The Watering Trough Roadhouse

The Watering Trough Roadhouse

1924 - The former location of the Watering Trough hotel (in was destroyed by fire in 1909) was the third yellow building from the bottom, along the east side of the trolley line and just over the lot line separating Military Lots 18 and 27.

1926 - Picture needs to capture more area at the top. A portion of Ley Creek can be seen running east-west along the top border of the photograph.

Introduction

The presence of a Watering Trough on the Cicero Plank Road was mentioned as early as 1855 in an article describing the assault and attempted murder of Ira Gilchrist. Gilchrist's claim to fame was that he was the first white boy born in Onondaga County, in Salina, in 1790. [1855-05-14]

The original Watering Trough structure went through many owners and name changes. Despite the name changes the structure was often referred to as the Watering Trough Hotel, Saloon or Roadhouse. It was finally destroyed by fire on August 30, 1909 while being operated as the Bay Road Hotel.

O. Beer

Beer occupied the Watering Trough location prior to November 1858. His first name might have been Oliver. There were no articles primarily about Beers and his time at the Watering Trough. He received only an after the fact mention in the November 11, 1858 article about the then current occupants of the Watering Trough location. [1858-11-24]

Jacob Van Valkenburgh

Henry & Jacob Van Valkenburgh were arrested for stealing turkeys and other poultry from farmers along the Richmond Road (now East Molloy Road). Their headquarters was in a house "at the watering-trough formerly occupied by O. Beers." Jacob was additionally fined for violated the excise laws, which demonstrated that they were serving liquor out of their house. [1858-11-24]

Steve Reynolds

Steve Reynolds and his gang moved into the Van Valkenburgh's location almost immediately after the former occupants were arrested and sent to the penitentiary. The paper described the place as "a hole or den at the 'watering trough,' the former rendezvous of the 'fowl thieves,' who were put through and sent up (to the penitentiary) a few weeks ago." Reynolds was convicted for selling liquor without a license and for keeping a disorderly house and sentenced to six months.[1858-12-23] Activities at the Watering Trough then seemed to settle down for a while.

Dennis M. Stewart

In a Lost & Found ad for a hound, D. M. Stewart gave his premises as those at the Watering Trough on the “Salina and Brewerton Plank Road.” [1859-11-17] At that time Stewart was the Pound Master for the First Ward and there is no evidence that he was operating a roadhouse. Stewart was taken before the Common Council on charges of bribery, making unnecessary disturbance on the Sabbath and allowing some persons to claim their animals while not paying a fee. All charges were ultimately dismissed. [1860-06-12]

Nicholas Peters & Henry Markert

Peters & Market bought the Watering Trough site and planned on erecting a brewery on the site.[1867-10-24] No evidence has been found that they ever completed or operated the brewery.

Watering Trough Property For Sale

This ad provided the first detailed description of the Watering Trough property. "...consisting of about five acres of land, a large two-story brick Dwelling House, a one-story brick building used as a Saloon, known as the Plank Road House, with sheds attached, good barn and good stream of spring water." [1871-02-04]

Joseph Barton

In a suit by Abijah J. Wright against Joseph Barton, to recover the value of a buggy, it was stated that Barton had been the former Hotel keeper at Watering Trough. The sale of the buggy in question occurred when Barton had been the hotel-keeper. Other than this one article, establishing Barton's connection with the Water Trough Hotel, nothing else has been found. [1873-05-31] In June 1870 a Joseph Barton was operating a tobacco store at No. 80 East Genesee street.

