USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The town and city of Waterbury, Connecticut, from the aboriginal period to the year eighteen hundred and ninety-five. Volume II > Part 17
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With the exception of one year, Waterbury has always been represented on the board of directors of the New York and New England Railroad company. The Hon. F. J. Kingsbury was a mem- ber of the board from the organization of the company in 1873 to 1887, and David S. Plume has been a member since December, 1888.
THE MERIDEN BRANCH.
Early in 1887 the subject of railroad connections between Water- bury and the Connecticut river by the way of Meriden began to be seriously discussed. The plan proposed was to construct a railroad which should be an extension of the Meriden and Cromwell line. A meeting for organization was held in May, and the following directors were chosen :
Horace C. Wilcox, George R. Curtiss, Adoniram Chamberlain, C. L. Rockwell and Samuel Dodds of Meriden, and Henry L. Wade, Henry A. Matthews, Edward D. Steele and Charles Dickinson of Waterbury.
Mr. Wilcox was elected president.
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The railroad company was incorporated on June 11, 1888, and began to do business under the new name of the Meriden, Water- bury and Connecti- cut River railroad. The formal opening of the road took place on July 4, on which day two ex- cursion trains were run between the two cities. Trains began to run regularly on July 10 between the MERIDEN, WATERBURY AND CONNECTICUT RIVER RAILROAD STATION, 1890. Dublin street station and Meriden. The extension of the new rail- road across the city to the New York and New England station was begun in April, 1888, and completed in January following.
In 1892 the road passed into the control of the New York and New England Railroad company.
THE UNION STATION.
The comment made in 1857 upon the local station of the Nauga- tuck railroad-that it was "a meagre affair, by no means commensu- rate with the wants of the place "-has frequently been repeated, in substance, with reference to the building which succeeded it ten years later. The station of the New York and New England rail- road is still more open to the same criticism. This condition of things, together with the inconvenience of having railroad stations at a distance from one another in the same city, led to the sugges- tion, some years ago, that a union station should be built as soon as possible. Action was taken by the city, and elaborate surveys were made, with reference to locating the new station and at the same time abolishing grade crossings. The railroad companies, however, felt that to make such a change would be to take upon themselves a heavy burden and accordingly sought a postponement of the undertaking. The postponement has extended through several years, with occasional conferences between the railroad commis- sioners and the city authorities on the one hand and the attorneys and officers of the railroad companies on the other. At an inter- view held on September 11, 1894, a petition for paralleling the tracks of the two railroads was also presented, but the representa- tives of the railroads claimed that there was no evidence to show that public necessity and convenience required that the changes involved in such a scheme should be made. The commissioners dis- missed the petition for paralleling the tracks, but ordered the rail-
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roads to build a union station. It was understood that the railroads could agree upon plans within the space of three months, and that work upon the new station should begin early in 1895.
GEORGE W. BEACH.
George Wells Beach, son of Sharon Yale and Adeline (Sperry) Beach, was born at Humphreysville, now Seymour, August 18, 1833. He was educated at the schools of Seymour, and in 1850 entered the service of the Naugatuck railroad in his native place as a clerk. He has been connected with the railroad ever since as agent, con- ductor, general ticket agent and superintendent. He resided in Naugatuck from 1855 to 1857, and since that time in Waterbury. While in Naugatuck he served as registrar and clerk of the board of. education; in Waterbury he has been a councilman, a police commissioner and postmaster. He was a representative to the General Assembly in 1870-71. He was superintendent of the Naug- atuck railroad from 1868 to 1887, when the road was leased to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad company, and con- tinued in service as superintendent of the division. In 1893 he was elected president of the American Society of Railroad Superin- tendents. He has been active in church work, having been Sun- day-school superintendent and deacon in the First Congregational church, and committeeman of the First Congregational society for many years. He was one of the early presidents of the Young Men's Christian association of Waterbury, and was for some time connected with the state work of the Christian associations. He has been active in the management of the Waterbury hospital, having served as one of the executive committee from the time of its incorporation.
On October 4, 1855, Mr. Beach married Sarah Upson of Seymour, who died January 24, 1882, leaving two sons, Henry Dayton and Edward Anderson. On April 2, 1883, Mr. Beach married Mrs. Sarah (Steele) Blackall of New York city.
