American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1863-12-23
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BUTLER.
BUTLER Town is pleasantly situated
on the North. bank of Compromising
creek, in a bend thereof, on an eminence
that commands an extensive and pictur-
esoue view of the surrounding couu Y,
and is thirty-three MIS- gia the Plank
road North of Pittsburgh. The town con-
tains the usual county buildings a good
and substantial brick and stone Court
House erected in 1858; the Jail is built
of stone, and, as far as the name is con-
ccrned, does very well; but past occur
rences show that it is not very well calcu-
lated to hold any one who has a strong in
clination to escape from "durance vile" "
The town was laid out in A. d. 1900, and
was incorporated as a borough Feb. 26,
1917. Population, in 1880, $50; in
1910, SCI, and in 1860 it contained over
1900. Within the limits of the town
there are seven churches, one Academy,
the Witherspoon Institute, and two school
houses. The latter cannot be spoken very
highly of. Their architecture and furni-
ture are not such as they should be. In
our humble opinion there is nothing that
can be called attractive either in the arch
itecture or furniture of these buildings ;
and it is very self-evident to the most su-
perfcial observer that there is nothing
about the exterior, or grounds connected
with these buildings, Of an attractive ma
ture or character; but we will not dwell
on this matter at present.
The town is well supplied with hotels I;
of these there are six. There are at pres
ent ten eating houses, or restaurants, with
a very fair prospect of at least one more.
We have eight dry-goods and grocery
stores, three jewelry establishments, two
drug-stores, one book and variety store,
nine shoe-shops doing fourishing busi-
ness in protecting the so(es of the people {;
six blacksmith shops-those engaged in
this trade should remember to strike
while the iron is hot three wagon and
carriage shops, two plow shops, five cabi-
net shops, three saddle and harness shops,
three printing Offices, one clothing store,
four tailor shops and two tanneries. Just
outside the borough limits there are two
machine shops, woollen flctory and two
large steam grist-mills.
The town does not improve very rapid
ly; in explanation Of which many reasons
might be assigned, but we viii not emu
merate at present, as we may have occasion
to refer to these matters more at length on
some future occasion. During the past
season, the Presbyterian congregation of
this place have completed a very fine bull
ding on the site formerly occupied by the
old church. This new place of worship
is very elegantly and tastefully furnished.
The new brick dwelling house of Chas.
MCandless, Esq, situated on the S. w.
corner of the Diamond, when fully COM
pleted, will be decided improvement in
the architecture of the place, and will re-
fleet credit on the owner and the archi-
tects-Messrs. S. G. Purvis g. Son. In
this connection we would also mention the
new, large and fine brick building, on
Main street, erected by William Vogeley,
and now occupied by him as hotel 1t
IS a very fine building, and one that does
credit to the owner.
During the past fall, very extensive
and substantial improvement was made in
the condition of Main Street. 1t was very
much needed; and, while it is commend
able and praiseworthy to keep the main
street in good condition, would it not be
well to bestow little more labor on the
back and cross streets, and also the alleys
OF course we do not wish to be under
stood as debating to the worthy authori-
ties who have the supervision aud control
OF these matters, bat merely as suggesting
the propriety of distributing the work and
repairs equitably in the different parts Of
Dur borough. The mall, or board walk
-