by Richard White
“We have portrayed, in Motion Pictures, in a most vivid and realistic manner, the methods employed by the ‘White Caps’ to rid the community of undesirable citizens.” This was a statement from an advertisement in the New York Clipper on October 14, 1905 for a new movie called “The White Caps” which depicts graphically a husband’s drunken attack on his wife, and the tactics of these moral crusaders and nighttime raiders used to deter him from making another attack. Since the late 1800’s, this movement produced locally organized vigilante squads—usually men but on occasion women -- who wore white hoods when they operated outside of the law as shown in the movie. While the movie was art imitating life, the reality in New York in 1905 was that White Caps were actively engaged in missions of morality in the small towns of Darien Center, Rhinecliff, Penfield, and East Syracuse.
In the quiet hamlet of Darien Center in Genessee County in early February it appears that there were no White Cap operatives. The arrival of one or two families from Batavia prompted their quick formation. According to Batavia’s The Daily News on the 27th, the newcomers “were too lazy to work and were begging through the neighborhood.” On two occasions they were “white-capped,” or confronted in person, by the newly formed band, and “ordered to leave town.” Although these White Caps were recently organized, the movement’s methods were well-known, and the new people left in a hurry. This appears to be the only case of the year in which legal action was taken against the rioters. Two of them who were somehow recognized were “arraigned on a charge of riot” but were released when no one appeared to testify against them. A few months later another White Cap morality foray materialized in a Hudson Valley village.
In July in Rhinecliff in Dutchess County, a mob of White Caps was formed to deal with a wife-beater. The Rhinebeck Gazette observed on July 8 that “there comes a startling tale from Rhinecliff that the picturesque little station village has a band of ‘whitecaps’ duly and properly capped and all its own.” Their solution to this public shame was a beating of the man, Thomas McElroy. One week later, the newspaper published a letter that summed up the situation when the author wrote “Rhinecliff is noted for its peaceful and quiet citizens, and there is no danger of any person being molested in any manner if they behave themselves.” As usual, White Caps sought a solution outside of the law in the form of summary punishment as they would near Rochester in the Fall.
The White Caps of Penfield in Monroe County knew that Allen Decker had acted badly when he induced a married woman in late October to leave town with him—in fact, she brought along her two children. They went to Niagara Falls where Decker was arrested - apparently on a warrant from a judge in Penfield—on a charge of petit larceny for stealing the children’s clothes. Upon his return to face the judge he was fined and released. Vigilante justice awaited him on February 28 when the town’s White Caps dragged him out of the house where he hid. According to the Monroe County Mail, Allen suffered two humiliations. First, he received “a liberal coating of warm tar” (other sources indicate that feathers were then applied). Second, he was “conveyed to the village mill pond, where a rope was tied about his body to prevent his escape, and he was then thrown into the water and given a good sousing. Pulling him out of the water he was ordered to leave town and he obeyed the order with alacrity.” Within a matter of days in a small village in Onondaga County, there would be a reason for action by the self-appointed morals marauders.
In East Syracuse, there was one planned, and one unplanned, attack by the locale’s White Caps. Their intention was to thrash a husband for wife beating after he became indignant when she tried to dissuade him from seeing another woman. On November 9, The Syracuse Journal described how they gave Frederick John Smith a beating that “he will not likely soon to forget.” However, circumstances arose that spurred another beating when the “other woman,” Mrs. Clark Teft, became involved. Teft rushed to the scene carrying a club, and a few of the White Caps turned on her which resulted in “severe injury to her nose.” These brave, hooded men forcefully stoppeda woman from interfering with their operation.
In 1906, there was no sequel to “The White Caps,” although groups of them in real life continued their reign of terror in New York for a few more years. In August, for example, they covered a man with green paint and feathers due to his relationship with a married woman in East Syracuse. Other communities where they organized and operated that year include Jordan, Tonawanda, and Milton.
About the author: Richard White's articles have appeared in Civil War History, The Journal of Negro History, and other publications.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Frederick Douglass in Whitney’s Point, 1880
by Richard White
“Bear with me kindly, for my voice is broken, and my throat is ragged and sore.” These were the words of the famous orator, Frederick Douglass, on October 22, 1880 in Whitney’s Point (now known as Whitney Point) as published a few days later in the weekly Broome Republican. In spite of a sore throat, he spoke to hundreds of people in “front of the academy” for two hours on an almost sacred topic to him — to rally voters to the Republican Party in this Presidential election year. Douglass had often stated, “The Republican Party is the ship, all else is the sea.” In the Point and elsewhere, he addressed crowds of all races about the seaworthiness of this “ship.”
For the second year in a row, the Republican State Committee selected him to campaign around the State on behalf of its candidates. After all, not only was he skilled speaker but also a devoted Republican. In fact, in 1879 in Binghamton, he addressed a crowded Ouaquaga Hall on behalf of the Party, and its gubernatorial candidate, Alonzo Cornell.
The Binghamton Daily Republican offers the most thorough coverage of this event in its October 23 issue. Most of Douglass’ speech in the Point extolled the virtues of Republicans. After all, he declared, “thanks for the magnanimity, humanity, and greatness of the Republican Party, I am an American citizen.” A “grand procession” led by people carrying flags and banners, and “a large cavalry company,” took Douglass to the stage where “a vast audience” awaited him. Not surprisingly, local Democrats were anxious. Earlier on the 22nd , the Binghamton Daily Democrat demeaned Douglass, stating that he only supported Garfield in order “to hold onto a good thing four years longer” in regard to Douglass’ position as U.S. Marshall for the District of Columbia. The newspaper concluded by suggesting that “Fred., although not a full-blooded white man, has more brains than all the [unreadable] law combined in the county.” But Douglass was at least used to such derision, and worse.
His opening remarks were patriotic, and not partisan-- Frederick Douglass profusely praised America. The Daily Republican recorded Douglass's words, some of which were,
“Ours is a great land. We see its greatness manifested in its commerce….in agriculture, invention, and the cultivation of the high arts. But it is greater in nothing than in the recognition which it bestows upon the rights of its people. We are here to exercise this afternoon one of its rights—the unchecked freedom of speech.”
Later, he reasoned why voters must consider Republican office seekers. “Parties make candidates….Whatever may be said in behalf of a candidate it is better to know and understand the party that supports him. Parties are the assimilation of moral conditions….and principles of a people. ” Douglass must have praised to his Party’s nominee for President, James Garfield — as he would at a rally in New York City on October 25—but the Daily Republican’s coverage does not say so. (The local Democratic newspapers do not offer follow-up coverage on this rally).
Douglass did not stay in Broome County for long. His schedule required a political stump speech the next day in Woodhull in Steuben County. In Whitney’s Point, though, he illustrated why he was sometimes called “Old Man Eloquent,” especially for his devoted support of the Republican Party.
 |
| Frederick Douglass |
For the second year in a row, the Republican State Committee selected him to campaign around the State on behalf of its candidates. After all, not only was he skilled speaker but also a devoted Republican. In fact, in 1879 in Binghamton, he addressed a crowded Ouaquaga Hall on behalf of the Party, and its gubernatorial candidate, Alonzo Cornell.
