Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-21
CANAL BOAT TIMES.
They Are Vividly Brought to Mind
by a Reunion of Old Timers,
FREEPORT'S CORDIAL WELCOME.
The Strike Still Paralyzing the Freight
Traffic of the L. Z. W.
MINOR NEWS FROM THE THREE STATES

FREEPoRT, Aug. 20.-This little city took
a backward turn to-day, and once more en-
ioved the good old times when the crack of
Il drivers whip or the mellow footing OF a
horn for clock ready" meant more than the
Shrill scream of the rushing locomotives
across the river "Just the biggest thing
we ever had was the unanimous verdict of
the $50 old canal boatmen who gathered
here to-day TO attend the sixth annual re-
union of the Boatman's Association of
Western Pennsylvania, which was held here
to-day
This historic organization was formed at
Nineveh, and has steadily increased in
membership since it's inception, the attend
ance to-day being the largest in the history
Of the association. Since the abandonment
of the canal the boatmen have been scat
tered TO the four winds, and they consider
these annual reunions as the best means of
affording an opportunity to rehearse old
stories
\ VERY REALISTIC SCENE
A pleasant incident of the day was the ar
rival OF the morning train, on which a great
crowd of boatmen and strangers had been eX-
pected. The Leechburg Band, and an old
canal boat on wheels filled with pretty little
girls and drawn by the historic mule, awaited
this train. on which over 100 boatmen, with
their wives and daughters, arrived They
We're greeted with cheers and handshakings,
and the ladies Of the party were at once
taken in charge by a local ladies' committee
and placed in the Central HOTEL where they
could view the procession. line was then
formed by the bOatmen. which proceeded to
the center of the town, where an address
OF welcome was delivered by Rev. T. y.
Murphy, Of the Freeport Academy. He
said:
"Freeport is delighted that YOU have tied
mp in our town to-day. This town is what it
ssys-a free port, and extends to you all the
freedom of the town" He then referred to
the Olden times, which were commonplace
In those days, but which memory now sur
rounds with halo of glory. He said. also,
that he was glad he could not welcome them
- saloons and distillerieS, as there was
not drop in the town, though they might
even now quench their thirst with back
ward remembrance of the old days.
The response was delivered by Rev. DR..
Getty, OF Salisbury. He spoke of the marvel
GUS progress that had been made since he
l:1mself made his first trip on the old canal
IN 1874. First was the old Conestoga wagon,
then came the canal boat and finally the
steam cars as n means OF lOcomotion.'
PLEASURE AND THEN BUSINESS.
The entire delegation then turned to the
SpeIt mouse, Wnere a great ulnner had been
prepared for them by the generous ladies of
the town. The first tables seated fully 200
people, and when they had been cleared an
other table was set and the doors thrown
open to hundreds who had not vet been
served.
After a talk and cigar, the former fur
nlShed by the members themselves and the |
latter by the citizens committee the men,
bcrs held a business meeting AZ $50 p NJ !
W Illlam Cloves presided. Five deaths were |
during the past year. The PreSi- |
dent then delivered a short reminiscent ad- |
dress after which several old boatmen gave
some of the old songs which used to cheer |
them along the route. Major Nesbitt, OF |
IivcTmore, 81 years of age, sang "When |
Tommy Went on the Canawl," eliciting great |
applause. The roll was then called, when a |
score of new members entered their names |
The election of officers resulted as follows: |
Dean Cannon. of j JOhnstOWn, President: Major
\ NesOitt. Vice President: j. q. Ru:ledge, Sec
Tetary; Rev DIR. Getty, Treasurer.
On motion il was decided to restrict future
reunions TO boatmen and their wives alone |
The association then adjourned. 1t has not |
yet been decided where the next meeting |
VIII be held, but 1t is thought JohnStown |
VIII receive the vote. Many members how |
cvCr,are IN favor of having the next meeting |
III Pittsburg. and Mr.. Leech, of that CITY, was |
one of the most pronounced in urging Pitts |
burg'S claims for the honor.