During the expedition of Major General John Sullivan against the Six Nations, in August and September, 1779, there occurred one of the most horrible Indian massacres recorded in the frontier history of Pennsylvania.

On September 12, Lieutenant Thomas Boyd, of the Rifle Corps, a resident of Northumberland and older brother of the illustrious Captain John Boyd and brother of Lieutenant William Boyd, who lost his life in the Battle of Brandywine, was sent with about twenty-four soldiers to reconnoiter the town of Genesee. They were guided by a friendly Oneida Indian named Hanjost, a chief of that tribe.

This number was too few if a battle was intended and too many for a secretive expedition. When the party reached Little Castle, on September 13, they surprised, killed and scalped two Indians.

They mistook this place for Genesee, and Lieutenant Boyd intended to await there for the advance of the main army, and sent four men to report his intentions. This party was fired on, a corporal was killed and the others fled until the main army was reached.

Boyd dispatched two more men to learn what had detained the army, when they discovered the dead corporal and at the same time the presence of Indians. They informed Lieutenant Boyd, who immediately assembled his party and gave chase, following the British and Tories to within less than three miles from the main army.

There they encountered a body of four or five hundred which lay in ambush, probably awaiting to surprise the main army, who immediately surrounded Boyd’s small party. Their defense against overwhelming odds was not less gallant than it was hopeless.

In their extremity they posted themselves in a small grove, with a considerable open space around it, and there they continued to fight. Some of the enemy were so near that the powder from their muskets burned the clothing and persons of the Americans, who fought bravely until the overwhelming superiority of the enemy obliged them to attempt a retreat, which they did, covering their movement with a deadly fire.

This small army of British and Indians was under the command of Colonel John Butler and the notorious Indian chieftain, Joseph Brant.

The Indians killed and in a most inhuman manner tomahawked and scalped six of Boyd’s soldiers, whose bodies were found the next day.

Nine of Boyd’s party escaped and reported the battle as soon as they had reached the main army.

As Lieutenant Boyd, the Indian guide, Chief Hanjost, Timothy Murphy and six others had not arrived safe in camp, there was much anxiety for their safety.

Timothy Murphy was from Northumberland, a personal friend of the Boyd brothers and one of the most famous marksmen in the service. It was his unerring aim which killed General Frazer, the British commander at the second battle of Stillwater, October 7, 1777.

Colonel Adam Hubley, in the journal which he kept during the Sullivan expedition, writes of him:

“This Murphy is a noted marksman and a great soldier, he having killed and scalped that morning in the Town they were at an Indian, which makes the three & thirtieth man of the Enemy he has killed (as is well known to his officers) in this War.”

It is also interesting to note that Murphy made his escape and was the one to report that Lieutenant Boyd and Chief Hanjost were taken prisoners, and he told in detail of the brave resistance they made.

The army made a quick march with the hope of releasing Lieutenant Boyd, but on arriving at Genesee Castle, or “Little Beard’s Town,” the capital settlement of the Seneca country, Colonel Hubley writes:

“At this place we found the body of the brave but unfortunate Lieutenant Boyd and one Rifleman massacred in the most cruel and barbarous manner that the human mind can possibly conceive. The savages having put them to the most excruciating torments possible by first plucking their nails from hands and feet, then spearing, cutting and whipping them and mangling their bodys, then cutting off the flesh from their shoulders, tomahawking & severing their heads from their bodys and leaving them a prey to their dogs.

“This evening the remains of Lieutenant Boyd and the Rifleman were interred with military honors. Mr. Boyd’s former good character as a brave soldier and an honest man, and his behaviour in the skirmish of yesterday (several of the Indians being found dead & some seen carried off)off) must indear him to all friends of mankind. May his fate await those who have been the cause of his. O! Britain—Behold—and blush!”

Miner in his “History of Wyoming” says their tongues were pulled out and flaming pine knots thrust into their flesh and that they were slowly burned to death in addition to the tortures mentioned by Colonel Hubley.

Miner says that Lieutenant Boyd was taken before Colonel Butler, the detestable Tory, who examined him, while Boyd was held by two savages, with a third standing at his back, with a tomahawk raised.

Butler demanded: “How many men has Sullivan?”

Boyd replied: “I cannot tell you, sir.”

Butler then asked: “How is the army divided and disposed?”

Boyd replied: “I cannot give you any information, sir.”

