USA > New York > Albany County > Cohoes > The history of Cohoes, New York, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 19
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
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The number of residences erected during the season was notably smaller than in the previous year. Several important buildings for other purposes were, however, constructed.
St. Joseph's French church, built in 1869, had never been considered safe. In the following year its steeple was re- moved because it threatened to crush the body of the church, and the condition of the edifice became in 1873 so dilapi- dated that its demolition was resolved upon. The work was commenced in June, 1874, and the corner-stone of the new building, on the site of the first, was laid Aug. 23, under direction of Bishop M'Nierney. The sermon was preached by Rev. Francis Van Campenhouldt of Troy, and the ceremonies were participated in by a number of other clergymen from different localities. The building, which has not yet been completed, was ready for occupancy on Easter Sunday, 1875. Its proportions are : length, 128 feet ; width 70 feet ; height of nave 60 feet ; of tower and spire 206 feet. The cost of the building was $40,000, and it is estimated that as much more will be required to properly finish the interior. Much credit is due to the congregation, for their enterprise and liberality, in thus constructing, within a period of five years, two expensive church edifices, and to Father La Salle whose efforts in behalf of the new enter- prise have been indefatigable.
A new church, the German Baptist, was organized dur- ing this year, the members being principally employés of Trost & Bezner. Services were for some time held in the First Baptist church, and a small building was afterwards secured on Simmons avenue which the congregation has since occupied. In the certificate of incorporation, filed Feb. 4, 1875, the following were named as first trustees : Herman Bezner, one year ; Henry Trost, two years ; Conrad Muller, three years.
A noticeable addition to the buildings on Reisen street was the Music Hall Block, 75 by 623 feet and four stories high, built by Acheson & Masten, at a cost of $60,000.
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The two upper stories are occupied by a handsome and con- veniently arranged theatre capable of seating 1,000 persons, which was formally opened on the evening of Nov. 23d, by J. W. Albaugh's company from Albany. The entertain- ment opened with a dedicatory address, delivered by Miss Florence Chase, and the singing of the national anthem by the company. The play of the evening was London Assurance, the leading parts being taken by Mr. and Mrs. Albaugh. The post office was moved into the north end of this building as soon as it was completed, and the city library has since last summer occupied rooms in the second story.
Of the entertainments held in the hall during the ensuing season, those of chief local interest, were eight evenings of social singing, which were well attended. The course, or- ganized through the efforts of L. W. Mansfield, was some- what similar in plan to that which was held in Mr. M.'s mill, during 1865, and met with such success that it was repeated in the following year.
Several times since its incorporation, the proposition had been made to bond the city for different amounts to defray the expenses of certain public improvements. A project of the sort was submitted to the tax payers in 1872, but some features of the bill which it was proposed to introduce, were distasteful, and it was voted down. In April of this year, another bill was prepared and presented to the legislature which seemed to meet with general approval. The common council was, in this act, directed to issue the bonds of the city whenever it might be requested by the commissioners of construction, for the purpose of opening, extending and improving the following streets : Columbia, from Mohawk to Lancaster; Remsen, from Newark to Saratoga; Saratoga its entire length; Ontario and Oneida streets, the Boght road, and the road leading to Crescent. Of the proceeds of the sale of the bonds, $75,000 were to be expended for the above purposes, and the remainder was to be devoted to the
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purchase of a site, and the erection of a suitable city build- ing. The commissioners of construction named, were II. S. Bogue, Alfred Le Roy, David J. Johnston, Jas. B. McKee and Malachi Weidman. Unfortunately the bill was not introduced until late in the session, and no action was taken upon it. Several important municipal improvements were, however, completed during the season. Among them were the opening and grading of James street, at a cost of 817,000 ; grading of Central avenue from Columbia street, south to the city line, costing $5,000; grading portions of Saratoga and Howard street at a cost of $3,500, and con- struction of sewers on Remsen, Lancaster and Orchard streets. The alteration by the state of the course of the Champlain Canal at the junction, and the building of new and improved locks at that point was completed in the early part of the year.
