USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 27
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THE CAYUGA BIBLE SOCIETY was formed at a public meeting, in Auburn, February 22d, 1815, more than one year before the formation of the American Bible Society, and the auxiliary Bible Society, in June, 1817. The object of the latter was the gratuitous distribution of the sa- cred Scriptures among the poor of the County. In 1818 the first Sabbath School in Auburn was begun by Dr. Richard Steel, Henry Ammerman and Noble D. Strong, for the religious instruc- tion of the colored people of the village. It was organized in the face of much ridicule and oppo- sition, but the men having the enterprise in charge, were not to be turned aside by the idle badinage of the thoughtless or prejudiced crowd. They were men of clear heads and pure hearts and their enterprise led not only to the success of the colored schools, but one for the white children as well, which was speedily followed by others. The hearty approval of the whole religious public was soon secured, and Sabbath Schools were soon instituted by the churches generally.
COTTON-MILL .- The first manufactory of cot- ton goods in Auburn is due to the enterprise of Elijah Miller and John H. Beach, who in 1814 began the erection of the cotton-mill at Clarks- ville. It went into operation in 1817. The mill, in 1822, was sold to a company, of which Alvah Worden was President, and Robert Wiltsie, Sec- retary. It was chiefly occupied in the manufac- ture of ticking. Robert Muir, George B. Throop and Nathaniel Garrow, bought the property in 1827. Though for a time the mill was operated profitably, its financial affairs final- ly became so embarrassed as to necessitate its sale. It then passed through several hands, by none of whom was its prosperity restored until it was purchased in 1853 by L. W. Nye, by whom and the lessees, Howlet & Bailey, it was run with highly satisfactory results.
THE FIRST PAPER-MILL .- Thomas M. and George C. Skinner and Ebenezer Hoskins, erect- ed, below the cotton-mill just described, the first paper-mill in Auburn, which was put in opera- tion in 1829. It made chiefly fine writing papers, which found a ready market for several years ; but in 1837 they, in common with nearly all busi- ness men, were forced to close out their business and their interest in the property was transferred to the Cayuga County Bank in 1840. The sub- sequent lessees of the mill were L. W. Nye and Charles Eldred, who were succeeded by David S. West, Henry Ivison and Chauncey Markham. A company was formed in 1849 with a capital of $20,000, the trustees of which were David S. West, L. W. Nye, John C. Ivison, David Foote, Henry Ivison, Aurelius Wheeler, Asahel Cooley and Russell Chappel. The business department of the company was placed in charge of S. H. Henry, and William H. Barnes superintended the manufacturing department. In 1854 there was a rëorganization of the company with an in- creased capital, and its business was greatly en- larged. The two large publishing houses here of Derby & Miller and Alden, Beardsley & Co., were large consumers of the paper produced by this company. In 1858 the mill was destroyed by fire and the business discontinued.
The first Auburn Bank was organized in 1825, the instruments being procured by the liberal subscriptions of our citizens.
In 1828 a memorable effort was made in Au- burn and throughout the country, to promote the
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due observance of the Sabbath by organizations, the object of which was to prevent Sunday travel. State, central and local auxiliary socie- ties and a large combination of individuals were formed to effect this object. The incidents and results of this movement are given in the article relating to "Travel and Transportation," to which the reader is referred.
The militia system of the State was, at this time, very imperfect. It was regarded by our citizens as the merest farce, and unsuccessful efforts were made to reform it by a change in the laws of the State. Failing in that, a few public- spirited men attempted to supply the deficiency by voluntary efforts to raise, equip and drill an artillery regiment, to comprise five companies, one from each of the towns of Auburn, Brutus, Scipio, Locke and Genoa. The Auburn company was commanded by Captain William H. Seward. The regiment was finally organized in 1829 with Mr. Seward as Colonel ; John Wright, Lieuten- ant-Colonel ; Lyman Hinman, Major ; Oscar S. Burgess, Adjutant ; John H. Chedell, Quarter- master ; Nelson Beardsley, Paymaster ; Frank L. Markham, Surgeon ; Dr. Blanchard Fosgate, Surgeon's Mate. The regiment was denomina- ted the 33d Artillery. The organization was kept up about 13 years, when it was disbanded.
