Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 162

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894 > Part 162

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The hills on the western side of the river rise one above the other, and offer to the view in the summer season 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.

The population of the village is estimated at about 4,000 in all. including both the east and west side.

The village of Carthage was incorporated May 26, 1841. The first village trustees were: Virgil Brooks, president; Suel Gil- bert, Eben Hodgkins, Amos Choate and Walter Nimocks. There were spasmodic efforts in the direction of municipal reforms, of which we will relate one instance that occurs to memory. It was tacitly under- stood that cows being, as it were, the main- stay and dependence of two-thirds of the community, furnishing sustenance for the very young and perhaps revenue to the more responsible citizen-it was understood that cows should continue as they had been from time immemorial, free commoners ; but it was decreed that the swine must go. The writer's father having on his premises a barnyard en- closed with a tight, strong fence, was duly appointed pound master, and an edict was issued to the effect that one shilling per head would be paid for every hog brought to the pound. The boys were enterprising and thrifty, and so numerous were the shillings that found their way into their pockets from this source that the haunts that had known piggy bade fair in consequence soon to know him no more. The pound master kept his own hogs confined in a pen that was sup- posed to be nearly burglar proof. His sur- prise may therefore be imagined at being called upon to receive into custody and pay

the fee for his own porkers, which the two ingenious lads who had given them liberty now demanded. That officer was a good Christian man, but on this occasion he was very much disgusted; he resigned, and the streets were again tenanted by their accus- tomed occupants.

Mr. P. S. Stewart, of the land office, laid out and graded new streets from time to time as the demand for new building lots made such provision necessary. The village charter has been amended at least three times, in 1866-69-72. The important feature in the last amendment was that providing for the election of a police justice, and defining his powers and duties. Dr. James T. Peden was the first police justice. He was elected June 1, 1872, and served four years. He was succeeded by George O'Leary, who held the office eight years. The present incum- bent is James H. Dawley. At the expiration of his present term (one year from March, 1895) he will have held the office twelve years. No village in the State has municipal regulations superior to Carthage. The streets are now made brilliant at night with electricity, as are also many stores, hotels and numerous private dwellings. The lights are furnished by the American Illuminating Company.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The first fire company was organized July 24, 1841, with Samuel A. Budd as captain, and was called "The Carthage, No. 1." The old hand engine was purchased, August 12, 1842. June 9, 1843, a new fire company was organized, and called the "Washington Fire Company." A cistern with a capacity of 400 barrels was built on the corner of School and State streets in 1849. The first hook and ladder company was formed May 24, 1851, Levi Wood, captain. April 9, 1852, a new hook and ladder company was formed. December 12, 1870, a new company was formed, of which C. C. Ingraham was elected foreman; Heman H. Frink, assist. engineer, and H. J. Kellogg was elected and confirmed chief engineer. In 1874 a new company was formed, with Mark A. Peck as foreman. During the same month another company, designated the "Carthage Hook and Ladder Company," was formed, June 12, 1874. In February, 1875, the board of trustees pur- chased a second-hand, third size, steam rotary fire engine, with two hose carts and 100 feet of rubber hose. April 27, 1875, at a general meeting for the organization of the Carthage Fire Department, represented by two hose companies and an engine company, Mark A. Peck was elected foreman of the Engine Company, Curtis C. Ingraham foreman of Hose Company No. 1, George McKenna fore- man of Hose Company No. 2. H. J. Welch was elected chief engineer of the depart- ment.

A system of reservoirs, situated at regular intervals throughout the village, furnished the water supply when the need was too far

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from the river, until the completion of the water-works.

The present organization of the fire De- partment consists of : Steamer Company No. 1, 20 men; Tiger Hose Company No. 1, 20 mcn ; Rescue Hose Company No. 2, 20 men ; one Hook and Ladder Company, 20 men. William Bellen, Chief ; Peter O'Reiley, W. W. Sweet, Edward Villers, Assistants ; W. N. Wrape, Treasurer ; Peter O'Reilly, Secre- tary. The department is regarded as very efficient. The Fire Department Band, con- sisting of 17 pieces, is considered one of the best in Northern New York. The leader, Frank Smith, is a musician of rare ability.

WATER-WORKS.

