USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 26
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1860, Henry T. Holmes, Sylvester Levee, Wm. S. Tucker, S. T. Smith. 1861, Robert Casler, Philander G. Potter, J. N. Casler, James Boyer. 1862, Wm. M. Briggs, Thomas Dale, Warren C. Southworth, Nicholas Moyer. 1863, Sylvester Levee, Philander G. Potter, C. B. Leigh, Darwin B. Chase.
1864. Thomas Dale, Thomas W. Dundas, l'eter A. Conyne, Wm Briggs. 1865, Ifenry Root, George F. Angel, Sylvester Levee, R. D. Casler. 1866, Thomas Dale, John W. Bellinger, Wm. II. Weeks, Nathan Easterbrook. 1867, Henry M. P. Uhlee. P. G. Potter, Charles Benedict, T. A. Burnham. 1868, Levi Bellinger, Esick Buchanan, Amos Rankin, Patrick Nolan. 1869, Wm. M. Briggs, Ilenry M. P. Uhlee, Robert Casler, jr .. Rollin H. Smith. 1870, Frederick II. Phillips, Win. Nelson, Timothy Comboy, Jonah May. 187I, Wm. M. Briggs, S. B. Casler, James W. Cronkhite, Wm. Clark. 1872, Albert Story, Thomas Dale, C. B. Leigh, James T. Smith. 1873, Peter A. Conyne, John P. Harvey, John A. Woolever, Charles Benedict, 1874, Victor Adams, 1. B. Richmond, Amos Keller, Thomas Sheridan.
1875, Daniel W. Ladue, Peter A. Staring, Wm. M. Briggs, Charles W. Nellis.
1876, Alonzo O. Casler, Edward S. Middlebrook, Andrew Foley, Jacob Stacy. 1877, John F. Leahy, D. W. Ladue, James Wiswell, Amos Rankins.
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1878, Irving E. Waters, Henry Link, George Keller, Thomas Sheridan. 1879, Amos Rankins, Silas W. Boyer, D. W. Ladne, Jolin McCauley. 1880. Joseph W. Baker, Henry E. Piper, Richard Levee, Jacob Stacy. 1881, John Canaman, James McDonald, John Chester, R. Walrath.
1882, Victor Adams, Albert Story, John L. Palmer, W. R. Chapple. 1883, Irving E. Waters, Amos Keller, Peter E. Rankins, John C. Leahy.
1884, Chas. J. Palmer, W. Shall, W. R. Chapple, Charles Bailey, Asa Bowen. 1885, Charles Benedict, D. J. Mesick, Peter A. Staring, Lyman Timmerman. 1886, Thomas Bailey, N. G. Lower, Thomas McDermott, L. R. Klock. 1887, Emory J. Diefendorf, Warner Edick, Fred MI. Kenyon, L. Timmerman.
1888, Thomas McDermott, Fred H. Gowen, John H. Kane, George H. Goetchius.
1889, Charles N. Le Bart, David F. Broughton, Frank W. Smith, Halsey W. Warren. 1890, H. G. Babcock, N. O. Casler, John H. Kane, Hiram Sharp.
1891, Richard Levee, J. S. Newell, Halsey W. Warren, Herbert B. Clemons.
1892, William Dale, Squire Bailey, Kenyon A. Bushnell, Sylvanus J. Waters, jr.
Following is a list of the presidents of the village of Little Falls from 1828 to the present time :
N. S. Benton, 1828; John Dygert, 1829-30 ; Arphaxed Loomis, 1831, 1833-36 ; Henry P. Alexander, 1834-35; Jesse C. Dann, 183, ; Martin W. Priest, 1838-41, 1844, 1847, 1862-66, 1872-73; Robert Stewart, 1842; George B. Young, 1843 ; Fred- erick Lansing, 1845-46; Richard N. Casler (appointed to fill vacancy), 1847; Hiram Nolton, 1848; George H. Feeter, 1849 50; Nelson Rust, 1851; William Brooks, jr., 1852; Zenas C. Priest, 1853; Henry Link (appointed to fill vacancy), 1854; Jarvis N. Lake, 1854; James N. Barber (appointed to fill vacancy), 1854-56; Thomas Burch, 1855; J. W. Helmer (appointed to fill vacancy), 1855; Jamies Feeter, 1857 ; Seth M. Richmond, 1858-61; Mount M. Abel, 1867 ; John P. Sharer, 1868-71; W. A. Staf- ford, 1874; Watts T. Loomis (appointed to fill vacancy), 1874 ; S. Stewart Lansing, 1875-76; Jonah May, 1877; Isaac B. Richmond, 1878-79; Henry Link, 1880; Isaac B. Richmond, 1881, 1883 ; Kendrick E. Morgan, 1882; J. J. Gilbert, 1884-85; Joseph W. Baker, 1886; George F. Crumby 1887; Isaac B. Richmond, 1888, 1890; Charles L. Petree, 1889; Judson J. Gilbert, 1891; 1892, Albert Story.
