The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 12

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098

USA > New York > Jefferson County > The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894 > Part 12

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HON. LOTUS INGALLS,

THE VETERAN EDITOR.

We feel sure that every reader of this His- tory will welcome to its pages a truthful sketch of one of the most deserving and modest public men of Jefferson county, as he appeared in the important era from 1840 to 1892-the years which embrace the dis- covery of the electric telegraph and its utili- zation as the most important factor in the dissemination of news; the application of steam to so many uses before that era un- known, and the beginning of what may be designated the wonderful " development " of the American newspaper.

Mr. Ingalls was born in Rodman, January 12, 1818, and passed his early life in that town and Wilna; after the age of 10 living in Wilna winters and as a farm hand in Rodman summers. Though in stature below what may be called a stalwart size, his early life of out-door labor gave him hardy devel- opment, and when 16 years of age he did a man's full work in nearly every branch of farm labor. His earnest attention to his studies at the district school marked him as one deserving further encouragement in pursuit of learning, and in the spring of 1839, just as he had reached his majority, at the suggestion and aid of his uncle, Ora Cooley, he made his appearance at the Black River Institute, to begin a classical

HON. LOTUS INGALLS.

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

course, among that body of resolute young men who have since, in many climes on land and sea, in highest office not less than as missionaries to spread to heathen lands the tidings of our blessed Lord, as well as in humbler walks, in work shops and in great factories-have everywhere shadowed forth the character that was within them, and have manifested by their useful lives the thoroughness and inestimable value of the training that noble school imparted. To pay his way young Ingalls taught school in winters-first at Perch Lake, then at Natural Bridge in Wilna, and in Rutland - then, after leaving the Institute, he taught the large and important Factory street school, where his efforts met with signal success, leaving a memory there that has been most grateful and is yet well pre- served. In 1845 he entered the law office of Lansing & Sherman, as a student, and from that office he graduated as a member of the bar-having, while pursuing his law studies, held the position of town super- intendent of schools for two years.

Having now become a full-fledged lawyer, the demands of that profession seemed hardly suited to his tastes. He saw among his fellow-members of the bar some who had been lawyers for scores of years, and yet had not materially advanced in social position or in worldly goods. He saw that the best practice was naturally given to the older men of the profession, and among these were several of marked ability and established fame. Besides all this, he dis- covered that his voice was too feminine and nasal for him to be ever counted an impres- sive advocate before a jury, where distinc- tion as a lawer at that time was chiefly earned. To pass a whole life waiting for the professional standing which only came with age was not a prospect that appeared very inviting to our young aspirant for prominence. Just at that time (1849-50) the temperance question had become the most important and engrossing political question of the day, the Legislature having granted each town the right to vote "license " or " no license." The liquor in- terest had established the " Democratic Union," quite a readable newspaper, under the editorial management of Hon. Lysander H. Brown, whose reputation as a public speaker and writer of unusual ability was well established. To counteract this move on the part of the liquor interest, which was an important and aggressive factor in the politics of those days, and as it is yet, the temperance people advised the starting of another paper. and Mr. Ingalls was sug- gested and urged to become its editor. As is usual among these temperance politicians, they had plenty of advice to give. but did not manifest much liberality with their money, and the financial responsibility for the scheme they were prolific in extolling was left to him. who, though of excellent character and social standing, for every

