USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 39
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THE CAMDEN GRAYS.
When the late civil war broke out, nearly all of the towns of any importance organized military companies. for the purpose of quelling riots or any local disturbances which were likely to oc- cur during the unsettled state of the country. also ready to go to the front if needed. The Camden Grays, a company of the most reliable young men of the town, were organized September 20th.
* The authors realize this is not a very full account of the early military organiza- tion of Camden : but no pains have been spared to procure facts concerning them. but without the success they would like. The account we have given, we consider authen- tic ; many of these facts have been gathered from the records in Washington, while for others we are indebted to John Bettis. Col. Cyrus Stoddard and Samuel Woods.
531
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
1861, belonging to the 40th Regiment, 21st Brigade, oth Divis- ion of the New York State Militia, with Richard Savery of Taberg as Colonel, and Louis Roth of Rome Lieutenant Colonel, who later succeeded Col. Savery. This company was under the efficient command of Capt. A. S. Edgett, with L. Henderson Ist Lieutenant, and N. Salladin 2nd Lieutenant, but who later was commissioned ist Lieutenant. Their uniforms were gray, with deep yellow stripes on the sides of the trousers, blue caps, with gold trimmings.
We have before us an invitation to an exhibition drill and promenade concert of the Camden Grays, which was held in Curtiss Hall, Friday evening, February 21st, 1862. The com- mittee of arrangements were Capt. Edgett, Lieut. Henderson, Lieut. N. Salladin, Sergeants M. Tipple and A. Bickford. The invitation committee were Corporal J. P. Stone, Sergeant R. Robathan, Charles R. Bessee. Room managers. A. T. Van Valkenburg. John F. Wolcott. The Camden Saxhorn Band was engaged to give the concert, which was to begin at seven o'clock P. M., after which a drill was given by the Camden Grays, fol- lowed by the Gansevoort Light Guards of Rome, who introduced their favorite zouave drill. Dancing followed.
During the riot in New York City, on account of the Conserip- tion Act, the Camden Grays were called to assist in quelling the disturbance. When they reached Palatine Bridge. they re- ceived orders to halt, and about two hours later, were sent back home, the trouble being over. They arrived in Camden the next morning. It was a sore disappointment to many of the young men that they were not allowed to help maintain peace, and soon after they enlisted and marched to the front. June 5th. 1808. after the country had again settled down to peace and prosperity. the Camden Grays were disbanded.
THE G. A. R.
The first branch of the G. A. R. in Camden was organized in the fall of 1869. The majority of the charter members originally belonged to the 17th Regiment. It was called W. Bradford Willis Post. after a comrade who died for his country. The late Amos Soper was Commander of this first organization. Their meetings were held in the old Town Hall: the room used
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
for the purpose was the one occupied by the firemen. About two years after their organization they disbanded.
The J. Parson's Stone Post was organized in this town May 12th, 1884, with twelve charter members, C. H. Ray Command- er. It was given this name in honor of one of Camden's most promising young men, who enlisted in the 117th Regiment, was captain of a company, and died in the service of his country. At the present time there are eighty-two members connected with this organization, in good standing, with Mr. Dana Ward as Commander. They have well-furnished rooms in the third story of the Penfield Block, on the east side of Main Street. where their meetings are held, and many enjoyable entertain- ments given.
A Woman Relief Corps has been in existence many years, in connection with the J. Parson's Stone Post.
Soldiers of the War of the Revolution, 1812, Mexican, and the Rebellion of 1861, who went from Camden, or are buried there.
The first list of loval nearted men buried here, went in defense of their country in 1776, caused by England overtaxing the colonies without any representation in parliament.
Elijah Bailey was in the Sixth Regiment of Connecticut Line of 1777 to 1871, under Col. Wm. Douglas and Major Ely Leaven- worth. Enlisted from Milford as private February 23 for three years, discharged December 2, 1780. Pensioner in New York 1818, died 1838.
