USA > New York > Albany County > Cohoes > The history of Cohoes, New York, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 9
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" Resolved, That the engine known as Excelsior Engine No. 1, be placed in charge of the fire wardens to be and to remain under their direction and control, subject to the action of the trustees.
" On motion of Mr. Abbott, the following were appointed members of Cataract Engine Company No. 3 :
Wm. T. Palmer,
John Eastwood,
Samuel Wilkinson,
S. M. Swart,
Chas. E. St. John,
Jacob I. Lansing,
Henry E. Robbins,
Isaac D. Ayres,
Henry L. Landon,
Sherman D. Fairbank,
Julius Robbins,
Thos. H. Kendrick,
Patrick H. Moore,
Joseph B. Prescott,
Wm. Green,
Wm. Manning, Lucien Fitts,
John Van DerMark,
Wm. Ferrell,
I. F. Overpaugh,
Joseph Hahn,
Wm. H. Doty,
Alexander Hay,
John P. Warwick,
Joseph M. Brown,
George W. Miller,
Marcus S. Deyo,
Darius Parkhurst,
George Jackson,
Wm. B. Barrett.
Alonzo Wilmot,
The following of Parmelee No. 2 :
Jacob J. Lansing,
Malachi Ball,
Wm. L. Freeman,
Alex. McCalla,
Jos. C. Kittle,
A. F. Rockwell,
J. II. Johnson,
Wm. Shannon,
Wm. H. Van Der Werken, John McEnerny,
Henry Hall, Jr.,
Herman D. Felthousen,
John A. Miller,
John Van Santvoord."
Benjamin Franklin,
The Parmelee Engine Company took charge of the Albany
1 On petition of the company the name was in 1850 changed to No. 1.
99
1
1848.
HISTORY OF COHOES.
machine, which became No. 2, in the Cohoes department, and when this was returned in August of the following year, the company "ran with " the old Excelsior No. 1, chiefly for the purpose of creating a little healthful opposi- tion. Arrangements were soon after made for an engine house. A report was submitted to the trustees Oct. 16, that "Mr. John Hays offers to sell to the village a lot twenty-five by thirty situated near the Methodist church for $350," and at the next meeting the president was authorized to purchase it. The price paid was $312, of which $112 were paid down and bonds of $100 each, paya- ble in one and two years, executed for the balance.
The building (which is now occupied by the Campbell Hose Company), was erected in the same year by Henry Van Auken, the contract price being $750. Until its com- pletion the Cataract was kept in a shed belonging to the Cohoes Company on Mohawk street on the site of Bil- brough's Mill. A barn which stood on the east side of Remsen street, south of Factory street, was also used for an engine house, the Excelsior having been kept there for some time.
In February of this year, the village paper changed hands, Alexis Ayres retiring, and his place being taken by Isaac D. Ayres, formerly of the Troy Telegraph. It was pub- lished for the next year under the title of the Cohoes Journal. The files during that time unfortunately cannot be obtained; which is especially to be regretted, since the incorporation of the village, the organization of a fire department, the construction of water works, and other important local mat- ters doubtless furnished abundant material for interesting discussion.
The question of supplying the village with water by means of the Cohoes Company's Canal had been agitated during 1847. The first public movement in the matter was in response to the following:
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
1848.
NOTICE.
"The occupants of dwellings in this village are requested to meet at the Cohoes Hotel, Wednesday Eve, next, 234 inst., at S o'clock, to ascertain what encouragement can be given to the Cohoes Company for the establishment of hy- drants in the principal streets and the introduction of water from their Summit Canal into the dwellings of those who desire it.
Chas. A. Olmsted,
L. Bemis,
Wm. P. Israel Jr.,
HI. Howe,
Egberts & Bailey,
Miles White,
J. Van Santvoord,
Sam'l Wilkinson,
F. W. Farnam,
John D. Luffman,
H. D. Fuller.
O. & D. Parkhurst, Dated Cohoes, June 19, 1847."
The result of this and subsequent meetings was an agree- ment, prepared in September, between the citizens and the Cohoes Company in which were stated the terms and con- ditions upon which the latter would commence operations. This was signed by a large number of citizens. The work was completed in 1848, and pipes were laid through the principal streets under the direction of Col. F. S. Claxton. The water was drawn from the Cohoes Company's upper level, the reservoir being near the point in the canal from which the water for Harmony Mill No. 2 is now taken.
