USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 33
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In 1856 the new building was completed and school opened with Mr. Call as principal, with a corps of efficient teachers. It continued to increase in the number of pupils until, in 1890. it would no longer accommodate the large number of scholars who wished to attend, at home as well as from adjoining towns. The building was enlarged by a fine and commodious addition on the north-west side, the whole making a building which any town might well be proud to possess. Always a fine school. within the last ten years it has attained a degree of excellence surpassed by few if any schools in larger towns. Prof. D. D. Van Allen and his wife have had charge of it since 1888, and under their care it has a reputation which constantly brings many from other towns, until soon it will be imperative that the
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
town provide another building. The school is divided into a high school and academic department, with several grades in the lower rooms. The school has a fine library numbering 350 well-selected volumes, and has reached a standing the town may well feel proud of.
INCORPORATION OF CAMDEN VILLAGE.
Camden village was incorporated June 27. 1834. in compliance with the fifth section of an act entitled, "An act to incorporate the Village of Camden, in the County of Oneida." This meeting was held at the inn of T. G. Chidsey. The following persous were elected the first officers of the corporation for one year:
For Trustees-Lyman Curtiss, Humphrey Brown. Hubbard Tuthill, Ammi H. Hinckley, Aaron Stone.
For Assessors-Rufus Byington, David Johnson, George Trowbridge.
For Collector-Martin H. Stevens.
For Treasurer-Robert H. Burr.
For Constable -- Martin H. Stevens.
On motion, the next annual meeting be held at the thern now occupied by Rufus Byington. Adopted. The meeting then adjourned. Stephen S. Shelden, Clerk of the meeting.
Same year, July 6, a meeting of the trustees held at the store of A. & G. Trowbridge, present: Humphrey Brown, Lyman Curtiss, Aaron Stone, Ammi H. Hinckley and Hubbard Tuttle. Humphrey Brown was chosen President of the Board: . 1. Trowbridge was chosen Clerk. Adjourned, to meet at .\ 11. Hinckley's store.
July 9, the board again meet, and agree to purchase for the use of the village, to aid in extinguishing fires, one ladder. 30 feet long, and two feet in width; two ladders 25 feet long. and two feet in width; two ladders 14 feet long, and two feet in width. with hooks at the top to support them on the roofs of buildings. The limits of the corporation shall be one road district for the present year, and Lyman Sanford. Esq .. shall be the overseer. and he shall cause all the highway labor assessed by the over seers for the term to be performed on the roads and sidewalks. except such as has been expended before the organization of said corporation.
The trustees require of every householder residing within the
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
limits of the corporation, within ninety days from the publish- ing of this ordinance, to provide and always keep one good and sufficient leather fire-bucket. And further, if any person shall throw the carcass of any dead animal or any offals into the mill- pond or any part of Fish Creek within the limits of the corpora- tion, on conviction of such offense he shall pay the sum of two dollars for the use of the corporation. And further, if any person shall ride or drive any horse on any of the sidewalks in this vil- lage, he or she shall forfeit for each offense the sum of one dol- lar. If any person injure maliciously any ornamental tree planted by any of the sidewalks of the village, he shall forfeit for each of- fense, on conviction, one dollar.
July 26, the board met, and decided that no cattle or horses should run at large within the corporation limits. Any person finding them could take them to the pound. A person upon claiming his beast, shall pay the pound-master his fees and an additional fifty cents. All swine running at large may be taken to the pound. Aaron Stone and Ammi Hinckley to be a com- mittee to procure ladders for the corporation.
August 18, Board met. No lighted lamps or candles shall be used in any stable or other place where hay or straw is kept. unless the same is well secured in a lantern, under the penalty of one dollar. Nor shall any person carry a lighted pipe or cigar into any shed, barn or stable under the penalty of fifty cents. All ordinances, regulations or motions shall be pub- lished by posting a copy of the same at the inns of T. G. Ched- sey, Jefferson Colton, and Rufus Byington.
Jan. 27. 1835. Board of Trustees convened. Resolved. That the collector ascertain the names of those who have procured fire-buckets, and those who have not. Resolved, That any per- son who shall at any time take any of the ladders belonging to the corporation for any other purpose than to extinguish fire. shall be subjected to a fine of one dollar. Resolved, That a lock and chain be procured to secure the ladders with, and that Wat- son Spencer be charged with the execution of the same, and that Ranney Parke be the keeper of the key. Resolved, That a fine of three dollars be imposed on all who neglected to procure fire- buckets under the ordinance of May 2d, 1837.
