Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-10
THE OLD COOPER HOUSE.
Almost ~ Much of n Landmark A. She
Novelist's Grave.

Almost - Much of a Landmark A. th'
| Novelist's Grave.
| The Cooper House. whose destruction by fire
was reported in Saturdays STAR, was almost q
much . landmark in Cooperstown % the buria
place Of Fenimore Cooper in Christ Church
grounds or the tall Leatherstocking monumen,
that is seen from the lake as II rises among the
trees in the hillside cemetery. It stood in q
spacious and elevated Enclosure within the
village limits, and yet just removed from the
business parts. Many years are represented in
| the noble evergreen and other trees that line
the graveled paths and driveways and rise from
the inviting expanse Of well-kept lawns Sur
| rounded by strong and tall fence, the So
clusion Of these attractive grounds has always
been well secured. The building was Q sub
stantial wooden structure, for many years
painted yellow, with central part and WINGS
and was entered by q high central stoop, rising
from the main driveway, closely bordered in
that part by evergreens.
The history Of this property is the history Of
train Of misfortunes. It was erected origi-
nally as a seminary, and for many years had
wide reputation. At the beginning it was man.
aged by men connected with the Methodist
church. Methodists raised SIS, 900 of the origi-
nal capital and others contributed 1000. The
main structure was erected in 1854, and at the
formal opening Bishop Simpson made the lead
ing address. The first principal was the Rev. Mr..
Mckown, who remained one year and was sue
ceeded by the Rev. P. D. Hammond. The
number Of students at the start was nearly 300
and prosperity seemed assured. five years
lease was taken in 1856 by Mr.. Hammond and
the Rev. c. r. Pomeroy. In the following
year Mr.. Pomeroy was the sole principal, and
in 1859 he retired. The seminary was then
burde9ed with debt Of So, 600, and was soon
closed Tor several months.
r. c. Flack now purchased the property,
aided by citizens Of the village, who lent him
S., 900 without interest, the loan to continue as
long as the school was kept open. The school
was reopened in November, 1859, and its history
appear to have been without striking incidents
until February, 1865, when Mr. Flack retired,
after sale Of the property had been made to
William NJ Clinton, who at once spent a con-
siderable sum in repairs. Mr.. 8. NJ. Shaw, in
his History of Cooperstown," says: "Alr.
Clinton sunk large sum of money in the
venture" Prof. George Kerr became principal
in April, 1865, and after two years of successful
work he died and was succeeded by the Rev.
Orren Perkins.
The next chapter in this troubled history re-
lates to the beginning Of the hotel period. In
had made a fortune elsewhere, returned to
Cooperstown and purchased the seminary from
the Second National Bank, which had acquired
possession of it. In his new venture Mr. Phin-
ney, says Mr.. Shaw. Sunk not far from S65 ,000."
He SO altered the interior as to fit it for hotel
purposes. improved the grounds, erected new
out6uildings and bought paintings. He named
1t the Cooper House and leased it to Charles A.
Watkins. Mr.. Watkins remained two years.
He was popular and young, but he lacked capt.
tai Following Mr.. Watkins came Coleman
Maxwell, who had very successful season.
and appear to have continued their success for
some years. In May, 1878, s. E. Crittenden
took possession Of the hotel and made many i'm
provements, and in March, 1881, he b0nght the
property from the executors Of the estate of
Mr.: Phinney for the sum of $4,000 This sum
included the furniture.
"Mr. Crittenden's ten years of ownership
seemed to have entirely recovered the character
OF the property's history, but fire has now over
taken him-an obstacle by which the efforts
OF none OF his predecessors we're frustrated.