The officers of the village for 1892 are as follow : President, Albert Story ; treasurer, Frank B. Wilcox; collector, Calvin Van Alstine ; trustees, William H. Dale, Squire Bailey, Sylvanus J. Waters, jr., Ken- yon A. Bushnell; clerk, Wilbur D. Newell ; attorney, H. A. De Coster ; street commissioner, James M. Smith ; board of health, John R. Taylor, Milton Tryon, Frank W. Smith.
THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS OF LITTLE FALLS.
The Octagon Church .- This historic building was erected, says Mr. Benton's history, about the year 1796, and "attracted the admiring 35
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
were Abraham Neeley and wife, Danicl Talcott and wife, Mrs. Henry Bartlett and Mrs. James Kennedy. The first elders of the church, chosen May 16, 1813, were Abraham Neeley and Thomas Smith. In the early part of 1813 the church entered into ecclesiastical connection with the Presbytery of Oneida, and so remained until 1842, when it transferred its connection to the Presbytery of Albany. In the re- construction of synods and presbyteries in 1870, after the reunion, this church was included within the bounds of the synod of Central New York by act of the General Assembly, and by act of synod was attached to the Presbytery of Utica, with which it has since been connected. The congregation originally worshiped in the old Octagon church be- fore described, which was erected about 1796. In 1832 a brick church was erected on the corner of Ann and Albany streets (now occupied by D. H. Burrell & Co.). This building served the congregation for nearly fifty years, and was several times remodeled and enlarged. In 1879 the present beautiful and and costly stone edifice was completed. It is one of the finest church structures in Central New York and cost more than $40,000.
The Sabbath-school was probably organized soon after the church organization, and Rev. II. N. Woodruff was the first superintendent, with the following teachers: Hon. N. S. Benton, Ephraim Carter, Josiah Pierson, Mrs. H. N. Woodruff, Maria Johnson, Sarah Lockwood, and Elizabeth Carpenter. The following persons have served as su- perintendents of the school: Rev. II. N. Woodruff; William Hammill, Hosea Ilamil- ton John Dygert, Rev. T. B. Jervis, Thomas Burch, William Rossiter, Jarvis N. Lake, J. S. Aldridge, D. H. Burrell, Amos King, Charles King, L. Timmerman, and E. J. Burrell.
The following have served either as pastors or stated supplies of the church :
Rev. James Joyce, 1812-1813; Rev. Hezekiah N. Woodruff. 1813-1822; Rev. Stephen W. Burritt, 1822-1827; Rev. Jacob Helffenstein, 1827-1828: Rev. David M. Smith, 1828-1829; Rev. J. Barton, 1830-1831 ; Rev. J. H. Martyn, 1831-1832 ; Rev. James F. Warren, 1832-1833 ; Rev. James I. Ostrom, 1833-1835; Rev. Arthur Burtis, 1836- 1837 ; Rev. L. P. Blodgett, 1837-1839 ; Rev. A. L. Bloodgood, 1840-1841 ; Rev. J. II. M .Ilvame. 1841-1843 ; Rev. A. G. Vermilye, 1845-1849; Rev. H. W. Morris, 1850- 1860: Rev. M. L. P. Hill, 1860-1868; Rev. W. B. Parmalee, 1869-1872; Rev. Walter Condit, 1873-1875 : Rev. Arthur Potts, 1875_1881; Rev. F. A. M. Brown, D. D., 1882- 1887; Rev. C. S. Richardson, 1888.
