USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume I > Part 37
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321
FROM 1832 TO 1840.
of creditors, but in the mean time he permitted the sale at Niagara Falls to progress to the last. 1
The issue of President Jackson's specie circular precipitated the financial crash, and the catastrophe in and around Erie county was hastened and magnified by Rathbun's downfall. Work stopped on all of his contracts and the workmen clamored in mobs for their pay. The assignees made the best of the situation and paid off most of the work- men, though it required nearly the whole of the assets of the estate to do it. The forgeries of the speculator reached nearly a millon dollars. The community was paralyzed. Business men began to fear the finan- cial soundness of their neighbors. Dismal forebodings began to be whispered from one to another. Soon panic reigned. The whole stupendous fabric, based upon credit, built up of speculation, and held together only by dazzling expectation, collapsed and came to the ground, burying hundreds in the ruin. Banks withdrew their accommodations, a general suspension of specie payments followed and bankruptcy pre- vailed everywhere. Prices of land and merchandise that had advanced at rapid strides, came down with even greater speed. The reaction in Buffalo was most severe; fortunes disappeared more rapidly than they had been acquired; mortgages were foreclosed on all sides and land that had been sold at $30 or $40 per foot would not bring as much per acre. ' Land is known in the city of Buffalo which sold early in 1835 at $2 per foot, or about $500 an acre. It was sold and resold in parcels during the speculative period until within twelve months it brought at the rate of $10,000 an acre; the same land sold in 1865 at. $18 a foot."
Recovery from this financial crisis was everywhere slow. Although the blow had been a heavy one in Erie county, it cannot be claimed that its effects were not shaken off sooner than in many localities. The comparatively few strong men of the community, whose foresight had enabled them to escape from the general ruin, now put forth their best efforts to restore confidence and start the wheels of progress. What the local newspapers called a " panic meeting" was held on the evening of May 3, 1837, at which John Lay presided. The assemblage was
1 The arrest and trial of Rathbun followed. His brother, Col. Lyman Rathbun, and his nephew, Rathbun Allen, were implicated with him in the crimes; the latter turned State's evidenee. Rathbun's trial began in Batavia March 29, 1837, and he was found guilty and sentenced to State prison for five years. He served his term and subsequently engaged in his old business of hotel keeping in various places, finishing in a boarding house in New York, where he died at the age of about eighty years.
2 In 1862 Guy H. Salisbury compared the prices of fifty unimproved lots on thirty-seven differ- ent streets, as they were sold in 1836, with their estimated value in the year first named, and found that the selling price of 1836 was more than double the value in 1862.
41
322
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
addressed by Millard Fillmore and others, and resolutions were adopted to the effect that it was the duty of the citizens to unite with those of other distressed localities to "remove forever the causes and effects so disastrous to the whole community." It does not appear that these wholesome sentiments thus expressed wielded perceptible influence on the existing " hard times"; it is more probable that the meeting had some local political significance. Throughout the whole of the specula- lative period the local Democratic paper had designated the opposing party as " panic Whigs," and denounced all opposition to the adminis- tration then in power.
On the 6th of May, 1837, the banks of Buffalo were served with in- junctions by the chancellor, at the instance of the bank commissioners. While those banks had undoubtedly been, to some extent, embarrassed by the financial disaster, they were well understood to be solvent, and the action of the commissioners was denounced by the citizens of the city as unjust and calculated to still further impair local credit. To dispel this feeling the commissioners announced publicly that the banks were not proceeded against through fears of their insolvency, but that complaints had been made that they had violated their charters in their business methods, and that the notes of the Buffalo banks would be received at par at the offices of all collectors of State revenues.
With the resumption of specie payments in New York city about the middle of May, and similar action by the Buffalo banks soon afterward, with the removal of the injunctions just mentioned in June, confidence was partially restored. A general banking law was passed in 1838 under the influence of which business throughout the State gradually resumed its former activity.
