Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 32

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York > Part 32

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Such, in brief and stripped of verbage, has been the civil and polit- ical history of Watertown since it became an incorporated village and chartered city. In this connection many events might have been men- tioned which are left unsaid, but it is hoped nothing has been mentioned which should have been omitted. All political history has its unwritten page, yet in this municipality the unrecorded portion is brief indeed. From first to last the city has shown a steady growth, and has now gained a population closely approaching 22,000 inhabitants, while at no

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

period in its history have there been as many and diversified interests as at the present time. True, there have been periods of general stag- nation in business and manufacturing circles, but a careful observation of current events in the eastern and middle states during the last half score of years discloses the fact that the Watertown and Black river industries have suffered as little from adverse conditions as any locality in the region ; and it is a fact that in this city to-day are noticeable less unoccupied stores and factory buildings than in any municipality of its size in the state. Nature has provided generously and abundantly for the manufacturing interests of Watertown, and an enterprising, thrifty and persevering people have accepted proffered opportunities. Water- town stands at the head of the manufacturing cities in this state north of the Central-Hudson railroad; and the Black river, throughout its entire length, is acknowledged to furnish the best natural water power of any stream in the country.

This fortunate possession has drawn numerous capitalists and invest- ors to the place, but the chief factor in local success in this direction has been in the employment of home capital in nearly all industrial en- terprises. This is shown in nearly every incorporated manufacturing company doing business on the river, and few, comparatively, are the non resident operators and producers. The foundation of all progress in this direction has been in the excellent water power furnished by Black river, rather than by advantageous railroad shipping facilities available to local manufacturers and merchants. If there is any draw- back in commercial circles in Watertown and its vicinity, it lies in the fact that producers are wholly at the mercy of a railroad corporation operating without opposition, while relief from excessive freight and passenger rates can only be found in securing the construction of a new line of railroad to the center of trade and manufacture. Oswego, a rival city with Watertown in northern New York, is less than sixty miles distant, and possesses competing railway lines. The canal, too, is an important factor in commercial interests, and has the effect to materially reduce transportation rates. These same carrying facilities are easily withing the reach of Watertown manufacturers if any rea- sonable encouragement be extended to the operating companies.

Previous to the construction of a railroad through the Black river valley, all marketable products of the vicinity were taken to Sackets Harbor for shipment by water, or hauled with teams over the old state roads leading east and south. After the days of state roads had passed

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there followed the era of turnpike and plank road companies, the for- mer beginning in 1808 and closing in the course of the next twenty years. The first plank road constructed in the county was completed in 1848, and extended from Watertown to Sackets Harbor. During the next three or four years no less than half a dozen similar thorough- fares led to the county seat, and in later years they became something of a nuisance on account of the invariable tolls collected.

A railroad was suggested as early as 1832, although almost twenty years elapsed before the first road was in fact constructed and opened for traffic. The first locomotive on the old Watertown and Rome road arrived at Watertown at 11 o'clock at night, Sept. 5, 1851. In the next year this road was continued to Cape Vincent. This was the greatest publie improvement Watertown had acquired, and almost im- mediately thereafter its benefit was felt all through the county. In 1854 the Potsdam and Watertown road opened ready access to St. Law- rence county, and added materially to local prosperity, The eastern outlet by rail was completed in 1822, in the construction of the Carth- age, Watertown and Sackets llarbor railroad. By the gradual process of corporation absorption all these several roads, and indeed all within Jefferson county, passed under control of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg railroad company. This company was incorporated Jan- mary 14, 1825, for the purpose of acquiring by lease, purchase or con- struction, railroad properties and appurtenances, and operating them under the laws of the state. On April 15, 1886, the company leased for a term of years all the lines of railroads formerly operated by the Utica and Black river company in this county and elsewhere, and man- aged them as a consolidated system until March, 1891, when they were leased to the New York Central and Hudson River railroad company, thus becoming a part of the great Central-Iludson system; a system thoroughly complete so far as management is concerned, but of doubt- ful benefit to Jefferson county, from the fact that it is without com- peting lines, and all shippers and travelers are subject to the possible exactions of a single corporation, which in the absence of opposition, may become oppressive.

