In the Fall of 1951 Police Chief Douglas Bowman decided to set up a traffic light at Sanger Ave and Oxford Road. It was one of the newly-designed
portable traffic lights built by Harders Engineering company in Chicago.Tally-Ho 2003
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Issue
December 2003
December 2003
Table of Contents
December Program
Coupeville
Condolences
Response To Delinquent Dues Notices
Early History And Reminiscences
Police Chief Douglas Bowman
Senn Made Honorary Member
Welcome New Members
The Rogers Textile Story
The Chenango Turnpike
"….And The Band Played On" The History Of The Citizens Band
Test Your Holiday Knowledge
More From The Diary Of H. H. Hopkins
‘Tis the Season to Be Jolly’ so plan to attend our Holiday Party at the Adult Dining and Recreation Center on Sherman Street in New Hartford on Thursday, December 4, 2003. Punch, cheese and crackers at 6:30 will be followed by a covered dish supper. Bring a dish of your choice and your own place settings. Beverage and dessert will be provided by the Society. Also appreciated would be a donation of canned goods or money to the Food Bank.
Bob and Jeanne Jones have graciously said they would provide some entertainment and we all know just how entertaining they can be! So be prepared to listen to some stories and sing along with festive music.
From one of our new members, Merlyn Cardosa, we unearthed where the name Coupeville originated in Washington Mills.
The land at the bottom of Oxford Road near where the trailer park is now located was owned by two families, Coupe and Kowalsky. These properties were on a map of the subdivision filed in the Oneida County clerk’s office on September 7, 1909. That area became known as Coupeville. Thus we have one mystery cleared
Now, does anyone know where Schotville was? That place was mentioned in the Sauquoit Valley News of December 14, 1894 in an article about a bakery wagon horse that was in an accident, tipping over the wagon and throwing the driver out. The horse started running away in Schotville. He continued going down the street to the railroad tracks . Could these be the Washington Mills tracks or the Chadwicks tracks? It would be very interesting to find out. Or could Schotville and Coupeville be the same place?
We offer our sympathy to the Rev. Arden Coe and his family on the loss of his wife, Mary, on November 15, 2003. Arden and Mary have been active members of the Society since October 1, 1979. Arden was president of the New Hartford Historical Society in the early 1980’s and has offered the invocation at many of our annual dinner meetings. Our thoughts and prayers are with him now.
RESPONSE TO DELINQUENT DUES NOTICES
The first of October we sent out 90 reminder cards to people who have not renewed their dues to 2004. Approximately 36 people responded with bringing their membership up-to-date. It is still not too late for the rest of you to renew. So dig up that postcard or check the label on this newsletter. It should read June 30, 2004. Send renewals to The New Hartford Historical Society, PO Box 238, New Hartford, NY 13413.
EARLY HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
By Henry Hurlburt
(An excerpt from 1888 memoirs)
General Joseph Kirkland lived on South Street; also in the house on the main street, now occupied by Francis Butler. He removed to Utica at an early day and became one of the most prominent men of the place. He was a man of courteous manner and dignified bearing, interested in everything that pertained to the welfare of the town, and ever ready to assume any burdens his fellow citizen might impose upon him. He was chosen to be the first mayor of the city of Utica, and while holding this office, the dreaded Asiatic cholera made its first appearance here. The citizens generally fled in terror to other places. All business, excepting that of the physician and apothecary, was suspended. But General Kirkland stood manfully at his post through the dread ordeal, and issued daily bulletins for the information of those who were away form the stricken city.
General Kirkland was blest with a large family. His oldest son, Charles P., was a prominent lawyer, both in Utica and New York City. William, another son, devoted his life to the cause of education, and four of the daughters married men in the law profession, three of whom were afterwards Members of Congress, and one also a Judge of the Supreme Court of this State.
In the rear of Mr. Lothrop’s residence, on the high ground, on the back road to Clinton, stands the house long occupied by the Rev. Noah Coe, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Coe was a man who commanded general respect for his unswerving integrity, dignified manners and devotion to his master’s service. His wife was the sister of Professor Goodrich of Yale College who married the daughter of Noah Webster, the celebrated lexicographer.
Charles, the eldest son, was a schoolmate of mine. He was remarkably bright –but so high spirited he could not brook the restraints of home and took a sudden departure for the west, to the great grief of his parents and friends. The only news they ever had of him afterwards was that his clothes were found torn and scattered in the wilds of Wisconsin, leading to the conclusion that he had been killed by wild beasts. Frederick the younger son, was of a more sedate and thoughtful character and he, in the course of time became a highly esteemed and useful lawyer in the city of New York. Elizabeth, the daughter, grew up to be a beautiful woman and married her cousin, a son of Professor Goodrich of Yale College.
In the Fall of 1951 Police Chief Douglas Bowman decided to set up a traffic light at Sanger Ave and Oxford Road. It was one of the newly-designed
portable traffic lights built by Harders Engineering company in Chicago.
This 263 pound light was powered by a storage battery which was charged by plugging an electrical cord into the nearest outlet. The cost was $595 as compared to the $1,400 plus it would take to install a new regulation light. It rolled on 10 inch wheels and was easily maneuvered. The light freed Bowman so he was available to help the youngsters at the Point School when that school was in session.
Doug Bowman was a 27 year old World War II veteran who served in the Quartermaster Corps of the U. S. Navy, a member of the New Hartford Fire Department, a former New Hartford High School football star who lived in Chadwicks when he was offered the job as police chief after the resignation of Harold Shepardson. He lived in Chadwicks and, by law, had to establish residence in New Hartford after he was hired. Looking in vain for an apartment in New Hartford, the Bowman’s— Doug, Doris and daughter Gayle, finally bought land on Root Street and built a home. During the interim, in order to comply by the law, Mayor Ambrose D. Eldred offered the Bowman’s space in his home until their new house was ready.
Doug’s duties were varied. He doubled as constable, prosecutor, clerk, wailing wall, race driver, and also fireman. He was also a Utica College student in criminology and sociology. He operated one motorcycle while performing his police duties. At one time he tagged 30 motorists in one month.
By 1965 there were five men on the force—Chief Bowman, George O. Williams, Bernard Wood, William Freiberger, and Russell Billings. They bought their jackets with personal funds.
Some of the crimes investigated during Doug’s tenure as police chief were hardly different than today, with one exception—very little traffic in drugs.
Motorists were issued traffic tickets—$1.00 for overtime parking; $5.00 for running red lights; $5.00 for speeding. One year Christmas wreaths were stolen from the homes of Henry T. Dorrence, 14 Oxford road and Raymond Mellen, 18 Oxford Road. And a resident on Pearl Street had a wreath taken from her front door.
Two youth were captured at pistol-point near the State Infantry Armory. They had stolen a car in Clinton, abandoned the machine in New Hartford where they were fired upon by Chief Bowman, but escaped. Utica police were notified and spotted the car at Oneida Square. As the youths stopped for a light at Steuben Park, they were captured.
December 1, 1951 Doug resigned from his police officer job. He was succeeded by George Peck.
New Hartford Police Car 1988
Doug went on to become a United States Deputy Marshall and he, and his wife, performed many services for the government in that
capacity. One of the jobs was transporting federal prisoners from one state prison to another.
Douglas died in 1992
Roy Senn, the very capable computer operator at the New Hartford Public Library, has been a great deal of help to several members of the New Hartford Historical Society. Insignias and pictures have been put on the computer for our use in making, for example, new stationary and note cards. With his ability with the scanner the images have been made clear and reprintable. He also puts the "Tally-Ho!" on the library web site every month that it is published. In recognition of his help we have made him an honorary member to June 30, 2005. Thank you, Roy.
The web site is www.newhartfordpubliclibrary.com When you reach that site look on the left hand side of the page for Historical Society and click on that. That should bring you to our site. The last time we looked the newsletters for this whole year were still on the web, so if you have misplaced an issue you can read it on your computer.
Doris Bowman—New Hartford
Marie E. Cirillo—Chadwicks
Sharon Goodenow—New Hartford
Evelyn Warren—New Hartford
(This article ran in the March 1980 edition of the New Hartford Historical Society Newsletter)
From the days of its early settlement until well into the twentieth century the Sauquoit Valley was the scene of a busy and prosperous textile industry. Thousands of spindles and hundreds of looms turned out cotton, woolen and silk cloth, both plain and printed.
Machinery developed, invented, and manufactured at the famous Willowvale machine shop of Amos and Oliver G. Rogers in the first half of the nineteenth century revolutionized the textile industry of New York State. In 1818 Amos Rogers, Sr. with his son Oliver G. Rogers took over the old John Mosher tannery across the road from Rogers Glen in Willowvale and converted it into a machine shop. The business was continued by Oliver’s son, Amos, until a fire destroyed the shop in 1866. At one time the plant employed as many as three hundred workmen. Oliver G. Rogers was the draughtsman and genius of the enterprise.
There is an interesting story about Oliver G. Rogers's pilfering plans for some of the early machinery from a manufactory in England. Mrs. Pamela Hemmel of Paris Road, New Hartford, a descendant of Oliver Rogers, furnished us with some notes found in an old family Bible; as follows:
"Mary Rogers Wood’s grandfather went to England and worked in a print factory. Brought plans of machinery (in his head) to America. Invented machines and made first print calico in America. Sold for 50 cents a yard. Made at Burrstone Mill in New York Mills. England sent men over to arrest him. Wife hid him in a cupboard, so that they did not find him."
Harry C. Rogers in his History of the Town of Paris (1881) gives a more detailed and somewhat different version of the story:
"A few years after the War of 1812, in one of the manufacturing towns of England, suddenly appeared a young American. He was apparently half witted, the butt of the superintendent and operatives of the mill, but good-natured and harmless, ready to help at any odd job of lubber-lifting without other reward than the small gratuity handed him. He gradually won his way into the good graces of the master and into the cotton mill, from which all but the trusted operators were rigidly excluded, for fear that the secret of the manufacturer of cotton goods—(then jealously guarded by the English as the Russians do their secret of the manufacture of sheet iron) - should be disclosed to other nations, and their growing monopoly of those fabrics be destroyed.
