Mourning a president, Uticans gather at train depot in 1865: Mohawk Valley history

1865, 158 years ago

A time to mourn

A light rain does not stop thousands of Uticans and others from neighboring communities from gathering at the train depot on Main Street to view the nine-car funeral train carrying the remains of President Abraham Lincoln back to his home in Springfield, Illinois. The train is retracing to Springfield the route Lincoln traveled 50 months before on his inaugural trip to Washington to be sworn in as 16th president of the United States.

Several prominent Uticans board the westbound train in Albany, including Mayor John Butterfield, Congressman-elect Roscoe Conkling and Horatio Seymour, governor of New York during the recent Civil War. The train stops in St. Johnsville so passengers can have dinner before continuing their journey. As the train passes Herkimer, it is greeted by 36 women in white dresses with black sashes.

It arrives in Utica shortly after 8 p.m. The crowd at the depot is huge, spreading into Lower Genesee Street, John Street and First Street. The Utica Observer reports: "We do not undertake to estimate the number of thousands at the depot; we can only say that we have never before witnessed so large an assemblage." Four Uticans are in charge of the official plans to meet the train: Hugh Crocker, Charles T. Hopkins, Homer Townsend and J.H. Read.

The Utica Brass Band begins to play "The Dead March in Saul," and the German Glee Club (now the Utica Maennerchor, a club still very active) sings its dirges. Many in the crowd carry small American flags as they file past the hearse car. Before leaving Utica, a new locomotive is attached to the train. After the 20-minute stop, it is on its way west, stopping in Rome briefly for water.

Earlier the same day the train is traveling through the Mohawk Valley (April 26), John Wilkes Booth, the man who murdered the president, is trapped by the 16th New York Cavalry in a burning barn near Bowling Green, Virginia, and shot dead.

More: How the 78-mile Utica and Schenectady Railroad began: This week in Mohawk Valley history

More: Theodore Roosevelt's road to the presidency begins in Utica

More: How Utica, NY got its name: This week in Mohawk Valley history

1923, 100 years ago

New street, new name

Utica is having a difficult time selecting a name for its new east-west thoroughfare along the abandoned Erie Canal. Most citizens favor "Canal Street." Others suggest Cosby Avenue, after William Cosby, the colonial governor of New York who, in 1730, became the first owner of land upon which Utica is located. Other names proposed include Iroquois Avenue. Eventually, city officials pick Oriskany Street as the official name.

1948, 75 years ago

A special thank you

Students in the home economics class at Kernan School in Utica receive a note from Great Britain's Princess Elizabeth thanking them for their wedding gift. They sent her several Utica-made cotton sheets and pillow cases. The students include: Nina Davey, Joan Brassel, Mariene Scelsi, Carol McIlwain, Donna Gleasman, Joan Paulovich and Barbara Szalkowski, who, because of her fine penmanship, was selected to write the letter that accompanied the gift.

1973, 50 years ago

Griffiss fire

Fire destroys the commissary at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome. The 200-by-200-foot building was one of the original buildings on the base, dating back to World War II. It served Air Force personnel and their dependents.Bernard Dutch, president of Dutch Parking System, proposes building a 450-car parking garage on the Union-Blandina parking lot in downtown Utica. He says it will cost "much less" than $1.5 million. (The garage was not built.)

1998, 25 years ago

Volunteers honored

The Volunteer Center of the Mohawk Valley honors its "outstanding young volunteers." They include: Amanda Morey, of Oriskany, for her fundraising activities for worthwhile causes. She is active in the Key Club and Students Against Drunk Driving; Benjamin Keller, credited with starting Explorer Boy Scout Post 505 with the East Herkimer Fire Department, and Marybeth Radley, of Sherrill, active in the Rotary Club's Interact Service Club and church, school and community projects.

In high school baseball, New York Mills defeats Richfield Springs, 9 to 6, behind the pitching and hitting of Adam Fay. Nick Radomski and Jason Ziarko each get two hits for the winners. Matt Pierce has three hits and four runs batted in for Richfield. Meanwhile, Mark Mattson has three hits and drives in five to lead Clinton over Holland Patent, 10 to 6. Jeremy Wisheart leads Holland Patent with a double and home run.

2013, 10 years ago

Mayor's fundraiser

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and his wife, Susan, sponsor the annual Mayor's Benefit Gala and raise $43,351 for Utica Safe Schools/Healthy Students Parnership.

St. Anthony-St. Agnes Parish observes its 100th anniversary with a Solemn Mass celebrated by the Rev. Mark Kaminski, pastor, assisted by Deacon Bill Dischiavo and Msgr. Francis Willenburg. Michael Viti is chairman of a Centennial Committee.

Rome Catholic Junior-Senior High School will close because of declining enrollment., says Carol Geddis, executive director of the Catholic School Administrators Association of New York State. "The closing was part of a long-term discussion," adds Danielle Cummings, director of communications for the Diocese of Syracuse.

Trivia quiz

This future president of the United States proposed to his future wife by telegram. He was working in Australia and wired his fiancée: "Going to China via San Francisco. Will you go with me?" She said "yes" and they were married two weeks later in Monterey, California. Then they sailed for China where he had a job and they made their first home. Name them. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: Florence Harding, wife of President Warren G. Harding, was the first "first lady" to vote. She was in the White House from March 4, 1921 to August 2, 1923 (the day the president died). The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the vote. It was proclaimed on August 20, 1920.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Mourning a president, Uticans gather in 1865: Mohawk Valley history