A special election was held at Village Hall, June 7, 1892, at which the voters de- cided to bond the corporation in the sum of $50.000 for a suitable water supply. In ac- cordance with this action, the trustees re- solved themselves into a board of water com- missioners, under the provisions of the general law, and issued the bonds of the vil- lage to the amount of $50,000, to expire in 30 years, and bearing interest at four per cent. annually. The bonds were sold at a premium, which netted the investor two and fifty-eight one hundredths per cent. per annum, which, up to this time, is the best recorded sale of like securities ever made in this part of the State. The contract for building was awarded to Moffett, Hodgkins & Clark, of New York city. Mr. Charles O. McComb was the engineer in charge. Work was begun late in the fall of of 1892, and the job was completed and accepted by the board June 1, 1893. The contractors accomplished their work in a manner that was satisfactory to the board, and for a less sum than the amount raised on the bonds. The surplus has been retained by the com- missioners to be used in extensions, as the needs of the village may require. The sys- tem consists of an iron tower placed on ground which has an elevation above the river ot 88 feet at the pump-house. The tower is 75 feet high, 20 fect in diameter, and has a capacity of 256,000 gallons. The power-house, situated on Guyot's Island, is a one-story brick building, 30x50 feet. The machinery is all in duplicate, so that in case of accident to one part the village will still be protected and the supply of water main- tained. Power is furnished by two Camden water-wheels of 35 horse-power each. There are two pumps which combined have cap- acity to supply a place of 10,000 inhabitants. When running at ordinary speed each one discharges 24 gallons per stroke; this can be increased when needed to 280 gallons per minute, or 560 gallons for the two. Water is forced to the tower through a main 12 inches in diameter, and gives a pressure from that elevation of from 54 pounds to 90 pounds in different parts of the village. By direct pressure from the pumps 120 pounds can be safely obtained.

The original contract called for four and one-half miles of mains; about half a mile has been since added by the commissioners. Engineers say that the system has larger mains in proportion to its length than is usually found in other towns. There are 53 hydrants conveniently located, and 1,600 feet of hose.

The present Board of Water Commission- ers, appointed in this instance by the Board of Trustees, consists of Samuel Branaugh, President ; A. G. Peck, F. D. Hubbard ; T. J. Quinn, superintendent.

SCHOOLS.

On the 3d day of November, 1828. Eli West, Thomas Hastings and Lewis Becker met as school commissioners at the house of the latter, for the purpose of dividing the town into school districts. Twelve districts were formed at that time, of which this dis- trict, according to the record made by Alex- ander Salisbury, town clerk, ranked as No. 3.

The writer has no means of knowing the date of the first school meeting held in the district, but having served as clerk at vari- ous times when the original records were in existence, he remembers well that the name of Dr. Eli West was recorded as the first chairman.

The school-house, of stone, octagon in form, and furnished in the old orthodox style with "all around seats" in ampitheatre form, was situated on School street about 12 rods from its junction with State street, on the northcast side, and was built by Hodgkins & Auburn.

Nearly contemporary with the building of the district school-house, a private school was taught by Mr. Arby Leonard in a small framc building that stood on State street, just above the site now covered by the Elmhirst Hotel. This interesting old struc- ture is still in existence, and now stands on the corner of Spring and Water streets, where it is occupied as a dwelling. It has been moved twice. It was here that Hon. De Witt C. West, Horace Hooker, Hon. A. Y. Stewart and his brother David, Wm. A. Peck, Hon. Jesse E. Willis, B. V. Buxton, Frank Nimocks and his brother Walter S., Wm. F. Strong, Ormando Brooks, and many others who might be mentioned did space permit, laid broad the foundations of char- acter and knowledge.

The venerable old house held within its scholastic walls in those days a galaxy of boys and girls whose brilliancy has never been since outshone under the skies of Car- thage. Mr. Leonard was succeeded by Har- rison Miller, who in 1842 erected an academy on the site now occupied by our present High School. The building erected by Mr. Miller was known as the Carthage Academy. He occupied the building about one school year, when Rev. Orin Wilbur, of Lowville, N. Y., opened the school as principal in 1843, who carried it on for two years, when the property passed into the hands of the

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CARTHAGE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.

