Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 78

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

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was a smuggling boat en route with goods for Richmond. Picking out four of my best men, we silently got into our yawl and rowed stealthily towards the boat, whose sturdy oarsmen made so much noise that they did not hear us. When I judged that we were some 10 rods away I hailed the boat. No answer, but the rowing suddenly stopped. Again I hailed: "Bring here that boat, or I will fire into you." No reply, but splashes in the water told us the crew had plunged over- board, and were swimming for the shore. We fired a volley and heard the balls as they struck "thud " into the bank. Pushing on now we soon ran into the boat, and found it loaded down with fine tea, coffee, boots and shoes and medicine. This prize we took in tow, and were soon on board our steamer, well satisfied with our first good luck, and glad to find we had so quickly struck the very route of the smugglers. In the morn- ing I resolved to devote that day to finding the spot whence these goods had come. Tak- ing five of my most active and trusty men, I landed upon the north bank of the river, and was soon on the road to King George Court House. Luckily for us, Louis, our guide, knew a bright colored man in that neighbor- hood, who was able to give me valuable in- formation. There is a wide creek running out of the Potomac towards the south-west, navigable for steamers for two miles from that river, and once a week a vessel load of contraband goods was landed on the bank of that creek, and, under cover of darkness, hauled away to a depot of supplies at a little hamlet, the name of which has escaped me. From that point the goods were delivered at different points on the Rappahannock, and so reached the Confederate army and the people of Richmond. To capture these stores and destroy what we could not bring away, was my immediate duty, and I resolved to go about it that very night. To march boldly for the place in open day would invite attack and a fight, and I was ordered to avoid a con- flict. So we returned to the boat to prepare for the trip. The distance to be travelled was about 7 miles, and Louis' friend knew a circuitous route which would be much more secret than by the regular highway. My men did not hesitate to declare their lack of faith in both these colored men, but I had confi- dence in them, as they had something to gain by our success. After reaching the steamer, however, I took both of them into the cabin, and told them plainly that if there was any doubt whatever as to their knowledge of the country, then was the time to make it known; but that if they led us wrongfully or gave us any reason to doubt their entire faithfulness, their lives would not be safe a moment. They both declared their great anxiety for my suc- cess. From that hour I trusted them entirely and had no reason to regret it.

I thought 20 men could defend the boat if attacked, and that 10 of the most resolute would be all I would need to fight our way back if we got into trouble. So these 10 were selected, and with 20 rounds of ammu-

nition, in light marching order, at 3 o'clock in the morning we started. The night was hot and sultry; I was sick with an attack of fever, but my men were bright and ever on the alert. Through the thick fog we silently marched, until we reached a short cut through the swamp and woods. Here the gray morning light helped us to see our way, and as we got farther from the river the fog grew thinner. At near sunrise we were in possession of the hamlet where the store- house stood, and found it well stocked with goods-whisky, sugar, coffee, tea, boots and shoes by the wagon load. As the morning wore on, the colored people began to gather around, and then we learned that the men who had charge of the goods had suddenly disappeared the night before, having doubt- less heard of our seizure of their boat on the river, and were either scared away or had gone to get troops to defend their goods. However, we heard no word from them, and our only trouble now was to get the goods to the boat. By paying liberally from the cap- tured stores, I soon induced the colored men to procure such conveyances as were access- ible-carts and wagons, drawn by mules and horses-and in a short time, by the help of the lookers on, we loaded six teams and began our return to the steamer. Our march was slow at the best, for the roads were heavy, the sand deep, the sun hot, and my men be- gan to show fatigue. We were fortunate in securing a poor breakfast at a sort of restau- rant, for we had brought no rations. By further good luck I had been able to hire a mule to ride, for my fever was very weaken- ing, and at a snail's pace we moved along. When about half way back, and on the main road, we suddenly met two men driving a fine team to a Dearborn open wagon. As they passed me I turned partly around to look at them, and noticed two unusually large travelling satchels in the rear end of the wagon. I called back to my sergeant to halt the team. This was done, and I at once de- manded an inspection of the satchels, for I felt there was mischief in them of some kind. One of the men was a fine looking gentleman, the other appeared more like a private soldier in disguise. The gentleman who was driving declared himself the owner of the team; he said he was only giving his companion a lift on his journey, and advised his passenger to open the satchels, but to this he strenuously demurred. Under threatening demands he at last opened them. One was full of letters, several hundred in number, addressed to peo- ple in the Confederate army, and to citizens of Richmond and other places in the South; the other satchel was crammed with the finest medicines, mostly quinine and morphia, and several pounds of crude opium in large balls. Here indeed was a "find," both important and valuable. I demanded from the owner of the satchels his arms, and he readily hand- ed over his pistol and a large knife. I told him he must go with me to General King, in whose lines (for we were upon the north side of the river) he had been doing the work of a