Butler then taunted him: “Boyd, life is sweet, you had better answer me.”

The brave lieutenant replied: “Duty forbids, and I would not if life depended on the word—but Colonel Butler, I know the issue, my doom is fixed.”

That a prisoner should be taken before Colonel John Butler for examination is quite probable.

Sergeant Michael Parker was the rifleman who was murdered with Lieutenant Boyd.

The remains of Lieutenant Boyd and Sergeant Parker were found on the outskirts of the town and were interred with the honors of war. In August, 1842, the remains of these two soldiers were exhumed and removed to Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, N. Y., where they were re-interred.

The unfortunate Lieutenant Boyd had shared all the hardships of the ill-fated expedition to Quebec under General Arnold, and had experienced many campaigns prior to the one in which he made the supreme sacrifice.

The destruction of the Indian town at Kittanning September 8, 1755, was a severe blow to the Indians. The English had never before that time assailed them in their own towns, and they were led to believe they would not venture to approach them. While they desired to retaliate the blow, they feared another such attack upon their home, when they were absent on war parties. Such of them as had belonged to Kittanning and made their escape, refused to settle again east of Fort Duquesne.

Nothing was done to annoy the French or check the Indians, until a change occurred in the English Ministry, and the master mind of William Pitt assumed the control of the mother country. He seemed to fully realize the situation of the English subjects in the colonies and immediately determined to send troops in sufficient strength to maintain her power.

Pennsylvania, as usual, led the way and equipped 2700 men. The other colonies contributed large quotas.

Three expeditions were determined upon, and the most active measures taken to bring them to the field. The one in which Pennsylvanians are more properly interested was known as the Western expedition. It was placed under the command of Major General John Forbes, an officer of great skill, energy and resolution. His army consisted of nearly 9000 men, embracing British regulars and provincials from Pennsylvania, and the Lower Counties, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.

The troops from the other Governments rendezvoused at Winchester, while the Pennsylvanians, under Colonel Henry Bouquet, assembled at Raystown, now Bedford.

General Forbes, with his regulars, marched from Philadelphia to effect a junction with the provincials at Raystown, but the serious illness of the general compelled him to stop at Carlisle, where he remained until the middle of September, when he reached Bedford and the provincial troops under Colonel George Washington.

At the suggestion of Colonel Bouquet and the Pennsylvania officers, a new road was cut direct from Raystown to Loyalhanna, a distance of forty-five miles, where Colonel Bouquet erected Fort Ligonier.

Before the arrival of General Forbes at Loyalhanna, Colonel Bouquet had dispatched Major William Grant, of the Highland Regiment, with thirty-seven officers and 800 troops, to reconnoitre the fort and adjacent country. His instructions were to approach not too near the fort, and in no event to take the risk of an attack.

Grant camped the first day on the banks of the Nine Mile Run, ten miles west of the camp on the Loyalhanna. The second day he proceeded farther, and on the third reached to within about twelve miles of Fort Duquesne.

Although the French and Indians were constantly watching the movements of the army, yet Grant succeeded in coming within sight of the fort, after marching fifty miles without being discovered.

The detachment halted here until 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when the troops quietly marched to about two miles from the fort, where they left their baggage under charge of Captain Bullitt, two subalterns and fifty men. It was already dark, and later in the night Major Grant appeared with his troops at the brow of the fatal hill, which still bears his name, between the two rivers, about a quarter of a mile from the fort.

From the apparent stillness of the enemy’s camp and not having met with either French or Indians on the march, Major Grant supposed that the forces in the fort must be comparatively small, and at once determined to make an attack.

Two officers and fifty men were dispatched to approach the fort and fall upon the French and Indians that might be lying out, if not in too great number. They saw none, nor were they challenged by the sentinels, and as they returned they set fire to a large store house, but the fire was discovered and extinguished.

At break of day, Major Lewis was sent with 200 men, principally American regulars and Virginia volunteers, to take post about half a mile back, and lie in ambush in the road on which they had left their baggage, under the pretensionpretension of fears that the enemy would make a bold attempt to capture it.

But Major Grant, who was jealous of Major Lewis, wished to have the glory of capturing the enemy who had so signally repulsed General Braddock with his army.

Four hundred men were posted along the hill facing the fort, to cover the retreat of Captain McDonald’s company, who marched with drums beating toward the enemy, in order to draw a party out of the fort, as Major Grant believed there were not more than 200 men, including Indians, in the fortress.

