USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 19
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 19
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The three Ogdensburg companies of home guards served without pay, were well drilled and some of them were furnished by the State with arms and ammunition of the most effective character. The banks and a few individuals in Ogdensburg employed special watchmen. These companies, not being sworn into the United States service, were free to make their own rules and regulations for self-government. The boys claimed that the many good and enjoyable times that they had, such as disarming the pickets found asleep, and the mock trials of cer- tain characters when caught on a lark after certain hours, amply repaid them for the fatigue of drill and night watching.
The regulation was this: that no person should be allowed on the streets without a pass after a certain hour at night; therefore all those who were out without a permit or countersign, were sent to the guard- house, where they could stand or sit on the soft side of a bench until relieved by the commanding officer in the morning. The tricks which the home guards played upon each other, and occasionally on strangers, were extremely amusing, and their soldiering in Ogdensburg may be considered but little more or less than a grand farce.
In the following spring, when General Lee surrendered his army to General Grant, on the 9th of April, 1865, the great Rebellion collapsed. This virtually ended the necessity for further military action in Ogdens- burg. The home guards were soon after disbanded and the passport system suspended.
Nations, like communities, have their likes and dislikes. In the case of the two countries, the United States and Canada, having radically different forms of government, separated only by an imaginary line, or a narrow belt of water, the liability to invasion in times of great agita- tion by marauding bands creates a feeling of distrust in the settlements along the borders. While the majority of the community on either side have identical interests in the welfare and happiness of the people in their respective territories, there are always a few malcontents found
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
in all communities ready to seize upon any opportunity to create strife by aiding and abetting unlawful schemes. While they recoil from the result of their own acts, they cunningly lead others into dangers for which they themselves are responsible. The spirit of retaliation be- tween the United States and Canada, as manifested at this point, com- menced with the French and English war of 1754, and after. the con- quest of Canada by the English it was continued by the tories who fled from the States, to that country during the Revolutionary War. The animosity engendered by the Revolution of 1776 was kept alive by the war between the United States and Great Britian which began in 1812, and it apparently died out soon after peace was declared in 1815.
During the political trouble in Canada in 1837-8 the refugees from there found sympathizers among the more reckless class of people in the States, who aided them to certain extent in carrying out their un- lawful designs. This feud stirred up a feeling of resentment among a certain class of the English and Canadians, which feeling again cropped out during the American troubles of 1861-65. The English favored the South in a way that prolonged the struggle, at great expense of blood and treasure, and the Canadian officials encouraged and shielded the raiders after they had committed acts of violence on our northern borders.
The tables were soon turned, however, for as soon as the Union sol- diers had returned from the front, after General Lee's surrender, the spirit of retaliation was made manifest through the Fenian movement of 1886. Large numbers of our people were pleased to have the Fen- ians give the Canadians a big scare, but were not desirous of having the movement carried any further, as will be seen in the following account :
Soon after the close of our civil war, rumors were set afloat that the Fenians were raising money to assist in liberating Ireland from British rule. Canada was quite often alluded to as the first place to attack; very little notice was taken, however, of this talk. The country was full of discharged soldiers, many of whom were roving about not hav- ing as yet settled down to steady employment, and prompted by the spirit of retaliation, were ready for any emergency that might arise. This condition of things was seized by the Fenian leaders as a favorable opportunity to carry out their long cherished designs.
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THE FENIAN AFFAIR.
During this period the Fenians had gathered through their secret organizations a large amount of money and munitions of war, which fact attracted very little notice from those outside of the brotherhood. The movement appeared to have been general all along the line; but by the vigilance of the United States officials it was squelched at the time by the seizure of their arms at St. Albans, Rouse's Point, Malone, Ogdensburg, Rome, Oswego, and other places, and by the raiders be- ing prevented from crossing into Canada.
It had been noticed that during the latter part of May, 1866, several persons in Ogdensburg, not in trade, had received at different dates, boxes marked "hardware " and "dry goods," which were quietly stowed away; also that several meetings were held in certain obscure places without attracting very much attention.