Henry D. Beach entered the service of the Naugatuck railroad in 1877. He served as ticket clerk, fireman, engineer and superin- tendent of motive power and rolling stock, and in 1886 was ap- pointed assistant superintendent. Since 1883 he has resided in Bridgeport, and since April, 1888, has been signal engineer of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad.
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
A few months subsequent to the opening of the Naugatuck rail- road, that is, on September 24, 1849, the Adams Express company
HISTORY OF WATPENVEY
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ruade to build a union station. It was understood that the railroads chubl ore upon phims within the space of three months, and that work spa the new station - hond begin early in 1895.
ANCHE Y. PFACH
Tree Welle Bagel, son of Sharon Yale and Adeline (Sperry) dr ass fun at Humphreysyine, now Seyinour, August 18., 1835 Its unserer at the schools of Sayingatt, and in 1850 entered the ervice of the Naugatuck railroad in his native plane as a clerk. Hehas been connected with the railroad ever since as agent, con- Huétor general ticket agyőr aud superintendent. He resided in Saugatuck from wir to al war ware that time in Waterbury. While in Naugatuck be ssevist as regl tror and clerk of the board Mbo E & monchiman. a police WwwyouGive to the
Mi Yas myeik ons of the Naug-
Non: 1888 to 1887, when the road was leaved tu the For, New Haven and 3LeiMan Rilind company, soll con- pimed in service as superintendent of the disaster. In lays he was @Tected president of the American Society of Railroad Superin- tendents. He has been active in church work, having been Sun- day- chool superintendent and deacon in the First Congregational Durch, and committeeman of the First Congregational society for ony veurs. He was one of the early presidents of the Young Men !. Christuo association of Waterbury, and was for some time wed With the state work of the Christian associations. He the management of the Waterbury hospital, Berg wratis me of the executive committee frout the time of
96 Dighet 4, 165, Mr. Beach married Sarah Upson of Seymour, Mor died Jungágy :4, 1882, leaving two sons, Henry Dayton and Anderson, Of April = 1883, My: Beach nn rried Mes. Sarah Tackali of New York city.
Wepri Li Beagh entered the service of the Naugatuck railroad um lie served as ticket clerk, fireman engineer and superin- of motive power aml rolling stock, and in 1886 was ap assistant superintendent, Since 1883 he has resided in Fridgepurt, and since April, ($88, has been signal engineer of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad.
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
A few months subsequent to the opening of the Naugatuck rail ruud. that is, An September 24, 1849, the :\dams Express company
7. 2 Black
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began business in Waterbury. The first agent was David S. Law. E. M. Hardy, who was previously a messenger of the company, was made agent in 1865, and held the position until shortly before his death. He was succeeded on January 1, 1887, by Frank C. Rice, who served until October, 1890. Mr. Rice was transferred to Boston, and Thomas C. Taft, who had been cashier in the Waterbury office from 1883 to 1889, was appointed agent, and continues to hold the posi- tion at the present date. The first office of the Adams Express com- pany was on East Main street, near the corner of North Main. It was afterward transferred to the corner of East Main and Exchange place, and since the erection of the present Naugatuck railroad station (1867) has been located in that building. Four wagons and six horses are required to do the work of the company, which is limited to the Naugatuck and Watertown railroads.
The Merchants' Union Express company was established in 1868. Their office was on the west side of Exchange place.
The Erie and New England Express company had an office at the station of the New York and New England railroad from May, 1882, to May, 1883. Its business, which employed two wagons, was limited to the New England railroad and its branches.
The United States Express company (organized in New York city in 1854, and doing business chiefly in the West) secured a foot- hold in New England in 1887, and opened an office in Waterbury in January, 1888. For the first three years Elmer E. Parker was the Waterbury agent. He was followed by J. W. Hale, J. L. Ells, and H. C. Burton, successively, and on August 28, 1893, by Charles H. Lighte, who now occupies the position. In the autumn of 1892, bids were put in for express privileges on the New York and New Eng- land railroad, which had been made use of, up to that time, by the Adams Express company. The chief competitors were the United States and the American Express companies. The American Express company secured the privilege for a time, but the United States company claimed the right of way. The matter was brought before the courts, and after considerable litigation a decision in favor of the United States Express company was rendered May 1, 1894. The first office of the company was at 175 Bank street, above Grand. In January, 1891, it was removed to No. 247, in the same street, and three years later to No. 227. At the beginning one team was suffi- cient to do the work, but in 1894 four teams are required and a force of eight men.
