Packet Boat Era on the Chenango Canal
Good Old Days of Packet Boats
Madison County Eagle, Cazenovia
Aug. 2, 1843
Col. T.C. Nye, of Madison, and Mr. Butterfield, of Utica, have commenced running a daily line of packet boats on the Chenango Canal, from Hamilton to Binghamton. The boats run in connection with the line of stages from Hamilton to Utica.
Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, N.Y., May 1, 1844
PACKET LINE
The public are respectfully informed that the Packet Boat “Norwich,” runs daily from Oxford to Hamilton, up and down. It is connected with a line of stages for Utica, at the latter place, by which passengers arrive at either end of the route in the evening. As the line is established expressly for the accommodation of the traveling public, it is hoped the it will receive liberal encouragement. The Boat leaves Oxford in the morning at 5 o’clock; Norwich at 7; Sherburne at 10; and arrives in Hamilton at 12 1-2. Returning, leaves Hamilton at 3 o’clock in the afternoon; Sherburne, at 5; and Norwich at 7.
May 1, 1844
Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, N.Y.
May 8, 1844
C H E N A N G O C A N A L!
PEOPLE’S LINE OF PACKETS.
Cheaper Fare than any other Line
THE Splendid Packet Boat New- York,
Capt. H.BATES, will run on the
Chenango Canal Between
BINGHAMTON & HAMILTON
In connection with a Daily Line of Stages to Utica,
for the better accommodation of the traveling public, -
leaving Binghamton on Mondays, Wednesdays an Fridays,
at EIGHT O’CLOCK A.M. and returning, leave Hamilton
on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12 O’CLOCK M.
on arrival of the Stage from Utica, arriving at Binghamton
in time for the stages South, East, and West.
Passengers on this line will arrive at Utica in time for the
11 o’clock train of Cars, for Albany, or no pay. The boat is
towed by five relays of three horse teams, and cannot fail;
and passengers are not subjected to the inconvenience of
riding in an old, leaky, or half furnished boat, towed by four
teams, two of them only two horses.
The PEOPLE’S LINE, is the only line that connects with
stages at Hamilton, for Utica, and passengers traveling in any
other line, will be subjected to Livery prices, or be compelled
to await the regular line of stages, which leaves them twelve
hours behind time in their arrival at Albany.
The proprietors of the PEOPLE’S LINE pledge themselves
to the public, that this Boat will continue to run during
navigation, as it was bought and furnished expressly for
the service of this canal.
FARE - From Binghamton to Hamilton 50 cents
“ “ through to Utica, $1.75
For passage apply at the General Stage Office, in Binghamton,
or to the Captain on Board, at the Main Street Bridge.
J. BUTTERFIELD & Co., Utica
T.C. NYE, Madison
E. CLARKE, Oxford
H. BATES, Binghamton
August 18, 1844 PROPRIETORS
Chenango Telegraph
February 16, 1846
Collectors of Tolls for 1848
Hamilton - John Smith
Oxford - Waldo M. Potter
Binghamton - Henry W. Shipman
Binghamton Democrat
June 1, 1847
PACKET BOAT SHENANDOAH
Capt. R .Simmons will run the ensuing season from Binghamton to Hamilton-leaving Binghamton at 7 o'clock Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and leave Hamilton at 7 o'clock Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Fare $1.25. This boat will run in connection with stages from Hamilton to Utica and Canastota. Passengers wishing to go the Western Route will find a Stage leaving Hamilton every morning at 8 o'clock for Canastota in time for the Western packet.
Binghamton Democrat
July 5, 1847
Douglass Pierce of Binghamton, bowsman on Ezra Johnson's Canal boat, was killed on the Canal near Oriskany week before last. As the boat entered the look he jumped overboard, and losing his balance, fell between boat and lock and was shockingly mutilated. Both arms and one leg were broken. He lived about 3 hours. A worthy, industrious man aged 52, he left a wife and 8 children.
Chenango Telegraph
Norwich, N.Y.
Wed., August 11, 1847
The Packet
By reference to another column, an advertisement of Capt. Hess, of the Packet Boat “Shenandoah,” will be found. That Boat was put on the Canal several weeks ago, running from Hamilton to Binghamton, down one day and up the next, Sundays excepted. It was put on, too, after repeated trials to sustain a Packet which resulted in failures. The enterprise was commendable, and affording a cheap, and under certain circumstances, a very desirable mode of traveling, the people on the line sought by word and means to encourage and sustain it.
