USA > New York > Niagara County > Souvenir history of Niagara County, New York : commemorative of the 25th anniversary of the Pioneer Association of Niagara County > Part 38
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WATER WORKS CONSTRUCTION.
In 1867 Obadiah W. Cutler became a resident of Sus- pension Bridge and he at once took a lively interest in the ivelfare and progress of the village. He bought out the drug store of W. H. Wallace at the corner of Main Street and Ontario Avenue, and remained at this stand and in this business until 1876, when he sold to Adams & Rommel, the members of the firm being Henry C. Adams and Emanuel Rommel. Mr. Cutler early won popularity in his new home. He advocated a municipal water system, and about 1872-73 a bill passed the Legislature enabling the village to avail itself of the advantages in this respect. In 1875 the water system of Suspension Bridge was installed, the cost of the original plant having been $56,500. The first fire after the system was completed was in the old Mansion House, then the property of Thomas McMahon. Up to this time there had been much kicking about the water system, but the manner in which this fire was extinguished made friends for the plant. Observing how successful the Sus- pension Bridge water system was, the village of Niagara Falls was enthused and the Niagara Falls Water Works Company formed with Franklin Spalding, President; Ben- jamin Rhodes, Secretary ; F. R. Delano, Treasurer, and the above named with Stoughton Pettebone, Dexter R. Jerauld, Alvah Gluck and William F. Evans, Trustees. Three miles and a half of mains were laid in Niagara Falls, while Sus- pension Bridge had four and a half miles. Each village had twenty-seven double discharge hydrants. The Niagara Falls mains were supplied from the Suspension Bridge pumping station. The private company was capitalized at $25,000. Fire insurance rates were reduced with the in- stallation of the water system. In effecting the installa- tion of the water works, Mr. Cutler and other friends of the movement met with serious opposition, even the progres- sive New York Central seeking an injunction. In other ways Mr. Cutler has been a factor in the advancement of the locality. . He was Treasurer of the Village of Suspension Bridge in 1872-73, President in 1875-76, and Supervisor of the Town of Niagara in 1875. From 1886 to 1890 he was Collector of the Port of Suspension Bridge. In 1895 he was Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls.
BUILDING OF THE UPPER BRIDGE.
Rumors of bridge building were many. The old Pleasure Ground was a favorite site, especially with B. H. White. Finally, after much opposition, a franchise was obtained for the construction of a bridge close to the falls.
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
193
MIGHELLS B. BUTLER.
JAMES J. MAHONEY.
GEORGE G. SHEPARD,
J. M. HANCOCK.
SOLOMON C. NEALE.
FREDERICK CHORMANN.
C. E. TUCKER.
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Connections were made between the cliffs by carrying a rope across on the ice. The structure built was a sus- pension bridge, and it was formally opened to the public on January 2, 1869. It had a width of about ten feet. In 1872 : teel supplanted wood in the bottom chord, and in 1884 the o'd wooden towers gave way to towers of steel. In October, 1887, the work of widening the bridge begun, and it was completed June 13, 1888. This work was done under the supervision of G. M. Harrington, who came to the Falls Tune 20, 1872, and was for years Superintendent of the bridge. On the night of January 9, 1889, a hurricane swept down the Niagara gorge from the southwest and tore the suspended structure from the cables, dropping it upside down on the debris slope of the bank and in the river, where ' it still remains, with the exception of some of the steel taken from the ends. Dr. John Hodge was the last per- son to cross it before it fell. By May 7, 1889, a duplicate bridge had been erected and opened to travel. The present upper steel arch was built in 1897-98, and when it was erected the former suspension bridge was taken down, and thus the last great suspension bridge at Niagara Falls disap- peared.
NIAGARA'S FIRST TELEPHONE.
In March, 1878, the first telephone in Niagara County was installed between the Cataract Bank and the residence of F. R. Delano. The Cataract Bank was opposite the In- ternational Hotel, and Mr. Delano's residence was at the corner of Main and Niagara Streets. It was such a wonder- ful curiosity that people were allowed to see it between the hours of four and six P. M. Today Niagara Falls has two telephone systems with about 1,700 instruments in service.