The garrison was aroused from its slumber by the music of the invaders, and French and Indians sallied out in great numbers to the attack. Their whole force was divided into three divisions. The first two were sent directly under cover of the banks of the river to surround the main body under Major Grant. The remaining division was delayed while the others maneuvred, and then displayed themselves before the fort, as if exhibiting their whole strength.

The attack then commenced, and Captain McDonald was immediately obliged to fall back upon the main body and was a moment later killed.

Major Grant received and returned a most destructive fire. At this moment he suddenly found himself flanked on all sides by the detachments from the banks of the river. The struggle became desperate.

The provincials put up a good defense while concealing themselves behind trees, but the Highlanders who stood exposed to the enemy’s fire without cover, fell in great numbers, and at last gave way and fled. Soon the provincials, having lost all their support, and being overpowered by numbers, were compelled to follow.

Major Grant retreated to the baggage where Captain Bullitt was posted, where he again endeavored to rally his flying soldiers. His earnest appeals for support were unavailing, as the French and Indians were too close at their heels.

As soon as the enemy came up Captain Bullitt attacked them with great fury for awhile, but not being supported, and most of his men having been killed, he was obliged to give way.

The resistance shown by Captain Bullitt’s detail afforded many of the retreating and a few of the wounded to escape. Major Grant and Captain Bullitt were the last to leave the field, but when they separated Major Grant was taken prisoner.

In this conflict, which took place September 14, 1758, 270 men were killed, forty-two wounded and several taken prisoners.

“It was,” says Colonel Washington, in a letter to the Governor of Virginia, “a very ill-concerted, or a very ill-executed plan, perhaps both; but it seems to be generally acknowledged that Major Grant exceeded his orders and that no disposition was made for engaging.”

In the provincial history of Pennsylvania the name of the Montours stands out among the many Indians of note, and the intimate story of this large family presents many interesting and contradictory characteristics.

The first one of this family, which has given us its name for a county, town, river, creek and mountain range, was the celebrated Madame Montour.

There has always been a question of doubt as to her birth. She claimed to be a half-breed French-Indian, her father being a Governor of Canada. Whether this is true or not, about 1665 a French nobleman named Montour settled in Canada, where by an Indian woman, probably a Huron, he became the father of a son and two daughters. This son of Montour grew up among those Indians, who were at that time in alliance with the French.

In 1685, while in the French service, he was wounded in a fight with two Mohawk warriors on Lake Champlain. Subsequently he deserted the French cause and again lived among the Indians. In 1709 he was killed while inducing twelve of the Western tribes to support the English.

One of his sisters became a noted interpreter and friend of the English, and was known as Madame Montour; the other sister married a Miami Indian and her history is lost.

Madame Montour was born previous to the year 1684. When about ten years old she was captured by some Iroquois warriors and adopted, probably by the Seneca tribe, for at maturity she married a Seneca named Roland Montour, by whom she had five children: Andrew, Henry, Robert, Lewis and Margaret.

After the death of Roland, Madame Montour married the noted Oneida chief, Carondowanen, or “Big Tree,” who later took the name Robert Hunter in honor of the royal governor of the province of New York.

About 1729 Robert Hunter was killed in battle with the Catawba, against whom he was waging war.

Madame Montour first appeared as an official interpreter at the conference at Albany, September 15, 1711. At this conference the wanton murder of her brother, Andrew, by Vaudreuil, was bitterly resented by Madame Montour, and she employed her great influence with telling effect against the French, who tried to induce her to remove to Canada, but she remained loyal to the English and was put in a position of great power with lucrative return.

Madame Montour was the interpreter in Philadelphia in 1727 at a conference between Deputy Governor Patrick Gordon and the Provincial Council on the one hand and the Six Nations, Conestoga, Ganawese and Susquehanna Indians on the other.

It is claimed that Madame Montour was a lady in manner and education, was very attractive in mind and body, and that she was entertained by ladies of the best society on her trips to Philadelphia; but as her sister married an Indian and she was twice wedded to an Indian warrior, it is probable her education and refinement were not so marked as is claimed.

Nevertheless, from the testimony of those who saw and knew her, but contrary to the statement of Lord Cornbury, who knew her brother, it seems almost certain that she was a French-Canadian without any admixture of Indian blood, and that for some unaccountable reason she preferred the life and dress of her adopted people.

