tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15311568243003937222024-03-27T17:15:58.971-07:00Ogdensburg HistorySpreading the word about Ogdensburg, NY's rich history...Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-85375899845087089882024-03-27T16:47:00.000-07:002024-03-27T17:15:05.860-07:00What's New Wednesday!<p>What's new this Wednesday at the Ogdensburg History Museum? Check out our video! <p>
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Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-66347175002504443032023-12-24T08:01:00.000-08:002023-12-24T08:24:33.892-08:00Ogdensburg Heritage House ProgramDo you own any of these houses or buildings? Did you know that they are Ogdensburg Heritage Homes? They were placed on this list between 1992 and 1995 after owners researched and completed applications to the Ogdensburg Historic Preservation Commission. We are preparing a map to help tourists see the beautiful architecture and historic homes in the city and even better, the program is being revived in 2024!
<p>309-311 Montgomery St.<p>
<p>604 Crescent St.<p>
<p>720 Congress St.<p>
<p>936 Hamilton St.<p>
<p>1612 Ford St. and Behind the Place on Wall St.<p>
<p>103 Franklin St.<p>
<p>414 Proctor Ave.<p>
<p>612 Caroline St.<p>
<p>617 Caroline St.<p>
<p>622 Caroline St.<p>
<p>600 Caroline St.<p>
<p>125 Ford Ave<p>
<p>313 Park St.<p>
<p>325 Knox St.<p>
<p>516 Jay St.<p>
<p>416 State St.<p>
<p>808 Washington St.<p>
<p>431 State St.<p>
<p>400 Caroline St.<p>
<p>303 Washington St.<p>
<p>311 Washington St.<p>
<p>323 Washington St.<p>
<p>312 Washington St.<p>
<p>100 Caroline St.<p>
<p>108 Caroline St.<p>
<p>112 Caroline St.<p>
<p>613 Caroline St.<p>
<p>815 Knox St.<p>
<p>816 State St.<p>
<p>516 Jay St.<p>
<p>100 Franklin St.<p>
<p>616 Caroline St.<p>
<p>500 Caroline St.<p>
<p>324 Caroline St.<p>
<p>211 Patterson St.<p>
<p>412 Jay St.<p>
<p>218 Hamilton St.<p>
<p>411 Mansion Ave.<p>
<p>422 State St.<p>
<p>531 Ford St.<p>
<p>626 Main St.<p>
<p>528 Franklin St.<p>
<p>519 Morris St.<p>
<p>512 Franklin St.<p>
<p>408 Rensselaer Ave<p>
<p>702 Pickering St.<p>
<p>900 Ford Ave.<p>
<p>19 Oak St.<p>
<p>708 Franklin St.<p>
<p>732 Ford St.<p>
<p>415 Caroline St.<p>
<p>315 State St.<p>
<p>127 N.Water St.<p>
<p>720 Mechanic St.<p>
<p>426 Washington St.<p>
<p>225 Elizabeth St.<p>
<p>932 Hamilton St.<p>
<p>940 Hamilton St.<p>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-39607285094801194852023-07-11T10:07:00.005-07:002023-07-11T10:07:40.504-07:00Walk and Talk <p>Walk and Talk is a public program for adults that will take place on July 21, 2023 at 10 a.m. Participants should meet in front of the Ogdensburg Public Library at 312 Washington Street before the start time. Walk and Talk will feature historic homes and buildings and prominent people who resided on Washington Street and will end at the Bishop’s residence. This area is part of the Library Park National Historic District and was also the home of many prominent citizens, including Mayor John Hannan and Mayor Edgar Newell. The goal of this program is to educate both tourists and Ogdensburg natives about the significance of a historic street in Ogdensburg-Washington Street.<p>
<p> The program will make use of QR technology to make this part of our local history more accessible. QR (or Quick Response) codes are a machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, used for storing URL’s or other information readable on smart phones, laptop computers or ipads. Signs will be posted on the street with QR Codes.Short informational videos, interactive photographs, and podcasts created by the city historian will be linked to each code, so program attendees will be able to access the history of each building by using their smartphones. This tour will be accessible online as well.<p>
<p>Walk and Talk is part of a series called Take a Walk Through History which focuses on the rich history of Ogdensburg, New York. Created by the city historian, this tour route connects Washington Street with the Library Park National Historic District. A donation of $5.00 is suggested with all proceeds benefiting the Ogdensburg History Museum. Future tours will include this district and surrounding streets.<p>
<p>Walk and Talk is made possible through the generosity of the Northern New York Community Foundation and the Sweetgrass Foundation.<p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-90726385928562879572023-01-17T15:53:00.001-08:002023-01-17T15:53:59.780-08:00Ogdensburg History Museum to receive $10,000 technology grant<a href="https://www.northcountrynow.com/news/ogdensburg-history-museum-receive-10000-technology-grant-0333425">Ogdensburg History Museum to receive $10,000 technology grant</a>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-17631870098395046442023-01-17T15:52:00.001-08:002023-01-17T15:52:50.883-08:00Ogdensburg historian named VP of state Association of Public Historians<a href="https://www.northcountrynow.com/news/ogdensburg-historian-named-vp-state-association-public-historians-0333436">Ogdensburg historian named VP of state Association of Public Historians</a>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-27774573270751461672023-01-13T14:14:00.010-08:002023-01-13T14:14:50.332-08:00Ogdensburg's Street Railway <iframe class="BLOG_video_class" allowfullscreen="" youtube-src-id="pdooKxKFwBE" width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pdooKxKFwBE"></iframe>
<p>“ For a brief time the trolley was more important than the electric light because while only the wealthy had electric light in their homes, almost every blue collar worker was riding the trolley to work.”
M. Whelan and W. Kornrumpf<p>
<p>Mass transit was necessary to get workers to the factories that employed them. It began with steam ferries in New York City in 1810 and expanded to omnibuses, trolleys, and later railroads.
Ogdensburg’s first foray into the mass transit business began with horse drawn cars in 1886 when the first tracks were laid. However Ogdensburg was late in entering the mass transit race. The first streetcar ran in New York City in 1832. Streetcars were a vast improvement over omnibuses, which were horse drawn carriages that ran on designated routes. One horse could pull a larger streetcar because the car ran on tracks laid in the street. Two crew members operated the car with a driver in the front and a conductor in the rear.<p>
<p>By 1873 streetcars were being converted to cable cars or trolleys. A ditch or vault was dug between the rails with a cable inserted to power the car. A powerhouse generated electricity to power the trolley with an overhead wire installed over streets. Each trolley had a long pole on its roof that touched the wire. By 1890 most American cities had trolley cars, which was advantageous because electrical cars were reliable, eliminated horse manure in the streets, and the need to care for animals.<p>
<p>In Ogdensburg there was no shelter for drivers on the original streetcars. Sleds were used in the winter instead of wheels with enclosed cars for passengers. Straw was placed on the floor to protect passengers’ feet and a stove kept the cabin warm. Motormen had to drive the car, shovel coal and keep kerosene lamps lit. The barns were located on Catherine St. where Hannan & Henry later had a car dealership. There were 21 horses and 5 streetcars with 2 miles of track. After horses made 2 round trips they were switched out. (Two horses stopped at a local tavern where their former owner was known to frequent.) Routes ran from the Silk Mill on Ford St. (former Ames Store) to the Lake Street Bridge and New York Avenue to the city limits and ran from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. There was also a route to the State Hospital. Routes connected with the New York Central and Rutland Railroads with each ride costing 5 cents. Drivers had envelopes with a nickel in each because drivers did not have time to make change. Ogdensburg’s citizens used local streetcars regularly, but the days of horse drawn streetcars didn’t last long.<p>
<p>Streetcar technology advanced rapidly. Frank Sprague installed the first electric trolley system in 1888 in Richmond, Virginia with Ogdensburg changing to electric trolleys in 1895. Most of the horses were sold at public auction.
