USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York > Part 4
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In 1836 the people of Auburn were enthusiastic over their village and its prospects, but during the years that had been contributing to their prosperity there had been forces at work which were destined not only to give the place a temporary set-back, but to rob it permanently of the hope of becoming the foremost city of the State, between New York and Buffalo. The temporary check was given by the financial panic of 1837 which was followed by a dozen years of hard times. The construction of the Erie Canal eight miles distant from the village was perhaps the initiative in depriving Auburn of its prestige. The consolidation of the several lines of railroads connecting Albany and Buffalo, and the construction of the direct line between Syracuse and Rochester in the late 50's completed the isolation of the city.
If these great commercial arteries had been laid through or near the village the effect upon the growth of Auburn would have been positive to an extent even greater than the negative result of the course that was pursued. The village and city has prospered, but these great commercial highways diverted trade and patronage from it to Syracuse and Rochester.
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HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
When the project of constructing the Erie Canal began to attract the attention of the State, the citizens of Auburn took a keen interest in it, and put forth every effort to have the artificial waterway pass through the village. Under the act of the Legislature for the improvement of internal navigation, Joseph Colt, Elijah Miller and John Haring were appointed commissioners for Auburn, and a public meeting was held to discuss the subject. That meeting passed a resolution advocating the construction of the canal, and then the villagers began to exert themselves to secure its favorable location through Cayuga County. But it was argued: Auburn sat upon a hill; it was not in the direct line of the proposed route; it was not a desirable port; Myron Holley, one of the Canal commissioners on location resided at Lyons, N. Y., and, of course, favored his own village. Moreover, when Auburn was given the State Prison she had agreed not to demand the canal. So the location of the canal through Cayuga County was fixed eight miles to the north of "the loveliest village." When the direct line of the New York Central Railway was built it followed the same route.
No sooner was the hope of securing the Erie Canal blighted, than the energetic citizens of Auburn took up the subject of lateral canals, running north and south, and making connections with Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. In 1822 a proposition was made to con- struct a canal from Port Byron to Auburn: meetings were held, speeches made, and an influential committee appointed. But time passed and nothing definite was accomplished. In 1827 the subject was revived and a new committee appointed. George T, Olmsted was employed to make a survey and take levels. Then the Auburn and Owasco Canal Company was organized and $100,000 was subscribed to carry through the project. The company was incor- porated April 20, 1828.
Then the project of communication with Lake Erie was agitated, and the matter even reached the Legislature, but still nothing was done upon either canal.
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CITY OF AUBURN
In June, 1835, the Auburn and Owasco Canal Company was reorganized and a great celebration was held in Auburn preparatory to the inauguration of the Auburn and Owasco Canal. Work on the big dam commenced, Captain Bradley Tuttle having the contract, and an excavation was made on the old Walker lot as a start on the basin of the canal that was to be. But again, and finally, work and interest ceased, and the whole project was abandoned, about the year 1840. The stringency of the times and the heavy losses already incurred by subscribers to the project were given as reasons for the failure of the enterprise, but the age of railroads was commencing, and the people of Auburn forgot the canal while looking forward to the more rapid means of transportation to the lakes and large mar- kets. The Canal Company sold out its property on the Outlet : but if they had not built the canal they had at least given Auburn a magnificent dam twenty feet in height and adding greatly to the utilization of the water power of the stream.
The State Railroad Convention was held at Syracuse, October 12, 1831, to consider the advisability of constructing a railroad from Buffalo to Schenectady. Delegates from many points along the central belt of the state attended the convention. Those who represented Auburn were Parliament Bronson, John M. Sherwood and Nathaniel Garrow. The convention favored a road following the Erie Canal as far west as Rochester. This decision gave Auburn no cause for rejoicing. The result was that a meeting was called, January 6, 1832, at which a resolution was passed, "That in order to sustain the present prosperous and flourishing condition of our village, and to provide for its continuity and augmentation, an application be made to the Legislature of this state, at its present session, for a charter to construct a railroad from the village of Auburn to the Erie Canal. "
The application was made, and Senator William H. Seward procured the passage of the required charter. But before this charter was acted upon the Legislature refused a charter for the
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HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
proposed railroad from Buffalo to Schenectady, so the Auburnians changed their plans and decided to build the road to Syracuse instead of Port Byron, and thus place their village directly upon the great railroad that must some time run from the Hudson River to Buffalo. A public meeting was called and twenty-five citizens were appointed as a managing committee and authorized to take steps to procure a charter.
