There's a website (archive.org) that makes available an incredible assortment of local histories that can be downloaded in their original form. I ran across one such book called "Life and Reminiscences of William G. Johnston". Johnston was born at Pittsburgh, PA in 1828 and his book, published in 1901, contains great descriptions of life in that city during its earliest period. He describes, for example the disassembly of Ft. Pitt and the use of the bricks for houses, including the one where he was born.
He mentions that Pittsburgh was a stopping point for many famous persons who were traveling either East or West and, when his father heard that the famous Davy Crockett was stopping there on his way home after serving in Congress he took six year old William to a tavern to meet Crockett. Here's Johnston's description:
Shortly before my sixth birthday, it was my good fortune
to see one who in the annals of Western life will ever
hold a conspicuous place,””David Crockett...........
When I saw him he was on his way to his home in Tennessee, after serving two terms in
Congress, and having just made a tour through New
England, visiting the principal Eastern cities, and receiving
marked attention at the hands of many eminent
men. It was on the afternoon of a Sunday in the early
part of July, 1834, that I saw him. My father had
learned of his arrival by stage on the evening previous,
and took me to see him at his stopping-place, a tavern
at the corner of Market and Second Streets,........
Entering the large apartment used for the double
purpose of barroom and gentlemen’s parlor, we found
Crockett seated near a window conversing with a group
of citizens, who, either through curiosity, or from a desire
to pay their respects to the renowned visitor, had
called.
In the chimney-corner, near where he sat, stood a fine
rifle, of which he was proud. It was a present from
some Philadelphians, and had been made specially to
order for his use, and in such fashion as met his desires.
Doubtless it was the same weapon which about two years
later””March, 1836””Crockett used with such terrible
execution in the Alamo at San Antonio..........
"Life and Reminiscences of William G. Johnston"
Pittsburgh, 1901, pp. 46-47.
He mentions that Pittsburgh was a stopping point for many famous persons who were traveling either East or West and, when his father heard that the famous Davy Crockett was stopping there on his way home after serving in Congress he took six year old William to a tavern to meet Crockett. Here's Johnston's description:
Shortly before my sixth birthday, it was my good fortune
to see one who in the annals of Western life will ever
hold a conspicuous place,””David Crockett...........
When I saw him he was on his way to his home in Tennessee, after serving two terms in
Congress, and having just made a tour through New
England, visiting the principal Eastern cities, and receiving
marked attention at the hands of many eminent
men. It was on the afternoon of a Sunday in the early
part of July, 1834, that I saw him. My father had
learned of his arrival by stage on the evening previous,
and took me to see him at his stopping-place, a tavern
at the corner of Market and Second Streets,........
Entering the large apartment used for the double
purpose of barroom and gentlemen’s parlor, we found
Crockett seated near a window conversing with a group
of citizens, who, either through curiosity, or from a desire
to pay their respects to the renowned visitor, had
called.
In the chimney-corner, near where he sat, stood a fine
rifle, of which he was proud. It was a present from
some Philadelphians, and had been made specially to
order for his use, and in such fashion as met his desires.
Doubtless it was the same weapon which about two years
later””March, 1836””Crockett used with such terrible
execution in the Alamo at San Antonio..........
"Life and Reminiscences of William G. Johnston"
Pittsburgh, 1901, pp. 46-47.
