USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 44
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On the 8th of September, 1849, Dr. Brigham was removed by deatlı, and on the third day of November following, Dr. Nathan D. Benedict, of Blockley Hospital, Philadelphia, was appointed superintendent, and entered upon the duties of the office on the 8th of December. Dr. George Cook, first assis- tant physician, was the acting superintendent from the death of Dr. Brigham, until the arrival of Dr. Benedict. The managers in their next report to the Legislature, thus speak of Dr. Brigham : "He applied himself to the task with un- tiring and unyielding devotion. He performed labors, and surmounted difficulties of which the public knew but little, but which might well have disheartened a less determined man.27
The annual report to the Legislature embodies the reports of the superintendent, treasurer, etc., and these contain a large amount of valuable and interesting general information and statistics relating to the institution and the insane. From
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ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAT.
the report dated February 25th, 1851, the following statis- ties are copied, but the limits of the author forbid liis giving many of the interesting and eurious details it contains :
MALES.
FEMALES.
TOTAL.
Patients remaining at close of last
year, - -
- 226
223
449
Admitted during year,
- 185
182
367
Total during year,
411
405
816
Ofthis number there were discharg-
ed within the year, recovered, - Much improved,
94
77
171
4
4
S
Improved
26
23
49
Unimproved,
51
57
108
Died,
34
17
51
Total,
- 209
178
387
Remaining,
- 202
2:27
429
-
-
-
Of the 171 discharged cured, 124 had been insane less than one year, and twenty-one for one year, nine for two years, seven for three years, two for each four and five years, one for six years, and in five cases the period of insanity had not been ascertained. Of the fifty-one deaths, thirteen were from dysentery, twelve from chronic mania, one by suicide, and twenty-five were from fifteen other forms of disease. The 816 patients were classified under fifteen forms of de- rangement, besides eight cases of "feigned insanity." Of these 816 cases, 378 had been insane less than a year when admitted, 277 from one to five years, eighty-four from six to ten years, forty-four from eleven to twenty years, twenty-one
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UTICA.
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from twenty-one to sixty-five years, and in twelve cases the period was unknown.
From January 16, 1843, to December 1,
1850, total number admitted,
-
- 2,743
Discharged, recovered, - improved, - 468
1,188
unimproved, - 338
Died,
320 -
2,314
Remaining 429
When it is considered that all of this number were laboring under disease, frequently in its most complicated form, added to the difficulty of treating insane patients and of reaching mental maladies, the wonder is that so small a proportion should have terminated fatally. Of the whole number 1,622 have been supported by counties or towns in this State, 1,121 by friends. From Oneida County 287 have been admitted, of whom 154 have been a public charge, and 133 supported by friends. The report shows that those counties nearest the Asylum send the largest number in proportion to their population. Madison has sent 102, Chenango 87, Jefferson 94, Herkimer 79, Erie 55, St. Lawrence 46, Dutchess 33, Delaware 21. Of the whole number 582 have been admitted in winter, 693 in spring, 735 in summer, and 733 in autumn. As to age when admitted 9 were under 15 years, 300 from 15 to 20, 953 from 20 to 30, 706 from 30 to 40, 451 from 40 to 50, 213 from 50 to 60, 101 from 60 to 70, 7 from 70 to 80, and 3 over 80. By occupation 581 were farmers, 179 la- borers, 71 merchants, 65 scholars, 47 joiners, 42 clerks, 16 'clergymen, 24 lawyers, 20 physicians, 19 teachers, 36 shoe makers, 30 blacksmiths, 4 school boys, 1167 were women en-
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ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[ CHAP.
