Historical events often make the best fodder for political anecdotes, and Northern New York has a long and storied past of its own. The region’s early settlers, adventuresome 19th-century entrepreneurs, and many personalities it has produced all have a unique story to tell about the area and its politics. From the mid-19th century to today, Northern New York has given rise to some of the most interesting and amusing political anecdotes in print.
This compilation comprises the best political anecdotes to ever have been relayed through newspaper accounts in Northern New York. They range from the mildly amusing to the downright bizarre and each one is accompanied with a brief summary of the story and its source in the local press.
Background on Northern New York
Northern New York consists of five counties located in the northeastern corner of the state adjacent to the Adirondack Mountains. This portion of the Empire State is home to several major cities and towns including the popular tourist destination of Lake Placid. The region’s economy is dominated by logging, tourism, and agricultural production. In terms of population, Northern New York is one of the least populous areas in the state, though it has seen some growth in recent decades due to an influx of retirees.
A Brief History of News in Northern New York
Newspapers in Northern New York can be traced back to the early 19th century. Among the first was the St. Lawrence Republican, founded in 1818 and published in Ogdensburg. The Plattsburgh Republican-Gazette and the Malone Palladium followed shortly thereafter in 1822 and 1836, respectively. Over the years, other papers have come and gone, giving rise to a range of incidental stories and political anecdotes.
The Best Political Anecdotes From Northern New York Newspapers
- The Sheep Dog Who Attended a County Meeting
In 1831, the St. Lawrence Republican reported on an unusual attendee of a county meeting in Northern New York. One of the participants brought his pet sheepdog, which gained the attention of the assembly when it began barking at the proceedings. It wasn’t long before the members of the meeting opted to adjourn while they deliberated what to do about the canine intruder.
- The Plattsburgh Election Day Brawl
At an election day rally in Plattsburgh in 1838, two well-known local residents squared off in a heated political debate. The altercation quickly turned physical and the two men were soon surrounded by a large crowd looking to witness the fight. The correspondent for the Plattsburgh Republican Gazette reported the two men were eventually pulled apart and the results of the election were unaffected.
- The Inmate Who Ran for County Office
In July of 1845, a prisoner in the St. Lawrence county jail filed his papers to run for county office. An inmate of the jail had never run before, but his supporters argued his status as a prisoner should not exclude him from the vote. Ultimately, the man was allowed to stay on the ballot and he received a plurality of the votes, though he was never released from prison.
- The Missing Postal Cannons
In the early 1850s, a postal ship containing several large cannons was sent to the northern tip of New York state, but arrived without its cargo. Federal investigators suspected the cannons had been sold at auction by the postal service while in transit and guessed they had been purchased by a political group from the region. The ship eventually left port without the cannons and no one was ever held responsible for their disappearance.
- The Campaign Sign Heist
In the run up to a congressional election in the 1860s, political tensions in Northern New York were running high. On election day, some of the local candidates’ signs were found to have been stolen from their posts and replaced with signs bearing the slogans of their opponents. Everyone was implicated in the theft, but no one was ever charged for the crime and the pranksters were never found.
- The Grand Jury Protest
In 1864, citizens of a small town in Northern New York staged a protest in response to the recent formation of a grand jury. As the jury convened, the citizens gathered in groups of 25 around the courthouse and sang hymns and waved protest banners before eventually dispersing without incident. No arrests were made and the specifics of the protest remain somewhat of a mystery.
- The Election Day Duel
During an election in the late 19th century, two candidates in Northern New York faced-off in a duel to determine who would take home the victory. After hearing dirt about each other spread amongst the public, the candidates decided to settle the conflict literally with guns. Thankfully, the two were stopped before shots were fired and the conflict was diffused.
- The New York Dinner Party Scandal
In the early 20th century, a group of political opponents in Northern New York decided to hold a celebratory dinner, though the details of the gathering soon became public. The incident was reported in the local press, though it was carefully worded to imply both parties were to blame for the scandal. It remains unclear as to who was truly responsible for the spectacle.
The rich history of Northern New York and its politics has certainly had its share of fascinating and amusing events over the years. This selection of political anecdotes from local newspapers offers a glimpse in to this past and allows us to appreciate the lighter side of the Empire State’s history. Whether it’s a sheepdog intruding on a county meeting or a duel in the lead up to an election, the people of Northern New York have given rise to some of the funniest newspaper stories in the country.
