19th century Ti — The Long Depression

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts about news reported in 19th century weekly issues of the Ticonderoga Sentinel.

Here’s a newspaper pun from a few months into The Long Depression of the 1870s.

“Just now money is dreadfully scarce in large cities; at least everybody is anxious to go into the country for a little change,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel quipped on July 11, 1874.

The Ticonderoga area was hosting its share of comfort seekers.

“The tents and shanties of camping parties are beginning to dot the shores and islands of Lake George.”

Tourism businesses were ready for the influx.

“This little town is happy with two ice cream saloons and three photograph galleries.”

Ticonderoga seemed to be insulated from the tough economic times.

“Despite the hard times the work of building and repairing goes bravely on, and all about us hear the cheering sound of hammer and saw.”

Charitable giving remained generous, as evidenced by the laying of the foundation for a new Episcopal parsonage and renovations under way at the Congregational and Methodist churches.

In other July 14, 1874 Ticonderoga Sentinel news:

On Jan. 7, about 60 editors from New Hampshire passed through Ticonderoga on their way to a conference at Caldwell.

“For quill drivers they looked unusually gay and happy.”

Editors Mott and Tobin urged conciliation between management and labor.

“There is nothing better than intelligence, reason and virtue to uplift laborers from reproach. If these qualities always governed employers also, the result would be favorable. Reason teaches that relations between capital are mutual, and that neither can flourish or suffer without a like effect on the other.”

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.