The Heeswijk and the Hermit

History Articles written originally for the Sacandaga Express - by L.L. Decker

W.C. Fields said “A rich man is just a poor man with money”. This is a story about a wooded place just south of the Adirondack Inn in Sacandaga Park that was chosen by a man of humble means. And also by man of great wealth.

In 1899 J. Ledlie Hees was a man of power and position, president of the F.J.&G. railroad and director of the Fonda bank. Stewart Wilson was a man of meager means and had acquired two small plots of land in Sacandaga Park before the railroad had finished the line to Northville in 1875. Wilson neither leased nor rented from the F.J.&G. He was the only one who didn’t.

The beginning of Stewart Wilson’s life are sketchy. His arrival to utilize the plots he owned in the park may not have been until 1895. Though another date is 1908: or it may have been somewhere between those span of years. Wilson’s parents owned a farm in Mayfield. Wilson apparently held no fondness for the hard work involved in farming and so became a photographer. His business started in Gloversville at a studio, but then at some point moved to Sacandaga Park.

Wilson operated his photography business in a rustic hut within walking distance of the railroad station during the summer. Visitors could pose for a photo and receive a tin type as a remembrance of their day spent at the park. He also produced stereopticon cards that could be viewed through special 3-D lenses.

Wilson owned two plots of land in the park. Wilson’s first hut was 75 yards east of the first railroad station ( the one previous to the one that still exists today). One summer he moved his hut just south of the train station to the second plot. This was fairly easy to do as Wilson’s humble dwelling was constructed of scrap metal that could be dismantled then moved. In this location he also fenced area around the hut for chickens to live in the summer. Winters, for a number of years, were spent in a shanty in Gloversville.

The shanty in Gloversville eventually was razed as he did not own the property it stood on. Befriending the watchman at the Sacandaga Park railroad station Wilson gained a warm place to live in the winter- with the permission of the park superintendent. Tending the train station wood stove Wilson, from time to time, cooked light suppers for himself and the watchman. A story is told of a fire that broke out in a cottage in the park one evening. While the night watchman went for help, Wilson rang the fire bell to alert the railroad employees who brought a small hose fire truck and put it out; thereby thwarting a possible disaster. Sacandaga Parks biggest plague was fire, and to help stop one was a big deal.

Wilson was referred to as a hermit, although recluse would be more appropriate as he associated with people mostly for the living he made providing tin type images. The hermit reference may have evolved due to his appearance. He wore shabby clothes and had a long beard.

Wilson was not uneducated, nor criminal, and took part from time to time in public meetings concerning the area. He was also an avid reader. It’s told in references that his retreat to this lifestyle may have come from a relationship in which he discovered his object of affection was unfaithful to him. Wilson was deathly afraid of fire, hence the metal hut, and kept asbestos in his pockets.
Wilson was not without competition for tintype images. The railroad leased or rented a building to what was known as the Mann Studios which was located in the area of the Midway. Now visitors who were reluctant to venture down the wooded path to Wilson’s rustic studio could be accommodated by a studio nearer to the activity of the Midway rides and vendors. Tintype photos became the working mans way to afford a portrait as they were inexpensive and could be processed within a short amount of time. Wilson, however, remained a novelty to most people and continued to do business.

J. Ledlie Hees also favored the same wooded location the property that bordered Wilson hut south of the Adirondack Inn and in 1899 built a modest summer cottage there. In 1909 Hees expanded on the existing unpretentious two story dutch colonial cottage and the mansion Heeswijk (pronounced Hees-wick) emerged at a cost of $200,000.00. A playhouse for the Hees only daughter echoed the same grandeur as the mansion on a smaller scale with stained glass windows and the like and came in with a cost of $10,000.00 in 1914. In comparison the Adirondack Inn, built in 1899, would accommodate over 200 people cost a mere $20,000.00.

Architecture of Hee’s first cottage and the massive expansion was done by Marcus T Reynolds of Albany. The first cottage was 55 feet long and at the kitchen wings widest point 60 feet wide. When the cottage became the mansion Heeswijk it measured 95 feet long and maintained the kitchen wing which was still the widest point of 60 feet.

A 22’ by 22’ foyer entryway greeted visitors and off the expanded kitchen was a servants dining area, butlers pantry, kitchen, and a 24x14 laundry room. The rooms mentioned previously were the size of the original cottage. Then the thee bedrooms downstairs for the butler and chauffeurs which included a bathroom. The dining room was turned into a library and the new dining room was completed with a semi-circular piazza. The living room included hand painted murals of windmills and tree-lined Dutch canals. There was also a billiard room with a half -bath. Fireplaces graced the living room, dining room, and library. The upstairs was completed with nine guests suites all with private bathrooms.
The Heeswijk had the family initial custom crafted into it’s stained glass windows imported from Italy. Wood panels of ebony, walnut, and mahogany were used in it’s interior imported from the Netherlands. On the exterior: white semi-circular porches, gable roofs and Tuscan columns led to expansive gardens. Twenty servants kept the house and grounds. References’ note that president Warren Harding stayed overnight there in the 1920‘s.

Hee’s daughter Elizabeth was married on the grounds of the Heeswyck in 1931 by Northville Presbyterian minister George K. Frasier to Jesse Arthur Mason of Chicago, IL.

Wilson had acquired two plots of land before the railroad had completed the line to Sacandaga Park in 1875. J. Ledlie Hees had also favored a plot very near the place Wilson had built his metal makeshift home and studio and built a cottage in 1899. In 1909 Hee’s expanded the cottage into the opulent mansion Heeswijk (pronounced HEES-WICK). The conclusion of the Heeswijk and the Hermit will be followed by some information about the bear at Sacandaga Park.

The wealth of Hees was a stark comparison to his neighbor Stewart Wilson. Being the president of the F J & G, Hees had his own private railroad car which could be coupled and transport him to Fonda for his position at the bank. If the train wasn’t running at the time when he needed to get somewhere, a special one was summoned.

