The Golden Age of Coal Smoke

I've been reading Booth Tarkington's novels, and they often complain of an aspect of the "golden age" of rail and industry that was certainly mirrored here in Rensselaer 100 years ago - the problem of soft coal smoke.

The smoke was one of his great enthusiasms; he laughed at a committee of plaintive housewives who called to beg his aid against it. "Smoke's what brings your husbands' money home on Saturday night," he told them, jovially." [The Turmoil, 1915]

"Prosperity" meant good credit at the bank, black lungs, and housewives' Purgatory. The women fought the dirt all they could; but if they let the air into their houses they let in the dirt. It shortened their lives, and kept them from the happiness of ever seeing anything white. [The Magnificent Ambersons, 1918]

This article from the Rensselaer Eagle, Aug. 8, 1912 illustrates one reason why Rensselaer's North End park neighborhoods, built far from the rail yards, were so popular.

BLACK SMOKE NUISANCE COULD BE ABOLISHED

Rensselaer Suffers Much From Cloud Belching From Engines

Roundhouse Belches Smoke Continuously all Day and all Night - New York Central Has to Adjust Many Claims Because of Smoke.

Now that the city of Troy has succeeded in reducing the soft coal smoke nuisance to a minimum it is up to the people of this city to take similar action. Rensselaerites are a long suffering people and they have suffered to no small extent because of the fact the New York Central engines use soft coal and emit black, sooty smoke.

Residents have complained time and again of the soft coal smoke nuisance. It not only covers every portion of the city, from one end to the other, but the fact that the railroad companies are permitted to use soft coal within the city limits doubtless keeps away people who would otherwise live in this city.

ROUNDHOUSE SMOKE

The roundhouse on the Hudson island is perhaps the greatest evil so far as soft coal smoke is concerned in the city. It is bad enough to have long freight trains, switching engines and passenger engines moving through the railroad yards, but the roundhouse never stops and there is always a cloud of smoke issuing from there night and day.
...
There are lots of women in this city who can testify to the effects of soft coal smoke on their clothing. There are not many women, who, wearing dainty summer clothing, would walk the Maiden lane or upper bridges at any time because they are afraid of having their clothing ruined by the smoke. The smoke is often filled with enough moisture to make it very sticky and when it covers one as he walks the bridge, the effect is far from pleasing.
...
In many sections of the city unless an east wind prevails it is an unwise housewife who would think of putting her washing out to dry. The majority of them are forced to have washed clothes dried in the house year in and year out.

The smoke is also bad for paint, as a glance at many buildings adjacent to the railroad will show. But very few houses are painted a light color, for the reason that there being so much smoke in the air it would soon discolor the paint. This is one of the reasons why so many buildings, especially those near the railroad are painted in dark and sombre colors....

The Delaware and Hudson Railroad advertised that their passenger trains to the Adirondack Mountains and Montreal burned the cleaner (and more costly) "anthracite coal only...no smoke".

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire - March 25, 1911

Cornell University: Remembering the Triangle Factory Fire - 100 Years Later

New York Times (2/20/2011): 100 Years Later, the Roll of the Dead in a Factory Fire Is Complete

New York Times (3/26/1911): 141 MEN AND GIRLS DIE IN WAIST FACTORY FIRE

The Rensselaer Eagle didn't mention the fire. It happened just after an issue went to print, and a week later it was old news.

Van Rensselaer Park - Circa 1905 [Religious and Educational]

I had to add a third part to the post when I started researching the educational lectures that Reverand Rollins planned for Van Rensselaer Park in 1905.

Religious and Educational.- Our friends will be glad to learn that we have secured a large pavilion "Tent Endeavor," which is capable of sheltering eleven hundred people and will be used for Evangelistic Services, Young People's Meetings, Temperance Conventions, Lectures, W. C. T. U. Conventions, Fourth of July, Labor Day and other celebrations, Concerts, Musicales, etc. We are in correspondence with Booker T. Washington, Sam. P. Jones, Fanny Crosby and many other "national lights" whom we hope to hear in "Tent Endeavor" this season.
...
Ample accommodations for all who seek rest, recreation, wholesome pleasure, mental stimulus and religious instruction. We will rob no man of his liberty. Let no man rob us of ours.

The full-page description of the park ended with that statement about liberty. It sounded like a quote, but I couldn't find it exactly. It must have already been familiar to Rev. Rollins' audience. Does anyone know where this sentiment comes from?

