Fenian raids (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The Fenians arrived in Malone expecting to find arms awaiting them. Wrong. The US government had confiscated most of them along the border. Thus, unarmed, the Fenians thought it best to not attack Canada in 1866. Border agents seized a trainload of arms in Watertown. The Fenians recaptured them. Once more, in …[ read more ]

Canadian Home-Guard defending against Fenians in 1870. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The Canadians worried about an attack by the Fenians from the States. As early as November 1865, they placed troops at the borders and kept them on duty. In March they asked for 10,000 volunteers to guard the border and got 14,000. Eventually, they let their …[ read more ]

The Fenians . Just who were they? And why were they here in Malone, NY? Glad you asked. The Fenians lived in Ireland and their movement existed primarily in England and The United States. Simply put, they wanted Ireland completely independent from England. They believed the Great Famine that hit Ireland and the poor aid from England was …[ read more ]

The Underground Railroad started off as not an organized group. However, federal law inflicted heavy fines and/or imprisonment. In the South, it could mean death. As with any righteous protest system, such as the freedom rides and anti-segregation marches, the Underground Railroad gained momentum. Neil exploring tunnel Tunnel in basement of the Congregational Church The Underground Railroad …[ read more ]

civil_war_cannon_smoke (Photo credit: Tom Gill. ) Little changed in Malone until the Civil War . At this time, the people became a little less puritanical and a little less amenable to censor from the clergy. Yet their amusements were puritanical by today’s standards: debating societies, bell ringers, concerts, bowling, dances, circuses and minstrel shows. Once the war arrived, changes …[ read more ]