r JOSKPH KONIGMACHER First President of Monument Association HISTORY OF EPHRATA, PENNA. GIVING A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE STATE AND COUNTY THE BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE THE CLOISTER AND MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED AT MOUNT ZION AND THE BOROUGH OF EPHRATA BY D. R. HERTZ (For Monument Association) PHILADELPHIA H. FERKLER, PRINTER, 1123 < HliSTNUT STREET 1S94 F/r :' •^//,- THE TRUSTEES OF THE MONUMENT ASSOCIATION AND THEIR SUCCESSORS, AND ALL WHO IN THE FUTURE WILL BE INTERESTED IN THE BUILDING OF SAID MONUMENT. PREFACE. IN publishing this Souvenir we wish to record many inter- esting facts and historical accounts of Ephrata and vicinity, in connection with the building of a monument to the memory of about 200 soldiers buried on Mt. Ziou ; and also, if possible, promote the interest and growth of the borough of Ephrata, situated just south of the old historic cloister and Mt. Zion, and whose borders are divided only by the beautiful banks of the Cocalico Creek. For the historic accounts recorded here we are indebted to Id citizens and to many writers in former publications, as veil as the private records in hands of a few of the members f the Monument Association. For the photo of the First President of the Association, vhose portrait embellishes the first page, we must appreciate the kindness of Mr. Christian Smith, at present a citizen of the borough of Ephrata and an old member of the Association. For a number of the illustrations of the cloister buildings, we are indebted to the Phila. Inquirer, whose advertisement will be found on another page. For the financial support we are greatly indebted to the public spirited, enthusiastic and patriotic citizens and business people of Ephrata and elsewhere, whose business notices will be found among its pages, and to whose recognition we earnestly recommend the generous public. The short time allotted us in preparing the work, and the earnest desire to present historical facts no where else recorded, as well as to preserve in particular the accounts of the proceedings of the laying of the corner-stone on Sept. 1 ith, 1845, we mos t respectfull}' ask your due consideration and indulgence for whatever has been omitted. D. R. H. Ephrata, Sept. ist, 1894. Eleetfie Bells Heated by Steam All IVIodepn Improvements Hotel has been Remodeled all through J. A. UMHOliTZ, PPOp. The Eagle Hotel EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Dr. D. RHINE HERTZ, Chairman. JAMES RINGEMAN, Sec'y. JACOB KONICxMACHER, Treas. M. S. FRY WILLIAM SHIMP J. H. WISSLER J. J. BEAR CHARLES S. YEAGER JOHN H. SPERA HORACE FRY J. MILTON SHEAFFER R. W. BARD Dr. D. J. McCAA D. S. VONNIEDA L. E. MILLER H. HERCHELROTH Dr. JOHN F. MENTZER Representative Members. A. M. ACHEY, of P. O. S. of A. GEORGE M. GROFF, of I. O. O. F. D. G. MARTIN, of E. L. G. F. Co. PRESENT TRUSTEES OF MONUHENT ASSOCIATION. JEREMIAH MOHLER, President. JACOB KONIGMACHER, Sec 1 y and Treas. Dr. J. F. MENTZER JOSEPH ZERFASS MARTIN S. FRY WILLIAM SHIMP Dr. D. RHINE HERTZ s TAUFFER 31 o33 North Queen Street LANCASTER PA. Furs Gloves H^ts Robes k Trunks Traveling Bags CAPT. W. D. Stauffer The head of the firm of Stauffer & Co., was born near Ephrata, at Martindale, in Earl Township. His grandmother, Mrs. Sarah De Shung Stauffer, was a member of the Baptist Church and Society of Ephrata. She frequently told her grandchildren about the soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and of her having knit stockings for them and attending to the sick and wounded soldiers. PROGRAMME OF PARADE. PARADE, under the auspices of the Monument Associa- tion, in honor of the fallen heroes of the Revolution who were wounded at the battle of Brandy wine, Sept. n, 1777, who died at Ephrata and were buried at Mt. Zion, and to whose memory a suitable monument is about to be erected, will take place Sept. 11, 1894, in the Borough of Ephrata. The line will form on East Main St., east of Washington Ave., at 9.30 o'clock ; move north to the Academy, then west to the cemetery, where appropriate ceremonies will be observed. Our Motto: QUICK SALES and SMALL PROFITS. THE... LEADING, LARGEST CHEAPEST DRUG STORE in LANCASTER. ..HULL No. 21 West ° King Street Largest Store ! Heaviest Stock ! WHOLESALE AND RETAIL Druggist LANCASTER, PA. Greatest Variety of Goods! Lowest Prices ! Pure Drujrs Sold Only! aN Immense Stock of Genuine Patent Medicines, on which our Prices are always Lower than any other Drug Store in the City. Foreign and Domestic Toilet and Fancy Articles, Soaps, Brushes, Perfumery, etc. Trusses of every description at reasonable prices. Crutches, all sizes. Tooth, Hair, Nail, < 'loth, Shaving, Hat and Infant Brushes in endless variety. Preparations for the Teeth. All kinds of Pills, Plasters, Liniments, Chamois Skin's, Sponges, etc. Infant and Invalid Foods. An inspection of our Barge and Elegant Stock will fully repay a visit to our store. We wish to impress upon your minds that we are anxious to show goods, and that our visitors incur no obligations to purchase. We can make your money go farther and secure better goods than any other Drug Store in Baneaster. In Medicine, "Quality is of the First Importance," and we are determined that there shall be no cause to complain of any article purchased of us. Our aim and our practice is to carry Strictly First-Class Goods, and our pride is to supply every patron with the Very Best, at Reasonable Prices. CAREFUL AND ACCURATE DISPENSING .. OF PRESCRIPTIONS "<-— ==^OUR SPECIALTY. If Pure, Fresh Drugs, Polite Attention and Reasonable Prices are an induce- ment, we feel confident that you will find it to your interest to give us your patronage. We occupy the entire building, 1 floors and basement, for carrying on the Drug Business. Respectfully, GEO. W. HULL 23 West King Street LANCASTER, PA. ...Prescription ...druggist .^g §>% Programme of the Day. MORNING EXERCISES VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. INVOCATION . by Rev. J. W. Smith, of the Lutheran Churc MUSIC. MEMORIAL ADDRESS by Prof. J. A. Dubbs, of Theological Seminary, Laneasti VVhat shall I get to wear this Fall ? Where We know what a momentous question this is, and to help the ladies in just such a dilemma is one of the reasons we are in business. For the past several months we have been busy and earnest, with all the power of capital, brains and selections at our command, in bringing you the best goods at the least possible prices. Not a week, hardly a day, passes without new styles coming to the front and worthy of the most careful attention. We could not afford to have anything that pccple would not admire. Our reputation as retailers of first-class goods is at stake, and this is the spur that keeps urging us on each season to get new and better goods at even more reasonable juices than ever before. Can I get this Or that The object of our establishment is to fix in the public r> _ i j_i. au:„ fx mind such questions as these, which we are pre- Can I match this s\ pai . od ,„ ar ? swer at „„,. st0 res : Can I get the latest (J Can I get the best of everything j| e o Are prices the lowest Legitimate merchandising has nothing to conceal. Merit is the trademark of success; We don't say much, but our goods arc loud talkers- Quality the true test of cheapness. .. not something for nothing-but a marvelous fascina- ^ ■» tion for the wisely economical. J. C. ILLIG & BRO. 418 and 420 Penn Street READING, PA. DRY GOODS I TPHOLSTERY First /^ARPETS *^ First Floor W a i Floor Second Floor VX/'ALL PAPERS C\\ INA Second and Basement Third Floors J. B. MARTIN & CO. West King and Prince Sts Lancaster, Pa. ARPET FACTORY STEAM ORY /^ARPET CLEANING ^ WORKS Mifflin and Beaver 9 West Mifflin Street Streets Near Y. M. C. A. Rooms v? — t ^= Sc =^ — *>^r AFTERNOON EXERCISES INVOCATION . . by Rev. F. Pilgram, of the Reformed Church MUSIC. ADDRESS . by Hon. W. U. Hensel, Attorney General of Pemia. MUSIC. PATRIOTIC ADDRESS . by Jas. R. Kenney, ex-Mayor of Reading MUSIC. HISTORICAL ADDRESS . by A. F. Hostetter, Esq., of Lancaster & t S* — r ^ — \ J_ — ^^i (vy ?J$) Si^— r ^ANFjUN REBUILT R 4 ..Moase P. Annow, Prop. 120 and 122 N orW) ©"street EanCaStCT, Pa. IN rebuilding and refitting the Franklin House, no expense has been spared to secure the safety and comfort of the guests, and it is now one of the handsomest and best equipped hotels in this section of the State. It has 4 stories, containing 6i rooms, parlors, reception room, bridal chamber, etc., furnished in the latest style. Bath rooms on each floor. Stabling accommodations for ioo. Mr. Ammon has had 23 years experience in the hotel busi- ness, 13 of which were spent in Lancaster. ...3 Important Pact one ^ F*si rrc F ACT TWO Our ready-made \ OV Vi^ W^^ They are made garments are right here in this all our own city, under our make. — lACT THREE direct supervision. They are sold in a retail way at wholesale prices. THESE THREE FflCTS Explain why our ready-made garments lit better, are more stylish and are cheaper than the average class of ready-made clothing. 8th|i>enn L-EINBACH READING & EJRO. P/V. Custom Special attention _ ^-ruicnr 5FS2E3 11 $^Si1£c£ant CLOT 1 IERS Floor. Tailoring. 