NOTES FROM THE NEWSPAPERS. 1865. JANUARY 1. New year's day fell upon a Sunday, to the great dissatisfaction of many persons. 2. Governor Fenton inaugurated at the Capitol.........Jacob La Grange died, aged 74. John McCann died, aged 23. 3. William Peck died, aged 50. Mary, wife of Patrick Mohan died, aged 52. 4. The river was so strongly bridged with ice that the steam boats ceased to run, and the heaviest laden teams crossed in safety......... Michael Joseph Malone died, aged 19. John C. Spencer, of the 13th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, died at Fort Hazelton, Va., aged 58. 5. William T. Cuyler died suddenly at the house of his son, in Cuylerville. He was born in this city in 1802, but removed to Rochester at an early age, where he soon became engaged in active business, and occupied a prominent position as an energetic and public spirited citizen. In 1830 he removed to Cuylerville, where he continued to reside until 1860, when he went back to Rochester. He was a man of great energy and enterprise; was one of the earliest advocates and projectors of the Genesee Valley canal; and was actively concerned in several rail road enterprises in the western part of the state. He was a man of genial nature, and was greatly beloved in the community where he had so long resided.-Times. James C. Briggs died, aged 34. Margaret Roche died, aged 23. 6. Bridget Weir died, aged 18. Nancy, widow of Seth Jarvis, died in Brooklyn, aged 58. 8. James T. Lennox died, aged 42. Michael Finn died. Dr. Alex. W. McNaughton, formerly of this city, died at sea, aged 38. The deceased, for several years after the death of his father, lived with his uncle, Dr. James McNaughton, with whom he studied his profession. He graduated at the Albany Medical College in 1848. In the spring of 1849 he connected himself, as surgeon, with the Albany Gold Mining Company, and went with the company to California, around Cape Horn. The company did not find mining either pleasant or profitable, and soon disbanded. Subsequently he was appointed surgeon to one of the United States Pacific mail steamers, in which service he continued until his death; preferring that kind of life to the monotony of professional service ashore. His skill as a physician, his attention and kindness to his patients, and his gentlemanly manners endeared him to many persons, who will mourn his early and unexpected death. 9. The Albany Dental Association elected its officers: President, Dr. Robert Wilson; vice president, Dr. J. A. Perkins; recording secretary, Dr. W. F. Winne; corresponding secretary, Dr. B. Wood; treasurer, Dr. J. C. Austin......... Mary White Walker, wife of James Arnott, died, Hist. Coll. iii. 29 aged 61. John McCormick died, aged 48. Mrs. Mary Mullaly died, aged 26. 10. Rain all day........ Anna M. Lagrange, wife of Calver Pulver, died. 11. The following named gentlemen were elected directors of the First National Bank of this city: Thomas Schuyler, Matthew H. Read, Adam Van Allen, Charles H. Adams, Frank Chamberlain, G. A. Van Allen, N. H. Johnson, Horace D. Hawkins, Samuel Schuyler.........Elizabeth Wilson died, aged 78. Lyman G. Dart died, aged 37. Owen Kilboy died, aged 70. 12. Warren H. Chase died, aged 19. Mary, widow of Isaac McMurdy, died in Brooklyn, aged 64. 13. John J. Callanan died, aged 53. 15. Ellen Barrett, wife of Thomas Crawford, died, aged 40. Hannak Maria, wife of Daniel Childs, died. 16. Margaret Coyle died, aged 38. Mary Elizabeth, wife of Warren S. Kelly, died. William J. Mackay died, aged 40. James Campbell died, aged 49. 18. Thermometer 2° above zero......... Catharine Ann Bowne died, aged 38. Patrick Kelly died, aged 67. 19. The installation of the Rev. James M. Ludlow, successor of Dr. John N. Campbell, as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, took place in that edifice in the presence of a large audience. The opening prayer was offered by the Rev. B. H. Pitman. The 181st hymn was read by the Rev. Mr. Twombly, of the State street church, and sung with effect by the choir. The Rev. Dr. Halley, of the Third Church, preached an able and eloquent discourse. Dr. Sprague, of the Second Church, pronounced the charge to the pastor, in his usual able and impressive manner. The Rev. Mr. Barnard, of Kingsboro, pronounced the charge to the people, and offered up the closing prayer and benediction. .... Margaret E., widow of Nathaniel Hyde Hall, and daughter of the late Francis Bloodgood, died at Plattsburgh. Peter Albert died, aged 62. John Krank died, aged 23, of the 44th Regiment. 20. The Jews having purchased the Methodist church, corner of Franklin and South Ferry streets, dedicated it as the synagogue of the congregation of Beth-El. This congregation is the oldest of that faith in the city, and was organized twenty-eight years ago. Its first place of worship was at a private dwelling in Basset street, and after a time, the congregation becoming sufficiently large, they purchased the church property on Herkimer street, which was until this time occupied by them. It is one of three congregations, the other two being the Anshe-Emeth congregation, worshiping on Pearl street, and the Beth-El Jacob congregation, whose synagogue is on Fulton street. The Methodist society having built the Ash-grove church, sold this edifice to the congregation of Beth-El for $8,000, who fitted it up for their service. It is a substantial brick