Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 122

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890 > Part 122

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The first town meeting was held at the house of Thomas Brayton, Jr., and the first town officers elected were Thomas Brayton, supervisor ; Elihu Stew- art, clerk ; John B. Bossuot, Caleb Fulton, and Enoch Griffin, assessors ; Robert C. Hastings, collector ; Henry Lewis and Alfred Freeman, overseers of the poor ; Henry Lewis, Freedom Gates, and Thomas Brayton, commis- sioners of highways.

In 1880 Wilna had a population of 4,393. The town is located in the second school district of Jefferson County, and in 1888 had 20 school dis- tricts, of which four were joint, in which 28 teachers were employed 28 weeks or more. There were 888 scholars attending school, and the aggregate days attendance during the year was 82,561. The total value of school buildings and sites was $34,400, while the assessed valuation of all the districts was $1,208,312. The whole amount raised for school purposes was $12,441.36, $8,654.27 of which was received by local tax. Truman C. Gray was school commissioner.

CARTHAGE.

(BY LEONARD G. PECK.)

Carthage is without doubt the leading village in size and importance in the county at the present time. The Black River, after having afforded 42

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miles of navigable waters, here expands into a broad and noble stream. A fine bridge, 500 feet in length, erected by the state, spans the river at this point and unites the two towns, Wilna and Champion, also bringing the sister villages, Carthage and West Carthage, into intimate and friendly connection. The R., W. & O. Railroad bridge crosses the river in a diagonal direction at a short distance above. Both these structures are built of iron and present a fine appearance.

The village is situated on the east side, at the head of Long Falls, a lengthy series of rapids which in early times gave name to the place until changed to its present designation. The location is pleasant and healthy. Natural drainage is afforded over a large portion of the place, and the soil is quite free from malarial exhalations.

Just at the beginning of the falls the state dan has been placed across the stream and reaches from shore to shore, a distance of 500 feet. The falls descend 55 feet in a distance of 5,090 from their head, the river's entire fall from here until it reaches the lake being 480 feet. The channel in the vicinity of the falls is studded with islands, about 50 in number, presenting in the summer time a very picturesque and pleasant appearance. The hydraulic power afforded by means of the splendid dam (mentioned above) is enormous, and the regular descent of the river bed renders these facilities continuous for a long distance on either side. The state bridge was built in 1854, and the dam was completed in 1855.

The scenery, as viewed from different parts of the village, affords a pleas- ing sight, especially during the season when the foliage is green and nature has donned her summer garb. The hills on the western side of the river rise one above the other, and offer to the view a rich panorama of pleasant homes, broad acres of waving grain, and groves of stately trees. There are many pleasant drives and walks in and around the village, and the lover of nature need not fail here of fulfillment of the promise, very much less than in many more widely advertised and more pretentious places, that " he who seeks shall find."

Carthage village was incorporated May 26, 1841. The charter provides for the election of five trustees, one of whom is styled the president, which officer is voted for separately. The village also has a police justice, elected by the people, a chief of police and assistants appointed by the board of trus- tees, a corporation assessor and street commissioner, who also hold their offices under the same tenure. A fire company was organized in July, 1841, consisting of 20 members, and another in 1842, under the title of the Wash- ington Fire Company. A hand engine was purchased, of rather insign fi- cant appearance, but containing very powerful cylinders, capable of throw- ing at any time more water than could be furnished by the regulation apparatus of pails and buckets "passed in line." This engine, with a few feet of hose, comprised the entire machinery for putting out fires up to the time that the present fine apparatus, consisting of a No. 3 Silsby steamer, two hose carts,

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and I,coo feet of hose, were bought from the manufacturers at Seneca Falls, N. Y. A system of reservoirs, situated at regular intervals in different parts of the village, supply water when too far for access to the river. Strong efforts have been and are at present being made towards a system of water works, and also for a proper sewerage; but owing to alleged technicalities nothing has yet been accomplished. A special election was held and a vote of the taxpayers taken Tuesday, September 10, 1889, which resulted in a majority for the measure. There is little doubt but that some system of abundant water supply for the whole village is a matter sure of accomplish- ment in the near future.