4^ EVENING EXERCISES. INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT, to be followed by a GRAND DISPLAY OF FIRE WORKS #4 iW MONUMENT PROPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ERECTED ON MT. ZION IN 1845. THE nONUHENT ASSOCIATION. IT was in the spring of the year 1843 that a spirit of patriotism was kindled anew, and a feeling of reverence for the departed heroes buried on Mt. Zion, betook some prominent citizens in and nearEphrata. It was resolved, in order to show true respect and everlasting gratitude toward these noble defenders of liberty, that something should be done to inaugurate the interest of the general public, and thereby secure the means for erecting a fitting memorial to their honor. The 4th of July of the same year was selected as an appropriate day for the occasion ; a programme was prepared and bills were posted notify- ing the public and inviting them to take part in this memorial celebration. We need not add how successful and interesting the meeting was, for in the forties patriotism was at no low ebb, if ever it was. George W. McElroy, Esq., of Lancaster, delivered a very eloquent and learned oration, which had its effect and will be found in another part of this book, being worthy of perusal. The question which next devolved upon the projectors of this worthy object, was the necessary funds with which to commence and prosecute the construction of a fitting memorial. On the 20th day of May, 1844, a subscription book was opened and circulated, which contains the names as subscribers of many people then residing in Philadelphia, Lancaster, Reading, Ephrata and numerous other places in Lancaster and Philadel- phia counties, with a result that netted a neat sum with which to proceed. In January, 1845, application for incorporation was made by these subscribers, among which we find the names of Joseph Konigmacher, R. R. Heitler, David Bauman, Wm. Meily, Isaac Strohl, Geo. W. McElroy, Benj. Konigmacher, Bories Fahnestock, Samuel Zerfass, Wm. Spera, Christian Smith, Jere. Mohler, John W. Forney, Reah Frazer, John K. Findley, George Ford, E. E. Reigart, Christ. Bachman, David Iyongenecker, and others. The Charter of Incorporation was passed by the House of Represen- tatives, of which the Hon. Findley Patterson was Speaker, and by the Senate, of which the Hon. William P. Wilcox was President, and approved Guaranteed Absolutely Pure Wool. All Wool Und FOR Men Women Children ft; VESTS DRAWERS COMBINATION SUITS NIGHT GOWNS STOCKINGS SLEEPING SUITS SOCKS BANDAGES S. C. HANCOCK 1 104 Chestnut St. PHILADELPHIA 19 and signed on the 24th day of February, A.D. 1845, by Hon. Francis R. Shuuk, then Governor of the Commonwealth. The charter designated Joseph Konigmacher, R. R. Heitler, William Spera, Jeremiah Mohler, John G. Bauman, Edwin Konigmacher and Jere. Bauman a Board of Directors, their successors to be elected the first Monday in June of each year. The Board of Directors organized by elect- ing the Hon. Joseph Konigmacher as President, which office he held during the balance of his life, and Jere. Bauman as Sec'y and Treasurer. In the year 1855, a supplement to the charter of the Ephrata Monu- ment Association was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, which was approved on the 27th day of April, A. D. 1855, by Jas. Pollock, then Governor of the Commonwealth, which designated Joseph Konigmacher, Jacob E. Gross, William Spera, Jeremiah Mohler, John G. Bauman, Jeremiah Bauman, and Adam Konigmacher, as a Board of Trustees to take charge and manage the affairs of the Ephrata Monument Association, in accordance with the act passed and approved the 24th day of February, 1845, and that all vacancies by death or resig- nation be filled by said Board. At the first meeting of the Board of Trustees on January 24th, 1856, the Hon. Joseph Konigmacher was elected President, and Adam Konig- macher, Secretary and Treasurer. At a meeting held Feb. 21st, 1863, after the death of Joseph Konig- macher, the following officers were elected : Jeremiah Mohler, President, and Adam Konigmacher, Secretary and Treasurer. The present Board consists of Jeremiah Mohler, President, Jacob Konigmacher, Secretary and Treasurer, John F. Mentzer, D. Rhine Hertz, Martin S. Fry, William F. Shimp and J. J. R. Zerfass. VIEW ON'THE SCHUVLKILL RIVER BELOW READING CORNER=STONE LAYING, 1845. The following is a short account of the laying of the corner- stone of the proposed monument at Mt. Zion, Sept. nth, 1845. On the 4th of July, 1843, a movement was made to have a monument erected at the burying-ground on Mt. Zion, where many of the first settlers of Ephrata rest, and whose graves bear different marks of respect and love from those left behind. The soldiers buried in this ground up to the year 1843, na( ^ nothing but the recollections of a few old citizens, and the time-worn inscription on a pine board, 6 in. wide and 6 ft. long, placed over the entrance to where lay the remains — many in one grave, and altogether occupy- ing about as much space as is usually allotted to twenty graves at this period. The board bears this inscription : ' ^Hier ruhen die Gebeine von viel Soldale C ' which means "Here rest the remains of many soldiers " — a simple but touching memorial. At this time a society was formed for erecting the proposed monument, at the head of which was Joseph Konigmacher, Esq., of Ephrata. Slowly and carefully did they work until on Sept. nth, 1845, the following imposing and solemn ceremonies took place, being the anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine, Sept. nth, 1777, an encampment of soldiers which was commenced on Tuesday, on the open space in which Mt. Zion is located. The peaceful abode of the pious and learned fathers of Ephrata had rarely been the scene of strong worldly gatherings. The valley had often resounded to the almost heavenly music, written by Father Beissel, the head of the institution. None but those who had heard the music, were able to judge of its effects. Those who had heard it, spoke of it as realizing their fancy of the song of angels. But By sending us a label of Barker's Powder and a wrapper of Barker's Liniment, we will send you a copy of Barker's "K0M1C" PICTURE SOUVENIR, a book containing 150 funny pictures and sayings. USE BARKER'S HORSE, CATTLE and POULTRY POWDER Cannot be surpassed as a remedy for diseases of animals. Give it a trial. BARKER'S NERVE and BONE LINIMENT A large bottle for 25 cts. Cures Rheumatism, Sprains, Bruises, &c. BARKER'S "KOMIC" ALMANAC sent free on application Druggists and Storekeepers supplied with almanacs and other ad. matter on application The Barker, Moore & Mein Medicine Co. PHILADELPHIA, PA. Wfiat we Eat and Drink Should concern us. It is PURE, FRESH GROCERIES we supply. Hint) Grade COFFEES P TEAS Pure Spices, Fine Flavoring Extracts, Canned and Bottled Goods, Foreign and Domestic Fruits. Full line of Cakes and Crackers. Farinaceous Goods of all kinds- To be well supplied is to trade with us. Our Motto: Good Goods at right prices. The Lititz & Ephrata Electric Car Line will bring you to our door. D. 8. BURSK 17 E. King street, Lancaster, Pa. HIGH & MARTIN J. C. MARTIN, Proprietor Ghjna, Glass and (joeeusware LAMPS, CHIMNEYS, BURNERS, SHADES, Etc. China Hall 15 E. King Street LANCASTER, ■ PENNA. The leading Crockery House of the city for the past thirty years. All goods first-class. Every article as represented. Goods not satisfactory, exchanged. 2 3 this occasion brought into the lovely place for the third time the men of battle, and thousands of the young and old of the county and those adjoining. Among the strangers present were Col. Scott, of New Bruns- wick, N. J., and his interesting sister, Miss Hannah Scott. She was then about 80 years of age, yet healthful, cheerful and active. She was here while the sick soldiers were in the society's houses. Her father, Dr. Scott, afterwards Surgeon General of the army, was one of the three physicians who had care of the sick and wounded soldiers, and he brought thither his family. Miss Scott was then nearly twelve years of age, and her memory was very distinct upon many events, especially as it was subsequently refreshed by conver- sations with her father. At 10 o'clock there was a review of the soldiery by his Excel- lency, the Governor of the Commonwealth, who, with part of his staff and Cabinet, had come to assist in the ceremonies of the day. After the review, the military formed around the site of the monu- ment, when the Rev. Daniel Hertz offered a prayer. Mr. Fagan, a marble mason of Lancaster, then put into the Governor's hands some implements, when his Excellency addressed the immense assemblage in English, on the nature of the ceremony and the object of the monument. He then read a list of papers about to be deposited, and turned and addressed the company in German. Both addresses were appropriate and stirring. The cere- monies having been concluded, the military formed and received the Governor, the Orator of the day, the President of the day, the Sec- retary of the Commonwealth, the President of the Society, the Treasurer of the State, the Clergy and others (the present President walking with the President at that time). The whole body then moved towards an adjacent grove, where a rostrum had been erected and seats provided for a goodly number. After the company had seated, the military was formed on the outside, and the Rev. Mr. Buchanan opened the meeting with prayer. The President of the day, Col. Scott, of New Jersey, then made a very touching and eloquent address, and introduced Joseph R. Chandler, who delivered an oration; after which Mr. J. Beck, the HEADING R. R. SK'.NAI. TOWER. 2 5 Principal of Lititz Academy, spoke for a considerable) [time in German. His address was fervent, eloquent and stirring, and his appeal to the spirit of the dead, and to one venerable man* present, who was at the Battle of Brandywine, was touching in the highest degree. The ceremonies of the morning were closed with a fervent prayer and benediction by the Rev. Mr. Wooley, of Lititz, a clergy- man well known and respected in Philadelphia. At half past 3 p.m. an historical address was delivered by George W. McElroy, Esq., of Lancaster. It was a beautiful compend of the story of the valley and the hill, eloquent and gratifying. Among the military were two companies from Philadelphia, one of which was commanded by Col. Murphy. We believe none visited the beautiful valley for the first time on that occasion, that did not feel delighted with the place, and spoke favorably and encouragingly of the project. SEAL OF CLOISTER. * This man was Jacob Angeus, about So years of age, then a resident of the cloister, who said he remembered distinctly the bringing of the wounded soldiers from the battle of Iirandywine to Ephrata in ambulances and wagons with shelves on each side. JAMES W. HENDRICKS (Formerly Mansion House) W. J. SCOTT ...Imperial Hotel... HENDRICKS & SCOTT, Proprietors N. W. Corner nth and Filbert Streets PHILADELPHIA EUROPEAN PLAN. ROOMS, $1.00 AND UPWARDS. All Conveniences, Electric Light, Steam Heat, Bath, &c. Centrally located. Half square from Reading Terminal and three squares from Pennsylvania Railroad Depot. PENNSYLVANIA. ^IR WILLIAM PENN, the father of the founder of Pennsylvania, V / had been a distinguished Admiral under Charles II, and at his death left claims of considerable amount, against the Crown for his ser- vices. His son William, by way of liquidating these claims, and with the still nobler motive of securing an asylum where his Quaker brethren might enjoy unmolested the full development of their peculiar tenets, sought from King Charles II, a grant of a tract of land in the new world. His request was granted, and by the King's order, much against Penn's inclination, the new province was to be called Pennsylvania, in honor of the services of his illustrious father. The charter was dated March 4th, 168 1, and confirmed in April. Lord North, then Lord Chief Justice, was careful to add several clauses in favor of the King's prerogative, and the parliament's right to taxation. His kinsman, William Markham, under his direction took three ships and a number of planters to take possession of the country, and prepare for the reception of a large number of colonists. Many persons, principally Quakers, were induced to emigrate. Having thus carefully adjusted his preliminary plans, Penn took an affectionate leave of his family and friends, and sailed for Pennsylvania in the ship Welcome, on the 30th of August, 1682. Nearly a hundred colonists accompanied him. He was given a hearty welcome by all the settlers upon his landing at New Castle. He addressed the magistrates and people, setting forth his designs and assured them of his intentions to maintain their spiritual and temporal rights, liberty of conscience, and civil freedom. Late in the year 1682, assisted by Thomas Holmes, the surveyor, Penn laid out Philadelphia, and soon afterwards many small houses were erected. In 1683, the first session of Council and Assembly was held in Philadelphia. By frequent accession by emigration Pennsylvania in the counties of Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia became well settled, and the will and BANKS OF THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER NEAR READING. 