USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Albany bi-centennial. Historical memoirs > Part 19
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Albany's fame does not rest, like that of many cities, upon some one brilliant event or achievement, but upon a series of events, which constitute its history. Although our city has figured rather prominently in the colonial and revolu- tionary wars, yet its inhabitants have never seen a besieging army encamped about it. All hostile commanders who have ever commenced a campaign with this city as their destina- tion have only entered it as a prisoner of war instead of as a conqueror at the head of a victorious army.
In a few short months our city will celebrate its two hun- dredth birthday, and, as was done one hundred years ago, the matter was referred to the common council, and as the centennial celebration of the city's incorporation was the greatest affair of the kind ever witnessed in this country at the time, so it is intended to make the Bi-centennial no ex- ception to the rule. Many plans have been devised and submitted to the committee appointed, and of these the best have been chosen and amended and a programme made . out, which, according to report, will eclipse any preceding affair of a similar nature and be second only to the great centennial celebration at Philadelphia in 1876.
COHOTATEA.
GRAND PARADE OF MANUFACTURERS, TRADESMEN AND MECHANICS.
TRADES' DAY PARADE.
Gen. Warner issued the following general orders : HEADQUARTERS TRADES' DAY PARADE, ALBANY, July 15, 1886.
General Orders No. 6 :
I. The route of march will be as follows: State, North Pearl, Clinton avenue, Lexington avenue, Washington avenue, Eagle, State, Willett, Hudson avenue to Broadway.
II. First division, Capt. Thomas J. Dowling, assist- ant marshal, in charge, will form on west side of North
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Broadway, right resting on State street. Second division, Major Lewis Balch, assistant marshal, in charge, will form on east side of South Broadway, right resting on State street. Third division, Col. Alexander Strain, assistant marshal, in charge, will form on Green street, right resting on State street. Fourth division, Capt. Morton H. Havens, assistant marshal, in charge, will form on James street, right resting on State street. Fifth division, Capt. Fred W. Sarauw, assistant marshal, in charge, will form on south side of State street, continuing down Eagle street, right resting on Pearl street.
III. The column will move promptly at three P. M., whether the formation is complete or not.
IV. The assistant marshals of the second, third, fourth and fifth divisions should assemble their divisions at one P. M., to afford ample time for proper formation. The assistant marshal of the first division should assemble his division at two P. M. The various parties forming the column are requested to join their respective divisions from the left, to avoid confusion.
V. The following staff is hereby announced : Capt. Harry C. Cushman, William M. Whitney, Jr., E. R. Perry, Guy Baker, E. A. Kellogg, Newton Dexter, George D. Herrick, aides. The staff will report, mounted, Monday, July 19, at one P. M., at headquarters, 480 Broadway.
By order of
GENERAL JAMES M. WARNER, Marshal.
GEO. H. TREADWELL, Assistant Marshal.
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The title trades' parade did not sound very inviting, perhaps, and the general public did not know quite what to expect. Such an elaborate and artistic array, and such a marshaling of brawn and muscle in serried ranks, no one was at all prepared for.
Marshal Warner took command, and he had the assistance of a capable staff. He had given his word that the column should move at three o'clock, and although at five minutes of that hour wagons were streaming in from every street, the hands of the clock had traveled but a short distance when the first division, composed of men on foot, marched down Broadway and up State street. Division after division fell into line rapidly and in order, and the only break in the entire procession were those caused occasion- ally by balky horses. The route of march was carried out as printed, the line passing from State to Pearl, from Pearl to Clinton avenue, to Lexington avenue, to Washington avenue, to Eagle, to State, to Willett, to Hudson avenue, to Broadway. The column was an hour and twenty-five minutes in passing a given spot, and the first division had reached the point of dismissal as the last wagon wheeled into Pearl street.
FEATURES OF THE PARADE.
It is doubtful if a larger crowd has ever been seen in the streets of Albany. Some of the enterprising merchants threw their wares broadcast or distributed prizes for advertisements. Cakes of soap were thrown directly into the crowds, regardless of whether they landed on a twenty dollar bonnet or in the out-
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stretched hand of a dirty ragamuffin. A baker tossed from his oven bread and cakes; confectioners and pop-corn makers bombarded the crowds with their sweetmeats ; a clothier threw balls for those who could catch them, and a music publisher dropped from his wagon dainty rolls of music. And then what a scramble there was.
THE FIRST DIVISION.
MECHANICS AND ARTISANS MARCHING TO MARTIAL MUSIC.
