bistor) bas been placed in are Mrs. Fred Ramsteadand Mrs. Encie many noted theaters,including the best of went with the Victor Talking Machine Co. tbe }altles V. Brotull Library.) 8 T H E JO U R N A L 9

TH E P I LGRI M'S PROGRESS Bade of the National Guard. This is en- round through most of the businessstreets camped on a beautiful eminence at the rear and business places, and also informed as From MilIHallto W'illiamsport of the city, and taken as a whole has been to her political, moral, educational, and Some Things about the Lumber City a sp]endid success,but bike aJ] large gath- social relations, as a city, by one of her erings contains a few who are lacking in oldest and honored citizens. to whom we By W. J. King good behavior and morals. Some of these hereby express our thanks for those cour- are weil-posted in military tactics, especial- tesies. Her public buildings ar-e complare Williamsport, Pa., July 22, 1883 a lerner. would be useless. but some of the ly the movements of ''Right wheel into in style and architectureand in finish. H.er line,'' and "File Right," for they wheeled churchesare grand. We visited two chur- Dear Mr. Editor: host prominent will be noticed. First, the ches and heard excellentsermons. In the lumbering interests. Thee:e is no city in the right into line before the bar of drinking My letter ' this week will briefly outline state where lumbering is so extensively saloons,and filed right up to the rum shops morning we attendedGrace Church and with a grace (?) that showed familiarity my trip from Mill Hall here, and give a carried on. There are mills of all descrip- listened to E. H. Yocum; in the evening synopsis of what I saw since I came here tions, to manufacture lumber of every kind, with the movement. The encampment, we Pine, and heard Rev. J. C. Clark, both We 'drove from Mill H.all to the Lock Ha- say, was a good one, and was enjoyedby eminent divines. There are twerlty chur- and can only be properly appreciated by all. We saw the Governor. and was con- ven depot, where we took Niagara for hei:e being seen.The large mill ot Dodge & ches in the city, of different denominations at ll:20 a.m. The train was so filled that vinced of his high culture as a gentleman There are also some of che most splendid Co., which has a capacityof 175,000feet by the easy, graceful manner in which he I had to pack the wholef amity (four) per day, manufactures, we are told, school buildings we ever saw. Her public into one seat, and then stand myself, so 32,000,000 feet each season. This accounts, conversed with friends. He was saluted, up- high school building is a splendid struc- I was in no mood for observing anything. on his arrival, with a salute of seventeen ture, and offers a thorough opportunity in part, for what becomesof a]] the logs guns. The Gazed/e a7zd Zi /Ze/Z# of the I)th I did, however, notice one thing; it was that are annuallycut and drove out of our for the young to obtain a first-class educa- rhe extreme poverty (?) of the railroad streams up there. These logs are assorted says of him: "The Risso] band wagon took tion at no expense but the regular tax company, in not being able to furnish cars rhe staff officers to camp, and [h; Gover- Then her seminary, where the higher bran- on the ponds into different qualities, and nor and General Hartranft rolled out to sufficient for the accommodation of their afterwards there are nine qualities of lum- ches and sciences are thoroughly taught, passengertraffic, and thereby compel ladies ber still assortedfrom the yards.As far as rhe groundsin the worst looking old hack ranks among the highest educational insti- to either sit among a lor of Italians and n the city." This pron,esagain Charhe is tutions in the state. The court house is a you can seeup or down the river, you can a man as well as Governor.Our letter substantial,as well as beautiful. one: and Hungarians, and be suffocated wick their seehuge piles of lumber. The booms con- smoking, or to stand up and enjoy (?) tain a good many logs yet, sufficient to run being about finished we will simply say che jail is as good as you can find in rhe their ride as I did this one. The first sta- most of the mills till fall. There are two Charthe rouge from Lock Haven here is large cities. Her hotels are first class in through the beautiful Susquehanna valley: every respect, and the traveler is made as tion from Lock Haven is Wayne, the loca- kindling wood f actories,one is lust com tion of the once far-famed West Branch and is interspersed beautifully with patches comfortable as he would be at home. Her pieced,but the omer is shipping from one of timberlandand fine farms,which is un- Camp Meeting:, which was attended .by private houses are among the best. Some to three cars per day. This min gets the surpassed for richness and fertility. 'lbe thou;ands of earnest worshippers (?.), but waste pieces of edgings, etc., from chc af the finest private residences may be for some reason there is no meeting held other mills. and manufactures mis into next letter will rake up this imperfect des- seen here, surrounded by the most beautiful there this year. Then comes Pine, another: cription of mis city where this leavesit, yards and flower gard-ens. There is one kindling wood; bunchesof about one foot and for the present I reLnain camp meeting station, auld then Jersey block, known as Herdic's Block. that is in length, and medium size, like lakh, are Yours, etc. especially worthy of notice. It occupies one Shore.This is half way from Lock Haven bunched. There are two large furniture to Williamsport, and is situated at least W. J. King whole squareand is four sconeshigh. It f actories,which are turning out an immense is now owned by Hon. R. .J.C. Walker. The one mile from the depot, across the river; amount of furniture of all descriptions. The this is a fine little town, and is at the junc- depot is an excellentone, and the park in boiler works, arid engine works, are places connection with irt contains some beautiful tion of the Jersey Shore & Pine Creek Road worthy of notice, and interesting to the Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 27, 1883 and the new Vanderbilt Road, that runs to visitor. The new rubber factory is nearly Dear Mr. Editor: deer and pea jowls. the Clearfield coal fields. From Jersey Shore completed and is a splendid structure; the Pursuantto my last, I will now give your Tbis city contains free delivery for her we come to Susquehanna, then to Linden, carriage and wagon manufactory, file works, this town lies off the line of the P. & E. and readers the usual weekly letter, t;king up mails, and twice eachday your mail is put che nail factory, and a score or more of the narrative wheremy last left it, viz.: the into your house free of cost to you, which on the .JerseyShore road; Newberg:y is the other manufactories,all contribute to give descriptionof mis city, beginningat the adds much to the convenience of her next station;this is within the city limits, the city a high rank as a manufactoring bur retains its old name. Two miles mole encampment. citizens. On all the most prominent cor- city. Her market house and market square ners are letter boxes erected. where mail and we arrive at the depot, and in a few While attendingthis, we had the plea- are placesof great interest to the visitor can be deposited for sending out. These minutes the street car takes us to our des- We visited these and counted two hundred sure of once more looking into the manly tination. are emptied by the carriers also twice a and seventy-nine (279) vehicles with pro- face of the man whom we were proud to follow upon the holly contested fields of day. One of the most interesting features Williamsport is a fine inland city with duce of different kinds which sold for high of this mail businessis that post carrier twenty thousand inhabitants, and to ac- prices to feed her 20,000 inhabitants and battle upon more than one occasion during rhe rebellion -- General John F. Hartranft. Geo. W. Anderson has a Shetland pony tempc a full description of the various busi- her scores of visitors, who aEe here [o at- on which he rides to deliver mail to his ness enterprises that are carried on here, in tend the encampmentof che Third Bri- While in mis city we were showna- department.This polly is a beautyand so 10 T H E JO U R N A L 11 very small that your correspondentcould this city. Peter Herdic is bringing suit in THESTORY OF PETERHERDIC walk whi-le riding him. On one occasion ejecrment for seventeen properties in the while we were there at the office he made city: and several traces of land elsewhere, right in and sat on him to await for his claiming that they were bought by defend- Legal Involvements package. He awakens the admiration of ants at a ruinous price to him, and other all rtechnicalities in sale which we did not On May 9, 1879, there began ohe trial learn.. Hon. Clinton Lloyd is attorney for and erasures in rhe books of Taylor:. The Williamsport is connected by telephone Herdic of rhe Commonwealth against H. E. Taylor last indictment contained substantially the with all her neighboring towns, and her rail- and Peter Herdic on the charge of con- same counts as the first, but was amended road and telegraph facilities are complete We could dwell longer upon interesting spiracy. Judge Mayer pi:esided.Discricc At- so as to describe the offense with greater topics here, bur spacewill not permit torney Hare was assisted by Messes. Par- particularity, and containedan additional There is going [o be an interesting Yours. sons, Metzger, and Guise. The defendants count: Chat H. E. Taylor, unlawfully and litigation in the near future between Peter were repo:esented by Messes. Lloyd, Mann, wickedlydevising, did defraud R. W. Ad- Herdic arid William Weightman, of Phila- W. J. King Beeber and Mccormick. ams & Co., John F. Nice, and divers other delphia, and Hon. R. J. C. Walker, of persons; that the defendants corLspdred, Almost immediately MI. Lloyd addressed Lhe court in the matter of a continuance confederated, and combined, falsely, mali- ciously, and unlawfully; that there were LARRY'S CREEK as follows: "On March 18, 1879,complaint executed and delivered to Peter Herdic was made by John F. Nice, John D hes- certain certified checks (marked by H. E. (Written about 1900 by Millard Fillmore Case,uncle of Mrs. Melvin Goldy) sler, and William N. Jones charging Horace ]'aylor as good) purporting to be di:awn E. T'aylor and Peter' Herdic with having upon the banking house of H. E. Taylor:, About forty yearsago, my friend, Next we stopped at Mallory's, conspired together to defraud them. On Herdic not having the moneythere to meet I came to Larry's Creek. A blacksmith good and true that complaint a bill of indictment was them; that Taylor was at the time insol It was a damp and chilly mom, We sat and had a pleasant chat sent to the grand jury, and a true bill vent, as Herdic well knew; and that Herdic The fog was low and chick While he set my horse's shoe. was returnedon the 5th of May.The took the certifiedchecks and obtainedlarge counsel for the defendant examined that sumsof moneytherein -- $16,000from To rest a little while, I Shopped When m} business at the "Burg" was done, bill and made the necessary preparation R. W. Adams & Co., john F. Nice, and At J. M. Blackwell's store; The day was nearly gone. to go to trial upon it. Today, {he defen- others. And there sat C. B. Riddell. I stayed thad night at Williamson's -- dants' counsel appear to answer char bill And half a dozen more. They called him ''Squire John. and are met by a new bill, found and Mr. Lloyd continuedthat this was sub- returned by 'Ehe grand jury this morning, stantially a new accusation,and the defend- ants were entitled to time to make the Their talk was not of politics, The ''Burg" it was a-booming then varying not merely in form but in sub- Nor any such a thing, With tanneryand with mill, stancefrom the first bill. The first bill preparation necessary to meet the new contained five counts; this has seven. and charge. The defense could prove by Mr. But how Jim Gilbert cheated And strongmen clad in woodman'sgarb His cousin,A. M. King. Came in from every hill. embodies distinct matters of complaint of Adams,who was not present,that he was artemprs to defraud other parties not na- not defrauded and had no. complaint to Tonight I am at the "Burg" again; med in the oi:iginal indictment. The defen- make in this mather, and that he never Then for Salladasburg accused and does not accuse Messes. Herdic I started on my way. To me it looks quite strange. dants are not prepared to go trial upon the Pa Coudrick came and took the toll There is nothing now but rock and stumps second bill, as they had no notice that and Taylor of any intent to defraud faheywere [o answerother ma:tiers than And praised my little bay. Where once the woodmen ranged. District Attorney Hare replied that the those contained in the first bill. Upon the second indictment might differ in phrase- I startedup the plank road And as I walked along rhe street, first indictment the defendants ar; ready ology from the first, bur was substantially and anxious to answer. Defendants' coun- O:n a slow and easytrot It is quite bleak and cold. the same. He had discovered yesterday that And at the factoryovertook Some of my friends are dead and gone, sel did not doubt the right of the Com- the grand jury had omitted to stateon A man named Thomas Watt The rest are growing old. monwealth, under the practice here, to returning the indictment that the witnesses stand on the last indictment; neither did called before them were sworn. which would He was willing for to ride: But still there is one old landmark left they doubt it was due to the defendants have been a fatal defect, and the second I am very glad to hear: to be given time to prepare their defense bill was therefore sent in. The second bill His feet were getting sore. [o the last bill" He had comeup on the morningtrain Old Uncle John B. Robinson: contained two additional counts, although And walked from Jersey Shore. Though feeble, sti,ll is here Upon the requestof Judge Mayer,Mr substantially the same. If the court should Lloyd then specified the difference between deem it sufficient grounds for a contin- I asked. "What of Gilbert?' Soon we will be called the first and second bills of indictment uance, the Commonwealth, while prepared Said he, ''He's gone co smash To settle up -- hand in the coral suH The first chai:ged definitely and particul- for a trial, would not urgeit And then he told me all about there will be others here [o take our place, arly but one offense, Chatis, bw on8 means Judge Mayer intimated char he thought The noted "Gilbert Crash. In forty years to come. of committing the offense -- alterations the grounds were sufficient for a continu- 12 T H E JO U R N A L 13 ance. Mlr. Lloyd stated that if the only of Mlr. Taylor appeared there. Certi6ed cess induced me to deposit with him. He J. L. Meredith, the next witness, stated objection to the first bill was thad it did checks had been i:eceived from the Metro never meant to pay me. he was a memberof the bar and auditor not show the swearing of witnesses, the de- politan NacionalBank of Neu York for Nice (on direct examination): Father's to distribute the money in rhe hands of fendants would waive that. Mr. Parsons about $15,000. estate had $16,000 in the bank at the fail- Judge Bentley, assigneeof H. E. Taylor seatedthan the prosecution preferred the urer The checks were shown to him. and he last bill. The court statedthat it considered If they could show these f acts, they ex- pected a verdict of guilty to be i:endured Nice (cross-examined) : That was also said they were presentedbefore the auditor mere was substantially a new charge in the and not objected to. nen, indictmerHt. and that the defendants without fear, favor, or affection. guaranteed by Mr. Herdic. should have sufficient opportunity to pre William N. Jones (duly sworn): live The deed of assignment of Taylor and pare to meet so serious a charge. After TESTIMONY FOR THE PRO,SECUTION in Williamsport; was city treasurer in 1874- rhe books of H. E. Taylor & Co. were of- 5. .Was a depositor with Taylor in 1877; fered, and the case of the (:ommonwealth some discussion as to the time of contin- John F. Nice (duly su,orn) stated: Live had $3,400 there. Met Mr. Taylor the day rested. uance.the court decidedto continuethe in Williamspopt; know H. E. Taylor:, who case. and bail for the defendants was re- was a banker here in 1877. the firm name after the failure; he said he couldgive me Defensecounsel Mann then said the newed for their appearance at phe October no secure'ty; said Herdic caused his failure Commonwealth had not shown whether being H. E. Taylor & Co.; think he sus- by not raking care of the certified checks session. pended Dec. 13, 1877; I have his cei:tificate rhe change was right or wrong; and having he had sent [o Philadelphia. Saw him next [or $20,000; my father also deposited there; failed to make that matter a material part day in che banking house, I being accom- of their case,they were not entitled to go saw Taylor the day after his failure; he panied by Major Wood; said he could On the afternoon of Thursday, January told me Herdic wantedto seeme: we went not makeout a statementas he was con- to the jury. He askedthe courtto so rule 8. 