FUSILEERING. - The military system of the State was regarded as so farcical and inefficient that an attempt was made to so scandalize it as to shame the authorities into the adoption of measures for its improvement. For this purpose bodies of Fusileers, so called, were formed and rigged out in the most fantastic style. They were mounted, the better to carry and display their bulky and varied trumpery of immense wooden swords six to eight feet in length, their straw valises the size of small cotton bales, their bedaubed and clay faces and calico uniforms of every conceivable size and shape, the whole form- ing a most ridiculous burlesque when mounted and piled upon nags, that were as unique in de- formity as were the loads they bore.
These Fusileers exhibited their fantastic drill and discipline and their ridiculous uniforms, on occasions of the militia parades, drawing im- mense crowds of spectators, and so incensing the legal " trainers " as, in some cases, to lead to their expulsion from the field. Though the bur- lesque was ridiculous in the extreme, it led to the
revision of the laws and to the improvement of the militia system.
THE FIRST MARKET in Auburn was opened in 1820, by Edward Patten, and the business is still continued here by his descendants.
LA FAYETTE made a tour of the country in 1825, accompanied by his son George Washing- ton La Fayette. His reception in Auburn was very enthusiastic. Vast crowds from the village, the County and adjoining counties, came to greet him. He was met at Cayuga by a reception committee in carriages, and an escort of cavalry and mounted citizens. He rode in a barouche drawn by six beautiful chestnut horses, supplied for the occasion by the Sherwoods, who were then the great stage proprietors of this route. An imposing display of military companies, Revo -. lutionary soldiers and Free-Masons lined the road in front of Fort Hill, across which an evergreen arch was thrown, bearing the words :
" Hail Patriot, Statesman, Hero, Sage !
Hail Freedom's Chief ; hail Gallia's Son ! Whose laurels greener grow with age, Won by the side of Washington."
On passing the arch a salute of artillery was fired from the hill above them, the bells of the village pealed their welcome, and deafening cheers were given by the thousands that lined the way- side. It was a bright and beautiful day in June, and everything conspired to give eclat to the im- posing event. It is related that on reaching the Western Exchange, the General recognized in the crowd an old soldier who had served under him and rushing to him, he threw his arms about him and heartily kissed him, to the great amuse- ment of the crowd.
He was received by Colonel John W. Hulbert, in an elegant and patriotic speech, to which the General made a graceful and fitting response. Introductions and greetings followed, succeeded by a repast, served in a shaded 'field in the rear of the hotel. Toasts were drank from the wine cups, and, as was the usual practice of the times, accompanied by volleys of artillery and martial music. A ball followed in the evening which was visited by the Marquis, from which at eleven o'clock, P. M., he departed in a carriage for Syra- cuse, escorted as far as Elbridge by a committee of citizens. It is now easy enough to take a midnight train to Syracuse ; but at that time it was no special luxury to drive twenty-six miles after eleven, P. M., over the hilly and rough roads
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which then formed the thoroughfare to Syracuse; yet the General was due there on the following day, and he kept his engagement. From Syra- cuse eastward, he traveled by way of the grand Erie Canal, whose packet boats were then re- garded as the perfection of luxurious travel.
PREPARING FOR A PANIC .- In the fifteen years, between 1820 and 1835 Auburn had rapidly in- creased in population, having risen from 2233 in the former, to 5363 in the latter year, and im- provements of all kinds had increased in a still greater ratio. As before the panic of 1873, there was scarcely any limit to the expenditures for public or private improvements, so, for several years before that of 1837, the expenditures for buildings, street and other improvements, and in the purchase of real estate, had been on the most extravagant scale. Every one believed himself rich, or at least, that he would soon be so. Money was abundant, easily obtained, and very liberally used. As usual, at such times, credits were readily granted, and indebtedness largely in- creased. The streets were graded and mac- adamized, and shade trees planted by the con- current action of the citizens. The wooden bridge over the Outlet on Genesee street was replaced by a costly stone bridge, so imperfectly constructed, that when the supporting wooden arches were removed it fell into ruins. Eighty new residences were erected in 1835, and the same year, the eleven stone stores comprising the Exchange block. The old market and present City Hall, costing about $30,000, was erected in 1836. The plan had been to locate in the first story all the butcher's stalls, and to confine their business exclusively to this building ; but John E. Patten, under legal advice, refused to obey the ordinance, which the courts declared illegal, and the plan was abandoned. The building has re. cently been refitted for the several city offices. The court house was erected in 1836, costing about the same as the town hall. The Auburn House and Merchants' Exchange, completed in 1839, was another expensive enterprise of this year, undertaken by an association of our citizens. But the ambition, enterprise and resources of our citizens were not bounded by merely local improvements, extensive and magnificent as these were. In 1835, The Owasco Canal Com- pany engaged their earnest attention and they resolved to go forward with the work, to lay, on
the 14th day of October, the foundation stone of the " big dam," which was to raise the waters of the Outlet to a level with the surface of the lake, and that the Hon. Wm. H. Seward be requested to deliver an address on the occasion. Arrange- ments were made for a grand and imposing pro- cession in which a special and interesting feature was the appearance of the several trades, plying. on appropriate cars, their respective arts. The day was fine and the attendance very large. Mr. Seward's address was one of his happiest, and the liveliest enthusiasm was aroused.