The Auburn & Syracuse Railroad Company was incorporated by act of Legislature, May 1, 1834, with an authorized capital of $400,000. Then the promoters began to encounter difficulties. Many believed that the road would never be built; the broken country it must traverse presented many difficulties to be overcome ; it was feared the line could not compete with the Grand Canal, which had packet boats for rapid transit passenger service; the proprietors of parallel stage lines were opposed to it, and, at Albany, it was referred to as a foolish dream. It seemed a wild fancy that a railroad could be operated through the hills about Auburn. Subscription books were opened nevertheless, but nothing could be accomplished in the way of selling stock to voluntary subscribers, so the friends of the road started to work to force success. They traveled over the proposed route time and again, stirring up the citizens of the villages between Auburn and Syracuse, impressing upon them the importance of the project and inducing them to take stock. In this way the stock was all subscribed, but citizens of Auburn took $350,000 of it.
The company was organized January 20, 1835, with Elijah Miller, president; Asaph D. Leonard, secretary; George B. Throop, treasurer. The directors were: Nathaniel Garrow, John M. Sherwood, Stephen Van Anden, Abijah Fitch and Edward E. Marvin of Auburn and Vivius W. Smith and Henry Raynor of Syracuse.
Surveys were speedily made and the work of construction was pushed ahead vigorously the ensuing season. The road was
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CITY OF AUBURN
practically completed in 1838, and the first excursion train upon it made the trip on January 8, 1838. This train was drawn by horses, under the direction of Colonel John M. Sherwood. Twenty-three miles of the road were then completed. On June 4, 1839, a second excursion went from Auburn to Syracuse to celebrate the completion of the road over the whole distance, but this train was pulled by the engine.
In 1836 the Auburn & Rochester Railroad Company was incor- porated and this road completed a line from Albany as far west as Rochester. But the subsequent projection of the direct line of the New York Central from Syracuse to Rochester, diverted some of the advantages which had been won for Auburn by its energetic and progressive citizens.
It is stated that during the prosperous years from 1830 to 1837, the enterprising and ambitious citizens of Auburn were vividly picturing the future city as a great metropolis, perhaps the capital city of the state. But while they were working strenuously and legitimately for progress and supremacy, bankers, politicians and speculators were crazily tearing away and destroying the foundations of prosperity all over the country.
When Andrew Jackson annihilated the United States Bank, by vetoing a bill to renew its charter, politicians and financiers believed the occasion a most opportune one for the establishment of banks throughout the different states. Immediately there developed a craze to possess bank stock, and in New York State the Legislature was besieged with applications for bank charters. When a charter was granted, commissioners were appointed to distribute the stock, and, invariably the bulk of it went to the political friends of the commissioners. This increased the pressure upon the Legislature for more charters and the result was tainted politics and commercial disorder.
This pernicious activity was regarded as a sign of prosperity. Even the bankers were carried away with the hilarious spirit of the
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HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
glorious times and loaned large sums of money to wild speculators. Speculation was not in stocks as it is to-day. The speculation of the early thirties was in public lands, which were sold and re-sold over and over again, at ever advanced prices, fictitious values being established and a chimerical wealth built thereon. In 1829 the sale of public lands amounted to $2,300,000; in 1836 it had risen to $24,877,000. There was a law that all, except actual settlers, must pay for their land in gold, but the law was ignored, and fortunes represented only by paper came into existence. More expensive tastes, higher living accompanied those golden days, and physical wealth was dissipated. Unrestrained speculation, undue extension of credits, unproductive investments and large, unwarranted expenditures, culminated in the panic of 1837. It was not to the conservative business men that the banks had intrusted their money, but they were sufferers with the general public in the disaster that followed. To Auburn the year 1837 was a period of business reverses and calamities. On May Ioth every bank in Albany and New York suspended specie payment, and the panic which resulted spread quickly over the entire state. The pressure was too much for the Auburn banks, and they appealed to the people to sustain them in pursuing the course adopted by the New York and Albany banks.
