Shatagee Woods History

Shatagee Woods History has moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:34:20 PST

This blog has moved to a different service. Please change your bookmarks.

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Chateaugay Lake Forest Fires

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:20:09 PDT

One of the most destructive forest fires in years is now raging in the Adirondacks. Several men from this place and Brainardsville went to King’s mill last Thursday morning to help extinguish a fire which had started in that section. They found that the fire had gained such headway, that it was impossible to quench the flames. The men fought the fire heroicly but were unable to save the lumber camps and were often in great danger of losing their lives. A large number of men were fighting the fires night and day last week to extinguish the flames before they reached the High Falls Pulp and Paper Company’s land of valuable green timber. The conflagration however drove the fire fighters back from the firing line and is now burning fiercely on the land that they were trying to save from the burning flames. Hundreds of rabbits are perishing in the unquenchable fire. They scream when overtaken by the flames which is destroying everything in its path. Deer and foxes are often seen fleeing from the conflagration which has extended over an area of several square miles. A large truck load of men were taken to the Upper Chateaugay Lake Tuesday morning to fight a fire which is burning on the west side of the lake. Another fire has broken out near Ragged Lake, A large force of men were sent to the scene of the conflagration Wednesday. The fire fighters have the flames nearly extinguished in the vicinity of Figure eight.

Chateaugay Record May 27, 1921.

Main Street, Chateaugay, ca. 1906

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:38:08 PDT

"Arrived here at 9 a.m. this morning. Will start back by Wednesday. This picture is similar to Andover [Mass.] about 2500 people.

Pauline Merrill Bracy

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:51:49 PDT

This photograph was taken of Pauline Bracy of Chateaugay in 1939 at her home on Merrill Road, Bellmont.

M.E. Church, Brainardsville, NY

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:22:04 PDT

Wish you many returns for the day

July 27, 1915

Lower Chateaugay Lake, NY-2 (Henry Beach)

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:10:13 PST

date illegible

Regards to both. A grand trip and having a swell time. Snow to-day. This is some lake and scenery is grand up here. Some mts. All are well.

P.S. Had venison for dinner to-day. Good too!

Masonry in Chateaugay, by Bell Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:03:47 PDT

Some of the Early History of the Local Lodge

First Established in 1809

Twice It Was Ransacked and Jewels, &c., Stolen

Who Constituted the Membership.

Of the early Masonic history of Chateaugay but little is known. A great forest was here, extending almost unbroken for hundreds of miles in every direction, inhabited by wild beasts and wilder red savages. Little clearings there were—garden spots in this great wilderness—where the hardy pioneers had felled the giant trees, built their homes and were cultivating the land. Of the comforts and luxuries we now enjoy they knew nothing; even many of the things we deem necessities were to them as yet unborn. Such a garden spot was Chateaugay, first settled by the white race in 1796, when Benjamin Roberts came from Ferrisburg, VT, and Nathan Beman from Plattsburgh. Here, thirteen years later, 1809, Rainbow Lodge, No. 12, A.F.&A.M., was organized. Who the officers were or how many constituted its membership no records are left to tell. We know of but few of those early brothers, many years since passed away, but among them are some whose names are still familiar to our older inhabitants and some left sons and daughters who still are with us. They were: William V. Derby, Judge Gideon Collins, Caleb Seabury, Daniel Goodspeed, Col. Thos. Smith, Peter McGregor, Rev. Ephraim Smith.

Undoubtedly its struggles were hard, but it was composed of hardy woodsmen who counted privation nothing. When in 1812 began the second war with Great Britain we have no doubt but what many of these pioneers of Masonry in Northern New York went forth to fight the enemy of their country. In 1814 a portion of the British army passed through Chateaugay, burning and pillaging as they went, and from this foe Rainbow Lodge did not escape. All the regalia and jewels were stolen and taken to Montreal where some Masons of that city bought them and returned them to Chateaugay. It is said that those same Montreal Masons were some of them officers in the British army, and, therefore, foes of our country, but they were still brothers of the struggling few across the border line and proved this fact by their generosity.

Once again this early history becomes obscure and we find nothing of importance until 1826 when the great anti-Masonic excitement set in. To those unfamiliar with the cause and effect of this great social disturbance a few words may be of interest.

William Morgan, a member of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of New York, broke with the order, or rather was expelled, and threatened to publish its secrets. He suddenly disappeared and was never authentically heard of afterward. Rumors of his whereabouts gained currency, but none could ever be traced to a trustworthy origin. The belief became common that either his life had been taken or that he had been privately and permanently exiled into the obscurity of some foreign country. The Masons fell under the suspicion of having abducting him, and a great clamor was raised against the fraternity in New York. The animosity against the Masons extended in other parts of the country and their enemies became united as a political party. De Witt Clinton, one of the most prominent and valuable statesmen of New York, lost his political place and influence on account of his membership with the order. Eventually Masonry proved too powerful for its foes. It has subsequently been proven that the fraternity knew no more of Morgan’s whereabouts than those outside the craft. His so-called “expose” was entirely harmless and never was of the slightest injury to the order, but he evidently became alarmed at the agitation his threats had created and either sought a hiding place or was secreted by his friends and soon after died as a result of a rather disappiated life.

Remote as Chateaugay then was, this excitement reached the settlement, and, when one day it was discovered that the regalia and furniture of the lodge had again disappeared, and as no trace of it could be found with the exception of one collar belonging to Peter McGregor, the members evidently became discouraged and gave up the struggle, for here the history of Masonry in Chateaugay for a period of 34 years ends.

May 22, 1860, on petition of Rev. Andrew M. Millar, Daniel S. Coonley, Amos H. Gustin, John B. Bort, W. W. Scriver, Hiram M. Roberts, and Daniel F. Soper, the Grand Lodge of the State of New York granted to Frontier Lodge, No. 517, A.F.&A.M., a dispensation entitling it to confer the first three degrees in Masonry, and Rev. Andrew M. Millar was elected the first Master under this grant. The first person admitted by degrees was Ossian H. Stiles, who was initiated Entered Apprentice Aug. 7, 1861, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft Aug. 21 and raised to the Master Mason’s degree Sept. 25. During this year Oliver Smith and Don E. Seabury were also admitted, both being raised on Dec. 9^th, and William V. Derby, one of the original members of Rainbow Lodge, was taken into full membership. Dec. 4, 1861, the lodge received its first official visit when R.W. Frank Hopkins, of Ausable Forks, D.D.G.M., was received with the honors due his station. Among those made Master Masons during the second year of the lodge’s existence we note the following familiar names: S. S. Clark, S. Y Jones, W. N. Smith, Hiram Cartwright and Hiram Paddock.

June 6, 1862, the lodge was formally granted a charter and John B. Bort was elected the first Master under this act. The first fifteen years were intensely interesting in degree work, application after application coming in, and the officers had little time to grow rusty. The record of the lodge during these years is as follows:

Year Applications Elected Rejected

1861--4--4--0

1862--15--15--0

1863--20--16--4

1864--41--33--8

1865--43--27--16

1866--23--16--7

1867--20--15--4

1868--20--12--8

1869--12--10--2

1870--11--8--3

1871--7--4--3

1872--2--1--2 (?)

1873--5--3--2

1874--1--0--1

1875--6--6--0

Number of demits granted, 56; withdrawn, 2; deaths, 8; expelled, 4; stricken from roll, 26; unaffiliated for non-payment of dues, 37; total, 133; restored, 31; total membership Jan. 1, 1876, 76. The eight deaths during this period were: Matthew M. Roberts, John Van Vechten, Truman B. Tryon, Silas w. Hatch, George B. Brewer, Hiram G. Childs, Ossian H. Stiles and George P. Stoughton.

Many of these old-time brothers have since passed to the Lodge on High, some have grown too old to continue active, but a great majority of the living ones are still members in good standing, and, while they may seldom attend its meetings, yet they seem to feel as much interest in its welfare as in their younger days. Four there are who are still as active and interested in the work as when youthful blood coursed through their veins. Don E. Seabury, Henry S. Day, John Hughes and M. A. Kennedy are often with us and ever ready to take any part. Their knowledge of the work and their familiarity with Masonic law makes them of inestimable value and their counsel is always sought by the younger members and especially by the officers whenever any perplexing problem comes up. Two of the original charter members, Hiram M. Roberts, of Manchester, NH, and William W. Scriver, of the Masonic Home at Utica, are still living and never fail to pay Frontier Lodge a visit whenever it is in their power to do so.

July 23, 1892, Frontier Lodge was called upon to mourn the death of one who had ever been faithful and true. William V. Derby passed from labor to refreshment at the age of 90 years. He was one of the original members of Rainbow Lodge and had been a Mason 63 years. Soon after uniting with Frontier Lodge he was made its Chaplain and for 25 years served in that capacity.

