"Reminiscences of Saratoga"
compiled by Cornelius E. Durkee

May 4, Congress Hall was run by Hathorn, Hall, and Savage; Union Hall by Putnam and Payne; Crescent Hotel, located on corner of Broadway and Congress St. by William Scobie; Avery Lake House by L. J. Vibbard and Chauncey Hathorn.

July, H. P. Hall sold his share in Congress Hall to H. H. Hathorn, thus Hathorn and Savage were the proprietors.

August 10, The dedication of the Baptist Church was made by the Rev. L. F. Beecher in the morning and by the Rev. Richard Fuller of Baltimore In the evening.

Aug. 13, The laying of the corner stone of the present Presbyterian Church took place. This church was originally on Church St. at the corner of Woodlawn Ave. (afterwards a part of the Commercial Hotel.) Later the church was built on Broadway at the corner of Caroline St. with entrance to the Sunday School room in the basement on Caroline St.

Aug. 15, Climax Saloon, located in the basement of Marvin Row, at the corner of Broadway and Division St. was run by Thomas L. Smith and James H. Breslin.

Oct. 8, Mrs. Sarah Taylor, Widow of Ziba Taylor died at age of 84 years.

Dec. 6, Nicholas B. Doe died at the age of 70 years.

Dec. 15, H. P. Hall repurchased the interest he held in Congress Hall and became once more a partner in the concern.

The record of the weather for seven days taken at 7 a. m.: Jan. 22, was as follows: 40 degrees below zero; Jan. 23, 40 degrees below zero; Jan. 24, 35 degrees below zero; Jan. 25, 24 degrees below zero; Jan. 26, 20 degrees below zero; Jan. 27, 25 degrees above zero; Jan. 28. 4 degrees above zero.

May 6, Thomas G. Young was appointed postmaster.

Richard McMichael purchased the interest of H. P. Hall in the Congress Hall.

Feb. 8, The annual sleigh ride to Ballston Spa was held. Among the company present were Mrs. T. J. Marvin and family, J. M. Marvin and family, J. S. Leake and party, wife and two sisters from Albany; Mansfield T. Walworth and lady, Dr. C. H. Payn and lady, the brothers Schuyler, C. S. Lester and party, J. E. Hollister and party and several others. The committee that successfully carried out the arrangements was: J. S. Leake, Cornelius Sheehan, William A. Olmstead, W. S. Schuyler and J. Roland Smyth.

Feb. 12, H. P. Hall entered into partnership with W. S. Balch to become an equal partner in the Columbian Hotel.

Feb. 28, Jason Andrews, father of James M. Andrews, died at the age of 90 years.

March 21, The Rev. J. S. Kidney delivered his farewell discourse in Bethesda Church.

May 11, R. C. Rogers accepted a call as rector of Bethesda Church, his pastorate to commence May 30

June 1, Union Hall was opened for the season by Putnam and Payn; Smith's Hotel which was later the Continental Hotel by J. and D. Smith.

July 15, Joseph A. Shoudy married Mary J. Scott. He moved to New York City and became quite prominent as a lawyer there.

Nov. 1, Philip Snyder retired as proprietor of the Marvin House and his brothers, Adam and Daniel. assumed charge in his stead. The Marvin House was replaced later by the Worden Hotel.

Nov. 30, William S. Balch married Vesta A. Child.

Dec. 29, A Grand Ball at Congress Spring bottling house was given by Mr. and Mrs. William B. White, and it was attended by the leading citizens of Saratoga Springs and neighboring places, taking its place as a leading social event of the times.