Months glided by; the supposed stupid helper was granted the freedom of the mill. In the privacy of his boarding-house room, far into the night, he, with tireless patience, transferred to paper full and accurate drawings of that most intricate and wonderful machinery which he each day furtively studied. His carefully locked room during the day excited the curiosity of one Paul Pry among the boarders, and through the keyhole he was discovered in his nightly role of draughtsman.
The game was up, he was reported to the superintendent, but before the matter culminated in his arrest, his suspicions, ever on the alert, were aroused, and hastily gathering up his drawings, he fled to the coast. And securing passage on a small sailing vessel, sailed for America, ere he could be intercepted."
(from the September, 1982 edition of the New Hartford Historical Society Newsletter)
At the twenty-fourth session of the New York State Legislature on March 30, 1801, Chapter 92 of the laws of that year was passed creating the Chenango Turnpike Company. Joseph Kirkland, Jedediah Sanger, Isaac Foote and several others were designated as the original officers and directors. They were named "for the purpose of making a good and sufficient road from the dwelling house of Benjamin Wilson in the town of Oxford in the County of Chenango, the nearest and most direct route as far as circumstances will admit of, through the towns of Norwich, Sherburne, Hamilton, Sangerfield and Paris to intersect the Genesee Turnpike road at or near the house of Jedediah Sanger, esquire, in Whitestown, and shall be and hereby are created and made a corporation and body politic in fact and in name, by the name of President, Directors and Company of the Chenango Turnpike Road."
The part of the proposed road within the village of New Hartford is now Oxford Road. It has been known at various times over the years as The Oxford Turnpike, the Road leading from New Hartford to Bridgewater, the South Road, and South Street. Jedediah Sanger’s house used to stand at the southeast corner of Oxford Road and Genesee Street.
"….AND THE BAND PLAYED ON" THE HISTORY OF THE CITIZENS BAND
The newest history paper in our series is now ready for distribution. Copies of the paper "...And the Band Played On", compiled by Barbara Munde, will be available at the Holiday Party on December 4th. The booklet is free to members or $3.00 if purchased by non-members.
The paper contains pictures of the very first band complete with the names of most of the people in the group. Also many of the past directors are pictured as well as a recap of the life of Francis A. Myers, the conductor of the original band.
2. What gifts did the Three Kings bring to the manger?
MORE FROM THE DIARY OF H. H. HOPKINS
Excerpts from the diary of Harrison Henry Hopkins, Nancy Kelly’s (Mrs. Kevin Kelly) great-grandfather, who served as an officer in the Civil War in the 148th New York State Regiment, Company B, stationed at Camp Swift, near Geneva, NY.
The response to the question of whether you wanted more letters printed was very positive. Therefore we are continuing in this issue.
May 14, 1864
Saturday, this morning at 7:00 a.m., formed in line and advanced a short distance to a pine woods where we remain until near night. Three days’ rations and ammunition issued, at dusk we advanced to the front, our men do the most of the skirmishing, the Rebs driven into their fort. We lay flat on the ground tonight, the enemy’s bullets passing just over our heads.
May 18 Operation Bermuda Hundred
This morning ordered to fall in ready for action at 8:00 a.m. the regiment go out and work on fortifications, other regiments at work on right and left. Our line of fortifications extensive and designed to be strong. Lieutenant now. Captain Cooley assigned to command Company E and assumes command today. I go on picket at night, an attack hourly expected on our lines.
May 25
Some rain last night, very pleasant and quiet this morning, this afternoon telegram from General Grant, Lee driven back from the North Anna river and thought to be falling back on Richmond. Our regiment go out on picket at 5:00 p.m. in a heavy thunderstorm.
March 29
We are marched to the boats and embarked down the James, arrive at Fort Monroe at 6:00 p.m. halt for a short time, then start for West Point, a novel way for me to spnd my birthday.
June 3 Battle of Cold Harbour
Before daybreak our men are awaked and ordered to move forward and advance on the enemy’s works on our front. Our regiment takes the advance as skirmishers and flankers, a severe fire. Many wounded and some killed. Charles White killed and buried today. Captain Cooley wounded and sent to hospital.
June 5
Before daylight our regiment called out and changed positions. We enlarge our trenches, strengthen our works. The Rebs make a severe attack on our left with infantry and artillery, and as usual were badly repulsed. After the charge the Reb band gave us some music, their playing very good. They have religious exercises, compliments exchanged between our and their pickets.
June 6
At 2:00 p.m. cessation of hostilities, flag of true for each party to bury its dead.
June 10
This afternoon some shot and shell thrown from our batteries at the Rebs. A shell from the battery in our rear exploded near our trench, one piece passes into the bank near my head and another piece killed Jas. E. Wooden, sitting near me. Invoice of his personal effects: U.S. Treasury notes, $5.15, 3 cent postage stamps, 16=48 cents
June 15
Before daybreak, called to draw and distribute 3 days’ rations. At sunrise resume our march across the Appomattox on the pontoon bridge and return towards Petersburg. Advance to within 3/4 mile of the fort, are deployed on the left of the brigade, then thrown out and forward as skirmishers to our right resting on the river and without any support. A general attack at dusk, the fort take, some prisoners, and 15 guns. Captain Gage wounded tonight.
June 18
We move forward at 6:00 a.m. About 9:00 a.m. engage the enemy with skirmishers. About 12:00 noon make a charge, a long run, quite a number killed. We take about 60 prisoners, the Rebs retreat to their main line. At 2:00 p.m. we make a charge on the main line in our front. A large number killed and wounded in action in our regiment.
June 22
President Lincoln said to have been here yesterday. Captain Cooley returned to company today. We remain in the trenches, brisk cannonading and considerable musketry at night.
Note: during the summer of 1864 General Butler’s troops bottled up in the triangle of land near the James River called Bermuda Hundred.
August 24
This afternoon talked and exchanged papers with Rebs. Also traded tobacco for coffee and sugar. We were relieved from the trenches about 11:00 p.m., went to camp and got ready to march.
August 27
We are close to the Reb lines, no picket firing on the line, occasional communications between the men, they get news of a great victory and re-taking of the Welden railroad.
August 30
Received orders to take 3 men and go to Norfolk to get the regiment’s knapsacks. A detachment is sent by the brigade of 5 officers and 15 men. We arrive at Norfolk near sundown.
August 31
We get orders from quartermaster to get our baggage, get a barge in readiness to load, do some shopping. This evening went to the theater, play "The Temptation" - very poor.
September 14
The first day of the last year of service for our regiment. Battalion drill this afternoon.
September 29
At 1:30 a.m. we started on a march and crossed the James on a pontoon bridge just before daylight. Advanced north to a large open field, there the column are formed en masse by divisions, threw out skirmishers and flankers, and advanced. We soon met the enemy’s skirmishers and drove them steadily before us to their stronghold at Chaffin’s Farm. Our regiment gets stuck in the swamp for a short time.
September 30
Last night changed our position, came down in front of Fort Harrison, formed a line and threw up breastworks. About 9:00 a.m. the Rebs opened on us from their gunboats and batteries, after two hours’ vigorous shelling they charge our lines and are repulsed. Again they charge and are repulsed with heavy loss in killed and wounded (around 1,000) and prisoners. Our loss during the day very light.
October 5
A friendly interview today with the Rebs, papers exchanged and agreement to cease picket firing. Flag of truce boat comes down from Richmond tonight. Rebel officers from Richmond in our Fort today. Prisoners to be exchanged.
October 19
Major Holmes arrived in camp and pays the regiment. Self receives $643.85, six months extra pay as commander of company, still due $60 per month. General Grant, Butler, and Farragut visit our fort and lines today. Rebs continue to come into our lines on our front. Sent to wife $520 by George B. Stoutenberg to express at City Point.
October 15
Ladies walking on the parapets of the rebel works today.
October 20
Inspection and review this afternoon. News of Sheridan’s victory. Great hurrahing and a shotted salute fired along the line.
October 26
Regiment roused at 4:00 a.m. with orders to pack up and be ready to march at 6:00. Orders to prepare 8 days cooked rations.
October 27 Battle of Fair Oaks
At 5:00 a.m. we set out to march past Deep Bottom to the Williamsburg Road. Thence toward Richmond. Action at 2:00 p.m. commences on our immediate front, lines of battle are formed, the Third Brigade including the 148th are formed in the rear. We charge line of battle and then are ordered forward to charge the enemy’s words. Met with a withering and destructive fire from artillery and musketry and fail to carry the work. Captain Gage falls mortally wounded near me in the midst of the charge. Our loss in wounded and captives considerable. We retreat, marching very slowly through the mud and storm which was severe. About half of those who went forth with our regiment in the morning are with us at night.
October 28
We retreat to our former quarters at Fort Harrison, now Fort Burnham. We commence return very tired, sore, and exhausted, having had a severe time. We are without rations or quarters, and no Sutlers or commissaries within reach. Self in command of regiment.
November 2
At 10 pm we get orders to draw 3 days rations, cook them, and be ready to march at a moments notice.
November 5
We go aboard the screw steamer "Cumbria", take on some horses and near night set out for New York, with a good boat and comfortable quarters.
November 7
This afternoon transferred to a steamer and taken to Fort Roichmond. Draw three days’ rations, two to be put in the haversacks, and be in readiness to fall in at a moment's notice.
November 8
We board ferry boat and at length arrive off Castle Garden.
November 11
We land at Fort Richmond again and take quarters.
November 24
Turkey etc. arrive for Thanksgiving dinner. We eat together at our headquarters. A contrast between the scenes of today and one year ago when I was at my home table.
November 29
Most of the troops busy preparing winter quarters. Rebs seem to be doing the same.
December 10
The Rebs make their appearance along our front in force, threatening an attack more or less skirmishing during the day. Forces said to be Longstreet and his corps of 600 to 1000 men and 2 batteries.
December 20
Reported surrender of General Hood’s army in Tennessee.
December 25
A pleasant Christmas morning and quiet Sunday.
