The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 161

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 161

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The first town meeting was held at the house of Thomas Brayton, Jr., and the first town officers elected were Thomas Brayton, supervisor; Elihu Stewart, elerk ; John B. Bossout, Caleb Fulton and Enoch Griffin, as- sessors ; Robert C. Hastings, collector ; Henry Lewis and Alfred Freeman, overseers of the poor ; Henry Lewis, Freedom Gates and Thomas Brayton, commissioners of highways.

For many years thereafter the town meet- ings were held at the Checkered House, four miles from Carthage. This inn, opened soon after settlements had begun, was for a great

many years one of the most familiar land- marks in the town, and in the old days was a noted stopping place for travellers on the thoroughfare known as the St. Lawrence turnpike, and it also extended a liberal hos- pitality to generations of residents, whose transient wayfaring brought them toits doors. The historic old pile was destroyed by fire several years ago. The place of holding town meetings was finally transferred to Foster Penniman's hotel in Wilna, and after- wards to one erected by Lewis Fargo, near the site of the Checkered House. They are now divided among three election districts, located at North Wilna, Natural Bridge and Carthage.

SUPERVISORS.

The supervisors from 1814 to 1853 were as follows : 1814-15, Thomas Brayton; 1816, Alfred Freeman ; 1817, Francis Lloyd, T. Brayton to fill vacaney ; 1818-19, Nathan Brown; 1820-22, Thomas Brayton ; 1823-27, Eli West ; 1828-29, Thomas Baker ; 1830-32, Eli West ; 1833, Walter Nimocks ; 1834, William Bones ; 1835-36, Walter Nimoeks ; 1837, William Bones; 1838, Oliver Child ; 1839, Walter Nimocks ; 1840-41, Eli West ; 1842, Jonathan Wood ; 1843, Walter Nim- oeks ; 1844, Milton H. Carter ; 1845, Charles Strong ; 1846, Hiram McCollom; 1847-49, Simeon Fulton; 1850-51, William Christian ; 1852-53, Horace Hooker. [For list from 1854 to 1894, see pages 337-344. ]

In 1880 Wilna had a population of 4,393, in 1890, 4,522, a gain of 129 in 10 years. The town is located in the second sehool commis- sioner distriet, and in 1894 had 20 school dis- tricts, with 18 school houses located in the county. There are four joint distriets, two of which have school houses in Lewis county. J. F. LaRue is school commissioner, residing at Carthage.

The first steamboat that navigated the Black river was called "Cornelia," and was built at Carthage in 1832 by Paul Boynton for a stock company. The steamer made several trips during the summers of 1832 and 1833. During the summer of 1834, it re- mained most of the time at the wharf at Car- thage, on account of low water. In the spring of 1835, during high water, it in some way got loose from its fastenings, and was carred over the dam and lodged among the rocks a short distance below. The machinery was taken out by J. H. Hodgkins, and sold and used in the iron mines in St. Lawrence county.

In 1858 George Sweet, Nicholas Wagoner and Christopher Rhiner incorporated and placed in active operation the Carthage, Low- ville and New York Line. The opening of this line made access to New York and inter- mediate points during the season direct, cheap and convenient. The incorporators maintained six boats. Their office and store-

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house with dock attached, was a large build- ing on the river, just at the corner of Canal and West streets. For the first year or two the boats were towed up the river, a distance of about 44 miles, by the steamer L. R. Lyon. The Lyon was a large boat, built after the pat- tern of the Mississippi steamers. She was pro- pelled by a wheel situated at the stern, and was altogether too large and unwieldy to render practical service upon Black river. She burned to the water's edge August 10, 1878. The event was peculiarly distressing, inas- much as it involved the death of George Roberts, only son of Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Roberts, who are still residents of Car- thage. George was sleeping in the boat, having been acting as engineer.

Captain Sweet in 1860 placed in the line a new steamer, which he named after R. Gallagher. This was the first steamboatever placed upon the river that was adapted to practical use. This boat ran successfully until 1873, when it was disabled by the ice at Carthage. Upon the arrival of the rail- road at Lyons Falls, Captain Sweet was in readiness with another new and handsome craft, built in 1864, which ran between Car- thage and that station, carrying passengers and freight. The name of this boat was the F. G. Connell. Capt. Sweet placed another steamboat on the river in 1868, known as the John L. Norton. In 1869 the Connell was totally destroyed by fire. With the excep- tion of a small amount of freight and pleasure- yachts and skiffs owned by private parties, the extension of the railroad to Carthage put an end to travel upon the river. The line was closed in 1870.

