The name William Blaikie is a familiar one to local bottle collectors.  Blaikie started an apothecary business in Utica in 1853 and the firm was still thriving in 1910 at the time of his passing.  Because the business lasted for more than half a century, hobbyists have an easy time finding Blaikie bottles for their collections in numerous different sizes and embossings.  Blaikie was an astute businessman and in addition to his own business, for many years was President of the Savings Bank of Utica.  These accomplishments alone are worthy of recognition, but Blaikie was well known in the community for other honorable reasons.  Mr. Blaikie was the first humane society agent in Utica and at one time was President of the Utica Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Children.  Local newspapers wrote many stories about Blaikie’s good deeds to animals and children, both when he was alive and for years after his passing.  The tabloids documented the many actions done by this good soul whose name was synonymous with kindness to animals.  A few excerpts from some interesting stories written about Blaikie are shown below.   The news items were copied from Utica newspapers found on the website www.fultonhistory.com.

“Years ago William Blaikie, Utica pharmacist, was the Society's top booster. On seeing an ailing horse-car horse in Genesee St., he used to run out into the street, stop the car, unhitch the bewildered animal and leave the passengers distraught.  He also kept a sidewalk watering trough for dogs in front of his store. And inside—it's now the Watford Drug Company—they'll show you a roundish hole in a floor level cupboard which Mr. Blaikie put there.  It is big enough to admit a fleeing cat; too small for a pursuing dog.”  (From the Utica Observer Dispatch, “Dec 28 or 29, 1947)

“Then, one day a New York City gentleman (Henry Berg) who had in 1866 fought the horse-car and slaughterhouse lobbies to found the SPCA took time off from visiting in-laws in Utica and dropped in the drug store.

There he sold Mr. Blaikie on becoming the city’s first humane office; also one of the first such officers in the country.  He handled the job in his spare time.

Time and again he would interrupt waiting on a customer to run out and stop a street car whose driver was beating his horses. 

“Then there was the canal boat.  Mr. Blaikie used to drop around and look for welts on the backs of the mules or for abrasions where the tow rope cut across their shoulders.  Things got so that when the captains neared Utica they unhitched all the mules with sore backs and didn’t put them on until they got beyond the city.  It was a little like today’s heavy trucks driving around the weighing stations.”

Anyway, Mr. Blaikie outfoxed them by going to Whitesboro and got a few arrests that way.  Usually he just took the captain to the police station; once, though, he brought the mules along too as material witnesses.”  (From the Utica Observer Dispatch May 2, 1954)

"There was a time when Mr. Blaikie became famed and loved throughout the city through his interest in children and animals.  It was a long time ago that he first manifested a courageous contempt for the man who beat his horse or whipped his child.  He has never gotten over it, and today at the venerable age which he has acquired he is just as quick to enlist in the war against cruelty as he was fifty years ago.  Surrounding him in the noble work are men and woman who have large hearts.” (From The Utica Journal -  Sunday, March 4, 1906)

“The society began because of James Steven’s worry about animal protection, Gustayus Swan's concern about prevention of cruelty to children and William Blaikie's concern about animals. Their three groups united as Stevens-Swan in 1910 and for years handled cases for both children and animals.”  (From the Observer Dispatch  -  Monday, May 30, 1987)  An act to consolidate The Utica Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Children, The Gustavus Swan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children of Rome, NY and The Stevens Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Rome, New York became a law May 24, 1910 with the approval of the Governor.  The name of the new Society was The Stevens-Swan Humane Society of Oneida County. 

“One of the interesting chapters of his life was his connection with the abolitionist movement prior to the Civil War. He was a leader in the movement in this section of the country.”   (Utica Herald-Dispatch, Monday Evening April 11, 1910) 

Consequently, William Blaikie was a first class citizen who set a good example for other citizens and was an inspiration to all in regards to the treatment of children and animals.  Bottle collectors would do honor to Blaikie’s memory if they bear in mind that his name was honored more for his benevolence toward animals and children than for being the founder of a successful drug store.