Henry A. McVanner

At some point Henry A. McVanner became the Proprietor of Watering Trough Hotel and in July 1873 he was behaving badly and reports had reached the police. He had been drinking for days and in a fit of anger had threatened his wife that he would kill her. McVanner dragged his wife outside, by her hair, and beat her. The police had received the report but it isn't clear if they did anything about it. [1873-07-25[

Frank Angell – Owner; Charles Crocker - Bartender

Frank Angell took over Greenway House formerly known as the Watering Trough Hotel, and refitted and refurnished the place in first class style. [1877-04-22]

This article tells the story of the riot at the Greenway Hotel and also links together the former name, The Watering Trough Hotel, and the new name, The Greenway Hotel. "The house in which the riotous affair occurred under a former proprietorship was a pretty disreputable place, and was frequented almost nightly by a gang of roughs and bruisers, who 'carried salt' just as pleased them. Under the new management and proprietorship of Frank Angell, an effort has been made to keep a respectable place. This arrangement did not suit the gang of roughs who have heretofore frequented the house, and upon their congregating at the place on several recent occasions, they have been obliged to leave because of their rowdyism. This incensed the roughs, and on Saturday the proprietor received a warning that they were coming to clean out the ranch."

Later in that evening a group of five of these roughnecks, led by one Nate Woodlock, showed up at the Greenway Hotel. They had already been drinking but had more drinks at the Greenway. When they refused to pay bartender Charles Crocker for the drinks he enlisted the help of a couple men to get these five to leave the establishment. It was quickly apparent that leaving was not on their immediate agenda of things they wanted to accomplish.

"About half-past one the gang threatened to go to the upper part of the hotel and 'clean out' everything and everybody. With this evident intention in view, the gang, which had been increased by several others, went into the dining room and kitchen, and stripping off their coats, began a general demolishing of stoves, chairs, furniture, etc. Crocker went to the dining room and kitchen to secure the door leading up stairs, and for that purpose took a light with him."

The gang saw Crocker and went for him and after having his lamp thrown down and being roughed up a bit he retreated to the kitchen, closed the door behind him and tried to keep it closed against the efforts of the mob. Realizing that that was a losing effort, Crocker let the door open a bit and fired his revolver through the opening. The door was then forced open and Crocker fired twice more. "Finding Crocker intended to defend himself, all but one of the party cleared out on the double quick. The two who remained were Alfred Sullivan and William Wright both of Salina and both of whom had been shot, Wright through the left arm and the ball lodging in his shoulder. On getting a light and making an examination, the body of Woodlock was discovered lying on the floor near the door, through which Crocker held the revolver when he shot. Woodlock was dead, the bullet from the revolver having struck him in the center of the forehead, passing through the skull. So near was Woodlock to the revolver, that when discharged the powder burned and blackened his face and neck."

The rest of the story and the final outcome can be read in the following: [1877-05-28a], [1877-05-28b], [1877-06-01], [1877-06-02], [1877-06-09] , [1877-07-01], [1877-09-18], [1877-09-19].

As an odd little epilogue, Charles Crocker was later caught stealing laundry, with a drunken friend, from a lady's backyard on Jefferson near Mulberry. [1878-04-02]

Diffen’s Hotel – A Possible Event – Details are quite different

Despite the differences in these two newspapers accounts of the same events, they both set the location as at the Watering Trough on the plank road and one named the hotel at that location as "Diffen's Hotel." No other references to "Diffen" could be found. [1878-11-27], [1878-11-28].

Charles Hollenbeck

"Greenway’s Hotel, kept by Charles Hollenbeck, and located at Watering Trough, on the Brewerton plank road, has for a long time borne a bad reputation. A movement made recently for its abatement among residents of the neighborhood, which resulted in the authorities of the town of Salina taking the matter in hand. Hollenbeck, who is charged with keeping a house of prostitution, has been held to bail to answer the charge before the grand jury. Some terrible stories are told of the scenes enacted there." [1879-07-20] A report on a Democratic party meeting, held on Saturday, September 11, 1880, showed that the entity at the Watering Trough was still being called the Greenway Hotel at Greenway’s Hotel. [1880-09-14]

The Robbery of A Man at the Watering Trough

Valentine Gorton was visiting Syracuse and met an acquaintance while waiting at the NY Central station. They went for a drink and Gorton soon became drunk. One of the frequenters of the nearby saloons to the depot invited Gorton to take a hack ride and he foolishly agreed. A couple women joined the party and they headed out the Cicero Plank Road to the saloon at the Watering Trough. Gorton woke up a couple miles outside the city, in a ditch and missing a watch some jewelry and $30. He notified the police who were able to tract down the four suspects. [1886-04-22] In June 1886, Lizzie Clark, Susan Brennan, John Kenna and John McGraw were indicted for robbing Valentine Gorton at the Watering Trough. [1886-06-04]

William and Lucy Meyers

No previous history could be found on William Meyers. However, Lucy Meyers also went by the name of Mabel Strong and in March of 1886 she was arrested in the city of Syracuse for being an inmate of a disorderly house.