The Jefferson County Industrial association was intended by its found- ers to be of material assistance in building up manufacturing and busi- ness interests in Watertown, though the existence of the organization was short. It was a joint stock company, organized in May, Ist3, having for its object a union of labor and capital after the plan of

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Fourier. According to Dr. Hough. the association at one time num- bered nearly 400 members, but was dissolved in the course of two years. "An establishment was founded two miles east of Watertown, at Cold brook, where about 600 acres of land were purchased, mechanic's shops fitted up and dwellings erected."

The next organization for the promotion of trade was the Watertown Mechanics' association, which was formed Angust 13. 1844. by a com- mittee of two persons from each trade. The object of the association was " the cultivation and improvement of the moral, social and intel- lectual facilities, by diffusing information npon subjects connected with the mechanical arts; by exhibiting improvements, discussing the principles of mechanism and collecting statistics." But notwithstand- ing the laudable objects of the association it proved to be short lived and passed out of existence in 1861. A number of the strongest men of the village were among the members of this organization, in which connection may be recalled the names of Wm. H. Robinson, Gilbert Bradford, W. Y. Buck, Avery Thomas, George Martin, James H. Ryther, Lorenzo Finney, O. L. Wheelock, C. E. Hubbard, John Jor- dan, Timothy Turner, George Burr, A. Freeman, A. H. Burdick and John A. Haddock.

The Watertown Manufacturer's aid association was the first institu- tion of its kind designed to directly advance the producing interests of the city. It was first suggested by Mayor Winslow's inaugural address in 1825, and was organized soon afterward. Its purpose contemplated " a history of the settlement and progress of Watertown, a description of its commercial advantages as a manufacturing point, its location, its unsurpassed water power, its industry and general features of attraction to capitalists and manufacturers." The object of the association as de- clared by its constitution was "to make an organized systematic effort to develop and aid the manufacturing interests of the city of Water- town." The first officers were Gen. Bradley Winslow, president; Dr. H. M. Stevens, vice president : Charles R. Skinner, corresponding sec- retary; W. C. Haven, recording secretary; John F. Moffett, treasurer; and Bradley Winslow, John C. Streeter, Chas. W. Sloat, C. D. Palmeter, Moses Eames, Rozelle H. Hall, Levi A. Johnson, Thos. S. Graves and A. D. Remington, trustees. The organization was maintained about two years, and under the inspiring influence of Gen. Winslow, Mr. Skinner and a few associates, was productive of much good in trade circles, but at the end of that time the association was dissolved.

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

The Board of Trade of Watertown, the organization which has been so produetive of good results and substantial benefits in local trade and manufacturing cireles, was organized January 4, 1889, after the city had been nearly fifteen years without any regular association for the ad- vaneement of commercial interests. A preliminary meeting was held, a plan of organization was determined upon, and on the date mentioned the board was made complete. As declared in the constitution, the object of the association was "tocollect and disseminate faets that shall tend to induce new enterprises to locate in our midst; to improve trans- portation facilities; to encourage intercourse between business men ; to endeavor by all proper means to attract to the city such capital busi- ness enterprises, inventions and manufacturers as shall promote its growth; to co-operate with other similar associations in other cities, and to advertise the commercial and mercantile interests of the city of Watertown."

"The following officers were then chosen: Byron B. Taggart, president: A. D. Rem- ington, ist, George A. Bagley, 2d, Sidney Cooper, 3d, and S. F. Bagg, Ith vice-presi- dents; Albert Bushnell, W. W. Conde, Levi H. Brown, George H. Babcock, George 1. Davis, E. M. Gates, S. L. George, F. R. Farwell, L. C. Greenleaf, Frank A. Hinds, W. E. Hart, George W. Knowlton. L. A. Johnson, C. R. Remington, D. G. Griffin, E. W. Remington, Robert Hitchcock, J. F. Moffett, J. C. Streeter, J. M. Tilden, James B. Wise, S. T. Woolworth, George C. Sherman, George W. Wiggins, O). W. Wilmot, George B. Massey, John Nill, W. H. Smith, D. C. Middleton and R. N. Hall, directors,

Notwithstanding the auspicious beginning of the organization and the many benefits which resulted from its operation and efforts, there appears to have been a noticeable lack of interest in the affairs of the board itself, and its meetings have been irregularly held and at times poorly attended. At the annual meeting in January, 1891, George 1 .. Davis was elected president (vice Mr. Taggart) and Frank A. Sherman was elected secretary and treasurer. At this time the board deter- mined to join the state board of trade. In later years the organization had been maintained intact, and the board is at all times subject to order in general meeting at the call of the president, Col. Albert D. Shaw.