The elders of the church are :
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J. S. Aldridge, E. D. Evans, Andrew Van Valkenburgh, D. H. Burrell. The trustees are W. G. Milligan, president ; E. J. Burrell, C. L. Petree, L. Carry], F. I. Small, J. H. Ives, A. W. Shepherd, W. T. Loomis, George G. Stebbins.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- Methodism in the Mohawk valley dates from a very early period, certainly previous to the beginning of the present century ; and while details of the early history are extremely meager, we know that Freeborn Garretson and some of his colaboreis were in Schenectady in 1789, and probably preached as far west as Utica. Starkville in this county had a class between 1790 and 1795, and Brockett's Bridge (Dolgeville) had one about 1800. Little Falls was, of course, visited by those early preachers. William Morrallee came to this country from England in 1801 and preached here, and Bishop Asbury visited Little Falls in 1807, and baptized Mrs. Phoebe Lewis, a daughter of Mr. Morrallee. A legal church organization was not, however, effected until November 19, 1832. At the meeting held for that purpose in the old stone school- house, Henry Heath presided and E. S. Edgerton was secretary. The following persons were elected the first trustees : Edmund L. Shepherd, Gilbert Robinson, George Warcup, E. S. Edgerton, and Henry Heath. Rev. Darius Simmons was then one of the circuit preachers, and eight days later he was ap- pointed to visit Troy, Albany and New York and solicit funds with which to build a church. He probably failed in his purpose, as only $400 were pledged and the project was abandoned until 1837. Again, after considerable effort, it was given up on account of the financial stress of that time. Finally, in 1838, through the efforts of Rev. Charles L. Dunning, a powerful preacher and a man of indomitable will and energy, a building was erected, which was dedicated September 28, 1839. Bishop Hedding preached the dedicatory sermon. The mem- bership at that time was fifty- three. Since Mr. Dunning's pastorate the following have served the church:
Revs. C. W. Leet, Charles L. Dunning, S. Orvis, B. I. Diefendorf, O. C. Cole, C. L. Dunning, R. B. Stratton, W. L. Tisdale, M. G. Bullock, J. V. Ferguson, Aaron Adams, I. L. Hunt, Benjamin Phillips, D. Simons, D. M. Rogers, Jolin Loveys, J. D. Adams, J. L. Humphrey, W. Jones, J. L. Humphrey, M. R. Webster, James Coote, Samuel Call, J. B. Hammond, who came in the spring of 1888.
The church membership is now about 500. The trustees are S. Newell, Titus Sheard, William Dale, C. T. Pooler, S. Cross, William
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Revs. J. H. Harter, T. J. Whitcomb, engaged in September, 1851 ; J. H. Hobbs, Sep- tember, 1853; George W. Skinner, November, 1854; B. B. Halleck, June, 1857 ; J. R. Sage, May, 1859; O. Cone, 1863; A Tibets, December, 1865; Lucius Holmes, Oeto- ber, 1867; George P. Hibbard, June, 1871; II. D. L. Webster, May, 1873 ; II. A. Han- aford, April, 1875; E. F. Pember, December, 1877 ; Selden S. Gilbert, closed Septem- ber. 1884: R. E. Sykes, the present pastor, came in April, 1885. The membership is about 100. Following are the present trustees: Charles Benedict. George S. Ransom, Nelson E. Ransom, John P. Harvey, Addison Eaton, Osear Taylor.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church .- Previous to the building of the Utica and Schenectady Railroad and the enlargement of the Erie Canal, Little Falls was visited by various Catholic clergymen, but during the improvements mentioned Rev. Father Burke was appointed pastor in this place. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Shanahan. They oc- cupied the old Octagon church. For some time after the completion of the railroad and the consequent removal of many Catholic families, the village was without a resident pastor. During the pastorate of Rev. Father Stokes over St. John's church in Utica, his assistant, Rev. John Menomy, a young clergyman, was appointed by the bishop as pastor of Herkimer, Montgomery, Fulton, Otsego, and Schoharie counties. He purchased a lot on John street and erected the first Catholic church of Little Falls. It was a comfortable frame building and was finished in 1847 and dedicated the same year under the name of St. Mary's church. About the year 1852 he was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Mc- Loughlin, who built the brick parsonage. During his administration the church was burned. The pastor was succeeded in June, 1867, by Rev. Francis Von Campenhoudt. He erected the brick church on the corner of Alexander and Petrie streets, which was dedicated in 1869 by Bishop Lynch, of Charleston, S. C. He was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. James Ludden, who remained more than ten years and was succeeded by Rev. A. P. Ludden, the present pastor. During the first Father Ludden's pastorate the church building was condemned as unsafe, and in 1874 the new stone church corner of John street and Eastern avenue was begun and completed in 1878. In 1889 the sub- stantial stone school building was erected, and in 1892 the stone deanery was built. The property is now very valuable.