gaged in " house work," 52 school girls, 35 tailoresses, 32 in- structresses, 28 milliners, 21 mantua makers, 10 factory girls, and two each music teachers and seamstresses. The remain- der are classified as belonging to 62 different occupations, with from one to eighteen individuals to each. Among the various " probable causes " of insanity, the following are se- lected : Ill health, 448 eases; religious anxiety, 203; loss of property, 97 ; puerperal, 115; intemperance, 110 ; disap- pointment in love, 65 (39 males and 26 females!), Millerism, 43 ; perfectionism, license question, Fourierism, preaching six- teen days and nights, mesmerism, visiting, smoking, anti-rent- ism, Rechabiteism, Mormonism, and study of phrenology each one, unknown 804. For the remainder, seventy-one causes of insanity are given, and from this it would seem that excess in any thing, will turn the brain and upset the mind. Of the insane, a considerable share possess a strong propensity to suicide. Of the 816 in the institution within the year, sixty-six (twenty-two males and forty-four females) were of this class. The constant and sleepless watchfulness, the anxiety, the labor and care with respect to these, Dr. Benedict in this report says : " form a burden which they alone know who bear it, increased by the necessity of carrying at all times, amid sur- rounding sadness, a cheerful countenance over a heavy heart." The following is copied from this report because it shows sin- gular phenomena with respect to this most unfortunate class : " The successful attempt at self destruction, before reported" (included in the 51 deaths) " was made on the 12th of July, (1850), by a female patient of our most intelligent class. Her melancholy end became known to her companions with whom she was a favorite, and on the following day two other patients on the same hall were over-heard devising a plan for their own death. About this time the suicidal propensity prevailed extensively, and seemed to be epidemic. There
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UTICA. 601
were admitted during the month of July, the large number of forty-four patients from different portions of the State, nineteen of whom were suicidal. Several of these had at- tempted suicide immediately previous to admission-one by suspension, which was discovered before life was entirely ex- tinct, to whom animation was with difficulty restored. An- other by cutting her throat in a most shocking manner, and others by poison. Two patients who had long been in the house and never exhibited suicidal propensities attempted it during this month, though they had no knowledge of the vio- lent death that had occurred in another portion of the buil- ding. On the 13th of this month, ignorant of the occurren- ces of the previous day, they attempted strangulation, and so persevering were they in subsequent attempts, that they could only be preserved by mechanical restraint. On the same day a female attendant took an ounce of tincture of opium, ' because she liked it,' without however any apparent inten- tion of self-destruction. She had been an active and faithful person, and still continues in the service of the institution, useful and trusted. On the 17th, a patient, believed to be entirely ignorant of all that had occurred previously, at- tempted strangulation, and continued to repeat the attempt until restrained by mechanical means. On the 20th, a pa- tient tried to open a vein in her neck, and on the 22d anoth- er, who knew of the suicide, and was no doubt influenced by it, attempted her destruction. From the 14th of July, four- teen attempts were made, by eight different persons, and twelve others in whom the propensity was strong, required constant observation. The suicidal epidemic prevailed from the 12th to the end of July, after which time it gradually subsided, and left the minds of most of the patients. No. suicidal attempt was made in August in any portion of the house.17
·
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ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHA !.
The treasurer's report for the year shows receipts to'869,- 753,08. Of this 836,607,52 was received from towns and counties, $23,520,30 from friends of private patients, $9,272,- $5 from the state, for officers' salaries, furniture and support of insane convicts. The expenditures were $65,028,25, of which 822,687,99 was for provisions and household stores, $10,644,51 for attendants, labor, etc., $4,637,74 officers' sala- ries, 86,132,78 for furniture, 85,826,89 fuel and lights. Messrs. Devereux, Mann, Munson and Beck still remain in the board of managers, and Messrs. Sutherland (deceased), Coventry, Williams, Hubbard and Buel have been succeeded by Messrs. William B. Welles, Silas D. Childs, S. Newton Dexter, Joel A. Wing and James S. Wadsworth. Mr. Chat- field was succeeded as steward by John M. Sly, and he by Robert J. Norris, Esq., of Augusta, and the latter by Morti- mer Rhodes, the present steward.
The internal management of the institution is conducted in accordance with the suggestions of the most extended ex- . perience and the latest improvements and discoveries in sci- ence and the treatment of mental diseases, as well as upon the principles of the broadest philanthropy and benevolence. Within the recollection of multitudes now living, the insane were treated as the forsaken of God, in whom the evil spirit had taken up his abode. They were chained in cages and dungeons, without attendance, without clothing, fire or whole- some food-suffering from cold, heat, impure air, filth and vermin ; in solitude and darkness ; with no sounds but the clanking of their chains, the rattling of the bars and grates, and their own shrieks, curses and moans ; with never a kind word or look, and never visited but to be taunted and tormen- ted, and teased to be made to exhibit the frenzy and power of the maniac-until nature was worn out, may be after many years-and death more kind than man, came to the relief of
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UTICA. 603
the sufferer, and earth was relieved of a burden and disgrace and his friends of a reproach. What a change !
FOREST HILL CEMETERY.