November 2003
Table of Contents
November Program
To Our Readers
Copies Of "Jedediac" Needed
Welcome New Members
New Hartford Public Library Showcases
Book Store
Diary Of H. H. Hopkins
Great Truths About Life That Little Children Have Learned
Joint Meeting
Thursday, November 6, 2003
Held at the Clinton Historical Society
1 Fountain Street, Clinton, NY
7:30 PM.
Speaker: Cheryl Pula
Cheryl's slide and lecture show will be on "Civil War Battlefields". She will emphasize Oneida County regiments and the major battles in which they participated, from Harper's Ferry in 1859 to Appomattox in 1865
Cheryl has an associates degree from MVCC, a bachelors of arts degree in Russian from SUNY at Oswego, and a masters in library science from the University of Michigan. She has done numerous other history lectures in the area including programs at the Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement at SUNYIT in Marcy. She is reference librarian at the Dunham Public Library in Whitesboro.
Many of us have heard programs done by Cheryl for our Society and know how well researched and interesting they have been. Plan to attend and support this fellowship with Clinton as they have supported us in the past.
Today New Hartford enters upon a new era, that of a weekly newspaper. It is with much care and thought that the attempt is being made to produce this new enterprise.
The publishers fully considering the fact that Utica is such a near neighbor and producing so many papers, that to publish such a thing so closely is something that requires a union of action among the people, and those in publishing. We will aim to make this weekly visitor more valuable to the people of this section for "home news" than any publication that has been circulated in this vicinity.
We appreciate the kind and encouraging words of the people. We thank them for the financial aid thus given by way of subscription; taking into consideration that we were strangers and that the paper was not yet in existence, we can but admire the feeling expressed by the people in extending their aid to the proposed enterprise, and showed how many take interest in their town and home affairs.
We trust that with age this paper will become a valued addition to the Sauquoit Valley and vicinity.
New Hartford is now on the advance, and is beginning to show its self how other towns do that strive for reputation, by making their needed improvements.
Years ago business seemed to boom in this locality until the transpiring events partially put a stop to its growth.
The settlement of this town commenced in the 1788 by Jedediah Sanger who bought 1,000 acres which now comprises the whole of this village. In 1789 Mr. Sanger erected a saw mill and in the following year a grist mill. The enterprising emigrants started the foundation of our village and made rapid progress in population and wealth. Until the year 1820, when the Erie canal was completed, this village was said to be larger than Utica was at that time. The navigable privileges thus offered made Utica a City and left us in the background.
(editior's note: Unfortunately the rest of this article is so torn and smudged that it cannot be deciphered. Further down on this page was the following;)
A misfortune occurred in this office early last evening just as we were about ready to place the type in the form for this issue. A large galley filled with type that had been carefully placed on the table slipped off on to the floor of its own accord and thus was rendered useless for this occasion. This will cause a great change in our paper now, as considerable news and other matter will have to wait to be sorted out of the wreck. If you discover errors please remember that it is night work, our whole force being employed nearly all night. The Yorkville news and some from Capron are among the missing.
The "home" news from New Hartford and Chadwicks read like this:
Chadwicks
Mr. Dan Bell, who sprained his ankle a few days ago, is at work again.
A. J. Gibson, contracting engineer of Utica, was in town a few days ago.
Charley Goff, who has been suffering from a very bad cold, is out once more.
The Willowvale Bleachery is to be lighted by electricity in the near future. Why cannot they put in a plant large enough to light the whole town?
Eugene Porter, who has been near death's door so long with typhoid pneumonia, is slowly recovering. He has two children down with the same disease, one of them being very low.
Burglars seem to be thick in this vicinity. A few nights ago they tried to effect an entrance into the house of Mrs. Lucy Chadwick Morris. Only for the alarm given by the electric bells they would have succeeded. Mr. Morris began firing at them, but they made good their escape. Tuesday night an attempt was made to break into the house occupied by Dan Cavanaugh in Willowvale. They were frightened away, but came again later in the night. Mrs. C ran to the bleachery, where her husband was employed, but nothing more was seen of them.
New Hartford
C M Gridley is at Madison, NY
Mrs. Pratt's house on Paris street is nearly completed.
The blanket ballot will probably be used used for voting next year.
The New Hartford Canning Company is trying a new labeling machine that works nicely and is said to label 50 cases of corn per hour.
Some of our farmers and gardeners have been plowing the past week. It is not every December that will admit of this kind of work.
Any reliable boy who would like to learn the printing trade will be informed where he can by calling at this office. None under 15 years of age need apply.
The mission of the Passionist Fathers was held at the Church of St. John the Evangelist last Saturday evening.
Miss Lottie Jones who has been visiting for several weeks at Fort Plain and Little Falls has returned to her home on Pearl Street.
Our Crow Hill correspondent writes that there are plenty of pole cats on the hill.
Robert Hague who has been sick for the past 10 weeks reported at his home on Paris street is improved, under the care of Dr. C. R. Hart.
An interesting item from the same paper follows:
A hot roll napkin is now considered one of the indispensable for the breakfast table, and a beauty-loving housewife will appreciate a gift of this sort. Take a piece of white linen half a yard square, fringe the edges and hemstitch; in two of the corners work sprays of wheat, and in the other two, "Hot rolls." It is pretty worked either in pure white or corn-colored filo silk. Fold so that the four corners will come together.
This ad also was in the paper.
The New Hartford High School yearbook, "Jedediac", has been printed each year since 1942 and is a valuable research source. Our Historical Society's collection is missing many copies. We seek your help in obtaining the following issues:
Terence & Mary Lou Coughlin, New Hartford
Katherine Schafer, Holland Patent
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As a result of the mailing that went out reminding members that their membership had expired, we received notification that Charles Mellen of Aurora, Ohio had passed away in 2002. We extend our sympathy to the family.
NEW HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY SHOWCASES
Check out the Historical Society display in the showcases at the library for the month of November.. It has pictures and excerpts from the new history paper, "...And The Band Played On, a History of the New Hartford Citizens Band" compiled by Barbara Munde. This paper will be available free to all members at the December meeting or to non membersfor the cost of $3.00.
The following are in our book store. These make wonderful Christmas gifts. They will be available at the December 4, 2003 meeting which will be held at the Adult Dining and Recreation Center in the form of a covered dish supper and Holiday Celebration. Burke Muller would be happy to answer any questions you may have about these books. He can be reached at 735-8652.
Books
History Papers
Tapes
Excerpts from the diary of Harrison Henry Hopkins who served as an officer in the Civil War in the 148th New York State Regiment, Company B, stationed at Camp Swift, near Geneva, NY.
Harrison Henry Hopkins was Nancy Kelly's (Mrs. Kevin Kelly) great-grandfather. In 1995 Nancy gave a copy of the diary to the New Hartford Historical Society. The following is only a fraction of this very interesting personal account of the Civil War in the United States and it would be fascinating reading for any one interested in history.
Monday, Sept. 24, 1862
Left camp about 9:00 a.m. Left Geneva between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Had a very warm, dusty march from camp to boat. Crowd very great. Many anxious friends and many tears shed at parting. Last saw wife and friends at corner of Water and Castle Streets. Could only wave an adieu. Had a beautiful ride on lake to Elmira.
Sept. 27
Marched in line, passed the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue, then to the landing, a march of 4 1/2 miles without halting, through a dust almost suffocating, and darkness dense.
(They go to Fortress Monroe and then to Suffolk.)
Oct. 1
Pickets sent out for first time. Cavalry reconnaissance met the enemy within twelve miles and are driven back.
Oct. 4
Last night we were called out to go and defend a line of breastworks, remained during the night and today at dark were called in. Last night the first of sleeping on the ground without anything but our arms. No enemy appeared.
Oct. 6
Towards sunset a funeral of a lieutenant in an adjoining regiment, a very impressive scene. The slow march to Pleyel's hymn, and "Heaven Is My Home", so beautifully played by their band.
Oct. 14
Captain Clapp gets a pass from Colonel to go to Harpers ferry to see the grave of his brother Alfred
Oct. 16
Five privates brought in by Guard. Sentence of Court Martial each. Charges, marauding. Specifications, accused have taken sweet potatoes from an adjoining field. Plead guilty, were fined by Court Martial five dollars each to be deducted from their pay.
Nov. 4
Our business it to hold and examine boats passing by, mostly oyster boats. Had an invitation to supper not far from my station. Well received in a good house. For supper plenty of oysters, tea and coffee, no milk and little sugar, warm biscuits, butter, and excellent plum sauce. This was the first I had been in a house to a meal since leaving home.
Arrested and sent to town under guard, after searching, William Mehemiah, said to be a banker in Portsmouth, very rich and also a Rebel, on his return fro Richmond. Was disguised, came as a poor market man in a cart with a few vegetables for market. Found large sums of confederate money on his person.
Jan 1, 1863
New Year's Day, a holiday, no drilling. Company officers all notified to report at the Colonel's quarters at 2:00 noon. We marched to Norfolk to pay the compliments of the season to General Viele and lady. At Norfolk the negroes celebrated the day which to them is the dawn of Freedom by forming in procession of 4 to 6 thousand, marched to General Viele's house to pay their compliments. He made them a short speech. The President's Proclamation has made this day a day long to be remembered, in the hearts of the colored people and in the annals of history. Would that it might prove to be the beginning of the end of Rebellion and the restoration of a nation's peace and prosperity.
Jan. 25
We went to the Navy yard, took a boat and went out in the stream to the Wee hauken. She has the appearance of great strength, her guns look formidable. We were able to go aboard the Iroquois and politely shown about the boat by one of her officers. She carries 7 cast guns and 1 brass piece, 2 thirteen inch guns, the rest smaller. Her officers expect to go on a cruise for the pirate Alabama. The Iroquois claims to be one of the fastest boats in the service, making 16 miles per hour.
Apr. 9
There is news that a Rebel raid is expected to be made here tonight.
Apr. 14
A severe battle said to be in progress at Suffolk. The appearance of an extensive fire is seen tonight.
Apr.18
Our gunboats keep the Rebs from abridging and crossing the Nansemond.
Apr. 20
Rebs driven back last night. 150 prisoners taken today.