Hee’s horses and coaches were among the finest in the area. Many judged wealth of another by the team of horses they drove; much like we do today with automobiles. Image was important. The horses were perfectly matched in color and form. Along with the highest quality coach and of course a driver.
A past historian recalled seeing the Hee’s sleigh out for a drive in the winter. The black two- seater sleigh was carrying the second Mrs. Hees attired in a white fur hat, coat, and matching lap robe. The black horses had their harnesses trimmed in red, with their bridles sporting red tassels. Both the driver and the footman were garbed in scarlet livery. The cottage expansion probably came about do to Hee’s second marriage after divorcing his first wife. His second wife’s past was a little more mysterious then society preferred. But due to the prominence of Hee’s many guests, of what was considered the areas finest society, attended events at the Heeswijk.

At first J. Ledlie Hees and Stewart Wilson lived harmoniously. The thick pines provided privacy and blocked the view of the neighbors . But as the grounds of Heeswijk expanded, the tree line thinned Wilson’s ramshackle shed, with it’s fenced in chicken yard, became part of the view of the grand mansion.

Hees unable to bear the view of the shack and chicken coop any longer, made a monetary offer to Wilson which was enough to provide Wilson the means to move on. By then the Old Orchard Inn had been built in Sacandaga Park. The Sacandaga Park superintendent who had given permission for Wilson to stay at the park’s train station during the winter months had been hired to manage it.
After forty years in Sacandaga Park, the latter twenty spent as a photographer, Wilson lost his winter home at the station. Taking his recently acquired money, he relocated buying a farmhouse in 1901 at Osborn’s Bridge two miles from the park. Wilson died at an unknown age in February 1922 from exposure due to a heating failure at his residence. Wilson was found in his home, still alive, efforts were made to save his life but failed.

J. Ledlie Hees continued to use the Heeswijk strictly as a summer home during the 1920’s and 30s’. After his death in the early 1940’s the FJ & G railroad gained control of the house and sold it’s contents at auction.

The Heeswijk was left abandoned until 1952 and then sold (along with the property holdings of the F J & G) and used as accommodations for actors who traveled the park to perform at the Rustic Theatre and after the Rustic Theatre burned in 1955 it was used for performers at the newly built Sacandaga Summer Theatre . When the Summer Theatre closed in 1962 the Heeswijk was again sold. Renovations began to convert the mansion into a ski resort. But it was not to be, as in March of 1963 the mansion was leveled by fire.
by L.L. Decker

Fish House History

History Articles written originally for the Sacandaga Express - by L.L. Decker

In 1762 Fish House was the first settlement in along the Sacandaga River and it‘s history is extensive. Officially named Northampton but has always been referred to as Fish House, the settlement got it’s name from a fishing camp that was built there by Sir William Johnson in the same year. In the summer, Sir William spent much of his time at Fish House and at Castle Cumberland located on Summer House Point, on the great Vlaie. He was then the Brittanic Majesty's Superintendent General of Indian affairs in North America, Colonel of the Six Indian Nations, and a Major General in the British service. He was a friend to the Native Americans. And he loved the outdoors. Sir William Johnson fought in the French and Indian War in 1755 but had died by 1774 before the Revolutionary War. After his death his son John Johnson remained loyal to the King and took up arms against the revolution.

Settler Godfrey Shew came to Fish House from Philadelphia at the urgings of Sir William before he died. During the Revolutionary War Fish House and nearby areas were attacked by about one hundred Loyalists and Indians. A ardent patriot, Shews home and barn were burned, livestock killed, and he and two of his sons were captured along with Solomon Woodworth of Mayfield (more about him in upcoming Mayfield history.) Of the one hundred raiders there were only seven Loyalists with one British officer, the rest were Indians. Some of the Indians among them had been friends of the Shew family. Sometimes sharing meals with them and had promised they would warn the family of any impending danger. When asked by the Shew’s why they were taking part in such an act they replied in native tongue pretending not to understand the question. The raiders took hundreds of pounds of maple sugar and anything else they pleased. Mrs. Shew and her remaining three children were left unharmed and walked from the burned out ruins to Mayfield were they journeyed on to Johnstown. The raiding party had plans to head north to Canada with the captives but Woodworth escaped near Conklingville and returned. There were ten captives, some had been taken in Mayfield before the raid on Fish House. Nine months later they were released and made their way home. Shew upon his return rebuilt the house in 1784 which still stands today.

After the war Fish House grew into a larger settlement than most. Occupied by wealthy people with large estates instead of building lots. Before 1900 there were five sawmills, a glove mill, two chain factories, a shingle mill, two harness shops, several blacksmiths, four shoe cobblers, two tanneries, three churches, cheese factory, four hotels, a school, two general stores, three doctors, and a druggist.
There was a rivalry between owners of the Fish House Hotel and the Osborn Inn. The businesses were located across the street from each. The winter of 1884 proved to be deadly for one of them. While clearing snow from a winter storm a confrontation sparked over one of them crossing the others property which resulted in one of them shooting the other dead. Although argued accidental, the verdict was first degree manslaughter. Their names have been left out due to discrepancies in references.

Some of the fines upon citizens reads as follows from in 1808 a citizen was fined $3.37 for swearing six times, fine for Violating the Sabbath $3.34. And a $25.00 fine for selling cider without a permit. In 1812 there was a $10.00 bounty on wolves.

The bridge that spanned the river at Fish House was a covered bridge completed in 1818. The wooden structure was 380 ft long cut from timbers over 100 ft in length. It’s not known whether the timbers were bent while still green or after being steamed. The bridge afforded a double lane passage. It stood for 112 years and was in excellent condition upon it’s demise.

Flooding of the valley on March 27th 1930 prompted part of the community that stayed to make the attempt to save the bridge so maybe it could be moved to another location. They lashed it with cables to tree stumps. Their efforts were working until April 23rd. A spring storm with high winds whipped the waters into waves, some were reported to have reached six feet high. The onslaught snapped the cables and the bridge slid from it’s stone piers and rocked down the river. And was destroyed. With the coming of the flood many families moved away and never returned. Only six homes and twelve buildings were relocated in the “new” Fish House

Edinburg History

History Articles written originally for the Sacandaga Express - by L.L. Decker

Before the settlers, legend states that the Indians and later military troops used a trail through Edinburg that later became a road known as Military Road. This winding forest trail was traveled to get to and from Canada during the French-Indian War from 1755-1763.The only settlers then were probably fur trappers and Native Americans who came to hunt and fish.

