Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 42

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 42

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Alexandria Lodge, Alexandria Bay, No. 297-Meets Tuesday of full moon, and 2 weeks thereafter. Wm. T. Bascom, Master; Wm. P. Wescott. Secretary. No. of M. M. 92.

Rodman Lodge, No 506 .- Meets 1st and 3d Tues- days in each month. Lewis F. Richmond, Master; Brayton, L. Cooley, Secretary. No. of M. M. 95.

Rising Light Lodge, Belleville, No. 637 .- Meets 1st and 3d Wednesdays in each month. Eugene A. Chapman. Master; J. H. Carpenter, Secretary. No. of M. M. 82.

Depauville Lodge, No. 188, meets 1st and 3d Mon- days in each month. Jas. Cadwell, Master; Amasa Dodge, Secretary. No. of M M. 63.

Pisgah Lodge, Evans Mills. No. 725 .- Meets 1st and 3d Wednesdays in each month. Frank W. Lawton, Master; Wesley Rulison, Secretary. No. of M. M. 85.

THE ODD FELLOWS.

Canton Ridgley, No. 14, P. M .- Meets 2d and 4th Mondays each month in Standard Building, Public Square. R. L. Lawton, S.

Montezuma Encampment No 27 .- Meets 2d and 4th Tuesdays at Odd Fellows' Hall, 81% Court street. P. G. Nill, Scribe.

Unity Rebekah Lodge No. 74 .- Meets 1st and 3d Tuesdays each month, 8% Court street. Mrs. Wm. Randolph, R. S

Garland Rebekah Lodge No. 151 .- Meets 2d and 4th Tuesdays each month at No. 52 Taggart Block. Miss Ada Faichney, R. S.

Watertown City Lodge No. 291 .- Meets every Thursday evening at 52 Taggart Block. George M. Boyd, R. S.

Jefferson Union Lodge No. 124 .- Meets every Fri- day evening at 81% Court street. E. Herrick Record- ing Secretary.

Corona Lodge No. 705, I. O. O. F .- N. G., V. K. Kellogg; V. G., E. F. Gray; Rec. Sec., W. H Ford; Per. Sec., James H. Bradley; Treas., Bruce F. Martin.

The 75th anniversary of the establishment of Odd Fellowship in the United States, was duly observed in Watertown, by holding a

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union meeting in the City Lodge, on the even- ing of April 26, 1894. There was a large and enthusiastic gathering, and much speech- making. We have been permitted to make some extracts from the able speech of ex- Mayor and Past Grand John Nill, which show the growth of this extensive order in the United States. Among other things Mr. Nill said :

The organization of Odd Fellowship is a great event of reform for the advancement of civilization. Although in its infancy, it is to-day the most promis- ing of all organizations, and has all signs to carry out its original mission, the fraternization of the world. The grand motto inscribed on her banner, in the words Friendship, Love and Truth, signify all the good deeds that the children of man are capable of doing. These three great words, properly under- stood and carried into practice, will produce on earth all that is expected in the future heaven. Indeed, if properly advocated and explained, it will without doubt make this earth a paradise. Such will be the result, if all who have taken the obligation will live up to it.

One Thomas Wildey was born in London, England, on the 15th day of January, 1782. On reaching man- hood he was initiated into an Odd Fellows' lodge. He, with the others desirous of spreading the order, started a new lodge styled Morning Star Lodge, No. 38, located in London. Until 1817, he continued to be actively interested in the work of the order, and more than once passed through the chairs. The cheering news received from countrymen in the United States, decided him to seek in this new land a fairer fortune. He possessed hope, health and in- dustry, sure passports to prosperity anywhere. As was natural to a stranger in a strange land, he imme- diately sought to make the acquaintance of his fellow countrymen residing in the city of Baltimore. Among the first of these whom he met was John Welch, an Odd Fellow. Animated by his former zeal for the order, and feeling the loss of his wonted field of labor, he took steps to form a lodge. The requi- site number was five, so that with three the way to success would be clear. He advertised for the lack- ing number in the Baltimore American, and inserted the following In that paper on the 27th of March, 1819 :

NOTICE TO ODD FELLOWS.

A few members of the society of Odd Fellows will be glad to meet their brethren for the purpose of forming a lodge on Friday evening, 2d April at the Seven Stars, Leonard street, at the hour of 7 p. m.

This advertisement brought to the rendezvous a certain Richard Rushworth, who with John Duncan and John Cheatham, completed the required num- ber. They all had been initiated into the order in England, and so far their qualifications were correct. On that memorable 26th day of April, they, in accord- ance with the ancient custom, self-instituted them- selves a lodge, which they named Washington Lodge of Odd Fellows.