The American Express company opened an office on Bank street December 1, 1892, taking charge of the express business on the New York and New England railroad, which was formerly man-
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aged by the Adams Express company. J. W. Hale, of Cornwall, was appointed agent. Three horses and five men constituted the force. About April 1, 1893, the company gave up the Waterbury branch of the business for reasons indicated above.
E. M. HARDY.
Elijah Marble Hardy, eldest child of Abner H. and Asenath (Perhanı) Hardy, was born in Hopkinton, Mass., April 15, 1813. From 1819 to 1834 he lived in Westborough, Mass. He received his early education in the district schools and in a select school. In 1836, in company with two others he started a planing mill in Bos- ton. A few months later he became a clerk in the meat and provis- ion business in Faneuil Hall market. In 1844 he removed to Hart- ford, and entered the service of Phillips & Co., who conducted an express business which was afterward merged in the Adams Ex- press company. In the autumn of 1855 he was appointed to a position in that company in Waterbury, and continued in its ser- vice during the remainder of his life.
On July 4, 1841, Mr. Hardy married Maria, daughter of John and Rebecca (Teale) Marshall, of St. George (now Port Clyde), Me. Their children were Edmund Marshall, born September 12, 1843, died in infancy; Ella Maria, born March 7, 1847; Lucy Brigham, born March 13, 1853, married Charles H. Hoadley; Elijah Marble, Jr., born July 20, 1857. Mr. Hardy died in Waterbury January 24, 1887. Mrs. Hardy survived him until March 14, 1894.
THE TELEGRAPH IN WATERBURY.
The first electric telegraph line, extending from Washington to Baltimore, was erected in 1844. Five years later, a line was con- structed by Elisha Wilson between New York and Boston, which passed through Bridgeport and New Haven and extended to Water- bury. This was four years before the incorporation of the city.
The first telegraph office in Waterbury was situated in the Leav- enworth building, and was under the charge of Wales B. Lounsbury. In the Waterbury American of March 26, 1852, the new mode of inter- communication was advertised as follows:
Conversations will be written off by request, the number of words not counted: charge only for time occupied; fifteen cents for five minutes, and one cent each min- ute over, where persons meet by their own appointment. All intercourse perfectly confidential and strictly private. Those who will try it will find this cheaper and easier than writing by mail, and far more satisfactory.
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In 1854 the office was in the room of the Young Men's institute in Hotchkiss block (now Irving block), and was in charge of Ever- ett Hurlburt. In 1855, until September, C. D. Bailey, a confectioner, was in charge of the office, but at that time it was removed to a small store in the old Franklin building, and Asaph Hodges was put in charge. In February, 1856, it was removed to the office of Richards & Mattoon, in Baldwin's block, and in August of the same year to the Adams Express office in the Franklin building on the corner of Exchange place and East Main street, and placed in charge of W. H. K. Godfrey.
The Wilson line was bought out in 1858 by the American Tele- graph company. The first office opened by this company was in the book store of J. H. Smith, on the corner of Centre square and Exchange place. Frederick J. Grace was the first manager, and was succeeded by Mr. Godfrey, who was in turn succeeded in 1863 by C. H. Stancliff, the present manager of the Western Union office. Upon the purchase of the Wilson line, in April, 1858, the office was removed to the Adams Express office, and in 1863 to the Franklin building. The American Telegraph company became consolidated with the Western Union Telegraph company in July, I866.
In 1868 the Franklin Telegraph company opened an office in Cotter's harness store, on Exchange place, with C. W. Crocker as manager. He was succeeded in 1872 by George W. Conner, who afterwards became the proprietor of the New Haven and Water- bury stage line. The Franklin company was absorbed by the Atlan- tic and Pacific Telegraph company in 1875. This last named organ- ization was bought out by the Western Union company in Decem- ber, 1877.