The Cataract published at the close of the year a review of the condition of the knitting business, giving the results of interviews with each manufacturer. Most of the estab- lishments were running on full time and expected so to con- tinue during the winter. The conclusions of the Cataract were as follows:
"It will be seen that the outlook is anything but dis- couraging to the operatives at least ... they have thus far known but practically little of the effects arising from the general depression which has existed during the year in all parts of the country. There has been little or no apparent reduction in the production of fabrics, and old prices which have ruled in years past in almost all the mills, have been paid. It is a noticeable fact that Cohoes thus far has never suffered from the strikes that have brought untold misery and want in many portions of the country."
A recapitulation of the figures given in the article com- pared with those published in 1872, showed a falling off only in the number of operatives employed which was 2,405 as against 2,503 in the former year, while the aggregate of the annual production and monthly wages was even greater.
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
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The discussion of several proposed amendments to the city charter occupied a large share of local attention during the first few months of 1875. The principal changes were in regard to the powers of the common council concerning assessments - authorizing them by a two-thirds vote to raise money for special taxes ; the powers, duties and salaries of the city engineer and city attorney - the compensation fixed for the former being $500, and for the latter $1,000; the duties and salaries of constables, who were to receive $100 per annum, in addition to their fees ; and the organi- zation of a board of fire commissioners who were to have control of a paid department. A meeting of the common council was called Jan. 30, to hear the report of a committee on these amendments, at which a number of citizens were present. After some discussion they were allowed the pri- vilege of the floor, and the following resolution offered by D. H. Van Auken was put to the audience and almost unanimously adopted :
" Resolved, That it is the sense of the tax payers at this meeting, in view of the pressure of the times, affecting both business and labor in all departments, it is inexpedient that there should be any amendments to our city charter which shall increase the rate of taxation."
After the passage of a motion requesting the legislature to take no action upon any such amendments that might be presented, the meeting adjourned, but another was imme- diately organized to consider an amendment creating a fifth ward, concerning which a bill had been introduced during the previous week. The sentiment of the meeting was in favor of such an amendment, and a committee was appointed to attend to its passage. The bill, which also made slight changes in the boundaries of the third and fourth wards, became a law May 1.
On the 20th of May, occurred the most destructive fire that had visited the city since the burning of the Tivoli Mill. The polishing, finishing and handle shops, of the
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Weed & Becker M'f'g Co., were destroyed, at a loss of $50,000, throwing nearly 200 men out of employment. One of the buildings destroyed was the original factory of Daniel Simmons, which had been in use since 1835. The company proceeded at once to the erection of a fine brick building on the site, which was completed in the following season. It is of brick, 140 by 50 feet, and four stories high.
The publication of a second daily paper, The Cohoes Daily Bulletin, was commenced June Ist. It was a 28 column sheet, democratic in politics, and was conducted by J. II. Atkinson, formerly of the Democrat, and J. Barlow Luddy. The office was located in Hayward's building, Ontario street.' A further addition to the newspapers of the city, was the Journal des Dames, a weekly paper, published in the in- terests of French Canadian ladies, and edited by Mme. Virginie Authier. The first number appeared Sept. 24." Another French paper, L' Avenir National, the publication office of which had formerly been in Troy, was removed here Oct. 15, and located in Silliman's building on Remsen street. The paper, which was a weekly, was conducted by L. G. Leboeuf.3
An event of general interest was the consecration of Rev. Dr. J. II. Hobart Brown of St. John's church, who had been called to preside as bishop over the new diocese of Fond du Lac, Wis. The ceremonies, which took place in the church on Wednesday Dec. 15, were attended by a large number of citizens. The presiding bishop was Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter of New York; the sermon was preached by Bishop Welles of Wisconsin, and a number of other eminent clergymen from different localities were present.
1 On Dec. 13, the name of the paper was changed to The Daily Eagle, J. B. Laddy being editor, and D. Williams, proprietor. Its publication was discontinued Aug. 12, 1876, and the Northern Herald, a Sunday morning paper, established by Williams and Eagan.
