USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Outline history of Utica and vicinity > Part 4
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The enlistment was open to all, and thus the 28th Com- pany, which had volunteered ninety-two per cent. of its 1bid, May 26, members in April, could not enter active service as an or- 1898. ganization ; but a large number of its members volunteered Ibid, Apr. 28, :1898.
in the company recruited from Oneida County under Cap- tain Charles Shaver Horsburgh. This became Co. G.,
44
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
Daily Papers.
203d New York Regiment, Colonel Walter S. Schuyler commanding. It was mustered into service at Syracuse, July 19, 1898, and left for Camp Black the same day.
Sept. II, the regiment was moved to Camp Meade, Ibid, Sept. 22, near Harrisburg, Pa., and thence, Oct. 2, to Camp Cone- wago in the Conewago Valley. At Camp Meade it be- came part of the 2d Army Corps. Nov. II it was moved to Camp Wetherill, Greenville, S. C.
1898. Capt. Hors- burgh in U. Herald, Apr. 25, 1899 U. Herald, Sept. 24, 1898 Mar. 28, 1899.
COMPANY K.
July 25, Major Joseph H. Remmer began to recruit a company for the 202d Regiment in Utica. July 30, fifty men under his command left the city for Buffalo, the rendezvous of the regiment. The company became Co. Daily Papers. U. Herald, Jan. 3, 1899. Capt. Remmer K., and August 2, followed Co. G., of the 203d, to Camp Black, and Sept. 12 to Camp Meade. Nov. 30 the regi- in U. Herald, ment left for Savannah, Ga., and Dec. 6, sailed for Apr. 18. 1899. Havana, landing Dec. 10. It was the first body of United States troops to enter the city. It was commanded by Colonel Stephen Y. Seyburn, (Captain U. S. A.).
WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS.
Meantime, with the first note of war, organizations were formed to care for the welfare of the soldiers and their families.
The Oneida County War Committee was organized in U. Herald, Apr. 26, 1898. the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, April 26, 1898, Rept U. Her- and during the war expended more than $2,000. for Oneida ald, Apr. 26, 1899. county men in the field.
U. Herald. May 2, 1898 Ibid., May 2, 1899.
The Women's War Relief Association of Oneida County was formed in the Auditorium of the New Century Club, April 30. At its annual meeting, when it disbanded, its work completed, the treasurer reported disbursements amounting to more than $1, 100. The association also
45
THE SPANISH WAR.
sent to different camps eleven boxes of supplies, averaging in value $100 each.
The Oneida Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution joined in the hospital work undertaken by the national organization at Washington, and sent one nurse for service. The Chapter also contributed largely in money and supplies, the estimated total amount being about $1,200.
In June a third women's society was formed, auxiliary Ibid., June 25, to the Women's National War Relief Association. 1898.
The Board of Managers of St. Luke's Hospital offered the War Department, through Congressman Sherman, ac- Ibid., Aug. 30, commodations for 75 sick soldiers, but this help was not 1898. considered necessary.
St. Elizabeth's Hospital gave gratuitous care to four soldiers, and received a fifth at reduced rates.
NURSES.
Utica sent ten women as nurses to the army hospitals. They were Mrs. Emma Keith Booth, Miss Justine Clemens- Ibid., Sept. 30, son, Mrs. A. Hannahs and Miss Mary E. Hannahs, Miss Dec. 20, 1898. Josephine Shue, Miss Florence Wright, three Sisters of 1899. Ibid., Sept. 6, Charity from St. John's Orphan Asylum, and one from St. Joseph's Infant Home. Three or four other women, for- merly of Utica or vicinity, did similar service.
Dr. J. M. Sweeney, a practising physician of Utica, vol- Ibid., Sept. 10, unteered as an immune from yellow fever, and served sev- 1898. eral months at Santiago, Cuba.
Charles C. Bangs, a native of Oneida County, who when young had served under the Christian Commission in the Ibid., Aug. 26, Civil War, became a nurse of the Red Cross Society in 1898. April, 1898, and died in the work at Santiago early in August.