Madame Montour was always uniformly friendly toward the proprietary Government, and such was the loyalty of her family that at least two of her sons, Henry and Andrew, received large grants of “donation land” from the Government. That of Henry lay upon the Chillisquaque Creek, in Northumberland County, and that of Andrew, on the Loyalsock, where Montoursville, in Lycoming County, is now situated.

Madame Montour resided at the village of Ostonwackin^[7] in 1734. This was some times known as Frenchtown. When Conrad Weiser visited there in 1737, on his way to Onondaga, he wrote of Madame Montour, as “a French woman by birth, of a good family, but now in mode of life a complete Indian.”

When she attended the great treaty at Lancaster in 1744 she was accompanied by two of her daughters, and at that time related to Witham Marshe the story of her life. He represented her as genteel and of polite address and as having been attractive in her prime.

When Count Zinzendorf, the Moravian missionary, visited Shamokin (now Sunbury) in 1742, he was welcomed by Madame Montour and her son Andrew. She had moved to that place from Ostonwackin.

Upon learning that the Count came to preach the gospel, the truths of which she had almost forgotten, she burst into tears. It was learned that she believed that Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, was situated in France, and that it was the English who crucified him—a silly perversion of the truth that originated with French religious teachers.

It is thought she died at the home of her son, Andrew, in 1752.

Of the children of Madame Montour, Andrew became the most prominent and indeed he was one of the strong men during a long period of stirring times in the province. His Indian name was Sattelihu, he was a son by her first husband.

Andrew became an interpreter at an early age and served the Proprietary Government faithfully and well; he also was loved by his Indian brethren, for he zealously guarded their interests.

In 1745 he accompanied Conrad Weiser and Shikellamy, the vicegerent of the Six Nations on the Susquehanna, on a mission to Onondaga, the Federal capital of the confederation.

He was sent on important missions to Maryland and other places and in 1753 the French authorities set a price of $500 on his head. In 1755 he was living ten miles northwest from Carlisle, on land which had been granted to him for his services.

During the French and Indian War he was captain of a company of Indians in the English service, and later rose to the rank of major.

In 1762 he was King’s interpreter to the United Nations, and he served as interpreter for the Delaware Indians at Fort Augusta, at the time Conrad Weiser held a conference for the purpose of bringing about peace between the Southern Confederation and the Six Nations.

October 29, 1768, the Proprietary Government surveyed and granted to Andrew Montour 880 acres of land at the mouth of the Loyalsock, where the borough of Montoursville now is. With this and other grants he was considered a man of great wealth.

Matthew Carey came to Philadelphia in November 1784, and spent the remainder of his eventful life there, dying September 16, 1839. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, January 28, 1760, where he spent his early life.

He learned the business of printer and bookseller, and at the age of seventeen he wrote and published a pamphlet on duelling. This was soon followed by an address to Roman Catholics in Ireland on their oppression by the penal code. This was so seditious and inflammatory that he was compelled to fly to Paris, but returned in the course of a year, and was soon after prosecuted for printing a libel.

In 1783, he edited the Freeman’s Journal and established the Volunteer’s Journal.

In 1784, he printed a libel on the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and was imprisoned during the session of Parliament. He escaped on board a ship in woman’s dress, and arrived in Philadelphia, November 15, 1784.

General Lafayette, then on a visit to the United States, heard his story, and not only procured influence for him, but advanced $400 to Carey, who immediately started the Pennsylvania Herald, the first number of which publication appeared January 25, 1785.

The young printer, publisher, and editor attracted immediate attention and patronage by giving the best reports of the Assembly yet published. The Herald was in fact the first newspaper in America which gave full and accurate reports of legislative proceedings.

Matthew Carey was most aggressive with his pen, and burning with hate to England, he at once became one of the most notable of the foreign-born editors in America.

But the spirited temper of the enterprising young Irishman aroused collisions, one of which with Colonel Oswald, had serious result. Eleazer Oswald had been a colonel in the Continental army during the war, in which he appears to have served with credit; he was a kinsman of Elizabeth Holt, wife of John Holt, and aided her in conducting the Journal after the death of her husband, in 1785 and 1786. They sold the Journal in 1787 to Thomas Greenleaf.