However “Old Mag” and “Tommy Boy”, purchased by a Heuvelton farmer, weren’t ready to retire. They escaped their pasture and were found by police standing at the rails on Ford St., ready for work. The first official trolley in Ogdensburg began at the Hotel Norman in August 1895. Crowds lined the streets and waited on roofs and windows to witness the event. A motorman from Pennsylvania was brought to operate the car because no one else knew how to do it. Right after the new trolley system was operational the old horse barn burned, killing 4 horses.The first ride was supposed to be free, but a conductor charged riders anyway. In 1898 a route was added on State Street that ran to the cemeteries and fair grounds.<p>
<p>The trolley proved to be immensely popular. When Ralph Hawkins was president of the street railway (called the St. Lawrence Utilities Company) tracks were laid to the Sandy Beach. The company installed a merry-go-round and rollercoaster. Beachgoers also were entertained by moving pictures and vaudeville shows. The beach was nicknamed the “Coney Island of the North” and was crowded with children and adults alike. However, this idyllic time would not last forever. Progress marched on and left the trolley behind.<p>
<p>Attorney Edward Lynch had the honor of riding the first streetcar and the last and estimated that he had spent over $4,000 in fares.The last day of operation for the Ogdensburg Street Railway was April 1, 1932 and many older residents (including Lynch) regretted the passing of the old streetcars. But while trolleys and streetcars were popular for about 50 years, the coming of the automobile put an end to this mode of transportation.<p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-70313687780415001172022-12-30T12:29:00.001-08:002022-12-30T12:29:50.836-08:00The Frank and Rosenbaum Families <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe class="BLOG_video_class" allowfullscreen="" youtube-src-id="Jf5kYZYOZ88" width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jf5kYZYOZ88"></iframe></div>
<p>Did you miss our Menorah lighting and presentation? Check out this recording honoring the Frank and Rosenbaum families.<p>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-29119911789565228922022-11-14T16:55:00.000-08:002022-11-14T16:55:41.888-08:00Medal of Honor Winner General N.M. Curtis<p>Soon after the fall of Fort Sumter on April 13, 1861 Henry James, editor of the Ogdensburg Journal, stood on top of a dry goods box on the corner of Ford and Isabella Streets and read the news to local residents. James encouraged men to volunteer for six months and told the audience that he would travel to DePeyster to ask the people to form a company. The North Country responded to the call. Eventually eight regiments were raised with Newton Martin Curtis chosen as captain of G company of the 16th Regiment. Later he became Lieutenant Colonel of the 142nd Regiment. He was brevetted Brigadier General of the 142nd on October 28, 1864.<p>
<p>The North Country was home to Medal of Honor recipient Major General Newton Martin Curtis. Son of Jonathan and Pheba Risin Curtis, N.M. Curtis was born in DePeyster in 1835, he was raised on a farm and attended local schools. He began the study of law until illness forced him to quit and later became a teacher at the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary. When the Civil War broke out in 1861 he began to recruit volunteers for the 16th New York State Volunteer Regiment and on May 7, 1861 he was commissioned as a captain. Curtis was popular with his troops and advanced through the ranks quickly becoming a Brevet Brigadier General in 1864. He participated in a number of major battles, including Antietam.<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Portrait_of_Maj._Gen._N._Martin_Curtis%2C_officer_of_the_Federal_Army_LOC_cwpb.06134_%28cropped%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="402" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Portrait_of_Maj._Gen._N._Martin_Curtis%2C_officer_of_the_Federal_Army_LOC_cwpb.06134_%28cropped%29.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>At 6 foot 6 in. Curtis was described as “thin as a shingle, straight as an arrow and, that, if his head were chalked, he would make a good billiard cue.” The tall officer met his match at Fort Fisher , which was known as the “Gibraltar of the Confederacy.” After Union forces sealed off Mobile, Alabama in August of 1864 Fort Fisher located at Wilmington, North Carolina, was the last remaining open port in the South. Fourteen hundred Confederate soldiers were garrisoned there under the command of Colonel William Lamb, who in civilian life was an editor and lawyer. The fort was protected by fifty artillery pieces and an intricate series of ditches, palisades, and landmines.<p>
<p>A failed Union attack in December 1864 was a disaster. Confederate defenders were tipped off after a naval bombardment ahead of the main attack. A federal ship packed with explosives exploded at sea with no effect on the fort.<p>
<p>Union forces attacked again in January of 1865 with Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry and Rear Adm. David Porter in command. Federal ships fired continuously on the fort making it impossible for Confederate forces to repair damages. Federal marines and sailors attacked, but Confederate soldiers refused to surrender.<p>
<p>Curtis transferred to the 142nd as a lieutenant colonel in 1862. The 142nd participated in the Siege of Petersburg, during which Curtis was promoted to brigadier general. His brigade took part in the first attack on Fort Fisher, but Union troops were defeated. During the second attack Curtis grabbed shovels and demanded “Dig Johnnies! I’m coming for you.” He was wounded four times, which included a wound that resulted in him being blinded in the left eye. Later he was brevetted Major General of the 142nd NYS Volunteers.<p>
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<p>Confederate Col. Lamb was wounded and the fort fell. The city of Wilmington was under Union control one month later.<p>
<p>After the war Curtis was appointed collector of customs in Oswegatchie, then special agent for the treasury department (1867-1880). He was elected to the New York State Assembly 1884-1890, then served in the U.S. Congress from 1891-1897. He wrote a book detailing his experiences during the Civil War entitled From Bull Run to Chancellorsville in 1906. He died in New York City in 1910 and is buried in the Ogdensburg Cemetery.<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e8/2e/2c/e82e2c398af44bfc2ba0f44163ed1d62--fortune-lighthouses.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e8/2e/2c/e82e2c398af44bfc2ba0f44163ed1d62--fortune-lighthouses.jpg"/></a></div>
<p> For more information click <a href="https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/fort-fisher">here</a><p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-74310204716202482662022-09-28T16:41:00.002-07:002022-09-28T16:41:17.305-07:00The Bell Mansion *Recently a number of city residents have contacted the city historian to report that work is being done on the Bell Mansion next to the Post Office.
While a shell of its former self the stone house next to the U.S. Post Office was the home of one family for over 150 years. That in itself is an amazing record and makes it worthy of preservation and recognition by the city of Ogdensburg.
The Bell Mansion located at 429 State St. (formerly 416 Crescent St.) was built in 1830 as a square fieldstone house, which probably had a pitched roof to shed heavy snow loads and no ornamentation. The mansard style that you see today was added by Walter Allen in 1880. This style, also called the Second Empire Style, was so immensely popular in the Northeast and Midwest during the 1860s and 1870s that it was called “General Grant Style”. It began in France during the reign of Napoleon III and is based on the designs of Francois Mansart. The mansard roof with its usable attic space is the key element of this design. The Bell Mansion also incorporates the eaves with brackets and until recently columned porches. As with many homes built during this period, the kitchen and laundry were located in the basement with the primary living space on the first and second floors. When renovations took place in 1880 a barn was moved off the site.
<p>A number of notable city residents have lived in this home. Walter Bicker Allen, was a prominent businessman in Ogdensburg. He was born in 1824 the son of E. B. Allen and Harriet Seymour Allen at Sault Ste. Marie. His father E.B. Allen, an early resident of Ogdensburg, was an Indian Agent for the U.S. government in Sault Ste. Marie and Fort Dearborn before coming to Ogdensburg in about 1826. E.B. Allen owned a large number of ships and barges that operated between Ogdensburg and Montreal, as well as a hardware store. Harriet Seymour Allen was from Springfield, Vermont. Her father, David, was a civil engineer, carpenter and bridge builder, who was killed at the age of 37 while working on a bridge over the Oswegatchie River in 1806.<p>
<p>In 1861 W.B. Allen married Helen Louise Egert, daughter of Jesse and Caroline Watkins Egert; they had three children. Mr. Allen followed in his father’s footsteps. He was involved in shipping, owned a hardware store as well as a foundry, which made iron and steel plows, potash kettles, and other machinery. He was a democrat serving as a city alderman beginning in 1868 and was a trustee of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1884 and is buried in the Ogdensburg Cemetery.<p>
<p>The Bell Mansion is named after another notable resident, Dr. Willard Bell, whose grandfather John Bell emigrated from Scotland to Ogdensburg in 1817. John Bell’s son, George was a shipbuilder and watchmaker. George married Isabelle Eliot and they had 3 children. The family opened a watchmaking business and jewelry store in Ogdensburg that they owned until 1904.<p>
<p>Dr. Bell married Harriet Allen, daughter of Walter and Helen Egert Allen and assumed ownership of the mansion in 1905. Dr. Bell was a specialist in the treatment of eye, ear, nose and throat ailments, who practiced in Ogdensburg until his death in 1920. An Ogdensburg native, he was born in 1857 the son of George and Ellen Howe Bell. He was a trustee in the Presbyterian Church for many years, was president of the board of education, member of the Ogdensburg Mason’s Lodge No. 128, and the Century Club. His brother Charles was a partner in Bill Bell and Co. Flour Mill.. Dr. Bell married Harriet Seymour Allen in 1884. She was born in Ogdensburg in 1863. The couple had two sons, Walter Allen Bell, who owned a lumber business and George Allen Bell who moved to Bangor, Maine. Harriet Allen Bell remained in the home until her death in 1952.<p>
<p>George Allen Bell was a stockbroker, who married Pauline Savage of Bangor in 1915. He moved back to the family home and passed away there in 1970. Pauline Savage Bell remained in the home until her death in January 1987. This ended the over 150 year residency of the Allen-Bell family.<p>
<p>In recent years the Bell Mansion has not only been a private home but has also housed a bridal shop and realtor’s office.<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKRSeSNNZq1-mvxjmAdQoz3RO4YBFiPzHsmwDe7oAPHT2VANT0AwwIufA9aVZHtPkO-Ki-6WSsV1MzKuIrXGzLlMtInC0KI1gJbzaq8dc_l7RuWgLNHr7vT5SMMti6H1SRCax7QdSjswPHrQK6QOtlVyk_OokT8f5QPXMXSvjlNfn7Fblj8TszpQUtw/s506/Dr%20Bell%20House.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKRSeSNNZq1-mvxjmAdQoz3RO4YBFiPzHsmwDe7oAPHT2VANT0AwwIufA9aVZHtPkO-Ki-6WSsV1MzKuIrXGzLlMtInC0KI1gJbzaq8dc_l7RuWgLNHr7vT5SMMti6H1SRCax7QdSjswPHrQK6QOtlVyk_OokT8f5QPXMXSvjlNfn7Fblj8TszpQUtw/s400/Dr%20Bell%20House.JPG"/></a></div>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-30053480373329808792022-06-19T12:00:00.000-07:002022-06-19T12:00:33.118-07:00Marion and Mayor Julius Frank Suffrage Sign <p>A National Votes for Women Trail marker honoring suffragists Marion Sanger Frank and her husband Mayor Julius Frank was installed on corner of Caroline St. and Ford St. in front of City Hall in Ogdensburg, NY.