one admired his industry and integrity, had in possession at that time only about $200, saved from teaching, that might be called his own after paying his current expenses. On applying to Loveland Paddock, the rich banker, but with much internal doubt as to the success of his interview, young Ingalls was agreeably surprissed to find that capi- talist willing to discount his note for $500 without an indorser; and with that meagre capital he started his "Reformer." He knew nothing about the details of a print- ing office, but this want he supplied by taking L. M. Stowell, a practical printer, as partner. When the new temperance paper appeared it was found to be full of snap and ability. It literally " filled a long-felt want," for it had the newsy, fresh and inde- pendent way which in these later years has become more general. It said things, al- ways in a respectable way, that the older, plodding political organs did not care to meddle with. It was a paper that appealed to the better class of readers, who had be- come weary with editors that looked at all questions through the colored spectacles of party policy. The paper found its warmest welcome at the fireside, and was a success from the start. And so our young disciple at the Institute, fresh from the farm, who was to become the industrious and conscien- tious teacher, then the successful graduate from a law office, at last found himself a newspaper editor, without ever intending to become such permanently: for he ex- pected after helping to get the reform paper well a-going to part with his interest and return to his profession. But as we have heard him say, " he never saw the oppor- tunity of getting his money back, and had to stay with it to save it." As he had mar- ried, in 1847, Miss Marinda E. Murray, he could justly reflect that every step he had thus far taken from the Rodman farm experience to the graduation from a law office had been the very steps that would best evolve the mental discipline and hardy constitution that qualified him for the la- borious life of a country editor. Thus good men's lives are shaped almost without their understanding just how or when it was done.

The two great reforms earnestly espoused by the " Reformer " were the temperance cause and a reform in the assessment laws. It was due to his advocacy and efforts that a Board of State Assessors was created. He had noticed that the county of Jefferson was assessed higher than the larger and wealthier county of Oneida. He pointed out these and other discrepancies. He made out a strong case and held it before the public mind till the Legislature saw it and applied the remedy he suggested, viz. : a Board of State Assessors.

The circulation of his paper increased rapidly through these years, making it im- possible to print the edition on a hand press, and more money had to be put into the

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

works for a power press and steam engine, so that by 1858 the circulation of the " Re- former" had reached over 5,000 copies weekly. This was unprecedented in that locality. By this time excitement was run- ning high on the slavery question, the " Reformer" taking the anti-slavery side, opposing the extension of slavery into the free territories of the Union. It became the main reliance for the vigorous promul- gation of that sentiment in Northern New York. Great events were at hand. The election of Lincoln, the secession of the South and the war of the rebellion followed in rapid succession. It was apparent that a daily paper was needed in this locality and so the " Daily Times " was started, and has run a successful career to this day.

We shall not laboriously follow Mr. In- galls through all the details of his news- paper life, which was eminently successful, and raised him year by year higher and yet higher in the confidence of his fellow- citizens, nor enlarge upon his public spirit, as manifested in the numerous fine dwell- ings he built in Watertown, nor his early connection with and untiring labors for the promotion of the Carthage and Sacket's Harbor Railroad, now part of the great Vanderbilt system. His whole life has been one of activity, and thus far of deserved success. But there came a time when his generous attempts to aid an enterprising friend and patron of his job office had in, volved him in great pecuniary trouble. It is not our purpose to dwell upon the details of that part of his hopeful life; the end of it all was bankruptcy and the surrendering to the creditors of his friend all he had ac- cumulated by painstaking frugality and patient labor. He was even forced out of the newspaper which he had established and raised to an institution of great value for that locality, and in which he was for 24 years the controlling influence and mo- tive power. Of the means by which he was thus deprived of that into which he had put his very soul and the maximum of his personal energy. it is not needful to speak here. None but those who have passed through such trials can understand how they sadden, and yet, in a certain way, strengthen a man's character. Mr. Ingalls was stricken a hard blow, but he had a re- cuperative force within him which pre- vented the blow from proving fatal. Shut out from his first-born, he purchased the Watertown "Post," a weekly journal of a miscellaneous character, but he raised it, by his perseverance, industry and tact to become a fine property. Its influence, like that of his " Reformer," was a fireside and a home influence - one that made better men and women of the children who read it. Gradually he began to accumulate means again, and after some 18 years of renewed toil and saving be sold the " Post " to Mr. Chase, retiring from active newspaper work after he had been 42 years

in the business, and liad passed his 75th year, with means enough to keep the wolf from the door.