February 6, 1838, Board met. Ordered, That there be a hook and ladder company. Richard Empey was appointed captain, to enlist nie men to serve in such capacity. That Ranney Parke
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
show cause why he does not make returns of the delinquents of fire-buckets.
February 10, Board met. Richard Empey was excused from serving as captain of hook and ladder company, and William Bird was appointed in his į lace.
March 10, William Bird, captain of hook and ladder company, made returns of his enlistments: William Bird, captain; William R. Paddock, John A. Bettis, Horace McIntyre, Thomas DeMilt Penfield, Aaron Stone, Hiram J. Miner, Heman Diliman, Cebina Leonard, J. L. Babcock, members.
August 6, Board met. Resolved, That Jacob Sherman & Co. have permission to exhibit theatrical performances for a term not to exceed six evenings, on paying the clerk of the corpora- tion $2.50 for each evening. It is ordered. That the barn now occupied by Charles C. and Epaphroditus Houghton be used for a pound, and that Epaphroditus be appointed keeper. Voted. That the Trustees be empowered to procure a carriage for the
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Old Fire Engine and Old Town Hall Be'i.
hooks and ladders, and also provide a convenient place for keeping the same. That the Trustees levy a tax to defray the expenses aforesaid.
March 22, 1839, Board met, &c. Richard Empey is appointed
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to procure the carriage for the hooks and ladders. Ordered, That any person depositing their ashes in wood pails, barrels or baskets, or in any unsafe place, on any premises within the corporation, shall be subject to a fine of $3.00 for every offense.
July 13, at a special meeting of the inhabitants of the village of Camden at the Town Hall, on motion of George Ferris, to raise $250 for the purchase of a fire engine, it was carried by a vote of 27 ayes, 16 nays.
September 18, 1840, Board met. Richard Empey. Prest. Resolved, That H. J. Miner be paid money from treasury due for the fire engine in consideration of his paying interest until called for by the note given William C. Watson, agent for Great Falls Manufacturing Co. Ordered, That the clerk draw an order on the treasurer for $200. A petition is sent in from ladies and gentlemen of the corporation, to have the sidewalk cleaned of snow the coming winter. Samuel B. Hinckley was appointed for this purpose, he to be allowed a reasonable compensation for same, and that he clear the snow on the sidewalks from the lower bridge to the premises of John Jamieson on Main street.
June 2, 1841, at a special meeting, Resolved, That a commit- tee of three be appointed to make an estimate of the expenses of building a house for the fire engine; also hooks and ladders; same committee to look for a site. Alex. Gifford, Sala Sanford. Iri Pond, committee.
June 5, Board met in session room of Presbyterian Church. Report of committee was had; estimated expenses of building engine, hooks and ladder house, $195.00. exclusive of site. At this meeting, Richard Empey, James Abrams, Aaron Stone were appointed a committee to look for a location and report expense of site of same.
August 20, at a special meeting Samuel B. Hinckley was ap- pointed captain of fire engine company, with power to enlist 24 men.
August 28, Samuel B. Hinckley, captain of fire engine com- pany returned the following names as members of said company:
Samuel B. Hinckley, Captain; Henry Bacon, Nelson F. Sim- mons, Martin H. Stevens, Samuel B. Lobb, Alva Knapp, George S. Ferris, Nelson E. Benedict, George W. Wood, Harvey Sweet.
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Albro Phelps, James J. Page, Merrit Munson, John A. Bettis, Warren Mix, Abram P. Plumb, W. W. Penfield. Reuben Bar- ber, Hiram Hammond, D. Caine, Chauncey W. McCall, D. Put- nam Cox, Albert Godfrey, Alfred A. Hazen, Ranney Parke.
March 25, 184 ;. Board met. Ordered, That at every alarm of fire in the night time every male inhabitant shall assemble forthwith at the place of said fire, under the penalty of two dol- lars. Ordered, That at every alarm of fire in the night time, every family shall put at least one lighted lamp or candle in a window next the street, under penalty of fifty cents for each neglect or refusal.
This will give our readers an idea of how the business of the village corporation was conducted in the early days. George Trowbridge was Clerk of the Board of Trustees for about thir- teen years.
In the "Camden Freeman" of September 26, 1861, we find. "The new fire bell is now hung, and ready for service." In fin-
Two Fire Buckets.
ishing our article upon the incorporation of our village we give the readers an illustration of two fire buckets 'used in the early days.