2 This was succeeded Feb. 16, 1876, by La Patrie Nouvelle, Authier Bros, editors and proprietors.
› Discontinued Ang. 11, 1876.
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
1875.
The dullness of business, continuing during the year, bad prevented the outlay of capital to any amount in private improvements, and in municipal affairs the sentiments ex- pressed at the tax payers' meeting in January evidently had their effect. A few public works however, which were greatly needed, received attention. Among them were the grading of North Mohawk and Trull streets and McElwain avenue, at a cost of $5,000, the construction of sewers on McElwain and Johnston avennes and Mohawk street, costing an equal amount, and the ravine sewer near MeElwain avenue the expense of which was $13,500. The latter, which is 1,571 feet in length, was an improvement long demanded, and one of great benefit to several portions of the city.
On December 31st, arrangements were made for publicly celebrating the advent of the centennial year. The demon- stration, which began in the evening and was continued un- til about 3 A.M. of Jan. Ist, was thus described in the News : "The celebration of the Centennial New Year in Cohoes was begun by the parade of the Lafayette Guards shortly before the ringing of the bells at midnight. Remsen street was thronged with people, whose patriotism, added to the spirit with which the new year is always welcomed, caused a general turn out an l demonstration. Huge bonfires were lighted, red and blue fire burned, cannon thundered, rockets and roman candles were fired and numerous buildings along the route illuminated. The bells of the city churches and factories clanged forth a thousand welcomes in brazen tones to the Centennial New Year, and even the steam whistles on the mills and Adams Steamer did duty on the occasion."
A violent storm, which swept over this section of the country on the morning of Feb. 5, did considerable damage to property in this city. St. Bernard's church suffered the severest injury, in the destruction of its spire, which was over 200 feet high, and one of the handsomest in the neigh- borhood. It was constructed under direction of Nichols and Brown of Albany in 1866, at a cost of $10,000. The spire was broken off at its brick foundation, and crushing through
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
1876.
a portion of the roof, fell upon the rail road track east of the building. The chime of bells, which had been placed in the belfry four years previous at a cost of $5,000, was badly damaged and the total loss to the church reached nearly $20,000. It was expected that the steeples of the Baptist, Presbyterian and French churches which were seen to sway violently in the wind, would be also demolished, but they fortunately were able to withstand the gale, and none of the churches except the Baptist were injured to any extent. A smaller spire on the north side of the latter building was blown over, considerably damaging in its fall the roof, and also the residence of Mrs. H. R. Grant, adjoining the church on the north. A number of small buildings were quite badly damaged, and numerous chimneys in all parts of the city suffered demolition.
In March, bills were introduced in the legislature making a number of important changes in the charter, over some of which followed a long and animated discussion. The law committee of the common council having been directed to draw up needed amendments, reported several, of which the most important were the following: Giving the cham- berlain power to collect by sale of property the arrears on taxes since 1870, and allowing him an extra compensation for his services in so doing; authorizing him to set apart $3,000 annually for the use of the water board, instead of allowing them a certain proportion of the moneys raised by highway and other taxes as formerly; empowering the common council to compel the construction and repair of sidewalks, and to appropriate $1,500 for the celebration of the Fourth of July. Two further amendments were pre- pared - one providing for the appointment of a recorder and fixing his salary at $2,000, and the other known as the " omnibus bill"- giving the mayor power to appoint the city attorney, city clerk, and a number of other officials, whose salaries were in several instances to be increased. The bill in which these were incorporated was drawn up by
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
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private parties and was introduced in the legislature with- out having been submitted to the common council, and it was to these amendments that the greatest opposition was raised. When it was found that the bill had been favorably reported by the assembly committee, a citizens' meeting was called to take action on the matter. This was held at Egberts Hall on the evening of March 28, Henry Brockway presiding. Fifty vice presidents and eighteen secretaries were appointed. Short addresses against the amendments were made by H. D. Fuller, Justice Redmond, Jas. F. Kelly, aldermen Nolan and Ryan, and Chas. Kolb. Re- solutions were then adopted protesting against the passage of the bill without further hearing from the citizens, and requesting Senator Harris to use his influence against it. The opposition, especially to the clause appointing a recorder, grew less however, as the people became better acquainted with the provisions of the bill, and the Cataract of April 8th, said:
" The signatures of owners of over $2,500,000, of the taxable property in the city have been received to the peti- tion favoring the passage of the charter amendments, and what is the best joke of all, more than two-thirds of the officers of the citizens' meeting, called to protest against them, were among the signers."