The seed that was to grow into such a mighty oak was thus planted. They could not foresee the result. The soil to them was unknown, untried; they con- tributed all they had to success-patient labor and constant vigilance.

They met at the public house of Thomas Lupton, the place designated in the above advertisement, and after the formal opening of the lodge, Thomas Wil- dey was installed Noble Grand, and John Welch, Vice. Grand. The other offices were distributed among the rest of the brethren.

The order was now started on its mission to frater- nize the world, and disseminate everywhere its peculiar doctrines of Friendship, Love and Truth. On February 27, 1821, a meeting of the committee of Past Grands was held, to take into consideration the propriety of establishing a Grand Lodge of legisla- tive capacity, separate and distinct from working lodges. The Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States was organized, and the following offi- cers installed :

Thomas Wildey, Grand Master ; John P. Endwisle, Deputy Grand Master ; William L. Cauth, Grand Warden ; John Welch, Grand Secretary ; John Boyd, Grand Guardian ; William Larkin, Grand Conductor.

At a subsequent meeting of Past Grands, held Jan.

15, 1825, the title of the organization in the United States was changed to "The Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows." This is the source of all true and legitimate Odd Fellowship in the United States of America. the lower Provinces of British North America, Manitoba and Quebec. It has enrolled under its banner, according to the report of its Secretary, at the 69th annual session, held in Milwaukee, September 18, 1893, 9,862 lodges, and 747,- 140 members. The Sisters of Rebekah branch has 96,312 members, there are estimated among several independent Grand Lodges in foreign countries 26,- 136 members; a grand total of 869 743. The increase in 1892 was 50,000. So far as can be learned, the in- crease in 1893 was greater than in 1892. At this rate our membership is over 900,000. The total member- ship of Manchester Unity of Great Britain and Ire- land was 709,403 the 1st day of January, 1893. In other parts of Europe, especially in Germany, Den- mark and Sweden, our order is making good pro- gress. Also in Australia and South America, where- ever civilization has set its foot, Odd Fellowship is bound to crown it, and wind its links around it. From January 1st to December 31st, 1893, the lodge in North America relieved 93,687 brothers; paid 558,- 218 weekly benefits; relieved 5,702 widowed families; buried 8,222 brothers; paid for the relief of brothers $2,093,214 ; paid for the relief of widowed families $146,404; paid for the relief and education of orphans $24,037; for burying the dead $550,510; for special re- lief, $187,236; total relief $3,001,403 The total re- ceipts in the same year were $7,553, 236.

The result of the comparatively short time since the organization of our order shows more progress on a substantial basis than any other organization. There is no reason why Odd Fellowship should not go ahead of all. Its fundamental principles are not selfish; they are to fraternize the world and dissemi- nate everywhere its peculiar doctrines of Friendship, Love and Truth. It is a greeting to humanity at large, to improve the conditions of mankind in every respect; the individual, the family, society, nations and the relations between nations and races. Our principles include all the good there is in all religious, true reverence, love and worship to the Maker of all things, in a manner that can be universally ac- cepted. "Progress for ever," is our motto. Cus- toms are not adopted by us because of their antiqu- ity, but because of their best utility.

FORESTERS.

Jefferson Encampment of Royal Foresters .- Meets at Red Men's Hall, 1812 Court street. George Lucas, C of G.

Court Watertown No. 465 .- Meets ist and 3d Mon- days each month at 121% Court street. A. A. Berow, F. S., 2 Huntington street.

Court Garland City No. 809 .- Meets 1st and 3d Fri- days each month at 1816 Court street. W. A. Trow- bridge, F. S., 59 Rutland street.

K. OF P.

Joe Hooker Mounted Division K. of P .- Meets 1st and 3d Fridays each month at K. of P. Hall, 53 Tag- gart Block. G. O'Brien, S. K. R.

Watertown Lodge No. 222 .- Meets every Tuesday evening at 53 Taggart Block. Jas. Randolph, S.

RED MEN.

Kahuahgo Tribe No. 185 .- Meets every Wednesday at No. 1816 Court street. Andrew Bolger, C. of R.

Pontiac Tribe No. 215 .- Meets every Mouday even- ing at 53 Taggart Block. Geo. Gail, C. of R.

Arlington Lodge No. 70. (K. S. F. I.)-Meets 1st and 3d. Thursdays each month at Red Men's Hall, 181% Court street. W. L. Barrett, Secretary and Treas.