Jonathan Barnes was in Sandford's Company, 5th Regiment. Connecticut Line of 1777-1781, March 18th, 1781. He was drummer under Col. Philip Burr Bradley. He is buried in Flor- ence not far from the line of Camden.
Zophar Barnes was in the war of 1776. Died in Camden 1842.
David Brown went from Durham, Conn. Enlisted January Ist. 1780. taken prisoner near Fort George, N. Y. He was born in 1760.
Ichabod Brown went as private in Capt. Edward Roger's Company, Second Battalion Wadsworth Brigade. Col. Gay's Regiment from Cornwall, raised in June to reinforce Washing-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
ton at New York, recruits from Farmington, Simsbury, Windsor, Hartford, Conn. Enlistment from June to December 25, 1776. Died 1850.
John Cain in Col. Marinus Willet New York Regiment, Capt. Garret, Putnams Co .. Enlisted July, 1780, discharged at Fort Plain on or about the ist of April, 1781. He then reinlisted in the same company and regiment, and served as Sergeant. Died 1840.
Abel Collins. In the 3d Regiment, Connecticut Line. 1777 to 1778. Capt. Judds Company. Enlisted from Hartford, Conn .. March 4th, 1778, discharged August 8th, 1778; he was a wag- oner. He camped at White Plains with Washington's army. Col. Sheldon's Regiment. Died, 1838.
Oliver Cook. Enlisted at Litchfield in 1776 for four months. afterwards re-enlisted at Harwinton under Capt. Ard Buell and Coi. Sheldon's Regiment. Died. 1838.
Serajah Comstock enlisted January 1. 1781, to December 31, 1781, in the Third Regiment. Connecticut Line, under Samuel B. Webb, Capt. Parson's Company. Pensioner in 1818: died in Williamstown 1826.
Benjamin Curtiss. In Col. Elisha Sheldon's Light Dragoon. 1777 to 1783. He was in the Sixth Troop. Enlisted March 6. 1777: was a farmer from Salisbury. Pensioner in 1818; died 1823.
Jesse Curtiss. In 1774 when Congress resolved on non-inter- course with Great Britain, he was appointed with two others as committee to see that no tea, molasses, sugar, coffee, spices, &c .. were brought into town, and sold at Waterbury, Conn. He went to the Lexington Alarm in 1775 for 25 days. May. 1775. he went as Captain until December, next as Major for a regiment formed in Waterbury, Conn. Died 1821.
Daniel Dean. Enlisted in the Continental Regiment. 5th Company, from may 8 to December 18. 1775. Re-enlisted in Gen. Erastus Wolcott's Brigade from March to June. 1777, at Peekskill. In Col. Hooker's Regiment. Capt. Bray's Company, from April 3 to May 10. 1778.
Joel Dunbar enlisted and went as drummer November 25. 1775, in the Continental Regiment of Connecticut. Re-enlisted in 1776 in Col. Elmore's Regiment, at German Flats, Died. 1827, at Camden.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
John Elden was a Britisher. He deserted and joined our army, and remained there until honorably discharged. Died, 1828.
Eliphalet Johnson was in the militia at Saratoga. Enlisted August 29, 1777; discharged October 23. They were ordered to reinforce Gen. Gates at Saratoga in 1777. He was in two battles, September 19 and October 9. Upon their dismissal after the sur- render of Burgoyne, Gen. Gates spoke of them as two excellent regiments from Connecticut. They were commanded by Col. Jonathan Latimer of New London, and Thaddeus Cook of Wallingford, Conn. Died 1818.
Joseph Johnson, brother of Eliphalet, was in the Lexington Aların April 19. 1777. He was from the town of Windham; served four days. He enlisted May 6, 1775; discharged Decem- ber 18, in Gen. Wooster's Regiment, Capt. Benedict Arnold 5th Company.
Joseph Johnson, Connecticut Line, 1777 to 1781. recruited mainly in Windham and New London Counties, Col. John Dur- kee 4th Regiment. Private in Capt. Webb's Company. Enlist- ed from Canterbury, February 23, 1778, for the war. Appoint- ed Corporal March 1, 1778, discharged March 1, 1780. He died 1830; buried in Mexico Street Cemetery.
