Sage House, Williamstown, New York

 

 

The Sage House was a landmark in Williamstown for more than a century, and was a popular hotel particularly during the days of traveling salesmen who came to town on the train. It was built in 1868 by Chauncey S. Sage and sat across from the depot. Although owned by the Sage family for more than 40 years, the hotel was always leased - first by G.S Potter in 1879, P. B. Doxtater in 1888, John J. Burlingame in 1892, and Philip Ackley in 1900. Mr. Sage died in 1890. After his death, his son, John L., became proprietor. In 1911, the property was sold to Charles H. Nichols for $5,000. Much later owners included Edward and Elizabeth Gorski, Charles and Marilyn French, Thomas and Joanee Joyce, and finally , Patrick and Frances O’Hara. The hotel closed in late 1974, and Joyce, along with his partner, James Gorman, assumed ownership. The building was extensively remodeled in the spring of 1975 and reopened for business in April as the Carriage House. But fire destroyed it two months later on Friday, June 13, 1975.

                         An Incident With The Fenians in Williamstown

                                                   By Richard F.Palmer

    During and after the Civil War  an Irish nationalist organization known as the Fenians unsuccessfully attempted to seize territory in Canada to proclaim a new Irish Republic.  When the entire affair cooled off, many of the these people fled Canada and returned east by train.  A group of about 200 boarded a train on the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad at Ogdensburg on June 1, 1870, escorted by a detachment of army troops.

   By the time they arrived at Richland the Fenians had caused trouble wherever the train stopped.  At Richland they ransacked Perry Soule’s hotel. At Albion, it was reported “Mr. M.N. Rich had not only his liquor stolen, but was violently choked and but for his own individual pluck would have lost his purse.” But they apparently were advised not to detrain at Kasoag which would meet their match. At the time the town was known as “one of the meanest places in existence.” 

    The Oswego Daily Press of June 14, 1870 reported that when the train stopped at Williamstown “a number of Fenians, perhaps seven or eight, rushed into the Sage House and stole a bottle of whiskey.” The proprietor subdued one and held on to him for the authorities. The Fenians unhooked their car, and to the tune of 150 were coming back to rescue their friend, when the U.S. troops met them and drove them back.”

  The newspaper erroneously reported that three men were seriously wounded, and one died of his wounds shortly after. One prisoner escaped. Over thirty men armed with revolvers were waiting for the Fenians at the Sage Hotel. Had they come back, there would have been a bloody struggle.” This was refuted by later reports.

 At Williamstown the Fenians piled out and went over to the Sage House for drinks. When the bartender refused to serve them a small riot erupted and the Fenians started to break up the place with everything they could lay their hands on. One newspaper reported  “they went into the hotel for refreshments and before they got through kicked up quite a row.” 

   But the engine whistle soon blew and they all went back on board except those arrested for disturbing the peace  After the train had gone a mile or so, some of the Fenians decided to return to Williamstown and rescue their friends.  The troops and regular passengers were riding in the first coach behind the engine which continued on, unaware that someone had uncoupled the cars in which they were riding, and they ran back to Williamstown, intent on rescuing their friends. They armed themselves with clubs and stones. 

   But the troops were soon in hot pursuit. At the hotel they drew up in formation and ordered the  Fenians to return to the train. When they stood their ground and refused to obey, the soldiers were ordered to “fix bayonets.” The sight of this quickly quelled the mob.  Everyone then peaceably  reboarded the train and continued on their eastward journey. When the train arrived in Rome the perpetrators were hustled off to jail.        

                                   Conductor Tells His Story

    The story was published far and wide. But like many such accounts the truth seems to have been exaggerated. The Philadelphia Inquirer on June 4, 1870 published the following statement made by the conductor, W. H. Tuller: 

   “Having seen a despatch to the press stating that the United State troops fired on Fenians during a riot at Williamstown, N.Y., one the first of June, I beg leave to give, in justice to the troops and their commander, Lieutenant George W. Deshler, First Artillery, a correct statement of the affair.

   “On the arrival of the train at Williamstown a few New York roughs left the train and got into a dispute at the hotel. The train starting before they got on  board, some of the party cut loose the cars, containing about two hundred Fenians and forty roughs. The Fenians demurred at this, and a riot commenced, the roughs drawing their revolvers and shooting in every direction.   

  “ During this state of affairs, having run back my train, and considering the lives of my passengers in danger, I requested Lieutenant Deshler to interfere and put a stop to it. He did so in a most gallant manner, having to lead his men some distance up a steep bank under heavy fire before he could form them. Having formed with six men, he called upon the rioters to disperse, and charged in front of his party with fixed bayonets. Without firing a shot the disturbance was quelled, and the rioters were in the cars in less than five minutes after the charge was made.”

                                            Conductor’s Statement Found True

    The Philadelphia Inquirer was able to corroborate the conductor’s statement, and that no one was killed, in this article that appeared on June 6, 1870:

   “There is no truth whatever in the report that the United States troops fired on the returning Fenians at Williamstown, N.Y., last week. On the contrary, the National soldiers did not fire upon any one, but dispersed, at the point of bayonet, a mob of roughs who had separated two cars containing Fenians from the train they had been attached to.

   “Thus the misled invaders of Canada were protected and not assaulted by the arms of the country of their adoption. With the exception of arresting a few of the leaders, in order to enforce the Neutrality laws, the Government had treated the Fenians with the utmost forbearance.”                     

Smith's Tavern, Walton