The present organization of the fire department consists of Steamer Com- pany No. 1, 20 men ; Tiger Hose, 20 men ; Rescue Hose No. 2, 20 men. The companies are uniformed, and are a fine appearing body of men. The department also maintains a full band, which gives open air concerts in the village on pleasant Saturday evenings during the warmer months.

Consistently with her claim to the possession of a progressive spirit, Car- thage was among the foremost villages in this section of the state to abandon " ways of darkness " and declare in favor of lighted streets. In common with the general custom (at the time considered well regulated) this was accomplished by the use of oil lamps set upon posts at proper distances apart. The advent of electricity has relegated kerosene to private uses, and the streets of the village are now made brilliant by the subtle fluid, as are also many stores, hotels, and numerous private dwellings. The lights are furnished by the American Illuminating Company.

EARLY SETTLERS.

There are two names which are invariably to be found in every sketch of the village of Carthage, having any pretentions whatever to a historical char- acter. The first is Henry Boutin ; the second, Jean Baptiste Bossuot. Bou- tin was the first settler. He purchased of Rodolph Tillier, agent of a French company, 1,000 acres of land situated on the east side of the river, and on the site of the present village. He made a considerable clearing, and then, according to one account, in about two years from the time of his location here, started for France to settle his affairs there, with the intention of re- turning and making his home at Long Falls. The account then states that the vessel on which he took passage was lost at sea, and he never returned. The other account, given by Dr. F. B. Hough, in his History of Jefferson County (p. 299), states that he was drowned below the village a few years after his first settlement here. Which is the true account we may not avouch ; we may, however, reasonably and confidently settle upon one theory, namely, he was drowned.

After the death of Boutin the title of the land passed to Vincent Le Ray, he having purchased the property at auction sale of James Le Ray, who was

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appointed administrator of the estate July 17, 1815. The original titles to all the lands in Carthage have therefore been derived from Mr. Le Ray. Upon the establishment of a postoffice the name of the place was changed from Long Falls to that by which it has ever since been designated-Carthage. The mails up to this time had been carried by post riders.

After the departure of Boutin, Jean Baptiste Bossuot (familiarly known as Battice), a native of Noyes, France, who had come to America with Baron Steuben, remained for many years the only settler at Long Falls. Bossuot kept a ferry and inn for travelers. The ferry was kept up until a bridge was built. The claim has been made that Bossuot also opened the first store in the place. He might have kept a few supplies for hunters, etc., but the first actual store was undoubtedly opened by Claudius Quilliard, on the site now occupied by the R., W. & O. Railroad station. Bossuot died in Champion, July 26, 1874, at the advanced age of 93 years. A eulogy was pronounced at his grave by Hon. D. W. C. West, commemorative of the life and virtues of the old pioneer. Mr. Bossuot was the father of five sons-Louis, August, Peter (who was drowned), John B., and George ; also a daughter who died young. The writer has often, when a boy, been in the home of the genial old gentleman, which is still standing at the corner of Canal and Dock streets, and remembers him well. He was at that time past active participation in business affairs. In stature he was of medium height, and very erect, ex- tremely polite in manners, and withal grown very deaf. Numerous anecdotes have passed current at different times, some of them finding their way into print, illustrative of the old gentleman's peculiarities. He was not, however, so extraordinarily eccentric as those highly colored reminiscences would make him appear. His name will ever remain historic in matters pertaining to the early settlement of Carthage.

Within 10 years from the first improvement of the town settlements had begun along the main road north, and inns had been opened by Alfred Free- man, at the "Chickered House," and Henry Lewis, nine miles from the river. Few farms were located before the war. The first bridge across the river at Carthage (Long Falls) was erected in 1812 and maintained until 1829. The toll-gate was kept from 1817 until 1827 by Seth Hooker. Mr. Hooker was also postmaster ; the revenues of the postoffice amounting, during the first few years, to $17 annually, but gradually increased, until in 1840, when Mr. Hooker resigned the office, being succeeded by William Blodget, they had become as high as $300. Since 1829 no tolls have been taken for crossing the bridge at this point.

