Spring 2002 the St

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association OUARTERLY Volume XL VI I- Number 2 - Spring 2002 The St. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright House

<;:> s:.>s*.:.> The St. Lawrepce County Historical Association is a private, not-fofp@~%emb'&&ip organization based at the Silas Wright House in Canton, New York. ~ounde.~.i:n::i%947,the ~ssociatio~~s~overned ..:.:.\ .. ..., < by a constitution, by-laws, and Board of Trustees. ~~l~islsr&~~ssociation'smembership mee@annually to elect its trustees. .,::.++ 8 ,Jp" ,$ .,*:.. 8 ,..* ,..* $$ ./dfid5z 2002 OfSicers: 2002 Trustees: $ President: Carl Stickney, ~onyodCi Chris Angus, Canton Vice-President: Jane subrafflaff13han,Potsdam Patricia Carson, Canton Treasurer: Carol ~ohng56canton Richard Foster, Rossie i! Secretary: Susie ~&d,Hammond R. Shawn Gray, Massena 1 .$.>. $9 E. Jane Layo, Waddington f .;& .;& ..F Stan Maine, Pierrepont ! 2002 ~ta~"' Lowell McAllister, ~euvelQn Trent Tmlock, Executive Director Todd Moe, Norwood j ~ue~~~shore,Collections Manager Cathleen O'Horo, Canton 4 Mar)t.gllen Jones, Archives Manager Susan Omohundro, ~anna&aFalls ~everl4;"~~0wnell,... Administrative Assistant Tim Strong, Potsdam .... \.>. Y:::. J. Rebecca Thompson, .I::... '\. Peter Van de Water, Canto \9. \'<>. w.:;. a.'7. '%...<., ..:+. x...!.,:. Our Mission The St. Lawrence County Historical &s@ation is a not-for-profit membership organization serves as an educational resource for the use aM...benefit of the citizens of St. Lawrence County in the County's history and traditions. The ~ssoc?ati.oncollects and preserves archival material and &ifacts pertinent to the County's history. In cooperation and collabori%qp with other local organizations, the Associa@onpromotes an understanding of and appreciation for the County's rich WDQ...~~.~gb..p.u.hl.ic.~..e.~~i&~.aB.pn,grams. The St. Lawrence County Historical Association operates within museum standards established by the American Association of Museums. SLCHA Membership Membership in the St. Lawrence County Historical Association is open to allinterestedparties. Annual membership dues are: Individual, $25; SeniorJStudent, $20; Family, $35; Contributor, $50; Supporter, $100; Patron, $250; Businesses, $50 to $1,000. Members receive the SLCHA Quarterly, the Historical Association's bi-monthly newsletter, and various discounts on publications, programs and events.

St. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright House 3 East Main Street, PO Box 8 Canton, New York 13617 (315) 386-8133 fax (315) 386-8134 e-mail: [email protected] www.slcha.org since 1956 The St. Lawrence Countv Historical Association memory of

Volume XLVII - Number 2 - 2002 ISSN: 0558-1931 CONTENTS

James McCormick By Edwin McCormick Barry a Ouirnet Frank Wilder's Cranberry Lake, 1899-1948 10 By Peter Van de Water

History of the Joseph Clark Family, Part I1 18 By Carrie J. Woodard Douglass Herb Ju llary Ruth

Assoclation. The St. Lawrerice County Historical Associa tion is not I-esponsible for the statement!s, interpretations, and I .. ..

Issue Editor: Pamela Ouimet

Cover Illustration In 1902 the Rich Lumber Co. extended the NY Central Railroad jbm Benson Mines to Wanakena. (Photo courtesy ofPeter Van de Water)

ther inforn ise contact the ed itor throulgh the St. Lawrence Count!1 Historical Associaticon. Please -- . address communications to: Managing Editor, TheSLCHA Quarter& P.O.Box I8, Canton, NY 13617. James McCormick : A Speech by Edwin McCormick Barry Memorial Day, 2002 Potsdam, New York Honorable Mayor Ruth Gar- ner, American Legion Com- mander David Brown, Thomas Dodds, Community Develop- ment Director and Guests: Thank you for coming today to honor our War Veterans here, this Memorial Day. It is a special privilege for me to be present to honor my grandfather Sergeant James McCormick who lived between 1840 and 1921. He was born in Iroquois, Canada and as a youth of 21 years he crossed the St. Lawrence and immigrated to Potsdam in 1860. He became an apprentice wheelwright and carriage builder in the shop of Daniel Darius Cutting. At the outbreak of the War between the States his employer, Mr. Cutting (age 45 with 5 children and the carriage-wagon business) paid McCormick to take his place in the 60th Regiment New York State Volunteers. He served first in the Capitol area under General Dix in what they called the Railroad Brigade, was transferred to Vtrginia to the was honorably discharged from land, which came to include car- Dept. of the Shenandoah, then to service to the Union Army from riage and wagon building, gen- the Army of the Potomac. James Atlanta on Oct. 29, 1864 at the eral repairing, blacksmithing, McCormick fought in the battles expiration of his 3-year term of carriage painting, hack and cab of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, enlistment. repair and he served as agent for Wauhatchee, Lookout Mountain, the Babcock Buggy Company, Ringgold, and then served as a As a point of interest, this war and he was awarded a patent in guard again in the Division Or- story has a happy ending because 1887 for his invention of the dinance Trains-probably be- he returned, married the boss's McCormick Vehicle-spring by cause of health reasons while his daughter Sarah Ann Cutting, and the United States Patent Ofice. 60thRegiment advanced on At- developed over the years a very When his buildings burned in lanta and then on Savannah. He successful business on Fall Is-

2 St. Lawrence CountyHistorical Association Quarterly 1900 he went on to boat and ca- He was a wheelwright by And joined his new father in noe building on Fourth lake of trade, the carriage shop. the Adirondacks. Came to New York to find Two generations later he was work, still building- I am here today to dedicate a But sent to fight the War Be- Two big Adirondack lodges, plaque on Fall Island to honor tween the States rowboats, this soldier who fought over 130 In Place of his hture father- And canoes. If I close my years ago that his country might in-law. eyes remain one nation. It occurs to me that Abraham Lincoln's He rose in ranl-private, cor- I can see him now, rocking on Gettysburg Address delivered on poral, sergeant- the front veranda, the battlefield where my grand- Those years '6 1-64-built Smoking his pipe, reading his father fought gives us pause to- roads and bridges, paper. day, because the words apply to Fixed wheels and guns, Now and then he'd hum or all soldiers in all wars. marched and fought, sing one of his Slept in nests of wet straw Civil War tunes-Tenting To- Lincoln said so simply but so under stars, night powerfully: On the Old Camp Grounds, "It is for us, the living, rather Or in winter quarter tents and When Johnny Comes to be dedicated here to the un- .huts of stone Marchin' Home Again. finished work which they fought And wood. Defend the Capi- He'd greet people with a here have thus far so nobly ad- tol, smile vanced. It is rather for us to be Advanced in Lookout Moun- And pass around great bear here dedicated to the great task tain. Returned hugs to everyone. remaining before us, that from To marry the fair Miss Cut- these honored dead we take in- ting-the boss's daughter, Edwin McCormick Barry creased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full mea- sure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that this government of the People, by the People, and for the People shall not perish from the earth." I wish to thank all those behind the scenes for making this Memorial Day so memorable and a day of grand success. I'd like to end with a short poem I wrote about my grandfather.. . THE OLD BEAR-HUGGER A warrior of no mean dimen- sion From a Canadian town of Iroquois- The only grandfather I ever knew- Others left before I grew. Ea'win McCormick Barry with Mayor Ruth Garner at the Zves Park Gazebo in Potsdam, New York.

3 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly James McCormick, Carriage Shop

James McCorrnick, the subject A specialty is light work. the patentee and manufacturer of this sketch, is a practical Wagons and vehicles of this of the McCormick Spring, of wagon and carriage maker, description will stand the which he sells a great many. having been engaged in the roughest usage, bearing the business here for over 30 years. heaviest loads and wearing He manufactures from forty to With his experience, combined longer without repair than any sixty wagons a year and with good business qualities, it wagons of a similar description disposes of as many more a is not at all strange that his manufactured or repaired by year that are handled by him. success should have been other houses. Back repairing is He makes all kinds of carriage assured from the start. also a specialty, and hacks, and wagon wood work and cabs and vehicles used material and occupies two large He has secured a large and constantly in public service are buildings, the factory and shop, lucrative business, which he is in better condition after passing and the store-room, sales-room attending to with credit to through this shop than they and paint shop. James himself. This business were when rolled out of the McCormick is a native of includes, besides carriage and original factory. Camden, and came here in wagon making, general 1859. He established the repairing and blacksmithing Aside from the repairing and business in 1865. He served in and carriage painting. He mechanical department of the the war three years. He is one employs from six to eight men, business, Mr. McCormick deals of the successhl men of the all of them thoroughly extensively in the very best village. competent mechanics. The carriages and buggies in all 1892 dimensions of the shop in styles, the makes of the well- which this work is done is known Babcock Buggy ample, and is hrnished with all Company, for whom he is agent the appliances of the various here. Mr. McCormick is also trades conducted under that roof

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Chronology of James McCormick & Sarah Ann Cutting McCormick

January 6, 1840: wagon building business. He Springs Resort. They were now James McCormick was born also may have been drawn to the 31~Brigade, 2ndDivision, 121h in Matilda, Ontario Canada in area by relatives. History of St. Corps, Army of the Potomac. Dundas County, near South Lawrence County, New York, p. Mountain. His parents were 224 records the history of St. July 2 1-Nov., 1862: Francis McCormick and Mary Mary's (Roman Catholic) James was sent to Carber Shannon. Church and mentions that ". . .a USA General Hospital, Washing- large number of Irish emigrants ton, D. C. (His Regiment fought March, 1845: settled in the western part of the in the Battle of Antietam Creek Sarah Ann Cutting was born town of Canton.. .The first mass (Sharpsburg ) Sept. 17-18 while at Stanbridge, Ontario Canada. was said in the log house of one he was in the hospital.) Her father was Daniel Darius of these settlers named Cutting born May 17, 18 16 at McCormick." Nov. 26, 1862: Sebovis, Canada, (d. 1906?). James returned to 60thRegi- Daniel's father was Rubin Cut- Sept. 1, 1861: ment now in the PdDivision of ting. Daniel's mother was Nancy James was enlisted by Capt. the Army of the Potomac. Benson (d. 1845). Sarah Ann's Goodrich at Crary Mills, N.Y., in mother was Harriet Spear. The 60th Regiment New York Dec. 6, 1862: Daniel and Harriet Spear Cutting State Volunteers. He was paid Appointed Corporal. had five children: George, Sarah to take the place of his employer, Ann, Elizabeth, Lydia, and Daniel Darius Cutting. Dec. 7, 1862-Jan. 1863: Frances. Two sisters, Mrs. A. On veteran hrlough. Train and Mrs. S. F. Dawson of Sept. 9, 1861: Lawrence, Mass., are known to He joined for duty and en- May 2-4, 1863: survive Sarah Ann. "When a rolled for a 3-year term of enlist- James fought in the battle of child, her parents moved to Ver- ment at Canton, N.Y. Trained at Chancellorsville with the 60th mont then to Canton and later to Camp Wheeler from Sept. 9 to Regiment, 3rdBrigade, PdDivi- Potsdam." Her father may have Nov. 1. sion, 20thCorps. chosen to move to Canton since there were Cuttings in the area. Nov. 1, 1861: July 1-4, 1863: James William Cutting (1 832- Left with the 60thRegiment James fought in the battle of 1899) was a carriage maker in for the WashingtonIDistrict of Gettysburg with the 60thRegi- Pierrepont who had a daughter Columbia area under Co. Hay- ment. Elizabeth. Her wedding an- ward. 'The Regiment served un- nouncement appeared in Courier der Gen. Dix in the Railroad Bri- July 6, 1863: & Freeman, June 21, 1866, p. 3, gade. Appointed Sergeant. Col. 3. Daniel Hurlbert Cutting and his son Aaron Burrows Cut- June, 1862: Sept. 24, 1863: ting were also active business- 60~Regiment was transferred Regiment boarded B & 0 men in the Pierrepont area and to Virginia. They became part of Railroad and traveled to they were all probably related. the 2ndBrigade, Siegel's Divi- Murfreesboro arriving Oct. 8. sion, Department of 1859: Shenandoah. Oct. 28, 1863: James McCormick moved to James fought in Battle of New York. His post office at the July 1862: Wauhatchee, Tenn. time of enlistment was Crary James came down with ty- Mills. He began to work as a phus when the whole Regiment NOV.23-25, 1863: wheelwright for Daniel Darius was sent for rest and recupera- James fought in Battle of Cutting in his carriage and tion to Fauquier White Sulphur Lookout Mountain.