The Utica Cemetery Association was organized April 26, 1849, under the act authorizing rural cemetery associations. A tract of land was immediately purchased, consisting of about thirty-cight acres, lying upon the Bridgewater plank road in the town of New Hartford, about one mile south of the city line. A keepers' lodge, receiving tomb, and bell tower have been erected, and carriage roads extending about three miles, affording an approach to all parts of the grounds, have been completed. Other works and additionsare in pro- gress, and the whole affords full evidence of the taste and en- serprise of the managers and citizens generally, under whose auspices the grounds have been brought into use. The buri- ul place of a people always furnishes an unmistakeable index to their condition, sentiments and affections. The first offi- cers of the association were Hon. T. R. Walker, president, Julius A. Spencer, vice president, M. M. Bagg, secretary, and E. A. Wetmore, Wm. Tracy, Horatio Seymour, Thomas Hopper, Wm. J. Bacon, S. D. Childs, C. A. Mann, J. Wat- son Williams, and Elisha M. Gilbert, trustees.
The formal opening of the cemetery for interments took place June 14, 1850. A procession was formed at the en- entrance consisting of : 1st, the Utica brass band ; 2d, the pu- pils of the common schools, as choristers; 3d, the clergy ; 4th, the officers of the association ; 5th, visitors ; 6, citizens. The ceremonies were conducted as follows : 1st, prayer by
.
604
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
the Rev. C. Wylie; 2d, reading 2d Cor. xv., by Rev. Dr. Proal; 3d, ode written for the occasion, and sung by the whole assembly ; 4th, address by Wmn. Tracy, Esq .; 5th, hymn with doxology, tune old hundred; 6th, benediction by Rev. Oliver Wetmore. The ceremonies were witnessed by a very large number from the city and surrounding country. A delegation of about 150 members of the Oneida and On- ondaga tribes of Indians was present by invitation, and added much to the interest of the occasion.
The celebrated Oneida Stone, the ancient palladium of the Oneida tribe, had been removed from its resting place upon Stockbridge Hill, and placed upon a circular mound within and opposite to the entrance to the grounds, where it is hence- forth to remain as a pledge that the red man is always to have the privilege of a resting place in the cemetery. After the exercises above mentioned, the Indians repaired to and surrounded the Stone, where several addresses were delivered to them by chiefs of the two tribes, and several hymns were sung, by a choir of male and female voices, in their native tongue. These closing scenes of the day, in which these rem- nants of two once mighty nations were the actors, were an ap- propriate and beautiful addition to the ceremonials, and much heightened the feeling and pleasure of the vast assemblage of pale faces surrounding the red men.
Mr. Tracy in his address referred in most beautiful and striking terms to the ancient A-go-nish-i-o-ni, or people of the five nations, who used to roam in freedom and security over these hills and valleys, and he asserted that they were truly named On-gue Honwe, " men surpassing all others."
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UTICA.
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BANKS.
The Bank of Utica, by the name of " The President, Di- rectors and Company of the Bank of Utica," was incorpora- ted by an act of the Legislature, passed June 1st, 1812, with a capital of $600,000, and this charter was renewed in 1832. The first directors were James S. Kip, Thomas Walker, Samuel Stocking, David W. Childs, Marcus Hitchcock, Apollos Cooper, Henry Huntington, Nathan Smith, Solomon Wolcott, Jedediah Sanger, John Bellinger, Francis A. Blood- good, and John Stewart, jr. James S. Kip was appointed president in 1812, Henry Huntington in 1813, and Thomas Walker in 1845. Montgomery Hunt was elected cashier in 1812, and William B. Welles in 1835. The charter having expired, the institution was incorporated under the general banking law, January 1, 1850, by the name of the " Bank of Utica," with its original capital, and to continue until 1950. On the 10th of April, 1815, an act was passed authorizing this bank to establish a branch at Canandaigua, which was accordingly done, and continued during the existence of the charter.
Ontario Branch Bank. - The " President, Directors and Company of the' Ontario Bank," with a capital of $500,000, and located at Canandaigua, were incorporated by the Legislature, March 12, 1813. Re-chartered in 1829, to endure until the 1st of January, 1856. By an act passed April 10, 1815, a branch of this bank was es- tablished at Utica, with a capital of $300,000, taken from the mother bank. First directors of the branch : Benjamin Walker, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Arthur Breese, Joseph Kirkland, William G. Tracy, Charles C. Brodhead, James Platt, Kellogg Hurlburt, Jesse W. Doolittle, Abraham Var-
505
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAT.
ick, Moses Bagg, Jason Parker and James Lynch. Presi- dents : Col. Benjamin Walker was appointed July 14, 1815, and died January 13, 1818. Arthur Breese appointed Feb- ruary 17. 1818, and resigned September 13, 1819. Alexan- der Bryan Johnson was appointed September 13, 1819, and has held the office to the present time. Cashiers : James Kissam appointed July 29, 1815, and resigned May 28, 1816. Jolin H. Lothrop appointed May 31, 1816, and died June 15, 1829. Thomas Rockwell was appointed June, 1829, and died August 16, 1849. James Stoughton Lynch the present cashier was appointed Aug. 20, 1849.