A rail road between Albany and Cohoes had been talked of for some years. A movement in its favor had been made as early as 1846, but it met with some opposition, as appears from the following remonstrance to the legislature which was signed by a number of Cohoes citizens:
"The undersigned citizens of Cohoes in the county of Albany respectfully remonstrate against any act authorizing any rail road either to or through the village of Cohoes. Our citizens are generally opposed to the project, for the following among other reasons:
" Ist. Such a rail road is entirely unnecessary.
" 2d. The object is to divert the trade from a growing country village to an already opulent city.
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
1848.
" 3d. The village is already cut up with roads and canals.
" 4th. The effect would be to depreciate the value of pro- perty in the village and vicinity.
"5th. A rail road would be a great inconvenience to the farming community and needlessly expose property and life.
" "th. It is a project for the exclusive benefit of a large city without regard to the interests or convenience to the community in general who ride along the route of the pro- posed road. All of which is respectfully submitted.
"Cohoes, February 28, 1846."
In the following year a bill incorporating a company was introduced, but nothing came of it.
In the winter of 1848 the Albany and Cohoes Rail Road Company was formed, the following commissioners being named in the bill : John Stewart and John Cramer of Waterford ; Hugh White and Egbert Egberts of Cohoes ; David Hamilton and Wm. N. Chadwick of Watervliet ; Jas. Horner, C. Van Benthuysen, S. Stevens, J. L. Schoolcraft, J. K. Paige, J. D. Wasson, Jas. Edwards, E. P. Prentice, Archibald McClure, Theo. Olcott, Wm. Smith, Peter Cagger, Ellis Baker, James Kidd and Stephen Van Rensse- laer of Albany. The capital stock of the company was $250,000 divided into shares of $50 each. After many de- lays its books were opened for subscriptions, but the stock did not sell readily, and the company accomplished no more than its predecessors.
A number of new buildings were erected during the year, prominent among them being the new Methodist and Pres- byterian churches. The former was a brick building, on Remsen street, on the site of the present church, and cost $12,000. The Presbyterian church on Seneca street (which has been greatly enlarged) was built by Joshua R. Clarke at a cost of $5,500, the lot, valued at $2,000, having been presented to the society by the Cohoes Company.
Among the additions to the business of the place was a machine shop in which steam power was used, established
102
HISTORY OF COHOES.
1849.
by Doncaster and Hay, on Remsen street, below Columbia, near the site of the residence of Wm. T. Horrobin. The firm did not continue long in business.
On January 1st, 1849, the village paper came into the possession of Chauncey Stow, Horace B. Silliman and Stephen C. Miller, who conducted the business under the firm name of C. Stow & Co., until March, when, on retirement of Mr. Stow, the firm became Silliman & Miller. Messrs. Stow & Co. changed the name of the paper to that which it now bears, The Cohoes Cataract, and made several altera- tions in its arrangement. On the first page, between the words "Cohoes " and "Cataract " appeared a woodent of the Falls, with the motto underneath, "Goes sparkling, dashing, foaming on." The editorial column on the second page was embellished by another cut, representing the in- terior of the sanctum, in which three very jovial looking gentlemen (supposed to be the editors) were seen sitting at a table, which was covered with writing materials. The columns on the same page, devoted to news items, editorial notes, etc., were headed with titles appropriate to the name of the paper, such as Cataract Foam, Floating Straws and Drift- Wood.
There appear to have been few local events of importance during the year, and the editors were indebted to the streets and sidewalks for many an item. Complaints in regard to their bad condition with humorous or sarcastic comments, and appeals to the authorities to have railings erected in dangerous localities, were a prominent feature of the paper.
With the labor of perfecting the organization of the village government the trustees had found time during 1848, to do but little, except the establishment of a fire depart- ment, towards accomplishing those results which the editor of the Advertiser had hoped would follow incorporation. In the succeeding year, however, they were able to devote more attention to general improvements. M. MeKernan
103
HISTORY OF COHOES.
1849.
was appointed engineer, and under his direction grades were established for streets and sidewalks throughout the village.
A number of streets were opened and declared public highways according to his surveys, among them Remsen, Pine and White streets and Trojan, Rock, and Cataract alleys.