Oswald had an “unpleasantness” with Francis Child, of the New York Advertiser, and then succeeded in getting himself into a political dispute with Matthew Carey.

This latter quarrel terminated in a duel, in which Carey was shot above the knee, a wound that confined him to the house for nearly sixteen months.

During the interval, Carey seems to have been able to continue his editorial labors, and, in 1786, with several partners, he started the Columbian Magazine, but withdrew from this enterprise the following December, and founded the American Museum, a monthly eclectic magazine, which he edited with marked ability for six years.

After abandoning the Museum Carey entered into business as a bookseller and publisher, and among other works issued a quarto edition of the Bible, called the standing edition—as it was kept in type.

He took an active part in charitable enterprises, and every fortnight dispensed food and other necessaries of life to hundreds of poor widows. He was particularly active in works of benevolence during the prevalence of yellow fever in Philadelphia in 1793, and wrote and published a history of that epidemic.

In 1793 Carey founded the Hibernian Society and undertook with Hugh Gaine a system of annual book fairs, resembling the present trade sales.

He was an associate of Bishop William White and others in the formation of the first American Sunday School Society.

While the War of 1812–14 was kindling he wrote much on political subjects, and in 1814 the Olive Branch appeared, in which he attempted to harmonize the contending parties in the United States. It passed through ten editions.

In 1818 he published “Vindicia Hibernicæ,” which was a refutation of charges made against the Catholics of Ireland of butchering Protestants in the insurrection of 1640.

In 1820 he published “The New Olive Branch,” which was in favor of protection to American industry; and two years later his “Essays on Political Economy,” were also published in favor of protection. These publications were widely circulated.

In 1830, under the title of “Miscellaneous Essays,” Carey republished selections from his writings. There are fifty-eight papers, essays, and longer compositions, and two hundred pieces collected under the heading of “Light Reading.”

Carey also advocated the system of internal improvements which led to the construction of the great canal system in Pennsylvania.

He was active in promoting education, and in forming associations for the relief of those unable to help themselves.

As Matthew Carey advanced in years, he acquired a fair amount of wealth, and in consequence of ease and comfortable environment, he became a prolific writer, but always on subjects which were solid. He gave no time to the elegancies of literature or fiction.

In this field of literature he was succeeded by his son Henry Charles Carey, who became well known for his robust works on political economy.

In 1833–34 Matthew Carey contributed his autobiography to the New England Magazine.

He acquired an enviable social position as well as one of wealth. He died much lamented at his home in Philadelphia, September 16, 1839.

The Constitution of the United States, as is well known, was framed during the summer of 1787, by a convention of Delegates from twelve States. The convention sat in the old State House at Philadelphia, and after a stormy session of four months ended its labors on September 17, 1787.

In the preliminary movement to form a nation, only five of the thirteen colonies were represented. Delegates from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia, met at Annapolis, Md., September 11, 1786, and after much discussion and consideration, they recommended that a convention bebe called to meet in Philadelphia on the second Monday of May, 1787.

When that day arrived the only delegates to appear at the State House were those of Pennsylvania and Virginia. At the end of two weeks no others had arrived except those from Delaware and New Jersey. This fact indicates how little they appreciated the importance of the event.

Finally, twelve States were represented; the largest delegation was from Pennsylvania, and consisted of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson and Gouverneur Morris. General George Washington was elected president, and William Jackson, secretary. The convention sat with closed doors.

Former Governor Pennypacker, in his excellent “Pennsylvania—The Keystone,” says “Washington presided and the aged Franklin participated, but the most learned lawyer among them was James Wilson, and, perhaps, more than any other member, he affected the results reached.”

On the afternoon of the day that the convention finished its labors, the Constitution was duly signed by thirty-nine of the members. Some resolutions and a letter from Washington were ordered to be sent to Congress and to be by it transmitted to the States.

The Constitution was adopted September 17, 1787, and by this action of the convention a new Nation was born in Philadelphia.

While these things were taking place in a lower room of the State House, the Legislature of Pennsylvania was in session in a room above, and the Constitution was read to it on the morning of September 18.

Copies were then given to the press, and the next day the people of Philadelphia were reading the new plan in the “Packet,” the “Journal” and the “Gazetteer.” For a few days nothing but praise was heard, but before a week was gone, it was attacked.

The principal supporters of the plan of the Federal Convention were former officers of the Revolution, many of whom had served throughout the entire struggle for independence, while not one prominent soldier of that war was included among the twenty-three Anti-Federalists who consistently voted against ratification.