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Nov. 27, 1863: eventually served as agent for the Aug. 20, 1903. James fought in Battle of Babcock Company. Ringgold. 1894: July 1, 1866: Daughter Velma Ann Dec. 24, 1863: James married Sarah Ann McCormick, married Edwin James transferred to the 137th Cutting. The service was per- Malachi Barry of Malone, N.Y. New York State Volunteers by formed at Canton, N.Y. by the in the McCormick home. order of the War Department and Rev. P. G McGlynn of St. Mary's Brig. Gen. John W. Geary. He Church. 1896: was detained in Division Ordi- James McCormick, son nance Trains as Guard. Nov. 26, 1867: Clinton, and son-in-law Edwin Son Frank D. born (d. Sept. Malachi Barry camped on Fourth March 17, 1864: 29, 1875). Lake of the Fulton Chain of James was retransferred to Lakes in the Adirondacks. 60hN.Y.V.per S.O. no. 47, Dept. Aug. 24, 1869: of the Cumberland. Daughter Velma Ann born (d. 1901: 1958). James, daughter Velma Ann, March 29, 1864: and her husband Edwin attended Retransferred to 60th Regi- April 1, 1871: the Pan American Exposition in ment New York State Veterans at Daughter Harriet born (d. Buffalo, N.Y. Stevenson, Alabama by order of 1949). the War Dept. per Circular No. Feb. 1902: 24 dated Mar. 17, 1864 as guard 1871: James, Velma, and Edwin in Division Ordinance Trains. James spent one year in St. crossed Fourth Lake on snow- Charles, Missouri. shoes from Lawrence Point to The records from the Com- Gingerbread Point. pany and Regimental Descriptive Feb. 22, 1872: Books seem confbsing here but Son William H. born (d. 1902-1903 : they seem to indicate that James 1822). Mr. Shay, a male nurse, resid- did not return to the Army of the ing on Gngerbread Point, sold Cumberland and fight with his Nov. 20, 1877: lots 62 and 63 to James 60thRegiment as it advanced on Son Clinton born (d. Nov. 23, McCormick and he started to Atlanta, the Siege of Atlanta, or 1896). build Iroquois Lodge, finished in the occupation of Atlanta. He 1906 - a three-story log camp, remained as guard in the Divi- Dec. 6, 1886: encompassed by porches on the sion Ordinance Trains. James filed an application for first and second floors. They also a Vehicle-spring at the United built a pier and boathouse. He Oct. 29, 1864: States Patent Office. gave Iroquois Lodge to Velma James McCormick was hon- and Edwin, which they ran as a orably discharged from service in April 5, 1887: resort. From 1905-1920 it was the Union Army from Atlanta, Patent awarded: The expanded to include 18 bed- Georgia by reason of expiration McCormick Spring. Letter of rooms, 2 living rooms, 2 dining of 3-year term of enlistment. Patent No. 360,710. Serial No. rooms and one large kitchen. 220,849. Velma served as many as 60 Nov. 1864-1865: people in her dining room and Returned to his occupation as May21, 1891: boarded 30 -people. Edwin ran wheelwright and began to de- Sarah Ann McCorrnick was a the waterfront, maintained the velop his business at 10 Pint member of the Marsh Women's canoes and motor boats. Street and later on Fall Island in Relief Corps. When they voted the Racquette River, Potsdam, to start a fund to erect a monu- 1904: which came to include carriage ment in honor of Civil War sol- James built another log camp, and wagon making, general re- diers, she contributed the first Camp Vernon, for himself and pairing, blacksmithing, carriage dollar toward the Monument Sarah Ann. James made many painting, hack and cab repair, and Fund. The statue was dedicated canoes and row boats, more than

6 St. Lawrence Counly H~stor~calAssociation Quarterly 300 maple and cherry, hand- drawn paddles, 60 pairs of oars, motor boat supplies - such as seats, engine beds, marine supplies and other wood parts and equipment. Obituary of Feb. 23, 1910: Sarah Ann Cutting James William Cutting, 1899 McCormick passed on. She is (Probably from a newspaper in Guthrie County, buried in Stanbridge, Canada. Iowa) Dec. 5, 1910: James' grandson, Edwin McCormick Barry, was born to Velma and Edwin. Grandson (He may have been a cousin of his health. Mr. Cutting was Edwin married Gladys Jane or relative of Daniel Darius a successhl businessman, and Pfeffer on June 2 1,1940. Velma Cutting and Sarah Ann Cut- was very much grieved by his Bonny was born to them Oct. 15, ting.) physical inability, but being of 194 1. Edwin Ernest Barry was very quiet disposition, he bore born on Aug. 18, 1943. In 1959 I received this obituary fiom all his sufferings and disap- Velma Bonny Barry married Charlotte Regan, Pierrepont pointments with heroic pa- Thomas Benton Sanders. Their Historian, 5893 Ct. Rt. #24, tience. He was a man of fine only daughter, Susan Barry Sand- Canton, NY 13617. tastes and large-hearted charity ers was born on May 13, 1974. as far as he was able, and would James William Cutting was rather suffer himself, than to Sept. 20, 1921: born in Enosburg, Vermont, see others suffer. A kind, in- James McCorrnick passed on. Feb. 28, 1832 and died April dulgent father, good neighbor He is buried in St. Mary's Catho- 2, 1899, being 67 years, 1 and faithhl citizen. lic Church Cemetery, Potsdam, month, and 4 days old. He was N.Y. His tools, the last canoe he educated in Canadian schools, He was confirmed when 16 built, paddles, his copy of The being that he was born and years of age in the Episcopal History of the Sixtieth Regiment reared on the line between Church and held to that church New York State Volunteers by Canada and the U.S. until death. Those who know, Chaplain Richard Eddy, Velma say that his life was a very Ann's snowshoes, moccasins, When he was a young man, sweet Christian life, full of faith photos, cards, letters, and a copy he went to New York State to in the promises of God and in of patent for carriage spring may learn the carriage malung trade the Lord Jesus Christ. He be viewed at the Adirondack and followed that business as leaves behind a wife, and three Museum, Blue Mountain Lake, long as his health would per- daughters and one little grand- N.Y. Some artifacts may be also mit. He and his family came daughter to mourn the loss, one be seen at the Potsdam Museum. to Iowa nearly 20 years ago son having preceded his father (1879), lived in Futhrie County some 20 years ago. On Tues- for about 3 years, then moved day at 10 a.m. the hneral took to Lewis, where they have lived place fiom the late home which ever since, except about four was conducted by Rev. D. E. years in California for the sake Evans and assisted by Rev. GC. Jewel1 and E.E. Kneeder.

7 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Obituary of Sarah Ann Cutting McCormick (Potsdam Courier Freeman, No. 39, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1910, p. 4 col. 5)

The death of Mrs. James Mrs. McCormick was a de- a large circle of friends who McCormick occurred at her vout and faithful member of the deeply mourn her death. home on Market Street, Wednes- Presbyterian Church. She was a day, February 16. woman of naturally sweet dispo- Funeral services were held at sition, without unkind words or the home on Market Street Sat- Mrs. McCormick had been in thoughts for anyone. Looking on urday afternoon. Rev. F. B. poor health for several months, the bright side of life and seek- Cowan oficating. but it was not until very recently ing only the good, she attracted that her friends thought that she would ultimately recover SUE- ciently to be about again. Up to the very last she maintained a sincere confidence that she was Marsh Veterans Relief Corps improving and would soon be about again. The turn for the Obituary worst came Tuesday at midnight, and from that time until her death Sarah Ann Cutting McCormick she failed rapidly. (Potsdam Courier Freeman, Sarah A. Cutting was born in Wednesday, May 2, 1910, p. 3, Col. 3) Stanbridge, Ont., March, 1845. When a child, her parents moved to Vermont, then to Canton and later to Potsdam. She was united In the death of Sister Sarah The first dollar of the Sol- in marriage with Mr. James McCormick Marsh Veterans diers Monument Fund was McCormick in 1866. Four chil- Relief Corps have sustained a placed in our fund by her. dren were born to them ofwhom great loss. We have long one son, Clinton, died several missed her from our meetings A good member, a friend to years ago. on account of ill health. She depend upon, a loving wife and was a very pleasant, lovable mother, what more could we Mrs. McCormick is survived woman and faithfbl worker in ask for? The Corps sent beau- by her husband; one son, Will- our Corps. She was chairman tiful flowers. Let us cherish her iam H., a daughter, Mrs. E.M. of the Relief Committee for memory. Barry of Potsdam; a daughter, many years and her sympathy Mrs. A. L. Hitchcock of Wash- went out to the sick and needy. E.J.S., Pres. - (Or, Present ington, D.C.; and two sisters, In all the years she held the of- Chair) Mrs. A. Train and Mrs. S.F. fice no one called on her in Dawson of Lawrence, Mass. vain.

