From the Otsego Herald
for Saturday, Oct. 10, 1812
Compiled, with comments
by HUGH C. MacDOUGALL
Weather: Utica 1812 Almanack: Now clear and pleasant.
Obituary
Died, in the town of De Ruyter, county of Madison (N.Y.) on the 30th day of September, at five o’clock in the morning, after a long and severe illness, of three months and five days; which she bore with uncommon patience and christian fortitude, Mrs. Lucinda Coye, wife of Mr. Jason Coye, in the forty second year of her age.
COMMENT: Lucinda (Thorpe) Coye was the wife of Jason Coye or Coy (b. Pomfret, Conn., in 1770); they had one child, Hannah. In 1860 Jason was still living, (with a farmer in Butternuts), and was listed as blind.
A New Doctor
DR. CARPENTER, respectfully, informs the Public, that he has commenced the practice, of PHYSIC and SURGERY, in the town of Maryland; and hopes to merit the patronage, of a generous public; by a strict and punctual attention, to every command, in the line of his Profession; the least favor will be greatfully [sic] acknowledged, and advice given gratis.
N.B. A Student can be accommodated, with the use of a good Library. Maryland, Oct. 5, 1812.
COMMENT: Dr. Joseph Carpenter (1784-1855) was born in Massachusetts; he married Hannah Olmstead (b. ca. 1784).
He lived out his life in Schenevus, Town of Maryland, and is buried in the Schenevus cemetery.
Indian Attack
“Since the capture of General Hull [by the British at Detroit], the Indians are becoming very troublesome on our frontiers. About 20 miles from this [Louisville, Ky.], in the Indiana Territory, a settlement of 7 families was attacked by the savages: they killed 17 persons. Several children were found buchered [sic] in a most shocking manner. With the houses were burnt also several mothers and children -- they burnt every cabin in the settlement, rendering it a bloody waste! This all occurred on the night of the 2nd [of September]. Yesterday a posy [posse] collected on the ground: we have now collected and in our yard, nine bodies (women and children only) whose situation is too bad to describe.
“A party of about 200 men have gone in pursuit of this detatchment of Indians.” — Letter to Baltimore, dated September 5, from a merchant in Louisville, Kentucky.
Another Attack
Lexington, K., September 3. A gentleman of undoubted veracity arrived in this place yesterday morning who was at the house of Col. Colloway in Henry county, about 12 miles from Westport, on Friday night last. He states that between one and two o’clock in the morning, an express arrived to Col. Colloway informing him that considerable mischief had been done by the Indians on Thursday night, on Pigeon Fort of Silver creek, fifteen miles from Westport.
The Colonel immediately collected about 100 men, and proceeded on to Westport, when he crossed the Ohio about 12 o’clock on Saturday. From Westport he sent a message home, stating that 15 families had been killed by the Indians, two individuals only have been known to have escaped. The greatest activity was prevailing when our informant left Colonel Colloway’s, and he supposed by this day 1000 men will have crossed the river to pursue the Indians.
Kentucky Volunteers
For several days past volunteers from various parts of the state have been marching through our town, to join the army under gov. [William Henry] Harrison. Men more hardy and determined, more capable of braving the fatigues of an active campaign, we have never seen.
They are the sons and true representatives of those old warriors, who first conquered and defended, and then settled Kentucky. They will support the reputation which Kentucky has acquired for vallor [sic] and patriotism. They know they fight in a just cause, and are eager to avenge upon our enemies the wrongs done to our country.
We were much pleased to see Mr. M’KEE and Mr. MONTGOMERY in the ranks as common soldiers. Mr. M’Kee had voted in Congress for the war, and now proves the sincerity of his professions by offering his blood and life to his country’s service. Mr. Montgomery is a new member of that body; and his present conduct affords testimony of what we may expect in time to come. — Lexington Republican
COMMENT: Samuel McKee (1774-1826) was a Representative from Kentucky from 1809-1817, who had played a key role in promoting the War of 1812 with Great Britain. He served as a private soldier in the summer of 1812, where as a member of the staff of General William Henry Harrison, he reported back to his friends in Congress, including Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. Thomas Montgomery (1779-1828) served as Representative from Kentucky from 1813-1815 and 1821-1823.
American surrender of Fort Michilimackinac
Letter from Lt. Porter Hanks, American commander of the strategic fort between Lakes Huron and Michigan, dated Aug. 4, 1812:
“I could discover that the enemy were in possession of the heights that commanded the fort.... At half past 11 o’clock [on July 17] the enemy...demand[ed] the surrender of the fort and island.... I was as well prepared...as I possibly could have been with the force under my command, amounting to 56 effective men, including officers.... I ascertained the strength of the enemy to be from 900 to 1000 strong...[with] two pieces of artillery.... [It] was impossible...to hold out against such a superior force.... The fort and garrison were accordingly surrendered....”
