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Also in 1859, the gas company was organized. The carpet bag factory was the first building lit by gas that October. During the Civil War, many Middletowners served in the conflict, some as part of the 124th Regiment - the well-known Orange Blossoms. While the battle of Gettysburg was being fought, a peacen Middletown. In his book, The Day Lincoln Was Shot, Jim Bishop presents a mystery; essentially that the Middletown, New York paper (The Whig Press) reported the news of Lincoln's assassination before they could possibly have received the news. Actually, there was no mystery; Mr. Bishop simply had his dates confused.
The late 1860's and early 70's were a time of railroad building, seeing construction and operation of the Middletown, Unionville and Water Gap (today the Middletown and New Jersey), the Middletown and Crawford (later Erie's branch to Pine Bush, abandoned eight years ago), and New York and Oswego Midland, later the New York, Ontario and Western (0 & W).
Bull's Opera House on West Main Street opened March 20, 1871. On October 19, 1871, Middletown citizens met there and raised money to send to victims of the great Chicago Fire. An interesting tale exists about the fire. This is the version told by historian Mildred Parker Seese: "Middletown interest in that holocaust probably had some personal basis, since families from this vicinity were among sufferers; and there is a story - somewhat stronger than tradition - that young Ezra Durland, who had gone West... sold to Mr. O'Leary the cow that kicks over the lantern that started the fire."
The State Hospital opened in 1874. Middletown's first telephone company was organized in 1881. In 1888 came the subject of this celebration, incorporation as a city.
Middletown had been incorporated as a village in 1848: "An order to incorporate the village of Middletown was granted by Judge Bate, February 10, 1848; and at an election held March 25, 1848, the act of incorporation by a vote of 123 to 17. "Judge Bate approved the procedure April 4, 1848. The village was octagon in shape, the center being Franklin Square. Elections were held April 20, 1848. Stacy Beakes became the first village president.
A movement for a city charter
resulted in an improved village charter in 1872. Although a bill to incorporate Middletown as a city in 1887 was passed by the Senate and House, Governor D.B. Hill vetoed the measure because of a provision which allowed the Common Council to free new industries from taxation, which was considered to be a dangerous precedent.
Another attempt was made in 1887. Senator Henry R. LOW introduced the charter bill in the Senate on January 11th. It passed the Assembly May 8th, and was signed by Governor David B. Hill June 9th. Middletown officially became a city 20 days later; June 29, 1888. John E. Iseman, became the last village president,