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Sources of Information: Marsh Womans Relief Corp., Potsdam, N.Y.: Courier &Free- National Archives: man, March 2, 19 10. P. 3, co1.3. Department of the Inte- rior, Bureau of Pensions Article about James Marriage War Department, Record McCormick - "J. McCormick, and Pension Division Carriage shop," Potsdam, N.Y : Announcement Courier & Freeman, appeared (Potsdam Courier War Department, The Adjutant 1892. General's Ofice Freeman, Obituary of James Thursday, June 21, 60~Regiment New York State MCCormick, Potsdam, N.Y.: 1876, Volunteers Courier & Freeman, Sept. 28, --Company Descriptive Book 1921. p. 32, col. 3) --Regimental Descriptive Book Gallantry in the Field: --Company Muster-in-Roll Potsdam and the Civil War, "At the residence of the --Regimental Return Potsdam, N.Y.: Potsdam Public bride's parents in Pierpont, --Hospital Muster Roll Museum. June 14 (1866) by Rev. Will- --Company Morning Report iam Whitfield, Mr. Charles B. History of St. Lawrence Merriell (Morrell, Murell) to Registers and Sketches of County, New York, 1749-1878, Elizabeth Cutting." Organizations, pp. 2539-40. Al- Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts & bany, N.Y.: State of New York Co., Philadelphia Press of J.B. At this date, James Will- Archives, Military Records. Lippincott & Co. iam Cutting is 34 years, so Elizabeth may have been his Obituary of Mrs. James United States Patent Office sister or cousin and somehow McCormick (Sarah Ann Cutting. related to Sarah Ann Cutting. McCormick), Potsdam, N.Y.: Advance AImanac, St. Courier & Freeman, Feb. 16, Lawrence Couny Directory for Also a possibility-Sarah 1910, No. 39, p. 4, col. 5. 1862, Ogdensburg, N.Y. Printed Ann also had a sister Eliza- & Published by J. W. Hopkins, beth. Also 2 other sisters Article about Mrs. at the Advance Steam Printing Lydia and Frances (and I still McCormick by the Chair of the House, 1862. don't know the address of Daniel Darius Cutting 1861 - 1866). Sarah Ann was married also July l, 1866. Sara Ann had 2 sisters that survived her. I only know their maried names from her obituary-Mrs. Ashael Train, and Mrs. S. F. Dawson of Lawrence MA. My father speaks of visiting his grandmother's sister-an Aunt Mat or Mattie. If Eliza- beth (above) was her sister, she did not survive her, un- less she became a widow and married again.

St. Lawrence Counry Historical Association Quarterly Frank Wilder's Cranberry Lake,

By Peter Van de Water

Peter Van de Water owns a writer preserves Wilder's stories reader. I have rearranged certain camp on LaFountain Bay, Cran- in the original; Evans neither at- sections to make Wilder's story berry Lake. He is a former com- tempted to organize Wilders' ran- flow more smoothly. Where I modore of the Cranberry Lake dom thoughts nor corrected his thought it would help, I have in- Boat Club and the author of English. Wilder's stories - 22 terspersed explanations. The "Northwest Territory" pages single-spaced - were pro- narrative is Wilder's in the origi- (Adirondack Life, 2001 vided through the courtesy of nal form. (Collector k Issue), a history of Jeanne Reynolds, Town of the early days of Cranberry Lake. Clifton Historian. Author's Introduction Frank Wilder's is a man's Frank Wilder was a business- story of hunting and fishing and J. A. Outterson with whom I man in Carthage, N.Y. when he guides and loggers and boats. was in business in Carthage and was invited to make the journey Although the four Wilder chil- who spent some time at the Lake by train and stage to Cranberry dren grew up at Camp Idlewild, each summer invited George Lake. The year was 1899, and the narrative mentions them only (Wilder) and I to come up for a Cranberry Lake, set in the middle in passing and makes scant men- weekend. We arrived at Newton of a vast untouched forest, was a tion, too, of Mrs. Wilder (Bessie) Falls & had to have Sam Spain, sportsman's paradise. In 1904 who presumably had no role in who ran the Hotel & Livery, take Wilder bought 13 1 acres of vir- Frank's more vigorous outdoor us there in his democrat wagon gin timber and "a couple of miles activities. & a spanking pair of horses over of shoreline" from Dr. W. W. In presenting Wilder's ac- 10 miles of road with ruts & mud Boyd of St. Louis. Dr. Boyd had count I have omitted sections that hub deep we arrived in time for recently built a rambling two- seemed to me repetitious or per- dinner at Ed Aldriches Cranberry story summer home on Lightning haps of lesser interest to the Lake Inn. We spent the p.m. Point about two-and-a-half miles from the foot of the lake. The Wilders called their new lodging Camp Idlewild; it became their summer home for 44 years. The Wilder Tract was eventually par- celled off and in October, 1984 fire destroyed Camp Idlewild. Another large camp, built by Leiper and Kit Read, present owners of Lightning Point, sits on the site of Camp Idlewild. In 1948 Frank Wilder wrote his reminiscences of almost a half-century at Cranberry Lake. Wilder's account came to Brock Evans, who owned the log cabin EdAldriclz k Crat7berry Lake Inn. on Birch Island. Evans' type- Bishop k original log hotel (1871) is on the right.

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Qlcarterly looking around & I wanted to go Each year since my trip to was turned into a club & owned trout fishing but George didn't Brandy Brook with Barney by N.Y. sportsmen & known as like the place & was homesick Burns I have spent many happy the "Indian Mt. Club." They to go home. So the following days fishing its waters. Besides leased several lakes and built 5 morning at 3 o'clock Bill Aldrich Brandy there are East Creek, or 6 log camps & ran a fine place took him to Newton Falls to the Chair Rock, Sucker Brook, for many years. 6 a.m. train for Carthage. South Creek, Witch Bay, Dead Creek, the Cucumber hole, Other old timers about the Rasbeck hole, Root hole and Lake were, some also as guides: many others. The black duck Rutherford B. Hayes, who now Author k Note: Travel from hole especially noted for a good operates the "West Side Boat the South to Cranberry Lake in place to get a deer in summer Shop;" Bill Streeter, guide and 1899 was via the Carthage and months. In the early days about also ran a "boat shop," raised a Adirondack branch of the New the Lake were many notable large family, sold out & bought York Central Railroad, which characters that during the many a farm near Waddington, N.Y. reached Newton Falls and years I have been going there Lloyd Davis bought his shop; he Benson Mines near Star Lake. have got to know well. Among acts as an all-round handy man, The remainder of the trip was by the early days' residents & guid- an electrician by trade, but also horse-drawn "democrat" ers were Ab Thompson, Barney runs a boat livery. wagon, a light wagon with sev- Burns, the Rasbeck Bros., John eral seats and no top. Howland, Nelson Howland, We also have a second gen- Chan Howland, Chan Westcott, eration of guides; Fred Howland "Ed Aldrich 's Cranberry Herb Phelps, Del Phelps, Bill & Art Howland; Spencer Lake Inn" was successor to McAleese, Sr., Bill McAleese, Howland, guide & during the Bishop k, the orignal log hotel, Jr., Jay Hand - who later turned summer months has a govern- built in 1871 and a gathering coat to a game protector & was ment contract to deliver mail for place for sportsmen, including the bane of my existence (previ- 4 months to Cottagers & also Frederic Remington. ously in my employ) & the only does errands & carries passen- one to ever get me for having gers from Cranberry Lake to venison out of season; Frank Wanakena 6 days a week from Starkey at this time probably the June 1" (to) Oct. 1" he fills the Ed Aldrich had told me of the oldest guide still active; Warren bill. Everyone loves Spence, he good trout fishing in Brandy Guinup, guide, lumberman & for and the "Grace," a small boat but Brook & he engaged Barney many years caretaker for the its been on in the service for more Burns, a noted guide, to take me Syracuse University School of than 20 years. to his camp. We had excellent Forestry, now eligible for retire- fishing & the 2d morning at day ment; Andy Heyburn guide lived [There were three Rasbeck break he suggested to go to Bear at Wanakena; Fred Phelps, guide, brothers, William ("Bill '7, Mt. pond to see the deer. We went home Earrisville, N.Y., who Harrison ("Has'?), and George & Barney took his rifle & before worked for us at the camp many ("Gib'y. See Chapter 3 "Bill we returned he had added to our summers & one of the best fly Rasbeck k Diary, " by Atwood larder some venison steaks, fisherman & a dead shot at deer Manley in Fowler, "Cranberry which were I think, the first veni- and who probably killed more Lake from Wilderness to son I had ever tasted and it had deer out of season than any man Adirondack Park. " "Has" made of me an ardent victim of living or dead & always was able Rasbeck was Frederic the deer hunting habit. to elude the wary game protec- Remington bfavorite Cranberry tor. Lake guide. See Chapter 5, I stayed 2 or 3 days & returned "Frederic Remington, " also by home via stage. [See Chapter 4 George Preston was another Atwood Manley, in Fowler.] by Atwood and iEllistonManley, excellent fly fisherman & oper- "Barney Burns at Brandy ated from the head of the Lake. Fred Phelps was the guide Brook" in Fowler, "Cranberry George Nunn operated a hotel who most often accompanied Lake from Wilderness to many years until his death at the Frank Wilder on his hunting and Adirondack Park. "1 head of the Lake, after which it fishing excursions.

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly This Lake has 165 miles of the High Falls, which was as far man a dollar. He thinks he owns shoreline. There were in the first as large trout could go - they were the land or acts as watchman & of the century many hotels on the unable to go over the falls water collects this from every one he lake, the "Cranberry Lake Inn," to thin (?)for them to negotiate. can;" his name was Carter & I Columbia Hotel, "Windsor Ho- A big pool at the foot of the falls discovered later he was the fa- tel," "The Evergreen Hotel," with a big boulder at the outlet ther of Judge Milton Carter, "Lone Pine Point Inn" a club, always held a few big ones & county judge of Lewis County. Balderson's Hotel, "Sunset Inn," with the proper bait would al- There were many good spring "Nunns Hotel," "Deremo's Ho- most always produce 3 or 4 dan- holes down the Oswegatchie that tel," and several boarding dies 2-3-5 lbs., maybe. Fred had you were almost always (sure) of houses. At this time only two a camp there (cotton covered) but getting some nice trout from. On remain, "Evergreen Hotel & good & warm & dry. Would of- one trip I recall, casting a big bait Balderson." ten spend a week there and each into Coqr (Author k Note: prob- day most always yielded 2 or 3 ably Cage Lake) Lake springhole These places were patronized trout. There about the falls you & on retrieving my line & hook by fishermen & hunters for could always fill your creel with I brought up a fishline my hook which this Lake is noted, prob- 7-9 inch trout at any hour of day. had encountered & on pulling in ably as good as any place in the this line I found it attached to a country. The writer thinks so as Fred & I would, after fishing 3# trout who had taken the bait he has hunted & fished in many the high falls to our content, start & broke the line of some other parts of the country, in Quebec down stream in our canoe & fish nimrod. & Gaspe peninsula country for all the good spring holes. On one moose & carabou, of which I early trip, about the first or sec- On another occasion with my have many trophies & the Pacific ond, I recall we met an old man son Col. Wilder, then a small boy Mountains for trout & duck & coming up in a flat bottom boat about 10 years or so, with Fred geese, and I think for geese & with long paddles & with the to paddle, and after a heavy rain duck the Klamath Falls Lakes overhanging alders in places it the day before, we took 14 trout, beats the world. was almost impossible to get by. mostly on flies, that weighed We found him across the stream about 30 pounds, in less than 2 The fishing in the lakes adja- & we could not get by. His first hours. This was late August & cent to Cranberry, of which there salute was, "A dollar, you men!" the trout were on their way to are many, is unsurpassed. There At this, Fred, who knew him, spawning beds up stream. are "Hedge Hog Pond," "Curtis spoke up and says, "Give the old Mt. Pond," "Cat Mt. Pond," "Cow Horn," "Bassout Pond," "Big Deer Pond," "Fish Pole," "Silver Pond," "Wolf Pond," "The Oswegatchie Inlet." Fishing in the Inlet is superb, expecially after heavy rains that permit trout to go over the rap- ids at Wanakena. The big ones head upstream to select spawning beds and the writer has had some wonderful catches with Guide Fred Phelps who used to know every foot of the stream as he fished from boyhood on, at one time operating the "Inlet House" above Wanakena.