Thirteen men of Co. G, 203d Regiment, volunteered as
46
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
Cap :. Hors- bergh. in U. Herald, Apr. 25, 18.C.
nurses while at Camp Black, and were sent to Montauk Point.
RETURN OF THE TROOPS.
Ibid., Dec. 26,
J. S. Cole ia C. Herali, jan. 15, 13cg.
Orders for the return of Co. E. reached Honolulu at Thanksgiving time. The men left for home Dec. 8, and reached Utica on Christmas Day, after 238 days of service. About twenty men, delayed by sickness, arrived later.
Daily Papers.
A month afterwards, Jan. 25, 1899, a banquet was given the company by the citizens of Utica, at the Armory. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, U. S. A., was a distinguished guest.
The company was mustered out at the Armory. Feb. 23. 1899.
U. Herald Mar. 28, 1Sẹq
Co. G. was mustered out of service at Greenville, S.C., March 25, 1899, and reached Utica, March 27.
Ibid., Apr. 18,
Co. K. left Cuba about the middle of March, was mustered out at Savannah, Ga., and reached home April 17.
The return of these companies was celebrated April 24, Daily Parers by a parade, a banquet in the Masonic building, and a ball in the Armory.
U. Hera d. Apr. 29. 13gg.
Besides those in the three Utica companies, about 105 Oneida County men served during the war. Twenty-one of these belonged to the 9th U S. Infantry, and nine were in the Navy.
Four men of the Utica Companies died in the service. U. Heraid, Ang 10, 1293. Ibid., Nov. z 3-2. 1932. J. Harry Read of Co. E., at San Francisco, August 9, 1893 ; C. Harry Thompson, who left Utica with Co. E., but was transferred to Co. H., at Honolulu, Oct. 15. 1898 ; Ibid .. Nov. 17, Corporal O. Ross Wheeler of Co. E., at Honolulu, Nov. Ibid. Sep :. 2, 7, 1898 : Nicholas Schug of Co. G., at Philadelphia, Sept. - 3-3.
28, 1898.
47
THE SPANISH WAR.
Six Oneida County men belonging to other organizations have also died in the Spanish and Philippine wars, includ- ing one who perished in the destruction of the Maine.
May 24, 1899, medals were presented by the Oneida County War Committee to the men of Oneida County who had served in the Spanish war. The ceremony took place in the Armory, and each soldier received a bronze medal bearing his name. About 350 medals were given. They were distributed by the President of the Women's War Relief Association, other ladies assisting.
The guest of honor on this occasion was Capt. Charles S. Sigsbee. U. S. N., of the battleship Texas, the former commander of the Maine, and the audience heard from his own lips the story of the destruction of the ship.
Mr. T. R. Proctor, President of the Oneida County War Committee, gave the young men an address of welcome, closing with the words: "Be good citizens, and do what you can to improve the town in which you live. Let it be said of you when you are gone that the town is better for your having lived in it."
Daily Papers.
VII.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.
Mr. E. J. Bar-
tholomew,
T' HE following Centennial Celebrations have been held in the towns of Oneida County : Augusta. Presbyterian Church ; organized as a Con- gregational Church, September 7, 1797. Became Presby-
Augusta. terian 1866. Celebration, October 26, 27, 1897.
Brookfield Bridgewater. Congregational Church ; organized Courier, July 6, 1898. March 8, 1798. Celebration, June 29, 1898.
One Hundred Camden. Congregational Church ; organized February
Years Ist
Cong. Ch.
Camden, pp.
TI, 17.
Kirkland. Settlement of Clinton by Moses Foote and Gridley's Hist., Town of others, March, 1787. Celebration, July 13, 1887. Pres- ident Cleveland, whose boyhood was in part spent in the village, was the guest of honor.
Papers
First Church of Clinton ; organized as a Congregational Church by Dr. Jonathan Edwards the younger, August, Gridley's 1791, the same month in which he organized the churches Hist., pp. 93.9. Cent. Anniv'y at New Hartford and Paris. Became Presbyterian 1864. Rev. Asahel S. Norton ordained and installed first pastor, September 18, 1793. Celebration of this latter event, September 27, 1893.