In March 1887, William Meyers and Frank Wilson were arrested for grand larceny, for stealing about $30 from Henry F. Little. Wilson was the hack driver who drove Little and Jennie Johnson to Meyer's place at the Watering Trough. Little got drunk and when he awoke in the morning he noticed the missing money. [1887-03-06]

"Myers and Wilson were accused of and indicted for grand larceny (in the case of Henry F. Little). Mrs. Myers was indicted for abduction and keeping a disorderly house. The story of May St. John then printed in the COURIER is too terrible to recall. [ See [1887-09-30] for the Syracuse Standard version.] Just before their trial Myers and wife skipped out, and until recently every effort to discover their whereabouts has been in vain. Sheriff O'Neill left no stone unturned and finally located them in Jersey City, and Chief Wright wrote a long letter to Superintendent Murphy of that city. Last night he received a telegram stating that both Myers and his wife had been arrested. Requisition papers will be made out and the fugitives brought back to this city. The police and Sheriff O'Neill deserve great credit for running down Myers and his wife." [1888-07-17]

"Mr. and Mrs. William Meyers, arrested at Jersey City, charged with keeping a disorderly house in this city, and under indictment for abducting Mary (May) St. John, a child under age, will be brought here by Criminal Deputy Sheriff Ryan this morning." [1888-07-19]

In October 1887, the Meyers jumped bail on their first two charges, when they heard that an abduction charge had been added, for the abduction of a 10-year old girl. They were recaptured in New Jersey in July 1888 and returned to Syracuse and placed in the penitentiary. On August 28, 1888 they were released on bail once more. Nothing more on the outcome of those cases has been found and their names never appeared in the Syracuse newspapers again. The whole May St. John affair seems to have blown over with no court proceedings found against any of those she had accused.   

Billy Ide - The Son-In-Law of Pard Orton –

Billy Ide ran a saloon in the 1890s out on the Cicero Plank road, but he didn’t run it for long. After a shooting at a dance, at the saloon where he was the proprietor, his saloon keeping career came to quick end. However, determining that his saloon was the one at the infamous Watering Trough took a bit of detective work.

"A move which is likely to end in the breaking up of several notorious roadhouses on the outskirts of this city was started by the police late yesterday afternoon. The most notorious house on the Cicero plank road, that of William Ide, and the one in which the shooting affray first started on Friday morning was raided by the police and the proprietor placed under arrest. The move is only the beginning of a series of raids on the different houses of the city, and upon warrants which are likely to be issued a large number of arrests may be made." [1894-11-11]

In the shooting described in these two articles, [1894-11-09], [1894-11-11], Fred Lehman was the shooter and James Mahaney, the bartender of Billy Ide's roadhouse, was the man who was shot in the knee. The cause of the argument, that led to the fight, that led to the shooting, was money owed. In the November 9th version, told by Mahaney, it was Lehman who owed a bar bill. In the November 11th version, told by Lehman, it was Mahaney that owed him money. In the end Lehman was found not guilty. [1895-02-27]

Lizzie Gannon Running the Watering Trough Saloon

"Finally they reached the place of Lizzie Gannon's, just out of the city limits on the Cicero plank. The resort was formerly run by Billy Ide, who was driven out after the shooting affair which occurred at a dance held there." [1895-01-31]

"FOR SALE OR RENT - SALOON AND dwelling at the Watering Trough. This will be sold at a bargain or rented at half price. C(harles). T. Snavlin, 226 Bastable block." [1895-02-21] Snavlin dealt in real estate, insurance and some contracting.