In June, 1804, Cadwallader Child, who, for many years, acted as surveyor for Mr. Le Ray, and who was also a partner in extensive purchases of lands in the town of Philadelphia, started with a party, consisting of four assistants, and striking the St. Lawrence River they examined the shore and selected the site of the present village of Alexandria Bay. On their return they located what has since been known as the Alexandria road. A road was also con -

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tinued to the Black River at the great bend. The State road to the Oswe- gatchie, opened in 1802-05, afforded the principal avenue to St. Lawrence County, and made Long Falls a point of much importance, as through it must pass all the travel to the central and southern parts of the state. The St. Lawrence turnpike, built in 1812-13, added another avenue to the north- ern settlements. This led to the erection of the bridge across the river, superseding the ferry, of which mention has already been made.

There can be no question but that the iron business, together with the sev- eral branches of industry which it fostered, led to the first real growth of the village. The vicinity of an early settled district on the opposite side of the river, together with the advantages afforded by a valuable water-power, also helped greatly ; but that which engendered the highest hopes, and called wide atten- tion to this point, was the prospective advantages promised by the Black River Canal. Of this last we have treated sufficiently in the article devoted to the C., L. & N. Y. Line.

About 1835 Mr. Le Ray established his land office in Carthage, adding new importance to the place. A steady, assured growth had now obtained, and we can, perhaps, give the reader no better idea of the village as it was in a few years succeeding, than to lay before him a short synopsis of an arti- cle published in the Carthagenian, entitled "Our Village," dated December 19, 1839. After having given a description of the geographical position of the village, plainly showing its eligible and central position, and dwelling, with clearness and force, upon the advantages directly possessed in the water-power ; giving due prominence to the enormous importance at- tached to the construction of the Black River Canal, and further demonstrat- ing that the iron interests were surely destined to make Carthage the great mart for this industry in the Black River country, and dwelling upon other points of commercial importance, the writer, in proof that the pretensions of the place were not without foundation, gives the following enumeration of the buildings in the village : 80 dwelling houses of wood, stone, and brick ; eight stores well filled with different kinds of merchandise, comprised within a spacious three-story brick block 100 by 40 feet ; five framed stores, also well filled with merchandise ; three taverns, two groceries, two large and ele- gant churches, one oil-mill, one flax-mill, two blast furnaces, warehouses, etc .; one stone school-house, one frame school-house, two blacksmith shops, one stone nail factory and rolling-mill, one large stone machine shop, one large stone axe factory, one large stone tannery, one large stone flouring-mill, three saw-mills, three cabinet and chair shops, two land offices, two physicians and apothecary shops, two lawyers' offices, one cupola furnace, two forges, two carpenter shops, etc. A pretty fair showing for the village as it stood a little more than half a century ago. The channels through which future growth and prosperity were to come have not been strictly followed, to be sure, but we know that every reason existed then for a strong belief in an early con- summation of these hopes and expectations. But the machinations of poli-

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ticians brought about the "stop policy." Enough has been said elsewhere about the effects of this paralyzing stroke to the hopes of all those interested in a speedy completion of the Black River Canal to make any repetition here unnecessary.

The present population of the village is variously estimated at from 2,500 to 3,000, and on both sides of the river, including East and West Carthage, at about 4,000. No definite knowledge will be had upon the subject, prob- ably, until the forthcoming census has been taken. There were 800 school children enrolled as living in this district at the last annual report (1889). Following the estimate usually made upon this basis would give Carthage a population of about 3,400.

Before entering upon an enumeration of the industries at present located in the village, we will devote some space to an equally important subject, namely :

THE SCHOOLS.

Carthage takes a just pride in her educational facilities. There are two large and flourishing institutions for the promulgation of learning, one under charge of St. James's (Catholic) Church, and the other the public Union Free School. The St. James School building is a fine, large, two-story brick structure, situated on the corner of West and Mechanic streets. The con- ductors report an attendance of 225 students.