Levi Munson. Was in the Lexington Alarm, April, 1775. September 1. 1775, he enlisted in the Quebec Expedition, under Benedict Arnold, New Haven. Conn .: discharged June 21. 1776. He re-enlisted January 1. 1777; he was commissioned 2d Lien- tenant ; he resigned September 8. 1780. died 1814.
Bartholomew Pond first belonged to the minute men and volunteers, afterwards he enlisted for one year. April Ist. 1776. in Col. Elmore's Regiment : died 1850.
Beriah Pond enlisted for one year in Col. Elmore's Regiment. 1776. Re-enlisted in Capt. Wilcox Company in the corps of artificers, 1777 to 1783: died 1836.
Iri Pond was in Jesse Curtiss' Company, Gen. Hooker's Regi- inent : stationed at Peekskill from April 5 to May 25 in 1777.
Jesse Penfield. First under Gen. Wooster in the First Regi- ment, 8th Company of Capt. Phineas Porter. He enlisted No- vember 28, 1775, in the Continentals. Afterwards in Col. Elisha
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Sheldon's Light Dragoon, 1777 to 1783. He re-enlisted Feb- ruary 15, 1778, and was in the army until the close of the war; pensioner in 1818; died 1834.
Daniel Parke. In the Lexington Alarm from the town of Chatham. Enlisted in Col. Parson's 6th Regiment, first call for troops, from April, 1775, to April, 1776. He was also at Valley Forge; died 1836.
Aaron Rice. In Bradley Battalion, Wadsworth Brigade, 111- der Co. Philip Burr Bradley, in Capt. Couch's Company. This company was ordered to be raised May, 1776. for the general defense of New York State at Fort Washington. He was taken prisoner with the whole garrison November 16.
Jonah Sandford in Col. Hooker's Regiment. Capt. Jesse Curtiss' Company. Enlisted April 9. 1777; discharged May 21; was a pensioner ; died 1824.
Lemuel Steadman. In the 2d Battalion, Woodsworth Brigade, under Col. Gay in Capt. Stanley's Company: enlisted as private June 24, 1776; re-enlisted in the Miscellaneous Roll. Lemuel and Samuel Steadman in Capt. Bray's Company, under Gen. Gates in the vicinity of Ticonderoga from July to November. 1776.
Wm. Stevens enlisted in 1775 in the 6th Regiment under Col. Parsons. He was in the oth Company: re-enlisted from July 1 to December 18, in the Continental Regiment 1777 to 1781.
Capt. John Wilson enlisted in Col. Seth Warner Regiment January 2, 1779, which was raised at Litchfield County, Conn .; died 1839.
Samuel Woods. In 5th Regiment under Col. Waterbury in 1775; re-enlisted in the 8th Company, Capt. Joseph Smith ; (11- listed May 8, discharged November 2: died 1837.
Timothy Wood enlisted for three months June 20. 1778, in Col. Enos' Regiment on the Hudson in Capt. Bissel Company ; died 1835.
Theophilus Whaley enlisted near Lake George: died in 1827.
Ashbel Upson, Sen., enlisted at Plymouth. Com., served two years under Col. Baldwin and Capt. Wilcox: died 1831.
Jonathan Harvey was 16 years of age at the time of his first enlistment in 1777, he served & months as private in the Con- nectieut State Troops. In 1780 he enlisted in the same State for
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
9 months, serving as corporal. He also served one term in the militia, and two months as sergeant. He is buried just over the line in the town of Vienna, in the family lot. He was grand- father of the late E. A. Harvey.
After thirty years, England still persisted in acts of tyranny, until it became unbearable. June 18, 1812, an act was passed in the House of Representatives, by a vote of 79 to 49. and in the Senate by a majority of 19 to 13. to declare war against Great Britain. Their principal reason was the imprisonment of Am- erican seamen by the British.