The Binghamton Daily Republican offers the most thorough coverage of this event in its October 23 issue. Most of Douglass’ speech in the Point extolled the virtues of Republicans. After all, he declared, “thanks for the magnanimity, humanity, and greatness of the Republican Party, I am an American citizen.” A “grand procession” led by people carrying flags and banners, and “a large cavalry company,” took Douglass to the stage where “a vast audience” awaited him. Not surprisingly, local Democrats were anxious. Earlier on the 22nd , the Binghamton Daily Democrat demeaned Douglass, stating that he only supported Garfield in order “to hold onto a good thing four years longer” in regard to Douglass’ position as U.S. Marshall for the District of Columbia. The newspaper concluded by suggesting that “Fred., although not a full-blooded white man, has more brains than all the [unreadable] law combined in the county.” But Douglass was at least used to such derision, and worse.
His opening remarks were patriotic, and not partisan-- Frederick Douglass profusely praised America. The Daily Republican recorded Douglass's words, some of which were,
“Ours is a great land. We see its greatness manifested in its commerce….in agriculture, invention, and the cultivation of the high arts. But it is greater in nothing than in the recognition which it bestows upon the rights of its people. We are here to exercise this afternoon one of its rights—the unchecked freedom of speech.”
Later, he reasoned why voters must consider Republican office seekers. “Parties make candidates….Whatever may be said in behalf of a candidate it is better to know and understand the party that supports him. Parties are the assimilation of moral conditions….and principles of a people. ” Douglass must have praised to his Party’s nominee for President, James Garfield — as he would at a rally in New York City on October 25—but the Daily Republican’s coverage does not say so. (The local Democratic newspapers do not offer follow-up coverage on this rally).
Douglass did not stay in Broome County for long. His schedule required a political stump speech the next day in Woodhull in Steuben County. In Whitney’s Point, though, he illustrated why he was sometimes called “Old Man Eloquent,” especially for his devoted support of the Republican Party.
About the author: Richard White's articles have appeared in Civil War History, The Journal of Negro History, and other publications.
Friday, February 10, 2017
“No Man’s Land” Revisited
 |
| The New York and Vermont State 1814 Border Monument and the 1904 Marble Obelisk on Washington County Route 153. |
Salem, New York Historian
When James and Marilyn Alcott, residents of Beattie Hollow Road, invited me to visit the deteriorating Beattie Hollow boundary monument with them, I realized that another chapter regarding “no man’s land” needed to be written.
Few people remember the long-standing, and sometimes violent, border disagreement between New York and Vermont. In particular, the land of the Town of Rupert, Vermont, bordering Salem and Hebron, was hotly contended. In fact, the boundaries between New York and her other neighboring states and Canada were contested for many years until properly surveyed, agreed upon by the surveyors of both sides, and officially approved by their respective legislatures. New York agreed to the boundary on June 8, 1812; Vermont agreed to the boundary on November 6, 1812.
According to The History of New York State, Book I, Chapter I, Pt. III, by Dr. James Sullivan, once the boundary survey had been approved, markers were to be placed every mile along the boundary of Canada, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, until uniformity was decided upon as to the placement and type of the monuments, monuments were of various sizes, shapes and materials.
Historical records show that state and international boundary line settlements with New York took place over a span of years as the boundaries were resurveyed with more accurate equipment and old monuments located. Sullivan notes the years other land surveys were approved: Canada in 1842, Connecticut’s original 1731 boundary was re-certified in 1879, Massachusetts in 1853, New Jersey in 1834, and Pennsylvania’s 1786 boundary was recertified in 1885.
The settlement between New York and Vermont citizens was particularly contentious as described in Crisfield Johnson’s History of Washington County, New York, 1737 to 1878 and as found in the personal stories recorded by Dr. Asa Fitch, Jr. in his Manuscript History of Washington County, NY.
In 1742, the first Vermont settlers arrived from Massachusetts to settle near Brattleboro, Vermont. Their settlement became controversial since both New York and New Hampshire claimed the land between the Connecticut and Hudson River. In 1764, King George III, ruled in favor of New York State, but the early Vermont settlers refused to pay for land they considered theirs under the title of the New Hampshire Grants awarded by Royal Governor Benning Wentworth. They organized militias in 1771 and vigorously resisted the authority of New York State. Crisfield Johnson, and later, genealogist Merritt C. Barden in his 1928 book, Vermont, Once No Man’s Land noted that many of the skirmishes against the Yorkers, led by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, were violent. Barden tells us that when Yorker landholders and suspected Tories like Rueben Nobles, Charles Hutchinson and John Reid were forcibly driven from their Vermont property, they sought refuge on the New York side in Upper White Creek [Salem] and Black Creek [Hebron].
Numerous recollections, taken from witnesses, are found in the Dr. Asa Fitch, Jr. manuscript notes. Their statements reflect the hotly divided political and land ownership conflict on both sides. The violence against Charles Hutchinson and John Reid is recorded in the Fitch manuscript. Charles Hutchinson “was a former Sgt. in a Highland Regiment, residing in Hebron, [Black Creek] NY.” He was “driven by Ethan Allen from lands granted to him on Indian River because he would not admit that the N.H. title was as good as a N.Y. title. Allen ejected him from his house & burned it. On the same day, John Reid’s house was burnt & 8 or 9 other families were driven from the area.” The burned out pioneers took shelter in Salem at the house of [Presbyterian Minister] Dr. Clark where on “November 12, 1771, Esq. McNachten swore out warrants for the “rioters’ arrest.”
Hutchinson and Reid were not alone in the attacks, according to Fitch’s notes: “Other settlers in the lower section of Arlington, Vt. considered themselves as part of N.Y.; Dr. Samuel Adams was a known Yorker, but never took an active role in the controversy beyond expressing his opinion; nevertheless, he was taken by the Bennington people (Hampshire men) & tried at Bennington before the Allens & Warner; tied him in a chair, he was drawn up to hang from a tavern sign for 2 hrs., exposed to the insults & jeers of the rabble assembled there.”
The Yorkers retaliated according to Fitch. Sheriff John Esq. Munro and his “posse attempted to eject settlers and the Bennington people rallied with Ethan Allen & Remember Baker, stationing themselves on a hill at Sancoick [Hoosick Falls] N.Y. , with Munro’s posse at its base.” Believing Allen had a canon, really a hollow log, Munro and his posse left. Sheriff Munro did not give up, however. “On March 22, 1772, Remember Baker was arrested, (probably in Est. Arlington).”
The capture of Baker and his ultimate escape shows the fast change of events between the Vermonters and the Yorkers. Fitch continues:
When 5 others; Munro’s party arrived in a sleigh & found Baker alone with his wife and son; when taken, he [Baker] was slightly wounded, presumably by a cutlass, bound, & kept with a guard in the rear of Munro’s sleigh; his [Baker’s] son Oziah attempted to give alarm, but was also detained. Passing by Mr. Bottom’s house in Shaftsbury, Baker raised a bloodied hand, feigning to wave, & was noticed from a window by Dolly Bottom, who alerted the house; 2 riders were sent to Bennington with news, & a party of 12-15 men were mounted to intercept Munro’s sleigh at N. Hoosick; they arrived behind him & followed his track for several miles when he turned into ‘beaten wood-road’; when the road ended in the forest, Munro’s party had to leave behind the prisoner for fear of their own capture.
