Post St. Blues-Fiona at the library

[jon]

UTICA ITEMS

There is a welcome falling off in the number of bird murder bonnets worn. If this continues, in a short time the nymphs of Dead man's row and Post Avenue alone will wear this detestable head dress.


ROMAN CITIZEN - APRIL 29, 1886

[Dave]

Which building?

[Dave]

Are "bird murder bonnets" what I think they are? What a great name! I could never understand how anyone but Leatherstocking-Natty-Bumpo would want to wear those hats, especially women.

[fiona]

The little red garage in the center of the photo.

[jon]

SENT ELLEN TO JAIL

Ellen Sloan of Post Avenue well known in police circles, was found in Oriskany this morning by deputy Sheriff Ashby in very tough condition. Her eyes were blackened and she showed other signs of ill usage. She was far from from sober and the deputy took her in charge. She said two fellows met her yesterday afternoon in Post Avenue and took her to Oriskany, where they got her intoxicated and otherwise misused her. The names of her companions are not known. Ellen Sloan's story was not believed, and on account of her condition she was committed to the jail for vagrancy for fifty-nine days.


UTICA OBSERVER - AUGUST 7, 1898

[jon]

POLICE MATTERS

There were ten southern negroes before Judge Morehouse yesterday morning. They had been gathered in for creating a disturbance on Post Avenue. They satisfied the Judge of their ability to leave the town behind them at a moment's notice, so they were given the opportunity.


UTICA SUNDAY TRIBUNE - AUGUST 28, 1892

[jon]

COOKE ON GAMBLING
_____________________


Minister Made Comparison in To-day's Sermon


In the second of his series delivered before an unusually large congregation in Grace Church at noon to-day, the Rev. William Cooke of this city said some things not usually expected from the orthodox minister, but which are true and needed, nevertheless. He told of public and private gambling and pictured the contrast between the treatment of a little colored boy who throws dice on Post Avenue and that of the men and women who sometimes gamble not only in their own homes, but in public in the name of charity or with religion as a cloak.

[jon]

The general subject was the interest of a Christian life from the moral view point. He said while the world recognized the influence of God, that general cognizance is taken of what is known as the brotherhood of man. How asked, "What do we mean by the society of to-day? It is not a small band of people who have acquired riches and has segregated themselves from the rest of mankind. They are but one of the many classes which make up our social life. They are all so mingled that it is scarcely possible to detect the separate classes. Among these is the large and growing class of men and women who are living for the advancement of the interests of Christ, men and women who observe and keep the vows which they made st the time of baptism. But despite the efforts of these four real workers, we cannot say that the standards of morality in our society are to-day are the standards which would be preferred by Jesus Christ. There should be no reason for the cloak and veil which in many instances to-day hides the lack of cleanliness and good morals within. It shows a beautiful front without but underneath are things which we cannot feel safe at their existence."

[jon]

"Look" said the minister. In impassioned tones, "to the rush of to-day when the greater number of men in business are striving with might and main to outdo their fellows. Look at the money spent on selfishness which could be devoted to the glory of God and the carrying out of His blessed work. But the abuses in our modern social life are not confined to one class. They are deep seated and reach everywhere. The worst form of the evils is brought out in the abundant existing decent when the complaints reach you, not before your face but are given out behind your turned back.

"You consider the man who breaks into a bank, into your house or your store as a law breaker. Still I know of men and women who smuggle into the country jewels and silks and furs and glory over it. But they are just as much law breakers and criminals as the bank burglar or house robber."

The minister called attention to the discrepancy between the treatment of the common gambler or person with little influence, who transgresses to the man or woman of wealth and position.

[jon]

"It is done frequently," he said, under the mandates of charity or the cloak of religion" That makes it more hideous and blameful. It is time that the real duty of the law executive should be pointed out to them and the condition with which so much fault can be found to-day than be remedied before it is too late."


UTICA HERALD DISPATCH - MARCH 13, 1908

[jon]

[jon]

THE COCAINE HABIT
______________________-

The Question is Pointedly Asked
Can a Stop Be Put to It ?

To the editor of the Utica Daily Press:

Can not something be done to stop the use of cocaine as a maker of physical wrecks in this city? Without a doctor's certificate, I supposed it was against the law to sell it. Do those who snuff it herein Utica first obtain a certificate, or do those who sell it obtain it for them, or is it sold without any certificate, or is it given away, or stolen? However it is obtained, seems to make on all difference; the fact remains that it is obtained and is getting in its work making physical wrecks at an alarming rate.

[jon]

It is said that the habit arrived in Utica from the West. It has been snuffed here now for some time. The writer supposed it wold turn out like most fads, but it seems to have outlived the fad stage by many months. A good illustrative story is told of a young colored man, who while working for the Capital Sweeping Company night times, received at the end of two weeks work 16 cents in money as all that was due him, because the party or parties who had furnished him with cocaine had collected the rest of his money. The young man's pay was at the rate of a dollar and a half per diem. The habit is not to be found alone on Post Avenue, but elsewhere in the city. Ir is taken like snuff by many, through the nostrils by means of a small toothpick. Would it not be a good idea for the church people to begin a crusade against this fearful habit? This habit, if continued, dulls the mind and physically wreaks those who persist on it. They sink lower and lower until finally they become a public charge. Then the taxpayer is not only asked, but forced to care for them. Why not take the matter in hand before the last stage is reached and clear up this block from our community? Some will perhaps say,"Oh, it is too late. Why was not something done in the first place before it became so widespread?" The only answer is, it should have been accomplished then. But it is never too late to mend, and now is the time to attack this horrible octopus of degeneration and crush it, yes, stamp it out from among us.

[jon]

It may be suggested that those who allow themselves to become addicted to this terrible habit are not worth saving. But that is not so, All are worth saving, and particularly the young man and woman who has been by example led into its use. Unless something is done to stop it, and that soon, the near future will present a condition of affairs in our city appalling in the extreme. Perhaps our city authorities are not to blame after all. Perhaps they have not heard of it, or, if having heard of it, supposed to be an exaggerated fish story, so to speak. Or perhaps they are now doing all that can be done to stamp it out. It is not well or wise to criticize our public officers. They may not be to blame. They receive small pay at best, do the best they can, and unless it can be proven that they are derelict in their duties, It is not right to censure them. Perhaps our physicians do not realize that it is spreading; perhaps they would take the matter up and assist in stamping it out if asked. Why not ask them? They could certainly aid in the good work greatly. Perhaps it way be wrong to say anything about the habit on the principal that it is no ones business but those who do the snuffing.

[jon]

Perhaps I am wrong in having the stamina to direct attention to this death dealing habit.If I am wrong, a thousand pardons are asked for daring to even suggest its presence. Perhaps it is all moonshine and there is no "cocaine snuffing" in our midst and there is no such thing as great harms to the young being done by its use. Perhaps it is proper and right to shut ones eyes and try not to see any of the abuses about us. But no! A thousand times no! It is the duty of every citizen who loves his native city to see to it that its good name shall not be smirched. And it is every one's duty, so far as compatible with good sense, to aid in driving out this brutish cocaine habit.

F. K. Baxter

Utica Sept. 12


UTICA DAILY PRESS - 1902