From the DeRuyter Gleaner of DeRuyter, NY
Thursday, December 28, 1939

Otselic History

1869 - The Railroad Story Continued - 1939

---

   I am making one correction in my story recently published in the "Gleaner". The conductor on all passenger trains on the Auburn Branch for the years of its existence was David Shattuck, "Dave" as he was called by everyone. A most kindly gentleman to meet, an engineer by trade, a grandson of John Shattuck one of the pioneers of Norwich. Very few probably, noticed my error. *

   Excursions on the new railroads were common. It was something new. Everybody was crazy to ride "the cars". The mainline of the New York & Oswego Midland from Norwich to Oswego in 1869. My chum, Simeon Crumb, station agent and telegraph operator at Beaver Meadow, sponsored an excursion off the Auburn Branch in 1876 or 1877 to North Bay on Oneida Lake, contracting for and paying the railroad company for the entire train equipment, and taking the profit himself, which as I remember was some $400.

   Many young couples as well as old went from South Otselic, driving to the Center, leaving their horses in care of Joseph Smith Potter, the blacksmith, he to have them ready for us when we returned. The excursion train was slow, heavily loaded and much behind time all the way, but we got there at last, and had time to eat our basket lunch, provided by the girls. A very short rest and we heard the order, "All Aboard!" for the return trip. Nothing to do or see there but piles and piles of white sand at the big lake. No amusements or entertainments.

   You will remember that all the trestles were built during the summer of 1870. i have often wondered where the timbers came from and what became of them after the road was discontinued. Likewise the depots. The heavy timbers became common property after December, 1878 when the Auburn Branch was discontinued because it was an expensive road to keep up in the winter. A big job to get it, as they were badly disfigured with bolts and spikes. However some of the best went into farm buildings, and much of it into stove wood.

   Because of two large trestles - Wibert's and Otselic, would have to be replaced with steel or else gravel filled, it was thought best to abandon it altogether. The townships along the line were stuck, however, and were 50 years paying off their bonded indebtedness.

   Timbers and lumber was shipped to the nearest point, and then hauled by teams. The depot at Otselic Center was sold to a nearby farmer for $50 and is now part of his modern barns. The Beaver Meadow depot was taken down and made into a barn at South Otselic and now in 1939 it has been molded into a modern dwelling house. Plymouth, the smaller of the other depots at Otselic Center and Beaver Meadow, as late as the past summer is still there in its original location apparently unharmed by its long vigil as a mute reminder of the days when Plymouth too was on the map.

   The depots were all splendid structures with slate roof. An incident lately given me about the excavating of the cuts and carting to the fills. One old mule was a little too fractious and backed over the blocking and down he went some 40 to 50 feet to his death and as a part of the filling, car, mule, harness and all were soon buried. Upper Beaver Meadow is a quiet place now. Just a small fur farm and one or two families. At the lower place half mile distant (where the beavers had a dam with water covering 100 acres) is the Post Office and store and a dozen houses. It was a flag station in railroad days. Although much the larger place they never had a depot.

   My business venture was at the upper place. At age 20 I had just graduated from Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie. I bought out Jerome Levisee Jan. 10, 1876, stock of $255, added groceries and dry goods. Four trains daily. A shipping point for farm produce. It had a Post Office, cheese factory, blacksmith and harness ships and hotel. Some town then.

   Well I experienced enough thee and sold out to Simeon Crumb July 1st, 1878. The railroad ceased the following December. On Sunday that year Lafe Bennett moved his harness shop on the rails to the lower village. The Post Office, always a bone of contention between the places, had been one by the lower place some time before, and I was hiring a boy to bring our mail after the last train came in. Too much is enough so here is where I will quit the railroad story.

FRANK E. COX

---

Back to top

From the Norwich Sun of Norwich, NY
Friday, December 6, 1912

---

The Late David Shattuck

---

Well -Known Railroad, Business and Hotel Man Passes to His Reward

---

   Norwich, Dec. 6 - David Shattuck, for many years well known in railroad and business circles in Norwich, died at his home on North Broad street on Tuesday (Dec. 3), aged 78. Death was due to apoplexy. ( Sudden loss of muscular control, sensation, and consciousness, resulting from the rupture or blocking of a blood vessel in the brain. A massive stroke. )

   Mr. Shattuck was the son of John and Mary Knapp Shattuck and was born in Norwich July 26, 1834. After attending Oxford Academy and spending a few years on the farm, Mr. Shattuck engaged in construction work on the old New York & Oswego Midland Railroad in the promotion of which his father was one of the pioneers.

   He helped to run the first locomotive to cross Lyon Brook bridge, which spanned a great height the stream where as a lad he found his favorite fishing. Later, after running trains upon the Auburn branch, he was in charge of the crew that dismantled that section of the road. He then became a conductor on the main line and for many years was on the passenger runs between Norwich and Utica and Norwich and Oswego.

   In 1890 he quit the railroad service to become the landlord of the Eagle Hotel. After several years in the hotel business he retired to the homestead at Haynes, where he lived until two years ago, when he became a resident of Norwich.

   For many years Mr. Shattuck was a prominent member of the Masonic bodies of Norwich. He was among the oldest past commanders of the Norwich Commandery, Knights Templar. In politics he was a Democrat and had been frequently named by his party for important offices.

   Mr. Shattuck was twice married. His first wife, Harriet Noble, of Oxford, to whom he was married September 19, 1855, died December 29, 1864. September 19, 1866, he married Rachael Comstock daughter of Abel and Esther Comstock, of Norwich, who survives him. He is also survived by a son, John D. Shattuck of Dudley Park, Pa., who is general manager of the Suburban Gas Company of Philadelphia, and one daughter, Harriet, wife of Louis G. Quackenbush of Oneida. Another daughter, wife of Bertrand Wait, died less than a year ago.

   Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in charge of Norwich Commandery, K.T., Rev. Paul Riley Allen officiating.