29 desires of Perm forestoocl many trials and difficulties in governmental affairs. In the year 17 18, Penn died at the age of about 74 years. The affectionate patriarchal relation which had existed between Penn and his colony, ceased with his death. New principles of action had also sprung up in the colony. After the predominance in England of the Protestant succession, by the Revolution of 1688, the Quakers were no longer compelled to go to America to avoid persecution ; while a new set of men, bent upon the defence and promotion of high religious principles, were induced to emigrate. Among them came the Mennonites or German Baptists, a sect which adhered to the principles of non-resistance, persecuted in Europe, and driven from one country to another, sought the toleration of Penn's colon}-, and emigrated between the years 1689 and 17 17, many in the later years settling in Berks, and the upper part of Chester County, or Dunkertown, now 7 Lancaster Co., from the fact that although the Cocalico Valley had already been settled, the Dunkers or German Baptists now pre- vailed in this section; * quite a settlement had already been formed here. In the year 1708, Alexander Mack, of Schriesheim, and seven others in Schwardzenaro, Germany, met together regularly to examine the New Testament, and to ascertain the obligations it imposes on professing Christians. Their inquiries resulted in a formation of the society now called Dunkers or First-day German Baptists. Persecuted as they grew 7 into importance, they finally resolved to emigrate to America, and in 17 19 landed and settled in different sections of the then inhabited country. Soon after a church was established at Mill Creek in this count} 7 . Of this community was Conrad Beissel, a native of Germany, who had been a German Reformed, and fled from the persecutions of that period. Intent upon ascertaining the true obligations of the Word of God, he conceived that there was an error among the Dunkers and that the seventh day was commanded to be observed as the Sabbath. In 1725 he published a tract on this subject, which created excitement in the society at Mill Creek, and he retired secretly to a cell or cavef near the Cocalico, which had been previously occupied by one Elimelech, a hermit ; when his place of retirement became known many of the Mill Creek society settled around him in solitary cottages. They adopted the original v Sabbath, the seventh day, for public worship in the year 1728, which has ever since been observed by them. * These were not the settlers of the cloister, t'l'he cave is still known, but is uninhabitable. 1113 (cfi&ttnut £heet Philad>el6-Ai'a, Pa. Bowrr)ao/s General Store W>st Str^t .PHRATA, PA. All goods in our line First-CIzvss and Ao<1*. C. S. BOWA\Art, Prop. Dr. F. Winger \ Jruggist ...Ephrata PA. 3i In 1732, the solitary was changed for a conventional life, and a Monastic Society was established as soon as the first buildings erected for that purpose were finished in May, 1733. The first buildings of the society of any consequence were Kedar and Zion — a meeting house and convent which were erected on a hill called Mt. Zion. And these buildings were converted into hospitals when the wounded soldiers from the battle of Brandywine were brought here. They afterwards built larger accommodations in the low ground on the banks of Cocalico, comprising a sister house called Sharon ; also in the rear a large chapel or " saal," for worship and love feasts. About 50 yards south is the large and commodius Brother House, as well as a number of other smaller buildings designed for other uses. (See illus- trations in back part of book). The society increased in wealth and numbers until in the year 1768, when Conrad Beissel died, they numbered over 300 souls. At an early period they built a paper mill and established a printing office — the second German press in the State — where they printed manj^ books, tracts and hymns. In the Revolution, the army sent to the mill for paper for cartridges, but finding none they seized the printed sheets, and they were fired off at the battle of Germantown. The}^ also owned a farm of 140 acres, a grist mill, saw mill, oil mill and fulling mill. GRAVITY RAILWAY. SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF JOSEPH KONIGMACHER. JOSEPH KONIGMACHER, whose portrait embellishes this souvenir as a frontispiece, was born in Ephrata. His ancestors were members of the Seventh Day Baptists. He was a man of short stature, but with an inclination to obesity, his weight having been three hundred pounds in his halcyon days. In the spring of 1845, Mr. Joseph Konigmacher was elected the first President of the Ephrata Monument Association, being nominated by the present President, Mr. Jere. Mohler. Mr. K. bent all his energies toward the completion of the monument, and met with considerable encourage- ment until some unforseen events occurred to suspend further action. Mr. K. remained President until death ended his career. His father, Benjamin, was a tanner and carried on that business near the town of Ephrata. Joseph being an industrious and energetic young man embarked in the same business, and being quite successful, he took Jere. Bowman as a partner. Mr. Konigmacher' s business brought him in contact with the busi- ness men of the cities and larger towns of his native State, and Ephrata having quite a reputation as a non-malarial section of the country, he allowed himself to be persuaded to receive into his family some of his friends and business acquaintances as boarders, who in the year 1846 induced him to build a fine commodious hotel, and finding the applications so numerous he surrounded the main building with numerous cottages, where he at one time accommodated and entertained as many as six hundred guests during a season. He was patronized by many prominent men, such as the late ex-President Buchanan, Thaddeus Stevens, the great commoner, also the late Bisphop Potter, of Penna., who had with him his family, part of which consisted of ten sons, many of whom have risen to places of distinction, ecclesiastically as well as secularly. One is now the Bishop of New York, another is high in the Church of his fathers, and one was a distinguished General during the late war. " HERE REST THE REMAINS OF MANY SOLDIERS. The Mountain Springs of Ephrata became under his administration, a popular and fashionable resort for residents of Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore. Mr. Konigmaeher was very prominent in polities, having been elected to the lower and upper Houses of Representatives of Penna., and was Chairman of the Committee on Lunacy, when he made a very able report in favor of the establishment and erection of a State Lunatic Asylum at Harrisburg. He was a member of the first Reform Convention called to amend the Constitution of Penna. Mr. Konigmaeher was truly a self- made man, having received his education in the common schools of his county in his neighborhood. He was free from parsimoniousness. He made money rapidly and used it freely by putting up improvements, thus giving employment to many laboring men and mechanics, to whom his death was a great loss. He was sociable and affable, with great suavity of manner, and gentle- manly in his intercourse with all men, making no distinction between rich or poor except as to merit. He was considered unselfish, delighting in the prosperity and success of his fellow-man, and was a sincere sympathizer with the unfortunate. He belonged to no Christian denomination, yet we believe he came as near to loving his neighbor as himself, as many men outside of the Church ever did. It was through his influence that the Reading & Columbia R. R. was located to pass through Ephrata. He was elected President of the road, but he derived no benefit from this enterprise, as the grading had but just began at the beginning of the year 1861, when after a business trip to Philadelphia, he contracted a heavy cold, which caused his death very suddenly at the city of Lancaster, on the fourth of April, 1 86 1, in the 56th year of his age, having been born in 1805. The above is written from notes given by an old friend and intimate acquaintance, Mr. Jeremiah Mohler. IN 1843— FIFTY YEARS AGO. Forcible Oration then delivered for the Ephrata Monument. Quaint and Patriotic Sentiments That Fired Hearts at Ephrata 's First Fourth of July Celebration . THE following quaint and interesting oration was delivered at Ephrata on the 4th of July, 1843, by George W. MeElroy, Esq., on the occasion of a celebration of Independence Day, organized in that village with the purpose of urging the movement for the building of a monument to the soldiers of the Revolution. The forcible arguments thus presented fifty years ago, have a present interest in view of the present effort to secure an appropriation from the State to complete the memorial. This speech is taken from the Intelli- gencer of July 25th, 1843. " We have assembled here at this time not only to commemorate the birthday of American Freedom — that ever memorable Fourth of July— but to introduce some exercises preliminary to the commencement of a work which has been too long neglected by the citizens of this community. It is that of erecting a monument to the memory of the 200 soldiers of the American Revolution who are buried on yonder hill — in