As fate would have it, the land dispute soon took a backseat to the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775, at which time the Vermonters joined the rest of the Colonies in opposing British rule, and the Green Mountain Boys made history at Fort Ticonderoga.
After the final battles of the Revolutionary War in 1781, Crisfield Johnson states that the residents of Cambridge, Salem, Granville, and seven other border towns that had been caught up in border skirmishes over property rights, considered joining the State of Vermont. The secession failed when strong threats of war were made by the legislatures of New Hampshire and New York. Furthermore, objections were loudly voiced by those Scottish soldiers and settlers of Upper White Creek [Salem] and Black Creek [Hebron] who “had had their houses burned and had been otherwise ill-treated by Ethan Allen’s mob before the Revolution.”
Despite this setback, Vermont remained independent, forming its own Republic in 1784 until the discord between New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire was put aside. On October 7, 1790, New York State relinquished it claim on the Vermont lands when Vermont paid $30,000 to settle all land claims, and on March 4, 1791, Vermont was recognized as a separate state and admitted to the Union.
However, admittance to the Union did not end the boundary dispute between New York and Vermont. Determining the boundary lines took another 21 years at the end of which time both states passed laws, setting up Commissioners to describe the joint boundary line.
According to the Report of the Regents of the University, “On the boundaries of the state of New York,” Vol. 2, 1874, the New York State legislators on June 8, 1812 passed an official “Act to designate and establish the Boundary Line between this State and the State of Vermont.” New Yorkers Robert Yates, Robert R. Livingston, John Lansing, Jr., Julian C. Verplanck, Simeon DeWitt, Egbert Benson, Richard Sill and Melancthon Smith were commissioned to confirm the joint boundary line. They worked with Vermont appointed commissioners Isaac Tichenor, Stephen R. Bradley, Nathaniel Chipman, Elijah Paine, Ira Allen, Stephen Jacob, and Israel Smith, who verified the boundary survey.
The New York State boundary law preamble spelled out the purpose of the law: “Whereas it is represented to the legislature that the boundary line between this state and the state of Vermont has not been designated by permanent marks of monuments: And whereas it is necessary, in order to prevent litigation between the citizens of the said states, that the said line should be plainly designated and finally established.” The full text of the law further describes in surveyor’s terms the location of surveyor’s markers and monuments on the New York and Vermont state boundary.
Along the whole of the New York-Vermont state line are surveyor’s markers and boundary monuments, originally consisted of marked trees, natural rocks, rock piles and marble tablets. The original marble tablets were engraved with Vermont on one side and New York on the other. Later, granite obelisks were erected. Tyler Resch, research librarian, of the Bennington Museum attributes the granite monuments to Vermont Governor John McCullough who, during his 1902-1904 terms, ordered their placement. The Vermont granite boundary monuments are four feet and eight inches tall and mounted on a rubble stone and mortar base on which the east side is engraved with the word Vermont 1812 and the west side engraved with the word New York 1812 and the inscription “Renewed 1904.” A number, identifying the stone, can also be seen on some of the bases still intact. The Beattie Hollow Road and the Rupert Road monuments are good examples showing all engravings. For example the Beattie Hollow monument is engraved with “No 60.”
The Salem-Vermont markers, seven of which can be seen from the road today, mark the border between State Route 313 and County Route 153. Two monuments exist on Hog Back Ridge but require a good mountain hike. Also, the granite monument found on the way to Egg Mountain can be accessed by Blind Buck Road but also requires a good mountain hike by a private trail. This writer did not attempt either hike, but according to local hunters (most hunters and hikers know of the marker whereabouts since they make good landmarks in the woods) these granite monuments still stand in the general vicinity identified on the topographic map as State Line Ridge and Hog Mountain Ridge, but more locally known as the Tate Hill and Prindle Hill markers.
The location of the Salem markers can be found on the United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Maps showing the Salem-Rupert and Shushan Quadrants. This writer found them on an old 1946 version. Easily seen by taking a road trip, as this writer did with a car and camera, are the seven roadside monument sites.
Beginning in the southeast corner of the town of Salem and running south to north on the border are markers in the southeast corner of Salem on State Route 313 and Chunks Brook Road. The State Route 313 monument, directly across from the State Line Lunch diner, is gone, and its base deteriorated almost beyond recognition—it is rubble. However, about 25 feet north of the old base and almost hidden, the top of what is left of the granite obelisk sticks up out of a pile of rubble stones. The remains of this monument base and top are easy to find with a brief walk along the north side of the highway.
After a short drive north, the granite monument at the north end of Chunks Brook Road stands, but its base is badly deteriorated. A short drive away, the granite monument on Camden Valley Road-West Sandgate Road is also easily seen from the road. Its base is damaged also, but the engraved words “Renewed 1903” are visible.
The granite monument on Beattie Hollow Road is easily seen from the road. It too has a deteriorating base, but all of the engravings are mostly legible. The granite monument at the end of Chambers Road (leading to Perkins Hollow) is broken off--the top part lies at the feet of the almost completely deteriorated base on which few engravings survive.
The granite monument and marble tablet across the road from each other on County Route 153 (Rupert Road) are both in excellent shape except for a corner broken on the obelisk base. The New York marble tablet found here is the only one this writer found in his search. The marble tablet is inscribed on one side with Vermont and the other with New York and dated 1814. With the exception of one granite obelisk base inscribed with “Renewed 1903,” all other bases that had enough left of them to read were engraved with the words “Renewed 1904.”
To this writer’s knowledge, no repair of the bases or the boundary monuments of either state has taken place recently. Obviously, their deteriorating state signals a need to evaluate the condition of all state boundary monuments.
The wise decision over two hundred years ago to fix the boundaries with boundary monuments began an era of cooperative between our neighboring states and Canada. The monuments remind us of that cooperation.
Sources
Barden, Merritt Clark. Vermont, Once No Man’s Land. Rutland: The Tuttle Company, 1928.
Daniel J. Pratt, ed., Report of the Regent of the University on the boundaries of the State of New York.
(Albany: The Argus Company Printers, 1874).
James Sullivan, ed., History of New York State, Book 1, Chapter 1, Part 3 (New York: Lewis Historical
Publishing Company, 1927).
Johnson, Crisfield. History of Washington County, New York, 1878. Philadelphia: Everts and Ensign
Publisher, 1878.
Kenneth A. Perry, ed., The Fitch Gazetteer an Annotated Index to The Manuscript History of Washington County, New York, vols. 4 (Bowie: Heritage Books, Inc., 1999).
Tyler Resch, research librarian, The Fourteenth State.
Available from library@benningtonmuseum.org.