German Evangelical Church .- In the year 1849 Rev. P. Herlan began labor here for the establishment of a church of this faith, which
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he continued about two years. The place was then included in a cir- cuit extending from Albany to Syracuse. In 1852 Rev. E Greuzebach and a Mr. Scharfe came to the charge, and in 1855 Rev. L. Herman came, and during his ministrations the church was built on Gansevoort street. The society was incorporated January 29, 1857. The list of pastors cannot be given complete, in the absence of records.
Schools .- In foregoing pages the stone school house has often been mentioned. It is said that Elijah Case taught the first school in that historic structure, and for many years it was the only educational in- stitution in the village. Mr. Case called his scholars to study by blow- ing a long tin horn. There was little advancement in the schools at Little Falls until the incorporation of the academy by the Regents of the University of this State October 17, 1844. The trustees named in the charter were :
Nathaniel S. Benton, Frederick Lansing, William C. Crain, Henry Heath, Harry Burrell, Albert G. Story, Thomas Burch, Solomon Petrie, Henry Eysaman, Arphaxed Loomis, George H. Feeter, David Petrie, Martin W. Priest, Richard N. Casler, Zenas C. Priest, Nathan Brown, Stephen W. Brown, William Ingham.
The citizens of the village contributed liberally to a fund for the erection of a necessary building and the result was the substantial stone structure which has so long served its purpose. In December, 1845, the reported value of the academic property entire was $14,849.38. The school was opened by Merritt G. McKoon, A. M., as principal. He was succeeded by the following :
Daniel Washburne, 1845; Josiah A. Priest, 1848 : James H. Maguffin, 1849 ; Philo S. Casler, 1850; Avery Briggs, 1851 ; Lawrence Mercerreaux, 1854; W. H. Walker, 1858; Alonzo Phelps, 1860; John Bell. 1861; Levi D. Miller, 1863; Hannibal Smith, 1867; D. P. Blackstone, 1869; Eugene E. Sheldon, 1870; W. F. Bridge, 1871.
This academy subsequently became a part of the free school system of the village.
A resolution was adopted on the 14th of October, 1873 " That a union free school, with an academical department, be established in this school district," the Board of Education to consist of six trustees, two of whom were to be elected annually. The existing Little Falls Academy was adopted as the academical department. The first Board of Education, elected October 15, 1873, was: Arphaxed Loomis, Jonah
36
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
May, Seth M. Richmond, Charles G. Burke, James Hart, James W. Magill. Arphaxed Loomis was chosen president, and James Hart sec- retary of this first Board of Education. The school was divided into primary, intermediate, preparatory and academic departments.
On the 2d of September, 1879, the graded school system was adopted, and under the law of that year W. S. Hall was appointed the first superintendent of schools. The schools were then divided into the Eastern, Western, and Southern Divisions, the academical department being continued in the academy building in the Eastern Division. The schools are under the supervision of the Regents of the University of the State, and the course of study conforms to the requirements of that body. Pupils are not admitted to the academical department upon examinations by the teachers, but upon the fact of the applicant hold- ing a regent's preliminary certificate, obtained upon a regent's exam- ination. On completion of the course of study and satisfactory exam- ination a graduating diploma is awarded.
In 1884 a new brick school-house was erected for the Southern Di- vision, on the south side of the Mohawk, at a cost of $12,000, and in 1889 a new brick school building was built on the site of the old struct- ure, corner of Prospect and Church streets, at a cost of $22,000. This latter building is a model one in its heating and ventilating sys- tem and interior arrangement.
The present Board of Education is composed of the following per- sons :
Rollin".H. Smith, president; Alonzo H. Green, secretary : William R. Chapple, Horace A. Tozer, John Chester, Ivan T. Burney ; superintendent of schools, Thomas A. Caswell.
Academical Department, Marcellus Oakey, principal, Miss Mary L. Mills, precep- tress; Miss Mary E. Vaughn, assistant.
Eastern Division, Miss Adelaide A. Appley, Miss Emily A. Oyston, Miss Minie Evans, Miss Maggie D. Ferguson, Miss Mildred B. Van Alstine, Miss Anna P. Hutchins.
