Author: northwaleshistory

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

The right of H. C. Potter to fill the chair of the president of North Wales Borough Council still persisted at the meeting of April 23, 1883, when we find the following in the record:  “At a meeting held this evening at which all the members were present, on motion of B. K. Johnson, the proceedings of the council elect at their meeting held on the 2nd day of April 1883, which proved to be illegal, was annulled, and a proposition to proceed and organize was agreed to, the members of council having been previously duly affirmed according to law.

“B. K. Johnson was appointed chairman of the meeting and I. W. Wampole secretary. A communication was handed in by William A. Smith. William Miller and Isaak Wampole, Jr., were then nominated for president. Mr. Miller withdrew his name and Isaac Wampole, Jr., was elected president of the council by acclamation and took his seat as such.

“Isaac W. Wampole was nominated for clerk of the council. There being no other nominations, he was also elected by acclamation.

“Franklin S. Kriebel and Henry W. Moyer were nominated for borough treasurer and Smith and Johnson appointed tellers of election, and a ballot had which resulted in a tie vote. A second ballot was had which resulted in F. S. Kriebel receiving four votes, being a majority of the vote polled, was declared duly elected borough treasurer for the ensuing term.

“The communication handed in by William A. Smith was then read and found to contain what Hiram C. Potter claimed to be his resignation as president of the council, not having been elected president, although having declared himself to be. The same was neither accepted or rejected but simply received and filed.”

August 6, 1883, on motion of E. K. Freed, Dr. B. K. Johnson was appointed a committee to request the president of the Spring House and Sumneytown Turnpike Road Company to call a special meeting of the stockholders to vote on the question of granting the borough the privilege of using seven feet of their road on each side for a sidewalk and pavement so far as the same extends through the borough.

The borough was evidently expanding, for on August 13, 1883, the following motion was made by Dr. Johnson, “That a petition be got up for the extension of the borough limits and the lines for such extension be run and a draft of the same made as soon as practicable, which was agreed to.” The committee appointed for this extension reported on March 3, 1884, “Having seen J. M. Swartley, S. U. Brunner and H. R. Swartley, who are willing to sign a petition in favor of extension. On motion the committee was continued and instructed to procure a petition and get as many signers as possible, and if sufficient signers be had, to order a survey.”

At this same meeting the report of the Spring House and Sumneytown Turnpike Company granting the right and authority to the borough along each side of said turnpike road for the use of pavements, to be kept in repair by the borough was read and accepted. Dr. Johnson was continued the committee on this matter and was authorized to have a lease drawn and executed between the borough and the turnpike company for the term of ninety years. This lease was presented and accepted by the borough on May 5, 1884.

In order to keep the streets of the borough free from loungers, the following ordinance was passed by council on June 2, 1884:

“That all persons found lounging at street corners, post office, stores or other public places within the borough of North Wales, or obstructing the entrance or passageway to a church, shall be arrested and on conviction pay a fine of two dollars and fifty cents for each offense, and the costs of prosecution, and in default of the payment of the same shall be confined in the lockup for a period of not less than twelve hours.”

Those of us who pass over Main street today cannot visualize the condition it was in on June 5, 1884, when George Kreamer claimed seven dollars as damages for being stranded with his team of horses on Main street, the street having been recently filled and a heavy storm raging at that time. After considerable discussion Mr. Kreamer’s bill was paid.

The extension of the borough limits again held the attention of council on August 8, 1884, when the committee reported that a majority of the property owners, residing in the proposed new district, had signed in favor of the extension.  Accordingly a special meeting was held on August 5 for the purpose of agreeing upon the lines of the proposed extension. On behalf of the committee, Isaac Wampole presented a plot plan taking in part of Samuel R. Gordon’s land, Jacob Swartley, Joseph W. McCracken, Elizabeth Ruth, William T. Ray, James Z. Wambold, Abel Penrose, S. U. Brunner, Jacob L. Young, I. M. Harley, Catherine Haas, Jacob Zebley, Harry Swartley and Joseph K. Anders, The plan was agreed to and the committee instructed to have a survey made.