The great granddaughters of the Franks, city councillors, city manager, city historian and county historian were among those who attended the dedication of the new marker. This sign is a part of the National Votes for Women Trail, which spotlights the people and organizations involved in the U.S. women's suffrage movement, with over 2000 markers throughout the country. The markers were funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and the federal Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission.
City historian Julie Madlin, who spearheaded the efforts to recognize the Franks, was the event speaker. Family members shared letters and a journal with the audience. The tireless efforts of both Marion and Julius Frank were finally recognized and applauded.<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0BcLMyMmv0SIoj1MuoHnIhEo6aUdeXLpEu_71Tsvt5fNe3tufiY3lZhko156SnHY75RxV_yBEbyxUEnFajfmCADAwwDxj4txI5X6Qh10wJtoOTSPQTiIo3ob2vLQbZAZaD1v3WirMeU9QyFKbP03Lf6J6ZS5srcPjnm05NDly8xknb7MYz4QnuWf0Q/s720/suffrage%20sign.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0BcLMyMmv0SIoj1MuoHnIhEo6aUdeXLpEu_71Tsvt5fNe3tufiY3lZhko156SnHY75RxV_yBEbyxUEnFajfmCADAwwDxj4txI5X6Qh10wJtoOTSPQTiIo3ob2vLQbZAZaD1v3WirMeU9QyFKbP03Lf6J6ZS5srcPjnm05NDly8xknb7MYz4QnuWf0Q/s320/suffrage%20sign.jpg"/></a></div>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-84095604763199532332022-06-19T11:33:00.001-07:002022-06-19T12:00:48.187-07:00Path Through History on the Abbe Picquet Trail<p> Yesterday I was pleased to represent the Ogdensburg History Museum at the Path Through History event held at the Abbe Picquet Trail. It was very chilly, but we still had visitors who were able to learn about local history from the French and Indian War to World War I. There was also a great railroad display where visitors could pound in a spike. This video shows a reenactor portraying a World War I soldier.<p> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnNbS0R6vahQY39M0ElPyjcr_4M_kRgp3lnel8qNXtLJx5hC4bOpmJaI72J-lCPAZ57LYb3tHDS8QroUciFw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-34383844417562299782022-05-08T09:30:00.005-07:002022-05-08T09:33:55.221-07:001941: Escaped Nazi pilot causes stir in OgdensburgBy Emily Griffin
Published: May. 6, 2022 at 6:30 AM EDT
OGDENSBURG, New York (WWNY) - Big wigs from Hollywood were crawling in Ogdensburg in the 1950s as the movie “The One That Got Away” was released.
It’s based on the life of a notorious Nazi lieutenant whose story begins over London when his plane is shot down in September of 1940.
This capture would mark the first of many escapes Baron Franz von Werra would make as a prisoner of war.
Read more: <a href="https://www.wwnytv.com/2022/05/06/1941-escaped-nazi-pilot-causes-stir-ogdensburg/">click here</a>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcwYIA3LfDRNvF2aZrRNB0Eq3kAQgQeOEgdjWEW58IZyUWAPh8t3XFH3TF5AqcDG3NUfocFNtzyM4e1fyI5TEOrZrp1EwPap_Pwkyi6QQpaH1w7CDxytLl5XeOzR-RwSjpQ6149y4JQs08mEu3ljk92VzsVgvNJB5cmkyrCzh8UJ8Ciy7viKFokmMow/s252/baron.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcwYIA3LfDRNvF2aZrRNB0Eq3kAQgQeOEgdjWEW58IZyUWAPh8t3XFH3TF5AqcDG3NUfocFNtzyM4e1fyI5TEOrZrp1EwPap_Pwkyi6QQpaH1w7CDxytLl5XeOzR-RwSjpQ6149y4JQs08mEu3ljk92VzsVgvNJB5cmkyrCzh8UJ8Ciy7viKFokmMow/s320/baron.jpg"/></a></div>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-52960806700604313242022-04-18T10:54:00.003-07:002022-04-18T10:54:40.795-07:00Ogdensburg History Museum Membership Application<p>Dear Community Member,<p>
<p>The Ogdensburg History Museum Board has been working very hard over the past several months.
Accomplishments:
501 (c)(3) Nonprofit status
Constitution and Bylaws Approved
Monthly Meetings
3 Year Financial Plan
Negotiated a Lease for Exhibition Space<p>
<p>Our vision is to share Ogdensburg’s stories by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting local artifacts, but we need YOUR help. Become a member and make the dream of our community to have its own museum a reality.<p>
<p>With your membership you’ll be the first to know about new exhibits and museum events and you’ll be on the ground floor of something great; a museum that focuses on the history of our great city! <p>
<p>Have questions? Contact us at ogdensburghistorymuseum@yahoo.com<p>
<p>We look forward to seeing you soon at our new location. Thank you for your vision and support.<p>
<p>Julie Madlin
President<p>
Membership Application<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jr6d_tdmg2MA2jcHNAu13jCNT8O_wZuw4Pmrhb1zLYE/edit?usp=sharing"> click here</a>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-7443632421523820672022-04-18T10:38:00.005-07:002022-04-18T10:38:55.162-07:00Nathan Ford: The Real Founder of Ogdensburg
<p>On March 3, 2022 we celebrated the 220th anniversary of the founding of St. Lawrence County. However the founding of St. Lawrence County cannot be commemorated without mentioning Judge Nathan Ford.<p>
<p>Nathan Ford was born December 8, 1763 in Morristown, New Jersey, one of 8 children of John Ford and Martha Raynor. Although he doesn’t get credit, Ford was the real founder of Ogdensburg and was an early proponent of forming St. Lawrence County. After the death of his parents Ford spent his childhood living in his grandfather’s mansion in Morristown, NJ, which later became George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution. He served in the war as a Deputy Assistant Quartermaster. Later, Ford was the land agent for Samuel Ogden and was one of the first white settlers of the village.<p>
<p>Samuel Ogden, a prominent lawyer and land speculator whom the city is named after, sent Nathan Ford to explore the lands he had purchased in 1794. Ford hired a Mr. Tuttle and his family to move into the fort barracks. They were supposed to care for the property while he traveled back to New York City for men and supplies. After the U.S. gained control of Northern New York as part of the terms of Jay’s Treaty, Ford and other settlers from Morristown, New Jersey settled here.<p>
<p>Samuel Ogden wanted his lands to be profitable. With that in mind he sent these instructions to Ford: “Gain immediate possession of the works, mills, and town. If necessary use threats and bribes. After possessing the fort and works, gain possession of the mills and repair them. Find a mine of iron ore so that iron work operations can commence as quickly as possible.”<p>
<p>Ford did just that. He lived in one of the buildings that had been part of Fort Oswegatchie. While here Ford was responsible for encouraging settlers to come to the area which he did by laying out the village, selling village lots and building roads. Squatters were encouraged to either pay up or leave. When one squatter refused, Mr. Ford arrested him and brought him to Rome to face charges.<p>
<p>In another instance, he arranged for a meeting of all the local Native American chiefs at the Fort and got them drunk. When one chief overstayed his welcome and demanded more alcohol Ford grabbed his sword and chased him out of the barracks while in his nightshirt. Another night Native Americans raided the garrison taking Ford’s slave, Dick captive. Dick began yelling, which awakened Ford, who once again grabbed his sword. With the help of others the unwelcome visitors were driven from the garrison.<p>
<p>Ford was responsible for Ogdensburgh becoming the county seat and providing a courtroom, repairing the jail and keeping taxes low. Ford said, “Nothing scares people like taxes.” Not long after that Ford announced that a new road had been built that allowed a wagon from the Mohawk River to travel to Ogdensburg. The first town meeting of the Town of Oswegatchie was held in Nathan Ford’s house.<p>
<p>It is because of Ford that Ogdensburgh became the center of business and government in the newly formed St. Lawrence County. He was a judge from 1802-1820 and simultaneously served as chief justice for the county, supervisor of the Town of Oswegatchie and de facto “mayor” of the village of Ogdensburgh, even though it wasn’t incorporated until 1817. He considered Ogdensburgh and St. Lawrence County his, and nothing escaped his notice.<p>
<p>Ford has been described as “proud, vain and utterly profane in his language,” which is an apt description of him. For example, just after he was appointed a judge in 1802, a gentleman was brought before him for a minor offense. Ford reportedly banished the man off God’s earth. The man asked the judge where he should go. Ford responded, “To Canada. God damn you.”<p>