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spy. I warned both of the men that if they made any attempt to escape they would be fired upon. They both promised to be obedient, and their team was added to our cavalcade.

This took place about three miles from the boat, and we had been promised an attack by a superior force in passing through a strip of woods about a mile from the river. We were not molested, and at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon were very glad to join our party on the boat. Willing hands soon had the stores on board, and the fine team and the Dearborn wagon followed, the two prisoners becoming objects of great curiosity to my men. Having paid Louis' friend liberally for his assistance, we turned our boat towards Fredericksburgh, comforting ourselves with the thought that we had done the Union cause some slight service. We afterwards learned that smuggling was thenceforth un- known in that "neck of woods," and that the slaves thereafter, on their way to the South, found other routes of travel.

As we had now abandoned boat-smashing, having more pressing work on hand, we put on all steam, and just at dusk reached the wharf where my promise to bring away Louis' family, was redeemed. He sprang on shore and we made fast, expecting to wait at least an hour for his return. That time had not half elapsed when out of the near-by woods swarmed not less than 50 negroes, of both sexes and of all ages and sizes. They formed the most grotesquely pitiful sight I had ever witnessed. Each one, big or little, bore some household utensil; some had feather beds upon their heads, all in a hurry as if life depended upon getting on board that boat right away. I hastily stepped on shore and was met by Louis. "Capting," he said, " fore de Lord I'se not sponsible for all dese yere niggers following we uns down here; but fact am dat my wife dun tole some of de neybors dat she gwine to be free when dis yere boat come in, and here de hull of dem niggers is troopin' 'long arter us." I felt myself in a dilemma. I had no right to turn the steamer into a negro transport, and told Louis I could not take that whole crowd on board. But, as he had been so faithful, and had helped us do so well, he might select four of his best friends, and these, besides his own family, I would transport to Fredericks- burgh and to freedom. "Upon that under- standing he selected his four friends, all rela- tives, and these, with his wife and three chil- dren, came on board and we quickly cast off the line, leaving a sorrowing and tearful crowd upon the wharf. But when we tied up at Fredericksburgh the next morning, not less than 15 " colored persons " walked down the gang-plank to freedom and future lives of toil and hardship.

I took my prisoners, with the team, to General King. The owner of the team, after a long interview, was permitted to go to his home on giving his parole, but his splendid horses and the wagon were turned over to the division quartermaster, and the medicine to

the surgeons. The letters were opened and found to be very compromising. The spy did not escape so easily. "Do you know," said the general, "what will be the penalty for a man caught within our lines with letters and supplies for our enemies?" "Yes," said the undaunted prisoner, "I suppose it will be death." That afternoon he was sent for- ward to Washington to be incarcerated in the Old Capitol Prison, but his fate I never learned. He may even now be publishing a Democratic newspaper in some Southern State, full of abuse of "Abe Lincoln's hirelings," or, better yet for him, be a member of Congress and serving on the Committee on Pensions. J. A. H.

