Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 46

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 46

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1 In 1-19 James Rich engaged in a fearful encounter with a panther while hunting near Hyde lake, about three miles from Plessis. He was then trapping for wolves but caught one panther in the trap, while another was close by and free. This event nearly cost our pioneer his life, and the sears of the battle he bore to his grave. One day while hunting wolves for the bounty Rich trailed an old female with ten whelps. He killed the mother, but as the young were not sufficiently grown to entitle him to a bounty, it is said the wiley hunter built a pen about their lair and raised them to maturity; or at least to an age sufficient to realize a bounty of $0 on each.

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general agricultural pursuits, which were being sold at reasonable prices to thrifty settlers. Many of those who came after 1820 were of foreign birth, as a glance at the census reports of that period will show ; but they came to build up homes and if possible establish a comfortable condition for their families in later years. True, the year 1828 was called the " sickly season," but such a visitation was not repeated and there was nothing in the character of the soil or climate to unduly re- tard settlement. At that time Mr. Le Ray was engaged in developing lands in this town, in the portion afterward set off to Theresa, which locality had something of an advantage under the personal direction of the proprietor. However, it was not until 1841 that Theresa was cre- ated and took from Alexandria nearly 2,000 of its inhabitants, and more than sixty square miles of its territory.

Organisation .- Alexandria was one of three towns in Jefferson county created April 3, 1821, two of which, Orleans and this town, were in part at least the result of a conflict of sentiment in Brownville growing out of the election of local officers and the place of holding town meet- ings in that jurisdiction. The story of this period is told in the history of Brownville, hence need not be repeated here. Whatever may have been the occasion or necessity, two new towns were formed from the territory on the date mentioned, the effective portion of the act relat- ing to Alexandria being as follows:

" That from and after the passing of this act, all that part of the towns of Brownville and Le Ray lying within the following bounds: Beginning at the north- east coruer of Penet's square, so-called, and running from thence along the uorth line thereof west four miles to the east line of lot number six : thence north to the center of the river St. Lawrence; thence northeasterly down the center of said river to the county line of St. Lawrence county : thence southeasterly along the said county line to the northwesterly line of the town of Antwerp; thence along said line to the most westerly corner thereof; thence along the southwesterly line of said town to the easterly corner of lot number 164; thence southwesterly to the most southerly corner of lot number 223; thence northwesterly to the east liue of Penet's square afore- said ; thence north along said line to the place of beginning, shall be and the same is liereby erected into a separate town by the name of Alexandria; and that the first towu meeting shall be held at the house now occupid by William Merrill."

From this description it may be seen that Alexandria was formed chiefly from Le Ray, and by reference to the history of that town it will also be seen that Le Ray, as originally constituted, included all the county north of Black river and east of Penet's square, and the east boundary thereof extended north to the St. Lawrence and south to

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Black river. Therefore, a comparatively small part of the town in fact came directly from Brownville.

Within its original territory Alexandria formed one of the most inter- esting civil divisions of the county; perhaps not specially prominent from a historic standpoint, but one which during the last half century has been the temporary abiding place of more men of distinguished prominence and wealth than any town in the county. As the neigh- boring town of Clayton enjoys the prominence of being the point of entrance to the Thousand Island region, so Alexandria is the objective point sought by visitors, for within its limits are the chief attractions of this famous locality. But far back of this period of special promi- nence, even to the creation of the town, the region was famed for its many attractions. The eastern part of Wells island, together with the numerous small isles in the St. Lawrence, were within the jurisdiction of the town, and in addition to them was the system of lakes on the castern boundary, nearly all of which were set off to Theresa in 1841. It is undoubtedly true that Alexandria has a greater diversity of na- ture's unusual dispensations than any town in all the region, many of which are marvels of beauty and grandeur. Small wonder, therefore, that the wealth and culture of the nation has chosen this the one place above all others as the favorite resort of America, while hundreds of titled foreigners have likewise admired and praised the wondrous beauty of the Thousand islands.