SOLDIERS OF 1812, And Date of Their Death.
Isaac Allen. 1848: Mr. Beckwith. -: Isaac Barnes. 183 ; John Bryan, 1858: Solon Cook, 1876; Nathaniel Chapman. 1884: Clark Crawford, 1875: Charles Curtiss, 1854; Lyman Curtiss, 1868: Ibri Curtiss, 1840; Seth Dunbar, 1850; Ebenezer Doten, 1856; Honuel Gifford, 1882; Elijah Gaylord. 1891; James Har- ris, 1881: Gilbert Hyatt. 1887: David Johnson, 1872: Calvin Johnson, 1844: Street Barnes, 1853: Nathaniel Keeler, 1873; Abel Munson, 1831: Jacob Park, 1827; Eleazer Peck. 1848; Fowler Penfield, 1857: Benjamin Phelps. 1840: Rosetter Pres- ton, 1876: Dr. Joel Rathburn, 1820; Seth Rice. 1886: James Rowell. -: Alvero Mathews. 1885; Col. Israel Stoddard. 1859: Capt. John Smith. 1860; Garret Smith, 1883: Martin Smith, 1875: Hiram Smith, 1860; Sala Sandford. 1866: Eph- raiin Sandford. 1860: Linus Sandford, 1842: John Skinner, -: Wright Skinner, 1830; Elijah Perkins. 1833: Erastus Upson, 1850: James Whaley. -; Junius Woods. 1865: Leonard West. 1888: Capt. Samuel T. Woods, 1824: Reuben Whaley, 1850.
The War with Mexico was caused by a disputed boundary line. Only three that ever lived here, as we can find, were among the soldiers-Luther Skinner, died 1807: Leonard Woods. died 1875: Newell Pangborn, -.
Half a century after the war of 1812 was the late civil war for the preservation of the Union against secession.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
List of the soldiers from Camden, together with their Regiment, and date of their death.
Adams, Earl S., 17th, 1862.
Collins, Anthony.
Adams, Charles, 117th.
Cobb, Frederick. 117th, Int:
Cobb, Allen, 15th
Cook, Elijah, 32d, 1564.
Cole, Richard, U. S. N., 1965
Cole, James U. S. N., 1903
Allen, F. Fairbanks,
Alden, Rev. James, 1864.
Ashpole, John, 1864.
Allen, Albert B., 22 months in rebel prison.
Barnes, Henry, 117th
Barnes, A., SIst.
Barnes, Marshall, 32d.
Barnes, D. Potter, 22d, 1874.
Becker, Van V .. 146th, 1863.
Beebe, Jacob, 117th, 1662. Beebe, Nathan, 15th.
Beebe, Charles, 32d.
Beeman, Richard, 183d.
Betson, Thomas, 32d, 1862.
Belknap, Seth. Blakeslee, George.
Bristol, Joseph, 117th.
Brosmer, William, 2d Art.
Brown. Jr., Thomas, 146th. Brodock, Peter, 2d. 1864.
Brodock, Moses, 117th, IS94.
Burton, Delos, 50th. Burnham, Richard.
Drought. John, 93d. Elden, Bronson, 146th.
Empey. Lafayette, 1544.
Evans, Henry. 146th.
Evans, Evan J .. 14th.
Elden, Walter W., 14th.
Eaton, William IL., 15th.
Farley, William C.
Fritz, Alexander, 2d.
Foskett, Eldridge, 117th.
Fenton, William, 117th, 1-03.
Ford, Jabez, 15th. Falkner, William R., 146th.
Frazee, Hiram, ed Artillery.
Grosbeck, John H., 14th.
Godfrey, George, 15th. Gaylord, David.
Adams, Marcus M., 117th. Adams. Augustus, 14th, 1875, Allen, Henry B., 117th. Allen, Julius, 50th, 1873.
Conant. Francis E., to-th, 1502
Coy, Henry. 1495.
Chamberlain, J. Chrisham, John, 146th.