The interest and excitement usually attendant upon a presidential election were almost overshadowed by the universal gloom of the finan- cial and business outlook in 1836. Anti-Masonry had almost ceased to exist as a political factor, and most lodges temporarily disappeared in this region. Van Buren was elected president and Marcy governor of this State, but Erie county, as usual, went strongly for the opposition, which party had now assumed the title of Whig throughout the coun- try. Millard Fillmore, after two years' retirement, was again elected to Congress, and the increase of population gave this county three members of assembly. In the fall of 1837 William A. Mosely, of Buffalo, was elected State senator in place of Albert H. Tracy, who retired from public life at the early age of forty-four years, after a brilliant career of twenty years,
EAGLE TAVERN AND ITS SURROUNDINGS IN 1830. Southwest corner of Main and Court Streets. Original in Buffalo Historical Society.
AMERICAN HOTEL, ON THE SITE OF AMERICAN BLOCK. Built by Col. Alanson Palmer about 1836 ; burned March 10, 1850.
323
FROM 1832 TO 1840.
Although it involves considerable descriptive reference to the city of Buffalo in 1862, we quote the following from the writings of the late Guy H. Salisbury, which draws an interesting comparison between the city on the date mentioned and in 1836:
In 1836 we had less than 16,000 inhabitants. Now we may in round numbers have 100,000. We had then but a single street paved, for one-fifth of a mile in length --- now we have 52 miles of superior pavement in one hundred and thirty-seven streets or two hundred and fifty-nine times as much as in 1836. Then we had but one mile of imperfectly constructed sewers, in three streets-now we have an extensive and connected system of sewerage, of which fifty-two miles have already been built in the most substantial manner, in one hundred and twenty-four streets, the benefits of which to the public health, cleanliness and comfort will be incalculable. We had then but the dim lamps of the oyster sellers to light the steps of the benighted alder- men and drowsy watchmen-now we have one of the best gas works in the Union, whose castellated edifice is a model of graceful architecture, and which has laid down fifty-five miles of street mains, furnishing a beautiful light to over twenty-one hundred street lamps, elevated on a tasteful iron column, whose long lines of flaming cressets are in brilliant contrast with the somber gloom through which we used to grope our way. Then we obtained the indispensable element of water from public and private wells, often at inconvenient distances, while, for the extinguishment of fires, we had to depend mainly upon reservoirs under the streets in only the central parts of the city, that were filled by a "Water Jack" affair, drawn to and from the canal by a pair of horses. Now, we have the current of the Niagara river flowing in large iron pipes through every section of the city, supplying numerous hydrants, whence our principal steam fire engines have always an exhaustless supply for arresting con- flagration ; while in our residences the touch of a child's finger can summon the gush- ing waters as easily as could the nymphs of Undine, midst their native streams. Our harbor was in 1836 of such limited capacity as to present a seeming barrier to the increase of our commercial business. Now by an enlarged and liberal system of improvement we have in all, some thirteen miles of water front, for lake and canal craft-enough to answer all the wants of our commerce for an indefinite period. This, too, is exclusive of Black Rock harbor, and the new commercial emporium of Tonawanda, which, some years since, neglecting her mullet fisheries, had ambitious aspiring's to become an infant rival of Buffalo and a colony of Cleveland. It has been understood that the experiment was not a success. In 1836 we had but a single railroad running into Buffalo-that from Niagara Falls-of not less than twenty miles in length, with no connection whatever with any other road. Now we have the great New York Central, with its vast freight and passenger depots and enor- mous business-the New York and Erie, the terminus of whose line, is practically here -the Buffalo and State line, with its interminable western connections-the Buffalo, New York and Erie, and the Buffalo and Lake Huron, connecting with the Great Western and Grand Trunk railways, and altogether with over two thousand miles of Canadian roads. And in the convenience of local travel within the city limits the change is great indeed. In 1836 we had but four omnibuses, making hourly trips through a part of Main street, and literally a one-horse railroad that made occa- sional trips between the terrace market and Black Rock ferry. Now we have eleven
324
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
miles of well-built double track street railways through our most important avenues, running sixty elegant passenger cars, not surpassed in any city, that make regular trips every five and ten minutes, greatly facilitating the travel and intercourse be- tween the distant sections of the city, rendering a suburban residence a cheap, ac- cessible and desirable home, and adding more to the permanent value of the prop- erty thus benefited, than all the cost of the roads and their ample equipment.