In ----- the lodge removed from its quarters in the Peaks & Carr block to rooms in the Clark block across the way, where it remained until the fire of 1893 which destroyed every business place on the north side of Main street, and [into?] the flames went everything the lodge possessed. Regalia, jewels, furniture, decorations, all went to help feed the hungry demon. Many of the old records were destroyed or this history might be more complete. But the members were not daunted though they had lost so much. The Presbyterian chapel was leased as a meeting place where the work went on until 1894 when the present quarters were established. After refurnishing and refitting the organization found itself in debt, but the old courage remained and today, after paying all obligations, relieving those in distress and keeping all Grand Lodge assessments paid, there is a tidy little sum in the Bank of Chateaugay laid by for a possible rainy day. The present rooms are large and convenient, well furnished and pleasant. Some things are lacking, but then, we expect someday to have a home of our own. There are about 100 members in good standing and as many more who claim Frontier Lodge as their old home but who, having gone to distant parts, have been transferred to other lodges. Many of the members have taken higher degrees, some having the honor to wear the double eagle of 32.

Those who have been Masters of the lodge one or more terms are: Andrew M. Millar, John B. Bort, Don E. Seabury, Abel H. Miller, Lewis W. Paddock, Dr. George Howe, John Hughes, William W. Scriver, Dr. A. M. Phelps, Thomas W. Cantwell, Isaac Warren, Grant G. Collins, Edward L. Stevens, M. A. Kennedy, Frank P. Kennedy, George W. Foster and Albert S. Barnes.

The present officers are:

W.M.—A. S Barnes

S.W.—H. C. Rodgers

J.W.—C. H. Crawford

Sec.—F. P. Kennedy

Treas.—I. M. Warren

S.D.—U. R. Campbell

J.D.—B. D. Corkins

S.M.C.—Chas. Banbury

J.M.C.—J. B. Cook

Tyler—H. S. Day

Chaplain—D. E. Seabury

Marshal—Thos. Crawford

This year the Grand Lodge of New York appointed to the responsible position of District Deputy Grand Master of the 41^st Masonic District one of our most zealous and hard-working brothers, G. W. Foster, and this week Chateaugay has the honor of having the annual District Convention held in this village, an account of which will be given in our next issue.

It is many thousands of years since Solomon the Wise became the first Most Excellent Grand Master, but throughout these ages Masonry has remained the same. It adopts no particular creed, yet every member must believe in the one ever living and true God. The open Bible is its great light and all its precepts and teachings are found in this book of books. Storms and tempests have hurled their thunders at its head; wave after wave of bright, insidious sand carried about its feet and heaped their sliding grains against its sides. But through the tempests and the storms, through the waves and sands of life, through evil report as well as good. Free Masonry has maintained its beneficent influence, spreading wider and wider over the earth. And a part of this great fraternity is Frontier Lodge. From a most humble beginning it has risen to a place of influence. Enemies it has, but their efforts to overthrow it are of no avail. Every word they have uttered against it has only served to unite its members the more firmly and has brought many good men within its fold.

Long live Frontier Lodge, No. 517.

Chateaugay Record, Friday, Oct. 12, 1906

Paul Smith's Hotel on St. Regis Lake, Adirondacks

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:55 PST

Famous Paul Smith's place.

Scarcely know it now.

Chateaugay Lake from Merrill House, Merrill, N.Y.

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:55 PST

Sept., 1906
Merrill, NY

Hello, guess that you will think that I have forgotten you. Have been having a lovely time, will be home Sunday and work Monday. If I get more, will write. A.G.B.

Adirondack Titles from Teach Services, Inc.

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:56 PST

Threshing Grain by Flail--How the Flail Was Made--Spearing Salmon At Night

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:56 PST

In the preceding chapter Mr. Merrill told of the excitement caused in the Chateaugay Lake settlement by the announcement that a railroad was to be built from Rouses Point to Ogdensburg, passing through Chateaugay Four Corners and Malone.

Chapter 26.

Threshing was not so pleasant a job. Wes had planned for Darius to help thresh all day Saturday, the last Saturday he would be at home. The grain was all tied up into shocks. A shock contained about twenty sheaves. Laying the sheaves down with their heads together in two long rows, they set-to with the flail--the device for beating grain from the sheaves. The flail was a straight strong maple sapling, four feet long and one and one-half inches thick, with a leather loop through one end, to which was hung another maple stick two and one half feet long, this short part being the one that whacked the grain.

Grasping the four-foot handle, they would swing the other end high over their heads in a circular motion, then bring it down with great on the sheaves till the grain was all pounded out. The the straw was removed and another layer of sheaves thrown down, and the process repeated until enough grain accumulated to run through the fanning mill.

Threshing was a far more agreeable process to watch than to engage in, for inside of fifteen minutes the dust would form a thick coat of black all over the faces of the threshers and just at that time the sweat commenced to wash the dirt into eyes, mouth, nose and down the back of their necks.

When night came the boys looked more like mulattoes than white men. Abbie called them Indians and drove them out of the house with the broom, woman's best weapon of warfare.

Another task the boys enjoyed next to gathering the apples, was pulling the carrots and turnips. When a choice, young, smooth turnip was found they would clean the dirt off by rubbing it on their trousers leg, then peel it with their thumb nail, and oh, how sweet and juicy it tasted. Wes like the carrots best, but Darius preferred the turnips.

And in the spring what fun it was to go racing through the woods, hunting crinkle root and ground nuts, which they munched with great gusto. And the sarsaparilla roots were dug and dried for medicine. Grandfather always kept a good supply of them on hand, together with large bunches of snakeshead and spikenard (spignet) and bitter weed.

Whenever any of the children contracted a cold in the head, grandmother lost no time steeping a dose of bitterweed which they had to drink without any adulterations. The bitter thoughts of this bitter dose prevented the development of many a cold.

About October twentieth the potato digging was finished and the following Sunday found Darius setting out on foot for the Drown district school house. Two weeks later he got permission from the trustee to dismiss school on a Friday noon in order to make the promised trip to the Upper Lake.

Arriving home at two, he found grandfather with everything in readiness for the trip. This time the old flintlock was not forgotten.

As on their former trip, they secured Mr. Drew's boat and stopping at the customary places to set a few traps they were soon examining the places where they had planted the white lily root. Not a sign of growth did they find until they reached Fields Bay and there they found about half a dozen leaves about a foot high from the bottom. Grandfather examined them closely.

"Gosh a mighty, Dide, that's them alright. Square corners on the leaves or pads, back of the stem, no mistaking that mark."

Dide was delighted in finding this one proof that the lilies would grow here, if given the right propagation, but why did the other roots die? He could not answer that question, but the positive proof that one had lived was enough to cause them to make another trip next summer to New Hampshire for more roots.

Arriving at the bark camp they hastily carried in their provisions and blankets. Having an hour before dark, Darius rigged up his fish pole and proceeded to the mouth of the Weed brook and soon had enough fish for supper. Grandfather accompanied him, and while Darius was fishing he set up the dead-fall for mink.

Then grandfather, searching along the trunk of an old fallen pine which must have fallen about the time Columbus discovered Ammerica, he picked up one of the huge knots which was saturated with pitch, so it was well preserved, and carried it to the camp. The knot had once been a limb, but had broken off about two feet from the trunk of the tree when the old monarch crashed to the ground, some hundreds of years before. Little black blotches of pitch stood out all over the knob where it had been united in growth to the old trunk. Darius had watched his father select this knot from among the others lying along the tree trunk, and thinking he intended it to replenish the camp fire, said nothing until grandfather carried it to the boat and placed it carefully in the bow, throwing an old bag over it.

Unknown to Darius, grandfather had brought along an old fish spear which he had used in New Hampshire in Massebeesic pond, but as yet he had had no chance to try it in Chateaugay Lake. Thinking this would be a good time, he had wrapped it up in the blankets, forgetting it until Darius' mess of little trout reminded him of his intention to show Darius some real big fish as it was the time of year that the salmon were having their last run, the male fish running last.

So Darius was anxious to know what grandfather was going to do with the knot. Stepping down to the boat he asked:

"Going to take it home to kindling?"

"No, No! We'll leave it here when we get through with it. Let's hurry up and eat supper now and then we'll cross over to the bluff and see what we can find." Darius was puzzled but felt sure his father had some surprise in store for him, so said nothing more, but hastily cooked the trout, warmed up some potatoes in the pan, and with some of grandmother's bread and butter they enjoyed a hearty repast.

Then grandfather gathered a few handfuls of dry moss and rolled it tightly in white birch bark, about twenty inches across, carried them all to the boat, and bidding Darius shove off, they paddled across to what is now known as "Salmon Rock."

This rock is about two hundred yards from the shore of Bluff Point and sticks its head about two feet out of water, resting on the edge of a rocky ledge covering about one-half acre and this ledge is from eighteen inches to four feet under water, dropping precipitately to thirty and forty feet on all sides.

It was now quite dark and not a breath of wind was stirring. The moon was high in the south and the Northern Lights were streaming up from the North. They reflected from the little ripples in the water caused by the paddle and the boat moving through the water, sparkling like myriads of diamonds, running in tiny circles around them. Darius thought he had never seen such a fascinating picture.

"Say, Dide, just hang on to that rock until I get this torch going," and as he spoke grandfather commenced striking sparks from his flint and steel. Soon he had the moss burning. Fanning it with his breath until it blazed, he placed a flat stone with the blazing moss up on the end deck of the boat. Then taking the pine knot he dipped the smooth end in the water, holding it several minutes for the water to soak in. Then placing the other end in the blaze he soon had a very brilliant torch.