Fraternity Lodge No. 136, (K. S. F. I.) - Meets the 2d and 4th Fridays each month at 21% Public Square. G. A Kellar, Secretary.

Watertown Council No. 157, (Royal Arcanum) .- Meets 2d and 4th Wednesdays each month at 52 Tag- gart Block. G. C. Lee, Secretary, 24 River street.

Watertown Lodge No. 282, (A. O. U. W.)-Meets Ist and 3d Fridays each month at No 14 Doolittle & Hall Block. D. Carroll, F. S.

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

Watertown Council No. 343, (Order of United Friends) .- Meets 1st and 3d Tuesdays each month at Room 14, Doolittle & Hall Block. T. C. Hale, Secre- tary.

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.

Watertown Central Trades and Labor Assembly .- Meets 2d and 4th Friday evenings each month at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. C. Falls, Secretary.

Typographical U ion No. 308 .- Meets first Friday evening each month at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. George E. Hutchins, Financial Secretary, Times office.

Cigarmakers' Union No. 124 -Meets 1st Friday evening each month at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. Martin Duggan, Secretary.

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers No. 227 .- Meets 2d and 4th Sundays each month, 2.30 p. m .. K. of. P. Hall, Taggart Block. F. W. Smith, Secretary.

Order Railway Conductors, Division No. 25. Meets 1st and 3d Sundays each month, 1.30 p. m., Red Men's Hall, Court street. P. Redmond, Secretary.

Brotherhood Locomotive Firemen No. 212 .- Meets 2d and 4th Sundays each month at Red Men's Hall, Court street. Thos. Lynch, Secretary, 101 Factory street.

Painters' and Decorators' Union No. 173 .- Meets 1st and 3d Tuesday evenings each month at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. E. L. Jasmine, Secretary.

Barbers' Union No. 101 .- Meets 2d and 4th Tuesday evenings each month at 1812 Public Square. C. A. Boscoe, Secretary.

Bartenders' Union No. 31 .- Meets 1st Sunday each month at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. Robert Walrad, Secretasry.

Iron Moulders' Union No. 78 .- Meets 2d and 4th Thursday evenings each month at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. Morris Hennessey, Secretary.

Plumbers', Steam and Gas Fitters' Union No. 117. -Meets 1st and 2d Thursday evenings each month at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. A. J. Easton, Sec'y.

International Association of Machinists No. 194 .- Meets every Monday evening at 18 Public Square. Robert Munk, Secretary.

Butchers' Union No. 6260 .- Meets 2d and 4th Tues- day evenings at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. Geo. Annand, Secretary.

Carriage and Wagonmakers' Union No. 17. - Meets every Tuesday evening at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. Jomes A. Gill, Secretary.

Retail Clerks' Union No. 109 .- Meets every Monday evening at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. George A. Sexsmith, Financial Secretary.

Carpenters' Union No. 580 .- Meets every Wednes- day evening at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block Michael Brennan, Secretary.

Bricklayers' and Masons' Union No. 56 .- Meets every Monday at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. Benj. Williams, Secretary.

Horseshoers' Union No. 24 .- Meets 2d and 4th Wednesday evenings each month at Assembly Hall, Burdick Block. F. R Britton, Secretary.

THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.

The critics, to whom we perhaps too often refer, must think it strange that we introduce into the chapter devoted to the city of Water- town, a detailed account of the origin and growth of the pulp industry of Black river. Such should remember that a Watertown man whose name will be discovered as we proceed, may be said to have originated this now great industry in Watertown, where he still resides, and we think the proper place for these details belong to the history of that city.

Lameness having prevented the author from going about among all the pulp-grinding mills upon Black river, from Carthage to Dexter, the principal part of the data col- lected and given below has been prepared by Hon. L. Ingalls, the veteran editor, himself a large consumer of paper, and especially well

calculated to give this important subject proper treatment.

There is no single mechanical industry in the county in which more capital is invested than in the manufacture of pulp and paper. Its later growth has been quite phenomenal. For more than 60 years after the first infant works were established, the paper manufac- turing industry ran a very level and unexcit- ing course, barely supplying a portion of the paper consumed in this immediate locality. It was not until after the discovery of grind- ing wood into pulp, as a portion of the material to work into paper, that the business of paper making took its phenomenal bound in Watertown and upon Black river. It was in 1869 that the Remington Paper Company introduced wood pulp into the manufacture of paper.