Within its present boundaries the town is without remarkable physical features other than its island possessions. The land surface is diversi- fied with hill and dale, and is underlaid with gneiss rock and sand- stone. The soil in many places is thin, and rocks and stones abound throughout the river region. Back from the St. Lawrence, however, the land becomes level, and the four eastern tiers of lots contain some of the best agricultural lands north of the Black river. Many years ago, in the vicinity of Redwood a vein of lead was found, and was ex- amined to a depth of forty feet, but no considerable development of its quality or extent was made. Iron ores were also found to abound in the same locality, the presence of which led to the starting of a consid- crable industry at Redwood more than half a century ago. A good quality of glass sand was also discovered, leading to the erection and operation of a large glass factory, one of the best industries in the town, and connected with which were some of the strongest men of the region ; but with no respectable means of transportation to market at

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that time, and the constantly increasing competition of other and more favored localities, these industries could not be permanently successful.

However, among the towns of the county Alexandria has always held a prominent position, and during the period of its history has pro- duced and developed some of the best men of this part of the state. The chief occupation of the inhabitants is agriculture and kindred pur- suits, but the never failing annual summer visitors have made demands for the production of vegetables, poultry, eggs, butter, milk, lambs, and other seasonable staples, thus establishing practically a new in- dustry, and one which has brought gratifying results to the farming classes. It is a somewhat surprising fact, yet absolutely true, that during the outing season the population of this town is nearly doubled. and all products of the farm, of whatever kind, find ready market with the temporary residents.

When set off in 1821 the town, then of course including Theresa, con - tained about 1,400 inhabitants. In 1825 the number had increased to 1,543, but during the next five years there was no increase on account of the unfortunate "sick season " of 1828, which caused many deaths in the region and also greatly retarded settlement for several years. However, in 1835 the population was 2, 701, and in 1840 had further in- creased to 3,476. In the next year Theresa was set off from this town. since which time there has not been any change in the territory of the town, and the subsequent census reports fairly indicate its growth and condition. In 1845 the population was 2, 211; 1850, 3, 162; 1855, 3,353; 1860, 3,808; 1865, 3,614: 1870, 3,081; 1875, 3,472: 1880, 3,135; 1890, 3,601.

The greatest population in the history of the town was attained in 1860, the number of inhabitants then being 3,808. The subsequent decrease may be readily accounted for, but in Alexandria it has been so exceedingly small that it appears to be no more than a mere fluc- tuation, and without any significance in local history. Indeed, the population here has been remarkably fixed and stable, indicating a healthful condition of affairs both in the villages and country. More- over, within the last twenty five years Wells island has acquired a con- siderable number of inhabitants, has developed some superior farming lands, and contains some of the most noted resorts of the region. The same may also be said of the smaller islands, but all have contributed to the prosperous condition of things which now prevails in the town. The progress thus indicated has been gradual and constant from the

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early history of the locality. The proprietor, Mr. Le Ray, had in course of development at the same time four or five towns and perhaps twice that number of villages. In this town alone he was developing and building up Theresa, Plessis, Redwood and Alexandria Bay, and in the same manner in other towns. With the exception of Penet's square, he was the virtual owner of the territory north of Black river, and as well a large quantity of land in other localities. Three of these hamlets remained in Alexandria after the division of the town in 1841, and are therefore worthy of special mention in this chapter.

Alexandria Bay .- In 1804, Cadwallader Child, as before remarked, while surveying a road from the Friends' settlement to the St. Law- rence river, suggested to the proprietor that the site whereon now stands this village was both desirable and eligible for the purpose of a port, whereupon, at the direction of Mr. Le Ray, a mile square of land was reserved from the salable territory of the town that a village might be established at some future time. No further improvement was made until 1818, when Edmund Tucker regularly laid out a village plat, and at the same time the proprietor erected a tavern and a store building, both of which he placed in charge of his employees. Even then him- bering was the great business of the locality and the tavern and store drew all the trade of the operators and their employees. All the tim- ber and lumber were made into rafts and floated down the river to market, and nearly all the rafts were put together at this point. Thus was the beginning made, and of course the business drew other persons to the village. An occasional sailing vessel stopped at the landing on trips up and down the river, and to facilitate the work of discharging and taking on cargo a small wharf was built, but was succeeded by a large one in 1832, built by John W. Fuller and Azariah Walton, lum- bermen and merchants. The upper wharf was built by Walton and Hamblin in 1840. When steamboats began to appear on the river the settlement at the bay was an important landing place, where wood for use on the boats was loaded in large quantities. This business was carried on till the supply was exhausted and coal superseded it as fnel. In the meantime the lands were rapidly cleared, the mainland first and afterward the islands.