By January 1897, Lizzie had moved on an had a liquor license for 1632 N. Salina St.

Jacob Switzer

By January 1897, Jacob Switzer had a liquor license for the Watering Trough saloon, which he was calling the Switzer Hotel. The only news worthy item that came out of Jacob Switzer's time at the Watering Trough location was his odd suicide. [1899-06-26a], [1899-06-26b], [1899-06-27] He was found dead, by his wife at around 4 in the morning, with his head in a rain barrel behind the hotel.

Faatz & Evans Lease the Switzer Hotel

Theodore Faatz and Daniel T. Evans leased the Switzer Hotel from Anna Switzer, on September 26, 1899 for the period of one year with the condition that the lease could continue for five years. On March 12, 1900 the partners dissolved the partnership and Faatz kept on with the business. [1901-09-25] Faatz sued his landlord for not providing water for the famous Water Trough and won a judgment against her. [1901-11-19]

"Theodore Faatz has received nearly twenty entries for his fox chase which is to be held from the front of the Faatz Hotel on the Cicero Plank road to-day." There were 30 entries on the day of the actual fox chase but only 12 qualified and "not one of them could keep on the trail." [1902-02-06], [1902-02-21]  Faatz tried another fox chase later that month but it had to be cancelled at the last minute because the dog killed the fox. [1902-02-20], [1902-02-21]. For more details on Theodore Faatz click here.

Daniel T. Evans became the Proprietor of the  Plankington House. He was the former partner of Faatz who had returned to finish out the lease while Faatz moved up the Plank Road to the newly rebuilt Rose Lawn structure. [1904-02-23]

Joseph Wall Takes Over for Evans at Plankington House

J L Wall replaced Daniel T. Evans at Plankington House. [1905-03-20]. In a short time Wall was in trouble that could have resulted in the loss of his liquor tax certificate. The charges were that he had slot machines at the Plankington House and that he ran a disorderly house. [1905-10-16].

James J. Murphy and "Big Jim" Dunham, of the nearby Daniel Overacre farm, got into a fight on Saturday (Aug. 3, 1907) at the Bay Road House on the Cicero Plank Road. Murphy got the worst of it and blood poisoning set in. [1907-08-12]

On Monday Sept 9th, 1907, Clarence Woodruff began his celebration of Karnival week with about $200 in his possession. It was said that Woodruff had received a payout on his wife's insurance policy - she had died about three weeks before. Since receiving the money "he has been cutting a wide swath among the frequenters of the resorts along the Cicero plank road." On Tuesday, Woodruff spent the day with Inez Hayes and slept that night at Pard Orton's hotel. On Wednesday morning, when he woke up, he discovered that he had been robbed. Woodruff looked up the local authorities and swore out a warrant for the Hayes woman. Deputy Sheriff Kratz found Inez Hayes at the Bay Road Hotel (the then current name of the Watering Trough Hotel), just down the road from Orton's place, and arrested her. She was locked up in the facilities at the Court House. "She said things to Hayes (Woodruff) about him being a cheap sort and wept bitterly when told that she would have to stay in jail until bail could be secured for her." [1907-09-13]

Bay Road Hotel Burns on Cicero Plank Road

Lovilla J. Strail was the proprietor of Bay Road Hotel in August 1909. Early in the morning of August 31st Strail was awoken by "the crackle in the rear of the upper floor, where the sleeping rooms were." "The building burned to the ground, but two dwellings and a barn, adjoining, were saved by the firemen." [1909-08-31a] , [1909-08-31b]

Conclusion

The Watering Trough roadhouse was never rebuilt. At some point the old watering trough was removed but that event does not seem to have been recorded for posterity. Thus ended the existence of one of the most notorious roadhouses on the old Cicero Plank Road. In April 1914, the Cicero Plank Road was purchased by Onondaga County. [1914-04-23] It was replaced by a modern road in 1915. [1915-10-08]

