USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume I > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
Several varieties of the dotted fruit thorn tree, Crataegus punctata Jacq., occur along the banks of the Mohawk near Utica. The fruit of different trees varies so greatly in size, shape and color, that it is very unsatisfactory to a close observer to lump them all together under one name. This thorn tree is also abundant along the railroad between Remsen and Boonville. In the town of New Hartford the English hawthorn, Crataegus oxyacantha L., an intro- duced species, is quite plentiful. This locality is also the home of the Haberer thorn and several other species.
The creeping buttercup, Ranunculus repens L., was discovered near the Erie canal between Rome and Oriskany by Professor Amos Eaton in 1824. In 1884 the writer, following the canal eastward from Rome, found this plant, probably in the same station, still growing "near the Erie canal." It may be there yet. If so, it would show a wonderful case of pertinacity.
The rare plant, early collinsia or blue-eyed Mary, Collinsia verna Nutt., is reported to have been found by Dr. Knieskern and Professor Gray near Utica many years ago. It is doubtful if it still exists there.
51
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
The region designated as Pine Plains lies west of Rome and between it and the eastern end of Oneida lake. It is similar to other sandy areas, with inter- mingled bogs or marshes, and has a similar flora to that of the sand plains be- tween Albany and Schenectady. An occasional white pine and red pine still linger, and indicate the probable presence of a better supply of these trees in former times. Such land is not regarded as having much value for agricultural purposes. It would be better to devote it to tree production. The following partial list of plants found there will sufficiently indicate the character of the flora :
White birch-Betula populifolia Marsh.
Prairie willow-Salix humilis Marsh.
Black scrub oak-Quercus ilicifolia Wang.
Sweet fern-Myrica asplenifolia L.
Twayblade-Listera cordata (L.) R. Br.
Hooker orchis-Habenaria hookeri Torr.
Northern clintonia-Clintonia borealis (Ait) Raf. Three leaved false Solomon's seal-Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf. Hare's tail-Eriophorum callitrix Cham.
Slender cotton grass-E. gracile Roth.
Virginian bartonia- Bartonia virginca (L.) BSP.
Butterfly weed-Asclepias tuberosa L.
Upright bindweed-Convolvulus spithamaeus L.
The rare ram's head lady's slipper, Cypripedium arietinum R. Br., was formerly credited to this locality, but has not recently been found there, and has probably become extinct.
The region around the eastern end of Oneida lake is a peculiar one, and is notable botanically for being a station of the white mullein, Verbascum lychnitis L., an introduced plant which has been established there for many years, but which does not appear to spread to other places. It was published in Dr. Knieskern's catalog in 1842, and it still exists there. With a single exception it does not appear to be listed in the local catalogs of the state as occurring else- where, and I have seen it in no other place. A hybrid between it and the com- mon mullein is found growing with it. Some interesting orchids and sedges have been credited to this locality. Mr. Homer D. House reports having found the yellow fringed orchis, Habenaria ciliaris (L.) R. Br., in the woods east of Sylvan Beach. This is a rare species, and is in danger of extinction in Oneida county. Dr. J. V. Haberer finds the two stamen spike rush, Eleocharis diandra Wright, well developed and abundant in the sand of the lake shore here. The interesting thing about this plant is its close relationship to the ovoid spike rush, Eleocharis ovata (Roth) R. & S., by reason of which it appears to have been long confused with the latter species. Other interesting species here are the beach pea, Lathyrus maritimus (L.) Bigel., a plant usually found growing on the seashore; the slender rush, Juncus filiformis L., a species common farther north; the Massachusetts fern, Aspidium simulatum Davenp., a species rang- ing farther eastward; and the sandy soil violet, Viola arenaria DC., a species ranging northward.
52
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
The high shaded and dripping cliffs that skirt the east branch of Fish creek above Taberg are exquisitely decorated in June by the presence of two charm- ing little plants which here find a congenial home near the most southern limit of their range. They are the yellow mountain saxifrage, Saxifraga aizoides L., and the Mistassini or dwarf Canadian primrose, Primula mistassinica Mx. Both were recorded in Paine's catalog, and of the last one it very properly says, "A whole cliff side scattered over with these variegated primroses is one of the love- liest sights in all our flora." Both plants extend far to the northward. The primrose takes its name from Lake Mistassinie, one of its northern stations. This is also credited to a deep ravine at the head of Crooked lake, Steuben county, and the yellow mountain saxifrage has also been found near Ithaca. But both uniting in the Fish creek locality give it a botanical prestige which is probably unique in this country.