May 29
Went to Norfolk this forenoon. Today is my 37th birthday which I cannot realize, time moves so fast. At 5:00 p.m. the paymaster arrives. The different companies are called in and paid off. The amount paid to myself $205.24.
June 30
Appointed officer of the picket guard. An attack by guerillas expected.
July 4
News today of an engagement between General Lee and Meade. Meade reported successful. The battle still rages.
July 11
This afternoon 2nd lieutenant of Company A of Ist Regiment of Virginia, Colored volunteers, was shot down by a citizen of Norfolk while marching through the streets at the head of his company. Much excitement in consequence.
Sept. 14
This is the first day of our second year's service for the government, as we were mustered in the U.S. service at Geneva, New York September 14, 1862, for 3 years unless sooner discharged.
Oct. 3
Am detailed for Cape Henry to take command of the Lighthouse. Find most of the men anxious to be relieved.
Oct 5
Numerous sails in view. Here we are mostly removed from the noise and bustle of the world and listen only to Old Ocean's continuous roar. We are 6 to 7 miles from the nearest inhabitant, a barren waste of sand surrounds, and half a mile to our rear an extensive and heavily timbered swamp abounding in wild game and fruit. This evening went out to see them draw their nets. One large net with 8 men drew 150 bushels of fish. Spots are the principal fish caught and by the fishermen are highly prized not only for their excellence for eating but for their superior quality for pickling.
Oct. 13
We leave for Norfolk on the City of Hudson steamer arriving at Fort Monroe, we get our papers and start for Yorktown where we arrive at 12:00 noon. Find our regiment in camp inside the fort.
Oct. 17
I'm officer of the brigade guard today. Go about and observe more fully the strength and defenses of the fort. We were complimented by the General for duty.
Nov. 6
I go to Fort Monroe to be mustered out of service as 2nd lieutenant and to be mustered in as 1st lieutenant.
Nov. 15
A review today by General Wistar. Howard's Battery, 16th New York Heavy Artillery, 11th Connecticut, 148th New York, and 6th Regiment of Colored troops reviewed.
(He is granted a leave of absence and goes home to Geneva from Nov. 16 to 28th.)
Nov. 30 Arrived at Fort Monroe at 7:00 a.m. At 1:00 p.m. we left on the steamer for Yorktown.
Dec. 16
Our regimental hospital removed today. About 8:00 p.m. it takes fire, is burned, and communicated fire to several buildings adjoining. The bakery and guard house are burned, also 3 brick buildings which were used for ordnance depots and filled with stores. A new magazine just completed and filled was blown up, large quantities of stores were destroyed. 6 to 8 men wounded.
Jan 20, 1864
General inspection today by an inspecting officer. Inspection in the forenoon, afternoon drill and review, firings by blank cartridges at the drill. Sergeants put under arrest for the firing of pieces in their quarters after drill.
Feb. 6
Leave our camping ground at 8:00 a.m. Near Williamsburg halt nearly 2 hours to arrange and form the army corps for marching. An order from General Wistar is here, read to the different regiments in the corps admonishing them that to be successful they must make rapid marches, endure privations, and probably do calm and steady fighting. The corps consisted of Colonel West's brigade, 2 colored brigades, 4th New York Battery L, 4th Rhode Island Battery, preceded by from 2,000 to 3,000 cavalry under Colonel Spears. Marched 16 miles without stopping, then marched to the New Kent Court House where we arrived at 2:30 a.m. on the 7th. The soldiers feet were quite generally blistered.
Mar. 7
We form a line to the field to witness the execution of Private Abrams of the 139th NY. Crime, furnishing information to, also advising and abetting, the convict Boyle with such information as to enable them to defeat the expedition of February 1st. At 11:30 the Provost Marshal with the prisoner and guard made their appearance and in a few moments the prisoner was no more.
April 15
Two deserters shot from the 2nd New Hampshire at 9:00 a.m. Troops coming in from the south.
Apr. 22
We leave Yorktown at 2:00 p.m. and march towards Williamsburg and near sundown encamp not far from Fort Magruder. Orders this evening to reduce baggage to the least possible amount and at once to prepare for active field service.
May 6
Action begun near sundown, Six hundred men with officers detailed for fatigue duty to fall timber and prepare to plant artillery. Engagements to the front during the day. The Rebs driven back. Wounded brought in.
May 9
This morning moved out by sunrise and find where the enemy is posted about noon. A warm engagement this afternoon. Infantry firing very rapid at times. Our regiment held in reserve and assigned to support the 5th Battery of regulars. Shells from the Rebel battery explode near us, some go over us, several attacks made by the Rebs during the night. They were severely repulsed.
May 12
Formed line soon after daylight and marched out. After several miles marching through some of the worst pieces of wood to get through I ever saw amid a furious thundershower, we came upon the enemy. The skirmishers drove them some distance when their batteries opened on our line. One regiment only halted in a wood, another regiment on our left charged and drove the Rebs back. Night comes on dark and stormy. We sleep on arms in line of battle through the night.
May 13
Several batteries with 3 or 4 brigades about us, the enemy one mile in front entrenched. Fighting today, skirmishes and artillery. At 9:00 p.m. self with 12 men are detailed by General Wistar to make a reconnaissance to the front to learn whether the enemy were in force or falling back. The object attained, Major of the 10th New Hampshire badly wounded. General Grant's victory announced today.
Start for West Point, a novel way for me to spend my birthday.
Editor's note:
Please let me know if you would like to have more of this journal in the next newsletter. It goes to May 1, 1865. It contains a lot of very interesting firsthand accounts that make for good reading.
GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED
October 2003
Table of Contents
October Program
A Century Ago Water And Coal Made The Town Go
Welcome To New Members
Last Reminder For Dues
Spuds Plenty, Laborers Few…
Female Vs Male
October Program
Thursday, October 2, 2003 7:00 pm
Train Station—Kellogg Road, New Hartford
Middle Settlement & J.K. Lumber History –Fellow member Kevin Kelly, Speaker
J.K. Lumber , established in 1937 on the Seneca Turnpike, has been in the same family since its beginning. Started by Kevin Kelly’s father, then to Kevin and his brothers, and now to sons of the Kelly brothers, the business has been a vital part of the town of New Hartford. The surrounding Seneca Turnpike area is rich with history, also, and we will hear about that during Kevin’s talk. Kevin moved to New Hartford with his family when he was in fourth grade and has lived here ever since. As a community-minded person, he supports many local enterprises, in particular the New Hartford Public Library. We guarantee an interesting evening for all who attend. Hope we see you there.
A CENTURY AGO WATER AND COAL MADE THE TOWN GO
By Kenneth Fuller
Reprinted from the May, 1982 edition of the Tally-Ho
What was it like along the Sauquoit Creek in the Town of New Hartford a century ago, in the late 1870’s? How different things were from to-day! Think of working for ten cents an hour and buying sirloin steak in
Dixon’s store in the village for sixteen cents a pound! There were almost no telephones; there were no automobiles; there wasn't even an electric trolley to Utica, though there were the slow horse-drawn street cars. Genesee
Street was a mud hole when it rained. The town and its industries were quite separate and removed from their neighbors in Utica and Whitesboro—an hour or two either way. Many small, and several substantial locally owned and
operated industries flourished. It was long before the day of the chain store and the branch factory. Hometown people ran their businesses, determined their policies, and took pride in their crafts. They did not miss electric
light and power, gas engines, fast communication, and shopping centers because they had never seen nor had them.
The industrial revolution, however, was already under way and beginning to be felt. The water power of the Sauquoit creek, which had been the great force in developing the industries in the early days, was beginning to give way to steam. The creek was smaller due to denuding of the hills whence the water came, and the steam engine was replacing the water wheel. The Utica and Chenango Branch of the D.L.&W. Railroad, the New York & Oswego, Midland Railway and the Chenango Canal hauled in King Coal from Pennsylvania to fire the steam boilers, and hauled away the products of the mills.
The old dams and mill ponds still remained, many until well into the twentieth century. They were like a series of steps along the creek, tailrace to dam, and tailrace to dam from New York Mills to Cassville for the seven or eight miles of the valley. In the town of New Hartford alone a dozen or more factories hummed with looms, spindles, sewing machines, hammers, forges and grinders, converting cotton, wool, grain, iron, trees and leather into underwear, stockings, sheeting, textile machinery, farm implements, flour and lumber—and even Scotch caps and Switzer cheese.
Let us imagine a walk along the creek in about the year 1889 from the Upper Mills of the Walcott & Campbell Company in New York Mills to Chadwicks on the other side of town, a distance of about three miles. There would always have been a whirring factory within sight or sound.
The Upper New York Mills of the Walcott & Campbell Company were situated at the intersection of the Burrstone Road (then known as Asylum Street) and Main Street. One of the buildings, originally a burrstone grist mill, was located right near the present bridge across the creek. Some of this mill’s old payroll books are in the archives of the Oneida Historical Society at Utica and show wages of operators in the late 1860’s at from $8.00 to $12.00 a week for six eleven-hour days. It is interesting to note that some of the wage computations were still being made in shillings.
Next up the creek we come to the Utica Cotton Company, known as the Capron Mill, among whose founders were Dr. Seth Capron of Oriskany and the Sewards of New Hartford This mill employed 125 to 130 operators, had 156 looms and 7056 spindles, turning out some 46,000 yards of unbleached sheeting per week.