Among the early residents in the vicinity of the village were Dr. Jere. Carrier, John W. Fuller, David Hunter and Samuel Bingham, all of whom were here previous to 1820, and who were pioneers in their various pursuits in the town. Henry and Chauncey Westcott, Ira

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Beckwith and Mr. Tillotson (who does not appear to be definitely re- called by present old residents) were here soon afterward and prior to 1825. Azariah Walton, who was one of the most prominent early mer- chants and lumbermen of the region, and also the owner of large tracts of land (both mainland and islands), began operations here in 1828. John W. Fuller built the first log house on the village site in 1818, and Dr. Carrier the first frame house two years later. These buildings, with the old Le Ray tavern, were prominent landmarks for many years, to which later generations have pointed with pardonable pride. Mr. Fuller and Dr. Carrier also built a large storehouse, while a school building was added to the institutions of the place as early as 1821. Still, the little bay hamlet did not increase beyond this condition of prosperity for a period of nearly twenty years, and of the various in- terests of the place only those owned by Azariah Walton and John W. Fuller survived the changes of intervening years. In 1828 John B. Esselstyn, collector of customs at Cape Vincent, established a branch office at the bay, for even then much merchandise was brought from Canada into the state, and some of it was subject to import duty. From that time a customs office has been maintained at this place.

In 1846, when Andrew Cornwall came to the bay, Azariah Walton and his son Lyman A. were doing an extensive business in general trade at the upper wharf, while John W. Fuller kept a large store and stock of goods at the lower wharf. Indeed, these were the only locali- ties then known, and an inquiry for anything local was answered with direction to either the upper or lower wharf. In 1846 Mr. Cornwall succeeded the senior Walton in business and became partner with the son, under the firm name of L. A. Walton & Co. Five years later Lyman A. Walton died, and his interest went to John F. Walton, the firm then changing to Cornwall & Walton, and so continned until 18:1, when it was dissolved. Mr. Cornwall then took his sons into business and established the firm of Cornwall Brothers, one of the largest and best known houses in northern Jefferson county. Their store is a large stone building standing conspicuously on the upper wharf, and is still the common trading center of the vicinity although during the last quarter of a century mercantile interests have extended back from the river front, while the old part of the settlement is now occupied by the long estab- lished Cornwall and Thompson stores, the custom house, and the two magnificent hotels which have brought thousands of summer visitors to Alexandria Bay, and at the same time have been the means of dis-

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tributing goodly sums of money among local institutions which make up this noted village.

Alexandria Bay began to attract attention as a resort about 1850, although not until about 1867 or '68 did the place gain any prominence in that respect. Dr. Hongh, in his account published in 1851, says: " This village has within ten years become a fashionable resort for fish- ing parties, and the romantic scenery of the islands presents attractions for those who take pleasure in observing the quiet and beautiful in nature, which has scarcely a parallel. Nor is the geology and natural history of this section without its romance, and the observer can scarcely advance a step without having his attention arrested by some interesting feature which affords subject for thought and admiration." Half a century, however, has witnessed many changes in the condition of things about Alexandria Bay and its adjacent islands. Then they were covered with a splendid growth of forest trees, and little had been done to develop the locality other than as nature had ordained. Now the forests have disappeared and every island, great or small, has its beautiful cottage, upon which many thousand dollars have been ex- pended in adorning and beautifying, while its wealthy owner annually spends other thousands in occupying his property and entertaining friends.