None of the amendments were passed, however, except those providing the appointment of a recorder and assigning a fund for the water commissioners, both of which were somewhat changed since their first draft - the sum named in the latter having been raised from $3,000 to $5,000. No general opposition to the passage of several of the others was manifested among citizens but they were "killed" through the influence of a few interested parties. The first recorder appointed by the mayor under the new act was Chas. F. Doyle, who entered upon the duties of his office June 26, holding court in the common council chamber.
Though the bill authorizing an appropriation had failed
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HISTORY OF COHOES. 1876.
to pass, the general feeling throughout the city was, that the centennial year demanded more than an ordinary celebration. and that it would not be to the credit of the place, to be behind other cities in the neighborhood, in such manifesta- tions of patriotism. A special election of the tax payers was accordingly held on May 22, to decide in regard to the matter, which resulted in voting an appropriation of $1,000. A joint committee of members of the common council and Grand Army of the Republic was appointed to make the necessary arrangements, and under its direction, the pro- gramme of the exercises was agreed upon. The citizens in general took hold of the matter with earnestness, and the result was a celebration which did credit to the patriotic spirit of Cohoes. At midnight the principal streets were illuminated, and the usual discharge of fire arms, lasting during the day and into the next night, commenced the celebration. The main procession was formed on Remseu street at 9 A.M., and commenced its march soon after in the following order :
FIRST DIVISION.
Marshal and Chief of Column. Washingtonians. Green's Band. Third Separate Company. Post Lyon, G. A. R. Hook and Ladder Co. and Truck. Adams Steamer and Wagon. M'Intosh Hose Co. and Carriage. Johnston Steamer Co. Howarth Hose Co. Harmony Co's Wagon. Cannon. SECOND DIVISION. Marshals. Green's Band. C. H. Adams Zouaves.
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
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St. Bernard's Society. St. Bernard's T. A. B. Society. St. Jean Baptiste Society. St. Joseph's Society.
THIRD DIVISION.
Marshal's Aids. Drum Corps. Knights of Pythias. Delegation of Daniel O'Connell Society. Ancient Order of Hibernians. Carriages containing Mayor, Orator, Reader, Common Council, and School Board. Butchers Mounted. Merchants, &c.
The houses along the line of march were almost without exception decorated with flags, or appropriate emblems. After the parade, the literary exercises were held on the balcony of the Bret Harte House, on Remsen street, Mayor Johnstou presiding. They were as follows :
1. Music by the Glee Club, consisting of Messrs. Targett, Green, Hastings and Taylor.
2. Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by P. D. Niver, Esq.
3. Music.
4. Oration by E. G. Wager.
The features of the afternoon were the parade of the Philibusters, who made some very apt local hits, and the Field Day and Picnic of Post Lyon, held on Simmons's Island. A display of fire works in the evening on the vacant lots east of St. Bernard's church, concluded the public cele- bration of the day.
It has been before mentioned that a futile movement to extend Remsen street through to Saratoga street, was made as early as 1850. ' Efforts to carry out this improvement have been made several times subsequent, but with no better result. In 1870, the project came before the common council, who appointed a committee to ascertain its cost, which was
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reported as $5,000. The question was again agitated in the spring of this year, and received then a larger share of public attention than at any previous time. The following in regard to the matter is from the Cataract of June 10th :
"Remsen street is now only open to Newark street, but the city owns the land for 145 feet further south. It is proposed to extend the street through this land and thence at nearly right angles to Saratoga street, intersecting the latter at a point where the state yard bridge crosses the canal. If this is accomplished, a street will be opened across the Van Rensselaer property to the Mohawk river, at which point it is proposed to locate the western end of the Adams' Island bridge. It is claimed that the cost of the proposed extension will be less than $4,000. About one- half the property owners on Remsen street have already signed the petition."
