From The Potsdam Courier & Freeman, dated December 11, 1861:

 

An accident which it is a wonder did not result fatally, occurred at the railroad crossing between this village and Potsdam Junction, on the evening of the 3d inst. Mr. W. B. Whitney and a young lady from the Junction were returning home from the rehearsal of the Philharmonic Society, and as they were driving over the crossing the train came in collision with the team, nearly cutting off the foot of one horse, carrying the other some distance on the cow catcher, smashing the sleigh, and throwing the passengers violently to the ground. The lady sustained quite a serious injury on the head, but Mr. Whitney escaped with some slight bruises. It was quite a cold night, and being closely muffled, neither heard the train until it was upon them. They were taken on board and carried to the Junction.

The following news items were from various Watertown Daily Times "Looking Back" columns:

Aug. 8, 1875: A special telegram to the Times from Potsdam Junction says: "Messrs. Reynolds & Bowhall's flouring mills, containing 200 bushels of wheat, situated on Raquette River one mile north of Potsdam Junction, was consumed by fire between the hours of 8 and 9 last evening. The mill and machinery had just been repaired and put in operation. It is supposed that the fire caught from friction of machinery. Loss, $7,500; said to be insured for $5,000.

Nov. 5, 1875: The two-story brick store in Norwood, occupied by Messrs. Leonard & Valley, grocer dealers, and E. Leonard & Son, butter depot, was, with entire contents, burned about 1 a.m., Oct. 28. It was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. The value of building is estimated at $2,000, insured for $1,200. Insurance on goods, $1,800, which will probably cover loss.

March 20, 1878: The other day at Potsdam Junction a man who had heard that one of the druggists was selling liquor thought it would be a good plan to catch that druggist and make an example of him. He accordingly sent a loose character in after the stuff, for which he paid a quarter. The two men then went around to the back of the hub factory to see what they had got, and to their surprise found it was water.

 

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