1880. the case of the Commonwealth to Maynard's;Herdic thought Taylor should fused and had been for some lime as he K'lr. Merzger insisted that the change was against H. E. Taylor and Pacer Herdic have an assignee, proposing Hinckley, Her had seen this thing coming. Said Heroic made to teal)seer the credit of Taylor to continued, Judge Mayer presiding. A jury dic's clerk. Herdic thought he was rhe was no-t at the bottom of it. Herdic; and that Mr. Gleim had testified was called. The prosecutors were J. F. Nice, most interested man and said. "This that accordingto the books the changewas can be arranged,and d n you, if you Jones (cross-examined): His only ex- Wln. N. Joules, and John D. Fessler. Dist- planation was that checkshad come back wrong. It was for the jury to say which rict Attorney Hart and Messrs. Parsons and keep your mouth shut, you can get your theory was correct. protested; did not say what checks. Metzgcr appeared for the Commonwealth, money." Mr. Guise, Judge Bentley, and and the following lor defendants:Hon. myself went to get the books of Taylor; he The next witnesswas Frank P. Guise. The court said che proper tribunal to determine the weight of the evidence was William B. Mann, of Philadelphia, and did not want to give Chem;the judge told a member of the bar. who stated he went him we must have them: he cried and [o the office of Taylor and Co., accompanied the jury, and that the casenarrowed down Messrs.Beeber, Mccormick, and Lloyd, of to two counts of the indictment. Williamsport. begged, and said he ''did not want to fur- by Judge Bentley and Mr. Nice to get the nishfire andpowder for his enemies."I books, and corroborated MI. Nice as to H. C. Parsons opened by seating Chat Laid Mr. Taylor that if I had a set of books rhe conversation there. TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE rhe defendants were charged with con- and they were all right, lshould not care Judge Cummin (duly sworn and shown Mr. Lloyd, oped-ng for the defense, re- spiracy, and outlined the case against them: who might see them; if riot a]] right, I rhe certified checks): By direction of the H. E. Taylor was a banker in 1877 -- the marked that they did riot think it possible shouldact just as he did; we gor the books. Metropolitan National Bank of New York, for any intelligent twelve men [o find the firm being Taylor & Co., Herdic, his I received these from the cashier of the brother-in-law, being the "Co." Mr. Taylor Nice (cross examined) : Began to depo- defendants guilty. He seared what rhe in- Ci'cyNational Bank, of mis city, and began dictment charged, noting thad the fif th and suspended in 1877, with deposits of about si-t there when he first opened; for the an acuorl against Peter Herdic upon these sixth charges were specific -- conspiracy $80,000. Mr. Nice, the heaviest depositor, last -three years I had a guarantee from in the United States court and judgment calledon Mr. Taylorand was taken to Peter Herdic. Mr. Taylor was to pay me [o defraud by changing the books and by was obtained fraudulent certified checks. This cation was see Mi '. Herdic and Judge Maynard, and from 8 to 10 percent interest -- up to 12 (Certified checks of P. Herdic. marked an attempt to get around the act of 1843, wastold by Herdic that if he would shut pei:cent;he still owed me for interest;I ''good" by H. E. Taylor & Co., were intro- his mouth, he would geE his money. Taylor never calculated how much he owed which abolished imprisonment for debt. Cold Mr. Tones that Herdic caused his me. with in-teresa. or exclusive of in:teresa; duced in evidence, amountirlg to several Mr. Taylor had contractedbad debts in hundred dollars.) his business to the amount of about failure; but the next day he sind he owed did not deposit anything in the paso three $125,000:. The defense would show that Herdic, if anything. Judge Bentley was ap years; I had $20-,000 there for three years; F. E. Gleam (duly sworn): Am teller pointed assignee. The assignee, accompan he paid me no interestin thoseyears. I in the West Branch Bank: assisted in the change (in the books) was made to ied by creditors,called upon Taylor for his drew out $4,000during the baseyear and examining the books of Taylor & Co. On right a wrong; that the account should books.The latter said he did not propose a half; that did not pay my back interest; page 114 "H. E. Taylor" has been erased have been entered in the name of Peter to give fire and gunpowderinto the hands know that a greater part of my claim was and "P. Herdic" written over it: credits Herdic insteadof H. E. Taylor. As for the certified checks: ''What evidence was there of his enemies to fight him. He fi-nelly made up of illegal interest. Had no business on the page amount to $17,801.93; charges gave up the books. The books showed that with Taylor before depositing with him; on the same page, $1,000. that they weFe given [o defraud?" They the nameof Ntr. Herdic had been written knewhim for sometime asa memberof Gleim (cross-examined): Judging from were glad of the chance to show the inno- over the erasedname of Taylor, a credit rhe firm of Wood, Taylor & Co.; I had the books I shou'ldsay the change was cence of the defendants. of $17,000being marked on char page. The some stock in char bank; took my money wrong, but I don't suppose it was meant J. Sydney Taylor (duly sworn): Was index had not beenchanged, and the name out and depositedic wire Taylor; his suc- to be wrong. formerly in the employof H. E. Taylor, but 14 T H E JO U R N A L 15 was not relatedto Mr. Taylor; the enuies judge said rhe defendants were charged MOTION MADE FOR A NEW TRIAL arcs to renew their recognizance [o appear in the booksare in my handwriting; I with coLlspiracyand then defined what at the next term of court. received deposits and made entries. (Slip Char meant. To make a case of conspiracy, Clinton Lloyd, Esq., of counselfor the shown witness.) This was a cash item slip, it is necessarythat two or more shall have defendants,made a motion for a new trial Defendants then renewed heir bail in representing overdue paper:. On January 5, entered info an unlawful agreement; one for the following reasons: the sum of $3,000 each, Mlr. Henry Brown 1877, Mr. Herdic deposited $4,374.50, person cannot comn)it the act of conspir- going on Mr. Herdic's bond,and Mr. O. E 1. Because the verdict was conti:ary to which sum was made up of theseamounts: acy. Af ter rehearsing the manner in which law. taylor on Mr. Horace E. Taylor's bond $1,724.50: $1,950, $700. The last item was mis special accoun-t was made, his honor +#+ a draft of $2,700; of this, we credited him said it the items making this account were 11. Because the verdict is against the with $700 and put $2,000 on the cash slip, Herdic's motley, he was entitled [o credit, evidence in the cause THE APPLICATION FOR which sum was due from us to Herdic. On unless th:re had been a special arrange- A NEW TRIAL ment; if a mistake had been made. the (a) There was no evidenceto show that July 19, 1877, a due bill was made to Mr. rhe defendantHerdic ever directed. assert- Herdic for $3,000; Mr. Taylor asked Mr. :jerk had a right to alter -che account. If In the case of the Commonwealth vs. P. Herdic for $3,000;Mr. Herdic said he ed to, or had any knowledgeof the alcera- Herdic and Horace E. Taylor, wherein the mere had been a criminal understanding be- Eion made on the books of Horace E. would give a check for it, but went out and tween Herdic and Taylor, the alteration, defendants were convicted of conspiracy to Taylor. did not comeback. On July 21st we charged if made, would be criminal. It need noc defraud at the January term, arguments on Mr. Herdic $3,000 and put the due bill be that the parties actually met together (b) The uncontradicred evidence of J. a motionfor a newtrial wereheard on in the drawer. [o make the change. If it was made by ar] Sidney Taylor, together with all the mem- Alpril 22, 1880,before the Hon. C. A arrangement to enable Herdic to share in oranda made at the time, shows conclusively Mayer. The case had been virtually tried The witness then pi:oceeded to give a on the 5th and 6th countsof the indict detailed explanation of each i:tem in the che assignedestate, it would be unlawful. that the moneysunder the changedentry He next spoke of the certified checks and were the moneys of Herdic; and that at the ment, and a verdict of guilty renderedJan- changed account, showing in what manner uary loch, 1880. The reasons filed for a the money had been received. It was Mr. said whether Hlerdic had funds there. when time he depositedthem credit was given to him for them on the said memoranda new trial were given on that date. Taylor's custom when he wanted money drawing these checks, would depend upon fr om Mr. Herdic to use what he wanted whether Herdic was entitled to rhe money and ;slips; and when enter:ed in gross in Judge Mayer took the bellch soon after from Mr. Herdic's deposits; and instead of which was placed to the credit of Taylor Me book were enterederroneously under [en o'clock. The courts oom contained a crediting Mr. Herdic, putting a slip in the So whether or not Herdic and Taylor com- the heading of Horace E. Taylor, special, large number of interested spectators, and drawer, arid entering the amount on a cash bined together unlawfully to issue these and in a few days thereafter were properly chore was a large attendance of members changed to Peter Herdic in coifo;mity of the bar slip. This amount would then be entered checks will depend upon whether the with the facts and truths of the case in the ledger under Mr. Taylor's name. No change of the account was proper. If they Mr. H. C. Mccormick. of counsel for the (the jury) were satisfied from the evidence other credit was given Mr. Herdic for these (c) Becausethe counsel for the prose- defendants, opened rhe arguments by stating amounts. The evidence showed how every of Sydney Taylor that the money was prop- cution i-n his closing address argued to the Chat the only counts taken into considera- item in this account had been received from erly Herdic's, then there was nothing crim- jury that one of the checkshad beenwrit- tion by the jury were the fifth and sixth of Mr. Herdic, excepting $1,000, which the inal in making the alteration. In regard to ten and marked good in blank:. there being rhe seven counts of the indictment. He then witness said had been on another slip which rhe checks, therefore, if the change of the no evidence in che case to warrant such an went over all the evidenceoffered in the account was right, the checks would not be he did not have present. argument; and also argued to the jury that trial concerning the crime charged in the the defendants should be convicted because fraudulent. The court then impi:eased upon fifth count the secretion of moneys (The defense was proceeding on this line rhe jury that riney were to be influenced by when court adjourned till nine o'clock Fri- they had robbed widows and oi:phansand property, and effects of Horace E. Taylor nothing but the evidence.The evidenceof churches,and had taken away the home day morning. ) by erasures, false entries, etc. As to this good character must turn the scales in fa- from a womanwhom he had met on the count, he concluded with the remark that vor of the defendant.if a reasonabledoubt street,and so inflamed the minds of the if all the evidence of the Commonwealth (No account of what happened in the existed. If they should be satisfied of the jury with the recitalof saidmatters and were admitted for che sake of argument, it trial or) Friday, January9, 1880: has been gui-It of the defendants, beyond a reason- others which were not in evidence as to could nor sustain the charge. As to the found in rhe newspapersof the time. How able doubt, they should convict; if they had lead them from the proper considerationof sixth count charging that ''Horace E. Tay- ever, we can infer some of the testimony a reasonabledoubt, they must acquit. The the evidenceand to rendera verdict against lor did combine, conspire, and agree to- given fmm the account of the proceedings defendants must have combined together it; and, further, the counsel from the Com- gether," the Comonwealthfailed to state on Saturday, January 10, 1880.) [o do an unlawful acc. or neither can be monwealth commencedupon the neglect and with whom Taylor conspired,and that there convicted. refusal of the defendant; to testify'in their was not a ching in rhe casefmm beginning THE VERDI(:T IN THE CASE The jury then retired. own behalf and argued that it cleared a to end that showed a conspiracy between presumption against them contrary to the Herdic and Taylor to defraud tile deposi- OFHERDICANDTAYLOR tors THE VERDICT expressprovisions of the act of assembly. The chargeof the court to the jury in T:hecourt ordered the motion to be filed Mr. Mccormick went on to say that the the caseagainst Taylor and Herdic was Between 10 and ll o'clock rhe jury came and granted a rule to show causewhy the unprecedentedverdict was found by reason deliveredpromptly upon the opening of in with a verdict of guilty in manner'and motion should nut be granted, returnable form as indicted. of public clamor, for rhc reasonthat it was court on Saturday,Jamlary lO, 1880. The Friday, the 27th of February, the defend- thoughtnecessary to find a victimfor the 16 T H E JO U R N A L 17 depositors. The attorneys for the Common- Mr. Nice's visit to .Judge Maynard. with 1880, "Judge Mayer read his decision in flame John Lambert, ]saac Kepner, ]srae] wealth were bound to cry the: casewith the Herdic auld Taylor, why was he told if he the Hlerdic-Taylorcase, on the motion for W. Buck, Thomas R. Peltz,])avid Sech- impartiality of a judge, and they should kept his. mouth shut, he would get his a new trial. He thoroughly analyzed and rist, Thomas Sechler, Wesley Wi-lliamson, not have brought into it the rancor and money? How was he to ger it, and from dissected the evidence and reviewed the Henry Edwards, Louis Sallada, John Van- malignity that had disgraced the case from whom? The sixth count charged Peter Her- argument of counsel, and granted a new derbilt, J. Pierce Butler, and A. H. Hill trial. ohe inception. M-r. Mccormick proceeded dic wish conspiring with Taylor. If Her- twelve good and lawful men of Lycoming [o cite authorities to show that unu,arrant- dic's name did not appear in the first parc (from the June 11, 1880, Daily Gaze//e County, duly summoned,. returLled, impan- ed and illegal argumentson the part of the of the count, it was merely a mechanical alza Bulletin) eled, sworn and affirmed to try the issue Commonwealth would be sufficient cause error. joined in this case, do say Jan. IO, 1880, for a new trial. Messrs. Herdic and Tay- (Copied from the Courthouse Records) Mr. H.. C. Parsons. of counsel for che theyfind rhe defendantguilty on the 5th lor were entitled to be tried without prej- Commonwealth amd 6M counts as indicted. udice, and on the evidence. and counsel U)mmonwealth, repeated that it was un- 35 vs precedented in the annals of criminal juris- had no right [o bring inca the case any Horace E. Taylor and Peter Herdic January 10, 1880, motion of defendants prudence for counsel to produce affidavits personal feeling or [o indulge in vicuper- Counsel in Arrest of Judgment and a new of the defendants asserting their innocence, Disc. Arty 7.00 arion and aspersionof the defendantsfor Court Bill trial for reasons filed Court permit the in their argumentfor a neu' trial. He reiter motion to be fi'led and grant a rule to Eh:esake of effect. acedthat the trial had been fair and im- Jui:y Fee 4.00 Shff Bastian 1.25 show causewhy the motion should not be Again, one of Commonwealth's counsel, partial, and that no motion for arrest of Clk. Follmer granted returnable Friday, the 27th day of in che heat of argument, had said that they Judgment had been made, although three 15.65 Ferry, and direct the dearsto renew their did not call the best evidence as to ehe monthshad elapsed;that not until that Indictment (Conspiracy vs) recognizance to appear at the next term entries, meaning that the defendants were morning had counsel for the Common of Court. Deft Peter Herdic. one of defts. May 9, 1879 True bill, L. L. Stearns, not called. The defendants had been told wealth been aware that trifling defects were and Henry Brown surety each held in by meir counsel that it was unnecessary [o be picked out here and there as reasons Foreman May 9, 1879 on application of the Dems counsel and cause Shown. case $3,000 for P. Herdic appearances.H. E. to call them. (Affidavits of Herdic and f or a new trial. He said that after Colonel Taylor, one of defts, and E. C. Taylor each Corltinued. Surety in $8000. Each for their Taylor as to this face were at this point Mann had eulogized Peter Herdic in a way held in $3,000 for H. E. Taylor appear- gendered the court.) that astonished everyone, counsel for the appearance at October sessions, 1879. ances as per recognizance filed Commonwealth had the right to reply. The May 9, 1879, Peter Herdic, one of Debts, Mr. J. J. Merzger,of counselfor the remarks of counsel were not calculated to April 10, 1880. Argued C. A. V. Commonwealth, seated that during the trial & J. W. Maynard surety Each held in there had been no allegations ot any ine- inflame the minds of the jury; and even if $8000 For Peter Herdic;s appearance at And now Julie 11, 1880,The verdictof eularities. and that the defendants had made so,it was now too late [o pressthat point October sessions 1879 as per i:ecognizance the Jury is setaside, and a newtrial grant- as a reason for a new trial. The jury was i:ie no such statements as they now produced; ed. By the(burt, C. A. Mayer, P. J., as an honestand hard-headedone; they had per opinion filed. that in Pennsylvania there had never been listened to the case carefully; and their May 9, 1879 Horace E. Taylor, E. C. Tay a case of a new trial being granted when haste in rendering a verdict merely showed lor, D. HI. Foresman,T. V. Brown, F. R. And now May 5, 1881,or] motion of objections had not been properly made at how overwhelming the testimony was. Weed and G. W. Lentz. J. J. Reardon,District Attorney, a not th:e time of the trial. He denied having pros ( # ) is ordered and directed to be en- said anything about rhe defendantsnot After going over again all the testimony Each held in $8000 for the appearance of being called [o testify, making Me testi- at the trial. Mr. Parsons concluded that the Horace E. Taylor at Oct. sessions1879 as tered in the above stated case. By the Court, Hugh H. Cummin, P. J mony insufficient. counsel for the (::ommonwealth believed at per recognizance filed. the trial. and shill believed. that the verdict declaration(+) No1 .pros. tllat=-- abbreviation the plaintiff forin nollea civil prosequi, case will a Mr. Metzger insisted mere was evidence was justified by the law and the evidence. And now Oct. 9, 1879, the above case dropprosecution of all or part of a suit or showing rhe artempr [o secret wham had He added that counsel for the Common- continued on application of the District indictment. beendone: that the teller of the bank had wealth representeddeeply wrongedmen Attorney, and a peremptory order is made testified that the effect of the entry was for the trial of this cause at .January ses- who had lost every dollar, and it was no COMMONWEALTH to transferassets from the bank to Herdic, light matter for grey haired men to see all sions 1880 ohe defendantsto renew their making a liability out of a resource.On the meir possessionsswept awayand the de recognizancein the sum of $3,000.By rhe vs. 4th of Decemberthey madethe entriesin fendants living in splendor Court, C. A. Mayer, P. J. Oct. 9, 1879, Deft PETER HERDIC the nameof Taylor, and ac the time of the Peter Herdic and W Brouse, surety failure they char)gedthem to Herdic. If Court adjournedat 12:30, the argument each held in $3,000 for P. Herdic's ap- (from rhe August 26, 1879, G.zze//e 7M Herdic did not know this, why was it of ColonelWeill,iam H. Mannwas to be pearance as per recognizancefiled. H. E. Bulletin) heard in the afternoon. done? Why did Herdic leave this large Taylor, Deft, and E. C. Taylor, surety, each 'r'he following witnesses have been sub amount there with no credit either upon ++# held in $3,000 for H. E. Taylor's appear- poenaed, or are about to be subpoenaed the books of the bank or his own hand- ance as per recognizancefiled. January 8 by Peter Herdic, Esq., to appear at Belle- book? Sidney Taylor's testimony was im- Again there is an omissionin the 1880, Defendants plead not guilty same fonteon Thursdayof this week,in the probable and inconsistent. Horace Taylor's papers of rhe time as to what occurred day. Disc. Arty. allswers similiter. Tan. 8, case of the Commonwealth vs. Peter Her- statementswere confused.At the time of further in this trial. However,on June 11, 1880, a Jury of this County being called, dic: Oliver Watson, Abram Updegraff, 18 T H E JO U R N A L lg