"Tent Endeavor" was the name often given to the venue for tent meetings held by the Christian Endeavor Society, a popular multi-denominational society for young people. In 1905, three churches in the city of Rensselaer listed Christian Endeavor Societies in the City Directory (First Congregational, First Presbyterian, and First Reformed Churches). There were over a dozen such Societies in Albany.

During July and August of 1905, the Albany Evening Journal announced several outings planned for Van Rensselaer Park:

• The Farmers and Mechanics' Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Rensselaer (athletic events including fire hose races by the East-Side fire companies)
• Basket picnic by the Ladies' Committee of the West Albany Railroad Y. M. C. A.
• Picnic and field day by the Riverside Lodge, Knights of Pythias of Rensselaer (featuring an amateur baseball contest between the Clintons and the Senators)
• Joint picnic of the Sunday Schools of the Hope Baptist church (Rev. Rollins) and the Sixth Presbyterian church of Albany (baseball between teams representing the two schools, and the Boys' Brigade will drill)
• Excursion by the Sunday schools of the North End churches of Rensselaer (the steamer Frear(?) will convey the excursion down the river, after which it will land them at Van Rensselaer Park)

There was never any mention in the AEJ articles of the Merry-Go-Round, Tent Endeavor, or the "national lights" of the lecture circuit.

This is Part 3 of a three-part post. Read Part 1 and Part 2.

Van Rensselaer Park - Circa 1905 [Transportation and Amusement]

The 1905 advertising pamphlet for Van Rensselaer Park has interesting glimpses into life in Rensselaer at the turn of the last century. With rail, trolley, and water transportation easily available, folks were fond of taking excursions and outings with their church, school or fraternal organization. This brochure described every means of transportation to the old Forbes Manor grounds.

Van Rensselaer Park

Transportation.- The Troy boats will land passengers from both Troy and Albany at the new dock (to be erected directly opposite the Park) regularly and at a moderate rate. The Albany and Rensselaer boats, two in number, will make regular trips to and from the Park. We will furnish, when occasion requires: A modern and thoroughly furnished barge, recently equipped with all lifesaving appliances required by law, and under the management of one of the most competent captains on the river. Tugs both speedy and reliable. Connections with the Catskill, Hudson, Coxsackie, New Baltimore, Coeymans and Castleton boats.

Barge and boat connections for the convenience of railroad excursions entering Albany via the New York Central, West Shore, Boston and Albany, Delaware and Hudson, Boston and Maine trains, and Hudson and Schenectady electric cars. Fare from depot to Park five cents. The United Traction Company can land passengers in Rensselaer to the north end of the Third street, which is but a short distance from the upper gate of the Park.
...
Place.- Rensselaer-on-the-Hudson, Park closed on Sunday. Boats do not land at our dock on Sunday, No intoxicating drinks allowed on the grounds, Ample police protection. Plenty of pure, cold water. Sports of every kind. Two baseball diamonds - one for men, one for boys. A tennis court. Croquet ground. Swings. Livery, Ponies, Goats for the children. A straw wagon, which will be one of the principal features of the season. Sand heap and pails for the children. Toy water wheels on Black brook, for the children. Telephone to your place of business. Boats every fifteen minutes. Railroad service from Forbes avenues. Mountain climbing, Camping. Track sports. Football. Merry-Go-Round. A Model Bakery, Lunches, Soda Fountain, Fruits, Confectionery, Milk, Tea, etc.
...

This is Part 2 of a three-part post. Read Part 1 and Part 3.

Van Rensselaer Park - Circa 1905 [Part 1]

Forbes Manor, also known as Beverwyck, is one of Rensselaer's historic register sites, and has been under private ownership for decades. But in 1905, the manor enjoyed a brief career hosting excursions and picnics.

Reverend Robert H. Rollins, Pastor of Hope Baptist Church (on Clinton Ave. in Albany), leased the manor and lived there with his family. As Superintendent of Van Rensselaer Park, Rollins produced a beautiful advertising pamphlet to promote the opening season.

[Download the PDF here.]

From the manuscript collection,

NYS Library, 974.741 (Forbes)

Van Rensselaer Park
(FORBES MANOR)
RENSSELAER, NEW YORK

CONVENTIONS, CELEBRATIONS
RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND EXCURSIONS

Forbes Manor, "famed in history, verse and legend, peerless among the country seats of the Empire State," is located just north of the beautiful, busy little city of Rensselaer, nearly opposite Albany, and not more than four miles south of Troy.