All was not satisfactory, and there was much trouble about the adoption of the Constitution, which did not go into effect until ratified by nine States.

Patrick Henry, of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, opposed it violently. It also had many opponents in Pennsylvania. Particularly was this true among the partisans of the State Government.

A draft of the instrument was reported to the Assembly, when a motion was made to authorize the calling of a State convention to deliberate upon its adoption.

This body met November 21, and was organized by the choice of Frederick A. Muhlenberg as president, and James Campbell, as secretary. On December 12, following, the final adoption of the draft of the Constitution was carried by a vote of 46 to 23 against it.

The following day the members of the convention and of the Supreme Executive Council, with officers of the State and the City of Philadelphia and others, went in procession from the State House to the old court house, where the ratification of the instrument was solemnly proclaimed. Twelve cannon were fired and the bells were rung.

The convention returned to the State House, where two copies of the ratification of the Constitution were signed. According to Hamilton, a motion was made that all members should sign it as an acquiescence to the principle that the majority should govern, which was strenuously objected to by the opponents of this instrument.

Delaware ratified the Constitution December 7, 1787, making Pennsylvania the second State to ratify. That is the reason that today in all national processions these States are given the lead.

State after State approved the Constitution, and in several of them processions had taken place to celebrate, but in Pennsylvania there had been no celebration of this kind; but it was decided, however, that as soon as the ninth State acceded to it, measures should be taken for public rejoicing.

Following Delaware and Pennsylvania came New Jersey, which adopted the Constitution December 18; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9; Massachusetts, February 6; Maryland, April 28; South Carolina, May 23.

On June 21, when New Hampshire, the ninth State, ratified it, it was determined by the citizens of Philadelphia to celebrate the formation of the new Union on the evening of the Fourth of July. By that time Virginia had also ratified the Constitution by vote of June 26.

This pageant was as imposing as it was possible for the authorities and the people of Pennsylvania in their enthusiasm to make it, and not only in the metropolis but in every town in the State was the occasion one of patriotism and splendor.

New York ratified the Constitution July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789, and the last one of the thirteen original States to ratify was Rhode Island, which did not accomplish it until May 29, 1790.

The adoption of the Constitution rendered the institution of measures necessary for the election of members of Congress and electors of President and Vice President of the United States.

The Anti-Federalists immediately got busy and endeavored to effect a plan to revise the new Constitution, but were defeated in their purposes. The actions of this body in Pennsylvania in their convention in Harrisburg, September, 1788, were denounced by the people.

A new convention was called to meet in Lancaster, which selected candidates for Congress and electors for President.

The election of members of Congress took place in November, and in the State six of the nominees of the Federal ticket were elected, and two, David Muhlenberg, of Montgomery, and Daniel Hiester, of Berks, who, although Federalists, had, with two others of the same politics, been placed as a matter of policy with the opposition ticket.

The centennial of the adoption of the Federal Constitution was fittingly celebrated in Philadelphia.

On September 15, 1887, there was a large civic and industrial procession, a military display on the 16th, and fine Memorial Day ceremonies in Independence Square on the 17th.

The occasion was celebrated with great credit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Nation, as it illustrated the dignity and grandeur of the Republic.

Following the suggestion of Governor John White Geary, the Legislature on June 2, 1871, adopted a resolution to submit the question of calling a convention to amend the Constitution to a vote of the people. The delegates were elected October, 1872, and assembled in the Capitol November 12, 1872.

Hon. William M. Meredith was elected president and served until his death, August 17, 1873, when Hon. John H. Walker, of Erie County, was chosen to fill the vacancy. The convention adjourned November 27 to meet in Philadelphia on January 7, 1873.

A new Constitution was drafted and adopted, after which it was submitted to the people on December 16, 1873, and approved by a vote of 263,560 to 109,198.

This new Constitution contained several important changes: An increase in the number of Senators and Representatives in the General Assembly; biennial sessions of the Legislature; the election by the people of sundry officers heretofore appointed; minority representation; modification of the pardoning power; the term of the Governor made for four years, and not eligible to the office for the succeeding term; the office of Lieutenant-Governor created; changes in tenure and mode of electing Judges of the courts. The new Constitution became effective January 1, 1874.