FIRST STREET RAILWAY.
On October 20, 1882, the Niagara Falls & Suspension Bridge Street Railway Company secured a charter, and the next day articles of association were filed. The original capital was $50,000. The line was commenced July 3, 1882, and was operated by horses until July 15, 1892. The line as originally built started from the monument at the foot of Falls Street and ran to the New York Central crossing of Main Street in the Village of Suspension Bridge. It was a single track line with nine turnouts or switches. It was afterwards double tracked. In 1890 the line was sold to C. B. Gaskill and others, afterwards passing into the hands of the International Traction Company.
WHEN THE MICHIGAN CENTRAL CAME.
The eighties were years of progress for Niagara. The Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power & Manufacturing Company had been organized and their development progressed rapidly. New industries were added, and the village bounded ahead. At Suspension Bridge happiness was created by the advent of the Michigan Central and the con- struction of the cantilever bridge. This bridge was com- menced April 15, 1883, and completed December 1, 1883. It was the first double track bridge built across the gorge. A new truss was added to it in 1900.
BRIGHTENED BY FREE NIAGARA.
On April 30, 1883, the State Legislature passed an act authorizing the selection, location and appropriation of cer- tain lands in the village of Niagara Falls for a State reserva- tion, and to preserve the scenery at Niagara. Commission- ers were appointed, and they met at Niagara on June 9, 1883, and viewed the lands. They passed a resolution de- fining what, in their estimation, the boundaries should be, comprising an area of 107 acres. Luther R. Marsh, of New
York, Matthew Hale, of Albany; Pascal P. Pratt, of Buf- falo, were appointed commissioners of appraisement, and their awards for the land taken amounted to $1,433,429.50, but the claims of the owners amounted to $4,000,000. On July 15, 1885, the State reservation was formally opened to the public, "free to all mankind forever." The opening of the Free Park was the redemption of Niagara. Each year the reservation has been beautified along plans designed to restore the locality about the falls to its original state. Of all this work, Hon. Thomas V. Welch has had charge as Superintendent, and in its present perfect condition the reservation is more or less a monument to his interest in the welfare of Niagara.
There was a noble gathering in Niagara Falls on July 15, 1885, to welcome the opening of the park. The vast assemblage was called to order by the Hon Erastus Brooks, who made an eloquent address. The subject was one that inspired the speakers and made the large audience very ap- preciative. Rt. Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe offered the prayer. On behalf of the Commission, its President, the late Hon. William Dorsheimer, announced the completion of the pro ceedings for the taking of the lands at Niagara for park purposes, and the Hon. David B. Hill, Governor of the State, accepted the reservation in a delightful historical address. An oration was delivered by James C. Carter, of New York,
and speeches were made by His Excellency John Beverly Robinson, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Ontario, and Hon. Oliver Mowat, Attorney General of the same Province. The first Chairman of the Board of Reservation Commissioners was- Martin B. Anderson, who was elected May 29, 1883. The second Chairman was Hon William Dorsheimer, who was elected June 9, 1883. On May 26, 1888, Hon. Andrew H. Green succeeded Mr. Dorsheimer and thus became the third Chairman of the Board.
INSPIRATION OF 42ND SEPARATE COMPANY.