Monday, January 30, 2017
The Joseph Belt Case’s Impact on NYC’s on Black Residents, 1848
By Richard White
“The case has caused a great deal of excitement among the colored population, the Court room and the avenues being densely crowded…” This was the reportage in New York City’s Morning Courier on December 27, 1848 concerning the case of alleged fugitive slave from Maryland, Joseph Belt, before State Supreme Court Judge, John W. Edmonds, at City Hall. The case intensified African American sentiments so much that they held a meeting on Christmas night to record their concerns.
The case arose from the seizure of an alleged runaway slave beginning on December 20, and the quick action the same day by Judge Edmonds to prevent his forced departure. Judge Edmonds’ hearings began three days later in order to allow attorneys time to prepare. In Gateway To Freedom (2015), Eric Foner describes Belt’s chief attorney, John Jay II, as emerging “as the city’s leading lawyer in fugitive slave cases”(page 112). Jay’s studious arguments, and Edmonds’ sympathy for Belt, resulted in the defendant’s freedom on December 29. However, “the colored population” did more than pack Edmonds’ courtroom. They staged a rally, which has been a neglected aspect of the Belt case.
Led by a civil rights activist, Jeremiah Powers, a protest meeting was organized in Terence Hall on Church Street on December 25, no doubt due to the pressing nature of the case. As Chairman, Powers orchestrated the writing a five-part resolution that underscored their anger, as reported the next day in the New York Tribune. Section 1, for example, emphatically declares that the kidnapping of Belt “is an alarming outrage upon all the social and civil rights and guarantees of the citizens of New York.” Section 2 states that the case “affects the security of every colored man, woman, and child in the City.” Sections 3 and 5 refer to the principles “of the process of law” and ”due process” in any case like Belt’s. However, when these two legal principles are ignored, then Section 4 mandates that “no colored person ought to allow themselves to be arrested as a slave upon any conditions whatsoever: at the risk of life itself….they should deem it a question of life and death, to be settled on the spot….” This pointed language entails no reading between the lines.
Edmonds’ decision to free Belt sparked a display of deep relief that was covered across this State. On December 30, for instance, the Geneva Gazette, described the final scene as follows: “[Belt] was borne in triumph from the City Hall by a large company of colored people who rent the air with acclamations of joy,” and apparently left the City. Due to circumstances in New York City at the time, a black man was not enslaved, and freedom prevailed.
About the author: Richard White's articles have appeared in Civil War History, The Journal of Negro History, and other publications.
“The case has caused a great deal of excitement among the colored population, the Court room and the avenues being densely crowded…” This was the reportage in New York City’s Morning Courier on December 27, 1848 concerning the case of alleged fugitive slave from Maryland, Joseph Belt, before State Supreme Court Judge, John W. Edmonds, at City Hall. The case intensified African American sentiments so much that they held a meeting on Christmas night to record their concerns.
The case arose from the seizure of an alleged runaway slave beginning on December 20, and the quick action the same day by Judge Edmonds to prevent his forced departure. Judge Edmonds’ hearings began three days later in order to allow attorneys time to prepare. In Gateway To Freedom (2015), Eric Foner describes Belt’s chief attorney, John Jay II, as emerging “as the city’s leading lawyer in fugitive slave cases”(page 112). Jay’s studious arguments, and Edmonds’ sympathy for Belt, resulted in the defendant’s freedom on December 29. However, “the colored population” did more than pack Edmonds’ courtroom. They staged a rally, which has been a neglected aspect of the Belt case.
Led by a civil rights activist, Jeremiah Powers, a protest meeting was organized in Terence Hall on Church Street on December 25, no doubt due to the pressing nature of the case. As Chairman, Powers orchestrated the writing a five-part resolution that underscored their anger, as reported the next day in the New York Tribune. Section 1, for example, emphatically declares that the kidnapping of Belt “is an alarming outrage upon all the social and civil rights and guarantees of the citizens of New York.” Section 2 states that the case “affects the security of every colored man, woman, and child in the City.” Sections 3 and 5 refer to the principles “of the process of law” and ”due process” in any case like Belt’s. However, when these two legal principles are ignored, then Section 4 mandates that “no colored person ought to allow themselves to be arrested as a slave upon any conditions whatsoever: at the risk of life itself….they should deem it a question of life and death, to be settled on the spot….” This pointed language entails no reading between the lines.
Edmonds’ decision to free Belt sparked a display of deep relief that was covered across this State. On December 30, for instance, the Geneva Gazette, described the final scene as follows: “[Belt] was borne in triumph from the City Hall by a large company of colored people who rent the air with acclamations of joy,” and apparently left the City. Due to circumstances in New York City at the time, a black man was not enslaved, and freedom prevailed.
About the author: Richard White's articles have appeared in Civil War History, The Journal of Negro History, and other publications.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
From Boyhood to the Battlefield and Beyond: Cherry Creek Seven at Verdun at the end of The Great War
By Sharon Howe Sweeting and Joanne Mansfield
CHERRY CREEK NY November 2016
Kindled by the eyewitness accounts written by Private Donald D. Curtis to his father Edgar, we researched the other six lads traveling with the Buffalo New York Regiment called into service on July 15, 1917, and drafted into the US Army as the 106th Field Artillery on August 4, 1917. Our lads enlisted in June/July 1917 but most did not travel overseas until June 1918 following training at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina.
A letter headed “Somewhere on the Atlantic” dated June 1918, describes the journey with the flotilla including the troop carrier, destroyers and smaller vessels and introduces us to the lads. First we meet Curtis’s friend Harold [Harold Blaisdell], and then Fowler [Laverne Fowler]. Next we meet Abbey [Charles Abbey], Dick [Richard Langworthy], Dub [Hobart James] and Hub [Ray Hubbard].
“We Cherry Creek fellows have been together a great deal, playing 500 [Rummy]. Our band plays twice a day – morning and afternoon. They are improving too. ” [Hub plays the bugle.]
“I hear they got a couple of submarines off the Jersey coast yesterday. They put up all the important news they pick up on the wireless. I see Harold a great deal. There is a Y.M.C.A. man on board so we can get books. You can’t get away from the Red Cross or the Y.M., they are everywhere.”
“Harold and I are sitting behind a life boat writing. We have a wonderful view from here. Just water everywhere but it is such a pretty color. . . . Probably Dad is up the lake fishing now. We might be sailing on Chautauqua now only this ship is about as wide as those boats are long.”
We expect to reach port either tomorrow P.M. or the next morning... We got up at 2.30 AM now that we are in the danger zone, because the submarine is the most active just before daylight. We have an Irishman on our raft who can neither read nor write but sings Irish songs and wishes for a bit of whiskey. “Well, we’ve had a peach of a trip. I feel fine but dirty.”
FRANCE September 26, 1918
A letter headed “Somewhere on the Atlantic” dated June 1918, describes the journey with the flotilla including the troop carrier, destroyers and smaller vessels and introduces us to the lads. First we meet Curtis’s friend Harold [Harold Blaisdell], and then Fowler [Laverne Fowler]. Next we meet Abbey [Charles Abbey], Dick [Richard Langworthy], Dub [Hobart James] and Hub [Ray Hubbard].
“We Cherry Creek fellows have been together a great deal, playing 500 [Rummy]. Our band plays twice a day – morning and afternoon. They are improving too. ” [Hub plays the bugle.]