The good times which followed the Civil War were in a few years followed by a financial depression that extended over the whole country and reduced innumerable financial establishments to ruin.

These financial troubles began in Philadelphia with the failure of the banking house of Jay Cooke & Co., September 18, 1873. Mr. Cooke’s bank had given such help to the United States Government during the period of the war that he was frequently called the “Financier of the Rebellion.”

When this banking institution collapsed there followed a run on other banks, the effects of which soon spread throughout the United States.

The excellent “Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal,” by Howard M. Jenkins, says: “The condition of the times was rendered more deplorable by a series of labor difficulties, extending from 1874–1877. In 1874, there was a conflict in Westmoreland County between Italian and resident miners, in which four of the Italians were killed. The same year there was a railroad strike at Susquehanna on the New York and Erie Railroad. A number of trains were seized by the mob, and order was not restored until after the Governor had sent the State militia into that region. In January, 1875, the miners of the Lehigh and Schuylkill regions began a strike, which lasted six months. There was but little violence; yet the Governor found it necessary to order the militia to the scene of the disturbance.”

In 1877, the spirit of lawlessness increased, culminating in a series of destructive riots in different parts of the State. The cause of all this trouble was the railroad strike, which began on July 16, and soon became general throughout the United States.

In the beginning of July, a circular was issued from the offices of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, announcing a reduction of 10 per cent from the wages which the men were then receiving. A new schedule of wages was announced, to take effect on July 16. At all points along the railroad, there were demonstrations against this reduction. A strike was ordered, and before midnight of the 16th the immense property of the Baltimore and Ohio was in the hands of the rioters.

On July 19 the employes of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburgh inaugurated a strike, and stopped the passage of all freight trains east and west. By the evening of the 20th, a large number of freight trains were tied up in the city. The striking workmen resisted all efforts of the railroad officials to remove these trains, and threatened acts of violence. At this time Governor John F. Hartranft was on a trip across the continent, but upon the call of the Sheriff the Adjutant General ordered the Sixteenth Division of the National Guard to assist in restoring order.

Adjutant General James W. Latta arrived at Pittsburgh on July 21, to take personal charge of all the troops ordered out. The First Division of the National Guard was also called into service, and on the forenoon of the 21st, the troops took position upon the hill overlooking the tracks at Twenty-eighth Street.

At 2 o’clock in the afternoon the troops from Philadelphia arrived, and they at once proceeded to open the road. As they approached Twenty-eighth Street, the crowds pressed in upon them and stones were thrown by the mob.

There was considerable firing on both sides, and in the melee twenty soldiers were wounded. In the evening the soldiers withdrew to the roundhouse and adjacent buildings. At midnight the rioters determined to drive them out by burning the freight cars in the vicinity. The result was a great conflagration, in which vast quantities of freight were consumed and all the rolling stock and buildings of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburgh were destroyed.

Hastening from his trip, Governor Hartranft reached Pittsburgh on July 24. After a consultation with the leading citizens he went to Philadelphia to confer with Generals Hancock and Schofield, of the United States Army.

Arrangements were made to forward a detachment of the regular army to Pittsburgh, there to join the State troops which the Governor collected on the way.

A large force was soon gathered at the scene of the disturbance, and, with Governor Hartranft in personal command, order was restored in a few days and railroad communications were opened with all parts of the country. In the meantime there were serious riots in other parts of the State.

The lawless spirit in Philadelphia and Harrisburg was quelled by the prompt action of the officials, but in Reading the work of destruction was almost equal to that in Pittsburgh. The railroad bridge over the Schuylkill was burned, and the mob virtually controlled the city.

As the authorities of Berks County were unable to suppress the riot, General Reeder was sent there with a division of the National Guard. On the evening of July 23 there was a severe street fight between the mob and the soldiers, in which some of the latter were wounded, while eleven of the crowd were killed. The next day a detachment of the United States troops arrived and the railroad was opened to traffic.

The contagion of lawlessness affected the miners of Luzerne County, and on July 25 they began a general strike. All railroad traffic was suspended in that region, and at Scranton the rioters attempted to drive the workmen from the shops. The Sheriff with a number of aides dispersed the crowd, but he was seriously wounded and three of the mob were killed.

As the conditions became more threatening, it was necessary to forward a division of the National Guard to the coal regions. Early in August all disorder was suppressed, and in a few weeks all the railroads in the State were running on schedule time.