Samuel Jones, F. R. Weed, J. V. Brown,+f it was not srrarlge that there should have terms by M}. Herdic's counsel. They are Mr. Mann pausedand then read with Hon. B. B. Bentley, Bode Otto, D. H. been in this community a strong feeling unanimous in saying that he acted;. from indescribab[eeffect the fa]]owing lines of Merriman; A. J. Dietrick, Eber Culver, of genuine sympathy tor an unf ortunate the first to the last, with great fairness, the poet Campbellupon the crushingof F. N. Page,John J. Boyer,John F. Megin- man xxhoseonly apparentcrime was that and endeavoredto do his duly as the prose- Poland by the brutal power of Russia: ness. Lewis March. Charles E. Gibson, he was unable to render unto Caesarthat cutor of the pleas of the Commonwealth which the (burt in his prosecution 'Oh, bloodiest picture in the book of D. H. Blee, .J. Lewis Hough, Huston Hep and not as the representativeof the in- Time. burn, H. B. Melick, J. H. GuLich,Di:. Det claimed was his due. The dispatches sent dividual part of the prosecution.At the wider, Major Haviland, Geo. W. Young- [o certain eastern papers representing thad close of rhe evidence on the part of the Sarmaria fell, unwept, without a crime; man, J. E. Goodrich, Theo. Hill, Wm. Nlc- a different sentimentexisted here during scare, J. L Spangler opened on behalf of Found not a generousfriend, a pitying foe. Clintock, Geo. Aurand, G,eo. W. Strayer, Eheprogress of the trial must certainly have the defendant in a brilliant speech thee has emanated from interested sources. with a Strength in her arms, nor mercy in her Col. P. Huey,Hiram Mudge,Geo. Lup- enhanced his previous enviable reputation woe! pert, Robe. P. Allen, H. C. Parsons, John view [o influencing the final verdict, and as an eloquent speakerand most effective .I. Metzger,J. B. McMicken:and J. A must have been sent by parties who care advocate. At the close of his remarks he Dropp'd from her nerveless grasp rhe Beeper. fully avoided feeling the public pulse. was loudly applauded. Mr. Herdic then shatter'd spear, Closed her bright eye, and curb'd her The courthouse was densely cmwded deluged the witness Stand with gentlemen from the time the case was called until the fmm Williamsport who gave important high career; (fmm the September 5, 1879, G.zze/fe M testimony in his behalf, and at last the BziiLet&w) last echoof the j-udge'scharge had died And then turning to Mr. Herdic, he made away. One of the causes that operated to irrepressible Peter kissed the Book, and the appl.icationof the quotation to his case closed the case so far as the evidence was T'HE HllRDIC TRIAL keep the large crowd in cor)scant attendance in a highly dramatic manner. Colonel Mann concerned. WHAT A BELLEFONTEPAPER was the eminence of the counsel who were closed his speech in a beautiful appeal to HASTOSAY ABOUTIT retained in the case. The members of our A. O. Furst, Esq.,then went [o the jury the court, and Cookhis seat amidst suppres- own bar who appeared on either side were for the prosecution, and made a close legal sed excitement.It was a great effort, lust A Review of What Was the District Attorney Fortney, General James mgument without any attempt at rhetoi:i- such an effort as Colonel Mann always Most Interesting Presentation Ever A. Beaver, and A. O. Furst for the prose- cal fireworks. Edmund Blanchard opened makes when thoroughly aroused Heard in That Court -- The cution: and Senator O. T. Alexander. Ed- for the defense,and peopleare not yet done General Beaver closed for the prosecu- Attorneys and What They Said. mund Blanchard,and J. L. Spat)glenfor Mr. talking about his remarkable speech. It is tion in an able,earnest. and at times elo The Ce#/fe I)emocf4/ of this week says Herdic. There also appeared upon the no compliment to say that it was a i:eally quent plea for the convictionof the de- scenea no lesswell known gentlemanthan fine effort, full of telling points, and deliv- that never was there a case,either civil rhe Hoon.Will,iam B. Mann. who has been fendant. When General Beaver had con- or criminal. tried in the courts of Cents:e ered with great feeling and earnestness duded, Judge Qrvis immedidoely com- County that attracted more attention or proudly called the ''greatest criminal law- Now came che crowning event of the menced an admirable charge to the jui:y yer of the Philadelphia bar." He came from challenged more universal interest than the trial. Immediately after court convened on Clearlyand terselyhe laid dou,n the law one which closed at five o'clock on last important duties in connection with the and reviewed the facts with char perspic- bribery casesat Harrisburg to appear in Friday afternoon,Col. Mann, the hero of Friday evening befoi:eJudge Orvis. It our courts for the first time as the friend countless legal battles and forerlsic con- uity that distinguishes all this able judge's was known to fame as "The Common- flicts, made his obeisance to the court and charges. It is not necessary to say anything and the leading advocate of Mr. Heroic. wealth vs. Peter Herdic," but it was equally faced the jury. The great crowd scarcely to our readers in relation to Judge Orvis well understood that the mighty power The history of this caseis so well known bi:eathed,so anxiouswere they that no word ability or legal learning they know both of the state had been invoked by private to our readersthat we do not deem it the great crimina] lawyer spoke should well; but Colonel Mann remarked several individuals, and that the people, as repre- necessaryto enterinto any details.William fail to reachtheir ears.No onewho knows times that he was one of the best judges sen-ted by the public prosecutor, had ar- F. Reynolds & Co. charged the defendant this celebratedbarrister need be told that he ever tried a casebefore. This is a high raignedone of the most noted men in with obtaining $8,000 by f Rise represen- he made a wonderful speech. He addressed compliment, coming from a man who has the country to answer to a penal charge. tations. and it was to defend himself from himself directly to the understanding and practiced his profession before some of The defendant was fortunate in being well mis charge that brought Peter Herdic inca common sense of the men on whose deci- the ablest judges who ever sat upon the knownto out people.The public spirit, the court of quarter sessions of Centre sion dependedthe fate of his client, and bench. the indefatigable energy, the wonderful bus- County. The case was admirably conducted drove home to them in the simplest lang- At rhe conclusion of the judge's charge, iness achievements of Peter Herdic are throughout. The attorneys on both sides ex- uage the f actsupon which he basedhis the jury retired. On Saturday morning they known to every schoolboy in the Susque- h,austedtheir legal ingenuity in ics prep- argument. Every few moments he would came into court and rendered a verdict hanna Valley. They have read how his pluck, aration, and it will be long before we wiU suddenly drop his quiet, argumentative man- of "NoE Gull-ty." Thus Peter Herdic was his perserverance, and his matchless en- see another case managed with such con- ner and break into a strain of eloquence vind-icated. and the end of a memorable terprise and untiring industry had raised summate skill. Disuict Attorney Fortney that fairly electrified his vast audience trial reached. him from a poor boy to one of the most operled the casefor the prosecution in one Several dramatic incidents occurred during ++# wealthy, influential businessmenin the of those powerful and telling speechesfor his speech.One of the most striking was state.And they knew likewise that he, with which he is becoming famous. Both this when he referred to a remark made by .Editors Note: \YZitb aLI dice respect hundreds of others.had been stricken down opening speechand his deporrment during Major Reynolds upon the witness stand to CololTel Mann, alla especiatLlybe by the lightning of financial d-isaster. Hlence rhe trial are spoken of in the highest that "he had closed Peter Herdic's career.' cazlse tt;e are ceLebratillg tbe Bicentell- 21 20 T HE JO U R N A L