the immediate vicinity of the spot which we occupy. The design of erecting a memento of our gratitude to those departed benefactors of our country, I have the pleasure to say, was concerted by one of our worthy fellow-citizens who now occupies the bench, and has met with the acquiescence and support of many other gentlemen in the community of influence and intelligence ; so that I doubt not but the project will be continued and completed, let the expenses of its erection be what they may. The facts connected with the history of the soldiers of whom we have alread)^ spoken are known to but few of the citizens of Pennsylvania, or even of Lancaster County. Since I have become acquainted with the circumstances, and have adopted the plan of making it the theme of conversation among \\\y acquaintances abroad, I have truly been astonished at the amount of ignor- ance which prevails upon this subject — which, in the estimation of every true patriot in the community, ought in right to be the most familiar 3« and prominent portion of our history. There are but few, even among the intelligent of our fellow-countrymen, who know that the village of Ephrata was, in the days of Revolution, the theatre of as interesting a drama of patriotism, perhaps, as was represented during that period, notwithstanding they are perfectly acquainted with its location, its geography, and its origin. The character of the early settlers of this community is known far. The moral reputation which they sustained is a familiar subject. Their religion has often been made the theme of fireside conversation both at home and abroad. The beaut}- of our natural scenery, the salubrity of our atmosphere, the healthful influence of our climate," the fruitfulness of our soil ; our woods, our meadows and our pleasant streams, have occupied a place in the imagination of the poet and the painter ; although, perhaps, they have never looked abroad upon our landscapes or contemplated the grandeur and sublimity of the reality. Every circumstance connected with our history is familiar to the world except the character of those departed champions of our liberty. They alone appear to be buried in oblivion. Their memory, instead of being made to run parallel with the march of intelligence and civiliza- tion in our midst, has declined into forgetfulness — until, save by a few of our gray-haired fathers, they sleep in their coffins forgotten and unknown. It is time that something should be done, some efficient measures be adopted, to rescue their memory from the oblivion into which it has fallen. I can hardly come to the conclusion that it is even a feeling of parsi- moniousness which has prevented our citizens from acting in this honor- able embarkation with that spirit of liberality, which has characterized their movements in everything else. Yet upon this subject there has been a dullness, let it proceed from whatever determination of the will that it may. L,et a subscription be presented in any community for the purpose of raising a flag to be carried in the front of the procession of some political demagogue, and every quill is applied, and every pocketbook is emptied. Let a plan be concerted to lay a railroad from one part of the government to another — from which no material advantage can be derived, but which will be a continual drain upon the treasury of the country — and its resources are immediately exhausted, and the people burdened by an additional tax for the purpose of commencing and continuing the operation. Thousands of dollars can be appropriated by our fellow- citizens for the reception and entertainment of the sou of a foreign despot, and the talent of the country is exhausted in prosing eulogies upon his 39 name and his intelligence ; but when the bones of our revolutionary fath- ers call for our protection and our respect, there is a pall in the spirit of our liberality, and the project is permitted to die from total neglect or to perish for want of successful patronage. An excursion to Cape May or a visit to the Mineral Springs of Virginia is provided for without reluctance and without remorse, and the value of a thousand dollars is lost in the interest occasioned by the launching of a ship or the raising of a shot tower ; while, for want of a trifling appropriation, the thorn and the this- tle are permitted to grow upon the mounds of our ancestors, and our plough shares are suffered to pass over their forgotten graves. A celebration of the 4th of July is a novelty in this community ; it is the first, perhaps, which has been held in this village since its earliest settlement. I have already stated the object of the celebration. It is one which had its origin in patriotism — not designed to promote the interests of a party or a faction, but rescue from unmerited oblivion the memory of more than two hundred soldiers of the American Revolution who were wounded upon the bloody fields of Brandy wine, and who died, in conse- quence of their wounds, in the hospital at Ephrata. It will become a part of our duty, upon the present occasion, to give to the audience a brief statement of the facts connected with the history of those men, as far as we have been able to inform ourselves upon the subject ; taking into con- sideration the time which has elapsed since they were brought to this place and the fact that nearly every record which would lead us into the details of their history has long since been obliterated. An aged gentle- man who was for many years esteemed as a valuable and useful citizen of Ephrata, but who does not at this time reside in the village, has given me some information upon this subject, which, I doubt not, will be well received by you who have assembled here to-day. He has informed me that it was a president of the village of Ephrata, in the autumn of the year 1777, during which time a number of wounded soldiers (he does not recollect, distinctly, the number ; but presumes them to have been about five hun- dred) were brought to this place from the battle of Brandywine and placed in the hospital— which at that time stood on Mount Zion hill — under the care of several skillful surgeons and physicians who were appointed to superintend the institution. Dr. Yerkel, a name, perhaps, which is familiar to some of you, was the principal of the hospital, and officiated as such at court-martials. Dr. Scott, upon whom devolved the performance of the principal part of the surgical duties, was his successor, and performed many skillful and important operations in his profession. JE*L Carriage works Cor. West Main and Oak Sts. EPHRATA, PA. A COMPLETE STOCK TO SELECT FROM IN BUGGIES, CARRIAGES and BUSINESS WAGONS ...NEW AND SECOND-HAND... THE LOWEST PRICES AND GOOD WORK. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING IN MY LINE, CALL AND SEE. IT WILL BE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. ALSO REPAIRING AT SHORT NOTICE. J. E. KEIPER Hotel royal W N 1CF.LY FURN ISHED ROOMS ^^^^^^ STEAM HEAT O ELECTRIC LIGHTS 79 NORTH 11TH ST. PHILAD'A WM. H. MURPHY r^ODD <£ CO. *S The MB PRACTICAL ..Hatters GOODS MANUFACTURED ON THE PREMISES. LATEST STYLES LOWEST PRICES 126 NORTH QTH ST. PHILAD'A ALL KINDS OF HATS BLOCKED AND RE-TRIMMED 4i The gentleman from whom I have derived my information was an eye witness to several important operations performed by Dr. Seott upon the wounded men who had been placed under his care. He saw him ampu- tate the legs of several of them, the arms of others, and extract a number of bullets which had been lodged in the fleshy parts of the body. Dr. Scott was succeeded as principal by Dr. Harrison, whom he represents as a kind-hearted, benevolent, good man, who attended to the duties of his station with the most unremitted attention and paid the most affectionate regard to the interests and welfare of the unfortunate soldiers who were the subjects of his skill and sympathy. The usefulness of this benevolent physician, however, was cut short by the interposition of Divine Providence. He was seized by what was called the camp fever, removed from the hospital to the house of one Mr. Augus, the father of the present Jacob Augus, our worthy president of the day, where he died in a short time and was either removed or else buried on Mount Zion hill. The disease which carried off Dr. Harrison was contagious, and his benefactor Mr. Augus, was taken with it, and died in a few days. This gentleman became acquainted with several of the soldiers, whose names he does not distinctly recollect at this distant day. Of one of them, a Yankee, he has a distinct recol- lection ; he learned him to speak the English language. To the best of his knowledge they were brought to the hospital at Ephrata in the autumn of the year 1777. The survivors, which were about three hundred in number, were removed in the spring of the year 1778, at the time the British were in the possession of Philadelphia. The first of them that died here was buried with the honors of war — a funeral sermon, preached by one of their own number appointed for that purpose. This practice was continued for some time, until they began to drop off too rapidly to allow time for the performance of the ceremonies, when everything of the kind was dispensed with. The soldiers were principally Pennsylvanians and Yankees, and few of the British, who had deserted and joined the American army. Some of them were fine, clever fellows, and frequently ate with him at his table. The camp fever, which they brought with them into the neighborhood, was contagious, and several of the most valuable citizens of Ephrata were taken with it and died. The number of soldiers buried on Mount Zion hill he estimates to be about two hundred ; all the others recovered and were admitted again into the army. This informa- tion I have obtained from one of the gray-haired fathers of this com- munity, who was an eye witness to most of the facts connected with this truly interesting and important circumstance. It is a plain, unvarnished tale; such an one as would naturally fall from the lips of a man whose head is blossomed for eternity ; but who still retains the vigor of youth, and the intelligence of unimpaired manhood. I am sorry that the journals of that hospital have not been preserved, as I have been informed that they were written by skillful hands, pre- pared with much labor and accuracy. At the present time, however, they are not to be found. No one can tell, with precision, into what corner 42 they have been thrown. The hospital, itself, has disappeared. If it were not for the sandy soil and the few corner stones which are the landmarks of this location, we would