In the course of my research in preparation for writing the book I uncovered an interesting “Alexander story” which I placed in the book and a copy of which I am enclosing.  Unfortunately I cannot distinguish which “William” is the subject of the story.  When the episode began in 1844-46 there were five William Alexanders in town:

1.    William, the pioneer, brother of John, Sr.  (John Sr., is Grand-dad’s grandfather, so William is his great uncle.

2.    William P. Alexander, son of the above, also called Pitt, apparently his middle name.

3.    William P. Alexander, Jr. born 1825, son of above.

4.    William “your ancestor” born 1803.  (Grand-dad’s father and son of John)

5.    William, son of above, born 1828.  (Grand-dad’s older brother)

On the surface it would appear that the “William Alexander 2nd” of the story would be #2 above except that:

1.    He was always called William P. or Pitt and I cannot find him resident here in 1850. I believe that he may already have died as his widow later remarried twice more before her own death.

2.    In those days “2nd” did not necessarily mean “Junior” as we might assume but was used simply to distinguish one from another.

3.    As Nos. 3 & 5 would have been too young and No. 2 is not necessarily so, I have always thought that your “William” may be the character of the story. I suppose that the 1850 census would tell the story and some day perhaps one of us can check it. 

I thought this an interesting story and so made carbon copies to send to all of you.  I check my notes on the 1850 census and only have Grand-dad’s father but he is listed as a farmer on it and the 1860.  He could have owned a store and will have to check further.  I do know there is no record of him serving two terms as sheriff like Grad-dad said.  I have checked the records of two other people in N. Y. have too and his name is not there.  Anyway, the William in the story is a relative but don’t know which one and how close of a relative.  He was pretty bull-headed.  It reminded me of Uncle Roy and his battles with the game wardens.

             It appears that William Alexander 2nd, as he was known to distinguish him from four other William Alexanders then alive, operated a store at which he sold liquor without a license.  He was admonished about this fact in 1844 and at the Town Meeting of Feb. 18, 1845 it was “voted that the town express their approbation to the Overseers of the Poor in complaining of those in our town who sell spiritous liquors with license.”   During the ensuing year a case was brought against Alexander by the Overseers of the Poor, and he was found guilty and fined $25.00.  The Syracuse Standard recorded “that during the pending of the trial, he grossly insulted the witnesses on the stand, that he declared he would sell irrespective of all remonstrances and that if he could not sell he would give away his liquor.”

            Although fined, Mr. Alexander continued his sales until, on the night of January 17, 1846, George King entered his premises: “George King was found dead on Sabbath morning the 18th instant a short distance away from the rum shop where he had been drinking the night before till a late hour.  A meeting of the citizens was accordingly held in the Congregational Church, LaFayette Square, on the 27th instant.  Erastus Baker was called to the chair and J. B. Gilbert appointed secretary.  When it was told Alexander that George King was dead, he said ‘he did not care anything about it only it would make a hell of a fuss’ and when called before the coroner and jury he used profane and abusive language to the court, thus showing a contempt of public opinion, a destitution of human feelings and an entire disregard of law, order, justice, and religion....”  “We the jury empaneled, do agree that in our opinion the deceased, George King, came to his death in a state on intoxication from liquor procured by him at the grocery of William Alexander 2nd in LaFayette.  Resolved by the Jury of Inquest called to inquire into the death of George King that a meeting of the citizens of the town at LaFayette Square for the purpose of passing appropriate resolutions in relation to vending and using spiritous liquors and to transact such other business as may come before the meeting.  Signed: H. Bronson, Coroner; Calvin Cole, Albert Becker, Elizjah Park, Erastus Baker, Morris Clapp, Joseph S. Cole, Lyman L. Rose, Charles I. Davis, Chauncy Williams, Harvey Robinson, Chester Baker, Morris Baker, Luther Baker, Warren Goodell, Epenetus Hoyt.”

            As a result of the recommendations of this committee, a special election was held in the town on May 19, 1846.  By a vote of 212 to 130 it was decided to issue no excise licenses and the town “went dry”; the tavern kept by Harvey Robinson in Ezra Knapp’s old stand, had already become a “Temperance House” the year before.

            “Temperance here is triumphant,” declared Rev. Delevan, but his rejoicing was short lived.  At a special town meeting held just one year later, on April 27, 1847, it was voted 247 to 152 to restore license.

            William Alexander 2nd went back into business undaunted by the forums of public opinion.  According to The Syracuse Standard of March 30, 1853, he “was arrested for selling spiritous liquors to William Buck, and Indian.”  Since it was considered a grave offense to sell Indians alcohol, Mr. Alexander probably did not fare so easily at the bar of justice.