To go back a few years to pick up a drop- ped stitch that ought not to be omitted, it is but just to say that while Mr. Ingalls never sought office, he was nominated and elected to the Assembly in 1875, taking his seat in that body in 1876. While he had very important economic reforms in his mind, he saw in talking with his associates in that body, controlled by Husted and Fish, that there was no hope of any signifi- cant economic reforms at that session, but being chairman of the State Printing Com- mittee, he saved the State many thousands of dollars by applying the pruning knife to the extravagant requests of members and others.

In the course of his 42 years of editorial life, Mr. Ingalls made three noteworthy journeys. He was chosen a delegate to visit the army in 1864 to gather the votes of the volunteers from Jefferson county at the Presidential election of that year. At which time he visited Washington, went down the Potomac, to Fortress Monroe, up the James River to City Point, the Dutch Gap Canal, Hatches' Run, and the Shenan- doah Valley, the next day after Sheridan's heroic work there. Being recognized by many soldiers from this section, and pay day having just transpired, the boys in blue sent home by hin several thousand dollars to their loved ones.

In 1870 he visited California with Mrs. Ingalls, being absent from Watertown two months, taking in the famous Yosemite Val- ley, and other celebrated scenery of the Pacific coast. In all these journeys he wrote daily letters to his paper, which were very entertaining and instructive, and gave a marked impulse to its circulation, After this long journey he resumed his editorial work, materially refreshed and invigorated.

I have presented this " object lesson " be- cause it is an important and an educating one. In it we see what modest talent, even without political influence, or the encourage- ment of wealth, can bring about when per- severance and correct living are added. One such example is worth 20 volumes of theories. It is a living, undying, impres- sive lesson that may be read by all.

It may be thought by some that Mr. Ingalls possessed a passive rather than a positive character. That would be a great mistake; under his passive persuasive, calm manner he holds a world of positiveness and moral power. That has been the secret of his success, for by nature he had but few of the endowments that command the hearts of men. He had none of the advant- ages of birth, descent or fortune. It was not appointed that he should go to and be- come distinguished in the great war. As an orator he had but few accomplishments, and it was not his lot to have to do with those vast enterprises which, within the

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

past 50 years, have transformed the forces of nature itself. He could scarcely be called a " man of letters," nor had he ever been swayed from his path of duty by any thirst for adventure, nor was he ever a slave to any party's lash. And yet, in his own modest way, doing his life-work out-

side of the accepted paths of power or fame, he had been for 42 years one of Jefferson's most strenuous and powerful men, and has wrought his individual life into the very fibre of that county's history as no other editor has done. His example is an illustrious one, a good one to follow.

J. A. H.

THE 35TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

CHE REP

GRAND

PUBLIC

1861 -

1866.

-VETERAN

IN writing of the services of the 35th regi- ment I am conscious that I shall be charged with favoritism, for it was my own regi- ment, and I knew it as a man knows the members of his family - loving all of them, yet having his own idea as to which are the most promising. It should never be forgot- ten of this first regiment to go from the county, that it preceded the days of boun- ties; that the purest patriotism inspired the most of its members; that some of the young men who went into the ranks as private sol- diers left fine positions and promising sur- roundings to become food for powder at $8 per month. I have no doubt that many fair lives were blighted by the service these men patriotically gave to their country. Many sleep in that Southern land - some in un- marked graves; some died in hospitals, and some returned with broken constitutions, to die years before their time. Probably not a man who served with that regiment, and who is living to-day, but can trace his rheu- matism or liver complaint or other ailment

to marches in cold rains, sleeping on the wet ground after the fatigue of a full day's travel with gun and heavy knapsack. And yet there are men to be found in the North who think too much consideration is felt for the old soldiers! I would have every one of those go down into the South and see how the Confederate soldiers are revered in every hamlet, and welcomed at every fireside, and then compare Southern gratitude (which will often burst into tears when the hard- ships of their braves are spoken of) with the indifference the Union soldiers too often ex- perience from the public of to-day.