dal, {t seems most aPPeal) late to add were not pressed at the argument. I there- fifteen pagesof entriesto be madein his Altoona Tffb e: Shopping ar the Logan fore say than the evidence does not sustain day book of business transactions amount- House Wednesday evening may have been Fbe two lines tr,118wing }be above found the invincible Peter Herdic, of Wil- qao anon tro?tt Tbolltas Ca?llpbett's chem.The fii:st and secondcharge in ing to at least one million of dollars. The Poem,"l-be Pleasuresot Hope substance that the bankrupt "has willfully fair inferencefrom the testimonyis liamspoi:r,in companywith B. S. Bentley, sworn falsely" in the afliidavic attached chat a proper cost account was kept, and Jr. and J. O. Parker, Esq., [wo prominent HOPE, tor a season,bade }be world mere is no contradiction to this evidence lawyers of the same place. The visit of t«r"';'ll, =ohis petition, in this Chathe has no real es- tate in his possession,when in truth he was thesegentlemen to the city was for the pui:- A?M freedom sbreik'd -- as KOS- rhe owner of lands in Potter County, Pa., \ THE VITAL QUESTION pose of appearing before Edmund Shaw, =lUSKO+ tell!" there held in trust for him. which he did Esq., auditor appointed by the court of Fhe vital question in chia case now not return, bur fraudulentlyomitted it from common pleas to d-istribute some $5,000 +''ThaddeusKosciusko, 1746 1817.Pol seems to be trac on August 26th, 1878, in the handsof the late Sheriff,James M. ish patriot and commanderof rhe Ameri- h:is schedule.This land was purchasedat three days befoi:e the filing of the petition can' troops in RevolutionaryWar. rhe value of $45,240, and it is charged that Stiffler. At the office of Mr. Shaw, on theselands were to be held in trust until in bankruptcy by the dii:eccion of Mr. Wednesday evening, the parties met, to- .TbeAtnericaw Heritage Dictiollar] ot }be Herdic, 15 pagesof entries were made in a certain time and then sold, and the pro- gether with Hon. S. S. Blair, Hon. B. L English Language.) ceedsto be divided between Herdic. Tome: his 'books all of the same dare aggregating Heu,it, D. S. Neff, and A. J. Riley, Esq., considerably over one million of dollars. Did attorneys representing claimants upon this and Olmstead, parties to the contract. Mr. these entries concern Mr. Herdic's business fund. The contestseems to be over a (from the February 6, 1880, Daffy Gzzze//e Herdic says, in reference to these lands, as a merchant?This, it seems,is the ques- and Bwttetin ) that his interest was sold at treasurer's judgment for $10,000 in the name of Peter tion. If they relate to transactionsdistinct sale for taxes, and } believe he has noc Herdic, which, it is claimed by other credi- from his businessas a merchant,it is im- tors. is without consideration, although Bankruptcy Cases sworn falsely. material how the entries were made. Ifail the first on the list of liens against the "l'he case of P. Herdic, bankrupt, was to discover in the testimony of the witnesses fund Other Specifications [o what branch of the bankrupt's business =;-e:.: the entries in question relate, buc the evi- i:l::=:i::''l:;'::i::==;'=.r%The third and fourth specifications re- The taking of testimony, we believe, was liloyd for bankrupt. The case was exhaus- dence does show that the making of these closed on $rednesday evening, and the relate [o the alleged concealment by the tively presented,and the court took the pa- entries was a transaction entirely free fmm hearing adjou'rn-edtill yesterdayat lO bankrupt of certain personal propel:ty to fraud. Itherefore conclude that neither the pers. rhe extent of $35.000. Mr. Herdic swears a.m.:.at which Mr. Bentley made his argu- loch nor llth specification has been sus- ment in behalf of the assigneesin bank- positively that no part of this money was tained I am of the opinion that all speci- ruptcy of Mr. Herdic, and was followed (fmm the February 16, 1880, D#;/y G.zzer/e used for the purposes charged..It is always fications should be over ruled, and the a fair presumption that the bankrupt has by Ah. Parker in behalf oi the Lumber- a?MBz£! e &%) bankrupt granted his dischargeupon the man's National Bank, of Williamsport, to acted with integrity, and I altogether fail HERDIC DISCHARGED presentation of the register:'scertificate of [o find concealment Ol: fraudulent approp- whom the judgment had been assignedby his conformityto the law,and it is so Mr. Herdic before his going into bank- riation of money in this case. Opinion of the Court at Pittsburgh Sat- ordered. ruptcy. On the closing of Mr. Parker'S urday The eighth specification charges that the McKennan, Circuit Judge. argument, Ehefurther hearing was adjoui:n- ed to the 13th init., at which time the He is Virtually Clearedfrom his Debts bankrupt has willfully sworn falsely in the I sat at ehe argument of this case with The Objections To his Discharge Are Dis- affidavit attached to his petition, in that final argum:antsare expected to be made he has omitted from his schedulecertain the district judge in order that the delay missed by Judge McKennan in the final determination of it, which by the attorneys interested amountsagri:egating nearly $36,000. This Saturday at Pittsburgh Judge Acheson de- might result in an appealtn the circuit We understand that a vigorous contest livered an opinion in the matter of the ap- specification fails, for the evidence is plen- + court, might be avoided. ary that the bankrupt did not receiveat thad has been going on before the auditor from plication for a discharge from the bank- time to time since his appointment, kept lime said sums or any part thereof Tbe foregoing opinion, therefore, is to ruptcy of Peter Herdic. His honor argues up by different conflicting claimants as' fol:lows: Certain creditors of the bank- be understood as expressing the views of The ninth specification charges that the both of us, and as practically decisive of to rhe money, there having been about rupt having filed sped-fications of oppo: bankrupt had knowledge that Charles E. fourteen adjourned meetings. Some inter- che controversy. sition to his discharge,they were referred Gibson had proved a false debt against him esting questionsof the law arise in the case, to Register Smith to take testimony, which for $39,000. It would be essential that the we understand, growing out of the oper- he did and reported favorable to bankrupt. bankrupt had knowledge of this face in ations of Mr. Herdic in connection with 1880, 1)a£Zy G4ze#£e The registers'report was argueda few days order to sustain the specification, and of ( from the April 3, some of the banking and manufacturing aTM Bare w) since by counsel before Circuit Judge (Mc- such knowledge there is no evidence. institutions about Williamsporc. Kennan) and myself; since that time I have PE'iTR HERDiC'S EFFE(;rs #+# given the case' careful consideration, and The tenth specification charges that the the conclusion Ihave i:eached meets the bankrupt has not kept proper books of Interesting Legal BaLtIC for rhe Possession accountsince the 21 of March,1867, in that Mr. Seth M. Lynn researched the records approval of my associatein the case. The of Five Thousand Dollars specificationsof the oppositionare 13.in on the 28th of August,1878, three days in the courthouse and found that Peter number. but the 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th and 13th before going into bankruptcy, he caused The following appearedyesterday in rhe Herdic (who died without leaving a Will) 22 T H E JO U R N A L 23 did leave an estate which was administered Reading of Philadelphia." .JamesHerdic stand in the bankruptcy proceedings that Rubright and Dormarl (brick in our Orphan's Court. His widow, Encie, subsequently filed a final account indicating he had loaned Peter at different times manufacturers & grocers) 78,498 renounced her right to administer the es- that while a recoveryhad beenmade in a total of four hundred thousand dollars, G. W. Sands& Co. (lumber tate and nominated one James P. Herdic favor of Peter Herdic in his lawsuit vs Read- and that he didn't expect [o get more than manufacturers ) 37,140 (a nephew) to be rhe Adminiscraror. James ing, Herdic's creditors had attached the half of it back. Jacob Tome, a r-ich banker Wm. Stoddard, manager 88,438 filed an Inventory consisting of one item monies so thee there were actually no assets of Port Deposit, Md., was said to have Susquehanna Boom Co. 49,437 name[J' "Contingency of recovery in a ]aw in Herdic's estate. been a heavy creditor, [oo, and there were Williamsport Mal)ufacturing suit brought by Peter Herdic vs .John G. others whom Herdic owed much smaller Co. 32,574 sums. Williamsport Passenger Railway 26,064 Quite a number of Herdic's properties Crescent Nail Works 23,751 were sold at United States Marshal's sale, Ensworth Estate 41,172 and others at sheriff's sale. Mr. Weight- What Happened To His Properties Hotchkiss and Barber man, to realize on his loans, bought in ( Planing mill) S6,9iS some of the most valuable of these prop- D. K. Hantz 12,000 erties, including what now is known as rhe Weightman Block. His son-in-law, and numerous others of varying amounts. R. J. C. Walker, bought the Herdic House In some instances, the bidding was quite and Herdic Park. which he renamedOld lively on a "five cent ante" basis and the Oaks Park. JacobTome bought some,and auctioneer'sgavel and tongueflew fast as so did the Lumberman's National Bank. the amountsoffered for twenty and fifty Herdic's famer-in-law, Judge John W. May- thousand dollar accounts were run up to nard, and others, also figured in the buy- twenty or thirty cents by five-cent bids. ing. The attendance was not so large as it was #+# lively; but there was considerable interest manifested in the safe. ]\lr. Herdic was an On April 16, 1880, Messes. Fredericks interested spectator and one of the liveliest and Bentley, assignees of Peter Herdic, bidders. This was an odd spectacle and offered for sale in the courthouse a large one than caused considerable comment. It amount of so-called assets, consisting of may be queer for a recently discharged notes, checks, bonds, stocks, judgments, bills bankrupt to be so active in purchasnghis of sale. certificates. book accounts. etc. Aside own assets. but it should be remembered from the book accounts.the "assets"offer- that this is a greercounrly. Mr. C. W ed for sale amounted to about $250,000. Scott, the book agent, bought some $58,000 The book accounts amounted to something of assets for 2) cents, and he will perhaps over $1.000.000 or more. Ex-Sheriff Piatt rehire [o private life. It is said that others was the auctioneer.Notwithstanding his made good bargains in their purchases.This best efforts to secure something for rhe will probably about wind up rhe sale of creditors, only some $1,500 was realized Mr. Herdic's effects from the $1,250,000 of the bankrupt as- The crash in Peter Herdic's businessli.fe ##+ great strength and fertility of resource, Peter sets. Among the larger amounts was: came during the dark days of the financial Herdic for the time being could be said to panic that engulfed the chul)try froth 1873 be ''not in the running." Peter wus said 550 shares of Passenger Railway stock The following properties were sold at to 1878, when many big firms and cap- to have been a heavy bormwer. He had 44 shares of gas stock sheriff's sale mis afternoon (April 23, 18- tains of industry went to rhe wall. Herdic, to be to continue businessas long as he $15,0.00 in bonds of the Lycoming Gas 80) in front of the courthouse by Sheriff like hundreds of others who were unable did after the panic starred in 1873. He and Walter Co. Bastian: The properly of Peter Herdic, on to meet their obligations and weather the attractedand drew into his plans capital 150 shares in the fork company phe south side of the river near the dam. storm, finally was caught in the financial isis from the big cities 580 shares in the Williamsport and consistingof twenty acresof ground: with maelstrom. When one dal ' in 1878 it was Canada Lumber Co. improvements consisting of one large two- announced that he had gone into voluntary Herdic failed for something like $1,800, 100 sharesin the Robert Morris Land story brick house,frame bank barn, tobac- banklupecy, there was consternation through 000. Among his heaviest creditors was Wil- and Coal Co. co sheds, etc. This was purchasedby John G. Reading for $50. out all Williamsport, and the newt,s caused liam 'Weightman, a well-known Philadel- Among the larger book account credits a sensation over the country. Herdic's phia chemist and a very wealthy man, whom ##+ remarkable businesscareer had been curb- Herdic owed at the time of his failure claimed by the assignee, and so sold, were the following: ed. He still had some of the old fighting several hundred thousand dollars. In fact At 10 o'clock on Ehe naorning of Sep temper15, 1883 rhe sale of the real estate spirit left in him. But, notwithstandinghis Mlr. Weightman testified on the witness Lycoming Gas and Walter Co $46,298 24 THE JO U R N A L 25