The exercises were followed by a dinner at the American, with toasts, and concluded by a ball in the evening. The construction of the dam was at once commenced and carried up as the water permitted during the next three years to the height of 25 feet. Thirty-eight feet had been the proposed height of the dam. In the meantime the financial collapse of 1837 had come and borne down many, on whom the progress of the work depended, and it was suspended. Had it been otherwise, and had no "Mill River" disaster resulted from the giving away of the big dam, it would have largely added to the water-power of the city, estimated at 7co horse power, and would, in that view alone, have been an important and paying investment, while the proposed naviga- tion of the Outlet would, in the light of subse- quent improvements, have been of no practical consequence.
The project of a railroad to the canal at Weeds- port and to Syracuse were also suggestions of the vigor and enterprise of our citizens, resulting in the building of the latter. Of the $400,000 of authorized capital of the latter road, Auburn and its immediate vicinity supplied $350,Oco.
AUBURN COLLEGE .- The ambition of the " Loveliest Village" was by no means satisfied with the public, private and internal improve- ments in which she had so liberally engaged. She also aspired to the honor and literary advan- tages to be derived from the location of a college here, under the patronage and direction of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
It was suggested by the Oneida Conference and approved by that of Genesee. The plan also met the hearty approval of our principal citizens, including such influential and substantial men as Seward, Garrow, Throop, John Seymour and others. The purpose was really entertained and
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earnest and hopeful efforts at one time made to carry it into practical effect. At a meeting called to consider the subject and held at the Methodist Church, in Auburn, $18,000 were subscribed, a committee to solicit additional subscriptions appointed, and a board of trustees organized. So encouraging were the prospects that the trus- tees obtained the consent of the Regents of the University to charter a college whenever the pro- posed conditions were complied with, viz. : A building erected of the value of $30,000 and an endowment of $50,000, which the trustees be- lieved, in the then condition of the country, could be readily procured. Such, doubtless, would have been the case if the season of prosperity, so called, had been continued a year longer. As it was, $40,000 was pledged, a fine site, compris- ing ten acres, donated, plans prepared and every preparation made for building. But the crash came and the plan of the Auburn College sank in the general ruin.
THE FINANCIAL CRASH OF 1837 .- As we bave seen, the business prosperity of Auburn for sev- eral years previous to 1837 had been unchecked and, on the approach of the new year, the peo- ple were animated by the same golden visions by which the last few years had been gladdened. " A Happy New-Year " had come, and the dis- tant rumbling of the coming storm was soon heard. The banks of the State manifested symp- toms of distress. On them rested the risks of the general business of the country. They were the dispensers of mercantile and business credits and were sound only as their customers were so. In the fancied prosperity of the previous years and the visionary wealth which floated before the minds of the people, the latter had freely in- dulged in expensive luxuries, and the large amount of foreign goods which had been con- sumed had drained the country of specie to meet the large balances of trade ; and when, as was now speedily manifest, the banks saw that the large discounts to their customers could not be paid, further accommodations to them became impos- sible and a general suspension of specie pay- ments by the banks followed, as well as the gen- eral stoppage of payment by creditors of all classes. The suspension of specie payments by the banks of the State for one year was author- ized by law, and the circulation of bills of a less denomination than five dollars was prohibited.