The comparatively recent explorations of Dr. J. V. Haberer in Forestport, the northeastern town of Oneida county, have disclosed some interesting plants, and shown this to be a rich botanical field and one well worthy of further ex- ploration. Here plants from farther south meet with plants from farther north, and it might not at once be easy to say whether the prevailing relation- ship is with the northern or southern flora. In the case of the water wort, Elatine americana (Pursh) Arn., this appears to be the first discovery of it in Onedia county, notwithstanding the number of keen eyed botanists that have studied its flora. This is all the more remarkable because of the abundance of the plants in White lake. Drosera rotundifolia L. var. comosa Fern., is an- other variety to enrich the flora of Oneida county by its occurrence here. It grows in company with two yellow eyed star grasses, Xyris caroliniana Walt., and Xyris montana Ries, both rare species, but both of which, by their larger size, more showy flowers and great abundance attract the attention of the botan- ist more readily. His discovery of Corallorrhiza multiflora flavida Pk., is an- other notable addition to the Oneida county orchids, which now number, accord- ing to Dr. Haberer, 40 known species. This is all the more worthy of notice, be- cause recently the name Corallorrhiza maculata Raf., has been substituted for the name C. multiflora Nutt, formerly in use for the typical form. The varietal form has no spots on the lip, and in this respect is strongly in contrast with the typical form.
The discovery of the short spiked club moss, Lycopodium clavatum brevis- picatum Pk., on the rocky slopes near White lake adds another to the single station hitherto known for this peculiar variety of club moss, and another variety to the Oneida county flora.
The lance leaved violet, Viola lanceolata L .; the round leaved winterberry, Ilex verticillata cyclophylla Robins; the large leaved golden rod, Solidago macro- phylla Pursh; the dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium pusillum Pk .; the brown beak rush, Rynchospora fusca (L) Ait .; and the cluster fruited beak rush, Ryncho- spora glomerata (L.) Vahl, are some of the other notable additions to the flora of this part of Oneida county recently made by Dr. Haberer.
The flora of a county is by no means a permanent thing. Certain plants quickly yield to unfavorable changes in environment, others give way to the de- mands of agricultural progress, still others yield to the more hardy and aggres-
53
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
sive species introduced from abroad. Two species of hawkweed, the orange hawkweed, Hieracium aurantiacum L., and the king devil, Hieracium florentinum All., are both comparatively recent introductions and were not known to the ear- lier botanists of the county. Both are pestilent weeds, and thrive well in the hilly northern part of the county and are active in crowding out other less vigorous weeds and also many useful plants.
CHAPTER VIII
FORESTRY
For many years in the early history of the county the inhabitants, it would seem, made special effort to denude the lands of wood and valuable timber, by the countless thousands of cords burned in log heaps to clear the land for cul- tivation. This was usually done with very little judgment. The tops and sides of hills, where soil was very light, were denuded of timber, and by this means many streams and springs were dried. The hills were frequently too steep for cultivation, and many of them furnished poor pasturage. It would have been immeasurably wiser to have left the summits of the hills covered with woods, so that the moisture would have been retained, and been distributed gradually in the dry season down the sides of the hills into the valleys, and in this man- ner kept springs and streams alive.
A revolution has been wrought in the public mind in regard to forestry within the last ten years. Whereas at one time it was to destroy the trees, now the in- clination is to reforest the country, and this is a very sane state of the public mind.
Within the last three years trees have been procured of the state of New York and transplanted in Oneida county to a considerable extent, and, as an incentive to others to do the same, the list of names with the number of trees set out by each is here given :
1909
Hon. Elihu Root, Clinton 31,000
J. S. Baker, Rome 4,000
John Bliven, Bridgewater 1,000
J. J. Russell, White Lake Corners 2,000
Q. McAdam, Utica
2,400
T. W. Parkinson, Bridgewater
2,000
H. H. Wicks, Utica-Sauquoit
1,000
C. E. Witcher, Utica
500
A. A. Heckert, Sangerfield
1,000
Dr. C. T. Guillane, Boonville
2,000
H. J. Cookinham, Utica
3,000
J. T. Durham, Oneida 300
A. D. H. Kelsey, Westdale 500
H. F. Simmons, Sauquoit 500
51,200
54
55
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
1910
A. R. Eastman, Waterville 2,500
A. D. H. Kelsey, Westdale
1,000
City Water Board, Waterville 25,000
Jos. J. Russell, White Lake Corners. 2,500
LeRoy J. Davis, Remsen
500
Samuel T. Russell, Ilion-White Lake Corners 1,500
H. J. Cookinham, Utica
6,500
Wm. S. Wicks, Barneveld
500
Wm. Stell, White Lake Corners
1,000
Hon. Elihu Root, Clinton 8,500
Dr. C. T. Guillane, Boonville. 1,300
Harvey H. Wicks, Utica-Sauquoit 1,000
Melville J. Oley, White Lake 3,000
A. Heckert, Waterville 1,000
S. H. Allston, White Lake Corners 1,500
Mrs. Morris S. Miller, Boonville. 3,000
J. DeP. Lynch, Remsen 5,500
Nicholas E. Devereux, Whitesboro.
