It’s Friday, so let’s look at a pretty picture. From the Albany Institute’s collection, this is a shot of the Frank A. Jagger, a lumber barge, somewhere in the the canals of the lumber district, which started about where Albany’s north boat launch is today. North of Ferry Street was a network of slips; the Institute has a wonderful map here.
Turns out Franklin A. Jagger, who may be pictured on this boat, was a well-known figure of the lumber district. Here’s what the New York Lumber Trade Journal had to say on his death in 1916:
Apr. 26, 1916: Franklin A. Jagger, a famous character in the Albany Lumber District, died here Saturday night, after an illness lasting eighteen days. The funeral was held yesterday from his late residence, Gilderland [sic]. He was 62 years old.
Mr. Jagger had been connected with the Albany trade for many years. For thirty-three years he was in the employ of A.S. Kibbee & Son in a position of responsibility. He was hardly absent a day because of illness until recently, when a severe cold developed into pneumonia, which resulted in his death.
Mr. Jagger was the [New York Lumber Trade] Journal’s news representative, and in this capacity he was in close touch with all the dealers at all times and had, as a result, a wonderful store of trade history and anecdote. He witnessed the passing of the district’s men of another generation and saw new ones take their places in the famous lumber market of the State capital. The news of his death was a shock to the entire trade, whose respect and confidence he held to a high degree.
And the Albany Board of Lumber Dealers passed a resolution just two days after his death:
Resolved, The death of Franklin A. Jagger has come as a shock to the Lumber District. Most of us did not know that he was ill until two days before the news of his death came to us. For thirty-five years he had been associated with the firm of A.S. Kibbee & Son, and many of us came in contact with him almost daily. He was a man of genial manner and uniform courtesy. A graduate of Union College, he was interested in English literature and read much. He was fond of books, and his conversation frequently showed the he remembered a good deal of what he read. For several years he had been the Albany correspondent of the New York Lumber Trade Journal, and we all looked forward to his semi-monthly letters with pleasant anticipation.
We extend our condolences to his wife and sons in their great bereavement, and direct that this resolution be spread on the minute book of this board, and that a copy be sent to the family.
Just for the record, the builder of the boat, Ira M. Rose, was from out west on the Ellicott Creek, and was fairly notable himself.