Author: northwaleshistory

Soon after the fake alarm of fire discussed in last week’s article was sent in during the parade of firemen of July 9, 1910, it was whispered about town that the name of the person who caused the alarm was known and that punishment “swift but sure” would be meted out to him.

A gum-shoe hunt by the firemen and borough officials was instituted to verify the rumors.  Early in the week it became generally known who the culprit was. As we stated last week, Borough Council had offered a reward for the arrest and conviction of the offender, but the question arose what was to be done with him when he was caught. Legal advice was sought and it was resolved to impose a fine upon the offender and make the punishment fit the crime. To make sure of their case, witnesses were hunted up and nothing was left undone to clinch the case once the offender was apprehended.

The entire week passed, however, and the culprit was still at large.  The chance of getting a twenty-five dollar reward proved no temptation to the Sherlock Holmes’ who were hot on the trail.

That twenty-five dollars looked good to Burgess James Billiard, and with a laudable desire to save the money for the borough and keep it in the treasury, where it was most needed, the burgess took heed of the mutterings and complaints that had poured into his ears all week.  So on Saturday he hunted up one of the local citizens and charged him with sending in the alarm. [The Perkasie News Herald identified the suspect as one Joseph Quinn.]  It is said that the person charged strenuously denied that he had been implicated in the sending of the alarm, but the burgess knew what he was talking about and it did not take long to convince the prankster that the case was hopeless.  On the advice of friends, he agreed to pay the fine of five dollars imposed by the burgess. The question of who was to get the reward was not decided.  [$5 is roughly equivalent to $175.00 in 2026 dollars.]

At the conclusion of the parade on Saturday, July 9, the firemen and visitors assembled at the new borough building (on the southeast corner of 3^rd St. & Montgomery Avenue) where the exercises continued with the dedication and the housing of the engine took place. A stand had been erected for the speakers, and after music by the Quakertown band, Burgess Billiard delivered the address of welcome as follows:

“Fellow citizens, members of council, our brave firemen, visitors, ladies and gentlemen — It gives me great pleasure to greet you on this grand occasion and extend to you a cordial greeting on behalf of the Borough of North Wales. We are assembled here today to dedicate this handsome and commodious addition to our borough building, wherein will be found a meeting place of council and its committees and also spacious apartments for the keeping of the apparatus which a generous people have entrusted to the care of the firemen.

“In the dedication of this structure let us, as citizens, take account of the rapid growth of our borough during the past few years (1890-1910) and remember that other and better things are needed if we desire to keep pace with the march of progress that is apparent on all sides. The good work by our council and public-spirited citizens must not stop with the completion of today’s program, but should be looked upon only as a beginning of a movement to make North Wales one of the most desirable dwelling places to be found anywhere.

“I will not trespass upon your time by recounting the events that preceded the movement that has resulted in giving our borough, not only a handsome municipal building and an efficient fire-fighting apparatus, but will leave that to other and more able speakers. Again I greet you and extend the hospitality of our borough of North Wales.”

At the conclusion of Burgess Billiard’s address, Rev. J. N. LeVan, who was then pastor of St. Luke’s Reformed Church, delivered the following dedication address:

“This large gathering before me and around me proves the feeling and interest that the occasion has excited. The hundreds of human faces, glowing with sympathy and joy, and from the impulses of a common gratitude proclaim that the day, the place, and the purpose of our assembling have made a deep impression on our hearts.

“To the firemen the recollection of false and needless alarms, with hurried steps down the railroad tracks to the trolley bridge, armed with axes, buckets, helmets and other equipment, may today prove annoying, but in the thought of the larger, purpose, the finer motive of our gathering, we forget the past unpleasantness and press on to the proper celebration of .an event of import to our community.

“We are come together to set apart this building to a specific use. It is to be, henceforth, a building of and for the community. We today set it aside to its proper use, and place within it an engine of protection to the property of the community. We trust that the engine will never be called upon, though if it be called upon, may it be equal to any emergencies; and out of the chambers of this building may come legislation that shall advance, elevate and strengthen our community and the community life.

“The erection of a building for use as a town hall, and the adequate apparatus to protect the citizens’ property, I believe bespeaks a material progress in our community and is evidence of the development of a civic pride. Today we feel that something of importance has been accomplished for our town and community. The public spiritedness that you have manifested as citizens is it be commended, and I desire to avail myself of this opportunity and heartily congratulate you on the attainment of a most worthy ideal; on a step that will place North Wales in the forefront in the list of desirable suburban towns. A step in the right direction has been taken; let us not stop, but keep right on stepping.

“You live in a community, and that organization gives you certain rights. You have according to our Constitution a right to life, property, protection, happiness, and the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

“Keep your duties ever before you, develop a civic pride, work for a beautiful North Wales.  Keep your fighting edge. A good citizen must be a good citizen of his town and community first before he can with advantage be a citizen of the nation and of the world at large. I wish you well and I believe in you and in your future.”

This post is sourced from a column entitled Early North Wales: Its History and Its People penned by long-time North Wales resident historian Leon T. Lewis. The article appeared in its original form in the December 8, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

In 1910 the Borough of North Wales was growing, as was the need for better fire protection. The old hand-drawn hose carriage was outmoded.  It being necessary for the men of the fire company to run from their places of employment to the fire house at the sounding of the alarm, and then running with the hose carriage to the scene of the fire, which consumed too much time. In order to keep up with progress, Borough Council, on March 7, 1910, ordered a horse-drawn chemical fire engine.