The grand military pageant in the village on the oc- casion of the opening of the State Reservation was of vast benefit to Niagara Falls and to this day the fruits of the occasion are being enjoyed. This display created a belief that Niagara Falls should have a company of militia, and the subject was discussed with interest. The proper au- thorities were consulted, and suitable papers for making ap- plication having been received the initial meeting was held Thursday evening, August 20, 1885, in the office of Charles E. Cromley. At this time the preliminary steps were taken. and over sixty names were signed to the application. Charles E. Cromley was made Chairman of the meeting, and he described the steps necessary to be taken for organization. A. H. Gluck, Dr. W. R. Campbell, Martin V. Pearson, Walter Jones and George H. Salt were appointed a committee to name three persons for the positions of Captain, First Lieu- tenant and Second Lieutenant. The membeship list was kept open until Saturday evening, August 22, and Arthur Schoellkopf, Fred I. Pierce, Charles P. Graves, Robert Neil Campbell, Byron B. Young and Frank Oliver appointed a committee on membership. On Saturday even- ing, August 22, 1885, the adjourned meeting was held at the International Hotel, and after a sharp contest the following officers were chosen: Captain, Charles B. Gaskill; First Lieutenant, Lauren W. Pettebone; Second Lieutenant, Mighells B. Butler. On Wednesday, September 23, 1885, word was received by Mr. Cromley that the papers had been placed in the hands of the Adjutant General, and within a few days word came that the application had been approved by the Governor. On Wednesday evening, October 28, 1885, the applicants met Inspector-General Briggs in the Prospect
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Park pavilion, who made a favorable report, and Governor David B. Hill, Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the State issued Order No. 100 designating the organiza- tion as "Forty-second Separate Company, National Guard, State of New York." On Wednesday evening, November 20, 1885, the company was mustered into service in Prospect Park by Colonel Thomas H. McGrath, Assistant Inspec- tor-General of the State, Assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel, S. M. Welch, of the Sixty-fifth Regiment, of Buffalo. The muster roll bore eighty-four names, and seventy-eight pri- vates answered to call at muster. On Tuesday, November 24, 1.885, the first drill of the company was held in the park pavilion. On November 28, 1885, the civil organization was perfected, as follows: President, Captain C. B. Gaskill ; Secretary, R. M. Pool; Treasurer, C. M. Young ; Surgeon, Dr. E. H. Griswold; Chaplin, Rev. G. F. Rosenmuller. De- cember 12, 188; the following non-commissioned officers were elected : Sergeants, Fred I. Pierce, Frank De Veaux, Samuel J. Mason and John M. Hancock ; Corporals, F. W. Oliver, John F. Kraemer, William A. Philpott, Jr., Harry ap Rees, Charles S. Rice, Charles H. Piper, Jr., William H. Dean and George Barker. Robert A. Schuyler was ap- pointed Quartermaster Sergeant by Captain Gaskill. On April 22, 1886, the company drilled in a roller skating rink located on Canal Street, now Riverway, opposite the park. Two nights later they drilled in their new uniforms for the first time. On the morning of May 30, 1886, the company first attended divine service, at St. Peter's Church. That year they took part in the Memorial Day observance. On July 4, 1886, the company went to Lockport. The first an- nual inspection occurred September 7, 1886. On Septem- ber 16, 1886, the company went in camp at Youngstown. The company's first armory was the large frame building now owned by the city on Walnut Avenue. It was built in the spring of 1887, and formally opened with a grand military ball on the night of Tuesday, June 7. 1887. The present armory on Main Street was opened November 20, 1895, just ten years after the company was mustered into service. The company has a noble record. C. B. Gaskill resigned as Captain of the company November 9, 1890, and his discharge bears date December 30, 1890. Mighells B. Butler succeeded Gaskill as Captain, and his commission is dated January 13, 1891. Butler was Captain of the com- pany when it was called to service in the Spanish-American war. He remained as Captain until commissioned Major in the United States Volunteer service in May, 1898. At this period in its career the Forty-second Separate Company be- came Company E, Third Provisional Regiment, and Hector W. McBean, who was First Lieutenant, became Captain, fol- lowing Butler's promotion. He was commissioned May 17, 1808. Captain McBean brought the company home and on the muster out of the volunteer service he returned to his former position of First Lieutenant. In this position he was in command, but went west, and on June 29, 1899, he received his honorable discharge as First Lieutenant. On March 23, 1899, George G. Shepard was commissioned Cap- tain, and is now in command of the company. At the time of the Spanish-American war the company left Niagara Falls on May 1, 1898, returning September 13, 1898. The com- pany was in no engagements, passing the time at Camp Alger and Camp Meade. There was much complaint of harsh treatment by the men, and the city instructed the late Rev. Willis E. Dudley, then pastor of the First Congrega- tional Church, to go to Camp Meade and make an investiga- tion. His report was made under date of September 9.