Oneida Bank .- The Oneida Bank was incorporated by the Legislature, May 13, 1836, with a capital of $400,000, and its charter extends until 1866. Its first directors were Charles A. Mann, Horatio Seymour, John H. Ostrom, John D. Leland. Van Vechten Livingston, Augustine G. Dauby Ezra S. Barnum, Henry Wager, Jesse W. Doolittle. Israel Stoddard. Charlemagne Tower, Hiram Shays and Jonathan R. Warner. Augustine G. Dauby was appointed president and Kellogg Hurlburt, cashier, upon the organization of the bank in September, 1836, but resigned in December follow- ing, and Alfred Munson was appointed president, and Bleeck- er B. Lansing, cashier, and have held those offices until the present time. Before the organization of this bank, the buz- siness of the city and county had for some time demanded an increase of banking capital, and its creation in this form met with general favor, but the day of its first beginnings, although bright and tranquil at its dawn, ended in a hurri- Jane. The commissioners named in the act, for the distribuz- tion of its stock were Messrs. Augustine G. Danby, Ezra S. Barnum, Amos Woodworth, David Brown, Alva Mudge, John Billings, Hiram Shays, Lester Barker, Joba Ruger,
XXII. ]
UTICA. 607
George Langford and William Osboru, jr. On the 25th of July, 1836, the books of subscription were opened and such was the eagerness for the stock that over $2,800,000, or 28,000 . shares were subscribed for, and ten per cent paid (3280,000) on that sum, although but 4000 shares ($ 400,000 the capital) were to be distributed-and no subscriber could receive over twenty-five shares. It was understood or believed by many friends of the bank, that an effort was on foot on the part of other rich associations and capitalists to obtain a majority of its stock, and that to this end they had procured a large num- ber of subscribers to become their dummies. All these cir- cumstances combined, as well as political considerations to be kept in mind with respect to the then dominant party, placed the commissioners in circumstances of great difficulty and delicacy. It would be impossible even to do as well in the distribution by their party and personal friends as every sentiment of generosity, and every motive of policy dictated, because of the number of applicants. Disappointment and consequent fault finding. jealousy and enmity were inevitable. . The distribution was made and the explosion followed. The following shows how the stock was cut up and parcelled out : 3 persons received one share each, 5 persons received two shares each, 50 received three shares each, 50 received four shares each, 271 received five shares each, 25 received. six shares each, 8 received seven shares each, 110 received eight shares each, 1 received nine, 86 received ten, 1 re- ceived twelve, 1 received fifteen and 12 persons received. twenty-five shares each, making 4,000 shares divided among 673 subseribers, whereas if it had been distributed in propor- tion to the number of subscribers and amount subscribed, less: than 300 would have received stock. Of course the unsue- cessful were in the majority, for of over 2,000 subscribers, more than 1,350 had no stock. On paper, the distribution
603
ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
[CHAP.
was unprecedentedly cqual and fair, for in most of the other distributions of bank stock of that period, the rule had been to give the larger, or largest amounts to a few, and thus re- tain a sure control, and in this case if there had been any trickery or rascality it could not be found on the record, but was to be surmised, guessed at, charged or proved. The com- missioners, or a part of them, were charged with obtaining large amounts of stock indirectly by dummies, and as proof of this, the fact that their personal and political friends, their townsmen and neighbors, and cousins had obtained stock, was brought up, but the fact that precisely the same classes were among the outs was forgotten. There was doubtless some truth and a good deal of poetry in the charge, for several of the commissioners were able and desired to hold more than twen- ty-five shares cach, (the number to which they were limited by law in the distribution), and had doubtless made arrange- ments by which they were ultimately to have the stock of certain subscribers, by paying from five to ten per cent pre- mium. Some with whom such arrangements were made got no stock, and were consequently willing to show up the com- missioners. A public meeting was called in this city at which office holders and candidates for office were belabored. An excitement was created, meetings and conventions called and tickets nominated. Dissatisfied democrats and whigs formed a coalition, by which a part of the union ticket was elected. An injunction was sought to restrain the bank from going into operation, but without success. Some of the com- missioners were indicted, but time either mellowed down the asperities of men, or else brought up new schemes, so that the defendants went " without day."