COMMENT: Thus the United States lost control of the upper Great Lakes for the War of 1812. Lt. Hanks was captured, released, and killed at Detroit on Aug. 16.
Columns
Indian attack
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Attack on Sacket's Harbor
Sacket's Harbor, near the beginning of the St. Lawrence River from Lake Ontario, was the principal American naval base on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812.
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Once again, hope springs eternal ...
We are happy to report that although Mother Nature did her best to thwart the annual Upper Pioneer Street Block Party, she was not successful.
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Local performs costumed recitations of Casey at the Bat
Since 1996, I have had the privilege of doing costumed recitations of Casey at the Bat as part of my job at the Baseball Hall of Fame. I’ve performed the poem an estimated 2,000 times in 22 states, at ballparks, conferences, classrooms, Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies, weddings and other events.
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E-readers come in handy when traveling
I recently took a trip to California and it was the perfect time to make use of my e-reader. While I'm still devoted to actual books, I must admit that traveling with a thin, lightweight computerized device beats dragging along one or two bulky hard copy titles. The only issue is finding the right e-books to take on the airplane
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Local Voices From Around the Globe: Arriving at the last bend in the River
The month of May is the height of the summer in India, a time best spent indoors with a good book and a sliced mango for company.
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Cooperstown election and law
On Tuesday the 18th inst. [May], the following persons were elected officers for this village for the ensuing year: --
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Local Voices From Around the Globe: Exchange has taught me to love my flaws
Hello from Germany! I'm currently on my second Euro Tour visiting and exploring most of Europe.
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Passing along advice of seeing the humor
The best advice given to me many years ago when I started teaching had nothing to do with my discipline, English. Rather, a former mentor insisted on the necessity of having a sense of humor
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The week that was ...
For a number of years now, we have not been in Cooperstown for the spring season. And we must admit that we had quite forgotten what it is like. But since we decided that travel was not on the docket for this year, we have become reacquainted with the Cooperstown spring. And we must say we rather enjoyed it with the possible exception of occasional uncalled for snow and seemingly frigid temperatures.
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Local Voices From Around the Globe: Mother's visit was a benchmark for this year
Last week, my mother made the 25-hour plane trip out to Thailand to visit her son, me, after nine months of having only choppy Skype sessions and scattered emails to give her an idea of what I look and act like since having left home last August.
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Local Voices From Around the Globe: World traveler calls Euro-Tour experience of a lifetime
While I've had a great time throughout my entire exchange, I can say hands down that the month of April brought me the best memories of my exchange if not some of the best of my entire life. What kind of wonder would bring me to say this? Simple. Euro-Tour.
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Maryland port attacked
Havre de Grace, May 3. "This morning, a little after the break of day, a British armed force, under cover of armed vessels which anchored in front of this town ... landed below a small breast work which had been roughly thrown up, and in which were one 9 and two 4 pounders, manned by 50 militia.
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Memoir reflects on 'roller-coaster life and career'
Apparently, the third time wasn't the charm. The way Reynolds described him, the third husband was worse than the first two combined and that's saying a lot. Eddie Fisher literally walked away from Reynolds and their two infant children to chase a sex goddess. At least he got his just desserts when Elizabeth Taylor tossed him aside for Richard Burton.
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Imagine what might have been ...
A while back we got a telephone call from a reader of this column wanting to know why we had not written a column in support of Otsego Manor continuing to be owned and operated by Otsego County. And even though we have followed the debate over this issue in the newspaper, we readily admitted we did not feel we knew enough about the situation to take a stand.
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Herpes virus brings harness racing to a halt
I've been going to harness horse race tracks my entire life. My family has been in the business for years.
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Time, if not traffic, moves on ...
It is with sadness we note the passing of two people who we have known since moving to Cooperstown in 1982.
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Canadian capital captured
Dear Sir, I have just returned from Fort Niagara, where I saw a Captain of the United States' navy. He is just from little York, the capital of Upper Canada, and gives the following account, which is confirmed in official dispatches from Gen. Dearborn to Gen. Lewis ...
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Local Voices From Around The Globe: Exchange is like a life in a year
All exchange students realize the credibility of this statement. Like all lives no exchange is the same, all are incredible unique exchanges. The metaphor of life, from baby to old age, extends to every part of the exchange.
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Movie depicting legendary Jackie Robinson does not disappoint
Going to the movies is not something I do often. I can count the number of times I have gone on my fingers, unless you include trips to the drive-in. And even so, it took me years before I made it to one of those -- going for the first time two summers ago.
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'Dubious' about weather, Hawkeyes 'suitable' nickname
Unfortunately, it seems to us that this spring has, thus far, been anything but spring like. In fact, we are still more than happy to stay bundled up in our polar fleece.
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Attack on Sacket's Harbor