6,000
Mary L. Culver, White Lake Corners 5,500
Marklove Lowery, Utica 52,000
William Townsend, Utica 1,500
130,800
1911
Walter D. Edmonds, Boonville
3,000
H. J. Cookinham, Utica
5,000
J. G. Kilbourne, Utica 2,000
A. D. H. Kelsey, Westdale 500
Nicholas E. Devereux, Whitesboro
4,000
T. B. Dallarmi, White Lake Corners 2,000
Francis K. Kernan, Forestport 17,000
William Townsend, Utica. 2,000
F. H. Cookinham, Utica-Barneveld 1,500
E. C. Smith, White Lake 1,000
William Stell, White Lake Corners 1,000
Oneida Community Ltd., Oneida 8,000
Harvey H. Wicks, Utica-Sauquoit. 2,000
Melville J. Oley, White Lake 2,000
A. A. Heckert, Sangerfield
300
Edith M. Chargo, Verona
300
M. E. Hastings, Forestport
Fred E. W. Wagner, Rome 200
500
Edmund W. Stradling, Utica 500
Joseph J. Russell, White Lake Corners 3,000
S. F. Russell, Ilion-White Lake Corners 3,000
56
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
S. H. Allston, White Lake Corners. 1,100
S. G. Thomas, Cassville 1,000
Board Water Commissioners, Waterville 4,000
John M. Gaus, Utica 2,500
Charles E. Hooper, Rome 2,000
J. J. Wheeler, Boonville 500
William S. Wicks, Barneveld
1,000
James A. Beha, Boonville. 2,500
Benjamin Hall, Utica-Salisbury Center
1,000
Chas. B. Gibson, Whitesboro 1,000
Hon. E. F. Kinkead, Forestport
6,000
81,400
The principal reason why the quantity shipped to Oneida county in 1911 is less than in 1910 is because of the fact that it was necessary to reduce the quan- tity of the orders which the applicants made, as the supply was not sufficient to fill the orders in full.
It will undoubtedly be of interest to the public to know just what trees are indigenous to the county of Oneida, and they are as follows:
HARD WOODS
Scientific Name.
Common Name.
Acer saccharum Sugar (or hard) maple
Acer saccharinum Silver maple
Acer rubrum Red maple
Acer negundo Box elder or ash-leaf maple
Fagus atropunicea
Beech
Salix nigra Black willow
Salix amygdaloides Peach-leaf willow Fraxinus americana White ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanico Red ash
Fraxinus lanceolata Green ash
Fraxinus nigra Black ash
Ulmus pubescens Slippery (or Red) elm
Ulmus americana White elm Ulmus racemosa
Cork (or Rock) elm
Platanus occidentalis Sycamore
Betula lutea Yellow birch
Betula populifolia
White birch Betula papyrifera .Paper (or Canoe) birch Betula lenta .Sweet (cherry or black) birch Prunus serotina Black cherry
Hicoria ovata (carya alba) Shag-bark hickory
Hicoria glabra (carya porcina) . Pignut hickory
Hicoria minima (carya amara)
Bitternut hickory
THE MAKING OF CHARCOAL AT AN EARLY DATE IN THE TOWN OF BOONVILLE
57
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Hicoria alba (carya tomentosa) Mockernut hickory
Juglans cinerea
Butternut
Juglans nigra
Black walnut
Castanea dentata
Chestnut
Tilia americana
Basswood
Liriodendron tulipifera
Tulip poplar
Quercus alba
White oak
Quercus coccinea
Scarlet oak
Quercus acuminata
Chinquapin oak
Quercus rubra
Red oak
Quercus velutina
Yellow (or black) oak
Quercus platanoides
Swamp white oak
Quercus prinus
Chestnut (or rock) oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Burr oak
Populus tremuloides . (Trembling) Aspen
Populus deltoides (Common) cottonwood
Populus grandidentata Large toothed aspen
Populus balsamifera Balm of Gilead
Nyssa sylvatica . Black gum
Celtis occidentalis
Hackberry
CONIFERS
Scientific Name.
