Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-01-30
Recollections Of Butler; or Fifty Years
Ago.
(COHtiRHed)
DoUGAL LOTS.

Ago.
(COHtiRaed.)
DoUGAL LOTS.
Ed. CrrIzEx:-The two lots of the late
Mr.. David Dougal are so well-known to
even our present citizens as to be easily
located. The rapid change that has come
over them within the past few years Is
subject Of general remark. When Mr..
Dougal died, but little over nine years
ago, they were covered with small frame
buildings, generally called "shantles-
Now they are covered with some OF the
largest and finest brick buildings in the
town. Mr. Dougal bought them at the
original sale of lots in Butler, lsO3, and
held on to them to his death, Nov. ., 1851.
No change of ownership in them took place
in all this time. which, perhaps, cannot be
said ofany other of the oIiginallots of Butler.
Mr.. Dougal in this respect may be said to
have been the nearest-or latest-connect-
ing link between the present and the
original town. Certainly no one survives
him in this respect. He was the last OF
the very early and first citizens.
The new brick Sehenck block stands
upon the Diamond end Of one of these lots.
This was lot No l in the original plan OF
lots and is said to have been bid in by Mr..
Doupal at the sum of 800. Now it is
probable that $50, 600 could be got Tor 1t II
without a building on it, and with It's
present half dozen or more new large brieks
its aggregate value now would exceed
$50, 900. The first building we reeollect ol
seeing where Schenck one now stands was
low frame. on corner, said to have been
erected by the late John and Peter Duiy
as their first store house in Butler. And
here we might remark that the houses
upon Mr.. Douglas lots were generally
built bv others, and not By him, as IS very
generally supposed. They were built by
persons to whom he gave ground leases
and who no doubt at the time were glad tc
get the privilege to build under lease
Mr.. Dougal built but little himself Ihi'
smaIl frame ON corner in time gave way t.
a larger log-frame, erected for pubhe
house and used as such for a number o.
wears and by different parties, among them
Michael Spohu and a man named Rob-
son Our present Mr.. William Richey
kent a restaurant and lived there for some
wears II was also often used BY attorneys
for law offices. The late Edward NJ.
Bredin. ESD, had his Office there at one
time: also the late John Graham, Esq, and
others. Mr. PriDgle was there for while
and tie last store there we beleye "s'
that of Mr.. Elias Kirk. Before one OF III
tenants Of about 40 years ago had left 1t he
had papered one Of its rough-boardeo
rooms with common wall paper, and, tc
illustrate Mr.. Douglas idea of improve
ments, he refused to let 1t be useo LOT
postofjce. saving, with some indignation,
to a newly appointed postmaster who ap'
piled to him to rent it, sir, do you lhlhh
| am fool 10 let that fine room be de-
stroyed by a postofIice." That settled II,
and the new postmaster, the late Mr..
Daniel Coil, had to look elsewhere Tor al
office.
Next to this last was small frame; and
next to that and where our present post
office now stands, DR.. Byers' building, was
another small frame, erected by the late
Mr.. Clark McPherrin, already referred TO-
for his store-rcom, more than fifty years
ago. Mr.. McPherrin had lost both OF his
legs. at the knees, and Notwithstanding
this made him very short in stature ne
moved about without crutches of any KIND
and with much rapidity. He was an ae-
tive business man and prominent III all
good works. Several followed him in this
house he built, among the first being the
late Jacob Ziegler and James McGlaughbn
with the Democratic Herald, where that
paper. in 1912, vas first established and
published. Mr.. McGlaughlin having been
elected Parliamentary Of the county IN lo43,
the Herald was continued there by com
pgnv for two or three years, headed by the
late Samuel G. Puryis, Esq, father OF the
present Puryis men. After this Mr.. Nc
Glaughlin again, in connection with the
late Mr. Cornelius Coll, published the
Herald there for a time. This Clark Nc
Phcrrin building was also used as the post
office AT one time, and bad for lis tenants
various other persons for various other OBJ
iects. uniil DR.. B,ers became owner Of the
ground and erected his Gne building there.
Where Mr.. Brandon's law Office now .s,
lower part Of Dr. Byers' building, stood d
queerly constructed house, lived in, among
others, for some years by the late Mr..
Thaddeus Nigglc, father Of the present
Niggle men, who carried on there bakery
and candy shop. This house, like some
others on Mr. Douglas lots. bad but one
chimney in H. built in the center of the
house. with u fire place On every sidc to
accommodate all its rooms.
Where the Eagio printing Office now
stands frame one stood, nsed often as a
dwelling, tailor shop, and other purposes.
Where William a. Forquer, Esq, has
now hia new brick residence and Office
STOOD iTafLt, III WHICH hls DohHai St"J v"
and had his Office for many years previous
to his going across the street TO the one he
afterwards occupied. In this house Mr..
Dougal would often receive his Pittsburg
friends, the late Judges Wilson McCandless
and william j. Mcclure, sons-in-law OF
Mrs.. Collins, for whose lands in this county
Mr.. Dongal was the agent. They came
nearly every summer, notifying Mr.. Dougal
in advance Of their coming and who on
these occasions would spruce up little IN
his dress in order to properly receive them.
They had unlimited confidence IN and ad-
miration for Mr. Dougal and liked to enjoy
his company at all times possible.
OTHER LOT.
Across the street was the other Dougal
lot, on which perhaps were more Of the 30
called shanties than the other, until dis
agtrous fire. in 1864, burned down all on
the lower end and TO the Vogeley alley.