It had no sooner begun to do a fair, living business, than an opposition Boat was put on, for the purpose we presume, of starving out the “Shenandoah,” and driving her off. But the public will have a word to say about that. Since the opposition Boat commenced running, although the fare is reduced to a more nominal sum, “50 cents from Hamilton to Binghamton,” it has presented a “beggarly account of empty boxes,” while the “Shenandoah” has cleaned out the passengers at the different stations, an sometimes has on board the comfortable number of 35 to 40.
Now, it is left entirely with the public to determine, whether the old line shall be sustained against a powerful competition or not, and whether we shall have any Packet at all on the Canal. If we were to take the expression of community as a criterion not forgetting to mention that the “Shenandoah” is received with three cheers on arriving at the docks and the other with groans (which we deprecate) it would be sufficiently clear that the “Old Line” is and is to be all the toast. The fare is low and accommodations good.
(Same paper)
A CARD.
To The Traveling Public
I take this opportunity to express my thanks for the very liberal patronage bestowed upon the Packet SHENANDOAH, and while I solicit a continuance of their reciprocated favors hitherto, wold here assure them that she will continue her regular trips through this season.
J.HESS, Capt
Binghamton Democrat
August 24, 1847
The Shenandoah came to Binghamton yesterday loaded with passengers. A banner said "No Monopoly!”- A pledge of Support from the Citizens of Hamilton to the Shenandoah. The Old Zach charges only 50 cents but the Shenandoah gets 50 or 40 passengers and cheers, while Old Zach is met by groans.
Chenango Telegraph
Norwich, N.Y.
Wed., August 11, 1847
The Packet
By reference to another column, an advertisement of Capt. Hess, of the Packet Boat “Shenandoah,” will be found. That Boat was put on the Canal several weeks ago, running from Hamilton to Binghamton, down one day and up the next, Sundays excepted. It was put on, too, after repeated trials to sustain a Packet which resulted in failures. The enterprise was commendable, and affording a cheap, and under certain circumstances, a very desirable mode of traveling, the people on the line sought by word and means to encourage and sustain it.
It had no sooner begun to do a fair, living business, than an opposition Boat was put on, for the purpose we presume, of starving out the “Shenandoah,” and driving her off. But the public will have a word to say about that. Since the opposition Boat commenced running, although the fare is reduced to a more nominal sum, “50 cents from Hamilton to Binghamton,” it has presented a “beggarly account of empty boxes,” while the “Shenandoah” has cleaned out the passengers at the different stations, an sometimes has on board the comfortable number of 35 to 40.
Now, it is left entirely with the public to determine, whether the old line shall be sustained against a powerful competition or not, and whether we shall have any Packet at all on the Canal. If we were to take the expression of community as a criterion not forgetting to mention that the “Shenandoah” is received with three cheers on arriving at the docks and the other with groans (which we deprecate) it would be sufficiently clear that the “Old Line” is and is to be all the toast. The fare is low and accommodations good.
(Same paper)
A CARD.
To The Traveling Public
I take this opportunity to express my thanks for the very liberal patronage bestowed upon the Packet SHENANDOAH, and while I solicit a continuance of their reciprocated favors hitherto, wold here assure them that she will continue her regular trips through this season.
J.HESS, Capt
August 11th, 1847
Chenango Union, November 26, 1851
Packet Boat Orion!
At the solicitation f the business and traveling public, the subscribers have purchased the Packet Boat Orion, for the purpose of running between Norwich and Binghamton; leaving Norwich on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at 9 o’clock A.M.; and returning will leave Binghamton on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at the same time.
This Boat, under the command of S.S. Stevens, is well adapted for Passengers and light Freight, and will run through by daylight, thus affording an easy and pleasant mode of traveling to the public, as well as facilities for Tradesmen and others, who desire the transportation of Merchandise & c.
The experience of Capt. Stevens is, perhaps, a sufficient guarantee of a well ordered and properly conducted Boat.
All packages marked “Packet Boat Orion” will be promptly and faithfully attended to,
Samuel S. Stevens & Co.
