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HISTORY
OF
WARREN COUNTY
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS
EDITED BY
H. P. SMITH
SYRACUSE, N. Y.
D. MASON & CO., PUBLISHERS
1885
D. MASON & CO.,
PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS,
63 WEST WATER STREET
SYRACUSE, N. Y
WHILE it may seem to the uninitiated a task involving but little difficulty to prepare for publication a work no more comprehensive in character than this volume, and containing merely the history of a single county, still it is not out of place here to assure all such readers that the work is one demanding a vast amount of labor and research, watchful care, untiring patience and fair discrimination. This need not be said to any person who has had experience in similar work. In attempting the production of a creditable history of Warren county the publishers and the editor did not underestimate the difficulties of their task, and came to it fully imbued with a clear idea of its magnitude and determination to execute it in such a manner that it should receive the general commendation of all into whose hands it should fall. It is believed that this purpose has been substantially carried out, and that, while a perfect historical work has never yet been published, this one will be found to contain so few imperfections that the most critical readers will be satisfied.
It is a part of the plans of the publishers in the production of county histories to secure, as far as possible, local assistance, either as writers, or in the revision of all manuscripts; the consequence being that the work bears a local character which could not otherwise be secured, and, moreover, comes from the press far more complete and perfect than could possibly be the case were it entrusted wholly to the efforts of comparative strangers to the locality in hand. In carrying out this plan in this county the editor has been tendered such generous co-operation and assistance of various kinds that to merely mention all who have thus aided is impossible; the satisfaction' of having assisted in the production of a commendable public enterprise must be their present reward. But there are some who have given so generously of their labor and time towards the consummation of this work, that to leave them unmentioned would be simple injustice. First, perhaps, should be mentioned Dr. A. W. Holden, of Glens Falls, from whose excellent history of Queensbury we have been compelled to draw so liberally ; to his generous co-operation we are also indebted for the chapter on the Medical Profession, the Press chapter, and other important work. To the Hon. Isaac Mott the work is indebted for the chapter on the Courts, the Beanch and Bar of the county. Others, who have generously aided the work, are T. S. Ketchum, for labor on the Masonic Order ; H. M. Harris, of the Glens Falls Republican, and the press generally throughout the county, for use of files, etc. ; Henry Griffing, of Warrensburgh ; David Noble, of Johnsburgh ; D. Aldrich, of Thurman ; George T. Rockwell, of Luzerne ; Daniel V. Brown, county clerk ; Professor Farr, of Glens Falls Academy ; the town clerks of the county, and many others. To all such the gratitude of the publishers and readers is extended.
With this word of introduction the work is commended to its readers by the publishers and
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE SUBJECT.
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The Historical Beginning—Formation of the County—Situation and Boundaries—Area, etc
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CHAPTER II.
NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS.
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General Topography—The Geological Survey—Description of the Fire Mountain Ranges—Recommendations to Lovers of Nature—Valleys of the County—Lakes and Ponds—Falls and Cascades—Geology—Granite—Serpentine—Potsdam Sandstone—Sand Rook—Black Marble—Trenton Limestone—Utica Slate
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18 |
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN OCCUPATION.
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Original Possessors of the Soil—Relative Positions of the Algonquins and Iroquois—A Great Battle-Field—Evidences of Prolonged and Bloody Conflict—The Eastern Indians—Traditionary Origin of the Iroquois Confederacy—Peculiarities of the League — Personal Characteristics—Jesuit Labors among the Indians—Names of the Missionaries—Their Unselfish but Fruitless Work—The St. Francis Indians—Indian Nomenclature
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CHAPTER IV.
EUROPEAN DISCOVERT AND OCCUPATION.
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First European Colonists—Discoveries by Columbus and His Successors—Competitors Page:History of Warren County.djvu/16 Page:History of Warren County.djvu/17 Page:History of Warren County.djvu/18 Page:History of Warren County.djvu/19 COUNTY BUILDINGS, SOCIETIES, ETC.
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Where Early Public Business was Transacted—The County Seat—The First County Courts—First Steps Towards Erecting County Buildings—The First Buildings — Changes in Court Terras—Burning of the County Buildings—Erection of New Ones — Attempts to Remove the County Seat—Reconstruction of Buildings—The County Almshouse—Warren County Agricultural Society
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THE COUNTY PRESS.
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Early Papers—The First Publication in the County—The Warren Republican and its Career—The Lake Oeorge Watchman—The Glens Falls Observer—The Warren County Messenger and its Immediate Descendants—The Glens Falls Spectator—The Glens Falls Gazette—The Glens Falls Clarion—Another Republican—The Rechabite and Temperance Bugle—Glens Falls Free Press—The Warrensburgh Annual —Glens Falls Advertiser—The American Standard—The Warren County Whig—The Present Messenger—Daily Press—The Daily Times—The Morning Star
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INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
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Reminiscences—Early Lumber Operations—Incipient Commercial Operations—The Canal and Feeder—Early Railroad Agitation—The Warren County Railroad Company—Navigation Projects—Other Railroad Enterprises—The Railroad Between Port Edward and Glens Falls
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THE BENCH AND BAR OF WARREN COUNTY
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
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Early Medical Legislation—Organization of the State Society—The County Society — Loss of Records—First Members—Early Delegates to the State Society—List of Officers of the Warren County Society—Biographic Sketches of Prominent Members of the Profession
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