Taking the torch in his left hand he grasped the spear in his right, then reaching the torch far out and over his head, he peered down on the rocky bottom which was plainly visible.

Almost instantly the spear was shoved down and as quickly brought up again. Impaled on the spear was a four-pound salmon trout. Darius wanted to shout with sheer delight. He then took a look at the bottom. Grandfather handed the torch to Darius, bidding him hold it above his head so he could see the bottom plainly. And the sight that met his eyes thrilled him. A black surging mass with their broad tails swishing each other, with their yellow and red fins flashing in the torchlight. It was enough to make any sportsman thrill.

Darius then held the torch while grandfather speared as many as the little boat would hold, which took only about two hours. Then they returned to camp, dressed the fish and placed them in the cold spring back of the beach. There were sixty-four in all, weighing from four to eight pounds each. Darius could scarcely believe his eyes.

"Why, father!" said he, "what are we going to do wtih all those fish?"

"Mighty! Mighty! Dide. They'll go like hot cakes in Malone, what we have left by Monday. It is freezing hard tonight. They'll keep a week in this weather."

This satisfied Darius and soon they were sleeping soundly under a heavy load of home-made woolen blankets. With their feet to the pitch pine fire, they could stand zero weather without being uncomfortable.

A wonderful mirage seen over Chateaugay Lake is described by Mr. Merrill in the next chapter. Other experiences of grandfather and Dide on a hunting and fishing trip are narrated by "The Old Guide."

Malone Evening Telegram

News of Proposed Railroad Thrills Little Settlement--Boom at The Four Corners

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:56 PST

In the preceding chapter Mr. Merrill told of the clash between Darius and the rowdies who tried to break up the school "exhibition". He told of the sale of denuded land at extremely low prices and of Darius' plan to acquire some of the land around Upper Chateaugay Lake.

Chapter 25

On these Sunday walks Darius always stopped to chat with Old Fred. Now as they turned into his yard they observed the old man working on his scow, which he had turned bottom side up. It was a leaky old craft. He had made it himself out of some rough pine plank he had procured from the mill. He had caulked it with tar and was pouring hot pine pitch along the joints, when Darius hailed him.

"Hello, Mr. Shutts!"

"How are ye, Fred," said grandfather.

"Why, tolerable, tolerable. Ain't complaining. How are you both?"

"Oh, 'bout as common. Dide's got so big now, 'fraid I can't handle him any more. I'll have to lick Wes now when I get mad at Dide," he added, winking at Fred.

"Well, Paul, I think," glancing at Dide, "that would be the safest one for ye to buckle up against. Well, Dide, are ye coming to trap with me this fall?"

"Not this fall, Mr. Shutts, but I shall certainly try to arrange to do so another year."

"Good. I'm sartin glad to hear that. I can see plain that ye'll be a good partner and I know ye'll enjoy it right smart."

"I'm sure I'll enjoy it," said Dide, "but about being a good partner you'll have to be the judge."

"Well, now remember you've promised me for next year, an' I call'ate I can depend on ye for my partner then."

"I must remind you, Mr. Shutts, that I only promised to try and go with you another year."

"Oh, well, that's just as good as sayin' you'll go, cause if a man like you tries, they mos' gen'ally succeeds. Leave it to Paul if they don't, hey Paul?"

"Mighty! Mighty! I find Dide's pretty much that way, Fred. But ye'll have to put a halter on him or he'll get lost, way he did up Little Trout."

"Oh well, Paul, you know the boy wan't really to blame for that. Reckon you or I or anybody else'd get lost in that storm as I recollect it." Darius shivered as he remembered that terrible experience.

On their way home grandfather suddenly inquired:

"Dide, when are we going to see if our white lilies are growing?"

"Well, I have been thinking about that for some time past. You know I've agreed to teach the West Bellmont school this winter and the trustee wants it to commence right after potato digging. Let's wait until latter part of October and I'll let school out some Friday at noon and we'll go up the same night and put in Saturday and Sunday in the bark camp. You know by that time fur will be prime, so we will take the traps along and this time the flint lock. I think it's about time I shot another deer. How does that suit you, father?"

"Why I can't see much objection to that Dide. I hope the lilies are coming, but if they're not, it means another trip to Massabeesic pond back in New Hampshire, for I sure mean to get 'em coming here sometime."

"And if you do have to go, I shall go with you," said Darius, "for I have never seen a white lily. I think they must be something extra to put to so much trouble to get them."

Darius could hardly wait for October, so anxious was he to make the trip to the upper lake again. As it had been several years since they had made their last trip, and perhaps there were some white lilies blossoming there and no one to enjoy their beauty.

They arrived home in time to help Wes with the chores. Wes had raised two more colts, the eldest just coming three and the other two years old. They were a beautiful brown color with a white star in the forehead of each, well matched, and Wes was jealously proud of them. So next summer grandfather could have one of the horses all the time to do his peddling with.

About the middle of September Mr. Weed was called to Plattsburgh to see his father (Roswell Weed) and he left Darius in charge of the mill.

As soon as he had gone, Darius called the men together, saying:

"Boys, what do you say if we all pitch in a little harder, while Mr. Weed is gone and clean up this stock a few days ahead of our regular time? That will please Mr. Weed and also give us all a chance to dig our potatoes before cold weather sets in."

The crew were nearly all nearby farmers and Dide was a general favorite with them. They responded with a whoop and three cheers, one for Dide, one for Mr. Weed and one for the crew.

And did they work? The whole job was just fun for them, and how they did pitch into it, riding the monster pine logs with pike poles to balance themselves, and steer the unruly ones to the slide where the big chain, handled by two of the crew, was slipped around the end of the log, the other end of the chain hitched to the big capstan. Then the tailer stepping on lever that loosed the big water wheel. With a creak and a groan the capstan wound up the chain, drawing the giant pine slowly but surely to the platform, where Dide and his helper with their cant hooks rolled it to its place on the carriage, where it was soon reduced to lumber.

Returning from Plattsburgh in about two weeks, Mr. Weed, arriving late at night, did not visit the mill till late next morning. Sometime before he reached the mill he noticed how quiet it was. No sound of saw or men's voices shouting orders around the mill.

"Well, gosh a 'mighty! Wonder what's broke down now? Mill don't seem to be running."

Muttering away to himself, he first went into the mill. Everything was spick and span there. Floors all swept, machinery polished and oiled, nothing out of order that he could see. He next went up to the bank looking all over the mill pond and then it suddenly dawned upon him there wsa not a log to be seen anywhere. Then looking down back of the mill he saw the big piles of lumber neatly "stuck up" behind the mill.

"Well, I'll be gol dumbled. I guess I'd better keep right away after this if I want lumber cut. Guess Dide's got some pretty good stuff under his old hat, by gum."

But it was joyful news that Mr. Weed brought from Plattsburgh. A railroad was to be built from Rouses Point on Lake Champlain to Ogdensburg, on the St. Lawrence river. Work was to commence the following spring. The road would pass through Chateaugay four corners and Malone. Chateaugay, only six miles from them, to have a railroad! What excitement. Cheer after cheer went up from that little community. This had been a long-wished-for event, and now it was actually to happen.

"But," said Mr. Weed, in telling the news, "it will undoubtedly take four or five years and possibly longer before the road will be finished."

"My father," he added, "has sold the mill here to Erastus Mead to get more money to put into the railroad. But Mr. Mead will not take possession for two years, and he wants me to run it until then."

Farm values immediately took a jump and good times were promised. Chateaugay four-corners experienced quite a boom. Three-story brick stores were started that fall in anticipation of the railroad.

The road was to be called the "Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain," later abbreviated to the O. and L. C.

In the few remaining days before school started Darius helped Wes with the ploughing and with the butchering. Two pigs and a mutton were slaughtered and the "inward tried out" in a big brass kettle over the stove.

The lard and tallow equally mixed were used to mould into candles. This was considered the women folks' job, but Darius often held the moulds while Abbie or grandmother poured the hot tallow into the tin moulds. The mould was made of twelve hollow tin tubes one foot long and three-fourths of an inch in diameter, open at each end and fastened together by a little tin frame-work circling around each tube separately, holding them loosely so each one could be drawn out singly. A small round wick was made by twisting waste cotton together. This was ropped in the tubes, reaching their entire length, before the hot tallow was poured. After the tallow in the moulds got hard and cold, the tubes were lifted and the tallow candles dropped out, ready for use.

Then the apples had to be gathered, pared, quartered and strung on strings and hung on hooks suspended from the ceiling over the kitchen stove. Apple gathering was a very agreeable task, next to making maple sugar. I doubt if that boy lives who does not like an apple, regardless of its taste. It has only to come off an apple tree to be devoured. And it's a very small boy who cannot put at least a dozen mysteriously out of sight in about "three jerks of a lamb's tail," as Wes put it.

Although grandfather's apple trees were all seedlings there were two trees which bore excellent eating apples and these two were always gathered secretly by night by Wes and Dide and carried to the haymow to enjoy two or three times a week while they were threshing.

However, they always left a few on the trees for Eliza and Abbie. Abbie would shin up the tree almost as fast as could Wes, but Eliza was too dignified and scathingly rebuked Abbie, calling her a tom-boy. Darius enjoyed seeing Abbie go up the tree and Wes would pelt her with the culls. Not an inch would she come down till the last apple was off the tree.