August 8, 1851.
Chenango Union
April 27, 1853
Packet Boat Line. - The “Knickerbocker,” Capt. Samuel S. S. Stiver, and the “Lady Suffolk,” Capt. P.H. Webster, commenced their regular daily trips this (Wednesday) morning, between Bondsville and Binghamton.
Chenango Union
May 19, 1855
Packet - A packet has commenced running regularly between this place and Binghamton, leaving on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. She is owned by S.R. Per Lee - commanded by Capt. ‘Jim’ Bowen.
Daily Reporter, Norwich
June 14, 1856
The Packet Boat,
MONTEREY,
Capt. G. W. Burbank!
has commenced regular trips regular trips for passengers and freight between
NORWICH & BINGHAMTON!
The boat has been put in prime order and will run through the season as follows: Leaving Binghamton Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 1/2 o’clock in the morning, and returning on alternate days, leaving Norwich at 6 1/2 o’clock A.M. For comfort, convenience and economy, this mode of traveling is far superior to any in this Valley. Passengers going South will arrive in time for Mail Trains East or West, also in time for Night Express Trains either way. Passengers going North can have a night’s rest Norwich, and take stages in the morning for almost any part of the country.
To ensure safe transportation, all goods, packages, etc., should be marked either to my care or to the care of the Packet Boat.
G.W. Burbank,
Norwich, June 13, 1856 No. 97.
Chenango Union, Norwich
April 23, 1862
New Packet Boat. - Capt. River has been engaged during the past month, in building a new and first class packet boat which he has named the “Norwich,” and which he advertises to commence running between this place and Binghamton on the 1st of May - leaving this place and Binghamton on the 1st of May, leaving here on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Binghamton on alternate days. The captain is clever fellow, and deserves success.
Utica Morning Herald
May 6, 1862
Capt. Stever has commenced the regular trips of his elegant new packet boat Norwich, on the Chenango Canal between here and Binghamton, tri-weekly. The Norwich is not quite so fast as the Lightning Express train of the New York Central Railroad; but she is safer and full as comfortable and always goes through by daylight.
Binghamton Daily Republican
Tuesday, September 9, 1862
Arrival and Departure of the 114th Regiment at Binghamton
Colonel E. B. Smith’s regiment arrived at this place, on Sunday evening last, in canal boats from Norwich, the soldiers remaining on the boats. On Monday morning, by invitation of Colonel Ireland, of the One Hundred and Thirty- Seventh, they marched over to the barracks for breakfast.
After breakfast they marched back to the depot, where they deposited, in the cars awaiting them, their knapsacks, &c., and awaited the arrival of Colonel Ireland’s regiment, which escorted them to the from of the Court House, where an address of welcome was delivered by Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, which was responded to by Colonel Smith. The speech and response, were eloquent and patriotic. Mr. Dickinson welcomed his old friends [rom his native County of Chenango, in the name of all classes, in the name of patriotism and of their country, and expressed his belief and hope, that a good account would be heard from the regiment.
Colonel Smith in his remarks, alluded handsomely to Colonel Ireland, and expressed a hope that the regiments would he Brigade together, and that Broome and Chenango would stand shoulder to shoulder in the defense of their country’s flag.
The sight of two Regiments in uniform and the large concourse of our citizens, ladies and gentlemen, in carriages and on foot, presented a military pageant never before witnessed in Binghamton. The Regiment got off about 10 o’clock in good order in ample cars amid the shouts and cheers of the People.
Colonel Smith is a fine looking officer, and has a clear, ringing voice of command. We expect to hear a good account of him.
Clark, the war vocalist., favored the vast crowd with the ‘Sword of' Bunker Hill and the ‘Death of Warren.’
Three cheers were given for Mr. Dickinson, Colonel Smith, Colonel Ireland, Clark, and the boys generally. The sight of two regiments in uniform, and the large concourse of our citizens, ladies and gentlemen, in carriages and on foot, presented a military pageant never before witnessed in Bing-
hamton.
The regiment got off about ten o‘clock, in good order, and in ample cars, amid the shouts and cheers of the people. Both regiments presented a fine appearance, and the whole affair was creditable to them and to our people.