scarcely be able to find the spot where it once stood. The tall poplars, which protected its windows from the rays of the sun, have been driven away by the storm ; and its pleasant yard, in which the winds of heaven were permitted to fan the brow of the fevered invalid, is now appropriated to purpose of agriculture. At the time of the evacuation of this building many of its important records were removed into Franklin county, where, in all probability, they remain until this day. The world is ignorant of its history ; yet we may indulge the hope th it the day will yet arrive when among the ancient manuscripts of our fathers will be found a record which will rescue its memory from oblivion. The erection of a monument to the memory of the soldiers who perished inside of its walls, perhaps, may be presented as the first incentive to search. One living witness we have in this multitude. Behold him ! Here he sits ! The storms of eighty-four winters have swept over him. His hair is whitened by the frosts of time, and the weight of years is upon his shoulders. Yet here he sits, as the representative of '76. He was the bosom friend and companion of Gen. George Washington, in many of the trials and vicissitudes which he encountered. If age had not impaired his memory he could relate to you many interesting circumstances, which oc- curred in the time that tried men's souls. To him this scene must be full of interest. The revolutionary drama to him must now appear as a fearful and almost forgotten dream, awful in its character yet pleasing in its results. How must his bosom beat with the reflection that, perhaps, the very soldiers whose dust slumbers upon the summit of yonder hill were his companions in the field ; fought in the same battle at his side, and were carried, bleeding and wounded, from the same scene of carnage and of death. To us he is the chronicler of years. He speaks — although his lips are not seen to move. His language, which produces no echo here, is that of silent and irresistible eloquence — understood and appreciated by every American heart. He, too, has joined this assembly to commemorate the birthday of American liberty. He, too, rejoices in anticipation of the success of the glorious enterprise in which we have embarked. How would it cheer the heart of this aged patriot to know that after he himself shall be gathered home to his fathers — after he shall have gone to join his illustrious compatriots in chanting their songs of liberty in another world, he will not be forgotten, but that friends will weep and the stranger and the traveller pause to gaze at and admire the beauties of the monument which will mark his resting place and consecrate the depository of his mouldering bones. The monument which we propose to erect will be raised, if possible, by public and private contributions. The sum which will be necessary f >r its erection will not exceed two thousand dollars. Committees have been appointed by the board to draw up suitable petitions, to be presented to the public, asking an appropriation for that purpose. We have not con- 43 soled ourselves with the reflection that this measure will meet with universal support. We look for — we expect opposition ; and we are pre- pared to encounter it. That it will meet with; that opposition, however, which will insure its defeat, we cannot and we will not believe. The genius of liberty smiles upon our efforts, and the god of nations has hal- lowed them ; and although ignorance may cant and avarice may cavil at its propriety, though our ears may be assailed by the stale cry of "raising the taxes and robbing the public treasury," let us not be alarmed from our purpose by charges so unfounded, so inconsistent and so mean. Sirs, if it had not been for the war of the revolution and the bravery of those who sustained it, there is not a single farmer or mechanic in the government of the United States who would not at this moment be taxed to at least two-thirds of his income. Shall we then suffer the plan of this monument to be defeated by the cry of " taxation ?" Shall we suffer the project to die, or to remain unfinished by the paltry consideration of a few dollars and cents ? I trust there is more spirit and more patriotism in the community than to be alarmed at this mere wind work of opposition. There are other considerations which urge this matter upon us as an immediate and important duty. Ephrata is not only the resting-place of heroes, but has been the theatre of other scenes of patriotism. The Declaration of Independence was translated here, almost immediately after its adoption, and published into seven languages and distributed among the different nations of Europe. ESTABLISHED 1868 I- C. Sprechers Sons EPHRQfA, PA- H General ardware... Builders' Blacksmiths' Su PP |ies ^ Coach Makers' Supplies PAINTERS' SUPPLIES MACHINERY OILS, STOVES, FURNACES AND TINWARE. Furnace, Tin and Sheet Iron Work _of every description THE INCORPORATION OF EPHRATA AX application for the incorporation of Ephrata into a borough was presented to Quarter Sessions Court, April 20th, 1891. The application was the outcome of the agitation of the two months prior. Of the 298 property holders of the town, 170 had signed the petition, but of course, as in all progressive movements, a counter petition was originated and circulated, and presented in opposition at Court, with 102 names attached, a number of whom were non-residents. Messrs. Brown and Hensel represented the peti- tioners, and Messrs. Steinnietz, Malone and Whitson were attorneys for the remonstrants. During the ten years prior to this move the town had a rate of growth of about 300 p T cent. The population at the time of incorporation was about 2200. A hank, four churches and various industries desired the advantages of municipal privileges; a police system was needed ; better school, facilities, graded streets and suitable pavements. According to announcement a meeting was held in Mentzer's Hall on Saturday after- noon, February 14th, 1891, to define the boundaries of the new borough of Ephrata. There was a large attendance of property holders and great interest was manifested in the movement. The advantages of having borough regulations were presented and fully explained. The spirit of the meeting was good and the sentiment in favor of the advance movement was almost unanimous, but very lew making exceptions to the step. Messrs. George Wise, John R. Messner, J. B. Kellar, J. J. Baer and J. B. Eshleman were appointed a committee to make a draft of the proposed lines. George A. Kemper, of Akron, was the surveyor, and the entire work was performed with promptness and little or no opposition from the property holders along the line surveyed, almost all being- anxious to be included in the borough limits. The petition for the incorporation of our town into a borough having gone through all the preliminary stages, the Court on Saturday afternoon, August 22d, 1891, made a decree incorporating it into a borough, Judge Patterson issuing the decree. An editorial from the Ephrata Review, August 28th, 1891,- says : "At last the wish of our citizens has been granted and we are an incorporated borough. If we citizens per- form our duties conscientiously and with a desire tor realizing the best good to the greatest number, we will soon reap the advantages to be derived from incorporation. It is now necessary to elect to the several borough offices, men who will advance the interests of the t )wn. If they are wise and prudent, our streets and sidewalks will soon be in better condition than at present, and at a cost but little advance of our past taxation for road purposes. An economical and wise borough council can soon put into operation plans whereby our streets can be lighted, our schools better regulated, and the town well supplied with water. These are questions of the greatest importance and must be met n >w and discussed and acted upon." The hist borough election was held at the public house of L. E. Royer in Ephrata, on Tuesday, September 15th, 1891, between the hours of 7 A.M. and 7 P.M. The following officers having been appointed by the Court officiated : Judge, H. C. Gemperling ; Inspectors, John II. Spera and A. B. Urich ; F. S. Klinger and W. K. Mohler were chosen a> Clerks. This special election was to elect officers to serve until the regular election in February following. The total number of votes cast was 443, and was quite large in c insideration that the registered voters numbered 536. No party tickets were settled by primary election or caucus, and the election was very quiet, there being no disorder of any kind, though there was considerable electioneering done The candidates for councilmen were most numerous, as there were seventeen persons who aspired to an office for which six could be elected. The entire list of candidates numbered forty-eight. The successful candidates were as follows: Burgess, G. S. Wise; Council, J. B. Brugger, G. F. Groff, .1. J. Baer, J. S. Spangler, Joseph Cooper and A. W. Mentzer ; School Directors, C. B. Keller, J. M. Shaeffer, J. Frank Eckert, Samuel R. Hess, Levi S. Landes and Win. Ibilig; Judge of Elections, John A. lleyscr; Inspectors, H. H. Stroble and B. F. Emmeri : Assessor, Samuel R. Xagel ; Assistant Assessors, Edwin Konigmaeher and David Kraatz ; Tax Collector, Levi B. Snader ; Auditor, J. J. Y eager : Constable, II. \Y. Cier. 45 On Friday evening, September 18th, following the first borough election, the newly elected Borough Council held a preliminary meeting at the Eagle Hotel for the purpose of organization. S. L. Sharp, resident Justice of the Peace, was in attendance and administered the oath of office. Bufgess George S. Wise piesided. Hon. J. Hay Brown, Esq., of Lancaster, was elected Borough Solicitor, and promised to explain the duties of Council on Thursday evening, September 24th. S. L. Sharp, Esq., was elected Clerk. Much laborious and disagreeable work was necessarily well performed by the lirst set of Councilmen, and to them belong much credit for their hold stand in the new enterprise. The present officers of the borough are : Burgess, W. K. Mohler ; Councilmen, Jacob S. Spangler, George Groff, A. P. Snader, J. B. Brugger, George Mohler and J. J. Baer; Clerk of Council, W. L. Bixler ; Justices of the Peace, W. K. Seltzer and S. L. Sharp ; High Constable, Wm. Dunn; Constable] H. W. Gier. The town has enjoyed general prosperity and has made rapid strides of improvement since its organization. The Board of School Directors immediately set to work and built a line eight-roomed school-house at a cost of over $15,000, and