In the next chapter Mr. Merrill tells how the grain was threshed with a flail. He tells about his grandfather and Dide visiting the Upper Lake to see how the white lilies were growing, and describes their experiences spearing salmon by torchlight.

Malone Evening Telegram

Darius and His Friends Fight It Out With Rowdies at The School Exhibition

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:57 PST

In the preceding chapter Mr. Merrill told of Darius' first experience in teaching school, and how he organized a singing school. He told of the trouble caused by a gang of bullies who caused a disturbance while rehearsals were being held for an "exhibition," planned for the close of the school term.

Chapter 24

It was several days after this before Mike or his three pals showed up at school again. Darius had heard of the little encounter, but paid no attention to it, as it had happened outside of his jurisdiction. He considered it was not for him to interfere and did not anticipate any further trouble.

As the weeks went by everything progressed smoothly enough. The gang from the hill quieted down and the school was beginning to think there would be no further trouble and at last the long looked for "last" day arrived.

It came on Friday and school was let out at noon so the children could prepare themselves for the exhibition, which would take place that night.

Darius helped Wes with the chores early, and then with his mother and Abbie, went directly to the school house and there they found six or eight of the larger girls just finishing decorating the school room with balsam and spruce boughs which Nate, Bill and a couple of other boys had cut and brought in for them.

Darius had written the program on the black board and another on a slate for his mother to announce to the pupils as their turns came. There were two dialogues, one with six characters in three parts, and one with two characters. Nate Thurber and Frank Percy, who were well adapted to put on a comic part, Frank being a most natural comedian, which proved to be the star act of the entertainment, causing much applause. Darius had gotten the singing class well trained.

By eight o'clock the little room was packed. Many had to stand as there were not enough seats for all. Darius noticed Mike and his pals near the door and noticed also that they had been drinking and were quite noisy, bragging to each other what wonderful things they could do.

Stepping up quickly onto the rostrum, he rapped the desk vigorously with his ruler. Instantly there was a hush and when all was quiet he announced the exhibition would now commence with a patriotic song by the singing school.

Recitations followed, but just as the singing ceased a commotion started near the door.

Glancing that way Darius saw Mike in the act of shoving Nate Thurber forcibly against big "Lige," one of his pals [Elijah Heading], shouting:

"Hit him, Lige, hit him!"

Mike was too drunk to do much himself, except to keep his tongue running, and make so much noise that the speaker who was just then reciting one of Emerson's poems, could not be heard. Quick as a flash Darius sprang to the rostrum and shouted "Silence!"

Instantly you could have heard a pin drop. Thinking there would be no more disturbance he motioned the speaker to proceed, and walking to a back seat not far from the door, sat down, where he could keep an eye on Mike. The four pals now got their heads together and Darius heard Lige whisper:

"You D--m fool, Mike, why don't ye start something? You're but a rotten coward. Got drunk so I'd have to do it all. Now's your time if you're going to do anything. Here now you punch Joe, and I'll start the row with Pat, there. Come, sail in, now or never."

Then jumping suddenly on top of the big seats, he seized Joe, cursing loudly. At the same time Mike pulled a bottle from his pocket and swinging it high above his head was about to let it go crashing into the crowd, when something happened.

With the swiftness of a panther and the force of a sledge hammer, Darius' clenched fist came in contact with Mike's chin and he sprawled against the door. The bottle went crashing to the floor. The next instant Lige got a left-hander on the cheek which sent him reeling. Then he opened the door and just then Bill Miles and Enoch Merrill assisted Dide in shoving them, all four, none too gently clear to the highway.

"Now," said Darius, "the quicker you make your tracks away from here the better it will be for you, as we have a constable and a justice and the necessary papers right here to put you people where you belong."

The whole fuss did not take over fifteen minutes and the entertainment continued smoothly to the end, closing at 1:30 A.M. with another patriotic song by the class.

All declared the exhibition a great success. And so ended Darius' first school term. The trustee appeared glad to engage him for the next winter. The pupils, too, all wanted Darius to teach again next winter.

With spring came the usual activity throughout the settlement, and at the mill the usual stock of logs were secured, the nearby forests just outside the farmers' settlements had all been lumbered off, and now the big land owners and lumber contractors were selling off these denuded tracts at any price they could get. Most of it was considered worthless, being hilly and rocky and otherwise unfit for farming. Fifty cents an acre was considered a good price, and at that there were few purchasers.

Darius did not care for these tracts. His heart was set on the Upper Lake, and he could wait until the time was ripe. He thought, very wisely, that the big lumber companies would put that on the market as soon as the big white pine was cut off. Then he hoped to be able to take advantage of the low land values which were sure to follow and he was right.

Cutting off the big pines did not decrease the value of this land for Darius, as his primary incentive was not for lumber but for a sporting and health resort. However it would be several years yet before this pine would be all cut, and in the meantime--well he could save what he could.

He realized now that it would be useless for him to go back to school. A higher education was not necessary for the life he had mapped out for himself, although he was a great reader, devouring all the books he could secure. He also kept posted on the affairs of the world, later subscribing for such periodicals as Harper's Magazine and the Atlantic Monthly, and a daily newspaper printed in Albany. But I am getting beyond my story.

As warm weather advanced into May, Darius just had to have his annual fishing trip with grandfather, once up Little Trout and once down the Chateaugay River. He had his usual good luck and then was satisfied to settle down to the routine of the summer before, only this summer he commenced laying aside small sums, just a dollar once a week perhaps. B bank had been started in Malone and how eagerly he looked forward to the day when he could deposit five whole dollars in that bank, all his own hard-earned money.

The thought encourage him, and he studied new ways of economy. The singing school was discontinued until the coming winter, for during the summer everybody had to work, including Darius.

Grandfather devoted his whole time now to making "salts" and pills and enlarging his nursery. He also started raising garden seeds to sell, sending to Malone for little envelopes on which he had printed, "Garden Seeds, raised by Paul Merrill, Chateaugay, N.Y."

During the winter grandfather would trap along the Chateaugay River. The trapping added quite an item to the little income, and materially helped them through the little periods of hard times.

For two or three years there was not much change in the little hamlet. Darius continued teaching in the different districts, always conducting a singing school along wiht the rest, and boarding "round" when too far to get home nights, running the sawmill summers and helping Wes nights and mornings with the chores.

Along about this time, in the late forties I think it was, Darius, still running the saw at the mill, began to have cravings for another plunge into the unknown depths of the forest. He wanted to explore beyond the lumbermen's axe marks, which at that time had not penetrated more than a mile from the lake shore. Every Sunday he and grandfather would take long walks up the "lake" road and when mounting Thurber Hill, which was one-half mile below the lake, they could stop for five or ten minutes feasting their eyes on the fascinating picture.

There was Lyon Mountain looming up fifteen miles distant, blue, green and purple, capped with a fleecy white cloud, with the sun tingeing its edges to all colors and hues, ever changing, as the sun rose higher and higher in the sky. And there at the foot of Lyon, in lighter green, "Birch" hill could be plainly seen like a giant footstool, with Lyon Mountain for the seat.

In silence, taking off their hats in reverence to the mighty works of nature, these two men, who could fully appreciate the grandeur of this scene, drank in its every detail.

Resuming their walk, they soon came to the lake.

There, close to the shore, stood the picturesque little cottage owned, together with eighty acres of rocky hill-side, by Fred Shutts. Mr. Shutts, better known as "Old Fred," was a trapper of some renown and could tell many stories of his exploits. He had shot one "painter" (panther) and several bears. Darius like to hear the old man tell his trapping stories, and envied him his good luck in being free to roam the forests and mountains. The old man felt a fatherly interest in Darius. He was such an interested and attentive listener to his stories, enjoying every word, as much as the old man enjoyed telling them. He had often invited Darius to go in partnership with him on a long trap line, and Darius was hoping the day would come that he could accept the invitation.

In the next chapter Mr. Merill tells of the excitement caused by the news brought by Bill Weed: that a railroad was soon to be built from Rouses Point to Ogdensburg, passing through Chateaugay and not far from the Lake settlement. He also tells how candles were made in the early days.

Chateaugay Chasm, Chateaugay, NY

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:57 PST

Sept. 11, 1923, Chateaugay, NY

Am having a very fine time. Am on the go most of the time. Walked down these stairs 125 of them. Well worth seeing.

Chateaugay Chasm Scenery, by Albert B. Buell

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:58 PST

This does not seem to be among the numbered stereoviews in this series; however, there are a few other "strays" taken by Buell down in the Chasm that are featured elsewhere on this blog.

Having walked on these ledges looking down far below into the river, I have a lot of respect for Albert lugging along his big camera--the stereoscope cameras were big and clumsy to carry--along with a big box of plates and whatever else he would require, such as a lunch.

No. 26 Profile Rock.

Darius Starts Teaching School, But Rowdy Gang Causes Him Some Worry

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:58 PST

In the preceding chapter Merrill told of the barn raising, the feats of strength performed by the young men of the settlement. He told about Darius passing the examination for a teachers' certificate and securing the appointment as teacher of the home school.