At the head of the first division rode the marshal, Gen. James M. Warner, with his efficient chief of staff, Major George H. Treadwell and the following staff : Capt. Harry C. Cushman, William M. Whitney, Jr., E. R. Perry, Guy Baker, E. A. Kellogg, Newton Dexter and George D. Herrick.
The first division, consisting of Knights of Labor, trades unions and labor organizations, formed on the east side of North Broadway, right resting on State street. Marshal Dowling divided his division into four sub-divisions, as follows :
First - carpenters, machine wood-workers, shoe- makers, building protective association, morocco- dressers.
Second - painters, paper-hangers, Franklin associ- ation.
Third-cigarmakers, coopers, gas and steam-fitters, plumbers, tinsmiths.
Fourth - masons, masons' helpers, tailors, stove- molders and polishers, Albany workingmen's assembly.
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The following was the order :
Marshal Thomas J. Dowling and staff, Tenth Regi- ment band, with twenty-one pieces.
Capital City assembly, No. 3,194, carpenters and joiners, with six hundred and eighty men under command of Wm. Van Amburgh. Twenty-six of the men are known as pioneers and wore white shirts and carried broadaxes.
Roger's assembly, No. 7585, carpenters, with A. G. Fisher in command, and thirty-five men in line.
Arcanum assembly, Nos. 2613 and 2739, shoe- makers, John Coleman in command, and one hundred and thirty men in line.
Dongola assembly, No. 4725, wool and leather dressers, Charles Rapp in command, and eighty men in line.
Iron Workers' assembly, No. 4411, Samuel Watson in command, and three hundred and twenty-five men in line.
Sons of Veterans drum corps of twenty men.
Painters' assembly, with J. H. Quigley in command, and two hundred and fifty men in line.
Franklin association, with F. J. Bahrend in com- mand, and five hundred men in line.
A float manned by M. L. Ryder.
Liberty band of eighteen pieces.
Cigarmakers' union, with M. Stern in command, and four hundred and fifty men in line.
Enterprise assembly, No. 5017, gas and steamfitters, with John T. Donovan in command, and thirty-six men in line.
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Plumbers' union, with R. M. Stafford in command, and seventy men in line.
Tin Plate assembly No. 4875, with sixty men in line. Drum corps with seven men.
Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers' assembly, No. 6, with John H. Buchanan in command, and three hundred and twenty men in line.
Masons' Laborers' union, with J. La Prez in com- mand, and one hundred and two men in line.
Beaverwyck assembly, No. 3859, tailors, with M. J. McManus in command, and one hundred and fifty men in line.
Drum corps with five men.
Stove Mounters and Pattern Workers' assembly, No. 6129, in command of George Degnan, with two hundred men in line.
Stove Polishers, in command of Conrad Ewald, with sixty men in line.
Albany Workingmen's assembly, with G. W. Per- kins in command, and forty men in line.
THE SECOND DIVISION.
ENTERPRISING MERCHANTS SHOW THEIR TASTE AT DECORATION.
The second division under the command of Mar- shall Balch and Adjutant Judson and their aids, C. F. Van Benthuysen and C. M. Van Heusen, formed on South Broadway, right resting on State street. The Travelers' Protective association had the right of line and the men of the grip appeared in regulation travel- ing costume. They were upwards of one hundred
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strong and made a fine appearance. Following them came a large trunk carried by four colored porters. The trunk was labeled with this legend: "Der Drummer am der most innocent man in der world." Then there was a wagon tastily decorated, on the side of which was a scene representing a traveling agent just arriving in town, and behind was the query : " Is the Buyer In."
One of the quaintest conceits in this division was contributed by Joseph Fearey & Son, the well-known shoe manufacturers. It was an illustration of the old woman known so well from nursery rhymes, " who lived in a shoe; she had so many children she did not know what to do." On a large float was the shoe, spacious enough for a good sized family. There was the old woman, while around her, perched in every crevice in the dilapidated piece of footwear were urchins, fully a score in all, and ranging in size from a well-grown boy to those hardly more than babies. It was an excellent idea, well carried out in the float. It attracted general notice and favorable comment all along the line.
Next came Stephens & Sons large fruit delivery truck, drawn by a pair of fine horses. The truck was handsomely decorated. Tracy & Wilson followed with a large float, illustrating the business of the Capital City mills. The wagon was profusely orna- mented, and had above it a handsome canopy. On the float were large boxes of coffee and other groceries. Hart & Young turned out their delivery wagons prettily decorated. A fine, large wagon of hay, straw, oats and feed illustrated the business of S. Vroman.