Out of the wreckage of the period of disaster, described in foregoing pages, came the first steam railroad in Erie county. Besides the Buf- falo and Black Rock road before mentioned, two railroad companies were incorporated as early as April, 1832, neither of which, however, constructed its proposed line. One of these was the Buffalo and Erie Railroad Company, whose proposed road was to run from Buffalo through Chautauqua county to the State line. The other was the Aurora and Buffalo Railroad Company, which proposed to build a road from Buffalo seventeen miles long to East Aurora. The incorporators were Joseph Howard, jr., Edward Paine, Joseph Riley, Robert Persons, Calvin Fillmore, Deloss Warren and Aaron Riley, all of whom were residents of Aurora. Considerable stock was subscribed and the line was surveyed by William Wallace. In the midst of their hopeful an- ticipations that this road would speedily be built came the crisis of 1836-7 and the project was abandoned.
The Buffalo and Niagara Railroad Company was another product of the inflated period, and when the first ominous signs of the coming crisis were seen in 1836, the road was in process of construction. On the 26th of August of that year the first steam locomotive in the county was placed on this road at Black Rock and ran from there to Tona- wanda at a speed of fifteen to twenty miles an hour. On the 6th of the following month its trips were extended to Buffalo and on the 5th of November trains ran regularly to the Falls.
While the people of Erie county were suffering from the effects of the financial crisis that has been described, an institution was founded in Buffalo which has only recently reached the height of its long career of usefulness. In the year 1834 there was in existence in this city the old Buffalo Library, incorporated in 1816, containing 500 or 600 vol- umes; this institution had long lain almost dormant. There was also the Buffalo Lyceum, organized in 1832, mainly for the maintenance of lecture courses and the gathering of a library. In 1834 a first attempt was made to found a new literary institution, with the name of the Young Men's Association. In furtherance of this undertaking Rev. Dr. William Shelton delivered an address and was made president of
335
FROM 1833 TO 1840.
the incipient organization. For several reasons this project was aban- doned upon the organization of the succeeding association. The Com- mercial Advertiser of February 20, 1836, then edited by Thomas Y. Foote, contained the following :
YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION .- The young men of Buffalo, friendly to the foundation of a Young Men's Association, for mutual improvement in literature and science, are requested to meet at the Court House on Monday, the 22d of February, at the hour of ? p. m.