Craig, James, 117th.
Craig, Alexander, 320, 1-2
Craig, David, 3d.
Craig, A. W., 146th, 1963.
Crawford, George, 146th.
Crandall, F., 15th
Curtiss, Elhanan, 146th
Costello, Edward.
Dana, Alfred, Sist.
Davidson, William, 61st.
Dimond. Frederick. 146th. 1-( 4
Dimond. Lawrence, 32d. 1402.
Dexter, John, 117th.
Driscoll, William, 194th.
Drought, Arthur, 2d Art.
Dunbar, Delancy, sth.
Drury, William H., 15th, 157%.
Dimond, Adam, 15th.
Drought, George, 21.
Burnham, William, 146th, 1863.
Burnham, Addison, 93d. Burnham. Harrison. 93d.
Butler, O., 15th. Cain, Frederick, 15th.
Cain, Hiram J., 8th Cav. Carlton, Henry, 15th. Caswell, Henry, 146th. Cleveland, John, 15th.
Clifford, Robert, 117th, 1865.
Cook, George W., 117th.
Coe, F., 15th. Coe, Wallace, 93d. Coon, Jairus, 2d. Corey, Norman, 15th. Collins, John, 15th.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Gaylord, George M., 114th, 1864. Gibson, Alonzo, 146th.
Gibson, Orson, 146th. Goodrich, Henry, 117th.
Goodrich, Peter, 93d Infantry, 1892. Goodman, Ephraim, U. S. Artillery. Gifford, James II., 14th. Glenn, James, 147th.
Howd, Frank.
Harrington, Truman, 1891.
Harrington, Irvine, 117th.
Harrington, Myron, 146th 3d N. Y. Houghton, John, 146th.
Howland, Philip, 15th Eng.
Hughes, John.
Henderson, Lester, 2d Artillery. Hart, James, 32d. Hungerford, A.
Hunt, W.
Hinkley, Briggs T., 14th.
Irvine, D. N., 14th Infantry.
Johnson, Bradford, 3d.
Jones, George, 3d Artillery, 1869.
Johnson, George, 1870.
Johnson, Robert. 1883.
Johnson, Lucius, 1862.
Jeffry, H., 117th.
Jones, George W.
Kniffen, Daniel, 146th.
Killips, James, 146th.
King, John, 116th.
Kelly, Charles, 15th.
Kent, John, 7th Artillery.
Kelly, William T., 15th, 1864.
Kinnie, Orlando, 14th.
Lambie, Capt. Gavin, 146th, 1863.
Littler, John, Sth N. Y.
McGowen, Francis, 2d.
McGraw, Nelson, Isth.
Morse, Edwin, 146th. Morse, Orson, 117th.
McIntyre, Bruce, 117th, 1872.
Miller, Smith, Sist, 1855.
Miller, Perry B.' 117th.
Mabie, Edmond, 117th.
Morse. John, 146th. Mergandoller, John, 15th, 1885 .. Myers, George, 15th. MeLaughlin, W. H., 14th.
Murphy, Millard, 2d.
Nisbit, Archibald, 32d. Orth, John M , 117th, 1887. Osborn, John, 110th, 1862.
Olmstead, Fayette.
O'Rourke, John, 110th. O'Rourke, Henry, Oswego R. Osborn, Ambrose, 110th.
Osborn, Chester.
Parks. Franklin H.
Platter, Matthew, 50th.
Pilkington, William H,, 146th.
Patchen, Daniel N., 146th.
Parsons, Albert W., 117th.
Parks, William S., 146th, 1865.
Peck, Reuben W., 117th, 1864.
Parsons Hiram, 32d Infantry, 1862.
Parke, Ranney T., 15th.
Podd, Nicholas, 146th.
Porter, Benjamin, 146th.
Pond, Capt. A. P., 14th, 1894.
Peterson, A. R., 1892.
Phalen, Patrick, 117th.
Perkins, Joseph.
Quance, Gilbert, 157th.
Redmond, Nathaniel, 117th.