Historic Ground.- This estate of five hundred acres, with more than a mile of river front, was once part of the famous Van Rensselaerwyck Manor... granted to Killian Van Rensselaer in 1630. It descended in succession to Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, the fifth patroon, who at the time of his death, divided the estate between his two sons, Stephen and William P. Van Rensselaer, the latter thus becoming heir to the property on the east side of the Hudson.

The Mansion.- Here upon a commanding eminence, overlooking the city of Albany, from which dim outlines of the Helderberg and Catskill mountains are visible, in 1841-1843 the beautiful mansion which still stands, familiarly known as "Forbes Manor House," was erected. In building this magnificent structure, grading and beautifying the lawns, terracing the deeply wooded slopes and ravines, which are still the pride of Rensselaer, Mr. Van Rensselaer dissipated his fortune to such an extent that he was compelled to sell the property in 1850.

The Forbes Family.- The estate was purchased by Mr. Paul Forbes, a gentleman of refined tastes and great wealth, engaged in the China trade, who with his family enjoyed the beauties and luxuries of this quiet, secluded natural park a part of each year until the time of his death. ...

Our Plan.- The present lessee recognizing the natural advantages of this rustic park, which is heavily wooded with large, white pine trees, which add sweetness and strength to the atmosphere, and traversed by walks and paths varied by stretches of well-kept lawn, which extend to the river, will, in the early spring, open for the benefit of Sunday Schools, Churches, Young People's Societies, Temperance Societies, ... Lodges, Singing Societies, Athletic Associations, Schools, Colleges, etc., one of the most convenient and accessible parks in this part of the State. In point of healthfulness and convenience the location of Van Rensselaer Park could not be improved.

This was advertising copy meant to sell the beauty of the site to a religious audience, so the history of the manor was strategically edited. For instance, the anti-rent wars and resulting legal reforms were entirely omitted as the main the reason for Van Rensselaer's sale of the estate. (See NYS Library: The Anti-Rent Wars and The End of Dutch Culture in New Netherland.)

This will be Part 1 of a two-part post. [Or rather, a three-part post! Read Part 2: Transportation and Amusement and Part 3: Religious and Educational].

January 22, 1910: Newsboy Wanted

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

SCHOOL BOY WANTED - We have a permanent position for a bright, energetic school boy. The right boy can make from 50c. to $2.00 or more a week, without interfering with his school duties. Hickey & Connolly, 854 Broadway.

Hickey & Connolly was a News Stand, according to the Rensselaer Business section of the 1907 Directory.

These images of young newsboys were taken in downtown Albany, NY on a Sunday morning in February, 1910 by photographer Lewis Hine (from the photo collection of the National Child Labor Committee at the Library of Congress).

January 21, 1911: New Church for Blooming Grove

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

New Church in Place of Burned Structure

Blooming Grove is to have a new Reformed church to replace the old building which was destroyed by fire New Year's eve. The trustees will visit other churches before deciding the type of building needed by the congregation. The insurance on the church was $6,000, about $2,500 more than has been pledged.

The church's web site shows that they have some nice stained glass windows.

There was originally more architectural detail at the roofline (shown circa 1950).

January 14, 1911: A Well-Traveled Policeman

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

POLICEMAN HAS SEEN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY

GEORGE SELLEY HAS GAINED SOME KNOWLEDGE AT FIRST HAND

Has studied conditions in New Orleans, Tacoma, Wash., and Then Went Down to Maine - Is Fond Of Finding Out Things For Himself

Rensselaer has a man who has visited every state in the union and who has seen every point of interest in the entire country which is worth a visit. So it is quite natural that policeman George Selley, the latest addition to the staff, should make a good officer. Roving around the streets in the dead of the night protecting the houses and citizens is a pleasure to the new bluecoat, inasmuch as he never tired of roaming through the great United States.

There are few men in the entire country today who can tell of such wide experiences as can Selley. He is not a man of wealth, but a man interested in the development of his country and his periodical vacations have been spent sometimes in the sunny south, other times in the wooly west and once in the frigid atmosphere of Maine during the winter.
...

HAS REMINISCENCES

When in a reminiscent mood Policeman Selley can tell more about his country's development in the last ten years than any other man in the city. He can also tell of the customs of the people.

He has been in New Orleans when that southern city was in its gayest attire for the Great Mardi Gras Carnival; in Tacoma, Washington and Portland, Oregon when the apples were being picked bigger than your head and journeyed to Portland, Me. from Boston via boat when the huge waves of the turbulent winter sea almost rose over the boat.