Edinburg’s section of Military Road ran south to Fish House then on to Schenectady and the Mohawk River, which is another important waterway that joins the Hudson between Waterford and Cohoes. This supports the theory that Edinburg’s Military Road probably did lend a woodland path to marching soldiers and their, at that time, Native American comrades.

There is a house that still stands at along the side of Military Road today that contains hiding places that are thought to have been used as part of the underground railroad during the Civil War. The historic marker that stands in front of the building provides this information “Barker’s store built in 1847 by John Barker and run continuously as a store until 1945. Believed to have been a stop on the underground railroad”

Edinburg’s name came from the capital of Scotland. Originally spelled Edinburgh, in July 1894 the "h" was dropped. Edinburg is a town name it includes quite a few settlements. From the 1790’s through the early 1800’s Batchellerville, Clarkville, Tennantville, Beecher's Hollow, Edinburgh Hill, Sand Hill, Cold Brook, Partridge, and Anderson all settled on the east or west sides of the river. All of these hamlets contributed to the thriving community.

Farming, logging and woodenware manufacturing were the three largest industries.
The first settler was Abijah Stark in 1787. In 1793 these “firsts” followed: grist mill, general store, and a sawmill.

The first town meeting was held on April 7, 1801. These are some of the actual minutes from that meeting: “the town was to raise $50.00 to take care of the towns poor and that hogs could run at large”. But at town meeting in 1802 it was decided that “hogs could run at large, BUT they had to wear good and sufficient yoak (yoke). Boar hogs were not to run, after being two months old, after the first of May until the 25th of December. Every boar hog being found to run after the above date the owner of such hog was to pay $1.00 or forfeit the hog.” Hogs were very destructive to peoples property the officials set some conditions at that town board meeting to try to keep the hogs from ravaging the countryside. The yokes would at least give a person a place to grab a hog that was unruly. But back then most farm animals chickens, ducks, geese, were allow to roam freely.

Ram sheep were also restricted from running at large from September until November. In 1826 “fence viewers” (people that went around to check livestock fences to make sure they were in good repair) were paid 50 cents per day. Also in 1826 the commissioner of common schools was paid 75 cents a day

One historic gem the Edinburg area holds is the Copeland Covered bridge built in 1879 by Aarad Copeland to get his farm animals across Beecher’s Creek, just down the road from Barker’s Store mentioned previously. The bridge is the only queen truss bridge in NYS. The queen post truss, is similar to a king post truss in that the outer supports are angled towards the center of the structure. But the queen truss style is only suitable for relatively short spans. The Copeland Covered Bridge is 35 feet long. Signs on the front requests “Maximum load 10 adults” The year-round stream that runs under it also has a beautiful waterfall a short walk away. A re-dedication celebration of the bridge was held in June of 2002 opening the site officially to the public.

New York State Covered Bridge Society placed the Copeland Covered Bridge on the State and National Registers of Historic Sites in 1998. The Edinburg Historical Society has received several grants and has waged an aggressive campaign selling “shares” on the covered bridge to raise money for it’s restoration and maintenance.

Sacandaga Park's Rustic Theatre

Sacandaga Park Rustic Theatre ’s Early Years
From the Adirondack Inn a pathway highlighted by a sign of a log and branch with the words “Sacandaga Park” led to the Midway. The image of this log entrance became a favorite on postcards and souvenirs. Along the pathway people would pass the Dance Pavilion and arrive at the Rustic Theatre.

The Rustic Theatre was the only one of it’s kind in the area. Built in the late 1800’s in the Adirondack tradition of bark covered logs with the natural scenery of fir trees providing the backdrop. The theatre was also shared among the churches in Northville for Sunday morning services in the summer. School children’s end of the year plays would be performed there before the park opened in July.

A few of the summer performers in those early years were:
John Phillips Sousa: Sousa at the age of six was found to have absolute pitch. When Sousa reached the age of 13, his father, (a trombonist in the U.S. Marine Band) enlisted his son in the Marine Corps as an apprentice. Sousa served his apprenticeship for seven years, until 1875. Several years later, Sousa left his apprenticeship to join a theatrical (pit) orchestra where he learned to conduct.

The Sousa Band toured 1892-1931, performing 15,623 concerts. The most well known music of Souses’ was the “Stars and Stripes Forever” to which Sousa wrote lyrics, but they are not as familiar as the music itself.

Productions of the theatre also featured the J. W. Gorman’s Alabama Troubadours who toured the east coast during the late 1800’s.

Before the Civil War mixed casts of white and African American performers were forbidden by law in many parts of the U.S., but were secretly included in some white companies. After the Civil War, mixed and all-African American minstrel companies toured America and England. Most troupes were all male, using female impersonators in the skits. Both featured stereotyped caricatures rather than genuine depictions of African Americans, and were usually demeaning

By the 1850s, however, that element had been reduced and evolved into a three-part show. In the first part of the show the music became less crude with popular and sentimental ballads of the day and polished minstrel songs.

The second part consisted of a miscellaneous collection of dancing and musical virtuosity, with parodies of stage plays. The last part of the show was the "walk-around." This was an ensemble finale in which members of the troupe in various combinations participated in song, instrumental, and choral music and dance.

In the Alabama Troubadours company there were no black face players. The cast consisted of all African American performers: singers, dancers, comedians, actors and musicians.

The Troubadours advertising proclaimed: "Presenting realistic entertainment, unique, picturesque and instructive; representing a true and graphic manner the merry moments passed on the old Southern plantations down South before the War."

Weekly vaudeville acts were a popular draw. The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 through 1931. Although all the follies didn’t visit the theatre, two famous members made the trip to the Rustic Theatre from NYC:

One being Eddie Cantor who was a troupe member of the Ziegfeld Follies until 1927 in a long-running revue. For several years Cantor co-starred in an act with pioneer African-American comedian Bert Williams, with Cantor appearing in blackface. Cantor played William’s fresh-talking son. Other co-stars with Cantor during his time in the Follies included Will Rogers, Marilyn Miller, and W. C. Fields .

