Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-08-18
THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS.
RANDOM BEcDLLECTIOSs OF HELLEFoSTE's
BABYHoob-rIoSEEK TRADER AND TAv.
FRS kEEPER-How THE COUNTY
SEAT WAS CAPTURED-PUB.
uASEfkI

lie BANKING.
The first store established in Bellefoute
wss set up by Roland Curtin in 1900 In
log house that then occupied the lot upon
which now stands the house Of Mrs. James
Petfikin, on High street. Roland Curtin
came 20 Centre county in 1897, in company
with Charles Trcziyulny, from Philadel-
pha, bound for the then rising village of
PhiIipsburg where he and Trczyulny were
to look after the landed and business in
tcresu Of the village proprictors. They
brought ought supplies on pack horses and
located at Philipspurg with the intention
OF remaining permanently. After Il two
years' stay, Curtin grew restless and de-
tcrmning 10 improve his fortunes went
over 10 the then embryo village Of Miles
burg-ht tho head Of navigation on Bald
Eagle creek-wherc he opened a store.
That store was at that time the only one
between james Dancan's lat AAronsburg),
and Lake Eric. When in 1900 the coun.
~ Of Centre WAS created and the county
scat established At Bellefonte, Mr.. Curtin
followed the tide and conveyed bic store
busincfs 20 the latter place. He msde
dwelling a. well as store Of the log Gtruct-
ure and abidcd there until 1903, when he
erected stone house on Allegheny street
I upon the sjie Of Joscph & Co. store and
there lived and traded until his removal TO
. Curtin IN 1871. Tho log.house on High
/ street, wa occupied by James Armor as a
cabinet shop after Curtin left II. During
he residence al Bollelonte. Mr. Curtin
~as elected sheriff of the county, and in
lso7 built forge at Curtin in company
/ with Andrew BoCgs. In 1873 be built
. furnace near the Curtin forge aud al that
time owned great tract. % land in Bogrs
and adjoining townships In 1921 he re-
moved his rcsidcnce 30 the furnace, In
Boces, and until ls2s lived there in log
house. lic then removed 10 a new and
more elegant home al Curtin. In 1894 he
rciinquishcd The active pursuiis Of bufihcss
70 bis SONS and retired to Bcllefon,o. where
he died IN 1851. Mr.. Curtin was twice
marFiei-both wives bearing tho name Of
Gregg The second was one Of the daurh-
'ers Of Andrew Gregg amer whom Gov.
4. 6. Curtin was named. BY the fret
marriage there were fouf sons Of whom
but one @'hr. Ss7'in, f Bellcfonte-is
liyiPg. by the second marriage there
were two'ons-Audrcw g. and Constans-
the former living In Bsllcfon,e and the
latter In Bocrs township.
Bellclontos ars; tavern was undoubted.
| ly log house pa, up by Hugh GsllAher
on Spring street where u. 6. Bush's rcsi-
dcucc now stands Gallaher must have
put his house up in a hurry, bu, George
Mckee, less anxious 20 catch the opening
trade, took his time and bull, very de.
cent stone tavern on the corner OF Spring
and High streets where Thomas Reynolds
now lives, 1t is certain that McKec's
house vas built in 1877 for a tablet set in
the face Of the structure, boro that date
mark and remained for many years testi-
mony. Gsllaher may have got his house
up in 1896 but probably no; until the ensu-
ing year. There used TO be bitter rival
~ between Mckee and Gallsher. As one
Of the results thereof Mckee sued Galla.
her for SANDER at the August term OF
court in 1901, claiming that Gsllaher had
falsely accused him Of stealing Samuel
Lambs saddle bags The members Of the
bar saw in the case n chance N amusc
themselvcs, and 50 agreed among them.
selves 10 20 into the suit ca p,asse, rang
ing in equal numbers upon either side
as advocates. Those apportioned 20 the
plaintiff were Foulk, Reed, J. Dunlop. s.
Duncan, Wallace, T. Duncan, Culloh
Thompson, Miles, Mcclure, Kield Irwin,
Allison and Patterson. Defendants aitor.
neys were Stewart, Walker, Henderson,
) Rose. Huston, Hastings, Clark, Hall
Laird, Bonham, Gemmill, Burnsides
Boggs, Orbison, Cadwaladcr, Canan,
Smith, Carpenter, II. Dunlop, Dean, Hep.
burn and Bellas. Although plaintiff and
defendant received the voluntary offer oI
such fearful array Of legal aid in the
sincerity with which it seemed TO be offer.
ed, the lawyers themselves took hold or
the matter TO make farce Of IL and TO OBJ.
tain las it afterwards proved) sufficient
free liquor at their clients bars 10 make
them exceedingly happy. There was 9
vast deal Of forensic eloquence and :
mighty weight Of argument as we'll a,
cited authorities in the conduct OF the suit,
TO say nothing Of the amusement afforded
20 ell save the parties principal to the &C.
ton. After the fun exhausted itself, the
lawyers settled tho suit and all hands ad.
jouFned to the respective taverns 70 take