19th century Ti — Gearing up for Centennial

Joseph Cook of Boston urged Clayton Delano of Ticonderoga to organize a local celebration to mark the centennial of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys taking of Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775.

“A few men in Ticonderoga must take the bits in their teeth and resolve on success, if the celebration is to be an honor to the town,” Cook wrote in a letter to Delano, published Feb. 6, 1875, in the Ticonderoga Sentinel. “It need not cost much, except patience and time.”

Cook said the celebration would bring considerable publicity to the town.

“A few circulars, and a collation to be served in the quadrangle of the Fort, where the oration should be delivered, with the responses to toasts, will be all that requires financial outlay. Now Ticonderoga, made the head of Lake Champlain, would find in the celebration a timely advertisement.”

In other Feb. 6, 1875 Ticonderoga Sentinel news:

• One might say that Nellie Daniels broke through the musical brass ceiling.

“Miss Nellie Daniels’ solos upon the cornet were executed with remarkable ease and good taste, surprising to some who are unaccustomed to witness a lady performing upon such an instrument,” the Sentinel quoted from a Connecticut newspaper review of a recent concert.

Daniels and her Swiss Bell Ringers and Ladies Silver Helicon Band were booked to appear Feb. 10 at Fleming’s Hall at Ticonderoga.

Admission was 35 cents for adults and 25 cents for children — the equivalent of $9.03 and $6.45 in 2022 dollars.

There was at least one male in the band and hand bell ensemble.

Conductor E.A. Andrews also was violin soloist.

• Get out the vote: The Crown Point Center correspondent urged temperance advocates to get out the vote on town meeting day against allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages in the town.

“Arouse yourselves and go to work. The rum sellers will do all that is in their power to carry the license ticket. Whisky will be as free as water on town meeting day, and many men will be bought for a glass or pint of whiskey.”

• Weather: “The sleighing is splendid and lumber men are jubilant.”
• Quotable: “Don’t run in debt. Never mind, never mind if your clothes are all faded and torn. Fix ’em up; make them do. It is better by far than to have the heart weary and worn.”

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