In 1880, the Mutual Union Telegraph company established an office in the Scovill House, with W. A. Sawyer as manager. The office was afterwards removed to the corner of Exchange place and West Main streets. The Mutual Union company became consolida- ted with the Western Union in June, 1883, at which time the West- ern Union company removed to the office previously occupied by the Mutual Union. In 1893 the Western Union Telegraph company and the American District Telegraph company removed to a new office at No. 5 East Main street, which they occupied jointly. C. H. Stancliff is the manager of the Western Union company, as he has been since its establishment in Waterbury.
The Bankers and Merchants' (known also as the American Rapid) Telegraph company opened an office with the Waterbury District Telegraph company on South Main street in 1883, with W. A. Sawyer as manager. It gave up business in November, 1884.
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In 1885, the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph company opened an office in the Rink building, on the southwest corner of Bank and Grand streets, with George Oridge as manager. This company became the property of the Western Union company in 1887.
On November 1, 1887, the Postal Telegraph Cable company was established in Waterbury. Mrs. Addie Churchill acted in the capac- ity of manager and operator, employing but one messenger. In 1890 Mrs. Churchill resigned, and C. A. Adams was appointed to the position of manager, which he still fills. The force employed now consists of manager, operator and three messengers.
THE POST-OFFICE.
The post-office in Waterbury was established in 1803 or a short time previous. Colonel William Leavenworth was the first post- master, coming into office January 1, 1803. Before this, the post- office at New Haven was chiefly used by the people of Water- bury, the mail being carried on horseback from New Haven to Litchfield. Horace Hotchkiss, in a paper of "Reminiscences " pre- pared for the Mattatuck Historical Society, says:
As to Waterbury's mail facilities, I have heard my father say that before the present century a weekly mail was brought on horseback from the more important town of Woodbury, the nearest point on the main mail route. . About 1820, the mail was brought in a four-horse coach, three days in a week, each way. "Bun- nell " drove the stage, and entered the town with great flourish of whip and blast of horn, knowing well that he thus gave notice of the most important event of the week. Dr. Leavenworth was postmaster, and there are some who can remember the long time of waiting that was required while the knots of the twine securing the various packages were carefully untied, and the strings laid away for future use, before the letters could be distributed.
The office at first was in Colonel Leavenworth's house, just west of the Citizens' bank, but was afterwards removed to his store, near by. Colonel Leavenworth was succeeded on November 19, 1810, by William K. Lampson, and he by Sherman Clark on April 26, 1815. Mr. Lampson served again from January 11, 1816, to August 7, 1819, when he was succeeded by Dr. Frederick Leavenworth. About 1830 the office was removed from the small wooden building near the Citizens' bank to the site now occupied by Irving block, and in 1835 to the store of C. D. Kingsbury on Exchange place (now owned by the heirs of Samuel Atwater). In 1837 it was transferred to a building erected for it by Dr. Leavenworth on Bank street, on the spot where Bohl's block now stands. Dr. Leavenworth died in 1840, and Elisha Leavenworth, his son, succeeded him, coming into office
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on May 28 of the same year. In an "interview" published in the Waterbury American of May 19, 1892-at the time of the demolition of the building just mentioned-Mr. Leavenworth gave the follow- ing reminiscences in regard to it:
The old wooden building on Bank street, was erected in 1836, on land purchased at the time for $500. The timber for the frame was of home growth, and the rough, round logs were hewn into shape with the broad-axe on the Green, directly in front of the present site of the First Congregational church. There were no eity by-laws and police regulations then to restrain any one, and people were much in the habit of using the highways as best suited their convenience. Neither were there any railroads, or any lumber dealers in the vicinity, and much of the material used in the construction of the building was drawn over the hills from Middletown. In 1837 the post-office was placed in the Bank street end of the building, and the year following it was removed to the South Main street front, where it remained until 1849 .* That was the year of General Taylor's accession to the presidency of the United States.
The first list of letters advertised in the American appeared in its fourth issue, January 4, 1845. It was headed, "Letters Remaining in the Post Office at Waterbury, January 1, 1845." Among the familiar names included in the fifty-six that comprise the list are P. W. Carter, Samuel A. Castle, Almon Farrel, Alfred Platt and Horace Porter. All letters not called for within three months were to be sent to the general post-office.