We would paddle a canoe Evergreen Hotel, 1907. from his place about 18 miles to

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly but I don't recall it - & he had got into an argument and the lumberjack knocked him down & stomped his face, Wilfred's, with his spike wood boots, & he nearly killed the poor devil. He was laid up for weeks before he was able to guide. He was no expert with flies or the rifle, but he would make you think he was. Another time, to show his heart was in the right place, Fred & I started up the inlet to kill a deer out of season. (We) left the inlet house late in the p.m. & had A "Sport" and his son no luck. Early the next morning Wilfred appeared at our camp and says to Fred, "Last night Another incident I recall. The ever traveled it was Wilfred Walter Brundidge, game protec- year 1926 I went to Brandy Morrison (a Frenchman) of Ca- tor, came to your hotel & was Brook for trout. It was a hot day nadian birth I think, and now coming upstream early this & the mosquitoes were awful long gone. He spoke very bro- morning." And he says, "Mrs. busy. I had fished sometime ken English and was quite a sto- Phelps told me where Brundidge without results & had to apply fly ryteller & could entertain you was headed for & I thought ifyou dope, so I cast a long line into a with his jargon all day & all night & Mr. Wilder were coming down likely spot for a big one & lay if the liquor held out. I knew him you would probably get pinched my pole down on my lap and pro- for many years. One trip up the & I came up to take your pack of ceeded to apply the fly dope. Inlet I recall, with Fred at the venison through the woods to This done I then decided to fill paddle, part way up the Inlet near Benson Mines, where we could the old pipe with good old Wolf Creek inlet we began to put it in the care on our way " Warneke Brown" tobacco, hear faint cries & moaning & as home." I thanked him & gave known to lull flies on the spot. we got nearer we discovered him a pint of liquor, which was Wilfred lying on the boat land- all the pay he would take. I hope When I took up my fly rod to ing, pretty drunk & his face cut he is enjoying his hunting retrieve my flies, I had a strike. & bleeding. He told us that .a grounds in that great beyond. A heavv fish that immediatelv lumber iack - he told his name headed-for the bottom in deeb water where he stayed. After what seemed like a half-hour, I succeeded in getting the fish off the bottom and finally maneu- vered him to my landing net & when I laid the fish in the boat bottom my little #12 Montreal fly dropped out of the fin on his back. But the fish was landed safe and he weighed 5 lbs. & 2 oz., a genuine Eastern brook trout. Another character I will men- tion at this time & who knew this stream as well as any man that This isprobably the "record"brook trout--5 lbs, 14 oz.

13 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly Author's Note: Wilfred night, which (offer) we did (ac- Harrisville, planned a trip to Morrison was a noted guide and cept). We each had 20 rounds of camp in the fall for a weekend character He is a centralmre ammunition. We had, I think, the of hunting. It was planned for in Herb Keith's Man of the greatest day's hunt I ever recall. Fred to go up to Benson Mines Woods (I 9 72). Game laws were When Hart came for us we had 4 on the train, get off & hunt to introduced in New York State deer on shore at landing. Our camp, about (a) 10 mile hike, & about 1900; game protectors shells (were) all gone & to wind I was to come up in (the) p.m. by were "the enemy" to those - like up, in dressing our last deer, with auto. Fred carried his 30-30, Wilder - accustomed to tahng our guns standing beside a tree pack basket & lunch. When I deer in any season. 10 feet away, the biggest buck I arrived about dark I found he had ever saw came bounding down killed a nice 4-point buck, the mt. & within 10 feet of us (which) was hanging up at the passed by. Well, if we had have back door. He told me he killed ORen Fred and I would go to had the guns in our hands it it near Heath Pond & (had) Wolf Pond to look over the deer. would have been the same, as packed it on his back for prob- in the summer. This pond was our cartridges were all gone. We ably between 7 & 8 miles. That noted as a feeding ground for gave Hart his choice of the deer was like him: no matter where deer in summer. I recall one for his 2 trips for us. he saw a deer he would kill it, night we paddled into West Bay whether buck or doe, in season we heard deer in the lily pads; or out. Since his passing,. . . .as I when we got close I opened my look back on tales he told me, he jack light and counted 20 balls Author b Note: "Jacking" no doubt was the champion out- of fire in the scope of my light. and "hounding" of deer were law of the Western Adirondacks Some balls seemed close to- common 19th century hunting during the time. He told me of gether, indicating small deer, oth- practices. A 'fiack" was a light starting to hunt & trap with his ers far apart, indicating big deer. that wasplaced on apole in the father when 10 years old & spent We watched them for a long front of a boat. The hunters most of his days following this time, left them & went around would patrol the shoreline at occupation. This, together with the lake (a small one) and saw night, usually in a guideboat. the blacksmith trade, which he more pairs of eyes. When deer were spotted, the learned when not in the woods, 'j'ack" was lit, temporarily made him a decent living for On another trip to "Big Deer blinding the deer andproviding himself & wife. Pond" we had counted over 30 the hunter light to shoot by. In deer in early evening. On this "hounding," the dogs started a [Fred Phelps, "rr;cle guide, " trip we wanted some venison. I deer on the hillsides above a was typical of 19th century threw the jack on a small one not lake. rr;cle deer went in the lake guides. They were proficient at over 30 feet ahead of the canoe; to escape the hounds and were just about any outdoor activity, when I shot, the deer came head- easy prey for the hunter in his and they supplemented their on & jumped over the bow of the boat. guide wages with some other canoe, knocked my 25 Savage business. In Fred b case it was from my hands into the lake rim Wilder b "row boat" was in blacksmithing; many others were to the shore & dropped dead. all likelihood an Adirondack farmers or loggers. See Charles Later I retrieved my rifle none the guide boat, then plentiful on Brumley, "Guides of the worse for the bath. Cranberry Lake. Guideboats Adirondacks: A History" (1994) were rowed with long oars that for the Jirst (and on&)book ex- On another weekend Fred & overlapped. They were the clusively about Adirondack I went up to Curtis Mt. for (a) ')ackhorse" of the lakes - ca- guides. Chuck Brumley b list of hunt. (There was) some snow on pable of carrying large loads and guides includes some - but cer- the ground. This was on east side considerably faster than a row- tainly not all - of the Cranberry of the lake, 6 miles from (camp) boat. Lake guides.] - too far to go with a row boat (launch up for winter). Hart Shortly aRer the turn of the Lafountain offered to take us in On another occasion I recall, century the Emporium Forestry his powerboat & come for us at Fred the guide, who lived in Co. of Emporia, Pa. came to this

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly region and purchased, in round trict. BothLafountainshave now for workers and Wanakena be- numbers, about 75,000 acres of passed to the great beyond. came a town that is still thriving virgin Adirondack timber, and and no doubt always will. Many established saw mills at Cran- Besides the Emporia Forestry people built summer homes there berry Lake & Conifer, N.Y. This Co., Bissell Bros. established a & there is also a good hotel, the was the saddest day that Cran- sawmill at the Lake that operated "Wanakena," this being an In- berry Lake ever experienced, for for several years, towing the lum- dian name. After completion of it began the destruction of the ber to Wanakena where it was the lumbering operation& all the great virgin forests of the West- loaded on cars. These men were timber (merchantable) had been ern Adirondacks with its beauti- Dana & Brome Bissell. removed, the Rich Lumber Co., hlspruce, pine, hemlock and all gave to Syracuse University the hardwoods. Now, more than Wanakena was put on the map (Forestry Dep't) 2,000 acres for 40 years later, with all that goes about the turn of the century by forestry experimental & perma- with good lumbering operations, the Rich Lumber Co., which nent reforesting. The University, fires, erosion, the country is bought some 20,000 acres ofvir- probably in the early 1920s, set growing a second covering of the gin timber. The Riches, Herbert, out this tract to spruce & pine and same kinds of timber; many sec- C.A. & Wallie Andrews & Pop today it's a beautifbl sight to be- tions that have escaped destruc- Wilson, gen supt., all came from hold. So far no fires have oc- tive forest fires are well covered Cataraugus Co., N.Y., and were curred & the ground is again cov- with the new growth. With lum- a fine lot of gentlemen. It be- ered with evergreens. bering on the Lake came the tug came necessary for them to build boats towing rafts to the saw about 15 miles of railroad to con- About the time the Rich lum- mills, many times taking 20 to nect them with the N.Y.S. Ry at ber Co., arrived, Syracuse Uni- 40 hours to tow a raft 8 to 10 Benson Mines, N.Y. After the versity built just down the miles. This work was camed on completion of their lumbering Oswegatchie (Hos-we-got-ye = by Hart LaFountain, who owned operations, around 1920, their Indian lore) from a town a "For- the boat, and Rudy Hayes was mill was taken down and, I think, estry School" where all-year- engineer. This work took many moved to near Manchester, Vt. round classes are held. This years to complete. Mose The railroad was abandoned and school graduates the finest for- LaFountain, a brother of Hart, today the right-of-way is where estry engineers in the country. joined the State Forestry Depart- the State Highway #3 is located. On the east side of Cranberry ment and became, for many In addition to the sawmill, it Lake the University has about years, head of rangers in that dis- became necessary to build homes 1,000 acres of land on which are located summer school facilities where students do actual forestry work: estimating trees per acre, species, caliperizing sizes of trees & all work in connection with this course. At this location they all have ample housing facilities for about 200 men, with large passenger boats and all facilities. Warren Guinup has been caretaker here for years and is @ now eligible for retirement. Pre- B vious to this position he was log < contractor on the Lake for years, Ek. most of the time with the Inter- $ national Paper Co. who had large $ operations here. U [For more on Warren Guinup see "Warren Guinup, Lumber The Emporium Mill, Cranberry Lake Mllage, 1904-1927. Jobbel; " Chapter 9 in Fowler.]

I5 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly The Rich Lunzber Co. had a spur railroad up the Oswegatchie River to High Falls.