A block of wood was fastened in a move- able bed, and by automatic screw-gearing held against swiftly-revolving grindstones, and the wood was ground off in fine particles, consti- tuting pulp. But soon larger grindstones were employed for working up the wood, as they made a finer pulp, and they still continue in use. This ground pulp would not make good paper of itself, and was used to take the place of rags and paper-stock only in part; 75 per cent. of this wood pulp being all that even poor print would allow, and bear running through the power-presses of modern times. A least 25 per cent. of rags had to be used. But even this was a great economy, as 75 per cent of ground wood was very much cheaper than that per cent. in other stock.

It did not take long for a man of the com- prehensive mind of Mr. A. D. Remington to understand that our extensive water power and the Adirondack wilderness of spruce timber so very readily accessible, afforded very tempting inducements to enlarge existing plants and to construct new ones. Hence the rapid growth of this industry for the past 20 years. There was another invention coming to the fore that gave the industry an added impulse. That was the sulphite process of reducing the wood to fibre, and by the use of a portion of this sulphite with the ground pulp, good print paper could be made with- out the use of any rags. Twenty-five per cent. of the chemical fibre, with 75 per cent. of ground pulp make a good article of print or wall paper, and is adapted to very many needs. Much paper is made with even a less per cent. of chemical fibre.

By the union of these two products a good article of print paper can Low be made for two and a half to three cents a pound, when formerly the nominal price of rag paper, of no better quality, was 7 to 10 cents per pound.

It is indeed marvellous to consider the astonishing reduction in price and the in- creased use of paper during the present gen- eration. At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, when it was imagined that an armed conflict with the cotton-growing South would greatly cripple our supply of paper-rags, the price of common print paper rose by rapid strides from 10 to 28 and 30

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cents a pound. But, cheaply as 75 per cent. of wood pulp and 25 per cent. of rags made paper, there was yet an idea that wood alone was destined to be good enough for use in making paper for news and common book. The old saying that "where there's a will there's a way " was again verified. Science and invention united their forces to solve the problem, and it was soon solved, still further enhancing the reputation of the Americans as the great inventors of the age. A Philadel- phia genius is said to have solved the diffi- culty ; but somehow his method found its way into Sweden and Germany, and was first put in actual practice over there. But our A. D. Remington, a prophet in his business, had his ear close to the ground, and heard the foot- steps of passing events.

In 1884, learning of the application of the Philadelphian's invention, he left his home and business and went over to Sweden and Germany to see and learn what there was of this yet newer process. His visit there re- sulted in his purchasing several tons of their "sulphite fibre," called, in common parlance, " chemical pulp," and sending it home here to be worked up with his natural wood pulp. It proved a success; 25 per cent. of it, worked in with common ground pulp, made a good article of paper. It was thus found to work economically and admirably with the common ground pulp, and thousands of tons of it were purchased and shipped to the com- pany's mills in Watertown, and worked up with its cheaper material. This plan of buy- ing chemical fibre in Sweden continued four or five years, when, by the earnest persuasion of A. D. Remington, the Remington Paper Company set about reconstructing their works to make room for this new process.

The two methods of converting spruce wood into material for the chemical paper and also the primitive grinding processes, are now in successful operation, and no rags are now used for common print ; and further than this, ground pulp is used more or less in nearly all grades of paper, except it may be for some of the highest qualities.

Having explained this wood-pulp process, we now return to the earlier history of the paper industry in this county. It began as far back as 1808, when Gurdon Caswell, a Connecticut man, came into the Black River country, having married the daughter of a paper maker at Oriskany Creek, Oneida county. He came to Watertown and built a small mill on the south side of Beebee's Island, costing from $3,000 to $4,000. The process of making paper then was very much as follows: The machinery in the mill con- sisted of a small rag-engine for grinding the rags, carrying about 150 pounds; two or three potash kettles set in an arch, for boiling the rags and preparing the sizing; one vat for making the paper, one sheet at a time; and a standing press to squeeze the water out of the "pack," as the wet sheets were called. After pressing the " pack," the sheets were taken off the pile and hung on poles to dry, and, if

intended for writing paper, were dipped into sizing to prevent the ink from spreading, and were dried. This, as will be seen, was all hand-work. Contrast this slow process with the present 96-inch Fourdrinier machine, run- ning at a rapid speed and turning out 10 to 12 tons of paper in 24 hours. What an astounding change in the process, and still more astounding are the number of mills now turning out this product and the 200 tons of daily output of paper and pulp in the county. But such is the marvellous record of progress in our paper industry in Jefferson county in 86 years.

To follow the chronological or local order of the starting of these later paper and pulp works, would lead us zig-zag up and down Black river; while, to commence at Carthage and follow the river down, will perhaps serve the reader's memory more satisfactorily.