There not being sufficient room in the old hose house for the new equipment, and council not having a place of their own to hold meetings, it was decided to obtain bids for an addition to the fire house to provide room for both a fire engine and borough hall.

On April 10, 1910, Abel M. Fry of Lansdale was awarded the contract to erect this building for the sum of $2,095.49. That is $73,000 adjusted for inflation (2026).

This brick building was completed by July 11, 1910. On that day the new fire house and borough hall were dedicated with elaborate ceremonies, and the new fire engine housed after a large parade.

That the parade was a huge success can be gathered from the account in the local paper of the day: “With the streets lined with people all anxious to see the new chemical apparatus and the marching firemen from the adjoining towns, the firemen’s parade on Saturday was a success in every particular. The firemen began to arrive shortly before noon, when the Wissahickon engine from Ambler came up Sumneytown Pike drawn by two fine horses. The Lansdale and Souderton trucks soon followed. Shortly after 1 o’clock the West Point firemen arrived. Most of the firemen arrived on the 2 o’clock trains; the bands were also on these trains.

“The different companies assembled on Main Street in the vicinity of the railroad, where they were assigned to places in the line by Chief Marshal John Weikel. When the parade passed the hose house, the North Wales company with its apparatus fell into line, the new chemical engine bringing up in the rear. The intense heat of the summer day interfered somewhat with the number of men who intended to parade, and some of those who started were compelled to drop out of line before the parade was over on account of the heat.”

The parade was made up of the following: mounted police John Stevens and Charles Frank. Burgess James Billiard, mounted. Chief Marshal George Moss, mounted. Germania Band of Quakertown, 30 pieces. Fairmount Fire Company, Lansdale, 35 men. Fairmount Chemical apparatus, Fairmount Junior truck drawn by 12 boys, Fairmount Hook and Ladder truck. Telford Drum Corps. Telford Fire Company, 45 men. Assistant Marshal William A. Payne, mounted. Keystone Band, of Richlandtown, 30 pieces.. Quakertown Fire Company, 30 men. Souderton Drum Corps. Perseverance Fire Company, Souderton, 35 men. Perseverance Hook and Ladder truck. Assistant Marshal George Ogelsby, mounted. Wissahickon Fire Company, Ambler, 30 men. Wissahickon Chemical Engine. West Point Fire Company, 50 men. West Point Juniors. Thomas Gibson, Jr., dog and cart. West Point Hook and Ladder truck. West Point Ladies Auxiliary. Citizens Band of Quakertown, 30 pieces. North Wales Hose Company, 20 men. First Hose cart. Hose, cart No. 2. New Chemical Engine, Aaron P. Kushmore, driver. Independent Americans, and various floats.

It was a beautiful day for a parade, the big red fire engines were glistening in the sun, the firemen in their red and blue uniforms were marching proudly at the heads of their companies, the horses were prancing majestically to the music of the bands.  Suddenly the deep throated voice of the steam fire alarm whistle was heard above the strains of John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

We quote from the local paper: “When the parade of the firemen was nearing the end on Saturday an alarm of fire was sounded. The head of the parade had just reached the fire house and many people thought the whistle was blown for that reason. A moment later, however, when the alarm was repeated, the firefighters started for the scene of the supposed conflagration. What had been an orderly parade instantly became a scene of confusion. The visiting firemen following the lead of Chief Weikel, started in search of the fire.  The horses of the Ambler Chemical Company following close behind Aaron Kushmore and his dashing horses hitched to the new chemical.

The Lansdale and Souderton trucks also joined in the race, while hundreds of people gathered on the railroad in their efforts to locate the fire. The 3 o’clock train, which had been delayed at Ambler, came on the scene at this time drawn by an engine running backwards. That no one was hurt is remarkable.

It was reported that the fire was at the big greenhouses of the Florex Gardens, but inquiry there developed the fact that no one had sent in an alarm and there was no fire. Solomon Scheetz, who was on duty at the light plant, sounded the alarm when he received a message from the telephone exchange, which was repeated and to the effect that the fire was at the greenhouses.

Chief Weikel stated that he had been informed the alarm was sent in from the public telephone at the Central Hotel, but was unable to learn who sent in the alarm.

Official notice was taken of the false alarm at the meeting of Borough Council Monday evening.  It was decided to offer a reward of $25 for the arrest and conviction of the parties who turned in the alarm.

This post is sourced from a column entitled Early North Wales: Its History and Its People penned by long-time North Wales resident historian Leon T. Lewis. The article appeared in its original form in the December 1, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

Continuing with the history of the Pennsylvania Avenue trolley bridge, and quoting from the North Wales Record of October 4, 1902 we find the following:

“Just as the last immense girder was about to be placed on its foundation at the Lehigh Valley Traction Company’s bridge across the North Penn tracks at North Wales last Saturday afternoon, it fell with a crash to the railroad tracks below. Walter A. Shearer of North Wales; Eugene Reese of Bethlehem; William J. Barnett of Owego, N. Y., and George Stevits were hurt. Mr. Stevits was taken to the Jefferson Hospital with a crushed foot. Mr. Shearer sustained severe bruises about the head and body.”