“I hear they got a couple of submarines off the Jersey coast yesterday. They put up all the important news they pick up on the wireless. I see Harold a great deal. There is a Y.M.C.A. man on board so we can get books. You can’t get away from the Red Cross or the Y.M., they are everywhere.”
“Harold and I are sitting behind a life boat writing. We have a wonderful view from here. Just water everywhere but it is such a pretty color. . . . Probably Dad is up the lake fishing now. We might be sailing on Chautauqua now only this ship is about as wide as those boats are long.”
We expect to reach port either tomorrow P.M. or the next morning... We got up at 2.30 AM now that we are in the danger zone, because the submarine is the most active just before daylight. We have an Irishman on our raft who can neither read nor write but sings Irish songs and wishes for a bit of whiskey. “Well, we’ve had a peach of a trip. I feel fine but dirty.”
FRANCE September 26, 1918
“Dear Folks: I just haven’t had time to write for most a month. We are busy. I don’t even get a chance to wash. Just watch the papers for today or tomorrow. We’re well. I’ve been in. I got your letter no. 20 today but I haven’t time to write – only a card. Probably this will be faded by the time you get it. We hiked 20 miles one night. I’ve gone 48 hours without sleep two or three times. I haven’t slept in the last 48 hours. I’ve got a great deal to write but I haven’t the time now. Don’t worry. I’m fine.
Love Donald”
COMPIEGNE, FRANCE 11TH Hour, 11TH Day, 11th Month, 1918 Armistice signed in a railroad car parked in the French forest near the front lines. Fini la guerre!
FRANCE, November 16, 1918
“Dear Folks: Well it’s over; Thank God! But we are still in the line; just sort of keeping an eye on the Jerry’s, you know, in case they don’t move quite fast enough.” “I am a lineman now and have to see to the communication line of the battery. No more machine gun now. I like this work fine; we get a lot of exercise walking and you know I always used to fool around with wires, etc. I got the pen O.K. three days ago. Did you ever get the German helmet I sent home? . . . Monday night word was received, you should see the rockets and star shells go up, it’s great. There is a stream of returned French prisoners going by here all the time. Oh the Jerrys are surely thru. Keep on writing because I’ll be here awhile yet.
Lots of love, Donald”
VERDUN, FRANCE November 24, 1918 Sergeant Laverne Fowler writes:
“Verdun it is and Verdun it has been, best known by the greatest battles fought there in the early part of the war [21 Feb to 18 Dec 1916, French prevailed] and later by the Americans entry in this sector, Verdun probably saw more action than any other front.
We detrained about Sept. 1 near the city of Bar-le-duc and started to hike in a northeasterly direction. This settled in our minds that it was Verdun and not Metz. Then on through Issoncourt, and Nixerville, Fromerville, and Bethlainville, our first positions. Here we received our first shelling and every one rather enjoyed the occasion. Several times here I went on ahead by Montzeville and Eames to the first lines and every thing was quiet. Our next position was on La Mort Hommes – Dead Man’s Hill. There we took part in the biggest and best barrage ever thrown over on any front. That started the ball a rolling and from Sept. 26 until the armistice, Verdun was no more a quiet sector. Then came Foiyes and Gercourt and then a long hike back to Nixerville, Charny, Beas, Vichyville and Brabant. Here we throw over our last big barrage and also received considerable fire from the Germans. Here they got one of our guns and strange to say I got it in the leg here also. The fellows kid me a good deal about the little gold stripe, the only one in the battery. This valley is known as the Valley of Death and the whole sector is Hell Gate. We moved once more and made some fine positions but never fired again.
I went ahead to Danvillers where Jerry made his last stand or stopped long enough to get his breath.
Here I found the concrete trenches which the Germans held almost sacred; but every thing went before our artillery fire, fields were plowed, forests shot down, roads and railroads torn up, trenches and batteries demolished. No man could have stayed there alive. Jerry retreated to his three last hills, we took a bigger and higher one opposite and the armistice was signed.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, all became quiet and I hope it always may remain thus. I was in at the finish and am satisfied. My work consisted in keeping the battery supplied with ammunition fuses and powder.”
FRANCE: Some Place, Thanksgiving [1918]:
Donald takes up the story: “Rec’d a couple of letters from you the other day. Abbey showed me the pictures of the effigies. I haven’t rec’d any yet but I presume you have sent one. LaVerne and I are going to church this A.M. I was down at Verdun, Sunday P.M. with Hub and Abbey, saw the fortifications and went through the cathedral and the College of Margaret. They certainly shelled the town some. You can read all about war but you can’t realize what it is until you see it. I guess we are going to have beef for dinner. I guess the turkeys don’t reach up this far. … Ray and I just came back from church. It was the first Protestant service I’ve heard since we were back in Camp de Longe. I guess they think there are just Catholics in the army. . . . It made me smile to read of your experience coming back from Mayville and the lights going out. Why up at the front, you never saw a light of any description and traffic that would make Main St. & Seneca in Bfo, [Buffalo] seem like a deserted village.”
VERDUN Salvation Army, December 7, 1918 “Dear Folks: I’m feeling great but anxious to get home. … I haven’t the least idea when but I’m coming.
We were reviewed the other day by the general of the American Artillery i.e., he is head of all artillery in the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) and he said that the 52nd Brigade was without doubt the Best in the A.E.F. How’s that? Sure, I know you and I have always said so.
We haven’t any horses how, but we are doing infantry drill. Battery F. is still considered and is the best battery in the Regt., and even the fellows in the 104th and 105th admit we have the best Regt.
The town [Cherry Creek] surely did well in that last subscription stunt. Never knew there was so much money there…
VERDUN, FRANCE November 24, 1918 Sergeant Laverne Fowler writes:
“Verdun it is and Verdun it has been, best known by the greatest battles fought there in the early part of the war [21 Feb to 18 Dec 1916, French prevailed] and later by the Americans entry in this sector, Verdun probably saw more action than any other front.
We detrained about Sept. 1 near the city of Bar-le-duc and started to hike in a northeasterly direction. This settled in our minds that it was Verdun and not Metz. Then on through Issoncourt, and Nixerville, Fromerville, and Bethlainville, our first positions. Here we received our first shelling and every one rather enjoyed the occasion. Several times here I went on ahead by Montzeville and Eames to the first lines and every thing was quiet. Our next position was on La Mort Hommes – Dead Man’s Hill. There we took part in the biggest and best barrage ever thrown over on any front. That started the ball a rolling and from Sept. 26 until the armistice, Verdun was no more a quiet sector. Then came Foiyes and Gercourt and then a long hike back to Nixerville, Charny, Beas, Vichyville and Brabant. Here we throw over our last big barrage and also received considerable fire from the Germans. Here they got one of our guns and strange to say I got it in the leg here also. The fellows kid me a good deal about the little gold stripe, the only one in the battery. This valley is known as the Valley of Death and the whole sector is Hell Gate. We moved once more and made some fine positions but never fired again.
I went ahead to Danvillers where Jerry made his last stand or stopped long enough to get his breath.