The work of building up Watertown as a commercial center began in faet about the time the first railroad was opened for traffic, and soon after the great fire of 1849. Following that disaster, a new village grew out of the old ruin, and within the next two years the splendid Woodruff house, the American, the Paddock buildings, the Iron block and still others of almost equal prominence appeared in places formerly

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

occupied by old unsightly structures; and during the course of a few more years, by the erection of still other buildings, there was established a continnous row of brick structures extending from Mill street almost to the city hall, a distance of nearly sixty rods. It is doubtful if an- other city in the state can boast of a similar unbroken row of brick buildings, none of which are less than three stories high. The village growth was the greatest between the years 1850 and 1869, and in the same manner the greatest advance strides in the city's history have been made since 1880. In this work it is not deemed advisable to note the year of erection of all the business buildings in the city, but rather to trace the growth and development of interests in a general way. The growth is in part indicated by the census reports, from which it appears that in 1870 the number of inhabitants in the city was 9,336; 1875, 9,992; 1880, 10,697; 1890, 14,225; 1892, 16,982; and at the pres- ent time a careful estimate of the population places the number at 22, - 000.

The Fire Department .- This is one of the oldest institutions of the city, and was brought into existence in an informal way with the act incorporating the village, in 1816. At the first election of officers Jabez Foster, Samuel Watson, jr., Rufus Backus, William Fletcher and Joseph Hersey were chosen fire wardens. At the first meeting of the trustees (May 13), the territory of the village was divided into five wards, and at the same time provision was made for "four good and sufficient ladders" for each. It was also ordered that each owner or occupant of a dwelling, store or office, factory or work shop should fur- nish for immediate use one good leather bucket, of not less than ten quarts capacity. For every structure one story high, one bucket was required; if two or more stories, two buckets, each one of which should have the owner's name, and be kept in some convenient place. A failure to comply with this requirement subjected the delinquent to a fine of two dollars. On Sept. 20, 1816, the trustees vested the fire wardens with exclusive power in their respective wards in case of fire, and ordered that each warden provide himself with a white staff, seven feet long, "that he might be distingushed in case of fire." It was also ordered that on an alarm of fire, it was the duty of every male inhab- itant of the village, of the age of fifteen years, to repair forthwith to the place of fire, and there take directions from the fire wardens, and any disobedience of the warden's orders was punishable with a fine of one dollar. At the annual village election in 1817 the fire wardens

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

chosen were Rufus Backus, Henry Brown, Jonathan Cowan, Samuel Watson, jr., and Micah Sterling.

The first fire company was formed in pursuance of a resolution of the trustees, passed May 28, 1817, and in response to a petition pre- sented to the board by those who proposed to comprise the company, viz. : William Tanner, Abraham T. Dygert, Marinus W. Gilbert, Or- ville Hungerford, Martin V. Symonds, Daniel Lee, Jonathan B. Burton, Edwin M. Seever, Thomas Baker, Solomon White, Dyer Huntington, Adriel Ely, Andrew Newell, Samuel Paddock, Silas Marvin, James Stone, jr., David W. Bueklin, Horatio Shumway, George Smith and Butler Ranney. The company thus formed at once set abont securing a fire engine, and proposed to and did pay half the expense thereof, while the other half was paid by the village. The old machine cost $400, and thus equipped with apparatus the members took to themselves a more formal organization, and became known as Cataract fire com- pany, the pioneer body of its kind in the village, comprising in its membership a number of the best business and professional men. The $200 paid by the company was raised by voluntary contribution, and thus was established a precedent of self maintenance and independence which has been upheld to the present time, and which in later years resulted in placing the department at the head of the purely volunteer fire organization of the state.

