Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-02-06
Recolleotions of Butler; or Fifty Years
Ago.


(CoAtinued.l
DAVID DoUGAL.
In speaking of Mr.. Douglas lots and the
former buildings upon them we occasion
ally referred to some of his particular traits
of character, but as to his general charac-
ter. his extensive earning. and his per-
sonal appearance, but little has yet been
said. That he was a very eccentric man, a
very odd man, all who ever saw him or
were in his company well know. But that
he was an impure man in mind or body is
certainly not correct. True he ignored all
modern ways and modes of life and was re-
marhably independent in thought and
action. His style of dress was not of the
latest cut or fashion and in this he was
peculiar. For instance; he never wore but
one suspender to uphold his pantaloons,
but this one was so thrown over one
shoulder and crossed in such a way as to
answer the purpose of pair. He never
wore the common linen shirt, with ironed
bosom and so forth, but instead plain
coarse muslin one, opened in front and at
collar generally. He never used neck
tie of any kind. His shoes were generally
united. His coat and vest were off in the
SUMMER In this condition he would sis
before his Office in pleasant weather and
passers by who knew him would be sure to
stop and converse with him, or to hear him
talk. For Mr.. Dougal was a philosopher,
bearing the same relation to Butler it
might be said that Plato bore to Athens
in his day. And had Mr.. Dougal opened
school as Plato did, in some pleasant
garden or academy, he might have gather
ed around him as many students as did the
Athenian philosopher. But Mr.. Dougal
taught upon the street. always to attentive
good, his manner of speech deliberate and
dignifed. His subjects were history, gen.
eral and local, geography, geology, the
winds, the storms, astronomy in general
D ougal was considerable of a star gazer,
and often at night might be seen studying
the stars His knowledge of astronomy
was extensive and his discourse upon that
as well as upon most all sciences was
entertaining.
Mr.. Dougal was also Of an inventive turn
Of mind. For a long time he endeavored to
invent or perfect the so-called perpetual
motion, and for this purpose had collected
in his Office number of small pieces OF
pine wood and other material, from which
! he sought to construct q machine with a
pendulum, which he tried to make vibrate,
after the manner of clock. But after
repeated efforts and long and patient work
he had to abandon his ambition to dis
cover perpetual motion.
Mr. Dougal was also fond of music. He
kept a violin, or so-called fiddle, upon
which he often amused himself, generally
at night. About 1870, he attempted to set
to the music of his fiddle any pleasant
piece of poetry that came under his eye,
and for that purpose on one occasion he
brought to the writer of this some poetry
he was practicing upon and desired to have
it published.
Mr. Dougal had a great fear of fire.
Whether this fear arose from the fire that
swept away some of his houses we do not
know, but after that he had a great dread
of the man or boy who came about his
premises lighting matches or cigars. 1t Is
told of him that upon one of his visits to
Pittsburgh he heard by night the fire bells
of the city ringing, and this so alarmed
him that he arose from his bed, hastily
dressed himself and started for his home
here on foot in the darkness of the night.
While Mr.. Dougal had other peculiar
traits, yet he was in its early days very
useful citizen to Butler, doing most of the
early surveying, buying and selling many
of its lots, and always selling on easy
| terms to all.
In person Mr.. Dougal was tall and erect,
taller perhaps than any Of the large men
coming here with him, but not SO heavy OF
strong as some of them. He walked erect
and straight, and when he moved about he
moved like monarch, always grave,
serious and dignified in bearing. His com
| plexion was rather fair, and in his youth
| the color Of his hair must also have been
light or brown. His eyes were hazel. His
teeth remained with him and good to the
end, remarkable thing for a man of sc
great an age. As stated, he died Novem
Der s, 1881. Upon photograph before III
of him, taken August 26, 1873, is written
from information derived. from himself
that he was born September 23, 117S. Thii
would make his age at death lob years,
month and 15 days. This photograph
him was made through Judge Wilson Nc
| Candless on his last visit to this place. ant
in il Mr. Dougal is represented in sitting
position and Judge McCandless standin,
by his side, looking down upon him will
great regard. AS stated, about year be
| fore his death he went out to farm he hat
east of Butler or miles, and lived will
his German tenants upon it until he died
In his will be gave this farm to the peopl
who last cared for him. He was buriet
near by in the German Lutheran Churcl
grave yard there, and monument mark
the place where he was laid. Christian
ministers visited him in his last days ant
we are told he died in the full faith of th
Christian religion.
DEwoLFE-PoTTs SQUARE.
In taking up this square next after las
Dougal lot spoken of, we are following thu
original plan oil lots Of Butler, which cross
ed the street at No. "a, and made the ole
Dew olfe lot, now Doctor Balph and Others
No. %.
The late DIR. II. G. DeWolfe We suppos'
was known to but few of our present citl
zens. While among the early yet he wa
not one of the first corners. He was one
| Ar nnrlrr nhraicians and Caml