Common Name
Pinus strobus
White pine
Pinus rigida . Pitch pine
Pinus divaricata
.Jack pine
Pinus resinosa
Red or Norway pine
Picea rubens
Red spruce
Picea mariana
Black spruce
Picea canadensis
White spruce
Abies balsamea
Balsam
Tsuga canadensis
Hemlock
Larix laricina
. Tamarack or Hackmatack or Larch
Thuja occidentalis
Arbor Vitae
Juniperus virginiana
Red cedar
UNDERGROWTH
Scientific Name.
Common Name
Rhus vernix Poison sumach
Rhus hirta .Stag-horn sumach
Prunus pennsylvanica Wild red or pin cherry
Prunus virginiana
Choke cherry
Prunus nigra . Wild plum
Pyrus coronaria
.Sweet crab
Crataegus punctata
. Dotted hawthorn
58
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Crataegus crus-galli Cock-spur thorn
Pyrus americana
Mountain ash
Cornus florida
Flowering dogwood
Cornus alternifolia Alternate-leaved dogwood
Sassafras officinale Sassafras
Ostrya virginiana Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Blue beech
Juniperus communis
.Juniper
Salix lucida
Glossyleaf willow
Salix discolor
Glaucous willow
Salix fluviatilis
Peach leafed willow
Hamamelis virginiana . Witch hazel
Amelanchier canadensis Service berry (or shad bush) (June berry)
Viburnum lentago .Sheep berry
Acer spicatum Mountain maple
Acer pennsylvanicum Striped maple or moosewood
SOME INTRODUCED SPECIES
Scientific Name
Common Name
Robinia pseudacacia
Black locust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Honey locust
Picea excelsa Norway spruce
Picea parryana Blue spruce
Pinus austriaca Austrian pine
Pinus sylvestris
. Scotch pine
Acer pseudo-platanus
Sycamore maple
Acer platanoides
Norway maple
CHAPTER IX
ANIMALS-BIRDS- FISH
The inland situation of Oneida county excludes from the list of its animal i habitants all those which are entirely confined to, or to the vicinity of the se but of the remaining animals occurring in New York state a large proporti are inhabitants of this county.
Its central situation in the state, and varied topography, including fore land as well as cleared and cultivated districts, a fair number of lands, pon and streams, are all favorable to a rich and varied fauna. The county lie moreover, just on the boundary between two of the regions called life zones, in which the continent of North America may be divided on a basis of its land ar mals and plants. A brief explanation of what these life zones are and of the distribution in New York state will contribute to a better understanding of t] fauna of Oneida county. They are regions in which certain assemblages species of animals and plants are the characteristic and predominating forms life, though this does not imply that these species do not also occur beyond tl limits of the life zone of which they are particularly characteristic. Climate b ing the chief determining factor in the distribution of land animals and plant the life zones form on this continent a series from north to south, though tl boundaries between them are modified much by the altitude and other factor the northern zones extending farther southward in mountainous regions, and t. southern zones reaching northward in districts whose climate comes under t. moderating influence of the sea or large bodies of water.
New York state comprises parts of three or more such life zones, althou but two of them need be considered in connection with this review of the zoolo of Oneida county. These are the Canadian and the Transition life zones. In t. former are included the northern and mountainous parts of the state, especial the Adirondack wilderness and the higher parts of the Catskills. The region characterized by heavy coniferous forests, where these have not been destroy through the agency of man, and since its climate is a little too cold, and t. summer too short for many of the commonly cultivated crops and fruits, it h not proved attractive to the farmer, and much of it still remains wild countr though devastated by the lumberman and paper-maker and the fires which f. low in their wake.
The more southern of the two, the Transition life zone, in which Onei county chiefly lies, is characterized by the predominance of deciduous fores and, at the present time, by large tracts of open and cultivated land. It the chief agricultural region of the state. Such familiar birds as the Baltimc oriole, yellow warbler, catbird, brown thrasher and wood thrush, when occurri:
59
60
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
as breeders, and among mammals the cottontail rabbits and the common brown bat (Vespertilio fuscus), are characteristic of this zone in New York state. Yet the position of Oneida county on the northern border of this zone gives its fauna a considerable admixture of forms characteristic of the Canadian life zone. As examples of this, the breeding within the county of such birds as the white- throated sparrow, slate-colored snowbird, winter wren and red-breasted nuthatch may be cited. Undoubtedly this northern element in the fauna was greater in former times, when the country was still densely forested than it is to-day. With the clearing of the coniferous forests, the northern boundary of the Transition life zone has moved northward quite perceptibly.