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David S. Brown & Co., of New York, manufac- turers of satin gloss soap, had a very large and costly covered wagon that was a perfect gem. During the procession samples of the soap were thrown among the crowd and eagerly grabbed by the hoodlums, who, as a member of the Bi-centennial committee suggested, certainly needed a little soaping.
The Electric Carpet Cleaning company had in line their delivery wagons filled with carpets.
While the line was forming on South Broadway, the great Indian of J. W. Stevens & Co., the tobacco- nist, which had been placed in front of the second story with a large American flag in the background, attracted general attention.
The business of C. Kirchner, wood yard, was represented by delivery wagons trimmed with trees to show the source whence he derived his supply of wood. A very pretty float was the verdict over the display made by J. Blocksidge, decorator and house painter. The wagon was canopied and covered on all sides with canvass, on which pretty signs were painted and on the sides were the British coat-of-arms and the American shield.
Jacobs & Proctor's Shetland ponies came next and caught the eyes of the little ones. Saul, the clothier, next came with a fine covered wagon. The Albany pickle works had a very tasty wagon with bright painted kegs. The next float illustrated how a blind man can make brooms. It represented Sol Pohly, the blind broom manufacturer who was a graduate of the New York State Institute for the Blind at Batavia. On the float was a quantity of broom corn and broom ma-
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chines. During the parade Sol operated a machine and completed part of the process of manufacture. Cleveland's Superior Baking Powder company had five wagons in line. Two were sampling wagons and three delivery wagons. One of the latter was very tasty, a large platform being piled up with the baking powder boxes in pyramid shape. Eugene Duncan called the attention of the people to his laundry business by his two fine delivery wagons. Lansing Brothers showed samples of crockery tastily arranged. Next came John Judge, the grocer, with wagons full of wares. Stephen H. Parsons, coffee and spices, had a general delivery wagon and a truck in line, both handsomely ornamented.
Heidrick Brothers, builders, showed a covered wagon in which were plans of buildings erected by them and also samples of building material. Charles Prince, confectioner, turned out his delivery wagon in holiday attire, and following it came Mueller & Peters, cloth spongers and refurnishers, with their wagon covered with evergreen.
The Union Clothing company's float attracted great attention. It was a large boxed wagon, entirely enclosed and trimmed in red, white and blue. The driver was intended to stand for Uncle Sam, while on top of the float were ancient pieces of ammunition and four soldiers in the uniform of Continental gunners.
Then came William Orr, fruit and fish; E. N. Gardiner, oysters; C. Buenan, baker; Wm. G. Ebel, baker and confectioner, and National yeast.
A very handsome float represented Washington in
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an attitude of addressing an audience, while his hand rested on an open document.
Walter McEwan, coffees and spices, had his delivery wagon handsomely decorated with bunting. A large representation of a clock with the dial painted on either side was to represent O. H. Fasoldt, and was a very creditable exhibit. Gloeckner's cemetery nursery had a wagon filled with cut and potted flowers and plants. A beautiful cross and an anchor were especially noticeable. Helmes Brothers furni- ture, contributed a float containing a beautiful cherry bed room set and a delivery wagon. Killip's laundry had two delivery wagons in line. L. Menand & Sons, florists, had two wagons filled with splendid specimens of their skill. P. J. Patterson, confectioner, had two delivery wagons. Three large floats were from the furniture establishment of Nelson Lyon and contained some splendid pieces. Clarke the baker had in line his two new bread wagons.
These firms were represented in the second half of the second division :
J. Blocksidge, paint shop; Julius Saul, Albany's leading clothier; Albany pickle works; Soll Pohly, the blind broom-maker; Cleveland baking powder, three delivery and two sample wagons; Albany box factory, E. N. Gardner, oysters; W. G. Ebel, baker ; Clarke's Newport bread ; Gloeckner, cemetery florist ; P. J. Patterson, confectionery ; L. Menands & Son, florist; Killip's laundry, two wagons; Helmes Bro- thers and Nelson Lyon, furniture; Walter McEwen's National mills, spices; S. H. Parsons, coffee and spices.
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THE THIRD DIVISION.
The third division of the trades' day parade was perhaps as interesting a one as any in line. The Twenty-first Regiment band, of Poughkeepsie, headed this division. The staff was composed of the follow- ing men : Colonel Alex. Strain, marshal commanding and aids, Jesse White Sprong, Charles H. Maginis, M. S. Simmons, E. Y. Lansing, John H. Armstrong, J. Loughran, D. Huyser, Charles H. Clark, Francis Boom, John Wolfe, Julius Fish, A. Schilling, Isaac M. Strasser, Sherman Reynolds, George H. Mackey, P. J. O'Connor, James Judge, Jesse A. White, Jeremiah Kieley, George Boucher, Charles L. Weaver, William Spellman.