Misses Hooker. The faculty consisted of Miss Mary, principal, assisted by her sisters, Harriet and Sarah G. They were highly educated and accomplished ladies, and the school under their management was very successful. The death of Miss Sarah, which occurred September 27, 1847, was a very severe blow to the school, and it was soon after discontinued. Rev. Jacob A. Wood next became owner and principal, and was assisted by B. F. Bush and Miss Harriet A. Bagg. Mr. Bush married Miss Bagg in 1850, and purchasing the property of Mr. Wood, continued the school until the property was purchased by the trustees of the Union Free School.

A nice frame building with gothic roof, spire, and well lighted rooms took the place of the old stone school-house in 1852, and con- tinued to serve the district until the school population outgrew its capacity. At special meeting of the district, held July 30, 1866, the inhabitants unanimously resolved themselves into a Union Free School district under the general law, and at another special meeting, held August 20, 1866, the Board of Education was directed to purchase the Academy property, containing 1} acres, of B. F. Bush for the consideration of $4,000.

The new school entered at once upon a career of prosperity, which continued unin- terrupted up to the memorable 20th day of October, 1884, when the building was en- tirely consumed. Rooms were secured in the M. E. church and the Bones block on State street, and within a fortnight the scat- tered children were gathered together and work was resumed. Plans for a school build- ing were submitted and adopted at a largely attended meeting of the district held in Mechanic's Hall, June 23, 1885. The new building was fully completed and ready for occupancy September 13, 1886, at which date the school entered upon its new quar- ters. The cost, including furniture, appara- tus, &c., was $29,000.

The St. James (Catholic) parochial school, erected in 1885, is a fine, large, two-story brick building, situated on the corner of West and Mechanic streets. It is in a flour- ishing condition and taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, five in number. It has an attend- ance of about 250 pupils. This school was endowed by the will of the late William Clark, of Croghan. It has the modern con- veniences and a school library.

Carthage is justly proud of her schools, which in efficiency are not outranked by

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any in the county. The present organization is as follows :

J. L. Norton, President of the Board; L. G. Peck, Clerk; J. S. Edwards, E. Villars, L. D. Thompson, Trustees; M. F. Perry, Principal, with 10 assistant teachers. The present attendance, including non-resident pupils, is nearly 400.

FIRES AT CARTHAGE.

Carthage has been repeatedly scourged by fires, and in one memorable instance the ravages of this destructive element attained proportions that were appalling.

The first notable fire occurred July 15, 1861. It originated in a store occupied by J. T. Walsh on State street, directly on the angle of the street on the northwest side. The fire extended from Dr. West's store (now H. Grennel's hotel and restaurant), on the south- east side, to Gallagher & Hooker's block, and from O'Leary's block to Mechanic street on the opposite side. This fire nearly destroyed the business portion of the village. About 20 buildings were burned in all, including the Baptist church, four dwellings and nine occupied stores. The loss was estimated at $60,000 ; insurance, $34,000. Without doubt the most severe loss to the village through the burning of any single structure was that of the cotton factory, erected in 1849 by Hiram McCollom. This extensive and valuable building was des- troyed on the night of January 6, 1856.

December 22, 1861, a fire took place in the vicinity of the State bridge, which burned the Rice house, directly on the river bank ; also the store in which Hiram McCollom car- ried on business for many years, and the three-story building occupied by Reuben Rice, on River street. The Masonic lodge was situated in the upper story of this build- ing.

In May, 1872, fire broke out in a building known as "Beer's Hotel," situated on the northwest side of State street, some distance below the Levis House. T. S. Robert's store, Abel Nutting's shoe shop, L. Guyot's harness shop, Hopkins & Robert's store, D. D. Whittaker's block, a meat market with dwelling overhead, Hubbard's tin shop, and blacksmith shop, occupied by R. Commins, were destroyed.

On Saturday night, December 12, 1874, a fire broke out in the large livery barn of Volney Warren, just in the rear of McCol- lom's block, which was attended with most distressing consequences. The rear end of the second story was occupied by the family as a dwelling. Among those who were sleeping when the alarm was given was Vol- ney's father, Levi Warren. Whether he was at any time conscious of his danger cannot be certainly known. His charred remains were found in the morning. Although somewhat advanced in years he was still active and useful. He was a man respected and es- teemed in the community. Volney Warren was terribly burned at the same time, and

had an extremely narrow escape from the fate which overtook his unfortunate father.