of Peter Hlerdic, under the direction of The S.F. Green house (40 Fitch Ave.) vania line steamed:s.and is now well over James S. Rutan, United States marshal for LancasterCounty matter, you know. All brought $25. these things induced Peter to change his the sea. He would go ashore at Queens- the western district of Pennsylvania, took Twelve or thirteen other properties scat- base, and he changed it. town, and after taking a quiet squint at placeat the courthouse.The salewas con- tered throughout the city ranged from ducted by Deputy L. H. Maf tin, who re- old Ireland. would board a train and hasten $50 to $10. ' Such were the first rumors that got on to London.Then, after enjoying a few ceived the bids and "knocked down" the The tract known as Herdic Park. and afloat and caused all manner of specula- properties. days' rest in that modern Babylon, he containing 18 acres,was knocked down tion, and the quidnuncsclinched them by wou[d join General Grant, sail up the Medi for $600 sagely declaring: The coal lands in Pine Township (over termnean, pass thmugh the Suez Canal 3,000 acres) averaged $25 a tract Samuel L Youngman became the pur- only stoppinglong enoughto buy one of chaserof the coal yard and two dwel- 'Told you so; you'll not see Peter About 2,500 acres in Brown Township soon again. Florida, faughl rhe pyramids from the Khedive -- when brought an average of $5 a tract. lings in the First Ward for $55. they would hastenon to India. Once in 'l'he Park Hotel property was knocked All the other tracesand properties were RI.mor N-amberTwo mat countryhe would engagein hunting down for $1200. sold ta Clinton Lloyd rhe frisky tiger with the ex-President, and 'The first rumor having become worn A lot of ground in rhe fourth ward Mr. Herdic was present in person and ,there is no doubt but they will have a brought $35. threadbare, it was not long until another royal time. Af ter doing India thoroughly, took a lively interest in the sale. ,All the was starred. because one sensation is al- 990 acres in Potter County were sold prices were generallyberger than those ob- they will proceedto China, where Peter for $70 ways sure to be followed by another more tained at the first sale. and Mr. Herdic ridiculous. This one was to the effect that will purchase a tea plantation, adopt a A number of tracts corltaining several quietly remarked that if the properties celestial costume, and engage in raising thousand acres in the aggr8gace,and he had actually gone to the flowery land Chatuseful article. whilst Grant will re were put up a few times more, they would of alligators, oranges, and election frauds; situated in Armstr ong, Brown, Cum- bring their full value turn home and be re-electedPresident. This bur not liking rhe climate, had boarded a rumor, which is the very latest, is regarded mings, and Cogan House Townships ++# steamer for the Bermudas. and was then averaged $5 each. as correct by the rumor manufacturers,and far on his way [o those delightful isles rhe Gaze//e .zwdBzz//e/Z# gives it for what The Heroic Block brought $50, and After PeterHerdic went bankruptin of the sea where perennial spring ever the car stablesand office $55. 1878, the Minnequa H.ousewas taken over it is worth reigns and lovely flowers ever bloom. This A lot adjoining John E. .Jones(259 by the Minnequ;Improvement Co West 4th Srreer) was sold for $50. was regarded by some as a uue story, and a few of the wisestquidtluncs shut Side Incidents one eye and slyly hinted that there was no 'This chapter would be incomplete with doubt this time but what the rollicking out giving a few of the sideincidents con- Peter was far on his way to Nassau. Others however, entertained a doubt.. and hinted cerning the rumored flight of Peter. The Elmira .4dvef/fief printed a dispatch yes- Rumors And Hearsay Following His Bankruptcy Chat Cuba was his objective point, that terday from Williamsport which said that he long entertained a desire to set his foot on the 'ever faithful isle.' and a he had failed for reza mf//io#l o/ dof&f.r.' The January14, 1879, edition of the disguisedso that his most intimate friends The evening Gaze/re,not to be outdone in winter in Havanawould be his delight. enterprise, also had a dispatch from Wil- Gazed/e zzd Bz//Jeff z reported that Peter would not have been able to recognize He could occasionally attend a bullfight, Herdic had departedfor Florida about two him, and immediately on the arrival of liamsport which said that he had only ride through the country, visit the great failed for oozem//oz Zo//fr.' that the weeks previously. Even though it was the 12:35 a.m. train he bounced aboard sugar plantations, pluck oranges fresh from known in Williamsport that he went south rumor than he had fled to escape a requi- like a youth of twenty, and was soon snug- the trees, and have a good time generally. sition from Governor Robinson was in- to recuperatehis health,the storyof his ly ensconced in a sleeping car berth with the That would be his delight, and they knew departure so agitated the newspapers a- curtains closelydrawn, and in a few min- It correct, and then the 'special ' (?) winds round the country that fantastic 'rumors utes the train mlled awaywhilst the good up as follows: were printed: R.a77}ar Number Three people .of Williamsport deposed in then: :His friends. however. claim there is little beds" totally uncon&ious of what Selbsatiowat Ramon N 7nbe Olde 'The ]ast rumor having died, and mat no truth in the story, and say his present was transpiring. In a day or two the quid- Inasmuch as all manner of curious sen refs becoming a little dull, the storymong- whereaboutsis well known. and that he nuncs began to look wise, and as they shook ers thought it was about time to concoct has gone to Florida for his health, hav- national rumors have gone abroad, and in- meir heads, they remarked another one. And it was concoctedat quiries from many leading newspapers are ing sufferedseverely of late fmm a com This t.ime the wise ones were plicated affliction of the throat. It was received here almost daily concei:n- Well, Peter has gone; I expected it. positive that all the other rumors were known, some time previous to his depar- ina them; the G.zze//e z # B ;/e£ilz deems Governor Robinson of New York was wrong, and char they knew lust exactly it proper to give them for the edification, about to issue a requisition on Governor ture, that he intendedleaving the city, where he had gone. Europe was the land and his friends pronounce rhe associated or amusement, of its readers, vouching for Hartranft for his arrest. because he owed he Fined to see, and as it was very fashion- the accuracyof norlc of them. In the first an Elmira firm $100,000. more or less: or pressdispatch, to rhe effect that he is able for those who could afford it to visit fleeing from justice, utterly false. Out- place a story got afloat that he repaired to becausea banker of Bellefonte had him side of his own circle of friends. his ab- the depot in a closedcarriage late at night, that quarter of rhe globe, he had sailed arrested some time ago; and chore is that from Philadelphia on one of the Pennsyl- sence is severely commented upon, and 26 T H E JO U R N A L 27