The first American locomotive, with the builder and first engineer, Horatio Allen, headed the string of floats. It was a perfect representation of the first locomotive ever run in America, constructed in the Delaware and Hudson railroad shops from a deguerrotype in pos- session of Mr. Horace G. Young. The " Stourbridge Lion" made her first trip, August 8, 1829. The model consists of a tank at the rear of the tender, on top of the box, from which the water is carried to the heater by copper pipe; a boiler nearly like those now in use; driving wheels three feet in diameter, with felloes and spokes of ash and an iron tire shrunk in; two driving rods on each side; a walking beam and a smokestack similar to those now used. Four horses, covered with blankets bearing the monogram of the Delaware and Hudson company, drew this float.
The stoves were then fully represented as follows : Rathbone, Sard & Co., four floats, all showing various
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makes of the famous Acorn stoves and ranges ; Ran- som Stove Company, one float with five of their stoves aboard ; M. Delehanty & Son, one float; J. A. & C. E. Baker, one float; Geo. W. Peck, one float; Philip O'Brien, three floats. The steam-heating industry was represented by one float of the J. McCormic Company. Quinn & Nolan, the celebrated ale brewers, had a very unique and appropriate float, a large truck drawn by six handsome horses. In the fore part of the scene was a hugh cask on end. On top of this stood Uncle Sam, with a foaming beer mug in his hand. Reclining on a grassy bank was Bacchus, the god of wine, surrendering to the goddess of liberty, or to ale, and old Erin was also represented by her goddess.
THE WONDERFUL BEVERWYCK FLOAT.
A most magnificent spectacle in itself was the floats of the famous Beverwyck Brewing company, and they attracted wonder and admiration from open- mouthed spectators all along the line.
The exhibit consisted of an original conceit from designs by Walter Dickson and executed by Mr. De Leon. It was a representation of the surrender of Bacchus, god of wine, to Beverwyck beer. Bac- chus reclined on a mound representing a vineyard, and on either side of him were two Bacchantes, and two satyrs. In front of Bacchus was a large cask of lager set in rocks, and from it towered a flag-staff fly- ing the national color. Upon the cask and beside the flag stood Uncle Sam and the Goddess of Liberty. This was drawn by six horses, led by grooms uni-
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formed in white trousers, blue shirt and white straw hats. The border of the float contained a representa- tion of casks, with ends protruding from clusters of hop vines, on which were the various brands of ale made. This was painted by Walter Ormsbee, artist of New York.
EARLY BREWING DEPICTED.
The splendors of the floats of the Beverwyck Brewing company caused cries of wonder from the assembled multitudes as they rolled along. Six horses. each attended by a man dressed to represent a brewer's apprentice, pulled the first float, which represented the first settlement of this place in 1614. On the sides were legends : "1614, Beverwyck, 1614." On the float was a wood scene, with a tent toward the rear. In this sat a red chieftain, and outside on the rocks were three braves and one squaw. Four Hol- landers stood to one side. Traffic in pelts was carried on, the Hollanders giving gin in return. The second wagon was drawn by four horses, each groomed by a journeyman brewer, and conveyed an idea of the little Holland brewery which stood on the site of the federal building in 1686. The primitive brewery was in active operation. A fire beneath a glistening copper kettle caused steam to arise, and was attended by the brewer and his assistant, who occasionally stirred the liquid. Two Knickerbockers and two Hollander officers of Fort Orange were seated about an old Dutch table on ancient chairs drinking.
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GAMBRINUS IN STATE.
The third float was a glittering affair, and styled the gala wagon. It was drawn by four fine horses attended as the preceding ones. Upon a huge cask eight feet in diameter sat Gambrinus (John Schadt) on his throne, with a gilded goblet a foot high and eight inches in diameter in his hand. From this he quaffed the amber beverage. His throne was reached by stairs with gilded balusters, and over his head was a canopy composed of hop vines. He was surrounded by two knights in armor, two cavaliers and two pages at his feet. In front of the huge cask was a faucet of ancient pattern and a lager beer garden occupied by the officials of the Beverwyck company, includ- ing Michael Schrodt, general manager; August Kampfer, secretary; James Kiernan, bookkeeper; Michael Beck, head brewer ; Antonia Muist, his assist- ant, and John Maxwell, of Rondout, general agent. These dignitaries sat about a table served by a waiter with the sparkling beverage from the mammoth cask -in fact they were partaking of their own goods.