The matter was under consideration some time by the common council, and the final conclusion was that it be dropped, owing to the strong opposition made by interested parties and property owners on the street. Mr. W. L. Adams, who, in despair of ever getting the cooperation of the authorities, had decided to build the bridge from his island to this city at his own expense, was only waiting for some definite action on the part of the common council before commencing operations. As soon, therefore, as it was known that Remsen street would not be extended, work was begun. The bridge was completed during the past autumn at a cost of about $25,000. It rests upon five stone piers, and the superstructure, which is of iron, is 450 feet in length, and fifteen feet above the ordinary level of the water. The approach to the bridge on this side of the river, is by Ship street, south of Travis's lumber yard, which will be opened from Saratoga street east, and a bridge built across the Champlain Canal. The numerous advantages resulting from this improvement render it one of the most important of the year. Our citizens have been afforded the opportunity of purchasing at reasonable figures, pleasant and healthful building sites, located at a short distance from
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the business centre, and an easy access is offered to a mile frontage on the Hudson river, whenever the growth of the city may make it needed. Fifty acres on this side of the island have been mapped and laid out into city lots, 498 in number, many of which have already been disposed of at good prices, at the auction sales which have been held during the autumn. Mr. Adams owns all the island except 100 acres at the northern end, and intends to dispose of it in lots, as occasion may require. The streets laid out parallel with the river are over a mile long, and are to be crossed by streets running from the Hudson to the Mohawk, a dis. tance of one-half mile. It is expected that the company which was granted a charter to build a bridge from Lansing- burg to the island, will commence operations in the spring, and a short and direct road will thus be opened to Lansing- burg and the upper part of Troy. The route has already proved popular, though the only means of crossing the Hudson has been a skiff ferry, and will doubtless draw a large share of travel when the bridge is completed.
During the past year, the signs of general activity in the city have been comparatively few. Almost the only addi- tion of importance to the manufacturing interests of the place, is the Ten Eyck Axe M'f'g Co., established Feb. 23, with a capital of $30,000, by the following partners : Abram, Albert and Jonas Ten Eyck and D. H. Clute, Cohoes ; Geo. Carrigan, Bayonne, N. J. A change in the firm will soon be made, and the capital increased. The works, on Saratoga street in the lower part of the city, consist of a building 100 by 32 feet, containing forge shop and polishing shop, and two wings each 60 feet long, containing tempering shop, blacksmith shop, etc. The works are run by a steam engine of 60 horse power. A new factory has been erected by Albert Smith & Co., pipe manufacturers, near the rolling mill, north of Courtland street. The building is of wood, 120 by 95 feet, and cost $20,000. The capacity of the works
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
1876.
has been doubled by the construction of a new furnace, just completed.
Among the most important improvements completed by the city authorities, are the paving of Remsen street, from White street south, and the construction of an iron bridge on Johnson avenue, built bythe Canton (Ohio) Bridge Co., at a cost of $2,650.
The material growth of the city is, of course, dependent on the fortunes of its leading branches of industry, and as these have been among the interests most severely affected by the panic, it is not to be wondered at that during the past year, and in fact since 1873, there have been so few striking evidences of progress. The panic has not had the result, however, of causing a general retrograde movement in the place. Fortunately for Cohoes, most of its manufac- turing concerns have had sufficient capital to enable them to continue operations, though at a loss, during this long period of depression. Much suffering has thus been pre- vented among the working classes and the mercantile inte- rests of the city. Wages have, of course, been generally reduced, and a number of persons have been, at different periods, without employment ; but the condition of affairs has at no time been so bad as might reasonably have been anticipated. We have had none of those long continued strikes which have caused so much distress elsewhere, and the degree of suffering among the poorer classes has thus far been much less than in neighboring cities.
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