The following list of moneys necessary to meet the ex- penses of the village for the year, which was voted for at the electors' meeting, in March, affords an interesting con- trast to the city budgets of the present time :
1. "For the second installment of the purchase moneys of the Engine Lot, $100 00
2. For 1 year's interest on the village bonds given for the balance unpaid on the Engine Lot, 14 00
3. For furnishing and painting Engine house, 200 00
4. For furnishing Engine house and Trustees' Room with stoves, pipe and furniture, 75 00
5. For the hire of barn for safe keeping of Engine No. 3, .. 20 00
6. For paying expenses of the Fire Department, ...
75 00
7. For an additional hose cart, 40 00
8. For the completing the establishment of grades for sidewalks, .. 100 00
9. For the expenses of laying cross walks, 100 00
10. For the compensation of the village assessors for the next year, .. 25 00
11. For the compensation of the village clerk for the next year, 50 00
12. For the compensation of the street commis- sioners for the next year, 50 00
13. For printing,
75 00
14. For books and stationery, 10 00
15. For paying the expenses of the annual meeting for 1849, and of special meetings, 25 00
16. For a fund for paying the expenses of enforc- ing the laws and other contingent expenses, 50 00
17. For the annual rent of water for fire hydrants, 25 00
18. For the fund for the compensation of the collector at 4 per centum for the next year, 44 00 And which said several sums in the whole amount to ten hundred and ninety (1,090) dollars."
104
HISTORY OF COHOES. 1849.
The prevalence of the cholera during the summer caused some uneasiness, and several precautionary measures were taken by the trustees. The first Board of Health, appointed June 11th, in accordance with a proclamation by the go- vernor, was as follows: Egbert Egberts, Francis S. Claxton, Miles White, Chas A. Olmsted, Samuel H. Foster; Health Officer, Wm. F. Carter, M.D.
On July 11th, the knitting factory of Timothy Bailey . (now Holsapple's bedstead factory) was burned, the two upper stories being completely destroyed. The fire, which: was one of the most disastrous that had yet visited Cohoes, was spoken of in the Cataract as follows:
" It is supposed to have been caused by spontaneous com- bustion of the wool and cotton. . . The building was owned by Mr. Haggerty of New York, and was insured sufficiently to cover the loss. Mr. Bailey's loss upon the machinery is estimated to exceed $5,000. How much stock was lost we did not ascertain. He was fully insured on all losses, but no insurance can compensate to him for the loss by suspen- sion of his business at this most pressing season of the year when he was running night and day to meet his orders. The loss falls upon one of our most worthy citizens who has the heartfelt sympathy of all. And it is moreover a great calamity to our village, throwing out of employment nearly two hundred persons, whose main support was derived from this establishment."
Fire companies from Waterford and Troy were in attend- ance, and excellent service was done by the Cataract engine- of which it was said, " she has in this one instance well re- paid her cost and the members of her company deserve the thanks of our citizens generally." Some of the machinery was saved, and with this Mr. Bailey removed in the following month to Ballston, where he established a mill. Another fire, in November, destroyed part of the building in the rear of the Van Rensselaer House, which had been erected for a factory by H. C. Billings.
"The building was occupied for a number of different purposes, having a Bat Factory, a Sash & Blind Factory
105
HISTORY OF COHOES.
1849.
in one end, and the large Saloon of the Van Rensselaer House in the other. The fire originated in the Bat Factory which was entirely consumed. The end containing the Saloon was saved. The Cataract Engine was on hand in good season and did nobly. The two force pumps in the Ogden Mills also threw a large quantity of water."
The saloon or ball room, referred to, was in the southern part of the building, and was entered by a passage from the dining room in the second story of the hotel. Under the ball room was a bowling alley. The cotton bat and sash and blind factories were in the north end of the build- ing, and were owned, the former by Nicholas Coyle, and the latter by Overpaugh and Childs, who had moved from the Wilkinson machine shop the machinery formerly used by Loveland and Palmer, whom they succeeded.
A new business establishment of the year was B. R. Peck's Sash and Blind Factory, located in the Baldwin machine shop building, corner of Ontario and Remsen streets, occupying half of one floor. In later years as the business increased, Mr. Peck took possession of the entire main part of the building.1
In September a strike occurred in the Ogden Mills, which cansed considerable excitement. The cause was a fifteen per cent reduction of wages. The agent, Mr. Chas. A. Olmsted, advertised at once for outside help, which was procured, and work resumed after a stoppage of three weeks. The Co- hoes Worsted Company earlier in the same year had trouble with their operatives, and a public meeting of workingmen was called which condemned their action in most emphatic terms. Among their employes was Michael McKernon, who ran for surveyor-general on the workingmen's state ticket of that year. Other Cohoes workingmen, among
1 The firm of Peck & Van Der Mark was formed in 1856, to which A. J. Goffe was subsequently admmitted, but retired in 1859. The business was disposed of in 1861 to Me-srs. Falardo and De Villiers, who conducted at until the buieding changed alnds and was converted into a knitting mill.