Mr. Barnett, who is superintendent of construction of the Owego Company, which is putting up the bridge, jumped and narrowly escaped with his life. “The two immense girders arrived at North Wales a couple of weeks ago, and the construction company had succeeded in placing them in position at the crossing. when one of them suddenly toppled over and fell to the roadbed of the railroad, some thirty or forty feet below. The girders are each 118 feet long and weigh about 24 tons each. A temporary wooden structure had been erected on either side of the railroad to support the weight of the girders. One girder had been gotten across safely, and the other was nearly over, when it suddenly toppled over and fell. The trains of the North Penn Railroad were blocked at that point for some time, when the railroad wrecking crew succeeded in removing the girder to a position parallel with the railroad tracks, thus permitting trains to pass.

“Had it not been for this mishap the trolley tracks would have been connected at that point within a few clays, thus closing the last gap between Allentown and Flourtown. It will require some time to replace the girders. It was the first accident of its kind that ever happened under Mr. Barnett. He seemed so careful all along with the work of erecting the girders, that much sympathy is expressed for him.”

On July 2, 1894 Borough Council passed an ordinance for the numbering of dwelling houses and other buildings within the borough.  On September 3, on motion of Thomas P. Scott, Main street and all streets running parallel to it are to be called north and south streets and all streets crossing, or intersecting the same at right angles are to be called east and west streets from Main.  The street address numbers are to be known accordingly. John A. Gerhart, our local sign painter, was given the contract for painting the house numbers at seventy-five cents per house.

On May 1900, council granted the request for the erection of a sausage factory at 4th and Church streets. This factory was constructed and did a thriving business. About this time the town was expanding in industry and council felt the need for a fulltime policeman. Accordingly on September 7, 1903 John Stevens was appointed as a fulltime guardian of the law at a salary of $18 per month, to be on duty from six o’clock in the evening until four o’clock in the morning.

Evidently the appointment of a full time policeman had not been too soon for on December 20, 1904, a special meeting of the council was called for “the purpose of devising ways and means to apprehend the burglars who attempted to rob the store of William F. McCracken on December 19, 1904, and who shot and wounded John Stevens, the policeman.” Council offered a reward of $300 for the arrest and conviction of the robbers. A thorough search of available records discloses that the perpetrators of this crime were never apprehended.

In November of 1905, after serious complaints by Gordon Brothers about sewage being deposited in the creek that runs through their property, and threats of legal action against the borough to remedy the same, Councilman E. K. Freed introduced an ordinance asking that he be given the right to establish a sewer filtration plant. The matter was held under advisement and all property owners having cesspools or drains running upon the Gordon property were notified to have the same disconnected within twenty days. [The Gordon property is today Parkside Place.  The houses referred to are the twin houses along the northwest side of Elm Avenue.]

In December of 1905 council appointed a committee of three to secure an engineer and ordered a survey and plans prepared for a sewage plant, the cost not to exceed $500. In May of 1906 plans for a sanitary sewer system were presented and approved, and in November of 1906 E. K. Freed offered to sell to the borough a piece of ground for a sewer disposal plant for the sum of $3,500. On January 7, 1907 the ordinance for the construction of sanitary sewers in the borough was passed. However, the sewers did not become a reality until 1914 when construction was finally begun.

The text of this post is sourced from a column entitled Early North Wales: Its History and Its People penned by long-time North Wales resident historian Leon T. Lewis. The article appeared in its original form in the November 24, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

On May 3, 1897 E. K. Freed withdrew his proposition to the borough and asked that it be given no further consideration whatever in order that the question of the borough operating its own electric light plant might be considered without prejudice.

Borough council appointed a committee of three to interview Mr. Freed and see what arrangements, if any, could be made with him for operating an electric plant within the borough. Four days later, the following resolution was adopted by council:

“Resolved, that articles of agreement be made with a proposed Electric Light and Power plant to be known as The North Wales Electric Light and Power Plant, as soon as it was incorporated, under which the said proposed company shall be given the franchise to plant poles and string wires in the streets of the borough. Said franchise to be exclusive for ten years, and a contract to light the streets of the borough for a period of ten years, with not less than fifty 25 candle power lights at the rate of $12 per year per light, be entered into with said proposed Light Company.”

On June 7, council ordered the proper officials to enter into the agreement with E. K. Freed for street lighting.

For a number of years the railroad crossings and the speed of the trains through the borough had caused council considerable concern. There had been people killed by the trains at all four crossings in the town, and the situation had reached the point where council and the railroad company were at a standstill on the question of protecting the public at these crossings.

Finally, on December 5, 1892, the matter of the railroad crossings was again discussed by council and the borough solicitors were instructed to notify the railroad company to reduce the speed of running the trains to the requirements of the law, or else put up safety gates at both the Main street and the Walnut street crossings. Ten days later, council passed the following ordinance:

“No locomotive, engine, tender, cars or other carriages used on the railroad within the limits of the borough shall be propelled or drawn through the borough at a rate exceeding 5 miles per hour, and if any such engine, tender, car or carriage shall be propelled or drawn at a greater rate than five miles per hour, the owner, whether company or individual or individuals, engineer, conductor, agent or other persons having the same in charge, shall forfeit and pay for the first offense the sum of $2 and the sum of $5 for every subsequent offense with the costs of suit.”