The morning of October 20, 1884, was bright and pleasant, a rather brisk wind blowing from the southwest, which as the fornoon advanced, increased in force. Almost directly across the river from the Union Free School building in West Carthage, a row of manufacturing establishments then stood (and now stand, having been re-built), deriving their power from a long flume ex- tending from the State dam. At 11:10 A. M. an alarm of fire proceeded from one of these buildings, which proved to be the sash and blind factory of P. L. & C. E. Eaton. The building burned rapidly, and the tub factory next north, owned by Harvey Farrar, was soon in flames. Meyer, Ross & Co.'s furni- ture factory came next in order, after which the fire was confined in the large pile of hem- lock bark owned by the Revell tannery. Not dreaming of danger to the village on the east side from this source, the Carthage fire de- partment had turned out at the first alarm, and gone over to the assistance of their western neighbors. It was not long, how- ever, before they were called back in a much greater hurry than when they first set out across the water. The wind had increased in force and was now blowing strongly. Rains had not been of frequent occurrence ; the ground was thickly strewn with leaves ; and it would seem, everything considered, as if a more favorable condition of things for the spread of a great conflagration could hardly be found, and so it proved. The river is broad at the spot where the first fire occurred, but, as if directed by some malign power, a storm of fire from the burned and burning buildings swept across the chasm, springing at once into vigorous action, wherever finding lodgment in the fated ter- ritory on the eastern side.

There has been some controversy as to where the first lodgment of the flames and de- struction of buildings took place on the Carthage side. The account given by the re- porter of the Watertown Times places it at Guyot and Furnace islands, which were then covered with mills and manufactories, to- gether with vast quantities of lumber and other inflammable material. These were all swept away as clean as if they had never had existence, but the fact is, as the writer saw it, the fire did not start at any one place, but at many places, and those both near and wide apart.

The single steamer and fire department of the village were now powerless to stay the hurricane of flames, and word was tele- graphed to Watertown for help. A few minutes after 1 P. M. Chief Cole arrived on a special train with 30 trained men in charge of steamer No. 2, and 1,000 feet of hose. They had made the run (18 miles) in 25 minutes. Shortly after the incoming of the Watertown firemen, the Low ville department, with its excellent LaFrance steamer, also ar- rived. To add to the alarm and distress,

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the wind suddenly veered toward the north, and for a while it seemed as though no earthly power could save from destruction the brick block and other buildings comprising the business portion of the village on State street. The flames had now broken out on West street, in the upper part of the village. The steamers were wide apart, the water supply had given out, and they were apparently powerless. But a great change in the aspect of affairs soon became apparent. Chief Cole had assumed control. He placed the Carthage steamer at the foot of State street, taking water from the river ; the Watertown engine in the center of State street received the water from the Carthage steamer, and soon two powerful streams were engaged in sup- pressing the flames. In the meantime the Lowville department was busily and success- fully engaged in staying the spread of the flames in the northeasterly part of the village. Under this excellent management affairs soon began to assume a more hopeful aspect, and at 5 o'clock the fire was under control. Boonville department also came.

City Surveyor Hodgkins, of Watertown, surveyed the ruins and gave as a result that they covered just 70 acres. The boun- daries were as follows: North by Fulton street ; on the south by State and West streets; on the east by Clinton street and the cemetery : and on the west by the east side of Mechanic and River streets.

There were 157 structures burned, about 100 of which were homes. The aggregate loss has been variously estimated, at from $500,000 to $750,000 ; but it is difficult to esti- mate with any degree of certainty. Many had no insurance, while many others were only partly insured. The school buildings were all burned, also the Episcopal, Presbyterian and Baptist churches, together with the parson- ages belonging to each. The Disciples Church also burned, the society owning no parsonage.

This was by far the most disastrous fire that ever occurred in the county. An appeal, issued in behalf of the homeless and impoverished people of the ruined village, met with a swift response from abroad; the amount of money received from all sources was about $28,000. Governor Flower con- tributed $5,000. Of goods of all kinds, pro- visions, etc., a fair estimate would not place the value below $5,000. The amount of in- surance aggregated $166,050, divided among 15 separate companies. The blow was a terrible one, but with the passing away of the first great shock, life-long habits of in- dustry and perseverance asserted their power, and the work of reconstruction was. begun.