building, about 40 by 120 feet; on entering the front door, the first thing observable, of any peculiarity, is a marble tablet, bearing besides a Hebrew inscription, the words: "In grateful remembrance of his munificence, this testimonial is erected to the memory of Judah Touro." It was originally placed in the old synagogue as a testimonial to Judah Touro, a wealthy Israelitish resident of New Orleans, who, in 1865, died, bequeathing among other charitable and religious bequests to this, the oldest congregation in Albany, the sum of three thousand dollars. The tablet was removed from the old and placed in the new church. Upon entering the church, one is at once struck with the peculiar, but beautifully arranged tapestry, at the south end of the building, which is the sanctum sanctorum of Jewish churches, and the shrine or tabernacle wherein is deposited the Pentateuch or Sapher-Torah, from which readings are made every sabbath and holiday. This Pentateuch is of an interesting character, being a parchment scroll, written with an iron pen, in the Hebrew language, and contains only the original five books of Moses. It is regarded with reverence by Israelites, as being their religious and civil code. It is written without punctuation, so that no innovations may be made as to its character or words, and can only be read by the skilled. The readings from it are made by the chazan, or readers, in a peculiar chaunt. This synagogue possesses three copies, which are, of course, valuable. The almenomer, or altar, is beautifully decorated with the rich brocatelle tapestry of the shrine, beneath which is the blue velvet curtain, trimmed with silver, which conceals the Pentateuch from view when not in use. The shrine was beautifully decorated with flowers, and from each side were suspended the national colors. It is surmounted by a beautiful stone tablet, containing the Decalogue, in Hebrew, the tenets of Judaism, shaped to represent the tablets of stone, upon which were written the Holy Law of God, and which Moses broke before the eyes of the people. The church contains all the modern improvements, and is a very neat and beautiful place of worship, and reflects credit on the trustees and members of the congregation, who have spared no time and energy to make the affair complete. The dedication of a synagogue is made among Israelites a great fête, and no pains are spared to render the occasion as festive and happy as is in their power. The festivities are sometimes kept up for a whole week, and the whole population of that faith make it a holiday. The officers and members of this congregation, anxious to do their duty and contribute towards making this dedication a pleasant and worthy affair, had spared neither money nor pains since the church came into their possession. The ladies, even (and to them is due the neat and beautiful appearance of the church) entered into the work with zeal, and prepared with their own hands the tapestry and curtains and coverings of the shrine and scrolls. Invitations had been extended to many of our leading citizens to be present at the ceremonies, which were fixed at two o'clock, and before one o'clock the church was filled, and long before the hour for the commencement of the ceremonies there was a dense throng in all parts of the house, and the dense crowd, the peculiar but beautifully tapestried shrine, the evergreen and floral decorations of the church, together with the many lights, the chandeliers and altar lights being lit, presented indeed a strange sight. Meanwhile, the older members of the congregation, with the readers and ministers assembled at the Herkimer street church, where, after appropriate ceremonies, the line of march was taken up, Rev. Dr. Gotthold, of the congregation, at the head, escorted by the president and vice president, followed by Rev. Dr. Schlessinger, rabbi of the Pearl street congregation, and Rev. Mr. Ritterman, of the Fulton street congregation, each of which clergymen carried one of the Pentateuch scrolls, which was clad in blue velvet trimmed with silver lace, and surmounted by crowns. As the procession approached the new synagogue, they were met by the remaining members of the congregation with a band of music, and under their escort the procession entered the church. As it entered, the choir, which was that of the Pearl street congregation, who had kindly volunteered for the occasion, Mr. George Doelker, the popular and able musician, leader, commenced singing, in Hebrew, the chant, "Leu sheorim roschechem,' "Lift up your heads, O ye gates." The procession proceeded up the aisles to the altar where the Pentateuch scrolls were deposited in the shrine, the choir singing in Hebrew, "Mah tobu," "How beautiful are thy tabernacles." The scene at this moment, the rabbi and readers at the shrine in their robes, wearing each the talith, the peculiar garment of the Israelite during divine service, depositing the elegantly clad scrolls in the beautiful shrine, the whole audience rising and the choir chanting, was as striking and picturesque as it was interesting. After reading Psalms 84 and 122, the choir sang: When the Lord shall build up Zion O, pray for the peace of Jerusalem! And plenteousness within thy palaces. Amen. Then followed Rev. Dr. Gotthold, the reader of the congregation, in a most solemn and impressive prayer, after which the choir sang: Bow down thine