Ruscoe, Edwin, 146th.
Robothan, Robert, 117th.
Rogers, Henry. 146th.
Ray, Charles H., 189th, 1887.
Remore, James, 32d, Rae, Matthew, 14th.
Shaw, Melvin, Sanders, Sylvester, 1864. Sanders, Harvey. 117th. Smith, Thomas, 14th.
Snow, E. N., 97th, 1865.
Snow, Ebenezer, Sist.
Skinner, John N., 117th.
Skinner, Robert, 117th. 1863. Skinner, Luther, 145th, 1897.
i
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Skinner, Alva, 146th, 1864. Skinner, James, 32d. Skinner, W. W., 2d.
Scoville, Joseph, 15th, 1895. Steadman, Benson, 32d. Stewart, James, 15th, 1873. Shephard, Nathaniel, 93d. Scoville, James, 97th.
Sears, H. Snow, P. Scoville, Albert, 14th, 15 1 Sanders, Stephen, 146th, 1561. Trask, Francis, 146th, Tuttle, William, 117th, 1561.
Tallman, Jacob, 146th.
Sperry, William F., 117th.
Seymour, James, SIst. Stanton, E-, 50th. Sandford, Charles, SIst.
Tye, George, 1555. Tracy, Samuel, Sist. Tipple, George. Tye, Henry, 1999. Teachout, S., 11;th
Trowbridge, Henry, Mass, Reg
Voorhees, Albert, 146th, 1864.
Worden, B. J., 117th.
Wolcott, John F., 50th, 1394
Wood, Dewitt, 117th.
Woods, Orson C., 146th.
Willes, Wm. B., 117th, 1564.
Wilkens. Andrew, 117th.
Wilson, John. 32d, 1862.
Wheeler, Joseph. 146th.
Waldron, Joseph, 117th.
Stephens, George, 117th.
Stone, Capt. J. Parsons, 117th, 1864.
Simmons, W., Ist N. Y. H.
Starkweather, C. W., 117th.
Schofield, S., 146th.
Wilson, Leonard.
Sweet, Horace, Sth.
Ward, James.
Soper, Capt. Amos, 189th.
The 29th annual re-union of the 117th N. Y. V. was held in Camden August 20tl1, 1891.
The 31st anniversary of the 146th N. Y. V. was held in Camden October 10th. 1893.
Sandford, Raphael, Sist. Secor, Francis, 146th, 1864.
Secor, James, 146th. Swanson, James, 146th, 1864. Swanson, John, 146th.
Starkweather. L., 146th, 1864.
Starkweather, H. W. 146th, 1863. Smith, Solon, 117th. Spencer, George, 117th.
Simmons, Theodore, 517th.
Sullivan, Orrin, 146th.
Wilson, Joseph, 149th, 1404 Woodruff, Theo. M., 15th.
Wilson. John W., 15th. Waldron, Martin. 15th.
CHAPTER XXIII.
FOREST PARK.
In speaking of our beautiful Forest Park, we feel that too much can scarcely be said in praise of those who have been most instrumental in acquiring it for the use and benefit of our towns-people. It is rarely that a village of Camden's modest pretensions is so richly possessed of natural woodland con- tiguous to its boundaries. Visitors among us are most en- thusiastic in their admiration of its charms and express sur- prise that we are so favored. Come with us to this lovely place -into nature's solitudes, and let us seek inspiration, where her voices only are heard. The giant trees, the rustling branch- es stirred by the breath of the Divine-music of water, which has been since the hand of the Omnipotent fashioned its course: warbling of birds, like a symphony from heaven's grand ·orchestra: chirrup of chipmunk: barking of squirrels: drum of the partridge: the hoarse, fault-finding note of the crow -the little flowers at our feet: dainty maiden-hair fern: those of a larger growth, seeming to be a production of the tropics -a thousand other beauties, demonstrating the power and love of the Creator, are here to be found. Here we may roam at our will, and gain recreation and instruction from na- ture's teachers. This tract of woodland was owned by the heirs of the late Dr. Joshua Ransom as late as 1833. (Earlier date we have not found).