Ninety-six business men signed an agreement to take the bills of the local banks at par in their stores. The trustees of the village agreed to accept the bills in payment of taxes, and pledged the corporation to guarantee their ultimate redemption. A public meeting was held and a committee appointed to impress upon the Legislature the necessity of restraining the banks of the state from issuing one, two and three dollar notes, and to ask for lenient treat- ment of the banks of Auburn for suspending redemption of their bills in specie. These things the committe succeeded in doing.
But while this aided the banks it did not help the people. Almost all currency of smaller denomination than five dollars disappeared
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from circulation and much inconvenience, annoyance and even suffering resulted. To relieve the situation the trustees of the village authorized the immediate issue of eight thousand dollars in checks or notes of the denomination of one, two and three dollars, and put this money in circulation through the stores of Robert Muir, Henry Ivison, Jr., and Nehemiah D. Carhart, retaining the funds arising from the sale of the notes for their redemption. Business houses and corporations adopted the expedient of the trustees, greatly reducing the financial pressure in Auburn and the surround- ing country. The Auburn and Syracuse Railroad Company issued twenty thousand dollars of checks, or shinplasters, upon its own treasurer, ranging from twenty cents to one dollar, having been given the assurance that the merchants of Auburn would accept them, at a slight discount. With these checks they paid off the hands employed in constructing the road. The Auburn Paper Com- pany, Charles Coventry, Asaph D. Leonard and others also adopted the shinplaster system. Emanuel D. Hudson who then had the con- tract for provisioning the prison, acted as his own banker. He issued promissory notes, payable upon demand, and indicated his ability to pay by piling up five hundred dollars in specie in his office window, with the result that his credit was always good.
But the brave and intelligent efforts of the business men of the village could not ward disaster from their doors. The scarcity of money produced a ruinous depreciation in property values. Auburn was not an exception to the fictitious prosperity that had pervaded the country, which not only vanished but carried substantial wealth with it. The reaction left many capitalists unable to save their investments, and there were deplorable failures. A general retrench- ment followed, and large numbers of workingmen and mechanics found themselves out of employment. The spirit of enterprise, that had lately been a peculiar characteristic of Auburn, disappeared and the summer of 1837 was a dark contrast to that of 1836 with its energy, activity and promise.
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HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
CHAPTER V.
EARLY INNS OF AUBURN.
BY B. B. SNOW.
The burning of the St. James, formerly the American Hotel, was an event in local history worthy of record. The American was the connecting link between the primitive inn or tavern of our fore- fathers and the hotel proper of modern times. It was a distinct institution of its kind in our community, which had many cherished associations, especially for the generation immediately preceding our own. But such associations were with the American; the St. James did not inherit them.
When the hotel was purchased by Anthony Shimer, in 1870, the name was changed to the St. James; this change was an indication that the age of taverns had passed to be followed by the age of hotels.
The American Hotel had many interesting historical associations. Its register could boast the names of distinguished native and foreign celebrities who shared its hospitalities, and its halls had been the scene of many events of more or less local importance.
Local histories are authority for the statement that Samuel Bristol opened the first public house or tavern in Auburn in the year 1795, in a log cabin on the southeast cornerof Genesee and North streets. It seems to have run a short career as a tavern, for as early as 1805 it was vacant. The statement that Bostwick built and opened a tavern about 1799 is probably erroneous. He did build a "new frame tavern" in 1803-4 at the corner of Genesee and Exchange streets, which may be claimed as the pioneer institution of its kind in Auburn. It was large and commodious, with ample barns and sheds, "affording good accommodations for man and beast." On July 4, 1805, the first public ball in Auburn was given in Bostwick's Tavern, commencing at 3:00 P. M. and "closing with the approach of night," in accordance with the notions of propriety
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entertained by our ancestors. The celebrated Lafayette ball was also given here in 1825. Bostwick kept the tavern until May I, 1816, when he sold it to Canfield Coe, who enlarged it by quite an extension on Exchange street. He conducted the house for about eight years when he transferred it to Emanuel D. Hudson who fur- ther enlarged and improved it, putting it in about the condition it was in later days. Hudson christened it the Western Exchange, which name it bore until 1868 when it was torn down. Benjamin Ashley was the last proprietor.