Passing from these general topics to a review of some of the more important groups of animals, the mammals should receive the first consideration. No exact list, based on actual records of the mammals of the county, has been published, but from what is known of the distribution of animals of this group in the state and from scattered records that have appeared in print, it is probable that between fifty and sixty species or well marked varieties of mammals have been natives of, or more or less regular visitors to, the county within historic times. Of these, a considerable number, including most of the large species, must be removed from the list of its present inhabitants, having been exterminated by man, or having receded to wilder regions with the destruction of the forests.
While at the time of the settlement of the county the moose, elk, panther, Canada lynx, wolverine, wolf and beaver were regular inhabitants or frequent visitors to the county, at the present time the list of large mammals will be prac- tically covered by mentioning the Virginia deer, red fox and raccoon, and, es- pecially in the northern part of the county, an occasional porcupine, otter, bear, fisher, or common lynx. Yet, as long as a species occurs in the Adirondack woods, there is always a possibility of its wandering into Oneida county. Thus, although the wolf ceased to be a common animal in the Adirondacks as long ago as 1871, yet as late as 1882 bounties were paid on eight wolves in Oneida county, and in 1886 on one wolf.
With the great increase in the number of beavers in the Adirondack region, which has lately taken place as a result of restocking and protection, the re- appearance of this interesting animal in the northern part of Oneida county becomes a possibility. If it does return, its establishment as a regular in- habitant will depend entirely on whether it receives protection, for the beaver is well satisfied to live in the vicinity of human beings if not molested.
Although it has been the larger animals that have suffered chiefly from persecution by man, yet the fox squirrel has also been exterminated. But most of the small mammals have been affected only indirectly by the settlement of the county, and many of them find the changes produced by man of great benefit and convenience, so that they live largely upon his crops, vegetables and poultry, causing an annual loss difficult to estimate, but undoubtedly of considerable extent.
The house mouse and black rat, as in other parts of the country, soon followed the settlers, and the latter animal became very abundant throughout this section of the state, but has been practically exterminated by the subse- quent advent of the larger and more pugnacious brown or sewer rat.
61
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
In concluding this notice of the mammals some mention should be made of the bats. of which there are six or seven species. The discovery of the part that biting insects play in the transmission of diseases to human beings makes evident the value of these animals, which feed largely on mosquitoes and gnats, and they are quite as deserving of protection as any of the insectivorous birds.
The birds of Oneida county have been more thoroughly studied than any other group of animals. In 1886 a carefully prepared list with notes on habits, abundance, breeding, etc., entitled "An Annotated List of the Birds of Oneida County, N. Y., and its Immediate Vicinity," was published by William L. Ralph, M. D., and Egbert Bagg, in volume 3 of the Transactions of the Oneida Historical Society. In this list, however, a number of species were (as the title indicates), included because they had been recorded from neighboring dis- tricts, and since its publication a number of species not included in it have been observed in Oneida county.
In the Birds of New York, Memoir 12, New York State Museum, by E. Howard Eaton (volume 1, 1910), the known distribution of birds in the va- rious counties of the state. is presented in tabular form, and Oneida county is credited with 242 species, of which 129 are listed as having been known to breed in the county. This is out of a total of 411 species recorded as having occurred in the whole state. Considering that a considerable percentage of these 411 species are merely accidental visitors to the state, which are included only on the strength of their having once, or a few times only, strayed or been blown by storms to within its limits, and that Oneida county, from its geographical situation, is far removed from any of the principal migration routes of these birds, which in New York state follow the sea coast, the lake shores, the Hud- son and Champlain valleys, the list is a long one.
Examining Eaton's tables more in detail, 84 out of the total number are water birds, and, as would be expected in an inland district, a majority of them are accidental or only occasional visitors, only 28 being listed as common, 13 as fairly common, and 14 as breeders. The birds of prey number 24, of which only 6 are rated as common or fairly common, and 13 as breeders. Of the re- maining 134 species a larger proportion are common and breed within the county, 71 being recorded as common or abundant, 24 as fairly common, and 103 as breeders. Taking all together, this makes a total of 142 species at least fairly common, and 130 known to breed. These figures evidently give a much fairer view of the birds of the county than a simple list of the species that have at some time occurred there, perhaps as stragglers in a single instance, with little proba- bility of a second visit from them taking place.
As in the case of the mammals, the extermination of many birds has been pro- ceeding rapidly within the last few years. The passenger pigeon, the American egret, the Hudsonian godwit, and the long-billed curlew are not likely to be found again in this region. The golden plover is also approaching total extinction, and many of the larger birds are steadily becoming rarer. The small birds are now nearly exempt from direct persecution by man, except by the irrepressible small boy and the lawless foreign element, but great numbers are destroyed by the cats which are harbored in every country house, and many are unable to withstand
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.