The first bold movement of the Fenians in this vicinity was exhibited on Friday, June 1, 1866, when twenty-five men with knapsacks, came on the early train from Rome and halted at De Kalb Junction, then passed on by way of Potsdam to Malone. Next came one hundred and ten men from Rome, and arrived here on the noon train. They brought the news that Fort Erie had been seized by the Fenians and that the telegraph wires had been cut. A dispatch had been received from Boston to the effect that a number of supposed Fenians had left that city ticketed to Ogdensburg. The same evening, three cars, loaded with boxes containing arms, and also a large number of men, passed De Kalb Junation going to Malone. On the night train there was an equal number of men and munitions of war, all destined for the same place.
D. M. Chapin, collector of the port of Ogdensburg, received the fol- . lowing dispatch from U. S. Attorney W. A. Dart :
Have a military force in readiness to prevent any invasion that may be attempted from Ogdensburg ; fire if necessary, be diligent.
Mr. Chapin issued orders to Captain Cornell, commander of the United States revenue cutter Chase, then lying in the harbor, to get up steam and keep in readiness to act on a moment's warning ; also to send an armed boat to keep a vigilant watch of the ferry boats, and in case any attempt to seize them was made, to signal the Chase, which should use force if necessary to prevent a violation of the laws of neutrality.
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Saturday morning, June 2, news was received that 400 Fenians had gathered at St. Albans, and that Major-General Sweeney, the reputed commander of their forces in this quarter was with them.
All day Saturday every train coming from either way brought both men and arms into Malone, where General Sweeney made his head- quarters. Saturday afternoon, E. W. Benedict, deputy U. S. marshal, in obedience to orders, seized at the O. and L. C. depot, three boxes, marked machinery, en route for Malone. On opening them the machin- ery proved to be arms. Each train from Rome brought from fifty to one hundred and fifty men, who invariably went to Malone. Several cars containing arms had been seized and detained by the United States marshal between Rome and Malone.
On Monday, June 4, General Meade with 250 U. S. soldiers, arrived in Ogdensburg on the noon train. The soldiers were quartered at the town house (now academy) and at the Parish stone storehouse. Gen- eral Meade made the Seymour House his headquarters. In the evening about II o'clock a large number of citizens, well sprinkled with Fenians, the countenances of many of them being familiar to the general, gath- ered in front of the hotel, where a large bonfire was built, when Whit- man and Clark's minstrel band serenaded General Meade. He came on the balcony, in full view of the crowd, and responded in a few appro- priate and pleasing remarks.
It now became evident that the Fenians intended to invade Canada, as some of their number had already crossed the line at Fort Erie and had had a brush at Ridgebay, where several were killed and some taken prisoners ; therefore, great efforts were put forth to prevent a similar occurrence here.
Several cars containing arms had been intercepted that day by the . marshal at De Kalb Junction and Richville stations; also six or eight Fenian officers, or leaders, had been taken in charge, sent to Ogdens- burg and confined a part of the time at the Seymour House. A por- tion of the arms had also been sent there for safe keeping.
The United States troops, sent here to enforce neutrality, were thoroughly demoralized, and public sentiment seemed to be equally so. A squad of forty soldiers was drawn up in front of the town house and ordered to load with ball cartridges. Later they were sent on the
207
THE FENIAN AFFAIR.
evening train in charge of an officer to De Kalb Junction, to guard the cars in that vicinity and to prevent the arms from being taken away ; also to arrest any one who should attempt to interfere with them. The next morning forty balls were picked up in Ogdensburg in front of the town house, where the soldiers had loaded their guns, they having quietly taken them from the cartridges and dropped them on the ground. Encouraged by his fact a couple of leading Fenian sympathizers of the place started out and notified some of their countrymen (farmers), who with their teams drove to Richville that night and quietly carried away the arms from two of the cars, while the guards were on the opposite side, at a safe distance. It was reported by some of the teamsters that after they had got under way they heard the report of one or two guns, but did not hear the whiz of the balls. One of the wagons, having broken down on the route near Brasher, the arms in charge of the driver were secreted and left for the night. On their being discovered the next morning two soldiers were detailed to guard them. About dark that evening a farmer drove up to the place, having several lusty fellows in their shirt sleeves with him, and saluted the sentinel thus :
" Sirs, weevs come to get them eare boxes."