I do not forget that there were other pa- triotic and able organizations that went into the field from Jefferson county, and all of them I honor and love, as every soldier hon- ors and loves bravery and estimable service, hut it ought to be remembered that the 35tlı did its whole duty. It did not do all the fighting, nor does it claim all the honors of victory. But its early devotion, the high character of its rank and file, and its long

service with small pay, must always be re- membered to its enduring credit.

Feeling thus, I have made repeated efforts to procure a historian from some one of the talented young men who served straight through with the 35th - commencing in the ranks as privates, and rising by soldierly ability to higher but not more honorable po- sitions. I have not been able to enlist such an one for this duty, and am constrained to

THE WAR FOR THE UNION.

take up the subject myself. I do this the more reluctantly because I was upon de- tailed duty for several months, and for that reason some of the movements of the regi- ment are known to me only from the de- scriptions of my comrades. Perhaps I can- not do better than give extracts from Col. Shaw's sketch of the services of the 35th. given at the first re union at Watertown, December 13, 1887, and interpolate such re- marks as I may think called for.

[The muster-out roll of the regiment will be found at the end of this article, and it is believed to be correct.]

COL. SHAW'S REMARKS.

I was among the first to enlist - a youth in years - in Company " A " in Watertown, and the first to volunteer from the town of Cape Vincent, early in May, 1861. I had never seen an American soldier in uniform before I enlisted, and was not of age when our period of two years' service expired. I carried a gun through every engagement the 35th participated in, and Company "A " never stacked arms without my rifle was among the number. I appear before you, therefore, as one of the " 35th boys," proud of the honor you have done me in naming me as your president, and happy to look again into the faces of so many of our country's heroes in that life and death strug- gle for an undivided Union.

I shall endeavor to sketch some of the more important incidents which marked our record as a regiment.

First of all, we have the distinction of having been among the first to volunteer in our country's defense. The call of duty met a ready response, and the companies were quickly filled. The rendezvous at Elmira we all remember - the barracks, the com- pany drills, the company elections, the first great battle of " soup and beans," when our charge on the eating-rooms gave promise of what was to follow when we charged the rebels "way down southı in Dixie." The weeks we spent in Elmira passed rapidly away, and when we embarked, a well-or- ganized regiment, for Washington, we were as bappy a body of men as ever kept step to a soldierly drum-beat. One incident of that journey brings up grateful recollec- tions - the cordial greeting and abundant hospitality of the good people of Williams- port. What an enthusiatic ontpouring of the patriotic citizens of that goodly town it was. that so bountifully supplied our hun- gry boys with refreshments, cheered ns to the echo when we came and when we left, and kissed some of us to boot! What a ride, too, that was through the Keystone State! The burned bridges and wrecked cars we passed on nearing Baltimore were remind- ers of what we were soon to become famil- iar with. the waste and ruin of war. I never pass through Baltimore without viv- idly recollecting our march across that city from one railroad to the other. The 35th

never looked better or marched with more precision than it did on that memorable day, Shaw, Evans, Enos, M. Converse, 1st file. The vindictive crowd that lined the streets along our course felt that to attack such a force would be madness. We marched over pavements that had been wet only a few days before with the blood of Massachusetts heroes, and the spirit of revenge - so hu- man and so justifiable - hurned in our hearts. With faces square to the front; and with perfect step, our regiment marched through that guilty city, clearing the path- way to the national capital of the last ves- tige of obstruction.

The first night we spent in Washington, after marching past the capitol to sleep in a crowded hall beneath its very shadows, is no doubt well remembered. Then our camp on Meridian Hill, with its heat and dust and sanitary abominations, who does not recall it all? Aye, even to the old blackberry woman, whose quaint cry of "Same old blackberry woman - same old blackberries - one cent cheaper," I feel confident has not entirely faded out of your memories.

But freshest of all the recollections of our stay in Washington will be that of the day when we listened to the sounds of cannon at Bull Run. What anxious hours those were! It was a day of deep suspense and was followed by a still deeper gloom when we came to know that a great disaster had checked the advance and beaten back our army. We were momentarily expecting to be sent forward to the fray. Indeed, some of the officers went on their own responsi- bility. But it seems that we were held in reserve, A wise precaution, as it after- wards proved.