Chapter 23

It was with the determination to win that he started out the next Monday morning for the little school house where he had first gone to his mother ten years before and where he was now to teach.

Arrived at the school house he found the usual motely assortment always found at a country school, assembled in the yard, ranging in age from four to twenty. Some were playing leap-frog, some wrestling, others sitting on the old stone steps whittling out bows and arrows, and still others were throwing and catching and old yarn ball, playing "three old cat."

The greeting was very friendly, and in such terms as as "Good morning teacher;" "Hello, Dide!" "Hello teacher!" "Teacher can I set on the back seat?" "Teacher, can I and Frank Percy sit together?" And so on.

To all of which Darius responded pleasantly. Every pupil there knew Darius personally; and he thought there was no occasion to anticipate trouble, but trouble came, as trouble will, and when least expected, but not till the end of the winter.

I can see my father now in my mind's eye, as he told me, many years ago, of his first experience teaching this school How he would smile at the recollection of the trouble that came at the termination of his first term. I will try to relate it as he told it to me.

The first two weeks were taken up in organizing the classes and getting them started in the regular routine of their work. This had been a hard job, as there were about thirty pupils in all, and some of the twelve and fourteen-year-olds were not so far advanced as others many years younger, which made it very difficult to grade them.

After about three weeks, when everything was running smoothly, Darius proposed to start a singing school One night just before closing he put the proposition up to a vote of the school.

"All in favor of organizing a singing school, to be held in this school house, two nights every week, make manifest by raising the right hand."

About twenty hands went up.

"Contrary same sign."

Four hands went up and Darius noted that they were the big boys from the west settlement over Bunker Hill. These were the illiterate element who delighted in picking a quarrel among the younger boys to see them fight, much more than learning their daily lessons. In truth Darius was glad they objected because, he reflected, I don't suppose they had any better voice for singing than the bullfrogs in the mill pond. As he dismissed the school he asked all those who wished to join in the singing class to remain until he could take their names down. The others could go at once. The big boys who voted against it walked sulkily out, but hung around the yard till the others were dismissed.

Darius had told them it would be fifty cents a month for each. Ten had signed up at once, but the others would have to see their "folks" before knowing whether they could afford to take the lessons, and so the singing school started on its long and successful career. And what fun they had! How they all did enjoy it!

Frank Percy was a natural comedian, which in those days meant clown. And then there was big Nate Thurber.

At the first meeting Darius ranged them all in line, in front of the rostrum and then with ruler held high, he said:

"Now then, everyone altogether. Repeat--in unison, the scale--D0-ra-me-fa-sol-la-ce-do--reverse," beating time up and down with the ruler, "Do-ce-la-sol-fa-me-ra-do." "Good, now then, once more."

But Frank could hold in no longer. "Say, Dide, where'ed you find that anyway--up Little Trout River?"

"Shut up, Frank," said Nate, "and tend to your business."

But Frank wasn't ready to shut up yet. He was always grinning. He continued:

"Nate says he can give the owl hoot a good deal better than he can speak that 'hog' Latin, and he wants another husking bee."

That set the whole class roaring, Dide included. Nobody ever got vexed at Frank, as he always had a smile on.

As the winter slipped by everything went fine. The singing class had reached to twenty pupils. And now about the middle of February the pupils were asking Darius to give an exhibition on the last day of school, which would be about the last of March.

It was certainly gratifying to know that he had succeeded in getting his pupils sufficiently interested to go to the extra exertion of staging an exhibition, which meant a night or two each week for rehearsal. He gladly gave his consent, at the same time reminding them that now they would have some real hard work ahead of them. They were to select their own pieces, to be approved by him--songs, speaking and dialogues and readings--the whole school taking part in the entertainment, except the four big boys who voted against the singing class. They were invited to take part, but sulkily refused.

In about ten days the first rehearsal was held in the school house and the rehearsals were repeated once a week.

These four big boys (I prefer to withhold their names) would often come to these rehearsals but would never enter the school room, preferring to look through the windows until they really became a nuisance and it was very annoying to Darius, as they would race around the building shouting to each other in vulgar language which could be plainly heard inside the building. Darius was now righteously indignant. Going to the door he called them by name. They came slowly up in front of him.

"Well, what's the matter, Dide?" asked one of the loudly.

"Boys," said Darius, calmly, "you are old enough to be gentlemen. You are old enough to know that you are acting very ungentlemanly to say the least. You know, too, that you are willfully disturbing our rehearsals. Now I ask you kindly to discontinue your visits here on our rehearsal nights, unless you can come as gentlemen and not as disturbers of the peace."

"Huh! Is that all?"

"That's all until I have occasion to say more."

Then closing the door, Darius, angered almost to the fighting point, returned to finish the rehearsal, but apparently the trouble was still to come.

Rumors were current among the younger pupils, and finally reaching Darius' ears, that the four rowdies,--can we call them anything better?--were making plans and bragging that they would break up the exhibition. These rumors did not affects Darius in the least, in fact it made him all the more determined to make the entertainment a success.

One morning a few days later while on his way to school, Nate Thurber met one of these reprobates, the one called Mike, and Mike sneeringly remarked:

"Well, I s'pose you'll be singing in some big show in the cities next thing. Fool's notion, that singing 'schule! hey Nate?"

Nate promptly answered:

"Well, Mike, I don't agree with you. In fact I think the fools were all left out of it."

"Ye do, hey? Well, we'll show ye they haint." "Say," he added, "I got a good cow dog that wants to jine your singing 'schule' and I kicked him till he couldn't stand up for it." and he laughed loudly at his supposed wit.

"Of course," said Nate, "the dog would have been far more acceptable to us in the singing school and probably has a much better voice than his mater."

His thrust angered Mike so much that he attempted to give Nate a good threshing right on the spot.

Nate was only about sixteen but was quite large for his age, and Mike soon found that he had tackled a bigger job than he had figured on. But Mike, feeling highly insulted, was determined to "lick" him in a way he wouldn't forget it. After a hard tussle he got Nate down and then commenced pounding him. Just then, unnoticed by either of them big Miles Miller [Bill Miles] strode up on his way to school.

"Hey! what's this mean? Here, you big bully, get off that boy or I'll give you a dose of the same medicine."

At the same instant he seized Mike by the coat collar and jerked him none too gently to his knees, adding a good swift kick from his heavy cowhide boots.

"Take that, and don't let me catch you in any more of your dirty tricks or you won't get off so easy."

Mike turned black with rage and sneaked off muttering to himself:

"You just wait, Mr. Bill. You'll get your pay for this."

In the next chapter Mr. Merrill tells how the rowdies tried to break up the "exhibition" in the school and how Darius, Nate Thurber and Bill Miles put to rout the four bullies who had been causing all the trouble.

Young Giants Delight In Showing Their Strength At Barn Raising and Bee

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:58 PST

In the preceding chapter Mr. Merrill told how stone "fences" were built, how the fields were cleared and dragged with home-made spike-tooth harrows, how the potatoes were planted. He told of the plans for the new barn and how the timbers were trimmed by hand.

Chapter 22

The next day after the rafters and lumber were all delivered, Darius told Mr. Weed of his great need of getting the barn ready for haying, and Mr. Weed quickly gave him three days off.

When Darius told his father of his plans and that he wanted him to go fishing with him to Little Trout River the next day, grandfather exclaimed:

"Mighty! Mighty; Dide! I reckon it's all as you say. Seems to me you'n Wes's pretty much running the farm now. Better dig the worms tonight so's we can get off 'bout daylight."

True to form, daylight saw the well on their way to Little Trout River. Grandfather started fishing at the bridge to fish down stream. Dide was to hit the upper rapids four miles south and fish down to the bridge. They were to meet at the bridge at four in the afternoon. Each had a lunch and a ten quart pail in which to carry the trout.

Little Trout River was well named, the sparkling clear cold water was literally alive with the speckled beauties, and long before Darius reached the bridge, his pail was running over with trout. When he reached the bridge it was about 4 o'clock, judging by hte position of "Old Sol" in the universe. Darius was suffering from a thousand mosquito bites, his face and neck and the backs of his hands were covered with little puffed up blotches and streaks of blood where he had vainly tried to scratch them off.

While waiting for his father he poured the fish upon the grass, and taking out his pocket knife proceeded to clean them. Before he had finished grandfather appeared with his pail not guite full, but Darius knew that between them there would be plenty for the supper. Before starting for home they cleaned the whole catch and in another hour were home.

Darius put the trout in a tight box and sunk it in the ice cold Balm of Gilead spring, placing a heavy stone on top of the ox to keep it in place.

Next day was the day appointed for the raising. In the house grandmother and Abbie had everything prepared for the next day's feast, figuring on about twenty men to feed. Wes had gone the rounds of the neighborhood and invited all to the raising and bee. Gill Dolloff had been retained for "boss" of the raising.

By nine next morning the men commenced to arrive and in another hour the work was well under way.

Carrying the heavy timbers to their relative positions, and posts and joists to their places on the platform, they put together the first "bent," fastening it with key ash pins.

Then fifteen or twenty men with pike poles (that Darius had borrowed from the mill pond) ranged in line abreast the bent, awaited the commands of the boss as he guided and steadied the corner posts.

"Now then! All together! Heave! Up! Up! Up! with her, boys. Heave ho! Up with her, I say!"

