The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 45
Early Stage Lines/Railroads

rivals. They had but one interest over the principal lines of travel in the State, and they united, as one man, in the fight. The old contestants at this time were: Jason Parker, A. Shepard, S. D. Child, and T. S. Faxton, of Utica ; Isaac Sherwood, of Skaneateles; J. M. Sherwood, of Auburn; C. H. Coe, of Canandaigua; Adams & Blinn, of Rochester ; B. D. Coe, of Buffalo; E. Phillips, of Syracuse; S. Goodwin, of Madison; William Storey, Cherry Valley; Asa Sprague, of Schenectady; and A. Thorpe, of Albany.

Many stage lines then converged at Auburn, from Homer, Ithaca, Oswego, Aurora, &c., and hence the struggle for passengers at this point was sharp. The " Pioneer line" obtained control of the Western Exchange, then the leading hotel of the village, where the old line horses had been kept, and hoped thus to embarrass and defeat their rivals ; but a new place was quickly fitted up opposite the Bank of Auburn, entitled the " Bank Coffee House," and made the general headquarters here of the "old line."

The citizens of Auburn and of the county generally were not idle spectators of the contest. They came in large numbers to the aid of the old stage interest, and to defend, what they believed to be a sacred individual right, attempted to be forcibly wrested from them by a class of men whom they denominated fanatics. At a very large public meeting, at which it is said one thousand were in attendance, Rev. John Jeffreys, of Mentz, stated the object of the meeting, and the following is one of the resolutions adopted.

" Resolved, as the sense of this meeting, that all associations and combinations of men, formed to prescribe and dictate to others in what manner they shall observe and keep the Sabbath, are subversive of the free exercise of the rights of conscience ; and that this meeting hereby enters their solemn protest against the forming, or organizing any religious party in politics."

Archibald Green, William H. Seward, and Dr. Campbell, were appointed a committee to publish the proceedings of the meeting in pamphlet form.

The opponents of the " Pioneer line" did not object to legitimate competition in running stages, or in other business ; but they did object to combining the religious opinions of a portion of the community, to coerce those who differed from them.

To secure a more rapid transit of passengers, and thus increase patronage, J. M. Sherwood & Co., caused to be built for them, a sufficient number of light, yet strong, coaches, to carry six passengers only, drawn by their fleetest horses, and driven by their most reliable men, and denominated the "Telegraph line."

The building of the "American Hotel," now St. James, was an outgrowth of the stage contest. It was commenced in 1828 and finished and occupied in 183o, by J. M. Sherwood & Co., and was the head-quarters of their stage business. The hotel was kept by Thomas Noyes, and the agent of the large stage business, was the ever bland and courteous Consider Carter, kindly remembered, by all that knew him. The new and rapid "Telegraph line"; the building of the "American"; the failure to secure the carriage of the United States Mail ; but above all the failing support of their enterprise by the great body of the people, were so many broken links in the chain of their hopes, that the " Pioneer" speedily waned, withered and died ; leaving the field again free to the " old line," which they held until January 28th, 1838. On the completion of the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad, . the eastern bound stages were hauled off; and many of the horses were employed for about a year and a half in drawing the cars upon wooden rails between Auburn and Syracuse.

RAILROADS.-The first movement towards the construction of a railroad from Auburn to the canal was made in 1828, in which year the committee of the Legislature on Canals and Internal Improvements, reported favorably upon the subject of lending State aid to the construction of the road from Auburn to Weed's Basin. Their reasons for favoring the measure were first: it would be a feasible and cheap experiment, and furnish a model for improvements of a similar kind; second: the needed accommodations of the people, and third: the advantage it would be to the interests of the State represented in the Auburn prison.

The same committee add: " That in particular districts, and for particular objects, improvements by railroads can be usefully extended ; but that they can bear a fair competition with well located and well supplied canals, remains to be proved ; and while railroads are of minor consideration, yet as tributaries to the canals, they will be of vital importance." The committee add, "that unemployed convicts could be engaged in the con-

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