OTHER SPLENDID FLOATS.
Coleman Bros. had seven trucks in line, all loaded with full-size ale casks; Granger & Story also had three trucks similarly loaded, in line; P. K. Dederick & Co. represented the farm implement industry, with floats and hay press; they also had a mounted port- able steam engine in the great parade. The Wheeler & Melick company had a large assortment of harvest- ing tools, a hay press and thresher representing them. William Risedorph & Co. and William Miller & Co.
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were also represented. The furniture manufacturers were represented by the B. W. Wooster Furniture company in a fine representation of an old Dutch household interior. Around the old fire place were seen the old tables, highly carved, old chairs, settees, etc. Nelson Lyon and Wooster both had representa- tions of workshops. John Davis represented on his float the interior of a planing mill in a very complete manner. The La Rose Manufacturing company showed in the van ornaments, a French flat. W. H. Scriven, the builder, represented a frame building half completed. The marble men came out well. George H. Curreen, of Greenbush, showed two large granite blocks protruding from the native quarry soil ; the second float showed the granite and marble highly polished. James Gazeley, a truck drawn by six horses, finely mated, with an obelisk lying on one side on it. William Manson also showed the working of granite and marble. The Williams & Manogue Co., of Troy, showed their art of slating roofs in a fine exhibit. Julius Fish & Brother, cigar manufac- turers, had aboard a complete cigar factory. The raw leaves were taken, stripped, rolled, made and packed on the float, and the cigars thrown into the crowd. Shields & Son had in line one sales wagon and one truck with the raw stock on it. Dearstyne had in line one sales wagon. Clinton Ten Eyck represented the soap industry. Keeler, the popular bill poster, had a handsomely decorated wagon in line. The hardware trade brought Maurice E. Viele with a large and handsome float into the procession. The Gal- vanized Iron company had also a handsome float.
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The Albany file and saw works paraded a moving show case of their saws. Marshall & Wendell, C. E. Wendell & Co., Boardman & Gray, and J. H. Thomas represented pianos and organs. The two latter firms had musicians playing as they paraded through the streets. The Domestic & White Sewing Machine companies had sales wagons in the parade. Tread- well & Co., the fur dealers, had an immense float in the long cavalcade, on which they showed their wares to fine advantage. Bates & Johnson had in the line a sample of their goods, steam heating and ventilating.
FOURTH DIVISION.
THOSE WHO BUILD AND FURNISH OUR HOMES.
In charge of Assistant Marshal Morton H. Havens, with Antoine La Rose as adjutant and the following assistant marshals : Barrington Lodge, jr., J. Hackett, Lawrence Prince, Horace Westcott, Herman Russ, jr., J. E. Janes, J. V. O. Keenholtz, Samuel Lape, William Collins, R. D. Brittain, George E. Latham. This division was a large and pleasing one in its effect in the parade. The Master Builders' exchange, comprising twenty-five carriages, each one of which contained four members of that organization, led this division. In the first carriage was its officers: Her- man H. Russ, president; Henry W. Young, vice- president ; A. F. La Rose, treasurer, and L. J. Prince, secretary. Next in the line was the Albany Carriage and Harness company with a string of wagons drawn by handsome black horses. A harness rack was mounted on an express wagon, to which were hitched
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four styles of double-seated carriages and four single- seated carriages. Jonas Keenholts came next with five carriages, first a double-seated carriage, followed by a gorgously tented truck, then the Boss Road machine made at Fort Wayne, and the worst kicker in the procession, a Thomas hay tedder, which went through the streets in full motion.
A cutter and carriage were mounted on a platform by Shaw & Barnett. The American Express com- pany next attracted attention. Six beautiful horses drew their giant delivery wagon, loaded with money bags and money chests strongly bound with iron, representing their money transfer department. A four-horse team and two other wagons loaded with freight boxes, made a good showing.
The National Express, not to be outdone by its powerful competitor, followed with an eight-horse team of grays, hauling one of their strongest delivery wagons, containing a single trunk of small dimen- sions, but which was conspicuously displayed, and over it the inscription : "A trunk of valuables be- tween New York and Montreal, 1841 to 1850, used by E. H. Virgil, originator of the National Express." Another wagon bore a heavy load of freight in boxes addressed for shipment, one to be sent to the Royal Insurance company, Liverpool, another to C. W. Fisher, San Jose, California.
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