Originally a railroad man Selley took especial interest in the customs of the railroad men all through the country. He traveled many miles on freight trains through his brotherhood pass, just to see the country and learn the ways of its people.

The Railroad Trainman, Volume 19, 1902, shows Geo. Selley of 106 B'way was Secretary of Rensselaer's Horseshoe Lodge of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

The Directory for the Year 1905 of the Cities of Albany and Rensselaer shows George, John, and William Selley, living at 248 Broadway, all held the position of "expressman" - packing, managing, and ensuring delivery of railroad cargo.

Learn more about the history of the Rensselaer police force at www.RensselaerPolice.org.

January 7, 1911: Rush of Railroad Freight

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

FIREMEN AND BRAKEMEN ARE WANTED

RAILROADS HAVING RUSH OF BUSINESS AT THIS SEASON OF THE YEAR

Advancements are Made Very Quickly These Days - Firemen Promoted to Enginemen and Brakemen Soon Become Conductors

Not in many years have Rensselaer railroad men experienced such a rush of freight in all directions as taht which now prevails and which has prevailed for the past months. At the railroad offices firemen and brakemen are in demand, the order being sent out that any one applying will be given a job.

At present on the list of the B. & A. offices there are over 60 regular belt crews. This is an unusually large number, when it is considered that six years ago the regular belt crews numbered but 25. Every Rensselaer fireman qualified to run an engine has been sent over to the right side of the cab and many young Rensselaer brakemen in the service of the company for but a few years have been advanced to conductors.

The rush of freight and work for the men is received in Rensselaer with no regret. The past summer and fall were bad seasons and the railroad men will have an opportunity of making respectable week's wages. Speek of wages, one young Rensselaer brakeman employed in the yard service drew $73 for two weeks work, after enjoying a two days' rest.

RUSH IN THE YARDS

In the railroad yards the rush is the same as on the road. Gen'l Yard Master Wood has more engine and train crews at work than have been on the lists for 15 years. His extra list now contains 15 members and all are working. He is making an effort to keep the yards clear so that no B. & A. trains will be forced to lay on the sidings outside of the city awaiting an opening to crawl into this city.

The Rensselaer yards have never been as busy as they are at the present time. The rush has been so great that many times during the past month many of the B. & A. crew were sent direct to West Albany with their trains to relieve congestion.

The rush cannot become too heavy for Rensselaer and its people. The officials are well equipped in the art of handling such an immense amount of business and the city will receive the many strangers with open arms.

January 15, 1910 - Car Thieves Busy

Car Thieves Busy

A car loaded with shoes was standing under the Herrick street bridge on the west side of the railroad yards saturday night and was broken into and six cases of shoes were stolen. The robbers probably had the assistance of a horse and wagon in carting the goods away.

[Posted 1/16/11 and back-dated for continuity]

January 8, 1910: Firemen Respond in the Cold

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

Firemen Had a Cold Run.

An alarm from box 23, Broadway and Fourth avenue, Tuesday evening, called the firemen to the home of John Weist on Washington street. In the rear is a shed which is used as a club room. A stove became overheated and set fire to the shed. The Rings used a hydrant stream. Several firemen had their fingers frost bitten.

[Posted 1/8/11 and back-dated for continuity]

January 1, 1910: Snow vs. the Fashionable Hat

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

"Even a blizzard is not so ill a wind that it blows nobody good," said a Rensselaer employee of an Albany millinery shop. "Usually there is nothing doing between Christmas and New Year's in our line, but this year it's different. The first two days of the post Christmas week brought fifty hats to our place to be made over at an average cost of $5 each and we expect more. Every one of them was rendered un-presentable by the Christmas storm."

Check out this 1909 black & white short movie "Those Awful Hats", directed by D. W. Griffith, pokes a little fun at the fashion of the day.


[Posted 1/8/11 and back-dated for continuity]

November 13, 1909: Hair Restorer

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

Silver Threads among the Gold

Women and men get old very young nowdays. It seems as if there is something in the strenuous life we are all living that deprives the hair of its coloring matter and gives the hue of age to the brow of youth.

Use Nature's Hair Restorer and get back your youthful looks. All Ladies and Gentlemen use it. Don't be discouraged because you are real gray it will bring your hair back to its natural shade.

Travelling salesmen, men and women that are employed in stores must use it. Gray haired people are not wanted these days.

Nature's Hair Restorer is not a dye, just a harmless natural restorer. Call or Address.