Another lumber jobber in the inhabited with bear, wild cats & around Cranberry Lake are re- Adirondacks was James Weston timber wolves the same as where turning to their natural condi- of Harrisville. He operated many I came from Pennsylvania." He tion. years on Cranberry Lake & was told me (that) after lumbering a very unusual character, a big was over & small growth came fellow (of) 250 lbs., drank more back, the bear, cats & whatnot beer than any man should, never got to be a pest. And sure enough The first Mail Contract was slept - a couple hours a day was this has happened in the operated by the Cranberry Trans- plenty - & his men all liked him Adirondacks. The past two win- portation Corp., and stockhold- & would kill themselves for him. ters dozens of bobcats & timber ers were J. L. Humes, F. P. wolves have been shot & there Wilder, Dana Bissell, and Fred In 30 degrees below zero (have) likewise (been) plenty of Hale. They operated the Steamer weather (he) never (wore) any- bear taken every fall during deer "Helen" for many years starting thing but a light sweater & was a open season. about 1905. This boat was built hard worker & would sweat in on the Lake by Capt. Charles winter with perspiration trickling Leach, he acting as Captain. For off his chin at 30 below zero & many years he acted as engineer always leading his men. One of Author b Note: Lumbering and Capt. Henry Mullin of his by words was "Mighty provides new browse for deer, Harrisville was pilot. The 3d Christ," which came out about and explosions in deer popula- hand was Burton (?) Fulton of every other word. Always had tion often follow lumbering. Cranberry Lake for many years. fat (?)work teams, the finest in Bear are more an animal of the About 1910 the Co. bought the the woods, & always finished his deep woo&, avoiding man and "Zenda" a small steam boat job ahead of other contractors. feeding on beechnuts, grubs, and brought to the Lake by J. L. Now long gone to his rest. carrion. Bobcats likewise avoid Outterson for his personal plea- Of late years there seems to man, usually dining on rodents sure. A few years later the Co. be many more bear than at the and rabbits, and an occasional bought the launch "Wanakena" turn of the century. One day, in weak deer. Timber wolves are from the Rich Lumber Co., who discussing this with Del Phelps, thought to have been extirpated operated a big sawmill at he said to me - this was when in the Adirondacks by 1900. Be- Wanakena & were stiff competi- lumbering was about finished on cause of the "Forever Wi1d"pro- tion for the passenger business. the Lake 25 years ago. He says, vision of the New York State Con- This boat had as captain John "Frank, you will live to see the stitution, the heavily logged for- Aldrich, son of Ed Aldrich of time when these forests will be ests in the Forest Preserve Cranberry Lake Inn with Geo

16 St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly The "Helen" transported passengers and mail to the hotels and camps on Cranberry Lake.

Shamp as engineer. This was a were competitors. So our fleet fast boat, about 15 mi. per hr. & consisted of the "Helen," of course it handled most of the "Zenda" & "Wanakena." When passenger business, the "Helen" inboard and outboard gas en- did freight & towing mostly. gines came into their own, it re- sulted in our business dropping In the early days of lumber each year, until we finally dis- camps & logging, the "Helen" posed of the "Zenda" & handled parcels & mail for all "Wanakena" to Fred Howland; camps. We - the writer - con- the "Helen" was beyond repair, tacted the U.S.P.O. Dept. at Al- so we dismantled her. Thus bany and as a result, about 1908 ended the Transportation Co. or '09, we were awarded a "Star Route" mail service on the Lake, [Later in Wilder S account ha operating it June, July Aug. & relates that about 1918 the Sept. each year. This helped com- "Helen" hit a submerged log pensate us for the service we which split open her hull and she could make no charge for. And was scuttled in LaFountain Bay.] this service is still in force on the Lake. The present contractor & he have had the contract for the past 20 years or more. His trip leaves Cranberry Lake about 9:30 a.m., covers the entire lake to Wanakena, N.Y. & back to lake about 1 p.m. Cottagers ap- preciate this service & Spencer Howland the contractor. This boat business continued for many years until the gas engine & automobile came into their own. In the meantime, we had bought up other boats that

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly History of the Joseph Clark Family, Part I1 Written by Carrie J. Woodard Douglass, 1939-1940

Editor's Note: which was seven miles, in a sleet old. She wasn't motherly to us This is the second half of a storm. Mother took a severe children and I never learned to journal written by Carrie cold and went into "quick con- love her but I wasn't disagree- WoodardDouglass. 7heJirst half sumption'' so they moved back able to her. I tried to make the of the journal appeared in the to Raymondville. Father bought best ' of everything. Grandma winter 2002 issue of the Quar- a farm about a mile east of the used to say I was a happy child. terly. Raquette River. There Mother I wasn't so happy when I became died Aug. 3, 1869 and was bur- a young lady. I felt the need of a Please note that most of the ied in Raymondville cemetery. mother then more than I had be- grammar and punctuation have fore. I always feel sorry for any been left as it was written by the So, in a few years Father girl who has lost her mother. She author rented the farm and took needs her more as she grows up Grandma and us children and than when she is little. moved back to Great Bend, Pa., Now I must write about where he again worked for the Grandma Woodard lived with Rizpah Agnes Clark, born May railroad a little while and was us until she died on Sept. 21, 17,1836. She was the sixth child sent to Green Ridge to work for 1884. Had she lived until Jan. 1, of Grandfather and Grandmother the same railroad. It was only 1885, she would have been 80 Clark and was only about one two miles out of Scranton but years old. year old when they came up from Grandmother was very poorly Gilsum, N.H. to Raymondville, and wished to come back to her On Sept. 27, 1888, I was mar- N.Y. on a sleigh in the winter. old doctor in Raymondville so ried to John Alexander Douglass we went on a visit. I think what in our home at Raymondville. She was my mother, and my ailed Grandma was that she We had a small wedding of rela- father was Azro Ashley worked too hard, for she was 68 tives only. We left for Nebraska Woodard, born July 11, 1833. years old by this time. Father fi- on October 10 that same year. They were married in nally moved our goods and The reason we didn't go at once Raymondville in 1863 or 1864 rented a house on the top of the was because John wanted to visit and soon went to Great Bend, hill up the Clark Road and in a few of his friends before leav- Pa., where Father worked on 1875 he sold the farm, which had ing for the West, as he had been Delaware and Lackawana rail- been rented ever since we went home only a week when we were road. I was born Carrie Jennie to Pennsylvania after 'Mother married. Woodard, September 19, 1866 died. Then he bought Saxon and I had a brother Arthur Alonzo Arnold's butter tub factory and On November 27, 1894, my Woodard, born August 9, 1868, his home located on the main father died. I went back there to in Great Bend. highway through Raymondville. his funeral. He was buried in the When we lived there Grandma Raymondville cemetery. I had November 16, 1868, when had a "hired girl" until Father my little son, Earl, with me, who Arthur was but three months old, married Harriet Coats, May 2, was four years old. They told me Mother's brother, Edwin, died of 1877. When Grandma didn't later that Father had said several typhoid fever at Chateaugay, have to work so hard she got to times that he wished I was there. N.Y., and was brought to feeling much better. Raymondville, N.Y. for burial. I couldn't understand why Mother was determined to go to Our stepmother was quite re- they didn't send for me then for his fbneral so Father and Mother ligious but much wrapped up in he died the same evening that I and baby Arthur went. They had self. She was a spoiled child al- arrived. I have always regretted to ride in a buggy from Nonvood, though she was thirty-five years that I didn't go sooner. It makes

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly me sad whenever I think of it. He at the source of the river. That the southern brick house nearly was a kind man. He tried to be made the snow melt faster since in front of the church and school father and mother both to us. I the timber was gone, so in the house. The northern brick house loved him dearly. He always saw spring the water came rushing was my stepmother's old home to it that we were well dressed. I down and helped to break up the where she was raised. Her fa- always had a pretty dress, hat, ice in the river, and Trout Brook ther, William Coats, ran a brick- coat and shoes for church and rushed in just above yard in the gully near there. Sunday School and suitable Raymondville so it all jammed clothing for school and so did the ice every spring until it took One day while the church was Arthur. Of course, Grandma everything, even the dam which being built, Father climbed clear Woodard deserves some credit was just below the bridge. up to nearly the top ofthe steeple. for that. She was good to us chil- Grandma was frightened and dren. She scolded some but I The water used to come up wanted to call to him to come don't remember that she ever around our house so much that right down but Grandfather told spanked us. Father decided to move it up on her that he wouldn't be so apt to the hill back of where it stood, fall if she kept still until he was I used to hear people say that but the very next year the floods down. I imagine he got a scold- Father's word was as good as a stopped. It is said that the dams ing then. note. going out and trees growing up at the source of the river stopped The school where Father and He was a tall man, six feet the snow from melting fast. Uncle Stuart went to school was two inches. He didn't seem very across the gully to the north. It tall, neither was he a very fleshy Several years after that a pa- was high upon the east bank of man. per mill was built up the river a the river. They called it an Acad- little above town. It ran abmt emy. I suppose he went to the In about 1884 the Raquette twenty years, then the Depres- lower grades in a little old River began to flood the town sion came on and the mill shut schoolhouse which stood where and in 1886 it took out the three down so now the town is dead. the newer one stands now. It was span iron bridge. At that time built in 1871. As far back as I father was highway commis- My stepmother had a life can remember a mean old man sioner so it was his duty to see lease on our old house but she lived in the old Academy build- that another bridge was built. It died in 1935, aged 92. Arthur ing. His name was Jim Taylor. was decided that a one span died in 1922. So in 1936 John bridge would be safer so a 300 and I went back there and sold On February 27,1852, Grand- foot bridge was built in 1886 or the old home which was rather father John Woodard died very 1887. Father's name, A. A. dilapidated. I got $500.00 for it suddenly. He was taking a sew- Woodard, together with the name and I was lucky to sell it at all as ing woman home in his sleigh of the bridge company, is on a there are lots of old houses stand- and he dropped over against her marker on each end of the bridge. ing vacant. dead. She took the reins and After that the river flooded ev- drove to the nearest house where ery year until the bank of the river It was bought by a World War a doctor was sent for but noth- was cleared of everything. To- I veteran who got a bonus. He ing could be done for him. day large trees stand where built a filling station by the road Father's factory, Uncle Charley which is a paved highway. But I He was born in England, Nov. Clark's butter factory, Johnson's understand that now he is work- 27, 1800. I don't know when he woolen factory, Grandfather ing at the aluminum plant at came to America but he came to Clark's wheelwright shop and Massena, about seven miles Raymondville when a young Allen Babcock's flour mill stood. north of Raymondville. man. He was a shoemaker. Only the one span bridge is still Boots and shoes were nearly all there and probably will be for a When father was a little boy made by hand in those days. great many years as a monument the church at Raymondville was Uncle Stuart told us that Grand- to my father. The floods were built nearly across the street father was six feet six inches tall. caused by the cutting of the tim- where he lived and where he and I don't know anything more ber in the Adirondack mountains Uncle Stuart were born. It was about him.