1898, and was to the effect that "the present condition of the Third New York does not warrant fault-finding and blame of past times." William Frederick Stricker, son of Gottlieb Stricker, died of typhoid fever at Fort Meyer. His body was brought home and on Sunday, August 28, 1898, Niagara Falls buried her first soldier of the Spanish War. The funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Niagara Falls. Four fire companies came from Niagara Falls, On- tario, with a band. Those members of the company who did not go out formed the 142d Separate Company, and were in line at the funeral. When the deceased left home he was President of the Independent Hose Company.
HON. FRANK A. DUDLEY.
It was in 1886 that Hon. Frank A. Dudley came to Niagara Falls to make it his permanent residence. He en- tered the law office of Hon. W. Caryl Ely, and in 1887 the
HON. F . A. DUDLEY.
firm became Ely & Dudley, and when Mr. Ely retired to be- come President of the International Traction Company the firm was changed to Dudley, Gray & Highland. During the years of his residence here Mr. Dudley has become closely identified with many of the industries and corpora- tions, and is now President of the Niagara Falls Gas & Electric Light Company, Vice President of the Electric City Bank, and has other important connections in the county. He is looked upon as an active promoter of Ni- agara's welfare.
NEW BUILDINGS OF 1887.
In 1887 many important new buildings were erected, among them being Davis' museum, the Arcade, the Forty- second Armory, Erie depot, brewery addition, Prospect House, Harvey House, Dolphin's Hotel, Silberberg's block. Hannan's block, Lang's block, Kellar block, Nassoiy's block and Hager's block.
Early on the afternoon of Thursday, January 26, 1888, the old New York Central depot at the corner of Falls and Second Streets was destroyed by fire.
THE DAY OF DAYS FOR NIAGARA.
In the fall of 1885, after the State acquired the reserva- tion, the late Thomas Evershed. of Rochester, was engaged to make a map of the possessions. About this time Lock- port was talking about developing power to a large extent, and the Lockport plan attracted the attention of Mr. Ever-
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
shed. He wrote a letter to the press in which he suggested that a tunnel be built at Niagara, to be used as a tail race, to carry off the water from turbines operated by water that flowed from the upper river through a number of lateral canals. His suggestion was that the tunnel extend from the lower river to Schlosser. Mr. Evershed's letter at- tracted the attention of M. H. Kinsley, then of the Oneida Community, Limited, of Niagara Falls, who spoke to Charles B. Gaskill about it. He also spoke to the late Henry S. Ware, but none of these gentlemen knew Mr. Evershed. By them Mr. Kinsley was directed to see Hon. T. V. Welch, and one evening Mr. Kinsley dropped into the store of Welch & Rock on Falls Street and inquired of Mr. Welch about Evershed. He read the newspaper clipping of Evershed's letter. Mr. Welch and Mr. Kinsley decided to telegraph Evershed to come to Niagara, and a telegram was at once sent to him. Next morning Mr. Evershed ar- rived at the Falls, and going to Mr. Welch inquired if there was anything wrong with the map, showing that even he had not continued in thought of the power plan. He was surprised when he learned the real object of the call. With Evershed in town a meeting was called for the old paper mill office on Bath Island, then the office of the Reser- vation Commissioners, and there M. H. Kinsley, Charles B. Gaskill, Michael Ryan, Thomas Evershed, Thomas V. Welch and Hon. W. Caryl Ely, then a newcomer, gathered to discuss the power possibilities. The result was that it was decided to apply to the Legislature for a charter. Other men were taken into the project, and the bill offered by Hon. Peter A. Porter, then in the Assembly, passed March 31, 1886. The company organized by electing Charles B. Gaskill, President ; Henry S. Ware, First Vice President ; Michael Ryan, Second Vice President ; M. H. Kinzley, Sec- retary; George N. Miller, Assistant Secretary ; Francis R. Delano, Treasurer and Thomas Evershed, Engineer. This done, the men interested started out to enlist capital. A prospectus was written by Hon. T. V. Welch, and Thomas Evershed prepared a map and a report. Stock books