Mrs. Kathleen Mowers
1551 Broadway Rensselaer N. Y.

This ad ran regularly in the 1909 Rensselaer Eagle. "Silver Threads Among The Gold" was a popular song about loving someone even though they're growing old and gray. Several intolerable recordings by sopranos are available online, but the best version I found was Harry Ellis's 1911 recording.

The "hue of age to the brow of youth" line also sounds like a quote. I doubt this was her reference, but "hue of age" was in John Trumbull's truly catty 1771 poem "Advice to Ladies of a Certain Age". Enjoy that one...

There was more than one "Nature's Hair Restorer" around back then, but it could have been "Henna D'Oreal" (1920 ad from Meyer Druggist). This concoction of henna and herbs was described in the Twenty Sixth Report of the New Hampshire Board of Health (1920) : "Contains copper as an essential ingredient, and therefore falls within the class of objectionable metallic hair dyes, although not so reprehensible as the lead preparations."

If you click on the B. Paul ad, you'll see it says to "Beware of inferior substitutes", which is ironic, as this product was a knock-off of L'Oreal Henne (see Federal Trade Commission v. Balme, 23 F.2d 615, 2nd Cir. 1928).

Federal Trade Commission v. Paul Balme, trading under the name and style of B. Paul. Charge : Using unfair methods of competition in the manufacture and sale of a hair dye, designated as “Henna D’Oreal,” which simulates the trade name and wrapping of a hair dye sold by F. L. Leben (Inc.), long and favorably known as “L’Oreal Henne,” and by falsely advertising his product as a new French coloring providing the only harmless coloring in the world, with the effect of misleading and deceiving the purchasing public... (Annual Report of the Federal Trade Commission - 1921)

November 13, 1909: Famed Poet

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Will Carleton, America's greatest living poet, author of "Over the Hills to the Poor House", will appear at the First Baptist church on Wednesday evening, Nov. 17. This will be Mr. Carleton's third appearance in Rensselaer. He always packs the house.

Home and public entertainments in 1909 included reading aloud, and "pioneer poet" Will Carleton's works were well known. He rose to fame with "Over the Hill to the Poor House", about an old woman abandoned by her married children, and "Betsey and I are Out", about a divorce. He also wrote "Converse With The Slain" to honor the Civil War dead on Decoration Day 1877.

Like many authors, Carleton toured extensively doing lectures. From Will Carleton: a biographical study by A. Elwood Corning:

Like all public lecturers Carleton's experiences were many and varied; some were humorous, some thrilling. Having returned from a Chautauqua trip to Illinois, in August, 1909, he writes of a series of adventures not down on the programme. "Was held up by a railroad wreck just ahead of me," he says, "then started for destination by automobile; gasoline stopped serving when stranded ten miles away from the city in which I was to lecture. Went into a farm-house to telephone ahead. A woman was making large cookies each about as wide as a saucer. I recollected all at once that I had had no dinner, so begged for some of the cookies and was told amiably, but inexorably, that I could have just one, as she was cooking for threshers. I tried hard to get another for the chauffeur, but failed. I divided with him, however, then went on again at about thirty miles per hour when we soon ran against an obstruction that came within an ace of making the machine turn a complete summersault. Finally proceeded again, reflecting how I might have lost my life and a two hundred and fifty dollar fee. Had just time to don a white vest and black coat and face several thousand people."

October 30, 1909 - New Reservoir

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

RESERVOIR ON HESS'S HILL WILL BE READY TO USE NEXT WEEK

CONNECTION BETWEEN THIRD ST. MAIN AND RESERVOIR WILL BE MADE FRIDAY

Company is to be Congratulated on Having Such a Good Reservoir Built - Details of its Construction

The new reservoir of the Rensselaer Water Co. is so nearly completed that probably not later than a week from today it will be filled with water and the Third street tower will not be in use. The completion of the big reservoir which has a capacity of 6,000,000 gallons, is another one of the big pieces of work whch Messrs. Leahey & Shufelt, well known local contractors, have successfully consummated.

It is proposed to make the connection between the pipe line on Third street and the reservoir on Friday of next week, providing that everything goes all right and no untoward event prevents it. It is a day's work to make this connection and during that time it will be necessary to turn the water off from a portion of Third street. Possibly 15 houses will be shy on water for a few hours, but the pumps will be going direct to the mains for the one day in order to keep up the fire pressure.

THE RESERVOIR.