ear, O Lord, O Lord, and answer me; For daily I will call, O Lord, Be gracious, Lord, to me, Be gracious, Lord, to me, For daily I will call, O Lord, O Lord, will call on thee. The The solos were sung by Mr. Doelker, in his usual perfect and pleasing style, and Miss Hannah Sporborg, who possesses a clear and powerful voice which would require but very little cultivation to render it one of the best soprano voices in the city. Then followed the dedication sermon by Rev. Dr. Schlessinger, rabbi of the Pearl street congregation, which was listened to with a great deal of attention by the vast audience, after which donations were received. After a few remarks by Mr. Charles Smith, one of the trustees, his honor the mayor, who was present, congratulated the congregation in a short speech, in his usual manner. donations netted very handsomely, and after a short but impressive prayer by the minister of the congregation, the usual sabbath evening services were commenced (sabbath commencing at sunset of Friday in this church). It was to be regretted that Rev. Dr. Isaacs, of New York, who was expected to deliver the dedication sermon in English, disappointed the congregation. The sermon and services being in German and Hebrew, detracting much from their interest to a great number present. Quite a number of prominent persons were present, among whom we noticed his excellency Governor Fenton, Mayor Perry, Recorder Paddock, and a number of others. The services were concluded about half past five o'clock, and it is a matter of congratulation to the trustees that all passed off so pleasantly, and without anything to mar the order and arrangement of the programme. The festivities were continued during the evening, by a sociable soiree at Tweddle Hall, under direction of the trustees, where a galaxy of youth and beauty assembled, and in social enjoyment ended so eventful and memorable a day.―Journal. 21. Dr. Mason F. Cogswell died, aged 54. He was a native of Hartford, Conn., where his father was an eminent physician. He graduated at Yale College, and began practice in Albany in 1833. He attained to great skill and eminence in his profession, and his private character was unimpeachable. Besides having had a large and most respectable medical practice, he occupied, at different periods, various important public posts of professional responsibility. He had been the physician of the city hospital ever since its organization. On the breaking out of the rebellion he was appointed examining surgeon at this post, an office of no small delicacy and difficulty, and he actually examined several thousands of volunteers in respect to their capabilities for military duty. He was appointed surgeon of the Post hospital in 1862; and when in 1864, this became a United States general hospital, he had the place of assistant surgeon of volunteers, and subsequently he received the appointment of surgeon, which was waiting for the ratification of the United States senate at the time of his decease. After the battles of Williamsburg and West Point, in the summer of 1862, a call was made for volunteer surgeons to meet the exigency of the service. Dr. Cogswell, fired by a spirit of lofty patriotism, was among those who responded to the call. He directed his course first to Fortress Monroe, and then up the Pamunky river to the White House in Virginia. General McClellan, having then just advanced with. his forces from the last mentioned point towards Richmond, had left the sick and disabled of his army behind him; and for the relief and accommodation of these a field hospital was provided, and Dr. Cogswell was very efficient in its establishment. Here, probably from insufficient diet and impure water, in connection with his arduous labors and constant exposure, he contracted an insidious disease that was never afterwards fully dislodged from his system. For some time after his return he was actually confined by illness; and though he was soon able to attend to his accustomed professional duties, he always felt that the vigor of his constitution had been materially impaired in consequence of his visit to Virginia. Since that time, however, the office that he held, under the United States government, had kept the energies of his mind and body in constant requisition; and notwithstanding his imperfect health, he probably performed a greater amount of labor than during any previous period of equal length in his whole life. And the result of his labors is a monument of both his skill and his fidelity. No hospital in the department of the east, which includes the whole of New England, the state of New York, and part of New Jersey, was conducted with so much order, neatness and general efficiency, as this of which Dr. Cogswell had the charge. In addition to his other more public medical services, he was associated with one of his brethren in this city, in February, 1863, under the direction of the Sanitary commission, to ascertain the general condition of the hospitals in the west. 22. John J. Schuyler died at Amsterdam, aged 74. Andrew J. Hagan died, aged 31. 23. Mrs. Sarah Sickles died, aged 66. 24. Bridget McNally died, aged 31. Mrs. Margaret Anderson died, aged 33. Academy of Music, died. John Vana died, aged 59. Miss Burbanks, actress at the 25. Dr. James H. Armsby was appointed surgeon to the United States hospital in this city in place of Dr. Cogswell, deceased. |