Prof. H. E. Gelnnan, with an able corps of teachers, was elected principal. He graduated the first class from the Ephrata High School in 1893-94. It consisted of live young men and three young ladies, all of whom were exceptionally bright. The most notable and marvelous change due to incorporation is the educational work, and too much can not be said for all the members of the School Board and the honest, conscientious work of Prof. Gehman and his corps of instructors, as we have officially been ranked at the head of schools in this county. Thus may it ever be, let results prove the system and no one will dare raise his voice against the most glorious of our free institutions. The town of Ephrata is nicely laid out, though somewhat irregularly, and lies on the north and west of the Ephrata hills, and by the Lancaster papers is often called the "mountain town," whilst writers in magazines and the daily press have termed it the " quaint and quiet village." Suffice it to say that Ephrata has nicely graded streets, fine pavements, elegant homes, good water, excellent schools, plenty of churches and s tcieties, and is ever hospitable to all repectable visitors. In fact, there is that warmth of greeting with our people, that all strangers are loath to leave us when once here. It has had a steady growth, such as can withstand the shocks of time and a financial crisis without much distress. We are therefore not of a mushroom growth, but staple, productive, intelli- gent, progressive, active, energetic, and awake to true citizenship, the highest aim of man after the saving of his soul. Much more might be said as to the general push of the citizens and the unconscious working together of the same forces. When a new venture is proposed, it is generally well discussed and made plain to all before it is adopted, hence the few downright failures in what ever Ephrata has undertook to do. S. G. Z. AFFIDAVITS CONCERNING EPHRATA MONUMENT. REPORTS being in circulation that the soldiers buried at Ephrata, and over whom a Monument is about to be erected, were Hessians, we have been requested to publish the following certificate and letter : Statement of Peter Shindel of Lancaster City. I was at the battle of Brandywiue and belonged to the left division of the American Army. After the battle and defeat of the Americans, I, with a number of my companions, fled to Marcus Hook, where we spent the night in a chairmaker's hut. During the night we heard the wagons containing the wounded Americans pass by on their way to Chester — we 4 6 could hear the wounded cry as the wagons passed over the stones. Next day we also went to Chester, where we saw them all — some were in wagons, some in carts, and those who were able to walk did so. From Chester they were removed as soon as possible to Ephrata, where they were carefully attended to until they died or recovered. From Chester we went up to Darby, thence to Philadelphia and up the Schuylkill. There were no Hessians at Ephrata at all. The Hessian prisoners were kept in Lancaster — about 1,000 of them had been taken at the battle of Trenton and brought to Lancaster — I helped to take them from Lancaster to Philadelphia myself, where we put them into the old Jail at the corner of Third and Market Streets. PETER SHINDEL. Lancaster City ss. Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, one of the Aldermen of said city, the above named Peter Shindel, who being duly sworn, deposes and says that the facts set forth in the above statement are correct and true, to the best of his knowledge and belief. Sworn and subscribed, October 20th, 1845. JOHN C. VAN CAMP, Alderman. New Brunswick, November 10th, 1845. Hon. Joseph Konigmacher : Dear Sir — You ask me for all the intelligence I have in relation to Capt. John McMeyer McDonald. Of course, all my knowledge of him is derived from my father. From him I have often heard of that gallant and intrepid soldier. He was a volunteer from Virginia, and commanded a company like himself, high-spirited and brave. The greater part of this company were from New Jersey and voluntarily enrolled themselves. The battle of Brandywiue gave to most of them a glorious death — sixteen survivors bore off the body of their wounded Commander, defend- ing it and themselves with an obstinate valor much more resembling the fiction of romance than the narrative of history. The day after their arrival at Ephrata, McMeyer McDonald died of his wounds. His own soldiers buried him a little distance from the burial place where the Monument is now placed. The last survivor of this gallant company died about three years ago. He was ninety-one j-ears of age. My sister desires me to inform you that she does not remember the names of the officers who died and were buried at Ephrata. She mentions also that a part of the time that my father directed the hospital there, Dr. Reading Beatty and Dr. Ebenezer Smith were two of his assistants — John Scott, my father's brother, was the commissary — more she does not remember, except that the kindness, fidelity and attention of Father Miller, were the theme of much conversation and ardent gratitude. I am, with the highest respect and esteem, Your obedient servant, J. W. SCOTT. The following; is a fac-simile of the Senate File. No. S4. SENATE FILE. No. 64. SENATE FILE. I Mr. EYE R— Corporations. READ— Jan. 29, 1845. J. M. G. LESCURE. PRINTER TO THE STATE. A.N ACT to incorporate the Ephrata Monument Association of the county of Lancaster 1 WHEREAS in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy- 2 seven immediately after the battle of Brandywine a large number of Amerr 3 can Soldiers sick and wounded were removed to Mount Zion now in Ephrata 4 township Lancaster county and there received the kind and charitable atten 5 tions of the ministers and members of the Seventh Day Baptist Society 6 under whose care they were placed and as upwards of two hundred of 1 these gallant soldiers of the Revolution died and were interred without any 8 memorial to mark the place of their interment and as a number of citizens 9 of the county of Lancaster are desirous of associating themselves together 10 and to obtain corporate powers for the purpose of enabling them to erect a 11 suitable monument to their memory 12 Therefore 1 Section 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives SENATE FILE. No. 64 2 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met and it is 8 hereby enacted by the authority of the same That Joseph Konigmacher 4 R R Heitler David Bauman William Meily Isaac Stroh George W M'El- 5 roy Benjamin Konigmacher B Fahnestock Samuel Zerfass William Spera 6 Christian Smith Jeremiah Moler Benjamin Ulrich J W Forney R Frazer 7 J K Findlay George Ford E C Reigart and all other persons who have 8 subscribed or who may hereafter subscribed any sum towards the erection 9 of the proposed monument and their successors and assignees be and they 10 are hereby made a body politic and corporate in law under the name style 11 and title of the " Ephrata Monument Association" and by that name shall 12 be able and capable in law to have and use a common seal to sue and be 13 sued plead and be impleaded and do all such other things as are incident }i to a corporation 1 Section 2 The said corporation shall be able and capable in law if 2 it shall be deemed expedient to purchase and hold so much land and per- 3 sonal property as may be necessary for the purposes of* "-this incorporation 4 to lay out and ornament the grounds and to make such by-laws rules and 5 regulations as they may deem essential to the proper government of the affairs 6 of the association 1 Section 3 The businesss of the said association shall be managed by 2 a president five directors and a treasurer to be chosen annually from the 3 subscribers by a mojority of the votes given each subscriber to be entitled 4 to a single vote the election to be held annually on the first "day of June 5 at the academy in Ephrata in the county of Lancaster public notice of the 6 first and of every subsequent election to be given at least two weeks pre- 7 vious in one or more newspapers printed in the city of Lancaster Notice % of the first election to be given by three or more of the corporators named 9 in the first section of this act and notice of all subsequent elections to Jbe 10 given by the president of the company No 64 SENATE FILE i Section 4. The said president directors and treasurer shall make an 2 annual report on the day of every annual election which shall be duly S certified and which shall exhibit fully and accurately the receipts expenses 4 and expenditures of the said association /3f fc S3? (9. C^am <^/ie^ (O/z/ia/a, <§>#. NEW HOLLAND and Qranite Works T. Storb New Holland, Pa. Lane. Co. L. S. LANDES General Merchandise- No. 31 W. Main St. EPHRATA, PA. BEST GOODS AT THE LOWEST PRICES- PUBLIC SCHOOL HOUSIC OF KPHKAIA IiOKOUGH. BOROUGH SCHOOL. THE first Board of School Directors of the borough of Ephrata, Samuel R. Hess, Dr. F. J. Eckert, Charles B. Keller, J. M. Sheaffer! L,- S. Eaudes and W. O. Heilig, organized Sept. 29, 1891, by electing Saml. R. Hess, President, Charles B. Keller, Secretary, and J. M. Sheaffer, Treasurer. A move was immediately made to build a commodious school house. A lot fronting 200 ft. on Franklin Street, near the centre of the town, was bought for the sum of $1400, and a contract awarded to Mr. Henry Coldren to build an eight-room house according to the plans sub- mitted by W. A. Fink, architect, of Reading, for the sum of $9740. The building is large and very conveniently arranged with the Smead-Wills system of heating and ventilating, which at this time gives good satisfac- tion. A tower and bell were at once placed upon the building. On Columbus Day, October 14, 1S92, appropriate dedication services were held. State Supt, Dr. J. D. Waller and County Supt., M. J. Brecht, with other prominent speakers, were present to assist in the exer- cises. Washington Camp, No. 227, Patriotic Sons of America, assisted by the True Americans, presented a large and beautiful American Flag to the Directors of the school with appropriate addresses, which was placed upon the building. Eight months school term was at once adopted and is nine months at present, commencing August 20. The corps of teachers remains as at first with a few exceptions. Prof. H. E Gehman, Principal. Miss Mary H. Tshudy, assistant (instead of Miss Annie Sanderson, former assistant), Mr. T. C. Reddig, Miss Kate Hoffman, Mr. F. S. Klinger, Miss Mary E. Buckwalter, Miss Mary F. Weaver, Miss Flora Sanderson and Mr. J. M. Fry. The present Board of Directors are : Dr. D. J. McCaa, President, James