A little father along, within the village of New Hartford, was the knitting factory of Armstrong and Baker. This building had previously been occupied by Thomas and Ezekiel Williams as a tannery, and today is a portion of the Partlow Corporation. Armstrong and Baker a century ago employed about fifty hands and put out 500 dozen underwear shirts and drawers a week. The mill pond of this factory was formed from the tailrace from the McLean grist mill flowing from some distance south across Genesee Street. That tailrace went across Genesee Street under bridges. One of the bridges for the sidewalk is illustrated in this article and was located between the building of the former Wanamaker Furniture factory and the recent Leather Bottle restaurant. (ed. Casa Too Mucha now occupies that building.) On the north side of Genesee the stream ran about where the Paris Cinema now stands.(ed. This is no longer an operating theater)
After crossing Genesee Street on our journey south we would go along a lane, past the village lock-up and come to McLean’s Grist Mill, a large frame structure still operating by water power. This mill was established by Jedediah Sanger in about 1789. It was located where one enters the Sauquoit valley Arterial from Oxford Road and about a hundred yards beyond the old (reputedly Sanger) barn which is across from the Baptist church. (ed. The barn is no longer there)
Now if we followed the line of the grist mill pond southerly behind the present Central School Athletic Fields we would come to the large factory of The New Hartford Cotton Manufacturing Company. There was a fine stone building at the lower end of what is now Daly Place, then known as the Lane. This was an old enterprise, established in 1815-1816 by a stock company. As late as 1878 and somewhat later it was run by water power. W. S. Bartlett was President and John W. McLean was Vice President. It then employed about 80 operators, had 92 looms and 4428 spindles producing some 29,000 yards of sheeting a week. At the dam which diverted the water of the creek to this mill were water gates known, even in this writer’s early years, as "Head Gates" a quarter of a mile or so up the creek from the mill. The water works from Head Gates through the mill, thence to the grist mill and across Genesee Street through the Armstrong & Baker mill and back to the main creek formed a narrow island about a half mile long.
Following the creek a short way above Head Gates we would have come to the plant and mill pond of Huntley & Babcock’s Hoe and Fork Factory at Washington Mills. This was situated on the easterly side of the creek west of Oneida Street and north of Kellogg Road, approximately where Ferraro’s landscaping establishment is now located. (ed. That business is no longer in existence) The company manufactured forks, hoes and agricultural implements known as the "Queen City" brand.
Then in Washington Mills just across Kellogg Street near the bridge over the creek stood the large building of the Stewart Woolen Mills. This business employed 120 operators at one time. Later it became the Standard Silk Company. This enterprise was originally started by Frederick Hollister who had a drug store in Utica called the "Checkered Drug Store". He painted his mill with large checkers which for years gave Washington Mills the name of "Checkerville."
In Willowvale there was the Rogers & Butler Foundry and Machine Shop with a large factory for the manufacture of cotton and woolen mill machinery, castings and general machinist’s work, and not far away was the N. Douglas Saw and Plaster Mill, and there was a saw and grist mill on the creek.
Chadwicks was a substantial industrial center, the site of the G. W. Chadwick Cotton Mills, also known as the "Eagle Cotton Factory". This was an old business established in 1809 by Abner Brownell, John Chadwick and Ira Todd who put up a stone mill. A young man named C. E. Macomber had been visiting in the valley and noted the fine water power available. He wrote to his brother-in-law, Abner Brownell of Otsego County about it. This led to Brownell’s coming here to form a company and build the mill. In 1878 this mill employed about 150 operators, had 214 looms and 9000 spindles producing 60,000 yards of yard-wide cloth a week. At that time it was still using water power.
These mills along the creek provided livelihood for many hundreds of workers in those days. Most of the big mills also provided long rows of modest frame houses for many of the employees at low rental. Some of these "mill houses" can still be seen along Burrstone Road in New York Mills.
Besides the big mills there were in the town a number of smaller manufacturers such as:
John Baner who made batting, boots an shoes,
P. Hoffman who made Switzer cheese,
Cook, Northrop & Peckham who made Scotch caps,
Johnson & Lockhart who made carriages and sleighs,
William H. Gladwin who made bobbins and spools.
Roger and Chris Potcki - New Hartford
If your mailing label does not read June 2004, you are behind in your dues. Any questions, call Barb Munde, 737-8216
(This article is from an October 23, 1965 edition of the Observer dispatch)
George and John Humphreys, operators of the Humphreys farm on Tibbitts Road In New Hartford, couldn’t find enough laborers to harvest their 40-acre potato crop this year, so they looked elsewhere to solve their problem. They bought a $10,000 potato harvester.
The machine digs and loads two rows of potatoes at a time. About six workers are needed, however, to separate stubborn stones that sometimes get stuck in the harvester’s tilting chain belt. The machine automatically places the potatoes on the conveyor belt, and buries the inedible part of the plant.
The men and machine harvest about 1,600 bushels a day. Some of the crop is sold to retail outlets in the area, while some is sold to producers of frozen French fried potatoes. The bulk of the crop, however, is shipped to Florida where it is used as seed. Because the potatoes will be used for seed, the crop is inspected at least three times a year by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Certified Seed Growers Coop. The potatoes must be free of all disease.
George Humphreys said the potatoes grown on his farm are
"Sebago" - an Indian name taken from the name of a lake in Maine, where the original crop was planted years ago.
The potato harvest season in the Oneida County area begins in late September and ends the third or fourth week of October. A fast-working crew of laborers can harvest as much as 3,000 bushels of potatoes a day, Humphreys said. Almost twice as much as the harvester. The New Hartford grower added, however, that the machine was more dependable since on some days laborers only pick as few as 200 bushels a day.
His men and machine harvest about three acres a day.
If Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara go out for lunch, they will call each other Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara. If Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom go out, they will refer to each other affectionately as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Scrappy.
When the bill arrives, Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom will each throw in $20, even tho the bill is only $32.50. None of them have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.
Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night..
September 2003
Table of Contents
Annual Dinner
It Was A Great Day for a Walk
The Gingerbread House On Oxford Road
Election Of Officers And Trustees
Point School Commencement
Welcome To New Members
Butler Hall
Little Known Facts
First United Methodist Church
105 Genesee Street, New Hartford, NY
September 4, 2003
Speaker: Allan Foote
6:00 P.M. Cheese and Punch 6:45 P.M. Roast Beef Dinner
Allan Foote is no stranger to the New Hartford Historical Society. In March of this year he presented a program on Baron Von Stueben for us. This time he will talk about his book, "Young Liberator: Experiences of an American Soldier during the Second World War" (in the European theater), co-authored by Ken Thayer, with a lecture program and photos. Allan has a life-long interest in military history and has written several books that include the Revolutionary War and the battle of Oriskany. He is President of the Northern Frontier Project.
A big thank-you to all the people who participated in our Historic Homes Tour on Sunday, June 8, 2003. More than 90 people arrived at the starting point in front of the Wedgewood Apartments to be met by Tom Blackstone who conducted the walk. A brochure with text and pictures of the various stops on our route was distributed.. The tour ended at the New Hartford Public Library where punch, coffee, tea, and cookies were enjoyed by all. It was a very satisfying afternoon according to all the conversation overheard at the library.
THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE ON OXFORD ROAD
By Doug Preston
(continued from June, 2003 issue)
[This article originally appeared in the April 1985, Number 3, Volume VIII edition of the Tally-Ho!]
About 1889, Morgan Butler retired from farming, leased his farm and house to Charles S. Green of Utica, and moved to a house on the present site of the Oxford Road school in order to be able to personally supervise the construction of Butler Hall. Morgan Butler passed away in 1892, but Mr. Green continued to lease the farm. Charles Stewart Green (1835-1903) was a son of the Rev. Beriah Green of Whitesboro, the famous abolitionist. Young Charles did not follow in his father’s footsteps, however, but gained fame of his own as a trainer, driver and dealer of race horses. He lived on Long Island for many years until about 1878 when he returned to Utica, and leased the old Utica Driving Park. When that was sold to become the site of the Masonic Home, he leased the Butler farm. He laid out a half-mile track on the flat land across Oxford Road from the house, and, according to one newspaper account, "in the barn had everything that a first class horse could wish for." He gave up the farm and returned to Utica about 1900.
Following Mr. Green’s departure, it appears that Morgan Butler’s widow gave the old place to William E. Dewhurst, the Butlers’ hired man/coachman/gardener for may years. Mr. Dewhurst died in March of 1913 and in June his widow sold the farm to Christopher and Minnie Hoffman, owners of the next farm south on Oxford Road, which also included a Gothic collage, now located at the corner of Beechwood Road.
The exact history of the house at 116 Oxford Road (as its address had come to be listed after being simply "South near limits" is somewhat unclear through the 1920s and 30s. It appears that, soon after purchasing the Butler farm, the Hoffmans built the house known today as 112 Oxford Road (across Hoffman Road) , lived there and tried to sell the big old house. At least two other families, the Vincent Callaghans and the Everett Whitmyres, are understood to have lived there during this period, during the late 1920s and about 1932, respectfully.
Nevertheless, tradition has it that it was Minnie Hoffman who applied the extensive wall stenciling throughout the house (mostly now masked by layers of paint), who commissioned the small mural of a Scottish castle in the front hall, and who—as a sometime dealer—filled it with antiques. In 1924, the Hoffmans sold practically all of the farm but the property now remaining with the house to the Hugh R. Jones Company of Utica which began the development of "Oxford Heights" including a new street, named Hoffman Road. A map made at this time includes a detailed outline of the old house and shows an extension to the rear which has since been removed, as well as several farm buildings.
A picture from the 1970 Firemen’s Convention and New Hartford Centennial in August shows Queen Rosemary Kukowski atop a New Hartford fire truck.
Queen Rosemary with John Leach, Betty Cook, Dorothy Eddy, Gladys Ornday, Peg Sherwood, Harold Eddy, Bill Leach, Stuart Cook, and Charles Pace
.Christopher Hoffman died in 1935, and Minnie in 1953. At this time, the property passed to a niece whom they had raised from childhood, Sophia Corinne Hoffman. Miss Hoffman -known to her friends as Corinne—was a teacher in the Utica Public Schools. Miss Hoffman did not live in the house but she did use it to entertain the D.A.R. and other groups to which she belonged, and she rented the rooms on the north side to another Utica teacher, Miss Martha Gates. It is probably for this reason that the house was not subjected to any "remuddling" (modernization) in recent years. The house was opened to the public at the time of the Village centennial in 1970.