On Sunday evening, July 24, 1892, a fire broke out in J. W. Brace's veneering mill, on Guyot's Island, which bid fair for a while to cause a repetition of the holocaust of 1884. This fire destroyed J. W. Brace's veneering works, store house and office, J. V. Guyot's grist-mill, Minor Guyot's carding-

mill, and A. Kesler's saw-mill. The loss was estimated at $54,000; insurance, $10,- 600.

December 16, 1892, a fire started in the Hubbard Block, on State street, which con- sumed everything on the south side from the Bones block to Mechanic street, consum- ing six blocks. The loss was $53,000; in- surance, $27,750. With one exception, the burned buildings were all of wood. The territory is now covered with first-class structures of. stone and brick, among which is the splendid Strickland building, on the corner of State and Mechanic streets, shown elsewhere, which would be considered an ornament to any town in the State.

ISLANDS.

GUYOT ISLAND. - Bazille Guyot, from whom this island took its name, came to this town from Troyes, France, in 1816. In company with Louis Bryant he built the machinery, bellows, etc, for a forge erected that year. Guyot also built a saw-mill for James LeRay, on this island. Having bought the island, he built the grist-mill in 1833. The property remains in the hands of his sons, J. Victor and Frederick. This spot has been the scene of active operation since the earliest settlement of the village. Almost every branch of manufacturing known to the history of the village, has been carried on upon these islands and their immediate vicinity, in order to utilize the superior water-power. There was a nail works built upon Guyot's Island in 1828. A forge on the island was burnt the same year. it was erected. The old historic blast-furnace was connected with the Island, but not entirely situated upon it. Its erection and the in- dustries which followed, undoubtedly gave the first business impetus to the place.

In 1819 the furnace was built by Mr. Le- Ray and got into operation in 1820, where A. Kesler's saw-mill is situated. A refin- ing forge, with two additional flues was also built, under the supervision of Claudius Quillard. The furnace finally passed into the hands of Joseph C. Budd and William Bones. Budd & Bones made pig-iron, pot- ash kettles, stoves, etc. They also conducted a store, known throughout the country as the "Company Store." They carried on this business until 1846, when operations ceased. In 1863 Cole and Allen came from Pennsyl- vania, rebuilt and repaired it, and finally be- gan business in 1865. In 1870 it passed into the hands of the Carthage Iron Company, a stock company with $60,000 capital. The great conflagration of 1884 swept away this old landmark, around which cluster many memories of native Carthagenians.

TANNERY ISLAND .- Perhaps no spot within 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 Nim- ocks and Allen Peck built a tannery on this

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island, The building remains to the pres- ent day.

Nimocks & Peck were in partnership five years. They then sold to Ellis & Farring- ton. In 1841 Orlin Holcomb purchased the interest of Ellis & Farrington. The business was carried on under the title of Holcomb & Spencer.

Want of space compels us to be very brief in delineating further operations upon Tan- nery Island. The property fell into the hands of Major Dickerman in 1854, and he conducted it for 20 years. Then followed the great flood of 1861, which inflicted dam- mage amounting to $50,000. That was a blow from which Major Dickerman never re- covered. He died in Carthage in 1873, and the tanning business in that village has diminished from year to year. Mr. Bran- augh has been an extensive operator in tan- ning and in leather, but it is believed that he has now permanently retired ; also Thomas Revelle. The property is now occupied by Duffy & Connelly in the manufacture of dif- ferent kinds of furniture, etc.

Over 20 years since, a mineral spring was discovered on Tannery Island by Hoyt & Dickerman at a depth of 275 feet. It re- sembles the water of Massena springs.

FURNACE ISLAND became the scene of active business in 1845, when James P. Hodgkins erected a foundry which was in- tended for casting large machinery for Hiram McCollom, who was about to build a rolling- mill and nail-works. Mr. Hodgkins carried on the business until 1852. Mr. Seth A. King was engineer of the nail-works and rolling-mill.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 162

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823- Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094