19th Century Ti — ‘King Alcohol’ is absent
This is the latest in an occasional series of posts about news reported in 19th century weekly issues of the Ticonderoga Sentinel.
In 1870 U.S. residents spent nearly $1.5 million on liquor, the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on March 28, 1874.
“It was estimated that the amount of liquors consumed was sufficient to fill a canal four feet deep, fourteen feet wide, and eighty inches long, and the number who drank the stream dry would, if formed in a procession five abreast, make an army one hundred and thirty miles long.”
Temperance was starting to take root in Old Ti, however.
“The school exhibition last Friday was largely attended, and was conducted without molestation from old King Alcohol. Therefore the entertainment passed off pleasant.”
Vocal soloist Katie Cooper and accordion player Minnie Gibbs were among the student performers at the program that teacher Martha Lynn organized.
Elsewhere, in Putnam a “very satisfactory” evening of entertainment on March 9 raised $40 — the equivalent of $907.64 in 2020 dollars.
“Three dramas were acted by well chosen characters. Music and Tableaux were interesting.”
On March 19, the Putnam correspondent and “a small group of pleasure seekers” that included a “lady friend” from Michigan climbed Anthony’s Nose, persisting through pockets of fog to enjoy a great view and basket lunch at the top.
“Having mastered ourselves upon the highest peak, we were rewarded by as beautiful panoramic view as nature ever furnished.”
In Crown Point, Buckman & Dudley were constructing a large carriage factory.
Members of Crown Point Episcopal Church decided to build a rectory.
The cotton factory at Ticonderoga manufactured 38,000 yards of cotton cloth, ready for market, the previous week.
The books “A Wonderful Woman” by Mrs. Fleming, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” by Jules Verne, “Leather Stocking and Sea Tales” by Cooper and “Life of Christ” by Beecher were in stock at the F. Weed store.
The Sentinel published a polite warning to an individual who had come across extra cash, seeming through dishonest means: “The chap that found the $50 Harvey Lawson lost last week has been spotted and will be interviewed shortly if he doesn’t shell out.”
Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.