The guard replied, " I cannot give them up without proper orders. Show your authority." The farmer pointing to his chums replied :
" Be gorry them's my authority : Jem, take hold with all yez and load on this dreffel quick and we'll be after going, or yiz 'll be late for supper."
The farmer's order was promptly obeyed, while the guards stood dumbfounded and made no attempt to restrain them, reporting to their superiors that they had been overpowered.
On the evening of the 6th of June the steamer Watertown, armed with two big guns, and manned by the Garden Island naval brigade, arrived at Ogdensburg She was engaged in patrolling the St. Law- rence River.
President Johnson issued a proclamation on the 6th of June against the Fenian raiders, by virtue of which General Meade forbade the transportation to the front, by railroad companies or any other public carriers or persons, of any arms or munitions of war, to be used in aid of any unlawful combination or enterprise. This proclamation had a beneficial effect and allayed the excitement.
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
It had been stated on good authority, that there were 5,000 Fenians at that time scattered along the country between St. Albans and Clay- ton. For some three days there were about fifteen hundred of them in Ogdensburg, depending, in a measure, on the citizens for food and shelter, and it may be said to their credit, that during their stay no act of violence or rowdyism could be laid to their charge. The only dis- orderly action committed during this excitement was by a drunken soldier belonging to the department at the town house, who fired his musket on Ford street with ball cartridge about 10 o'clock on Friday night. The whistling of the ball was distinctly heard by several persons.
The Fenian officers held as prisoners, with most of the rank and file, were sent away on Friday, June 8, in charge of a marshal and finally released. We doubt if a single person, outside of Fenian circles, had the least conception or suspicion of the power of the organization, or the value and quantity of materials they had gathered for the purpose of making war upon the British American provinces. The value of the arms taken from them and brought to Ogdensburg is estimated at $150,000, beside a vast quantity of small arms, ammunition, stores, etc., that were scattered among the sympathizers all along the route.
Up to the time of the president's proclamation, which killed the en- terprise, there was no abatement in the tide of action. In every part of the border of the country the movement had commenced. Our people and government for a time regarded the whole thing as a stupendous swindle; but that the leaders intended to fight, the large quantity of arms and munitions, seized by the United States officials in various parts of the country, furnishes the best evidence. If the object of the leaders had been to further dupe the Irish people and obtain more money, they would not have expended so much in the purchase of arms; therefore, whatever we may heretofore have thought of the Fenians, candor compels us to admit that those composing the Sweeney-Roberts wing were at least sincere in their profession and really intended war. Of course the whole affair from its conception to the moment when the government put forth its strong arm to crush it, had been illegal in design and criminal in execution ; yet, laboring under the belief that the affair was devoid of sincerity, virtually all the people had indirectly en-
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TELEGRAPH LINES.
couraged it. Therefore it was an exhibition of the greatest cowardice to attempt to shirk the blame and responsibility and cast it upon those who were arrested as leaders, when but for the encouragement of public opinion, the Fenian raid would never have been attempted.
CHAPTER XVI.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, SOCIETIES, CIVIL LIST, STATISTICS, ETC.
Telegraph Lines and Companies-Telephone Line -- St. Lawrence State Hospital- Agricultural Societies -- Dairymen's Association and Boards of Trade -- Civil List -- Statistics of Population.
TELEGRAPH LINES AND COMPANIES.