Miss Hoffman died March 29, 1977. The late Leo A. Buskey of Utica conducted a sale of the contents, including many beautiful antiques, in the fall of 1977. We purchased the house from Miss Hoffman’s estate in January of 1978. Since then, we have partitioned off a laundry room from the garage previously created in the back wing, installed insulation in the attic, purchased storm windows, installed a new electrical service entrance and performed innumerable minor repairs and adjustments. The most visible change came in the summer of 1980 when we decided to have it painted cottage red with two-tone olive green trim inspired by a Gothic house we had admired in Fayetteville. This color scheme is more characteristic of the 1870’s than the 1840’s, but it is more appropriate than the white with green trim the house wore for many years, and we like it. We know we will never run out of projects like brightening up the interior and introducing a reasonable amount of modern conveniences. We’re sure Mr. Butler would approve.
The Village of New Hartford has enjoyed many economic and cultural advancements over these One Hundred Years and developed as an outstanding progressive village of which all its residents may be justly proud.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
At our June meeting the following officers and trustees were elected:
| President | Barbara Zogby |
| Vice-President | Burke Galer |
| Secretary | Barbara Couture |
| Treasurer | Ken Kazanjian |
| Trustees to 2006 | Elaine Kelsey, Bob Jones |
Continuing as Board Members are Jim Spellman, Judy Wenner and Burke Muller.
Honorary members are Bob Anderson, Nellie Kazanjian and Bob Dicker.
Our thanks to John Pitarresi and Arthur Baker for their support during their tenure.
POINT SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT
May 20, 1979
Printed below are excerpts from a School Board Report given by Ken Kanzanjian at the commencement..
On Friday evening, September 5, 1902, the Dedication Exercises of the New Hartford High School Building took place. The program included the following:
On Tuesday, June 20, 1905 at 2:00 PM the Third Commencement of the New Hartford High School was held. The program included the following speakers:
The first minutes of the New Hartford High School that are available are for August 9, 1904. At that time, the Board of Education consisted of Messrs. Hodges, Pres.; Allport, Lasher, Mallory, Osborn, Bolton, and Spicer. The principal was A.M Scripture. The Clerk of the Board was John Miller. Charles Hunziker was the janitor and W.E. Durrenbeck was the attendance officer.
According to a report issued by A.M. Scripture on July 16, 1906, the New Hartford High School was established in 1899. There were thirty-eight graduates from between 1899—1906. On July 16, 1906 the school’s revenue was $9088.76 and its payments were $8678.26. Balance on hand was $410.50. There would be a tax decrease of $103.80 for the 1906-07 school fiscal year. Seventy-four years later the projected budget of the New Hartford Central School district is unofficially, at this time, since it has not been voted upon by the Board for submission to the voters, approximately $8,800,000. The local tax to be raised may be in excess of $3,700,000.
On April 30, 1910, Professor Baldwin is appointed as principal and resignation of A.M. Scripture is accepted in August, 1910. On May 5. 1911, Prof. Baldwin’s resignation is accepted and on May 20, 1911, Mr. H.D. Hopkins is appointed principal at a salary of $1,400. On April 3, 1928, H.D. Hopkins submits his resignation and it is accepted. Mr. D.E. Grove is appointed principal. On July 13, 1937 Principal Grove is released from active duty due to illness and until such time as his physician approves his return. However, the matter is to be reviewed in July, 1938. Meanwhile, it appears that Marvin Gibson is carrying out Grove’s duties as an acting principal. On April 29, 1938, Mr. Gibson is appointed Vice-Principal and teacher. On April 30, 1938, Dr. Leon Westfall is appointed Supervising Principal. On August 4, 1947, Marvin Gibson resigned as Vice-Principal. At the same meeting, Dr. Leon Westfall submitted his resignation. Further, the Board made the following appointments: Ralph Perry, Acting Supervising Principal; Miss Eloise Daly, Acting assistant Principal; and Raymond Benjamin, Acting Assistant Principal. On June 12, 1944, Ralph Perry was appointed to replace Mr. Herman Lybarger as Elementary Principal. In June, 1972, Mr. Hughes was succeeded by Robert Myles who served till his death in January, 1974. Robert Evans was then chosen as the last principal for the Point School. On February 2, 1948, Ralph Perry was appointed Supervising Principal and when he retired in 1970, he was succeeded by the present Superintendent, Dr. James Meyer.
The front or old section of the Point School was erected in 1901. On November 8, 1910, reference was made to overcrowded conditions at the eighth grade level. On January 12, 1914, the Board appointed a committee of two to secure an option on a site for the Branch School—-later to be referred to as the Sunset Ave School. On September 3, 1914, at a Special District Meeting it was voted that no property be bought or contracted for by the Board without condemnation proceedings. Another vote taken showed 96 favored the Sunset Street properties and 86 against. The two properties were to be secured for a price of $3,6000 each. Then a vote approved the raising of $20,000 for construction and granted authorization to draw plans. On December 1, 1914, a Special District Meeting was held and a vote was taken to condemn properties for the branch School since the Board was unable to agree with owners upon a reasonable price. The vote was Yes 66 and No 46. The new school was to be opened on September 7, 1915, but on that date the Board rented two rooms at Butler Hall for school purposes for $50.00 per month.
On December 20, 1918, reference was made for need for larger school accommodations. On January 29, 1919, the Board agreed to seek six months option on the J.G. Hoffman property for $10,500. On April 19, 1919, voter approval for the purchase of property and the construction of a fireproof school building at a cost of $95,000 was granted. In the late 1920’s references were again made to overcrowded conditions and a need for a new school. On June 15, 1928, the voters approved the purchase of property on Oxford Road for $25,000. On May 7, 1929 voters approved the purchase of a parcel of land from the Methodist Church. On November 11, 1929, the architects were appointed for the new school. Records later show that a special election was to be held on January 12, 1931 to vote on a $250,000 school construction proposition. No record shows the vote, but obviously it was approved.
In recent years there have a been several proposals to eliminate the Point School as instruction buildings. Following a $2.9 million bond defeat on December 10, 1974, the Board of Education was faced with the choice of renovating the school to meet the deficiencies listed by the State Education Department or relocate classes in the Oxford Road, Myles and Hughes Schools. The later option was followed in 1975 when the School Board established a central kindergarten in the new section of the Point School. Then in 1977, the kindergarten classes were returned to their respective elementary buildings. On September 26, 1978, the Board of Education voted to put the Point School up for sale. On January 9, 1979, the Board of Education voted to sell the Point School to the Village of New Hartford for $85,000. District offices located in the Point School will be transferred to the Oxford Road School early in the summer of 1979.
New Hartford High School c. 1949
Phil and Betty Pearle—New Hartford
Charles Cole—Sauquoit
Rita & Carol Sator—New Hartford
Carol & Don Ryan—New Hartford
In the May 13, 1890 dedication of Butler Hall it is mentioned that about 300 books were purchased by gifts from Mrs. Harriet C. Wetmore, Mrs. George Buch, Miss Sophia D. Butler, Mrs. Henry Butler and Mrs. Frank A. Parker in memory of Truman K. Butler, Mrs. Hannah Brown and Henry Butler. There is a inference that this was to start a library.
Apparently they were placed in the ‘reading room’. Mrs. Terry, daughter of Francis Butler and Harriet Sherrill provided subscriptions for the Reading Room to: The International Quarterly, The North American Review, Harper’s Monthly, Scribner’s Magazine, The Cosmopolitan, Outing, St. Nichola’s. Harper’s Young People, Harper’s Weekly, Littell’s Living Age, Public Opinion, The Nation, The Voice, and Scientific America. Also to newspapers: Utica O.D., Press and Herald; New York’s Tribune, Times, Sun, Mail, and Express; Albany’s Evening Journal’ Chicago’s Tribune, and the New York Independent.
A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.
The fingerprints of koala bears are virtually indistinguishable from those of humans, so much so that they could be confused at a crime scene.
Beelzebub, another name for the devil, is Hebrew for Lord of the Flies, and this is where the book’s title comes from..
The ship, The Queen Elizabeth 2, should always be written as QE2. QEII is the actual queen.
The correct response to the Irish greeting, "Top of the morning to you," is "and the rest of the day to yourself."
June 5, 2003 Program
New Hartford Town Crier
The Gingerbread House on Oxford Road
Steele Brook Farm
Welcome To New Members
May Program Well Received
Slate Of Officers To Be Presented At The June Annual Meeting
Do You Remember When?
SHOW AND TELL
Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:00 PM
Community Building (Train Station) - Washington Mills, NY
"’Tis Spring’ finally and you all know that means Show and Tell time at the New Hartford Historical Society. It is also the time for our annual meeting and election of officers and trustees for the year 2003-2004. And you can pay your dues for next year at that meeting also. So, how can you not come!
It really is a fun time and every year someone brings something that stumps the experts. So rummage around in your attic for something grandma and grandpa left there. Or maybe you have some old pictures taken at various places around New Hartford that show how the town used to look years ago. Or some of your ancestors may have brought something old with them when they came to this country. If you look, you will find. But come and listen, even if you don’t bring anything. The important thing is to come and support your society.
Published by Ed Juergensen and Ted Gurley
From April 14, 1939 edition
This week’s hobbyist is Robert Kellerman, Allport Place; who devotes his leisure time to the operating of an amateur radio station (W8NTX), which consists of a 3 tube transmitter on an 80 meter code. Bob, who is the only amateur now operating in New Hartford, communicates with other radio enthusiasts from various parts of the country. A few of the short wave stations that he has picked up are from Texas, Missouri, New Jersey, Maine, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Connecticut. He has received amateur broadcasts from far away India, and has also communicated with William Orchard of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Short wave broadcasting is not the only radio work that Bob does. His latest invention is an electric eye burglar alarm. Whenever a person comes in contact with the beam of light on the contrivance, the circuit is broken, and a bell is sounded.
Our hobbyist has engaged in this interesting radio pastime for five years. He is a member of the American Radio Relay League.
From an April 21, 1939 edition.
This week’s hobby devotee makes use of his leisure time by indulging in a very interesting and unusual hobby. He is Mr. Bruce M. Souter, Oxford Road, who finds much enjoyment in collecting various pictures and objects pertaining to the circus world. Mr. Souter collects autographed pictures of ring performers, posters, and magazines of the big shows. He also has three model circus wagons, one of which was made by Howard Matty. It is one of the finest circus parade wagons in this vicinity. An autographed picture of Clyde Beatty, famous animal tamer, is another prize exhibit of our hobbyist.