Work on the reservoir was started in July and a big force of men went to work. The reservoir is oblong, on the top 308 feet by 258 feet. The bank has been raised two feet higher than the original plans called for. The reservoir is lined with concrete excepting for a space of two feet at the water line, where it is paved with big heavy stones. This is done so that the action of the ice will not bother the reservoir.

When the big reservoir is in use and the use of the tank has been abandoned the fire pressure at the lower levels in the city will be 115 pounds. This is regarded by hydraulic engineers as an excellent fire pressure service and there would be no difficulty in throwing a stream for a half dozen of them over any house in any section of the city. On the upper levels the fire pressure will be ample at all times.
...
THE OLD TOWER.

It is not proposed to take down the old tower until next spring at any rate until the reservoir has proven satisfactory. It may be that there will be a leak in the reservoir and the pressure would be thus diminished. However, this is only a possibility and the contractors say that there could be no leak. The old tower will be maintained through the winter months to fall back on in case of necessity.
...

October 23, 1909 - Rensselaer Home Telephones

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

RENSSELAER HOME TELEPHONES WILL BE WORKING ON MONDAY

CABLES ARE BEING TESTED AND FOUND THUS FAR TO WORK SATISFACTORILY

More Than 200 Telephones Have Been Installed Thus Far and More Will Be Connected Up as Fast as Men Can Do The Work

The first 200 Home telephones have been installed in the city and today are being connected so that by Monday of next week they will be in good working order. ... The advent of the new telephone system has been awaited with no little interest by a number of business men of the city who believe that the new company will give good service at a low cost.

Rensselaer has hundreds of railroad men who are usually called on the telephone. They will be enabled to install the new independent 'phone at a small cost per month and are assured of being called when needed.

The cable that was recently strung across the river is the largest submarine construction of its kind in this section of the country. It carries 300 pairs of wires which will be more than sufficient to handle the increased business of the company for a long time to come.
...
One end of the big switch board in the central office in Albany has been reserved for the use of the Rensselaer business. ... When you pick up your receiver in this city and ask for a party in Albany you will get a much quicker response than if you were first obliged to ask for the number from a local operator and she in turn transmits it to Albany to another operator.

The telephones in use are of the well known Dean make which are manufactured at Elyria, O. ... The company proposes to have a Rensselaer directory of its own and to give Rensselaer a place on the telephone map.

There are some clues to the technology in this article, but not enough. Telephone systems in 1909 could either be "magneto" or "common battery", and Dean Electric Co. of Elyria, OH (one of the largest manufacturers) made equipment for both. I can't determine which system Albany had, to know which equipment was installed in Rensselaer.

Magneto systems were rung by turning a crank on the phone, generating a voltage to ring the switchboard operator (and all the other phones on that circuit of the party line). A big battery on each customer's phone provided power for transmitting the voice. (See April 1913, Popular Mechanics, "Practical Telephony - Part I"). You can see a Dean Electric 1908 mageneto wall phone at TelephoneArchive.com.

Common Battery systems were more modern, easier to install and cheaper to maintain. (Albany Home Telephone's central exchange may have pre-dated adoption of the common battery systems.) The customer's set didn't need a bulky magneto generator to ring, or a big battery to talk, since the power was supplied from the central office. This allowed for smaller wall phone cabinets and slim "candlestick" desk sets like these.










In 1905, Dean Electric filed a patent for a Party Line Telephone System (Patent 842,772) with selective signaling, an innovation which would ring only the intended party's phone. This must have made listening in on your neighbors' conversations a bit more challenging...

On the party line, 1917
Billy Murray (Vocalist), Jack Mahoney (lyricist), Percy Wenrich (composer)
Listen | Download MP3 (#3246) | Download Sheet Music PDF

When a girl says "Bill, I love you so," And your wife's voice says "Is that you, Joe?" Then it's fifty fifty, boy, you know,
When you're talking on the party line.

October 1909 - New York Telephone Ads

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

New York Telephone was advertising heavily in the Rensselaer Eagle throughout the Fall of 1909, as the competing Rensselaer Home Telephone service was about to become active. These ads were part of AT&T's strategy to publicize the Bell System's universal service as an institution of American Life [see Bell System History - Year of Decision]. The ads emphasized the benefits of owning a Bell System phone, from ordering coal to finding a fourth for playing bridge. (Click these to enlarge - my favorite is the plumbing emergency...)










The telephone industry in 1909 was an open competition, since the second of Bell's key telephone patents had expired in 1894, allowing independent phone companies to flourish. AT&T's A Brief History: Origins says that over 6,000 independent phone companies had been established by 1904 - but their systems didn't connect, so companies competed on "network effect" - how many people you could reach on their system.