The official order which changed the title of the old district to that of " Union Free School, District No. I, Wilna," was made by Joseph Beaman, school commissioner, August 15, 1886. The school is organized under the general law, is thoroughly graded, and has an academic department under the visitation of the Regents of the University. The board of education consists of five members, composed at the present time as follows : John L. Norton, president ; Leonard G. Peck, clerk: Allen E. Kilby, S. S. Hoyt, George Kapfer. The board employs nine teachers. The present principal (who has served for the last six years) is George F. Sawyer, A. M .; Miss C. E. Benton, preceptress. The school is divided into four departments,-High school, senior, junior, and primary,-and has the zealous support of its pat- rons and the community generally. The attendance of non-resident pupils is such as speaks strongly in evidence of its popularity ; and as it has in the past, so also does it at the present time, easily take rank with the best pub- lic institutions of the kind in the county.

The school building is a brick structure, entirely new, with slate roof and metal cornice, two stories high, with a massive, splendid basement, in which are placed the six large furnaces connected with the celebrated Ruttan- Smead system of warming and ventilation and their unsurpassed dry-closet apparatus. The building is large, and is provided with very wide, high, and airy halls, in which is placed the grand central stairway, which, with the three

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wide main entrances, make danger from any sudden emergency an impossi- bility. The rooms are also large, high, perfectly ventilated, and supplied with furniture of the most approved patterns. The location is healthy, and commands a view of most beautiful scenery. Educated experts from many parts pronounce the building unsurpassed for the purpose in any part of Northern New York. The building, with its furnishing, was completed at a cost of about $29,000.

The school is well supplied with maps, charts, globes, etc., for the several grades. The library, containing many valuable works, was almost all saved from the fire, and is always accessible to the pupils. Many additions to it have recently been made, and will continue to be from time to time, as money may be secured for the purpose, special care being taken to select such books as will be most serviceable to the pupils and teachers in their daily work. The chemical laboratory has been fitted up with work desks where each pupil will perform his own experiments, and thus more fully learn by actual contact and manipulation what has before been only seen at at a distance. It is possible by this means to give the pupils an intimate and practical acquaintance with the principles of chemistry that underlie so many of the industries of life. In physics the same plan will be followed as far as practicable. The apparatus has been selected with particular refer- ence to our wants, and is sufficient to illustrate the subject as taught by the most recent and approved methods in the best High schools. Cases have been prepared for minerals and fossils, good typical collections of which, it is hoped, will soon be secured. A beginning in this direction has already been made.

BANKS, ETC.

The first bank established in this village was the Bank of Carthage, which was opened July 17, 1852, with a capital of $18,600. It was a private bank, and was owned by Hiram McCollom.

The First National Bank of Carthage was organized January 1, 1880, with a capital of $50,000. It now has a capital of $100,000 and a surplus of $20,000, and has paid regular dividends. In 1886 the directors of the bank purchased a lot, corner of State and Mechanic streets, where they erected and now occupy one of the finest and most complete banking buildings in North- ern New York, with all the modern improvements, including a fine vault and one of the strongest and best made burglar-proof safes, with time lock, etc. The present officers are E. H. Myers, president ; A. E. Kilby, vice-president ; A. G. Peck, cashier.

The Carthage National Bank was organized March 30, 1887, and com- menced business May 2, of that year, with a capital stock of $50,000. It is located in the Walsh building, on State street. The present officers are G. B. Johnson, president ; James Pringle, vice-president ; M. S. Wilder, cashier.

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The Carthage Savings Bank is located in the First National Bank build- ing, corner of State and Mechanic streets. Its officers are L. J. Goodale, pres- ident ; J. L. Norton, Alson Cook, vice-presidents ; Allen G. Peck, treasurer ; A. A. Collins, secretary.

The Carthage Permanent Savings, Loan, and Building Association was organized December 3, 1888, and incorporated January 7, 1889. The pres- ent officers are H. M. Mosher, president ; John C. Reed, vice-president ; H. B. Edmonds, secretary ; Mark S. Wilder, treasurer.

The Carthage Agricultural Society held its first fair in the fall of 1875. The society's grounds contain about 40 acres, and one of the best half-mile tracks in the county. A large grand stand and other needed buildings have been erected, and fairs are held annually with good success.