Much of the popularity and fame of Alexandria Bay as a summer resort can be traced to the individual efforts of less than half a dozen men, conspicuous among whom have been the Waltons, John W. Fuller, Andrew Cornwall, Charles Crossmon and Col. O. G. Staples. Mr. Crossmon came to the bay in 1846 and two years later succeeded to the hotel business formerly carried on by his father-in law, Moses Smith. In the course of the next ten years he began holding out in- ducements to summer visitors, and even thus early the village had its regular annual summer patrons, who "put up" at his hotel. In this way the fame of the locality was spread throughout the land, but in the meantime Andrew Cornwall and John F. Walton had become own- ers of the islands, which were covered with timber. They were soon cleared of their growth, which was converted into lumber and wood, and thus stripped were sold to whoever would purchase for nominal consideration and build and maintain a summer cottage. For example: Hart's island, which sold for $20,000, was deeded to Mr. Hart for $300; Pullman's island was sold to George M. Pullman for $25, but he un- doubtedly expended more than $250.000 in building beautiful " Castle

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Rest," and otherwise adorning the island. These original owners, the Waltons and Mr. Cornwall, certainly possessed excellent business sagacity when they thus disposed of their island possessions. However this may have been, the results have been apparent, and to-day Alex- andria Bay stands at the head of the famous summer resorts of the Thousand islands.

The prominence of the region became fully established about 1872, in which year was thrown open to the public the celebrated Crossmon house, the property of Charles Crossmon, and under his immediate management, and within its walls have been entertained many of the most eminent men of the nation, and distinguished foreign visitors in almost equal number. In that year General Grant and family were the guests of Mr. Pullman, the Crossmon at the same time furnishing a banquet for 300 members of the state editorial association. These events alone brought thousands of visitors to the bay, every one of whom afterward proclaimed the beauties of the Thousand islands, and particularly of Alexandria Bay. Thus the region became famous. In 1872-73 the magnificent Thousand Island house was built with a capacity for 300 guests. The Crossmon is one of the largest houses on the river, and is also, perhaps, the most popular. The Thousand Island house has a greater capacity, and occupies a commanding site above the "upper wharf," as known half a century ago.

These hotels, with a united capacity for the accommodation of more than 500 guests, have been the means of building up the village to its present population and business importance. In 1850 there were 27 dwellings, 30 families and about 165 inhabitants. Twenty-five years later the interests comprised the Crossmon and Thousand Island Houses, three general stores, a saw and plaster mill, several small shops, and about 500 inhabitants. At the present time the fixed resident population is about 1,500, with more than double that number during the summer season. There are seven hotels, viz: The Crossmon, C. W. Crossmon, proprietor ; the Thousand Island house, Col. O. G. Staples, proprietor ; the Marsden, a good commercial hotel, P. K. Hayes, proprietor; the Jefferson, Z. Bigness, proprietor; the St. James, R. H. Service, pro- prietor; the Bay View, Sanford McCue, proprietor, and the Columbia, Weston Fall, proprietor.

This peculiar prominence has been the cause of enlarging the busi- ness interests of the village in every direction, and now, instead of a small hamlet of 500 inhabitants and a few general stores, there is the

Charles Grofsanou

PUBLIC LIBRARY

- MOR, LENOX AND DI ENT AINDATICAS

THE TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA.

prosperous and progressive village of three times that number of people, at least twenty good stores of all kinds, a good hall for public enter- tainments, a superior school, several well established church societies, and in fact all the adjuncts of any thrifty, enterprising municipality. Briefly, let us recall these various interests.

The merchants are Cornwall Bros., general store; Wm. 11. Thompson & Son, hard- ware ; Till & Fall, furniture; Willard Davis, flourand feed; George Manning, liquors; Isaac Freedman, general store, J. C. Groub & Co., clothing; E. Houghton, grocery ; Wm. M. Thomson, dry goods; C. IL. Potter, dry goods; W. T. Bascom, drugs; J. D. Everson, grocer; Walter Fox, general store; Geo. Beebe, grocer; S. B. Miller and Byron Pierce, meat markets; Henry Hartman, hardware; John Kepler, bottler.