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FIRES IN CAMDEN.
Since 1856 nearly the entire business portion of Main street, in Camden, has been destroyed by fire. Indeed the town has been visited by more than its share of disastrous conflagrations. On nearly every site, new and finer buildings have been erected, adding greatly to the beauty, and increasing the prosperity of the town .
The first large fire in Caniden occurred June 26. 1856. It burned the entire east side of Main street from the corner where B. A. Curtiss' store now stands to the old Miner store, now occu- pied by Adam Robson. The buildings were all of wood, which made them an easy prey to the hungry flames. The town had no means of fighting fire, only the little old engine, with the primi- tive way of carrying water in pails, and the "bucket brigade" was of little use in extinguishing the devouring element. The passenger train going south, arrived in Camden while the fire was fiercely burning, and perceiving the great danger, ran to Rome and returned in a short time, with a hand-engine. The Romans succeeded in arresting the fire at the Miner store, after the building had been partially destroyed.
The burned district was rebuilt mostly with wooden buildings,
The "Eldorado," built by Warren Mix.
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and in 1863 they were again burned, from the site where Curtiss Hall now stands, north to the park. After the fire of 1856 the village purchased a hand-engine, with 700 or 800 feet of hose. and a few hooks and ladders, which were in use many years. After the fire of 1863 the burned district was rebuilt with sub- stantial brick buildings.
In 1864, the "Eldorado," a three-story building of wood. owned by J. D. Cavarly, standing on the west side of Main street, was discovered to be on fire. The south part of the lower story was occupied by J. H. Tracy as a dry goods, grocery and drug store; the north part was rented to J. Phillips for a saloon. The second story was used as a printing office. The third story was occupied by the "Loyal League" for a club room. The origin of the fire was unknown; it started on the first floor. The fire company responded promptly to the call and managed the fire so skillfully the village was saved from a most disastrous conflagration.
August 15, 1866, a fire occurred on South Park street, which burned a wagon shop belonging to A. G. Mott, the paint shop of Julius Allen, the blacksmith shop of Myron and Edwin Sim- mons; on the latter there was no insurance, and the loss was about $1,200. In time this part of the village was rebuilt.
The next large fire occurred June 22, 1867. It originated in the barns of the Whitney House, opposite the village park. on the west side of the street. The alarm was given about half- past one in the afternoon. The barns were connected with the house, and the flames spread so rapidly that but little could be saved from the rooms on the second floor. A strong wind was blowing from the southwest, which carried sparks and burning cinders a long distance. The men were needed to work the hand- engine, and in many instances women and children were obliged to ascend to the roofs of their homes and watch lest the wind should carry some burning shingle, and it should cause the building to ignite. The fire raged fiercely in fiendish glee, con- suming Trinity Church on the north, and extending south to an alley, just below the site of the present Barnes block, where it was checked. A call for help had been telegraphed to Rome. and again the Romans responded and sent a steamer and hose
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carriage. Not until late in the afternoon was the wild revel of the fire fiend subdued, and the people had time to realize their loss. While the energies of the people were taxed to the utmost trying to check the rapidly spreading flames, a thin curl of smoke was seen to ascend from the top of the belfry which crowned the old Congregational Church. The people looked at it aghast. knowing instantly it was docmed. No stream of water could be thrown to so great a height with the facilities for fighting fire they possessed. Little tongues of flame darted in and around the high steeple, now outvieing the sun in brightness, then clouded in smoke, seeming to mock the tear-dimmed eyes of the awe-stricken people with their wild revelry. Soon the flames ran down in earnest, and ignited the building. As the burning timbers of the steeple toppled over, the town clock, which had struck the knell of passing hours many years, for the last time struck two. A dwelling house which stood on Second street. where A. C. Woodruff's residence now stands, and owned by John Owen, caught from the flying cinders, and was totally destroyed. It was only the courage and hard work of wives and children, together with the thick foliage on our beautiful shade trees, which prevented many other homes from sharing the same fate. The following day was Sunday, and the upper part of the business portion of the village was a dreary looking place. The sun was shining on a sorrowing people. Two congregations were homeless. Where the fire raged so fiercely that June day the territory is now covered with fine brick buildings, an orna- inent to any town.
On the morning of January 4. 1872, fire was discovered in the shoe shop of John Stuart, on the west side of Main Street, which consumed all of the buildings from the corner of Mexico street south to A. G. Olmstead's residence. A fine block now ornaments the corner, erected by J. G. Dorrance and C. J. Wright. Nearly all of the burned district has been rebuilt.
