USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > From a forest to a city : personal reminiscences of Syracuse, N. Y. > Part 13
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postponed from time to time, and earnest speeches were made by several different members for and against its passage. Prominent among the latter were Mr. Living- stone and Mr. Mosley, but their speeches seemed more an appeal for sympathy than sound arguments. They claimed that many had located at the Hill because it was the county seat, and to remove now to another locality would be an injustice to that class. That the removal would be a greater damage to the people at the Hill than it would benefit Syracuse, as that place had other advantages, such as water power and the canal, while the location of the court-house on the Hill was their only attraction, and to remove it would create there an "eternal Sunday." Final action was reached on March 19, 1827, when the bill was passed to locate the county buildings at Syracuse. Much disappointment and dissatisfaction was expressed by those who desired its location at the Hill, and the usual complaints and charges were made of unfairness. The paper published at the Hill was violent in its denunciations of the Syra- cuse schemers who had crammed the lobby with active workers, and insinuated that money was freely used by them, believed to have been furnished by "John Bull" (a name sometimes applied to John B. James). June 3, 1828, the Supervisors held a meeting at the Syracuse House to consider the many sites offered, but two of which claimed much attention. Syracuse demonstrated theos raviss of her ladin. citizens even at that early date by where by the tient to presso. The agent of the Syracuse Company offered to give the whole of the block
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upon which the Government building now stands, with the exception of the corner of Salina and Fayette streets, which had been previously given to the First Prest y- terian Society. They also offered to give a lot on the corner of Warren and Fayette streets for a location for the jail. Gen. Amos P. Granger, in addition, offered to build a fire-proof building for a County Clerk's office, also one thousand dollars in cash to be used in construct- ing the court-house. It was thought by many that the larger part of Mr. Granger's offer was to have been fur- nished him by the Syracuse Company. The Company had perfect confidence that these offers would be suffi- cient to secure the location of the buildings in the centre of the village, and that the tax-payers of the county would most willingly acquiesce, as it would thus relieve them from so much of the burden. The sequel of this matter will show that these generous offers were rejected and a vastly inferior site was selected. Mr. Knapp, then Supervisor of the town of Salina, tendered to the county a tract of land owned by Dr. Kirkpatrick, bounded by Salina, Division, Townsend and Ash streets. The value of the offer, at that time, could not have been more than $2,000, which would leave Syracuse in the lead by $10,000, which, in those days, was considered a large sum. In making this offer on behalf of the town of Salina, Mr. Knapp delivered a speech which produced a greater effect on the Supervisors than the money offers. Mr. Knapp was a good speaker. being very persuasive in his effort on this occasion, the substance of his remarks being that he hoped the Supervisors would not decide
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upon the matter before them without due consideration of its importance; that there was a deep feeling upon the subject, that the eyes of all the county were earnestly watching how the long and spirited controversy would be decided, and that he felt it his duty to impress upon each Supervisor the necessity of being able to give good reasons for his decision. He then referred to the many insinuations afloat about Syracuse using unfair means in getting the bill passed removing the county seat from the Hill, and should the large sum now offered by Syracuse be accepted, it would give great dissatisfaction to a large class from the Hill, who would say the almighty dollar had finally conquered over right and justice and given the location to Syracuse. He urged that the Salina claim be considered, because Salina was the larger, and more business was done there than in Syracuse. Mr. Knapp referred to the time-honored custom of splitting the difference in cases where parties could not agree ; he said Salina was fair and just, and was willing to divide the difference between them, by locating the buildings half way between the two places, on the lot he had ten- dered the Board. Mr. Knapp concluded with a strong argument that the acceptance of his offer would in the future benefit both places alike; that Syracuse aided by the canal, and Salina by its salt interests, would both grow to places of importance, and at no distant day the petty jealousies now existing between the two places we'd by omfgowen, when it would be for the interest of both villages to be included in one incorporated town, and that the location of the court-house half way between
13
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the two would be a great factor to bring about this much desired result. Mr. Knapp had hardly taken hi- seat before the Supervisor from Onondaga called for a vote, as he saw that the speech so forcibly made had pro- duced an effect upon the Board, which he did not wish to be lost by reflection, or allow the chance for other matters to come up. The vote was 8 to 6 in favor of locating on lot 276, half way between the two places. The result caused great rejoicing in Salina, as it was considered another victory over their rivals, but the care- ful and considerate people of Syracuse believed a great blunder had been made. At that time the buildings in. that locality were of the poorer class, generally the homes of coopers, whose unattractive shops, with the litter of hoops and staves, lined the streets. On the west the smoke from the salt blocks filled the air, while to the cast arose abrupt hills with deep gorges between them. Prospect hill, then nearly twice its present height, clothed in a thick growth of underbrush and tall forest trees, cast its shadow over the locality until a late hour in the morn- ing. Not a sidewalk in any direction was laid, and in rainy weather the mud seemed to be without bottom. To build the court-house in such a place seemed a crowning absurdity. To follow the history of the building to its completion would be interesting. The people at the Hill, seeking to avenge themselves for the removal, ham- pered and criticised every movement of the Building Committee, charging dishonesty and extravagance, until the tax-payers clamored so loudly that commissioners were appointed to investigate charges. The Building