At the meeting of June 6, 1893, President of Council, R. R. Freed, read a communication from the Railroad Company proposing to put a flagman at the Walnut street crossing. The proposition was accepted and the ordinance mentioned above was laid on the table. The reader will notice that over a year passed before the Railroad Company offered protection for these crossings. While the minutes of the council are void of any mention of the matter for over a year, nevertheless there must have been considerable discussion between council and the railroad company on such a serious matter.

Another means of transportation was discussed in 1899 when, on September 12, council granted permission to the Inland Traction Company the right to construct and operate a street railway on the streets of the borough. In 1901 the name of the Inland Traction Company was changed to the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley Traction Company.

On July 2, 1900 the borough, being desirous of opening Pennsylvania avenue south to Washington avenue from the railroad, purchased the ground from Isaac G. Freed for $150, with the Inland Traction Company to pay $100 of the above cost.

[Steam railroads at that time considered the new electric trolley lines to be upstart competitors, and refused to allow trolley tracks to cross at-grade. Often the solution arrived at was for the trolley promoters to either tunnel under or bridge over the railroad, as was the case here in North Wales.]

A petition was presented to council asking that a bridge be built on Pennsylvania avenue over the railroad. Council agreed to comply and a new bridge was ordered built. On April 21, 1902, a contract to build the bridge was let to F. J. Crilly of Souderton. The cost of this bridge was borne jointly by the borough and the Lehigh Valley Traction Company.

We quote from the North Wales Record of July 19, 1902, “The steel overhead bridge of the Lehigh Valley Traction Company at North Wales is 110 feet 8 inches in length by 30 feet wide, with a height of 24 feet above the Reading railroad tracks. It will accommodate one trolley track, with sidewalks on either side thereof. The cost of the work will be about $10,000. The piers will be 56 feet long, 11 feet high and 12 feet thick. From Pennsylvania avenue the trolley tracks will turn north on Washington street, to the Sumneytown pike. The work, which will require some time, is being rushed forward as rapidly as possible.” The concrete abutments for the bridge were completed on August 15, 1902.

The text of this post is sourced from a column entitled Early North Wales: Its History and Its People penned by long-time North Wales resident historian Leon T. Lewis. The article appeared in its original form in the November 17, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

The matter of keeping hogs occupied the attention of North Wales Borough Council at the meeting of August 5, 1889, when on motion it was duly seconded that it was unlawful to keep, raise, or breed any pigs, hogs, or swine within the limits of the borough after the first day of January, 1890, and any person found guilty of keeping any pigs, hogs or swine after that date would have the animals confiscated, and the constable seize and sell all such confiscated property. The proceeds, after paying the necessary expenses for the seizing and sale of the same, were to be deducted and paid into the school fund.

At the same meeting the high constable was authorized to deputize as many persons as he deemed necessary to break up street lounging, exercising all authority vested in him and the deputies to abate the nuisance.

On August 13, 1889 a section was added to the ordinance on street and corner lounging, to set the fine for congregation upon the streets, crossings and corners of the borough, not to exceed ten dollars, nor less than one dollar for each and every offense of refusing to move when ordered to do so, or for making any indecent, obscene or blasphemous remarks, or to profanely curse or swear in any of the streets of the borough. [Ten dollars in 1889 is roughly equivalent to $350 today.]

Also on August 5, 1889, Mahlon R. Swartley and his wife conveyed to the borough all the streets and alleyways laid out by the North Wales Land Association, as shown on a plan of 374 lots, for one dollar. The said streets and alleys were given and dedicated for public use. The deed was accepted and recorded by the borough. [This is today Elm Avenue, Shearer Street, W. Montgomery Avenue, Swartley Street, Center Street, West Street.]

On January 6, 1890, it was agreed to sell the lockup [borough jail] and lot for $300 to anyone willing to buy it at said figure. Evidently there were no buyers at the price of $300, because it was not until May 5, 1890 that the lockup and lot were sold to Mary Axer for $275.

On April 6, 1891, it was reported to council that “the well in Lumber street [between Main and 2^nd Street] at J. F. Berger’s store needs a new floor. On motion it was agreed to have the said well covered with stone below the surface and then filled with ground to a level with the street from the stone covering up, and to remove pump from the well.” This was the end of the town well.

In October of 1891 the Hose Company offered to get a fire alarm bell if the borough would mount it on the hose house cupola. The offer was accepted by the borough and the following month, November, council appointed a committee of two to prepare a plan for the construction of a cupola on the hose house and to have it remodeled so as to be suitable to hold a fire bell.

The streets of the town, having been illuminated by kerosene lamps since the incorporation of the borough in 1869, and council desiring to improve the lighting conditions, January 7th, 1892 a committee of three was appointed to canvass the town to ascertain the number of electric lights that would be taken by consumers if an electric company would be organized.

One week later, on January 17, the committee on lights reported that about 300 lights had been promised to be taken, with only half the town canvassed.  It was the feeling of the council that it would prefer to pay $500 per year for ten arc lights and 25 incandescent lights rather than erect a plant and conduct the business by the borough.

On January 6, 1893 council agreed to submit to the voters of the borough “the expression of their desire of having the borough streets lighted by electric lights or not,” to be voted on at the borough election of February 21.

We find no further mention of streets until about three years later, January 6, 1896, when we find that the president of council was instructed to look into the matter of acetylene gas for street lighting. On Februrary 3, the president reported that he was favorably impressed with the gas light, it being wonderful, white and brilliant. However the company would not be ready to furnish gas before March 1st.