M. Bingeman, Secretary, J. W. Kiehl, Treasurer, S. R. Hess, L,. S. Laudes and I. N. Lightner. Another school known as East Ephrata is taught by Miss Carrie E. Walker. ■ » Il ll lt J > — fe f V — *"* J * <2J EPHRATA. STORIES OF THE SINGULAR RELIGIOUS SETTLE MENT ON THE BANKS OF THE COCALICO. Conrad Basse/ and His Missionary Work — The First Converts — -Where Clea?rfi?iess and Quiet Reign Supreme — Rare Productions of Music and Books. -e-s- ; 6) 6 7 THE houses of the town proper are mostly modern in appearance, built of red brick in a conventional style of architecture. The town stretches along a broad road which leads gradually around a curve, over an old stone bridge spanning the famous Cocalico Creek, and then away into the country. Near the broad turnpike road, about a quarter of a mile from the village of Ephrata, stands a curious pile of buildings of unique architecture. The larger ones are weather-boarded with planks or shingles, unpainted and darkened to a deep gray color by the action of the wind and weather for a hundred years and more. The houses have a foreign, German look ; some few of the smaller ones are built of stone, but are uninteresting alongside of their more pretentious neighbors. These buildings which form the famous Ephrata Cloister, stand on high ground and thus loom up more imposing as the visitor approaches. They are great steep roofed houses, several stories in height, dotted here and there with many small windows, which twinkle and glitter in the sunlight. The floor beams pierce through the walls and are pinned upon the outside. The history of Ephrata contains perhaps more romantic incidents than are attached to any other settlement in the State. The inception of this unique community dates back to 1724, when Conrad Beissel, a man who learned the trade of weaver under Peter Becker, the first Dunker preacher in America, was baptized in the German Baptist Church. Beissel was a man of intelligence and erudition, far ahead of his times, and yet he accepted the idea of primitive Christianity inculcated by that society, and even carried his belief to an extreme. Beissel made his home, for a time living the life of a hermit, in a cave that had been previously occupied by a solitary named Elimelech. But Beissel was not left for any length of time to enjoy this solitude, as some of his followers, being convinced that his religious ideas were correct, gathered themselves together around his retreat, and there settled, in the winter of 1732-3. These three men built a log lint, so as to be near their spiritual leader. They were soon followed by two women of the congregation, Anna and Maria Eicher, who requested permission of Beissel to share the seclusion in the wilderness with his other followers. At first their proposition did not meet with favor, but, as all attempts to persuade them to return were unsuccessful, the brethren finally erected for their use a log cabin en the opposite side of the stream. This house was 6 9 completed in May, 1735, and the two women, who occupied it, were the original members of the Hphrata Sisterhood. During the succeeding years many accessions were made to the membership of Beissel's congregation, both male and female, and finally the community became known as the " Camp of the Solitary." Early in 1740, the recluse life was changed for a monastic one and the earliest buildings of the Cloister were erected. The building now known as the Saal, or the Sisters' House, was first erected, and a year later the present Sisters' House was completed, adjoining the Saal. When completed it was known as Hebron and intended for married couples and widows. This arrangement lasted, however, only a short time, when both structures were handed over to the Sisterhood. The interior of Hebron was altered according to the requirements as it exists at present. After these alterations the building was rededicated on the 13th of July, 1745. The name of the house was also changed to Sharon, and the Sisterhood renamed, and henceforth known as the Roses of Sharon, based on the mythical interpretation of the second chapter of the Song of Solomon. Mother Maria, one of the Sisters, who first followed Beissel to Cocalico, was installed as Mother Superior, monastic names were given to all the Sisters, such as Sister Kathura, Anastasia, Ruclina, Europhina, Vasilla, Jael, Constantia, Sophia, Catharina and Eufasix. Both the Sisters and Brothers wore a peculiar monastic habit, similar to that of the Capuchins, or White Friars. The Brothers wore shirts, trousers and vests, a long- white gown and cowl, of wool in winter, and linen in summer. The Sisters' costume was the same, with the exception of a coarse flannel petticoat substituted for the trousers. There were no of vows celibacy taken by the followers of Beissel, although the idea was inculcated. The Prior, whose name was Israel Echerlina, took the name of Ouesimus, while Beissel, who refused to accept any position of influence, took that of Freidsam, and was given the title of the spiritual father of the community. From 1740 the society gathered in numbers, until at one time, a few years later, the community had about three hundred members. The property and real estate grew to be of great value, as the farms were cultivated and mills rose on the banks of the Cocalico, built by the hands of the Brothers and Sisters. This wealth was the common stock of the society, and the income was devoted to the common support. The mills, of which but little trace exists to-day, were at one time the most exten- ^ THE SAAL OR PRAYER HOUSE. 7i sive in that part of the country, and it was at Ephrata that one, if not the very first, printing press in Pennsylvania was erected. To-day the Ephrata imprints are among the rarest and most valuable of all publications. They were mostly of a religious nature, many being the peculiar mystic writings of Beissel. Perhaps the most interesting volume ever published on the Ephrata printing press was the "Martyr Book," an immense quarto, of 1700 pages, bound in heavy boards and brass, being the greatest of all the earliest specimens of printing in America. Not the least singular thing about the inhabitants of this peculiar settlement was their music, some volumes of which have come down to us to-day. This music was composed and written by Beissel himself; it was all written in a peculiar minor key for the female voice, and was founded upon the melodious and plaintive chords of the Aeolian harp, the music of which Beissel was very fond. The Ephrata music was all in manuscript, and it is a marvel of beauty and artistic penmanship, the results of many years of toil by the inmates of the Cloister. The daily life of Beissel' s followers was of the severest kind. Their rooms in the Clotster buildings were mere cells, only twenty inches wide, while the ceilings are only seven feet high. The doorways were exceed- ingly small, but five feet high and twenty inches broad, thus to represent the narrow way that leads to everlasting life. The furniture of the cells consisted of a bench and a billet of wood for the head. The fare of the inmates was principally fruit and vegetables ; they ate from wooden plates and drank from wooden goblets. Their occupation was divided between prayer and work. Two periods of three hours each was all that was allowed for rest or sleep out of the twenty-four. The first period of sleep commenced at 9 P.M. This lasted until midnight, when services were held in the Saal, after the second period of sleep, from 1 A.M. to 4 A.M. was granted. The rest of the day was spent in work and devo- tion. But one regular meal was served — the midday repast. Such was the austere life of these people. In 1768 Conrad Beissel, mystic, hermit, musician, monk and founder of the Society of the Solitary, died and was buried in the quaint God's Acre which had been set aside for the last resting place of the members of the community, where the monument is to be erected. Over each grave in this burial ground is a simple stone, bearing as a rule only the name of the person buried there. A few, however, contain memorial notices: one in quaint old German text reads : ' ' Here rests an outgrowth of the UEAR VIEW OP THE SAAL. 73 love of God, ' Freidsam, ' a Solitary Brother, afterwards a leader and religious teacher of the Solitary, and the Congregation of Grace, in and around Ephrata. Born in Eberbach in Palatinate, called Conrad Beissel. Fell asleep July 6, 1768, in the 52d year of his spiritual life, but the 72d year and fourth month of his natural life." Close by Beissel rests his successor, Peter Miller, born in Palatinate. Miller came to America in 1730, and was baptised in the congregation of Ephrata in 1735 and called Brother Joabez. He died September 1 1, 1796. It was not many years after Bejssel's death before the society began to decline, as jealousies and dissensions arose among its members, although from a worldly standpoint it continued for several years later on to prosper ; but, while the principles of Beissel were not departed from, they were not strictly adhered to. During the trying period of the Revolutionary War, in 1777, the large Cloister Buildings on the hill were taken possession of by the American army, and after the battle of Brandywine the Sisterhood of Sharon devoted their time to the care of the suffering and wounded sol- diers. The dread typhus fever broke out among their patients, but they did not shrink from their duty, and hundreds of soldiers were nursed by their ministering care to convalescence. How many of the Sisters lost their lives by their devotion is not known, as the records of the society, from 1773 to 1782, are missing. After the Revolution the society showed many signs of decay. Most of the original members were then well on in years, and new applicants were few ; besides, the neighboring vicinity of the Cloister was beginning to be settled. Thus the monastic branch of the community was gradually abolished. The last complete entry in the manuscript chronicle of the Sisterhood is in the trembling handwriting of Sister Eucia, and relates that Sister Meloniga died September 19, 1813, at the advanced age of 87 years and four months. Below this entry Sister Eucia wrote : " Sister Eucia — died in the year 18 — " Tradition tells us that the last Rose of Sharon, the final member of the order of Spiritual Virgins of Ephrata, also died in the year 1813. In 1 8 14 the society was incorporated by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, by which its affairs were placed in the hands of a Board of Trustees. No one should leave the famous old Ephrata Cloister, without an inspection of the Saal or Prayer House. It is opened every Seventh-day ONE OF THE OLDEST HOUSES ON THE GROUNDS. LrfA 41 -5> r^k»- r ; iJii^\ Mil* M v. "i^'tjfl OLD CLOISTER GRAVEYARD. 