The lumber business sprang into great activity through the facility of shipment. There is still, however, a considerable amount of business done in heavy freights, such as lumber, etc., at points along the upper part of the river.

The history of the Black River Canal can- not be told here. When it at last reached this point it had lost nearly all of the importance which at first belonged to it for this section. But whatever advantages it may possess are yet available. The enormous hydraulic power afforded by the river remains unimpaired. The geographical situation of the village, as considered in connection with the existing railroads, is not only important, but may be said to be unique. To the south it has un- interrupted connection with the metropolis and the sea-board; to the west is a branch connecting with the great lakes; north and northwest, the St. Lawrence, and last but not least, the Carthage & Adirondack Railroad affords access in the east to the inexhaustible mines of the great iron sections and the vast wealth of the forests.

With all her advantages, natural and ac- quired, the future of the village must con- tinue to be one of honorable, progressive and upward movement, needing only capital and enterprise to place her among the most im- portant manufacturing towns in the North.

The first settlers found their way into this section by using the navigable waters of the Black river from the High Falls to the present village of Carthage, then known as the Long Falls, a name well applied.

The struggles and hardships of the early settlers in this new country have been des- cribed in graphic terms by other writers, who were in loving sympathy with the theme. Their lives were hard and laborious, and subject to what would now be considered extreme privation. The opening of a new country, where means of communication with the outside world are scanty and diffi- cult, involves inconveniences which the present generation can but faintly realize. The dwellings were generally small, the sleeping-rooms seldom being larger than seven feet by nine. The ceilings were made low for the purpose of holding in as much of the warmth as could be made to radiate from the open fire-place, the greater part escaping by way of the chimney or through the crevices, where, as was often the case, the ahode was of logs.

The means for education were far below those now furnished freely to every child of school age, and regarded as a matter of course. Religious meetings were usually held at the house of some faithful member- sometimes in the rude school building. The " circuit rider" made his rounds with such punctuality as Providence or impassable roads and unfordable streams would permit. Sometimes the assembled congregation would melt under the fervid exhortations of the then youthful but consecrated Gardner Baker, while at another they might literally drink in the words of life from the lips of Father Isaac Puffer. Rev. Enoch Barnes was for many years the presiding elder. His nephew justified his Methodist training by passing into history as the first martyr to the cause of prohibition.

Settlement was commenced about 1798 by Henry Boutin, who had purchased of Ru- dolph Tillier, agent of the French Company, 1,000 acres on the east side of the river, on the site of the present village. With a com- pany of men he made a considerable clearing in that year and the next, when the enter- prise was abandoned, so far as he was con- cerned. There are conflicting accounts as to the scene of his death. It is claimed by one authority that about two years from the time of his settlement here, he started for France to settle his affairs there, and the vessel on which he took passage being lost at sea, he never returned. Dr. Hough, in his History of Jefferson county, relates that he was drowned below the village a few years after his first arrival here. It is impossible to say at this late day which account is cor- rect, but it is at least reasonable to believe that he met his death by drowning.

James LeRay having been appointed ad- ministrator of Boutin's estate, July 17, 1815, the title passed to Vincent LeRay, he pur- chasing the property at auction. The origi-

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nal title to all the lands in Carthage has since been derived from Mr. LeRay.

No account of the first settlement of Car- thage could be considered properly intro- duced without the name of Jean Baptist Bos- suot. He was a native of Troyes, France, and came to America with Baron Steuben. After Boutin's death, Bossuot remained for several years the only settler at Long Falls. He maintained a ferry and kept an inn for travellers, but not exactly after the pattern of those familiarly known at the present day. The ferry was kept up until the first bridge was built in 1812-13. No one was refused a passage across the river or a shelter under his roof because they had no money to give

On the erection of a postoffice, the name of Carthage superceded that of Long Falls. Up to that time the mails had been carried by post riders.

About 1835 Mr. LeRay established his land office in Carthage, adding new importance to the place. It had previously been located at LeRaysville.

TOWN OFFICERS.