14
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106
HISTORY OF COHOES.
1849.
them Wm. Manning, H. E. Higley and Joseph M. Brown. were prominent in that campaign, the last two named being on the state central committee.
The plank road fever was then at its height in this vicinity and a company was formed in which several Cohoes parties was interested, to build a road from here to West Troy. It was completed during the fall.
At different times during the year, local items on "Im- provements " showed that the growth of the place was con- siderable. The following is from the Cataract of May 26 :
"There are at present thirty or forty buildings going up, besides numerous other improvements. Somebody had better begin to think about a bill to make Cohoes a city -- if we don't hold on a little we shall be big enough for two before the next session."
Among the most important buildings erected were the block of Egberts & Bailey, on the west side of Remsen street, north of Cataract alley, and the block on Mohawk street south of Ontario, which was built by F. S. Claxton, and is now owned by W. T. Dodge.
Among the matters of public importance during 1850, was a movement to change the school arrangements of the village, which were then under control of the town authorities. The village was divided into three districts, in each of which scholars of all ages and degrees of advance. ment were taught in the same building, and by the same teachers. The change proposed was to constitute the village one school district, which was to be divided into five wards. From each of these two trustees whose term of office was two years, were to be elected, under whose supervision the schools were to be properly graded, and by whom their affairs were to be managed. At a meeting held February 5th, to take action upon the matter, "A committee was appointed to draft a bill in conformity with the plan, and to circulate petitions for the passage of the same by the legislature. The committee nominated was : H. B. Silliman and J. M. Brown, from District No. 5 ; Wm. Manning and
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
1850.
Henry Van Auken from District No. 15 ; John McGill and Henry Howarth, from District No. 19. On motion, John Van Santvoord, Henry D. Fuller and Patrick Judge were added to the committee." The original plan met with some opposition ; at a meeting held the next week, a remon- strance was presented by Mr. Cary, signed by one hundred persons in District No. 15, against the passage of such a law. It was subsequently modified in some particulars, however, and the bill passed the legislature April 10th.
The Cataract during this year was frequently enlivened by spicy paragraphs on local topics, many of which, though affording an interesting glimpse of life in Cohoes at that time, can scarcely be considered as historical material. One matter, however, which was made the subject of much humorous comment, was deemed of sufficient importance to merit the attention of the trustees, which it received in the following resolution passed February 11th:
"Complaint having been made that Win. H. Bortell has a bear near his house which is not safely secured, therefore " Resolved : That the police constable be, and he is hereby ordered to direct the said Bortell in the name of the village to secure the said bear or remove him so as children and passengers shall not be exposed any longer."
Although a number of sidewalks had been constructed during 1849, there was still enough ground for complaint in this respect to justify the appearances of many editorial squibs. A rough wood cut, of which an outline is given below, was published in the issue of June 8th, under the heading, " A Cut on our Sidewalks," and illustrates the manner of grading which prevailed at that time.
Farnam
Hahn
The erection of a structure to be used as a court room by Justice Daw was chronieled as follows:
" THE NEW COURT HOUSE. This elegant structure, the
108
HISTORY OF COHOES. 1850.
corner stone of which was laid on Tuesday of this week and which is now nearly completed, stands upon the corner of Remsen and Seneca streets' and just on the other side of a vacant lot commonly occupied by a large pile of hogs, in a great state of discomfort, for the purpose of rubbing off fleas against each other, in which they seem to do a large business. We think this a circumstance highly favorable to the rapid dispensation of justice and likely to give a new impulse to the progressive march of law and order through our village. This magnificent erection is about fifteen by twenty and about eight or ten high ; it is built of the best three by four joists and is, we understand, to be shingled with shad scales, both because they are the best to shed water and are also the most appropriate symbols of jus- tice. . . . But joking aside, we are glad that we have at last got a convenient place for the administration of justice ex- clusively. Now who'll build a lock up ?"