<p>When war broke out in 1812 Ford and other Federalists in Northern New York made it clear that they were against fighting the British. When Ogdensburgh was captured in 1813 neither Nathan Ford nor David Parish’s homes were looted by the British due to Ford’s friendly relationship with the British commander. This friendliness infuriated other Americans, especially General Zebulon Pike. Later Ford and General Wilkinson bickered back and forth in letters that were printed in newspapers throughout the state. One newspaper called Ford the “Benedict Arnold'' of the War of 1812. Judge Ford however, felt that he was protecting Ogdensburgh, the county and most importantly trade by keeping us out of war.<p>
<p>After Benjamin Forsyth and his men raided Elizabethtown (now Brockville) in February 1813 and set American prisoners free, Ford said that the raid would lead to “folly and mischief”. Captain Forsyth continued to cause trouble on the border much to Nathan Ford’s dismay. Ford even tried to convince the army to restrain Forsyth, but to no avail. British soldiers marched across the frozen St. Lawrence River attacking Ogdensburgh on February 22,1813.<p>
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<p>Soon Judge Ford, a staunch Federalist, was accused of treason by several individuals (most likely Democratic-Republicans) for collaborating with the British. However, local residents supported Ford and charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.<p>
<p>But Nathan Ford’s fight with Democratic-Republicans wasn’t over. His long standing hatred of Alexander Richards, County Clerk and later Oswegatchie Customs Agent was well known. Richards was responsible for the entire northern border of New York State. Because of the Embargo Act and Intercourse Act it was illegal to trade with British Canada. Residents of Ogdensburgh and St. Lawrence County routinely broke the law by smuggling goods and were not pleased with anyone who tried to enforce the law.<p>
<p>Alexander Richards was charged and convicted by Judge Ford for interfering with this trade. Later when Richards ran for state assembly, Ford compared him to Beelzebub.<p>
<p>Richards appealed to Zebulon Pike for troops to help him stop smuggling along the border. Pike responded by sending Lt. Loring Austin and Lt. George Wells with 2 detachments. Richards sent the troops to capture suspected smugglers. In all 13 men were arrested with 9 being marched to Ogdensburgh. Nathan Ford and the county sheriff confronted the officers and arrested and jailed them. There were 9 charges and bail was set at $90,000 each by Judge Ford. If Ford could’ve arrested Zebulon Pike, he would’ve done that too. Later he wrote that “Pope” Richards had trampled upon the rights of St. Lawrence County citizens.<p>
<p>Judge Ford then turned his attention to Gen. James Wilkinson. Apparently the general had said that Ogdensburgh should be burned and Ford hanged. Judge Ford accused Wilkinson of being a drunkard, fop and tyrant. Ford also informed the British that a counterfeiter was working in Brockville. This may have been an effort to keep him and Ogdensburgh in the good graces of the British. After the capture of Ogdensburg there were no troops stationed in Ogdensburgh and smuggling resumed.<p>
<p>After the War of 1812 Ford continued to advocate for Ogdensburgh and St. Lawrence County. Many settlers and land owners wanted to move the county seat to a more central location, but did not want to oppose Judge Ford. However his health began to fail him after he contracted Tuberculosis and he was unable to leave his room for the last few years of his life. When the bill passed in Albany in 1828 to move the location of the county seat to Canton, he was irate. Unfortunately Ogdensburgh lost its greatest promoter in 1829. He was a man of strong convictions, whose determination made the settlement of Ogdensburg possible and led to the formation of St. Lawrence County.<p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-42479063019274033822022-03-17T15:16:00.003-07:002022-03-17T15:16:48.554-07:00Robert Tate County Map (1828)<p>John Austin and I found this map in my office a couple of years ago. John took it to Canton where Roger and Lenore Zaunere digitized it. Note the names of the towns.<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqv-gOTbW3u-CGC9svjxnA-xyBx1hvE0IpnVvlWXO8aVLg_Tohd4IRL6XfX1MrARyUJepbIVgbKxZevQwL_-WtjhcVIbKAPOAniQOzyL9iGCzoKOQan6tVCWSnVnsCIgA-00YOeorBqpZ5i3lZMVKmiSPL2je3M6Jj8Aho8Q3fvKK9XmSF2O_2ZHaULA=s2880" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="2755" data-original-width="2880" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqv-gOTbW3u-CGC9svjxnA-xyBx1hvE0IpnVvlWXO8aVLg_Tohd4IRL6XfX1MrARyUJepbIVgbKxZevQwL_-WtjhcVIbKAPOAniQOzyL9iGCzoKOQan6tVCWSnVnsCIgA-00YOeorBqpZ5i3lZMVKmiSPL2je3M6Jj8Aho8Q3fvKK9XmSF2O_2ZHaULA=s600"/></a></div>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-49056130586570619642022-03-03T15:34:00.001-08:002022-03-03T15:34:31.116-08:00The Ford Mansion<p>The Ford Mansion was one of the grandest homes in the small village of Ogdensburgh. Built for Judge Nathan Ford, it was a large two story stone house on a hill facing the majestic St. Lawrence River. Nathan Ford was born December 8, 1763 in Morristown, New Jersey. Although he doesn’t get credit, Ford was the real founder of Ogdensburg. Ford spent his childhood living in his grandfather’s mansion in Morristown, NJ, which later became George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution. He served in the war as a Deputy Assistant Quartermaster. Later, Ford was the land agent for Samuel Ogden and was one of the first white settlers of the village.<p>
<p>Samuel Ogden, a land speculator whom the city is named after, sent Nathan Ford to explore the lands he had purchased in 1794. After the U.S. gained control of Northern New York as part of the terms of Jay’s Treaty, Ford and other settlers from Morristown, New Jersey settled here. Ford lived in one of the buildings that had been part of Fort Oswegatchie. He was a judge from 1802-1820 and has been described as “proud, vain and utterly profane in his language.” It is because of Ford that Ogdensburgh became the center of business and government in the newly formed St. Lawrence County. He simultaneously served as chief justice for the county, supervisor of the Town of Oswegatchie and “mayor” of the village of Ogdensburgh, even though it wasn’t incorporated until 1817. He considered Ogdensburgh his and nothing escaped his notice.<p>
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<p>After living in Father Picquet’s barracks at the old fort for several years, Ford, a lifelong bachelor, commissioned the mansion. Workers began construction in 1803 and completed it in 1804. Built of fieldstone it was the largest and most prominent edifice in the village. After Ford’s death in 1829 the mansion remained empty for many years until it was sold to the French Catholic Society in 1858 at a cost of $7,000. Father Lemercier not only lived in the mansion, but held mass there as well. The other residents were 2 housekeepers and Lemercier’s nephew.The trustees sold the mansion to the Grey Nuns of Ottawa in 1863. When the sisters arrived, they were not impressed with their housing. The mansion was full of mice and the plaster was crumbling. After hasty repairs the nuns established a boarding school and day school for girls, however the school closed in 1879.<p>
<p>At the request of Bishop Wadhams, the Grey Nuns opened the mansion again as a home for orphans, the elderly and indigent. It was incorporated as the Ogdensburg City Hospital and Orphan Asylum. The number of needy individuals quickly made it necessary to enlarge the mansion with a new stone wing added to the north side in 1894. With a large gift by Mayor George Hall the sisters were able to build a hospital across the street, now Claxton-Hepburn Medical Centerl, which opened in 1902.<p>
<p>The Grey Nuns again expanded the mansion in 1906, adding a fourth floor. At one time it housed 128 orphans, 64 elderly people, and 14 nuns. More renovations were completed in 1911-13, including a new chapel, sunroom and west wing, which were made possible by donations from George Hall, Thomas Spratt, John Hannan and John Howard.<p>