The trustees, at a meeting held Sept. 22, 1817, adopted a resolution requesting William Smith (the pioneer merchant) to enlist not to ex- ceed fifteen persons, "who, with himself, shall form a hook and ladder company in the village." The company was formed, and Mr. Smith was chosen captain, but no record of the members can be found. About this time an engine house was built on the site of the old Jeffer son county bank building; but by whom built, or how long it stood, are things now unknown. The village map of 1824 shows the old building on that site, before Stone street was laid out. The first frame one story double engine house on the site of present firemen's hall was built in 1832, under the supervision of Isaac Day.

Cataract fire company, and Captain Smith's hook and ladder company, comprised the village fire department from 1814 to 1832, and on Aug. 6. of the year last mentioned, the trustees formed another company to man and operate the engine owned by the Jefferson cotton mills. The members comprising the old organization were W. L. Beebee, L. W. Holmes, J. S. Young. J. A. Allen, J. II. Lawton, James Brown, George

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

M. Cline, Stephen and Henry Harrison, Richard Perkins, George Bige- low. Jno. Ashley, Daniel C Collins, Benj. F. Doolittle, A. J. Porter, Myron Beebee, Lucius Hubbard and Robert Hunter. At the same meeting the trustees numbered the engine companies as Nos. 1 and 2, and for more efficient department organization, appointed Dyer Hunt- ington, chief, and Adriel Ely assistant engineer.

Neptune engine company No. 3, was organized in April, 1835, and was furnished with the first " brake" engine brought to the village. The old apparatus was housed on Factory square, in the locality where the company's station is now built; and while the old organization has ever preserved its identity it has witnessed many vicissitudes and changes in later years. The original members were John C. Lasher, Nathaniel Wiley, A. P. Sigourney, Liberty and Alexander Cummings, Samuel R. Steadman, Levi Palmer, John Sigourney, George Goulding, R. M. Cummings, George W. Tripp, D D. Hustis, Linus W. Clark, Ili- ram Herring, George Burr, Milton Clark, Milton Carpenter, F. B. Fish - er, Richard Monkhouse, J. H. Armstrong, G. W. Lawrence, Otis Col- well, Augustus Remington, Archibald Porter, Lampsing Hildreth, Thomas Snow, A. L. Cratsenberg and Conrad Lasher.

On August 24, 1835, engine company No. I (the cotton mill company) was disbanded, and in the fall of 1837 Neptune company No. 3 was changed to No. 1. In April, 1838, the department comprised officers and companies as follows: Asher M. Corss, chief engineer; Neptune Engine Co., No. 1, G. W. Tripp, foreman, George Burr assistant, C. B. Lasher, clerk; thirty-three members. Cataract Engine Co., No. 2, IV. H. Robinson, foreman, D. D. Otis, assistant, D. C. Gridley, clerk ; twenty-three members. Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, Charles Per- kins, foreman; eight members.

Previous to 1839 the village trustees had exercised all authority over the department and had appointed its chief and assistant engineers. However, in January, 1839, the trustees called a meeting of the com- panies for the purpose of more perfect organization and the election of department officers. The meeting was held at F. R. Lamon's "inn " on the 4th, and W. H. Robinson was elected chief engineer, and John Sigourney and Charles Perkins, assistants. Mr. Perkins soon resigned and Benjamin F. Hotchkins was appointed in his place.

Volunteer Co. No. 3 was organized in July, 1842, and took charge of the little hand engine formerly owned by the Jefferson cotton mills. The new company occupied quarters with Neptune and did good ser-

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

vice for about three years, but disbanded in 1845. The members were James H. Ryther, foreman ; and James S. Wood, D. T. Day, Henry and Austin R. Skinner, William Graham, Samuel Reid, J. M. Sigour- ney, Solon Kimball, M. S. Day and Augustus Murray. In the same year a new engine was purchased, whereupon Jefferson Co. No. 3 was organized with William Y. Bush, foreman, and was assigned to quar- ters in the department building on Stone street. In the meantime Cat- aract engine had become disabled and unfit for service, and about the time Jefferson No. 3 was ready for duty the older company disbanded.