On the 16th of September, 1876, the chair manufactory of F. H. Conant's Sons was destroyed by fire. The flames consumed all of the buildings on the west side of the street. The factory was rebuilt on a more extensive plan and is now, as then, one of
West side of Main Street, burned 1872.
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Park Hotel, burned 1867.
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the leading industries of the town, and their goods are in demand all over the United States, as well as in Europe and Australia.
ROTEL
West Side of Main Street burned in 1882.
In 1882 fire swept through the west side of Main street, north of Mexico street. The alarm was given about three o'clock a. m. The morning was clear, without a breath of wind. It originated in a building ten feet wide, occupied by Mr. Short as an ice cream saloon, which connected the corner store with the Central Hotel, the property of J. D. Cavarly. The fire department re- sponded quickly to the alarm and worked faithfully, and while the capabilities of the hand-engine were limited, the department did splendid work, and were the means of saving a vast amount of property. From the store in which the fire started it extended both ways, burning the corner store, occupied by J. H. Tracy. around to Fish Creek on the west, consuming everything in its course, and extending northwards to the Barnes block, where it was checked. Among the heaviest losers by this fire were the J. D. Cavarly estate: J. H. Tracy, clothing merchant: Mrs. C. C. Hornung, millinery store: J. M. Peck, druggist: J. Oklen, hotel contents: Churchill & Tibbitts, meat market: T. D. Pen-
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field, Exchange Building and barn; C. S. Parke, harness shop; L. Duncan, jeweler: E. Edic, restaurant fixtures and furniture, and many others.
August 16th, 1883, fire destroyed the tannery of P. and P. Cos- tello. The alarm was promptly given, and the firemen responded quickly, but the flames spread with amazing rapidity, and it soon ignited all of the buildings. The only one approachable with water was the bark and leather shed. This contained about 40 .- 000 dollars worth of leather, and the efforts of the firemen were concentrated on this building, part of the contents were saved. but much of it in a damaged condition. The tannery was run- ning to its greatest capacity, containing a larger stock than ever before. A car load. of leather was waiting to be shipped, which added to the heavy loss. New buildings were erected on the site, and business resumed for a few years, but the firm eventually moved the business to Pennsylvania.
In 1883 fire was discovered in the grist mill of Penfield & Stone. which totally destroyed it. Fortunately there was no wind and the firemen, with heroic efforts, kept the flames from spreading. This fire, as well as nearly all of the others, was considered to be of incendiary origin ; but, as in the case of the others, no possible reason could be assigned for such a deed. The following year a new mill was erected on the site, where a larger business is. transacted than before.
CAMDEN KNITTING MILL.
About half-past two o'clock in the afternoon of March 29. 1893, the alarm of fire was given from the Camden Knitting Co.'s plant. at the foot of Main street. The fire started in the old Costello tannery, on the second floor, and it was thought to have ignited from friction with some metallic substance mingled with the wool. The automatic sprinklers with which the building was equipped. worked well, but had no effect in subduing the flames, the floors being so perfectly saturated with oil from the wool. The fire spread rapidly and raged with such fury that it was with dif- ficulty the employes escaped from the building unharmed. The fire companies responded promptly, but could do little towards saving the burning building. It seemed like pouring water from a sprinkling pot upon a magazine of powder. During the fierce
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
conflagration, when the fire reached the boiler house, it burned the cord attached to the whistle, which caused it to shrick and make spasmodic trills for more than half an hour, finally belch- ing forth one prolonged cry, like the agonizing wail of a huge monster, gradually dying away as the fury of the flames was spent. All who heard it will recall its echo for many days to come. Within one hour from the time the alarm was given three large buildings were reduced to ashes. A brisk wind was blowing from the south, which fanned the flames and carried the burning cin- ders broadcast over the village, carrying them fully half a mile from the scene of the conflagration. At this time there were from 250 to 300 hands employed, who were thrown out of work. The loss was estimated to bc from $70,000 to $80,000. The fire occurred at a time when they were filling large orders.
The business was started in 1879 by Willard J. Frisbie and William H. Stansfield, former dry goods merchants of this town. on a safe basis, with careful and excellent judgment as to the needs of the trade. They commenced the business on the sec- ond and third floors of the Barnes block in 1881. and in the same year placed machinery in the Huyke woolen mill, in the valley, where they also manufactured yarn. A fine location was purchased of George Abbott, at the foot of Masonic avenue. in 1883. and a commodious building, three stories in height erected. The entire business was moved to this place. From time to time additions were made to accommodate the growth of the enterprise.