Cornelius J. Clark, supervisor ; Peter W. Lyman, town clerk ; John Shoemaker, James H. Dawley, Henry Flint, justices of the peace ; Wallace W. Sweet and Zuriel Sarvey, assessors ; Levi Wood, overseer of the poor ; Reuben A. Derby, commissioner of high-

R., W. & O. R. R. BRIDGE CROSSING BLACK RIVER AT CARTHAGE.

in payment. Both himself and wife were well known for their generosity and activity. They had six children, one of whom is said to be the first birth occurring in the town, none of them are now living. The writer well remembers this remarkable old pioneer as he appeared on the street and at his home, on the corner of Dock and Canal streets. He was of medium stature, and for a man of his age quite active, but then quite deaf, very polite in manner, somewhat eccentric, yet bearing the impress of a life of hardy ad- venture, a link between the present and the time when the Black River country was a virgin forest. He lived to the advanced age of 93 years, dying in Champion, July 26, 1847.

ways; Charles W. Graham, collector ; P. W. Lyman, George Covey, Edgar Simmons, Edgar Mann, Lewis Place, constables.

THE VILLAGE OF CARTHAGE

Is located on Black river, 16 miles east of Watertown, on the main line of the Utica & Black River division of the R. W. & O. R. R. The Clayton & Ogdensburg and the Watertown & Sackets Harbor divisions and the Carthage & Adirondack Railways con- nect at Carthage, affording direct access by rail from all points,

The river here expands into a broad and rapid stream. An iron bridge, 500 feet in length, built by the State, spans the river at

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this point and unites the sister villages, Carthage and West Carthage. The R. W. & O. R. R. bridge crosses the river in a diag- onal direction at a short distance above. These structures, viewed from the shore, present a fine appearance. The location is healthy and pleasant. Natural drainage is afforded over a large portion of the place, and the soil is quite free from malarial ex- halations. Just at the beginning of the falls the State dam has been placed across the stream and reaches from shore to shore, a distance of 900 feet. The falls descend 55 feet in a distance of about a mile from their head. The river's entire fall from Carthage until it reaches the lake, is 480 feet. The channel, in the vicinity of the falls, is studded with islands, 50 in number, presenting in the summer a very picturesque and pleasant ap- pearance. In early days there were a series of bridges, five in number, connecting the islands, by means of which the river was crossed from Carthage to West Carthage. The hydraulic power here afforded is enor- mous, and the regular descent of the river- bed renders these facilities continuous for a long distance on either side. The dam was completed in 1855.

The hills on the western side of the river rise one above the other, and offer to the view in the summer season a rich panorama of pleasant homes, broad acres of waving grain, and groves of stately trees. There are many pleasant drives and walks in and around the village.

The population of the village is estimated at about 4,000 in all. including both the east and west side.

The village of Carthage was incorporated May 26, 1841. The first village trustees were: Virgil Brooks, president; Suel Gil- bert, Eben Hodgkins, Amos Choate and Walter Nimocks. There were spasmodic efforts in the direction of municipal reforms, of which we will relate one instance that occurs to memory. It was tacitly under- stood that cows being, as it were, the main- stay and dependence of two-thirds of the community, furnishing sustenance for the very young and perhaps revenue to the more responsible citizen-it was understood that cows should continue as they had been from time immemorial, free commoners ; but it was decreed that the swine must go. The writer's father having on his premises a barnyard en- closed with a tight, strong fence, was duly appointed pound master, and an edict was issued to the effect that one shilling per head would he paid for every hog brought to the pound. The boys were enterprising and thrifty, and so numerous were the shillings that found their way into their pockets front this source that the haunts that had known piggy bade fair in consequence soon to know him no more. The pound master kept his own hogs confined in a pen that was sup- posed to be nearly burglar proof. His sur- prise may therefore be imagined at being called upon to receive into custody and pay

the fee for his own porkers, which the two ingenious lads who had given them liberty now demanded. That officer was a good Christian man, but on this occasion he was very much disgusted; he resigned, and the streets were again tenanted by their accus- tomed occupants.