THE writer has come in personal relation with two unusual incidents relating to the great Civil War, which tend to alleviate some of the harsher and more cruel characteristics which inevitably follow an army, for war is in itself brutal and full of sacrifices. The late General Wadsworth was at one time military governor of the City of Washington. À property owner there had had some trouble about one of his buildings, he being known as disloyal. But General Wadsworth, before whom all matters of that kind were brought for approval, rendered a decision favorable to this property owner, who soon left Washing- ton and joined the Confederate army. When General Wadsworth was killed in one of those dreadful Wilderness fights under Grant and Meade, the first that was known of his death officially was when a flag of truce notified the commandant of that part of the Union line that Wadsworth's body was ready for transfer home, and only lacked a pass through the Union lines. The man whom Wadsworth had befriended in Washington had recognized the General's body, and that was his reason for interfering to have the remains sent home.

ANOTHER incident of the same nature is re- lated of Stonewall Jackson, a General more extensively mourned throughout the Con- fedcracy than any other soldier who fell. Major Andrew J. Barney, a notice of whom will be found in connection with Ellisburgh, was killed at the Second Bull Run engage- ment, August 30, 1862. Some of his com- mand (as we learn from Miss Elva Barney, of Henderson), who were bearing Major Bar- ney's body from the field, were captured by the Confederates. General Jackson, on lcarn- ing that the dead officer was Major Barney, caused the body to be cared for and embalm- ed, and Dr. Buell, of Ellisburg (now deceased), was sent South to procure the body, going into the rebel lines under a flag of truce, and brought away home the precious remains, as well as his sword and equipments

Miss Barney writes that her father (Dr. Lowrey Barney) "became acquainted with General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall), in 1852 in the city of New York, at the home of a mutual friend. At that time the General was ill with dyspepsia, and had been ill for a long time and could get no relief. He liked

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my father's ideas on the subject of medicine and the treatment of diseases, and finally he told my father that he was coming home with him to be treated, and although he answered that the accommodations here in the country would not be what he was accustomed to, still he insisted that he could put up with anything if he could only procure health. So he came, and was a guest in our home for six weeks, and went away from here a well and happy man, as I have letters of his to testify. The treatment was mostly diet, and, after resting half an hour, a long walk around to our harbor and return. My father corres- ponded with him up to the time of the war, and in one letter he said 'in case of war he should go with his mother State, Virginia.'

"At the time he was here he was a professor in the Naval Academy at Annapolis. He was educated at West Point; was a devout Chris- tian and a true gentleman. I have some of his letters, and one written from Boston, in 1853, when on his wedding tour, is particu- larly interesting."

These two incidents are worthy of mention, as showing that brave men are ever forgiving, and that many a man was mixed up in that fratricidal strife who abhorred its savagery, and sought to ameliorate it so far as lay in his power.

AND what shall the historical student say of the future, as it appears to him? It has been well said that it may be useful to learn from one war how to conduct another, but is it not wiser to say that it is better to learn from the dreadful experience of one great conflict how to avoid another? I am anxious to im- press this upon the readers of my History be- cause the experiences of the past seem to show that wars have a tendency to come in pairs, and thoughtful men seem to see, as a result of our wide spread of territory, with the sometimes divergent necessities of each sec- tion, the incipiency of a second civil war. It may be that had treason been more thoroughly punished at the close of the Rebellion, the fear of such punishment would deter all men for many years from such another demon- stration, which was criminal in its inception, illogical in its reasoning, fatal in its develop- ment and ending, and most pernicious in its example to posterity. No citizen has a right to say that the results of the civil war are worth all they cost unless he is capable of properly appreciating how very heavy was the cost, and unless he is doing his utmost to perpetuate the beneficent results. To strive to forget that great war for the sake of senti- ment in politics, is to cast away our dearest experiences, and to invite, in some troubled future, the destruction we so closely escaped in 1860-65. There can and ought to be re- membrances without hatred, but there can never be oblivion without peril. For if we ignore the past, and have so far forgotten what it taught, we may, when too late, be called upon to confront experiences even worse, springing from a kindred cause. It may not be irrational to name that cause-it

was the effort of a few men, trained in public life, aristocrats by nature and by long con- tinuance in public office, to govern the whole country by their supposed preponderance of intellect and capacity to govern. Such an effort is essentially un-democratic-and it is upon the pure democratic idea of every man's equality before the law and in the disregard of hereditary rulers that all our success as a nation has been founded. All efforts to de- stroy those ideas are, in reality, blows at our national life. It is in a plain system, void of pomp, that our people will find their greatest happiness and our nation its best development. It is not too much to say that Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour, was himself the first and the purest Democrat, for He taught man's entire equality and the union of human- ity for humanity's sake-as Lincoln expressed it later, a union of the people for the people's sake.