Mr. C. F. Kendall, formerly connected with a similar busi- ness in Boston, was interested with Frisbie & Stansfield from the first, and it is largely through his experience that the goods manufactured by the Camden Knitting Mills are so well known all over the country.
During the year of 1887 the site of the Costello tannery, with buildings, was purchased and fitted for the purpose of conduct- ing the business, which had become so extensive as to need more room for manufacturing. The business was operated in both localities four years. During the year of 1891 the buildings on Masonic avenue were leased to the Corbin Lock Co., and the entire business located at the foot of Main street, south of
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the bridge, where they erected more and larger buildings to ac- commodate the ever increasing trade.
After the fire new and commodious buildings were erected on the site, and they are an evidence to-day of the increasing prosperity and growing demand for the goods this firm manu- facture. At one time W. H. Stansfield superintended a branch manufactory in Jersey City. but it was considered best to dis- continue it. and the business was all transferred to Camden.
The firm have factories manufacturing knit goods in Syracuse and Utica, the latter conducted by George A., a son of W. J. Frisbie. W. H. Stansfield has charge of the establishment in Syracuse.
After the fire of January 4. 1872, Jairus H. Munger and A. G. Olmstead drew up an amendment to the village charter, and sent it to our member of Assembly. It was passed and returned to the Trustees. They established fire limits, and the village began to grow with substantial brick buildings.
THE WATER WORKS.
Camden Water Works were established by the corporation in 1886. The many springs and small streams of pure water abounding in the eastern part of the town, on the hills, served to make the gravity system preferable to all others. The reser- voir is situated about three miles from the village, allowing 170 feet fall, with 76 pounds of pressure to the square inch. From fifty to sixty hydrants are scattered through the corporation, with several miles of pipes connecting them. The city water is largely used in the homes of the towns-people, and is considered pure and healthful.
Since the extensive system of water works was introduced. but few fires have occurred and the town has sustained but small losses therefrom, with the exception of the Camden Knit- ting Mill plant, which was almost like pouring water upon oil, from the nature of the material used in manufacturing.
MERCHANTS.
TIMOTHY WYLDE WOOD.
T. W. Wood was Camden's first merchant and postmaster. His home and place of business was the same building. It was situated on what is now the corner of Main and Mechanic streets, on the property owned by Charles MeCarty. Then, as
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
now, the few inhabitants were eager to get their mail. It is related that in meeting Mr Wood on the street he was often asked if there were any letter. He always replied in a gruff voice. "Do you suppose I carry the mail in my pocket?" He was the first Justice of the Peace, and held the courts in the parlor of his house until 1820. Mr. Wood came from Stanwix (now Rome) to Camden in 1801. He came with his family, which were conveyed in a cart drawn by oxen. There being no road. the line was followed by marked trees. He followed the business of surveying, was a carpenter and millright. Soon seeing the needs of the settlers, he opened a general store. Loaf sugar being scarce, he would sell it only for the sick. In 1816 there were genuine hard times for the inhabitants; Mr. Wood invested a large sum of money for those days in flour, and sold it in quan- tities of 50 pounds to a customer, not allowing any one person more.
The Indians often came to his home, and they were very friendly. Mr. Wood traded rum and tobacco for furs. They were allowed to lay about the fire at night. They called his wife, Mrs. Wood, "Wood's pretty squaw." Mr. Wood was born in Nottinghamshire, England, April 8, 1757, and died September 10, 1835. Squire Wood was buried at the extreme south end of Second street: later, his remains, with others, were removed. He emigrated to America in 1792, and settled in New York city. where he married, May 5, 1797, Susanna DeMilt. widow of Peter DeMilt, and daughter of Richard J. Warner of New York. Mrs. Wood died January 15, 1826, aged 53 years. By her first husband she had two children, a daughter. Jane, who married Fowler Penfield, and a son, Thomas, who died early in life. The remains of this early settler, his wife and those of her two children, rest in Forest Park Cemetery. Mr. Wood was natural- ized in New York city, 1795. He owned mills and water privi- lege in Camden. The children of Timothy Wood and Susanna Warner, were: Peter, who married Miss Sophia Tuttle of Oneida Castle: George W., married Jane S. Sweet: Hannalı. married Seth Blake; Susanna, married Higley Stevens: Mary. married Charles Wheeler: Sarah Elizabeth. married AAmmi Hinckley.
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