were opened, but later this plan was abandoned, and other means taken of securing capital. Armed with documents and facts Hon. Thomas V. Welch was sent to New York. The date of his first visit there was October 19, 1886, on which date he called on several prominent men in the interest of the project, among them Hon. Chauncey M. Depew, John A. McCall and others. On October 20, 1886, he called on William B. Rankine and presented a letter of introduction given him by A. Augustus Porter, in whose office Mr. Ran- kine had studied law. Mr. Rankine was then a member of Hawkesworth & Rankine, and it was on this date October 20, 1886, that the influence of the Niagara tunnel project entered his life. Mr. Rankine advised Mr. Welch to see Francis Lynde Stetson, with whom Mr. Welch was ac- quainted. On October 22, 1886, Mr. Welch saw D. O. Mills, and talked with him about the project. On Novem- ber 3, 1886, Mr. Welch was making his second visit to New York in the interest of the scheme, and on November 4, 1886, he saw Francis Lynde Stetson. Mr. Stetson became interested, and said he would take it up with capitalists he knew.
In the meantime Raymond S. Perrin, of New York, came to Niagara Falls and obtained an option on the com- pany's franchise. When Mr. Stetson was informed of this action of the company he was offended and protested against it, and under the circumstances he decided to drop further consideration of the plan. Perrin carried his option
to England and organized a company. While the estimated cost of the tunnel was $3,000,000 Perrin planned to capital- ize his company at 3,000,000 pounds. He cabled that suc- cess was assured. The Duke of Teck, father of the present Princess of Wales, was to be President of the company. Such cablegrams as these made the hearts of the Niagara Falls men jump with joy, and their meetings, originally held in the Cataract Bank, but later in the office of Augustus S. Porter, brought visions of royalty. Finally, Perrin's plan collapsed, and an Englishman named Bowick came over, claiming he could help the matter. An agreement was made with him; he filed a bond in New York, and docu- ments were also filed there. While dealing with this gentle- man Messrs. Gaskill, Welch and Kinsley were in New York and attended a presentation of "Jim the Penman." They had seen so many ups and downs of the cherished plan that they wondered if they were then in touch with one who would deceive them. Bowick's plan also failed. Several brokers took the matter up, and finally Messrs. Stetson and Rankine were induced to again interest themselves in the project. These negotiations resulted in the organization of the Cataract Construction Company to build the tunnel and power house. This company was incorporated June 13, 1889. It was the company formed to construct the work for the Niagara Falls Power Company. This latter com- pany was incorporated November 11, 1889, at which time the name "Niagara Falls Power Company," succeeded the more cumbersome name "Niagara Falls River Hydraulic Tunnel, Power & Sewer Company of Niagara Falls, New York." It is the Niagara Falls Power Company that is carrying on the marvelous development of today. Of this company, D. O. Mills, of New York, is President, and it was on October 22, 1886, that he received his first informa- tion of the great project through Mr. Welch. Edward D. Adams was President of the Cataract Construction Com- pany. This company having practically completed the tiin- nel, inlet canal and power house No. I by June 1, 1899. finished its work of construction for the Niagara Fails Power Company, and since that date the Niagara Falls Power Company has been doing its own construction work.
Notable among those who became interested in the development were Francis Lynde Stetson, William B. Ran- kine, J. Pierpont Morgan, Hamilton McK. Twombly, Ed- ward A. Wickes, Morris K. Jessup, D. O. Mills, Charles F. Clark, Edward D. Adams, Charles Lanier, A. J. Forbes- Leith. Frederick W. Whitridge, William K. Vanderbilt, George S. Bowdoin, Joseph Larocque and John Jacob Astor. It was decided to build an inlet canal, a wheel-pit and a tunnel. An International Niagara Commission, con- sisting of Lord Kelvin, Dr. Coleman Sellers, Prof. E. Mas- cart, Prof. W. C. Unwin and Colonel Th. Turrettini, met in London, England, in June, 1890, and the features of the installation agreed upon.