Mr. Leavenworth was succeeded, June 6, 1849, by David S. Law, a tailor, who removed the office from South Main street to the corner of West Main and Exchange place. The receipts for 1849 were $2283, and the salary of the postmaster was $1764. In that year the Naugatuck railroad commenced carrying the mail. July 1, 1851, is a day made memorable in America by the act establish- ing cheap postage. The list of letters advertised three days after- ward, in the Waterbury American, numbered 334.
On the death of Mr. Law, Elisha Leavenworth was again ap- pointed postmaster (June 22, 1853). This time he retained the office about eight years, and was succeeded on Lincoln's accession to the presidency, May 16, 1861, by Calvin H. Carter. It was during Mr. Carter's term of office, November 25, 1861, that the largest letter mail ever dispatched from Waterbury was sent out. The daily average of letters sent and received was much larger than at any former period.
Charles W. Gillette was the next postmaster, having been appointed to the position on May 11, 1863. At this time two clerks were needed to do the work, and the office was removed to where
* It there (as some one else adds) " took up a small section of the north counter in Mr. Leavenworth's drug store-the only store of the kind in town."
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the L. S. Bronson block now stands. In 1864 Joseph Colton was appointed a messenger, and local boxes were placed in different parts of the city. In that year the money-order system went into effect in Waterbury.
On August 27, 1866, Mr. Gillette was succeeded by George W. Beach. Mr. Beach retained the office but a few months, when he was succeeded (March 11, 1867) by John J. Jacques, who in turn gave place to his chief clerk, John W. Hill, on June 8, 1869. During Dr. Jacques' term of service the post-office was enlarged and improved. At the time of Mr. Hill's appointment there were two clerks and an assistant. Many improvements were made during his term, among them being the introduction of lock boxes and the establishment of the carrier system. The carrying of Sunday mails was also begun. In 1870 the post-office was removed to its present location in E. R. Lampson's building. The new office was opened for business on July 4, at which time the new lock boxes, made by the Scovill Manufacturing company, were introduced, to the number of 1480. The South Main street entrance was opened on August 9. The first money orders from Waterbury for Great Britain and Ireland were issued October 2, 1871. Postal notes were introduced in 1883. On October 1, 1884, free postal delivery was inaugurated, five carriers having been appointed, as follows : Charles W. Hotchkiss, John A. Edmundson, Thomas D. Reid, John J. Kunkel and Charles E. Judd. In December, 1886, Jeremiah Shee- han was added to the list. The special delivery system was intro- duced October 1, 1885.
During the last ten years of Mr. Hill's term of service the busi- ness of the post-office was greatly enlarged. The registered-letter system alone increased from less than five hundred to nearly ten thousand pieces per quarter, so that the entire time of two clerks was required to attend to it. The office force of clerks was increased in 1886 to eight. At the beginning of Mr. Hill's term the entire receipts of the office from the sale of stamps, stamped envelopes and box rents were about $10,000; at the close of his term they were almost $30,000, and constantly increasing.
Charles C. Commerford was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland on February 8, 1886, and assumed his official duties on March 14. In 1888 the subject of a government building for Water- bury was agitated. On March 9 of that year a committee appointed for the purpose visited Washington and presented a petition for the erection in Waterbury by the government of a building that should cost $100,000. A bill providing for such a building passed the Senate during the session of 1888 and also at the succeeding
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session, but failed to pass the House of Representatives, in fact never reached a vote there.
In February, 1890, Colonel John B. Doherty was nominated for postmaster and took office on March 17. On July I following, the Waterbury post-office was advanced to the "first class " rank. On June 8, 1891, Colonel Doherty's salary was increased to $3100, the receipts having reached over $45,000. On March 16, 1890, there were eight clerks and ten carriers in the office. During Colonel Doher- ty's term the force was increased to ten clerks, thirteen carriers and one substitute carrier. Delivery by carriers was extended so as to cover the entire city, as well as some of the more thickly set- tled districts beyond the city limits. During this period Waterbury took her place among the first twenty American cities sending out registered mail, the only city in New England that exceeded her in this respect being Boston. In January, 1891, the letter carriers formed an organization and applied for a charter connecting them with the National Association of Letter Carriers of the United States. On December 1, 1892, the office was rearranged under the supervision of the postmaster and the post-office inspector in charge, George S. Evans of Boston. The South Main street entrance was closed at this time, and the entire first floor was leased by the government at an annual rental of $2675.
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