The good President Lincoln passed across the avenne near where some of us stood, on his way to the War Department, with weary step and bowed head, the picture of mental agony. Washington was in a panic, and for a few hours it lay stunned and paralyzed with the blow our defeat had brought. The returning stragglers, knee-high with reddish mud, without arms and utterly demoralized, added a disheartening touch to that picture of defeat. The wounded, following later, filled in the sad background, and the flag of our Union seemed for the moment to be drooping in peril.

Comrades, it was your privilege and mine, in that dark period, to be ready to march to the front to defend our imperiled capital, and to stand across the pathway of treason. If we were not at the first great battle of the war, we were the first, after that battle to march southward over the Long Bridge to help restore order and insure safety to McDowell's demoralized army. We were encamped at Arlington Heights when a re- port came that the rebel "Black Horse " cavalry would attack us that night. The situation was deemed very critical, and vol- unteers for picket duty were called for. Privates Caleb Slocum and D. M. Evans

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

stepped forward for the perilous duty. They were posted at a cross roads about a mile from camp and were not relieved till morn- ing. This was the first picket of the 35th on rebel ground.

The forts about Arlington Heights knew us well. It was here that, on a bright morning, the welcome cry of "Sharpe's rifles" echoed 'through the camp. The longed-for new rifles had come, it was said, and a wild rush was made for the approach- ing teams. Alas! the Sharpe's rifles turned out to be not very "sharp" axes, and we found the grip and exercise with an axe on a hot day not at all essential to comfort or happiness. But the 35th men were equal to every duty, and the trees quickly fell be- neath their sturdy blows.

The winter at Taylor's Tavern, near Falls Church, Va., wore rapidly away in a mix- ture of mud and snow that made it unneces- sary to black our shoes, or even go very far away from our tents to answer roll call. With dry roads in the spring of 1862, our march- ing days began again. That long and try- ing march and counter-march ending in the Rapahannock Station engagement will not be forgotten.

Our visit to Virginia's famous White Sul- phur Springs, afforded us a view of the place and a drink of the waters, but our reception was rendered very lively from the rebel ar- tillery on the heights beyond. I left the chief spring under the inspiring music of those shells, and have never seen it since, nor made better "quick time" from that day to this. Groveton came next, with that dreadful trap into which so many of our troops marched, and which we barely es- caped.

The following night found us, as the sun went down, tired and foot-sore, about to break ranks for the day. "Attention !" rang out on the keen night air like a bugle-blast. It is Colonel Lord's command. "Fix bay- onets !" and a thrill runs through the alert regiment. "Charge bayonets ! Charge !" followed in tones that stirred our blood, and the 35th with a cheer swept into that corn- field just in the nick of time to thwart a well-planned night attack on our unsuspi- cious artillery headquarters, and to save the line unbroken for the coming conflict. This charge was considered a brilliant military movement, and deserves a lasting place in the history of the hotly-contested battles of the second Bull Run. No regiment on that bloody field was steadier, or did nobler ser- vice. It marched in order from that hot- bed of hell, in the woods where the shells from friend and foe burst all about us: while other regiments wavered and lost their formations, ours was as perfect in its move- ments as when on drill. It was one of very few regiments that came in solid ranks from the front, while wildly-rushing teamsters were working pell-mell to the rear. The long night marches as we slowly fell back towards Washington, in mud and rain, and

with a broken army surging around us, are an ever-living memory. And the heavy rain and heavier firing at bloody Chantilly, where we just escaped the swath of death reaped from the edge of the thick woods to our left and rear, will also recall a stirring afternoon's duty. Then came the long march back over the Chain Bridge, past the White House and up Pennsylvania avenue, past the capital, round through Maryland, amid heat and dust, on through the peerless valley where Frederick nestles like a jewel set in beauty until the rugged steeps of South Mountain, bristling with rebel bay- onets, challenged our advance.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 12

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823- Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company Number of Pages: 1098

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098