This announcement bore the signatures of nearly 400 citizens of the city, embracing all classes. At a succeeding meeting, over which Hiram Pratt presided, and R. L. Allen and Isaac W. Skinner were secretaries, a constitution for the proposed association was presented which had been prepared by Seth C. Hawley. After considerable dis- cussion the constitution was adopted and the meeting adjourned to the 29th of the same month. An election was there held, resulting as follows: Seth C. Hawley, president; Dr. Charles Winne, Samuel N. Callender and George Brown, vice-presidents; Frederick P. Stevens, corresponding secretary ; A. G. C. Cochrane, recording secretary ; John R. Lee, treasurer; Oliver G. Steele, Henry K. Smith, William H. Lacy, George W. Allen, Charles H. Raymond, Henry R. Williams, George E. Hayes, Halsey R. Wing, Rushmore Poole, Hunting S. Chamberlain, board of managers. The association was incorporated by the Legislature March 3, 1837. To raise funds for this association a subscription was started in the spring of 1836, before the beginning of the financial panic, which was numerously and liberally signed ; the lowest sum on the list was $25, and the highest $500, the total being $6,700. At about the same time the books of both the old library and the Buffalo Lyceum were acquired and placed in the association rooms. The coming of the financial crisis reduced the collections on the sub- scription list and a debt was created through the too liberal purchase of books and furniture of the reading room, which was not extinguished in many years. A library of 2.700 volumes was rapidly accumulated, from which were drawn the first year 5,500 books, and the reading room was also extensively patronized.1
1 The Young Men's Association thus entered upon its life of beneficence. In the first five years of its existence the library increased 257 volumes; in the second five years, 925 volumes; in the third five years, 1,092 volumes; in the fourth five years, 4,319 volumes. The number of volumes now in the library is nearly 90,000, besides 10,000 pamphlets. The first librarian was B. W. Jenks, who was succeeded by Charles H. Raymond, and he by Phineas Sergeant. Lewis Jenkins was the next incumbent and was succeeded in 1852 by William Ives, who has successfully occupied the
326
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
PAST HISTORY OF THE ASSO-
Paid for books and
Paid for papers, peri-
Volumes added.
Periodicals and pap'rs
Members elected and
Honorary members.
Life members elect'd.
Number of paying
Rate of initiation.
Rate of dues.
Debt of the Associa-
1836
$2,102 87
$730 00
2,700
102
400
44
400
$2 00
$2 00
$300 00
1837
653 13
341 00
86
45
82
8
16
304
2 00
5 00
2,484 00
1838
140 51
ยท 378 00
no acc.
45
53
303
2 00
5 00
2,075 00
1839
250 00
none.
27
35
195
2 00
5 00
1,976 00
1840
36 00
323 00
128
28
28
22
124
2 00
5 00
803 00
1841
148 40
284 90
81
33
281
1
7
407
2 00
5 00
408 62
1842
103 56
289 00
122
36
90
401
1 00
3 00
370 04
1843
84 30
158 00
218
42
57
271
1 00
3 00
481 53
1844
73 48
204 33
20
no ac
40
1
278
1 00
3 00
545 78
1845
427 60
140 00
385
21
64
458
1 00
3 00
1846
159 82
208 95
155
no ac
63
400
1 00
3 00
1847
574 99
209 54
420
43
133
3
475
1 00
3 00
1848
231 97
233 96
170
41
134
1
398
1 00
3 00
1849
320 04
190 07
199
31
132
1
445
1 00
3 00
1850
245 00