Install. Rev.
A. S. Norton.
New Hartford. Settlement by Jedediah Sanger, March, N. Hart. Cent. Trans. O.H.S., 1788. Celebration, June 27, 1888.
1887 9.
Cent. Day, Pres. Ch. N.
Hart., p. 19.
Presbyterian Church ; organized as Congregational Church by Dr. Jonathan Edwards the younger, August 27, 1791. Services held in Jedediah Sanger's barn. The Society had organized June 6, under the name " First Re-
19, 1798, at Paris Hill, consisting of eight persons who were "about to move to Fish Creek, in the township of Mexico," now Camden. Celebration, February 22, 1898.
Kirkland, p.21. Utica Daily
49
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.
ligious Society in Whitestown." Rev. Dan Bradley or- dained first pastor, January 11, 1792. As there were no Ibid., p. 18. churches in the vicinity which could be called as a Council for his ordination, the services took place in Connecticut, a committee of the Church taking the long winter journey to be present at the occasion. Church became Presby- Ibid., p. 22. terian, 1801. Celebration, August 27, 1891, including service in the old barn.
Ibid., pp. 22, 23.
Paris. Congregational Church ; organized by Jonathan Edwards as "the second Church of Christ in Whites- town," August 29, 1791. Celebration, August 29, 1891.
Cent. Paris. Cong. Ch.
St. Paul's Church (Episcopal) ; organized February 13, U. Daily Press June 17, 1897. 1797. Celebration, June 16, 1897.
Already, October 1, 1880, the Paris re-interment had Trans. O. H. taken place in this village.
S., 188t, pp. 52- 82.
Colonel Isaac Paris (1761-1790) is remembered as the large-hearted merchant of Fort Plain who, in 1789, sent prompt and generous help to the almost starving settlers of Clinton. Three years later (1792) a new township in- cluding Clinton was formed from Whitestown, and the people gave it the name of their benefactor. In our own day, the old cemetery at Fort Plain having been aban- doned, the suggestion was made and accepted of removing the remains of Colonel Paris to that part of the old town Town of Paris, Rogers' Hist. of Paris which still bears his name. The plan was carried pp. 373-8. out under the auspices of a committee from Kirkland, Marshall, and Paris, the towns once included in that of Paris, and the dust of this early friend was laid to rest in the burial ground of St. Paul's Church, with religious serv- ices and commemorative addresses.
Rome. First Methodist Church ; class organized 1799. P. 395 Celebration, February 3-5, 1899.
Jones's Annals U. Herald, Feb. 4, 1899.
Sangerfield. Baptist Church of Waterville. Council U. Herald,
to give Church Fellowship December 15, 1798. Church Dec. 20, 1899.
4
50
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
took the name "First Baptist Church of Sangerfield." Celebration, December 19, 1898.
Jones' Annals P. 7 ..
U. Herald, Dec. 9-11, 13, 1897.
Trenton. Town organized from Schuyler, Herkimer County, March 24, 1797. Celebration in village, Decem- ber 9, 10, 11, 1897.
Jones' Annals p. 469.
The first Unitarian Church in the State was formed in Trenton about 1805.
Pioneers. p. 92. One Hundred Years of Trin- ity Ch., 1898. Daily Papers, June 15-17, 1898
Utica. Trinity Church ; organized by Rev. Philander Chase, 1798 (see II.). Celebration, June 15, 16, 1898.
Cent. Anniv. Ist Cong. Ch., Westmore- land.
Westmoreland. Congregational Church ; organized September 20, 1792. Celebration, September 20, 1892.
Jones' Annals
P. 739 40.
Rev. E. B.
Cauldwell, Westmore. land.
Whitestown. Settlement by Hugh White, June, 1784. Whitestown Cent.in Trans. Celebration, June 5, 1884.
O. H. S , 1881-4.
U. Herald,
Apr. 3, 1893.