<p>Later the building was renamed St. Joseph’s Home. Both the elderly and orphans were housed there until a new nursing home was built on LaFayette St. Children ceased to be housed there in 1961. The empty building was razed to make way for a new building to house long term patients, which was never constructed. While the Ford Mansion is long gone, the work of Nathan Ford, Father Lemercier and the Grey Nuns lives on.<p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-14145077067466429032022-02-19T12:40:00.000-08:002022-02-19T12:40:19.866-08:00The Full Life of Ogdensburg Boxer Lem Collett<p>Boxing had its heyday during the 1920s and 1930s in Ogdensburg and across the nation and pugilists like Lem Collett, Rip Mashaw, Bobby Dean, and “Muff” Brenno fought at Floral Hall at the Old Fairgrounds on State St., the East End Arena (now NYSDOT), the Star Theater, the Armory, Seguin’s Rink in the fourth ward and City Hall. Boxing was so popular that both St. Mary’s Academy and OFA had boxing teams. General admission tickets cost 75 cents and ringside seats were $1.00. My great uncle Lem Collett was a downstate transplant who fought both in the amateur and professional rings in Syracuse, Utica, Albany and Ogdensburg.<p>
<p>With over 300 bouts between 1927 and 1929 Lemuel “Lem” Collett was recognized as an excellent boxer. Born in Scranton, PA and raised in Newark, New York, Collett was a well known boxer in Ogdensburg and surrounding communities. He was a finalist in the Golden Gloves Tournament in Madison Square Garden in 1928 and went on to fight professionally, retiring in 1930.<p>
<p>He married my grandmother’s sister, Marion Mills in 1929 in Ogdensburg and operated a farm (1930-1945) in Lisbon, but he never lost his love of boxing. Lem fought in over 300 fights and on more than one occasion fought with a broken hand. He was proud of his Golden Gloves bout at Madison Square Garden in 1929 against Al Stone, who went on to win in his division. Lem was crowned the upstate lightweight champion for New York State and welterweight champion of the state as well.<p>
<p>One fight he recalled was arranged by Father Bellamy of St. Mary’s Cathedral. The other fighter was billed as a champion from France. Lem was very nervous prior to the fight at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, but to Lem’s relief it took only 1 minute 10 seconds to knock the French champion down. Years later he laughed about his anxiety and learned to never overestimate an opponent again.<p>
<p>When he wasn’t boxing, he was working. He got a job at the Diamond National, where he suffered a severe head injury, which required surgery. After that his fighting days were over and he was unable to serve in World War II, although his dog did, but that’s another story. However, Lem continued to referee boxing matches throughout Northern New York and Canada. The Brockville Recorder-Times noted that he refereed 15 out of 16 bouts one night in Brockville with over 200 fighters participating in the two day event. Collett did a good job of “keeping the boys in line.”<p>
<p>When he wasn’t refereeing, he was a part-time St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy on call 24 hours a day and opened a fuel oil business in 1945. Lem always had a cigar in the corner of his mouth and probably gave away more fuel oil than he sold, which drove Marion crazy. He continued to referee boxing matches throughout Northern New York and Canada until his death.<p>
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<p>Tragically after attending an oil distributors meeting Oct.17, 1962, he and his friend, George Madden Jr. lost their lives in an automobile accident on the Canton Road when Lem was only 54 years old.There was talk at the time that the station wagon lost traction due to hundreds of frogs being on the road, although newspaper reports stated that there were leaves on the road as well. The vehicle went through the guard rails, down a 20 foot embankment, and flipped over in the Grasse River. Both men drowned. Lem left behind Marion, four children and his grandchildren.<p>
<p>Well known for his kindness toward others, Lem not only gave away fuel oil, but was involved in philanthropic activities. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, later becoming Grand Knight. He was also a governor of the Moose Lodge and a member of the Elks Lodge. Lem attended Notre Dame Church and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He loved to visit with people and always carried a stack of one dollar bills that he handed out. He didn’t live a long life, but he lived a full one.<p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-82341680456363022792022-01-23T11:46:00.003-08:002022-01-23T11:46:52.620-08:00Sally James Farnham<p> "I have always felt beauty as well as strength, and loved them. These are important things in sculpture. To mould feeling, strength and wisdom, to see through the outer form and bring to the surface the unconscious joys of life, this is my task."<p>
<p>Best known for her sculpture of Simon Bolivar, Sarah better known as Sally James Farnham was born to a prominent family in Ogdensburg, NY in 1869. Her father Col. Edward James was a Civil War veteran and noted trial lawyer and her mother was Sarah Welles Perkins. Sally’s mother died when she was very young. Afterwards her father moved to New York City with Sally to practice law and they travelled extensively throughout Europe and Japan.<p>
<p>Sally was raised to be self-reliant. She enjoyed riding horses and reportedly scandalized her neighbors in Ogdensburg by breaking horses on Main St. At age 28 she married George Paulding Farnham (called Paul), who was a designer for Tiffany. They had three children. After the death of her father and a prolonged illness, Paul gave her modeling clay to help her to keep busy and improve her depression. Sally found that she loved sculpting and with the help of her husband and artist Frederic Remington, began to pursue sculpting professionally. <p>
<p>Her first attempts were “ugly as sin,” noted Frederic Remington, but “full of ginger”. Soon Sally’s society friends commissioned her to create sculptures of them and their children. As her notoriety grew, so did her designs. In 1903 she created a fountain for Col. Isaac Emerson’s gardens in Baltimore and the following year she submitted two designs for a Civil War memorial to honor soldiers from Ogdensburg. Her Spirit of Liberty, which many Ogdensburg residents call The Soldiers and Sailors Monument, was critically acclaimed. It led to two more commissions to design monuments in Rochester, NY. In 1907 Sally was chosen to design large panels that would adorn the Pan-American building. After that she received commissions from the countries of Peru and Bolivia.<p>
<p>Farnham did not ignore the domestic side of her life, however. When the committee for the Rochester monument requested a meeting with her, she replied that she had a piece of work that would take six weeks to complete. At the end of that time the committee again contacted her to ask if her prior job was finished, she replied: "The new job is satisfactorily accomplished, and weighs ten pounds. I am nursing him at present and have my oldest boy to install in school and am moving into town for the winter, and I also have a few guests to entertain, but I think I can tackle your monument next week."<p>
<p>In 1914 Sally and her husband divorced after he quit working for Tiffany and drained family funds on get rich quick schemes. At this time in history it was unusual for women to ask for a divorce and even more unusual for them to work full-time as artists, but Sally did just that. Her success as an artist continued to grow.<p>
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<p>In 1916 Sally won an international competition to design a monument of Simon
Bolivar, a gift to this nation from Venezuela. It took five years, but was the largest bronze ever created by a female artist at that time. Its dedication took place in 1921 at Central Park with President Warren G. Harding giving the keynote address. Later Sally would sculpt a bust of Harding. In addition, her sculpture of Father Junipero Serra was dedicated in 1925 at the San Fernando Mission in California. After that she completed a World War memorial in Fultonville, NY.<p>
<p>Farnham would continue to sculpt until she was involved in a car accident in 1941 that caused a broken leg and head lacerations. She never regained the ability to walk and died after contracting pneumonia in 1943. In Ogdensburg, Sally James Farnham’s Spirit of Liberty still stands in Library Park and she has been recognized by the Frederic Remington Art Museum with a permanent exhibit, which houses the largest collection of her work in the world.<p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-19946904610560517572022-01-09T14:14:00.007-08:002022-01-09T14:14:48.274-08:00The Opera House Fire<p>On the night of Jan. 22, 1926 Ogdensburg and the Town of Oswegatchie suffered a terrible loss. The Opera House and Town Hall, the jewel of the North Country, was destroyed by fire.