The second was WC Fields, juggler turned comedian and actor, who coined many one liner phrases a couple being: “I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food” and “Who stole the cork out of my lunch?”

Al Jolson was also booked at the theatre. Being the first popular singer to make a spectacular "event" out of singing a song. He enjoyed performing in blackface makeup – a theatrical convention in the early 1900s. With his unique and dynamic style of singing black music, like jazz and blues, he was later credited with single-handedly introducing African American music to white audiences.

Groucho Marx comedian and film star of the day. He is famed as a master of wit. With his distinctive image, which included a heavy greasepaint on his face, bushy moustache, eyebrows, and glasses. Just a couple of Marx one-liners were "I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception” and “Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas and how he got in my pajamas I'll never know.”

Entertainers could stay at the Adirondack Inn or if they liked a more scenic, private, accommodations they could stay at the High Rock Lodge located on a hill just outside the park. This lodge was built in 1901. It was named after a huge boulder that was left in place at the time of it’s construction. With it’s beautiful grounds, stables, and panoramic view of the valley it was second in size and luxury only to the Inn.

The F.J.&G. railroad utilized United Booking from New York City to keep the entertainment coming. If there was something going on, the Rustic theater could provide the seating for a thousand people and an open-air stage. It was the only one of it’s kind in the region.

Sacandaga Park Rustic Theatre in the 1900’s

The localities thirst for theatre only was quenched during the summer months. The F.J.&G. railroad tried to provide a way for people in Northville and surrounding areas to attend theatre during the winter months by occasionally running a train to Gloversville. But snow and ice prevented a lot of people from going too far from home.

In the 1920’s George Washburn owned the Northville Knitting Mill at the corner of Division and Second streets. The mill, a three story brick structure, had been closed down at that time due to lack of business.

Washburn partitioned off a part of the mill to create what was called the Gem Theatre. The Gem Theatre’s seating consisted of wooden benches at floor level and in the balcony. Music accompanied these silent movies by a pianist.

The Rustic Theatre did exist a little longer in the Sacandaga Park than the Midway and some of the hotels. When the valley was flooded in 1930, the location of the theatre was spared from the water as the encroaching shoreline did not swallow it up. In these later years the theatre was also enclosed.
But all of that came to a sad end in the afternoon of July 1955. After the matinee performance of Guys and Dolls everyone had just left the theatre when a fire broke out. All that could be done was try to keep the fire from spreading. The building was a total loss. No one was injured.

A new summer theater was built in a different location in Sacandaga Park in June of 1956. Named the Sacandaga Summer Theater, the large structure was made of metal and had seating for over 1000
people. Some of the performers in this era were:

Tallulah Bankhead was a star of stage and screen. In 1923 she made her debut on the London stage, where she appeared in over a dozen plays in the next eight years.

Victor Jory (who may be remembered for his role as Jonas Wilkerson the brutal and opportunistic overseer in the movie Gone with the Wind) toured with theater troupes and appeared on Broadway, before making his Hollywood debut in 1930. He initially played romantic leads, but later was mostly cast as the villain.

Delores Del Rio a stunning Mexican beauty married to one of MGMs leading art directors and production designers. When talkies became popular she was usually played exotic and unimportant roles, but scored successes with Bird of Paradise (1932) and Flying down to Rio the film that launched the careers of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Gertrude Berg, was an American pioneer of classic radio , one of the first (if not the first) woman to create, write, produce and star in a long-running hit when she premiered the serial comedy-drama The Rise of the Goldberg’s (1929), later known as The Goldberg’s.

Imogene Coca got her first job in the chorus of the Broadway musical When You Smile. Coca also became a headliner in Manhattan nightclubs. She gained prominence combining music with comedy. In the early days of live television, Coca played opposite Sid Caesar in the sketch comedy program, Your Show of Shows which was immensely popular from 1950 to 1954. She also had her own series; The Imogene Coca Show.

Helen Forrest was one of the most popular female jazz vocalists during America's Big Band era. She first sang with her brother's band at the age of 10, and later began her career singing on CBS radio under the name Bonnie Blue.

Charlton Heston : Heston and his wife Lydia managed a playhouse in Asheville NC in 1947. In 1948, they went back to New York where Heston was offered a supporting role in a Broadway revival of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra The film producer of Casablanca spotted Heston in a 1950 television production of Wuthering Heights and offered him a contract. When his wife reminded Heston they had decided to pursue theater and television, he replied, "Well, maybe just for one film to see what it's like."

Lisa Ferraday starred opposite Heston in the play Detective Story at the Sacandaga Summer Theater in 1956.

Van Heflin best remembered for his role in Shane, also performed on stage throughout his acting career. One of his stage credits include The Philadelphia Story on Broadway opposite Katherine Hepburn and Joseph Cotton.

Walter Matthau :During World War II Matthau served in the U.S. Army air forces as a radioman-gunner, in the same bomb group as Jimmy Stewart. He reached the rank of Staff Sergeant and became interested in acting. Matthau often joked that his best early review came in a play where he posed as a derelict. One reviewer said, "The others just looked like actors in make-up, Walter Matthau really looks like a skid row bum!". Matthau was a respected stage actor for years.

Financial difficulties in 1962 brought productions to an end. And the Sacandaga Summer Theater stood vacant until it was auctioned in 1970 then later demolished.

by Lorraine Decker

Town of Day History

History Articles written originally for the Sacandaga Express - by L.L. Decker

Day is located between Edinburg and Conklingville on the north shore of the Great Sacandaga. When the town was officially established in 1819 it was named Concord but then changed to Day in honor of Eliphaz Day who was it’s first supervisor . He was a lumber dealer and a guiding force in the community. Day actually existed as two areas Day Center and West Day. West Day was originally called Huntsville after a tavern owner there. The first settlers came in 1797. Most people worked in lumber and general farming. Creeks that run through Day into the Sacandaga are Glasshouse, Paul, Allen, Dailey, and Sand..

Evidence of Native Americans were found frequently in Day. Spearheads clay pipes and stone pots to name a few . West Day had 20 houses, a store, a blacksmith, a schoolhouse, and two churches. A wooden ware shop was built there in 1859 but was turned into a clothespin factory and sawmill. By the end of 1925 most of the dwellings and mills had been destroyed in anticipation of the flood. Very few were moved.