Mr. Souter takes in every circus he possibly can. Last year he attended 8 shows. His acquaintance with many ring performers enables him to obtain their pictures and autographs. A picture of every member of the Great Ringling Brothers--Barnum and Baily Show is an outstanding exhibit in his unusual collection.
Mr. Souter is a member of the Circus Fans Association and also of the Circus Model Builders Association. The former is a club composed of 450 circus enthusiasts from all sections of the country. Mr. George Baker, Utica Florist, is also a member. The club, whose motto is "Pay As You Go", meets once a year at one of the big ring shows. At that time a banquet is held for the performers of the circus.
Mr. Souter also finds enjoyment as an active member of Al Sittig’s famous band.
From an April 28,1939 edition
Mr. R. E. Codner, Sanger Avenue, spends his leisure time collection old and new American pennies. His collection, consisting mostly of Lincoln head pennies, ranges from 1909 to 1938. He has 67 of the 82 different varieties of American "one cent pieces"; his goal being 50 coins for each year since 1909.
Mr. Codner offers us some interesting information concerning the place of manufacture of these coins. A penny with the letter D underneath the date signifies that it was made in the Denver mint. The letter S denotes that the coin was made in San Fransisco, where another United States mint is located. If there is no letter below the date, Philadelphia is the "birthplace".
Eagle pennies, made of copper and nickel, were put out from 1856 to 1858. Indian head pennies (composed of metal and copper) circulated from 1859 through 1864; and from the latter date, up until 1909, were made of copper. Lincoln "one cents" came into
existence about 1909. They were designed by Victor D. Brenner, whose initials (V.D.B.) may be distinguished by means of a magnifying glass on the 1909 and 1917 pennies.
Mr. Codner finds much enjoyment sorting out these various coins. He says that he will eventually buy a new typewriter through his "one cent" savings.
From a June 2, 1939 edition.
This week’s hobbyist devotes his leisure time to the building of trolley lines. He is Robert G. Gurley, 40 Hartford Terrace, who is the owner and operator of the SAUQUOIT VALLEY TRACTION COMPANY. It is a miniature interurban trolley line, built to 1 1/4" scale, which operates in the cellar of Bob’s home.
The entire line boasts over 200 feet of main line trackage, and 25 feet of yard tracks. It is divided into two sections -- a double track suburban division, and a single track interurban division.
Unlike the average miniature railway, this little pike uses a regulation overhead wire to obtain it’s power, and is in every way possible an exact counter-part of the familiar street railway.
At present, three power cars are in operation, and two more are under construction. Interurban equipment consists of two combination passenger and express cars, and a deluxe parlor car, to handle local business on the suburban division, and a freight locomotive.
Both divisions of the railway are independently controlled so that several cars can be operated at the same time without danger of collusion.
Model railway fans are extended a cordial invitation to visit the SAUQUOIT VALLEY TRACTION COMPANY.
Bob, in addition to this interesting hobby, collects photographs of abandoned as well as modern street car lines.
Also from this same issue
E. Wanamaker & Son, furniture manufacturers, will move their place of business from the present plant at 8 Oxford Road, to the plant formerly occupied by the American Emblem Company, 13 Genesee Street. Machine, cabinet, spring and upholstery departments are included in the plant.
Almost 20 years ago Doug Preston submitted this article to the editors of the Tally-Ho. The information is still as interesting as it was back in 1984 and is worth re-printing.
THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE ON OXFORD ROAD
"...my grandfather built the house in which I was born, and have always lived, and in which I still live..." - Morgan Butler, quoted by the Rev. I.N. Terry, 1890
Our home at 116 Oxford Road is known formally in the pages of Wood and Stone: Landmarks of the Upper Mohawk Region as the "Butler-Hoffman house" and less formally to may area residents as "the gingerbread house on Oxford Road." Ever since we moved into this fascinating old home in the winter of 1978, we have tried to piece together its history. We still haven’t tied up every loose end, but I believe that we can give a fair account at this time.
The story begins in 1789 when Eli Butler, Sr., of Middletown, Connecticut, first came to the Sauquoit Valley to purchase farms for his three eldest sons. He himself did not remain at that time, but he would be back. In 1792, another pioneer, Solomon Kellogg, purchased a 50-acre farm on the west side of today’s Oxford Road and, according to local tradition, he built "a small frame house." Eli Butler, Sr., returned to this area in 1793 and purchased Kellogg’s farm (and house) and settled with his wife, seven daughters and youngest son. Eli Butler, Jr. Again, tradition has it that he enlarged the house to accommodate his large family, and he lived there until his death in 1802. He also acquired 50 additional acres across Oxford Road.
Eli Butler, Jr., inherited his pioneer father’s farm and in 1805 brought to it a wife, Rachel Kellogg, daughter of Solomon Kellogg’s brother, Truman. Their first son, Morgan Butler, was born in the family homestead in 1807. Eli Butler, Jr., died in 1832 and Morgan Butler in the next few years acquired sole ownership of the farm, being the third generation of Butlers to own the place. In 1841 he married Marianne Howard of Frankfort. They had no children but still their household was large, with Mr. Butler’s mother, several unmarried sisters and hired help in residence.
The early history of the house itself is very sketchy, but based on structural evidence, a few documents, local tradition passed down by Morgan Butler’s niece, Mrs. I.N. Terry and by the late Laura Day Cookinham, and particularly on the statement of Morgan Butler quoted at the beginning of this article, we surmise that it first consisted of the central 2 1/2 story portion facing Oxford Road, without any wings. This section is framed of hand-hewn timbers in the Connecticut style and originally had one massive central chimney and no central hallways. The large rear wing parallel to Hoffman Road may be what Eli Butler, Sr., added to accommodate his large family.
Sometime prior to 1857, when an illustration of the house in generally its present appearance was published on a map of the Town of New Hartford, it appears that Morgan Butler had the old homestead remodeled into the then-fashionable Gothic Revival style. The Gothic Revival was one of a series of romantic architectural styles that swept America in the mid-nineteenth century. With its emphasis on "natural" colors and materials, its integration of building and landscape, and in many cases its asymmetrical plans and fanciful details, the Gothic Revival house was a dramatic contrast to the formal, white miniature temples of the preceding Greek Revival style, or the simple styles brought from New England by the pioneer settlers of Central New York. Gothic Revival was popularized in the 1840’s and 50s by the writings and publications of plans, notably by Andre Jackson Downing, but also by Calvert Vaux and others. Their pattern books not only made it possible for local builders to erect new houses and other buildings in the new style, but, as in the case of the Butler house, to update (in the words of Calvert Vaux) an "old, simple wooden homestead... altogether too solid and substantial to be pulled down...(around which) ...linger ... many interesting associations and family reminiscences...(and) which has been, perhaps, the home of the father’s and grandfather’s childhood."
In the case of the Butler house, the renovations involved the removal of the original central chimney and fireplaces, the creation of the present front-to-back central hallways upstairs and down, and the building of the present staircase, probably to replace a steep, narrow staircase originally located just inside the front door. Two new chimneys with shallow, coal-burning fireplaces with Gothic-style cast-iron surrounds were constructed (and contorted in the attic to fit between existing rafters). One-and-one-half story additions were built at each end of the house, facing Oxford Road. Each addition contains a single room downstairs, connected by doors to the front and back rooms of the original house, and a large, walk-in closet upstairs for each front bedroom. Each of the four bedroom - two on each side of the center hall - also acquired a small closet next to the fireplace in the room, probably at the same time. The additions are distinguished externally by oriel windows with leaded glass panes and French doors downstairs and circular windows upstairs. Underneath, they are even more readily distinguished by their rectangular, sawn floor joists (as opposed to the rough-hewn log joists of the main part of the house).
A huge gable was added in the front of the attic, featuring a characteristically Gothic lancet window (and sawn rafters as opposed to the hand-hewn wooden-pegged rafters of the main roof). It is also possible to see in the attic where the original chimney had passed through the center of the roof and to detect traces of mortar from the chimney on the collar beams that tie the rafters together about six feet (good head-bumping height) above the attic floor. Porches were added front and read, the eaves of the main roof were widened, and the whole house was given a liberal treatment of scroll-sawn bargeboards (the proper term for the "gingerbread") along the eaves. The final touches were a finial at the peak of the front gable and wooden battlements along the edge of the front porch roof, the latter removed sometime after the mid 1950’s.
Morgan Butler, the man responsible for transforming a house which was a relic of the post-Revolutionary "Yankee Invasion" of Central New York into a model of Victorian high fashion, was a figure of considerable prominence in the history of Oneida County. As a farmer, he was noted for his keen interest in new methods, new machines and new breeds of livestock. When other farmers were still cutting their hay and grain with scythes, Morgan Butler owned the first mowing machine in Oneida County, and he promoted it with demonstrations on the field opposite his house and as a sales agent. He was a dealer in and a judge of fine cattle. In 1870 he was a founder, and later for many years the president, of the Central New York Farmers club.
As a young man, Morgan Butler was a member of the militia and it trained on the same field opposite the old homestead where he would after show off his mowing machine. When the militia escorted Lafayette during his visit to the Mohawk Valley in 1825, it is said that Morgan Butler was the bugler.
Morgan Butler is best remembered today for his gift to his native town and village of Butler Memorial Hall on Genesee Street, where his portrait is still displayed just inside the front door. Butler Hall was considered a model community facility when it was dedicated in 1890. It originally housed a library, the post office, town and village offices, and a large assembly hall. The assembly hall was the meeting place of the Good Time Club, and the site of school plays, agricultural expositions, and political meetings complete with flamboyant oratory. The building cost Mr. Butler $20,000, a very considerable sum in those days.
Baptized a Presbyterian, Morgan Butler later became an Episcopalian. He served for many years as senior warden and treasurer of the St. Stephen’s Church on Oxford road.