This latter measure was a source of great in- convenience and compelled corporations and in- dividuals to issue their checks of small denomi- nations, varying from five cents to three dollars, and these checks and notes were the principal cir- culating medium for years, of which at one time their amount was estimated at $150,000. A part was lost or worn out and the balance redeemed.
The depression in its worst form continued about five years, during which the decline in real estate was very large, sales being made at one- sixth of the fictitious valuations of 1836. It fol- lowed necessarily that large fortunes were swept away, enforced economy in expenses induced, projected enterprises abandoned, and the progress of the village arrested, throwing large numbers out of employment and producing much distress. The village recently so active, so full of hope and visions of greatness, was suddenly deserted, and disappointment and despondency reigned in their stead.
Several of our citizens took an active part in what was called the " Patriot War," the object of which was to revolutionize the government of Canada. The leader of the movement was an enthusiastic Canadian of the name of W. L. Mc- Kenzie, an editor of more zeal than discretion, though a good writer and effective speaker. He secured a large number of followers in Canada and made an unsuccessful military demonstration upon Toronto. He then came to the United States with the view of organizing here a military force of sufficient strength to accomplish his pur- pose. In furtherance of his plans he visited the region bordering upon Canada and organized se- cret lodges of Patriots or Reubens, one of which, in Auburn, is said to have comprised 700 mem- bers pledged to his cause. After perfecting his plans, the proposed invasion was attempted on the 7th day of November, 1838, with a small force, of which about 40 were from the Auburn lodge. They landed at Windmill Point, and after a short conflict with the Canadian forces, were overpowered, and such of them as had landed were taken prisoners, four of whom were Auburn men, namely, E. P. Senter, Oliver Law- ton, Asa Priest and Bemis Woodbury. The prisoners were tried and sentenced to death, but Senter and Lawton were pardoned, and the sen- tences of Priest and Woodbury, commuted to twenty-five years banishment.
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Auburn was honored, at different periods, by visits from three eminent statesmen, Henry Clay, President Martin Van Buren, and John Quincy Adams ; the two former in 1839, and the latter in 1843. Mr. Clay was welcomed by an elo- quent address by Parliament Bronson, Esq., to which he responded in his own peculiarly happy and eloquent style. Mr. Van Buren was ad- dressed by George Rathbun, Esq., and the re- sponse from the President was forcible and pleas- antly expressed. Ex-President Adams was wel- comed to Auburn by Governor Seward, in a class- ical and beautiful address, and the reply of "the old man eloquent " engaged the fixed attention of an immense audience. The ex-President while here, was the guest of Governor Seward.
THE FIRST WOOLEN-FACTORY .- The site for the mill was selected on the property of the Owasco Canal Company, by the Auburn Woolen Company, of which the following were the offi- cers : John Porter, President ; Henry G. Ells- worth, Manufacturer ; Joseph T. Pitney, John H. Chedell, Abijah Fitch, E. P. Williams, Wil- liam C. Beardsley, Bradley Tuttle, and C. D. Mc- Intyre, Directors. The capital was fixed at $100,000, but was increased to $158,400 in September, 1851, in order to finish and properly supply the mill.
While the first results of the operation of the business were satisfactory, it soon proved unre- munerative to the owners, by whom it was sold to Philadelphia parties at a heavy loss to the stockholders. The mill passed afterwards into the hands of Samuel Bush and an associate. In 1859, C. N. Fearing bought the establishment. Of the present organization of the company, which has existed since 1864, Mr. Fearing is the President, associated with Benjamin L. Swan and William G. Wise, as Trustees. The latter is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, and Samuel Laurie is the Superintendent. The capital of the present company is $200,000 and, under the existing management, the mill has been steadily and successfully operated, and has greatly aided the settlement of the eastern por- tion of the city and, by its large pay roll, con- tributed to the advancement of the place.
The Company have a branch mill in the western part of the city, upon the Outlet, which is under the same management, and has added largely to the growth and prosperity of that locality.
CHAPTER XXIV.
HISTORY OF AUBURN, (CONTINUED.)
INCORPORATION OF THE CITY-FIRST CITY OF- FICERS-POPULATION -INTEREST IN EDUCA- TION - FORT HILL CEMETERY - BUSINESS AND THE WAR OF 1861-MERCHANTS' UNION EXPRESS COMPANY-ITS FIRST SUCCESSES- CAUSES AND RESULTS OF ITS FAILURE-FIRST STATE PRISON-AUBURN PRISON -- ITS EREC- TION AND HISTORY-CONVICT LABOR-SILK CULTURE-CAUSES OF ITS FAILURE-THE ASYLUM FOR INSANE CONVICTS.
