Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-05-20

INV .
This year will mark practically the
end Of the career of the old Erie canal
after q service to New York state and
the west Of ninety years. Already it
is q thing of shreds and patches. BY
June l the entire new canal system,
replacing the old Erie, will be in op-
Grafton.
In its time the old Erie canal has
seen much of the district which it ira
verses transformed from a wilderness.
Considered more wonderful at its ill.,
ception than is the Panama canal to-
day, it nov gives place to something
much better adapted to these hustling
times.
The popular idea that the new barge
canal is the Erie canal enlarged is a
misconception. The new channel is a
successor to "Clinton's big ditch" not
a rehabilitation. Generally it follows
the route Of the old canal-it connects
the Hudson river and Lake Erie-but
the channel is new and in places is far
from the old one.
Old Canal Like Cow Path.
The new line strikes out boldly for
the objective point, whereas the old
Erie was much like a cow path, fol-
lowing the line Of least resistance, say
ing doaars in construction, although
the result in its ninety years has vast
ed centuries Of time for commerce.
Another transition marked this year
was the virtual passing Of the tow
path and the canal mule. famed in
story and tradition.
Little appreciated in the days OF his
glory, the mule is now lamented as a
factor in the good old days of the long,
lazy trips between Buffalo and New
York. The boy driver found time to
do a little fishing then, and the captain
under the awning over the cabin at
the stern balanced in ease on the tiller.
But the canal is built for craft
driven by engines. The mule is no
longer available.
AS a picturesque feature in the land
scape the new barge canal falls far
short Of the old Erie. Old landmarks
have been sacrilegiously scared or de-
stroyed. The wider eXpanse of water
has an assertiye aspect compared with
the placid tranquility Of the lazy, I'M
ruffled old Erie.
Was Ridiculed as Folly.
Ridiculed in the beginning as the
hobby, indeed the folly, of Governor
Dewitt Clinton, abused throughout it's
ninety years, a plaything and political
asset of first one faction and then Of
another, the Erie has added millions
upon millions Of dollars to the wealth
of the Empire State and been a large
factor in connecting the great agricul-
tural areas Of the west with the port
of New York. In the beginning it cost
only $7,50O,000, whereas its successor
will cost from fifteen to twenty times
as much.
What it has added to the assessment
rolls Of the rich country between Troy
and Buffalo cannot be calculated. Like.
wise what it has contributed to the
wealth Of the farmers and shippers of
the west is beyond knowing.
1t would be interesting il it were
possible to name the governors, Unit
ed States senators and representatives
in congress who We're indebted to the
Erie canal for their advancement and
success. II the truth were fully known
the old Erie would have to bear a bur
den of shame as well as fame.
"Them Was Happy Days"
But who eve lived near the Erie ca
nal and cannot recall the skating par
ties, the boating, the swimming and
the occasional regal splendor Of q ride
in q steam launch? In a more remote
time u fathers and mothers had their
boats, which in their day constituted
the acme Of luxury in travel, and the
romance and adventure in which they
played part remain treasured memo
ries Of grandmothers in many homes
in the Mohawk valley and western
New York.
No one ever thought of it in the OLD
days. but looking back it seems that
even the ame Of the towns on the
Erie were suggestive of and
Observation-Disclosures, Macedon, Area.
dia, Clyde, Jordan-the very names
marshal before the mental vision a hos,
of cavaliers, gladiatOrs and knights
The part that the old Erie played IL
loves young dream is almost too ten
der to write about.