St. Lawrence Counw Historical Association Quarterly Grandma Woodard's maiden said they didn't have time to had been so good to him while name was Jane Brock. She was make out the tickets but would sick. born January 1, 1805 in Vermont. take them to the boat and make She had a brother Robert, also it right with the captain. Father I don't know when Father born in Vermont, March 16, was one of those who didn't pay went to California or when he 1809. He died in Raymondville, for a ticket. He said he began to returned but I have heard him say Sept. 13, 1826. get suspicious and told some of he was gone seven years. I think them so. So when they got off Uncle Stuart must have married They moved to Raymondville the cab the drivers undertook to Sally Carrol of Chase Mills about when quite young. Their father's get away in the crowd but Mr. the time Father left for Califor- name was William Brock, born McCarthy, a big strong Irishman, nia, and came to live with March 18, 1780, died September collared one of the men and de- Grandma in the brick house near 20, 1864. Her mother was manded the money. When it was the church, for I know their Eunice Fuller born February 8, counted it was just half the daughter Lola Gertrude was born 1783, died May 18, 1856. Her money paid in. The other fel- there July 9, 1857 and died there grandmother's name was Lois low got away supposedly with December 9, 1863. Their son, Stuart and was a relative of the the other half This made it hard John D., was born there, too. royal family of Stuarts of Scot- for those who had lost half of land, so she told my grand- what they had paid for their I don't know when Father was mother. tickets. The recovered money married and went to Pennsylva- was divided among those who nia or when Uncle Stuart went, Grandfather and Grand- lost. Father was one who had but it seems to me it must have mother Woodard had two sons, not lost, so on the boat he bought been some time in 1864. Robert Stuart born January 20, a first class ticket and exchanged Grandma Woodard went with 1830, died about 1916, and Azro with Aunt Helen for she had a Uncle when they went, but came Ashley born July 11, 1833, died cheaper class than he had. to live with us about the time I November 28, 1894. was born and she lived with us They crossed the Isthmus by the rest of her life. I don't know how soon it was rail, for that was long before the after Grandfather Woodard died Canal was built. They sailed up I don't remember much about that Father went to California, the west coast, I think to San my mother. I do remember that but it must have been within a Francisco, for I have heard fa- she was sick in bed in the parlor few years or so for he was gone ther speak many times of sev- on the farm and Grandma took seven years. I have heard him say eral cities in that vicinity. Be- care of her. People weren't taken and as nearly as I can reckon he fore I began to study geography to hospitals except in cities in married my mother in 1864 or I knew how to pronounce San those days and there were no 1863. He went with quite a com- Jose, San Juan and some others. nurses. When sick people pany of young people by the way needed night care the neighbors of the Isthmus of Panama. Father stayed in California took turns. I don't know whether Among the company was Uncle until he had saved several thou- she had such care at night or not. Amos Clark and Aunt Helen sand dollars, then he went to If so, I was asleep for I wasn't Clark, Uncle Edwin Clark, a Mr. Nevada where Uncle Frank three until the next month after McCarthy, and a woman going Clark had a quartz mine. Father Mother died. I do remember that to her husband and some others. loaned Uncle Frank $3,000, but they let me sleep with her one They went to New York City by while there he had typhoid fe- night and that in the daytime train and as they alighted from ver and was very sick, but Uncle someone kept the flies off her the train they took the nearest and his wife took very good care with a bunch of long peacock tail cab, which proved to be driven of him. He thought they saved feathers. We kept those feathers by a couple of crooks who took his life. Hospitals and nurses for several years. I have been them to what was supposed to were very scarce in those days. told that Mother was never very be a ticket ofice. Some of the Uncle either couldn't or strong but I have always been crew bought their tickets. The wouldn't pay Father back the quite healthy and so was Arthur crooks kept taking the money $3,000 so Father never got it for after he was grown, but he took and watching the clock, then he wouldn't sue them for they a severe cold the same time

St. Lawrence Counv Historical Association Quarterly Mother did and was sick nearly footed. Then she pretended she died and was brought to our place as long as she was. I don't re- was mad but she really thought a on the farm. I remember this member that but I do remember lot of him and always did. very well but I don't remember that he was quite a large boy be- going to the hneral at the church. fore he got so he didn't have the While Aunt Josephine lived He was twelve years old. croup every winter. About the with us she took lots of care of first I remember of Arthur was men and often took me out home I was a great hand to run away when he was large enough to with her. Her youngest sister was over to Haggerty's, which was play with me, probably 1 % or 2 about my age. Her name was about three quarters of a mile on ' years old. About the first I re- Ann so I enjoyed going out there the road over on the other hill member was he and I playing on very much. I liked Aunt very where there were several chil- Grandma's bed in the early much. After she and I lived in dren. Once in a while Grandma mornings with our nighties on Nebraska she often visited us. would tie me with a long scarf to waiting for Grandma to help us a tree in our yard. She was too dress. I'll tell a little more about old to walk so far after me. She them later. Father used to take should have spanked me but I Then a little later on Father care of us part of the time. I re- don't remember of her ever had Jim Taylor make us each a member his taking us to the spanking me or Arthur either. little rocking chair. Arthur's hayfield and when a load of hay She used to praise Arthur for be- chair was quite small and had was ready to go to the barn he ing a good little boy. arms. Mine was a regular little would boost us up on top of the sewing chair not much larger load with the help of the hired I commenced to go to school than Arthur's. Each chair had a man. I used to go with him to when I was 5 years old down at reed seat, a slat back and was the sugar woods to gather sap and the new schoolhouse by the painted light blue. We kept those watch him boil it to syrup in a church. Some ofthe time I'd stay chairs a long time. Many were big pan in a small building near through the week days with the times that Grandma would the house. Grandfather and Grandmother have us sit in our little chairs and Clark who lived in the town of she would tell us Bible stories Arthur was a dear little fellow, Raymondville. The rest of the and teach us Bible questions such quite a hand to amuse himself by time, I'd go and come home from as, Who was the oldest man? making things in the wood shed. school with Kate Haggerty. We Methuselah. Who was the stron- I was quite a run-away, always had to walk about 1 % miles to gest man? Samson, etc., there looking for someone to play and fiom school. While we were being quite a list. By this time with. There was a family across yet on the farm Uncle Henry Grandma was about 64 years old. the road, boy and girl about my Clark, Mother's brother, and There was lots of work on the age, and sometimes they came Aunt Maggie with their baby son farm so she always kept help. over to our house. There was an Frank, born June 18, 1872, in The first girl I remember was a old lady there they called Granny Raymondville, visited us and strong Irish girl by the name of Kingsbery. She liked to smoke. Uncle gave Arthur and me a lot Bridget Creighton. She stayed Neither of my grandmothers of candy. They were leaving in quite a while but one day her smoked. Grandma had a lovely a few days to live in California. folks came after her for she had flower bed and lots of big red t a big red boil on her nose. I can poppies. This old Granny would It must have been the spring see just how it looked. Then we come over after the poppies had of 1872 that Father rented the got another girl by the name of gone to seed and scratch the seed farm and moved back to Great Josephine Stearns. She stayed pods so the milk would run out Bend, Pa., where he again with us until about the time we and when the milk had dried she worked on the railroad. Uncle were going to Pennsylvania. She would come and very carehlly Stuart's brother-in-law, Amos afterwards married Uncle Char- gather the opium to smoke. Carrol, was an officer of that road ley Clark. He came up to our so I think that is how Father and place quite often while she was I don't know when Uncle Uncle each got jobs for that road. there. She never knew when he Stuart and Aunt Sally went to was coming, it seemed. Some- Pennsylvania, but on July 27, At Great Bend I was still a times he would find her bare- 1871, their son John Woodard run-away. I'd go over to Aunt

St. Lawrence Couny Historical Association Quarterly Sally's sister, Mrs. Surnmerton, duct over the tracks. I say "we" sack had been left in the base- where there was a baby. I was for there were neighbors' chil- ment where they had taken it to always interested in babies. I ran dren with me. Often we would fix a dish of meal and poison ar- away over there so much that stand there and watch the trains senic for rats. In some way the Grandma told me she hoped if go under us. The engines were girl got some of the poison meal ever I was married I'd have a very much different from what into her cornmeal and some of dozen. It's a wonder she had as they are now. They had big bulg- them commenced to be sick even much patience with *me as she ing smoke stacks, like some of before they were all through did. the old ones they showed in the breakfast. Aunt and her sister- picture of the Union Pacific pro- in-law died and the rest were ter- After a while we moved to duced this year. ribly sick but they ate lots of Green Ridge, a suburb of syrup with their cakes so it was Scranton. There Father worked I remember Grandma taking thought the digestion didn't com- on the same railroad and Amos us children to visit at Uncle mence so soon so that the ipecac Carrol had a farm not far out of Stuart's. They were alone those which was given them got a bet- town with a big brick house on days for Johnnie had died in ter chance to save them. it. We visited out there once. 1871, as I have said, and Gertie Amos' brother, Ira, was one of died while they lived in These two women were his hired men on the farm. I Raymondville, 1863, a little over brought to Chases Mills, N.Y., heard him say once that Amos five years old. She was two years and there had a joint funeral. The paid him only $25.00 and got older than her brother, John. sister-in-law was buried at $125.00 himself. Those were Uncle lived in a mining town not Madrid and Aunt was brought to thought good wages in those far from Wilkes Barre. He was Raymondville and buried beside days but maybe the brother didn't yard master for the railroad in her children. Uncle took this state the amounts right. that town. They shpped lots of very hard. He soon came to live coal from there. Seems that they with us and worked for Father a In Green Ridge, Arthur and I didn't ship much else but Uncle few years, then he bought a farm played house in our back yard, had to see to it that each car was near Nonvood and lived several and sometimes climbed the back switched right and sent to its years there alone. Then he mar- fence to play in a big sand pit (a proper place, etc. I stayed with ried again. Her name was rather dangerous place to play). them one summer and went to Hannah McCurry. She was a On the flat not far from there school to a Miss Stearns who was maiden lady who had taught Father took us to our first show. from Madrid, New York. One school for many years. They It was Barnum and Bailey's. We day Aunt Sally took me and went lived on that farm until Aunt certainly enjoyed that. Then on to Wilkes Barre and bought me Hannah died. Then Uncle Stuart the 4thof July Father took us to cloth for a lovely blue and white lived with Arthur a while. Scranton on the train of open cars plaid worsted dress and a hat to Arthur's wife thought she full of sightseers to see the fire- match. I had that dress and hat couldn't take care of him. He works. The train stood on the when we went back to was quite old and never would track across the river from a hill Raymondville the last time. clean up or take a bath and he where the fireworks were. They didn't offer to .pay her. He were the nicest fireworks I have They still lived in this town seemed to think his taking care ever seen. They had George when Aunt Sally died on Septem- of the garden would pay his Washington's picture; a motto, ber 19, 1880. They had gone to board, etc. Well, John and I went God Bless our Union; and a lot some town not far away to stay back there and brought him to of beautiful wheels, etc. I went over Sunday with Aunt's brother. live with us. John helped him to school in Green Ridge, too. They had some maple syrup take a bath every Saturday and Arthur wasn't old enough. which was a treat to them so the while they were in the bathroom "hired girl" was told to get corn- I would get his dirty clothes and The most direct way to go to meal pancakes for breakfast Sun- put clean ones in his room, but school was across the railroad day morning, but they didn't he only stayed about a year. A tracks, but when we weren't in have the cornmeal so the girl young friend of ours came out too much of a hurry we would went to a neighbor who was a from Massena, N.Y. to see her go farther around across a via- relative to borrow some, but the son so Uncle went back with her