Incorporation .- In 1878 the people determined to incorporate the vil- lage, and accordingly Isaac I. Everson took the census and found the proposed distriet to contain 638 inhabitants. George Rockwell made the necessary surveys, and included within the limits about 930 aeres of land, being about 390 acres of mainland, about 50 acres of Pullman's, Welcome, Nobby, Friendly, Rye, Maude, Florence, Hart's, Gussie and Steamboat islands, the Isle Imperial and the Manhattan group, and also about 90 aeres "under the water of St. Lawrence river."

On October 22, 1828, a special election was held to determine the question, and by a vote of 29 for, and one against, the measure was carried.

'The first officers elected were Charles Walton, president; James Cline, Elisha W. Visger and Wm. Il. Thompson, trustees, and Harvey A. Cornwall, clerk. The suc- cession of village presidents has been as follows. Charles Walton, 1878-79; Andrew Cornwall, 1880-83; Ira Bascom, 1881; Frank W. Barker, 1885-86; 11. II. George, 1887; Andrew C. Cornwall, 1888 89; William T. Bascom, 1890 91 ; Samuel B. Miller, 1892-93; Ilarvey A. Cornwall, 1891; Arthur J. Thompson, 1895; Harvey A. Corn- wall, 1896 97.

As a matter of historic interest the statement may be made that John 1. Everson has been village collector since incorporation, and still holds the office. John Fox was treasurer from 1878 to 1895, and was then succeeded by his brother, Walter Fox, the present incumbent.

The first school house on the village site was built in 1821, but was soon replaced with a more substantial frame building when the lands in the vicinity had become settled. Previous to 1892 the village school was maintained under the district system of the town, but nevertheless was one of the largest and best institutions of its class in the county. The present large school building was creeted in 1881, and was opened the next year, It was the graded school of district No. 5, having five de-

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partments, under the principalship of John O'Leary. On April 4, 1892, the union free school district was established, thus still further elevat- ing the standard of the institution. The number of pupils enrolled is 427; principal, Angelo O. Tucker. The present board of education comprises John Kepler, F. W. Barker and Joseph Northrup.

Convention hall is one of the important institutions of the village, and was built not only for local occupancy but as well for conventions and public assemblages from other counties. The first public building on the site was the old skating rink, followed by the Alexandria Bay opera house, the latter built by an incorporated company with a capital of $1,300. The officers of the company were Walter Fox, president ; John F. Walton, vice-president. H. A. Cornwall, secretary and treas- urer, and A. H. Houghton, F. W. Barker and Calvin Wilson, directors. The opera house was burned in January, 1895, and in the same year was replaced with convention hall, built at the expense of the village, at a total cost of $8, 100. The hall is admirably arranged for all public assemblages. Its stage is large; is furnished with all modern conven- iences and fine scenery. The seating capacity of the hall is sufficient for 1,000 persons.

Previous to about 1888 the village had no regularly organized fire de- partment, but in that year the village hall and fire department building was erected at a cost of about $1,550, by J. M. Ellis, contractor. The department, which comprises Singer steamer and its company (No. 1), Hume hook and ladder company, and also two efficient hose companies, was incorporated Sept. 8, 1896, under the name of "Fire department of Alexandria Bay, N. Y."

Alexandria lodge No. 297, F. & A. M., was instituted at Plessis in the summer of 1853, having about twenty charter members, and Jason Clark, master; Martin J. Hutchins, S. W .; and Daniel Roof, J. W. The lodge subsequently removed its seat of operations to Alexandria Bay, and has been for many years one of the substantial institutions of the village and town, drawing its membership from both. It is also one of the strongest lodges in the county outside the county seat, and numbers about 150 members.

The past masters have been as follows: Jason Clark, 1858; Daniel Roof, 1854; Martin J. Hutchins, 1855; Daniel Roof, 1856-60; Martin J. Hutchins, 1861-63; Moses C. Jewett. 1869-72, Andrew Cornwall, 1873-74, Moses C. Jewett, 1875; Harrison II. George, 1876-77; Walter Fox, 1878-79; William M. Thompson, 1880-88; Almon HI. Houghton, 1889-90; Wm. T. Bascom, 1891-92; Almon H. Houghton, 1893; Wm. T. Baseom, 1894; A. H. Houghton, 1895; George B. Dobbins, 1896-97.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 46

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