Such were the sharp orders from Gill, while every man was straining his utmost. Darius could hardly keep his eyes away from Gill Dolloff. The man's superb strength and cat-like activity, as he sprang from beam to beam, driving the key ash pins and giving the right orders at the right place and time. Just like clock-work that frame went together.

Nearly all were young men, agile, supple, with apparently no limit to their endurance. They were proud of their strength, each claiming he could outlift the other.

Twenty strong and willing men can put through a lot of work in two days' tim if they have a competent and energetic boss as foreman, and such a boss was Gill Dolloff. Darius always held that man in high esteem.

At the end of the second day the barn was roofed and shingled, much to the satisfaction of Wes and Darius. Grandmother and Abbie had done their share, too.

At the parting many a friendly slap on the shoulder did Wes and Darius get, with such exclamations as, "Well, Dide, let us know when you get another big catch of trout and we'll see that he get another barn 'throwed up," and "Wes, give us another husking bee, but send Dide fishing first;" and "Wes, don't let Dide steal any more kisses belonging to Nate, ha! ha! ha! ha!"

Darius was certainly well pleased with the outcome of his scheme for finishing the barn, and yet it was far from being finished. It was only ready for the storing of hay and grain, but that was all he had expected from the bee. Next spring they would have to plank the ground floor and build the stanchions for the cattle. But then he and Wes could do that on rainy days.

The following Monday found them looking up the old scythes and whetstones and Eli turning the grindstone while Wes held the scythe firmly on the stone.

When Eli's arm got tired and the stone commenced to slacken its speed, Wes would bear on with renewed energy and ask Ei to bring his baby brother, or someone who could turn the grind stone for him, whereupon Eli would take revenge by turn so fast that the water from the trough under the stone would fly all over Wes' face.

The whir-r-r- and shriek of the saw and carriage and the hoarse shouts of the men carrying lumber about the mill constituted the daily entertainment for Darius. After supper at home, a load of hay was waiting to be stowed away, to be pitched off by Wes and Eli. And if Darius failed to mow it away fast enough, they would bury him with huge forkfuls of dusty but sweet-smelling hay, and then shout in derision at the green "mill hand" as he would emerge from under the hay with the sweat ploughing furrows through the dust on his face and dripping from his nose and chin.

"Never mind, Dide, we'll make a farmer of you yet," shouted Wes.

Darius enjoyed the caprices of his brother Wes almost as much as Wes did himself, and took his cajoling good naturedly, the way it was sent.

Grandfather was not what could be termed an expert farm manager, preferring to tinker at this and that, fishing and trapping at odd times, but he was shrewd enough to observe in Wes and Darius the making of good business managers and he was keen enough to know that such men were as essential for success in farming as in any other business. So gradually the management of the farm devolved upon Wes, and with Darius' help, he proved himself master of the job.

Together these two brothers planned many improvements on the farm, but Darius had no intentions of becoming a farmer. He thought the labor was altogether too hard for the small compensation derived therefrom.

As a matter of fact Darius was endowed with what the old sages would call "long sight." He visioned the lakes and mountains and the wonderful works of nature, as something to be sought after, by intelligent people in the future as a place of recreation and rest, a place for the successful healing and rejuvenating of worn otu mentalities, and also a place where sportsmen could enjoy to the fullest extent the pleasures of fishing and hunting.

To Darius the visions had come involuntarily keeping pace with his physical development, constantly enlarging until they proved to be a reality, instead of a vision. Thus the magnet gradually overpowered him Resistance was useless and submission became a glorious pleasure.

Biding his time, waiting only to see his parents and brother Wes in comfortable circumstances, he would then save up for his own personal ambitions, viz, to sometime own a goodly portion of his beloved mountains and lakes.

With Darius' after-supper help, haying was soon finished. Then cam corn-hoeing. This was a long, tedious, disagreeable job, but like all other jobs it came to an end at last. Harvesting came next and was done done the same as haying, all by hand, mowing with the old scythes, raking into windrows, bunching with the forks, and after it was thoroughly dried in the sun, then hauled to the barn, to be threshed during the winter. Usually they threshed only enough for seed the next spring. Then cam potato hoeing, another hard task, and then a few days with nothing but the chores. Then a little later corn-cutting and "stooking." And last but not least, potato digging.

About the time potato digging was finishing, Darius cut the last log in the mill pond, and the next day he started for Malone to take the examination for a teacher's certificate.

Walking to Malone, he went directly to Mr. Wheeler's and he and Bill had a good visit.

Next morning he went to the Academy where the examinations were held. It took nearly half a day to answer the questions in the blank forms. Then Darius had to await his turn for the papers to be checked up and passed upon. It was quite late in the afternoon when he was informed that he had made ninety-eight points, or counts, out of a possible one hundred, for whicih they could give him a first grade certificate.

Darius was well pleased with the results of his examination. Friend Bill could not persuade him to spend another night in Malone, for he knew his mother was counting the minutes until his return. It was nearly midnight when he was the little candle light in his mother's bedroom where she was sitting up waiting for him.

Entering the front door, osftly, he went directly to his mother's room.

"Well, mother," he said, "I guess you and father can take a rest once in a while now."

Producing the certificate, he handed it to her.

"Well, my son, I expected you would get that, all right. Have y ou asked Mr. Weed for the school?" (Mr. Weed was trustee that fall).

"Yes, and he is going to let me have it, and wants school to commence next Monday."

"Oh, Darius, why didn't you get some store clothes when you were in Malone?"

"Well, mother, I prefer to wait until I earn some money teaching. I might perhaps have got them on credit, but that's not a good way to begin. So good-night, mother, I must get to bed."

Now Darius in most respects was not unlike other y oung men of his age, and though he was overjoyed at his success in securing the home school, he still had many misgivings, wondering how his former playmates would receive him as their instructor, especially those who had grown in the last three or four years, much taller and heavier than himself. Quite a number of the older ones belonged to the rougher element, including the big boy who had stolen his skipper a few years before.

Inexperienced as he was and only eighteen years old, he could not keep back an occasional feeling of dread as to how he would succeed in his newly acquired job.

In the next chapter the author tells of Darius' experience in teaching school, how he organized a singing class and about the trouble he had with the bullies of the neighborhood.

The Old Guide Tells How Fields Were Cleared and Stone 'Fences' Were Built

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:59 PST

In the preceding chapter Mr. Merrill told of the difficulties experienced by the settlers in obtaining the necessities of life during a "hard" winter. He described the pills and remedies concocted by his grandfather and sold to a Chateaugay druggist for a few cents a dozen. The assistance given by the women of the household by their knitting, sewing, cooking and in a hundred other ways was also recalled by the author.

Chapter 21

Grandfather soon returned, his apple trees all delivered, and in the box was a pair of plump little Berkshire pigs which he had taken in payment for the apple trees. As Darius climbed into the wagon he commenced shooting questions:

"How's mother and Wes and Abbie? How much grain and corn and potatoes have you planted?"

"Hold on! hold on! boy, give me time or ye'll have to ask all over again," grandfather exclaimed.

"Wes has been working like a tiger. Mother and Abbie--Well, Well, all about the same. Got old Eli Darling to shave some more shingles. Wes says we must have a new barn before haying. Sowed so many oats the old barn won't hold 'em all, and nigh ten acres corn this summer. Potatoes ain't planted yet. Guess that's 'bout all. Got to stone the potato ground 'fore it's planted. Mill running? Yes, off an' on. Help's been mighty scarce, with everybody doing their spring work. Bill was asking the other day when you would be coming home. Guess he wants you again."

Darius like the mill work better than farming, so he asked:

"How much could you hire a farm hand for, father?"

"Well, I spoke to old Eli's boy 'bout helping us. Says he'll come for five a month and 'found.' He's big enough to do a man's work. Guess he's inclined to shirk when he's alone. But maybe if Wes or I keep him in sight he'd do pretty well."

"Don't you think we had better try him and let me work in the mill? Think I'll ask Mr. Weed for fifteen this summer. And if Eli's boy is no good you can probably find a good man before haying."

"Good idea, Dide. I was thinking that way myself."

Soon they passed Alec Drown's and now they would soon come to Little Trout River, and in spite of his recent experiences in these woods, Darius wished he had his fishing lines and hooks, because he would enjoy pulling out a nice mess of speckled beauties for his mother.

In reality his hunting trip had only the affect of making him all the more eager to explore the vast wilderness, but next time with a compass, he thought.

About two o'clock they pulled up on front of the new house and Darius was met at the door by his mother and Abbie.

"Well, my boy, how are you?" she asked. "My, but you look good. And how do you like Malone school?"

"Malone school is all right and a necessary institution for the good of the people," said Darius. "But I am ashamed to say that I prefer the Chateaugay lakes and mountains."

"Oh, Dide! don't say that," exclaimed Abbie. "You know you can never be anybody in the mountains. You should study law or be a doctor."

"Never mind Abbie," said grandmother. "There's nothing to be ashamed of for preferring the mountains and lakes. And," she added quickly, "you know what trying to be a doctor amounted to with your father in New Hampshire, don't you?"

"Yes, but I know Dide wouldn't be so foolish as that," said Abbie.