It may be that nations, like individuals, are not altogether capable of fully comprehending or appreciating the crises of their history, and fail to understand fully the pitfalls they may have escaped, or the grand opportunities they may have imperfectly improved. Certain it is that the United States survived a strain upon its national existence during the civil war, that, it appears to the writer, could never again be endured. Not that patriotism is dead or the personal honor of the people weakened, but the present indifference to the peril that was threatened and the astonishing ingratitude of the generation now upon the stage towards those who filled up the gap rent in our advancing columns by the assaults of rebels, would stand out so boldly and would become so definite a menace to those who might feel prompted by patriotic motives to take up a musket and fight-we say that such remembrances would inevitably deaden valor and chill patriotism to such an extent that most men would stay at home and let the waves of destruction sweep wherever they might be impelled. We have in a previous article alluded to the manner in which the Confederate veterans are petted all through the South. Their valor is appreciated and duly honored. This appreciation springs spon- taneously from the hearts of those Southern people, for they were in "dead earnest" in all they undertook, and those who survived the struggle are welcome at any fireside, are looked upon as were those who fought at Thermopyla, as veritable Gods, and worthy of worship. It may be that a similar senti- ment may manifest itself in the North after all its heroes have passed away. But it is a sad reflection that those who fought for the right have but scant acknowledgement among their fellows-while the surviving soldiers of the most unreasonable and unholy cause the world has ever seen are regarded in the light we have named. The North makes money its God. The Southerner will fight for a sentiment quicker and longer than he will for money or any form of gain. He upholds his ideas by every means at his command, while the Northerner asks "Will it pay."

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THE WISE FAMILY.

JOSEPH WISE.

JOSEPH WISE, the subject of this sketch, was the son of Edward Wise of Baden-Baden, Germany, born in 1832. He came to America in 1844, where he learned to be a machinist and tool manufacturer, serving an apprentice- ship which terminated only when he was 21 years of age. In 1856 he removed to Brad- ford, Conn., where he was in the employ of the Bradford Lock Works, becoming foreman of their machine department, remaining there until 1868. In the winter of that year he came to Watertown to superintend the lock factory that occupied the site now used by Andrew Wilson as a cider mill. This lock works was started by one J. D. Wasson, who had been book-keeper in the Bradford works, and was well acquainted with Mr. Wise's ability as a manager. Mr. William Palmer was associated with Mr. Wasson, under the firm name of Wasson & Palmer. In 1870 this firm parted with its interests to Wooster Sherman, who conducted the same until des- troyed by fire in 1872. Mr. Wise then became an employé of the Watertown Steam Engine Company, upon the site now owned by the

works of his son James, on Mill street. He was afterwards employed by the Davis Sew- ing Machine Company, and remained with them about a year, when he began to manu- facture upon his own account, the Davis Sew- ing Machine Company being one of his prin- cipal customers. In 1874 he removed to the basement of the present Hitchcock Lamp Company's building, then the property of Van Nameee & Smith. He continued manufactur- ing the sewing machine line of hardware until 1877, when his son James B. was taken into partnership. They at once began to make sewing-machine wood work upon a much larger scale than previously, and, in 1881, they moved to the larger building, known as the Lasher mill, located on Huntington street, to accommodate their increased business. Mr. Joseph Wise died in 1886, aged 53 years, after living to see the business he had started in a very small way, grown into proportions per- haps second to none in the country.

În 1853, Mr. Joseph Wise married Elizabeth, daughter of James Black, of New York city. They reared seven children: Edward, now

CITY OF WATERTOWN.