January 4, 1897, we find a firm from Philadelphia appeared before council asking permission to establish an electric light plant, and to string wires and erect poles on the streets of the borough. The president was ordered to appoint a committee of three to draft an ordinance granting this permission. At the next meeting of council this ordinance was ordered laid on the table and local businessman E K. Freed appeared before council and asked for the right to string wires and erect poles and to build a light plant within the borough. Mr. Freed’s proposition was thoroughly discussed, and on April 19 council passed an ordinance granting this right to Mr. Freed.

This post is sourced from a column entitled Early North Wales: Its History and Its People penned by long-time North Wales resident historian Leon T. Lewis. The article appeared in its original form in the November 10, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

Continuing with the story of the great North Wales fire of December 1888, we quote from the Norristown Weekly Herald of December 10, 1888:

“North Wales, the prosperous little inland town two miles below Lansdale, on the North Penn Railroad, was the scene Friday night of a disastrous conflagration, which at one time seemed likely to devastate the whole place. Many of the buildings are of [wood] frame, a brisk breeze was blowing, and that the fire was confined within its comparatively small limits was due entirely to the hard work of the amateur firemen who, with the aid of North Wales splendid water power and plenty of hose, finally quenched the flames.

“A few minutes after midnight, R. R. Freed and John Weikel discovered flames in the planing mill of Weber & Weikel, on Walnut street, near the depot. The alarm was sounded, the people turned out en masse, but the structure burned to the ground. It contained a big stock of lumber and finished work, the latter to have been shipped Saturday. The grocery and meat store of Percival Slough was also completely destroyed, some of the contents being saved in a damaged condition. Swartley Brothers feed store on the opposite side of the railroad went next, and several other buildings were fired, the intense heat inflaming the weather boarding [wood siding].

“The flames were checked after Swartley’s place was consumed, and no other buildings were burned, although many were badly scorched. The loss is estimated at about $15,000, amount of insurance unknown.”

The following also appeared in the Norristown Weekly Herald of December 17, 1888:

“On Tuesday afternoon a largely attended meeting of the citizens of North Wales was held, presided over by Judge Hamberger, as a result of which a resolution was adopted requesting the Town Council to offer a reward of $500 for the arrest and conviction of the person known to have had a hand in causing the recent fires. On Tuesday night the Town Council offered this reward and ordered the announcement to be spread abroad by hand-bills and in the newspapers. “The taxpayers of North Wales, who at first were disposed to regard the introduction of water plugs throughout the town as more a matter of ornament than utility, have changed their views since the fires. The town is supplied with water from an artesian well, the water being pumped into a basin elevated high enough above the general level of the town to throw a stream over the highest building without the use of an engine. There are two miles of water main, and 21 water plugs throughout the town.

“There is only one clue to the origin of the fires, and that is very vague. Three weeks ago an employee was discharged from Shearer’s planing mill, and he is said to have been heard by several to remark when he left, that the mill wouldn’t stand long. The man is now working in Philadelphia.”

Again quoting from the Weekly Herald we find the following: “Warned by the experience of the past week North Wales awoke to the necessity of organizing to fight further attempts at incendiarism. The borough owns a hose carriage and a thousand feet of good hose, great water pressure obviating the necessity of a steamer and enabling, a stream to be sent over the highest steeple in town. The officers of the new fire department are Chief Fire Marshal William Barger and Assistant Marshal John Weikel.”

At its meeting of December 11, 1888, after the election of a chief fire marshal, Borough Council agreed to purchase 200 feet more of hose and one nozzle. It was also agreed that the hose house committee be authorized to buy a lot from Joseph K. Anders, on Montgomery avenue [at 3^rd Street] adjoining the Water Company lot, and to build a brick hose carriage house the same size as the engine house on the Water Company’s lot. [Update:  the fire house “hose house” was torn down many years ago, but the water company’s engine house still stands, today occupied by Ewenited Stitches.]

In the minutes of February 4, 1889, we find that council granted an order to North Wales carriage builder Sylvester Bright for the construction of a hose carriage, amounting to fifty-four dollars and fifty cents.

At this same meeting William H. Barger resigned as a member of council and also as chief fire marshal. John Weikel was appointed as fire marshal, a post he held until 1918.

At the April 1, 1889 meeting, through the efforts of Chief Fire Marshal Weikel, council voted to pay each fireman one dollar for every fire attended. [Adjusted for inflation, that is $35 in 2025 dollars.]

The hose carriage house was completed and at the meeting of May 6, 1889 the Hose Company was authorized to get a sign, and place it in front of the hose house.

This post is sourced from a column entitled Early North Wales: Its History and Its People penned by long-time North Wales resident historian Leon T. Lewis. The article appeared in its original form in the November 3, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

At the October 1888 meeting of North Wales Borough Council the committee on fire hose reported a price of sixty-five cents a foot for 600 feet, and the time of payment to be one year from the time of purchase. This committee also reported the cost of a ladder at eighteen and three quarter cents a foot, for thirty feet.

The committee on hose carriage house reported that the foundation had been dug and some stones hauled to the place of building (the south corner of 3^rd Street and Montgomery Avenue). The committee also reported that they had been looking around pricing carriages, but had found them to be too high in price. They stated that they were of the opinion that the carriage could be built at home cheaper than it could be bought abroad. The committee on hose, hose carriage and ladders was instructed to order the material pertaining to their respective businesses as soon as practicable.