Logging was the major industry in the valley since the river was large enough to accommodate huge trees. Timber harvested included pine, oak, rock maple, cherry, but none were more important than the hemlock. Hemlock trees provided ruffled grouse, wild turkey and songbirds food (seeds) and shelter in this tree. Deer browse it heavily when deep snow makes other food scarce. Hemlock were highly demanded due to the properties it’s bark held for tanning leather. Tanneries were established farther south of the river. Besides over harvesting of the hemlock due to the demand the species is currently under threat due to the hemlock “woolly adelgid” a bug that extracts the sap from the tree. This insect was accidentally introduced from East Asia to the United States in 1924.

Log driving is a means of log transport which makes use of a river's current by letting the current move floating tree trunks downstream to sawmills. When the first sawmills were established, they usually were small and were established in the forest in temporary facilities, then moved to new areas as the timber was exhausted. Later, bigger mills were developed that were not portable, and these were usually established in the lower reaches of a river, with the logs brought to them by floating downriver by log drivers.

To ensure that logs drifted freely along the river, men were needed to guide the logs, called "log drivers". This was an exceedingly dangerous occupation, with the drivers standing on the moving logs and running from one to another. When one caught on an obstacle and formed a logjam, someone had to free the offending log. This required some understanding of physics, strong muscles, and extreme agility. Many log drivers lost their limbs and their lives by falling and being crushed by the logs.
On small tributaries logs could only be driven during the spring flood, when thousands of logs, cut during the winter months, were sent downriver. Each timber firm had its own mark which was placed on the logs. Removing or altering a timber mark was a crime. At the mill the logs were captured by a log boom and the logs were sorted for ownership before being sawn.

Log driving became unnecessary with the advent of the railroad and good public roads for trucks.




 

Covered Bridges - Bridges of the Sacandaga River Valley a General History

History Articles written originally for the Sacandaga Express - by L.L. Decker

Before the Conklinville dam was built and the Sacandaga Valley flooded in 1930 the Sacandaga River was spanned by bridges both covered floating.In the next coming weeks bridges will be the topic of the history column. They will include Copeland , Conklinville, Vlaie Creek, Northville, Batchellerville, Osborne’s and Fish House.



The covered bridge was born of the necessity to prolong the life of labor intensive bridgework .
Different kinds of trusses were used to build and accommodate the spans. Truss names were: king truss, queen truss, Burr truss, Town or lattice truss, and Howe truss.

First covered bridge was built in the United States was in 1792 in Massachusetts over the Merrimack river.

In the Sacandaga River Valley the first area settled in 1700‘s was Fish House along with the first area’s covered bridge in 1814. Osbornes bridge was next in 1840.

Osborn Bridge
In 1860 a covered bridge was built in Northville and was lost 25 years later. The history as to whether a bridge existed before 1860 has been lost so no details or photos were found in references.
Fish House and Osbornes survived until the man made flood of 1930. A private covered bridge was built 1879 in Beechers Hollow in Edinburg and still stands today.

In many cases, all bridges in a particular area used the same truss -- having been built by the same builders, or, at least, approved by the same county services. But the span to be crossed would govern the final architecture of the bridge.

Sleds and sleighs were vital to transport people and goods. Our romantic vision of a horse drawn sleigh gliding across the snow to a covered bridge involved much more labor than that. Instead of snow removal like we require today, the bridges had to be snow paved. Snow had to be brought into these bridges and packed on the plank flooring. The task to "snow-pave" the deck of covered bridges was labor intensive but vital to the longevity of the decking. Sleigh rails without the benfit of a snow or icy surface would damage the wood. Even when the snow was frequently gone from the woods and fields of the countryside by winters end , it often remained packed on the roads and bridges when spring’s thaw began.

To facilitate winter road transportation, many northern communities used snow rollers to pack down the snow, thus making a road smoother and the snow surface longer lasting than an ungroomed snow surface. Snow rollers were large, single wide-wheeled vehicles with logs or rocks as ballast to give it weight, usually pulled or pushed by a team of oxen. They were operated by men employed by the community as snow wardens. Their critical job was to pack the snow upon local roadways and fill in melted or otherwise bare spots to keep sleds and sleighs moving with ease.

Bridge roofs kept the weather from rotting the plank floor. With cut out windows, the air was allowed to circulate within the bridge or maybe provide a place to lean out with a fish pole into the stream or river below. In the early 20th century, covered bridges were sometimes nicknamed "kissing bridges", as the cover allowed seclusion for couples to express affection. Posters of events and business ads were sometimes hung inside covered bridges to advertise.

Sacandaga River bridges and abutments withstood a great onslaught in the spring; not only swift flowing water but of ice the inevitable log jams due to the logging industry that started when the river opened enough to send logs on their way to the mills.

The Northville covered bridge was of lattice or Town truss construction. It was swept away March 22nd 1885 as the train pulled into the Northville station on a Sunday afternoon. Passengers’ on the FJ&G witnessed the power of nature as the ice and water carried away the bridge. This left everyone on the train with few options to cross over to Northville. The closest bridge to cross would be Osborne’s or Fish house. Leaving the train by foot or stage to cross these bridges or returning to Gloversville by train would have been the options.

Northville officials acted immediately to replace the bridge. Croton steel of Croton NY was contracted to build the bridge which lasted until the man made flood of 1930. The road that lead to steel bridge had a slight incline to it’s grade . Horse drawn wagons and stages had to get somewhat of a running start to get to the level bridge deck. A fine was imposed to any horse drawn transportation of $5.00 for going faster than a walk on the bridge. This bridge was then replaced what many may remember as the blue bridge. Costs for construction of Northville Bridges through the years: In 1860: $2,500 wooden covered, 1885 $11,900 first steel, 1930: $152,675 blue bridge and 1990: $4,900,000 current bridge.

Copeland cover Bridge in 1890

The only covered bridge to survive in our area is the Arad Copeland covered bridge. A farmer, Arad had 35 acres across Beecher Creek in the town of Edinburg where he had garden and pasture land. An open bridge below the current bridge gave access to this acreage until it was destroyed by melting spring snow and ice.