On October 4, 1890, ground for the tunnel work was broken. The start was made at shaft No. I, on the corner of Falls and Erie Streets. There were no daily papers printed in the city then, and the only announcement the people had of the commencement of the great work was through small hand bills, which read: "Formal commence- ment of work on the tunnel, Saturday, October 4, 1890. At shaft No. I. corner Falls and Erie Streets, at 10:30 a. m." The ceremony begun at 10:38 a. m. The first sod was turned with a silver shovel by Charles B. Gaskill, following a brief speech, the exact moment being 10:42 a. m., October 4. 1890. The crowd gave three cheers for Mr. Gaskil !. E. D.
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
G. F. DIEMER.
JAMES VEDDER.
C. F. CANAVAN.
ALFRED W. GRAY.
HARRY HIGHLAND.
WALTER P. HORNE.
FRANCIS H. SALT,
S. A. DOUGLASS.
13
HARRY C. STINE.
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Adams, President of the Cataract Construction Company, made a brief speech. The Construction Company was cheered. Hon. T. V. Welch spoke at length and deafening applause followed his remarks. Then Alexander J. Porter, Francis R. Delano, W. Caryl Ely, Benjamin Flagler, Peter A. Porter, Myron H. Kinsley, John P. Pfetsch, Edward A. Wickes, William B. Rankine, John Bogart, Mr. Maxim, Albert H. Porter, each removed a shovelful of earth. The participants were then driven to the Cataract House, where lunch was enjoyed, "The Prosperity of Niagara Falls" be- ing the subject of a toast by President Adams.
From that day to this the prosperity of Niagara Falls has been remarkable. In the first power house erected 50,000 horse power is developed by ten mammoth generators operated by the same number of turbines, and now, within a few days, the first power is to be supplied from power house No. 2, which will have an output capacity of 55,000 horse power, making 105,000 horse power in all from the installations of the two pits and stations. The tunnel is 7,4361/2 feet long, twenty-one feet high, eighteen feet ten inches wide, built in the form of a horseshoe and lined with vitrified brick throubhout. Wheel-pit No. I is 424 feet seven inches long, eighteen feet five inches wide, and 178 feet five inches deep. The turbines work under a head of 136 feet.
Wheel-pit No. 2 is 463 feet eight inches long. eighteen and one-half feet wide, 1781/2 feet deep. The turbines work under a head of 145 feet. Starting at the turbine deck in each pit there is a connecting tunnel 310 feet long between the two wheel-pits. On the night of May 31, 1901, the in- stallation of station and pit No. I was shut down, and on Sunday morning, June I, between the hours of midnight and 7 a. m. an official inspection was made of the tunnel from end to end, showing it to be in the most perfect con- dition. At this time the bulkhead between the original tun- nel and the tunnel extension was torn out, thus connecting wheel-pit No. 2 with the tunnel. The Pittsburg Reduction Company was the first concern to avail itself of the new development. Each passing year has brought new in- dustries until today Niagara is the envy of the world. owing to its manufacturing and shipping facilities. The first gen- erator in power house No. I was operated April 4, 1895. William A. Brackenridge has been connected with the Ni- agara Falls Power Company several years as resident en- gineer, and as such has had charge of the great plants dur- ing the period of construction and installation. The upper works of the Pittsburg Reduction Company were opened August 28, 1895, and since that date new industries have kept coming with generous freedom in sincere recognition of Niagara's greatness. The Carborundum Company, or- ganized by E. G. Acheson, the discoverer of that interesting and valuable process, came in the fall of 1895, and later Mr. Acheson demonstrated further appreciation of Niagara power by establishing his artificial graphite plant here. Since those days the lands of the Niagara Falls Power Com- pany have many times felt the thrill of the plow as excava- tions were made for new manufacturing plants, and Ni- agara Falls has grown to be the recognized electro-chemical center of America, while its advancement along other lines has been equally pleasing.
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