On November 5, 1888, A. K. Shearer reported the fire hose had been received and was stored in his carriage house where they were hung up to dry.

Borough Council’s action for protection against fire was evidently not started soon enough, because on December 8 and 10, 1888, the borough suffered one of the worst fires in its history. This conflagration caused the entire destruction of the planing mill owned by A. K. Shearer and leased to Weber and Weikel, the grocery store of Percival Slough, Swartley Brothers Feed House and contents, and John W. Swartley’s coal yard. These buildings were burned on December 8.

Only two days later, on December 10^th, the hay house and press of A. K. Shearer was destroyed by fire. These two fires aroused the citizens to send the following petition to council:

“The undersigned citizens of North Wales respectfully petition and request, that you call a town meeting of the citizens of the borough at an early hour tomorrow, Tuesday, to take certain measures as may prevent further fires, and to ,apprehend and punish the perpetrator of the same. Elias K. Freed, German Hamberger, Henry W. Moyer, J. K. Trego, S. R. Gordon, Isaac Wampole Jr., J. Martin Hunsberger, Jacob B. Overholt, Peter Lalley, J. F. Berger, William H. Staiger, Charles W. Keck, Mark B. Fretz, A. F. Matson, C. E. Bean, William Howland and John Weikel.”

In compliance with the above petition the council convened at 9 a.m. December 11, 1888. The meeting was called to order by President Anderman who stated that the object of the meeting was to call a citizens’ meeting in the council chamber this afternoon for the purpose of taking such steps as would prevent further fires and to apprehend and punish the perpetrator of the same. After some remarks on the subject it was moved and seconded to notify all the citizens to meet this afternoon at 1 o’clock.

The minutes of the citizens’ meeting read as follows: “A special public meeting of the citizens. of North Wales was held this afternoon to consult with each other in regard to the fires which have taken place in our borough within a few days, and to devise some means of preventing a repetition of them in the future. The meeting was largely attended by taxpayers and organized by electing Judge Hamberger, president, and Rev. George D. Faust, secretary.

“After a general discussion of the matter the following resolution was unanimously adopted as the sentiment of the meeting, and the officers of the meeting were instructed to present to you in writing that you may take it into consideration at the council meeting to be held this evening. ‘Resolved that this meeting composed of taxpayers of the Borough of North Wales respectfully request the town council of said borough to offer a reward of five hundred dollars for the arrest and conviction of any person or persons who may be proven to have had a hand in causing the recent fires in North Wales, or who may at any time in the future be found guilty of any incendiary act within the limits of the said borough.’”

Borough Council reconvened the same evening at 7.30 o’clock with President Anderman in the chair. The citizens of the borough presented a petition requesting the council to offer a reward of five hundred dollars, as requested by the citizens’ organization. (Adjusted for inflation, the reward is equivalent to $17,000 in 2025).  After some discussion it was moved and seconded to adopt a resolution complying with the request. This motion was unanimously agreed to.

This post is sourced from a column entitled Early North Wales: Its History and Its People penned by long-time North Wales resident historian Leon T. Lewis. The article appeared in its original form in the October 27, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

Editorial By Charles M. Meredith, June 5, 1912

Editor and Proprietor of The Central News, Perkasie, Penna.

BY the death of Wilmer H. Johnson a conspicuous manmark is removed from our horizon.

With his sacred relation as husband and parent it is neither our duty nor privilege to engage, save that he was known as a “good provider.”

But with the personal relation of former friend, mentor and employer we propose for a few moments to emblazon the records. For let it be known that Wilmer H. Johnson, formerly editor of the North Wales Record, was the first man by whom we were regularly employed. Of course we remember picking strawberries for Nelson Snedeker for two cents per box; whitewashing for Asa Thomas at five cents per panel, and dropping corn for “Sam” Gordon at fifty cents per day [the farm that is today Parkside Place]. But our first salary was paid by Wilmer H. Johnson, and amounted to $2 per week.

We stayed six years during which time the salary was increased. We didn’t have to work for Wilmer Johnson. There were other opportunities beckoning, notably the sash factory, where the salary would have been $4, and the suspender factory where the salary for winding bobbins started at $4.50.  But at that particular time the sash factory had earned the epithet of being a man-mangler, and the suspender factory was not certain whether it would stay in the town.  So when Mr. Johnson waved his magic wand, and depicted the fame and emoluments of journalism, our surrender was unconditional—and we lived ever after happy. Beginning in knee pants, and starting our erudition on a soapbox.

It would be extravagant and unnecessary to say that we loved Mr. Johnson. We admired and honored him. This sentiment may be better appreciated when one thinks that McKinley was loved. So was Lee. [Theodore] Roosevelt is admired and respected. So was Grant. Then there was the disparagement in age and temperament between Johnson and the writer. As a matter of fact there was a time in our career when we feared him. For discipline and literary ability were his strangleholds. If Mr. Johnson made one mistake it was locating in what was then a small town, when a city daily at a handsome salary would have been glad to continue his services. His personality, in an executive capacity, could have earned him something splendid weekly if exerted on a force of one or two hundred men, instead of the three or four in the office at North Wales.