367

JAMES B. WISE.

an engineer upon a Western road; Mary F., who married Francis E. Joslin, the trusted foreman of the large manufactory owned by his brother-in-law, whose sketch is given below; Lois, wife of Frank S. Pelton, of Chicago, superintendent of Poole Bros'. print- ing establishment; James B., who is the suc- cessor of the firm of Joseph Wise & Son; Anna A., wife of Dempster Rockwood. of Cham- pion, a progressive farmer; Josephine E., who married Edward B. Allen, of Portland, Maine, but at present holding an important position with the Singer Manufacturing Com- pany at Elizabeth, N. J .; and William H. Wise, who is in the employ of his brother at the factory on Mill street.

JAMES B. WISE was born in Bradford, Conn., December 27, 1858, and came to Watertown with his parents in 1868. As a boy he was very active in whatever he under- took. He was part of the time a newspaper carrier, but never neglected his school, either for play or business. He proceeded in his studies until he gained admittance to the High School in Watertown, but his desire to enter upon a business career led him to be- lieve he had acquired sufficient education to battle with the world. After attending a

commercial college he severed his connection with the schools and entered upon the great school of actual business life. He was the owner and manager of the newspaper and fruit sales upon the trains running out of Watertown, and, later, of that business upon the R., W. & O. trains running from Oswego westward. This he continued until 1877, when he returned to Watertown and identi- fied himself with the business conducted by his father, becoming an equal partner. Upon his father's death he purchased the other half of the business from the heirs, and continued the same in his own name. He has been un- usually successful, and is a much respected citizen, fully recognized as such by the peo- ple of Watertown.

In 1888 he was elected alderman for the Second Ward of Watertown. Running for mayor in 1890, he was defeated by Hon. Wilbur F. Porter. Running again in 1891, he was defeated by only 59 votes. In 1892 he was again nominated, but declined with thanks. He is fully identified with all the important business interests of Watertown, and is a fearless, independent man. He is president of the Singer Fire Alarm Company; president of the Watertown Brass Manufac-

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turing Company ; of the Watertown Savings and Loan and Building Association; secretary and treasurer of the Ryther Manufacturing Company, and a director in the Union Car- riage and Gear Company.

In 1891 he purchased the factory building he now occupies on Mill street. His principal manufactures are light hardware and special-

ties of that description. His goods are in de- mand all over the country. Mr. Wice was the Republican nominee for mayor of Water- town, and elected (1894).

In 1891 Mr. Wise married Hattie C., daughter of George Willard, of Watertown. They have reared two children, Charles Ralph and Earl W.

DAVID M. BENNETT

Is an interesting personality to the old-time residents of Watertown. He was born in Cambridge, Washington county, N. Y., in

DAVID M. BENNETT.

March, 1812. He was educated in various schools and academies, finishing up his scholastic education in Hamilton College.

Subsequently, he was teacher and principal in two prominent academies. After preparatory study and the usual legal examination, he was admitted to the bar, and began to prac- tice law in Martinsburgh, Lewis county, and continued there from 1840 to 1851. He was elected district attorney for Lewis county, and served one term.

In 1852 he began the practice of law in Watertown, and was quite successful, hand- ling many important cases. But he was always opposed to litigation, and favored amicable settlements rather than contests in courts for the settlement of disputes. He was district attorney in Jefferson county from 1869 to 1871, and surrogate from 1875 to 1878. At the close of his duties as surrogate, Mr. Bennett abandoned business on account of failing health. For a while he was at Saratoga for the benefit of his health, and while he was benefited by the treatment at Prof. Strong's sanitarium, he was not per- manently cured. He returned to this city in 1880, and has since then been a resident of Watertown. His general health is poor, but he is often out upon the streets, feeble but hopeful.

Mr. Bennett is one of those who once had plenty of this world's goods, but, through poor health, he has seen his property dis- appear with a patience that is heroic. He was a gentleman from the start, ever con- siderate of others, and possessing a personal- ity into which politeness had become in- grained. He bears his 82 years fairly well, and is as much respected as though a million- aire.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 78

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