T HE first telegraph stations along the line of St. Lawrence county were established in the summer of 1849 at Prescott and Brock- ville. This line extended to all the principal cities and villages of Can- ada, as well as 'to those of the United States. These stations, though situated in Canada, greatly accommodated the business men on this side, and were much appreciated. The New York line was extended froin Watertown to Ogdensburg, by way of the old Military Road, in the summer of 1850, and an office was opened in the latter place, it be- ing the only station in the county that year. The Vermont and Bos- ton line was extended to Ogdensburg, by way of Rouse's Point, in the following summer. This line was erected a part of the way along the O. & L. C. Railroad, and the remaining distance along the highway. A few years later telegraph lines were extended to all the principal business places, and offices were opened throughout the county by The Great Northwestern Telegraph Company of Canada. This line con- nects with the Great Western Line, which now does the greater part of the business of the county.
There is also a line in operation which reaches the principal cities of the country, but does not reach so many of the smaller towns. This
27
210
HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
line is called The Postal Telegraph-Cable Company, and is connected with the Commercial Cable Line.
The prices for messages to all parts of the country have been greatly reduced since the introduction of the telephone lines.
TELEPHONE LINE.
A telephone line was set up at Ogdensburg in July, 1881, and used to connect business places of the city ; it was well patronized. The line was soon after extended to all the principal business places in the county, connecting with other lines in the adjacent counties and with many places to which no telegraph lines have been erected.
THE ST. LAWRENCE STATE HOSPITAL.
The increase in the number of sick persons that are judged insane has filled the various asylums of the State to the extent that it became necessary either to enlarge the present buildings or erect others, in or- der to properly care for this class of unfortunates. This fact being brought to the attention of the Legislature in the winter of 1885-86, our member, Gen. N. M. Curtis, presented a bill, which became a law, to the effect that a committee be appointed to locate an asylum site in Northern New York, and to make a report of their findings for approval at the next session of the Legislature.
During the summer of 1886 the committee made a thorough ex- amination of the various places in this northern territory, taking into consideration the facility of procuring building materials, the quality of soil, of water supply, and convenience of access. The majority of the committee, for certain reasons, reported in favor of locating the asylum at Plattsburg ; but the minority report, which embraced all the facts in regard to the plant, etc., decided on a site just below Ogdensburg as the most suitable place, all things considered.
Considerable discussion arose in the Assembly upon the two reports, which were ably sustained by the friends of each from their respective standpoints. At length the reports were taken before the Committee of the Whole, and the matter was decided in favor of the present loca- tion, on the 18th day of May, 1887. An appropriation of $100,000 was
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STATE HOSPITAL.
made for the purchase of the grounds, and something over $300,000 to survey the same, to make drafts and plans for the necessary buildings, and to commence the foundations for the same.
The first Board of Managers appointed by the governor were as fol- lows: Wm. L. Proctor, George Hall and John Hannan, of Ogdensburg ; W. F. Porter, of Watertown ; James D. Tracy, of Canton ; George W. Pratt, of Corning; Thomas Ryan, of Syracuse; Oscar M. Wood, of Dexter ; James S. Thurston, of New York; and George S. Weaver, of Albany. The Board of Managers held a meeting at Syracuse on the 27th day of October, 1887, and organized by selecting W. L. Porter as chairman and general manager; George Hall as secretary ; and Wm. J. Averill as treasurer of the institution.
The place selected was formerly known by the name of "Indian Point," which was given it by the early " voyageurs " in 1673. It is now called Point Airy. The farm commences within the city limits of Ogdensburg, on its northern boundary, and extends down the river a mile and a half, and one mile back, forming a compact tract of 950 acres, which cost the State $90,500. The front or central portion of the tract extends into the river between two bays about two-thirds of a mile, in the form of an ellipse, presenting nearly two miles of water front, and at the upper part a bluff rises thirty to forty feet above the river.
The construction of the hospital buildings differs very materially from the old style linear plans, such as were used in three and four story buildings of former years. The buildings are constructed on what is popularly known as " cottage " plan, each not to exceed two stories in height. There are now (1893) three completed groups and several de- tached cottages, with the necessary outbuildings.