Presbyterian Church ; organized April 1, 1793, as the United Society of Whitestown and Old Fort Schuyler, " whose name is still perpetuated." Rev. Bethuel Dodd installed first pastor, August 21, 1794. (See I. and II. ). Celebration, April 1, 1893.
1bid., June 19, I896.
Jones' Annals p. 8.
Pioneers, p. 79.
Daily Papers.
Methodist Episcopal Church ; class organized probably between 1795 and 1798. Celebration, October 1, 2, 1895.
Baptist Church ; organized June 18, 1796. Celebra- tion, June 18, 1896. Oncida County. Formed from part of Herkimer County, March 15, 1798. Celebration by Oneida His- torical Society in Munson-Williams Memorial Building, Utica, March 15, 1898.
VIII. HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION. ROUTES OF TRAVEL.
INDIAN TRAILS.
THE Indians made their journeys entirely over trails and natural water ways, and these the white settlers also were at first obliged to use.
The trails of this locality were as follows: one from Oneida Castle and another from the Oneida carrying place, both of which led east and crossed each other at the foot of what is now Genesee Street. Continuing, one trail kept to the south of the river down the valley ; the other branch- ed on the north side of the ford, one branch leading down through Schuyler to the east, while the other extended north through the Black River country.
RIVER NAVIGATION.
Between the Atlantic seaboard and the great lakes, there was a direct route by way of the Hudson and Mohawk Riv- ers to the present site of Rome, and from that point by a Wager's Hist. short portage of about a mile to Wood Creek, whence the 20. Oneida Co., p. route lay down the stream to Oneida Lake, to the Oswego River, to Lake Ontario and the West.
In the last century the Mohawk was a stream of much greater volume than at present. It was an important factor in commerce even after the roads in the vicinity of its upper course claimed the name of highways, and was nav- M. H., p. 361. igable for vessels of light tonnage from Schenectady to Fort Stanwix. In ascending, the river was not dangerous, but the descent, over the rocky bed with its numerous
52
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
shallows, was attended with much danger of staving the boat.
In 1796, navigation was greatly facilitated by an incor- porated company known as the Western Inland Lock Navi- gation Company, the purpose of which was to construct a canal and locks around the Little Falls on the Mohawk, and a canal across the carrying place at Rome, and to clear. of obstructions Wood Creek and the waters beyond.
PASSENGER BOATS.
M. H., p. 362.
Previous to 1807, a line of boats was established to carry produce, and three stage boats were added for passengers. A weekly line plied between Schenectady and Cayuga. In 1812, stage boats were traversing the waters twice each week between Utica and Schenectady. The time allowed for a trip was twenty-four hours.
STATE OR TURNPIKE ROADS.
Pioneers. p. 104.
The first state road from Albany to Utica was con- structed in 1794, though as late as 1800 it was almost impassable.
GENESEE TURNPIKE.
M. H., P. 367.
The section of road from Utica west to the Genesee River was completed in 1794. It was known as the Gen esee Turnpike, and led through White's Town, Oriskany, Fort Stanwix, etc. It was built by the inhabitants living along the line of the road.
The same year legislative action was taken to con- struct a road from Albany to Utica. The Mohawk Turnpike and Bridge Company was awarded the contract Burton's Hist. to build a section of ten miles of road on the north side of the river. It was built in an expeditious but unsubstantial manner, of the materials found along the line, and the work proved unsatisfactory.
Herk. Co., p. 214.
53
HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION-ROUTES OF TRAVEL.
SENECA TURNPIKE.
In 1800, a charter was granted the Seneca Turnpike Company to construct a road from Utica to the western part of the State, by way of New Hartford, Kirkland, Ver- non, Oneida Castle, etc.
It followed the line of the Indian trail, but was less cir- M. H., p. 368. cuitous. The road leading across the Mohawk between Utica and Deerfield was also straightened and otherwise improved at this time by the Seneca Turnpike Company.
The building of these great thoroughfares gave Utica much importance as a commercial center.
MAIL AND STAGE SERVICE.