Chenango Union
April 27, 1864
Capt. Stiver is making preparations to start his canal packet Norwich on the opening of navigation. She will run between Norwich and Binghamton as usual, carrying passengers and freight. Her unfailing punctuality, as well as the neatness with which she is kept, together with the gentlemanly and accommodating disposition of the captain, has made the Norwich a favorite with the traveling public. Persons going or coming from one place to there other, particularly women and children, will find
no easier, safer or surer method of reaching their destination. We wish the Captain and his handsome packet the best success.
Chenango Telegraph
May 25, 1864
The Packet. - The Binghamton Times asks whether we are to have direct communication between Binghamton and Norwich this summer by way of the Packet. We are happy to assure the Times that that indispensable institution has been running on the raging canal ever since the opening of navigation. It is commanded as usual by he gentlemanly and popular Capt. Stiver. who has earned golden opinions from his many customers.
Chenango Telegraph
May 3, 1865
Packet Boat - The Packet Boat Norwich, will commence her regular trips between Norwich and Binghamton, on the 15th inst., or as soon as the state of the canal will permit. Capt. Stiver has completed an arrangement with Mr. William Ogden, of Binghamton, for the construction of a second Packet, after the models of the Norwich. It is to be completed on the 20th of August, and will be in running order about the 25th; after which date the captain’s line of travel will afford facilities of being between Norwich and Binghamton, and intermediate places. Being thus mindful of the public wants, we have no doubt Capt. Stiver will receive, as he deserves, an increased share of the public patronage during the coming season.
Norwich Daily Reporter
June 14, 1856
THE PACKET BOAT ,
MONTEREY,
CAPT. G. W. BURBANK!
has commenced regular trips for passengers
and freight between
NORWICH AND BINGHAMTON
The boat has been put in prime order, and will run through the season as follows: Leaving Binghamton Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30 o’clock in the morning, and returning on alternate days, leaving Norwich at 6:30 o’clock A.M. For comfort, convenience and economy, this mode of traveling is far superior to any other in this Valley. Passengers going South will arrive in time for Mail Trains East or West, also in time for Night Express Trains either way. Passengers going North can have a night’s rest at Norwich, and take stages in the morning for almost any part of the country.
To ensure safe transportation, all goods, packages, etc., should be marked either to my care or to the care of the Packet Boat.
G.W. Burbank
Norwich, June 13, 1866 No. 97.
Chenango Union
Wed., July 22, 1868
Runaway. - The horses attached to the packet boat Lillie went on the rampage again, on Saturday evening last. When near the Main Street canal bridge, they snapped the tow-line in a twinkling, and ran up the tow-path at a 2:40 saint, or faster - George still retained his seat.
Leaving the line of the canal at the East Street bridge, they went down East Street, up Silver Street, and finally brought up at the Mitchell Street bridge. Running away is the favorite pastime of that team, and George allows that he has “played out” as their driver - that their cheerful antics are too frequent for his personal comfort.
Chenango Union
Wednesday, May 26, 1869
The Packets. - on Thursday last the packet boat Lillie commenced running between Norwich and Sherburne, leaving Norwich in the morning and returning in the evening. The packet Norwich will continue her trips between Norwich and Binghamton.
Advertiser, Addison, N.Y.
June 9, 1869
(excerpt)
From Chenango Forks to Greene we tried the stage, but for the sake of brevity we pass this part of our journey in silence. From Greene to Norwich we go via the Chenango canal in a packet boat, which glides smoothly along over its raging waters at the surprising rate of three and one-third miles an hour; but it is pleasant to sit quietly on the deck and look once more on the familiar scenes of our youthful days.
Those old hills and valleys are clear in our memory, and many emotions which the pen cannot picture are penned are awakened while we gaze upon them. While many of the friends of our youthful days rest in their beds of clay, never again on earth to greet us, these hills smile beneath the summer’s sun as fresh and youthful as when in childhood we beheld them. Early preferences may have something to do with it, but there is no better country in the world to me than the Chenango Valley.
Chenango Union, Norwich, N.Y.
May 18, 1870
The Packet. - Capt. Stiver, the gentlemanly proprietor of the Packet Boat Line, has commenced business, and the boat Lillie will run between this village and Binghamton, leaving here on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, and returning on the alternate days. The opposition of railroad travel makes it unprofitable to run both boats for packet business, and he has nicely fitted up the second boat for excursion parties and picnics.