Here I found the concrete trenches which the Germans held almost sacred; but every thing went before our artillery fire, fields were plowed, forests shot down, roads and railroads torn up, trenches and batteries demolished. No man could have stayed there alive. Jerry retreated to his three last hills, we took a bigger and higher one opposite and the armistice was signed.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, all became quiet and I hope it always may remain thus. I was in at the finish and am satisfied. My work consisted in keeping the battery supplied with ammunition fuses and powder.”
FRANCE: Some Place, Thanksgiving [1918]:
Donald takes up the story: “Rec’d a couple of letters from you the other day. Abbey showed me the pictures of the effigies. I haven’t rec’d any yet but I presume you have sent one. LaVerne and I are going to church this A.M. I was down at Verdun, Sunday P.M. with Hub and Abbey, saw the fortifications and went through the cathedral and the College of Margaret. They certainly shelled the town some. You can read all about war but you can’t realize what it is until you see it. I guess we are going to have beef for dinner. I guess the turkeys don’t reach up this far. … Ray and I just came back from church. It was the first Protestant service I’ve heard since we were back in Camp de Longe. I guess they think there are just Catholics in the army. . . . It made me smile to read of your experience coming back from Mayville and the lights going out. Why up at the front, you never saw a light of any description and traffic that would make Main St. & Seneca in Bfo, [Buffalo] seem like a deserted village.”
VERDUN Salvation Army, December 7, 1918 “Dear Folks: I’m feeling great but anxious to get home. … I haven’t the least idea when but I’m coming.
We were reviewed the other day by the general of the American Artillery i.e., he is head of all artillery in the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) and he said that the 52nd Brigade was without doubt the Best in the A.E.F. How’s that? Sure, I know you and I have always said so.
We haven’t any horses how, but we are doing infantry drill. Battery F. is still considered and is the best battery in the Regt., and even the fellows in the 104th and 105th admit we have the best Regt.
The town [Cherry Creek] surely did well in that last subscription stunt. Never knew there was so much money there…
Lots of Love, Donald“
Censored by W.S. --- 2nd Lt. 106 F.A.
FRANCE near LAVEL, Christmas “Dear Folks: Well, it is a great day after all. . . . I got your Christmas letter and money order today. The day is perfect, very little snow this morning. Last night I went to midnight mass. The church is just about 200 feet from where we are billeted in a chateau. Last night at midnight, we could hear the church bells ringing all around; you know here in France, the little villages aren’t more than 3 miles apart and each one has a very fine church. Of course I didn’t understand the service but I felt better just for going anyway. Several fellows from the battalion sang in the choir. . . . Here’s what we had for dinner: Roast Goose (all you could eat), Dressing, Brown gravy, Mashed potatoes, Onions, celery, oranges, figs, Nuts, Bread and Butter, Cocoa. Wasn’t that some great meal?
I’m feeling fine. I got a letter from Harold yesterday; he says he is going directly home from the hospital. He is feeling great. We are back with the good old 27th now. We aren’t with the army of the occupation, thank God! I want to get home! I’m going to spend the summer fishing, etc. And then next fall I want to go to Ann Arbor for law. This is all the news I can think of.
Censored by W.S. --- 2nd Lt. 106 F.A.
FRANCE near LAVEL, Christmas “Dear Folks: Well, it is a great day after all. . . . I got your Christmas letter and money order today. The day is perfect, very little snow this morning. Last night I went to midnight mass. The church is just about 200 feet from where we are billeted in a chateau. Last night at midnight, we could hear the church bells ringing all around; you know here in France, the little villages aren’t more than 3 miles apart and each one has a very fine church. Of course I didn’t understand the service but I felt better just for going anyway. Several fellows from the battalion sang in the choir. . . . Here’s what we had for dinner: Roast Goose (all you could eat), Dressing, Brown gravy, Mashed potatoes, Onions, celery, oranges, figs, Nuts, Bread and Butter, Cocoa. Wasn’t that some great meal?
I’m feeling fine. I got a letter from Harold yesterday; he says he is going directly home from the hospital. He is feeling great. We are back with the good old 27th now. We aren’t with the army of the occupation, thank God! I want to get home! I’m going to spend the summer fishing, etc. And then next fall I want to go to Ann Arbor for law. This is all the news I can think of.
Love, Donald”
POSTSCRIPT
And the boys came home.
Donald Delameter Curtis: Donald enlisted in Buffalo on June 19, 1917. He belonged to Battery F, 3rd Field Artillery (FA), New York National Guard (Battery F 106 FA at discharge). His grades were Private 1 class July 18, 1917: Private Aug 12, 1918. He served overseas June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919 and was honorably discharged March 31, 1919.
He was the Son on Edgar and Grace Delamenter Curtis born 14 April 1898 in Cherry Creek, Chautauqua County; married Octavine A. Long in 1921; father of four children. Died 8 January 1969 in Florida and is buried in Cherry Creek Central Cemetery.
In 1930 Don D. Curtis is an attorney in Queens, New York, with a young son and his wife Octavine.
Harold Alfred Blaisdell: Harold enlisted in Buffalo on July 3, 1917. He was assigned to the M.D. 3rd Field Artillery New York National Guard. (Med Det 106, FA) to discharge. He became a Private 1cl on October 17, 1917. He served overseas June 6, 1918 to April 15, 1919 and was honorably discharged on May 13, 1919. According to his obituary “he served overseas with the famous 27th Division as an artilleryman, going through the hell of St. Mihiel and Meuse Argonne where he was severely wounded [powder explosion in German dugout]. Recovered.
He was the son of Alfred and Bertha Waite Blaisdell born in 1898 in Cherry Creek; married Florence Lenore Phillips in 1925; father of four children. Died 11 February 1964 “in a traffic accident while turning into his own driveway on Hunt Road” in Ellicott and is buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Lakewood. He had survived two World Wars and was a well-loved surgeon in Jamestown.
The 1930 Census lists Dr. Blaisdell as a surgeon living in Ellicott with his wife Florence and two children.
Laverne A. Fowler: Fowler enlisted 24 June 1916 in Buffalo and mustered 23 July 1917 as a Corporal with Company F 3rd Field Artillery, 1 October 1917 transferred to 106th F.A. He served overseas from June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919 as a supply Sgt. “keeping the battery supplied with ammunition fuses and powder.” Engaged in battles at St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Verdun and was wounded slightly on Nov. 3, 1918.
He was the son of Ruben and Edith Fowler, born 14 October 1895/96 in New York; married Helen in 1926; father of two daughters. Died 13 March 1964 and buried in Cherry Creek Central Cemetery.
In 1930 Laverne A. Fowler was a manager of a lounge company, living in Hamburg, Erie County with his wife Helen and a daughter.
Charles Newton Abbey: Abbey enlisted July 23, 1917 in Buffalo and was assigned to Company B 3rd Field Artillery New York National Guard; transferred to Co B 106th FA to discharge; Private 1 class Jan 1, 1919. He served overseas from June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919.