Another subject which furnished abundant material for the local columns, during the years 1849, and '50, and at different times later, was the disagreement between the Cohoes Company and the village authorities in regard to the construction of railings, etc., and repairs of bridges on the property belonging to the former. The trustees claimed that those bridges within the village limits which were made necessary in consequence of the existence of the company's water courses, should be kept in repair by them, while the company insisted that as the bridges were used as a part of the public highways, all bills for repairing them should be paid by the village. The bridges had been for a long time in very bad condition, and complaints were so numerous that the authorities made some repairs on them, presenting the bill to the Cohoes Company with their assessment for highway tax. Payment was refused, and a long dispute ensued. In the trustees' proceedings of June 12th, 1850, " on motion of Mr. Caw, the president was authorized to enter into an arrangement with the Cohoes Company to have the bridge question decided by the Supreme Court,
1 On the site of Musgrove's store.
1850.
HISTORY OF COHOES. 109
and to enter into an agreement with them that in the mean- time all necessary repairs to bridges and all necessary new bridges, should be made by the village and the company together, each paying half the expense, and that the losing party in the decision of the court refund to the other all such advances."
In July the bridge on Seneca street (which is now replaced by a stone arch) fell - not with a crash, said the editor, be- cause it was too rotten - to the bottom of the ravine, while the Troy omnibus, filled with passengers, was not more than ten feet away. This occurrence, and the very bad condition of the bridge over Basin A, furnished subjects for fresh complaints. The matter was settled for the time being by an agreement in the following year on the part of the com- pany to pay $1,225, in full of their taxes for 1848, each party to settle its own costs.'
The Fourth of July celebration of this year was the largest Cohoes had yet seen, and was entered into with great enthusiasm. The second page of the Cataract of June 29 was almost entirely occupied by the programme, printed in large type, from which the following extract may be made :
"The Baptist, Presbyterian and Reformed Dutch Sunday Schools, the Boght Sunday School, and the Sunday School at Mr. I. D. F. Lansing's, together with the Roman Catholic Sunday School, the Fire Company No. 3, and the citizens at large will celebrate the 74th Anniversary of American Independence at the Grove southerly from Prospect Hill. The several societies and associations, and the citizens gene- rally, are cordially invited to participate in the festivities.
Mr. Pettis will be at the Dutch church with carriages to carry the clergy, the surviving heroes of the Revolution, teachers, and the younger scholars to Dickey's Grove. The remainder of the scholars and teachers, the various societies,
1 The question was again opened in 1863, and occupied the attention of the trus- tees for some weeks. Propositions were made to refer the matter to an outside party for decision, but nothing was accomplished in this way. Some of the trustees were strongly in favor of euing the company. This course was finally adopted, and the village was beaten.
.
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
1850.
the gentlemen and ladies of the village, and all stranger- will follow the carriages in procession with martial music. The other schools above named will reach the grove at the same time. The business of the day will be wholly subject to the marshal and his assistants.
MARSHAL OF THE DAY - LUMAN DOWD. EXERCISES. Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Pitcher.
Music, Anniversary Hymn, by all the schools. Reading of the Declaration, by Andrew Lansing, Esq. Short Oration, by Henry D. Fuller, Esq.
Music.
. Poem, by S. C. Miller, Esq.
Hymn, "The Golden Rule," by all the schools. Short Oration, by Chas. II. Adams, Esq.
Music. Short Oration, by Joseph M. Brown, Esq. Music.
Short Address, by Rev. Mr. Round. The Long Meter Doxology, by the audience. Benediction, by Rev. Mr. Waldron."
The refreshments were contributed by the citizens, and were collected under the direction of the Committee of Ar- rangements, which consisted of Wm. II. Hollister, John Van Santvoord, Jacob I. Lansing, Wm. Leckie, Stephen II. Adams and Miles White. In the evening a large display of fireworks was made from Prospect Hill, after which, said the Caturact, " the people were astonished and gratified at the unusual sight of a balloon ascension by night," for which they were indebted to Dr. C. F. Goss.
The question of extending Remsen street to Saratoga street was agitated early in the year, and the heirs of Abram G. Lansing offered to give the land necessary, if they could be released from assessment. A meeting of the tax payers, called June 20th, of which Egbert Egberts was chairman,
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HISTORY OF COHOES.
1850.
and H. L. Landon secretary, decided that "at present it was inexpedient to open Remsen street below Newark." So the matter rested, and at a meeting of the trustees, a week or two later, Newark street (which had formerly been called Lansing street) was declared opened as a public highway.
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