It was purchased from the Ransoms by the late Alva Ray- mond in 1860, and was for years known as Raymond's Woods. It became a popular resort for those who enjoyed "sweet com- munion with nature" long before its purchase as a public benefit. The late Dr. Robert Frazier found much delight in visiting its quiet sweetness and beauty: never wearied of speaking its praise, and not infrequently he was accompanied in his rambles by gentlemen of similar tastes-Mr. J. N. Strong, Job Batchelor. A. G. Wood. J. G. Dorrance, B. A. Curtiss, and others. It is quite likely that in the minds of these "lovers of
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THE TOWN OF CAMDES.
the beautiful," the idea had originated of securing the ball fr a pleasure park long before a means of doing so could be de- vised.
june 25, 1891, the Trustees of the Cemetery Association, it members being-Job Batchelor, President; G. H. Smith, Se retary; A. G. Wood, Treasurer: J. G. Dorrance and Dr. H. 1, Dubois, matured a plan for its purchase. Having some sql plus funds in the treasury of the Association, and the land being for sale, they desired to secure it from the ave of the woodman, but could not act except by petition of the Mer owners. A paper was drawn up, setting forth their ans. com presented to each claimant of cemetery plots for his signature Some objected. but the majority favored the move, and accord- ingly about sixty-two acres of the territory was purchased of G. Robson (for in the course of events it came into his posses sion) at an outlay of sixteen hundred dollars. As ve under- stand the matter, the Trustees are obliged to use one half vil the yearly receipts in the improvement of the cemetery grounds, which is done. The accumulation of funds over and above one half, they utilized in acquiring Forest Park the
Approach to Forest Park
good sense of their expenditure is surely to be condición. This tract of land is reached by a drive running along do boundary of the present cemetery at the foot of the lagh groinid which skirts its northern limits. This drive is perhaps o worth of a mile in length, and leads directly to the Park, which it
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
ritory is east, and back of the cemetery. The wisdom of their purchase was emphatically questioned by many, but by the more progressive men and women of the community they were sustained. It is quite probable that aside from the fine system of waterworks (which found its opposers also) nothing has been done more to the comfort and pleasure of our residents than the provision of this admirable resort. Now to its im- provement. In June of 1892 it was suggested to the ladies of Camden that they endeavor by some means to raise funds to aid in making the Park attractive. Ever ready to lend assistance in all good ways, they accordingly met and organized into a "Forest Park Improvement Society," and immediately com- menced active work. Their first step was to call upon every woman or girl in town soliciting contributions of five cents and upwards. In this way one hundred and forty-six dollars was realized. This was paid over to the Treasurer of the Cemetery Association. This same summer a clam bake was given by the gentlemen of the village, netting them forty-six dollars, and an excursion to the Thousand Islands, which added eighty- two dollars. With these amounts the drive around the park was made, and much done in trimming trees and clearing out unsightly logs and stumps.
The Trustees extended the courtesy of naming the drive to the ladies of the Park Improvement Association. They met.
Entrance to Woodland Avenue.
and after deliberating upon several names proposed, decided by ballot-"Woodland Avenue" receiving the highest favor. Thus it was placed on record in the Trustees or Secretary's book.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDES.
It is meet to speak of Mr. Andres Mecker in this connection as one whose good taste and earnest effort has helped to develop the beauty of this spot. He saw, and still sees, possibilities of future improvement and embellishment, accomplishing great ends, with a very wise outlay of means. His was the artist's eye that first saw the course of a drive through it, and attended to the trimming of the trees, the cutting away of unsightly brambles, &c. In the summer of 1893 the ladies instigated a "bec." calling upon all male residents of the town, asking that they contribute a day's work, or the price of it tone dollari hearty response was given, and a day fixed upon for the event Men were seen hurrying to the scene with saws, aves, hoes, and such implements as were needful, while teams, wagons, and
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