Western Division, J. K. Abrams, principal ; Miss Ilelena J. Ballard, Miss Julia S. Beach, Miss Mary E. Van Densen, Miss Bertha I. Hagedorn, Miss Ella M. Lewis, Miss E la R. Groom, Miss Cora M. Sharp, Miss Maggie E. Walcott.
Southern Division, J. F. Steward, principal: Miss Gertrude Brown, Miss Lucy H. Clancy, Miss Lora Houpt.
The Press of Little Falls -The first newspaper in Little Falls was called the People's Friend, a Democratic paper, started by Edward M.
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TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
Griffing in September, 1821. After about ten years of existence sev- eral leading Democrats of the village purchased the establishment to prevent a forced sale and discontinuance of the paper. Its name was then changed to the Mohawk Courier, and its publication continued by Charles S. Benton & Co; from them it passed to Josiah A. Noonan, who sold it to Horatio N. Johnson. He transferred it to Elias G. Palmer, but subsequently bought it back, and associated with himself Allen W. Eaton. In 1856 Mr Eaton purchased his partner's interest in the establishment, and the paper became the county organ of the then young Republican party, Mr. Eaton acting as editor. In March, 1861, Mr. Eaton sold the paper to William Ayer and T. S. Brigham, who conducted it until January 1, 1864, when it was purchased by Jean R. Stebbins, then proprietor of the Journal, and the two papers were consolidated under the name of the Journal and Courier.
The history of the Journal down to its consolidation with the Courier begins in 1849, when the Herkimer County Journal was removed to Little Falls from Herkimer by Orlando Squires. In 1858 X. A. Willard assumed editorial control of the paper, as far as its political and literary features were concerned, and Daniel Ayer conducted the local columns and the business management. Mr. Willard continued as editor about two years. Mr. Ayer injured his health by arduous labor and died January 1, 1861. On the 18th of the same month the establish- ment was purchased of Mr. Ayer's widow by Jean R. Stebbins, who continued as its proprietor until the consolidation above described.
In September, 1866, George G Stebbins purchased an interest in the Journal and Courier, and from that time until May, 1883, the paper was conducted and edited under the firm name of J. R. & G. G. Steb- bins. On the date last named Ivan T. Burney was admitted to the firm and the business continued under the firm name of Stebbins & Co. until November 1, 1886, when J. R Stebbins sold his interest to his partners, after a continuous connection with the paper of more than twenty-five years. Mr. Stebbins was a forcible and vigorous writer, especially on political subjects, and in the broad field of Republican politics his journal exerted a wide and powerful influence. Its circula- tion was extended and its character and prosperity built up under his able administration. Soon after the disposing of his interest to his
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
partners, Mr. Stebbins removed to Watertown, N. Y., to assume the du- ties of president of the Agricultural Insurance Company of that city. The Journal and Courier since then has been ably couducted by Steb- bins & Burney.
The Herkimer County News was started in Mohawk as an independ- ent paper in 1868 by Williams & Perkins. In the fall of 1870, at the solicitation of many Democrats in Little Falls, the News was removed to this village. In the spring of 1871 it was transferred to L. W. Flagg, and in August of the same year was purchased by T. M Chap- man, of Canandaigua, N. Y., and W. R. Chapple, of Cleveland, O., under the firm name of Chapman & Chapple. The establishment was enlarged and the paper given a new impetus. In September, 1874, Mr. Chapman sold his interest to H. A. Tozer (Chapman & Tozer). In De- cember, 1877, failing health impelled Mr. Tozer to retire, and since that time the paper has been ably conducted on Democratic lines by Mr. Chapple.
The Little Falls Evening Times is the only daily newspaper pub- lished in Herkimer county. It was founded May 10, 1876, by the Co- operative Printing Company, composed of Robert Currie, Thomas and G. H. Highland, J. R. McGuire, and Henry Langdon. The type and other materials were purchased of C. A. Tucker, who had previously published the Mohawk Independent. John F. Devlin was the first editor of the new daily. In November, 1886, the establishment was sold to a syndicate and E W. Pavey was appointed editor. Mr. Pavey continued in the editorial chair about one year, and was succeeded by John M. Lee as editor and manager. Mr. Lee held the position until August, 1889, when Jay E. Klock, of Albany, purchased an interest in the paper and became editor and manager. Mr. Klock retired June 15, 1891, to become editor of the Kingston (N. Y.) Freeman. He was succeeded on the Times by John Crowley, jr. Mr. Crowley purchased the interest of his partners in July, 1892, and is now editor and sole proprietor The Times is independent in politics, and a bright and ably conducted paper.