St. Lawrence County Historical Assocration Quarterly and stayed with an old neighbor he couldn't afford to send me that known her years before for she of his until he died. He had sold year. I taught school in the Ames had relatives in Raymondville. his farm at an auction and all District below Raymondville that Emma had one son, a little fel- household goods with it, before next spring and Father let me go low when she married Arthur, he went to Arthur's. He always to Potsdam that next fall. I Cecil Sheets, who is a physician did things hastily and that was boarded with a Mrs. Sloan and now in New Jersey. About the one of his hasty mistakes. He her two daughters. There was time he married Emma, Arthur should have let Emma have some another girl boarding there, also. changed his run and lived in of his lovely quilts, etc., which Then I taught school at the Massena, N.Y., and ran from sold for twenty-five cents. I Blanchard district near Norfolk Massena to Syracuse three days don't blame Emma for not want- and went that fall to Potsdam. a week, Monday, Wednesday, ing to keep him. Poor old man, That time I boarded with a Friday. That meant he was home he didn't seem to realize what widow whose name I forget. every Sunday, so he attended the was the proper thing to do. He Jeanette Douglass and Carrie Methodist Church and Sunday was bright enough but he had a Brownell were there, too. Then School and was quite active in queer disposition. the next spring I taught near them. He always seemed to have Nonvood over on the west side a good disposition and when at I don't know just when he of the river near Uncle Stuart's school he was more studious died but he was buried at farm. So the next fall Arthur and than I. He was heavy set and Raymondville beside his family. I both went to Potsdam. We quite athletic. He died quite sud- I don't know just his age but he rented two rooms with another denly of heart failure. He had was past 80. girl and her brother and we girls been having a vacation on ac- did the work with some help count of his heart and intended I must have been a little past from our brothers. I think all told to go back to work on Monday 8 years old when we moved back I went 70 weeks. Arthur gradu- when he died on Sunday night to Raymondville, N.Y. There ated. with a sharp pain about his heart. Arthur and I both went to school It was June, 1922, he was buried both summer and winter terms. I must go on and tell you in Madrid cemetery beside his In the winter we had a man more about Arthur. When he was first wife. teacher and in summer a woman going to school in Raymondville teacher. There were so many after he was large enough, he Emma still lives in their home pupils in the winter that finally worked in vacation in father's in Massena, N.Y. and boards the when I was in my teens the win- factory. I don't know when but school teachers. ter teachers began to advise the father had equipped the factory oldest ones to go to Potsdam to make cheese boxes so he made Every year her son, Cecil, Normal School. Some of the both butter tubs and cheese sends her a ticket to visit them Douglass children went to boxes, mostly cheese boxes, for in New Jersey during the Christ- Raymondville School. There so many butter factories had gone mas vacation. was John, Elizabeth, George and to makiag cheese. But by the Jeanette. John and some other time that Arthur graduated at John Douglass came to Ne- boys were the first to go to Potsdam the factory was gone. braska in 1886. We had been Potsdam. There was no high Arthur finally learned to be a rail- engaged over a year and had school around that we could go way mail clerk and got the run planned that when we could af- to then. This school at from Cape Vincent to Watertown ford to be married it would be on Raymondville wasn't even in New York and went down and September 20 because our birth- graded. When a new term be- back twice per day. He married days were September 19 and 2 1. gan we went into the class we Nellie Moncrief of Buck Bridge, chose ourselves, which was gen- N.Y She didn't live many years. What started him to think of erally with the pupils we had al- She died from the effects of an coming to Nebraska was a man ways been with. Elizabeth operation for a tumor. After a he knew when he went to Douglass finally decided to go to .year or two he married Emma Potsdam Normal and had come Potsdam and tried to have me go Sheets, a widow whose maiden to Schuyler, Nebraska, kept writ- with her (we had always been name was Emma Cline. She was ing to John to come. John good fhends) but Father thought from Canada but Arthur had thought perhaps there would be

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly more chances for a young man We caine to Rogers, Ne- consider one?" Of course, John in the west than in old St. braska, where Mr. John Craig said, "Yes." So it wasn't many Lawrence County, New York. met us and took us to their farm days before a telegram came say- He had been teaching school and home about three miles out of ing, "Ask Douglass if he will go that wasn't getting him anywhere Rogers. They had a big nice new to Fullerton at $40.00 per and there didn't seem to be any- house and big barns and lots of month." John was right there so thing else for a young man to do. land. John had worked for them he accepted at once. It wasn't and they seemed to like him so long before another ,telegram He taught school in Nebraska they made us quite welcome and came saying, "Pass Douglass to and worked on a fmin the sum- had a party one evening for us. Fullerton." That was his first mer for a while then went into But I was too diffident to be a pass on the Union Pacific Rail- insurance business with another very gracious guest. But Mrs. road. Ever since then we have young man, but this other fellow Craig was very nice to me all the had an annual pass on the Union let John do all the work but time we lived in Rogers. John Pacific Railroad for Mr. and Mrs. shared the profits. They didn't taught school in Rogers about J. A. Douglass and dependents keep at that long before they had two years and John and the rail- and extras on roads when asked a settlement. So John got a horse road agent, Bruce Biggs, became for. and a couple of cows and some quite good kends. One day John money out of the deal and not came home from the station and John went to work at Fuller- knowing what else to do, he en- said, "What do you say to my ton on May 23, 1890, but I didn't gaged the school in Rogers, Ne- learning station work?" I said it move for about three weeks be- braska, and came back to would be nicer than teaching for cause the agent there wasn't sat- Raymondville, N.Y. after me. the pay would be all year instead isfied because John wasn't an But he didn't arrive until Sep- of so much vacation. So he pur- efficient telegrapher so he corre- tember 18 and expected to be chased a telegraph instrument sponded with the officials about married on the 20thbut I hadn't and set it up on our dining room it and got so saucy that they let sent out any invitations nor other table. He spent his time after him out and sent another agent preparations except to get my school at the station learning the there. But it wasn't only a few dress made, etc. I wasn't going book work and evenings at home months before John could take to go too far with preparations learning the Morse alphabet and messages off the wire. That until he came for I realized that practicing making them on the agent who lost out was very sorry it was possible that something instrument. After a while he indeed, for he was given a might hinder him from getting wanted me to learn to make the smaller station where he didn't there by the 20". So we wrote the letters, too, so I went at it and fi- need a clerk and he got less pay invitations together and post- nally I made them for him to and all because he wrote too poned the wedding one week. practice reading them. I'd take strong language to the railroad We invited only relatives and the newspaper and write what it officials. were married in my old home on said. We kept at that for a long September 27, 1888. We visited time until he would read well So when that was settled John our friends a few days, then left enough to catch it off the wire in found us a house of four rooms for Nebraska. It was rather late the station. That wasn't until af- for $10.00 per month. That left in the afternoon of the third day ter he had a job as a clerk in the $30.00 for us to live on. We got out when we were a few miles station at Fullerton, Nebraska. along nicely that summer but on from Council Bluffs we noticed November 11 our baby boy was another train on a track parallel At Rogers one day the travel- born. Mrs. Craig had given me to us a few rods away. The fire- ing auditor was there and he said patterns for baby clothes so I cut man was shoveling in a coal and to John, "You are here every time and basted a lot of things then we noticed that our train was I come. You should have this rented a sewing machine for two speeding up so the trains were business learned by this time." weeks and sewed almost con- racing into the station but when And the agent said, "He has all stantly and everything was ready we arrived the other train was all but the telegraphing but he will when he came. I wasn't so very unloaded. It was probably the soon have that." So the auditor sick. Of course, I had a doctor C.B. & Q. said, "There are three stations and a neighbor woman in and got that need a clerk. Would you along nicely with just a young

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly girl to do the work and she took wouldn't get off, yet I knew well The cow was tied outside. In the care of the baby, too. She wasn't enough that he couldn't come. morning she was missing but she a nurse but was quite good, for Then I'd think if he only hadn't came home unharmed. Our she was used to babies at home. married the second time he could chickens, of which we had 60 at I let her go in two weeks but all I come and live with us. that time, were blown quite a dis- did was get our meals and take tance but John found about half care of the baby for another two On May 24, 1894, John was of them. Our house was show- weeks and by that time I felt fine sent to Monroe, Nebraska, as sta- ered with pieces of splintered but commenced to do our wash- tion agent in a new station. We lumber and one board came ing with John's help. We had no couldn't find a vacant house so through our living room window washing machine, just tub, board that summer we lived in the sta- and lodged standing in the oppo- and wringer. I shouldn't have tion and had one room in a house site corner of the room. It took done it so soon for I haven't felt two blocks away where I cooked the window out clean. It was so well all my life since. We and washed, etc., but we slept in soon over so we took an old quilt were slow naming Earl. John the station and we were there and tacked it over the window. said he wouldn't have another most of the time for there was no It was thundering and lightning William or John, for there had room to stay in what we used for and raining hard by that time. We been a William and a John in the a kitchen. John's sister, Eliza- went looking out on the opposite family for generations and it was beth, was teaching in an Indian side of the house and saw that a time it was changed. We had school at Muskogee, which was house had been blown apart. So been reading some Scotch poems then Indian Territory but now is John lighted his lantern and went among which was one about the state of Oklahoma. She came over there and found that the Robert Bruce and Earl Douglass. to spend that summer with us. kitchen had been blown off and Something was said about call- The way we lived was next to lay on the ground in four pieces, ing him Robert Bruce but John camping out. I didn't see how we each of the three sides and the objected again. He said he could spend the winter that way roof lay separate but intact. The wouldn't have another Bob for it would be very inconvenient woman who was in the kitchen Douglass for he had a cousin by if any of us were sick and it was bruised on the ear and the that name that he had no use for. seemed to me there would be man on the nose. John had them I thought Earl Douglass made a considerable danger of us getting all come over and stay until rather pretty sounding name so very severe colds, especially our morning. The children were un- finally we called him that but we little Earl. So Elizabeth helped hurt. weren't quite satisfied without a me to persuade John to build a middle name, yet we let it go for little four room house. It was On August 4, 1899, our little quite a while. I kept trying to beginning to be cold weather daughter was born there. We think of some name I liked but before we moved into it. I did named her Rizpah after my nothing appealed to me but all the inside painting. It took mother. I had always wished that Bruce. I thought it a very pretty me tivo weeks besides doing my it were my name and I used to name so I guess Earl was about cooking, etc. Elizabeth had gone say when I was a girl that if ever six weeks old when we decided back to her school by this time. I had a daughter that would be we would call him Earl Bruce her name. Then for her middle and I have always liked the name. John got an old barn some- name we gave her Grandma where and moved it onto the Douglass' name which was The next spring John found a back of our lot and we had a cow. Anna. little house near the station. The He bought a hog and raised a lit- rent was less so we moved there. ter of pigs which when sold, Earl was much pleased to It was a cozy little place. We had made a good payment on our have a baby sister. For some rea- a garden and some chickens. house. We also had a chicken son he didn't go to school until There was a small barn. This house and raised chickens. he was seven but he was a very house wasn't any nearer to the industrious little fellow. He was railroad station than the other, but In the summer of 1897 or quite mechanically bent and was it was there I could see the trains 1898, a cyclone came up about always making something. He come in and many was the time 10 o'clock in the evening and made trains by taking baking I'd watch to see if my father blew our barn to kindling wood. powder cans for the boiler of the