AT CARTHAGE.

Dr. Frank E. Robinson is the proprietor of the West End pulp mill at Carthage.

He has 1,200 horse power, and runs five sets of grinders. His output is from 12 to 15 tons per day of 24 hours, according to the grade of pulp demanded. His plant and water power are estimated at $100,000. He began his works in 1892, and ran the first pulp in February, 1893. The timber used is from the wilderness above Carthage. His product is mainly sold in Jefferson county, but he is looking for a southern and western outlet. He makes no paper.

H. Spicer & Son are proprietors of a pulp mill at Carthage, with three sets of grinders. giving an output of 6 tons per day of 24 hours. The investment in this plant is esti- mated at $20,000. The product is all sold in the county. They make no paper.

GREAT-BEND PAPER COMPANY.

This mill was started by George Clark for a strawboard mill in 1869, but now makes hanging or wall papers. Capital invested $75,000; value of output $100 per day; 22 to 30 hands are employed. The mill was pur- chased in 1887 by F. A. Fletcher and E. H. Thompson, and is now owned by them. They have the whole power of Black river.

FELTS MILLS.

At Felts Mills, in 1889, the Taggart Paper Company, with Geo. C. Sherman and David Anderson, erected a spacious pulp and paper mill, with a capacity of 36 tons per day of 24 hours. This mill is located on an island which has an area of about 8 acres ; hence it is called the "Island Mill." The buildings cover a large space at the foot of the island, and in one way and another the company utilize the whole premises. Besides this island, the concern's property includes the old stone mill and its surroundings, and some land over which it is proposed to con- struct a switch from the main railroad track to a projected bridge leading to the island.

The buildings are all one-story structures, with basements for boiler and engine-rooms, the extensive system of drainers, rotary boil-

REMINGTON PAPER COMPANY'S SULPHITE MILL, SOUTH SIDE SEWALL'S ISLAND.

TTTT D) AND DADUD MTTT. OF THE TAGGARTS PAPER COMPANY, AT FELTS MILLS.

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CITY OF WATERTOWN.

ers, etc. They are built entirely of brick, with double stone walls on solid foundations. These have flat roofs five inches thick, covered with asbestos, painted white, with no joints, the whole resting on beams with 8-foot cen- ters. Six-inch floors add to the solidity of the structures. Incandescent electric lights are distributed throughout the entire establish- ment. It is heated by the blower system, hot air pipes being extended to every room. Automatic sprinklers are supplied in sufficient numbers to insure the flooding of every part of the building. Indeed, there is little to burn; brick, iron and stone greatly predomi- nating over wood in the structures.

The most impressive part of the work as it stands to-day, is the immense masonry upon which the pulp-mill building and the grinders rest, and the stone work which forms the side of the flume and holding the harness for the water wheels. The builders have set these great piles of stone and cement in what was once the bed of the river. These river foun- dations are 2912 feet high, the outside one being 12 feet thick at the base and 6 feet at the top, and that on the inside being 7 feet. It is doubtful if a more extensive piece of work in this line can be found along Black river. There are five sets of iron gates, five in each set, and it is calculated that about 2,000 horse power is available for the use of the mill. The dimension of the pulp mill is 163x63 feet.

There is no lack of power of any kind. For each of the two paper machines there is a 40-horse power engine, and provision is also made for driving the electric light dynamo, the fire pumps, the elevator and other machin- ery. The engines are of the Watertown Steam Engine Company's make, and are mag- nificent pieces of mechanism. The arrange- ment and equipment of the mill is such that there will be no delays by break-downs.

The two Fourdrinier machines are in separate rooms, 153x36 feet. They are 120 feet long and 84 and 90 inches wide, made by Smith, Winchester & Co. They have a ca- pacity for turning out from 250 to 300 feet of paper a minute. There are six beating en- gines of the Jones pattern, and from them the material passes into the refining engines and then to the paper machines. So perfect is the arrangement of all the machinery, and so complete is the mill's equipment with all the latest devices that when it is in full running order the pulp will not be touched from the time it goes into the grinders in the rough until it comes out as paper.

Besides these parts of the structure, there are on the main floor the finishing room where the manufactured paper is prepared for shipping, 102x30 feet; the rag room. 90x40; the storehouse, 75x40; a complete machine shop with a full equipment of new tools for making repairs, 70x30; and a small room in which the sizing and other work of that character is done. The storehouse and the finishing room run parallel with each other, with a sufficient separation to allow the construction of a railroad track between them.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 42

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