Downtown Oneonta isn't a very busy place on Labor Day these days. Many have a day off, but few give much recognition to our local labor force.
It was an entirely different scene on Labor Day 1908, as Oneonta was making the transition from village to city status. It was the D&H Railroad that helped make that change possible, and it made sense to recognize the D&H on Labor Day.
Twenty-five years earlier, the Brotherhood of Railroad Brakemen was organized in Oneonta. The name was changed eventually to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Just a year after the formation, when the annual meeting of the brotherhood was held, it had lodges in 13 states and a membership exceeding 2,000 "" and growing.
It seemed fitting on the 25th anniversary that the brotherhood should be celebrated in its birthplace, and that federated labor should unite on Labor Day in the observance.
The residents of Oneonta joined the brotherhood in formal exercises of the day. The businesses as well as many private residences were decorated with flags and bunting. The City Band and the Star Fife and Drum Corps provided the music. The center of activity was at the former Central Hotel, where the 189 Main St. building is found today.
Delegations of local trainmen met all the trains at the depot and escorted numerous invited visitors to the Central. The Oneonta Herald reported that "the attendance from out of town was not as large as had been anticipated, owing to an unexpected rush of business on the D. & H. and other railroads, but those present made up in enthusiasm what possibly was lacking in numbers."
The formal exercises opened with the presentation of a golden key in front of the hotel at noon. A parade was then formed and marched through the principal streets. The parade included the Oneonta Fire Department and a large representation from all lodges of organized labor. The line of march was from Broad Street, up Main to Otsego Street, and countermarched to Main and Market streets. The parade was "thronged with spectators."
At the end of the parade, the intersection of Main and Market was closed off, where "field events" took place.
According to the Herald, "The principal winner in the field day events was James Stapleton, who took first place in the wheelbarrow race, first with E.E. Pierce in the three-legged race, second in sack race and first in hundred yard dash and potato race "¦. The tug of war was won by the railroad trainmen, the cigarmakers second." At that time, while the D&H was the top employer of Oneonta, cigar rolling was the second highest source of employment.
That evening there was a grand ball at the armory with 200 couples present. The Herald reported, "Prior to dancing there was a concert by Wolcott's excellent orchestra and the presentation by Hon. A.L. Kellogg in behalf of D. Hopkins lodge No. 1 of a heavy gold badge, handsomely and suitably inscribed, to Conductor Busteed, who is the only continuous member of D. Hopkins lodge since its organization. Mr. Busteed unfortunately was unable to be present, having been injured while contesting in the three-legged race earlier in the day, but the gift was received in his behalf by Mr. Blanchard, who later delivered the charm at the hospital." Dancing then continued until "a late hour." The D. Hopkins lodge referred to is that of Daniel Hopkins. He was one of the men who came up with the idea of the brotherhood, along with seven others.
The BRT was started in 1883. Only a year earlier, Labor Day in the U.S. was originated as the Central Labor Union of New York City sought to create "a day off for the working man." Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894.
Next weekend: Gilbertsville rebounds from the ashes.
City Historian Mark Simonson's column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.
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