75 morning, for the local congregation of worshipers, there still being a number of the Society of the Seventh Day Baptists residing in the vicinity of Ephrata. The Saal is a low room, constructed of heavy beams of poplar timber, hewn by hand and built by the members of the society, in the old days, and few, if any changes have been made in it since its dedi- cation in 1 74 1. The beams are dark with age, but the walls are white- washed to a spotless purity, and the light that struggles through the little windows shows that the floor is actually worn with scrubbing ; so painfull}- clean are they that it seems almost a desecration to walk upon it ; the nail heads fairly glisten, so brightly are they polished with the numberless applications of soap and sand. Around the walls are a number of curious antique looking pictures, bearing quaint German texts ; these mottoes are all painted by hand, the beauty of design and delicacy of execution seems almost to link them with the lost art of vellum manuscript painting. Some of the designs are very unique ; one of them represents the narrow way leading to eternal life. In the distance are innumerable faces and figures gathered around a lamb ; the winding path that leads to this group is marked with an appropriate text from Scripture. Many mottoes relating to celibacy are found. For instance, " They that are of the flesh do mind the things of the flesh." " He that is un- married cares for the things that belong to the L,ord." Above the entrance to the Saal hangs a tablet, on which is inscribed in German : The house is entered through this door By peaceful souls that dwell within ; Those that have come will part no more, For God protects them here from sin ; Their bliss is found in forms of love That springs from loving God above. On the tables in the Saal numerous old books are to be seen, printed many years ago for the use of the monks and nuns. THE READING TERHINAL. The Market Street Terminal Station of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, which will be known as the "Reading Terminal Station," is situated at the Northeast corner of Twelfth and Market Streets, and ex- lends northwardly to Cherry Street, a distance of 1020 feet 7 inches, the frontage on Market Street being 266 feet 10 inches. The buildings comprised in this area are the Head House, or Station Building proper, which includes the passenger waiting room, ticket offices, etc., and the various offices and counting rooms for the officials and clerks of the company. To the noi-th of the Station Building, at the street level, are the in- coming and out-going baggage rooms, the cab ]obb}% the express offices and storage rooms, the large restaurant, the Reading Terminal Market House, and the Power House, with some additional space as yet unap- propriated. Below the street level, and under the .Station Building, is the engine room from whence is served the power for the various apparatus used in the building. This is connected by tunnels with the cold storage vaults under the Market and also with the Power House. The Station Building is 1GS feet in height from the engine room floor to the top of the parapets on the roof. It has, including- the engine room and the storage rooms above the offices, eleven stories. At the track level, in the rear of the main passenger waiting rooms, there is a passenger lobby 266 feet in length by 50 feet in width, imme- diately north of which is the Train Shed, 507 feet in length, covered by a span 266 feet 6 inches over all and containing' thirteen tracks. The Station Building is arranged with stores in the basement. On the first, or ground floor, are the quarters for the Treasurer and his clerks, accommodations for the employees of the Coal and Iron Company, and Ticket Offices, Post Office and lower waiting room. At the track level, twenty-five feet above the street pavement, there are a Ladies' Waiting Room, Main Waiting Room, Restaurant and Dinine 78 Rooms, tog-ether with toilet and smoking rooms. Above this level, the several floors are divided to suit the convenience of the various official bureaus, and there is a commodious kitchen in the upper story. The Station Building is constructed of pink brick, trimmed with white terra cotta, the first story being faced with pink granite. The partition walls throughout the building, above the waiting rooms, are of solid Mackite construction. The floors are supported throughout upon structural iron ; those above the waiting rooms being of solid plank, pro- tected on the under side with Mackite plaster boards. The partitions and iloors of the second story, including the waiting rooms, are of brick laid in cement. All of the iron work throughout the structure, except where brick is used, is covered with Mackite. The building contains nineteen toilet rooms. It is heated throughout with radiators supplied with steam, not to exceed one pound above the atmosphere, from the exhaust of engines operating the electric light plant, elevators, etc. The ventilation is maintained in all of the office rooms by means of electric fans placed above the roof. The ventilation from the toilet rooms is drawn by means of both fans and aspirating coils. The entire surface area covered between Cherry and Market Streets is 221,800 square feet. The entire cubic contents enclosed is 19,150,000 cubic feet. The Head House or Station Building proper has a floor space of 270,000 square feet, a surface area of 26,700 square feet and contains 4,125,000 cubic feet of space. The Main Waiting Room is 35 feet in height with a floor space of 100 x 78 feet, having a content of 273,000 cubic feet. The Ladies' Waittng Room is 19 feet in height with a floor space of 58 x 43 feet, having a content of 47,380 cubic feet. The Reading Terminal Market has a height of 24 feet, and a floor space of 304 x 200' •> feet, having a content of 1,944,(K)0 cubic feet. The Power House at Cherry Street has a floor space of 23,000 square feet and a content of 553,000 cubic feet. The machinery installed and necessary for the operation of the Station, etc., including the lighting of the Reading Terminal Railroad, and the operation of the switches, is as follows : Six steam boilers aggregating 1,500 horse power ; a refrigerating plant of l.io tons capacity; dynamos, engines, etc., Tor 300 arc lights; dynamos, engines, etc., for 1,400 sixteen candle power incandescent lamps, alterna- ting current ; dynamos, engines, etc., for 3,000 sixteen candle power incandescent lamps, direct current ; pumps, accumulators, pipes, hydrau- 79 lie apparatus, etc., for 14 ram elevators; pumps, air receivers, hydraulic engines, apparatus, etc., for 4 passeng-er hoist elevators and 2 ram elevators ; 5 pumping- engines for water supply and fire service ; 2 air compressors and dynamos for switches ; and 5 ventilating fans. The boilers, refrigerating machinery, electrical apparatus for arc lights and for alternating- current, incandescent electrical lights, air compressors, etc., for switches and for two water supply pumps, are located in the Cherry Street Power House. The coal for the boilers is dropped from the track level into large bins adjacent to the boiler room. The ashes from the boiler room are lifted by means of an automatic hydraulic hoist from the boiler room to above the track level, where they are dumped into ash cars and then removed by train. Two pipes carry steam at a temperature of 340° Fahrenheit, from the boiler room a distance of \,22r> feet to the engine room under the Station Building. These pipes run through tunnels under the streets, through the cold storage vaults and through the power house. They are covered with magnesia sectional covering- two inches in thickness and run within four feet of two 10 inch mains carrying brine at a temperature of .1° below- zero which are covered with speciallj- prepared hair felt three inches in thickness. The engine room under the Station Building contains engines, dyna- mos, etc., auxiliary pumps and accumulators for ram elevators, the pumps and other apparatus for passenger elevators, together with the various pumping engines for water supply and fire service filters, etc. The ex- haust steam from the engines in this room is used for heating the building, the water of condensation being returned back to the boilers. That there ma)' be as little waste as possible, the water used for conden- sing the ammonia used in the refrigerating apparatus is pumped to the boilers after passing through a feed water heater. The machinery, apparatus, pipes, electrical conductors, lamps, etc., are so arranged that one is a complement of the other, and only extraor- dinary accidents could possibly cripple the service in any of its details. That portion of the Reading Railroad System extending from the city of Reading to Lancaster and to Columbia, is still known as the Reading and Columbia Railroad, its corporate title. This road was incorporated May 19th, 1857, and was opened for traffic April 1st, 1N<>4. The main stem extends from Columbia to Sinking Spring, a distance of 39.50 miles, with a 8o eye- branch from Lancaster Junction to Lancaster, 8 miles, known as the Lan- caster Branch. The entire line is laid along - the Cocalico Valle} r , a region of gentl}' rolling- farm lands, and Lancaster Count}- through which the road principally runs, is one of the most fertile counties in the State of Pennsylvania. At Sinking Spring the Reading & Columbia Road intersects with the Lebanon Valley Branch of the Reading Railroad and uses the tracks of the latter branch from that point to the commodious and extensive station at Reading, where connections are made for all points on the Reading System and its connecting lines. From Reading- the tracks of the Reading- Railroad branch out like the spokes of a wheel from the hub ; the Main Line to the South extending to Philadelphia and New York and to the North to Pottsville, Tamaqua, Shamokin and Williamsport ; the East Pennsylvania Branch reaches to Allentown ; the Schuylkill & Lehigh Branch to Catasauqua and the Lebanon Valley Branch to Lebanon, Harrisburg, Carlisle, Gettysburg- and Shippensburg-. The construction and equipment of the entire Reading Railroad is first-class in ever}' respect, the tracks are of the heaviest standard steel rails, the roadway perfectly ballasted, the engines of the most powerful pattern, and the cars of the latest design, and for comfort cannot be excelled. L.ofC. LB da '05