further developments are anxiously awai- of his severeattack of catarrh.that threat ing upon the lots, mortgagedthem for gularities. Failing to keep his word, the ted. His friends claim there is no 'crook- enid to end in catarrhal pneumonia of almost their full value, and that that mort- requisition was asked for and granted edness' about his absence, and when bom lungs, I ordered him (o go south and gage had never been satisfied. In the yesterday wanted he will be ready co put in an ap- spend the winter in a dry, temperate cli- affidavits of defense why judgment for pearance. No mention of the matter has lnare, and thus effect a perfect ;estoration Lhe amount should not be awarded Messy:s. :The gas stock on which Herdic raised beenmade by the pressof the city, and of his desiredhealth. Th& post office here Reynolds & Co., Mr. Herdic acknowledged rhe money in Elmira was stock of the Wil rhe above are all the particulars as far and telegraph office, as well as the railroad Chat he knew there were two mortgages liamsport Gas Company, which he organ- as I can learn. to Williamsport, cou-ld testify of his where- upon the property at the time of executing ized. The capital of the companywas $150,000,he owning a large majority of One active young journalist of this city abouts; and I hope this will satisfy your rhe last one: notwithstandingche fact that thinking .that the New York Hefafd would interested readers he representedmatters in a different light rhe stock. Hle sold rhe company 1,000 +++ [o the partiesfrom whom he obtainedthe acres of wild land for $300-,000worth of like a columnor two relatingto the won- additional shock There was a prior lien on derful rumors afloat regarding Peter, tele- loan. These are rhe chargesupon which mis land. and it was sold at Marshal'ssale. graphed char enterprising journal last night THE CENTRE COUNTY SENSATION rhe grand jury found the indictment. What to know how much he should send.In a Ntr. Herdic'sdefense will be, we know and Hlerdic -bought it in for a song. On (February 8, 1879, G ze//e / zd BXZ/eff#) not rhe additional stock Herdic borrowed few minutes the following answer was returned: #++ $300,000, representing that it was the ac In the editorial departmentof the Belle- dual capital of the company,and was paying New York, Jan. 13 fonte Wa/r#m.z/zof the presentweek, che dividendsregularly. Of rhe $300,000was following appears: ''One of our exchanges PETER HERDIC'SCAREER To Williamsport : rhe $25,000 he borrowed at rhe Chemung which evidently wants to surprise the pub- Who is Peter Herdic? And The Poor Boy Who Came Out of the Canal Bank in this city. The balancehe And why did lic . with its originality announces, very Pine Woods obtained of banks in Lancaster and Centre he run away? positively, that Peter Herdic is not in Counties, Pa J. G. Bennett Florida, or in Europe, but is hidden in Is the "Lumber King" Still Rich? rhe mountains of Centre County. Now we :Suits similar to the one commenced This was a 'stunner.' because if the ( from the July 19: 1879, Gaze/ze .27zd f ef d did not know who he was.there do not supposethat the readersof the in Elmira are pending there, Herdic having BwttetilT ) been indicted in both places,and being was little reliance to be placed in the IP'iz&c#m/'zmcare very much whether the rumors mat are agitating so many news- enterprisingWilliamsporter is hidden in The outside paper that gives most at under bonds [o appear. At the tilde of papers throughout the country, and the Florida, Europe, or this county, or for mentionto Mr. Peter Herdic, of this city, hyporhecaring this worthless stock, Herd-ic enterprising young journalist was dumb- mat matter, whether he is hidden at all is the New York Sz/#. I.ts issue of yester- caused the original $150,000 of stock to founded. In rhe meantime Peter is said but lust at this time it wouldbe an day contained an Elmira dispatch concern- be made preferred. This he assigned ta exceedingly queer move for Peter to loaf ing Mr. H:erdicwhich will be foundbe- john G. Reading, of Philadelphia to be quietly enjoying himself in the delec- about within the jurisdiction of the court low. The article containedsome truth and table land of F:orida, and for the purposeof 'The Elmira proceedings against Herdic causing another sensation is accused of o-f this county. It was only last week that very considerablefiction, as Williamsport- our grand. jury found a true bill against ers will be able to observe. It is printed have recalled many other of his peculiar having somethingto do with that earth- transactions.After his failure. his liabilities quake Sunday night, which is said to have him for obtaining money under false pre- simply for whamit is worth, and is as fol- tenses, and the reputation ouf court 'has lows, dated Elmira, July 16th: were found to be $2,000,000.His principal caused .great consternation among the alli- creditor was the junior partner of gators,poor whites,and intelligentdar- The indictment found against Peter the firm of Powers & Weightman, kens calculatedi::;;i=n to £Emake ::''i.='u.:£':i;them believe that with-=i Herdic, the former ''lumber king" of Penn- rhe great quinine monopolisrs of Phila- #++ sylvania, for obtaining money on false pre in .its jurisdiction is the safest place to delphia. Mr. Weightman;. owing [o reside tense in this dry, and upon which a requisi- the rude the firm had in char drug, The January 17, 1879, edition of rhe tion for him has lust been made upon had an income of $20,000 a month G.zze//ea/M B Z/eff seatedwhy Mr. Her- The gmunds for the indictment. as u,e Ehe governor of Per)nsylvania and granted, He was a great friend of Herdic's, and had dic went to the south have been Cold,are as follows: Some time was found last fall. It will be remembered the most unbounded confidence in him. He ago Nlr. Herdic borrowedfrom the bank (hac Herdic suddenly left Pennsylvania discounted his paper, and purchasedbonds Dr. F. Hinkle, of Columbia, published ing house of F. W '. Reynolds & Co., of some months ago, and his whereabouts and mortgages offered by Herdic to {he the following card in the PhiladelphiaPfeii this place, $12,000 for which he gave as were unknou,n for some time. He was fin- yesterday:I noticed in your paper an ar- amount of $1:200,000. One of Herdic's collateral security first mortgage bonds up- ally traced to Nassau. It was believed at methods of dealing with Weighrman was ticle indicating that my patient: Peter on threehouses in William;port,at the the dime that he had fled [o escape the this: Herdic would purchase large tracts Herdic, Esq., of Wi.lliamspom, Pa., had time furnishinga certificatefmm an offi- consequencesof the Elmira proceedings, of land whereverhe could buy them cheap- suddenly gone away to the south, or that cial of Lycoming County that there were and severalomer similar prosecutions.The he was taken to an asylum. You will do ly. Laying Mem out in building lots, he the properties. indictment in mis case WRSobtained upon erected dwellings on them. No building me a great act of justice by infosming your Z::FU;==$f'},:= when Messrs. readers that Mr. Herdic has been'under rhe oath of John Arndt, of the Chemung of this kind put up by him costhim more Reynolds & Co. commenced proceedings Canal bank. Herdic returned home some than $3,500. He would sell each house to my treatment since Oorober, 1878. and as for rhe collection of their claim, they dis- time ago, al)d it was understood agreed soon as he was sufficiently convalescent some person of no responsibility for fron) covered that Mr. Herdic had, before build- to compromisethe Elmira and other irre- $15,000 to $20,000. For payment he would 28 TH E JO U R N A L 29 take bonds and mortgagesfor the amount. things over the signature of ''Gash." After 'The principal persons," said Mr. Lloyd, will make one thousand feet of lumber These he would rake to Philadelphia and a few commonplace remarks, h-e (Gash) who got rich out of Herdic were Weight- Of course Pete had to spend money left sell to his friend Weightman.The latter proceeded to interview Mlr. Lloyd concerning man, aforesaid, and John G. Reading and and right in the legislatureto passthe had over $250,000 worth of these ''securi- Peter Herdic's proposed lawsuit. The inter- his partner, Fisher. My private opinion is bill. Someof thesegentlemen knew all ties" when Herdic failed. view wasprinted in the PhiladelphiaS# z#ay Chatmere was an understandingbetween about his methods and they sharedin the rome.r as follows: Herdic built a church in Williamspoi:t. Weighrmanand Herdic that the former proceeds. should buy the latter's properties and af ter The quarryman who furnished the stone I met in New York last Thursday Mr. 'What kind of man Herdic, Mr rhe heavy mortgages on .them were dischar- CookHerdic's notes. The workmen accepted GlixnanLloyd, a prominen'tlawyer of ged riney should revert [o Herd-ic. But, like Lloyd? orders on scores for chair pay. The stores Williamsport, Pa., who was, when lknen, all men who gec a hold on another's Why, Pete Herdic is one of the native were given notes by Herdic in return for him well fifteen years ago, the deputy achievements,the creditor would not let go. American pmducts. He found WilliamsporE Eheorders. None of them were ever paid. clerk of the House of Representa;ives Pete Herdic made all those fellows. rich. under Edward Mcpherson . . Said I to a place of two thousandinhabitants and Herdic paid a farmer $12,000for a farm They were a very respectablemoral crowd, built it up into a largecity. He gaveit all Mr. Lloyd: ''l noticed this interningin the in Bradford County. He went to Philadel- and Peter Herdic never assumedto have any rhe institutions of modern times. He is not phia and mortgaged it for $18,000. H.e Timer of Philadelphia that you have especial virtue. Yet those moral weights a man, however, with a very bold apprehen Chen returned to the farmer and asked brought suit on behalf of Peter Herdic let him make them rich. winked at all his against certain property holders of Wil soon of what conscience is. Pete says in his him what he intended to do with the performances,and then plundered him. So convex:sationthat his greatestsense of satis- $12,000The farmersaid he wantedto put liamsporc I think they were the worst of the two.' f action is that he took care of the boys. By it out on interest. Herdic borrowed e\ery the boys he means the members of rhe Is that so?'' said Mr. Lloyd. ''W'ell, it 'Give me an idea." said I "of some of cent of it:. and in a few days his failure must be true.I did not supposethat it had legislature. He belongs to that considerable was announced. yet got into print, becausethe legalpro- their exploits. c.lassin American society which does not ceedings were only insritured yesterday. :Well. the boom. the lumber boom. at regard legislation as at all proper unless Herdic started the Williamsport passenger it is well paid for. But I do not think that 'What is the extent of your legal rights Williamsport, made them their money. It railway company.It had a capital of he ought to be censured in that respeoE, $45,000. He was the main shareholder. He was a high-handed proceeding. Pete Herdic in the case, Mr. IJoyd?'' and these eminent Christians escape. pledged his stock for a loan. The stock lobbied it through the Harrisburg Legisla- remained in his name on the books. Before 'l think," said he, ''We have a reasonable ture, paying left and right, and those 'ls Williamsport, Mr. Lloyd, coming up moral fellows knew all about his work and Herdic failed he leased the road to A. B. ground of procedure. Peter Herdic was the in population again? Middaugh, a friend of his. The parties who most index ahigable citizen Wlilliamsport shared the huge proceeds. The boom," re- held Herdic'sstock for the loan sold it ever had. Several years ago he failed, and pealed Mr. Lloyd, "Was what made those 'Yes. It suffered after the relapse of fortunes. 1873. The new Vanderbilt railroad has been realizing only a small sum. The purchasers his hugeproperty waspicked up for a mere song by certain persons who had made somewhat to its benefit. but Herdic made of the stock,supposing they were rhe 'Were they considerable fortunes? l rightful owners of the road, attempted to most of their money through his boldness asked. the place. He had one piece of coal land and enterprise. Now we design [o show chat I know of worth $2.000,000:. which Mr take possessionof it. They failed to get Chat Mr. Herdic was a swindled man it, Middaugh claiming legal possessionun- Yes. Fisher, the partner of Reading, died Weightman picked up for a song. with an estate of seven hundred thousand der the terms of his lease.The matter is 'Who were the persons? I asked. 'Tell me," said I, "how the great boom in the courts. dollars, nearly all made out of Pete Herdic's for lumber ceased to pay. Among the most prominent," said Mr. boom.' The city of Williamsport was bankrupted Lloyd, "was Weightman, the chemical man- 'In fact," said Mr. Lloyd, "it paid so by the failure of Herdic, and hundreds of ufacturerof Philadelphia.He wasthe 'Who was this Mi:. Reading? well that a little :mobilier ' was made inside of it to steal the dividends. You know that people were ruined. A large portion of creditor of Herdic for from six hundred Ohl he lived in Philadelphia and was Herdic's property was sold on judgments thousand to eight hundred thousand dollars said to be very rich. Weightman is one of when the logs come down rhe river from obtained on long over due notes by Judge After the panic of 1873, Herdic became the richest men in Pennsylvania.Buc his the moun,rains. marked. with the names or Maynard, Herdic's father-.in-law. It is the exasperated at his minor creditors, who money was made mostly out of quinine.' ciphersof the separateowners, that it is general opinion that Herdic's failure was kept pursuing him for money when he had necessary at some point to separate them. reallya hugeswindle, and that he is yet a done so much for them and their commu- 'Tell ine, Mr. Lloyd, how the lumber The boom compally was making dividends millionaire. nity. So he just threw up his estate.It was boom made so much money.' too great for the rapacious purposes of its bid in for the merest song. Enormous coal 'Why, my friet)d," said Lloyd, "thai:e projectors, so they charged fifty cents a GATH AND LIJOYD mines, worth fortunes, were bought for was two hundred million feet of lumber thousandfeet to divide up the logs when twenty-five dollars or sums of that descript- coming down the Wrest Branch of the it could not cost at the most over twenty (from the August 13, 1883, Gaze/re afzd ion. Now we proposeto showthat the sale Susquehannain a single year, following the cents per thousand, and rhe difference went B?clie£in) was wi.thout equity or without legal formal war. Pete Herdic and theseconferees had to a ring composed of Herdic, Fisher, and Mr. Clinton Lloyd, Esq., was in New York icy in some things.' a bill passed allowing Chemfor the privi- Reading. elle day last weekand met GeorgeAlfred 'But," said I, "give me the names of the lege of stopping that lumber to charge one Towstend, who writes so many pious people who profited by Herdic.' dollar per thousand feet. Four or five logs 30 T H E JO U R N A L 31

More Stories About Peter Herdic least one enemy hence the black ball, ted by gmcers, dry goods merchants: and which alwaysturned up when Peter applied other tradesmen in lieu of regular money. for admittarlce. These "shinplasters" were a sort of due Nfr. Harry A. Millet:, a lumberman of patient, and every minute seemedan hour. bill, and everybody's storekeeper took Will-iamspoi-t,who died about 1945,told Finally his powers of resource came to his One day Peter said to one of his friends chem in paymen:t for purchases,also taking of being a Western Union messengerwhen rescue. Herdic was saying to the colonel in the lodge to whom he had been talking Ehe chance that some time they would be he was a boy. The office was then located We can'c stand here forever, Bill, waiting about his prospectsof ever getting into redeemed by those who had issued them. at rhe rear of rhe building on the sourh- for a chance to ride out to the grounds in the order: "Who's running this thing, Peter Herdic was among rhe employersof wesc corner of Pine and W'allow Streets. a streetcar. Why the exhibition will be anyway? Ler's start a new lodged Williamsport who issued these "shinplast- It was the custom of the boys, among other over and closed for today by the time we The friendly member told Peter that, ers," and his promisesto pay are said to deviltry, to fill their mouth with water can catch a car thee isn't loaded to the Eheconsent of the headof the order in have beersthe only ones in the whole state roof.' and, when the doom:opened, spurn it in the Pennsylvania -- the grand lodge head -- of Pennsylvania that did not deteriorate faces of the other messengerboys. would first have to be secured;and that He afterwards cashed in his outstanding Just then a coal cart came in sighs; and shinplasters" dollar for dollar, redeeming Mr. Miller said thad he was engaged in Peter, leaving the colonel standing on the while he could grant the permission,he this sporeone day and, with a mouthful curb in amazement,chased after tile grimy usually, as a matter of courtesy, let the exis- every one he had issued. of water, was waiting for the doom:to open. vehicle at top speed. He soon returned, ting lodge in the town decide whether When i-t did, he let the object have itl It seatedalongside the driver of the coal cart, another lodge was desired. During the year 1863 the federal govern- proved to be Mr. Herdic who was dressed and was all smiles. He had bargained with 'Where's the head of the order in this ment levied a special income tax for the Civ- with an exceedingly wide, starched white the man to take the colonel and him out state? Where'll I find him?" asked Peter, shire front. Of course the shirt was ruined. il War. Herdic's tax on this account. af ter to the Centennial grounds for fifty cents suddenly becoming interested. allowable deductions had been made on a andMr. Miller saidthan he expectedto apiece. be fired promptly.However, Mr. Herdic On being told wherethe headof the $20,000 income, was $1,000 and the second sent for him as he was waiting his turn Notwi-thstanding his pmtests, Col. Mann gralad lodge lived, Peter asked for his flame. largest in Williamsport. L. A. Enswor-th, in the barber shop next door and gave was hauled aboard; and, perched atop the who paid the heaviestincome tax in the coal cart, they thus reached rhe Centennial. Given this irLformation, Peter excitedly borough in 1863, and stood first on th'e him a mild lectureon doing thingsration- exclaimed: " 1 1 1 know him. ally; and advised him that, as he went list of taxables,was required to givethe Peter wasn't much for style. He wanted He's my man. I'll see and have it government the sum of $1,914.65 on an through life, he should be cautious and service, and he wanted it when he wanted all fixed. I'll see if they call keep me from income quoted at $38,293 reserved in all things. it. It is presumedthad he told the driver joining a lodgewhen I want to. We'll of rhe coal cart to ''step on it," for on the start a neu, lodge. way they passed several horsecars bound Peter Herdic, like some other people, for the same destination. So Peter saw "his man," got his consent With the passing of Peter Herdic there wanted what he wanted when he wanted [o institute a new lodge of the order in was halted the consummation of what it. When he wantedanything, he wanted Williamsport, and all went well until the probably was the most gigantic schemefor it .the worst way. And char's the way irt This is the story of how Peter Hlerdic in day of the organization. Then something the expansion and improvement of Wil- which he got to the centennial of American happened. liamsportthat ever emanatedfrom the Independence -- in the worst ways his early days in Williamsporr nearly be- al«u,aysactive brain of this man of big came a member of a well-known secret You know," said the old lodgemanwho ideas. How the financial wizard would have Peter had gone down to Philadelphia for order, as related by an old lodgeman. This was telling the story, ''rhe members of the opening of the Centennial Exposition built up and extendedthe city hadnot the story servesto illustrate with what persis- a new lodge have to be voted on, lust the Grim Reaper intervened is here unfolded in June, 1878. There were horsecars in op- tencethe crafty Peter Herdic pursued his same as the new members of an old lodge; eration in the Quaker City in those days, objectives -- and to what lengths he would and when it came time to vote. the little Even at that early day in the histoi:y and they were about the only, and also the go -- when once he starred out to accomp- black ball was there waiting on Peter, and of the town Peter Herdic thought of ci(y slowest, mode of transportation out to the lish his desires, usually eliminating all rhe result was that he failed to get into the planning, which dow is so popular. And, Centennial grounds in Fairmount Park. crbstacles enroute, although in this instance lodge that he himself had started.His although development plans for expel)dion Herdic and his old friend. Col. William he evidently had failed .to figure on one enemies hadn't been asleep.The new lodge and profit -- in these progressive stumblir)g block, the little ''black ball. B. Mann, were standing on the curb down- was instituted without its originator. times are common ar)d are put over, noth- ing quite so extensive arid elaborate was town patiently waiting on a horsecarto take As the SEoi:y goes, it seems that Peter on And Peter, it is said, never did get a them out to the Centennial.There were ever designed for Williamsport before, or acleast two occasionshad made an attempt chance to "ride rhe goat" in a lodge of Chat since,the reign of Herdic (1926) plenty of cars, but every one that went by to join this particular order, but he always order. was crowded, and Peter was becoming ner- was blackballed. Than was nothing to Peter's +++ Peter Herdic's scheme was nothing short vous over the delay. Car after car went by discredit, however. Peter's case was no ex- of building up and improving on an expen- in almostendless procession, but theywere ception.He hada numberof friendsin In an earlier panic, employers issued sive scale the entire northwestern section all filled [o overflowing. Every minute the lodge which, at the time, was the only [o their employees what in those days were of the town, which at that period was Peter was getting more nervousand im- one of this order in town. He also had at known as ''shinplasters," which were accep- outlying and undevelopedterritory 32 T HE JO U R N A L 33