In June, 18IS, a new engine was purchased for Neptune, and in July following, Central Hose Co. No. 2 was formed to take charge of the old apparatus. The new company called their machine " Rough and Ready, " and housed it in barns and other convenient buildings

" The Fire Department of the City of Watertown " was duly incor- porated (and declared to be a body corporate and politie, capable of suing and being sued, purchasing holdings and conveying property) by an act of the legislature passed April 10, 1850. Under the act the governing authority of the department was vested in a board of direc- tors, comprising the chief and assistant engineers, and also the per- sons designated in the act; but, at the same time provision was made for the composition of the board in after years by the election of one member from each company, annually, who holds office for two years, and, who, with the chief and his assistants should constitute the same. The directors named in the creating act were Norris M. Woodruff, chief engineer; Benjamin F. Hotchkin and E. C. Lewis, assistant en- gineers; and Charles S. Burt, Cyrenus HI. Wright, Nathaniel Farn- ham, Lotus Ingalls, William H. Sigourney, Chauncey Calhoun, jr., John C. Baker, and Otis L. Wheelock. The first meeting of directors was held June 14, 1850, and Lotus Ingalls was elected secretary. The chief engineer was ex officio president of the board, and the assist- ants, who were his appointees, were likewise constituted vice presi- dents.

One of the most beneficent and providential provisions of the act. (as amended in 1858), and one which has resulted in placing the fire department of this city in a fortunate position not common to the country, was section 12, viz. : "It being understood that the great object of having a 'Fireman's fund' is to get it sufficiently large, so that, from the interest and income, firemen who are injured while in the discharge of their duties may receive aid and assistance, and, if 39

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

need be, a respectable burial; therefore it shall not be lawful for the board of directors to expend, appropriate, or create any indebtedness (except for investment) which shall exceed two thirds of the annual in- come of the department, without the affirmative vote of at least four. fifths of the board of directors." Under this section and the subse- quent by-laws, there has been created a generous fund for the benefit of the department: and with the accumulation of succeeding years the directors have acquired ownership of the fire department buildings of the city, except the central station on Stone street, and also own much of the apparatus used by the fire department. This subject, however, more properly belongs to a later portion of this narrative.

In 1853, after the annual parade and review, the department adopted strong resolutions regarding its relations with the village, and pre sented the same, with the keys to the engine house, to the trustees ; but after some deliberation (on Oct. 30) a satisfactory settlement of exist- ing differences was reached, and the department again took possession of the building and apparatus. In 1854, Fireman's hall, on Stone street, was built by the village, and on February 26, 1855, the building was transferred to the department for occupancy for fire purposes. In December following a resolution of the trustees gave the use of the upper rooms of the building to Jefferson hose company, and the hook and ladder company, both of which companies had previously (under resolution of March 3, 1855) taken up their quarters on the ground floor, the hose company on the west and the truck on the east side. The building was materially enlarged in 1880.

In the fall of 1853 the village system of water works was completed and in operation. This made necessary many changes in the equip ment of the fire department, all of which were accomplished during the next two years; and in August, 1856, the village was indebted to the fire department in the sum of $1,675 for such equipments. On Decem- ber 15 of that year the directors purchased the Edmund Davis shop and lot on the south side of the square. The building was repaired and used as quarters for Central Hose company No. 2. On July 8, 1872. the property was sold to Norris Winslow, and in the same year the de- partment purchased of Mrs. Lee a house and lot on the west side of Goodale street, whereon was erected (in 18:3) the building now occu- pied by Central llose Co. No. 2. In the latter year, also, was built the brick engine house afterward occupied by Neptune Engine and Hose Co. No. 1. These buildings were then rented to the city for $880 per year. (The rental was afterward reduced to $700).

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THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

In 1845 the department purchased of Silsby & Co. the " Watertown," the first steam fire engine in the city. It was placed in care of Central Hose company, upon which the latter changed its name to Central Hose and Steamer Co. No. 2. The second steamer, the " R. P. Flower," was purchased by the directors in the early part of 1881, and was de- signed to afford greater protection to the large manufacturing interests in the vicinity of Factory square. The engine cost $4, 100, and was paid for by the department and city, each one half. It was placed in charge of Neptune Engine and Steamer Co. No. 1.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 32

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co. Number of Pages: 1368

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368