Next in importance, if not in the order of time, was the Center House, which was located on the point of the flatiron where Genesee and Market (then Center) streets meet. This inn was begun by William Smith in 1805 and completed by David Horner in 1806, who conducted it about six years. Charles Reading bought it in 1812, and kept it about four years. In 1816, Silas Hawley was the proprietor, and to him succeeded Deacon Henry Amerman as appears by the following notice found in one of the papers of that period :
"Henry Amerman, would inform his friends and the public that he has purchased the tavern stand, lately occupied by Silas Hawley, in the village of Auburn, near the bridge, and has opened it for their use as a public house. From its central position, its large accommo- dations and his assiduous attention to the cares of those who call upon him, he hopes to merit the favors of his friends and the public generally.
"No noisy rabbles will be allowed a place in his house whereby the rest of the weary may be disturbed.
"Liquors and other refreshments of first quality will be furnished. "Auburn, January 7, 1818."
Deacon Amerman kept the inn till 1822, and was succeeded by Andrew Brown. Abijah Keeler advertises the Center House for sale or rent, April 23, 1828. The last proprietor was Rodman Seargent, in 1829, when it was bought by Ezekiel Williams, who
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HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
built the block of stores now standing upon the site of the old inn. The building itself was removed to Fulton street, where it still stands and is occupied as a residence by William Lamey. This tavern seems to have been popular and well patronized in its day. Judge Richardson, in partnership with Enos T. Throop, opened their office here for the practice of law. The First Presbyterian Church Society was organized in the "long room" of the Center House in 1810, and the first Sabbath school for white children was organized in 1819, a similar school for colored children having been previously organized. Here is a curious advertisement of Albert Hagermen, a barber, under date of February 10, 1818, to the effect that "as he wishes to attend Sunday school, he will attend customers until 9 P. M. Saturday evening and until school commences Sunday morning, and not after. "
Next in order was the "Farmer's Inn," which was built in 1801, and opened as a tavern in 1806 by Captain (afterwards Deacon) Henry Amerman. This was the favorite resort of farmers, who were summoned to the village to attend court as jurors, witnesses, etc., Captain Amerman sold out to Mathias Hufman in September, 1816, and a little more than a year after became proprietor of the Center House. Hufman sold to Timothy Strong, and the property afterwards passed into the hands of Emanuel D. Hudson, who built the present brick structure known as the Radney House, about the time that the freight depot of the Auburn & Syracuse Railroad Company was located a few doors west-where the skating rink now is.
In 1808 a tavern was built on the south side of Genesee street about midway between Exchange and South streets, by Watrous Pomroy for Jonathan Russel. Mr. Pomroy opened it and kept it for about two years, when Captain Robert L. Tracey bought and conducted it. In 1816 it was known as Power's Tavern, and James C. Field locates his store as opposite thereto. Captain Tracey died and Zenas Goodrich, who was the proprietor of a tavern on North
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CITY OF AUBURN
street near the railroad crossing, hereinafter mentioned, being a widower united his fortunes with those of the Widow Tracey, and thus became proprietor of this house, which in the fall of 1816 took the name of Goodrich Inn. January 6, 1818, Zenas Goodrich ad- vertises for a "good steady sober man as bar-keeper, " which would indicate that special qualifications were required for this position even at that early day. In 1824 it was known as John Griswold's Hotel, and Wilber Dennis locates his store three doors east of it. Holt and Curtis took the management in 1825, in which year the village trustees met there and ordered certain houses to be removed from the south side of Genesee street as being encroachments upon the street. The management subsequently passed into the hands of several different parties, among whom were Harlow C. Witherell and Jonas White, Jr., and in 1835 the house gave way to make room for the present Exchange block.