Given Mr. Butler’s interest in always being up-to-date, his comfortable circumstances, the fact that he brought a bride to his consolidated property in 1841, and the fact that fashionable architects of the 1840’s encouraged the recycling of old homesteads into Gothic cottages, the reconstruction of the house a 116 Oxford Road does not seem as unusual as it might at first glance.
About 1889, Morgan Butler retired from farming, leased his farm and house to Charles S. Green of Utica, and moved to a house on the present site of the Oxford Road school in order to be able to personally supervise the construction of Butler Hall. Morgan Butler passed away in 1892.
(to be continued in September)
An excerpt from farm histories compiled by Barbara Couture.
Steele Brook Farm is a 143-acre farm located on Snowden Hill road near the junction of Gulf Road. The farm derives its name from the Steele Brook creek that runs through the anterior part of the property.
Four generations of Elizabeth Fehr Thomas’s family have owned and operated this dairy farm owned by Robert and Elizabeth Thomas.
In the 1850s through the 1890s the farm produced hops for the eight breweries in Utica, Waterville and Sangerfield. At that time there was only one barn. The present day house, built around 1887, has a very large dining room because the large dining areas were needed to feed all the people who picked the hops. It is decorated with a chair molding and wainscoting typical of farmhouses of that era.
In 1890 Mrs. Thomas’ grandfather, Frank Deck, bought the farm. One of his daughters, Elizabeth Deck (Mrs. Thomas’ mother) was born in 1896 and as a young girl picked hops for her father. She married William Edward Fehr and they had two children; Bernard and Elizabeth. In 1917 William Fehr bought the farm for $6500 from his father-in-law. By this time the farm had become a dairy farm. Mr. Fehr started his herd with 14 milking cows. Due to the storage of hay that first year, he fed the cows straw once a day along with the hay in order to stretch his hay supply. In the spring of 1933 a "Barn Raising" event was held and with the help of neighbors and friends an additional barn was built for $2300. Some of the large support beams for the new barn were taken from a barn being torn down on Oneida Street across from Calvary Cemetery. The rest came from large timber trees located on the farm property. William Fehr, who was not only a dairy farmer but also an accomplished carpenter, completed the barn.
In 1942 Elizabeth Fehr married Robert Thomas and they rented and ran the farm from 1938 to 1960, when they purchased it. A large structure was built to connect the two barns and provide housing for heifers. Also a pole barn was built to house farm equipment. In 1964 the Thomas’ purchased an additional 40 acres. They built a new milk house to accommodate the bulk tank for pipeline milking and integrated purebred Holstein cows to improve the quality of milk. During their early years on the farm, Bob and Elizabeth worked with the Oneida County Extension Service investigating and traveling to see various new farming techniques in the Midwest and elsewhere. They brought a new level of dairy farm efficiency to New Hartford and Oneida County.
Bob and Elizabeth’s son Richard now runs the farm.
Peter Bleiberg, New Hartford
Rita Madden, New Hartford
Ron Potempa, Utica
On May 1st a standing-room only audience came to hear Carl Stone’s program about the windmills on his farm property. The evening was a pleasure as his well presented, interesting and humorous presentation unfolded. As a bonus, we were treated to some of his poetry that he wrote while all the construction was going on.
By the comments heard at the conclusion of the evening and from remarks made by people at various places during the week following, everyone present enjoyed the program.
SLATE OF OFFICERS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE JUNE ANNUAL MEETING
President - Barbara Zogby
V.President - Burke Galer
Secretary - Barbara Couture
Treasurer - Ken Kazanjian
Trustees for 3 years - Bob Jones and Elaine Kelsey
The above slate of officers and trustees for the year 2003-2004 will be presented and voted upon at the annual meeting on June 5, 2003 meeting in the Community Building, Kellogg Road, Washington Mills, NY. Nominations may be presented from the floor.
All the girls had ugly gym uniforms?
It took five minutes for the TV to warm up?
Nearly everyone’s Mom was at home when the kids got home from school?
When a quarter was a decent allowance.
Your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces?
Laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box?
5 cents bought a pack of baseball cards with that awful pink slab of bubble gum?
May 1, 2003 Program
Town Crier Of New Hartford Yesteryear
Welcome To Our New Mayor
Keep June 8, 2003 Free For Our Walking Tour
How Our School Has Changed
Cool Cats
Early History
New Hartford Tattler 1935
Tradition Of The Bell
Another Bell In The News
Welcome New Members
Duh
"THE WINDMILLS OF MADISON COUNTY"
Thursday, May 1, 2003
Community Building (Train Station) - Washington Mills, NY - 7:00 PM
The New Hartford Historical Society will feature Carl Stone and his program on the windmills of Madison County. The windmills are the PG&E National Energy Group’s commitment to advancing wind technology into a commercially competitive, low-cost, renewable source of clean energy. They are visible from Route 20 and are an awesome sight. There are 218 steps from the base to the hub of these towers that have a total weight of 235 tons.
There is much more to be learned about these windmills, all of it presented in a interesting, down-to-earth manner that you will find enjoyable. Come join us, and bring a friend. Let’s fill the train station and support the program and the New Hartford Historical Society.
TOWN CRIER OF NEW HARTFORD
YESTERYEAR
Published May 26, 1939 by Ed. Juergensen and Ted Gurley
The New Hartford Fire Department was organized in 1901, with Albert Goddard as chief.
In 1902 the company purchased its first hook and ladder truck for $350.00 C.O.D. It was a hand-drawn vehicle equipped with a 10 inch gong that operated by the revolving of one of the wheels. The apparatus had as equipment several ladders, a pickhead fire ax, a wire basket between the footboards, and 6 fire buckets.
The alarms were sounded by the Presbyterian Church Bell.
The first fire was the Billingham barn where Sear’s Service Station is now located. (Genesee St. below the Floral Shop)
Richard Davis was President of the village when the company was organized.
In 1884 a special election was held in New Hartford to determine whether the clock in the tower of the Presbyterian Church should be put in order and kept running at the expense of the village corporation.
The first town meeting in New Hartford was held April 24, 1827 at the home of King Strong. At that time, a town clerk, assessors, overseers of the poor, commissioner of highways, and inspectors of schools were elected.
The second church organized in New Hartford was of the Universalist faith. It was located on Genesee Street, opposite Higby Road.
St. Stephens Episcopal Church was organized in 1824, the church building being built the following year. Judge Sanger gave the lot for the church, and in his will left an annuity of $250 to aid in supporting a minister.
Five years before Oneida County was cut off from Herkimer and organized, the first newspaper published west of Albany was issued in New Hartford.
Its name was the Whitestown Gazette, and its proprietors were Jedediah Sanger, Samuel Wells, and Elijah Risley, with Richard Vandenburgh, printer.
The first issue was dated July 11, 1793, but the paper lapsed the following winter and was resumed in May, 1796 by Samuel Wells, with William McLean as printer, who soon became proprietor, and moved the office to Utica in July 1798. The paper was renamed "Gazettean Cato’s Patrol".
The New Hartford Historical Society is pleased to welcome Don Ryan as the new mayor of the village of New Hartford. We are much indebted to the village for the support they have given us since we organized in 1976. Without their assistance we would be hard pressed to keep up the types of programs and exhibits that we have presented for the people of New Hartford.
So thank you, New Hartford village. And Mr. Ryan, we hope you will have a long and rewarding tenure in your new office.
KEEP JUNE 8, 2003 FREE FOR OUR WALKING TOUR
Tom Blackstone and Judy Wenner have been working very hard to make our New Hartford Village walking tour a pleasant experience on June 8, 2003.
The walk will start at the Wedgewood Apartments and end at the New Hartford Library, an easy two mile walk. Each participant will be presented with a brochure with lots of historical information and our guide, Tom Blackstone, will add more as we amble along.
There will be more information in your June Tally-Ho!. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could have a 100 people show up for this tour. Why not aim for the stars?
The New Hartford Schools were centralized in 1946 when there were four schools accommodating the community’s youths. They were the Sherman Hills school with one room; the Washington Mills School, two rooms; the elementary school at the Paris Road-Genesee Street intersection, and the high school on Oxford Road.
Because of the growing population and ages of the Paris Road school and the obvious traffic hazards presented, the citizens of the school district voted to erect a new school on the site of a 27 acre plot adjacent to the Oxford Road school. The original bond was for $1,635,000.
Baird drew the architecture plans and the actual construction began in the spring of 1950. George E. Williams and Son was the general contractor. Subcontracts were awarded to Keller Electrical Company, Atlas Plumbing, and Brandeles Heating.
The general plan called for the closing of the Paris Road school, and for the transfer of all its pupils to the Oxford Road school. The Oxford Road school would be changed into an elementary school and a new kindergarten added. The Sherman Hills and Washington Mills school would remain in operation.
In 1947 there was a pupil population of 1,178 including a four-year-old kindergarten.
In 1952 the senior class numbered 80. There were 65 teachers.
Today the total pupil population is 2748 and teachers number 245.
COOL CATS
150,000 Guest and One Fight
The following article was written in August 1970, about one month after the New Hartford centennial observance. It was penned by Mrs. Richard Hatch.
In these hot-tempered times when a potential riot is just one incident away, what does a village police chief with a full-time staff of three do when he learns it’s his job to cope with the crowds at a centennial birthday blast with no limit on invitations?
That’s the task Chief Monroe Fox of New Hartford had to face. When the results were in, more than 150,000 persons had come to the party and not one major incident occurred.
There wasn’t even a sign of a fight until Thursday evening when one small skirmish was quickly squelched.
"Our only complaints were three missing wallets; one lady’s wristwatch, a class ring and a pair of glasses lost. And we recovered two of the wallets, one completely in tact," said Fox.
"In fact, six sets of car keys and two pairs of glasses were turned in and only one set of keys has been claimed."
A record like this didn’t just happen. A lot of careful planning began almost a year ago in September of ‘69.
Fox met with the centennial board headed by Robert Wanamaker with Steve Scanlan as his co-chairman, and suggested one policeman be named to head up both the crowd and traffic control. The chairmen agreed and promptly named Fox to the job.
"This was certainly a major concern of mine," said Mayor Norton Stanton. &q