In 1792, Congress gave much attention to extending post roads, and a mail route was established between Albany and Whitesboro, though at this time it was conducted as a private enterprise which employed Jason Parker to de- liver the mail along the entire route regularly, as often as Munson's An- twice each month. The roads were rough, and the jour- nals of Albamy Vol. I, p. 248. ney was made sometimes on horseback, sometimes on foot.
In 1793, a stage line was established, and passengers were carried from Albany to Old Fort Schuyler for $2.50 ; to Whitesboro for $3. In 1802, this mail and passenger route was extended from Old Fort Schuyler to Onondaga. Through the enterprise of Jason Parker, an act of the Legislature was passed giving to him and Levi Stephens the exclusive right for seven years (1803 to 1810), to run a line of stages twice each week over the route mentioned, M. H., p. 370. the fare not to exceed five cents per mile. In 1810, three trips were made each week between Albany and Utica. A year later, the western section, from Utica to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, was completed, and excellent service was given. Mr. Parker associated with him in the transporta-
54
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
tion business Theodore S. Faxton, Silas D. Childs and John Butterfield, who became prominent in many business enterprises and who did much for the upbuilding of Utica.
ERIE CANAL.
Previous to the war of 1812, the subject of connecting the Hudson river with Lake Erie by a public waterway had received much attention, and three surveys were made. Indeed, this subject had been in the minds of far Wager's Hist seeing men from a much earlier time. In 1792, the Oneida Co. learned Hollander, Dr. Van der Kemp, described the great results he expected from the improvements to navigation in this State, then just begun. This is a part of his quaintly expressed prophecy :
" See here an early communication by water carriage opened between the most distant parts of this ex- tensive commonwealth. Fort Stanwix must be- come a staple place for the commodities of the West
Letter of Fr. Ad. Van der Kemp, in possess. Rev. J. S. May. Copy loaned by Mr. An- drew, of Trenton.
and Old Fort Schuyler nearly the cen- tral spot of intercourse between the north and west, trans- formed into an opulent mercantile city when the tomahawk and scalping knife shall be replaced by the sickle and the pencil of the artist, and the wigwam by marble palaces. Go there and dig canals through the
J. F. Sey- mour's Cent. Address, Tren- ton, 1876, pp. 55, 56.
western country. Dare only to undertake the enterprise, and I warrant success. Give me the disposal of 50 New York purses, and I will do what others promise in florid speeches. I will go to the watery nymph Erie, and trace a beautiful curve through which her Ladyship shall be compelled to pay of her tribute to the ocean through the Genesee Country."
Finally, after much bitter opposition, the work was un- dertaken, largely through the able advocacy of Gov. De- Witt Clinton. July 4, 1817, excavation was begun in
Wager's Hist.
Oneida Co.
55
HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION-ROUTES OF TRAVEL.
Rome, and Oct. 22, 1819, the section between Rome and Jones's Annals Utica having been filled by the Oriskany creek, the first P. 545. M. H., pp. 142, 143. boat cleared a passage amid great rejoicings.
The canal was finished Oct. 20th, 1825, and the event was celebrated with appropriate ceremonies, during which Gov. Clinton arrived in Utica on his journey through the Pioneers, pp. canal from Buffalo to New York, and was received here 630, 631. with great enthusiasın, and with a formal welcome in the Court House.
CHENANGO CANAL.
In 1834 work was begun on the Chenango Canal. This waterway led through the Chenango valley, and was com- pleted in 1836. Its entire length was 97 miles, and it was of special importance to Utica and the country north of Utica in transporting coal from the mines of Pennsylvania.
M. H., p. 381.
After the opening of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western R. R., and the Utica, Clinton and Binghamton R. R., the Chenango canal was abandoned.
The canals are the property of the State.
PLANK ROADS.
About the year 1847, Companies were incorporated to build plank roads over marshy and rough highways. One extending from Deerfield to Remsen was the first completed in this vicinity, and it proved to be a great boon to the country through which it passed. Subsequently, other plank roads were built from Utica to Rome on the west ; to Schuyler and Frankfort on the east ; and on the south to New Hartford and Clinton, Waterville and Burlington. Owing to the high price and growing scarcity of lumber, the roads were kept up at an enormous expense and finally fell into disuse.