Built in 1879-80, the walls were of blue limestone with Potsdam sandstone trim. It was a Romanesque design with a duplicate of the Rose window of Reims Cathedral in France. The window faced the Ford Street side and was designed by famed Ogdensburg stained glass artist Harry Horwood. Romanesque design could be seen in the front rounded arches, barrel vaults, large towers, and thick walls.<p>
<p> The Opera House was built by the Town of Oswegatchie to house both town and city offices and the city police station and jail at a cost of $110,000. The building had a fully equipped theater to host concerts, vaudeville shows, high school graduations, plays and orators. Many famous people visited the edifice including women’s rights advocate Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, famed actress Rose Coghlan, future president Teddy Roosevelt, musician John Phillip Sousa, Sen. Chauncey Depew, national labor leader John Mitchell, Gov. Alfred E. Smith and Gov. Charles Whitman. Local politicians, Gen. N.M. Curtis and Sen. George Malby were nominated to serve in Congress from its stage. Artist Sally James Farnham also made appearances there, delighting audiences with her beautiful singing voice. But after the horrific fire, there would be no more concerts or speeches at Ogdensburg’s beautiful Opera House.<p>
<p> The Opera House opened Nov. 10, 1881, in a celebration that lasted two days. Attendees were treated to a concert by the Ogdensburg Band and a play, “School for Scandal," presented by a theater company from New York City. The next day another theater company presented two more plays to sold-out crowds. The Opera House became the center of arts and culture, not to mention city business, for over 40 years until the devastating fire on the night of Jan. 22, 1926.<p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8bpV3B4Zg0AOBKdJE8xlFTZNv_Ked6LtESsXdUUDiMXfHWry96j_24f8im9gHCJXt3vksfSuNMOCpRfbTECH_SvZpGFwMUgiQ06hQRHje-87o0YRhzgjMYBQ70ALB97skSfk4pY2w5Bluans6kMN3goJmvxhV17nH3hzBfZMpWzYbQadc5uAlCeCL5Q=s1024" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8bpV3B4Zg0AOBKdJE8xlFTZNv_Ked6LtESsXdUUDiMXfHWry96j_24f8im9gHCJXt3vksfSuNMOCpRfbTECH_SvZpGFwMUgiQ06hQRHje-87o0YRhzgjMYBQ70ALB97skSfk4pY2w5Bluans6kMN3goJmvxhV17nH3hzBfZMpWzYbQadc5uAlCeCL5Q=s320"/></a></div>
<p>The Republican Journal reported that at midnight on January 22nd the Gray and Cantwell families, who lived in apartments across the street, were awakened by a loud explosion. They reported that the interior of the building was engulfed in flames within 10 minutes. The wind carried sparks, and embers south several blocks endangering a number of buildings, but luckily it had snowed, which prevented the sparks from causing fire. The heat of the fire caused the plate glass windows in the St. Lawrence Utilities building located on Caroline Street to shatter, as well as the windows of stores across Ford Street. The firefighters on the scene quickly ascertained that saving the Opera House was impossible, so they concentrated their efforts on saving the surrounding buildings instead.<p>
<p> Several were in the building when the initial explosion took place. Janitor Thomas Preston and his wife were in their basement apartment. An unnamed newspaper reporter, Dr. C.R. Schultz, and Night Chief Dennis Amo were at the police station. Luckily there were no prisoners in jail and the movie crowd had left for the night. The movie “The Last Edition” that had been shown that night was coincidentally about a large fire.<p>
<p>As it burned, the building was unstable. Fire Chief Archie Howard was hit in the knee after a huge stone dropped from the west tower and fireman Henry Corrice was struck in the eye by a piece of slate or copper. Fire hoses were hit by flying debris and were unable to be used. The Republican Journal stated that “slate fell like hail…(and) a veritable hail of sparks descended from the sky south of Ford Street.”<p>
<p>Residents were devastated by the fire and especially the demise of the town hall bell. It was the gift of Louis Devillers Hoard, father of former mayor Charles Hoard. Many people and businesses kept time according to the chiming of the bell so its destruction meant that timekeeping was up to the individual. The bell, weighing 10 tons, fell at 1:45 a.m. Witnesses reported that it swayed in the tower before falling 150 feet, landing in the basement. A huge shower of sparks shot into the air.<p>
<p>The next day, a large ad was placed in the newspaper by insurance agent John H. Brownlow using the fire as a pretext to sell insurance. Not to be outdone, F.W. Ryan Insurance Agency and S.L. Dawley followed suit.<p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyXsTaq9QSk8Cd0sV-FehWMOfHdlu7-AgGvWxdHs1RieZeJ3mygZ8qOF5nM5DU0E01GHjzsI_9Z5Ge2zHJArvFf_ihTXHwxtTeDORE5NDmGRnGpObarJg7tDad2DlqmoBvrPscZkFxfvkt_9Uhep53HUt0ff-R6-GDwvdK61ydMZLY1u5Q6LF0VYipHQ=s546" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyXsTaq9QSk8Cd0sV-FehWMOfHdlu7-AgGvWxdHs1RieZeJ3mygZ8qOF5nM5DU0E01GHjzsI_9Z5Ge2zHJArvFf_ihTXHwxtTeDORE5NDmGRnGpObarJg7tDad2DlqmoBvrPscZkFxfvkt_9Uhep53HUt0ff-R6-GDwvdK61ydMZLY1u5Q6LF0VYipHQ=s320"/></a></div>
<p>The Opera House was worth over $500,000, but was only insured for $69,000.The city had a lease for use of the building for 999 years at a cost of $1 per year. The fire ended that agreement and as a result, the town and city separated. Due to the insurance issue the present city hall was built in 1929 to house only city offices.<p>
<p>Two days after the fire the remains of the building were demolished. While initial reports suggested that the boiler had exploded, insurance investigators found that was not the case. No cause was ever found. Luckily, two safes were recovered and the records of the city were found intact, including the tax rolls. Also rescued from the ashes was the cornerstone of Fort de la Presentation. But the days of the grand, old Opera House were over and its loss was keenly felt by people throughout the north country.<p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-63040948253138345382021-12-31T10:32:00.007-08:002021-12-31T10:32:57.741-08:00Old Downtown Ogdensburg, NYTake a walk down memory lane. This is what Ogdensburg looked like before urban renewal.<iframe class="BLOG_video_class" allowfullscreen="" youtube-src-id="gQxu6e1Yndc" width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gQxu6e1Yndc"></iframe>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-71171866483125481782021-11-07T12:40:00.000-08:002021-11-07T12:40:30.812-08:00Ogdensburg: A Smoker's Paradise<p>Clark’s Pets, El Verso, the Knob, La Rosa. Years ago these cigars were favorites of cigar connoisseurs in Ogdensburg and elsewhere. Little remains of the flourishing cigar making industry here today, but at the turn of the century there were 39 cigar makers producing 100,000 cigars per year that were sold nationwide.<p>
<p>Cigar making in Ogdensburg began with Chauncey Clark, who came to the village as a carpenter in 1835. A few years later he used his knowledge of tobacco farming to build molds to make cigars. His son Stanley followed in his footsteps producing “Clark’s Pet”. Many later cigar makers learned their trade in Clark’s shop located on Ford Street (the former Surprise Block) before starting their own businesses. Eventually he sold out to the Ward Brothers, a group of 5 brothers and their father.<p>
<p>One of those youngsters was John Hannan, who started as a tobacco stripper at Chauncey Clark’s cigar company. He quickly learned the trade and was followed by his brothers Patrick and Richard. In 1863 the young men opened their own business over the Barber Bakery on Isabella Street. Several years later the Hannan Brothers relocated to their own building on the Hannan Block where they produced the top rated “La Rosa” cigar, as well as the “H.B.” and “Our Favorite”.<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH_b_NW3OaOeV-SWD5UZcpZKc0cWzLhzPV0FsRMI4QjQEN0cEZpqUq7-vCWZjZU70E_fvWRVYarMMePqTAxGvKdu-JI5X_dfN8mgwpol8H3XrN0f-UNqhynItsCJa42Ame92Gc-rhcZYZ/s1430/cigar2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH_b_NW3OaOeV-SWD5UZcpZKc0cWzLhzPV0FsRMI4QjQEN0cEZpqUq7-vCWZjZU70E_fvWRVYarMMePqTAxGvKdu-JI5X_dfN8mgwpol8H3XrN0f-UNqhynItsCJa42Ame92Gc-rhcZYZ/s320/cigar2.jpg"/></a></div> photo courtesy Albert Lauson Sr.