O N the 21st day of March, 1848, Auburn was incorporated as a city, having then a population of 8,500, the first Mayor being Cyrus C. Dennis.
. Eleven years had now passed since the crush- ing ordeal of 1837, and the wounds of that dis- aster had healed slowly, yet but few disabling ef- fects remained, and despondency and inertness had given place to hope and activity. Aside from the general interest felt and manifested in improving the means for public education and those for the institution of the seminary here for the higher education of young ladies, measures were taken for the organization of the Fort Hill Cemetery Association. Twelve Trustees were chosen, namely : E. T. Throop Martin, Thomas Y. How, Jr., James C. Derby, Benjamin F. Hall, William C. Beardsley, Isaac S. Allen, Cyrus C. Dennis, Z. M. Mason, Nelson Beardsley, John H. Chedell, M. S. Myers and John W. Haight. The grounds were duly consecrated with solemn ceremonies on the 7th of July, 1852, Michael S. Myers, Esq., delivering the introductory address. Two odes were sung, one composed by Henry Oliphant, and the other by Rev. J. M. Austin, and a concluding and very appropriate address delivered by the Rev. Prof. L. P. Hickok, D. D.
The grounds were neatly graded and improved and have since been the general burial place of the city, in which repose the remains of many of our honored citizens, including those of two ex- Governors-William H. Seward and Enos T. Throop.
BUSINESS AND THE WAR OF 1861 .- The im- pulse given to the business of the country by the war of 1861, had been unparalleled in all its
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previous history. The immense sums which were loaned and disbursed during the decade from 1862 to 1872 for various purposes, by the general government, the loyal States, counties, towns, cities, corporations, individuals and asso- ciations, have been estimated at ten thousand million dollars.
This vast sum was rapidly and widely distribu- ted to the families of soldiers in bounties and wages, to producers of all kinds to supply the necessities and the waste of war, to laborers of all kinds engaged in the production of supplies, to manufacturers for whose productions the de- mand exceeded the supply, to railroads and ship- pers, whose facilities for transportation were generally inadequate, necessitating new roads and rolling stock, new boats and ships to meet the extraordinary demands. Every miner of coal and worker in iron or wood was constantly employed, as well as those engaged in the manufacture of fabrics and clothing. There was apparently no limit to the demand, and arrangements to supply it were constantly and largely augmented.
Manufacturing centered in the villages and cities, wherein the demand for all sorts of labor- ers was constant, and to them they flocked from the country in crowds. It is shown by the State Census of New York, that during the period under review, the cities and villages of the State gained seventeen inhabitants where the country gained but one ; a convincing proof, if such were needed, of the abnormal condition of the industry of the country, wrought by the incidents of the war.
Accommodations must of necessity be provided in the villages and cities for this vast influx of population, for whom buildings must be provided, and their erection in large numbers gave addi- tional activity to the already over-excited indus- tries, and dwellings, stores and shops of all kinds were augmented in proportion to the increase of customers.
The extreme demand for labor and all its pro- ducts, advanced their prices to rates hitherto un- known, and the liberal compensation made the laborers free purchasers and good customers of the several dealers, whose business was corres- pondingly large and profitable.
The ten years under consideration brought a marvelous change in all our cities and villages, and Auburn shared in the general change. Dur- ing that period her population and material
wealth were doubled, and her churches, halls and stores assumed palatial magnificence. The habits of our citizens had also greatly changed, and their average living expenses had more than doubled. Taxes had increased more than four- fold, and to meet the large augmentation of ex- penses, required a corresponding increase of receipts, or a radical change of habits.
When the reaction of 1873 occurred, a sud- den and general check was given to the recent business activity, followed either by a general stoppage or the unprofitable use of the wheels of industry, and throwing out of employment much of the labor hitherto fully employed and liberally rewarded. Few of that class had expected or were prepared for the emergency of enforced idleness. Although for years they had received fully double the usual compensation, their current expenditures had, in nearly all cases, equalled their current receipts, and want and distress im- mediately followed the stoppage of work.
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