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Committee was sustained by the investigation. The court-house and jail were finished in a very substantial manner. The court-house was of brick, two stories in height, with a portico having four round columns, with elaborate capitals. The portico and columns were fin- ished to represent white marble. A dome surmounted the building, upon which a statute of liberty stood hold- ing in one hand the scales of justice and in the other a sword. The building was of fine appearance for those days, and could be seen the whole length of Salina street to the junction of Onondaga street. The finest view was from Salina street bridge. The first court was held there May 13, 1830, Judge Earl presiding. In those days it was quite common to place on court-house domes a figure of justice with her embleins. Some of the Build- ing Committee thought best to omit the figure, as there had been so many complaints of extravagance, but Mr. Archie Kasson, one of the committee, said that rather than leave it off he would furnish one at his own expense. His offer was accepted and the figure was placed on the dome. A few years later, while the court was engaged in a very exciting suit which had continued to fill the house for many days with interested listeners, the jury rendered a decision contrary to what nearly every one thought to be right and just, and great surprise and dis- satisfaction was the result. The most remarkable part of this affair was that the same day of the decision the scales in the hand of the goddess fell with a crash to the court- house road. This, in connection with the verdict so much disapproved of, caused so much talk that some one with
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a poetical turn of mind, to give expression to his feelings, sent the following lines to one of the papers:
The figure perched on court-house top. For justice (grace defend her)- Where judges, lawyers, clients stop, Looks like the Witch of Endor.
Her scales by whirlwinds blown away, She stands with sword in hand --
"Thus, justice now," she seems to say, "Is dealt throughout the land."
The sign is right, upon my word ! In this peculiar day Justice is meted by the sword- The balance thrown away.
The advantages expected to be derived by the location of the county buildings were never realized by the peo- ple of Salina or Syracuse, and it is doubtful if it was one dollar's benefit to the property adjoining, or to any indi- vidual, and ever after its completion there was one unceasing complaint in regard to its location. Away from the business part of each village, away from the lawyers' offices and the hotels, to reach court it necessi- tated a long walk over poor sidewalks and muddy streets. These inconveniences were endured for nearly twenty years, when, in 1847, a delegation consisting of James R. Lawrence, John Wilkinson and Peter Outwater met the board of Supervisors and presented strong reasons for therenevel of the court-house to a mme convenient site. No action was taken ay on the subject, and it continued to be annually brought before the Board. In the mean-
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time the project of building the penitentiary engaged the attention of the Supervisors, who agreed upon the loca- tion in 1850, and the building was completed in 1854. It was then thought the court-house matter would be speedily settled; but the Supervisors failed, from year to year, to agree, as a sufficient number was of the opinion that the expense should be saved to the county as long as there was so good a court-house. February 5, 1856, it barned to the ground; the torch of the incendiary had made a bonfire of a structure that had been nothing but a source of strife and dissatisfaction from its con- ception, and in its destruction there seemed not one to deplore its fate. Measures were at once taken to rebuild. The contract was awarded to Timothy C. Cheney and David Wilcox for the sum of 837,500. The Board of Supervisors in 1857 voted the acceptance, and declared the court-house completed in a very satisfactory manner, and for the first time in over a half century we had a court-house that every one was satisfied with. I feel that I must take this opportunity to speak of a fellow mechanic with whom I labored for years, to complete many of the old and substantial buildings that line the streets of our city. I think the present court-house was the last con- tract performed by Mr. Cheney as a builder. To his skill and ingenuity this temple of justice stands to-day as firm as the foundations of our granite hills, a lasting monument of my friend Cheney's integrity. I can say for at troth thet during the many years of oar de fe int- ante I never heard him spoken of only in the highest praise, nor did I ever hear of dissatisfaction with any
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work performed by him. The city owes him a debt of gratitude for the many years of fal ::: :: service performed by him in many capacities. A. & Supervisor he was noted for his sound judgment, and was always prominent in the Board. He performed the difficult task of an Assessor for many years satisfactor .. y.