Local Events

The Dippold Crossing Accidents –

Dippold Road had been a short cut between the State Road (old Salt Road) and Wolf Street. South bound wagons that could not make the hill in the State Road, as it entered the village of Salina, would turn off at Dippold Road and use the less steep Wolf Street to reach the village with their loads. When the Branch Railroad was constructed in 1874, to route the freight train traffic around the city of Syracuse, it crossed over the plank road about 100 feet south of its intersection with Dippold Road. This choice of pathway for the railroad created the Dippold Crossing. The Cicero Plank Road had extended Wolf Street to intersect with the old State Road and Richmond Road (now E. Molloy Road) at the center of what is now Mattydale. This less steep path for the plank road eliminated much of the need for Dippold Road but it was still a short cut between to two main highways in the area. The customers of the various saloons that occupied the Watering Trough location used this short cut after a night of drinking, often with tragic results as they tried to navigate the railroad grade crossing in their less than sober state. In June 1902 the Railroad Commission gave permission to permanently close the dangerous crossing.

The exact location of this particular watering trough wasn't given. The message however is clear. Even though the mode of transportation had changed the old Water Trough still had a role to play.

1874 Map. This map shows a detailed view of the portion of the Town of Salina just over the city line, showing the Plank Road, the old State Road, the Junction Railroad, just built in 1874, and Ley Creek. On the Cicero Plank road the railroad tracks passed overhead but Dippold Road was an on grade crossing and that was what made it so dangerous. Dippold Road had just been a short cut between the old Salt Road and the newer Plank Road. However, when the railroad tracks were constructed they passed just south of the junction of the Dippold Road with the Plank Road, cutting it and creating the Dippold Crossing. 

2014 - The aerial view shows the old Watering Trough area as it appears today.

NOTES:

[1855-05-14] - "Attempt To Murder," The Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Monday, May 14, 1855.

[1858-11-24] - "First Ward Police," The Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, November 24, 1858.

[1858-12-23] - "First Ward Matters," The Central City Daily Courier, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, December 23, 1858.

[1859-11-17] - "Stray Dog," The Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, November 17, 1859.

[1860-06-12] - Dennis Stewart Brought Before the Common Council. The Syracuse Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Tuesday, June 12, 1860.

[1867-10-24] – "Real Estate Sale," The Daily Journal, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, October 24, 1867.

[1871-02-04] - "For Sale, Valuable Property at the Watering Trough," The Syracuse Daily Journal, Syracuse, NY, Saturday, February 4, 1871.

[1873-05-31] - "Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer," The Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Saturday, May 31, 1873.

[1873-07-25[ – "Henry A. McVanner's Case," The Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Friday, July 25, 1873.

[1877-05-28a] - "The Revolver - An Organized Gang Rioters Meet with a Disastrous Repulse," The Syracuse Daily Journal, Syracuse, NY, Monday, May 28, 1877.

[1877-05-28b] - "Homicide At The Greenway Hotel," The Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Monday, May 28, 1877.

[1877-06-01] - "The Homicide - Conclusions of the Coroner's Investigation," The Daily Journal, Syracuse, NY, Friday, June 1, 1877.

[1877-06-02] - "Criminal - The Recent Carnival of Crime in Syracuse," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Saturday, June 2, 1877.

Alfred Sullivan & William Wright – Greenway Hotel rioters – plead not guilty.

[1877-06-09] - "Convicted and Sent Up," The Daily Journal, Syracuse, NY, Saturday, June 9, 1877.

[1877-07-01] - Sullivan & Wright Plead Guilty – Get Suspended Sentences. Syracuse Sunday Times, Syracuse, NY, Sunday, July 1, 1877.

[1877-09-18] - "Arrested and Held on an Indictment," The Syracuse Daily Journal, Syracuse, NY, Tuesday, September 18, 1877.

[1877-09-19] - "Criminal Notes," The Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Wednesday, September 19, 1877.

[1878-04-02] – Charles Crocker caught stealing laundry on Jefferson near Mulberry.