He was the son of Almon and Mary Ellen Farrington Abbey, born 26 September 1898 in Cherry Creek; graduated Cherry Creek High School June 26, 1916; presented a paper entitled “History of Historian and Prophecy of Prophetess” at graduation; married Florence J. Baker in 1924; father of two children. Died 27 October 1954 in Salamanca, Cattaraugus County and was buried in Wildwood Cemetery, Salamanca.
In 1930 Charles N. Abbey is a farm bureau agent living in Salamanca with two children and his wife Florence.
Richard Oscar Langworthy: Dick enlisted July 3, 1917 at National Guard in Buffalo assigned to Company G Battery F 3rd Field Artillery New York National Guard transferred to Battery F 106th FA to discharge. He served overseas June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919 as a mechanic, motor pool and driving instructor Private 1 class December 4, 1917.
Son of Lewis and Ella Curtis Langworthy, born 14 May 1898 in Bradford, Pennsylvania; married Marion Patton about 1923; father of two children. Died 7 January 1949 in Natrona County, Wyoming and was buried in Highland Cemetery, Caspar, Natrona, Wyoming.
In 1930 Richard O. Langworthy is an accountant for a refining company in Caspar, Natrona, Wyoming with two children and his wife Marion.
Hobart Robert James: Dub enlisted 23 July 1917 at Buffalo, mustered 25 July 1917 as Pvt. Company B, 3rd Field Artillery. Grade was Waggoner (transported food and supplies to the front lines); served overseas from June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919.
Son of Albert and Sharlot Francis Davison James, born 12 May 1896 in Cherry Creek; married Linnie Beck in 1924; no children. Died 28 July 1975 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania and is buried in Cherry Creek Central Cemetery.
In 1930 Hobart R. James is an accountant for a utilities company living in Franklin, Ohio with his wife Linnie.
M. Ray Hubbard: Hub enlisted July 30, 1917 at National Guard in Buffalo assigned to Company B Battery F 3rd Field Artillery New York National Guard; trans. to Btry. F 106th FA. Bugler and served as a camouflager on front line (camouflage the guns, dugouts and positions from aerial observation). Served overseas June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919; discharged April 7, 1919.
Son of Elvin and Helen Hubbard, born 1 November 1896 in Cherry Creek; married Mildred White in 1925; father of one daughter. Died 28 January 1970 in Wyoming County, New York and buried in Arcade Rural Cemetery, Arcade.
In 1930 Ray Hubbard is a clerk for Standard Oil, living in Kenmore, Erie County, New York with his daughter and wife Mildred.
And so ends the tale of the Cherry Creek Seven: their military experiences, their civilian lives and finally their deaths and burials.
Sources:
Eight typed, mimeographed letters given to the Cherry Creek Town Museum were rescued from a dumpster by Steven Hudson. Dating from June 1918 the letters from Donald D. Curtis were to his father Edgar Curtis, a Cherry Creek attorney. Edgar had Donald's original hand-written letters typed and mimeographed as he did with other documents.
The United States entered the war April 6, 1917 under the command of Major General John H. Pershing; more than 2 million US soldiers fought on the battlefields in France. Our soldiers fought in battles around Verdun, Argonne Forest and St. Mihiel in Dept. of Meuse, Lorraine in the north-east corner of France near the borders with Belgium and Germany, September-October 1918; these battles were instrumental in bringing the war to an end.
Abstracts of National Guard Service in World War I, 1917-1919, New York, State Adjutant General’s Office. New York State Archives, Albany, New York. (Original Data)
Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. (Original data)
New York, Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917-1919. Adjutant General’s Office. Series BO808. New York State Archives, Albany, New York. (Original data)
Source Records of the Great War edited by Charles R. Horne, 4 vols. National Alumni, 1923.
War Book of the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment Field Artillery, United States Army, 1917-1919; 106th Field Artillery, 52nd Brigade, Battery “F” 27th Division. (archive.org for original pamphlet)
POSTSCRIPT
And the boys came home.
Donald Delameter Curtis: Donald enlisted in Buffalo on June 19, 1917. He belonged to Battery F, 3rd Field Artillery (FA), New York National Guard (Battery F 106 FA at discharge). His grades were Private 1 class July 18, 1917: Private Aug 12, 1918. He served overseas June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919 and was honorably discharged March 31, 1919.
He was the Son on Edgar and Grace Delamenter Curtis born 14 April 1898 in Cherry Creek, Chautauqua County; married Octavine A. Long in 1921; father of four children. Died 8 January 1969 in Florida and is buried in Cherry Creek Central Cemetery.
In 1930 Don D. Curtis is an attorney in Queens, New York, with a young son and his wife Octavine.
Harold Alfred Blaisdell: Harold enlisted in Buffalo on July 3, 1917. He was assigned to the M.D. 3rd Field Artillery New York National Guard. (Med Det 106, FA) to discharge. He became a Private 1cl on October 17, 1917. He served overseas June 6, 1918 to April 15, 1919 and was honorably discharged on May 13, 1919. According to his obituary “he served overseas with the famous 27th Division as an artilleryman, going through the hell of St. Mihiel and Meuse Argonne where he was severely wounded [powder explosion in German dugout]. Recovered.
He was the son of Alfred and Bertha Waite Blaisdell born in 1898 in Cherry Creek; married Florence Lenore Phillips in 1925; father of four children. Died 11 February 1964 “in a traffic accident while turning into his own driveway on Hunt Road” in Ellicott and is buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Lakewood. He had survived two World Wars and was a well-loved surgeon in Jamestown.
The 1930 Census lists Dr. Blaisdell as a surgeon living in Ellicott with his wife Florence and two children.
Laverne A. Fowler: Fowler enlisted 24 June 1916 in Buffalo and mustered 23 July 1917 as a Corporal with Company F 3rd Field Artillery, 1 October 1917 transferred to 106th F.A. He served overseas from June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919 as a supply Sgt. “keeping the battery supplied with ammunition fuses and powder.” Engaged in battles at St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Verdun and was wounded slightly on Nov. 3, 1918.
He was the son of Ruben and Edith Fowler, born 14 October 1895/96 in New York; married Helen in 1926; father of two daughters. Died 13 March 1964 and buried in Cherry Creek Central Cemetery.
In 1930 Laverne A. Fowler was a manager of a lounge company, living in Hamburg, Erie County with his wife Helen and a daughter.
Charles Newton Abbey: Abbey enlisted July 23, 1917 in Buffalo and was assigned to Company B 3rd Field Artillery New York National Guard; transferred to Co B 106th FA to discharge; Private 1 class Jan 1, 1919. He served overseas from June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919.
He was the son of Almon and Mary Ellen Farrington Abbey, born 26 September 1898 in Cherry Creek; graduated Cherry Creek High School June 26, 1916; presented a paper entitled “History of Historian and Prophecy of Prophetess” at graduation; married Florence J. Baker in 1924; father of two children. Died 27 October 1954 in Salamanca, Cattaraugus County and was buried in Wildwood Cemetery, Salamanca.
In 1930 Charles N. Abbey is a farm bureau agent living in Salamanca with two children and his wife Florence.