196 82
228
30
72
3
397
1 00
3 00
1851
382 43
198 76
75
34
276
1
1
797
1 00
3 00
1852
796 67
196 87
918
48
266
2
1
814
1 00
3 00
1853
1,345 14
202 49
576
52
254
1
1
1 00
3 00
1854
1,618 00
245 51
857
55
181
9
1
853
1 00
3 00
1855
730 88
233 21
679
55
344
9
3
1,070
1 00
3 00
1856
2,068 41
238 45
1,289
55
324
9
20
1,046
1 00
3 00
1857
1,666 55
302 94
1,021
57
105
4
1
721
1 00
3 00
1858
435 52
423 30
375
55
65
4
860
1 00
3 00
1859
465 15
349 28
342
52
113
3
1 00
3 00
1860
187 69
186 44
513
50
183
6
784
1 00
3 00
1861
241 80
279 53
277
55
116
14
800
1 00
3 00
1862
756 59
265 20
635
52
490
3
7
1,240
1 00
3 00
1863
697 87
278 26
671
17
117
2
2
1,191
1 00
3 00
1864
1,672 41
254 42
561
47
605
51
1,522
1 00
3 00
50,000 00
1865
2,672 18
633 81
989
63
717
3
11
1,910
1 00
3 00
50,000 00
1866
2,540 25
526 44
1,493
65
11,091
3
19
2,805
1 00
3 00
50,000 00
1867
3,397 43
504 05
2,002
66
299
3
18
2,103
1 00
3 00
45,000 00
1868
2,795 81
586 86
1,509
68
258
3
6
1,755
1 00
3 00
39,000 00
1869
1,337 67
601 31
775
75
298
2
27
1,950
1 00
3 00
28,000 00
1871
3,448 14
748 33
1,771
122
537
4
14
1 00
3 00
34,050 00
1873
1,878 44
768 48
894
123
831
1
21
2,356
1 00
3 00
26,250 00
1874
3,403 05
844 17
1,711
121
212
12
6
2,100
1 00
3 00
18,950 00
1875
2,557 27
728 62
1,196
122
237
6
1,800
1 00
3 00
15,250 00
1876
3,303 20
767 91
1,177
127
228
3
4
1,973
1 00
3 00
12,550 00
1877
2,519 24
815 83
1,160
126
244
5
1
1,841
1 00
3 00
8,350 00
1878
3,355 60
651 96
2,254
84
257
4
2
1,507
1 00
3 00
8,250 00
1879
5,164 78
660 24
3,310
112
211
6
1
1,493
1 00
3 00
8,200 00
1880
5,435 49
744 17.
3,291
116
360
6
1,770
1 00
3 00
7,900 00
1881
5,842 65
726 11
3,167
121
354
10
1,777
3 00
1882
4,519 81
643 00
2,794
111
422
6
6
1,776
3 00
10,500 00
1883
4,260 71
690 12
3,085
108
337
2
371
1.814
1884
4,800 20
682 21
3,114
116
-334
1885
4,657 34
646 71
3,672
133
327
95
1,369
3 00
1886
4,337 97
625 68
3,522
151
337
2
1,509
3 00
225,000 00
1887
3,724 35
800 51
3,191
173
600
2
1,614
3 00
1888
3,365 21
637 17
2,807
191
901
8
2,178
1889
3,115 56
673 68
2,630
182
437
1
6
1,881
3 00
955,000 00
1890
3,425 86
494 28
2,835
183
519
10
1,729
3 00
910,000 00
1892
3,659 15
794 52
2,220 2,776
200
591
22
1,778
3 00
910,000 00
1893
4,164 12
506 41
3,047
208
504
4
1,588
3 00
1894
6,731 64
551 80
3,978
200
588
-2
1,619
3 00
1895
7,048 97
505 90
4,378
240
655
1,672
3 00
901,000 00
1896
6,375 21
595 12
4,554
241
657
1
1,592
3 00
899,500 00
tion.
YEAR.
binding.
odicals, etc.
taken.
paid.
. .
5
17
1,974
1 00
3 00
41,000 00
1820
12,001 64
905 54
6,004
116
457
6
45
1 00
3 00
1872
7,897 94
656 08
3,767
89
487
5
406
3.00.
3 00
1891
3,329 49
731 03
203
586
10
1,774
3 00
906,500 00
902,500 00 902,500 00
...
3 00
5
838
1
members.
327
FROM 1832 TO 1840.
CIATION IN TABULAR FORM.
Volumes drawn from
Initiation and dues.
Cash donations in-
cluding life mem-
Net receipts from lec-
Am't left in treasury.
Am't of library fund.
Presidents.
$5,500
$1,234 00
$3,787 00
Free.
$189 15
Seth C. Hawley
7,500
1,010 74
1,425 00
Free.
198 19
Seth C. Hawley
6,300
1,121 00
484 00
Free.
78 16
George E. Hayes
6,600
1,047 00
297 75
$4 50
69 47
Edward Norton
6,400
675 75
1,253 00
10 00
3 84
Walter Joy
10,400
1,352 00
418 00
35 69
63 64
Warren Bryant
11,100
1,292 00
35 50
2 00
273 23
W. L. G. Smith
9,000
868 75
53 00
7 00
164 74
W. H. Greene
8,000
878 87
52 00
No Lec.