[1878-11-27] - "A Lively Time, An Officer Arrested for Carrying Concealed Weapons," The Syracuse Standard, Syracuse, NY, Wednesday, November 27, 1878.

[1878-11-28] - "The Other Side of the Story," The Daily Courier, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, November 28, 1878.

[1879-07-20] - "Salina's Scandal," The Sunday Courier, Syracuse, NY, Sunday, July 20, 1879.

[1880-09-14] - "A Democratic Row," The Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Tuesday, September 14, 1880.

[1886-04-22] - "Robbed In A Hack - A Shoemaker Who Won't Accept Further Invitations to Ride," The Syracuse Daily Journal, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, April 22, 1886.

[1886-06-04] - "Brevities," The Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Friday, June 4, 1886.

[1887-03-06] - "An Auburn Man's Adventure," The Syracuse Standard, Syracuse, NY, Sunday, March 6, 1887.

[1887-09-30] – May St. John Story. "Childhood On The Pave - The Fearful Story Told by a Girl of Fourteen at the Police Station," The Syracuse Standard, Syracuse, NY, Friday, September 30, 1887.

[1888-07-17] – "Run Down In Jersey," The Syracuse Courier, Syracuse, NY, Tuesday, July 17, 1888.

[1888-07-19] - "Police Paragraphs," The Syracuse Courier, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, July 19, 1888.

[1894-11-09] - Bartender Shot at Billy Ide’s

[1894-11-11] A slightly different version of the Shooting at Billy Ide’s

[1895-01-31] - "Stole Lynch's Watch - Michael Dolan Makes a Full Confession," The Daily Courier, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, January 31, 1895.

[1895-02-21] - "For Sale," The Sunday Courier, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, February 21, 1895.

[1895-02-27] - "Lehman Not Guilty," The Syracuse Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Wednesday, February 27, 1895.

[1899-06-26a] – "Jacob Switzer Drowns in a Barrel of Water," The Evening Herald, Syracuse, NY, Monday, June 26, 1899.

[1899-06-26b] – "Switzer Committed Suicide," The Evening Telegram, Syracuse, NY, Monday, June 26, 1899.

[1899-06-27] – "Claimed That Illness of Switzer Caused Him to Commit Suicide," The Syracuse Daily Standard, Syracuse, NY, Tuesday, June 27, 1899.

[1901-09-25] – "Faatz Wanted Water Sues for $1,000 Because He Didn't Get It," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Wednesday, September 25, 1901.

[1901-11-19] - "Faatz Gets Judgment," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Tuesday, November 19, 1901.

[1902-02-06] - "Has Many Entries For Fox Chase," The Post Standard, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, February 6, 1902.

[1902-02-07] - "Dogs Lost the Trail," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Friday, February 7, 1902.

[1902-02-20] - "To-day's Fox Chase," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Thursday, February 20, 1902.

[1902-02-21] – "No Chase Because Dog killed Fox," The Post Standard, Syracuse, NY, Friday, February 21, 1902.

[1904-02-23] - "Mr. D. T. Evans, Proprietor of the Plankington House," The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, Tuesday, February 23, 1904.

[1905-03-20] - "Wanted - Girl For General Housework," The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY, Monday, March 20, 1905.

[1905-10-16] - "Preceeding to Revoke Certificate," The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY, Monday, October 16, 1905.

[1907-08-12] - "J. J. Murphy Near Death From Blood Poisoning," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Monday, August 12, 1907.

[1907-09-13] - "Touched For $160," The Sunday Herald, Syracuse, NY, Friday, September 13, 1907.

[1909-08-31a] - "Escaped In Night Clothes," The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY, Tuesday, August 31, 1909.

[1909-08-31b] - "3 Barely Escape In Hotel Fire," The Post Standard, Syracuse, NY, Tuesday, August 31, 1909

[1914-04-23] - The DeRuyter Gleaner, DeRuyter, NY, Thursday, April 23, 1914.

[1915-10-08] - "State Roads Are Being Completed," The Syracuse Journal, Syracuse, NY, Friday, October 8, 1915.