Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-03-20
MECHLIyG MEADOW.

MECHLlN6 MEADON.
With this last square ends what were the
built up squares of Butler so years ago.
On the opposite, East side Of street from
this last one, was what was then known as
the "Mechling Meadow" on which were
no buildings Of any kind. The "Gilmore
Meadow" on the West side was built upon
a little earlier than the Mechling one. The
present residence Of W. d. Brandon, Esq.
and family was the first break made on the
old Mechling meadow. This meadow ex-
tended from Main street east to Mexican,
and North to the old Borough line, now
East Penn street, containing six or eight
acres. 1t was the favorite place tor foot
ball games or playing, so years and more
ago. About the holidays every year there
was sure to be foot ball match in the
Mechling meadow, largely attended by the
scholars at the old Academy and many
others The meadow was divided by
line as near the middle as could be. Two
parties were made up, with captains and
rules for the play. Both parties assembled
at this middle line. The ball, large one,
was tossed up in the air and the contest
began at its fall, the struggle being ON
each side to get the first kick and the
objective points being the fences at the
north or-sonth ends Of the meadow. Which
ever party got the ball to the fence of the
other first were the victors. These matches
we're often exciting and hotly contested
some times ending in row, possibly a
fight. The penalty paid by the defeated
side was treat for all Of apples, ginger
bread, and cider, to wash it down.
The Brandon residence was, as we have
said the first building put Oh this meadow.
1t was built by the late Mr. Samuel NJ.
Lane about the year 1847. Mr.. Lane sold
the lot and house TO the late Dunlap Me
Laughlin, Esq. 1853, and he sold sane to
the late Mr. James Campbell, about 1855.
Mr. Campbell lived there until his recent
death. Bis son, II. Chalmers Campbell,
Esq and his law, J. ID. McJunkin,
Esq. have their fine residences on parts Of
this lot, on North street.
wfTHERsPooS INSTITUTE
The Witherspoon Institute was we think
the next building on this old meadow; the
Schreiber House being built after it. The
Witherspoon was erected about 1853, under
the auspices of the Presbyterian Church.
The late Rev. DR.. Loyal Young was its
first Principal. Rev David Hall followed
DIR. Young as its Principal. Then follow
ed Rev. j. X. Coulter, Rev. Martin
Ryerson, Rev. John Smalley, Rev. j. s.
BOYD, Rev. Jesse Wells Hamilton, and
finally the late Rev. W. /. Brugh, all as
Principals Of this Institute. During their
time the " itnerspoon was widely known
and useful educational one, turning out
many scholars who have risen To distinc-
ton in many Of the professions, especially
in the Ministry. In 1876, the Witherspoon
was purchased by the English Lutheran
Church Of this place, where that congrega-
ton worship at present and whose property
il still is. Mr.. Brugh made an effort to
have erected more extensive Institute
tnan Tue Olu ohc' iot tihe P"' P"7N PNiS""H
ing ground on what is now called "Insti-
tutc Hill" But the project failed for want
of financial aid. A building however was
erected in which schools were held for some
years, when il became the property oi the
Catholic Church and seminary of that
church is there at present.
From the old Witherspoou, or now Clay
street. on the old Meching meadow are
now the residences Of Mr.. Henry Miller,
Mr.. Kerr Mcbride, Mr. Dal Harvey, DIR.
Zimmerman, Hon. Charles McCandless,
Theodore Huselton, John Huselton, Esq,
and Capt. Samuel Walker, all built in re
cent years.