<p>Another cigar maker, John Landry, opened a cigar factory on Ford St., making a cigar called “The Knob”, which became a favorite of local people. Later Charles Mulcahey continued to make the local cigar to the delight of aficionados. John O’Connor and his partners opened a factory on the corner of Ford and Paterson Streets. Their cigar “The Three Jacks” was another local favorite. Later O’Connor established his own business next to the Hotel McConville. Other favorite cigars were the “PigTail Cheroot” produced by Lawrence Powers and “The Little Tycoon” made by John McColl.<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRsjItnX6J87tIRpeMDs___u46K56y0nWh9REkDk3YQNU9x6dc4Spe3TD2YeHoITqW8bbarR3QTRHqbTeujzexQ_8EtkjHtZmJ7d3ny0keZZ7TVPrtPzfEZn2PjoWv4qIzWpxZdLG5Odr/s720/cigar1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRsjItnX6J87tIRpeMDs___u46K56y0nWh9REkDk3YQNU9x6dc4Spe3TD2YeHoITqW8bbarR3QTRHqbTeujzexQ_8EtkjHtZmJ7d3ny0keZZ7TVPrtPzfEZn2PjoWv4qIzWpxZdLG5Odr/s320/cigar1.jpg"/></a></div> photo courtesy Ogdensburg Public Library
<p>Many cigar makers like Joe Seguin began their careers in their teens as apprentices. Hand rolled cigars fetched a higher price (10 cents) as opposed to cigars made from molds (5 cents). Cigar makers could turn out as many as 225 hand rolled cigars per day and were paid by the piece. The average salary was $7 per week for 1,000 cigars. Workers who made 10 cent cigars were paid more because each cigar was rolled and finished by hand. In one year 15 employees at Hannan Brothers factory turned out 1 million cigars, which were sold throughout New York State. But the heyday of cigars was coming to an end.<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HmNcaErlw1GdYKv99LfyHoB0nxvIoYq4ATej6jUvsurQ1maR0yWzCBXZeNonv1iW8zdyDeGnjmRW2-ERpTbRx4uGKWkeIxJ9mWPh8R2GljRPfiCKg7EB2HjLMUmLe_TUsQ1-Fbgw69YJ/s595/elverso.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HmNcaErlw1GdYKv99LfyHoB0nxvIoYq4ATej6jUvsurQ1maR0yWzCBXZeNonv1iW8zdyDeGnjmRW2-ERpTbRx4uGKWkeIxJ9mWPh8R2GljRPfiCKg7EB2HjLMUmLe_TUsQ1-Fbgw69YJ/s320/elverso.jpg"/></a></div> photo courtesy City Historian's Office
<p>During World War I machine made cigars began to flood the market and in 1919 the cigar maker union staged a strike in Ogdensburg calling for higher wages. However factory owners refused to negotiate and installed machinery, replacing the workers who hand rolled cigars. Another blow to the local cigar industry occurred as a result of Prohibition. Many local cigars were sold in saloons. When the saloons were forced to close, these cigars were sold in cigar stores with national brands. Local cigars were more expensive than national brands leading to a drastic reduction in sales. Finally, the tastes of consumers began to change. Young people began smoking cigarettes rather than cigars. By 1933 only two of the city’s cigar factories survived. The last known cigar maker in the city, Charles Mulcahy, who’s shop was located across from Hackett Hardware on North Water St., retired in 1966 after 53 years making Knob cigars. Several years later the El Verso Building, the former site of the O’Connor Algie Cigar Store was vacated and torn down. The cigar industry, which was nationally recognized, was no more.<p> Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-81803008445053671282021-10-10T11:37:00.000-07:002021-10-10T11:37:13.246-07:00Harry Dodd, Musician<iframe width="773" height="515" data-original-width="773" data-original-height="515" src="https://www.thinglink.com/card/1503542266373865475" type="text/html" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe><script async src="//cdn.thinglink.me/jse/responsive.js"></script>
<p>Harry Dodd was born in Smith Falls, Ontario in 1878, son of Henry and Lida Wright Dodd. When he was a baby the family settled in Adams, NY for two years, then moved to Ogdensburg. Mr. Dodd married Agnes Gedbaw in 1901 and they had four children. He followed in his father’s footsteps becoming a shoemaker for the state hospital and operating a small shop on the side, which was located at 112 River St. Many citizens of Ogdensburg visited the shop for not only shoe repairs, but to listen to Mr. Dodd’s music and poems. The shop was tiny, but the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.<p>
<p>After his first wife died in 1945, he married Alta Bailey in 1955. She predeceased him in 1965.<p>
<p>Mr. Dodd was a student of the famous banjoist Alfred Farland, who was a Canadian born musician who always wore a tuxedo when performing. Mr. McFarland was well known for performing classical pieces on the banjo. Mr. Dodd played at many local venues such as the old Opera House. He also played minstrel shows, which were very popular in the area and the March of Dimes radio fund.<p>
<p>In 1968 Mr. Dodd attended a concert by Pete Seegar, noted folk artist. After the concert Mr. Dodd played his 5 string banjo and recited poems he had written. Seegar was impressed by his playing, calling him the “last of the old time folk poets”.<p>
<p>Mr. Dodd was known for his kindness toward others. For example, he allowed those in need to sleep in his shop and repaired shoes for little to no money for people who were down on their luck. While he was a talented musician, his treatment of those less fortunate was probably his greatest gift.<p>
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Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-33525156571629687852021-10-08T14:59:00.003-07:002021-10-08T14:59:15.705-07:00Sheriff Joseph York Legend and Lore Sign Dedicated<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNQbbfdJs7JytzhniiAUdQMeoDsHgDiOWKZlSOyu6q7w_ypO7vMkF6xPZ7h3yFpbp17yTigE-yZFOv_mGsVdWakYJ9OJcalCWwNsNRJKxl1EZF68JJ154QK8KK4SsOnwskLCxmBQOvpNM/s1316/york+sign.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNQbbfdJs7JytzhniiAUdQMeoDsHgDiOWKZlSOyu6q7w_ypO7vMkF6xPZ7h3yFpbp17yTigE-yZFOv_mGsVdWakYJ9OJcalCWwNsNRJKxl1EZF68JJ154QK8KK4SsOnwskLCxmBQOvpNM/s320/york+sign.jpg"/></a></div>Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-82732714175858198802021-09-22T15:48:00.000-07:002021-09-22T15:48:10.866-07:00Ogdensburg's Street Railway
<p>“ For a brief time the trolley was more important than the electric light because while only the wealthy had electric light in their homes, almost every blue collar worker was riding the trolley to work.”
M. Whelan and W. Kornrumpf<p>
<p>Mass transit was necessary to get workers to the factories that employed them. It began with steam ferries in New York City in 1810 and expanded to omnibuses, trolleys, and later railroads.