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 6, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

Main street was owned by the Spring House and Sumneytown Turnpike Company and maintained by the company. It is evident from reading the North Wales Borough Council minutes that the turnpike company was lax in keeping the street in a condition of repair that was satisfactory to the council.  On November 8, 1882, council passed the following resolution: “President Scott and B. K. Johnson were appointed a committee to secure by purchase, or lease, from the Spring House and Sumneytown Turnpike Road Company that portion of their road within the limits of the borough of North Wales, and the extension of the same when extended.”

On February 5, 1883, the committee reported that they had met the board of managers and stock-holders of the company at their annual meeting held at Mainland on the 8th of January 1883, and that the proposition to purchase or lease was rejected.  A committee was appointed on behalf of the turnpike company to meet the council committee and confer in reference to granting permission to the authorities of the borough to make sidewalks and pavements on their road.

Council apparently had troubles and disagreements as far back as 1883, as is shown by the following minute of the meeting of April 2 of that year which is quoted in full: “The burgess and members of town council of the Borough of North Wales elected February 20, 1883, for the ensuing term met this evening at the office of I. W. Wampole, being councils regular place of meeting, for the purpose of organizing the transacting such business as may require their attention. Hiram C. Potter, burgess-elect, announced that he was already sworn into office as burgess of the Borough of North Wales and produced a certificate of oath in due form, which however, was not filed among the records of the corporation as required by law, and that upon a former occasion when elected to the same office he was not legally sworn in and that his oath then was of no account.

“A. W. Dettra, a justice of the peace, having administered the same, as appears from the council’s records, informed the members-elect of the town council, all of whom were present, that they could now be sworn into office by him or by a justice of the peace.  They decided to be sworn in by the latter. Isaac Wampole, Jr., Elias K. Freed, Benjamin K. Johnson, William A. Smith, William Miller and Peter Lalley  were then duly affirmed according to law, to support the Constitution of the United States of America and that of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and perform the duties of their offices as members of the town council of the Borough of North Wales respectively with fidelity, by I. W. Wampole, a justice of the peace in and for the County of Montgomery, Pennsylvania.

“Hiram C. Potter was then appointed chairman of the meeting and I. W. Wampole secretary. B. K. Johnson, E K. Freed and H. C. Potter were then nominated for president of the council. B. K. Johnson withdrew his name as a candidate. A ballot was then had which resulted in a tie vote. William A. Smith insisted upon the right of the burgess to fill the office of president of council and give the casting vote in the case of a tie. Smith asked E. K. Freed to withdraw his name in favor of the burgess, which he declined doing. A second ballot was then had which resulted in H. C. Potter receiving three votes and E. K. Freed two, with one blank ballot being cast. H. C. Potter thereupon declared himself duly elected president of the council for the ensuing term.

“For clerk, I. W. Wampole and Charles Meredith were nominated, whereupon William A. Smith urged the claims of the latter saying that he would perform the duties of the office for twenty-five dollars.  The former nominee was asked if he would accept the office at the same sum.  He told the Council explicitly that he would not perform the duties of the office including office rent, light, fuel, stationery and the safe keeping of the records of the corporation for less than forty dollars. Considerable discussion was indulged in regarding the clerkship, and a ballot had which resulted in I. W. Wampole receiving a majority of votes polled.  He was declared duly elected clerk of the council for the ensuing term.”

The right of H. C. Potter to occupy the position of council president was carried over to the meeting of April 20, 1883, when, “At a meeting of the town council of the Borough of North Wales held agreeably to adjournment, all the members being present, but owing to the persistent determination of Hiram C. Potter to force himself upon the council and be recognized as its president, to which office it was well known he had not been elected, notwithstanding his declaration he was, no business was transacted, and after a suggestion made that the Council meet on Monday evening, April 23rd, 1883, for the purpose of effecting a legal organization, the members withdrew.”