Chenango Union, Norwich, N.Y.
August 17, 1870
Packet Boat Line
Between
Norwich & Binghamton
___
Fare, $1.50
__
THE PACKET BOAT LILLIE will run between Norwich and Binghamton during the present season, as follows: Lease Norwich on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; leave Binghamton on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Meals furnished to parties desiring, at reasonable rates.
____
Time Table
Going South
Leave Norwich 6 A.M.
“ Oxford 8 A.M.
“ East Greene 10:30 A.M.
Greene 12:00 Noon
“ Chenango Forks 2 P.M.
“ Port Crane 4 P.M.
Arrive Binghamton 6 p.m.
Going North
Leave Binghamton 6 A.M.
“ Port Crane 8 A.M.
“ Chenango Forks 2 P.M.
“ Greene 12 Noon
“ East Greene 1:30 P.M.
“ Oxford 4 P.M.
Arrive at Norwich 6:30 P.M.
May, 1870 W.M. Stever, Captain
Chenango American
May 18, 1871
Oxford. - We learn that Capt. Stever has sold one of his packet boats to Frank Lord, of Rochester, and is to deliver the same there within a few days.
Chenango American
May 22, 1873
The packet boat Norwich, which made regular trips between this village and Binghamton, before the iron horse thundered through the valley, is to ply between Utica and Mohawk the present season - Union
Chenango Union
Thursday, May 11, 1876
An Old Favorite. - Upon the opening of canal navigation, on Thursday last, the first boat that arrived in Utica, from the east, was the packet Norwich, which, the Observer says, freshly painted in the Centennial red, white and blue, drove grandly into town behind three mules, the ribs of which do not show so plainly as they should for real thoroughbred canallers. It will make it regular trips during the season.
Many of our readers will recall to mind with pleasure the time when the Norwich plied between this village and Binghamton - before the days of railroads in this valley - when the trip each way occupied an entire day, the passengers occupying the time in admiring the beautiful scenery upon the route, or amusing themselves in various ways, while the urbane Capt. Stiver made every one feel at home on board his craft. Those journeys, which now appear so tedious, wee often most enjoyable; and that old packet boar witnessed many a rich scene, as well as some sorrowful ones, while plowing the raging Chenango, now alas! nearly played out.
Chenango Telegraph
July 29, 1878
The old packet boat “Norwich,” which used to do such good service on the Chenango Canal, is now doing good business upon the Erie Canal.
Morning Sun, Norwich
March 21, 1892
Speaking of slow locomotion, next to the canal boat when the frequent ducks at the cry of low bridge were most annoying, the old packet line between here and Binghamton was the slowest, although by no means the most unpleasant. Capt. Stiver ran a packet in those days between here and Binghamton and the crowds that used to convene at the old Sam Per Lee store (where R. Eaton now has a warehouse) were of themselves enough to speak of Captain’s popularity.
The packet was drawn by four horses that went on a fast walk and part of the time, particularly when coming into town, on a trot. The boat itself was like a canal boat except was well finished and furnished on the inside and had numerous window, dining room, births, &c., and the trip, although slow for three days, was a most enjoyable one. Captain Stevens was at the head crying “low bridge.”
Semi Weekly Telegraph
Norwich, N.Y.
January 24, 1894
To the older readers it is not necessary to explain that the packet boat sailed over the Chenango canal - a state ditch now all but obliterated. Both the departure and arrive of the packet used to excite much more attention than is paid to the arrival of railroad trains now-a-days. The Captain blew a horn as he approached Norwich, and the three horses, which were hitched tandem and drew the trim craft, were put to a trot and brought the packet up to the dock of the lower “store house,” on South Broad street, flying.
The bowman was the admiration of all the small boys, as with hawser in hand he jumped upon the dock and skillfully wound the heavy rope around the snubbing posts and brought the lively boat to a standstill without a jerk or a bump.
A trip from Norwich to Binghamton by packet, on a long summer’s day in June, was a delight. Old travelers will tell you so. The only danger was from low bridges, of the approach to which you were always informed by the steersman’s cry, “low bridge,” and the only unpleasantness was the bilge-water smell of the locks, when you were down in them.