Mr. P. S. Stewart, of the land office, laid out and graded new streets from time to time as the demand for new building lots made such provision necessary. The village charter has been amended at least three times, in 1866-69-72. The important feature in the last amendment was that providing for the election of a police justice, and defining his powers and duties. Dr. James T. Peden was the first police justice. He was elected June 1, 1872, and served four years. He was succeeded by George O'Leary, who held the office eight years. The present incum- bent is James H. Dawley. At the expiration of his present term (one year from March, 1895) he will have held the office twelve years. No village in the State has municipal regulations superior to Carthage. The streets are now made brilliant at night with electricity, as are also many stores, hotels and numerous private dwellings. The lights are furnished by the American Illuminating Company.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The first fire company was organized July 24, 1841, with Samuel A. Budd as captain, and was called "The Carthage, No. 1."" The old hand engine was purchased, August 12, 1842. June 9, 1843, a new fire company was organized, and called the "Washington Fire Company." A cistern with a capacity of 400 barrels was built on the corner of School and State streets in 1849. The first hook and ladder company was formed May 24, 1851, Levi Wood, captain. April 9, 1852, a new hook and ladder company was formed. December 12, 1870, a new company was formed, of which C. C. Ingraham was elected foreman ; Heman H. Frink, assist. engineer, and H. J. Kellogg was elected and confirmed chief engineer. In 1874 a new company was formed, with Mark A. Peck as foreman. During the same month another company, designated the "Carthage Hook and Ladder Company," was formed, June 12, 1874. In February, 1875, the board of trustees pur- chased a second-hand, third size, steam rotary fire engine, with two hose carts and 100 feet of rubber hose. April 27, 1875, at a general meeting for the organization of the Carthage Fire Department, represented by two hose companies and an engine company, Mark A. Peck was elected foreman of the Engine Company, Curtis C. Ingraham foreman of Hose Company No. 1, George McKenna fore- man of Hose Company No. 2. H. J. Welch was elected chief engineer of the depart- ment.

A system of reservoirs, situated at regular intervals throughout the village, furnished the water supply when the need was too far

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from the river, until the completion of the water-works.

The present organization of the fire De- partment consists of : Steamer Company No. 1, 20 men; Tiger Hose Company No. 1, 20 men ; Rescue Hose Company No. 2, 20 men ; one Hook and Ladder Company, 20 men. William Bellen, Chief ; Peter O'Reiley, W. W. Sweet, Edward Villers, Assistants ; W. N. Wrape, Treasurer ; Peter O'Reilly, Secre- tary. The department is regarded as very efficient. The Fire Department Band, con- sisting of 17 pieces, is considered one of the best in Northern New York. The leader, Frank Smith, is a musician of rare ability.

WATER-WORKS.

A special election was held at Village Hall, June 7, 1892, at which the voters de- cided to bond the corporation in the sum of $50.000 for a suitable water supply. In ac- cordance with this action, the trustees re- solved themselves into a board of water com- missioners, under the provisions of the general law, and issued the bonds of the vil- lage to the amount of $50,000, to expire in 30 years, and bearing interest at four per cent. annually. The bouds were sold at a premium, which netted the investor two and fifty-eight one hundredths per cent. per annum, which, up to this time, is the best recorded sale of like securities ever made in this part of the State. The contract for building was awarded to Moffett, Hodgkins & Clark, of New York city. Mr. Charles O. McComb was the engineer in charge. Work was begun late in the fall of of 1892, and the job was completed and accepted by the board June 1, 1893. The contractors accomplished their work in a manner that was satisfactory to the board, and for a less sum than the amount raised on the bonds. The surplus has been retained by the com- missioners to be used in extensions, as the needs of the village may require. The sys- tem consists of an iron tower placed on ground which has an elevation above the river ot 88 feet at the pump-house. The tower is 75 feet high, 20 feet in diameter, and has a capacity of 256,000 gallons. The power-house, situated on Guyot's Island, is a one-story brick building, 30x50 feet. The machinery is all in duplicate, so that in case of accident to one part the village will still be protected and the supply of water main- tained. Power is furnished by two Camden water-wheels of 35 horse-power each. There are two pumps which combined have cap- acity to supply a place of 10,000 inhabitants. When running at ordinary speed each one discharges 24 gallons per stroke; this can be increased when needed to 280 gallons per minute, or 560 gallons for the two. Water is forced to the tower through a main 12 inches in diameter, and gives a pressure from that elevation of from 54 pounds to 90 pounds in different parts of the village. By direct pressure from the pumps 120 pounds can be safely obtained.

