Continuing on my posts of this week regarding the Hulett family and local iron ore production, I received this information today (with sources) from John Warren about Arnold Hulett, Philander Hulett’s brother. Interesting stuff indeed!
In 1864-1865 Arnold Hulett was a involved in the Horicon Iron Company. [i] According to a report in the Ticonderoga Sentinel: [ii]
In 1864 and ’65 the Horicon Iron Co., was formed in New York City. In 1864 Col. Wm. E. Calkins was chosen general superintendent, assisted by William Hooper of the Graphite mill, and Arnold Hulett of the Lake George [overseer of the] wood jobs. The company seemed to prosper. About 1865 the forge referred to was built [at the foot of Lead Mill Hill], one of six fires, and of the substantial kind, on the north side of the lower falls. Had not the cost of transporting the crude ore from the mines been so great it would probably have been a success. It run but a few years then was left to idleness, rust and decay. The greatest output was 1865, near 4,500 tons. [iii]
Arnold became Captain of the steamer Horicon on Lake George on May 15, 1866 (he received his pilot’s license on May 31, 1866 at a cost of $10).[iv] The Horicon may have been owned by James Caldwell, who is believed to have owned the first steamboats on Lake George.[v] This boat should not be confused with the later Horicon which was in service from 1877 until 1911, or the Horicon II which was constructed in the winter of 1910-11. References to the earlier Horicon could not be found on the web or in the standard sources. The writer Charles Lanham noted in 1850 that there was a “tiny steamboat” on Lake George.[vi] In his book published in 1854, he noted that “a nice little steamboat, commanded by a gentleman, passes through [the landing at Bosom Bay] every morning and evening (excepting Sundays,) and though a convenient affair to the traveler, it is an eyesore to the admirer of the wilderness.”[vii]
[i] Ticonderoga Sentinel, Thursday, March 24, 1898 accessed September 22, 2005 online at http://news.nnyln.net/ticonderoga-sentinel/search.html.
[ii] Ticonderoga Sentinel, Thursday, March 24, 1898 accessed September 22, 2005 online at http://news.nnyln.net/ticonderoga-sentinel/search.html.
[iii] Ticonderoga Sentinel, Thursday, March 24, 1898 accessed September 22, 2005 online at http://news.nnyln.net/ticonderoga-sentinel/search.html.
[iv] Arnold Hulett Business Ledger cited in Nora Blohm (mimosabeach_84@hotmail.com), “David Hulett, Hulett’s Landing” and “Hulett info” E-mails to John Warren, March 3 and March 9, 2003, in possession of the author
[v] “History of the Lake George Steamboat Company” accessed online March 11, 2003 at http://www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com/history.html.
[vi] Charles Lanham, Haw-ho-noo; or, Records of a tourist (published 1850), page 84 and available in full text at the Making of America Website at the University of Michigan (March 11, 2003).
[vii] Charles Lanham, Adventures in the Wilds of the United States and British American Republics (Philadelphia: John W. More, 1856), page 202 and available in full text at the Making of America Website at the University of Michigan (March 11, 2003).