"Well, you know my dear sister," said Darius, "if everybody studied law or medicine who would cultivate the soil or subdue the forest? We need health resorts in these mountains as much as we need doctors, and tillers of the soil much more than we need lawyers."

Silenced, but not convinced, Abbie hastily prepared a good substantial lunch for Darius and her father.

Darius could hardly wait to slip on his old farm clothes and get out into the field in search of Wes and "Young Eli" as he was called. He found them at last down in the newly ploughed potato ground, digging and hauling stones preparatory to planting the potatoes.

Grandfather was down cellar as soon as he had swallowed his lunch, sorting and cutting the seed potatoes.

"Hello, Dide!" shouted Wes, "come on here and show us what you're good for. Don't believe you can roll a rock on the stone boat half as big as I can. Let's see you dirty them soft paddies of yours now."

"Huh! when you find a rock too big for you and Eli to roll together, I'll put it on for you," said Dide. Eli guffawed loudly at this good natured badinage and Darius, seizing the crowbar, commenced helping to pry up the big stones.

Wes and Eli had been digging and hauling all day, dumping the stones along the roadside where they wre to be placed to form a wall fence.

Upon the arrival of Darius, Wes directed Eli to take the team to the barn, and return and help lay the wall.

To build the wall, the largest stones were laid on the outer edge, or about four feet apart and then filled in between with the smaller ones. The rule was to start the wall four feet wide on the ground and build it four feet high and narrow to two feet at the top. First, stakes were driven at intervals of six rods in a straight line parallel with and twenty-five feet from the center of the highway. These stakes were to designate the center of the stone wall.

The boys laid up about three rods of wall before the supper horn sounded its welcome blast across the fields.

There was no class distinction in the backwoods settlement. The "hired" man was never called a servant and he also shared all the comforts of the household, as a member of the family.

The next day being Saturday, Darius again helped on the stone wall. Stones of all sizes and shapes, big and little, round and square, thick and thin, smooth stones and jagged stones, flat and three-cornered, and some with not much less than forty corners, and nearly all colors from green to white, all went to sleep for ages in the great line of fences which surrounded their lttle empire like the wall of China in its sense of protection.

The boys succeeded in laying about five rods of wall that day. Darius, with grandfather's help, placed them in the wall, while Wes and Eli kep up the digging and hauling. By night they had gone over practically the whole potato ground, and Wes declared that Monday night would see the last potato covered. Darius was glad when the supper horn sounded, for his "paddies" were sorely bruised and stained with handling the rough stones.

After supper Darius went down to Uncle Bill Weed's and soon had completed a bargain for his summer's work. Mr. Weed was to give Darius fifteen dollars per month, but Darius was to take one thousand feet of lumber at six dollars per thousand feet, each month in part payment of his wages.

Darius' work at the mill started the following Monday and as usual he carried a text book.

"Because," thought he, "if I never return to school, I must keep up my education as I possibly can."

Daylight Monday morning found Wes with the team leveling the potato ground with the old crotch, spike-tooth drag, which grandfather had made two years before. Commencing on one edge of the field, back and forth he would go, turning a sharp corner at each end of the ploughed ground, lapping one half of the drag each trip across the field, over the ground dragged by the preceding trip, thereby making a double dragging.

Grandfather followed with a bag of potatoes hung over his left shoulder. With his right heel he punched a hole in the soft dirt. At the same time with his right hand he dropped a seed potato in the hole so punched. Proceeding thus in a straight line, he crossed the field to a stake he had shoved into the ground for a guide. He removed the guide stake as each row was completed.

Eli followed grandfather with the hoe, pulling three or four hoefuls of dirt over each potato and then patting the dirt down with a resounding clap of the hoe blade on top of each hill.

By noon Wes had the field all dragged and in the afternoon helped grandfather finish dropping. By supper time there still remained about twenty rows to cover, so after supper Darius and grandfather finished covering while Wes and Eli milked and did the chores.

Strenuous indeed were those days of many years ago, when the sturdy thoroughbreds of our nation had to do with their hands what the modern machinery of many yeas of invention, are doing today. If they were to come back to earth at the present time and see what wonderful things are being accomplished at the pressing of a button, what would they think?

Only six weeks now to haying, and a barn to raise and finish, corn to how, butter to churn twice a week. No end to the daily round of labor which confronted them. Yet did they once think of neglecting or shirking the responsibilities that each day brought forth? No, their practical education had taught them a good lesson. Eternal vigilance was their watchword. A happy combination of morals had been injected into their physical training, which gave birth to future developments which they could well be proud of, had they had any conception of their outcome.

Grandfather and Wes had agreed that a twenty by sixty foot barn would fulfill the requirements of increased stock and crops for several years to come. And now with Dide's help nearly every night after supper, Wes would take the axe and crosscut saw away up on the spruce knoll back of the sugar bush and cut spruce trees and hew them into square timbers for the foundation and framework for the barn.

This was a slow, hard job. Perfectly straight trees had to be selected and felled, first placing some old logs and chunks of half rotten timber where the falling tree would land on them, thereby holding the trunks about one foot above the ground. The with the axe they would "ross off" a narrow strip of the rough bark on both sides from butt to top. The strips so rossed were ten inches apart and about three inches wide. Then with a long chalk line well blackened with a dead fire brand they would snap a black line the entire length. Then standing on top of the tree, with their axes they would (chop) into the opposite sides, as deep as to be perpendicular with the black lines, then with a broad-axe the scored sides would be hewn smooth and straight on these lines, making a straight stick of timber ten inches thick. (Railroad ties were made in the same manner a few years later.)

Cutting off the top end of hewed timber, they next turned it down on the flat side, and proceeded in like manner to hew the other two sides. That done they had a forty foot stick of timber ten inches square to be used as sills on the stone abutments for the barn.

Every ten feet the entire length of the barn a twenty foot cross sill had to be mortised into the side sills, and in turn the cross sills had to be mortised every three feet to receive the floor joists. The floor joists were made from smaller trees cut ten feet long and hewed or "straightened," as it was called, on one side, the ends flattened to fit the mortises.

Darius soon perceived that he and Wes could not get out all these timbers in time to raise and finish the barn before haying. So he engaged the services of Gilbert Dolloff, an expert framer, who lived in the lower settlement. Mr. Dolloff was kept busy most of the time framing barns for the farmers. With his valuable assistance they soon had everything in readiness for the raising.

Then it was that Darius, with his usual good foresight, planned a little extra for the raising. It was now only one week to commencement of haying, so as he and Wes were walking home from the last day's hewing, Darius said:

"Look here, Wes, you know we can never get that barn ready for haying alone."

Without waiting for a reply from Wes, he went on:

"Now, I've thought the thing over, and here's my plan. We'll keep Gill, and you and he get out the rafters. While you are doing that, send Eli with the team to the mill for the lumber for the roof. I will buy the lumber from Mr. Weed. Then we will get the rafters down, set the day for the raising, and tell all the men it's to be a double raising, or a bee, the second day to pout the roof on, and that we will give a trout and turkey supper each day."

"If you'll guarantee the trout," said Wes, "I'll do the inviting."

"I'll guarantee the trout, and," Dide added, "if they don't quite finish the roof, you and I won't take long to finish it up."

In the next chapter Mr. Merrill tells about the barn raising and how Darius and his father provided the trout dinner for the twenty hungry men. He describes the intricate work of "framing" the barn and tells of the herculean efforts required to get the big timbers into position.

Chateaugay Train Station, about 1890

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:59 PST

courtesy Patricia Curtin

Bank of Chateaugay

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:27:59 PST

courtesy Patricia Curtin

Chateaugay Four Corners

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:28:00 PST

An early photo of Chateaugay "Four Corners", as it was also known, looking north. The only building still standing is the hotel, left, although it has been since changed several times.

courtesy Patricia Curtin

California, Here We Come!

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:28:00 PST

Chateaugay Troop 2 Scouters embarking for Irvine, California from Lake Clear Junction. From left: Royal Nadeau, Herb McCoy, Kermit McCormick, Jim Humiston, Alan Godfrey, Scoutmaster William Cullen, Dick Ryan, Frank Ryan, and Don Sweet. July 10, 1953.

Courtesy of Patricia Curtin

"Doc" Sweet

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:28:01 PST

Here are a few of "Doc" Sweet of Chateaugay to enjoy!

Happy 11th Birthday!

Dr. J. Donald Sweet and his father James W. Sweet harrowing and seeding on the family farm in the Shee Woods May 21, 1922.

Dr. Sidney M. Martin, Dr. J. Donald Sweet, and James "Donnie" Sweet with patient preparing for x-ray. 1945.

Dr. J. Donald Sweet with his hunting companion "Doc" White. Although the present school (background, across street) was occupied by grade school students, the landscaping was not complete.

James W. and Elizabeth M. Sweet enjoying the Chateaugay Centennial Festivities at the Chateaugay Rotary Park, August 1969.

Thanks to Patricia Curtin, Chateaugay, for all of the great photos in this and several other adjacent posts!