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly engine, a spool for the smoke- nient for passengers there for the We had been talking some of stack, spools for wheels, paste- Union Pacific Station is below building us a house out south, but board for cow-catcher, also for the viaduct and there are stairs when Rizpah went into extension the tender. He made many coach to climb to get to the street. work she lived at home so we fi- cars by spreading pasteboard flat nally concluded we would build and cutting windows on the sides I had been having hay-fever out north near the Agricultural and creasing the board so it every year and it was growing College. So in 1927 we built us would fold and form a realistic worse each year. Our nearest a six room house which is 1123 coach. He would play with that neighbor recommended Eldora, No. 45h Street. Rizpah lives with a little while and then make an- Colorado, up in the Rocky us and we all enjoy our little other or something else. Mountains as a good place to go home very much. to get away from hay-fever, so In November, 1899 John was in the fall of 1921 I went to We joined the Plymouth Con- sent to Brainard. In 1902 he was Eldora. I found I was quite free gregational Church several years sent to Columbus and in 1908 to from hay-fever, so I kept going before and finally the First Con- Lincoln. Each place was a raise in August and would stay nearly gregational Church and Ply- in salary. In Lincoln his salary through September, except one mouth Congregational united was raised three times. We were year Rizpah and I with some and built a $475.00 plant on 2lSt much pleased to go to Lincoln for fiends went to Evergreen, Colo- and D streets, so that is where we it meant that our children would rado. It was all right for hay-fe- go to church, but Rizpah joined have a chance for a good educa- ver there but it seemed too much the Westminster Church later so tion. like a city. We thought we would that is where she goes to church. rather go to Eldora. But it was Our last pastor Rev. Raymond Earl graduated in Civil Engi- costing quite a sum for rent of McConnell came from Brooklyn neering and Rizpah in Home cabin for so long a time that I in 1935. He has a sweet wife and Economics. concluded that if I owned a cabin four manly sons who live at I could rent it the fore part of the home and a daughter who is mar- Earl enlisted in the World War summer and then use it myself ried and lives in New York City. and was sent to Fort Scott in the latter part of the summer. I They all are liked very much. California and put in the Head- had $350.00, which I had inher- quarters Corps. Then after a ited from Arthur's estate so I used We very much enjoy having while he was sent with a coach that to have a small log cabin Rizpah live with us. She has a load of other men to Fortress built in the summer of 1923. At sweet kindly disposition and a Monroe, Va. There they were first the cabin was only 14 X 16 motherly nature. She is always given a short course in a military but later on we built an enclosed looking out for the best interest school. They were enlarging the porch 14 X 19. Then still later of her mother and father. She school and when Earl finished on we cut a back door and built likes her extension work but it is the course he was made instruc- on an entryway. I went up there hard work traveling over the state tor in that school and that was and stayed alone except that so much. where he was when the Armi- some of my friends often went stice was signed. with me and stayed a while. In the fall of 1937 she went Then in 1933 John retired from to Columbia University in New In the meantime, John was the railroad and has gone with me York City to take a year's course sent back to Columbus and the ever since. Now we go August so as to get her Master's degree. Lincoln freight business was put 15 and stay until the latter part She enjoyed the year very much at the Northwestern station and of September. Sometimes we and made a good many friends. the passenger trafic at C. B. & visit Earl in Wyoming before we She was elected house president, Q. Station. But when the War come home. i.e., she called and presided at was over John was sent back to meetings the girls on her floor in Lincoln as freight agent for the Rizpah taught school three the dormitory, which was Seth U.P. Railroad at $250.00 per years, then she had an offer to Low, had once per month. She month. The passenger traffic take up extension work at the was also taken in to the Kappa was left at the C. B. & Q. Station Agricultural College at the Ne- Delta Pi and Pi Lambda Theta. for it is very much more conve- braska University.

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly When she graduated from the visited some of the stores in Bos- our cousins, Charles Clark's fam- Columbia University in the ton, ate lunch at Edward Fileenes ily, also Marshall Field's store spring of 1937 I went to New mammoth store. The place and took the evening train for York City to attend Commence- where they serve was up several Lincoln and home. Rizpah had ment, also to see the city, etc. Her stories and is called the Salad a year's leave of absence from last examination was May 2 1. It Bowl. Then after purchasing a the extension work with half pay. was on Saturday so I arrived that few things we took the train back morning. Coming from the to New York City. There we She has been home a year Douglass farm in northern New went sight seeing, etc. until Com- now and she seems satisfied to York State, I got off the sleeper mencement Day which was June remain in Nebraska extension. at 125" Street and Rizpah met me 1. The exercises were on the The woman's extension work there. It wasn't far from there to University Library steps and which she is in consists of seven Seth Low by cab. After she fin- chairs were placed on the street, or eight girls with Mary-Ellen ished her last examination we which was roped off and away Brown as leader, who go out to went sight seeing. Took a 5th across on the opposite side where the farm women's clubs and in- Avenue bus and went down there was a vacant lot. They es- struct them in many problems town. After looking around the timated that there were 35,000 along home economics lines. stores we ate at a rather swell spectators. The class numbered Each specialist is given a sepa- place, then walked around to see 4,626 graduates. They marched rate territory. The girls seem to some of the lovely lighting. We two by two from behind the li- be liked among the farm women saw Times Square, etc. Then brary coming around from each and at the end of the year's work came on a subway train back to side. It took a long time. Of they are often given quite nice Seth Low where I had a room for course, they all dressed in caps presents by the clubs. $1 .OO per day. I can't tell all the and gowns. The President, places we went and saw but we Nicholas Murray Butler, and Earl has never lived at home did go to Radio City, took an el- some of the deans were robed in with us since he first came home evator to the70th floor and went red caps and gowns and three from the World War. For some out on the balcony where we cornered caps, all of red satin. time he did surveying work in could view the whole city. We That showed that they graduated Wyoming. I think the last sur- could see clear to the Goddess at Oxford, England. The diplo- veying was for the Ohio Oil of Liberty, Jersey City and mas were granted by classes by Company. Then he got a job with Brooklyn. One day we went the President but each graduate the Producets and Refiners Oil clear down to lower New York, had to go in to the library to get Company. Part of the time he took a boat to sail clear around his diploma. There were several was stationed in Rawlins, Wyo- Manhattan island. While wait- colored graduates, also people ming. There he met Emily Vir- ing for the boat we saw a big from other countries. This was ginia Mueller. On June 1, 1924, ocean steamer leave for June 1, 1938. they were married. They were Liverpool and one for South moved to quite a number of America. Had it been earlier in The llext day we got ready to places which was generally a the week we were told we could leave and went to Washington, promotion. Finally the Produc- have gone onto the Queen Mary D.C. Rizpah wished to consult ers and Refiners Company failed to see what it was like. I can't some of the heads of the Exten- and was taken over the Sinclair tell here what all we saw. We sion Department but we stayed Oil Company of Tulsa, Okla- went to Boston and spent two at the Y.W.C.A. five nights and homa. Earl was worried then for days with Mr. and Mrs. Cramer. went sight seeing, too. Went he feared that they would send Mrs. Cramer (Minnie Joy) was over to Mt. Vernon one day. other men to take over the jobs an old friend of mine in Washington is a beautifbl city. but instead they only sent a few Raymondville, N.Y. when we The Capitol Building is grand. to take the higher jobs. One of were girls at school there. They The library is grander. We vis- them was a man to read the took us to see a lot of the old his- ited the House of Representa- meters of all the wells, both gas torical buildings, to see Harvard tives in session, also the mu- and oil and test both. He stayed and Wellesley Campus and out seum. Then we took the Penn- a year for he didn't like the cold to the beach which was Cape sylvania Railroad to Chicago. climate so Earl was given that Cod Bay. The last forenoon we There we spent the day visiting job. He is under no boss except

St. Lawrence County Historical Association Quarterly that he makes his reports to a and it seems to me that Emily tains. I mind the elevation con- man at Tulsa. But I must say and family are the joy of the siderably for about ten days so I that Earl is trustworthy and con- lives of those old people. keep very quiet scientious. He has been married 15 years, June 1, 1939. They They drive to Lincoln on an Editor's Note: have two lovely and bright average of once per year. It is It appears that the text to this daughters, Virginia Mary who 600 miles but they get an early journal was abruptly cut, as is 14 on August 13, 1939, and start from Rawlins and make it though some pages may be Kathleen Rizpah who was 12 ,in one day. We grandparents missing. on June 14, 1939. There are only hope to live to see our grandchil- eight grades in their home dren complete their education, school at Bairoil, Wyoming, so but John is 76 in September and the girls go to Rawlins to high 1-am 73 on September 19. John school. It is a small oil town seems very strong and well but I but Earl was located there be- have a weak heart and will have cause it is the most central place to be very careful to manage to for him to travel to the many live that long. Earl always has wells which Sinclair owns in been very good to write to me different parts of Wyoming. He often ever since he has been gets a good salary besides away fiom home. Of course, I house, gas, electricity, telephone write him often, too. Our fifti- and water which makes over eth wedding anniversary was last $200.00 a month. He likes his year, September 27,1938, and he job. He is furnished a car and sent us a lovely golden colored traveling expenses so that set of dishes. A very generous makes quite a sum more for he gift it seems to me. My two chll- is away from home more than @renlove me dearly and are the half the time. joy of my life. Earl is an ideal father. He I hardly know what to say takes lots of interest in his daugh- about my husband. He has a very ters and teaches them a lot of peculiar disposition. He is quite things they should know. They changeable and impatient. I wouldn't think of disobeying riever know what he will say him for they think so much of about anything. He is not very him. observing and jumps at conclu- sions without investigation. He Emily was an adopted daugh- loves to visit and is very nice to ter when she was only three most people so he is pretty well years old. Henry Mueller of Raw liked. lins took to the little girl who was being boarded by a neigh- In the last eight or ten years bor of theirs. Her father was liv- John has changed considerably ing and was a blacksmith in and is much more patient and Rawlins but her mother had died. unselfish. And since he retired She had a baby brother who had in 1933 from being freight agent died. Muellers have no children for the Union Pacific Railroad of their own but they think as in Lincoln, he helps me a lot with much of Emily as if she were the housework, etc., for as I have theirs. Emily's mother was said, I have to be careful. Scotch and her father was Dan- ish. I don't think Emily knows He goes to Eldora with me where her father is now. Earl ever since he retired and seems and Emily visit Muellers a lot to enjoy the stay up in the moun-

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