Here's the Hudson River Telephone Co.'s ad from the Directory for the year 1907 of the cities of Albany and Rensselaer.

Rensselaer Eagle ads for Albany businesses would often say "both phones" to indicate they had a Hudson River Telephone number and an Albany Home Telephone number.

I believe that by October 1909, the Hudson River Telephone Company provided Rensselaerites access to the Bell System. [In September 1909, the Central New York Telephone and Telegraph Company had merged into New York Telephone, bringing with it the property and franchises of the Hudson River Telephone Company, which Central had purchased in March 1909 - reference Annual report of the Public Service Commission, Second District, Volume 3].

Oct. 9, 1909:
DURING THE LONG SCHOOL SEASON
A schoolhouse without a telephone would seem strangely isolated in these days of constant communication.
Parents know that the school is always within call and this knowledge gives them a sense of security and comfort. The Bell Telephone carries the same confidence into all the relations of life. Your friends are brought within reach of your voice by the Universal Service of the Bell System.

Oct. 30, 1909:
KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH HOME
It is wonderful how much satisfaction can be obtained from a talk over the Bell Telephone.
A letter carries words, but the Bell Service has been brought up to such a point of perfection that the modulations of the voice are clearly heard. The cheery tones show that the talker is well and in good spirits. The call may come from a suburban village or a distant city, but within the limits of the carrying power of the voice the Bell System carries the tone as well.

Nov. 13, 1909:
ALL HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCIES
An hour saved in summoning the plumber by telephone may save the price of several years of service.
It certainly saves a lot of discomfort and worry. The Bell Telephone keeps the household in constant touch with all the resources of civilization and is instantly available in any emergency. It also keeps the household in constant touch with the broader outside world by means of the Long Distance Service of the Bell system.

October 9, 1909 - Life on Mars

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

No Life On Mars?

The nearness of the planet Mars to the earth has again made acute the question of whether or not it is inhabited. The most staggering blow to the theories of life on Mars is the report of the Lick observatory that no water vapor exists in the Martian atmosphere. Professor Percival Lowell, who is the most prominent advocate of the life on Mars theory, had already stated that he found evidences of both water vapor and oxygen. To test the matter definitely the Lick observatory astronomers placed their instruments on the top of Mount Whitney, which is not only one of the highest peaks on the continent, but has the added advantage of an exceedingly dry atmosphere. Thus the amount of water vapor in our own atmosphere was reduced to the lowest possible point. Comparative spectroscopic observations were made of Mars and the moon. The results, according to the Lick scientists, showed practically the same results from both bodies. As the moon is admitted to be without water vapor, this would seem to settle the question.

Even admitting the correctness of their findings, however, the question is not entirely decided. The so called Martian canals, with their waxing and waning lines, supposed to be due to the annual growth and disappearance of vegetation, have yet to be explained. As in the case of the polar controversy, science will not render her verdict until the evidence is all in.

The "polar controversy" referred to whether Frederick Cook or Robert Peary first reached the geographic North Pole. In 1910, Peary said Cook faked it in 1908 - Peary probably got within 5 miles in 1909. ("The North Pole: its discovery in 1909 under the auspices of the Peary Arctic Club".) Ken Burns' "National Parks" mentioned Cook's 1906 false claim of reaching the top of Mt. McKinley (video: "Denali: The First Climbers").

The Victorians believed Mars was inhabited (see A Mars Timeline - an Italian astronomer observed "channels" in the 1870's - mistranslated as "canals", this suggested deliberate construction). Mars was still a hot topic in the early 1900's, when astronomer Percival Lowell addressed the issues of "Mars and its Canals" and "Mars as the Abode of Life". Read more about the Lick Observatory's 1909 Mars observations at "To Climb the Highest Mountain" (History of Astronomy, V.20, NO.2/61/JUN, P. 77, 1989).

In the popular culture, H.G. Wells had serialized "The War of the Worlds" in 1898. "Edison's Conquest of Mars" by Garrett P. Serviss was also from 1898. Fiction in 1909 included "Zarlah the Martian" by R. Norman Grisewood and "Mirrikh: or, A woman from Mars" by Francis Worcester Doughty.

One hundred years later, we're still unraveling the mysteries of Mars and the Moon, observing deposits of ice on Mars (New York Times, 9/28/2009: Red Planet May Be Better Known as the Wet One) and crashing a probe on the moon (Science Daily: Rocket Smash Could Find Moon’s Water Ice, Expert Says).