16 75
Jabez B. Bull
8,200
1,444 44
248 28
162 90
367 93
Gibson T. Williams
9,250
1,263 75
51 25
144 47
571 39
Samuel T. Atwater
10,600
1,556 56
378 75
31 20
603 38
Thomas C. Welch
14,200
1,327 62
227 46
20 77
466 12
James Sheldon
12,000
1,467 12
260 42
546 75
Isaac Sherman
9,477
1,262 18
60 00
18 41
349 36
Charles D. Norton
11,600
2,664 60
1,494 00
392 29
1,900 44
J. M. Hutchinson James L. Butler
14,440
2,708 36
85 00
152 34
2,038 98
19,229
2,769 25
160 50
691 93
2,954 77
Bronson C. Rumsey
22,995
2,743 63
50 00
380 37
2,214 11
Wells D. Walbridge
22,793
3,524 74
150 00
271 69
3,040 53
$1,150 00
Alex. W. Harvey
27,830
3,461 15
1,000 00
827 43
3,651 94
John G. Guenther
26,883
3,349 75
50 00
1,120 48
1,603 31
2,500 00
Wm. T. Wardwell
21,495
2,350 50
1,302 00
336 22
1,682 76
2,800 00
Wm. Fleming
20,716
2,153 52
300 00
628 47
1,736 93
2,850 00
David F. Day
18,689
2,304 00
1,492 07
2,564 75
3,200 00
Joseph Warren
18,454
3,212 25
350 00
1,272 75
4,470 17
3,300 00
R. L. Howard
24,706
1,871 75
100 00
928 80
4,326 24
6,122 23
S. V. R. Watson
23,281
5,237 00
84,465 00
1,252 50
6,910 11
6,628 57
S. V. R. Watson
37,130
5,956 55
950 00
285 44
5,650 00
8,500 00
Albert Sherwood
43,385
4,379 00
900 00
1,343 23
5,652 54
8,800 00
George Truscott
38,988
3,900 00
300 00
956 40
4,506 88
10,100 00
Edwin T. Evans
41,746
3,823 00
1,300 00
91 00
9,212 05
11,100 00
Henry A. Richmond
35,767
4,735 00
550 00
2,268 44
6,499 11
- 13,300 00
Chas. F. Wadsworth
60,982
4,826 75
2,250 00
2,571 16
2,820 19
13,950 00
Geo. S. Wardwell
73,138
4,180 72
700 00
1,144 74
3,702 62
19,750 00
75,983
6,081 00
6,050 00
1,176 40
4,493 34
20,050 00
David Bell
84,412
4,228 00
300 00
2,717 23
20,350 00 :
Howard H Baker
72,529
4,009 75
300 00
2,107 42
20,735 04
Franklin D. Locke
74,127
3,959 25
200 00
3,541 23
20,935 04
E. Carlton Sprague
76,591
3,780 25
200 00
1,737 02
21,035 04
Robert P. Wilson
72,832
4,107 25
100 00
1,738 02
21,085 04
William H. Gurney
77,826
3,431 00
50 00
2,086 96
21,385 04
Richard K. Noye
90,222
4,767 75
300 00
3,122 04
21,835 04
Wilson H. Bissell
91,429
4,513 75
250 00
1,098 76
22,085 04
Charles A. Sweet Henry Bull
98,363
4,322 13
2,550 00
231 94
22,033 74
Edward B. Smith
96,113
3,873 00
1,202 86
22,033 74
Edward B. Smith
84,918
3,144 00
1,009 86
22,033 74
59,943
2,917 09
599 38
22,033 74
89,035
3,667 75
124,879 25
22,183 74
100,136
4,406 49
22,183 74
102,600
3,293 25
9,700 00
15,772 00
31,883 74
Daniel H. McMillan
102,749
4,116 08
5,700 00
17,397 05
39,228 99
Philo D. Beard
104,244
4,027 10
1,300 00
10,833 50
62,541 03
Ralph H. Plumb
114,719
4,271 62
5,950 00
10,473 62
67,991 03
Frank M. Hollister
118,931
4,283 40
50 00
11,935 77
67,856 03
George B. Hayes
128,222
3,990 00
10,585 06
72,856 03
Henry C. French
140,651
4,405 75
14,759 27
72,856 03
Joseph P. Dudley
142,659
3,579 25
20 000 00
14,943 30
92,906 03
T. Guilford Smith
..