In 1810, DeWitt Clinton visited Auburn and in a letter giving some information as to the village, mentions the fact that it contains four taverns. These must have been the three hereinbefore described, Bostwick's, the Center House, the Farmer's Inn, and the Willard Tavern of which more hereafter.
Coming down to a later date we find the following :
"THE AUBURN COFFEE HOUSE
"The large white building on the hill a few rods east of the postoffice.in this village, and but two doors from the Bank of Auburn has lately been fitted up for the accommodation of the public. The subscriber has been at great expense to render his house commodious for the traveler.
"Private rooms can be furnished for Ladies, Gentlemen and Families; and no pains will be spared to make the sojourning comfortable. Order shall be preserved through the house. The out buildings are convenient and the stabling good.
'LAWRENCE LYNCH.
"Auburn, December 6, 1817."
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HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY
The Lynch Coffee House was what is now the eastern part of the National Hotel. The Bank of Auburn was opened in the brick building which now forms the western part of this hotel. The bank must have been located here but a short time previous, as an election of directors was called to be held at the Western Exchange, Nov. 13, 1817. This brick building was known as Demaree's Tavern. It would seem that Demaree was too much of a Teuton to keep a Yankee tavern. The house was better adapted for a boarding house than for a tavern and leaned rather to the order of a boarding house, especially in the later stages of its career. It must have been opened as a tavern but few years at most before the date of the location of the bank there, and was probably continued as a tavern up to1836, when it passed into the hands of Saterlee Warden, who occupied it as a private residence It continued a private residence up to 1854, when it was purchased by E. B. Parmelee and united with the old Parmelee Tavern, under the name of the National Hotel, which name it still bears.
Smith and Parmelee became the proprietors of the Lynch Coffee House, succeeding Brigham Fay about 1829. Mr. Smith (who was the Martin Smith of the old tavern at the head of Owasco Lake, where the Cascade House now stands), remained only a year or two, but Parmelee conducted the house as Parmelee's Tavern until his death. This tavern was very popular, particularly with farmers.
In the papers of this date appeared the following :
ENTERTAINMENT "
"Allen Warden
"Respectfully informs his friends and the public that he has removed to the village of Auburn, and has opened
A PUBLIC HOUSE
in the White Building, which is pleasantly situated near the State Prison, where he trusts his accommodations are such, his assiduity
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to please, together with a stock of excellent liquors well laid in and moderate charges that he will merit and receive a share of public patronage.
"N. B. A few genteel boarders will be accommodated on moderate terms.
"Auburn, Jan. 19, 1817."
This was the old Prison Hotel, corner of State and Chappel streets, opposite the prison gate. One of his decendants is authority for the statement that Watrous Pomroy opened the tavern and kept it the first year. This I think must be a mistake, for the house was built by Isaac Lytle, who was a contractor for building the Prison, and work upon this institution was not commenced till the summer of 1816. The tavern and adjoining buildings were burned on Sun- day evening, August 24, 1828, and in the next issue of the paper, T. J. McMaster, foreman, in behalf of the firemen attached to Engine No. 2, acknowledged the "attention of the Trustees and Fire Wardens of the village, the Hon. G. Powers and other citizens, in providing timely and necessary refreshments at the fire."
The tavern was rebuilt, but lost its reputation and stood for some time unoccupied, when on another Sunday, some years ago, it slowly burned to the ground, the efforts of the firemen to extinguish the flames being apparently aimed to make the work of destruction more complete.
On the opposite corner where the New York Central passenger depot now stands, James Hickson, about the same time built and opened the Red Tavern, a name which explains the significance of Mr. Warden's, White Building, while east of the Warden tavern, on the north side of Chapel street, adjoining the present railroad, was Thomas Hickson's tavern.
There seems to have been at an early date a tavern at the south- west corner of North and York streets, which was known as the Goodrich Inn, kept by Zenas Goodrich. In 1829, it was known as
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