September 25, 1909 - Fire Parade

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

Rensselaer did not host a Hudson-Fulton celebration in 1909, as the state did not come through with promised funds. Instead, there was a big parade of all the fire companies.

FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN ON PARADE TO-DAY
...
For the first time since the new fire apparatus was received last winter the citizens of Rensselaer will have the opportunity to view the department as a whole. Such an opportunity has not been given for the reason that when the apparatus did reach Rensselaer cold weather was at hand and it was not feasible to have a parade.

But this afternoon the citizens are promised a treat. The firemen, in their neat, well fitting uniform, and the policemen in their best clothes will march about a route that takes the parade past every one of the fire houses in the city. ...

I couldn't resist adding this notice of bids for the 1909 fire department:

Sept. 6, 1909 - Mr. John Salt, City Clerk: In answer to bids for supplying fire department is as follows: No. 2 white oats, 68 1-2c per bushel; Timothy hay, $19 per ton; loose timothy hay, $19 per ton; oat straw, $17 per ton. Respectfully yours, Peter J. Mahan, Rensselaer, N. Y.

Sept. 13, 1909 - To the Honorable Board of Fire Commissioners, Gentlemen: We, the undersigned will furnish by your order or order from the City Clerk to the fire houses to the amount of 400 bushels of oats, at 75¢ per bushel; 10 tons more or less of baled hay, $20 per ton; 10 tons more or less of loose hay, $20; 10 tons more or less oat straw, $17 per ton. Yours truly, Waugh & Berry.

Com. M. Murphy moved that bids for feed department be rejected on the ground that same are excessive. Carried.

Photo: Haying scene, St. James (Long Island)
Frederick Ruther, 1909, www.hayinart.org

Lewis Wickes Hine also took wonderful photos of haying in New York and New England, but they were dated simply 1907-1937, too broad a range for me to use. See them on Strip 10 and Strip 12 in the collection of the George Eastman House, Rochester, NY.

September 18, 1909 - Girl Wanted

100 Years Ago: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

I suppose this 100-year-0ld classified ad for a social event was intended to be amusing, but it was probably irritating even in 1909.

Girl Wanted

I prefer a Rensselaer girl, one who is not afraid of work, willing to cook, and keep the house in order, and be a companion to me on rainy days. I am not particular as to the color of her hair but prefer that it not be entirely false; have no objections to a few false teeth or other minor defects which can be kept as family secrets; not particular whether she can sing, or whether she understands music. Prefer to have one who is home loving, knows enough of the world to appreciate a man who is willing to spend all his money in giving her a good time; do not care for one who is a prude or too old-fashioned to play a game of euchre, or dance.

I want a jolly, good looking, happy girl who will help me have a good time every day in the year. If any such girl in Rensselaer is open for a proposition I would like to have her meet me at the Foresters Euchre and Select Dance, at Kapp's Hall on Sixth street, next Thursday night, September 23. She will know me by the dark clothes and pleasant smile which I wear.

The Albany Evening Journal, Tue. Sept. 21, 1909, had this notice: "Court Fort Cralo, Foresters, will give a prize euchre and dance at Kapps's on Thursday night." Another Journal notice from 1914 lists them as "Court Fort Cralo, 4655, Independent Order of Foresters" ("Cralo" was the common spelling then, not "Crailo").

The Independent Order of Foresters was a nation-wide fraternal organization, established to help its members in times of distress. "Independent" refers to the American Order's split from the Ancient Order of Foresters of England in the 1870's. (see History of the Independent Order of Foresters).

Rensselaer's Foresters held regular social events and fund raisers including clam bakes, dances, and card tournaments. (Euchre was popular around the turn of the last century - see How to Play Basic Euchre.)

The Independent Order of Foresters survives as a fraternal benefits organization providing financial services and insurance. The Catholic Order of Foresters and National Catholic Society of Foresters, which date back to the 1890's, offer similar services. (The Independent Order recently won a cancellation against the Catholic Order regarding the confusing trademark "Forester Life".)

The "well known hostelry of 'mine host' Kapp" was often was listed as the location for annual club, chamber, or union dinners, in addition to social events like these. I'd love comments from anyone who knows the address of the former Kapp's Hotel, or more about its history.

UPDATE: If you're wondering about the "false" hair reference, read this excellent vintage sewing blog post: Hairstyle Tutorial: A 1909 Edwardian Coiffure.