The Maynard farm of eighty acres was also would have been for sale on easy volent hand to every one who neededhelps :ulating through the press scarements hav- located in, and covered most of. this dist- terms to suit purchasers. Can anyonedeny dial the name of that rict. It was che aim of Herdic to transform ing not the sLighestfoundation in truth. gentleman is not Peter Herdic, Esq. He is ]'he object of the article, and of others of mis vast tract of f armland into a domain By such a wholesale building program :he very man! si-milannature, which have appeared in all his own to virtually establisha Herdic would have been enabled.'it was figured, to erect and furnish better homes. 'And now a few discontents are clamor- various papers, and the persons who are separatecommunity which later might be- thus attempting to manuf acture public op- come a parr of the city with all improvements, at much less cost ing loudly about high faxes. They have inion. are well known to Mr. Herdic, and to renters or purchasers than could possibly rhe worth of all their taxesin their prop- He had alreadysecured a charterand have been done by individuals working on erty. They have been paid in the increased will at the proper time receive such at mention as they deserve franchise for the erection of a waterworks a srnalJer scale. The estimated aggr;gate value of their pmperty. 'Why complain? system, a steam heating plant, gas and cost of mis gigantic undertaking was up- What city can improvewithout a just The correspondent says: "'Hlei:dic sudden- electric hgh:t works, all of which were to wards of $1,000,000 -- even in char period spirit of liberaliry? 'J'he debi of Williams- ly left Pennsylvania some months ago, and be operated from one center for che benefit of comparatively low prices of materials porr is but a JF/eaZ'fre, in comparison to his whereabouts were for some time un- of his city. and the chargesfor labor. Figured at today's other cities, great or small. '<'by palsy {he known. He was finally traced [o Nassau. rates, Ehe total expenditure likely would have hand that mised .us up? We are sari:y to M}. Herdic was sufferingfrom an acute According to Herdic's plans, tHs pro- been a hundred percent greater (1926). see this spit:it of enmity and jealousy attack of cararrh of the throat and lungs, jected commonwealth would have been run igainsr our Mayor Herdic. whichconfined him to his housefor six and controlled entirely independen.tlyof As Peter Herd-ic always recognized the :The wanton neglect of the old graveyard weeks.During this time he was under the the city proper so far as water, light, heat, fact than dwellings could not be rented or [reacment of Dr. Hinkle, of Columbia. who and similar conveniences,comforts and im sold unlessthere was some attraction in opposite t;he old Methodist Church, is a hideous blot upon W=illiamsport.It blurs visited him at regular intervals,and who provements were concerned. the way of ;industries to bring people to the city, he had providedfor all th;t. He rhe f air escutcheon of her fame -- it most advised him to go south and remain, where The redoutable Peter had intended to wirheringly disgraces and casts into die the temperaturedid not go felon, 60 de- had severa] large business schemes under grees, until the winter here would admit erect on the extensiveplot a large number shade the bright record of her patriotism, way wllich would have beencompleted had her humanity,her justice,and her Chris- of his safe return. Mr Herdic's condition of dwellings that would rent for $10 a he lived [o have perfected his arrangements was such that he was not able to under:- month and upward. These houses would for their installation here. It was fierdic's tianity. This ground was given to Wil- have coveredthe entire tract. with the liamsporrfor a public graveyard-- a burial take the journey until the 28Eh of December idea to locale some big manufacturing con- when he went to Baltimore, remaining there exception of the spaces'reserved for streets place -- to be used as such, a7M fof wo cerns on this Maynard farmland, while two days. He then went to Norfolk, re- and manufacturingsites, and would have others would have been installed in other o/#ef pwfPoie.Look at the condition of been rep]:ete with a]] the conveniences of it now. Is this sacred spot of the honored maining there about about [wo weeks --- sections of the town proper in locations thence to Charleston, remaining there four the period, from the least expensive to the where they would have been most conven- dead [a remain open and be used as a common receptacle for filth, a general cess- or five weeks;thence to Coloradovia highest renting domiciles. The dwellings ient for shipping the manufacturedproduces. pool, and for other purposesequally as New Orleans and the Mississippi River, disgraceful and shameful? We will now reaching home on the lst day of May. see who will first make the honorable There was no mystery or attempt at con- effort to have it closed and repaid:ed at cealment in regard [o his movements, being EDITORIALS once. More anon. in almostdaily communicationwith his AN OLD RESIDENT' friends here, both through the mail and (From the September 5: 1870, Gaze//e amd B#/Ze/£7z) by telegraph,and the report that he was (Peter Herdic was Williamsport's Mayor traced to Nassau was put in cii:culation for from October 12, 1869, to May 9, 1871.) a malacious purpose. A few years ago there came to mis and from year to year, until he was able (then little town) city a poor, but indus- to make large purchases of land and make The correspondent says: ''It was under stood that he had agreedto compromisethe trious, enterprising gentleman -- a man large quantities of lumber. He continued MR. HERDIC VINDICATED of grea,t foresight in business matters -- to prosper and make purchases:for his sole Elmira and other irregularities."I believe a man of iron nerve and indomitable will it is unusual to pronounce verdict before object was to build up Williamsport, and 1879, G.zze/}e awd for he progressed successfully in whatever with good intent, and an e terpr-ising ( from the July 22: trial. No irregularities have yet been proved he undertook. He commenced the lumber splat, he went to work, sold lars. built Bwttetiw ) and none admitted by Mr. Herdic, and he businesson a small scale-- worked hard has no compromise to make houses, and gave poor men homesl He was TO THE EDITOR: in Saturday's issue and faithfully -- for the lumbering here rhe element -- the spit:it cause of the of the Graze//e .z;zd B Z/e/;# you copied an In regard [o the Williamsport gas stock at that time wasyet in its in-farlcy that rapid growth, and the great incentivethad article from the New York Sw7z, headed pledged by Mr. Herdic on the $25,000 man continued [o work f aithfuUy and pa- gave Williamsport aJI its prosperity -- all :Peter Herdic's Course." (This article. dated loan obtained at Elmira. the S7rw'i corres- tiently, and by his hard earnings he succeed- its greatness and all its glory. He has July 19, 1879, appears under ''RUMORS pondent shows his entire ignorance of che ed in accumulating enough money to make enhanced the value of every man's pmperty AND HEARSAY.")in it, thewriter dis f acts by fai-ling [o make a single truthful a purchase of property. He succeeded by -- caused a spirit of improvement among plays either entire ignorance of the facts, stat-ement in i:egard to che Shock. Mr industry in "doing well" from day to day all classes of citizens, and offered his bene- or a desire [o mislead the public, by cir Herdic's total liabilities are about $1,000,- 34 T H E JO U R N A L 35

000:. and not $2,000,000, as stated. This sanger railway." True. "He was the main him to succeed where others would have what had been destroyed.Eminently social intelligent correspondentattempts to shareholder." True. ''He pledged his stock failed. What he did for Williamsport is in disposition, he could be approachedby enlighten the public in regard to Mr. Her- for a loan." Partly true. 'The stock remained apparent to all. He found it a straggling rhe humble as well as the great. He was dic's speculations in real estate. He says he in his name on the books of the company borough; he lived to see it a magnificent quick [o act, and when he gave it was bought land at a low rate and built houses Ti:ue, and according to sound business, "He inland city of thirty thousand inhabitants without reserve..This is not the time and costing not more than $3,500. obese houses leased the road to A. B. Middaugh." Noc His businessoperations when he was at place to analyze his character, or to speak he would sell [o irresponsible parties, taking true. The passenger railway company leased rhe height of his career, were so vast as to of his motives. His public donations were in payment a mortgage for from $15,000 their mad to Middaugh by resolution of cause many men to stand amazed. He made often munificent, and his private charities [o $20,000, which mortgage h-e would sell the board of directors. ''The parties holding a fortune and then saw it swept away were many and unknown. That he started in Philadelphia, and of course realize a rhe stock in pledge, sold it,' realizing only without being daunted in spirit. Had he Williamsport on the high road to prosperiq' large profit. The f acts are, Mr. Herdic a smallsum." Not true.The partieshold- been permitted to live five years longer, and wealth,few will der)y;and that his built a number of houses for sale. which ing the stock in pledge offered it at public he would probably have been a millionaire virtues were greater than his f aults: we he proposedselling on easy terms to any sale, they becoming the purchasers again. His ambition was unlimited, and his think all will admit. There are thousands desiring homes. His object was to enhance mind was ever progressiveand full of re- The city of Williamsport was bank- in Williamsport who will sorrowfully and the value of his real estateby having a source. No disaster dampened his ardor. He sincerely mourn the death of Peter Herdic desirable class of buildings erected. Tease rupted by the failure 8f Herdic, and hundreds of people are ruined." That is was always ready [o go to work and reston:e houses cost from $8,000 to $12..000 each. a bad statementfor a soberman to make They weft sold on time, the purchaser giving a first mortgagefor the cost of the The people who were ruined by Mr. Her- dic's failure are the workingmenwho are house, and a secondmortgage for the price of the lot on which the house was erected thrown out of employment, being no OBITUARY longer able to find work The first mortgageMr. Herdic sold to make good the money he had expended in build- As certain pai:ties in this city have sug- The death of Peter Herdic occurred at sick. He was suffering from nausea,but ing the house; the second mortgage he held gested that if Mr. Hei:dic would pay them [en o'clock in the morning of March 2, said that he had to go to New York or] -- an enterprise commas)ding the respect a certain amount of money, this persecution 1888,in the GlenhamHotel in New York business lust the same. After he had re- of any intelligent businessman would be stopped, and he alla;ed to go City, where his wife had buell spending the covered somewhat from the attack of nausea. about his buiiiless unmolested, it is easy winter and whereshe had joined her he cookthe train that sameday for Nen Mr. Herdic built a church." True. "He to see fr om whence this stream of abuse husband some three weeks previous. York, and never got back alive. paid the workmen in store orders." True arises,arid the spirit that prompts it. in part. 'He paid the merchants by giving Heroic had gone to New York on a The remains of Peter Herdic arrived his notes." True. "None of these were ever business grip. Shoroly after his arrival there home the day following his death,and there paid." False. Mr. Herdic, in the various PETER HERDIC he uas taken seriouslyill, and in spite of was much sorrow in the town. The people branches of his extensive business, was giv- all chat medicalskill coulddo he gradually realizedthat Williamsport had lost its fore- ing employment to not less than 1.500 December 14, 1824 -- March 2. 1888 grew worse until the end. The best and most citizen. and that there was no other persons.It was the practice with many of (from the March 3, 1888. Gaze/ze z d most expert physicians in the metropolis man at the moment to take his place in our businessestablishments here to pay were called into consultation in the case, the community. Everywhere there was their laborin part with storeorders. Mr. The announcementof the death of Peter but the great businessman the man who gloom,and the wholetown went into Herdic adopted the system to such an ex- once had dominated over the destinies of mourning, for the man who in his lifetime tent as he found convenient. a city was beyond earthly aid. had done so muchfor the city and ics 3'$::m;#'Tn:;E£.!E £qE Peter Herdic's death was the reset of inhabitants The Szl#'i correspondentmust certainly was apparantely in excellent health, and have been /a f g -rome/#f#g exhilarating. in the full flush and vigor of manhood.It a f all at Huntingdon, Pa., several weeks Peter Herdic was survived by his wife, His imagination runs riot. He says Herdic is hard to write about this remarkable before his passing. He had gone to Hun - who died some years later, and by three paid a farmer $12,000 for a farm in Brad- Juan, for he was indeed remarkable in many ngdon to look after his waterworks sys- children -- Flora, Peter, and Henry May- ford Coup)ty,went to Philadelphia and mort- respects. His history, as briefly sketched tem there, and had slipped on the ice, nard Herdic. Peter (1926) with his family gaged it for $18,000, and came home and elsewhere, reads like a romance. Born in falling down an embankmentand injuring is living near Canton, Pa., and Henry is borrowedthe $12,000he first paid for the humble circumstances, and subjected to the his head and hip severely. The accident a resident of Williamsporc. rude buffetings of the world, he gradually occurred February 2, 1888 farm, and in a few days failed, thus making 'Peter might have lived," said Mr. May- S30,000 by the little game. Herdic did #o/ rose from an untutored boy to the elevation He came home after the accident. and. of a millionaii:e, and carved his name on nard in discussing the death of his brother- buy any real estate in Bradford County for according [o his brother-in-law, James W '. the history of a city. Endowed with an in-law. "Yes, Peter Herdic might have at leastthree years prior to his failure.He Maynard, did not call a doctor, continuing survived his accident had he had a doctor did zzo/ raise any money in Philadelphia, indomitable will and spirit that was ever to attend to his business aff airs, although at once after his injury ac Huntingdon, or elsewhere, on mortgage of Bradford restlessin -life,he neverquailed in the face suffering. County property of adversity. His boldness and dash carried but he refused [o see a physician. When he him over difficulties that would have Peter wouldn't have a doctor," Mr. May- Cook sick in the Glenham Hotel in New Herdic started rhe Williamsport Pas- swamped rhe majority of men, and enabled nard said. ''One day he came [o me pretty York, a Dr. Sequin was called in, but then it 36 T H E JO U R N A L 37

