Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-03-13
.hon, 1sss there was a change in name of

coming fashionable about then The rea-
son for taking this name may be of interest
to some at present 1t arose from the
breaking up of the whig party in 1885,, and
the rise of the American party upon ITS
ruins. The cause of the breaking up of the
Whig party was the defeat of General Win
field Scott, its candidate for President in
1852 And the cause of this defeat was
the abandonment by the wings of their po-
sition on the slavery question, then great
ly agitating the co.ntry. when they
nomip, ted Gen. Scott they put him upon
milk and water" platform on the slave
~ auestion. 1t was said at the time that
il was no better on that question than was
the Democratic party and platform. This
so disgusted the great mass OF the wings
that they became lukewarm and indlner-
ent, and the result was the defeat OF Gen
Scott and the election of Pierce the Demo
cratic candidate. Gen. Scott received the
votes of but four States, and the effect
was an immediate effort for the formation
of another party to take the place of the
| former great Whig one. The name Amer
ican was given this new party. Just where
| IL was formed. or how, or when, no body
seemed to know or could tell. 1t had
secret feature in it as to membership, and
il spread like wild fire" over the whole
Nation. Candidates Of both and all par
ties rushed to get into 1t. Its meetings
were held in out of the way places and It's
members were initiated In barns, sta lies
and even in coal banks, as was said. They
would not acknowledge being members,
and if asked if they were their general re-
nlv was that they "knowed nothing about
it, Hence they came to be called
know Nothings" and the party the
"Know Nothing Party" But people,
tired Of the old parties, joined II and u
swept nearly every State in the Union dur
ing the years 1884 and D. 1t obtained
majority in Congress, anu Governors and
State End county officers were elected by
it iuring those three years. Some anus
ing things might be told of its effects IN
Butler cGusiy oa candidates. A Demo
cratic ra=c:,:5:t, .,r instance, who had
quietly joiLI. = vas elecled Dy nearly
3OOO majority over his old Wing opponent
who had declined TO join it, and Wing
who had quietly joined it was elected by
about the same majority over his Demo
cratic opponent who refused to join it 1t
began TO break up in 1856 and the Repub-
lican party rapidly arose in its place, gath
ering to its ranks many old Democrats VINO
were dissatisfied with the position Of their
party on the slavery question. The name
..American" for papers began to drop OF
with the dropping out of the American
party, otherwise called the Know Moth
ing Party" Its principles were hostility
to Catholics and foreigners in general ana
their holding Office in particular.
Where Mr. Joseph Rockenstein has his
present fine saddlery shop, part of the old
walker block, were many stores within the
last so wears. The first there we think
was that of a Mr.. Ormond, followed by the
late Charles wiseman, the late Sheriff John
Scott, and the late Campbell L. Purviance,
ESQ. Mr.. Jacob Boos became owner OF 1t
and lived and kept store there for short
time. He probably purchased from Mr..
Wiseman and sold to Mr.. Rockenstein, who
is present owner Of this part OF this square.
pURvrAScE LOT.
This brings us to the lot and former
residence OF the late Hon. samuel a.
PuIviance, now the residence of Col Jonn
NJ. Thompson, who bought II OF MI.
Puryiance, about 1859. Mr.. fnrvlance
erected the large house standing there
sbout 1910. He also erected the office
many wears Col. John NJ. Sullivan was
a Law 1artner with him between 1876 and
1s53 Then Col. Thompson was partner
with Mr.. Puryiance. They were followed
hv Mr. Thompson and Hon. John Ill.
Mitchell present United States Senator
from the State of Oregon. Mr.. Mitchell
lett here about 1860. Col Thompson with
his son continued to practice law there
until thew removed to the Diamond, where
thew n,w are. The Office is at present oc-
cunied bv Doctor W. x. TItzei as his
medical office.
SAMUEL A. PURvIAScE.
Much has been spoken aud written oil tne
Hon. Samuel A PuTviance since his death'
But no word of praise or encomium oi hlm,
has ever been too great lie was citizen
of Butler whom ali respected, and all know
ing him will continue TO respect his
memory. This respect arose from the high
character of the man, his pure life, his
private integrity, his public services, and
his honorable bearing in all his intercourse
with his fellow citizens Mr.. Purviance
was a GOOD man. an honest man, and an
enterprising, useful citizen in and TO Butler.
His character was appreciated by the
neople and they made him their repre-
sentative in the State Legislature, 1888.
Previous. 1897, he was chosen member OF
the Convention TO reform the State Con-
stitution, which gave us the Constitution
of 1887 1888. Then he was twice elected
TO Congress, 1854 and 1856. serving with
credit and distinction. lie was attorney
General OF the State for time. when tne
State Constitution was again reformed,
1870 Is73 he WAS sent as a delegate tn
that Convention by the people OF Allegheny
County, in which he then resided. lie
also filled other positions of trust and
honor. In political and public affairs ne
was always active and influential in the
practice Of his profession OF the 10" ne
was always honorable. As man he was
always a gentleman, pleasant and agree
able. m
After serving his time in Congress Mr.
Puryiance removed from here TO Allegheny
CITY. about 1882 where he praeticed his
profession and lived until he died, in Feb
ruary. 1882, in the 74th, year OF his age
DAVID WALKER, ESQ.
ward is due to the memory of Mr. /
David Walker who we have seen was
closely identified with this square, build
ing all the houses upon II except the
Puryiance. now Thompson one. Mr.
Walker was plasterer by trade and also
carried on brick making. He was indus
trious. and about 1850 was one Of the
largest property owners OF the town He
was Justice Of the Peace in the town for
a time. When he left the house he lived in,
below Klingler's mill and now the property
of Mr. James Borland, as stated, his brother,
the late MI. AhLDdIlcl W dihcis "Che ''
live there and also carried on brick making
there. Mr.. Nathaniel Walker was the
father Of our present Capt. Samuel Walker
and Clarence Walker, Esq. Shortly after
this the project of building the i'll fated
North Western Railroad began, about 1853,
and Mr.. David Walker undertook the con
tract of excavating the deep and long cut
on same about mile or two west OF town.
This Railroad enterprise was unfortunate
ana fell. through, about 1855, involving Mr. |
Walker in its failure TO such an extent as
to result In the loss of all his property
here. He returned to and worked at his
trade until the war Of the late Rebellion
broke out. when, 1861, he accompanied
the Butler boys Company II. of the 18th
Regiment, to Kentucky and Tennessee.
Here he was in charge OF the sick in the
hospitals and was otherwise attentive to
and useful to the soldiers. He was
charitable man and always good and |
liberal towards the poor. He died while
in the army ,at Bowling Green, Kentucky, |
in 1862, in the 59th year of his age. HIS
remains we're brought home here Tor
interment. i
The date Of last weeks "Recollections OF
Butler" should have been March instead
of 25
March II, 1891. j. IL. N.