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 September 29, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

The following paragraph appeared in the first edition of the North Wales Record, August 8, 1874: “During the present summer the North Pennsylvania Railroad Company have increased their rolling stock by the addition of a number of handsome passenger coaches. The new cars are not only models of beauty, but also of com­fort. The interiors are handsomely frescoed and the paneling is of pol­ished walnut. They are also much larger than the old cars and are furnished with marble-top station­ery wash-stands at each end. We have also been informed that the company intends running this style of cars over the Stony Creek Railroad, and that they will be placed on the line in the fall.”

Sensing the noise that usually precedes a Fourth of July, North Wales Borough Council on June 3, 1878 passed the following resolu­tion: “‘that all persons be cautioned against firing any gun, or other fireworks within the Borough of North Wales at any time other than the 4th day of July as the same is a violation of a state law and all persons offending are liable to a prosecution, and if convicted, forfeit and pay five shillings for every such offense, and on refusing to pay the same to undergo an im­prisonment for the space of forty-eight hours in the county jail.”

The following is a report of the property taxable for borough pur­poses in 1878, at the rate of four and one-half mills:

Improved Real Estate	$175,956.00
Unimproved Real Estate	6,757.00
Yearly Income	17,155.00
Horses (48) valued at	2,370.00
Cows (6) valued at	170.00
Carriages (27) valued at	1,530,00
Total	$203,938.00

The clatter of the galloping feet of a run-away horse and the re­sounding crash when horse and buggy collided with a lamp post, resulted in the following motion on July 1, 1878: “On motion resolved that a bill of damages be presented and collected from John Markley for lamps broken on Shearer street by the running away of a horse in charge of W. Weber, an employee of said Markley.”

That council took excellent care of the lodgers in the lock-up [borough jail] is evi­denced by the following notation in the minutes: “Doctor W. E. Ely presented a bill of one dollar for medical attention and medicine for T. Boyd, an inmate of the lock-up on the 26th of February 1879, which, on motion, was paid.”

On December 6, 1880, council passed a resolution which was an attempt to correct a very danger­ous condition that existed at that time at the crossing of Main street by the railroad. The resolution reads: “Resolved that the Philadel­phia & Reading Railroad Company be notified to extend their culvert on Second street in the borough of North Wales to a length sufficient to make it safe from accidents in crossing over the same, and that the action of the Grand Inquest of the County of Montgomery recom­mending a flagman to be stationed at Main street where the North Penn Railroad crosses the same in said borough to avert the immi­nent danger which persons crossing said road at that point are daily subjected to, be complied with by said railroad company without fur­ther notice or unnecessary delay.”

On April 4, 1881, a petition was presented to council for the exten­sion of the borough limits, and a public meeting was called on Monday evening, April 11, 1881, in Kiles Hall, to take into consideration the propriety of such an extension. There is no record in the minutes of the action of this public meeting.

The town well pump again occupied the attentions of council, when September 5th, 1881, “a petition praying the town council to put new floor on and a good pump on the well between Kiles Hotel and Harley’s store [Lumber Street], and in case the well should not prove sufficient, then at the earliest date possible enlarge and deepen it until it will be suf­ficient for all public purposes at the expense of the taxpayers, was pre­sented, and on motion received and resolved that a new floor be put on and a new pump be put in said well, as prayed for by the petitioners and that no water be taken therefrom for any other than culinary pur­poses, except by those having per­mission to do so by deed, and in case of fire, and that the pump be so constructed as to take the water out to within eighteen inches from the bottom of the well.

Desirous of keeping pace with the progress of the times, Borough Council changed the construction of all pavements by the following ordinance adopted on April 3, 1882 “That all new pavements shall be of brick, slate or stone, with proper curbing, and no stone to be laid less than two feet square with a smooth surface, and that all board [wood] pavements in said borough upon becoming dilapidated and requiring new string pieces, shall be removed and replaced with brick, slate or stone.”

On August 7, 1882, a petition was presented to council for the enact­ing of an ordinance prohibiting fowls from running at large in the borough. This petition was laid over for action at the next meeting.

The result of tree limbs overhanging the streets was evidenced at the September 4, 1882 meeting of council when Hunter Van Leer presented a bill of two dollars due by him to Sylvester Bright for repairing a carriage which was injured in con­tact with a limb in the borough, and claimed that the borough should pay the same. This bill was paid by council on October 16, 1882.