INDUSTRIES.

Tannery Island .- Perhaps no spot within the limits of the village has been the scene of more active operations, and which, beginning at a very early period, have been fraught with more importance to the interests of the place, than this. In 1830 Walter Nimocks and Allen Peck, the first a shoemaker and the latter a shoemaker and tanner and currier, built a tannery on this island. The building, which was of stone, with some additions remains to the present day just as then first constructed. A part of the lower end was built by Calvin Auburn for a work shop, in which he did various kinds of work, such as wooding plows, making wagons, etc., etc.

About 1831 James P. Hodgkins and Mr. Auburn had built a small foundry on State street, near the rear end of the lot upon which the Miller block now stands. The machiney for producing the blast to this foundry was operated by horse-power, and as may well be supposed nothing but very light castings could be made. This firm soon began to look about for a more efficient mode of conducting business, and in about a year (probably in 1832, for it could not have been much later) they changed their location to Tannery Island and erected a foundry a short distance below the tannery, but draw- ing water from the same flume. Between this foundry and Auburn's part of the tannery building Samuel J. Davis had a small shop, in which he made axes and other edge tools.

Hodgkins & Auburn purchased of Le Ray the site upon which their foundry was built, and the first payment of $1,000 was made and endorsed on the contract for the lot and water-power upon their erecting for Le Ray the historic institution now remembered by few, but which served a most important rôle in the affairs of that and subsequent days-the old octagon stone school-house. The first cash payment ($50) endorsed on the mortgage was dated April 6, 1833. After carrying on the industry about a year they sold the property to Joseph Crowner, who greatly enlarged the business, manufacturing all kinds of mill machinery, sleigh shoes, etc., and also com-

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menced the manufacture of plows. In this latter branch of the business he was for a time connected in partnership with Walter Nimocks. The plows were of the Jethro Wood pattern, and were made under the patents of that grant. They were considered strictly first-class, and long held supremacy in the march of improvements connected with this useful implement. Crowner subsequently bought out Davis and carried on active business until 1851, when he was obliged to retire through physical disability.

A foundry and machine shop was erected near the same site in 1849, by William Hodgkins, who continued in business for two or three years, and then, with his family, removed to the state of Minnesota, where he became a successful and wealthy farmer.

It may be well to anticipate and say here that, on the purchase of the island by H. Dickerman, these enterprises all ceased, or had ceased, to exist, and the tannery became the all embracing concern. But to resume the thread of operations, and trace the vicissitudes and consequent changes in owner- ship in the history of the tannery, we will return to the inception of the enter- prise-the work done by Nimocks & Peck.

Before building on Tannery Island, Mr. Peck had a small concern on the bank of the river, in the vicinity of the toll-gate, in which the grinding of the bark, etc., was done by horse-power. Nimocks & Peck continued in partner- ship five years. They then sold to Ellis & Farrington. Auburn, who owned the lower part, sold to a firm named Dunlap & Barney. In 1841 Olin Hol- .comb, of Champion, purchased the interest of Ellis & Farrington, he being already in possession of the lower part of the tannery, through the failure of Dunlap & Barney. A partnership was soon after formed, and business car- ried on under the title of Holcomb & Spencer. They built a dwelling house, stocked a store with general merchandise, carried on the ashery business also, and occupied a very prominent place in the material interests of the village until 1844, when disaster overtook their enterprises, and the whole came to an abrupt stop. Dr. Spencer, the father of one of the partners, bought the property at sheriff's sale, and disposed of it to Whitney, Mix & Darling. This firm made considerable improvement, put in new vats, repaired the machinery, and enlarged the business to much greater proportions than had ever been known previously. They also had a store on Main street, and, in so far as the writer has knowledge of their affairs, did a prosperous business. But the man who was to overshadow them all, and who was destined to dwarf into insignificance all former enterprises on the island with the magnitude and extent of his operations, and who was to be the first to elevate this important industry into a great and expansive business, had not as yet appeared, but was nevertheless to come.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 122

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders Number of Pages: 1384

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384