The Directory for 1849-50 says, "The city is rendered
Ibid.
56
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
accessible at all times to the surrounding country by means of plank roads in every direction."
RAILROADS.
In 1833, the Utica and Schenectady Railroad Company was incorporated. The road was to be built on the north Ibid., p. 384. side of the Erie canal with its terminus in Utica. The Annals of Al- bauy, Vol. IX., year before, a railroad had been opened between Albany and Schenectady, in accordance with a charter granted to the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad Co. in 1826.
P. 248.
M. H., p. 388. In 1836, a road was built connecting Utica with Syracuse. During the first week, cars were run free over this section.
Annals of Al-
bany, Vol. V., P. 324.
In 1853, a bill passed the Legislature consolidating the various lines of railroads between Albany and Buffalo. The first coaches used on the eastern sections were the old stage coaches, which were strapped on platform cars.
M. H., p. 389.
In 1853, the Utica and Black River R. R. Co. was or- ganized under the name "Black River and Utica R. R. Co.," and the work of constructing a road to the north country by way of Trenton, was at once commenced.
In December, 1854. the road was formally opened as far as Trenton, and a year later, as far as Boonville. The R.and U. R. R. present name was assumed May, 1861, when a reorganiza- Records Bl'k. tion took place. The road was afterwards leased to the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg R. R., and this again, with all its holdings, to the New York Central R. R. Co.
Co.
M. H., p. 393.
The Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley R. R. was well under way in 1870, and at that time, extended south from Utica through New Hartford and Cassville to Sherburne Four Corners, with a branch from Cassville to Richfield. The same year (1870), it was leased to the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Corporation, which made the desired connection with the coal fields of Penn- sylvania.
57
HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION-ROUTES OF TRAVEL.
In 1862, the Utica, Clinton and Binghamton R. R. Co. became incorporated, to construct a horse or steam rail- road to connect Clinton with New Hartford, Utica and Whitesboro. The following year (1863) rails were laid and a horse car line was established from Utica to New Hartford, and from there to Clinton a " dummy " was op- M. H., PP. 393, erated. In 1867 the company reorganized, and extended 394. the track south from Clinton till it connected with the Midland R. R. at Smith's Valley. In 1870, a steam rail- road from Utica to New Hartford was built, and thus the line was completed. Soon after its completion, it passed into the hands of a receiver, and in 1875 it became the possession of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company.
The New York, West Shore and Buffalo R. R. was completed in 1884, and as its name implies, extends from New York, along the west shore of the Hudson, and west- erly to Buffalo, passing through Utica on its way. This road is now leased and operated by the New York Central Company.
Ibid., p. 395.
In 1893, the New York Central Co. leased the Mohawk and Malone Railway, (Herkimer to Malone ; incorporated 1891), and by making it a part of its system, and running Mr. J. L. Earll. daily trains from New York to Montreal by way of Utica, has connected this city with the Adirondack region.
STREET RAILWAY SYSTEM.
In 1886 the Utica Belt Line Co. was organized, and leased from the Utica, Clinton and Binghamton Co. its lines to New Hartford and Whitesboro, and later on a branch was built to New York Mills. The horse car service was discontinued, and electric power introduced in 1889. Sev- eral lines are now in operation extending to the west, south and east portions of the city. In 1897, the Utica and Whitesboro line was extended as far as Oriskany, and Summit Park opened at the end of the line.
M. H., p. 356.
58
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
Ibid.
The Utica and Mohawk R. R. Co. built a road connecting Genesee St. at Bleecker St. with the Utica Park, which is the eastern terminus. At first the cars were drawn by horses, but in 1889 electricity was substituted.
IX
NAMES OF STREETS.
C OSBY'S Manor extended three miles on either side of the Mohawk, and from the Sauquoit Creek, eleven miles east. (See I.).
The Bleecker property reached from about the line of Mohawk street nearly to what is now Charlotte, and ran Pioneers, p. 8. back from the river beyond Steele's Hill.
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