wastoo late and nothing couldbe done to MR. HEROIC'S FUNERAL respect to the memory of the lace ex- THE FUNERAL savehis life. Peterknew his skull was IT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM mayor Peter Herdic, the virtual creator of fractured, or badly injured, but still he TRINI'lY CHURCH our prosperous city, whose furleral will cake According to anangementsthe funeral wouldn't see a doctor about it. Dr. Sequin place at that time. of Nlr. Herdic will rake place at 3 o'clock at once discovered the cause clf Peter's A Timely Request by Mayor Jones for the F.H.KELLER & CO. this afternoonfrom Trinity Church, of serious illness.' Close ol Business -- Tributes of Respect which he was a member. It is appropriate to Deceased mat the solemnservices should be held in ACTION OFTRINITY CHURCH An autopsy held on Herdic's body in The Causeof Death the church which he erected and presented New York by four noted surgeonsdisclosed At a ineetil)g of the vestry of Trinity [o the corlgregation. After the services are that death had resulted from the accident The remains of Mr. Herdic arrived in Church held March 4th. 1888, to take action over the corEege will move to Wildwood, at Huntingdon. There was complete para- the city Saturday evening, having come upon the death of Peter Heroic, the fol- where the remains will be laid in the family lysis of rhe right side, while the opposite from New York by the Reading Raihoad lowing minute and resolutions were present- burying ground. There will undoubtedly side of the head was thickly clotted with They were accompanied by his wife, her ed and adopted be a large attendance,as there are hundreds blood on the interior of the skull. sister, Mrs. Brooks, and Harry Hei:dic, not only anxious to pay their last respects youngest child of deceased.A hearse and WH.EREAS, The Vesuy of Trinity While Peter was yec alive in New York, Church have learned with deep regret of [o -the dead, bur to look upon his face carriages were waiting, and the body was once more before the grave closes over it. rhe doctors talked of trephining his skull at once taken to the family residence on rhe death of Peter Herdic, for many years to relieve rhe pressureon the brain, but an active and efficient member of said West Fourth Street. Many friends were THE CAUSE OF DEATH his condition was too seriousto attempt present to receive the mourners and con- vesrry; and desire that some official recog nation should be had of his connection with this operation. He couldn't have lived sole with them in meir deep affliction. After giving the accountof the deathof through the ordeal said Parish and record thereof made. There- Mr. Herdic at New York last week. the There have been many expressions of sor- fore be it resolved: The New York doctors couldn't under- row receivedfrom friendsboth at home lr'orZd of Saturday morning says: An au- stand how Herdic had lived for several and abroadover the sad event. and the czar Trinity Church Parish is under a topsy, made by Dr. (:olin Mckenzie and weeks following such a serious injury, ar)d general opi.Dion of the community is that lasting debt of gratitude to Peter Herdic Drs. Stevensonand Draper revealedthat a great loss has been sustained.In recog- and to his memory, in that as elle of the rhe immediatecause of death was a clot in a rational state of mind. They evidently of blood on the brain, the right side of didn'c know Peter Herdic as the people of nition of this fact hlayor Jones makes the original promoters of said Parish he was at Williamsport knew him. They had no idea following appmpriate request all times ready with word and work, and which was completely suffused. This was that he had a most wonderfulbrain. with open-handedliberality to do all within caused by the rupture of a blood vessel MAYOR'S OFFICE, WILLIAMSPORT, PA. his power to place said Parish on a firm when Mr. Herdic slipped on the ice, about Tbe body of Peter Herdic was buried and lasting foundation from its inception; seven weeks since, while he was superin- from Trinity Episcopal Church, of which Mai:ch 3, 1888. and during many years contributed largely tending the construction of walter works he was a member.It was fitting that the The funeral of the late Peter Herdic. a to its financial support. at Huntingdon, Pa., and fell over an em- last sad rites should be performed in the former Mayor of Williamsport, will rake bankment, receiving a severe confusion of 7'#d/ it is due to his exceedinggenerosity rhe head. No serious results were apparent church he had built and presenretd to the place on Monday, March 5, at 3 o'clock that the Parish is to-day possessedof the parish. Services conducted by the rector, at rhe time, althoughhe was laid up for p.m., and i-t being the judgment and desire beautiful and complete house of worship the Rev. George C. Foley, were held in of a large number of our pmminent citi- a few days, but about four weeks after- the church at three o'clock in the afternoon by him entirelyerected, finished and fur- wards paralysis of the entire right side was zens, that the business places should close of March 5. Interment was made in Wild nished, wherein the poor have a church developed, and he was removed to New for a time on the dayof the furleral,I home, and can have the gospel preached wood Cemetery (in the Maynard family York for medical treatment on Februarv hereby request of, and recommend to, the to them without money and without price. 13. He has been under the care of Dr plot), and the obsequies were attended business men of Williamsporc, Chat they Tfrr&we tenderto the family and friends by a great crowd of mourners. Mckenzie. Sunday last he became uncon- close their respective places of business of the deceased our earnest and heartfelt Monday afternoon between the hours of 2 scious,and remainedso until Friday morLl- At oherequest of MayorWilliam N. sympathyin mis their hour of suddenbe- mg Jones, on the day of the funeral the business and 5 o'clock. Such a mark of respect is reavementand affliction, praying that the houses o.f the town were closed between justly due one who has not only held the God of all comfort will so minister unto REMARKS BY THE PRESS the hoursof two and five in the after- highestoffice of the municipality, but who, them chat their sorrow may be burnedto noon.. As Peter Herdic was an ex-mayor for a long period of years,was a promin- gladness arid their mourning into rejoicing, Harrisburg /#depe de7zr: The death of of Williamsport,Mayor Jones took this ent factor in the development of rhe city. through that peace which cometh to all Peter Herdic: Ehefamous lumber operator, actionout of respectto thememory of WILLIAM N. JONES,Mayor who love our Lord and SaviourJesus Christ ind speculator in wide ranges of business, the dead for mer chief executive. Peter Her will be heard with regret by his thousands 7ba/ the vestry attend the burial services dic's funeral -lay was one of the saddest WILL CLOSE THEIR STONE in a body. of friends and acquaintances in Pennsyl- in the history of Williamsporc. vania. He was a remarkableman; of mag- #++ The following announcement is made by 7#4/ this action of the vestry be spread nificent force of character and whi]e Jacking one extensive firm already at large upon the records. mentalculture, had a brain vigor and a ( from the March 5 1888, /).z;/y Gaze//e C)ur store will be closed today betweell GEORGE C. FOLEY. Rector personal activity which enabled hin) to 1+1d B#ttetin) the hours of 2 and 5 o'clock p.m. out of JAUDON SMITH, Secretary overcome disaster and convert unfavorable 38 T H E JO U R N A L 39 circumstances into means of success which nue which providesliving quartersfor would have crushedoi:dinary men. He did thirty-six families under the able super- mpaa o# 7>eze8 q

OUR MUSEUM GIFT SHOP FEATURES

Roesen Note Paper

Rock Jewelry by Maggi

Bicentennial Note Paper

Stationery by Current, Inc

Crabts by Penna. Guild of Craftsmen

;Reflections of a Country Boy by Dr. L. M. Hoffman

1974 Reprint of ''.llilistory of Lycoming County by J. F. Meginness(20 copiesleft)

1975 Reprint of Stewart's ''His.tory of Lycoming County and Pomeroy's ''Atlas of Lycoming County, Pa.''

Antique Printing Blocks THE

:Logging Railroad Era of Lumbering in Pennsylvania ' by Thomas T. Taber, Volumes Ito 13 JOUKNAL ;Gold Star Men and Women of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania' OFTHE (World War 1914 - 1918) Lyconaing County Historical Society Books on Indians, Fossils, Pa. History, Pa. Canals. etc. VOLUME XI SPRING NUMBER ONE 1975 L YCOMING COUNTY

HISTORICAL SOCIETYHND MUSEUM LYCOMING COUNTY LYCOMING COUNTY

HISTORICAL SOCIETYAND MUSEUM HISTORICAL SOCIETY XND MUSEUM

OPERATING STATEPEFIT BAI,ANCE 'SHEET

April 1-, 1974 to March 31, 19?5 dial'ch 3i, i975

Checking Account April- 1, 1974 $ 4-,4a5.?e ASSETS RECEIPTS CURRENTASSETS

Membership Dues - Individuals $ 4,879 00 Checking A/G - Fidelity Nat'l Bank of Penne. $ 3,91x.9a Industrial 100 00 Savings A/C-Wmsport.Nat'l Bank - Ani-facts sold 896.98 Admissions to Museum 7S9 i9 Gift ShopInventory 1,022.38 Lycoming County Commissioners 6,000 00 Deposit - Bus 'l:rip Reservation 50.00 \rlilliamsport Area School District 4,000 00 Petty Cash - Change Accounts 80.00 $ 5,96i.a8 City of Williamsport ls000 00 Wmspol-"t.Area School Distl'ict - Title 111 Funds i,500 00 TRUST FUNDS lliVESTED Rentals - Fleeting Room 410 00 Federal Home I.oan Bank 8.05% Bond tBxo,ia5.oo E.S.E.A. - Title 1 - Arts Centre i,3a5 00 First Federal Savings &. I,nan-.Tr.Historians a,i86.43 Museum Gift Shop - Income in excess df Expense a,459 07 First Federal S. & I,oan a,304.ai Dinners & Bus Trips-Income in excess of Expense 4-a9 05 110 - shares of Afl'iliated Fund 990.00 Interest and Dividends 866 2 - shares Consolidated Cigar 60.00 B[dg. Fund - P].edge payment 500 00 12 - shares Sun Oi.I CommonStock sas.?5 $ i6,494.39 Other - Contributions, Pay Telephone and Misc. 626 11 Grit Publishing Company 6,500 00 33-,384.33 FIXEID and OTFmRASSETS FUNDS AVAILABLE $35,a70.09 I,and $ i5,000.00 Building - Architect iS,034.9S EXPENDITURES General Contract a33,95a.55 Heating and Ventilating 50,3P4.00 Salaries $i7,3as.oo Electrical i9,739.3S Social Security Taxes i,339.34 Furnitux'e, Fixtures and Other Bldg Equipment 6,s04.ai Bide Cross - Bide Shied.d 4i0.54 Display Equipment, Cases, Mater'ial, etc ao,068.9i Insurance i,45e.ao Victorian Period Parlor a,76a.04 Printing Journals 76a.50 Artifacts e9.a7i.e ]i437,658.3o Ofi'ice Supplies, IPostage and Telephone i,4a9.59 Powers I.lgbt and lr/abet 3,980.7a TOTAL ASSETS $460,ii3.9? Heating - Fuel Oil and Repaid's a,isa.7z Blag. - Cleaning, Supplies and Repairs 824.00 Other - Dues,Exhibit Exp. , Traveling and Misc 579.8i 30,368.4i LIABle,ITIES and FUND BAI,AN(lJE Excess of Funds oval:' Expenses $ s,50x.ee Accounts Payable ii i,i90.5i Non-OperatingAdditions and Other Credits Historic Sites ebooks and Defer'red Income 4as.i4 A/O's Payab16 - increase $ ia5.74 Title 111 - Carriage House a75.99 Historic Sites Bookssold aas.i4 Stewart Histoi"y ebookssold j} 5,3s5.09 Stewart pistol'y Books sold 3,493.45 Deferred Income 200.00 B 4,i04.3 FUND BALANCE 4s4,7aa.ee $ 9,e06.0i TOTAL, I,IABll,ITIES and FUlqD BAI,AliCE $460,Xi3.97 Non-Operating Deductions and Other Debits Gift Shop Inventory - i.nci'ease $ 363.66 Equipment purchased 145.43 The MuseumGift Shop profit of $2,459.07 includes about Title 111 - Capri.age House 135.00 $1,200.00profit madeon the sale of the Meginness're- Deposit - Sept. Bus Trip Reservation 50.00 prints. Theremaining copies of this editions received Grit Publishing Oo. -- Advanced January i9?4 5.000.00 $ 5,694.09 iron the printer in April, shouldprovide an additional CHECKING ACCOUNT BALANCEMarch 31, 1975 $ 3,9ii.9a prone of $400.00. A similar profit is expectedduring the current fiscal real" from the sale of the StewartHistory reprints.