In 1879 he then decided to build the queen truss covered bridge that still stands today.
This beautiful old bridge that Arad built to get his cows safely to pasture had remained in the Copeland family until the fall of 1997 when great, great grandson Robert Tyrrell and his wife Betty graciously deeded the bridge over to the Edinburg Historical Society. This will guarantee that the bridge will continue to receive the same love and care that it’s received for the last 130 years. Happy Birthday by the way!

Hogs Back bridge in Northville was an arched stone bridge and was constructed over what was then Hunters Creek on South Main probably when the street was laid out in 1797. It lasted until July of 1859 when it collapsed resulting in injuries. Another stone bridge with concrete floor was built to replace it. This stone bridge lasted until the lake was constructed in 1930. Today the bridge is known as the spillway.

As valley population grew so did the transportation needs of the Sacandaga Valley.

The Vlaie Creek Bridge was a single lane covered bridge built in 1835. It was deemed inadequate by 1883 at a highway commission meeting. It burned two days later. Speculation appears to be it was burned intentionally by and unknown person probably to make sure the plans for a new one would be carried out. The single lane bridge may have attributed to early road rage. Shouting matches probably ensued over who was to cross first. At least the burning of the bridge waited until the meeting was held to replace it. In 1883 a new lattice Town constructed bridge was built over Vlaie Creek was built and stood until the 1930 flooding of the valley.

The first bridge at Conklinville was built in 1852 and lost to high water in 1860. In 1861 a new bridge was built of steel and lasted until the valley was flooded in 1930. It was cut apart and is rumored to still lie seventy feet under the water.

Last car in 1930 to cross the steel bridge at Conklinville

A bridge at Day Corners was a necessity in the late 1800’s. Isaac Flansburg donated the property it was to be built on to speed up the process. He also offered to pay for the abutments and piers if the town would pay for the bridge consisting of steel in three spans . Town officials accepted the offer. Legal questions then arose and the whole problem of who should do what, why, when, and how. This put off construction for several years until In 1904. The whole thing was settled and the town paid the entire cost. References did not relate whatever happened to it. But it too was probably cut up.
The Batchellerville Bridge began it’s history as a open wooden bridge 200 feet long in 1801. Construction began that summer and was completed before winter. Made of local hand hewn timber It was lost in a July flood in 1827.

A temporary replacement was built right away. This was a floating bridge. Logs were tied end to end and planking fasten crosswise for smooth deck. The ends of the bridge were secured to the banks by heavy chains. This temporary bridge was used for 17 years until 1844. Then a covered 2 span covered bridge was built. No truss style is mentioned in reference. This bridge stood until the 1930 flooding of the valley and was intentionally torched for removal during the Sacandaga reservoir project.

Covered wooden bridge at Batchellerville

The second largest project in the formation of the reservoir was the Batchellerville Bridge in 1929; the Conklinville Dam being the first largest. The 21 span steel bridge is 3,075 feet long and had it’s deck replaced in 1982. On April 30th the bridge was closed to traffic to facilitate in the deck replacement.

New York State contracted two ferries boats “The Spirit of ‘76” and “Miss Lake George” to transport people across the lake. Fully covered they offered protection from the weather. There were no vehicle ferries so people had to make arrangements for rides and such on the other side. The bridge reopened two weeks ahead of schedule on Oct 8th 1982.

The Batchellerville bridge structure and abutments are now 79 years old. And due for an entire replacement. Most folks would agree it’s overdue.

Osborn’s Bridge was of lattice or Town construction built in 1860 and survived until the 1930.
Town or Lattice construction was invented by a man named Itheil Town in 1820 .

Due to it’s simplistic design almost anyone could build a covered bridge using the Town construction. The design gained much popularity in the northeast. Any community using this patent paid $1.00 per foot royalty and Itheil Town had agents everywhere. Anyone caught building a bridge without having bought a patent had to pay $2.00 a foot. Most of the valley bridges were of this construction.
For all the skill in bridge building the bridge was only as good as it’s abutments and piers on which they stood. At the peak of the spring thawing of the river Osborn’s bridge interior floor was covered in water. Osborn’s bridge was swept off it’s foundation. Reference does not note that the bridge may have been destroyed or suffered major damage in this flood. So maybe it was able to be retrieved an reset upon the foundation. Later a dyke of sorts was built to re-route flood waters at the roadways that led to the bridge. Roadways were always the first to flood during an exceedingly high water spring thaw. It couldn’t be found in references how long Osborn’s Bridge was but judging by the photo a guess is about 200 feet.

A clipping from June 3rd 1930 reads: Osborn Bridge Burned- The old covered wooden bridge which has been anchored in the water at Osborn Bridge for weeks was burned yesterday by workman of the Hudson River Regulating Board .The burned span was one of the two wooden structures still in the vicinity, the other being Fish House which floated off it’s piers has also been anchored.

The threes communities of Batchellerville, Osborn’s Bridge, and Fish House had the largest covered bridges in the area. The latter being the largest. They also had the three most established communities in the Sacandaga River Valley in regards to woodenware factories, mills, and farms. The most number of residents displaced by the reservoir project were also located in these three settlements.
When the valley was flooded, these were the Depression years of 1929 through the 1930’s, and although the flooding of the valley brought with it work for many people; others were losing their homesteads and livelihoods to make way for the 283 billion gallon reservoir.

Fish House has the honor of being the first settlement in the Sacandaga River Valley in 17--. sir William Johnson favored the spot and built his hunting camp there. This encouraged more people to settle in the area.

In 1814 construction started on the Fish House Bridge after Daniel Stewart was contacted for an estimate and appropriations from the state where fought for through petitions of residents and the help of Jacob Shew, relative of Godfrey, that lived in Fish House who served in the legislature. It was a long hard fight but the residents finally won. The bridge would cost $5,500 of which the state provided $5,000 and the rest was raised by donations of the community.

Daniel Stewart 23 is credited with the construction of this Burr Arch, two lane, three hundred and thirty six foot long bridge. Many men were hired - some were hand picked by Stewart. Teams of and oxen with stone boats made what was probably hundreds of trips to Bald Top on Maxon Ridge for stone to use in the abutments. There was other stone that would have been closer and not as much work to get, but Stewart wanted only the best in the area. In references he is referred to being very picky about the materials he worked with. The term “good enough” wasn’t in his - “the best” was what he wanted.