The packet disappeared with the coming of the railroad, but if we are rightfully informed, this same packet boat still runs on the Erie canal and is known as “The Lillie.”
Chenango Union, Norwich, N.Y.
Thurs., Aug. 9, 1894
The Old Packet “Norwich” Sunk
The only remaining representative of the old type of packet boats on the Erie canal lies at its bottom in seven feet of water at the foot of Mohawk street, Utica. Monday afternoon the steam packet D.D. Winston started from Utica on its trip to Mohawk, with a large amount of freight and five passengers, when she collided with the double header and soon sunk.
Two young lady passengers fell into the canal when leaping the wreck, but were rescued. The packet was built on the Chenango canal upwards of thirty years ago, for passenger and freight traffic between Norwich and Binghamton, and was originally named the “Norwich.” For the past eighteen years she has been run as a packet by Captain Budlong between Utica and Mohawk. She was originally a horse boat but fourteen years ago was made into a propeller.
Some Memories of the Packet Boats
“We left Binghamton on a packet boat at 7:20 in the morning and at 6 o’clock that night the captain blew a mighty blast on his bugle. We had reached Norwich!” That was the comment of John A. Rider, 83, of Binghamton said during an interview in 1937.
He laughed uproariously at thoughts of riding on the horse drawn Chenango canal packets when it took nearly 11 hours to make the 40 miles to Norwich. The horses plodded quietly along the towpath.“ You could get there faster by walking.” (1)
John A. Kark of Binghamton recalled in 1934: “Well do I remember the old Chenango Canal, for I rode on the packet boats many a time between Binghamton and Port Crane. They used three horses, hitched in tandem style, as ‘motive power.’ The trip from Binghamton to Port Crane required about an hour. Now, by motor, one can make that trip in 15 or 20 minutes.” (2)
Henry E. Puffer of Binghamton said 12 horses were utilized to pull the two boats, Lillie and Norwich, with changes made at Port Crane, Brisben and Oxford. William Stever captained the Lillie and his brother, Henry, captained the Norwich.
Puffer said there was a drydock for canal boats at Port Crane. As a boy he used to watch the canal boats loaded with merchandise as they came to anchor at the docks in Port Crane, and also remembered when they anchored in the old basin in Binghamton. (3)
Old John Brown, not of anti-slavery renown, but John Brown of the “Pine Woods” locality, a famous dresser of boat timber for the canal boats, of which many were built in Binghamton 50 or 60 years ago for the Chenango Canal. John Brown and his brother, Peter, used to saw out the long side pieces of timber for the boats, from dressed trees (too long for the saw mills to turn out), which were placed on tall saw-horses.
One of the brothers would be on top of the stick to raise the ripping saw and the other on the ground beneath, to pull the saw down. This was hard work and very telling on the men, who would often come to the village and fill up on whisky and become very noisy, yelling and singing on the street, until overcome by their libations or staggering off to their homes. (4)
(1) Binghamton Press, July 19, 1937
(2) Binghamton Press, September 28, 1934
(3) Binghamton Sun, August 22, 1932
(4) Binghamton Press, October 29, 1909
Chenango American, Greene, N.Y.
April 18, 1935
Memories of old Canal Days are Recalled by Former Greene Resident
Memories of the “old days” and of the last trip of the packet on the old Chenango Canal, have been written by Charles A. Winston, a former Greene boy, and brother of Mrs. Harriet Wolfe of Greene. Mr. Winston now lives in East Orange, New Jersey.
Through the courtesy of his sister, his interesting story, “The Packet” is printed for the benefit of Chenango American readers. It vividly describes scenes which are unfamiliar to the young generation in Greene but which will, no doubt, be remembered by many of our older residents, and enjoyed by all.
The Packet
The Packet drawn by three white horses hitched tandem, was making its last trip from Binghamton to Utica on the old Chenango Canal. The time was late fall.. A few light frosts had turned and touched the foliage of maple, dogwood, oak and blazing sumac, all making a riot of color that had little appeal to young Dan Buck, as he urged his “three horse hitch” to a trot.