Richard Oscar Langworthy: Dick enlisted July 3, 1917 at National Guard in Buffalo assigned to Company G Battery F 3rd Field Artillery New York National Guard transferred to Battery F 106th FA to discharge. He served overseas June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919 as a mechanic, motor pool and driving instructor Private 1 class December 4, 1917.
Son of Lewis and Ella Curtis Langworthy, born 14 May 1898 in Bradford, Pennsylvania; married Marion Patton about 1923; father of two children. Died 7 January 1949 in Natrona County, Wyoming and was buried in Highland Cemetery, Caspar, Natrona, Wyoming.
In 1930 Richard O. Langworthy is an accountant for a refining company in Caspar, Natrona, Wyoming with two children and his wife Marion.
Hobart Robert James: Dub enlisted 23 July 1917 at Buffalo, mustered 25 July 1917 as Pvt. Company B, 3rd Field Artillery. Grade was Waggoner (transported food and supplies to the front lines); served overseas from June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919.
Son of Albert and Sharlot Francis Davison James, born 12 May 1896 in Cherry Creek; married Linnie Beck in 1924; no children. Died 28 July 1975 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania and is buried in Cherry Creek Central Cemetery.
In 1930 Hobart R. James is an accountant for a utilities company living in Franklin, Ohio with his wife Linnie.
M. Ray Hubbard: Hub enlisted July 30, 1917 at National Guard in Buffalo assigned to Company B Battery F 3rd Field Artillery New York National Guard; trans. to Btry. F 106th FA. Bugler and served as a camouflager on front line (camouflage the guns, dugouts and positions from aerial observation). Served overseas June 6, 1918 to March 13, 1919; discharged April 7, 1919.
Son of Elvin and Helen Hubbard, born 1 November 1896 in Cherry Creek; married Mildred White in 1925; father of one daughter. Died 28 January 1970 in Wyoming County, New York and buried in Arcade Rural Cemetery, Arcade.
In 1930 Ray Hubbard is a clerk for Standard Oil, living in Kenmore, Erie County, New York with his daughter and wife Mildred.
And so ends the tale of the Cherry Creek Seven: their military experiences, their civilian lives and finally their deaths and burials.
Sources:
Eight typed, mimeographed letters given to the Cherry Creek Town Museum were rescued from a dumpster by Steven Hudson. Dating from June 1918 the letters from Donald D. Curtis were to his father Edgar Curtis, a Cherry Creek attorney. Edgar had Donald's original hand-written letters typed and mimeographed as he did with other documents.
Abstracts of National Guard Service in World War I, 1917-1919, New York, State Adjutant General’s Office. New York State Archives, Albany, New York. (Original Data)
Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. (Original data)
New York, Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917-1919. Adjutant General’s Office. Series BO808. New York State Archives, Albany, New York. (Original data)
Source Records of the Great War edited by Charles R. Horne, 4 vols. National Alumni, 1923.
War Book of the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment Field Artillery, United States Army, 1917-1919; 106th Field Artillery, 52nd Brigade, Battery “F” 27th Division. (archive.org for original pamphlet)
About the authors:
Sharon Howe Sweeting, Cherry Creek Town Historian and Joanne Mansfield, Trustee of the Chautauqua County Historical Society
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Black Citizens Celebrate Battle of Fort Wagner
By Richard White
“The forty-ninth anniversary of the battle of Fort Wagner will be celebrated by the colored citizens tomorrow.”
This was the announcement in The Auburn (New York) Citizen on July 17, 1912, although the newspaper did not have to remind many readers of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry’s gallant charge on the Confederate fort near Charleston in 1863. After all, Harriet Tubman—who nursed wounded soldiers there—was a leading resident in the small city in central New York. In fact, her Home for the Aged was dedicated just four years earlier. In addition, veterans of the 54th lived in the city.
Auburn was the site of numerous events that commemorated themes from the War Between the States due to a vibrant, active African American community.
In 1909, they observed the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. One year later, they assembled at the A.M.E. Zion Church to honor the memory of John Brown. Most recently, they celebrated in 1911 the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Black citizens of Auburn were well-skilled in holding commemorations in recognition of pertinent Civil War era people and events.
Yet there is no record of a planning committee which organized the day’s program. However, the program began with a luncheon for the veterans and guests at the Tubman Home, although she did not attend. The local black veterans were Edward Watkins, Perry Williams, John Ware (on occasion spelled Waire), and Thomas Parker. A prominent guest included “Major” Alexander H. Johnson who was a drummer in the 54th. On July 17, The Auburn Semi-Weekly Journal briefly critiqued this opening event, simply noting that the attendees “listened to a number of speeches and reminiscences.” There was no shortage of reporting on the evening’s exercises at the A.M.E. Zion Church where a patriotic and musical program would occur.
One of the opening speeches was delivered by Rev. C. A. Smith, a member of the 54th, who discussed its Commander, Colonel Robert Shaw. Auburn’s Democrat Argus reported the next day that later Smith joined a local chorus in singing, “The Old Flag Never Touched the Ground,” whose lyrics originally were inspired by the regiment’s attack on Fort Wagner. One of the two representatives of the local G.A.R.---which was segregated—made brief remarks but there were no speeches by local elected officials. In addition, two women delivered recitations. The program concluded with a drumming exhibition by Johnson, which prompted the Argus to declare that “he had not forgotten how to handle the sticks.”
On July 18 the following year, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Wagner was observed in cities and towns across the nation. The black citizens of Auburn, however, expertly organized and presented their own extensive, patriotic observance in 1912.
Auburn was the site of numerous events that commemorated themes from the War Between the States due to a vibrant, active African American community.
In 1909, they observed the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. One year later, they assembled at the A.M.E. Zion Church to honor the memory of John Brown. Most recently, they celebrated in 1911 the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Black citizens of Auburn were well-skilled in holding commemorations in recognition of pertinent Civil War era people and events.
Yet there is no record of a planning committee which organized the day’s program. However, the program began with a luncheon for the veterans and guests at the Tubman Home, although she did not attend. The local black veterans were Edward Watkins, Perry Williams, John Ware (on occasion spelled Waire), and Thomas Parker. A prominent guest included “Major” Alexander H. Johnson who was a drummer in the 54th. On July 17, The Auburn Semi-Weekly Journal briefly critiqued this opening event, simply noting that the attendees “listened to a number of speeches and reminiscences.” There was no shortage of reporting on the evening’s exercises at the A.M.E. Zion Church where a patriotic and musical program would occur.
One of the opening speeches was delivered by Rev. C. A. Smith, a member of the 54th, who discussed its Commander, Colonel Robert Shaw. Auburn’s Democrat Argus reported the next day that later Smith joined a local chorus in singing, “The Old Flag Never Touched the Ground,” whose lyrics originally were inspired by the regiment’s attack on Fort Wagner. One of the two representatives of the local G.A.R.---which was segregated—made brief remarks but there were no speeches by local elected officials. In addition, two women delivered recitations. The program concluded with a drumming exhibition by Johnson, which prompted the Argus to declare that “he had not forgotten how to handle the sticks.”
On July 18 the following year, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Wagner was observed in cities and towns across the nation. The black citizens of Auburn, however, expertly organized and presented their own extensive, patriotic observance in 1912.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)