But a real calamity was in store for the bank. On Sun- day the 20th of November, 1836, its vaults were entered and about $108.000 stolen, besides 88,500 in drafts, etc., and thus
609
UTICA.
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was its stock reduced about thirty per cent, by one of the most bold and successful robberies ever perpetrated in the United States. The bank building had several years previously been occupied by the branch of the U. S. bank located here, and while being fitted up for the Oneida Bank, the rogues had had free access to its vault, locks, etc., during the nights and Sun- days. Not an Oneida bill was taken, as they did not wish the paper of a broken bank, supposing they had abstracted its entire eapital. One of the robbers watched on the out- side, while the other, carpet bag in hand, in the broad light of day, although quite early in the morning, entered the front door, and unlocking or breaking the locks, "removed the depos- its." "Throwing the earpet bag carelessly upon the deck of a line-boat, he proceeded west, while the other took another boat and the two upon different boats, sometimes going a short distance in opposite directions, after a while reached Roches- ter, where the spoils were divided equally, per bank marks, and there they first learned that they had but little over & quarter instead of the whole bank capital. Fortunately the bank was able to describe with considerable particularity. over $50,000 of the bills taken, and in one or two instances those included nearly all of a particular denomination which the banks issuing them had in eirculation. After several months those banks became aware that some of those bills were afloat, and after several efforts they were traced into Canada, where one of the rogues was found engaged in ex- tensive business. The bank secured some thirty or forty thousand dollars in real and personal property, and the rob- ber was brought to this county and convicted of the crime. IIe was however immediately released from prison, in con? sideration that he had made a full and frank confession, and; agreed to assist in catching his colleague. The . other was however never caught, although the, agents of the bank trav-
39
1
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ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.
ICHAr
ciled thousands of miles for the purpose. In his share of th .. money was a 81000 bill, No. 21, of the bank of Portland, Me., which, it was hoped, would lead to his detection. After several years that bill having been returned to the Portland irak in the ordinary'course of business, was tracked from this country to England, and from thence to France, but there time had obliterated ite foot prints, and its trail could be followed no farther.
It is said there are yet persons in the county, who having been told so when this bank was one of the elements of polit- ical strife, yet believe that the Oneida bank was not robbed, charging the abstraction of its funds to the commissioner, who neglected them in the distribution of stock, but with such persons argument is useless, and evidence and facts have no influence.
Bank of Central New York .- This bank was organized under the general banking law. September 17, 1838, with capital of 8110,200. Its first directors were Chas Gould, Spencer Kellogg, Elisha M. Gilbert. Frederick Hollister, Samuel D. Dakin, Heman Ferry and George Curtiss. Chas Gould was chosen president, September 17. 1838, and was succeeded by Anson Thomas, the present incumbent, in March, 1839. E. H S. Mumford was secretary of the insti- tution until the election of Timothy O. Grannis, the present cashier, in January. 1839. This bank also acts as a savings bank.
-
Utica Savings Bank -" The Savings Bank of Utica" was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, passed April 96, 1839. Its first directors were John C. Devereux, presi- dent ; Thomas Walker, Samuel Stocking, Joseph Kirkland. Silas D. Childs, John Savage. Thomas H Hubbard, Job H
1
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Ostrom, Hiram Denio, Charles P. Kirkland, Jas. McGregor, Joshua M. Church, William Francis, Nicholas Devereux ; Stalham Williams, secretary. Stalham Williams, Esq., has been actuary of the institution since its organization. Mr. Williams came to Utica in 1807, and now at the age of sev- enty-eight possesses much of the mental and physical vigor and elasticity of youth and is constantly at his post, which he has occupied so long with strict fidelity.
City Bank .- The " Utica City Bank," an association un- der the general banking law, was organized September 26th, 1848, with a capital of 8125,000, which has since been in- creased to $200,000. First directors : Hiram Denio, Chas. H. Doolittle, Charles S. Wilson, William Bristol, Isaiah Tif- fany, Cyrus Clark, Jared E. Warner, Edward Curran, Simon V. Oley, Samuel A. Munson, George S. Dana, James M. Kimball, and Joseph A. Mott. Hiram Denio was chosen president, and Charles S. Wilson, cashier, upon the organi- zation of the bink and still retain those offices.
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