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 September 22, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter

The results of the desire to quench ones thirst, with something other than water, aroused the ire of the Borough Council. At the meeting in April 1872 it was unanimously resolved, “That all persons hereafter found intoxicated, or under the influence of liquor within the Borough of North Wales, be arrested and fined in the sum of $2, to which the constable shall be entitled for his service in attending to the lockup in the lodging of stragglers and criminals, etc.”  [Two dollars in 1872 is roughly equivalent to $50 today.]

In October of 1872 the street commissioner was instructed to notify persons having trees near street lamps to keep the trees trimmed so as not to obstruct the ray of the light from such lamps on to the pavements.

Many years ago it was the custom for every community to have a local pump and well containing drinking water for both humans and animals. Such a pump and well was located on Lumber street, which runs between Main street and Second street along the Peoples Savings and Loan Association [in 2024 The Green Fork], and on May 7, 1873, it was resolved, “That the pump in the well on Lumber street, near Harley’s store, be repaired or replaced by a new one and the well covered with a good plank floor.”

At the December meeting in 1873, the meeting place of Council was changed from the office of I. W. Wampole to the office of the North Penn Fire Insurance Company, for which the council paid a rental of ten dollars per year.

Between the April and May meetings of 1874, an election was held at which the following were elected: Burgess, Samuel H. Shearer; Councilmen, Jacob H. Leister, Henry B. Mull, David Richards, David Baker (local undertaker and carpenter), Sylvester Bright and Evan B. Kepler. At the reorganization meeting of this newly elected council, I. W. Wampole was replaced as borough clerk by A. W. Dettra. It might be interesting to note that at this time the borough council was completely democratic.

December 2, 1874, on motion the President was ordered to inform the Court that the Borough of Lansdale had not provided a lockup, as is required by law, and that our lockup was over-crowded in consequence thereof.

March 3, 1875, on motion, the president was instructed to collect $8.50 of Samuel W. Hendricks for the destruction of a lamp on Main street in front of the estate of Jonas D. Moyer. This was paid at the May meeting.

As a result of numerous street lamps being broken, council, on May 6th, passed the following ordinance: “That hereafter any damage done to the public lamps, or other property belonging to the borough, by any boy or boys; the parents, guardians, trustees or whosoever may have such boy or boys in charge, will be held responsible for all costs that may arise in repairing said damage in addition to a fine of $1 for such offense.”

During June, July and August of 1875 the lighting of the street lamps was dispensed with. Evidently this was done because of the long summer evenings.

In April 1876, council again desired to change their meeting place and accepted an offer of Abel K. Shearer to meet in his office for a rental of $1 for each meeting night, light and fuel included.

In order to increase the borough revenue, council passed the following ordinance on May 1st, 1876: “That a tax of one dollar shall be levied on each and every dog, and a tax of two dollars on each and every bitch within the limits of this borough.” This ordinance also provided that the assessor should assess, and the tax collector collect, this tax the same as all other taxes are collected, and pay it into the Borough Treasury.

Following the general election of 1877, the new council met and organized on April 2, 1877, at which time I. W. Wampole was reappointed clerk. At this meeting Abel K. Shearer again offered the council the use of his office in which to hold their meetings at one dollar per night, which was not accepted, and Council decided to again meet at the office of the clerk.

After having considerable trouble with the street lamps, the following report was made to council on May 7th 1877:

“The committee on lamps reports several in good condition, one broken and others requiring too much oil. The lamp lighter being present, having experimented with the lamps, reports that several, when filled, burn out in two evenings, while others with the same amount of oil burn six evenings, upon which a lively discussion ensued, and a motion made and seconded to dispense with lights for four months, which was not agreed to. The committee was then instructed to examine new lamps and if they find them to answer a good purpose and save oil and time to light them, as is claimed by the lamp lighter, to get more of the same kind to take the place of the old ones now in use.”

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 September 15, 1959 issue of the North Penn Reporter