5,048 00
551 00
278 35
5,206 43
8,288 65
Sherman S. Jewett
21,215
2,647 18
61 23
1,081 61
1,200 00
Everard Palmer
Oscar Folsom
99,108
4,071 60
1,077 63
22,033 74
Jewett M. Richmond
Jewett M. Richmond
Jewett M Richmond George Gorham
Library.
bership.
tures.
1,200 00
328
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
During the speculative period before described a project was inaugu- rated by a number of citizens of both Black Rock and Buffalo which they anticipated would result in building up a city at the former place, and in consequent large profits through the sale of land. One feature of this project was the construction of a pier or dam extending from Bird Island to a point near the outer end of the Buffalo breakwater. It was expected that this extension would make it possible for vessels to run down there at all times, would improve the Black Rock water power and prevent the then existing basin from filling up with sand and ice.
position until the present time. In 1857 a library fund was founded, based upon receipts for life membership; the fund now amounts to $92,906.03. In 1864-65 began a movement which inaugurat- ed an era of greater prosperity for the association. Nine leading men of the city headed a sub- scription with $3,000 each to raise funds for the purchase of the property on the corner of Main, Eagle and Washington streets; the names of the nine were Sherman S. Jewett, Dean Richmond, Charles Ensign, S. V. R. Watson, Thomas Clark, Gibson T. Williams, Myron P. Bush, Rufus L. Howard, and James Brayley. By generous gifts from many other persons the fund was raised to something more than $83,000, and the property was bought in 1865, and occupied by the association in 1866; its cost was $112,500. At the datc last named the association was in debt about $50,000; but by prudent and successful management the indebtedness was cleared away in 1876. In April, 1877, J. N. Larned was made superintendent of the library, a responsible position which he filled in the most satisfactory manner until 1897, when he resigned, and Henry L. Elmendorf was ap- pointed to the position. Under his administration the practical working of the library itself reached the highest possible success. In the latter part of 1883 a subscription fund was founded with the ultimate object of purchasing a new site and erecting a building more commodious and better adapted for the purposes of the association. The sum of $117,000 was raised which was used towords erecting the splendid building now in use; it was completed in 1887 and cost about $328,- 000 exclusive of the site. The Association retained its property on Main and Eagle streets and re- stored it to its original hotel purposes, calling it the Richmond. Six months later both it and the adjoining St. James Hall were burned and were replaced by the present Iroquois Hotel. The an- nual receipts of the library are now nearly $60 000. Preliminary steps were taken in 1896 to make this library free, through co-operation by the city authorities, and to transfer it to the city in trust. After thorough discussion and necessary action by various committees, a law was passed on the 4th of February, 1897, under which the transfer was made, the city pledging itself to raise annually by general tax a sum not less than 3-100 of 1 per cent. nor more than 5-100 of 1 per cent. of the tax- able assessed valuation of city property, four-fifths of which sum should be paid to the trustees of the institution, which was given the title, Buffalo Library. The same act made a similar trans- fer of the Grosvenor Library (noticed in another chapter), and the remaining one-fifth of the sum raised by tax was thereby made payable to the trustees of that institution. The library report for 1896 gives details of these proceedings, to which the reader is referred. The Buffalo Library was formally opened to the public as a free institution September 1, 1897. It contains over 90,000 volumes and about 10,000 pamphlets.
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