THE CHARTA ?.
In 1844 there was mach activity ir. the village of Syra- cuse, and some enterprising citizen: proposed asking for a city charter, as the village war of sufficient size; but the majority seemed indifferent. About the year 1846, however, the subject was renewed and the changing of the village to a city became quite popular. Well written articles appeared in the papers, describing the healthy growth of the place and advoor iing arrangements for procuring a city charter. In ses an event it seemed necessary to include Salina and - yracase under one mu- nicipal government. The animo.y. jealousy and rivalry that had from the first existed between the two places still remained and seemed a severe hindrance in com- pleting the enterprise. To overcome the prejudices of the people on this subject, the strongest advocates for a charter proposed to include the towns of Salina, Liver- pool and Geddes, and this was strongly indorsed in the freibinary meetings.
Janabry 11, 1847, a meeting was heid at the house of James Scott in Salina, for the purpose of considering the propriety of uniting with Syracuse in an application to
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the Legislature for a city charter, and the following reso- lutions were adopted :
Resolved that we will unite with the inhabitants of Syracuse in an application for a city charter to embrace the territory now included within the corporate limits of the two villages, on the following con- ditions, viz: That we compose a ward including all the territory in the village of Salina on the northwestern side of Union Place and Elm street to be set off and denominated the Salina Ward. That the location of the Bank of Salina is to remain in the Ward ; that the postoffice at Salina be not discontinued, nor the canal, nor salt offices removed from the Ward.
These resolutions were presented at an adjourned meet- ing held at Market Hall. January 12, 1847. This meet- ing was called to decide upon the boundaries to be in- cluded in the charter. Much discussion resulted in but little being accomplished. Harvey Baldwin and George Stevens were' prominent advocates for including Geddes and Liverpool. Mr. Baldwin made a strong and eloquent speech in favor of this measure. The most important matter accomplished was the adoption of the resolution of Dr. Lyman Clary, that the chair appoint a committee of thirteen to draft a charter and report at some future meeting. In addition to this, the following resolutions were offered by Oliver Teall, the faithful and ever watch- ful champion of temperance:
Re oled that whether the annexation of Salina takes place or no', the inhabitants of the village of Syracuse will hold a day of public rejoicing, thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God as soon as that
more to spread its witherin; and deleteriou, induence through our community.
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This resolution was seconded by William B. Kirk, and carried unanimously.
February 9, 1847, a most enthusiastic meeting was held to agree upon the boundaries of the proposed city. The tumult and excitement rar. High, and those who proposed that the whole salt springs reservation be included were severely ridiculed. One speaker made a short sarcastic speech in which he said that :. : was opposed to having the future greatness of the city off, pled by confining it within such cramped limits; he ther fore proposed that " John Brown's tract" be included. The next speaker proposed an amendment, that "Cicer, swamp" be substituted in place of "John Brown's trac :. " These speeches pro- duced the greatest hilary wmong a part of the large audience, and for a few moments it seemed as if the meeting would result in fall re. At this critical point Harvey Baldwin gained the Shor and, feeling that the tide of merriment must be checked, delivered a speech that probably would have h , modified under other cir- cumstances. He was listened to with marked attention. After describing the many advantages with which we were surrounded, the natural beauty of our hills and valleys and the rapid growth that we might expect from: our natural advantages, the activity and energy of our inhabitants, he said: "Contemplate for a moment the city of Syracuse when she enters upon the next century with at least one hundred thousand inhabitants. Immense structures of compact Indice, will, in every directi .... over this delightful plain, and every hill, knoll and swell of ground be occupied by some stately mansion or neat
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cottage. All bordering territory will be brought into a high and perfect state of cultivation, and our beautiful lake, on all its shores and borders, will present to view continuous villas ornamented with shady groves and hanging gardens, and connected by a wide and splendid avenue that shall encircle its entire waters and furnish a delightful drive to the gay and prosperous of the town, who will, towards the close of the summer's day, throng it for pleasure, recreation or health. In every salt manu- factory that studs its shores will be seen the ponderous steam-engine breathing forth its heated vapor, and by the same power draw its rich treasures from the bowels of the earth, while it drives a thousand wheels and propels cotton, woolen and flouring mills, and all the varied machinery known to man. Then, too, will be seen the magnificent steamers of the ocean and of our inland seas arriving and departing, or lying at our extended wharves receiving or discharging their well-assorted cargoes, and everywhere will be heard the hum of the busy, thrifty and happy people. On yonder hill will be seen the gilded dome of the massive and stately Capitol, and pin- nacles and spires towering from the plain in every direc- tion, pointing their shafts toward heaven as emblems of the faith of those who worship beneath. Deem me not extravagant. I speak of things as they are and are to be. This is not a fancy sketch, bat a slight penciling, an in- perfect, dim shadowing forth of the future." The earnest and were mestre of Mr. Halde in's speech added much to the ewert up the audience; he was at least an hour in its delivery. I have only given sufficient to show
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the flight of his imagination concerning the future. His predictions of the number of our inhabitants at the com- mencement of the next century will not be overestimated, but some of his predictions will never be realized.