For five summers now, Dan had, with his three horses, Dandy, Dixie and Dolly, pulled the packets on the “seven mile level” between Locks 7 and 8. Each morning he met it at Lock 8, on its downward trip. In the late afternoon at Lock 7 for the return trip. Never once, had he been late, never once had he failed to make his time of 56 minutes on the level.
Now it was over. For many years the packet had been an important means of travel, in moat instances replacing the stagecoach where it had paralleled the canal. Children watched for it and waved their hands as it passed, and farmers set their clocks by it. It was a bright spot in the day and would be sadly missed. Now it was over. The railroad had come and the day of the packets was gone.
The two packets, the Binghamton Belle and the Utica Belle, were boats of light draught with cabins extending their entire length. The top of the cabin, raised some three feet above the deck, formed a
space for benches and chairs and was surrounded by a railing. This was covered by a gaily colored canopy which, with the flags always flying fore and aft, the stripes of red, white and blue extending entirely around the boat, made a colorful sight as it glided along.
The cabin was divided into three compartments: quarters for the crew on one end, a space for express and light freight on the other, and dining room, bar and kitchen in the middle area. The packets were
famous for the meals served, and as the dining room was always open many people came aboard and rode from one lock to another just to enjoy the meals.
Captain Cole of the Binghamton Belle and Captain Robinson of the Utica Belle were both hearty bewhiskered old “inland sea dogs" who would have been greatly insulted to be called “Canallers". The packets were seldom called by name but were spoken of as “Captain Cole’s boat" or “Captain Robinson’s boat". There was a strong rivalry between the two men as to which boat kept closer to schedule, and which one served the best meals. The captains rarely met except when their boats passed and if one were not on time the language used caused much amusement among the passengers.
The schedule for the 96 miles between Binghamton and Utica called for an average speed of six miles per hour, including the time for locking. Frequent changes of horses were made so that the schedule
could be maintained. With the exception of young Dan Buck's three white horses, all others were owned by the company operating the packets. Dan and his horses were known and loved by every man,
woman and child along the seven mile level between locks seven and eight, and on this last trip many gathered along the towpath to bid them good-bye.
Dan had never been in the cabin of either boat during the whole live years he had pulled them. The passengers meant nothing to him, and the captains had no occasion to bawl him out for he was always on time. At lock eight a large number of passengers and officers of the company were gathered to make the last trip. As Dan cast off the tow-line a sudden idea came to him and he called to a friend standing near, “Here! Take care of my horses. l'm going to Utica to see the finish of the old boat." So for the first time he became a passenger on the boat he had towed for so many miles. Captain Robinson invited him to supper and introduced him to the company as “the best man who ever trod a towpath".
Thus ended the career of these two boats as packets as they were soon transformed into traveling stores and as such plied the Erie Canal for many years. The first heavy snowfall found Dan and his horses on their way to his regular winter's job in the North Woods where for several years he and his horses had been as popular as on the canal.
Through the long winter he hauled logs to the saw mill and when spring came he arrived in Utica just as navigation opened on the Erie Canal. He decided to take a short vacation and see what canalling was like on the Big Ditch.
The size of the boats as compared with those he had been familiar with on the old Chenango surprised him, and he saw no horses he could compare with his beloved Dandy, Dixie and Dolly. Most of the hitches were two horse and the progress of the boats slow. Slowly it dawned on him that he was a canaller at heart and would not be happy elsewhere.
One day as he stood idly watching boats loading and pulling out, he was accosted by Captain Davidson, an old friend and owner of the Chenango Maid, the best boat that ever plied the old Chenango. The captain was much downcast and told Dan that in trying to make just one more trip he had barely succeeded in reaching Utica before navigation closed, and in so doing he had pushed his horses so hard that they had since died. He said, "Dan, you have horses and I have a boat. Let's go in together".
The firm of Davidson & Buck prospered from the start. Good horses. good boats and good service brought them business. The captain's daughter Molly had, since the death of her mother, served as cook
on the Chenango Maid during the summer and attended school in Utica during the winter. She was a buxom lass of nineteen, with red hair and sparkling eyes, and had caused havoc among the hearts of every towpath boy, including Dan, between Binghamton and Utica. Dan was much pleased when he learned she was to continue as cook and lost no time in pressing his suit. They were married at the end of the season and remained canallers all their lives.
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