At the extreme point, projecting into the river, a wharf is built to ac- commodate boats in landing. A pump house has been built, with a suitable engine for raising water for domestic purposes, and for fount- ains that will be placed at different points on the grounds. The water is taken from the river a short distance from the shore where the cur- rent is quite strong, and forced up to a standpipe near the boiler house, whence it is distributed by its gravity to the various places on the grounds.
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The Central Hospital Group is located in about the center of the point, or midway between the two bays and back from the river some 1,700 feet. The group consists of an administration building, a one story structure, containing medical offices, dispensary, laboratory, two sun rooms, and transverse and longitudinal halls; two reception cottages, two observation cottages, two cottages for convalescents, two cottages for disturbed patients, therewith containing work rooms and sleeping apartments for employees ; a one story structure for the accommoda- tion of thirty-five employees, comprising in all fourteen buildings, all connected by corridors.
Infirmary Group No. I is situated northeast from the Central Hos- pital about 1,200 feet. The group consists of a separate building, two stories high, for the accommodation of an associate physician and super- visor ; four one story pavilions, each containing a room thirty-six by one hundred feet. On the east and west sides adjoining these pavilions are two buildings two stories in height. North of the lobbies is a one story structure containing two associate dining rooms. North of this is a one story building containing kitchen and pantries. Still north of the kitchen is a two story building, providing accommodations for forty- five patients, also store rooms and dining rooms for help. There are two additional infirmary buildings, two stories high, located at either end of the dining rooms, connected therewith by circular corridors. Adjoining each day room is a lavatory and bath room. There are two detached buildings, two stories high, included in this group, one on the east and one on the west of the main group, and adjacent to the other buildings described. The whole group will comprise, practically, nine- teen buildings and three connecting corridors, and will provide accom- modations for assistant physician, a supervisor, 314 patients and forty attendants.
The Laundry Building is a structure situated one hundred feet south of the Central Hospital. It is a one story structure of sufficient dimen- sions to do the laundry work for 2,000 people. It contains a wash room, an ironing room, an engine room, a drying room, a room for sort- ing clothes and for storage of stock, and two rooms for water closets, besides an engine room, a chimney and ventilating stack and ironing chimney.
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STATE HOSPITAL.
The Boiler House is situated back of the Central Group and south of No. I Infirmary, on the branch railroad. In this plant is placed a bench of boilers of sufficient capacity to warm all the buildings requiring heat, also to furnish power to ventilate them. There is an electric plant built in connection with the heating apparatus, furnished with an engine and dynamos to light the grounds and buildings. There is also a workshop connected with this group, wherein to make repairs, etc.
The Third Group is situated southwest of the Central and was built similar to the other groups. The building was completed early in Jan- uary, 1893, and while the paint was drying it took fire and the whole of the interior was consumed, also injuring the walls considerably by discoloring them. An appropriation was made at once by the Legis- lature and the contract let to. rebuild, which has been completed.
The design is to continue the work on the same plans and erect other infirmary groups ; also a large amusement hall, and several detached cottages for special purposes and for the help required in the various departments, whenever necessity requires it.
The outer walls of the buildings are mostly of native blue limestone, laid in broken ashlar, rock faced, backed up with stone and faced on the inside with brick bonded in with stone, with a dead air space between the outer and inner walls. The buildings are mostly trimmed with Potsdam red sandstone. A few of the buildings are faced with the Gouverneur marble and Potdam red sandstone. The interior division walls of the basement are of stone masonry and laid in cement. All the division walls above the basement are of brick, in which are flues for heating the apartments ; also flues for removing the vitiated air. The window jambs and all projecting angles are rounded, and all walls are plastered with cement. No hollow spaces are formed between the floors and ceiling, thus avoiding flues for conveying fire and contaminating foul air. The stairs are wide, of easy grade, and located at convenient points for safety of egress, and the work surrounding them is constructed of fireproof materials. The roofs of the buildings are covered with the best quality of black slate, and extend beyond the main walls over the piazzas, forming roofs therefor. Great care has been taken in planning the buildings so that they will be permanent, requiring but slight re- pairs for years to come. Every precaution has been taken in un-
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