Civil War Letter of William Bell Miles, by John Dodge Miles

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:15:46 PDT

William Bell Miles (1824–1885) came to Franklin County in 1825 from Bath, NH with his parents, John D. and Martha Emerson Miles, who settled on the west side of Lower Chateaugay Lake adjacent to the Drew place [This app. 100-acre piece of property, later known as "The Ranch" and owned by Millard Douglas, apparently wasn't deeded to them--in Martha's name--until sometime in the 1850s, as I accidentally ran across this transaction in the courthouse; therefore we still don't know where they lived for the first twenty years in Bellmont, although it may have been down in "Weeds"]. His father, sometimes referred to as “Squire Miles,”(1) was a stonecutter who learned his trade in Bath, where his brother operated a mill. John Miles and John B. Jackson, another early Chateaugay Lake settler, ran the Jackson and Miles mill,(2) located northwest of the bridge later known as “The Forge,” until it was taken over in 1826 by Roswell Weed.(3) In 1832, John was later supervisor of the Town of Chateaugay.(4) William’s surviving siblings were Adaline Young, Martha Jane Kirby, Olive Susan Cantwell, Abner, and Josephine Percy [m. Frank Percy]. Martha and Olive were schoolteachers in the early school district;(5) Olive later married William P. Cantwell of Malone, and was an instructor at Franklin Academy. William married Lydia A. Smith prior to 1850, who died in 1856. William then married Lydia Maria Kirby (1829–1902), When William enlisted in the Union Army, he left behind his wife with two young daughters, one of them an infant. During his later years, William was a farmer, and he served as superintendent of the local Methodist Sabbath school,(6) was a steward of the church,(7) and was an election supervisor in Bellmont.(8)

The letter that follows was written during William’s Civil War service in October 1861, at Camp Graham near Washington, D.C., where the 22nd Reg. NYSV was guarding the capital. The recipient, James Sweet of Chateaugay, was an ancestor of the late Dr. James Sweet, also of Chateaugay. In the letter, William mentions both Fanny and Ezra Sweet; Ezra worked in a sawmill on Chateaugay River near the Sweet family farm.(9)

Daniel Dockum(10) has provided information about William’s Civil War service:

William B. Miles was born October 30, 1824. He enlisted in the Union Army with the 22nd New York State Volunteers on April 28, 1861. He was 36 at the time but his enlistment record indicates that he was only 29. He enlisted in Schroon Lake, New York in Company I under the command of Captain Lyman Ormsby.

The 22nd NY was part of a brigade which contained the 22nd, 24th, 30th and 84th NY regiments. The 84th was also known as the 14th Brooklyn. The 2nd US Sharpshooters were also, at times, a part of the brigade.(11)

William’s statement “I have been only two days since I have been enlisted” is odd, considering his April 28, 1861 enlistment date. Has a word been omitted, such as ‘sick’, after ‘I have been’? Another anomaly concerning William’s service record was his age: although he was actually 36 when he enlisted, on his service record his age was given as 29. Finally, since most of the soldiers from Franklin County enlisted in Malone, why did William enlist as far away as Schroon Lake? Did he try to enlist locally, and was turned down because of his age? Did he lie about his age in order to be accepted, in an area where he was not personally known? Given the fact that other area soldier enlistees such as David Blow and Nathan Thurber were William’s friends and neighbors from Chateaugay Lake, it’s difficult to know.

William comments on his living conditions(12) (“…we have poor beds I have not slept on a bed since the twenty egith of last April only on the ground all last week and fore part of this we have had no shelter ober us a few cornstalks…) and gives some information regarding how he supplemented his income scavenging grease: “…the company makes my wages up to twenty dolars a month when I was in camp in washinton…I use to make three dollars a week a saveing grease…”(13)

Finally, William gives an account regarding how he shot a “rebel” soldier while on a scouting patrol: “…I shot one rebel it was when I was out on a scouting party he was behind an old stone chimey and he was first taking aim at one of our men and I was just behind of corn so he did not see me I just took aim and he fell…”

Dockum adds the following details regarding William’s Civil War Service:

The brigade served under Brigadier Generals E. D. Keyes, C. C. Auger, John Hatch, and finally, Colonel Walter Phelps who originally commanded the 22nd regiment.

The brigade was part of General lrwin McDowell’s Corps (Army of Virginia) in the early part of the war. Much of the regiment’s early service (June 1861 to August 1862) was in northern Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, protecting the capital city. They fought at Groveton and Gainesville, Virginia on the 28th and 29th of August 1862 and then in the second battle of Bull Run (Manassas) on August 30. Between these two battles, Union losses were 14,800 killed, wounded or missing. Confederate losses were 10,700 killed, wounded or missing.

General Joseph Hooker became the new Corps Commander and led them at South Mountain, Maryland on September 14, 1862 then at Antietam (Sharpsburg, Maryland) on September 17. The battle of Antietam resulted in more than 30,000 casualties making it the bloodiest day in US history. They then fought at Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 13, 1862. The Union lost 1,180 killed, 9,028 wounded and 2,145 missing in that battle. The final big battle for the 22nd was under Major General J. F. Reynolds at Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 1–4, 1863. The Union lost 1,512 killed, 9,518 wounded and 5,000 missing in that battle. Confederate losses were 1,581 killed (including Stonewall Jackson) 8,700 wounded and 2,000 missing.(14)

Soldiers of the 22nd then returned home to New York in June 1863. Records show that William Miles mustered out at Albany, NY on June 19, 1863.(15)

[Uplous?] Hill, VA
Oct 11, 1861

Mr James Sweet

Respected

i take this optunity of writing to you in hopes find you well and i am the same

i have only been two days since i have been enlisted

i shot one rebel

it was when i was out on a scouting party

he was behind a old stone chiney and he was just taking aim at one of our men and i was just behind of corn so he did not see me

i just took aim and he fell

that only chance i have had to shoot one and only one i have for i dont have no chance to go very near them for i am cooking for the [company] i belong to and been cooking for them ever since we came to washington

the company makes my wages up to twenty dolars a month when i was [at] camp in washington

you is use to make three dollars a week a saveing grease

o James you have no idea what a buatiful country this is & there is some of the hansomest peach orchards i ever see

we have plenty to eat and wear but we have poor beds

i have not slept on a bed since twenty egith of last april only on the ground

all last week and fore part of this we have had no shelter ober us a few cornstalks

i dont think that this part of the army will make any attacked on othe rebells unless they make attack upon us for they say delay is worst than fighting fighting them

i had a letter from your aunt fanny and your uncle robert and they where all well

he wrote to me that he had been to your house a little summer

Jimmy i cant i cant write you anymore new at present

give my respects to your father and Mother margret and Ezra and his mother and all enquireing friends

no more at present from your friend

William Miles

if your write to me direct your letter

William Miles
22d.Reg. N.Y.S.V.
Camp Graham
Washington, D.C.
in care Capt L ormsby

(1) Merrill, Charles E., The Old Guide’s Story of the Northern Adirondacks (Burlington, Vermont: George Little Press, 1973), 100.

(2) Seaver, Frederick J., Historical Sketches of Franklin County and its Several Towns with Many Short Biographies (Albany, NY: J.B. Lyon Company, 1918), 174.

(3) Ibid.

(4) Hurd, Duane H., “Chateaugay,” History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York, (Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1880), 462.

(5) Seaver, 182, 176.

(6) “William B. Miles obituary,” Chateaugay Record, vol. 8, no. 4 (May 1, 1885).

(7) Hurd, 464.

(8) Hurd, “Bellmont,” 442.

(9) Recently, James Vaugh, a family member who now has the original letter among the papers left by Dr. James Sweet, contacted me regarding William Miles’ Civil War service. At a later date I received digital copies from James that were taken by his photographer friend in North Carolina.

(10) Daniel Dockum is a great-great grandson of William Miles.

(11) Correspondence to John Miles from Dr. Tom Clemens, a noted Civil War historian. Regarding the brigade and who was in it, Clemens cites Frederick H. Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, vol. 1 (Dayton, OH: Morningside Press Reprint, 1978), 284. Clemens comments further, “That the brigade was called the Iron Brigade can be found in William F. Fox’s Regimental Losses of the Civil War (Dayton, OH: Morningside Press Reprint, 1985), 117.”

(12) In quoting from the letter, I have retained William’s unique spelling and punctuation.

(13) Miles served as a cook for the 22nd NYSV.

(14) Christian J. Heidorf, Shoulder Arms! Letters and Recollections of the 22nd New York Volunteers and a Community at War (Glens Falls, NY: Chapman Historical Museum of the Glens Falls-Queensbury Historical Association, 1998). Correspondence to John Miles from Dr. Tom Clemens: “…casualty figures are from Heidorf’s book, the only history of the 22nd published.…”

(15) NY State Adjutant General’s Records, 22nd NY Vol. Inf., Albany, NY. Dr. Clemens was so kind as to respond to my queries regarding the information he gave to Dan Dockum several years ago.

Loomis Titus, Civil War Soldier, Chateaugay, NY

noreply@blogger.com (Grampa Miles) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:28:02 PST

Lumus, Loomis, or Luman M. Titus died at Camp Clarkson, VA in 1863. Titus is listed as Loomis in the 1860 census and some military records (Austin).

He was born Aug. 8, 1836, the son of Benjamin and Betsy Titus. He was a farmer and lived on the Jericho Road near Chateaugay.

This is another contribution from Jack Monaghan; thanks for the great material!