History of Saratoga County, New York, USA

1882 - A MURDERER CAPTURED
Arrest of James Conroy for Killing Peter M'Cann, of Saratoga County.

PITTSBURG, Aug. 22. - Several weeks ago a circular was received at Police Head-quarters, in this city, offering a reward of $500 for the arrest of James Conroy, charged with the murder of Peter McCann, at Jobville, Saratoga County, N.Y., on 22d December, 1880. Detective Harrison took charge of the case, and soon secured a clue which to-day led to Conroy's arrest. Harrison and another officer went this morning to Ellrod's Station, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, as they had learned that Conroy's son-in-law, named Foley, kept a railroad boarding-house near there. They found Conroy sitting on the river bank in the woods. Conroy was going under the name of Carley. He did not deny his identity, but yielded quietly to the officers. Conroy told his story of the murder very frankly. He says that he went to Jobville to ask McCann to lend him some money, for which he had pressing need. Instead of granting the request... Read MORE...

1885 - MARY FOLHART'S STORY. Why a Brooklyn Girl was Arrested for Theft.
She Visits a Female Friend to Attend Her Through Illness and Receives a Proposal of Marriage from a Married Man - Going to Saratoga County to Face Her Accuser.

A lank, knowing looking countryman dropped into Police Headquarters yesterday afternoon and asked with an air of great importance for the Superintendent of Police. He was shown into Chief Campbell's room and then reveled his identity.

"I am George A. Rice," said he, "constable of Stillwater, Saratoga County, N. Y., and I have with me a warrant for the arrest of Mary Folhart, who was formerly a servant for John Ferron, of Stillwater, Saratoga County, N. Y. She is charged with having stolen wearing apparel, money and jewelry, and is said to live at 353 South Fourth street."

Superintendent Campbell gave the warrant to Detective Mahoney, who went to the house in South Fourth street and found Miss Folhart living with her father. When the gentlemanly detective told her of the charge against her she was very indignant, but... Read MORE...

1893 - Frost Torches to Protect Vegetables.
The project adopted by the farmers of Saratoga County, New York, to protect their crops from damage by early frosts is worthy of imitation elsewhere. It seems that a Swedish farmer has talked of the use of "frost torches" in his native country, made of petroleum-soaked peat; but, as peat is not common in Saratoga County, the farmers employed their leisure time in the summer preparing pine stakes two inches in diameter and five feet long, then they laid in a stock of kerosene. A few evenings ago the thermometer dropped to thirty-eight degrees by 8 o'clock p. m. and the agriculturists began soaking their pine sticks. By midnight they had them in place, about fifty to the acre and blazing vigorously, the dense smoke preventing the chilling of the atmosphere. As the torches cost, but about one-half cent each, and as all the torch-illuminated farms escaped damage, while the others in the vicinity were probably depleted of two-thirds of their produce by frost, it is clear that the scheme is ... Read MORE...

1895 - Saratoga county
Saratoga, sār-e-to'ga, a county in the E. part of New York, has an area of about 800 square miles. It is bounded on the E. by the IIudson River, and on the S. by the Mo hawk, and is intersected by the Sacondaga River. The surface is moderately hilly or undulating, except the north ern part, which is mountainous. It is extensively covered with forests of the oak, hickory, ash, beech, elm, chestnut, sugar-maple, &c. The soil is fertile. Hay, butter, potatoes, oats, Indian corn, lumber, and rye are the staple products. Among its minerals are slate, Silurian (Trenton) limestone, and Potsdam sandstone, a good material for building. This county contains Saratoga Lake and other smaller lakes. It is intersected by the Champlain Canal, the Delaware & Hudson Canal Railroad, the Fitchburg Railroad, and the Mount McGregor Railroad. The largest town of this county is Saratoga Springs, the fashionable watering-place. Capital, Ballston Spa. Pop. in 1870, 51,529; in 1880, 55,156; in 1890, 57,663.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1903 - Buck Shot in Saratoga County
Special to The New York Times
BALLSTON, N.Y., Sept. 1. - Peter Witbeck shot a buck early this morning on the Hoyt farm near Elnora. Two does escaped. This is the first deer killed in Saratoga County in recent years.
The New York Times
New York, New York
September 2, 1903

1903 - Saratoga County.
Ballston, N.Y., Oct 9. - Three and a half inches of rain fell here during the eighteen hours ending at 8 a.m. today. The storm was general throughout Saratoga county.

All streams in this vicinity are at flood height.
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
October 9, 1903

1908 - INSULTED - Governor of New York - Saratoga County Fair Sports Refuse To Start Their Horses
So Long as Hughes Was on the Ground - Action is Condemned on All Sides.

Special Dispatch to the Enquirer.
Balston Spa, N.Y., August 26. - An incident unparalleled in the history of the state occurred at the Saratoga County Fair today, when Governor Hughes was humiliated in the eyes of thousands of people by the horsemen, who refused to start their horses while the Governor was on the grounds.

The incident, it is believed, will make votes for the Governor should he run again this fall, as the action was strongly condemned on all sides, and the fair officials were almost at the point of disqualifying the owners.

The Governor had made his visit to the fair, and at the conclusion of his address took a seat in the grand stand, surrounded by prominent Republicans of the county.

The horsemen at a meeting last night, it is said, decided to retaliate against the Governor for his action in racing matters by not starting the races to-day. Those who had horses entered to-day were G.... Read MORE...

2023 - Saratoga County has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in this lovely part of New York:
Saratoga Spa State Park: Start your visit with a trip to this expansive state park. It features mineral springs, hiking trails, picnic areas, and even a beautiful swimming pool complex. Be sure to explore the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) within the park, which hosts concerts and ballet performances during the summer months.

Saratoga Race Course: If you're in Saratoga Springs during the summer, don't miss the world-famous Saratoga Race Course. Experience the excitement of thoroughbred horse racing, a tradition dating back to 1863.

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: Located adjacent to the Saratoga Race Course, this museum is a must-visit for horse racing enthusiasts. It showcases the history and legends of the sport through exhibits, memorabilia, and Hall of Fame inductees.

Saratoga Spa Golf: Enjoy a round of golf at the pristine Saratoga Spa Golf Course. This 18-hole course offers scenic views and a challenging game for golfers of all levels.

Saratoga... Read MORE...