Mystery surrounds the construction of this area leviathan in regards to the timbers used to make the arched beams that lent support to the bridge. It been argued that they must have been bent when green, others believe they were hand hewn in a arch shape with only a varying of ½ inch in width. Some think they may have been steamed. Still others think it may have been all of the above. There is no mention what kind of wood was used but a guess would be spruce as it grows very tall and straight. The arches were 8”by 12” in width and 125 feet in length. Two spans of the bridge were 106 ft long with the center span at 124 ft. The bridge was finished in 1818. In 1915 the roof shingles were replaced.

One hundred and twelve years later in 1930. When the gates were closed at the Conklinville Dam the Fish House bridge remained on it’s foundation for a time after the floodwaters rose. The attempts made by the community to lash it to the shoreline failed when a windstorm blew in . The cables had been attached to the shore at it’s north and south end. The bridge remained on it’s foundation until the storms intensity, which was pounding the waves of the water against it’s sides, snapped the north end cables and the bridge slipped into the water, submerged to it’s roof, but still in one piece. The south end cables held it for a few weeks. In that time it’s constant shifting at the shoreline snapped off three telephone poles which were now at the waters edge.

During early July people were draw to the bridge mostly teenagers. Finding the partially submerged landmark fascinating, they were starting to use it to dive off and swim through; which created a potential hazard for injury or death. Other people would come by in motorboats to look at the bridge as it lay submerged under the water adding to the potential danger. Hudson River determined it to be an attractive nuisance of sorts and put the word out that it could be to dismantled. The work was probably done in short order as the economic times would create an opportunity for use of the lumber and sale of some of the parts.

The thousands of wooden pegs or pins used to hold the bridge together were salvaged from the timbers and sold by the Ladies Aid Society of the Fish House Methodist church with the identifying Fish House Bridge name and date painted on them. The timbers and uprights were bought by a contractor named Wells Brothers and were used to construct what is called the Greta Room at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts where they can still be seen today.

The Fish House Bridge was a huge loss to it’s community that remained. Poems were written about the bridge a verse is included here by Lillian Benedict: So firm a foundation dear bridge you have shown, we could not forsake you and leave you alone. To die in your tracks and be lost from our sight, we love you and for you we just had to fight. And the verse from another reads: Gone are the people and their old fashioned ways. Drowned are the landmarks from earlier days. A new day for the valley has taken it’s toll, where men once built, deep waters roll.

There was talk before the final months of the flooding of the valley to try to save Fish House Bridge and move it to a location in Conklinville to use as a museum. But the organization of that was too late in coming.

The people who lived in the Sacandaga Valley and surrounding area were mostly convinced that the valley would never be flooded as it was too big of a job. As the reality of what was probably started and dismissed as a rumor grew closer, the shock of it to everyone who would be effected must have been great.

Most of us cannot imagine what it would feel like to lose what generations of family members had accomplished in the way of farms, businesses, churches, schools, and livelihoods through the years of growth in the valley. The thought of your relatives who had passed away having to be exhumed and re-interred to higher ground would be, for some people, unbearable. The number of these exceeded 3,800.

Offered either much less than their properties were worth, or taken by eminent domain, these people of the valley suffered for multiple reasons. If you were fortunate maybe your home could be moved, as some were, but the view out the windows would be a constant reminder of the change. For the people who did not own the homes they lived in, it still meant finding another place to live and work. The combined number of homes moved or destroyed was 12,000.

From all that loss came a new era. From all that destruction a different way of life. And in the years that followed maybe some measure of acceptance; for what else could be done. The Sacandaga River was untamed and contributed to flooding not only in it’s own area, but from Glens Falls to Albany. Also the business of hydro power could grow in the 1930‘s.

Northville's first steel bridge Sign in front reads: A five dollar fine for speeding for crossing this bridge faster than a walk. Note the Inn at the Bridge on the left.

Today what is left of Sacandaga Valley history is in history books and in the landmarks we do still have. In our churches, business districts, schools, and the many homes around the lake.
They must not be taken for granted as they to have a contribution to make for future generations in the way of pride and attachment to their communities.

by L.L. Decker

Amsterdam Day at Sacandaga Park

References for articles submitted to the Sacandaga Express come from everywhere: history books, letters, memories of those who took the time to either write them down or to relate them and clippings from newspapers. In finding an old scrapbook; many original clippings were saved by an unknown individual regarding area outings in Sacandaga Park. Newspaper clippings, although sometimes embellished , maybe a typo, or someone’s name spelled wrong here or there provide for the most part detailed accounts to help form a picture of what events took place and the overall enjoyment of the foray.

This reference will be submitted for the next two weeks.:
August 9th 1912: Merchant’s pleased over day’s outing Excursion to Sacandaga Park - Big Success -Hundreds Enjoy Attractions Afforded -Complimented railroad management upon the manner in which the crowd was handled .

Amsterdam Day at Sacandaga Park Thursday was a splendid success. Thanks to the Merchant Association and the F J and G Railroad Company. Everyone in the over 1800 participants a good time; or at least the ought have.

Anybody who didn’t enjoy themselves in the committee will he please rise in his seat. Nobody? There is one man in the far back row. Your name is what sir? Oh yes, manager of the policeman’s baseball nine.
His pleasure was dampened in the early part of the game.

The general features of the day were: First - perfect weather being neither too warm or too cold Second the admirable way in which the railroad company under direct supervision of Robert M. Colt general passenger manager, and Supt. Nellis handled the crowd; Third the smoothness of the plans of the various committees of the Merchants. Assoc. for the entertainment and sport was carried out.

The special feature of the day was eight inning baseball game between the police and the Merchants Assoc. won by the latter after an exciting verbal encounter.

As a sub special feature might be mentioned Schwartzs now famous “spatter ball” which manager and Officer Maurice Harrinigan of Harrigans Stop on West Main St (A’dam) tried to plaster and was plastered for his effort.