The adjourned meeting was held on the 17th of Feb- ruary, when the committee of thirteen presented their report, which was: "That in the opinion of this com- mittee, it is expedient that the villages of Salina and Syracuse be included in the boundaries of the city." A motion was made that the report be adopted, which was carried, and measures were at once taken to procure its passage. The old animosities between the two villages sprang into new life, and a sharp opposition resulted in petitions being sent to Albany opposing the charter, causing so much delay that a cominittee was sent to the Capitol to facilitate the passage of the bill if possible. On their return a meeting was called, which was attended by a large number of citizens, B. Davis Noxon being made chairman, and speeches were made by Baldwin, Pratt, Leavenworth, Clary and other .. It was resolved: "As the deliberate sense of this meeting, that the Legis- lature be requested to enact the charter as reported to the Assembly by the committee of which the Hon. Mr. Henderson is chairman." After some delay the bill passed in the form originally drafted. An election was held January 3, 1848, in each village, Syracuse giving 1,che votes for a charter, and 771 opposed. Slina gave 385 votes for a chister, and 39 oppo-ed. The Best . her- ter election ever held in the city of Syracuse occurred on the first Tuesday in March, 1848. The Hon. Harvey
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Baldwin was elected Mayor, also eight Aldermen, two for each of the four Wards. At that date the population was a little over 15,000.
CONCLUSION.
According to the title of this book my task is finished. The forest has given place to a city. I have related so far as my knowledge extends, a history of the work and the workers who, with strong arms and willing hearts, laid the foundations of our beautiful city of to-day. That their names and works might not be forgotten, is my ex- cuse, if one is needed, for this book. Of the interest contained in this record, the reader alone is to decide. I have endeavored to be truthfull in my statements in re- gard to the events occurring in the early periods of our history. In speaking of men, I have desired to be just and impartial. Personal experiences, and a retentive memory, have been the source of most of the statements herein contained. The records of early events in Syra- cuse are few indeed, and the early settlers who are still with us are rapidly disappearing, taking with them that unwritten history which, in future years, would be of great interest to the people of Syracuse. I trust that in the future some abler pen than mine will take up the story, and will write of the growth and the glory of our modern Syracuse, when in the years to come, it will have filled the beautiful valley for miles to the south, with its pored streets lined with palatial dwellings and costly pedi de structures, with their gilded domes glittering in the sunlight, when its greatness like ancient Syracuse, shall be known to all the world.
CONTENTS.
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PAGE.
Early History
8
The Name. 15
The Old Red Mill 24
The Empire House, 25
Syracuse House and vicinity.
31
Comer of James and Salina Streets 50 West Water Street to Clinton Street 53 Corner of West Genesee and Clinton Street 56 Powder Explosion. 50 63
Early History of Business on Salina St. from Water St. South ...
The Old Depot
The West side of South Salina Street between Washington and Fayette.
Vanderbilt Square to Fayette Street.
South Salina Street from Fayette to Onondaga.
Encroachment on Salina Street
The North side of Water St. between Salina and Warren Sts. . East Genesce Street
South side of Washington Street between Warren and Mont- gomery Streets.
Early History of the Site of the City Hall
Corner of Lock and Water Streets. 125
The Hermit. 129
The Streets of Syracuse
133 137
Grove, and Forest Trees.
Onondaga Creek and other Streams 145
Onondaga Lake. 152 150
The Epidemic and Endemic Disease, in the Village of Syracuse. Amly Bakker, Me: Hovd. fthe Village
The Location of the Court House
The Charter 195
75 75 Sc 91 23 102
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