BY ETHEL MANNING
Correspondent
mailto:
SAINT CLAIR - Dr. Claude S. Beck, whose
pioneering surgical techniques would contribute greatly to modern open-heart
surgery, was born here.
So was Admiral Joel T. Boone, World War I
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, witness to the Japanese surrender on
the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, and first director of the Veterans
Administration.
So was John Siney, founder of the
Workingman's Benevolent Association, the first national labor union.
And so was U.S. Rep. T. Timothy Holden, D-6,
the first native of this sesquicentennial borough to be elected to national
office.
Those men were recalled during a night of
pride that this town of 3,524 people has produced so much national prominence,
as 200 people - some dressed in Civil War era garb - paraded down Second Street
to the old borough hall to observe the 150th anniversary of the borough's
incorporation.
Mayor Richard E. Tomko observed that both
Saint Clair and the United States were much different places on April 6, 1850,
when the borough received its charter.
At the time of its incorporation, Saint Clair
had a population of 2,272 people, 400 houses, a post office, a school, a few
churches, a tavern and some other small businesses. Zachary Taylor was
president. He would die in office only three months later and be succeeded by
Millard Fillmore.
Saint Clair's history would parallel that of
many other towns in the anthracite region, growing and flourishing with the
coal industry, then eventually losing some of its population due to
outmigration.
Tomko spoke about the town's national, ethnic
and cultural diversity and noted its deep religious roots are reflected in its
17 churches of many denominations.
John J. McMurtrie, Sesquecentennial
co-chairperson with Cathy L. Covach, read the original charter, dressed as Gov.
William F. Johnston, who presided in Harrisburg when the borough formed in
1850.
Borough Councilman Michael M. McCord unveiled
the cover of the official Saint Clair Sesquicentennial commemorative book,
which should be available for purchase on May 6, the same date as the major
parade honoring the borough's anniversary.
Two flags were presented by the committee to
the borough, a new State flag and an American flag that flew over the nation's
capital.
This Saturday, a dinner-dance will be held at
Pine View Acres with Congressman Holden as guest speaker.
At least one or more sesquicentennial
activities are planned every month ending with a tour of the town's churches in
December.
A crafts show and a town-wide yard sale
scheduled for June 17 and a picnic is planned for Aug. 12.
It is hoped that the parade and picnic in
particular will attract a number of the borough's former residents.
After the ceremonies, Patty Hale, a member of
the activities committee remarked that she was pleased to see the support the
community has given the program so far.
"We're all really proud of the way that
the people of Saint Clair have gotten behind this," said Hale, one of the
costumed marchers.