The original contract called for four and one-half miles of mains; about half a mile has been since added by the commissioners. Engineers say that the system has larger mains in proportion to its length than is usually found in other towns. There are 53 hydrants conveniently located, and 1,600 feet of hose.

The present Board of Water Commission- ers, appointed in this instance by the Board of Trustees, consists of Samuel Branaugh, President; A. G. Peck, F. D. Hubbard ; T. J. Quinn, superintendent.

SCHOOLS.

On the 3d day of November, 1828. Eli West, Thomas Hastings and Lewis Becker met as school commissioners at the house of the latter, for the purpose of dividing the town into school districts. Twelve districts were formed at that time, of which this dis- trict, according to the record made by Alex- ander Salisbury, town clerk, ranked as No. 3.

The writer has no means of knowing the date of the first school meeting held in the district, but having served as clerk at vari- ous times when the original records were in existence, he remembers well that the name of Dr. Eli West was recorded as the first chairman.

The school-house, of stone, octagon in form, and furnished in the old orthodox style with "all around seats" in ampitheatre form, was situated on School street about 12 rods from its junction with State street, on the northeast side, and was built by Hodgkins & Auburn.

Nearly contemporary with the building of the district school-house, a private school was taught by Mr. Arby Leonard in a small frame building that stood on State street, just above the site now covered by the Elmhirst Hotel. This interesting old struc- ture is still in existence, and now stands on the corner of Spring and Water streets, where it is occupied as a dwelling. It has been moved twice. It was here that Hon. DeWitt C. West, Horace Hooker, Hon. A. Y. Stewart and his brother David, Wm. A. Peck, Hon. Jesse E. Willis, B. V. Buxton, Frank Nimocks and his brother Walter S., Wm. F. Strong, Ormando Brooks, and many others who might be mentioned did space permit, laid broad the foundations of char- acter and knowledge.

The venerable old house held within its scholastic walls in those days a galaxy of boys and girls whose brilliancy has never been since outshone under the skies of Car- thage. Mr. Leonard was succeeded by Har- rison Miller, who in 1842 erected an academy on the site now occupied by our present High School. The building erected by Mr. Miller was known as the Carthage Academy. He occupied the building about one school year, when Rev. Orin Wilbur, of Lowville, N. Y., opened the school as principal in 1843, who carried it on for two years, when the property passed into the hands of the

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CARTHAGE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.

Misses Hooker. The faculty consisted of Miss Mary, principal, assisted by her sisters, Harriet and Sarah G. They were highly educated and accomplished ladies, and the school under their management was very successful. The death of Miss Sarah, which occurred September 27, 1847, was a very severe hlow to the school, and it was soon after discontinued. Rev. Jacob A. Wood next became owner and principal, and was assisted by B. F. Bush and Miss Harriet A. Bagg. Mr. Bush married Miss Bagg in 1850, and purchasing the property of Mr. Wood, continued the school until the property was purchased by the trustees of the Union Free School.

A nice frame building with gothic roof, spire, and well lighted rooms took the place of the old stone school-house in 1852, and con- tinued to serve the district until the school population outgrew its capacity. At a special meeting of the district, held July 30, 1866, the inhabitants unanimously resolved themselves into a Union Free School district under the general law, and at another special meeting, held August 20, 1866, the Board of Education was directed to purchase the Academy property, containing 1} acres, of B. F. Bush for the consideration of $4,000.

The new school entered at once upon a career of prosperity, which continued unin- terrupted up to the memorable 20th day of October, 1884, when the building was en- tirely consumed. Rooms were secured in the M. E. church and the Bones block on State street, and within a fortnight the scat- tered children were gathered together and work was resumed. Plans for a school build- ing were submitted and adopted at a largely attended meeting of the district held in Mechanic's Hall, June 23, 1885. The new building was fully completed and ready for occupancy September 13, 1886, at which date the school entered upon its new quar- ters. The cost, including furniture, appara- tus, &c., was $29,000.

The St. James (Catholic) parochial school, erected in 1885, is a fine, large, two-story brick building, situated on the corner of West and Mechanic streets. It is in a flour- ishing condition and taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, five in number. It has an attend- ance of about 250 pupils. This school was endowed by the will of the late William ('lark, of Croghan. It has the modern con- veniences and a school library.

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 161

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