Ogdensburg’s first foray into the mass transit business began with horse drawn cars in 1886 when the first tracks were laid. However Ogdensburg was late in entering the mass transit race. The first streetcar ran in New York City in 1832. Streetcars were a vast improvement over omnibuses, which were horse drawn carriages that ran on designated routes. One horse could pull a larger streetcar because the car ran on tracks laid in the street. Two crew members operated the car with a driver in the front and a conductor in the rear.<p>
<p>By 1873 streetcars were being converted to cable cars or trolleys. A ditch or vault was dug between the rails with a cable inserted to power the car. A powerhouse generated electricity to power the trolley with an overhead wire installed over streets. Each trolley had a long pole onits roof that touched the wire. By 1890 most American cities had trolley cars, which was advantageous because electrical cars were reliable, eliminated horse manure in the streets, and the need to care for animals.<p>
<p>In Ogdensburg there was no shelter for drivers on the original streetcars. Sleds were used in the winter instead of wheels with enclosed cars for passengers. Straw was placed on the floor to protect passengers’ feet and a stove kept the cabin warm. Motormen had to drive the car, shovel coal and keep kerosene lamps lit. The barns were located on Catherine St. where Hannan & Henry later had a car dealership. There were 21 horses and 5 streetcars with 2 miles of track. After horses made 2 round trips they were switched out. (Two horses stopped at a local tavern where their former owner was known to frequent.) Routes ran from the Silk Mill on Ford St. (former Ames Store) to the Lake Street Bridge and New York Avenue to the city limits and ran from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. There was also a route to the State Hospital. Routes connected with the New York Central and Rutland Railroads with each ride costing 5 cents. Drivers had envelopes with a nickel in each because drivers did not have time to make change. Ogdensburg’s citizens used local streetcars regularly, but the days of horse drawn streetcars didn’t last long.<p>
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznxRKTTJFhBhFT9saOKQFJhZu49iRTIydErfWt0T3yVD2dQUZvdFKG7jeRNimtEciylRFGOeT7KcBHSU58KAeE2qnZFM-LEccs5vIhbA1-kXFe2WTP9ThcKqyWivsoYyI7d56RuHPA-Kl/s1953/40617195_10215371415870512_2814904682281959424_o.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1953" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznxRKTTJFhBhFT9saOKQFJhZu49iRTIydErfWt0T3yVD2dQUZvdFKG7jeRNimtEciylRFGOeT7KcBHSU58KAeE2qnZFM-LEccs5vIhbA1-kXFe2WTP9ThcKqyWivsoYyI7d56RuHPA-Kl/s320/40617195_10215371415870512_2814904682281959424_o.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>Streetcar technology advanced rapidly. Frank Sprague installed the first electric trolley system in 1888 in Richmond, Virginia with Ogdensburg changing to electric trolleys in 1895. Most of the horses were sold at public auction. However “Old Mag” and “Tommy Boy”, purchased by a Heuvelton farmer, weren’t ready to retire. They escaped their pasture and were found by police standing at the rails on Ford St., ready for work. The first official trolley in Ogdensburg began at the Hotel Norman in August 1895. Crowds lined the streets and waited on roofs and windows to witness the event. A motorman from Pennsylvania was brought to operate the car because no one else knew how to do it. Right after the new trolley system was operational the old horse barn burned, killing 4 horses.The first ride was supposed to be free, but a conductor charged riders anyway. In 1898 a route was added on State Street that ran to the cemeteries and fair grounds.<p>
<p>The trolley proved to be immensely popular. When Ralph Hawkins was president of the street railway (called the St. Lawrence Utilities Company) tracks were laid to the Sandy Beach. The company installed a merry-go-round and rollercoaster. Beachgoers also were entertained by moving pictures and vaudeville shows. The beach was nicknamed the “Coney Island of the North” and was crowded with children and adults alike. However, this idyllic time would not last forever. Progress marched on and left the trolley behind.<p>
<p>Attorney Edward Lynch had the honor of riding the first streetcar and the last and estimated that he had spent over $4,000 in fares.The last day of operation for the Ogdensburg Street Railway was April 1, 1932 and many older (including Lynch) regretted the passing of the old streetcars. But while trolleys and streetcars were popular for about 50 years, the coming of the automobile put an end to this mode of transportation.<p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531156824300393722.post-91391415578270620582021-08-28T13:51:00.001-07:002021-08-28T13:51:40.392-07:00The Case of Baron von Werra <p>On a cold January night in 1941 an escaped German aviator made his way across the St. Lawrence River in a stolen punt. Using his hands to paddle, he landed at the State Hospital, where he caught a ride into Ogdensburg. The story of his escape is the stuff of Hollywood movies and books. But how did a Nazi pilot end up in Ogdensburg?<p>
<p> 1941 World War II was raging in Europe. The United States had not entered yet, but was lending war equipment and supplies to the Allies. France had fallen and Britain was on the verge of collapse and stood as the last bastion against Nazi German control of the continent. Canada had joined the war on September 9, 1939 and housed German POWs. It was during the transfer of some 1,000 prisoners, including Baron Franz von Werra, Nazi pilot and escape artist, that von Werra successfully escaped and made it to Ogdensburg.<p>
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<p>Von Werra was born in Switzerland, but grew up in Cologne, Germany. When Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, von Werra joined the German Luftwaffe, reaching the rank of oberleutenant (senior lieutenant). He participated in the German attack on Poland on September 1, 1939, which was the official start of World War II. However, von Werra’s flying career was short-lived; his plane was shot down by the RAF on September 5, 1940 near London. He escaped from British custody twice, which earned him a trip as a POW to Halifax. Once there the prisoners were transferred to a train, which would take them to an internment camp near Hudson Bay. With the help of fellow prisoners von Werra dove through a train window landing unhurt in the snow. Von Werra was 100 miles north of Ottawa in below zero weather, but was luckily wearing winter clothing.<p>
<p>Hiking through waist deep snow he headed south until dawn when he caught a sleigh ride with a Quebecois farmer. After hitchhiking von Werra stayed in a hotel using money from selling buttons from his uniform, Luftwaffe insignia and his Iron Cross medal. Once again he hitchhiked until he reached the Prescott grain elevator. He believed that he could walk across the ice on the St. Lawrence River, but after attempting to cross he found that the river wasn’t completely frozen. He returned to shore and found a boat, but couldn’t find any oars. Von Werra dragged the boat as far as he could, then jumped in and used his bare hands to row across the river to safety in the still neutral United States.<p>
<p>Von Werra landed at the State Hospital. After walking across a field he came upon Allen Crites, who owned a Texaco gas station located on Isabella St. Crites was on a call to fix a car with a frozen gas line. While he was working on the car, von Werra suddenly showed up asking where he could find a hotel. Crites was instantly suspicious thinking that this stranger must be a border jumper, but he offered him a ride into town anyway.<p>
<p>As they drove down Proctor Avenue Crites became nervous. The stranger had a foreign accent and insisted on riding on the running board of the car. Then once they reached the corner of Paterson and Ford Streets von Werra demanded that Crites stop the car. He complied, then immediately drove to City Hall to inform the police about this strange character. Officers Joseph Richer and James Delduchetto were dispatched and found von Werra on the same corner.
Von Werra claimed he was Canadian until he was put into the police car. He then confessed that he was actually a German POW.<p>
<p>The next morning von Werra appeared in court. He was charged with vagrancy, but this charge was dismissed because he had money in his pocket, then the judge sent for well known barber Tony Frisina to give von Werra a shave and a haircut. Von Werra’s time in court wasn’t finished, however. He was also charged with illegal entry and had to go before U.S. Commissioner John Barr. After demanding a lawyer von Werra refused to be represented by a Jew. Finally James Davies was arrived to represent the escapee.<p>
<p>Davies contacted the German Consulate in New York City and arranged for the $5,000 bail to be posted. Davies also purchased a train ticket to New York City and a new outfit from Fisher’s. Suffering from frostbite on his ears and hands, swollen lips and other effects from exposure, Baron von Werra was sent to Hepburn Hospital to convalesce. When reporters tried to ask him questions he replied that the German Consul had advised him to “keep his mouth shut”. After this pronouncement the German aviator was invited to the Elks Lodge for the Saturday night buffet. Hundreds of Ogdensburg citizens showed up to get a look at the handsome pilot. After dinner the escapee was escorted to the train depot by the police and Elks.<p>
<p>However not everyone in the city was enamored with von Werra, including Mayor Burns, who thought the Baron should be in jail. In addition, an Ottawa newspaper was sharp in its criticism of the train guards, who allowed von Werra to escape, the Canadian government for its “casualness” regarding the escape and the citizens of Ogdensburg who “sumptuously wined and dined” Baron von Werra. The editor pronounced that the pilot was a “cold-blooded product of Nazi culture”, “a hired assassin of a new order based on blood and terror”. Whether von Werra was cold-blooded or an assassin is questionable.<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdrAkgfwuqsflLbvyekrGVwz2Zwn1AKLGL9nUfh4g1xXT8BLmlgbEfL2tBsISAiJ1HOiwQNVVqndfjwVCuTv0HNiUaxVzbmDNMuuP3c8Zhyphenhyphen1aOKP1GybT75SZ84mmfLjDTYdbZ4sLrUwv/s640/von+werra2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdrAkgfwuqsflLbvyekrGVwz2Zwn1AKLGL9nUfh4g1xXT8BLmlgbEfL2tBsISAiJ1HOiwQNVVqndfjwVCuTv0HNiUaxVzbmDNMuuP3c8Zhyphenhyphen1aOKP1GybT75SZ84mmfLjDTYdbZ4sLrUwv/s320/von+werra2.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>Once he arrived in New York City von Werra was brought to the Hotel Astor by the German Consulate. After a bail hearing on Ellis Island he was released on $15,000 bond. However, von Werra didn’t stick around for the deportation hearing. He made his way to Mexico City, then South America before arriving in Berlin in April 1941. Once there he briefed German officials on how to prevent POWs from escaping.<p>
<p>Seen as a hero by the Nazis, Baron von Werra did not survive to see the end of the war. That October he was killed while on a routine patrol after his plane crashed in the North Sea and after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 there was no question of U.S. neutrality or which side it would join.<p>
Julie Madlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10703610585314949416noreply@blogger.com0