His influence was not exerted by gumshoes, nor gliding suddenly around corners, nor catching someone at a prank or lazy attitude. Nor was it accomplished by abuse or harangue. There was merely “something” which neither the youngest nor the oldest employ could dissect, but all stood for! “THE BOSS IS AROUND.” That is all. It was everyone’s intention to please him. The esprit de corps was fine. There was a loyalty and willingness that larger concerns would give thousands to establish. It was not his custom to reward or to punish. Best service he took for granted. Dereliction he seemed to overlook. There were no Christmas presents. But no one was “docked” for a day off now and then, either.

We do not recall that he had any questionable habits. He surely was not given to liquor, tobacco, games of chance—in short did not engage in any of the vices and superfluities of life. And while firmly established in religion, his name was not recorded on any of the local church records.

In the printing department nothing would “do” for a shift. It had to be plumb right. And therefore the North Wales Record was the standard for quality of paper, presswork, and “making the mails.” For a generation he was a foe to the ready-print and the plate service—but yielded toward the end. While cheaper labor could have been employed, he insisted upon making up every form of his four page weekly himself—always. And he started at $1.50 per year—and kept it there—even when Singerly reduced the Philadelphia Record to a cent, and all the other country weekly editors—even yet—give their best for a dollar a year. So that the North Wales Record with 1,500 circulation took in as many and a great deal more profitable dollars than the scrumptious dollar weekly with its far-heralded circulation of 2,000. Same as now.

As a writer Johnson shone. He could as neatly embroider a wedding, high school commencement, or Brunner’s Academy commencement as any man we have ever known. And he could vitriolize an event, or person, or issue that did not meet with his approval as scathingly—and at the same time popularize his own view—as any man we have ever known. For a battle according to “old school” ethics he was the most keenly eager editor we ever knew.

He pecuniarly backed his views, too. We have always had a suspicion that it took some borrowed money to conduct the Record’s campaign against Wanger for Congress, and that it took considerable more exchequer than the income of the paper to pay the special writer employed on the Record that summer and fall. And there was extreme joy—unholy or whole only, suit yourself—when Wanger was defeated, and Hallowell was elected. But Wanger and Johnson eventually made up, and Wanger was one of Johnson’s backers for the Harrisburg position which Johnson eventually landed [with the State Highway Department]. Even after he abandoned journalism for public life Mr. Johnson did not control a virile instinct to see his views in print, and the press of both Montgomery and Bucks, was kept under surveillance—and enriched—the past few years. If the candidacy of one of his friends needed support, a line or so came across from Harrisburg. If some historical or political fact needed correction or embellishment—that came. too. And if something clever deserved congratulations—they were forthcoming. And we imagine—by experience—that some of the most pleasant hours of his life were mingling with his brethren of the press in annual meetings, on the trains, showing them the sights of Harrisburg, or just a friendly sit-down wherever a pair would meetup. From his career, and our associations, we gather—what he probably never knew, and now never will know—that “Full many a shaft at random sent, Found mark the archer little meant.”

The North Wales Borough Council committee appointed to ascertain the expense of building a bridge across the railroad on Pennsylvania avenue, reported to council on October 3, 1887 that they had viewed the site but that they could not see any call or necessity for a bridge at the present time. The report was accepted and the committee instructed to ascertain the probable cost of the bridge. The committee did not report again until March 5. 1888, at which time they made the following meagre report: “The committee on bridge in Washington avenue over the railroad reported their work done,” without making a definite report as to cost, etc.  The report was received and the committee discharged.

The meeting place of council was again changed on March 5, 1888, from the office of the secretary to the Amusement Hall on School street [309-311 School Street].

At the council meeting of May 7, 1888, a petition was presented for a change in the time of putting out street lamps. The petition requested council to “have the street lamps lit all night and every night without regard of weather or face of the moon.”

At this same May 7, 1888 meeting council agreed to have notices printed to notify all persons that the council had resolved to “prohibit the use of slingshots and the playing of ball in the streets of the borough.” The constable was instructed to enforce this resolution.

At the meeting held May 21, 1888, the matter of keeping the street lamps lit all night was again brought to the attention of council when an adjourned meeting was held and the following minutes recorded:

“President Anderman stated the object of the meeting was to hear the opinion of the taxpayers regarding the movement to burn the street lamps all night. The expression of the meeting might help the council to decide what to do in the matter under consideration. The public was well represented. “President Anderman, after calling the house to order, invited anyone present to express his opinion relative to the street lamps. As no one responded to the invitation, Isaac G. Freed made a statement, giving the present cost, while the lamps burned until 10 o’clock and on only such nights when the moon is not shining, being about fifteen nights out of four weeks, a hundred and ninety-five nights or five hundred and eighty-five hours in a year, at a cost of about one hundred and fifty dollars a year; at that rate twelve hours a night and three hundred and sixty-five nights would amount to four thousand three hundred and eighty hours in a year, amounting to about six hundred and seven dollars, an increase in expense of about four hundred and fifty dollars.

“Elias K. Freed replied, showing the advantages of having lights burning all night, and giving his opinion in regard to cost as adding only about one hundred and eighty dollars and seventy cents, basing his opinion on experiment. H. S. Kriebel followed stating that the cost would be but a trifle more than at present.

“At a request made by H. S. Kriebel the petitions were again read. The petition favoring the burning of the lights all night was signed by about one hundred and thirty-six names, while that objecting to the extra expense involved in the change was signed by sixty-seven names, some of the signers appearing on both papers. The public having completed their task, council argued the matter for a while when A. K. Shearer moved that the first petition be accepted with this exception, that the lamps are not to be lit when the moon shines, until twelve o’clock at night and the sky is clear, but on rainy or stormy nights the lamps are to be lit at all times.”