The death-roll of newspapers in Herkimer county is a long one, as it is in all other districts where numerous journals have been started by ambitious publishers and editors. The brief careers of many of tliese wrecks are noted in the history of other towns in this volume.
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TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
The Republican Farmer's Free Press was removed to Little Falls from Herkimer (see history of Herkimer) and its name changed to the Her- kimer County Whig. It was published by Larned W. Smith, and died young.
In 1839 Edward M. Griffing established The Enterprise and con- tinued its publication about two years. He then started the Mohawk Mirror, a semi-monthly paper, which expired in 1844
The Herkimer Freeman was started in Little Falls by O. A. Bowe, about 1844, after he had left the Herkimer County Journal, at Herki- mer. The Freeman was an abolition organ and lived about six years.
The Catholic Telegraph was first issued at Little Falls June 8, 1878. It was edited by Rev. James M Ludden and M. J. Ludden. In Janu- ary, 1881, the paper was removed to Albany and was discontinued a few years later.
The Dairyman's Record, a semi-monthly, was started February 15, 1859, by A. W. Eaton. In May, 1860, its name was changed to the Dairy Farmer and issued monthly. In April, 1861, Mr. Eaton sold the paper to Ayer & Brigham, and it was discontinued about a year later.
Water Works .- Little Falls had little water supply in which it could reasonably feel pride until very recent years. With pipes in some of the streets and indifferent sources to rely upon, the village for many years seriously felt the need of a better supply of water for domestic and fire extinguishing purposes. The reason given for this state of affairs was chiefly the apparently insurmountable engineering difficulties to be encountered in the construction of new works, with the. attendant expense. For several years previous to 1885 the subject of a better water supply had been agitated, and finally on the 21st of May, 1885, the trustees appointed a committee of twelve prominent citizens to act with them in investigating the subject. The members of the com- mittee were Hon. George A. Hardin, chairman ; Michael Reddy, Titus Sheard, J. D. Feeter, R. Walrath, D. H. Burrell, S. M. Richmond, Lorenzo Carryl, Watts T. Loomis, Z. C. Priest, William I. Skinner, and J. R. Stebbins. This committee visited and inspected all the practi- cable sources of supply and procured analyses of the waters. The result of these investigations was the selection of Beaver Brook as the best
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
and most available source. The committee reported unanimously in favor of the corporation owning the works and on the source selected.
On the 3d of July, 1885, the Board of Trustees organized themselves into a Board of Water Commissioners as follows : J. J. Gilbert, presi- dent ; C. J. Palmer, secretary ; Lyman Timmerman, treasurer; Victor Adams, W. R. Chapple, Charles Benedict, George W. Shall, Charles Bailey, D. J. Mesick, commissioners. This board was temporary and to be succeeded by a permanent one when the necessary legislation should have been procured.
An election was ordered for August 20, 1885, to decide whether the village was in favor of adopting the plans of the committee, at which 429 tax payers voted in favor and 110 against the plans ; and 864 electors voted in favor and 141 against. Upon the announcement of this result a popular jubilee was held at which the inhabitants gener- ally expressed their satisfaction after the customary American pro- gramme. October 6, 1885, the commissioners secured the services of Stephen E. Babcock, civil engineer, of Troy, N. Y., and a contract was made with him to superintend the construction of the proposed works at a salary of $3,000 per annum. Mr. Babcock and his assistants com- pleted the surveys of the entire system by December 25, 1885. An act was then prepared to transfer the duties of the water commissioners of the village to a Board of Water Commissioners, which became a law on the 11th of February, 1886. Under this act the following commis- sioners were chosen : Watts T. Loomis, five years ; William I. Skin- ner, four years ; Charles J. Palmer, three years; David H. Burrell, two years ; all dating from January 1, 1886. An act to authorize the issue of $250,000 in bonds was passed March 8, 1886. Sealed proposals were received up to May, 1886, for constructing the Beaver Creek conduit, eight miles long, dam and inlet chamber ; for the construc- tion of a distribution reservoir and about one mile of open canals ; for trenches and laying the system of distribution complete, about sixteen miles ; and for the valves and hydrants complete. All of these contracts were successfully let to responsible persons. The reservoir and conduit were brought into use July 15, 1887; the distribution reservoir was not fully completed until October, 1888; but the pipe lines were so arranged temporarily that water was delivered after
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