Sleuths Hartigan and Bergen taking up the scent decided from the spattered remains on the policeman face that a white washed orange of questionable age had been submitted for the Spaulding ball.
Jim O’Connell thought the joke was a good one and said that “White or green is a better color for an orange than it’s present tint”

The idea of Amsterdam day a day on which all of the people of the city would get together for a good time originated with the Merchants Assoc.

Several weeks ago the members entered negotiations with the railroad company and generous concessions by the company made the outing appealing. Committees were appointed and for weeks men have been giving their time and energy.

Wednesday night there was some uncertainty as to the weather outlook but the day proved ideal and the first Amsterdam Day was a success and worthy of repetition.

The railroad company more than met all it’s obligations. At no time en route was it necessary for any of the excursionists to stand as ample accommodations were afforded both coming and going to give everyone a seat. Mr. Colt and Mr. Nellis took charge of the cars in this city and just as soon as a car was filled it’s doors were closed and another one brought on. Connecting with the 9:55 train from the park were 10 electric cars to bring the crowds home to this city and again the accommodations were ample.

Most of the excursionists left the city in the morning but it wasn’t until afternoon that the sports got underway.
There was a program of six athletic events conducted by Supervisor of Playgrounds James w. Payne. The judges were Charles D Wright, City Treasurer John V Smealle and Frank J Swan The evnts were won as follows:
Sack race for boys under 15 E Carbonelli 1st; T Griffin 2nd; W griffin 3rd
Three legged race open to all: T Griffin and F Finnan 1st: W Griffin and J Mahoney 2nd
Mixed clothing race: boys under 15: E Carbonelli 1st F Casey 2nd and W Griffin 3rd
Burden Race; open to all W Landsburg 1st; R Brown 2nd E right 3rd
Race around the track: open to all: W Landsburg 1st R Brown 2nd E Wright 3rd.
After three events Jacob Mann’s Boy Scout company the Rough Riders, gave an exhibition drill and sham battle. This afforded lots of fun for the spectators and also for the youngsters who are passing a few days in the park in the enjoyment of camp life.

The ball game followed and it was filled with interesting plays and incidents. The Hospital Aid Society had charge of the refreshment booth in the park on Sport Island and large revenue was reaped in it’s source.
The dancing pavilion attracted hundreds of couples during the afternoon and evening and Minch’s orchestra gave zest and enthusiasm to the dancers. Maney’s band played during the baseball game and headed the ball players and merchants through the main streets of Gloversville that morning. Chief of Police Smith of Gloversville with ten men met the police and headed the parade.

The Rustic Theatre, bathing, burros, and numerous other pleasures afforded by park management took up the time of fun seekers, Stanton Bogaski of The Pines entertained the members of the band and the two baseball nines at dinner.

It is estimated at present that each of the local hospitals Amsterdam and St Mary’s will receive $200.00 though the exact amount is not given at the time. The amount may be considerably over this sum.
The committee consisted of the following: Entertainment Frank J Swan:, John V Smealle, Carl Mark, Charles D Wright, and Fred Ascoff. Advertising: C.A W Platt E O Bartlett, Fred Harrington, George W Goetz Tickets: Issac Mark, PJ Donnelly, John Guiffre, George Smith and NB Smith
Result of the Ball Game

It looked as though Manager Harrigans team would walk away with the ball game against the merchants. The coppers had the game safely sewn up until the fifth inning. With two men out an easy ball was hit to Harry Jeffs in the pitchers box. He threw low to Taberski at first and the runner continued to second. Four runs came in after this.

Jeffs pitched a fine ball although not quite as steady as when he performed against the mail clerks. However he did well enough to win and would surely have done this had not a total of fourteen errors been chalked up behind him.

It was the same old story. The coppers fell down in pinches. In the eighth inning after a double play had been made by them, with a man on third, a bounder was sent down to Maroney at second. He ”booted” the ball and it rolled to Schoeffler at short. He would have got the man at first had he not thrown over Taberskis head and the merchants scored the winning run.

Schoeffler played a great game at short and it was regretted he made two bad throws. It must be taken into consideration that there are no expert throwers on the coppers team and it is mainly due to this reason: Harrigans men have lost the to games they played they have played this season.

Shoeffler made up for his misplays at the bat and if some of the team members did as well their errors may have been overlooked. Tommy Humler at third was an tire form for the coppers. He nt only swatted the ball hard, but he fielded in good shape. Some of his throws to first being in Gilt edged order.

Davis caught a good game behind the bat and McConnell gobbled up everything that came his way in left field. It was a case of too much confidence and hard luck combined which made the loss for the copper.
A Young man named Van Arnam was the great white hope who save the bacon of the merchants. He went in center field in place of Gregar who wanted to retire early in the game.

Manager Harrigan entered a strenuous objection against Van Arnums playing. There was much haggling where “mouthy” players on both sides took part. And it looked at one time the game would end right there.
The merchants would not play unless Van Arnam went out and Manager Harrigan said that he would retire from the contest and let it be finished with 8 men on each side. Finally it was all settled and the chewing went for naught. Van Arnam went out in field position. Circumstances proved Officer Harrigan right in kicking on Van Arnam; for he brought about the downfall of the coppers.

After two men retired in the 7th inning and with the policemen still one run to the good, Boswell hit safe to center. He managed to get to third base after stealing second and when Davis dropped a pitched ball. Van Arnum swatted a single between third and short and brought the tying run in and the only one made by the merchants that inning.

Schwartzman a trifle unsteady in the box for the merchants and he was hit hard. Thirteen safe drives were made of his delivery three more than the merchants garnered off Jeffs. He was abley supported at the bat by “Doc”Hall .

Willie Sheridan did not play his usual brilliant game at second allowing two roller to get away from him. Johnson at short and Bebb at third featured for the merchants, while John Best was a tower of strength at first base. It was the infield that played at the major portion of the game for the merchants. The umpire wore a large size constable badge pinned on the left suspender, was pressed into service at the very last moment. Of course it must be presumed his “umphs’ acted according to his very best judgment but that was very bad.
Some of his decision bordered on extremely humorous, the coppers getting son\me of the worst of the deal. It is all over anyway and it is the second time this season the merchants defeated the copper. Which makes the players on the former team real jubilant.

by Lorraine Decker