The motion was carried five to one and the result was that the lights were to burn all night for the ensuing year.

The matter of fire protection had been considered by borough council from time to time over a period of years, but never seriously, until the meeting of September 7, 1888, when we find the following recorded:

“The protection against fire was next taken into consideration. After discussing the matter, it was on motion agreed to appoint a committee of two to purchase six hundred feet of Red Cross hose and two service pipes. R. R. Freed and A. K. Shearer were appointed the committee. It was further agreed to build a hose carriage house on the lockup lot, twelve by eighteen feet and nine feet high to square, of plain pine barn boards, tin roof, pitched both ways with ornamented front. Jacob H. Leister and R. R. Freed were appointed the building committee. On motion it was unanimously agreed that Frank Anderman, John Choyce and W. H. Barger be a committee to report at the next meeting the prices of hose carriages and other particulars about fire apparatus.”

This post is sourced from a column entitled Early North Wales: Its History and Its People penned by long-time North Wales resident historian Leon T. Lewis. The article appeared in its original form in the October 20, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

At a special meeting of North Wales Borough Council, held on February 17, 1885, the propriety of disposing of part of the lot upon which the lockup (borough jail) was erected was considered.  This lot was located on the northeast corner of Third and School Streets.

An offer of ten dollars was made for part of the lot fronting 51 feet on School Street, adjoining Mrs. Stong’s property on the northeast side. The offer was accepted and the president was authorized to dispose of the lot in the rear of Mrs. Stong’s property to her at five dollars.

The borough, having no convenient or suitable place in which to keep burning fluid (for street lanterns), ladders, etc, at the meeting of April 23, 1885, “it was on motion of Mr. Moyer agreed that the Committee on Street Lamps have a building erected in the rear of the lockup for that purpose, the same to be six by eight feet. Seven feet (height) to square of frame, shed roof of boards and sides and roof to be stripped.” This building was completed by June 1, 1885.

That a great number of hogs were kept within the borough is evidenced by the complaints that were received by council at almost every meeting.  Council acted quickly on the complaints and ordered the nuisance abated as soon as it arose.

After the General Election held on the 16th of February, 1886, council reorganized on March 1, and we quote from the minutes of that date: “After the business of the retiring council, Jonathan Scott arose and extended his hand to the retiring President Isaac Wampole, Jr., and congratulated him on the faithful and impartial manner in which he discharged his duties as president and member of council, and that he had the pleasure of being in council with him nine years ago and that he on more than one occasion had been specially benefitted by his just and wise counsel.

“Whereupon the president replied, saying he did not know that he had been of special benefit to anyone, but that he well remembered being in council at the time alluded to by Mr. Scott, that he always tried to do his duty to the best of his knowledge and understanding, that he has been a member of council for the last ten years less one month, and that the first seven years thereof spent in peace and their deliberations were harmonious and pleasant, but the last two years and eleven months have been very dissatisfactory to himself, as well as to others, and asked forgiveness if he wronged anyone, and that he forgave those whom he has just cause to claim have wronged him, and hoped that the ill will and hatred that has existed may die out with the adjournment of the present council, and to the new and incoming council said that he did hope and trust that all their actions and deliberations may be pleasant and founded on the principle of love and justice.”

At this same meeting I. W. Wampole, clerk, was defeated on the fourteenth ballot by Isaac G. Freed. Mr. Wampole had served in the capacity of clerk for a period of fifteen years.

The meeting place of borough council was again changed on April 5, 1886 to the office of the clerk, Mr. Freed.

The matter of a water supply for fire protection had never been considered seriously by council until January 25, 1887, when at a special meeting of council, “Jonathan Scott, president, stated the business of the meeting was to consider a proposition of the North Wales Water Company to put in water hydrants for the use of the borough in case of fire, etc.” The following proposition was then read: “The North Wales Water Company agrees to erect 20 fire hydrants in the different streets of the borough for fire protection, and to have an ordinary supply of water in their tank at all times; but don’t agree to keep up fire under the boiler night and day, but will keep a good supply of dry kindling wood on hand and when the fire is drawn out, the kindling to be put under the boiler ready to fire up at short notice. The engineer to be instructed that in case of a fire in the borough, he is to get up steam and start the pump without delay so as to give the best supply of water to the hydrants as possible, for the sum of $150 per annum, or $7.50 per hydrant per annum.” This proposition was accepted by the council.

Up until this time there was no means of crossing the railroad on Pennsylvania Avenue at Washington Avenue, and on June 6, 1887, there appears in the minutes the following: “A petition signed by many citizens asking for a bridge across the railroad to connect Washington Avenue with Pennsylvania Avenue which are now separated by the North Penn Railroad which is in a deep cut at this place. After the reading of the petition, the propriety and impropriety of building such a bridge was fully discussed, and when much time was thus consumed a motion was made and seconded that the chair appoint a committee to view the site and ascertain the expense to build such a bridge and report to the council at the next monthly meeting. The motion was agreed to and the president appointed Frank Anderman, W. H. Barger, H. B. Mull, and John Choyce as a committee.

This post is sourced from a column entitled Early North Wales: Its History and Its People penned by long-time North Wales resident historian Leon T. Lewis. The article appeared in its original form in the October 13, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter