Railroad Riots in Erie; Bridges Destroyed December 9, 1853

One of the most interesting and irritating episodes that became interwoven with the administration of Governor James Pollock was what was then known as the Erie Riots.

Pollock was seriously handicapped at the outset of his administration by the only Know Nothing Legislature in the history of the State. Nothing constructive came out of this session, but a movement was begun which led to the sale of the Main Line of the public works. In this the Governor was a strong advocate, and two years later the Legislature passed the enabling acts by which the Pennsylvania Railroad Company became the purchaser.

The Erie and Northwestern Railroad Company had built a short line to connect with the New York Central at Buffalo, and with the Lake Shore Line at Erie, by which a continuous railway line was made to the West. The several railroads at that time did not have uniform gauge, and the road west of Erie was of a different gauge than those east of that city, which was the most important connecting point; and all passengers and traffic were required to be transferred at Erie.

The necessities of the growing commerce required that the causes of this detention in transfer should be removed, both on account of the delay and the cost of handling of the freight, and the annoyance to the 864passengers in changing cars, all of which was because there was a difference of one or two inches in the gauge of the rails of the two lines.

The railroads therefore changed the gauge. This action aroused the hostility of the people of the city of Erie, whose sympathies the railway company seemed to have generally alienated and the battle progressed little by little until the entire community became involved in one of the mostmost disgraceful local conflicts of the history of Pennsylvania.

On December 9, 1853, two railroad bridges and many crossings were destroyed by a mob of women, and a great parade of the rioters was held amid the shouts of their sympathizers and jeers of their opponents.

The people, however, were not all on one side. They were in fact, about equally divided.

The contending forces were popularly known as “Rippers” and “Shanghais.” The former term was applied to those who favored the break of the gauge, as they repeatedly ripped up the tracks of the road.

This contest continued for several years and so completely inflamed the entire community that the prominent citizens became divided on the issue and ceased all social intercourse. They even carried that feeling so far that they would not worship at the same church.

Erie was an important county, and although reliably Whig, all political ties were disregarded and only those could be elected to the Legislature who would work for the repeal of the charter of the Erie and Northwestern Road.

After a long and bitter conflict the bill transferring the custody of the road to the State was passed and approved by Governor Pollock. The charter powers passed to the Commonwealth and the road in consequence was operated by State authorities.

The Governor appointed ex-Congressman Joseph Casey as State superintendent to operate the road. After struggling for a few months in vain efforts to harmonize the people and to maintain an open line of communication between the East and West, he resigned in disgust.

Governor Pollock then appointed General William F. Small, of Philadelphia, a veteran of the Mexican War and an experienced member of the State Senate, in the expectation that he would be able to calm down the belligerents and operate the line. After a few weeks on the job he resigned. The Governor urged his close friend, Colonel Alexander K. McClure, of Philadelphia, but formerly of Chambersburg, to assume the uninviting task.

Colonel McClure was given full authority to handle the situation as he thought best. He went to Erie and soon won the confidence of leaders of both factions, with many of whom he already had personal acquaintance.

Lined up against the railroad were such men of importance as Judge James Thompson, afterward Chief Justice of the State; State Senator 865James Skinner, Mr. Morrow B. Lowrey, later a member of the State Senate, and a large number of men prominent in the business circles of the city.

On the other side were men of like distinction, such as John H. Walker, former State Senator and president of the last Constitutional Convention; Senator J. B. Johnson, who was also editor of the Constitution, one of the leading papers of the city; Milton C. Courtright, a principal stockholder of the railroad company, and many others.

Each faction entertained Colonel McClure. The city was in distress; even its population had dwindled to about 5000. Business was at a standstill. The only question discussed in the home, shop, store, church or on the street was the railroad issue.

Colonel McClure endeavored to hold conferences with the leaders, but when one faction was willing to attend the other rebelled and vice versa. Finally he worked out a plan by which it appeared the road could be operated without interference.

Colonel McClure started East on a vacation, but only two days later received a dispatch stating that rioting had again broken out afresh, that Senator Johnson’s printing office had been destroyed and the materials burned in a bonfire on the street.

McClure returned and immediately got into communication with the leaders. It was learned that the mob spirit was to blame; the leaders had endeavored to restrain them, but without avail.

Colonel McClure determined that no further efforts be made to harmonize the difficulty but that he would operate the road if it required a soldier upon every cross-tie to protect the property, whether the offenders wore trousers or petticoats.

Two leaders of each faction were invited to the Colonel’s room without either knowing the others were invited. Judge Thompson arrived on the hour, and soon ex-Senator Walker entered. Walker and Courtright on the one side and Thompson and Skinner on the other had had no social, business or personal intercourse for more than a year.

With unusual diplomacy Colonel McClure induced these leaders to shake hands and drink a friendly glass with him. Soon the others arrived and then before many moments the five were enjoying the genial hospitality of the colonel and the best supper that Brown’s Hotel could furnish. A game of cards was enjoyed until the sun appeared in the morning, when they all shook hands, each repaired to his own home and the Erie riots became only a bit of the history of Pennsylvania.

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